I had the opportunity to become a member of the board, and together with my peers, we organized the first Mastermind Series, an intimate gathering that takes place four times a year. The series brings event professionals face to face with experts who offer presentations about effective business development, marketing, and professional and personal improvement.  Nailah Blades of Polka Dot Coaching got us clear and courageous for 2012 with her outstanding presentation, and Amy Jurist of Amy’s Culinary Adventures provided the gourmet eats (be sure to check out her upcoming Makin’ Bacon dinner).  The Party Spot, a fantastic new space downtown, graciously hosted.

Nailah Blades tells us how to Get Clear and Get Courageous for 2012...

Amy's Culinary Adventures provided decadent nibbles throughout the night.

EPA Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Kim Sullivan chats with attendees.

What I love most about the EPA is the support.  Members receive advice on both legal and insurance issues, two vital aspects of event planning. Recently I called their insurance expert, who took all the time I needed to explain to me how best my clients should cover their upcoming event.  It’s that kind of resource that every pro needs, and it gives me the knowledge and confidence I need to serve my clients.

We also encourage mingling and getting to know one another – no cliques here, people.  As professionals, we all strive to better ourselves, and each other.  And – have fun, too.  There’s nothing event pros like more than a party!

We’ll keep updating our schedules at our Facebook page. Give us a “like” and never miss an update!

Our spread was focused on black and white (just like The Artist!) with hints of silver.  Silver is actually a component in film stock itself, so it seemed fitting.  Also, I love metallic, reflective surfaces – they have a large presence and a gleam of luxury (even though these votives topped out at just $6 a piece). I also found a huge LIFE Magazine coffee table book at a book closeout store, with retrospective pictures from days gone by – and mounted the photos on the wall with double-stick foam.

Coffee-table-book pics mounted on foamboard make for risk-free temporary art

Carly added feathers for a fun, 1920s touch – and her how-to was so impeccable.  She and Suzanne showed viewers how to put together an arrangement in less than five minutes – and look like it cost so much more than it did.

Carly workin' her how-to segment!

Carly added feathers for a true 1920s feel.

We also had martinis and canapes with black and white touches (white pearl onion garnish in the ‘tinis, goat cheese with black caviar for our munchies), spreading the theme far and wide.  If you can’t change the walls and overall decor with lighting and rentals, just carry that theme all the way home – even into your food!

Glamorous florals, ticket-stub style Oscar ballots, and an iPad for last minute research...

Hit up the iPad to watch clips of nominated movies and check the odds...

We had so much fun, and our friends and colleagues Katie and Christine joined in as well.  Their help was invaluable.  Carly and I are always cooking up good, time-and-money-saving party tips, so stay tuned for more.  Happy Oscar Party-ing!

While I believe in the good vibes of the Engagement Chicken, I think I may have another recipe that will charm a boyfriend into bending down onto one knee.  I finally cracked the code on homemade pizza and it’s our favorite recipe at Casa Gaubert, and while I already got the guy (we’ve been married for 5 years), my husband’s reaction to my pizza is always so intense I’m quite sure it would have gotten him to put a ring on it. (And maybe the round shape of a pizza could have subconsciously reminded him of rings?)

The finished product. (We broke into it before I remembered to take the picture!)

Since Valentine’s Day is coming up, I thought I’d share the recipe with – of course! – pictures.  Don’t be scared away by the homemade dough – it’s super easy. Kneading dough is a piece of a cake, it just takes a few minutes – and after that it’s a matter of spreading the dough on a pan, which takes little effort as long as you let the refrigerated dough rest at room temp for 15 minutes.

ENGAGEMENT?? PIZZA

1. Make dough. This recipe is from the Joy of Cooking.  Hubs and I experimented with several dough recipes and this is the easiest and tastiest.

- Combine 1 packet of yeast (equal to 2 1/4 teaspoons) with 1 1/3 C hot water (105 – 110 degrees).  Let sit for 5 minutes till yeast is dissolved.

- With wooden spoon, mix in 3 1/2 – 3 3/4 C of bread flour (I sometimes use half whole-wheat flour), 1 T salt, and 2 T olive oil.

- Knead for about 8 minutes, adding more flour of dough is too sticky.  Dough should be smooth and elastic when you’re done.

2.  Let the dough rise in a bowl, covered with plastic wrap, for 1.5 hours or so.

3.  Divide the dough; refrigerate in plastic bags/wrap (LOTS of wrap – it’ll keep expanding in the fridge!) until ready to use.

4.  When ready to cook, remove one half of the dough – save the other half to make another pizza within the next few days – and let rest on a greased pizza pan for 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 475 degrees.

5.  Assemble ingredients:  Trader Joes Organic Sauce in the can (THE BEST ONE.  I tried homemade and the smooth sweetness of TJ’s is just better.), your toppings (I recommend prosciutto and sliced tomatoes, or all-natural ham with diced red pepper – sky’s the limit), Italian Four Cheese blend (shredded – TJ’s is great, but also, so is Target’s!), and Pasta Sprinkle, a great seasoning blend from Penzey’s Spices.

The magic ingredients: Pasta Sprinkle and TJ's Tomato Sauce.

6.  Once dough is rested, spread to the edges of the pizza pan.  Top with sauce and toppings – I like to do a little bit of the toppings under the cheese as well as right on top.

There is a science to proper sauce-to-topping ratio...

Ready to go!

7.  Cook for approx 15 minutes (check to see crust is browned, and that cheese is starting to brown and bubble just so).

8.  Let sit for 2 -3 minutes, slice up, serve with some salad, and enjoy.  Will it lead to a ring?  If not, it at least makes the wait that much more delicious!

JCPENNEY

JCPenney is another great place to register. I’m originally from South Dakota, and we don’t have Macy’s, Crate & Barrel or BB&B in every town. JCP has affordable prices and high-end brands like Calphalon, Kitchen-Aid and Cuisinart to name a few. They have furniture that is reasonably priced compared to places like Crate & Barrel. They also offer a 10% completion discount. Granted, I didn’t have my registry here, but I do shop at JCP on a regular basis and have never had an issue with returns / exchanges.

An old standby when it comes to savings: Penney's.

MACY’S

I’m a huge fan of Macy’s. They have amazing return policies and even better sales. Your guests will really have an advantage if they have the store credit card and can utilize all those coupons they send out! Martha Stewart has a wonderful and affordable kitchen / bedding line…and they also have other major brands that are almost always on sale. They have a wide variety of luggage and even furniture. Macy’s does offer a 10% completion discount for three months…and there are often perks for your guests. They often run a promotion of $20 off $100 gifts purchased from a registry. If you’re going somewhere tropical for your honeymoon, you could also register for a bikini, or in my case a one-piece miracle suit that sucks it in in all the right places!

KOHL’S

In general, Kohl’s is a great place to shop. Again, they always have wonderful sales and coupons available to all shoppers. I love that they give you 15% off registry cards to give to your guests. You will also earn points from their rewards program that you’re automatically enrolled in once you register. You will also get 10% off items on your registry. Like BB&B, Kohl’s has the “free gift” offer for registering for certain brand name items. And remember, there is no harm in registering for something just to get a something cool for free…that’s why they do it!

Coupons like this make your gift cards at Kohls that much more valuable.

TARGET

Registering at Target is a no brainer in my opinion. These days, there is a store on every corner and everyone is familiar with their products. You can scan everything from video equipment to camping goodies. They offer returns / exchanges with our without a receipt and if you will ALWAYS be able to use a gift card…even if it’s for toilet paper or hairspray. They also offer 10% off completion, but after doing some research, it turns out there are a lot upset people out there who never got their coupon for the discount. One blogger even said that if you don’t sign up to receive emails from the company, you won’t get the deal. However, others say it is supposed to be automatically generated. Either way, just keep an eye on it and make a phone call if you have to!

MYREGISTRY.COM

This site is relatively new on the scene, and becoming very popular with couples.  MyRegistry.com compiles many major store registries together (Target, Macy’s, Crate&Barrel, etc) so your guests can just go to one spot. You can also create a honeymoon or house fund where guests can give you cash. Hooray! It is free to sign up. The only fee is from Paypal when you transfer the cash to your bank account. Not a bad deal if you ask me!

Happy Scanning!

Allyson Thompson is the super-savvy Broke Chick of The Broke Chick’s Guide to Saving a Buck.  Follow her on Facebook and Twitter for more excellent savings tips and coupon codes!

TO SCAN OR NOT TO SCAN…THAT IS THE QUESTION

After getting my engagement rock, registering for gifts was the wedding task I couldn’t wait to do. Was it wrong to grab the scanning gun before we even set a date? Registering is the ultimate shopping spree, but with so many options, how do you know where to go? My fiancé and I lived together for quite awhile, so we already had a lot of necessity items, but I took registering as the opportunity to upgrade. You know, get rid of those raggedy towels I’ve had since high school graduation…and the plates I got off the clearance shelf at Target. As Broke Chick, I’m not used to shopping at fancy places like Bloomingdales and Williams-Sonoma, and didn’t expect my guests to, either. Besides, I wouldn’t even know how to act with a Kate Spade New York Gardner Street rose bowl for $100. So my fiancé and I (I’m just being nice, Emmery couldn’t have cared less what we did) chose Bed Bath & Beyond and Crate & Barrel, so I’ll start with those stores first.

Ready - aim - FIRE!

BED BATH & BEYOND

We had a wonderful experience registering at Bed Bath & Beyond. There is a registry consultant who sits down with you and explains how everything works. We happened to have Dustin, who was super cute and funny. A real bonus when you’re spending hours with the person, yes HOURS. (Side note: I later found out that my friend also had Dustin help her find a gift for us, and she was equally smitten with him. We still semi-stalk him to this day.) Anyway, he showed us all of the china option that were available and ran down the list of prices. I decided against registering for anything fancy because honestly, in my opinion, you don’t need nice china. I ended up getting a simple / classic white plate from Crate & Barrel (more on that later).

The nice thing about this store is we picked out one set of towels, and Dustin registered us for the typical amount, so we didn’t have to scan 30 towels. He also just said there was a list of kitchen utensils that people registered for and automatically added them to the list, without us having to scan every item. He also encouraged us to register for items where we would receive free gifts. For example, all we had to do was put $500 in Calphalon products on our registry and we got a free knife. Just don’t forget to fill out the paperwork! Other bonuses for BB&B: 10% off when purchasing items off your registry after the wedding; the 20% off coupons for you and your guests; and the no-hassle returns policy. I realized I got some stuff I would never use…some had receipts, some didn’t. I actually was handed $250 cash, no questions asked, after I brought the merch in. I was amazed. I also just recently had an issue with my Soda Stream (if you drink sparkling water, this is a MUST for your registry) and the sales clerk said, just bring it in and we’ll give you another one, we have a very lenient return policy. The registry is, of course, online, and you could make additions or changes as you saw fit. Guests also have the opportunity to get the gifts they purchases wrapped for free.

CRATE & BARREL

Crate & Barrel’s merchandise is modern, yet affordable. I decided to register online since my fiancé was totally over the whole thing and frankly, sometimes it’s just easier not to leave the comfort of your couch. This is where I registered for the Aspen white dinnerware collection. It is a set that they will hopefully always have, so if a plate or bowl breaks, there won’t be a problem getting another one. I’ve heard too many stories about things being discontinued and not being able to get another one to complete the set. If you ever watch the Food Network, you will see that the majority of chefs only put food on white plates…because it really showcases the food. Besides, you can always dress up the table wear with different colors of chargers.

Dear Crate and Barrel: We love you.

You also save 10% on items purchased for six months and they have Wedding Party Events where you can scope out the merch, talk to registry experts and watch product demos. I also returned / exchanged items without receipts and again, didn’t have any problems. I don’t think my registry is available anymore, but my genius cousin kept buying me stuff from there for every birthday and Christmas afterwards!

In Part Two, Broke Chick breaks down five more fabulous options for filling your registry with savings.  Tune in tomorrow…

1.  The Eureka Boss Vacuum is a top seller.   I heard about this one by word of mouth, from Facebook friends to a guy standing in line with me at the supermarket.  I got the Dyson a few years back and while it’s the only vacuum (of many) that I’ve owned that hasn’t busted after a short time – still standing after 5 years – it’s a disappointment as far as working on hard floors.  It seems to gently flirt with pet hair as opposed to suck it up – and there’s a backspray of dirt  when I’m cleaning up a spill.  The attachment is mostly hard plastic, very stiff and hard to maneuver.  All that for $400+? What gives??  For much less money, the Boss works great on hardwood floors and its attachments allow it to be very versatile.  Definitely a good addition to your list.

2.  Anything by Crate and Barrel.  I suppose that sounds like hyperbole, but truthfully, I have not bought anything (and I’ve bought quite a lot from here) that hasn’t held up over time.  Everything from their sturdy dishware to their furniture – their prices are right, and their products are built to last.  (Our guest blogger, Allyson Thompson, will expound more on C+B tomorrow.)

3.  Cuisinart Food Processor. My mom still has hers – it’s almost as old as me!  The motor is strong, the blades stay sharp, and it will prove a huge time saver in the kitchen.  Imitations just don’t hold up, though the Kitchenaid is a close contender.

4.  Swiffer Sweeper. Okay, so when my Dyson proved an epic fail on my hardwood floors, I sought this product out as a compromise between buying a whole other large and un-store-able vacuum, and yet still manage the dog hair on my floor.  I have to say, the Sweeper is completely awesome.  Whatever the little vacuum motor doesn’t eliminate, the duster grabs.  Genius.  This is good to register for on Target.com, where you can pick up their store-brand duster cloths with all those gift cards you’re gonna get.

Now that you have a starting point for the top products to consider, think about what exactly, in general, you need around the house.  For the most part, if you register for dinnerware, food prep appliances, cleaning appliances, linens, and serving bowls and utensils, you should be set.  But, do a thorough inventory of what you have and what you need (for example, if you don’t have a guest room, an inflatable mattress can be a lifesaver; if you do have a guest room, an extra set of bedding is just the thing).  Once those boxes start piling up, you’ll be glad you asked for *just* what you needed.

Tomorrow, we hear from the Broke Chick herself, Allyson Thompson, a top expert on saving money and registering wisely.  Till then, happy scanning!

Often, etiquette is a guide, a way to navigate social interaction with a minimum of conflict.  When it comes to weddings, you can be flexible with the ceremony processional, when to have the first dance – pretty much everything. When it comes to gifts, though, you risk giving Aunt Matilda – and even your younger cousin Susie – an apoplectic fit if you dare break the code of wedding registries.

Here’s the essentials:

1. Never act like you are expecting a gift.  Yes, most everyone will get you one, and yes, it’s assumed – but no one technically owes you a gift.  It would come across as gauche to act like it – and in these economic times, maybe you won’t get a gift or two (or maybe you’ll get a really small one) from your guests.  That’s why you must never include registry or gift requests in your invitation.
2. People will find your registry.  Aunt Matilda will call your mom, your friends will hop Target or Crate and Barrel and figure it out, etc.  So don’t worry about it – it’s out there in the universe, and people will buy from it.
3. You cannot ask for cash. But, you can steer things that way.  If you already have a lot of stuff (my husband and I had lots in our kitchen cabinets already when we got married in our thirties), you will likely register for less on your registries.  When people run out of options, they’ll probably get you a gift card or write a check, or give you something equally thoughtful from outside the registry.
4. It’s cool to register for a honeymoon – a few years ago, this was a big debate.  Now, though, honeymoon registries are common and a-okay.  (Would old-fashioned etiquette experts agree? Maybe not, but change has come and they’re here to stay.)
5. Try not to register at more than three places.  It starts looking a little indulgent; common etiquette allows for 2- 3.
6. Keep up a blend of items – some small, some large, some higher priced, some lower – so people have flexibility to buy things within their budget.

Fear not, you can put registry info on your shower invitation, as exhibited by this Thatcher Studio-designed invitation.

Here’s resources for gently guiding your guests to the items that you want the most:

MyRegistry.com allows you to completely customize your registry. You can register for cash for a down payment on a house, for example, or build a fund for your honeymoon – pretty much anything and everything.

Honeyfund.com is a fee-free, well-loved honeymoon registry that is easy to use as well.

Multi-store registries like Gift Registry 360, powered by the Knot, also allow ease of use and shopping for your guests.  You can link your registries easily for one-stop shopping.

Fret not – you can build your new life together with well-chosen gifts, without offending anyone.  Tomorrow:  The best-rated items to choose for your registry!

Day of Coordinators take the final decisions by the bride and groom – vendors, layout, food, etc. – and tie together all the logistics.  Do the florist and cake baker have to work together on the cake decor?  The DOC makes sure they load in at approximately the same times.  When does Grandma walk down the aisle in the ceremony processional?  The coordinator will give you the answer and line everyone up at just the right time.

This wedding at the Hotel Korakia in Palm Springs was elegantly planned by the couple, with budget oversight and general support from us. Picture by Red Lantern Photography.

A wedding planner does everything – soup to nuts – from finding the venue, advising on design and budget, and implementing the logistics – while this does cost more, often they save clients nearly as much as their fee in vendor negotiations and hours and hours of time saved.

There is a comfortable middle ground between these two services, and couples should consider consultation, which is a more customized set of services borrowing elements from both coordination and full planning.  We have the “You’ll Never Walk Alone” package, which includes multiple meetings, general budget oversight, event design consultation (with many digital inspiration boards flying between client and consultant) and overall guidance.  While we don’t attend vendor interviews or meetings with the client, we give them our 2c on recommendations and strategies for keeping the planning process nice and smooth.

No Worries consulted on all aspects of this backyard wedding, gorgeously designed by the bride. Photo by Blue Window Creative.

It’s important for couples, then, to think outside the box and realize they can have some of the services of a full planner without the cost.  When the client is traveling a lot, having a destination wedding, or working with a complicated venue (private estate, film studio, etc), having a great consultant will protect their investment and keep them sane.

Want to learn all about our various service packages? Check them out here , and feel free to give us a call or email anytime with questions.  Happy planning!