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!