Blog Lovin' : thank you for all of the suprises!!!

A big thank you to Nina at According to Nina for writing this lovely post on Ashley Brooke Designs' Easter/Spring cards! You are too too sweet and we are honored to be included on your uber fabulous blog!

If you too want to be like Nina

click here to order your Spring cards!

This morning I also woke up to a lovely post from EllyB! She posted Alison's stationery suite on her blog, listing it as THE perfect Bridesmaid gift!! Thank you EllyB, we are blushing!

Also, if that wasn't enough... The sweet-as-pie Stephanie sent me this beautiful tea set that was delivered yesterday as a thank you gift for doing such a wonderful job on her family's custom design... I know, stop it right now, I have the best clients EVER!!!

Thank you thank you thank you!! You have all made my week!
xoxo- Ashley Brooke


Content and Illustrations ©2010 Ashley Brooke Designs. All Rights Reserved.

Reader Questions

I got a great question from a dear sweet reader last week that I thought would be a great post and inspiration for this week's theme, appropriate gift giving. Are you ever in a situation where you don't know if its appropriate to bring a gift? Or you want to take a gift but don't know what would be the right thing to bring. We'll be covering all that and more this week. Now onto our reader question:


I am going to be spending Christmas with my serious boyfriend’s family and I was wondering what would be an appropriate gift to bring for the family (parents and two brothers). Any thoughts? Help!! :)

Thanks!
Jessica


Dear Jessica:
You are so thoughtful to want to bring a gift to your boyfriend's family. My suggestion would be bring something for the home or something they can use during the holiday. Here are some ideas of great gifts to get:

>Embroidered tea towels
>Serving platter or dish
>Monogrammed pillar candle
>Christmas ornament
>Wine


Hope this is helpful!
xx,
AB

Publish Post

Gift Buying Prep

I don't know about you but this is about the time of year I start thinking about what to buy the special people in my life. I may not actually start buying but I believe in preparing as fully as possible so that I can enjoy the holiday season and avoid being stressed out by trying to remember last minute gifts. Here are some tips:

• Create an excel spreadsheet and list all the people you need to buy gifts for
• Come up with an overall budget or a budget for each recipient or category (i.e. friends, family, service people)
• When you see something you think will be a good match for someone on your list, make a note on the spreadsheet or include the link to the website.

Hopefully these tips will keep you organized as we head into the holidays!

Group Gifts

Everyone is pitching in for a gift and wants you to contribute. Or you are spearheading the collection of money for a gift. Either can become a sticky situation.


Situation #1:
People expect you to contribute to a big group gift, but even your share is more than you wanted to spend.

Solution: Kindly explain to the person who is collecting the money that you already had another gift in mind for this particular person or occasion and then go purchase something that is within your price range.


Situation #2:
You are in charge of collecting money for a group gift and some of the group keep giving you the brush off.

Solution: Send a kind email asking everyone to give X number of dollars by a certain date. If you are still waiting on certain members after that date, it's perfectly appropriate to send another email. You can mention and thank those individuals who have paid. If the second email is not effective talk to those people who have not paid separately and offer to take whatever they can give if the amount owed is an issue.


(sourced from RealSimple.com)

Meeting the New Neighbors

Introducing yourself to the new neighbors is one of those rare times popping in unannounced is good manners. Feel free to approach neighbors while they are outside in their yard or wrap on their door and introduce yourself. Such meetings should be brief. The goal is an introduction and maybe an exchange of telephone numbers or emails.

Is it necessary to bring a gift?
Welcoming new neighbors to the neighborhood is a thoughtful gesture and needn’t be expensive. A bouquet of flowers, homemade cookies or even a local telephone book are great ideas to make someone feel welcome. If you learn of a neighbor’s arrival after several weeks, months, etc. and they are clearly settled in, do introduce yourself, but a gift is not really necessary.


(sourced from Ettiquette by Peggy Post)

Custom Gifts!

Isn't this a great gift set!

The "Blogging Ideas" note pad with matching personalized stationery!

I actually sent this as a gift to Liene, check out her blog.

Should I bring a gift if I am making the cake?

I received a great question yesterday on Ask Ashley Wednesday:

Should I bring a gift if I am making the cake?

No I don't think you have should especially if you are making cakes like these. But if you are whipping up a $2.79 box of Betty Crocker yellow cake, I would definitely bring a gift!

*** Edit to post: I made a MAJOR typo: I meant definitely NOT defiantly***

Mother's Day Gifts!!!!

Only three weeks and counting, order your Mothers Day gifts today!

Here are some great new note pads anyone would be sure to love.

Have Ashley Brooke Designs custom design your gifts!

e-mail me at a.b.designs@hotmail.com for orders!!!!

Make Your Gifts Extra Special!

Make your gifts extra special with personalized stickers and matching stationery!
It's the little things that make presents pop!

E-mail me today to start your custom order! a.b.designs@hotmail.com