Setting the Mood

Super Bowl Soirees

2012-02-08T22:28:00.000-06:00

Indianapolis was the host to the 2012 Superbowl which meant, Superbowl parties everywhere. It was an amazing place to be this last week and I think our city did us proud.

Everywhere you turned there was something related to the big game.

Here is a party we were asked to do for a retail store. They wanted some quick grab and go snacks for their shoppers so we created this "Half Time-Snack Time" table.

These are all iPhone photos so the quality isn't that great.

I think these mini foam fingers are so funny. They are foam fingers for your finger.
I know, they are probably geared towards a 5 year old, but I still think they are great.

OUR BLUE BABY SHOWER-featured in Life & Baby!

2012-01-31T12:21:00.000-06:00

We were honored to be a part of the shower for our friends Cassie (mom to be) & Deborah (Grandma to be)!! The baby shower was a beautiful collaboration between some amazing & talented vendor friends!!
Check out the swanky shower as seen in Life & Baby!!

{BABY SHOWER} Blue Elegance

We are starting this week in style with a baby shower that will leave you ohhing and awwing. This baby shower is so jaw-droppingly beautiful that my heart skips a beat with each darling detail. Photographed by Erin Hession Photography this stunner is a real collaboration of so many ah-mazing vendors. Planned perfectly by Deborah of A Touch of Elegance, and the Momma-to-be herself, this amazing party planning duo will have your heart fluttering with this stunner of a shower.

Don't look too fast or you'll miss the kettle chips with white cheddar with an edible monogram, the blue sunken cotton candy signature drink or the food based on the Momma-to-be's cravings.

Candy table by Setting the Mood,

flowers by Bokay,

linens by Wildflower Linen,

cake by Sweet Seductions,

violinist Kathy Hershberger.

Celebrate with Bubbles!

2011-12-30T19:07:00.014-06:00

Toast the festivities this season with sparkling wine cocktails like the classic Chambord & Champagne, or stir it up with a Blackberry Cobbler made with [yellow tail] bubbles and Bulldog Gin (recipes below).

These effervescent cocktails are sure to take you and your guests through 2012 in style.
Use the affordable and go-to bubbly, [yellow tail] bubbles, to make the cocktails.

While the sparkling wine is delicious and beautifully packaged, [yellow tail] thought beyond taste and appearance and created a re-sealable cork, a “zork,” to keep the wine sparkling.

Not only does the zork "pop" but it pops every time you open it. So if you do not use the whole bottle in one night, put the zork back in the bottle and have bubbly mimosas the next morning.

Blackberry Cobbler
5 Ripe blackberries, plus extra for Garnish
10 Ripe blueberries
1 oz. fresh lemon juice
1 oz. simple syrup
½ oz. Bulldog Gin www.bulldoggin.com/
½ oz. Crème de Cassis
Splash of [yellow tail] bubbles sparkling white
In a mixing glass, muddle five of the blackberries with the blueberries, lemon juice and simple syrup. Add the Bulldog Gin and Crème de Cassis. Top with ice and shake vigorously. Pour into a tall glass and top with [yellow tail] bubbles sparkling white. Stir from the bottom up. Garnish with remaining blackberries.

Chambord & Champagne
1/2 oz Chambord
Champagne
Add Chambord to bottom of flute glass and top with champagne.
www.chambordonline.com

Winter Wonderland

2011-12-21T20:37:00.000-06:00

I'm sorry I've been MIA, it's been a busy month. I'm soooo grateful for all the work but also very grateful to have a little break and catch up! I have a lot of parties to show and I'll try to spread them out. First up...our Winter Wonderland Christmas party for a law firm,

high atop the Chase Building at D'amore.

The color scheme was silver, icy white and blues. We used white birch trees around the tables. For the centerpieces we used white manzanita branches dripping with glass raindrops and snowflake crystals. The panoramic view of the city is breathtaking.

For the cocktail tables, we created mini versions of our Monument Circle Christmas Tree
(with real mini lights)

I love how all of the windows and natural light made these snowflakes look like ice!

A DOG GONE GOOD TIME!

2011-11-22T13:54:00.000-06:00

Bob Ridge of Indy Visual did an amazing job of capturing this special night. Check out the video below.

CLICK HERE http://vimeo.com/ to watch the video

An excerpt from Bob's Blog:

Photographer Erin Hession pulled out all the stops to celebrate her dear Aunt Mary's surprise 50th birthday party at D'Amore Indianapolis. Because Mary, owner of Canine Retreat, has such a tremendous passion for dogs, Erin set out to create a canine-themed event, hiring her friends at A Touch of Elegance, Setting the Mood, Thomas Caterers of Distinction, Classic Cakes, DJs Direct and Strike a Pose among others to create one of the most abundantly clever implementations of a theme that I have ever seen. From the bone-shaped napkins to the two huge treat tables (only one for humans) to the "Come Sit Stay" window decals to the photo booth props (see yours truly below), not one opportunity was overlooked to make Mary feel right at home. Her reaction to every surprise that kept on coming was priceless. Everyone had a blast, and it was an honor to take part in yet another milestone in the lives of this wonderful, close-knit family.

RIBBIT!!!

2011-11-12T20:08:00.000-06:00

Here are a few pics from one of our parties this weekend. It was at the amazing Children's Museum. The event was just outside of the new frog exhibit so we created

these frog theme centerpieces for the tables. I didn't get a chance to get photos of them in the venue because we had a limited set up time. If you get a chance, check out the cool frogs at the Children's Museum. It's their first ever live exhibit......ribbit!

POSH POOCH PARTY

2011-10-24T15:45:00.003-05:00

Erin Hession...the AMAZING photographer that I'm always talking about, threw her Aunt a surprise 50th birthday party. "Aunt Mary" owns Canine Retreat and loves, loves looooves dogs so Erin wanted to theme out her party with her favorite four legged things. It all started with this beautiful invitation. Erin had it framed and on display at the party so Aunt Mary could see what her guests received in the mail.

Keeping Aunt Mary out of the loop was a huge task for Erin and John but they pulled it off perfectly. Mary had no idea what she was walking into.

Setting the Mood was lucky enough to decorate for this special event. We made giant "marybone" milkbones to hang from the ceiling, large dog dish centerpieces with colored milk bones in the bottom and a large tennis ball suspended atop.

We folded the napkins to look like dog bones. The cocktail table centerpieces were colored mini milkbones with candles and a dog collar around the cylinder.

The sweet girls from A Touch of Elegance helped with all of the coordination for the party.

Check out the menu! Thomas Catering did an amazing job with the food! The event was held at their exclusive venue D'Amore....and let me tell you, this venue is incredible!!

We made the dog house card box for Mary's cards

Just look for the water bowl for some yummy drinks.....

Like...a Bailey's Irish Setter?? (aka Bailey's Irish Creme)

Check out this cake!!! Classic Cakes has out done themselves again!!

A photo booth from Strike A Pose....complete with props...dog noses, rawhide, treats, toys....

and...a Cone of Shame!

Thanks Bob, this pic is perfect!!!

Bob Ridge was the videographer for the evening.

A regal dog statue ice sculpture.

Now, this is why Erin is brilliant.....We placed vinyl stickers on the windows that said COME....SIT.....STAY and Erin found the perfect position to photograph the sitting ice dog with the SIT backdrop. Is that girl clever or what!!

Erin also made sure that the furbabies were able to celebrate Mary too. They were not allowed at the party but guests could visit the Dog Treat Buffet and fill a doggie bag full of goodies.

We had to make a sign so the guests knew these were not for humans.

There was also a Sweets Station for humans!

Even the bathrooms were decorated

"wipe your paws"

Purple fortune cookies with personalized messages.

Happy Birthday Aunt Mary!!!!

TRICKED OUT TREATS (for little monsters)

2011-10-21T19:31:00.000-05:00

My sweet friend Rachel Richard of Rachel Richard Photography came along with me for the Fox 59 shoot and captured the entire set up. I am thrilled she was there because everything happened so fast. Check out her website and blog. She does amazing work!!

Halloween Ideas on Fox 59

2011-10-20T18:57:00.000-05:00

Here are the to videos from the segment we decorated for Snappening on Fox 59.

Monster Bash Kids Table Video

Sweets Table Video

Rachel Richard Photography was onsite taking pictures and I'll post her amazing photos soon!

TUNE IN TOMORROW

2011-10-19T12:16:00.000-05:00

If you're in the Indy area, tune in to Fox 59's morning show Thursday. Crystal Grave with Snappening will be featuring Halloween tables that we decorated for the shoot.

Setting the Mood teamed up with Annie-O's for some spooktacular Halloween ideas: A Monster Bash for kids, Candy Boo-fet and a Goth themed adult dinner party.

The segments are supposed to air at 7:45am, 8:50am & 9:50am.

BACKYARD BASEBALL BIRTHDAY

2011-10-06T19:39:00.000-05:00

A sweet client of mine wanted to throw a surprise party for her husband's 40th birthday. She said his favorite team is the Cincinnati Reds...so... despite her love of the Cubs, she went with the Reds theme.

The party was held in their beautiful backyard.

We had a vintage popcorn machine, roasted peanuts, grilled hot dogs, nachos, brisket sliders and freshly spun cotton candy along with many more treats.

Unfortunately, I didn't get any shots of the set up

with all the food and people...(things got a little busy : (

Another favorite of the birthday boy is gum and candy.

Check out this amazing cake made by Classic Cakes. They created it to look like these really cool gumball machines that my client found.

Lots and lots of candy and sweets were at this party. Big League Chew, old school cracker jacks, baseball cake pops and much much more.

EVEN MORE FABULOUS PARIS PARTY PICS!-From photographer Lauren Wakefield

2011-09-29T17:02:00.001-05:00

here are some amazing pictures from Lauren Wakefield. She captured the evening beautifully!

This is an excerpt from Lauren's Blog:

(click on her link to see full screen shot of the pics. For some reason my blog cuts them off! Check out her other beautiful pics while you're at it)

AN EVENING IN PARIS : HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMIE!

Posted in Anytime, My Life 4 comments

Let me just start off by saying I have the greatest family ever. And not just the family I was given…but all the family I’ve picked up along the way. When my brother got married…we added a whole new group of people into our family. And let me tell you…they are fabulous. I honestly do feel so lucky to get the chance to be a part of such a loving, giving, incredibly fun family. Holidays…birthdays…random Saturday nights..have changed forever and I couldn’t be happier about it. I’m pretty sure Kasey (my sister-in-law) and I were meant to be sisters…so this just works out peachy.

Last week, I attended the birthday party of the century. Seriously. Kasey’s sister-in-law (which is basically like my sister too), Amie, had a surprise party that was one of a kind. Amie had planned to go to Paris for her birthday but the trip had to be canceled. So why not bring Paris to her, right? Well that’s exactly what they did. And it was nothing short of a success. Amie was competely surprised…the party was incredible…and everyone danced the night away…

Anne Rogers did a FANTASTIC job on this event. Not one detail was overlooked.

Yes…those are Louis Vuitton cookies. Except…the letters are AL for Amie Lacy. Like I said…no detail overlooked.

And Chanel cookies…

A light up Burlesque sign…yep I think so.

And an Eiffel Tower ice luge for martinis…

Everyone waiting for her to arrive…

Totally surprised!

My bro and sis-in-law…

One thing is for sure…the champagne was flowing…

The fam!

And you guessed it…what’s a light up Burlesque sign without a Burlesque show?

After cake it was party time.

Matthew and Amie are so adorable. Love them.

A little gambling…

I think it’s safe to say Amie had an amazing time…

A FRENCH INSPIRED BURLESQUE BIRTHDAY BASH

2011-09-21T17:27:00.000-05:00

This high spirited, theatrical 40th Surprise Birthday was so fun to be a part of. Think Moulin Rouge meets a 1940's supper club. Anne Rogers Mitchell had an amazingly bold vision for the usually proper, refined private country club. We transformed the lobby, ballroom, living room and parlor into a Parisian extravaganza. Above is a pic of the lighted sign we made. It was 18' wide!

The centerpieces for the guest tables were sexy legs with fishnet stocking and feather plumes bursting out of the top. The other half of the centerpieces were fresh florals with peacock feathers all created by Coby Palmer of Coby Palmer Designs.

There were two gaming areas, one in the parlor and the other outside on the terrace.

Here's a pic of the outdoor gaming area. Aren't those purple toppers to-die-for?!? The outdoor gaming area had had outdoor lounge a photo booth with berets, faux mustaches and boas. There was also a cigar station with hand rolled cigars.

We wanted to create a Parisian street scene as the guests walked in so we had little vignettes along the walkway. Above is the "Salon de Artiste" where a an actual sketch artist sketched for the guests.

A Patisserie with eclairs, chocolate covered strawberries and a Louis Vuitton handbag cake created by Classic Cakes. The detail is amazing you can see the stitching in the leather/fondant trim and she used the birthday girls initials instead of the LV

We also had Chanel purse cookies and Louis purse cookies

A 3-D Eiffel Tower, Chanel store front and french street lamps with Rue de Amie signs were also a part of the street scene. Two Burlesque dancers adorned the balcony telling guests to move into the ballroom for the big show.

Once the guests entered the ballroom they were treated to a tasteful Burlesque show, dinner and dancing

Custom monogram dance floor was created by Evans Audio Visual

OUR MONOPOLY PARTY IS A FINALIST!!!

2011-09-12T13:42:00.000-05:00

competition is stiff! check out all the awesome parties and vote on your fave...or if you can't decide....just vote for mine (just kidding--sorta). Click on the link below and leave a comment under one of the pictures you would like to vote for. (If you are not a fan of Kara's Party Ideas you must first become a fan on FB).

So here they are! The SUMMER HOSTESS PARTY CONTEST FINALISTS! Judging was SOhard. So glad it wasn't just up to me this time {Thank you, fab judges}! A huge thank you to ALL of you who entered! Every single one of you deserve something special for your hard work and amazing parties!!

The winning party is now chosen by YOU, my readers and fans {voting is happening on Facebook}! But that's not it. By voting, you also have a chance to WIN! Not only does the winner receive a $200 ultimate relaxation package BUT one lucky voter will win the same {chosen randomly}!

Now go and VOTE. Leave ONE comment under ONE of the party photos you're voting for in the Facebook album HERE. You have to be a fan of {like} Kara's Party Ideas on Facebook to be able to leave a comment. The party with the most votes wins! Voting ends Friday, September 30th!

HERE ARE THE TOP 8 PARTY FINALISTS {in no particular order}.....

GIRLS NIGHT OUT PARTY by Mindy Hoerr Kaisner

MERMAID UNDER THE SEA PARTY by Tami Branch Goeckeritz

FUN & GAMES PARTY by Jamee Bryant of Setting The Mood

JIMMY BUFFET BEACH BASH by Nicole Everson Gould

PIRATES AHOY PARTY by Jennifer Wright Hanna

FISHING THEMED PARTY by Spaceships & Laser Beams

SAILOR BEAR PARTY by Fabiola Lopes

GLAMPING PARTY by One Stone Events

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TOP 8 FINALISTS! Now go and VOTE HERE!

3-D EVENT

2011-09-09T19:31:00.000-05:00

Here are some pics from our 3-D corporate event. My client used "3-D" to represent

Deliver, Delight, Differentiate. These are the dimensional buttons we made for the swag bags.

Cocktail table centerpieces

Lighted Bar from Evan's Audio Visual with the giant 3-D glasses we made.

Here are the centerpieces we made. Giant 3-D glasses atop and dimensional 3-D

with cylinders filled to the top with real 3-D glasses

All of the beautiful photos were taken by my sweet friend Erin of Erin Hession Photography

This event was held at the BEAUTIFULLY remodeled Landmarks Center

Lighted and branded cocktail cubes from Evan's Audio Visual

Plum Wedding at the Historical Union Station

2011-09-07T20:35:00.001-05:00

Check out this beautiful wedding photographed by Jennifer Driscoll. We had a small part in this event (the candy buffet) but all of the details are amazing.

(click on the photos to enlarge)

Leslie and Conor

Posted by jennifer in Jennifer's Weddings, Weddings on August 16th, 2011 1 Comment »

Leslie and Conor planned things from afar! Leslie’s sister married just over a year ago and so when Conor asked for Leslie’s hand in marriage dad must have really liked him to say yes and plan yet another beautiful family event (well Susan and Leslie did most of the work with help from Deborah Bowman:)). These two could not be more perfectly matched. Not only are they both tall and gorgeous, but kind, sweet, compassionate and very humble. Leslie was one of the most shy brides I’ve ever photographed! Her humbleness and sweet nature make her so endearing. I know they are enjoying their move to California! I hope to see you soon! Can’t wait to get rocking on the wedding album. Check out all the purple details!

Venue: Union Station
Event Coordinator: Deborah Bowman and Cassie Smith- A Touch of Elegance
Florals: Royal Creations
DJ: Brian Whitis
Candy Buffet: Setting the Mood
Cake: Sweet Seductions

HOT OFF THE PRESS!

2011-09-04T18:39:00.000-05:00

Here's an article we were included in for Indianapolis Monthly Magazine.
(It's always fun to see your name in print.)

GO DIRECTLY TO JAIL

2011-08-26T21:09:00.001-05:00

Here are some pics from the table I set up for the Table Setting Show at Beth El Temple. The show runs through Monday so if you are in the Indy area stop by and check it out. There are approximately

30 wonderful tables to view.

The 3-D "PLAY" sign was the centerpiece for the sweets table and chocked full of monopoly parts..monopoly money, tokens, hotels and houses, deed cards etc.

Water works iced cookies-my first attempt at painting cookies ; )

Sweet & Salty Chex mix with custom mini cookies

Scottie Dog wrapped licorice

Rice Krispy Treats with custom edible wafer paper

Mini Community Chests filled with chocolate $$$$

Electric Company Painted Cookies

Dice Lollies

Deed Card Chair Banner

Oversized Monopoly Board table topper

Tokens, Dice and Houses Napkin Rings

Water Works Drinking Glasses

A special thanks to Rachel at A Classic Party Rental for the Linens, Tables and Chairs!

Real Wedding Album: Barbie

2011-08-26T18:04:00.000-05:00

This just cracks me up!! Check out this Barbie & Ken wedding shoot from Glamour Magazine.

Super-talented—and super-creative!—photographer Beatrice de Guigne masterminded this ingenious photo shoot then captured it all on film over three days. I found the photos over on Rock n Roll Bride and just had to share them with you!

Beatrice told Rock n Roll Bride: “Barbie & Ken were married at Faraway Castle, in Plasticity. The bride bought her dress from The Fairy Godmother shop and her shoes from the Cinderella Store. The groom wore a suit from The Prince Charming Emporium. The couple met more than 50 years ago (yes I know they look young). Barbie was tired of waiting so she asked Ken to get married.”

You can read more about what inspired the shoot and what went into it on Beatrice’s blog.

Photos: Courtesy of Barbie & Ken and Beatrice de Guigne

CORINNE'S ANIMAL PLANET

2011-08-23T21:02:00.000-05:00

This animal loving bat mitzvah gal had only a few requests for her party. She wanted pink, green and orange and lots of her favorite animals. Here is the logo we designed for her shindig.

Each table had one of Corinne's favorite animal silhouettes

with a different patterned paper for each animal.

We also hung large animal silhouettes above the dance floor

Her placecards notated the animal assignment on top in the

same pattern paper that matched the centerpiece

Here's a pic of her candle lighting display

AND....the B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L and sweet Corinne.

PINK & GREEN CANDY BUFFET

2011-08-18T02:22:00.000-05:00

My sweet sweet friend and WONDERFUL photographer Erin Hession asked us to decorate a candy buffet for her office. Check out her logo above...its pink and green and bright and bubbly...just like Erin (Notice the diamond heart dotted "i"'s?...You'll see these later too).

Erin had the brilliant idea of doing this candy buffet because her wedding ring shots are often placed on the candy from the candy buffets at the reception. She blew up some of her ring shots and hung them above this candy buffet....what a great idea!!

See the pink fortune cookies? They had custom messages inside!

Here is Erin's very own "ring shot" ...see the heart shaped diamond? Just like in her logo!

LAKERS INSPIRED MITZVAH

2011-08-13T05:10:00.000-05:00

Our Bar Mitzvah boy LOVES the Lakers and wanted his party to reflect his passion for purple and gold. Here is the scoreboard we created for above one of the bars.

This Bar Mitzvah was held at the beautiful Indianapolis Art Museum.

Two entire walls were windows showing the perfectly groomed gardens.

Here is a close up of the centerpieces. They were about 4 feet tall and had

purple and gold LED lights in the glass cylinders.

We made these table top runners to look like the basketball court... complete with Eli's logo.

Kids Bar Area

Ticket placecards

Cocktail table centerpieces

Real basketballs for the sign in.

Even a cake with Eli's Takin' it to the Hoop logo. Mazel Tov Eli!

IT'S STATE FAIR TIME!

2011-08-07T20:05:00.002-05:00

Who doesn't love the State Fair? The food, the rides, the animals, the beautiful home grown fruits and vegetables, did I mention the FOOD?...I love it all. Our State Fair theme party last weekend was timely in that our own State Fair started just a few days ago. So, this Bar Mitzvah was a great kick off to the upcoming fair festivities.

Mini Ferris Wheel centerpieces for the cocktail tables

The adult side of the room was called the Blue Ribbon Pavilion. Centerpieces were bushel baskets full of farm fresh veggies and beautiful sunflowers. The other half of the adult centerpieces were miniature windmills. As a part of the mitzvah, the fresh veggies were donated to Second Helpings after the event.

We created blue ribbon table numbers for the adult tables

Bandana bunting hung from the ceiling

We even brought the decor into the bathroom with sunflowers and bandana hand towels

The kids section was the MIDWAY! Each kids table was a different midway ride.

We lined the outside cocktail area with bright colored flags that you could see from the street.

oversized ticket placecards

Amazing vendors that helped pull this all together:

All the photos were taken by the fabulous Sue Huffer of Sue Huffer Photography.
The fun photo booth was from Indy Photo Booths
All of the farm fresh vegetables were donated to Second Helpings
Tim Fuller of Tim Fuller Entertainment did an amazing job of keeping the dance floor full the entire event.
The party was held at the beautiful Broadmoor Country Club.
The incredible home grown sunflowers came from Seldom Seen Farms.

MOD OWL DOOR DECOR

2011-08-03T22:17:00.000-05:00

I visited my sister again to help her get her classroom decorated for the new school year. This is a (bad phone) picture of the door decor we created to welcome the students.
The theme is "grow in knOWLedge".

I love looking at how people plan ideas out before they are executed and thought you might too, so I also attached the sketch we came up with the night before we decorated.

I have many many events to blog about, so stay tuned....I promise to try to blog on a more frequent basis again.