daughter :: daughter: Express Yourself

Showing posts with label Express Yourself. Show all posts

Looking Ahead

We have had a year of big changes in 2012 and 2013 is looking even bigger and brighter and full of amazing opportunities. While life with Express Yourself and theHELLOtote is busy, whether in Denver or Basalt, I have to be honest that we (my sis and I) desire to get out of our comfort zone just a bit more. We need to be inspired so that we can be inspiring to others. We need to branch out and network and be prepared for upcoming changes and what we hope are amazing things to come our way. This need to get out more became apparent when I recently realized my four-year old has acquired more frequent flier miles than I have in the past twelve months. And especially so when I look at our blog posts and realize I have not put anything up since July. It's a sad situation, really.

Some might say that to get inspired you need to be bored, while others suggest that anyone can be more creative if they just tap into it. One has to admire all the viewpoints, however I really have my heart set on the Alt Summit in Salt Lake City. It is so amazing and inspiring just to read about the bloggers and collaborators from last year and we would l.o.v.e. to actually attend. Not only is Alt SLC the perfect time of year (hello new year, hello new ideas) but it happens to fall right after my birthday (a composite number that I shall not reveal). And it's the winter and I've always wanted to ski in Park City. And did I mention a relative lives nearby that just bought a new house that I would love to visit?!? It's meant to be, really.

Except for the fact it is sold out.

So, while I am currently here ---> in Colorado, I'll just keep dreaming about being there ---> in SLC. And of course, I will keep up with the Alt actions from afar. In my pajamas. While my four-year old jaunts off with her grandmother on yet another fun trip.

For blogging inspiration and business advice check out the new Alt blog. Go on now...

- e.m.j.

Hot for Haute

Yeah! We were featured as a vendor on Haute Papier recently!

Check it out!

We love selling their personalized coasters,

silk stationery boxes and personalized paper pads.

Stop by the store anytime to check out their collection!

Football for the Men, Shopping for You

ENJOY 30% OFF!

Save the Dates (for you newly engaged ones!) and

Calling Cards, ID Tags & Stickers

are all 30% off when you shop online.

Be sure to use code: HAPPY30

{shop on}

An Interview with Amy and Erin

Have you always wanted to know a little more about us? Well, now is your chance to read an interview with us here at COUTUREColorado. And when you are done, check out their website. Fantastic resources for weddings, whether you are getting married in Colorado or not. And coming soon is the Life&Style section. We can't wait!

How Sweet It Is: Express Yourself Giveaway!!!

We are back to blogging and working hard at Express Yourself and we want to celebrate by giving away some sweet and l-o-v-e-ly goods! Share the love!

Treats for yourself, for your friend, for fido and for your sweet valentine. We're just excited to spread the love this season and get some goodies out to four lucky winners because we have something for everyone - all detailed below. If you would like to win one of these four selections, read below for entry details. Good luck!

Love Together

Kiss Me Letterpress Stationery – $12.

Antique Corkscrew - $32.

Kiss and Tell Party Game - $19.

Gift Certificate from the Basalt Wine Shop - $15.

Total Value: $78.00

Love Fido

“Don’t Kill the Pets” Checklist - $7.50

Graphic Image Brag Book - $42.

Table Topics Pets - $10.

Flabby Labby Love Bits from The Flabby Labby – $9.

Total Value: $68.50

Love To Give

Paddywax Sweet Pea Candle - $13.50

Hugs & Kisses Letterpress Stationery - $12.

“Life is Short Eat Dessert First” Cocktail Napkins -$5.50

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days DVD - $10.

Total Value: $41.00

Love Thyself

Choose Love Water Bottle from The Love Coach - $20.

Choose Love T-Shirt from The Love Coach - $30.

Crane and Co. Boxed Notes - $15.

Total value: $65.

Super thanks to our friends at The Love Coach, The Flabby Labby and Basalt Wine Shop for helping us give away some lovely goodies! Be sure to check them out. We love the wine offerings and gifts at Basalt Wine Shop, The Flabby Labby cookies are a personal (doggie) favorite and we simply adore Tasha at The Love Coach. Thank you!

To win one of these giveaways, just leave a comment on this blog post. (hello!)

For additional entries you can do the following - each entry must be left in a separate comment:

- Like us on Facebook then leave a comment letting us know

- Subscribe to this blog then leave a comment letting us know

- Blog about our giveaway and leave your link in the comment field

Open to U.S residents only (sorry, we want to ship it to you in time for V-Day!). All entries must include an e-mail address if your entry is not linked to a Google account so we can contact you when the giveaway ends. Giveaway ends at 10 a.m. MST on Wednesday, February 9th. Four winners will be chosen randomly by Random.org. One prize per winner. If the winner does not respond after 48 hours a new winner will be chosen. Thanks for stopping by!

Seven is the Magic Number

It is unbelievable to think that seven years ago yesterday,

we became the proud owners of Express Yourself.

We started out as four and we have grown so much over the years...

Adding babies and loved ones along the way...

My how time flies.

We are so blessed and grateful.

{Thank you}

Summer {SALE}: 15% OFF!

15% OFF with the Express Yourself

Summer

{SALE}!

Shop in-store

or online!

Use code: 15OFFNU

online to receive your discount!

Hurry! Sale is this week only!

Toys, Toys, Toys

With the Spring season bringing out the hammers and nails and puppy dog tails, as well as the sugar and spice and everything nice, we thought we's stock up on toys for little kids (and those young at heart too). We are excited for what is to come. Keep posted and check the store in the coming weeks for a lot of new, creative and genius gifts.

Where We Work

For all you readers out there who have never been in our shop and wondered what it looks like, well, here is a little snapshot of how we work and what we do. This is the custom ordering side of the business, where clients get inspired and we get excited to spread a little stationery cheer. Our apologies for the poor photo quality. Camera Strap + High Counter + Curious Toddler = Bad News!

We'll try to post some new, refreshed photos of the store soon!

You Are Invited

You are invited to take peek inside the workings of Express Yourself. Here is an example of how we go from concept to reality with a custom designed invitation. This particular piece is an invitation we mailed to prospective brides and grooms. It was somewhat easy because, lets face it, stationery is what we do. All day long. Our process was much more simple and less time consuming than the typical wedding suite creative consult session. Regardless, the process essentially works the same and we are happy to take you through from start to finish.

First, we start with our color inspiration and any design specifications that are a must have. Loved this color combo (below), minus the red and perhaps a little more subtle. We also loved the idea of a mounted pouch to hold all our details. There is a lot of information to convey to future brides and grooms. We figured three stacked pull-outs should do the trick.

Motif inspiration comes from so many different sources. We loved the design on the aquamarine paper and we used that to guide us in selecting a motif for this particular piece.

Next, here is a quick design idea mock-up for how we wanted the piece to layout and come together. This is very, very rough draft. And I really need to work on my sketching skills!

OK, then it was time to order the stock, make the measurements and work on the proofs. Digital proofs are part of every custom order and are so important! The proofing process can be tedious, especially if there are a lot of changes, but it is so much better to spend the extra time proofing than it is to re-print an entire order!Here are the digital proofs for this piece.

A few tweaks and changes and we were ready to print and assemble. Sorry, no pictures of assembly. But really, it's not what you wanted to see anyways. Because volia, here is the final product!