Are you newly engaged and don’t know how or where to start planning your wedding? We understand that the process can certainly be overwhelming, so it’s a good idea to start small and remember that you have plenty of time to get all the details just right. Though it can be tempting to get stressed just remember, this should be a joyful time.

Here are 10 things to do after you’ve said “Yes” (and called your mom and took a deep breath!):

1. Ladies – make sure to get your nails done.

Everyone (yes, everyone) will want to see your new bling! But also, a manicure is simply a great excuse to relax and enjoy some me-time before wedding planning takes over. Go treat yourself!

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Due to the nature of our business, we find ourselves involved in a number of spectacular events each year. As 2016 winds down, we’ve taken a step back to look at all the amazing special events we were privileged to be a part of and wanted to share a few of our favorites.

Here are our top 10 events on 2016:

1.  Modern Luxury Magazine Promotional Event at Artifact Events
   

   Working alongside an incredible vendor team, we put together an amazing promotional event for Modern Luxury Magazine at one of our favorite event spaces – Artifact Events. Here are some of the food items we served that are making us hungry just thinking about them:

SWEET PEA PANNA COTTA

Shrimp, green machine sautée, bacon cube, lemon aïoli,
pain de tuille served in a disposable oval dish.

MINIATURE SPICY TUNA MAKI PUSH-POPS

Layers of ahi tuna, cucumber and spicy Japanese aioli
garnished with red tobikko.

DUCK FAT FRIED CHICKEN STATION

Presented in a smoke infused glass dome.

Duck fat fried chicken drizzled with smoky sriracha sauce
and served over house made cheddar bacon popcorn.

Event Rentals: Tablescapes | Decor: Kehoe Designs | Venue: Artifact Events

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New Years is about a fresh start and new beginnings. It’s the perfect time to reflect on all that has occurred throughout the year and resolve to make changes in the new year that lies ahead. And while grandiose displays of fireworks and countdowns are typical among many New Year’s Eve celebrations, there’s something to be said about staying in and hosting your own affair. Plus, it’s the safest way to celebrate!

Drawing inspiration from our recent feature in Modern Luxury (see page 78!), we’ve put together a few quick and easy tips for hosting a New Year’s Eve party at home with all the major necessary food groups to focus your holiday spread around.

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Gather round the table, we’ll give you a treat. Spinning tops to play with and good things to eat. Cheer comes in all forms throughout the holiday season and for those of Jewish faith, it takes shape through the celebration of Hanukkah (aka The Festival of Lights).

Unlike other holidays within the Jewish calendar that require individuals to fast and abstain from work, such as Passover, Sukkot, and Yom Kippur, Hanukkah festivities are filled with games, gifts, and feasting. Beginning the evening of December 24, many families light menorahs, one candle each night and children receive gifts throughout, such as gelt or money. Games using small wooden tops called dreidels are also played. The dreidel is adorned with lettering across each of its sides that when read together translates to — a great miracle happened there.

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Twinkling lights, sleigh bells ringing, and a jolly man decked in a red suit and white beard are all familiar images of many who celebrate Christmas here in the United States. For others around the world however, the holiday can evoke thoughts of pinatas filled with candies and coins, goblins, and even a half-goat, half-demon called upon to punish naughty children. These global traditions may not always make it stateside, but there are certainly others with International origins.

People have celebrated Christmas in some way, shape, or form worldwide for 2,000 years. Starting in the fourth century as a remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ in Christianity, adoption spread from Egypt to England to Scandinavia and more by the end of the eighth century. The first ‘Christmas trees’ found roots in Germany with the decoration of evergreen trees having been a tradition previously in German celebrations of the winter solstice.

Another popular decorative plant—the poinsettia—was brought to North America by the American minister of Mexico in 1828. With its vibrant red and green flowers, poinsettias are often also referred to as the Christmas Star and Christmas Flower. It is said to symbolize good cheer and success, and can be found in homes throughout the holiday season.

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