Details....details.....DETAILS

Who doesn't love to be fussed over?!? At the end of a long morning, and two days of intense meetings, we had a client who wanted to pamper their attendees with a spa luncheon. When I think of my favorite spa destinations like Lake Austin Spa www.lakeaustin.com or Angel Stewart's Regent Spa on the lovely Turks and Caicos www.thepalmstc.com , I am reminded that a multitude of details culminate in one fabulous experience.

We set about to delight guests with an over the top luncheon. Wait staff greeted guests with sparkling and flat waters, garnished with cucumber and key lime. Hand written place cards and menu cards awaited them at the table, dressed in multiple layers of linens, custom naps and rings, and custom down chair pads. Warm towels with essence of verbena, were presented to guests before the first course. We went to great lengths to ensure service would feel casual and unhurried, yet anticipate each guest's need and provide for them before they need ask.

To bring this closer to home, it's really very easy to fuss over family and friends when we entertain. Unlike a room full of guests we do not know at a corporate function, these are people we know well. Having a guest's favorite vodka brand, backround music that includes each guest's favorite artist, hand written place cards, not serving fish when half the guests will not indulge, and serving their favorite dessert and coffee - with the cream, steamed milk, pink packet, blue packet, yellow packet, sugar cube, or shot included! Thanks to Starbucks, coffee service has become a science and platform of self expression - with everyone's requisite café ingrédient available you are sure to finish the night on a high note!

You can even go to www.starbucksstore.com to find everything you need!

Would you rather leave the fuss to us? It would be our pleasure! www.featurepresentations.com is the place to see more about us, what we've been up to, and has all the contact information you will need to reach us!

"Oh, Sommelier.....!"

"Would anyone have ever thought this would happen?" I thought, as I put the finishing touches on beautiful tables and observed the waitstaff, like fine foot soldiers lined up in their crisp white starched aprons and shinny black patent leather shoes. Our conference attendees would soon be having Macaroni & Cheese Hors'd'oeuvres and consulting with our Water Sommelier.

As a child I recalled uncomfortable meals out in grand restaurants with Wine Sommeliers who spoke what I was sure was a foreign language. Now books and websites, like www.finewaters.com, abound with information on what water will perfectly compliment your gourmet burger!

For this particular event, which followed a "back to basics" keynote address, guests were delighted to find what we had in store for them! In addition to chatting with the Water Sommelier, we had basic drinks - no dressed up martini this time, just basic cocktails and 9 variations on the Mac&Cheese Hors'd'oeuvre!

Black linen, white chairs, and primary colors in the abundant composite floral arrangement helped set the tone. But boisterous laughter and conversation kept coming back to comments on the cocktail hour, and Mac&Cheese, specifically! People could not help but tell stories about their own childhood, or what special spin they add when they prepare this culinary rags to riches dish!

At home, dress up your favorite comfort food and serve it on your best china! I love to make sliders on the grill! Recently I stuffed my burgers with fresh mozzarella cheese, and dressed them up with Roma tomatoes and basil. Fresh pepper and a light Italian dressing, with aged balsamic vinegar drizzled across the white bistro plate, and bon appétit!

And don't forget the H2O!

So, you love comfort food, and would be even more comfortable if we handled everything for you? ....go to www.featurepresentationsltd.com to learn more, and contact me regarding your event needs!

Run for the Roses

It is called the run for the roses, but this weekend is smothered in mint! Yes this is the wonderful late springtime when colts cantor about and the fresh new shoots or perennial mint burst with flavor! I adore mint juleps! So, like many others, I will don my chapeau this weekend at various Chic Derby Events.

Now I love tradition, but I like to present it enjoué, and make it my own! Thank goodness I have fabulous clients who agree! This year I'll be using crystal flutes for the mint juleps, and silver mint julep cups for the roses! I am making a runner with fresh mint leaves, and massing mint julep cups with nosegays of red roses down the center of the buffet!

The mint julep will be the star of the show! In addition to the traditional Julep, I'm offering a Lemon Mint Julep, using one of my favorite liqueurs from Italy, Limoncello!

In speaking with clients and friends alike this past week, it has become clear to me that many people really do not know how to make this glorious cocktail, so cherished in the old south.

Here are the two concoctions my clients will be enjoying this weekend, feel free to let your inner mixologist be creative, and channel cool cocktails this Derby Weekend!

2 cups sugar [you may use splenda to decrease calories]
2 cups water
Sprigs of fresh mint
Crushed ice
Kentucky Whisky or Limoncello
Silver Julep Cups

Make a simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh mint, then refrigerate overnight. Make one julep at a time by filling a julep cup with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon mint syrup and two ounces of Kentucky Whisky or the Limoncello. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint or mint and sugared lemon peel.

It's a long shot I'll be able to help you with this Kentucy Derby, but not too late to check out www.featurepresentationsltd.com and ask for our help on other events in the near future, or book us for the Kentucky Derby 2009!

Betwix and Between

When I was asked, "does anyone do brunch anymore?" I couldn't help but burst out..."I love brunch!" So a petit déjeuner seaside we would have!
Since we were winding down a 3 day conference, I suggested a very casual approach to fabulous! A majority of the attendees were men, so I worked with the chef to create a menu that was full of tried and true American Heartland favorites, and then put a nautical spin on everything. Guests were invited to create their own omelets, and add ingredients to their pancakes prepared effronté. The somewhat masculine modern mahogany tables were set simply with a variety of silver vessels and isolated floral collections. Various runners were used, as well as, a variety of seating. Everyone enjoyed the great sunshine, the mimosas, and wrap up conversations prior to departure.

At home, Brunch is an ideal time to entertain guests. The casual nature of the meal, with everyone helping to create their own plate, makes hosting easy and less stressful. The day before your Brunch, squeeze oranges and chill the juice for mimosas, prep ingredients for omelets, fresh fruit and nuts like figs, pecans, and blueberries, make great additions to waffles. Also, offer strawberry butter, made by simply blending butter and ripe berries in a food processor, chill and serve!

All this talk of Brunch has me both hungry and eager to assist you with your next event, please see www.featurepresentationsltd.com for more information!

Thanks too, for your kind emails and my emerging fan club!

Garden Party Perfect

Warm spring breezes and bountiful blooms, make it is so fabulous to entertain al fresco once again. With correct planning and good weather, a beautiful event becomes exquisite!

I have a new client, who has quickly become my favorite client! Together we planned a dinner party for 120 guests in her gardens. I was relieved [and impressed!] to hear her want a back up plan for inclement weather. I do believe that giving mother nature her due respect is the place to begin. With a rain backup – complete with floor plans in our back pocket, we went to work creating a modern tented space that respected both the wonderful architecture and interior design of the home, and the beautiful landscape design and gardens where we placed the event.

Natural wood chavari chairs and Baltic birch boxes for the fragrant spring florals were unexpected but perfect choices for the natural setting. Place cards, with soft water color flourishes, were a very sweet detail. The evening was a splendid success!

When planning an outdoor wedding, or entertaining on your patio or garden always have a back up plan for weather! When choosing decor and floral arrangements, use elements that are both natural and appropriate to your style and environs.

So you want to plan the menu but have me do everything else?

Perfect!
Go to www.featurepresentationsltd.com and let’s get your event on our spring/summer schedule!

A Trip Down The Aisle

It's wedding season once again, and with all due respect to Robert Frost, "Aisles to go before I sleep!"

I think it is important for brides to remember to enjoy their Wedding Day! That may sound strange, but often brides are so worried about so many things that they forget to hug family and friends they haven't seen in a long time, thank those special friends for helping, or even look into the eyes of the man with whom they will exchange vows.

One of my most memorable Thank You Cards of all time began, "Thanks for following me into the ladies room and telling me I had two more seconds to be a baby, then handing me my lipstick, and telling me to smile and act like a beautiful bride! I had the time of my life!" Don't worry about the small things - Flower girls dumping all their petals in one heap, a ring bearer with frosting on his nose, a groom so nervous he forgets your name; Weddings really are all about details, perfect little touches, and creating memories to cherish for a lifetime!

If you are not able to hire an Event Designer, like yours truely, I do reccomend finding someone you know who loves details, and is not afraid to speak on your behalf. Yes, someone does need to make sure that all of the vendors are on time to do their tasks, and ensure that "those little things" are just as you wanted them to be - but that person is NOT you!

Speaking of little touches that you can do.... hand your father a little "love note" as he grabs your hand to walk you down that aisle. It will be a note your parents will treasure the rest of their lives!

Now if you want me to do your wedding more than ever, go to www.featurepresentationsltd.com and send an email or call to see if the date is available!

At the Beach!

I have been thinking about the beach much of the time in the past week. I guess it's because I really love all the fond memories and time spent with great friends. I love all of the wonderful things about the beach, and love the elements.

Using beach elements in event decor is a fabulous alternative to flowers. I recently used plexi boxes, filled with beach combed treasures, some colorful votives, and a few orchids at the end of white chaise lounges for an oh so ubber chic beach side cocktail party!

If you want to bring a little beach side romance home, try using all white elements, a runner, some sand, shells, and voites down the center. Your white china, a white starfish on top of each white hemstitch nap, add an island cocktail and you will be sure to impress your guests!

Would like me to do it for you? I'd love to! www.featurepresentationsltd.com

The Spice Of Life !

I love working with my clients who are not afraid to just be themselves! At a recent gala in Palm Beach, I was called upon to create a festive mood, provide guests with a splendid place to dine, and toast the guest of honor on a job well done.

My only instruction?..."SPICE IT UP!"

So I did just that, mixing 9 types of potted herbs and florals, and a rosemary sprig on each nap, the room was the perfect place to enjoy the Tuscan meal, prepared by Mario Batali.

When entertaining on short notice at home, and in a pinch for a centerpiece, you need only look to several potted Basil or Rosemary plants, add some votive candles and cut lemons, and you have an extraordinary summer time arrangement!

To see some of my other projects go to www.featurepresentationsltd.com and click on portfolio

Happy Easter !

Spring is one of my favorite times of the year! I love Easter, as well, since it was the start of my event planning and lifestyle career. At age 6, I proclaimed myself the "Easter Egg Principal." As a first grade student I knew that a Principal was the top position to hold. Now many would say that the first Easter I held that post the eggs were rather boring, since they were all various shades of purple, but I look at it as my first "monochromatic" statement!

That was then, and here we are in 2008 with a beautiful spring and another Easter. If you are wondering what the photo of my sweet boy Luigi, an Italian Greyhound, is doing in this blog it is simple. [He is my little boy, and I love to show everyone his photos!]

I just finished Tell Me Where It Hurts by Dr Nick Trout, and it confirms something I have always known, that dogs are like children in many families today. Be sure not to forget any of your loved ones this holiday! If you will be a guest of someone with a four legged family member, remember to bring a rawhide basket filled with treats and plush bunny squeak toys, or a few bones tied off with a nice grass green satin ribbon! This thoughtful inclusive gesture will be most appreciated by your friends and family! Happy Easter

to find out more about Jeffrey go to http://www.featurepresentationsltd.com/