HAPPY THANKSGIVING

So you are having people over for thanksgiving and you want to make a good impression. So here are a few simple tips to make your table look amazing.

1. Scatter a few small pumpkins or gourds on your table.
2. Take small potted mums they run only a couple of dollars and put them on your table plain or insert the pot into a pumpkin.
3. Get color coordinated linens - they can mismatch or be one consistent holiday color. The closer to thanksgiving you purchase these (especially orange ones which are utilized for Halloween) they will be less expensive.
4. Get a few warm toned candles, if you want to be practical find something you can utilize in another room once the dinner party is over - an inexpensive candle base can be found at your local hardware store where they have warm toned tiles that can range from $0.15-$5.00 a piece.
5. If you can't find a cornucopia then any basket will do, just fill with your favorite holiday décor or even some rolls.

As always nothing completes a table more than delicious food and being surrounded by family. So have a Happy Thanksgiving!
-hnt Events & Design

Zoku Quick Pop Maker

Ok so you have an event you want something totally unique, so make your own popsicles. This awesome new invention was created by a team including a local Ohioan. This takes the time out of making popsicles by making them freeze quickly and allows you to have something special for your party. You can mix and match flavors and ingredients allowing it to be fun for kids and adults. Also if you are looking for a great gift idea for your guests this is something anyone would enjoy taking home. Follow the link below to order and view a complete overview of how it works!

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/fd688/?pkey=ccooks-tools-new

Bins, Bins, Bins!

You go to work, you go out with your friends, and you spend time with your family in your extra time. You try to work out and stay healthy and then if you have any time left you think about cleaning. Ugh, cleaning because that is the last thing you want to do in your spare time. So what can you do to make it easy on yourself? Stay organized! What makes it easy to stay organized? BINS, BINS & MORE BINS! These can be of Rubbermaid nature and you can apply your own design with numerous different types of stickers and decals. There are many light wooden bins you can cover in coordinating cloth and paint colors, and even fabric, tin and woven bins. Either way you are keeping yourself organized which then allows more time for important things. You can find bins just about anywhere from Wal-Mart to your local craft store. Listed below are a few links to websites that house ideas for different finishes you can utilize when customizing your bins so they may coordinate with your needs and décor.

http://www.dezignwithaz.com/
http://www.designerstencils.com/
http://www.weegallery.com/wallgraphics.html

Are you looking for a twist on a tradition, a very memorable ceremony or reception, and do you have a fun group of friends in your wedding party? These videos may have inspiration for you. I don't think anyone will forget these memorable weddings... (They do not need much explanation). Enjoy!

Ode to the traditional processional:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0

A little surprise for the bride and groom from the wedding party:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjofUm69ocI&feature=related

The new couple surprises everyone:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFZwHXCvjBc

Make sure you have time to choreograph the dance, and everyone can participate. If you choose to do this, it may be a good idea to at least inform your videographer, or make sure a friend will video the entire performance for you. You WILL want to show this video to your children someday. :)


"Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's heaven on Earth."

-Mark Twain

PICKING THE RIGHT ACCESSORY

We have all seen pictures of those brides that we have to say “SERIOUSLY!” So what accessories do you want to utilize for your day that you won't regret every time you look at your picture. Here are a few good ideas and one really bad idea. Make sure the piece is a classic, something more natural and something you feel you could incorporate in your daily attire. Try not to pick just the latest trend as these come and go, and you are more likely to regret it in the long run. If you look like Little Bo-Peep and it is not a costume party then we suggest not making a fool of yourself. Whether the accessory is permanent, like a tattoo or just a fancy umbrella to shade you from the sun; as long as you rock it with confidence you will look amazing.

Make a statement with SHOES!

Ok so you are excited for your big day, you have your gorgeous flowers, but what about when you set those down. It is up to you and your beautiful white dress. This works for many however there are those out there who feel this just isn’t enough for their big day so what do they do…..

Add a POP of color with vibrant shoes!

It can be an inexpensive route to making your wedding attire a little more festive, and tying in your favorite color or even to complete your need for something blue. Just find some colorful shoes! Your husband can even join in the fun and get some coordinating colored shoes there are many men’s brands out there that make shoes in a variety of colors. So happy shoe hunting!

The Perfect Dress

Jennifer's wedding day was fast approaching. Nothing could dampen her excitement -- not even her parents' nasty divorce. Her mother had found the PERFECT dress to wear and would be the best dressed mother-of-the-bride ever!


A week later, Jennifer was horrified to learn that her father's new young wife had bought the exact same dress! Jennifer asked her to exchange it, but she refused. "Absolutely not.? I look like a million bucks in this dress, and I'm wearing it," she replied.


Jennifer told her mother who graciously said, "Never mind sweetheart, I'll get another dress. After all, it's your special day."


A few days later, they went shopping and did find another gorgeous dress.
When they stopped for lunch, Jennifer asked her mother, "Aren't you going to return the other dress?? You really don't have another occasion where you could wear it."


Her mother just smiled and replied, "Of course I do, dear. I'm wearing it to the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding."


NOW I ASK YOU - IS THERE A WOMAN OUT THERE, ANYWHERE, WHO WOULDN'T ENJOY THIS STORY????

With our recent success of having a slide-show playing during both a reunion and wedding we thought it would be helpful to show you how to create a slide-show for your next event!

Pictures are a great way to relive the past and make your event more light hearted with some whimsical photos. So you have your pictures you have scanned them and they are now sitting on your computer so what's next?

There are different resources such as Snapfish or Shutterfly that allow you to upload your photos and then to purchase a disk which you can pick up at local stores such as Target or your local Drug or Grocery Store.

Here is another way with out having to leave your computer. Once you have the entire image in a file you can find an application on your computer called Movie Maker here is how you do it.

Go to C:\Documents and Setting\Admin\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft
and open up the application on your computer.

Or

Go to http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/moviemaker2.mspx where you can find instructions on how to download.

Once you have the program loaded & open you can then:

- Upload your photos
- Edit your movie (By adding video effects, transitions and creating title/credit slides)
- Then you can save it to your computer to replay or save it on a DVD

If you have any questions just Google, there are tons of sites providing assistance allowing you to be your own Film Maker.