Inspired by

Why aren’t there more Thanksgiving cards? Why isn’t Thanksgiving as synonymous with cards as Christmas? It is a time to spread gratitude and love to the people in your life, just as Christmas cards spread cheer and joy to the people you love. Interesting, right?

Hey, I’m just as guilty about this. I did not create a Thanksgiving Day card this year. I am, however, creating at least one Christmas Card design. Maybe it is because the two holidays are so close to one another, and there are so many activities stuffed into this short time frame that people can’t imagine another task for their to-do list?

Above are a few of my favorite Thanksgiving Day cards I’ve seen this season. It is probably too late to purchase these fine cards from the companys’ online sites, but check out your local fancy paper store to see if they stock any of these beautiful cards.

Next year I’m definitely designing a Thanksgiving Day card!

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

I pinned the watercolor swatches image (top image) a couple of months ago on my Pinterest Watercolor board. Recently I clicked to see where this incredible image came from and was happily delighted to see it came from this wonderful Tumblr site called Things Organized Neatly.

You simply must check out this site! As someone who is not naturally organized (I consider myself organic), I find these displays fascinating. Lately I have been observing how other designers display and photograph their work for their website, and I think that this Tumblr site holds a lot of inspiring ideas I can bring to this aspect of my work.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Are you hosting Thanksgiving this year? Can you believe that Thanksgiving is next week?? For the past 2-3 years, my husband and I have hosted Thanksgiving. It is a lovely tradition!

That being said…three members of my immediate family are currently in Kenya returning on Thanksgiving Day, so our normal traditions are out of whack this year. My husband and I are likely headed to his mother’s apartment and we’ll probably go out to dinner on Thanksgiving Day. We are still considering if we should host Thanksgiving on Friday or Saturday with my immediate family. Part of me will miss not celebrating the tradition, but part of me is wondering if this is a blessing in disguise and could give me a much needed break! Stay tuned for what we decide!

If you are hosting Thanksgiving or are looking to bring a hostess gift, I highly recommend taking a trip to the West Elm website or store. West Elm is my go-to for decorating items! Their style is organic yet modern mixed with beautiful patterns and textures. This season West Elm has collaborated with the caterers at Jewels of New York and Kinfolk to create oodles on table preparation inspiration and recipes. Check it out here.

Also, can we just soak in the beauty that the stylists at West Elm created in these photos for a second?! Super talented!

All photos by West Elm.