VIBE’S Highlighted Destination Spot: Istanbul, Turkey

The Vibe Agency offers destination management services throughout the world.  From October 1 – 7, Valerie Bihet traveled to Istanbul to assist with all logistic aspects of a major bank convention.  We would like to feature this grand city as a highlighted destination for future clients.  Included are fun facts, “in the know”, where to eat and drink, where to shop, and most importantly a few venue selections.

Fun Facts:

• Istanbul is historically also known as Byzantium and Constantinople.
• Istanbul is the largest city in Europe with a population of 15 million
• It bridges the continents of Europe and Asia, with parts of the city on either side of the Bosporus Strait.
• Turkey is famous for its carpets, baths, textiles, ceramic tiles, tea and coffee, and a visitor will get a generous sampling of all.
• It is illegal to photograph Turkish military installations, hardware or personnel.

In the Know:

• Nazar Boncugu is a round bead in the shape of an eye made from blue glass with a hole in the middle.  Nazar means “evil eye” in Turkish.  Turks believe it will protect them from nazar powers.
• Tipping in restaurants is optional.
• It is impolite to refuse the offer of a drink when in a person’s home or place of work.
• It is impolite to blow your nose in public and do not show the soles of your feet when sitting.

DAY 6: CANDY ALTERNATIVES FOR THIS HALLOWEEN

Halloween is the biggest candy holiday of the year that sends a sugar rush throughout the country.  Everyone is aware of the health implications linked to candy and for some, such as diabetics or vegans, this holiday may exclude those with food allergies or sensitivities.  This year instead of serving a pile of sugar to trick-or-treaters take into consideration some of the following items and include a sign outside that states, “Ask me for non-sugar treats.”

 – Stickers – Give out Halloween themed stickers.

 – Chalk or crayons

–Sugar-free candy – A healthy alternative for everyone.

– Temporary tattoos – EVERY kid wants a fake tattoo! 

– Fake money – Advise the kids not to spend it all at once!  They can use this money for play time and learning purposes.

– Glow Sticks – Great for safety at night during trick-or-treating.

– Slime – A fun way for goblins to add to their costume.

– False teeth –These are fun and can be used the same night!

– Halloween printed pencils –Pencils are a necessity for all students from kindergarten throughout college. 

– Fake spiders – Kids and adults love the opportunity to scare someone by mysteriously placing a fake spider on a sibling’s pillow, chair or personal area. 

– Tiny plants packages – Visit your local Home Depot for these inexpensive mini plants that include a pot, soil, seeds and directions.

DAY 5: CREATE A SPIDER WEB

 Makesandtakes.com offers a varity of at home arts and crafts ideas for children and adults.  Here is an idea we loved from their website! 

Supplies for Lacing Spider Webs:

• yarn
• scissors
• hole punch
• circle paper – preferably cardstock
• plastic spider ring – you could make your own spider from yarn or pipe wire as well

First, take your circle paper and punch holes around the edge, as far or close as you want. The more holes, the more web you’ll have.

Cut some yarn, fairly long to lace around the whole circle, and tie it tight at the top through the first hole. Now lace your yarn through each hole. We tried to stay going in a circle to end back up at the top, but you’re welcome to go crazy and lace in any order.

Now you’ll need to attach your spider somewhere in the yarn. You’ll loop him through your yarn on the way to another hole. If you want the spider to slide the best up and down it’s web, attach it before the last hole, then it doesn’t get stuck.

Once you go through the last hole, tie the yarn together in a knot and it’s ready for hanging.

DAY 4: HALLOWEEN COCKTAILS

We found a great website for cool coctails for every occasion!  Check out cocktailtimes.com

Jack-O-Tini
Ingredients:
– 2 oz Stoli vodka
– 1/4 oz pumpkin puree
– 1 tsp lemon juice
– 2 oz orange juice

Place a large soup pot filled with water on the stove to boil. Carve the tops from the pumpkins and set aside. Scope out the interior and seeds, leaving a think shell. Discard the seeds and flesh, or use in another recipe. Place the pumpkins in the boiling water and boil for about a minute. Remove and drain. Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Strain into the pumpkin. Serve with a black straw.

Halloween Cocktail
Ingredients:
– 2 oz bourbon
– 3 oz orange juice
– juice of half lemon
– Ginger ale
– Garnish: Halloween olive

Mix bourbon, orange juice and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour into a tall glass. Top with ginger ale and garnish with Halloween-faced olives. (To make the Halloween olives, choose large unpitted green olives)

Blackberry Widow

Ingredients:
– 1 part 42 Below vodka
– 2 parts dark grape juice
– 1 teaspoon of raw sugar
– 4 slices of fresh ginger
– 4 blackberries
Garnish: 2 blackberries

In a mixing glass, muddle together blackberries, ginger and sugar, add vodka and dark grape juice. Fill with ice, shake well, and strain into a chilled Martini glass. Garnish with 2 blackberries.

DAY 3: GREEN TIPS FOR HALLOWEEN

Bri-ecolo Idea: dinosaurs pick-candy for Halloween: It is a great idea to take a look around your home for ideas to recreate this Halloween.  For example, here we use an empty laundry soap pitcher and turn into a pretty pitcher-shaped dinosaur, which will be used to collect candy on Halloween night.

Bri-ecolo idea: Pitcher has an  Halloween candy: Here is another idea using Tide’s laundry soap container.  Get creative and match which ever costume you are planning to wear for the night.

 

Here is a fun craft, a monstrous spider made from recycled materials.

Beer cap
– End of fabric, felt, cardboard color …
– 8 Swabs
– Seeds of spices: pink pepper, cardamom, star anise,
– Painting
– Glue
– Modeling clay, blue gum (sticker)

Black Cat of Halloween :
     – Empty container of liquid laundry
     – Paint: black, white, pink
     – Tennis ball or other round
     – 6 toothpicks
     – Felt, piece of cloth, cardboard color
     – Buttons recovered
     – Hot glue

These tips will save you money and allow for quality time with children.  Enjoy!

DAY 2: HALLOWEEN THEMES

Halloween is a time to be creative and express your alter-ego.  Once you have discovered your Halloween party  personality, start brainstorming of ideas that will bring your vision to life.  Here are a few ideas to get you started:

 “Hollywood Heaven” is a theme where guests are invited to participate in dressing up as their favorite deceased star. 

• Costume Examples include: Elvis, Michael Jackson, Che Guevara, Bob Marley, Celia Cruz, DJ AM, Farrah Fawcett, Aaliyah, Big Pun, Hector Lavoe, Selena, Babe Ruth, Marilyn Monroe,  Jackie Kennedy or any of the Kennedy’s, George Washington, Dr. Martin Luther King, Al Capone, Mother Theresa, Tupac, Biggie Smalls, Anna Nichole Smith, Heath Ledger and so on.  There can be a prize for the best dressed participant.
• A signature drink could be a magic potion called, “Alive Forever”, hence the meaning of these stars living forever.
• Decor can be based on Hollywood Glam, with shimmering stars and a color scheme of black, white and gold.

A “Haunted House” is always an exciting event, but encourage guests to come as something dead.

• Costumes can incorporate dead brides and grooms, zombies, witches, monsters, ghosts, goblins, vampires and so on.  Ask guests to be creative.  Dead costumes can be sexy, scary, realistic, gory, or cartoonish.
• Decor will include a fog throughout the house, coffins, bats, and a potion mixing bowl for a witch, and so on.
• It is important to remember that the decor in front of the house should be just as spook-tacular as the inside.
• Visit hauntedprops.com for more exciting decorations for your home or venue.

 

The vampire craze is a pop culture phenomenon and on this day you can experience the latest rage.

• Whether you would like to create your own vampire costume, or dress as Bella and Edward or Sookie and Bill, think outside of the box to create a unique look.
• Be sure to serve True Blood to your blood thirsty guests!

Another idea could be “Arabian Nights”. It could be another suggestion for those who do not want to participate in haunted or dead activities. 

• Guests can dress up as gypsies or story tellers. 
• Decor can include camels, belly dancers, pyramids and so on.
• Decorate with planety of colors, sequences, pillows, dim lighting, a “magic” carpet, blankets, fake snakes, gene lamps, etc.
• A good idea is to rent a tent and decorate it as a palace.

Be sure to follow our blog tomorrow and the rest of the week for tips to make this Halloween like no other. 

DAY 1: HALLOWEEN ACTIVITIES

As my friend Marley Majcher, The Party Goddess, (http://thepartygoddess.com/) mentioned lots of parties are snoozers and Halloween events are no exception. She mentioned to me, “Why not mix up the activities a little bit and ensure guests of all ages have a ball!” She was right. So let’s get started:

 

• Create! Paint and decorate small pumpkins with markers, feathers and gems. Mini-pumpkins come in orange or white, so be sure to pick up at least one of each.

 

 

 

• Design! Pick up a bunch of plain masks that the kids can color, glue and embellish on the spot.

• Discover! Think Easter egg hunt in October. Hide mini-pumpkins around the yard (or house if the weather is bad.) Award a prize for the child who finds the most.

 • Bake! Decorate a haunted ginger bread house (or cupcakes) with black frosting and tons of fabulous candies. If the ginger bread house is too complicated, just decorate cookies in the shape of pumpkins, ghosts and witches.

• Destroy! Hang a Halloween piñata stuffed with goodies in the yard and have the kid’s swing away. If you want to get really devilish and the children are a little older, have the piñata be a ghoulish head hanging from a “noose.”

 • Adorn! Bring in the experts or do it yourself. Have face painters on hand to create instant face masks and someone to apply cool tattoos for the boys.

 

 

 

 

 

• Imagine! No matter how old or young we are, everyone loves to take a peek into the future.  Tarot and palm readers will create all of the Halloween intrigue anyone needs.

HALLOWEEN PARTY PERSONALITY

As a planner, a mom and a Halloween enthusiast, there are so many great ways to celebrate. For the next 6 days, The VIBE agency will share its tips for creating themes, props, recipes, and more to make this Halloween spectacularly spooky.

First, you need to find out what is your “Halloween Party Personality”.  Check out the quiz on Martha Stewart’s website at http://www.marthastewart.com/quiz/halloween-decorating-style-quiz.  This will help you find out if you gravitate toward beautiful gourds or goo and grime?

The test will reveal your décor style for this Halloween season:  Seasonal and Sophisticated, Fright-Inducing or Devious and Delightful.

The outcome will allow you to figure out how you should decorate your home this Halloween.

So far, each category is in close competition: 36% seem to be Seasonal & Sophisticated; 27% are Fright –Inducing; and 37% are Devious & Delightful decorators.

My result was just what I expected: “Devious and Delightful Decorator”.  I am excited by the prospect of spooky fun as are the neighborhood kids who ring your doorbell expecting scary surprises and festively wrapped treats. My Halloween decorations will show off both the dark and delightful sides of the holiday and I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Talk to you tomorrow!

REFLECTING ON 09.09.09

This much-anticipated day has finally come and passed. September 9, 2009: 09.09.09.  It was a day of hope, of reflection, and in astrology, of occurrences. As a planner of the VIBE agency and an astrology enthusiast,  it was a day that left me think about the wellness of myself, my employees, and the state of the industry. I would like to share my thoughts and offer tips on how to “Zen-ify” your office, environment, and mental state.

09.09.09 is considered a lucky day. The number 9 is considered lucky in Chinese culture because it means “long lasting.” But every day cannot be this date, so with that in mind, we need to take advantage of the belief and make it translate into every day. We believe in good VIBES in the office and that runs over into our lives.

As event planners, we live under constant stress. Not necessarily bad stress, but stress none-the-less. Just as we take control of our clients’ situations and create the ideal environments for their events, we need to take control of our own environments. This means creating the very best atmosphere we can to bring calm into our offices and our hectic work lives.

A stress-free environment is the first rule of thumb. Feng Shui is a great way to create the right VIBES for that stress-free workplace. On 09.09.09 and every day from here on in, create the good VIBE and let luck rule

Whether you choose to practice wellness all the time or just at special times such as 09.09.09, you get and keep good energy around you in your office.

Fact: People spend one third of their working life fighting against bad air conditions due to dilapidated air conditioning, moods of colleagues, back pain caused by incorrect ergonomics, unfair bosses, and more …. What’s a person to do? We recommend:

1. Create your Feng Shui express kit. It should include:

• White Orchid: Creates good vibrations in a professional manner

• Dragon Wallpaper: Yang stimulates creativity; promotes opportunity; and casts out demons

• Wooden Bowl: Serves as a make-shift trombone. Chinese bowl + wood = good development of career

• Color Blue: This color helps calm the mind, and a clear mind helps foster great ideas

• Empty the Wastebasket: When it overflows, it blurs the good vibes.

2. Customize your desktop.

• Keep a Photo of a “Constant” in your Life: Your children, your dog, your parents…

• Green plants: These cleanse your office because plants emit water vapor and absorb electro- magnetic energy from your computer. Currently, the Peruvian cactus is a popular office plant. If y0ou have allergies, try a bouquet of white roses, which help to boost endurance.

• Yes to Good Luck Charms: A bird in flight, mirror balls to absorb radiation, a black pebble for communication…

3. Organize yourself “chic”.

• Clean Desk, Good Day: Take 10 minutes at the end of each day to tidy your desk. Get rid of excess paper, trail of coffee, etc. When you arrive the next morning, the clarity will help you focus and start the day in the best way. Think of it as a guaranteed “sunshine effect”.

• Order Supplies for Comfort: Indulge yourself a little bit. Order things you simply can’t refuse: A screen filter for your laptop, a foot rest, a decorative lamp for best lighting…things that will make you happy. Think professional creature comforts.

• Invest in Work-related Personal Items: A nice stitched leather notebook, a porcelain mug, a crystal handles letter opener, etc.

4. Change the Air.

• Use a Scent Kit: A small, white ceramic plate with jasmine oil; lilacs or lilies hung from a ribbon can be placed in front of the an air vent

• Spray your Office with a Scent you Love: Mint, Orange Blossom, Lavender, Sage are all great options; they are pleasing and enhance atmosphere. Good scents are mood altering.

• Use an Electric Diffuser: This can dispense any essential oil, which allows you to choose the smell that will put you in a good mood. Cedar is fresh, geranium is calming, bergamot Melissa is relaxing, and lemon basil helps with concentration.

5. Transcend the typical lunchtime “break”. Be it alone or with others, try:

• A sushi party
• Hit the nail Salon
  
• In-house Mini Massages: Get co-workers to chip in for a masseuse to come and offer mini massages. Back, feet, shoulders…all the stress points. Check to find out a Mobile spa. If you are on the west coast, thanks to Marley – from The Party Godess – who also recommend on the west coast Green Bliss Eco Spa

6. Rest for five minutes per hour instead of taking coffee breaks.

• Eyes: Press on the closed eyelids with the palms and release at once.

• Roll the Joints: It starts with the head, then shoulders, wrists and ankles

• Squeeze a tennis ball: As hard as possible between the knees and hands, and then release it. Great for stress relief.

• Use Hand Cream: Rub your hands together. Scented lotions are great.

7. Snack smart. Good “4:30 p.m.” choices are:

• Carrot juice or a tomato and a piece of cheese

• A bar of dark chocolate, dried apricots plus up to five almonds

• Three crackers and berries

These tips should not be just for specials days. Make them your way of life and every day will be a lucky day, stress free day.