Signature Florals

On March 21st, I attended the 2010 Potomac Floral Wholesale Open House. The above pictures show my favorites from the floral design competition " A Mothers Day Luncheon", they all show incredible spring colors and floral design techniques & decor. The featured speakers this year was Former White House Executive Florist, Nancy Clarke and Kevin Ylvisaker a well-known floral designer all over the world. Nancy gave us a "Glimpse of White House Style"  from President Carter to President Obama from each First Lady style perspective. Her 30+ career is now chronicled in her new book. Kevin showed us Floral Designs techniques that are current, showstopping and jawdropping. He has been in the floral industry for over 30 years and is a former AIFD President, a Teleflora Education Specialist, an Oasis Design Director, on the design team for Fitz Designs, an endorsed designer for Design Master Color Tool, and a member of PFCI (Professional Floral Communicators International). Kevin has also been a judge at the Tournament Of Roses Parade in Pasadena California and has been featured in numerous publications such as the Teleflora’s Flowers& Magazine and Smithers Oasis IDEA Magazine.  Checkout Potomac Floral Wholesale website for more pictures and videos from the event.  

      

Signature Eats

Looking for a fabulous Jamaican restaurant to eat? Checkout Mango & Coconut Juice Bar and Grill located in Baltimore, Md on N Charles St in the eatery. Along with the regular Jamaican dishes like oxtails, curry goat, ackee & saltfis, rice & peas and fried plantains, you can order a fruit /veggie juice or a smoothie. The owner Fabian, offers a wide variety of delicious and healthy juices and smoothies. I had a drink called "Beach Body" juice thats made  of carrot, celery, cucumber, parsley, beet and apple. My drink was refreshing and naturally delicious. My friend had a "Kool Runnings" smoothie that was made up of raspberry, mango, pineapple, kiwi and papaya. We both enjoyed our drinks and vowed to go back there to try other flavors. My friend had the oxtails and rice and cabbage, I am not a meat eater so I did not eat anything that day because there is a limited menu on Saturdays. He thoroughly enjoyed his meal because when he was finished he pushed his plate back and exclaimed excellent! The meat was thoroughly browned and was so succulent it was falling off the bones. The restaurant also carries lighter fares like patties (light flour dough baked with meat or veggies inside), coco bread and some cakes like their signature mango coconut cake. It is best to visit the restaurant during the week, where there is a greater selection to choose from. The next time you are in the downtown Baltimore area, swing by 222 N Charles St and tell Fabian hello and enjoy one of his delightful meals.

Signature DIY Wedding Invitations

       

DIY invitations are a big hit for brides who wants to save money or for ones who are on a tight budget. I discovered this DIY website about 5 years ago for one of my brides. Gartners Studio have a beautiful and varied selection of DIY products for weddings and all occasions. I was able to create her invitations, RSVP cards, wedding programs and menu cards from paper stock purchased throught theoir website. Their invitations range from classic elegance & traditional to whimsical. The paper stock are of excellent quality and you can find a range of their products on their website or in Michaels or Target stores. The website gives you a downloadable template to use for each kind of stationary which you can print at home or you can choose for them to print them for you. If you are ever in Michaels or Terget, please checkout their products in the invitation isle, you won't be disappointed. Although most of stationary is for weddings, they can be used for all occasions. Have fun selecting!

Signature Launch Party

                                                                                                     

 

 

 

Weddzilla.com cocktail launch party was held was held on February 25th with the theme "Rock the Launch" and that they did. The event was held at the National Museum of Women in the Arts and hosted by red carpet correspondent for the American Music Awards and Golden Globes, star on TLC's "Battle of the Wedding Planners", and contributor to Us Weekly Magazine's Fashion Police, Steve Kemble.The event was fun and cocktail cool and held a silent auction where 100%of the profit benefited the National Children Medical Center. My company Y Lowe Signature Events, LLC, donated a "Date Night" basket that was coupled with 4 other items including a night at the Ritz Carlton and this auction package was the second highest auction item bidded on for the night. My self on the left and my colleague and event coordinator Winsome Mitchell is pointing at our handy work. The last person featured on the bottom of the stairs is Kristen Hall who is  the co-founder along with her husband Aaron Hall of Weddzilla.com. It was a great night for networking and for event planners and brides to find each other. Weddzilla had great launch partners and the food and cocktails were flowing. Brides were able to preview gowns being worn by live models and swag bags were given away with a coupon for a chance for someone to win a real diamond from Mervis Diamond Importers. I cannot wait until the website is live to see what they have to offer brides and vendors.

Signature Oscar Party

The nominees have been announced, now its time to plan the ultimate movies-awards Oscar party. Sequoia Produtions and Wolfgang Puck Catering announced that they will host a 1930's styled theme for the Governor's Ball. Why not throw your own sleek, saucy and glamorous 1930's styled theme party for your guests. For starters, everyone should be formally dressed and can find inspiration from the Circa 1930's gowns from Valentina above. Your guests should arrive for their own red-carpet moments. The 1930's was a glitzy glamorous time...so take inspiration from the Oscars tabletop above and dress your own tables with a shiny, sparkly tablecloths and toppers. Table settings can be clear plates with silver tone silverware. Add stylish center pieces to complete the look of you table decor. For appetizers, serve Pizza with Smoked Salmon and Caviar  and for the main course, serve Lamb Kabob with Mint Pesto , for drinks...what could better than Moet Champagne. To complete the evening, serve these high-end-cake on a stick. Cake O Licious are bite sized cake pops on a stick, each hand-dipped in an elegant chocolate shell. They come in flavors like vanilla, spice and rum. They are great as desserts, favors and gifts. At the end of the night, box some of these tasty treats for your guests to take away as gifts. In between commercials, tests your guest's knowledge of past Oscars with a trivia game. Don't forget to have extra gifts to give away for your winners. May the best man wins!

Signature Valentine

It's that time of the year again...Valentine's Day. This time of the year brings on nervous angst for people with or without a valentine sweetheart. For the ones without a valentine, there are events out there for you. Check out the Anti-V-Day at CoCo. Sala, which has been rescheduled from today to next week, February 17th..due to the snow blizzard. For the ones with a valentine, there are thoughtful, inexpensive gifts out there that won't break the bank. These gifts will show your loved ones that they are loved and being thought about and range in prices from free to $42.00. Let your love one knows how you feel with a free e-card from pingg, they feature a great selection on their website. At a price point of $11.00, you can give a great gift from Sephora, chocolate-and-expresso scented bath set includes body wash and scrub. At CoCo. Sala they sell handmade artisanal chocolates that range in prices from $6.00 up to $65.00. For $6.00 you can purchase Goji Berry & Ginger Chocolate Bark, for $10.00 you will get Champagne Cork Truffles, and for $42.00 you can purchase their Signature 16pc Chocolate Box with flavors like port sangria, chipolte chocolate, and pb & j. Whatever you wish to do, and however you choose to celebrate. I wish everyone, a Happy V-Day!

Signature Tailgating Menu

      

                          

Are you ready for your Superbowl party weekend? Superbowl Sunday is a great time for family and friends to get together and have a fun laid back time...eating fun and delicious foods and cheering for their favorite team. Better Homes and Gardens (BHG) feature some classic, yet delicious foods for your tailgating parties. Start out with a crowd pleasing Chilli with all the toppings and serve it with some delicious warm Cornbread. Followup with some Beer Braised Brats and New Orleans-Style Muffuletta  real male crowd pleasers, yet the females can still enjoy. Then finish it off with some delicious and delectable Shortbread. So whether you are cheering for the Colts or the Saints, sitback, relax and enjoy the game. Bon Apettit!