Boo!

Widow's Web Invitation by Noteworthy Collection, available at FineStationery.com

Reader Request: A Couple's Shower

Invitation by Mindy Weiss for Inviting Company, available at FineStationery.com

One of our readers, Maggie of Black and White {Side by Side} blog, is planning a Couple's Shower in late November for a couple to be wed this December. She is looking for a little inspiration, but mentioned that the event will be low key and she is thinking of Christmas decorations as a theme for gifts. Since the shower will be held right around the time of year when the holidays are getting into full swing, I suggest running with a red and green color scheme. Maggie, here are some ideas for the Couple's Shower -- I hope they are inspiring!

Dessert:  Instead of trying to prepare a big dinner for everyone, why not serve sweet treats instead? The great thing about desserts is that most of them can be prepared in advance, and you don't need to worry about keeping them hot. To be extra festive, choose a theme for desserts, like red and green or peppermint goodies. Here are a few ideas...

Peppermint Bark via Martha Stewart, Candy Cane Cake via MyRecipes,

Candy Cane Mint Milanos via Hostess with the Mostess, Green candy display via Amy Atlas

Cocktails:  Since this is a Couple's Shower, serve "His" and "Hers" cocktails -- green and red, of course!

"His" cocktail (green) via About.com, "Hers" cocktail (red) via Martha Stewart

Activities:  Here are several ideas for a holiday-inspired Couple's Shower...

- Hang "His" and "Hers" stockings in the party space. Ask guests to bring a small item for the "His" stocking (tools, for example) and a small item for the "Hers" stocking (kitchen gadgets, for example.) At the end of the shower, the couple can take the filled stockings home with them -- Stockings via Hostess with the Mostess

- Have a basket full of red flowers (real or fabric -- like the flowers featured on your tutorial) and green flowers by the entrance. As guests arrive, have them pin on a green flowers if they knew the groom first, or a red flower if they met the bride first. This is a great conversation starter for those guests that have not yet met one another.

- Place a basket of ornaments on a table, along with small tags or slips of cardstock that have a hole punched in the corner. A basket of ribbons and pens should sit near the ornaments. Have each guest write a wish to the bride and groom on the tag, and then string it together with an ornament. Finished ornaments can be hung on a tree or placed back in the basket. The bride and groom will then have a set of thoughtful ornaments to hang on their first Christmas tree together. This is a great activity to do while the couple opens gifts.

Gifts:  If you'd like guests to bring a Christmas decoration for the bride and groom, be sure to specify their design taste. For example, "Please bring a modern + chic holiday decoration for the Bride & Groom" or, "Please bring along a vintage-inspired holiday decoration for the Bride & Groom".

A Whimsical Sendoff

Plan a whimsical and charming sendoff from your wedding ceremony or reception by creating ribbon wands for guests to wave. This DIY project, spotted on Ruffled, is so very simple, and wands can be customized to fit your color scheme. Use several different colors of ribbon on each wand, or create every other wand with a different type or color of ribbon. Imagine the neat photo-op upon exiting the venue as newlyweds!

Check out the tutorial at Ruffled blog

'Tis the Season for Holiday Parties

It's that time of the year again... time to start thinking about planning holiday parties! If you're tired of your normal holiday happening, here are a couple of ideas for a festive and fun time:

Stocking Stuffer Party - This party would work well for a small group of friends. Ask guests to bring wrapped, inexpensive or homemade stocking stuffers (one for each guest) with them to the party. For a party activity, have plain stockings on hand, along with items to decorate them (such as glitter, rhinestones, ribbon, etc.) Guests can decorate a stocking, and then hang them from your mantle or from a clothes line inside. Once all of the stockings are hung, have each guest "stuff" the stockings of the fellow party-goers. Each guest will take home a custom made stocking full of goodies! Ideas for stocking stuffers include gourmet candy canes, cookies, a favorite photo, small photo frame, handmade jewelery, etc.

Stocking Sequins Invitation by Bubbles n' bows, available at FineStationery.com

Ornament Decorating Party - This type of party would be great for guests of all ages, and for groups small or large. Either ask guests to bring their own decorating items (ribbon, glitter, paint, rhinestones, etc.) to the party, or have supplies on hand. Fill baskets with plain ornaments, and set them out with the decorating supplies. Guests can decorate one or more ornaments while chatting with friends and munching on holiday cookies. Decorating for this party is simple -- simply hang ornaments in the party space!

Ornament Invitation by Bert & Harry, available at FineStationery.com

The Kid's Table

Growing up, when my grandparents hosted family dinners on holidays there was always a "kid's table". Set up beside the "adult table" was a small card table for just my cousins, brother and I. If your family has a table for the little ones, try dressing it up with a fun centerpiece and place cards. This centerpiece can be created by the kids as the parents prepare the Thanksgiving feast.

This Mayflower centerpiece can be created by kids with the help of an adult. Fill the centerpiece with candies, nuts or dried fruit.

Fold paper into tiny boats, adding a sail made from a toothpick and slips of paper. Each child's name is then written on the sail and used as a place card.

Decorating with Corn for Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving, skip the turkey decorations and consider using dried corn husks and kernels as decor. The dried husks are a beautiful gold color in their natural state, or can be dyed in a rich hue. Pretty purples and rich golds accent one another for a look that is warm and inviting.

A wreath made of golden-colored corn husks looks lovely inside or on your front door -- Martha Stewart

Small votive candles wrapped with dyed husks add a gorgeous glow to your Thanksgiving table. Wrap vases of fresh flowers with husks as well, and place them around your home -- Martha Stewart

Place a candle inside a wide vase and fill it with dried corn kernels for a nice harvest look -- Teeny Blessings

These decorative flowers are made with dried husks and kernels. Fill a tall vase with them to use as a centerpiece -- Martha Stewart

An Everlasting Bridal Bouquet

When I was married last year, I thought it would be nice to try and dry my bridal bouquet as a keepsake. Unfortunately, the bouquet turned brown and I had to toss it. Have any of you had this same experience?

With this in mind, I was so excited when Jamie (one of FineStationery.com's amazing Pre-Press Designers) pointed these clay bridal bouquets out to me. If your wedding is on the horizon, and you know that you'd like to keep your bouquet, you are in luck! These custom bridal bouquets by DK Designs on Etsy are made from soft clay, molded to look exactly like a real flower. When I first saw these bouquets, I thought they were real -- the detail in the work is so beautiful. These bouquets have been featured on the Martha Stewart Show. Now, a bride can always keep her bouquet looking fresh and bright. Just don't use it to toss! As a hint to any husbands reading, these bouquets would make a wonderful anniversary present, as I am sure a bouquet could be re-created from a photo of an original real bouquet.

Images via DK Designs on Etsy

What do you think? Would you opt for a clay bridal bouquet in place of a real bouquet?

Grey, Green & Silhouettes

My husband and I have been doing some redecorating in our bedroom with a color palette of grey and green. The colors looked so fantastic together, and I immediately thought of how this color combination could be used as inspiration for a wedding. Together, the colors come across as being very modern and sleek. To offset the look, add vintage-style silhouettes as motifs. The modern palette paired with vintage detailing results in a chic look for a young stylish couple.

A stunning green invitation with bright white printing is just the ticket for this wedding -- Invitation by Fontaine Maury, available at FineStationery.com


For the reception, accent the bridal gown with a gorgeous grey satin rosebud sash -- Etsy seller 10kiaatstreet


Bridesmaids will look sleek in grey cocktail dresses. If you feel like adding a pop of color, have the bridesmaids wear green satin heels -- J.Crew


To add a vintage touch, have your baker create silhouette cookies. Either set them by the wedding cake, or place them in favor bags for guests to take home -- Style Me Pretty


Cupcakes with creamy green frosting and a grey fondant embellishment are a great way to infuse a modern look into the wedding -- Wedding Obsession


This bouquet is gorgeous in white, green and grey. You could also opt for an all-green or all-white bouquet with a grey ribbon wrapped around the stems -- The Knot


If you're in the beginning stages of planning your wedding, consider this Save the Date card with cute silhouettes and green personalization -- Save the Date by Fontaine Maury, available at FineStationery.com

Letterpress for Dessert

Love letterpress? The Finer Things and FineStationery.com do! That is why these "letterpress" cookies are such a fun find. Spotted over at Creature Comforts, these cookies feature numbers that were "printed" by vintage letterpress printing blocks. How neat! These would be a great dessert item for a bridal shower when the wedding date is pressed into the cookie. Serve them at a baby shower or sip-and-see party with the baby's due date or birth date. The possibilities are endless!

If you're using actual letterpress or other printing blocks, we recommend placing a thin sheet of plastic wrap over the cookies before pressing numbers or letters into them, for food safety.

You Made It! A Reader's DIY Project

One of our fantastic readers, Jennie, was so inspired by the post on reusable Halloween totes, that she created her own treat bags for kids! She sewed pieces of stiff felt in several colors (including glittered felt) together using embroidery floss to create the bag shapes. Once the bags were created, Scotch Maximum Strength Adhesive was used to attach foam die-cut shapes. Chunky yarn makes a durable handle for the bags. Wa-la! Easy, one-of-a-kind and reusable Halloween totes! Aren't they great? The Finer Things thinks so!

The front of one bag features a glittery witch's hat, while the front of the other bag features a haunted house.

The back of each bag is adorned with a ghost, pumpkin, and glittery "Boo" die-cut.

Great job, Jennie! Thank you for sharing your DIY project with us, and happy trick-or-treating!

Now Playing: Godzilla Movie Night

Invitation by Inviting Company, available at FineStationery.com

When the weather gets too cold to socialize outdoors, invite your child's friends over for a movie night at your homemade movie theater! Spread out lots of comfy pillows and blankets on the floor in your living room or basement, and be sure to have a concession stand with popcorn, sweets and drinks. Let the movie roll on the big screen for an hour or so, and then hold an intermission for refreshments. It's fun to use the movie you're showing as inspiration for the concession stand. For example, this Godzilla themed movie party is filled with bright colors and a silhouette of the reptile monster himself. If you can, find a movie poster for the flick you're showing, and set out markers for party-goers to sign their autograph on before they leave the party.

Fall Food Fridays: Decadent Desserts

For the last few Fridays here at The Finer Things, I've been presenting you with fantastic fall foods to please your palette. Today's post is the last in this series, and it is sure to give you a sweet tooth! Today's focus will be on decadent desserts with fall flair. Are you ready to do some baking this weekend?

Clockwise, from the top left:

Pumpkin Swirl Brownies via Martha Stewart

Pumpkin Seed Brittle via Martha Stewart

Gingersnap Crumble Pumpkin Parfait via Better Homes & Gardens

Mini Spice Bundt Cakes via Williams-Sonoma

Cranberry Ribbon Apple Pie via Epicurious

Sweet Potato Cupcakes via Better Homes & Gardens

Real Wedding: Greenville, Delaware

{The Finer Things loves weddings! We especially love sharing ideas on how to make your special day one of a kind. To build inspiration and show off some gorgeous wedding ideas, we'd love to share your wedding with all of our readers. Submit a few photos from your wedding to The Finer Things Real Wedding feature. Say "I Do!" and then see more information here!}


This gorgeous May wedding took place in Wilmington, Delaware -- right near the FineStationery.com office! The crisp white palette was a stunning choice for the venue, which is a historic home with a classic English garden. The bride & groom ordered their invitations from FineStationery.com. Donna (our Senior Wedding Specialist) helped the couple with their lovely custom order by adding a vellum wrap with a monogram. The couple loved the monogram so much that they had cookies created with the same look for guest's favors! The tables are beautiful and unique with an assortment of fresh white arrangements. Congratulations to the newlyweds, and a big thank you to Silk Style Events for posting this wedding on their blog in three parts, each one filled with breathtaking details (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3).

Holiday Gift Idea: Dancing Shoes

Have you started thinking about holiday gifts yet? Winter holidays are right around the corner! Wouldn't these dancing shoes make a wonderfully unique gift for the holidays?

Addressing Autumn

One of the many things I love about autumn is the color of the leaves as the air starts to get cooler -- rich crimson, brilliant orange, soft gold and dark brown. Nature's fall color palette is so regal and warm. When corresponding this season, consider stationery that is just as pretty as the falling leaves.

Clockwise, starting at the top left:
Mod Lattice Red Note Card by Boatman Geller
Fall Leaves Note by William Arthur
Autumn Acorn Note Card by Checkerboard
Cherry Note by Vera Wang
Linen Note by Prentiss Douthit
Orange Damask Folded Note by Vera Wang

All stationery available at FineStationery.com

Let's Skate!

If your little one's birthday falls within the winter months, you might be fretting over the thought of a house full of kids for their party... This winter, instead of inviting all of your child's friends to your home, invite them to the local skating rink for an ice skating party. Most rinks have spaces that are available for renting out, which means there is no mess in your home once the party is a wrap! Your child's friends will love twirling around on the ice and sipping hot chocolate as the birthday girl unwraps gifts.

Dress the birthday girl in a pretty sweater to keep her warm on the ice. Be sure to let parents know that their children will need to wear sweaters or coats to the party -- J.Crew

When the skaters need a break, or while the birthday girl unwraps gifts, serve hot chocolate with snowflake-shaped marshmallows to party-goers -- Martha Stewart

If you have rented out a party space at the skating rink, decorate it with snowflakes made from pipe-cleaners -- Martha Stewart

These tiny skate charms make wonderful party favors. Have a basket full of ribbons in assorted colors for each child to choose along with their charm. Then, they can wear their favor home as a necklace! -- Etsy seller Andi624

Instead of a birthday cake, bake cupcakes and add cupcake toppers with cute ice skate designs -- Kake

This skate-shaped invitation is perfect for a skating party -- Invitation by Bert & Harry, available at FineStationery.com

Along with the birthday cupcakes, marshmallow pops make great sweet treats -- Hostess with the Mostess

Have several pairs of warm wool mittens on hand for cold little fingers -- J.Crew

Fall Food Fridays: Main Dishes

For the next few Fridays here at The Finer Things, I'll be presenting you with fantastic fall foods to please your palette. Today's focus will be on main dishes with fall flair. All three of these main course suggestions involve fruits that are abundant in autumn.

Roasted Cornish Hen with Grapes:  This dish can be prepared as shown, with Cornish hens, or with boneless chicken breasts. It would pair nicely with a glass of wine.

Pistachio-Pomegranate Pilaf with Duck:  Pomegranates are such a great addition to fall menus. They are sweet, and add beautiful color to the plate.

Chicken with Cranberry Sauce:  Cranberry sauce shouldn't be reserved for Thanksgiving's menu only. Enjoy it throughout fall, especially with chicken instead of traditional turkey.

Be sure to stop by The Finer Things next Friday for our last Fall Food Friday feature. Here's hoping you have a sweet tooth... we'll be bringing you some decadent desserts!

Creative Cupcakes for Fall

These cupcake decorating kits by Meri Meri are perfect for upcoming fall parties and events, like Halloween and Thanksgiving. Dress up a plain cupcake with a cute wrapper and themed topper, like a ghost, jack-o-lantern or turkey. Dessert has never looked so stylish!

Trick or Treat Cupcake Kit available at FineStationery.com

Thanksgiving Cupcake Kit available at FineStationery.com

Right now, you can save 10% on select seasonal and holiday items at FineStationery.com. These fun cupcake kits are among the many items included in the savings! Happy shopping!

It's a Girl! Pink & Houndstooth Baby Shower

Houndstooth is the perfect pattern for the winter months -- it's just so pretty and cozy! Pair houndstooth with pink for a pretty shower in honor of your favorite mama-to-be and her expected baby girl.

Hang houndstooth patterned poms at different heights within your party space for a feminine touch -- Etsy seller PomLove

For decoration, wrap boxes of various sizes in different shades of pink paper and ribbon. Place them around the party space for a pop of color -- Martha Stewart

Cute cookies with houndstooth patterned frosting are extra adorable when the baby's initial is also printed in icing -- Attempting Creative

Pink parasols are perfect for placing around the party space -- Bella Umbrella

This invitation with a houndstooth jacket is stunning. Add an umbrella motif for extra flair -- Invitation by Checkerboard, available at FineStationery.com

To satisfy the mama-to-be's sweet tooth, serve mini strawberry shakes with a blackberry on top -- The Knot

A cute pair of houndstooth booties make a great gift -- Etsy seller ivoryandmoss

Influential Fonts

Have you ever stopped to notice the fonts that make up your favorite logos, or the fonts that are used to print magazines, newspapers, or appear on your digital devices (cell phone, computer, etc.)? This article, Top 20 Most Influential Fonts in Graphic Design, is an interesting read for fans of typography. The fonts on this list have been used around the world, and have shaped design in many ways over the years.

Here are a few fonts you may recognize, with a brief message about their influence on graphic design:

HELVETICA: "Graphic designers from around the world would agree that Helvetica is the most influential as well as the most widely used font till date. This sans-serif typeface was created by Max Meidinger, a well known Swiss designer and Eduard Hoffmann. Helvetica has various versions for Latin, Greek, Japanese, Hindi, Hebrew and more.

World’s top brands like AT&T, American Airlines, Microsoft and Toyota have chosen this font type in their marketing campaigns."

TIMES NEW ROMAN: "Probably the most ubiquitous typeface ever, Times New Roman is used extensively in books, magazines and various other forms of printed material. The font was designed by Stanley Morison and Victor Lardent, and it first appeared on 3 October 1932 in the issue of the famous British newspaper, The Times."

MYRIAD: "Myriad is another great font designed by Carol Twombly (and Robert Slimbach) for Adobe in the nineties. The best use of this font could be found in all Apple products and marketing campaigns as it is Apple’s corporate font (although lately some of the Apple’s products have used other font types). Myriad has many versions like Myriad Pro, Myriad Web, Myriad Wild and more."

Kid's Craft for October

This ghost necklace is so easy to make, and can be crafted with materials you most likely already have. Kids can create this ghostly necklace themselves, and wear it during the month of October for festive Halloween fun.

Fall Food Fridays: Savory Soups

For the next few Fridays here at The Finer Things, I'll be presenting you with fantastic fall foods to please your palette. Today's focus will be on savory soups to warm up with when the autumn winds blow.

Squash and White Bean Soup: Squash is a great ingredient to work with during the fall. It's rich color and delicious flavor make squash perfect for many dishes, including this squash and white bean soup with other veggies.

Roasted Pumpkin Soup: Pumpkin, a fall staple, works well in lots of soups. This roasted pumpkin soup is rich with onions and mushrooms, and is sure to please everyone's palette.

Cider Baked Butternut Squash Soup: This combination of butternut squash, vegetables, apple cider, cheese and cream will have your mouth watering before the pot is even simmering.