Showing posts with label Tim Burton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tim Burton. Show all posts

Halloween Theme...It is Here! 

Sunday, September 4, 2011 -
I began this blog back in the day to showcase cooking, events and entertaining myself through every day events.  I think every day is a celebration, so when there really is a holiday or celebration, I love to celebrate it a bit more. 

Halloween is one of my favorites.

Last year, we had a Tim Burton inspired get together.  I personally loved decorating the house with each room having its own movie theme.  Hubs and I dressed up as Alice and the Mad Hatter.  The year before was a Clue theme, complete with a murder-mystery game.  Mr. Green and Mrs. Peacock were our characters that year. 

You see, the theme isn't just a theme, it is also the costume.

This year, after going back and forth on a variety of options, hubs and I finally landed on our theme.

Heaven and Hell. The classic battle between good and evil, angels and demons.  Evil villians, angelic princesses (of course, my Disney reference of the day) or anything in between.  The options for costumes are endless.  And I know hubs and I will have a great time transforming our house into a classic heaven vs. hell venue.

Let the fun begin!

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Tim Burton Inspired Halloween 

Tuesday, November 2, 2010 -
Halloween has come and gone, but the photos from the Tim Burton inspired party will always remind me two things:
  • we had a great time
  • hubs and I truly have some amazing friends
As you may recall, I came up with this inspiration a few month's ago and the planning began.  Hubby and I spent a little time each day decorating and getting ready for the festivities as every room had a different Tim Burton movie theme.  It was a great event, loaded with food, drink, games, and Tim Burton galore!  A brief recap:

Food & Drink
  • Mad Hatter Tea Party - sausage & apple meat pies (think Sweeny Todd), Parmesan wraps, stuffed mushrooms (for the caterpillar of course), chocolate & caramel apples, hummus, and five different delicious cheeses.  Though tea was available, we focused more on a variety of wines for drinks.
  • Corpse Bride - Holy Cow Cupcakes did an amazing job with the red velvet "wedding cake" (delicious!) and there was also a Dracula's Kiss signature drink (black cherry vodka with a Coke product and cherries)
  • Charlie & the Chocolate Factory - a candy buffet, complete with Willy Wonka candy (and wrappers, thank you RN!)  Even the wall was likable as pinwheels had a Sweet Tart center.
  • Edward Scissorhands - backyard bbq style, we had beer a plenty including a basic domestic (for easy beer game play) and hubby's home brewed pumpkin ale.  He did a fantastic job, it was some great beer that everyone enjoyed (great job hubs!)  Small snack items that you would find at a BBQ as well, including chips, pretzels - the easy grab food.
Costumes
Our guests did a great job dressing in Tim Burton gear.  We had Mike TV and Veruca Salt from Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, Lydia (two of them to be more accurate!) and Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands and Peg Bogg (Avon calling!), Helena Bonham Carter and Sweeny Todd and Alice & the Mad Hatter.  We also had some other great costumes, including Mario & Luigi, Spiderman, Tink & Peter Pan, a Cheerio and adorable old lady, and a 'parasite host' & broken condom.  Creativity and glorious costumes were all around - great job to everyone!
 
For those who were unable to join us, we did miss you!  Here is a photo recap to give you an idea of how the night went (thank you RN & MC for allowing the use of some your photos mixed in with mine!):
 
 
 

 




 
   
  
I hope all of you had a fun filled Halloween - here's to next year!

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Friday Hodge Podge 

Friday, October 29, 2010 -
Halloween is right around the corner, and there is a lot going on!

First - MM and I dressed up as Salt & Pepper and are rocking our outfits at work.  Love that I am able to wear sweat pants 6 years in a row through different costumes.  Comfort is a must when working, but rarely can you be this comfortable.
Secondly - MM and I are running our first 5K tomorrow morning.  It is chilly - we both ran last night on different parts of the Monon and ran by only one or two people.  It was so odd to be running "alone" in the chilly evening air.  Alas, our first 5K is called the 'Ghosts & Goblins' and couldn't be more of a convenient course (it literally runs by my house.)  I'm excited to accomplish this with MM - wish us luck, numbers 179 and 200 (and if you feel like cheering us on, plan to be at Carmel High School at approximately 9:30a.m.!)
Lastly, Halloween is on Sunday.  Which means our annual Halloween party is tomorrow night!  As you may have read, we are hosting a Tim Burton themed event and couldn't be more excited.  Hubs and I have been putting the finishing touches on the house all week - here is the lineup:
  • Garage - Edward Scissorhands
  • Den/Office - Charlie & the Chocolate Factory
  • Stairwell to 2nd floor - Nightmare Before Christmas
  • Living Room - Corpse Bride
  • Kitchen/Dining - Alice in Wonderland
  • Stairwell to 3rd floor - Sleepy Hollow
  • Guest Bedroom - Batman
Yes, each room is decorated for a Burton film, and we are excited to have our guests arrive in their best Burton costume!  Photo recap of course will be posted, but until then, you will just have to wait and see.

What are your weekend plans?  Are you going to dress up, and if so, as what?

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What about this cupcake? 

Tuesday, September 21, 2010 -
For the upcoming Halloween event, as you may have read, hubs and I are hosting a Tim Burton themed event!  It's no secret that I love Halloween, pumpkin, cinnamon and lots of other fall things.  Tim Burton represents autumn to me as well, though he is delightful in so many other forms. 

One of my favorite movies of all time is The Nightmare Before Christmas.  And yes, there will be a room themed after this movie of course.  I came across these today on the Disney Family site (yes, make fun of me, but I love Disney, I can't help it) and I couldn't help but smile and think to myself, "do I need to make these?" 
I will have many treats in the Alice in Wonderland themed area, as well as Charlie & the Chocolate Factory room.  After my recent baking episode and the fact that I'm not a baker, we'll definitely have to wait and see.  But I just couldn't resist how cute these are!

And on a side note - my costume is complete (here's a hint) as is Nala's.  Yes, my adorable puppy has her own costume because Target was selling it for only $7 and I couldn't resist.  And no, I'm not normally the kind of person who dresses their dog up, but I really couldn't resist.  
Do you see why? 

Hubs doesn't have his costume yet, but I'm sure you can guess who he'll be! 

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Halloween Event - Tim Burton Style 

Saturday, September 4, 2010 -
There are so many reasons I love the autumn - from the falling of leaves to the crispness of the air.  Cinnamon and pumpkin, my two favorite flavors of all time, are everywhere. And one of my two favorite holidays (the other is Christmas) is upon us: Halloween.

Mrs. Peacock, Liz Lemon and 80's Girl
I don't know why I didn't realize that I wanted to be an event planner before taking my current position.   I adore planning any type of event in my life, either it be when I volunteer, when I am at work, or socializing with friends.  So when a holiday that I adore comes around, you know that I look towards making it a great event for all those in attendance.

Last year, we had a fantastic Clue themed gathering.  We transformed the house into Mr. Boddy's mansion and played our own murder mystery game.  It was a successful evening with lots of laughs and new friends to be made.

This year - what to do?  With my favorite director, Tim Burton, releasing such great films recently (including but not limited to, Alice in Wonderland, 9, etc.) it only seems fitting to have an event inspired by this artist genius (of course, my opinion, I get that.)

By Hoffman - at MoMa

Plans are in the works, and I can't wait.  Each room will be transformed into a themed movie event.  Of course, my only hope is that all guests who attend will have as much fun as I can hope for!

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National Candy Day - This is What Happens During 'Make Up Your Own Holiday' 

Tuesday, March 30, 2010 -
Yes, you read that correctly.  Friday was "Make Up Your Own Holiday" day.  So what does my place of business select as their holiday?  Candy Day!  I quickly threw together some fun games to break up the day, and of course, included candy in each and every one.

We started off with a game of Lollipop Grove.  Originally, I wanted to set up a "grove of lollipops" by having lollipop stands and rings to toss at them.  However, with 24 hours and a quick trip to the store, I settled on a memory type of game.  Four lollipops were awarded during this brain morning activity.

Thank you to RN for designing the Lollipop Grove cards

Memory Style Game - keeping those minds active!
Next up was Chocolate Swamp, which consisted of plastic eggs swimming in a "swamp" of filler.  Staff members would dig through the swamp for an egg, which would have a piece of paper saying mini, regular or king.  If you selected a mini, you won a Hershey kiss.  If you selected a regular or king, you had a choice of that size of candy bar.  Everyone walked away a winner!


The eggs were harder to find than you would anticipate - that filler was thick!

Candy Land (did you know this board game is celebrating 60 years?!) was also available to play during lunch.  I actually dined out for lunch (Grand Traverse Pie Co., which you can read about here) or I would have also shown Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (I love both versions of the movie, but my love for Tim Burton is extraordinary) in our conference room.  That way, people could watch a little bit of the movie while enjoying their lunch.  But alas, pie got in the way (and no, I'm not complaining at all!) 
Of course, the easiest themed candy game - Gumball Guess - was also part of the festivities.  Whoever guessed the correct number of gumballs, or was the closest, won just that, gumballs!

For the record, there were 639 gumballs

The final activity for the day was Candy, our version of Bingo.  Same rules apply, but markers were hard pieces of candy, and of course, winners won candy.

Thanks again to RN for her design skills in creating the logo

By the end of the day, everyone was geared up for the weekend (and completely jacked up on sugar!)  I guess that makes for a successful Candy Day on a time and financial budget!

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Houlihan's & Alice in Wonderland! 

Wednesday, March 10, 2010 -
As many of you may know, I've been waiting (so patiently I might add!) for the release of Alice in Wonderland.  My anticipation was so steep...after all, it combines four of my loves: Disney, Alice in Wonderland, Tim Burton, and Danny Elfman. 

Prior to the movie, friends and I began the evening with some delectable small plates & drinks from Houlihan's.    I had ordered the Wild Mushroom & Arugula Flatbread, and though I didn't expect too much of it, I was blown away!  Their flatbread was the perfect with the right amount of crispy crust ends, but so soft at the same time.  The mushrooms were perfectly sauteed, and blended well with the white truffle vinaigrette that was sprinkled on top.  The arugula left a light peppery taste to compliment...delish! 

I also ordered 'Pickle Fries.'  Now, my love of fried pickles comes from college.  The Amherst Brewing Co. had fantastic fried pickle spears...I absolutely adored them.  And in my quest to match their deliciousness, I haven't been able to find spears.  Almost everyone serves chips...but Houlihan's delivered.  They were perfectly fried, with a crispy coating that wasn't too heavy.  Their size was also perfect, as it a pickle cut until six pieces, rather than quartered.  And the horseradish dipping sauce?!  Divine.  As was the honey mustard (and I am particular about my honey mustard!)

The third small plate was absolutely the best of the night.  Goat cheese and artichoke poppers.  So. Good.  The artichokes and goat cheese were once again lightly battered, so it was a very crisp and not overwhelming coating upon frying.  The goat cheese was the perfect amount, as to not overwhelm the artichokes.  With the pop of lemon zest and thyme, there was a pleasant fresh taste to the fried goodness.  Plated with a fantastic combination of sauces, I slathered them with the trio and gobbled them down.  Of course, hubby had to have a bite...and he doesn't even like goat cheese, but praised how great they were!

After dinner and drinks (I had a dirty martini, which was nothing to rave about, and a chocolate martini, which I was highly disappointed in) and a fantastic dessert (MC was kind enough to let me try her Snickers Crunch Ice Cream Dome, as the N's let me dabble their S'mores Fondue Crock!) we headed over to the showing of Alice in 3D at the IMAX. 

Standing in line with the other fans, I was happy to see many individuals in costumes.  It made me think, "why did I not wear my Alice costume!?" myself, but honestly, we know I wouldn't have.  And of course, the glasses don't hurt the experience!

N's & MC in line...quivering with anticipation of course!

In great seats surrounded by great friends, we enjoyed the whole movie experience.  From the storyline to the music, the artistry and costumes, nothing left me disappointed.  The colors and imagination of it all, the movie was a fantastic theater production of Lewis Carrol's classic novel.

To all those who didn't like it, I would only imagine that you don't really like Tim Burton and his creativity.  I think he is a genius and artist.  I mean really, how could you not?!  Teaming up with Johnny Depp is always great for both of them.  Mia Wasikowska was a fantastic Alice, I look forward to seeing her in the future.  Helena Bonham Carter is always amazing, and when she works with Tim Burton, amazing things happen. As the Red Queen, big head and all, her performance was flawless.   Anne Hathaway, your hand movements were perfect for the White Queen...I couldn't help but smile.  Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum, loved them.  Oh, and I want the Cheshire Cat (note: I don't like cats, but I want him.) 

Costumes, I want Alice's dress when she was in her smallest form.  Loved. It.  I can't even imagine this movie not receiving some form of recognition for the great costume artistry that was had.  Make up was also phenomenal, though at times, I was distracted by the white eye makeup of the Madhatter.  But still, beautiful.  It was a perfect component of the use of color and set during the film.

I can't say enough on how much I adored this movie.  It is a must see.  As for Disney releasing the movie one month earlier than normal, all I can say is thank you.  I look forward to the purchase!

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