BEAUTIFUL BRUNCH

For anyone that has been following this blog, you all know that I love brunch. I love brunch! So when I got an invitation from two of my favorite people - Nico Cervantes and Lani Ballonoff - for brunch ... Uh - yeah!

Nico is one of my favorite florists - an amazing talent and a truly wonderful human being. Lani does things with draping and lighting that makes my jaw drop and eyes go big like saucers; he's also a total sweetheart. The brunch was held at their shared warehouse space, which was totally transformed into a swanky and intimate room.

I wish I had better photos to share; these just do not do justice ... they were snagged off my iPhone. I heard Tim Halberg got some good shots, though, so we'll keep an eye out for them and share when we can.


Meanwhile, you can see more of Nico's work at Kristina and Brandon's Real Wedding at Firestone and more of Lani's work at Kim and Stan's Real Wedding at Roblar. Also ... brunch was amazing - thank you, guys!!!

New Videographer: ApertureVideos

July 30th, 2009

ApertureVideos shot Chris & Tami’s wedding video in Eling’s Park last fall. I recently got my hands on a copy and I’ve been trying to figure out how to upload it onto my site and/or blog for you all to check out. I’m still working on it (it’s a big file)! In the meantime, you can check out the video on Aperture’s homepage. Enjoy! xoxo

Chris & Tami, Eling's Park Wedding

Chris & Tami: Here Comes The Sun

A MUSICAL COCKTAIL CALLED INFUSION

June 16th, 2009

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting with Chad and Steven from 11H Entertainment. What a riot these two are! I had an opportunity to see these guys live at the Your Wedding Day party at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum last March, so I knew what a treat I was in for. They ooze energy and bring a unique flavor and vibe I haven’t heard anywhere else.

What makes them unique? It’s the combination DJ, live music and emcee that this group successfully infuses into their performance. Reflecting whatever vibe the hosts are going for, they flow between classics, top 40 and big band without you ever noticing the transition. The DJ spins the tunes and the live musicians on wind and percussion complement the sound and add that energy only live performers can offer.

If you’re looking for something different, something special and something totally memorable … you have to check out the Infusion package from 11H Entertainment! My man Chad (a.k.a. the Music Pimp) will hook you up!

New Venue, Linens and Chairs - Oh My!

June 8th, 2009

Last week I had the pleasure to attend a trunk show hosted by Wildflower Linens and Chameleon Chairs at the Ojai Valley Inn Resort & Spa. What a beautiful day it turned out to be!

The sun was out and it was quite hot, making the newly renovated Herb Garden Pool extremely inviting. The pool is the latest venue added to the Ojai Valley Inn Resort & Spa. Exclusively for private events, the pool features cabanas and a spa cafe. They did a fabulous job and I can picture many amazing events at this site from weddings, to corporate receptions, etc.

The venue was just one perk of the day, as Wildflower Linens and Chameleon Chairs exhibited several of their latest lines. I’m a big fan of the fruitwood chiavaris as far as chair rentals go, but Chameleon and Wildflower take it two steps further with their custom chair covers and unique designs. These chairs are spectacular and really add the “WOW!” factor to an event. If you don’t have the budget to do 200 chairs, consider doing just the head table … a great way to elevate the look for a modest cost!

ROCK PAPER SCISSORS DESIGN

May 25th, 2009

Not just a kids game, or the manner in which my husband and I determined last night who was going to get the last fresh strawberry … Rock Paper Scissors Design is a fabulous company based in San Diego that creates fun, whimsical and elegant invitations. Totally unique materials that reflect whatever vibe the host wishes to impart to the lucky invited guests.

I first came across this company two weeks ago when I was invited to join Good Gracious! Events at the Simpson House Inn for the “Getting to know you Better” party (see last week’s post). The invitation that came was an adorable little box, that when opened, had the invitation tucked into a little faux bed. It was elegant and sweet and told me this was going to be an intimate get together with a lot of creativity. I was impressed.

I was further impressed when I attended the event and met the designer herself, Rachel Baker. What a sweetheart! Just check out below some of the samples she sent me home with! Need another reason to find out more? Rachel tells me she so enjoys coming up with new designs, that she’ll offer my clients a nice little discount. Affordable couture never looked so fun!

Rachel Baker
Rock Paper Scissors Design

I wish you could feel the texture of the designs on the paper!

This invitation is real wood - I LOVE it!!!

GOOD GRACIOUS, HONEY!

May 21st, 2009

On Tuesday, I was invited by Good Gracious! Events to join 14 other event planners at a “Getting to know you Better” party held at the Simpson House Inn here in Santa Barbara. Oh, wow!

Good Gracious! Events is based in Los Angeles and does catering and events all over California and the Central Coast. Charley and Jean did an amazing job and were fabulous hosts, and the food by their head chef Pauline Perry (btw, Check out her cookbook in stores now … SO good!) was out of this world. The event planners came from far and wide (so worth the trip!) … San Francisco, LA, OC, Las Vegas, etc. And sponsors pulled out all of their tricks — including beautiful linens by Wildflower, Oh-so-cool chair covers by Chameleon Chair and spectacular flowers by Mille Fiori and Camilla Svensson Burns.

We arrived Tuesday afternoon and checked into the Simpson House Inn (the only 5 Diamond B&B in the country). What a place! If you are looking for a private venue for an intimate event loaded with charm - this is it. Awaiting in my room was Sandy, a manicurist from Ziba Massage (a mobile spa service - how fun for the morning of!).

We enjoyed cocktails in the garden and decks before moving to the Magnolia Garden for the first of many treats from Good Gracious!

We then moved on to dinner - how gorgeous! - where we enjoyed Pauline’s Asparagus Risotto and Black Cod Miso. Yum!

Finally, we ended up in the lounge for Tarot Card Readings and Smores in a Bag from Epicurean Umbrella - Jennyfer Rodgers is so talented with such fun ideas. We were all kids again (at a very glamorous camp). We stayed up way past my usual bedtime and enjoyed getting to know each other and comparing tales of events we’ve worked on. What fun!

The next morning I woke up expecting a simple breakfast buffet and a “Thanks for coming” from the already generous sponsors. Instead, I found an elaborate tent set up in the garden. Is this not to die for?! I can picture bridal and baby showers or even a fundraiser luncheon in this tent!

The tent is from Rivre Works Design Studio. Rivre is so amazing and one of the most gracious men I’ve met. He is a doll! He also happens to be the son of the Simpson House Inn owners, and actually grew up on the property!

The flowers are Camilla Svensson Burns, of course. Camilla is another one of those people whose talents I am envious of. Her works always look so fresh and original; breathtaking.

Another fabulous meal before hitting the road! Trust me, my real life is not this glamorous … Getting back to reality Wednesday afternoon was difficult! Thank you Good Gracious, and all.

p.s. The invitations and printed materials for this affair were incredibly sweet … Almost as sweet as Rachel herself is. You have to check out Rock Paper Scissors Design! More on her in my next blog.

www.SimpsonHouseInn.com

www.GoodGraciousEvents.com

www.RRivreWorks.com

www.ChameleonChair.com

www.WildflowerLinens.com

www.themillefiore.com

www.CamillaFlowers.com

www.ZibaMassage.com

www.EpicureanUmbrella.com

A WILD NIGHT AT THE SANTA BARBARA ZOO

May 1st, 2009

Last night, the Santa Barbara Zoo celebrated the opening of the new California Trails exhibits - including a very cute Channel Islands Fox, impressive California Condors and more - as well as a new partnership with Rincon Catering. The party was held on the hilltop and hosted members of the media and the hospitality industry (i.e. yours truly). What a great evening of food, friends and animals! Rincon put on an amazing spread underneath a very cool tent they booked through EventRents (that is perfect for the space, just in case you’re planning something there). AMS pumped with great tunes from several of their DJs. The animals were out to party (both human and otherwise)! Congrats guys!

My gorgeous husband goes for the yummy tri-tip and cookies