This Halloween as you are planning your Halloween activities don't be a think for yourselfer.... Yes I know our parties are fun but the kids need some fun too! So with this theme steer away from demons and withces and goblins ... but use the colors and funny pumpkins ... we don't want to scare the kids. there are so many ways to to make you kidtasic Halloween a success so here is a few ideas to get you started.

The Menu :
Mummy Hot dogs
Halloween Cake pops and Lolly Pops
Halloween Oreo's ( that you can lay out to look like legs of a witch ... see the Oreo adds for details )
Make jello molds w/ little critter crawlers
Make Brownie covered in marshmallows , candy corn and chocolate chips
 Candy Buffet  ( use your imitation)
Withces Brew ( Green Kool-aid )
Jack O' Lantern Cake

The Decorations:
Mini Brooms ( glittery Ones from Target )
Different Size Cauldrons
Mini Pumpkins ( set up a create your own station this serves as three parts 1. decoration , 2. activity and 3. favor )
Streamers
Pumpkin Balloons
apothecary Jars to hold " experiments " ( this candy be candy eyeballs ..... mini broomsticks ( pretzels w/ cookies at the end ) anything to set the theme

Check all of your favorite part planing or parenting sites for additional tips and recipes .....#living2plan
                                                 HAPPY HALLOWEEN !!!!!!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month across the U.S. You and the people in your community should come together to make a difference. Breast Cancer has affected most of us in some way shape or form. Breast Cancer runs in my family and that’s why I do monthly checks and if anything seems out of place I go get it checked out.  I am so Passionate about Breast Cancer and that’s why I am involved in a host of events throughout the month of October so that I can help in find the cure so that ….a mother can see her daughter get married or that a grandmother can see her grandchildren be born or that a aunt can be there to give advice or so that a sister can still be a best friend or so that a friend can always have your back. The Breast
Cancer awareness Foundation runs may different events through a unique month-long campaign so come on ladies lets be passionately pink.
 Elegant Events By Errika …. Is getting involved so that we can save the ……..
Ta-Tas!
Let’s join together to raise awareness and take a step forward in conquering this disease. So how will you raise awareness …Here are few ideas that you can use as fundraisers !!!!!
 *   Sip For The Cure ( classy wine tasting )
 *   Bowling For The Cure
 *    Race For The Cure ( walk or run )
 *   Black Tie Gala

Those are just a few but check out the Cancer Foundation Website for local or national events !
# living2plan ….#Strengthhopefaith

Vegas BABY!!!!!!!!
This theme is by far the best theme .... this can be for a birthday , bachelorette party or a girls night out. The best part of this theme is that you dont have to go to VEGAS! You can have Vegas like things at your event to make it look and feel like you are there. In this picture we have chocolate covered strawberries drizzled with hot pink choclate, then we have the mini (delicious ) donuts on card sticks. This theme is so fun and it dosent take much to bring it to life. Another thing that you might want to add is a party bus.... the bus is used to transport you and your guest to your final destination . some buses even have a POLE :).... if you choose to use this theme be sure that you let your guest know that
"What Happens Here Stays Here" # living2plan

Excuse me .....can you please tell me how I can get to sesame st ? As a kid I loved watching sesame st...cookie monster was my absolute FAV!!!!! So when I was asked to assist in planning a baby shower for my nieces son I was so excited!!!! After her mother was done with the design the food and the decorations...she had literally transformed the venue into sesame st. The best part of planing a baby shower is that you can do anything you want. It can be as simple a women's tea or as big as creating well sesame st....some of the things you must remember while planing a shower is that:
You must have some fun... This may the last hooray for the mommie to be before baby comes!
You must inform your guest what type of shower this will be typically a shower is used for a first time mom but a " sprinkle " ( smaller scale shower ) is used for a mom who may or may not kids that are close in age . Some people figure that once you have a baby you should be set for the ones to come.
Create  a registry!!!! People don't know what your thinking unless you tell them .. So prepare a list of items that you need and want so that you can actually relax before the baby is born and not shopping til you drop.
 And a little advice for the mom to be who is so anxious to see her baby " be calm and relax because this is the only time that you can assist God in a miracle "
Happy Planning #living2 plan

Are you ready for some football?????? Well its that time again for your boyfriend/or husband to sit in front of the TV for hours watching the game ,eating  snacks, and drinking a nice cold one!!!! When my husband told me that he wanted to have a super bowl party I must admit that i was a bit stumped .... I wasnt really sure where I Should begin. Should I cook should I get this get together catered. So then it hit me...K.I.S.S. I had to remember that I wasn't entertaining my girlfriends, or the ladies from my church or hosting a formal event for one of my clients... So I  decided to keep it simple. If you are hosting a Super Bowl party here are a few things that you will need to score a "touch down " with the fellas:
1. Chip and dip ( tip : find some football shaped chip and dip trays to so it serves to purposes .. 1) t hold the snack and 2)  to add to the decor )
2. Plenty of beverages 
3. Foot ball cake
4. Foot ball decor ( ie. football ( use this as your centerpiece ) , helemet, foot ball table cloth) , team gear ..if you are reping a certain team get some cups , plates , balloons to show your team pride !!!
5. Bar style food ..no need to pull out that roast you have been saving ... Get some appetizer style food believe me they will appreciate it more.
It doesn't take much to please the men ..just remember as you make your list..that you must keep it simple sweetheart :)
And after the table is set and the beer is chilled... Grab your self a seat and sit back and enjoy some good ole American Football !!!
#living2plan.                                                      

American Next Top Model Birthday Party

This Theme is full of glam ,beauty ,and a whole lot of fashion!!!!! When My niece was turning ten we pulled out all the stops to make her day one to remember! This theme is not about who is better or who is the favorite but it is about fun and a whole lot of glam! If you are thinking of throwing your little girl an top model party here are a few things that must do first :
1. Hire a professional photographer... Create a real photo shoot... Have the girls bring a few different outfits.
2. Have fashion show....have the girls wear an outfit in that theme
3. Create trya mail to tell them what's next.....( find a bunch of pictures of the show or our fashionable things and write little notes to the girls.
4. Get t shirts made with the logo on the front and their name on the back
5. Make it fun....make sure e Rey girl knows that she is smart...beautiful...and important!

Valentines Day Dinner for 2
The national love and romance day is coming up ...got any plans? My husband and  I every year tell ourselves that we are going out but some of the best times spent with him are the ones where we share a bottle of wine and order Chinese and Stay Home.!!!! So my husband and I have Decied this year instead of making reservations and still waiting to be seated and  spending 100.00 on a meal that I could have made my self we are staying in to have a romantic dinner by candlelight. I know that if you work all day by the time you get home who feels like cooking a three course meal? Well if you plan accordingly you actually enjoy your self and not be up late.
1. Make your menu before hand & go shopping early
2. Don't wait to buy your ,food, your decor and most importantly your gift!!!!! The later you wait the less you have to choose from
3. Make it romantic....show your partner you care..... You don't always have to spend money to express your feelings.
4. Try cooking together...one person doesn't have to make the whole meal.
5. No distractions! Cut off the tv,the phone or any kind of electronic device that keep you from your partner .
6. Make Dessert.... TOGETHER !!!! Nothing is more sexier than making chocolate covered strawberries ... At home ( recipe below)

Ingredients
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
3 ounces white chocolate, chopped
1 pound strawberries with stems (about 20), washed and dried very well
Directions
Put the semisweet and white chocolates into 2 separate heatproof medium bowls. Fill 2 medium saucepans with a couple inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Turn off the heat; set the bowls of chocolate over the water to melt. Stir until smooth. (Alternatively, melt the chocolates in a microwave at half power, for 1 minute, stir and then heat for another minute or until melted.)

Once the chocolates are melted and smooth, remove from the heat. Line a sheet pan with parchment or waxed paper. Holding the strawberry by the stem, dip the fruit into the dark chocolate, lift and twist slightly, letting any excess chocolate fall back into the bowl. Set strawberries on the parchment paper. Repeat with the rest of the strawberries. Dip a fork in the white chocolate and drizzle the white chocolate over the dipped strawberries.

Set the strawberries aside until the chocolate sets, about 30 minutes.

Enjoy the dessert ...Enjoy each other....Enjoy love!!!!
# living2plan

Bowling Bash
Bowling has and all ways will be a family favorite. There is so much that you can do with this theme whether you host the party at your home or at a bowling alley you are sure to have a " ball"!!!! There are a few basic things that you need to do to make your bowling party a hit. For starters if you decide to have your party at a bowling alley call them and see what types of parties packages they offer.. Some have cosmic bowling ,midnight bowling even glow in the dark bowling . Next get your guest pumped for the party by sending out over the top invitations.... In my opinion invitations are always an important way to give your guest a glimpse of what to expect at the party. Some alleys don't allow you to bring outside food but if they do l suggest these top three snacks...
- strike out sandwiches
- gutter meatballs
- bowling ball and pins sugar cookies

Extra bowling tips:
- use a wine decanter and put three red pieces of tape at the top to create a bowling pin and fill it with milk....also put the same design on the glasses to hold the milk.
-ask your guest to come in with crazy socks and the best dressed individual wins a prize.
- get bowling pin tooth picks to pick up whatever appetizers you are serving
- create a tournament who ever score he highest wins a prize
#living2plan

Easter Egg Hunt
Hop hop hop hipity hoppy hip hop around the clock!!!! Easter is one of my favorite holidays ... I love the religious reasons as well as the colors and it marks the beginning of spring! Every year my family and I kick of Easter weekend by hosting a huge Easter egg hunt. We hide the eggs all over the house and in the yard and we play games with the kids and then at the end here comes good ole Peter cotton tail. And he comes bearing gifts.....So Easter is coming and r u ready? If not here are a few tips to get you started for a Eggcelent Easter Egg Hunt :
1. Buy eggs...traditional Easter egg hunts were filled with real eggs....well times have changed!!! Now instead of wasting all those eggs buy the plastic ones they are fun and don't require much work...fill them with candy, stickers or money! Try to find some golden eggs and put the big prize in that one.
2. Have plenty of games to keep the kids engaged!!! The hunt is the main attraction but that won't take all day....do more with them,no party is fun when the guest are bored.
3. Food!!!! You don't have to have a Easter feast but you should provide some kind of meal typically at our hunt we keep it simple....
4.Create “paw prints” around the house tell the kids to follow the Easter Bunny has been!
5. And ....Provide Easter baskets for easy hunting

Hope those help!!! And have an Eggcelent EASTER!!!!
#living2plan

 
Once in a while I will get an email or text and someone has a question pertaining to a dinner party or a small gathering. Elegant Events Errika’s slogan is “no event to small” and that’s why our newest client Rebecca reached out to us. Rebecca is the newly married and her husband is a doctor at their area hospital .This weekend she is having a dinner party for some of the Doctors at the hospital and their wives and she is stuck. She found me on Instagram and she requested our help…. So here is what I told her for starters dinner parties are more structured than a party and they require a little more pre-planning! Before you dust of your china and rearrange your furniture there are a few things that you must do first.

1.       Think ahead – many of my colleges agree that planning out your menu 4-6 weeks in advance gives you ample amount of time to gather ingredients.
2.        Create a game plan- depending on what you’re serving you need to know cooking time and temperatures. No one likes raw chicken or chewy beef.
3.       Set the table- a perfectly set table is a MUST!!!! Your table is the canvas for your beautiful meal.
Here is a list of items that every hostess should have on her table:
o   Napkin
o   Forks ( Salad, Dinner, Dessert)
o   Knifes ( Dinner , Butter)
o   Spoons ( Tea Spoons & Table Spoons *** typically used for soup)
o   Glasses ( water or iced beverage  and wine )
o   Tea Cup and Saucer

Sometimes we want so badly to impress our guest that we overdo it…. Just remember to plan accordingly, gather your items in enough time, and try to be done everything a few hours before the party starts so that you can have a moment to yourself and actually relax! Happy Planning #living2plan