Summertime around here means fun, fabulous parties. We love throwing impromptu get-togethers, but with Memorial Day and the Fourth of July coming up, not to mention weddings, bachelorette parties, baby showers, housewarmings, and more, we have the opportunity to plan ahead. And if we can plan ahead, you can bet your ass we're going to send out some seriously stylish invitations!

A certain type of person sends thank you notes for everything, just to use her fine paper products. We are that type.

When we fantasize about getting any kind of stationery, Mrs. John L. Strong leaps to mind. The website proclaims Mrs. JLS to be "the world's finest luxury stationery" and we completely agree. It's hard to tell from the photo, but the card stock is exceptionally heavy, and the imprints are flawless. Also, wicked expensive. But so, so pretty!

Japanese Vogue is sidesteping the recent controversies over too young or too thin models and going straight to animation.

Reuters reports that the June issue will showcase the popular - and fashionable - Hello Kitty wearing items from the fall and winter John Galliano for Dior line.

Our only question is why did it take this long? Hello Kitty is everywhere!

Earlier this month, Deidre went all fangirl on us for JustJenn Designs, a line of stationery from a woman named Jenn who bakes, crafts, makes stationery, and amazingly still has time to be a mom. Jenn has been ever so gracious and sent us a sample set of her cards to give away to one of our favorite Styledash readers! The cards are the "Curse"-ive Flat Cards that have phrases like "punk ass" and "f*cked up" on them, as well as a set of the Sweet Tooth Glossies.

Okay, so we're not going to play favorites. All you have to do is leave a comment for us today and we'll randomly pick a winner. No need to be witty or anything like that in the comment; just let us know you're here.

I've been a quiet fan of Jenn of Just Jenn Designs for years. As chronicles on her blog Just Jenn Rants and Raves, she bakes, she crafts, she designs and still finds time to raise two young children and remember all the 1980s songs I've long since forgotten. She also makes great cards and stationery that showcase her quirky sense of humor. She recently shared the good news that some of her cards are now available at Target.

My faves however remain her "curse-ive" cards, a set of eight cards with saucy words that sell for $8. In these pre-Valentine days of pink and sappy words of love everywhere these cards warm the cockles of my wee shriveled heart.

February 1 is just around the corner. Do you know what that means?

It means that the thank-you-note-statute-of-limitations is about to end.

If your gift-giving benefactors haven't received your handwritten gratitudes by January 30, you might was well pack up your bags and join in what we'll just called "Post-Holiday Purgatory." (You know what I'm talking about -- when your Aunt Myrtle starts a nasty family rumor that you didn't like her gift?)

To make sure Aunt Myrtle knows that you *loved* her "12 Days of Christmas" crocheted toaster cover, you should send her a shout-out of your appreciation on a note card from Little Tree Press.

Little Tree Press is a boutique design company, owned and operated by an inspired young designer with a impeccable style and a soft spot for the written word. Blending modern aesthetics with punchy-colors, the ready-made note cards, stationery, wrapping paper and custom invitations of Little Tree Press almost make you wish that such things as email and instant messenger had never been invented.

From mod wedding announcements to sassy camino striped place cards, Little Tree Press fits the gal who doesn't quite fit in the box -- i.e. the one who secretly thinks Aunt Myrtle's holiday-themed toaster cover is totally awesome.