Wedding Wednesdays: Fierce Flower Girls

Brides-to-be, listen up! If you plan to have a flower girl as part of your ceremony, we've got some hair-styling tips for these "mini-mes" perfect for any kind of wedding. Remember, all eyes will be on your fierce flower girl before you make your grand entrance so let her shine. Here are five fabulous options that will let your little star have her moment!

Crowned

Keep hair off of her face with in a chic ballerina bun. Add a crown with flowers that match those in your bouquet.

Fishtail Braid

Everyone will be buzzing about how sweet this look is. A beautiful fishtail braid paired with luscious blooms is perfect for a wedding in the warmer months.

Long Banana Curls

This style is for the ultimate girly-girl. It's almost angelic. Style her up with the works! Long curls,and a rose flower crown with pretty ribbon will be a style she'll be asking for every day.

BoHo Updo

Anyone else want this look for themselves? Braids and twists pull this boho-inspired updo together. Loose tressels add to the effortless vibe.

Ballerina Buns

No fuss ballerina buns are always a good option. Besides keeping the hair out of the way, the attention will be on your flower girls' beautiful faces. Pair the "do" with tutus for the ultimate look!

These hairstyles are sure to be a hit with your fierce flower girls and guests! Devour the details of your "mini-me's" wedding style with these options for a picture perfect day!

Embrace the Cold Climate with Atlantic Climbing School

Ice climbing, ever heard of it? Compared to rock climbing, which requires finesse and flexibility, ice climbing can appear downright medieval. But Atlantic Climbing School, a company that leads rock climbing and ice climbing expeditions in Maine, is here to show us just how thrilling this cold climate activity can be.

While there are some sports where the amount of effort is, when done correctly, nearly invisible (think of a ballerina’s hard-won grace, or a swimmer’s perfectly executed butterfly stroke), ice climbing is a showy activity. It makes noise. Lots of it! As you climb the glassy blue surface of the frozen cliff face, crunching, shattering, and hacking sounds emanate from your feet and your swinging ax. It requires a good deal of gear: crampons attached to your boots, ropes to keep you tethered to an anchor at the top of the cliff, and axes to carve handholds. It's a challenging activity that requires a whole lot of focus. But you're never alone during the process. Atlantic Climbing School guides are by your side throughout the entire climb.

The Atlantic Climbing School provides all necessary gear for climbers, as well as full instruction. While the school’s summer rock climbing classes can run from four hours to eight, ice climbing is more involved, so the school only offers full-day courses. The school takes clients out on top rope tours, during which you’re strapped into a harness that is connected to a sturdy tree at the top of the slope. As you ascend, the instructor takes up the slack, so even if you slip and fall, you never plunge more than a foot or two (at most). You make your way up the ice by using the spikes on your feet (crampons) to create footholds and the ax in your hand to create handholds.

Guides take visitors to several different locations, depending on the conditions of the ice, which they scout beforehand. Sometimes, the Atlantic Climbing School goes to Camden Hills State Park to climb, where there are an abundance of ice climbs accessible to all skill levels — and where you’re surrounded by views of blue mountains and deciduous forests. Sometimes, classes go out to Acadia National Park, where climbers repel down frozen cliffs to a ledge above the ocean water, and climb back up while the waves crash below. Invigorating to say the least!

If you're like us and enjoy rock climbing, join us in giving ice climbing a try! Check out Atlantic Climbing School today and devour the details of a challenge unlike any other. Enjoy!

Monday Mashups: Chobani Virtually Brings a "Giving Tree" to Life

To celebrate its 10th anniversary this year, yogurt brand Chobani recently launched a new campaign called “One For All,” with the purpose of thanking consumers and gaining new fans by offering a printable coupon for a free cup of yogurt, accessible on the brand’s website. As someone who eats Chobani Berry Greek Yogurt almost every morning, this coupon is the real MVP!

Chobani, which set a campaign goal of distributing 10 million cups, also incorporated an experiential element by hosting a public, multi-sensory installation in New York. The brand’s “giving tree,” which came to Grand Central’s Vanderbilt Hall February 12, invited passerby to “plant” virtual seeds to help “grow” a massive, digital fruit canopy. We've never seen anything quite like it!

The installation, which was produced by Chobani’s in-house team along with experiential marketing firm Hush, featured a base with sensory buttons in different colors. When guests pressed any of the buttons, a light evoking a “seed” shot up through the tree’s “trunk.” When the light hit the canopy overhead, new animated fruit bloomed from the center. Each type of “seed” corresponded to a Chobani flavor, and the addition of fruit to the canopy was meant to mimic the brand’s evolution from a five-person company to one of America’s most well-known yogurt brands. What a clever way to celebrate!

To add in a charitable element to the activation, every time a “seed” was planted, a case of yogurt was donated to No Kid Hungry, an organization that aims to end childhood hunger in the U.S. Amazing! Each participant also received a shareable photo and a campaign coupon for a free cup of yogurt. The online offer is available through March 4. So don't delay, join the Chobani celebration today and devour the details of your very own free yogurt! Thanks Chobani!

Make Music This Weekend in the Seaport

You can now feel like a kid again on glowing musical seesaws in the Seaport. Yup, that's right! The internationally renowned public art installation, known as Impulse, has finally opened in the Seaport. The free installation is designed to animate public spaces during dull winter months with its LED lights and sound sequences, both of which vary in intensity as people ride them.

Impulse is a publicly activated light and sound experience. The project uses the idea of repetitive units of subtle light and sound that can be played by the public to create a temporal, ever‐changing event. Impulse embodies ideas of serialism, repetition, and variation to produce zones of intensity and calm.

The Seaport, and all the spaces Impulse visits, is transformed into a place of urban play. When not in use, the see‐saws will stabilize to the horizontal and remain at a lower glowing level. When activated by users and inclined, the see‐saws, augmented by LED lights and speakers, will increase in light intensity and emit a randomized sound sequence. This variation in intensity aims to animate the public space and its occupants during the cold and dreary winter. Impulse will be an ever‐changing urban composition and urban instrument, in which city dwellers are the musicians and artists.

The glowing seesaws have previously made appearances in Chicago, Baltimore, Detroit, Montreal, London, and Scottsdale. They also took over Harvard Yard in 2017 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of ARTS FIRST, Harvard’s annual showcase of student and faculty creativity. The public art piece will be open in the Seaport through April 8, giving Bostonians well over a month to catch a ride on the illuminated playground.

Grab you gal pals, your significant other or the kids and devour the details as you head over to the Seaport to see these seesaws for yourself!

Wedding Wednesdays: Ideas for How to Save or Spend Your Cash Gifts

Not sure what to do with your wedding gift money? If you’re lucky enough to make it out of wedding planning in the black, The Knot and ally have some tips for you on how to save or spend that extra dough. All that matters is the two of you are in agreement. So sit down and start talking to ensure you’re both on the same page then use these tips as a guide on how to invest that extra cash.

Be Sensible About the Long Run
Sometimes it pays to be a responsible adult, even if it seems boring on the surface. Before that cash starts burning a hole in your pocket, it’s a good idea to “pay yourselves first.” That means paying down debt (especially if you racked up any for the wedding itself), starting a rainy day savings fund, or even contributing to your retirement accounts. It might feel like a lifetime away, but one day you’ll both be glad you made such a sound investment.

Bright idea: You could simply add wedding cash to an IRA, but if you have a 401(k) and aren’t on track to max it out for the year (that’s $18,500 for 2018), why not take advantage of pretax contributions? Since that money comes out of your paycheck before taxes, you’ll get more bang for your buck—especially if you get an employer match. Determine how much you’d like to sock away and change your contributions temporarily to equal that amount, then pay yourselves back with the wedding stash.

Save Up for Something Big
A wedding windfall offers the perfect opportunity to get the two of you closer to a future goal you’ve been dreaming of. It can be as immediate as investing in much-needed new furniture (you can finally toss that lumpy old mattress!), or as far down the road as saving up for a home. Or maybe you want to buy a new car—especially if that sporty two-seater you’re currently driving doesn’t exactly match up with your plans to have kids. Whatever the goal, working toward something together will only serve to strengthen your relationship.

Bright idea: Want to put your wedding nest egg toward a down payment on a house? Consider opening a certificate of deposit (CD), especially if you’re not planning to buy for a few years. CDs tend to offer higher interest rates than savings accounts—and since you can’t touch the money for a set period of time, it’s useful if you’re usually tempted to tap into your savings for more immediate needs.

Have a Little Fun
Once you’ve got the future squared away, it’s okay to treat yourselves—so go ahead and enjoy a mini splurge that’ll benefit both of you. Reserve a small amount to put toward a shared interest, like a high-tech wine fridge or top-of-the-line home theater system. Or if the two of you have been tagging each other in Instagram pictures of french bulldog puppies for months, and you’re serious about raising a dog, visit your local shelter or check out reputable breeders to find a new four-legged friend. Allocating a bit of the funds for something exciting maintains a healthy balance in your spending habits, making long-term financial wellness more achievable. You know what they say about all work and no play!

Bright idea: Take a class together. Having a common interest helps you grow as a couple, so pick something you both want to learn, like a foreign language, and enjoy that extra quality time.

It's your cash, time to plan what to do with it! Use these helpful tips to devour the details of your finances, whether you plan to save or spend!

Something Sweet to Treat Yourself (Minus the Chocolate)

Have you recovered from the Valentine's Day chocolate coma? We know we have! But our sweet tooth is still aching for a treat. If you feel the same way, we've got the perfect recipe for you. Check out this awesome Moroccan Snake Cake by the Kitchy Kitchen!

Ingredients

For the cake:
½ cup butter, softened to room temperature, plus 3 tablespoons melted butter
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
2 eggs
2 cups almond flour
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon rose water
½ teaspoon cardamom
zest from 1 orange
1/3 cup pistachios, chopped or roughly ground
12 sheets of filo dough (plus extra for repairs)

For the syrup:
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon hot water
2 teaspoons rose water
rosebuds, for garnish (optional)
candied orange, for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs. The mixture will look broken and curdled.

3. Stir in the almond flour, which will pull everything together quite nicely.

4. Add the all-purpose flour, rose water and zest, stirring to incorporate.

5. Finally, add the pistachios to the almond paste.

6. On a long, clean work surface, line up five of the filo sheets, lengthwise, end-to-end (short ends touching). Lay the remaining four sheets on top, staggering so that the center of each top sheet lies on the seam of two bottom sheets.

7. Spoon the almond paste down the length of the filo sheets, along the edge nearest you, about 2 inches from the edge.

8. Working quickly, roll the filo around the paste, like a cigar – one rotation only at this point – moving down the length of the filo. With the first roll entirely complete, lightly brush with melted butter, and continue rolling until you’ve created a tube. Brush with butter between each rotation.

9. Starting at one end, begin coiling the tube in a spiral, flat, along the work surface, taking care not to crack the filo too badly as you roll. Repair any cracks with the extra filo brushed with melted butter.

10. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes. Remove, and allow to cool. Drizzle with syrup and garnish with candied orange.

Whether you’re planning a birthday party, brunch with the girls, or a shower of sorts, this Moroccan snake cake will be a crowd pleaser. Or if you're just treating yourself, this cake is much more devour the detail worthy than some leftover Valentine's Day chocolate. Enjoy!

Monday Mashups: Why Your Next Event Might Be in a Shopping Center

In the 1980s, the indoor mall was a centerpiece of the American experience—as much a social opportunity and gathering place as a shopping destination. Although the landscape of malls and mall culture has changed in recent decades—filling many traditional malls with vacancies or forcing them to close altogether—a new type of shopping center has risen as a place where browsing and buying once again corresponds with face-to-face social opportunities for the modern consumer. But this time around, according to BizBash, those gatherings are more varied and indeed even built with purpose into the very framework of the development.

Consider the new Westfield Century City shopping center in Los Angeles, which just completed a massive, multiyear overhaul to the tune of $1 billion. The new incarnation, designed by Westfield with L.A.-based designer Kelly Wearstler, stole the show in October with 1.3 million square feet encompassing more than 200 shops and restaurants, including Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, and Macy’s, plus a buzzy Eataly—and, significantly, built-in event space. This event space feature is the focus here.

Century City’s design for the shopping center includes 18,000 square feet of flexible outdoor space with top-end production amenities, including lighting, sound, and back-of-house-facilities for a diverse range of programs. Integrated amenities include green rooms, control rooms, culinary workspaces, reserved parking, and concierge services for guest management. A far cry from your typical mall! The aspiration is for the Westfield experience to be engaging, relevant, and social. The company is actively expanding the amenities and experiences that have traditionally been associated with shopping centers.

Like the Century City, shopping centers all around the country are integrating event infrastructure into their very fabric, because live experiences are among the expectations—and are a match for the lifestyle—of the modern consumer. The overall goal of these reincarnated spaces is to broaden the typical retail experience beyond just traditional shopping. So don't be surprised if the next concert you want to go to is smack in the middle of a shopping center! Read more about this trend here and devour the details of this new shopping and event experience!

Munch on some Brunch this Weekend!

Sleep in Saturday or Sunday without missing out on the most important meal of the day. Take your breakfast to brunch with these amazing French toast recipes. PJs required!

Baked Blueberry French Toast
We love just about anything involving blueberries! So this recipe from Greedy Gourmand makes the cut in our book. You can even use leftover bread to make it, since it requires soaking and baking, which will make it moist and delicious. Click here for the recipe.

Cinnamon French Toast Muffins
French toast and cinnamon sugar are a match made in heaven. Baking your French toast into muffins is one of the best ways to serve this treat at a banquet-style brunch. Plus, pretty muffin papers will add a nice touch to your spread. Try recreating this recipe by The Urban Baker.

Mini French Toast Sticks with Syrup
This variation might be mini, but it’s sure to be a crowd pleaser. Whip up French toast sticks, then serve them in little glasses of warm maple syrup when everyone is ready to eat. The directions for making these are so easy too—just use your favorite French toast recipe, cut them into pieces and serve. If you don’t have a favorite recipe, try this one on for size: Baked French Toast Sticks.

Peach & Cream Stuffed French Toast
If you’re like us, you’ve probably tried several different kinds of stuffed French toast. And while we do love strawberries and Nutella, this Peaches and Cream French toast recipe felt fresh and unique. The stuffing calls for powdered sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract and fresh peaches. Yum!

Baked French Toast in a Jar
Baking this breakfast treat in a jar is perfect for an intimate brunch-in-bed dish. We love how this Baked Strawberry French toast recipe calls for thinly sliced almonds to add a little crunch and decadent strawberry butter for dipping. Just bake it into oven-safe jars and serve warm!

Devour the details of these phenomenal French toast recipes and munch of some real good brunch this weekend (and every weekend if you want--who are we to judge?!)! Enjoy!

Wedding Wednesdays: What To Do When You Have An Unsure Bridesmaid

Asking your closest friends to stand by your side on your wedding day is a monumental moment in a bride's life. In some cases, it is almost as exciting as getting proposed to! But in all seriousness, it may not go just as you had expected it to. It doesn't always happen but you may run into an unsure bridesmaid. Here's what to do!

So, your friend said no back when you asked her to be in your wedding party, but now that the wedding is getting closer she wants to be a part of everything. Your friend most likely has a classic case of FOMO and regretting her decision to remove herself from your wedding festivities. At this point, The Knot suggests these two options:

If You Want to Tell Her "Yes"
Depending on the amount of time left until your wedding date, you may want to consider having this friend in your wedding party, despite her original no. For the most part, people say no because of finances and not out of any maliciousness to the bride. If, after a few months, they've managed to get back on track financially, and you feel like there's enough time to account for buying bridesmaid dresses and attending all the necessary parties, then by all means, try to squeeze her back in. Don't worry about numbers if you've added someone else in your friend's place since she declined—having a mismatched number of bridesmaids and groomsmen is no big deal.

If You Want to Tell Her "No"
If your relationship has changed since she turned down your bridal party proposal, or if there simply isn't enough time left for her to reasonably purchase the dress she needs or do any of the other things associated with being a bridesmaid, you can politely tell her you're so excited to celebrate with her, and wish she could stand up with you, but there simply isn't enough time for her to be prepared. If this is the case, you can include her in all the events (we're talking bachelorette, showers and getting ready the morning of) leading up to the wedding if you want to to make her feel special. Just because she isn't a bridesmaid doesn't mean she has to be separated from the group on your wedding day. She may feel uncomfortable and choose not to tag along, but at least make the ask to show her she's more than welcome to join you.

This is one of those situations that may feel awkward, but no one will hold it against you on your actual wedding day. Whichever route you choose, just make sure to be respectful of her feelings and as inclusive of her as you can be. We hope this information helps you to devour the details if you run into having an unsure bridesmaid!

Love is a Dog from Hell this Valentine's Day at Bukowski Tavern

Yup, you read that right! But if you're really wondering what we're talking about, read on. This Valentine's Day you can celebrate being single, as a couple or with friends with one hellish hot dog courtesy of Bukowski Tavern!

Bukowski Tavern in Cambridge’s Inman Square will serve up “Love is a Dog from Hell” hotdog specials taking inspiration from lines and poems by its namesake, Charles Bukowski. Chef & owner Brian Poe will be channeling his inner poet to bring forth specials that showcase some of Bukowski’s most coined terms which will be accompanied by “beer, river and seas of beer.”

The Six Foot Goddess is a foot-long hotdog topped with cilantro Green Goddess dressing, Texas chili and cheese ($12.95). Other specials ($6.95 each) include the Sexpot, a “Hobo Special” with a beer served in a paper bag accompanied by a hotdog; You, a hotdog with an egg; a Blue Cheese & Chile Peppers dog with poblano blue relish and scallion slaw; the Chicago dog with celery salt, neon relish, mustard, tomato and pickle on a poppy seed bun; Artist, a “grate art” dog in a taco shell; and Ashes, a hotdog topped with juniper-smoked charcoal aioli. These dogs will definitely have you falling in love with Bukowski (the tavern and the poet)!

Buks will also let you get crafty (and not just with beer) with heart-shaped construction paper where you can exercise your inner wordsmith to voice your opinions on love and said Hallmark holiday. And because Buks encourages your artistic expression, the hearts will be hung and line the wall in all their glory.

Want to know more about this righteous joint? Well, Bukowski Tavern is Chef Brian Poe’s venture with the Wilcox Hospitality Group (The Tip Tap Room; Poe’s Taco Room at Lower Depths; Parish Café & Parish II), alongside proprietor Suzi Samowski. After undergoing major renovations in 2014, Bukowski Tavern reopened with a refreshed look and menu. From Chef Poe’s open kitchen comes an expansive menu of beer snacks, taters and tots, salads, burgers and hotdogs. For those looking to imbibe, Bukowski Tavern has 36 draft lines as well as an additional 100 beers available by the can and bottle. The cocktail menu is rooted in the classics with innovative updates. Bukowski Tavern is located at 1281 Cambridge Street in Inman Square, Cambridge.

Don't miss out on these dogs! Grab your sweetheart (or friend, or venture in alone, whatever you prefer) and devour the details of Valentine's Day the Bukowski way. See you there!

Monday Mashups: Will NYFW Give In to Technology?

New York Fashion Week is upon us! Competing with the Olympics nonetheless. Is this not the most glorious time of year? We like to think so! Anyways, as we look to the future of NYFW, it is no surprise that the idea of advancing the show through technology is back on the table. Read on as Paper Magazine explains it best...

Here we go again! Technology is disrupting yet another industry that has firmly held a grasp on its consumers and followers: Fashion, a notoriously anti-tech industry that's finally caving under the pressure of the smartphone world. It is hitting the show hard in 2018. This New York Fashion Week, Alexander Wang surprised the fashion industry by choosing to leave this season's showings. According to Vogue, Proenza Shouler, Rodarte, Altuzarra, and Thom Browne are all choosing not to show in NYC, as well. Designer Lela Rose also made the decision to do an Instagram show with 10 influencers and bloggers to model her Fall 2018 collection. Rebecca Taylor is also creating a VR experience with Tilt Brush (Google) in lieu of an in-person collection.

With showcasing collections becoming an outdated approach, and retailers/investors/industry insiders realizing the potential of social media to reach broader audiences, it begs the question: Is 2018 the final year of in-person fashion shows?

Fashion has always been a slow industry in adopting new technological advancements. J.Crew famously said last May that they were regretfully late in adopting e-commerce due to elitist attitudes. Some luxury retailers like Chanel and Céline still don't permit their customers from purchasing goods from their websites, which primarily function more so as lookbooks that direct their consumers to brick-and-mortar stores.

Walking into department stores like Neiman Marcus, Barneys New York, or Saks Fifth Avenue, you'll notice that their POS systems look like something out of the early '90s and 2000s. At times, luxury retail can almost feel like stepping into the relics of retail's golden age. When department stores were first founded, they were at the forefront of technology and innovation, having everything from entertainment to dining. Or let's look at the first fashion shows, which were exclusive events catering to International clientele that would only reach the magnitude they have now thanks to technological innovations like photography, air travel, and telephones. Fashion's growth depended on the growth of advancements in tech, so what's happened in our current age?

Once at the forefront of innovation, why are brands now stuck in a system that's 30 or even 40 years old? Perhaps it's the allure of exclusivity or feeling the social caché of carrying a piece that's inaccessible to the majority of consumers living off fast-fashion that keeps this archaic system running. Whatever the case, fashion's quickly falling behind, and only recently have things began to change.

Right now, the biggest concern of NYFW was the birth of the Instagram live fashion shows. Eva Chen, fashion icon and head of fashion partnerships at Instagram, reported last year that "What the audience wants isn't super produced," she said. "We find that people like that raw, "I am sitting right there' feeling. I think Instagram Live will be really huge this season." See-now-buy-now also made its debut, allowing consumers to buy pieces immediately from the runway, ditching the middle man of specialty boutiques and department stores. Rebecca Minkoff reported that their sales went up 64 percent annually after adopting this retail practice. "When we create an experience, the format is not as relevant as 'What is the experience, who is involved?" CEO Uri Minkoff told The Cut last year.

Consumers don't want to wait, so the exclusivity of fashion just doesn't appeal to the younger consumer base, which values immediacy, but also quality. So with all this being said, this year's NYFW could be the sign that the conversation has officially, perhaps permanently shifted. As we continuously become inseparable from technology, fashion is going to need to sink or swim, because ultimately clinging onto the past leads to loss, no matter how romantic the idea is. We'll take a front row seat either way because any way we can devour the details of NYFW is the best way for us! Let's see what they have in store in 2019!

Stay at Home this Valentine's Day with these Vietnamese Spring Rolls

We came across the most perfect recipe from Lauren Conrad that has us wanting to stay home this Valentine's Day and had to share! Taking only 30 minutes to prepare, these fabulously fresh spring rolls will have you falling in love with Vietnamese cuisine. You can customize your spring rolls and put almost anything inside of them. We recommend shrimp but you can use tofu or even make an all-veggie spring roll. Once you get the hang of handling the rice paper, making this dish is a cinch. Ready to roll? Let's go!

Ingredients:

For the spring rolls:
6 sheets of rice paper
1 cup carrots, julienned
½ cup fresh mint leaves
1 cup bean sprouts
½ cup fresh cilantro
2 cups cooked shrimp (you will use about three shrimp per roll)
2 limes

For the peanut dipping sauce:
one 1-inch piece of ginger, peeled
1 garlic clove
½ cup creamy peanut butter
2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1/3 cup water
2 tablespoons crushed peanuts

Instructions: 
1. Slice your carrots julienne style, peel the tails off your shrimp, and prepare your mint, sprouts and cilantro. Set your veggies and shrimp aside while you begin to work on your rice papers.

2. Boil three cups of water in a medium-sized saucepan, then remove from heat and let cool to a warm temperature. Make sure your water is not too hot or your rice paper will break apart! Once your water has cooled to a warm temperature, take one rice paper and soak in the warm water for about 10-20 seconds, or until flexible and sticky. Place rice paper flat on a glass or porcelain plate.

3. Begin placing your toppings in the middle of your rice paper. We like to place the shrimp down first so that you can see them when you eventually roll everything up.

4. Gently fold your rice paper like a mini burrito, folding in the sides as you roll it up. Seal off your roll by folding the rice paper completely, and place on a serving plate. Repeat until you have your desired amount of spring rolls.

5. Now for the peanut sauce! Use a food processor or blender to finely chop up your peeled piece of ginger and garlic clove together. Once completely chopped, add in the creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, 1/3 cup water and brown sugar. Blend until smooth, adding more water as necessary. Taste-test your peanut sauce as you go! Scoop peanut sauce into a small bowl or ramekin and top with crushed peanuts for extra crunch and texture.

We also highly recommend serving a little Sriracha on the side if you like that extra kick with your spring rolls. It adds the perfect amount of spice!

Stay at home this Valentine's Day with these Vietnamese Spring Rolls and devour the details of an easy meal you'll fall in love with!

Wedding Wednesdays: 5 Tips from Wedding Planners You'll Want to Hear

There are a few reasons why we always stress the importance of getting a wedding planner if your budget allows. Besides making sure your wedding day goes off without a hitch, wedding planners have tons of experience and are an endless source of inspiration, ideas and advice. From venue hunting tricks to the secret behind sticking to your budget, The Knot's favorite wedding pros have spoken and shared their must-know planning hacks and foolproof, real-talk tips. We're here to give your our top 5. Check these out!

On budgeting:

"Keep your guest list to those most important to you. An increased guest count is the easiest way for additional costs to sneak up on you, since you'll need to add more invitations, flowers, food and linens." —Shannon Gail Clemonds, Shannon Gail Weddings and Events

"Don't be afraid of off-peak months, and don't hesitate to ask for a discount—you never know unless you try." —Kisha Barner, Pure Ambiance Event Design

On planning:

"Think about your wedding logistics—specifically, how your guests will experience every moment, from receiving the save-the-dates to sitting at their table. When you see everything from a guest's perspective, all of the choices you make for your day will be memorable ones." —Laura Ritchie, Grit & Grace Inc.

"Stick to your guest list once it's complete. When it's done, it's done. It can be stressful and confusing for all involved when you take away or add more family members or friends to the list." —Crystal Hartmann, Harts & Quills

On flowers:

"Choosing flowers that are not only readily available but will also work well in your climate is key. Having a style you want, as opposed to an exact flower, will give your florist the flexibility they need." —Carly Blair, Margot Blair Floral

"Many photographers love to have extra blooms for detail shows or for setting up invitation suite photos, so ask to have a few special flowers on hand, just in case." —Lori Witmer, Wildflowers by Design

On venues:

"Checking a city's calendar is always a smart idea before booking a venue. I've had numerous couples set a date only to find out later that a large festival or major event is also taking place that same weekend." —Brittany Ellis Cole, Eventrics Weddings

"Take into consideration what's included in the venue's cost and site fees. Some venues include tables, chairs, china, flatware and glassware—but if their items don't fit your vision for the day, you'll eventually have to rent everything anyway. That venue could be comparable to another that doesn't include anything at all." —Kelly McLeskey-Dolata, A Savvy Event

On unexpected emergencies:

"Make sure that engagement ring is insured—no one needs a missing ring!" —Alicia Caldecott, A Day in May Event Planning & Design

"Always have one of your photographers take the stairs: One time, both photographers got stuck in a hotel elevator on the way to the church. It took more than 30 minutes to get them out, while I frantically tried to see if we could find another photographer to shoot the ceremony." —Lindsay Pitt Sims, TOAST Events

True words of wisdom! We hope this inspires you to consider working with a wedding planner (or at least take some of their advice). Devour the details of planning your special day with these must-know planning hacks and foolproof, real-talk tips! You'll be happy you did!

Tuesday Tasting: 75 on Courthouse Square

Join Boston Event Guide for another Tuesday Tasting this time at 75 Courthouse Square. This Tuesday Tasting event is an epicurean adventure held monthly in the Greater Boston area. On February 13th from 6-8PM, you can sip and sample from the wine and food menu at 75 Courthouse Square! Check out this awesome tasting menu.

Passed Hors d'Oeuvres
Cocktail Gulf Shrimp - tequila lime cocktail sauce and fresh lemon wedge
Seaport Sliders - bite sized choice beef burgers on a mini brioche bun, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, caramelized onions and pickles Baby Lamb Chops with Dijon mustard and herbed breadcrumbs
Fingerling Potatoes with roasted ratatouille vegetables
Miniature Lobster Roll with fresh chives
Grilled Chicken Slider with chipotle mayonnaise
Grilled Asparagus Spears with asiago cheese in crisp phyllo dough

Butler Passed Miniature Entrees
Crispy Fried Monterey Bay Calamari served with our zesty marinara and tartar sauce
Cocktail Sirloin Tips - lightly seared beef sirloin tips served with our zesty blackberry BBQ sauce, garlic mashed potatoes and green beans
Chicken Picatta with gemelli pasta, lemon, capers and a rich butter sauce

Displayed Reception Items
Mediterranean Platter - red pepper hummus, tabouli, marinated olives, artichoke hearts, lavash points
Local Sustainable Cheese - hand crafted New England cheeses, assorted fruit compotes, chutneys, seasonal fruit & berries and artisan breads

Wine Tasting
Prosecco, Gambino
Pinot Grigio - Esperto, Italy 2015
Chardonnay, La Crema, Monterey 2015
Pinot Noir, Talbott
Cabernet Sauvignon Justin Vineyards, North Coast 2015

Tickets are on sale now through Boston Event Guide's Eventbrite page for just $19!

For residents and visitors of Boston, 75 on Courthouse Square is a contemporary Seaport District restaurant featuring regional American comfort food. Tucked away amidst skyscrapers and fishing boats, they are located in one of the most up-and-coming areas in Boston. Overlooking Courthouse Square, the dining room features a menu offering a broad selection of salads, pastas, sandwiches, burgers and entree items, complemented by daily specials inspired by local and seasonal ingredients. The popular “Bloody Mary Bar” features build-your-own Bloody Mary’s with special infused vodkas and a broad selection of sauces and garnishes.

Whether joining them for a romantic dinner or an important business meeting,  you’re sure to enjoy the casual elegance of 75 on Courthouse Square. And attending this Tuesday Tasting will only make your desire to dine at 75 that much stronger. So don't miss out on this awesome opportunity to sip and sample what they have to offer! We'll see you there February 13th to devour the details of another Tuesday Tasting. Cheers!

Monday Mashups: How Kiehl's Makes a Trip to the Dermatologist Fun

You may recall that we featured Kiehl's in a recent post on how to save your skin from this crazy winter weather. Well, we're blogging about them again because yes, they are just that good at skincare! For Kiehl's latest product launch, the skincare brand created an immersive, Instagram-friendly pop-up with nature- and science-inspired details. They strive to create out-of-the-box product launches, and this celebration of their new Dermatologist Solutions serum was no exception.

Held on January 17 at a raw space in West Hollywood, the event evoked a dermatologist's office—and nodded to the serum’s increased levels of vitamin C in a chic, interactive way. The L’Oréal-owned company tapped HL Group to produce and design the product launch.

The resulting event—which hosted about 225 influencers, bloggers, and members of the media—drew inspiration directly from the new product, which has a higher percentage of vitamin C than a previous product. The team decided to run with the idea of vitamin C, creating an orange-hued space filled with greenery, citrus fruits, and medicine-inspired details that would evoke Kiehl's brand touchpoints of nature, science, and service. Now imagine your dermatologist's office looking like that! We'd want to visit there more often!

Lush greenery covered the walls, bars, and DJ booth, while oranges were scattered throughout. Cocktails were served in beakers and infused with nitrous oxide to evoke the feeling of a science experiment, and medical exam tables offered a unique selfie station—and seating option—for guests. Bartenders and Kiehl’s brand ambassadors wore lab coats to further the immersive theme, and various interactive activities were inspired by the product. Check out the complete slideshow via BizBash here.

We love seeing companies take their product launches to the next level. It inspires us to think outside-the-box as well! Kudos to Kiehl's. We can't wait to devour the details of your new products!

Toscanini’s Times Two

Soon you'll be doing a double take. That's right! Your favorite 37-year-old Cambridge ice cream destination, Toscanini's, is opening a second location! Get your sweet tooth ready.

Deemed “The World's Best Ice Cream” by The New York Times, Toscanini’s takes their ice creams, coffees and teas seriously, as do their loyal customers. In September, 1981 Toscanini’s was founded by Gus Rancatore, Kurt Jaenicke, Pearl Morrison, Janet Rosenblatt, Rich Johnston, Diane Depczenski, Pat Johnston, Miriam Stewart, Donna Muffoletto, Cornelia Rancatore, Eleanor Rancatore and Mimi Rancatore, all of whom worked for free and made contributions that enabled the 800 square foot ice cream store at 899 Main Street to survive its first year. It really does take an army!

After years of hard work and dedication, Toscanini’s is now a widely successful family business. All of their ice cream is homemade in store. They are always interested in new flavors. Some flavors are from other parts of the US like Black Bottom Pie, and others are even from foreign countries. And Toscanini’s always tries to recognize the fortuitous mistakes like Burnt Caramel or Bourbon Vienna Finger Cookie. Their passion is what has made them so successful all this time and why they deserve this second location!

Located near the CambridgeSide Galleria in East Cambridge, the new Toscanini’s location at 159 First St. will be about 3,500 square feet, allowing the Rancatores to install a display kitchen and accommodate 40 customers at a time. Ice cream production will solely be at the new location moving forward. The new location will have similar offerings to the original Toscanini’s, serving 32 flavors of ice cream, espressos, cappuccinos, shakes, and more.

Next time you need that fix, pending what side of the city you're on, you can now devour the details at either location and cure that craving with a scoop or two of Toscanini’s! Enjoy!