This Bird, You Can Not Change

With beer on a pedestal and adventure up their sleeve, Lord Hobo Brewing Co. set out to craft style-defining New England beers that highlight paramount traits of quality ingredients. And they did just that. Their beers are elegant yet raw, free-spirited yet sophisticated and more importantly — tasty!

Beer has a unique ability to bring all kinds of people together, from the Lords that only enjoy the finer things in life, to the Hobos that work hard to earn their small pleasures, great beer is an accessible luxury. They relish in the connection and find sanctuary in the beers that unite us. Lords and Hobos alike, the brewing company believes we all deserve to drink like royalty — that being said, their upcoming event is probably perfect for all of you!

This Saturday, June 29th from 1-5pm, #followthecrown as Lord Hobo Brewing Co. leads you on a bar crawl of Somer Pubs locations throughout Boston to celebrate the release on their latest beer - FREEBIRD. This beer embodies everything it means to let loose, be yourself and soar. Freebird is a beautifully crafted golden ale brewed for those who fly to the beat of their own wings.

The FREEBIRD signature 1979 Pontiac Trans Am will also be onsite to celebrate the occasion. Just $30 gets you access to exclusive LHBCo merch, and giveaways and entrance into raffles to win the Trans Am as well as a trip for two to Ireland! What could be better? Purchase your ticket today!

Get your drinking pants on and secure a DD because it's going to be a fun afternoon of devouring the details with Lord Hobo Brewing Co.! Cheers!

Wedding Wednesdays: Wedding Invitation Wording—Decoded

Wedding invitation wording might not be as fun to think about as paper designs, calligraphy and color schemes, but when it comes down to it, even the most gorgeous wedding invitations need to be informative.

Your wedding invitations are the first impression guests will have of your celebration. According to The Knot, they should convey the who, when and where of the event, while offering a sneak peek of your wedding aesthetic. Wedding invitations should spell out all essential wedding info—who's getting married, who's hosting, and where and when the ceremony and reception will take place. (Psst—everything else goes on your wedding website.) And while we’re about to share their best wedding invitation wording samples, feel free to shake things up if your wedding style is more modern, relaxed or nontraditional. Here’s how to word your wedding invites, no matter the vibe.

Traditional Wedding Invitation Wording
A few basic invitation wording tips: If the bride's parents are hosting, it’s customary to leave off the bride's last name. However, if the bride has a different last name than her parents, include her full name. The bride's last name should also be included if the groom's parents are involved in hosting.

In its simplest form, this is a standard wedding invitation wording sample.

Mr. and Mrs. John L. Smithrequest the pleasure of your presence

at the marriage of their daughter

Heather Marie

to

Michael Francis Jacobson

Saturday, the seventeenth of May

two thousand and twenty

At six o’clock in the evening

Plaza Hotel

New York, New York

Reception to follow

Wedding Invitation Wording If One Set of Parents Is Hosting
In this case, the invitation includes the bride's parents’ names, so you can omit the bride's last name (unless she has a different last name than her parents). On the following line, write out the groom’s entire name. LGBTQ+ wedding invitation wording should follow similar guidelines. The host of the celebration (read: the party footing the bill) is listed first, followed by their son or daughter’s name, followed by their son or daughter’s partner’s name. If the couple is hosting themselves, names are typically listed in alphabetical order.

Formal Wording Sample:

Mr. and Mrs. John L. Smith

request the pleasure of your company

at the marriage of their daughter

Heather Marie

to

Michael Francis Jacobson

Saturday, the seventeenth of May

two thousand and twenty

at half past four in the afternoon

Casual Wording Sample:

John and Eliza Smith

invite you to share in their joy at the marriage of their daughter

Heather Marie

to Michael Francis Jacobson

Saturday, May 17, 2020

at 4:30 in the afternoon

Wedding Invitation Wording If Both Sets of Parents Are Jointly Hosting
The couple’s parents should each be listed on separate lines, starting with the bride's or whoever’s name falls alphabetically first. Since both last names are included in the greeting, there’s no need to use last names for the to-be-weds—unless, again, if either of them has a different last name than their parents. In that case, list out their full name, in addition to the full names of their parents.

Formal Wording Sample:

Mr. and Mrs. John L. Smith &

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Franklin Jacobson

request the honor of your presence

at the marriage of their children

Heather Marie

and

Michael Francis

Saturday, the seventeenth of May

two thousand and twenty

at half past four in the afternoon

Casual Wording Sample:

John and Eliza Smith

along with Mark and Sally Jacobson

invite you to share and celebrate the marriage of their children

Heather Marie

and Michael Francis

Saturday, May 17, 2020

at 4:30 in the afternoon

Wedding Invitation Wording If the Couple Is Hosting
If you’re paying for the wedding yourselves, the invite wording will look slightly different. Essentially, the greeting will skip the host line and begin with the request line—here’s an example.

Formal Wording Sample:

The honor of your presence

is requested at the marriage of

Heather Marie Smith

to Michael Francis Jacobson

Saturday, the seventeenth of May

two thousand and twenty

at half past four in the afternoon

Casual Wording Sample:

Heather Marie Smith &

Michael Francis Jacobson

invite you to share in their joy at their wedding

Saturday, May 17, 2020

at 4:30 in the afternoon

These are great examples to get you started but, don't worry, The Knot offers a handful of others to get you through wording your wedding invites which you can devour the details of here. Good luck!

A Cutting-Edge Bakery Opens on Newbury Street

According to Boston.com, at Jonquils Cafe & Bakery, 3D printers are just as vital as whisks and blenders.

Named after a daffodil-like flower, Jonquils opened June 13 on Newbury Street with ultra-modern desserts from pastry chef Dinara Kasko. The Ukranian-born chef, who originally set out to become an architect, is known for using a 3D printer to create silicon molds that can shape cakes and other pastries into edible geometric dishes.

The dessert menu includes inventive items like the Apple Caramel, an angular apple-shaped pastry that, when sliced open, reveals apple confit, soft caramel, cream cheese, and chocolate sponge cake. Other creations include Cherry, a bulbous sphere with dark chocolate mousse, cherry confit, crunch, and chocolate sponge cake; and Exotique Spheres, a Rubik’s Cube-like dessert with mango and passion fruit cremeux, crunch, and vanilla mousse.

Jonquils' substantial menu also includes savory tartines, croissants, and grab-and-go items like yogurt parfait and chia pudding in addition to sandwiches, quiches, and steamed bowls, including the To Sea, a steamed bowl with salmon, avocado, shiitake mushrooms, arugula, shaved rainbow carrots, asparagus, red rice, and quinoa.

An extensive coffee and tea menu is available as well, with coffee beans from Gracenote and loose leaf teas from Rishi. Other specialty drinks include Blue Moon matcha milk tea, earl grey lavender latte, and espresso tonic.

Inside the two-story, 2,100-square-foot space, a living wall features yellow daffodils running along the façade, while exposed stone and brick walls give the cafe a more rustic feel.

Don't take our word for it! Try it yourself today and devour the details of this cutting-edge bakery on Newbury!

Monday Mashups: Guy Fieri's Walk of Fame

As a big triple D fan, we had to share this story! With the mission of taking us all to flava town (if it existed IRL), Food Network threw an over-the-top celebration for the colorful chef to celebrate his induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Check this out!

While many celebrities who receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame celebrate with a small dinner or cocktail party, it's perhaps no surprise that chef and TV host Guy Fieri's event was a bit more colorful.

Taking place immediately after the May 22 ceremony, BizBash shares that the Food Network-hosted event drew about 400 of Fieri's friends and family, colleagues, and Discovery executives to the Hollywood Palladium. Event management company Chad Hudson Events handled design and production. The event had an upscale carnival theme inspired in part by the movie The Greatest Showman and Fieri himself was not involved in the planning. Guy's only ask was for a musical element and some burgers.

Those requests were accomplished with a surprise performance from Foreigner, one of Fieri's favorite bands, plus plenty of burgers and other catering from Heirloom. Other appropriately over-the-top elements of the daytime event included black-and-white striped rentals, deep red carpeting, and colorful lounge areas. Male and female dancers wearing gold body paint, plus models in circus-inspired get-ups or on stilts, entertained the crowd, while an all-black, wheel-covered step-and-repeat was inspired by Fieri's love of cars.

The Walk of Fame ceremony itself was planned and executed by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and was open to the public. Fieri's longtime friend Matthew McConaughey spoke at the event, which was live streamed on the Walk of Fame website. "In a business where you can be anyone you want to be, you’ve been you the whole time. That ain't easy,” said McConaughey.

Meanwhile, Discovery exec Kathleen Finch highlighted Fieri's charitable work. The Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives host is the third food personality to ever receive a star, following chefs Wolfgang Puck and Bobby Flay.

We're truly disappointed we didn't get the invite but are inspired to devour the details of our next event and take attendees to flava town!

Hey Sista, Go Sista!

Hosted by local health coaches Athena Concannon and Lauren Bradley, the Soul Sista Summit is a two-day women’s only experience full of fitness, connection, and personal growth designed to help you create the lifestyle you crave and deserve.

Regardless of whether you are already a fitness enthusiast who loves all things healthy living, if you are just starting out on your wellness journey, or if you are looking for a fresh take on how to feel more confident and empowered, the Soul Sista Summit is for you.

The weekend will be full of group fitness, coaching workshops, motivational guest speakers, swag bags, tank tops, sisterhood, empowerment, and total body transformation.

Saturday’s Agenda (6/22):
Introductions + intention setting for the weekend
Creating your empowered wellness vision
Lunch
Breaking down your limiting beliefs
Creating your 90-day action plan
Outdoor bootcamp with Athena + Lauren
Cocktails!

Sunday's Agenda (6/23):
Day 1 recap
Lisa Lewis on "Psychological Skills for Exercise Motivation"
Juicy Booty workout with Candace Smith
Lunch
Candace Smith on "The Power of Lifting the Things"
Sam Vander Wielen on "Windy Paths + Taking the Leap"
Q&A Panel
Weekend wrap-up

If you are ready to make an incredible transformation in both your fitness and your life, this event is for you! To learn more about the Soul Sista Summit, check out the event website. Consider signing up today and start devouring the details of your very own fitness transformation!

Wedding Wednesdays: Caring About Your Cake

Before committing to a cake baker and setting up a tasting to finalize your wedding cake decision, it's important to cover all the bases. What are the bases, you ask? The Knot can help with that. Here's how you can care about your cake!

1. What are my filling choices?
Whether you're looking for a fruity filling, like strawberry or orange, or a heavier one, like mocha or chocolate, the type of ingredients used will make all the difference in taste. Exotic options, like passion fruit, may cost you, so ask if sourcing uncommon ingredients will run up the bill. Some common filling ingredients: fresh fruits or purees, mousses and buttercream.

2. Do you work with fondant or buttercream?
Some bakers specialize in fondant, while others prefer buttercream. And some do both. If you have your heart set on one type of frosting, confirm your baker can work with it.

3. Can you make sugar flowers? If I choose fresh blooms, will you work with my florist?
Most bakers can create sugar flowers for your cake; others may be able to make custom motifs or sculptural elements. Ask to see pictures of past work to get a feel for what they specialize in. If you decide to garnish with fresh flowers, ask if your baker will partner with your florist (most will).

4. How far in advance will my wedding cake be prepared?
Many bakers have multiple clients, so don't be surprised if the baker makes your cake three to four days prior to your wedding day. Of course the closer to your wedding date, the better, but a few days in advance shouldn't impact the taste or look, and may be necessary if you want a complicated design that takes more than a day to execute.

5. Who will make my wedding cake?
Some bakeries house a baker and a designer; at others, one person creates the entire cake from batter to sugar flowers. Find out how many people work with the baker and who exactly will be making your cake. The number of people involved should have no bearing on the quality of your cake, but you'll want to talk design with the right person.

6. How are your wedding cakes priced?
It's common for wedding cakes to be priced by the slice. And the price will increase depending on the complexity of flavors and fillings you're after (and how detailed the design is). This goes for custom-designed cakes as well.

7. Does the wedding cake price include the top tier?
Depending on the baker, the top tier may or may not be included in the overall price. Find out the cake baker's policy, and whether having a top tier will increase the price. Our favorite bakers include the top tier—the one many couples save for their first anniversary—for free.

8. Do you provide cake stands?
Most bakers have a variety of cake stands you can rent for day-of use. Ask to see pictures to determine what will match best with your cake and décor.

9. What's the delivery process?
It's best to have the wedding cake delivered to the reception. Some bakers will charge a delivery fee, so ask them from the start and factor it into your cake budget. It's also worth it to ask if they've delivered to your venue before. If they have, you know they'll be able to find their way into your reception space with ease (think: service entrances, freight elevators, kitchen access for last-minute touch-ups).

10. Is the baker licensed by the state?
It may seem like a silly question, but it's worth verifying that your baker is licensed by the state health department.

Take The Knot's advice and devour the details of caring about your cake before it's too late!

Sip, Sip, Hooray with These Hawaiian Inspired Shaved Ices

What could be more magical than eating snow on a blazing hot day? That’s the spell of Hawaiian shaved ice—it refreshes and transports you in a single bite. Lauren Conrad shares some syrup recipes sure to take your average shaved ices to the next level. Try these and enjoy some ice, ice baby!

Strawberry Chili Syrup

Ingredients:
1 cup quartered strawberries
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 tablespoon dried hibiscus (optional)

Instructions:
Combine water and sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat; stir until sugar is dissolved. Mix remaining ingredients into the saucepan and bring to a boil, cooking for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until strawberries are mushy and sauce is thick, another 10 minutes. Strain liquid into a bottle and refrigerate.

Blueberry Peaberry Syrup

Ingredients:
1 cup blueberries
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon pea flowers
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions:
Same as above! Combine water and sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat; stir until sugar is dissolved. Mix remaining ingredients into the saucepan and bring to a boil, cooking for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until blueberries are mushy and sauce is thick, another 10 minutes. Strain liquid into a bottle and refrigerate.

Coconut Cream

Ingredients:
1 can coconut milk
1/4 cup honey
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions:
In a blender, combine the ingredients and blend thoroughly. Keep chilled, but you might have to blend again before using if it re-hardens.

Check out the full post here and find out how you can devour the details of some yum all summer long!

Monday Mashups: Leading with (an) Experience

Question: Where can you find a celebrity dodgeball tournament, a panel discussion with prominent activists, a fashion show, and a Mary J. Blige concert all in one place?

Answer: the seventh annual BET Experience—or BETX—taking place June 20 to 23 at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles. The eclectic festival, presented by Coca-Cola, is a fan-focused gathering that culminates in the BET Awards on June 23. BET launched the festival in 2013 as a way to connect fans with the music, comedy, and entertainment, and capitalize on the buzz surrounding the BET Awards.

The BET Awards are, and has always been, a cultural magnet. They bring all of this talent, all of these fans, all of their sponsors—all of their key constituents—together for the greatest celebration of black music and culture on television. According to BizBash, the BET team realized that the opportunity to tap into this energy and effort extended well beyond a single night, and the BET Experience was born.

What sets the festival apart, though, is that tickets to many of the events are free with advance registration. Guests can experience runway shows with lines from Karl Kani and Sprayground, panel discussions with Lena Waithe and Yara Shahidi, sneaker customization classes, and more. New components this year include a gaming tournament and "Next Rap Star" competition, where rappers will compete for a chance to perform at next year's festival.

BET focuses on both established and emerging talent that our audience can experience for free at the fan fest. They add new activations based on where they see culture going and on what their audience tells them. BET brings in speakers to address issues and topics that are on consumers’ minds, and that affect consumers’ lives.

Nightly concerts at the Staples Center, where top acts including Blige, Cardi B, Migos, H.E.R., and Meek Mill will perform, do require paid tickets, as does a celebrity basketball game that raises money for charity. Tickets at the highest price points even offer access to the BET Awards themselves.

Of course, an event of this magnitude doesn't come without its hiccups. It literally takes a village to pull an event of this magnitude off.

A part of that village is sponsors, which allow many of the events to remain free. BET's long-standing partners really understand what BETX is and they bring a lot to the event. The Coca-Cola stage is always hot. Sprite and the Kicksperience. Their partners at McDonald's bring their own positivity to the event. Nissan, Mars, and many, many others all enhance the consumer experience. BET's sister companies also come out on full force—Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, and more. They're all combining to bring a broad experience to consumers.

Overall, the network expects to draw 170,000 fans this year, an increase from last year.

The 19th annual BET Awards take place at the Microsoft Theater on June 23 and air live on BET. Actress Regina Hall will host, and Blige will be presented with a lifetime achievement award. Follow BET's lead and consider hosting an experience that allows your consumers to devour the details of an experience unlike any other! And don't forget to tune in and see it for yourself this Sunday!

Dad Bod Appreciation this Weekend at City Tap Boston

Okay, we know we blog about them a lot but we are huge fans of City Tap! Especially when they pull together epic celebrations such as this; Dad Bod Appreciation a.k.a Father's Day. Take your Dads, Grandpas, Baby Daddies, Dog Dads, (you get the point), to a meal they'll love this weekend at City Tap!

Because dads aren’t often impressed with promises of prosecco and flowers, City Tap is getting down to business and going straight to winning their hearts through the stomach. Over Father’s Day weekend, the CTH team will be dishing out a Surf & Turf special that comes complete with a pint for pop: 14oz rib eye and two baked shrimp served with an icy cold one of your choosing ($45). Our mouths are officially watering!

Give the Dad in your life the best gift this weekend - a full stomach - and join us in devouring the details of an epic Father's Day celebration at City Tap!

Wedding Wednesdays: Name Changing Advice for LGBTQ+ Couples—Plus 3 Married Surname Options

As a ode to Pride this weekend, we're here to share The Knot's name changing advice for LGBTQ+ couples! One of the many great things about marriage today is there really are no established rules—selecting a surname is completely up to you.

The lack of precedence for LGBTQ+ marriages means there are no 'tradition police' to say whose name to take! That being said, The Knot has curated three common options for LGBTQ+ couples. Here's how to navigate the naming process!

Decisions, Decisions
So—how do you figure out the best name for your family? Careful consideration is a must. This is a big commitment and shouldn't be a rash decision. Think about your entire family. One partner may have a negative association with their family name. Another may have built a career on their moniker. The point is to find a clear balance between individual and family identifications!

Sticking with the Originals
Keeping your own individual surnames is a popular practice among LGBTQ+ couples. Many go this route as a way to show gender-neutral equality within the marriage. It's also the easiest option, legally speaking, since you'll avoid all that pesky name-change paperwork.

Matching Monikers
Some couples prefer to have one last name for the sake of coherence and for recognition by the rest of the world. It's also a good idea to have one common name if you have kids. This way, no matter where you are, you'll instantly be recognized as a family. Choosing which of your names to take can be as simple as going with the one you both like best.

Naming Anew
Here's the fun part: Since there are no guidelines, you can come up with an entirely different surname that both of you take. You might create something using the letters from your two names, pick a name that best represents your new family or, if you don't want to lose your original names, consider keeping both by putting a hyphen in between them.

Making the Change
If you decide to change your last name postwedding, some surname options are easier to execute than others. If one of you is taking the other's original last name or you're hyphenating your surnames, you can probably use your marriage certificate to legally change your title(s). However, generating a totally new surname typically requires court approval. Name change laws also vary state to state, making things even more situation specific. Do your research prior to making your final decision!

Play the name game with your partner and devour the details of a balanced surname you'll both love!

Get Ready to Grub!

The arrival of summer brings Seaport’s annual Chefs in Shorts event on Friday, June 21st. Back in 1998, Chefs in Shorts was created featuring a handful of chefs, enjoying the outdoors while creating grilled specialties for attendees. The intention was to create an event that attracted the public while raising awareness of both the then newly-opened Seaport Hotel and this ‘new’ area of Boston.

Chefs in Shorts has now turned into one of the city’s more popular culinary events, raising awareness and valuable funds for Future Chefs, a local non-profit focused on first careers in the culinary arts. If you haven’t ventured into the Seaport for Chefs in Shorts previously, consider attending this year. It’s an event unlike any other in the city and all proceeds benefit Future Chefs!

Check out the list of the area’s leading chefs who will fire up the grills and create their favorite dishes during this outdoor, summer-in-the-city barbecue:

• Seaport Hotel and World Trade Center - Chef Richard Rayment, Pastry Chef Karen Hodsdon
• ArtBar - Chef Brian Dandro
• Article 24 - Chef Wally Salguero
• Artisan Bistro - Ritz Carlton - Chef Micole Rivera
• Babbo Pizzeria e Enoteca - Chef Mario LaPosta 
• Backyard Farms
• Bison County - Chef Dan Lane
• Bodega Canal - Chef Justin Hackett
• Champions - Chef Michael Panasuk
• Chubby Chickpea - Chef Avi Shemtov
• Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse - Chef Andres Tavares
• Earls Kitchen and Bar - Chef Nicholas Hrynkiw
• Fazenda Coffee Roaster - Philip Schein
• Five Horses Tavern - Chef Chris Bussell
• Flour Bakery + Café - Chef Robert Petzold
• Forklift Catering - Chef Liz Garvey
• Fuji at Ink Block - Chef Jimmy Liang
• Future Chefs - Chef Sam Putnam
• King's Dining & Entertainment - Chef Alex Aguilar
• Local 149 - Chef James Dry
• Lucy's American Tavern - Chef Christopher Bauers
• Mastro's Ocean Club Boston - Chef Raphael Anderson
• Ocean Prime - Chef Mitch Brumels
• Outlook Kitchen at The Envoy Hotel - Chef Tatiana Rosana
• Pete and Gerry's Organics - Karl Johnson
• Philip R's Frozen Desserts - Philip Rotondo
• Publico Street Bistro - Chef Joel Howard
• Saloniki Greek - Chef Pantazis Delgiannis
• TAMO Bistro + Bar - Chef Robert Tobin
• Taranta - Chef Jose Duarte
• The Bowery Bar - Chef Dan Davis
• Tuscan Kitchen - Chef Nimesh Mahajaran
• University Club of Boston - Chef Jason Banusiewicz
• Venezia Waterfront Restaurant - Chef Gianni Caruso
• WXYZ bar at Aloft Boston - Chef Roberto Rosario Rivero
• Ward 8 - Chef Eric Buonagurio
• Worden Hall - Chef Anthony James
• Yotel - Chef Alex Fuentes
• Zuma - Four Seasons - Chef Helmy Saadon

Ticket includes complimentary beer, wine and tastings and can be purchased online here. Once again this year, guests will be invited to vote for their favorite dish!

Skip lunch, get ready to grub, and join us in devouring the details of all the good food the Seaport has to offer!

Monday Mashups: Bringing the Behind-the-Screen Audience to You

David Dobrik is a household name—well at least in houses with a teenager. With more than 12 million subscribers on YouTube, he’s one of the most sought-after social media influencers today. Having started his channel in 2016, the 22-year-old is now one of the platform’s most popular vloggers. His day-in-the-life-style videos, which he films with friends as well as big-name celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, generate millions of views. He also records a podcast called “Views with David Dobrik And Jason Nash.”

But how do you translate that online success into a brick-and-mortar pop-up shop? BizBash shares that to launch Dobrik’s new “Clickbait” merchandise line with apparel brand Fanjoy, creative agency Movement Strategy produced a two-day event where fans could shop the collection and, perhaps more importantly, meet the YouTube star.

The pop-up featured a partnership with ticket search engine site SeatGeek that included toy sports cars on display, as a nod to Dobrik’s designer car vlog moments, along with a raffle. Guests could also pose in front of a backdrop showcasing some of his most recent thumbnail images from YouTube.

Juliette Richey, head of production at Movement Strategy, added that “the space had to convey the distinct character and sense of humor that fans associate with David. That meant fighting a creative instinct to build something more involved in favor of installations that granted plenty of appealing, immediately recognizable quick-snap photo ops.”

Overall, the space was designed to maximize flow in an effort to expedite purchases; guests were given strict 15-minute intervals to browse and shop. And the concept seemed to pay off. According to Movement Strategy, 3.5 items were sold per minute within 16 hours.

The pop-up shop was held on May 18 and 19 in New York’s TriBeCa neighborhood at 368 Broadway, a three-level space owned by another popular vlogger and YouTube personality, Casey Neistat.

Movement, Fanjoy, and David wanted to ensure that the event space chosen in New York was authentic to the David Dobrik brand and the 368 space was a perfect home because of its deep roots within the YouTube community. The 368 space is a collaborative workspace in New York City, which serves as a hub for fellow filmmakers, YouTube stars, musicians, and podcasters. David Dobrik and Casey Neistat are both prolific YouTube content creators with an existing friendship, so the collaboration was fluid for the two.

Much like a rockstar, YouTube personalities such as Dobrik are able to generate buzz and excitement in real life that most corporate brands can’t imitate. With the Fanjoy x David Dobrik pop-up, the producers aimed to capture that energy and convert it into an inspiring event.

YouTube audiences are extremely attuned to the vloggers they follow and feel an immensely deep connection to them. It’s a more personal connection than a brand is usually capable of eliciting, which makes crafting a rich experience that resonates for diehards all the more important.

Take the advice of David's team and devour the details of bringing the behind-the-screen audience to you in real life!

Back to School for Robin Hood Benefit Event Goers

According to BizBash, the Robin Hood Benefit raises tens of millions of dollars each year to support the foundation's mission of ending poverty in New York. It's an evening that pointedly does away with conventional gala traditions like a step-and-repeat and a black-tie dress code, drawing 4,000 guests to a room where you might find yourself standing next to a billionaire, professional athlete, or television star.

This year, they all went back to school.

The theme of the event, held May 13 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, was "Robin Hood to the Power of You." The idea directly factored donors into the equation for finding solutions to issues like hunger, unemployment, homelessness, and more, the power of the community.

It also introduced a classroom math component that David Stark Design & Production—now in its 17th year designing the benefit—brought to life throughout the venue.

Marking the entrance was an oversize classroom desk and chair—with the event theme cleverly etched classroom-vandal style underneath the desk—and a digital blackboard writing out messages tied to the foundation's mission. From there, guests walked through a tunnel of 7,000 backpacks in colorful rows. (After the event, the backpacks were stocked with school supplies and donated.)

The cocktail space featured large-scale shapes and symbols turned into decor, such as an oversize calculator, ruler, pencil, abacus, a right angle, and the infinity sign. Some were rendered in 3-D while others were trompe l'oeil. Some fabricated pieces had embedded LED screens, such as a standalone bar contained in its own box-like room where an entire wall was a video screen.

Even the event entertainers were enlisted to share the message. Movement artists, under the direction of choreographer Sarah O'Gleby, contorted to fill purpose-built niches built into the event decor. They moved into the spaces one at a time and working with one another. Dancers and a marching band also helped transition guests to dinner. There, the star wattage increased with appearances from Gayle King and Keenan Thompson, a stand-up set from comic Sebastian Maniscalco, a surprise performance by Pharrell Williams, and a Game of Thrones parody in which founder Paul Tudor Jones dressed as Jon Snow.

The foundation has stopped releasing its fundraising total—but a call for donations kicked off with the announcement of a $30 million grant. Then, guests raised hands to make individual donations of $1 million each. After an announced $10 million donation from a co-chair, the pledges continued until they totaled $23 million.

Next was a fundraising challenge that pitted two halves of the room against each other to see which side would make the most pledges via email. On hand for that were former New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck, retired New York Knicks star Allan Houston, and broadcasters Stephanie Ruhle and Willie Geist.

The evening closed with a Shawn Mendes performance, part of which was live streamed on Z100 radio and synched to a light show on the Empire State Building. Truly phenomenal!

What a great way to celebrate community and devour the details of fundraising by putting all of us into the equation!

Wedding Wednesday: Affordable Bridesmaid Dresses That Don't Look Cheap

Looking for inexpensive bridesmaid dress options? The Knot has pulled together dozens of gorgeous gowns, with the vast majority under $100, perfect for your wedding day. Here are our top 5!

If you're throwing an elegant formal affair, consider jewel tones like emerald green. This gown has a soft scoop neckline we love.

Birdy Grey Jan dress in Emerald, $99, BirdyGrey.com

Pink bridesmaid dresses are beautifully dreamy, as are ruffled gowns. This number combines the power of both styles into one stunning garment. (But it also comes in other equally pretty hues.)

DB Studio ruffled faux-wrap crepe scuba dress in Dusty Rose, $100, DavidsBridal.com

What's even sweeter? This light blush affordable bridesmaid dress. We adore the draped cold-shoulder sleeves.

Adrianna Papell drape gown in Blush, from $70 to rent, RenttheRunway.com

All hail the cold shoulder. This trendy, dusty rose bridesmaid dress—complete with a plunging neckline—looks like something a goddess would wear. In other words, it's perfect for your gang of goddesses.

ASOS cold shoulder cowl back pleated maxi dress in Rose, $60, ASOS.com

Let's bring it back to affordable navy bridesmaid dresses for a second. This rich-colored halter neck gown is all sorts of elegant.

ASOS DESIGN pleated bodice halter maxi dress in Navy, $95, ASOS.com

Stay under budget and on trend with these devour the detail worthy dresses recommended by The Knot!

Wild & Sour Beers, Oh My!

Boston.com has set our hearts ablaze with their recent write up. Can you guest what the story is? High-carbonated Belgian Saisons, cloudy Leipzig Goses, and more funky beers are coming to Boston — 119 and counting, to be exact.

On June 14 and 15, Massachusetts-based beer guide BeerAdvocate will put on Funk Boston: A Wild & Sour Beer Fest in the South End. More than 35 independent craft brewers hailing from Quebec to California will be showing off their funky creations. New England brewers currently account for 16 of the booths, including Allagash Brewing Company, Cambridge Brewing Company, and Fiddlehead Brewing Company. Festival presenter Dogfish Head Brewery will also be showing off four beers, including its SeaQuench Ale.

Founded in Boston in 1996, BeerAdvocate (BA) is an independent community of enthusiasts and professionals dedicated to supporting and promoting better beer. Since its inception, BeerAdvocate.com has grown into the largest and most diverse beer community online and is now widely considered the go-to website for beer.

The weekend is divided into three 3.5-hour sessions. VIP tickets are sold out, but $65 general admission tickets are still available online. These include beer samples, a tasting cup, and a printed festival guide while supplies last. Brato Brewhouse & Kitchen, Jaju Pierogi, and Waffle Cabin will be onsite serving up grub for an additional cost.

The event takes place at the Cyclorama in the South End. Grab you friends and devour the details of a weekend well spent with Beer Advocate!

Monday Mashups: Yo Quiero Taco Bell (Hotel)

According to CNBC, Taco Bell’s latest limited-time offer isn’t Nacho Fries — it’s a hotel.

The Mexican fast-food chain is taking over a Palm Springs, California, hotel and resort in its latest move to recognize the brand’s super fans.

Reservations will open in June, and guests can start checking in Aug. 9. The Yum Brands unit didn’t specify how long it would operate the hotel.

The Bell will feature a gift shop with exclusive Taco Bell-themed apparel and an on-site salon with Taco Bell-inspired nail art and hair styling services.

Taco Bell’s Chief Brand Officer Marisa Thalberg said that the idea for a Taco Bell-themed hotel is meant to be playful and fun, but the brand sincerely intends for it to be an “unparalleled experience,” and opted to house the Bell in a fully operational hotel.

“I have often quipped that Taco Bell is the fast fashion of food. We have our everyday classics, but then we’re always introducing these cool limited-edition experiences to do something new and different,” Thalberg said in an interview.

Other experiences include wedding customers in a Taco Bell-themed ceremony for $600 at its Las Vegas Cantina flagship location. To date, Taco Bell has had over 165 wedding registrations. The brand has also teamed with fast-fashion retailer Forever 21 to sell clothes with its logo and imagery.

This isn’t even the first time that Taco Bell has invited customers to stay the night. In 2016, the brand teamed Airbnb to reward four people with an overnight stay at a location in Canada.

We need to book a room! (If anyone can pull a couple of strings and get us in, please let us know). Watch as Taco Bell devours the details of the hospitality market one segment at a time with this unique brand experience!