Extraordinary Wedding Invitations!

Picking out your wedding invitation can be very overwhelming as the choices are endless. This particular calligrapher will design your new monogram and custom the save the date, invitations and thank you notes. The look is absolutely gorgeous!

Please go to www.calligraphylady.com to see Danya's amazing work and learn how you can get this custom one-of-a-kind look.

Global Warming!!

Okay we all know about these rather unattractive globe lights that were used in homes and that can now be found at the thrift stores or even still at a retail stores. A loyal follower Joyce Ann brought this idea to my attention and I think used in pots or a small garden space they look awesome! The price is right as well as all you need is different size glass globes, some mini lights and an extension cord and Voila! you have a attractive custom look for your garden!

Newest Additon to Southern Living Magazine!

My dear friend Kimberly Schlegel Whitman has recently been named Editor-at-Large for Southern Living Magazine, the nations sixth largest monthly magazine with nearly 16 million readers. Go to www.southernlivingmagazine.com/subscribe if you don't already have a subscription and enjoy Southern Living every month!

Congratulatons Kimberly!!

Kimberly will be on the red carpet at the CMT Music Awards on June 10th so don't miss tuning in to see her.

Her latest book The Party Planner: An Expert Organizing Guide for Entertaining is scheduled for an August release. This guide will have ideas for decor, favors, attire and much, much more.

You can hear Kimberly daily on Dallas' number one Morning Show, The Gene and Julie Show on KVIL 103.7 Lite FM. Go to http://www.geneandjulie.com/ to find out more about the show and the hosts.

Kimberly also maintains the RSVP Calendar which is a comprehensive list of Dallas' finest chartiable events....go to http://www.rsvpcalendar.com/ to see the calendar and her blog! This is a wonderful service complimentary to all non-profits!

Kim is a busy, giving and talented woman!!! Congratulations. xo

Crayola Play Sand! Fun! Fun! Fun!

Okay how fun is this for the summer? Crayola along with Pavestone have developed this colored sand perfect for the sandbox, fish bowls, arts and crafts, florals and kids activities. It does not lose it's color or stain your skin. It is available in four colors blue, pink, purple and green at your local Wal-Mart store!!!

Go to http://www.pavestone.com/ for more info!

Summer Sheets

Time to get those flannel sheets off the bed that were perfect for winter and change things up with a new look for summer. Natural fibers for summer breathe and let air circulate and also wick moisture away, which is, important since the average person gives off one pint of perspiration during an 8 hour sleep!

Cotton is comfortable, durable and affordable. I would recommend getting sheets at least 300 thread count and no less than 175 thread count, the highest I would go is 600 thread count because after that there really is no difference in the feel and durability. There is nothing like fresh pressed sheets and pillow cases to look forward to at the end of a busy day.

These sheets show are from Pottery Barn...go to www.potterybarn.com to view their fantastic selection!

Fresh Air Showers!!

School is coming to a end and the joy of life by the water is about to begin for many families as they pack up and head to the beach house, lake house, cottage or cabin. I lived at the beach for 10 happy years and miss it very much here in land locked Dallas. There is nothing quite as relaxing as the breezy simplicity of shore life! I loved all the family times as well as visiting with our friends. But I do have to say one of the annoying things about living at the beach was the sand coming into the house. We finally put in an outdoor shower and that solved the problem! I never wanted to use the indoor shower once summer came. It is fabulous! These photo's are a few creative examples of what you could do to have an outdoor shower. Depending on your home you could mimic the the details of the house on your outdoor space as a few of these examples did. You don't need a beach house to have an outdoor shower...great for taking the chlorine off after the pool or simply just having an outdoor shower for the summer at your home. Provide some robes, seas sponges and aloe vera gel and enjoy!

Lay back and listen to the waves, enjoy the natural light streaming across a sun porch and my favorite...bonfires on the beach. Makes for many happy, memorable memories. Enjoy your summer!

Memorial Weekend! It's True Meaning.

While Memorial Day weekend has come to mean the beginning of summer, we really do need to take time out to remember it's real purpose. We need to honor and remember those who have lost their lives while serving our country. So enjoy the weekend and kick off your summer but remember to fly the American flag, go to a Memorial Day parade in your town or to the cememony at the local war memorial and explain to the children and grandchildren in your life why we are so fortunate to enjoy many of the freedoms we have.

Stay safe and have fun!

Greystone Estate in Beverly Hills

Greystone Estate is a 1920's residence that is usually closed to the public and owned by the City of Beverly Hills. A few years ago they did a Designer Showcase and brought the home back to life and did some restoration, and that is what these photographs are from. I was there several months ago with my girlfriend and I have to say it is very sad to see such a grand manor just left empty now. One imagines the kind of parties that were once held there and the fabulous furnishings, all gone now. Several years ago 28 of the country's top designers where asked to participate in a benefit to restore this magnificient English gothic revival manor.

Greystone is on a little over 12 acres in the heart of Beverly Hills. It was orignally owned by the Doheny Family who were very successful in the discovering of oil in the Los Angeles area. The gardens are beautifully mantained by the city and are worth the trip to walk around the property which is free to the public.

Fairy Berry Lights

Lighting can make all the difference in your event taking it from mundane to dramatic. Just like lighting in your home or outdoors, lighting is as important of a factor as your furnishings. Think how lighting plays such a huge role in movies, plays and our daily life.
Well I thought you should know about the fairy berries! These can be used in lawns, gardens, trees, shrubs, pools, ponds or fountains. They are a great decorative light and fade off and on like a firefly! Thought these could be lots of fun. A box of 50 is $115.00.

Create It, Mix It, Stir It and Enjoy!!

Whether you are planning a wedding, corporate gala or a backyard BBQ, every event deserves a signature beverage! A signature beverage station at your event mixed in with a coffee station makes for an exciting visual. One eye catching idea is to have an ice carving maybe having your monogram or logo or theme idea depending on what the event is for. Mixing luges are very "in" now and this can be part of your decor while at the same time help to serve your signature drink. The guests love this!

Another idea is to serve speciality coffees at the end of the meal or in summer orange creamsicles (that is a drink). Snip the top and bottom off of a red licorice and use as a straw especially great for a kids party!! Come on use your imagination....or use mine!

Listen and Offer Options!

As a wedding planner the one key to having a successful wedding custom for the couple is to listen, listen and listen some more. Finding out as much as you can about the couple is very important to make it as personal to them as possible. Plated meals of filet mignon are still the number one choice in most areas and interestingly in San Francisco some wedding planners have never done a buffet dinner it is always a sit down affair. Most couples want to include elements from their background. So that may come in menu items or something to take home. Some couples ask for the same food from their first date. A couple who met at a fair wanted cotton candy, for example. Another fun idea is bring in an ice cream cart full of frozen dessert bars like Snickers, Mars Bars etc....guests love this!

Late night snacks like grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup shots are fun and unexpected. Having the Starbucks truck out front as your guests leave is another added touch with take away donuts!

Couture Parfums!

Libby Patterson designs and formulates hand blended high quality aromatherapy aphrodisiacs. Essential oil creates a connection in the back of the brain in a primal area called the hypothalamus, triggering a shirt emotionally. The essential oils vibrate at a higher frequency than the human body thus altering us and elevating our mood. More behind the making of perfumes than most of ever imagined!

Libby has been creating custom fragrances for clients for almost 20 years. She is located in Los Angeles with a A-list clientele. She can create a special scent for you through a private appointment whether it is in person, via Skype or e-mail. I had a long chat with Libby over the weekend and was fascinated in what she has been doing. For engaged couples she will create a parfum custom to the bride and groom and then once married the scent can be combined to be exclusively their personal scent.

To learn more about Libby please go to web.mac.com/libbypatterson/

Candy Buffets! Sweet!

Over the next few weeks I will be discussing ideas for planning a wedding or a party. One big trend over the past 6 years or so is the candy buffet. This is a great visual and added treat for your guests for any party not just weddings. The selection of candies in a rainbow of colors to coordinate with your party is endless and great fun to design. As you can see by the photo's there are many ways to go with this idea. Have some cello bags or boxes for your guests to fill as a take home gift.

Engagement Party!

Here are a few shots from an Engagement Party I did this weekend. Silver and Tiffany blue invites were the inspiration for the party and what a gorgeous combination that was. I rented a photo booth where you got a strip of pictures that had the engaged couples name on the top ( you remember these booths from when you were younger ). All the florals were done in white flowers in silver containers. The candy bar with Tiffany blue, silver and white candies was a beautiful display and guests flocked to it. I had cocktail height tables and 8 top tables scattered around the pool with the blue linens and white florals and white candles. There was a guest book at the entry with a spot to give the couple a few tips on a happy marriage. The hostess had photo's of the couple from their younger days to present arranged around the party which made for a great personal touch!