What's In My Bag?

Ever wondered what you'd find in an event planner's bag? Jes gives us the skinny on her must-haves and shares her tips on essentials for hosting a great event!

"As an event planner, my favorite accessories aren't hoop earrings or a fierce snakeskin belt - it's a small black backpack filled with geeky necessities that I need within arm's reach. When I go to an event, my black backpack is filled with vital items, such as the party timeline, a vendor contact list, emergency numbers of the local police or fire station, lipstick, lip balm, and makeup for touchups, breath freshener, a snack bar, walkie-talkie, an extra battery for a walkie-talkie, cell phone charger, a calculator, a flashlight, some Band-Aids, deodorant, a flicker for lighting candles, a measuring tape, and three pens (in case the other two don't work).

I think every host should also have a stash of emergency gear. If you have poor eyesight, make sure to bring along extra contact lenses, saline solution, or an extra pair of glasses. Always have something on hand to freshen your breath, even if you have to steal mints from the bathroom. As a host, stay hydrated and make sure you smell nice and clean from your armpits to your mouth. If your event is outdoors, pack some sunglasses, sunscreen, a sun hat, and bug repellant. As far as jewelry is concerned, play it simple and elegant. Wear pieces that aren't cumbersome or that will dangle into the punch bowl.

Being a good host is a valuable skill set to master because it involves major multitasking and keeping cool under pressure. Once you've mastered parties, you can master anything! Having said that, here's the most important part: Parties are supposed to be fun, and hosting parties should be fun as well. Being a host means you've got friends and family to celebrate with, and that's a good thing. So think positively, and try not to get bogged down in all the details. A good host is not a diva or a stress monster. She's out there in the party, knocking back a drink and having a blast." -JG

Ten Gorgeous Fluffy Finds

Lounge areas allow your guests to get comfy while they mingle. What better way to add fun and class to your lounge space than with toss pillows! They come in a ton of colors, designs, and fabrics to accentuate whatever look you're going for. We scoured Target for some gorgeous fabric baubles that are perfect for any budget! Here are our top 10 (or more!) faves:

10) Who says neutrals can't be fun? Animal prints are a fall favorite. But when done right, they can look great any time of the year. This fuzzy gem adds a whisper of glam and a ton of soft comfort. And the cover is easy to remove, which makes cleaning it a breeze!

9) If you want neutral without the jungle-effect, this cream-colored toss pillow is the perfect accessory for any seating area. The embroidered medallion design is charming without being overwhelming. Throw it on a black couch for a bit of eye candy!

8) This bright green Tangier pillow looks great when paired with black, brown, cream, or other shades of green. The interlocking pattern is smart and sassy, which makes us want it even more! Is it just us, or can you imagine this fitting quite nicely with the Tory Burch Fall 2011 line?

7) This velvet trinket in powder blue adds soft color and a touch of elegance. Velvet is fun because it has an effect similar to Velcro; toss a couple of these babies into the mix and your guests will have a hard time getting up from their seats! The feather filling only enhances its comforting effect and might turn your guests into permanent roommates.

6) The lattice pattern on this pillow is SO chic! It adds class to your decor because of its clean and sophisticated pattern. Plus it has a Jonathan Adler look to it, which will cause your guests to marvel over your keen eye for style! (The reverse side is a gorgeous powder blue, making it perfect to pair with the velvet beauty above)

5) Who says pillows have to be made of cloth? This brown leather bad boy adds visual texture without sacrificing elegance. Toss it with bright colors like fuchsia, cerulean, purple, or orange for a grown-up yet playful look.

4) For a punch of bright yellow, we love the 100% silk Bloom Argento. The cheerful color reminds us of the sun's glow and is sure to warm up any room! This pillow makes a statement when partnered up with solid, light grey pals.

3) Tired of winter yet? Celebrate Spring a little early this year with yellow rosettes! The pretty blossoms are a reminder that the real deal is just around the corner. Plug in a floral-scented air freshener for an added Spring kick.

2) Soft colors always look more dramatic when placed against a dark backdrop. The soft, embroidered mum design on this pillow is brought to life thanks to the satiny black color it sits on. Make the colors scream even louder by pairing it with vibrant yellows, blues and pinks!

And for our number one pic...

1) It's a tie between two (well, technically three!) pillows that compliment each other SO well! What is it about the quilted look that reminds us of curling up on the couch in our PJs with a steamy mug of hot chocolate? Nostalgia aside, this modern take on the quilted pattern has a few qualities that we absolutely love. Its satiny finish gives your lounge area a bit of sparkle. And our favorite part: it comes in a set of two! At less than $10 per pillow, it's an incredible buy! Use the money you saved to add a modern twist with the spiral design pillow below it.

Let us know what you think about our fabulous finds!

Guest Blogger!

This week, Jes makes a guest appearance on Shawn Rabideau's blog and shares her rockin' tips for stunning your guests with the coveted WOW factor!

Click the link below to visit Shawn's blog and read the entire article!

http://shawnrabideauevents.blogspot.com/2011/02/guest-blogger-jes-gordon.html

A Little Bit of Hardware, A Lotta Bit of Glam!

While most people were making plans for the Super Bowl last week, Team JG was busy designing the Ruthie Davis Fall 2011 Collection Press Event. Our inspiration came from the bright colors and shiny hardware embodied in the collection.

We used the inherent fabulousness of Ruthie Davis' master pieces to showcase them as the stars of the day!

Lit platforms enhanced the collection's signature color, "Tron Green." Since we were showcasing an amazing line of shoes that screamed, "Girl Power!," it was only more than appropriate to use pink fish net spandex as a backdrop for the display. 

In keeping up with the edgy, futuristic appeal that is "Ruthie Davis," we opted for fluorescent acrylic rods instead of flowers and nested them in hardware-studded black vases that mimicked the shoe designs. 

We further brought out the fun and classiness of the design using LED-illuminated, branded cylinders filled with sea glass.

 

Hot pink Lucite trays gave a magical touch to the shoe display while glowing orbs added pops of color, enhancing the futuristic vibe of the room.

 

And of course, the musical "décor" included a selection of songs from Ruthie's fan base, including Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Alicia Keys and the Pussycat Dolls. 

Let us know what you think!

Thinking Beyond the Bed of Roses

Red roses are, and probably always will be, the signature stem for Valentine's Day. And that's a good thing because, like Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy, there are some traditions you just don't mess with.

However, there is a big bad world of gorgeous flowers out there -- many that come in the pink and red varieties -- that would be great choices should you so desire to reinvent the wheel this year when buying a bunch for that special someone, or decorating your sweetheart dinner table.

And to sweeten the day for you, we invite you to submit pictures of your creations to us for a chance to win a copy of JG's book "Party Like a Rock Star."

(See details at the end of this post)

Some great blooms to throw in the mix are:

Anemones

Red Parrot Tulips

Ranunculus

Anthurium

Orchids

The orchids would pair very well with some stunning Black Magic (aka Black Beauty) or Black Bacarra roses, if you are looking to blend some old with the new. It's a good way to get creative and mix it up.

You might want to consider adding peach and green hues to any of these arrangements for an extra special touch.

So there you have it. Take it and run with it.

Let us know what you come up with and send us pictures at jill@jesgordon.com by Wednesday, Feb. 16. We will announce a winner on Friday, February 18.