Casual Fall Gathering

Fall is a great time to gather with friends, as busy summer days come to an end. Spend the weekend nights with your closest friends and family by hosting a casual get-together, either indoors or around a cozy outdoor fire pit.

Use dried cornhusks and corn to spruce up a tall votive candle holder -- Pinterest

This invitation is perfect for a casual gathering or a harvest party -- Invitation by Inviting Co., available at FineStationery.com

For dessert, make "acorns" from donut holes, frosting, a pretzel stick and sprinkles. In addition, serve pumpkin-flavored cupcakes to guests -- Acorns via Gracious Rain, Cupcakes via Swanky Tables

Have lots of warm and cozy blankets on hand to create a relaxed atmosphere -- Country Home

Use mini pumpkins as tablecloth weights for added charm -- Better Homes and Gardens

Tuesday Trends: First Birthday Photos

Photo sessions for one year olds have been growing in popularity lately -- what a great way to commemorate a child's first birthday! When it comes to celebrating a birthday, a cute cupcake is definitely in order... and a sweet treat truly makes for a great photo-op!

First group of photos via On To Baby

Second group of photos also via On To Baby

Keepsake Gifts for Baby

If you're looking for a keepsake gift for a new baby, these organic plush toys by Prentiss Douthit are just right. A small pocket is sewn to the front of each plush animal, with personalized calling cards tucked inside. Aren't they so sweet? These little toys are made of domestic organic cotton, washable, and ultra-sweet. Which style is your favorite?

Friday Finds & Fine Pin

Let's kick-off the weekend with a few fun finds from around the web, along with our new weekly feature, the Fine Pin!

This Periodic Table of Typefaces, spotted on How About Orange, represents 100 of the most influential typefaces of our time. A print of the table would make a great gift or office accent for a graphic designer!

Be sure to check out this interesting article from the Wall Street Journal on the appeal of paper and stationery to social media aficionados.

Looking for a fun and simple weekend craft? This DIY bracelet from Sweet Paul will add style to your look in no time.

With football season upon us, it's time to start jotting down a few great tailgating recipes for game day. Check out this great tailgating recipe collection via Martha Stewart.

Speaking of tailgating, this week's Fine Pin is sure to excite fans on game day. Check out this neat (and clean!) presentation of a Seven Layer Dip. Simply prepare the dip in a larger jar and screw the top on for transporting it!

Autumn Wedding Centerpieces

In addition to beautiful flowers, opt to include autumn flair when choosing your centerpieces for a fall wedding. Pretty pumpkins, beautiful squash and gourds and corn cobs and husks make great accents. Go glam with glittered pumpkins, or keep it simple with a vessel of varying sizes and shapes of gourds. A combination of flowers and pumpkins is a great option, too!

Holiday Savings

It's not too soon to start thinking about the holidays -- especially your holiday greeting cards! FineStationery.com is kicking off the season early with great savings on select holiday products, and we want you to know about them!

Enjoy Free Return Address Printing on select Birchcraft holiday items through 11:59 p.m. ET on 9/29/11.

Save 10% on select holiday products from Caspari through 11:59 p.m. ET on 9/30/11.

Save 10% on select holiday items from Crane & Co. through 11:59 p.m. ET on 10/28/11.

10% off select holiday items from Vera Wang through 11:59 p.m. ET on 9/30/11.

10% off select holiday items from William Arthur through 11:59 p.m. ET on 9/30/11.

Happy Holiday Shopping!

Inspiring Children's Party

Let your child's imagination run wild with a travel-themed birthday party. The adventurer within them will be delighted to make a "trip around the world" all in one afternoon. Choose a single destination, a far-away land, or several countries or continents for inspiration. Kids will celebrate while learning about a new culture -- what fun! This post, featured on Celebrations at Home, is a great example of ideas for a travel-themed party:

Friday Finds and the First Fine Pin

Welcome to Friday, friends! Here's hoping you had a wonderful week, and have great weekend plans in store. Here are a few great finds we spotted around the web this week that we'd love to share with you:

One of our favorite party planners, Amy Atlas, has rounded up a few great “Back to School” dessert tables and entertaining ideas. Getting ready for class has never been so fun!

Hang on to the last few days of summer with Real Simple’s summer edition of “New Uses For Old Things”. Have you ever thought to use an ice cream scoop to build a sandcastle?

When summer ends, we start to think about the upcoming holiday season (yes, it’s not too early to start thinking about it!) With holiday parties a plenty, keep the family pup in high style with one of these adorable bow-tie collars, as spotted on Pawsh.

This stunning bridal bouquet boasts a fall color palette that is sure to bring a smile to any Autumn bride’s face. Thanks for the inspiration, Ruffled!

Since The Finer Things has been busy “pinning” over on our Pinterest page (check it out, here), we’d like to start featuring a Fine Pin each Friday. With all the beautiful images and fun ideas floating around on Pinterest, it’s hard to choose just one pin, but this gorgeous wedding confection takes the cake... literally!

Check out this Fine Pin here

Lavender Bliss Bridal Shower

Let the pretty look and sweet smell of lavender inspire a bridal shower for a glowing bride-to-be.

Individual jars of homemade lavender salt make wonderful favors for guests -- Martha Stewart

The bride will look lovely in a lavender colored dress -- Ruche

Small sprigs of lavender at each place setting will dress up the table -- My Sweet Saucy

Serve lavender infused champagne and toast to the bride -- Martha Stewart

This pretty lavender and pale green invitation from Prentiss Douthit features an embossed bouquet -- FineStationery.com

A cake adorned with sprigs of lavender will be a lovely centerpiece for the bridal shower -- Style Me Pretty

Bright Balloon Wreath

As a celebratory staple, balloons often make appearances at kid's birthday parties. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors, and are displayed floating around with pretty ribbon ties -- until now! Check out this fun and colorful balloon wreath, perfectly fit for your front door when it comes time for the next party:

Easy to make and inexpensive, this party prop can be saved for years to come (unlike blown-up balloons!) Will you try out this fun accent at your next birthday bash?

Tuesday Tip: Entertaining in Style

Love to entertain? Check out these five fabulous tips for entertaining in style, adapted from Society Social:

1. Always have bubbly on hand for an impromptu celebration or gathering.

2. Utilize fresh flowers and simple glass jars for a festive environment. Don't overlook grocery store flowers -- simply rearrange in your own vessels!

3. Create a personalized menu and present each guest with one at their place setting.

4. Be eco-conscious and chic by using real linen napkins in lieu of paper. Your table settings will look high end!

5. No matter the occasion or time of day, have appetizers available for guests. Even simple nibbles like cheese and crackers, chocolate, fruit, or gourmet popcorn will aid in creating a great atmosphere.

I'd like to add just one more entertaining tip to the mix...

6. Kick-off your event in style with a fantastic invitation. Choose a look that suits your style, and will heighten the guest's excitement even before the party officially starts!

Back To School Party

One Charming Party put together some amazing and fun ideas for Back to School. How cute is the school supplies "buffet"? There's something so fun about new pencils, pens, paper clips and fresh notebooks... don't you think? Help your little ones prepare for their first day of class, or a return to school with a Back to School Party. Ask other neighborhood Moms to lend a hand with the party, and the excitement is sure to build. Set up a school supplies buffet, just like One Charming Party has done, and have each child select their supplies and place them in a new backpack. Ask the older kids to give tips and share their experience with the first timers. Before you know it, your kids will be so excited to board the bus on their first day!

No-Cook Lunches for Summer Days

As the summer days start to dwindle, you will probably find yourself busy with back-to-school prep, packing for an end-of-summer vacation, outdoor chores, or miscellaneous errands. Considering all of that, who has time to cook a fantastic lunch? The lack of time on your hands is no excuse for a missed lunch! Check out these awesome ideas for no-cook lunches that will give you the energy you need to enjoy the last few weeks of summer! Which one is your favorite?

A Berry Patriotic Labor Day

For a fun take on red, white and blue this Labor Day, incorporate sweet summer berries into your menu and decor.

Invitation by Noteworthy Collection, available at FineStationery.com

Berry Sundae with Ribbon Flags via Brunch at Saks blog

Berry Spritzer and Pies via Martha Stewart

Berry basket colander via Crate & Barrel

Shake It Up & Save

With Exclusive Savings from Checkerboard available now through August 15th at FineStationery.com, it's the perfect time to plan and host a party! Invite friends over for a simple end-of-summer/beginning-of-fall cocktail party with one of Checkerboard's chic cocktail party invitations. Here are a few of our favorites:

Shake It Up Invitation, Create a Stir Invitation,

Garnished Invitation, Mix and Mingle Invitation

Rubber Ducky Baby Shower

If you're hosting a baby shower for either a baby boy or baby girl, choose a timeless theme that is sure to please. A Rubber Ducky themed baby shower is sweet and fun. Add bubbles for a neat touch, and go with a blue and yellow palette (for a boy) or a pink and yellow palette (for a girl). If the gender of the baby is going to be a surprise, choose an orange and yellow or green and yellow palette.

Round glass bowls filled with rubber duckies, and white ping pong balls or styrofoam balls work perfectly for centerpieces -- image via Pinterest

Have your bakery create a cake using duckies that are plastic, or made from modeling chocolate -- image via Pinterest

A pair of soft knit booties make the cutest gift -- Incredible Things

Have lot of colorful accents on hand for the celebration, like fun striped straws -- The Sweetest Occasion

This bright invitation is the perfect choice for a Rubber Ducky baby shower -- Invitation by Grey's Greetings, available at FineStationery.com

Serve light refreshments, like cookies and cold milk, along with cake and candies -- Cookies via Martha Stewart, Milk image via Pinterest

Autumn Wedding: Pumpkin Spice Palette

Autumn palettes truly make for beautiful weddings, with rich gold tones, pumpkin orange, deep reds and smooth browns. Although it's still Summer, here's a bit of inspiration for a warm Fall wedding:

Bouquet, Boutonnieres, Initial Decor and Cupcakes via Martha Stewart

Invitation by William Arthur, available at FineStationery.com

Bridesmaid's Dress via BHLDN

Leaves photo via Style Me Pretty

New Rosh Hashanah Greetings

With Rosh Hashanah quickly approaching on September 29th, you might be starting to think about sending out greetings for the New Year. With over 30 new styles for you to choose from, you're bound to find a greeting card that is perfectly fit for wishing family and friends a sweet and fruitful New Year. Choose your design from new collections by Checkerboard, Art Scroll, Indelible Ink, and Carlson Craft.

  

Honey Pot Invitation by Checkerboard, Jerusalem Bookmark Card by Art Scroll,

Fruitful Wishes Card by Checkerboard

Wedding Invitations: Getting Started

Choosing your wedding invitation is one of the many fun experiences you will go through when planning your big day. What’s important to remember when selecting your stationery is that the invitation will be the very first glimpse at the overall theme and feel of your wedding day. The color scheme, formality and tone will all be introduced to guests in one single envelope. No pressure, right? Don’t fret -- our dedicated and experienced Wedding Specialists are available to help you every step of the way. From choosing your style to answering tough etiquette questions, our team of Wedding Specialists will help you with one-on-one dedication. As soon as you call or email, you’ll be paired with your own Specialist, with whom you will work with each time you contact us.

Once you’ve selected your wedding invitation ensemble, you might be wondering what exactly should be printed. Your Wedding Specialist can help you with the exact wording, but below is an example of what a traditional wedding invitation would say:

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Owen Larson

request the honor of your presence

at the marriage of their daughter

Katherine Marie

to

Mr. Ethan Luke Wright

Saturday, the nineteenth of September

Two thousand eleven

Half past four o’clock in the afternoon

St. Joseph’s Cathedral

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The example above would be used for a church wedding. If your ceremony will be held outdoors, or at a venue other than a church, change line 2 to read, “request the pleasure of your company”. Some couples choose to include the names of the groom’s parents on the invitation. In that case, you would change the groom’s name to read just his first and middle name (ex:  Ethan Luke) and insert a line immediately following that would read, “son of Mr. and Mrs. Gregory John Wright”.

Of course, there are many variations of wording for a wedding invitation. Work with your Wedding Specialist to come up with the perfect wording for your stationery. Our Wedding Specialists are skilled in traditional etiquette, as well as modern etiquette. Don’t be afraid to ask them every question that comes to mind!

In addition to wedding invitations, our Wedding Specialists can assist you with save the date cards, wedding programs, tabletop stationery, personal stationery (such as thank you notes), and all wedding-related party invitations.

To start working with your Wedding Specialist, call us at 1-888-808-FINE (3463) or email weddingspecialists@finestationery.com.

Summer Vacation Memories

Did your family take a vacation this summer? Whether it's a long weekend trip to the beach or a memorable trip abroad, you'll want to preserve the memories your family made for years to come. Once the photos have been printed, and souvenirs unpacked, consider spending an afternoon making vacation memory jars. Find a large jar and fill it with your favorite photo, ticket stubs, a trinket -- whatever you like! Display your vacation memory jar on a shelf to remind you of your wonderful summer trip!

Image via Martha Stewart

Back to School Party... for grown-ups!

After you've helped your children shop for new backpacks, pencils and notebooks, you'll probably feel a little nostalgic for your own school days. Relive the fun memories with a Back to School Party for grown-ups, complete with cafeteria trays, photos, lunch food and games!

Images via How Does She?