{ odette } Special Offer

It would be a crime to deprive you of this deal! Odette has been one of my go to jewelers for gifts throughout the year. Check out some of their incredible designs - and maybe even pick something up your yourself. How could you resist with $25 towards any purchase? From holiday gifts, to bridesmaid gifts, this fun and whimsical jeweler has just what you are looking for!




A gift from odette new york...$25 gift voucher good towards any purchase at www.odetteny.com by using coupon code: gimme25. Drop a hint to someone by forwarding this website address. One time use only per person. **Offer valid through 12/8/08.

Tulle and Toile Tuesday Giveaway

With the holidays just around the corner, it is time to firm up the details on that soiree you are bound to be throwing, so why not let me help? Invitations for any event set the tone, they are the party world's first impressions. Why not ensure your party gets off without a hitch? Today's giveaway is a set of {25} party invitations from The Bonnie Marcus Collection.



In addition, the winner may also be eligible for custom calligraphy on these invitations - a $70 value!

Here is how you enter:

1. To win these adorable invites, simply leave a comment.

2. To have a shot at the calligraphy too, you must post about the giveaway on your blog with a link back to my blog. (p.s. you have to let me know you are doing this when you leave your comment)

3. The contest ends Saturday at 9:00pm - just in case you need to get past the turkey dinner to think clearly!

How I Stay Organized:

Clockwise from top left:

Mom Agenda Weekly Planner: I use this even though I am not yet a mom! It sits on my desk, usually under or around my laptop and keeps my notes for the week jotted down in one place and gives my husband a snapshot of what we have going on.

Hanging Calendar: I fell in love with this beautiful bird calendar when it was featured on Decor-8. It will hang in my office.

Moleskine: This is slim, fits in my purse, and holds EVERYTHING! I love everything moleskine, but this is by far my favorite.

Tent Calendar: This sits on my desk at work for a quick glance at the date. I get one each year and this year chose London to remind me of the time there, my desire to go back, and my dear friend Melinee who still lives there.

Grocery List: Finally, I have a Mom Agenda grocery and meal list on my fridge and this has dramatically improved my grocery shopping/meal planning experience. It may even be saving me money since I no longer buy food that goes to waste!

Winner! (and a list of our favorite spas)

Congratulations to Greta! You have won the Nemacolin spa sample set. Please e-mail me at: calligraphybyshannon@gmail.com to claim your prize!

Now for everyone who didn't win this time around, here is a list of some fabulous spas to try out in the mean time:

Elizabeth Arden Red Door
Location: multiple locations throughout the US
I personally love their location at the Seaview Marriott in New Jersey!

Nemacolin (of course)
Location: Western Pennsylvania

Eden Day Spa and Salon
Location: Outter Banks, North Carolina

Spa Japonika
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
(This is our winner's favorite!)

Sugar House Day Spa
Location: Alexandria, Virginia

The Spa at Amelia Island Plantation
Location: Amelia Island, Florida

If you have a favorite spa that you would like to share, let me know so we can add to the list!

Tulle and Toile Tuesday Giveaway

Did the photos from Nemacolin leave you longing for a resort weekend? Well, with the harsh winter winds beginning to wreck havoc on the North East, I would like to provide you a small relief. Today's giveaway is a care package of prodcts from Nemacolin's first class spa. Enjoy their wonderful products without ever having to leave your home! (except maybe to get this package from the mail when you win! To enter, simply post a comment with the info for your favorite spa or salon so we can all enjoy life's little luxuries too! PS: Enter fast, the contest will end Thursday at 9:00pm EST!

Pennsylvania Resort Wedding

The Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is spectacular. Located south of Pittsburgh, it captures the beauty of rustic western Pennsylvania while maintaining all the luxuries of a resort. With several lodging options, a first class spa, and loads of restaurants, Nemacolin is the perfect place to get away.

Not only is Nemacolin a wonderful weekend or week-long retreat, but the resort is a fantastic place for a wedding. Because there are so many options at this resort, you can truely hold any "type" of wedding at Nemacolin from a hoedown to royal afair. Here are some pictures to help you visualize the versitility of Nemacolin:

(all photos from Nemacolin)

So the bottom line: if you are looking to get married, or even get away for a special occasion, check out Nemacolin!

Tulle and Toile Tuesday Giveaway Duex!

In honor of the election there will be two spectacular specials featured for today's giveaway.

The first is a contest brought to us from Sarah and The Wedding Hub. She is holding a contest to giveaway this beautiful Renee Pawele hair accessory valued over $100! All you have to do to enter is visit The Wedding Hub and leave a comment about what city you live in and where you voted. The winner will be chosen next Tuesday.


Second, you will be exclusively offered a limited time deal on my calligraphy! 25% off your order and free return shipping. To receive this special November discount, please contact me and submit an order request by next Friday, November 14th.


There will be no minimum requirement for this deal. You can review my standard rates here: Rates.

Don't miss this opportunity. The possibilities are endless: holiday cards, party invitations or menus, wedding invitations or accessories, you name it!

Samples Samples Samples

To kick off November, and in my mind, the official beginning of the holiday season, this week is going to be all about samples. Keep an eye out for inspiration, ideas, deals, and discounts with each sample post this week!

To start things off here are some samples of my traditional calligraphy:




The beveled edge of a calligraphy pen helps create the contrast in line thickness which often is viewed to add to the elegance of the writing. Simple calligraphy strokes can also be made with a round tip pen for a similarly unique and elegant look as in these samples:






As you can see, calligraphy styles can vary depending on the writing utensil. However, the greatest factor in determining a style of calligraphy is there hand of the artist. Each calligrapher will have a different "font" or style that is natural to them. "Traditional" calligraphy will not always look the same from person to person. This is my "default" style. While there are many other styles that I write in (more will be featured later this week), this is my basic traditional calligraphy. And I should note, this is also the most requested style particularly for wedding invitations.

Giveaway Winner

Here is a look at how my love of calligraphy spilled over to my pumpkin carving this year! Unfortunately, it is much more difficult with a knife than with a pen. :-)

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and maybe even some funny Halloween stories. I would love for you to share them!

But the real reason for this post is to announce last week's giveaway winner. Drum roll please...

The giveaway winner is Kappa Prep from the decidedly preppy Monograms and Manicures!

Congratulations! E-mail me at:

calligraphybyshannon@gmail.com

with you address so I can send out your adorable pink apron!