Cocktail Hour {recipes you can't boo at}

Posted by Junkerman Jones, Wedding and Event Design 1 comments

If you haven't already selected a costume for this weekend's Halloween festivities, one thing is for certain: you don't have to dress like a sous chef to create dazzling treats when playing hostess with the mostess this holiday season.

With Halloween sneaking around the corner, we're sharing three spooky drink recipes that'll leave your party guests bewitched, bothered, and bewildered by your cauldron of creativity!

Enjoy!

Black Widow

via Phyllis Hoffman Celebrate

Ingredients: 5 oz black vodka, such as Blavod (or vodka + black food coloring)
 + 1/2 oz Pernod


Directions: Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add black vodka and Pernod. Shake vigorously for 5 to 10 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a Sugar Spiderweb and Licorice Spider (recipe below), if desired. In a hurry? Top off your black widow cocktail with a gummy spider or plastic spider ring to save on time!

Garnish

Sugar Spiderweb

via Phyllis Hoffman Celebrate

Ingredients: 1-1/4 cups sugar
 + 1/3-cup light corn syrup
 + 1/4 cup water

Directions: Spray 2 large sheets of parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. In a small heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water; cook over medium-high heat, occasionally brushing down sides with water to prevent crystallization. Continue until mixture reaches 320º on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat. Working quickly, drizzle caramel with a spoon onto prepared parchment paper, forming spiderwebs. Cool completely or until set. Using a small offset spatula, carefully remove web from parchment paper, and place on top of glass.

Licorice Spider Garnish

via Phyllis Hoffman Celebrate

Ingredients:  black licorice wheel

Directions: Unroll a 9-inch strip from licorice wheel*. Using kitchen shears, cut strip in half lengthwise along scored line. Cut each strip into 3 (3-inch) pieces, creating 6 legs. Reserve remaining part of licorice wheel for spider body.

On a flat surface, place licorice wheel. Using tweezers, insert 6 strips in center of reserved licorice wheel, bending strips to form spider legs. Carefully place Licorice Spider on top of Sugar Spiderweb. Serve immediately.

Candy Corn Cocktail

by Alex Straus, Suite 700 at the Hotel Shangri-La

Ingredients: 2 oz. SKYY Infusions Pineapple
 + 1.5 oz. Orange Sherbet, softened
 + 1 oz. Pineapple Juice
 + 1 oz. Milk
 + 1 oz. Simple Syrup

Directions: Combine SKYY Infusions Pineapple and pineapple juice in cocktail shaker with ice. Strain over fresh ice into a clear Collins glass. Combine softened orange sherbet and ice in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Strain, and pour over bar spoon to layer in the rocks glass. Then, combine simple syrup and milk in cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Layer milk mixture on top of sorbet mixture.

Bleeding Heart, Grape Punch, & Black Lagoon

from Martha Stewart‘s Spirited Celebrations (Halloween 2009)

Black Lagoon: a lemony vodka libation garnished with black ice cubes and a licorice stick.
Spiked Concord Grape Punch: this one’s spiced AND spiked!
Bleeding Heart: a martini with a pickled beet that “bleeds” from a wound caused by a cocktail spear.

{Thanks to HWTM for sharing these fabulously festive recipes. Happy Halloween!}

**DO YOU HAVE A GREAT RECIPE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE?

PROUD OF A HALLOWEEN OR FALL TREAT THAT YOU CREATED?

Send us your creations and get featured on the blog! Can't wait to see your submissions!

Email us at junkermanjonesevents@gmail.com!

Be Inspired {Carnival Season}

Posted by Junkerman Jones, Wedding and Event Design 0 comments

Fireflies + funnel cakes.

Striped tents + multi-colored magic.
Late summer air + age-old tradition.
It's carnival season in Downtown, USA.

It's the sight, smell, and sound of carnival season coming into view and we're feeling inspired! Whether you're planning a unique wedding, festive baby shower, or just need a dose of creative visual medicine, jump on the carnival wagon and browse through these inspirational images that scream, "summer bliss".

concept board {merry go round}

paper goodies {fabulous fonts + lovely layering}



treats for the senses {candied eats and visual treats}

tickets to love {admission: bride + groom} 

Talk about sweet treats, sweet romance, and sweet summer air! Please come again for more delicious inspiration. For now, however, we're off to find a to-die-for caramel apple recipe or the closest cotton candy machine; thanks for stopping by and happy summer!

{credits}

ferris wheel photography, merry go round inspiration board 

paper goodies: ferris wheel invitation , elephants invitation , admission ticket

treats for the senses: sweets buffet , colorful lanterns , bunting seating chart, candy apples, candies and cake, comfort food, fries in cones, popcorn treats, lemonade jars in ice, cotton candy, table setting, tablescape + floral, tickets to love: photobooth + games, carnival tickets, lollipops + love, bride + groom photo

Inspired Highlights: {Sweet + Simple}

Posted by Junkerman Jones, Wedding and Event Design 0 comments

Casual + refreshing. So often we see weddings get so wrapped up in glitzy drama and dripping, shimmering extravagance (and, we admit, more is usually better in our eyes), but sometimes a wedding comes along that shreds the bling in exchange for simple, understated elegance.
Simple, yes, but Natalie + Chris' real wedding is layered with sweet, delicious, approachable charm that would make any would-be bride jump up and squeal!

{Thanks to Gabriel Ryan Photographers + 100 Layer Cake for the gorgeous details below!}

Enjoy.

"Natalie’s veil has been in her mother’s family since the early 1800′s. It was brought over from England, worn up until the Civil War, and then stored safely and forgotten about until the early 1900′s. All of the women on her mom’s side of the family have worn it at their weddings. Isn’t that amazing?"

We hoped you enjoyed this quick snapshot of a wedding as much as we did.

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time, continue to live large. dream BIG!

A DIY Fourth of July

Posted by Junkerman Jones, Wedding and Event Design 0 comments

Baby, you're a firework, come on let your colors burst...

Ok, you've caught us red, white, and blue-handed, but we're finding Katy Perry's Firework is a catchy tune, especially with America's INDEPENDENCE DAY...((cue fireworks display and patriotic marching tunes in 3...2...1..)) ...waving its flag just right around the corner!

Whether you bebop to Perry or crank your speakers to the powerful orchestrations of Stars and Stripes Forever, we've gathered some of our very favorite patriotic inspirations and party tidbits in which everyone can indulge this fun and festive holiday. From simple BBQ eats, sweet summery treats, and a handful of DIY designs, we're giving you the tools to create the best Fourth of July party this side of the Potomac!

main eats. This 4th of July, we're going totally backyard BBQ style with a casual menu of good eats that even the kids will enjoy.

1.) Red Hot, White, + Blue wings. Red currant jelly and red curry paste lend a touch of sweet heat to an all-American classic, served with the traditional blue cheese dip. Get the spicy recipe here!
2.)  Uncle Sam-Burgers would make the perfect meal for your backyard BBQ!
3.) Made with red, white, and blue spuds, this potato salad is as American as apple pie; check out the recipe. Blue potatoes (also called purple potatoes) have a texture similar to that of russet potatoes, but a nuttier flavor; they can be found in most supermarkets or in specialty produce stores.

befores and afters. Serve up festive appetizers before the main event and finish the meal off with one of these sweet and oh-so-patriotic treats.



1.)  Turn tortillas  and cheese into a stellar snack before dinner with this easy recipe.
2.)   Red, white, and blue tortilla nachos would be a delicious treat!
3.)  Revolutionary strawberries covered in white chocolate and blue sugar crystals. Go here for the recipe.
4.)  Red, white, and blueberry kabobs are a quick, but lovely treat for a summer day.
5.)  Oh my stars, how cute are these watermelon stars!
6.)  Few people make cheesecake, because it has a reputation for being difficult to bake. The truth is, this crowd-pleaser is easy to prepare. The raspberry sauce and blueberries provide just the right fruity tartness -- and a festive look.
7.)  Serving this traditional English dessert in a glass pedestal bowl shows off its impressive layers of ladyfingers, pudding, and colorful fruits.
8.)  Serve ice cream in fun, creative ways, such as these adorable glass jars! So vintage.  So chic!

decor. Create a sleek and festive look for your 4th of July party that screams Americana. Check out our inspirations below and create your own designs that illustrate your individual style and party planning needs!

1.)  Get playful with textures and colors when creating table settings. This sweet setting has a slight vintage feel that you can re-create at home. Thanks to P is for Party for sharing.

2.)  DIY time! Make your own Fourth of July confetti popper rockets that guests (young and old) will love! Directions found here.

3.)  Sparkling favors! Instantly turn sparklers into placeholders or party favors with ribbon and paper tags.

4.)   Display silverware (or even plastic-ware) for your casual BBQ party in a fun and festive way, like this.

5.)   Use fruit, like strawberries, to dress up vintage mason jars. Serve it up with fresh lemonade or sweet tea! What a refreshing idea!

6.)  For a summery escape, place a basket of red cherries at each setting and use bold wildflowers as a natural, summer-chic centerpiece!

7.)  DIY! Old denim and fabric scraps can come together in a wonderful, vintage-inspired banner! Learn how to make your own here.

8.)  Add a little romance to your Independence Day with a red, white and blue picnic. For a true designer look, introduce a mixture of patterns and textures through floor pillows, toss pillows and blankets. To delineate a portion of your picnic area as a serving space, layer a contrasting bath mat or small area rug in the center, then utilize the surrounding space for lounging. More information here.

9.)  Setup a cute candy station with red, white, and blue treats for your guests to enjoy.

10.)  Another DIY idea just for you! Don't you just love these sparkler holders, matchbox covers, and straw tags! Get your free template here and begin the festive fun!

We hope you are inspired by these fun and festive DIY tips and tidbits. Whether your Fourth of July party was a simple + laid back affair or a grand event fit for a modern day George Washington, we'd love to hear from you. Send us your party pics and DIY success stories; we'd love to share them with our designers and creative readers! Thanks and Happy 4th!