While in the Philippines we were invited to visit the über luxurious Shangri la Boracay. It was a jaw dropping property boasting one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen. But I digress. The reason I mention this resort is not because of the stunning rooms or views (I’ll talk about this another day), but instead it’s for their amazing attention to detail. Specifically…what they did with sand.

I stumbled upon two great ideas that would be so easy to steal for an event. The first was a sand-topped table display with a pretty border hand traced into the sand. I thought this would be so beautiful as an inexpensive tabletop idea (but if you’re thinking of also eating off of these tables, you’ll want to add a glass top…to avoid gritty chicken .

The second idea sat inconspicuously outside of the hotel elevators. Imprinted in the sand of an ashtray was the resort’s logo. Simple, simple, simple – yet really smart.

The last idea I came across wasn’t from Shangri la. It was something I found on the Ellerslie Four Play blog and shows a standard illuminated table decorated with a sand design. It’s a really creative (and inexpensive) way of converting a basic rental item into something quite extraordinary.

Public Pie brings street eats to a whole new level. Imagine going for a walk and smelling the divine scent of home baked apple pie. Even better, imagine being able to buy one of these goodies…yum!  (via Notcot)

These adorable Seed Bombs have been featured in Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, House Beautiful, Woman’s Day, Design*Sponge, and Lonny Magazine! They are carried by several boutiques and most recently Anthropologie has been added to the list! It’s been amazing watching a mom & pop transform their operations to ramp up production. More importantly, wouldn’t these be wonderful give-aways for a spring event? (via VisuaLingual)

I’m in love with how La Pâtisserie des Rêves, a Parisian patisserie, displays their creations. Instead of a gaggle of pastries being locked behind cases and obstructed by sneeze guards, each item is highlighted under its own glass encasement. Doesn’t it make every dessert look so special. (via Cool Hunting)

We’ve all be challenged with thinking greener. And for those of you who celebrate Christmas (or have clients who do), you face a big conundrum. Do you cut down a perfectly healthy tree only to have it displayed in all its glory for a few short weeks or do you buy a reusable (aka fake) tree in hopes of making a better environmental choice. Now we have a 3rd option called The Living Christmas Co.. The idea behind The Living Christmas Co. is that you rent a living tree which is delivered to your home or event, picked up and then replanted. You can even adopt a particular tree and rent it year after year (how cute).

For more information:
Pricing
Delivery Zones (California only)

Story idea via Springwise
Image via Robert S. Donovan

Lara McCulloch-Carter
Author of the Special Event blog ready2spark
Director of Marketing – Regal Tent Productions
Past-President – ISES Toronto
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Lara McCulloch-Carter
Author of the Special Event blog ready2spark
Director of Marketing – Regal Tent Productions
Past-President – ISES Toronto
. Follow me on Twitter
. Connect with me on LinkedIn
. Become my Peep at EventPeeps
. Befriend me at Events Network

One of the hottest trends right now is intricate paper art. Creating hand cut pieces out of paper that look like anything but handcut pieces made out of paper.

I love the idea of incorporating this trend into VIP invitations, backdrops, table cloths, vase covers or light shades. It’s just the type of detail that can make an event extraordinary.

Lara McCulloch-Carter
Author of the Special Event blog ready2spark
Director of Marketing – Regal Tent Productions
President – ISES Toronto
. Follow me on Twitter
. Connect with me on LinkedIn
. Become my Peep at EventPeeps
. Befriend me at Events Network

A sneak peak from a fab

Lara McCulloch-Carter
Author of the Special Event blog ready2spark
Director of Marketing – Regal Tent Productions
President – ISES Toronto
. Follow me on Twitter
. Connect with me on LinkedIn
. Become my Peep at EventPeeps
. Befriend me at Events Network

Krislyn Floral Design has launched a new website brimming with inspiration. Proprietor Krislyn Meyer-Komarov is a true artist and her approach to floral, tree and event design is totally unique (yet her work is as identifiable as her fingerprint). I could spend hours looking through her portfolio…

Lara McCulloch-Carter
Author of the Special Event blog ready2spark
Director of Marketing – Regal Tent Productions
President – ISES Toronto
. Follow me on Twitter
. Connect with me on LinkedIn
. Become my Peep at EventPeeps
. Befriend me at Events Network