Wow!  The weekend was beautiful in Seattle!  It was in the upper 80’s and HOT!  We went to Cirque Du Soleil’s “Corteo”on Sunday, what a great show!  We had the Tapis Rouge tickets which were well worth the high ticket price.  I don’t think I would’ve missed this experience - Tapis Rouge tickets include free parking in a reserved lot right up front, a special VIP lounge with Bombay Sapphire specialty drinks, champagne, wine, an appetizer buffet, private restrooms and a gift CD upon exit.  During intermission there were more drinks and dessert.  We avoided traffic by getting out of the parking lot earlier than everyone else.  I highly recommend it to everyone!

Tessonja has been on tour with her band since the end of April.  She emailed me on Mother’s Day from Germany.  She’s performed in London and Germany thus far and will be heading for Spain and other locales as well.  She’s glad she is having the experience but is quite homesick.  Her art is being displayed at the SweetSpot Cafe in Seattle - if you want original artwork done - she’s your resource!

I’ve been doing Mitzvahs and weddings and karaoke a lot this month.  Graduation parties, birthdays and summer picnics are here as well!  Since “summer” and “beach” seem to be a popular theme I have been finding great resources for centerpieces.  One of the best places to find sand, shells, driftwood and more is Pottery Barn.  We’ve created some really cool centerpieces from items found both at Pottery Barn and Ikea.

We have some really great Bands, Entertainers and party ideas so if you need assistance let us know!  It doesn’t cost a cent to ask questions or for suggestions for your next event!

I look forward to all the upcoming events and thank all of our loyal clients for entrusting their events to us!

Making sure your event goes smoothly can be challenging. To make it easier, and help ease stress, use visualization techniques! First, take some time to relax where you won’t be bothered or interrupted. It is important that you clear your mind of stress and worries before you begin your visualization. If not, the experience won’t be enjoyable and you’ll find yourself imagining the terrible things you DON’T want to happen.

Once you are truly relaxed, imagine your whole event from start to finish, running smoothly. You don’t have to know EXACT details (like WHO your caterer is, WHAT your mother-in-law is wearing, etc…unless of course you have specific preferences) just the things that matter to you most, like: What is your dj like? Outgoing and fun? Or quiet and in the background? What does the venue look like (if you don’t have a preference, use your imagination to think of things)? What kind of food is your caterer serving? Are there specific dietary needs of you or any of your guests that you should keep in mind? What is the mood of your event? Wild, unique, and fun? Elegant and orderly? Casual? What songs are being played? Really get into it, and write down any notes you should take. If writing helps you get creative, write out all the details that you imagine! Review it often, to keep the vision clear in your head.

The purpose of this expercise is to help you gain clarity and anticipate how you would desire your event to go. That way, when it comes time to meet and hire the entertainment, event coordinators, etc, you will already know what you want, and be able to express your desires clearly. Some people are so suprised when they realize the entertainment they hired wasn’t what they desired AFTER the event is already over! And sometimes it’s hard to know what you want until something goes wrong; then you realize what you DON’T want! But that doesn’t do any good! So visualize your perfect event beforehand, and relay your vision to the people you will be working with. Stress will disappear!

Amore Events and Entertainment, of course, knows all about visualization! So just ask us if you have trouble finding anything…that perfect instrument to be played as you walk down the isle; the perfect catering company; the perfect theme for a costume party; the perfect dj to blend beautifully into the mood of your specific event. Events of all kinds are special and important…create them the way you imagine!

I have some VERY exciting news! I will be touring Europe during the month of May with The Cute Lepers (www.myspace.com/thecutelepers) as a backup singer! I sang backup on about 3 tracks from their upcoming album “can’t stand modern music.” I have never been out of the country except for a few trips to Canada so you can imagine I’m overflowing with excitment! I have only toured once before, with my former band, The Pop Machine (www.myspace.com/turnonthepopmachine). I toured for 3 weeks from Boston to Austin. It was my first time to the east coast. I can’t wait to see Europe!

I’ve been so scared to get out of my comfort zone for the past few years, but right now it just feels right. I’m going to miss my boyfriend of almost 5 years terribly, I’m not sure how my boss is going to feel, and it’s going to be interesting trying to figure out how to pay my bills during the month I’m gone! But I know it is all worth it. I can just FEEL it! I’m ready to get out of my comfort zone and grab hold of these opportunities with music that have been coming my way!

If you would like to help support me, the arts, and my new adventures, then please check out some of my artwork that I have available for sale! I have a goal of raising $1200 (for bills) by May, and what better way to do that then to share my talents!? Go to www.myspace.com/tessonja to view my artwork and prices. I’m also (of course!) a dj!!! I’ll dj your rock n roll wedding, party, corporate event (and no, I DONT just play rock n roll music lol) or karaoke, if you don’t mind someone with a little sass on the mic. I also do face painting and “tattoo painting.” And I’m a well-rounded artist so let me know if you would like me to do an art piece of some sort (wedding invitation artwork, special-event portrait sketches/paintings, etc, etc) just let me know your idea! I also sing, I’m an excellent in-studio harmonizer and backup (or lead) singer, so let me know if you would like to rent my musical talents!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful New Year, it looks like mine will be full of adventure and I wish you all the same! Best of luck, love, and happiness!

More healthy wisdom from Tessonja:
With the drop in temperature, holiday feasts, and lack of proper motivation (such as swimsuit season) it can be hard to stay in shape through the winter. And if you’re a winter bride, looking amazing in your dress is high on your list of desires! I, for one, tend to exercise more frequently in the summer because I can jog, go on long walks, and ride bikes. I love active exercise! But it’s winter now which means cold weather and less daylight. Here are some fun tips I like to use, and hope that you can enjoy them too!

-Sign up for an indoor workout class! I can exercise longer without getting bored if my program is active and fun, so I signed up for Wushu at the Seattle Wushu Center (Wushu is Chinese Martial Arts) and it is an awesome exercise that constantly challenges and strengthens your mind, body, and flexibility. You can find tons of classes like this such as: Kung Fu, Kickboxing, Yoga, Tai Chi, or try a hip hop dance class.
-Get some workout videos! 8 minute abs is cheesy (muscley men in blue spandex…shudder!)but it’s a classic and it still works after all these years. My current favorite is “The Girls Next Door” workout dvd; this one is fun, fast, and feels great! On good days, i like to do all 3 workouts. Another fun one is Carmen Electra’s Striptease Workout. Also, Comcast has some awesome FREE workouts On Demand.
-Get some indoor exercise gear! I found a mini step-machine on sale at Target for $25 and it’s a decent substitute for an expensive elliptical machine. I’m also lucky enough to have been given a multi-exercise workout bench. Go get a few different hand weights and an exercise ball; you’ll learn a couple uses for these in Holly’s workout on “The Girl’s Next Door” workout dvd. Another favorite of mine is a mini trampoline; they are inexpensive and fun! If you don’t have/or want to get your own indoor workout gear, get a gym membership! And most gyms offer fun workout classes like kickboxing, aerobics, and hip hop dancing.
-Eat healthy! I know there are tons of tempting and delicious holiday feasts to attend, but you don’t have to over-do it! When it’s cold, I love to eat. But you don’t burn as many calories in the winter (unless you truly are keeping a steady exercise routine year-round…ha, who does that?!) so it’s important not to eat in excess. Try veggie broth! I had some when I was sick last year and when I realized it has only 5-15 calories per bowl, i decided to add it to my list of fridge necessities. It’s warm, light, and a good way to fill up when you aren’t content with just a salad. I also love to add fresh veggies and tofu to the broth before I boil it. Another tip: You don’t have to eat all your leftovers! And yes, you are allowed to leave your plate without polishing it clean! We’ve all grown up with the idea that we must finish all our food before we can leave the table/eat dessert but we’re adults now, right? Eat what you want, leave what you don’t. And if you want dessert, no one is going to stop you (although I reccomend falling in love with fruit for dessert or eating something low in fat and calories like sorbet or frozen yogurt.) And all those leftovers from your holiday meal? You DON’T have to eat them all! Yes, people are starving all over the world, but what good are you doing them by eating yourself sick? If you really want to help someone, donate food to a food drive, give a sack lunch of leftovers to the homeless guy you see every day on the way to work, and help yourself by releasing your over-eating habits and food guilt; I’m learning to get over this myself, so don’t worry, you’re not alone!
-Drink lots of water! You hear this all the time, but it’s ALWAYS true. Your body and mind feel good when you are properly hydrated and it helps your body eliminate waste. My tip is to find a certain time of day when you can schedule in 8 glasses of water. I work between 8am and 2pm on weekdays, so it’s easy to watch the clock and make sure I get a glass of water every hour, on the hour. That way, when I get home, I don’t have to worry about it so much!
Happy Holidays!!!

Happy birthday to:

• Jim DeOra
• Lisa Seeley
• Bea Gaitan
• Kahala Carter
• Chris Fuchs
• Don
• Cody Fuchs

And to everyone else celebrating a birthday!

My heart goes out to everyone who has suffered storm damage in the Pacific Northwest from the winds and floods that have hit hard in the past couple of days! We have a very large customer base in Pe Ell and Chehalis Washington which were the hardest hit. I would imagine that they don’t have the ability to get online or emails since the power is out and so much flooding has happened.

I just heard that several bridges were washed away in Pe Ell and since I have upcoming weddings there I do pray that everyone in town is safe. Wishing the best and let us know if we can help you!

Hello everyone! There are lots of holiday parties and meals to attend this coming month so it’s time to get out our favorite recipes! I love holiday baking but this year I am a lot more health conscious, not to mention vegan. Pumpkin Roll has been my favorite holiday recipe every year but this year I decided to make a vegan (no eggs or dairy = no cholesterol!) version and it tastes exactly like the original, but with less guilt! If you don’t care much about cholesterol, feel free to use the ingredients you are used to (regular cream cheese, 3 eggs instead of flax mixture). I’m so happy to share this recipe with you, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Vegan Pumpkin Roll

• CAKE
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 tbsp flax powder (see note below)
• 9 tbsp water (to mix with flax, see note below)
• 1 cup sugar (evaporated cane juice or sucanat work well)
• 2/3 cup pumpkin puree
• “CREAM CHEESE” FILLING
• 1 pkg. (8 oz.) vegan cream cheese, at room temperature (try “Tofutti better than cream cheese” available at most healthfood stores, especially at “Sidecar for Pigs Peace” in the U-district)
• 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 6 tablespoons vegan margarine softened (like earth balance)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar (optional for decoration)
Directions:
FOR CAKE:
PREHEAT oven to 375° F. Lightly oil 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Lightly oil and flour wax paper. Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with powdered sugar (if your towels are of questionable condition, you can cover both sides with plastic wrap)

COMBINE flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Mix the flax powder with the water and let sit a couple minutes until thick. Beat the flax “eggs” with sugar. Beat in pumpkin puree. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan.

BAKE for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off wax paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end (should look like a really long cinnamon roll). Cool on wire rack or refrigerator until cool to the touch.
FOR FILLING:
BEAT “cream cheese”, 1 cup powdered sugar, margarine and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cooled cake. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Re-roll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired, and serve in slices.

COOKING TIP:
Be sure to put enough powdered sugar on the towel/plastic wrap when rolling up the cake so it will not stick.
FLAX “EGGS” TIP: You can buy flax in already-powdered form or you can buy whole flax seeds and grind in a clean coffee grinder. I usually grind about ½ cup flax seeds, use what I need in the recipe, and then store the leftover in the refrigerator until the next time I need them)

Did you know that you could purchase party supplies from our website? Just go to http://www.seattledj.com/webpages/party_store.html to peruse all the items available for your next celebration! New Year’s Eve Celebrations are coming sooner than you think…better get shopping!

Maybe you need Chanukkah decorations or Christmas bling! We also have wedding favors and decorations!

Glow Sticks, glasses and other illuminating items are also available and fun to have for any event! They are a staple for Mitzvahs. If you’re looking for themed decorations you can find some really cool and interesting ones! Why wait - go shopping and have everything shipped to you!

I did a wedding for Michelle & Ryan Nguyen back in September and they had this very cool cake done to represent each of them individually and as a new couple.

This was a great item to get people talking! If you look closely there are 3 gift boxes. The large white one has a Basketball inside. The purple one is a UW package and the red one is a Spiderman package.

There are two smaller balls in between. The majority of this cake is edible and came out beautifully!! It was the talk of the event!

Keep checking back - I love unique things at events and will put more interesting pictures up soon! If you’d like to know where to find a cake like this feel free to contact us!

Fall is here and our first “official” holiday was Halloween. It was a fun one. We had Karaoke at Malarky’s in Issaquah with cool costumes and fun people. There were private parties and school harvest dances and weddings!

The beginning of November brings us into booking parties for December, January and February. As the temperature drops people are getting ready to travel, celebrate and honor their yearly rituals.

Happy Birthday to my daughter Tessonja (Oct 31st)! Season’s greetings to everyone and we look forward to seeing most of you soon.