11.30.2011
11.29.2011
Cozy Winter Dinner Party
Invite your closest friends or neighbors for a cozy dinner party this winter. Keep the decor simple with evergreen accents and a pretty pattern, like damask. Serve winter treats, like a warm bacon, hazelnut and bread salad and white hot chocolate for dessert.
Choose an invitation with a pretty pattern, like this style from Boatman Geller (available at FineStationery.com).
White Hot Chocolate or mulled wine are perfect for sipping on. Check out Paula Deen's recipe for White Hot Chocolate {here}.
A warm bread salad makes a great starter for your meal. For the main course, consider a beef stew or pot roast.
Use evergreen accents and candles to make your home cozy.
Set each place setting with a small wreath and pretty ribbon.
11.28.2011
Holiday Parties for Kids
Keep kids entertained and happy while they are on winter vacation with a fun holiday party. Here are a few ideas for party themes to get you started!
11.25.2011
2011 Gift Guide Series: Him
Shopping for Dad, your husband, your older son, or brother might be a little easier with these suggestions:
1. A stylish messenger bag for carrying school work, a laptop, or for weekend trips -- J.Crew
2. Personalize a decanter with his initials -- West Elm
3. The music fan will appreciate these high class headphones -- Restoration Hardware
4. He'll love to roam around in these comfy slippers on weekends -- J.Crew
5. This book will bring him back to his own childhood (perfect for Dads of young kids!) -- Uncommon Goods
6. A monogrammed iPad case is great for the tech-loving man -- FineStationery.com
7. A vintage poker set will keep him busy all winter long -- Restoration Hardware
11.23.2011
11.22.2011
New Digital Photo Styles
With 70 new holiday designs from Crane & Co., you're bound to find a greeting that fits your style!
11.21.2011
Quick Craft for Thanksgiving
If your children are out of school for the week, keep them busy with a fun Thanksgiving craft. Add these pinecone turkeys to your table at each place setting!
Pinecone Turkeys via Martha Stewart
Have you already made any fun Thanksgiving crafts? We'd love to hear about them!
11.18.2011
2011 Gift Guide Series: Her
Our Gift Guide series continues today with Gifts for Her -- whether it be your caring Mom, lovely wife, amazing sister or best friend, these girly gifts are sure to please this holiday season:
Personalized scarf -- Marley Lilly
Pretty bracelet -- J.Crew
Warm snood -- J.Crew
The Perfectly Imperfect Home book -- Anthropologie
Comfy house boots -- Gap
Personalized photo stamp -- FineStationery.com
11.17.2011
Entertaining the Youngest Guests
Weddings can be super boring for little kids -- being quiet during the ceremony, adults smooching (ick!) dancing and grown-up food... you get the picture. If you plan to have a group of children at your wedding, you might consider creating a little kid's station to keep them entertained. We're loving these ideas from Love & Lavender!
Did you plan anything fun for the youngest guests at your wedding?
11.16.2011
Thanksgiving Treats for All
Thanksgiving is only one week from tomorrow! How quickly this month has flown by! Your menu is probably set by now, and you may have started shopping for all the essentials. However, if you're in the mood to add a little something fun to your Thanksgiving day, try out these treats (for both kids and adults!):
11.15.2011
Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
It's time to find the ugliest, most tacky Christmas sweater... and wear it to a party! If you're in the mood for a festive and funny holiday party, host an Ugly Sweater Christmas Party -- simply invite all of your friends to wear the craziest sweater they can find. Guests are sure to get creative, so you'll want to have a prize for the best look (fruitcake makes a great award!) Serve fun treats like peppermint eggnog and gingerbread people wearing little sweaters made of icing. A jello mold or crackers and cheese-wiz will work, too! Here are a few ideas to get you started...
Serve Peppermint Eggnog with a candy cane garnish -- Martha Stewart
Leave out a few boxes of ornaments next to a brightly colored tree for guests to decorate -- Target
Choose an invitation that speaks for itself -- Inviting Company, available at FineStationery.com
Fruitcake wrapped in ribbon will make a great prize for the best dressed guest -- My Recipes
Create a photo station with a backdrop, digital camera, and paper cut-out props -- Hostess with the Mostess
Ice your gingerbread cookies with bright icing in the shape of little sweaters -- My Recipes
11.14.2011
Holiday Book Traditions
Since my very first Christmas Eve, my Dad read The Night Before Christmas to me before tucking me in to bed. When my brother arrived a few years later, he was in on story time, too. My Dad continued reading the same book to us every Christmas Eve, through our teens, and up through my last Christmas living at home with my parents. Even as we grew older, it never seemed silly to us as we curled up with him on the couch. Over the years, he started to add his own comments as the story was read, which would always make my brother and I laugh or roll our eyes at his humor. That tradition is something that I will keep with my forever, and I'm sure my brother feels the same way. Hopefully, my husband and I will be able to carry on the tradition in the future.
So, does your family have a favorite holiday story? What books do you read, or what stories do you know by heart? With so many wonderful holiday-related children's books, there is bound to be a story that will touch your heart. Here are a few great selections if you're looking to add a story to your list of holiday traditions:
The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
Olive the Other Reindeer byVivian Walsh
Let us know what your favorite is!
11.11.2011
2011 Gift Guide Series: Your Neighbor
Today we're kicking off our 2011 Gift Guide Series on The Finer Things! Over the next few weeks, we'll be presenting a fun Gift Guide each Friday. We hope to cover all the recipients on your list!
The first Gift Guide is for the neighbor that is always there for you. The best part of this guide? Everything is under $30 (most are even less)!
The first Gift Guide is for the neighbor that is always there for you. The best part of this guide? Everything is under $30 (most are even less)!
1. A fun patterned notepad to keep handy for grocery lists and phone messages -- FineStationery.com
2. A set of coasters for impromptu entertaining -- West Elm
3. A scented candle for a warm and cozy home -- Anthropologie
4. A jar of Santa's Elves Cookie Mix -- Crate & Barrel
5. A box of delicious Holiday Oreos to snack on -- 1-800-Baskets
11.10.2011
New to FineStationery.com...
FineStationery.com is so excited to introduce this feature to our customers! Now, you have the capability to upload up to 20 of your own personal photos and add them to all of your favorite photo card designs! Use the crop and rotate tools to make your special photos stand out, and then add your personalization!
Start personalizing today on one of our brand new holiday photo cards!
Thanksgiving Giveaway Winner
Congratulations, Liz! You've won the Thanksgiving Giveaway from FineStationery.com! Using Random.org, comment #55 (yours!) was selected. Please reply to the email sent to you so that FineStationery.com can send you your prize! Thank you all for playing!
11.09.2011
Pretty Peppermint Hostess Gifts
'Tis the season for holiday parties! As your calendar fills up with events, you might be thinking about a small gift to bring along to the host or hostess. Keep it simple, but festive. If you'd like, choose one gift and make it your signature for the holiday season. These three homemade treats will be well received by any hostess:
Don't forget to attach a cute tag or sticker that has been personalized with your family name!
11.08.2011
Holiday Baby Shower
The holiday season is a time for celebration. If you know someone who is expecting around the holidays, why not add to the season's merriment with a festive baby shower?
Individual peppermint cake pops can be more fun than a cake! -- Hostess with the Mostess
This holiday baby shower invitation will put all the guests in the holiday spirit -- Doc Milo, available at FineStationery.com
Set the table with pretty red plates and shiny red and silver candles that resemble ornaments -- Crate & Barrel
Peppermint ribbon ornaments make perfect party favors -- Sears
Use glittery and shimmering tree decor in a red and pink palette to set the scene -- Hostess with the Mostess
11.07.2011
There's a chill in the air...
Is the air chilly where you live? Winter is on its way! Be sure to stay warm, merry and bright!
Monster mittens DIY project & Jingle bell accessories -- Martha Stewart
Mitten Photo Card -- Boatman Geller, available at FineStationery.com
11.04.2011
Friday Finds and Fine Pin
Let's start this post with a Fine Pin that gives a nod to pretty papers and stationery. We love the colors and and styling!
This week's roundup of finds is focused on stationery & writing. It's what we know best, so why not?
One of our amazing brands, Crane & Co., posted a beautiful collection of photos on their blog. The photos show the detail and hard work that go in to every piece of stationery they create. How nice to know that the little ribbons on your stationery are all hand-tied with care!
Although we prefer writing notes on pretty papers, this clever note writing idea is sure to be a hit with youngsters! You'll never guess what is being used to convey secret notes!
Did you ever stop to examine your handwriting while crafting letters? You might be amazed! Take a moment to analyze your handwriting after reading this post from Real Simple.
Enjoy your weekend, and don't forget to enter our Thanksgiving Giveaway!
This week's roundup of finds is focused on stationery & writing. It's what we know best, so why not?
One of our amazing brands, Crane & Co., posted a beautiful collection of photos on their blog. The photos show the detail and hard work that go in to every piece of stationery they create. How nice to know that the little ribbons on your stationery are all hand-tied with care!
Although we prefer writing notes on pretty papers, this clever note writing idea is sure to be a hit with youngsters! You'll never guess what is being used to convey secret notes!
Did you ever stop to examine your handwriting while crafting letters? You might be amazed! Take a moment to analyze your handwriting after reading this post from Real Simple.
Enjoy your weekend, and don't forget to enter our Thanksgiving Giveaway!
11.03.2011
Thanksgiving Giveaway from FineStationery.com!
As we prepare for Thanksgiving, we want to express how thankful we are for you! We love reading your comments on The Finer Things blog, Facebook and Twitter! To show our thanks, we're hosting a Thanksgiving Giveaway right here on the blog. Up for grabs is a fun Thanksgiving themed Cupcake Kit from Meri Meri, along with a matching set of Thanksgiving place cards. These cute kits will surely add festivity to your Thanksgiving table!
Entering is easy, and you've got five chances to win! Leave a separate comment for each, please:
1. Comment on this post letting us know what you are most thankful for this year.
2. Become a follower of The Finer Things blog. If you already are, let us know!
3. Follow along with FineStationery.com on Twitter. If you already do, let us know!
4. Tweet about this giveaway.
5. "Like" FineStationery.com on Facebook. If you already do, let us know!
Good luck! The giveaway closes at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, November 9th. A winner will be announced on November 10th.
11.01.2011
Wine & Cheese Pairing Party
Take advantage of the chilly fall and winter nights and throw a cozy wine and cheese pairing party at home. Invite a small group of guests to share a few bottles of vino, great conversation and carefully selected cheeses and appetizers. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Have several different kinds of wine on hand for tasting. Great reds to try are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Syrah. Whites that you might want to try include Chardonnay. Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling. If your guests are well versed in wine, try wrapping a few bottles with cloth napkins to hide the labels, then have them guess what they are sipping.
This wine and cheese pairing chart will be helpful when it comes to shopping for your party. Smaller gourmet food shops, or stores like Trader Joes and Whole Foods will have a great selection of cheeses. Choose one or two cheeses to pair with each type of wine. Buy small amounts of each cheese, as it can be filling.
Have plenty of white wine glasses and red wine glasses set out on your table. You'll want to switch glasses when changing from whites to reds. White wines are best to start with, as they are lighter. End your tasting with red wines, as they have a more distinct, rich taste.
For fun, add wine charms to tags to glasses to identify which guest they belong to. This way, when a guest sets their glass down while mingling, they'll be able to find it on the table.
If you've only invited a small set of guests, consider giving them a bottle of wine as a favor at the end of the evening. Add a wine tag with a note of thanks.
You'll want to choose an invitation that is wine-themed, like the bottle shaped style above by Checkerboard.
This wine and cheese pairing chart will be helpful when it comes to shopping for your party. Smaller gourmet food shops, or stores like Trader Joes and Whole Foods will have a great selection of cheeses. Choose one or two cheeses to pair with each type of wine. Buy small amounts of each cheese, as it can be filling.
Have plenty of white wine glasses and red wine glasses set out on your table. You'll want to switch glasses when changing from whites to reds. White wines are best to start with, as they are lighter. End your tasting with red wines, as they have a more distinct, rich taste.
For fun, add wine charms to tags to glasses to identify which guest they belong to. This way, when a guest sets their glass down while mingling, they'll be able to find it on the table.
If you've only invited a small set of guests, consider giving them a bottle of wine as a favor at the end of the evening. Add a wine tag with a note of thanks.
You'll want to choose an invitation that is wine-themed, like the bottle shaped style above by Checkerboard.
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