Memorial Day is the perfect time to celebrate friendships. As the unofficial start of summer vacation {hooray!}, we plan to get the gang together for a modern BBQ.

The Menu, Traditional with a Modern Twist

Sangria {family recipe, see below}

Veggie burgers from My Father's Daughter {better than ANY veggie burger you've ever tasted. pinky swear.}

Locally grown, grass fed beef burgers {we go to Clancy's in linden hills! the best! ask for kristen}

Tomato + Mozzarella salad with Fresh Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Basil, Pepper + Kosher Salt

Grilled Corn w/ Lime Cilantro

Ricotta Cheese w/ Fresh Berries

Sangria Recipe

Sancerre Wine
Sprite {1:4 Sprite:Wine}
Agave Nectar, 2 Tbsp
Squeeze oranges
Squeeze lemon
Squeeze lime
Sliced peaches
Sliced lemons

Hooray for May! From Mother's Day {May 8th!} to Memorial Day {May 30th}, we are mad about May! 

 

May Desktop Calendar 1024x768 | 1280x960 | 1280x1024 | 1680x1050 | 1680x1200 | 1920x1200

 

May iPhone Calendar 

May Android Calendar 

Need help setting your wallaper to your smart phone? Try these instructions, right from your phone!

1. Find our latest calendar post at blog.redstamp.com
2. Scroll down + select the proper phone/tablet image
3. Save image ::
   • For iPhone/iPad/Android users ::
     • Click + hold down image until phone asks you to "Save Image". Save.
   • For BlackBerry users ::
     • Highlight the wallpaper
     • Press the "Menu" key
     • Click "Save Image"
     • Click "Save"

To apply to an iPhone/iPad

1. Go into your settings folder {from your phone}
2. Select "Wallpaper"
3. Choose "Camera Roll"
4. Scroll down to select your latest stylish RedStamp calendar + select. It will set as your wallpaper

To apply to your Android Phone

1. From your Home Screen open up settings + select "Wallpaper"
2. Choose "Gallery" + click into the "Downloads" folder
3. Select your latest stylish RedStamp calendar
4. Resize to your personal preference {using the touchscreen} + click to save. It will set as your wallpaper.

To apply to your BlackBerry

1. On the Home Screen, click the "Media" icon
2. Click pictures
3. Browse + select your latest stylish RedStamp calendar
4. Click to "Set as Wallpaper"

Whatever you're honoring this weekend, celebrate green!

In honor of Earth Day...text, tweet, post or email happy weekend wishes. And make it look good using the RedStamp app. Available for free in the iTunes store.

Ahh, brunch. A truly delicious type of party we love to host. Perfect for Mother's Day...or any day. 

THE SETTING

Have a seat! Mix and match. Layer and layer. Planning the table setting is almost as fun as whipping up your signature dish. 

THE MENU

One of our favorite dishes of all time...this delicious granola recipe. Pair it with grapefruit, eggs + a bubbly drink and you have yourself a lovely brunch. 

THE TAKEAWAY

A party isn't a party without a little something sweet for your parting guests. Our latest thing? Gift sets of personalized, stylish recipe cards with your signature brunch recipe on the very first card! 

Fabulous fashion inspires modern correspondence. When planning a party we love pulling inspiration from beautiful details, like Anne M. Cramer's fashion genius. When asked to help brainstorm fabulous elements for Anne's meet and greet, "Coco&Croissants," we were immediately attracted to her new line of Flynn skirts -- so fresh + modern. The best part? They easily translated to paper details. Soon invitations, name tags + stationery were born.

Look around + find inspiration. Let people, fashion + events inspire party details. We love on-trend designs + love how they can be carried from start to stop to create a cohesive + fabulous flavor.

{Love the name tags above? Print them here on your favorite 8.5"x11" paper + use them at your next gathering! It's a great + stylish way to break the ice.}

Meet Anne M. Cramer, an incredible designer {see her latest Spring line + copious press here} + impeccable hostess. When asked to describe herself she replied without missing a beat with

" I come from a very loving + quite social family. My grandmother made every visit special, she never hesitated {and absolutely loved} to put out her very best silver, linens + china.  It was never stuffy, never overly formal + never forced.  Her guests could tell she truly loved entertaining.  And in that, they felt her sense of gratitude toward them. I have carried that with me my entire life and strive, in my day-to-day lifestyle, to give my friends and family that same sense of thanksgiving. "

She recently hosted an stylish + intimate brunch for her visiting sister, Coco, to meet some of Anne's nearest + dearest in Minneapolis. We asked her to share a few secrets from behind the scenes of this lovely event {appropriately titled "Coco&Croissants} and here's what she had to say:

RedStamp: Who/what inspired this fabulous soiree?

Anne: My sister, Coco {a name given to her years ago by our three boys} + her Valentine's Day birthday. She's been instrumental to the communications portion of anne m cramer + has been talked about by me to many of my good friends, for many years.

RedStamp: How would you describe the guest of honor?

Anne: Coco, who is my "Irish Twin," and I are quite different in most ways, however, our sense of humor + flare for all things "fancy," unite us often. Coco's personality is down to Earth, fun-loving and adventuresome. She is the sort of sister one loves to show off! 

RedStamp: And the croissants?

Anne: I chose to host brunch in her honor because she and I often chat over coffee {and croissants} each morning. She is in our hometown of Chicago and I am here, in Minneapolis. 

RedStamp: Describe your party details. How did you choose each part?

Anne: Details are my passion. I could {and do!} spend countless hours on the little things. Coco&Croissants was inspired by my morning chats {via phone} with Coco so I designed an invitation {via RedStamp} where I could combine a color that reminds me of Coco {red-- for her Valentine's Day birthday} + my own palette {Tiffany blue, ivory + silver}. The invites were designed + from there, the rest of the planning was easy.

RedStamp: Tell us about your favorite detail.

Anne: I decided {at the suggestion of RedStamp} to design name tags that coordinated with the theme of the brunch! They were actually my favorite details of the soiree because they added a bit of cheekiness to the more formal {though, never stuffy} atmosphere. They proved to be a great convo starter as well! {editors note...since the name tags were such a hit, check back on our blog this Friday for your very own free download of these fab name tags!}

RedStamp: In your opinion, what makes a party {any shape, size, occasion} FABULOUS?

Anne: The people, first + foremost and then a consideration of the range of personalities in attendance. And, of course, picking a striking color + style theme.

RedStamp: What makes a thoughtful host/hostess?

Anne: The best host is the host who loves her guest + makes them feel welcome, from entrance to exit.

Easter is on Sunday, April 24th. {i.e., Less than 2 weeks away!}

This year, we are hosting a little brunch / Easter egg hunt to celebrate. Here's what's on our plate. {Pun intended.} 

1. Bring out your finest. China + crystal is a sure way to elevate any occasion. With the sunlight hitting just right, it is sure to make the room glow.
2. Incorporate fun, related objects on the table. For Easter, we LOVE using dyed eggs as place cards. This year, we are incorporating our favorite trends + dying our eggs in stripes, chevron + polka dots using this incredibly easy technique. To personalize, just grab a Sharpie in a coordinating color + pen your guests' first names. It's a thoughtful + playful way to tuck in personalize sentiment.
3. Play with contrast. We love how texture can play with bright + bold fabrics. Mix and match to really add dimension and visual interest to your table. And always remember perspective. No matter which way your guests approach your table, make sure it's dressed to impress.

Have ideas? Resources to share? Leave a comment + share below...we'd love to know!  

What you'll need:

1. Your sweet new baby
2. The thoughtful gifts given to you by your nearest + dearest
3. Your smartphone

Dress up your precious model and show off how cute she/he is in their new outfits, with their new toys or wrapped in their cozy new blankey. Snap a couple of photos + text or email to the fabulous gift-givers. Have an iPhone, iTouch or iPad? Check out our new iPhone app {free in iTunes} - perfect for this occasion. DailyCandy Kids calls us their dream app for new moms. With our app, you can even opt to have us print + mail a paper postcard to the gift giver on your behalf for just $1.29, including postage.

It's not a handwritten thank you, true. But when you include a photo, your note becomes instantly charming and personal. And, if there was ever an occasion where you are allowed to buy yourself a little convenience...having a baby is it.