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20 Sep |
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10:34 am Posted by Kristy |
When you plan to send out the best birthday invitation cards, don’t you also want to serve the best birthday party refreshments? Consider the recent chatter about “poisonous” apple juice, made from apples originating outside of the U.S. from countries where arsenic has not yet been banned. Can we brush this off as another Age of Anxiety parenting worry?
Dr. Oz, who started the recent arsenic-in-apple-juice controversy, claims scientists are finding levels of arsenic in some apple juices higher than what the FDA allows in drinking water. A follow-up Parents.com interview with another nutritionist explains the apple juice arsenic is organic, meaning it occurs naturally and is therefore less harmful than the inorganic levels regulated by the FDA. The interview goes on to say that offering juice in moderation to kids is what’s key.
Are you like me trying to figure out if your apple juice is made with apples from China? Good luck finding that on the label. And good luck trying to get the kids to go “moderate” on drinking apple juice at your next birthday party! So what to do to replace this favorite birthday party drink for kids?
It’s an opportunity, really. Reach for some closer-to-home, all natural ingredients and products. Here’s our top picks for party-worthy apple juice substitutes:
- Apple Cider. Fresh from your local farmstand, true cider is made from early harvest apples and often unpasteurized. Kids don’t always go for the cloudy color, but try heating it in mugs with a cinnamon stick for a fall fun birthday treat.
- Homemade Lemonade. As long as a cup or so of sugar doesn’t scare you, there’s nothing like a crisp, hand-squeezed pitcher of lemonade.
- V8 Splash. Jazz up this vitamin and antioxidant packed fruit-spiked vegetable juice with seltzer. This maneuver ought to get some votes from the soda-pop crowd.
- Organic Milk. Horizon Foods makes handy mini-milk cartons with straws, akin to juice boxes that are so handy to have for parties. Go for an assortment of their fun flavors, like vanilla, chocolate or strawberry.
Try any one of these beverage ideas at your next kid’s birthday party, whether or not you are boycotting apple juice. Shop for your birthday invitation cards at www.looklovesend.com and rest assured that your invites will be printed on the best quality paper stock. Join the email list to receive 20% off your first order.
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19 Sep |
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6:01 am Posted by Nicola |
I once received a baby shower invitation with a decorative index card enclosed and a request to provide a piece of baby advice for the soon-to-be mom. Easy for guests who were mothers themselves, but I remember my initial worry and immediate instinct to call my own mother for a tip I could slip in with my shower gift.
But for all the tips that a new mother can read about feeding, changing and caring for baby, it can all become a blur in those early sleep-deprived days of motherhood.
Therefore, if I received that baby shower invitation today, I would write a single web address on the enclosed index card, www.babyesp.com. Babyesp is a $4.99 Android smartphone app that allows parents and caregivers to track those most important activities of when and how much a baby eats, sleeps and poops. Disclaimer: I haven’t used this app myself, but its features sound ideal for any first-time mom, second-time dad, parents of multiples…you get the idea. Some highlights of the app:
- Data can be synched between devices so multiple caregivers can easily and quickly share info.
- Baby’s habits and trends can be easily tracked with charts and statistics.
- Input is as simple as pressing a cellphone button, easy and can be done with one hand while the other holds baby.
- Multiple babies can be tracked at once.
- Alerts can be setup as reminders for upcoming medication doses and naptimes.
- Baby’s data can be saved to an excel file then easily printed to take along to your baby’s next pediatrician’s appointment.
Babyapp may not be for everyone, but I’m betting that it would ease many parents’ concerns and answer some of the age-old questions of “when did she last eat?”, and “how long did he nap?” If you know someone who’s expecting, suggest she checkout the free 7-day trial for babyesp. If you’re hosting her baby shower, checkout the cute baby shower invitations available at LookLoveSend.com.
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18 Sep |
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6:01 am Posted by Nicola |
We’ll all be thinking about Christmas cards soon enough. This afternoon while searching a local Hallmark store for a housewarming card I was hardly surprised to see holiday ornaments and the start of stocking stuffer overstock.
Soon the most organized among us will begin taking stock of last year’s holiday decorations, wrapping paper and cards to determine what we need to buy for holiday 2011. Each year some decorations may be retired or replaced by new ornaments, but what to do with old holiday cards?
For photo Christmas cards, why not save your favorite kid photos of years past and frame them? Many cards feature children in their best holiday attire and such photos can be beautifully mounted in holiday-themed frames and pulled out of the attic each year along with the garland. Smaller photos can easily be scanned and enlarged at any photo service center. Even better if you have saved photo Christmas cards from many years past; you can create a great display of past memories for your holiday guests to enjoy.
And for non-photo holiday cards, use patterned craft scissors to cut these cards into circles, stars or other holiday-inspired shapes. Punch a hole, attach gift ribbon, and write a personalized message on the back to create a homemade, recycled gift tag.
To get a head start on your planning for this year’s holiday card, checkout the growing collection available at LookLoveSend.com. Join our mailing list to receive 20% off your first order with us.
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16 Sep |
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5:12 am Posted by Kristy |
Planning a holiday party for kids can be easy when you are inspired by a fun holiday party invitation, like this cute polar bear invitation (at right). So much of the holidays revolves around the host of activities that bring kids joy and pleasure, like class holiday parties, tree festivals, caroling, ornament exchanges, cooking baking, etc.
Gathering kids together for these well-known activities make great holiday party themes, but what about pushing kids to really get into the spirit of the season with a gift giving party? Well-known adult versions such as the “white elephant” or “Yankee swap” are good models and can be modified for younger age groups.
Tips for Throwing a Gift Swap Party
You’ll have to provide enough details in the holiday party invitations such as:
- Explain that the party is a gift swap
- Ask that each child bring one wrapped gift for exchange. You might want to suggest a theme to make gift selection easy, such as a book, ornament or craft theme
- Be firm about a budget to keep gifts fair (less than $10 or even $5 is ideal)
Once the party starts, organize the fun with basic rules, such as:
- Direct kids where to put their gifts (on a table, on the floor, in a bag, etc.)
- Organize the order of choosing a gift (alphabetically, drawing numbers, etc.)
- Decide whether kids will be allowed to unwrap gifts as they choose, or need to wait until everyone has chosen a gift. This is important if you let kids take a gift someone else has chosen, typically allowed in the adult-version swap. Consider the age of the kids to make sure they can maturely handle their chosen gift being taken by the next person. If you suspect that could cause problems, stick to keeping gifts wrapped and having everyone choose from the pile before they get to open them.
These gift swap parties are also a great way for kids from all religious backgrounds to share the holiday spirit of gift giving, friendship and fun. For spirited, fun holiday party invitations, browse the growing collection available on www.LookLoveSend.com. Join the email list and receive 20% off your first order.
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15 Sep |
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5:24 am Posted by Kristy |
How often have you fretted about birthday invite etiquette? How early to send out birthday invitation cards; request RSVPs or Regrets Only; keeping your child from talking about the party to those not invited. But what about preparing the birthday boy or girl some manners for playing host at the party?
A bit of wisdom in a recent issue of The Week news magazine put it very simply:
“Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners” –Emily Post, quoted in the Salt Lake City Deseret News
It seems our friend Ms. Post once again has the answers. But what a great way to explain to our kids why using manners matter! In kidspeak, manners matter not so much because of what others think about you, but because manners show you care about how others feel.
So when it comes to coaching your birthday party star (a.k.a. host) on basic hosting manners, explain it in the context of others’ feelings rather than just “the right thing to do.” Try applying this notion to core party activities, such as:
Greeting
The power of having your child say hello to every guest who arrives is the simplest way to show he or she cares about that guest. This simple gesture immediately makes the guest child feel welcome, not just invited!
Guests
It’s natural for your child to want to spend the most time with their best buddy. But explain that since they invited others as well, they need to make sure everyone has a good time.
Gifts
The obvious teaching is to make sure your child thanks everyone for their gift. But what happens when they receive a duplicate? The best way to avoid this situation is to postpone opening gifts until after the party (and prepare your child for this ahead of time). But sometimes a guest’s enthusiasm forces the issue, so make sure if it’s something your child already has, she knows to simply say thank you anyway.
Games
Kids love party games, and there’s nothing wrong about a little competition to make it exciting and fun. Just be prepared with treats or giveaways for everyone for participating, even if the winner gets something a little extra special. Also coach your child about being a goods port.
Goodbyes
The ultimate act is an easy one for the birthday child: saying THANK YOU FOR COMING as each guest leaves. This simple act matches the greeting in that your child shows they care. This doesn’t excuse your child from sending out thank you notes after the party ends, of course.
Since nothing works so well as modeling these behaviors yourself, it’s okay to lead your child through these activities and set an example. To find fun kids birthday party invitations, visit www.looklovesend.com and browse a fabulous collection of design styles and color choices. Many invitations may be customized with a photo and are printed on high quality paper. Join the email list and receive 20% off your first order!
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14 Sep |
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5:34 am Posted by Kristy |
Choosing a pediatrician involves more than a phone call–it’s a process. Whether you’ve landed in a new town or are having a baby, finding a doctor with whom you are both comfortable and confident is a necessity.
Before your child’s next birthday check-up or baby’s birth announcements get mailed out, we’ve gathered a list of questions from experts and bloggers to organize your search.
Where to Start
- Insurance. Check your health care provider’s website for pediatricians in the area who accept your insurance coverage.
- Word of mouth. Ask around…but beware: what’s important to you may not even be on someone else’s radar.
- Logistics. A convenient location and office hours you can make are key. Also, how quickly can you get an appointment, and what hospital is the doctor/practice is affiliated with?
Prenatal Interview
By the third trimester of your pregnancy, consider scheduling a consultation with a prospective pediatrician. First find out:
- If there is a fee for the consultation
- How much time you’ll get and with whom
- What questions you want to ask
- Who to take with you (e.g., your spouse, partner, family member or friend)
Key Questions to Ask
- How are after hours and weekends covered?
- How are telephone questions handled? (e.g., how quickly and by whom–a nurse or the doctor?)
- Is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) in the office?
- What happens during a well visit?
- What is their philosophy about key issues such as vaccinations, breastfeeding, circumcision, antibiotic use, etc?
These are just some important questions you can ask. For more in-depth interview ideas, check 10 Questions to Ask a Pediatrician on www.iVillage.com.
Is Your Pediatrician for Keeps?
It takes time to see how things are going to work out. Continue to ask questions and be observant of:
- How your child responds to the doctor
- How much the doctor seems to enjoy working with children
- How receptive the doctor is to questions
- How well the doctor listens to your concerns
- How patient and helpful is the office staff
If there is anything you don’t like or wish was different about your child’s doctor or the practice, consider other choices in your area. Sometimes a longer drive pays off for better access or better care. Don’t be afraid to try!
When you are ready to move onto something lighter, such as ordering your baby’s birth announcements, visit the adorable selection at www.looklovesend.com. Announcements are printed on premium stock paper, and can be personalized with a photo. Join the email list and receive 20% off your first order.
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13 Sep |
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5:34 am Posted by Kristy |
Summer is not quite over, but Labor day has come and gone, and the makings of cooler days lie around the corner. If you are thinking about hosting a party this fall, whether to gather with neighbors, enjoy football season, or restart a club or organization meeting, think about planning a soup party.
Soup is a naturally inviting food whose diversity has wide appeal. But more than that, soup is inexpensive, easy to prepare, and easy to enjoy. Consider these two approaches for party planning:
You Host
If you want to host, choose two or three different kinds of soups to offer, and plenty of soup cups so guests don’t fill up on just one. Offer a variety of breads and a salad to top it off. Choose family favorites, or try a theme, such as:
- Seasonal Feature fall’s harvest favorites, ranging from vegetables like butternut squash, tomatoes and mushrooms. Add in chicken, wild rice or lentils to round things out.
- International Style Bring flavors from around the globe into your kitchen witha Chinese hot and sour or egg drop soup, French onion soup or Italian wedding soup.
Go Potluck
Get your party guests involved. People usually like to bring something, so why not invite them to bring either their favorite soup or a favorite recipe?
- Recipe Share Include recipe cards along with your party invitations. Guests can jot down a recipe, or collect them by email to print out copies of the collection ahead of time.
- Real Time Turn the party into a real time kitchen by having several stocks heated and ready for ingredients, brought by guests. Vegetables, beans, meats and seasonings are all good choices.
To find party invitations for your next party in a style that suits you, visit www.looklovesend.com. Hundreds of invitation designs, available in a wide selection of colors, are printed on the highest quality papers. Join the email list and receive 20% off your first order.
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12 Sep |
Unleash your Child’s Inner Picasso for your Family Christmas Card |
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6:01 am Posted by Nicola |
Christmas is 3 months and a few days away. This means that the annual ritual of selecting, buying and sending Christmas cards should be well underway within the next 2 months. But if you’re anything like me, the fall months are a whirlwind of pumpkins, costumes, gourds, and before you know it the post office lines are long and my cards are late.
Not this year.
For most families with grade-school age kids, a photo Christmas card is the preferred way to go. Last year, of the cards we received from friends and family with kids, over 90% incorporated a photo of their kids. These personalized cards were our favorites by far.
If you’re planning to send a photo Christmas card this year, booking a session with a professional photographer now isis a great way to get ahead. But the reality is that sometimes that perfect photo doesn’t happen in time and there’s a mad scramble in early December browsing digital prints trying to find a suitable photo.
And if that perfect shot eludes you, another option is to personalize your holiday greeting with a piece of artwork created byyour kids. Select a favorite painting brought home from school or ask your kids to draw a picture of the family or a holiday scene. Then take a digital photo of this work of art and create a .jpg file that can be incorporated in a photo Christmas card in place of the family photo.
Kids’ art is endearing, sentimental and a great way to personalize holiday greetings. To get a head start on your planning, checkout the growing collection of holiday cards available at LookLoveSend.com. Many have the option to follow simple steps for personalization with a family photo or kids’ artwork. Join our mailing list to receive 20% off your first order with us.
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11 Sep |
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4:40 pm Posted by Nicola |
Love the tradition of a diamond engagement ring but don’t want the cliched band and solitaire? How about a square ring instead? The square engagement ring and wedding band shown above are by New York-based designer Stuart Coffee who specializes in original designs and custom pieces for the jewelry connoisseur. Why is it that there are so many diverse styles of bridal gowns, wedding invitations, bridesmaid dresses and bridal bouquets, but look at 100 engagement rings and 95 of them will follow a traditional selection of bands, solitaires, settings and side stones?
Today, more than 80% of American brides receive a diamond engagement ring. So I decided to look into the history of the diamond engagement ring to see how this came to be. Engagement rings were quite rare until the late 19th century when South African diamond mines were discovered and the jewels became more affordable. But even then, it wasn’t until the 1930s that diamonds became truly popular – thanks to a national marketing campaign (which was quite unusual at the time) by the now-famous De Beers diamond company. Hollywood actresses were paid to wear diamond rings, fashion designers were encouraged to discuss the “trend” of diamonds, and a booming market was born.
The marketing campaign was a success. We’ve all been told that “a diamond is forever”, that an engagement ring should cost two months’ salary, and ring shoppers soon become experts in the 4 C’s of diamond selection (cut, color, clarity, and carat-weight).
Bottom line: the diamond engagement business is thriving and will remain as one of the most traditional rituals of the American wedding. While the avant garde style of the square-banded ring will not likely become mainstream, we should appreciate this diversity in the otherwise traditional engagement ring marketplace.
If you already have your sparkler and are planning a 2012 wedding, checkout the diverse selection of wedding invitations available at LookLoveSend.com. Enter our Wedding Invitation Suite Sweepstakes to win a complete wedding invitation suite up to a $1500 value
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10 Sep |
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1:02 pm Posted by Kristy |
Whether you call it a baptism or christening, this special occasion that celebrates the religion in which you choose to raise your child is a memorable first. You want baby to look her best, be comfortable, and wear something extra special.
There are several ways to go, depending on your traditions and style preferences:
Traditional Christening Gown
Worn by both girls and boys, these are lengthy white gowns with bonnets intended for infants. The sheer cotton gowns that have thinned through the years are often passed down through families. American gowns were typically made from fine, almost sheer cotton, organdy or linen fabric and adorned to varying degrees with lace handwork or embroidery. More formal gowns are heavier satin banded with a sash, matching bonnet. Still other gowns featured decorative smocking or other intricate handwork for hems and necklines.
Today, many parents choose to use a family gown or purchase an updated version of the traditional christening gown, as featured at left from specialty boutiques like Christening Angels. But if purchasing an heirloom gown isn’t in the budget and you don’t have access to a family gown, or if a traditional gown seems too much of a departure from your lifestyle, there are other ways to go.
Formal attire
Acknowledge the occasion with a less traditional but still formal outfit. Some good examples include one-piece suits for boys with pants and shirts attached, or smocked dresses for girls that aren’t necessarily white nor extra long. Local consignment is a great option to search for these outfits, since they are usually worn only one time and parents sell them afterwards.
Special outfit
The variety of unique outfits available today at baby boutiques and online makes choosing something special for a baptism easier. The biggest challenge is price, as many of these single outfits can run $100 or more. The trick is to shop for what you like, and if the price is too high to buy new, check online through eBay or at local consignment stores.
Factoring in Baby’s Age and Weather
Some of the options we’ve discussed won’t work for an older child being baptized. Parents may not have an infant in arms during a baptism for a variety of reasons. My own first child was running around at age 12 months for her baptism, due to simple geography and schedules. She would have tripped on a long christening gown, but fortunately her small size allowed her to fit into one of my family’s gowns, which she wore as a party-length dress. Also consider weather conditions. Laying a simple sweater over any outfit is always an option.
For baptism and christening invitations, or party invitations following the ceremony, visit www.LookLoveSend.com. All their invitations and announcements are printed on the highest quality paper and ordered are turned around the next day if needed. Join the email list and receive 20% off.
