ABCey’s Weekend Lineup 7.31.2015 – 8.2.2015

It’s that time of the week again and we couldn’t be more excited! ABCey’s Weekend Lineup has all the must see events in the city. We’re personally looking forward to the American Craft Council Show and Beyond the Fence Trunk Show. Hope to see you there!

Featured Event: TechCrunch Summer Party at August Capital 2015

Friday, July 31st, 2015 | 5:30- 9:00 pm | Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park | SOLD OUT?!

TechCrunch is hosting their 10th annual summer party event this Friday along Sand Hill Road! Look forward to start-up demos, networking opportunities, giveaways, and drinks! Tickets are currently sold out, but maybe you’ll get lucky and get your hands on a pair. You won’t want to miss out. Happy hunting!

1. Chocolate and Art Show

Thursday, July 30th – August 1st, 2015 | 8:00 pm | SOMArts Cultural Center | $10

Indulge in your weekend with chocolate and entertainment! The Chocolate and Art Show will be held in SOMA of San Francisco. This event will feature up and coming artists, photographers, and creators! Activities to include body painting, free nail/ henna tattoos, live music, etc. Tickets available here.

2. Darius Rucker “Southern Style” Tour

Friday, July 31st, 2015 | 7:00 pm | Shoreline Ampitheatre | Starting from $31

Put on your cowboy boots and come on out to see Darius Rucker this Friday! To sweeten the pot, Brett Eldredge, Brother Osborne and A Thousand Horse will be there too. So come on out and listen to some great music! Tickets are still available here.

3. American Craft Council Show

Friday, July 31st, 2015 – Sunday, August 2nd, 2015 |Times vary depending on day| Fort Mason| $12

At this years American Craft Council Show there will be over 225 artists selling their handmade jewelry, clothes, decor and more. This is a must for all craft lovers! Buy tickets here.

4. BattleSFO Outdoor Lasertag Picnic Party

Saturday, August 1st, 2015|12pm-4:30pm| Junipero Serra Park| $42

This outdoor lasertag party will take place over a 6 acre playing field in the hills of San Bruno. All of the gear will be provided for you along with drinks, snacks and music! Buy tickets here.

5. Beyond the Fence Playa Trunk Show & Happy Hour

Saturday, August 1st, 2015|12pm-8pm| Pier 70| $3-5 Donation

Stop by Pier 70 for a fun-filled day of shopping, food, music, and dancing! Pier 70 Partners and Wild Feather & the Space Cowboys are hosting their 9th annual Beyond the Fence Playa Trunk Show. Look forward to a variety of DJ’s and vendors for FREE (donations encouraged)!

Which events will you be attending? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter and Facebook!

5 Apps to Simplify Event Planning!

Event managing is never easy, but with the right tools your planning can be stress-free! Booking venues, hiring vendors, and planning your event size can be managed at the tip of your fingers. ABCey Events has complied 5 apps to simplify event planning for your next occasion!

1. Evernote

Get organized in the office or on the go! Evernote is an app that works as a filing cabinet. Brainstorm notes, vendor ideas and important venue research is easily stored, filed, and saved and can be accessed later on different devices. You’ll never have to worry about clutter!

2. ScannerPro

Scanning important documents has never been so easy! ScannerPro allows users to take pictures through a smart device or phone and create PDF’s. As an event planner, distributing information is key to great communication. You’ll never have to worry about getting to a computer at the last minute to send out files. With ScannerPro, documents are easily shared!

3. Venmo

Writing a check or transferring money directly from your bank account can pose some security issues. Venmo is an app that allows you to transfer money with the click of a button without the worry of theft! Venmo is a third-party platform that safely transfers and stores your money at your command. Simply, request or pay money out to an individual or vendor and cash it out to your personal bank account when ready!

4. Eventbrite

Hosting a conference or party that involves ticket sales or registration? Eventbrite can help your event run smoothly! Guest lists can be hard to manage with the flow of an event. Eventbrite allows attendees to purchase tickets online and even register via smart device. Go green and make your event paperless! Track statistics and party guests through the app. Share features also allow you to inform family and friends of your event!

5. Super Planner

Be a super event planner/ manager! Super Planner acts as your personal calculator making sure your event stays on budget with venues, vendors, etc. Nobody likes an overcrowded party, with this app capacity is calculated to the tee! Organize and execute your event without unnecessary space or staffing!

Execute your events with these 5 apps available in the Apple Store! What do you think of these event planning tools? Let us know with a comment or message us on Facebook or Twitter!

6 Creative Adult Party Activities

Not all “kid themed” activities have to be just for kids. ABCey found a way to make some of the most childish of activities the most fun for you and your friends and family. From an adult goodie filled piñata to a “boozy popsicle,” we promise you’ll have more fun than any child would with these adult party activities.

1. Slip n Slide

Don’t just have some friends over for a pool day, have an all out water party! Break out those swim suits, rent an inflatable slip n slide, fill up water balloons, and get out those water guns. Fill the day with different water games to get the competive juices flowing. We promise it’s way more fun as an adult.

2. Paint Twister

Get messy and add paint to your twister board. Have everyone come in white clothes and get colorful with paint on this classic childhood game. And hey, we won’t judge you if you make it a drinking game too.

3. Piñata

Piñatas aren’t just for kids and candy. Buy a pretty party piñata and instead fill it with adult goodies like mini alcohol bottles, lottery scratchers, LED sunglasses, gift cards, and anything else inappropriate you can think of! Everyone will have a blast hitting the piñata and will be fighting to see who can collect the most Jose Cuervo bottles!

4. Giant Jenga

If your looking for a fun DIY project and party activity, giant jenga is just for you! Get out those power tools and sharpies. After constructing the blocks, write questions or activities on each block! It will be a blast for your guests, and it is sure to get them laughing.

5. Hamster Balls

Rent and jump into these inflatable balls! You have to admit, these look like the most fun thing you’ve seen in your adult life. Be the actual bowling ball in a game of bowling or challenge your friend to a sumo match. Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of protection, but we can’t promise your competitor won’t pout if you beat them.

6. Boozy Popsicles

Popsicles aren’t just a kid favorite, give them an adult twist and serve them at your next summer party! With flavors like strawberry champagne, tequila mango with chile, and blackberry chèvre bourdon, they are sure to get everyone’s taste buds singing and the party going! For a full list of flavor options and recipes click here!

Will you be including one of these activities at your next party? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook or Twitter!

Startup Monday: Luxe

Startup Monday is ABCey’s weekly post that features some of the best and brightest companies in the Bay Area. They are often companies that we have our eye on or have worked with in the past & would like to share with friends and followers of ABCey Events!

Luxe Valet is the answer to all of your parking woes. With service in major cities around the US, it’s sure to solve the biggest struggle of all — dare we say it — parking! This could be a great service to use for event parking as well, since we don’t want our guests wasting their time looking for parking spots!

The service can even be used in the morning to go to work, or in the evening to meet friends for drinks or dinner. What’s so great about Luxe is that they fit your lifestyle, so if you think you’re going to be drinking that night and don’t want to get behind the wheel (and you definitely shouldn’t) in select neighborhoods, you can have them drop your car off at your house if you have a garage or dedicated parking spot!

How it works: First you download their app, available on iOS or Android. Select where you want to drop off your car and it will show which driver will pick it up. Not only will they park it, but if you wish, they will even wash and/or fill up your tank!

They charge around $5.00 an hour, which for the convenience and price of parking in major cities, is definitely a steal. When you’re all set, simply tell the driver to come to get you. They will drop your car off wherever you’d like as long as it’s within their service boundaries. We know we’ll be trying this app soon & we hope you will too!

Tell us what you think about Luxe! Would you use this app? Let us know with a comment or message us on Twitter & Facebook!

ABCey’s Weekend Lineup 7.24.2105 -7.26.2015

Thank goodness the weekend is finally (almost) here! We can’t wait to spend a few days hanging out with friends and family. ABCey has your weekly weekend lineup with so many great picks. We can’t decide which is our favorite!

1. Nightlife at California Academy of Sciences: Dinosaur Night

Thursday, July 23rd, 2015|6pm-10pm| California Academy of Sciences| $12, 21+

Watch Jurassic Park and explore the museum with a cocktail in hand! Get an up close and personal look at some of the coolest things the museum has to offer!

2. Gilroy Garlic Festival

Friday, July 24th – Sunday July 26th, 2015|10am-7pm|Christmas Hill Park, Gilroy|Adult tickets starting from $20

One of the Bay Area’s favorite festivals is finally here! The gilroy garlic festival is home to tons of live music, arts and of course, garlic. This is one you can’t miss out on! Buy tickets here.

3. Berkeley Kite Festival

Saturday, July 25th – Sunday, July 26th, 2015|10am -6pm| Cesar E. Chavez Park at the Berkeley Marina| Free Admission

Kite flying isn’t just for kids. This annual event is one of the funniest activities in Berkeley! There will be live music, free kite lessons and even a petting zoo. And to sweeten the pot, admission is free.

4. Bay Bridge Series

Saturday, July 25th, 2015|1pm| AT&T Park|Starting from $45

Come out to watch both of our Bay Area baseball teams take on one another at AT&T park this Saturday at 1:00pm. This is sure to be one of the most exciting games of the season! Buy tickets here.

5. 80’s Prom

Saturday, July 26th, 2015| 9pm-1am| The Julia Morgan Ballroom|Starting at $65

Want to relive the high school glory days? Well now is your chance! Come out to support at risk youth and dance the night away at this 80’s Prom party. This event is 21+ and is located at the Morgan Ballroom. Buy tickets here.

Will you be attending any of these events? Let us know on Twitter or Facebook!

3 DIY Creative Lighting Ideas

Lighting can be one of the most important aspects of an event. It can help set the mood, create focus and draw attention. Guests may not even be aware of the power of lighting, but these creative lighting ideas are sure to get their attention.

1. String Light Strands Vertically

Light strands are inexpensive and easy to find. You can create a totally new look by stringing them vertically or you can create your own “chandelier” by draping the lights.

2. Turning unexpected objects into lamp shades

Virtually anything can be turned into a lamp shade. This is your chance to do something creative and reflect the theme of the party. It’s easy and can make all the difference at your next event.

3. Rustic Tree Branch Chandelier

This one will take a bit more effort, but the results are absolutely stunning. Your guests will be so blown away by this piece and your artistic ability. Don’t worry, it’s simpler than it looks. Find instructions here.

We hope these brighten your day as much as they did ours. Let us know what you think on Facebook or Twitter!

6 Ways to Spark Creativity Within Your Workspace

Event professionals are constantly trying to come up with new ways to create and design. Studies show that your workspace environment can boost innovation among yourself and others! ABCey has six fun ideas to help create a workspace that will optimize your creativity.

1. Lighting

Make sure you have a good balance of light. Turning down the lights can spark creativity. Also make sure to get natural light in to to keep the mood alive! Find a unique desk lamp with an adjustable nob so you can’t set the prefect amount of light and set up your space by a window.

2. Organized Clutter

Keep your desk organized but cluttered. Some disorder simulates creativity, but don’t have it so messy that you can’t find anything! Keep a desk organizer that holds all the office essentials, but leave some magazines or newspapers laying around for those days when you’re stuck. New ideas can come from anywhere!

3. Inspiration Board

Create a “mood board” by carving out a blank space of your office wall, or use a cork board. Whenever you see something that you love or sparks your interest add it to the board! Be sure to rotate pictures so you are always seeing something that inspires you in the moment. Your board can be a gateway for inspiration!

4. Comfort

You probably spend just as much time at the office as you do at home so make your space comfy with a great desk chair. If your sitting in a chair you love, you can do hours of undisturbed work. Add a colorful patterned pillow too!

5. Greenery

Add some real life to your desk by putting some small office plants or succulents. They not only make your desk prettier and more cheerful, but according to The Huffington Post the color green can boost your inventiveness!

6. Take a Break

Too much time at your desk can make you feel burnt out, no matter how much you love your space! Find a spot in the office where you can just get away, take a break and clear your mind. Not giving your brain a rest can actually hinder the flow of creative ideas.

Will you be upgrading or adding any of these elements to your workspace? Let us know in the comments or message us on Facebook and Twitter!

Startup Monday: HoneyBook

HoneyBook recreates the way creative professionals work with their colleagues and clients through their market network platform. Their mission is to modernize the event planning experience for businesses and their clients, by streamlining the booking and payment process. Since their launch in January of 2013, HoneyBook has raised over $37 million and helped hundreds of businesses organizes their jobs seamlessly, so they can focus on getting back to creating unforgettable event experiences.

We think HoneyBook is great because it is super easy to use and helps keep everything organized. You can customize your company’s account, write proposals using a drop down menu and track all earnings on your dashboard.

How it works: HoneyBook connects the different parts of the event industry, by bringing them all to one place. Once an event planner builds a profile on HoneyBook.com, they can send self- branded proposal to clients, sign contracts digitally and connect other professionals like florists and photographers working on the project. They also get HoneyBook profiles and everyone can team up, communicate and get paid! HoneyBook moves connections and transactions into a software, making it easier for you to operate your business and provide better service. See more of how you can get back to the creative work you love here.

What do you think of Honeybook? Is this a service you would use to help streamline your event planning services? Let us know in the comments or on Facebook and Twitter!

3 Unique Food Bar Ideas for Your Next Party

Ever get tired of the same old menu for parties? ABCey has three food bar ideas that are sure to put a new spin on party food and make your taste buds scream “thank you”! The first two ideas are especially great for any event where little ones are invited!

1. Waffle Bar

Waffles are a fan favorite. For your next brunch event, make things easy on yourself by having your own waffle bar! The batter can be made a day ahead and you can just leave a waffle-maker plugged in so guests can help themselves. This is sure to be a delicious crowd pleaser!

2. Mac-n-Cheese Bar

Who doesn’t love mac-n-cheese? There are so many fun things to add to the cheesy goodness, the possibilities are endless! Our favorites are truffle shavings and some crispy bread crumbs!

3. Oyster Bar

For those who are having a fancier affair, or just love these little guys, an oyster bar can be a big hit! This one does require a bit more planning, but it will be worth it! These refreshing bites are perfect for those summer get togethers!

Tweet us or find us on Facebook and let us know what you think of these ideas!

5 DIY Budget Ideas for Your Party!

Looking to host a party with family/ friends, but don’t want to spend a ton? ABCey Events encourages you to get creative! Maximize your fun and minimize the costs with these 5 DIY budget ideas sure to liven up your party! How do you party on a budget?

1. Speakers

These DIY speakers are great for the last minute party go-er! Attach two paper or plastic cups to the ends of a toilet paper roll, cut holes for the sound to echo, and you have yourself an easy invention for your party tunes!

2. Disco Ball

Cut your old CD’s in different squares and glue them to a styrofoam ball. Attach a string and let light reflect! It’ll definitely be the center of attention at your next dance party!

3. Party Lights

Ping pong balls make for a great light decor on your regular set of Christmas lights. Simply take a pair of scissors, poke a hole on one end, and attach it to the bulbs. Lighten up the party, literally!

4. Photo booth

Who needs a professional photographer when you can snap shot your own fun? Stop by your local dollar store, round up some of your favorite funky props, and pose with your friends! Take great quality pictures on your own smart phone and share them.

5. Candy Bar

Create a candy bar table sure to satisfy all your guest’s sweet tooth! Pick a theme and let your crafty side come out. Mason jars are a great and unique way to contain your favorite candies. Buy your favorite sweets or make your own cake pops and chocolate covered pretzel stick!

Were these party ideas helpful? Let us know with a comment or message us on Facebook or Twitter!