Dazzle Pops

Add a little dazzle and a lot of edible glitter at your party. Dazzle pops have a glitter coating on top of over-sized lollipops, in 24 different colors you can mix and match to party colors. These unexpected treats are just plain fun, anything with glitter is better, go ahead add some sparkle to your day. Items are available at Bedazzle My Bonbons.

Chocolate Olives or Cholive's

Obsessed with these Chocolates in the shape of olives! What a genius idea! All my friends are getting these for Christmas, what a unique gift. Try our favorite 'Chocolate Orange' martini mixed with a Cholive,

THE CHOCOLATE ORANGE
2 oz. Grey Goose L’orange
2 oz. White Crème de Cacao
1 oz. Kahlúa
1 Skewered Cholive

To purchase or learn more visit The Cholive Company online.

Papered Accents Jazz

Add some class to the trash, and many other items, with scraps of vintage wallpaper. You may find only a roll or two of a vintage print (ebay is great for this), and a single roll of paper is more than enough for these small-scale projects. Jazz up Table Tops, Umbrella Stands, Pencil Holders, Notebooks and Lampshades. Use good-quality wheat-based wallpaper paste and then seal and protect them with a spray lacquer for a finishing seal. For a table, simply cut paper to fit, and set glass or Plexiglas on top. Its simple and adds a lot of personality.

How to open Champagne!

No other drink seems better suited to a celebration than champagne, but when those special moments arrive, you will want to make sure that the champagne is chilled to just the right temperature and, when the bottle is opened, that there's no overflow.

Cut the foil and remove. Wrap a towel around the bottle; this will help to keep the cork from flying away and to catch any champagne that might spill. Hold the neck of the bottle while securing the top of the cork with your thumb. Twist off the cage; it takes about six turns to undo it. Remove the wire cage while you are still holding the cork. Hold the bottle at a 45-degree angle. Hold the cork with one hand and the bottom of the bottle with the other; turn the bottle-not the cork-slowly and carefully.Release the cork gently, and pour the champagne.

Bandana Luncheon Napkins

Get rowdy with bandanas luncheon napkins! A great new look for your guests especially summer backyard barbecues. Mix and match it with your cutlery and accessories to create your own cowboy look. These cute bandana napkins are available in red or blue jean and make a great decoration that could not be cheaper .

Bandana luncheon napkins $2 for 20, Target stores nationwide

The Chocolate Show

Erin Halley Events & Productions has been selected as the Production Agency for the 2009 Chocolate Show to be held October 30th – November 1st. The Chocolate Show is the largest US event dedicated to Chocolate Lovers. It is the Chocolate Mecca where families, consumers, media, and trade converge to celebrate chocolate. Read more about the Chocolate Show at www.chocolateshow.com or contact us for additional information.

Mae Mougin - couture ceramics and porcelain

A house is not a home - not until, that is, it's been graced with one of these fabulous finds. Meet Mae Mougin, couture ceramics and porcelain maker in Southampton. Her pieces are very simple and pure, she uses a lot of common typed text to label the plates always including her signature finger tip and paddle mark edges. Her one of a kind pieces have found homes amount celebrites, artists and select retail stores. Think of Mae when you need to order a unique gift for a trend-setter or commission a family heirloom.

Prosecco delightfully bubbly!

A true Prosecco hails from the Veneto region of Italy, and is produced from the Prosecco grape. Its a young wine, often fruity and light as well as lower in alcohol content than many wines. The relaxed friendly bubbly has exploded in popularity so much that bottling has increased dramatically over the past five years in Italy and 'copy cats' are now found all over the world.

We love Prosecco and think this is a perfect wine to bring to a picnic, not only for its light airy quality but also because its relatively inexpensive. Since picnic season is officially upon us we wanted to share the Dow Jones Prosecco Index of inexpensive Prosecco:

Minonetto Brut. $9.99
Best tasting and best value. Some Champagne-like finesse. Minerals, toast and real fruit tastes, especially apples and pears.

Bartenura Extra Dry. $15.99
Good fruit, with ripe, white grapes, a touch of brown sugar and complicity that many lack.

Astoria 'Cuvee Tenuta Val de Brun. $19.99
Nutty, mineral nose, with some tasted almonds. Very pleasant.

Bisol 'Crede'. $22.99
Easy drinking. Clean, with hints of mango and lime.

Col del Sole Extra Dry. $11.99
Clean, fresh nose with some minerals. Vibrant bubbles. Lychee and mangoes - a bit tutti-frutti but relaxed and happy.

Di Fliore 'Passionne'. $9.99
Lively, with ripe tastes, nice balancing acidity and a very easy, light finish.

Foss Marai Extra Dry. $15.99
Fun, with tart, green-apple tastes and a little hint of minerals.

Desiderio Jeio Brut. $14.99
Ripe lemons with a touch of sweet fruit. Clean, soft and nice, with particularly charming little bubbles.

Catering with... integrity, personal respect, and honest bang for the buck

Your guests interact again and again with your catering team during your event, no matter the event format or length, so choosing the right catering team is essential. Food that meets your guests tastes. Courses with impeccable style and surprising presentation. Service by a team that understands and appreciates good service themselves.

Meet Indiana Market & Catering. They state quite simply, we love what we do and we do it well.

Wondering what a corn-belt state like Indiana has to do with sophisticated parties, masterly cuisine, and meticulous service? It all begins with values they hold dear and instinctively associate with the American heartland: integrity, personal respect, and honest bang for the buck.

And for that we send our kudos (and our love) to Indiana!

City Winery - Bringing the vineyard to SoHo

In January, a former printing house in SoHo was transformed into a two floor winery, complete with its own custom grape crushing facility - straight out of I Love Lucy. From the same group that created the Knitting Factory, City Winery is more than just a winery. The winery hosts live music, wine classes, private dinners and 21,000 square feet of space are ideal to host your next private party.

Custom Wedding Cake Stands

If you are fascinated with your wedding cake, its worth while to look into creating a beautiful cake stand to go along with your cake design. NJ based Robert Edwards is just the man for the job! His intricate details in cake and cupcake stands large and small, square and round, high gloss or matte finish is gaining the markets attention, the options are really endless. The top of your wedding cake my survive to your first anniversary, but your wedding cake stand can be passed down for generations.

TOP 10 Cost Cutting Wedding Tips

Managing your wedding budget is the first big hurdle you are going to encounter on your road to marriage. Take time to make a budget as a couple and work together to make a list of what is important deciding where you should spend money and where you can skimp! We have listed a few helpful cost cutting tips below to stretch those dollars…

1. Avoid Sugar Flowers on your Wedding Cake – as beautiful as these elaborate cakes look with cascading sugar flowers. Request an all white cake from your baker, and have your florist decorate the cake with fresh blooms. Your cake need not be overly extravagant to still be beautiful.

2. Set Up a Wedding Website – all your wedding information including local hotels, directions, and registry can add up when you try to include these details in your printed invitations. Both theknot.com and weddingchannel.com offer simple tools to help establish a personalized wedding website for free. Its saves you on printing extra cards to include within your wedding invitation and is better for the environment.

3. Choose a Full Service Wedding Location. Its about 30% less to host your wedding at a full service location that already has tables, chairs, linens, plenty of bathrooms and a kitchen. Hosting events in non-traditional locations such as galleries, raw loft spaces or private homes are often much more costly.

4. Avoid a Champagne Toast – So much champagne often goes to waste when you do the traditional toast for the bride and the groom. Guests will take a sip of champagne and never pickup the glass again. Save the good champagne for those that request it at the bar, and let your guests toast you with their own drink or with the wine you are serving at dinner.

5. Save on Save The Dates – Save-The-Dates are usually sent 6 to 9 months prior to the weddings, and even further out if it’s a destination event. If timing works out, Kill two birds with one stone, and mail out your save the date information within your holiday cards.

6. Enlist Music Students for the Cocktail Hour – you will pay half the price for the background music and still have the elegance of live musicians.

7. Play with Color – Hotels and Rental companies can get white linens for the same cost as they can get colored linens. The same is true for the standard reception chairs, they come in all sorts of colors! All you have to do is ask. Play with the colors and make the most of your budget by using color in a smart way!

8. Non-Floral Centerpieces – Candles will stretch your budget and add a romantic glow to your reception. Or use organic items such as branches, seasonal fruits or nuts in unique ceramic containers to create your own centerpieces.

9. Ornate Fabrics – you can find great deals in the garment districts for fabrics. Use these fabrics to jazz up traditional cotton linens. Create your own runners or table toppers, its very minimal sewing and is an easy way to involve or enlist your female relatives for help.

10. Family Style Food Service – you don’t need to have a traditional four or five course meal. Large plates of food, saves not only costs but also encourages good interaction between your guests and creates and at home ambiance.

Non-Floral Floral Centerpieces

Flowers can be expensive! Begin to get really creative and think of using non-traditional items as centerpeices. You can use oversized branches in large containers, unique ceramic bowls filled with nuts, or a composition of seasonal fruits or tons of candles. The sky is the limit.

One of my favorites is using paper to create flower like arrangements. In this image we created paperflowers, and then arranged the flowers. Its very unexpected for your guests, and you can create these pieces well in advance and they wont die!

Recycling weird things 101

If you have a draw full of old weird party favors, what do you do with them? We like to turn them into other types of decorations and reuse them for another party. shhh... don't tell, but we like to re-gift too.

For a recent event in a dark basement, we had to add a bit of pizazz to the dungeon like space at a very small budget. We mixed up old LED party favors, glow in the dark ice cubes, necklaces, and mismatched colors of sea glass inside mason jars. The mason jars where then mounted on to the center columns in the space - creating the glowing illusion of design. The total costs, mason jars and labor costs. A small price for a big impact.

Party Favors that work... and these are not it...

Today I was doing some spring cleaning around my apartment and I did so wearing a pair of LED blinking blue sunglasses. These were found in a long lost draw mixed with scarfs and gloves and other things I would be embarrassed to admit to saving. These glasses are also part of a big pile of items that has found its way nicely to the curb this afternoon.

We spend so much time with clients (and money) coming up with the perfect parting gifts or dance floor accessories, it makes me wonder how long some of these favors last. Money, no matter the amount, should also be spent on items that your guests will use or have the most interaction with. While my blinking blue glasses are quite fabulous and fun for a few minutes, its a costly accessory to supply to your guests for such a short amount of time.

Become your best!

Here are few tips to keep a positive attitude during this turbulent economic time:

1. Show up! Leave an impression on people. People have to remember you because you are really involved in project and you stay engaged.
2. Don't undercut colleagues. Stay focus on your strengths instead of your colleagues' weaknesses.
3. Adjust your positioning to stay in the race. Event and communication are the first line-item cut, you have to demonstrate to your client that your understand the challenges.
4. Be professional and keep straight values. Quality and reliability are really important values to keep our clients.
   

"Hard Times" themed party!

We loved this party theme: create an entertaining cost-effective party that really that is not only inexpensive it
party. Everything in your daily life can be transformed and used in this kind of party.
Your Soup cans become funny vases and newspapers tablecloths .

Awe - Inspiring Spots to tie the knot!!

The Hearst Castle is a dreamy destination for the romantic bride and located between San Francisco and Los Angeles. If the Mediterranean gardens, enormous terraces and swimming pools are not enough, the 360 degree views will knock your socks off. This property is enchanting and only for the those seeking romance.

Ariau Amazon Towers Hotel is a little paradise in Brazil. This hotel is set among the canopy level of the rain forest - literally among the treetops. Just outside of Manuas, you must arrive on property via boat or helicopter - however the two helicopters landing pads allow for a speedy arrival with no lines. With an amazing event space image this will start your marriage off on the right adventure!

MBWENI Ruins Hotel in Tanzania near the Zanzibar Mbweni Ruins is a destination your guests have never seen before. With only 13 luxury suites on the entire property, its possible to have this entire place to a few who are nearest and dearest. Play in the ruins with a bushbaby, lay on the beach or get pampered in the spa. Your guests have a long list of options. Take your guests off the beaten path.

Alice in Wonderland

“There is no use trying,” said Alice. “One can’t believe impossible things.” “I daresay you haven’t had much practice,” said the Queen. “When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” - Lewis Carroll

Custom Designed Invitations

Hey upper east siders, Gossip Girl here, a tip for your next soiree: have your invitations designed by the Michael Zac Design Group in the Upper East Side. Anyone who is anyone knows this is the place to go for your custom party invitations. They do so much more than simply provide you a standard sample invitation book to flip thru. They listen, ask questions and design fabulous invites within your budget but with extreme style!!

The best of the best is in New York, and as far as invites are concerned Michael Zach Design Group is where its at. - XOXO -

Fire and Booze!

I love practical party favors. You can't go wrong with a custom branded bottle of Single Malt Glenlivet Scotch, attach a custom box of matches and call it a party (favor)!

Check out Your Gift Label to learn about how to place your order for FREE personalized labels from Glenlivet, Kahlua or Chivas. The bottles are gonna cost you, but its nice that they let you tack on a custom label at their cost.

Despite all sorts of cigarette banning laws popping up across the country, I find matches handy, and like mine in the pretty variety! So check out Pyro Maineiacs for some premixed unique pretty match boxes.

It Report: The Color of Optimism

A copy of our quote in the Winter edition of the It Report, Event Solutions Magazine

This spring, let the fashion world help you infuse your events with optimism. Designers are pairing lively, hopeful colors with sophisticated, grounded hues to address the need for stability in times of economic uncertainty, according to Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. The organization recently released the Pantone Fashion Color Report Spring 2009. Fresh from the runway, here are the hot colors and color combos for spring ’09:

"Who ever said pink was the new black is right. I personally cant get enough pink. I think we will still see several versions of pink appear again in 2009. It works as a great accent color so many ways, as a pillow, a hot pink chair against a plain linen and certainly shades pink light." says Erin Halley of New York-based Erin Halley Events & Productions LLC.

Prialto: a virtual assistant center

We recently had the opportunity to be involved in the training processes for a Virtual Assistant Center, Prialto. And we put the center to the test! Its perfect for someone who does not want their phone to ring. They handle all your day to day tasks, travel reservations, gift research & purchases and more. Its such a great concept and huge time saver allowing the user to focus on their business.

Prialto is a Receptionist. Time Manager. Productivity Assistant.

They help people get things done and outsource life's minutia.

Black Paella - something we dont love

I am a very adventurous eater, and will try just about anyone once. At a recent dinner I was introduced to a new phenomenon 'black paella'. Paella is a family style Spanish dish based around rice and whole bunch of other goodness, but this was the first I had learned of the darkened variety. Its the same ingredients rice, veggies, meats and wonderful spices that you would find in the golden or saffron varitey, but with one addition - INK. The dark color (and what I mean by dark, is the blackest thing ever) is due to the addition of squid or cuttlefish ink. I must make special reference to protect the Spanish, that this additional was actually made famous by a Chef in Scottsdale: Chef Aaron May at Sol y Sombra Spanish Kitchen & Lounge.

I say we leave the paella to the Spanish. Just the very thought of putting something with the word ink in my mouth immediately makes me think how it will eventually stain my teeth. Its like drinking too much red wine with strangers, eventually you will have to smile less and do random teeth checks. Serve black paella when in the company of close friends only.

Flying Chocolate Piggies

I have been surrounded by chocolate these last few weeks, overflowing chocolates at weddings, chocolate birthday gifts, double hot chocolate during the holidays. Its strange I don't really even like chocolate! However, I just found these chocolate pigs, and well I am in love!
These $12 pigges from Vosges Haut Chocolat are filled applewood smoked bacon, Alder wood smoked salt and deep milk chocolate. Its a perfectly unique gift, if you plan to gift chocolate far too often.

Art all Around - David Foote

Obsessed with David Foote! This artist not only creates unique pieces to hang on your wall, but has since expanded into ottoman designs, shower curtains, wine, skate boards and even skis! His designs from the New Girl series now cascade across all sorts of products. We are thrilled to be able to collaborate with David on this launch party of the 10 new products!

On top of everything else this artist is going he is also the creative director behind Jaboneria Marianella - a hand made line of candles and soaps. These are perfect to include in guest bathrooms or due to their beautiful packaging to use as gifts.

Ru Yoga - a new company we love!

Ru Yoga is a spin off from a design firm that I have worked with not only on my personal and business materials, but also with some of my clients! They build beautiful logos and create a true unique brand or identitiy. I encouge you to visit thier new branding-made-easy site designed with the healthcare or yoga professional in mind. Simply beautiful!

Relationships mean more!

It’s a tough year for fundraising. One of my non-profit clients and fellow 85 Broads Foundation grant recipient The Nanubhai Education Foundation has changed our fundraising strategy for the year due to the shortage of large Wall Street backers. Where Wall Street was once a first stop for funding, it has never been more important to be creative with our event strategy. The event must go on! We have had success leveraging long term relationships with companies that share in our mission; companies such as Scholastic have more to offer than simply funding. They are able to host our event in their beautiful space, to provide various in-kind donations that will keep our schools in India running and serve as a long-term partner in helping develop our E.L.S. curriculum. At the end of the day, its our relationships that get us thru the rough times and will keep us moving forward in the future.

Wine Crystals

Why put a bottle of wine in an ugle wine bag you found at the check out counter of your local licquor store? Everyone knows what is inside. Instead of hiding the bottle, dress it with a little crystal and plenty of ribbons. When I saw this little crystal, I thought that could be a really elegant accessory for a bottle of wine. You could any trinket like a christmas ornament or even candies, and then tie it up. The more ribbons the better. Its a small touch to add to a bottle of wine that gives it that extra presentable ‘umph and originality.

Fun uses for Vinegar

I recently figured out this random use for vinegar after a party I had at my place over thanksgiving. Vinegar removes odors. Literally place a few small bowls around your house the day after and all the smoky smells are soaked up. I never had an appreciation for this liquid until now, and of course that prompted a solid hour of internet research to feed my curousity. There are dozens of uses for vinegar. Its a fabric softer, gum remover, removes mineral deposits from inside a coffee maker and can be a substitue for windex. Should you be just as curious, check out this article 62 uses for vinegar. Thats just neat.

Pumpkin Vodka

For Christmas, we drink the traditional eggnog.
But what can we drink for Thanksgiving? Why not create your own spiced pumpkin vodka?
To prepare,
- 1 1/2 cups (750 ml) Stolichnaya cinnamon vodka
- 3/4 cup (175 ml) Stolichnaya vanilla vodka
- 3/4 cup (175 ml) Stolichnaya vodka
- 2 whole vanilla beans
- 2 cups raw pumpkin meat, cut into 1/4-inch slices

Combine the three vodkas in bottle or other glass container. Add pumpkin meat and vanilla beans and let sit for several days if possible to soak up as much flavor as possible. Strain the sediments out of the vodka and create the martini or mixed drink of your choice. Add a toasted pumpkin seeds or some of the vodka-soaked pumpkin as garnish.

“the dance floor is the stage… …the stage is the dance floor!”

We love this “in the round” event experience. Synergy 360 is the industry’s first and only “in the round” event experience. Anchored by a completely wireless and independently powered center platform, the custom designed staging clusters bring the performers right onto the dance floor. This is an effortless production package unlike anything ever seen before! It includes light-up acrylic staging, overhead lighting, and state of the art centered digital sound. The staging clusters can serve as guest dance platforms, as well as risers for unique troupes of performers. The self-contained, rechargeable power system ensures we can take Synergy 360 just about anywhere! You can use this package for a lot of different events and the team will customize everything for your brand or event theme!

Learn more at On The Move.

Guitar Hero Belt Buckle

Its an air guitar belt buckle—-YUP!! its a mini- amp that goes on your belt —& a skull & crossbone belt buckle that when you wave the guitar pick over it –it plays some classic rock tunes of choice—or you can get the chip for 80s’?? hehehe we cant help ourselves!!!! Check out the you tube video here

Available at Toys R Us by clicking here for just under 30 bucks.

Entertain Your Guests with Surprise

For those hostesses that are tired of the average, add some spice to the standard three piece jazz trio. Speak with your talent agent about the possibility of hiring a versatile musician that can switch between instruments to give you more diversity in your musical selection. OR add a live piece to accompany your DJ, a drummer or saxophonist.

I want to showcase this example, only because I love it. I have never have the luxury of working with Johan and it would take a really special party to integrate this musician into mix However I cant wait for that opportunity: Johan Sax Player

Accessories for Napkins

Anyone who knows me, knows I am obsessed with accessories: headbands, bracelets, large cocktail rings… the more obnoxious the better. Infact, I think one of the greatest ideas is to add accessories where your guests can easily reach them. Its just plain fun. Adds pop to the table and eventually the more your guests drink the more jazz they want to accessorize themselves with. They dont have to break the bank. We recently planned a destination event, seaside in Belize we used very inexpensive local seashell souviners as napkin rings. Every guest was infact still wearing thier necklace the next day. We have used slap bracelets around champange glasses during a toast for an 80’s theme party. Glass evil eyes on ribbon for a Greek themed event. Or take it to the extreme with a frost yourself table filled with NYC fashion district findings.

Dont under estimate the power of wine

I had the luxury of spending Friday evening with old friends and several new friends at a new Italian restaurant close to my apartment in New York. The meal was very causal several shared plates that were passed around the table with accompanying homemade bread. Everything was casual except for the wine. The wine was treated with the utmost care and respect, the bottle was presented and then transferred to a decantar. It always poured into our oversized Riedel glasses by the sommelier and seemed to touch my lips at the perfect moment in time. I have had the luxury of visiting several wineries and I have never seen more attention to the presentation of the wine at such a simple event. After the experience of last night, I have a new appreciation of the power that this can do for a small dinner party. Food or no food, its really about the wine. If a decantar takes things a bit too far for your taste, just try to throw out those AP glasses you got from the Olive Garden and invest in true oversized hand blown stemware. Baby steps my friends, you know who you are!

Soft Napkins

There is nothing worse than an over starched napkin, but these hand screened floral prints on super soft linens - won’t let you down. Plus even such a simple design such as this can really add a big pop of jazz to the average dinner table.

Napkins are 2 for $38 and available from Flowie.

Dinner Plate Designs

We came across these unique dinner plates online and cant wait to try them out on the table. Check out the website for Christopher Jagmin Design and find other interesting patterns such as silhoutes which you can customize to your own personal profile. They carry a line of recycled plates with modern designs. As well as a versatile holiday pattern that can easily work year round!

Colored Plasticware

If one has to use plasticware it might as well be fabulous. How fun (and unique) is this set of plastic forks, knives and spoons… it even has the little designs that real silver would have, and at this price it should have little designs! A four piece set runs about $30. Even without an outdoor picnic, and the hefty price tag I am putting this in my apartment. Its simply too fun to pass up.

Available for purchase from Pandora Designs.

Eggling

Remember those relaxing summer gardening days when you would take the whole day to plant a bed of flowers or a patch of green grass? Neither do we! Who has the time or even the space in New York City to plant a garden or bed of flowers? That is why these little Egglings are so cute and perfect for any apartment or office. It reminds us of Kindergarten when everyone in the class had their own bed of soil to plant seeds and watch a patch of grass grow. How simple and fun!

Egglings have become extremely popular in Japan where they are made. They look and feel like real eggs, but crack the top and you will find a miniature garden inside. Growing is easy! The seeds are already sown into the soil so all you have to do is crack the top by tapping on it with a spoon. Then add water and place in a bright spot. The plants grow for up to five months in the Eggling, after which it can be planted directly into soil. What a perfect party favor!

Blumebud

Place cards have become the best accessory for any dinner party. They range from fun and creative to classy and elegant. We have found these super sweet place cards that will make any guest feel warm and welcome at your table. Blumebud, which can be purchased at www.blumebox.com, is a two-in-one bud vase / place card holder. It comes in four sophisticated yet fun patterns and six colors. Each Blumebud includes a reversible and easy to fold paper base, blank name card, and test tube vase. A Blumebud place card is mandatory for fun spring cocktail parties! This bud’s for you.

Comic Pop Art Appetizing Plate

We HEART these crazy comic plates! What a step up from plain white, and quite an unexpected statement at the dinner table.

These comic plates, pop art plates and serving trays are from the affordable CB2?! Funky and creative designs have an Andy Warhol or Roy Lichtenstein effect that is sure to be a conversation starter. The plates are dishwasher safe and add a lot of punch to your table. Visit CB2.com to find out more

Bring the outdoors to your table!

We love eating outdoors, on a sidewalk cafe, by the beach or in the backyard. Even if you are not quite the entertainer and have limited supplies on hand to decorate your table, take a few minutes to just look at what is around you. Even the simplest elements added to your tabletop can turn into unique conversation starters. Use what you already have around you, throw it on the table and see what happens: rocks, funky glass jars, pine cones or leaves, small potted plants, tin coffee cans with flowers from your garden.

The worst thing you can do is repeat the same mistake twice!

Melon Flower Dinnerware

Its hot out and time to celebrate and bring the beauty of the outdoors in!! When guests are over, liven up your dinner party with this set of Melon Flower Dinnerware from Anthropologie ($8-$14). The pretty layered florals are perfect for an outdoor or indoor affair all summer long.

Custom Coasters

Add a shot of color and elegance to your table. We have discovered a genius idea will make any table look chic and sophisticated.

Known for their crisp patterns and vibrant colors IOMOI’s glass coasters, can dress up any table. Available with two or three letter monograms or up to 32 characters, you can personalize the glass coasters in a variety of ways. Prices range from $26 for one coaster to $95 for a set of four. The best part is that every purchase comes with a free chocolate gift box, yum!

You can use your personalized coasters for cocktail parties, to hold small items such as jewelry or keys, or give them as a gift when you visit friends. But more importantly these stylish coasters can be used for margaritas and mojitos!!!!

Velon Designs

Talk about high-end fabrics! Custom Tablecloths, chair covers, wall papery, drapery, and more. Their patterns are exquisite and perfect to customize a special event. Designers and customers have so many options and so little room.

The Color Printed Velon allows you to choose from over 20 exclusive printed velon design patterns and even select the combination of colors that work best for your event. And for those clients who require a higher level of event customization there is the Custom Design Velon. Our favorite designs are the “Opera Wall” and “Cherry Blossom”. So unique, so creative, and so perfect for your next big event. Visit: Velon Designs

Liquid Hott!

Liquid Fusion tabletops…have you ever heard of such a thing? What a way to get your tables noticed at an event. The holographic film manufacturers at Holo-Walls are now making these liquid-filled circular tiles which look similar to their dance-floor tile system. The tables are 30-inches round and are prefect as cocktail tables.

Guests are able to interact with the tables by touching the surface and applying pressure. The table shifts patterns and evolves into different colors. There are five color combinations available: orange-purple, green-blue, blue-dark blue, and violet-lilac. It makes us want to scream the word GROOVY!

We are beginning to see a trend with 60’s pop art décor, and we are loving it! Andy Warhol would be so proud.

WOW, 360 Brandvision

360Brandvision™ introduces viZoo™ technology. This form of advertisement used for special events is going to grab the attention of your guests and consumers at lighting speed!

viZoo™ Inc. has invented the world’s first three-dimensional video display systems. We are not talking about ordinary 3-D video, but free floating video images up to 100 ft X 100 ft X 100 ft that can be seen by the naked eye. Just visit: This technology blurs the lines of reality, its cutting-edge, and just plan fun! These systems are available for purchase or lease and are perfect for special events, permanent displays, product launches, Point Of Sale campaigns, trade shows, exhibitions, this will get noticed!

Absorbent Ink

We have discovered a website that can promote your company or logo on custom to go coffee cups! Absorbent, Ink. is a promotional products company created to help you customize promotional items and make everything that goes into your event unique. They have thousands of products to choose from and priced very reasonable.

This website is every bride and grooms dream. You can personalize anything from plastic cups to napkins or breath mints to lip balm. One of our favorite products they offer are the customized to-go coffee cups. This is such an inventive idea. You can use them for a wedding brunch or filled with coffee or tea as guests leave your event after a long evening of dancing. Either way, they add a hint of happiness!

I’m Not A Plastic Bag

Make a difference in the world, but be fabulously fashionable while you do it. Join in on the exciting new global movement. We are so pumped that the fabulous London designer Anya Hindmarch has partnered with the non-profit organization “We Are What We Do” to take a large step forward in changing the world.

Anya has designed our new favorite eco-friendly handbag, “I’m Not A Plastic Bag”. Celebrities have been sporting this bag all around Los Angeles, London, and New York. Being eco has become trendy. The main goal of the bag is simple - to encourage people not to use plastic carrier bags. Think of how many plastic bags can be saved if people used their own recyclable bag in their everyday lives. The popularity of this bag proves that consumers are excited and willing to have a non-plastic reusable alternative. Even though the price is steep, around $400 on ebay, it is well worth the price of helping the environment. Join in on the new trend and remember, we are what we do!

Fun with Stamps!

How often do we receive a personal letter in the mail? Probably once a year for our birthday and that is it. Our generation uses non-personal email as the main source of communication. Take a break from the ordinary technology world. Add a personal touch by sending a card to someone you love. A personal letter is a great way to say hello, miss you, or I love you! If you take the time to send a card to your loved one, make sure it is elegant and chic! We are obsessed with using multiple stamps. They add a stylish vintage look that everyone is sure to love. You can choose among thousands. All the stamps equal up to 39 cents and are perfectly mailable. Choose the stamps that fit your personality!

Ultra Compact Steambrush

I cannot even count the number of times I wished I had one of these on hand. Be wary of any steamer you rent from a New York rental company - they rarely work!

Perfect to give your linens a quick steam before your event or better yet steam that amazing party dress for a crisp look.

Be a pro and bring your own, for only $39.95 its an investment in your sanity! Available at Williams-Sonoma.

Candy Cane Shot Glasses

Drink and be merry and get your sugar fix at the same time with these Candy Cane Shot Glasses from Plum Party ($9). This edible set of shot glasses will put you in the festive mood for sure.

Vessel Luau Portable Lamp

For that romantic walk on the beach, garden party or extra den lighting, the versatile Vessel Luau Portable Lamp, from Mod Decor ($250) creates a special ambiance no matter where you take it. Equally useful for both indoors and out, this elegantly modern lamp lights up automatically when lifted from the base, utilizes a dimmable LED light source and has a runtime of six to ten hours.

Chalkboard Napkin Rings

Your guests are sure to know their place at your next dinner party with these unique Chalkboard Napkin Rings ($65). Carefully crafted from lacquered and untreated maple, this set of four reusable napkin rings comes equipped with a slate pencil and sponge eraser.

Available at Moma.

Tea for One

Designing a grown-up tea party? Try this unique teapot designed to serve ‘Tea for One’ from Urban Outfitters ($24). The single-serving teapot stacks right on top of a pretty matching cup making it both lovely to look at and fun for your guests. Its a great conversation starter.

Heart Shaped Sugar Cubes

These sugar are just too fun! Its a bit of an over the top detail, but for those (such as myself) that thrive on the details, then heart shaped sugar cubes are for you! What a unique touch to add to your wedding or even just your own personal tea party. They would make anyone smile.

Available in either natural colors or red and whites, at Sur la table for $29.95, these accessories will not disappoint. Pair these cubes with other heart shaped edible items and you have a lot of love at one party! Reusable heart molds can be purchased at Lancaster Colony, one mold for $6.60, the sold molds can be used for butter, cheese, pate or chocolate.

Stickers on the Wall!

Make a statement in one way and do it BIG with graphics! Blik offers custom vinyl stickers in various sizes made to apply to just about any flat surface, a wall, window, mirror, ceiling, tabletop or dancefloor - have them create your logo, your image, or your wording in any color or font. These stickers are then applied to the wall easily and removed without a trace of residue.

This is a quick and simple solution for the ultimate quick transformation to a blank room for a party or a quick change to your home.

Bella Figura Letter Press Stationary

Bella Figura - This passionate artisan letterpress shop is one of our favorites. The whole love they put into their printing process is just inspiring - who knew you could still find antique cast iron letterpresses? Well the two owners crossed the country to find 50 tons worth of antique pieces.

If letterpress invitations is something of interest, this should be the first stop in your design process. Plus an added bonus, the whole shop is a wind-powered, carbon neutral print shop, and !% of sales to environmental causes.

There are those who do it, and those who watch it done...

I came across this quote online and have to admit I feel in love with the words. Its something that just makes me want to get up and go to work in the morning. There is nothing better than really loving what you do each and every day... sometimes its good, sometimes its bad, but at the end of the day its your responsibility to make that happen.

'Responsibility is not a burden. It is the key that enables you to exercise control over your own destiny. Only by taking responsibility are you able to move life in the direction of your own dreams and visions. Responsibility fully engages the best of who you are.

Responsibility can be difficult, time-consuming, unfair, inconvenient and uncomfortable. Yet it also brings you to a level of empowerment that cannot be reached in any other way. At the heart of true achievement is responsibility.

No matter what has happened, or who is to blame, or how it all came to be, choose to take full responsibility for your life. For that is the first step in making it great.'

Rigaud Candles - the perfect scent

Candles are a standard piece of decoration for most events, and there are thousands of different colors, shapes, styles and smells to choose from. Our favorite brand was created by a French Perfumery – Rigaud Candles.

These candles while they are a bit expensive are well worth their value in the scent they provide. The soft and powerful scents fill an entire room without that overpowering smell. The candles subtle but noticeable fragrance is just perfect to place in high traffic areas, such as a bathroom or foyer. We personally love the Gardenia scent while Jackie-O filled the white house with the Cypres scent! You will find these items within their signature zebra striped packaging in high-end gift shop or Saks Fifth Avenue.

Welcome !

WELCOME! We are so excited to begin using this blog as a tool to help share all the fun things we have found for events!

Over the coming months we plan to feature the latest entertaining tips, products and event decorating ideas.

We are excited and looking forward to a great 2008!