what's your.......color?

i am pantone obsessed.  from simple color bridges to the pantone app on the iphone (a virtual color library at your fingertips and the ability to bring color with you anywhere), pantone takes COLOR to another level.

and ever since i discovered the pantone fashion color report, i havent stopped clipping and ripping out swatches of my favorite combos and hues.  the report is divided into spring and fall, released bi-annually and features designers such as betsey johnson. michael kors and zac posen with a sketched piece or ensemble in one of the 10 colors featured in the report. 

its been shown that color trends are first seen on the runway in designers new collections.  the following year you will see those colors predominately in home decor and interior design.  the second year of the color, it emerges into events.  so for example, shitake (pantone 18-1015) was a part of the fall 2008 color report.  that means, this fall 2010, shitake is a totally happening part of an event color story.


look at yellow (freesia, pantone 14-0852), this color was everywhere in fashion in 2008 (and still is, actually).  i received the most fabulous yellow bag in October of 2008 as a thank you from a client.  i love the brightness of it and the statement it makes with about any look.  now, spring 2010 and yellow is THE event color.  its like my event-color-crystal-ball!

the pantone color reports (and their ability to forecast the color story) are amazing.  but wait, it gets even better.  enter colorstrology.  based on the day of your birth, a pantone color is assigned to you followed by three words and a short description about YOU and how wearing, meditating or surrounding yourself in this color will help you......do xy and z.  it may not be your favorite color (although mine happens to be) but if you feel an aversion to the color, they recommend looking at the colors that were used to create it and see which one is creating the tension or disturbance.  (see more in the "about colorstrology" section)


it really is a fun, cool tool that met our team at GMRT with an uncanny pinpoint precision.  soon you will be checking out your moms color, your ex-boyfriends color and everyone in-between.  id love to hear what you discover, through COLOR, about you and those you love (and love to hate).  


go pantone.

regards,
lindsay piram
event designer

yes, i read menus like some read "twilight"....

what's a "FOODIE"???


im sure you've heard the term.  there are "foodie" festivals.  "foodie" handbooks.  and "foodie" 'zines.


but what IS a "foodie", and where did this term COME FROM?


a "foodie" is, quite simply, a food and drink aficioando.  not only to like food but to be interested in it.  the term was coined in 1981 by paul levy and ann barr who used it in the title of their book the official foodie handbook.  though used interchangeably, "a foodie differs from a gourmet in that gourmets are are epicures of refined taste who may or may not be professionals in the food industry, whereas "foodies" are amateurs who simply love food for consumption, study, preparation and news."  gourmets want to eat the best food and "foodies" want to learn everything about food.  the ordinary and the extraordinary.  the science, industry and personalities.  "foodies" are obsessed with all things culinary.  they read menus like books.  terms such as "epicureans" or "gourmets" conjure up snobby images of people who will only eat at restaurants with truffled pate on the menu.  not so for a foodie....anyone can be a "foodie".  "foodie"-ism is a modern, popular way of engaging food culture for the general population.

"foodie"-ism is a true hobby.  some areas of pursuit and activities within the overall umbrella of "foodie" would be:


restaurant openings and closings
wine tasting
beer brewing and sampling
food fads
health and nutrition
food science
scotch tasting


some "foodies" may develop a particular interest in a specific item, such as the best croissant or french fry or souffle or ceviche.  lots of magazines now have a food column and the rise of "foodie"-ism made way for the food network and other food programming, such as top chef, iron chef and hell's kitchen.
also more evident are the rise of specialized cookbooks, neighborhood farmer's markets, food-orientated websites like zagat and yelp, the institution of the celebrity chef, food blog, food movies such as julie and julia (which came from a food book that came from a food blog) and food specialty stores like williams-sonoma and sur la table.  local favorites of the specialty store are kitchen window, cooks of crocus hill and golden fig.

there are some basic traits of being a "foodie".  they would never answer the question "what are you eating?"  with "i don't know".  in general, you have to know what you like and why you like it, recognize why some foods are better than others and in general, have good tasting food all or most of the time.  this isn't to say that you can't eat nacho combos once in awhile, but it is to say that you aren't fooled into thinking that is a well-balanced meal.


do you know the difference between a poblano and a jalapeno?  barrata and brie?  heirloom and beefsteak?  if not, as a foodie....you would find out.  do you have to shop exclusively at farmer's markets?  no, but as a foodie you look for good, fresh produce.

as a self-proclaimed "foodie", i am lucky enough that being a "foodie" is a part of my job.  my obsession with cooking and reading about food and drink and my fascination with trying new restaurants, actually pays off for my clients.  my events have themes and food plays a part of it.  a big part.  recently honored with an industry award in the category of "best use of food and beverage" was about as big of an honor as a "foodie" can get.  to be recognized for using food as theme makes all those dreadful (read:  sarcasm) hours of wining and dining worth it.


regards,
lindsay piram

love your locks.

as wedding planners and designers, we feel nothing is outside our realm when it comes to your big day.  we advise on everything from venue to menu, transportation to videography....even honeymoon and dance lessons.  to add to the "princess for a day" mindset, many brides opt to have a stylist handle their hair (and make-up).  sometimes the bridal party and mothers too.  its a fun morning to spend with your maids, calming your nerves before the big walk down the aisle.  a few tips to keep you stress-free:

early. 

there is no harm in finding your stylist months out.  they tend to book fast and blocking out an entire weekend day for you and your event takes planning.  after your first meeting, you may want to meet others and booking early allows time for that.

practice.  

many offer a free consultation before your actual wedding day.  its important that you like her or him, feel like they listen to you and understand what you're after.  bring your veil and any hair accessory or flower you plan to use.  

pictures.  

comb through bridal magazines and other fashion 'zines to find the look youre after or a combo of styles you like.  up or down, messy or sleek, its great for them to see exactly what you like.  they will then advise you whether or not your hair can handle, and if not offer suggestions of how the look can be achieved (for example, extensions or temporary hair pieces).

dirty.  

dont wash your hair.  going to your practice, and your wedding day, with dirty hair allows it to hold the style.  dont worry about shine, there are plenty of products to achieve that without it being squeaky clean.

talk.

as with all areas of the wedding planning and designing process, speaking-up is key.  dont worry that youre hurting their feelings if you dont like it.  their goal is to make you happy and if youre not happy with the first updo at your practice, let them know then so they can make adjustments while you are still in the chair.  

bridal hair and the entire primping ritual is another area that we love to advise upon...anything we can do to help you look and FEEL your best.

regards,

lindsay piram

event designer