tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20640861787374390322024-03-13T18:35:20.230-04:00Ashley Brooke DesignsA Daily Dose of EtiquetteAshley Brooke Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142440207619984045noreply@blogger.comBlogger576125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064086178737439032.post-74034806148531583332010-04-19T17:42:00.022-04:002010-04-19T18:08:59.174-04:00Are you missing Ashley Brooke Designs blog posts?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Content and Illustrations ©2010 Ashley Brooke Designs. All Rights Reserved.</span></div>Ashley Brooke Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142440207619984045noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064086178737439032.post-18079777043109942272010-04-11T09:00:00.004-04:002010-04-12T08:57:56.343-04:00Announcing Our Brand New Website and BlogBIG NEWS!! <a href="http://www.ashleybrookedesigns.com/">Ashley Brooke Designs</a> has a new website! You are all going to flip over it. Be sure to hop on over grab a cup of tea, sit back and browse away! <br />
Everything is new right down to our blog! If you subscribe to this blog via RSS feed or google friend connect make sure you subscribe to our NEW blog! <br />
We will be posting there from now on! Here are a few things about our new blog that will make your blog reading experience better:<br />
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<a href="http://www.ashleybrookedesigns.com/" title="WEb by Ashley Brooke Designs, on Flickr"><img alt="WEb" height="705" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2327/4512552009_e6ab6b86da_o.jpg" width="721" /></a><br />
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1. It is just down right pretty!<br />
2. Our new blog header icon on the top right is just too cute for words! And I will be updating it each season, so get excited for that!!<br />
3. The archives and search abilities are incredible! You can search everything!!<br />
4. The blog feeds straight into our shiny new website! (Can you tell that I am so in love with the <a href="http://www.ashleybrookedesigns.com/">new site?</a>)<br />
5. Our new online shop is filled with pretty new things! <br />
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I don't want to lose a single reader so make sure you adjust your Ashley Brooke settings!!<br />
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Looking forward to all of the fun and exciting things to come!<br />
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xoxo- Ashley Brooke<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Content and Illustrations ©2010 Ashley Brooke Designs. All Rights Reserved.</span>Ashley Brooke Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142440207619984045noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064086178737439032.post-22106111952955750152010-04-08T09:09:00.000-04:002010-04-08T09:09:06.894-04:00Ashley Brooke Designs: Memory Trick<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If you have trouble remembering people's names or their relationships to others in your circle of friend's or family, try this trick:</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Whenever you get an invitation or announcement, add people to your address book. Whether it's the old-fashioned kind or an electronic one, you can add people's information and make a note as to their connection to others. For instance, "Goes by Bill, is Grandma's sister's son."</span><br />
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Content and Illustrations ©2010 Ashley Brooke Designs. All Rights Reserved.Ashley Brooke Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142440207619984045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064086178737439032.post-50747781994906448032010-04-07T13:48:00.000-04:002010-04-07T13:48:42.951-04:00Ashley Brooke Designs: Wedding Stationery<a href="http://www.ashleybrookedesigns.com/" title="CRW_86511 by Ashley Brooke Designs, on Flickr"><img alt="CRW_86511" height="506" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4494763468_d64882abba_b.jpg" width="824" /></a><br />
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I'm so-so excited about this design! This super lovely bride contacted me wanting an illustration of her and her hubby-to-be in their wedding attire along with their precious pup! She sent me an image of herself at one of her dress fittings (by the way she was glowing!!)so that I knew what her dress looked like. She also sent images of her fiance & what he is going to wear as well! I just love, love, love the way the image came out! Wouldn't you just die if you received something SO cute in the mail?!??!<br />
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Content and Illustrations ©2010 Ashley Brooke Designs. All Rights Reserved.Ashley Brooke Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142440207619984045noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064086178737439032.post-17959851922262486002010-04-07T08:52:00.000-04:002010-04-07T08:52:26.151-04:00Ashley Brooke Designs: Walking The Dog<script src="http://ajax.twitthis.com/chuug.twitthis.scripts/twitthis.js" type="text/javascript">
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<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We've been having some extraordinarily beautiful weather lately. After a cold winter by Florida standards, everyone is excited to be out and about (I totally stay inside due to the allergies but that's neither here nor there...).</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Since everyone is so eager to be out in this nice weather I thought today we'd review a couple of tips for walking your dog outside.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Obviously, everyone knows to clean up after their dog uses the bathroom. But some other points to remember: Always have your dog on a leash. As convenient as retractable leashes may be, consider that with their super thin lines, retractable leashes can appear almost invisible to oncoming joggers and cyclists. Also keep your leash to 6 feet or under so that your dog can't get too far!</div><br />
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Content and Illustrations ©2010 Ashley Brooke Designs. All Rights Reserved.Ashley Brooke Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142440207619984045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064086178737439032.post-71227567825838912792010-04-06T13:45:00.000-04:002010-04-06T13:45:58.467-04:00Ashley Brooke Designs: Our Easter Weekend!<a href="http://www.ashleybrookedesigns.com/" title="easter2 by Ashley Brooke Designs, on Flickr"><img alt="easter2" height="1024" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033/4497658828_3399dbf3e2_b.jpg" width="662" /></a><br />
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We had a ton of fun this weekend, full of family, friends, Laughs, church, egg dying, and of course good food!<br />
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P.S. The bottom left photo is a forth generation (<i>all starting with my Great Grandma Ann in the blue</i>) picture we snapped right before brunch at my parents house on Easter Sunday! <br />
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** Note to self, never put a Nerf Gun in your husbands Easter basket, he will torture you and your furry little dog too with little foam darts all day long!!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Content and Illustrations ©2010 Ashley Brooke Designs. All Rights Reserved.</span>Ashley Brooke Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142440207619984045noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064086178737439032.post-74089612117750839252010-04-06T10:28:00.000-04:002010-04-06T10:28:55.513-04:00Ashley Brooke Designs: National Letter Writing and Card Month<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now that we are well into April, it's high time to acknowledge that it is National Letter Writing and Card Month! You know how we love a celebration around Ashley Brooke Designs :)</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">While we are emailing and twittering fiends around here. You can't run a stationery company unless you have a deep, deep love for paper and the art of a handwritten note. Years from now, your inbox will be empty but letters you've written and received will live on. That's the great thing about letters and notes. Not only are the infinitely more personal than other forms of communication but you can keep them forever and they serve as a sort of compact history of events.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So I encourage you to put pen to paper this month and send someone a real, honest to goodness letter. I guarantee they'll love it and cherish it for years to come. And if you need some paper, you know who to call...;)</span><br />
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Content and Illustrations ©2010 Ashley Brooke Designs. All Rights Reserved.Ashley Brooke Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142440207619984045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064086178737439032.post-30860644003557492142010-04-05T16:05:00.000-04:002010-04-05T16:05:47.917-04:00Ashley Brooke Designs: Our New Stationery!!<a href="http://www.ashleybrookedesigns.com/" title="CRW_8665 by Ashley Brooke Designs, on Flickr"><img alt="CRW_8665" height="636" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4494072371_1b6e3cb95b_b.jpg" width="824" /></a><br />
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Last week, late one night, I needed to write a thank you note and to my surprise I was out of personal stationery. I know what you are thinking, how can that be Ashley, you design stationery?!? Well, that was my thought exactly! I whipped this little illustration up really quick and I'm just loving it! I already send out LOTS and LOTS of mail, but with this extra cute illustration of my family it is making me want to write even more! <br />
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Content and Illustrations ©2010 Ashley Brooke Designs. All Rights Reserved.Ashley Brooke Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142440207619984045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064086178737439032.post-90473627994858426572010-04-05T09:09:00.000-04:002010-04-05T09:09:07.297-04:00Ashley Brooke Designs: Opportunities<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hi there!</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Happy Monday! I hope you all had a wonderful Easter. The Mr. and I thoroughly enjoyed our first Easter as a married couple and had a great time going to church and having brunch with both of our families.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I thought I'd share a quick story this morning concerning customer service. Business owners big and small are constantly presented with opportunities to take negative experiences and turn them into positive ones. Sometimes they <a href="http://ashleybrookedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/03/ashley-brooke-designs-how-thank-you.html">pass the test</a> with flying colors and other times they fail miserably. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I experienced one of these failures this weekend. My sweet mom wanted to put a gift certificate for 3 haircuts in the Mr.'s Easter basket, so she asked me to run by his usual place and pick them up. I arrived right as the ladies were closing down for the day, but all I wanted was a gift certificate. I knock on the door and the lady shakes her head at me! I shake my head and keep knocking.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">She answers the door to tell me they're closed and that she can't help me. I explain that I know they are closed/closing and I apologize for being there so late but tell her this is for an Easter basket and I just need the gift card, etc. She says the register and computer are shut down. I offer to let her write down my credit card number, essentially saying, "hey! here's some money!" and she is completely uninterested. She proceeds to shut the door in my face.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now listen. I realize that is was late and their equipment is shut down. But she had a prime opportunity to turn a negative experience into a positive one. They could have simply taken my information and given me a gift card or even a business card and said, "We can't activate the card today but put this in the basket and come in on Monday and we'll get you a gift card." Any number of things would have been better than a door in the face.</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As a result, I'll be advising the Mr. to get his haircuts elsewhere...</span><br />
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Content and Illustrations ©2010 Ashley Brooke Designs. All Rights Reserved.Ashley Brooke Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142440207619984045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064086178737439032.post-64011970935997429222010-04-02T09:00:00.001-04:002010-04-02T09:00:11.869-04:00Happy Easter! xoxo-Ashley Brooke<a href="http://www.ashleybrookedesigns.com/" title="CRW_8565 by Ashley Brooke Designs, on Flickr"><img alt="CRW_8565" height="783" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4478097436_48bb43d233_b.jpg" width="924" /></a><br />
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Happy Easter Weekend! I hope you all enjoy your weekend!!<br />
xoxo- Ashley Brooke<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Content and Illustrations ©2010 Ashley Brooke Designs. All Rights Reserved.</span>Ashley Brooke Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142440207619984045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064086178737439032.post-29959144366708324962010-04-01T13:33:00.002-04:002010-04-01T15:48:12.690-04:00Ashley Brooke Designs: A Shower In A Box!!<a href="http://www.ashleybrookedesigns.com/" title="CRW_8489 copy by Ashley Brooke Designs, on Flickr"><img alt="CRW_8489 copy" height="674" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2759/4473229035_f499a4fc68_b.jpg" width="824" /></a><br />
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This is why I love my clients!!<br />
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The lovely Penny contacted me a few weeks back needing something extra special for her daughter and son-in-law who are expecting their first child! Penny desperately wanted to throw them a shower but wasn't able to since they live in Colorado! So she came to me with the "Shower in a box" idea, which I think is SO brilliant! Penny is asking all of the "guests" to mail or bring gifts to her home for the parents-to-be and she is going to put all of the gifts in a box to ship to Colorado! How fun would it be to open up a huge box with tons of pink wrapped gifts over flowing out of it!<br />
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I hope you enjoy your shower in the box Luke and Destiny!!<br />
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xxoo- Ashley Brooke<br />
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<a href="http://ashleybrookedesigns.bigcartel.com/" title="42210 by Ashley Brooke Designs, on Flickr"><img alt="42210" height="360" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4474057176_bcfb71d73b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Content and Illustrations ©2010 Ashley Brooke Designs. All Rights Reserved.</span>Ashley Brooke Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142440207619984045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064086178737439032.post-72881523892541695432010-04-01T09:30:00.000-04:002010-04-01T09:30:39.255-04:00Ashley Brooke Designs: Stress-Free Gifting<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">HI there!</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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</script></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Happy Thursday! I am so excited to visit my cousin's new baby today--sweet, sweet Anna! Then I get to have dinner with <a href="http://www.missmonogramblog.com/">Miss Monogram</a> and LAS--should be a fun-filled day!</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Today I thought I'd share a favorite blurb from Emily Post's Etiquette with tips for stress-free gift giving.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">-Ask recipients for hints or a wish-list. Be on the lookout for items throughout the year.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">-Trust your own judgment. Don't be afraid that the gift isn't perfect, if you think they'll like it, they probably will.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">-Stay on budget. If you spend outside your budget, the fun of gifting will be overshadowed by the stress of extending your budget.</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">-Have nice, thoughtful gifts stashed away in a gift closet for when the gifting occasion presents itself.</span><br />
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Content and Illustrations ©2010 Ashley Brooke Designs. All Rights Reserved.Ashley Brooke Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142440207619984045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064086178737439032.post-86140257755912523882010-03-31T13:54:00.000-04:002010-03-31T13:54:00.079-04:00Ashley Brooke Designs: A Preppy Save The Date!<a href="http://www.ashleybrookedesigns.com/" title="CRW_8419 by Ashley Brooke Designs, on Flickr"><img alt="CRW_8419" height="979" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2682/4473274919_70ab8c3737_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><br />
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The super sweet Caroline contacted me in need of a Save the Date that reflected she and her fiance's style! They are both preppy and wanted to be outfitted in <a href="http://www.lillypulitzer.com/page/home">Lilly Pulitzer</a> and <a href="http://www.ralphlauren.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=1760781&ab=global_men">Ralph Lauren</a>! I am super pleased with the way the design came out! I think it reflects the two of them PERFECTLY!!! And I am still swooning over the color combo of navy and raspberry! Thank you Caroline!! xx- AB<br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20%20http://ashleybrookedesigns.bigcartel.com/" title="42210 by Ashley Brooke Designs, on Flickr"><img alt="42210" height="360" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4474057176_bcfb71d73b.jpg" width="500" /> </a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Content and Illustrations ©2010 Ashley Brooke Designs. All Rights Reserved.</span>Ashley Brooke Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142440207619984045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064086178737439032.post-60946345103377631282010-03-31T08:43:00.000-04:002010-03-31T08:43:43.718-04:00Ashley Brooke Designs: Dancing Queen<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So sorry, our etiquette post was absent yesterday, blogger was being a pill and we never got back to it. But today I thought we'd talk about dancing, since I spent a good bit of the weekend dancing at all the various wedding activities.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here are some points of etiquette on the dance floor:</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Don't come to the party or dance floor wearing too much cologne.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> If the dance floor is packed, keep your steps and your arms contained</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If you bump into somebody, apologize and say "So sorry"</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Don't correct your dance partner</div><br />
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Content and Illustrations ©2010 Ashley Brooke Designs. All Rights Reserved.Ashley Brooke Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142440207619984045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064086178737439032.post-71205471384357225832010-03-30T13:48:00.001-04:002010-03-30T13:49:16.797-04:00Ashley Brooke Designs: Custom Blog Headers<a href="http://www.ashleybrookedesigns.com/" title="MySecretWifeLife_BlogHeader by Ashley Brooke Designs, on Flickr"><img alt="MySecretWifeLife_BlogHeader" height="357" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2769/4457342425_61e06de7df_b.jpg" width="824" /></a><br />
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The lovely Elle over at <a href="http://secretwifelife.blogspot.com/">My Secret Wife Life</a> contacted me needing a header that reflected her life in Australia! Elle is a lawyer by day and a housewife by night! Since she can't talk about her job and all the details about it on her blog she chats about her life as an Australian housewife! I love-love the way her design came out! She wanted the desk to reflect her work and add in bits of her life outside of work! <br />
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Thank you so much Elle! I had a great time creating something so special for you!!<br />
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<a href="http://ashleybrookedesigns.bigcartel.com/" title="42210 by Ashley Brooke Designs, on Flickr"><img alt="42210" height="360" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4474057176_bcfb71d73b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Content and Illustrations ©2010 Ashley Brooke Designs. All Rights Reserved.</span>Ashley Brooke Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142440207619984045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064086178737439032.post-6679484148797512922010-03-29T14:35:00.002-04:002010-03-29T14:43:55.965-04:00Ashley Brooke Designs: A Portrait of a Great Dane<a href="http://www.ashleybrookedesigns.com/" title="CRW_8556 by Ashley Brooke Designs, on Flickr"><img alt="CRW_8556" height="790" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4474099084_67063d794d_b.jpg" width="824" /></a><br />
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I LOVE doing dog portraits! They are seriously so much fun! I jumped at the chance when a client e-mailed me to inquire about a dog portrait for her mother to give to her on Mother's Day (how sweet is that?)! Anyways, I was beyond thrilled to start on this project for her! I am so-so excited for her mother to receive this super special portrait on her day!<br />
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Also, I always have the clients pick out the background color for the dog portraits and she picked teal! This is an extra special color for her mother since she is fighting <a href="http://www.ocan.org/teal.html">ovarian cancer</a>, hopefully this portrait will be not only something fun for her but also an inspiration to fight!!<br />
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Thank you so much!<br />
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<a href="http://ashleybrookedesigns.bigcartel.com/" title="42210 by Ashley Brooke Designs, on Flickr"><img alt="42210" height="360" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4474057176_bcfb71d73b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Content and Illustrations ©2010 Ashley Brooke Designs. All Rights Reserved.Ashley Brooke Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142440207619984045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064086178737439032.post-89413803876397991922010-03-29T08:47:00.000-04:002010-03-29T08:47:03.511-04:00Ashley Brooke Designs: Drive-Thru Windows<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Good Morning! It is POURING this morning, hopefully it will clear out later today or we'll start floating away :)</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This past weekend one of my very best friends got married and she and her groom looked amazing and the evening was just perfect. Maybe I'll share a few photos later this week ;)</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> On rainy, yucky days like today I'm super thankful for drive-thrus. Sometimes I wish every place had one so I could zip up in my car and not have to get out and go inside. But even at a drive-thru window, there are things to keep in mind regarding etiquette.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Remember to be patient. Although this is a convenience, service is not instantaneous. Don't crowd a car in front of you or honk. Always speak clearly into the intercom if there is one. Have items like prescription slips or money, deposits, etc. ready to go. And lastly, if you take something away from the drive-thru, check your receipt, bag, etc, before you pull away.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Just like everyone else, drive-thru attendants appreciate a please, thank you and a smile too!</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Happy Monday!!</span><br />
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Content and Illustrations ©2010 Ashley Brooke Designs. All Rights Reserved.Ashley Brooke Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142440207619984045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064086178737439032.post-71547608000534013052010-03-26T10:00:00.001-04:002010-03-26T10:00:04.806-04:00Ashley Brooke Designs: Breast Cancer Foundation<a href="http://ashleybrookedesigns.bigcartel.com/" title="BFriends2 by Ashley Brooke Designs, on Flickr"><img alt="BFriends2" height="1024" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2789/4456954961_28186c8bfd_b.jpg" width="343" /></a><br />
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A few weeks back we were contacted by a foundation that supports the <a href="http://ww5.komen.org/">Breast Cancer research</a> called <a href="http://www.breastfriends.com/">Breast Friends</a>. They were having a charity event luncheon and asked if we would like to be involved! I jumped at the request, "of course we do!"! One of my very favorite clients headed up the event in Indialantic, FL and as soon as she saw our <a href="http://ashleybrookedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/01/ashley-brooke-designs-valentines-that.html">Valentines that give</a> she thought we might be able to create something just as fantastic for breast cancer. And that we <a href="http://ashleybrookedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/03/ashley-brooke-designs-postcards-that.html">did</a>!<br />
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We had a booth right outside of the gorgeous ball room. We sold lots of fabulous things including debuting our <a href="http://ashleybrookedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/03/ashley-brooke-designs-postcards-that.html">YOU ARE FABULOUS</a> postcards! Everyone had a blast and the Ashely Brooke Designs table was a H-I-T!! Most likely because we are all ex-cheerleaders and can get energy in a crowd like no ones business!!<br />
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<i>But, I couldn't of done this with out the help of my husband who package stationery for 2 days, my sister, <a href="http://eatyourcakeandhaveittoo.blogspot.com/">Kyla</a>, who came to help and just happened to provide her DE-licious homemade vanilla bean cupcakes, and <a href="http://www.missmonogramblog.com/">Betsy</a>, who sold her little heart out!! You all were life savers & I'm lucky to have you!!</i><br />
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Thank you again for everyone who came and stopped by our booth! We enjoyed chatting with each of you! You are all so much fun and we are honored to say we were apart of such a wonderful event!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Content and Illustrations ©2010 Ashley Brooke Designs. All Rights Reserved.</span>Ashley Brooke Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142440207619984045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064086178737439032.post-9182227972947307522010-03-25T13:30:00.001-04:002010-03-25T13:30:00.378-04:00Ashley Brooke Designs: Postcards That Give!!<a href="http://ashleybrookedesigns.bigcartel.com/"><img alt="42310" height="1024" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4461723869_210bc84fc0_b.jpg" width="512" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Content and Illustrations ©2010 Ashley Brooke Designs. All Rights Reserved.</span>Ashley Brooke Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142440207619984045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064086178737439032.post-15667997493833909352010-03-25T08:39:00.000-04:002010-03-25T08:39:45.028-04:00Ashley Brooke Designs: A Situation<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Everyone is put on the spot at some point or another. Here is what <a href="http://www.emilypost.com/">Ms. Emily Post</a> herself says about invitations over the phone:</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If you are extending an invitation by phone be direct. Something like "Hi Suzie, we are having a few people over Friday night for a game night, can you and Steve make it?" </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Suzie can either accept or say "I'm sorry, sounds fun, but we already have plans Friday night." </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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</script></div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"I'll let you know," by itself is not an appropriate response. This makes it sound like you are waiting for a better invitation to come along. The only time it's acceptable is if it is followed up with an explanation like, "I'll let you know after I check with Steve to be sure he is free Friday night," or "We have tickets for a play Friday night, I'll let you know if I can exchange them for another night."</span><br />
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Content and Illustrations ©2010 Ashley Brooke Designs. All Rights Reserved.Ashley Brooke Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142440207619984045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064086178737439032.post-56561810484446211602010-03-24T12:42:00.001-04:002010-03-30T23:10:24.705-04:00Ashley Brooke Designs: Celebrity Love | Elisabeth Rohm<a href="http://www.elisabeth-rohm.com/" title="Picture 24 by Ashley Brooke Designs, on Flickr"><img alt="Picture 24" height="602" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4457100335_19c8735a01_o.jpg" width="586" /></a><br />
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The Oh-So-Lovely <a href="http://www.elisabeth-rohm.com/home/">Elisabeth Rohm</a> contacted me a few weeks back with a VERY special project! Her sweet little girl Easton is turning two and was in dire need of the perfect invitation! We chatted on the phone for a bit and once we hung up, I went right to work!<br />
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While we were chatting <a href="http://www.elisabeth-rohm.com/home/">Elisabeth</a> told me that the party was going to be super fun with balloons, music teachers, animals, etc. but they also wanted their "grown up friends" to have a blast as well! I think the invitation reflects all of that and more!! I am SO in love with the finished look!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.ashleybrookedesigns.com/" title="CRW_8515jkj by Ashley Brooke Designs, on Flickr"><img alt="CRW_8515jkj" height="896" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2547/4477566397_6ef36bec20_b.jpg" width="924" /></a><br />
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Happy-Happy birthday sweet little Easton!<br />
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Thank you <a href="http://www.elisabeth-rohm.com/home/">Elisabeth</a> for commissioning me to do such a fun project! You are a Gem! xo- Ashley Brooke<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Content and Illustrations ©2010 Ashley Brooke Designs. All Rights Reserved.</span>Ashley Brooke Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142440207619984045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064086178737439032.post-19899158840021402822010-03-24T09:00:00.000-04:002010-03-24T09:00:05.902-04:00Ashley Brooke Designs: Cell Phone Etiquette<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Goodness knows I would be LOST without my trusty iPhone but there are certain cell phone courtesies everyone should be aware of and definitely some "Never-ever, can't ever happen" things too! Here are four Don't s, no matter what.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Leaving your ringer on in quiet places: Whether you're at the movies, church or a performance venue like a concert hall or theater, nothing is more disruptive than having your cell phone ringing loudly for everyone to hear. Don't be that person. Vibrate is far less disturbing if you need to be aware of in coming calls, your fellow patrons will thank you!</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ignoring Present Company: If you are with friends and family, nothing says "I'd rather be somewhere else," than endlessly checking your cell phone and/or having conversations on it.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Making Repeated Calls in Public Places: If you're in an airport, on the subway or in a bank making call after call can easily annoy everyone around you. If you are making calls simply to pass the time, think about bringing a book or magazine to read.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Using Offensive Language: This one is a no-brainer. Foul language in public is absolutely NEVER OK.</span><br />
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Content and Illustrations ©2010 Ashley Brooke Designs. All Rights Reserved.Ashley Brooke Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142440207619984045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064086178737439032.post-43534136732822896982010-03-23T15:09:00.000-04:002010-03-23T15:09:13.099-04:00Ashley Brooke Designs: HurryUp! Easter is Almost Here!!<a href="http://ashleybrookedesigns.bigcartel.com/" title="423210 by Ashley Brooke Designs, on Flickr"><img alt="423210" height="924" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4457308939_808dcc10dd_b.jpg" width="924" /></a><br />
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Content and Illustrations ©2010 Ashley Brooke Designs. All Rights Reserved.Ashley Brooke Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142440207619984045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064086178737439032.post-41108640313335811262010-03-23T13:12:00.001-04:002010-03-23T13:13:16.953-04:00Ashley Brooke Designs: Celebrity Love | Tori SpellingA few months back I received THE sweetest note from <a href="http://www.tori-spelling.com/">Tori Spelling</a>! We had done some stationery for her family and she just loved the finished look!<br />
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<a href="http://www.ashleybrookedesigns.com/" title="press release by Ashley Brooke Designs, on Flickr"><img alt="press release" height="516" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2711/4188741912_53aa25933a_o.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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Here is what her finished stationery suite looked like! I can't get enough of it!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.twitter.com/abdesigns" title="Picture 22 by Ashley Brooke Designs, on Flickr"><img alt="Picture 22" height="303" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4457024689_227bc7d029_o.jpg" width="621" /></a><br />
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Some of you may have seen me <a href="http://www.twitter.com/abdesigns">tweet</a> about it a few months back! I was, and still am so excited over the note!<br />
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<a href="http://www.ashleybrookedesigns.com/" title="tori by Ashley Brooke Designs, on Flickr"><img alt="tori" height="1024" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4456964989_895daa0e5d_b.jpg" width="570" /></a><br />
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Thank you Tori & Dean! I loved illustrating your custom design!<br />
xo- Ashley Brooke<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Content and Illustrations ©2010 Ashley Brooke Designs. All Rights Reserved.</span>Ashley Brooke Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142440207619984045noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2064086178737439032.post-44095518787334559522010-03-23T09:00:00.001-04:002010-03-23T09:00:03.213-04:00Ashley Brooke Designs: Voicemail Messages<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here are some things to remember when leaving a message for someone or when someone leaves you a message:</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Leaving voice mail:</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Always state your name and number first thing. This will alleviate your name and number from getting cut off when you've exceeded the allotted time for the message. Keep your message brief. People don't like long messages and you should save the majority of your conversation for when you do get in touch with the person you're trying to reach. Particularly if you are leaving a message of complaint. Keeping it brief will prevent you from feeling like you can say whatever you feel, instead of constructively offering criticism and looking for a solution.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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</script></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Returning calls:</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A good rule of thumb for returning messages is to do it within 24 hours, unless you are out of town or there are other extenuating circumstances. If you are forced to leave a message, tell the person when exactly you'll be available to chat. Hopefully this will help you to avoid playing phone tag.</span><br />
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Content and Illustrations ©2010 Ashley Brooke Designs. All Rights Reserved.Ashley Brooke Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13142440207619984045noreply@blogger.com1