January 18th, 2016
Hey everyone! This is Paige Woods, Emily O. Holmes’s Social Media Coordinator, and welcome back to EOH Blog! I am so excited for this new year, and as I was thinking through posts for this upcoming season, I wanted to share with you all my thoughts and resolutions for the road ahead. Working for a paper company grounds me in tradition and intentionality. Forming this post, I thought of our craft and business, setting goals for the creative spirit and small business owner. Looking forward to the posts ahead!
Every year, EOH takes a moment to pause, breathe, reflect, and aspire to new places. This was a year full of change and busyness, and although we love the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we are thankful to approach this year with a fresh pair of eyes and rest, which only relaxation and time can bring. When I personally sat down to write resolutions for the new year, I tried to think about big ideas, lists, and charts to help set me up for personal successful. But then I realized, personal success does not necessarily come without process. Processing is essential for progress; progress, as a word, entails a movement toward a goal or to a further or higher stage. However, progress means the goal actually hasn’t been reached. Truly, New Year’s Resolutions are ideas in progress and effort towards a better you + world around you.
Therefore, here are personal resolutions—some that take process and patience—which will bring peace and growth to both you + your community in the new year.
1. Slow down- One of the things I personally struggle with is maintaining the balance between the packed, busy-bee schedule and room for just hanging out, breathing, and relaxing. As a post-grad adult, no longer bound to a student schedule, I feel the need to just pause, look around, see the needs of the day, and only dive into what is in front of me. Although I do believe in planning in advance, I try to look only for my daily portion and not hoard or take on more than I can handle. Each day will come with it’s own issues, so for a moment, breathe and slow down.
2. Take more walks- I realize that I remain stationary for most of my day. I typically am sitting down for my job whether learning, designing, or writing emails and posts. Sometimes, I need to get out of my house though to just breathe some fresh air and take a look around my neighborhood. Whether you’re in Nashville and venture to one of the many Edwin or Percy Warner Parks or even Radnor Lake or walking around New York City’s High Line in Chelsea, look around and soak in your environment. You were meant to be in this place in this season at this time, and it is important to take it all in. Also, walking sometimes clears your head more than a good Netflix show anyways.
3. Make more home cooked meals- Pinterest is my best friend for this resolution. I wish I could say I was a natural cook, but I really need more innovative, creative ideas for my three meals a day. Instead of going out all the time, I vow to seriously devote my time and effort to achieving a good home cooked meal. There really is nothing like gathering around the table of your home with your family or good friends, laughing and conversing about the day or deepest thoughts. I truly believe that home cooked meals only breed more thoughtful friendships and memories.
4. Learn something new- Last year, I pledged myself to learning how to play the guitar. I am not quite sure when this newfound musical interest will be pursued, but I know I will pick it up during this year. I never want to stop learning or growing, and I always want to expand my interests and skills. Can you think of something you have always wanted to do but fear, time, or lack of experience has stopped you? Maybe you could pick up calligraphy, blogging, running, or even book-binding? Look into your local community center, church, or YMCA for ideas of new things to learn!
5. Write everyday- Whether this is journaling, essay-writing, or even forming the next great American novel, it is important to document your days and observe your growth throughout the year. One of the things I look forward in December is grabbing my old journal and paging through each entry. Faith and growth can only be measured by looking back, and by writing everyday, you stimulate and reflect on your thoughts.
With these resolutions in mind, we, here at EOH, hope you have the happiest 2016! We look forward to slowing down, starting fresh, and moving forward with you in the new year!
Photos Courtesy of Jocelyn Youngdahl & Madding McFadden
June 9th, 2015
The EOH Team desires to build community both internally and externally. We believe in the beauty of your story and sharing those stories with the world. Every person has a story to tell. So a few weeks ago, we gathered at Emily and Wade’s home to get to know our summer team and hear a little about one another stories. This was a night to both break the ice with new friends and celebrate the vision of EOH. EOH’s Summer Supper allowed each EOH team member to feel welcomed, included, and recognized for their individual story.
We started out our evening with a visit from a very special, happy-hearted guest, Miss Elsie. Before bedtime, Elsie got to get in on a bit of the fun.
Our personalized menus and gifts were the most thoughtful surprise from EOH. As if dinner wasn’t enough, Emily and EOH team members, Beth and Anna, collaborated on these sweet care packages.
Paired with a crisp Bordeaux, these fresh appetizers hit the spot, and they were garnished all from Emily and Wade’s backyard garden!
For this being our first dinner party, Wade and Emily went big in their cooking endeavors—taking inspiration and recipes from The Yellow Table. The food only fueled our intentional, meaningful, and always hilarious conversation. Gathered around the Holmes’ ruby red farm porch, hinted with cerulean blue, the dinner party invited college students, mothers, gentlemen, and everyone in-between to eat, enjoy, and be merry enjoying the summer air.
In a world, filled with hustle and bustle, Emily and Wade invited their team to take a moment and pause, enjoy the meal prepared with humble hands, and recognize their importance to the EOH team. It is a gift to be able to work with individuals and get to know people’s passions and personalities. EOH’s Summer Supper was only a reflection of our product. Whether it’s a menu, stationery set, or save-the-date, we want to help you share your story. Each product from EOH is uniquely tailored to who you are and the story you wish to tell.
Thank you Emily and Wade for hosting the team with such gracious hospitality and selfless spirits!
Photos Courtesy of Madding McFadden & the EOH team
April 8th, 2015
Spring is a season full of celebrations & showers…from babies and birthdays to weddings and graduations, there is always a party right around the corner! Hosting a baby shower?! You’re in luck- We’ve handpicked our favorite pieces for an easy (gender-neutral!) spring baby shower. Inspired by the changing landscape, go with a natural color palette full of greens and neutrals + bright accents of gold! Shop our picks below…
* Here at EOH, we believe the invitation is the perfect place to start! Set a tone for the event’s style & give guests a clue of what’s to come (from the minute they open their mailbox!). We got inspired by this spring green invite that features a modern dot background paired with a darling floral garland illustration. After we picked out this pretty paper, we knew we wanted to move in the direction of simple + modern, yet thoughtful + cute. Emily O. Holmes Custom Lovelies has a large line of ready-to-order baby shower invitations!
* We love this gorgeous gold (yet grown-up!) menagerie by Dwell Studio. It can double as a centerpiece at the party and nursery decor after the fact.
* Let guests know the celebration has begun with these (absolutely adorable!) confetti push-pops from Thimblepress. We loved this metallic look, but they make a variety of color selections (…even blue & pink for a gender reveal party!).
* Bring all this gorgeous green inside with a classic boxwood wreath like this affordable option by Smith & Hawken. Attach the first letter of the new baby’s name and hang over a mirror…or lay flat as a centerpiece and fill with cream & gold candles.
* We adore this vintage-style letter banner you can use to spell out the baby’s future name! (Keeping the baby’s name a secret?! Use their last name instead & spell out “Baby ___”) Send this home with the mama-to-be as a gift to be used in the nursery later.
* How perfectly playful are these metallic gold party hats?! Add an element of fun by placing these hats in the center of each dinner plate or stringing them about the space…(or let any of the children present don this celebratory crown!).
* Food doesn’t have to be fancy to feel elegant…Host a wine + cheese shower! Pile this chic wood + marble cheese board high with fruits, nuts, meats, and cheeses for a sophisticated (& super easy) party snack.
* Echo the confetti push-pops with these happy dotted napkins. The scattered gold spots add a touch of whimsy while the thick cream cotton feels refined. Plus, these would be a great set to add to your linen collection!
* Finish off the table decor with these scalloped heart coasters at each place setting. The sweet heart is a thoughtful touch as you celebrate the new little love coming into the world!
Welcome Spring & Happy Celebration Season from the Team at EOH!
