. . . and a happy new year!

Yep, it's time for another holiday card extravaganza at minted.com. This time it is all about New Year's cards and holiday minibooks. My entries are pictured above, from top: Jubilee, Dominica, Faulkner and Orleans. There are some seriously incredible designs in the mix this time. Make sure to check out all the great designers and designs in minted's contest, and please vote for your favorites when you have a moment!

{Images by beth perry DESIGN for minted}

release the kraken!

Summertime is the best time to discover new cocktails and enjoy sipping on old faves. Pictured above top is the wonderfully named drink, The Kraken, from local Charlotte restaurant Halcyon. It is an ice-cold dirty martini with a dash of squid ink. I have to admit that I wasn't brave enough to order it myself, but I had a sip of my friend's and it was quite tasty. The other drink pictured is a classic pink greyhound – grapefruit juice and vodka – with a juicy orange slice. Those were whipped up and enjoyed by me and my mom on a recent seaside visit to Fripp Island, SC. So yummy!

{Photos by beth perry DESIGN}

bridesmaid luncheon

My awesome cousin got married about a month ago, and I designed some Bridesmaid Luncheon invitations that were in keeping with her purple-hued wedding theme. Oh, I love how they turned out – fresh and modern, but still elegant, just like the lovely bride! I used super-thick cotton paper, which really made it special. It was such fun to do this for her – she's about the sweetest gal I know.

{Photos by beth perry DESIGN}

new stationery at minted

Yay! There's some new beth perry DESIGN stationery at minted! Just for kids, this new version of Prep School features space for a photo of your little one. Wouldn't this be so cute to tuck into a camp care package? It comes in several summery-fun, kid-friendly colors, including amethyst, rose, navy and grass. You can also get a non-photo version of Prep School here. Lots more beth perry DESIGN stationery cards, labels, invitations + more to see at minted.com.

{Photos from minted}

asheville wedding

What prettier place to have a wedding than The Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina? A sweet friend of mine got married there a while ago and I've been meaning to post my photos ever since. Laura and her darling Lee had beautiful, sunshiney weather, gorgeous flowers and a fun Victorian theme, complete with period furniture and little charming vignettes set up on a terrace outside the reception at The Grand Bohemian. So pretty!

{Photos by me at The Biltmore and The Grand Bohemian.}

ryan bingham in south end

Saw Ryan Bingham in concert a few weeks ago. (This is a little photo I took with my phone, so not the best quality.) It was at a place near my apartment, a nice dive-y place with plenty of cold beer on tap. Perfect for concert watching. Check out his music here – Southside of Heaven is a really good standard. I also love Bluebird and Depression.