This picture does not exactly encourage warm, snuggly feelings, but it sure is pretty.  Blue and white provide the perfect backdrop for a winter themed event.  Notice the bird on the place card-a theme which we just happened to have used recently for Chenny's baby shower-hmm, great minds really do think alike.

arctic conditions=creative opportunities

Cold weather got you down?  Are you stuck inside with nothing to do besides watch repeated airings of 'Say Yes to the Dress'?  I feel you.  Looking on the bright side, being cooped up in your cozy abode while the wind whips outside your frosty window might provide a great opportunity to learn a new craft.  Not only are people finding new and interesting ways to be creative-some are actually making a living doing so, and you could very well join them.  Whether it is (a second) income you are looking for or just a fun, inexpensive and healthy way to spend a Saturday indoors, we have some great ideas for you.  One could spend hours on etsy (God knows I have), but that might be a good place to start in terms of idea generation and inspiration if you are lacking, otherwise, please read on for some delightfully entertaining and crafty suggestions.

• Letter Press
• Paper Flowers
• Anything knit: why not use these cold weather months to create winter-weather inspired accessories that you can rock no matter how low the temperature plummets?  Knitting is a time honored tradition and a relatively simple skill to master in time.  You can even learn to knit on youtube, so lessons may not even be necessary!
• Beaded _____ (fill in the blank): read anything!  The sky is the limit. 
• Embroidery: Can be used to create beautifully adorned clothing and accessories or can be exhibited alone as say, a monogrammed scarf or tote bag.
• Quilting: another time honored tradition.
• Create your own jewelry: either through embellishments on the items that you just don't wear or on new items that need some bedazzling.
• Furniture Refinishing

This list truly is just the beginning-no matter your passion, the opportunities to be creative with even the most mundane of objects are limitless.  So please, if you see that we have missed something that simply should not be overlooked, let us know-and until then, happy crafting!

inspiration

Just a bit of inspiration on this cold, cold winter morning.  Maybe also a reminder that there are plenty of warm weather locations out there that will provide the perfect setting for your memorable day.  Simply elegant and unendingly beautiful.  Love the greens and expansive stretch of land in the background.  Ahh, summer.

Time for a Starbucks.

eat, DRINK and be merry

With the holidays come parties, and with parties come appetizers, entrees, desserts and my personal favorite: beverages.  No, not because there is an endless assortment of alcoholic options, but because here again, the choices are abounding and the creative opportunities plentiful.  Whether it be a tall glass of egg nog, garnished with Nutmeg or a soothing hot tottie in a festive mug, the winter holiday season affords ample occasion to showcase your individuality down to the last drop.  Additionally, stir sticks and garnishes can be embellished to dress up a drink that may seem otherwise ordinary.  The following is a list of our personal favorites (some of the names are fun too!).

Kir Royales: Creme de Cassis, champagne or other sparkling white wine, tangerine or orange zest to garnish.
Ginger Sparkler: Fresh ginger, sugar, dry, sparkling wine (we like Prosecco)
Eggnog Martini: I don't even care what is in it, I'll take two.
Mulled Wine: This one is a little more complicated, but won't take you long (45 minutes), for the complete recipe, click here: mulled wine.
Apple Ginger Sparklers: Ginger syrup, sparkling apple cider, cinnamon sticks, crystallized ginger.
Pink Grapefruit "Margaritas": A great option for the kiddies as this margarita is non-alcoholic.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Can be made with or without a cordial of your choosing.

Running short on time?
Mulled cider is a no stress, no mess alternative to these sometimes-complicated concoctions.  If you are running short on time, follow this recipe; your guests will never guess that you took less than 10 minutes to prep this warm and tasty treat.

Hot chocolate (Suisse Miss made with milk works fine), garnished with marshmallows is also a time-honored, last minute warmer-upper that is sure to please in a moment's notice.

And if I have my way, Starbucks will soon make peppermint mochas in the cantine size (still working on that one).

our first follower and contributor (so exciting!)

We would like to welcome our first follower, and instant contributor, Jessica Lopez Lyman.  It did not take Jessica long to remind us why it was that we thought she might care when we sent out an update email as her instant response and suggestion for a fun, funky and local vendor is right up our alley.  Corazon in Minneapolis takes care to sponsor specifically, local artists and designers.  They stake their claim as "... fun, elegant, hip, classic, eclectic, surprising, sophisticated, irreverant, urbane, natural...stuff...for those you love".  Although I have not yet ventured to the heart of Lake Street to check out this hidden gem, it is most definitely on my radar, and I plan to do some investigating in the very near future (don't worry, I will report back).  From the website I can tell that, if nothing else, this store could provide some wonderfully unique inspiration.  Thank you Jessica for your love, support and suggestions.  And as for the rest of you please know that any comments or other submssions are greatly appreciated!

Make sure to check out Corazon:
1026 Washington Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55415
and online at http://www.corazononline.com/

Happy Friday!

big things poppin'

We're blogging, but we are also finding other ways of getting our name out there-all the while learning and meeting more people.  It is all very exciting.

Follow us on Twitter: if nothing else, it's entertaining, and who knows, you might learn something @inanyeventmn.  Check it out.

Also, we are now on Facebook as well as the world wide web.  If you can't find us somewhere, please don't hesitate to email (inanyeventmn@gmail.com), or call.  We would love to hear from you.

Martha Speak

We are all familiar with winter and the inconveniences which it can provide. But the snowy season can also afford ample opportunity to add grace with seasonal colors and decor. For example, naturally bare branches covered in ice are easily and beautifully replicated using crystal beads and droplets to produce a sophisticated and luminous tone indoors. The following is a collection of ideas from Martha Stewart's crew at marthastewartweddings.com. Keep in mind however, that the most exciting piece of this may be that the options are limitless no matter the occassion.

Cold Weather Bouquets

The winter-white season is the perfect inspiration for pristine bridal bouquets.  Casablanca lillies can be wired into a plump and ruffled lily ball and intermixed with silver mesh leaves to create a sparkling bundle.  Additionally, anemones make a stunning white-laced bouquet and are elegant enough for a wedding, but classic enough for a holiday soiree.

Holiday Reds Bouquet

Velvety, perfectly-opened amaryllis blossoms and Hypericum berries resembling beads of garnet can be offset by lacy sprigs of arborvitae to create the perfect red arrangement.  Adding sprigs of mistletoe or pine branches will also help to create a warm holiday feel and could be used as a centerpiece or
a less traditional bridal bouquet.

Homemade (Holiday) Wreaths

Blue-gray juniper boughs and deep-green arborvitae will boldly replicate the cool colors of winter; the branches themselves determine the dramatic shape of the bouquet or wreath and can be sculpted to the creators liking.  Be it a swag or wreath that you desire, delicate and graceful snowdrops can be tied onto the branches to resemble tiny blossoms cascading as they would in nature.

Paper Wreaths

This wintry white alternative to the other, maybe more "traditional" wreath is an inexpensive way to decorate most any space.  Using tissue, delicate fabric or lace, this wreath won't wilt or fade and so can be made well ahead of time and reused in the future.  There are also an abundance of fun embellishments that could be added depending on your vision.  From whimsical to seasonal, this option affords many an opportunity for creativity.

Snowflake Confetti

A sprinkling of snowflake confetti at any event will help to set a merry mood.  Using a variety of different paper varieties and colors will also help to add a hint of seasonal "warmth".

Comfort Food Hors d'Oeuvres

A good way to warm up when the snowflakes fly (if you need an excuse) is with a dose of warm comfort food.  Even macaroni and cheese can become elegant when served in dainty ramekins.  This can also become a good way to get unaquainted guests chatting.

Fabric Flower Placecards

During the winter when fresh flowers are a bit harder to come by, fabric flowers are a resourceful and wilt-proof alternative.  They are also a great way for your guests to identify assigned seats and can be sported as corsages and boutonnieres later on.

There are countless options for your special event.  From the extravagant to the understated, the possibilities are virtually limitless.  And just because it appears that your favorite summer staple is unavailable during the colder months, that does not mean that it can not be replicated with a frosty twist.  For more ideas and inspiration, check out marthastewartweddings.com, or as per usual, give us a ring...