Fab * Blog by InvitationConsultants.com

{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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{Wednesday Trendsday} Holiday Fun from A to Z

One day last week I received the Pottery Barn holiday catalog, The Ballard Design holiday catalog, and a new Serena and Lilly catalog. It was home inspiration overload but I didn't mind! My favorite item after examining all three holiday collections is the ceramic Alphabet Ornaments from Ballard Designs. Coming in at a second favorite was the Spruce Alphabet Wreath. They are so adorable and they appeal directly to my bookworm sense of style.

These cuties popped up on blogs quicker than I could catch and were featured on the adorable Ohdeedoh by Apartment Therapy blog, among others. Now it seems letters and monograms are likely to appear throughout holiday decor this season. I think it's a sweet trend and has a hint of tradition, which I love! The trend extends easily to invitations and is featured on the monogrammed wreath invitation and ornament invitation above. 

In the spirit of holiday decor, let me know in a comment below- what is your favorite holiday decoration of all time, and will you be putting it up this year? I'll go first! My favorite holiday decoration is a Lenox plate my grandmother had engraved for my first Christmas with my husband. It will definitely be placed on our dining table this year!

{Wednesday Trendsday} Fabulous Feathers

Brides.com has always covered the bridal fashion runway with pizazz, offering reports on the latest styles from top designers- including among others Vera Wang, Amsale, and Melissa Sweet (my favorite).  On the Spring 2010 runway, some of the designers were showing more than gowns and many featured incredible and unique headbands and hair pieces. They sparked my interest right away because I have a slight obsession with headbands. Headbands are half of the reason I watch Gossip Girl.

One of the sweetest head pieces was the feather band featured above from the Melissa Sweet show. It looks like a crown that could be worn during an autumnal garden wedding. It may be a little over the top for traditional brides, but it's a very elegant jumping off point for hair accessory inspiration. Etsy seller TessaKim offers this headband with soft assorted feathers and a pearl button. It's pretty, whimsical, and a statement piece. 

We have our own way of being inspired by nature's feathered flocks. Featured above are Fine Feathers,  Thicket, and Peacock Feathers. Check out more garden wedding invitations.

So what do you think of this fine feathered trend? Would you wear feathers as a bridal hair accessory?

{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.

{Wednesday Trendsday} Faux & Fuzzy

I wasn't feeling particularly fashionable for today's Wednesday Trendsday so I asked Antoinette what's trendy and she told me about Rachel Zoe's new fashion line for QVC that focuses on faux fur. Faux REAL?!? I didn't think faux fur would revive itself in fashion, but here it is and it's pretty darn cute! It's perfect timing for fall, and looks amazing paired with deep aubergine purple. Even the models pull off the look with ruby red lips. It's an understated overstatement and I love it! My favorite piece is the puffy fur vest from American Eagle. It was recently spotted in the fall issue of Real Simple and it is simply adorable. I propped all these faux pieces next to purple wedding invitations for a better idea of the fall color pairing. Enjoy!

Clothing featured above: Faux Fur Hoodie, Faux Fur Vest, Rachel Zoe Aubergine Scarf, Rachel Zoe Faux Fur Scarf.

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!

{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.

{Wednesday Trendsday} Black & White

No two shades are trendier and more wearable than black and white. In a previous Wednesday Trendsday I mentioned winter whites and I'm so excited we're getting closer to that season. So today, I'm drawing inspiration from the two contrasting colors, and from my favorite fashionable girls from Gossip Girl: Leighton Meester and Blake Lively. They both always look great, and make it look easy. Dressed as they are, they look like they're heading to a white party. White parties require all of the guests to wear all white and I like the idea of the guest of honor wearing black to contrast. So get out there and celebrate simply in black & white. Get started: brand new white party invitation.

{Wednesday Trendsday} Winter Wedding Wonderful

I am so excited for today's Wednesday Trendsday because it's the first of many bridal style features to come. Today's image focuses on winter wedding style with subtle colors outside the realm of red and green. Check out how gorgeous these casual wedding related invitations from Mindy Weiss are with their delicate polka dots and pretty calligraphy. They are perfect save the dates, rehearsal dinner invitations, and engagement announcements. Next to them is my favorite wedding gown for winter brides. The band across the center just reminds me of a thousand snowflakes, it's so pretty. The sheer shawl makes the look even more ethereal.

What is/was your wedding season?

Featured above: Priscilla of Boston wedding gown, Merrily Married, & Jingle Wedding Bells

{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!

{Wednesday Trendsday} Back to School in Style

All across the country kid's are heading back to the classrooms with their little backpacks and lunch boxes. I'm a little jealous! I remember the first day of school held so much possibility- new friends, new teachers, and most importantly (to a paper fan like me)- new school supplies! Do any of you remember the Staples back to school commercial from the 90's? It has a dad skipping down the aisles to the song "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" with two sad kids trailing behind him. That definitely wasn't me! I was thrilled to get new stationery and new clothes-- although I don't know which I liked better.

I saw these adorable duds on Cup of Jo a few weeks ago from OliveJuice, a sweet children's clothing company out of PA, and I just about teared up over the cuteness. They're perfect for your little students! Paired with adorable patterned stationery, these petite fashions would make any kid happy. 

Featured above: Fair Isle Vest, Corduroy Shift, Gordon Plaid, Brown Plaid, Multi Gingham, & Retro Stripe Pink.