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Happy National Puppy Day! To celebrate, Sarah and I rounded up some of the best cards out there that feature our favorite furry friends. Because whether you want to say “happy birthday” or “gee, I’m sorry” sending a card with a pup on it will not disappoint. Below are the ones that we found extra loveable …

1. Send a little happy in the mail with our balloon-toting and dashing dachshund birthday card!

2. When you mess up, it’s time to bring out those big puppy dog eyes with this adorable bulldog by Lucky Horse Press.

3. Some folks just like to keep it cool on their birthday. Others wish for a tambourine playing corgi. Thank you, Emily McDowell.

4. When you’re in love, it’s no time to hold back. Fortunately, CorgiThings has got your back with their pizza-eating corgi card!

5. We love Boston. We love dogs … especially ones who know the local lingo.

6. Wild Ink Press knows any kid or adult would woof receiving this oh-so-cute card. 

7. Every dog has its own personality and that is one thing this quirky card by Ohh Deer does not lack! 

8. Mini ones, tall ones, spotted ones, furry ones, and even hot ones, this adorable HelloLucky card celebrates them all!

9. Clearly we have a thing for bulldogs and this irresistible face by our own Erin Ellis is no exception! Don’t we all have some reading we’d like to catch up on?

10. What’s better than 101 dalmatians? One big Dalmatian and another one on the way! Such a sweet card to announce a new baby by Mr. Boddington.

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A day devoted to lunch? That's my kind of day! You might have already picked up on my love of lunch from my earlier post on kid lunchbox ideas. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that I've got lots of packed lunch ideas for adults too! 

I started making my own lunches regularly when I got my first full-time job. I couldn't afford to go out to eat every day and resorted to making sandwiches for myself. Honestly, my lunch was pretty boring. That is, until I got a lunch box with compartments! The compartments inspired me to go beyond PB&J. 

I rely pretty heavily on leftovers, and I fill in with fun salads when there aren't any leftovers in sight. For a little inspiration, see below for some of the lunches I've packed this month. 

PACKED LUNCH IDEA #1. Butternut squash soup with a hunk of baguette, baby carrots, and orange slices.

I use this butternut squash soup recipe from Dinner A Love Story. It's a family favorite and I usually double the recipe so I can bring leftovers for a few days.

PACKED LUNCH IDEA #2. Greens topped with lettuce, blanched green beans, hard boiled eggs, and ranch dressing with pretzels and mashed sweet potatoes.

I often buy a rotisserie chicken, chop it up on Sunday night, and use the cubes in lunches and dinners during the week, which makes it really easy to throw a simple salad together.  

PACKED LUNCH IDEA #3. Chicken tikka masala with naan, avocado, and orange segments.

I get the Maya Kaimal tikka masala simmer sauce at our local grocery store when I'm in the mood for fast, inexpensive Indian food. I added rotisserie chicken, potatoes, and frozen spinach to the sauce.

PACKED LUNCH IDEA #4. Greens topped with chunk tuna, hardboiled egg, avocado, shaved parmesan, and creamy vinaigrette with orange segments and a mix of almonds and raisins.

When we're out of food or I'm running late, I open a can of tuna. This is just a quick salad I threw together before rushing out the door.

PACKED LUNCH IDEA #5. Lasagna, fruit salad, and a mix of almonds and raisins.

I was really happy to find a few pieces of lasagna (and some fruit salad!) leftover after a small party. The easiest lunch ever.

PACKED LUNCH IDEA #6. Spaghetti carbonara, orange segments, and a mix of almonds and raisins.

Spaghetti carbonara is pretty easy and this recipe makes a lot. An excellent double-duty meal that's easy to reheat in the microwave.

PACKED LUNCH IDEA #7. Tuna fish sandwich, pink grapefruit, and Wheat Thins.

Last but not least, a classic sandwich. These days I don't make myself many sandwiches, but when there's a loaf of brioche in the house I can't help myself!  

What's your favorite thing to pack for lunch? I'd love to try something new! 

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Over here at Smudge Ink we LOVE Valentine's Day. You get to stuff yourself with sweets, give and receive fun stationery, and of course, celebrate the most important person/people in your life. We couldn't think of a better way to spend our Valentine's Day than baking some brownies and cookies and venturing out to some of our favorite local customers to make a special delivery. 

(image: special packages for some of our favorite customers!)

My first stop was the amazing, so-much-to-see, so-fun-you-can't-stop-browsing, Black Ink. Susan has worked with us for years, and she and her awesome staff let me interrupt their afternoon activities to talk treats and snow and peruse their fantastic collection of Valentine's Day cards. Then I headed up the street to another retailer of ours, Harvard Bookstore. If you didn't already know, I'm a complete bookworm, and Harvard Bookstore's staff recommendations are some of the best.

(image: Boston General Store display)

The Boston General Store is our new favorite place in Brookline for beautiful gifts and everyday wares. Plus, we love seeing our cards in April's (yes, another April!) beautiful vintage displays. I swoon over these bags and if anyone is looking to start an herb garden, look no further! We're so excited for April's second storefront in Dedham!

(image: Danielle, owner of Neatly Nested, sharing her baked goodies with customers)

In the meantime, Sabrina headed over to Southie's Neatly Nested, where you can outfit your home with a wonderful assortment of pillows, rugs, candles, prints and more! Danielle has been a huge supporter of Smudge Ink since she opened her shop's doors. As a interior designer and painter herself, she promotes many local creatives and makers, and that makes us happy! 

(image: cards racks at Brookline Booksmith)

True confession: I saved Brookline Booksmith for last because I always need some serious browsing time when I visit (which is, to be honest, at least twice a week). Kerri graciously took some time to chat with me and I tried not to gush too much about my love for the store, and not just because I like to spot our cards in their perfectly curated gift section.

All in all, making these hand deliveries to say thanks for being awesome is a major perk of the job. But really having such fantastic retailers is what makes us love what we do. I wish we could visit all of our customers in person but rest assured we love you whether you are one neighborhood over, several states away, or even across the pond! 

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Valentine's Day is coming up and that has got us thinking about our favorite romantic comedies. Who needs roses and candlelit dinner if you can kick back on the couch with some microwave popcorn and watch a cheesy movie that will make you laugh at the hilarity of relationships! No significant other necessary. See what everyone chose as his/her top pick below ... 

CLAYTON. Sarah, I know how you feel about one of the actors in this film, but How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days definitely made it to the top of my rom com list. I'm drawn to the hilarity of catchphrases like "Bull s&*#. Buuuuull s&*# mamma!," "–Women of New York, Frost Yourself! –Frost this!," and "Our love fern! You let it die? Are you going to let us die?" Throw in a sloppy Carly Simon sing along at a bougie red carpet party, and it's game over really.

SARAH. This was an easy choice for me. I didn't have to mull this one over or pick between several contenders because my favorite romantic comedy, hands down, is Man Up. If you haven't heard of it or seen it (it came out in 2015) you're in for a hilarious treat!

APRIL. My very favorite romantic comedy is Bringing Up Baby. It’s old, but so, so funny! It stars Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant on a wild mission to find a lost dinosaur bone and missing leopard named Baby. There’s a lot of fast talking quick wit as opposites attract. I just love it—I’ve watched it dozens of times and I’m sure I’ll watch it dozens more!

HALEY. I'm going to go with 10 Things I Hate About You. It's always been one of my favorite movies but I watched it the other night and I remembered all the reasons why I love it: soundtrack, cast, wardrobe ... the list actually goes on and on. From Patrick's performance in the football stadium to Katarina's poem at the end (which we all have to admit we have memorized but are simultaneously caught off guard with tears––or is that just me?) it is just the perfect teen-angst rom-com.

ERIN. Picking a favorite romantic comedy isn't as easy for me as say, picking out a favorite action movie (Die Hard, obviously). I have a few that I like, but I'm going to have to go with While You Were Sleeping starring Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman. It has a believable cast of characters, isn't over-the-top like a lot of rom-coms tend to be, and, most importantly, it's funny! Not to mention it's got some killer 90's fashions (her wedding dress/frilly socks combo makes me cringe every time!). I dare you not to swoon a little when Jack shows up in his manly work boots and explains "leaning" to Lucy.

ALLIE. I have to admit I haven't seen many romantic comedies but from my limited repertoire my pick is 13 Going on 30. It wins in my book just for this scene alone.

SABRINA. What can I say? I could watch Hitch over and over again (and have!) and it never gets old. My husband will even stop switching channels to announce that my boyfriend is on TV whenever it is playing. Yes, I do love Will Smith. And watching Hitch bomb his first date with Sara (the ravishing Eva Mendez) or give dance lessons to Albert (nailed by Kevin James) just cracks me up.  How can you ever listen to Yeah! by Usher without conjuring images of "the Q-tip" and "throwing it away?" 

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Valentine's Day is one of our favorite days of the year! Whether you have a bestie, soul mate, or secret crush, there's nothing like sending sweet and sassy cards to our favorite people. We also like to use this holiday as an excuse to bake heart-shaped goodies and assemble a pretty bouquet of flowers—whether they're a treat for ourselves or a loved one! Here are some of the Valentines cards Sarah and I have been eyeing to make someone's Valentine's Day extra special ...

1. What would Valentine's Day be without a T. Rex? This Hello!Lucky card will make all of your dino-loving friends' hearts melt (ahem, Sarah). 

2. We all remember our first letterpress card. And for Sarah it was a Valentine by Egg Press. Simple and darling, this heart-filled card works for a romantic partner or your bestie. 

3. You're good at Valentine's Day things. Sapling Press is good at making us laugh till our bellies ache! And this checklist card is no exception. 

4. Full disclosure: Sarah's sister is the talented illustrator behind Scottie & Rooh. Sisterly love or not, can we talk about how all is right in the world when you see this hedgie? 

5. Thanks to Ladyfingers Letterpress there's a strange yet perfect Valentine for your favorite Netflix binge watcher and 80s child.

6. Express your feelings with this rosy-cheeked beaver and make your Valentine feel pun-tastic! 

7. For the love that will last a cross country trek on (very pixelated) oxen-led wagons until one of you dies of dysentery or a snake bite, then only this Odd Daughter card will do.

8. Say (or mouth) the words your sweetheart has been waiting to hear with this sweet and silly card. 

9. Nothing says we’ve got a one-of-a-kind love more than a bunny in Bjork's swan dress. Dear Hancock, you get us.  

10. Let someone know you're ready to get serious with this foodie-approved card. Because Little Low Studio knows that nothing beats out snack time!

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