Fab * Blog by InvitationConsultants.com

Stylish Baby Showers + Preciously Modern Palettes

There are hundreds upon thousands of original baby shower (and party, in general) themes out there.  In my opinion, when it comes to homespun parties given by friends and family, it's best to keep it simple! Start with a deliciously modern hues and take your theme from there. Here is some fabulous color inspiration to inspire baby showers! The beauty of all of them is they are gender-neutral!

Lavender | Orange Creamsicle | Celery: This palette is feminine with lavender, but the warmer hues make it do-able for a boy's themed shower too.  All of these colors are a little quirky, which make them totally fun. and they are colors that are inherently found in nature.  Possible themes to take from these colors? Baby Botanical or Fun with Animals. Safari Friends is an adorable baby shower invitation option!

Coral | Cool Blue | Cream: Also a quirkier scheme, this palette screams fun to me.  Because they are punched up a little bit, they are great for moms who like to make a little bit of a statement. Possible themes? Blinged Out Baby or Polka Dot Tots!  Baby Letters is cheerful and the patterns are ideal for a circus themed baby shower.

Clover | Tan | Sky: This palette feels organic to us - perfect for an eco-friendly theme! We love the idea of using a shower to decorate a nursery with your closest girlfriends. This beautiful baby room uses all green products. Keep things natural with plant centerpieces and a cute turtle themed cake. And because we love a cute cupcake, lime green Sugar Pie invitation is fresh and adorable.  

So make sure to keep things simple!  Start with a gorgeously modern color palette and pick the perfect baby shower invitation to coordinate with any theme you choose! Some other fun ideas? Miss or Mister Monograms (play with your baby-to-be's initials or due date), Cute Little Crawlers (we love ladybugs and caterpillars), or a Book/Fable Themed party (The Giving Tree, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Country/City Mouse, and Babar are just a few out of the many popular ones). Happy Planning!

Planning a colorful, modern or unique event?  Let us help you find the perfect wedding invitation! You'll also find invitations for any party or occasion!

Fab*Blog Feature on Party Perfect | The Mitzvah Planning Experts

Today, I am excited to bring you an interview with Laura Cohn and Debbie Mintzer from Party Perfect, based in Orlando, Florida. These ladies are pros at creating truly unforgettable Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. From pre-planning to reception, and everywhere in between, they've got it all covered and it's sure to be a wonderfully special event. They had lots to tell us about Mitzvah planning and how they go about making each party perfect!

Personalization: Do your clients often come to you with their own theme or ideas? What’s the most important element of the party to them- the food, the music, the venue? Most often, our clients do have an idea of their own theme, but sometimes they look to us for guidance on the best and most cost-effective ways to incorporate this theme into their event. Personalizing and branding the Bar/Bat Mitzvah is what we feel is our specialty. We create a party logo for our clients that we carry throughout the party: custom menus, DJ splash screens, place cards, favors, signage, and so many other details that make the party extra special and help convey the party theme.

Invitations: How do you choose them and what are important things to remember about invites? We look for an invitation that is unique and represents the individual style, color, and thematic elements of the event. For Mitzvahs, this presents a challenge, because there are so many unique elements to a Mitzvah invitation (the religious service invitation, the party invitation, info for kids vs. adults, RSVP, etc).

Blue and Silver Bar Mitzvahs!

At Invitation Consultants, we deal with all kinds of important occasions in our customers’ lives. Here on the blog, we have been known to get a bit sidetracked by the glitz and glam of weddings– but there are so many events to be celebrated and so many parties to plan. Today, we want to put the spotlight on Bar Mitzvahs! Bar Mitzvahs are an important celebration in a young man’s life. They not only symbolize his commitment to the laws of the Torah, but also his passage into adulthood.

One of the biggest challenges in planning a Bar Mitzvah can be selecting a theme. Thirteen year old boys are not always that interested in party planning – so the task of throwing a party that is appropriate for a boy entering adulthood can be daunting. Popular party themes include destinations (how about a Bar Mitzvah luau!), sports, movies and today’s featured theme – COLORS!

Every boy has a favorite color, and we have invitations to match nearly one! Using the color as the party theme is a great way to get your guest of honor involved – and even excited about – the planning process. Whether his favorite is green, red, gold or any other color – we’ve got you covered. Blue and silver are the most common selections that we see, so we’ve put together some popular Bar Mitzvah invitations in that color scheme for you above.

HAVE FUN PLANNING AND BE’HATZLACHA!

Invitations:

Turquoise Loopy, Azure Swivels, Geometric, Blue and Silver Stripes

Fabulous Flashbacks | A Christmas Story!

Oh, the joy of 24 hours of A Christmas Story! TNT started playing A Christmas Story for 24 hours straight from 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve and through Christmas day in 1997. Twelve years later, the tradition continues on TBS. My older brother and I used to compete to see who could watch the most of it in one day. He always won, but I truly adore this movie. Its early eighties quirkiness combined with it's hilarious grasp on 9 year-old Ralphie's imagination makes it a classic and holiday-must. I "double-DOG-dare ya" to check out these A Christmas Story inspired holiday goodies:

A Leg Lamp: Okay, so it's not exactly 'classy', but this lamp is a replica of the one that started the 'battle of the lamp' escalating to such heights that when Ralphie's mom broke it, his father buried the lamp in the backyard out of respect for its glowing beauty.

Red Ryder Tin Sign: Every kid has that one toy they wish for more than anything in the whole wide world. Mine was an electric tablet that you could hook up to the tv and draw on. The drawings would pop up on the screen. It was perfect in so many ways, except that it broke within 6 hours of being unwrapped. Ralphie's wish was much more dangerous, and much more awesome. His Red Ryder BB Gun was essential to the Christmas Story plot and the taunting of "You'll shoot your eye out.." is an unforgettable line. 

Snowpoke Party Invitation: This wintry party invitation reminds me so much of Ralphie's aspirations to be a cowboy!

Fortune Cookie & Takeout Box Ornaments: Ralphie's family ends up at a Chinese food restaurant on Christmas evening eating a "Chinese Turkey" as a result of the neighbor's dogs trashing their meal for the evening. It's funny, sweet, and so reminiscent of holiday times that don't go perfectly but end up fun anyway.

A Ralphie Finger Puppet: Who hasn't gotten a Christmas gift that wasn't quite their style!? 

An 80's inspired Christmas dress: Look the part and infuse a little bit of early 80's inspired fashion into your holiday wardrobe. Help me though- have you seen this dress?!? I think it's adorable, but I misplaced the link. Let me know in a comment if you've spied it anywhere on the web!

I hope you find your equivalent to a Red Ryder BB Gun under your tree this year and that you don't find your tongue stuck to a flagpole.

Have a jolly, happy, FROSTY party!

 
One of my favorite holiday songs is the 1950’s classic “Frosty the Snowman.” It brings to mind images of kids all bundled up in their winter coats and heading out to play in the snow. Whether you’re living in a snowy environment, or not, snowmen are the perfect party theme for kids!

There are so many delicious treats that can be made in the shape of good old Frosty.

• These Snowman Cupcakes (made by Martha Stewart) are absolutely adorable. A couple of marshmallows on top of a frosted chocolate cupcake and your little guy just comes to life!
• You can also use classic sugar cookie dough by Betty Crocker and shape them into these Spiral Snowman Cookies. All it takes is some candy to decorate to give your snowmen some personality.
• Nothing goes better with a snowy treat than some hot chocolate! Making hot chocolate can be a fun (and delicious) parent-child activity. Check out Amazing Moms for a great recipe.
• I may still be on a sugar high from last week’s cookie exchange, but Hot Cocoa Cupcakes sound perfect right about now. This recipe from All Recipes.com combines some of my favorite holiday flavors.

Now of course, you’ll have to invite some friends over to share all of your Frosty goodies! Check out our adorable snowmen-themed invitations! I love the cheery Snowman Party. What’s your favorite?

Invitations:

Witty Snowman, Carrot Nose, Mr. Chilly, Snowman Party

{Wednesday Trendsday} Twilight: New Moon Party Resources

Around Halloween, I wrote about my True Blood party, but tackling New Moon is a whole different beast (sorry for the pun, Team Jacob members). The Twilight Saga: New Moon hits theaters this Friday and the excitement is palpable. This film is beyond a trend, it's a phenomenon. There are so many awesome resources out there for throwing a howling New Moon party, and here are five of my favorites:

1. Hostess Blog New Moon Printables and Twilight DVD release party details: Jen at Hostess with  Mostess has created free printables in two color schemes to represent the original black, red and white from the New Moon book art and new evergreen and woodland hues from the New Moon movie previews and posters. Both designs capture the essence of the book perfectly, and feature pivotal quotes. They would make awesome decor if framed and used on your party tablescape. 

2. A New Moon Playlist from Stephenie Meyer: Stephenie Meyer created a beautifully thought out play list based on the characters emotions in the book. Who better to associate the characters perspectives with songs than the creator of the characters herself? My favorite is Stephenie's association with 'The Scientist' by Coldplay from Edward's heart-braking point of view. Burn these songs to a CD and you'll have yourself an instant party soundtrack.

3. Team Edward vs. Team Jacob Cupcakes from Sweet Avenue: These amazing cupcakes are the perfect inspiration for New Moon sweets. It may be difficult to replicate these printed cupcakes at home, but use them as a jumping off point for creating your own tempting treats. Think of dark, devil's food cupcakes with rich chocolate ganache and drizzled with red 'blood' icing. Or, to be more appropriate for members of your pack, consider spice cupcakes frosted to look like a wolf.

4. Twilight Inspired Invitations: Think woodland chic for your New Moon premiere party. This Secret Passage invitation features a scene hauntingly similar to the forest atmosphere described so well in New Moon. 

5. Etsy Twilight Finds: This New Moon Collection of pins by manhandled would make great party favors for vamps and werewolves alike. The collection features adorable Twilight references like 'I Drive like a Cullen' and 'LaPush Cliff Diving Team'. If your New Moon party is in honor of a birthday and gifts are in order, consider these New Moon inspired jewels: a Lion and Lamb silver cuff by BrighidsForge and a Twilight definition pendent by hellobrowneyes.

And for party attire, look no further than the New Moon stars themselves. The images above are of Taylor Lautner, Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Dakota Fanning at the New Moon premiere this past week and they all look supernaturally elegant. Look for inspiration in their sleek dark suits and glamorous gowns and you really can't go wrong. Image Source: Mail Online and Starpulse.

I hope everyone enjoys New Moon this weekend and that all you twi-hards are not disappointed in any way with this epic story coming to life on the silver screen. Let me know in a comment below, are you TEAM EDWARD or TEAM JACOB? Or, perhaps you're neutral like Switzerland? 



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{I LOVE 80'S PARTIES!} Style Icons of a Fashionable Decade

Anyone who is a product of the 80's or lived through this memorable decade most likely has embarrassing photos of themselves in ostentatious clothing. Whether it be wild hair, flamboyant colors, or off the wall accessories, 80's trends were and still are a staple in fashion history. On the flip side of all of this, a lot of fabulous fashions were not just fads; they have either stayed wildly popular until the present or have resurfaced in modern, sophisticated ways. Let's take a peek at three of my totally bodacious and favorite fashion icons.

Madonna. Madonna first moved to NYC in hopes of a career in modern dance; boy did her life take a different turn. To me, Madonna epitomizes a style icon. She has reinvented herself countless times throughout the years and has managed to stay on top of her musical and fashionable game. Love her or not, you can't defend that she she hasn't made a stylish impact in pop culture. My favorite fashion technique that Madonna has used throughout the years is that she plays with different fabrics. From spandex leotards to leather jumpsuits, from jeans and a button down shirt to flowing saris, Madonna experiments with textiles in inventive ways that reflect where she is at in her life, whether it be young and 'material' to spiritual and sophisticated. Her look exemplifies what a performer should look like.

Michael Jackson. It's hard to believe that someone of such phenomenal fame and importance in musical history is no longer with us. He joins Elvis, Frank Sinatra, and so many other musical geniuses in a different realm, but his legacy has and will stay alive. A documentary about Michael Jackson called 'This Is It' is in theaters right now. It's two week span has been extended until Thanksgiving weekend, so I definitely plan to see that in theaters so I can experience his would have been last performance in as real of a setting as I can. Let us commemorate the style of MJ. Of course he is known for so many trends, most notably his cropped pants with white socks, but my favorite pieces that Michael sported so well throughout the years were fabulous jackets. He inspired millions to wear zipper-accented red jackets, slick leather suit jackets, sparkling moonwalk jackets, and military-inspired garb. He did not shy away from hats, embellishments, color, or arm bands. A true style icon in his own right, Michael paved the way for so many pop icons, celebrities, and normal everyday people to take risks with their clothing.

Molly Ringwald. She made her mark in 80's favorites such as The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, and Pretty In Pink...to name just a few. Though she played the quintessential teen girl, she was always striving for individualism in her everyday life, which definitely reflected in her clothing choices. Ringwald has noted that Edie Sedgwick, Marilyn Monroe, Diane Keaton, Dianne Wiest and Brigitte Bardot as her fashion role models. Known as John Hughes' muse, her style reflected femininity and quirkiness. In my opinion, her most notable fashion techniques were pairing lots of things that didn't quite go together, but seemed to make sense at the same time. She defined youth and always managed to achieve that girl-next-door, school girl look. And who can forget her short red do? A refreshing staple in a world of blonde bombshells and brunette babes. She has a nostalgic quality about her, which undoubtedly makes her iconic.

All of these icons can inspire tons of looks for everyday life as many fashion designers such as Marc Jacobs and Betsy Johnson (to name a few) have done. Not only can you make 80's clothing wearable and very today, but they are always festive for Halloween or appropriate for a decade themed party. I must say that 80's parties are all over college campuses nationwide, and is the ideal theme for a birthday party because it's so easy to achieve and fun to do. Start with a Totally 80's Party Invitation that plays up the neon hues of the decade, or perhaps this Stylish 80's Invitation will inspire people to wear something fabulous. Take cues from these style gurus and individualize them! Be your own fashion icon or inspire others! Stay Fab*ulous!

Madonna Image Credits: Madonna photo and ankle boot, celebrations print, & Cameron Diaz as Madonna photo via Polyvore.com. 

Michael Jackson Image Credits: Black & White image,  embellished black jacket & red leather jacket via Polyvore.com

Molly Ringwald Image Credits: Pretty In Pink image and Tiered Skirt & Hat image via Polyvore.com.

{Fabulous Flashback} It's a Jolly Holiday with a Mary Poppins Tea Party!

'Tis the season to snuggle up with your sweetie, cozy up by the fire, and watch classic movies that remind us of why it is so wonderful to be young at heart and imaginative. This week's post pulls from an old favorite of mine...Mary Poppins! A lot of my friends poke fun at me (and some join in my love) because I adore timeless musicals, Disney movies, and other classic flicks filmed before my time. My parents always exposed me to these films, which I'm certainly grateful for, but there are those that weren't acquainted with classics such as Mary Poppins. So if you're totally confused right now with my favorite-movie-rant, let me expand your imagination with a Mary Poppins Tea Party! If you already familiar with Disney's cinematic genius, you'll find this post "practically perfect in every way!"

A Mary Poppins Tea Party is ideal for a young girl's birthday party or a leisurely ladies day out. With the holidays just around the corner (can you believe it's already almost November?), we've tailored this party to have a festive flair. The caramel apple imagery and adorable tablescape seen above is courtesy of the Party Wishes blog. She has literally pinpointed every detail of the movie and incorporated them into the party's theme. Some favorite ideas are:

• have everyone wear Mary Poppins inspired hats: (perhaps the white tie around the neck number tickles your fancy, or you'd like to be a little more casual with a plain black one adorned with little flowers)
• provide artful activities such as kite decorating (to fly to the highest height of course) and sidewalk chalk (to jump into their drawings)
• play games such as "Tuppins Toss" or "A Spoon Full of Sugar" relay
• set up a photo shoot with a carousel horse

Some other ideas we came up with are:

{Wednesday Trendsday} On TV: GLEE!

My mom typically won't talk to me on the phone on Wednesdays because she thinks I'm grumpy. No one else seems to notice, but my mom has told me that all my life I've disliked Wednesdays in a strange way. Well, I know you're reading mom and you should know I LOVE Wednesdays now! Glee is on FOX on Wednesdays, and it is such a delightful show. It's pretty popular too, and the fashion on the show is becoming trendy. Several of the characters, including the ambitious Glee club lead singer Rachel, don school girl plaid and modest collars. I've heard numerous places that plaid will be all over the place this fall and winter- from runways to the mall. Other characters on the show play into high school staples like nerds, jocks, cheerleaders, goth kids, and fashionistas, but the show blends the line between 'popular' and 'not popular' with all of the archetypes participating in the glee club together. It's campy, it's colorful, and it teaches great lessons, all the while singing and popping-and-locking to show tunes and top 40 hits. I hope this Wednesday Trendsday finds you gleeful and not at all grumpy.

Featured above: Photos of Glee characters Rachel, Finn, and Emma, all from imdb.  Hit Record Necklace, Rad Plaid Dress, Art History Dress (what a great name!), and Style Coach Necklace, all from Mod Cloth.  Classic Patch Plaid and Savvy Houndstooth invitations from Whitney English. Shop more patterned invitations. Or, music themed invitations.

Where the Wild Things Are | Have a 'Wild' Party!

It's almost here! 3 days till "Where The Wild Things Are" comes out in theaters and we're pumped! I think we all have a memory of this book from sometime in our past, whether it was from our parents reading it to us or ourselves reading it to a little one. The book evokes so much imagination with it's great illustrations of 'wild things' and fearless adventure, it's a little kids' dream! As soon as previews for the movie started coming out, I was hooked. The music from the film (which I've already downloaded) is amazing, the costumes are beyond unbelievable, and the main character seems delightfully lovable!

Already, I've come across lots of 'Wild Things' themed parties. And what's a party without invitations? Jungle Party, Giraffe Linen, and Leopard Green would start off your party just right! All aspects of your party can have the wild theme. Check out the cake made for this birthday party (top left). The mom who threw the party had a pin-the-tail-on-Max game, masks, and a book reading. Or, check out the photos taken by Kristen Eldridge (bottom left) of another 'wild' birthday party. They are so bright and whimsical, it makes me want to have a wild-themed party of my own! Be sure to see the rest of the party photos here. Even adults can get in on the theme with a cute pendant necklace from Etsy (bottom right),or this awesome rustic canopy bed from Anthropologie (top right).

It seems like this movie is going to be quite a hit with children and adults alike! I'll definitely be at the movies this weekend, will you?

Image Credits:

Green Monster Cake, Where the Wild Things Are Official Site, Anthropologie Canopy Bed, Wild Things party, Baby wearing Max costume, Frame Pendant necklace.