In our Q & A session the other day, someone mentioned giving silhouette gifts…well, I have something even better! The girls over at Fontaine Maury have come up with this brilliant new idea for using silhouettes elegantly and timelessly. In a nutshell, you send them a photo of you and your hubby (or you, your hubby, your pup, your kids…whatever really) and they will integrate your custom silhouette into wallpaper, fabric or printed on perfect little canvases.
Imagine hanging panels of custom silhouette wallpaper or fabric at your reception, with a Polaroid camera for guests to take photos of themselves, then insert into your guest book. How cool is that!? Look closely at the top two photos and you will see the silhouettes.
If you don’t have space at your reception for the fabric panels, definitely check out their silhouette stationery. And I am not just saying that because Fontaine Maury and Abby Jean recently merged. Their silhouette notes are so freaking cute, I am going to be ordering some for myself. And, since we seem to have been on the topic of paper this week, here are some great tips from Fontaine Maury, for writing the perfect thank you note on your new silhouette stationery…
*A thank you note should (ideally) be written within 5 days of receipt of the gift or favor. Never apologize if it is tardy, just make sure you write an especially well crafted letter.
*It is tempting to substitute a phone call or e-mail for the hand written note, but my mantra is “a letter is better.” You don’t have to be Flannery O’Connor or Robert Frost to put together a well-written missive.
*Have some notepaper on hand at all times. Your stationery need not be baroque in its elegance, nor does it need to say thank you on the front. If your stationery says thank you on the front it beats you to the punch. Paper personalized with your name or monogram is best as it is a direct reflection of your unique personality and impeccable taste.Choose a pen that you like to write with and that complements your handwriting style.Mine looks awful if I write with a fine point, I use a felt tip.
*The best salutation for personal correspondence is “Dear” and the first name of the person to whom you are writing. A note to someone who is your senior, or not an intimate friend,may include his or her social title as in “Dear Mr. White.” When writing couples, the
woman’s name always goes first: “Dear Aunt Jane and Uncle Gordon.”
*The length of your note is not important. Most significant are what you say and how you say it. The best thank yous come from the heart and say why you love the gift.A conversational tone is friendly and will help the flow of your thoughts as you write. The use of extras like dashes, ellipses and underlinings will give an informal tone to your letter, but use them sparingly as they can be distracting.
*Open your correspondence by calling attention to the gift or favor. Continue by saying something personal or noteworthy. Finish on an upbeat note…
Dear Sara,
Who would have thought that such beautiful daisies are available in January? They look so pretty on the sideboard next to my grandmother’s silver julep cups. I enjoyed visiting with you very much and look forward to seeing you again soon.
Love, Haile
*Do include a date so that if the recipient saves the note they will have a reference point. The date can either go on the top right or at the end of the note just after your signature.
*Close your note with your signature. Use both your first and last names to an acquaintance or just your first name to family and friends. For new brides, this may be the first chance you have to sign your new name, so indulge. When more than one person is signing a letter, the writer’s name comes last.
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