It might seem like a strange request, wanting to take a tour of the Masonic Temple (sorry, the “The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons”) on my birthday, but you haven’t seen this building in person. It takes up a full street corner next to City Hall, and is enormous and imposing and, let’s admit it, more than a little mysterious. I’ve always been curious about the Free Masons. What is it that they do? Why do they need a giant building right in the middle of the city? What goes on inside this giant lodge? For $10, we took an hour-long guided tour of seven of the Temple’s meeting rooms and learned about the architecture and famous Masons in history (including at least six former Presidents). It felt like being in a Dan Brown novel. I contemplated going rogue and breaking off from the tour group once every five minutes; what’s behind that door? Why can’t we go down that hallway? But then Jamal astutely pointed out that maybe my best course of action wasn’t to attempt to infiltrate a secret society, lest I conveniently disappear. The tour was great, and I’d highly recommend it as an off-the-beaten-tourist-track activity if you’re ever in Philadelphia, but I still have no idea what Free Masons do or why they need such an ornate, four-story gothic temple to do it in, or even why they need seven different meeting rooms (at least! Those are just the ones we were allowed to visit).

Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, 1 North Broad Street, Philadelphia / Tours: Tuesday – Friday: 10, 11, 1, 2, and 3PM / Saturday: 10AM, 11AM, & 12 Noon

How cute are these letterpressed cards from French letterpress printing shop Letterpress de Paris? In a world where everything has gone digital, where regular printing is constantly being threatened by new technology, it’s so refreshing to see a small business make such a commitment to quality, traditional printing. I’m such a tactile creature; a big reason I’ll never be able to switch to an e-reader is that I relish the feeling of paper between my fingers. I imagine these printed cards feel as good as they look.

Here’s a beautiful video from Letterpress de Paris, showing the production of one of their greeting cards, on a Heidelberg press. “The card is printed in two colors, first in letterpress and hot foil stamping. The film shows the entire process: paper cutting, color preparation, calibrations, printing, foil stamping, creasing.” No small task, but the results are so beautiful.

They also print a variety of other paper goods, including wedding invitations and business cards. Now all I need is a career or job title worthy of such a luxurious carte de visite.

You can find them at Colette in Paris, or online. They ship to the US!

Every year, it seems like Black Friday sales start earlier and earlier, to the point where stores are now opening on Thanksgiving evening. I can’t imagine any sale or deal worth leaving your family on Thanksgiving (a day of mindful gratitude, no less!), or that could warrant getting in line at 5am Friday morning. I’ve never waded into the fray, never tackled other shoppers for the cheapest flat screen television, or even really done anything on Black Friday aside from rolling around on the sofa in a post-turkey coma, save for perusing the occasional online sale.

So this Black Friday, I’m giving you a reason not to leave your couch: the Paris Print Shop Black Friday Sale! From now until Monday, December 1st, save 30% on all prints, using coupon code 30OFF. After reading all of your wonderfully encouraging suggestions and comments on this post, I’ve added a bunch of new prints and new sizes to the shop. Now’s the perfect time to stock up on gifts for family and friends –or even just treat yo self.

Merci and happy shopping!

PS. I’ve answered all the questions you guys had on my Ask Me Anything post. Thank you so much for your thoughtful and interesting questions, kiddos! I tried to be equally as thoughtful in my answers. Go take a peek!