Category: Events

  • FABULOUS EVENT – THE MAKING OF A SHOWGIRL

    FABULOUS EVENT – THE MAKING OF A SHOWGIRL

    I am a firm believer in never letting an opportunity pass me by… So when someone asked me if I wanted to fly to Las Vegas, be fitted for a showgirl costume, be flown back out to California, head to Palm Springs and do a photo shoot with my sister in the aforementioned showgirl attire…. I said, “Why not?”  After I first took a look at the costume {and the headdress!}, I was a bit trepidatious about what I had stumbled into.  However, after mastering my balance, finding the perfect pair of clear heels, and giggling with my sister all the way through the photo shoot… I realized I had made the right decision.  Being a showgirl {for a day} was scintillating {and, obviously, humorous}… and, somehow, instead of the large headdress feeling oppressive, ridiculous, or demeaning… it made me feel a bit powerful {perhaps because I was about 9 feet tall while wearing it}… and beautiful.  Every girl should get the chance to be a showgirl for a day.

  • FABULOUS EVENT – THE PERFECT GIRLS’ WEEKEND

    FABULOUS EVENT – THE PERFECT GIRLS’ WEEKEND

    If you read my packing article earlier this week {found here}, you may have wondered exactly what I was packing for… I was packing for a girls’ weekend.  There is a common misconception that a girls’ weekend has to be all about boys and partying {and, yes, that can be a fun weekend…}, but what can be even more fabulous {and refined} is a more relaxed version of that weekend… a weekend of sunshine, food, poolside cocktails, shows, and treating yourself {or being treated} like a princess.  Another positive: instead of ending the weekend exhausted and hungover {a sad side-effect of the boy-chasing shot-pounding girls’ weekend}, you end the weekend refreshed, tan, and utterly pampered.

  • FABULOUS EVENT – A SURPRISE BIRTHDAY BRUNCH FOR MY SISTER

    FABULOUS EVENT – A SURPRISE BIRTHDAY BRUNCH FOR MY SISTER

    So, if you don’t know by now… I run a design house in Santa Barbara (see it here or here).  One of the things I LOVE. Love. love. is event design.  My little sister (and my best friend in the whole wide world) was turning 24… I thought a surprise brunch in her favorite color {green} at her favorite restaurant (Blush of Santa Barbara) was in order.  I whipped up a theme, stuck with the color scheme, did a little graphic design on some menus, and scoured the local Farmer’s Market so that I could put together the flower arrangements {my how-to on arranging flowers is here!}.  A party isn’t truly a party without some ridiculously fabulous people… we’re blessed with the most fabulous friends that life has to offer.  Needless to say, with the genuine surprise on my sister’s face as she walked in (whew! she had no idea!), the wonderful guests in attendance, and the bottomless mimosas (no better way to pass a Sunday afternoon)… the party was quite a hit.

  • Lady in Red

    I know, I know… I said yesterday that I was wearing my 40s vintage dress to the film premiere. I changed my mind exactly 5 minutes before heading out the door. I decided that a red carpet, red lips, and a red hot event… deserved a red dress.  My friends and I had a phenomenal night.  And, clearly, we enjoyed the photo ops available at the gala that followed the film.

    Sidenote: the opening night film, “Sarah’s Key,” was remarkable. If you have the chance to see it, I highly recommend it.

  • Christmas Decor for the Girls

    Who says Christmas has to be all red and green and holly-jolly? Not me!  I threw a little Cupcakes and Champagne party for my best friends before we went out for a night on the town.  I stuck with vintage lace, preppy blue and white striped fabric, hot pink satin ribbon, candles, and lots of glitter and sequins.  Jazzy Christmas music (Eartha Kitt, Ella Fitgerald, Louis Armstrong) played in the background.  The Christmas Tree I had decorated earlier served as a focal point.  The holiday cards and gifts that I had made for them doubled as place cards.  Overall, it was beyond a wonderful night… One of the best nights I’ve had with my best friends.

    ♥ We had so much fun that we couldn’t even sit still for a picture ♥

  • Kristin and Chad – The Wedding Gallery

    ♥ Elysium of Santa Barbara (my company!) provided the decor for this Orange County wedding ♥

    [slideshow]