a quick look inside a client's event...

Click here to see the video!

I am sure most of you will understand how fun an event can be when you have nothing to worry about... because you've called me to handle every last detail! If you have never hired me, well, just take a look at Barbie's recent fete!

...the Groom's WHAT?

I remember the film so vividly!

In fact, I think I can quote most of the lines from "Steel Magnolias."

It is one of those movies that can pick me up when I'm feeling a bit blue, no matter how corny or down home the storyline.

Growing up in the north, I was not familiar with the whole "Groom's Cake Concept... so the armadillo Groom's Cake scene had me in stitches! I am proud to say that many of my Southern Belle Brides have had amazing Groom's Cakes, and I have since adapted.

Imagine my surprise when I happened upon this cake at a recent "Groom's Cake contest!" [yes, it was red velvet cake, for those in the know!] I had to have a photo, just to prove to my friends back in New York City that people really do have Groom's Cakes... and Armadillo Groom's Cakes at that!

So all of this had me thinking about the history and origin of Groom's Cakes... like millions of Americans, I went to Wikipedia:

A groom's cake is a wedding tradition typically associated with the American South. While a wedding cake may often be decorated in white and light in texture and/or color, the groom's cake can take a variety of forms, many incorporating chocolate or fruit. Cheesecake sometimes serves as a groom's cake. The decoration of the cake may reflect the favorite hobby or interest of a groom, or be used for humorous effect, as depicted in the film adaptation of Steel Magnolias, in which a red velvet cake was fashioned in the shape of an armadillo. The groom's cake is often served at a separate table from the wedding cake at a wedding reception, though it may be served as a dessert for a rehearsal dinner.

I find that when we understand the history of our traditions, we can choose those we wish to continue, and those we can do without. I encourage engaged couples to include what is really meaningful to them, and not include anything they are not comfortable with. The wedding day needs to reflect who you are as a couple!

JUMP IN, but DON'T BUY ANYTHING YET!

I'll be at the Dallas Bridal Show this weekend...

Congratulations Brides To Be!

I am sure many of you will be going to a "Bridal Fair" or two on your long journey down the aisle! I encourage you to go, taste, see, listen, but please... please... please.... DON'T BUY YET!

The endless miles of drapes and booths, vendors with a hard sell and large noisy crowds that is the "Bridal Fair," is a wonderful place to start! You are able to see new things, taste delicious cakes and favors, speak with experts breifly, listen to DJs and Bands, but unless you've done an amazing amount of work prior to attending the "Bridal Fair" you are not ready to make any choices, sign any contracts, or commit to anything!

The happiest brides I've had the pleasure to work with, collected volumes of information at various "Bridal Fairs" prior to their planning. As the plans for each segment of the wedding developed, we were able to look at a vairety of sources, and choose the best option for our plan and budget. In addition to sources, one of the best things a "Bridal Fair" can help you do is begin to create a realistic budget! You will see firsthand what things really cost, and what is possible within the budget range you have to work with.

If you are at the Dallas Bridal Show this weekend, please look for me!

Hope to see you out this weekend, and then at my workshop in September! Remember, you can always find me on FACEBOOK or on TWITTER!

how sweet it is...

...to say that working on this Celebrate Life Event is life changing is an understatement!

One of my favorite events each year, it is a perfect example of B2P marketing at it's best.

People who are 5 year Cancer Survivors are invited back to the Cancer Center where they were treated, and over a few days, with multiple events, they Celebrate Life... Everyone enjoys catching up with old friends made while treating their cancer, a chance to visit with Doctors and staff who helped care for them, time to share moments of joy with their families in a place where they were once very sick.

The creative challenge for me is to create a seamless program that is both "homecoming" and "celebration"- incorporating the many wonderful stories that everyone has to share.

With video, music, the web, and a very powerful message from the Founder/Visionary of this Cancer Center, we create a very powerful environment for those attending to enjoy and share with folks back home.

We use very powerful imagery, from a Dove Release to Planting Trees, to make very lasting impressions on everyone. The dinners and luncheons allow people to share, inspire, and spread hope to those who need it most, people currently being treated!

Oh, what is B2P you ask? Well I'm sure you're familiar with B2B [business to business]... this a very fresh approach [Business to Person] ...please call me to learn how we can help you reach "people!"

...and the living is easy!

We are always looking for ways to dress up those impromptu dinners with friends, the BBQ Buffet, or a few friends dropping by for lunch.

With a few things on hand, a trick of the trade, and some seasonal items you can be ready in minutes with a fun summer table!

My good friends at Real Simple Magazine have even featured some of these ideas – take them and make them your own!

Limes are not just for Margaritas anymore…

Festive and Seasonal, limes are capable of much more than just a garnish or occasional squeeze. Instead, give them a starring role as placeholders. Simply write your guest's name on one end of a sticky file label, center the label at the dull end of a small wooden skewer, then wrap, bringing the label ends together. Stick each skewer into a washed lime and place one on each plate.

Mailing Labels, 60 cents for two, paper-source.com.

Backyard BBQ Buffet cute and easy?

Separately stacked plates, silverware, and napkins take up room and can be a mess just waiting for the right person to come along (plus someone always ends up with two forks and no knife). Put a quick end to all of this with oversize rubber bands that wrap a complete place setting―including the plate―and come in summertime patterns that add a splash of color. Russell + Hazel rubber bands, $8 for two, russellandhazel.com for store locations.

MUCH monochromatic votivo…

That’s Italian for “wrap a bunch of votives with paper in the same color family, and when you think you have too many, wrap up a dozen more! For a soft glow, use pinking shears to cut strips of paper long enough to fit around the outside of thick glass votives, and then attach the paper with double-stick tape. Shades of the same color paper create a sophisticated, minimalist look. Mass the candles down the center of the table as a runner, or use in masses around small vases of flowers to fill the center of the table.

Special thanks to Anita Calero, photography

say EYE!

[photos courtesy of MAC Cosmetics]

It has been said that "Familiarity Breeds Contempt" ....and that may be true, but I know for sure that "Familiarity Breeds Boring!"

While in New York on an inspiration visit, I had the pleasure of watching MAC Makeup Artist Gordon Espinet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuTdqqOfRok teach women about eye makeup. He is the master of the perfect lash, and using color with great effect! Time and time again the women he worked with said they had been doing their eyes the same way for years! BORING!

They were "familiar" with doing them a certain way... but were so excited about the fresh look Gordon gave them.

My mind drifted to how often I hear that same line regarding events. It was ironic he was working on eyes, I thought, because we often look at familiar things, but do not really see!

When we are too familiar, or have been doing something the same way for so long, we need "new eyes" to take a look at things. We are often hired to help clients take a fresh look at things... they want their events to have new life, engage people, reach a new level and not be Boring!

For those of you with an "if it's not broken, don't fix it" attitude, I say that I agree, as long as your guest list is not the same from year to year. If the new employee welcome party is a hit, don't change it much...but I can't say the same for the Holiday Event.

"...you always enter here, you walk over there to get your drink, the buffet is over there, [insert much boring detail here], and everyone will try to leave by 9pm!" Sound familiar? I know you have been to those events!

Like eye shadow, events can be done in a multitude of "colors" and can be layered in endless ways to create interesting visual feasts for your guests! There are no rules or right colors, only what works best for you!

Now, let's move a bit closer to home. I encourage you to see with new eyes when you entertain....try having guests for dinner with a wonderful table set in the middle of the lawn, or have guests enter from the alley, where you've set up a lounge, hung strings of Italian lights, and are serving a signature bellini!

I would love to spend some time with you, and help you see new beautiful possibilities... you can find me at www.featurepresentationsltd.com

If you are a beautiful bride-to-be, check out www.beautifulweddingworkshop.com

throw me a SLIDER!

[photos courtesy of my friend Noel Barnhurst at Bon Appetit]

The other day I had the pleasure of meeting Peter Anderson, Events & Catering Director of the Park Cities Hilton http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/DALPCHF-Hilton-Dallas-Park-Cities-Texas/index.do , for lunch. If you have not been to this jewel of the Park Cities, I highly recommend having lunch and checking it out. It is one of the most wonderful boutique hotels you will find anywhere, and a well kept secret in the DFW area!

I was not at all surprised to see Sliders on the menu. Mini burgers have officially gone the way of the cupcake: delicious, über chic and ubiquitous. Instead of the usual ground chuck on a bun, chefs inovative fillings are now delightful and decadent! I selected Chef Billy's Pot Roast Sliders, yes...they are out of this world!

"It's all about changing up what's on the inside!" says event colleague, Susan Gage in Washington. Her catering company, Susan Gage, has the most amazing Ahi Tuna Sliders, while 10tation in Toronto is using everything from meatballs to Ancho-Chocolate Duck Confit with avocado salsa on a cornbread "muffin" bun! My friends at Taste Caterers in New York City have perfected the "lobster roll slider!" ...need I say more? The sky is the limit with these gourmet creatures!

Comfort foods remain center stage this season, and the slider has a leading role! I suggest you start getting creative and then invite a group of friends to watch the Super Bowl... and all of the commercials, of course!

As always, if you need me, you can find me at http://www.featurepresentationsltd.com/ or if you are getting married, check out http://www.beautifulweddingworkshop.com/ a diyF! [do it yourself, FABULOUSLY!] workshop for brides to be!

praise song for wine

It's funny how my thoughts connect. I was watching the Inauguration coverage of our 44th President of the United States of America, when some commentator mentioned the luncheon menu, and that it would be served with California wines. My heart swelled as I had yet one more reason to be a Proud American - our World Class Wine Production!

I get a bit light headed and wax nostalgic when I think of California Wine Country. If you've been, I know you understand what I'm saying... if you haven't been, I suggest you book a trip!

The natural beauty, organic majesty, great food and wine is only one part of what makes California Wine Country so wonderful! The cool fogs, the slow ripening of the grapes, picking grapes by hand, and hand craftsmanship all play their part in shaping the people who live there, and the wines they produce.

The sum of these parts can be found at, La Crema! www.lacrema.com As a specialist in Burgundian varietals, La Crema handcrafts ultra-premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay as well as a limited amount of varietal-specific wines. I am so fond of the Pinot Noir, myself!

La Crema was founded in 1979 and quickly established itself as a pioneer for intensely flavored Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from cool climate. Continuing this tradition, La Crema pursues the ultimate expression of the Russian River Valley, Carneros and Anderson Valley by handcrafting wines of distinctive flavor which achieve elegance and balance.

Don't be intimidated by wine, or the "fancy speak" of the sommelier, and forget the notion that wine has to be very expensive or very old to be enjoyed! Most stores have someone who can guide you in your selection. If you like to find things online, I recommend you peruse Robin Garr's A-Z list at http://www.wineloverspage.com/foodwine/ or check out www.foodandwine.com for information on pairing wines, inspiration and assistance.

I'd be happy to design your event and select your wines... find me at www.featurepresentationsltd.com

"Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy!"

Benjamin Franklin

size DOES matter!

We had a blast working with our friends from http://www.arnoldworldwide.com/ this fall. Our job was to create the exciting events at Pegasus Plaza surrounding the World Record Breaking Beach Ball Bounce and Television Commercial for Carnival Cruise Lines http://www.carnival.com/! I have to say I was caught up in all the excitment, and could not wait to see this beach ball I'd heard so much about.

The entire process made me think about two very basic event elements: Scale and Focus! When you do just one thing greatly out of proportion, you are on your way to a memorable event. What am I talking about? Imagine a floral arrangement at the entrance five times the size one would normally see...? Perhaps a floor to ceiling birthday cake? Imagine the look on your guests faces when real cowboys on horses greet guests to your next Barbecue? The Scale of just one element will then become the Focus of your event, and will be the topic of conversation for weeks to come!

Enjoy planning your next event with something out of scale, or get in touch with us to take care of it for you at http://www.featurepresentationsltd.com/

"I do"...asymmetrical!

The holidays were full of clever proposals, it seems, as the calls from brides to be for HELP are coming in like never before!

So, first things first, you have to talk about a budget, and then start thinking about your dress, if you haven't already been thinking about that iconic gown for the last 15+ years.

Let's talk about one of my favorite trends for Summer/Fall 2009, the Asymmetrical Gown. It seems like all the great designers have heard my plea and answered in exquisite style as you can see in the photos above [and the fashion show links from Brides.com] Bridal Designers, Monique Lhuillier http://www.brides.com/video/?video=2942485001 , Kenneth Pool http://www.brides.com/video/?video=2942486001 and my friend, Vera Wang http://www.brides.com/video/?video=2942372001 have all made an asymmetrical statement in their Fall 2009 Collections! My brides have often heard me say that some element "is perfectly balanced in an unbalanced - asymmetrical way!" Asymmetry adds a wonderful design element, great lines, and keeps things interesting. I find these gowns playful in a very elegant way. They will, no doubt, give the brides who wear them a certain je ne sais quoi! These gowns meet tradition at the aisle, and dance eloquently with old school rules all night long. I encourage you to ask your wedding designer to select a few asymmetrical gowns for you to look at, and who knows, perhaps the gown of your dreams will have a new asymmetrical twist in this new year! Do you want me to handle everything? Send me an email jeffrey@featurepresentationsltd.com

Just a heads up, I will be the host of beautiful wedding workshops this spring, with tentative shows in Tulsa OK, Columbus OH, and Little Rock AR. More to come on this as I get additional information to pass on to you. Learn more now by checking out the website: www.beautifulweddingworkshop.com ..and let me know what you think! www.featurepresentationsltd.com is the place to go for more information on our events and happenings!