The Finer Things

Friday Finds and Fine Pin: Super Bowl Edition

2012-01-27T12:43:00.001-05:00

Super Bowl is next weekend - can you believe it? This Friday, we thought we'd focus on football-related finds in order to pump up for the big event! Let's get right to the Fine Pin of the week... Behold, the "Beer Cheese Cupcake with Bacon Cheddar Cream Cheese Frosting":

Whether you're hosting or attending a Super Bowl party, these "cupcakes" are a MUST! You'll be voted MVP in no time when you show up with a batch of these treats.

If you're looking for other Super Bowl party ideas, Celebrations.com Party Expert Shawn Rabideau put together an article on Super Bowl entertaining ideas -- be sure to check it out & then start planning for your party!

It's no surprise that dips always score big points at Super Bowl parties. This collection of winning salsas and dips looks wonderful -- especially the Blue Cheese and Walnut Spread!

Check out this football themed children's birthday party -- the details are so fun, and the homemade score board is especially neat. Any little guy would have a blast at this party!

This couple put a fun spin on their engagement photo session by honoring their favorite football team. The matching jerseys are great!

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy preparing for next weekend's main event!

Lucky In Love Engagement Party

2012-01-26T06:12:00.001-05:00

Lots of proposals happen between Christmas and Valentine's Day, so chances are, you or someone you're close to will be celebrating an engagement in the coming months. If you're looking for a fun theme for your engagement party, look to playing cards for a bit of inspiration. Go with a red and black palette, and be sure to incorporate lots of fun details:

This King of Hearts invitation by Checkerboard sets the tone for your event -- FineStationery.com

As the bride, dress the part in a white bangle with a gold spade accent -- kate spade

These ace of hearts cards can be used for a fun party activity - Have each guest write a bit of advice or a sweet note on the back. Afterward, keep the notes as mementos of your party -- cards by Checkerboard, available at FineStationery.com

Dress up the drinks with playing card tags -- Family Chic

These mint chocolate playing cards will be a hit on the dessert table, along with rice krispies that look like playing cards, and candy bard wrapped in themed paper -- Fancy Flours and Amy Atlas

If your party involves a sit-down dinner, designate each table with a suit and a number, then use playing cards as table cards -- Ruffled

Sweet Reads

2012-01-25T11:05:00.001-05:00

Searching for a great Valentine's Day gift for your sweet? Don't disregard the bookstore this holiday! Here are a few top picks for books that will be well received by your sweetie. Want to score brownie points? Whip up one of the sugary confections from the book to present with the gift!

Every occasion calls for a creative cake pop. Cake Pops by Bakerella has an idea for just about every festive event!

Kids will go nuts for the unique & fun cupcakes in Hello, Cupcake! by Karen Tack & Alan Richardson

The soon-to-be released Sweet Designs by Amy Atlas is sure to be a favorite. Her dessert tables and recipes are so inspiring!

Tuesday Trends: Fashion Meets Paper

2012-01-24T12:54:00.000-05:00

Last Friday's finds included a link to an article on spring's easiest trends to wear {read it here}. Today's post is all about the translation of those trends on paper. Breath life into your stationery wardrobe with bold patterns, color-blocked looks, and the year's hottest color: tangerine. Which trend are you going to try?

Bold patterns by Boatman Geller (top) & Kramer Drive (bottom)

Color-blocked looks by Marsupial Papers (top) & Checkerboard (bottom)

Orange and tangerine shades by William Arthur

An Explorer Party

2012-01-23T05:30:00.001-05:00

Whisk your birthday boy away from the cold-weather blues with an explore-the-indoors party. Create a backdrop resembling a faraway place and let your little one's imagination run wild as he creates his very own adventures with friends (all while he remains in the comfort and warmth of your own home).

Invite your child's friends with this compass and map inspired invitation from Checkerboard -- Finestationery.com

Prop up a canvas tent for the tiny travelers and surround it with exotic stuffed animals. -- Restoration Hardware Kids

Provide each child with a ticket to take special transportation to the exploration destination. -- Etsy Seller VintageDye

Let each child don this hot-air balloon costume, complete with flight-goggles, to travel in vintage style from the front door to the party space. Be sure to take a photo to send home as a memento. -- Rook No 17 Blog

Provide each child with a khaki vest containing important exploration tools like a compass and binoculars to assist in their adventures .-- Amazon.com and AuthenticModels

Friday Finds and Fine Pin

2012-01-20T14:13:00.000-05:00

How was your week? Here's hoping that it was full of fun! Now that it's the weekend, it's time to relax. Here are a few fun finds from around the web to kick off your weekend:

Did you happen to catch the Golden Globes last Sunday evening? This week, there were plenty of images circulating of the beautiful gowns from the red carpet. What was your favorite look? If you need a re-cap, The Huffington Post has some great eye-candy. For a little fun, re-visit {this post} from last year, where we compared the red carpet styles to some pretty stylish stationery.

Fashionistas will be interested in this collection of the spring's easiest trends to wear. We're loving the color blocking, super bold prints and tangerine and orange colors. Perhaps we will begin to see some of these trends emerge on paper.

Fashionable brides & grooms will find these great wedding website templates to be perfect, with designs that match many of the Vera Wang wedding invitation suites.

Fashion designer Dallas Shaw (who happens to reside in Wilmington, DE, where FineStationery.com is located!) recently launched 1519 -- a site that will showcase rotating fashion and home decor collections for your inspiration. Check it out!

Keeping with today's theme, the Fine Pin is, of course, quite fashionable. We love the idea of carrying your fashion-forward tastes to the design of your wedding cake. Choose a bold design, or a perhaps a design inspired by the timeless old Hollywood glamour days:

A Summertime Seersucker Wedding

2012-01-19T12:08:00.000-05:00

Seersucker is a sign of warm weather and exudes a casual summer charm. As you plan for your summer wedding, consider seersucker accents, or even a seersucker gown! This look is perfect for an intimate wedding with a lawn party reception, or a wedding in a quaint beach town.

Hang seersucker fabric as a backdrop to your ceremony space -- Style Me Pretty

If you're a true prep, you might consider a seersucker wedding gown -- Southern Weddings

The groom will look handsome in a seersucker suit, or a seersucker tie -- Style Me Pretty

Have your florist wrap the bouquets in seersucker ribbon -- Southern Weddings

Add seersucker flags to the sweets on your dessert table -- Style Me Pretty

Wrap favor boxes in seersucker and colored cotton squares -- Martha Stewart

Choose a classic invitation with a custom monogram, like this style from Crane & Co. -- FineStationery.com

Cut squares of seersucker to use as cocktail napkins -- Martha Stewart

Sweet Classroom Celebrations

2012-01-18T14:24:00.000-05:00

Be creative with your classroom treats this Valentine's Day! It's easier than it seems, and will leave smiles on the faces of all the kids -- and the teacher!

Purchase yummy heart-shaped cookies (like these, from Cheryl's) and place them in individual cellophane bags (found at craft or candy supply stores). To make the treat even more special, add a personalized Valentine's Day sticker! Let your child choose their own fun design.

Personalize a melamine plate with the teacher's name, and fill it with brownies that have been cut with a heart shaped cookie cutter. After all of the students have the brownies, the teacher can keep the plate in the classroom!

Valentine's Day is more fun with sweets, so create candy hearts or blooming lollipop treats to accompany personalized Valentine's cards.

Super Bowl Snacks to Cheer About

2012-01-17T13:18:00.000-05:00

As you begin to prepare the menu for your annual Super Bowl party, there is no need to feel anxious about breaking your New Year's resolution for a healthier lifestyle. Here are a few great ideas for lighter, health-conscious snacks that taste just as delicious as the alternative:

If you've just started to plan your party, check out FineStationery.com's football themed invitations for inspiration.

Football Beverage Napkin by Inviting Co. -- FineStationery.com

Veggies & Honey Mustard Dip, White Bean Dip, Taco Salad, Pita Pizza -- Martha Stewart

Love-Struck: A Cupid Celebration

2012-01-16T08:04:00.006-05:00

Looking for a Valentine's Day party that will make your children swoon? A cupid-themed party is sure to hit the mark! This theme lends itself to a variety of unique treats and activities. Here are a few ideas for a party that will leave your guests feeling love-struck.

Provide each child with a winged backpack-- perfect for holding the cupid's arrows they will craft as an activity -- Babble.com via Etsy Shop MerahMuda

Cut brownies into the shape of hearts and accent with a feathered arrow in white and red -- Be Different, Act Normal via Hank + Hunt

For craft time, help each child create their own set of cupid's arrows using this tutorial -- Design Sponge

Hit the mark with this heart-bullseye invitation -- Inviting Company available at FineStationery.com

Use this cupid decal and craft hearts from construction paper so the children can play a round of pin the heart on cupid's arrow -- Etsy shop CityZenDesign

Friday Finds and Fine Pin

2012-01-13T13:22:00.000-05:00

Congratulations! We've made it through the first full work week of 2012! For those who have this coming Monday off in honor of Martin Luther King Day, enjoy your long winter weekend.

With the holiday season behind us now, we've been thinking about all the great things that this new year will bring. What are you celebrating this year? Perhaps a wedding, a new baby, or a graduation? No matter if you're celebrating a milestone this year or not, there are always plenty of things to celebrate each month...

Did you know that this week is National Letter Writing Month? There are just a few days left, but that leaves you plenty of time to pull out your favorite stationery and craft a note to someone you care about. Need inspiration to get started? Hop back a few days on our blog to read a great post on writing a gracious thank you note.

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, giving us a lovely excuse to celebrate through February! This Valentine's Day Spa Party, spotted on Kara's Party Ideas, is an adorable idea for tweens and teens. How cute!

Maybe you're planning a move this year -- another great reason for celebration! If a new home is in your future, you'll want to check out this awesome post on Houzz that details some of the home decor trends for 2012.

With a year full of holidays and celebrations, we picked this DIY garland as our Fine Pin of the week. Why not create one in an array of colors to use at multiple celebrations throughout 2012?

Don't forget - the extra day off during this long weekend gives you some bonus time to shop FineStationery.com's January White Sale for special savings on personalized stationery, wedding essentials, baby essentials, party invitations and more!

Wedding Trend: "Here Comes the Bride" Signs

2012-01-12T12:59:00.000-05:00

If you'd like to give the youngest members of your bridal party a job other than tossing flower petals and carrying the rings, consider having them carry a "Here comes the Bride" sign down the aisle. Instead of having them begin the processional, ask them to trail the rest of the bridal party, entering just before you do. These whimsical signs are a fun nod to the traditional bridal march (sing to yourself - "here comes the bride..."), and will surely make guests smile.

1 - Green Wedding Shoes 2 - 100 Layer Cake 3 - Style Me Pretty

FineStationery.com's January White Sale

2012-01-11T13:09:00.001-05:00

Your favorite stationery styles are on SALE now! This is the perfect time to stock up on your personal stationery, or try a new design or brand. Be creative -- your stationery is a blank canvas with a full palette of possibilities!

Shop Now

Learn how to craft an impactful message that will leave a lasting impression:

Writing a Gracious Thank You Note

Rice Krispies Remix

2012-01-10T10:34:00.000-05:00

Next time you want to make a sweet treat in the kitchen, put a spin on the standard rice cereal and marshmallow mixture. Remix your rice krispie treats! From Cake Batter Rice Krispies to Strawberry Cupcake Krispies and Cinnamon Roll Rice Krispies, you might never go back to just plain marshmallow treats!

How to Write a Gracious Thank You Note

2012-01-09T12:02:00.000-05:00

Whether you want to thank someone for a gift, a meal or for being a good host, sending a thank you note is an excellent way to convey your appreciation. Here are a few tips on how to give your gratitude graciously:

Before you start writing your note you’ll want to invest in quality stationery. Receiving a handwritten note in the mail is such a delight and for the note to be written on a beautiful note or flat card makes the experience extra special. Be sure to select a design that is an apt reflection of you and your personality.

Always date your note. If something happens at the postal office to delay its delivery, the date on your note will ensure the addressee appreciates your promptness.

Your goal with a thank you note is to make the addressee feel truly appreciated. Many times, we will scribe something quickly to get the social job done, but a well thought-out message will make a lasting impression.

A thank you note should start by thanking the recipient for the gift or service.

Next, be sure to tell the addressee why the gift or service made such an impression on you—was the sweater exactly what you had been looking for? Was your host especially accommodating in some way (for example, stocking your room with sweet smelling toiletries)?

Compliment the person you wish to thank—praise her style, his willingness to help or her thoughtfulness.

Close the letter by reinforcing your gratitude.

Examples:

Vera Wang Flat Card
available at FineStationery.com

Elegant Flat Card by Martha Stewart
available at FineStationery.com

Ribbon Flat Card by Kramer Drive
available at FineStationery.com

A Lovely Holiday Card

2012-01-09T05:35:00.002-05:00

I have a confession: I did not send out Christmas cards this year. I know, I know. I work for a stationery company-- how could I? But between making design decisions for our new house, doing Santa’s shopping and going to prenatal appointments, I just couldn’t find the time! (Can you relate?)

I thought maybe I could sneak by unnoticed, but since becoming parents, our family and far-away-friends actually anticipate receiving our Holiday card. In fact, my great-aunt Lula remarked that in this digital age, our Holiday card is the one time of year she gets to see a printed photo of my children.

Since we missed the boat for the Holidays, I thought it would be neat to send out a photo card for Valentine’s Day instead. What better day to send our love to our friends and family? Here are a few cards available at FineStationery.com that I am considering:

Celebrate Love Photo Card
by Putnam House

Hearts Valentine Photo Card

by Stacy Claire Boyd

Love is the Greatest Gift Photo Card
by Putnam House

Friday Finds and Fine Pin

2012-01-06T13:40:00.000-05:00

With all of the fun gift guides that we posted throughout November and December, and then the holiday weekends, it's been a while since we've had a Friday with great finds and a fine pin! Jess and I spotted a few things on the web this week that we wanted to share with all of you:

This photo essay on Crane & Co.'s blog has us in awe. The time and care that goes in to each piece of stationery is amazing. Check out these wonderful photos to catch a glimpse into the Crane & Co. studios.

Are you a fan of fonts? Have you ever taken a moment to analyze the font used in the magazine you're reading, or the ad you just saw? This short article is a neat read, whether you know a lot of a little about typefaces!

Even though the holiday cookie season has ended, we suspect that you might not be tired of sweets just yet... these Brush Embroidered Cookies that Jess spotted on Celebrations.com are beyond gorgeous. They are decorated perfect for a bridal shower, wedding, or sweet baby shower. Check them out, and get the how-to at Celebrations.com.

Speaking of sweets, we've been thinking about all the wonderful ways to celebrate Valentine's Day. We think this pretty dessert table would make a great feature at your Valentine's Soiree! Click through to see the pin on our Pinterest boards!

Sweet Valentine's Day Soiree

2012-01-05T12:33:00.000-05:00

Make Valentine's Day just a little sweeter this year with a party for your closest friends. Choose a pink, red and purple palette, and be sure to incorporate sequins, sweets, champagne cocktails and chocolate!

Add festive flair to your ensemble with a sequin heart brooch or hairclip -- ban.do

Tiny brownie bites look darling with pink and red heart embellishments -- Pinterest

Put a few chocolate lips in a bag for each guest to take home with them -- Hostess with the Mostess

Pink plates and red polka-dotted napkins make snacks even sweeter -- FineStationery.com

Choose a flirty invitation, like this style from Jasmine & Woo -- FineStationery.com

Guests will fall in love with a Red Currant Champagne Cocktail -- Martha Stewart

Red Hots look cute in small embellished bags on your dessert table -- Amy Atlas

Sweet Spring Wedding

2012-01-04T13:19:00.000-05:00

It may seem a bit early to post about spring weddings, but I have no doubt that spring brides are already planning and scheming about their warm weather nuptials. Here's a little inspiration for a sweet springtime wedding, inspired by lace, with a fresh green and pretty pink palette:

Choose an outdoor venue, if available. Use white tents, white linens, and tiny twinkling lights -- Style Me Pretty

Place a tiny flower bundle at each place setting, complete with kraft paper and lace accents -- {papermash}

For a fun reception look, choose a cocktail length lace gown with a green or pink underskirt -- Pinterest

Add charm to each place setting with a paper doily placed beneath each glass plate -- Maddycakes Muse

This alencon lace invitation from Vera Wang is perfect for a spring wedding -- FineStationery.com

Cupcakes for Two

2012-01-03T17:49:00.000-05:00

My apologies for the later post today! I've been feeling under the weather since Christmas, and just can't seem to shake this cough. I don't know about you, but when I'm not feeling 100%, sometimes just a little something sweet can cheer me up. Cupcakes usually do the trick, but I rarely bake them anymore because I don't want to end up with a dozen tempting treats in the kitchen to split between my husband and I. The solution? Cupcakes for two. How Sweet It Is blog has a wonderful recipe that yields two delicious vanilla cupcakes -- one for you and one to share, or one for you now and one for you later! Enjoy!

Thankful Tots

2012-01-02T05:44:00.002-05:00

With the holiday season coming to a close, it's a great time to teach tots the importance of saying "thank you." Here are a few tips that will help to make writing out this year's thank you notes a fun and enjoyable experience for all:

Let your child pick out his or her own stationery design and consider having it personalized. If the note card features something the child enjoys (such as trucks, princesses or a specific animal), then he or she may be more apt to want to put the stationery to good use.

Make it a special project by providing glittery pens, markers and other messy decorations that your child would normally not use on a regular basis.

Start early! It's okay if your child cannot read or write-- simply have them draw a picture then add a short message (such as "Claire loves her new doll-- thank you for your thoughtful gift!") on her behalf.

Mermaid Note Card, Dump Truck Note Card

So long, 2011! Welcome, 2012!

2011-12-30T06:11:00.001-05:00

How are you spending the last few days of 2011? Wherever you are, and whatever you're doing to celebrate, we wish you lots of fun and joy! Here are a two last minute ways to celebrate...

As a Family

Gather together to create a family journal or photo album. Designate a page in the journal or album for each month. Ask each family member to reminisce and write down their favorite memories from the year. Include fun photos, clippings from newspapers or magazine, ticket stubs from events, or other trinkets. The album will be a great keepsake to hold on to and look through at the end of next year!

With Friends

Ask your closest friends to join together for a New Year's Eve party. For fun, put each person's name in a hat, and have each friend draw a name. Without revealing the name you chose, write a prediction (it can be serious or funny) for that friend in the coming year. Once everyone is done, throw all the predictions back into the hat. Passing the hat around, have each person read one prediction out loud until they are all read. It's sure to be fun, and makes a great party game!

Image via Martha Stewart

New Year's Day Brunch for the Ladies

2011-12-29T14:34:00.000-05:00

After a night full of countdowns and confetti, gather your closest girlfriends to ring in the New Year with a delightful brunch. Use tones of gold and pink for your decor, and be sure to add just the right amount of sparkle and shine.

Give each guest a cute party cracker, full of confetti and candies to take home -- 100 Layer Cake

Serve Pear and Cranberry Bellinis in addition to mimosas and classic champagne -- Martha Stewart

Tomato and Ricotta Pie and scones are two delicious dishes to serve -- Good Housekeeping, Martha Stewart

Dress in a sparkly skirt, sequin sash or a glittering headband to look festive -- J.Crew, Ban.do

Place gold confetti, pink candles and small white floral arrangements on the table -- Green Wedding Shoes

Choose a champagne themed invitation, like this style from Karen Adams -- FineStationery.com

Add creative labels to champagne bottles with words like, "Pop" and "Fizz" -- Green Wedding Shoes

Foreign Adoption Celebration

2011-12-28T17:03:00.004-05:00

My dear friend Jen was just notified that her adoption of a little girl from South Africa is finally proceeding. She leaves in a week to go and pick up her little one, which left us a very short amount of time to throw together a small shower to celebrate the arrival of her daughter. With a foreign adoption, it's always nice to highlight and celebrate the heritage of the child at the shower, thus we settled on a subtle pink, brown and khaki safari theme. I just adore the artwork from PeaceLoveEtsy with the quote about adoption, and the shop owner even helped us create a matching monogram print containing Jen's daughter's new initials. Here is an inspiration board for our gathering:

Adoption Quotation Print from Etsy Seller PeaceLoveEtsy

Chambray Animal Group from Restoration Hardware

Cupcake Toppers from Etsy Seller MoreThanACupcake

Invitation by William Arthur available at FineStationery.com

Personalized rolling luggage and luggage tags are great gift ideas for the traveling child. -- Pottery Barn Kids and Stacy Claire Boyd available at FineStationery.com

2012 Pantone Color of the Year: Tangerine Tango

2011-12-27T06:16:00.000-05:00

Press Release, Interior, Purse, Stationery

What to do with your Holiday Cards

2011-12-26T06:09:00.000-05:00

A great way to reuse all of the holiday greeting cards that you've received is to make ornaments from them. This is a fun craft that results in a great keepsake! Click through to read the instructions, and happy crafting!

Christmas Greetings

2011-12-25T05:00:00.000-05:00

Hollyberry Invitation by Inviting Company, available at FineStationery.com

Our Picks for Christmas Cookies

2011-12-23T06:21:00.000-05:00

To kick off the big holiday weekend, Jess and I wanted to share a sweet treat (or two, rather!) with you. Here are our favorite picks for Christmas cookies this year, along with the reason and the recipe. Enjoy!

"My grandmother clipped this cookie recipe from a newspaper more than 30 years ago, and since then it has remained a family favorite. These macaroons may look a bit plain-Jane, but the chewy texture and delightful almond flavor can be quite addicting!" --Jess

This year, my favorite holiday flavor is peppermint. I usually lean toward cinnamon or gingerbread, but the crisp minty flavor works so well in many treats. For this cookie, I used a simple sugar cookie recipe and added crushed peppermint candies (I've got a whole bag of them in my cupboard!)

Winter White Wedding

2011-12-22T05:47:00.001-05:00

A winter wedding can be very beautiful -- snow softly falling, cozy venues, shimmering details. Here are a few details that would come together to make a lovely winter white wedding:

Tulle puffs add a whimsical touch, while white linens and floral arrangements look fresh and pretty -- Martha Stewart

Bridesmaids will look lovely in pale grey dresses with white pashminas and a hint of icy sparkle -- J.Crew

Wrap favors in white fabric and top with a tulle bow -- Martha Stewart

An all white bouquet is a stunning choice -- Martha Stewart

Serve dainty white desserts like mousse and white chocolate -- Martha Stewart

Buddy the Elf Themed Party

2011-12-21T12:38:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite Christmas movies is Elf. Who doesn't love all that holiday cheer? I was very excited to see the fun Elf themed party that was posted on Kara's Party Ideas, complete with Buddy the Elf's favorite treats! Check out some of the photos from this party, and be sure to click over to the original post to see the rest.

Photos via Kara's Party Ideas

Happy Hanukkah

2011-12-20T11:56:00.001-05:00

Menorah Invitation by Pipo Press

Paper Dreidel, Glitter Ball Cookies, Potato Latkes

Fox Hunt Nursery

2011-12-19T08:34:00.004-05:00

Hello readers! I am delighted to be rejoining the Finestationery.com family as a contributing writer for The Finer Things. A lot has happened in the time I've spent away from blogging. My husband and I welcomed a precious baby girl into the world, we sold our first home and are currently in the process of building our dream house. We were also happily surprised to find that we're expecting our third child, a boy, in spring of 2012! Whew-- we know how to stay busy, don't we? Still, I have really missed the community and all the readers here at The Finer Things and I am excited to get to know all of our new followers as we continue to admire stationery, style and the finer things in life together.

With baby number three on the way, I have been busy brainstorming new nursery ideas. The board below depicts one theme I’ve considered. Inspired by an old-English fox hunt, this space is perfect for even the tiniest gent. With warm and worn leather accents, colorful tartan and an occasional touch of whimsy, it is sure to be a cozy and stylish place for an infant, but will also grow with my little one.

Send an elegant birth announcement for your little lad, like the one pictured from Prentiss Douthit (available at FineStationery.com)

A carved mount from Legends Rocking Horses serves as a beautiful decoration now, and a perfect play item later.

Use a whimsical chandelier from Petite Tresor to add fun to an otherwise sophisticated space.

Decorate the space with a cozy wool rug and use a worn-leather chair instead of a traditional rocker for seating.

Store diapers, wipes and other baby necessities in decorative hat boxes like these from Eastern Influence.

Finally, provide your little one with plenty of red and tartan accessories, like this lovely bib and changing pad set from Ralph Lauren.

Exciting News for The Finer Things!

2011-12-19T06:00:00.001-05:00

Some of our long time readers will remember Jess, who wrote this blog before handing The Finer Things torch over to me in April of 2010. Jess took some time to welcome her second beautiful baby into the world, and has been a very busy mama since then! Her posts were inspiring and fun, and all of us here at FineStationery.com have missed her lovely voice on the blog. That brings me to some very exciting news...

Today, it is my great pleasure to welcome Jess back to The Finer Things blog! Starting today, you'll start to see a few posts written by Jess, and perhaps some great collaborations between Jess and myself. I'm really excited about all the great ideas and themes that Jess has in store for you!

Jess and I have some great things planned for The Finer Things, and we hope you'll come along for the ride! Be sure to check back later today for a cute nursery theme that Jess will be sharing!

2011 Gift Guide Series: Coworkers

2011-12-16T10:51:00.000-05:00

We're wrapping up (no pun intended!) our 2011 Gift Guide Series today with simple gifts for your favorite coworkers. You probably only have a few days left in the office before the holiday weekend is upon us, and it's always nice to celebrate the coworkers that you see every day. Here are a few ideas to say "thanks" and "Happy Holidays!":

1. Taking notes during meetings is more fun with a cute, personalized notepad -- Boatman Geller, available at FineStationery.com

2. Bake a sweet treat at home, and package it in a festive way -- Recipe & image via Martha Stewart

3. These ornaments can be filled with candies or a note of thanks -- Williams Sonoma

4. The coworker who has a sweet tooth will love this glass candy dish that resembles a Ziploc bag! -- Uncommon Goods

5. Coffee is a staple in any office, and a pretty mug should be a staple, too! -- Crate&Barrel

In case you missed our other gift guides...

Still searching?

2011-12-15T13:51:00.000-05:00

Card above by Prentiss Douthit

Shop All Holiday Greeting Cards available by Dec. 25th

Shop All Photo Cards available by Dec. 25th

New Year's Eve Ideas

2011-12-14T10:50:00.001-05:00

Card above by Stacy Claire Boyd, available at FineStationery.com

Hosting a New Year's Eve bash? Here are a few festive ideas to get the party started:

Use brightly colored craft paper and some scrapbooking numbers to create these fun "clocks". Hang them in your party space! (Ideas and image via Fiskars)

Be sure to have confetti on hand for tossing at midnight. Sew two pieces of vellum paper together, leaving an open space at the top to add confetti. (Ideas and image via Fiskars)

Using a small star-shaped hole punch, jazz up the corners of cocktail napkins. You can also create fun drink markers that look like clocks. (Ideas and image via Fiskars)

Serve champagne to toast with, but create a signature cocktail for added fun. A Pear and Cranberry Bellini is a great winter drink, as well as a Ginger Sparkler!

Re-Purposing Holiday Decor for your New Year's Party

2011-12-13T15:16:00.000-05:00

Event planner Shawn Rabideau (who happens to be one of Celebrations.com's Party Planning Experts) appeared on Fox News Live last week to discuss re-purposing your holiday decorations for New Year's Eve parties. In case you missed the segment, you can check it out {here}. We loved Shawn's great tips! Below, he is featuring one of our fun New Year's Eve invitations -- the Countdown Invitation by Meri Meri!

Shawn's tips:

- Turn a Christmas wreath into a winter wreath or centerpiece by removing the red decorations and ribbons and leaving any silver or snowy white accents.

- Use wine glasses and other glassware to hold candles. Add leftover sugars from Christmas cookies for an accent.

- Use leftover decorating sugars from holiday sugar cookies to rim the glasses for New Year's Eve cocktails.

- Reduce stress by creating a to-do list for your party prep.

Shawn also put together two amazing tables for a bit of holiday party inspiration. You can check them out {here}.

Thanks, Shawn!

Cookie Menorah for Hanukkah

2011-12-12T11:27:00.000-05:00

If you're looking for a fun Hanukkah project or centerpiece, check out this cookie menorah by Amy Atlas. Her creativity never ceases to amaze us! Get the kids involved by letting them decorate simple sugar cookies that are cut in the shape of candles. Bake a lollipop stick into the cookie to place each one into the menorah. This is a Hanukkah decoration that is truly sweet:

2011 Gift Guide Series: Teens (and Tweens)

2011-12-09T13:31:00.000-05:00

Teens and tweens are perhaps that hardest to shop for during the holiday season. Their ever-changing tastes make it difficult to choose the perfect gift. Here are a few fun ideas to supplement the standard gift cards they typically add to their wishlist:

1. Word pillows will be a great accent in their room -- PB Teen

2. & 3. Cool iPhone cases to please him and her -- J.Crew

4. Warm mittens make great stocking stuffers for both boys and girls -- Gap

5. She'll love a fun nail art kit -- Fredflare.com

6. He'll get a kick out of these drumstick pencils -- Fredflare.com

7. This book of 99 DIY duct tape projects will keep them busy -- Uncommon Goods

8. A Sneaker Painting Kit is a great choice for artsy guys and girls -- Uncommon Goods

Decorating Like a Pro

2011-12-07T14:30:00.000-05:00

Have you ever wondered how the cookies in bake shops are so beautifully decorated? Around this time of the year, I always admire the pretty icing work on cookies and cakes in the bakery. FoodNetwork.com posted a tutorial on decorating cookies that will leave you with a few pro tips. Happy baking!

What kinds of cookies are you baking this holiday season?

Creative Holiday Gift Wrapping

2011-12-06T12:39:00.000-05:00

Here are just a few of our favorite gift wrapping ideas, just in time for the holiday season. This year, make a statement and get creative when wrapping -- whether you use fabric, yarn, stamps or jingle bells!

Clockwise, starting at top left: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Introducing...

2011-12-05T10:54:00.000-05:00

Shop All 6 FineExclusives Styles Now

2011 Gift Guide Series: Kids

2011-12-02T11:58:00.000-05:00

Our 2011 Gift Guide Series continues today with toys for the little ones. Kids love gifts that are colorful, interactive, and unique, making them the most fun to shop for! Here are a few of our ideas to get you started:

1. After the holiday break, send them back to school in style with a fun backpack!

2. This toy-tote-and-play-mat-in-one (say that 3 times fast!) is great for kids that are always on the go!

3. What could be more fun for little feet than animal printed Toms?

4. Perhaps Santa will leave a new pair of special holiday pajamas for your little one under the tree.

5. Cushy floor pillows are perfect for playrooms or to place in front of the TV when its movie time!

6. Dinnertime is much more fun with a personalized plate from Boatman Geller (available at FineStationery.com).

FineStationery.com Sale

2011-11-30T14:52:00.000-05:00

Shop William Arthur Styles on Sale

Shop Crane & Co. Styles on Sale

Shop All Holiday Photo Cards

Cozy Winter Dinner Party

2011-11-29T14:05:00.000-05:00

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.

Holiday Parties for Kids

2011-11-28T14:38:00.001-05:00

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!

Gingerbread cookies, Gingerbread Invitation

Elf Invitation, Gifts

Candy Cane Favors, Peppermint Invitation

2011 Gift Guide Series: Him

2011-11-25T12:12:00.000-05:00

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

Happy Thanksgiving to You!

2011-11-24T06:19:00.001-05:00

Leaves and Swirls Invitation

Giving Thanks

2011-11-23T12:01:00.001-05:00

New Digital Photo Styles

2011-11-22T13:52:00.000-05:00

With 70 new holiday designs from Crane & Co., you're bound to find a greeting that fits your style!

Click here to see all new designs from Crane & Co.

Quick Craft for Thanksgiving

2011-11-21T12:47:00.000-05:00

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!

2011 Gift Guide Series: Her

2011-11-18T14:29:00.000-05:00

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

Entertaining the Youngest Guests

2011-11-17T11:34:00.000-05:00

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?

Thanksgiving Treats for All

2011-11-16T13:39:00.000-05:00

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!):

Corny Cookies, Pilgrim Hat Cookies

Apple Pie Cider, Maple Cheesecake with Roasted Pears

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

2011-11-15T14:37:00.000-05:00

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

Holiday Book Traditions

2011-11-14T13:29:00.000-05:00

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!

2011 Gift Guide Series: Your Neighbor

2011-11-11T14:09:00.000-05:00

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)!

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

New to FineStationery.com...

2011-11-10T14:03:00.000-05:00

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

2011-11-10T09:33:00.000-05:00

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!

Pretty Peppermint Hostess Gifts

2011-11-09T14:43:00.000-05:00

'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!

Peppermint Stick Cocoa Mix, White Chocolate Dipped Candy Canes, Peppermint Marshmallows

Candy Cane Gift Tag, Candy Cane Sticker

Holiday Baby Shower

2011-11-08T16:48:00.000-05:00

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

There's a chill in the air...

2011-11-07T12:34:00.000-05:00

Is the air chilly where you live? Winter is on its way! Be sure to stay warm, merry and bright!

Red polka dot scarf, Purple bow mittens, Green hat, Blue scarf -- crewcuts

Monster mittens DIY project & Jingle bell accessories -- Martha Stewart

Mitten Photo Card -- Boatman Geller, available at FineStationery.com

Friday Finds and Fine Pin

2011-11-04T11:19:00.000-04:00

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!

Thanksgiving Giveaway from FineStationery.com!

2011-11-03T06:02:00.001-04:00

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.

Start your Holiday Shopping with Crane & Co.

2011-11-02T12:52:00.000-04:00

Shop All Styles Now

Wine & Cheese Pairing Party

2011-11-01T12:22:00.000-04:00

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.

Boo! Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T08:55:00.000-04:00

Halloween House Invitation by Stacy Claire Boyd, available at FineStationery.com

Hallo-Week: Halloween Dessert Table

2011-10-28T11:57:00.001-04:00

Leave it to Amy Atlas to create a magnificent Halloween dessert table. The detail she put in to every treat is amazing. Does her dessert table inspire you to create one for your Halloween bash? Here are a few of our favorite details:

All images via Amy Atlas Events portfolio, pages 21-26

Hallo-Week: Gothic, Glam Halloween Wedding

2011-10-27T13:16:00.001-04:00

If you really, really love Halloween, you might decide that the spooky day is perfectly fit for saying your vows. Lots of couples relish in the ghoulish glam that can be a Halloween wedding. TheKnot.com offers 13 Stylish Halloween Wedding Ideas for those brides and grooms looking to add a bit of flair to their big day. Here are a few ideas you can use to create a very gothic, glam look at your ceremony and reception:

This invitation has a creepy but chic style to it -- Noteworthy Collection, available at FineStationery.com

The Vera Wang Fall 2012 Bridal Collection is perfect for brides who want to wear something a little different -- Wedding Chicks

Add gothic style to your bridal look with an intricate cuff and black heels -- BHLDN

Go black and white with your floral arrangements, using rich black ribbon to wrap boutonnieres and bouquets -- The Knot and Martha Stewart

Set each place at the table with a gorgeous vintage-inspired placemat -- BHLDN

Hallo-Week: Put Down the Candy!

2011-10-26T13:15:00.000-04:00

While there's nothing wrong with a giant bag of store-bought, individually wrapped Halloween candy, it does seem a bit more fun to create your own special treats for a monster mash. If you're hosting a Halloween party, or invited to bring a sweet treat to a friend's party, here are a few ideas for homemade snacks. You're sure to impress every ghoul and boy with these alternatives to bagged candies:

Sweet and Spicy Pepitas Popcorn Balls

Goody Witches

Pumpkin Seed Candy

Invisible Pops

Hallo-Week: DIY, Last Minute Costumes

2011-10-25T14:57:00.000-04:00

A trip to the craft or fabric store and a few minutes of time are all you'll need for these easy, DIY costumes that can be put together at the last minute.

Batty Headband, Raven, Super Hero, Weather Man, Ace of Hears, Crayons, Picnic

Hallo-Week: Spooky Decorations

2011-10-24T10:38:00.000-04:00

It's Hallo-week here on The Finer Things! We're celebrating all things Halloween this week, leading up to the main event next Monday (can you believe Halloween is only one week away?) We've got tricks and treats in store for you, so be sure to visit each day for something spooky! Today, we're kicking off the week with fun decor ideas to make your home extra creepy for the holiday:

If you have not yet decorated for Halloween, you're in luck with this quick, low-cost idea from How About Orange. Simply grab a black trash bag, scissors and tape... and you've got giant spooky spiderwebs! These would be great indoors or outdoors, since they're water-proof.

These creepy accents are perfect for adding spooky flair to your home in inconspicuous ways. Creepy crawly bugs make floral arrangements and candles extra frightening, while paper bats cast eerie shadows on walls when taped to the underside of a lampshade. If you want to be extra creative, fill apothecary jars with "specimens" and place them on your windowsill.

What are your go-to decorations for Halloween? We'd love to hear!

Friday Finds and Fine Pin: Wedding Edition

2011-10-21T15:56:00.000-04:00

Good afternoon! My apologies for such a late post this afternoon, and the lack of a post yesterday! FineStationery.com has been busy preparing new holiday styles for the site (we're so excited about the upcoming season!)

Since we missed a wedding-related post yesterday, today's finds and Fine Pin all give a nod to the big day. Since sparkling styles are making their mark lately, we decided to focus on glittery glam details:

This ultra-glamorous clutch, spotted on BHLDN would be the perfect accessory for any bride who loves to shine.

Opt for a fun server when it comes time to cut the cake at your wedding! These glittered servers will make a big impression on style savvy guests.

When it comes to choosing a gown for the big day, you might want to browse the hundreds of new styles that just went down the runway in the fall collections. Martha Stewart Weddings has great coverage of the gowns.

If you're looking for ways to add shine and sparkle to your reception, check out this inspiring collection of ideas.

Today's Fine Pin was pinned from the collection of ideas mentioned above. Don't you just love the glittered stars for a holiday wedding or city event?

Game Day Dessert

2011-10-19T11:05:00.000-04:00

Fall weekends typically involve football -- whether you're rooting on your alma mater at a tailgate party or cozied up on the couch on Sunday to watch the pros. Make game day just a bit sweeter with this fun recipe for football whoopie pies:

This sweet treat scores a touchdown when it comes to desserts!

Doubletake: Cable Knit

2011-10-18T15:19:00.002-04:00

The cute cable knit pattern on these note cards and birth announcements by Prentiss Douthit must have been inspired by comfy cable knit sweaters. This vase also takes cues from the style. A cable knit look is perfect for the winter months - whether you're wearing it, using the style in home decor, or choosing the pattern for your winter baby's birth announcements.

Holiday Greetings that Speak Volumes

2011-10-17T10:40:00.000-04:00

This year, William Arthur lets you send holiday greetings to family and friends that include not only your printed sentiments and a photo -- you can record a personal audio greeting that will play upon opening the card. What a perfect way to wish a happy holiday season to loved ones, friends, or clients! With 8 different styles to choose from (including 6 photo styles and 2 traditional styles), you can choose the design that is right for your family. Each card has a design on the inside to complement your photo or design selection on the front.

Click {here} to view this product and listen to a sample sound clip!

Friday Finds and Fine Pin

2011-10-14T13:56:00.000-04:00

We are not that far away from Halloween now, and you're probably in party-planning mode by now. This week's finds highlight a few ghoulish goodies for Halloween parties -- two treats and one party favor idea.

These creepy cupcakes are "stabbed" with broken pieces of "glass" (don't fret, it's just sugar!) You'll really scare guests with this dessert!

Hand out bottles of "Poison" at the end of your party, instructing guests to add it to their bathtub (it's bubblebath!) Check out Hostess with the Mostess for a tutorial.

These bewitching cookies are almost too beautiful to eat! Check out the full post on Amy Atlas to see how you can create a creepy crow themed party.

Today's Fine Pin provides just one more idea for your upcoming Halloween bash:

See the pin {here}, and check out our Halloween Magic pinboard!

Blissful Bows

2011-10-13T14:37:00.000-04:00

A pretty bow can be feminine, preppy and pretty. Beautifully tied bows make lovely accents for weddings, whether they grace a cake, the bride's shoes or the ceremony programs. The possibilities are endless, and the look is so easy to achieve:

Flowergirl's shoes, Napkin rings, Cake, Bow corsage -- Martha Stewart

Bride's gown -- J.Crew

Bride's heels -- Style Me Pretty

Groom's bowtie -- Forage

Invitation and Program by William Arthur -- FineStationery.com

Healthy Fall Recipe Resource

2011-10-12T15:15:00.000-04:00

Now that it's fall, recipes will start to include seasonal favorites like apples and pumpkin. Your dishes will also start to become more comforting and better suited for cold nights and crisp mornings. A great resource for fall recipes that are delicious and still healthy is Skinnytaste.com. Check out the author's collection of fall recipes {here}.

What are your favorite fall recipes? We'd love for you to share them with us!

Bright, Crisp Holiday Photo Cards

2011-10-11T13:12:00.000-04:00

When it comes to selecting a photo card for your holiday greetings, take a peek at Kramer Drive's collection of bright, fun designs. The saturated colors look amazing on the luxe paper, and your photos are sure to pop. With 35 digital photo card designs in their holiday collection, you can easily send smiles in your own style. Here is just a small sample of Kramer Drive's digital photo collection:

Shop the entire Kramer Drive collection {here}

Feather Her Nest Baby Shower

2011-10-10T11:24:00.000-04:00

This sweet Baby Shower, spotted on On To Baby, uses a pretty pink and green palette, and lots of cute bird details. The mini cakes with nest and egg details are adorable, and the collection of nests, birds and other items as centerpieces are just lovely. We thought this pink and green Tweet Invitation by Inviting Company would be the perfect accent for a baby shower styled like this one:

Baby Shower images via On To Baby, Invitation via FineStationery.com

Friday Finds and Fine Pin

2011-10-07T12:15:00.000-04:00

We've made it to Friday again, friends! What are your weekend plans? Wherever you find yourself, we hope you have a great time! Here are a few fun things we've spotted on the web this week:

The upcoming holiday may have put you in the mood to watch spooky movies, listen to frightening tales, or visit a few haunted houses. If you're really adventurous, why not put your fears aside and visit a REAL haunted establishment. Real Simple highlights 13 of the most haunted places to visit {here}.

If you're not one for haunted celebrations, and plan to celebrate the birthday of a loved one, you might want to read {this blog post} from Nothing But Bonfires. Check out the most amazing gift that was put together for an older gentleman's birthday -- 60 years of memories on paper!

Starting October 9th is a new event called 52 Weeks of Mail, where people are encouraged to send one letter per week to a family member or friend. Take time from your busy schedule to connect with those that are important to you. What a great project! Check out the details {here}. Will you participate?

Don't forget -- Event planner extraordinaire Shawn Rabideau (you may have seen him on Bethenny Getting Married) will be live on Fox News today to show you how to throw a fun and spooky Halloween party for adults. You might just spy a little something from FineStationery.com! Tune in {here} at 12:45 EST today!

This Friday's Fine Pin will get you in the Halloween spirit. This fun cupcake topper is the perfect accent for the holiday, and would be great for school parties or your own spooky bash! Be sure to visit our Halloween Magic pinboard on Pinterest for other great ideas!

Winter Wedding Details

2011-10-06T12:57:00.000-04:00

Winter brides and grooms most likely have all the big details planned for their upcoming nuptials... but it never hurts to add a little flair to set the scene for a snowy white winter wedding. Here a few ideas to incorporate into your winter wedding that guests will love:

Snowflake shaped cookies as favors -- Martha Stewart

Hot cocoa or peppermint lattes with tiny donut treats -- Martha Stewart

An evergreen bouquet with a cozy wrap -- Martha Stewart

Personalized coffee cup sleeves -- Martha Stewart

If you're still shopping for the perfect invitation, these two snowflake-themed styles might inspire you:

Snowflake Invitation by Rita Renning, Winter Invitation by Checkerboard -- FineStationery.com

Harvest Gathering

2011-10-05T13:02:00.000-04:00

Cool fall weekends call for cozy gatherings with family and friends. Bring everyone together for

a harvest gathering to enjoy seasonal foods, a warming bonfire, and great company.

Have lots of warm blankets on hand for snuggling -- Better Homes and Gardens

A harvest-inspired invitation, like this style from Noteworthy Collection, is perfect for the event -- FineStationery.com

If you're unable to build an actual bonfire, carve a group of pumpkins with flame designs and add lights or candles inside them -- Better Homes and Gardens

Serve seasonal treats like butternut soup, pumpkin bread and cider -- Martha Stewart

Use hay bales for seating around the table or bonfire -- Better Homes and Gardens

Dress comfortably in a hand knit scarf and warm coat -- Martha Stewart

Tuesday Trends: No-Carve Pumpkins

2011-10-04T10:54:00.000-04:00

This year, avoid a big mess of seeds and goop and choose to embellish your pumpkins instead of carving. No-carve pumpkin ideas are popping up everywhere, from blogs to magazines to Pinterest. Use your imagination and decorate your pumpkins with anything from glitter to ribbons and thumbtacks! Here are a few fun ideas to get you started:

Lace Pumpkin, Glittered Pumpkins

Rhinestone Spiderweb Pumpkin, Ribbon Pumpkin

Kid-Friendly Halloween Party Treats

2011-10-03T13:47:00.000-04:00

To celebrate the first week of October, here's a roundup of kid-friendly Halloween treats that are
sure to please at parties or school functions:

Chocolate Witch Hats

Candy Corn Sugar Cookies

Ghost Cake

Mummy Juice Boxes

Filled Frankenstein Heads

Gooey Gummy Specimens

Cyclops Cupcakes

Mummy Pizzas

Friday Finds and Fine Pin

2011-09-30T14:18:00.000-04:00

It's quite a lovely fall day here -- wishing the same for all of you! How do you plan to spend your weekend as we move in to October? To get you through the last few hours of the work day, here are a few fun finds from the web this week, along with this week's Fine Pin. Enjoy!

Spotted through Crane & Co.'s Facebook page, this story of two pen-pals that finally met after 51 years of correspondence is so lovely and inspiring!

One of our favorite resources for great pet info and fun released their Fall issue this week! Way to go, Pawsh! If you've got four-legged friends, be sure to check it out!

Today is Mulled Cider Day -- how appropriate for the chilly weather! Head over to

Celebrations.com to check out their article on yummy cider drinks.

This mug, spotted on Anthropologie, would be perfect for sipping cider. The pretty

design is reminiscent of a scalloped pie crust!

Today's Fine Pin is perfectly fit for fall, and also for Mulled Cider Day. Isn't the woven

pie-crust topper so adorable?

A Halloween Wedding

2011-09-29T13:36:00.002-04:00

This Halloween themed wedding is anything but scary -- in fact, it's oh so chic! The yellow and grey palette is a nice change of pace from a standard orange and black Halloween affair, and the details really set the scene. The candy favors are an absolute must, and the chair decor is perfect!

All images via The Sweetest Occasion

Rosh Hashanah Greetings

2011-09-28T10:12:00.000-04:00

New Orchard Card by Checkerboard, available at FineStationery.com

Fun with Fonts

2011-09-27T11:38:00.000-04:00

Here's a bit of fun for your Tuesday -- a font quiz! This short, interactive quiz is great if you're interested in learning about fonts, or would like to test your font recognizing skills. I'll admit -- I'm constantly recognizing font names in advertisements or publications, but there were some fonts that left me stumped when it came to

recognizing them in this quiz!

Click here to take the quiz

Homemade Halloween Costumes

2011-09-26T12:54:00.000-04:00

When I was younger, I'd change my mind at least 5 times before I decided what I wanted to be for Halloween. My guess is that most children are just like that - their creative minds coming up with new costume ideas every day. When it comes down to finally selecting a costume, you won't want to spend a lot of money on a store-bought look, and you might not have a lot of time to come up with something. These homemade costumes are all relatively easy to pull off, and are all so much fun for kids!

Frog Prince and Princess, Spider Web, Flower Girls, Creepy Bug Costume

What ideas have your kids had for their costumes this year?

Fine Pins: Pumpkins

2011-09-23T08:02:00.000-04:00

Today we're taking a break from Friday Finds and Fine Pin and focusing on pins only. We just can't stop pinning on Pinterest! Do you follow The Finer Things' pinboards? With fall settling in, there are lots of pretty pumpkin pins out there, and we'd love to share them with you!

All images from our Crisp Autumn pinboard on Pinterest

Ruffled Wedding Details

2011-09-22T07:32:00.001-04:00

Ruffles always add a lovely, whimsical touch. Consider adding a few ruffled

details to your wedding look for a feminine and pretty style:

Ruffled cake via Martha Stewart, Gown via BHLDN, Ruffly shoes image via Pinterest

Ruffled lounge pillows via Pier 1, Invitation with swirls by

Checkerboard (available at FineStationery.com

DIY Project: Wax-Dipped Leaves

2011-09-21T07:56:00.000-04:00

View the tutorial {here}

Tuesday Trends: Neon

2011-09-20T07:45:00.000-04:00

Neon is popping up in fashion, home decor and accessories everywhere. The bold, glowing look is certainly shocking, and is bound to make an impression. If you're not quite fashion-forward enough to add the color to your closet, try adding it to your stationery wardrobe in the form of bright yellow note cards:

Notecards by Marsupial Papers, available at FineStationery.com

Bib necklace by kate spade

Neon colored pencils image via Pinterest

Heels via Zappos

Neon and nude watch band by J.Crew

Friday Finds and Fine Pin: The Fall Edition

2011-09-16T12:27:00.000-04:00

Fall is the perfect time to cook with apples. Martha Stewart has an amazing collection of apple recipes that you'll want to check out. These Swirly Baked Apples look especially delicious!

This autumn wedding inspiration shoot from Style Me Pretty is stunning. If you're planning a fall wedding, be sure to take a look at the amazing photos and great ideas!

Joanna from Cup of Jo has been posting fall fashion trends lately. If your wardrobe needs a cold-weather makeover, check out her posts about four trends that will take you into fall {Trend 1, Trend 2, Trend 3, Trend 4}.

Though it's not fall-related, we've got a fun article for you to read from the National Stationery Show's e-newsletter about stationery trends. Can you guess who it's written by? Take a peek at the newsletter here -- the stationery trends article is about halfway through. Enjoy!

Today's Fine Pin is fall themed, of course. Check out the rest of the fall pins on The Finer Things Crisp Autumn pinboard.

Wedding Inspiration from Blogs

2011-09-15T11:07:00.000-04:00

When you're first engaged, your mind wanders in a thousand directions -- the dress, the tux/suit, the venue, the flowers, the cake, the music, the food! There's so much to think about, and so many decisions to be made before your walk down the aisle. One of the best ways to gather inspiration is by reading a few wedding-focused blogs. The Finer Things brings you wedding inspiration each week, and today we'd like to share with you a few other blogs that are great to bookmark if you're in the planning phase:

100 Layer Cake, Brooklyn Bride, Green Wedding Shoes, Love & Lavender,

Ritzy Bee, Ruffled, Snippet & Ink, Style Me Pretty

From ultra-glam weddings to rustic, DIY ceremonies and receptions, this list of blogs should cover every bride's tastes. You'll find gorgeous images, great tips, vendor lists, and inspiration galore!

Be sure to stop by The Finer Things each week for your dose of wedding fun, and please let us know if there's a wedding topic in particular that you'd love for us to explore!

Images from Style Me Pretty and Ruffled

Won't you join in the Live Chat?

2011-09-14T12:51:00.000-04:00

Today we're sending out a big "Congratulations" to our great friends at Celebrations.com!

To celebrate reaching 10K+ Facebook Fans, planner extraordinaire Shawn Rabideau (you may have seen his wedding planning talent on the hit TV show, Bethenny Getting Married) is going to be live chatting with the Celebrations.com Facebook Fans! Be sure to visit the Celebrations.com Facebook page, give it a "Like" and drop by tomorrow, September 15th, from 1:30-2:00 EST to ask Shawn any entertaining, holiday, or Halloween questions! He'll be there to live chat with you directly. How fun! FineStationery.com will be there to participate in the chat!

Looking for other great ways to connect to FineStationery.com outside of our blog? You can check out the FineStationery.com Facebook page for fun news, or tweet to us on Twitter!

Tuesday Trends: Leopard Prints

2011-09-13T11:09:00.000-04:00

Leopard prints are making quite an impact in fashion, home decor, and even stationery this season. Take a walk on the wild side and add brown and black leopard spots to your look in a variety of ways, from your shoes to a personalized stamp:

Purse image via Pinterest, Notecard by Boatman Geller (available at FineStationery.com),

Scarf via J.Crew, Stamp by Noteworthy Collection (available at FineStationery.com),

Pillow via West Elm, Loafers via Tory Burch

Candy Coated Decor

2011-09-12T13:01:00.000-04:00

For Fall decor that's not spooky or haunting, or involving spiders and bats, look to Halloween's other icon -- candy! These two great wreaths are crafted from simple craft store wreath forms, candy and ribbon. Simply choose your favorite fall treat, and pull out your hot glue gun for a fun look!

Candy Corn Wreath via Woman's Day

Wrapped Candy Wreath via Martha Stewart