The Bold and the Beautiful

If you saw my wardrobe I don't think "bold" would be the word to describe it, but for some reason I am insanely attracted to pattern and color... I don't understand why, but my fashion and passion don't correlate :(

Love these old/new graphic patterns for a vintage/contemporary look in designing everything from invitations to decor.

Above, Saima Says Design out of Washington, DC creates luxurious and interesting designs for clients everywhere. Saima, herself, is totally cute, too!

Above, Blik Surface Graphics have ingenious varieties of wall decals. Imagine a huge mirror wall covered in this vintage pattern, tres chic!

Finally, "throw" your guests off with unexpected patterned throw pillows among a sea of solid colors. Above, West Elm's allover medallion pillow covers.

Going out boating this weekend, maybe see you at Morris Island!

photos: Saima Says Design, Blik, West Elm

FYI...

I hear the Sanctuary at Kiawah Island will soon be hiring for a Catering Manager and a Conference Services Manager.

4-Stars 5-Diamonds, what what!

photo from www.thesanctuary.com

Sheer Elegance Courtesy of Stephen Duvall

June 9th felt like a day for the record books; positively sweltering. Despite the heat the Gibbes was teeming with activity for a classy courtyard reception for the wedding of Stephanie and Ben. Stephen Duvall Catering & Events delicately decorated the courtyard in gold linen and sheer ivory over gold chivari ballroom chairs. Tiger Lily created a combination of cascading flower arrangements and smaller full florals with a lot of greenery and ivory roses. The tent was draped in a semi-sheer liner with twinkling string lights showing through and wrought iron chandeliers brought some color and substance.

Following the ceremony at First Scots Presbyterian guests were greeted to a cool cocktail hour on the first floor of the Gibbes Museum of Art. They sipped on libations and enjoyed a selection of fancy passed hors d'oeuvres such as Duck Satays with Sesame Orange Glaze and Shiitake Mushrooms Stuffed with Foie Gras and Port Wine Demi Glace Reduction, YUM-O, as Rachael Ray would bark!

After the cocktail hour, the outside temperature had cooled to a comfortable level and wedding guests were seated in the courtyard for a high class 3-course dinner which included She Crab Soup with Sherry Service and a dual entree of Chive Butter Poached Lobster and Herb Crusted Tenderloin of Beef with Roasted Shallot~Port Demi-Glace, Saffron Whipped Potatoes and Vegetable "Fettuccine" with Carrots, Zucchini, Summer Squash, and Red Bell Pepper.

The beautifully intricate cake was made by none other than Jim Smeal, and guests danced the night away to the sounds of the Flabbergasters from Chapel Hill, NC.

Seeing as 2007 is the year of the Pig in the Chinese zodiac, Stephanie and Ben gave those in attendance a symbol of good luck in the form of a small pig in their favor boxes.

Good luck to you Stephanie and Ben Wong.

photos by Stephen Duvall Catering & Events

Event I'd Like to attend O' the week: Potter-mania

above, orbs containing prophecies over an elaborate dessert display

above, a replica of the enchanted ceiling at Hogwarts Great Hall

I saw Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix last night at the IMAX theather, and boy-wizard was it worth it! Harry and Cho finally kissed and he was looking... pretty hot for a half-blood prince! The last 20 minutes or so were in 3D and the only slight disappointment was that we sat on the side and probably lacked the full effect. For the movie's Hollywood premier and after party, Warner Bros. and Wendy Creed Productions threw a "Riddikulus" event... in a good way.

above, the Courtyard at the Jim Henson Lot in LA

above, actual moving portraits just like at Hogwarts

POTTER PARTIES ROCK!

photos by BizBash

Let's hug it out, b*tch!

HBO's Entourage is one of my favorite shows on television-- I even made my dad watch it with me last weekend while he was in town, and it was only then I realized how inappropriately brilliant it is (talk about wierd when we're watching and Turtle says "Now Drama has the cleanest @$$hole in LA" after he encountered a "fat whore's" long, scary tongue, LOL).

The crew is always hitting up LA's most famous and exclusive hotspots making the viewer feel like part of Vincent Chase's "entourage" in young, hot Hollywood. When some of these places are not being used for filming or excessive coke snorting, they are used for fabulous event venues... let's see:

The Chateau Marmont is an historic hotel on the famed Sunset Blvd in West Hollywood. In the show it's where Vince meets with fictional film director Billy Walsh to discuss "Queens Boulevard". In real life Chanel sponsored a party for the film Marie Antoinette in 2006 and transformed the hotel's garden courtyard into a luxurious French-inspired lounge.

In Season 3's episode called Crash and Burn, Turtle and Drama pursue a foot race to swanky Beverly Hills eatery Spago only for Turtle to fall flat on his face. Spago was the location for the premier party for the movie Closer in 2006 and because the guest list grew so out of control, they had to put up 2 tents at the last minute in front of the restaurant for the party.

One of my favorite clips between Ari and his loyal assistant Lloyd

photos by BizBash & HBO

7-7-7 at the Old Village Post House

7/7/07 was a hugely popular date to get married all over the world, maybe the most popular wedding date EVER! I coordinated an intimate wedding which took place at the Old Village Post House in an historic part of Mount Pleasant. The Post House's rich and eclectic decor made a simple statement without having to do much more with it. A few flower petals, some tiki torches, and simple arrangements and votives on the tables didn't compete with the venue's unique ambiance.

Guests arrived and escaped from the heat in the Post House's tavern, then the Catholic and Hindu inter-faith ceremony took place in front of 50 friends and family members in the charming courtyard. After the ceremony the guests were treated to a cocktail hour and passed hors d'oeuvres, like crispy saffron risotto cakes with tomato ginger compote and grilled shrimp with tamarind bbq sauce, in the tavern area.

For the seated dinner in the Pitt Street Room the P.H. pleased the palette with such choices as corn & crab chowder and seared golden sea bass with carrot-mustard sauce. After dinner it was back down to the tavern for drinks, cake, and dancing (which was inside rather than in the courtyard with the lucky wedding day downpour!). The chocolate strawberry cake was made just down the street at the Village Bakery and proved to be a hit. The newlyweds stayed in the on-site 6-room Inn making for an easy, elegant wedding.


Congratulations Meghan and Neel Vasavada!

Travel Series: Telluride Bluegrass Festival

My friend, and fab Folly resident, Maggie Hackett recently returned from the Telluride Bluegrass Fest in BEAUTIFUL Telluride, Colorado. In her own words:

"Let’s see… The festival started on Thursday 6/21 and ended Sunday 6/24. I flew into Telluride on Wednesday in my uncles’ little 6-seater plane. It was crazy!! Scary but so worth it We had a little keg party at my aunt’s house that night. My aunt gave us her downtown condo that she usually rents in the summer and it was the best part of the trip – not having to camp! haha

On Thursday we saw Emmylou Harris and the Counting Crows, who were unfortunately unimpressive. Friday we saw Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. Saturday was a HUGE day. We saw Yonder Mountain String Band, Sam Bush Band, Alison Krauss with Union Station and Tony Rice and the New Orleans Social Club – EXHAUSTING! Sunday was relaxing. Alison Krauss and Union Station ended the festival – it was beautiful.

We would start the day with breakfast and setting up our section at the festival, then we would go on a hike or shop in town. We ate lunch in the town most of the time – it was pretty $$$! The afternoons we spent at the festival and the nights were totally for dancing. After the shows ended we would go to a bar to hear more music for “Nightgrass”. A bunch of people from the festival would play other shows throughout town. It was incredible!

The climate was AWESOME. Cool in the mornings, hot in the afternoon and cold at night. No humidity! We saw Tom and Katie’s jet at the T-Ride airport when I was leaving on Tuesday so I guess they were in town but alas, I did not see them.

All in all, it was an amazing trip…definitely one of my best ever! I am an addict now and will go back for many more festivals!"

The 2008 Telluride Bluegrass Festival is scheduled for June 19-22, 2008

FOLLOW YOUR FOLLY BITCHES!

Color combo I'm loving right now

So I'm planning a wedding for next April and the bride's chosen purple as one of her colors. Since it will be spring I thought pairing the purple with a blue or navy would be beautiful and a nice change from the lately-everpresent chocolate brown. Here are some photos I've found that make the purple/blue combo a nice reality!

This cake designed by Ellen Baumwoll for Bijoux Doux not only employs great hues but also gives a very modern feel to the classic wedding cake with whimsical shapes in 3-D piping.

Lavender roses and blue hydrangea will surely show the bride's southern roots...

But lanterns dotting the open sky above the dancefloor and hand painted parasols hung from the tent (top), from Asian Ideas, will "marry" the deep south with the far east and prep the couple for their exotic Japanese honeymoon.

FED EX What what!!

photos from theknot.com, Brides.com, and Asianideas.com

helt fascinerande - utterly fascinating

The South's event design is quickly evolving from fluffy chiffons to sleek, clean lines, thanks to local trendsetters. The polished minimalist approach can be linked to Nordic design and though I usually think of Ikea as a fun place to spend a day picking up a few things to throw into your home furnishing mix, it's full of event design inspiration!

Okay, so there's more, but my computer is totally freezing up so I'll go ahead and post these.

photos from Ikea.

Head turning centerpieces

Forget about the same old floral arrangments! Make a statement and leave guests talking with centerpieces that are more than just that. Above designers Van Wyck & Van Wyck created a very eclectic barbed wire and topiary piece for an NYC art fundraiser.



Another art event in New York showed off Susan Holland & Co.'s minimalist creativity. And below, I would be remiss if I didn't again mention the topiary centerpieces made by Topiary, Inc. for the Bark Ball in Washington D.C.

I am on a semi-vaca this week, so I'll be posting sporadically. Word!

photos from BizBash