February 23rd, 2013
Cookies and french fries…we can’t think of a better combination and neither can The Cookie Joint, creators of “cookie fries.”
Based just outside Chicago, the artistic co-founders and bakers behind this great idea are Jill Balick and Susie Schuster. Their goal was to put a new twist on the cookie and ended up with crinkle-cut french fries with fun dipping sauces.
These festive treats come in five varieties — original, chocolate chip, double chocolate chip, cinnamon spice and chocolate toffee crunch. The sauces that put them over the top include tangy raspberry, peanut butter, salted caramel, hazelnut, chocolate and marshmallow.
The duo bakes out of a kosher kitchen under the supervision of the Chicago Rabbinical Council.
Cookie fries come packaged two ways: in cute fry cartons or served in a 50’s diner basket
Pass them out at dessert time
Perfect as a treat for the ride home
Great packaging options
Orders can be placed online at thecookiejoint.com or by phone at 847-461-3068.
February 19th, 2013
If you have assigned seating for your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration, table numbers are a necessary and practical addition to your reception tables.
They help guide your guests to their appropriate tables while adding to the theme or decor.
We ran a previous story called, Trend Alert: Table Numbers, now we are giving you more examples of fun ways to show your Bar/Bat Mitzvah guests to their tables.
See what we found below:
Custom Bobbleheads can be used as table numbers
From LanderDesigns on Etsy this set, available in many colors, includes 12 vase table place card settings. Each vase is wrapped with the information of a table number along with guests sitting at that table. It comes with a battery operated light that lasts between 6-12 hours. They come fully assembled, all you have to do is turn on the light when you are ready for your display
You can monogram water bottles with table numbers and initials from Very Sherry
Balloon Artistry used movie clap boards as table numbers
Simply Sweet Arrangements creates chocolate displays for your table numbers
Bubblewrapped on Etsy can make a set of table numbers out of wood blocks
From the Karen Bat Mitzvah Family Spotlight, old photos of the Bat Mitzvah girl were used with different numbers photo shop’ed onto the photo. Copies were made at Walgreens and each photo was placed in a frame!
Creative seating from Terry Saxe of Special-t-events
We found these burlap flowered topiaries from Tater Tots and Jello on Pinterest.com
Did you have a clever table number? Let us know at info@MitzvahMarket.com.
February 19th, 2013
A few readers have asked about pillows! While many Bar Bat Mitzvah vendors can use your logo and create a custom pillow, we wanted to share another option.
West Elm is an upscale retail store with locations all over the country that features contemporary furniture designs and other house wares.
Pillows at Bar Bat Mitzvahs can be customized with your child’s logo or party colors. Why not use pillows that you can also make use of in your home after your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah celebration?
These super soft solid velvet pillow covers would look great on any type of couch or lounge furniture.
They come in 4 different trim styles – and the dimensions are 12” length x 16” wide. All are machine washable and you can see how your initial or name will look on their pillow prior to ordering.
For more information, visit their Website.
February 13th, 2013
In honor of Valentine’s Day we are giving you some delicious inspiration on unique ways to incorporate chocolate into your Bar Bat Mitzvah celebration.
Who doesn’t like the sweetness and indulgence of chocolate? With chocolate for your guests, you can’t go wrong! From the color combinations, to the custom candy bar wrappers, to Chocolate Martinis, it goes on and on.
Just beware you might have to go out and buy some chocolate after reading this.
Favor It Things offers this picture frame place card in solid chocolate with an edible image affixed inside…beautiful to look at and delicious to eat!
The Event of a Lifetime created these place cards for a “Peace Love Chocolate” themed Bat Mitzvah
Choco Rocks from Unique Accents looks like a bowl of decorative rocks from a garden, but it’s actually chocolate!
A Wonka inspired fountain from Rafanelli Events
From the Milbauer Family Spotlight these are chocolate hockey pucks which served as place cards for their hockey themed Bar Mitzvah
Your guests will hollah for more of this challah from Challah King
Party Favorites created a chocolate menu that is 100% edible
The Bat Mitzvah girl had her named spelled out in chocolate letters for her candle lighting from the Lee Family Spotlight
This invitation was dark chocolate brown with a light blue boarder from the Brett Family Spotlight
Chocolate Promises can print your guests’ pictures right onto lollipops at your event
Angies Cake put together this sports cake ball dessert filled with chocolate
Event Savvy Atlanta put together this event including a custom pillow for a chocolate lover’s Bat Mitzvah
Favor It Things creates chocolate torahs which guests love
How about some chocolate Babka cake by It Events by Julie for a sweet send-off
Fancy Nancy Wraps can create custom chocolate for any occasion with many different patterns and themes available
Did you have a chocolate party element at your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah celebration? Let us know at info@MitzvahMarket.com.
February 12th, 2013
At this time of the year, we have Mardi Gras on our minds, so we wanted to show you a masquerade themed Bat Mitzvah by Photos Galore and More.
The team behind Photos Galore and More created their business for those who are planning an event on a budget.
Their specialty is creating professional photo boards as well as themed thank you cards, return address labels, silk screened shirts/sweatshirts for all special occasions to be used throughout your party.
Using photography to personalize a party is a great and inexpensive way to put your child right at the center of their theme.
The photos below are from their daughter’s Bat Mitzvah.
The theme and party palette was set with this colorful invitation from Arlene Segal Designs embellished with feathers and a turquoise stone
Jyllian posing before the party with one of her masks in a beautiful dress from Ask Alice boutique
Guests were greeted at the entrance of the club by Jyllian’s logo in her color palette on poster board
One of the photo boards created by Photo Galore and More
Balloons, over sized masks and pictures of Jyllian are all the decor needed in this club
Bat Mitzvah girl Jyllian standing next to her masked image
A centerpiece with colorful feathers and a mask
All boards can be customized with graphic logos
Jyllian on the dance floor surrounded by her family and friends
Jyllian’s guests received comfy sweatshirt with her colorful pink and turquoise logo on the front
and on the back
The last thing guests receive are the thank you notes. Photos Galore and More created a card with her logo on the front.
To learn more about Photos Galore and More, email them at photosgaloreinc@yahoo.com.
February 8th, 2013
Once your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah service and celebration are over, you are left with great memories. Your photographer will create a special album, the videographer will produce a fun video and now we have ideas on how to preserve your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah invitation too!
Many invitations set the tone for the type of party you will have and it’s an important party element. We have come across some great keepsake ideas that also make great gifts.
From creative frames to stained glass boxes and more, you can hold onto your Bar Bat Mitzvah invitation in a number of ways. Your child might even thank you for doing it…one day!
The box above is from Ribbon Made Designs, and can be made in any color combination you need or to match any decor.
Here are some other ideas we found:
From Carol Colman Creations, this collage type keepsake can hold many elements from your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah
Sew Many Gifts uses the Bar Bat Mitzvah invitation to create a keepsake pillow. The one above was done in sophisticated Pink and Brown fabrics to complement the invitation. The original ribbon from the invitation was used on the pillow
Traditions Jewish Gifts can take your invitation and create a beautiful custom made handcrafted glass version
It Could Be Verse has a popular item: the Framed Invitation. They mount the actual invitation and surround it with fun and whimsical 3-D graphics, depicting all of your child’s favorite things. It is then matted and framed
From Lexington Studios, this personalized box features your child’s invitation painted on the outside and a special message from the gift givers on the inside. Each album comes with ten 8.5 x 11″ sheets to hold your favorite photos and can also serve as a guest sign in book!
The Pieced Palette uses your invitation to create a sign-in pillow that your guests sign during your celebration. It can be done as shown above or she can take your invitation and print it on heavyweight cotton twill. The fabric is mounted taut so that it can stand on an easel at your party for your guests to sign with permanent marker. After your celebration, she will take back the fabric and create a comfy floor pillow for lounging
Unique Glass Gifts created a smiley face Bat Mitzvah invitation memory box
So Shani on Etsy creates unique and personalized memory boxes for your child to store all the mementos from the big day. She uses pictures, programs, place cards and even parts of your yarmulkes
Artist Jacqueline Winch can created a customized jewelry box with two hinged lids using your invitation
Did you create a unique keepsake for your child’s invitation? Let us know at info@mitzvahmarket.com.
February 6th, 2013
We found a great Mitzvah Find called, Logo Lenses. They supply party sunglasses with your custom logo printed directly on the lens.
These glasses make a great fashion statement and you can use them for dance floor giveaways or favors.
Their Website features an easy-to-navigate customization tool which helps you customize your shades or you can pick one of the many styles they offer.
A collection of their popular lenses
Part of the Neon Collection
For NY Giants fans!
Printing on the arm of the glasses is also available
Visit Logo Lenses or call them at: 727-674-1465. Tell them Mitzvah Market sent you.
February 1st, 2013
A signature mock-cocktail is a great way to incorporate your theme or child’s name into your celebration. We’ve seen some clever drink names!
Pictured above: Bat Mitzvah guests enjoying flavored drinks from Maui Wowi.
So drink up some of these non-alcoholic ideas and cheers!
Sometimes the signage is just as fun as the drinks from Simple Details Events
Hudson Terrace loves creating mock-tails to match the Bar Bat Mitzvah theme or likes of the child like these: “The Bieber-Tini” – ½ lemonade, ½ iced tea over crushed ice, the “1D (One Direction) Daiquiri” made from strawberry puree, lemon-lime Soda, or the “The Gangnam Style” chilled lychee juice a splash of Ginger Ale and a pink sugar rim
The Goldstein Family spotlight featured a special drink just for their celebration called, “Bat-tini,” and it was served in martini style glasses but was completely kid-friendly and alcohol-free
At Ryder’s Bar Mitzvah, The Garden City Hotel featured a cucumber martini on the rocks for their adult guests
Carlyle Catering creates a “Mock-tail Juice Bar” for Bar Bat Mitzvahs. The Juice Bar contains all difference Juices and Drinks such as our Ruby Red Grapefruit and Pear with Cucumber, Blueberry Pomegranate Juice and a Lemonade with White Grape, Rosemary and Lavender. Carlyle serves the Juices in Mason Jars with colored paper Straws. This Juice bar is very trendy and the Mason Jars are great for kids to drink out of all night long!
It’s fun to tie your beverages into your theme like they did at this “Science inspired” Bat Mitzvah from Cait & Jules
Justin Bieber isn’t even old enough to drink in many states, but he already has his own cocktail, the Biebertini!
Tropical mock drinks were offered at the Fleisig-Klesse Bar Mitzvah
Sandra Downie Events paired up the Zoe-tini design with the table numbers
This bar set up for the kids looks appealing and tasty from Naturally Delicious Catering
Root beer floats in champagne glasses for kids…and grownups from Southern Weddings
Philip Stone Caterers’ Minted Lemon Fizz made with fresh lemonade, fresh mint leaves, Sprite and sparkling water. Zesty!
Beautiful Blooms created a travel vignette by the bar offering “Specialty Sips”
Magic Perrier is a fabulous and fun non-alcoholic signature drink which makes it especially perfect as a Mitzvah mocktail from Party Favorites
The signage here is simple but framed, and makes a statement from Karen Ard Photography
Lemonade drinks were delivered to guests in test tubes, at this outdoor cocktail party from Kracke Photography
Here is another Party Favorites drink idea and really, is there a more perfect way to end a party than with a s’moretini shooter?
Did you include a delicious mock-tail at your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah celebration? Let us know at info@mitzvahmarket.com.
January 30th, 2013
Pro-Kippah has now made it possible to show off your favorite baseball teams on your child’s important day.
Pro-Kippah is from The Emblem Source, a family-run company out of Dallas, Texas that has been providing licensed logos for sports teams since 2004. They are the Official Licensee for Major League Baseball & College Bowl Retail Emblems. The Emblem Source now makes the official yarmulkes of Major League Baseball and the NBA.
These emblems are the officially licensed replicas of the actual on-field emblems worn by the players and are made from the same pro-mesh polyester as sports jerseys.
You are sure to score points with these kippot!
Major League Baseball New York Mets Pro-Kippah
The inside of the Pro-Kippah will remain on with clips
Major League Baseball Chicago Cubs Pro-Kippah comes to you packaged
For additional information on Pro-Kippah you can email them at info@theemblemsource.com or call them at 972-248-1909.
January 28th, 2013
Alana Segelman of Randolph, New Jersey became a Bat Mitzvah on December 1, 2012. For her Bat Mitzvah project she chose an organization called, Lev Lalev Fund which benefits The Rubin Zeffren Children’s Home in Netanya, Israel. The home was founded in 1962 by the late revered Rebbe of Sanz-Klausenburg when, one evening, a desperate widower abandoned his five small children at the Rebbe’s doorstep.
The Lev LaLev Fund was established in August 2006, with the mission to nurture and care for Jewish girls in need throughout Israel. Lev LaLev has a special Bat Mitzvah Project program. They help girls design a Bat Mitzvah project that will raise funds for a “twin” orphaned girl in Israel. The donations help each girl’s twin and enjoy the extra fun things that go along with a Bat Mitzvah — hair, make-up, a new dress, a trip to the Kotel (Western Wall), photo album, and party.
Alana chose to raise money for her Mitzvah twin named Mazal by organizing a Day of Beauty at The Artistic Academy, a local cosmetology school. We think that Alana is beautiful both inside and out.
We asked her some questions to learn more about this special project:
MM: Why did you decide to take on this particular project?
AS: I decided to take on a Lev LaLev project because I’m so thankful that I could have such an amazing Bat Mitzvah, and I wanted to make another girl feel as happy and lucky as I do. Lev Lalev means “Heart to Heart,” and is an organization to care for Jewish girls in need throughout Israel.
Here is a picture of some of the girls who can be helped by a donation
MM: In your own words, what does it mean to you to do a Mitzvah Project for your Bat Mitzvah?
AS: To me, doing a Mitzvah project means taking on the responsibility to help a girl less fortunate than me, and helping her feel just as thankful as I am.
MM: Can you give us details of your Mitzvah Project?
AS: My aunt Sherri told me about an organization in Israel called the Lev LaLev Fund, which means “Heart to Heart.” It benefits orphaned girls at the Rubin Zeffren Children’s Home in Netanya Israel, which was founded by Rabbi Halberstam in 1962. Rabbi Halberstam lost his wife and 11 children in the Holocaust and spent the rest of his life doing good for others. I decided to set up a Lev LaLev fundraiser for a girl at the home named Mazal. We kind of look alike. The money I raised went towards the extras for Mazal’s Bat Mitzvah —- hair, makeup, a new dress, photos, and for Mazal to visit the Kotel (Western Wall.) The Artistic Academy, a local cosmetology school in Morris Plains, New Jersey that was started by DePasquale Spa, agreed to sponsor my “Day of Beauty” this past spring. They were so generous. The school committed to donating 100% of the fees for services we raised during my Day of Beauty to the Lev LaLev Fund for the orphaned girls. We raised a lot of money for Mazal and I know we helped to make her Bat Mitzvah extra special.
Alana talks Essie nail polish colors with her Mom’s friends Karen, a chef (www.azestforlife.com) who made her Tiffany turquoise Bat Mitzvah cake, and Esther, a religious school teacher, comedienne and Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutor
This beautiful collage displayed at Alana’s Bat Mitzvah service and reception celebrates both Alana and Mazal. It reads, “Mazel Tov Alana” under Alana’s picture, and “Mazel Tov Mazal” under Mazal’s picture
MM: How did you spread the word about your Mitzvah Project?
AS: I invited all my friends and my Mom’s friends to my Day of Beauty and asked those who couldn’t attend on April 9, to give a donation. I also put out flyers at my synagogue and got some beauty clients and donations through that connection. I liked that people weren’t just writing a check, but enjoying something fun while still feeling good about donating.
MM: For how long can people donate to this charity?
AS: There will always be orphaned girls, and there will always be a need for support at The Rubin Zeffren Children’s Home. I will always be taking donations for Lev LaLev or people can donate on the Lev LaLev Website, For more information they can contact: Sheena Levi, Director of Outreach, sheena@levlalev.com, 845-367-7130
We want to thank Alana for sharing this great idea with our Mitzvah Market readers.
Please note: Lev LaLev plans to celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of 17 orphaned girls in Israel on February 18th. If you, or anyone you know, would be interested in helping fund and/or attending the event please go to www.levlalev.com/gala
