party possibilities
Anniversary Issue: posh in a pinch
July 2009
in this issue
:: Under the Tuscan Sun
:: About posh parties, LLC
:: Next Month's Issue
  
In honor of posh parties' 4th anniversary, I'm departing from my usual 'experiential' event design format to share a few 'posh in a pinch' tips with you.  It's also the debut of my blog, posh in a pinch (http://www.poshpartiesllc.blogspot.com), which will offer ideas to quickly and affordably enhance the style of your party.  I invite you to read it ... often!
 
Before I share ideas, let's talk about posh.  According to Webster's dictionary, posh means fashionable and smart. Ok but that definition sounds ho-hum.  I know from my preschooler's Fancy Nancy book collection, that posh is another fancy word for fancy!  That's much better!  So when we plan our parties, we can make them posh, or fancy, with just a few extra touches ... usually using materials in our home.  That was this month's challenge.  Using items from home -  tissue paper, scrapbook paper, ribbon and even tree branches - I made my birthday dinner party look fabulous .. if I may say so myself but you can see for yourself below.  Enjoy!  And remember ... more posh in a pinch tips may be found on my blog.
posh in a pinch
 
In March, I won a prize - an Italian dinner for 8 by Vignola Catering - at the International Special Events Society DC Gala.  So for my dinner party last month, Chef Giovanni (owner) prepared a wonderful 3-course meal in my home (with some help sprinkling powered sugar on the canollis from my daughter) and all I had to do was set up. 
 

 
Leveraging existing dinner plates, I created a bright and cheerful tablescape using materials from around the house.  I  dubbed it
Under The Tuscan Sun.

Tissue paper
for the table runner and pom-pom flowers on the napkins and wrapped on the sideboard vases.
 
Scrapbook paper for the placemats (12' x 12' sheet plus 2" strip).  *Bonus* - write guests' name down the side of the placemat for a placecard.
 
Tree branches spraypainted yellow in lieu of expensive floral arrangement; creates height without intruding sightlines.
 
$1 Ribbon from Michaels wrapped around white candles displayed on upside down [wide] votives for extra height.
 
About posh parties, LLC
 
Created for people who like to celebrate without the stress of planning and set up, posh parties, LLC is a full service event management company specializing in social and corporate events.
 
Services include:
  • Venue Research & Site Survey
  • Event Design
  • Event Coordination
  • On-site/Day-of Event Management

for all types of celebrations, such as:

  • Milestone Birthdays
  • Children's Birthdays
  • Anniversaries
  • Retirement
  • Baby Showers & Welcome Parties
  • Bridal Showers & Rehearsal Dinners
  • Holiday Gatherings
  • Themed Cocktail Parties
  • Executive Receptions, Sales Meetings, Product Launches, Partner Conferences ... and more

If you are entertaining in the near future, I invite you to contact me to produce your special celebration. With 15 years of professional event management experience, I make entertaining effortless while creating a memorable experience.

Next Month's Issue

The next issue of party possibilities will feature corporate summer gatherings, creative local solutions for rewarding and motivating employees without being [AIG] extravagant!
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Ashleigh Dorfman, CSEP
special events professional
posh parties, LLC
703.476.6530