Finally a Fall Chill in the Air....

..And we are in the Halloween Spirit!

Here are a few of our favorite fun images from Halloweens present and past! Enjoy!


Why not beat the rush and send a Halloween Greeting?

A fun, not frigtening, children's Halloween!

In the pink version, or the classic orange, this design delights!

A classic pullout, punkin' cute!

Sophisticated and clean, it falls perfectly in suit.

Let us know if we can help you with any Halloween Greetings, Parties, or Treat Stickers/Tags!

No Tricks, it would be a treat!

Back to School Specials!

Haute New Luggage Tags!

"Couture"

It's that time of year again and we've created the perfect addition for your childs' back to school backpack! These cute luggage tags are all uploaded to our *NEWEST* website that is about to be fully up and running. We currently have over 20 different designs to choose from for both boys and girls, and youngsters to young at heart!

These trendy personalized luggage tags are great for diaper bags, suit cases, gym bags, back packs or where ever you feel works best.

On sale now for 1 for $10, 3 for $25, for 10 for $50. Feel free to check out our new site and all our luggage tags at http://www.hhdesignhouse.com/.

Thanks for stopping by!

"Flower Flip Flops"

"Surf the Waves!"

Announcements!

Hello, everyone...if there is still anyone checking!

Recently, our friend and fabulous blogger-mom-fashionista-friend Meredith posted about her birth announcements that we did for her sweet second son, Slade!

Everything Meredith does is with style and panache, and so we were trilled to get to take all her ideas and put them into one special card.

Check out her blog and her super cool announcements....

Announcing Slade...

http://sweettfamily.blogspot.com/2010/08/announcing-slade.html

August Galveston Monthly

Hello, Blog World!

A lot has changed at HH Design House since we last posted a few months back! It's been a whirlwind, but we will try and get back into the swing of things!

We have a great article and feature in the August Issue of Galveston Monthly and thought those of you beyond the circulation area might also enjoy reading what we had to share! Enjoy...and we'll be back soon!

Personalization 101

I have heard it blamed on the fact we’re Southern. Perhaps it goes back to having a name that is spelled a bit differently than people always attempt to spell it, and thus never sold prefabricated at the souvenir shops boasting everything from keychains to shotglasses with more consistently-spelled names emblazed across on each one. Or even more, maybe it stemmed from the great affinity I have for the letter “h”. At any rate and however it was arrived upon, the love of things personalized and a deep need to slap a name or monogram on everything has been a long standing fixation, and no time more-so than at present, when personalization is all the rage!

Although I was the rare breed that always loved and anticipated “Back-to-School” each August, I think much of that was driven by having all new school supplies; The perfect excuse to stamp my moniker on new bags, notebooks, and writing instruments. As the personalization craze has heated up over the last few years, nothing is safe! Seeing people personalize their dishes, towels, sheets, flip flops, tumblers, bags, clothing, phones, laptops and cars has become so commonplace, that I rarely even take a second-glance when I see monogrammed and personalized gear for our four-legged friends. Yes indeed, even my dog has a custom drinking bowl with her name, and a bed with her monogram!

In the last five years in the social correspondence industry, I have been asked many questions in regards to personalization and the etiquette involved. There are times a certain monogram style is more appropriate than others and times when a name or surname might be best. Is your head spinning from the name-game? I’ll try and briefly answer a few common questions we field.

1. I want to personalize something… “Name or Monogram?”
The answer is BOTH! If you are going to spend the time and money to get an item personalized, go all the way. It is truly so special to have something with your full name – it’s one-of-a-kind! We do a lot of stationery that has a monogram on the face or top center, and then the name beneath. This format works well for both men and women, and nearly any age. Monograms are a prerequisite on Birth Announcements, a huge trend in Weddings, and a staple in any seasoned writer’s paper trousseau.

2. What is the composition of a three initial (traditional) monogram?
There are two times you would use a three-initial monogram: for an individual or married couple sharing a last name. First off, the individual monogram is anchored in center by the Family surname (or ‘lastname’) flanked by the first-name initial to the left and the middle initial to the right. For example, “Mary Jo Schroeder” would read “M S J” often with the middle initial larger or more detailed. Secondly, for a married couple sharing a last name, it is once again anchored with the surname initial in the center, and the initials of the husband and wife flanking either side. For Wedding Receptions, often the wife’s initial is to the left and the husbands is to the right (think of standing at the altar), while later in life it tends to be the husband’s initial first on the left with the wife on the right. This is a matter of personal preference though, and if the three letters spell something one way, by all means try it the other!

3. I want to use a monogram on my Wedding Invitation. What is proper?
This is one of the most common questions I receive planning Brides’ Wedding Stationery. Most traditionally, the Bride’s family always hosted a Wedding, so it was her family’s crest or her own monogram at the top of the formal invitation. This has waned in popularity as it has been more commonly acceptable to use a single initial, a duogram, or even a three initial monogram for the more progressive bride.

4. Initial…Monogram…Duogram…WHAT?!?
A single initial is the perfect choice when something is symbolic of an entire family (like glassware or a Christmas Card) and using a three initial monogram would only symbolize an individual or married couple. A Traditional Monogram is three initials – the surname in the center and two names on the side. You may only use this style if you are an individual who has a middle name or a married couple sharing a last name. So what on earth to do if you have no middle name, are not yet married, or are married but have different last names??? Enter, the “duogram.” Duo meaning two, this is a monogram comprised of only two initials; for individuals usually the first and last name and for couples with different last names (whether married or engaged) it is generally the two initials of the first names. This was the perfect design solution for both my wedding ensemble, not wanting to use our married monogram before we were, and also my business logo.

5. How do I write out names?
Believe it or not, this is something that I coach on a lot for invitation addressing and also personalization. For married couples, the wife’s name goes first followed by the husband’s full name. With our Southern manners many women often question listing their own name first, but the reasoning is entirely out of respect to a man and his name. Simply, one does not separate the man’s name, and the wife is added to the beginning to honor that. (ie: Hayley and Jason Hardcastle) If that makes you uncomfortable, consider the more formal approach, “Mr. and Mrs. Jason Hardcastle” or the more casual approach, “Jason and Hayley,” sans surname. For a family name, it can be listed as plural, but leave out that apostrophe! That makes it possessive. For instance, on a notepad or Holiday card, “The Hardcastle’s” is incorrect, it should simply be “The Hardcastles.”

6. What are your favorite personalized items?
I am a HUGE sucker for personalized stationery and notepads! Most everything on my desk has either my name or the store’s name on it. I also love the initial charms by Stella & Dot so you can make your own necklace and tell a unique story by the letters, birthstones, and sentiment charms you select. I am also loving our newest offering right now, our custom luggage and bag tags! We have tons of cute patterns and designs and they are so simple to pop on a backpapck, gym tote or lunchbox! Our Styrofoam cups and napkins are always some of our best-sellers as well!

Happy Hump Day: Bringing it Back!

Hello Blog World!

If we still have any loyal followers checking in...we apologize for our long absence. However, once you hear (read) what we've been up to, I think you'll pardon us.

When we last blogged we were in the midst of preparing for our busiest time of the year...Holiday Card season! Are ready for this??? We did 9,650 Holiday Cards for 2009!! We were very proud of that accomplishment and at knowing we helped spread Christmas cheer and goodwill to many, many people.

So, you're probably now thinking, that's impressive but it's February...well we didn't kick up our heels and rest after the trees and twinkling lights came down. Oh no, we launched full force into preparing for Galveston's Mardi Gras season. For which, we did 2,700 invitations for various Mardi Gras events. WHEW! Yesterday marked the end of the Mardi Gras celebrations, the last parade wound it's way through the historic streets of Galveston Island. Fun as it was, we collectively breathed a sigh of relief. Today is a gorgeous day on the Island...sunny and bright, rewarding us with its beauty for a few months of being crazy-no sleep-BUSY. We'll take regular old busy for awhile. So we gaze out the windows of the store at the beautiful day, reflecting on how best to update (and not bore) you with a "catch up/we're back" blog.

That's right, I said store...did we forget to mention in between all that we opened a STORE? Hayley is now the proud owner of "Happenings by HH Design House". We squeezed in an official opening and Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting mid January. Happenings, Hayley's latest endeavor is located at 523 Tremont, the corner of 23rd and Church Streets. Stop by and check it out!

Scroll down to view pictures from our grand opening! Come on inside.....

Shop Dog, Kashmir, on Guard!!!

H A P P E N I N G S

532 tremont street

downtown galveston island

409.974.4122

www.Hhappenings.com

Happy...Thursday!

WOW! Our apologies to any loyal hump day readers!!! We have been so busy around here we just flat out forgot about our "Hump Day Post"!

We were delighted to receive an email from a recent Bride with wedding pictures. Rebecca and Ryan were married in Luckenbach, Texas in what looks like such a FUN wedding! Check out their photographers website for more detail and amazing pictures...

http://www.smsphotographyblog.com/

Thanks for sharing the site Rebecca! We really enjoyed working with you and appreciated your patience and sweet spirit!

Scroll down to take a peek at the invitations and other products HH Design House created for the occasion. Including, invitations, koozies, cups, matches, sign in cards, maps, programs, save the dates, menu cards, and thank you notes.

Happy Hump Day: Feels Like Fall...

Happy Hump Day Friends!

Well, it finally feels like fall...some days, but we'll take what we can get.

We were delighted to discover that HH's friend Meredith had written a blog post about her little boy's birthday party and had pictures of several items we did for the occasion. The invitations, stickers on the treat bags, and thank you notes are all HH Design House creations. The logo we created was also used on the t-shirts she had made. How cute!! Check out the rest of the party details!
http://kevinmeredithandcarson.blogspot.com/2009/10/carsons-2nd-birthday-party.html

Here are some more fall inspired creations! Scroll down to check out how fall lent it's style to couples shower, bridal shower, and wedding invitations. Plus, birthday party, other fun invites, and stationery! WOW!! who knew there were so many ways to capture the season??

Don't forget, you can still get the online 10% discount on your Holiday Cards if you place your order now through October 31st. Visit our website, http://www.hayleyhardcastle.com/ for more details or scroll down and reread the past few blog posts! The PSA stamper order special is also going on through October 31st. You can place your order by emailing info@hhdesignhouse.com.

Happy Hump Day: No Scrooges Here!

And the spirit of giving just continues...if our online discount on Holiday Cards wasn't enough to send you rushing for you list of addresses, we have another enticing offer to get you in the mood for sending holiday wishes!



We are offering a great discount on our Holiday PSA Essential Stampers! From now until October 31st, you can order them for just $35.00!! Wow, what a deal!!!



Scroll down to check out a few different styles of address stampers and other holiday stamps, such as gift tags. Visit our website, http://www.hayleyhardcastle.com/ for the complete collection. To order, email us at info@hhdesignhouse.com .



Hurry and pick your favorite, October 31st will be here before you know it!



Don't forget, from now until October 31st we are offering 10% off all online orders of Holiday Cards. You can choose from our "hassle free holiday" line or opt for custom design...all online! Simply enter the code "earlyorder" when you place your order.

Happy Hump Day: Someone had a Birthday!

Happy Hump Day blog readers aaaaand happy birthday to my furry co-worker - Kashmir!





For anyone really perplexed right now, Kashmir is HH's dog, although we don't use that word around here...Kashmir is just one of "the gang". She "helps" us in the Studio and is quite the guard dog...if someone could be loved-to-death. Yesterday was her birthday and I'm not sure any pup has every been celebrated as much (except perhaps my Clara).

So how did Kashmir spend her big day? Aside from the usual...sleeping...wandering over for a little pat or bite of our snack...sleeping...getting a pat....and sleeping, she got a new toy and some bacon! What more could a girl ask for???

Don't forget, now until October 31st receive 10% off all Holiday Card orders!

Happy Hump Day: Tis the Season...almost!

Happy Hump Day!

In keeping with the theme of last week's post we are still in Christmas mode around here!

If the cards we featured last week, along with the rest shown on the shopping cart page on the website, weren't exactly what you had in mind...don't forget, we also offer a Custom Design option! If a one-of-a-kind creation is what makes you merry just let us know! We love working with new ideas!! Scroll down to see some past custom creations. More custom examples can be viewed on our website under the "Haute Holiday" gallery.

For more information regarding ordering your Custom Designed Holiday Card, go to "Order Holiday Cards Online" on our website (hayleyhardcastle.com) and click "product". The very first sample gives more info on placing a custom order.

Remember, place your order now through October 31st and receive 10% off!!!!