Girly Poolside Party

If your little girl has an upcoming birthday, or is simply looking for a fun activity, throw a girly poolside party for her and her friends! Spread lots of pretty beach towels out around the pool, or on the lawn around a few kiddie pools. Serve cool treats like cupcakes topped with ice cream and frozen tropical smoothies. Let the girls prep their toes for flip-flops by setting out a few fun nail polish colors. For crafts, let them decorate flip flops with flowers and sunglasses with shells and beads.

Ice cream cupcakes, Smoothies, Flip-flops and Sunglasses via Martha Stewart
Nail polishes via Essie
Personalized fish beach towel via Pottery Barn Kids
Kid Flip Flop Invitation by Inviting Co., available at FineStationery.com
Personalized Melamine Plate by Boatman Geller, available at FineStationery.com

A Memorial Day Message

Nautical Invitation by Boatman Geller, available at FineStationery.com

Last Minute Memorial Day Treat

If you've been invited to a BBQ or Memorial Day party, you've probably been asked to bring a food item to pass. Here's a simple and quick idea that will wow party-goers:

Image via AllRecipes.com

Simply wash fresh strawberries, then dry them completely. Next, dip about 2/3 of the strawberry into melted white chocolate. Before the chocolate hardens, dip 1/3 of the chocolate-dipped strawberry into blue decorating sugar. Now you've got a patriotic strawberry!

Summertime DIY Project

If you're looking for easy and cute crafts to add to your list of summer activities, look no further! Bridesmaid.com posted a tutorial for making these darling bendable fabric strips. Twist them into flowers to accent anything you'd like. Here are a few items that you could easily add these twistable flowers to with a drop of hot glue:

• Bobby-pin
• Hair elastic
• Safety pin
• Belt
• Headband
• Gift box
• Wreath

Father's Day Luncheon

Giving dear ol' Dad a necktie for Father's Day is a little ordinary, but a tie themed luncheon is quite the opposite! Invite family and friends over for a luncheon to celebrate Dad in style. Stick with a necktie and bow-tie theme in any color palette you choose.

Mix it up just a little bit by passing out chocolate mustaches as favors. They make for a fun photo-op, too! -- Bliss Bloom Blog

This brand new die-cut invitation by Stevie Streck is perfectly "suited" for the occasion -- available at FineStationery.com

This shirt and necktie cake could serve as the centerpiece for your luncheon. Be sure to use Dad's favorite flavors for the filling and icing! -- Tiepedia

Embellish sandwiches of any kind with small pennant flags in stripes, checks or polka dots -- Joyful Weddings and Events

Dress up simple floral containers with ribbon tied to look like a bow-tie -- Joyful Weddings and Events

Wrap presents with a fancy bow-tie for fun -- Martha Stewart

If you insist on buying Dad a brand new tie, make it a monogrammed tie to be personal -- Martha Stewart

Guest Posting for PAWSH Magazine

Good morning, friends! Today, I’m excited to link up to a guest post that I wrote for a new online magazine for pets -- PAWSH. As an adoring pet owner to one hyper yet sweet 3 year old Boston Terrier, I was so excited to be asked to write a guest post for PAWSH -- an incredible (and stylish!) resource for all pet owners.

Be sure to hop on over to the blog at PAWSH to check out my guest post on honoring and celebrating our furry friends through personalized stationery and invitations. You'll also love flipping through the virtual pages of the first issue of PAWSH Magazine!

Do you show off your love for animals through your choices in personalized stationery? Tell us how you celebrate the pups and kitties in your life!

Memorial Day Menu

With the long holiday weekend in clear view now, this week is sure to fly by! Let's kick this Monday off with a Memorial Day menu, leaving you with plenty of time to do your grocery shopping before the barbecue!

Main Course:  Cheddar-Stuffed Burgers and Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Side Dishes:  Heirloom Tomato & Watermelon Salad and Emeril's Macaroni Salad

Desserts:  Vanilla Raspberry Sundaes with Cookie Spoons and Pretzel Sparklers

A Patriotic Palette

With Memorial Day inching closer, I've been inspired by red, white and blue palettes. This gorgeous photo shoot, featured on Style Me Pretty, is Americana-infused and oh-so-lovely. If you're planning a summer wedding, consider adding a few red, white and blue details to your decor for a pretty patriotic look.

Blushing Bride Bachelorette Party

Throwing a bachelorette bash for a bride-to-be? Go girly with a Blushing Bride theme, complete with pink accents, pink champagne, girly gifts and yummy sweets!

This Bachelorette Party invitation by Inviting Company is perfect for a girly-girl -- FineStationery.com

Stock up on champagne, keeping it cool in an ice bucket monogrammed with the bride's initials -- Brides.com

Decorate the venue with lots of flowing pink satin ribbon -- BHLDN

Present the bride-to-be with girly gifts, like pretty intimates -- Anthropologie

Be sure to wear a glam party dress, like this black cocktail dress with sequins -- ModCloth

As an alternative to champagne, offer a pink signature cocktail -- Epicurious

Mini cupcakes topped with pink edible pearls are the perfect accent to a pink, white and black candy buffet -- Hostess with the Mostess

Wear lots of accessories with bling, of course! -- J.Crew

DIY: Fruit and Flower Centerpiece

Create a unique and fun summer centerpiece for your next party, or your own kitchen table with fruit, flowers, and a few other supplies. This fruit and flower centerpiece is easy to create, and looks ultra fresh for summer!

Outdoor Activities for Kids

Now that the chilly winds and snowflakes have gone away, sunny and warm days are upon us. Kids are anxious to play outdoors, and parents are probably more than happy to let them enjoy the fresh air! Parents.com has a few great ideas for outdoor activities to inspire and entertain, like a movie night or pup parade:

What activities do you have planned for your children this spring and summer?

Yellow & Black Birthday Party

Styling a birthday party for a teen can be tricky -- it shouldn't come across as too young, but shouldn't be ultra mature, either. Sticking to a bold and fun color palette is probably best, and you can always incorporate patterns for fun. Here is a bit of inspiration for a yellow and black birthday party:

Teens will go crazy for a candy buffet! Choose candies in coordinating colors -- Amorology Weddings

Accent a cake with lemon slices to add color and flavor -- Martha Stewart

Serve lemonade in large drink dispensers -- Kara's Party Ideas

Mini cupcakes adorned with the birthday girl's initial make a great accent on the cake table. Choose vanilla for the cake, and chocolate for the mini cupcakes -- The Knot

A fun and bright party dress will look great on the birthday girl -- Delia's

Choose a bold invitation in the color palette of your party -- Invitation by Inviting Co., available at FineStationery.com

Casual Rehearsal Dinner

If you're looking to host an intimate and casual rehearsal dinner, choose a relaxed setting (like a family member's home) and go for a neutral color palette. Here's a bit of inspiration for a small gathering in a pretty pale blue, grey and white palette:

A simple invitation, like this pale blue, tan and white design by Prentiss Douthit, is perfect for an event with casual style.

Set the table with blue or tan linens and neutral floral arrangements for a relaxed look.

Imprinted "sweetheart forks" make great accent pieces, and a nice keepsake for the bride and groom.

Hang simple and sweet pennant flags in the party space for added flair.

Instead of a formal sit-down dinner, opt for light fare like artisinal cheeses, fresh bread, fruits and crisp wine or champagne.

Chalking it up to the details...

While browsing through BHLDN's amazingly chic decor collection, I spotted quite a few chalkboard details. These items would make lovely additions to wedding reception decor. The slate hearts even double as coasters and place cards! I can imagine a cute cocktail menu drawn onto the board, and guests names printed onto the tags to accompany favors.

Sign, Slate Hearts, Flower Box, Tags

New Graduation Styles

High School Graduation is right around the corner -- have you ordered announcements for the grad yet? We've got brand new styles in bold patterns, and even a selection of designs that are customizable to your school colors! Our Stationery Consultants are available to help you design the perfect announcement to suit your personality and celebrate your graduation in style!

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New Styles by Putnam House

New Styles by Noteworthy Collection

New Styles by Boatman Geller

View all new styles for grads!

We've Won a Trendy!

Read all about it {here}!

Drinks for the Derby

If you're prepping for a Derby party this weekend, you're probably going to be gathering up the ingredients for Mint Juleps -- the official drink of the Kentucky Derby. Not everyone prefers a strong cocktail, however. While you're scooping up the mint leaves for the original cocktail, pick up the extra ingredients to create a fruity option like the Cherry Julep or Peach Julep!

Cherry Julep Recipe

Peach Julep Recipe

Cherry Julep and Peach Julep images via Martha Stewart

Beautiful Fiesta Wedding in Mexico

This stunning wedding, featured on Style Me Pretty back in April, is the perfect eye candy for today -- Cinco de Mayo! The wedding took place in Sayulita, Mexico, and is full of beautiful details and color. A relaxed fiesta style reception would be perfect for those of you celebrating your wedding in the beginning of May. A rehearsal dinner would also be the ideal event for a fun fiesta theme.

All images via Style Me Pretty

New Twist on Cupcakes

It seems as though every dessert table features cupcakes -- and who could resist? They are so cute, easy and fun to decorate, and simple to make! If you're looking to change things up a bit at your next event, look no further than the Cupcake Push-Pop. Do you remember the ice cream push-pop treats that came from the Ice Cream Truck? The same idea applies -- simply push up on the stick to dispense two mini cupcakes with frosting! Decorate the container with a personalized label (FineStationery.com offers hundreds of designs!) and display the pops by sticking the ends into a styrofoam brick.

Cupcake Push-Pop containers via Cup Kate's Event Design on Etsy

Sweet Pink Baptism or Christening

I'll be attending the Baptism of my friend's baby girl (I'm the Godmother!) this June. Spring is a wonderful time of the year for a Baptism or Christening -- the warmer weather making it easier for entertaining, and the fresh, soft colors of the season make for beautiful palettes when it comes to planning. This inspiration board features a soft pink and pearl palette - perfectly sweet for a baby girl.

Mini cupcakes topped with a sugar pearl are perfect for a dessert table, along with pink candies -- Cupcakes via Hostess with the Mostess, Candies via Amy Atlas

This simple and sweet invitation is the perfect choice for the occasion -- Invitation by Stacy Claire Boyd, available at FineStationery.com

Stick with simple single rose buds in the palest pink for decor -- Hostess with the Mostess

Serve drinks like pink lemonade or sparkling water in pink glassware -- Style Me Pretty

Decorate with a ruffled pink fabric garland and a pink and lace table skirt -- Hostess with the Mostess

Gifts for Mom

With less than a week until Mother’s Day, you might be thinking about what gift to give. Although Mom will love anything given by her children, here are a few ideas that we know she will adore:

For the Mom who is always on the go... Envirosax Market Totes from Red Envelope

For the Mom who loves to make lists & is always organzized... Let her choose from FineStationery.com's selection of new notepads by Boatman Geller

For the Mom who loves crafts and is a fan of DIY projects... Create a one of a kind flower brooch just for her (tutorial via Martha Stewart)

For the Mom who has a deep love for nature... Hanging vase from West Elm

For the Mom who is ultimately chic and appreciates great style... kate spade bangle

For the Mom who collects jewelry & trinkets and saves old love letters... Mirrored box from Crate&Barrel

For the Mom who has a sweet tooth and enjoys something homeade... Heart cookies (recipe via Martha Stewart)

For the Mom who deserves some "Mom time", and loves to relax... Lavender scented candle from Anthropologie