Drinksgiving with Short Path Distillery

We're keeping this one brief because the name says it all. Switch up your Friendsgiving plans this year and join Short Path Distillery for their first ever Drinksgiving, an epic celebration of local spirits, seasonal cocktails and friends!

Here's what's going down during their all-day party:

Mule Bar
Choose a spirit and a mule flavor, they'll whip up your custom cocktail.

Mini Pie Paired Flights
Because what's a drinksgiving bash without pie?

New Spirits
Winter Gin, Winter Amaro, & Whiskey releases.

Thanksgiving Cocktails
Special drinks and take home recipe cards.

Live Barrel Demo
Portland Barrel Co. will be outside making whiskey barrels all afternoon.

Mule Games
Pin the lime on the mule, take photos with our mule mascot & more!

They only thing that might make this event any better is a trough of stuffing. Maybe something for Short Path to consider for next year! Kidding of course. Join us this Saturday to devour the details of this epic Drinksgiving event!

Wedding Wednesdays: Here’s How to Actually Stick to Your Wedding Budget

According to The Knot's most recent Real Weddings study, nearly half of couples admit to spending more than they initially intended—but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to stick to your wedding budget. A lot of couples end up overspending because they don’t factor in all the unexpected expenses and small fees that can really add up. But don’t worry—we’re here to walk you through The Knot's process of creating and following the right wedding budget for you. Follow these four key steps to make sure your spending is where it should be.

1. Establish a Wedding Budget System That Works for You
Decide on a budgeting system to track all the money coming in and out. The easiest way (in our opinion)? Get your hands on The Knot Budget Calculator, which automatically tells you how much you should be spending on everything from ceremony musicians to wedding party gifts, and allows you to track all your payments and their due dates.

2. Consider Hidden Wedding Costs and Extras
Knowing about potential hidden costs up front will guarantee your budget can actually cover it all. Here are the most common wedding fees that sneak up on you.

Overtime Fees 
If the party's hopping, those extra 45 minutes may fly by—but you'll likely pay in overtime costs for everyone from the photographer to the DJ. If you have a feeling your wedding may go over the times you’ve specified in your vendor contracts, work overtime costs into your budget. And think of it this way, if you don't use it, it'll be a nice surprise chunk of cash.

Tipping Your Pros 
From wedding dress hem alterations to the hotel concierge who delivers your welcome bags, even conservative vendor tips can add hundreds to your wedding cost. (And, no, you can’t skip vendor tips!) Make sure to account for tipping costs when you first start drafting your budget.

Vendor Trials
Remember, prewedding trials aren't always free. A florist's demo may be gratis the first time, but if you make repeated changes, you risk being billed. The same goes for hair and makeup trials, so factor these possible costs in too.

Miscellaneous Extras
Things like stamps for invitations and RSVP cards (the thicker your paper, the more expensive it’ll be), marriage license fees and packaging for welcome bags or favors seem so small you can shrug them off, but like any costs, they add up. Going "just over budget" in a few different categories, with a vague plan of making it up somewhere else, can push you past your limit without realizing it.

3. Plan in Advance to Go Over Budget
You’re probably thinking, “Um, excuse me?”—but hear us out. If you account for budget overages, then you never actually blow your budget. Try to earmark 5 percent of your budget for unforeseen costs. A few examples might include:

Flowers: a last-minute realization you want to decorate a previously unconsidered corner of your venue, or order another boutonniere or corsage for an additional family member.

Weather-related expenses: umbrellas for a rainy day, space heaters for unseasonably cool temperatures, or additional shade if it’s particularly hot or humid.

Small accidents: spur-of-the-moment spot removal, something breaks in the days before the ceremony, menus get damp and need to get reprinted.

4. Be Smart About Tracking Wedding-Related Spending
Take advantage of budgeting and money management tricks along the way. For instance, put all your wedding money in one separate account, so you can easily track additions and withdrawals without getting it confused with the rest of your day-to-day funds. Pay for as many of your expenses as possible on a credit card to receive benefits like mileage, rewards or cash back. Finally, make sure everyone making wedding-related purchases on your behalf (your partner, mom, honor attendants and so on) are all on the same card system, allowing you to benefit from the rewards and also from the easy tracking of your purchases.

As we plan our own wedding, we've found these budgeting tips to be incredibly helpful. We hope you do too! Take The Knot's advice and devour the details of sticking to your spending limits!

Bringing New Bites to Beverly

A few days before New Year’s Eve in 2018, the Back Bay’s legendary French restaurant, L’Espalier, announced that it was closing on Dec. 31 after 40 years in operation. Or, rather, chef-owner Frank McClelland, who took over the restaurant in 1988, announced that it was closing, telling the Boston Globe that “The lease is up, and I don’t really have the desire to continue to do this and renew.” A new project, he said, was in the works.

Accordingly to Boston.com, that new project is Frank, a market, café, bar, and restaurant that recently debuted across from the commuter rail station in downtown Beverly (officially opening last Friday, November 15). The all-day gathering place serves coffee, tea, tonics, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches in the morning, with savory sandwiches, soups, and salads available throughout the day — plus sharable plates like lamb meatballs and hummus, and a Frank hamburger featuring raclette cheese, smoked bacon, and housemade hot sauce. There are grab-and-go items available — spiced pumpkin soup, for example, or cauliflower mac and cheese — as well as a curated selection of products that includes wine, tea, and sauces.

For more of a sit-down experience, the 130-seat dining room boasts a sleek bar, where diners can sip on organic wines, local beers, and cocktails. Like the all-day menu, the dinner menu is a reflection of McClelland’s farm-to-table ethos that has been a guiding principle throughout his culinary career. There’s the Cape Ann fisherman bouillabaisse, the seasonal hummus, the haddock with creamed leeks and fingerling potatoes, and the maple chili pork shoulder with Puy lentils and autumn vegetables, plus desserts that range from a warm fruit crostata to crème brûlée.

We are frankly so excited to try this new local spot. Can't wait to dig in and devour the details of everything Frank has to offer! Get a feel for Frank here and make your reservation today.

Monday Mashups: The Magic of Dr. Seuss

Who wouldn't want to spend a day in Whoville or pass the time learning from the Lorax? Or eat some green eggs and ham?

Proving the enduring appeal of Dr. Seuss and his whimsical creations is a new immersive attraction based on the world of Dr. Seuss in Toronto. And in Los Angeles, Netflix celebrated the premiere of its Green Eggs & Ham series with a colorful event.

According to BizBash, "The Dr. Seuss Experience," located in a 15,000-square-foot former Sport Chek location at Mississauga’s Square One Shopping Centre, comes from Kilburn Live, the live events division of Kilburn Media in conjunction with Dr. Seuss Enterprises. Running until January 5, 2020, the interactive experience invites fans of all ages to participate in a nostalgic and whimsical journey.

While the attraction is earning buzz as a family-friendly version of Yayoi Kusama’s “Infinity Mirrors” exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Kilburn Live C.E.O. Mark Manuel noted differences. “There is a trend for Instagrammable exhibits,” he said. “We wanted to build on this by bringing a fully immersive and interactive experience to the marketplace. The idea was to take the visually stunning aspects of these exhibits and make them more active and thematic.”

The experience offered parents and educators opportunities for teachable moments using messages from each book. Each room displays a quote from the books on the walls. In the Lorax room, “I speak for the trees, I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues,” makes a reference to the importance of protecting the environment, while in the Sneetches room, the quote “the day they decided that Sneetches are Sneetches, and no kind of Sneetch is the best on the beaches,” underlines the value of inclusion. Manual explained: “We purposefully tried to avoid overt teaching moments and be respectful of how each person wishes to spend their free time.”

Each room has a theme that designers wanted to feel “instantly recognizable as the story on which it is based, while also feeling new and unique.” While the finished space has been under construction for over a year, Manuel shares, it took three years from ideation to creation and installation. The finished product combines high-tech audiovisual components with sculptures built by fabricators and artisans from all over North America.

Since the exhibit opened in October, Manuel shares that many families have come to the exhibit, but it’s the adults who seem to be having the most fun. Once the show wraps in Toronto, Kilburn Live has plans for a North American tour with stops in Boston, Seattle, Houston, and other cities.

In the U.S., meanwhile, another fun Dr. Seuss-inspired event took place on November 3. The premiere for Netflix's new Green Eggs & Ham series took place at Hollywood Post 43 in Los Angeles. In addition to a screening, the event offered a family-friendly outdoor experience with on-theme games, snacks, and photo ops.

Series stars, including Diane Keaton, Ilana Glazer, Adam Devine, and Keegan-Michael Key, walked the green carpet, which featured mechanical arms holding skillets and plates of—what else?—green eggs and ham. Outdoors, the venue's parking lot was transformed into "Meepville"; attendees could take photos in a "Chickeraffe cage," make friendship bracelets, and play with building blocks at "Guy's Invention Park." Netflix's in-house events team worked with experiential agency Rock&Paper on the event.

In the wise words of Dr. Seuss, "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." That is surely true in this case! We hope you've read this place and will devour the details of another place to go. We'll see this cast of characters in Boston!

Bone Up Some Cash for Pups in Need

For the first time ever, Bone Up Brewing will be hosting a Pints for Pups event. $1 of every pint sold will be donated to Harvey's Hope Animal Rescue. The event will be held at the brewery this Saturday, November 16th, from noon to 6PM. And yes, all good boys and girls are invited to join in on the fun!

Harvey's Hope Animal Rescue (HHAR) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), all-volunteer organization that exists to rescue, re-home, and rehabilitate homeless, unwanted, abused, and neglected dogs and place them in loving and responsible forever homes. They aim to decrease the euthanasia rates of their high-kill shelter partners by promoting adoption and educating the public on the importance of spaying/neutering and microchipping their pets.

In addition, HHAR strives to maintain a network of dependable foster families, capable veterinarians, and experienced trainers to ensure preparedness of our rescued pets for healthy, fulfilling lives in their adoptive homes. This wonderful organization was started when a loving family saved a sweet pup from suffering the most horrific conditions. Harvey-Dent, formerly “Shermy,” was dumped at a high-kill shelter in Texas with his mama and siblings. They were pulled from the shelter by BARRK Animal Rescue and placed into foster care. Next, they were transferred to Georgia. Harvey contracted Parvovirus on the way up. A very common, $12 vaccine, that if received as a puppy could have prevented this. 90% of puppies who do not get treatment for Parvo die. Thanks to Dr. Terry and the amazing staff at Lake Hartwell Veterinary Hospital, Harvey made a full recovery and found his way to his forever home.

Calendars and merchandise will also be available at the event. Proceeds from these items will support HHAR in full. Join us this Saturday at Bone Up Brewing to devour the details of helping to save these poor animals that can't survive on their own. Your support means more than you know!

Wedding Wednesdays: Four Ways to Feel Better When It Comes to Wedding Planning

Wedding stress got you overwhelmed? Planning your nuptials can be one of the most exciting times of your life, but it can also be accompanied by sentiments of pressure. While you're balancing finding your ideal venue to finalizing seating arrangement charts, it's easy to get overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list.

Lucky for you and your partner, there are plenty of resources available to help you manage wedding planning stress. The Knot has teamed with a psychotherapist and Head of Therapy at Lasting, the number one couples counseling app, whom works with clients to identify the best strategy to combat this common issue—and found that it all comes down to knowing your limits and practicing regular self-care.

If you’re feeling tense as you mark off your checklist, these three tips for managing wedding stress are for you!

Ask for Help
Practice letting other people help you. This might be easier said than done, especially when you're planning something as monumental as your wedding. But if your family and friends offer their involvement, let them assist.

Set Realistic Expectations
Most people have a general idea of what they imagine their wedding day to look and feel like, but it's important to set realistic expectations. Determine which factors are most important to you while also taking into account things like your finances, the location of your wedding and the time of year you'll be getting married.

From there, determine what is and what isn't possible. Focus your energy on the things you can control (like decorations for your venue), but try not to dwell on factors that are out of your hands (like the day-of weather). Once you set realistic expectations for yourself, you'll be able to manage stress that arises from circumstances that are beyond your control.

Take Breaks
It's important to plan time to actively discuss your wedding plans with your partner. Be intentional about the moments when you can talk about things like bridal party colors, décor and food. However, it's also necessary to set aside time to discuss other unrelated topics, like your career or The Office.

You need time to step away from the intensity of planning a wedding. Not only is this necessary for your mental health, it's also healthy for your relationship with your partner. Schedule dates where you both promise to leave the wedding talk behind and decompress with an activity you both love.

Take a deep breath, you got this! Keep calm and devour the details of wedding planning with help from The Knot!

It's a Whole New World...of Candy That Is!

According to Boston.com, Sukker & Sweet, which opened on Oct. 30 at The Street Chestnut Hill, goes beyond your standard supply of gummy worms and Skittles. The boutique sweet shop is home to more than 250 varieties of candy from across the world, giving guests the chance to experience a global sugar high. International indulgence? Count us in!

Owned by married couple Greer and Michael Missouri, the saccharine newcomer is stocked with delicacies like licorice skull gummies from Sweden, strawberry puffs from Italy, and chocolate truffles from Belgium, as well as bean-to-bar chocolate from Fossa, a Singaporean chocolate company. And we're drooling! Not even Halloween could satisfy our sweet tooth. We must go to Sukker & Sweet - stat!

Chestnut Hill interior designer Amanda Reid gave the space a clean, bright feel, utilizing see-through acrylic bins to display all the candy, and a custom photo booth is available for posing with your haul (as long as you don't crush it all before heading for the door)!

Sukker & Sweet joins another sugar-drenched newcomer at The Street: OddFellows Ice Cream Co., which recently debuted its boozy ice cream menu. The Chestnut Hill shopping complex is also home to Chilacates, Chef Ronsky’s, Juice Press, Shake Shack, and more. So if a candy buzz just doesn't cut it, you've got plenty of other options!

Don't ignore your sweet tooth any longer! Head to Sukker & Sweet and devour the details of a true global treat today!

Monday Mashups: Master Chef or Master Meeting Planner, You Decide

There are any number of ways to show off new F&B offerings at a resort property. Following its $320 million renovation, the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort devised a four-city mobile tour that doubled as a cooking competition and reality show for its social media channels.

According to BizBash, he idea behind the Man vs. Chef tour—which stopped in Atlanta, Washington, New York, and finally, Chicago on October 15—was to show off the culinary offerings in an ultra-creative way after the massive renovation. In each city, a chef from Marco Island went head-to-head with the show's host and West Hollywood-based comedian, Pete Giovine (the “man”) to prepare a dish inspired by the host city. For the challenge, Giovine cooked from a food trailer that had driven up from the southwest Florida resort and had help from a local chef who served as his mentor.

The trailer―usually a spot for beach fare at the resort―was a big hit on the road. Its fully equipped kitchen includes a six-burner stove, grill, salamander oven, a flat top, a kegerator system, fryers, and a freezer and cooler. For the tour kickoff in Atlanta, Giovine made Atlanta-style fried chicken with a chili honey glaze under the direction of Westin Peachtree Plaza chef Chris Chadwick. In Washington, the featured dish was Maryland-style crab cakes and in New York, a hearty lasagna was the entrée. All in all, the “man” won the culinary challenges in Atlanta and D.C., while JW Marriott chefs won in New York and Chicago.

In Chicago, the resort invited meeting planners and other V.I.P.s to an indoor/outdoor event at Soldier Field. Guests took in the final competition, were a part of the live filming of the reality show (a first during the tour), and sampled the winning dish. Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile’s executive chef Frank Sanchez mentored Giovine in the competition vs. Ario’s chef de cuisine Gerald Sombright. As judged by celebrity chef Kevin Hickey, Sombright's winning dish was a variation on the classic Italian beef sandwich. Chicago-style hotdogs and potato wedges with truffle aioli, gold-dusted bonito flakes topped with caviar, chives, and sea salt was also served.

Past episodes of the reality show played on several screens during the event which is also displayed through the JW Marriott’s social media channels, expanding the message further through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. This gave viewers the opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at their culinary team. Fans that follow the show had the chance to vote on ManvsChef.com from October 21 to 23 for their favorite chef and dish.

The event ultimately showed how planners can elevate their own food and beverage experiences when planning their own functions and showcases how the brand works together across the network of hotels.

Man vs. Chef culminated at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort on October 25 with a ticketed event that was open to the public. The $85-per-person dinner included a cocktail reception, samples of the winning dishes, highlights from the reality show, a chance to meet the chefs, and a concert by country music artist Phil Vassar. Giovine also was on hand to crown the winning chef based on the votes. All proceeds benefited the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida whose food supply was diminished after sending supplies to the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian.

What a unique way to promote new offerings and get both chefs and meeting planners together outside of work. We're inspired! Let's all learn from the JW Marriott and devour the details of master chefs and master meeting planners joining forces to hold epic events.

Wedding Wednesdays: The Top 5 Tiers of Wedding Cake Dos and Don'ts

Whether a wedding cake is the least of your worries or high on the "must-obsess-over" list, The Knot's guide to getting the perfect cake has got you covered. From budgeting to picking out your flavors, they're here to answer all of your questions—before you even have any. Here are the top 5!

1. Don't choose a cake until you've made your major wedding style decisions.
You'll want a cake that's compatible with the look of your venue, the season, your wedding gown, the flower arrangements and the menu. Arrive at your cake consultation prepared—you don't need to have a complete sketch in hand, but knowledge of basic terms will make it easier on everyone. And if you're looking for a custom design, bring along inspiration, like a swatch of lace from your dress or a picture of your wedding china.

2. Do have a budget in mind.
Wedding cake is usually priced by the slice. The cost can vary, but it generally ranges from $3 to $30 a slice (and beyond). It's easy to be wooed by blood orange filling and a multi-flavor cake when you're making decisions with a sugar buzz, but having a handle on your budget—and knowing what will affect it—will allow you to prioritize your choices. For instance, more flavors equals more money; the more complicated the flavor, the bigger the price tag; handmade sugar flowers will add dollars to every slice; and fondant icing is generally more expensive than buttercream.

3. Do match the cake height to your space.
Generally, three tiers will serve 50 to 100, and you'll likely need five layers for 200 or more guests. Your cake should fit the space too—if your reception is in a grand ballroom, consider increasing the cake's stature with columns between the tiers, or opting for a faux Styrofoam layer (no one will know!) to add height.

4. Don't choose the flavor based on what everyone else wants. 
Besides being a showpiece, your cake should taste amazing too. When you meet with prospective bakers, taste lots of flavors. Don't be afraid to stray from vanilla and chocolate. And don't forget to sample fillings too—many bakers are working with complex flavorings, like guava and mango or hazelnut and mocha.

5. Do get the facts on frosting.
Buttercream or fondant? Buttercream is often much more delicious. But if you love the smooth, almost surreal-like look of fondant, consider frosting the cake in buttercream first and then adding a layer of fondant over the entire confection. Whatever type of icing you choose, stick to colors your guests will want to eat. If your wedding hues are blue and green, opt for a white cake with subtle green-frosted accents.

With The Knot's help, your decision-making process will be a piece of cake! Use the top 5 tiers and devour the details of picking out your wedding cake!

Better with Age, How These N.H. Ice Castles are Staying Cool

According to Boston.com, the massive Ice Castles in New Hampshire are adding a new frozen feature for visitors this winter.

The 20 million pound attraction in North Woodstock, N.H., complete with slides, tunnels, archways, thrones, fountains, and LED lights that twinkle to music, will add a new enchanted walk through the forest. The walking path will include ice sculptures and plenty of photo opportunities.

Guests can also hop on a horse-drawn sleigh ride that takes them through the forest and around the hand-built attraction.

Weather permitting, work on the castles will begin in early November by growing and harvesting up to 10,000 icicles each day, according to the Utah-based company. They're expected to open in early January.

This is the attraction’s sixth season in New Hampshire and second year at its new location in the Granite State. For the first five years, it was located at the Hobo Railroad in Lincoln. Hundreds of thousands of people have visited the castles since they first opened in New Hampshire in 2014, according to the company.

New Hampshire is one of six Ice Castles locations across North America. The others are in Utah, Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Alberta, Canada.

Bundle up and meet us in North Woodstock to devour the details of a super chill time at the ice castles!

Monday Mashups: Raise the Woof for Dog-centric Events

Dog-centric events will probably never go out of style. According to BizBash, two recent pop-ups elevated the concept with activities that specifically catered to four-legged companions. Animal website, The Dodo, as well as BuzzFeed in partnership with Petco launched separate, themed, multi-day pop-ups for dogs and their owners in New York this fall, both of which were open to the public.

The Dodo’s Best Dog Day Ever, which opened October 4 and ran through October 27, is an expansion of the inaugural event the brand held last year. The second edition, which is the brand’s largest event to date, was located at 25 Kent Avenue in Williamsburg and had a Halloween theme. The ticketed pop-up had multiple activities tailored to dogs, including on-theme toy pits, a corn maze for racing, a trick-or-treat-theme snack bar with options for dogs and humans, a costume parade, and a graveyard for busted toys.

Venus Ferrer, senior vice president and head of account management at Group Nine Media, which owns The Dodo, said the brand wanted to expand the Best Dog Day Ever concept after experiencing success with the first edition—a three-hour event in Brookfield Place, which drew more than 1,400 people. This year’s event has been widely marketed throughout the city through efforts like digital subway ads and partnerships with dog influencers, who attended a V.I.P. preview of the event. The brand estimates by the end of the event, as many as 10,000 people will have attended.

The Dodo didn’t initially make it a priority to host a Halloween-theme event, but that it came naturally to the brand after it decided fall was the best season to host the pop-up. The brand also was inspired by owners who dress up their dogs for the holiday. The Dodo also partnered with Dyson and Target to execute sponsored activations at the pop-up. Dyson had a mad scientist-theme lab activation, where dogs could get complimentary makeovers with Dyson grooming products. And Target sponsored a dog costume cam that produced 180-degree GIFs.

One of the cheekier stations was an area for dogs to relieve themselves, complete with red fire hydrant props, green turf, and doggie bags. Green turf was also used in a fenced-in area resembling a lawn, complete with furniture and snacks and drinks for dogs and their owners.

Petco and BuzzFeed hosted its own dog pop-up in September, taking over a vacant space in Manhattan for five days. The pop-up, named Wild & Waggy, aimed to celebrate Petco and its healthy pet products.

The space featured seven dog-friendly stations including a ball pit, a green screen photo op, crafting stations to make dog collars and patches, a step and repeat featuring Petco’s artificial-free nutrition brands, and downward dog yoga, in the most literal sense. The event drew 2,000 people, accepting walk-ins and R.S.V.P.s on a custom landing page.

Kelly Leach, senior vice president at Horizon Media, Petco’s media agency of record, said the brand partnered with BuzzFeed to create the pop-up “based on their scale among pet parents, their shared vision of pushing boundaries while still embracing fun, and ability to create a credible and socially fluid experience.”

Making sure all aspects of both events were safe for dogs was a major factor for organizers. Ferrer noted that The Dodo hired a vet consultant for feedback on what would be good for animals and what wouldn’t; smoke machines, for example, is an idea the brand decided to forego.

Megan Oxford, manager of consumer communications at Petco, said organizers of dog-friendly events should make sure there are water bowls within reach and trash cans out of reach. She also suggested keeping catering intended for humans away from dogs, particularly chocolate, turkey skin, grapes and raisins, caffeinated drinks, and onions that may be dangerous for them.

Both events also had adoption areas for attendees. The Dodo partnered with Project Forever Home to have adoptable pups held in a fenced-in, backyard-theme area. Petco and BuzzFeed had local dogs from Muddy Paws Rescue, Louie’s Legacy Animal Rescue, and Long Island Bull Dog Rescue.

We're all fur activations like these! Help raise the woof and consider devouring the details of your very own dog-centric event!