Style Lush

Holiday party invites are out!

By A'Dell

I host a holiday party every year and I'll definitely be having my annual Cookie Day on December 23, as usual. One of my favorite holiday chores is shopping for party invitations for this event. You guys, I was a leeeetle too excited when I saw that Tiny Prints has already released their holiday designs. I've ordered from Tiny Prints for years and have always been pretty pleased with the offerings and final products.

Here are some of my favorites:

Source: tinyprints.com via A'Dell on Pinterest

Source: tinyprints.com via A'Dell on Pinterest

Source: tinyprints.com via A'Dell on Pinterest

Source: tinyprints.com via A'Dell on Pinterest

Source: tinyprints.com via A'Dell on Pinterest

Source: tinyprints.com via A'Dell on Pinterest

 

Where else are we ordering party invitations these days? I like these but I'm not sure there's a clear winner in here. Nothing says COOKIE DAY! to me in quite the right tones. I think I need to keep looking.

 

Birth Announcements: A must?

By Elisabeth

I don't know about you, but I love getting birth announcements in the mail. There is something about those cute, squishy babies that makes me all warm inside.

Sadly to say, I didn't do a birth annoucement with my first. (I know, he's quite devastated over the whole thing. NOT.) But, I am sad. I didn't think it was a big deal at the time. Actually, it's not a big deal, but I do wish I had done it. Heck, I have all the photos still. Can you image getting a birth announcement six years late?

HA.

Luckily, I had two more kids and got the chance to document my very own squishy babies for all the world to see (or to my top 50 family and friends. They don't grow on trees, you know?)

This last effort, I believe, is my favorite. I had had a couple of designs already put together and was dragging my feet to pick a favorite. (Actually, I am going to blame my husband on this one. Trying to get his "OK" on what I had put together, or actually his adoration for all my time spent on this project was all I was really looking for, took TIME, YO.)

Then, I noticed at the top of the birth announcements page on Tinyprints.com they were running a special. I could  get an additional $20 off, plus free shipping if I ordered THAT DAY. Well, hell, I had to make a decision, STAT. A nod from the husband or not, the purchase button was hit.

And this is what I came up with.

Cool, huh?

(On the back of the card I was able to include a note.)

 

Do you have a take on birth announcements? Waste of time, nice to have, or A MUST?

{photo credit: me and tinyprints.com}

Custom Return Address Stamps

By Sara 

A post about custom return address stamps may have been more appropriate during the holiday season when you're addressing a hundred cards and cramping up your hand but I have baby announcements on the brain. I do remember the first time around when it was all I could do to get those cards out within a month of our precious child's arrival. Between the 3 am party every night and the milk factory operating at all hours, we're shocked that it actually happened. Consider yourself lucky if you received one.

This time around I have come prepared to take a little of the pain away. Enter the custom return address stamp:

Custom stamp by PSA Essentials and available at Fine Stationery.

Sending cards for holidays and anniversaries of special occasions is kind of my thing so anything that makes the process a little easier is so welcome. I've wanted one of these stamps for ages and fiinally bit the bullet. At around $40-$45 a piece, these are small investments in your correspondence aresenal but should make a world of difference in getting those cards out on time. I will be happily stamping my way through this fall and winter. 

Paperless Post

By Janet

I so wish I would have known about Paperless Post last September when we moved into our new place. I fully intended to send change of address cards, something fancier than a simple email, but time quickly elapsed. Before I knew it, December arrived and, despite my best intentions, I hadn't sent a single change of address. I quickly designed a simple card noting the change and popped it in with our holiday greetings.

If only I had known about the fun and classy selection of card at Paperless Post! This would have been an efficient but lovely way to let our friends and family know of our whereabouts.

 
 
 
 

The site also includes tastefully designed invitations, save-the-dates, thank you notes, holiday cards, and birthday greetings. I recently used Paperless Post to send invitations to a wine and cheese party and was delighted at how neatly the site took care of tracking the RSVPs.

Each lovely card is sent using a virtual "stamp." When you sign up for an account, the first 25 stamps are free and you can easily earn additional stamps by inviting friends or following Paperless Post on Facebook. For larger mailings, you can purchase additional stamps for just a few cents each.

Certainly, there are still times when only a snail mail greeting will do, but Paperless Post is a lovely option when you are corresponding via technology.

{Image credits: Paperless Post}

They're here! Cute and festive holiday party invitations

By A'Dell

Tiny Prints released their 2010 holiday party invitation designs last week, along with many other online stationers. And YES, I admit that I've already ordered invitations for my annual cookie decorating party.

What? Too early to be thinking about Christmas? No, no, no. It might be too early to put the tree up (I'm saving that for at LEAST the week before Thanksgiving) but it's not too early to cross things off your to-do list and enjoy a small victory. 

This year isn't getting any simpler, so why not just go ahead and cross an easy (and cute) to-do off while you can?
  
1. Uncorked Cheer. Yes, I would love to come to a party with booze. SIGN ME UP. Bonus points for the language lesson.

2. Rustic Wreath: I just think this one is really pretty and sweet.

3. Ornament Tree. Darling for an ornament exchange, which is something I'm dying to attend this year since I've decided we are short in the ornament department.

4. Elephant Swap. Such a cute invite for such a tacky evening. I suppose you class it up where you can when it's White Elephant.

4. Fine Frost. Super classy, love these.  If I was hosting a big dinner I'd send these out.

5. Holiday Cupcake. Perfect for a cookie exchange or dessert/hot cocoa open house.

(A word of warning on these: watch out for square invitations and the 22-cent postage surchage they come with.  Cute ain't cheap.)

7.  Playful Poem: I know lots of people who host casual, everyone's-welcome December 24th parties with tamales or chili for dinner, and this would be such a cute pick for those.

8. Peppermint Hearts: Candy canes as hearts are just enough cutesy-cute without making me want to barf.

9. House Party: A gingerbread house party! How tasty! Someone throw one and invite me.  I will bring the gumdrops if you provide the frosting and graham crackers (or, if you're fancy, actual gingerbread).

Everything you need for the perfect mimosa brunch

By Jennie

I'm hoping to co-host a mimosa brunch later this year and while any party that serves mimosas doesn't need much else to be perfect, there are a few extra touches I'm hoping to make.

If this sounds like your kind of party, you have two options: 1) move to Texas so you can come to my party or 2) throw your own (with some tips below).

First up, invitations. While I love a good, witty evite more than the average party thrower (what price is better than free?), paper invitations aren't something to scoff at. Who doesn't love getting mail? And mail that's inviting you to a party? I'm sorry, that's just downright fun right there.

For only $15, you can buy a customizable and printable invitation like this Garden Party Invitation from Em Papers Etsy Shop. Customize it, print on the paper of your choice and voila! Not too expensive, not too difficult.

 

{Photo from Em Papers}

Also, if you opt for paper invitations, spruce up your envelopes with this fantastic return address stamp ($38) from Letter Girl's Etsy shop. I've been wanting one for ages.

Next up, the decor. Keep it simple! Put some daises in thin white vases around the house (how gorgeous are these white milk glass vases?), use clean, crisp white linens, and make the table pop with some bright, colorful ruffle chargers ($4.95 at Crate and Barrel).

 

{Photo from Sugar Push Vintage}

 

{Photo from Crate & Barrel}

Now, let's not forget the star of the table. The champagne flute. While you could certainly pick out something funky for each of your guests or even keep it easy (and less breakable) with a plastic flute, I like this classic flute that's reasonably priced from Crate & Barrel.

 

{Photo from Crate & Barrel}

You'll also need champagne for those mimosas, so check out our champagne round-up for some great tips.

Now, the menu. Keep this simple too. Muffins, (sweet or savory) scones, an easy breakfast casserole. For my party, I've definitely bookmarked these blueberry crumb bars from The Sweets Life, as well. Hey, why not also have a little chocolate and make these mimosa brownies from Cakespy? (They fit the theme!)

{Photo from The Sweets Life}

Yum.

If you're into giving favors, check out this perfect gift idea from Make & Takes: mason jar cupcakes.

{Photo from Make & Takes}

Or, pick up one, really nice gift and have a drawing at the party. I love this novelty apron from Paper Source.

Most of all, enjoy yourself. Have fun, sip a mimosa and talk tv, books, hair, and husbands with your favorite friends. That's what parties are really all about. The stuff is fun, the company is better.

Enjoy!

Invitations I Love: Summer Soirées

by Kerri Anne

Maybe it's because I've had so many awesome friends visiting recently, or maybe it's because I'm eagerly anticipating another month and a half filled with awesome friend-related activities, but lately I've noticed I want to be occupying a sunny patio whenever possible, drinking ice-cold adult beverages with friends old and new.

Summer is definitely one of those seasons that lends itself to seemingly endless opportunities for social gatherings, and the best start to a great and memorable party? Lovely, creative, summertime-inspired invitations, of course!

Here are some of my current favorites:

Garden Party Invite {15 USD} by e.m. papers

 

While originally created as a wedding invite, these could easily be redesigned into an invitation to a whimsical summer garden party.

Boastful Boat Invite {30 USD} by And Bear

 

Ice-Cream Party Invite {15 USD} by Sunday Girl Designs

Swing Invitation {20 USD} by Itsy Bitsy Store

 

BBQ Party Invite {16 USD} by Roxter Designs

 

Pool Party Invite {10 USD} by Hannah Cloud

 

And the invitation guaranteed to garner a (toothless?) grin:

Hangover Invitation {12 USD} by Designs Made Easy

 

Though clearly originally intended as a bachelor party invite, this one (like all the rest) can be tailored to fit your specific party needs.

I personally think it would make an awesome baby shower invite. 

-----

What about you? I'd love to hear about any favorite invitations you've received, seen, or sent recently! 

DIY Baby Shower on a Budget

By Sara

Consider this a "baby shower in a bag." I found it/made it/bought it and am now passing on these gems to you.

I threw a baby shower for one of my closest friends this past weekend and spent an inordinate amount of time obsessing over every little detail. I had a VERY tight budget, but I wanted it to be as close to perfect as possible. This is how the shower ended up a DIY affair on a picture perfect day.  

Let's begin with the invitation aka the jumping off point:

Invitation by Potts Design on minted.com. 

From the invitation we pulled the theme (sweet treats aka as much sugar as we can cram in our pie-holes), the colors (orange and bright pink--yes, the baby is a girl), and the fonts used throughout the rest of the paper goods.  

Next we chose our decor which involved those tissue paper pom poms good ol' Martha (and Style Lush's own Amy) taught us all how to make:

 

Behind the pom poms you'll notice the ubiquitous baby clothesline ... all orange and pink, natch.

Then we searched high and low for the perfect favor to go with our "sweet treats" theme and what better way to say "thank you" then with a favor inspired by the fabulous Bakerella:

Layered cookie mix with pink and orange m&ms (found at Party City). Favor tag made at home using the invite as inspiration.

And what is a "sweet treats" baby shower without a table laden with sugar-filled happiness?

 

Cake balls, lemon bars, cupcakes, cookies, OH MY! And all homemade by an adorable grandma.

 

Cupcakes tags also inspired by the invitation and printed at home.

Let's not forget the shower activity. We abhor embarrassing and/or ridiculous shower games like "guess the baby food" so we decided to have the guests create the baby's first alphabet book by decorating the lettered pages that we put on two binder rings:

 

This was so well-received I may never think up another shower activity again.  

And last but not least, the famous "diaper" cake. We farmed this out to one of the more creative guests and she did it up right (with PAMPERS even):

There you have it, friends. We had two hostesses, 16 guests, and one happy mommy-to-be all on less than $150 per hostess. Not bad, not bad at all. Go forth and conquer your next baby shower!

All images by yours truly.

Sponsor Spotlight: Saddle Stitch Studio

By Jennie

This month we welcome a new sponsor, the personalized invitation and stationery shop Saddle Stitch Studio. You may remember their funky business cards featured in Kerri Anne's phenomenal round-up.

I encourage you to check out their entire site, as you won't be disappointed, but some of my favorites:

You can get 12 personalized BBQ party invitations with 12 envelopes for $24. 

Modern cowboy silhouette print for $18

AND

Modern recipe cards. 24 for $18.

We're thrilled to introduce to you to their shop, as it's a great one.

As always, friends, happy shopping.

{All photos courtesy of Saddle Stitch Studio}

Save the Dates

By Leah

Did you hear about the STD that went viral (ha!) on YouTube a few months ago? This fake movie trailer for Jeff and Erin Wong's wedding was as elaborate a Save the Date announcement as I've ever seen, and although I could let it get me down, because there is NO WAY anyone can compete with that--least of all me, who has been engaged for more than a year and still hasn't even set a date for anyone to save (because that's what happens when you decide to have the baby before the wedding), instead I'm going to use it as a pressure-release valve: if I can't outdo Jeff and Erin, I won't even try. I'll just do something sweet and small and us, and that will be its own perfection. Phew, I feel better already.

 

So, last week, my benevolent Style Lush overlord Jennie sent out a link to the adorable STDs above, which she caught from Say Yes to Hoboken, which she caught from Martha Stewart Weddings. (Man, those STDs get around, don't they? HAR.) My own juvenile nature aside, I found this design so simple and lovely that I immediately took to the web for more ideas, and now I'm spreading my best finds to you. A good handful of what follows are DIY projects (some more complex than others), and they range from the supah cheap to the elaborate; hopefully there's something here to inspire you (and me, because, good god, woman, get married already!).  

First up, for movie buffs who don't have the skills or bank account to do what Jeff and Erin did (although check out the "Related Videos" sidebar on their YouTube page for some modest, homemade STD trailers), these personalized movie tickets get the same basic point across (come to our wedding!) but for a lot less work.

 
Image credit: Bridepop.com

Everyone loves movies, but you know what else everyone loves? Cookies.

 
You'll want to find a custom cookiemaker in your area, or shop around for the design and price package that fits your wedding, but for a taste of the different looks out there, these examples are, left to right, courtesy of Gracious Bridal, Celebrity Wedding Buzz, and My Wedding Market. (Just make sure you also print the info on an insert in case the cookie gets eaten before the date is marked on your guests' inedible calendars.) 

A few years ago, we attended a wedding in Puerto Vallarta, and part of the pre-wedding swag the bride and groom sent their guests was a mix CD of Mexican love songs to set the mood for the getaway. Add to this a trip to the office supply store and a little time spent designing CD labels and case inserts, and you'd have a rockin' Save the Date just like that.

Image credit: SmartBride.com.au

Blogger Chirky announced her baby's due date last year with Scrabble tiles and customized racks, and this idea could be easily customized for a wedding--just use the letters to spell "Wedding" instead of "Baby" (duh), unless there's something you're not telling me...

 

Judging by the number of examples I found on the Internet, sending out a photobooth Save the Date may not be the best choice if you're going for "original," but darn it if they aren't adorable. If someone gives you the stink-eye about them being sooo 2000 and LATE, explain that they're not "cliche," they're "classic." 

  
  
Image credit: MakeYourOwnInvitations.com 

Here's your regular-old paper invitation, but this time with a TMI twist, for those of us (ahem, bloggers) who like to overshare:

 
Via iDIY, via Wedding Wire (and check out that second link for more superb STD ideas) 

Feeling extra-crafty? Handy with an Xacto knife? Check out this step-by-step reveal of a chic pop-up card from Buried Sunshine (on hiatus).
 

Now this? This is cool:

 
If you were really crazy, I bet you could even find plain nesting dolls somewhere and custom paint them in your wedding colors. Or paint them to look like your guests! Or...maybe not.

Image credit: Ceci New York

You may have noticed we Style Lushers love our champagne, which means we'd RSVP a resounding Y-E-S to any couple who sent their Save the Dates via custom champagne labels (or etching, as below). Each (mini-?)bottle of bubbly could be either boxed and shipped in its own crate or hand-delivered by the bride and groom with champagne flutes in tow. Now everyone's ready to celebrate.

 
Image credit: Etched Expressions

Now it's your turn. Do you have any links to add to the list? What are the best Save the Dates you've sent/received?