Strengthen Your Smoothies (and Your Immune System) with These Boosters!

One of our favorite and most convenient breakfasts as busy boss ladies would have to be smoothies. Time is more precious than ever these days and it only takes a few minutes to blend up something delicious and healthy right in our own kitchen! But since a smoothie can easily turn into a giant sugar bomb with loads of fruit and juice, we try to be conscious about what goes into our blender. Healthy fats, proteins, and my go-to smoothie boosters help us to get my day going on a positive note. We turned to our fearless leader Lauren Conrad for her expertise on nutritional extras that are the perfect addition to any smoothie!

1. Acai Powder
Acai is a fan favorite when it comes to superfoods, and for good reason. This berry is high in antioxidants and fiber and does wonders for skin and anti-aging. Trying to regulate your cholesterol? Add acai into your next smoothie.

2. Maca
Another superfood powder that’s worthy of your next smoothie is Maca. Maca contains vitamin B, which promotes a healthy metabolism, balances hormones, and can help your body regulate mood swings.

3. Collagen Powder
You may be familiar with collagen since it’s linked to so many anti-aging beauty products these days. Collagen is a major protein in our bodies and we usually don’t ingest enough of it in our regular diets. Add some collagen powder to your smoothie to help benefit your hair, skin, and overall cell growth.

4. Bee Pollen
This next smoothie booster may come as a surprise. Locally sourced bee pollen not only helps combat seasonal allergies, but it will provide your body with a natural energy boost, strengthened immune system, improved digestion, and can even reduce stress. It is recommended that you start with about ¼ teaspoon of bee pollen in your smoothie and slowly work your way up from there.

5. Powdered Greens
We all know how beneficial it is to eat your fruits and veggies, and sprinkling some greens in powdered form can be the best thing you do for yourself today. Powdered greens are easily absorbed, allowing your body to get the most out of their nutrients. These highly concentrated greens are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, and can lower your risk for heart disease and blood clots, and reduce inflammation.

6. Reishi Mushroom Powder
Reishi is a type of mushroom with immense health benefits. This mushroom comes in powdered form, making it easy to add into your daily smoothie. It is known to help detoxify the liver, boost your immune system, lower blood pressure, and increase mental energy, among all of its other amazing benefits.

7. Chia Seeds
Virtually flavorless, chia seeds are a great way to add nutrients to your smoothie without sacrificing flavor. Chia seeds can absorb up to 12 times their weight in water, keeping your body hydrated. Chia seeds are a great digestive aid and provide a sustaining flow of natural energy.

8. Ground Flaxseed
Flaxseed contains Omega-3 fatty acids, or good fats that help reduce your risk of heart disease. Flaxseed is a great source of dietary fiber and can help reduce inflammation.

9. Cacao Nibs
That’s right, chocolate is a healthy option to add into your smoothie! Cacao nibs pack a strong punch of antioxidants, and help your body absorb free radicals that can cause harm to your body. Sprinkle cacao nibs on top of your smoothie for a fun crunch or simply blend them in with the rest of your ingredients—either way you can’t go wrong.

10. Adaptogens
My team wrote an entire post on adaptogens here, but I thought that they would be worth revisiting today. Adaptogens are herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine that promote homeostasis, or a stable equilibrium, in the body. You can find out some of my team’s favorite adaptogens in this post.

Mix and match these boosters and devour the details of getting the most out of your next smoothie!

Monday Mashups: How Major Brands Are Expanding Live Events to Reach New Audiences

Even the C.E.O. of Tribeca Enterprises—which operates the Tribeca Film Festival—worries about the “Netflix and chill” effect. With so much entertainment available on people’s devices, “There’s no reason to leave the house,” says Tribeca’s Andrew Essex. (We know that feeling all to well!) At Advertising Week, leaders from Pandora, Live Nation, the Tribeca Film Festival, and Heineken shared how they're selling FOMO, using technology, and putting the attendee first.

BizBash is noticing that creating better events, and then finding ways to expand that experience to new audiences, are among the biggest challenges facing live event organizers today. The live event market—including everything from live sports events, concerts, theme parks, and more—totals $150 billion worldwide and $60 billion in the United States, according to Sebastian Blum, a technology, media, and telecom advisory partner at PwC Strategy&, who moderated the panel. He asked how events can scale a brand’s exposure beyond the live event.

The answer, for nearly everyone, is technology. Using virtual reality, augmented reality, live streaming, and data-capturing technology such as R.F.I.D. bracelets are among the most-used tools.

“We’re always looking at the different technologies and how they can fit organically into the music space, and then monetizing that by bringing brands into the space,” said Maureen Ford, president of national and festival sales at Live Nation. She cited the recent partnership with Citi at the Global Citizen Festival to broadcast the event live in virtual reality.

One successful strategy for brand integration is to come up with something that benefits the fan, Ford said. “If we can solve a fan pain point, we’ll be organically accepted.”

Sponsors are also rethinking their place in the event ecosystem. Bernardo Spielmann, senior brand director at Heineken, said the brand has had success at events from Formula 1 auto races to music festivals like Coachella and Ultra by providing customized experiences “so they’re sharing on behalf of the brand rather than the brand trying to push that out.” Sometimes that means counterintuitive strategies—giving out water instead of a beer to encourage drinking responsibly, he said. Fans may be drinking less but they’re experiencing the event more. Getting to that realization, though, required a change in mindset.

“Take a step back, let consumers develop their own content and generate their own experience,” Spielmann said. “Not having the brand be the protagonist is something we’re trying to focus on. Getting a message across is much more important than the brand trying to make a statement. It’s a new world.”

Karina Montgomery, vice president of strategic solutions at Pandora added: “It’s taking the brand out of branded content and experiences, which for some is a very provocative and scary place.” This new development in the world of live events has us excited to see what's coming next! Keep these brand insights in mind and devour the details of your next activation by selling FOMO, using technology, or putting the attendee first!

UPDATE: TRAIN & RISE Fitness Brunch at ReelHouse

On Sunday, July 29th, 2018 ReelHouse, East Boston’s premier waterfront dining destination, is bringing together a group of Boston’s power players for an unparalleled outdoor fitness and brunch experience. From 9:00AM to 12:00PM Bostonians will experience a high intensity boot camp, beats, cocktails and brunch while overlooking the breathtaking skyline of Boston Harbor.

Beginning at 9:00AM, B/SPOKE, the recent “Best of” Boston winning indoor cycling studio and lifestyle brand brought to you by two Massachusetts entrepreneurs, will give Bostonians a workout to brunch for, with a 50-minute class starting at 9:30AM. B/SPOKE’s TRAIN series is a high intensity, off-the-bike workout that focuses its movement solely to the beat of the music. Heart pounding cardio matched with full body strength training will help tone muscle, develop core strength, and increase mobility.

Following the 50-minute class, guests can cool off with some delicious cocktails featuring Rise Brewing Company’s organic, sustainably-sourced coffee. The expert bar staff will be crafting an assortment of cocktails, like the Rise Nitro Palmer which features Rise Nitro Lemonade, vodka, lemon, and mint, and the Rise Nitro Horchata which features Rise Nitro Cold Brew, Bailey’s, Kahlua, Vodka, Cinnamon, and a dash of vanilla. ReelHouse will be offering a refreshing menu that will consist of fresh fruit, yogurt, an egg station, a selection of house-made baked goods and more for guests to choose from.

The cost is $35 per guest and includes (1) 50-minute cycling class, (1) cocktail and family-style brunch. Additional cocktails and purchases can be ordered separately. Tickets must be purchased online in advance to attend the event. No better way to spend your Sunday morning than with fitness, fun and brunch! Join us at ReelHouse and devour the details of your workout!

Wedding Wednesdays: What Wedding Day Superstitions You Can Totally Ignore

There are a lot of wedding superstitions out there, both good and bad, but trying to keep up with them will only add to your wedding stress. The Knot's advice? Forget about them. This list has all the silly superstitions that are perfectly okay to ignore—or to put your own twist on with a little creativity!

1. You can't see each other before the wedding.

The Superstition: Back in the day, couples weren't supposed to see each other until the last minute, so the groom didn't have the chance to change his mind. (We know—crazy, right?) This custom gradually morphed into the general idea that it was bad luck for a groom to see his bride on their wedding day.

The Knot's Take: Today, some couples stick to tradition because they like the excitement and anticipation of seeing each other for the first time at the ceremony. But we say, do what makes you happy. We know lots of couples who've bucked tradition and stayed in the same room the night before, had breakfast together the morning of and (most conveniently) scheduled their joint photo session with their photographer before the ceremony. Nothing beats an emotional first look photo, and it'll help calm your nerves and up the excitement to have a moment together before your "I dos."

2. Steer clear of yellow roses (or you'll be green with envy).

The Superstition: During the Victorian era, The Language of Flowers—a book that assigned flowers different emotions and meanings—was popularized all over Europe. According to the volume, tulips stand for love and passion, and stephanotis means marital happiness. On the flip side, yellow roses were said to symbolize jealousy.

The Knot's Take: If you love a flower, give it your own special meaning, especially if it has some significance to you, and don't worry a bit about what those Victorian florists would've said. We've seen some seriously gorgeous yellow floral arrangements (without a hint of jealousy in sight).

3. You're doomed if you drop the ring.

The Superstition: Get ready for this dramatic idea: As tradition goes, if someone dropped the ring during the ceremony, it meant that person would die.

The Knot's Take: Obviously that's some grade A nonsense. But it does lead to another a good point—if you have a ring bearer handling your rings (especially one who's very young), make sure your wedding bands are tied tightly enough, and that you hand the ring pillow off to him at the last minute, just before he walks down the aisle. No, you're not doomed if the rings fall, but it could be a little awkward and stressful.

4. The bride has to be carried over the threshold.

The Superstition: Ancient Romans believed carrying the bride over the threshold of the couple's home protected her from evil spirits.

The Knot's Take: Do it for fun when you get home from the honeymoon, if you want, as a nod to a harmless tradition. Or give it a contemporary twist: Walk hand in hand into your new home together instead. But we're pretty sure evil spirits have got nothing on you, so don't take this one too seriously.

5. Don't get married on a Saturday, in May or on the 13th of the month.

The Superstition: This actually refers to several superstitions. According to English folklore, Saturday is the unluckiest day of the week to marry, while Wednesday is supposed to be the best. But it looks like this myth hasn't affected anyone's preference for saying "I do" on a Saturday (it's by far the most popular day of the week to do it). The fear of marrying in May actually dates back to the Romans, who held their festival for the dead in May. There's even a nursery rhyme that reads, “Marry in the month of May, and you'll surely rue the day." And finally, there's the infamous unlucky number 13.

The Knot's Take: Attempt to book your dream venue while following those calendar-related myths and you'll immediately understand why you should ignore them. Unless your family tradition dictates you find a lucky or auspicious wedding date, choose any beautiful wedding day that works for you, and don't look back.

Check the superstitions at your wedding venue door and devour the details of your special day the way you want it!

Summertime Sweets: Strawberry Basil Cheesecake Bars

Cheesecake may seem like a heavier dessert for this time of year but we promise this recipe will have you thinking differently! Allow us to introduce you to strawberry basil cheesecake bars—a gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and totally delectable treat. Reminiscent of a tropical drink, you will eat these right up! Here's how to whip up this winning combo:

Ingredients:

For the crust:
1 cup dates, packed
½ cup walnuts
¼ teaspoon salt

For the strawberry layer:
2 cups strawberries
1 cup cashews, soaked overnight
juice and zest from 1/2 lemon
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup coconut butter, melted
2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
pinch of salt

For the basil layer:
1 cup fresh basil, packed
1 cup cashews, soaked overnight
juice and zest from 1/2 lemon
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoon full fat coconut milk
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
pinch of salt

For the topping:
vegan coconut yogurt

Instructions:

1. Spray a 9” square baking pan with cooking oil. Completely line the bottom and sides with aluminum foil, letting excess overhang over the pan. Spray a little more cooking oil on the bottom and set aside until ready to use.

2. Making the crust first, drain the cashews from the water. In a food processor, add the dates, walnuts and salt. Process until pretty smooth and paste-like.

3. Press the crust into the bottom of the cake pan, making sure to create a smooth and even bottom. Set in the freezer while you make your filling.

4. In the same food processor, add all of the strawberry layer ingredients. Let this mixture purée for a few minutes to get it as smooth as possible. Tip: To get it even smoother, add it to a blender.

5. Pour the filling into the cake pan on top of the crust. Set in your freezer for 3 hours, or until completely hard.

6. Once the strawberry layer is hardened, make the basil layer. In a food processor or blender, blend all of the basil ingredients until as smooth as possible. Pour on top of the strawberry layer and smooth the top out.

7. Place back into the freezer for at least 3 hours, or until completely solid.

8. Once your cheesecake has hardened, take out of the freezer. Pull the cheesecake out of the pan with the excess foil overhang. Lightly peel the foil off the bottom and sides, and cut into small rectangles.

9. (Optional) drizzle the tops with coconut yogurt.

A summertime sweet that's a real treat! Devour the details of this winning combo and eat more cheesecake!

Monday Mashups: Gear to #Goals - The Latest Event Decor Trend

Last week, the National and American Leagues battled each other in the M.L.B. All-Star Game at Nationals Park in Washington. In the spirit of the star-studded event, here's a look at some recent sporting events including the U.S. Open, the World Cup, and last week’s All-Star Game, as well as others, which turned sports gear like tennis balls, baseball bats, and hoops into event decor #goals!

Baseball Bats and Billets

M.L.B. Assembly was an inaugural multi-day pop-up event that showcased designers, artists, musicians, and athletes in an exhibit curated by the league and advertising agency DMA United. The event took place from July 13 to 16 at District Pier at the Wharf in Washington during M.L.B. All-Star Week. Field by Snarkitecture, an interactive architectural installation made of baseball bats and wooden billets, was on display outside the venue.

Golf Tees

During the 118th U.S. Open Championship, which took place at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York, in June, U.S.G.A. partner American Express built its first-ever American Express Card Member Club on site. Located at the 10th hole green, the club offered card members and fans lounge seating, along with food and beverage items for purchase. The space was an extension of the brand’s marketing campaign called “Powerful Backing: Don’t Do Business / Don’t Live Life Without It;” some of the clubhouse's wall decor featured the messaging with the words “live life” spelled out in golf tees.

Golf Balls

Inside the club, guests were able to grab essentials like binoculars and radios, play Golden Tee arcade games, and sign golf balls, which were included in an ever-evolving wall display.

Soccer Balls

During the 2018 World Cup in Russia, which took place in June and July, Visa, the official payment services provider of FIFA, set up two lounges for clients and guests, one of which featured a wall with rows of soccer balls.

Taking Nets to New Heights

Throughout that same weekend, American Express hosted a free, open-to-the-public pop-up on South Hope Street, a few blocks from L.A. Live. The multi-sensory activation, dubbed the American Express Experience, featured several interactive rooms and installations. The main room included 18 crystal chandeliers crafted from basketball hoops. Design studio the Other Half used more than 9,000 crystals for the installation.

Create a Racquet

In November 2014, RJ Whyte Event Production produced the grand re-opening celebration, titled “Tennis Shoes, Ties, and After 5,” for the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center. The event was held in the 48,000-square-foot tennis center in Washington. Decor by Design Foundry included flying arches of tennis balls from hanging tennis racquets that bounced off of centerpieces of artfully stacked books. Large tennis balls were also stacked on glass vases to complement the high ceilings in the facility.

Take some gear to #goals at your next event and devour the details of this latest trend!

Boston Public Library Concerts in the Courtyard

Join members of Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras’ Intensive Community Program as they serenade visitors to the Boston Public Library McKim Courtyard in Copley Square! Since its inception in 1958, the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras (BYSO) has expanded beyond its original single orchestra and launched many new artistic initiatives. Today BYSO serves over 600 children throughout New England, and is recognized as one of the finest youth orchestras in the country. This concert is a free, non-ticketed event, open to the public and all ages.

The Boston Public Library was established in 1848 by an act of the Great and General Court of Massachusetts. It was the first large free municipal library in the United States. In 1972, the library expanded its Copley Square location with the opening of an addition designed by architect Philip Johnson, with collaboration from the Architects Design Group of Boston, who observed two requests: to maintain the existing roof line of the McKim building and to use material (Milford granite) that would harmonize with the exterior of the existing building. It was erected adjacent to the McKim building in order to allow patrons to move freely through the buildings.

The Johnson building occupies ten levels; four levels of public services, a staff administration and procession floor, four levels of book stacks for the research collection, and one level shared by utilities, maintenance, and stacks. Upon its completion, it contained 450,000 books on open shelves, an expanded children’s room and young adult collection, fifty-thousand foreign language items, a modern audiovisual department, and a 374-seat lecture hall named after benefactor Sidney Rabb. The Central Library today is comprised of the McKim and Johnson buildings, and, thanks to the addition, doubled to nearly one million square feet in size.

The courtyard of the Central Library in Copley Square, one of Boston’s most beautiful spaces, is filled with music during this free, one-hour concert. The summer shows hosted in the courtyard range from jazz to classical and from world to folk. Your ears will surely love it!

Full show times and information can be found here. Join BYSO at the BPL this Saturday and devour the details of another great concert in the courtyard!

Wedding Wednesdays: 6 Things to Consider When Choosing Your Veil

Wedding veils are an iconic bridal accessory, but with so many different styles, details and lengths to choose from, how are you supposed to know which one’s right for you and your wedding day outfit? Fingertip, chapel or mantilla - the options are endless. Follow these handy tips from The Knot to choose the perfect veil to top off your look!

Start With the Length
To find the ideal veil to match your wedding style, first consider length. Test out a variety of options when you go for your first dress fitting to see what length works best with your gown. That means finding a style that complements your overall silhouette—you don't want your veil to interrupt the flow of your look. Designers will often make veils tailored specifically for their dresses, so you can use these as a starting point. Shorter veils, like bandeaus, birdcages and blushers, tend to lend a bit more personality as well as an informal or retro edge to your look, while longer veils (ballet, chapel and cathedral styles) lean more in the way of tradition and formality. If you can't find one you love, you can always go the custom route. Many companies will create a veil to your specifications, from the length to the color and the kind of embellishments.

Choose a Complementary Color
Aim to match the color of the veil to your wedding gown as closely as you can. And since photos may not accurately portray the correct color, bring a swatch of fabric from your dress when you go veil shopping. The one exception to this rule is antique veils—you shouldn't try dying a vintage veil (it's not worth the risk of ruining such a delicate piece). As long as the colors are close enough don't worry if they're not a 100 percent match—the appeal of an heirloom style is in its uniqueness and sentimentality (if it was your mom's or grandmother's, for instance), so it won't matter if it's slightly off in color.

Strike the Right Balance With Embellishments
If your wedding dress is heavily embellished, keep your veil on the clean and simple side, with minimal (if any) extras. And vice versa: A simple, streamlined gown allows you to be a bit more adventurous in the veil department. Play around with unexpected shapes, accents and textures, like a floral-embellished chapel-length veil, a lace cap or a couture-inspired bubble veil with over-the-top volume. Try to create a balance as well when it comes to the type of embellishments—while they don't have to match the ones on your dress exactly, they should complement them in color, size and style. A glam sequined veil, for instance, might feel out of place next to a romantic gown embroidered with tiny pearls.

Find the Perfect Fabric
You can't go wrong with tulle—it's a classic choice for veils—but depending on the look you're after, there are also a variety of other materials to consider, such as lace, silk and satin. In most cases, tulle is the most budget-friendly option, and it offers a few benefits over pricier fabrics. Synthetic materials like tulle tend to keep their shape better and have a lighter, more ethereal look than silk and satin, which are more likely to appear heavy and hang straight.

Don't Forget About Your Hair
Before you decide on a veil, it's smart to have some idea how you'll wear your hair on your wedding day—the style you choose may affect your final veil decision. For example, halo veils, bridal caps and mantilla veils work best when hair is worn down or in low updos, while blushers and birdcages are much more versatile and can be worn with most hairstyles. Your hairstyle might also affect where you place the veil and how you secure it. If you're wearing your hair up, you can wear the veil above or below a bun or chignon. Pinning it above gives it more volume and achieves a more classic look, while placing it below feels more modern and keeps the focus on your stylish updo. Once you've purchased your veil, don't forget to take it (along with any other hair accessories you plan to wear) to your hair trial appointments, so you and your stylist can find the perfect 'do (and there won't be any last-minute surprises).

Make Removal Easy on Yourself (and Your Wedding Party)
If you plan to remove your veil after the ceremony (or at any point, really), but want to leave your headpiece on for the reception, attach your veil with fabric hook and loop closures for easy on and off. Keep in mind if you remove your veil before the reception, it won't appear in pictures of the first dance or the cake cutting. If you choose a cathedral, chapel or ballet veil and want to keep it on postceremony, try a multilayered version with a fingertip-length top layer. That way, you can detach the floor-length layers and keep that classic bridal look—but you'll be able to mingle and dance with ease.

The options are endless but with these helpful tips from The Knot, you'll have yours in no time! Start your search today and devour the details of finding your perfect veil!

Tasty Tuesday: Sweet Peach Sorbet

Our mouth is watering just writing this post! Today we're bringing you a refreshing sweet treat you won't be able to put down. Get your spoons ready! This sweet peach sorbet is dairy-free and refined sugar-free and you don’t need an ice cream machine to make it. Yum!

Ingredients:
5 medium-size ripe peaches (approx. 4 cups)
2 tablespoons raw honey
1/4 cup vanilla almond milk
2 teaspoons lemon zest

Instructions:
Remove the pits from the peaches and then roughly dice into 1” cubes. Transfer them to a freezer bag or freezer-safe container then place them in the freezer and allow them to freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight.

Once they are frozen, remove them from the freezer and transfer to a food processor. You might have to let them defrost for 10 minutes or so so they are able to break loose. Add the honey, almond milk and lemon zest to the processor as well then blend until smooth.

Next transfer the mixture to a freezer safe container and then smooth it down with a spoon or spatula. Seal the container and place in the freezer for at least 4 hours then serve cold and enjoy!

It doesn't get much better than this on a hot summer's day. Get your fix and devour the details of pure bliss with some sweet peach sorbet!

Trend Alert: Jaguars, Bugs, and Flowers, Oh My!

One normally wouldn't associate flowers and cars as a go-to pairing for event design. But recently, event designers and florists have created attention-grabbing installations showcasing florals pouring out of vehicles. Depending on the theme of the event, designers have been both subtle and over-the-top with the floral presentations, which have made appearances at events such as boozy festivals, fashion conferences, and TV series premieres. It's the hot new trend according to BizBash!

Here's a look at some new and notable examples of the Instagram-friendly design trend. Check it out!

HBO's "Sharp Objects" Screening Event

Brooklyn-based experiential design agency the Gathery partnered with floral design company Ellen Robin Creative to create an installation for HBO’s Sharp Objects screening event, which took place at the Bowery Hotel in New York in June. Inspired by the mystery drama series, a Ford Crown Victoria covered in floral green wallpaper vinyl was placed outside of the venue, with a backdrop of green branded caution tape.

Tinsel Experiential Design's Planner Dinner

A more subtle installation appeared at a decadence-theme dinner for event planners and media, which was hosted by Tinsel Experiential Design, Comparti Catering, and Ceci New York at the Altman Building in New York in June. The event showcased a 1991 Jaguar, owned by Comparti Catering co-founder Mac Osborne. The car was filled with tree peonies, lisianthus, garden roses, and quicksand roses.

Tiffany & Co.'s Paper Flowers Launch Party

For the launch party for Tiffany & Co.’s Paper Flowers collection, which took place in May at its flagship store and other locations in New York, a vehicle in the brand’s signature blue color featured a variety of florals that popped out of the hood. The florals, arranged by Angel Salazar Design, were French tulips, coral charm peonies, hanging amaranths, purple lilac, white delphiniums, green viburnum, garden roses, pear blossoms, gloriosa lilies, paper grass, and yellow solidago. The event was designed by Mission, while Levy NYC Design & Production handled lighting, audio, and video.

Rosé Day L.A.

For the inaugural Rosé Day L.A., which took place in June at Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu, California, 1iota Productions and Event Eleven partnered to produce a rosé-theme festival with numerous Instagram-friendly installations. A Moët & Chandon-branded Airstream trailer had pink and red florals cascading out of the windows. Floral Crush Studio provided flowers for the event.

Agnes & Dora's "Bloom" Convention

Women’s clothing brand Agnes & Dora’s annual design convention in July 2017 had a Woodstock-inspired “bloom” theme, which tied into the brand’s colorful, flowery clothing. The event, which was held at the South Towne Expo Center in Salt Lake City, had a vintage VW bug with a floral installation by the Flower Affair.

This floral trend alert is speeding down the freeway with no signs of slowing down! Get in the driver's seat and steer your way into an installation like this and devour the details of your next event.

Our Weekend Forecast: Sam, Sox and Sunshine this Saturday

Join Sam Adams for a very special Red Sox edition of the Morning Mash In tour on Saturday, July 14. You'll tour the brewery before it opens to the public, taste Sam Adams beers you won't find elsewhere, and enjoy gourmet breakfast sandwiches from Sweet Cheeks Q before boarding a trolley bound for Fenway Park.

The brew crew at Sam Adams had so much fun doing this for Opening Day at Fenway that they're bringing it back. Fans should note, the Sox did win that game so we foresee the same outcome for Saturday! Tickets for this breakfast tour are limited, so don't miss out. Beers, breakfast and baseball...what could be better?!

Your $45 ticket includes the following:

• A reserved spot on our Saturday Morning Mash In tour 
• Your choice of Sweet Cheeks breakfast biscuit sandwich: maple smoked belly bacon egg and cheese; pork sausage egg and cheese; or a classic egg and cheese; hash browns and fresh fruit 
• Two pints of a Boston Brewery exclusive beer of your choice 
• Trolley transportation to Fenway Park leaving promptly at 11:30AM 

*Ticket price does not include tickets to the Red Sox game. This is a 21+ event.

Tickets are limited so get yours today and devour the details of a trip to Fenway with a few brews and BBQ in you. Cheers!

Wedding Wednesdays: How to Say No

Let's face it—you're not going to love every idea, suggestion or detail others want you to add to your wedding day. You're just not. However, saying "no" without offending someone, hurting their feelings or making them feel excluded can be tough terrain to navigate. Before you decide to politely smile and nod to every request that comes in, remember there are plenty of ways to get what you want without negatively affecting others. The Knot shares how!

All Kinds of Requests
Even if you have the most laid back family members and friends, there's something about a wedding announcement that makes people get very particular about their wants and expectations. While we can guarantee big requests will feel daunting—your mother wants you to wear her dress, your aunt wants to make your wedding cake or your hobby photographer friend wants to shoot your wedding—don't underestimate the small asked-for details too.

A Practice in Compromise
If the key to a successful marriage is all about compromise, then think of wedding planning as lots of little opportunities to practice. That doesn't mean you always have to give in and become a doormat for everybody's wants and needs but your own. But it does mean stepping back to evaluate what really matters to you, your future spouse or the people making the requests.

Just Say No—Or Something Like It 
Compromise is one way to avoid being a negative Nancy, but not all requests are that simple. For example: a parent's request that you get married in a church when neither you or your fiance consider yourself to be religious. Budging on your values may not sit well, and that's where a bigger conversation needs to be had. While the ultimate goal is to turn down the request, a straight "no" can feel harsh. Explain to your parents or in-laws how you feel and what the venue you'd like to use means to the two of you as a couple. They may not like it—or be willing to help pay for the expense— but if it's a decision that you feel is best, then it's the right course of action.

Not every request requires a sit-down, but each does require an answer. Instead of saying no, consider:

A Tweak to the Request: If mom wants you to wear her wedding dress from the early 1980s, but the dress looks like it should stay in that decade, ask if you can wear her veil instead. Or maybe see if she'd consider a bespoke gown made from the dress, merging your two styles into one fresh new gown.

Repurposing the Request: Even if your aunt is a great baker, if she's never made an actual wedding cake, it's natural to feel a bit iffy about her abilities. Instead of your wedding cake, ask her to put her baking skills to work making cupcakes to serve at the rehearsal dinner instead.

Try a Less Important Day: Your friend's photography skills may be good, but there is a lot of lighting and lens knowledge needed to beautifully capture the all the little details of your day. Ask him or her to instead shoot your engagement photos, allowing him or her to give you a gift and be involved without the risk of losing cherished memories from your wedding day.

It's okay to say no! It's your day, make sure you have it your way. Practice these techniques and devour the details of turning your family and friends down gently with help from The Knot!

Summer S'mores to Die For

As if the gooey marshmallow, graham cracker and chocolate combo wasn't enough! Today, we're bringing you the ultimate guide to summer s'mores that are truly to die for. Get the bonfire going...you're in for a real treat!

Homemade Graham Crackers

Ingredients:
½ cup whole wheat flour
1 ¾ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp kosher salt
6 oz. unsalted butter, softened
½ cup packed brown sugar
¼ cup honey
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:
1. Sift together the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder and baking soda; set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar and honey until light and fluffy. Stir in the sifted ingredients and end with vanilla. Cover dough and refrigerate overnight.

3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Roll out the dough to about 1/8-inch thick, and slice into 5 x 3-inch rectangles. I like to score my graham cracker dough in quarters, like the ones you’d see in a box, but you can do whatever pattern or shape you like. Place rectangles onto ungreased cookie sheets. Mark a line down the center of each one, and prick with a fork.

4. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove from baking sheets to cool on wire racks.

Orange Whiskey Marshmallows

Ingredients:
1 tsp orange zest
1 oz. whiskey
¼ teaspoon orange bitters

Instructions:
Add the orange zest and whiskey to the syrup ingredients as you begin to heat them up. Add the bitters during the final mix of the marshmallows.

Strawberry Marshmallows

Ingredients:
1 cup fresh strawberries, pureed
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 cup freeze-dried strawberries, for garnish

Instructions:
Add the strawberry puree and lemon juice to the syrup ingredients as you begin to heat them up. Strain to add to the gelatin before mixing. Once marshmallows are poured into the pan, sprinkle with freeze-dried strawberries on top.

Savor summer with these perfect campfire s'more recipes and devour the details of a sweet treat everyone will enjoy!

Monday Mashups: HBO is Really On-the-Go This Summer

With a pop-up community space opening July 2 through August 19, HBO is bringing seven weeks of L.G.B.T.Q.+ cultural programming to the iconic gay seaside destination of Provincetown, Massachusetts, as it creates a welcoming hub that allows for both education and celebration.

More than two years in the making, The Studio, located at 331 Commercial Street in the heart of P-town, was birthed from the 2016 launch of what HBO called the Queer Culture Project, whereby a survey of 100 L.G.B.T.Q.+ influencers revealed the need for “distinctly queer spaces” where they could meet to exchange ideas and facilitate meaningful dialogues.

To oversee all logistics from conception to buildout to furnishings, HBO enlisted Brooklyn-based creative agency the Gathery, helmed by co-founders Nicky Balestrieri and Luigi Tadini. A total of about a dozen or so staffers between the Gathery, HBO, and L.A.-based PR Dept. will remain on site in P-town throughout the summer.

The one-level, 1,026-square-foot, highly configurable modular space will play host to the bulk of the 93 events planned. As the duo’s second activation with HBO—the first was the 2017 creation of the Queer|Art Prize in New York—the Gathery was tasked to create a space that had impact but that remained neutral enough so as not to distract from an assortment of programming: screenings, ice cream socials, “Meditation & Mimosas” yoga classes, drag queen trivia happy hours, art exhibits curated by New York-based non-profit Queer|Art, story time sessions (during Family Week) and appearances by stars from such hit HBO shows as Westworld, Big Little Lies, and Sesame Street.

To allow content to reach people outside P-town, all talks, including those with The Studio’s seven queer media partners—Out, The Advocate, Gayletter, The Tenth, Them, Hello Mr., and INTO (all of which have taken turns guest editing a collectible ’zine)—are being captured via video to live on the dedicated website, as is the weekly ’zine each aforementioned publication will produce. A sizzle reel of all the past week’s events will also be produced. Additionally, some of HBO’s partners are recording their own podcasts and will share them via their unique outlets.

On paper, P-town, as a gay mecca located at the tip of Cape Cod and the number one queer destination in America, made sense from a location standpoint. From a legacy as a writer and artist colony, where artists like Norman Mailer, Eugene O’Neill, Tennessee Williams, and Michael Cunningham often visited to write, P-town—which swells to more than 70,000 visitors between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends—offers a mix of diversity and intimacy unlike any other L.G.B.T.Q.+ vacation destination.

At the core of the initiative was an effort to celebrate the local community and the people within it—be it the local contractors who helped with the restoration and renovation efforts to Patio Restaurant which will be providing catering for every event this summer to swag sourced from local mom-and-pop shops.

Depending on the layout, The Studio will house everything from yoga for groups of 16 to larger events like dinners, cocktails, and art exhibits for some 40 people each. In total, from food vendors (seven ice cream flavors have been created by Big Gay Ice Cream inspired by HBO shows) to media sponsors, a total of 31 partners are involved. They also include four product collaborations, six Queer|Art artist exhibits, 11 screenings at Waters Edge Cinema, and two large-scale events that will take place off-site at Pilgrim Monument: a kick-off concert for 500 guests on July 3 featuring three queer artists and, on the sixth week, an outdoor screening for Sharp Objects for 200 people.

Celebrate with the L.G.B.T.Q.+ community this summer and devour the details of HBO's The Studio!

Summer Barbecue & Brews Cruise Aboard the Northern Lights

Yacht Northern Lights was inspired by the famous (and infamous) New England commuter yachts of the roaring twenties! These classic boats were commonplace along the New England coastline between Boston/Fall River and New York City — used by the ultra-rich for quick and fast transportation to Boston.

Designed for speed and elegance, Northern Lights is outfitted with 800 horse power John Deere Diesels, and will be traveling at safe comfortable “cruising speeds” while you enjoy a glass of champagne while gazing out at the beautiful Boston skyline or graceful, rolling harbor islands.

This Saturday, you can celebrate in true summer style by participating in two of Beantown's biggest warm weather rituals: boating and barbecuing! On this two-hour Summer Barbecue & Beers Cruise through Boston Harbor, you and your friends can see landmarks like Fort Independence, the colorful foliage of Thompson's Island and America's oldest light house — all while playing a few rounds of corn hole and refreshing yourself with some seasonal beers from the bar. And don't forget the barbecue, which includes smoked chicken breast, honey-glazed spare ribs, coleslaw, biscuits and roasted potatoes.

This afternoon adventure aboard the Yacht Northern Lights is the perfect celebration of summer. Get your tickets today and devour the details of the perfect Saturday out on the harbor!

Enjoy Rosé All Day this 4th

Not much can make a glass of chilled rosé better. Actually...champagne, gin and slushy ice might do the trick! Here are four refreshing concoctions to make with your go-to summer wine this 4th of July. Cheers!

Rosé Lemonade

Sweet and refreshing! Get the recipe here.

Strawberry & Peach Rosé Sangria

Best served in large quantities! Try out this recipe with your whole squad.

Rosé Slushy

Better than a popsicle. Get the recipe to make these today!

Rosé Royal Cocktail

Best served with a hint of bubbles! Get the recipe and pop, fizz, clink the day away.

Summertime and the sippings easy! Drink rosé all day this 4th and devour the details of these pitcher perfect recipes.

Summer Beach Reads You Won't Put Down

You've got your new swimsuit and a fresh bottle of sunscreen...now all you need is a great beach read! We've narrowed down our list, and trust us, you won't want to put any of them down. Turn the page by the waves and enjoy these perfect beach reads!

Indecent by Corinne Sullivan

Fresh out of college, introverted Imogene takes a teaching position at an upscale all-boys boarding school despite her lack of experience—both with teaching and boys. Quickly enthralled by her popular, seemingly-untouchable student Adam, Imogene finds herself falling into an illicit affair that could have damning real-life consequences. Complex and nuanced, Sullivan's novel explores issues of morality, sexuality, class warfare, and gender without succumbing to facile answers.

The Family Next Door by Sally Hepworth

Part family drama, part suburban thriller, Hepworth's latest novel sets its sights on the suburbs, where Essie lives what seems to be a picture-perfect life—at least from the outside looking in. In reality she is plagued by questions of her own place in the world and her fitness as a mother. Maybe that's why she immediately becomes fascinated when unconventional, enigmatic Isabelle moves in next door. As the two become closer, much to her friends' disapproval, it becomes evident that Isabelle's move to the neighborhood was no happenstance, her presence threatening to throw the balance of Essie's carefully-calibrated life into turmoil.

Lizzie by Dawn Ius

In this new spin on a legendary murder mystery, Dawn Ius reinterprets the story of Lizzie Borden for the 21st century. Using facts of the case as well as theory and her own imaginings, Ius paints a portrait of Lizzie as a complicated, yearning young woman struggling against abusive parents, falling in love with the charming new maid at the family’s B&B, and taking control of her life in ways no one—least of all her parents—would ever have suspected.

When Life Gives You Lululemons by Lauren Weisberger

Set in the Devil Wears Prada universe, former first assistant to Miranda Priestly, Emily (played by Emily Blunt in the film), trades life in the city for work as an image consultant in Greenwich, Connecticut, where she takes on A-list client Karolina Hartwell, a supermodel and senator's wife trying to repair her image after a DUI. As she tries to balance life in the surprisingly cutthroat suburbs, save her career, and develop actual human friendships with the women around her, Emily begins coming into her own in an entirely new way—with just a little help from a devilish former boss.

The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn

Take Hitchcock's Rear Window, add a dash of Gone Girl, and a sprinkling of The Girl on the Train, and you'll have find yourself this tense, twisting thriller. Alcoholic and agoraphobic, former child psychologist Anna wiles away her days trapped in her New York apartment, until one day, she thinks she witnesses a crime through her window. Questioning her own sanity and forced to come to grips with the past that left her housebound for so long, Anna finds herself in very real danger on her quest to find the truth.

It just isn't summer if you don't have the perfect beach read. Find yours today and devour the details of one (or all) of these great books!