Wish I Were...

Here:

Wearing This:

Driving This:

To go get some of this:

Images courtesy: Dress from Sohomode's Etsy shop, and Gelato from Sugarcookiebrooklyn

Let There Be Light

There are so many spectacular things you can do with lighting to really make your event shine.  I've seen some beautiful examples of how deep shades of purple, bright reds, crisp blues, etc. can really transform a room.  However, my favorite is a clean, soft, white light.  It can really make the other colors you're using pop and, if done the right way, can cast a lovely glow on your guests.  Here are some of my favorites (okay, a lot of my favorites) from TheKnot.com.

Strung lights twinkle, are relatively inexpensive, and allow your guests to imagine they are sitting under the stars.

Globe lights are fun and somewhat whimsical.  One of these reminds me of dining under lots of big white moons.  Can you guess which one?

Candles, who doesn't look good in candlelight, so natural.

And finally, chandeliers, so lovely...

Preston Bailey Topiaries

I have been a fan of Preston Bailey's work for some time.  His weddings and events are extraordinary, spectacular affairs that are such an inspiration for a young planner like myself.  His background is in floral arrangements and he is well-known in the events community for his large floral topiaries.  These pictured below are just a small sampling of the work he's done.  I would encourage you to check out his website for better images and more scenes from parties he has created.  He is a true master!

Preston Bailey with Dog

Sunflower and fern pineapples

Peacock

Another Dog

50th Post!

I toyed with a lot of different ideas to celebrate my 50th post.  But ultimately, I opted to share this sweet ring from Catbird found via A Cup of Jo.  As stated in previous posts, small and delicate jewelry is my weakness.  This ring would be perfect for a special friend, mother, or significant other for the upcoming holiday.  Also, since traditionally, the 50th anniversary is called the Golden Anniversary, the ring is perfect for my 50th post.  The first 50 were fun and came to me pretty easily.  However, now that I am attempting to revitalize my event planning career, I will make a serious effort to focus more on sharing creative and exciting ideas for your next big event!  (Of course, I'll sprinkle in a few personal notes as well, those have become my favorite to write:)  Thanks again for following, I love the comments and appreciate the enthusiasm over this latest creative endeavor!

Born to Run

I've recently been convinced I should start running again.  And although this has been on the back of my mind for quite some time, I continue to make excuses not to do it.  However, if all goes as planned, tomorrow morning I'm going to bite the bullet and just do it (how'd you like that sports reference?  see what I did there...yes I make bad jokes, often.)

Anyway, my plan could definitely be derailed by a few things, mainly, how late I get in tonight (we got free tix to the Rangers vs. Penguins game!)  Or maybe my snooze button working too well, my running clothes are "at the cleaners," my shoes fit funny, the fact that I'm taking up a sport in the middle of cold January in NYC, etc.  However, I'm betting if I had a pair of these bad boys (see above), I wouldn't make so many excuses.  I am not, have ever been, or will ever be a jock.  I've tried just about every sport offered to me but my reasons for doing so were not entirely honorable.  I wanted the uniform!  For me, as long as I can remember, if I have the gear, it doesn't matter how well I play.

* It should be noted that tennis is the only exception to this rule I've found.

So tomorrow morning, when I'm strapping up the laces to my 3 yr old lowly Asics, I'll motivate myself with this plan:  If I can keep this up for a month, maybe I'll get the Mizunos I've always wanted to try (pictured above) and these cute matching shorts from Nike.  Wish me luck, for fashion's sake of course...

No More Guessing Game

Evite's drink calculator is a must for your next party.  When hosting an event, figuring out how much alcohol to buy is always a difficult thing to gauge but this useful calculator makes things much easier.  I'm thinking it would be so helpful for those upcoming Super Bowl parties!  Even if you're not doing an Evite for the event, you can still go onto their website and use the calculator.  Thanks Evite!

Too Pretty To Eat

I was searching for event planning inspiration today and I came across this cake from an Arizona couple's vintage themed wedding.  The cake was made from a recipe of the groom's grandmother and the icing was done by the bride's aunt.  I love that so much of this couple's wedding included their family.  Wouldn't this cake be perfect for Valentines Day?  I'm sure it tastes just as sweet as it looks!

Thank you 100 Layer Cake for the gorgeous images and inspiring ideas for a young event planner.

Early Morning

Typically, I moan and groan and don't get up until the very last second=not a morning person.  However, I didn't have that option today due to an early meeting but when I walked down my apartment steps I realized I didn't care one bit.  The early mornings are something I rarely experience in NYC but when I do, I'm always glad.  Today started cool and crisp with just the right amount of sunshine coming up.  The birds were chirping and the only people out were cute kids running to school buses (something I unfortunately miss during my usual 8:30 commute.)  And now, at only 10:30am, I've already completed most of my to-do list.  Maybe I'll try this more often...give my snooze button a rest.


Image from Amanda Charlotte.

Sinks with Skirts

I've always really liked the look of pedestal sinks with a skirt.  However, I've only recently been afforded the opportunity to try it.  My current studio is lovely, however the bathroom is...not.  There's little to no storage and the pipes are as exposed as they can get.  Since I rent, there's not much I can do about this eyesore.  But a skirted sink would do just fine for the moment.  Below are a few of my favorites to work from.  And above is a sketch I did to get started.  Any you like?

And someday, when I make my millions :), I won't have skirt sinks to worry about and this is will be the bathroom I'll enjoy...have I ever mentioned I'm a bit of a dreamer??

Images courtesy of Ballard Designs, Velvet and Linen, and Eddie Ross.

A tad uninspired...

...that's what I am today.  Apologies for not writing in a few days but I just haven't had it in me.  I blame it on the cold weather.  Each year around this time, I get a little down in the dumps.  Not that I haven't enjoyed 2010 so far, New Year's was a blast, followed by a short spontaneous trip out to Montauk, ice skating in Central Park, lots of football, and some fun birthday dinners for friends.  Maybe this post will get me going with the writing again.

Another blog I follow features a yearly travel log of all of the writer's trips.  And although my 2009 trips were certainly not as exotic and exciting, I thought it might be fun to do the same.  So for my first post this week, I'm copying someone else.  There, I said it.  Can't be original today.

My 2009 trips included and not in this order:

Alys Beach, FL

Bantam, CT

Barbados
Boston, MA
Carillon Beach, FL
Coney Island, NY (haha)
Grayton, FL
Greenwich, CT
Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Nashville, TN

Philadelphia, PA
Rosemary Beach, FL
Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Seaside, FL

Who knows what places will end up on 2010's list!  Maybe here?!  How's that for inspiration :)

The Pioneer Woman

Okay, this was bound to happen sooner or later.  My blog crush is now exposed.  She is, da da daaaa....The Pioneer Woman!  I happened upon The Pioneer Woman one day while googling food blogs.  And I've been obsessed ever since.

Someone (who shall remain nameless,) has asked mockingly if she is my idol.  Well, idol is a strong word but I can't help but admire what she has accomplished, (and her pretty red hair.)  Her story intrigues me and I can't get enough.  A bonafide "city girl," Ree Drummond was out with friends at a dive bar one night in her hometown right before a big move to Chicago, when she met and fell in love with her "Marlboro Man."  This affectionate name refers to the cowboy who would later become her husband and remove her from her comfort zone of stillettos and sushi to his ranch in the middle of nowhere Oklahoma.  Years later they have four adorable kids who know nothing more beautiful or important than working  the land they've grown up on.  And most recently, she compiled some of her most fantastic, drool-inducing recipes into a cookbook and embarked on a large book tour across the US.  Her blog covers all of her experiences and when she went to Davis Kidd Booksellers in Nashville, I wept quietly at my desk that I couldn't go meet her in person (okay not really, but man, what a bummer!)*

Here's where it gets good...

My mom picks me up from the Destin airport for Christmas and tells me that she had wanted to buy a signed copy for her friend who also happens to be a Pioneer Woman fan.  She tells me the whole story about going down to Davis Kidd, checking to see if there are any leftover signed copies - no luck - meets with her friend for lunch (Davis Kidd also has a cafe) who has already bought the book, (don't those kind of people drive you crazy!)  And then, as they're leaving, the salesperson shows up with a signed copy!  Oh well, too bad her friend already had one.  At this point, I'm no better off than when she first started the story. Seriously, I had no idea that sitting under our little beachy Christmas tree, was my very own signed copy of the cookbook.  Ahhh, moms just know sometimes don't they?

So far, I've only attempted one recipe which I adapted slightly.  I've never had meatloaf or even wanted it honestly.  But when I saw it beautifully photographed through each step in her recipe, I decided to go for it.  Plus, now that I'm dating a midwesterner, it was gonna happen eventually.  I switched the ground beef for ground turkey and the bacon to turkey bacon and wha la!  Turkey loaf!  Mashed potatoes and peas were also present at this occasion.  After shovelling down seconds, my midwestern man said it was the best meal I'd made yet.  Woohoo! Success!  Thanks Pioneer Woman, keep it up!  Us city girls need all the help we can get :)

*It should also be noted that she had two, count them, TWO booksignings here in NYC and I didn't get over to meet her!  I guess my idol worship was being tested and I failed miserably.

Remembering

Lately I've been asking my friends and family for their thoughts on my blog.  And I keep getting the same responses.  "Not personal enough," "we don't see you in it,"  "no personality."  Really?!  I was so shocked.  I thought my witty, lovely, personality was so obvious (okay, being sarcastic here.)  But I decided to listen instead of just getting defensive.  So I'm going to push myself to get a little more personal or at least relax my writing style a little, my goal with this blog is not a Pulitzer...

This post might be taking the "personal" thing a little too far but hey, why not jump right in and go for it?  A year ago tomorrow my grandaddy passed away.  He was a wonderful man and I am so lucky to have spent the time I did with him.  When I was little, he'd pick me up from school on Fridays and immediately take me to the McDonald's in their little country town outside of Nashville (I didn't say he was a healthy man.)  He knew every waitress there and they all loved him.  He had the most endearing charm and charisma of any man I've met.  With a full head of beautiful shiny white hair (which he held onto long after most men his age,) he'd saunter over to the counter, give the girl a wink and we'd get three happy meal toys instead of one.  This was a big deal to me, it made him an instant hero.  This kind of behavior didn't mean he was in any way unfaithful to my grandmother, he adored her.  I remember being a teenager and watching the two of them walk back to the house after putting bird seed in their bird feeder.  They didn't realize we were all watching inside and he grabbed her hand and they both smiled as they walked closer.  It struck me as one of the most romantic moments and it has stuck with me thankfully.  There are many memories that I could share but I'll hang onto those for now, this sharing thing is making me a little sad tonight and as I've said before, that's not what this blog is about.

In addition to sharing some personal stories, I'm going to do something else surprising, I'm going to share my picture!  Whoa!  Yea, get ready!  At right is an image from this past fall.  KTW melted my heart one sunday afternoon and took me to pick apples and pumpkins.  It was a beautiful fall day, sunny but crisp. I knew when I walked out the door just what I needed, my grandaddy's scarf.  After his funeral last year, we went back to their house.  I was told to take what I wanted but at the time, all I wanted was this scarf, I like to think he's keeping me warm when it's cold out.  And you know what?  That day in the apple orchard, I held hands with KTW and smiled, a lot.

Love at First Sight

Look what arrived today! Isn't she is beautiful?!

Inside and out...

I love my first piece of Le Creuset and I know that because this is the first piece in my collection, it will always hold a special place in my heart. Some of you may not understand a love like this and I feel very, very sorry for you. (Just kidding!)