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Ask A Planner

My new series where you can ask your questions for anything party!

 

Today’s question comes from Samantha from Seattle. She writes:

I am getting married in July and wanted to know when we should send out invites. Thanks! 

 

Hi Samantha,

Congrats on your engagement– and up coming wedding!

Six weeks before the wedding is plenty– especially if you sent out a save-the-date (best sent out 6-10 months prior to the event. Any more is excessive). If you didn’t send an early reminder, then 7-8 weeks is okay, but no more than that. For RSVP responses, ask for replys no later than 2-3 weeks before the wedding date. You know your family and friends best– if you will have to chase your family and friends for replies, give yourself a little extra time (3 weeks), or if your guests are fairly prompt (2 weeks). The caterer usually requests the final count  3-5 days prior to the event so plan accordingly with your follow ups. Check your contract to be sure.

{Image Source}

 

 

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Roxy Pie

I did some food styling over MLK weekend for my awesome friend Roxanne. She’s starting up a baking business and wanted some shots of her yummy desserts. Here are a few of my favorites. {Photos taken by my fabulous hubby}

And the lovely lady herself…

If you are in the NYC area, you can contact her to get one of her creations here.

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Favorite Things…

Here are some fun things I’ve found lately that I’ve loved– or have at least have kept me thinking.

Gorgeous. That’s all I have to say.

This painted monogram on the dance floor is cute.

A couple boudoir shoot? Cute, as long as you don’t send it out to family!

A box of craft supplies sent to my house everyone month? Yes, please! {via Swiss Miss}

I love this paper and personalized thank you cards.

I love this picture from a cat audition. Talk about catty!

I hope you enjoyed my new favorite things! xoxo

 

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Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is my mom’s birthday. Yea!

My mom is my best friend, my supporter and my inspiration. I credit her with my good taste and love for decorating and designing. {My friends in high school always liked to come to my well decorated home.} I also credit her with my non-profit life, believing that is important to give back everyday. She is an incredible woman and I only hope I can be half the woman she is. I love you, Mom! {And I didn’t print your age!}

Even though we aren’t together in Mexico, I am wishing her a wonderful and relaxing day from afar. She deserves it. Happy Birthday!

{Image from Saipua}

 

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Best Kept Skin Secret

We all want gorgeous skin, right? All the more for a party or special event, but every day too.

Well, I’ve had a beauty break through. Seriously.

I have super sensitive skin, very fair, and my skin tends to break out. A horrible combination. And since I grew up in humid Florida, I don’t really know how to moisturizer (horrible, I know)– and it tends to break me out. To avoid them, I followed everything I heard about staying away from oil. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

When my facialist mentioned that I had dehydrated oily skin, something clicked in my brain. In chemisty we learned oil cleans oil the best. Maybe I should be using oil to clean my skin, rather than those stripping face washes for people with break outs. Inspired thinking.

I went to Nieman Marcus and almost had a heart attack when they told me Shu Uemura is not available in the US anymore (the whole reason I went to Needless Mark-Up!) as I know they have amazing oil cleansing products. But the ladies found me another Asian brand — Amore Pacific.

AmorePacific Treatment Cleansing Oil Face & Eyes

From the first day I used their cleansing oil, my skin has been softer, clearer and calmer than any other any product I have tried. And now I am kicking myself for avoiding oil based products for all those years– to the detriment of my skin. I am so happy with the results, I’m wondering what other beauty myths are all wrong for me. I’m still not moisturizing… but baby steps, right?

What about you? Have you discovered a common beauty myth to be totally wrong for you?

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Ask A Planner

This is our new feature, giving advice on your most pressing event planning questions! {Check out week 1 here}

Here’s our next question from Kim in Chicago:

I’m planning my 6 yr olds birthday and am not sure if I should invite just girls, or girls and boys to my daughter’s party. What do you think? 

 

Hi Kim,

Planning kid’s birthday can be so fun! Deciding to have an all girl or a mixed sex party can make a big difference in planning. It depends on a few factors– does it greatly increase the total number of guests? {Don’t forget the parents!} It could grow the party from 15-30 in a blink of an eye. And what’s the theme? Is it particularly girly? Will boys enjoy themselves?  Will the activities engage all of the kids? You don’t want the boys to be bored while the girls get their nails done {of course, some boys may like that kind of party. That’s ok. too}. And lastly, does the birthday girl want the boys at her party? Is she friends with any boys her class? If so, it might be important to have all of her friends celebrate her special day. If there are any sensitive issues with invites– siblings of guests or family members of your own, make your best call. If it’s easier to side step that, just make sure that the party is enjoyable to all of the guests. But if you want to stick to the party you have in mind to celebrate your little girl– be clear and upfront on the invitation who is invited and hold firm.

Good Luck– and I’d love to see pictures!