Bound: Your custom guest book!

Make your guest book as personal as your event itself. Heather Zerah hand makes each and every album for her clients, personally selecting handmade papers, textures and ribbons to create your guest book, photo album or memory book. A beautifully and very personal keep sake for many years to come. Prices start at $190, and go upwards, visit Bound.com

'Far East' Caipirinha

I had the chance to spend New Years in Porto De Galinhas, a local vacation destination outside of Recife Brazil. In the 10 days I spent in Brazil, I drank more Caipirinha's than I have in my entire life. Heres my favorite Caipirinha recipe created with Sake.

Ingredients:
2 oz Leblon Cachaca
1 oz Sake
2 oz Lychee Puree
1/2 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Vanilla & Lemongrass & Chili
Small pieces of Lemongrass & Chili
Champagne to top

Preparation:
1. Muddle Chili and Lemongrass
2. Shake with remaining ingredients
3. Strain over ice into a highball glass
4. Top with Champagne and Stir well
5. Garnish with Lemongrass Straws

Stripey Straws

Their are tiny things you can do to add some charm your party or to your drink! Check out these nostalgic Sippy-Straws from Jack and Lulu!

These Earth Friendly Straws are perfect for your next summer soiree. $6 for a pack of $20, visit Jack and Lulu to learn more.

Beautiful handmade soap gifts

These Brooklyn handmade soaps make amazing gifts! I love walking into this small West Village Store it always smells so amazing and inspires me with their creative packaging. I am a huge fan of the Rosemary Leaf Olive Oil Soap, and certainly recommend checking it out. Visit Soapology.

Inspiration from Turkey!

I just returned from a fantastic vacation in Turkey, I spent 6 days traveling the countryside, and then another 6 days in Istanbul. One of my favorite things was simply strolling thru the small markets and the Grand Bizarre in Istanbul. Their is an endless supply of colorful ceramics, evil eyes, jewelry, and the largest selection of carpets I have ever seen. The whole experience felt so unique. I wont go into the laundry list of things I purchased, however oddly enough after returning home, I found a vendor online in Pittsburgh that basically has an online Turkish Tourist Spot.

So if you cant get to the Grand Bizarre in Turkey, all you need to do is visit Cafe Anatolia, kinda funny. Our world gets smaller and smaller each day.

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

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.

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 .

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

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.

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.

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!

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!!!!

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.

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.

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.'