DAY 3: SHENANDOAH

Hello and a special welcome to new Neither Snow visitors. I'm so grateful that you've stopped by thanks to some recent posts (here, here, here and here). To all: please forgive the radio silence. Since I last posted, we've been frantically packing and preparing for a move to Los Angeles, where we'll be stationed for the year (please drop a line if you'd like to collaborate out west!). It was a neverending parade to and fro all of the usual "we're moving" locations (post office, big box stores, Salvation Army), not to mention finishing up some fantastic projects inbetween, which I will share with you momentarily.

We are taking two weeks to cross the country via I-81 and then to I-40, and camping along the way. I write to you from the Big Meadows Lodge of Shenandoah National Park. It is just stunning.  The golden light through the leaves is bewitching, the sunsets a swirl of salmons and blues. There are many Amish families here and I've been captivated by their bonnets and handmade dresses that I spot every once in a while in the meadows. More pictures from the trip coming soon. But next up: a tribute to Mary Heron. 

&tc.

History of U.S. Postage from Kathryn Davenel on Vimeo.

Jamie recently sent along two philatelitc links of note. The first is fun animation by Kathryn Davenel  and the second is the "big reveal" going on at Beyond the Perf -- they are debuting a new 2012 stamp every day for the next week or so. How great that USPS tapped Louise Fili to design the new love ribbons stamp (you can learn about the history of love stamps here). Fili's work has always been such an inspiration. Above, a few of my favorite logos that she's designed. It's enlightening to read about before and after redesigns, like the one for Good Housekeeping. I just ordered her history of "Scripts" that came out in May. Can't wait to share! & thanks Jamie!

{images via Louise Fili}

Karena + Charlie

There is so much I love about this wedding, beautifully photographed by Catharine Mead. I love that there is nothing more quintessentially British than a flower girl and a headstone; that there was a rainbow of fascinators on display, but also the occasional hand knit wool sweater; that the stunning family home was the location for the reception; and that I was lucky enough to work with Karena and Charlie (who arranged for his bride a truly romantic surprise gift). But most of all, I love what they looked like minutes after their vows, and what they looked like at the end of the night. Check out the rest of the photos here!

{photos via Catharine Mead}

RICK + STACY

It's been an avalanche of calligraphy recently-- apologies for the radio silence. But I did want to share this invitation from Rick and Stacy's wedding. I had the pleasure of attending the big day and am still reeling from the beauty and countless thoughtful touches. Whenever "What is Real?" is read aloud from the Velveteen Rabbit, by a dear mother-in-law with an Australian accent, my heart will swell.