Design Inspiration

Mad Hater Tea Party

Now that I finally watched the new Alice in Wonderland movie (very fun and fantastical by the way), I thought I should post these pictures I took at Bloomingdales of their marvellous Mad Hatter's tea party table setting.


You can use this theme as inspiration for a bridal shower, birthday party, baby shower or even just a fun summer tea party.


The graphic black and white printed linens are a fun contrast with the bright pop of color on the napkins and mismatched floral china. I also love the clear glass apothecary jars with cake displayed inside like a specimen under examination-Tim Burton would approve.


Hanging tea cup, stacked tea pots and cups as centerpieces, along with a house of cards and a topiary plant with a Cheshire cat cutout...the possibilities are endless with this event theme.

My favorite lines from the film, "I like to think six impossible things before breakfast" and "The very best people are (mad)" should incourage you to try to incorporate some of these unique, whimsical ideas into your next event, and feel free to take your guests down the rabbit hole even further wherever your creativity leads you. Anything goes for a Mad Hatter's tea party inspired event; The wilder and weirder, the better!

Signature LA Direct Magazine release parties

We gladly accepted an invitation to attend Signature Magazine's latest issue release party (for the Sex Issue) on February 5th with the promise in the invitation that it would be the "sexiest event of the year". How can we say no to that?


Me with former coworker/current Smaknews Editor, Gina Mom.

Unfortunately, all it offered was an entrance into a club and an excuse to go out with your friends. No magazines to be found or special event elements such as lingerie clad dancers/servers or even anything as simple as sensual imagery projected on walls. But we made the best of it and danced for a while before heading out.


Us leaving the mirror like hall that you pass coming in and out of the club.

A bit of a dissapointment production-wise (Signature's crowd is always pretty cool), but we were glad to see an invitation for another release party February 20th at Delux which was being produced by Vita Luna Group.


I was glad to see this bookcase with copies of the new issue as soon as we walked in. Also there was a hosted vodka bar the first hour and horderves passed from time to time. Definitely an improvement from the last party. Maybe the first really was just an excuse to go out?


Me joined by Seng, designer of the super chic women's wear line Georgie, Mel the mastermind behind many websites, and Leila from Laga Handbags (beautiful, unique handbags for a great cause, please support them).


For more info on Laga's cause go to www.laga-handbags.com


Me with a group of friends, including Vera designer and owner of Verameat jewelry (holding the magazine). Her stuff is amazing! Must see: www.verameat.com (You will love her smart, ironic designs like Paint the Town Red, below.)


All in all, a fun night of friends and fashion (though I still have yet to meet the editor of the magazine, Hellen Kay). Hopefully for the next event we can meet the people responsible for this beautifully photographed and well edited fashion and luxury lifestyle magazine. Maybe a little more formality, such as a short speech from the editor to introduce the new issue and concepts they worked on would be a welcome addition to the next event? Just a thought. Us event planners never turn our brains off party planning mode! You all should definitely pick up this issue; it's extremely sexy as promised!

Bizbash's Winter Bicoastal Issue Party

We were invited to the Winter Bicoastal Issue Party and had a fabulous time! Look out for me and fellow wedding planner Katie Lee in the upcoming Bizbash magazine ;)



On the computer, of course, Gina Mom, Editrix of Smaknews.com came with me to enjoy the festivities and mingle with the event industry's best including the fabulous President of Bizbash, Richard Aaron. Check her site out for some great gossip, celebrity news, and important women's issues- www.smaknews.com and stay in the loop by joining her legion of fans on Twitter- follow Smaknews!


Gina and I in the cool, color changing Igloos from Town & Country rentals.





Us in the 360 photo sphere pictures: a fun, new take on the photo booth concept where a group of people are photographed at once inside a room.

The flowing drinks, appetizers, live music and aerial performance all added to the festive flair of the night. Another job well done for Richard! Thanks again for the invitation and amazing time.

Don't forget to visit the next Bizbash trade show if you are in the industry or looking to be inspired for your next event! Details for the Bizbash Expo can be found at www.bizbash.com.

MasterChef audition in LA

So my lovely followers, I have been away from my blog for a while being busy working on my audition for a new cooking reality show, working full-time, and the madness of buying our first house (with my first big kitchen; finally I'll have some space to cook!). But I promise to be in touch more often!

Here I am with two of my "fans"/good friends who came out to support me at the MasterChef audition, which I decided to try out for to share my passion for cooking with the world.


And for those of you curious about the dish I cooked up, here's the picture of my dish (minus the extra cilantro I placed on the albondigas soup spoon and on top of my jimaca slaw when I presented it to the judges, which I left off when I quickly took this picture before the audition).


Pictured Above: My Abuelita Ceci's albondigas soup, mom's pork tamales with salsa verde, and a colorful, refreshing jicama slaw to balance the taste of all the spicy flavors of the soup and tamales. Hope you like my presentation!

I'll make sure to share our secret family recipes in the next post, so you can prepare these amazing, authentic Mexican favorites from scratch for your familia.

Also, keep you posted on what happens with the audition if I get any news. Wish me luck!

Thanks so much to all my friends, family and husband for supporting me on this journey.

Designer spotlight

1. Jobyna's Bridal by Ines Di Santo

I was thrilled to be invited to attend the unveiling of the new Ines Di Santo bridal boutique at the Americana yesterday evening. An opportunity to meet the fabulous designer, gorgeous gowns on display, a rooftop candlelit after party, poolside fashion show, and champagne flowing-what more can you ask for? Brides-to-be, this is a boutique you will definitely want to visit!

Feathers on the train and detailed bodice-Divine!

So romantic, elegant, and sexy. Ines knocked this one out of the park!

I hope you enjoy shopping for the most important day of your life at Jobyna's Bridal and get inspired browsing through the jaw dropping dresses by Ines Di Santo. Check out their websites to see more for yourself!

http://www.jobynas.com/

http://www.inesdisanto.com/

Event Design Inspiration

2. PopFlowers (Handmade synthetic flower arrangments)

So you are planning an event but you or a guest is allergic to flowers? Do you ditch using flowers in your centerpieces? If you love flowers, I say no! Check out PopFlowers with their colorful, synthetic bouquets that are dirt resistant, hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and have easy to mold wire stems for molding into varying arrangements they are the perfect subsitute for the real thing. I'd recommend this choice for a no-fuss wedding or event where you don't want to worry about the flowers wilting in the sun. They can even be raffled off or given away to one guest at each table at the end of your event for an extra surprise. They add a whimsical feel to your event and can be reused for a future celebration.

Beautiful Iris and Lili mix bouquet: $52.oo, Pink baby green mix: $32.00 (great for a new born baby gift too for hospitals where they don't allow fresh flowers), Poinsettias in a silver pail: $36.00 (Use them at your Christmas dinner or as a hostess gift)

Try these adorable Make-Your-Own kits for a fun birthday party activity at your child's next spring or summer time birthdays. ($22.95/$17.50 each)

www.popflowershop.com/

Busy summer of weddings

I've spent the summer so busy with weddings that I haven't had a chance to sit still and blog about them! Here's a brief recap of my favorite moments and ideas to get you inspired for your upcoming wedding or special event. :)

One wedding I enjoyed working on was a unique equestrian themed wedding complete with personalized menus and invitations with a horse silhouete motife designed by Katie Lee from Bella Destinee (whom I frequently assist with her beautiful upscale weddings). Katie incorporated their love of horses into every aspect of the wedding including a white picket fence box filled with grass where horse shaped lolipops were placed holding the escort cards for each guest. The location was also well picked at Calamigos Equestrian in Burbank with the wedding ceremony set up in a u shape on the lawn with horse stables in the background. Kerim from My Wedding Blooms made a fabulous nature inspired arch at the entrance of the ceremony and stenciled large shapes on the ground with flower petals. It was a beautiful sunny day for this equestrian themed wedding!

Check out my friend Katie at: http://www.belladestinee.com/
Don't forget to contact Kerim for a quote on his beautiful floral creations and look at his website for pictures of the floral decor I mentioned above: http://www.myweddingblooms.com/

Me and my good friend at her milangi, pre-wedding ritual ceremony.

Another of my favorites was my good high school friend's wedding in the outskirts of New York. I helped her coordinate the Indian wedding ceremony which consisted of 24 bridesmaids and groomsmen including junior bridesmaids and groomsmen, two adorable flower girls, and a tiny tot pulled up the aisle on a wagon carrying the rings on a pillow.

The large wedding party awaiting the bride

Gorgeous tropical colored bouquets and traditional Henna art on all the women's hands

Me with my two high school friends/bridesmaids in their Indian Saris

At the cocktail hour with other guest in traditional Indian attire under one of my favorite decor details at this venue-the flower balls of white roses hanging down from the arc at the entrance

Candles also hung amongst the flower balls added to the romantic atmosphere

Enjoying the delicious dinner and wonderful attentive service at the reception with friends

I have many more great memories from the weddings I worked on this year and looking forward to sharing many more "big days" this Fall and in 2010 including a Korean wedding in Guatemala, an intimate low key affair in Northern California, and an all out celebration in Vegas. Check out my blog for updates and inspiration from these and other real weddings.