Bella Ink Blog

It's Time To Send Those Holiday Greetings!

Now that the turkey leftovers are almost gone and December has arrived, seemingly out of nowhere, it's time to start writing those holiday greeting cards.  If you have many to write, keep it simple.  For example:

"May your holiday be merry and your New Year filled with joy."

   
(Pictured Above: C-33, C-35 and C-34) 

If you plan on sending out a more personal greeting, consider using a photo card.  A folded photo card will give you all the room you need for your annual newsletter on the inside, while on the outside you may feature a favorite photo.  A flat photo card provides you enough space for that same photo and a simple greeting to sit side-by-side.

 
  
(Pictured, Clockwise from Left: PC-49 (flat), PC-44 (flat), PC-39 (folded), PC-35 (folded))

Holiday Party Etiquette & Styles For 2009

 
(Pictured above, left to right: Bella Ink's CH-12 and CH-18) 

As a stationery manufacturer, we are asked all the time about printing, wording, punctuation and when to mail an invitation or "Thank You" card.  Those decisions can be stressful for any host or hostess, but guests experience their own anxieties, including what to wear and how late an arrival is unfashionable?

With Thanksgiving only a day away, and the holiday party season hot on its heals, we thought it would be a good idea to interpret and share a couple tips from Allure Magazine's party etiquette article, which can be found in their December 2009 issue. 

If you've ever been confused by the dress code listed on some party invitations, you're not alone.  From casual to business attire, festive to black-tie, there are enough dress code categories to make you wonder what the difference really is from one to the next.  Here are three, according to Allure, that you may see this holiday season:

Cocktail: Dress up your everyday look.  You can wear pants, a dress, or a skirt.  Top yourself off with some sparkle by embracing the current statement jewelry trend, and add some less than demure heels or boots... how high you go is up to you.

  (Necklace: Kenneth Jay Lane at Shopbop.com, Outfit: Styled by Fashion Nerd at Shopstyle.com)

Festive: Festive also implies cocktail attire, but since the wording is a bit more lighthearted, feel free to infuse more personality into your look.   

  (Outfits, styled left to right by: Historie Girl and HanounaQ at Shopstyle.com)  

Black-Tie: This category remains a bit more traditional.  A dress, short or long, is usually expected. We fully support busting up gender norms with a fabulous pair of tuxedo pants or a tuxedo jacket embellished with sequins,though.  Just don't wear them together! 

  
(Outfits, styled left to right by: Historie Girl and if this is your look, on the right, let us know so we may credit you... Shopstyle.com) 

Now that you know what you'll be wearing to the party, here are Allure's guidelines for making an entrance:  

30 Minutes Late: Do not arrive any later or you may as well stay home!

15 Minutes Late: If your host or hostess has planned a sit-down dinner, you do not want to arrive any later than this without a phone call, and a very good excuse.

10 Minutes Late: When you have a group going out to dinner, don't keep them waiting beyond 10 minutes without calling. Many restaurants won't seat you unless you're entire party is present.

5 Minutes Late: Meeting a friend for lunch?  After 5 minutes, he or she may begin to wonder, as they sit alone, whether there was a miscommunication about time and place.

0 Minutes Late: Never be late to a wedding, funeral, performance, or any event that your arrival will disrupt by requiring you to scoot to your seat.  Just try this at a Blue Man Group performance and you'll learn your lesson.

In the past we've surveyed Bella Ink retailers about being fashionably late, and here's what they had to say:

"Not at all to a formal event, and between 10-20 minutes to a more casual party." (Sheryl of Stationery Station)

"Late enough to be noticed, but not too late that it angers others." (Jill of Westwood Paper Company)

"Five or ten minutes." (Sarah of The Inviting Place)

"Not good!" (Candy of Where's the Party)

Now you can get to Thanksgiving dinner on time, and in style.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Give a Gift Card in a Mailer by Bella Ink!

(Bella Ink Gift Card Mailers, Clockwise: GC-22, GC-26, GC-24, GC-32)

The National Retail Federation predicts that gift cards will be the #1 gift purchase this holiday season.  A down economy has shoppers watching their pocketbooks and retailers choosing to hold less inventory, while offering smaller discounts than last season.

Some shoppers view gift cards as an impersonal fall-back purchase when stumped for what to buy a friend or family member.  If you purchase a general gift card from a credit card company, you do risk falling into this category, but Bella Ink Designs believes these hurdles can easily be overcome with a little thought.

Before purchasing a gift card, take a moment to understand the recipient.  Here are three basic questions to ask yourself before heading out:

1. Where does he/she like to shop?  

2. What, or where, do they like to eat?  

3. What are their hobbies? 

Your answers to these questions should help you select a retailer, or other business establishment, from which to purchase the recipient's gift card.  For example, if your father likes outdoor activities such as fishing or camping, select a gift card from a nearby outdoor/sporting goods store.  Do you have a friend who's a major Foodie?  Get them a gift certificate to the hot new restaurant in town.  If your daughter is a Shopaholic, take note of where her allowance goes each month.

By purchasing a gift card for their general interests,  you allow the recipient to get what they want or need, and may not be able to splurge on at this time.  And you don't risk going to their favorite store and picking out the one thing in there that they would never buy for themselves.  

Now that you know how to select a gift card, you need to know how to wrap the card.  No other present would be handed over without the appropriate accouterments.  Continue to make the present personal by selecting a Gift Card Mailer from Bella Ink Designs.  A Gift Card Mailer is a folded note card that has all the room you need on the inside for your hand-written message (a must!), while on the outside you get a signature designs from Bella Ink, along with a sparkly envelope in which to securely "wrap" the gift card.

Merry Shopping!

     

(Pictured, Above: GC-27, GC-31)

BELLA INK WISHES YOU A FREAKY FRIDAY

               It's Friday the 13th!  Some people are on high alert today, keeping an eye out for bad omens or impending doom, but others feel the day is actually lucky.  One of Bella Ink's fabulous employees, Sue Ann, swears up and down that really good things happen to her on this day.  

So, does Friday the 13th have a bad reputation, or is there really a history of disastrous events in this date's wake?  We'd like to debunk the myth.  Tell us about the best thing that has ever happened to you on Friday the 13th.     

Bella Ink has a Crush on a Pumpkin!

Sweet Paul is featuring pumpkins all this week on his blog.  If you haven't bought and carved a pumpkin, yet, we highly suggest this Louis Vuitton design.  No knives required.  To learn how he did it, visit Sweet Paul's Monday Pumpkin Week entry!

Bella Ink Presents: Cards in Real Life!

Looking for a last minute Halloween costume for you and/or your daughter?  Disney Family Fun has an entire list of suggestions, including this Spa Princess look.  She reminded us of Tootsie, featured in PT-67, our spa party invitation.  

This costume couldn't be easier!  A robe, some slippers, a towel for your hair, an eye mask and some green face paint.  (If you use a real face mask, it may be too harsh to keep on for an extended period of time)

If you're going to be the Spa Princess, go ahead and include the glass of bubbly, as long as you're not driving, but for your daughter, definitely substitute the mirror for the champagne flute!  

Happy Haunting!

Embrace Fall and Spooky Elegance

You may feel it's a bit of a stretch to start thinking about Halloween already, but October is here. Tomorrow!  You're actually a little late if you haven't put any thought into your Halloween party, yet. But that's OK.  There's still time. Embrace fall and start preparing for that bewitching soiree you plan on throwing, today!

At Bella Ink, we're over obvious gore and hokey scare tactics. (AKA: Anything that is motion sensitive or made of rubber) Instead, we're going to embrace a bit of spooky elegance. 

Here's how:  

1. Adopt a black, white and gray color scheme, then add pops of orange here and there.  If you're familiar with our cards, you know we love glitter.  A few sparkling chandeliers and pumpkins placed throughout the house and dining area are right up our alley!  We found some fabulous items by Martha Stewart for Grandinroad.  White candles placed throughout the space will set the ambience better than a black light, and who can resist draping a black feather boa on a stair rail or mantel?    

2. Purchase bottles of red wine, peel off the original label and affix your own.  You may want to purchase pre-printed labels, like the ones pictured above, also by Martha Stewart for Grandinroad.  

3. Let your guest's minds play tricks on them by inviting in a tarot card reader.  Set him or her up at a table where curious party-goers may wander over for a glimpse into their future. Or, host a seance after dinner and be sure to follow with cocktails to calm any nerves.  

4. Forget the "Monster Mash" and all those scary sound effect CDs.  Instead, make a Haunted Halloween Mix with iTunes. Some suggestions to get you started:  

1. Shivaree "Goodnight Moon"

2. Kings of Leon "Closer"

3. The Black Ghosts "Full Moon"

4. The Killers "Shadowplay

5. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club "Love Burns"

6. Muse "Starlight"

Now grab your coat, get out there, and start planning!  We'll be looking for our invitation soon.

{Photo Credits:  PT-109 "Spooky" invitation by Bella Ink, Grandin Road tabletop glitter pumpkins by Martha Stewart, feather garland and candles by Pottery Barn, painted pumpkins by Victoria & Lavender, bare branch tableware by Mary Wibis, Grandin Road glitter wine labels by Martha Stewart}

Happy Father's Day From Bella Ink Designs

Let the Summer Soirees Begin!

Now that the Stationery Show is over, it's time to sneak in a little rest and relaxation.  The timing couldn't be better since this weekend is Memorial Day weekend.  Yes, already!   

Memorial Day is the summer gateway holiday.  In Chicago, people are putting their boats in the lake.  Sundresses are popping up on fashionable city girls, albeit with boots and a cardigan in the mornings, which are still a bit chilly, and restaurants have their doors open and a wait list for their sidewalk seating.  

This all means that some of the city's biggest summer events, like the Taste of Chicago, the 4th of July and the Air & Water Show, aren't far behind.  The summer months often speed by and before we know it, we're thrown back into the chill of a Chicago winter.  But lets not get ahead of ourselves here.  It's time to savor the warmth of the sun, the festive nature of where we live, and the people we know.  

Take a peek at some of our new invitations.  If you don't have plans for a summer party just yet, you will after you this.  And remember, all Bella Ink stationery may be purchased at boutique card and gift shops throughout the U.S.  Just visit us on the web to find a retailer near you!  

           

Happy New Year From Bella Ink!

The team at Bella Ink Designs would like to wish you all a Happy New Year! 

Check out some photos from our holiday party at Lucky Strike in Lombard, Bella Ink's hometown.  We ventured out on the coldest night of the year for a little food, fun and bowling.  Although the wind-chill was 35 degrees below zero, we managed to warm up with a little wacky bowling.  

Wacky Bowling Rules:

Frame 1: Bowl normally

Frame 2: Bowl from a seated position at the foul line

Frame 3: Stand at the foul line and bowl with your dominant hand & no approach

Frame 4: Bowl normally

Frame 5: Close your eyes and bowl... do not take an approach

Frame 6: Bowl using your less dominant hand 

Frame 7: Say Feliz Ano Nuevo three times fast while spinning in place, then take your approach

Frame 8: Bowl backwards at the foul line (between the legs works best)

Frame 9: Stand on one foot at the foul line and bowl

Frame 10: Bowl normally

Remembering the rules for all ten frames was a bit like naming all seven of Snow White's dwarves, so feel free to make up a few of your own.  We promise that we didn't make up frame #5, though.  Luckily, we only came close to tossing a few bowling bowls into the neighboring lanes during that round.  

Have a happy and safe New Year's Eve!