Happy Halloween!

As a kid, Halloween was always very exciting until about two seconds before it was time to go out trick or treating. This was because my mom would guard the door with our winter coats in hand. "You don't leave until you put this on." It's a memory shared by every child who did not grow up in the land of cacti.

Now that I live in the desert, I'm somewhat jealous of the kids who actually get to parade around in the costumes they intended to wear for the big night. Although this year, it's so hot I'm sure they could go door-to-door in their swimsuits if they really wanted. 

To console myself, I'm hoping to stop by Sprinkles to catch the last of the caramel apple cupcakes. Spiced apple cake studded with granny smith apples topped with a buttery caramel cream cheese frosting.

{ photo from the Sprinkles website }

Eat your heart out, kids. You may be able to enjoy your costumes in all their glory, but I guarantee no one will be handing these beauties out tonight! (I'm only a little bitter, promise.)

Happy Halloween!

Designer Invites for Beer Budget Brides

This just in...I'm not sure if you've all heard, but apparently the economy is in tough shape right now? Weird.

Anyway, given this recent development, I figured it might be nice to come up with a new menu of services to cater to brides who are cutting back on their wedding spend. So in addition to my custom work, I will now be offering Design-Only Services for brides who still want the look of a designer invitation, but who are willing to take on the assembly themselves. I will meet with you, go over design options and even make recommendations about what tools you'll need, which techniques work best and so forth. 

The menu below (click to enlarge) is just a starting point, if you have a specific idea that I have not addressed below, just give me a buzz. 

Hitchcock for Halloween

If you're throwing a Halloween party and want to forgo the kitschy pumpkins and cats, consider decorating with vintage Hitchcock posters. All can be found here for about $15.00. Have your guests dress up to go along with the theme. Not too many ladies will think twice about dressing up like Grace Kelly or Kim Novak. But keep it classy -- no dressing up like "Ma Bates", please.

 

New from the Norman Bates Home Collection...

Super cool for a Halloween party, but if you use it for anything else, I reserve the right to call you creepy and weird. $16 right here.

No Bones about it

I live in a new neighborhood where there are more homes under construction than residents. So unfortunately I don't anticipate any trick-or-treater's this year. I still looooove Halloween, though, and figured I might as well post a few neat-o ideas leading up to the big day.

{For the Love of God, 2007, made of platinum, ethically sourced diamonds and human teeth} 

Personally, I've never been very big on skulls, bones or the like. But I know these icons are enjoying a trendy moment, and they are ever prevalent this time of year. We can't all spend $100 million on one of Damien Hirst's creepy creations (the image above is a REAL human skull with REAL human teeth. Gross.) but we can head to our local Michael's and glitter us up some fakes!

Martha seems to be channeling Eddie Ross here with her wicked grin, no? Either way, my vote goes for these tamer glittery skulls presented ever so tastefully. Plus, it's easier to find glitter than "ethically sourced" diamonds, right?

Find the how to guide right here.

Don't forget, it's time to shop!

Just a reminder to stop by the Holiday Open House at Bright Event Gallery in Old Town Scottsdale this Friday and Saturday! 

In addition to my line of Holiday Greetings and Highlight Books, I will be selling these cuties.

Set of three nesting boxes, $24. In green (shown), pink or blue. I've only got a few of each, so don't delay! 

It's finally nice enough to walk the streets of Old Town without suffering from a major bout of heat stroke. Oh, and this Holiday Open House is totally going to rock the most.

Be a gracious guest

You hear an awful lot about bridezilla's these days. But for every bride behaving badly, there are a bevy of wedding guests who could also use a refresher course in minding their manners.

I have encountered all of these indiscretions at one time or another, as I'm sure many of you have as well. These blunders are inexcusable and must be stopped, so I'm doing my own little part to bring these issues to light. I give you:

The Kelly Ashworth Design 6 Ways to Not Suck as a Wedding Guest:

1. RSVP in a timely manner

There is a reason the reply card lists a request for response by a certain date. Actually, there are several reasons. The caterer needs to know how many meals to prepare, the rental company needs to know how many tables and chairs to set up, the florist needs to know how many centerpieces to create. You get the picture. Don't make the bride call to ask if you plan on attending. In other words: don't be an anchor.

2. Pay attention to your invitation

If your kids' names are not listed on the envelope, don't bring them. If your name isn't followed by "and guest", don't bring along the guy you met at the club the night before. And DO NOT hassle the bride. We all know your kids are perfection in human form and that this new guy you've been dating for 24 hours is just the bees knees, but the bride and groom might be on a limited budget, the reception location may have a smaller capacity, etc.

3. Don't fuss about the food

I always try to dissuade brides from allowing guests to choose from several meal options because it can be a nightmare to keep track of everything. A great solution is to have a combination plate (chicken and shrimp, steak and lobster, etc.). If you have been given a choice, stick with it. Please don't choose steak and then become a vegetarian the night before the wedding. It's just one meal.

4. Sit where you're told

I had a guest at my wedding sit where she wanted instead of where her escort card indicated. She insisted that she would not move, that she was to be seated with the party presently in front of her. She obviously didn't realize (or just didn't care) what a domino effect this created, and the wedding coordinator had to scramble to find seats for the uprooted guests quickly. Please respect the seat to which you've been assigned. Again, it's just one meal.

5. Don't wear jeans

It's a wedding, people! Unless the invitations requested Canadian tuxedos, please leave the jeans at home. I understand the economy is tight and you may not be able to afford a new dress, but just make an effort. You'll blend in a lot better with last years' cocktail dress than you will with anything consisting of denim.

6. Don't behave like a hooligan

So dinner is over, you've had a few cocktails and it's time to party. This is to be expected at a wedding. However, this is not an invitation to behave like a complete buffoon. 

I have witnessed so many shocking displays of jackassery at weddings. I don't know that there is really any way to mitigate these shenanigans so long as alcohol is being served. Have a great time, just don't be that guy. You know the one I'm talking about. 

Emily Post sums it up best:

"The good guest is almost invisible, enjoying him- or herself, communing with fellow guests, and, most of all, enjoying the generous hospitality of the hosts."

In other words, don't spoil the wedding, weirdo.

October Charity

Save the ta ta's. Nuff said.

Click here for more info and to donate.

Pumpkin rage and pretty lamps

I've started counting my calories again. In these tough economic times, it's cheaper to lose weight than replace all of the tight jeans I suddenly find in my closet. 

And of course it couldn't come at a more ridiculous time -- Halloween candy is everywhere, and all I want is a giant piece of pumpkin loaf and a caramel sauce latte. Liene didn't help matters with her Pumpkin Creme Pie post. My whole mouth filled with saliva and I started seeing spots. 

Bottom line...don't be an idiot like moi. Diet after the holidays like a normal person.

In the meantime, I have been finding distraction in my catalog/magazine addiction. Check out these lamps:

{ $169 for bedside and $199 for table, right here. }

I love this idea for a wedding. For a more casual affair, wouldn't they make a cool centerpiece? Fill them with personal trinkets, beads, buttons, seashells...you get the picture. I want one for every room in my house. And with all the money I'm saving by not buying new jeans...

Bright Holiday Open House

The Dow is up 500 points! Get ready to shop!

Bright Event Gallery is hosting it's first annual Holiday Open House next Friday and Saturday. Stop by and say hello! I'll have my Holiday Greetings and Highlight Books on hand, as well as a few other nifty items available for purchase.

All the info is listed below on the flyer, and if you have any questions, be sure to give the Bright Girls a buzz at 480.656.0623.

4 Years

{ Photo by Chris Holford Wedding Photography }

Happy 4 years, babe. I love you.

Highlight Books

I'm excited to announce another new product hot off the presses!

Kelly Ashworth Design Highlight Books are now available for purchase.

Highlight Books can accommodate up to 6 photos and can be completely customized to include captions and colors. You also have a choice of 17 gorgeous cover options. When open, the books measure 3"H x 18"W (or 3x3" when closed).

Highlight Books make great gifts or stocking stuffers, and can be used to show off your favorite photos. They can be used for virtually any milestone event including:

• Weddings

• Baby Announcements

• Family Events

• Vacations

Highlight Books are $15 each. Minimum order is 3 of the same design. Interested?

Just shoot me an email (info@kellyashworthdesign.com) and we can discuss your one-of-a-kind Highlight Book.

You'll thank me later

I haven't run into this nearly as many times as the dreaded registry card, but it's just as vile and well worth mentioning. I'm speaking of ...dum dum DUM...the pre-printed thank you card. 

Let me clarify. The pre-printed thank you notes I'm referring to involve printing a message inside the card that goes something like this: "thank you for your lovely gift and for sharing in our first day as man and wife. Love, Jane and Jon Doe"

I have had brides inquire about these before, and like the registry card, I have always put my foot down. I hear all the same excuses, "it's so much easier this way", or "they won't mind as long as I send a thank you", or "it will save so much time", and on and on. 

I completely understand that planning a wedding can be quite a task. Loads of decisions, stress and credit card bills. So much so that it's easy to overlook the commitment your guests have made by ticking off the "will attend" box on your reply card. But consider the time, effort and costs they incur by just attending your soiree. There may be plane tickets to purchase, hotels to book, cars to rent. Depending on your dress code, they may need to throw in a new dress and tux rental. And the icing on the cake? A lovely gift for you and your groom.

So put yourself in their shoes for a moment and think about how you would feel if you received this type of empty sentiment. Kind of a downer, right? You don't have to write a novel, just a thoughtful note of appreciation will do. You can find some great tips right here. 

Don't take the easy way out on this one. If you do, you might consider following up your thoughtless correspondence with one of these: