Innovative Ice

There is something wonderful about those special touches added to a beautiful wedding that make it unique and memorable. Small ideas that do not have to be unique in themselves but that you won't see at every wedding will make yours even more special than it already is. Here are a few suggestions that will make your wedding stand out from all of the cloned weddings that are spun out every day like a broken record. Ice sculptures are not a new concept but they are rare enough to make your wedding special. One out of every 300 weddings and wedding receptions include at least one ice sculpture and those are usually small and limited to a table centerpiece or in the fountain if an outside[..]

The Harbin International Ice & Snow Festival has been celebrated annually since 1985, which officially starts January 5 and lasts one month. As the largest and most extraordinary of its kind in the world, this great festival is held to coincide with the Harbin Ice and Snow World Exhibition of Ice Sculptures held in the Stalin Park, the Snow Sculptures Fair in the Sun Island and the Ice Lanterns Fair held in Zhaolin Park (in central Harbin next to the Songhua River). During the festival, many events are held, for example, fantastic fireworks display (on opening night), winter swimming, ice hockey games, football games on the snow ground, skiing races, speed skating races, ice[..]

You've been invited to a dinner and as you enter the room, the first thing you see is a table that appears to go on forever, draped and skirted in plain white linen, several stainless steel chafing dishes huddled side by side atop a drab lifeless, absence-of-color buffet except for the "decorations" of green foliage that resemble the weeds in your backyard. You think to yourself, "What an ugly table. It's going to take forever to get through the line and I bet the food isn't any good either so why bother"! Instead of looking for your seat; you look for the door. "The design of the table and the food goes hand in hand," said Ken Stewart, Banquet Manager at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas.[..]

Confederation Park is one of the main centres of Ottawa's Winterlude Festival, and what was excellent for us was that we were staying right across the street at the Lord Elgin Hotel. So all we had to do was literally cross the street and we were right in the heart of the action. Winterlude is Ottawa's winter festival, organized by the National Capital Commission. It brings together exciting events and activities for the whole family and most of the activities are free of charge. Naturally, Winterlude is a big draw for tourists: last year the festival attractived approximately 650,000 visitors. You would think that Ottawa is a city of bureaucrats, who maintain a stiff upper lip at all[..]

has many unique and intriguing products to tempt the avid shopper. For example, in the heritage shops found on Vancouver Island, many products can be seen which come from all parts of the world. British heritage is reflected in the specialty teas and coffees. You can purchase hand loomed woolen fabrics as well as tartans from the Scottish Isles. Beautiful and delicate examples of Irish lace can be found in many of the small specialty shops on the Island. Other parts of Canada provide shoppers delights such as chocolates. In the eastern of the country, where the French influence is much stronger, one can find the delicate pastries and tortes that are so typical of France. The Quartier[..]

Today's Beijing is truly a "capital city of exhibitions and folk custom festivals", and a metropolis that is full of characteristics and styles of its ancient customs and modern vigor. In addition to the celebrations of the traditional festivals every year, there are also many national or even international exhibitions held here. For instance, the once a year Beijing international books exhibition, automobile exhibition, communication exhibition and so on, as well as performances and displays put on by the world's top level artists. During Spring Festival (Chinese New Year)l, traditional folk custom festivals such as temple fair, flower show, lantern festival are pretty centralized;[..]

If you're looking for a fantastic holiday destination this Christmas that is sure to get you in the festive mood then Bruges may be just the place you're looking for. This Christmas, why not book yourself into one of the many hotels in Bruges and visit the Ice Magic event that is being held in the stunning city. This event has been inspired by Harry Potter so it is sure to make the children's Christmas one to remember. This event is unique in Europe and is sure to excite young and old alike. A walk through the Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival of Bruges is an interactive experience and is full of discovery, unexpected meetings and surprises for all to enjoy. After discovering all that the[..]

1. Stationery Fit for a Princess – Model invitations in the form of Cinderella's shoe, which needs to be returned to its owner as soon as possible or as a story book, where guests can read all about the fairytale wedding. Name your tables after fairytales with Cinderella (top table), Sleeping Beauty etc and why not have carriages holding your place cards or table centres. 2. Colour Scheme – Silver and pink are the colours of a fairytale princess. Incorporate them into all aspects of the big day from pink champagne to silver candles; decorate the venue with swathes of pink and silver fabric – tulle and net are on trend for bridal gowns and bridesmaids dresses in 2010. 3. A Magic[..]

From celebrating the automobile to recognizing the region's ethnic diversity and musical contributions, the city of Detroit knows how to throw a great event. The city is known for its unique major festivals and events - not found in any other part of the country. January The North American International Auto Show, the Detroit Auto Dealers Association's annual extravaganza showcases the latest and greatest in automotive design. Held every January, the event has grown steadily since its humble beginnings in the early 1900s and has broadened its reach beyond the automotive supplier industry. The NAIAS is one of the world's top international auto shows, drawing show goers from outside the[..]

The main difference between California and <a rel="nofollow" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/article_exit_link');" href= Nursing Home</a> may not seem as obvious as the weather, but in fact, it is exactly that. The dramatic weather differences between California and Minnesota is so diverse that if you were to pick up and switch a Minnesota nursing home for a <a rel="nofollow" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/article_exit_link');" href= nursing home</a> and place them in opposite locations, you would discover so many incredible differences, that neither could survive for long without either making remarkable structural[..]

Any time that you get a group of new people together it is understandable that there will be some tension. People need a chance to get to know one another before they leap into business together. A team must be comfortable working together before they can be expected to produce positive results. Ice breakers are essential for easing your team into the routine of working as a whole. When people enjoy their work and feel comfortable with fellow employees, it shows in the workplace. Use ice breakers as a way to get everyone to open up and feel good about who they work with. Start your team off by having them play some games designed for getting to know one another better. There are games[..]

Sure, everyone has a band or a d.j. at their wedding, but why stop there? If you really want to wow your guests, think outside the box, and provide some fun and different entertainment which will set your wedding apart, play up your theme, or just plan make for a great party experience. To get you started, check out these unique ideas for wedding entertainment. Adding special details to a wedding is a fantastic way to give it a personality all its own. As every bride knows, the custom bridal jewelry or artisan designed invitations will make her wedding one-of-a-kind. The entertainment is no exception to this rule. Let's say you were having a tropical theme wedding, with a flowy bridal[..]

There is little more dramatic than a well planned winter themed wedding reception. Why? The contrast with the outside world helps. When it is gloomy, bitter, and the skies look ominous outside, a cozy welcoming party is that much more unforgettable. In part, the winter wonderland wedding theme is so memorable because it is so unlike the standard, throw money at it, weddings we see coming out of Hollywood year after year. The good news is that anyone can do it. No college degree in interior design is required to build an extraordinary winter wedding theme reception. And if you do it right you, by considering your choices carefully, might be able to actually save money because many of[..]

It's a long cold winter, but it doesn't have to be boring, too.  Beat the blahs with a warm winter party. It's a perfect time to reconnect with friends and have fun.  Or maybe you're already planning an event such as an anniversary or sweet 16 celebration.  If you're looking for inspiration for a big occasion in January or February or just a casual get together,  here are sixteen ideas to get you started. 1. If you're having trouble finding a great winter party invitation, then look for a company that can customize one of their Christmas invitations or cards that is filled with snowflakes, snow, or a snowman.  Ask them to eliminate the holiday aspect of it and make it just a winter[..]

Everyone wants to have a memorable wedding. What better way to make a lasting impression than by making a splash with your wedding plans? Check out these wedding details which are sure to impress your guests. Ice sculptures are a long tradition for elegant affairs. Rather than the basic ice swan, however, take your display to the next level. A modern chic ice sculpture will often feature a special surprise like a "luge" run for vodka to make ice cold martinis during the cocktail hour. Have your chilly sculpture crafted into an updated shape, such as your monogram or an oversized diamond ring, and watch your guests be wowed. Fountains are always impressive, and I am not talking about the[..]

Warm up your Road Trip Planner because there's a Winter Festival nearby that would make a wonderful weekend getaway. It really will be an easy road trip to plan because the spectacle of a Winter Festival is something that appeals to people of all ages; couples, families, a group of friends...all will find this a highlight of their holiday season. The following Festivals stretch alphabetically from East to West and from November through February. Who knows, you might even find some shopping malls between home and there, making this a shop and play road trip. CALGARY WINTER FESTIVAL IN CALGARY, ALBERTA: Curing the February blahs - Originally conceived in February 1989 as relief to the[..]

How to choose a good ice breaker for team building activities. The best way to choose good activities to break the ice for team building activities. Whenever the situation when you have a bunch of new people together it is comprehensible that there will be some stress. People need a chance to get to know each other before they hop into business together. A team must be comfortable collaborating before they can be expected to provide great results. Use ice breakers as a technique to get everybody to open up and be alright with who they are employed with. You can begin by having your team play some games designed for becoming acquainted with one another better. There are games like the 5[..]

Sweet 16 party planning is a big business and for many a big frustration. Unique Sweet 16 parties are difficult to plan and often difficult to afford. Sweet 16 party planning all starts with a theme. Coming up with a unique theme for a Sweet 16 can be quite difficult, therefore, many parents and their daughters have turned to creating unique variations of popular themes. One unique Sweet 16 party idea recently created by Pocket-Poet is called The Ice Princess. The Sweet 16 theme is a variation on the popular princess theme. The announcement of the party was a creative flash presentation e-mailed to family and friends that caught their attention and set the tone for the entire[..]

s="bottom-link"> I had just walked back in time to 1806 at the White Hart Inn. It was snowing again. This is the soft white powder you would expect in Colorado, not in Connecticut. It makes everything quiet and clean and very cold. The large wrap around quintessential porch creaked below my snow boots. I glanced at the ice sculptures in the “green” which was now all white. As I walked into the lobby the roaring fire was a welcome relief to the snowy scene outside. I had just walked back in time to 1806 at the White Hart Inn. On the first floor of this charming inn are the large banquet rooms each with its own huge original wood burning fire place. The wood floors and large windows[..]

very wedding has to be a massive event. A guest list of 250 people, ice sculptures, and cathedral length trains may not be for you. It can be just as wonderful to have a small, intimate wedding as a large, grand one. “Small” can be a relative term when discussing wedding size. One couple might consider 80 guests to be a small wedding. Another bride and groom might go as small as possible – just the two of them, a justice of the peace, and a witness. And, of course, many weddings fall somewhere in between. The reasons for a small wedding are as variable as the people who have them. Finances are certainly a major reason to keep the guest list down. It is certainly going[..]

Choosing the Colours While many people think that a Valentine's Day wedding should be done in mainly red, this is not the case. You can use pinks and reds in various shades and colours to create the perfect colour scheme for your wedding day. If red is not particularly your favorite colour, you might try a selection of pinks in different shades, with red as an accent colour. Consider the colours will need to be used for the flowers, decorations, wedding car decorations, and the wedding cake. The Perfect Valentine's Day Wedding CakeYou have many options when it comes to choosing the perfect design for you wedding cake. Many people choose to add accent colours to the wedding cake now. You[..]

There is always something magical about getting married in the winter, especially around Christmas time. It is the time of year when the family gather together to celebrate the holidays, and so it is just very special if you are planning on getting married around such a festive occasion. But there are so many other advantages when getting married in the winter. If you plan your wedding one year in advance, you can get lots of winter decor objects for your wedding centerpieces the year before at great prices. You just have to make sure you really plan ahead! So many decorative items get marked down after the holiday season. From lovely poinsettia flowers, to strings of wonderful shiny[..]

You've waited fifteen long years for this day to finally come and jubilation is hardly the word. The time has finally arrived for you to shed your adolescent skin and cross the threshold into young adulthood. But before you make that transition, you must first throw the biggest and most spectacular sweet sixteen party this world has ever seen! The first thing you'll need to do before ordering the white tigers, ice sculptures, and chandeliers is to find a stunning dress to sport. Hopefully you already have your measurements and have given yourself a little bit of time, no matter how short the window, to find the right fantasy dress that works. One good idea that you may want to consider[..]

Before purchasing the best chocolate fondue fountain for your needs you must understand exactly what it is. Chocolate fountains can provide excitement and food entertainment for your guests. They were at one time considered unaffordable for the average family or event but you no longer have to shell out thousands of dollars to get a commercial unit. Originally, caterers, event planners, and restaurants were the only place you could find the best chocolate fondue fountain. They were very beautiful but also very expensive and many came equipped with ice sculptures. Today's market provides the consumer the opportunity to purchase chocolate fountains at a reasonable price. Your price range[..]

The excitement of the holiday season is rapidly approaching - great food, great times with the family, and great entertainment. One of the best parts of the holidays for many is the fabulous lights that emanate throughout the country. Whether you're in New York City or "Smallville" you can find some great displays to make your mouth drop. To give you a short roadmap to some of the fascinating events going on this year, I've rounded up some of the more popular holiday light shows found from coast to coast - check them out! Chicago land Holiday Light Shows Chicago kicks off the list in style by presenting an assortment of holiday light shows around the large Midwest city. These exciting[..]

Are you a self-confessed artist? Do you have a keen eye for detail and a sharp mind for beauty? Do you consider preparing food as an art? The culinary arts is not just about cooking delectable meals. It can also mean the courteous service we get from restaurants. Or it can be the hospital food that we never like to eat. Culinary arts is very much involved in the creation of ice sculptors, and chocolate carvings. That's not all. Culinary fruit designs have become famous over the years. Fruit carvings actually started in Thailand and have been around for several centuries already. The use of culinary arts fruit designs in dishes have basically been limited to those prepared for the royal[..]

rI'm guessing if you're readiing this you might already have an interest in or be attending a culinary art school. Perhaps you're interested in starting a catering business, working in food research and development, or as a food critic, a culinary instructor or food inspector.Or even working toward opening your own restaurant? If so then you'll need to become familiar with a broad array of culinary theory and practical experiences necessary for success in the food industry. The following is a sampling of the training you can expect at Culinary Art School: Ice Sculpting Mis en Place Crudités Wine knowledge & tasting International Cuisine Cheese making Sushi making Basic knife[..]

  Are they crazy about groundhogs in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania? You betcha. The place is lousy with them. Groundhogs adorn homes and businesses like the Baby Jesus does at Christmastime most other places. It happens we were visiting the “Weather Capital of the World” in December and the good people of “Punxy” really know how to inflate a holiday decoration and park it next to a giant fiberglass woodchuck. Not counting groundhogs (real, wooden, fiberglass, bronze, or welded metal) the town of Punxsutawney has a population of a bit above 6,700. Legend has it that the name came from a defeated Native American sorcerer who was killed in combat. The ashes of his burnt body turned to[..]

From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters at The Hero's Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the Hollywood movies we have deconstructed are based on this template. Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. The Hero's Journey:a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.c) Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied[..]

Beverage fountains have been around in different forms for many years. They are essentially miniature fountains that spout drinks instead of water. Light enough to be placed on a tabletop and able to hold up to 3 gallons, a multi-tiered beverage fountain is very chic and will definitely be a memorable centerpiece at your next party. There are many models of beverage fountains to choose from. Some of them are as simple as dispensers with a glass mixing-case that continually spouts the beverage in order to keep it cool and well-mixed. These "retro" fountains were often seen in movie theaters in the mid-twentieth century. You can now buy them for your own home, and they can add pizazz to a[..]

st thing that comes to anyone’s mind on the mention of the cities, Minneapolis and Saint Paul, is the Minnesota Landscape Design and the landscaping, St Paul has to offer. The former being the larger and the latter being the state capital, they are affectionately called as the “Twin Cities”. Despite the name “twins” they are pretty much different in each and every other aspect. Minneapolis is recognized as the one which has more broad boulevards and modern architectural designs, while at the same time, St Paul narrow streets possess late Victorian architecture. If we trace the cultural background, we notice that even they are at the opposite poles. Minneapolis is still believed[..]

During the holiday season, we like to entertain friends and family members here at our home. Along with our traditional holiday spread of delicious food, I like to serve a cranberry holiday punch. You will need to purchase a large punch bowl and cups to serve the following recipes. You can use traditional flavored ice as explained at the end of each recipe or you can make an ice ring mold to keep it cold. How To Make An Ice Ring Mold: Making an ice ring is really easy. Buy an inexpensive gelatin ring mold, fill the mold with punch juice and freeze for several hours. Remove the ice mold from the ring and add it to your bowl before pouring in the punch juice. Making an ice ring mold from[..]

Are you having a party? Are you fretting over what kind of beverage or punch you are going to serve to your party guests? Well, worry no more! Your party punch doesn't have to be fancy and elaborate, it just needs to taste good. How much punch should you make? When making punch for a party, you need to plan on making enough for all of your party guests. As a rule of thumb, 1 gallon of punch will make thirty 5 ounce servings. How To Make An Ice Ring Mold: Making a punch bowl ice ring is really easy. Buy an inexpensive gelatin ring mold, fill the mold with punch juice and freeze for several hours. Remove the ice mold from the ring and add it to your punch bowl before pouring in the punch[..]