Behind the Scenes Archives

HotRef.com Q & A

Hello Blossomers!

It’s time once again to have a quick Q & A!  Today we are featuring our friends at HotRef.com!

How did HotRef begin?
HotRef.com was born in 2008 in Fremont, California. Initially, the owner had intentions for the site name to have a special meaning. The name’s meaning; to refer potential brides and grooms to hot wedding ideas among couples. When the site first launched, there was a variety of party favors that were trendy and hot at the time. Now, we’ve included a blog that features party planning tips and ideas which also includes some of today’s hot themes. We strive to stay relevant with some of today’s hot party themes, whether it be our favors or our blog topics.

HotRef-Logo

What do you believe is the key to creating a positive experience for your customers?
Our belief is that in order to create a positive customer experience, we don’t treat them like just another customer or sale. We want all of our customers to feel like our guests, whether it be on the website or over the phone. Our ultimate goal is to create a positive shopping experience and create lasting connections with our guests. We have become a Google trust store, and our social media networks are quickly gaining popularity. We’ve had 15,000 people like us on Facebook.

We’re right in the middle of summer! What are your favorite themes for summer time?
Our favorite themes for summer are beach and nautical, they’re both summer traditions that everyone can partake in. Because of their generality, they make wonderful themes for weddings, bridal showers, babyshowers and birthdays. Recently, there have been requests for personalizations that feature beach and nautical themes. Now, many of the new personalized designs we feature have beach and nautical themed decorations to them.

Summer-Beach-Nautical-Party-Favors-EventBlossom

What are some popular trends/themes now?
Two popular trends that we are loving right now is personalized favors and DIY favors. With help from sites like Pinterest, DIY blank favors are an inexpensive way to create custom fun and charming favors. There’s also been a trend of DIY wedding decorations and wedding ideas that guests are loving. Personalized favors have always intrigued guests because they were able to make it their own. With plenty of design options; for weddings, bridal showers, babyshowers and birthdays, they’re a popular seller.

What are your favorite Event Blossom products and why?
Recently, Event Blossom has had a lot of new personalized designs being introduced. There are plenty of fun designs in all party categories. The Birthday designs are very cool and trendy while the Baby shower designs are adorable and cute. The mason jar with the flower lid is a guest favorite on our WeHeartIt. Since we are all avid Pinteresters, DIY Blank Favors have become our new love. Having the opportunity to customize and personalize your favors, inexpensively, is the best of both worlds. Being able to create a masterpiece for your special day is what we love about the DIY Blank Favors.

Thanks to our wonderful interviewees at HotRef.com!

-Julie

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Mod Party Kit Stationery Trends Magazine Feature ~ Spring 2014

Hello Blossomers!

We are so thrilled to have our items featured once again by our friends at Stationery Trends Magazine. Our Mod Party Collection is highlighted in a two page spread in Stationery Trends’ National Stationery Show issue, which will be distributed to everyone attending this year’s show in New York City. Specifically, our Pink Circus Party theme kit is featured in the article.



Our Head Designer, Heather Swanson, is interviewed in the article and talks about the struggle she had finding party favors and decorations that matched the jungle theme for her son’s birthday. She was inspired to create a collection full of different themes to make it easier on party planners to find coordinating supplies. Heather also gives insight to how the Mod Party Collection was developed and designed. When asked how she would recommend these kits be promoted and merchandised at retail, Heather advised, “We recommend clients keep Starter Kits in stock. These are pre-packed kits to get a party started and dress up a food or dessert table. They include cupcake wrappers and toppers, a welcome sign, striped straws, and tent cards. Most customers are happy with just the items in the kit, plus it’s offered at a discount rate over buying things individually. The customer who wants to get fancy can order (coordinated) personalized items.”

Thanks again to Stationery Trends Magazine for producing such a lovely feature on our Mod Party Collection.

-Julie

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What Inspires You?

Hello Blossomers!

There have been so many exciting things happening at the Event Blossom offices that we’re all still trying to catch up.  But there’s one major thing that I wanted to share with all you.  This is one thing that has made all the difference for many of us here at EB.

Whether you’re one of our retailers, someone who has ordered EB products through one of our retailers, or a human being in general this is something that I recommend for anyone.  Allow me to present, the Event Blossom Wall Of Inspiration:

event blossom wall of inspiration

From the classics such as Van Gogh to the amazing contemporary street art of Banksy; From the San Francisco 49ers to Grumpy Cat; from favorite pets to favorite Graphic Designers… This wall is full of everything that inspires us, uplifts us, and just plain makes us happy to see.  And by us I mean everyone who has ever stepped foot into our office.  While some may put up more things than others (*cough* our graphic designer, Eunie *cough*), the wall is open to everyone.

There is no limit to what may inspire you, and there is nothing like a visual reminder of that for you to look upon everyday.  So take some time out of each day, whether it’s 5 minutes or 5 hours, to find something that inspires you and put it up where you can see it.  And I promise, you’ll start to feel that sometimes very elusive thing called creativity starting to make its appearance in your life.

Until next time,

Kim

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Bring on the Spring!

Hello, Blossomers!  I know it’s been a terribly long time since we last spoke but I promise that I’ve got some great posts that I can’t wait to share with you.  In the meantime, I thought I’d give you a small sneak peek into our offices.

Welcome to California: Sunshine and Palm Trees everyday!
Welcome to California: Sunshine and Palm Trees everyday!

We’re all abuzz over Spring and Summer.  Southern Californians do not usually fare well in the cold — I am certainly no exception to this.  But the clouds have lifted, the rains have (hopefully) ended, and we’re looking at sunshine all the way through the next few months.  Naturally, this puts all of us into a super creative mood.  What better way to channel all this creative energy than to spruce up our office with some springtime decor?

We'll start with some vases...
We’ll start with some vases…or a milk bottle (or 2, or 3…)
Add some flowers...
Add some flowers…
Voila! Instant decor!
Voila! Instant decor!

There’s nothing like some flowers on your desk to brighten a work day.  How do you personalize your workspace, Blossomers?  We wanna know!

Happy Spring!

-Kim

 

 

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Our World in Photographs

There’s this great saying, perhaps you’ve heard of it:

“A picture is worth a thousand words.”

In my experience, I have found this statement to be true.  A photo can, indeed, tell quite a bit of story (even the whole story in some cases).  However, in this fast-paced online world of ours I’ve found that this little quote has taken on a new meaning:  a picture is worth a thousand conversations we can’t always have.  There are so many little moments of laughter, joy, or inspiration that I wish we could share with you — little things like the silly doodles or drawings made while taking breaks, the small trinkets on our desks that keep us company, or even a refreshing ice cream sandwich that the boss surprises us with on hot summer afternoons.  Sure, there’s always Facebook and Twitter.  But they don’t have cool filters for your photos like…Instagram!

bwlogo

Instagram allows you to add that beautiful vintage look to brand new photos and share them with lots of people.  As with all things social networking, I am greatly amused.  You know what comes next…Now, Event Blossom has its very own Instagram profile where we can share more glimpses behind the scenes and we can see some of the lovely things you’ve taken a snapshot of.  Follow us @eventblossom, and we’ll follow you!

instagram 1

Better yet, #eventblossom on images of your events or favors and show us what awesome and creative things you’ve done with your favorite EB products!

Now get out there and take some pictures!
-Kim

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The Great Valentine’s Day Debate

I'm definitely getting into the Valentine's Day spirit!
I’m definitely getting into the Valentine’s Day spirit!

I won’t deny it — I’m a hopeless romantic.  With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I’m enjoying all the lovey-dovey displays in stores and all of the sweet cards that have made their appearance in the gifts and stationery departments.  I’m an absolute sucker for romantic comedies, heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, and roses.  Yes, roses.  Some may call them cliché, but I will never tire of those fragrant blooms.  Speaking of things that seem overdone or maybe even faux pas, it seems to me that many people are split straight down the middle when it comes to this holiday of hearts.  Having a date night with your other half is a classic way to celebrate, but how about proposing to your significant other or getting married on Valentine’s Day?  Even I question the idea of getting engaged on a day that seems so “typical” for romantic gestures or having to share the spotlight with cupid on my wedding day.  To settle this debate, I took it to the Event Blossom Staff over some pizza.

“Valentine’s Day Weddings or Proposals — Classic or Cliché?

For the most part, everyone was in agreement: a proposal on Valentine’s Day would be sweet, but a wedding on Valentine’s Day would be a big no-no.  As an interesting twist, the suggestion was made that it would be a pleasant surprise if someone proposed the day before or after Valentine’s Day rather than on the actual day.  I love the idea of doing Valentine’s Day related things on days that aren’t Valentine’s Day.  Besides, who needs a holiday to celebrate love anyway??

Throw a love and hearts themed shindig, and I’m there!  If you need some inspiration, take a look at our Hearts & Love Pinboard on Pinterest.  You can even find the how-to on my little heart chains.

Feeling the love??
Feeling the love??

XO,

Kim

 

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A Full Warehouse is a Happy Warehouse!

It’s always an exciting day when back ordered products come back in stock.  Everyone eagerly awaits the sound of the big rig containing all of our goodies turning the corner.  When it finally arrives, orders on hold get prepped and ready to go while the warehouse gets to work (our shipping department has got the unloading and re-organizing strategy down).  Stock status updates get sent, announcements are made, and there is a sweet sigh of relief that our stock has been replenished.  The best part? Seeing empty shelves and spaces get filled with fresh boxes of items ready to be ordered:

warehouse

Just in case you missed the memo, Candy Boxes (EB2126), Chair Place Card Boxes (EB1024), and Mini Cube Boxes in Aqua (EB1025BL) are all back in stock.

Come back on Thursday for our very first “Quick Q+A” of 2013 — it’s going to be a good one!

-Kim

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The Winner is…

Christina from Customer Service!

Christina, the Cupcake Decorating Master!
Christina, the Cupcake Decorating Master!

We’d like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who stopped by our Facebook Page and voted for their favorite cupcake.  We had so much fun decorating them.  On behalf of the entire Event Blossom Team, I’d like to wish you a happy and safe holiday.  We may be taking a short break, but we’re already making some big plans for when we get back.  We’re looking forward to another year filled with more fun, friends, and party favors!

I’ll see you in 2013,

Kim

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You’re Invited…

To the Event Blossom Cupcake Decorating Contest!

Tomorrow (Wednesday, December 19th), watch as the Event Blossom Staff competes for the title of “Best Cupcake Decorator in the Office.”

Here are the rules:

  1. Each competitor will be given one cupcake.
  2. Competitors must choose one cupcake wrapper and topper from the approved samples.
  3. Competitors will have 5 minutes to decorate their cupcake.
  4. Only the supplies on the official competition table are allowed.

And the best part:  the winner will be chosen by YOU!  The final cupcakes will be photographed and posted on the Event Blossom Facebook Page where a poll will be opened to decide the winning cupcake.  Voting will be closed and the winner will be announced on Friday, December 21st at 10am PST.

See you there!
-Kim

MOD kid's birthday cupcake wrappers and toppers
Which MOD Kid’s Birthday Designs will be used?  Nobody knows!
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Happy Birthday to Us!

After having  a fun and eventful birthday weekend, Kate from Sugar Therapy and I are both back in action in the kitchen and on our blogs.  However, the party hasn’t ended for Event Blossom — we had two more July birthdays to celebrate!  How do we celebrate here at Event Blossom??  By ordering a big pizza (or two) from our favorite local pizzeria!  And by big, I mean massive.  I believe the proper term that the pizza place uses for the size we ordered is “King Kong.”  Take a look for yourself:

Pizza!
This Bad Boy Measured 24" across. That's TWO whole feet!

Not only was this pizza huge, but it was DELICIOUS!  Notice the added emphasis on “Delicious.”  And that wasn’t even the best part.  The best part was that we all got to sit down to a nice meal and enjoy some quality team bonding time.  We talked about the upcoming Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises,  and I was almost banished from the table when I confessed that I hadn’t seen any of the Batman movies.  We had a few laughs when Christina asked, “is pizza fattening?”  We even talked about prescription eyeglasses — complete with the a comparative study of each others’ eyesight by swapping glasses.

our shipping supervisor, Ryan, trying out some glasses

Yes, we are that close here.  All in all, it was a great lunch break.  A special thanks to the boss, Asim, for lunch and a very Happy Birthday to the lucky team members who share the same birthday month as me:  Drew and Tom.  And I also have a special treat for you loyal blog readers: for the first time, although probably not the last, you get to see what we look like!

Clockwise from the left: Ryan, Drew, Kimi, Tom, Alex, Ashlee, and Asim

 ONE more!

This time, with Christina!

Happy Birthday Drew and Tom!

And a VERY Happy Birthday to all the Summer Babies out there from the Event Blossom Team!

-Kimi

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