|
13 Oct |
|
|
5:35 am Posted by Kristy |
Do you wait until October 30th for Halloween candy to go on sale? Will you give in to paying extra for overnight shipping for that costume you’d intended to make at home? Can’t find your Christmas card list from last year?
If any of these apply, you probably realize that while Halloween can stomach such delays, Christmas is another matter entirely. Even with ample online shopping conveniences, Christmastime is simply a more complicated holiday to organize.
But if you break your holiday planning into bits and pieces, it doesn’t need to feel stressful. You could go for a total organization overhaul, like the customized Holiday Planner offered by Family Fun editor Ann Hallock. Or you start right now by taking one small bite–your Christmas card list!
First, take comfort knowing it’s still October. Second, know that many holiday planning experts (thanks, Martha!) designate these early fall months as list-organizing months. So go ahead and get out last year’s list, dust it off and update it with these following tips:
- Circle names for whom you’ve not heard from for two years in a row. You may be able to delete them if you want to shorten your list.
- Add new names for new acquaintances and friends you’ve met this year.
- Mark addresses you know have changed, even if you don’t have the new information yet. These may be the people you need to hear from first, but you can be ready with a card and blank envelope!
They key reason to work with you list now is to get a handle on your Christmas card budget–quantity of cards plus postage. Here are a few cautions about postage:
- Lot’s of card designs available online use the ever popular square card shape, which can cost more in postage.
- Don’t be caught empty-handed for a few overseas addresses. Pick up some airmail stamps with your domestic stamps.
A few more tips to keep in mind when finishing up your list:
- Print out a hardcopy if it lives on the computer. Computers crash. Files get lost. Have a back-up paper copy.
- Order extra cards AND extra envelopes. Not only will you be ready with a card for that new (or forgotten) friend, but extra envelopes will help with address mistakes, changes, and returned-by-sender cards.
For an exciting selection of fresh, fun holiday card designs this season, check www.LookLoveSend.com. They offer both photo and non-photo cards and several premium paper choices. Plus, you get free shipping for orders of 50 cards or more!
|
12 Oct |
|
|
5:51 am Posted by Kristy |
The “pre-tween” age group is loosely defined by experts as kids ages 7-10, depending on the child and his or her environment. Does pre-tween really qualify as another age demographic for parents to consider? When it comes to birthday party planning, it almost certainly will.
It seems that our culture of savvy marketers thinks so too. Disney’s family.com website is geared towards parents of the group 9 to 12 year olds, the younger of which they refer to as “pre-tweens.” Pop culture marketing machinery behind phenoms like High School Musical and Justin Bieber are laser-focused on the pre-tween age group.
So maybe I should not be surprised by my nearly 9-year old’s burgeoning taste preferences and self-consciousness. Unfortunately, this includes a growing awareness of me, the mother (okay, embarrassment is more accurate). Being a pre-tween has led to more opinion about what the birthday party invitations will say this year too. Coupled with less enthusiasm for my suggestions, here’s an instructive recap of our party planning discussions:
- Past trick #1: Interactive, seasonal craft
- Pre-tween twist: I don’t want to make stuff
- Past trick #2: Invite as many kids as you are years old
- Pre-tween twist: I want to invite both boys and girls
- Past trick #3: Pizza & Cake
- Pre-tween twist: Will you make that banana split ice cream dessert? It’s my favorite (note: it isn’t a cinch)
We ended up agreeing to three themes that are action-oriented and appeal to both boys and girls in this age group. Each has certain drawbacks. You should determine what you are willing to give in terms of work and effort, and what kind of access you have to party facilities in your local area:
- Scavenger Hunt Lot’s of creativity and flexibility comes with this one, but it also requires the most work on your part to create and execute.
- Bowling/arcade A traditional favorite, but depends on the quality of bowling lanes in your area. We had great success doing this for the age 8 party, but don’t want to repeat.
- Rock climbing Indoor rock climbing facilities have sprung up in many major metropolitan areas, and we’ll benefit from a facility that caters to kids and has party facilities.
Wherever you end up in party planning discussions with you pre-tween, you can find fresh, fun party invitations at www.looklovesend.com. Many designs are geared specifically towards the teen age group and can also be customized with a photo. All party invites are printed on high quality, premium papers. Join the email list and receive 20% off your first order!
|
11 Oct |
|
|
5:22 am Posted by Kristy |
For those of us growing up knowing that Laura Ingalls and Holly Hobby were not exactly fashion forward, it’s both surprising and refreshing that braids are making a splash in celebrity and wedding style circles. The buzz from the red carpet and a recent bit on the Today show confirms what brides throughout time have loved: the romance of the braid.
 |
 |
 |
| Nicole Kidman 2011 Billboard Awards Photo: Getty Images | Spring Fashion Week Paris, 2011 Photo: Fairchild Archive | Jessica Alba 2011 Emmy Awards |
Braids are back now with great fanfare and creative inspiration from Hollywood. Experts like Brides magazine see the trendiest of brides opting for braids–from echoing Nicole Kidman’s relaxed, bohemium-style braid, to a romantic “halo” style seen this fall from Valentino on the Paris Spring 2012 fashion runway, to rekindling the classic milkmaid, or headband, style braid.
The appeal of the braid has many sources:
- Gorgeous in nearly all hair types. Silky smooth, wavy or curly. Pin straight hair presents some challenge, but not for an experienced stylist with the right tools (e.g. rollers)
- Keeps hair in place. No bobby pins needed!
- Diverse. Unlike up-dos like the French twist or chignon, a braid can be any size braid in any position on the head to frame a bride’s face in the most attractive way for her.
- Timeless, elegant, classic.
Whatever your style, from loose and relaxed to classic elegance, braids offer many options to create a unique look for your wedding. To echo your unique style, you can find a wide array of stylish wedding invitations at www.looklovesend.com. Don’t forget also if you have a 2012 wedding to enter the Wedding Invitation Suite Sweepstakes to win a complete wedding invitation suite, including all coordinated stationery components you choose for your wedding, valued up to $1,500.
|
11 Oct |
|
|
1:11 am Posted by Nicola |
The name that you put on your baby’s birth announcement tells more about you than your baby. For some, baby’s name has been determined before conception, while others still deliberate hours or days after birth. We’ve already highlighted some baby naming don’ts, but here is a view of what your chosen baby name tells about your personality. [source: Linda DiProperzio, Parents.com]. Do you agree?
If your child has an unusual name, you are either a creative person (like actors and musicians) or you crave attention as folks will undoubtedly ask its origin. Unusual celebrity baby names: Apple (Gwyneth Paltrow), Pilot Inspektor (Jason Lee), Kal-El (Nicolas Cage).
If your child has an old-fashioned name, you have a conservative-leaning personality. These throwback names distinguish themselves as different but they don’t sound strange. Conservative celebrity baby names: Agnes (Jennifer Connelly), Tabitha (Sarah Jessica Parker).
If your child’s name has a creative spelling, you like to be different. We’ve all seen names with extra or misplaced letters, but a note of caution is not to make the spelling too far out – Alison vs. Allison is one thing, but Allysynn may grow tired of correcting the spelling of her name over the years. Celebrity baby names with unusual spelling: Ryder (Kate Hudson), Rocko (Johnny Knoxville).
If you select a family name, you are sentimental. Another popular option is for people to use family surnames as first or middle names which is a great way to honor a whole group of family members instead of a single person. Celebrity family baby names: Vivienne Marcheline (Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s daughter’s middle name honors her maternal grandmother).
If your child is named after someone in pop culture, you are looking for a confidence boost or are paparazzi-obsessed. Celebrity pop culture baby names: Monroe (Mariah Carey), Lennon (Liam Gallagher), Bardot (David Boreanez).
If your child is named after a destination, you are adventurous and wanting to send a message that you are worldly travelers. Celebrity destination baby names: Egypt (Alicia Keys), Memphis (Bono), Brooklyn (Victoria and David Beckham).
If your child has a unisex name, you focus on success. Historically, unisex names were given to girls to ward off potential sexism in the workplace. However; in the technology age, unisex names are reportedly causing some confusion as electronic communication increases but email recipients still want to know if they are dealing with a man or woman. Celebrity unisex baby names: Mason (Kourtney Kardashian’s son and Kelsey Grammar’s daughter!) Dakota, Riley and Avery are also popular unisex names.
Do you agree with this assessment of what your baby’s name tells about you? If you are planning to send your own baby birth announcement soon, see the growing selection of cute and original designs at LookLoveSend.com. Receive free shipping for order quantities greater than 50!
|
10 Oct |
|
|
1:44 am Posted by Nicola |
If you’ve received a fancy birthday party invitation and want to take an equally fancy gift; how about the hot new Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen alligator backpack? It seems that the hold-everything carryall of our youth is making an elegant and modern comeback. Issue is this backpack has a $39,000 price tag.
Yes, the unbelievable price tag of this designer bag ranges from $4,700 to $39,000 depending on size. But even more unbelievable (yet true) is the fact that this backpack is flying off shelves and Barneys is having trouble keeping even the largest, most expensive version in stock (two were supposedly pre-ordered before the collection even went on sale!)
The buzz about this backpack is everywhere. Paparazzi shots of celebrities carrying the bag. Sound bites from the designers about how this was “the first thing that sold off the shelf” from their fall handbag collection launch. Even the Barneys’ creative ambassador-at-large, Simon Doonan, is jumping on the backpack bandwagon by stating “it’s never been more complicated to be a girl than it is now. You have to look fabulous and be a lifestyle brand and have a drink and be Twittering at the same time so you need hands free”.
Every few years there seems to be one item that gets all the buzz and whose demand far exceeds supply. This backpack is that item. Luckily there’s no shortage of designer bag options at far lesser price points. And if you are hosting rather than attending that fancy birthday party, checkout the growing selection of beautiful designer birthday party invitations available at LookLoveSend.com.
|
9 Oct |
|
|
1:23 am Posted by Nicola |
How would you feel receiving a wedding invitation with an expiration date stamped on the bottom? As crazy as that sounds, the short-term wedding is a hot topic in Mexico right now. Leonel Luna, a legislator from the leftist Party of the Democratic Revolution in Mexico, wants to make it possible for couples to “try out” marriage for two years and facilitate a simple divorce if things don’t work out after that time.
According to Luna, “what we’re trying to do is acknowledging reality and creating a mechanism that will allow couples to end their marriage without going through the additional pain and suffering of a legal battle.” Under his law, couples would sign a marriage contract with a two year expiration date. After thosetwo years have elapsed, couples would have an option to renew. The contract would also state terms of property ownership and child custody should the union not be renewed.
The bill is currently in a committee process and will be voted on by the full legislature in a few weeks’ time. If approved, the bill would apply only to couples getting married in Mexico City. The bill is clearly controversial and receiving great disapproval from Catholics, but the capital of Mexico City is much less conservative than the rest of the country and Luna is optimistic his bill will pass.[source: CNN]
It will be most interesting to see if this bill passes. And even more interesting still to see if couples start flocking to Mexico City to tie the (easily undone) knot there if it does indeed become law. Luckily for now, a wedding is forever and a wedding invitation has no expiration date. For a beautiful selection of designer wedding invitations, see the growing selection at LookLoveSend.com. If you are getting married in 2012, enter the Wedding Invitation Suite Sweepstakes to win a complete wedding invitation suite up to a $1500 value.
|
6 Oct |
|
|
6:07 pm Posted by Kristy |
Ding dong! “Who’s there?” “It’s the Party Germ Patrol, ma’am. We got the birthday party invitation.”
Imagine if these guys showed up at your next children’s birthday party: a team of silent and stealthy germ monitors, on the scene to tackle common germ offenses. They’d be dressed like the guys in those energy ads, wearing shirts labeled “Sneeze Guard Guy, “Cough Containment Guy” and “Hand Wash Monitor Guy.”
Not high on the list of official duties for most party hosts is to tactfully manage germ exposure from guests, or your own child. This becomes especially noticeable as we barrel full speed into the cough, cold and flu season.
How do we manage overt germ exposure during the hectic rhythm of a children’s birthday party? It’s going to be a growing challenge as the fall and winter season bear down, and as children show up who maybe should not have.
The parent who sends a child with obvious symptoms has tread on ground you would never have dared if it were your child, right? And it goes without saying that if it’s your own child with the symptoms, you’ll cancel the party, right? Hmmm…
Just remember the universal signals every parent should regard when deciding if a child should sit the party out:
- Fever or vomiting
- Excessive sneezing & runny nose
- Excessive coughing
Those of us who are parents know we don’t always make the right call. So let’s move out of the germ patrol guy fantasy, and away from counting on parents to pay strict attention to universal germ signals. Here’s some key party planning tactics to tackle as a germ-aware host at your next party:
- Handwashing. It all starts here. Make it fun by putting out a bowl of fun-shaped soaps small enough for kiddie-sized hands, or a foaming pump, and a stack of paper towels instead of a single hand towel. If they’re young enough, turn it into a game by looping a pre-recorded 30-second song (like Happy Birthday or Old McDonald) for each handwasher (or have the next kids in line sing it!)
- Tissues. Keep them readily available. Put boxes out everywhere within reach of your guests, and a few in your pocket to offer at a moment’s notice.
- Utensils and paper cups. Make sure everyone has their own to keep sharing to a minimum. Have plenty of extra to toss away or change out between pizza and cake.
Beyond taking preventive measures like these, there’s no direct control you or anyone else has over the spread of germs. Keeping your child’s immune system strong, through healthy sleep and eating habits, up-to-date vaccinations, and good hygiene practices is your best bet.
Now that you’re ready to take on the germ patrol challenge at this season’s parties, shop for fun and fantastic birthday party invitations at www.LookLoveSend.com. You can customize your invitation with photos and text, and when you join the email list, you’ll receive 20% off your first order!
|
5 Oct |
|
|
11:13 am Posted by Kristy |
We’e explored healthy baby shower menus before, but what if mama isn’t just sugar-shy, but forced to manage gestational diabetes? If you’re hosting the shower, you’ll need to start planning a special menu just as soon as you get the baby shower invitations out!
Gestational diabetes affects up to 18% of pregnancies today, according to the American Diabetes Association. While there are no symptoms, it is characterized by high blood sugar levels when for some reason the pregnancy blocks insulin and blood sugar levels build. Nearly all women are tested for gestational diabetes between 24-28 weeks, though some find out earlier, particularly if they’ve had a history with the complication.
We’ve browsed a few websites and blogs looking for shower-friendly recipe ideas to serve at your next shower for a mom with gestational diabetes. We chose ingredients and recipes that are both appealing to everyone and can feed a crowd:
- Lemon Tuna Wraps. These are actually made with canned tuna and require a low GI (made from carbs that are low on the Glycemic Index) wrap. Follow the recipe (which normally feeds 4) but slice each wrap into 3 or even 4 strips, stick with toothpics and arrange on a platter.
- Hummus. Of course. Don’t leave this fave dip out. Serve with low GI baked pita chips and raw vegetables, such as carrots, celery, broccoli, etc.
- Pimped-out BLTs. On other continents (thanks Australia!), the American BLT takes on other protein-rich, diabetic friendly ingredients to create BLETs (Bacon, Lettuce, Egg, Tomato), BLATEs (Bacon, Lettuce, Avocado, Tomato, Egg), TLATs (Tofu, Lettuce, Avocado, Tomato).
- Grilled or Stir Fry Tofu with Veggies. You need to use a firm tofu and choose a marinade with a low GI sauce such as a soy sauce base with seasonings.
- Seafood Platter. Shrimp cocktail or bacon-wrapped scallops are beloved treats for the seafood fan, but may run up your budget.
Remember that you can still offer other food that your guest of honor may steer clear of on her own. The important thing is to make sure there’s plenty of diabetic-friendly goodies that will appeal to her tastes.
To find just the right baby shower invitation for her, browse the adorable, original designs at www.LookLoveSend.com. Baby shower invitations also have coordinating thank you notes, which make an easy and useful gift for you as hostess to give to the mom-to-be. Join the email list and receive 20% off your first order!
|
3 Oct |
|
|
11:33 pm Posted by Kristy |
This summer we blogged about canning sweet summer berries and other seasonal fruits to create mouthwatering Christmas gifts that will add extra spark to your Christmas card messages. We love the idea of homemade goodies packaged in a pretty jar because they are both budget-friendly and useful. When you know your recipient well enough, you can also really target something you know they’ll especially love!
If you missed out, and fall’s harvest offers as many options as summer did, maybe more as fall naturally leads into the month-by-month holiday trifecta that includes Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. October has just begun, so there’s plenty of time to prepare. Whatsmore, most of these dry mix ingredients keep a long shelf-life, so you can start now!
- Muffin Mixes. You jar the dry ingredients, attach the recipe, and your recipient simply adds a few wet ingredients (commonly some egg, oil or water.) Get started with this apple muffin recipe, or use your own favorite recipe.
- Holiday Drink Mixes. This involves mixing of dry, powdered ingredients and recipes will yield several gift jars. Try this tasty mix for amaretto cocoa and attach the recipe.
- Soup Mixes. Nothing signals autumn like a hearty bean soup, and the colors in this layered dried bean soup mix recipe make a beautiful jarred gift.
To adorn your jars, include the recipe along with information about storage and serving sizes. You can use either adhesive labels or tie on a card with holiday ribbon depending on how much information you need to provide, or do both. If you don’t already collect jars through the year, you can find traditional mason jars at a local dollar store or Walmart.
To find Christmas cards to accompany your gift, or to mail separately, check the growing collection available at www.LookLoveSend.com. Look also for a post about LookLoveSend’s wonderful holiday card collection by renowned mommyblogger Emily Hill on her website, www.isthisreallymylife.com. When you read her blog on Tuesday, October 4th, you can enter her giveaway contest for a chance to win a $75 promotional coupon towards your LookLoveSend holiday order.
|
3 Oct |
|
|
4:00 am Posted by Nicola |
Kids are usually so excited to announce their age; I’m sure we’ve all heard a childproudly state that she is 5 3/4 years old and try to hold up as many fingers. This is particularly true on a young child’s birthday as she gets a year “bigger” and feels more grown up. So for your next kids’ birthday party, broadcast the age of your child and make it all about being “X” years old.
Set the tone by sending a birthday party invitation that specifically references the age of your child. LookLoveSend.com has a great selection of girl and boy age-specific birthday cards such as A Colorful Celebration by designer Sandra Roth, shown below.
As with most of our birthday party invitations, many or all text elements can be edited and colors changed – so this blue 1-year old card could just as well be modified as a pink 5-year old card.
Enhance your child’s excitement about getting a year older by incorporating his age into decorations wherever you can. Adorn the birthday cake with your child’s age (and not just by the candle count). To decorate a blank wall or door, simply blow up colored balloons and double-stick tape them in the shape of your child’s birthday number.
The pinata is always a favorite for kids ages 4 and up; either buy one in the shape of your child’s age or make your own (hint: you can use duct tape to shape your balloon number mold, it’s actually less difficult than you’d think!)
It’s fair to say that we become less excited about birthday cards announcing our age as we grow older. So embrace your child’s excitement about being 6 while you can. Join our mailing list to receive 20% off your first birthday party invitation order with us.
