Bucket List

Many that know me well know how near and dear to me the National Association of Catering Executives is...in particular the the Baltimore Chapter.  I have been on the board for years now, and with each passing season I am excited to see our chapter grow, develop new leaders, and continue to set standards for the organization nationwide.  One of the most exciting experiences our chapter offers is the opportunity to participate in and/or attend the award-winning UNCORKED! fundraising event.   The food and design is nothing short of spectacular, and this year the design theme is "The Bucket List."  I have created countless tablescapes for this event in years past (here and here), and while I am taking a year off on the design-side, I am delighted to be attending the event (as a guest!) and can't wait to see what my creative industry colleagues put together.  

After purchasing my ticket (there are still a few available here!), I got to thinking about how I might design my table, and what exactly was on my personal bucket list.  The very first thing that came to mind was my mare, Libby, and how much I would love to train her to be a barrel racing horse.  She is the perfect size, low to the ground, and always eager and willing to get up and go.  

Over the weekend, a new fellow joined the family at the farm.  Meet Bruiser (above).  He is a two-year old gelding, and let me just say...after two minutes together I was immediately smitten.  He is the owners new show horse, and while not a barrel racing machine, he is perfectly fit in his own right. After all, can't a girl dream?  Anything wild on your bucket list?  

* For more information about UNCORKED! 2012, check out the event website here and yes, there are still a few tickets remaining!  WE hope to see you there...

* Image 1 flickr.com

Baltimore BRIDE Spring/Summer 2012 - Concept to Reality

Last week I posted this with a peek inside the Spring/Summer 2012 issue of Baltimore Bride.  I am often asked, "How do you come up with a concept for an event or an interior?" or "Where do you find inspiration?" For that reason, I thought I would post the storyboard my team and I created to share with our vendor partners prior to the shoot.  This was the jumping off point for our discussions regarding the tablescape color palette as well as the overall look I was trying to create...a clean, modern gallery feel with layers of detail and florals that would stop you in your tracks. 

So much time and energy goes into a project like this. There are countless creative meetings and oodles of tiny details prepping for our onsite partnership with magazine editors and photographers alike. For this particular shoot, I got the crazy idea to hand paint a large piece of art (my first original piece by the way painted on drywall).  Inspired by Wearstler's wallpaper, I knew the marble backdrop at Baltimore's Tremont Plaza Hotel was going to need a pop of color to create the WOW factor I was looking for.  That being said, I headed to the hardware store for supplies and used Valspar's "Peach Kiss" (2002-2C) for the base color to give a little contrast to our crisp white linen.  I then went to town with large brush strokes of intense color with Valspar's "Autumn Gala" (2004-1A) to create movement.  One of my interns assisted (in the back parking lot of my design studio) with the final touches of gold glitter. The pavement still sparkles in the sunlight and always makes me smile...

* Image by Stacy Zarin

Many thanks again to each of our talented vendor partners including: 

Charm City Cakes, Carla David Design, Fleur de Lis Florist, Table Toppers, Gore Dean, 

The House Downtown, Macy's, Pier 1 Imports, and the Tremont Plaza Hotel.

The Friday 5

This week was all about event and interior projects.  These little blue birds are beyond cute (found them at Michael's) and were the perfect addition to one of my tabletop projects.  

This wall paper pattern is so gorgeous and when I stopped by the job site yesterday and 

saw it on the wall, I literally said "WOW" out loud.

Great company and meal, pretty menu cards and florals at an event planners luncheon at the

Hotel Monaco in Baltimore.

I also stumbled across this book in my travels this week and have always loved e.e.cummings poetry...
especially this one. 

When I got home last night, a package (all the way from Morocco) was on my apartment doorstep and it had this, the newest addition to my living room, inside!  L.O.V.E.

The Annual Baltimore Country Club Fashion Show 2011 - UNVEILED

On Friday, December 2, 2011 I had the pleasure of producing, styling and MCing (for the second year in a row) the Annual Baltimore Country Club Fashion Show.  I must admit this was no small task, but with a talented team of event partners, fashion forward boutique owners and an army of creative professionals, the event was yet again a huge success.  This year we changed things up a bit, adding an evening show to the agenda and sold out BOTH shows (over 600 tickets with a wait list extending 200) in less that 24 hours!  It is indeed a popular event and so much fun to be a part of.  Here's what one of our new member models had to say about her experience...

"I just wanted to thank you for the opportunity to participate in the fashion show.  The event was extremely well done--it exceeded all my expectations!  The clothes were fabulous.  I can't tell you how many people came up to me and have called to say how much they admired the outfits and praised the event.  I also had the chance to meet some wonderful women and make new friends at the club.  Not to mention, I was able to make a few great purchases of my own.  Please pass along my praise.  

Now I see why the event sells out so quickly.  Thanks again. ~ Kim"

The dining room and patio were perfectly set by the BCC staff.  Our color palette of fushia, white and red really brought the room to life and the club's (new) in house floral designer added the finishing touches.  Prior to each show, the club hosted "Boutique Shopping" for members and guests alike.  

Many thanks to all of the boutique owners and their teams who spent the day with us.

The seats filled up fast as guests were anxious to see the BIG show!

I had the pleasure of hosting the event, which meant a few dress changes (every stylist loves that!) and a birds eye view of the runway fashions.  "Are you ready to get this party started, ladies?"  

Que music, please.  Thank you Dan from Music Masters!

Designs by Octavia opened the show with a mix of casual and evening looks respectively while 

our member models showed us how to really work the runway.

"Scene Two" showcased looks by Sassanova, The Monogram Shop, 

Christopher Schafer Clothier and Wee Chic. 

Next up were fashions by Fresh! Boutique.  My sparkly dress was one of the show favorites  (also by Fresh!) and the beading was incredible.  The runway jewelry was on loan from our friends at 

Radcliffe Jewelers.  Can you say A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!

Francesca's Bridal, Tuxedo House and a few more "Little Characters" from Wee Chic were next in line.

                                                       Images by Aaron Haslinger Photography

And for the runway FINALE, we were delighted to have back (again this year) the 

 Maryland Academy of Couture Arts.  All the looks showcased were by student designers 

and the garments were all for sale.

                                                                                                 Maryland Academy images by random.eye.candy

Overall, it was a fabulous event and I could not have been more proud of the great team effort. The BCC staff was a pleasure to work with, especially my partner in crime, Jessica White--kudos to you!  To our photographers, Aaron Haslinger and random.eye.candy.photography THANK YOU for capturing this images.  To the member models, "You are all lovely and great fun. 

I hope to see you again next year! xo, stephanie" 

 Thank you again to our MANY event partners including:  Baltimore Country Club (staff and member models), Aaron Haslinger Photography, Bobbi Brown (member model make-up), Bradshaw Styling, Bronze Bombshells, Chris Schafer Clothier, Crimson & Clover Floral Design, Fresh! Boutique, Jean Pool, Maryland Academy of Couture Arts, Music Masters, Octavia, Philip Michael Studio (member model hair), Radcliffe Jewelers, Random Eye Candy, Sassanova, Spa Seven (MD Academy model make-up), About Faces (MD Academy hair), Starbucks Coffee Company, STYLE Magazine, The Best of Luck Candy & Gifts, The Monogram Shop, Stella & Dot, Table Toppers, Tuxedo House, and Wee Chic.

Don't forget to "LIKE" Bradshaw Styling on Facebook!

More fashion show behind-the-scenes coming soon...

Stephanie Entertains - Floral Centerpiece How To

With Thanksgiving now just days away, I am sure you are beginning to get out your grandmother's china, make a last minute shopping list and prep the table for the big meal.  Stuck on what to put in the center of your spread? Try this...

Step 1:  Select a decorative container and a color palette.  I chose this footed, turquoise piece because I thought it would contrast our color trio of oranges, golds and reds quite nicely...A perfect fit for our Thanksgiving scene. 

Step 2:  Gather your supplies and prep your container. You will need: a piece floral oasis (found at your local craft supplier), floral tape, garden snips and/or a knife, greens, filler flowers and some pretty accent blooms. I suggest placing an inexpensive, plastic container inside the decorative one to protect it from any water damage.  Soak the oasis in water, place the saturated oasis in the disposable container and secure with floral tape.

Step 3:  Fill around the outside of the container with foliage to create a base layer and cover the plastic container. Keep in mind, using a mix of seasonal greens is an inexpensive way to fill your base and you can even gather these goodies in your own back yard.  Here I used oak leaf hydrangea.  It has great color and big leaves.

Step 4:  Place less expensive "filler" flowers (sedum, football mums and abelia shown above) around your container to begin filling in some of the holes.  Don't forget to turn your container around when you are working so you can fill it in from all angles.

Step 5:  Gather pricier blooms (mini calla lilies, mokara orchids, roses and tulips shown here) and continue filling in the holes.  Keep in mind that these are your focal flowers so placing them in clusters throughout the arrangement gives you a great punch of color all over.

Step 6: Now it is time to add your final touches.  Here we added hypericum berries and these gorgeous guinea feathers.  I love their texture and the white polka dots are just so fun!

Step 7:  Step back and E.N.J.O.Y!  Don't forget to continue to hydrate your oasis every day or so to keep your blooms fresh and longer lasting.

On a personal note, a very Happy Thanksgiving to each of you.  Know I am thankful for all of my readers and so grateful to continue to do what I love every day of the year.

xo,

stephanie

Visit our friends locally at: Crimson and Clover Floral Design, Inc., 733 Deepdene Road, Baltimore

There is still time to sign up for their centerpiece class to be held TOMORROW at 6:30 PM.  

Or, REGISTER NOW for their "Holiday Wreath" making classes in early December. 

For more information, visit them online at: crimsonandcloverdesigns.com.