I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful spring weather!  I would like to share with you a fun experience I had in March.  For the past couple of years I have been asked to design the centerpieces for the AAPD Gala (American Association of People with Disabilities).  The Gala was held at the Builders Museum last year; this year it was at the Ronald Reagan Building.

This year is extra special because it is the fifteenth anniversary of the gala  and the twentieth anniversary of the passing of the American People with Disabilities Act.  Betsey Johnson designed the invitation and the stage while I took my inspiration from her to design the centerpieces and the bouquet you see in the above picture.

I had such a great time coming up with the design.  Betsey is all about pink, black and leopard, but she is especially all about PINK!  I was able to find amazing pink and black leopard silk material and wonderful fringe.  Covering seventy lamp shades made for a few late nights but it was worth it.  My happiest moment at the Gala was when Betsey accepted her bouquet,  while on stage she said she loved the sparkles!  My fifteen minutes of fame !!!

When I met with her after her stage appearance she told me she loved all the sparkle in the bouquet and the black collar.  Of course I had to add some black and pink leopard with the ribbon!  I was delighted to meet Betsey, she is such a warm and generous person.

Please check out the links below to see pictures of the event.  I wasn’t able to meet Stevie Wonder however if I had I would have told him he sang the father/daughter dance at my son’s wedding last year.  Of course it was the DJ who played ” Isn’t She Lovely” but that’s a minor detail ;0)

I hope you enjoy viewing the pictures of the centerpieces as much as I enjoyed designing them.

Click here: BizBash | Betsey Johnson, Stevie Wonder Add “Luster” at A.A.P.D. Gala, Help Raise $1.5 Million     

http://www.bizbash.com/washington/content/editorial/18017_trend_spotted_lamps_light_up_dining_tables.php

All the best,

Patrica

I guess the news of the day is all this snow!  Being from New England this feels just like home.  Here’s a snow tip for you.  Carry a bag of clay kitty litter  and a small shovel in your trunk in case you get stuck in the snow.  If you get stuck don’t gun your engine, if you do you’ll turn the snow under your tire into ice and you don’t want that.  Put some kitty litter (the clay is biodegradable) in front of and behind your tires.  Then gently rock back and forth, back and forth by putting your car in forward and reverse.  Before you know it you’ll be free!!!

Now for your wedding flower tip.  When visiting your florist bring any and all pictures you may have of bouquets you like.  A good florist should have pictures for you to look at to help you design your wedding flowers but your pictures help her to “see” what you’re vision is.  If you have pictures or swatches of the dresses bring those along too. 

I have enjoyed the world of interior design for years so I approach designing a wedding in a similar way.  The receptions site, time of day, the bride’s and maid’s gown and the style of the wedding are some of the things I take into consideration when I design.  Because I delve into all these details I take a little longer with my brides during the consultation.  I want my brides to have the wedding they envisioned.

Stay warm, dry and safe and have a little fun with all this snow!