|
14 Jun |
|
|
10:12 am Posted by Kristy |
Ever heard of the Great American Backyard Campout? It’s a national fundraising event put on by the National Wildlife Federation officially scheduled for June 23, 2012. It’s mission is to raise funds while bringing families and especially kids into the outdoors. Individual families and groups can register online and get lots of tips and checklists to make their camp-out a fun, safe and successful adventure.
It’s also a great opportunity to throw your own camp-out party. Whether your purpose is a birthday party or just a fun reason to get kids and families together, you can do something good while you’re at it! Send out party invitations online or order custom party invites with info about the fundraiser. Let guests know they can choose whether to stay and sleep through the night, or to enjoy an ‘Almost Camp-out‘ type of event.
Throwing a Camp-out Party in Your Own Backyard
To make your party a success, rely on some of the tips NWF provides right on their website. We’ve pulled a few important ones if you’re doing a party, but these same things apply if you’re just camping out as a family on your own too.
Supplies
As backyard camp-out host, you’ll need to provide some basic things. But you’ll want to help guests know what to bring too. Here’s a helpful checklist from www.nwf.org that you can share with your camper guests:
- Tent (or a blanket and tarp)
- Sleeping bag (or a sheet and blankets)
- Sleeping pad or air mattress (or just a plastic sheet over old newspapers)
- Warm clothes
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Insect repellent
- Bottle of water
Food
The usual suspects are hotdogs, hamburgers and s’mores. But other alternatives could include marinated chicken wings, shrimp or chicken kabobs, and a s’mores lasagna if you’re skipping the campfire. (the “lasagna” is simply layers of the graham cracker crust, melted chocolate or pudding, and marshmallow fluff!)
Games
As camp-out host, start some classic camp-fire games once dark falls. These might already be familiar to you:
- I’m going on a trip and I’m bringing...This is where one person (the game leader) privately decides on a specific rule that everyone has to follow when deciding what they will bring on this imaginary trip. Players eventually figure out what the rule is after listening to the leader agree or not agree what each player can bring to be allowed on the trip. (Example: Larry can bring Lemons and Betsy can bring Binoculars.)
- Two Truths and a Tall Tale. Each person gets a turn to tell the group three things about themselves, one of which is not true. Everyone else has to identify which one is not true.
Get started planning your own backyard camp-out. Invite the neighbors or your kids’ friends’ families. You’ll find custom party invites that you can personalize with your camp-out details at www.LookLoveSend.com. Sending invitations is a great idea if you want to formalize the event and perhaps start an annual tradition.
|
12 Jun |
|
|
4:30 pm Posted by Kristy |
Giving wedding favors to your guests has become one of the more optional traditions in wedding planning. Today more than ever, couples may consider forgoing spending on wedding favors as an easy, more acceptable way to cut back.
One increasingly popular alternative to replace wedding favors is to donate to a charitable cause. While it may not sound like a way to save costs, you can donate a lump sum that still amounts to less than what you might spend buying wedding favors. This is especially true if you are having a large wedding with more than 150 guests. Even a $250 donation will probably cost less than buying favors for more than 100 guests!
Choose Your Charity
Nationally recognized organizations like the American Cancer Society or National Wildlife Foundation are obvious choices. But you may choose a cause that is more meaningful to you as a couple. Or, maybe a friend or family member has been impacted in some way that points you in a certain direction. Also, no donation is too small–it can make a big difference to a local organization. A local women and children’s shelter or food bank is always in need. If you are having your wedding ceremony in a place of worship, find out about its local charity work and see if any of their beneficiary groups are in particular need.
Tell Guests About the Donation
If you decide to give to a charitable cause in place of spending money on wedding favors, make sure to let your guests know about it. Also, make them feel like they are part of this giving. The important part about replacing wedding favors with giving is to tell your guests a donation has been made on their behalf.
Use a wedding place card to print your charitable donation
You can do this by printing out small cards such as wedding place cards to set in each seat at your table. The simplest wording could be something along these lines:
“We have chosen to make a donation to [name of organization] on your behalf and thank you for being part of our special day.”
Be sure to share some information about the organization if it’s not well known, and at the very least print the website where guests may go for more information.
You can find a wide selection of styles for wedding place cards and other wedding stationery at www.LookLoveSend.com. Coordinate all your pieces, from wedding save the date cards through wedding invitations and wedding thank you cards all with a single design. All cards and invitations are printed on premium quality paper. Customize your text to say what you want and upload a photo or other image to create your own custom wedding invitation.
|
9 Jun |
|
|
9:07 pm Posted by Nicola |
nursery design by Lara Mark
- After painting or wallpapering your baby’s room, air it out for at least a month before baby’s arrival to eliminate all fumes.
- Don’t put comforters or pillows in baby’s crib. In late 2011, the American Academy of Pediatrics also recommended against the use of crib bumpers.
- Keep all diaper changing items close to the changing table so you don’t have to reach far when changing baby.
- Use double-sided tape to attach rugs to the floor to prevent slipping.
- Put the crib in a spot that doesn’t receive direct sunlight or a bright outside light at night.
- Make sure any curtain or blind cords are placed out of reach.
- Attach all bookshelves and other large furniture to walls to avoid risk of falling.
- Make sure the crib is correctly and tightly assembled. Check that you cannot pass a 12-oz soda can between the crib slats or through any other opening on the crib.
The LookLoveSend team of moms recommends setting up the basic décor and furniture for your baby’s nursery towards the end of your second trimester and then registering for the fun decorative touches. For fresh baby shower invitation choices, checkout the growing selection at LookLoveSend.com for spectacular designs, excellent customer service, and an easy ordering process.
|
8 Jun |
|
|
4:19 am Posted by Kristy |
Planning a birthday party for the preschool crowd (ages 2, 3 and 4) is really easy if you stick to a formula: Short, Sweet and Simple. Parents will know from the facts printed in your birthday party invitations that the party will be designed especially for this age group. By the numbers, keep your head count down (five guests or less), duration to under two hours, and sugar count low (think cake alternatives).
Beary Birthday
Keep It Short
We’ve given the nod to the magic of the short birthday party in a previous blog. This is even more true for the preschool crowd. Sugar and crowds don’t make for a pleasant combination for those who still need naps to make it to dinner. But when it comes down to it, there is no good reason for a birthday party for this age group to run more than two hours, and an hour-and-a-half is ideal.
Make It Sweet
So have you ever seen how a two-year old reacts to a real, life-size Barney? Did you experience the arched back when you tried to put your toddler in Santa’s lap at the mall? If so, you know what we’re talking about–NO characters! No clowns, no magicians, no puppets. Save yourself the money and headache. All that ‘Sweet’ requires is attentive adults, kiddie-tune background music, colorful treats like cupcakes, cookies or Popsicles and a photo opp! Be extra sweet by giving out personalized favors. A single useful, fun favor marked with each child’s name, like a new bouncy ball or can of play-doh, is a nice touch.
Simple is Better
Take a current party trend among the older kids and adapt it to do at home. For example, the pricey, chaotic but popular Build-a-Bear workshop done by the eponymous store franchise can be adapted at home for 2 and 3 year olds as a Teddy Bear picnic. Ask each guest to bring their favorite bear and a blanket to sit on in your birthday party invitations. You’ll find low-cost “bear wear” at craft stores like Michael’s. Purchase many of one bear clothing item to give as party favors, or make your own. Cut out your own bear accessories from fabric to tie onto the kids’ bears as special bear bow-ties or hair-bows. Bear-track paw-print cupcakes or a bear pancakes are unique treat idea.
Shop www.LookLoveSend.com for a great selection to create birthday invitations that are colorful and energetic. You can personalize your birthday invitations online quickly and easily, including a photo of your birthday star if you’d like. Invitations print on premium quality card stock and all orders ship the next business day!
|
6 Jun |
|
|
10:49 am Posted by Kristy |
Name. Color. Graphics. These are the most visible clues on birth announcement cards that indicate boy baby or girl baby. Of course this matters only in the rare instance you hadn’t heard already!
The rising popularity of gender-neutral names and modern birth announcement designs mean your baby’s birth announcement card could raise more questions than it answers. Have some fun if you want to keep the recipients of your baby’s birth announcement cards guessing.
How to Keep Birth Announcement Cards Gender Neutral
If you prefer not to impose presumptuous gender-identity characteristics on your newborn, follow this formula when you’re shopping for your custom birth announcements:
Choose a popular 2012 unisex name.
Choose one in the Top 3, or, for the sake of less confusion later on in school, go for a less popular one from among the Bottom 3:
| TOP 3 | BOTTOM 3 |
| 1. Harper | 1. Cameron |
| 2. Quinn | 2. Teagan |
| 3. Rowan | 3. River |
Think beyond pink and blue.
Not all birth announcement cards are designed using traditional color choices. Try something in a stylish yet gender-neutral color palette like the two choices below:
 Little Sweetie |
 Simple & Sweet |
Forgo stereotypical icons or characters.
Things that move (airplanes, trains, rockets) seem more associated with boys, while the sweeter things found in nature (butterflies, flowers, ladybugs) tend to be for girls. But certain critter cards could suit either boy or girl, like the two options below:
 Stroller |
 Animal Portraits |
On the plus side, this strategy could prompt a call or two from someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. On the other hand, you might not want to consider this approach if you don’t want any confusion when it comes to a baby gift.
Whatever your particular taste and style, you’ll find a growing collection of high quality, highly original birth announcement cards at www.LookLoveSend.com. Whether baby’s arrival is still months away or you are feeling a bit behind ordering your announcements, you will be sure to find a stylish, unique design perfect for you. Most birth announcement cards also have coordinating baby thank you cards for responding to all the gifts you will receive for baby. All personalized baby stationery is printed on the highest quality paper, and orders ship the next business day!
|
4 Jun |
|
|
10:46 pm Posted by Kristy |
Watching Prince William and his new bride Kate Middleton drive off in an unattainably cool Aston-Martin after their wedding ceremony put the stylish wedding getaway car firmly back on the wedding planning agenda.
The traditional departure of the bride and groom in a ‘just married’ vehicle isn’t quite the grand event it used to be. No longer is the wedding night necessarily the first night a bride and groom spend together alone. In addition, wedding receptions often relocate so partying lingers into the early hours of the morning. And, newlyweds often reappear the next morning at post-wedding brunch. All this has lessened the drama surrounding a farewell send-off in a special car.
Even so, you needn’t miss out on an opportunity to ride away in style on your wedding day. Choose a mode of transportation that you’ll love. There’s no rule that says follow the same theme as your wedding. Here are several choices to consider for arriving or departing, either to or from your wedding ceremony and or reception:
- Horse and Carriage – Top off your Cinderella-style dream wedding with the classic horse-drawn carriage.
- Antique or Vintage Luxury Car – Squeeze some romance from history in a Studabaker, Rolls Royce, Bentley.
- Classic Mid-Century Car – Glistening chrome and curving fins on a 1957 Chevy Bel Air or Chrysler 300 make perfect wedding bling.
- Sports Car or Roadster – Convertible anything looks great, but for extra style go for a 1960s Corvette, Mazda RX-7 or a Mustang. Get lucky by scoring access to a British Classic, like a Jaguar.
- Statement Vehicle – Put your personality firmly behind the wheel in anything bold from VolksWagon Bus to Stretch Hummer to motorcycle.
- Boat – Take advantage if water is part of your wedding surroundings with a vintage boat
Make your final appearance count with a classy, stylish and memorable car. For classy, stylish and memorable wedding invitations, look no further than the collections at www.LookLoveSend.com. Enter the monthly wedding sweepstakes for a chance to win $500 towards your entire wedding invitation suite, from save the date cards through ceremony programs and wedding thank you notes. The high quality paper stock and crisp, clear printing will distinguish your invitations, and you can personalize all your components in a few quick clicks. It’s easy and affordable!
|
3 Jun |
|
|
10:09 pm Posted by Nicola |
Reception Site? Check. Guest List? Check. Wedding dress? Check. Around the time that engaged couples are sending out their Save the Date cards, brides usually turn their attention to the many fun wedding details to be arranged – including the bridal bouquet. Not surprisingly, the variety of flower arrangement options is great. Luckily, online inspiration boards, Pinterest, and sites like TheKnot offer thousands of beautiful bouquet photos, but these sites are overwhelmingly sorted by color or style alone. Another aspect of a bride’s bouquet is its shape, so read on to learn about the many shapes of the bridal bouquet before meeting with your florist.
Hand-tied: A hand-tied bouquet is ideal for a casual outdoor wedding, especially to complement a more informal wedding dress style. This type of bouquet usually incorporates just one or two different types of flower and provides a beautifully simple floral vibe.
nosegay bouquet
Nosegay: The nosegay is a round cluster of flowers and foliage. This style of bouquet can be either formal or informal depending on the type of flowers used and the choice of fabric covering its stems. A Nosegay is a very versatile bouquet choice for any wedding.
Cascade: The cascade bouquet looks like a waterfall of flowers flowing down the bride’s dress. This bouquet type is most commonly seen in formal and traditional weddings but should be avoided by petite brides so she is not overwhelmed by flowers.
Pageant: The pageant-shaped bouquet is easy to imagine – think Miss USA carrying her floral bouquet tucked into the crock of her arm! Long-stemmed flowers such as calla lilies are perfect for this versatile bouquet type that works for both formal and informal events.
composite bouquet
Composite: This unique bouquet type provides the illusion of a single large flower but is created by starting with a central flower and attaching multiple petals of the same flower to create an oversized bloom. The composite bouquet provides a modern vibe and is well suited for a chic simplistic wedding style.
Free-form: inspiration and guidance aside, there are no set bouquet rules for any bride. The free-form bouquet has no specific shape and allows the bride to collaborate with her florist to design a one-of-a-kind arrangement for her special day. Peacock feathers, tropical flowers, berries – the sky’s the limit for the unique free-form bouquet.
When meeting with your florist, bring a photo of your wedding dress and don’t hesitate to tap into their expertise to pick the best flowers and perfect bouquet shape. For your wedding stationery needs, checkout the growing selection of fresh wedding invitations, save the date cards, and other coordinating stationery elements available at LookLoveSend.com. For the chance to win $500 towards your complete wedding invitation suite, enter our monthly Sweepstakes today!
|
2 Jun |
|
|
10:01 pm Posted by Nicola |
The expression ‘born with a silver spoon in his mouth’ comes from the old tradition of wealthy godparents giving a silver spoon to their godchildren at baptism ceremonies. But for those of us don’t want to shop for engraved silverware, what to buy when you receive a baptism invitation in the mail? Read on for guidance for more contemporary baptism gift etiquette.
Floral Baptism by Amanda Zoss
- Baptism invitations are usually sent to immediate family members and godparents only. It is appropriate for these invitees to bring the baby a gift. Extended family members and friends may be invited to a reception following the baptism ceremony. If folks attending this reception have already presented the parents with a gift at the baby shower or following the child’s birth, they are not obligated to bring an additional gift to the reception although presenting a card of good wishes is always a good idea.
A baptism is a more formal occasion than a baby shower, so it is fitting for baptism gifts to be more sentimental than onesies and Diaper Genies. Good sentimental baptism gifts ideas are items that can be engraved or inscribed with the baby’s name and date of birth such as picture frames, keepsake books or special ornaments. Handmade or heirloom gifts are also meaningful gift choices as items for the baby to treasure for many years to come. Monetary gifts are also appropriate either in the form of cash or a savings bond or investment certificate in the baby’s name.
If you are hosting rather than attending a baptism celebration, be sure to checkout the selection of fantastic baptism invitations available at LookLoveSend. All cards are printed on superior quality paper stock, are easily customizable, and can be ordered in quantities as small as ten.
|
1 Jun |
|
|
6:00 am Posted by Kristy |
When planning out the details of your wedding invitation suite, menu cards are probably not the first component you think about. Save the date cards get mailed out first, so setting your wedding date is the first detail. The same is true for choosing a wedding venue, so you can complete your wedding reception cards. But finalizing details about appetizers, salads and entrees comes sooner than you’d expect, especially if you plan to include menu cards inside your wedding invitations when they are mailed out.
Why Include Menu Cards Inside Your Wedding Invitations
Invite and Delight
Sending wedding menu cards along with your wedding invitations can excite guests with details about the food you plan to serve. Whether you are having a formal sit-down dinner or a buffet, providing descriptions of appetizers, salads and entrees not only lets guests know what to expect, it may entice them as well!
Collect Entree Orders
But it’s not just for the pleasure and comfort of your guests. The main reason to include a wedding menu card inside each guest’s wedding invitation is so they can make a choice, usually just among entree selections. Typically, guests indicate their entree choice directly on the wedding response card, which can be pre-printed with menu selections. Receiving wedding response cards helps your caterer know how many of each kind of entree to prepare.
A Special Courtesy
Finally, including menu cards inside your wedding invitations is a courtesy to guests who may have special dietary restrictions or food allergies. In those cases, it’s a good idea to find out from your venue or caterer whether special meal alternatives will be available. You can then say so on your menu cards, indicating that additional menu options can be made available upon request. Be sure to discuss this first with your caterer.
For help creating your wedding menu cards, browse the beautiful examples of menu card designs at www.LookLoveSend.com. Our wedding menu cards are designed as part of a complete wedding invitation suite, coordinating with other components you want to include in your wedding invitations. All pieces print on luxury papers in rich, bold inks, and your satisfaction is 100 percent guaranteed. For the chance to win $500 towards your complete wedding invitation suite, enter the monthly Sweepstakes today!
