4th of July Inspiration

4th of July always sneaks up on me! I’m usually busy getting the summer started and then bam - It’s July 1st! This year, it’s been a little different since we’ve had some extra time on our hands (thanks to COVID), so I’ve compiled some of my favorite 4th of July recipes, decor ideas and cocktails. Hope you all have a very safe and happy 4th of July!

Enjoy, Kayla

Recipes:

My go-to 4th of July (and summer appetizers in general) are easy and festive finger foods. Antipasto skewers, cheese platters and anything on stick is easy! Fruit and veggies can help create a colorful and tasty display as well.

CAPRESE SALAD

INGREDIENTS

• Cheery Tomatoes

• Mini Balls of Mozzarella Cheese

• Fresh Blueberries

• Fresh Basil

• Salt, Pepper and Olive Oil

INSTRUCTIONS

• Place all ingredients into a bowl and toss with salt, pepper and olive oil (wait and add the basil before you serve, so the herbs don’t wilt)

• Serve Cold (super easy to pre-make)

• Optional: garnish with balsamic vinegar glaze

Decor:

4th of July Decor can be super easy and fun! Balloons make a BIG impression and you can always find inexpensive items on Amazon. I also love creating festive steamers or banners. You can place outside or around the bar or food areas.

Cocktail & Mocktail Ideas:

One of my favorites, Rose Popsicle Cocktail! You can use bubbly or sparking water as well.

ROSE POPSICLE COCKTAIL

INGREDIENTS

• Rosé wine (or bubbly or flavored sparkling water)

• Any fruit popsicles (for the 4th I like Red, White and Blue!)

INSTRUCTIONS

• Place popsicles in glasses right before serving

• Pour rosé over popsicles

• Optional: garnish with edible flowers for an extra touch

Hosting Essentials

Summer is right around the corner, and that means – Summer Hosting!  It’s no secret that I love to host a good party. I truly enjoy gathering people in my home and watching everyone interact. I also love creating and designing the décor - the little details really amplify the guests experience. But most of all, I enjoy bringing all the pieces together from the flavors in the food, to the refreshments and wine pairings to the party favors, really creating something my guests will remember. 

Below is list of hosting essentials you need on hand when planning a party or gathering.

Serving Platters

My favorite place to get serving platters is HomeGoods. They have a great variety of serve ware so you can find something for every occasion. When shopping, look for different sizes. You will need a variety of sizes depending on what you are serving. Smaller platters for appetizers and larger platters for family style dining. 

Cake Stands

You can use these for several different things – not just cake! I like to put cheese or appetizers on cake stands to add some height to my countertop. I also like variety in height as well. It’s nice to have some low and high cake stands so you can use them through your hosting spread. I like these from Crate & Barrel and CB2.

Beverage Pitchers or Dispensers 

I love creating a signature drink that is easy and delicious to serve. Beverage Dispensers make it so easy for guest to enjoy and low maintenance for the host, and don’t forget about a water station! I like this dispenser from Crate & Barrel.

Glassware

I like to keep beverage options simple when hosting (depending on size of party), but I like to provide the right glassware for the occasion as well. If we are hosting a sit-down dinner, I’ll choose to use my fancier stemmed wine glasses or if we are having a more causal event outside, I’ll use my plastic glassware.

Cocktail Napkins 

An obvious must. I look for unique ones and stock up when I can, so I have a good variety to choose from. 

Candles or Essential Oils

No matter who is coming over to my house, I either have a candle burring or a diffuser running. I choose between seasonal scents or citrus flavors. Nothing is more welcoming the scent of fresh aromas.

Décor 

Décor helps set the tone for your event. Whether your hosting a birthday party, holiday gathering or spring brunch, your décor will help bring it to life. My go to décor pieces:

• Florals: I either do something easy from a local market or order for a local florist.

• Tabletop: Candles, candle holders, runners, napkins, vases (variety of sizes) and linens. 

• Straws

• Stemless Wine Glasses or Plastic Stemless Wine Glasses

• Balloons and/or Steamers 

• Party Favors 

Additional Tips for Hosting:

• Make sure the trash is taken out BEFORE your guest arrive and that you have designated an area for trash to go during the event.  

• Make sure to have ice on hand – and extra if you're hosting in the spring or summer. 

• Separate the booze and food. People gravitate to the booze and food. So, it’s great if you designate a place for each to create flow between the two spaces. 

• Make sure to communicate the tone or theme of the event to your guests, so they know what to except when they arrive. 

• Prep as much as you can before – I hate running around an hour before guest arrive. So, I try and prep my décor and most food items the day before, so the day-of I can prep beverages and enjoy the party. 

• Plan your menu around what is in season. Seasonal dishes and beverage also help tie in themes. 

• Don’t forget the mocktail! It is nice to provide a non-alcoholic option for your guest to enjoy.

• Maybe a bit old school, but I’ve never hosted an event where someone didn’t ask for a cup a coffee. Depending on the time of your event, it’s nice to have a fresh pot of coffee brewed in case guest want a cup. 

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Mother’s Day is one of my favorite holidays to celebrate. I enjoy spoiling the mothers in my life and I feel like it is the official kick off to summer! Below are a few ideas for Mother’s Day gifts. Enjoy, happy shopping!

Also, I have a very sweet Mother’s Day Giveaway running through May 5! Enter to win a dozen delicious cookies from Bells Cookie Co, a beautiful spring floral bouquet created by From The Ground Up Floral and a Mini Skincare Kit by Kari Garn - More details here, good luck!

Shop Local

For the local friends - now is the time to support local business. Here are a few of my favorite shops in Seattle, Bellevue and Woodinville.

• Molback’s Garden & Home

• Pipe & Row

• Glassybaby

• Floral Arrangements: BUSARA, Callarose and Co, Rusted Vase Co. Leigh and Mitchell, and Sublime Stems

• Sweet Treats: Bell’s Cookie Co + From The Ground Up Floral, and The Sweet Side

Self-Care

Always a lovely gift choice! Below are a few of my favorite #selfcare beauty items.

New Mom

New moms certainly deserved to be pampered! Below are a few cozy and helpful things for the new momma in your life! ZOE LEV Jewelry - SALE, 20% off use code MOM20 at checkout.

The Homebody

Gift ideas for the homebody can be tough, but below are a few ideas she will certainly enjoy at home.

Fitness Momma

For the mom running (literally) from yoga to work. Here are a few things to keep her pampered on the run!

The Traveling Mom

Here are some fun ideas for mom’s that are on the go-go-go or in-flight schedule.

Summertime Mom

Here are some fun ideas for the mom that likes to get outside and seize the sunny says ahead!

Travel Guide: London, Italy and France

I started writing this blog on our train ride from Florence to Naples. Jay (my husband) had been journaling and sending updates back to our family at home, so I’m glad I took notes! (And now thanks to COVID-19, I’ve had plenty of time to reflect and finish this blog!) Being away from home for three weeks was truly an amazing experience and gave me some time to unplug. It took a little persuading to get Jay onboard, but I would high recommend at least 14 days when planning a trip aboard - gives you time to settle into the time change and pace of new cities. While on our trip, I challenged myself to not work and be present (I didn't even pack my computer!). As you can imagine, it was challenging at times but coming home I felt recharged and had a little bit of a different perspective on my work/life balance. I know there are so many travel blogs out there, so thank you for taking the time to read mine! Whether you’re reading to hear about our trip (thanks, mom!) or your looking for some travel advice and insights, I hope you enjoy it.

London, United Kingdom 

Being Jay’s first time in Europe, we both agreed London was a perfect first stop. We landed in London around 9:30 am, to help kick our jet lag (or so we thought) we hit the ground running. We rented bikes and rode through Hyde Park and Kensington Garden, then took a long walk to Buckingham Place – sadly they were not doing the changing of the guards that day, but it was fun to people watch anyway. Our first dinner was at Maggie Jones, a recommended restaurant where we enjoyed a very traditional British meal (shepherd’s pie) and went to bed early. Quick note on the Jet Lag: It was a very real thing! It took me a solid 5 days to get into a normal routine. I would recommend: sun, fresh air, lots of vitamin c and melatonin. Our second day in London we took a river cruise to see it all - Big Ben, The Tower of London and many other iconic sights in London. We had pub lunch, afternoon tea at our hotel and a nap before dinner. We left bright and early day three, on our way to Italy!

Where we Stayed: The Milestone Hotel

I loved our hotel, it was in the perfect location. Right crossed the street from Kensington Garden and so much British charm. They have two lounges, The Conservatory and The Stables - The decor in both was so unique and cozy.

Highlights:

• Maggie Jones

• The Ivy

• The Builders Arms Pub (restaurant - great for an afternoon drink!) 

• Hyde Park and Kensington Garden

• Take a Boat Tour (touristy, but allows you to see it all)

• Ride The Tube

• Eat Shepherds Pie & Fish & Chips

• Enjoy Afternoon Tea 

• Shopping at Harrods 

• Drinks at Sketch 

• People Watch at Buckingham Palace 

• My Favorite Part: Riding bikes in Kensington Garden and Hyde Park. 

Lake Como, Italy 

We flew from London directly into Milan and had a private transfer to Lake Como. Lake Como had been on my bucket list for a while (currently on my bucket list to visit again!). We arrived early afternoon, the weather was a bit overcast with some rain sprinkles. But we still decided to sit out on the patio and enjoy our first italian pizza and wine. We spent the rest of the day exploring the resort grounds, it is a stunning property with some very old fashion charm. On the second day, we got lucky and the sun came out. Sadly, it wasn't warm enough for the pool, so we decided to take a boat ride to Bellagio for lunch and then hit the spa in the afternoon. I enjoyed the pace of Lake Como. It was much less touristy than other places and the lake view never got old. 

Where we stayed: Grand Hotel Villa D'Este 

Highlights:

• Il Gatto Nero Ristorante (favorite dinner spot!)

• Boat Ride to Bellagio

• Dinner with a view (really anywhere!)

• Morning run along the lake

• My Favorite Part: Dinner at Il Gatto Nero. It was our first dinner in Italy, and it was a true beautiful Italian experience. Multiple courses of fresh pasta, amazing wine and a stunning view!

Venice, Italy  

We planned for a long day trip to Venice but due to some train delays we arrived later than expected. We made the best of it and hit the streets to explore. After a few hours of getting lost, we stopped in for a cocktail at the Aman Grand Hotel (we found our later, it was where George Clooney was married!). We had a romantic dinner at Ivo Ristorante, the food was delicious. We had three courses of pasta and split the branzino. It was a bit chilly in Venice, so I was glad I packed a pair of jeans and my blazer! 

Where we stayed: Hotel Bonvecchiati

Highlights:

• Dinner at Ivo Ristorante 

• Get Lost. Seriously! The city is small, so you will end up back where you want to be.

• Don’t miss St. Marks Square, Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Campanile

• Take a private Gondola Ride

• People watch on the Bridge in the Grand Canal

• My Favorite Part: Drinks at Aman Grand Hotel – super fancy spot, fantastic martinis!

Bologna, Italy 

On our way to Florence, we stopped in Bologna for a cooking class. The class took place in the chef’s home (she lived right in the heart of the city). We went to the market and picked up fresh herbs, cheese and meat for our meal. We made: bolognese, fresh tortellini pasta and ice cream. We were absolutely stuffed afterwards, but it was possibly my favorite meal of the whole trip!

Florence, Italy 

One of my favorite cities in the world! I studied abroad in Florence in 2007, so it was very special returning to experience it again with Jay. We spent four nights in Florence, so we had three full days to explore – lots of time to eat and enjoy all the wine! Our first day we spent touring around and made several pitstops for cocktails. I loved sitting outside at cafes and people watching with a glass of wine. I found some time to shop as well, and I convinced Jay to tour the Gucci Garden with me - A Gucci Museum in Florence that showcases 90 years of fashion. I enjoyed it - Jay was underwhelmed, ha. We also enjoyed the markets - It was fun to walk around and taste all the fresh produce and local meats and cheeses. We found plenty of time to eat and we didn’t hold back! But we did tend share courses so we could enjoy everything - It still boggles my mind how skinny Italian are. On our second day, we rode bikes through the city and up to Michangelos Garden. We love to bike around cities, such a fun and active way to see everything! 

Where we Stayed: Rocco Forte Hotel Savoy 

We loved our hotel in Florence. It was located right in the middle of the city, with gorgeous Italian inspired rooms and it had a street cafe where we spent many mornings sipping coffee as we mapped out our daily itineraries. 

Highlights:

• Ristorante Lagiostra 

• Olio Convivium Ristorante

• Locale (drinks) 

• Westin Rooftop (sunset drinks)

• Wine & Live Music on the Ponto Vecchio

• Bike Ride along the Arno and through Piazzale Michelangelo

• Visit and have drinks in Piazza della Signoria

• See the Piazza del Duomo (walk up to the top of you can!)

• If you’re into museums, don’t miss the Uffizi Gallery.

• Eat, Eat and Eat more! I have so many memories of different restaurants around Florence, so we ate a lot.

• My Favorite Part: Re-exploring the city, it hadn't changed much, although we were eating at much nicer restaurants then when I was there in college! I loved your day trip to Tuscany. I could have spent multiple days in wine country.  

Tuscany, Italy 

This is a MUST do when you’re in Florence (or Italy in general!). I suggest carving a couple days into your itinerary to fully enjoy it. We spent just the day in Tuscany, the Chianti Region. Looking back, I wish we would have spent a couple days – it was beautiful and much needed break from the busy city. We hired a driver visited two wineries. In between we stopped at a restaurant and had a delicious lunch on the patio, I got my first sunburn and wasn’t mad about it! I love wine, so this experience was probably my favorite. 

Wineries:

• Castello Della Paneretta Winery 

• Capannelle Winery 

Capri, Italy 

From Florence we took and train to Naples, and from Naples we took the hydrofoil to Capri. It was a pretty long travel day. We missed our original departure time for the hydrofoil, so we killed some time at the dock with a few aperol spritz and played Gin Rummy. We got into Capri in the afternoon and hit the pool at our hotel as soon as we could (we were very ready for sun and lounge chair!). I had been dying to visit Capri and it did not disappointment. The town had so much character, less touristy then I excepted and sooooo relaxing. I enjoyed the shopping in Capri, they had the cutest shopping boutiques! I got a beautiful pair of leather sandals and some beach coverups. On our first day we spent the afternoon at La Flotelina (an instagramable beach club in Capri) and enjoyed the sea, more aperol spritz and people watching. It was a much-needed boozing beach day! Our second day, we spent exploring the town. I really feel in love with Carpi, and I absolutely loved being surrounded by lemon trees. What I loved most were the caprese salads. I probably ate one for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you know me well, that is my favorite salad. So, between the beach clubs, lemon trees and caprese salads I was in heaven. 

Where we stayed: Hotel La Mirvana Capri

We loved our hotel in Capri, we’d highly recommend. It was a boutique style hotel with only 54 rooms, so it had a cozy feel to it and beautiful details throughout the hotel.

 Highlights:

• All the lemon tress, serious everywhere!

• La Flotelina (Beach Club & Restaurant – make a reservation!)

• Take a boat tour around the island and see the Blue Grotto and jump in the sea!

• Buonocore (our favorite Gelato!)

• Ristorante Terrazza Brunella 

• Ristorante Panorama

• Have a drink in the Piazzetta and walk through the center of Anacapri

Positano, Italy 

The Amalfi Coast had been on my bucket list since I studied aboard, I've drooled over photos on Instagram and honestly it surpassed all my expectations! The weather was perfect, mid-80s and sunny every day. By the time we made it to Positano, we were both ready for some down time poolside. So, we spend three days just relaxing and exploring the town. My favorite part was our boat ride from Capri to Positano. We decided to charter a boat from Carpi to Positano - Which I highly recommend. It gave us time on the water and we were able to see everything. Our captain was very knowledgeable, so between rose pours we learned a lot about the island. We stopped at a waterfront restaurant for lunch and had the best seafood linguine! We spent the next few days lounging and exploring. 

Where we Stayed: Le Sirenuse 

Highlights:

• Brunos Ristorante (favorite dinner spot, more casual)

• La Cambusa Ristorante 

• Franco's Ristorante

• Ristorante La Sponda

• Get on the water! Take a boat ride to Praiano, Amalfi or Ravello. 

• Sunset Drinks Il San Pietro di Positano

• Hike: Positano to Praiano 

• Casa e Bottage (delicious lunch spot)

• My Favorite Part: Exploring the city and lazy beach days!

Rome, Italy 

We arrived in Rome early afternoon via train from Naples. We took a private transfer from Positano, the roads are crazy so I highly recommend a private driver! We hit the ground running – we went to the Spanish Steps, Trevi Foundation and toured the Colosseum. I've seen most the monuments around Rome but re-seeing is still just as incredible. We did a guided tour of the Vatican on day two, we both really enjoyed the tour and our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable. It was really humid, so we were both very ready for a cocktail and shower after our playing tourist in the afternoon. On our 3rd day, we slept in and had a lazy day in Rome. We sat at lovely cafe and sipped coffee and people watched. We stayed in the less touristy neighborhood, so the streets were a bit quieter. We walked everywhere, tried to see everything and eat all the pasta we could. Seriously, we averaged 20k steps a day. On our last day, we checked into a spa. Jay got a massage and I got a mani/pedi; it was delightful and much needed after two weeks traveling!

Where we stayed:  Hotel Barocco

Highlights:

• Ristorante Dar Sor Olimpio al Drago

• Restaurant Roscioli (best pasta of the whole trip - make reservations!)

• Taverna Trilussa 

• See Everything! Don’t miss: Vatican, Trevi Foundation, Spanish Steps, Pantheon and Colosseum

• My Favorite Part: The romantic evenings. All the restaurants in Rome were so romantic, we loved the late evenings and walking through the city at night. Every night was a date night!

Pairs, France 

Ah, our last stop. We landed in Paris in the late afternoon, so traffic was crazy. We ended up getting to our hotel later then excepted so we showered quickly and headed straight to dinner. It was my first time in Paris and honestly, I'm was slightly overwhelmed with how big it is and ALL the things to see. Since we came off three full days touring Rome, we picked a few things to see: Eiffel Tour, Louvre, Tuileries Garden, Versailles and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Our first day started off a bit slow, we had a huge room with amazing balcony, so we enjoyed sleeping in and having breakfast in bed. We spent the rest of the day exploring the London streets and cafe hopping. The second day we went and had a delicious brunch and we decided to do a boat tour. There were no lines where we brought our ticket and we were able to see it all: Notre Dame, Hôtel De Villa, Louvre, Place De Concorde and Tour Eiffel. We did a lot of cafe hopping and shopping on day three. It was relaxing few days and fun to explore different neighborhoods! I enjoyed Paris WAY more then I thought, definitely on my list to visit again.

Where we stayed: Hotel Littre

Highlights:

• Eggs & Co (best eggs benedict!)

• Le Brebant 

• LouLou Restaurant Bar Paris (loved this restaurant, great spot for lunch or drinks!)

• Matignon (make a late reservation, turns into a dance club!)

• Boat Tour (all day pass just for 17€)

• Have lots of Champagne!

• Don’t Miss: Musee D' Orsay & The Eiffel Tour at Night 

• Favorite Part: Wine under the Eiffel Tour at Night. We rode Birds scooters to the tower and opened a bottle of wine and enjoyed the light show - it was truly one of the most amazing things I've ever seen!

Lastly, we’d like to give a BIG shout out to the travel agency we worked with to build and organize our incredible trip! Thank you, Tangerine Travel. Can’t wait to plan our next adventure!

My Morning Routine

I believe having a solid morning routine is essential for a productive day and healthy lifestyle. I remember when my morning routine started to take shape. I was 25 and working as an Event Director for a startup company. I remember thinking I was already behind when I opened my eyes in the morning - even though I worked in bed until 11pm the night before. So, I started to create a better morning routine that helped set me up for success. It really started with getting up earlier, which meant going to bed earlier and then taking better care of myself (body and mind). Suddenly my mornings felt less daunting and my days felt more productive. I’ve outlined my morning routine below - Keep in mind this ALL happens before I look emails, take a calls or look at social media. Enjoy!

Set an Alarm 

Depending on what you want to accomplish before you officially start the day, set an alarm that allows you enough time to get it all in. I set my alarm for 6:30 am and my office hours start between 9-9:30 am.

Lemon Water

I’ve been following this routine for years and I can’t tell you enough how much it impacts my day. Lemon water helps detoxify and hydrates your body quickly. I try and drink at least 30 oz of water before anything else to get hydrated before the day starts. I also take a daily probiotic and multivitamin – Favs here: Women’s Raw Probiotic & Ritual Multivitamin

Sweat

For me, if it doesn’t happen in the morning it likely won’t happen. I like to mix it up my workouts between spin class (Peloton is my in home go-to) or a live yoga or barre class, and then mixing in strengthen training once or twice a week. Moving my body first thing in the morning helps wake up my mind and keeps me motivated for the day ahead.

Get Dressed

Obvious right? But really, take a shower and put on work clothes. Work attire has evolved and has become much more casual, but I still don’t allow ripped jeans, leggings or sandals in my work wardrobe. I like to stick to clean dress pant and comfortable blouses. I love to layer – So I mix in blazers, jackets, sweaters, etc. Over the years, I have built a work capsule that I turn to. It makes getting dressed quick and conveniently thoughtless.

Eat a Healthy Breakfast 

Again, kind of obvious, but often overlooked. When I was younger, I used to rush out the door with a yogurt or skip breakfast all together. As I grew up, I realized breakfast is the most important meal of the day and one of the only meals you can control with a hectic work schedule. I try and load up on nutrients to set me up for the day. Here are a few of my favorite go to recipes: 

• Veggie Egg Scramble (2 eggs, handful of spinach, cherry tomatoes, and a sprinkle cheese) 

• Oat Night Oats (fav recipe here - Tone It Up)

• Avocado Toast (GF toast, 1 fried egg w/sprinkle of Cayenne Pepper) 

• Smoothies (Love Daily Harvest! I add a scoop of protein and flaxseed)

Coffee to Go 

The true key for success! My husband religiously makes drip coffee every morning (bless his heart), so I pour a BIG cup and hit the road. I usually have 1 cup in the morning and then another decaf in the afternoon. Most mornings, I drop in a scoop of Collagen Peptides. Fav brand here: Vital Proteins

How To Stay Productive During COVID-19

Being locked down and stuck at home during this time is no fun, and certainly not ideal when it comes to running a business and juggling our client events. I’ll admit, I am not one to embrace an open schedule; I’m usually very go-go-go and I thrive in that environment. But with the recent developments of COVID-19 we have been forced to stay home and try to stay busy.  So I wanted to share some ideas to keep you productive and focused during this time. It will pass and life will resume back to normal – we just have to take it one day at a time. #eventprofs

Extended Learning 

I have about a zillion ‘blogs to read’ or ‘webinars to listen to’ saved on my computer. Now we have time! Each morning, when I get to my computer, I try to allow for 30 minutes to read a blog or listen into a webinar or podcast. Often times look on Skillshare for quick classes I can take to sharpen my skills – Excel 101 anyone? 

Sweat

Again, we have a bit more time now, so why miss a workout? It’s tough being stuck at home but I find great workouts on YouTube, Instagram and thankfully we have a Peloton – Literally (minus COVID-19) I ride it 3+ times a week. 

Make a ‘new’ Schedule

This has been very helpful for me – and let’s admit, things are a little different these days. Making a new schedule helps me organize my days with productive tasks and not get pulled into the news or random E! shows. I outline the schedule by key things I want to get done – sweat, walk the dog, do some laundry, etc. and then fill it in with client calls, emails, zoom meetings, etc. 

Do Everything You’ve Been Putting Off

I don’t know about you, but I have several items on my to-do list that have been sitting there for months. So, I’m trying to knock some off while I have time. Really no excuses now. 

Connect with Family 

Even though we aren’t supposed to gather in groups, I have time to make a quick phone call to my mom or actually sit and talk with my husband. Seems simple but the power of human connection is very real. FaceTime happy hours are really the new trend!

Catch Up On Zzzz’s 

Usually I’m up by 6:30am, but lately I’ve allowed myself a bit of grace here. I don’t set an alarm unless I have something scheduled. It allows for a slower start to my morning and a few more minutes of sleep, which never hurt anyone!

Update Your Admin Documents 

Contracts and Invoicing – The fun and sexy stuff, right? No, but it needs to be done. So why not review and make updates when you have the time!?

Deep Clean Your Office

It’s never too early to spring clean. I’ve started tossing and recycling so much unwanted paper and clutter – Already feels SO good and spacious!

Finish a Home Project 

I’ve had a couple projects that I’ve had on the list for months so I’m planning on tackling two things this week: Gallery Wall and the Garage Clean Out (wish me luck!)

Write a Blog 

I go through phases with blogging. Sometimes I feel like I have creative ideas to put on paper and other times nothing. But since we have some down time, use your thoughts or silence to get creative! 

Get Outside 

Fresh air does wonders for the mind and soul. We have 7-month old pup, so it is an easy excuse for me to get him outside for a walk but it’s also a great chance for me to unplug and enjoy the fresh air. 

Embrace It

I know, it’s a challenging mentally. I am trying my hardest to keep a positive mindset and to embrace this time. I’ve been trying to think of this time as moment to pause and reset. Whether that is focus on work, family, relationships, self-reflection or all of the above. I think now is an unscripted moment in time. Where we rarely have the opportunity to actually unplug, reflect and connect. So try to embrace it.

Stay healthy everyone! #theshowmustgoon

xo, Kayla

Event Planning Tips

Kayla Cook Events specializes in event management and production. We’ve worked on small corporate events, festival VIP lounges and large scale 4,000+ person business conferences. No matter the size, scope or budget we follow a very specific blueprint for planning and executing events. 

Do The Research 

When we first meet with the client, we ask and identify these important event deliverables. It’s important to build a solid foundation with this information in order to understand how the event (and your client) will be successful. 

·      What are the Event Goals?

·      What is the Event Budget?

·      Who is the Audience and Stakeholders?

·      What are the Event KPIs (Key Performance Indicators)?

Build The Team 

We work very close with our clients to understand the mission and vison of the event. From there, we outline what partners and vendors we need to execute. It’s also very important to build strong relationships within the event industry so you have a skilled professional network to tap into. We have a preferred vendor list for both our corporate and social clients. 

Communication & Organization 

We believe very strongly that excellent communication and organization are essential for a successful event. You need to be able to communicate details, expectations, key dates, vendor information, etc. to make sure all stakeholders are on the same page when it comes to event specifics. There are some great management tools that make the management of information easy. A few of our favorites: Basecamp, Asana and Trello. 

Promoting The Event 

Whether you are sending invites or securing media and advertising, it’s curial to have a solid marketing plan for your event. First, we outline a workback schedule and goals for attendance. Based on the budget you’ve confirmed, we look into paid social options and incorporating that with our email campaign. It’s also very important that your branding and messaging is clear and direct – What is your call to action? We’ve worked with numerous clients that come to us with very mixed messages and our best advice is to remove the fluff and directly ask for what you want. 

Finalize the Details

One of the last steps, finalizing your onsite details and building a run of show. We like to host a few production meetings leading up to the event with our key vendors. This is vital to align everyone and make sure everyone is crystal clear on details and expectations onsite. 

The Event Debrief

Very important and commonly overlooked. Hosting a debrief meeting post-event with your client is crucial in gaining valuable feedback from them on the success of the event. Where the event goals met, did we stay on budget, where leads generated, is the client happy, etc.? Gathering feedback post-event, positive or negative, will help strengthen management skills for future events.

2020 Wedding Trends

Ah, it’s that time of year – a fresh year with fresh new trends! Below is a short list of some of my favorite wedding trends for 2020. 

Smaller Bridal Parties

In the past it’s been bigger the better – But in 2020, brides and grooms are opt’ing in for smaller and more intimate bridal parties. 

Digital Invites & Save the Dates

Sustainably has been a trending topic among the event and wedding industry for a while now (and personally I love this trend). It’s a great way to save, environmentally conscious and digitally savvy!

Destination Weddings

Couples want a weekend-wedding experience. Somewhere away from the normal day to day. Hot spots include: Palm Springs, San Diego, Aspen, Newport Beach and Santa Barbara. 

Dessert Bars

I have a soft spot for wedding cake, but more couples are ditching the cake and going for assorted dessert bars. Many venues will allow for you to bring in your own sweets, so many couples take advantage of adding their own favorite treats for guest to enjoy. 

Color

Yes, we’ve all been waiting for this and I love this trend! The bolder and brighter the better! You will see so much color in 2020. 

No Gifts 

Couples are tying the knot later in age and may not need all the gifts. One of my favorite couples opt’d out for gifts and added a link for guests to donate to their favorite charity. 

The Modern Wedding Dress

This trend is sticking around – Thank you again, Meghan Markle. You will be seeing the chic wedding dress more and more. Clean lines and soft edges from most wedding designers in 2020. Some of my favorites: Sarah Seven, Stella McCartney, Danielle Frankel and Pronovias.