Merry Christmas

The Christmas host

It’s all about thinking outside the box — but even that box needs to have glitz and glamor to give it a festive feel.

If you are planning on having a Christmas party this holiday season, make it one that your guests will remember — and it doesn’t have to be expensive or really complicated.

It’s all about planning ahead, being creative and complimenting your own individuality.

“If you are not experienced with a lot of entertaining in your home, don’t stress yourself out by being over ambitious and planning too many things,” says Shelly Coyle, owner of VIP’s Gourmet Catering.

“Give yourself lots of time before the party date planning and organizing. Make lists — and use them!”

In fact, says Dave Howard, president of The Event Group, “your holiday dream event can be fun and exciting — but you need to have a plan.”

We talked to a number of experts in holiday entertaining on topics ranging from setting a fabulous table, to the food that will put the party ‘over the top’ with friends, to decorating your home and creating themes. Besides Coyle from VIP’s Gourmet Catering and Howard from The Event Group, we asked designers Alykhan Velji, principal of Alykhan Velji Design, and Monika Siebert of Monika Siebert Design Planning Inc. for help.
Here are some of their hints to creating that ‘Wow’ factor for your party.

Create a theme

This is the first place to start. “What is your own personal style?” asks Coyle. “What is the goal or purpose of this gathering?”

From there, decide on a theme — and it can be anything from traditional to off the wall, says Howard. If traditional, “every faith carries a number of traditional décor choices. Follow through your theme with your plates, glassware, napkins, and so on.”

Be bold, if that’s your personality, he says. “A theme can set the tone for your party before it happens and create your party’s atmosphere.”

How about a Karaoke Christmas? Rent a Karaoke machine from your local music store and have holiday classics as part of your music selection. How about Holiday Charades? Make up your own personal holiday charades.

Or why not have a Bad Sweater Night? “Everyone has the ‘bad’ holiday sweater,” says Howard. Invite your guest to break out their favourite and give out prizes for the oldest, cutest, best overall, etc. People can even shop at their local next-to-new shop for one. It will add to their fun.”

Having a theme helps you pull all items together for the party, says Velji.

Siebert has a wealth of tips to help transform your home — and your party — into a Romantic Christmas theme. It starts with colours — and they are used in every room, on the table, and even in the food choices. She uses red, green and purple throughout (even in her prize potato dish — a smashed potato sundae with purple, white and golden potatoes mashed separately and layered in a clear sundae glass with red and green accents between layers (tomatoes and chives). Festive, fun and carrying the theme throughout.

“My holiday tip for the dining room table: Combine rental pieces with dollar store items and your own collectables — in your theme colours,” Siebert says. It makes it interesting, eclectic and inexpensive, yet still carrying out your theme.
READ MORE…..

(Blog by Kathy McCormick)

Sugar Design in Dallas

What’s the best part of a “Dining Out” meal  for you?  If you have a sweet tooth its likely: Dessert!  When dining out……I quickly check the menu, and then ask for the dessert menu, thinking  they  may have exceptional dessert….I will order an appetizer and perhaps a small salad and then dessert…or  large salad and  dessert.  While in Dallas ….. the Sugar Designers.. didn’t fail to impress!

While @ the Dallas Reunion Tower: I had the most incredible Coconut Cream Pie – designed by Wolfgang Puck, in the Five Sixty restaurant! Notice the coconut is toasted and sprinkled on top…caramelized popcorn is part of the Design.

Special stop at Biernat’s to check out the Texas Steak—and of course their dessert list , that’s where I discovered the Banana Cream Pie with Chocolate Peanut Butter pieces too delicious for words. This Dessert Design was almost to pretty to eat….and way to large for one person to consume.

Hotel Desserts often are missed……but this one just had to be mentioned. The  Hilton Anatole had the best Chocolate cup, with vanilla mousse and white chocolate chunks……ummm, such heavenly taste and Design!

These dessert are inspiring to me.. can’t wait to add Caramelized Popcorn to my next Coconut Cream Pie dessert.

Hope you are inspired too,

xo

Dallas a Designers Inspiration!

Arriving in the beautiful city of Dallas,  in April, I was immediately absorbed into this city’s lush vibrant landscape which showcases its Design flair everywhere. From the newest architectural addition via a enormous 400 foot arch on the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge by Santiago Calatrava to the Omni Hotels rockin’ light show which flashes on the buildings exterior’s in the evening.  I’m convinced this city has the VIBE on par with New York!

The Hilton Anatole is TEXAS Size! It’s like a small city within a hotel, I shouldn’t have expected less…..from Sandi Krakowski’s  great choice for me:  from the mammoth twisting Light Art piece, hanging  in the atrium to the Sculpture Garden, with its running track. In this great Hotel the Sculptures were prevalent everywhere, even in the furnishings  that decorated the hallways and rooms. Maybe I felt so special staying here, because the Presidents of the USA used to always stay here.

a taste of what’s to come

Floating ,moving, color-changing Light Sculpture

Amazing Light Sculptures!

Elephant in Sculpture Garden

Bronze three sisters

Fantastic Statues

Whimisical mirror in hallway

Stylized Closet Doors

Great Decor

Andy Warhol, 1959

Dallas – one of the days I explored the Dallas Design Center my first stop was Edelman Leather®,  they are after all  the worlds finest tanners. Having used their product many years ago for Calgary’s first leather floor installation, it was a delight to finally be in their Dallas showroom! I was pumped  when I saw the original piece of Artwork by Andy Warhol. He was friends of the family and created this striking  piece, especially for them, which  now hangs in their Dallas showroom. Their latest creation is stenciled and etched  leather,   amazing for chairs or walls,  seen in Architectural Digest.Certainly a product I will spec and have in my design trays for clients.

Trending: Removed book covers

My second stop: the Donghia® showroom, they are always a treat, and no less in the Dallas Center. From the knowledgeable  staff to the great pieces displayed in their  showroom. This was a exciting space  to spend a hour ,  absorbing their new products, from soft seating, lighting, to fabrics, and wallpapers….and a bit more. A imaginative design  style, was created by   books  striped of their covers and ends,  displayed in a contemporary  way on their book shelves.  Love their beaded papers. I also got to other showrooms which had some terrific  stylish pieces ,one  could spend a week  here see all the shops at the center, and surrounding.

Leather Topped Tables

Designer Inspiration

Donghia signature pieces/timeless and classic

Trending: Free Form Silver Leaf Table

Tornado sirens started on my last day.  They started in the early  morning  while still at the hotel, at first I wasn’t sure what was going on – thought it was a fire. I quickly learned a TORNADO

Warning and we had to take cover in  ballrooms, which was their version of a Tornado Shelter. The stay in there was relatively short, a half hour , then we were released. Leaving the hotel seemed fine, but a process as we all seemed to all want to leave at once. I  got to my new destination a  small shop  everything seemed calm …too calm, and the tornado siren started gain.  then…I did what the Dallas folks did.. watch it on TV.… the city was a mess with flash flooding …….the next morning  I flew home, with out a hitch!…..

xo, Monika

Cake Pops: by Design create our Brand

Assorted Cake Pops

Recently a  friend  brought  me, a beautiful Pink Gift  bag,  as I excitedly opened the birthday gift  my discovery was: the  most beautiful Cake Pops, I’ve ever seen.!  These were   specially ordered   and created  by Kari’s Kreations  , she was inspired by my branding  which she found  used throughout my  website ,blog, business card, and stationary!

The flavors are just as exceptional as the exterior design of these pops…from strawberry, vanilla, red velvet ……to chocolate , really 22 flavors in all . Surely  to please every palate, and party theme, or business logo.

Moist and delicious cake and yummy frosting

What’s not to love here? I’m so thrilled with her work I now
use custom cake pops with my logo designs and colors for special occasions and gift them to all my fabulous clients.

‘M’ designed logo, on pop – showcases Kari’s attention to detail and a TASTY way to BRAND our- Monika Inc – the Boutique Design Studio Look.

7 Secrets of Designer Style for your Homes!

Whether you have a 500 square foot condo , a  2000 sq ft  In fill , or sprawling  5500 sq ft home,  a  rambling cottage , or a combination those — On March 20th , you will gleen  7 ways to take  your home from  “Nice ” to ” WOW”,with  “Whats Hot”  now.
During the fun filled evening @ RE/MAX  Mountianview.
I will present those secrets along with Calgarians:  Mary Mosca Realtor,
Jason Kreiger Mortgage broker, Thomas Shibita Investor, you will end up with a plethora of information to get you ready to market your home this year  or simply get educated!

Special surprises provided by the contributors of the evenings, sign up now  before all seats are taken!

See the Flyer below for more information.

Registered by RSVP to Mary Mocca at 403-809-1190
or call me directly at 403-650-1514

Thanks to Mary Mosca – RE/MAX Outstanding Agent

How to get that Heavenly Glow !

Are you feeling the extreme need to be kissed by the sun?  I recently did,  and ended up heading  over to Just Heavenly Spa,  in Calgary  and got a dose of  much needed Vitamin D ! A  Painless , quick, and  relatively  inexpensive experience  standing in a  tanning cage – that’s was how I absorbed  the  injection of Vitamin D!  The tanning lotion, which is a prerequisite ,  smelled heavenly and was richly exquisite in its texture. Specially made by Snooki ( which would explain the cost factor)  if  its your desire  to  get some vitamin D – then you do require Snooki’s  help!

When you step out of the private  tanning room …… there is  more to discover in this little boutique: Accessories,  Books, Cards, Clothes, Massages, Purses, Stones,  and much more ; you will even get tips on a Heavenly  lifestyle by the knowledgeable  proprietor: Joan Hehr , if you requested  them or not.  Seriously she is a source of knowledge you  certainly can’t live with out ,  and once you have met her  you will understand what I mean, and begin to wonder how you  ever managed with out her.

The Spa owner has used her creativity in this space and has achieved success by  drawing  the neighborhood , much  like a bee’s  drawn to honeysuckle.  Perhaps , its not a cliché  as   there is a jar of honey sitting on her window ledge, look for it when you go  visit this Shoppe.

Spring 2012 …Its  all about Feeling Fabulous and looking Healthy,  –so go and get  your VIBE on at Just Heavenly Spa.
NOW the secrets out …… hurry over, and you may still get your  tanning bookings  secured   before the Spring Rush!

Tangerine Tango

The “IT” colour of 2012
This bold NOW Tangerine colour. . . . has a tangier side to it, than simply orange. Tangerine Tango  will give our homes, clothes, even food that certain FRESHzip because it has that slight impression of red in its undertones!

Needless to say it’s a fun colour . . .  and works surprisingly well along side the past years Turquoise 2010 or Honey suckle 2011.

We can update our Interior lifestyles, our clothes, and our meals, with hits of this colour, doing it your way . . .

It brightens any room, makes you feel fresh and alive.

. . . crisp like a morning salad.

Perfect for Spring . . .

Tangerine Tango can go anywhere – be anything . . .

From Accessories: Purses, Ties,  to Complete solid tones of clothing.

Accents in of Tangerine Tango on wallpaper, chairs, lamps, pillows, and art.

Bring your home and wardrobe up to date soon with Tangerine Tango, find out how:

by visiting me at the Calgary Home and Garden Show.

See me at the ”Ask a Designer Booth” — Feb: 23 – 26

A Christmas Message

Christmas Romance Designed for Charity!

With Christmas approaching and festive thoughts in the air, Decorations arranged for to pleasure ones sightful eyes, Vibrant colors to catch ones attention causing all to stare, Flashes of sparkling red seem to catch you by surprise, As hues of passionate purple with some mossy greens, Share all thoughts and wishes for the Kids Help Phone, With giving color for the background completing scenes, For now is the season of giving and wish it to be known, Letting snowflakes drift down and sparkling gems to show, How a home was transformed and became so magestic, Giving all who chance to view the elegance and it’s glow, A delightful experience to be treasured from old Saint Nick! – Brian Moore

Family room by Angela Morgan: a glow in mossy greens and complimented by art work

Snowflakes and orchids set the visual tone for the living room

The Dining Room all dressed in its festive attire! The colour combination for this home was inspired by the grand tiffany lamp over a table that often seats 8-12

Gems in the sink … a simple way to carry the festive violet purple throughout the home

Violet purple in the master suite and art by Sheila Kernan graces the fireplace

Reflections — in the dining room

Snowflakes reflect the purple theme on this romantic tree

Roses, beads, ostrich eggs— all wired for a festive romantic dinner in the Dining Room

The classic Christmas tree gets a kid-friendly treatment >> Read More

Photography by Michael Interisano of Mirror Image Photography