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Walking the streets of Paris, from a design aspect, was an amazing inspiration. The colors, textures, and attention to simple details all combine to make a city that can truly inspire your imagination.  That was what I had in mind when I presented the pictures for the photo/table challenge.  Overwhelmingly, the winner was the berry photo.

I too love the colors and freshness of the berries, and thought it would make for a great dessert table.  Here we have it, the Paris Berry table…

    

Heather

Welcome newcomers! To the wonderful and terrifying world of wedding planning! A lot of my job is simply designing. I can receive thousands of e-mails, texts, phone callsand& Facebook messages from a single bride just on the subject of colors, linens, centerpieces, and “hardware”. All to be used to wow her guests and tie in the couple’s personality to the event. I DO NOT BUY RETAIL. In speaking these blasphemous words to my WhipperChicks, the subject of where I shop came up…Lean a bit closer so I can whisper these precious words to you….~Santee Alley. AKA Downtown LA~

There is about an 18 or so block radius that encompasses LA’s garment, fabric, and floral district that is brimming with wholesale goodies. I’m sitting here laughing because I feel like a magician that is exposing all of her secrets!! If you look at my wedding facility’s Facebook page: Secret Garden Weddings, you will see our indoor reception room swathed in miles of white chiffon. I purchased this in a light-hearted haggle situation for only $1 per yard. Not bad considering I needed 1,000 yards!!

Of course, all of my friends know that is also where I hit the “alley” (or as I call it, black market heaven!) to purchase designer goods for next to nothing! Hair goodies for $1 each, fashion clothing, purses & jewelry for awesome prices. Even amazing children’s shoes & attire for a bargain! It is the run-off of wholesale purchasing so you can individually purchase items for a good price instead of having to order in bulk. OH! My husband would literally kill me if I didn’t mention the famous “Alley Dog”! You must complete your experience by consuming (from an actual street vendor) a polish sausage wrapped in bacon, grilled alongside onions & peppers, and topped with homemade salsa, mayo, and an edible jalapeno. Enjoy!

For more pictures from the fabulous WhipperChick trip Heather, Emily, and I took to Santee Alley, click on this link for the WhipperBerry fan page on Facebook.  Hey, while you’re there you can become a fan!!

Erin

I have a tendency to spend quite a bit of time on sites that I have no business looking at.  Anthropologie.com is no exception.  Every girl needs a little self-indulgence though, right?  When I saw that Anthropologie was featuring ochre accents, my heart leaped for joy.  I’ve been pretty obsessive about the color lately, pouring over sites trying to find ochre pillows for my couches, a lamp for my console, and wallpaper for my eventual closet-turned-office space.  I may have to save my pennies for this fabulous wallpaper.

Whitney

Blog…what’s a blog? No, I’m not that daft! But I never in a million years thought I would be doing one! Although, I have always thought my career path was quite fascinating! Bright eyed young (and old) things are always asking about details in wedding/event design and planning. Are there really bridezillas? (YES)…What’s the craziest wedding you’ve had? (Bikini Bride with full train say’s “I DO” and walks down the aisle with her new husband straight into the pool surrounded by life size lobsters & Rio girls!!). I have literally been told at least once a week that I should write a book on my career and the past of the famous facility I now run! But books are so old school…welcome to the future!
My family has owned the Secret Garden at the famous Las Vegas Racquet Club since 1962. I am 4th generation and initially wanted nothing to do with the business! I graduated with honors in 1995 and went to BYU in hopes of becoming a famous plastic surgeon…yeah, that didn’t happen! I worked at a bridal dress shop during college and fell back in love with the magic of weddings! So I grabbed my husband of 8 months and high-tailed it back to Vegas! I’ve worn every hat there is in event planning and design, so I will proceed to tell you the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truth…

So in addition to running a busy wedding facility, a household consisting of a cool, but eye-rolling husband, two kids almost a decade apart, 3 dogs, 2 cats, and a fish; my new “blog job” is to entertain the masses with my outrageous wedding stories, give solid advice for your personal events, and tidbits of personal insight to my everyday existence. I hope you are ready for the roller coaster I call normal!

Erin