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30 Jun |
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7:15 pm Posted by Kristy |
Do you have a block party invitation in hand? Maybe you’re sending out summertime party invitations yourself soon. Or even if you’re just gearing up for a fun Fourth of July celebration, summer is heating up, so it’s best to plan recipes that will cool things down.
Here’s a sampling of some of our favorite summer recipes from some great go-to, one-stop shop recipe websites:
- Red, White and Blue Ice Pops. A surefire kid pleaser, these patriotic pops are made from a blue sports drink, lemonade and cranberry juice. The trick is to leave enough time to freeze each layer of juice. Also be ready to insert the popsicle stick after the first layer starts to freeze. myrecipes.com recommends freezing the juices in indiviual 8-oz paper or plastic cups in the following order:
- Cranberry Juice – 1 HR
- Lemonade – 2 HRS
- Blue drink (like Gatorade) – 3 HRS
- Watermelon Margaritas. For the grown-ups, these refreshing drinks will liven up a heated body quickly! Lime and sugar soften up the tequila, the staple ingredient used in this classic summer drink. Watermelon consists mainly of water, but everything else is powerpacked with healthful goodies like fiber, beta carotene, Vitamin C and antioxidents. Check myrecipes.com for more tasty uses of watermelon as a superfood.
- Crisp Cucumber Salad. If you’re surprised to see the word “crisp” attached to this typically soggy summer salad, it’s because we’re recommending the tricks offered by a Cooks Illustrated recipe in their current July & August 2011 issue. With their hands-on experimentation and food science experts’ recommendations, they’ve come up with an outstanding recipe that includes olives, almonds and oregano. It stays crisp through these three key tips:
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- Use only American cucumbers (crisper than their English cousins)
- Reduce 1/3 c vinegar to 2 Tbsp vinegar on medium-low before using to mix in the dressing
- Add 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice to recoup the reduced vinegar’s tartness
Have any cool summer recipe favorites you’d like to share? Please let us know. If you’re now inspired to host a block party or other summertime party, check LookLoveSend.com’s growing collection of fresh, fun party invitations. Join our email list and receive 20% off your first order!
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29 Jun |
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5:01 am Posted by Kristy |
During her years in high school, Annah Syta would often spend afternoons in stationery stores in Taiwan, where she lived from age 11 until age 17. She marveled at the beauty of the paper and the designs, and at how something so simple as a card or envelope could be so precious.
Anna was born in Poland, and spent her early youth in Australia. This newfound appreciation for the beauty of a paper product was something she hadn’t encountered quite this way before, and she was fascinated.
When she moved back to Australia to study interior design at The Institute of Technology, in Sydney, she fed her passion for paper and design by making invitations for herself and friends–when she wasn’t busy drafting floor plans. She enjoyed playing with graphic elements and paper stock, and she loved thinking about how to translate the excitement of people’s lives and life’s celebrations onto paper and print.
She moved to New York in 2003 to attend the Graduate Packaging Design program at Pratt Institute. While there, she developed her visual style and sharpened her knowledge of the design process, typography and materials. As she moved on to work in packaging and branding, and later event design, her passion for invitations never faded. Anna has worked on invitations for clients ranging from financial groups, fashion houses, expectant mothers and brides to be. Now she looks forward to bringing her passion to whole new group of people through her work with the designers at LookLoveSend.com.
Anna believes that an invitation is so much more than just an announcement for a party or event. The opening of an invitation is when the anticipation begins, when a friend begins to feel honored to be a part of a special occasion, or when a family member starts to visualize the celebration to come. “The opening of the invitation,” says Anna, “I like to think, is when the party really starts.”
Keep an eye out for Anna’s beautiful party invitations, coming soon to LookLoveSend.com. All our designers’ collections of invitations and announcements are printed on premium cardstock, and orders may be personalized with photos or other graphic elements. Join our email list and receive 20% off your first order.
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28 Jun |
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5:01 am Posted by Kristy |
Gender reveal what? As seen on Good Morning America recently, gender reveal parties are one new way expecting parents are sharing the discovery of their baby’s gender–for the first time–with their closest friends and family.
As seen in this clip from a recent episode of GMA, couples plan a party where the main event pivots on the cutting of the cake:
What many expecting parents believe is best kept as an element of surprise, others delight in celebrating in a big way as soon as their doctor hands them a sealed envelope. Once the envelope is delivered to the baker, the baker colors the inside of the cake blue for a boy, or pink for a girl.
The joy of receiving this news as family and friends stand by is genuine. It also helps resolve any pecking order issues around who, other than the couple, gets to hear the news first. But beware of the authenticity of expecting parents’ initial reactions, bared for all witnesses to see. One drawback could be a parent less than pleased about the baby’s gender. Most parents truly revel in either gender once they know. And let’s not also forget doctors with notoriously poor handwriting. Or a devious baker with a sense of dark humor (an innocent mistake to get the wrong color?)
If you decide to have a gender reveal party, some party planning is in order. Aside from finding a baker and ordering the cake, sending out invitations make a statement about the importance to you of sharing the discovery of baby’s gender with family and friends.
While not quite a baby shower, gender neutral baby shower invitations are a great starting point for invitations. LookLoveSend.com has a large collection of many different designs for such an occasion. You can customize the wording for however you want to describe the party. Join our email list and receive 20% off your first order.
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27 Jun |
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2:28 pm Posted by Nicola |
Sweetheart necklines. Embroidered applique flowers. Yawn. Recently I’ve been browsing through several U.S. mainstream bridal magazines and must say that the featured wedding dresses are becoming extremely predictable. After flipping through just two months-worth of magazines I can already “name that designer” and/or recognize the style of the most commonly featured dressmakers. Nothing I’ve seen so far has made me stop and wish I could re-marry my husband – this time in a different dress of my dreams.
But then I saw the July/August 2011 edition of British magazine You & Your Wedding and by the third page of ads I was immediately struck by how fashion-forward and unique the wedding dresses were compared to those featured in the U.S. magazines. It is common knowledge that European fashion is a season or two ahead of most American fashion, and this clearly also applies to wedding attire (remember those wild hats worn at the Royal Wedding?)
Below are a few of the magazine’s featured dresses with designer credits. These designs are fresh, unique, and quite unlike what you’ll find in U.S.bridal magazines.
[source: designer Stephanie Allin, 'Pascal' in Dolce Vita collection]
[sources. On left: David Fielden UK Bridal. On right: Le Spose di Gio, Italy]
If you’re getting married and enjoy the modern elegance and high fashion of these wedding dress designs, consider one of the modern wedding invitation designs available at LookLoveSend.com. Each is printed on high quality paper and would beautifully complement the style of your fabulous dress.
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26 Jun |
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1:47 pm Posted by Nicola |
If you live in Hawaii, California or Florida, stop reading now. This blog’s not for you. Please check back for tomorrow’s post or read one of our archived entries. This one’s for the rest of us who get to enjoy the blistering cold, ice and snow storms during that long winter stretch from Thanksgiving to St. Patrick’s Day.
If you have not-so-fond memories of that icy drive coming home from grandma’s house last Christmas and want to try something new this year, why not consider a warm weather vacation during the holiday season? Trading in snow for sand could truly bring the family closer together and create some lasting memories. If this idea piques your interest, read below for some tips for getting the best deal for your holiday vacation travel [source: ABC News Travel].
- The best time to book holiday season airfare is early fall. The first two weeks in October have been found as statistically best for the lowest prices.
- In order to be well-informed about airfare pricing, get an idea of fares now as a baseline. Find travel sites and sign up now to receive alerts.
- Avoid traveling the two days before and after Christmas.
- Be open to less traditional vacation spots and less mainstream airports. Disney World, Orlando, or the Grand Canyon will surely be great vacation spots, but this is a departure from your usual holiday tradition so why not try a less traditional (and less expensive) holiday spot as well?
And don’t need to feel badly about missing the holidays at home. Plan a holiday dinner and gift exchange with family when you return – chances are everyone will be more relaxed after the mad rush of the holiday season anyway. And share your holiday greetings on paper if not in person. Send a Christmas card or Hanukkah card before you leave – and consider including a photo of your family on the beach with a caption along the lines of “Season’s Greetings from the Sun”.
Whether sending from the sun or snow, please checkout the extensive selection of fabulous designer holiday cards available at LookLoveSend.com.
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25 Jun |
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11:00 am Posted by Nicola |
Steven Proposed Alexis said ‘Yes!’ Now we’re getting married Please come be our guest
Sending a Save the Date card is a win-win situation. The engaged couple gets to broadcast their exciting news with family and friends. And guests get a leg-up on planning, which is especially appreciated by out-of-town guests and for destination weddings.
Here are some basic Do’s and Don’ts for the increasingly popular Save the Date card:
- DO remember that everyone receiving a Save the Date card must also receive a wedding invitation. So be sure you have your guest list settled before sending!
- DON’T include a response card, this is an announcement only and does not require any guest feedback.
- DO send these cards at least 6 months before the wedding so people can make arrangements for travel, accommodation, time off work, etc.
- DON’T include unnecessary info like directions, registry info etc. (in fact, registry info should only be included on the bridal shower invitation, if at all)
- DO specify the wedding location. For day weddings it is also recommended to precede the date with wording such as “A daytime celebration on…”
- DON’T include “and family” on the address envelope. Instead, be very clear who is invited (list guests and children by name if possible). This avoids any misinterpretation – especially if in-laws live with the invited family or they have close relatives who also know the bride and groom. Better safe than sorry on this one…
Save the Date cards can either match the style of your wedding invitation, or may be of a different design – the decision is entirely yours. The designers at LookLoveSend have created a diverse selection of Save the Date cards such as the Double Butterfly design by Sarah Cahill featured above. Subscribe to our mailing list to receive 20% off your first order.
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24 Jun |
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5:01 am Posted by Kristy |
Has it been a while since you’ve received a baby shower invitation, or are you a regular these days? Are you expecting and on the hunt to register for interesting, updated baby products?
Browsing from a variety of Internet lists, and with guidance from FitPregnancy.com’s Buyer’s Guide, plus some of our own personal experiences, we’ve assembled a list of some tried-and-true gift ideas for the modern mom:
- Boppy. The premier infant feeding and support pillow has been at the top of registries for over a decade now. Washable covers come in more colors and textures than ever before, so be sure to include an extra cover.
- Space-saving and/or wooden, mod-style highchairs. Say goodbye to bulky white plastic. Check out some of latest in Scandanavian design, like Skokke and Svan.
- Diaper Dekor. For styling, space and scent control, Dekor has it over Genie, hands down.
- Cloth diapers. Most are very bulky and require extra laundering effort. But a new hybrid, gDiapers, proclaims to be a money and earth saver. Starter packs come with several brightly colored “gPants” and dozens of cloth inserts.
- Bumbo. This is the chair that gets babies as young as 4 months to sit up. Finally, you can take pictures without your little one looking like a tipped-over slug.
- Baby slings. Many moms are embracing the heart-to-heart closeness that soothes baby and keeps moms’ hands free. Think beyond the more highly constructed baby carrier by Baby Bjorn, and check out Born Free Moby Wrap or Kangaroo Korners.
- Folding bassinet The ability to stow-away and move this bassinet around the house is a big plus. The canopy adds to a timeless yet stylish appeal.
- Snoogle. This specially designed body pillow is a good gift for a mom with some pregnancy time left. The name may not replace other terms of endearment bestowed on such a third person-like presence in the bed, but the support and comfort will kick other pillows to the carpet.
- Baby Bjorn Soft Bib. The curved-lip at the bottom catches all and the bib wipes clean in a snap. One is all you need!
- Bouncer seats. A classic gift, but the design, styling and features have changed dramatically in recent years. Get a new look at the latest products by names like Combi and Baby Einstein.
Now if you’re hosting the shower and in need of fresh, original baby shower invitations, check out the variety of designs from LookLoveSend.com. Invitations range in styles from classic to modern, and can be ordered with coordinating baby thank you notes–also a great shower gift. Join our email list and receive 20% off your first order.
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23 Jun |
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5:01 am Posted by Kristy |
Who says entertaining has to be complicated? Especially in the summer, throwing a party needs to be nothing more than an excuse to gather with family and friends. Going to see fireworks this Fourth of July? Party! Just got a new ice-cream maker? Party! Just bought new outdoor pillows for your patio? Party!
Whatever the occasion to gather, lighten up and chill out your party plans with treats to delight our heightened senses:
Trifles
A visually stunning summertime classic, trifles are refreshing, feed a crowd, and serve up the best of summer’s bounty: berries. Made by alternating layers of sweet-tooth irresistibles–angel food or pound cake, whipped cream, and berries–trifles present best when assembled in a footed, clear glass, “trifle bowl.” But any clear class container measuring at least 8″ in diameter will do.
Here are two favorite summertime trifles (click for recipes):
- Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle (note: notably richer when you replace Cool Whip with home-whipped heavy cream)
- Fourth of July Trifle (make this Red, White & Blue Trifle with either cherries or strawberries and blueberries)
Homemade Ice Cream
My Cuisinart Automatic Ice Cream Maker has been sitting in my freezer, weeks past the 24-hour minimum freeze time required to get started. After some investigation, I have decided to follow the advice (and recipe) from the chef scientists of Cooks Illustrated in their July/August 2011 issue.
According to performance testing at Cooks’ America Test Kitchen, I can achieve a perfect homemade vanilla for topping berry cobblers and pies by including:
- Corn syrup (the magic ingredient that turns loose granular homemade ice cream into professional-grade rich, smooth and creamy ice cream.)
- Store brand vanilla beans (McCormick Madagascar vanilla beans are Cooks’ top pick, and although pricier, party worthy.)
- One extra step to “fast freeze” the custard first: one batch in the refigerator and a smaller batch in the feezer.
To visually follow their detailed, foolproof steps on video, or for delectable recipes other than classic summertime vanilla, visit www.CooksIllustrated.com.
Pies
Well, what would summer be without berry pies? From blueberry to strawberry, cherry to peach, pies are notoriously intimidating for being the world’s easiest dessert. Just skip the part about making your own crust. Then, with a few cups of berries, some sugar, lemon zest and cornstarch, you are on your way.
but if homemade crust is one of your favorite parts like it is mine, but you aren’t up to the task of wielding a rolling pin, then try an easy, deep-dish blueberry pie with lattice-pattern crust laid on top. It’s a cinch and will impress.
With dessert recipes in hand, all you need to formalize your party are fun, fresh invitations. Browse the growing collection of party invitations at LookLoveSend.com for original designs printed on premium, high quality papers. Join our email list today and receive 20% off your first order.
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22 Jun |
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5:01 am Posted by Kristy |
Did you purchase your shoes before your wedding invitations hit the mail? If so, style probably trumps comfort in your shoe world. Maybe you’ve even selected more than one pair for the evening. You might be ahead of the game if you did. After all, we’ve explored the virtues of a second wedding gown, so why not a back-up pair of shoes as well?
In the past, many brides have felt compelled to sacrifice comfort for style. Some brides won’t bat an eye at a 4-inch heel, but others think the pain of cramped toes could do them in once the walk down the aisle is over. A good rule of thumb for shoes is if your processional is painless, you’ll do fine.
A few shoe shopping tips might be helpful here:
- Take a swatch of fabric from your dress with you to help choose color.
- Pay attention to heel heights and give careful consideration to heels above 3 inches. Whatever shoes you think you like, wear them for at least ten minutes, and walk in them twice the length of your processional aisle.
- Consider factors like your height (are you already tall?), your fiance’s height (is he on the shorter side?) and your dress length (how much will your shoes show?).
- Think about changing into a more comfortable pair of shoes for your reception. It’s become a bit of a trend for sporty brides to enthusiastically lace up new sneakers for the party.
- Have your shoes ready for your dress fittings to ensure alterations to length are done right the first time.
But what if you’re starting with less than perfect feet? What styles and comfort considerations are best to combat flat arches, bunions, or unsightly hammertoes?
Feeling Fashionable with Flat Feet
How To Choose Perfect Flat Wedding Shoes by LocalNews-GrabNetworks
Flat shoes are growing in popularity. But many brides prefer the lift in height and elegance a heel provides. As this video contends, even a small pump heel is a comfortable alternative that also influences better posture.
Probably the best advice for flat-footed brides is to look for shoes with a stiffer shank (the middle part of the shoe). Wedge heels are all the rage now and provide stable arch support. If you need even more support, most drugstores sell orthotics you can insert into a shoe. You may have to steer clear of revealing strappy styles to accomodate these, but being able to spend hours on the dance floor will make it worth while.
When Heels are a Must
If you must have heels, there are two schools of thought:
- You get what you pay for. Many brides feel that designer brands are worth it for the occasion, and that you are paying for attentive design and quality materials, translating to better overall fit.
- Comfort brands like Naturalizer, Easy Spirit, Dansko and even some professional ballroom dance brands continue to beef up their stylish selections.
Either way, you can find upscale brands like Jimmy Choo, Prada, Stuart Weitzman, Manolo Blahnik, Kate Spade and more on discount websites like myglassslipper.com, 6pm.com, and bluefly.com. Also check out customer reviews on big name discount websites like zappos.com and dsw.com.
If you are shoe shopping before you’ve chosen your wedding invitations, then you really might have a shoe fetish. For invitations as stylish and unique as your shoes, visit LookLoveSend.com and browse our growing collection of gorgeous wedding invitation suites. We ship for free for orders over 50. Subscribe to our mailing list and receive 20% off your first order!
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21 Jun |
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5:01 am Posted by Kristy |
The Duchess of Cornwall in her reception gown
Though the numbers don’t quite add up to a mainstream trend, a second wedding gown worn during the reception isn’t a trend reserved only for English Royalty. More brides than ever are taking to the idea of having a slightly more comfortable, party-version of their wedding dress at the ready for their reception.
At first glance, buying a second wedding gown may seem like abuse of your budget, whether shoestring-sized or abundant. But upon closer investigation, bountiful shopping choices can make two dresses work for any budget. And, there are several reasons besides comfort for doing so.
6 Reasons–Practical and Otherwise–for Procuring a Second Wedding Gown:
Comfort. Layers of tulle, folds of heavy satin, or a chapel-length train and veil can hang up even the most nimble of brides on the dance floor or when circling tables to mingle with guests.
Change in venue. If your reception takes place outdoors or in some other environment dramatically different than your ceremony.
Indecisiveness. Strapless or sheer-illusion neckline? Empire-waisted tea length or full-skirted ball gown? Two gowns let you have your cake and eat it too.
Budget. Ironically, your budget may be better equipped to handle two, less expensive dresses than one designer dream gown. Davids Bridal has gown starting at $99, and prices run the gamut at other reputable department stores with robust wedding lines like Nordstroms or at specialty stories like J. Crew.
Expressing Yourself. Your uniqueness and desire to show your personality tugs your heart away from the expected, traditional white, ball gown. But, you’re savvy enough to still want some classical pictures for posterity.
Traditional Customs. Honoring your family heritage in a special, traditional wedding garmet.
Just keep a few things in mind if you decide to pursue a second gown:
- Budget (again!) Even if your two dresses fit into your budget, don’t forget the additional cost of two dresses to be fitted and altered, and potentially two sets of accessories (shoes, hairpieces, jewelry, etc.)
- Be the Bride. Depending on your style preference (short dresses are popular reception gown choices), you do not want to look like just another guest. Stick to white or ivory, (no one else should be wearing it). Go for a fun splash of color with a sash, a hairpiece, or in your shoes.
- Logistics. Some extra planning will be needed to make sure your dresses are where they need to be when you are.
Trends in wedding gown design have brought greater variation in hemlines, splashes of color, lighter-weight skirts, and other exciting fashion features that can be beautiful in both formal and casual settings. Whether or not two gowns are in your plan, check out theknot.com’s Top 10 Wedding Gown Trends for the latest, most fashionable trends straight from the 2011 bridal fashion show runways.
Take some solace knowing that two dresses does NOT mean two sets of invitations. You can find complete wedding invitation suites at LookLoveSend.com. Our wedding invitation collections include reception and response cards, menu cards and directions. Our gorgeous selection of wedding invitations also includes coordinated wedding stationery, from Save the Date cards to thank you notes. Subscribe today and save 20% off your first order!
