Costumes for Kids!

We love summer, but we love fall just a bit more. The crisp air, beautiful trees and the promise for many opportunities to get together with family and friends. Before we know it, Halloween will be knocking on our door. Here's a little treat to get you started on your kids' costumes.

photo via parenting.com

Parenting Magazine has a brilliant online gallery of quick, easy and innovative costume ideas. Click here for a selection of kid-approved and parent-easy options - many of them are no sew (seriously!). Many of the items for these costumes can be easily found at your local retailers - even send Dad to the hardware store for a few spare parts for this costume! And if you have a baby in the house, click here for easy baby costumes.

They also have some great ideas from their 2009 costume contest. We are particularly fond of the Backhoe Loader costume for little builders and for the newly crawling infant, the Turtle costume is genius - we have a friend this would be perfect for!

For the truly creative, check out this link for ideas on how to make a banana costume and a snow globe girl.

If you are not feeling crafty or creative and you are short on time, Chasing Fireflies has an extensive and beautiful collection of costumes that are ready to wear. This Autumn Fairy costume pictured above is perfect for the fall season.

And of course, there is always the easy choice of Pottery Barn Kids costume collection. What kid wouldn't want to dress up as a donut or adorable airplane or bucket of popcorn?

Now who said parents couldn't have fun at Halloween?!

Focus on Aspen Area Authors

In celebration of the true creativity and genius found amidst our local residents, we are highlighting some of our favorite, new and notable books from authors of the Roaring Fork Valley. Grab a book, sit back and enjoy these last days of summer with our local talent...

E Party

by Steven Nemerovski

Amazon reviews say that "E Party is an extraordinary first novel by veteran lawyer and lobbyist. Shedding light on the murky dark corners of state politics, Mr. Nemerovski, in this thoroughly engrossing novel, lays out his insights into the challenges and opportunities of building a viable and sustainable third party." This local author will be available for book signing at the Snowmass Club on September 12th from 3-6pm. Find out more about this novel online here and follow along via facebook and twitter.

Mothers & Other Liars

by Amy Bourret

Part-time Aspen resident Amy Bourret has crafted a spellbinding and engrossing debut novel. Fresh off the press and receiving high reviews, this novel is sure to be a success. Visit her website for more information on the author and the book.

And for the little readers in your family...

The Adventures of Jack the Owl

by Stuart Brafman

A story geared for kids ages 3-8, this book tells a series of tales about an owl and his adventures in Aspen, Colorado. The book evolved from tales Brafman would tell his grandchildren and for the sake of posterity, the stories are now in print for his own grandchildren to share in the future. You too can share these stories with the little ones in your life. Read more about Brafman in this Aspen Time article.

The Furry Mountain Monkeys of Aspen Colorado

by Vince Lahey

A favorite wintertime book by local author and parent Vince Lahey, this story tells the tale of a young boy stranded on the mountain during a blizzard and his ultimate rescue by the furry mountain monkeys. Kids will delight in learning about the green eyes of the monkeys and looking up to the mountain at night to see them roaming around (hint: it is lights of the snowcats in action!). Perfect library addition for any snow-loving family! Learn more about this great hardback children's book on facebook.

Behind the Scene

Ever wonder what our buying trips are like? Well, check out this video to get a glimpse of just how much we have to ponder, enjoy and purchase so that our customers (you!) can be on the cutting-edge of stationery sophistication and authentic and lively greetings.

Lucky Onion = Lucky Us

Coming soon to Express Yourself!

Introducing the Seeded Collection by Lucky Onion. A Colorado company that we are excited to offer in store! 26 great designs. Options to print on 100% recycled papers, natural hemp papers, or biodegradable pulp paper embedded with flower seeds. Your guests can be invited in style and then watch your love grow in their very own backyard! Prices start at just over $600 for 100 invitation sets. Perfect for weddings, celebrations and those milestone birthdays. We adore this line and are looking forward to launching these beautiful designs soon! Visit us or call us for more details!

Basalt Wedding

Just because we are slightly obsessed with paper does not mean we cannot appreciate a simply adorable wedding save the date done in video format, found via Once Wed. Especially when the wedding was practically in our backyard!

Save the date! 31 july 2010 from Kishi-Grover on Vimeo.

After the video, check out Once Wed for more scoop on the Colorado mountaintop wedding. Love! Also check out the event planner's take on the wedding and last, but not least, what the photographer had to say...and show...for the day. Beautiful!

Rules Rule

Every once in a while, we come across rules for different purposes and reasons. Rules of the road. Etiquette rules. Rules to live a happy life. This week our favorite set (if you can call it that...it is very extensive) comes in the form of a website called 1001 rules for my unborn son. Check it out. You'll be inspired, entertained and intrigued to come up with some of your own rules.

Find That Dog!

We got a call today from a dog finding service and sadly, one of our neighbors has a missing dog. We loved that this service calls the neighborhood to alert us all of the lost dog. We also love this new pet product that keeps us assured in knowing our dogs (or cats) info is secure...all in a nifty USB device they can wear on their collar.

The Flexi PC Pet ID Tag stores all of your pet's vitals in the USB device. This water and shock proof device allows anyone with a computer to plug and play the information on your pet. It is so nice to know your pet can be safe and sound if lost and then found.