Hot Event Trend: Hanging Buffets

We love creativity. That is why we are absolutely enthralled by this new popular trend in event design: The Hanging Buffet. With just some simple platters and some ties the Hanging Buffet comes alive and turns any food table into an impressive art display. 

You can read more about the Hanging Buffet in the latest edition of Nesting Newbies magazine. In every issue Nesting Newbies shows you that cooking, entertaining and decorating can be easy, fun and affordable. It's one of our favorite sources of inspiration and we know you'll love it too. Check it out!

Plan A Spring Team Building Event

With spring just around the corner, it's the perfect time to start planning your next great team-building event. There is something about spring that always rejuvenates the spirit which is why a team building event is the perfect way to say goodbye to winter and welcome the newness of spring.

Why use games and team building at an event? Games and team building opportunities unify attendees and allow them to enjoy themselves and get to know their fellow visitors. Corporate team building for employees can serve as a morale booster to build strength within the company. There are many companies that provide services to encourage and entertain attendees, employees, and visitors. At your function, hiring a company to provide games and team building provides the attendees with a memorable experience that they will take away from your event.

When are games and team building appropriate? Anytime you have an event. When done properly, themes can be used to enhance a business meeting, client appreciation, awards event, and even reunions.

How is a theme chosen? Define the goals of your event first, what you want to accomplish with the event, who is attending, and what you want them to take away with them. Then you can decide what theme options may work. Brainstorming with a committee or colleague can be a big help.

Are theme events expensive? They don't have to be. It depends on your budget. Some of your theme ideas can be accomplished with a small budget if you and your committee are willing to spend the time. However, a much better use of your time and money may be to use a meeting planner, prop, or entertainment company.

Decorating tips for theme events: Consider three to four main areas of the facility for theme props. Main focus areas can include the entryway to the event, state, guest tables, beverage and food stations, to name a few.

Interactive and Theme ideas for your next event:

• Casino Night
• Game Shows
• Murder Mysteries
• Tropical Themes
• Fiestas
• International Themes
• Mardi Gras
• Western/Wild West
• Hawaiian Luau
• Period Themes like the 40's, 50's, 60's, or 70's
• Karaoke
• Carnival Games
• Inflatable Games
• Interactive Games
• Cooking Classes

SEATTLE HOT DEAL ALERT!

Water, It Does The Body Good

What does every busy event planner need to do more of? Drink water. No matter what profession you are in, and no matter what your schedule looks like, there is always the need to drink more of nature's juice. And today in the grocery stores we are offered so many varieties of water that there is simply no excuse to not get our full daily dose. But some of us (me included) have trouble getting our daily 8 glasses of water. That's why these uniquely flavored bottles from Herbal Water are the perfect solution. From Ayala comes Herbal Water in the following unique and utterly delicious flavors: Lemongrass Mint Vanilla, Lavender Mint, Lemon Verbena Geranium, Cloves Cardamon Cinnamon, Cinnamon Orange Peel and Ginger Lemon Peel. Not only are these tiny bottles of goodness great for the busy professional on the go, they also make great swag bag gifts for your next event.

Click here to find the locations you can pick up your own Herbal Water and see what all the talk is about.

Valentine's Day: A Day For Lovers (Of Chocolate)

You can't help but think of pounds of chocolate when you think of Valentine's Day. And no, we are not referring to the pounds that may start to accumulate on your thighs. After all, all calories are free on holidays, right? We are referring to those neatly packaged, overly-decadent, edible works of art that give us the warm fuzzies all over.

We've decided that the best cure for our cravings is to go on a Seattle chocolate tour. Here are just a few of the locations we'll be visiting...


1. Oh! Chocolate: Located in Mercer Island at 2703 76th Ave SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040
2. Frans Chocolates: Located in Downtown Seattle, U Village and Bellevue. Get more info here.
3. Theo Chocolate: Many locations throughout Washington. Click here for locations.
4. Chocolopolis: Located in Queen Anne at 1527 Queen Anne Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109
5. Seattle Chocolates: Located at several Seattle locations, click here for more info.
6. Dilettante: Click here for the various locations.
7. The Chocolate Box: Located in Downtown Seattle at 108 Pine Street, Seattle WA 98101
9. Fiore Chocolates: Buy their chocolates at various locations throughout Seattle
10. The Confectional: Located in Pike Place Market at 1530 Pike Place, Seattle WA 98101

The Hostess with the Mostest

As party planners, we all know how much effort goes into planning the perfect event. So when the tables turn, and you are the one being invited to a great event, it's always nice to reward the efforts of your host or hostess with a small token of your appreciation. We've gathered some of our favorite host/hostess gifts to inspire and aid you in your gift-giving abilities.

1. Ice Buckets: What event planner can't use an ice bucket? Particularly one as cool (pardon our pun) as the ones from iomoi. You can select from a variety of unique icons or create your own custom ice bucket. These ice buckets are $68 and available online at iomoi.com.

2. Stationary: Handcrafted paper in the form of notecards, letterhead, greeting cards and the like never go out of style, especially for a party planner. Stationary designers these days are true artists when it comes to creating beautiful paper works of art. There are many wonderful places to find great stationary. Our picks are The Stationary Studio and if you are in the Seattle area, check out Paper Fling, All About Weddings & Celebrations, and Moxie Papergoods and Gifts.

3. Paulette Macarons: Who can turn down a sweet treat as divine and decadent as the macarons from Paulette? We don't hear anyone volunteering. Their signature giftboxes make Paulette macarons the perfect gift for any occasion. Select from our “champ de macarons,” just as you would pick a colorful bouquet from a field of flowers. From flavors like caramel, vanilla, pistachio, almond and lemon, these sweet treats will have your gift recipient making sure you are at the top of their party-invite list every time.

4. A Night Out: After planning a party, your host/hostess may just be happy to veg for a night. Giving someone a dinner gift certificate where they can take a night off once in a while is never a bad idea. Take this opportunity to share your favorite local hot spot with your party planner and they will be certain to appreciate your thoughtfulness. If you are in the Seattle area, check out this local dining hot spots.

The Ultimate Superbowl Party

If you are one of the millions planning on watching the Superbowl this weekend and are planning on having some guests over for the kickoff, you will certainly want to be prepared with top-notch recipes and snacks to wow the crowd. If you haven't done so already, be sure to check out The Pioneer Woman for high quality and ultra tasty recipes that will have your football loving friends licking their lips and singing your praises.

Here is a taste of some of our favorite recipes from The Pioneer Woman:


1. Cowboy Nachos
2. Wings
3. Twice Baked Potatoes
4. Steak Bites
5. Onion Strings
6. Restaurant Style Salsa
7. Pico de Gallo and Guacalome
8. Quesadillas

Okay, now we're hungry....

We Think You'll Love...

We think you'll love this great new way to taste and share your favorite wines with friends, colleagues and clients. From Brixr, comes wine tasting packs containing four 50ml bottles of boutique wines. If you've ever ordered a wine flight in a restaurant, think of Brixr tasting packs as your own wine flight you can conduct at home.

For those of you that make your own wine, be sure to check out TinyBottles.com for information on how you can create your own mini wine packs. With Brixr and Tiny Bottles, there is a new way for wineries to sell wine and for consumers to discover them. Tiny Bottles, coupled with video tastings by influencers at brixr.com, provide a fantastic new environment for trying, learning and ultimately buying wine. For more information, click here.