Freshly Launched :: WH Hostess

Freshly Launched :: WH Hostess
Launched :: Kelly Lyden, the original Well Heeled Hostess

LaunchHER says ::  Like her business name, Well Heeled Hostess, Kelly Lyden is an expert in all things entertaining!  After founding the incredibly popular site – The Party Dress – in February 2009, Kelly has been the go-to-gal for ideas, inspiration, and the scoop on the latest and greatest products available to the aspiring “well heeled hostess” in each of us!  Inspired by the the gorgeous parties she showcases every day, the social stationary company, WH Hostess, was launched in March of this year!

We are over the moon about the hostess products, invitation, and modern stationary that Kelly creates.  We became groupies when we saw her Holiday catalog – the first of the online “flip catalogs” we saw this year!  She’ll be headed to Martha Stewart’s Dreamers into Doers in NYC this coming January!  And in 2011? We can’t wait to see what’s ahead for Kelly and WH Hostess!

For almost two years, I have been bringing daily party inspiration to readers via The Party Dress.  Known for showcasing beautiful inspiration boards, party ideas {for everything from a baby shower to a child’s birthday party, to weddings}, recipes, and hot new products that you “simply must have!”, The Party Dress is a great creative outlet for me.  A hobby.  Something that I treasure doing.  Our viewership grew very fast, and in no time I was getting e-mails asking me to design parties, create concepts, give inspiration, and help them recreate some of the party ideas I show on The Party Dress. 

Pulling from my graphic design background (something I had never really explored after college), WH Hostess, a social stationery company was born!  My goals were simple in the beginning – create fresh designs – classics that look updated, preppy that looks modern.  Provide impeccable quality that will set our product apart from others.  And create invitation designs that can inspire a full party. 

The joy of my job is that I get to be a part of the happiest moments of people’s lives!  They come to me for birth announcements to share news of their recent arrival, for invitations to celebrate a first (or 50th!) birthday, a baby or bridal shower, holiday cards to spread warm wishes….it truly is a joy to design products that get to be part of such a happy time in their lives! 

In just a short time, we have received a wonderful reception!  Our bumble bee and modern train parties were featured on Hostess with the Mostess, our elephant parade party was featured on Amy Atlas’s blog, Sweet Designs, and we received a mention in the November 2010 issue of InStyle Magazine (“best of the web”, entertaining section).  The reaction we have received in our first year of business is just incredible and it makes me so excited for the future!