My new ad campaign started yesterday. I put 10 new pictures on the site under my featured vendor site. Go on to the Knot, click on Reception Sites. I should be on the first page there, then you can click the link that will take you to my pictures.BTW.... for those of you who emailed and asked how the murder mystery dinner (MMD) went; it was simply amazing. The energy in the room was awesome and the actors were fabulous. Flavers did a wonderful job on the catering - very tasty stuff. I will definitely do it again. I have a meeting with the production manager on Monday. I'll definitely let you know when the next MMD is. I also have to scan in the ad that was in the Lancaster paper... she captured my vision and my purpose perfectly! Thanks Kathy!
Autumn
Autumn. Don't you just love it? It's a time when everything gets confused. The trees want to bud and the flowers and bees don't know what's going on either. Early in the morning (not that I see that before 7:30 am) it's so cool that I wear sweats outside but by 10 am I'm burning up in this small office.I knew it was definitely Autumn when I went searching for my cup warmer. Anyone that knows me well knows that I sip my coffee - you people that drink coffee ought to be taught how to sip! Well after a whole lot of sipping, my coffee gets cold and I'm not crazy about microwaved coffee - not sure which is worse; cold coffee or bitter coffee. The perfect solution is the coffee cup warmer that you plug in. It's very similar to a potpourri burner, but not as hot - I wish I would have thought of the invention first. It's pretty ingenious. It helps people like me who like to sit down and get the work done without being annoyed over cold coffee. Pass the coffee, guys... I have the warmer in my office now!
Simplicity
We all need it. After talking with brides they normally say "I want my wedding to be simple" - got it. So while some people call elegant - plain and others call simple - elegant... I shoot for what strikes my fancy. I'm not of the thought that everyone has to agree with me. Besides, people tend to misconstrue what one tries to say anyway.The other day I had an hour to kill before my appointment. I decided to go into the Barnes and Noble for a coffee. I decided against the coffee when I saw the line of people.... again, marching to the beat of my own drum - owning the drum no less. I decided not to go into the wedding section - lawd knows I probably own all of the books there. Instead, I decided to go into the entertaining section. Same difference. I saw a book written by Real Simple - loved it - except that some of the stock images were printed in several of the other books; that works on my nerves - that's another post. Anyway, I almost bought the book then I got to thinking; if the people at Real Simple really want me to simplify my life, I shouldn't buy the book. I have too many books as is! Does this look like I need another book?
Shouldn't I be downsizing? Shouldn't I only have 10 books on my shelf with one of those wooden words that says "simplify"? While I'm at it - I mean really, what's the deal with those organizational closets anyway? You have to own 4 pants and 3 sweaters to achieve what they want you to achieve. And the shoes... what's the deal with all 4 of them? I don't know one woman who owns only 4 pairs of shoes. My mother is sisters with Emelda Marcos so we all inherited the hording of shoes. Real simple really just wants you real broke. You have to buy all of their stuff to graduate into simplicity.
I did a search on Real Simple for "entertaining" and nothing really came up. You know why? Entertaining is NOT real simple. What I did find was a listing of "surprising expiration dates". How is that entertaining? Well you know me.. inquiring minds... I had to check out the list. It actually says that honey can be kept indefinitely. What do I do with those crystals that form on the top?? What's better was the passionate ratings that this list got. People crack me up.... or maybe now I'm misconstruing what they're trying to say...
Hot new color
A wedding colleague and me were discussing the new color of the season. I said it was lime green she said it was fuchsia pink. Not much to argue about because, quite frankly, I love both of these colors. I like them with white or yellow and I like them with dark colors like chocolate brown, charcoal gray or black. Shucks, I like them together!We were discussing this because I was doing a photo shoot with Grand the other day and this is one of the tables that we dressed. It just so happens that this day we shot both lime and fuchsia.
This table was themed "ice" - just in case you're wondering what's up with the ice cube. I'm no photographer but I'm thinking these pictures are pretty darn good. This was my favorite table so if you want to see the fuchsia table - or any of the others - you're going to have to wait until my graphic designer *ahem* is done with my cards or wait until Grand compiles their pictures for production. I doubt you'll see any of them in the showroom but I think Grand is having a Holiday party some time soon.... Of course, if you really want to see all the marvelous tables we put together your going to have to book a party. No time like the present, people!
Creative on the spot!
First of all I am still having problems sending and receiving emails from some providers! Please call me if you haven't heard from me - I have no idea if you are receiving my emails.Ok... so I'm at a networking meeting and I'm told (10 minutes beforehand) that my 30 second commercial - that's what you do at networking meetings, you give a 30 second commercial about how wonderful your business is - well this particular morning I'm told that my commercial must rhyme. UGH! I take out a piece of paper and begin to write fervently. Here's what I came up with: I'm Daisy Pagan from Perfect Settings, I help those people who are getting married, retired, anniversary or just a party you use my service - or not - just party hardy. Some hate details but want perfection we help you with that, we provide ALL direction. We also have a space for 130 Don't worry, you won't have to get dirty or you do... the choice is yours we let you decide - you could sweep floors! We don't want you overwhelmed it may be daunting call us today take if from that list that's mounting It may all sound so crazy That's OK just don't forget my name... it's Daisy!
OK so I broke my own rule and called myself crazy - c'mon people I was desperate. I literally had 10 minutes to pull this off in front of a room of about 50 people. I put all of this energy into this rhyme and then some people got up and said stuff like: "Don't holler, we clean your water" and I was thinking; you've got to be kidding me. With my type A personality I have to go by the rules and write out what I've been told. Next time I could say "I'm from Perfect Settings... forget the rhyme... I'm not fretting!"
Need I say more?
This was forwarded to me by a previous client. To quote her: "So, maybe I'm still "wet behind the ears" on this marriage thing, but that sounds about right, doesn't it?! Talk to you soon!"Click on the picture to make it legible.
Gotta love those new brides!
China... oh, how I love it!
I had a networking breakfast meeting this week and I used it as an excuse to dress up the tables. I wish we were having a "real" meal then I could have used many more dishes, plates and glasses. I just love this work too much!
What's your motto?
Hallmark sent me an email blast (don't you just love them... they make your blackberry sing all day long!) and they asked "what's your favorite motto?" There were great ones like; "when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping", "don't talk to strangers" and I think the one that made me laugh was "don't eat the yellow snow" - alrighty then. So then I was asked for my favorite motto. I have a lot, like; "RSVP for crying out loud!" but the one I've been saying a lot lately is this; "what you do here, you'll have to pay for here" - it's a Spanish saying that loses nothing in translation. It's probably the same as "what goes around, comes around" but I like the operative word "pay" in my motto.So, I post my motto and tried to look for the forum where others have posted their's to no avail. The Hallmark site is very hard to navigate and I couldn't find anything about mottos. So much for trying to change the world.
Embarq
Sent me a message this morning.... Currently we are experiencing problems sending email messages to Hotmail, MSN, Excite or Comcast email addresses. The Network Engineers are working to restore service as quickly as possible. We do apologize for any inconvenience. Well, it is a huge inconvenience!!!
Hotmail users
I can't email you.... I've had emails bounce back to me for a few days now. I've been tagged by Embarq as someone who is sending spam - I swear I'm not. Soooo...... if you have a hotmail account; try emailing me from another account. If not, I can't get back to you - unless of course, I *gasp* use the phone!
Who do you look like?
I'm often told that I look like Halle Berry. It's embarrassing to talk about but people stop me pretty often to say it. Now, do I think I look like her? Sort of. Maybe back in the 90's when she was heavier (of course) and her hair was short I would have agreed. The first time someone said this to me was when I took Whitney to the Dentist one afternoon on an emergency. She had fallen at school and her teeth were bleeding. The dental assistant said "you look like that girl that plays in the movie "The Last Boy Scout" with Bruce Willis. I just saw it last night." Oh, I said and that was the end of it. I saw a few people after that who said I had to see the movie. Halle (we're on first name basis) was in the movie for about 20 minutes - if I remember correctly. Now I get it pretty often now that Halle is more famous.I used to work with a guy who looked like Hugh Grant and he's actually the one who told me that almost everyone has a famous person that they look like. I have a girlfriend that looks like Reese Witherspoon.... they look so much alike that it's uncanny. I also have a girlfriend who looks like Diana Ross. My bestfriend, Wanda, just married a guy who looks like Nick Lachey. I'm not into looking at people's husbands but I've been told that. My Whitney looks a bit like Kristin Kreuk (she plays Lana Lang on Smallville). My son Anthony looks like the actor Sal Mineo - trust me, I didn't know who he was either.... Anthony works at a grocery store and old folks tell him this all of the time. Sal Mineo was big back in the day - I swear it's Anthony's face at a different time in life! My hubby looks like "The Rock" Dwayne Johnson except that Tony is a whole lot thinner and a whole lot cuter..... So I'm wondering who do you look like??
I've got a complaint....
Why is it during this time of year when all the Daisies are in bloom all the commercials are "These are Crazy Daisy Days" or better yet; "Go crazy for Daisies"???? Then everyone assumes that this is ok for them to associate me with... guess what? I don't like being called crazy. I've had enough of that foolishness in my life. I'm too old for that. I don't think it's endearing. I've seen enough crazy people in my days and I'm not into that sort of thing. I try real hard to not let people drive me crazy... trust me it's not easy - heck just growing up in a family of 6 was enough! So please, don't call me crazy... not even the alternative which would be lazy.. hate that one too. UNLESS.... you're old enough to remember the Daisy Bell song...."Daisy, Daisy, Give me your answer do! I'm half crazy, All for the love of you! It won't be a stylish marriage, I can't afford a carriage But you'll look sweet upon the seat On a bicycle made for two." Not many people know that song. Only my very old patients who I took care of in the 80s and 90s would sing that. I've not heard it since then. Shucks, - I just remembered - I was once asked by a patient "what's your name?" after I said "my name is Daisy, and I've been assigned to take care of you today" he said "Daisy?!" .... "That's a DOG'S name!" I said "well... that wasn't very nice" he said "honey, I'm 80... I don't have to be nice anymore... I earned my place here to say what I want" .... got it and I never forgot it. I guess I have another 40 years before I can say to people... "Puuulllleeeeezzzz don't call me crazy!"
Who done it??
The actors have been rehearsing for the murder mystery dinner and I can't help myself... every night I go down and watch them. Laugh every single time.... amused and curious. - I wonder if I'm working on their nerves? It's been worth it...I think I know who done it!! I'd be happy to tell you but I'd have to kill you. Then we'd be down one ticket sale because I left the cat out of the bag. Come see for yourself. If this play gets me going every night, I'm sure it will do the same for you! The actors and the story line are excellent!!
Wedding Madness
Promise me you won't do something this strange to have your wedding remembered!
And to answer your question... Yes, that makes you crazy!!!
Murder Me Always...
The date has been set. The linens are pressed. The china and silver have been polished and you can practically hear the ice clinking in your glasses. Yet another awesome event to be held at Perfect Settings. Come and find out who done it!
Hope to hear from you but hurry we expect to sell out all three performances.
It wouldn't be a post if I didn't end it with... Come one, come all!!
Besame
Besame Cosmetics is in my listing of favorites on the right side here. One look on her site you'll see why. There's a saying in Spanish that says; the cheap always is expensive in the end. That's what happens when you cut corners. Besame Cosmetics is above what you find at the drug store. It was written about in Bride Magazine. I contacted the CEO to get her approval of the link and when we chatted she told me:Modern bride liked our lipsticks because they are small and can fit into a tiny bag for the bride to carry. They liked the reds for the more daring brides or the light pink for a more natural look. For gifts, we have beautiful trio sets that include a lipstick, a loose powder and a petite blush. Our signature compacts are also nice as wedding bridesmaids gifts, since they are refillable and made of metal that can be engraved.
How cool is that? I know I'd like a tube of lipstick with my name written all over it. I just think that's very chic and yet classic. Think about this when you're looking for a bridesmaid gift - or, heck, any gift. Also, I was intrigued by the fact that she named her business Besame. If you read my blog from April you know that I love the song Besame Mucho... which means Kiss me a lot. You will also know that I said Sanjaya sang the most beautiful rendition of Besame Mucho on American Idol. (that link wasn't available in April... check it out!) So, I was interested to know why it was named as such. Well, besides the obvious (you know, sexy painted lips) Gabriella says that just the name of the song and its origin of romance inspired the name. Pretty cool stuff.
Biting and scratching
I took this post from one of my favorite sites; Cherished Gifts and Favors, and thought "it really is all about that dress, isn't it?"
Take me out to the ball...
Yesterday the family (minus one) went to the Barnstormers Game for Columbia Night. While there we started to talk about the time that one of our friends (Shawn) hit a line drive right into Anthony's chest and broke his collar bone when he was about 4 years old. Shawn felt awful about this for years... so we take advantage of that. While we were on Vacation to see Shawn and Robin, earlier this summer, this conversation came up (then too) to which Shawn had amnesia about the whole incident. I was telling Anthony this during the game and he pulled my Blackberry from my handbag and shot Shawn an email while at the game. Here it is: Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2007 9:37 PM Subject: That baseball
> Hiya shawn and robin, > This is little tony... The family and I are currently attending the friendly neighborhood barnstormers game (the local baseball team just in case your lancaster lingo is a bit rusty)... Anyhow several foul balls made it to my direction which triggered vivid flash backs of my altercation as a young lad. Then my mother brought to my attention that shawn denies being the driving force behind the ball that crushed my tender collar bone. As the victim of this incident, I just want to set the record straight. I shall never forget the frightening attack.
Everybody is a comedian these days!
Advice
I could write about this myself but a friend and colleague did better, she blogged about it and shared it with me this morning. It couldn't be said any better than what Isis said here: "A very good friend of mine contacted me today to let me know that his friend was getting married in Vegas and he wanted to know if I had any recommendations, good links, etc. Quite naturally, I pointed him in the direction of Tracey Kumer-Moore of Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge, who is an extraordinary planner and quoted him her hourly rate. I recommended that his friend sit down and speak with her and after 2 hours or so, I’m confident she’ll be well on her way…after all-I live in NJ, I plan in NJ, DE and PA…I am clueless as to quality vendors in Las Vegas and it didn’t seem like taking my Vendors to Vegas was an opportunity his friend would be willing to entertain… Logical right?
His response- eh, not looking to pay for advice… thank you anyway though
Ok, someone please help me…
If you needed to defend yourself, you’d contact a lawyer; hurt-call the doctor; car breaks down-dial a mechanic…Not necessarily looking for “the cure” but some advice to lead you in the right direction so that you can narrow down just what the issue may be.
So…why in the world, when you are participating in what for most is the 2nd largest expense in your life, would you just “wing it”? I’m a bit confused.
I know there are authors who recommend not hiring a Wedding Planner and every magazine that you pick up these days shows you the easiest way to plan your big day. Can you do it-absolutely! It’s no secret; people have been doing it for years.
The difference is, when you hire a Professional Wedding Planner, someone who is trained in the field as opposed to the new generation of “wanna be’s”, you are paying for sound, expert knowledge in the SKILL of planning a Wedding. We have invested time and a substantial amount of money to research the industry and reputable vendors, learn the skill of negotiating, contract review and budgeting, execute the flawless movement of 300 plus people from one location to another, in under 30 minutes for a 5 hour event involving alcohol (and it’s liability), massive amounts of food consumption and on average 6 other vendors, on time and without complication.
After spending $30,000 to assure that you have the day of your dreams, $300 for a consultation to guarantee that you get what you are expecting, just doesn’t seem to compare.
I know that budgeting for a Wedding is extremely difficult and I am very conscious that as it gets down to the wire, money becomes the determining factor for a lot of decisions. I also have personally planned enough Weddings to know that when I do the last “fluff” of the veil and I lock eyes with my Client, in that moment of silent communication-we both agree that all of the time, dedication, effort and money spent to execute her vision, has just paid off-there are no regrets and no fear and she is ready to begin the next phase of her life.
This is why we do what we do. Believe me, it is a job unlike any other."
Amen there Isis, well said!!
Hot Topic
RSVPs....Definition: répondez s'il vous plaît (please reply) It's been the hot topic of conversation for the past few months - as it is every year this time of year. Every bride or hostess asks me at least once during planning... "why don't people RSVP?" I wish I knew. It just doesn't happen and even after the drop dead date people still send in a response card. Hear ye, hear ye!!! 1. RSVPs do apply to you. 2. The "respond by date" is there for a reason. We need to get numbers to the caterer. 3. If you respond that you are coming, please come. Because you said you'd come - no other reason. 4. When you said you are coming the host has paid for your plate - end of story. If you don't come they still have to pay. 5. Have some couth. Definition; showing or having good manners or sophistication; smooth 6. If you can't come call well before the dead line so that we can take you off their payment list. 7. Calling in your RSVP doesn't count!! The host has already paid for postage. Write your name on the card and put it in your mailbox to be picked up by the Postman. It's that simple, people. 8. If your inside envelope has your name only that means you are the only one in your household that is invited. That's normal etiquette. Adding a name to the RSVP is soooo not cool. It puts everyone in an awkward position. 9. CHILDREN ARE NOT INVITED TO WEDDING RECEPTIONS. Unless otherwise noted. Don't call and ask if your child is excluded from this rule. They are not! ... there's that awkward position, again. 10. Choose what you want to eat... not where you are to sit!! I could elaborate on this but choose not to.... *sigh*
As you can tell, I'm very passionate about this. What's funny is that RSVPs should be the easiest part of planning and it, by far, is not. If you are invited to a party, wedding, reception, function or gathering.... have some couth... RESPOND. RSVP = répondez s'il vous plaît