Food

There are two things you need to know about me: one, nothing motivates me more than having FUN! Luckily I have done a very good job surrounding myself with people who keep me grounded – namely my husband. The second thing you need to know is that I love to create! And I’ll do just about anything and everything, as long as it involves putting things together to create something new.
I have a passion for colors that resides deep in my soul. I love to paint and play with colors in a variety of ways. Paper crafting has always been my forte, and that involves card making, scrapbooking, and invitation design. I adore party planning and event organizing. I also love to design digitally and create printable publications.
There is one thing I don’t do, however. I don’t sew. And I mean it – I don’t knit, crochet, or even sew on a button. I thought I died and went to heaven the day Mighty Mend-it came out. It has saved me on many occasions from running to my mom’s house in a panic. This is not my mother’s fault. She tried so hard, but for some reason I took a moral stance against the art and dug in my heels. I haven’t put a needle to fabric since. 
I was raised in Las Vegas, and I got married at the mature age of eighteen, only three months after graduating high school. This was not the original plan, but what can I say? The man came in and swooped me off my feet, tripping up all of my independent college plans while he was at it. I did manage to go back to school here and there between having my four babies and becoming domesticated. I went into accounting to balance out my oil painting and creative writing classes. 
I became head of the accounting department of an Italian food warehouse, which abetted my taste for fine food. I started experimenting with all these fabulous imported ingredients (at wholesale cost of course!) and developed an enthusiasm for cooking.
Now I work part time from home, accounting for my brother’s business, while looking for ways to have fun and do it all (except sew of course)!

Emily

Besides growing up in the business surrounded by a constant flurry of weddings, celebrity parties, luaus, with Tommy Rocker jamming out on the roof of our facility, and helicopters landing on the tennis courts to whisk my grandparents away to Europe…I led a pretty normal and idyllic life here in Vegas. My father was a craps dealer for many years. He dealt to the stars, collected Porsches, and witnessed the original Hilton fire from within. He now owns Pierson Productions, the largest t-shirt screen printing company in Nevada. My mother was Martha Stewart before Martha Stewart was! She was always the creative force behind her multiple catering businesses, her antique store called Pandemonium (where I sat in an old satin pillow-filled trunk until I could walk), and finally the stylist and florist for the Secret Garden events.

 

We always frequented yard sales, vintage stores, and Goodwill for home decor and clothing admired by the richest of our friends (and still do!) We were by no means poor–just smart ;). Hence, my motto, “Never pay retail if you can help it!”

My sister and I always had “country club” birthday parties attended by hundreds of people at the Las Vegas Racquet Club that my grandparents owned. Kelli and I graduated from lifeguards, to face painters, to bussing tables, and finally to what we are today: Head event coordinator & pastry chef/cake designer. For our modest ages, we have accomplished much!  

I wish to divulge to you my wedding wisdom but at the same time captivate you with a whimsical account of my extraordinary experiences! Visit my famous wedding facility any time on Facebook at: Secret Garden Weddings. Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions or would like me to give you advice. Either Facebook me on WhipperBerry or e-mail at bridalbliss101@gmail.com.

As my father always says: “Peace. Love. & Hare Krishna”

Erin

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