Julie Pryor's Blog

800 Degrees

2012-01-25T08:41:00.001-08:00

The classic Neapolitan style Pizza at 800 Degrees in Westwood. The pizza is being compared to John's in New York.

Pizza is assembled in front of your eyes

Since Pizza is a basic food group for me, I was anxious to try 800 Degrees - the new Pizza cafe in Westwood. The concept is quite interesting. You order your Pizza at a counter and then walk by an assembly line where the chefs customize each Pizza. By the time you reach the end of the line your Pizza is ready. There are basic Pizzas on the menu as well as specialty pies such as a Pizza with chicken, gorgonzola and caramelized onions and a pie with truffle cheese, roasted tomatoes and caramelized garlic. You may also customize from an assortment of toppings - bacon, anchovies, meatballs, egg, shrimp, artichokes, eggplant, pine nuts etc

I enjoyed the sausage and pepper pizza very much. The sausage was delicious and the caramelized onion gave it a nice tangy taste. The Margherita Pizza was fine but paled in comparison, although the marinara sauce was quite good. There are several salads on the menu. The chopped salad was the perfect blend of vegetables, cheese and meat and the red wine vinaigrette dressing was excellent. The prices are extremely reasonable and they are open until 2:00am

I am looking forward to returning.

True Words

2012-01-24T08:25:00.000-08:00

2012-01-16T21:06:00.000-08:00

Sea Glass at Anthropologie

2012-01-04T15:52:00.000-08:00

I am a big fan of Anthropologie. I rarely walk in without finding at least a couple treasures I would like to take home. I also think beach glass - or sea glass as it's sometimes called is enchanting. I enjoy collecting the tiny pieces of tumbled glass when I am lucky enough to find it at the beach. When I saw this gorgeous hanging chandelier made entirely of beach glass at Anthropologie, I couldn't take my eyes off it. Most of the glass on this hanging piece is clear so the colored pieces in shades of amber, green and blue stand out. Of course it basically needs a room of its own to hang in. What a fun piece!

New Years Traditions Around the World

2011-12-31T09:31:00.001-08:00

Around the world, the New Year is filled with many symbolic traditions.

Here in the United States, the most famous tradition is the dropping of the ball in Times Square. Each year at 11:59 P.M. thousands gather to watch the ball make its one-minute descent, arriving exactly at midnight. The tradition first began in 1907. The original ball was made of iron and wood; the current ball is made of Waterford Crystal, weighs 1,070 pounds, and is six feet in diameter.

In Japan, people thoroughly clean their homes on New Years Eve in case the New Year's God pays them a visit. Buddhist Temples in Japan strike gongs 108 times to expel the 108 types of human weakness.

The Dutch make bonfires from their Christmas trees to expel the old and welcome the new.

First-footing is an ancient European New Year’s custom that continues into the present in many areas. The first person to enter a home after midnight on the first day of the year should be a male, preferably with dark hair. Blondes may have been associated with Vikings – visitors who never brought good luck. The first-footer should carry a gift, such as a coin for prosperity, bread for food, salt for flavor, or whiskey to represent good cheer. The first-footer can be a resident of the house, but must not be inside during the hour leading up to midnight.

Austria has one of the most glamorous New Year’s celebrations. At the Imperial Ball, a tradition of the Hapsburg dynasty that has continued for hundreds of years, dancers wear white gowns and black jackets. At midnight, “The Blue Danube,”is played. The Strauss operetta, “Die Fledermaus, is performed each New Year’s Day

Noisemaking and fireworks began in ancient times as a way to dispel evil spirits. Of course, this tradition continues around the world to this day.

Many of the world's most interesting New Year's traditions revolve around eating. The food represents wealth, prosperity, forward motion, long life and happiness.

The Spanish and Portuguese eat twelve grapes - one grape each time the clock chimes. This symbolizes the twelve months of the new year.

People around the world consider pork to be the luckiest food to eat on New Year's Day. Pigs are rotund, which represents prosperity. They also "root forward" with their noses, which is supposed to symbolize progress. Yes, bacon counts!

In Greece, a pomegranate is smashed on the floor in front of the door to break it open. The seeds represent prosperity and good fortune. The more seeds, the more luck you will have in the months ahead.

In Japan Soba noodles are eaten. These long buckwheat noodles symbolize long life, and are therefore lucky - but only if you eat them without chewing or breaking them.

The Greek bake a special lemon-flavored cake called a Vasilopita or St Basil's Cake. It's baked with a silver or gold coin inside. Whoever finds the coin gets a year of good luck.

In the Southern United States, it's traditional to eat black-eyed peas or cowpeas in a dish called Hoppin' John. There are even those who believe in eating one pea for every day in the new year. This traces back to the legend that during the Civil War, the town of Vicksburg, Mississippi, ran out of food while under attack. The residents fortunately discovered black-eyed peas and the legume was thereafter considered lucky.

Traditional wisdom warns that it's best to avoid certain food. Lobster, for instance, is a bad idea because they move backwards and could therefore lead to setbacks. Chicken is discouraged because the bird scratches backwards, which could cause regret or dwelling on the past. Another theory warns against eating any winged fowl because good luck could fly away.

Whether you follow any of these traditions or have a few of your own - all of us at Pryor Events wish you a happy, healthy and memorable 2012.

Wonderful Holiday Gifts at Anthropologie

2011-12-14T16:15:00.000-08:00

Beautifully detailed plates are unique gifts.

Whimsical Cookie jars are fun to give and receive - especially filled with your favorite cookies.

Anthropologie is a great source for clothes - colorful party dresses, warm sweaters, lace-up boots, fantastic coats.

Anthropologie is also a perfect place to find Holiday Gifts. A few of my favorites - unique books on interesting subjects, hand blown glass ornaments, cozy scarves & gloves and wonderful kitchen items. They even feature garden tools from Austria. It is always a treat to select gifts from Anthropologie as I know the recipient will be truly excited. Pryor Events are fans of Anthropologie.

The Butter End is busy baking for the Holidays

2011-12-07T17:45:00.000-08:00

The Butter End Cakery in Santa Monica produces absolutely gorgeous and delicious cake and other sweet delicacies.

The Butter End's enchanting holiday dessert display. From French macarons to handmade caramel corn to pear galette and farmer's market apple pie...
These delectable treats and so much more are available to order for the holidays. You can even take in your favorite baking dish and Kimberly will bake a perfect apple pie to pick up.

Aren't these little elves adorable! The fact that they are chocolate, bourbon and coconut means they will taste as amazing as they look.

Kimberly Bailey calls herself the owner, baker, artist and dishwasher at her cake boutique - The Butter End. I call her incredible. You will find Kimberly baking to her heart's content at her boutique cakery - tucked in an alley off of Santa Monica Boulevard in Santa Monica. As soon as you enter you realize you are in for a wonderful experience. Kimberly truly listens to her customer's needs and desires. She enjoys being creative and she is always up for a challenge. In addition to using rolled chocolate instead of the standard fondant, Kimberly uses only the purest and most natural ingredients. You can taste the difference in every heavenly bite! Pryor Events are fans of The Butter End. View their site at www.thebutterend.com or give Kimberly a call at (310) 943-9241

Carolina Herrera Gowns

2011-12-01T20:17:00.000-08:00

Carolina Herrera on Melrose Place is having their "Secret Sample Sale" -
Saturday, December 10 from 10:00 to 6:00.
Their gorgeous wedding gowns are going to be 50% to 70% off. Veils, shoes and evening wear will be marked down heavily as well. This is a rare opportunity.
Call Caitlin to make an appointment (323) 782-9090

White House Subs - The Best

2011-11-30T16:20:00.000-08:00

Whether you call them submarines, subs, hoagies or heros - there is only one place to enjoy this tastiest of all sandwiches.

The White House in Atlantic City, N.J. is home to the world's best subs.

One of the reasons the subs are far superior to anyplace else is that the bread is incredibly fresh. Large bags brimming with just baked bread are delivered to The White House twelve times a day.

This "regular" sub is in production.

Their cheese steak is the best I have ever eaten.

Whenever I am on the east coast I try my best to pay a visit to The White House.
The White House has been making these delicious sandwiches since 1946. The quality of their products is amazing. Some of the employees have worked there over 40 years and they take great pride in assembling each creation.

The decision is never easy - the regular sub that's filled with tasty Italian meat and cheese or the cheese steak which has hot, tender sliced steak, melted cheese and grilled onions. The chicken steak made with sliced breast of chicken is also very popular. Make sure to ask for their signature hot peppers that add the perfect amount of zing. Whichever sub I choose, I am never disappointed. Pryor Events are big fans of The White House.

If your travels take you to Pennsylvania or New Jersey - do yourself a favor and visit The White House.

Lawrys at Thanksgiving

2011-11-25T07:58:00.000-08:00

Lawry's serves their traditional meal on Thanksgiving. You can order prime rib, turkey or a combination. I was happy with my choice - the combination.

This year my family had Thanksgiving at a restaurant for the very first time in my life.

The dinner was quite delicious. Our round table was very comfortable and everyone was able to talk and actually hear.

Our meal began with Lawry's signature spinning salad with lettuce, watercress, egg, beets, homemade sourdough croutons and their wonderful dressing. Our main course was accompanied by mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberries and Yorkshire pudding. Lawry's creamed spinach or corn was offered as well. In addition to the holiday menu, their complete menu was available as well as vegetarian options.

The PROS

The food was delicious

There were no dishes to wash

The atmosphere was festive

The CONS

We waited over an hour for our table

I will miss the turkey sandwiches the next day

Vera Wang - Wonderful Sale

2011-11-23T18:59:00.000-08:00

Vera Wang on Melrose Avenue is having a huge sale on Friday - the day after Thanksgiving. Their fall and pre-fall ready to wear will be hard to resist as clothing and shoes are 40% off and accessories will be 20% off. Vera's clothes are super flattering - perfect for all of the holiday parties coming up. Pryor Events are big fans of Vera Wang.

The Presidential Suite at Hotel Bel-Air

2011-11-18T17:04:00.000-08:00

The living room of The Presidential Suite at Hotel Bel-Air.

Hotel Bel-Air has always been one of my most favorite hotels. I was a bit concerned when the hotel closed several years ago for a complete remodel. Only the hotel's signature swans remained during the construction.

I am very happy to say that the original charm of the hotel is intact. There are many changes from the sophisticated lobby to the delicious Wolfgang Puck restaurant to the new guest rooms. The changes enhance the beauty of the hotel without detracting from it. Each area is quite wonderful.

I had the pleasure of visiting The Presidential Suite with the lovely Lynn Racusin. I work with Lynn on booking rooms for my clients who are planning events at both Hotel Bel-Air and The Beverly Hills Hotel.

The colors in the suite are eclectic and yet calm and soothing at the same time.

My favorite part of the suite - a full sized swimming pool and lovely patio.

Another wonderful outdoor space - a tranquil patio with its own jacuzzi.

All of the new suites are gorgeous. Each has its own personality. Several are even built into the hillside and have amazing views.
The Presidential features 2,260 square feet of indoor space. There are two fireplaces, a wonderful kitchen and a formal dining room. The floor is made from limestone and there are natural wood ceilings. The outdoor areas are completely private and beautifully landscaped. The hotel is extraordinary so it is only fitting that
their Presidential Suite is truly spectacular. Pryor Events are fans of Hotel Bel-Air.

Sometimes Simple is best

2011-11-13T18:01:00.000-08:00

The classic Caprese Salad from the Island of Capri
This wonderful Caprese salad is easy to assemble and tastes amazing. Simply combine sliced yellow, green and red heirloom tomatoes with fresh mozzarella cheese. Alternate the slices and sprinkle with fresh basil and oregano. Drizzle with evoo and fresh ground pepper. Although the traditional recipe does not call for it, I add vinegar to mine. The key is in using the very best tomatoes - not as easy to find this time of year but definitely available and wonderful olive oil. You can find the ingredients at Whole Foods as well as local farmers markets.

Fantastic Hair!

2011-11-09T08:10:00.000-08:00

This wonderful Style, featured on BHLDN is all about old Hollywood Glamour.
It's stunning but it doesn't take itself too seriously.
Learn how to achieve this look at http://www.bhldn.com/.

Hal Rubenstein Book Signing at Vera Wang

2011-11-04T18:59:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of attending the book signing event for the talented and knowledgeable Hal Rubenstein at Vera Wang's boutique on Melrose Avenue. Hal is the fashion director at InStyle. He is also a founding editor at the magazine and the former men's style editor for The New York Times. Hal is an expert on dresses and a big fan of Vera's gowns. His new book "100 Unforgettable Dresses" is filled with gorgeous women wearing amazing gowns - from Grace Kelly to Michelle Obama. Vera Wang's tangerine chiffon gown worn by Charlize Theron to the Academy Awards is one of the elaborate gowns featured in the book.

The book signing coincided with Vera Wang's Trunk Show of her magnificent 2012 collection.

Hal Rubenstein proudly displaying his fantastic new book. In addition to the gorgeous photos there are fascinating stories on the dresses' origins from the designers.

Up and coming model Madelaine Daianu wearing one of Vera's dramatic new creations.

The lovely Tara Maietta - Manager of Vera Wang's wonderful West Hollywood boutique

A small sampling of Vera Wang's 2012 collection

I am excited with Vera Wang's new collection. There are romantic, timeless gowns and also mystical creations that are quite unique.
Pryor Events are big fans of Hal Rubenstein's new book "100 Unforgettable Dresses" and Vera Wang.

Let Them Eat Cake

2011-11-01T17:17:00.000-07:00

The Butter End Cakery is a wonderful artisan cake boutique in Santa Monica. Kimberly Bailey creates masterpieces that taste as amazing as they look. Kimberly describes herself as owner, baker, artist and dishwasher. I describe her as an artist with a rare talent.

The interior of the eclectic Butter End Cakery

A dramatic and unique cake that is fit for Royalty.

This wedding cake is adorned with edible lace and delicate flowers

This all white cake is stunning.

What sets The Butter End apart is not only the gorgeous and unique design of their cakes but the fact that they are so incredibly delicious. Kimberly uses the finest ingredients including free range organic eggs, Guittard Chocolate, Nielsen Massey Vanilla and organic fruit. Kimberly honors special requests such as gluten-free cakes. Instead of the typical gummy fondant, nearly all of Butter End's cakes are covered in a tasty rolled chocolate. Kimberly's passion is clearly evident when she meets with my clients and of course when they see and taste their finished cake. Pryor Events are fans of The Butter End!

Copper Willow - An Inviting Paper Studio

2011-10-25T07:40:00.000-07:00

Copper Willow in Culver City is a wonderful boutique that believes in the art of the written word.

The inviting entrance at Copper Willow

A few of their custom letter pressed cards. Just be careful the gift inside is as nice as the card!

Their letter press produces stunning invitations. These fine machines are no longer produced anyplace in the world.

If you are like me and you still appreciate fine paper then you must visit this charming boutique in Culver City. Two young and quite talented women, Leora and Jill create wonderful invitations, cards, stationery and gifts. They work closely with clients to design impeccable products. All of their materials are environmentally friendly from their recycled and tree free paper to the vegetable dyes used in their work. In addition to turning your ideas into reality they have wonderful letter pressed greeting cards with original sayings that are a treat to send.

Pryor Events are big fans of Copper Willow.

A Cafe That Cares

2011-10-21T19:57:00.000-07:00

Cafe Surfas is that kind of place you would find in another city and wish you had in your own neighborhood. The food is fresh and delicious. The combination of ingredients in their salads and sandwiches is wonderful. It's comfortable, the staff is delightful and they even have parking. It's located at 8777 w Washington Boulevard in Culver City.
The appealing and delicious Cafe Surfas

The sandwiches are made on freshly baked bread. One of my favorites is the Pressed Turkey Panini with oven roasted turkey, raclette cheese, red onion marmalade, roasted tomatoes and asparagus on whole grain bread. Another delicious sandwich consists of Jidori Chicken with Nueske Bacon, aged white cheddar, avocado, mixed greens, red onion and tomato on a rustic roll.

I often have days filled with client meetings and little time for lunch. It doesn't help that we frequently discuss food at these meetings. I do not have time for a long, sit-down meal but I am not a fan of fast food. I was delighted when I found Cafe Surfas - the intimte cafe next to the Disneyland for cooks - Surfas. Cafe Surfas is the perfect place to grab a wonderful meal. Each item tastes as if it was well thought out and prepared by someone who really cared. Their salads are fresh and interesting. The homemade soup is wonderful and they always have a tempting display of dessert.
Pryor Events are fans are of Cafe Surfas.

Young at Heart

2011-10-20T07:10:00.000-07:00

Send In The Clowns puts on the BEST Children's Parties in town

A colorful "shopping" experience awaits the lucky birthday party guests at this "On the Farm" themed party

A nautical theme was just what the toddler ordered for his party at The Jonathan Beach Club

One of Send In The Clown's beautiful princesses.

If you want to do something really special for your child's next birthday - Leesa Zelken at Send In The Clowns is your answer. Leesa has been providing wonderful decor and top entertainment for children's parties for 22 years. Her performers are the most authentic and professional in L.A. Send In The Clown's parties include unexpected surprises such as bubble showers, magical dress up trunks, arts & crafts projects and even miniature adult like furniture. Leesa is wonderful to work with. Her years of experience and amazing intuition will please children of every age.

Pryor Events are big fans of Send In The Clowns

Dinner at Farm Shop

2011-10-06T21:14:00.000-07:00

Farm Shop at Brentwood Country Mart has been a personal favorite for breakfast and lunch since they opened. They are now serving fantastic dinners.

The entrance to Farm Shop.

The flavorful and fresh butternut squash salad with roasted peppers & avocado - drizzled with creme fraiche

Spiced Roast Chicken - baked with cherry tomatoes, garlic croutons and fingerling potatoes.

While I have been enjoying breakfast and lunch at Farm Shop at Brentwood Country Mart for some time, this week was my first experience with dinner.
First of all - I love the concept. They serve a set menu each night - Wednesday through Sunday. Each course is served family style. The food is incredibly fresh and simple. They do not try to combine too many ingredients together. The room is unpretentious and comfortable. The overall feel is having dinner at a friend's home , although not too many friends cook this well.
My dinner began with a perfect salad. Roasted butternut squash was the base and it was served with roasted peppers, avocado, coriander, creme fraiche and sections of heirloom lime. The creme fraiche served as the dressing and the traditional salad dressing was not missed.
The entree was a moist and flavorful Spiced Roast Chicken with cherry tomatoes, garlic croutons and roasted potatoes. It was seasoned perfectly. As a matter of fact - I never once reached for salt or pepper. For dessert there was a choice of Honey Cake with wild huckleberries or a Cheese Plate. My friend and I each chose the cheese plate. The Bellwether Farms San Andreas cheese served with fruit conserve and a crispy flatbread was the perfect ending to a fantastic meal.
Our waiter said they are experimenting with different menus but Sunday will most likely be fried chicken night each week. In addition to the featured entree, there is always a vegetarian option available. This is the type of restaurant that we need more of in L. A. While quite a few restaurants have come and gone from this location, I think Farm Shop will be serving their wonderful food for many, many years.

Pryor Events loves Farm Shop!

2011-10-03T19:47:00.000-07:00

Guilt Free Muffins

My Zumba Teacher Deirdra Martinez shared these with us after class today. They are moist and delicious. Since there's no flour or sugar in them they are low in calories and packed with protein. Deirdra excels at teaching fun Zumba classes as well as offering personal training. Pryor Events are big fans of Deirdra and Zumba!

GUILT FREE PUMPKIN MUFFINS

One Cup Oats
Two Scoops Protein Powder
One and a half tsp Baking Soda
Two Whole Eggs and Four Egg Whites
Two -four tbsp Splenda
Two tbsp. ground Flax
One tsp. Cinnamon
One half tsp Nutmeg
One Cup Pumpkin Puree

Combine dry ingredients, then add remaining ingredients. Spray muffin pan with Pam or olive oil spray. Pour batter into muffin pan - filling just below the top.
Bake at 375 - 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly brown on top.
Enjoy!

Carolina Herrera Trunk Show

2011-09-21T15:15:00.000-07:00

It is almost that time of year... Carolina Herrera is having their Fall 2012 Trunk Show at their lovely Melrose Place boutique October 27 to 29th. You may call Caitlin at 323 782-9090 to set up an appointment. I hear there are going to be spectacular gowns - who would expect anything less from Carolina!

Easy & Delicious

2011-09-17T07:55:00.000-07:00

These light and delicious hors d'Oeuvres only take
a few minutes to assemble. They are perfect to tray pass or
as part of a stationary appetizer display.

Cucumber rounds, sliced thin - I like the Persian Cucumbers

Smoked salmon

Creme fraiche

Fresh dill

Lemon slices

Simply place a few slices of salmon on the cucumber rounds. Add a dollop of creme fraiche and garnish with dill. It's important to use high quality smoked salmon and fresh dill. Sprinkle dill on your platter and serve with sliced lemon. Enjoy!

Killer Shrimp Returns

2011-09-06T09:19:00.001-07:00

Killer Shrimp has returned to Marina del Rey - with an expanded menu and a wonderful view.

If you have missed their mouth watering shrimp cooked in an indescribable sauce of garlic and spices you will not be disappointed. The shrimp come three ways - with pasta, with rice or in a large bowl covered in the sauce. The bowl of shrimp in sauce is the most flavorful but keep in mind you will need to peel these.

While the last Killer shrimp was strictly shrimp - the new restaurant has added appetizers and several entrees such as steak, salmon and lobster tail to the menu. Their New England clam chowder is amazing and unlike most versions, it's loaded with tender clams.

Killer Shrimp only takes reservations for parties of six or more and the wait is presently long. If the wait is too long - the lounge area has a great view of the Marina and offers open seating. The appetizers and all three versions of their shrimp are available there. Pryor Events are fans of Killer Shrimp.

The entrance on Admiralty Way

Killer Shrimp over rice

My personal favorite - shrimp in a delectable broth, served with bread for dipping.

Cooking can be Fun

2011-08-26T07:19:00.001-07:00

A wonderful cooking class at Sur La Table

I recently had the pleasure of taking part in a cooking class with a friend at Sur La Table. The location at The Grove offers regular classes. While I have taken classes before, this was more fun as we moved from station to station during the evening and actually took part in the preparation. We learned techniques from several chefs. We began with Gruyere Fondue. We each savored the hot, gooey cheese on chunks of fresh bread. I could have eaten that for dinner. We learned how to cook Crispy Flattened Chicken with garlic mashed potatoes and black eyed pea succotash. The recipe is Ben Ford's, the chef and owner of Ford's Filling Station. We learned that the secret to the crisp skin and moist chicken is is brining the chicken over night. For dessert we made tiny pine nut cookies.

While the food cooked we were given an opportunity to shop to our heart's content. The store manager pointed out all of the tools we had used in preparing the meal and where we could find them. After shopping we sat down to a delicious meal. It was a fun evening - the only disappointment was the huge amount of butter used in the chicken and vegetable dish. If I ordered this in a restaurant I would feel good in knowing I was eating something healthy and that clearly was not the case. The good news is that I made the chicken at home with much less butter and it was still delicious.

Temperley London is Quite Tempting

2011-08-19T07:54:00.000-07:00

Temperley London is a wonderful, intimate boutique on Melrose Place focusing on contemporary British fashion. English women in the know such as Pippa Middleton and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge have been dressing in Alice Temperley's unique creations for years. Lucky for us, we no longer have to fly over the pond to indulge. In addition to Temperley's dynamic collection of evening wear, the boutique on Melrose Place has a room full of Bridal Gowns. Temperley releases a new Bridal Collection twice a year. I had the pleasure of previewing their newest Bridal Collection.

A few of the newest dresses in The Temperley London Bridal Collection.
Pryor Events are big fans!

The lovely lead sales specialist, Jennifer Murphy displaying one of Temperley's newest Bridal Gowns.

A sophisticated wedding gown that feels very Royal

This Egyptian inspired Gown features a back that is quite dramatic.

BUNGALUX - Bungalusts

2011-08-18T11:10:00.000-07:00

Pryor Events is proud to have been featured on the gorgeous Bungalux Site. You can view our tips on planning a Summer Pool Party at http://www.bungalux.com/bungalusts/contributor/julie-pryor

Dinner Created by Culinary Students

2011-08-14T17:31:00.001-07:00

Enjoy a delicious meal and support Culinary Students at Bistro 31 in Santa Monica The wonderful open kitchen where chefs in training perfect their craft.

One of the entrees on the Bistro 31 current menu - breast of chicken with goat cheese red bliss mashed potatoes and spinach

A wonderful summer salad consisting of heirloom tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, sweet watermelon and a delicious soy-ponzu vinaigrette

If you follow my Blog you will notice that I enjoy trying unique restaurants. One of my current favorites is Bistro 31 in Santa Monica. It is run by the International Culinary students at The Art Institute of California. The students cook, serve and run the front of house. The food is very good and the prices are quite reasonable. The emphasis is clearly on quality and not quantity. The servings are small and there are not many choices. Personally, I prefer small amounts of good food rather than huge amounts of mediocre food. They do not serve alcohol but you may bring your own wine. Their schedule is determined by the school calendar. They are currently open for lunch and dinner on Tuesday - Thursday. The restaurant is just off 31st Street and Ocean Park. There is lot parking and they validate. Pryor Events thinks Bistro 31 is wonderful! View their site at http://www.bistro31.com

Cheese Glorious Cheese

2011-08-03T18:33:00.001-07:00

Neal's Yard Dairy in London is a rare treat. If you enjoy cheese it's almost worth the long flight just to savor their astonishing selection. There are locations in Borough Market as well as Covent Garden. They often have wonderful cheese tasting events - pairing cheese with other local delicacies. Try to visit The Borough Market location when the incomparable market is in full swing - Thursday, Friday or Saturday. There's nothing quite like it.

Neal's Yard Dairy at Borough Market. The cheese is classified by its origin - cow, goat or sheep. Tasting is encouraged so don't be shy.

If you can not make it to London - no worries. This is the NYD selection at my local Whole Foods.

Summer Flowers

2011-07-21T06:59:00.000-07:00

The colors in this centerpiece are soft and yet vibrant. The Hidden Garden added great texture to the flowers.
My client's two favorite colors are brown and pink and we incorporated those colors into all aspects of the decor.

While adding fresh fruit was popular a few years ago it's rarely seen anymore. I like that these flowers have just a small touch of green apples.

The BEST Breakfast in Town

2011-07-18T20:21:00.000-07:00

French Toast with fresh fruit at The Griddle

This is the first Blog I have ever written on breakfast. The Griddle Cafe in Hollywood is truly deserving of praise. Imagine a restaurant that serves breakfast that's so amazing it's worth getting out of bed on a Sunday morning for. Even if that means waking up extra early to avoid the inevitable line. The Griddle is the type of place you would find while traveling and wish it was in L. A. They are open for breakfast and lunch and private parties in the evening. The Griddle is located on Sunset Boulevard, just West of Fairfax Avenue. Their extensive breakfast menu features many wonderful items. The gigantic, fluffy pancakes are legendary. A few of the mouth watering flavors include Banana with brown sugar baked bananas, bluberry-sourcream with powdered sugar, pumpkin pie filling with whipped cream, red velvet and honey-cinnamon rolled oats. Their ham steak is as big as the plate it's served on and very delicious. The Griddle's version of Eggs Benedict is a layer of seasoned potato skins with poached eggs, ham and housemade Hollandaise sauce. The Hoagie Omelette with sausage and the perfect amount of mozarella cheese is so delicious that you will eat it long after you are quite full. For lunch they offer tasty soft tacos , great sandwiches such as shrinmp b.l.t. and many kinds of burgers and salads. I like that you can order breakfast or lunch at any time. Alex, the host is absolutely delightful. Plan on your breakfast here lasting well past dinner.

Pryor Events are big fans of The Griddle Cafe!

The Griddle's Red Velvet Panckes

Good Gracious!

2011-07-14T15:27:00.000-07:00

Summer salads are always a treat. When they are made by Good Gracious Catering they are an extra special treat. They combine the freshest ingredients and wonderful seasoning to produce absolutely delicious food. Their motto is "We embrace the seasons and all of their offerings. We choose to provide menus filled with the freshest local produce, local sustainable seafood and organic meats and poultry. Our cuisine is all prepared in house from scratch using the finest ingredients".

Pauline Parry, the President and brain of the business was gracious enough (sorry, I couldn't resist) to provide us with two wonderful summer recipes. You will need to experiment a bit with quantities. Enjoy!

The salty and sweet combination of this Summer fruit Suprise is a winner!
The recipe is below

Watermelon and Strawberries with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Seedless watermelon, cut into chunks
Large and small strawberries, cut or whole - depending on size
Feta Cheese cut in small chunks
Fresh blueberries
Balsamic Vinaigrette - recipe follows

Mix fruit and feta together gently. Add a handful of blueberries and drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette.

Balsamic Vainagrette - 1 Tbl Dijon Mustard, 1 cup balsamic vinegar, half a cup lemon juice, 3 Tbl. garlic, 3 cups olive oil, salt & pepper to taste. Blend everything in a Cuisinart except the oil. Slowly add oil to emulsify.

Haricot Vert, Artichoke, Orange Pepper & Sweet Pea Sala

Fresh peas (or frozen if you must)
Hericot vert
Baby artichoke
Orange peppers
Champagne Dressing

1.Blanch Haricot Vert beans in boiling water for two minutes. They should cook but keep their color.

2. Drain hot water from beans and place in cold water with ice to stop the cooking.

3. Take fresh peas from their pods - cook in boiling water for one minute or defrost frozen peas

4. Roast baby artichokes that have been soaked in marinade (recipe follows). Roast until tender, about a half hour at 400 degrees. Cool and cut into quarters. You can cheat and buy marinated artichokes in a jar.

5. Cut tops off of the peppers, take out seeds and julienne.

6. Toss all vegetables with Champagne Vinaigrette (recipe follows)

Vegetable Marinade

6 cups Chardonnay white wine
1 and a half cups red wine vinegar
one half cup cup Dijon Mustard
one half cup minced garlic
one eighth cup paprika
one half cup each of rosemary and thyme
12 cups olive oil & salt & pepper to taste

Measure all of the ingredients except oil into a large "sour cream" bucket. Whisk by hand. Slowly add oil, stirring to emulsify.

This recipe will yield one and a half gallons! Use it on chicken, fish and meat. Be creative.

Champagne Dressing

1 Tbl. minced garlic
4 Tbl Dijon Mustard
three quarters cup champagne vinegar
3 cups olive oil & salt & pepper to taste

Blend everything in Cuisinart except oil. Slowly add oil to ingredients to emulsify.

We at Pryor Events thank Good Gracious!

Great New Shop

2011-07-13T20:33:00.000-07:00

On my way to meet clients at La Scala, I discovered a wonderful new boutique.
Pom Pom Interiors.

From wonderful silver frames to unique jewelry, everything is enticing

Pom Pom Interiors at 432 N Canon Drive in Beverly Hills is a warm and welcoming shop that features great items for the home

Pom Pom has a European feel but the beige and white palette makes you feel as if you are at a Malibu Beach-House. From chandeliers to pillows to wonderful furniture... Some of it has an antique feel and some pieces feel more modern. In my opinion, combining the two is so much fun! Pryor Events likes Pom Pom Interiors.

Dessert Heaven

2011-07-07T21:18:00.000-07:00

Who can resist piping hot donuts? If those donuts were bite sized and contained only 26 calories - even better. If they came in flavors such as Vermont Maple Syrup, Cinnamon & Sugar, Lemon and Vanilla that would be almost too good to be true.
Pryor Events loves The Fry Girl.

These donuts are almost healthy - your guests will be able to eat donuts without the guilt.

The Fry Girls in action...

The Fry Girl's mini delicacies sizzling away.

The Fry Girl (aka Shelley Beals) has perfected the art of frying. They have portable fryers that they bring to events. From mini donuts sprinkled with wonderful flavors to mini funnel cakes your guests will think they are in Dessert Heaven. The Fry Girl also makes french fries with wonderful dipping sauces. Their mini candy bars are a hit with children of all ages. Picture deep fried Snickers, Milky Way and Oreao... Since guests eat these treats seconds after they come out of the fryer they are fresh, piping hot and unbelievably delicious! View their site at www.thefrygirlinc.com

Let Them Eat Pie

2011-06-25T08:05:00.000-07:00

The entrance to Simplethings Sandwich & Pie Shop.

A small sampling of their tiny "cutie pies" and small "simple pies". You may order full size pies as well but if you choose the miniature sized pies you can sample many wonderful flavors.

Their sandwiches and homemade soup are delicious also

On my way to set up an event, I happened to see a charming little pie and sandwich shop on Third Street, just east of La Cienega. I was pleasantly surprised when I returned to check it out a few days later. It is one of the more appetizing cafes in L.A.

I love soup - even on hot days. The summer pea soup , which was that day's special was fragrant and light with just the right amount of spice. Their sandwiches are fresh and interesting with a twist. I want to return to try the avocado melt with roasted peppers, buttermilk bleu and apricot chutney and the made to order egg salad with sundried tomatoes on a pretzel roll. I enjoyed the Cobb salad with fresh roasted turkey, bacon and ripe avocado.

The best was yet to come... I had fun choosing which pies to taste for dessert. Since they can be eaten in two or three bites you don't need to choose just one. They are ALL delicious. Simplethings features many different flavors each day. A few of the more popular flavors are - salted caramel, banana cream, blueberry and strawberry rhubarb. They even have a pie sundae with Fosselman's ice cream.

The top ten reasons why you must try Simplethings Sandwich & Pie Shop - in no particular order.

1.The pies are incredible.

2. You can order tiny pies.

3.The pies are not too sweet.

4. They make interesting flavors.

5. Pot Pies are on the menu as well.

6. The soup is made fresh daily and it's delicious.

7. There are many healthy items on the menu

8. The food is fresh and very good

9. The owner Andy is super nice

10. The pies are incredible!

Great Find in Manhattan Beach

2011-06-20T20:34:00.000-07:00

I recently discovered a real Jewel in the South Bay. Lido di Manhattan Restaurant in Manhattan Beach is a charming, wonderful restaurant. It's the kind of place you could eat at several times a week and never get bored with the menu. The food is described as Italian-California Fusion. Lisa, the owner is pleasant and accommodating. She adores running her restaurant and this is evident in the care she takes in every aspect of her prized endeavor. Lisa hosts parties, fundraisers, meetings and cooking classes. Lido's Thursday night wine tastings are quite popular. A different winery is brought in each week. Lido does outside catering as well. All of the pasta, salad dressings and bread are made in house from scratch. Once you try Lido you will return often.

The interior of the restaurant is intmate and comfortable

One of the eclectic pieces of art on the patio

The charming patio at Lido

Two Classics By the Sea

2011-06-20T07:32:00.000-07:00

Shutters on the Beach is one of my very favorite hotels. It is quintessential New England in the heart of Santa Monica. Shutters is the perfect size hotel. The lobby feels as if you are visiting an old friend's beach home on the east coast. In fact an article in Travel & Leisure stated "Shutters has a laid back beach-house feel with all of the perks of a luxury hotel".

The restaurant on their beach level is Coast. Coast is that perfect restaurant that is right any time of day. It is a casual, fun cafe with a nice breezy, covered patio. One Pico offers fine dining with an exceptional view.

Casa del Mar is a landmark in Santa Monica. Casa (as it is affectionately called) was opened in 1926. Casa was built by renowned architect Charles F. Plummer in the height of the roaring 20's on "The Gold Coast" area of Santa Monica. After serving as a beach club and a longevity center, Casa was restored to her former grandeur and reopened as a luxury hotel in 1999.

The lobby at Casa is one of the most popular spots in Santa Monica. The decor is classic and the view is amazing. The hotel evokes a feeling of days gone by but of course with every single modern convenience. Their gourmet restaurant Catch is just off the lobby.

These two hotels are owned by the same family. They are run extremely well. No detail is overlooked. Shutters and Casa del Mar are two of my very favorite locations for planning social and corporate events and weddings.

Style Me Pretty

2011-06-02T07:02:00.001-07:00

http://www.stylemepretty.com/2011/06/02/ojai-wedding-from-the-hidden-garden-pryor-events

We are delighted to share today's Style Me Pretty blog which features a Wedding we planned. Becky and Shane's Wedding at Ojai Valley Inn was so much fun to plan. The weekend began with a Tuscan inspired dinner held on the wisteria covered terrace in the hotel's Herb Garden. The ceremony took place on a sweeping lawn under an oak tree on the lovely grounds of the hotel. The reception was outdoors at the onsite barn. Guests dined on long wooden tables amidst gorgeous flowers and dramatic lighting. Dancing was held inside the barn. Becky was incredible to work with. I loved mixing several styles which added charm and character to this wedding.

Birthday Cake with zero calories

2011-05-10T07:58:00.000-07:00

I love this fun Birthday Cake made completely from fresh flowers.

2011-04-29T06:38:00.000-07:00

It's always a treat to meet with my clients at The Hidden Garden. Amy and Trisha and their talented team work wonders with flowers. Here are a few examples of their gorgeous flowers from a recent visit.

The mix of lilacs (my favorite flower) and roses is soft and romantic

I love the contrast of vibrant yellow with the green leaves.

Classic flowers for an upcoming wedding.

The incredibly talented Hidden Garden crew hard at work

Stop For Sushi

2011-04-25T15:52:00.000-07:00

You will be happy if you obey their sign out front and stop in for sushi

The interior of Sushi Stop in West L.A.

In a city overflowing with great Sushi spots it is difficult to set yourself apart. One of the ways is by offering unique combinations as Katsu-ya does or feature a celebrity chef, which is the case at Nobu or a great atmosphere like Hayama. What sets Sushi Stop apart is the reasonable pricing. Everything on the menu is $2.75. The beauty is that they they do not skimp on the quality of the sushi. The sushi is fresh and delicious. You will find all of your favorite basic sushi here. They also offer wonderful specials each day. Their miso soup is excellent and the tofu salad with ginger dressing is tangy and flavorful. All diners sit at the sushi counter and there is sometimes a wait but once you sip the hot miso soup and devour one spicy tuna after another it's worth it. Sushi stop is on Sawtelle Blvd., just north of Olympic in West L.A. They are open from 11:30 to 10:00 every day. They offer valet parking on Mississippi Avenue. Their site is http://www.sushistopusa.com/

Buffalo Club

2011-04-11T13:02:00.000-07:00

The interior of the Buffalo Club has a wonderful speakeasy feel.

The large, outdoor space is covered in winter and open to the stars in summer. It's a great party venue.

Parmesan crusted organic farm egg with spinach and crumbled bacon -

I recently enjoyed a wonderful meal at The Buffalo Club in Santa Monica. It was a multi course tasting menu with wine pairings. Their comfort food with a twist is delicious. A few of my favorite courses were the spicy tuna tartare, the moist and flavorful pan seared Halibut, the parmesan crusted organic farm egg (pictured above) and of course their legendary bubbly macaroni and cheese. The restaurant is comfortable and has a nostalgic, clubby feel. The tented patio sprinkled with lounge furniture feels very L. A. The indoor area with its wood and leather could just as easy be in a corner of Manhattan - and I am not referring to Manhattan Beach. If you have not visited in a while treat yourself to a great meal and a fun evening at a long established Santa Monica jewel.

Anthropologie is at it Again

2011-04-04T12:23:00.000-07:00

It's always a treat to visit Anthropologie because I never know what treasures I might find. In addition to fantastic clothes, I have bought wonderful items for nearly every room in my home. The Anthropologie at 211 south Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills has expanded their home decor department. Make sure to stop upstairs to see an expanded collection of rugs, bedding, wallpaper, curtains, lamps... You will find items that are not available at any of their other southern California locations.Aren't these fun! Their new spring dining collection has arrived. There are great dishes, pitchers, platters, vases etc.

Let Them Eat Cake

2011-03-29T22:48:00.000-07:00

There is a hot new bakery in town. Kimberly Bailey recently launched "The Butter End Cakery" in Santa Monica. Kimberly creates magical CAKE using the finest natural ingredients. She uses cage free eggs, hormone free butter, organic milk , Nielsen-Massey Flavoring and Guittard chocolate. There is no fondant in sight - instead this creative genius uses rolled chocolate. Kimberly's cakes look fantastic and taste absolutely incredible. View their fun site at http://thebutterend.com/

Kimberly and one of her masterpieces. The lovely display at The Butter End's opening celebration. The Ritz Carlton, Marina del Rey provided the hors d'oeuvres A fun lighthearted cake.

It's Here

2011-03-28T14:12:00.000-07:00

I am delighted to report that our redesigned Website is 95 % complete! We are still adding press and tweaking a bit but I did not want to wait any longer to share it with you. Feel free to forward it. http://www.pryorevents.com/

Brunch at the Beach in Santa Barbara

2011-03-23T07:58:00.000-07:00

I typically expect a restaurant with an amazing view to serve mediocre food at best. The Boathouse at Hendry's Beach is a pleasantly surprising exception. They care about everything they serve. I have enjoyed several wonderful meals at this extraordinary spot right on the beach. Sitting on their patio inches from the sand is a fantastic way to begin your day. Their weekend brunch is very good. Dinner here is delicious. They specialize in seafood and their fish is fresh and delicious. They feature locally sourced seafood as well as several types of fish flown in fresh from Hawaii. Their cioppino is very god as well as the chowder, and fresh salads. If you are not a fan of seafood there are meat and vegetarian options on the menu as well.

They also own The Santa Barbara FisHouse and S.B. Shellfish Company on the pier. I never visit Santa Barbara without enjoing a meal at one or two of these restaurants. I wish we had something comparable in L. A.

The unobstructed view from the table

The restaurant is on Cliff Drive in the Hope Ranch section of Santa Barbara

Grace Ormonde Magazine Photo Shoot

2011-03-21T16:35:00.000-07:00

The pool at Pelican Hill in Newport is extraordinary.

The view from the golf course almost makes me wish I played golf.

We had the pleasure of designing a table for inclusion in Grace Ormonde Wedding Style Magazine. We were honored as this is truly a stunning publication. We shot the table at the gorgeous Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Beach.

I wish we could share a few images of the table but we need to wait until the issue is released. I can tell you that the flowers from Hidden Garden Flowers were gorgeous and the unique pieces from Classic and other sources were great. It is truly an original table that won't be found anyplace else.

Seasonal & Delicious

2011-03-13T22:19:00.000-07:00

The days are longer and summer is just around the corner - it's time to eat lighter. The following dishes are easy to prepare, fresh and delicious. They are especially nice to serve at a party but easy enough to make for two.

Serve this refreshing tomato salad as a first course or in between courses - use green, yellow and red heirloom tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fresh parsley and drizzle with your favorite vinaigrette.

Fresh mint sorbet tastes better when served with shortbread hearts in martini glasses.

Select a colorful assortment of fresh vegetables at one of our many farmers markets. Serve simply grilled with evoo. A selection of imported cheese and crusty bread can turn this into a meal .

Gracious Guests

2011-03-13T20:34:00.000-07:00

I have been planning parties and weddings for sixteen years so you would think that not too many things guests do would surprise me. Yet it's always a bit shocking the way some guests behave. Sometimes I think good manners are a thing of the past. As my grandmother always told me "Give everyone the same respect - from your waiter to the CEO". If you follow these simple, common sense rules chances are your social calendar will be full.

How To Be a Gracious Guest

RSVP in a timely manner. If you are not sure whether you will be available or in town call your host and explain the conflict.

Let your host know of any serious dietary restrictions at least two weeks in advance - not on the morning of the party.

Arrive promptly - especially to a dinner party or an invitation that specifies "sharp".

Never show up with uninvited guests.

Don't drink so much that you will be embarrassed the next day.

Try to be sociable and meet new people. Never tell embarrassing stories about your host. Try to avoid controversial subjects.

Unless you are seriously allergic to something - eat it.

If the party is a casual affair, offer to help but never insist.

Do not complain that it's too hot or too cold or the food is too salty... however if your host is a close friend and the problem can be remedied then by all means mention it.

Say goodbye to your host before you depart - even if you depart early.

Send flowers and a hand written thank you note the day after the party.

SPRING TIME

2011-03-02T22:41:00.000-08:00

I love the fresh, crisp feel of this wedding that we planned in a clear tent. The yellow flowers really pop against the white swagging.

Tammy Julian who creates all of the flowers for The Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire put these together. They are simple, yet very pretty.

A colorful array of spring flowers waiting to become part of an event...

Even though I live in Southern California where it feels like spring most of the year, I still look forward to spring time. Perhaps it's because I am from the east coast where spring means the end to a freezing winter. Maybe it's what spring symbolizes - new beginnings, flowers blooming and the fact that summer is just around the corner. Look for inspiring spring entertaining ideas in the next few weeks.

A Gorgeous Wedding at the Langham

2011-02-23T12:16:00.000-08:00

We recently planned a beautiful wedding at The Langham Huntington in Pasadena - the former Huntington Ritz Carlton. Dramatic lighting, gorgeous flowers and live trees transformed the ballroom. The sensational sounds of Masta insured that guests were on their feet all evening.

Girls just want to have fun! We mixed square and round tables and low and high flowers.

The cake sat on top of a bed of gorgeous flowers and leaves.

The Hidden Garden created a custom huppah for the wedding ceremony.

Japanese Tapas

2011-02-22T22:33:00.000-08:00

The intimate back patio at Bar Hayama in West L. A.

We live in a city with no shortage of sushi. You could probably eat at a different Japanese restautrant every night of the week for an entire year. One of my favorites is Bar Hayama on Sawtelle Boulevard in West L.A. The sushi is fresh and delicious but not too odd or complicated. They specialize in Japanese tapas , so it's fun to go with a large group and order many of their dishes. It's a comfortable, friendly neighborhood restaurant. The staff could not be more hospitable and helpful. And, ohhh the fire pits are dreamy - especially the two on the smaller back patio. A few items you want to try - crispy rice with spicy tuna, lobster dynamite served in a Maine lobster, black cod with mushroom ponzu sauce, lobster bisque. They also have many types of sake. Enjoy!

And the Envelope Please

2011-02-17T07:55:00.000-08:00

Aren't these fun! Even if you are only having two people over to watch the Oscars these cookies featuring the best actor and actress nominees will add a bit of lighthearted amusement to your evening. They are from one of my favorite sources for delicious gifts - http://www.manhattanfruitier.com/
They have the freshest and most beautiful fruit baskets and gourmet gifts. I especially like their fruit hampers. Everything is packaged perfectly and their fruit is almost too pretty to eat.

BHLDN!

2011-02-14T16:12:00.000-08:00

As promised - Anthropologie launched its new Bridal Line today. It's appropriately named BHLDN. Behold means "to keep" in Dutch. The pieces evoke a sense of timeless glamour. BHLDN doesn't take itself too seriously. It's fun and a bit flirtatious. The site will feature bridesmaid's dresses, bridal shoes, unique hair accessories, jewelry, lingerie and of course gorgeous wedding gowns. Don't take our word for it - view their site at http://bldn.com/

The dresses are timeless and romantic

Many of the dresses at BHLDN bring back a feel of Old Hollywood Glamour.

Bridesmaid's dresses are easy and comfortable.

They come in fun colors.

Exquisite Flowers for Valentines Day

2011-02-09T17:08:00.000-08:00

You just can not go wrong if you send beautiful flowers for Valentines Day. The Hidden Garden creates the most gorgeous, breathtaking, romantic arrangements. View their new site - www.hiddengardenflowers.com or give them a call (310) 575-6600. They make it easy and will deliver to your loved one's home or office.

Charming and Fun

2011-02-09T15:27:00.000-08:00

Black Ink is a wonderful invitation shop on Swarthmore Avenue in Pacific Palisades. In addition to designing custom invitations they carry great personalized gifts, clever greeting cards and fun items that you will not find anyplace else. The shop is warm and inviting and Patti and her staff are knowledgeable and creative.

The charming interior of Black Ink

Patti Black, the owner of Black Ink with Lindsay - one of her wonderful employees.

One of the many fun and creative Valentine's cards you will find at Black Ink in the Palisades.

Gorgeous Clothes at Elyse Walker

2011-02-07T15:30:00.000-08:00

Elyse Walker is one of those boutiques where you could close your eyes and grab something off of the shelf and you would most certainly adore it. Imagine a boutique filled with beautiful clothes that are both timeless and flattering. The shop is in Pacific Palisades - away from the crowds of Santa Monica and Beverly Hills on charming Antioch Street. In addition to stunning clothes they carry wonderful accessories and phenomenal shoes. Many of my clients prefer to shop here more than anyplace else in all of L. A.

2011-02-04T17:49:00.001-08:00

Floral Art on Abbot Kinney in Venice is part flower shop, part home decor shop and 100% incredible. Floral Art reminds me of an adult candy store. It's one of those spaces that you never want to leave. Jennifer, the owner is a super talented florist who also has a great eye for unique design. It is always a treat to bring clients into Floral Art as I am never disappointed in Jennifer's latest finds.

The eclectic interior of Floral Art

One of the walls in Floral Art - brimming with color and imagination.

A one of a kind table sits in front of an array of candle holders

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

2011-02-01T16:33:00.001-08:00

A recent wedding we planned at Ojai Valley Inn shot by Isabel Lawrence

There are many photographers out there but only a few exceptional ones. Isabel Lawrence is one of the finest - not only in L. A. but in the entire country. They are a husband and wife team who are amazing at what they do and a pleasure to work with.View their beautiful Blog at http://blog.isabellawrence.com/ Isabel posts new content regularly. On any given day you will see inspiring photos, great recipes and the occasional celebrity. Their recent wedding for John Henson of Wipeout will be featured on Wednesday's Rachel Ray show.

Let Them Eat Cake

2011-01-27T14:05:00.000-08:00

Your Cake should make a statement. It does not have to be elaborate but it should be fantastic and reflect your personal style. Here are a few examples of recent cakes that we designed with our clients. Watch for more in the future.

This was a special Cake created by Rosebud for a wonderful 30th birthday celebration held at the Penthouse at The Sunset Tower. The theme of the party was the 1920's and guests were encouraged to come in period attire. Note the dance teacher in the background teaching the Charleston.

Cake Divas had the difficult task of creating this Vegan Cake. Imagine making a cake using no eggs or dairy products - and the guests said it tasted great! This entire Adamson House wedding was completely vegan.

One of my personal favorites. I love the colors and textures on this Cake we designed for a Malibu Wedding.

We flew this Sylvia Weinstock Cake out from New York for a recent Beverly Hills Hotel Wedding. Even Shaq would not have been able to reach the top.

This sweet Cake for a Baby Shower at a private home was made by Rosebud. Flowers were arranged in old fasioned baby carriages. Guests took home chocolate baby bottles and tiny chocolate booties.

The groom in this Ojai Valley Inn wedding had one request - he wanted a Cake that resembled his favorite food in L. A. - Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles! Kim of The Butter End did a fantastic job. We served this Cake at the rehearsal dinner the night before the more formal wedding.

The bride wanted to keep everything traditional and classic at this Shutters Wedding. She asked that the cake match the box from her favorite jewelry store. The tiny, hand crafted flowers on the Cake were very detailed. I love the thick bed of white roses the Cake was placed on.

Move Over Cupcakes

2011-01-19T16:29:00.000-08:00

Cupcakes are still popular but the great American Pie may push the Cupcake aside this year. Pies can be savory, sweet or even better - a little of both! Comfort food such as Chicken Pot Pie, Steak and Potato Pie and Shepherds Pie will be served at the most upscale events. Mini pies for each guest to take home will be a fun change. Currently the most requested flavors, according to The Little Pie Company in New York are Sour Cream Apple Walnut, Pumpkin, Mississippi Mud and Southern Pecan. Key Lime Pie and Old-Fashioned Apple Pie are classic pies that will always be enjoyed. Pies will even stand in as wedding cake in 2011.

Old Fashioned Fun

2011-01-11T20:30:00.001-08:00

So much fun to bring Hot Dog On A Stick to your party. Who doesn't love their lemonade and corndogs? This event was at a home in Brentwood.

Into the Sea in Santa Barbara

2011-01-05T15:28:00.000-08:00

The bride and groom paddling off into the Pacific moments after their wedding at The Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara. Not too many brides have the pleasure of going into the ocean in their Monique Lhuillier gowns.

This is one couple who will never be "bored".

The groom and groomsmen enjoyed an afternoon at the beach the day before the wedding. The amazing husband and wife team of Amy and Stuart shot this wedding.

Have A Seat

2010-12-30T07:36:00.000-08:00

Garden Markers with guest's names written in chalk are a charming way to let guests know where they will be seated. These are surrounded by pots of flowering plants in trays covered with moss by Hidden Garden. We set the trays on tables in the garden for a wedding we planned at Ojai Valley Inn.

Tiny Pumpkins are a perfect way to display seating cards at a fall wedding
The cards can be inserted into the pumpkins or glued on.

These miniature Adirondack chairs bring thoughts of summer on Cape Cod. We provided these to guests at an event we planned at Shutters in Santa Monica. I like the fact that guests can use them as frames after the event.

Holiday Sweets

2010-12-14T20:51:00.001-08:00

Sugared fruits are as delicious as they are gorgeous. These are on display at the Grand Food Hall at Harrods in London. Find similar treats at Dean and Deluca

These colorful, festive holiday cookies bring back childhood memories. They are available at Susie Cakes in Brentwood.

Bite sized whoopie pies from Baking Whoopie are filled with mouth watering flavors such as banana with vanilla rum creme, peanut butter with salted caramel and Vermont Maple with cinnamon. They are the perfect dessert and can also be packaged in boxes to give as gifts.

Let's Face It...

2010-11-29T20:49:00.000-08:00

Inside this gate one of the most amazing facialists in Los Angeles works her magic.

The products are fragrant without being overly scented and they feel light and natural

Some of Carmen's wonderful products from Hungary

I don't pamper myself too often but I do enjoy great facials. I recently had the pleasure of experiencing one of the best facials I have had in years. Carmen Mateescu has magical hands and her products are wonderful. She works with all natural Hungarian skincare products. My grandmother is from Hungary and growing up she always told me about the different plants and flowers her mother would use to turn into fragrant lotion. Now I can buy these delightful cleansers, moisturizers and creams. Carmen's studio is tucked inside a charming salon on Civic Center Drive in Beverly Hills. The facial is pure relaxation - you deserve it! Carmen's # is (310) 275-5401.

Rustic Charm

2010-11-12T06:52:00.000-08:00

Soft and romantic flowers are timeless

Subtle but charming Shepherd's Hooks provide a rustic touch at this garden wedding.

This antique box is a unique place to store boutonnieres.

Fall was in the Air this Weekend

2010-10-24T07:54:00.000-07:00

We planned a wonderful wedding at the gorgeous Ojai Valley Inn on Saturday. The wedding ceremony took place in a lovely courtyard at the hotel. We worked with The Hidden Garden http://www.hiddengardenflowers.com/ to create the feel of Autumn.

Flowers and branches set the stage for the seating cards which were embellished with miniature fall leaves

Guests enjoyed piping hot roasted butternut squash soup - served in miniature pumpkins.

Sara and Ryan - the perfect pair.

The Wedding Cake carried out the feel of fall. Guests also enjoyed delicious ice cream sandwiches made to order.

We were delighted to plan Sara and Ryan's wedding at The fantastic Ojai Valley Inn this weekend. Sara and Ryan are a fun, young couple. It was important to them that their guests enjoy an intimate weekend together outside of Los Angeles.

Guests began the weekend at a rehearsal dinner held outdoors at a local restaurant in town. On Saturday morning the men in the wedding party enjoyed "hot towel" shaves at an old fashioned barber shop while the women had breakfast together in the bride's suite. The couple took gorgeous photos around the property with the amazingly talented Amy & Stuart http://www.amyandstuart.com before meeting their wedding party for pictures on the golf course.

Their ceremony was held under a simple, beautiful Huppah in a courtyard overlooking the mountains. The Hidden Garden did an amazing job with all of the flowers. After cocktails outdoors guests entered the ballroom to the fight songs of The University of Southern California and The University of Texas . The grand Hacienda Ballroom glowed with projections of fall leaves on the walls and ceiling and dramatic flowers incorporating leaves and fall colors. The couple began the evening with a standard first dance that turned into a choreographed, elaborate surprise featuring the weddng party as well as their families. An energetic Hora followed and the party never slowed down. After an evening of fine dining, dancing and even a Limbo contest (the bride is a Limbo champion) the night ended with comfort food served on the dance floor before Sara and Ryan were whisked away in the hotel's custom Bentley golf cart.

Fun and Colorful at Ojai Valley Inn

2010-10-05T18:55:00.001-07:00

The traditional Indian Mandap created by The Hidden Garden was simple and lovely.Indian Kathak dancing was followed by a fun Bollywood dance that involved all of the wedding guests

Dining under the stars on Saturday evening - before heading into the lounge for dancing.

We had the pleasure of planning a delightful wedding at The Ojai Valley Inn this past weekend. The bride is Indian and the groom grew up in England. We had so much fun combining the two cultures.

Friday began with a golf tournament for the men at the resort. The women were treated to Mehendi (colorful Indian Henna) and manicures at the private home we rented for the weekend. The estate is the personal home of the owners of the hotel and it's quite beautiful.

The first ceremony was held on Friday evening- "The Zoroastrian Blessing Ceremony". The sunset over the mountains was quite dramatic as guests witnessed this gorgeous ritual. A poolside feast of Indian and English cuisine was followed by mystical Kathak dancing.

Saturday began with a lovely ceremony at the hotel in the Herb Garden followed by cocktails and hors d' oeuvres under the wisteria covered pergola. Guests hopped on shuttles and were whisked to a "secret" location. They were delighted to arrive at the Ranch owned by the resort. After dining outdoors on Amalfi tables overflowing with wild flowers - a new area was revealed. We transformed the existing barn into an eclectic lounge combining colorful Indian accents and old world European decor. The fantastic space featured custom furniture, dramatic lighting and floor to ceiling draping. Guests danced the night away.

The weekend concluded with brunch at The Herb Garden Pool. Mostly everyone stayed at the hotel over night and as they departed on Sunday they were given lavender filled sachets by the valet staff with the sentiment "when the scent is no more it is time to return to The Ojai Valley Inn". I am sure the guests can't wait to return.

Magical Wedding at Beverly Hills Hotel

2010-09-22T11:12:00.000-07:00

The Crystal Garden - Romantic and Gorgeous

The Crystal Ballroom - Dramatic and Elegant

The Eight Tiered Sylvia Weinstock Wedding Cake

We planned a gorgeous wedding at The Beverly Hills Hotel this weekend. When guests walked down the grand staircase which was covered in hydrangeas and roses they had a glimpse of the beauty to follow. The Garden was breathtaking in romantic shades of vibrant color. Crystal chandeliers and clusters of delicate flowers hung from the trees. The bride walked down the aisle to the theme from "Legends of the Fall" played by an orchestra featuring a baby grand piano. The Crystal Ballroom was transformed into a magical setting with Magnolia trees, a round white dance floor, breathtaking flowers, and heirloom silver candleabras. The bride enjoyed playing dress-up in two custom Oscar de la Renta gowns and a hand embroidered silk gown that was patterened after her grandmother's gown. Guests enjoyed a multi course meal followed by an eight tiered Sylvia Weinstock Cake flown in from New York. Long after the band finished the after party continued in The Crystal with D J Johnny Knight.

Delightful Dahlias

2010-09-07T22:17:00.000-07:00

Dahlias are one of the most spectacular flowers. They come in vibrant colors and can be as small as two inches around to as large as a foot in diameter. There are over 36 species. Most flowers only have two sets of chromosones but Dahlias have eight sets which accounts for the multiple varieties. They grow well in a sunny, warmer climate and prefer soil with sand mixed in. Dahlias will add color to your garden and can last up to a week when cut. They are in seaon now so hurry and pick some up at your local farmer's market. These are from Montecito Flowers on Coast Village Road in Montecito.

Cheese Glorious Cheese

2010-08-07T09:01:00.000-07:00

If I was told I could only eat one food for the rest of my life it would probably be cheese. Therefore my cheese tasting with "The Cheese Impresario" Barrie Lynn was a true delight. We tasted a delicious and varied assortment of artisanal cheese from Barrie's exclusive sources. Each one was unique and flavorful and quite special. The figs, apricots, nuts and edible flowers Barrie served with the cheese enhanced the flavors. Barrie's vast knowledge of cheese is endless. She has turned a passion for cheese into a varied and wonderful business. Barrie writes about her favorite subject, conducts wine, sake or rum pairings and brings extraordinary cheese displays to events. I look forward to working with The Cheese Impresario on future weddings and parties. Check out her site at http://www.thecheeseimpresario.com

Weekend Getaways

2010-07-27T22:08:00.000-07:00

The phenomenal Santa Barbara coastline

The view from an oceanfront room at Surf & Sand Hotel Laguna Beach

A great day on the slopes in Mammoth

While I truly adore Los Angeles there’s something wonderful about getting in the car on a Friday (preferably before there’s too much traffic) and heading out of town. Here are a few of my favorite escapes. While I am sure these will not be new vacation spots for you hopefully you will discover new hotels to enjoy them from. More to follow soon…

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara may be the perfect place on the planet. It’s just the right size – small enough to have a “small town” feel and large enough to have a Nordstrom. It defines charming. Santa Barbara is one of the few towns that look gorgeous from every angle. From having seafood on one of the piers to watching an outdoor concert at the Santa Barbara Bowl to visiting the Montecito Farmer’s Market you just have to smile when visiting.

Four Seasons Biltmore

www.fourseasons.com/santabarbara

A classic, gorgeous hotel in a perfect location. An added new perk - guests have access to the private beach club just across the road at Butterfly Beach.

San Ysidro Ranch

www.sanysidroranch.com

Charming in a rustic and intimate setting. This is a great place to sneak away to if you truly seek privacy. The fireplace cottages and suites are wonderful.

Santa Barbara Inn
www.santabarbarainn.com

This recently remodeled hotel is in a great location. The staff are helpful and friendly. Make sure to ask for a room with an ocean view.

Laguna Beach

Laguna is another quaint beachside town. I see a theme here. Yes – I adore water. Laguna has a true Southern California relaxed ambiance. There are wonderful cafes and countless shops selling original art. In summer The Sawdust Festival and Pageant of the Masters are quite popular.

Surf & Sand Hotel –

www.surfandsandresort.com

Casual and elegant – right on the sand. You will hear waves crashing from your room. I wish I could move in.

The Montage
www.montagelagunabeach.com

If you are looking for a larger hotel The Montage is hard to beat. The view at Sunset is wonderful and the outdoor restaurant is terrific. You will need to drive to explore Laguna though.

Inn at Laguna Beach

www.innatlagunabeach.com

The hotel is at the beach and within walking distance of great shops and cafes. The rooms are more than fine and the rates are reasonable for the area.

Mammoth

While Mammoth is further the ride is definitely worth it. If you are like me you think snow is gorgeous but are ready for the warmth of L.A. after two days in it. Mammoth is the perfect place to escape to as the “village” (as the town is referred to) receives snow almost every time it rains in L.A. There’s something magical about a town blanketed in fresh, white snow. Of course the skiing is great but next time you visit try my favorite winter sport - snow shoeing. It’s fantastic exercise and lots of fun. By the way – I have never been to Mammoth in summer but I hear it’s fantastic.

Mammoth Mountain Inn

www.mammothmountain.com

A popular hotel at the base of the main mountain. You can stay here and never get in your car all weekend.

The Westin Resort Mammoth

www.westinmammoth.com

The newest of the hotels in Mammoth. The Westin is a full service hotel and good for children.

Cinnamon Bear Inn

www.cinnamonbearinn.com

A quaint Inn that serves gourmet breakfast and wine and cheese every afternoon in front of a crackling fire. Each room is different – some are tiny so ask when booking.

It's Easy Being Green

2010-07-26T14:13:00.000-07:00

During the fifteen years I have been planning weddings and parties I have seen many changes but the biggest change in recent years is GREEN weddings and events.

Green weddings and parties are becoming more popular with each passing month. In general people care more about the environment and are trying to make a difference. Most of my clients are simply concerned with paying more attention to the impact their choices will leave and making small changes. Other clients strive for 100% green events.

A few simple ways to make your wedding or event greener -

Choose Green Invitations.
I work with a wonderful new boutique invitation company - Copper Willow in Culver City www.copperwillow.com. Their custom letterpressed invitations and hand selected paper is gorgeous and eco friendly and their ink is vegetable oil based.

Purchase a "Green" Wedding Gown.
Hanna Hartnell in Sata Monica - www.hannahartnell.com designs all of her gowns at her lovely boutique. The gowns are made with 100% sustainable materials. Many styles are reversible and can be shortened and worn again. She donates her scraps to children's art centers and design schools. The actual building is certified green as well.

Select Your Menu Carefully.
Choose a menu based on local, sustainable food that's in season. An added bonus is that it's typically fresher, better tasting and healthier. .

Serve Organic Wine.
Wallys - www.wallyswine.com - offers many types of organic wine. They will deliver to your event and even take back unopened bottles.

Don't Waste Paper.
Give your guests linen cocktail napkins instead of paper. They feel so much better than paper and you will be reminded of your special evening every time you use them. Instead of paper seating cards choose a natural alternative such as hand painted river rocks or sand dollars.

Donate Your Flowers and Your Food.

Don't throw your gorgeous flowers away. You can make people very happy by donating them to a home for the aging or hospital. Let your florist know in advance that you will be donating your flowers.

The Los Angeles Regional Foodbank - www.lafoodbank.org - has an amazing program called "Extra Helpings". They pair donors with deserving charities and will often come pick up your food if you arrange it in advance.

Vera Wang Trunk Show

2010-07-16T14:23:00.000-07:00

Vera Wang recently opened a gorgeous boutique on Melrose Avenue. They are having a wonderful trunk show of their 2011 collection - August 12 - 14. You can now now to schedule an appointment.

Oh My Darling

2010-07-07T14:43:00.000-07:00

Clementine in West L.A. (just West of Century City) is the kind of place you discover on vacation and wish you had in your own neighborhood. It's charming and warm and has a bit of a rustic country feel. The food is comforting and fresh and everything is delicious. From their ginger-limeade to the deviled eggs, homemade soup and creative salads to their meatloaf and grilled cheese sandwiches - you really can't go wrong. Their sandwiches and salads are also great for The Bowl or a day at the beach. As you can see in the photo - the baked goods are impressive as well.

A Great Find in Downtown L. A.

2010-06-19T14:05:00.000-07:00

Bottega Louie brings a bit of Manhattan to our city. As you enter the large white restaurant you are enticed by a display filled with an assortment of colorful sweets, artisan bread and cheese.

The pizza is thin and delicious. Watching the pizzas being hand tossed in front of you somehow makes them taste better. The 30 different choices of small plates make sharing fun. The salads and pastas are fresh and wonderful. It's always fun and lively at this downtown restaurant. Another nice plus is they are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This is the sort of place we need more of in L.A.

Romantic & Gorgeous at Ojai Valley Inn

2010-06-14T17:40:00.000-07:00

We planned a wonderful wedding at Ojai Valley Inn this past weekend.

I enjoy when my clients encourage me to be creative and one of my favorite parts of this wedding was utilizing nearly every part of the property for Friday and Saturday. Guests dined under the Pergola in the lovely Herb Garden on Friday evening - the wedding ceremony took place on the lawn at The Artist's Cottage and then guests hopped on shuttles headed for Rancho Dos Rios for dining under the stars and dancing in The Barn - everything was memorable.

The weather was perfect in Ojai. The music ranged from a rock band on Friday night to a Spanish guitar trio for the ceremony to Classic Rock during dinner and a mix of all types of music for dancing. Nearly all 170 guests were on the dance floor when the music ended at midnight

The wedding combined classic style with unique touches and just a touch of whimsy.

Wooden Descanso tables with linen runners were finished with gorgeous flowers and elaborate wrought iron candleabras.

The bride's bouquet was one of my favorite bouquets ever - Amy at The Hidden Garden thehiddengardenflowers.com did an amazing job.

Summer Is Here - Drink Lemonade!

2010-06-01T16:17:00.000-07:00

Two wonderful ways to serve lemonade at your next party.

Hot Dog On A Stick's fresh lemonade tastes even better when they come to you.

Sugared rims add a sweet touch to this fresh lemonade. Limeade is a nice surprise.

There are those who say we do not have Seasons in Southern California. Based on our recent change in weather I have to disagree. The days are longer and warmer. The typical early morning fog is beginning at the coast and there is definitely a feel of Summer in the air.

Beautiful Flowers at The Beverly Wilshire

2010-05-27T08:00:00.001-07:00

Aren't these flowers gorgeous! Tammy Julian at The Beverly Wilshire created this beautiful table top.

Dinner at the Beach in Malibu

2010-05-19T11:42:00.000-07:00

Heirloom tomatoes, fresh mint and goat cheese

Duck Cassoulet

Corn chowder with lump crabmeat

Guests were treated to a wonderful tasting menu at this lovely beachside dinner in Malibu. Jennifer Naylor catered this amazing meal - jennifernaylor.com

A visit to Hawaii with Wonderful Clients

2010-05-14T20:43:00.000-07:00

A beautiful sunset in Kona

The entrance to a stunning home on Kauai.

The serene infinity pool at this gorgeous Kauai home

A wonderful home on Maui.

The lovely Four Seasons on the tiny island of Lanai.

Sunset at Mauna Kea on the Big Island.

I am working with a fantastic couple who are planning a 2011 wedding in Hawaii. We visited four islands in five days last week in search of a private home for their celebration. We found several amazing homes.

TASTE!

2010-05-04T16:11:00.001-07:00

Ahi Poketini - not only a wonderful presentation but also delicious

Caprese made with heirloom Hawaiian tomatoes and fresh mozerella. Simple and perfect.

Freshly caught Fish served with tomatoes, capers, artichokes and garlic.

Fresh fruit crisp at General Store in Maui

Tastings are not only fun - they serve a purpose. This is where you decide if the salad should have more dressing, the steak more sauce... I encourage my clients to be honest and critical at tastings. I take notes and pictures at all tastings.

Wonderful Tasting at Ojai Valley Inn

2010-04-12T21:00:00.000-07:00

The lovely grounds at Ojai Valley Inn

Guests are in for a real treat -

Ice cream sandwiches made to order

Shrimp Provencal -

One of the many delicious items guests will enjoy

Tastings are always fun and our tasting today at Ojai Valley Inn for an October wedding was no exception. Fall will be in the air and quite evident in the unique touches we are planning.

More to come on this wonderful wedding.

Fresh & Fun

2010-04-01T13:01:00.001-07:00

Delight and surprise your guests. The bride's grandfather was in the apple growing business so we incorporated apples in her centerpieces. Miniature apples held the seating cards.

In addition to strawberries -think raspberries, blueberries and pineapple when offering chocolate covered fruit. Lee Gelfond http://gelfondchocolate.com/ makes these delicious treats by hand.

The bride's favorite flower (Calla Lilies) were a fun statement on the cake. Rosebud Cakes -

http://rosebudcakes.com/ did an amazing job.

Rock N' Roll is Here to stay

2010-03-23T21:45:00.000-07:00

I am pleased to share a few photos from a fun and classy bar mitzvah I coordinated for dear, long term clients at Riviera Country Club over the weekend.

Intimate Santa Barbara Wedding

2010-03-11T22:26:00.000-08:00

Here's a peek at a few shots from the wedding we planned this weekend at The Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara. More will come soon from the unbelievably talented Amy and Stuart.

Instead of the expected California sun this ceremony took place during a rainy evening. We smoothly moved the wedding into a lovely room with a roaring fire. It was a beautiful wedding and the bride Amy was calm and wonderful. She was disappointed that Amy and Stuart weren't able to capture the beach photos she had expected due to the weather - so they came back the next day and took glorious photos at the beach. Now that's dedication!

Spring Time

2010-03-02T07:55:00.000-08:00

Colorful flowers from The Hidden Garden

It's spring at Mark's Garden

Flowers meeet the Sea in Manhattan Beach

The lovely Herb Garden at Ojai Valley Inn will soon be in full bloom

Malibu Magic

2010-02-08T10:10:00.001-08:00

What a fun wedding to coordinate! This wedding held at a gorgeous Malibu estate reflected the couple's eclectic tastes and personalities. The decor featured Moroccan and Indian influences as well as classic antiques and whimsical touches throughout the property.

Rrivre Works and Hidden Garden outdid themselves.

Valentines Day Contest

2010-02-04T20:40:00.000-08:00

Check out Hidden Garden's Valentine's Day Contest on their website - http://www.hiddengardenflowers.com/ or on their Facebook page. As most of you already know - their flowers are breathtaking.

Thank Heaven for Little Girls - AND Boys!

2010-01-28T16:00:00.000-08:00

Children add so much personality and charm to weddings.

These are just a few of my favorites.

Four Seasons Santa Barbara - I Do

2009-12-07T13:52:00.000-08:00

When Kelly hired me to plan her wedding I was delighted. I planned her sister's wedding nine years ago and I was thrilled to work with this wonderful family again. Kelly and Conor said their vows at the historic Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Montecito. Their reception was held on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon at The Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara. We chartered Santa Barbara trolleys to transport the guests. Cocktails were held on a terrace overlooking the Pacific. Lunch was a multi course feast followed by dancing and many fun surprises. After choosing custom sandals and Pashminas guests crossed to Butterfly Beach to watch this fun couple ride into the waves on paddle boards. This had much significance as Conor and Kelly were on paddle boards when Conor proposed.

Photos taken by Amy and Stuart (www.amyandstuart.com). Flowers by S R Hogue (www.srhogue.com)

Ojai Wedding

2009-12-07T12:53:00.000-08:00

I recently had the pleasure of planning a lovely wedding at Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. Amy and Sam were a wonderful couple to work with. They got married in the intimate Hacienda Courtyard. The Rabbi who flew in from New York had married Sam's parents 45 years ago. Cocktails were served in the Herb Garden amidst the flowing bougainvilleas. A garden displayed hand selected plants and seating cards printed on garden stakes. We built a custom tent for the reception. The clear tent enhanced the beauty of the mountains and trees. Rather than using lanterns from the ceiling of the tent we built custom centerpieces with lighting incorporated into the flowers. The wedding featured many personal touches that reflected this incredible couple's style. Isabel and Lawrence (www.isabellawrence.com) photographed this beautiful three day wedding.

A Colorful Seaside Wedding

2009-11-10T18:22:00.000-08:00

Indian weddings are delightful to plan. The vibrant color of the decor, eclectic foods, wonderful tradition and gorgeous Saris... This wedding was no exception. The wedding was held on a rooftop of a wonderful private building in Santa Monica. This wedding was both traditional and unique . We worked with Hidden Garden - www.hiddengardenflowers.com - to incorporate dramatic and vivid color.

The afternoon began with the groom riding in a car (no, not an elephant) decorated with flowers down Ocean Avenue. The guests marched around Santa Monica with a drummer in tow. He then met his bride in a ceremonious exchange. There were two separate marriage ceremonies.

The Indian ceremony was officiated by a Hindu Priest whose two daughters interpreted. Sitar players strummed in the background as this colorful and traditional ceremony took place.

After the first ceremony a Spanish guitar trio began to play and guests were served Lassi (an Indian drink made from sweet yogurt) and offered tray passed appetizers. The bride changed from her traditional Sari into her Monique Lhuillier gown. A friend of the couple officiated this Spiritual ceremony. After the second ceremony guests enjoyed the music on an outdoor terrace before the multi course dinner was served. An introduction of the families, heartfelt toasts and much dancing followed. In honor of the ocean just steps away guests took home chocolate Sea Turtles (hand crafted by Lee Gelfond - www.leegelfondchocolate.com) with a note that a donation had been given in each guests' name to Heal the Bay.

All photography by the talented James Johnson - www.jamesjohnsonphotography.com

ROARING 20's PARTY

2009-11-09T18:24:00.000-08:00

Theme parties can be so much fun. My client wanted a very special celebration for her 30th birthday. We took over a two story town home at The Sunset Tower Hotel as well as their lovely lounge adjacent to the pool.

The party was small in size - fifteen of the birthday girl's closest friends but no detail was overlooked. Guests were asked to dress in attire from that era and a wonderful stylist I work with -Vickie Adamson - http://www.signaturestylist.com/ created custom headpieces and boas for all of the women. Guests were given personalized hip flasks upon arrival as well as stylish cigarette holders. From the drinks served in porcelain tea cups (to hide the alcohol) to the black and white flicks playing on the screen to the bottles of gin in the tub - guests knew this would be a very special evening.

A highlight of the evening was a "raid" featuring authentic Keystone Cops who busted in to the party. Just before dessert and cake were served - a masterpiece by Rosebud Cakes - http://www.rosebudcakes.com/ - I brought in dance teachers to teach guests the Charleston. This intimate event proves that you do not need a large guest list to throw a memorable party.

Photos taken by the creative Cindy Gold of Gold Wong Photo.

Celebrate!

2009-10-26T20:36:00.000-07:00

There is always a reason to celebrate.

LUNCHEON

The top photo is a luncheon at the Beverly Hills home of a wonderful client of mine. I have been planning her family weddings and parties for twelve years. She wanted lots of vibrant color - it was dramatic but still tasteful and warm. The Hidden Garden - did an amazing job (as always) with the flowers.

http://www.hiddengardenflowers.com/
DINNER PARTY

The middle photo is a colorful tent for a cocktail hour in my client's back yard. Guests went into the home for dinner and were greeted with more subtle colors. What a fun way to begin an evening.

I love bringing indoor furniture outside and creating inviting spaces.

BABY SHOWER
The third photo is a lovely baby shower for a client in the Hollywood Hills. Always helpful when you know if the baby is a boy or a girl! The Hidden Garden hand painted these adorable pink and white boxes.

Location Location Location

2009-10-21T19:05:00.000-07:00

From The White Elephant in Nantucket to One&Only Palmilla in Cabo

A few of my favorite locations for parties and weddings... I promise more will follow.

Choosing a location is one of the most important decisions you will make so make sure to choose carefully and don't be afraid to think outside the box.

Top to bottom

The White Elephant - Nantucket, Massachusetts

Four Seasons Biltmore - Santa Barbara, California

Stone Manor - Malibu, California
Ojai Valley Inn and Spa - Ojai, California

Shutters on the Beach - Santa Monica, California

One&Only Palmilla - Los Cabos

Inspiration for events - from the Flower Mart in L A to Pike Place Market in Seattle

2009-10-05T15:27:00.000-07:00

A Lovely Adamson House Wedding

2009-10-05T11:36:00.000-07:00

A few photos from an Adamson House Wedding that took place this summer. This is one of the most beautiful locations in Southern California as weddings take place right at the beach. We incorporated the bride's favorite colors - pink and purple into the flowers. The bride is vegan and the wedding was green and 100% vegan - even the cake had no eggs. Guests never missed the meat!

My First Blog!

2009-10-02T09:28:00.000-07:00

Welcome! I am excited to write my first blog. Here is a photo from the last wedding I coordinated. It was a lovely Indian wedding on a rooftop in Santa Monica overlooking the sea. Guests were wowed by vibrant colors in this elaborate aisle.