Wallingford's Paper Delights plays its cards right

My love of paper goods is no secret, and not since Swee Swee Paperie opened in West Seattle more than a year ago have I been so smitten with a local card shop. The new object of my affection is Paper Delights, a delightful new stationery and party shop in Wallingford.

Paper Delights, opened last month by mother-and-daughter team Kathy Perkins and Alicia Olsen, is the perfect combination of elegance and whimsy, offering everything a hostess needs to throw a sweet celebration. From the crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling to the large apothecary jars housing retro candies, the owners have put as much thought into the store's ambience as they have into its wares.

Brides-to-be will find Paper Delights a chic (and peaceful) place to select custom wedding invitations from the likes of Oblation, Blue Ribbon and Take Notice. Party planners will appreciate customizable invitations (including a line from Paper Delights called Good Tidings; $15 for a set of 10), as well as custom labels for bottles of wine or Jones soda.

Paper Delights also offers plenty of confections to treat yourself to as you shop or to procure for your party, including citrusy lollipops, decadent chocolates from local chocolatiers Theo and Fran's and a rainbow of jelly beans that are color-coordinated with various party accessories, from guest books to placemats.

Attending a party, not hosting it? The entire perimeter of the store is stocked with greeting cards (starting at $3.50 per card) for all occasions, from a multitude of designers including Wiley Valentine and Natalie Eden. Last but not least are cute shower gifts from Dwell Baby (I loved the laminated travel kit for $36.50) and decorative papers from Whimsy Press to wrap it all up.

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