Trends for Engagement Photos - Couples opting for Magazine-Style Layouts

While recuperating on Sunday from eating too much this Christmas (and just being lazy), I caught up on some newspaper action and wanted to share an article with you that caught my eye.  I tend to go right to the Living, Style and Entertainment sections and was delighted to see an article on a wedding trend: engagement photos.

According to the Arizona Republic (or azcentral.com), couples are opting for engagement photos on a larger scale.  Gone are the days when traditional still shots were done with the intention of having something nice to put in the local paper to announce the engagement.  Couples are now interested in "magazine-style" shoots that include multiple locations, outfit changes, props and even pets.  The article goes on to discuss how the trend is to get far more use out of engagement photos then just the newspaper announcement.  Couples are using these photos to post on social networking sites, personal blogs, personalized wedding websites and wedding decor & favors.   

Read more on Magazine-style engagement photos, the hottest trend for brides-to-be and their grooms. 

Kate Sepe joins Let's Party Magazine.com as the Event Trends Blogger with a background in nonprofit event planning and management. Kate is currently a Special Events Manager with the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. Kate is a board member with the International Special Events Society (ISES) of Arizona. She expresses a true love and passion for the event industry and is thankful for the opportunity to share unique ideas and popular trends with readers. 

Christmas Sweater Parties... All the Rage for 2010?

With Christmas coming up this week and the holiday parties slowing down, I've had some time to reflect on all the parties I've attended for work, networking and fun.  And, it seems in a good portion of the invites, an "ugly" or "tacky" Christmas sweater has been listed with the dress code.  For whatever reason, this year feels like the Christmas Sweater Party is at its ultimate in trendy holiday entertaining.  

Photo courtesy of uglychristmassweater.com

I want to say the concept of the Christmas Sweater party has been around for a few years now.  Intrigued, I attempted a bit of research and found blog references to a new trend in 2008, claiming the phenomenon took off all thanks to the internet (Ugly Christmas Sweater Parties: A Funky New Holiday Phenomenon).  And, how could it not, thank you to sites dedicated to the party like: www.uglychristmassweaterparty.com, which now makes a profit selling things like "The Ugly Sweater 12-pack"? 


I can tell you I would have been better off ordering a sweater from the site given my failed shopping attempts: after multiple stores, all I could come up with was a turtleneck with snowflakes and jingle bells for earrings.  Certainly, many of my fellow sweater hunters were disappointed, since all of the stores had people circling the sweater racks and shaking their heads when nothing sufficient turned up.  Even sales staff were commenting on how fast the holiday-themed sweaters flew off the shelves.  And, I have to give credit to those who were creative enough to make their sweaters - using battery operated twinkle lights, ornaments and garland as accents, just to name a few.  


With a spattering of friends on Facebook changing their profile pics to reflect their holiday sweaters and goofy smiles in front of decorated Christmas trees, it's apparent this party was the "it" party for holiday celebrations in 2010.  Will it continue to gain momentum and be bigger in 2011?  Who knows.  But for this season, it was a ton of fun, made for excellent pictures and definitely brought out the smiles and laughter.

Kate Sepe joins Let's Party Magazine.com as the Event Trends Blogger with a background in nonprofit event planning and management. Kate is currently a Special Events Manager with the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. Kate is a board member with the International Special Events Society (ISES) of Arizona. She expresses a true love and passion for the event industry and is thankful for the opportunity to share unique ideas and popular trends with readers. 

Holiday Engagement Party - Decorate the Soon-to-Be Newlywed's Christmas Tree

I totally wanted to post about Nicole Richie & Joel Madden's wedding, but it looks like I'm going to have to wait for the tabloid bidding war to be over to get a good glimpse of the details.  I just love Nicole's style and have to believe that wedding was jam-packed with event trends (including elephants, apparently).

Photo courtesy of hometools.onsugar.com

For the time being, we will stick to the holidays, as those are just as fun to celebrate and as they quickly approach, you can't help but be in the festive spirit.  Here is a concept that ties both a wedding and the holidays together... the other day, my mother-in-law shared with me a concept for an engagement celebration (could also be a couple's wedding shower), that I totally feel in love with.  The premise is a holiday cocktail party, but each guest brings an ornament to help decorate the soon-to-be newlyweds Christmas tree.  This way the newlyweds start out with a set of ornaments to decorate with in their first few years of marriage.  The ornaments come from friends & family and therefore have sentimental value.  They are geared towards life as a couple, so they are a perfect foundation for the couple to build on as their marriage and family grow.  Have a small tree with lights ready for guests to help decorate or have them brought as traditional wrapped gifts for the couple to open.  Request a sampling of ornaments (traditional, personalized, etc), so the couple receives a variety. 

Kate Sepe joins Let's Party Magazine.com as the Event Trends Blogger with a background in nonprofit event planning and management. Kate is currently a Special Events Manager with the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. Kate is a board member with the International Special Events Society (ISES) of Arizona. She expresses a true love and passion for the event industry and is thankful for the opportunity to share unique ideas and popular trends with readers. 

Holiday Decorating and Entertaining on a Budget

I love a good bargain, absolutely love it.  I love the thrill of the search and the satisfaction that comes with a good find.  I can spend hours in a store looking top to bottom for the best deals or hours in multiple stores pulling together what I need for that low price.  When it comes to event (and holiday) decor on a budget, my time as a nonprofit events manager has definitely taught me a thing or two...

1. The Dollar Tree, the 99 Cents Only Store and other dollar stores are your friends.  I routinely trust these stores to turn up great decorating and entertaining items such as chargers, candles, candle holders, fillers such as river rock or glass beads, frames and much more!  With the holiday season, trust in these stores to bring out some great holiday decorating and entertaining finds.  I've purchased chargers with holiday-themed china, ornaments, candles and candle holders, ribbon, garland, gift wrap, holiday cards, cookie platters, and much more for my holiday needs.  An easy and inexpensive decorating tip: pick up ornaments (these stores typically have a great selection) and fill a vase or bowl you already have on hand.  Set a few candles around it and you've got yourself a centerpiece!  

Photo courtesy of The eBay Classifieds Blog: Home and Garden

2. Be sure to stop in some of your favorite discount clothing retailers for your decorating and entertaining needs: Ross, Marshalls and TJ Maxx.

3. Other locations I've always trusted for inexpensive decorating and entertaining finds: Ikea and Tuesday Morning.  From my perspective, Tuesday Morning tends to be a bit more on the expensive side (in comparison), but you can find some great items there.  It just may not be the place to buy in larger quantities.  On the flip side, Ikea is the place to buy in bulk.   Prior to hosting a large event, Ikea would often be my go-to spot for items needed in large quantities.  The great thing about it is you can stock up on vases, candles (and much more) for a low price and then reuse them for many events to come.  Also consider Ikea for holiday gift giving.  It is my favorite place to create gift baskets.  Giving someone a nice bottle of wine?  Visit Ikea for the accompanying wine glasses and other fun products.  Decorating tip: purchase vases of varying sizes and floating candles in bulk from Ikea, fill them with cranberries (purchased at your local grocery store) and water.  Float the candles and viola, you've got centerpieces galore!  This can also be done with votive or pillar candles, no water.

Photo courtesy of www.thegardenerseden.com

Photo courtesy of www.designedtothenines.com

4. Be sure to have a hot glue gun and Mod Podge on hand! 


When things are done on a restricted basis, often the creative need to amplify the creativity and turn on the resourcefulness.  I've always found this process to be fun - it poses a challenge: where can I get the most for my money? and how can I create something that gives the impression it came from a Crate and Barrel or Pottery Barn when in reality, it is a dollar store project?  The bottom line is that holiday decorating and entertaining does not need to cost you a fortune.  


Here are a few links that share additional tips on holiday decorating and entertaining on a budget:

Food, Wine and Mod Podge: Christmas Decorating on a Budget

The Budget Decorator: Holiday Decorating on a Budget

The Decorating Diva: Holiday Decorating on a Budget 

Enjoy this wonderful holiday season!

Kate Sepe joins Let's Party Magazine.com as the Event Trends Blogger with a background in nonprofit event planning and management. Kate is currently a Special Events Manager with the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. Kate is a board member with the International Special Events Society (ISES) of Arizona. She expresses a true love and passion for the event industry and is thankful for the opportunity to share unique ideas and popular trends with readers. 

Turkey Takeout

For event planners and those who love to entertain, it is all in the details.  As you prepare for your Thanksgiving events and entertaining, consider adding those little pieces of flair.  In searching for some tidbits on Thanksgiving celebrations, I came across the idea for a very useful favor and delicious takeaway for your holiday guests... turkey takeout containers.  What a win, win!  As the host, you rid yourself of an overstuffed refrigerator for the remainder of the week and your guests get to take home the turkey goodness you prepared for them (and in chic containers nonetheless).  Brilliant, I say.

Takeout Containers, seen in Country Living. Photo Courtesy of: Gridley & Graves. Casa-diseno-blog.com

Your guests will head home with full tummys and happy hearts just from spending the day with you... and giving them leftovers guarantees they will remember the good times and sentiments of thankfulness shared around your Thanksgiving table.  The icing on the cake is, placing these leftovers in fun to-go containers both shows your attention to detail and makes the leftover eating experience an event in its own right. 


Check out Home Design with Kevin Sharkey for other creative turkey takeout containers and Casa Diseno Blog for a reference of the to-go containers pictured as well as other favor ideas.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Kate Sepe joins Let's Party Magazine.com as the Event Trends Blogger with a background in nonprofit event planning and management. Kate is currently a Special Events Manager with the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. Kate is a board member with the International Special Events Society (ISES) of Arizona. She expresses a true love and passion for the event industry and is thankful for the opportunity to share unique ideas and popular trends with readers. 

Delish Vegetarian Menu Options for your Thanksgiving Feast

Photo courtesy of cestlavegan.com

When creating an event menu, as planners, caterers, etc... we always take into consideration our guests' meal preferences.  In most cases (if not all), we provide a vegetarian option to our plated meals and multiple vegetarian options to our buffets and stations on the notion that our vegetarian friends should not only have options, but hearty ones at that.  In fact, the trend today is to provide elegant and creative veggie delights in all menus, giving even the average carnivore a moment to second guess their meat-loving inclinations. 

As Thanksgiving approaches, have you considered your vegetarian guests?  If you need a few suggestions or are just interested in cooking up some delectable veggie dishes, here are a few resources for vegetarian and vegan menu options (these are sure to appeal to all guests while mixing up the traditional Thanksgiving food expectations):

C'est La Vegan: Vegan Thanksgiving Ideas 

NBC Washington: Creating a Thanksgiving Vegetable Cornucopia

Foodie Roadshow: Want to Make a Vegetarian Happy This Thanksgiving? 

Martha Stewart: 22 Meatless Thanksgiving Recipes 

Enjoy! 

Kate Sepe joins Let's Party Magazine.com as the Event Trends Blogger with a background in nonprofit event planning and management. Kate is currently a Special Events Manager with the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. Kate is a board member with the International Special Events Society (ISES) of Arizona. She expresses a true love and passion for the event industry and is thankful for the opportunity to share unique ideas and popular trends with readers. 

Mitzvahs...Made Simple!

Event professionals Toby Indech and Damita Curry have joined forces to create the Valley’s first and largest mitzvah trade show, Mitzvahs Made Simple Expo & Fashion Show. The one-day event will showcase local entertainers, specialty caterers, photographers and videographers, as well as designers and décor.

"As an event consultant and a mother, I know the enormous amount of planning time involved to create a mitzvah-celebration weekend,” says Indech, of Living Energy Events and Productions. “[Mitzvah families] stress about ensuring our celebrations are incredibly special with memories that last a lifetime for our whole family. Turning to the right team of vendors to make your celebrations run smoothly is paramount in the planning process."

For those unfamiliar with the practice, mitzvahs (‘bat’ for girls and ‘bar’ for boys) are a rite of passage in the Jewish tradition in which a child becomes an adult in the eyes of the community. After a year of studying the Torah, the child takes part in a religious service, followed by a celebration.

Just what that celebration entails, well that’s only limited by the imagination- and of course, the parents’ pocketbook.

A New York couple recently spent $1 million on their daughter’s Plaza Hotel celebration for 400 based on Britney Spears’ Circus tour, complete with a copycat Spears outfit, contortionists, stilt walkers, and a troupe of Cirque du Soleil performers (New York Post).

Luckily for parents with a more, ahem, limited budget, a mitzvah celebration can still be a spectacular event, with the help of the right professionals.

“Coming to trade shows like Mitzvahs Made Simple saves families time and money by offering a day to shop local, highly specialized vendors who can show them what's possible within their budget and answer their questions in a no-pressure environment,” Curry says. “Families can take advantage of exclusive specials and promotions that are not offered any other time. Generally speaking, families can save 15% to 20% shopping at an expo, compared to planning all on their own without guidance.”

Mitzvahs Made Simple Expo & Fashion Show is Sunday, November 14th at the Hilton Scottsdale, 6333 N. Scottsdale Road, from 12-4 p.m. A fashion show is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. A special family rate is available through the event website, MitzvahsMadeSimple.com.

Extending Your Thanksgiving Decor to Include Some Childish Fun

As we welcome these early days of November, our thoughts turn to the beginnings of the 2010 holiday season. With Thanksgiving only a few short weeks away, many of us are considering our plans: guests, menu, table decor, etc. Over the next couple of weeks we will look at these Thanksgiving plans from all angles in hopes of getting you prepared for your holiday feast and celebration.

While searching for ideas for this first Thanksgiving post, I came across a blog, Sheek Shindigs that focused on the younger generations and their Thanksgiving contributions. While this day is about togetherness with family and friends, we sometimes forget the little ones and their role in the holiday. I don't know about you, but as a child, I never like being sent to the "kids table" on these holidays and always wanted to be a part of the action and adult-centered universe. Sarah Younger, Owner and Designer of Sheek Shindigs, offers ideas for getting the little ones more involved. Her design inspirations, pulled from great resources like Better Homes and Gardens and Parents Magazine, not only incorporate children in crafting, they also help create a child-centered universe that is the equivalent of the adult one. Creating a "kids table" that reflects the holiday with age appropriate materials and decor gives your little ones a great feeling of importance and inclusion, while adding that element of childish fun.

Check out Sarah's Thanksgiving inspirations on her Blog, Sheek Shindigs.

Kate Sepe joins Let's Party Magazine.com as the Event Trends Blogger with a background in nonprofit event planning and management. Kate is currently a Special Events Manager with the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. Kate is a board member with the International Special Events Society (ISES) of Arizona. She expresses a true love and passion for the event industry and is thankful for the opportunity to share unique ideas and popular trends with readers.

Cupcakes Galore... Indulge your Sweet Tooth

Cupcakes are all the rage. And while they have been a dessert staple for what feels like forever, these little servings of heaven have become trendy. And I mean trendy in its fullest capacity. While the popularity of the cupcake has been on the rise for several years now - thanks to Sprinkles Cupcakes - with the onset of various cupcake-specific bakeries and businesses and the creation of shows such as Cupcake Wars, I would venture to say the cupcake has arrived in all of its glory. No longer are cupcakes served simply with basic flavors and frostings, they are now served in shades of glamour... with a hint of playful.

Just a fun tidbit of history on our little cupcake friend... according to Wikipedia, the cupcake was first documented in 1828 as part of a recipe collection titled Seventy-five Receipts for Pastry, Cake and Sweetmeats by Eliza Leslie. Thank you to Miss Leslie for putting forth one of the most delicious treats around.

While preparing for a Cupcake Throwdown at work, I stumbled upon this amazing collection of cupcake recipes from Woman's Day.com... I just needed to share. The Periodic Table of Cupcakes covers everything from your basic chocolate to hidden surprises, with cupcakes for every holiday in between. I used the Caramel Apple recipe, which was easy to do and won me my own piece of cupcake glory. With Halloween coming up, make sure you check out the several recipes provided that are perfect for your Halloween entertaining.

Enjoy!

Kate Sepe joins Let's Party Magazine.com as the Event Trends Blogger with a background in nonprofit event planning and management. Kate is currently a Special Events Manager with the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. Kate is a board member with the International Special Events Society (ISES) of Arizona. She expresses a true love and passion for the event industry and is thankful for the opportunity to share unique ideas and popular trends with readers.

Celebrity Wedding: Trends from Dave Annable and Odette Yustman's Elegant Affair

I love celebrity news and gossip; as in I may (or may not, depending on who's asking) be slightly obsessed. My day is not complete without a review of daily posts on Perez Hilton (love you Perez!), picking up the newest issue of US Weekly or People Magazine, or tuning in to E! Entertainment Television for an episode of Keeping up with the Kardashians. I mention this as I found a source of blog posting inspiration from the newest US Weekly and no, it is not about Courtney Cox and David Arquette. Rather than focus on the end of one marriage, let's look at the beautiful beginnings of another.

I found the 'I Do' details of Brothers & Sisters star Dave Annable and You Again actress Odette Yustman absolutely lovely. In particular, I would like to focus on the reception decor. According to US Weekly, Issue 819, October 25, 2010, "The 200-plus guests sat at a mix of round, square, and rectangular raw-wood tables - some covered with natural linen and flowers in mismatched vintage copper and glass vessels..." (67). There weren't many pictures of the table layout provided in the spread, but that description takes my imagination places. I am in love with the idea of several elements used in this wedding reception, from the rustic, yet elegant feel, to the creative use of texture and natural beauty:

1. The mixture of table shapes - round, square and rectangular - adds texture to a space. While round tables are nice, they are commonly used; adding square and rectangular tables will spice things up a bit.
2. Wood tables - how beautiful and rustic. My mind envisions deep shades of mahogany, radiating richness and warmth.
3. The spontaneous use of natural linens - when you have beautiful wood tables, the need for linen diminishes. But I love that they sprinkled in natural linens - this will add softness to the space and is a great balance for the natural beauty that is showcased with the uncovered wood tables.
4. Mismatched use of vessels - who ever said things need to be matchy-matchy? Step outside the box and bring in elements that compliment in design versus matching exactly. Like the mixture of tables, mismatched, yet complimentary design and decor elements add texture; and variation only heightens the senses.

For a complete view of Dave and Odette's beautiful wedding, visit their photo album on usmagazine.com; or just buy the magazine, I promise you will be delighted with the all-encompassing celebrity dish!

Kate Sepe joins Let's Party Magazine.com as the Event Trends Blogger with a background in nonprofit event planning and management. Kate is currently a Special Events Manager with the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. Kate is a board member with the International Special Events Society (ISES) of Arizona. She expresses a true love and passion for the event industry and is thankful for the opportunity to share unique ideas and popular trends with readers.

2010 Halloween Costume Trends



Photo Credit: blogs.villagegreen.com

If you are a fan of Halloween, you are probably considering party plans and costume ideas. Scheduling a weekend of parties is easy. Figuring out a fabulous costume, on the other hand, can be challenging. If you are anything like me, you wait until the very last minute and piece together items you currently own with purchased accents to make some resemblance of a costume. I am notorious for costumes like fairy or cat.

In an effort to be better prepared this year, and hopefully to help you out too, I did a little research on what the costume trends are for 2010. And yes, like fashion, costumes have trends.

Speaking of fashion... celebrities are the everyday runway model; they are a major source of fashion trends - check any US Weekly or OK! Magazine and you will find spreads of celebrity fashion triumphs and failures. Interestingly, this year's popular trend with costumes is to dress more like the celebrity and less like the traditional idea of Halloween (scary this, sexy that). Sure you will still find your staple costumes at the costume mega-store, but this year you will also see a spectrum of current celebrity-inspired and look-alikes.

In fact, According to Everything PR, costume company Rubie's Costume Co.,has listed Lady Gaga as its most popular costume; and not just in 2010, it has single handedly outsold any other adult costume the company has marketed in over 50 years. Now that is one popular costume. Lucky for you DIY costumers, a Lady Gaga ensemble could also be easily put together. Unless you want to sport a meat dress, then that's a different story.

Of course I am sure you have heard by now the your favorite Jersey Shore cast members have made their debut in the costume world as well. Both "The Situation" and "Snooki" have inspired ensembles up for grabs. Even "Pauly D" gets a costume recognition. If you are considering any of these, get a good spray tan and a serious bottle of gel and you should be good to go.

While dressing as a current celebrity or pop-culture icon may be the trend - many opt to go with more original ideas. Whatever costume you choose and however you put it together, enjoy the party, be safe and relish in a night you can be whatever you want!

Kate Sepe joins Let's Party Magazine.com as the Event Trends Blogger with a background in nonprofit event planning and management. Kate is currently a Special Events Manager with the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. Kate is a board member with the International Special Events Society (ISES) of Arizona. She expresses a true love and passion for the event industry and is thankful for the opportunity to share unique ideas and popular trends with readers.

Recycled Jack O' Lanterns: a Fun and Inexpensive Seasonal Craft



Photo courtesy of Jane Kernen

Looking for a seasonal craft that is both fun and inexpensive? Well, I have just the idea for you: Recycled Jack O' Lanterns! These adorable pumpkin-like creations are made using your old pasta jars. Not only are they fun to make, but they can be used in a variety of ways: Halloween-themed event decor/centerpieces, out in front of your home in place of or mixed in with your real pumpkins or along a windowsill in your home, showcasing the fun candle-lit faces to those passing by. Best of all, these creations can be packed away with all of your Halloween or fall-inspired seasonal decor and used year after year!

Items Needed:
Glass jars(s)
Orange tissue paper
Black construction paper
Green acrylic paint or green tissue paper
Paint brush
Decoupage glue
Scissors

Ready, Set, Create:
Cut orange tissue paper into strips or tear into small pieces. Strips will give you a uniform look, while small pieces will give you a mosaic look.

Hold the jar with one hand (preferably with the hand either inside the jar or holding the rim). With the other hand, apply the decoupage glue to the outside of the jar in sections using a medium-sized paint brush. After you apply the glue to a specific section, apply the strips of tissue paper to the glue and continue around the jar in that manner. Once the entire jar is covered with tissue paper, apply one more thin layer of glue over the tissue paper, coating the entire jar.

Allow the jar to dry. While you are waiting for the jar to dry, use the black construction paper to create the face. Once the orange tissue paper is dry, apply the face in the same manner using the decoupage glue.
This last step is optional: use the green acrylic paint and apply a coat to the rim of the jar or use pieces of green tissue paper and decoupage glue. The rim can also be left clear.
Set the jar aside for 24 hours to allow it to dry totally, after your last application of glue. Once your jar is dry and ready, place either a tea-light candle, battery operated tea-light candle or a string of white twinkle lights (best used with multiple jars) to give your recycled Jack O' Lantern a soft glow.

Using this fun and inexpensive craft, you can create a great Halloween decor item while being green! For more information on eco-friendly party ideas, check out ways to make your next party eco-friendly by Dana Brown of Simply Sweets.

Kate Sepe joins Let's Party Magazine.com as the Event Trends Blogger with a background in nonprofit event planning and management. Kate is currently a Special Events Manager with the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. Kate is a board member with the International Special Events Society (ISES) of Arizona. She expresses a true love and passion for the event industry and is thankful for the opportunity to share unique ideas and popular trends with readers.

Entertaining... and Eating... Your Way through Football Season

Temperatures skyrocketed to a blistering 111 degrees today in the Valley. Yet, while the crystal clear blue skies & feverish temperatures indicated it is still very much summer - the Sunday NFL lineup told us it is time for fall. For a few weeks now we've been fighting off the heat and running to the local sports bar for Bloody Mary brunches and NFL Sunday Ticket or hunkering down in the comfort of home with a Sunday football feast.

I love football season and thereby fall for that very reason: food. I may not be the best football fan (love the uniforms more than the game), but I know it is a great opportunity to cook up a delicious meal and be social. From my perspective, there is something about a lazy Sunday spent with friends and family dressed in football fan gear and hanging out on the family room sofas that feels... well, like home. So whether you were watching the Cardinals take on the Atlanta Falcons, the Manning brothers battle it out for glory, or are planning to tune in to watch Kurt Warner make the step from football field to ballroom dance floor on Dancing with the Stars, it all deserves an appropriately themed football menu.

This is one of my favorite recipes to serve during football season. Literally. Once a team has staked their claim on this season's Super Bowl rings, this recipe gets filed away. It can easily be adapted to serve in large or small quantities, cooked quickly and easily in a pot on the stove, or simmered to perfection throughout the day in a slow cooker. I promise your guests will be impressed and your Sunday tummy full & happy. Enjoy!

This recipe originally came from allrecipes.com (one of my biggest go-to sources for great menu strategies):

Easy Chicken Chili, serves 6

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1.5 (14 ounce) cans chicken broth
2 (15.5 ounce) cans Great Northern Beans
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chiles
1 prepared rotisserie chicken, bones & skin removed, meat torn into bite-size pieces
NOTE: the following seasonings have been cut in half from original recipe, suggested use half
1.5 tablespoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper (ground red pepper)
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream - NOTE: can also use light or fat-free sour cream, recommend purchase 16 ounce container as additional sour cream may be needed to achieve desired consistency
1 (8 ounce) package shredded Monterey Jack cheese - NOTE: add shredded cheddar for a nice blend

1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in onions and cook until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add chicken broth, Great Northern Beans, green chiles and torn chicken. Season with cumin, chili powder and cayenne pepper. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for approximately 10 minutes.
2. Stir in sour cream and simmer for 5 additional minutes. Ladle into bowls and top with cheese.

* Recipe can also be done using a slow cooker. Combine all ingredients, except sour cream, in slow cooker and set to low for 6-8 hours. Stir periodically. Add sour cream and cook for additional 20-30 minutes. Additional sour cream may need to be added to achieve desired consistency.
Kate Sepe joins Let's Party Magazine.com as the Event Trends Blogger with a background in nonprofit event planning and management. Kate is currently a Special Events Manager with the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. Kate is a board member with the International Special Events Society (ISES) of Arizona. She expresses a true love and passion for the event industry and is thankful for the opportunity to share unique ideas and popular trends with readers.

Valentine's Day is All About LOVE

Valentine's Day has come and gone and this year my 8 year old reminded me that this holiday is all about love. Usually Valentine's Day is filled with cholocate, candy, cards, money and different special gifts to show (once again) just how special my 8 children are to me.


Like many, I have had to cut back on spending this year. Therefore, I made the difficult decision as to NOT spend money this Valentine's Day on gifts or candy. My father and his wife had sent each child, and myself, a card and since I knew they usually included money, that it would make up for mom's lack of holiday spoilings. We all gathered around on the couch as we each held our cards from Grandpa & Grandma anxiously waiting to open them. I went first. Much to my surprise, there was NO money included in my card. Not that I was expecting it or needed it, okay I was expecting it since every year since I can remember they have sent as least $20. Needless to say, I was stunned that there was no money. Now don't get me wrong, I am not all about money, I was just surprised thats all.


I started feeling like a really bad mother since I had not bought one gift for my children this Valentine's Day. Knowing I did not receive money fin my card, I was quite sure each of my children would be dissapointed as they opened theirs and read the sweet sentiment without money falling out. Much to my surprise, as they each tore into their card, $5.00 dropped out. And each card had such a lovely Valentine wish for each child.


Needless to say, they were thrilled. As happy as I was for them, I believe my face still expressed my disbelief that money did not fall out of my card. My eight year old daughter looked at me and said, "It's okay mom that you didn't get any money. Valentine's Day is really about LOVE anyway." What an amazing child.


We all called Grandma and Grandpa and the children thanked them for the cards and money and I thanked them for LOVING me and my family.