Happy Holidays!

The holidays are here and we thought we'd share some of our favorite tips for a more festive season! From all of us at Boatman Geller, warmest holiday wishes to you and your family!

1. Make a Festive Punch

With cranberries and champagne, this boozy Cranberry Christmas Cocktail is sure to be a party hit!

2. Bake a Better Cookie

We're loving Alton Brown's sugar cookie recipe‚—set out on a personalized plate just for Santa!

3. Set a Perfect Place

Emily Post's Table Setting Guides are the go-to when in doubt for place settings. Add a festive placemat or name cards for extra style!

Home for the Holidays!

With the holidays on their way, we're ready to deck the halls and get cozy at home in front of the fire with a mug of hot chocolate! We've taken some inspiration from Pinterest and are loving rustic wreaths, bold patterns, and the idea of little ones writing letters to Santa with cookies to match! Check out some of our favorite holiday inspiration!

1. Via Pink & Green Flat Card  2. Letter to Santa Cookies  3. Wreath Placemat  4. Angel Pine Garland
5. Confetti Red & Green Photocard  6. Chalkboard in Frame with Wreath  7. Chevron Red Coaster  8. Red & White Pinstripe Ornament  9. Trellis Reverse Cherry Square Tray

Holiday Hosting!

With Thanksgiving this week, soon we'll be trimming our trees and getting our homes ready to host holiday soirees for our favorite time of year! Parties and get-togethers with friends and family will be extra chic with your own personalized accessories like cups, trays and coasters that show off your style! Check out some of our favorites this holiday season!

1. Cup with Icon Ornament  2. Suzani Holiday Cutting Board  3. Awning Stripe Red Koozie  4. Dinner Napkin with Icon  5. Trellis Reverse Cherry Square Lucite Tray  6. Tis the Season Coasters  7. Confetti Red & Green Flat Card  8. Plaid Red Ice Bucket  9. Chevron Red Plate

Holiday Gifting!

The holidays will be here before you know it and we're looking forward to lots of giving this year! Recipe card boxes make a great gift, or how about an adorable plate for the kiddos to leave their cookies out for Santa? Check out some of our favorites—to give and to get—this holiday season below!

1. Alex Houndstooth Red Cutting Board  2. Kate Red & Teal Cell Phone Case  3. Plaid Red Travel Tumbler  4. Chevron Holiday Wine Tag  5. Stella Gold Recipe Box  6. Three Initials Stamper  7. Mimi & George Holiday Plate  8. Black Watch Plaid Ice Bucket  9. Chevron Red Coaster

Fall Favorites!

Fall is in full swing and we're enjoying the bright, bold colors of the leaves changing! We're also finding tons of inspiration on Pinterest this season, as well as loving some classic BG patterns like plaid, herringbone, and chinoiserie! Check out some of our favorites for fall below!

1. Bristol Tile Tangerine Platter  2. Herringbone Skirt  3. Herringbone Chocolate Plate  4. Plaid Picnic
5. Town Plaid Mug  6. Fall Drink Ideas  7. Stella Gold Koozie  8. Mad for Plaid  9. Chinoiserie Autumn Coaster

Charity Give Back!

We think that giving back to worthy causes is so important, and we're pleased to bring back our Charity Give Back program again this year! The Boatman Group will make a one-time donation of $100 to a charity of the retailer's choice or one of our selected charities when a retailer reaches $2,000 in sales with any of our brands. Orders placed starting Monday, October 13th will count towards the retailer's $2,000 sales total, so get started on your holiday shopping and help our retailers give back this year!

1. Brush Stripe Red Photocard  2. Kara Tile Foldover Photocard  3. Merry & Bright Foil Photocard  4. Tis The Season Foil Photocard  5. Swiss Dot Multi Foldover Photocard  6. Sprig Navy Photocard  7. Miller Check Red and Green Invitation  8. Mia Ikat Red Foldover Photocard  9. Banner Foil Photocard

On the Case!

Whether you were one of the lucky ones who have an iPhone already or yours is still on its way, we've got you covered! Our iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus covers will begin shipping in October and can be ordered from your favorite BG retailer! What'll be on your new case?

1. Classic Check Sunflower Cell Phone Case  2. Bold Stripe Cell Phone Case  3. Stripe Raspberry & Lime Cell Phone Case  4. Herringbone Jungle Cell Phone Case  5. Lattice Cherry Cell Phone Case  6. Alex Housndstooth Chocolate Cell Phone Case  7. Cameron Raspberry Cell Phone Case  8. Espadrille Bright Cell Phone Case  9. Chevron Turquoise Cell Phone Case  10. Suzani Cell Phone Case

Falling for Fashion!

While the leaves are changing with the season, why not change your wardrobe too? We always have so much fun pairing the newest fashion trends with items from our collection! Check out some of our new fall favorites with some of our all-time BG favorites! What will you be wearing this autumn?

Top: Stripe Cropped Sweatshirt and Maddie Pant in Glen Plaid from J.Crew paired with BG Nautical Stripe Foldover Card & BG Herringbone Gray Cell Phone Case

Middle: Long Sleeve Cotton/Modal Tee from L.L. Bean Signature paired with BG Alex Houndstooth Navy Foldover Card & BG Suzani Gold Travel Tumbler

Bottom: Alice Jacket and Jersey Jacquard Skirt from Boden paired with BG Stella Turquoise Small Flat Card & BG Bamboo Rings Navy Square Tray

Sneak Peek: Holiday!

Even though we're still awaiting Autumn, we're so excited about our holiday photocard collection! Our newest holiday designs include whimsical patterns, sophisticated classics, and festive foil! See what we've been up to and scope out your favorites for holiday season! Which one expresses your holiday style?

1. Peace on Earth Foil  2. Kara Tile  3. Little Christmas Stripes   4. Jackie Stripe Multi Foldover  5. Joy on Photo  6. Sprig Lime  7. Brush Stripe Teal  8. Miller Check Red and Green Foldover  9. Love and Laughter

Decorate Your Desk!

Back to school time always has us dreaming about cute ways to invigorate our desks! Modern accessories like calendars and notepads, and clever desk organizers are what we're loving this season! Check out some of our favorite ways to spice up our workspaces!

1. Boatman Geller Modern Desk Calendar  2. Land of Nod New School Desk with Bench  3. Boatman Geller Bold Stripe Coasters  4. Cavallini & Co. Can o' Clips  5. Boatman Geller Kate Red & Teal Clipboard  6. Girl of All Work Pencil Pouch  7. Boatman Geller Custom Cameron Raspberry Mouse Pad   8. Best of Boat Worlds Desk Organizer Set  9. Boatman Geller Bursts Tangerine Notepad with Acrylic

Back to School Style!

Back to school is fast approaching and we're imagining what some of our favorite characters would be carrying this season! We're picturing Elle Woods sporting a preppy laptop case and Matilda curling up to read with a pink polka dotted iPad case! What's your back to school style this year?

1. Chinoiserie Autumn iPad Case  2. Alex Houndstooth Chocolate Cell Phone Case  3. Rugby Navy & Pink Cell Phone Case  4. Seersucker Pink & Green Custom Laptop Sleeve  5. Polka Dot Bubblegum Custom iPad Case  6. Stella Chocolate Custom Laptop Sleeve

Summer Soirees!

Summer is in full swing and we're busy planning our next party! From poolside gatherings to backyard barbecues, we're looking forward to entertaining in style this summer with custom koozies, coasters, and trays that really pop! Which of these items would you most like to have while entertaining this summer?

1. Espadrille Bright Square Lucite Tray  2. Suzani Teal Coaster  3. Stripe Tangerine & Raspberry Koozie  4. Chevron Sunflower Platter  5. Beverage Napkin with Icon Anchor  6. Frost Flex Cup  7. Madras Patch Bright Koozie  8. Bold Stripe Ice Bucket  9. Coral Repeat Large Tray

Summer Fun!

Summer is here and we're looking forward to spending it in style! Our favorite things for summer include coasters, koozies and iPad covers for relaxing poolside and sailor knot bracelets we'll leave on until Labor Day! What are you looking forward to this summer?

1. Nantucket Knotworks Sailor Bracelets  2. Espadrille Bright Coaster  3. Raspberry Cameron Custom Folding iPad Cover  4. Sea Bags Green Ogunquit Beach Tote  5. Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses
6. Madras Patch Bright Square Tray  7. Stripe Tangerine and Raspberry and Stripe Raspberry and Lime Koozies  8. Cole Haan Grant Patent LTE Driving Moccasins

Boatman Geller at the National Stationery Show 2014

We're back from our trip to the National Stationery Show with The Boatman Group. It had been 3 years since we were in New York for the show and it was great to see familiar faces, catch up with our retailers, and meet new retailers. Showing as part of The Boatman Group, we had the pleasure of hosting Meet & Greets in our booth with fellow designers Whitney English, Prentiss Douthit, and Dabney Lee. We'd like to thank everyone that came by our booth during the show, we appreciate your time and we look forward to all that is in store for the future! Take a look at our booth and watch a special interview we did with Mindy Lockard, The Gracious Girl for #KENROcam! Did you attend the show this year? If so, let us know your show highlights in the comments below.

Red, White & Blue BBQ!

Memorial Day weekend is the official kickoff to BBQ season and we love the idea of a well-styled soiree! Really, what better way to celebrate that to throw a patriotic party this weekend? Check out some of our favorite items to celebrate the beginning of summer entertaining!

1. Repp Tie Red & Navy Disposable Placemat Pad  2. Beverage Napkin with Icon  3. Lobsters Red Ice Bucket  4. Chevron Blue & Red Koozie   5. Espadrille Nautical Coaster  6. Stripe Lobster Platter

7. Seersucker Band Red & Navy Small Tray  8. Frost Flex Cup with Icon  9. Via Red & Blue Flat Card

Graduation Celebration!

Graduations are soon upon us and we're so excited to share our new open house invitations! These photocards are designed with the most popular school colors in mind and a great way to share the excitement that commencement brings! Check out some of our new invitations to celebrate your graduate!

Don't Call Mom, Write Her!

Mother's Day is May 11 so you've still got plenty of time to get a sweet, handwritten note in the mail for Mom! Sending something considerate to let her know how much she means to you will surely make Mom melt! You call her all the time, send a note this Mother's Day to show her how special she is!

1. Confetti Raspberry & Tangerine Flat Card  2. Chain Link Lime Note Sheets in Acrylic  3. Sprig Tangerine Foldover Card  4. Chevron Sunflower Notepad  5. Erin Barrett Hello Gorgeous Flat Card  6. Brush Stripe Kelly Foldover Card  7. Erin Barrett Sweet Friend Foldover Card  8. Summer Yellow Foldover Card

9. Bristol Tile Tangerine Notepad

April Showers!

Springtime is the perfect shower season for summer weddings and late spring/summer arrivals of little ones! Here are a few of our favorite bridal and baby shower invitations as well as foldover cards from our new Everyday Collection! How will you live your style with these fresh designs?

1. Erin Barrett Baby Shower Invitation   2. Sprig Lime & Turquoise Flat Card  3. Erin Barrett Shower Invitation  4. Summer Yellow Foldover Card  5. Erin Barrett Bridal Shower Flowers Invitation  6. Flo Navy & Bubblegum Foldover Card  7. Trellis Slate & Mocha Flat Card  8. Confetti Lime & Raspberry Flat Card
9. Erin Barrett Bridal Shower Flowers Invitation

Meet The Monogram Merchant

Boatman Geller Retailer of Distinction Highlight: The Monogram Merchant

Tell us how The Monogram Merchant got started: 
The Monogram Merchant went online in 2003 and became exclusively online in 2008.  We've been in business since 2000 helping our customers celebrate life's most important occasions.

What is your favorite part about being an online retailer? 
The best part of being an online retailer is working with customers from all across the country and the world! Its fun to learn about trends and traditions from other parts of the US and see what colors and patterns appeal to different areas.

What is your favorite Boatman Geller item or top seller?
It's too hard to choose just one! Our customers love the phone cases, the desk calendars and the melamine plates!

What is the one item that you never leave home without? 
My iphone! I can't live without it...protected and styled, of course, by one of my BG cases.

1. Modern Desk Calendar  2. Espadrille Preppy Plate  3. Chevron Pink, Navy, & Lime Cell Phone Case
4. Suzani Plate  5. Bold Stripe Cell Phone Case  6. Preppy Desk Calendar

Shop for your favorite Boatman Geller items at http://www.themonogrammerchant.com/

Sneak Peek: Erin Barrett!

We introduced Erin Barrett's lettering during our Holiday Collection and now we're thrilled to add more of her hand-lettered designs to our Everyday Collection! We've included whimsical designs for the big events in life, such as weddings and little arrivals, as well as sweet, simple notecards. Look for more designs soon!

1. We're Engaged Save the Date  2. Bridal Shower Invitation  3. Hello Gorgeous Foldover Card  4. Oh Baby Photocard  5. Oh Baby Birth Announcement  6. Home Sweet Home Moving Card  7. We're Getting Hitched Save the Date  8. Let's Party Invitation  9. Save the Date Photocard

Meet Initial Offerings

We're excited to bring you a blog feature on Platinum Boatman Geller retailer, Initial Offerings! Initial Offerings was born out of the love of all things monogrammed. This love affair began more than twenty five years ago when Kim began collecting vintage silver pieces and linens with other people’s monograms. Here, owner Kim Nappi (pictured below) talks to us about how Initial Offerings began and how she ended up in the world of stationery and gifts. 

1. Tell us how Initial Offerings got started:  I established my first stationery business in 2001 and become hooked on helping people celebrating births, weddings and other special occasions that called for announcements and invitations. A little over three years ago, after taking a hiatus for several years I once again had the itch to build another business and found myself reflecting fondly on my earlier days of owning my first stationery business. Re-entering the industry I enjoyed and experienced success which made it a no brainer and thus Initial Offerings was born in 2010. When I launched Initial Offerings, one of the first calls I made was to my favorite designer/manufacturer from the early days, Boatman Geller. I’m delighted to once again be partnering with whom I’ve always considered to be the best in the industry. Jane and Greg were tops then and continue to be now. 

2. What is your favorite part about being an online retailer?  The ability to reach and connect with people all over. I love receiving an order from someone in Florida (I’m in California) who received a gift from someone in Texas who purchased that gift online from Initial Offerings. I also enjoy the challenge of the ever evolving world of eCommerce and the continuing education of keeping our website relevant when there are so many others in this space. 

3. What is your favorite Boatman Geller item or top seller? Choosing a favorite Boatman Geller item is like picking a favorite child. It’s difficult because I love and am surrounded by so many great items; so my top 3 would be my personal Boatman Geller stationery, my iPhone case and the large Lucite tray. My top sellers are beverage napkins and wine bottle tags. 

4. How did you end up in the world of stationery & gifts? As mentioned earlier I opened my first stationery & gift business in 2001 in rural Georgia. Online shopping was not an option at that time and there was not a stationery store for miles. At the time we were starting our family and I was surrounded by friends and neighbors who were also starting families and we all wanted birth announcements, birthday party invitations (those glorious days before Evite), holiday cards, etc..  I realized there was a need and decided to fill it. The business was a great fit for my interests then and continues to be now.

5. What is the one item you never leave home without? I never leave home without my iPhone, which is kept safe, sound and stylish in one of the many Boatman Geller cases I rotate.

1. Bright Floral Cell Phone Case  2. Alex Houndstooth Cell Phone Case   3. Beti Pink Flat Card  4. Chain Link Navy Foldover Card  5. Chinoiserie Spring Travel Tumbler  6. iPad Mini Cover in Bristol Tile Navy

Shop for your favorite Boatman Geller items at http://www.initialofferings4you.com/

Meet HappyNotes and more...

Boatman Geller Retailer of Distinction highlight: HappyNotes and more...

HappyNotes and more... started as a home-based business and as the business grew, the need for online shopping arose. HappyNotes and more... wants to make your shopping experience as easy as possible and as fun as possible.

           

1. Tell us how HappyNotes and more... got started:
In 2006, we started selling some of my favorite paper items from Embossed Graphics. In 2007, we launched our first online store and added more lines. We have grown by leaps and bounds since.  We started selling Boatman Geller in 2011 and the items quickly became Best Sellers. 

2. What is your favorite part about being an online retailer?
The best part of being an online retailer and we can work as little as much as we need to. Since we are open 24/7, we appeal to a variety of consumers all over the country.

3. What is your favorite Boatman Geller item or top seller?
Our top selling BG item(s) are cell phone cases and desk calendars. Customers come back every year to get their new calendars and they make great gifts.

4. How did you end up in the world of stationery and gifts?
We ended up selling the stationery and gifts because they are so much fun to receive. I have always had a personalized pad or two on my desk since I can remember. They make people happy-hence our name Happy Notes and more...

5. What is your favorite color combination? 
Our favorite color combination has to be pink and green, but a strong second is turquoise and lime. 

1. Chevron Turquoise Cell Phone Case  2. Preppy Desk Calendar  3. Classic Check Cell Phone Case
4. Classic Desk Calendar  5. Kate Raspberry & Lime Cell Phone Case  6. ModernDesk Calendar

Shop for your favorite Boatman Geller items at http://www.happynotesandmore.net/

It's A Date!

With Valentine's Day just behind us, we have the feeling a lot of brides to be have some exciting news to share! A simple save the date card with a motif never goes out of style, but including a photo of the two of you can add personality to your announcement. How will you announce your big news?

1. Chain Link Lime Flat Photocard  2. Letterpress Nautical Knot Small Flat Announcement  3. Letterpress with Coral Icon Photocard Save the Date  4. Lobster Flat Card  5. Letterpress Bristol Photocard  6. Via Red & Blue Flat Card  7. Letterpress Photocard with Initials  8. Letterpress Small Flat Announcement  9. Bursts Teal Flat Photocard

Seeing Green!

We're seeing green everywhere now that St. Patrick's day right around the corner! Our Irish Ale motif, Shamrock pattern, and Custom Collection have some of our favorite St. Paddy's day items for your party! Kelly and lime custom plates and platters will go so well with your corned beef and cabbage! Plus, custom koozies and coasters will surely be a hit! How will you be celebrating St. Paddy's day?

1. Irish Ale Platter  2. Irish Ale Flat Card  3. Irish Ale Plate  4. Custom Kelly & Lime Chinoiserie Square Lucite Tray  5. Custom Kelly & Lime Chinoiserie Plate  6. Custom Kelly & Lime Chinoiserie Coaster
7. Custom Kelly & Lime Chevron Koozie  8. Custom Kelly & Lime Chevron Flat Card  9. Custom Kelly & Lime Chevron Ice Bucket  10. Shamrock Plate  11. Shamrock Flat Card  12. Shamrock Platter

Think Spring!

While we're in the throws of yet another round of winter, we know that spring is on the horizon. We're longing for the days we can smell new flowers in bloom and ride our bicycles to the farmer's market! Spring will be here soon enough, but in the meantime get your fix of fresh patterns and colors below!

1. Chevron Pink, Navy & Lime Cell Phone Case  2. Bright Floral Square Tray  3. Via Pink & Green Flat Card  4. Chinoiserie Spring Notepad with Acrylic  5. Bamboo Green & Raspberry Coaster  6. Espadrille Preppy Beverage Tumbler  7. Kate Raspberry & Lime Clipboard  8. Bicycle Mug  9. Suzani Foldover Note

Super Bowl, Super Fun!

The big game is this weekend and the items on our party checklist are falling into place. We're looking forward to a great game, delicious recipes, and, of course, the commercials! Check out what we'll be whipping up this weekend and how we'll serve it! What are your plans for game day?

1. Custom Bristol Tile Tangerine Platter 2. Game Day Guacamole   3. Awning Stripe Navy Square Tray
4. Football Brownies in Mason Jars   5. Bristol Tile Navy Ice Bucket   6. Football Whoppie Pies   7. Stripe Navy & Lime and Stripe Navy & Tangerine Koozie   8. Pizza Pull-Apart Bread   9. Custom Chain Link Lime Coaster

Notes of Note!

Every year it seems we are more tied to technology so this year we're resolving to write more notes! It could be a quick note to a teacher or a proper thank you to a girlfriend—whatever the situation calls for. Stationery is a great way to express your style and the sentiment of a hand-written note is hardly under appreciated!

1. Stella Chocolate Notepad  2. Kate Raspberry & Lime Flat Card   3. Bristol Petite Chocolate Foldover Note  4. Via Red & Blue Flat Card  5. Lattice Cherry Note Sheets in Acrylic  6. Cameron Teal Notepad
7. Chevron Turquoise Note Sheets in Acrylic  8. Lucy Orange Foldover Note  9. Alex Houndstooth Flat Card