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Bar/Bat Mitzvah Invitation Trends

November 3, 2014 by The Inside Press

example-invitation

When designing and choosing a Bar/Bat Mitzvah invitation, as those who have been through it know, the choices are endless. I want to share what is trending at the moment and answer some questions that frequently get asked.

Bar/Bat invitations have been moving away from a layered card to a plied thicker card, which is a more modern look. Using interesting color combinations for a bit of pop is trending along with the continued use of custom designed logos. Most requests are for a strong but simple design that is modern and clean. Bows for girls have gone by the wayside in favor of cutouts or a bit of bling. For boys the look is clean and masculine. Flat print, foil stamping and letterpress printing are still on point. Deep gray and navy ink with a pop of color are very popular for boys, and fuchsia is still popular for girls along with turquoise and violet. The trend towards kids parties still continues.

RSVPs are acceptable in the form of email addresses, specifically created for the Mitzvah event. Some feel this choice is hard to keep track of, while others feel it’s easy. The traditional RSVP card is still popular.

Direction cards are trending toward Info Cards, just outlining the service address, party address, and pick up information for the kids. In some cases no direction card is created at all and details are included on the invitation if they are not too cumbersome. The thought that guests will use their GPS is perfectly acceptable. I still do traditional direction cards, but you need to know your crowd. As always a custom stamp finishes everything off.

So these are some latest Bar/Bat invitation trends. You don’t need to break the bank to make your invitation look awesome, unique and special. Most importantly, have fun with it and create what you love….

By Jennifer Prizer, owner of It’s Personal, by Jen
Chappaqua, NY
Custom Invitations and Stationery
www.itspersonalbyjen.com

The Wonderful Wally Peterkin: Golf Pro, Picture Framer

August 5, 2014 by The Inside Press

In a lovely summertime visit to the home of Chappaqua-based Wally Peterkin, I discovered that the long time golf pro is as adept at framing as he is at swinging. His garage off Hardscrabble Road is a converted full service frame shop and “word of mouth” continues to keep him in business. He had approached Inside Chappaqua, however, not with picture framing in mind, but rather to advertise his “no gimmicks lesson” to help anyone “shoot Par golf.”

Not being a golfer, I can only imagine that it’s a swing so fine, his technique effortlessly guides the ball to its rightful destination. So whether you are looking to “explode to the 90% range” or to beautifully frame your baby blowing out her first candle, Peterkin can help you with either. Just tell him you heard about him in Inside Chappaqua or soon, also in Inside Armonk. Visits with Wally are by appointment only. Call 914-224-4049.

– Grace Bennett

Chappaqua Fair “a Resounding Success”

December 4, 2013 by The Inside Press

Nicole Brake, owner of Broomstick Sweeties, with her spouse Robert Brake, owner, Metro North Computer Consulting, Inc.

“At the Chappaqua Craft and Gift Fair benefitting the Bell PTA on November 9th, our vendors and shoppers didn’t miss a beat, in spite of last year’s fair cancellation due to Hurricane Sandy. Funds raised cover costs for academic and cultural enrichment, parent education, and field trip scholarships. In addition, this year Bell launched an After School Enrichment program; pilot classes include an organic gardening class, rock band, mathematics teams and table tennis! Through this event and others, future offerings may possibly include robotics, Mandarin and computer software development. Special thanks to Carin Khatchikian, Vendor Coordinator and Bell parent of 7th grade twins!”

–Peggy Macchetto, Bell PTA Chair

Gathinjua Yamokoski, founder, True African Art

Amanda Kraus to Dance as Sugarplum Fairy

December 4, 2013 by The Inside Press

Amanda Kraus, a junior at Horace Greeley High School, will be dancing the coveted role of Sugarplum Fairy in the Greenwich Ballet Academy’s production of The Nutcracker, which in past years has been danced by Principal dancer Irina Dvorenko of American Ballet Theater.

“I am so honored to be given this opportunity–I really can’t believe it!” said Amanda. Amanda has danced in four different Nutcracker productions, in various roles, including ‘Polichinelle’ with the NYC Ballet, and ‘Clara’ with the SUNY Purchase Conservatory.

Amanda’s ballet training began at age 7, and at age 9, she was accepted into the School of American Ballet, where she danced every children’s role with the NYC Ballet. She danced competitively for four years at Westchester Dance Academy, winning a national title.

Greenwich Ballet Academy offers pre–professional training in Vaganova technique with small class sizes and Russian faculty. Along with Amanda, first year GBA students, Allison Chen, a 6th grader at Seven Bridges Middle School, will be dancing ‘Marzipan’, and 1st grader Meredith Lee will be a mouse. The Nutcracker will take place December 7 and 8 in the Greenwich High School Auditorium. Online ticket sales begin November 10. greenwichballetacademy.org

The No. Westchester Food Festival Raises Funds to Fight Hunger

November 30, 2013 by The Inside Press

The Northern Westchester Food Festival Raises Funds for Mazon* to Fight Hunger.

Over 400 people from the community came together to celebrate at Temple Beth El’s first “Northern Westchester Food Festival: We Feed the Hungry.” Over 30 local restaurants offered their signature dishes and people savored samples from restaurants that they frequent but many were introduced to other restaurants from surrounding areas. “It was wonderful to see new and old faces participate in a community event for a good cause,”says Susan Pecker, a Vice President at Temple Beth El. “Due to popular demand, we will be having it again next year.” *Proceeds of the event were earmarked in a donation to Mazon, a national nonprofit organization working to end hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds in the United States and Israel.