Get Organized

Wedding planning and event planning in general can be extremely challenging and feel very overwhelming.

I recently had chai and conversation with the lovely and amazing Amanda Wiss, professional organizer and founder of Urban Clarity. As the mother of two young girls and a smart business owner, I wanted to pick her brain about planning kids' birthday parties in Brooklyn and Manhattan. After catching up and a great story swapping session, I invited Amanda to be a guest blogger. Who couldn't benefit from being better organized? Finding an event related angle would be easy. Her newsletter arrived that same day. Reading it, led to a simpler solution. I asked her if I could borrow the information from her newsletter and apply it to wedding and event planning. I am so happy she has allowed me to share this valuable information with you today.

Amanda's advice is in traditional type, my commentary follows in italics.

* Go Beyond the Obstacles and Make It Happen*

5 tips to STOP MAKING EXCUSES and MAKE THING HAPPEN

1. Focus on the good. Excuses tend to focus on the pain. Instead, see the potential win in something, (like having nicely folded clothes instead of wrinkled ones) and you'll be more motivated to try it.

Type your guest list and their addresses in a spreadsheet. The hostess(es)of your engagement parties and showers will appreciate this. Then you'll have this information organized for wedding invitations, thank you notes and holiday cards after the wedding.

2. Find a solution. Almost everything in life can effectively be broken down into smaller chunks. Figure out the first step and get started. You don't need a master plan ahead of time. Be creative! You WILL come up with something that works.

Find a venue, then tackle one vendor at a time. Celebrate each accomplishment. You don't need to find a photographer, a florist, a graphic designer and a baker on the same weekend. Taking your time allows you to enjoy the process of meeting with talented individuals. You will be able to judge and appreciate their work and style more effectively and make better decisions as a result.

3. Recognize it's never going to fit your picture. No matter how much you want to control your circumstances, it can't always be done. Allow yourself to do things in a way that works for you, even if they're not perfect. Maybe you need to take the lid permanently off your laundry hamper, if you want your clothes to actually make it inside. Play to your strengths, and cut yourself some slack.

While the "perfect" beach weddings pictured in magazines and on blogs showing the reception two feet from the ocean look amazing, be prepared to take a step back literally. Often these photos are staged for promotional purposes, at a private beach or property, very expensive or not realistic or easy to achieve depending on your budget, the climate of the location and overall logistics. The picture could have been taken at an afternoon wedding, maybe they didn't serve alcohol or ending the party at 9pm because of the town's ordinances. You don't know what they had to sacrifice to have their beach wedding.

4. Allow in the chaos, and the fun! Go where your heart wants, even if it's not on your original "to do" list. Take detours! This makes you much more available for other parts of your life, and sets you up for the kind of joy you want to have.

While traditions are great, if you have something significant to you and your fiancé that you want to incorporate into the wedding, go for it. Be confident with your decision and don't look back.

5.Build a team to stay on track. When you're feeling demotivated and full of excuses, get support. Find an exercise buddy or an accountability partner, join a mastermind group, hire a life coach, or work with a professional organizer. It's time to create the positive outcomes you deserve!

Of course, the help of an event planner or a "day of" coordinator can relieve much of the stress planning a wedding brings on. Invest in your sanity and piece of mind, hiring a professional will keep you organized, on task and mindful of your budget.

* Toss your "to do" list - create a "get to do" list. *

Thanks again to Amanda for allowing me to share her wisdom with you!

For more organizing advice visit her website Urban Clarity.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to my dear old dad, belated. My dad taught me the importance of the "magic words" which I live by today! Sometimes sarcastically when the cashier at the grocery store forgets to acknowledge me, I'll thank her and wish her a good day!

Last year I treated my dad to really, really good seats at a baseball game. His (ours-- even though I am more of a Yankee fan now, but...) Milwaukee Brewers have a beautiful new stadium that neither of us had been to- so I thought it was time we checked it out.

We drove to McGinn's Irish Pub, a nearby bar, to park our vehicle, had a bloody mary, some greasy bar food (I think this is where my nachos were topped with bratwursts!) and a shuttle took us to the stadium. Apparently parking at the stadium is faraway and expensive. Being a subway girl, the parking thing is all a blur to me, so I defaulted to the advice of my locals. A wise decision. The camaraderie at the bar before the midweek afternoon game was amazing. Doesn't anyone work? Before we got there, I envisioned my dad and I belly up at an empty bar with a few townies at a table nearby. Instead the bar was PACKED with serious Brewer fans anticipating the game. We had to park on the street and shared a table with strangers. Great to experience the fans' enthusiasm first hand.

Our seats at the stadium were amazing and we had a great time. I overheard my dad telling my brother about the excellent seats we had days after.

After the game, we stopped at Gilles for frozen custard. Is frozen custard only a Wisconsin thing? I did it more out of tradition. Gilles is on the way home from the stadium and growing up we were always sure to make the post game stop- win or lose. It tasted amazing! Good to know somethings never change.

Happy Father's Day, Dad! I love you! xo

What's your favorite memory of your dad? Have you had frozen custard?

Breakfast with Danny Meyer

Foodie Friday


Yesterday I heard Danny Meyer speak about hospitality. He was asked about food, restaurants and customer service but always managed to loop it back to Hospitality. I had it on very good authority that he was an excellent speaker, and was definitely left hungry for more. This restaurateur, author, business owner and New York mogul welcomed 75 people to Tabla for breakfast. He was interviewed by Dorothy Hamilton of the French Culinary Institute.

What is hospitality?
warm reception, welcome, helpfulness, neighborliness, warmth, kindness, congeniality, geniality, cordiality, courtesy, amenability, generosity, entertainment, catering, food.

Notes from my morning:

-Danny defines hospitality as the experience and how the customer feels as a result.
-Is the hospitality industry right for you? Know yourself, are you happiest when you are making people happy? (Yes, I am!!!)
-Why does he keep opening new restaurants? He has to so he can continue to use his talent, or he'll lose the good people he's hired and invested in as their careers progress.

People go to restaurants to "restore" themselves (it is where the word restaurant comes from). Stop life and be a human being instead of a human doing.

Service is like shopping off the rack.
Hospitality is a custom experience. One size fits one, not all.

Hire thoughtfully: Look for a high HQ *hospitality- which is often an instinct you can not train vs. a high IQ.

His new projects include Public Fare in Central Park, Citi Field and a new unnamed Italian restaurant opening in the Gramercy Park Hotel.

I am adding Danny's book Setting the Table to my must read list. Big thanks to Sobel Media and friends for producing this opportunity.

Do you have a moment that stands out where you have been the recipient of excellent hospitality?

How did you two meet?

A common question and one that is often danced around today with the number of couples meeting on dating websites like match.com and eharmony.

This week marks the 50th anniversary of my parents' first meeting. They met at Donny Parson's graduation party. Donny is my dad's cousin and lived next door to my dad at the time. Donny's sister Sandy was my mom's best friend. Donny's older brother Earl drove my mom home from the party. My dad came along. He was 16, she was 14. My mom remembers she was wearing a turquoise tank top and matching shorts. When I asked my dad if he remembered what he was wearing, he answered, "yes, pants and a shirt."

I am a sucker for a great love story. Please indulge me.

How did you two meet? Be specific, document the story, then share it with those that love you.

Bridal Shower Decor

I was recently asked for suggestions on how to decorate for a bridal shower. While this is a very general question and difficult to answer in general terms there are some basic rules I follow when planning the decor of a shower or a party in someone's home.

While these do not apply to every shower, I encourage you to keep the style, location, budget and ascetics in mind when making decisions regarding your event decor.

1. Fresh Flowers.
2. Candlelight.
3. Food. Beautifully presented, delicious food is the perfect way to decorate the table. When planning the menu consider the colors, textures, serving dishes and heights of items offered. Fruits and vegetables in their natural states presented well dress a table nicely.
4. Space. Host the event in a clean and uncluttered space.
5. Gifts. Display the gifts in a prominent location as they will fill the room with color and intrigue.
6. Signage. Displaying the guest of honor's name and your good wishes makes an excellent first impression, this is a great opportunity to get creative and be original. Need a little help with this? Martha Stewart has a great template for crafty signage.
7. Contributions. Ask those closest to the bride (or mother to be if it's a baby shower)or all guests for a song that reminds them of the honored one, a piece of advice, a photo or a recipe. These personal contributions can be displayed with clothespins and hung as garland, placed in a scrapbook, used in a slide show, ironed on to a tablecloth or burned to a cd for guests to take home.
8. Color. If the shower doesn't have a concept: Garden Party, Afternoon Tea, Picnic in the Park etc: choose a color or two and use these colors subtly throughout the decor from invitations to dessert.
9. Personalize. Place cards, escort cards, name tags or personalized favors are the thoughtful touches that makes guests feel welcome and appreciated. Everyone likes to walk into a room and see their name on something. Ana Dolan and the ladies behind Gifts For The Good Life are excellent at creating personalized touches and tailoring them to specific events.
10. Bake. Even if you are buying the toll house pre-made cookie dough, bake something just before your guests arrive, let the delicious aroma fill the room.

*Bonus: Smile. Relax and enjoy. A nervous, stressed or unhappy host does not compliment the decor guidelines I've suggested.




Dessert Artists Amy Atlas designs the most beautiful tables. Amy's creations are excellent visual examples of some of the suggestions I have outlined. Her work is so fresh, clean, creative and inspiring.

While, I love planning weddings and events in general, showers hold a very special place in my heart. When planning a shower, it's an excellent opportunity to celebrate colors, exercise your creativity and showcase your personality. Whether you get whimsical, retro, chabby chic or go modern remember the reason and have fun.

Tell me about the best shower you've ever been to.

(Photos courtesy of Amy Atlas' Website)

Foodie Friday: Hummus and Falafel

Years ago, I remember reading about a contest on the internet to name an East Village hummus restaurant. The winner is: chickpea.
Now with three locations in Manhattan, the name has proved successful.
In between my favorite urban paper store, Paper Presentation and the only baking supply store in the city NY Cake, I needed fuel to keep going. The 6th Avenue location drew me in. I am always happy to feed my culinary cravings with a creative concept under $10. Mission accomplished. I got three mini (always baked. never fried. is their slogan) falafels, a whole wheat pita (freshly baked on premises), basil & pine nuts (one of the few nuts I am not allergic to) hummus and a small diet coke for $6.75. There is even left over hummus in my 'frig. Next time I'll try jalapeno and scallions hummus. Fresh off a meeting with a branding guru I am noticing their logo, typeset and colors with a careful eye and am really liking what it says to me.

Hummus: a paste of pureed chickpeas usually mixed with sesame oil or sesame paste and eaten as a dip or sandwich spread. Something I never had growing up, but now it is a staple in my diet. I spread it on toast, dip cucumbers in it and start sandwiches with it. My favorite is the Tribe's 40 Spices.

Falafel: a spicy mixture of ground vegetables (as chick-peas or fava beans) formed into balls or patties and then fried.

Wedding in the Conservatory Garden

Lyndsey & Michael

Location: Conservatory Garden in Central Park
(105th Street and 5th Avenue)
Photographer: Threshold Visions
Officiant: Kim Kirkley
Flowers: Flowers by Richard
Reception: Tavern On The Green

Get Married in New York was established in 2002 by British born Lorraine Ellis and specializes in arranging weddings for couples in the United Kingdom who want to get married in New York. I am so happy to be their New York representative and day-of coordinator.

Thanks to Christopher Duggan for sharing his beautiful photos.

Trivia: Buttonhole is the British word for boutonniere.

Blog Better

I was very excited for an opportunity to improve my blogging skills and connect with other wedding professionals. Leine Stevens, social media genius and editor of the single most useful online resource for event planners, The Smart Planner hosted a day long class to help those of us blogging about weddings, events, stationery and more.

I met amazing women, (and one man!) It reinforced things I had read before and introduced me to many ideas and resources.

Three things specifically that I took away from the day were:

1.) Write your blog titles like people Google.
"Ceremony in Central Park" vs. "Flowers and Fountains". If you use the latter fewer people will be led to your blog organically, but if you opt to write like the first title people researching the topic will be led to your blog faster.

2.) Tag pictures. Labeling the photographs on a blog in the same manor as mentioned above, will lead people to your blog when they are doing a search via google images. With the popularity of vision boards and brides perusing the internet as they plan their wedding, this is a great way to increase blog traffic.

3.) Know where and when your blog traffic is coming from. This is not difficult, thanks to tools like google analytics. Reading my stats just taught me that a dress designer who hosted the perfect cocktail party linked my blog post to the press section of her website, showcasing my logo and a link to my blog!

Gary's Loft was a beautiful and conveniently located "classroom" and is an excellent venue to consider when hosting your next event!

Thanks to Leine and the ladies for a great day and here's to better and beautiful blogs:

Blue Orchid Designs
Mew Paper Arts
As You Wish Wedding Blog
Anderson Green Events
ABCD Designs
Capries Events
Striving for Perfection
Tribecca Yummy Mummy
Elite Affairs
Rice Ink
Living the Good Life
By Your Side Events

If I have not listed your blog, I am sorry! Tweet me and I'll remedy the situation asap.

The Harvard Club

The popovers alone are almost reason enough to book your next event at midtown's prominent Harvard Club. Last week The Wedding Salon arranged a beautiful lunch for event planners in the New York area. Designated a landmark in 1967, the classic interior of the Gordon Reading Room and Chef Angelo Ljubicic's signature truffles showcased the private club perfectly. I was in excellent company, dining many industry friends. After sending out a tweet, Carley Roney, co-founder of The Knot.com, addressed the topics of today’s bride, planning a wedding using the internet and the economy.




Chef Ljubicic's Popovers

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

4 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups bread flour
2-3/4 cups milk (divided)
2 Tablespoons shortening to grease muffin pans

In a bowl, mix the eggs, salt and flour. Stir in 1/2 cup of the milk and mix until smooth, then add the rest of
the milk a little at a time to avoid lumps. Strain the mixture through a sieve and fill 2-3/4 inch diameter
greased muffin pans 1-1/2 inches deep. Place in preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes. Reduce heat to
350 degrees F. and bake another 35 minutes.

Yield: 12 Popovers.

(Thanks to the Harvard Club website for the images and recipe!)

Culinary Day Trip

Calling all foodies:

I am planning a group trip to the Culinary Institute of America. This midweek field trip will include:

-a scenic round trip train ride from Grand Central Station.
-a tour of the finest culinary college in the US and the property that it rests on.
-a gourmet lunch
-a candid conversation with a professional chef and culinary instructor

This is a fall activity. A date has not been set. Please let me know if you’re interested. Details to follow.

Bachelorette Party Alternatives

As women focus on their careers, wait to get married or find their mates later in life, the bachelorette party has evolved. Brides-to-be look forward to spending quality time with their closest female friends, in a memorable way. There are many creative and unique alternatives to the traditional bar hopping, stripper centric consumption of cocktails. Which one would suit your bride-to-be best?

Stiletto Spy School
Thirsty for adventure? Step out of you comfort zone.
Pushing limits, breaking boundaries and learning real life skills and lessons that apply from the boardroom to the bedroom.
This unique women’s only “Training Missions” in NY and Las Vegas offers training with experts in of such confidence-boosters as military hand to hand combat training, poker lessons with a world-champion teacher, racing cars and speedboats, martini mixology, dancing the tango, precision firearms training, perfect wine pairings, and so much more.

Pole Dancing
Love your body and learn how to use it! Here's to a night of high heels, amazing music and dancing.

Winery Tour
Organize a great day tour of local wineries. Many include tastings, tours, picnic lunch and live music.

Dashing Divas
Few women would refuse a spa like day. Dashing Divas is a high energy, hot pick, hip house of services. It’s not a formal spa experience, but it’s not your average nail salon either.

Professional Photo Shoot
Hire a professional photographer to follow the ladies around for a day, afternoon or evening. Map out picturesque locations, encourage wardrobe changes and capture the bride and her dearest friends.

Trapeze School
Trapeze School New York produces distinctive parties and events in a year-round tent. Flying trapeze plus a variety of other fun, unique activities will ensure an experience your group will never forget.

Sparty
Create a custom spa experiences on-location.

The Culinary Loft
Break away from a traditional dinner party and bring your guests to an elegant and educational dining experience that everyone will rave about. The Culinary Loft Cooking Class Dinner Parties are arranged so that everyone feels pampered and spoiled and yet they can all learn how to be geniuses in the kitchen! Our Cooking Class Dinner Parties are charming and collaborative, and your guests get to share in the creation. Guided by professional Chefs, friends and family members will think this is heaven! Guests don aprons during our hands-on cooking class, as they are artfully guided through the preparation of a delicious 3-course meal by one of our noted professional chef instructors. After the chef arranges the mise en place, your guests break out into small groups to prepare the different courses.

Weekend Away
If it’s a hometown wedding that guests don’t have to travel to or if the ladies live in difference cities, planning a weekend away might be a smart and fun option to celebrate your bride to be. Vegas, South Beach, New York City?

How did you or would you like to send off or salute your singlehood?

FastTrac

FastTrac helps entrepreneurs hone the skills needed to manage and grow a successful business. The City of New York has partnered with the Kauffman Foundation to provide this course to New Yorkers.

The group dynamic was so encouraging and prepared participants to approach their new businesses with courage and confidence. We were presented with many resources and positive reinforcement each step of the way. I am not alone in saying, I will miss the environment now that the formal program has ended.

Sincerest thanks to Franne McNeal, Ali Mazzara and Sevanne Kassarjian- our facilitators and coaches extraordinaire. Their commitment to the program was invaluable. Thanks to The Levin Institute for being an excellent host and thank you Trish Lapinski for all your behind the scenes magic.





If you were going to start your own business what would it be?