We are living in a digital world, but I’ve always loved a good handwritten letter. There’s something far more meaningful and thoughtful about receiving a note in the mail, than your average email or text, that takes a quick click. My dear, chic friend Marcie Pantzer (my own personal Emily Post) has changed the game with her new set of stationary called Dear Annabelle that is so beautiful and clever, it will make you exclusively want to practice your penmanship! Whether it’s a set of classic Monogramed notecards, her fun, flirty illustrated cards, or notepads for the entire family, these Dear Annabelle box sets are a must. All wrapped up in the most exquisite packaging, complete with a pale pink ribbon. Marcie has every detail covered as she always does, with the sweetest sentiments in her branding, paying homage to her beautiful daughter, Annabelle. Now that’s a Mama Moment!
How many years have you been in business in NYC?
Less than a month!! But I started working on Dear Annabelle back in June 2018.
How did you get your start and what was your initial inspiration?
Since I was a young child, I have always collected paper, stickers and stationery. I loved writing notes and receiving actual letters in the mail. It was my dream to launch my own stationery and gift business to encourage others to spread love and joy.
What do you feel differentiates you from others in your field?
I hope that people will find our products to be chic and fresh and sophisticated, but not fussy. One person referred to them as “playful yet polished”. Loved the idea of creating luxury paper goods that were sophisticated, but with a wink.
What do you feel gives you longevity in this big city with so many options?
I hope that Dear Annabelle will continue to launch new products that our clients will want to get their hands on and share with friends. We are launching really fun place cards and holiday gift tags in the next month or so. Hopefully down the road we can expand into other gift categories and desk accessories.
How do you positively impact your clientele?
I hope that Dear Annabelle will inspire people to make time for timeless. A handwritten note or a thoughtful gift given to a friend means so much in this day when everything is quick and digital. As my friend Jill Kargman said, “You can’t put a text on a bulletin board”
What is your favorite part of your job?
I love coming up with new designs and iterations of older designs. I also love creating somewhat cheeky and unexpected products like our notepad that says “Shit List” – I always crack a smile when I see it.
What is your favorite secret NYC spot?
While it isn’t exactly a secret, I think that the Frick Museum is an absolutely lovely place to spend time and be inspired. Sadly they don’t allow children under 10 so I don’t go as often as I wish.
How do you benefit mamas?
I hope that I provide mommies with another chic option when it comes to gifts – be it for birthdays, housewarmings or just because.
Pay it forward and name your top colleagues in the same field or related field.
Cheree Berry is by far my favorite graphic designer/stationery /invitation guru. She designed nearly every invite and holiday card that I sent out for nearly a decade including the invitation to my daughter Annabelle’s bat mitzvah which was spectacular.
What is the best advice anyone's ever given you? Or what is your "mantra" / words to live by?
The best advice anyone has given me was, “If you keep waiting for the right time, you’ll spend all your time waiting!” In terms of words to live by, I love “throw kindness around like confetti” and “be the energy you want to attract”
As moms, the day can escape us, what is your best time-saving trick?
As much as I love paper, I realized a few years back that my old-fashioned day planner just wouldn’t cut it with four kids and all of their sports, classes, etc. I switched over to the electronic calendar on my phone and each of my kids is a different color in the calendar. It is so much more efficient as you can put things like soccer practice on a weekly repeat and I can easily tell who is where at any given time.
I also find that it is very helpful to spend a few moments each evening reviewing all of our family’s activities for the next day. That way I am better prepared and able to strategize how we will fit it all in.