on the go :: map making

custom first anniversary map by express yourself

There are times when we need to call on our longitude and latitude skills to set up a custom map for an event or occasion. Whether it's a wedding timeline or a group scavenger hunt around town. Or even a map to chronicle first year travels for a newlywed couple or to locate our own favorite Aspen spots, each map is certainly unique. We've started branching out beyond Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley into other cities and states - New York, Boston, Manchester, Chicago. Our clients have moved and traveled (sometimes far) beyond Colorado.

Starting at the end of May, we'll be embarking on a four week map making class to help broaden our horizons and look at topography and geography from a new persepctive. Does the thought of map making in a class setting get you excited too?! If so, join us here at Skillshare for the Map Making: Learning to Communicate Places Beautifully class. We're thinking of a mapping out a great trip we took through Spain! Whether or not you join us, we're sure we'll intersect with most of you at some point. Oh, the map puns could go on an on...

:: safe travels ::

in print :: in store :: bkr bottles

Everything we sell, we love. Take the bkr bottle for example, these water bottles are not only functional but beautiful. We have multiple bkr's in our kitchens and are always wondering what color we are going to buy next. These bottles fit perfectly in our cup holders, never tip over, are easy to carry with the loop top, come in beautiful colors and never, ever taste funky. Because they are made with glass you can put orange juice in one day and water the next and never taste yesterday's breakfast. Ever. You can also drop them on the sidewalk (often) and they come out unscathed (although we wouldn't recommend purposely trying this!). We have been selling these beauties for a couple years now and are excited to finally see some of our favorite magazines jump on board the bkr wagon. 

let's take a stroll down memory lane

It has been ages since we've seen this photo.

Actually, the image within the photo.

The one on the right where 'Mamy' and M are walking down Midland Avenue.

Let's take a better look...

She hasn't worn those pink cowboy boots in at least a year.

If not longer.

They simply grow up far too fast.

Pick up your copy of the Basalt Chamber of Commerce Directory

to get the insight on everything Basalt.

And to check out that adorable munchkin strolling down memory lane.

Lenny + Eva

:: New in Store ::

Lenny & Eva, salvaged sentiments, are in store now. Leather wraps and necklaces, with sentiments and charms. Clever, interchangeable, surely sentimental and entirely personal. The combinations and options are practically endless. We love this quote above: " The greatest thing she learned is that there's no way to be a perfect mother, but a million ways to be a good one." We agree.

Gifts to Give

{article via Southern Living}

When we stumbled across the Haute Papier booth

at the New York Stationery Show the second time around, 

we knew we had found a show favorite for 2011.

Recently featured in Southern Living, we were excited to meet them.

The corner booth was buzzing with energy, the product was great,

and the prices for letterpress (yes, letterpress!) were hard to beat.

We were sold.

We're pretty sure once you take a look in store,

you will be too.

NSS Show Offerings

Grand Silk Stationery Box

Perfect (!) for weddings or another lucky couple

Small Silk Stationery Box

Great for grads

Custom Letterpress Coasters

Hostess, Shower, New Home, Engagement, You Name It...

Fun and functional

Also, they offer fantastic personalized notepads, individually and in executive sets. Great size and easy to order. We're getting some for ourselves now and will post pics soon!

we are so im{pressed}.

Gift Guide: Father's Day, Vol. 2

We know you read last week's father's day gift guide and with only six days to go, we've got another (short) round of ideas for you today. Here is a group of ideas to help kick off summer, celebrate dad and sneak in a little family backyard fun too.

Bocce and Croquet Sets

Plaid Shorts

Sanuk Shoes

Tom's Sunglasses

Fat Tire Beer: A Colorado Favorite

{Enjoy!}

Gift Guide: Father's Day

With Father's Day fast approaching, here are some of our easy gift selections for any Dad (and not one tie in sight!). And of course, starting with the card:

Easily one of our favorite, and funniest, card lines we carry. This Father's Day card from Hard Cards is suitable for more than one gift giver we know. 

We've got several copies of this cookbook from Esquire on our shelves. It may be the only cookbook a man will ever need, but we're also pretty sure any man would l.o.v.e. anything you make for him from this masterpiece. The best part? It includes a free subscription to Esquire.

And then there is this Moustache Growers Guide in stock too. An illustrated guide to all the types of moustaches a man can groom and grow.

Let's not forget the golfers out there. For the more sophisticated and classic daddy, you can give him a set of golf notes from Crane & Co.

Then there are always the new dads to fete and an annual favorite comes to mind. The Scout (diaper) bag. That's right, a manly diaper bag for dad. Just because he gets out of changing diapers on Father's Day does not mean he can irk his daddy duties the other 364 days. And it's in our favorite color too.

For something to commemorate this new, and growing, family check out this custom family tree on etsy.

The road (bike) warrior might appreciate this recycled bike chain frame. We've got plenty waiting for that photo of dad with his bike - maybe kiddos on the trike.

Treating dad to a movie night at home? Then we suggest you do not forget the popcorn. This popcorn in particular. Really, what man does not love bacon?!? (We can - and will - do an entire post on bacon alone!)

 

He can (visually) wash down his bacon corn with this dedication to nothing but beer cans. This book will certainly look better on the table than that dusty, rusty old college collection lining the windowsill in the basement.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for an exciting Dad Day Giveaway!

Love this...

If you love paper and books as much as we do, you might be excited to learn of a new scent coming soon. Karl Lagerfeld is developing a fragrance that smells of books. Yes, that classic and sentimental paper scent we don't often smell due to these digital times. Reports are he is a lover of books and has a collection of more than 300,000 tomes! So naturally this perfume will be packaged in, you guessed it, a book. Put away that library card because this is one book you'll need your credit card for.

{New} Season, {New} Reasons to Visit

That's a {WRAP} on winter! Our tweet wrap is the perfect start for spring. Soar on in to see all our {NEW} spring goods! What kind of goods, you ask?

We have {NEW} soy candles in recycled wine bottles and topped with a wooden lid. Six beautiful fragrances are part of this wonderful environmentally friendly collection. The perfect hostess gift to replace the old standby of a bottle of wine - guaranteed to smell better and look better the next morning too!

Have a Dog-gone Good New Year!

The 2011 Aspen Animal Shelter's calendar from DOGSASPEN is available at Express Yourself! All proceeds benefit the Aspen animal shelter. Come in and get yours and while you're here you might as well grab some The Flabby Labby Dog Cookie Company treats as well for your favorite furry friend!

Loved Preloved

We are loving on this throw found via Anthropolige by Preloved. We imagine curling up with this blanket, a hot coffee and good book this weekend. Almost love it enough to dig out the old sweater bin, wash and shrink the ones that no longer fit, and craft our own creation. But...we really don't have enough time for that, so we'll just ponder all that Preloved has for now from afar.

Moustache Month

In celebration of Movember, we have finger moustaches! The moustache, grown for the entire month of November, becomes the ribbon for men’s health, the means by which awareness and funds are raised for cancers that affect men. If you would like to donate, visit www.movember.com.

Felted, not Welted

Have you ever wanted to just scream at your husband (or girlfriend, or roommate, or bunkmate) because their slimy, nasty soap keeps sliding all over the shower? Why can't that block of soap just stay put? Well, here is one solution that really does the dirty work and looks good to boot. Fiat Luxe Felted Soap from Anthropologie is the perfect stocking stuffer, housewarming treat or guest goody. Five scents, handmade in the USA and so darn pretty. Want to make your own? Check out this tutorial from Little Birdie Secrets.

{NEW} from Boatman Geller!

We are so excited for what Boatman Geller has presented us for this summer (who can resist that cute pink townie bike above?!) and we cannot wait for the Fall and Winter products to make their way to our store and online. Keep an eye out for updates as we get more goodies to come your way!

Coming Soon!

For all you Petunia Pickle Bottom lovers and diaper/toddler/kid bag connoisseurs, you now have a new reason to rejoice and make room in your closet for a new bag (or two)! Coming soon to your favorite little store (i.e.; Express Yourself) is the Weekender and the Satchel. Go ahead, drool over them now and start counting your cash - you know you want one!

You can always stay tuned to hear the details on the newest arrivals via the PPB blog -  that would be straight from the pickle jars mouth! All photos via Petunia Pickle Bottom.

{carry on}

Rollin' Into A Store Near You

CAUTION: Flashback to the '70's straight ahead. Rollerskates are coming back and popping up in the most unexpected places. Here are a few gift, decor and paper pieces to get the inspiration rolling...

AREAWARE Chrome Rollerskate Doorstop - $190

Organic cotton Rollerskate Onesie by Wren Willow - $20

Rollerskate Necklace by SilverAgave - $22

Rollerskate Invite by Inviting Co. - starting at $1.50 each

{thanks for rolling by!}

Birthday Gifts

A little friend of Express Yourself

turned two this weekend

and so much fun she had

opening gifts from all her friends!

Amongst the loot, you ask?

A Bilibo, of course

photo via www.bilibo.com

And a purple Rody to ride on!

Photos of the birthday girl soon!

Along with more gift ideas...

Box It Up

New Box Totes are available

from Rub A Dub Dub

and Express Yourself

The perfect summer gift to personalize

for you...or someone else, too!

Baby Bags in Bloom

It is obviously that time of year, where we not only gear oursleves up for getting out and about, but we stash our baby gear in style too. Petunia Picklebottom Boxy Backpacks are a baby essential and we have loved every style that has come in and walked out of our doors. Three new options have recently arrived and here they are...

Springtime in Surrey

Tranquil Tibet

Moment in Morrocco

{All bags available at Express Yourself}