Monday, June 27, 2005
Lessons Learned
Well, as in everything else in life, there is always a lesson or two to be learned by throwing a party or trying to help someone create something out of nothing. And so be it for me...got asked to help out at the last minute with a very high profile celebrity/socialite party in New York City...wow, so exciting..a chance to help someone create a party for a friend who had a new reality show coming out...lots of press, lots of promises, lots of energy to be given out on a silver platter! Crazy, tried hard to make it happen but on my end it just didn't fly. The hostess was catering to too many entities, her husband had a strict budget and her friend wanted the world and expected it and the hostess didn't know where to turn, didn't know who to trust. The husband didn't want the new penthouse ruined, didn't want the photo shoot with House and Garden compromised, the best friend wanted a full buffet and lots of high profile people, she wanted the press, she wanted the roof top looking like it had been lived in for years even though it was just moved into. Angst everywhere...I stepped away and I hoped it was pulled off by the caterer who was wonderful in every way http://fooddesigncatering.com.In contrast, went to a friend's house for a Saturday evening dinner. It was casual but that didn't mean planning in advance didn't go into the whole affair. The house was very F. Scott Fitzgerald with beautiful gardens everywhere. The grass was mowed, the weeds pulled and the flowers were blooming! The host and hostess were at ease and welcoming which should always be the goal of every person who wants to entertain! Hors d'ourves were waiting on the open patio, fine wine was poured, the table laid out with perfect summer linens and the candles were set up to give us light way into the night. The food was brought out, nothing but the simplest yet freshest ingredients: sword fish that had been grilled, bar b qued chicken that had marinated in a mango sauce, salad that was perfectly tossed, fresh loaves of bread, and to top it off a chocoate brownie cake dessert that went down nicely with the newly brewed coffee! Music, favorites of this couple who are musicians themselves, played in the background which added the final perfect element to the night. I walked away feeling grateful for the good time had by all!
So the lesson learned here is do what feels right! Choose an evironment that puts you at ease, offer a menu that is simple whether it is created by you or a caterer, and look at the small details...they matter! Plan properly so you can get the perfect invitation that says it all, display those summery linens or splurge and rent a tablecloth with an outrageos pattern, the little white lights that line the summer porch's ceiling make a difference as do the candles that are placed to give a glow to the night and choose the music that fills you with joy. Your guests will notice and appreciate not only the efforts you have made but will be wooed by your open smile and warm greeting that only ease can give way to!
The goal should always to make entertaining wonderfully easy: figure out how to do it on your own only if you love it otherwise hire someone you trust, someone who understands your vision.
Until next time,
Valorie
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Sunday, June 12, 2005
party party party
Well here we go...want to let you in on my day/weekend! Got a call on Saturday for a very high profile/celebrity party in about a week. As of Saturday they needed invites that were clever and sophisticated and needed them by Monday (this is usually unheard of and very difficult as you can imagine). Can't go to a store for this, can't go to Crane's stationery...come to me so I can pull some strings and make things happen. Have worked things out with my graphic/printer people so that we have a proof on Monday morning so the invite can be printed by Tuesday and then mailed. Isnt' that beautiful? Now onto officially meeting the client so we can review the menu, the layout, security needs and photo possiblitites! Talked with my security guy who is also a US Marshall...can't get any better...the details go on.Until next time, have a good party yourself!
Speaking of photos...check this one out from my buddy david bravo
Saturday, June 04, 2005
What's New?
Well I have just finished writing my final article for the hard copy of Entertaining New's latest edition! The theme is what's new? Well, so many things are new and we kill ourselves finding and then attaining the latest in fashion, books, recipes, houses, cars...we enjoy it all or so we say...I find it gets a little tiring after awhile but that is not the point. The point is that through all of the newness and the latest of the latest only the best and the brighest products, services and ideas stick around. Keeping this concept in mind, the new becomes old which then resurfaces as new again because good things need to stick around...we want them to stick around because they make sense.Entertaining News features the best of the new stuff: a new company Couture & Company Events http://coutureandcompany.com that prides itself on respectful service and noteworthy events, a new (yet old) concept in entertainment called Play With Your Food http://www.westportartscenter.org where a good lunch is combined with 3 one act plays all in 45 minutes, an article on blogging (need I say more), a look into a dining experience as entertainment as seen through the eyes of Chef Matt Storch of MATCH restaurant in South Norwalk, CT. http://www.matchsono.com and a review of SONO Baking Company & Cafe http://www.sonobaking.com which is going to be, when it opens, a great place to get fresh baked breads and desserts plus soups, salads, and sandwiches from a couple of chefs who have broken off from Martha Stewart.
Enough for day...have to search now for the newest TV show...Later!
