by Christina on September 3, 2010
Attribute it to my Southern upbringing or the fact that I grew up in the stationery business but I am always one to stress the importance of thank you notes. As a kid, I used to consider writing thank you notes a chore but now I’m glad my mom drilled the habit. After all, who doesn’t love receiving good ole’ fashion snail mail? Here are a few tips and tricks to get you started:
E-Mail Doesn’t Cut It: It’s all about the crisp, smooth envelope. That pleasant surprise when you open your mailbox to discover something other than a bill. As much as you love it, so does everyone else. Handwritten notes require a little more time and effort but are much more personal and thoughtful.
Specificity Counts: When writing your thank you notes, include specific details. If you’re thanking someone for a gift card, reference the store (ie. STARBUCKS gift card). If you’re mentioning a present, say what gift they gave you and how, specifically, you intend to use it. Example: Thank you so much for the coffee mugs. I can’t wait to use them in my new apartment.
Break It Up: Especially after a wedding or baby shower, the sheer amount of thank you notes to write may leave you procrastinating. Etiquette guidelines suggest that thank you notes be sent within two weeks of the event or receipt of the gift. If by chance you are writing a professional thank you note, I would send it within days. Try breaking up the task by doing ten a day until you’ve gone through everyone. After all, writing ten thank you notes is a lot less intimidating than writing 100.
Looking for the perfect note card to say “thank you”? Here are some of our favorites!
1. For Girls: Crazy Daisy Thank You Notes by Jasmine & Woo
2. For Boys: Gingham Blue Thank You Notes by Jasmine & Woo
3. For Baby: Pregnant Silhouette Thank You Notes by San Lori (also available in pink)
4. For Her: Damask Delight Pink Thank You Notes by Jasmine & Woo
5. For Him: Sport Stripe Thank You Notes by Whitney English
Socially Yours,
Debbie
by Christina on September 2, 2010
Did you know that September 2, 1945 is the day that the Japanese surrendered and ended World War II? Celebrate the start of our peaceful relationship with Japan by throwing your own Passport to Tokyo Celebration. With a few simple tips and tricks, you can transport yourself to the far East without ever leaving your backyard.
INVITATIONS
We love these Red Mod Floral Invitations by Cross My Heart. The red color is incredibly popular in Asian culture as are floral patterns. This versatile invitation is also perfect for a bridal shower or an adult birthday party.
FOOD
No Japanese-themed soiree would be complete without a little bit of sushi. If the prospect of serving raw fish to your friends and family is a bit too adventurous for your taste, try serving California Rolls. California Rolls are incredibly popular in America because instead of raw fish they feature crab or imitation “krab” paired with cucumber and avocado. This delectable Japanese classic is a personal favorite food of mine. California Rolls are readily available at any sushi restaurant and many places take special orders for parties. Prefer to make your own? Try this California Roll Sushi Recipe.
Looking for a cold, refreshing cocktail? Look no further than a Saketini. This drink combines the Japanese tradition of sake into a fresh and fun “martini”.
ICE COLD SAKETINI (Recipe courtesy of FoodNetwork.com)
Ingredients
2.5 ounces dry sake
1-ounce vodka
Chipped ice
1 Japanese cucumber, cut into 1/4-inch rounds, for garnish
Directions
Combine sake and vodka in a cocktail shaker with the chipped ice and shake well. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a slice of Japanese cucumber.
DÉCOR
My favorite Japanese inspired décor is paper lanterns. These days, paper lanterns are readily available at many craft and party supply stores or you can order them online. We stumbled across these Red Origami Lanterns and thought they’d make the perfect compliment to any Japanese-themed soiree. Pair them with a solid paper lantern to break up color and pattern in the space.
Socially Yours,
Debbie
by Christina on August 25, 2010
Next Food Network Star winner, Aarti Sequeira
Hi friends! I’m back from my little hiatus. I wish I could say I was globetrotting or having a fun-filled adventure but unfortunately the only adventure I had involved a week long hospital stay. The worst part? Going a week without food! You’d think the last thing I want to do under those circumstances is watch the Food Network but for nearly seven-solid days, I had my TV tuned to the channel. I guess I wanted to live vicariously through my favorite TV chefs. I love Giada, Ina, Guy Fieri and many of the FN personalities. Having been recently obsessed with the Next Food Network Star, I was delighted that my personal favorite finalist and prolific food blogger
, Aarti Sequeira, is the newest edition to the Food Network Family.
Sloppy Bombay Joes
One of my favorite aspects of entertaining is introducing friends and family to foods they may not expect. Luckily, Aarti’s new show, aptly named AARTI PARTY, is a fabulous go-to for accessible dishes with a twist of Indian flair. Aarti’s show is a great way to learn not only about Indian culture and flavors but also great tips on preparing foods for a crowd. Last weekend, AARTI PARTY premiered on the Food Network and I was totally impressed with her recipe for
Sloppy “Bombay” Joes. Though Sloppy Joes can be a little on the messy side for entertaining, I love the idea of preparing these unique sandwiches for a small crowd or family. After all, entertaining can be as simple as just a few friends in the back yard.
Be sure to check out Aarti’s recipe for Sloppy “Bombay” Joes and watch her new show, AARTI PARTY on the Food Network! Now that I’m starting to get back on my feet, I can’t wait to try Aarti Sequeira’s delicious Indian-inspired creations.
Socially Yours,
Debbie
by Christina on August 12, 2010
For years, Mindy Weiss has been the go-to wedding planner for top Hollywood celebrities such as Heidi Klum and Jessica Simpson. Now Mindy’s bridal expertise has resulted in a line of paper products for Inviting Company. We’ve always been a fan of Mindy’s taste, so it’s no surprise that we love her invitations.
This Park Bench Couple Invitation is one of her newest styles. From the white dots in the background to the petals on the bottom of the invitation, this engagement party invitation is a perfect example of the kind of detail that makes Mindy’s work stand out. Although it is typeset as an engagement party invitation, it would also be perfect as a bridal shower invitation or a couples’ shower invitation.
Another new style from Mindy Weiss for Inviting Company is this Beach Couple Invitation. What attracted to me most about this piece is the bold use of color, a standout among Mindy’s line. This invitation is perfect for any couple getting married on the beach or those who just love fun in the sun.
In yet another bridal shower invitation, Mindy Weiss brings retro flair to modern styling with this Vintage Blonde Bride Bridal Shower Invitation. I love the frame around the perimeter of the invitation as well as the lilac hue in the background. This bridal shower invitation is perfect for those brides who love to bring Peggy Lee era style to the twenty-first century.
If you’re planning a wedding, bridal shower or engagement party. We hope you’ll check out Mindy Weiss for Inviting Company. With all the enticing designs Mindy has offered up so far, we can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
Socially Yours,
Debbie
by Christina on August 9, 2010
It seems like everywhere I turn on Facebook these days, one of my
friends is becoming a mom. Being in my mid-20’s, I am slowly but
surely making trips to Baby Gap to buy gifts for friends and find
myself gushing over a slew of baby pictures. It’s certainly a
life-transition but one that I can’t wait to explore. In honor of two
of my friends who had babies this week, I’d like to take a moment to
highlight some of our favorite birth announcements by Jasmine & Woo:
This Bumble Bee Photo Birth Announcement can be used for either a boy or girl and is a definite bestseller. The three different color schemes, from neutral to bright, are perfect for a wide range of styles. The bee theme presents ample opportunities for clever wording. For example, “(S)He’s as cute as can bee” or “Our baby’s as sweet as tupelo honey” are some of my favorites. I love the bee motif on the photo card and the honey-comb pattern in the background. Can’t get enough of the bee cuteness? Check out the matching Bumble Bee Baby Shower Invitations.
Another bestseller for baby boys is this Blue Argyle Photo Birth Announcement. I love the marriage of classic, preppy patterns with bright, modern colors. This photo birth announcement also happens to be one of my personal favorites. As another bonus, this photo birth announcement also has matching Blue Argyle Baby Shower Invitations (show above).
This Colorblock Pink Photo Birth Announcement is a brand new addition to our site. The clean lines and modern typography make this the perfect choice for the fashion-forward mom. Like many Jasmine & Woo designs, this photo birth announcement doesn’t shy away from color. For fans of the color pink (such as myself), the three tones of pink are a great way to have plenty in the card without having one bright shade be overwhelming.
Socially Yours,
Debbie
by Christina on August 6, 2010
Go to just about any birthday party and come time for ice cream and
cake, you’ll be faced with a crucial choice: chocolate or vanilla?
Even if only one flavor is served at the party, odds are it’s one of
these two classic birthday cake flavors. Maybe it’s the fact that I
love the color pink or that I always prefer to think outside the box,
but on a personal level, I think it’s time to bring another flavor
into the mainstream: strawberry.
CAKE
Look on virtually any supermarket shelf and you’re bound to find
strawberry cake mixes. I love the Betty Crocker Super Moist
Strawberry cake mix, myself. Topped with either vanilla frosting or
whipped cream, the cake not only tastes amazing but is visually
pleasing as well. For those who prefer to make a cake from scratch,
AllRecipes.com has an awesome recipe for homemade strawberry cake. Using pantry staples and a few easy-to-find ingredients, you can whip
up your own version of Betty Crocker’s creation.
INVITATIONS
Continue the strawberry theme into your invitation with these
Chainlink Pink Invitations by Jasmine and Woo. We love the mixture of the light pink and chocolate brown with strawberry pink accents.
Although this invitation is shown on our site as a baby shower
invitation, it can just as easily be used as a birthday party
invitation. The headline greeting in the center box can be changed
from “OH baby” to “Mia’s One” or whatever simple phrase best captures
the spirit of your party. I love the sophistication of this
invitation and the colors that can easily be translated through out
the party space.
DRINKS
Of course I’m talking about Strawberry Daiquiris! This colorful
cocktail is a favorite among party go-ers and one of my personal
go-tos when I need a refreshing libation. Sandra Lee has a great recipe
for Strawberry Orange Daiquiris that can be prepared with or without
the rum, depending on your crowd.
STRAWBERRY ORANGE DAIQUIRIS (Recipe from FoodNetwork.com)
1 orange
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1 pint fresh strawberries
4 ounces rum, optional
DIRECTIONS
Using a vegetable peeler or zester, remove the zest of the orange,
taking care to leave the pith behind.
In a small saucepan over medium heat whisk together the sugar with 1/4
cup water and the orange zest. Bring to a simmer and remove from heat.
Cool to room temperature.
Reserve 4 strawberries for garnish and remove the hulls and roughly
chop the remainder. Add the strawberries with the juice of the orange
to a blender and fill with ice. Add the cooled orange simple syrup and
blend until smooth. Add the rum, if desired, and blend. Pour into
glasses and garnish with reserved strawberries.
FAVORS
I’m always a sucker for good design, especially when it involves
packaging. These vintage inspired lip glosses by Rosebud Perfume Company make the absolute perfect party favor for big girls and little
girls alike. Plus the eye-catching tin can double as a table accent
at each place setting.
I hope that with these tips and tricks we’ve inspired you to give
strawberries a turn in the limelight.
Socially Yours,
Debbie
by Christina on August 5, 2010
Summer may be winding down, but that doesn’t mean fun in the sun has to stop just yet. Whether you’re hosting a pool party or gathering the neighbors, here’s an easy way to enjoy a perennial summer treat… popsicles. We love this Zoku Quick Pop Maker. Sold at Williams-Sonoma for only $49.95, the Zoku Quick Maker makes homemade popsicles a breeze! Ever since my sister received one at her bridal shower from her future mother-in-law, I can’t wait to get one myself.
If you’re dying to get in on the fun yourself, check out this collection of 32 Popsicle Recipes from Blisstree. They have a vast collection of concoctions from Fudge Pops to Sparkling Orange Pear. There’s still plenty of time for an end-of-summer bash, so gather your friends, fire up the grill and try your hand at creating these sweet treats with the Zoku Quick Pop Maker.
Planning on throwing your very own popsicle bash? Then check out this Popsicle Invitation by Picture Perfect. We love the die-cut shape. As an added fun touch, popsicle sticks are included in the box and can be adhered to the back of the invitations.
We hope you enjoy the last few weeks of summer. If you’re hosting your own end of summer soiree, head to our Facebook page and tell us all about it. Who knows, it just might wind up on the blog 
Socially Yours,
Debbie
by Christina on July 30, 2010
Through the years we’ve become accustomed to a variety of wedding reception traditions. The dollar dance, the tossing of the bouquet/garder, cutting the cake, tossing rice and topping off the evening with a cute little favor box filled with mints, chocolates or nuts. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for chocolate (who isn’t?) but lately, I’ve noticed an emerging trend in wedding favors that has me really excited!
Instead of giving a gift to your guests at the end of the night, how about giving to strangers? That’s right, strangers! Specifically, giving back. In these rough economic times, almost every industry is taking a hit, including non-profits. In 2009, charitable contributions fell 3.6%, the first decline since 1987. And while this statistic isn’t designed to send you running for your checkbook, it does present an opportunity for a creative wedding favor: a charitable donation.
Organizations like JustGive.org make it easier than ever to give back. JustGive boasts a database of 1.5 million charities, all able to accept donations through the JustGive website. Is there a specific cause that’s important to you? The Make A Wish Foundation? The Muscular Dystrophy Association? Or how about Ox-Fam? All of these popular charities along with thousands of smaller, local organizations are all accessible through JustGive.org.
Example of charitable donation cards/favors
The next time you’re hosting an event, consider logging onto their website and chosing a charity that speaks to you. Figure out how much you’ve budgeted for favors (no amount is too small) and make a charitable contribution instead. At the party, hand out small tags or cards to your guests, letting them know that in lieu of a favor, a charitable contribution has been made in their name.
JustGive.org also features a unique wedding registry. Instead of being bogged down with small kitchen appliances and countless silverware sets, engaged couples can register for charitible donations!
Whether your getting married, holding a corporate event or even a birthday party, JustGive.org makes it easy to give back. Be sure to visit the website for more information, charity donation gift cards and a search engine devoted to finding the perfect charity to support.
Socially Yours,
Debbie
by Christina on July 28, 2010
Take two best friends, one gorgeous cake and lots of loving family and friends and what do you get? A 50th birthday celebration fit for “The Queens”! As soon as we received this touching story, we knew we had to feature it on our blog.
Paula Allen and Angie Sims, dubbed by loved ones as “The Queens, have been best friends since 1980. Over the years, the two have shared incredible memories such as competing together in the Special Olympics, swimming, bowling and even participating in a dance troupe. Since both ladies have their birthdays in the summer, Paula’s family decided to throw them both a royal celebration. In typical Queen-like fashion, the ladies stole the show and rocked these awesome feather boas.
Kick off your own regal soiree with these adorable Princess Tiara Invitations from San Lori. Perfect for royalty of all ages, these adorable invitations are a great way to introduce the party theme to your guests.
We love the pink and green balloon centerpieces used for Paula and Angie’s bash. Balloons are a fun, money saving way, to create eye-catching centerpieces. Paula and Angie are all about staying young-at-heart and these table settings reflect their fun-loving personality.
Paula’s sister, Cheryl, created this AMAZING cake for the party. We LOVE the zebra print detail and the silver crowns on the side with Angie and Paula’s names. Such a sweet personal touch that “takes the cake” to a whole ‘nother level!
A big thanks to Cheryl for sharing Paula and Angie’s Queens Jubilee with us! We’d also like to wish a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO PAULA & ANGIE! Keep rockin’ those tiaras and feather boas, ladies.
Socially Yours,
Debbie
by Christina on July 23, 2010
Gathering your friends for a Friday night movie? Kick off your weekend with a refreshing summer cocktail with this White Wine Sangria. We can’t wait to whip up a batch after work before headed to the movies. Tonight we’re off to see Angelina Jolie’s new spy flick, SALT. What are your weekend movie plans?
INGREDIENTS
1 (750 milliliter) bottle dry white wine
3/4 cup peach flavored vodka
6 tablespoons frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
1/4 cup white sugar
1 pound white peaches, pitted and sliced
3/4 cup seedless red grapes, halved
3/4 cup seedless green grapes, halved
DIRECTIONS
In a large pitcher, combine dry white wine, peach vodka, lemonade concentrate and sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add sliced peaches, red and green grapes.
Refrigerate sangria until well chilled, at least 2 hours, or overnight to blend flavors. (OPTIONAL)
Serve over ice, and use a slotted spoon to include sliced peaches and grapes with each serving.
Serves 6. Recipe courtesy of AllRecipes.com.
Socially Yours,
Debbie
