Fab * Blog by InvitationConsultants.com

Fabulous Flashbacks | Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?

Hello gumshoes!

This post reaches (not too far) back to around 1991. A widely popular computer game turned TV game show, the point was to ask yourself Where in the World is this woman as she had her V.I.L.E. henchman (perhaps Vic the Slick, Robocrook, Double Trouble, Eartha Brute, Top Grunge, or Kneemoi had something to do with it) carry out such tasks as stealing famous landmarks. The game show contestants had to use their geographical knowledge to follow the criminal from place to place all around the world. The person with the most points at the end of the show had the chance to catch the villainess.

Find out how you can throw a fabulous detective party!

Ikea Scavenger Hunt: The Results!

Yesterday, I posted about how psyched we were to be going on an IKEA scavenger hunt. We had an absolute blast and showed IKEA what creativity really looks like. Here were our tasks:

1. Create a fictional couple and design them an apartment to live in. They had a budget of $2,000 and a living space of 1,000 sq. feet.
2. Draw them a floor plan, including all of the furniture and accessories you pick out.
3. Take a photo of each item you chose.  
4. Take hilarious photos of you using the furniture and accessories as inspiration.

While no one 'won' per say, it was obvious that team one exceeded at taking silly photos (some not appropriate for blogging), and team two kicked butt at designing a fabulous apartment within budget.

Check out our photos above from left to right: name tags of famous sleuths made for team one, Olivier riding a bicycle up a wall, comfy armchairs picked out for our imaginary couples, an IKEA shout out, Antoinette with team one's floor plan, Kyle using trashcans as bongos for passersby, Allison peaking out of a shower stall, me with team two's floor plan, Brittany posing from inside a closet, and a group shot minus Allison who volunteered to photograph it.

Overall it was an awesome time, and an easy event to arrange for your own party!

Ikea Scavenger Hunt

Ok, so we've been all a twitter over the launch of our newest line of invitations Red Leaf Papers. There are close to 500 designs spread over two albums: The Everyday Collection and The Holiday Collection. When designing, the team often looked to various sources of inspiration: bridal blogs, fashion and architecture magazines, and.... IKEA.

IKEA seemed to become a topic of discussion at almost every meeting. It appeared all of us love their clean, simple, and modern design. It so happened that they opened up the first IKEA in our home town back in May so, it seemed like perfect timing. Allison planned a trip for us to IKEA and has set up a very competitive scavenger hunt. It's team one vs. team two, and while I might be biased, team one is going to win. We're going today, and there will be plenty of pictures, so drop by tomorrow when I share pictures of the trip, the winners (team one), and tips for having your own scavenger hunt party.

Fabulous Flashbacks Part Two | Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner

Oh what I would give to travel back to the summer of 1963. Dirty Dancing (1987) was a flashback to that summer, set in the catskills, and filled with the best music you could ask for. It had everything: adventure, romance, humor, and it was full of heart. It remains one of my favorites, and I think having a Dirty Dancing themed party would be a perfect way to end a summer.

Some tips for a perfectly sweet dirty dancing celebration:

1. Wear a whispy pink dress like the innocent frock Baby wears when she is heroically lifted from the stage by the hulky Johnnie.
2. Serve watermelon treats as an ode to Johnny and Baby's first conversation in which she nervously tells him "I carried a watermelon".
3. Hang photos or illustrations of famous scenes from the movie. Featured above is one original by my favorite Etsy artist Elloh.
4. Set up a karaoke machine and host an impromptu talent show. In the flick, Baby's older sister Lisa practices a hula song in costume so have some props and costume wear on hand.
5. Play 'Hungry Eyes' or 'I've Have the Time of My Life' and see who can reenact the scene with the least giggling.
6. Invite your guests with sweet and summery floral invitations like featured above or fun dance themed invitations.

Images from left to right: Bedroom Eyes Dress and Bedroom Terrace Dress by ModCloth, Watermelon Sorbet from the Food Network, Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner by Elloh, Dirty Dancing logo, Purple Petal Invitation,  Johnny and Baby Dancing, & Baby and Johnny's cousin carrying watermelons.

Deal of the Week! 25% off select admission ticket invitations!

I have a friend who saves every admission ticket she has ever purchased- movies, plays, concerts, and other random events. She just crazy over them. It's an awesome way to document your adventures. Inspired by her extensive collection, select admission ticket themed invitations are 25% off this week. So go on, admit one to your party.

Fall Party Preview & Trends (Budget Friendly)

Your favorite websites and stores are already gearing up for fall. The colors are quickly changing from bright white to cream and more natural colors and slowly those pinks will change to burgundy. The weather may still be toasty but fall planning is upon us all. I actually have never met anyone that does not like the fall season. Changing weather, leaves turning colors and the feeling of lazy summer days coming to an end. 

So in the spirit of fall, here are three fall party trends to keep any eye on: (and they are budget friendly)

1. Fall Weddings...are on the rise, because they are often more reasonably priced. For those who love jewel toned colors this is the best time of year to have ruby, emerald, mustard, and amber colors at your wedding. Some couples are looking for alternatives to spring flowers and turning to trees with silk leaves and topiaries with autumnal colors. Fall inspired: Fall Wedding Invitations (Awesome Autumn),  Decor-Marzipan acorns, Autumn Bouquet

2. Lakeside Family Get-togethers...You don't need a big lake to have a fabuolous get-together. It's all about family and friends. Gatherings by lakes are getting more popular as fall hits, because the weather is great to sit outside, build a fire, make smores, and go for a hike. Look for these casual parties to grow and think about the great outdoors. Lake inspired:  Inspired Table, Family Photo Opportunity, Picnic by the Lake Invitation

3. Tailgate Parties...These low cost parties are fun, full of food and last all day and sometimes night. Bring out the flannel blankets, portable grill and a huge cooler. Gathering friends to cheer on your hometown team or rival is a great way to throw a party on short notice and enjoy the weather. Tailgate inspired:  Dangling Feet Tailgate Invitation, All about the food, Vintage Tailgating

This fall is all about having great events on a budget.

Fabulous Flashbacks Part One | I Want My...Saved By the Bell

Mark Paul Gosselaar's recent stint on the Jimmy Fallon show was a dream come true for so many people. It brought back delicious memories of Bayside High School with dreamy Zach Morris, athletic AC Slater, nerdy Screech Powers, brainy Jesse Spano, girl-next-door Kelly Kapowski, fashionable Lisa Turtle, and good ol' Mr Belding and his unforgettable high-pitched laugh. It started to make me think of fabulous parties inspired by shows, movies, toys, and anything else that I could possibly think of as a blast from the past.

Here are just a few ideas that you can incorporate to make the perfect Saved By the Bell party:

Our Design Contest Semi-Finalists

We are so excited to annouce our 10 Semi-finalists for our Design Contest that started back in April. The contest ended July 20th and the winners (1st, 2nd and 3rd place) will be announced on August 3rd. Check back here for the winners.

Planning a Destination Wedding – The Right Spot?

Quentin, from Destination Weddings joins us today for his second guest post. Catch up on Quentin's story with his first post.

So we made the decision to have a destination wedding, and the next step is where.  Given that I’ve traveled all over the Caribbean I figured that this would be an easy one…but I was wrong.  There are a ton of great islands, and each one has someplace that looked like it would make the ideal spot for us.  So we started thinking about places we had been before, and started there.

Several years back (before we got engaged), my wife and I vacationed in St. Lucia and stayed at the Windjammer Landing resort.  During our stay we both looked up from our beach chairs when we heard what seemed to be the faint music of violins.  When we looked out towards the end of the beach we saw a wedding taking place on the secluded point extending into the ocean.  It looked incredible, and although neither of us wanted to say it at the time, we both thought it would be a great spot for our wedding. 

Pet Goodies

Okay, so maybe we're a little obsessed with Red Leaf Papers recently. We have a good reason to be excited about over 450 designs which will soon be available in a store near you (and right here on IC). And, we're not the only ones excited-- Parenting magazine featured our Woof and Meow birth announcments in their August issue. They wrote 'You sent announcements when your child was born- doesn't Fido or Fluffy deserve a shout-out too,?'

Here are some of our latest cute pet birth announcements and some of the most adorable pet goodies I could find.

From left to right: Woof and Meow, Peace Sign Collar from Funny Fur, Custom Charm by Etsy seller bynicola,  Sweet Kiss Dining set, Eiffel Tower, Bark Street Journal, Sushi, and Owl Toy- all by Funny Fur.