Chelsea Kaplan’s Musings About Life... After Birth

Currently, I am working on a personalized stationery story for The Family Groove’s October issue, and having a blast coming up with recommendations for the best, coolest and most adorable paper goods and websites that sell them. Personalized stationery, it just so happens, is one of my all-time favorite things. Perhaps it is the southern gal in me, but I just adore a nice little monogrammed thank-you note card.

I’ve discovered some great new sites and products that you’ll be able to check out in September, but I have to give you a sneak preview of one of my favorites, Sara and Abraham, a retailer I discovered courtesy of Atlanta (my hometown) Momtourage member Sloane, who sent me a set of their cards when baby #2 was born. Designed by owner Sara Tams, Sara and Abraham notecards and products are breathtakingly sweet and beautiful, not to mention exceptionally well-priced. Most of her designs feature silhouettes, which you can customize to best represent your kids by choosing from a large selection of “children”. Additionally, with most products you can select from a variety of color options:

Here’s a sampling of some of the products I find especially gorgeous:

Personalized Folded Notecards, $18 for a set of 10. Seriously, how sweet are these for a little girl? Of course, you can choose this style an make it all cute and boyish in red or blue as well.

Sloane got me a set of these in red with the “Owen and Wyatt” silhouette and my sons’ names. I cannot tell you how adorable they are, and so perfect for sending thank-you notes to everyone who sent them both a gift when #2 was born. Momtourage member Alison has some with the “Abby and Izzy” silhouette to represent her twin daughters (in pink, of course). Personalized Folded Notecards, $16 for a set of 12.

How cute is that little carriage? Personalized Flat Note Cards, $12 for a set of 14.


Sara and Abraham also offers 8X0 silhouette prints, perfect for framing and putting in your kids’ rooms. You can get them in the above designs, but my favorite is the “Kids at Play” print.



Personalized 8X10 Kids at Play Silhouette Print, $18.


Aren’t they adorable? I knew you’d love ‘em. To purchase some for yourself or for a gift, click here. When you checkout, enter code MOMT4, and you’ll get four free cards with every order!

A few weeks ago I wrote about what I believe to be the cutest kids’ stationery ever. This week, I’ve got something for us, mamas.

Again, I’m somewhat obsessed with stationery. Therefore, for me to label a particular brand as my new favorite - well, that really means something. In researching for the upcoming personalized stationery piece I’m writing for The Family Groove’s October issue, I came across the sweet, cheeky, handmade papergoods from Angeline Tsao of Cake + Milk Paperie and instantly fell in love.  The hallmark of Tsao’s designs is her use of fabric; many of her products are adorned with ribbon or shimmery thread, like her adorable Ribbon Note Cards, for example:

These are just GORGEOUS, and so very ladylike. You choose the ribbon color and style (grosgrain, satin or picot). Ribbon Notes, $30 for 12 cards or $45 for 20 cards, cakeandmilkpaperie.com.

...and also the Swen Ricrac Custom Stationery:

I just love the artsy-craftsy quality of these. Make them your own, as Paula, Randy and Simon would say, by choosing the font and thread color. $30 for 12 cards, cakeandmilkpaperie.com.

Tsao’s other designs are equally magnificent - you must check them out and get some for your very own or, if you’re feeling in the mood to give as opposed to receive, for a friend. Once you find something that strikes your fancy, type “The Momtourage “ in the “How’d you hear about our shop?” box during checkout because Tsao’s offering The Momtourage a great little freebie: set of Shimmery Flats and envelopes in your choice of color (just type that in the box too) with purchase of any personalized stationery. This offer is only good through 8/15, so don’t dilly-dally, sisters.

Write on!