The Bon Vivant’s Companion

One of my favorite places in Los Angeles has recently launched their online presence and I am beside myself with joy.

Jonathan Wright and Company is an elegant stationery shoppe (the extra p and e apply) that boasts a ginormous (and working) printing press tucked in the back.  The narrow shop is lined with letter pressed cards and invitations (almost all done on site), and vintage-esque toys and gifts. If you are looking for custom print work visit ther wall of samples, styles, and typefaces for inspiration.  JW & Co. is a charming place with approachable staff, and most days you can catch Jonathan (he’s a real guy) haunting the back room or ringing up purchases on the old-timey register.

I stop by whenever possible to stock up on birthday cards, blank boxed sets, and holiday cards (nothing says thoughtful like an unexpected Halloween greeting).  They make it so easy, I giggle every time someone marvels at my great taste in stationery.  Oh - and  JW’s paper goods don’t just make me look good - they’re good for the planet. All of their custom work and original cards are printed using soy ink on 100% recycled paper, and Jonathan buys renewable energy to offset the cost of production.

I mean come on, are you kidding me? Their greenness alone is enough to inspire an Emily Post-like writing binge.

They go all out for Halloween and other looming holidays, so now is a good time to stop by the store (virtually or otherwise).  You’ll thank yourself for it.

Jonathan Wright and Company
7404 Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA
info@jonathanwright.com

www.jonathanwright.com

The Soolip Wedding Show Crew

Welcome to our very first blog.

I’m in the events business in Los Angeles, and for the last five years I’ve owned a company called Bon Vivant Events. I started out by sending event staff to parties (some of the crew is pictured above). Over the years I added managing special events and planning the occasional party to the list of “things I do”.

Recently, friends began asking me to staff their parties (a dinner party runs smoother with some help in the kitchen), for cocktail suggestions, and general tips on where to get things, and how to get it all done.

It occurred to me that by cataloguing the information friends could check in and use it at their leisure. A blog is born. Its name? The Bon Vivant’s Companion.

Besides the obvious (my company’s name for one), The title comes from the first collection of cocktails ever published, How to Mix Drinks: or The Bon Vivant’s Companion was written in 1860 by Jerry Thomas and remains remarkably relevant today. That is — if shaved ice and fruit garnishes apply to your life at all in 2008.

Tipping my hat to Mr. Thomas I’ll share one cocktail a week from his book in a series called “Companion Cocktails”. Other posts will touch on general mixology, recipes for entertaining, great places to eat, and venues to throw your own events in. I’ll also talk about vendors I use as resources, and introduce you to my team of mixologists.

Most of my blogs will deal with life and times in Los Angeles and San Francisco, but I travel a bit and plan on sharing what I find while I’m out on the road.

Knowing exactly how to begin this blog or when has proven to be a challenge for me. I’m still working on the site’s design,  and want to make sure it’s easy to use, but in order to speed things up I’ve decided to make changes as I go. Please excuse the occasional dust.

My goal is for The Bon Vivant’s Companion to become a casual conversation with friends and those who stumble across us because they too enjoy good food and drink. So I’m going to do what I do best –and just start talking —

Thanks for stopping by.