Your Best Event

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 talking about this year? My favorite subject...food! 2011 is 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!

Summer is almost here and it's a good opportunity to get busy dads and over-programmed kids to reconnect. What better way than a venture outdoors? And the best part is that you don’t have to go any further than your backyard.

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

If you are planning to dye Easter eggs for akids party or just for fun, here are a few great techniques to give you thatWOW response. The first I love because it uses colorful foods to create anatural dye. The others use fabrics and other unique techniques to create buzzworthy eggs.

If you feel overwheled by all those eggs. Hard boil some and serve as deviled eggs at easter brunch and blow the insides out of others and use the liquid eggs for omelettes or as ingredients for cakes like I do.

Remember egg safety. Dyed hardboiled eggs can safely sit out for display or for an Easter egg hunt for about 2 hours before they should be refrigerated. They can still be eaten within one week. If eggs sit out longer they should be enjoyed for their beauty but should not be eaten.

Natural Dye

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These eggs use natural ingredients such as beet, blueberry, carrot and coffee to dye eggs.

Silk Tie Dye Eggs

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This method uses old silk ties, blouses or boxers to achieve an elegant wallpaper look.

Tye Dye

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For the creatively challenged, this technique is fast and easy all you need is a collander, white vinegar and food coloring.

Lace Egg 

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This technique is similar to the silk dye method. The cut up lace can be placed to create a simple, refined look.

Paper-Napkin Decoupage

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This method uses the eggshell after the insides have been blown out (great if your preference is an omelette rather than a hard boiled egg.

Stenciled Eggs

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These preppy little eggs are perfect for a Easter egg hunt in the Hamptons or to decorate your modern table.

Deviled Eggs

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This is a great technique for hard boiled eggs that will eventually become deviled eggs.

HAPPY EASTER!!!

Move over cupcake… the macaroon has extended its Visa!

The cupcake has been all the rage at parties and weddings, but now a delicate little French treat is hot on its heels.The macaroon has been around for a while on the periphery but it's quickly gaining momentum as the "wow" treat for events.

The macaroon is a French pastry, typically made with almond flour, sugar, and eggs. The outside is crunchy and joined together with a ganache filling.

The great thing about macaroons is that they come in a broad palette of colors that can complement your wedding or special event.

The downside is that they are pricier than cupcakes, mainly because they are so difficult to make. If you're brave, you can try to make them yourself (try out this tutorial at My Food Geek) but getting them perfect takes a lot of practice. You'd probably save money by just ordering them from a bakery.

To create favors, package them in small favor boxes or individually inside glassine envelopes.

If you’re wondering where to get them, try Sucre in New Orleans. You can get them boxed at 8 for $17. Or, try Paulette in Beverly Hills where you can get a wide array of flavors such as Caribbean chocolate, Madagascar vanilla and Sicilian pistachio. Individual macaroons are $1.65 or $19 for 12 in a box.

So, if you’re ready to leave the cupcake behind, try French macaroons at your next event!

Before the weather breaks, I just had to post about this great hostess gift/wedding favor or just chocolate lover's treat. The folks over at San Francisco's Test Kitchen have taken hot chocolate to the next level with their French chocolate on a stick. Just swirl it around in your coffee or hot milk and be transported to a cafe in Paris. Traditionalists will love the French dark chocolate while the adventurous will love the three-chili flavor. They sell for $3.95 each.

Test Kitchen store

It was no surprise to me that the movie "Alice in Wonderland" won the Oscar for Art Direction. The beautiful array of color and texture during the Mad Hatter's tea party alone was enough to win me over. So, again I was not surprised to see the Alice theme applied to events. But a wedding? Can an over the top theme like "Alice" be applied in a sophisticated (non tacky) way? Well, with Bunch Studio, a Southern California floral studio, Zoie Events, and I Believe It’s Cake set out to prove that it can.

Toning down the vibrant "Alice" colors to a sophisticated palette of red, black and white creates the style sheet from which the rest emanates.

From the pop of red on the bride’s lips and around her neck to the groom’s red vest and bow tie, the couple sets the tone for what’s to come.

The lavish table is set with black tablecloths and plates brightened by the red chair ties and chess pawn table decorations. Red roses and green topiaries create the fantasy of a woodland soiree.

The cake is a lavish red velvet covered in fondant leaves and red roses.

If this is a bit too much for your wedding, use the theme for your engagement party or bridal shower and carry the red, black and white color palette through to your wedding.

Many thanks toAdrienne Gunde for sharing these pics. You can see the original post here.

Florals& Design: Mai Hoang of Bunch Studio

Event Coordinator/Producer: Olivia Wu of Zoie Events

Cake Artist: Laurie Mura of I Believe It’s Cake

Stationery: Valerie Edmondson

Make-up Artist: Elena Adorno

Hair Stylist: TiffanySuzuki

Models: Bride – Jayde DiVita/ Groom - Patrick Cronen

Bride’s attire: Shareen Vintage / Groom’s attire: Joseph Mattucci Tailors

Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

Linens: BBJ Linens

It never ceases to amaze me how the simplest things can be so dramatic. Ithink sometimes we tend to “over work” our events. But, this simple idea by MarthaStewart Living craft editor Marcie McGoldrich shows you that simple can bespecial. And, best of all, it’s a do-it-yourself project. You can print yourown pattern, monogram or logo on heavyweight cardstock or use pre-printedscrapbooking paper. Secure the paper with double-sided tape, then wrap yourcarnation stems in floral tape and add to the cone.

We all know that a wedding is all about the bride. But sometimes it's nice to give the groom a little something, especially if he's the creative or outgoing type. This little idea from Style Me Pretty, gives the groom an opportunity to express his personality at the wedding without cramping the bride's style. And it makes for some great photos too.

Materials

Your groom’s socks for the wedding

Ribbon

Brown paper / any paper (I used a paper grocery sack!)

Stapler

Scissors

Printer and DIY Label

Sticker Paper

Instructions

Step 1: cut paper strip about 10 inches long and 3 inches wide. Fold into a loop and staple. To form the square look of the paper, fit around socks and crease.

Step 2: Fold socks in half and loop a bow of ribbon at the fold. Then slip the socks into the paper loop

Step 3: Print label on sticker paper, cut out, and attach to brown paper strip.

Step 4: Place them as a surprise! He’ll remember your lighthearted-ness on the big day for years to come.

**To purchase label shown below...check out Tie That Binds.***

I have to admit, I don't know what all the fuss is about over mustache parties. If you're out of the loop, it appears the mustache has made a comeback but only as a party guest. The latest craze is to supply your guest with a selection of "staches" and let try them on and take photos. OK, i guess it's a fun thing to do especially if you combine it with a photo booth at your event. If nothing else, it certainly makes for great Facebook photos.

staches

paper staches on a stick

If you've never been to the Canon Creative Park site, you're really missing out. On their site are hundreds of ideas that you can create on your printer for parties and for great centerpieces. Granted, you have to bit a bit crafty, but if you are or have kids who are, this site will keep you busy on those "I don't have anything to do" days.

There are all types of projects for birthday parties as well as cards to make and scrapbook ideas. The bride and groom pictured above is a perfect centerpiece for a fun bridal shower. So, go check it out and add a little "wow" to your next event!