Service, service, service – ideas – time, and lots of TLC are ways Leslie and Marcia set themselves apart from most invitation stores. Their warm and inviting nature made me right feel at ease when I visited them in their quiet, neighborhood studio on the Oakland/Piedmont border. Friends for many years, Leslie and Marcia conceived Printed Affair in June 1994 and opened their doors in October that same year. Oddly enough, they were highly recommended to me by their competition.

There are just so many intriguing invitations, favors, and specialty items to be discovered in the cute store that I didn't know where to look first. It was if I had caught a glimpse into the stationery show in New York, since Marcia and Leslie had bought most of these treasures at that famous exhibition. There are "clean," contemporary letter press designs in bold colors; fun creations hidden in whimsical purses or stilettos from Meri Meri; and Kate Spade's impish invitation detours. Traditional brides can find products from Crane and William Arthur as well as the subtle, beautiful cards of Carrie B. Additional books with invitations for weddings, showers, rehearsal dinners, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, anniversaries, and other social occasions lines fill the shelves bordering the rooms.

Besides monogrammed napkins in any imaginable color, there are awesome packaging, and gift wraps and favors that are becoming more and more fashionable. Cleverly designed containers for hotel welcome gifts resemble elegant lunch boxes, along with a great selection of hostes gifts. Favorite gifts for groomsmen are monogrammed, dark brown leather coasters, and for bridesmaids, monogrammed jewelry.

Printed Affair is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday by appointment. Marcia and Leslie welcome the opportunity to create invitations that reflect the individual style of each event.