Caplan Miller Events Blog

Every time the holidays roll around, I get a craving for my Nana’s melt in your mouth peanut brittle. It is a simple and delicious treat, and I am so honored to have her recipe.

PEANUT BRITTLE
1 cup Peanuts (unroasted)
1 cup Sugar
1/2 cup White Corn Syrup
1/8 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Butter
1 teaspoon Canilla
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

Sir together peanuts, sugar, syrup and salt in a 1 1/2 quart glass bowl. Microwave 4 minutes, stir and then cook for 3-4 minutes longer. Add butter and vanilla. Return to microwave and cook 1-2 more minutes. Peanuts will be lightly browned and syrup very hot. Add soda and gently stir until light and foamy. Pour onto greased baking sheet. Allow to cool and then break into desired pieces. Enjoy!

Peanut brittle would also make a unique and special favor for a fall or winter wedding, not to mention it’s perfect on a dessert bar!

Cheers!
SM

Our holiday season officially kicks off tomorrow night! We are thrilled to once again plan and design the Four Seasons Hotel’s Client Holiday Party. We wont give away too much since the party is tomorrow, but I will show you a sneak peek at our theme…

Peppermint Pool Party!

At times, our Texas weather does come in handy. Tomorrow evening, the temperature will be clear and in the 50s, so this party is set around the pool. This cake photo above was the inspiration for our color palette :: candy apple, marshmallow and spearmint. Too cute or what?!

Below is the inspiration board we presented to the hotel when the planning began. I can’t wait to see it come to life tomorrow night. Hope to see some of you there!!
xo, CC

Happy Thanksgiving week! This is one of my favorite holidays for so many reasons, but mainly because it is a holiday centered around family, friends, and food! I mean what more can you ask for people?! This year I am so thankful for my friends and family, my wonderful job, and to live in the most exciting and fun city in the world! Here is what the rest of the CME team is thankful for:

Courtney – I am thankful for Sarah, Katherine and Dani. I feel really lucky to have you gals in my life. You each fill my days with laughs and that is why I always look forward to working at the CME office each day. xo

Sarah – I’m thankful for my precious family, good health, friends that inspire me and a job that allows me to create beautiful occasions in people’s lives.

Dani – I am thankful for my family, friends, and my amazing job. This year has been a wonderful year of growing and I couldn’t be happier or more thankful!

We are off for a week of family and food but I will leave you with what is inspiring me for my Thanksgiving table this year. See you Monday!

XO,
KW

I NEED one of these wreaths, stat. These little pretties are hand-made right here in Austin by Knock-Knocking. Problem is… I can’t pick just one. So I am asking for your help! Out of the 10 below, Im leaning towards the 9th one. Please leave a comment and help me choose!
xo, CC

We are one week out from Thanksgiving ya’ll! I personally can’t wait; I love having the family over and overloading on turkey and stuffing. I wanted to share some of my favorite CME events that will help you decorate and entertain for Thanksgiving.

Did you FALL in love?
I did!

DL

I love this time of year, when you can start to break out your fabulous furs! Be it faux or the real deal, fur looks great worn as an accessory, but also makes your event decor look super chic. Think: pillows, chair covers and rugs! Grrrr!

xo,
Sarah

Buenos dias CME readers! Allow me to formally introduce myself. I’m Wendee, affectionately nicknamed “Wendell” by the CME girls, of Unexpected Elements. I like to make pretty and occasionally take overthe CME blog.

I’ve decided to hijack a few Wednesdays only because it sounds the best with my name. Catchy right? But, I digress…

Remember your prom? Those great themes such as “An Evening in Paris” or “Casino Royale”? The amazing realistic backgrounds, the confetti on the tables? Don’t get me started on the tinsel based centerpieces! I got to thinkin’… Could there be a way to class up a theme, that’s class with a C and not a K, and make it apply to a party or even a wedding? Dare me to? Double dog dare me? Done!

Challenge Theme: Enchantment Under the Sea

I’ll be the first to admit, I love beach /nautical theme. There is something the ocean that just appeals to me. There is definitely a line, a big giant super fat marker line, for this theme. Its really easy to get cheesy.

Here is my suggestions:
I loooovee this linen. Actually, I try to work it in with every one of my events. Mainly because when it comes, I rip it out of the box and proceed to wear it around my house. My husband thinks I’m a lunatic, but whatev.

Picture is courtesy of my iPhone. I’m fancy like that. If ya gotta incorporate shells, add them inside a clear vase with pretty flowers on top. Its subtle, but still noticeable.

The pictures below are from Engage!09 in Grand Cayman that Courtney and I attended a few summers ago with some other great planners from Austin. The ocean blue lighting was so beautiful!

How’d I do? This style is not for everyone, but I think it shows you can start with one idea and tweak it or in this case, complete overhaul. So kids, what’s next? Over the Rainbow? Arabian Nights? Challenge me!

WENDELL

Whether you call it a chuppah or an arch, an altar or a bimah, the background for a ceremony can set the perfect tone for your wedding. I love just the right amount of candles and flowers surrounding an intimate gathering, or an over-the-top arch that can remain as a focal point throughout the night. Your ceremony after all, is the reason everyone is there, so treat it with the attention to detail it deserves!

Here are some of my favorite ceremony settings that CME has created:

xo,
KW

FINALLY it’s getting cold enough to wear boots, and I couldn’t be more excited! Tall boots, short boots, booties…all of them! The Outnet is my favorite place to shop for boots…all the designers with mega discounts! You can thank me later…

Polyvore helped me create a boot look for everyone in our office! See if you can figure out which look is for who…

Comment to vote on your favorite look!
XO,
DL

Hands down…one of the BEST events ever. I can’t even begin to describe what an incredible event this was, so I will let the photos speak for themselves.



This event took place on the actual stage at Bass Concert Hall (Austin’s premier performing arts venue), Broadway entertainers performed vignettes from Wicked, Chicago and Mama Mia. Dueling pianists, The Austin City Showgirls, a candy maker from Epcot (Disney World), green screen photos, face painters, glitter tatoos, tinsel hair extensions, gals from Crystal Fetish in LA were bedazzling cell phone cases and to top that off…performances by Sean Kingston and DJ Skribble. Custom decor, incredible lighting and production, food stations that were themed around Broadway musicals. Need I say more?

In the words of my dear friend Howard Fletcher, “it was BAD ASS!”
xo,
CC

Photography by Ginny B Photography