Happy Mother's Day!

Last night, my girlfriends and I held a mother's day dinner in honor of our moms. I think it's safe to say this might become a tradition-a great time was had by all.

Motif: Shabby-chic farm style dinner with vintage embroidered linens. (Thanks Cristal!)

You can see we attached pictures with our moms to the lattice in the background.

Backyards are always better with lights! This is proof I manned the BBQ.
Lessons with Scott paid off.

Kiss the cook!

Shannon-a great grill master herself. And maker of the best ever bacon-wrapped dates.

MEAT.

The moms-before they toasted us! Clever ladies, beat us the daughters to the punch.

End of the night group shot, though Katie, Paula, and Shannon had left.

I'm often interested in the menus for parties-here's the breakdown:

Appetizers:

• Caprese salad
• Blue cheese-stuffed olives
• Artichoke and bean crostini
• Bacon wrapped dates

Entree

• Filet mignon (with Scott's secret marinade)
• Chicken with tequila lime marinade
• Twice-baked potatoes
• Cesar salad

Dessert

• Nutella cupcakes
• Coffee cupcakes

And several bottles of wine-of course.

This was a super fun evening. We've all been friends from as early as elementary school and were all on dance team together during various years in high school and the friendships have remained. Cheers to moms-both biological, stand ins, in-laws, and soon-t0-be as well!

Wedding Trends That Need to RIP

Let me say this before I get on any soap box--I do not mean to offend anyone, as we all have our own opinions, and the list appearing below is just my own idea of what has run its course in the wedding world. Somebody had to put an end to flower crowns in the 80s, right?

Weddings are trendy. It is a truth that many women may want to ignore, but generally, most weddings this decade all have similar elements, just as those did in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Why reinvent the wheel? I understand it. Wedding blogs and websites have never been so popular these days, and with the onset of social media and the surplus of crazies in this world, there are some broads that try to steal other people's weddings. Now that is just plain bizarre, but I digress.

I think most women tend to take elements from other weddings and file them away because we plan them since we're old enough to realize the Best Day Ever comes with a pouffy white dress. I did it. I remember thinking Kelly Kapowski's wedding dress from the Las Vegas made for tv movie of "Saved by the Bell" would be mine. By the time you are of marrying age, you have an entire collection of weddings ideas from the past decade...that may or may not be appropriate.

As I mentioned in my professional disclaimer, there are some trends that need to be put to rest. We are past the mid-point for 2010 and I think it's time to start branching into new territory, and flexing our creative muscles.

Again, sorry if I offend you. These things have just run their course. What do I know anyway?

• Bridesmaids wearing flip flops. I don't even find this ok on the beach. Let them go barefoot. They'd walk on coals for you (theoretically, why not put them up to challenge?) It's a wedding, a time to look your best, and Old Navy thongs paired with a J. Crew dress that they spent $150 bucks to wear once, lacks the formality. Sure, you can have a casual wedding, but thongs=casual. Thongs=beach while wearing bathing suit or footwear for running errands. Shoes polish and outfit and frankly will be worn more than the dress (yes, it's true, get over it) and you won't hate your pictures later. I am not advocating for heels here either-find a nice pair of flat sandals (hello, Steve Madden) but not a rainbow sherbert of Old Navy footwear.
• Candy bars/buffets. Somewhere 3,000,000 people are gasping. They have had their heyday. I can appreciate them from a planner's perspective when they have colored elements to tie in the wedding, but otherwise, it's just a tired trend people are coming to expect.
• Favors. Maybe if someone starts handing out Andrew Jacksons in bow ties I'll renig this one, but through my earlier life as a wedding coordinator, I can't tell you how many of these were left at the end of a wedding and thrown away. Would you really want a shotglass etched with a picture of two random people? Splurge on enhancing your food or keep your DJ longer. Or here's a shocking idea-SAVE IT.

Like I said, these are just trends I'd like to see reinvented as we move into 2011. I hope the one person reading this that wore flip flops, enjoyed her candy buffet, and handed out monogrammed toothbrushes doesn't lash out at me.

Reuniting

As 2010 is ushered in today, I can't help but think about impending events, such as my high school reunion that is now only two years away. Many people do not look forward to such events but I loved high school. I miss the proms and Homecomings, football games, and of course dance team.

I am interested to see how high school reunions evolve in a time where most people have reconnected on social media sites-albeit the online world, it's still a peak into their lives. This does not replace meeting up with your peers, but I would guess a low key affair at a wine bar is more appropriate versus a black tie hotel reception.

Though I am not quite sure how it would be structured, I've always like the idea of combining years for a reunion-perhaps inviting those who graduated the year above and below for further reconnecting. I have a distinct memory of signing up to be on this planning committee and I am looking forward to the day I hear from our class president and rep, Barbie and Katie!

Respondez-S'il Vous Plait!

In my line of work, I must take RSVPs for multiple events a month. Generally they are low key affairs, with usually one grand daddy that causes me to receive unwanted blemishes, terrible stomach aches, or raging migraines. The root of this evil are the non-RSVPers. Not until I entered the professional world did I ever understand how bad of a problem this is. I have decided that not everyone is familiar with Emily Post and her teachings, so I am going to solve some of this issue by at least putting out there for anyone who stumbles upon my blog, so listen up children!

Lesson 1: Receiving the Invitation
Upon receiving said invitation to a wedding, party, business event, or even a child's birthday party, put the flyer/invite/e-vite print out somewhere you will always look. For a man, this might be on the fridge. For a lady, perhaps somewhere in an assumed filing system you already have going. Mentally note the date, and a "most likely to go" or "nope, can't make this one" so that you already have quasi-decision made.

Lesson 2: NEVER ASSUME
We all claim to be relatively intelligent human beings, some of us more capable than others certainly. However, as far as I know, none of us as hosts have become so omniscient that we can assume/anticipate/expect any guest to just send telepathic messages that we will be there. This is NEVER the case, thus you must NEVER do it. Important information is relying on that simple yes or no of yours. Catering numbers, linen counts, favors, printed materials-the list is endless. This rule also applies to even the best of friends. My BF and I always, always, always let each other know if we are able to make it to a hosted event. And yes, it's true, most likely my reply is a "yes", but she doesn't know if I have a conflict, and she extends the same courtesy to me.

Lesson 3: Note that Date
Generally on an invitation to an event there is a little piece of information that is the creme de la creme to the host: the reservation deadline. This little bugger should be placed on an Outlook Calendar, PDA, crackberry device, or your manually entered date books (hey, some of us are old school) as a DEADLINE. For those with zero event planning background, this is generally a time when the host needs to let the caterer or venue know the counts for many items. At this time, you must let the host know if you intend on coming. Do NOT, I repeat do NOT, think to yourself, "eh I can just show up, they can always squeeze me in." NO! NO! NO! Understand that there have been countless hours planning table arrangements just so, so that the most egotistical of V.I.P.s have the best spot, sponsors have a great view, and associates can be arranged to sit together. Those thoughts must be banished from your mind. As an event planner, it is the stress of all day-of stressers to have to scramble and find a spot for you AND your unannounced guest. If by a stroke of God I can find you somewhere, don't balk about not sitting together. It's unlikely and really is your punishment for not RSVPing. I often joke that I will seat these misfits at an Isolatation Table (thank you, Parent Trap) and make the offenders wear dunce caps as I mock them. I have yet been able to execute this public humiliation, but it's a threat. Don't push me.

Lesson #4: Get it in Girl!
The date has approached and now is the time to do one of life's simple pleasures, RSVP. Kindly drop an email, call, or even send the flyer or invitation back as the event dictates and let the host know your intentions. There is sometimes no greater gift in the business planning world than to have a grasp of who is coming to your event and actually be able to plan accordingly.


By following these rules, you have the power to make an event planner, bride, friend, or coworker very happy. It is so simple, and such simple etiquette, it will make Ms. Post smile and might even land you a better seat in the house.