Creative Ways to Give Back at Your Next Event

You've probably heard us talk about charity:water before and their efforts to provide clean drinking water to those in need. I previously posted that they hosted a booth at a convention my Dad went to where they asked attendees to make a short walk carrying two 40-pound jerry cans full of water, something that women and children in developing nations do for hours each day to obtain water from a clean water source, in which a $5 donation was made to the charity for each person that participated. My Dad was able to join in and raise money and most importantly awareness for the charity. But are you wondering how charity:water even got started?

Well, in September 2006, charity:water founder Scott Harrison threw a party to celebrate his birthday and the launch of his new nonprofit. He charged his guests $20 and raised $15,000 for clean water projects. Since then,17,000 people have celebrated their birthdays with Harrison, raising nearly $9 million through the organization’s birthday campaign. The concept has caught on, and many hosts are now forgoing gifts and donating party proceeds to other charities as well. It's an amazing chain reaction that was created based on this giving back moment. One organization we'd like to shine the spotlight on today for having a similar campaign is MSTERIO.

MSTERIO (formerly HappyDoll) works to connect children by showing that giving is as great as receiving. This 501(c)(3) non-profit organization was founded in January 2011 by Nozomi Terao and has been making an impact ever since. The organization allows children to design handcrafted gifts that are destined to travel to other children around the world. At each destination, the receiving children are encouraged to play with the gifts and enjoy them for a short time before the gifts travel on to their next destination.

Everyone along the way can track the gifts and see where they are and where they have been. To date, MSTERIO gifts have been given to over 4,500 children in Albania, Colombia, Ghana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Liberia, Mexico, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Senegal, South Africa,  Spain, Uganda, Vietnam, and all over the United States.
Ultimately, after the gifts have traveled to many locations, they are given to a child in need somewhere in the world. MSTERIO provides all the materials, cleaning, sanitizing, shipping and tracking of the gifts. How special is that?

There are many ways to get involved with MSTERIO including sponsoring a doll for just $25, hosting a party where 5 dolls for $75 can be provided, having a school-wide fundraiser, or just simply volunteering for the organization. MSTERIO also accepts monetary donations. If this is something that interests you, we highly recommend getting involved. This amazing organization can truly change a child's life and you can too by incorporating their efforts into your next event. Like MSTERIO on Facebook for regular updates and devour the details of one of these special gifts today!

Wedding Wednesdays: Six Chic Satellite Bars to Fit Your Theme

The bar at your venue might not be something you consider as needing to fit your theme but there are so many things you can do with this focal point. Think about it--nearly everyone will be approaching this area for a beverage, so you might as well make it something they won't forget! Check out these six chic satellite bars we found can fit with a number of wedding themes. Cheers!

Wood Whiskey Bar

This setup brings about that speakeasy feel. A casual but distinguished bar. Incorporating a floral arrangement to add a pop of color might take it up a notch for your wedding reception.

Locally Brewed Beer Bar

Customized taps and all, your guests will truly enjoy this feature. They're able to help themselves and sample the different flavors provided. This is that game-changer for guests that will have them talking about your wedding for years to come.

Drink Dispenser Bar

Again, a great option to allow guests to serve themselves. Creating large batches of cocktails like spiked lemonade or ice tea in advance requires low maintenance once you're at the reception. Play up the dispensers with small signs that describe the beverage but share the look and feel of your theme.

DIY Bar

Great for mimosas, bellinis or bloody marys, a do it yourself bar lets your guests pick and choose what they think will taste best. Pedestals have a way of making any table look modern and fresh; they're especially handy in this case if you want to elevate the fruit bowls for an easier reach without bulking up the table's design. The displayed fruits provide a natural pop of color when styled on top a contrasting color like this navy-blue-striped tablecloth.

Signature Cocktail Bar

Pre-made and ready to be served, this setup allows your guests to have a sip as soon as possible. If you give the signature cocktail a little story behind it, your friends and family will feel that connection and appreciate the cocktail even more. This signature drink needs its own special moment and deserves the solo table presentation!

Antique Spirits Bar

This is great because you can get so many fun vintage items to decorate this bar. The thrifted antique desk totally does the trick for this setup. Deck out the drawers with old-fashioned teacups, overflowing florals and back-up bottles. If you're lacking counter space, add a couple tiered dessert trays to provide additional room for light bites, garnishes or cocktail napkins.

Keep finding inspirations until you come across a satellite bar that truly fits your theme. Your wedding day isn't the time to be settling (just settling down with you soon-to-be husband). Cheers to devouring the details of a memorable bar!

Have a Sunday Funday Watching WrestleMania 32

With special request from Chris, who is still very much a wrestling fan, today's post surrounds one of the greatest live entertainment events of all time--WWE's WrestleMania. 32 years in the making, you can purchase and watch a slew of matches this Sunday, April 3rd starting at 7PM ET. WrestleMania 32 takes place this year in Dallas, TX at AT&T Stadium. Here's a preview of this epic showdown:

• WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H vs. Roman Reigns
• Dean Ambrose vs. Brock Lesnar (No Holds Barred Street Fight)
• Shane McMahon vs. The Undertaker (Hell in a Cell Match)
• Divas Champion Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks (Triple Threat Match)
• United States Champion Kalisto vs. Ryback
• The 3rd annual Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
• The New Day vs. The League of Nations
• The Usos vs. The Dudley Boyz
• Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Zack Ryder vs. Sin Cara vs. The Miz vs. Stardust
• The Total Divas vs. B.A.D. & Blonde
• AJ Styles vs. Chris Jericho

Word on the street is that there will likely be some guest appearances from legendary wrestlers such as Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock. Which is good to hear since the WWE is currently facing some serious challenges with a number of their main event cards being out due to injury. You unfortunately won't see John Cena, Seth Rollins, Randy Orton, Cesaro, Neville, Luke Harper of the Wyatt Family or Nikki Bella this time around but we have faith that the unexpected guests and wrestlers listed above will still put on an epic WrestleMania.

And if you plan on watching and dedicating Sunday to this fun childhood classic, we've got some snack ideas that will leave your friends stone cold stunned (in the best way possible). Check out these delicious recipes and have yourself a hell of a good time. The best part is, while you're finishing making some of these dishes, you can ask your friends, "do you smell, what The Rock, is cooking?"

Triple H Hot Wings

Because why not honor one of the best looking guys in the wrestling world with hot wings. Get the recipe here.

Stone Cold Beer Cheese Dip

For the man who crushes cans on live TV, incorporating beer into a cheese sauce just seems like the right idea. Get the recipe here.

Jalapeno Mac-and-Cheese Bites

Straight from the underworld, hell hath no fury for these spicy snack bites. We imagine these would be The Undertaker's favorites if he came to the party. Whip up this recipe here.

The Usos' Samoa Cheesecake Bars

When we think of the Usos being Samoan, we think of samoa cookies--but these cheesecake bars are even better than those! A chocolate Oreo crust with creamy cheesecake in the center and topped with coconut caramel and drizzled in chocolate, we give this a Daniel Bryan "YES". Get the recipe here.

Pistachio Ambrosia Salad

Because Ambrose sounds close enough and we needed another dessert. Incorporating pistachios into an ambrosia salad sounds like the perfect way to reinvent this classic after-dinner dish. Try the recipe here.

Spicy Coconut and Pineapple Diva Daiquiri

And lastly, to honor those sweet but spicy Divas, treat your guests to this delicious frozen concoction. Get the recipe here.

We are certain that with these devour-the-detail-worthy snacks and the wrestlers that will be entering the ring, WrestleMania 32 will be a successful Sunday Funday. Enjoy!

Monday Mashups: Bring the Outdoors In

You know we're in the spring season when Earth Day (April 22nd) is right around the corner. There are so many ways to celebrate; for instance, cleaning up your local beach, recycling, or not driving your car for an entire day. Some charitable organizations also hold fundraising events where the money raised will go towards planting trees or updating something to be more eco-friendly. The theme of these events embodies our beautiful planet by bringing the outdoors in. Check out these interesting ideas to showcase Earth's natural elements!

Uplighting

Blue uplighting gives the appearance of water. Your guests will have an "under the sea" moment with this technique.

Furniture

Heat things up with this fire-inspired lounge area. The use of red and orange ottomans and throw pillows in fiery hues are perfect for celebrating one of Earth's greatest elements.

Moss

Bring your floral design to life by incorporating larger-scale pieces that your live entertainment can utilize. This dancer portrays a hunter in the rain forest (but with better moves)!

Natural Centerpieces

Capture the essence of nature by pulling things in from your surrounding environment. Stones, pinecones, dried flowers and preserved butterflies all together make for a beautiful centerpiece arrangement.

Built-In Water Runner

This custom-built table features a water-filled-runner right through the middle of it. As your guests eat, they will be reminded of the calmness water can bring.

Colors

Compliment the colors of the outdoors with the food you are serving. This beautiful arrangement reminds us of the colors of deep sea fish you would find in the ocean and seashells that wash up on shore!

Animals

Performers playing the part of animals like this perfect peacock can be a hit. As a "living table", guests were able to experience the beauty of a peacock without a real peacock needing to be there.

Don't hesitate to get creative and devour the details with all that is available to you outdoors. These ideas and any others you come up with can make for an exceptional Earth Day and celebrate nature the way it should be recognized!

Hop Into Spring with These Five Fun Easter Table Settings

Easter came early this year and we are thrilled to see warm weather on the agenda for Sunday's festivities. This holiday is always better with a little sunshine. We haven't been perusing Pinterest and sharing ideas as much as we use to, so we thought we could take this opportunity to share some of our favorite table settings we pinned while coming back from Texas. Enjoy Easter and hop into spring with these five fun decorative touches!

Flowers & Forks

Easy to create and totally fitting for spring, these flower cutouts are the perfect place setting for Easter brunch, lunch or dinner. Your guests can even take these home or you can save them for next year!

Monogrammed Eggs

All you need are stamp letters to create these elegant eggs! The sprig of boxwood brings the natural beauty of spring indoors and brightens up your tablescape. We love this idea because it's inexpensive and doesn't take up a lot of time to make.

Peter Cottontail Menu

How cute is this? A bunny-shaped menu is so fitting for an Easter dining experience but adding a white carnation for the cottontail makes this really come to life! Your guests will be super impressed with this thoughtful detail!

Pastel & Chocolate Eggs

Simply beautiful. The combination of pastel and gold makes for a whimsical and springy tablescape. Using the dyed eggs with a chocolate egg also gives your guests options if they prefer one over the other. Such a sweet idea!

Bunny Ears

These bunny ears are super easy to create. We love the way the napkin swaddles the egg; it makes these even more adorable!

We can't wait to celebrate! Hop into spring with these five fun table settings and devour the details of your Easter festivities!

Wedding Wednesdays: Choo, Choo, Choose This Unique Honeymoon

Okay so when we envision our honeymoon, we often think of white sand beaches, fruity drinks and taking a dip in crystal clear waters but there are so many alternatives to this kind of tropical getaway. We've talked about different honeymoons before; trips from Alaska to Greenland, and Hawaii to St. Lucia, the options are endless. However, we've never featured anything like this unique experience! Here is a one-of-a-kind honeymoon we are sure you'll want to choo-se after reading more about it.

The Belmond Grand Hibernian Rail Experience

If you and your significant other are looking for an adventure different than what you’re use to, then you need to check out this first of its kind rail experience that takes you on an exploration throughout Ireland! During your train ride to the historic sites, you’ll marvel over the spectacular scenery and rare wildlife from the large windows with a glass of Irish whiskey in hand! It's all about relaxation and maybe a little hibernation on this spectacular rail experience.

Launching in summer 2016, Belmond Grand Hibernian is the country's first ever luxury touring train, lifting travel in the Emerald Isle to dazzling new heights. A journey aboard Belmond Grand Hibernian takes 40 guests in lavishly furnished, private en-suite cabins to remote areas and exclusive attractions including ancient castles, famous whiskey distilleries and vibrant cities. With its lush green landscapes, mystical tales of old, fabulous food and wealth of literary and musical talent, Ireland truly has something for everyone to enjoy. A perfect honeymoon destination!

The Belmond Grand Hibernian takes its name from the classical Latin word for Ireland-Hibernia-recalling the ancient isle's romance and culture. Step on board to enter a whole new world of elegant carriages, fine cuisine and attentive service, with a breathtaking backdrop of the ever-changing panoramas of Ireland's celebrated scenic landscapes. You'll get a significant amount of privacy while also enjoying full-service on board. What could be better? The vacations by rail include a selection of two-, four- and six-night journeys. All depart from Dublin and encompass the highlights of both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Venue Features

As a recap, here is all the Belmond Grand Hibernian has to offer for your unique honeymoon experience:

The Scene:
The first luxury rail experience of its kind in Ireland, Belmond Grand Hibernian traverses the sprawling countryside, dramatic coasts and fascinating cities that define this captivating land. Step aboard to enter a shimmering world of indulgence—contemporary carriages inspired by Dublin’s architecture, fine cuisine enhanced with local delicacies and an ever-changing backdrop of Ireland’s celebrated landscapes.

Design:
Design draws inspiration from Dublin’s classic Georgian architecture, blended with elements of ancient folklore and tradition. The result proudly reflects the country’s cultural heritage with an indulgent, contemporary twist.

Standout Venue Features:
The Observation Car brims with the warm atmosphere and elegance of a Dublin saloon. It is the perfect place to mingle with fellow travelers, listen to live musicians and animated storytellers or participate in craft sessions.

Extra Perks:
Fully inclusive. All food and beverages included in ticket price.

And for food and beverage, you can count on these endless options:

Food, Restaurants, Cafes:
With cuisine rivaling the best restaurants in Dublin, dining aboard the Belmond Grand Hibernian is a true taste sensation. An experience not to be missed for the seasoned foodie, vacations aboard showcase exceptional and authentically Irish fare.

From wonderful artisan cheeses and superb smoked fish to the freshest seasonal vegetables, the onboard menus feature the finest ingredients from the regions the train travels through. The chef and his team serve breakfasts, lunches and dinners in two air-conditioned dining carriages named after Irish counties, Sligo and Wexford.

Bars & Lounges:
Take a seat in the Observation Car, with a glass of fine Irish whiskey or a pint of local stout, and watch the enchanting scenery from the many large windows.

A truly unique honeymoon experience; devour the details of the Belmond Grand Hibernian by making your reservation today!

There's An App For That

Of course we're all with the times and know that there are a number of ways to send out invites that don't include snail mail but did you know that there's actually apps that you can use to do it right from your phone? Mobile devices are increasingly becoming the tool of choice for online communications and content consumption. Haven't you noticed how more people now than ever are using a smartphone or tablet over a desktop and even laptop? It is a huge trend that is driving new options to create, send and manage digital invitations for parties, meetings and other functions that don't need to be done via postal service. Check out these three apps we recommend trying for your next event invite!

Fête

Fête launched its free iOS and Android apps in September. The foundation of the app is what it calls “invitation cards”. Hosts create the card, which can include event details like time and location, or it can be used to initiate a group chat to decide where and when to hold the event. The card can be sent to anyone in the host’s contact list. Guests don’t need to have the app to participate in the chat or respond to an invitation; instead they can do it via text. We love this idea! From coordinating an after-work drink with colleagues to planning your dad's retirement party, this app is a great tool to use!

Hobnob

Hobnob is an iOS app that launched in March 2015. The app asks hosts to confirm their mobile number, but it does not require them to create an account or provide an email address. Your friends will love this because that means no spam emails. Hosts add the details of their event, including name, location, date, and time, and then select an invite template or upload their own design. After selecting recipients from their phone’s address book, the invitation is sent to those people as a text message with a photo of the invitation (it can also be shared via email and social media). Guests don’t need the app to R.S.V.P.; they simply reply “yes” or “no” to the message. Clicking the link in the text takes guests to the event’s Web page, which includes driving directions and a calendar integration option. Plus, hosts can use the app to chat with guests and manage ­photos. An Android version is expected soon. This app goes the extra mile with being semi-interactive in that you can get more information out of it and it is a tool for before and after the event.

Invitd

Steve Carlton launched Invitd in July 2014 after testing text-message invitations for his daughter’s birthday party. The rate of R.S.V.P.s was so much better than any other method he had used, such as email and Facebook, that he decided others might see value in a text-message-based invitation system. He was right. The free Invitd app, available for iOS and Android, has now been used to send nearly one million invitations. Hosts create a custom invitation by entering the name, location, and time of their event and selecting contacts from their address book to receive it. Recipients get a text message addressed to them by name with a link to the event details and R.S.V.P. options; they don’t need to have the app installed to view the invitation. In addition to responding “yes” or “no,” recipients can indicate how many people will attend, and they can add a reminder to their calendar. We love that you can sync invites with your calendar! While the app can handle an unlimited number of invitees, Carlton says he will soon release an update that will add an easier interface for planners who want to use it for large meetings and events. We can't wait for this new updated feature!

So if you're not with the times currently, this is a perfect opportunity for you to get on board! Devour the details of an easier invitation process because yes, there's an app for that (a number of apps actually)!

Monday Motivation: Cuts for a Cause

What I've learned from traveling this past week is that when people ask me if I'm a Yankee-hating Sox fan, my response is usually "I like the Bruins". It's not that I don't enjoy a good trip to Fenway, I just prefer a cold arena and a faceoff circle. And as you probably know, I once upon a time interned for the Boston Bruins Foundation and my sister is currently the Community Relations Coordinator for the B's (so if you ever receive an in-game fan experience, look for her name on the form). As you also probably know, the Bruins Foundation and Community Relations team work closely with 98.5 The Sports Hub to host Cuts for a Cause every year since it came to be 9 years ago. This year the charitable event will be held Wednesday, March 30th from 4:30-6:00PM at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel.

Join Patrice Bergeron, his teammates, and 98.5 The Sports Hub at the 9th Annual Cuts for a Cause, where the Bruins players will have their heads shaved by auction winners to show their support and help raise money for the Boston Bruins Foundation and Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center. You can place a bid for your chance to shave the head of your favorite Bruins player or for your chance to have your favorite B's player shave your head here.

Auction winners will also receive admission to the VIP session from 3:00 to 4:00 PM where they will meet-and-greet the players on the event floor. All funds raised through the auction will also benefit the Boston Bruins Foundation and Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center. Since its inception, Cuts for a Cause has raised over $500,000 for charity. A truly incredible event that gets the players involved with the community and fans involved in giving back.

Here are the ticket options:

1. General Admission tickets: $30

• Access to the event from 4:30 to 6:00 PM

2. VIP tickets: $200

• Early access to the event from 3:00 to 4:00 PM
• Opportunity to mix and mingle with Bruins players
• VIP attendees will have the opportunity to select from two different VIP options which will allow them to meet half of the Bruins players who are participating in the event.
• Guests will only be guaranteed to see two specific players in the VIP session.
• Guests will be able to make their own selection of which two players they will get to meet at the time of purchasing tickets.
• VIP Gold Session: Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci - SOLD OUT
• VIP Black Session: Zdeno Chara and Brad Marchand

If this doesn't get you motivated to support a great cause, I don't know what will! Join the Boston Bruins, the Sports Hub, Patrice Bergeron and my sister in raising funds for the Boston Bruins Foundation and Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center by purchasing your ticket today. Congrats to the B's and their awesome fans for devouring the details of this fun charitable event this year and for many years to come!

Boston Blarney Blowout

Happy St. Patrick's Day! It's officially here. Cheers to green beer and the luck of the Irish! Looking for a celebration this weekend that embraces one of the greatest heritages around? Join some of Boston's best bars for the Blarney Blowout this Saturday, March 19th!

This day of drinking kicks off at 11AM and runs until 6PM. It's a 21+ event (no surprise there). Tickets cost $10. You will have access to North Star, The Greatest Bar and Hurricane O'Reilly's, where there will be live music starting at 2PM. There are a number of awesome contests and giveaways you can participate in. But the best part of all should be the time you get to spend with your friends and family.

Get your tickets here and devour the details of St. Paddy's Day with this Blarney Blowout!

Wedding Wednesdays: Pretty Little Bride-to-Be

Since the Pretty Little Liars spring finale was last night, we thought this would be the perfect Wedding Wednesday feature. Pretty little bride-to-be Sasha Pieterse, better known as Alison from the hit TV series, was surprised to find herself being proposed to during a romantic photo shoot with long-time love and future hubby Hudson Sheaffer. He brought Sasha for a stroll on an overgrown Temecula vineyard last December and the surprise proposal photos by Jonnie + Garrett are without a doubt the best keepsake ever. Check out these precious pre-and post-proposal photos!

Sweet words from Jonnie + Garrett: Proposals are one of our favorite things to photograph and this one was definitely one for the books! Hudson & Sasha planned a weekend trip to Temecula where we would happen to be “passing through”. We planned a couples session with these two as our models. Little did Sasha know, we had a beautiful location at the end of our shoot where Hudson would get down on his knee and ask her a very important question. We spent the evening photographing their sweet love as we explored the vineyards and orchards. The plan was unfolding perfectly. She had no idea what was in store! We headed to Lake Skinner, the spot where he would pop the question.

Cheers to Sasha and Hudson! We wish them many years of love and happiness. And kudos to Hudson and Jonnie + Garrett for devouring the details of a successful surprise proposal!

Get Egg-cited for Easter 2016

Easter is early this year, Sunday, March 27th. And we are super egg-cited because if you do recall, Easter is our favorite holiday! This time around we thought we should share a number of things you can do with different types of Easter eggs. Nothing is more egg-citing! Get creative and display your favoritism for Easter with these five egg-cellent ideas.

Emoji Eggs

This one is such a fun idea. You can create stories and line them up as décor. Pick your favorite emojis and get ready to laugh!

Easter Egg Puzzle Cookies

Your guests will eat these up! And this is food you're actually allowed to play with. We love the use of pastels on these puzzle eggs for that true Easter feel.

Embroidery Floss Covered Eggs

Make these decorations pop by using springy colors. The best part about this project is that it is really inexpensive but your family and friends will surely notice them!

3D Eggs

These fun colored 3D eggs made from scrap paper work perfectly as place settings at the dinner table. They can even be little take-homes for relatives that come for Easter.

Easter Egg Oreo Truffles

These are glorious. You only need four ingredients to create these delicious eggs. Get the recipe here and treat your guests to an egg-cellent dessert!

We hope you're as egg-cited as we are and use these ideas to devour the details of Easter 2016!

Monday Mashups: Robot Ranch

Technology is continuously evolving beyond our wildest dreams and the day and age of robots is the present. Soon enough you will be seeing artificial intelligence maxed out at events. Robots will be mixing your cocktails, serving your plated dinners and creating a whole new dynamic and approach to the operation and logistics of meetings, conventions, fundraisers, parties, etc. If holograms, FaceTime and Siri didn't make you feel like you were in a Jetsons episode enough already, buckle up for this revolutionary experience.

With the ever-increasing innovation happening within the robot community, SXSW Interactive brought the first-ever Robot Ranch to SX Create this past weekend, March 11-13, 2016. SX Create presented by Dremel was a three day community-driven event held at the Palmer Event Center that encompassed the entire lifecycle of robotic innovation, notably a perfect home for the Robot Ranch to debut. Dremel reached out for participants to showcase their robots, and share their labors of love with the community and attendees.

This event was an opportunity for attendees to get to know these newly developed A.I. animals in a fun and friendly way. The Robot Ranch showcased a series of robotics companies that brought a selection of their highly conceptualized robots to SX Create. Each company had their own fenced ‘pen’ allowing attendees to get hands on and chit-chat with their creators.

At Robot Ranch, attendees were also able to experience a slew of fun robot-like activities such as building robots at the Craft Station, safely flying drones in designated areas with Drone Wrangling, and the Robot Nature Center where attendees of all ages learned about the basics of robotic engineering. This was a great hands-on event that introduced attendees to robots who can mix drinks, take photographs of event guests, and deliver groceries, among other functions. This experience really gave attendees the opportunity to discover these wonderful creatures and chat with their creators.

So next time you're looking to bring a new dynamic to your event, consider inviting your friendly A.I. robots to help devour the details!