Bar Friday or Raising the Bar: Stylish Bar & Bat Mitzvah Features

Over the past two months I have had more and more request for Bar and Bat Mitzvah ideas and features.    In response to this, I have decided  to dedicate Fridays to Bar/Bat Mitzvahs.  But you've got to do some work to do too!  I'm trying to decide on the name for these posts:  Bar Friday or Raising the Bar.  I'll let you, my readers, decide!

The male Bar Mitzvah and the female Bat Mitzvah are both coming of age rituals in the Jewish faith. In the Jewish religion, when children reach the age of thirteen, they are responsible for their actions.  Once someone has completed the Bar or Bat Mitzvah, they gain the responsibilities of an adult Jew under Jewish law.  Of course, they are prepared for this by going to Temple,  Hebrew school and studying the Torah.

So these Friday posts will be dedicated to the fabulous party that takes place after the religious ceremony.  Here you'll find the latest trends like pre-Mitzvah photo shoots and kicking it up a notch with GOBOs, color and decor themes, and entertainment pizzazz.  We'll also feature lots of eye candy with real stylish Bar and Bat Mitzvahs features.  So sit back, relax and grab yourself a drink, Fridays will never be the same.  Even if you are not planning a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, these details can transfer to other celebrations.....Sweet Sixteens, Quincenaras, 21st Birthday Party, etc.

So today I'm kicking it off with a very cool lacrosse club inspired Bar Mitzvah by Party Perfect. It's always harder to design a really cool boy's party but I think this one hit the jackpot.  The lacrosse theme was nicely woven into the modern lounge feel without being overwhelming or cheesy.  Take a look!  If you've got a lax fanatic, this might do it.































Event design and planning by Party Perfect

I'd love to hear what you though and please don't forget to pick the past name: Bar Friday or Raising the Bar!

Happy Friday!

Pudding Cups

I love how these pudding cups from Bakerella are so easy to make.  These are a great summer treat you can make with the kids....and you can fill them more then just pudding.  My girls love them filled with strawberries and whipped cream

Cocktail Hour Treats

Probably my favorite part of a wedding, after the ceremony, is the cocktail hour.  The bride and groom can relax, the guests are ready to mingle and everyone is just ready to party.

Cocktail hour brings lots of tasty treats and often, a signature drink.    I love these min fish tacos and mini tequila shots.....the presentation is to die for!  The straws go through the cork which help prevent spilling and looks fabulous at the same time.  The little fish tacos sit atop a lime, infusing a little lime flavor.   For a wedding or any event, remember, it's these little details that make all the difference!

image via the knot

Happy Wednesday!

Dylan Lauren's Decadent Dress

I posted this on my FB page but felt it needed a post of it's own here and a bigger picture for you to truly appreciate it.   I have been itching to see this since I learned of Dylan Lauren engagement!  Why???!!!

Well, my readers, Dylan Lauren is Ralph Lauren's daughter.  Yes, THE Ralph Lauren!  So, of course, I was just waiting with baited breath to see what he designed for his daughter to wear on one of the most important occasions of her life.  Well, here is a look at the dress.  You'll have to wait for the August issue of VOGUE for more.

The stunning gown has a 9ft tiered train!

Color Inspiration: Orange and Grey

Happy Friday!  Here's a little weekend eye candy, using two of my favorite colors.

Nigerian Style + American Influence= Elegant Wedding

At Madly Stylish Events, we truly believe that love is in the details.  It's event more so when you have a wedding with lots of cultural chic and elegance weaved throughout the event.  This Nigerian and American wedding featured on Style Me Pretty and designed by Sweet Pea Events is nothing short of gorgeous details, cultural fusion, elegant design and full of love.

The wedding events kicks off with a traditional Nigerian Engagement Ceremony the day before the actual wedding day.  The ceremony celebrates the union not just of the bride and groom but also of the two families with lots of food, prayers, and dancing in traditional Nigerian outfits and headwraps.

The American ceremony was held the next day with the bride wearing a traditional wedding dress and the groom in a tux.  The reception food was a great mix of fusion cuisine and those amazing florals were created by Branching Out Floral & Event Design.    I love how the separate wedding cakes reflected the style and colors of the traditional Nigerian ceremony and American one.  You can tell that this was truly a wedding that appreciated and respected each culture; an essential ingredient when planning a wedding with cultural and ethnic traditions.

Best Thing I Never Had

Today, I take a slight detour from my usual posts. Although as I think about, not really.  I love Beyonce and I am LOVING this video.  Have you seen it?  One of her best...and if you're a bride to be, there are a few things that I think you can take away......from that boudoir lingerie number ( a must under every bridal gown), to the gown by Baracci Beverly Hills with the perfect pinned up do for the ceremony to the fab reception dress by Vera Wan with her locks down and ready to party.  Her make-up is, of course, perfectly natural.  Did I mention the veil?  Yes, indeed,she is a gorgeous bride.

As for the song, well, if you're holding on to something that just doesn't seem to be working, well maybe it's time to move on.  That's for all things, not just relationships.  Just might be something better around the corner:)!.  Enjoy!

Chalking It Up With Some Wine and Cheese!

One of the simplest parties to throw is a wine and cheese one.  So easy to put together and enjoyed by all.  I love this idea for a wine tasting party over at Rock Ur PArty.  I'm seeing chalkboard used everywhere for parties and this use is one that will definitely elevate your wine and cheese soiree.

Love how they not only label the wine but also recommend a pairing.  They've carried the chalkboard idea to the wine glasses; a great way to end the never ending question of "Is this my glass?"

Hope you're inspired to elevate your next wine and cheese party with a dash of chalkboard inspired designs. Salut!

Fruit Pops: Not Just for the Kiddies

I fell in love with this grown-up pizza party in Southern Living magazine.  I love pizza and one of our family rituals is Friday Night Pizza where we each make our own pizza.  But what really caught my eye is the frozen fruit pops with Prosecco.  What a refreshing  and light dessert on a hot summer night!

Floral Delight

Happy Friday! Seems like this week took forever to end, but alas, it is Friday.  Heading to New Jersey this weekend for a 40th birthday celebration but before I go I thought I'd leave you with some floral eye candy. If you follow this blog, you know how much I LOVE flowers.  Today I'm showing off a floral designer whose work I absolutely adore.  She lives in Australia so I don't think I'll be working with her anytime soon but I find lots of inspiration in work and love everything she does.  So here's a little pear at Cecilia Fox: Out Of The Woods.  Check out her site for!  Hope you like her as much as I do!