"and ive got mad hits like i was rod carew"

here in mpls, we are in for an exciting summer.  the arrival of the new target field has enlivened the city....there is a tangible buzz in the air, with a childlike excitement seen on the faces of those you pass on the street on game day in the city.  its proximity to local restaurants and mass transit is remarkable....it feels like it was neatly placed in the perfect spot, its only little nook on the corner of convenient and close.  

and this is coming from a girl who barely made jv soccer and had nightmares about the softball section of junior high gym class.  i am no jock.  attending the world cup in 2006 was a social event for me, not a soccer tournament.  so to hear me say that im excited about outdoor baseball, is big. 

so, this big environmentally awesome stadium, smack dab in the middle of our bustling metropolis is finally here.  the food and restaurants, the ability to suntan your face with a cold beverage just mere feet away from the fresh blades of well-cared-for-grass, the history lesson that is the artwork around every corner....its all great.  and for me, an event planner and for this, an event blog.....the part i love (and learned a lot about today at the ISES event held at target field) is the capacity to hold an event right there in the midst of it all.  from business meeting to mitzvah to wedding to gala, its all there.  the spaces are dazzling and diverse....from the budweiser deck where you feel atop of it all, to the champions club or delta 360 lounge with endless set up and configuration options.  (side bar:  i wonder if someone has a count on the number of fireplaces in the entire ballpark.  i think i counted over 10 in the delta lounge alone.)  of course, in its first inaugural season, the spaces are pristine.  everything is fresh and new.  but so is outdoor baseball in this town.  and i have a sneaking suspicion that excitement wont wear off for awhile.  

check out their website to learn more:

events at target field

i look forward to seeing photos of actual events held there as they create and catalog.  until then i have to say i love their "furniture listing" column....tres helpful.

cheers,

lindsay piram

event designer

perfectly placed place cards.

place card tables are one of my favorite places for drama, for wow (like big floral arrangement, ice sculpture, tree, etc.) and to play off your "theme" (in quotes as i know many of you dont want me to tell you your wedding has a "theme").  the placement of the "table" (or area, not always a conventional "table") is critical to your flow.  ive learned that putting it BEFORE the cocktail reception room or area increases the chance its misplaced.  i usually like to position it in a spot that is the natural walking area FROM cocktails TO dinner.  


at give my regards to, we see all the paper as a set or suite or wardrobe.  when i say paper, i mean from invite to program to place card to menu (and on and on).  anything printed.  the wardrobe doesnt have to be matchy-matchy, but it is great if it coordinates.  maybe different colors, same font....at least one thing in common to tie it all together.  the paper becomes the common thread, interwoven through all aspects of the event.  if you had a calligrapher address your invites, having her do the names on the place cards is a nice tie in.


here are a few place cards tables weve done recently:

and stay tuned for some FAB place card set-ups we have in the works for our events to come....


regards,

lindsay piram
event designer

a blog about blogs.

as we all know by now, blogs are everywhere.  everyone has one and you could find a blog sounding off on about any topic.

a blog on power tools?
www.toolcrib.com/blog

a blueberry blog?
check out:  simply-blueberries blog for recipes, nutritional info and more.

and sunglasses.  anything and everything you ever wanted to know about sunglasses.
http://everythingsunglasses.blogspot.com

so you get my point right?  now take the event world.  more specifically, the wedding world.  there are soooo many wedding blogs out there it makes my head spin to think about it.  and then, when youre on one, it links to another, that links to another and another and ....
there is so much to read and take in on decor, the dress, the ring, the shoes, the invite, the favors, the place cards.....everything!  there is so much great info out there, its no wonder my clients need me to weed through it all and help it make sense to them, for them.  as fun as it all is, i know it can be overwhelming to hone in on what makes sense per person, per event.  it needs to fit and synchronize and tell a story.  the story being the start of their life and what has led them to the place they are now.  i LOVE telling that story.

blogs i heart:

i subscribe to, of course,  style me pretty.  it showcases recent weddings through photos in a way that tells the story of the couple so perfectly (usually in a very "homespun" kinda way), focusing in on all the little details and stylings we so love.

preston bailey's blog is very reflective.  more brain candy than eye candy.  (although the photos on his site are unbelievable.)  i love his "whats in, whats out" features and his reading lists.

of course, the martha stewart weddings blog is good.  everything martha does is.  amy and i met darcy miller (the editor of martha stewart weddings) at the special events show in nola in jan.  creative and stylish, her wedding point of view is a great one to read.  subscribing to "darcy's idea of the day" is a good way to get cute and clever ideas on the regular.  today's tip?  have an ice cream truck stop off at your next summer soiree.  see?  cute!

marcy blum's blog has recently become my fave.  shes sassy and opinionated and we all know i like that.  her most recent post was just so perfect.  she articulated everything ive been saying and thinking about events and their CONGRUENCY for so long.  there IS a psychology of people at events, and ignoring or disallowing for it will not bode well for a party.  it DOES take a professional, or at least some serious thought, about the mixture of elements and aesthetic put into an event....making sure they make sense.

let me know your thoughts on marcy's most recent post.  and what other event blogs you take time to read through on the regular.

thats all for today,

lindsay piram
event designer

summer salut!

nothing says summer like a patio and a cocktail.  incorporating specialty drinks that exude the couple or the theme, or both, is one of my favorite finishing touches on my events.


a list of some of my faves (old AND new):


the mojito.  you cant go wrong with this cuban classic.  its refreshing and sweet, without being too sweet.  switch up some of the mint for cucumber, to reinvent.

the stuff:
1 1/2 ounces white rum (bacardi will do)
4 slices peeled seedless cucumber
6 to 8 mint leaves
1/2 lime, cut into wedges
1 packet equal or splash of simple syrup
chilled ginger ale


the style:
in a tall glass, muddle together the cucumber, limes, mint and Equal. add to cocktail shaker filled with ice. add rum and shake. fill glass with crushed ice, return mixture to glass and top with ginger ale. garnish with a slice of cucumber.

if i need to transport myself to nice or monaco, pernod (pastis) is the way to do it.  the anise flavor is crisp and clean.  super simple, pour over ice and add chilled water.  the cloudy yellow color reminds me of filtered summer sunlight.  

voted one of the top 20 cocktails in the US, the juliet and romeo is deserving of the honor.  and of course, perfect for a hot and steamy day.


the stuff:

2 oz beefeater or henderick's gin
.75 oz fresh lime juice
.75 oz simple syrup
3 drops rose water
3 drops angostura bitters
3 slices cucumber, peeled
6 sprigs mint
salt


the style:
muddle cucumber and pinch of salt. slap the mint. add rest of ingredients. let sit for 30 seconds (time allowing). shake. strain. garnish with 1 floating mint leaf and 1 drop rose water on top of leaf, and 3-5 more drops of angostura on the surface of the drink.

pimm's cup.  the drink of wimbledon (and basically all of britain) is as refreshing and crisp as they get.  


the stuff:

1 1/2 ounces of pimm's number one
4 to 5 ounces of 7up
wedge of lemonslice of cucumber

the style:
combine all the ingredients, in these proportions, in a large pitcher, and then pour it into highball glasses filled with ice.

although the derby was last weekend, i see no reason to hang up your mint julep cup.  especially when there are variations out there as yummy as this.

the stuff:

1/2 cup packed fresh mint leaves

1 pint blackberries

6 tablespoons sugar

1/2 cup bourbon

4 cups small ice cubes

4 sprigs mint, for garnish

the style:

roughly chop the mint.  in blender, puree mint, blackberries and sugar.  press through fine sieve into bowl, discarding seeds.  return puree to rinsed blender, add bourbon and small ice.  blend and spilt between four glasses.  garnish with mint sprig.

im not much of a martini girl, but this one i could never pass up.  summer EQUALS strawberries.  and basil?  this is genius.  locally, d'amico is doing this.  thank god someone is.

the stuff:

3 strawberries, plus one thin slice for garnish

3 basil leaves

1/2 ounce simple syrup

ice

1 ounce gin (i like tanqueray 10)

1 ounce vodka

1/2 fresh lime juice

in a cocktail shaker, muddle the strawberries with the basil leaves and simple syrup.  add ice, remaining ingredients and shake well.  strain into a martini glass and garnish with sliced strawberry.

cheers,

lindsay piram

event designer