Thanks a Bunch

Since I am cooking and dancing and having an overall wonderful time with my beloved family, I will share my new obsession for a quick, easy and inexpensive centerpiece. Cranberries! At about $1.50 a bag, you can put these at the bottom of any vase, grab a bunch of flowers of your choice and add water. Voila! A colorful and quite seasonal arrangement. Not only have I used this for an event at work, but have created multiple arrangements for neighbors and my family.

Have a happy thanksgiving. And remember...

Keep it Sunny! (Gobble, Gobble)

Apples to Apples

Due to the economy, our special event budget has been drastically slashed. While many may see the variety of down sides to this, I have actually enjoyed the challenge of becoming a "recessionista". My most exciting role in the new budget conscious realm is becoming a florist! I meander down the road to Whole Foods, find the best colors in the array of whole sale flowers they provide and work away. I'm sure I look ridiculous on the floor of our small office, but it is a creative process for me and have learned to enjoy it.

Which brings me to the above photo. In late October, I found myself bored with JUST flowers. The color palette included browns, greens and yellows. A true fall combination. So, I considered my options in the Whole Foods flower section. Do I attempt a craft store run? Do I stick with the same flowers, flowers and more flowers? Or do I peruse the produce section?

As you can tell, my eyes went straight for the vibrant granny smith apples and you see the finished product. Playing with the balance of the arrangement was a challenge and I may have incorporated more than one apple next time, but all in all I think the amateur florist is finding her way. If not, the economy should be bouncing back some point soon?

Keep it Sunny!

Getting to Know You...

At a young age, I formed an immense passion for certain Broadway musicals. Guys and Dolls, The King & I, The Sound of Music. I knew every lyric to every song to all of my favorites. I adored Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra in the movie adaptation of Guys and Dolls and really had no idea who they were! The music continued in my head day and night. I blame this on my great grandfather who played the mandolin. He would sit and record the Sound of Music on tapes for me to listen and learn the greatness of Rogers and Hammerstein.

My love for Broadway hasn't died. My new favorites include Avenue Q, Wicked, Spring Awakening and Mama Mia. Oh the wonders of taking yourself out of every day living and plopping yourself into a world of breaking into song and dance at any time of day. That is my kind of world.

So as I was driving in heavy traffic and knowing I would be late on a bright Monday morning to meet a local wedding planner, I found myself humming a childhood favorite, "Getting to Know You" from the King and I. I was so excited to get to know this phenomenal woman who decided to share with me some of her wise words about wedding and event planning. Sitting down with her humbled me beyond belief. After twenty five years of event planning, she has dealt with so many situations and so many people. I admire her. I received some fantastic knowledge about inspiration boards, difficulties in certain areas (photography, wedding cake and music) and the emotions that go into a wedding. This conversation made me realize how much more I have to learn in this industry, but also put a jump start in my passion for planning. Truly because it is one of "My Favorite Things".

Keep it Sunny!

Antique Masquerade

This weekend I had the honor of having one of my best friends come visit me from Washington, DC. She is one of my most absolute favorite people because of her off-the-wall creative and energetic spirit. She can make nothing into something. And I love her for it.


That being said, she was not the happy on Sunday evening. She had the crafting bug and the local hobby shop was just not in the cards for me. Luckily, I delved into the tupperware craft bin that I have accumulated over the past few years and suggested a mask party. And with a quizzical look, my fantastic friend said, "Why not?". And away went the construction paper, the glue, the scissors flying! Per the craft nazi's orders, we were not allowed to make something or someone. The mask was to be made naturally and just come into being. I ended up with a yellow mask with large eyes and curly hair. I was not allowed to call it Big Bird... so being yellow I cleverly called myself Martha Simpson. I need some sort of structure people!

As I looked at our masks, images of Phantom of the Opera swirled through my mind. The mystery and time period of the production is antique and luminous. The darkness, the embroidered gowns, the mysterious candlelight.

There was the idea for my inspiration board. It may have been a round about way, but I got there. In candlelight, gold catches the light in the most complimentary way. Incorporating the antique golds and pewters against dim lighting and candles, makes for a regal affair. In all my findings, my favorite picture I found was photos of past generations on their wedding day. Framed with antique gold and lit with small tea lights, I love that they incorporated the spirit of loved ones who were not able to celebrate the special day with them.

Keep it sunny!

Have A Nice Trip, See You Next Fall.

Down here in the eastern part of the Carolinas, autumn never really spreads it's wings. In fact, it is a cool, crisp 85 degrees today and I have stuck to my guns wearing boots, tights and a dress laden with a nice thick scarf. Sorry, it is October. I refuse to wear sundresses and sleeveless tanks.

While the eastern part of the Carolinas are still hot and bothered, the Appalachian Mountains spread western North Carolina with color, texture and fresh air. On the rare Saturday I do not have any work duties, I try to hop in the car and make the quick three hour drive to Asheville. As you drive over the hill and view the breathtaking mountain scenery, you are immediately relaxed. With local friends, I hike a new trail, visit the sprawling Biltmore Estate or eat some of their fantastic farm to table food.

As an event planner, western North Carolina would be an incredible destination for a wedding. I have, in fact, been to two of them there. They have both been memorable and both involved the phenomenal nature that composes the Appalachians.

Bare with me as I go down memory lane to my favorite wedding...

LINVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA - On a sunny September afternoon (leaves were almost about to change), two beloved friends had a small ceremony in an old, stone chapel in the mountains. In front of 50 family members and close friends, the two exchanged vows emotionally and compassionately. The 'Ave Maria' rang out of the chapel and chills ran up and down my spine. It will forever be in my heart as the intimate ceremony where the couple were able to focus on each other and the nature and people around them. As an event planner, I realize that brides want a lot of things and need the perfect day. Sometimes with all the flowers and the linens and the speakers and "Aunt Edna can't sit next to Cousin Rita", it is hard to focus on the underlying reason that one is having the day all together. But on that sunny Saturday in Western North Carolina, as the lazy summer was on the on verge of a vibrant fall, the simple and serene commitment was the perfect way to celebrate their love.

Keep it Sunny!

Arizona Red

In August, there was a potential opportunity to move to Arizona. Because of my adventurous spirit, I immediately jumped into daydreaming about Arizona. While I've never had a huge desire to move to the Southwest, I formed the image of my life in a small stucco house opening my glass doors with a rich cup of coffee and admiring the sprawling mountains and bright blue skies. The more I researched "El Pais del Dios", the more I became inspired by the rich hues of the land and culture.

Unfortunately, the "big move" never materialized. However, I am still quite fascinated with all things Arizona. The other night I cozied up in my home (sans internet and television...GASP) and settled in to read Travel+Leisure. Flipping through the articles, I gravitated toward the Top Rated Spa's in the world. I scanned down the list and three of the top ten destination spas were in Arizona. I must not be the only one that wants scenic deserts and gorgeous sunsets.

The reds and oranges are perfect for a fall wedding, but I recently found this DIY wedding on Style Me Pretty. It incorporates browns, reds, yellows and oranges that portrays their style as antique and worn with love. It makes me melt!

To sum it all up, I'm still in North Carolina. But a piece of my heart drifted to Arizona and it may just stay there for awhile.

Keep it sunny!

All That Ruffles

As a little girl, I went to a quaint, little ballet studio for dance lessons. One of my nearest and dearest friends will recall our first recital in our adorable white tutus with pink and light blue accents. It was all ruffles and all fun until we were onstage. During the performance, my ruffle adorned friend called out to her "mommy" and stood there while everyone else had flitted gingerly off stage. I still own the VHS to prove her embarrassment...I really should convert that to a DVD. Anyway, we both have come a long way from that ballet class, but I still adore our costumes and the fantastic ruffles that made me feel so pretty.

Pondering the beauty of volume and layers, I created my first inspiration board entitled "All That Ruffles". The main focus of this board is the camellia. Living in the South, this blossom looks angelic in contrast to our quite dull, snowless winters. I am drawn to very full, layered flowers like camellias and ranunculus. The bottom photo in the board is a picture of the Chanel Winter Wonderland Ball last year. They used ALL camellias and it looked spectacular. It's a wonder to me why people do not use this durable and gorgeous flora. Stay tuned for my camellia centerpieces this winter!

The ruffle effect has a romantic feel that can not be replaced. So my goal is to continue to incorporate ruffles not only into my events, but in my life. The dress above is made by an up and coming designer, Carol Hannah Whitfield. She graduated with me from the College of Charleston and it currently on Project Runway. Her designs are fun, flirty and some are even ruffled! That dress almost brings back my memories of my ballet performance...Thanks Carol Hannah!

Keep it Sunny!