So you’ve finally finished (or maybe just started) your holiday shopping and the big day is just around the corner. All that’s left is making sure that your gifts’ presentations are as wowing as the gifts themselves. Tired of seeing the same old wrapping papers under your tree? Whether you’ve got five extra minutes or days left, try a little twist this year with some of the following ideas:
One of my absolute favorite visuals for Halloween is from the super-girly, 2000 flick- Hanging Up. Luckily, the story-line has little to do with the appeal. The idea of mostly filling a party room with hanging ghosts seems like a simple one that could get really cool with the right lighting. Here is one of the images from Meg Ryan’s kid-friendly Halloween/birthday party.
And in case you like the idea, but have no interest in investing in dozens of simple white sheets, you can always opt for a more cost-effective, airy version. Even hanging a trio (as shown) can be a welcomed addition to any All Hallows’ Eve festivity. Consider this cute DIY version from Simply Designing. With just a styrofoam ball, some cheese cloth and black paint, you too could have wispy ghosts to share with your guests.
(She even shares how to create them on her website, so if you’re interested, definitely check it out.)
But the all-time, most amazing, awe-inspiring (and not even spooky) Halloween spectacular (that I know of) has to be The Blaze. Put on every year in upstate NY, more than 5000 jack-o-lanterns are carved and put on display each year. They’re even set with synchronized lighting and sound to add to the drama and excitement. It is a MUST see.
Word to the wise: Tickets, especially for weekends, sell out very quickly so be sure to jump on this opportunity early for your chance to see this next season!
Fireworks have recently been added to lavish weddings and mitzvahs, but no event (not even Disney’s iconic, nightly spectacular) can compete with THE day of good ‘ole American pride.
Today, on July 4th, many plan to camp out on their patio, on a blanket in a park, or poolside with friends and fam to watch the fireworks. There really aren’t all that many blue foods to choose from (aside from the usual blueberries, blue jell-o, or blue popsicles) so it’s easy to stick with the ones you know- like the rockets on the right.
Though firecracker popsicles are a great addition to this holiday each year (and my husband’s personal fave), they’re not the easiest to transport. Here are a few delicious treats that’ll make the trek and still compliment the firework spectacular for you and your guests. Happy fourth!
Guilty pleasures first – Uncrustables. Aside from the fact that these may not be the healthiest option out there, they can be frozen ahead of time, thawing while you travel to and set up your picnic. Might not be just for kids either ’cause uh oh- they’re pretty yummy.
With patriotic chips at nearly every grocery store, all you’ll need to pair them with is a delicious salsa or pico de gallo!
Here’s another way of adding some blue into your celebration (as long as they don’t melt before hopping into each beverage).
Red and Blue potato salad (one of the only truly blue foods around).
Handheld gooey goodness. These krispy treats will match your prideful decor, but will also get better as they warm.
Easy peasy red and blue cupcakes. Make these ahead of time, toss ‘em in a 9×13 baking tin with a cover and they’re ready for transport.
It’s always nice to see creative minds think aloud.
Now, I’m sure at one point or another, we have all been to a restaurant, maybe as a kid (or with a child), where the server sat you in front of 3 crayons and a paper tablecloth. Sure, we’ve doodled, and played tic-tac-toe, and enjoyed the creative environment, but how often have we really given it a second look as a way to enhance the food presentation itself?
A fellow blogger, Lauren with RockPaperScissors, posted this tablecloth with signage of personality and I think it’s just genius.
Especially with cookouts, July 4th celebrations, and pool parties, we’re in the midst of the fun but laid back, outdoor-lovin’ lifestyle.
This would even be a great addition to a casual rehearsal dinner, a book club gathering, or a nostalgic family reunion.
Every once in a while, I just need to take a minute to give credit where credit is due. Kudos, Lauren!
DIY events have been on a solid trend of perfectly executed tablescapes… but the feel of an event comes from the entire space. Whether your next soiree is indoors or out, don’t forget to consider space above eye level. Some of the most fantastic elements leave impressions when people look up.
Lighting:
Encouraged interaction:
Fancy a friendly favor?
Black tie affair, and justly so.
Unexpected elements:
Hanging windows for that shabby chic, country-like bliss.
Delicate elegance with complimentary negative space. Gorgeous.
Literal bridal shower? Seen this done with hung lampshades as well (just as funky but beautiful).
Manzanita branches adding class and an unexpected chic twist to an elegantly rustic reception.
From grooms’ cakes, to diaper cakes, to tiers and tiers of cake balls, cakes have made their way into the limelight time and time again. While for weddings the focus is more on ombre cakes, tiers of macarons, and theme matching, birthday cakes continue to be more whimsical and DIY in nature.
Here is a mix of a few of the cuter birthday cakes we’ve seen lately:
For the clean line, DIY-prone Lego lovers.
For the very, merry unbirthday.
For single-serving, utensil-free, funfetti lovers.
For the portable, ice cream cake (sorbet shown here), park-bound, summer flings.
Holy Hogwarts. Seriously, check out the rest of the fantastic complimentary items here. Talk about talented theme execution…
For those who are super-powered.
Sorry for the delay! It’s been a while since the last post, we know. We’ve been busy bees and will soon have news to share (we cannot wait!).
It may seem counterintuitive for an industry pro to give advice about not spending oodles of money on events… but that’s what we’re doing in today’s post. The key (as we’ve previously mentioned) is to keep your event truly personal, and that does not necessarily have to go hand-in-hand with dollar signs.
In fact, event budgets don’t require they be a specific $ amount, they just require that whatever budget you set is stuck to and has expectations to match. (Great in theory, much more difficult in reality, we know.)
Check out this recent post from LearnVest. Bride, Abigail Dalton, describes how she stuck to her guns on budget and still ‘Held a 100-Person Wedding for Under $4,000′.
Our favorite quote from the post:
“… At the end of the day, we have photographs we love, memories of delicious cake and happy friends, and the relief that we could throw a party without drowning ourselves in debt or liquidating our savings.”
Let us know what YOU think.
Rather than championing hors d’oeuvres and filled drinks on a buffet ready for pick up, we thought we’d highlight some fabulous food and beverage presentations that make a much larger impression on guests.
Dressed to Impress
These mobile human tables can be fantastic ways to (literally) carry your theme throughout your event, while adding entertainment pizzazz.
Obviously these are great food trays for themed parties and fundraisers, but these could also be great vehicles for silent auction or party favor displays as well.
Just remember to provide ample space for these tables to move around the room and between guests while maintaining good flow. Found here and here.
Hors Wall
As highlighted by fellow blogger, Satin & Snowflakes, a catering company called Tulips & Maple has begun to perfect the art of entertaining through catering. They’ve coined it ‘catertaining’. Check out the wall o’ hors d’oeuvres they had on display at one of their recent events. Such a unique, nearly Willy Wonka type of playful presentation.
This could be a great presentation option for kids, with the removable wooden (or could be colored plastic) spoons and the ability to have these line the walls in whatever shape or pattern you’d like.
Beverage Beauties
And how about these exquisite additions to a client event, Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain recently held?
Champagne poured into and served right from her skirt. Genius (and still wildly elegant).
These could be wonderful additions to formal cocktail hours or galas. These could also easily become more futuristic (with a change of ensemble or addition of uplit glasses).
For that matter, these could also be used for more casual affairs (by pouring coke floats, filling ice cream cones, or making flavored sodas with pre-poured syrups- that would also be very colorful).
So many options!
Dear moms everywhere,
Thank you for the warmth, the support, and the kissed boo boos. Thanks for the patience while teaching us right from wrong and manners. Today you may not even get much of a break from your usual ‘mommy duties’, but it is a chance for those of us everywhere to be reminded of how grateful we are to have the positive memories we have with just you.
Growing up, Mother’s Day was one of our favorites holidays. Annually, we’d get together with the same family friends to create a waffle feast for our moms.
We would set out to create masterpieces of waffles topped with strawberries, chocolate drizzle & whipped cream or the ever-delicious but wildly simple butter and syrup.
But as there were only four kids in the kitchen (no adults allowed)…
I’m fairly certain there may have a been a few times our poor mothers had to eat the less-than-delicious, mangled messes covered in other refrigerated condiments as well. (Our poor moms.) Yet regardless of their taste and the disastrous mess we left in the kitchen, our moms loved us all the same.
The best part is how lasting those memories have become, sharing a kitchen and laughs with family friends. And who knows, maybe those annual waffle-making adventures played a role in the love one of us grew for cooking, later growing to become a Boston chef. (Likely? Eh.)
Well, in honor of Sandie & Amy (two of the best moms in the world), we wish you a kid-treated, hopefully relaxing, waffle-filled Mother’s Day.
If you have any Mother’s Day traditions, tell us! We’d love to hear about them in the comments section!
(Also- best waffles ever: from a NY waffle cart called Wafels & Dinges. Their belgian waffle arrives warm with a soft center and crispy edges and their Speculoos spread is highly suggested, as it’s amazing. Think gingersnaps creamed into a spread. Mmm.)
There’s a new gazette in town: one that’s all about you or your event.
I think the founders of McPapers, Matt & Paige McPheely, may have answered a number of soon-to-be-bride’s wishes for an elegant compliment to their shabby chic dreams.
What better way to tell your family and friends about your latest news than via personalized newspaper?
We’re getting hitched! We’re pregnant! We’ve bought a house! We’re having a baby!
All of those are great reasons to give these personalized papes a whirl, but there are definitely a number of other events for which these would be appropriate and adorable as well.
Do you have a retro themed (or Mad Men themed) fundraiser coming up? Did you just graduate? Are you hosting a murder mystery party? Are you finally empty nesters, now that all five kids are out of the house? Are you planning to celebrate grandpa’s 90th birthday?
Any of these would be great reasons to let people know via the classic (and nearly extinct) newspaper. Not to mention that was the only way people knew what was going on in the world for quite a long time (aside from hearsay and later radio, of course). So there’s still something ultra-special about flipping the tangible pages. And it only takes a few short weeks, before your beloved family and friends / guests / dedicated donors could be awaiting a perfectly printed 4 to 16 page spread of deets about your special event.
And for those of you in NYC, there are even a couple of key stores I think would wildly benefit from sending their next corporate newsletter or exclusive deals for long-time customers via McPapers as well. Let me know if you agree or if you have local suggestions (for wherever you are):
Brooks Brothers Flatiron storefront. Their 7200 square foot, three level, man cave is such a nod to retro that it would pair perfectly. Photo from WWD.
Stumptown Coffee, with their Newsies-esque pageboy baristas. Photo from newyork.seriouseats.com.
