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17 Jul |
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2:00 pm Posted by Nicola |
What are the signs of a well-mannered child? Of course we all hope our children act perfectly outside the home without being prompted to say ‘thanks for the ride Mrs. Brown!’ after being dropped off after soccer practice carpool. But let’s face it – we often need to give those reminders, especially as our kids grow older, more independent, and prone to peer pressure. Good news is that good manners can be easily taught early in life. Encourage your toddlers and pre-schoolers to do the following and you’ll be well on your way:
'Rainbow Thanks with Photo' by Simon+Kabuki
- Don’t throw anything unless it’s a ball and you’re outside.
- Say please and thank you at all times.
- Take turns and wait patiently for your turn.
- Use your inside voice when indoors.
- Thank gift givers with a hand-written thank you note, even if it’s just signing your name or drawing a picture on a card written by an adult.
- Say excuse me for any rude bodily noises.
- Look at the person you are talking to.
- Hold the door open for others.
- Say sorry for doing something wrong.
- “May I have…” is OK, “I want…” is not.
Give your child a headstart by adopting these habits yourself and setting a great example. Buy cute kid-friendly thank you cards such as ‘Rainbow Thanks with Photo’ which can be personalized for one or more family members and provides ample space for junior’s crayon artwork. And if you are really passionate about this topic, checkout the award-winning board game ‘Blunders’ which teaches etiquette for kids aged kindergarten and up in a fun an interactive way.
For other thank you cards that can be easily customized for your child’s sending, checkout the growing collection at LookLoveSend.com. We offer stylish designs suitable for kids of all ages with fast and efficient customer service!
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16 Jul |
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6:03 pm Posted by Kristy |
Are you planning your wedding for next summer? With the potential for steamy hot temperatures comes the possibility of wilting flowers. Not to mention wilting bridesmaids. Summer weddings, especially those outdoors, will test the sturdiness of your flowers, especially your bouquets and boutonnieres since they sit out of water. Turn to some expert advice on how to choose and maintain your flowers, especially if your wedding reception will take place outside.
3 Tips for Flower Power
Most florists will be your go-to expert for how to take care of your flowers, but be aware about some basics to keep flowers fresh during your wedding day:
- TROPICAL! For flower type, tropical flowers are already acclimated to humidity and heat. Orchids, Birds of Paradise and other blooms that originate in the tropics or along tropical coastlines in the U.S. withstand heat well. You’ll likely pay extra if you have to import them. If you don’t care for tropical flowers or don’t want the cost, choose flowers that have thicker, sturdy waxy petals and leaves. The waxiness acts like a barrier and helps keep moisture in and heat out.
- LOCAL IN SEASON! You best source is to buy local. Flowers from your own region that are also in season are not just authentic, they are also practical. Since they are inherently designed to be in bloom during the time of year your wedding is taking place, chances are they’ll do better.
- KEEP MOIST! Maintenance of your flowers is crucial. Time the delivery for just before your pre-wedding photos. Your florist will want some kind of on-site refrigeration to keep them cool, so clear out space in your refrigerator or have a large cooler available. For the time in transit, give your photographer or someone assisting a water spritzer to instantly perk up wilting blooms.
Once photos that follow your ceremony wrap up, flower bouquets will have less of a role. Many photographers like to shoot a close-up featuring either the bride’s bouquet and wedding invitation or a bridesmaid’s bouquet at a reception table. Also the bridesmaids’ bouquets can be used to surround the cake or to adorn other table displays at the reception.
Flowers are an integral part of wedding planning, and can inspire many details of your wedding day style. Many unique wedding invitations found at www.looklovesend.com incorporate flowers into their designs. Find your unique wedding style by coordinating flowers with a wedding invitation design. Enter our Wedding Invitation Sweepstakes this month for the chance to win $500 towards the design of your choice.
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15 Jul |
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5:24 pm Posted by Nicola |
We’ve all seen those lists of the most essential and useful gifts to buy the first-time mother, but what about those items that are best skipped? As told to super babysite theknot.com, below are some baby items considered to be overrated by real mothers. Consider this list before attending your next baby shower to ensure that baby thank you card gives genuine thanks from the new mom.
Baby Jumbo by Sneha Sheth (also available in pink and yellow)
Baby wipe warmer: a gadget that our own mothers most certainly didn’t own. Warm baby wipes may be a luxury but are they truly necessary? And do we really need another plug-in appliance in baby’s nursery?
Stretch mark lotion: stretch marks are created under the skin so regular lotion works just as well to moisturize skin.
Diaper stacker: this adds a decorative touch but the reality of unpacking a package of diapers just to re-stack them in something better looking is just not a priority for many busy new moms.
Stand-alone bassinets: these are not cheap and infants outgrow them in a matter of weeks. Most babies will do just fine in a pack-n-play or sleeping straight in a crib.
Baby shoes: miniature footwear is so very cute but unfortunately impractical as the tiniest shoes are often stiff, difficult to put on, and they won’t even touch the ground anyway!
Baby snowsuits: one-piece snowsuits can be difficult to put on an infant and the youngest babies are not usually out in the cold for too long and can be more easily wrapped with blankets.
It’s always fun to give that perfect gift at any shower. And if the registry list doesn’t contain anything that seems to perfectly fit the bill, consider ordering baby thank you cards for the mother-to-be. This simple gesture can be a lifesaver for a new mother with little time and many thanks to give. The growing selection of baby thank you cards at LookLoveSend has a custom design for every taste.
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13 Jul |
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8:29 am Posted by Kristy |
No bride should be denied the right to a wedding shower. But you’ve heard the naysayers–those traditionalists who feel that certain conditions preclude a bride or couple from having their day in the sun. These couples need their friends to step up and get those wedding shower invitations mailed.
Wedding showers as we know them became mainstream following World War II. They originated as bridal showers in the late 19th century primarily in the upper middle classes to help increase the bride’ worth (dowry or trousseau) so she could marry the man of her choice. This makes the bridal shower a custom of modern notions, despite the overt sexism of the customary gifts for kitchen and bedroom!
Ironically, the bride or couple sometimes denied a shower are often those who’ve taken their time to find a life partner. They include:
- Second marriage for either partner, or both
- Older couple marrying
- Couple who has been living together for some time
Sending Wedding Shower Invitations for Older or Repeat Marriages
Boho Birds by Genevieve Gail
These modern-day brides and couples deserve the traditional celebration as much as any young, innocent bride of a bygone era:
- Second marriages – Who wants to continue with leftover plates chosen by the first partner? More importantly, removing any and all traces of the first marriage seems like the best way to start anew.
- Older couples – They may have all the trappings of home already, but need to combine their collections. Renew and replace is the way to go.
- Couples living together – With many of the basics already chosen, help them step it up with the finer details they may not have had the means to splurge on.
These examples underscore the important role of wedding shower registries too. Only the couples themselves know what they really need and want to make their new home. No one should deny them their moment! If you want to get started planning a wedding shower for a deserving couple you know, you can find beautiful wedding shower invitations for brides and couples at www.looklovesend.com. All invitations come with coordinating envelopes and orders ship the next business day.
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11 Jul |
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2:37 pm Posted by Kristy |
Modern Dots by Sarah Trainor
Summer vacation is a good time to reflect on the half of the year that’s passed and the part that’s still yet to come. It can be time well spent if you keep track of special activities and events to recall later on in your Christmas cards and letters. While the holiday season may seem like the furthest thing from your mind, it won’t feel that way in just a few short weeks. (Witness Target already stocking their ‘Back to School’ section right after the Fourth was over!)
Summer is a rich time filled with special personal and family moments. New adventures and achievements, however small, make interesting details for Christmas cards and letters. Sending your child off to sleep away camp for the first time? Watching her master a full 100 meters in the pool? What about the baseball all-stars season? From camp-outs and road trips to family gatherings and weddings, keep tabs of the things that will be worth sharing with family and friends later this year.
Simple Ways to Track Christmas Card Details
Calendars & Journals
Nothing extra fancy is required. Use your usual calendar, notebook, or journal if you keep up with one. Enter your activities consistently, or, just don’t throw out old calendar pages. Place them safely in a folder or box labeled ‘Holiday’ or ‘Christmas’ along with any photos you develop (see below). Make note of what was exciting, special, or of particular interest with each entry if possible. Funny quotes from the kids or your own personal thoughts about an experience will help make recounting the experience more interesting later.
Photos
When you download photos, take the time to file them by event rather than just date. Get in the habit of tagging your photos too with details that will be useful later. Use the names of places, people, events, dates and other specifics that are relevant to help you remember the event better later.
In the end, it may be only one or two things from summer that you share. The most appealing Christmas card letters aren’t necessarily the longest. They are the ones that keep family and friends engaged in what’s going on in our lives. This year when the holidays roll around, you’ll be ready to create Christmas cards online quickly and easily because you’ll have an account of moments during the summer that mattered.
When you are ready, find a Christmas card design perfect for your news and updates from the many styles at www.looklovesend.com. Add photos, write text, even get your envelopes addressed. You’ll find both Christmas and Holiday cards, as well as Hanukkah and New Year’s cards too. All print on premium heavy weight papers in your choice of matte or photo-gloss finish.
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10 Jul |
Let Wedding Invitation Design Inspire Reception Table Details |
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4:11 am Posted by Kristy |
A distinctive wedding style really comes down to how much attention you pay to details. Your wedding reception tables are a key place to add more style to your wedding, so don’t overlook opportunities to add some fabulous details. One main source for inspiration is your wedding invitation design and the coordinating stationery pieces you choose to use at the reception. Wedding menus and wedding place cards are the most likely stationery you’ll display directly on your reception tables, so choose flowers in colors that coordinate to enhance your style.
If your wedding invitations use flowers as part of their design, then it’s easy to figure out how to decorate your tables. But not every wedding invitation design lends itself specifically to a particular flower or even color. In that case, it’s up to your own imagination to choose how to dress the table, but you can still let your wedding stationery inspire reception table details.
Examples of Wedding Invitation Design Inspiration
Here are some examples for how to pair wedding menus and place cards with a stylish table or place setting detail:
 Moroccan Medallion menu by Diane Kappa |
 Moroccan Medallion place card |
 Chair tie-back with orange gerber daisy flower detail |
 Love by Vita Mechachonis |
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 Single, vibrant-hued flower on white tableware |
 Indian Summer menu by Diane Kappa |
 Indian Summer place card |
 Modern cream and yellow rose table centerpiece |
Depending on your sources of inspiration, you’ll probably have worked out a color scheme by the time you’re planning the reception. Using wedding stationery at the reception that coordinates with guests’ wedding invitations is an easy way to tie your wedding style together. So be sure to look at all the stationery components that are part of a wedding invitation design when viewing custom wedding invitations online.
For more beautiful examples of wedding menus and wedding place cards, browse the wedding invitation suites at www.looklovesend.com. You’ll find an impressive selection of colors and styles, as well as all the components you want. Also be sure to enter our monthly wedding invitation sweepstakes for the chance to win $500 towards an order of wedding stationery in the design of your choice.
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9 Jul |
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6:48 am Posted by Kristy |
"A Little Birdie Told Me" surprise party invite by Eliza DeVogel
Surprise parties aren’t for everyone. Planning a surprise party can be exciting in concept but nerve-wracking in logistics. Know also whether your guest of honor can handle the surprise gracefully and manage to take on a dual role of star and host. If you can pull it off, it’s an event that tends to run itself.
To truly pull off a genuine surprise, you’ll need to master 3 key logistics. Be sure to include these details directly on personalized party invitations to ensure the full cooperation of your guests. And, it’s always a good idea to emphasize the element of surprise in the party invitation more than once.
Key Details for Your Personalized Party Invitations
Here are 3 key things to figure out for your next surprise party:
- Distracting the Guest of Honor. For a home-based party, all that’s required is to get the guest-of-honor out of the house. For a party at a special location, you’ll need a reason to take them there. Whoever takes on the duty of distracting the guest of honor, make sure it’s someone who’s trusted, such as a close family member or friend. TIP: Make sure your guest-of-honor is dressed enough to feel comfortable once they realize they are the star of the show.
- Making Sure Guests are On Time. Stragglers will not be tolerated! Make it clear right on your personalized party invitations that guests must be prompt. TIP: Hedge your bets by getting everyone on location at minimum of fifteen minutes before the guest of honor arrives.
- Parking. Where to park cars can be a tricky detail. It’s a bit easier if the party location is public, but you’ll want to minimize parking too many recognizable vehicles near the entrance where they could arouse suspicion. For a home-based party, enlist the help of a neighbor or round-the-corner parking space. TIP: Parking logistics may determine the party location altogether to truly maintain the element of surprise.
Whether birthday, anniversary, graduation or wedding, you can find original, high quality personalized party invitations online at www.looklovesend.com. Personalize a favorite design with your own text and photos, choose your preferred paper choice and select additional custom touches including backside printing, lined envelopes, return addresses and more. Order as many invitations as you need or a minimum quantity of ten and your order will ship the next business day.
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6 Jul |
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8:48 am Posted by Kristy |
It’s been said that the First Birthday is as much a milestone celebration for the parents as baby, one that says, “Phew, we made it.” For some parents, the First Birthday for the First Child is akin to a White House First kind-of-affair, and starts with fabulous, fun birthday party invitations.
Hosting a big party for baby is well-deserved for all of those who’ve helped you along the way. And since Baby won’t remember the affair except through photos (so don’t skimp on those!), it’s natural to compensate by surrounding yourself with adults who understand the importance of this milestone. Just make sure they have a good time. Use the First Birthday as a way to express thanks to your family, friends and neighbors who were there for you from the beginning!
Make Your First Birthday Adult Friendly
There are 3 simple ingredients that will help your adult party guests have a good time. Make the event more enticing by putting some of this information right in baby’s first birthday party invitations too:
Beverages
If you are comfortable serving alcohol at the event, don’t keep it hidden. Your guests might not feel comfortable asking for it, so put it out on the counter, kitchen table, or wherever you are serving drinks. Display other refreshing alternatives too, such as iced tea, lemonade, or even a fruit punch that serves a large group.
A Real Menu
Don’t serve just cake and put out a few bowls of munchies…feature one or more substantial entrees. Barbecue, salads, sandwich platter, are all good options. Add a hot side item too, even if it’s something as simple as warm rolls.
Helping Hands
Hire a babysitter specifically for the purpose of helping out guests who have young children. One of the hardest parts for adults with their own babies attending a large party is managing them throughout the event. Make sure other parents know where to go for napping, diaper-changing, kid-friendly bathrooms, etc. Put out extra toys and triple check your house for toddler safety.
You can create birthday invitations that are fresh and fun with the selection of first birthday party invitations at www.LookLoveSend.com. You can personalize many designs with a photo and choose from different color options. Since orders ship the next business day, you can quickly turn your last minute planning into a First Birthday event of grand proportions!
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5 Jul |
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7:55 am Posted by Nicola |
Brides love lists. And a helpful maid of honor or bridesmaid will likely have task lists of her own: help bride shop for wedding gown, send out bridal shower invitations, put together an emergency supply kit for the wedding day. For all the support that a bridesmaid offers the bride in the months leading up to her big day, here are 6 ways a bride can return the favor and keep her maids extra happy.
- Allow bridesmaids to bring a guest. Even if a bridesmaid isn’t in a serious relationship, allow her to bring a date and allow them to sit together at the reception.
- Let bridesmaids pick their own dress. Choose a color to fit the style of your wedding but allow each girl to pick her own dress. You’ll end up with a happier wedding party wearing dresses they feel comfortable in and will probably be able to wear again.
- Don’t require a wedding party dance. In all honesty, guests really only want to see the newlyweds dance. The father-daughter and mother-son dances are a lovely touch if you so choose, but unless you have a particularly close-knit and outgoing bridal party, don’t force that number.
- Pay for updos. If you want your bridesmaids to wear a specific style or something that requires salon help – pay for it.
- Let bridesmaids pick their own shoes. Again, if you want your maids to wear matching shoes, pay for them. Otherwise specify a color and let them wear their own.
- Remember the gifts. Buying a nice piece of jewelry is always a good choice, but consider a personalized gift for each girl for an even more meaningful gesture.
Check wedding stationery off your to-do list by shopping the growing collection of bridal shower invitations, wedding thank you cards, or wedding invitations at LookLoveSend.com. We have custom wedding invitation designs to suit every wedding style and all are printed on high quality paper stock. And enter our monthly sweepstakes below for a chance to win $500 off your wedding stationery order with us!
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3 Jul |
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11:37 am Posted by Nicola |
When is black and white the best photo choice for your birth announcement cards or photo holiday card? Regardless of how many digital images you email, post or share online, every parent wants to capture the best possible photo when sending those printed announcements and greetings to family and friends. So when is black and white the way to go?
Capturing emotion in print. In the absence, of color, the black and white image forces its viewer to focus on the image rather than the color, making it easier to connect with any emotion or action captured in the shot. Many baby and wedding photographers choose black and white photos for those special close-ups that instantly look more polished and timeless as a black and white image. [See our previous blog about tips for photogenic baby announcement cards].
Hiding imperfections. Just as people often look better in candlelight, photos often look better in black and white as skin imperfections are less apparent and lines are crisper. For the novice photographer, black and white photos don’t have to be perfectly lit and allow even the simplest pictures to appear more elegant.
 'Pink and Black Floral' by Simon+Kabuki |
 'Retro Lights' by Suzanne Cahill |
The perfect photo card design for black and white. Some card designs lend themselves perfectly to a black and white photo, whether they feature a lot of color like ‘Retro Lights’ or just the hint of an accent color like ‘Pink and Black Floral’. While customizing your birth announcement cards with LookLoveSend, or when you make holiday cards, try the black and white or sepia coloring option to see if your design looks even better with a color-free photo. You may be pleasantly surprised.
Whether you’re looking for baby, holiday, wedding, party or anything in-between, checkout the growing selection of diverse stationery at www.LookLoveSend.com. All cards are printed on the highest quality paper stock and we stand by our 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.
