January 24, 2011

A Retro-Glam 5th Year Anniversary and More...

Would you like to see a few of my Event Designs come to life? I thought you might....:)

Let's start off with one of the more recent parties I designed and deployed, and one that is close to my heart. The 5th Year Wedding Anniversary Party that my husband and I hosted back in October of 2010, discussed here and here.  We wanted to celebrate our love and  the anniversary of our special day amongst our beloved family and friends. We also wanted something glamorous, elegant and joyous but on a strict budget (as I do with most of my soirees.) A Platinum Event on a Pauper's Penny, if you will, I beleive we succeeded!
 The theme I came up with was Retro Glam (think 30s and 40s, feathers, a little bling)  meets a modern NYC lounge (black and white -  even the guests came in black and white cocktail attire - moody candlelight, a top-notch bartender, and pops of silver and fuschia for visual interest.)

Here is the Event Design I came up with:



And here are the Day of Completion detail shots of the set-up and party day:










And the After right before the Bash begins:











More of the Details:
(The following pictures by Melina Diaz Fuentes.)
























An unforgettable day.  Indeed.
(one of our favorite shots from our five year anniversary photo shoot.)


An then a few months later, I threw a  fabulous Rainbow Colored Themed Kids Party. It was all about color, candy and cartoon characters. Who wouldn't have fun with that?  I can guarantee this party brought out the kid in all of us!

Here is the Event Design  I came up with:


And here are the pictures of the "Day of Completion" where the party Came to life:

(all photography by C'est la Vie Photography unless otherwise noted.)









































The kids had so much fun! However, its same to assume I think the Adults and Parents had even more;)

Looking to throw your own fun, fabulous and memorable event but don't know where to begin?  In need of a great Event Design  as well as the nitty-gritty on  all of the party planning details and how to make your event "come to life?" Then you've come to the right place, please fill out my Questionnaire and email me to cestlavie.events@gmail.com, so we can get started!

January 3, 2011

A Timeless,Transitional and Uber Terrific Living Room

Design Plan for: Living Room
Client: Yadi.

(click to enlarge)


Yadi, a super talented decorater herself, asked me to help her re-design her living room from a classically traditional and old-world styled space into something more contemporary, fresh and modern. The starting off point would be these fabulous traditional-styled wingbacks that are currently cherry wood and a pale-gold fabric.  I suggested she re-upholster these in a sophisticated and luxurious gold and black fabric and reinvent the wood with a black laquer finish. These amazing chairs, along with Yadi's request that I incorporate artwork from my Fine Art Photography Shop , inspired this design plan. I can say with all candor that this is one of the spaces I would like to see in my own Chateau C'est La Vie one day, Yadi and I have very similar decor aesthetics. I thoroughly enjoyed creating this design!

Here is Yadi's Testimonial in her own words:
"I am completely floored, this is jaw-droppingly GORGEOUS!!!!! I am In-LOVE with your design! You are absolutely the BEST, may God continue to bless you with such amazing talent!"


For more information on the details  and components of this fantastic design plan, please reply to this post, or email me to cestlavie.events@gmail.com with your questions and comments.


Next up,  the relase of two fabulous new Fine Art Photography Galleries - Chic and Ice. Stay tuned....

Want to transform your own space on a budget? Please fill out my Decor Application Here or email me @ cestlavie.events@gmail.com.

December 29, 2010

Elegant, Colorful and Whimsy Inspired Anniversary Party

Thirty years of wedded bliss is quite the significant accomplishment in this day and age, definitely an event to be celebrated commemorated and honored! My most recent client, a personal friend of mine, will be hosting a surprise anniversary party to celebrate her parents' thirty years of marriage. Their wedding was quite the simple affair so she asked that this party be extra special and memorable!  It was with great pleasure then, that I set out to design an event fitting of this lovely couple and their marriage milestone!!!!

(click to enlarge)


Here are the detailed components for this event:
  • The turquoise,brown and burnt orange color scheme was chosen by the client herself, I added a fourth component that will add just the right touch of elegance and old-world charm with the Gold. I believe the Saturated and classic combination is simply lovely!
  • The invitations will include an old-world styled medallion in this modern orange accent color and will include a combination of modern and classical elements. The chocolate envelopes will add rich contrast.
  • The tablescape will be simple but full of beautiful color with these turquoise tablecloths, chocolate runners and the gold chargers that will set the tone and accent the room.
  • The centerpieces will be a combination of simple and classic floral vases with these stunning roses as the show-stoppers. Alternating with these elegant old-world inspired candelabras with the perfect burnt orange taper candle. The floral tables will include these delicate etched mango votives as well to create the ideal romantic ambiance.
  • For favors, a monochromatic candy buffet displayed in apothecary vases will look stunning and bring in that element of delicious sweetness and whimsy.
  • This cake had me at hello. The design is edgy and whimsical, but wwith traditional accents that can be incorporated with those gorgeous chocolate roses.
  • And last but certainly not least is the elegant and delcious Merlot-Cabarnet wine bottles from Yellow-Tail that will not only add visual interest to the tables but satiate the thirst palette.

PPlease check out the other wonderful events I've had the pleasure to design and succesfully launch by clicking on the  Ces't La Vie Parties and Events  page. (click on link to be re-directed to this page, or look for it under "Pages" in the sidebar) and make sure to check back often for updates!

Next up - details on the fabulous forties-glam meets NY lounge inspired 5th Year Anniversary Bash my husband and I hosted this year.


Need inspiration to throw that fabulous soiree? Don't know where to start with the planning of your important event? Want the look of a platinum party on a pauper's budget?  You've come to the right place. Please fill out my What is your Design Style Questionnaire or email me @ cestlavie.events@gmail.com to begin!

December 9, 2010

Coming soon To Ces't La Vie Events

Coming soon to C'est La Vie Events:

  •  A few new fun and exciting photoshoots I've had the pleasure to take.
  • Two new Ces't La Vie Events Fine Art Photography Galleries, one entitled "Chic" and the other "Ice."
  •  New Event Designs for an anniversary and graduation parties, as well as all the nitty-gritty on our Fabulous 5th Year Anniversary Bash.
  •  The transformation of a dining/living space from traditional to transitional and much, much more....

Also, coming soon, an exciting end of year sale!!! Details to follow!!!

Merci Mon Amis <3

November 18, 2010

A Sophisticated, Soft and Safari Inspired Nursery

Design Plan for: Boy's Nursery
Client: Francis and Ken

(click to enlarge)


Francis and Ken a young, fun-loving couple expecting their first new bundle of joy - a little baby boy they've named "Frankie" - are in the process of leaving their life as renters and purchasing their very first town-home right on time before their special delivery comes home!:) They contacted me and asked that I design an elegant, fun and unique nursery for their little bundle of joy. They initially gave me pretty much free reign on the design choices as long as I kept it "boy-friendly." That was until they saw one of my recent Photography Art Galleries, from my Fine Art Photography Shop, entitled  Wild.  As soon as they laid their eyes on the pictures of the baby animals, they  literally went "wild" (pun intended) with excitment and asked me to design a room around those prints, and of course I  readily consented!  This is the first nursery I have ever designed and I can honestly say with candor that I have never had this much fun on a client project!  I put a lot of thought and emotion in picking every little detail to create the perfect safari-esque escape for this future little ranger:)


Wall Paint and Color Palette. Instead of a juvenile, or overly themey safari decor scheme, I wanted to design something fun but elegant and modern for this young couple. After drawing inspiration from the prints, I decided that a gray similar to the skin of the baby elephant would make the perfect wall color. To lighten and brighten this nursery, I chose a buttery yellow, reminiscent of the African Safari Sunset, for the ceiling. The gray and yellow along with various shades of brown, cream and a dash of sky blue was the color palette I chose to add a bit of baby-fresh softness and calm factor. The paint colors, Benjamin Moore's Gray Horse and Benjamin Moore's Popcorn Kernel in an eggshell finish will set the stage for this beautiful nursery.

Here is a breakdown of the Design Board for Safari Nursery with the numbered items below:

1 - 3. Represents the most important part of the nursery. The crib and bedding, where little junior will (hopefully) spend many restful nights doing what babies do best - sleeping. I chose this elegant, espresso brown crib with traditional lines and the ability to transform later on into a full-grown bed, the head-board can later be dismantled and added to a bed for an adult, definitely a great investment piece for this young family. As for the bedding, this subtle safari themed black and gray fitted crib sheet will work flawlessly with the design. For added softness and warmth  I chose an organic crib matress along with organic cotton cream blankets and flannel throws to make sure baby Frankie is kept extra warm and cozy.

4. This sunny yellow dresser will not only add a stylish accent to the gray/yellow design scheme but will serve as the ideal functional piece to store many of Baby Frankie's clothing and diapers and supplies. It will also double as a changing table, as an added benefit the price was hard to beat.

5 - 7.  Represents one of my favorite pieces of the room. This extremely cool and surprisingly comfortable rattan rocking chair not only brings in one of the popular textural materials used in African Safari design, but is modern and cozy enough to be utilized as the perfect nursing chair. To bring in added cozy factor, this yellow and white zebra print throw pillow, as well as this soft blue flannel blanket that will be draped over the chair will make for the perfect comfortable seating for both mommy and baby.

8. This adorable, stylish and functional zebra print lamp has me smitten. It not only brings in texture and works with the color scheme, but is the perfect smaller size for a nursery and will give a much needed glow for those nights where baby Frankie willl be read or sung to by his proud parents.

9. Are the prints that Francis and Ken chose from My Wild Gallery (which are available for purchase  here) and the ones I built the design of the nursery around. Francis fell in love with the shots of the baby giraffe, elephant and zebra, and I made sure to include elements from all three into the rooms design scheme. These will be printed in  8x10 metallic finish and framed in espresso wood frames with simple white mats. The perfect artwork for this perfect litle safari nursery.

10. The rug that will anchor the room and all the furniture pieces that will be placed above it, while adding softness and style to boot. As soon as I laid eyes on this natural fiber rug in a giraffe print pattern, I knew it was the perfect piece to add to the nursery's gorgeous wood floors without taking away from their natural beauty. This rug is also elegant and versatile enough to later be used in future spaces and design schemes.

11. This black chandelier silhouette pendant lighting will be the ideal ceiling lighting for this baby boy's room. It is a fusion of traditional and modern due to the materials used and masculine enough to pass Ken's requirements for his son's room:)

12. Are the Window treatments I chose for the space. This organic cream cotton curtain panels will provide enough privacy to cover the gorgeous french-door/windows of the nursery. The couple will also be adding bamboo shades to ensure there is enough comfortable darkness for baby Frankie to sleep without interruption.

13. Finally, this most adorable and tender pale baby blue elephant made from organic materials, will be a perfect little play-mate for baby Frankie.

Here is Francis's Testimonial in her own words:

"When I saw your completed Design Scheme and read your consultation, I was literally left without words. All I could do was cry,cry tears of joy (not blaming the pregnancy hormones either:) Ken and I are blown away !!!!! This is exactly what we wanted and so, so much more! What an AMAZING nursery for our precious little Frankie. You have this most incredible of gifts to take one element like your beautiful prints, and create a masterpiece of a space. There aren't enough words to thank you except to say we are extremely grateful and can literally not wait to start putting all of the elements together.I have already ordered half of the items and sent Ken to buy the paint cans! Thank you a million times over!!!!!!!"

Here is one of the Before Pictures of what will become Frankie's Nursery, those windows and floors have me drooling....




Want to transform your own space on a budget? Please fill out my Decor Application Here or email me @ cestlavie.events@gmail.com.

November 5, 2010

5th Year Anniversary Bash

Pardon my mini-hiatus, the past two weeks I have been incredibly occupied planning and executing a  very special event, our 5-year anniversary bash. A glamorous, fun, and elegant night celebrating Love. Our Love.

With the help of my amazing friends and family, I have been extremly busy making this happen:













All of the delicious details coming soon...