MIA

Sorry about disappearing over the last few days, but some exciting new things are happening. I won't tell everything, but one really really cool development is my site's new logo!

Andy Carlyle, a friend and designer here in Atlanta, tweaked my old one and came up with this. I know I'm biased, but I think it's pretty fantastic! I adore the "k". Thanks Andy! If you'd like to see more of his work (which is definitely worth looking at), check it out here.

On another note, last weekend I took to Savannah with my mom to go to the Scottish games and wander around downtown. While I won't go into detail about every stop, there are 3 gems I just have to share.

First, Leopold's Ice Cream. I won't say it tops a cone filled with Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Therapy, but it is really really good. There's almost always a line and is decorated with tons of movie memorabilia since it is owned by Stratton Leopold, a famous movie producer. Fast Times at Ridgemont High, anyone?

Next stop was the Paris Market. It never ceases to amaze me. I just love the high end flea market feel of it all and was immediately fell in love with their vintage vibe. Here are a few shots from there-

the upstairs is filled with books, soaps, jewelry, etc

while the downstairs is filled with beautiful furniture. Please excuse the animal heads. Not as keen on those.

I need these :)

then again, this mirrored feature with the chandelier is pretty awesome too.

Next stop was at DC2 designs. They say it's a fusion of contemporary designs, I say it's just the coolest place ever. Take a look for yourself:

the place is full of chandeliers and beautiful furniture. See that brown velvet chair in the lower right hand corner? yep. I fell for that one hard.

Our house will somehow incorporate these ceilings...

and the beautiful mosaic tiles... oh and see those drapes? Ignore the metallic sheen since that's only because of my camera. In actuality they are gorgeous chocolate brown silk with a modern silver motif. And are apparently discontinued. I couldn't convience the woman to let me buy them from the store, which is too bad because they would be perfect for our bedroom.

Anyhow, there are just some of the many beautiful things I saw. Hope you enjoyed! Oh, and don't forget to look for a new board in the next day or so!

Out of the Office

via nibs blog

I'm out of the office today, but I wanted to wish everyone a happy mother's day weekend! I hope the weather is perfect and the day is relaxing :)

See you on Monday!

P.S. I love love love retro bathing suits. They are so fabulous.

Easter Cards

Easter is this Sunday, so look for an Easter inspired board tomorrow! Until then, here's a peek at the cards my family and friends will soon be receiving. They were so fun to make!

Today's the last day!

Don't forget to head over to Design Crush and enter to win a set of my stationery! There's only a couple hours left...

Thank you!

I didn't get Ariel, but I think I had a similar expression when I saw the features!
via flickr

I feel like the luckiest girl in the world!

I want to give two huge thank yous today- one to Kristen Nichols of All Things Lovely, and another to the girls of Elizabeth Anne Designs for featuring my note cards on their blogs! You all are so wonderful and I really appreciate the kind words said about my work! If there is ever anything I can do for y'all, just let me know!

If you'd like to check out the features (or just take some time ready their amazing blogs), just click on their names above!

It's here!

The website is finally up and running! Check it out at courtneykhailstationery.com. Hope you enjoy!

A huge thanks goes out to Thomas for getting this up and running! If anyone doesn't know yet, I am horrible at code and Thomas is wonderful at it. Speaking of wonderful, check out his website too! We went to high school and college together and he has yet to stop amazing me. Thanks again Thomas!!

Meeting Martha

via martha

Yesterday I went to the Martha Stewart book signing at the Georgia Aquarium. I not only received a copy of her new cookie cookbook, but I also got to meet Martha herself! It was a little strange meeting someone who you've only seen on TV or in magazines, (I'm always curious as to if they will appear different in real life or not) but she was exactly who I expected!*

Even better, she was really nice- way nicer than I probably would have been after signing at least 300 books (by the time I was able to meet her) and knowing there were probably around another 200 to go. I can't imagine how wonderful a manicure/hand massage would feel after holding a pen for that long!

I brought her a gift of my stationery to say thank you for everything she has done and as a welcome gift for coming to Atlanta. I really hope she enjoys and likes my work. Martha has been such an inspiration for so many and I hope she realizes the impact she makes in so many people's lives. For me, knowing Martha was able to become who she is today not only inspired me, but also gave me the courage to develop my own stationery line. And seeing how many other people took over 3 hours out of their day just to meet her shows that I'm not alone in how I feel!

As for her cookbook, it is amazing! I was sitting admiring it all last night pointing out pictures and recipes as J. tried to watch a movie. Unlike most cookie cookbooks that are just a collection of recipes thrown together, this one was organized by the texture of the cookie- i.e. chewy, crunchy, etc. What a cool way to set up a cookbook! Also, each recipe is accompanied by a large full color glossy photo. Maybe it's just the artist in me, but I really dislike cookbooks that only include a few pictures.
"Wow, that carbonara I'm not making looks amazing, but is this really how my tortellini is supposed to look?" is a question you should never have to ask when using a cookbook.

via martha

Back to the cookies. They all look wonderful and I can't wait to try each one. You really should go out and buy the book. Like right now. And if you are "just going to buy one for a friend", order two. Once you see it for yourself, you won't want to give it up. Only problem is- the book has shown me I need more "tools of the trade". Now I'm not talking about the cute cookie molds (though I wouldn't turn them down if someone happened to pick up some for me!), but more of the basic cookie making tools.

Prime example- rolling pin, like this super cute pink one.

via Amazon

I have held out for a while now- using other objects that do a semi-decent job, but last night as I watched J try to flatten our pizza dough, I caved. We really need a rolling pin.

So thank you Martha. Not only for inspiring us, and coming to Atlanta to give us all the opportunity to meet you, but also for finally showing me just why I really have to have a rolling pin!

*sidenote- I wish she would tell everyone what she uses/ has been doing to keep herself looking so ageless- the woman looked amazing. Refreshed, relaxed, and completely wrinkle free!

Welcome!

I've decided to start my online stationery business!

It took a lot of thought, but in the end I knew that I had to follow my heart and use the talents God gave me.(Otherwise, I kind of feel like you're throwing them back)

I can't even begin to put how excited I am into words!

It all started when I began planning my own wedding. In addition to an artist, I am a scientific illustrator and really wanted something that had never been done before for my wedding invitations. Pouring over bridal magazines, I couldn't find stationery or invitations that truly felt like me- not to mention that meant something special to me or my then husband-to-be. That's when the fiance' suggested I just design my own. How exciting and cool would that be? And then came the hesitation :)

What if people didn't like them? Even worse, what if I found out I really *couldn't* do them?

But I took the plunge. We thought about what feel we were going for and what was special in our lives. Eventually we decided to do an evergreen themed invitation. Not only because we were getting married 5 days before Christmas, but also because my grandfather (who was like a best friend) had passed away 2 years before and evergreen was a huge part of his funeral since it stands for everlasting love and life.

That was the feeling we wanted to encourage- everlasting love and life. Not to mention, it meant a lot to me to honor my grandfather since he couldn't be there.

As I drew the illustration for the invites and later actually made them, I realized how happy this made me, and how I would love to bring this happiness to others.

That's when the idea of courtney khail stationery and design first started. I wanted to be able to create mini works of art that people would feel connected to-something that truly represented the person (without having to use their name or monogram). Not to mention, I wanted something good for the environment (all of my paper is 100% rag and my inks are all water soluble) and that could be framed and enjoyed long after the thank you note was read!

Anyhow, enough about that!

I started this blog to collect all of the little things I think we should find joy in. Sometimes it will be wedding related, other times decor or recipes, or maybe even just a few random quotes I come across. Either way, I hope this blog brings a little joy to people in such an uncertain world!

Feel free to contact me (either about my business or about something you see on the blog). I love getting your feedback!