The Burnt Popcorn Debacle

Everyone's done it; I just did it worse.

I put the bag of popcorn in the microwave for 6 minutes, thinking I would take it out when, as the bag instructed, the pops were two seconds apart. In time, I got used to the popping noise and decided to take a shower.

When I got out of the shower, there was a steaming, black brick of what used to be popcorn in my microwave, making a faint high-pitched cry for me to set it free. I did, of course, and the ensuing odor took over my whole apartment. :(

My personal BPD (burnt popcorn debacle) led me to write this latest post, a pitch for the only thing that can remedy such disasters as BPDs: Open windows and Lollia fragrance candles.

Cute Buttons is usually where I go for cards (duh), invitations (duh), pajamas (surprising, but yes, duh) and even wine holders (duh...and because every modern woman needs more than one). Since the time I discovered Cute Buttons I haven't really needed candles, and actually I normally tend to get them at the grocery store (eww). However, this sitch called for some serious fragrance, and I knew Alison wouldn't let me down.

My pick: Lollia's "perfumed luminaries." They look gorgeous just sitting on the counter (some have a cute little charm) and they smell divine. Not too sweet, not too...lysol-y. Naturally, Cute Buttons has them in stock and floating around the store!

Emboss

On my first trip to meet Alison in the store, I fell in love.

Naturally I fell in love with Alison for being such a go-getter female and starting her own company, but that's not what I mean here.

I fell in love with an embosser and I cannot help but dedicate my first real post to the first item I purchased at Cute Buttons and the surprising ways I've found to use it.

The Embosser

The embosser is black and silver, from a company called Three Designing Women. How could I resist a line that evoked this kind of style? Note: I now have a personal vocation to bring that amount of sequins back in style. Mine has my initials surrounded by my full name and my email address. Being a 20something, I tend to move often. Email seems safe.

Let me count the ways...

1. Embossing envelopes and patterned cards. I had a few pieces of cheap stationery left over from past last-minute thank you note purchases and took them from cheap to chic with one simple press. Stamping the plain and patterned cards was nice enough, but the symmetry between the cards and the envelopes made them look really nice without my having to spend more!

2. Embossing tissue paper. Yes, I was haphazardly going around and embossing everything I saw; however, I came across the tissue paper phenomenon during this process and have no regrets. My suggestion: use several different colors of tissue paper (that don't clash, of course) and emboss them together at the top. In addition to saving you the trouble of making a gift tag, you have made the gift peek-proof since the paper is stuck together. If you leave a few pieces loose, it won't look too structured.

3. Embossing your library. I wish I had gotten a separate plate just for this occasion reading "From the library of Natalie Braswell," but it is too late now seeing that I have embossed everything from old textbooks to my coffee table books with the current one. Patience, Natalie, patience.

4. Emboss your seals and stickers. Alison can hook you up with some plain gold stickers to emboss, recalling a sense of old fashioned wax seals. Nothing beats a real wax seal for personalization and romance, but let's be honest, ladies...

Stop by Cute Buttons for a look at the embossing display. There are stamps available, stickers, pads to practice on and more. For an old fashioned treat that will impress your new beau's parents or just a little indulgence for your own collection, the embosser is a safe investment for yourself or a gift.

n.b.: Be sure to think about whether you'd like an embosser that embosses from the bottom or top. I chose bottom with envelope flaps in mind, but it does make embossing the books a bit awkward sometimes.

Welcome, Welcome!

You may not have the disposable income you’d like, but you know that having the right pieces can make or break your business or, heaven forbid, your social life, so you've prioritized accordingly to splurge.

So what’s the blog for? Have no fear my friends, I’m here for suggestions, tips and snarky comments about bridal trends to keep your mind where it should be around any special occasion—happy!

Keep checking for updates on the latest and greatest in everything from trend-setting decor to high-end paper products, all available from Cute Buttons, your neighborhood Tiffany’s of stationery.

Not only will I keep you updated on the latest in-stock and all of the hot new trends as they come in, I will provide tips and techniques from my unfortunate learned-it-the-hard-way repertoire of event planning and etiquette. Look for updates every Friday, and feel free to stop in the store and browse on your own!

Until next time—