New to York & White: Cathy's Concepts!

Founded in 1988 by Cathy LaValley, Cathy's Concepts is a privately owned company, stationed in Indianapolis, Indiana. As a leading Wholesaler, Manufacturer and Distributor of personalized gifts and wedding accessories, Cathy's Concepts uses innovation as the key motivator to remain atop industry standards and a step ahead of the competition.

Each item from Cathy's Concepts is available on York & White at discounted prices. Personalize any item for any special event:

Weddings
Baby Showers
Anniversaries
Birthdays
Corporate Events
And more!

Personalized items create lasting keepsakes for any special occasion!

Cathy's Concept

Arlene Pecora's Fun Baby Shower Games

If you are throwing a baby shower, you mind is filled with food, favors and decorations - but don't forget the games! Baby shower games are a great way to help your guests to get to know one another and they are a fun way to pass the time. Depending your type of shower, you will select different games - here are a few fun baby shower games that are unique and creative!

Baby Trivia Games

Baby Trivia encourages all guests to get to know each other in a trivial way!Talk to the expectant mother as well and ask a few questions like what she is planning to name the baby, when the due date is, what the sex of the baby is, etc. Ask these questions for the truth or dare game. The guest that is able to successful answer the question will get a prize. If they don't get it right, they have to take on a dare.

Measure the Belly

This is a simple yet fun game. Each guest tries to determine the amount of string (or ribbon, or toilet paper) is needed to wrap around the expectant mommy's belly. The winner is the closest to the exact measurement. Be sure to make sure that this game is OK with mommy!

Name that Baby Food

Grab a few different jars of baby food and take the labels off and number them. Be sure to write down what the correct ingredients are for each jar of baby food. Pass around the baby food and have your baby shower guests try to guess what flavor of baby food is in the jar. The person that is able to get all of the jars correctly or the person that gets the highest number correct is the winner.

Baby items from A to Z

Print out a sheet of paper that has all the letters of the alphabet on it and pass them out to your guests. Give them about 3 minutes to write down a baby-related item that starts with each letter of the alphabet. You do need to get some baby-related items for harder letters like Z and X so you can tell your guests what some are in case they ask "what baby item starts with X?" The person that is able to get the highest number of baby items on the paper is the winner.

Bridal Keepsakes by Bellacroft

As your wedding day approaches, you begin to wonder which items can be kept as memories for your big day. Here are a few items to think about personalizing so that you will have lasting keepsakes for your wedding day.

Toasting Flutes: Toasting flutes can be etched with your names and the date of wedding and can actually be purchased to match the overall wedding theme.

Sand Ceremony Vase Set: Available in many shapes and sizes these vases create a memorable, colorful keepsake as they can also be personalized (with names or monogram and date)

Love Letter Ceremony Box: This is actually a ceremony that creates a keepsake to open in a few years (on a predetermined wedding date).

Wedding Essentials

Hosting a Pet Friendly Wedding Ceremony

Pets are considered an important part of the family, often considered children. This is why it has become increasingly popular to incorporate your pet into your wedding ceremony.

The question is... how do you appropriately incorporate your beloved pet into your wedding? Arlene Pecora and Signature Grand have some great ideas:

If your pet is pretty well trained, consider making him/her the ring bearer/flower girl. Practice luring your little pet by creating a trail of treats or consider placing him/her on a leash and having a child walk them down. This is a fun job for a child and a great way to ensure that your pet is not distracted.

Pets have often been a part of outdoor weddings, but more couples are asking the reverend if their pets can be with them inside the church. And more reverends are going for it; it's hard to turn down some pets, as reverend's also love animals.

If you are considering allowing pets into your wedding ceremony or reception, be sure to accommodate their attire with adorable pet tuxedos, bows and other cute accessories!

Signature Grand

Dressing for your Baby Shower

Many women feel as thought they can't look decent when they are pregnant due to excessive hormones and a little extra weight. Arlene Pecora says that's nonsense! Expecting women should look and feel great during their pregnancy with Nicole Michelle! If your baby shower is around the corner, we recommend browsing the entire line of Nicole Michelle Maternity wear to find a gown that suits your shape. Nicole Michelle Maternity Apparel was designed to make every expecting woman feel sexy and comfortable at the same time! Each gown is fully lined and created to flatter your changing body!

Nicole Michelle features elegant gowns for high-end baby showers and sleek dresses for more casual showers. Whether you are attending your baby shower, going to a party or getting married, you are certain to find a comfortable, attractive gown!

Nicole Michelle Maternity

Illimuniate Your Event with Candles

Candles are a romantic, traditional way to commemorate your special day. Candles evoke all the romantic feelings about relationship, candle wedding favors rekindle all the feelings of joy each time your guests light their candle favors. Ideally, these practical wedding favors can be re-lit in your guests home to create a romantic setting in honor of your wedding!

The latest tradition to make it's way to the wedding ceremony is the unity candle ceremony. It signifies the unity of two hearts in one love. Candle wedding favors are a unique way to extend this union. Your guests will be reminded each time they light your candle of both the love you share and your candle lighting ceremony.

Candles also beat out every other form of favor in the price department. From traditional votives, to novelty candles, to personalized candle holders - candle wedding favors come in many shapes, sizes, and colors - there is sure to be one which will match your wedding perfectly. From red roses, to heart shaped candles, and even candle holders that can be refilled and re-used - traditional and beautiful, candles will be appreciated by all.

Wedding candles can be purchased to fit any wedding theme or color scheme. A great "outdoor" candle idea is to place floating candles in a nearby pool, lake or in a bowl as a centerpiece!

Signature Grand Weddings Features Love Letter Ceremony

Joining the unity sand ceremony on the bridal ceremony lists is the popular Love Letter Ceremony. This romantic ceremony is surely to become a timeless tradition. One of the most romantic and sentimental gifts a bride and groom can offer each other are thoughtfully created love letters.

Here is how it works: Before the wedding day, the bride and the groom each hand write the ultimate love letter to each other. These letters will be filled with the reasons they are marrying one another, including special memories from the relationship, the moment they fell in love, the proposal, plans for your future, etc. Whatever is written, the bride and groom must not read each others’ letters.

On their wedding day, the couple ceremoniously locks their sealed love letters in a box along with a bottle of wine, two wine goblets and other memorabilia or keepsakes they have selected. These may include photos of the couple or a souvenir from a special trip taken together. The wedding officiant will then address the guests and explain the only two situations in which the couple may unlock and reveal the contents of their love letters to each other.

After the wedding, the locked box should be displayed in the couple's home to serve as a constant reminder of the love they share for one another. The all important key should be kept in a safe place to ensure the box can be unlocked and the contents enjoyed at the agreed upon time. Once the box has been unlocked and the contents enjoyed, write new letters, replace the wine and lock away for the next special occasion.

Signature Grand Weddings

Arlene Pecora: Baby Shower Etiquette

The rules of baby shower etiquette are forever changing and being modified, but there are some rules that you should still follow. Here are some of the basic rules of baby shower etiquette:
~Who should host the shower? Traditionally, close friends hosted baby showers. It is, however, becoming more common to see family members hosting the event. These days, the rule is: If you want to throw a baby shower: Go ahead!
~Men: This is always a great debate. Should fathers be invited to the shower. In older days, the answer was NO. These days, it isn't uncommon to hose a shower for both mom and dad - which is also a great time! Fathers enjoy opening presents and being involved. So, the answer is YES! if you want to host a shower for both mommy and daddy, feel free! Try to think of foods and activities that both men and women would enjoy.
~Invitations: If you don't have the money to send out personalized, photo invitations, don't stress! These days, many baby shower invitations are sent over the internet or by the telephone. While pretty pink, blue or green invitations are always a great idea, don't stress about them!
~Timing is everything: Traditional baby shower etiquette usually says that the baby shower should be held 1-2 months before the baby is due. These days, it is held ANY TIME during your pregnancy (usually after you find out the sex of the baby). Many mommies-to-be are thrown several baby showers from friends, family and co-workers. If you'd like to follow tradition, be sure to plan this baby fiesta 1-2 months before the actual due date.
~Baby Registry: Baby shower etiquette used to say that registries were "rude". It wasn't considered polite to ask your guests for specific guests. These days, you'll RARELY attend a shower without a registry. Go for it! Your guests can't read minds and if you have specific items in mind, you can certainly suggest them!
~Thank You Cards: While most baby shower traditions have been modified, this is one rule that you can't bend. You absolutely must send out thank you notes or cards to all of your guests. They helped celebrate the upcoming birth of your child so it's the least that you can do! When opening gifts, be sure to have a friend or family member jot down the name of the gift giver as well as the actual gift. This way you can remember what to say in each thank-you card.
~Favors: Part of good baby shower etiquette is making sure that the guests have fun. After all, they deserve to have a little fun as payment for the great gift that they are giving. What you give the guests does not matter so much as the fact that you should give something. Be sure to have plenty of food and good drinks at the shower. You can send each guest home with an additional party favor as well. You can also have some lovely gifts as prizes for baby shower games.
~Second Baby Shower? Many older women will tell you that you shouldn't have a second baby shower for another child. It is, however, perfectly acceptable these days! Go ahead and celebrate a second baby - especially if it is a different gender!

Photo Courtesy of Bellacroft

Arlene Pecora's Bridal Shower Etiquette

A bridal shower is a gift-giving party held for the bride to be in anticipation of her upcoming wedding ceremony. The bridal shower tradition originated in the 1890's and is extremely common in the United States, Canada and Australia. These showers are celebrations that are hosted by the brides family (traditionally) and guests are invited to offer gifts to the bride to be as tokens of good luck for her upcoming wedding. Bridal showers are very similar to baby showers as they feature food, games and gifts.

Bridal shower parties generally feature a theme of sorts as well as decorations and favors. Bridal shower favors can be practical or just fun.

Bridal Shower Favors

Arlene Pecora: Beach Wedding Favors

With summer knocking at our door, brides and grooms have visions of sea shells, sandals and starfish! Beach weddings are fun to plan, whether your are saying "I Do" indoors or outdoors!

Practical Beach Favors - "Practical" favors are favors that your guests can put to use after the wedding. Common practical favors are bottle openers, photo favors, bookmarks, etc. There are hundreds of thousands of practical beach favors on the market - whether your theme is lighthouses or sea shells!

FUN Beach Favors - The beach theme is supposed to be romantic, yet FUN! If you have your heart set on a light, fun wedding - then wedding frisbees are a great idea for you! Serve up some beach balls or activities that inspire guests to have FUN during your wedding!

Edible Favors - If you had a sweet treat in mind, there are various beach themed packaging options available such as cello, boxes or tulle. You can finish each favor off with some candy and personalized ribbon!

Photo Courtesy of Bellacroft