Practical advice for the uninspired bride

I have absolutely nothing against bridal magazines. Not at all, I subscribe to a majority of them. However, I can't tell you how much inspiration can be found in the many wonderful magazines that do not fall in the bridal category. 

Here's the proof:

The latest issue of Domino magazine. The sticky tabs they include are GENIUS and unlike a bridal magazine, you won't be inundated with a billion ads for wedding dresses and Sandals Jamaica honeymoons. I am a devoted subscriber of this magazine, as well as many of the other wonderful shelter magazines out there.  If you are a bride, consider checking out some of the brilliant home and garden magazines for design and style inspiration. 

UPDATE: I scheduled this post in advance before the news came out that Domino is closing it's doors. Really sad news, I loved this magazine and eagerly awaited each new issue. 

What does the "M" mean on my RSVP Card?

Whether you're a bride planning a wedding, or a guest planning to attend, you may find yourself completely clueless on matters of etiquette. For example, I have so many people ask "what does that "M" mean on the RSVP card?" 

{Pictured above: Kelly Ashworth Design reply card for Nov. '08 wedding. }

Simple answer: it denotes your formal title. Mr., Mrs., Miss, Ms. So if you are Mr. and Mrs. Jim Halpert, for example, the "M" is the first letter in "Mr." It's just a line meant to fill in your title and the rest of your name. Easy, right?

I will post periodically about etiquette issues on this blog. For quick reference, just look under the category "be nice" and you'll find what you're looking for.

Chic Laptop Storage

I personally think wireless internet is one of the best inventions EVER. I love being able to work in my office, family room or even on the back patio. 

But I'm also ridiculously klutzy. Have I mentioned this before? At any given time I have at least five bruises on various appendages that have appeared due to unknown circumstances. I walk into walls. And I trip over my laptop cord at least once a day. 

So when I saw this cutie in this month's issue of Real Simple I went into major swoon mode. It's a sturdy and chic alternative to dragging my laptop, various notebooks, magazines and cords around the house and to client meetings. Unfortunately, it's sold out. But I'd much rather put my name on the waiting list for this than for the Birkin bag. I can wipe the coffee that I will inevitably spill off of this. Not so much on the Birkin.

{ $49.99 right here. }

Graphic Design Services Promotion

If you are a small business owner, you know how challenging it can be to budget for marketing and advertising expenses. Because if you're like me, you'll be all ready to go and then your computer will explode. Or maybe you'll nearly cut your finger off with an Xacto blade and will suddenly have a hefty ER bill. But that's a story for another time.

My point is that it's easy to be complacent and think that your business cards are fine or your collateral materials are "good enough". I'm here to tell you that's not going to fly anymore.

Competition is fierce right now, particularly in the wedding industry. If you want to make a great first impression, your marketing had better be tight. So here is what I'm going to do to help:

Starting today and for the whole month of February, I'll be offering 1,000 free business cards to anyone who places an order for my Design Services. Yep, that's right. You order postcards, you get 1,000 business cards. Same goes for brochures, flyers, web design services and print ad design. Snazzy, full color, glossy business cards. Free.

Here's the fine print in regular 12 point type:

Free Business Card offer includes 1,000 4-Color Glossy Business Cards with the purchase of Logo Development, Postcards, Brochures, Flyers, Web Design or Ad Design. Offer is good for 1,000 of the same design (order cannot be combined with another design). Offer expires February 28, 2009. You must mention this offer to receive 1,000 free Business Cards.

And here's a quick rundown of my prices (design only, does not include printing):

Postcards (Double-sided) – starting at $250

Catalogs / Brochures – starting at $350

Flyers – starting at $250

Web Design – starting at $750

Ad Design (Full Page) – starting at $400

Ad Design (Half Page) – starting at $300

Ad Design (Quarter Page) – starting at $250

So give me a call or shoot me an email. 928.252.2590 or info@kellyashworthdesign.com

No Xacto blades involved, I promise.

DIY Invitation Workshop for Brides Reminder

We still have a few open spots for the DIY Invitation Workshop for Brides next Thursday! Call the Bright Girls now to reserve your spot. 

Guest Expert Series on The Smart Planner

Chances are, if you are a bride planning a wedding or a wedding coordinator looking for sage advice, you've heard of Liene Stevens. As the writer of two insanely popular blogs (Blue Orchid Designs and The Smart Planner) Liene serves up tons of practical tips and tricks in a totally relatable voice.

So you can imagine how excited (and nervous) I was when she asked me to write a series for The Smart Planner. Click on the links below to learn more about:

Tips for Hiring a Graphic Designer

How to Be Consistent in Your Brand Image

How to Know When Your Designs are Overkill

And thanks again to Liene, for this great opportunity!   

Top Ten Colors for Spring '09

I was pleasantly surprised when I saw Pantone's Spring '09 Fashion Color Report. When paired together, the colors looked so...optimistic. We could all use a little optimism these days, right? 

I can see so many great color combos for brides-to-be. In the coming months, I will be sharing some fun ideas for weddings and special events using colors from this very palate. Stay tuned!

Librarian Chic

I'm going to be an Aunt! Actually an aunt times two because two of my sisters-in-law are expecting. They are due a month apart. I still suspect there was some sort of contest going on.

Shower #1 will take place at the end of the month, and is going to be styled around a "library for baby" theme. So naturally, the invitations had to reflect this. 

Since the baby's room will be decorated in pink and green, this seemed to be an obvious choice for the color scheme. But she was clear that she didn't want it "all pastel-y". So I used some great patterned magenta scrapbook paper with lime green cards and envelopes. The actual invitation was designed to look like a library card that fit in a book pocket. And here is the finished product: 

If you are in need of invitations for a baby shower, let's chat. 928.252.2590 or info@kellyashworthdesign.com.

Four Eyed Fashion Statement

I think it was after my junior year in college that I decided it was finally time to get contacts. I had grown tired of my glasses constantly falling off or getting dirty. And I stopped believing that glasses make you look intelligent after I got a 2.0 in Accounting. 

So when I went in for my eye appointment, I fully expected to walk out knowing that my glasses would soon be a thing of the past. But was I ever wrong. 

As soon as the doctor put the first contact in, I started feeling dizzy and seeing spots. The next thing I knew, I was on the floor. Same thing happened when he removed the offending lens. Out cold. So apparently I have an aversion to people poking my eyeballs with their fingers. And the doctor said maybe I wasn't the best candidate for contacts. A genius, that doc.

So I accepted my fate and have worn glasses ever since. So you can imagine my surprise and delight when Pantone announced they were introducing a new line of eyewear in a lovely array of Pantone colors to match your mood. And I believe there is a no-fainting guarantee. Click here to see the full line.

The new diet starts today...

I'll be in a bikini in no time!

Check out the website here, Happy Friday!

Amy's Floral Design

I recently had the privilege of working with Amy Garza of Amy's Floral Design here in Phoenix. Amy needed some collateral materials to pass out at a bridal show and wanted to use some of the images she had received from a recent photo shoot.

As a graphic designer, I cannot stress this enough – good photography is critical to the health and success of your business. If you are selling a product and you have opted to shoot said product with your camera phone, you might as well close up shop right this instant. A professional photographer will ensure your product is shown in the best light. Literally. If you are hoping to receive editorial coverage from a magazine or website, professional photographs of your product or service will greatly increase your chances for coverage.

I completely understand the need to slash budgets, decrease overhead costs, etc. in this tough economic climate. But if you skimp on the way you present yourself and your company, you're as good as dead anyway.

OK, I have stepped off of my soap box. Check out Amy's snazzy new postcards:

{ images courtesy Tunnel Photography }

DIY Workshop for the Paper Crazy

I've mentioned this before, but in case you missed it: we are in the midst of a FINANCIAL CRISIS! You may have also heard it described as an ECONOMIC DOWNTURN OF EPIC PROPORTIONS or THE DEPRESSION REVISITED.

In any case, times are kind of tough. If you're planning a wedding, even more so. But fear not, help is on the way! If you are a crafty recessionista in need of some guidance in all things paper, please sign up for my DIY Workshop for Brides now! 

In conjunction with Bright Event Gallery, I will be speaking about invitation-related topics for those of you who wish to create and assemble your own invitation masterpieces. 

See below for all the information, and tell all your friends! If we get enough people, maybe I'll bust out my Sham-Wow style headset/microphone. Just kidding. Maybe.

Later, '08

Here's hoping we can remove "financial crisis", "economic meltdown" and "recession" from our 2009 vernacular.

The local news did a man on the street interview with a Phoenix cabbie the other day. When asked when he thought the financial crisis would be over, he replied, "probably the next 30 to 60 days." Awesome.