Fab * Blog by InvitationConsultants.com

Less Than 100 Days till the Winter Olympics: Vancouver

I am the first to admit that I do not enjoy cold weather. Eight winters up north was enough windchill and snow to last me many years. However, I do like vacationing in the cold. Since I live in lovely weather, I do not always like vacationing in utter warmth. For one of our vacations we decided that our kids should see snow for the first time, so we headed not to Vermont or Michigan, but rather to Vancouver, BC.

We went to Vancouver less than two years ago and right outside of our hotel they were already building the building for the Olympic's press. Sadly, we did not get to make it to Whistler because we did not have snowchains on the car that we rented in Seattle. However, we got to go to Cypress and Grouse Mountains. My first trip on a gondola was on Grouse Mountain! A little nerveracking. Next time I would like to be braver and head to Whistler to ride the peak to peak gondola Whistler-Blackcomb. Sea to Sky Highway is supposed to be amazing (the road to Whistler).

What winter sport are you going to be watching? My favorite is figure skating. But I know we will also be watching, cross country and the luge. When the spectators get tired of watching sports, they can head to Robson Street for great shopping and sushi or to Stanley Park to just relax. Other great sidetrips for the day involve taking a BC Ferry to one of the beautiful islands or to Victoria, the capital of BC (an island as large as Ireland).

I guess it's in my blood, being part Canadian that I am excited about the Olympics being there! Have fun watching. Check out the Winter Olypic Countdown clock.

Peak2Peak, Snowy photos thanks to me!, Whimsical Wintry Flurries, Snowflake Skates

It's Your Wedding Too! TheManRegistry.com

Last week, Chris from themanregistry.com contacted us about our bachelor party invitations. We were so excited to discover his website that caters specifically to grooms and groomsmen. It is a rare treat to see the grooms so involved in the planning of their wedding! Don't get us wrong, we have tons of grooms who call us for advice about their wedding invitations, but I never imagined there could be such a resource for grooms. Themanregistry.com covers everything groom related- from vendors to information on acquiring  marriage licenses and other paperwork. Plus, they do all of this with a sense of humor. Check out their playful 'Man-Up!' YouTube video:

Brides & Grooms-- let us know in a comment below, how much was/is the future husband involved in the planning of your wedding?

A Vibrant Dia de los Muertos Wedding

Have you ever heard of a Day of the Dead wedding? The Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and by Latin Americans throughout the US and Canada on November 1st and 2nd which is also All Saint's Day and All Soul's Day. The celebrations are festive, full of color, and often involving sweets like sugar skulls and delicious foods. You can read more about Dia de los Muertos here on Wikipedia, including information about the rich culture of celebrating those who have passed on. Wiki says that the celebrations are often comical, and that to me explains the use of vibrant skull motifs and figurines.

I stumbled across the adorable and lively Dia de los Muertos wedding above on Offbeat Bride, and the bride Julie was sweet enough to share her photos with me. I love all of the details- from the bright blue, fuchsia, lime, and orange decor to the spread of sweets at the candy buffet. I think the cake may just be the best part. Julie and her husband were married in Las Vegas, so their cake topper featured a bride, groom, and Elvis skeleton. How kitschy cute?! The festive colors didn't just lend itself to the cake and candy, but also to her retro floral printed dress, colorful paper poms, and her candle lit centerpieces. 

A Dia de los Muertos wedding is brave & unique and oh-so-fun! The idea can easily lend itself to an everyday celebration or birthday as well. Consider these adorable sugar skulls from Dean & Deluca, a skull cake design one of our consultants saw at a friend's recent 40th birthday party, and Mexican party invitation Fiesta Grande.

Have you ever been to a Day of the Dead wedding or party? If so, let me know in a comment below. I would love to hear about it!

Proposing to Your Girlfriend Recessionmista Style

I loved the movie The Proposal and not just because I am a super big Ryan Reynolds fan, but because it was a solid movie. It may have not been the most common way to become engaged, but I do think that not every engagement involves a fancy restaurant with a dozen roses. Some engagements are more practical, while others are more whimsy and some are just plain sweet.

Here are a few ideas for a simple, and recession proof proposal. Some are fictional and ideas to share and others are tried and true:

Propose at a drive-in movie during a chic flick.

Propose on the steps of your high school (if you were high school sweethearts).

Bring a boom box and dress like John Cusack in Say Anything and stand outside her window. Play your "couple" song on the boom box and have her come out and propose.

Put "Will you marry me?" in a fortune cookie. 

Make her dinner and prepare soup, place alphabet pasta in the bowl and spell out, "Marry me."

Put the proposal in baked goods. Inspired by Bakerella.

My fave: sweet and never fails: Propose at a picnic on the beach at sunset.

These are cheap proposal ideas, the ring is another story!

Simply Save the Date, Letter Burst, The Proposal movie stars, Picnic stuff, Say Anything

We're in PINK to Support the Fight Against Breast Cancer

We are wearing PINK today to raise money for Pink Initiative. We support awareness and finding a cure for breast cancer. Also check out the invitations we created for Pink Initiative, 100% of proceeds go to the organization.

Introducing the Launch of Preston Bailey Wedding Invitations

A few months ago we had the pleasure of meeting with Preston Bailey, the amazing and fabulous event designer. We exchanged many ideas about color, typography, brides and grooms and about how we can create a line of wedding invitations that are beautiful. We want to inspire the bride and groom with flowers. And we wish that these floral arrangements and designs created by Preston will be a source for inspiration in their wedding's centerpieces and room decor.

Preston is well known for his outstanding event design and focus on floral inspirations. The celebrations he designs range from Sweet 16's to weddings for celebrities and royalty. Today, October 15th we are launching a sampling of the line. We are so excited that after months of designing, they are now available for sale. Additional designs will be added throughout the fall of 2009. So check back often as we will certainly show more of these fabulous designs on the blog.

More Info: View more Preston Bailey for Invitation Consultants Wedding Invitations l Read more about Preston Bailey!

{Wednesday Trendsday} Warm and Cozy

It's still pretty hot down here in Tampa, but every once in a while, I will see some fall fashion mavens wearing light weight scarves (F*B's own Allison is guilty of this!). It's such a cute trend, and I can't wait to see some of the warm and cozy scarves that come out when winter hits. Anthropologie has a huge selection on their site already, and they all look so sweet next to some of my favorite invites.

Featured above: Spun Strands Scarf, Winter Solstice Invitation, Bridesmaid Shuffle Invitation, Transmission Scarf, Autumn Event Invitation, and Denim and Satin Invitation.

Are you seeing trends out there you would love to see on Fab*Blog? Clothing - home decor - wedding & party trends - nothing's off limits! Let me know what's on your style radar in a comment below or email me at reilly@invitationconsultants.com and I might use your idea on Wednesday Trendsday!

{A Designer Interview} Sarah & Trisha of Inviting Company

I briefly met Sarah Mitchell, Co-Owner, and Trisha Logan, Art Director, of Inviting Company at this year's National Stationery Show and I knew instantly that they were super sweet and creative! How can they not be- their product is adorable! I know I'm not the only one who thinks so because their colorful line of party invitations has become a real favorite among our huge selection of party invitations. I think it's because they are stylish and affordable and their cute designs are cause enough for celebration. When I moved, I announced my new home with their Chandelier invitation and for my upcoming joint birthday party with my BFF, I'm using their Spooky Gathering invitation (it's on Halloween). What can I say, I guess I'm a fan? So I was psyched when Trisha said her and Sarah would chat about some of their designs over cocktails, and share their insight with Fab*Blog!  Check out their interview below & enjoy!

Fall Fundamentals | Must Haves for the Season

It's no secret on Fab*Blog that we are all about autumnal style. Summer is still blazing in Florida and September 22nd cannot come soon enough. I've created a feast for the senses of five fall fundamentals you can incorporate into your everyday life this season.

 

taste. My favorite beverage this time of year is a pumpkin spice latte. Yes, Starbucks makes a delicious one, but this recipe shows you how to create a decadent one yourself. This yummy drink is perfect for a dessert soiree with friends or for a cozy night in front of a bonfire. Illustrated above is a hand-drawn print by Leigh Hannan; it truly captures the essence of my favorite seasonal sipper.

touch. Nothing says Fall like fashion. Accessories truly make your ensemble sing. As the weather gets cooler, the more you have to layer your clothing. What better a way to top off your outfit than with a soft scarf? This viola-colored wrap scarf from Nordstrom defines cozy-chic.

see. Finnish design firm Marimekko continues to create timeless, yet totally modern prints year after year. The two that I've chosen are just a few of many new designs for Fall. These warm hues illustrate the harvest like no other. You can incorporate Marimekko into your home in so many ways; items with these prints are also perfect gifts. Check out more of the designs here and dish to us on which one is your favorite and why.

smell. Fall has so many signature smells. Popular ones that come to mind are spices used for oodles of purposes, from adding aromatic flavor to your home to body splashes and perfumes. Spices can also create festive autumnal tables that are ideal for entertaining. Warm color palettes and enticing flavors can be found here. Don't forget to share your favorite recipes with us! We're always looking for ways to spice up our menus.

hear. Some very notable sounds that personify autumn are dry leaves crunching under your feet, bonfires crackling (as you melt s'mores), the roar of football season, and owls hooting in the night. This owl print employs a cooler autumn palette and is adorable for decor. Owls are also a popular symbol in the invitations and stationery industry. Here are just a few owl invitations for eye candy. Always cherish the sounds of the season.

{Wednesday Trendsday} Sex and the City 2 First Look!

It's almost labor day, so women everywhere may be packing away their whites and summer brights (or unpacking their sleek winter whites). Not Carrie Bradshaw. I am so thrilled to kiss summer goodbye with a sneak peek of next summer's film SEX AND THE CITY 2! Yes, it warrants all caps. Yesterday, Glamour revealed a first look of a chic Sarah Jessica Parker in a white casual dress and slick mirrored shades. It fell on perfect timing for wednesday trendsday.

Check out Miss SJP, featured next to my pairings of iridescent and mirror like pumps from J Crew and sophisticated calligraphy stationery. 

Are you pumped for next summer's Sex and the City 2? Tell me below, who's your favorite character?