CCF Loves: Nourishing Notes

Although my handwriting has significantly gotten worse as I type away year after year, there’s still something about good old fashioned stationery that I love. I do still take notes everyday (a to-do list resides in a notebook and in the notes section of my iPhone…so there’s no excuses) and a thank you card is always in order for holiday and birthday gifts. But what’s better than your traditional note? A NOURISHING NOTE (and one from Chicago!)

You might recognize the name from my local gift guide last month (how can you forget this?) but I first discovered Nourishing Notes a while back at Antique Taco. Not only does that establishment sell ridiculously good tacos, but they also have some random tchotchkes for sale…as well as a few Nourishing Notes. Finding the perfect card is nearly impossible at your local Walgreens or CVS (how many times can we see the same birthday jokes over and over?) but when it comes to Nourishing Notes, these cards are extra special. And so are their owners — husband and wife team Julie Morelli and Andy Schwegler (and daughter Elia!) They met while at the University of Michigan’s School of Art + Design. When they moved to Chicago, they both had full-time design jobs but also took on freelance projects for evenings and weekends. It was one project they decided to work on as a team and after that, they knew they wanted to one day open a design studio together. Less than a year later their studio, Letterform, was born…and because that wasn’t enough, they created Nourishing Notes too — their line of stationery for the food obsessed.

Whether you’re a fellow stationery enthusiast, love a good pun, consider yourself a foodie, or just want to have a good laugh (or at least smile ?) then you’re going to dig Nourishing Notes. So let’s see what Julie has to say about this fantastic city we live in, her career so far and her favorite Nourishing Note of all time!

Why Chicago?
Chicago always seemed like a natural move for us after we graduated from college in Ann Arbor, Michigan. We thought we’d give it a try for a year or two – and here we are ten years later! Chicago has a great creative community, printing community, and most importantly access to incredible food in all the different neighborhoods. It’s been a great city to start and grow our business AND start a family too!

Top three favorite things to do in the city?
1. Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits: What’s not to love?! Everything is delicious, the space is so warm and inviting and their side yard is ADORABLE. As if that weren’t enough, they have the friendliest service in town. I love it here.

2. Mitsuwa Marketplace: A Japanese wonderland just outside of Chicago in Arlington Heights—you’re right by it when you exit for the IKEA in Schaumburg. When you first walk in there’s a paper goods section filled with all my favorite pens for my illustrations AND erasers shaped like sushi. In the actual food section you can find almost anything you need for a Japanese meal. BONUS: In the back there’s a food court serving up serious bowls of ramen. You’ll need an entire afternoon here and it’ll be way more rewarding than IKEA.

3. Textile Discount Outlet: To be fair I was trying to find a spot I frequent that has nothing to do with food, this is as close as I got. A gigantic warehouse of a chaotic assortment of fabrics. I go here when I’m working on a new project (like our new aprons) to get an assortment of fabrics so I can go back to the studio and see what works best. It’s a spectacle—the range of people shopping and working here are as fascinating as the range of fabrics. You’ll probably get lost and lose cell phone reception so bring snacks and leave a crumb trail.

What’s the most memorable moment in your career so far?
Someone recently bought something from us at one of the holiday markets this past December. She took the time to tell me who the gift was going to and I almost started crying. Her best friend was going through rigorous chemo treatments and she was on her way to visit her, bringing along one of our kitchen towels. She said “I know this one will put a smile on her face”. To know that in a very small way something I made might brighten someone’s otherwise not-so-bright day, is a pretty incredible feeling.

Any advice for someone looking to get into design (graphic, stationery, etc.)?
Whatever road you’re going to go down for a career, especially if you’re looking to work for yourself, you have to be 110% passionate about it. You are going to be putting ALL of your time and energy into it; you need to commit to it for it to be successful. There will be long days and nights, you’ll have to skip out on some social gatherings, but if you’re willing to put in the time and you do it with heart the results are worth every minute!

What’s your favorite Nourishing Note of ALL time?
My current favorite greeting card is our “Cheese Louise You’re Old” – I can’t get enough of it! And I love cheese, so it was really fun to research (EAT) before I drew the illustrations.

Well that’s funny, Julie, because that happens to be my favorite too…as well as Birthdays are the wurst (I just find encased meats hilarious) and Sole Mates (which I gave to my now fiancée quite some time ago, after that one Antique Taco trip!)

Speaking of soul mates (although I do prefer sole mates), Nourishing Notes will be a part of the Who Wants Love Print Show (the print above will be available there, as well as many other fun prints!) on February 8. It sounds super cool so you should definitely check it out — a great place to find a unique Valentine’s Day gift too.

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Wondering where you can get Nourishing Notes RIGHT NOW? Get on their website. And be sure to share your favorite Nourishing Note in the comments!