Paper Love, a newly opened specialty paper boutique on Lincoln Place between 7th and 8th Avenues in Park Slope, offers custom wedding and party invitations, letterpress, novelty
paper goods, and fanciful wrapping and ribbon.

The owner, Alison Alfandre, always wanted to open a shop that sells paper goods, something she is obviously passionate about. 

Well, she did it and painted the small shop a tasteful shade of sky blue and filled it with a tempting selection of cards, notebooks, journals, and more; clearly Alison has a soft spot for letter press items.

Today OSFO and I went in there for a look. The shop was a cozy diversion from the cold outside. We looked around and talked to Alison who was still wearing her coat.

On a shelf near the counter, I found a grouping of tiny books by OrangeArt Miniatures with the following titles: Friends, Cooks on Cooking, Incomplete Book of Dog Names, and others. I immediately went for the book called Cheerful Thoughts ($7).

Cheerful Thoughts: that would be an appropriate gift for a number of people I know because there lives are anything but cheerful at the moment. Either they'll laugh or cry when they see it.

This small beautiful book of quotations, does contain a diversity of thoughts on the subject and a selection of quite erudite thinkers,including:

Colette: "What a wonderful life I've had! I only wish I'd realized it sooner."

IB Singer: "Life is God's novel. Let him write it."

H.D. Thoreau: "To be awake is to be alive."

Bill Blass: "When in doubt wear red."

Readers, I tried to buy the book but Alison gave it to me. Cheerful thoughts indeed. And I urge you to warm up inside this cheerful little shop on Lincoln Place. Have a look around. And tell Alison who sent ya.