the style du jour

a dash of thrift, a sprinkle of stripes and a whole lot of lovely

Blogger-Worthy Clear Business Cards

This post is sponsored by Basic Invite. I was gifted business cards to review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are genuine. 

It’s a new school year, and while my personal school days are long gone (at least for now), I feel programmed with the desire to buy new stationery and organizing materials. Instead of a new Five Star and lined notebooks,  I’m a sucker for buying a pretty new planner, desk calendar, notecards and business cards.

My personalized clear business cards c/o Basic Invite.
(Use code 15FF51 to save 15% on all orders through September)

Until recent years, I had business cards covered through work and my professional identity at that time. Since staying home full-time with my kids the last few years and trying on various hats (e.g., nutrition communications consultant, lifestyle blogger), I’ve found it important to have my own set of professional business cards to have on hand for events, written thank you’s and networking.

Thanks to Basic Invite, an e-retailer with boutique quality stationery (and websites) that you can personalize for every life event or holiday, I was able to create these new gorgeous business cards.

What stands out to me is that Basic Invite’s selection of business card templates are anything but basic. They are modern and clean, with plenty of personalization options like foil detailing (in gold, silver and rose gold – love!) and photo inclusion to make them truly unique. The clear, plastic business cards immediately stood out to me as a modern take that I had to try.

There were so many cute templates to choose from that I printed another two-sided business card featuring a full-bleed personal photo. (This is the template I used to create the card below.) I like that there is no minimum quantity so you can order small batches at a time if you prefer.

From their speedy delivery service to all the lovely boutique-style art options, Basic Invite is on my radar for other stationery needs beyond business cards like ordering our annual family Christmas cards online. (I should start reviewing all the design options because it will be difficult to decide on one!)

Whether you’re a blogger, artist, freelancer or professional of any type, Basic Invite has a stunning selection of business cards to create unique branding and leave a lasting impression.  

XOXO,

Emily

My personalized clear business cards c/o Basic Invite.
(Use code 15FF51 to save 15% on all orders through September)
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Life Update: Party of Five!

Hello, 2018! Yes, I know we’re well into 2018, but this is my first post here since the holidays and I’m so happy to finally share why I’ve taken a brief and unintended hiatus on the blog.

I’M PREGNANT! Today marks week 16 so our bundle is the size of an avocado. We feel beyond blessed, but this little babe has kind of kicked my butt for the last few months. I took the time to rest and take care of myself while attempting to keep up with my two little rascals. Now that the first trimester is behind me, I’m slowly feeling less nauseous and fatigued, but I still can’t help but hit the pillow as soon as the kids are in bed. So, alas, blog projects, along with laundry, cleaning and anything else productive or social have mostly been put on hold.

We found out early on the sex of the baby and we were thrilled to share with Sloane and Teddy that they would have a new baby brother this August! Henry, James, Security and Heaven (hmmm…?) are some top names for the baby if the kids had their say. 🙂 We have a few leading contenders, but will probably wait to meet the little dude before we know just the right moniker for him.

As my energy comes back, I can’t wait to share updates on our pregnancy journey and baby prep along with recipe inspiration, home decor projects and spring beauty and style obsessions.

Thanks for your patience while things have been on hold here on The Style Du Jour. It feels good to be back!

 

XOXO,

Emily

Proof that I don’t edit my photos. Exhibit A: Random, disorganized stuff collecting in my office back there.

I’ll get to that organizing in the second trimester! 🙂

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Outfit of the Day: Purple and Red

Amour Sweater

Mid-Rise Jean (for less than $18!)

Everest Sunglasses 

Glittered Drop Earring

           

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Blogger Confidential: Three Unexpected (And Perfect) Photo Locations

What does a hospital, a body shop and Chicago hot dog restaurant have in common?

No, this is not the start of a really bad joke. 🙂

While I’m still a blogging newbie, I’ve had a list of tried and true neighborhood backdrops for taking photos for  quite a while.

For you Instagrammers and bloggers, do you ever look at your every day, perhaps mundane, neighborhood spots – the park, the corner store, your neighbor’s black wire gate, the concrete alley, the garage door, in a different way? I do all the time. Whether I’m running errands in the car or walking with the kids, I seem to have this 4 x 4 square image frame in the back of mind, scanning each surface, tree, building or horizon. While it sounds ever consuming, it’s mostly a fleeting thought or image of a potential photo. The benefit is that I’ve become more aware, even hyper-observant, of the neighborhood inner workings and big city around me. So often, I’ve missed interesting details among the hustle and bustle, but now I tend to catch those urban details that make our neighborhood such a lovely and unique place.

What does a hospital, a body shop and Chicago hot dog restaurant have in common?

Back to my original question. Well, the answer is that they all make excellent photo backdrops. Three buildings, which upon first glance, may not warrant a “oh, how lovely” emotion, but have helped to create lovely little blog photos and, even better, the locale of family photo moments. And here they are:

The Hospital

The Body Shop

The Chicago Hot Dog Restaurant

Whether you’re a blogger, a photographer or a savvy selfie-taker, I’d love to know: Where are your unexpected spots for creating lovely photo moments??

XO,

Emily

 

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The perfect holiday gift for your tech-obsessed loved one

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Have you checked everyone on your holiday gift list yet? If you’re like me, then you’re still making your way down the list, working on finding the best fit for everyone, each person neatly categorized in your mind to help you narrow the shopping focus – the new mom, the world traveler, the foodie, the tech-savvy…

I can assist you a bit with this last one (and I have a discount for you, too. Keep reading’…).

Help your tech-obsessed pal put their personal stamp on their latest gadgets with a unique and custom iPhone case or custom laptop skin. Have you heard of Caseapp.com? They have this super easy designing tool where you can create a custom case for a phone, iPad or computer in a matter of minutes.

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I made my new iPhone case in minutes while I was in the car (not driving, of course!). Besides protecting your tech, these cases are printed with amazing print quality and the design prints on all sides so there’s no break-up from the back of the phone to the front.

Not sure about customizing a case with personal photos or art? No worries. There are scores of ready-to-use designs available, from marble-esque designs to bright and bold patterns (pizza, anyone?!). You’ll spend more time deciding on your most favorite print than actually submitting your order. 🙂

And once you do decide, use this code for 20% of your order!

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Once you start browsing, you may decide you need a case or laptop skin upgrade, too. If so, tell me about your custom design or which existing design you choose!

Sending you all the positive holiday shopping vibes!

 

XO,

Emily

P.S. This adorable design was created by Style Collective, an independent fashion blogger network which I belong to and adore. <3 If you’re a blogger or interested in joining, I’m happy to help answer questions (just shoot me a note under the Contact Me page) or feel free to check out Style Collective for more info.

 

*I received a free iPhone case from Caseapp for this post. All the love for my case and these thoughts are entirely my own. 🙂

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