When I worked at Two Hands Paperie in Boulder, CO–a lovely little paper store on West Pearl St.–the owner, Diana Phillips, used to have a bowl of matchbooks on her desk. When I’d sit talking to her about the shop or how business was going, I’d eye each one with curiosity. They were a mini scrapbook of her travels, interests, and point of view. Among the smattering of bills, burning candles, and photos of India, they were a glimpse into her life. A few years later, I started picking up matchbooks on my way out of restaurants. Not so much as a testament to Diana, but as a way for me to remember restaurants in different cities that I loved. My dad collects wine corks to remember great wines. I, without consciously planning it, started a little bowl of match books to remember great meals. I have a few of these bowls scattered around the house. They gather dust quickly, but I like to thumb through them every now and again, remembering the best coconut cream pie I’ve ever eaten at Dahlia Lounge in Seattle or the the first burrata I ever tasted at Pizzeria Mozza in L.A.
And more recently, I’ve been picking up business cards from bakeries and sweet places I frequent. It started out as a way to decorate some empty space around my desk with tokens of cake slices eaten in the Ferry Building or macaroons enjoyed with tea while hungover in Santa Monica. Now the collection-of-sorts has taken over three bulletin boards and I’m not really sure what to do with it. I’m not one of those people who collects things. I hate clutter. But I can’t seem to get enough of pretty pastel-colored cards that tell a story of past confections. What do you do with your restaurant or bakery mementos?
I love this idea. My husband and I have a huge collection of matchbooks! I also pick up pretty cards from time to time, they are such a sweet memory. The matchbooks sit in a bowl on our entry way table, I use them to light candles.
Matchbook bowls are nothing but a great centerpiece, a conversation starter, or a decorative side piece. I love to make coffee table books out of my business cards- photos, bar napkin poetry and cards needed to be remembered.
Like your dad, I save my wine corks, and have them hanging from a basket in the kitchen. I also covered my fridge with photos of beautiful dishes I had when traveling throughout Europe. It gives me inspiration to cook something great every time I open the fridge.
I journal with those Mead notebooks. I cover the front with stickers, etc. (Coffee companies are always rebranding or have new releases so it's fun to watch those progress.) Since I only write on the right/top page in my journal, the back often is the recipient of menus, business cards, invitations, and other mementos.
I love the idea of informal/impromptu journals (I, too, covet those Mead notebooks) and — the idea of photos to inspire you on your fridge is lovely, Allison. Thank you for sharing! And Kelsey: it's nice that you have them on your entry table. That way you see them coming and going…