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..."