Cherry Blossoms!

Cherry Blossom festival around DC makes me feel giddy, like a kid again - and not just because my birthday falls around this time (although sometimes I do feel like those beautiful pink trees are God's way of celebrating my birthday ;)  It has become an annual tradition to do a high birthday tea at one of my favorite places in DC, The Willard Hotel.  They serve a special cherry blossom tea which is quite an experience, and if you have never participated I strongly suggest making reservations here.  Many other great restaurants in the city are serving special cherry infused menus to commemorate the celebration, and it's a great excuse to get out and try a new great restaurant or visit an old favorite to try something fun and unique.

For a wedding or special event, there could not be a more beautiful natural backdrop or time to bring in out of town guests to see our great city.  I put together two very different inspiration boards...a chic daytime brunch and an over the top, glamorous evening soiree.  Both themed around cherry blossoms, of course.

Tuesday Shoesday

Carrie Bradshaw made the original "Something Blue" version of this shoe famous on the silver screen with the debut of the SATC movie.  We are absolutely loving the redo of a favorite - this time in coral.  Perfect for all you spring and summer brides!

Hangisi Satin Pump
Photo Credit:  Neiman Marcus

April in Paris

Happy Monday!  This pastel ice-cream coloured inspiration board literally has me craving springtime.  We had a few 70-80 degree teaser days around DC and then boom - snowfall yesterday.  With the cherry blossoms in full bloom around the tidal basin, I really wish the weather would hurry and play catch up.

Stay tuned for some cherry blossom prettiness coming your way later this week on the blog!

Source:  Cap Classique

Tuesday Shoesday

Head over heels for these jeweled heels by Miu Miu!

The Knot Market Party - Baltimore

The Knot magazine hosts an annual bash to treat existing advertisers and entice potential new ones. Attendees range from event planners and photographers to floral designers, caterers and entertainers.  For those of you who might not have guessed, this can be a pretty challenging audience to impress. This year, I had the honor of planning this great event and needless to say, it was both nerve wracking and exciting to plan an event for some of Baltimore + DC's top industry professionals.  This year, the event took place at The Engineer's Club - a gorgeous venue in Mt. Vernon that presented it's own set of unique challenges.  We decided to use all four fabulous spaces on the first level, which meant coming up with a design and purpose for each room.  The rooms are all rather large, so it made sense to only have people occupy one or two rooms at a time.  Soon, the idea of a progressive evening was born, and incorporating the four seasons to reflect the different personalities of the four different spaces.  A statuesque model in each room modeled gorgeous seasonal attire provided by Love Couture Bridal.  Each model held a sign that let guests know which room they were in.  Seasonal sips and bites were served in each room (courtesy of MK Catering) to match the ambience.  Please enjoy all the lovely pictures by David Hartcorn Photography!

{a copy of the program by Little Bit Heart}

As guests valeted at the mansion, handsome gentlemen clad in sharp suits were on hand escorting ladies inside to check in - only identifiable by their boutonniere's "Mr. Right" and "Mr. GQ." 

The first room (Spring in Versailles) welcomed guests with a signature cocktail, Spring Fling.  Before pictures were snapped in front of The Knot's step and repeat, complete with blue carpet runway ladies had a chance to get dolled up with a finishing touch at the "Lips + Lashes Beauty Bar."  A cake gallery courtesy of Charm City Cakes was on display atop a plexi video bar that was showing the film 'Marie Antoinette' - let them eat cake!  DJ Jaime of E2 Events was spinning cool tunes a la Amy Winehouse in a hip white tufted leather DJ booth.  White leather lounge seating, LED cocktail tables, crystal lamps and ghost chairs set the scene.  One of my favorite hors d'ouevres was passed - dried apricots with a goat cheese mousse filling and crushed pistachios.  

{Charm City Cakes gallery atop Da Vinci's plexi video bar}

{Amie Decker applying lashes at the Beauty Bar}

{Jaime of E2 Events in our hip DJ booth; iphone shot}

{Spring Model in a gorgeous mermaid rosette gown from Love Couture Bridal}

To find your picture in front of our step + repeat, please follow the link: http://abbyjiu.com.instaproofs.com/enterEvent.php?id=344688

As guests progressed to the second room, Summer in the City,  the vibe changed to a chic rooftop terrace scene.  We brought the outdoors inside with faux topiaries and orange trees.  The classic film "To Catch a Thief" was projected on the back wall, providing stunning views of vintage French Riviera, and of course Grace Kelly and Cary Grant.  The space was completely tranformed with lighting and hanging chandeliers.  Big hits in this room were the handwriting analyst, crystal sangria bar and saladtini station.  

{Beautiful hors d'oeuvres display by MK Catering}

{Regal gold lounge furniture + video cocktail table provided by Da Vinci}

 {Topiaries, orange trees + boxwoods provided by Strawberry Milk Events}

 

{Adorable food signage by Little Bit Heart}

{Chef mixing a Saladtini for a guest - shaken, not stirred; iphone shot}

{A focal point created in the middle of the room with chandeliers + an elevated plexi table} 

{Crystal Sangria Bar}

{Summer model wearing a short, vintage inspired dress from Love Couture Bridal; iphone shot}

{The amazingly realistic magazine cake by Charm City Cakes, of course!}

Our featured presentation occurred in the third room, Autumn takes Stage.  Blue Sky 5, a  six pc. vintage jazz band was front and center.  Cabaret style seating allowed guests to relax, chat and enjoy the band. Da Vinci, who provided all of the amazing florals, specialty furniture and lighting also custom made these black crystal lamps just for the event, per my request.  Aren't they amazing?!

{Fall model wearing a vintage inspired, embellished sheath from Love Couture Bridal}

{Vintage jazz by Blue Sky 5}

{Carpaccio + Guinness - mini hors d'oeuvres pairing}

{Talented ladies: Carla David Design + Abby Jiu Photography}

As guests exited they hopped in the Shutterbooth for some fun snapshots complete with props.  On the way out, guests passed through 'Winter in the Library' where they could pick up mini desserts and some signature swag, courtesy of The Knot.  

{Mini dessert display by MK Catering, Florals by Da Vinci}

Winter made her way to Spring for a full length shot of that gorgeous gown!
{Gown from Love Couture Bridal}

A HUGE thank you to all of our great vendors who participated, my wonderful staff, as well as Susana Diharce from The Knot for pulling off a truly extraordinary event!

Vendor Credits:

Floral/Lighting/Decor - Da Vinci

DJ - Jaime Easson of E2 Events 

Band -  Blue Sky 5

Photographer - David Hartcorn Photography 

Cakes - Charm City Cakes 

Mini Dessert Display - MK Catering

Catering - MK Catering 

Handwriting Analyst - Entertainment Exchange

Paper + Signage - Little Bit Heart

Beauty Bar: Lips + Lashes - Amie Decker Beauty

Photobooth - Shutterbooth MD

Gowns + Accessories - Love Couture Bridal

Giveaways - Tidewater Inn + Varuna Aveda Spa

Event Planner - Strawberry Milk Events

Venue - The Engineer’s Club at Garret-Jacobs Mansion

The Little Black Dress.

(Source: tinysouls)

"One is never over or underdressed with a little black dress."  -Karl Lagerfeld

Eclectic Couture - Table Design on a Dime

Pt. I


Today, I bring you a masterpiece from design genius, Eddie Ross.  I too, share his affinity for mixing items you wouldn't normally put together - old and new, subtle and bold, kitsch and couture, polished and rustic, traditional and modern.  Ever wonder what goes into some of the more elaborate tablescapes, that go beyond standard rental items?  I'll let Eddie walk you through the process of creating a unique table that wows, and is sure to stand out from among the rest.  The finished product is simply amazing!

March is mud month here in upstate New York, so here was just the sort of vibrant inspiration I needed while planning our table for A Date with a Plate in May, a two-day affair in Pennsylvania, benefiting the Noreen O'Neill Foundation for Melanoma Research. A quick stop into one of my favorite fabric houses, Quadrille, for a pink-and-orange combo that spoke to me and voilà!!  Pattern on pattern can be tricky; it's like a high wire act that could go wrong at any second. Hence, the safety net: intermediary plates and chargers that give the eye a break. Other than flea markets, Goodwills are my other go-to sources for undiscovered treasure.  Our first find? A set of old Wedgwood bowls, probably from the 20s, with a cool, Chinoiserie feel and a color combination that was spot on. These we scored at the New York City flea market in Chelsea. If you've never been, go! 3000 miles away, at a thrift shop north of San Diego, I found a set of eight brass chargers for seven bucks. These beauties are good and heavy with the same shape as the ironstone plates.  


Mixing flatware of various time periods and materials is always so much more interesting to me than matching, and this table would be no exception. The mid-century spoons we found back in December, antiquing with La Dolfina, while the mother-of-pearl knives are from the 1800s, a pawn shop score with my friend Andrea from Top Design. At the one in Westport, we picked up these Johnson Brothers ironstone plates from the 50s in a modern octagon shape. 


"Buy me. I'll come in handy some day." That's what a little brass bird—well, actually two—told me at a junk shop in New Jersey. We certainly didn't need them at the time—we rarely do—but pretty things at prices so low they're practically free? I can't resist. Come in handy they did, as the table finally began to take shape. For the napkins, I took a cue from the pretty pale blue in the bowls with a great set from Gracious Home in Chelsea. As for the rings, I couldn't find any I liked, so I bought a basic set from Target, then found these fantastic brass and turquoise earrings, also at Target, that I glued right on. Together with the ikat, I thought they'd give the design a cool, Bohemian vibe, like jewelry for table.
Carrying the blue up, I borrowed a stunning set of French opaline glasses from our friend, artist and antiques dealer Deborah Buck. Her store on Madison is a jewel box in itself! For water, I used a set of eight vintage pressed glass goblets with a pretty swirl pattern. You'd never know they're from a Goodwill in Chesapeake Bay! Colorful candles are the perfect way to bring the eye up from any table you set. Whether new or vintage linens, chances are Creative Candles has just the right hue. For our table, we chose sky blue tapers for a punchy contrast to the pink and orange ikat. 

Candlesticks were brass—three pairs at varying heights, all from the Goodwill.  For the flowers, I knew I wanted to keep the arrangements low, like a beautiful hedge of peonies growing among the candlesticks. The vessels are a mix of brass bowls and vases collected over time. 


One final detail before the big reveal—candy! These are from the dollar store, but only the pink, orange, blue and white would do. OCD, anyone?  


***Stay tuned for Pt. II - there were so many delish images of the finished product to share, it deserves it's own post!