And the winner is...

...hopefully Old Tom Foolery.

In the past two weeks, we've been lucky enough to be nominated for a couple of the greeting card industry's biggest awards: The Trendys and the LOUIEs.

We had two cards voted into the top ten for the first-ever Trendy Awards, which is sponsored by Stationery Trends magazine. If you're involved in the greeting card industry in any capacity (as a store owner, buyer, sales rep, blogger, fan, etc.), please vote right this very second for our Headlines Collection card pictured below. (You'll have to register to vote if you haven't already--but trust us, it's quick and painless.) Voting closes on Saturday, April 17.

We're also thrilled to be nominated for three LOUIE Awards this year--in the Rising Star, Superbly Stated, and Everyday categories. Last year, we were the Susan Lucci of the LOUIEs, failing to win in any of the five categories in which we were nominated. Let's hope the second time's a charm.

Damn you, Marky Mark, you've done it again.

Well, it's official. We here at Old Tom Foolery are hooked on the new HBO series How To Make It In America, which, like Entourage, lists Marky Mark Wahlberg as its executive producer.

As a human being, Wahlberg seems like a cocky meathead incapable of anything but lifting weights and modeling underpants. But as a producer, Sweet Jeebus does he have a knack for putting his money behind some damn good shows.

How To Make It In America is a fresh, stylish series about two aspiring entrepreneurs trying to start their own denim brand in New York City. It's impossible not to root for these guys. Their fierce independent spirit reminds us exactly why we started our own business--because it's an adventure. It's all about following your folly (even when you have no idea what you're doing), and trying to enjoy the roller coaster ride along the way.

The show also happens to have a contagiously awesome, retro-sounding theme song by Aloe Blacc, which you can download for free here.

Crank it up and just try not to move your pelvis. We dare you.

This is just a great idea.

Move over, TinyURL. This company is way more awesome, as evidenced by their hilarious tagline: "Don't just shorten your URL. Make it suspicious and frightening."

Via the amazing Cabell Harris.

Sad news

This past week, two of our favorite Minneapolis retailers--Patina and Shoppe Local--were burned down in a fire that destroyed a total of five small businesses. Luckily no one was seriously injured, but the damage appears to be extensive. Shoppe Local had only just recently opened, and was an offshoot of the popular Patina chain of boutiques. We were lucky enough to visit both stores while we were home in Minneapolis for the holidays and were so impressed by the amazing collection of unique cards and gifts--not to mention the friendly staff--that we wrote a gushing post about them on this very blog. Our hearts go out to all the people who were affected, and we wish them the very best in their rebuilding efforts.

 

 Photo by Jeff Wheeler, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Man Babies

Men and babies. Whose heads are reversed. What could be better? Check them all out here.

 

Good one, McDonald's.

Ha ha. Nice try, McDonald's. You don't really expect us to believe we're supposed to snack (as in "between meals") on a Big Mac disguised as a wrap, do you?

Above: The ridiculous Mac Snack Wrap.

This can't be real, can it? Tell me this isn't real.

Magnum, P.I., is that you?

Stumbled across this mysterious place the other day while we were in Potrero Hill. Gotta love San Francisco.

Retailer Spotlight: Shoppe Local

While back in Minneapolis for the holidays, we had the pleasure of checking out an awesome new boutique called Shoppe Local. A spin-off of the equally awesome Twin Cities-based Patina chain, Shoppe Local features an eclectic mix of products with local roots. (Joel grew up in Minnesota, and will always be a Minnesotan at heart.)

During our visit, we picked up this inspiring book showcasing hand-lettered typography called Hand Job: A Catalog of Type by Michael Perry:

And this great wood sign by St. Paul designer William Dohman to hang in our office:

It was fun to see our cards displayed among such cool stuff from other homegrown artists. If you live in Minneapolis, Shoppe Local is definitely a great place for one-of-a-kind finds.

We're with COCO

Conan O'Brien does it his way. You've gotta respect that. His classy letter to the "People of Earth" proves his pen is mightier than NBC's sword.

He's better off at Fox anyway.


























Image via Sir Mike of Mitchell.

Go team!

One of the funny things about owning a business is that you end up on some super random mailing lists. Case in point: We just got an awesome wholesale catalog from some business called Victory Corps: Flags, Floats & Events. Not only is it chock full of parade-float decorations (for all those parades we're in), but it also has flags. Specifically, "spirit" flags. Which leads me to the point of this post: Check out the picture of the overzealous guy hoisting this giant spirit flag:

Take a closer look:

Isn't he a little old to be the poster boy for school spirit?? And why is he all by himself? Where's the rest of the student section?

Reminds me of Will Ferrell's character, Frank the Tank, in Old School: "C'mon, we're going streaking! Everybody's doing it!" And like poor Frank the Tank, it looks he, too, is flying solo.

Ten bucks says this guy works for Victory Corps: Flags, Floats & Events putting together their catalog. They needed a product shot for the spirit flag but had no budget to hire a real model, so he's like, "Fuck it, I'll do it."

Which I guess makes him the epitome of team spirit, after all.

Hot off the press!

The hi-larious winning card from our "Finish the Footnote" contest is now for sale. To get yours, click here.

Miniature Herb Brooks

If you ever saw that movie Miracle (about the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team's "Miracle on Ice"), you'll love this. Even if you didn't, you'll love it. This kid is awesome:



And for shits and giggles, here's the original scene starring Captain Ron's Kurt Russell: