Author: Mariette Fredericks

Is it Rude to write, “no kids” on the invitation?

Posted on by Mariette Fredericks

no kids graphic

When organizing your next special event, say a birthday party, what’s the first thing you do to begin the planning process? Do you examine the guest list? Pick colors or decoration theme? Or do you get right onto Pinterest for some inspiration? How about the wording for the invitation? After you decide on your first order of business, the theme for your party should follow, then shortly thereafter, your guest list. After which you might want to review themed birthday invitations.

One of the first to dos when creating the guest list, might be to decide on whom or more precisely at what age, is your aim? I might grab a manila folder, blank sheet of paper, and run a horizontal and vertical line on it. Creating 4 quadrants helps me prioritize what to do first, second, third and last, just before the event. One of the many questions I am asked is, “is it rude to say, no kids?” I would like to focus on this question and how you might address it, rather than offer an organizational timeline, as they can be found easily on the internet when party planning.

Here are a few Pre-Planning Thoughts and Suggestions before deciding on the best “wording” for the all too frequently asked question:

  • Are you serving appetizers and alcoholic beverages?
  • Is your gathering an after-hours event?
  • Do you have seating or space limitations?

First consider avoiding the use of Negatives. If “Adults Only” raises a negative response from just one guest, consider using:

  • You are invited to an Adult Gathering
  • Come to Adult Night Out
  • Join us for a Date Night

Secondly, if you feel a verbal explanation is in order, consider:

  • “Due to the adult nature of our evening, you’ll want to plan a night out for you and a night in for the kiddos.” *
  • “Though we love experiencing your children in a family atmosphere, the evening is geared as an adult gathering, and we would like you to feel more comfortable and relaxed in having them cared for at home to enjoy your date night out.”
  • “Our party plans will not necessarily be appropriate for children or teenagers. We are happy to recommend a few sitters in our neighborhood area should you need one.”
  • *If you verbally say or write: you may vs you’ll want …it may come across as a suggestion to your guest, vs your actual desire to leave the kids at home with a sitter; without actually saying, ‘please leave the kids at home.’

Lastly, for a Wedding Reception, consider the Titles for Reception Cards:

  • Adult Reception
  • Adult Gathering
  • Formal Adult Gathering

I do hope this information is of great use when planning your next Adult Outing or Event. Your written experiences and comments are most welcome to help those in the future. Happy Planning!

Wedding Color Trend 2015

Posted on by Mariette Fredericks

Pantone Spring 2015 Fashion Colors

2015-spring-color-reportEvery year a new Pantone Color report comes out to coincide with Fashion Week: Carlstadt, New Jersey: the report was completed and published September 4, 2014, by Pantone LLC, an X-Rite company. Pantone is the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for many design industries. The unveiled report PANTONE® Fashion Color Report Spring 2015, is a  comprehensive overview of designers’ use of color in their upcoming collections.

The report is released to coincide with New York Fashion Week, the PANTONE Fashion Color Report features the top 10 colors for women’s and men’s fashion for spring 2015, along with designer sketches, quotes and headshots. The complete report is available at www.pantone.com/spring2015.  Top-10-Colors-for-Spring-Summer-Bridesmaid-Dresses-2015

“Many feel compelled to be connected around the clock because we are afraid we’ll miss something important. There is a growing movement to step out and create ‘quiet zones’ to disconnect from technology and unwind, giving ourselves time to stop and be still,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Color choices follow the same minimalistic, ‘en plein air’ theme, taking a cue from nature rather than being reinvented or mechanically manipulated. Soft, cool hues blend with subtle warm tones to create a soothing escape from the everyday hustle and bustle.”

The top colors for women’s fashion for spring 2015 are:
PANTONE 14-4313 Aquamarine
PANTONE 16-4725 Scuba Blue
PANTONE 14-5714 Lucite Green
PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue
PANTONE 14-1213 Toasted Almond
PANTONE 16-1720 Strawberry Ice
PANTONE 15-1247 Tangerine
PANTONE 13-0720 Custard
PANTONE 18-1438 Marsala
PANTONE 14-4102 Glacier Gray

The top colors for men’s fashion for spring 2015 are:
PANTONE 16-4120 Dusk Blue
PANTONE 14-4102 Glacier Gray
PANTONE 18-0135 Treetop
PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue
PANTONE 14-1213 Toasted Almond
PANTONE 18-0538 Woodbine
PANTONE 16-1328 Sandstone
PANTONE 17-4014 Titanium
PANTONE 18-1438 Marsala
PANTONE 16-3310 Lavender Herb

pantone-spring-2015-aquamarineDRESSWomen’s Color Palette
On one end of the women’s palette sits Aquamarine, an airy, ethereal blue with a cool, dreamy feel that mixes well with the other blues and greens in the Top 10. Evoking thoughts of soothing, tropical waters, Scuba Blue restores our sense of carefree playfulness, while invigorating the body and mind, and Lucite Green, a soft, serene green offers a fresh sense of clarity.

Pair Lucite Green with bold Classic Blue for a balanced and refreshed look. As the name implies, Classic Blue is a strong and reliable anchor and, with its waterborne qualities, is perceived as thoughtful and introspective. Bringing balance to the coolness of the spring/summer color range, Toasted Almond, a suntanned neutral, offers timeless, comforting warmth.

Reminiscent of the sun on our skin in the spring and summer months, Toasted Almond pairs well with both Strawberry Ice, a light, nurturing coral tone, and Tangerine, an energizing, non-jarring take on orange that adds a pop of color for spring. Combine all three for a delicious, almost retro-inspired look.

Emanating warmth and happiness, Custard serves as an all-encompassing yellow for the spring palette, which can be combined with Classic Blue for a maritime look. Much like the fortified wine that gives Marsala its name, this compelling and cordial hue incorporates the satisfying richness of a tastefully fulfilling meal, while its grounding red-brown roots point to a sophisticated, natural earthiness. Marsala works well with Glacier Gray, a timeless and unobtrusive gray that adds a sense of graceful relaxation as another practical neutral. Bring Marsala and Glacier Gray together with Aquamarine for an unexpected and exciting pairing that is perfect for spring.

PANTONE®…Make It Brilliant. PANTONE® and other Pantone trademarks are the property of Pantone LLC. © 2014. All rights reserved. SOURCE Pantone LLC: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pantone-announces-fashion-color-report-spring-2015-273928171.html  RELATED LINKS: http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/index.aspx

Stationery: Men, what’s your type?

Posted on by Mariette Fredericks

letterpress, flat or folded note CCThere are literally hundreds if not thousands of options for stationery (few for men and tons for women) today, especially in a Do It Yourself world. So, where do you start? And when you get there, which do you gravitate toward and why?

  • Do you prefer Letterpress folded or flat notes? Is your answer based on wanting to write more or less, yet still send a personal message?
  • Do you grab just anything off the shelf (heaven forbid it) at your local grocer or retail chain?
  • Is price and quality an issue?
  • Looking for paper memo sheets, card stocks or color papers?
  • What image are you wishing to reflect?
  • Do you want the front of your piece to say Thanks or Personalized with a name or Monogram?

The above criteria are based on the reasons for writing in the first place. If you plan on writing a note to your child’s teacher, would a simple personalized sheet do? What about writing a thank you note to your boss? What is important to you? Your “personal paper image” or the words written? Are you writing weekly to customers, or once in a while to a friend or mentor?

When you put to pen your particulars the picture should become clearer as you step away from the typical, generic note card and onto something more personal and mature.  Let’s begin to search out the best options.

So you get on the internet and BAM! You’re flooded with options and choices. Don’t give up! Men, you can do this! With your simple style, there are a few things to consider to help you get unstuck. Ladies, I am addressing the men because women study paper and stationery their entire lives. And if there are a few women or one woman that doesn’t fall into that category, give us a call, we can help you too.

Correct me if I am wrong, but our Male customers typically choose flat sheets or cards vs folded notes. Consider your sheet weight. Find something a bit more substantial in quality over the average piece of paper that offers a smooth, linen, metallic or textured touch, to make your impression.

Flat card sizes start at (approximately) 4×6 and grow up from there as space is needed. Cards over Folded Notes have been known to be ordered for a few reasons:

  • Cards are thicker, which may stand out over others
  • Easier, with no flipping open or over to read, unless continued on back
  • Best to accommodate larger hand writing
  • Few words may be called for in correspondence
  • More space can be intimidating for the ‘once in a while’ writer
  • This is not to say you cannot choose Folded Notes. It is a matter of preference.

Specialty cards should be personalized with first name or first and last name or a monogram, typically printed at the top or centered on the card. Those who are be a bit more daring might like their personalization in the top left or bottom right corners. The color of cards can be pretty much any color, but the standard colors are seen in white, bright white, natural white or ivory (ecru). The stationery world has grown with color choices and metallic are used at times, but not typically chosen by men. Maybe consider a colorful envelope instead as a way for your correspondence to stand, or be read first over others. Thickness of cards should be considered. Card thickness range either by weight or point size. Most are familiar with weight, so you can look for 80# weight, to 100#, 130# or Letterpress Card weight that can be 100# or ultra-thick and very impressive.

Whatever your choosing, the thoughtfulness of your hand written message is what matters most. We, of course celebrate hand written correspondences, imagining smiles sent over the miles that can be read over and over again, especially our electronic, frenzied driven world!

Not too far back in the day, if you sent a hand written correspondence, or a greeting card, it shouted to the recipient that “you cared enough to send the very best!” You don’t have to be in your 50’s to know where that slogan originates.

Florist uses Mannequins for Christmas Decor

Posted on by Mariette Fredericks

15 Christmas dress SMALLER IMAGEWe just love seeing new ideas, especially on Pinterest.  A recent trend hitting the waves is florists using mannequins or dress forms for holiday decorations for the home, businesses or events. It all started with Oscar de la Renta. Initially this blogger first noticed the luxury clothier who created the beautiful “Christmas Tree skirt” to the left displaying his holiday fashions.

Of course, being in the wedding industry, we immediately thought it so grand to create one of these for a Wedding Reception. But we will leave that to the experts, especially with how fashionably forward they can be, as it is not our forte. We will stick to wedding invitations and stationery and gifts for now!

If you like them as much as we do, and would like to buy or create one, or order a new or used dress form to DIY, check out this blog 7 Florists Christmas Decorations.

Want more ideas? Follow this board Dress Forms Christmas tree board on Pinterest. And when Christmas is over, re-use the mannequin or dress form for another holiday design.

Visit here to buy new or used dress forms for projects like these for next DIY project. Best wishes as it look great

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