Now that we’re right in the middle of the dog days of summer, we thought it might be a fun idea to offer some suggestion on how to throw a dog party. 

Yes, a party for your pooch. And why not?  After all, our pets are part of the family. And more and more, people are celebrating the tail-wagging member of the household.

Like all events, dog parties can range from down-home casual to upscale. The choice is yours. But one thing is for certain, if you want your dog party to be a howling success (sorry), you’ll need to do some planning…

- Put some thought into your guest list. You want to make sure that you and your dog are friendly with the other party animals. Make sure the dogs get along. A party can be soured by quarrelling canines. (Jack Russell Terriers tend to be aggressive with larger dogs and they like to get all the dogs barking.)  

- Keep in mind that some dogs are frightened by loud noises and might not do well at parties.

- Make sure that the dogs are up to date on all vaccinations and rabies shots and treated for internal and external parasites.

- Have plenty of toys and distractions for the dogs to make sure they don’t get restless.  

- You can make your own dog party invitations. If you’re feeling creative, you can make your own cards by stamping a paw print with a paw print stamp , and then writing your own personal message. (We’re rather fond of the “humans optional” gag.)

- Have the party outdoors so that the dogs can run around.

- Set up treats and party favours for both dogs and people. Purchase, or make some doggie treats for all your dog’s canine friends. Make bone shaped sugar cookies for the 2 legged party goers.

- Create your dog party theme with cut out paw prints that stick on everything; hang some streamers; cut out some dog bones from construction paper to dangle from the streamers.

- Make sure that dietary restrictions or food concerns are known before the dogs eat anything.

- Keep chocolate, strawberries and raisins away from dogs and make sure there is plenty of fresh water. On hot days, dogs need two to three times more water than they usually drink.

- If the dogs wear costumes, they should be made from breathable fabric and shouldn’t restrict an animal’s mouth or nose.

- Make sure the party environment is pet friendly by removing anything they can chew on, or, um, anything else on…

- On that subject: Designate a “pooper scooper” area for the dogs.

- Let neighbors know about your party (when it comes to a backyard filled with dogs, sometimes things can get pretty loud). Try and keep the excited howling to a minimum. (Yours and the dogs.)

- Make sure that the guests are all in agreement about your “house rules.” Some owners like to think their dogs are model houseguests and so they don’t always pay attention to their dog’s behavior.

Don’t forget the games at your dog party.  A few simple party games are fun for both your 2-legged and 4-legged guests.  Here are a few suggestions…

- Treasure Hunt: You can lead your canine guests and their owners on a hunt for a hidden treasure (let’s say, a bone). Divide your guests into three or four teams. Have hidden clues set up around the backyard for each team. The teams will follow the clues to a secret map, which leads them to the “treasure.”

- Obstacle Course Relay: Have dogs and their owners maneuver through an obstacle course. You can borrow, buy or make obstacles such as jumps, tunnels and ramps. There can be prizes for the pup that completes the course in the shortest time, the most creative interpretation of obstacles, the happiest competitor etc.  

- Best Trick Competition:  Pick three judges. (Human ones, that is.)  Then get the dogs to perform their best trick. 

We’re all social creatures and a dog party is a fun excuse for people (and pets) to get together.  Yap (sorry), it‘s all about having a good time. Oh, and one last thing, don’t forget to make sure all your guests leave with a doggie bag.

Yes, that’s right.  This week we’re offering tips on how to throw a Friday the 13^th party.

Sure, it might seem a little “offbeat” but the idea behind this party theme is to poke some fun at superstition. 

So along with throwing caution to the wind (and maybe a little salt over our shoulder), let’s throw a Friday the 13^th party.

- You’ll want to make sure you invite the proper number of guests to your Friday the 13^th party. The key here is to make sure that all total, there will be 13 people in attendance.

- Do you have any friends who were born on a Friday the 13^th? If so, we recommend you make them the guest/guests of honour.

- Decorate your house appropriately. Place a ladder inside the doorway so guests have to walk under it when they enter. Paint lots of cracks on your walkway so no one can make it to the house without stepping on one. If possible, remove wooden furniture from the house so there will be nothing for your guests to knock on.  Decorate tables with “spilled” salt shakers. Place pennies face down on the tables. Leave a few opened umbrellas lying around.

- If you have a black cat, make sure it’s front and centre for the party. If you don’t have one, you can place fake black cats around your house that people have to walk by.

- Serve “unlucky foods” at your Friday the 13^th party. Perhaps some chicken wings because of the legend that your luck can fly away.  Grill up some blackened main courses. Turn a loaf of bread upside down after you’ve cut the first slice. Serve black cat cookies.

- Play games that poke fun at superstitions. See how far people can walk across the room with a salt shaker on their heads.

- Thinking of entertaining them with a DVD?  Nothing says Friday the 13^th like the “Friday the 13th”movies. 

- And to balance it out, end your Friday the 13^th party by giving each guest a party favour bag that is supposed to bring good luck. Include good luck charms such as acorns, four-leaf clovers, ladybug toys, tiny horseshoes, crystals, etc…

A Friday the 13^th party isn’t for everyone. But for those who are willing, we say have no fear and just have fun. Oh, and for the record, the formal term for fear of Friday the 13th is “Paraskevidekatriaphobia”. There’s a 20 dollar word you can throw out at your next party, in fact, a Friday the 13^th party would probably be the perfect place to use it.

You’re getting married next summer. Think it’s a little early to plan your perfect wedding? Think again. Venues and caterers are already booking up.

But before you charge out to book a hall, order flowers and create the ultimate in wedding menus, we suggest you sit down, take a deep breath and look at the bigger picture.

Ask yourself what is important to you. That requires you to look honestly at your intended and yourself and determine the expectations you both will have from the day. Should it be formal? Religious? Infuse heritage and culture? Involve family? Only when you determine what you want out of the day can you even start to plan your perfect wedding.

And plan is the operative word.

While it might not sound wildly romantic, think of planning the perfect wedding as if it were a work project that you are overseeing. Set specific deadlines, schedules, timetables, goals, and divide the tasks. Breaking everything down into smaller jobs will make everything less overwhelming and much more manageable.

To plan your perfect wedding, you are going to need nerves of steel and anywhere from 9 – 12 months of preparation time.  Remember, you’re on a timetable and you’ll need to stick to it.

Yes, there’s a lot to do. But if the two of you plan it together, you’ll both learn how well you work as a team on a big project. And sharing and working together on something this important is actually indicative of your future happiness. There will be give and take, and you’ll hit some snags, but it will also be one of the greatest experiences of both your lives. And if things get too overwhelming, you can always consider hiring a wedding planner. A wedding planner can be your best friend. Not only will a wedding planner relive you both of some of the stress but they can save you time and money.

Here’s a look at what you’ll need to do to plan your perfect wedding starting now.  

9 – 12 Months before Your Perfect Wedding Day

Up first: choose your wedding date. Whether you plan to be married in a church, temple, pagoda, at home, etc., make sure you clear the date and time with your clergy.

Announce your engagement in local newspapers.

Set a realistic budget. Take the time to talk with your fiancé (and your parents if they’re paying) about the budget and style of your wedding, reception and wedding-related parties, and who pays for what.

Enlist help. Consider hiring a wedding planner. If your budget won’t stretch that far, consult with one for an hour or two and get some much needed advice and guidance. Then ask relatives and close friends to assist you in specific tasks – choosing the band, interviewing caterers, locating a reception site – look for guidance from them in areas where you feel you really need support.

Compose your guest list. Plan to send Save the Date cards or emails to let out-of-town guests know your wedding is in the works so they can make travel plans.

Reserve your reception site.

Choose your wedding attendants.

Select your wedding gown, shoes and accessories.

Decide on bridesmaids dresses and choose your color scheme.

Determine the theme or mood that you‘d like to establish with the food, table settings, flowers and entertainment at your reception.

Interview caterers, musicians, florists, photographers, videographers and bakers. Get written estimates of their costs. Keep records of your discussions and their bids in a notebook or with wedding planning software.

6 Months before Your Perfect Wedding Day

It’s time to choose your caterer. Remember to get a written contract.

It’s also time to choose your musicians. Once again, remember to get a written contract.

Book your photographer and videographer. We’ll say it again; remember to get a written contract. 

Select your baker and order the cake.

Choose your florist.

Shop for wedding rings with your fiancé.

Decide on your honeymoon destination. Work with a travel agent to book your travel and accommodations.

Select your wedding invitations.

4 Months before Your Perfect Wedding Day

Register for gifts at one or more bridal-gift registries.

Help both mothers to coordinate and shop for their wedding-day attire. Make the most of the day and take them to lunch.

Select music for your ceremony and reception.

Choose readings for your wedding and write your wedding vows.

Plan a rehearsal dinner for members of your wedding party, your family, and out-of-town guests. Reserve the location.

Make appointments for gown fittings.

Check the requirements for a marriage license.

Reserve your wedding-day transportation and any other wedding-day rental needs.

Make sure contracts and arrangements are complete with all of your service providers.

Make appointments for a hairdresser and makeup artist for the big day.

Arrange hotel accommodations for members of the wedding party who live out of town.
Reserve a block of rooms for other out-of-town guests, and let them know the rooms are available. Remember to ask for any group discounts or special packages.

Carefully prepare directions, including simply drawn maps, if necessary, to help guide guests to the wedding and reception, and to hotels. For guests who will travel a long distance to your wedding, consider assembling an information package on fun things to do and see while in town.

Begin addressing invitations and announcements.  Invitations should go in the mail six to eight weeks before your big day.

Give the caterer or other food suppliers a close idea of the number of guests you expect.

Make sure all reservations are in place for honeymoon travel.

Select your “going away” outfit and special items for your trousseau.

Check with bridesmaids to make sure they have their gowns and are getting them adjusted.

Shop for gifts for your bridesmaids.

Offer to help your fiancé select gifts for his attendants.

Make a date with your photographer for any formal portraits you desire.

Make an appointment to have your hair done just before your portrait session and again the day or so before your wedding. Consider including your bridesmaids in a “day of beauty” before your wedding, with manicures, hair styling, massages and makeup sessions.

2 Months before Your Perfect Wedding Day

Mail out your wedding invitations and announcements.

Have wedding portraits taken.

Send bridal portrait and wedding announcement to newspapers for publication.

Make your final choices on the music that will be played during your wedding ceremony.

Meet with the musicians who will provide entertainment during your reception and let them know what you want and when you want it played. Remember those nerves of steel and don’t be shy to voice your preferences, from everything to the volume, favorite songs you’d like to hear and even songs you don’t want to be played.

Plan your rehearsal dinner and a brunch or fun activity for out-of-town guests to enjoy on the day following your wedding.

Purchase special accessories for your wedding-day attire.

Plan a luncheon for your bridesmaids.

Finalize honeymoon plans. If you’re traveling overseas be sure to double check that your passports are current and that you have any and all necessary visas.

Gather necessary birth or baptismal certificates you may need for your wedding license.

1 Month before Your Perfect Wedding Day

Get your wedding license.

Have a final fitting of your gown and make sure your attendants have theirs.

Check that your menu selections and service plans are locked in place with your caterer.

Purchase a special book to keep track of wedding gifts as they arrive.

Keep writing those thank-you notes on a daily basis!

If you plan a formal dinner for your reception, it s time to draw up a seating plan and make up place cards.

Check with your florist to confirm dates and times of flower deliveries.

Review your wedding-day transportation plans and make sure drivers are clear about addresses, times and number of passengers.

Make name or address changes official on documents, including driver s license, Social Security forms and financial accounts.

Meet with your photographer to specify the formal shots you want taken of the bridal party, as well as specific, candid shots you d like taken during the reception.

Review the video plans with your videographer.

2 Weeks Before Your Perfect Wedding

Keep writing those thank-you notes for wedding gifts!

Pick up your wedding rings. Make sure any special engraving appears precisely as you wished.

Begin packing for the honeymoon.

One Week before Your Perfect Wedding

Make final checks with all your vendors: musicians, florist, photographer, videographer, limousine, service, caterers and baker.

Ask a friend or a family member to arrange for wedding gifts that may be brought to your reception to be delivered to your home or another safe spot.

Wrap gifts for bridal attendants and have them ready for the rehearsal dinner.

Purchase  travelers checks and reconfirm honeymoon travel and hotel plans.

See that checks are written and ready to be handed out to vendors at the agreed-upon time.

Inform your caterer of the final number of guests. Confirm that out-of-town guests are set with hotel accommodations, transportation and wedding-day directions.

The Day before Your Perfect Wedding Day

Take time to relax and enjoy a massage, manicure and pedicure.

Traditionally, this is your day for rehearsal ceremony and rehearsal dinner.

Have fun!

Turn in early for a good night’s sleep.

Your Perfect Wedding Day

Allow plenty of time for dressing, makeup and hairstyling.

If you plan on photography before the ceremony, allow ample time so you’re not rushed.

Relax, breathe, and remember: This is your special day, the result of all your careful planning. Now it’s time to enjoy.

Refuse to let any glitch get to you. Savor every moment of this sacred day. Let your happiness shine through and have a perfectly wonderful wedding day!

Looking for some company picnic ideas? After all, July is National Picnic month, and what better way to celebrate than by having a picnic?  We Calgarians are especially fortunate to have all kinds of fabulous picnic areas and hiking trails.  And so we have some helpful tips to help make your event “picnictastic.”

There are plenty of good reasons to have a corporate picnic.

- They lift staff’s spirits and company morale
- They show appreciation for employees
- They demonstrate a commitment to employees and their families   
- They build teamwork
- They’re fun

These days, picnics are no longer about a single basket filled with soggy sandwiches, warm drinks and ants. Today’s picnics can be innovative and creative.

Here are five important things to remember when you think through your company picnic ideas.

1. Location, location, location. Not only do you want it to be scenic but it also should be  close to where the majority of your workforce live. You’ll need to think about transit routes, or consider options such as taxi vouchers or car pooling.

2. Make sure you’ve got the basics covered. On-site power, permits, washrooms, tents (anything above 600 square feet needs a building permit), tables and chairs, set up, strike down, and recycling are just a few of the many things on the picnic-to-do list. 

3. Put lots of “fun” into the day’s agenda. You’ll want to ensure there are plenty of games and activities. You don’t want everyone sitting around with nothing to do – what is this, the office? (kidding). When thinking through your company picnic ideas and activities, remember to consider your employees’ interests (not everyone likes softball).  And make sure the kids have plenty to do too.

4. Theme your picnic. Today’s picnic events can have their own themes with corresponding menus that can be custom designed. Remember to incorporate the theme through the entire event, from the invitation to the décor, food, activities, music and entertainment. Make sure that your entertainment compliments the day and the activities. 

5. Food. We’re thinking barbequed burgers, hot dogs, chicken and ribs. And while they will please most of your guests, remember to include plenty of vegetarian options. Avoid foods that spoil quickly in the heat (hello, mayonnaise and seafood). Make sure you’ve got the appropriate refrigeration for drinks and food. Water and fruits will keep everyone hydrated. 

Calgary picnic site bookings can be made in advance by contacting the City of Calgary:

Check out their website or email: facilitybooking@calgary.ca You can reach them by phone at: Customer Service Center 403-268-3800 and in person at: Customer Service Center, 2808 Spiller Road S.E., Calgary, AB.

Now the question is – where to go for a day of picnicking?

Don’t ever say we never done nothin’ for ya. Here is a comprehensive list of Calgary picnic areas and their locations, including playgrounds, off-leash dog parks, natural environment parks as well as the outdoor resource center.

Coming up with company picnic ideas is just the beginning. There are a huge number of details to work through. In fact, you might want to consider hiring an event planner who can also cater your event to make sure all potential obstacles are covered. A professional planner can’t stop it from raining but they can make sure that none of your guests get wet. 

While you’re at it, check out Simply Elegant’s Summer Packages. They’re designed to ensure your event is exactly as you want it at a price you can afford.

Planning in advance and taking care of the details will ensure your outdoor experience is relaxed and stress-free.  So bring your company picnic ideas to life! Get out there and have a fun day in the great outdoors. Oh, and don’t forget to bring the sunscreen.

Every four years, Canada embraces cultures from around the world in one massive, month-long World Cup Party.   Because, whether you like soccer or not, there’s something about the World Cup tournament that gets people excited.  Really excited.

It might be because of the country vs. country competition. Or maybe it’s the fact that even the smallest of countries are in the same league with the big ones. Whatever the reason, there’s no denying that the world’s biggest sports tournament (a month-long phenomenon) is sweeping across workplaces and homes. 

And why not?  It’s fun. It brings old and young together to celebrate the cultures that raised them. And it gives everyone a chance to join together and cheer on their teams. Everywhere, people are wearing the colours of countries that they’re rooting for, and all in a frenzy of football. For the more than a billion soccer fans worldwide, “the beautiful game” borders on religion.  Cities come alive as people pack into restaurants and bars to watch their teams and celebrate.

But if spending time with dozens or hundreds of strangers isn’t your idea of a laugh riot, don’t be shy about throwing a World Cup party on your own terms – even right in your own home. How? Oh, we were hoping you would ask.

First off, decide what you want out of it. Do you want to use the occasion to visit with friends and families? Bond with co-workers? Impress the boss? Or blow off some steam?  Set your intentions and your budget. If the goal is to spend quality time with your guests, book a caterer ASAP. It’s party season and it will get harder to find a caterer as the month goes on.   

Regardless of whether you hire a caterer or do it all yourself, here are a few ideas to kick around that will let you really embrace the World Cup party spirit. 

- Send out stadium ticket-like invitations.  Make sure your guests know they need the tickets for entrance! Throw some confetti in the envelope for an extra festive touch.

-Ask each of your guests to come as their favourite competing country. Or draw country names out of a hat and assign each person a country to represent at the party. Have fun with it.

-Flags. Lots of ‘em. And from everywhere. You can buy them at various sporting shops or you can go all Martha Stewart and make mini flags for participating countries out of construction paper and popsicle sticks. Because let’s face it. When you think World Cup, it’s hard not to think of Martha Stewart.

-Decorate with soccer ball balloons.  You can put them anywhere and they’ll spice up your party room. Batch them with black and white balloons.

-Hand out the vuvuzela horns. And the ear plugs. You’d better invite the neighbours – and maybe take away the horns as the night wares on.

-Serve drinks that represent the countries whose teams you’re watching. A little research can go a long way. For example, Caipirinha is Brazil’s national cocktail (you can substitutes vodka for cachaça), Limoncello is now considered the national drink of Italy. Both drinks are easy to prepare.

-Use soccer themed tablecloths, piñatas, banners, flags, jerseys, candy, cups, and bowls/serving trays. You may even be able to find some miniature soccer balls to keep your guests or their children entertained.

-Create your own world cup decorations.

-Have foods that people can munch on throughout the event … the most important part is being able to watch the game.

-Use the food to complement your party’s theme. In honour of the colours in a soccer ball, try making desserts – like brownies – out of both dark and white chocolate.

-Have soccer themed door prizes. Inflatable soccer balls, soccer jerseys, soccer ball maracas, are just a few ideas…

-Plan an international potluck.  This is a great opportunity to sample and taste all the spectacular flavours of the world. Frikkadels are like South African meat balls – and they’re delicious!  Or how about trying some Korean fried kimchi rice with beef? Or why not sample some authentic Argentinean chorizo?

-Hire a face painter.  For the football fan that really goes all out to support his or her nation, wearing the flag of their country on his or her face during a world cup match is a fun way to demonstrate their love of their country and the game.  

-What about an “indoor-outdoor” theme? People love being outdoors in the summer. Depending on your set up, you may be able to move your TV out into a shady spot in your yard.

Now that you’ve got all that sorted out, you can sit back and enjoy the game. Because, when all is said and done, isn’t that really the goooooooooooaaaaaaaallllllll!

It’s National Barbecue Month. Yes, it’s time to fire up the barbecue and enjoy cooking in the great outdoors. And grilling isn’t just for hotdogs and burgers either. You can use your barbecue to cook vegetables, fish, pizza, corn on the cob and even certain fruits. 

And we here at Simply Elegant have some helpful grilling tips and barbecue event ideas that we’d like to share with you to help you celebrate National Barbecue Month. 

Planning on having a big time barbecue event? A good caterer can handle most of this for you letting you enjoy your barbecue as opposed to spending all your time over the grill.

Here are a few suggestions to help make your barbecue event the best it can possibly be:  

- make sure your guests know what to wear: proper shoes, warmer clothes for evening – you may get four seasons in one hour. Make sure your guests know that, and have back up sweaters, blankets, etc. for those who don’t come prepared.

-have a back up plan in case it rains. You may need to move your party indoors or under some kind of shelter very quickly. Be prepared and have your move rehearsed or at the very least planned.

-only have food out for a maximum of 2 hours – no more no matter what.

-keep food out of the sun.

-keep food platters on top of ice.

-serve clean ice for drinks (don’t have guests scoop ice out of containers cooling cans of coke, beer, etc.).

-don’t serve seafood. It’s an accident waiting to happen.

-don’t serve anything mayo based. Make you potato salad with oil not mayo. It’s safer and much more savoury.

-make sure your bar and bartender are in the shade. It not only makes your ice last longer, but more importantly, your bartender won’t collapse from heatstroke.  

-make sure your guests have shade as well.

-think about your power sources. Outdoor lights don’t require much power, cappuccino machines do. Will you need a generator? There are quiet ones out there. But they rent/sell quickly. So plan ahead.

-can you borrow additional power from a neighbor (again, only for sources that don’t need much power)?

-invite your neighbours regardless of the type of party. They will be more forgiving of noise, etc.

-make sure you know your neighbourhood rules and laws when it comes to noise, lights and cutoff times etc. 11pm is often the cutoff time – but not for everywhere.

-think ahead to any transportation needs, particularly if hosting it somewhere remote or if you are serving alcohol.

-offer taxi chits as necessary or have a plan to reunite those who wish to over indulge with their cars the next day (and/or a place for them to stay).

-make sure you also serve lots of fun non alcoholic drinks.

-have a bartender who knows how to appropriately deal with problem drinkers (there is always at least one).

-for alcohol, theme it and do something fun and momentous. Have a martini luge or something through an ice sculpture. It is decorous, practical and fun.

-bugs. Fact of life. Hardware stores offer eco friendly, non or little-smelling tiki torches to ward off mosquitoes.

-do a test of your planned site to check for wasps. Have a little picnic and see how many bees and wasps you attract. It may just be a fact of life.

-know who has allergies to nuts, bees, etc. and avoid allergens where you can. Ask guests who you’ve identified as allergic to bring whatever medications they may need to deal with an allergy exposure. And know how to work an Epipen.

Now that you’ve taken care of that, it’s time to celebrate National Barbecue Month. So let’s get grilling!

Careers can literally be made or broken by working lunch etiquette. So many do’s and don’ts, we could literally write a book. Maybe we will. But until then, here are a few additional tips to help you polish your all important working lunch etiquette.

• Once you’ve confirmed for an event, don’t cancel. And certainly don’t cancel at the last minute. Only an extreme emergency should keep you away.
• Don’t be late. It’s rude, plain and simple.
• Remember to keep the topic of conversation clean, appropriate and tasteful no matter who else is doing or saying what. In a room filled with people with poor working lunch etiquette, you will stand out – and in a good way.
• Do not text or talk on the phone in the event room or dining table. If you must remain connected to the outside world, excuse yourself at an appropriate time to step away and check messages, etc.
• If there is table side wine service, have the host order and/or pour the wine.  He or she likely has determined roughly how much they’d like to serve over the course of the event.
• The water goblet and/or drinking glass to the right are yours.
• The bread plate to the left is yours. Use the butter knife to put a butter pat on your bread plate and then use your own knife to butter the bread.
• Even if the event is casual, remember it is still a working lunch. Always be professional. Never say anything you wouldn’t want getting back to anyone else, especially your boss.
• Try to re-use your cocktail napkin and glass to some degree to help your guest have a more green event, and also to help your host ensure they do not run out of clean glassware
• Be polite to the servers. Remember: If you are rude to the service staff, your hosts and other guests will think you are rude to your clients and colleagues. Rude behavior to serving staff over a working lunch with a prospective employer have cost more than one job candidate a promising opportunity.
• Be up to speed on current events. Read the paper or surf the internet beforehand to have current events topics in mind for small talk. But try not to get too political or passionate about any contentious subject.
• Once you have decided what to order, close your menu. It’s a signal to the wait staff that you’re ready to order.
• Wait until everyone is served before beginning to eat – even if there are delays in bringing out some of the food.
• Keep it simple when ordering. Don’t try to show off by ordering the most expensive thing on the menu. Business lunches are not the best place to try something exotic, new or messy.
• Take small bites so you can converse easily without a full mouth. Relax, but remember you’re still in a business setting.
• If you ordered it, eat it.
• Bring any problem with the food discreetly to the attention of the wait staff.
• For the men – ladies first! Not everyone will agree in this day and age but it is a courtesy that many still appreciate and it is a sign of good upbringing.
• For the men – offer to seat the lady and always open the door for her.
• For the women – let the man open the door for you. It is a sign of respect, not belittlement.
• Always offer the last hors d’ oeuvre or glass of wine to the people at your table. If no one wants it, then, and only then, you can take it.
• Even if you are single, never flirt with someone in the room who is married or obviously in a relationship.
• Never flirt or fool around with your boss. Those who cross boundaries with their boss can do untold damage both with the person with whom they flirt and also with colleagues and clients who will assume they did not get their job based on merit.

Working lunch etiquette is a must in today’s competitive business world. Its proper use will not only garner you the respect of your co-workers and bosses, it will also help build your self confidence. And a confident you is bound to knock the socks off of anyone you meet in a professional setting.

While they’re not for everyone, a divorce party can turn an unhappy occasion into a positive event. It can be a celebration of a new beginning, a fresh start to the new phase in your life.

A good divorce party should be fun and cathartic; it must be done tastefully and it must come from a healthy and positive place. If it doesn’t, it will make your guests feel uncomfortable. And the only thing worse than a bad party? A bad divorce party. Seriously stinky.

Planning a good divorce party is much harder than in sounds. In fact, not everyone can do it for themselves; many can’t. And that’s where an expert party planner can help. A divorce party gone off the rails can have the exact opposite effect of what you’re looking to achieve. If your emotions might get the better of you, you are infinitely better off hiring someone to plan it for you.

If you are absolutely sure you can do it without weeping, cursing, badmouthing, drinking, or any kind of bitterness, then absolutely, you are the perfect candidate to plan your own divorce party.

Some people put as much planning into the divorce party as they do their wedding. And where the divorce is amicable, some divorcing couples choose to hold joint parties. That’s definitely not for everyone, but fine for some. 

The point is, it’s really about how you handle it. Whatever type of celebration you ultimately choose, if the event is handled with grace and one eye always planted on the goal, it can help launch you and those you love into closure about what otherwise might be a very painful time.

Here are a few of the many things to keep in mind for your divorce party:

- Be realistic about your emotions. A divorce party isn’t for everyone. If it’s something you’d like to do, really think through what you are hoping to get out of it as well as what you want your guests to get out of it before you do anything else.

- Determine if a divorce party is something you can plan for yourself or if you’d like to have it professionally organized. You’re going through a lot of stress. Will the work of a party be a welcome distraction? or would it be better turned over to a trusted professional during this busy time?

- Think of a theme. It’s important to have a sense of what you want your party to say early in the planning. Otherwise, it can be very jarring.

- Plan for games and activities. No one wants to sit around mulling about broken marriages. The party should be about new beginnings.

- Give your guests the opportunity to be thoughtful. You may have a guest book that people can sign, leaving you hopeful messages or a keepsake box with pictures they bring. These may be important to you on tough days and will make them feel like they are doing something constructive and helpful.

- Be careful whom you invite. No kids, please. Your former mother-in-law might also not appreciate an invitation.

- Champagne is a nice touch and completely appropriate. But be careful of alcohol intake. Boozy affairs can sometimes turn into maudlin ones. Make sure to keep things light and serve plenty of food to go with the alcohol.

- Consider having a professional serving staff and bartender to ensure you and your guests are well taken care of. You likely took good care of your guests at your wedding. A beautifully executed party lets everyone know you’re moving on and will be just fine. A bartender can also help you deal with any problem drinkers or anyone whose emotions might lead to over indulgence.   

With about half of marriages ending in divorce (yes, that stat is right), a divorce party isn’t the novelty it once was. It’s becoming the accepted norm and it helps many people regain control over their lives in what feels like an out of control time. Just remember to keep your divorce party less about endings and more about beginnings.

Do it right, and it will launch you into a new and exciting stage in your life. And that’s worth celebrating, don’t you think?

Acai Bellini
Acai Vodka, Raspberry Puree, Champagne (or sparkling wine)
- garnished with Acai Berries

Pear Garden
Pear Vodka, Cranberry Juice, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Creme de Casis
- garnished with Fresh Pear

Raspberry Truffle
Raspberry Vodka, Raspberry Liqueur, White Chocolate Liqueur
- garnished with Fresh Raspberries

Classic Gin & Tonic

Moet Chandon Champagne

Bowmore Single Malt Scotch

Sometimes, you need a venue that offers a little bit of everything: accommodation, dining and an elegant space for an event. Kensington Riverside Inn could be exactly what you’re looking for… 

Kensington Riverside Inn

1126 Memorial Drive NW,
Calgary, AB T2N 3E3
Phone: 403.228.4442
Fax: 403.228.9608
Toll Free: 877.313.3733
www.kensingtonriversideinn.com
info@kensingtonriversideinn.com

Kensington Riverside Inn is a premier luxury 19-room boutique inn that combines upscale accommodations with an intimate charm. Located steps from Downtown Calgary along the banks of the picturesque Bow River, it’s a chic and stylish venue with a warm and personal feel.

The whole place has an upscale Bed & Breakfast feel to it. The inn’s superb 40 seat restaurant that was voted Best Hotel Dining in 2009 (Where Magazine), and was voted one of Canada’s best new restaurants for 2008 by enRoute Magazine.

Originally designed by award-winning architect Richard Lindseth, the Kensington Riverside Inn exudes an upscale residential charm with an ambiance that is light, airy, gracious and inviting. The stylish rooms were all individually decorated to make guests feel at home.

The 19 rooms and suites feature triple-sheeted Frette linens, heated towel bars, 42” flat-screen plasma TVs, personal wine cabinets, high-speed wireless Internet, voicemail, high-end furnishings, independent climate control and windows that open. Some rooms also feature gas fireplaces, double jetted Jacuzzi tubs, balconies and patios.

Because of the intimate nature of the inn, parking is limited, but not a deal breaker. The dining room can only hold 40-70 people for sit down dinners, and 80 people for a cocktail style reception wedding, so it’s only suitable for certain types and sizes of events.

For those looking to combine sophisticated elegance with intimate charm, Kensington Riverside Inn provides the perfect marriage of both.