July 31, 2011

Wall Cone Work Form with Deco Mesh: A Video Tutorial


We are excited to introducing a brand new product- a wall cone work form. Create one-of-a kind three-dimensional cones or Christmas tree shapes using the work wall cone form.


This work wall cone (same concept as our work wreath forms) comes in an assortment of colors and can be filled with a variety of products like deco mesh, ribbon or fabric.  Hung widest end up, the form creates a cone. Fill the center of the cone with greenery, decorative balls or floral decor. Turned around, the cone shape creates a tree form that can be used to decorate doors, walls or fences (it's weatherproof)!  Another option is to combine two half cone shapes back to back for a complete free standing cone. This full tree makes a great table centerpiece. The work wall cone (as shown filled ) is approximately 24" wide by 40" tall.

In this video tutorial,  we show you how to use this new work  wall cone. The wall cone created in the video tutorial is filled in with a fun, red Christmas striped deco mesh (about 1 1/2 rolls), accented with 2.5" gold deco mesh ribbon and green aluminum wire balls.



Create your own unique decorative wall decoration with these easy work cone forms, perfect for Christmas or any holiday theme. Change the color way to suit your event and decor.

For color options on deco mesh and deco mesh ribbon, click here.
For work cone forms , click here.

July 21, 2011

Get Married Wedding Magazine features Mardi Gras Outlet

The wedding magazine, Get Married, featured Mardi Gras Outlet in their Summer 2011 issue!

Our feather masquerade masks were featured in the Localize your welcome bags section. The New Orleans goody bags featured include the PGG Feather Burst Stick Mask, along with a jazz music CD, specialty Mardi Gras beads, Zapps potato chips and custom cocktail napkins.

The "Get Local" section of the magazine advises brides-to-be to plan global and shop local with welcome bags that don't "serve up average treats." The article offers tips to pack in local flavor for your guests instead of average treats (like water).
At Mardi Gras Outlet, you can create wedding welcome bags packed full of Louisiana flavor. Select from a world of Louisiana and Mardi Gras products direct from Louisiana. Check out our previous post, Wedding welcome bags with a Louisiana Mardi Gras theme, for more ideas and inspiration!

To see more wedding ideas, check out Get Married.com or this blog.

July 17, 2011

Wedding Welcome Bags with a Louisiana Mardi Gras Theme


        (photo: louisianablogging.com)
Are you hosting a wedding in the Big Easy or do you want to add some Louisiana Mardi Gras flavor to your wedding guest goody bags? Here are a few ideas for putting together welcome bags with local flavor that are sure to please all of your guests.


Festive masquerade masks create a fun atmosphere from the start of your celebration. Try different kinds of masks for your guests. Below are paper mache, feather and venetian-style masks.

Masquerade Wedding Masks


Mardi Gras beads come in a huge variety of styles and designs.These specialty beads featuring Fleur de Lis, hurricane cocktails and Louisiana are just a few! Choose one of these Mardi Gras motifs for your wedding and use it for your favors and goody bags.

Specialty Mardi Gras Beads


Louisiana souvenir packets like this one provide a little taste of Cajun culture along with local folk legends. This Cajun Survival Kit includes a sampling of Spanish moss, red beans, crawfish, Tabasco and much more.

Cajun Survival Kit


Let guests take home a bit of Mardi Gras with these fun and reusable plastic cups. Traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green & gold and Mardi Gras themes like masks, fleur de lis and crowns are available.

Plastic Mardi Gras Cups

Individual soaps like these in Mardi Gras motifs of the fleur de lis or Louisiana crawfish make great wedding favors. These are great guest bath soaps, sure to bring back fond memories.
Fleur de lis soapLouisiana crawfish soap

Everyone loves having something to munch on in the hotel room (other than the mini-bar). So add in some local food favorites that they can enjoy now or later.  Aunt Sally's famous pralines, Cajun spices or hot sauce and the requisite Hurricane cocktail mix all add a local flavor to Louisiana welcome bags.

Louisiana food favors
Bags, baskets, pirogues and more. There are lots of options to hold all these fun Louisiana goodies for your guest care packages. Here are some suggestions.
Louisiana goody bag

This kraft paper bag with an image of the state and favorite crustacean crawfish screen-printed on it can be found  here. This handled bag makes carrying home all these goodies easy.wooden pirogue gift basket

A small replica of a wooden pirogue adds a great Cajun flair. This version is filled with Cajun foods and beads. Find it here.



Louisiana/Mardi Gras wedding gift basket
This natural sinamay basket shaped like the state of Louisiana is a great size for wedding goodies. The basket can be reused later as a serving tray. To purchase this Louisiana basket, click here.

Creating this elegant Louisiana basket is easy! Add a layer of natural wood shred like the excelsior shown here. Then fill the basket with a venetian mask, Louisiana beads, fleur de lis cups, pralines, gumbo mix, fleur de lis soap, note cards and souvenir cookie cutter.

For a bag in the traditional Mardi Gras colors, check out these small metallic gift bags , the jester favor bag and clear cello favor bags in purple, green or yellow. These bags are smaller and need less to fill them.
PGG Favor bagsMardi Gras bagsMardi Gras Jester Favor Bag



Explore this blog for other Mardi Gras Wedding ideas and visit us at MardiGrasOutlet.com  to purchase the items shown here and many more!

Mardi Gras Wedding Theme

July 10, 2011

Mardi Gras Wedding Theme


Choosing a Mardi Gras theme for your wedding brings a fun party atmosphere of jazz, music, good food, great times and the mantra of "laissez les bon temps rouler" to your event. Don't think that it has to be over the top, or that you have to be in New Orleans to have this unique theme. Small touches of Mardi Gras for the reception, decor, favors, invitations, cake and food all add up to make for a memorable Mardi Gras event.
(photo: bicoastalbrideblog.com)



Purples, greens and golds are the traditional Mardi Gras colors. Masks, fleur de lis, crowns and jesters are common symbols. Set the tone by choosing a wedding invitation with these colors or themes. You can find a big selection of Mardi Gras invitations ranging from traditional to modern here.

(photo: theknot.com)

Incorporating a Mardi Gras theme into your bridal party attire is easy. Mardi Gras masquerade masks add a festive touch and come in a huge variety of shapes and colors. The bridal party can carry feather masks and wear purple and green like this sophisticated group pictured below. The bride stays traditional in white and wears a white or silver mask like this one.

Another great Mardi Gras tradition is the second line parade, which you can read more about  here. The wedding pictured here has a real brass band marching with the wedding party to the reception. The bride carries a lace parasol which you can find at this site. How fun to parade into the reception hall, tossing Mardi Gras beads to guests!
          (photo: theknot.com) 

At the reception continue the Mardi Gras theme by serving spicy entrees such as gumbo, jambalaya and crawfish etouffee. Check out our selection of  Louisiana food and drink mixes for more Cajun dishes or see our Louisiana recipes page for ideas.

Serve your guests some Louisiana favorites such as beignets, pralines or king cake. Instead of a typical groom's cake, serve Mardi Gras king cakes. This is a great way to bring in a Mardi Gras theme while keeping a traditional wedding cake. Coordinate the wedding cake with your Mardi Gras theme. The beautiful wedding cake seen below, is decorated with a harlequin diamond pattern, beaded details and masquerade masks. End your meal with a champagne toast to the new couple in these beautiful fleur de lis toasting glasses! Find them at this site.

           (photos: theperfectdetailsblog,blog.mardigrasoutlet.com)


Carry the Mardi Gras theme throughout the decorations and centerpieces. Below are a range of ideas. 
Clockwise from top left: A rich table-scape theme with purple table cloths, gold napkins and  venetian masks; learn how to make this beautiful centerpiece here; a simple and clean table-scape using beads and floral sprays; throw beads; a d.i.y. floral centerpiece with submersible aqua-lights; and easy decorating with sprinkled doubloons and a jester mask as favors for the guests.

       (photos: joelatter.com, theknot.com, theperfectdetailsblog,blog.mardigrasoutlet.com.)

Browse this blog for more Mardi Gras decorating tips and ideas, and visit Mardi Gras Outlet for the products you have seen here plus many more!

Some more helpful posts on a Mardi Gras Wedding:


July 5, 2011

Alligator Swamp People Party

Swamp people party
With the growing popularity of the History Channel's show Swamp People, a Cajun alligator themed party is sure to be a hit with your guests.  While all Cajuns do not live in the bayou and "choot em" alligators, most of us do enjoy a good Cajun fais do-do. Here are some of our suggestions on how to have an alligator theme party!

Alligator party supplies featured above (clockwise from top):

Cajun party invitations. Bring the Bayou home to your guests with a custom printed alligator invitation like these featured here. A personalized invitation sets the tone and theme for your Cajun event. 

Sample wording for a Cajun party:
Come pass a good time
Join us for a Cajun fais do-do
Don't miss the big fun on the Bayou






Alligator Mardi Gras BeadsDecorate for a swamp party with things found in a real swamp. Set your tables with natural textures like a burlap table cloth and tree stumps, cypress knees or branches. Layer in Spanish moss for an authentic swamp feel.

Add a pirogue  (the flat bottomed boat used in the bayou to navigate shallow water). Replica small wooden pirogues can be used on the table filled with greenery, party snacks or tiny alligator Mardi Gras beads like these pictured here. Let your guests take home a strand of alligator beads. Everyone gets their own gator!
Alligator mylar balloon
One big gator for the catch of the day! This alligator mylar balloon makes a great centerpiece.  Fill the mylar balloon with air (not helium). Anchor the alligator to your tablescape by taping his belly to the table. Add a rope around his neck to make him look like the catch of the day.

Alligator cookies make great party favors or snacks at the party.

This fun alligator cookie was created by The Cookie Mama for a swamp people birthday celebration! The shaped alligator cookie mounted on the round cookie really makes the alligator stand out.  A great idea...C'est si bon!

Use alligator cookie cutters  to create your own alligator cookies or alligator shaped snacks. Cookie cutters are great to cut out shaped snacks like finger sandwiches, rice crispy treats,  pita/tortilla chips or cheese slices.


Alligator in Sauce Piquante
For something more substantial than snacks serve Alligator Sauce Piquante.

Cajun Sauce piquante is a spicy red sauce/stew that is served over rice. It can be made with any meat or seafood you choose, but alligator is perfect for this theme party. The recipe listed here is a version of Chef Folse's Alligator Sauce Piquante.
Alligator Sauce Piquante
Ingredients:
3 pounds alligator, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 and 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 and 1/2 cups flour
2 cups diced onions
2 cups diced celery
1 cup diced bell peppers
1/4 cup minced garlic
2 (10-ounce) cans whole tomatoes
1 (8 ounce)can tomato paste
3 quarts water or stock
salt and cracked black pepper to taste
Creole seasoning
Louisiana hot sauce to taste
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1/2 cup sliced green onions

Instructions:
In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Whisk in flour, stirring constantly until a dark brown roux is achieved . Add alligator and saute 10 minutes or until well browned. Stir in onions, celery, bell peppers and minced garlic and saute 3-5 minutes or until vegetables are wilted. Stir in tomatoes, paste and water or stock. Blend well then season to taste with salt, pepper, Creole seasoning and hot sauce. Bring mixture to a rolling boil then reduce heat to medium. Simmer 2 hours or until meat is tender, adding water to retain volume if necessary. Add parsley and green onions and adjust seasonings to taste. Serve hot over steamed white rice.
Cooking Time: 2 and 1/2 Hours
Yields: 6 Servings
Note: It is recommended that you use alligator tail meat due to its texture and light to white color.

Alligator Swamp People party games and activities:
Here are some ideas for party games to keep your little swamp people busy.

Musical boats- Cut out pirogue shapes from cardboard or poster board. Let the children hop from pretend boat to boat until the music stops. Remove a boat each time just like musical chairs. Anyone left with out a boat is out or eaten by the gators. Last man in a pirogue wins!

Fishing for Gators-Fill a small plastic swimming pool with water and alligator mardi gras beads. Mark hidden numbers on the bottom of each alligator.  Using pieces rope with small S hooks tied on the ends  let the children fish out the gators. See who can hook the biggest gator (largest number).

Swamp scavenger hunt- Hide swampy things in the backyard like Spanish moss, pirogues, stuffed alligators, plastic crawfish, crabs, fish or spiders. Give the kids a lists of the items to hunt. The team or player who finds the most swamp items is crowned King/Queen of the swamp!

Alligator coloring page


Don't forget our fun alligator coloring page that makes a great party activity, too! To print out this free alligator coloring page, click here. Let party guests color at the party or take it home as a party favor with a pack of crayons.


For more alligator themed party supplies, click HERE.

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