Wood Pallets & Kinfolk

I love Kinfolk Magazine.  Have you ever flipped through the pages?  I came across this photo online this morning and loved the simplicity.  I'm a huge fan of wooden pallets.  It brings in that organic, earthy feel into events.  To me - they immediately set the tone.

Kinfolk does these community gatherings and other events all over the world.  This one in particular was hosted in Los Angeles.  In April - they are hosting a flower potluck in the US as well as internationally.  You get to play with fresh flowers, meet new people and enjoy some amazing food.  How can you go wrong?  Man - I wish one of these events would be in the Bay Area.  This is definitely on my bucket list to attend.

{image via Kinfolk Magazine}

Not Your Everyday Lunch

I just came across this photo on Pinterest and of course pinned it.  

And then I went to the original website of the photographer (Eric Kelley Photography) that took the photo and was just dying over the photography.  

I'm in LOVE with the hand lettering on the picnic box.  I mean - how fun is that?  What an unexpected surprise that all of your guests would notice.  (Note to self: I MUST do this for one of my events.)  Lindsay Letters did the hand-lettering.  You must check out her website - her work is gorgeous and I would like to be her best friend. :)

These images looked so familiar to me and I wasn't sure why - until I saw this photo and realized that this was from Southern Weddings.  No wonder I'm smitten.

I know, how could a picture of tomatoes remind me of Southern Weddings.  I was recently at a life changing conference, Making Things Happen with Lara Casey, Gina Zeidler and Emily Ley. (That's a post for another day.) They had a few Southern Weddings there and saw the picture of the tomatoes.  The coloring is unforgettable.

Hope y'all have a great Wednesday!  My next couple of days will be jam packed with busyness getting ready for a 600+ person event in San Francisco.  I can't wait to share what we are doing - it's going to be pretty spectacular.

images via {eric kelley photography}

The Inspired Table

From stunning florals and china to the menus and furniture, these images just ooze luxury.  Some are simple while others are ornate, but all have a common theme - gorgeous!

When I look at these tables, I get so inspired.  It makes me want to throw a party.  They would be beautiful for a wedding, a elegant soirée or intimate party for friends.  Which is your favorite?

{images via 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8}

Cheesy Adventures

This might come as a shock to some of you (except those that know me really well), but I’m a super picky eater.  I’ve got texture issues and when I order – I “create-a-meal.”  Picture the ordering scene from Harry Met Sally.  It’s totally me.

Well, one of my goals is to get out of my little box and start being adventurous.  Start trying things that I would normally turn my nose up to (for me).

I create some pretty amazing menu for client events.  I can picture the food in my head, I flip through cookbooks, I ask how it will be presented – the whole 9 yards.  I feel like I’m a breathe of fresh air for chefs because I’m very collaborative and allow them to get out of their everyday box and actually create.

I would turn my nose up to cheese, unless it was on pizza or tacos.  Eating cheese that wasn’t melted – was NOT happening for me.  I know…C.R.A.Z.Y.

A few months back, we worked on an event in Boston at an amazing restaurant Menton and we did a cheese tasting for dessert.  Now, I already knew that whatever she selected would be amazing.  But if I was going to dip my toes in the artisan cheese pool – I was going to let a master maître fromager select the cheeses.  One word – AMAZING!

A few weeks ago, I went to this little restaurant with a client and she ordered a variety of bruschetta.  One in particular sounded very interesting to me – Pear and Brie bruschetta.  WOW – it was so good.  I still think about it.

(mine was similar to this one)

This past Friday, I had lunch at Trace at the W San Francisco.  I ordered the sourdough grilled cheese (with bacon and onion jam).  Oh goodness gracious – I’m now a convert.  I know, it’s a bit wacky.

(pardon the blur, I was ready to dig in)

It’s all about progress not perfection…right?

Images: image one (taken by me), image two, image three (taken by me)

Hiring a Band? What you need to know!

We just had an event in Kansas City at PBR Big Sky, a Cowboy Bar for a client of ours.  It was a ROCKIN good time.  Noe Palma performed with his band and he was a hit.  

Looking to hire a band for your next event?  Here are some things that I learned.

6 things you need to know if you're going to hire a band.

#1 Don't assume ANYTHING!

#2 Do you need to provide the equipment? Or will the band be bringing everything in?

#3 Does the band have a rider?  (What's a rider - it's the bands requirements, as an example if they have to have green m&m's before every set - you need to make sure they have green m&m's.)

#4 If the venue provides "sound," make sure they provide it even if they aren't booking the talent.  There might be additional fees.  Get everything in your contract.

#5 If you need to provide the sound, the venue should give you the requirements.  Make sure you have a sound tech as well, especially during the sound check.

#6 If the band is familiar with the venue and has played there often, don't assume everything will be the same.   Make sure you ask question #4 and #5.  If you don't - you might just have an acoustic performance vs. a rock out jammin' performance.  You don't want any surprises the night before your event.

Wanna see a little sample of Noe?  Check out the video below.  Pardon the resolution - I took this with my iphone. :)