|
31 Oct |
|
|
11:33 pm Posted by Nicola |
As folks in the Northeast can attest, the outdoor summer birthday party has officially moved indoors. One of the most beloved children’s birthday parties, particularly during the colder months, is the slumber party. We’ve highlighted tips for slumber party readiness, but the first slumber party of an eight-year old boy is quite different from that of a tween girl and her BFFs.
Activities for the tween girl sleepover party do not need to be elaborate or expensive; the suggestions listed below involve such simple items as nail polish, tin foil and standard craft supplies.
Create commemorative pillow cases or T-shirts. Buy inexpensive t-shirts, tank tops or pillow cases and provide permanent markers so your guests can create matching designs and then each sign the others’ creations.
Decorate picture frames with paints, stickers, jewels, glitter, etc. Then take photos of all guests and place them in the frames as keepsakes.
Nail Polish Spin Game. Place several colors of nail polish the middle of the circle and have someone spin a bottle of nail polish. Whoever the cap points to when it stops spinning must paint one of her fingernails in that color. This person should then spin another colored nail polish bottle, etc. Include toes to make the game last longer.
Foil Make Over Game. Divide the guests into teams and give each team 1 or 2 rolls of aluminum foil and some rubber bands. The teams must try to create the most fabulous tinfoil outfits possible – skirts, tops, sunglasses, hats, boots and belts – anything goes! Be sure to take photos of those silver creations.
Makeovers, manicures and pedicures are always a staple at a tween girls’ birthday slumber party.
Allow some time for meals, a movie (or two!) and the activities above – and you will be sure to have a successful sleepover for your tween. To set the mood for your fun party, send a festive birthday party invitation such as Birthday Banner by designer Eliza DeVogel, shown above. An order of 10 beautifully customized invitations from LookLoveSend.com costs just over $20.
|
31 Oct |
|
|
11:26 am Posted by Kristy |
Baby showers are a relatively new tradition, becoming popular with the baby boom that followed World War II. As a relatively newer tradition (when compared with, say, a bride’s dowry!), when you receive a baby shower invitation, you probably feel pretty familiar with the playbook of rules. As with many traditions these day, however, people everywhere are changing those rules. We thought we’d look at what’s changing when planning a baby shower today.
Who Hosts?
A close friend or neighbor traditionally hosted the baby shower, rather than a close family member, in order to avoid the impression that the expecting mom and her family was looking to cash in on baby shower gifts. Today, however, it is increasingly common and acceptable for a closer relative such as a sister or even mother in law to host the shower. One steadfast rule remains: the guest of honor really still shouldn’t host her own shower, but she can have plenty of say on almost all aspects of planning it!
Who receives a baby shower invitation?
As a practical matter, today’s mom to be’s should provide a guest list to their host and both should discuss any space or budget limitations openly. Close friends, neighbors, and family members from her side as well as the baby’s father’s family traditionally top the list, but many moms today also invite coworkers. If either you as host or as the guest of honor isn’t sure about a guest, think about whether you would ask that person to buy a gift, since that’s what’s a shower is really all about.
What about the men?
Changing lifestyles has meant that more and more baby showers are bringing male guests into the mix. While it’s ultimately up to the guest of honor whether she wants to keep her shower a women-only event, many modern couples decide together to have a different style of baby shower, such as the couples shower. The couples shower trend has formalized the concept of men’s presence and certainly can change both the party dynamics as well as the menu and types of gifts a couple can expect. But even if the mom to be isn’t officially wanting a couples shower, many want male friends or relatives present. Even more common today than a couples shower is the presence, however brief, of baby’s father. Its perfectly acceptable and even a gracious gesture for the expectant dad to make a brief appearance thank everyone for the gifts.
Where to Shop for Modern Baby Shower Invitations?
The Internet is the best new source for shopping the latest designs in baby shower invitations. You will find an extensive selection of styles as well as a range in print quality, so be sure to look for a source like www.looklovesend.com whose original designs are always printed on high quality papers. LookLoveSend has a wide selection of baby shower invitations and corresponding baby thank you notes that reflect more modern styles. Many designs can also be personalized with a photo, and you can always customize your text online. When you order 50 or more, shipping is free.
|
31 Oct |
|
|
11:25 am Posted by Kristy |
If you live anywhere from Maryland to Maine, your head is spinning right now. You may have pumpkins too frozen to carve, or a trick-or-treating costume that needs some serious thermal under layers. This weekend’s nor easter has covered jack-o-lanterns with a heavy layer of snow. Meteorologists are predicting some sun today to melt some of the snow for trick-or-treating tomorrow, but not much can fix the 3 million people with no power!
What to do in your cold dark house for the next few days? Well, grab a frozen Milky Way and a pad and pencil, and take inventory of what you have on hand to get you through the next few days.
Recipes for a Disaster
You can find clever ideas for non-cook recipes using typical pantry ingredients on many websites. The important thing is to check and see what you have to work with! (And in the future, make sure you have these things ready when a potential weather disaster is on the horizon.) For a list of useful pantry foods to have on hand, see Pantry Staples. Here’s a start:
- Low-sodium canned and dried foods kept in a cool, dry place. Soups, beans, tomatoes, tuna fish, etc.
- Low-perishable, shelf-stable ingredients like juice boxes, boxed broths, parmesan cheese, dried fruits, crackers, cereal, etc.
- Basic utensils like a can opener and paper ware plates and bowls, plastic ware cutlery (spoons, forks, etc.)
- Room temperature-happy fruits and veggies, like apples, pears, bananas, tomatoes, squash, onions, potatoes and peppers will keep longest in a cool, dark location.
- Bottled water on hand for drinking, washing and rehydrating foods, and flushing toilets, especially if you are on a well. Fill a bathtub ahead of time. TIP: Drinking water rule is at least a gallon of water per day per person.
- If you can grill outdoors, Dinner Packets assembled in heavy duty foil can be a terrific trick, but require some planning and prep before the weather turns bad.
If you’ve planned a party and party invitations have long been sent, it might be worth making sure you’ve also got plenty of wine on hand, and a cooler filled with ice. My neighbors pulled off a great Halloween party last night during the thick of the snow, and while power wasn’t an issue for them, for other guests who arrived at the party from homes in the dark, it was a welcome respite!
Go ahead and plan your next party for the heart of this year’s winter holidays. A blizzard party at Christmastime or a New Year’s Party afterwards might be just what people want when the weather turns nasty. For an inspiring selection of holiday party invitations, check www.looklovesend.com. Ground shipping is free when you order 50 more more!
|
25 Oct |
|
|
2:33 am Posted by Kristy |
Go ahead, Google wedding invitations and see what happens. Even if you try defining what you’re looking for, say, for example using a style descriptive like elegant, unique, affordable or modern, most online stationery companies offer it all. And, most couples will want a wedding invitation that is all things: “custom,” “high quality,” “unique,” “affordable. ” But can you have your cake and eat it too?
While it helps to decide on a definitive design style for your wedding before you start browsing online wedding invitations, the truth is many of us as brides aren’t quite sure how to choose a style. So don’t! Instead, focus on the following five areas we at www.LookLoveSend.com believe are more important to consider first:
Budget
Start here because you don’t want to waste time with browsing products you that will not be within your reach. Decide whether you have $250 or $1500 … your actual budget amount will depend in part by the number of guests (don’t forget postage), as well as the level of formality for your wedding. A more formal event that includes a sit-down dinner, for example, will probably necessitate additional invitation components, such as a separate reception card, response card, menu card and possibly a directions card. If your wedding date is a year or more away, or falls during a busy time of year, preceding your invitations with save the date cards so guests can plan accordingly will also add to your total invitation budget. Sending a save the date card has almost become a routine courtesy rather than an added, extra touch.
Format
Most couples still mail printed wedding invitations. The tradition and importance of the occasion maintain this formality, and the wedding invitation itself becomes an important keepsake. Other important pieces such as save the date cards and thank you notes should also be printed pieces. Nowadays email and websites can meet some of your more detailed informational needs, such as menus and directions, but just be sure your entire guest list can access this information if you choose to go this route.
Style
Classic or Modern? Vintage or Retro? Romantic or Whimsical? You might be surprised both by what you like as much as the blended styles available from today’s ultra-original designers. Design style is important insofar as it sets the tone of your event. And while choosing a design style is an opportunity to let your personality shine through, don’t feel that is has to completely encompass who you are as a person. After all, aren’t we all these things at least some of the time? So don’t sweat it; instead, consider the time of day, the season, your venue, and how you’d like your guests to feel as they anticipate your wedding. Don’t get hung up thinking your wedding invitation design style is a statement about your soul!
Customization
There are different degrees of customization available depending on how much additional thought and personalization you want. Some websites have you build your own invitation starting completely from scratch: choosing the paper, font, ink, words, border, images, and even types of printing (letterpress, embossing, etc.) Other websites, like www.looklovesend.com, offer ready-made designs by professional artists with easy personalization tools to upload your own photos, select font styles, color options and paper textures. It’s up to you to decide how much control you want over your invitation.
Quality
Even the most gorgeous design can underwhelm if printed on flimsy, mottled, lifeless paper. On the other hand, a very simple design can be gorgeous when printed on luxurious, fine quality, heavy weight paper. So don’t underestimate the importance of paper quality and print clarity when searching for a reputable wedding invitation source. All wedding invitation stationery printed by LookLoveSend is 130# weight paper, making it among the most substantial available online in the industry. Envelopes from the same premium paper are lined, and LookLoveSend prints all orders in-house on their state-of-the-art digital printing presses to ensure quality and 100% customer satisfaction.
Have fun plunging into the abyss that is the Internet to find your perfect wedding invitation. Or, save some time simply by visiting www.LookLoveSend.com, whose wide selection of design styles offers complete wedding invitation suites with components you choose and customize in addition to top quality paper and printing. Shipping is free when you order 50 or more, and your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed.
|
24 Oct |
Tips to Create a Fantastic Candy Display for your Holiday Party |
|
3:52 pm Posted by Kristy |
Consider a candy display table for an attractive, fun and sweet touch at your wedding or special holiday party. The ever-popular food bar offers a chance to express your individuality as a host while providing an interactive experience for your guests. The beauty of the candy display lies in its wealth of color and texture options, as well as a chance to tap into the nostalgia of childhood sweet memories.
[both photo sources: All That Music DJ and Event Planning]
Here are some tips from the pros to create your fantastic candy display.
Plan your candy containers carefully. If you want to incorporate expensive chocolates in your display without breaking the bank, “look for jars that appear tall or large by having stands or stems on them but the actual fill space is smaller” says Sheila Aleman, VP of finance and marketing at All That Music DJ and Event Planning in Fitchburg, MA. Use mirrors in your display and use optical illusions to your advantage.
Pick the right tools to serve your candy. Make sure all your vases and containers have wide enough openings and provide the appropriate type of tong or scoop for each candy type.
Create a theme for your display. Stick to three candy colors or fewer to create a cohesive design for your table. Use one candy type per container for maximum effect. Add minimal accessories to highlight your color or theme.
Consider your guests when choosing your candy. Include candies that may be reminiscent of your childhood or a geographic area (doesn’t get more iconic than salt water taffy for a Cape Cod event!) Suggested quantities are:
- 1-50 guests: 5 jars candy
- 50-100 guests: 10 jars candy
- 100-150 guests: 15 jars candy
- 150-200 guests: 18 jars candy
- Over 200 guests: 20 jars candy
Label your sweets. Be sure to have clear labels on all containers to alert guests with allergies or who may be gluten-free. Labels should have a cohesive style and are a great way to further tie in the table’s color palate or theme.
Keep your jars stocked. Be prepared for an initial rush within the first 15 minutes that your candy table is open for business. Delegate someone to monitor your jars and refill them as necessary. A final tip for refilling: when a jar is empty, remove the entire container and bring it back full. Your guests won’t miss a single candy jar, but they will notice someone standing at the table filling jars from a bucket of candy!
Creating a candy display may be one of the most fun aspects of your wedding planning or holiday party planning activities. For wedding invitations or holiday party invitations, consult the growing selection of customizable designs available at LookLoveSend.com.
|
20 Oct |
|
|
11:26 am Posted by Kristy |
We’ve said it before: in this digital age, receiving a personal thank you cardthrough the mail sends a powerful message more so today than ever before. Think about it…how often do you expect to find much in your mail other than bills, promotions and circulars? Personal handwritten envelopes are no longer everyday items.
Peacock Feather Thank You by Susan Cahill
The Power of a Note for Even Small Acts
We’ve dissected the thank you note before, having in mind big events such as weddings, baby showers, graduation parties and other special occasions that involve gifts. There is room for an even briefer, personalized thank you card, an power in a handwritten note for even smaller acts of kindness, such as:
- A neighbor’s help
- An impromptu gathering
- A special lunch out
- An unexpected gift
- A friend responding to a favor request
There are many more occasions where a short, heartfelt note can convey your sincere gratitude.
Short & Sweet: Don’t Belabor the Note
The simple act of sending a note means you shouldn’t have to belabor how it’s written and the exact words you use. Just use the simplest, most basic of thank you note formulas, which we’ve boiled down to the following three points:
- Thank you for the ____________________
- Your friendship/kindness/gesture _____________________ (meant so much/came at just the right time/helped me greatly, etc.)
- I’m so glad we’re ____________________ (friends, neighbors, in the same book club, etc.)
Done. Close the note in your style and sign your name. Three simple sentences on a beautiful thank you note card.
Find a Beautiful Design
To find a beautifully designed personalized thank you note in just your style, visit the collection of personalized thank you note stationery at www.looklovesend.com. All wedding, baby and personalized stationery is printed on premium, heavy weight paper stock and ordering is easy. You’ll receive free shipping when you order 50 or more notes.
|
19 Oct |
|
|
11:21 am Posted by Kristy |
Are you overwhelmed at the thought of organizing a holiday party this year? There is plenty of time before the holiday party invitations go out, so we’ve dug up a few helpful checklists to help make the thought of party planning more palatable.
Our Checklist Treasure Trove
- A-Z Planner Get started with this clear, clean and simple plan-ahead checklist from Real Simple magazine. True to their style, it makes party planning a cinch. We especially love their take on:
- A stress free menu! This means stuff you can prepare ahead of time, leaving only the tasks of warming, assembling and arranging for party day.
- Outsourcing! This could be rentalware (such as barware and linens) or hired help like a bartender or kitchen help (and it doesn’t have to be professional–think responsible neighborhood teen)
- Meal Planner Whether you cook yourself, hire a caterer, or have friends and neighbors bring dishes, here’s a terrific printable holiday meal planner for organizing your meal. The best part about this planner is you can use it for any party meal, not just holiday!
- Beverage Planner Conquer your biggest expense with this cocktail party checklist from Marie Claire magazine. The professional party planners behind this checklist provide specifics tips for stocking a successful holiday bar, including:
- Types of alcohol and proportions for different kinds of guests (beer, wine, hard alcohol)
- Mixers and bitters
- Quantities driven by guest count estimates (25 – 100)
- Barware tools
- Money saving tips (such as pre-prepared cocktails, disguising inexpensive brands)
The best thing about these checklists is they’ll work for any kind of holiday party, from a neighborhood potluck open house to a formal dinner party.
To find a fresh, fun holiday party invitation, check the original designs available at www.looklovesend.com. Holiday party invitations can be customized with photos and your text and are printed on high quality paper stock. Get free shipping when you order 50 or more invitations.
|
18 Oct |
|
|
5:34 am Posted by Kristy |
Rarely overlooked in the details of planning baby showers is the baby shower cake. In fact, the cake can be the centerpiece of the celebration, coordinating baby shower invitations, decorations, shower games and even gift ideas. The best cakes today don’t have to be as fabulous as the two, towering, artistic creations flanking the center cake in the photo below.
 |
 |
 |
| Cupcakes are a simple yet beautiful way to create a unique cake. | Inspired by Shel Silverstein’s classic tale of the cycle of life, The Giving Tree | Ever popular polka dots in classic pastel colors charm this cake for twin boys |
In fact, we think the best cake IS the cake in the center (photo above). A special story-inspired cake is a growing trend, whether it’s a nursery rhyme, Beatrix Potter, a Disney classic or some other story special to the mother’s heart (The Velveteen Rabbit anyone?).
Like story cakes, cake themes can be inspired by nursery decor or simply reflect the tastes and uniqueness of the mom-to-be. After all, while baby shower gifts are generally geared towards baby, there is no doubt that a baby shower should also be much ado for the expecting mom.
To this end, more women are looking for cakes that do celebrate the mom-to-be as much as the baby she’s carrying. So while some may consider the “belly cake” trend a bit creepy (photo at left), it is one of the increasingly requested type of cakes.
Besides the belly cake and story theme, other noticeable baby shower cake trends include:
- Packages (ribbon, bows, polka dots)
- Blocks
- Cute critters (frogs, bunnies, etc)
- Baby animals (elephants, giraffes, lions, etc.)
- Fun shapes (moon, stars, strollers)
Another growing trend is that a cake needn’t be a cake at all. Cupcakes, like the beautiful pink teapot tiered display featured at the beginning of this blog, can be used in the most creative arrangements.
Wherever you draw inspiration for your own baby shower or for a friend, you can find equally inspiring ideas for baby shower invitations at www.looklovesend.com. All invitations also have coordinating baby thank you notes, and are printed on high quality, premium weight papers. If you order 50 or more you receive free shipping!
|
17 Oct |
|
|
1:47 am Posted by Nicola |
Have you always envisioned a wedding that involves many children? Apart from the obvious flower girl, ring bearer or junior bridesmaid duties, there are many other roles that your youngest guests can beautifully fulfill. Below are some guidelines and suggestions for how the special children in your life can share in your special day.
Flower Girls and Ring Bearers: These traditional roles are typically held by 3 - 7 year olds. While flower girls and ring bearers are beloved by wedding guests, if the thought of any potential reluctance to walk down the aisle horrifies you, it is recommended that they are escorted by a member of the adult wedding party. If your ceremony is particularly solemn or long, consider having your flower girl and ring bearer sit in the front row rather than standing upfront with the rest of the wedding party.
Older Children:If older children are excited to participate in your wedding ceremony, feel free to include them however you wish. There are no hard and fast rules for this. Bridesmaids, junior bridesmaids and ushers are traditional options, but some other great roles are listed below [source: www.wednet.com]
- Hand out wedding programs or directions to the reception
- Serve as altar boy or altar girl
- Greet guests
- Turn pages for the musician
- Carry the bride’s train
- Hand out flowers to guests or scatter rose petals
- Help take care of gifts at the reception
- Take candid pictures of the family and bridal party
- Follow the photographer around, pointing out special people to photograph
- Play a musical instrument or solo
- Help guests find their seating arrangements
- Present wedding favors to guests
- Help serve the wedding cake
- Be in charge of the guest book
When clothing your youngest wedding party members, be considerate of this additional expense to their parents – most of whom are probably already buying their own outfits for your special day! Consider allowing girls to recycle a fancy holiday or First Communion dress, or allow them to wear a party dress that can be re-worn before it is outgrown. Parents of boys may appreciate a jacket and slacks option that is more likely to be worn again, rather than a mini-me version of the groom’s tux.
If you are planning a wedding and still need to select a wedding invitation, checkout the diverse collection available at LookLoveSend.com. And ifyou are getting married in 2012, enter the Wedding Invitation Suite Sweepstakes to win a complete wedding invitation suite up to a $1500 value.
|
14 Oct |
|
|
5:15 am Posted by Kristy |
Family photos, more than any other part of the annual holiday card, get us to tear open the envelopes. Even more than reading the family update letter, it’s the photo that is the essence of the holiday card.
So what makes for a great choice in photo for this year’s holiday photo card? We searched the web for some of the best examples of the most popular kinds of family holiday photos:
- The Professional Portrait
- The Santa Picture
- Matching Outfits
- Scenic Nature Shot
Exhibit A: The Professional Portrait (below)
Sometimes even a paid expert can’t fix things. At least a professional would have extra “shots” on hand.
Exhibit B: The Santa Picture (below).
Even Jolly Old Saint Nick himself couldn’t elicit smiles and good cheer from these teens. Did no one bring ponytail holders or headbands? These kids could use some candy.
Exhibit C: Matching Outfits
They love their yoke sweaters! Just look at those smiles…if they could only see (hear) ours!
Exhibit D: Scenic Nature Portrait (below)
This picture has it all–professional photography, matching shirts, smiles. Okay, there’s no Santa, but I don’t think that’s the problem. Are you also hoping this one didn’t get into the hands of these boys’ friends?
For inspiration about the kinds of photos that make gorgeous, memorable, refrigerator-worthy family holiday photo cards, visit www.LookLoveSend.com. A growing collection of Christmas, Holiday and Hanukkah cards showcase creative ways to arrange professional and personal photos of couples, families, babies and even teens! All holiday photo cards are printed on premium weight paper, including your choice of a gloss paper option perfect for photos. Receive free shipping when you order 50 cards or more!
