This tweet baby shower inspiration was sent to us by one of our E-Trenders, Amber Bronson from Michigan. Birds were the theme and  pastels were the color story of this event. We love the elements of moss and wood, a perfect nod to spring!

Mason Jar Cookie Mix Favor~

Start with a 1 quart Ball Mason Jar, these ones were found at Hobby Lobby.

Layer the ingredients:

First ~flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt

Second ~oats

Third ~ m & m's

Fourth ~ Chocolate chips

Fifth ~ Brown Sugar

Sixth ~ White Sugar

Seventh ~ chopped pecans (optional)

ET Tip~ tightly pack down the levels of each ingredient so the mixture fits in the mason jar. The ingredients should be flush to the top of the lid when you seal it. 

E-Trenders - be sure to use the correct measurements when placing each ingredient in the jar.  Check out this link on allrecipies.com for mason jar cookies recipes and inspiration.  Don't forget to include printed recipe cards that outline mixing and baking instructions.

EventTrender Essentials ~

E-Trender's what do you think of these whimsical weathered fences? Amber rented the fence pieces from EventTrender to use as the backdrop for her gift table!

The fence party props are one of many EventTrender Rental Essentials!

If you live in the metro Detroit Michigan area, contact the EventTrender gals to create a custom look with these shabby chic fences for your next event!  Email EventTrender to get the look here!

Table top fences are the perfect backdrop for a gift table, sweets table or guest sign in area at a wedding, shower or birthday party...

Photo by Matt Theilen Photography ~ an amazing photographer out of Lake Tahoe

Thank you Amber for sharing this very tweet baby shower with us! Congratulations to the parents to be who are expecting tweet twins!

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It seems like everyone is joining the circus these days ~ and we're not clowning around.  E-Trender Angela Butorac coordinates theme decor to pull off some big top events!

Creative Entrances...

Angela worked with Colonial Events to hang a 16' tall red and white drape and tied it back in the center to create the big top entrance! The painted 4' wide by 8' tall Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus flat with a roaring tiger was rented from Display Group. A student from Dakota High recruited her grandfather to hand-craft the "Greatest Homecoming on Earth" sign!

This colorful mural was created by the Ms. Van Sickle the Art Teacher at Riverview High School.

Faceless Strong Man and Clown flats create unique picture opportunities! Flats rented from Display Group!

What is a circus without posters? Create vintage style posters like this Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey one. Many schools own poster makers that allow students and faculty to make posters in seconds! If you do not have access to a professional poster making machine, utilize your local office supply store's copy and print department to have your graphic or print blown up to a poster size. Also, if you have a little more time you can order your poster from a site like Snapfish.com. They often offer coupon codes and email specials, click here for their poster information. Laminate and hang the whimsical posters to enhance the theme of your event.

ET Tip~ Posters can range in size, the smallest is usually a 11" x 17" a medium size poster that is the most popular size for indoor events is 18" x 24" and a nice size large poster is around a 24" x 36" size and this size looks great for outdoor events.

Remember Zoltar the fortune telling machine from the movie Big?

Another creative creation by Riverview's Art Teacher Ms. Van Sickle!

Bright and colorful balloon centerpieces weighted in popcorn containers are cost effective and set the scene for a circus theme event!

Colonial Events set up colorful lighting and created the Big Top with blue, orange and red fabric over the dance floor!  At the end of the dance, Riverview's Student Council Sponsor, Penny Eshleman pulls the string for the balloon drop!

Congrats to Riverview High's 2011 Homecoming King & Queen, you look great under the Big Top lights!

ET Tip:  Don't be afraid to experiment with color combinations with your Circus theme! The more color the better!

Creating a Circus theme buffet for guests to enjoy?

Use props like ticket rolls to elevate decor and plates like this Circus tablescape featured on the Hostess with the Mostess blog.

What would a Circus theme event be without the sweets?

Love this red, white and turquoise sweet station filled with circus treats.  This inventive station is featured on Celebrations at Home!

Incorporate Circus games for guests to play like a ring or ball toss using old crates. See more  game inspiration here on the Amy Atlas blog!

ET Tip:  Offer your guests animal crackers as a playful favor takeaway!

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Happy Valentine's Day E-Trenders!

We wanted to share a last minute sweet treat idea and also asked E-Trender Contributor, Judy Rizzo to research the meaning of Valentine's Day! 

By the way E-Trenders...keep reading this post to find out if you won the ET Valentine's giveaway!  We had such great Mason Jar Luminary feedback on our blog and happy to hear how much everyone enjoyed the idea!  We can't wait to see your mason jar projects.  Please post your pictures on our facebook page.

Valentine's Day...

Taking a giant leap back in time, it is documented that the actual and precise truth about St. Valentine's Day is unclear...

Probably the most popular legend is that Saint Valentine was a kind hearted Roman priest who married young couples  against the wishes of Emperor Claudius the second, and that he was beheaded for his deeds on the 14th of February on or about the year 270.

Jumping ahead to the present and as long as any of us can remember, Valentine's Day is a time of special romantic sentiment and gift giving It seems to be universally agreed on how to celebrate this special day.

There are some interesting variations in other parts of the world.  For instance, in Japan there are two Valentine’s Days.  On February 14th, girls give dark chocolate to the boys they like and on March 14th boys give cookies or white chocolate to the girls they feel they care about.

In other countries like Bangladesh, Nepal and India, not everyone is allowed to enjoy this day. Students from college are totally free to celebrate but in high school, students are not normally allowed to recognize the day with celebration.

Well, here in America we can do whatever we choose, so get up on February 14th, put a smile on your face, fill your heart with love, enjoy the day with your most favorite person and why not create a sweet treat...

Check out this idea E-Trenders.

Place two small candy canes together creating a heart shape and place a vintage inspired paper straw at the bottom of the heart (as pictured).  Place all hearts on a cookie tray covered with parchment or wax paper.

Melt your favorite chocolate and spoon the chocolate inside the heart. 

Add sprinkles before the chocolate dries.

ET TIP:  Use a variety of colorful straws - don't you love the boyish blue straws?  Also cut the bottom of the straws so they are not so long.

Place the heart pops in cellophane bags and tie each heart with a whimsical ribbon!  You can also display a few heart pops in a small vase to give as a gift.

And now the moment you have been waiting for E-Trenders...

The winner of the mason jar luminary is...

comment number NINE!

Check to see if you are the lucky winner here.

Congrats and Happy Valentine's Day to all,

XOXO

Angela & Sue

  May your life always be filled of love!

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Super Bowl has officially ended, but right around the corner is a red hot and exciting celebration called Valentine’s Day.  It's all about every kind of love and gift giving for your favorite Valentine!

Traditional gifts, as we know, are flowers, chocolates, stuffed animals, and for those of us who prefer to be a bit more creative, there's tons of inventive craft ideas to make for your valentine!

We can't wait to share the "how to" for this ET mason jar luminary creation incorporating a rustic-romantic feel.  The vintage look of a mason jar and lovely texture of lace offers a resurfaced modern look while keeping with the old charm. 

ET Valentine's Day Giveaway!
Good news E-Trenders - if you don't have time to make one for your sweetheart - we are giving one mason jar luminary away!  It's simple, post a comment (below) on this ET blog post and tell us the name of your favorite Valentine. 

A random winner will be announced within one week!  Good luck!

The luminary light represents LOVE - past, present and future...

Fond Memories of Past Love

 Excitement of Present Love

 Comfort of Future Love

Here is the official "how to"...

Select a yard of lace at your favorite fabric store. 

Cut a piece of lace fabric that is large enough to fit around the entire mason jar leaving extra fabric to cover the bottom of the jar (8x12).

After the fabric is cut paint the entire outside of the mason jar (including the bottom) with Mod Podge (one of our favorite ET crafting supplies).

 Tightly wrap the lace around the mason jar and add one additional coat of Mod Podge on top of the lace.

Place the jar upside down and paint the lace covered bottom of the jar.  Make sure the Mod Podge is evenly spread and not too thick.

ET TIP:  You can find vintage buttons at the flea market or salvage store.  Etsy is another great place to find vintage buttons if you like shopping online instead.

Wrap the twine around the top of the mason jar and coat the twine with a thin layer of Mod Podge. 

Next - string the buttons on a thinner piece of twine and wrap around the top of the lid over the thicker twine.  Position the buttons in groups of two or three.

Glue other embellishments on the mason jar - we recommend Martha Stewart Craft Glue.

Love this flower swag!

Once the jar is completely dry fill the mason jar with sand or small pebbles and a votive candle to create a lace luminary!

LOVE IT! 

E-Trenders - don't forget to enter our luminary contest!  All you have to do is add a comment to the below blog post and tell us the name of your favorite sweetie.

Good luck and Happy Valentine's Day E-Trenders!

 PS:  A shout out to E-Trender Kerri Clawson who was part of the inspiration behind the mason jar - Kerri had several large boxes she needed to unload and gave us a great deal on the jars!  Look out Kerri we are working on a few other mason jar transformations!

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Hello E-Trenders! Do you have big plans for watching the Super Bowl this weekend?

Who are you cheering for The New England Patriots or the New York Giants?

Whatever team you are rooting for...here are some mouth watering football food ideas to help keep it chic and tasty while watching the big game!

Chili Bar!

Featured on Celebrations at Home...check out more of the details here!

Reuben Sliders on Pretzel Rolls try out this recipe featured on Eat at Home here

How about these fancy Pigskins in a Blanket! Real Simple gives you the how to on how to make them here

Mini Tacos! Kitchen Daily shares how to make these using won ton wrappers! Give them a try

  Make your own Boneless Buffalo Wings! If Buffalo is not your flavor...Blog Chef shares some other amazing sauce recipes like Caribbean Jerk, Honey BBQ, and Parmesan Garlic with us here

Super Easy DIY! Break out your favorite deviled eggs recipe or use this one

A winning combination...beer and cheese = Beer and Swiss Cheddar Fondue! Babble shares this recipe with us here and suggests serving this dip with sourdough bread cubes, apple slices and grilled sausage slices!

Superbowl Sweets!

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Footballs

PB&J Chocolate Bars ~ make with the jelly of your choice...yum! Recipe featured on the Food Network here

How about Football Cake Pops and Truffles! Bakerella shares a recipe for them starting with Oreo truffles check it out here

Almost too cute to eat...little Football Player cookies! Made by Michelle with Frost Your Cake

Football Cookies! Cookies by Kristy whipped up these beautifully decorated football sugar cookies!

 ET Tip ~ E-Trenders, theme the beer you serve to your guests 21 and over by serving local brewed beers from the two team's cities!

A sampling of New York and Boston brewed beers!

To represent The New England Patriots choose beers like Sam Adams, a Boston brewed beer the "Pats" are based in Greater Boston!

The Beer Advocate provides a listing of Boston based brews to check out here

Since, The New York Giants are actually based out of East Rutherford, New Jersey representing the New York City Metropolitan area you could serve beer brewed in New Jersey or New York!

Click here to visit the guide to New York City based breweries! Visit this website for a listing of New Jersey's breweries.

E-Trender's what are you making this weekend? Share your menu ideas, recipes and pictures with us on EventTrender, your idea may be a great one to share with all our followers!

Enjoy the game! Stay tuned for some more Valentine's Day ideas we know you are just going to LOVE!

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Hello E-Trenders!

We are getting ready for Valentine's Day and have lots of entertaining ideas to help you celebrate in style!  We also plan to feature an ET Valentine's giveaway later this week!  You are going to "LOVE" it!

Check out this sweet treat.  It's super easy to create and sure to please your Valentine!

Wash and rinse a container of fresh raspberries and drain them upside down on a paper towel or cutting board.

Open up a bag of your favorite chocolate chip morsels!  E-Trender Angela uses Nestle Milk Chocolate Morsels but white chocolate chips or dark chocolate chip morsels would also be decadent!

ET Tip:  The Andes brand also makes Creme de Menthe baking chips which would be perfect for a Mint Chocolate Stuffed Raspberry.

Insert one chocolate morsel into each raspberry and display in a shot glass or small crystal bowl.

Enjoy with your sweetie with a glass of sparkling champagne.

E-Trenders - stay tuned for many more "how to" Valentine's Day ideas.  Here is a sneak peek of some projects we plan to share with you...

Whimsical Heart Chocolate Pops...

OREO Cookie Candy...

Yes E-Trenders there is an OREO cookie inside this chocolate heart!

Rustic & Romantic Lace Mason Jar Luminaries...

  Be sure to stay in the EventTrender loop for all of the latest Valentine's Day news - see below for details.

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Hello E-Trenders!  Thank you for all of the amazing mantel-scapes you posted on the EventTrender fb page and the Patch.com!

A shout out to the Patch.com for partnering with us this holiday season!

Also check out Stephanie's mantel-scape and story behind the scape here!  Great job and so inspiring!

E-Trenders - we wish you a magical holiday season and thank you for all of your support throughout the past year!  We look forward to inspiring you in 2012!  Stay tuned for more contests and  inventive ET ideas.

 

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.


The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

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Hello E-Trenders!  The holidays are right around the corner - are you ready?

As promised we wanted to share some decadent gingerbread recipes and asked our very talented E-Trender friend Jenn Tilton, owner of Indulge by Jenn and Pastry Chef at the Royal Park Hotel to showcase some of her favorite gingerbread desserts!

Here is Jenn in action!

Jenn is a one of the culinary master-minds who created the magical gingerbread house at the Royal Park Hotel!  Check out our last EventTrender post for all the details here.

Jenn suggests pairing gingerbread with an orange citrus flavor and baking smaller bite sized desserts such as cake balls and petite cupcakes this holiday season.

Gingerbread Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter

1 cup un-sulfured molasses

1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream

1 1/2 teaspoons grated orange zest

2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/4 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Place the butter and molasses in small pan and bring to a boil over medium heat.  Pour the mixture into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Cool for 5 minutes; mix in the sour cream and orange zest.

Sift the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt together into a small bowl. Mix with your hand until combined. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the molasses mixture and mix only until smooth.

Pour the batter in a mini cupcake tin. Bake on the middle rack of the oven at 325' for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan.

Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/2 teaspoon orange zest

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 pound confectioner's sugar, sieved

For the frosting, mix the cream cheese, butter, orange zest and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until just combined. Add the sugar and mix until smooth.

Gingerbread Cake Balls

1 Gingerbread Cake Recipe (above)

1 Orange Cream Cheese frosting recipe (above)

Milk chocolate for dipping

Holiday sprinkles for decoration

Follow gingerbread cake recipe but bake in a 13x9 baking pan.

After cake is baked and cooled completely, crumble into large bowl. Mix with the orange cream cheese frosting (about 1 cup) just add until cake is moist and you are able to form cake balls. Roll mixture into quarter size balls and lay on cookie sheet (makes 45-50).

ET Tip from Jenn:  Use a mini ice cream scoop for ease. 

Chill for several hours or to speed up the chilling process, place in freezer.  Melt chocolate in microwave per directions on package.  

Dip cake balls in chocolate and lay on wax or parchment paper until firm – Jenn suggests using a fork to dip. Roll the cake ball in the chocolate and then use a paring knife to slide the cake ball off the fork onto the wax or parchment paper.  Sprinkle the cake ball with holiday sprinkles immediately - the chocolate will set fast.  Once you’re done, store them in your fridge or plate them up for your special event for all to enjoy!

 E-Trenders we also found these adorable Kraft Jetpuffed Gingerbread Marshmallows here.

We dipped the marshmallows in melted milk chocolate (about half way).

Place the marshmallow gingerbread on a piece of wax paper and let cool.

Now add eyes with a dab of chocolate by using a toothpick.

Serve the gingerbread marshmallows with your favorite cup of cocoa!

E-Trenders, don't forget to enter our Mantel Mania contest for a chance to win a $50.00 Lowe's gift card!  Post a picture of your mantel-scape on the EventTrender facebook page or on the Patch.com!  One random winner will be selected on December 23rd, 2011!  Here is a little mantel mania inspiration posted by Bill Hamilton!  It's truly stunning!  Keep those mantels coming E-Trenders we love all of your talent, creativity and holiday mantel magic!

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For those of you who know Sue Keels, EventTrender Co-Founder and Director of Sales and Marketing at the Royal Park Hotel, you must also know that she has a secret obsession for gingerbread!  Sue and the RPH team play a very important role in "making spirits bright" for thousands of guests this season.  The holidays are always magical at the Royal Park, filled with many joyful hotel happenings.

The lavish grand lobby features Rochester's Largest Gingerbread House which has become a tradition for families to visit year after year.  Inspired by many passionate Royal Park associates including a team of talented pastry chefs and engineers who start designing the sweet gingerbread house in August.

The gingerbread house has been in our lives forever it seems. It's magical enchantment springs to life as the holiday season approaches, and  it's memory lingers throughout the year to put a smile and sparkle on our faces.

Gingerbread houses come in all shapes and sizes, are displayed in moderate proportion from inside our homes to extremely elaborate models as the focal point in hotels, lobbies of enterprising businesses and so many other locations.  The Royal Park Hotel even hosts a ribbon cutting at the beginning of each season to kick off gingerbread fever!

E-Trenders - have you ever entertained or questioned where or how it all began?

We need to travel back in time...

 Ginger is a spice from Indo-Malaysia and believed to sooth an upset stomach.  In 2000 B.C wealthy Greek families sailed to the Isle of Rhodes for spiced cakes. Ginger was then introduced to the Europeans in the eleventh century which led to the English creating ginger candy.

Two hundred years later, breadcrumbs were added and gingerbread, almost as we know it, was born. In Queen Elizabeth - the first regime, molasses replaced the breadcrumbs and the gingerbread became more cake-like, evolving and leading to the shaping and building of The Gingerbread House.  After this time, gingerbread houses became popular in America and caught on quickly to the creative eye, becoming more detailed and playful and a true work of art. 

The folktale of Hansel and Gretel became world famous and Germany began it's many traditions and competitions as did America.  The Gingerbread House is a lovely and timeless legion that appeals to all ages  and  imaginations.

We are not done with gingerbread fever yet E-Trenders!  Stay tuned for our next post - we have asked Jenn Tilton, one of the pastry chefs at the Royal Park Hotel and owner of Indulge by Jenn to share some gingerbread recipes and the ET gals have a few ideas up there sleeve as well!

Also, don't forget to enter to win a $50.00 Lowe's gift card!  Post a picture of your mantel-scape on the EventTrender facebook page or on the Patch.com!  Here is a picture of the Royal Park Hotel mantel-scape for a little inspiration!

One winner will be randomly selected on December 23rd!  For full details, check out our EventTrender blog post here and good luck!  We can't wait to see all of your ET holiday creativity.

Also - a shout out to E-Trender Judy Rizzo for helping us research the history of gingerbread and also thank you to Arising Images who took all of the gingerbread house photography.  Prem - you have an amazing eye for imagery!

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