Why go get an hors d'ouerve when they can come to you?

These live food station were another innovative concept we experienced at the final night of The Special Event Gala and Award Dinner.

Special Events

The Special Event in San Diego has been not only educational with classes and seminars, the trade show and progressive products are just amazing. This is just a quick example of a good quality product that can be used as a ring barer's box.

Check out this other cool thing, it is water that blasts thru a thingy something a rather and creates this 'steam wall'. You can project your name, initials, logo, etc thru it.

More info to share stay tuned.....

Santa Barbara International Film Festival

the last week in January typically creates a BUZZ in this small California town with the SBIFF. Last night was no exception.  I had the opportunity to attend Penelope Cruz's Tribute.

We were guests of a pre-party sponsored by Chopin Vodka.  We were guests of a pre-party sponsored by Chopin Vodka.
The venue (the courtyard alongside the Arlington Theatre) mimicked the classic black and white bottle with contemporary decor wisely dispersed around the lounge. Black and white horizontal thick stripes dressed the walls of the tented courtyard. Chic white couches, ottoman and lamps were strategically placed in the lounge, with touches of black accents, mirrors, plates, etc.

The after party took place in Summerland at a business located on Ortega Hill overlooking the Santa Barbara lights and Pacific Ocean.  Bella Vista Designs presence with uplighting the foliage, draping a dance room, the light up bar were once again well placed in the space - just like his work at the Arlington for the pre-party enhanced the venue and space.  Classic Party Rental's ottomans and brightly colored linens were spread throughout the lawn covered with sufficient heaters in order to keep us warm with the cool beach breeze.

Overall the night was a lot of fun, and a huge success.  My favourite part, the Jaqua Girls' gift bag that contained this lipgloss ring.  

Jaqua has great products for bridesmaids, giftbags, flower girls, family and favors.  The best part - They are local!

What a great night!

MLK Weekend....

For those of you who do not know, I am an avid snowboarder.  I've been up in Mammoth for the past couple days having an absolute BLAST!  

Okay, so maybe my friend should have done a better job on the video, but hey, she's not a pro.  Here are a couple pics.

Montecito Country Club

photo bbphoto.com


The other day I got an email from Clair at The Montecito Country Club that they are looking to book more events in March and April. If you know of anyone wanting to do an event then, they are willing to work with them to book their date.

I love the venue location, view, staff the whole works!

- photo booths -

I have multiple resources where I can stay current and competetitive:

• I meet a lot of people and vendors thru associations and trade shows
  
• I read trade magazines
  
• I peruse thru wedding magazines
  
• I am constantly on line looking for new ideas and vendors. 

However, where do my favorite teachings come from?

Answer, my clients.  

For example, I a helping a bride for her July wedding and emailed her a few options for photo booths.  She found these photo booths that I think it are unique and classy from Capital Photo Booth...

Great party favors for kids

I am in the midst of planning a Bat Mitzvah for a client. I have been researching a unique gift for this carnival themed event, which will be to the linking of teenage boys and girls alike.   I found these and thought they are absolutely great! Affordable too.

La Pacifica Ballroom for your Event

One of my top experiences that I am grateful for is to be a Four Seasons Company Veteran. With a reputation of comfort and service that surpasses none other, I have taken with me concepts and beliefs that contributes to the company's huge success. I remember sitting in ballrooms on a number of occasions and listening to Isadore Sharp (the founder of the company) share with us his story, vision, dreams, failures and successes.

Last November rejuvenated my inspiration when the Four Seasons Biltmore hosted a wedding planners luncheon for about 5 dozen local planners to experience the unveiling of the newly enhanced La Pacifica Ballroom.

Not only was it great for me to see other planners that I have not connected with in ages such as Ava Caroll Brown, Mary Litzinger, Jackie Blackwell, Kerry-Lee Dickey, Cori Lassahn, Alexandra Kolendrianos and many others; I felt treated like a princess. The service as you would imagine impeccable, the food absolutely amazing with a cold chilled tomato soup and melt in your mouth seabass cooked to perfection. The wonderful Four Seasons Catering team, led by Kirsten VanBrunt.

Check out this brochure to see what miracles you can create here. This room is it's own building so you don't have to go thru the hotel, has a stunning view of the Pacific on the ocean front terrace, wall to wall windows encompassing an art deco room which can hold up to 200 guests.



My rating to have your event at the Biltmore, hands down is a solid five star.

"When the going gets tough, the tough get educated"

“When the going gets tough, the tough get educated” is this year’s theme for the ISES (International Special Events Society) Convention taking place in just a few weeks.

It’s been a daunting task to enroll, much like my college registrations back in the day. The cost to attend, finding a hotel, figuring out what seminars to sign up for, and the biggest is being away from the office for five days straight. Not to mention the fact that there are thousands of people attending this week long convention, GULP – that’s a lot of people to meet and network with.

Now that I have done it, I am so thrilled. I feel like a kid nearing the end of summer break before the new lass year begins! I cannot wait to immerse myself into a myriad of knowledge and experience so that I may learn and enhance the company.

I’ve enrolled in classes for design, wedding specific, bat/bar mitzvahs, business, advertising, and non-profit events. In lieu of my previous blog, I have also enrolled in a blogging class they offer.
There will be an exhibit hall of over 300 vendors presenting unique and distinct ideas and products based on their trade – florist, caterers, designers, lighting, entertainment you name it.

I am anxious to learn and implement my newly gained knowledge into my life.

New Year's Resolutions -

WOW - we are one week into the year and already I feel as if I've been ordered, shipped, delivered, received, wrapped and shaken a few times before being torn out of the wrapping paper.

If the last seven days are any indication of what my life will unravel in 2009 I am absolutely tickled pink! - trust me, I am not complaining, things could be worse, much worse.

I spent my New Year's Eve with friends I met when I first moved to California A DOZEN years ago. It was bitter sweet. One night we reminisced about the old days, laughed, told stories - and then the next day we heard the news. The Golf Club, which was part of the Resort that brought us together originally, shut down  after dozens of years of service to the North San Diego County community.

I am grateful and bewildered each day. I live in such a glorious place, and have a job that is like recess to me.  Then I hear about what chaos is happening all around us and the rest of the nation.  I recognize the impact of today's devastating economy.

I empathize with the challenges today's employees and entrepreneurs alike are facing. Collectively the words that I hear and the sentiments that I feel are the same – we are all maneuvering back to basics!

What I do for a living has consistently paralleled facets of my life. I realized recently that the advice I give is advice I should take for myself.  

2008 for me (the last quarter at least) was such a roller coaster. I instilled the “Keep it Simple” motto. This is advice I constantly give my clients. I am not talking décor, furnishings or anything physical. I relish creativity and existing outside the box!  I am talking about organizationally keeping it simple – connecting with vendors that create a smooth planning experience, not over-thinking things that are out of your/my/our control, having a well laid out plan before gunning out of the running gates, simple stuff!

With the above success, I surrendered to taking to my advice:

This year, 2009, is about “Baby Steps”.  

Maybe I am at that age, however, in the last year or two I’ve become Auntie to several of my friends’ newborns. Can you guess what their comments are about their rug rats? “They grow up so fast!”

I don’t think so, as an outsider they are boring unless you see the progress a few weeks later. That must mean that they do it in a progressive, well thought out way. There are hundreds of things that happen or a baby does before getting to the first step.

Let’s learn from the “wee masses”. We all need to take it step by step and reach obtainable goals – just like in planning an event. It takes a little bit of progress every day and support from your team or loved ones to put a celebration together.

This brings me to one of my Professional Resolutions. Instead to committing to a BIG STEP of blogging daily, which is where I strive to ultimately reach. I have set the bar to committing to blogging weekly, that way it is obtainable, I can reward myself when I do it, and I will enjoy it.

Phew!  Resolution one check!

Stay tuned to next time!

To a wonderful year! I am so excited to be on board with such wonderful people and embraced by a supportive community.