Why Didn't I Think of That?

Now that we have the "world wide web", in a few seconds we can Google up creative ideas for decorating for the holidays, cooking something new, making a homemade costume, and even learning how to fishtail braid.   I love scanning the web for ideas, and then after the event I usually see some more great ideas that I want to copy for next year.  

With Halloween 2013 in the books, here are a couple of AMAZING ideas for next year. 

Now if only we could remember them in 12 months!

First off, if you have watched Breaking Bad this is Amazing.  This was done in Brooklyn NYC and the caption on the photo was:  

Skylar gave out regular candy to the kids, but the blue crystals on the cookie sheets were candy and they gave that to adults...

It was just normal rock candy, but it was so funny, they never broke character and Walter bossed everyone around and said only adults can have that candy.

 This unique carving was done by the Catering Team at the San Antonio Hyatt Regency.  Gotta love the creative way this pumpkin was carved.

 Here’s a great DIY costume for kids.

The little French Baker would have been the hit of the neighborhood.

 This beautiful pumpkin is unique and original, and it’s a great way to decorate without carving so it can last the whole season vs. one night.

So maybe next year I will remember these great ideas… or I’ll be onto new ones thinking these were so "last year!"

Halloween Treats

Here are some fun spooky treats that your family or co-workers would love!

School Lunch

Most schools have been in session for close to a month now, so let's be honest - those fancy home-packed lunches that graced our kids backpacks have been replaced with a) the standard PB&J, b) a Lunchable, or c) a few bucks for a "hot lunch" by now.

Because how long could even "Super Mom" continue this madness! 

Ok, really how many people ever actually make those besides Ms. Martha herself?  I am hoping just to offer some suggestions (that last more than the first 2 days) which can make your lunches a bit more fun, a bit more classy, and a bit more green. 

First up, let's talk about being a bit more green.  This is my first year packing lunches for my 1st grader, and so far I have been through a TON of those plastic sandwich baggies.  I think reusable baggies are in the near future.  The compartment lunch box also seems like a good idea - then you can eliminate baggies all together.

I do love the squeezable applesauce as they eliminate the need for the spoon. If I can make my own applesauce and reuse the pouches, that sounds even better.

 As far as what goes in these great vessels, here are a variety of fun and healthy options so your kids don’t get burnt out on ham sandwiches. 

 

At the top are some mac & cheese cups; then we have a whole wheat tortilla with peanut butter, bacon, and bananas; moving on are apples with cheese and ham; next is a balanced box with cold pizza, salad, pretzels, and berries; and lastly is a pita pocket with turkey and cucumbers.

Hope these ideas help you create some fun for your kids’ lunches!

Color of the Year

It seems it always takes a bit once Pantone offers up the new color of the year for it to trickle down to "everyday" life.  I personally am still waiting to see more emerald home decor and fashion options in the stores... Here are a few events that have added in the new hot color.  Don't be afraid to embrace this great bold color choice for your next event, home styling, or personal fashion!

What does Color Mean?

Every year Pantone announces the "Color of the Year." Then we see those colors play out in fashion styles, home furnishings, and event decorations for a few years before the new "it" color arrives to the marketplace. Here are a few from the last couple of years:

Color is not only about fashion and furnishings, but it also has intrinsic meaning and impacts our daily lives. Here are some details on what each color means here in the United States:


Black is the color of authority and power;

Brides wear white to symbolize innocence and purity;

The most emotionally intense color, red stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing;

The color of the sky and the ocean, blue is one of the most popular colors;

Currently the most popular decorating color, green symbolizes nature;

Cheerful sunny yellow is an attention grabber;

The color of royalty, purple connotes luxury, wealth, and sophistication;

Solid, reliable brown is the color of earth and is abundant in nature.


Food for Thought

While blue is one of the most popular colors, it is one of the least appetizing. Blue food is rare in nature. Food researchers say that when humans searched for food, they learned to avoid toxic or spoiled objects which were often blue, black, or purple. When food dyed blue is served to study subjects, they lose appetite.

Green, brown, and red are the most popular food colors. Red is often used in restaurant decorating schemes because it is an appetite stimulant.


Read more: Color Psychology
Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/spot/colors1.html#ixzz2OmjnVyDU

Guest Blogger!

Before I paint a picture of what a wonderful event it was, I want to first give an introduction to myself. My name is Katelyn Poulson and I am the Corporate Event and Group Sales Coordinator at the Desert Botanical Garden. I began my time at the Garden in September of 2010 when I was doing an internship as part of my final semester at Arizona State University. My internship at the Garden was absolutely fabulous and gave me experience in every aspect of the event industry. I enjoyed my time so much that when a position opened up, I applied as quickly as possible and in May of 2011, was granted the position I currently hold. The Garden is truly a magical place to work and sharing relationships with vendors like Copper Square Kitchen is why we love to do what we do!

The Disney Destinations event was part of a AAA Conference that was in town. The event was set on a clear October evening with not only perfect weather but a beautiful full moon! The group entered the Garden with paths lined by hand-lit luminarias and received a drink upon arrival to begin their evening. After receiving their drink, guests were met on our Boppart Courtyard for a reception featuring hand passed hors d’oeuvres from Copper Square Kitchen, and the best part of all, the opportunity to have a meet and greet with the infamous Mickey and Minnie.

After everyone had the chance to meet the guests of honor, everyone proceeded into our Dorrance Hall where they were treated to a beautiful plated dinner provided by Copper Square Kitchen. With a string quintet playing in the background, guests were able to enjoy their dinner and the ambiance set by the music, linens, centerpieces and dinner they were being served. After completing dinner and a scrumptious dessert, guests were given the pleasure to enjoy a concert under the stars at our Ullman Terrace given by Susan Egen, the original “Belle” on Broadway as well as the voice of “Meg” in Hercules.

The evening was an absolute delight and I know that every guest who attended was wowed by not only the Desert Botanical Garden but the wonderful and creative culinary adventures of Copper Square Kitchen. Like Walt Disney said, “Whatever you do, do it well. Do it so well that when people see you do it they will want to come back and see you do it again and they will want to bring others and show them how well you do what you do.” I hope guests were as impressed with the evening as we were and that whenever they are in the Phoenix area next, they will want to come back and visit the Garden!

And Here's Lori - Sr.Catering Manager

Full name and why you were named that – Lori Kim Schacher – According to my mom, I was supposed to be named Nicki but then “just didn’t look like a Nicki” so she changed it at the last minute.

Alumni of: University of Florida – Go Gators!

"My Wedding Caption – All in good time

My favorite four legged friend: Bob & Alien – my two really fat Chihuahuas.

My #1 piece of advice for planning an event – Give me a clear vision of what you want and then trust me to make it happen for you.

Family is #1

What do you love about your job? I get to be creative and work with many different types of clients as well as awesome coworkers.

Bad Habit: Interrupting people when I am excited to tell them something

Pet Peeve: Unnecessary cc-ing on emails.

Strangest food I have ever eaten – My husband made rabbit terrine once and I am not sure how strange that is but I won’t be eating it again – EVER!!

The furthest I have gone from AZ is: -I lived in Japan as a baby

Don't tempt me with: A “good” book – nothing too literary but any crime novel/mystery will do

Cooking, baking or eating out? Baking – but never the same thing twice

If you called in “rich” to work what would you do instead – Travel with my family to Europe and then probably put my skills to use working part time for a non-profit that works with children

My favorite place on earth – On a beach anywhere with my family

Hobbies: Reading, Baking, Yoga