Are you looking for a simple fall favor for your next get together? Create a 2 favors in one.

Using a simple cutout create a design in the favor bag (we used natural). Get simple candles in glass containers, wrap in fall colors and place inside the luminaries.

Place on a fall table setting with gold chargers and colourful orange accents.

Stepping into fall can start with a simple color change!

Hello Fall…Goodbye Summer??

Our Diva is special and must have Tutu’s, Frillies, Confetti, and Boas! We are so excited to plan this very girlie birthday party! A little sugar…A little rock and roll…A LOT OF DIVA!

We cant wait to share the rest of what we have in store!

Stay tuned to rock out to games and desserts!

Do you have any divas who are in need of a party?

Peace, Love and Rock & Roll to all my Party Divas!

Family portraits are so much fun (for me at least) this year I want to do something different! As soon as I saw these portraits from the movie “The Joneses”, I knew I HAD to have them! (I will keep you posted on the outcome!)

The Joneses is about a “Fake” families that are put across the US to flash what they got so we will buy it. The idea is is simple, the movie is funny, sad, tragic, compassionate and definitely entertaining.

The moral is a clear “is it worth it”?

Hope you enjoy – how do you create you envision on all things wonderful in your life? We wanna hear it!?

Till our next inspiration…

Events…..If it’s a sporting event I’m good!  But anything else and you won’t even get me to raise an eyebrow.  Even the word “event” sounds feminine to me.   When the wife tells me there’s an upcoming event we must attend, I cringe on the inside.  When did every occasion, whether it be a wedding or an open house, become known as an event?  

An event to a woman, in my opinion, is a magical thing.  As soon as the word is mentioned, she immediately starts the painful process of thinking of what type of event it is.  What is being celebrated? What time of year and day is it?  Will we need to book a babysitter or will the in-laws suffice?   These bits of information are integral in the planning and execution of attending the aforementioned event.   I am a small part of the equation and am usually considered last minute as to what I should wear and if I’ll need to take off from work early that day. 

So the days pass and the event looms closer.  I increasingly feel as if I’m forgetting something important.  But not the wife.  She never forgets.  I rely on her for everything.  Sometimes at restaurants, she even reminds me to chew.  She’s good at letting me know a couple days in advance of something impending.  So I get home from work a little early that day and shower.  It’s  easy getting dressed as the clothes are already laid out for me to wear.  ( I can’t help but think back to my first day of kindergarten though.)  She’s already mapped out the route and gassed the car up. All I had to do was show up!

After seeing how prepared my wife was for this special day, my only hope is that the event we are about to attend will meet my wife’s expectations.                 

 - The Guy

Pearl Pins

Pins are in the tool kit of all event planner. For hair, flowers, ribbons and decor. The pins have so many uses it would be crazy not to have them in your go to bag.

You can see on the left some of the shapes and colors they come in. Colors, Stars, Multiples, Push Pins, Hair Pins, Pins with Crystals. Its all there. You can find these useful tools at any floral supply shop, or craft store.

For emergencies fix a dress, floral arrangement and even put up drapes if needed!

Don’t forget to add these to your list for any special day.

Now days kids start school way before kindergarten and more than likely know their colors. Which is why I think it would be even MORE special to celebrate the start or graduation of Kindergarten!

Kindergarten used to be a celebrated and emotional time in a families life. A time when you, as a child became a kid and major life lessons were about to be learned. Like sharing your favorite book and remembering what color you were supposed to sit on during story time. A time when parents were sad that their baby was growing up, but proud of their braveness all the same.

Create a fun Kinder-Bash starting with this AMAZING cake! Create a large life size version of the board game with white butcher paper and paint. Add to the decor with round balloons to look like gum balls and put large round suckers in vases!

I love this cake so much! Unfortunately I don’t have a kindergartner, do you think my 9 year old would be upset to get this party for their 10th birthday party?

Keep it Sweet!

K.I.S.S. for Flowers…

Are you on a budget? Keep it Simply Sophisticated!

Adding flowers to your wedding can create the mood – Romantic, Sweet, Edgy – with so many options and pricing running into the thousands, flowers can be a large part of your overall budget!

Create a beautifully simple and inexpensive arrangement by keeping with one type of flower without all the fluff.

Simple roses arranged across the table for a family style dinner or lilies in the center of a table for 8.

Any flower you choose should be in season – this will also keep your budget from getting away from you! Your wedding planner or your florist should be able to give you some options based on what is in season.

Besides your color scheme keep in mind that some flowers have strong scents that may be overwhelming to some guests.

A Simple K.I.S.S. is all you need to keep you wedding unique, sweet, sophisticated and on a budget!

Hugs and KISS-ES!!

The Virgin Ad Lib

This cocktail from trend-setting Portland bartender Lucy Brennan is basically a cilantro-infused lemonade; if you’re not a fan of cilantro try it with mint, basil or any soft herb.

4 sprigs fresh cilantro
2.5 ounces water
1 ounce lemon juice
1 ounce simple syrup

In a heavy rocks style glass, add the 4 sprigs of fresh cilantro and muddle to release the herb’s oils and juices. Fill the glass three-quarters with ice. Top with the water, lemon juice and simple syrup.

From Lucy Brennan of Mint/820 in Portland

Your cocktails can be fun and refreshing without having an alcohol edge! Pair this crisp refreshing drink with a yummy backyard lunch filled with spicy tai and finish it off with a tangy lemon meringue pie.

So Hip-a-licious!

I know – seems like a lot of ingredients – But I think its worth it – its good for you and actually tastes pretty great to. Bonus – it can feed a crowd!

Directions

Ingredients

Lentils:

• 1 Medium Spanish Onion, Peeled and Quartered
• 1 carrot, quartered
• 1 stalk celery, quartered
• 1 fresh or dried bay leaf
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 1/4 cups dried French green lentils
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 pound slab bacon, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 small carrot, peeled and finely diced
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
• 4 cups frisee or mixed greens
• Sherry Vinaigrette, recipe follows
• 4 slices goat cheese
• French bread, for serving

Lentils:

Roasted Beets:

Sherry Vinaigrette:

I am sure you have heard of themed dinner parties. Maybe, Italian Night or Wines from Across the Globe. Themed dinner parties don’t have to be about a place or a holiday or celebration. Why not choose a color?

I am totally NOT saying to have all the food be the same color! Just all the accent decor is green. Ask your friends to wear green accessories, such as earrings or necklace for the ladies and maybe some green cuff links or a pin for the fellas!

I think green is such a great color and since you find it in nature,almost any color goes well, orange, red, purple…your food is sure to be a great accent color! How about Spaghetti! Put out Red flowers to accent the food and your decor.

The possibilities are endless!

Happy Entertaining!