We send our best to all those who have been affected by Hurricane Sandy. To all of our valued customers located on the East Coast, we extend our deepest concern and hope for a quick recovery. Know that we are available to help you in any way that we can.
Event Blossom has made a monetary donation to the American Red Cross to aid in their hurricane relief effort. We encourage any who are able to take some time to visit their website and add their own contribution. You can access the donation page by clicking here.
For those who have orders shipping to affected areas, you can find an update of UPS.com’s service delays by clicking here.
Something magical used to happen whenever I bought a new suitcase. I’d find one that I absolutely adore and have to have. It was usually perfect for me: big enough for my over-packing, easy enough for my petite frame to lug around, and colorful enough to stand out on those airport carousels. The magic doesn’t end there. I’d proceed take my brand new suitcase on its first flight and know that all the other passengers will be so envious when I’m able to spot my suitcase right away without having first taken someone else’s baggage and awkwardly placed it back on the conveyor belt. Where does magic come in all of this? After making my way to the baggage claim, I would always discover that everyone seemed to magically fall in love with the same suitcase I did.
Okay, that was an exaggeration. Not EVERYONE had the same luggage. But it only took one very similar looking bag for me to find myself in that uncomfortable situation at the baggage claim I mentioned earlier. I’ve since learned my lesson. It’s all about the luggage tag. I make sure that my luggage tags are the brightest and most distinguishable little tags you’ve ever seen. Having a customizable luggage tag like this one helps:
Happy travels, Blossomers!
Need help with Event Blossom products? Shoot me an email at Kim@eventblossom.com!
We’re back with another Quick Q+A! This one is brought to you by one of our great retailers from New Jersey. Not only do they have a colorful online store, but they have a welcoming little showroom where they get to meet their customers face to face on a daily basis. Erica had some amazing tips and insight on finding inspiration for your wedding style, read all about it for yourself:
What’s the story behind your company name, Little Things Favors?
When I was shopping for my own wedding in 2003 I had a hard time finding all the “little things” I needed for my wedding. I browsed so many websites and had to order everything I needed from numerous different vendors. By the time I was done, the UPS driver knew me by name – I had so many packages delivered! I thought there must be an easier way to shop for weddings, so I sought to develop a one-stop shop for all the little things brides need for their wedding. From ceremony supplies to reception decorations, wedding and bridal accessories to wedding favors – we have it all! Well, almost everything – you can find whatever you need for your wedding day at Little Things Favors – except the dress and the groom!
How long has your showroom been opened? What’s the best part about being able to talk favors with customers face to face?
Our showroom opened September 2008, so it has been four years since we opened our doors to clients. I really wanted a retail location that brides could visit to see and feel our favors and accessories in person. So many of our customers would call and ask detailed questions about the items we carried or would order samples to see exactly what they were getting before placing a bulk order. I knew that the next step in our business development was to open a boutique that customers could shop in person.
I love that we are able to meet clients face to face. Couples tell us their stories, how they met, what their style is, what their lives are like! It makes the wedding shopping experience, much more personal for both our clients and us. We love to hear their stories! We are very much romantics at heart and it brightens our day when we have clients come in. The best part for our clients though, is knowing that we are real people behind the website and that we genuinely care about their wedding and making sure they are happy with the items they purchase. Just by talking to clients we are able to steer them in the right direction and show them favors and accessories they never even realized were perfect for them.
Where would you suggest brides go for inspiration when planning their weddings?
Oh, there’s so many places brides can go to find inspiration! My personal favorite recommendation is to know your own personal style and begin your search from there. If a bride is an outdoorsy type, she may want to look at the outdoor space around her venue or favorite places to seek color and theme inspiration. If she is a classic bride, look to the era in which she is most attracted to and pull inspiration from movies, photographs and books from that time period. If a couple is having a seasonal wedding, because they love that season, pull elements from there into the reception location. Anything goes with weddings these days, it is all about the couple’s personal style and taste. There are no “cookie cutter” weddings anymore, each bride is different, every wedding is unique and brides are now looking to put their own individual twist on their day.
For online inspiration, a great place to start looking for ideas and learn about your own style is Pinterest. There are just so many unique finds that are shared in one place and you’ll never know what you’ll come across. I am in love with Pinterest! When I first started my personal account, I created a board called “wedding inspiration” and began pinning things that I would use if I was planning a wedding for myself. Interestingly, I learned through Pinterest my personal style has changed from bohemian beach (my style in 2003) to retro glam (what I am currently in love with). I would recommend to all brides who are looking for inspiration and aren’t sure what they want, to start using Pinterest – in a few short weeks, they will see what their own style is.
Other sources to find inspiration are blogs, wedding shows on TV, magazines, Etsy, and of course, LittleThingsFavors.com!
I loved the way they dressed up our images!
Do you have any trend predictions for the upcoming fall and winter seasons?
Fall has become increasing popular for weddings, more so than summer it seems this year! One of the bigger trends we see is the rustic / vintage theme. What is old, is new. Recycled items, repurposed items, handmade items, wooden décor and outdoorsy, nature themes. I love this trend for fall weddings because many of the rustic items lend an Autumn feel that reminds me of pumpkin picking, apple cider, maple syrup and old farmhouses. For a winter rustic theme, I think of vintage snowshoes, log cabins, sitting by the fire, hot cocoa, pinecones, ice lanterns and natural wood such as white birch. And for the DIY bride, eco-chic or the bride who loves to go antique shopping – this trend is very chic and do-able!
Another trend we noticed is the personalization of weddings. I don’t mean personalizing items (that still is quite popular too!) but rather, giving your wedding a heartfelt, genuine and unique touch by decorating with items that mean something special to the couple. Whether it is a favorite quote framed and hung by the entrance, a puzzle guest book to sign, a reception in a baseball stadium, a cocktail party in a museum, glamorous table decor, a signature cocktail, photo booths that their guests can take home pictures – couples are seeking to make their wedding very distinctive and very them.
What first caught your eye about Event Blossom’s product line?
Event Blossom has unique products that can be personalized with beautiful, modern designs and colors – and the turn around time for personalization is fast. I have personally used so many of Event Blossom’s products for my own events. I’ve used candy jars for my grandfather’s 80th birthday, Sweet Shoppe Candy boxes and lollipops for my son’s birthday party, baby animal notebooks for a baby shower I attended. I always recommend Event Blossom products to my clients as well because I know the quality printing and value they are getting can’t be beat.
I love when one thing can serve multiple purposes. Some examples of my own multitasking objects:
Coffee mug/paperweight
Pen/hair clip
Paperclip/Luggage Tag opener
Planner/receipt holder/post-it note holder
Bulletin board/photo album
And of course, the general of my multi-tasking army: my cell phone. These things save me time, energy, and sometimes even money. I think that finding ways to utilize objects for more than just their intended uses is a fabulous idea. If you recently ordered some of our Chair Place Card Holders, we just might be on the same page and we should be friends. Place card holder and party favor? Why not?
Email your how-to requests directly to me! Kim@eventblossom.com
Long before my days here at Event Blossom, I had ordered a product similar to our Mini Cube Boxes for an event. Keep in mind, I hadn’t actually been the one who placed the order: my mom did that for me. So when these boxes arrived, I was surprised to see that they weren’t…well, boxes. Instead, they were pieces of what looked like colorful cardboard and I had to put them together using directions that were pretty vague, at best. Let’s just say that my very first box (we’ll call it an experiment) was a teeny bit beat up by the time I got it right. It was okay, though, because I had about 99 of them left to practice on. That may sound like a party-planning nightmare, but I was actually enjoying myself. I love figuring out how pieces fit together (puzzle party, anyone??), and I love the feeling of accomplishment I get when I’m finally holding the finished product in my hands. However, there have been times where I just want clear instructions on how to get something done so I can move on to the next task.
Any event, big or small, is ultimately a long list of things to plan and organize. Even if you’re like me and enjoy tinkering around with pieces to put together, you may have other things that are a bigger priority. Yes, I would love to come help you plan any party of your dreams. Unfortunately, I can’t. What I can do is help you out with your favors. Presenting the first of many photo tutorials I have created for some of our “assembly required” items:
Need help with any of our products? Email me at kim@eventblossom.com to request a helpful how-to!
One of my favorite things about the internet is that I can have conversations with friends who aren’t quite within driving distance whether they’re in a different state or another country. What’s even better is that thanks to things like webcams and Skype, I can even see all of their beautiful faces. For Event Blossom, the internet means we get to work with people from all over the world. Although time differences may delay responses, it’s pretty amazing that we can send a message to the other side of the planet and have it waiting for someone to read it when they get into the office. So, I used this incredible internet tool to connect with one of our wonderful international customers. Here’s another “Quick Q+A” brought to you by some of our Australian friends at:
Check out Pink Frosting by clicking their scrumptious looking logo!
How did Pink Frosting begin?
Our online shop was launched in December 2006 by our founder and amazing mother of two Kathryn Porritt. Kathryn is passionate about entertaining and wanted to provide a space were others could share this passion and find all the gorgeous goodies they need celebrate in style. Pink Frosting has quickly grown to be one of the most trusted online shops in Australia, with over 120,000 customers and now employing more than 20 amazing Aussies. Kathryn has now gone on to publish “The Party Book” a comprehensive guide filled with tips and ideas for your next celebration.
What are some popular trends/themes in Australia?
For weddings, brides are simplifying and focusing on quality rather than quantity, especially when it comes to the guest list. So while the average cost of a wedding hasn’t changed, couples are focusing on providing their close friends and family with a truly memorable evening. Outdoor weddings with magical displays of lanterns hanging from the sky are very popular with vintage wedding themes. And many couples are ditching the traditional wedding cake in favour of dessert buffets, individual wedding cupcakes or scrumptious macaron towers.
If there is one thing every party needs, what would it be?
Pink Frosting! Our philosophy has always been that everyone can create party magic – all they need is a little creativity, some planning and a great big smile. Having the support of a comprehensive website that offers planning ideas, inspiration and a beautiful range of supplies like www.pinkfrosting.com.au makes creating party magic oh so easy!
What words of wisdom would you offer to customers who aren’t sure what kind of favors they want?
If you are stuck on what to give as a favour the best place to start is you! Favours should be a reflection of you for your guests to remember. Think about your hobbies and interests and how you can share this. We are big on creating events with personality – so personalised and meaningful favours are the best place to start. Are you a pair of beach goers (lots of Aussies certainly are) – then why not give personalised sunscreen to your guests? Are you foodies who spend your weekends cooking up a storm in the kitchen? Bottle some of your favourite home-made jam or make your favourite miniature pies to everyone to take home – packaged in a beautiful box with a personalised tag.
What are your favorite Event Blossom products and why?
The Pink Frosting team favourite has to be the range of personalised candy whether it be jars, bean packs or lollipops. These are so versatile and can be personalised to suit any theme or colour scheme, not to mention they are oh so yummy.
I’d like to give a special Thank You to Amanda over at Pink Frosting for taking the time to answer these questions — I definitely enjoyed reading the responses! I know some members of the Event Blossom Team got the opportunity to meet Kathryn at the 2012 National Stationery Show in NYC and had wonderful things to say. I was so excited to have a chance to connect with and get to know one of our international retailers.
As always, any Event Blossom retailers out there interested in being a part of our Quick Q+A’s please feel free to contact me at the email address below.
Change is in the air. Yes, it’s still hot outside. No, leaves haven’t really begun changing colors. But my route to work has changed now that the kids have started shuffling back to school, and today I was able to order my first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the year at the coffee shop (it was amazing). As far as I’m concerned, these two occurrences signify the beginning of Fall. In celebration of this lovely season, I wanted to show you some of my favorite Event Blossom products just for Fall.
Fall is when I start spending a lot more time curled up on the couch with a book. Even though I love my e-reader, this would be my bookmark of choice for those times that I just have to have a real book in my hands.
Eco-Friendly is “in” every day of the year, but I think that the texture of the plantable leaves on these place cards add an extra dose of style.
Hot Apple Cider? Yes, please!
Our “Fall for Love” collection has plenty of great label designs to match the season as well. My favorite label combo for the Fall would have to be Green Chocolate labels with the Branches design. You can check out the entire collection and all of the Fall designs here. Now, I anxiously await the day I can comfortably wear boots and scarves.
I’ve got another fun Q+A for you next week, stay tuned!
Happy Friday, Blossomers! We’re slowly finishing up our Mod Party Kit features so I was brainstorming another fun series of posts we could have. The first thing I thought about were our resellers; we’ve got so many great retailers out there and Event Blossom would not get very far without them. Then I thought about how much fun it would be if we could get to know this great big family of ours even better. Cue the lightbulb over my head. “We should do a series of posts about these fabulous retailers who make the Event Blossom world go round,” I thought to myself. Before I knew it, a plan was set into motion for a new series. This series will be titled “Quick Q+A” and here’s how it’ll work: we ask the questions and one of our brilliant retailers will provide the answers!
So without any further ado, here is our very first Quick Q+A with one of the newest members of the Event Blossom Family:
Operations Manager, Greg Wierenga, gave us some great insight!
Describe a typical day for the staff at WeddingFavors.org. Any fun office stories you can share?
I don’t know if we ever have a ‘typical day’ :). Each day is filled with it’s own fun and crazy emails and calls. We just work with each customer online or over the phone to make sure they find the perfect favor for their big day. Of course, having a ping pong table and wii in the office helps make some memorable stories as well. 🙂
Which themes/trends have been in demand for weddings and special events in 2012 so far?
Brides are always looking for something unique. They are also loving the ability to personalize so many of our items now. They want to give out something that their guests have never encountered before.
Do you have any trend predictions for Fall/Winter?
We are expecting Brides to continue trending towards personalized wedding favors. Anything that will send their guests home with that personal touch and a real ‘Thank You for Coming’ gift.
What are some lessons you’ve learned from being a part of the wedding and event industry?
We have learned to expect the unexpected (like “i need favors in 3 days, can you help me!?”). We have also learned that there’s no room for mistakes. Favors are one of the last things purchased for any event. We assure customers they will have their favors when they need them and just how they ordered them. We want to be sure we follow through with what we promise, so we take a lot of care to watch each order.
How has adding Event Blossom’s product line added value to your website offerings?
It has given us a more complete line of favors that we can now offer to our customers. With the addition of Event Blossom’s product line, we feel we offer favors that will fit what any Bride is looking for.
There you have it! I’d like to give a big “Thank You,” to Greg and WeddingFavors.org for being a part of this new series. I hope you enjoyed this first Q+A — I know I did! All other Event Blossom resellers, keep an eye out for an email from yours truly asking to be in the next Q+A. But don’t think you have to wait for an invite! Any interested retailers are more than welcome to reach out to me for a feature via the e-mail address below.*
I can’t wait to get to know more of you!
-Kim
*interested retailers can send their e-mails to kim@eventblossom.com and will be featured in the order that I hear from them.
I don’t know about any of you, but I’m squeezing every last second I can out of the final month and a half or so of Summer we’ve got left. So believe me when I say that I took some time to thoroughly enjoy the Summer edition of Stationery Trends Magazine.
No, I didn’t enjoy it just because of our feature. This article discussed the ongoing debate over the two distinct style philosophies so named in the title of the article: classic and edgy. I tend to use the terms traditional and modern, but either way it’s still one of my favorite topics to ponder over. Why? Because it’s a discussion that can inspire such wonderful and unique creations that mix the best of both worlds. Take the fine examples featured alongside our very own mod party kit; as the article notes for the baby shower market, the bold colors add a modern twist on classic themes. In conclusion, I think this is a healthy debate that will never be settled — and the design world is better for it. After all, classics become classic for a reason and if there weren’t anyone pushing boundaries with modern ideas, then most industries in general would not get very far.
There were many other great articles in this edition. I found a fair share of valuable information regarding blogging that I fully intend on putting to good use as well as some great pieces about the National Stationery Show. So while you’re soaking up the final rays of the summer sun, I suggest you take some time to peruse the great articles and stunning photos that fill this edition of Stationery Trends Magazine.
One of the wonderful things about living in Southern California is being able to go to the beach all year round. I’ll say it time and time again, we’re pretty spoiled with great weather and great scenery around these parts. While I enjoy having the crashing surf provide a soundtrack to whatever book I happen to be reading, braving the waves and attempting (and usually failing) to body surf, and moseying down the pier or into quaint little stores, my favorite part of the beach has to be the bonfires. A good beach bonfire can beat the winter chill and can cook up some of summer’s best BBQ — an amazing activity for all year round. So if you love the beach just as much as I do, you’ll also love throwing beach themed parties. And the perfect companion to every seaside bash: our Beach Party Mod Party Kits
My perfect beach party would start when the sun rises, end long after it sets and include a very specific list of things. Components I deem necessary for a beach party:
Body board
Swimsuit
Towel
Something to read
Football (I WILL learn how to throw one properly, someday)
Sunscreen
Firewood and all things to start a fire (including someone else to do it for me)
Lots of water
Good friends
Good food
Nothing too fancy or complex. I’ve gone to the beach completely alone and on a total whim plenty of times and still managed to enjoy myself; if you haven’t already gathered, I don’t require much to have a a good time. I know what you’re thinking, “so why would you need a mod party kit?” Well, because despite the few needs I have in order to pull off a fun day at the beach, when you throw in a big group of people, organization and planning is your best friend. Also, not everyone shares my let’s-just-go-and-see-what-happens philosophy especially when they don’t know whether or not they’re going to have something to eat.
A great teacher of mine (and the school’s activities director) used to quote a clever fellow named John Heywood, “many hands make light work.” It applied to my life when I was on student council helping out with campus events, and it still applies years later in my adult life — especially when it comes to planning events. In my opinion, nothing beats a potluck when it comes to making “light work” of a party. With proper planning, a potluck ensures that there’s enough food for everyone and that no one person has to break their small (tiny, in my case) budget. The brand new mod party kit you received can help you get all the pieces organized. Here’s how:
Each Beach Mod Party Kit comes with twelve menu cards with four different designs: palm tree, seashell, starfish, and seahorse. Break down your menu into four categories represented by each of those four designs. Include these cards with the invitations you send out. The categories I use are: snacks, appetizers, side dishes, and dessert. Yes, there is a difference between snacks and appetizers. Snacks are things you can eat on the go and usually grab by the handful, like chips or pretzels. Appetizers are still bite-sized, but a little more substantial like pigs in a blanket or deviled eggs. The snacks will stay out as long as they last while appetizers usually go out when we start cooking dinner.
As the host, I usually provide the main course, plates/cups/utensils/etc., ice, and drinks (or ask everyone to bring their own beverages). I always like to let everyone know this in the invite as well.
Invitations should include all the important stuff plus the potluck information giving everyone a key for the different menu categories. If you feel it’s necessary, add in a note about using disposable and covered food containers. The disposable part is optional but a cover is definitely a must-have at the beach.
When your guests RSVP, ask them what they’re bringing and create a master menu list. This way, if there are any duplicate dishes, you can call and ask if they have an alternative item to bring. This would also be a good time to ask your friends to bring umbrellas, coolers, and folding tables if you don’t have any/enough yourself.
I mentioned earlier that when I host, I usually provide the main dish. When it comes to bonfires, I stick with the classic hot dogs and veggie dogs (with their own a separate skewer — this is important!) for my vegetarian friends. I also make sure to bring all the fixings. After all the details practically sort themselves out, you can focus on which pair of sunglasses goes best with your newest swimsuit.
Usually, I am so excited to take pictures of my creations, but this week’s project turned out to be me just writing things on the menu cards with a permanent marker. Good idea? Yes. Interesting picture? Not so much. So I did something a little different…Here’s a glimpse of what I see when I go to the beach, just for you, Blossomers! Photos taken one lovely morning in Laguna Beach, compliments of my iPhone.
my new friend, Mr. Seagullwearing a long dress didn't stop my from getting my feet wet!taken right before those very waves somehow managed to splash me in the face.
Other ways to use your mod party kit at the beach:
Decorate the volleyball net with the pennant banner or mark off an endzone for football.
Top your masterpiece of a sandcastle with the party icons
Keep up the summer theme and make these Margarita-Flavored Cupcakes by Sugar Therapy and dress them up with the cupcake wrappers and toppers. These zesty and refreshing cupcakes make a great summer dessert for all ages!
