A Modern Thanksgiving Look

Alexandra from Enchanted Events & Design was inspired by these cool orange/gray/white patterns she discovered at Jo-Ann's Fabrics to design this Thanksgiving table. Instead of pairing oranges & yellows with earthy browns like you typically see on Thanksgiving, she used gray & silver to give the table a fresh, modern vibe. 


Thanks to Alexandra and Hostess with the Mostess for sharing this great tablescape.

Shopping Resources:
• Leaf garland wrapped around the candle holder – 99 cent only store.
• Mini pumpkins and turban squash – grocery store
• Table cloth & runner (gray pinstripe and orange gingham fabrics) – Jo-Ann Fabrics
Photography, paper products, & styling – Alexandra Doudian with Enchanted Events & Design

Sustainability in the Events Industry

In an effort to be seen as good corporate citizens, a number of companies have begun to take a look at the environmental impact of their conferences and special events.

But what does planning a “sustainable event” really mean? From the perspective of event planning:

• Sustainability means renewing resources at a rate equal to or greater than the rate at which they are consumed.

• Sustainability means living within the resources of the planet without damaging the environment now or in the future.

Topics that should be discussed are green office policies, energy use and carbon reduction, travel and transport, support for green initiatives, waste management, recycling, water use, environmental protection and noise pollution.

Events such as parties, conferences, and weddings often have a large impact on the environment. The invitations and decorations, the utensils and napkins, the left-over food and the mountain of garbage all have an impact on the environment.

So how can event planners large and small do their part?

Over the next few months, we’ll be providing tips on ways in which planners of weddings, conferences and even small events like birthday parties can support the green movement.

Tip #1: Provide incentives for walking, biking and carpooling to your event.

Reducing the carbon footprint of your event is a great first step in “greening” your event. Give your guests an incentive for participating. For example:

• Offer those who participate, a raffle ticket with a chance to win prizes from your sponsors.
• Work with your local public transportation office and offer discounts to your event for those who utilize the bus or subway.
• Recommend lodging for out-of-town guests in walking or short driving distances from your venue.
• Provide links to bus maps and bike routes to your event.
• Provide a bike valet on-site at your event.

Do you have other ideas to encourage walking, biking or carpooling? We’ll feature your event in an upcoming case study.

Launch the Fall party season with seasonal pumpkin beers.

If you’re the type that likes to grab a six pack and bring it to the party, try a seasonal pumpkin beer. Not only will you get a unique taste with these top rated brews, you’ll also have a conversation piece to break the ice.

Schlafly Pumpkin Ale - Saint Louis Brewery

This medium-bodied sweet and spicy beer is made with pumpkin and butternut squash and spiced with nutmeg, clove and cinnamon. The result is a creamy malt that provides a sweet pumpkin pie flavor.

The Great Pumpkin Elysian Brewing Company

Intense pumpkin, sugar and spice with a nice bready and malty backdrop make this a top pick. This earthy beer has tons of flavor. Perhaps that’s why Linus never saw The Great Pumpkin…somebody drank it.




 

T.R.E.A.T. (Imperial Chocolate Pumpkin Porter) – Midnight Sun Brewing Company

This blackish-brown elixir features notes of sweet spices, cocoa nibs and pumpkin. TREAT is a suitable pairing for both sweet and savory dishes.

 
Pumking - Southern Tier Brewing Company
This bewitching brew is an ode to Púca, a creature of Celtic folklore. Coming in at 8.6% abv it certainly has the ability to take you on a mystical journey. Pour Pumking into a goblet and allow its alluring spirit to overflow. As spicy aromas present themselves, let its deep copper color entrance you as your journey into this mystical brew unfolds.

 Kuhnhenn All Hallows Ale – Kuhnhenn Brewing Company

Made with Michigan pumpkins, brown sugar and a blend of spices, this crisp and bubbly brew has the unique flavor of a cinnamon roll and pumpkin pie in one. It’s light-bodied with a creamy texture suitable for long night of partying.

La Parcela- Jolly Pumpkin
This brew is only available for a few months in the Fall. It features real pumpkin with hints of spice and cacao. The result is more sour than sweet.

Imperial Pumpkin - Weyerbacher Brewing Company
This hearty brew has a higher alcohol content than most at 8.0% abv. It’s strong pumpkin and caramel flavor (and aroma) is balanced with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and a touch of cardamom and clove. It truly lives up to its name!

Terrapin Pumpkinfest  - Terrapin Beer Company
This Octoberfest favorite is a lager with a true malty German flavor. A combination of pumpkin and pumpkin spice makes it a pumpkin pie in a bottle!

Punkin' Ale - Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Punkin’ Ale is named after the annual Punkin Chuckin event in Delaware. Despite that unusual birthright, it is a great accompaniment to turkey, duck, lamb and other seasonal dishes. Punkin’ is a full-bodied brown ale with hints of pumpkin and brown sugar.

Sugar Free Halloween Treats

Here's a recipe for your friends and family that require low sugar treats. Don't leave anyone out of the party!

Low Glycemic Sugar Free Halloween Meringue Bones
Serves: 12
Carbs Per Serving: 2.5 g
Prep Time:90 minutes
Skill Level: Easy

Ingredients:
2 egg whites
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/8 cup Fructevia, Steviva Blend or a tiny dash to taste Steviva Brands Pure Stevia Powder

Instructions:
                     
1. In a small bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form.
2. Gradually add Fructevia, Steviva Blend or a tiny dash to taste Steviva Brands Pure Stevia Powder, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high until stiff peaks form.
3. Place mixture in a heavy-duty resealable plastic bag; cut a small hole in a corner of bag.
4. On parchment-lined baking sheets, pipe meringue into a 3-in. log. Pipe two 1-in. balls on opposite sides of each end of the log. Repeat with remaining meringue.
5. Bake at 225° for 1-1/2 hours or until firm.
6. Remove to wire racks.
7. Store in an airtight container.

Optional: add food coloring to enhance the spookiness.

Source: Steviva

Should You Tip Your Vendors?

To tip or not to tip?

That is the question that keeps popping up whenever we deal with service providers. But once you've negotiated a deal with your wedding or event vendor and scrimped and saved to pay them, do you have to tip them too?

Well, famed wedding designer Preston Bailey says:

"Tips should always be at the client’s discretion and should acknowledge truly exceptional service. If a vendor has gone above and beyond, a tip can be a wonderful way for a client to show her appreciation...But it’s also important to recognize that many couples can’t afford to tip. 

I think I can speak for a lot of vendors when I say that there’s something we value even more than tips: Respect and Graciousness. I would rather have a client who didn’t tip me but who was always gracious and polite to me and my team. Courtesy and kindness can go just as far as money if not farther!"

Preston adds, if you really appreciate the service, write a testimonial that the vendor can use on their website or to show to prospective clients.

Creepy Halloween Pizza Mummies!

I had to share these great ideas from Get Off Your Butt and Bake. Creepy fingers and mummies using bread dough and so easy to make!

For the mummies:

Rhodes Dinner Rolls thawed but cold, pizza sauce, string cheese & olives.

. .

 

Spray counter lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Flatten each roll into a 3 to 4 inch circle. Place on a sprayed baking sheet, parchment paper or silpat lined baking sheet.

Top each one with pizza sauce. Use as much or as little as you like.

 

Prick each little pizza with a fork several times to prevent big bubbles from forming. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

 

 

 

 

Tear one string cheese for each pizza into thin strips. Cut one olive in half for the eyes. Remove from the oven, and give your mummy some EYES! Layer cheese strips in random fashion to resemble mummy bandages. Trim any strips that are too long. Return to the oven and bake an additional 1 to 2 minutes to melt the cheese slightly.

 

For the Witches fingers: Rhodes Dinner Rolls, thawed but still cold, melted butter, Parmesan Cheese, garlic salt

Roll each roll into a 7 to 9 inch rope. Place on a sprayed baking sheet or line with parchment or a silpat.

Place a raw or blanched almond at the end of one side of the rope.

Add knuckles and lines along the finger with a sharp knife.

Pinch or press indentations to add form to your finger.

 

 

Brush each finger with melted butter, and sprinkle garlic salt & Parmesan cheese over the top if desired.

 

Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for about 10 to 15 minutes or until golden.

A Simple Costume

If you're not much into dressing up or costumes for Halloween but you have to play the part for the kids or colleagues at work, Victoria at A Subtle Revelry offers this great idea for making a honest effort.

It's by Cutture stationary.

If you go to A Subtle Revelry, you can download this Halloween mask and print it out for yourself. Happy Halloween!

Victoria says..."Print the mask out, cut around the edges, and glue it to a wooden stick for a perfectly subtle costume. Add glitter to the edges and wear it with a cocktail dress for a festive party, or keep the template plain and be ready for door to door candy gathering..."

Easy treats

If you're planning a party, you need to keep things as stress-free and complicated as possible. So that's why I love to see simple ways to dress up your party.


These cupcakes from Spirit of Halloween and Spooky Scary Halloween are easy to do. Start with store bought or homemade cupcakes and chocolate frosting. Top with chocolate sprinkles. For the ghouls, submerge M&Ms for eyes. For the spiders, add black licorice whips for the legs and marshmallows cut in half and black jelly beans for eyes.


Even your kids can do that for you. The result, however is a really scary treat!

Pumpkin Cooler

 

I'm no artist so when I saw this clever use of a Halloween pumpkin at MarthaStewart.com,  I got really excited. I love to make pumpkin muffins so I don't mind digging out the center. Then I roast the pumpkin seeds as well...yum! After all that work, who wants to carve the pumpkin too? The cooler is just a glass bowl placed in the hollowed out shell and filled with ice. Easy and effective. Thanks, Martha!

Fall Trends

Everything in events is about trends. "What's hot now?" is always the big question. In reality, it all depends on you. I've seen a revival of both the 70s and the 80s. Sometimes technology is hot and sometimes vintage and "old school" is in. If you're planning an event, don't be pulled in a direction you don't want to go just because it's perceived as the latest thing. Follow your own path. No one wants to see the same old thing everywhere they go, or get the same food, entertainment or gift bags. Being different and not following the crowd is the most trendy thing you can do!

With that said...it's still fun to see what people are talking about so here's a few trends that are peaking right now.

1. Flavored Popcorn

Chocolate, peanut butter, caramel, macadamia nut...whatever flavor you can devise, it can be sprinkled or poured over popcorn. It's very popular at events and also great for fundraisers.

Popcorn Palace was featured on Rachel Ray's $40 a day in Chicago. They have spicy, sweet, candied or nutty flavors. If you'd prefer to make your own, check out the recipes at CDKitchen, where you'll find Cajun, garlic and Parmesan and even a recipe for Cracker Jacks.



2. Pop Ups

Pop Ups have been big this year. These are stores or restaurants that appear for a few days or weeks and then disappear only to appear somewhere else later. Ludo Bites of Los Angeles is one of the more famous pop up restaurants. Chef Lefevbre says "I thought to myself, Why can't I rent a restaurant the way I rent a house?," he remembers. "I don't have to do a major change, I don't have to invest in equipment, build out and renovate ... I'll just put some rooster signs in the window and start cooking." Renting a space for a short period makes sense to a lot of pop up purveyors. They're fun for customers as well if you don't mind not knowing where your new favorite restaurant or gym is from one day to the next. The Noble Rot is a traveling wine saloon in NY city. Wines or cocktails are paired with small bites and usually there is some musical entertainment for atmosphere.
"Pop-Up Fit Club" a roving gym in Healdsburg, CA offers drop-in fitness classes organized through social-media. So if you want to add some spice to your next outing, get on the list and follow your favorite pop-up around town.

3. Video Booth

Photo booths gave us that retro carnival feeling but technology is here is stay. Now video booths are the new thing. Although they're being used mostly in public spaces for polling consumers, they can also be rented for weddings. Guests can record a message of up to one minute. Chicago based Gazebo, supplies booths for both public and private use.

What will be next? Who knows? But at least we know creativity is not dead.

Baking Mix Favors

Those who know me, know I love to bake. But not everyone can whip up a sweet treat from scratch. At Vintage Bakeshop, you can get all natural baking mixes to use as your party or wedding favor. Cupcake mix favors are $5 each (min. 12) and makes 6 cupcakes. You get a custom designer label and ribbon included.

What's trending now?

After spending the day in Pasadena at Biz Bash, an event planner trade show, I've come back inspired and with some great ideas.

So what are event planners still talking about this year? My favorite subject...food! 2011 has been all about the power of food from Celebrity Chefs to food trucks. Having a celebrity chef at your next event would certainly add a WOW to it. Think of all the Top Chef contestants you have to choose from or pick the chef from your favorite local venue. Your guests will certainly feel special when your chef comes out in jacket and hat to present the dinner to your guests.

If that feels a bit too pretentious, then think about making the food itself the celebrity. How about a chocolate lounge or wine and cheese pairings? In the dessert arena, it's all about mini pies. Put together your own pie shop and let your guests have at it. Or, if pie feels too pedestrian go for gelato floats... an inspired twist on the milkshake and rootbeer float. An espresso gelato floating in cream soda will add that air of sophistication you crave.

Photo: Southeast Star

2011 is also the year of "cravings." This is one of the reasons that the food truck has become so popular. Having a bite of this and a taste of that is the new trend. So food trucks which have been around construction sites for years and then turned gourmet about three years ago have really hit their stride. Now every party seems to have a mini donut, ice cream or grilled cheese truck on call. At the top of the list is Top Chef Masters contestant chef Ludo Lefebvre’s Ludo Truck and his “pop up” restaurant Ludo Bites. The restaurant has no permanent address or phone number so it can just as easily set up at your event as anywhere. If you have a craving for fried chicken balls, fries in truffle oil, or crispy octopus with smoky chipotle, Ludo’s your guy.

To go along with all this on the fly dining is the trend toward communal dining. Long tables with food passed around like Sunday dinner when you were a kid. Translate this trend for your wedding or event with long tables instead of rounds. Dress it down for an afternoon event or spruce it up for a formal dinner.

Photo: Town & Country rentals

It’s all about what you love and who you love to share it with.

Enjoy!

Saying goodbye to another summer

Summer is almost gone but with Labor Day just around the corner, there's one last opportunity to get your grill on.

Start with a little motivation for dad. The Wireless Remote GrillingThermometer from Williams-Sonoma ($59.95) lets dad monitor roasting meats andpoultry from up to 150 feet away. So dad can step away from the grill and interact with the kids. An alarm lets you know when the food is ready.

Then set up your own backyard camping experience with a pop-up or make-shift tent, lanterns, blankets and pillows.

Dad and kids can build their own s’mores in this Indoor S’more Maker basket from Plow Hearth ($24.95). The basket can be used in the oven,toaster oven or barbecue. If using in the oven, be sure to stack the rack on a cookie sheet to catch those gooey marshmallow drips.

Wireless Remote GrillingThermometer, $59.95 Williams Sonoma

Indoor S'more Maker, $24.95 Plow & Hearth

Camping Photo Credit: Ash Tree Cottage

Bringing it all together

Welcome to the new Your Best Event blog. Over the next two weeks, we'll be transferring posts from the old blog into this one and closing down the old site so that everything you need, you can find in one place! We've also adding all our social media links so that you can contact us and share your favorite posts.