A Girl’s Guide to Golf

It’s Master’s Sunday and we couldn’t be more in the golfing spirit. Here’s our guide for golfing in style!

Green Straw Clutch

Some are sporting the green jacket, we recommend the green clutch

Personalized Baseball Cap

A day in the sun, calls for a bit of personalized style

 

Personalized Zebra Umbrella
Be prepared for rain with the perfect accessory for your golf bag

Personalized Water Bottle

Hydration is key for a long day on the course

Golf Princess Beverage Napkins

A welcomed sight at the 19th hole

Golf Club Wine Holder

For the golfing hostess with the mostess

 

Golf Cart Invitation

Invite your foursome out for another round

Believe Book

Because everyone needs to “believe” a hole-in-one is in their future!

Brilliant Gifting: Bridal Showers

As “wedding season” fast approaches, our calendars are filled with festive events pre-Big Day. Bachelorette parties, bridal showers, dress fittings, bridesmaids gifts, rehearsal dinners & more.

Here are our top picks for Brilliant Gifting at your next Bridal Shower!

1. Always Kiss Me Goodnight Sign {Great advice for the bride!} 2. Redneck Champagne Flutes {Toast the bride & groom in true Southern style} 3. Personalized Square Tray {Perfect for a kitchen shower – and showcasing her new monogram} 4. All You Need is Love Frame {Include a photo of the soon to be Mr. & Mrs. and this makes a meaningful gift} 5. Lots of Dots Duffle in Blue {Make sure her “Something Blue” is checked off early – perfect for honeymoon packing}

In Denver with The Laid-Back Skier

Since the grande opening of our new Swoozie’s store in Denver last month, we have been busy digging into the local culture and meeting all kinds of fabulous new friends along the way. One of the best things about Denver is their laid-back lifestyle and casual hospitality, much like what we’re accustomed to in the South.

Today we enjoyed having local author Colleen Smith at the Denver store for a discussion and signing of her new book, The Laid-Back Skier. We are excited to have it on the shelves at Swoozie’s;  the whimsical illustration is delightful, and the spirit is playful. Read below to learn a little bit more about Colleen and the inspiration behind her new book.

What was the inspiration behind your book?

Alpine skiing has taught me so much about myself and provides for me a metaphor for life and living through ups and downs. While skiing, I began holding short, sweet, positive mantras in my head to work on my form. One of the first was “Lead with your heart.” I added another, and soon started seeing them illustrated.

Where do you draw your creative inspiration?

I tend to find lots of creative inspiration everywhere!

I draw creative energy from snow skiing, gardening, yoga, swimming, travel, Colorado outdoors, nature, books and other printed materials, art and music.

We love the illustration! Tell us more.

I met Patty Leidy, the book’s illustrator, through Facebook. I saw Patty’s cartoons and appreciated her sense of humor and her style. I messaged her about the idea.

What is the perfect occasion to give this book as a gift?

This spring book-signing emphasizes Laid-Back Skier as an ideal gift at Easter time: All our ski bunnies, and the spring colors, and the fact that the book’s size lends itself to Easter baskets. Spring skiers will enjoy the book. Laid-Back Skier is ideal for Christmas, too. Or a birthday, or for somebody who is not feeling well or is down on their luck. The messages are uplifting and positive.

And I do want to emphasize that Laid-Back Skier is not for skier’s only: The book offers whimsical ways to face life’s ups and downs.  Great for kids, but adults enjoy it, too. Laid-Back Skier includes practical pages: a skier’s journal and a skier’s packing list, so the book makes a perfect gift for a skier any time.

We’re new to the city, how has Denver influenced this book?

Denver’s proximity to world-class skiing influence Laid-Back Skier. When I ski, I’m often on chairlifts with people from all over the world who’ve made their way to ski Colorado. I enjoy the international aspects of skiing: the different languages spoken, all the international flags flying. And Denver is so close to that magnificent outdoor playground.

Additionally, because I’m a nature-lover, I’m ecologically minded, too. Denver is progressive when it comes to the “green” scene, and stewardship of our environment is important to me. I broke the budget on the book’s paper because I wanted a quality sheet to show off the art, and I insisted on an environmentally friendly paper.

One more thing: Friday Jones Publishing, the independent artisan press that published “Laid-Back Skier” is Denver-based. The Friday Jones Players who contributed are Denver residents: In addition to the illustrator Patty Leidy, and the designer Nancy Benton, the book got off the ground with the help of Friday Jones Players: Jesse Krieger, Amanda DePaul and Roeanna Frechette. We are “the little publishing house that could,” and that underdog, entrepreneurial spirit has been part of Denver since day one of the Mile High City.

At Friday Jones Publishing, our tagline is “Wag your tale,” and we appreciate your help with wagging this tale. Welcome to Denver, Swoozie’s!

Behind the Design with Paradise Papers

There is no doubt, we are lovers of design. We search high and low for the best designers and love sharing their stories with you. Today we bring you another fabulous designer in our “Behind the Design” series – graphic designer Alyssa Reeves of Paradise Design Co.

Paradise Papers™ is a fun, modern line of stationery and we are just thrilled to now be carrying the line at Swoozie’s. Alyssa has been collecting ideas and inspiration during the last 9 years of designing custom invitations and stationery for amazing social events and weddings across the country—including the recent nuptials of Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Tony Romo and Candice Crawford. Her custom work has been featured in Town & Country Weddings, Inside Weddings, Style Me Pretty, DWeddings, Dallas Brides and The Knot.

Tell us about your line:

My current line is a fresh take on the western aesthetic. I hope to expand in the future, I have so many theme ideas I can’t wait to play with.

How did you get started:

This line is a long-held dream of mine — to design paper products I would love to buy and I think will make people smile. The time was just right to take the leap of faith!

What inspires your work?

Color. Color inspires me more than anything. Interesting and odd combinations—I’m always collecting color combination ideas.

With this modern western line, I’m also inspired by my adopted home state—Texas.

What makes your line unique?

I’m taking familiar themes and turning them on their head with a fresh, modern approach.

Get to know Alyssa …..

My favorite color is: turquoise

My favorite occasion to celebrate is: Christmas

The best gift I ever received was: a painting from my husband

A party is not complete without: a great invitation, of course! And a great playlist. And dessert.

Bridal Inspiration – Checkerboard

It’s Wedding Wednesday – and here are a few of our favorite Inspiration Boards. These boards all feature fabulous Checkerboard invitations, which are available to order through Swoozie’s. Which is your favorite Board?

The Colors of Spring

Today we are celebrating the first day of Spring!

Pantone, the experts on color, brought us the Spring Report on color straight from Fashion Week last Fall. What better day than today to pull back out those great color swatches. And, boy were they right – we are seeing these colors everywhere this Spring!

image via Pantone

From technology to entertaining to paper  to drinkware  and more! Our favorite? Cabaret of course! What’s yours?

And, I’m sure like many of you, our calendar is already chocked full of fun events & filled with celebration for the Spring. Click here  to check out What’s Happening at the Swoo this Spring!

Swoozie’s is All About the Designer!

Here at Swoozie’s, we know a good designer when we see one. And we love nothing more than finding the best designers and introducing you to their fabulous work. We are so pleased to  give you your first look at a couple of our favorite designers’ new Spring 2012 collections:

Dylan’s Candy Bar

There’s no denying it – Dylan Lauren is the ultimate Candy Queen. Inspired by the colorful swirls and speckles of candy and candy wrappers, all of Dylan’s patterns have one thing in common: they’re simply delicious! One of the things we admire most about Dylan is her bold use of color. Many designers would shy away from using so many hues in one pattern. Not Dylan! Each of her patterns feature every color of the rainbow – and she pulls it off so well. That’s a testament of her true talent. We’re so excited to see these scrumptious new candy-inspired patterns on some of our favorite stationery and household items. They look SO delicious, we have to remind ourselves to save the tasting for the real candy!

One of our absolute favorite new items from Dylan’s Spring 2012 collection is the iPhone cover. Not only is the case colorful and fun – but get this – it’s scented! So it both looks AND smells yummy. How can you go wrong? Whether you want to get this as a gift for a tween or you want to carry it yourself, this case is so girly and fun.

Another one of our favorites from Dylan’s collection are the party supplies. It’s impossible not to have a fun, fabulous time when your plates and napkins are so festive! Plus, a candy-themed party is PERFECT for a girls night or your daughter’s birthday celebration. Simply set up a candy bar, decorate the room with streamers and confetti, and get ready for a sugar high! These candyspill cups are ideal for serving a fun drink like fruit punch. Paired with a wedge of fruit and a piece of red licorice for a straw, of course.

Jonathan Adler

If you know Jonathan Adler, you know he has an eye for design. Inspired by his original love for pottery making, his impeccable taste is evident in all of the products he creates. Whether Jonathan is designing furniture, home goods, or stationery, his talent always shows through in his sophisticated yet fun use of color and pattern.

We are so pleased to introduce you to Jonathan Adler’s new Spring 2012 patterns. Each of these new prints was meticulously designed, each featuring a magnificent pop of color just perfect for Spring. Jonathan just released four new patterns, perfect for each of your personalities and styles. The new patterns are Gothic Rose, Birds, Swirls, and Watergate. Which is your favorite?

One of our go-to Jonathan gifts from the new Spring 2012 collection is the Note Cube. These stylish notes give your grocery list or office gossip a little extra pizazz. Why use an ugly yellow pad when this is an option?! These also make a super simple, easy teacher’s gift. Who wouldn’t love to have one of these beautiful, sophisticated cubes on their desk?

We also LOVE Jonathan’s new line of electronic accessories. All of the magnificent new patterns are available in covers for your iPad and iPhone. And our favorite part? Jonathan has also designed matching ear buds! While many designers have gorgeous electronics cases, very few create beautiful headphones. Jonathan thinks of everything! And with the complete set, your electronics will never feel more stylish. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, it’s time to drop a hint to your man that you want some Jonathan Adler with your flowers and chocolate!

What are your favorite new gifts from the Dylan’s Candy Bar and Jonathan Spring 2012 collections?