Creative Catering: Focus on Desserts!

Anyone who knows me is well aware that I am a self-proclaimed foodie. You also probably know that adding self-proclaimed before any title completely discounts your credibility and makes you sound like a snobby, know-it-all. I’ve made my peace with it. But really, when it comes to food, I generally know what I’m talking about, which is why I LOVE creative catering at events.

Event catering has gone from being a tired after-thought, to serving as some of the most stunning design aspects of a party and as people are becoming aware of this, they are making more of an effort to wow their guests with culinary creativity.

Recently, I have been doing some research for a client’s holiday party and I came across these sweet treats that will not only taste delicious, but add a little bit of excitement to your otherwise bland dessert tables...

These glitter bon bons from Bedazzle My Bon Bons are SO fun!

Champagne Jello Shots (via Indulgy). These absolutely blew my mind and I want them, like now.

And Finally...

These customizable and DELICIOUS caramels from Suss Sweets are perfect for a rustic wedding or even just to enjoy on my your own (since I just found out they're available at some of my fave fancy pants stores like Dean and Deluca and William Sonoma!)

So what I'm really trying to say here is, go, like now, and get your hands on these yummy treats for your next event, get-together, whatever. Oh, and don't forget to send us an invite, cause really, it was our idea!

Cheers!

2010 Holiday Design

The holidays are a time for loved ones, celebration and food, but what most people don't realize is that they are also a HUGE medium for design. People everywhere are decorating any way they can and a lot of time and money is put into creating beatiful designs. Department stores and businesses all over the word hire big names to make their displays the most creative and the general public extracts ideas from these displays and attempts to emulate them in their own designs.

Here are some 2010 decorations that I loved!

These first 2 may or may not be our Christmas decorations at home ;)

Nordstrom always does a great one!

Bloomigdale's got techy!



As always, Anthropologie was my fave!


More Anthropologie!

Launch Party:)

Here is a very quick snapshot of our amazing launch party:)
I have more pictures to post, but my image manipulation software just crashed.....until it's back in business later today, I wanted to share a few pictures. This week will be ALL about our sponsors and contributors. They were the BEST~!

Sex and the City II

So, a couple of weeks ago, like any good SATC fan, I gathered my girls and headed over to the nearest theatre to see the newest Sex and the City phenomenon. Now, I knew that this movie was not going to blow me away by any means, but I was still interested to see the awesome fashion that I knew was sure to be showcased. After 2 hours of a not so good plot line and cheesy Samantha quotes I left the theatre feeling fully content and almost pleasantly surprised!

The fashion, for one, was wonderful. It's always fun to see what new outfits the gals would be clad in, but the scenery did not stop there. This new movie showed the ladies, especially Carrie in a more mature light, everything was a little bit more "big girl" and one thing specifically caught my eye: The interior design. Carrie's new abode that she shared with Big was absolutely beautiful and her old place (which she ends up keeping) is completely revamped! The aesthetics were awesome and nothing was too flashy or trashy. Enough with the talk, as always, here are some shots to confirm what I'm talking about. I don't know about you, but I'm about to re-model my apartment!!

C'mon Vogue...

Ok, so the new 9-5 has me running around like a chicken with its head cut off (for lack of better cheesy analogies), therefore, my posts have been dwindling, but fear not! Here I am, back with a vengeance!

Our latest event is a travel themed wedding with a lot of cool elements being implemented. We're really excited to help plan and design this one, but I'm particularly excited about one aspect of the event. Our bride to be wants to incorporate a photo booth guest book during the course of her big day. Basically, we'll be creating a photo booth, complete with props and black and white pictures, so guests can sign and personalize and leave for the bride and groom. Of course,our design shall be revealed at a later date, but I wanted to introduce the idea, since it's being implemented in so many different events. Below are some photo booth ideas that I loveee and had to share! Enjoy!

Obama Bracelet.

So I had some newspapers all wrapped up in clear plastic airless bags. They were from the night Obama won the Presidency, and the next morning I rushed like everyone else to find a newspaper. But what to do with the newspaper once you have it? I don't care to tatter the pages 45 years from now as I try to show my grandchildren that I, like everyone else who's old and flatulent like me  (I totally think I will be a flatulent old lady. Stylish, but very flatulent.)-----anyway they won't care. But if I can pass down THIS:

No, silly, not this, see below what I did to this bracelet using my cherished Obama newspaper clippings....

After like six more layers of acrylic finish paste this bracelet will be fool-proof. Water-resistant too. Loves It!!
We are getting booked left and right for 'things'---a cake here, a painting there, a full event here, day-of wedding services there---but I love you and I will update Sugar and Art at LEAST twice a week. Tell your friends about us, will ya! Muah!

Nina Friday, on a Monday:)

I've got the Mondays. And that is a good thing. Think of Monday as the beginning of a new week and a chance for a new you. You can make a new list of objectives, and tingle as you cross them off upon completion. You can be productive all week and plan an exciting weekend if you so choose!

Here is a bit of inspiration. At least, it inspires me because I'm already in my art studio working on a custom painted bag someone pre-ordered. I can't WAIT to get our Etsy shop up and running.

Anyway, like I was saying; since it's rainy again today, I will post some work of an artist I find fitting to the weather, Nina Friday . <---Check out her shop. She has a goth touch about her portraits (made-up women, like my Le Salon Rouge line)---and I LOVE the feel of their eyes:

NARtini Anyone?!

Ok, so for some time now, I've been absolutely obsessed with the idea of signature cocktails at special events. Just think of how much fun it would be to come up with a recipe, a design, name and description and to tie it all in with some aspect of your event! Well, whatever, it sounds exciting to me! The signature cocktail thing is kind of a new thing, but the general idea is having one drink that sort of represents your function. For example, if it's Briana's Birthday Bash next Saturday and Bri's beverage of choice is champagne (mine too!) and her fave color is burgundy, she may want to feature Briana's Burgundy Bellinis as her signature cocktail. She'll of course serve them in fabulous champagne flutes and make sure they come close to some sort of reddish hue. Not only is it an awesome idea, but it improves the aesthetics of the entire event and makes everyone jealous, because honestly, who doesn't want a drink named after themselves?!

Now a lot of you already knew about the signature cocktail trend, but did you know that you can now register your cocktail at CocktailRight and make sure that your original recipe (if it is in fact original) can never be stolen without your permission. So basically, even though Betty was eyeing those bellinis and her favorite color is also burgundy, she's going to have to come up with a different drink for her shindig next weekend!

Oh, and you BETTER believe we'll be having a signature cocktail at the launch party! Dirty DIYva Martinis? (I'll work on the name later!)

Things I want to buy...

A cool typography print from The Birds and the Beasts.

These cool eatery sets for my Thing 1 & Thing 2 would be nice!

...and this paper sculpture from this mysterious artist...

 

I had a BLAST this weekend with my family and friends; my house was full and I had planned a shower I told you about-----I will post pictures in the morning, my head and eyes are betraying me---they wish to rest though I'd rather keep writing and posting fabulosity. (And I made that up, not Kimora Lee!----grrrr:) Ok I'm off to bed with a book called 'Naked' by David Sedaris, and a bowl of knock-off Fruity Pebbles. They're called "Fruity Dino-Bites". hehe.

That Looks Good Enough to Eat!

So lately, I've been very interested in the art of food design and styling. I really think it's genius and takes a necessary element to any event to the next level. I mean think about it. Every swanky soiree is bound to have something to munch on, and refreshments are definitely involved, so why not use what's already there, to spruce up the scene? People have been requesting dessert spreads, candy bars, and ice cream stations to liven up their events, and have been replacing traditional favors with miniature, fondant covered cakes, designer chocolates and other goodies. Let's face it, edible is better. Think of it this way...the clean-up is a breeze! Here are some pictures I've come across lately. Enjoy and Bon Appetit!

Oh Bonzie Crotty Designs, Marry me!

I don't know about you but I have every mind to look like someone who walked straight out of the 2009 Valentino Spring Collection this year. Yet, some minute part of me would prefer NOT to be looking so chic in the bread line, because that's EXACTLY where I would end up! I think I may have just quenched my thirst for the unattainable: because I have found a designer who is just as talented as the biggest names in the biz, and on her way to being one of them!

Ok now get ready for my next tid-bit of fashion marrow for your hungry bones: you will LOVE the designer I am about to turn you on to. Her designs are handmade from the finest materials, worth every penny, and sure to turn heads if you rock her designs.
Bonzie Crotty ,an Irish Designer, makes the most ridiculously sensationsal corsets, (if you LOVE some tight jeans with a sexy corset, YUM)-----and boleros that will look astonishing with your capris this spring! Ooooh I can hardly wait to post pictures. I think my clients will eat this up!!! Can you imagine one of these white boleros over a strapless wedding gown, with a funky birdcage veil?!

So check her out, there is sure to be a little something in your price range! (Oh, and Bonzie herself is a total sweetheart! I also follow her
blog , add it to your daily reads:)

This one is MINE!!!!!!

If your neck is horny...

...then you need to get one of these..it's sure to satisy!

If accessorizing is a sin, consider me going to hell with gasoline panties on. This chick from Trucks and Pearls makes some pretty hot scarves, brooches, and knitted earrings. Anything knitted pretty much shouts profusely "I'm ARTSY!" so I donned this bad-boy in a Mustard Yellow when I was filming in NYC for a wedding show. (Oooh I'll get to that too)-----and people were like 'where did you get that?' Go snatch something from this little shop; not only is this stuff hand-made, it's one of a kind and damn affordable. I LOVE affordable.