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.

Media Coverage and Your Small Business

Media coverage is one of the best ways to get your business noticed by the public- with the added bonus that it's FREE!

The catch? Getting the media to notice you. As the small business owner of a start-up, I've had the good fortune to make connections with several notable personalities in the Phoenix community, and have been invited to make radio appearances on the Jan D'Atri Show and on The Boomer and the Babe. I've also been featured in the Phoenix Business Journal and my story has been highlighted in the Phoenix SCOREBoard.

While the effort to gain media attention is always ongoing, here are some tips I've picked up along the way:

1. Attend networking functions. I know, I know, this is nothing new - but it works. I've met some of my most valued supporters at industry events; you never know what a little socializing can do.

2. Write press releases- but keep them relevant. There is no magic bullet. You never know just what will grab the media's attention, but if you consistently reach out with information that is relevant to that media's audience, sooner or later your business will be noticed.

3. Learn about the media's demographic and tailor your story ideas accordingly. Many media have a niche audience that could be just right for you!

4. Locate writers in your area and send them a personal e-mail. Sometimes editors and producers will be more receptive to a story pitch if it comes from the staff or a well regarded freelancer.

5. Create a newsworthy event. Sponsor a charitable event or host a dynamic party. Again, you won't be guaranteed to get the media's attention, but several outlets broadcast from live events and yours could be the next feature!

One of the most important things to remember is that media coverage is a privilege - not a right. Keep with it, and hopefully we'll be hearing your name soon!

For party tips and trends, and everything you need to create your next event, visit www.LetsPartyMagazine.com!