Honestly, with the task of Christmas/Holiday cards, you can never start too early…..I just started working with the stationary company Basic Invite, Truly Custom Invitations. The Holidays are when most people create a personalized card that tells their family’s story for the past year. So much time is spent picking out just the right card, with the right sentiment, with the right design, and the just-right family photo(s). Most recently Basic Invite sent me their new Custom Christmas Card and Custom Holiday Card assortment. I know there are so many online card options but besides their unbeatable prices and value, plus innovative products found nowhere else, here are a few other reasons why I chose to partner with Basic Invite to tell our family’s 2021 story:
Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers almost UNLIMITED COLOR OPTIONS with instant previews online. Once you select a design, customers can change the color of each element on the card. With over 200 colors to choose from, your finished product is sure to be exactly what you want. This is what sets Basic Invite apart from almost any other online stationery company.
Basic Invite lets you see instant previews that allow you to adjust your Custom Christmas Cards or Custom Holiday Cards until they are just right.
Basic Invite provides FREE ADDRESS PRINTING WITH EVERY ORDER!!!! Import your list of contacts to save yourself time when sending your Christmas cards. You NEVER have to address another card again.
Basic Invite has over 40 different ENVELOPE COLORS to choose from. With so many options, customers can make their envelopes match the invitation. All of the envelopes are peel and seal so they can be closed quickly and securely.
With all of these unique creative options, Basic Invite can assure your family that your card will be truly your own and one of a kind. Basic Invite, truly believes that this is important because no two families are the same!!
And the most important thing, in my option…THE LOVE GUARANTEE!!! At Basic Invite you can shop with confidence that you will love your card when you receive it or they will reprint until you do.
Lastly, Basic Invite works with designers all over the globe to bring you an incredible hand-curated selection of festive Christmas and Holiday invitations. And 2021 will be THE Holiday season to make up for the lost time of 2020 and celebrate!!
Right now Basic Invite is offering 15% off with coupon code: 15FF51 on all orders so it is the perfect time to get online and find that perfect card for your perfect family!!!!!
On this blog, I have written about my friend Leeann many times.. She is the one with whom, I have been friends with since middle school and a few years ago she moved to Maine for a HUGE career opportunity (even though all our lives, including college, we never lived apart for more than 45 minutes AT THE MOST from each other).
Well, Leeann is uber creative and pretty cool. She’s the type of person who calls Robert DeNiro, Bobby, and sat across a table from Lady Gaga, mentioning that they both went to Sacred Heart. She created a logo for her 50th birthday party and when building her house, designed a special DJ Booth for all future dance parties! The first time I saw it in action, I was honestly speechless!!! So when I saw the graduation party she threw for her daughter, Winnie, last weekend, I had to share…It was perfection and honestly I wish I had been as clever to have thrown it myself!!!!
All photos by the talented @digitalmacphotos
I love the bamboo place settings and navy cloth napkins…and notice the custom logo designed for the party!! And do not forget to check out the menu…5 families got together and provided all the food themselves….
The Farm To Table theme was perfection. The chambray runners were perfect with the gorgeous paper flower centerpieces with pearl and gemstone centers made by Susan McNeil, @petals.susan. She ships nationwide and her bouquets are fabulous. Def. on my mind for future gifting….
Leeann made sweet tea and served it in individual mason jars chilled on ice..
How fabulous are these?…Half orbs made completely from paper flowers at each of the graduate’s places in their college colors, which will also become a keepsake that they can bring with them next year to their college dorm rooms.
Now for my favorite part, look at this academic-themed giant candy bar…each selection of candy was cleverly named and labeled. See below, animal crackers “teacher’s pets”, $100 grand bars “college debt“, tootsie rolls “honor roll”, gummy worms, “book worms”, smarties “smartypants”, ring pops, “class rings”, etc etc. LOVE IT ALL!!
And lastly look at this incredible light show that she did for the dance floor with a combination of LED lights, paper lanterns, professional lighting, and of course in true Leeann style a huge disco ball. What a party...Leeann, I hope you plan my next one!!!
I really struggled with this year’s gift guide for Mother’s Day. I wanted to incorporate some self-care items, with some special goodies with a few luxuries thrown in. Really something for everyone. The past year has really taught us that less is more and the people in our lives and our home lives really are the most important. So I have a few special choices to really treat mom.
Cake// 1 Hotel Candle//Tunic Dress// Barista Keurig Machine// Pucci Top//Juicer//Godiva Gift Box// Milk Bar Truffles//Cube Diffusers//Gucci Bag//Bliss Bath Gem// Floral Bouquet// Shower Steamers//Baked By Melissa Cupcakes.
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I will be celebrating Easter this year by getting my second vaccine on Good Friday!!!!!! I am going to set an Easter Breakfast table for my family early this week just in case. I am still deciding on the menu but, as for most holidays, I am looking toward my favorite tabletop company, Back Country Mercantile for some inspiration. I have been friendly with Amanda, the founder and designer for a few years now and I am in awe of her talent. She has curated the most incredible glasses, china, vintage accessories, and more. This year I added a few of the little bunny-covered dishes to my collection. I love all the colors but Amanda recommended the pink, green, and chocolate swirl. I bought the most beautiful purple glasses that Amanda picked out for me this past summer but I do have my eye on the pink ones too…..Maybe for Mother’s Day!! All items are available on their WEBSITE and there is still time for local delivery in Greenwich and all the surrounding areas.
PS all the flowers are from Mcardles (going there first thing tomorrow)!!!
I know everyone loves Arthur Ave!!! And everyone also has all their favorite places where they like to do their shopping. A few years ago, in response to so many requests, I did my own Arthur Ave Shopping Tour and discovered so many good hidden gems. I definitely do not go there enough though and I really want to learn more about the area. My amazing Blogging friend Stacy Knows posted a great guide to preparing for Easter on Arthur Ave. I had to copy her and share the information with you. So here goes….
In advance of Easter, Sunday, April 4, the Belmont Business Improvement District (BID) is egg-cited to announce that a variety of merchants in Bronx Little Italy will feature a number of offerings available to help shoppers and visitors celebrate safely. The neighborhood features New York City’s best, authentic Italian restaurants, bakers, delicatessens, pastry shops, and specialty stores and is often owned and operated by the same families that founded them nearly a century ago.
Whether you’re filling baskets for little ones, creating an egg hunt or making a special dinner for your loved ones or your social distancing pod, local merchants will be offering specialty Easter bread, chocolate eggs, hand painted marzipan lambs, fresh lamb meat and roasts, and more. There’s something for everyone to enjoy and be hoppy about this year with offerings available for shipping, delivery, or in-store purchase.
2021 Easter Offerings Include
Madonia Bakery and Addeo Bakery – Madonia Bakery and Addeo Bakery are both multi-generational, family-owned bakeries well known for their specialty Easter bread, which is a sweet Italian tradition. Baked in the shape of a wreath, the specialty bread is made with three pieces of dough braided together to represent the Holy Trinity. Both bakeries are open for takeout.
Vincent’s Meat Market – Family owned and operated since 1954, Vincent’s Meat Market has been providing high quality, fresh meat, and poultry sourced from reputable farms. Offering a variety of lamb roasts, a very popular and traditional meat to serve on Easter, Vincent’s Meat Market is open for in store shopping, delivery and shipping.
Artuso Pastry – Established in 1946, Artuso Pastry has become a nationally recognized culinary treasure through dedication and authenticity, one fabulous cannoli at a time. The shop manufactures 10 million cannoli a year and this Easter, customers can customize their own cannoli at the cannoli bar. Additional offerings include Struffoli, also known as honey balls, a staple on the Italian dessert table for Easter. The Neapolitan dish is made of deep fried dough with honey, among other sweet ingredients. Artuso’s is open for in store purchase and shipping.
Gino’s Pastry Shop – Celebrating over 60years in business, owner, Jerome Raguso, maintains the shops traditional roots and honors the recipes of his father, the founder. Every Easter, Jerome offers hand painted marzipan lambs, a traditional Sicilian delicacy that are hard to come by these days, as well as handmade Easter biscuits. Available for in store purchase and shipping.
Teitel Brothers & Cerini Coffee & Gifts – Leading up to Easter, shoppers can find a plethora of Chocolate Easter Eggs in a variety of chocolates, fillings, and even some with little toys. Perfect for filling Easter baskets or the dessert table, both stores are open for in-store shopping and available for shipping.
Social distancing due to COVID-19 has had an adverse impact on just about all areas of our lives. In the past, we would be able to get together with the people who matter the most to us to celebrate special events and travel. Now, most of our social interactions must take place virtually. What are a few examples of parties that used to take place in-person that are now taking place virtually? How can you turn these parties into a success? There are several virtual party tips that you should keep in mind to ensure the event is a success and everyone has a blast.
The Virtual Birthday Party
First, a lot of people have had to move their birthday parties to the virtual world. The days of having someone take the birthday boy or girl out to his or her favorite restaurant have been put on hold for a little while. For example, a lot of people are using Zoom to bring loved ones together to celebrate this special occasion.
When planning a virtual birthday party, it is important to think about what type of theme is going to be used. For example, there are lots of banners that people can deploy in the background of a video chat to make sure the birthday feels as special as possible. Then, it might even be possible to get a cake delivered to the birthday boy or girl! This is a way to bring the entire birthday party together. While it does take some pre-planning, it’s a surprise that is certainly worth it.
Pulling Off a Virtual Bachelor Party
Finally, there are lots of people who have had to change their wedding plans because of the pandemic. This includes bachelor parties. If you are looking for a way to pull off a bachelor party virtually, there are a few tips that you need to remember. First, make sure that you find a date and time that works for everyone. There are plenty of websites that can help you secure a date and time that works for all attendees.
Then, you can start planning the entertainment and details that you are going to include. For example, make sure you have a menu put together that everyone can follow. This might include booze, steaks, and party favors. Consider getting the attendees set up with food delivery, or even alcohol delivery the day-of. You might even want to bring in a virtual stripper to bring the entire party together! There are plenty of ways to pull off the perfect bachelor party even if it has to be virtual. Don’t let the lack of in-person interaction stop you from experiencing some of the best bachelor party entertainment available.
Think About Pulling Off a Virtual Party
When you think creatively, you’ll find there are many ways to host a fun and exciting virtual party that is far more than just sitting on a video chat. Even though this is not something that is going to last forever, the pandemic is still going to be with us for the near future. Therefore, everyone has to think about how they can still make a virtual party feel special. With the right platform, the right guests, and the right party staples, it is possible to make every virtual party a success. With this in mind, get a little creative and let the imagination run wild!