1 Year Of The Shop: Looking Back

Here we are, dear reader, on the other side of one year of The Shop. 

We took a chance when starting a business venture during the pandemic, and thanks to your patronage we’ve been able to see our hard work thrive. Thanks, again, to the Berkshire Eagle for the very kind words about our venture.

And between the anniversary party, and a roster of events we put together, this weekend was a great reminder of why we do what we love. Here’s a fun recap!

Benefit In Our Backyard

Our fabulous festivities began with a benefit for the Berkshire Humane Society, an intimate event we held in our backyard! We worked with some of our favorite vendors in the area, Mahaiwe Tent for rentals, Marketplace for delicious catered food and Domaney’s for great wines, and Elegant Floral Creations By Amy for the gorgeous floral designs. All in all, a beautiful night from start to finish! 

One Year = Time To Party!

In celebration of our one year anniversary, we threw a party at The Shop all day on Saturday. It was a day filled with celebration specials and giveaways, highlighting the local Berkshire artists who’s work we sell. We also held a raffle, and our winner is Nancy Wilcox. Congrats, Nancy!

Back To The Backyard For A Birthday

One thing we love about living in The Berkshires is that it isn’t hard to find an outdoor location that isn’t already the perfect backdrop for an event, and we’re so lucky to include our backyard into the mix! Having intimate knowledge of the area we’re always able to set it up to it’s fullest potential, and had the pleasure of doing so for not only the Berkshire Humane benefit, but for a wonderful birthday. Check out below more photos from the weekend’s soirees.

Looking Ahead

I might sound like a broken record at this point, but it means the world to us that we’re able to pursue our passions for creating the perfect events for our clients and the Berkshire community at large. Be it through our event planning or our party/event essentials available at The Shop, we ‘re doing what we love and can’t wait to keep it up for years to come. 

See you along the way! 

Happy Year One For The Shop!

It’s our first birthday! Well, not OIMDE itself, but to our retail venture, The Shop. 

Yes, that’s correct. We made a decision during the pandemic to make the move into retail, and luckily the whirlwind of a 2020-2021 has been kind to us. 

Let’s Hear From The Founder

To get a deeper understanding into why the decision was made, I spoke to our founder and shop owner, Oskar Halig. 

Philip: Congrats on 1 year at The Shop! What an accomplishment. Let’s start at the beginning. What’s the story behind the shop, and what was the decision that led to you opening the shop? ​

Oskar: Well, in March of 2020, we all know the event world, and so much else just stopped. We took some time and then started thinking about what we could do. This was the extension of our Paraphernalia Packs to feature the Berkshire Pack. This started in April of 2020 because we had so many friends who made local products that could not find their usual way of selling them. We began offering these online and it was quite a hit!

Then as things started to open up a bit, we noticed there was a great location not far from our office for rent and we decided to go for it. At first we only committed at least in our heads to a year, but were so happy with how well it went and the response we received from both locals and visitors, that we have decided to keep it as part of the Only In My Dreams Events family.  In addition to event planning, we will continue to build our retail shop to help continue to uplift our local community.   

Philip: Did you ever see yourself owning a retail shop before? Was this ever in connection with your Paraphernalia Packs? 

Oskar: ​As a child I played two games - teacher and store- I taught at our local community college for 10 years so it seemed logical that moving on to storekeeping was the next step. I was always setting up stands on the side of the road to sell things to passersby - lemonade, veggies. The Paraphernalia Packs, especially the Berkshire Packs sell very well online, however, people love being able to see them in person. We have noticed an increase in sales across that line from our retail location. Many people see them when they come in and don't come back for a month to buy them, but they know when they need something like that, where to find it. 

Philip: Out of all of Berkshire County, why choose South Egremont? ​

Oskar: Honestly, it's because it's where we live and there happened to be the perfect location available. Having grown up spending lots of time in Egremont, and having lived here now full time for 11 years-  it was the perfect location. Plus, just about anyone heading to and from the Berkshires drives right past our door.  

Philip: It sounds like The Shop has had a successful year 1! Where do you see The Shop headed as you head into year 2 and beyond? ​

Oskar: The Shop has already changed and continues to do so. We started out thinking about being an event themed shop, but that quickly changed to gifts. Then we were lucky to have so many wonderful local artists stop in and offer their goods. We have yet to say no to anyone and would love to continue to increase our local vs. national brands. Also, we have worked with others in the event industry as we can source larger quantities of products at pricing that can compete with some of the big box stores. 

Philip: This is just wonderful, thank you so much for speaking with me! Any final words? 

Oskar: Our true love will always be event planning, and we started the shop to complement those efforts in many direct ways! Thank you to everyone who continues to support The Shop, and we can’t wait for you to see what’s next. 

Micro Wedding & Minimony: Which Is Right For You?

If I were in an auditorium right now and I asked for a show of hands for “Has your life changed since 2020?” I’m certain that everyone would raise their hand. It’s a new world, and a new landscape for many, many industries. 

And it’s no secret that the wedding industry saw a major shift since March of 2020, with it feeling like two years of weddings crammed into one for some in the industry. But another shift that has occured (and still occurring) is the rise of micro weddings and minimonies. 

Due to their much smaller budgets, first and foremost, these alternatives are giving more couples an option to still have a beautiful ceremony that isn’t necessarily so grandiose. 

That said, this isn’t always the case. 

But just what is the difference (if there even is one!), and could it be right for you? Let’s break it down. 

Micro Wedding

A micro wedding is a term you’ve most likely heard first. With a micro wedding, according to The Knot, you’re getting the chance to hold a more intimate ceremony (think of a 50 person guest list) that then gives the couple a chance to focus more on the details vs trying to create an experience for a large group. 

And while this means a smaller guest list, this doesn’t mean a smaller budget. Of course it can, but some couples are opting to use the money which would traditionally mean more attendees to instead mean more experience opportunities for the smaller guest list. 

Minimony 

As fun as a micro wedding sounds, it isn’t always a possibility. And if you’re reading this you’re most likely interested in wedding alternatives that allow for an authentic experience while still keeping a small crowd (for now that is).

This is where the minimony can come in! Often seen as ceremony part 1, a minimony is like a micro wedding in that it’s a small wedding experience, even smaller in scope and guest list than a micro wedding. 

This is an intimate ceremony, shared with your closest family and friends (sometimes by necessity like with our new normal in 2021). This ceremony should stay very simple, and serene. 

In the end, a “sequel” wedding is planned, where the couple can then have a larger more traditional-style wedding when it’s safe to do so. 

Can’t We Just Elope? 

There are so many options/routes you can take when finding the right wedding alternative with your future spouse. Heck, you can even just run off and get hitched if that works for you!

But if you want to have the people you care about in attendance, just know there are plenty of options to choose from. That’s certainly our expertise at Only In My Dreams Events, making sure to pick the best option for your once in a lifetime moment.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: LINEFLAX & ROVING

Cardinale Montano loves The Artist’s Way, a book by Julia Cameron that is celebrated by creative types all over. Over a recent phone call she told me more about why she enjoys the book, “No matter what you do you should keep that creative force...you can even make pancakes creatively!”

That sense of creative electricity is very apparent in her bag line, Lineflax & Roving, a line of seemingly indestructible, and still wonderfully charming, handbags, and the subject of our August Artist Spotlight. 

To learn more about Cardinale and her work I had the pleasure of a phone call with her where she disclosed more about her upbringing, her creative mantras (included what’s mentioned above), and where she sees her work headed next. 

We All Made Things By Hand

Cardinale grew up in a home with a German mother, Italian-American father, and 3 siblings all very close in age. Handwork was very common in the household, with her and her siblings all knitting, sewing, and handworking by the time they were 5 & 6. 

Her upbringing was also very artistic and creative which, like handwork, took root early to blossom throughout the rest of her life and career. 

Cardinale was married and had her children in her 20’s. After becoming a mother, she knew that she wanted to continue to carry sewing through her life and her children’s lives as she made their clothing as well as her own. It was around this time that she befriended Kate Hixon of Hixon Design Consultants in Great Barrington (more on Kate later).

The Shift

In 2014, with her kids grown up, Cardinale had a shift in her thinking. She had previously started seeing where sewing projects could take her as a business, but nothing was ever too formal. At this point she decided to take the leap to see what happens. 

Enter her friend Kate (whom I mentioned earlier). Kate approached Cardinale about a spare room in her office space in GB. She asked Cardinale to, “please fill the space! If anything I want to just hear a sewing machine and know art is being made.”

Artistically, Cardinale began with weaving and hand dying line flax, and roving (where her business’ name was founded). 

Birthed From A Bin

One day, Cardinale found a piece of fabric in a bin that was very functional, and figured she could make a bag out of it. When she showed this to Kate, Kate responded with a very certain, “you need to go with this.”

The fabric is Greenguard Certified Vinyl, the highest level of certification possible for this material. This means the vinyl needs to meet the strictest chemical emission standards. 

And as an added bonus, Greenguard certified vinyl is inherently 100% USA made. 

Cardinale decided her bags should continue with this theme of 100% USA Made, and made a conscious decision to source the rest of the material from around the country.

From here, the bags we know from Lineflax & Roving were born. 

The Rest Is Woven Into History 

With her line of bags proving to be very successful, Cardinale is looking ahead at what’s next. She mentioned to me how in the future she would love to extend the work to artisans locally, so she can free up some time to teach handwork of future generations. 

We talked about how basic sewing, hand skills, alterations, etc, are taught less and less in schools and they are all still very valuable tools to learn (even myself a right down the middle Millennial never had a home economics class even offered in high school). 

As two artists who spent the last year and a half (but who’s counting) we’ve had stuck in our homes, Cardinale and I naturally began our mutual exchange of looking back and what inspiring us to press on. 

For Cardinale, and at large for Lineflax & Roving, one mindset shift in particular has kept her going. 

“You’ve got to maintain that creativity and integrity that you have, and that soul connection you have in everything you do.

“If you can maintain that, you can get through anything.”

Lineflax & Roving is available in person at The Shop in South Egremont, and on her website. 

Vacation In Your Own Backyard (& Someone Else’s!)

Y’all, I did something this past week, and I recommend everyone try it out.

I took a vacation. 

I know, I know, going off for a week where I don’t do anything work related at all, WHAT A CONCEPT. I even *gasp* turned off the notifications on my phone for everything. 

So, yes. It was marvelous, and much, much needed. On top of that, I’ve been wanting to see what there is to see and do in the USA that doesn’t have me shilling out $$$ for an all-expense paid package.

Can’t I just have a vacation in my own (or someone else’s) backyard?!

After this week I can yes, yes, incredibly yes. Let me tell you all about it.

A State Park…In Your Backyard? 

For this two-part vacation, my boyfriend, Dylan, and I first went with his family to Roanoke, VA, to see extended family, take in that muggy mountain fresh air, and just plain relax. And relax we did!

One of the biggest ventures for Dylan and I was taking a hike in someone’s backyard...literally. In Troutville, a suburb of Roanoke, is the Read Mountain Preserve.

Almost 250 acres of forested land, the preserve hosts a 2 mile trail to Buzzard’s Rock, a high point of Read Mountain with gorgeous views (you can see planes fly into the Roanoke airport, a fact that jazzed me up more than I thought it would)!

More recently, a subdivision was built around the entrance to this preserve. So, yes. You have to actually get to someone’s backyard to access the start of the trails in the preserve. Fascinating! 

The trails are very well kept up, but even so I wanted to make sure I stayed safe. So this was a great time for me to take advantage of the Tick’d Off Tick/Mosquito Repellent Salve from Green Branch Urban Farm (found in our Loving Nature in the Berkshires Paraphernalia Pack!). Between that and a healthy amount of sunscreen, we had the best time. 

Back To My Backyard...To Visit A Castle? 

When our time in Virginia was over, Dylan and I had to hightail it back Northeast for a friend’s wedding in Utica, NY. She held her wedding at Beardslee Castle in Little Falls, NY.

It was a gorgeous wedding from start to finish, using the over 150+ year old castle as a stunning backdrop to the ceremony. With a beautiful garden for cocktail hour and an upper hall indoors for the reception, it was an all-in-one experience. And not even two hours from South County! 

Overall, it was a week full of friends, family, and stunning views (more photos below because I had a blast and needed to document everything). And best of all we didn’t have to go anywhere “touristy” or high profile! Just goes to show how much beauty there is to see and how much there is to do in this country. 

So what are you waiting for! Where are you headed this summer?? I would love to hear about it.

Philip

Wedding Gifts For The Couples That Have Everything

You met ‘em, in fact you’ve probably known ‘em for a while, and now you’re invited to their wedding this summer. Sure, their wedding gift registry exists, but it seems a bit slapdashed, and you want to make sure you can make their wedding as memorable as possible. 

Just what do you get for a wedding gift for the couple that has everything? Especially nowadays with many couples more than ever shacking up before they get married, and how couples in general are getting married later in life, just getting a new towel set (or even that new blender) isn’t going to cut it. 

Not to worry, dear reader, that’s why you’re here. Read on for some wedding gift ideas for those seemingly un-shoppable couples! 

A Tangible Keepsake For A Timeless Memory

There are plenty of ways to mark the moment in time of such a momentous occasion, but the hopeless romantic in me just adores these two in particular! 

Capture the Evening’s Night Sky

Over at Etsy, WorldVibeStudio offers a framed snapshot of the night sky at the exact time and location of the couple’s wedding. They also can include multiple “moments” like when the couple was engaged and had their first date, so the couple can look back at the timeline and see what they saw those fateful evenings years before. 

Time Capsule, Wine Capsule

I’m a sucker for the romance of a good bottle of wine, especially if it’s a shared favorite between myself and my partner. For this gift, you can enclose a bottle of wine with two glasses and a note to not open for 365 days. If there’s anything that the couple would love is to relive those wedding moments over again, especially when the sentiment comes from the ones they love. Over at The Knot is a handy guide on how to set up a gift like this. 

Perfectly Pleasant And Practical

Y’all, I might be a hopeless romantic, but I’m also a double virgo. If you can be sentimental AND practical at the same time? Sign. Me. Up. 

No Kitchen Is (Seemingly) Complete Without…

A good knife! When was the last time you changed your knives? Even those couples in their mid-30’s might not have done this since they first moved in (I’m certainly guilty). 

Yes, it’s been said over and over and over that the couples who cook together stay together, but making sure you have the perfectly prepped kitchen can seem daunting. This is easily achievable, though, with only a few staple items! Namely, a good quality knife.

A fav chef of mine, Carla Lalli Music, recently talked about her fav knives on her YouTube channel and recommends plenty for you to choose from so your newly-nuptialed friends can pitch their bachelor/bachelorette pad discount knives and step up. 

Rest & Relax When The Honeymoon Is Over

Honestly, I knew from the start that I had to include this gift, partially because I’m jealous I don’t have this gift more often, and partially because it’s exactly what a couple could ask for. 

Over at The Shop in our Berkshires Paraphernalia Pack collection is our Relaxing and Recovering Pack. With it’s VER Detox Bath and Elevate and Infuse Body Butter (just to name a few), this is perfect for that couple to extend that honeymoon for just a couple more nights, and who could say no to that! 

SUMMER 2021 COLOR TRENDS

If you didn’t already know this about me, dear reader, I live in New York City. And New Yorkers are not necessarily known for their eccentricity when it comes to streetwear. In fact, we love a good all black moment from Monday to Sunday, and have for decades now. 

But that’s pre-2021 NYC for me. As of a few months ago I moved to Coney Island, a pinnacle of amusement and merriment, not to mention an explosion of color. It was then that my NYC world was turned upside down and I got to see the city in a brand new hue. 

And now that we’re in the full swing of summer, I want to take you with me! Read on as I tell you all about the Summer 2021 color trends. 

Bright Colors And Bold Hues

It’s all about bright and bold color staples this season. Monochromatic ensembles and accents are where you want to go this year. Here’s a few colors for example. 

Mellow Yellow

A mainstay of Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2021, the subdued color brings a balance to the brights that are here this season. 

Chartreuse 

From Balmain to David Koma, the color we most often see in tennis balls, is making the rounds this season from full ensembles to lingerie. 

Bubblegum Pink

According to Vogue, Pink dominated the runway from Valentino to Miu Miu for Spring/Summer 21. With that said, who doesn’t love a pop of pink in their wardrobe? 

The Best Summer Trend Of All

You heard it from the trend experts here, you’ll certainly see more of these colors this summer. 

Of course, dear reader, the best trend this summer is YOU! So get out there, and make it a summer to remember!

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT SERIES: FUNCTIONAL ART BY LIZ OLNEY

How have you been this summer, so far, dear reader? The weather has been pretty nice all around, and now that the ocean fire off the gulf coast is under control I would say July is starting off pretty swell. 

This year we want to do something a bit different and shine a spotlight on all of the artists whose work we showcase at the shop. Stay tuned here every Monday for a new interview with a new artist whose work you might already have seen! 

This week we’re talking to Liz Olney, whose line of Functional Art is available year round at The Shop. Read on to get more of a glimpse into her life, her art, and her hope for the future. 

When did you start your work as an artist, and when did it evolve into the work that we see and sell at The Shop? My career as a leather craft-artist began when I moved from the UK to New York in the early seventies. I started working for a very trendy couple that made leather clothing for rock stars. 

I went on to become a handbag designer for various large companies. Alas, as most of the production started moving to China, I decided it was time to create my own business. 

After moving to Housatonic, I was able to become a part of the craft show community in the Berkshires, where I met so many other craft minded friends.

I see you call your work, Functional Art. It’s the first I’ve seen it before. Why did you choose this term to describe your work? I call my products "functional art" because (a) I like to produce functional creations that last for years, and (b) I believe it takes an artist to develop accessories that make people feel good and are confident they are wearing something original and beautiful.

Is there an artist in particular that inspires you and your artwork? One of my most admired artists in the Berkshires is the one and only Crispina French. She is the queen of the Berkshire craft community in my opinion. 

What’s your favorite spot in the Berkshires to tell people about? My most treasured memories are having been a vendor at every single holiday fair in the church she owned with her husband in Pittsfield, "Shire city Sanctuary".

As an artist living in 2021, what is one message you want to spread to the world? My message to the world is to FIND YOUR PASSION!  Making things can definitely bring one a sense of accomplishment, happiness, connection to others, AND keep you off the psychiatrist's couch!

Thank you to Liz for taking the time to speak with me this week, and if you’re interested in more from Liz check out her Facebook, and of course, see what she’s created at The Shop.

Until next time! 

Philip

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas In July

If there’s one seemingly strange holiday that exists its Christmas In July. Is it a holiday? I guess it’s more like a fun concept of sorts. A mental oasis from the increasingly hot days of the summer to think back to when it’s cooler and cozy. 

But how did it get started? Why does it exist?

Was this just some marketing ploy? Maybe it was some attempt from Australia to have all of the winter Christmas fun we get here in the states? Neither! 

Well, dear reader, that’s why you tune in to my ramblings every Monday because I’m here to answer that for you! Let’s take a look back at the history of Christmas in July, shall we?

A Seemingly Snowy Southern Story

The concept of Christmas in July itself began at Keystone Camp, a girls’ camp, in Brevard, North Carolina during the summer of 1933. The camp’s co-founder, Fannie Holt, was known for her whimsical imagination and unique ideas for the camp itself. And the tradition continues today! The girls who attend camp turn their laundry bags into stockings, presents are given out, fake snow is delightfully tossed, and that’s only the beginning. 

As the years went on, the event grew into quite the production. From there, the idea caught on in towns like West Jefferson, North Carolina who are celebrating their Christmas In July festival still to this day.

Join In The Festivities 

So there you have it. From the mind of a woman like no other has become a timeless American tradition that we see from town festivals, to Hallmark movie marathons, to indie pop holiday recordings. 

Have you ever celebrated Christmas In July? This year, we at Only In My Dreams Events invite you to celebrate the holidays with us year round, with The Holiday Shop! 

We’ve transformed half of our space at The Shop to become a holiday wonderland with everything you need to have your own celebration, or even to get a head start on your holiday shopping before any crowds. Check out some photos of the displays below and stop by! 

And with that, I bid you adieu. Until next week! 

Philip

Celebrate Pride Safely And Virtually!

Let me be real with you, dear reader. After the Pride month we had last year, this year has been a complete 180 for so many wonderful reasons, and I would argue the most refreshing is the return to community. We’ve mainly seen this with gay bars across the country opening back up (like Cubbyhole, a lesbian bar in Manhattan and personal favorite of mine). 

But we’re also seeing a greater sense of community virtually. After 15 months of Zoom calls, people have started to become more virtual event savvy, and we’re seeing the benefits of this! Especially for Pride 2021. 

Pride 2021 Any Way You Want It

Here are some ways that you can stay safe and also celebrate Pride either virtually or otherwise! 

Deck Out Your Safety Swag With Pride!

If there’s one thing that we’ve seen a lot of this year, it is the usual June 1st-July 1st selling of rainbow splashed shirts and stickers. And while that can sometimes lead to an eyeroll (I talked all about this the other week), proceeds are often for a good cause, if  the products are not already being sold by an LGBT owned organization.

So grab yourself a rainbow sticker and stick it to your hand sanitizer! Wear your trans flag mask proudly! And if you need any of the above we’ve got that here at OIMDE (100% LGBT founded and owned!). 

Attend A Virtual Pride Event!

A good number of Prides across the country and making sure they hold their festivities virtually. So you can attend NYC Pride, LA Pride, or Chicago Pride from the comfort of your own screen. Also, check out how Pride is being broadcast near you! Chances are a town near you is making sure that Pride 2021 is accessible by all. 

Get Vaccinated, Henny! 

In the end, the best thing that you can do right now to make sure you and your friends and loved ones are safe this year, is to get vaccinated. The CDC is very up to date on everything you need to know to get vaccinated, and doing so will help the country as a whole be one step closer to safety for all. Pride 2021 might be great, but if we can all get vaccinated, that only means Pride 2022 will be that much better. 

There ya have it. Now, go get your pride flags (again, we’re selling them here!) and get out there and have a gay ol’ time! 

Philip 

An In-Person Gala...What A Fantasy!

Picture it. Stockbridge. 2021. 

An annual gala taking place at a prestigious institution and all of the attendees...were together and in-person! 

That’s right, dear reader. Your friends at Only In My Dreams are back in the saddle with planning and producing in-person events, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. Our first major in-person event of 2021 was the Enchanted Gala at the Norman Rockwell Museum to kick off their new exhibition, Enchanted: A History of Fantasy Illustration. 

And in case you weren't aware, yours truly moonlights as drag entertainer extraordinaire, Nancy Nogood, and Nancy was at the gala and able to give you a first hand account of the festivities and the precautions that were taken. Let’s dive in! 

Enter The Fantasy

The entire in-person gala was outdoors, utilizing the expansive grounds that are a hallmark for the museum. The only part that was indoors was, of course, the Enchanted exhibit, and state guidelines were adhered to. 

You entered the gala at the foot of the grounds and were given starting clues for three quests, two written on paper, and one told through QR codes. With these quests the guests wandered through the grounds to various checkpoints, learned about the museum and Norman Rockwell, and enjoyed various food and drink on the lawn. 

At the end of the evening, the guests gathered and cheered for a successful evening of in-person festivities and a prize was given for the best fantasy costume of the evening. As drag extraordinaire I looked fabulous, and was given the prestigious honor of announcing the winner.

Here’s To Many More

And that’s it, friends! If there’s anything that we learned from this weekend, it’s that  in-person events are back and with the right precautions they are here to stay. 

Have any in-person events in your future? I would love to hear about them! Let me know what you’re seeing and how people are finding ways to enjoy themselves in our new normal. And I’ve a couple more photos of the festivities below to give you a taste of what an in-person event from us can look like for you. 

Best Father’s Day Gifts From The Berkshires

We’re here! Another year, another Father’s Day to celebrate all things dad. And if you’re like me or anyone I know you’ll probably wait until the week before and then think to yourself, “meh, I’ve got a few days left before I REALLY need to get the gift.”

Well that was then, and this is 2021. We are waking up and choosing success, and I’m here to help make that happen for you with the best the Berkshires has to offer through our Paraphernalia Packs. Our lines of packs with just what you need for any occasion includes hand picked items locally sourced from the Berkshires. Let me show you what I mean. 

The Stay-At-Home Dad

2020 was a year where parents all over redefined what it meant to be stay-at-home parents. And for dads, this is no different. And for the stay-at-home dad in your life we recommend our best-selling Berkshire Good Morning Pack. With locally sourced Harney & Sons tea, coffee, honey, granola, and more, it’s got everything dad needs to get his day started for everywhere it takes him. 

The Outdoor Dad

Are your father’s day plans including hiking, outdoor lunch, followed by a lovely evening hike? The Loving Nature Pack is perfect for the outdoor dad. The pack includes locally made snacks for the hike, Bees n Blossoms lip balm, and more. Spotlighted in our pack is “Tick’d Off” from Green Branch Urban Farm. An all-natural salve that will keep the ticks off of you all summer long. 

The Grill Master Dad

If this is your dad, you’ve probably already had a cookout or two to kick off your summer 2021. Which makes the BBQing In Our Community Pack perfect for the grill master dad. The pack starts off with a Blue Q apron, and then various grilling accoutrements you can’t go without including the 92nd Street Sauce from Smokey Divas. This Pittsfield restaurant sells their BBQ sauce that will have everyone raving for more. 

The New Dad

Happy First Father’s Day! What an exciting opportunity to get this new dad (or dad-to-be) a pack to help him rest and rejuvenate, when he gets the chance, that is, with our Relaxing and Recovering Pack. With specialty rejuvenating items from VER and Green Branch Urban Farm, this is the new dad gift he might be wanting again and again. 

The Ready For Retirement Dad

And last, but most certainly not least, is the dad who's ready for retirement. If the dad in your life is ready to start this next momentous chapter, the Keeping It Local Pack is a great idea that is also going towards a great cause. This pack is part of our Packs With A Purpose line, where each pack is created with Berkshires organizations in mind. This pack contains hand-selected Berkshires products from local artisans and portions of proceeds from each pack sold goes towards BerkShares, Inc., an organization devoted to fueling the local Berkshires economy. 

Which pack are you interested in? Check out our website for these and our dozens of other packs available for the dad in your life. And Happy Father’s Day!

June Wedding 101

🎶 “For they say when you marry in June, You will always be a bride.” 🎶

I love Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. It was one of my favorite movie musicals to watch as a kid, my favorite was Benjamin played by the dreamy Jeff Richards in his prime, and the song “June Bride” in particular always stuck out to me. 

The song evokes the paragon of timelessness that is a June wedding. But why is that? Why is June the pinnacle time to get married? 

Well, it’s June 1st, dear reader, and I want to find out. Let’s go for it. 

The Month Of Juno

A quick google search will tell you that June was named after Juno, the Roman chief goddess. She represented women and femininity, and in particular women in married life.  

As such, getting married in the month named after the pinnacle of womanhood was traditionally seen as most favorable for any bride. From there, the custom grew. 

Why Have A June Wedding?

But what if that doesn’t matter to you? What if femininity is the last thing on your mind for your wedding? Are there any other reasons to have a June wedding? Yes! 

School’s Out (And Work, Sort Of!)

Practically, June is the start of summer vacation for schools, and generally when people start planning when to take their PTO at work. We’re also more or less around the halfway point from the holiday season, which means your guests are more inclined to have a budget towards a vacation. 

Not Too Hot And Not Too Cold

And weather-wise we’re not quite yet in the dead heat of summer (unless you’re like me and from the South which in this case, good luck). Here in the Berkshires, for instance, the average June temperatures are in the breezy 70’s, which makes for perfect outdoor wedding weather (not to mention we’ve got the perfect outdoor venues!). 

In The End, Why Not?

So there you have it. June has got the receipts to back up why it’s the most popular month for a wedding. Now you might also be factoring in a destination wedding/tourism in another country, or maybe a specific holiday you want to associate your wedding with, and that’s great! 

But if you’re still looking for a wedding date, I say the tried and true June Wedding is one that can’t be beat.

Pride, Parties, And Purchases...Oh My! 🌈

You’re right, the title of this week’s blog is a mouthful! But my mind loves to wander, and as I began writing I went on more tangents than an excited teen talking to the members of BTS (your kids will know who that is). 

Take a trip with me, dear reader, and let’s chat. 

Where Do I Begin? Party Supplies!

Today, we’re talking about sourcing your party supplies. If you’re like me, a virgo, you’re very diligent about sticking to your budget and getting the best deals on your party supplies that are still exactly what you want. So let’s start there. 

There are multiple ways you can make sure that you are making the most out of shopping for party supplies, and still have a wallet to speak of when you’re done. 

One way is shopping wholesale. Just googling “wholesale party supplies” will get you websites like WholesalePartySupplies.com, Oriental Trading, and Koyal Wholesale. Rest assured you’re certain to find a wide range of what you need for your next party and/or event (and Koyal in particular is great for weddings!). 

Another way is shopping locally! An online shopping experience can really seem top notch as it makes the experience very quick and simple, but shopping local brings it to another level. 

When you’re shopping at local vendors or artisans, you’re directly giving back to your immediate economy. And it helps tremendously. You are also building relationships with other members of your community, and planting the seed for future business. 

Your internet browser might bring you to 20 paper lanterns at a great price in an instant, but shopping locally brings you to a person with unique expertise who can help locate just what you’re looking for for your party supplies. And after the 2020 we had, isn’t speaking to another person again just so welcoming? 

And that brings me to...

Shop Locally For Pride

...another reason why I recommend you shop small business. It’s Pride month! And if you haven’t noticed in the past few years, many, many businesses have gotten on the “Pride Merch” bandwagon with their own rainbow t-shirts and mugs and yard signs. 

And while solidarity is appreciated, it often can come off as hollow. Sometimes very much so. It’s called Rainbow Capitalism, and it can be very off-putting, as if the corporation only makes their #LoveIsLove t-shirt until June 31st. What happens on July 1st? Is it more of #LoveIsMeh? #LoveIsAskMeLater? 

Local businesses and small businesses oftentimes send a fuller message with their pride gear. We certainly do, every year! As an LGBT-owned and operated business, and as a certified business with the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, our celebration of our pride is year round. 

So I say, dear reader, why not take a couple more minutes before you purchase that pride tee, and ask yourself, “How far is my dollar going to go?” Is this a LGBT-owned business? If not, are they donating proceeds to an LGBT organization? 

And if you can’t find anyone, we’ve got plenty of pride party supplies to last you until July 1st, and beyond. 

Until Next Time, 

Philip 

Creating an Insta-Worthy Wedding on a Budget

Another Monday, dear reader. Let’s get right to it.

It’s no secret that having an Instagram-worthy wedding is at the top of many a bride’s list. If you don’t believe us, then hear what almost 3,000 couples had to say.

But what about the budget? Surely, these happy couples don’t reach aesthetic goals without shelling out a pretty penny first, right?

They might’ve, but YOU won’t need to! That’s because I’m here to give you a list of essential wedding hacks so you can put more of your money towards the perfect flower crowns.

5 Budget-Friendly Insta-Worthy WEDDING Tips!

The Perfect Venue Is Closer Than You Think - You probably know this already from looking at your bank account, but securing your venue will likely be one of your biggest expenses. Use your network to your advantage! Who do you know with a backyard or property that’s just gorgeous? How about someone with connections to a restaurant with the perfect venue? 

Say Yes To The Dress...For Now! - The wedding dress is a central part to the entire wedding experience for many brides. But what do you do with it when you’re finished? If you only see the dress going to the back of your closet after your wedding (or if you have had your eye on a certain higher end designer) renting your gown is a cost-effective option worth considering. This could also give you more freedom in selecting the gown that fits your ideal look for your wedding. 

Experience Over Gifts - We’re seeing it everywhere that millennials are choosing experiences over purchasing items, and curating a honeymoon that’s just as insta-worthy as your wedding isn’t a low cost venture either. To help with that, have your guests send in money towards your honeymoon (there are plenty of programs online like Honeyfund that could help you) in lieu of gifts. A honeymoon fund can go further than you think. 

Cake Vs Cupcakes - Who doesn’t love cupcakes? Seriously though, wedding cupcakes can prove to be a very cost-effective option. Narrowing down your quantity based off of guests can help prevent leftover cake going straight to the trash at the reception. 

Plan. Early. - This is our last, and most certainly not least, cost-saving tip because this is arguably the most important! Plan your wedding as early as you possibly can. Doing so will help you layout everything you’re wanting for your insta-worthy wedding, and see where in your budget you can shift your money. Wedding websites like The Knot have a wedding budget planner that you can use.

NOW IT’S UP TO YOU

I hope this helps you see your dream of your #instawedding become a reality! Do you have any ideas? I would love to hear your insight in the comments. Also, did we meet yet? I’m still new here but you can read more about me in last week’s blog entry here. 

Until next time! 

Philip

I'm Philip And It’s So Nice To Meet You!

Howdy! 

It’s so nice to meet you, dear reader. My name is Philip Calabro, and I’m the newest member to the team at Only In My Dreams Events.

As you are probably aware, Matt has gone on to live his best vino life in Rhode Island, and I have been left with the keys to the blog. 

I’m also joining the team as our ✨Day Of Wedding Coordinator✨, so if you’re thinking of having your wedding with us, you’ll certainly be hearing more from me!

More About Me

A little bit about me! I’m a Southern transplant (any other Carolinians?) who’s now based in Coney Island, NY after a few life changing years in the Berkshires. 

My passion in life is in both my work as an actor and drag artist, as well as showing the world the power of the human connection. And it’s in that that brought me to work with Oskar and Mike. 

As humans, I truly believe in the importance of coming together and finding connection in community, even more so after the 2020 that we had. And as we move through 2021 in our new normal the importance of connecting can’t be stressed enough. 

What’s Next For The OIMDE Blog

So with all of that said, I can’t wait to meet you here the same time next week, dear reader. I’ll be bringing you the same wedding hacks and wine recommendations you’ve come to know from Matt, but I’ll also be bringing some topics of my own. 

Be on the lookout for more about the Berkshires, definitely some recipes from my favorite chefs, and so much more. 

Have you got any ideas of what you would like to see? Leave me a comment below! I would love to hear from you. 

Until next time!

I Wish You All The Joy That You Can Wish, 

Philip

Summer Fun Wines and Goodbyes

Hello Everyone!

Matt here. Sadly, this is my last blog post with Only In My Dreams Events. The year and a few months that I’ve spent here has been amazing and I can’t thank Oskar and Mike enough for all that they have done for me, but it’s time to move on to different pastures. I’ll be working as a wine associate and buyer in Providence, Rhode Island. So, I thought that a great final blog for me would be about what wines to drink this summer and why!

1. What to look for in a summer White Wine: when the heat is getting to you and you’re looking for the perfect, refreshing glass of wine look for wines with high acidity, light to medium body and dry as a bone. Many wine that have those qualities have a good bite to them and make wonderful to amazing summer dishes like seafood and fattier cuts of meats on the grill. Look for dry Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc or a fabulous and slightly bubbly Albariño. Some of my fave labels are Loveblock Sauv Blanc, Trimbach Riesling, and Burgans Albariño Rias Baixas.

2. Rosé all day babyyyyyy! Whereas most other wines get better with age, rosés are meant to be drunk young. They come from sweet to bone dry, so anyone’s pallet can be satiated by a great rosé. The best rosés in my opinion are on the dryer side and come from France or Italy with some exceptions for fabulous Californian pinks. Provençal blends are delicious as well as some great single varietals like Rosé of Sangiovese or Pinot Noir. A lesser known but equally yummy rosé is made from the Grenache grape which tend to be dry with notes of watermelon, strawberry and bright lemon notes. Some of my fave rosé producers are Whispering Angel, Parallel 45, and Fleurs de Prairie.

3. Reds are a little bit tricky for the summer. Most reds that people enjoy are best in the winter due to their full body structure, deep rich taste and high alcohol by volume. So what if you want a glass of red in the middle of the summer? You’ll want to try to find the exact opposite of your fave winter reds. So for a light body, low alcohol and higher acidity. These three qualities lend to a red that can be chilled and still be delish. Think of Pinot Noir, German Zweigelt, or a light French red like Cinsault. American Cab Francs are also lovely with a bit of a chill. Some of my fave labels are the great Domaine de Chanteleuserie Cab Franc from the Loire, Sancerre Rouge by Henri Bourgeois, and Kutch Pinot Noir from Sonoma.

4. And of course, you CAN NOT forget the bubbly. There are fabulous sparkling wines in almost every wine growing region in the world. Try a great small producer from Les Mesnil in Champagne, fabulous Perle di Piera Presecco, or a beautiful Cremant de Bourgogne from Chateau de Lavernette.

I hope that you all find this to be helpful this summer, and if you ever have any questions feel free to reach out to ENO Fine Wines in Providence, RI and ask for me! Thank you all so much for reading these blogs.

Xoxo

Matt

5 Fun Ways to Celebrate Mom

Especially after the fabulous past year we’ve all had, we are appreciating mom even more than we used to; and Mother’s Day is the day to show her how much you love her. So we here at Only In My Dreams have come up with a brief list of fun things to do to celebrate your mom.

1) Enjoy a virtual cooking class.

Make an elaborate meal for mom by attending a virtual cooking class. Mom can either get in on the fun, or she can enjoy the cooking shenanigans from the comfort of the couch. There are a number of virtual cooking classes available — start by checking out MasterClass, Craftsy, and Airbnb Online Experiences.

2) Make mom breakfast in bed.

An oldie but a goodie, breakfast in bed is a great way for mom to kickstart her Mother's Day celebration. Make breakfast as a family while mom sleeps, then present it to her along with her Mother's Day gifts and a funny Mother's Day card to truly make her day a special one.

3) Host a virtual Mother's Day celebration.

Just because you might not be able to safely celebrate Mother's Day via a large in-person celebration, doesn't mean that you or the moms in your life have to miss out on all the fun. You can host a virtual Mother's Day event via Zoom or Skype and bring the party to mom. You can play a fun game on Zoom, ask attendees to bake or buy a Mother's Day cake beforehand, and have Mom open up her Mother's Day presents in front of everyone.

4) Help mom in the garden.

May is the perfect month for Mom to start prepping her garden for summer. Get in on the action and help mom clean up her flower beds, plant seeds, and spruce up bushes. She'll no doubt appreciate you making some vegetable suggestions as well, knowing they'll end up on a dinner plate in the near future.

5) Sign mom up for a virtual baking class.

If your mom is more of a baker than a chef, sign her up for a virtual baking class on or around Mother's Day. You can either join in on the fun, or give mom the space for her to zen out and enjoy some baking"me time." You search for online baking classes at CozyMeal or MasterClass, or order Mom a baking subscription box from Whisk Takers.

Wedding Toasts: Who, How, and When to Give Them!

When it comes to weddings, there are several people who customarily give speeches or toasts at various festivities surrounding a couple's big day. From the engagement party to the wedding day, there are many opportunities for people to give a toast. If you think you might need to give a toast at some point, you need to know who typically gives wedding toasts, when and where they occur, as well as how to write the perfect wedding toast, no matter what role you play in the wedding celebrations.

How to Write a Great Wedding Toast

Background. Give context by introducing yourself to the room, especially if you don't know the majority of the guests. Even if you do know most of the attendants, this is a good practice so everyone listening has a frame of reference.

Meaningful anecdote. Share some sweet history by explaining to the room how you know the bride and/or groom. Always include both the bride and groom in your speech, no matter whose side of the wedding party you are part of. Share a brief story of how you met and how you came to know the happy couple in their relationship.

Comic relief. It is perfectly appropriate to be funny and include humor in your speech, but not at the expense of the bride or groom on their special day. Keep it light-hearted and universal when it comes to humor in your wedding toasts.

Turning point. Share a moment when the couple knew they were meant to last forever, or a moment when you saw in your friend that he or she had found "the one."

Conclusion. Wrap it up nicely. Always end the speech with a kind wish or blessing for the couple, and raise a toast in their honor.

Tips for Wedding Toast Success

Don't miss these tips for writing and giving a great wedding toast:

Be brief, but not too brief. Your speech should last less than 5 minutes and should be sure to hold the attention of the audience.

Practice your speech. Spend time rehearsing, it's better to speak from the heart than to read off a set of index cards. Practice enough to appear natural, but not perfectly polished.

Be sure to smile. You're celebrating two people who obviously mean a great deal to you, so do your best to keep a pleasant look on your face the entire time. 

Keep it positive. Share stories or memories of the couple together that are happy and positive. This is a joyous occasion, so leave any sad and heart-wrenching details for another time.

Use only good-hearted humor. Don't share any truly embarrassing stories about either individual getting married. If it's something they wouldn't want grandma to hear, it's safe to assume the story is off limits.

Stay away from inside jokes. If a story you'd like to include falls into "you had to be there" territory, it's best to leave it out of your toast so as not to alienate the other guests.

Stay true to who you are. Don't go for an overly humorous toast if you're more of a sentimental type, and don't go for tears if you're more of a funny guy. Be natural and stay true to who you are and to your relationship with the couple.

Use meaningful quotes. Consider quoting a meaningful line from a movie, poem or book in your toast to hit the heartstrings of the fellow wedding guests.

And Finally, Who Should Give A Wedding Toast/ Speech

Best Man: The best man is typically the first to make a speech or toast to the couple at the wedding reception.

Maid of Honor / Matron of Honor: Next up in regards to the order of toasts would be the maid or matron of honor.

Bride and Groom: It's normal for the bride and groom to say a few words to their guests and thank them for coming.

Parents of the Bride or Groom: ​Typically the bride's parents will give a toast, particularly if they are hosting the wedding. The groom's parents may also give a toast.    

It's an Emergency!!! What to Pack for Wedding Emergencies!

A lot of us have been there. It’s an hour before the ceremony begins and something goes wrong. It’s as though it’s an unspoken rule: some little emergency MUST happen on the most important day of your life. So if you’re getting married, be prepared and pack an emergency kit for both the bride and groom, you’ll be thankful you did. But what do you pack in an emergency kit? We have the answers for you!

While it may seem superfluous to pack all of the following, you never know what’s going to happen so make sure someone close to you has the following:

• AA Batteries

• AAA Batteries

• Candle Lighter

• Cleaning Cloth

• Duct Tape

•  Scotch Tape

• Flash Lights

• Hammer/Screwdriver

• Hole Puncher

• Markers

• Nails

• Pen

• Post it Note

• Notecards

• Scissor

• Sewing Kit

• Shout Wipes

• Stapler/Staples

• Super Glue

• “Swiss Army Knife”

• Tacks

• Trash Bags

• Pack of Thank You Cards

• Guest Book

• Champagne Flutes

• Cake Cutter

• Umbrella

• Pack of Place Cards

• Pack of Escort Cards

• Pack of Kleenex

We’ve been around for so many weddings, and we’ve seen what is necessary to have so you can be certain your day is going to go off with out a hitch! All of the above items are important to have around. You might not think you need them but, you very well could, especially the ones we’ve highlighted in bold. These are some of the most useful, but also most forgotten items needed for any bride or groom. Only In My Dreams Events knows this all too well, and have put all of these items together for you, so you aren’t running around like a chicken with it’s head lopped off the day before the ceremony. Check out the General Pack and the Wedding Pack on our website to pick one up! We know you’ll be glad you did1