Spice up your Christmas with a little Sparkle!

Founder Kathryn Sutton had a vision to bring back the cupcake trend she had seen so popular in the ‘worldwide hub’ for cupcakes, New York City. Having spent the last decade offshore working in some of the most prestigious hotels, Kathryn envisioned a cupcake store offering more than just a place to purchase a cupcake, a place where customers come in for an ‘experience’.  From the décor to the exquisite and personalised service, ‘Sparkle’ is second to none. Nothing is overlooked, from the well thought-out packaging to that ‘great feeling’ customers get when they walk away, cupcake box in hand.

 

This year, Sparkle Cupcakery aims to celebrate and share the spirit of Christmas with a box of Sparkle Cupcakes in festive flavours available right throughout December. Seasonal Christmas celebration flavours include naughty but nice Eggnog with a gooey custard centre, and Belgian Mint with chunks of milk chocolate and peppermint buttercream frosting.

 

Sparkle Cupcakery also offers a new and delightful ‘Sparkle Kisses’ – vanilla bean macarons (perfect for family gatherings during Christmas!) with a touch of bling, cradled together by a chewy white chocolate centre. Classic kiss flavours include Belgian Milk Chocolate, Strawberry Fields, Orange Blossom, Coconut Pandan and Oriental Black Sesame.

 

The perfect Christmas gift idea, both the Christmas Cupcakes and Sparkle Kisses come presented in signature Sparkle packaging, both sure to create an impression, with all the silver glitter trimmings.

 

Cupcakes are priced at $28 for half dozen and $55 per dozen.

Sparkle Wands (6 macarons) are priced at $15, individual at $2.50.

 

 

Sparkle also offers a new in-house T Party, the perfect celebration or anytime treat. Also popular are the baking classes, which have proven a hit not only with kids but adults alike, as well as private parties and classes to hone the skills of the novice right through to the more experienced home pastry chefs.

 

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Fashion for the Boys...

Recently I have come across 2 specialist fashion stores for the boys in Sydney which I highly recommend if you are in the market for something special.

Firstly, I was in the market for some Bow Ties for an event I am doing very soon and a friend kindly pointed me into the right direction of ‘Le Noeud Papillon Sydney’ a business that specializes in making beautiful silk bow ties. The French call a bow tie ‘Le Noeud Papillon’ which translates to ‘the knot of the butterfly’ and its history is derived originally from Croatian mercenaries during the Prussian wars of the 17th Century, who used a piece of cloth to shut close the collar of their shirts. Traditionally bow ties are made of silks and, in the case of formal wear, the bow tie should match the lapel of the jacket. See here for more info:

www.lenoeudpapillon.com

Secondly, I visited ‘Harrolds’ menswear in the new Westfield in the City and was blown away at how amazing this store is, I felt like I was visiting a store overseas in London or Paris. They not only have a superb range of designer brands for men, the service was exceptional! We received drinks alongside sitting in very plush sofas whilst my fiancé tried shirts on. See here:

www.harrolds.com.au

Lastly, here is a great website which features some great ideas for groom’s in preparation for his wedding - http://www.essentialgroom.com.au/

Hope you have enjoyed my recent secrets for the boys! The photos are my 2 fave bow ties J

Love, Kim xxx

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What was said about the 2011 Ultimate Wedding Planning Party!!

In case you missed them, here are some of our favourite links to post event coverage of the 2011 Ultimate Wedding Planning Party. You can gather some great wedding planning tips and tricks from the wedding experts in the know....

Awesome website and blog, Idoityourself:

http://blog.idoityourself.com.au/2011/08/ultimate-wedding-planning-party.html

Did you miss the Inlighten Photography video made prior to the event? It was posted on Polkadotbride, see here:

http://www.polkadotbride.com/2011/08/inlighten-photography-video-series-the-ultimate-wedding-planning-party/

Here are some of Kim Veverka's, UWPP event producer's planning tips on The Knot:

http://www.theknot.com.au/community/blogs/editor-blog/2011/07/28/8-expert-wedding-planning-tips

How about the post event photo gallery and planning tips by editors from The Knot:

http://www.theknot.com.au/wedding-planning/photo-galleries/ultimate-wedding-planning-party-2011

What about the grooms...we can't forget them (As they are helping pay for the wedding after all!!) see here where celebrity wedding planner, Anthony Del Col shares his advice:

http://www.essentialgroom.com.au/grooms-guide/its-not-just-the-brides-day

Check them out!!

Happy Wedding Planning, I am about to get married myself in 3 weeks so wish me luck and don't hesitate to drop me an email (kim@magnetpr.com.au) if you want to discuss anything or just vent your planning pre wedding worries..

love, Kim xx

The true value of Publicity..

What is the true value of Publicity?

This is a controversial issue and many people have differing opinions, in case you may be interested, here is mine…

For obvious reasons, I am passionate about Public Relations and a strong believer that gaining editorial and product placement for our clients as we do every day here at Magnet PR & Events, is a powerful and creative tool for promoting businesses, brands and concepts…..and obviously there is a great demand for this kind of publicity!

I happened to start my career in Advertising and whilst working for Mojo Partners and Young and Rubican found out that Advertising has its place as well. I worked on corporate campaigns for the launch of Telstra.com and many well-known FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) whereby a clever Advertising strategy is paramount. We all catch ourselves saying “Have you seen that dumb AD on TV at the moment for Toohey’s New, where the guy falls into the bath of ice…” just the fact that you have spoken about this to your friend, makes this expensive advertising campaign work in boosting the brand’s recognition to be top of your mind.

PR is editorial based, therefore the client pays nothing to the media to get their company featured. Once a magazine reader has read a story or the TV viewer has seen a show which appeals to them about a topical issue they relate to featuring our clients, they are more likely to buy that product or book in with that expert is featured – therefore PR is more credible than Advertising as you have the journalists endorsement and finds you fit enough to tell the world about.

For newer brands launching on the market, a clever Public Relations strategy is the way forward to launch and generate awareness of that brand. You see journalists love the next big thing, they are constantly on the lookout for new and exciting products/people and stories they can write about in their pages. It’s a clever publicist’s job to get journalists excited about our clients brands and therefore featured amongst their pages. This not only wins big brownie points with clients as it gets their phones ringing, website hits souring and people talking about them. As the years go by, it never fails to make me happy to watch a client’s excitement as I show them an exciting piece of press we have obtained for them. Their confidence grows more and more when they go through the process of being shot for a story or interviewed for an article…PR becomes a pleasurable drug or an addictive substance…once they have a taste of fame, they want MORE!

Magnet PR & Events has produced awesome PR results for many brands over the years, see here for our client base. We worked managing the PR for 5 years with Planet Cake, Australia’s largest couture cake decorating business as well as obtaining over 25 articles in the press for ISCD over a year. We have launched many popular dining establishments in Sydney such as Firefly Bar and Bacco Wine Bar Pasticceria and also the ever so popular Rambutan.

All in all, what some people don’t understand that there is a creative and extremely strategic method that goes into securing good PR for a brand or business and it does not come easy. Therefore we like to work with clients who actually appreciate and understand how the process of securing press for them is actually a fine art to respect and be grateful for. Once we have secured your name in the media, it is there forever, it is the gift that keeps on giving!

Best wishes from PR land….I will leave you with a few examples of some of my favourite PR placements.

Kim xx

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SSM_Nov18_Rambutan.pdf Download this file

Classics.pdf Download this file

Bride to BE_whatshot.pdf Download this file

St Germ_Ok Mag_December 2010.pdf Download this file

The 2011 Ultimate Weddding Planning Party video

Shot and edited by leading wedding and events videography company, Untitled Films, check out our Ultimate Wedding Planning Party video!

 

 

http://www.untitledfilms.com.au/

 

Multicultural Madness- in men who intrigue and delicious cuisine!

I had a recent experience which portrayed to me the cultural differences between men and women, specifically with an ethnic background. I found that men of an ethnic background ooze an aura of charm and confidence, making me question to myself as to whether I am being hit on or just idolised and respected as a woman. Someone that appreciates different cultural cuisines this encounter made me look forward to attend premier Sydney caterer’s the George Khouzame Groups- ‘Masterchefs of Middle Eastern Cuisine’ dinner at the Ivy on October 15, 2011

This group are passionate about sharing and portraying modern Middle Eastern Cuisine and Culture in Australia and 2011 marks their 25^th Anniversary.

A 10 course dinner of the most delicious Middle Eastern Food this country has to offer my mouth waters every time I look at the chefs food images of what they can create. Hosted by the gorgeous Peter Evans, TV personality and chef from the Hugo’s group, and a guest appearance by funny man, Paul Fenech from TV show ‘Fat Pizza’. The chefs who are flying in from their home cities to prepare dishes for us include:

·         Greg Malouf (Momo, Melbourne)

·         Shane Delia (Maha, Melbourne)

·         Joe Barza (international chef from Beirut)

·         Vincent Gadan (Patisse, Sydney)

Word has it that some of the chefs have blown their ingredient’s budget for this dinner to produce entrees such as:

Walnut crusted pork belly, celeriac semolina, fried cauliflower, Tahini - Prepared by Chef Shane Delia

Venison bastourma, duhka quail egg, Japanese mayo, pickled cucumber – Prepared by Chef Shane Delia

I personally am really looking forward to trying the following main:

Moghrabieh with Lamb Cutlet – Prepared by Chef Joe Barza

With modern Lebanese entertainment on the night, cocktails upon arrival using Arak and renown Lebanese winery, Massaya Wines being served all night, the night should be truly incredible!

Majority of the corporate tables are filled but single tickets are $250 each and still available by emailing Najee Khouzame on najee@georgeknouzame.com

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2011 Ultimate Wedding Planning Party Thanks....

The Ultimate Wedding Planning Party 2011, one of the most talked parties amongst brides was a success this year. However, without the various product sponsors at the event, it would not have been possible so we would like to give special thanks to:

·         Cookie Crazy: Cookie Crazy provided mouth-watering and delicious cookies for the gift bags that were handed out to our guests. Their creative hand decorated cookies is a pleasure to see and taste, perfect for any event or when you’re having a sweet tooth!

·         Décor of Distinction: This wonderful company provided chairs and styling assistance at the UWPP. Check out their website for more details on how they can provide various gorgeous furniture and decorations!

·         Press Club Band: This talented and vibrant party band is a definite must at any event to impress your guests.

·         Sweethearts Music: Their beautiful and calming classical music was a sensation at the event, providing an elegant atmosphere to the UWPP. Make sure to invite them to your next event!

·         Sydney Wedding DJ’s: They are the perfect DJ’s at any wedding as not only do they listen to what the hosts want, they also have technical knowledge and experience, as shown by being the DJ’s at various artists such as Guy Sebastian and Rove McManus.

·         St Germain Elderflower Liqueur: St Germain Elderflower Liqueur is the first liqueur in history created in a French manner by delicate elderflower blossoms. It will be the perfect addition to any event!

·         Yarra Burn Wines: Their mission statement is ‘Altitude and style define the very essence of Yarra Burn Wines’ and this was evident in the UWPP. Their delicious wine is provided by the beautiful Yarra Valley which has the perfect conditions to create the perfect wine.

·         Chandeliers to Die for: Chandeliers are an essential to provide that extra elegant and class to any event or venue, at Chandeliers to Die for, their chandeliers are the finest with 30% full lead of sparkling crystal. Their clients include Star City, Westfield, Macquarie Bank and many more!

·         Love Thy Tree: They provide their customers with reputable products and quality service as this was evident with their bags at the UWPP.

·         Fun Booth: Fun Booth is a funky photo booth available to hire as they provide memories of the special night! They are perfect for weddings, parties, product launches, corporate events and more due to their portable and easy set up process with unlimited photos printed within 10 seconds on the night.

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