Fab * Blog by InvitationConsultants.com

{Corporate Holiday Cards} The Office

Last night, NBC brought together one of the sweetest TV couples of all time in a prime time wedding of awkward proportions. I have (and maybe you have too) been watching Jim and Pam do the proverbial office relationship dance since 2005 holding my breath for the day the two would be happy.Yesterday was that day.

At IC, we've often wondered if any of our corporate clients are anything like The Office crew, but I'm thinking ours are a little cooler, and a little less likely to embarrass each other. One of my favorite moments of last night's episode was seeing the whole Office staff dancing down the aisles, an homage to the YouTube JK Wedding Dance sensation. It was nice to see the staff come together to celebrate Jim & Pam, despite all of the trouble and humiliating moments they've dealt them in the past. It's with that spirit that they remind me of our Funny Owls card from our corporate holiday card collection. It's a little strange, a little cute, and very funny. I've assigned each of the little guys a character from the Office, and I think the most fitting would be Dwight- the slightly angry looking owl in the tie.

Did you watch the Jim + Pam wedding last night? If so, what did you think? 

Office images: Jenna Fischer and John Krasinski in Entertainment Weekly, The Office cast and logo.

{Wednesday Trendsday} Halloween Costume Edition

I can't begin to tell you how important Halloween is at Invitation Consultants. We take it seriously as the silliest holiday of the year. We wear costumes, do performances, munch on candy, and have a parade around the surrounding offices. The costumes are supposed to be a surprise and in the past we've had Borat, Sarah Palin and John McCain, Wilma and Betty from the Flintstones, Lenny Kravitz, Marilyn Monroe, cats, bunnies, ballerinas, and so many others. I can't reveal what I'm going to be this year, because it's a secret, and because I have no clue! That's why today's trendsday focuses on stylish celebrity costumes, fun Halloween party invitations, and some of the top Halloween costumes I think you'll see in 2009.

Top 2009 Halloween Costumes:

Vampires and Ladies who Love Vampires- It's unavoidable. With the success and popularity of Twilight, and True Blood you are likely to see more than one fanger around town. I prefer Sookie & Bill to Bella & Edward, but any vampire will do this year.

Beloved Children's Characters- Classic story books turned films like Where the Wild Things Are and Alice in Wonderland have already begun attracting buzz. Max or Alice would be fabulous costumes for your little one while the Queen of Hearts (see how cute Teri Hatcher looks above!) and an actual Wild Thing would be fun for an adult.

Classic Decade Related Costumes- Although I'm not a fan of The Hills, Lauren Conrad's flapper costume is pretty sweet. Pick a decade, any decade, and you can't go wrong. Especially with a hippie costume from the 60's honoring the 40th anniversary of Woodstock.

Let me know: what are you going to be for Halloween? Check in with us on 10/30 for a look at what each of the IC staff members come dressed as.

All celebrity images found here.

New Photo Holiday Card Line: Prints Charming

We are so excited to add the Prints Charming line of digital Photo Holiday Cards and digital Photo Christmas Cards. The designs are colorful (a requirement for us) and the patterns are versatile. We love the usage of more colors than just the classic red and green. The use of blues, purples and browns are delightful. Some people choose to send Christmas themed photo cards and others like to send just plain pretty ones, and the patterned cards are my favorite because they can be used for any holiday. We are delighted to add them to InvitationConsultants.com.

These are my favorite Prints Charming photo holiday cards: Purple Damask Portrait, Pink Portrait Perfection, Woof Greetings, Glorious Frames,  Hungry Holiday Squirrel, Elvish Stockings.

Happy Rosh Hashanah!

Unique Invitation of the Day: Gobble Gobble

Gobble Gobble

Kid's Halloween Party: Trick or Treat?

Trick or Treat? Smell my feet? Give me something yummy to eat!

Planning a kid's Halloween party is tricky because you need a cross between ghoulish goblins and sweet witches. I've been thinking of throwing a Halloween party for my kids and their friends, so I wanted to share some ideas I have found. To start off the event right, my favorite kid's Halloween invitations are Spooky Kids.

Who are we kidding? Kids love candy, so the treats should be frighteningly delicious. These are cute Halloween cake pops I found. My favorite is the ghost!  And who doesn't love cupcakes!

Create a haunted house practically with nothing and in very little time. Best place to have one is in your garage. Garages are usually dusty and somewhat dirty. Go to your local supermarket and ask if they have broken down boxes. So much can be done with boxes and for some reason kid's love jumping in and out of them. Then check out a craft store for spider webs and other wall garnishes. Black garbage bags, grapes (for eyeballs), cauldrons with rubber gloves filled with cranberry juice are some other scary tips. Spooky music and fog machines are great too!

Seek out fun crafts for the children to do like making Ghost Wind Socks.

Have a costume contest. I love these costumes:Wonder Bread Child and the Hamburger. Vote on most original, most scary, and the funniest costume. Also request your guests to bring their own unique treat bag. Then you can create a mock trick or treating by having a theme to each room in your house where they can trick or treat in. ie. the kitchen could have candy, a bedroom could have stickers, the patio could have pencils and erasers. This ketchup treat bag is my favorite.

More decor ideas: Decorating the stairs and a tablescape.

Planning a kid's Halloween party is actually easier than I thought.

{Wednesday Trendsday} Lovely Lavender

I first caught a glimpse of Kate Spade's new clothing line on Oh Happy Day, and I instantly fell in love. It is one part adorable, one part sophisticated, and completely sweet for the fall and winter season. The pieces range from bright red tights paired with black and white print jackets to girly lavender ruffles paired with softened black and white tweed. 

When I saw the lavender sleevless top above, I instantly thought of our brand new holiday card, Damask Trio. The card has a pop of red, like so many pieces in Kate Spade's new line, and it's the perfect combination of sweet and chic.  

Enjoy & come back next Wednesday for a trendsday where I mix the best of fashion and design with the latest papers. 

10 Things I Love About Fall

Fall is almost here. Once Labor Day hits, the entire mood changes and I love it!

Here is our fall invitation preview and my 10 favorite things about fall:

1. No more white shorts or shoes, they are not flattering

2. Changing leaves make for great table decor

3. It's time to wear fabulous clothes like wool sweaters, scarves, and boots

4. Beautiful colors are everywhere, like in clothes and furniture: eggplant, dark aqua, mustard, greens

5. Comfort food is now ok to eat again

6. Goodbye to bathing suits

7. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays

8. Fall is the best time to have outdoor get-togethers with friends like a day at the lake, picnics, barbecues and tailgating

9. Football is back...rock on!

10. Better hair days, seriously this is important.

My Favorite Fall inspired invitations: Paisley Harvest, Hayride Feet, Leaves Galore, Corner Scrolls Autumn.

Lovely fall inspirations: leaf wreath, beautiful trees, pumpkin panna cotta, fall olive jar arrangement.

Halloweddings: A Wedding on Halloween

Saturday October 31st is a big night this year, not only because it is Halloween, but because it is a huge day and night for weddings. Halloween weddings are on the rise and here's why you should consider it too!

1. Not many couples wanted to get married on Halloween before so this night was always considered more economical for a wedding.

2. It's fun and anything you can do in this economy to break out of the everyday norm and escape from reality is a plus. So dressing in costume to a friend's nuptials seems like a great idea!

3. The bride and groom can be creative and not have to wear traditional wedding wear, thus being unique.

4. Celebrity vampires are getting married, maybe not on Halloween, but they are vampires and vampires makes us think of Halloween. True Blood + New Moon hype makes us crazy about Halloween and its mystery.

Cool stuff: The perfect Halloween couple - Frankenstein and his bride inspired these Halloween wedding invitations.  Check out: 5 Haunted wedding sites, more scary stuff, and True Blood. Plan all aspects of your wedding around Halloween, even the cake. And remember to serve candy corn!

Happy 4th of July!