Warwick Applefest 2014

Sorry we have been MIA lately. We have been gearing up for Warwick Applefest which is takes place tomorrow! If you live near the Warwick, NY area, make sure you stop by to enjoy this family friendly festival. It starts at 10 AM and goes until 5 PM. We promise you will not be disappointed. For me information on Applefest log onto www.warwickapplefest.com

A Wine, Cheese, and Chocolate Birthday Celebration

This week is a special birthday, so we are planning a party based on all of the guest of honor's favorites - wine, cheese, and chocolate. Yum - the pairing possibilities are endless!

Here are some beautiful table displays that will help inspire us for this weekend's party.

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Save the Date

One of the most exciting things about getting married is sending out your Save the Dates because it's the first time you get to "officially" announce your wedding information to your lucky guests.

Now here's a tip - you want to make sure that you send out your Save the Date announcement typically 6 months before the wedding takes place. It helps guests start to plan, especially if they are coming from a distance. Not to mention it gets them excited for the big day!

There are a lot of options out there for possible Save the Dates, so we have complied a list of our favorites. Enjoy...

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Rainbow Sangria

We can't express how excited we are to go to the various Labor Day parties we have lined up this weekend! Nothing beats a BBQ with friends; even if it means it's the end of summer. 

This year the drink of choice is Rainbow Sangria. 

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Here is how to make it.

Ingredients

• 1 refrigerated bottle dry white wine
• 3 Tbsp. granulated sugar or honey
• 2 Tbsp. lime juice
• 8 cups diced rainbow fruit (*see below*)
• 2 oz. brandy 
• 1/2 cup club soda or ginger ale 

Method

Combine wine, sugar/honey, lime juice, brandy, club soda, and stir until combined. Then add the fruit in the various colors. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to let the flavors meld. 

The Fruit 

To make a rainbow of fruit, you will need bite-sized fruit in the following colors. 

• Red: strawberries, raspberries, pomegranates
• Orange: mandarin oranges, any other kind of orange/clementine wedge
• Yellow: fresh (not canned) pineapple
• Green: kiwi, green grapes
• Blue: blueberries
• Purple: red grapes, blackberries

Ultimate '90s Party!

The other day while trolling around on the internet we found by far the best (in our opinion) themed party...

Want to learn how to throw the Ultimate '90s Party (we know you do)? Then check out this article from Buzz Feed.

Non-Traditional Wedding Cake Toppers

We love that nowadays people are stepping outside the traditional box and taking some creative freedom when it comes to planning their wedding. 

People are throwing away that cookie cutter mold and personalizing their wedding in all aspects - even their cake toppers! Here are a few fun non-traditional wedding cake toppers. Which one is your favorite?

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Backyard Movie Bash

This weekend we are getting together with friends to watch some of our all-time favorite movies. But instead of doing it inside we are going to take advantage of the warm weather and have a backyard movie bash!

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The first (and most important) step is to get an over-sized screen to view your movie on. The easiest and most cost effective way is to throw up a plain white sheet and use a projector, but if you want to get a bit fancy, you and purchase an inflatable widescreen movie screen like this one from Target. Either option will allow you to sit back, relax and watch a movie on the “big screen.”

After you have decided which screen you would like to use, you need to figure out seating. You can use blankets, chairs, lawn cousins, pillows, really whatever you have laying around the house. Just make sure it’s something soft and conformable. And don't forget, it can get cold out so make sure to supply your guests with extra blankets. 

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 Next step is to figure out the food situation. Popcorn is a must! You can't have movie night with salty delicious popcorn. You can make this beforehand or make it throughout the night by using an Old Fashion Popcorn Maker. You can either rent one from your local party supply store or buy one from places like Best Buy or Kohl's.

You will also need something to put your popcorn in. We love these popcorn boxes form Williams-Sonoma.

And don't forget to provide your guests with different popcorn seasons. You can purchase them from your local specialty grocery store or online from Kernel Season's.

You will also have to have something sweet. Give your guests lots of different snack sized options that they can either have on the side or if they are daring - add to their popcorn.

Some fun combinations are 

• Popcorn, Sour Skittles and M&Ms
• Popcorn, Snow Caps and Cookie Dough Bites
• Popcorn, Sour Patch Watermelon Kids and Starburst Minis
• Popcorn, Snickers Bites and Reese's Pieces

For more fun candy combinations check out this post from Buzz Feed

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After all of that sweet and salty goodness, you will need to wash it down with a nice cold beverage. Give your guests a couple of different options – sods, ice tea, lemonade, water, etc. Or if you want to have something alcoholic (one of the perks of being at home) make a Vanilla Rum Cola.

Last but not least, don’t forget to supply your guests with bug spray and candles/flashlights. Two key items that are essential for having a movie bash outside.

Ice Cream Social

With summer in full swing all we can think about is spending time outdoors. So when a client came to us for some party ideas that involved being outside without a lot of fuss – we thought it would be fun to host a ice cream social. Come on – who doesn't love ice cream!

Here are some ideas that we shared with them to possibly incorporate into their party.

To save on cost, you can make decoration yourself. All you need is some construction paper, glue and balloons.

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Click Here to learn how to make these ice cream balloons.

Or if you have some extra time (and funds) you can make an ice cream stand to showcase all the delicious goodies you will be serving.

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Speaking of delicious goodies, make sure you have different flavored ice creams as well of lots of toppings - crushed up Oreo's, marshmallows, M&Ms, Reese's Pieces, different kinds of sprinkles, nuts, gummy bears, syrups, fruit, whipped cream, etc (the list can go on and on). 

You can also pair your ice cream with brownies, cookies, cakes, or make ice cream floats. The ideas are endless!

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And lets not forget something fun and colorful to put your ice cream in, like these paper cups from  Party City

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July Everyone!

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We hope you enjoy your day with family, friends, and of course s'mores.

Vintage 4th of July Party Ideas

Regardless if you are getting together with friends or family, this 4th of July is going to be spent outside relaxing, telling stories, and of course eating some delicious food.

So if you have some extra time take some tips from Lia Griffith blog that showcase some charming 4th of July vintage party ideas (we normally don't do this, but we couldn't live with ourselves if we didn't share them with you). 

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Clever Last Day of School Gift Ideas

Hey Everyone! Sorry we have been MIA lately. It’s been a little crazy over here for us (which we really can’t complain about :-)

Now that things have stabilized (a bit) we can get back to sharing with you some fun ideas for your upcoming events!

So let’s jump right in…

Can you believe that it’s the end of the school year already?! Our school only has one week left. How is that possible? Where has the time gone? It feels like this year flew by faster than last year.

So with only a couple of days left of the school year we have had countless parents asking what they can give to their kids teachers. Everyone wants to give something unique to say thank you for making their child’s year exceptional.

Are you having that issue too? If so, here are some clever gift ideas. We are sure that no matter what you choose to do, it will put a smile on their face.

Make them a homemade treat like some delicious Chocolate Chip Cookies.

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Everyone loves a gift card, especially one that gives them a caffeine jolt.

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Why not give them a nice plant that they can keep in their classroom.

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This would be a perfect gift for that special math or art teacher in their life.

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Warwick Foundation for Excellence in Learning Fundraising Event

Sorry we have been missing in action lately...needless to say we have been busy with some great events!

One event that we are most proud of is the Warwick Foundation for Excellence in Learning (WFEL) fundraising event that we volunteered to help plan and execute.

This past weekend WFEL partnered with the Wine and Design art studio where local teachers, board members, and town members enjoyed two hours at the studio painting as they sipped on wine and snacked on appetizers. Twenty-five percent of the total sales were donated to the organization and all attendees were able to bring home the masterpiece they created during the class. 

Here are a few snapshots of the artists hard at work.

The Warwick Foundation for Excellence in Learning, is a community based not for profit organization. Their goal is to promote, enhance, provide and enrich educational, teaching and learning opportunities within the Warwick Valley Central School District. Click here to learn more about WFEL and all of their upcoming events. 

Quick Tip: Cake Sizes & Servings

One of the most common questions we get is how many people a cake size fees. So if you ever find yourself asking this question, then make sure you reference this posting. Trust us, it can be a lifesaver. 

Last Minute Valentines Day Ideas

Valentines Day is...yikes tomorrow! Here are some fun, easy, and last minute ideas that you can pull off in less than 24 hours. Trust us, we know :-)

Give that special someone a pail full of worm (sour optional) to let them know how hooked you are one them.

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Fill a jar with Popsicle sticks of different date nights you can have over the next year. 

Some ideas could be going to a bed and breakfast, dinner at your favorite restaurant, a concert, coupes massages, takeout, game night, stay home movie, TV show marathon, cooking challenge, etc. Let you imagination run with the countless ideas. 

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Gather up those post-it-notes and write down what you love about the other person, your favorite memory with them, or what memory you want to make with them and then go crazy and post them anywhere and everywhere! 

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2014 Winter Olympic Torch Cupcakes

Today is opening day for the 2014 Winter Olympics so have some fun with the kiddies and make these Olympic Torch Cupcakes to mark this monumental day.

Read below for step-by-step directions on how to put this torch together, courtesy of Creative Party Ideas by Cheryl 

1. Prepare the cake mix according to the package directions. Cool completely.
2. Crumble the cake into a large bowl. Add 16 ounces of your choice of frosting and mix well.
3. Gently spoon the cake mixture into a sugar cone. You don’t want it to break! Fill cone to the top, slightly mounded.
4. Divide the vanilla frosting into two bowls. Dye half of the frosting red and half of the frosting yellow.
5. Holding the sugar cone in one hand, place the icing tip in the middle of the cone, squeeze, and pull away. Keep it up until the top of the cone is covered with frosting.