Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Fall Fever: Top 10 Fall Festivals



As the air starts to cool in September, summer draws to a close. But now is the time to celebrate  the fall season.  Autumn is a very busy time of the year for most people, but it can also be one of the most exciting times of the year; Halloween, pumpkin patches, hot drinks, comfort food, and of course the amazing fall festivals that pop up all over the place. 

  From now through the beginning of November, many places hold fall festivals focusing on anything from food to music, foliage to crafts, and spirits – both the drinking and supernatural kind.  Take the scenic route to your favorite fall festival and let the autumn season begin!  Here is a list of 10 festivals locally, nationally and internationally, that we think you would love!  





1 – The Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival 

The Pittsburgh Renaissance Fair
Tap into your inner squire or damsel in distress - The Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival is here!  Every weekend until September 30th, there will be jousting, artisanal crafts, renaissance style music, fun skits and acts, great food, and wonderful souvenirs to buy. Click HERE for more information.  


2 – Trax Farm Festival – South Hills, PA

Trax Farm Festival 
2012 marks the 43rd anniversary for the Trax Farm Festival.  The 147 year old farm will open up every weekend from September 22 – October 28 for hayrides, pumpkin patches, a 4-acre corn maze, petting zoo, bounce houses and much more.  The Trax Farm Festival has been a tradition to the people of Pittsburgh for 43 years and has a little something for everyone.  Visit the website HERE for more information. 


3 – Oktoberfest – Pittsburgh, PA

Oktoberfest
Probably the most replicated of all the fall festivals, the original Oktoberfest began (and still thrives) in Munich, Germany.  For years, German hofbrahauses around the world celebrate the German tradition of Oktoberfest with delicious German beers, German food, music, dancing and lots of lederhosen-clad ladies.  HERE is a list of all the places celebrating Oktoberfest in PA.


4 – Fall Foliage Festival -- Bedford, PA

Fall Foliage Festival
One of the best things about fall is the foliage.  There’s a certain magic behind the changing of the leaves, imprinting magnificent images of rich color in the mind to help us get through those soon-to-come dreaded winter months. In Bedford, PA, they have an entire festival dedicated to the beautiful fall foliage, with crafts, music, food, pumpkins, and an antique car show.  For two weekends in October, you can experience the full feeling of fall at the Bedford Fall Foliage Festival.  Click HERE for more information.


5 – Madison County Covered Bridge Festival – Madison County, IA

Madison County Covered Bride Festival 

Madison County is just as beautiful and serene as it was in the movie and that’s why the people of Madison County get together every year for the Madison County Covered Bridge Festival .  The town unites to celebrate their historic covered bridges and admire the beautiful town and foliage that surrounds them.  The festival features a wide variety of music, food, antiques, and historic tours of the town – unfortunately we can’t guarantee an appearance by Clint Eastwood. Click HERE for more information.  

6 – Haunted Happenings - Salem, MA

Salem Haunted Happenings


Another site known for being rich in history is Salem, Massachusetts. Known for its vicious witch hunts back in the 1600’s and the House of Seven Gables (which still stands today),  Salem, MA has preserved its colonial look and offers tours of historic spots, informational guides, fun Halloween activities for the kids, and costume balls for the adults, the entire month of October.  Whether you’re looking to celebrate October in terms of foliage and fall fun or you’re interested in learning the history of Salem, Haunted Happenings  is the perfect place to be in October.  Click HERE for more information. 

7 – Hyde Park Jazz Festival -- Chicago, IL

Hyde Park Jazz Festival
During the last weekend of September, Hyde Park celebrates local and national jazz music with diverse performances, food/drink, dancing, and vendors.  The two-day event is free to the public and this year will feature a second stage complete with a dance floor.  Click HERE  for more information. 

8 – Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta – Albuquerque, NM

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
Known as the largest balloon festival in the world, the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta  is a nine day event that happens around the beginning of October that showcases about 750 balloons.  Click HERE  for more information. 


9 – Nuit Blanche (White Night) – Paris, France

Nuit Blanche
For the past ten years, Nuit Blanche has been one of the coolest times to be in Paris. The title means White Night and on this night, galleries, music halls, museums and even swimming pools open up to the public for free. Art and light installations, performances, and concerts happen all around the city. Click HERE for more information. 

10 – El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Mexico

Dia de los Muertos - Skull Candy
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is celebrated widely throughout Mexico and other Latin American countries.  It’s celebrated on November 1st, the day before AllSaints Day.  Dia de los Muertos is a day for family and friends to get together and celebrate those who they have lost in the past.  Skulls made of sugar, paper flowers and marigold, great food, dancing, private alters for the dead and music are all part of the tradition of this holiday.  This is not a mournful holiday, more so a celebration of those we have loved and lost!  Click HERE for more information.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Apples to Apples



Get your apple a day with this season’s most popular fruit! In a kaleidoscope of greens, yellows, pinks, and reds, apples are the go-to fruit for the fall season. Not only are they a great source of vitamin C, anti-oxidants and fiber, but apples are quite versatile when it comes to their usage. The ancient Greeks and Romans referred to apples as symbols of love and beauty.  These beautiful fruits come in a variety of colors, flavors and textures; some are sweet or sour, crunchy or soft, tart or bitter.  Depending on the type of apple, it can be baked, grilled, spiced, candied, made into delicious desserts, cider, paired with cheese, made into sauce, or enjoyed alone.

Summer apples are usually lighter in color and tarter in flavor, while the fall apples are darker, deeper shades of red with much sweeter flavors.  Apples are a great addition to any fall party you will be hosting this season whether you decide to incorporate them into a dish for your family or guests, make a delicious drink out of them or use their decadent colors as dĂ©cor inspiration.  Here are seven great ways to indulge in apples this season!  Enjoy!

1- Apple Colored Decor 
Use apples as a centerpiece for your next fall party!
Consider the many colors of apples in your next event dĂ©cor; gold, yellow, light green, blush pink and various shades of red are the perfect color palette for a wonderful fall eventMosaic has a large variety of apple colored table linens , napkins, seat covers and more for the perfect fall party. Below are three delicious apple colored linens by Mosaic! 

Gold Wellington Damask Linen by Mosaic

Apple Green Lamour Napkin by Mosaic

2 – “Apple of My Eye” Wedding

Apples as a simple accent to a beautiful wedding cake
If you’re having a fall wedding, why not use apples as a clever (and affordable) decoration?  Use them in centerpieces, as candle holders, cake decorations or even in a bouquet! Adding a subtle tip-of-the-hat to apples in a fall wedding adds a nice seasonal touch that everyone will appreciate. 

 3 – Garnish an Appetizer

Tuna Apple Mini-Melts 
  Your guests will love these creamy tuna –apple mini melts!  Rich creamy Havarti cheese is married with salty tuna on top of a light phyllo shell garnished with thin elegant slices of Pink Lady apples. Find the recipe HERE

4 – Make a Mouthwatering EntrĂ©e

Pork Tenderloin with apples
Juicy pork tenderloin, cinnamon and sweet apples make for an amazing fall dish that’s not only easy to make but it’s something the family will love! This one pairs well with Pink Lady apples, Fuji, or Jonagold. Indulge in this recipe HERE

5- An Interesting Dessert
Maple Cranberry Baked Apples 
 Break away from the typical apple pies and apple turnovers that come about every year, this year wow your friends and family with a pairing of real maple syrup, cranberries and Roma apples for a delicious baked apple dessert!  Find this yummy recipe HERE

6 – Make Homemade Apple Cider

Hot Apple Cider 
 Nothing is better on a chilly fall day than a cup of hot apple cider.  Throughout history, apple cider has been made by the masses during the fall season.  Apple cider is now available year round in supermarkets.  However, making your own batch of apple cider is special and definitely a great fall activity.  You can even add rum or brandy to this basic recipe for a great fall entertaining drink.  Click HERE to make homemade apple cider! 

7 –Candy Apple Red Accessories

Candy apple red shows up on 2012 runways 


 Sink your teeth into the candy apple craze going on in the fashion and beauty scene! Candy apple red showed up all over the fall 2012 runways in coats, dresses, and lipstick.  It’s a bold yet flattering color that when paired with sleek and neutral colors and prints, can be very sexy and sophisticated.  

Apple Red Lips at Julien David 2012




Monday, September 10, 2012

The Rainbow Effect



Having a hard time figuring out the color combo for your next big occasion? Why not dabble with a fearless rainbow themed event instead of the standard three colors?  Roy G. Biv has been showing up to weddings, parties, special occasions and even the runways this year! Though it may sound like a bold (and disastrous) move, the latest rainbow trends are sleek, elegant and very pleasing to the eye. 





The rainbow trend showed up on the Gucci runways in 2011 when they released a color saturated spring line in silky materials with slinky silhouettes.  The rainbow trend has taken on an updated twist with ombre effects and softer colors anchored with a base of black, white or grey.  Now the rainbow effect is in everything from hair and nails, clothing and shoes, to interior decorating and event themes.  



For a chic rainbow wedding, we love the idea of dressing each individual bridesmaid in a different color of the rainbow with a matching bouquet.  Different color ties for the groom and groomsmen, multi-colored bride’s bouquets, brightly colored food or multi-colored table linens, seat covers or napkins. Focus on small details rather than saturating the entire wedding in color.   For an ethereal and whimsical daytime wedding, go with pastel versions of the classic rainbow.  And for a bright and magical evening wedding, go with richer, bolder colors.  



Keep everything simple, classic and clean lined to avoid an over-the-top obnoxious look.  Going rainbow is a creative and unique way to create a fun and memorable environment that your guests are sure to love! 

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Nifty Shades of Grey




Although color is very much in for Fall, something to act as a solid foundation for the bursting colors of 2012. In accents of charcoal, dove, gunmetal, and titanium, grey is also having a moment on the runways, in weddings, and special events. 

Designers such as Michael KorsCharlotte Ronson, and Altuzarra are using grey to create sharp and sophisticated looks with a timeless edge.  Grey has even been popular in men’s wear, with parades of masculine suits in various layers of grey long, tailored showing up on the runways. 



Many couples are choosing grey for their fall weddings. Its classic and looks great as an accent color to buttery yellows, peach, ballerina pink, fuchsia, or hunter green. Grey table linens are the perfect backdrop for a whimsical and elegant occasion.  


Via Love & Splendor

Grey is extremely versatile; it can be mysterious and romantic with soft pinks and roses, modern and sleek with bold primaries, or bold and decadent with deep plums and bottle greens.  It’s the go-to color of the season and is wearable with practically any of the season’s trending colors. 


Via Dockside Group