Our Blog has Moved!

With the creation of our redesigned website - http://www.socialfrog.com/ - we have incorporated our blog into the new site. Please visit us to continue receiving event tales and tips from Social Frog Designs!

Creating a Comfortable Guest Room

With the holidays just around the corner, it's time to freshen up your guest room for overnight guests. Be a gracious host and make your guest room a comfortable space for guests to relax and feel at home. Like a fine hotel, anticipate your guest's needs. Pamper your guests by stocking a dresser draw or stylish container with necessities and fun extras.

Here are a few tips for comfortably hosting overnight guests -

• Start with a thorough cleaning of your guest room and the bathroom guests will use during their stay


• Prepare fresh linens and towels - provide a light, different colored towel set for each guest to avoid mix-ups in the bathroom


• Stock a section of the closet with hangers, a robe, and slippers for guest's use


• Provide space for guests to unpack a few things - a dresser drawer, luggage rack, and hanging space


• Keep an extra sheet set, blanket, and pillow close by so guests can help themselves if needed


• Make travel size toiletries available in your guests room and bathroom


• Create your own mini-bar - fill a container with bottled water, nuts and dried fruit, and sweet or salty snacks


• Have paper, a pen, area maps, and information on local points of interest close at hand for guests


• Provide an alarm clock


• Add a night light to help guests maneuver in unfamiliar areas at night


• Inform guests of any household peculiarities - security system, how to open/close blinds, etc.


• Place a few magazines, books, or games in the room for guest enjoyment


• If children are visiting keep a few toys and children's books bedside

By having these items in place you'll be ready and relaxed when the doorbell rings!

One Amazing Event

The last several months have been busy at Social Frog, to say the least! We've been moving at top speed, working with great clients and on several special projects. It's time to show you a few images from some of these amazing events. Above is one beautiful and fun wedding celebration from the Sheraton Universal.

Events & Earthquakes

Southern California = earthquake country!

Could you and your event withstand a jolt?

As a wedding and event planner, one of my many roles is to evaluate and make recommendations regarding my client's event venue or location. Not only do I consider the best place to set reception tables, bars, or a DJ, but I look beyond the fabric drape at elements that can help my client's and their guests in an emergency. From ballroom exits and fire extinguishers to fuse boxes and first aid kits, I consider safety factors with each of my events. This is why I keep a current CPR card and attend courses to keep myself up to date with do's and don'ts of safety preparedness. I also work with my client's venue to ensure I am aware of their emergency and evacuation plans.

Living and working primarily in southern California, I take earthquakes seriously. So, today I attended an earthquake preparedness workshop. I wanted a refresher on what to do if the earth beneath me begins to rattle and role, especially during one of my events! Below are a few helpful tips to remember provided by the Los Angeles Fire Department:

During an Earthquake -

• When you feel an earthquake, duck under a desk or sturdy table. Stay away from windows, bookcases, file cabinets, heavy mirrors, hanging plants, and other heavy objects that could fall. Watch out for falling plaster and ceiling tiles.
  
  
• Stay under cover until the shaking stops.
  Hold onto your cover. If it moves, move with it.

Here are some additional tips if you find yourself in one of these specific locations -

• If you're in a HIGH-RISE BUILDING, and you are not near a heavy desk or table, move against an interior wall and protect your head and arms. Do not use the elevators. Do not be surprised if an alarm or sprinkler system comes on. Stay indoors. Glass windows can dislodge during a quake and sail for hundreds of feet.
  
  
• If you're OUTDOORS, move to a clear area, away from trees, signs, buildings, or electrical wires and poles.


• If you're on a SIDEWALK NEAR BUILDINGS, duck into a doorway to protect yourself from falling bricks, glass, plaster, and other debris.


• If you're in a STADIUM or THEATER, stay in your seat and protect your head and arms.
  Do not try and leave until the shaking is over. Then leave in a calm, orderly manner, avoid rushing toward exits.


• If you're DRIVING, pull over to the side of the road and stop. Avoid overpasses, power lines, and other hazards. Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking has stopped.


• If you're in a CROWDED STORE or OTHER PUBLIC PLACE, do not rush for exits. Move away from display shelves containing objects that could fall.


• If you're in a WHEELCHAIR, stay in it. Move to cover, if possible, lock your wheels, and protect your head with your arms.

Immediately After an Earthquake -

• Be prepared for aftershocks, and plan where you will take cover when they occur.


• Check for injuries. Give first aid as necessary.


• Remain calm and reassure others around you.


• Avoid broken glass.


• Check for fire. Take appropriate actions and precautions.


• Check gas, water and electric lines. If damaged, shut off service. If gas is leaking, don't use matches, flashlights, appliances or electric switches. Open windows, leave building and report to gas company.


• Replace all telephone receivers and use for emergency calls only.


• Tune to the emergency broadcast station on radio or television. Listen for emergency bulletins.


• Stay out of damaged buildings.

Taking the above precautions will keep you and others around you safe during an earthquake - whether you are driving, in or away from home or celebrating at your special event.

The above information is an excerpt from the Los Angeles Fire Department Emergency Preparedness Booklet. To read the entire booklet log onto www.cert-la.com/EmergPrepBooklet.pdf

Have fun and be safe!

Crash the Wedding

Crash the Wedding! . . . is the hottest new bridal show to hit the wedding industry!
It's a mock wedding. It's a bridal show. It's a charity benefit. It's a live auction. And, it's all green! Brides and grooms are welcome to RSVP to be part of this historical event.

Tuesday, August 20, 2010
6-10 pm
Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel

At this new style of bridal show, you will experience an exquisite live mock wedding with some of the top luxury wedding industry specialists at one of the most beautiful locations in southern California! You will have the special opportunity to get a behind the scenes look from the specialist's perspective as they disclose their secret tips to help you plan your perfect wedding. The entire event will culminate with an exciting LIVE auction with 100% of the money raised to go towards Step Up Women's Network.

Make it a date night for you and your fiance! You will receive a food tasting, wine and cocktails, along with a swag bag filled with tons of gifts and special offers. Tickets are $100 per couple and are subject to availability. Seating is limited so RSVP TODAY!

RSVP at http://www.CrashTheWedding.com/rsvp

Happy Birthday America!

Weddings and events can take on any color palette, including this weekend's festive celebratory colors of red, white, and blue! In celebration of July 4th, enjoy a few of our favorite colorful images!

Happy Birthday America!

Roses: Style & Care Advise

Roses are beautiful flowers used to create stunning wedding and event arrangements as well as everyday bouquets. Roses can be found in a large array of colors to compliment any decor, event color palette, or mood.

For a creative presentation try placing roses individually in a variety of stemmed glasses, then group the containers together. Or, create a larger, more dramatic arrangement, by using several dozen roses of the same color in one container. Don't be afraid to cut your rose stems short. This will allow the blooms to be the focus of the arrangement.

To best care for your rose displays try these tips:

• fill your vase with room temperature water and flower food
• remove all rose leaves that will fall below the waterline
• cut all stems at an angle with a sharp knife or scissors
• place the blooms in water immediately after cutting the stems
• repeat this process every two to three days to prolong the life of your arrangement

Sit back and smell the roses!

Images from Engagement Shootout 2010

A few images from Engagement Shootout 2010 - a fabulous charity event to benefit LetMeSail!

Engagement Shootout 2010

Engagement shootout – what’s engagement shootout 2010? Well, let me tell you, this is one bridal event you don’t want to miss!

Calling all engaged couples! It’s time for Beverly Hills photographer Jen O’Sullivan’s annual Engagement Shootout! Come join Jen and over 40 photographers and wedding and event professionals in Malibu on Thursday, April 22nd for an extraordinary charity bridal experience! Here’s the scoop –

When: Thursday, April 22nd from 2:30-7:30 pm
Two photo sessions 2:30-5 pm or 5-7:30 pm
Pick your slot before it fills up!

Where: The Sunset Restaurant in Malibu, California

What: Couples will get photographed at no cost by some extraordinary photographers
(up to 6 shooters will work with each couple)

Couples Get: All your files from each photographer at no cost!
A donation of any size to LETMESAIL will be encouraged.
http://www.letmesail.org

The Catch: There is none! You get to test drive some really great shooters BEFORE you hire one for your wedding day with no strings attached.

Event Rules:
- Couples much RSVP to Jen O’Sullivan by Wednesday,
April 14th – jen@jenosullivan.com
- Couples must be engaged to be married with an actual date set
- Couples cannot have a photographer already booked for their wedding
- Space is limited so contact Jen as soon as possible –
jen@jenosullivan.com

Participating couples also receieve a great Swag Bag! There will also be great makeup artists on site for brides to test drive for touch-ups, lash applications, and mini consults! Premier wedding and event service providers will also be on hand to talk with couples about their special day! Oh yes, this is going to be one event NOT to miss!

CHECK OUT WHO THE EVENT'S PHOTOGRAPHERS & SPONSORS HERE.

Images of Spring!

Spring has arrived!

Tis the season of rebirth, renewal, growth, and beauty! When I think of spring I envision soft colors, warmer days, and the lingering of love!

Enjoy the season!

It’s a New Year!

2010 is looking up! Social Frog Design's first event of the New Year was co-hosting a fun mixer this week for the Greater Palm Springs Wedding Association. Along with Oasis Rentals, we hosted 45 wedding and event professionals from around the Coachella Valley. The event took place at The Sierra Estate, an ultra-modern private estate in south Palm Springs. From modern homes and luxury estates to golf villas and condos, check out Oasis Rentals for your next vacation rental property.

The event was brushed with color by beautiful floral designs created by Cachet Fiore. The pool side lawn was also transformed into a stunning, candle lit ceremony aisle by Fred and Ed, owners and designers of Cachet Fiore. Want the best floral artistry in the valley? If so, contact Cachet Fiore, the place to go for prestigious floral art for your wedding or next special event.

Guests nibbled and mingled the night away while enjoying the rockin’ tunes from DJ Mark Karlstrom of Creative Audio Productions. Tasty treats were served by Chef KK of Katherine King Events and Catering and Brian and Mitch from Happy Mobile Bartenders kept guest’s glasses full throughout the night!

Thank you to everyone who attended the party and to each of the amazing event service providers for making it a success!

Merry Christmas 2009

Tonight is Christmas Eve and a special evening for many people throughout the world. Christmas Eve is a time for gathering with family and friends to enjoy conversation, delicious food, and to give thanks for all we have. And, perhaps celebrating the true meaning of the holiday with a candlelight service or opening one special gift from under the tree!

However you celebrate this special time of year, I hope you celebrate with passion, love, and goodness in your heart.

Merry Christmas and enjoy the holiday season!

Happy Hanukkah!

Happy Hanukkah!

Tonight starts the eight-day Festival of Lights for our Jewish friends and family. In celebration of this ancient holiday my family will enjoy Veal Saltimbocca Alla Romana, Latkes (potatoe pancakes) and a lovely dry white wine. We just might spin the dreidels after dinner too . . . “Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made you out of clay. Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, oh dreidel I will play!”

Speaking of Hanakkah dreidels, this month in Martha Stewart Living magazine Martha shared a fun, kid-friendly Hanakkah treat . . . edible dreidels!

Large marshmallows make up the dreidel’s bodies, chocolate kisses serve as the tips, and small pretzel sticks act as the top’s knob. The entire treat is then dipped in melted chocolate, refrigerated, and finished off with white chocolate Hebrew letters.

Here are Martha’s directions:

• Dip bottom of one (1) chocolate kiss in 8 ounces of melted semisweet chocolate
• Press onto one (1) end of a large marshmallow
• Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet
• Repeat to make twelve (12) dreidels
• Refrigerate for ten (10) minutes, then remove from refrigerator
• Cut a small slit in the bottom of each marshmallow (non-kiss end)
• Insert one (1) thin pretzel stick
• Carefully dip dreidels in chocolate
• Return dreidels to parchment-lined baking sheet
• Refrigerate until set, about fifteen (15) minutes
• Fill a resealable plastic bag with two (2) ounces of melted white chocolate
• Cut a tiny opening in one corner of the bag
• Pipe Hebrew letters onto three (3) sides of each dreidel
• Refrigerate at least five (5) minutes or up to eight (8) hours before serving
• Makes 12 dreidels

Create and enjoy!

Book Binding with Jen O'Sullivan

I had a fun new experience yesterday when I attended Jen O’Sullivan’s one-day book binding workshop at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. Jen O’Sullivan, founder and principal photographer of Jen O’Sullivan Photography in Beverly Hills, shared her knowledge and expertise of traditional and non-traditional methods of book binding with me and a class of about twenty-two other students. We learned and practiced various stitching methods and walked away with several mini-books for our use and inspiration.

Learning a few binding methods is beneficial for student projects, professionals creating presentations and everyone wanting to create fun in everyday life! If you are interested in finding out more about this and other workshops offered by Jen, go to http://www.jenosullivan.com, and click on the workshops tab.

Go create and by happy!

Finding Creative Inspiration

At times, creative inspiration comes quite easy. You begin thinking about a project and your mind begins racing with ideas. Sometimes it's hard to turn the ideas off. At other times, you need a little nudge to get the ball rolling.

In thinking about this past week I have had inspiration overload! It's not a bad thing, but it started me thinking about how a single object, a certain shade of color, an article of clothing, or an interesting shape or texture can be the starting point in creating an amazing invitation or the inspiration in designing an event's fabulous decor.

Inspiration is everywhere around us! We just need to take the time to see it, experience it, and appreciate it! Here are a few things that have given me creative inspiration this past week -

• The Brewery Artwalk . . . the brewery artwalk takes place twice a year on North Main Street in Los Angeles. Over one hundred resident artists showcase their amazing talents at this open studio event. From paintings, photography, sculpture, jewelry design and other mixed media, you can experience all types of art as well as talk directly with the artists. Art comes in many forms and can add a great element of interest to your special event.
  
  

• Music that moves me . . . many tunes from U2 and Michael Jackson move me. I've loved music all of my life. I've moved beyond the piano and flute lessons from my childhood, but that was the start of my love for music. Music inspires! Find lyrics and beats you can't stop dancing to and incorporate them into your affair!
  


• Halloween costume creativity . . . I was amazed at the creativity shown by the children who rang my doorbell last night for trick or treating! I was inspired that many of the children were wearing well designed, adorable handmade costumes. From ladybugs to robots, it's great to see the dreams and creativity of children! What are your dreams for your wedding or special event?

Go and find what inspires the creativity in you!

The Commuter Tie for Men

A great find for the men in your bridal party!

Check it out at http://www.thomaspink.com/

Host a Distilled Spirits Tasting

Wine tasting parties are popular and fun ways to bring old and new friends together. But, why not step it up a notch by hosting a distilled spirits tasting!

Check out a few tips at http://bit.ly/85LaA courtesy of Celebrations.com and Cheryl Jablow.

Happy tasting!

A Little Bit of Press from SheKnows.com

Baby showers can be festive and fun, but don’t need to break the bank. Social Frog Designs recently discussed this with SheKnows.com . . . If you’re creatively challenged, go online. Sites like FreePrintables.net enable you to download invitations at no cost. “DIY (Do-It-Yourself) event options are popular in this economy,” says Cheryl Jablow of Social Frog Designs, Wedding & Event Consulting. “There are hundreds, if not thousands, of great DIY options online.”

Check out the whole article at http://bit.ly/13z3vW

Happy planning!

Kimberly and Jason

At the beginning of the summer I had the pleasure of watching a dear friend of mine marry her prince charming! These two hearts compliment the other in such beautiful ways!

The wedding was a large, traditional Russian Orthodox wedding in which I had the honor of assisting in the planning process. There were many moving parts to this joyous event and I would like to thank Marcia Hemphill and her team at An Urban Affair for their outstanding day-of-event execution.

My very best wishes to Kimberly and Jason as they begin their new life together! Enjoy one another and have fun every day!

Photos by Tricia Koning Photography

Current Wedding Invitation Trends

Today there are no longer rules in defining your wedding style. The more creativity and color a couple uses in the details of their special day the more personal the entire day becomes. When planning for your celebration’s correspondence consider a few of the latest trends -

• Purple Passion – Brides are enjoying the use of the colors lavender, raspberry, plum and other hues of purple in many of their correspondence designs. A contemporary pairing is plum and pewter. Accents of yellow, orange, turquoise, or green are current favorites!
  
  
• Culturally Inspired – Brides are inspired by bold Moroccan, Mexican, and Indian colors and patterns. Such colors as gold, red, green, and magenta with intricate, cultural patterns as backgrounds and borders make for festive invitations.
  
  
• Make it a Hands on Experience – Forget flat cards! Correspondence pieces that have an extra dimension add interest and surprise for guests. Favorite styles among brides are pocket style invitations, invitation sleeves, boxes, folios, and ribbon closures.
  
  
• It’s in the Details – Classic correspondence pieces are being dressed up with unique materials and tiny and luxurious embellishments such as sparkly crystals for a touch of bling! Patterned envelope liners, satin ribbon, personal monograms and custom seals lend a special touch to correspondence pieces.