Party Favors that work... and these are not it...

Today I was doing some spring cleaning around my apartment and I did so wearing a pair of LED blinking blue sunglasses. These were found in a long lost draw mixed with scarfs and gloves and other things I would be embarrassed to admit to saving. These glasses are also part of a big pile of items that has found its way nicely to the curb this afternoon.

We spend so much time with clients (and money) coming up with the perfect parting gifts or dance floor accessories, it makes me wonder how long some of these favors last. Money, no matter the amount, should also be spent on items that your guests will use or have the most interaction with. While my blinking blue glasses are quite fabulous and fun for a few minutes, its a costly accessory to supply to your guests for such a short amount of time.

Become your best!

Here are few tips to keep a positive attitude during this turbulent economic time:

1. Show up! Leave an impression on people. People have to remember you because you are really involved in project and you stay engaged.
2. Don't undercut colleagues. Stay focus on your strengths instead of your colleagues' weaknesses.
3. Adjust your positioning to stay in the race. Event and communication are the first line-item cut, you have to demonstrate to your client that your understand the challenges.
4. Be professional and keep straight values. Quality and reliability are really important values to keep our clients.
   

"Hard Times" themed party!

We loved this party theme: create an entertaining cost-effective party that really that is not only inexpensive it
party. Everything in your daily life can be transformed and used in this kind of party.
Your Soup cans become funny vases and newspapers tablecloths .

Awe - Inspiring Spots to tie the knot!!

The Hearst Castle is a dreamy destination for the romantic bride and located between San Francisco and Los Angeles. If the Mediterranean gardens, enormous terraces and swimming pools are not enough, the 360 degree views will knock your socks off. This property is enchanting and only for the those seeking romance.

Ariau Amazon Towers Hotel is a little paradise in Brazil. This hotel is set among the canopy level of the rain forest - literally among the treetops. Just outside of Manuas, you must arrive on property via boat or helicopter - however the two helicopters landing pads allow for a speedy arrival with no lines. With an amazing event space image this will start your marriage off on the right adventure!

MBWENI Ruins Hotel in Tanzania near the Zanzibar Mbweni Ruins is a destination your guests have never seen before. With only 13 luxury suites on the entire property, its possible to have this entire place to a few who are nearest and dearest. Play in the ruins with a bushbaby, lay on the beach or get pampered in the spa. Your guests have a long list of options. Take your guests off the beaten path.

Alice in Wonderland

“There is no use trying,” said Alice. “One can’t believe impossible things.” “I daresay you haven’t had much practice,” said the Queen. “When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” - Lewis Carroll

Custom Designed Invitations

Hey upper east siders, Gossip Girl here, a tip for your next soiree: have your invitations designed by the Michael Zac Design Group in the Upper East Side. Anyone who is anyone knows this is the place to go for your custom party invitations. They do so much more than simply provide you a standard sample invitation book to flip thru. They listen, ask questions and design fabulous invites within your budget but with extreme style!!

The best of the best is in New York, and as far as invites are concerned Michael Zach Design Group is where its at. - XOXO -

Fire and Booze!

I love practical party favors. You can't go wrong with a custom branded bottle of Single Malt Glenlivet Scotch, attach a custom box of matches and call it a party (favor)!

Check out Your Gift Label to learn about how to place your order for FREE personalized labels from Glenlivet, Kahlua or Chivas. The bottles are gonna cost you, but its nice that they let you tack on a custom label at their cost.

Despite all sorts of cigarette banning laws popping up across the country, I find matches handy, and like mine in the pretty variety! So check out Pyro Maineiacs for some premixed unique pretty match boxes.

It Report: The Color of Optimism

A copy of our quote in the Winter edition of the It Report, Event Solutions Magazine

This spring, let the fashion world help you infuse your events with optimism. Designers are pairing lively, hopeful colors with sophisticated, grounded hues to address the need for stability in times of economic uncertainty, according to Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. The organization recently released the Pantone Fashion Color Report Spring 2009. Fresh from the runway, here are the hot colors and color combos for spring ’09:

"Who ever said pink was the new black is right. I personally cant get enough pink. I think we will still see several versions of pink appear again in 2009. It works as a great accent color so many ways, as a pillow, a hot pink chair against a plain linen and certainly shades pink light." says Erin Halley of New York-based Erin Halley Events & Productions LLC.

Black Paella - something we dont love

I am a very adventurous eater, and will try just about anyone once. At a recent dinner I was introduced to a new phenomenon 'black paella'. Paella is a family style Spanish dish based around rice and whole bunch of other goodness, but this was the first I had learned of the darkened variety. Its the same ingredients rice, veggies, meats and wonderful spices that you would find in the golden or saffron varitey, but with one addition - INK. The dark color (and what I mean by dark, is the blackest thing ever) is due to the addition of squid or cuttlefish ink. I must make special reference to protect the Spanish, that this additional was actually made famous by a Chef in Scottsdale: Chef Aaron May at Sol y Sombra Spanish Kitchen & Lounge.

I say we leave the paella to the Spanish. Just the very thought of putting something with the word ink in my mouth immediately makes me think how it will eventually stain my teeth. Its like drinking too much red wine with strangers, eventually you will have to smile less and do random teeth checks. Serve black paella when in the company of close friends only.