You’ll want to use fruits and veggies that you can purchase in bulk and will be able to withstand their shape for a long period of time, think apples, citrus fruits, and cranberries.  Arrange the produce in large, clear vases to really show off the look and top it off with a floral arrangement in the same color scheme.  By filling a tall, slender vase with green apples and then topping it off with an arrangement of green, white, and ivory meadow flowers, you’re table will be complete with a look worthy of winning at the state fair.  And don’t forget to not only use whole fruits, but by cutting some of the fruit in halves or slices, you add a whole other dimension to your display.  It’s also a good idea to add some greenery to these farmer-stand arrangements, using the actual fruit leaves or purchasing fresh bay leaves, to fill in the gaps or empty spots.

Even filling an oversized, shallow bowl with things like artichoke, pears, and green grapes will make a statement for your tablescape, while providing a rustic, Tuscan feel.  These fruits and veggies are all green, creating a monotone effect, but the different shapes and sizes, create visual interest through he varying textures of each item.

With all of the fresh produce that is available in the spring and the approaching summer, this is a great and easy way to use the things that are available at your local farmers’ stand or grocery store.  And now that you’ve gone through these easy how-to tips, you’ll be a pro at creating your own fresh produce arrangements for your next party!

A Fashion-Swap party is a great way to remix your wardrobe and save some money (so you can save up for that new Celine Tote, of course) Just gather your girls, grab your garb, serve some fun cocktails and you are ready to throw one fabulous fashionista event.  Here are some tips on how to get your friends gushing over your party planning skills:

First: gather up a group of your style-savvy friends and set a date and place to host your first fashion soiree. You can create your own invites by purchasing printable stationary from any office, craft, or paper store.

Next: raid your closet!  Reserve a good hour to go through your shelves and boxes in your closet and pull out all of those stylish pieces you haven’t worn in forever. Throw them in a box marked SWAPED. You’ll want to wash and clean the items before putting them out for trade.

Then: set up a room in your home that mirrors your favorite boutique by using some really fun techniques and props to merchandise the items. Create fitting rooms with free standing floor screens, a clothes bar with some pop up coat racks and grab a couple full-length mirrors so all your guests can check themselves out while their trying on all of their new finds.

Lastly: to keep track of the trading, count the number of items that each guest brings and give them corresponding tokens.  Get the crowd started by reminding your friends that they will be leaving with a whole new wardrobe filled with trendy, fun pieces to bring new life to their existing styles.

Serving some fun, delicious cocktails and light hors d’oeuvres will keep all your guests excited for new outfits and new tips for creating their own fashionista style.

Designer Affair hosted our first ever Wedding, Event, and Design Showcase on March 13th, at The Brownstone to exhibit premiere, local vendors.  With over 40 vendors ranging in every event category from invitations and custom favors to belly dancers and photo booths, the event drew in a great crowd of brides, sweet sixteeners, and future event planners.

NJ Bride Magazine teamed up with I Do, I Do Bridal Fashions to display dozens of bridal gowns throughout the night with their roaming models and Amira Mor dazzled showcase guests with a live performance that even included a sword dance!  Attendees were also able to pose for the camera with a photo booth provided by SCE Event Group.

Bryan Madrid Photography came in to capture moments throughout the night that can be viewed on his website, listed below.  Check out the other links for more photos and a video interview with Social Jersey.

The evening was a huge success and we thank both our exhibitors and attendees for their support!!!See below for some great coverage of the event and a list of our trusted vendors.

http://www.bryanmadridphotography.com/recent-events.html

http://www.socialjersey.com/blog/?p=2578

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_TFEaYLYIs&feature=youtu.be&noredirect=1

http://www.bergen.com/people/celebrityscene/A_Design_Affair_Dina_Manzo_holds_Wedding_Event__Design_Showcase_at_The_Brownstone.html

Designer Affair would like extend a very special thank you to all of our vendors that participated and made this event such a success!

A.D. Designs www.adstonedesigns.com

About Designs http://about-designs.com/#/3579_Home

Annette Laurita

Amira Mor International Entertainment http://amiramor.com/

Batter Up Boutiquehttp://www.batterupboutique.com/www.batterupboutique.com/Welcome.html

Bazaar Star Beadery http://bazaarstarbeadery.com/

Bridal by Michele http://www.bridalbymichele.com/

Brownstone Baker Katie http://thebrownstone.com/

Candela Lumen https://www.facebook.com/pages/Oak-Ridge-Candle-Company/159197218145

Cayman Islands Dept. of Tourismhttp://www.caymanislands.ky/

Creatively Engaged http://www.creativelyengaged.com/

Cloth Connection  http://www.clothconnection.com/

Cocobella www.cocobellajewelry.com

Contemporary Bride http://www.contemporarybride.com/

Dazian http://www.dazian.com/

Design Spree http://www.designspree.com/

Darlings N Divas http://www.theknot.com/Vendors/Darlings-N-Divas-Makeup-For-All-Occasions/Profile/HBF/073/257291/profile

Eggostic Events www.eggsoticevents.com

Gardenias Florals www.gardeniasfloral.com

I Do, I Do Bridal Fashions http://idoidonj.blogspot.com/

Ice Sculpture Designshttp://www.icesculpturedesigns.com/index.asp

Heatherwood Studios www.heatherwoodstudios.com

Laura Clarehttp://www.lauraclaredesign.com/

Lia Sophia www.liasophia.com/geriigler

M2M

Majestic Entertainment and Photographyhttp://www.majesticpe.com/

Marie Papp Photography http://www.mariepapp.com/

Morris Photographers http://www.morrisphotographers.com/

MTC Photography http://mtcphotography.zenfolio.com/

NJ Bride Magazine www.newjerseybride.com

NJ Weddings www.njwedding.com

RSVP To Me http://mtcphotography.zenfolio.com/

Save The Date Now http://savethedatenow.net/

SCE Event Group http://sceeventgroup.com/

Skin Bar and Paint www.jillyanscarpa.com

Stephanie Somodi – Designing the Most Inviting Daywww.stephaniesomodi.com

Strawberry Blossom http://www.strawberryblossom.com/

Stuffed Cupcake http://www.stuffedcupcakes.com/

Taylor Rental http://www.taylorrent.com/

Ten 31 Productions http://www.ten31productions.com/

The Busy Bride’s Helper http://www.busybrideshelper.com/

Tina Tae Body Accents www.tinatae.com

Touchstone Crystal www.mytouchstonecrystal.com

Town and Countryhttp://www.townandcountryridgewood.com

Unique Video Productionshttp://www.uniquevideoproductions.com/

Weddings for Heros http://www.weddingsforheroes.org/

Join me on Tuesday, March 13th from 6 – 10pm at (you guessed it) The Brownstone in Patterson, New Jersey.

Looking forward to meeting and inspiring you.

Cheers!

View our special events page to purchase your ticket.~ Dina Manzo

Join me on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 – 6:00 to 10:00 pm at (…you guessed it) The Brownstone 351 W. Broadway, Paterson, NJ. Admission for Guests is only $25.00 for On-line Purchases and $30.00 at the Door.

Bring your friends and join us for an fun-filled memorable evening.

Cheers!
Dina Manzo

Click here for more information and on-line ticket purchase.

The Falcone home was so beautiful with a great open layout and very high ceilings, so it was important to tie together each room and create an intimate party space for their close friends and family.

In the main dining room we stacked a 17ft high Christmas tree, decorated with all oversized ornaments and trimmings. To make the tree the focal point, we set up 5 60″ round tables that we rented from Party Rentals, ltd (www.partyrentalltd.com) along silver chivary chairs. We covered the tables with the specialty linens we customized with Cloth Connection,www.clothconnection.com. Everyone was so great on helping us find the right colors to create our “opposite” Santa linens.

We dressed up our silver chivalry chairs with faux fur chair covers we rented from Wildflower Linens,www.wildflowerlinens.com. They absorbed all the color in the room, illuminating our beautiful tablescapes. Each table hosted a silver iron centerpiece that was designed to emulate a birch tree. A few girls from our team took some time out of the day to glue the crystal string beads to each flower platform. The crystal beads were originally strips of door decorations we cut to different lengths to create interest. Atop the centerpiece sat a bouquet of fresh, rich red roses that were arranged by the talented team at Morningside Florist in Haledon, NJ, www.morningsidegreenhouse.com.

Following along the grand staircase railing was hand-made garland, produced by the masterminds at 28th Street Wholesale in NYC.  Benny was so sweet with helping us pick the right leaves and greenery to create the perfect holiday landscape. Find them on Google.

In the Falcone’s formal living room we brought to life a walk through a winter white forest. We covered their couches with white slip covers and dressed the room with fake snow and ornaments we found at G & G Distributors,wwwgandgwebstore.com. By incorporating 3 high top bistro tables, dressed in the finest linens by Nuage Designs,www.nuagedesigns.com, we created the perfect nook for guests to commiserate.

The crowd was very lively so it was exciting to see them all react together to the LIVE nutcracker statue that brought new life to each room. The nutcracker statue was courtesy of the one-and-only Ten31 Productions, www.ten31productions.com. He really tied together all the areas we dressed in the winter wonderland decor!

To illuminate each room, we called on our trusty friend, Brian at Lounge It Up, www.loungeitup.com to brighten up each room, adding depth to each space, bringing guests to the depths of the forest to admire the gleaming Christmas tree and winter wonderland escape! By lighting the room in blue, we brought the chill of the snow inside!!

To end the night, we treated our guests to the sweet and comforting taste of holidays with cupcakes by the dessert master, Stuffed Cupcakes, www.stuffedcupcakes.com! They always create such original, delectable masterpieces that are sure to send the guests home with all the wonders of te holiday season.

Diana loves to get down on the dance floor and actually used to win competitions with her husband, so we thought it only appropriate to invite guests to boogy woogy inside NYC’s most famous nightclub, Studio 54, aka, Studio 50ish. To create the celebrity crawling club we first laid down an LED dance floor, courtesy of Base Entertainment Group, www.basedjs.com. This dance floor was programmable to recreate the quintessential disco feel with blinking lights-think John Travolta in his white suit.

To accent the dance floor and create an all around disco haven, we added a variety of illuminating features, including illuminated high top tables, a two-piece bar, and two projected silhouette dancers hanging on the back wall. We rented these elements from PBG Events, www.pbgevents.com. The silhouette screens hung in front of an LED blinking backdrop from Dazian Fabrics,www.dazian.com. To brand the room, we added two final touches, a BoGo light that projected Studio 50ish on the wall and, the real party starter, the music, both of which were provided by DJ Paul Knox and his team at www.soundconnectdj.com. The disco ball chandelier was created by Kenny with a hoola hoop and some fishing wire suspended from the their existing ceiling fan.

Diana adores Audrey Hepburn and the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s so we had so much fun conceptualizing the movie into party decor. The obvious color choice for this room was tiffany blue. To drape out the room, we bought a bunch of fabric from the fabric district, for about $8-$10 a yard, in all different hues of blue. We dressed each cocktail table we different linens and chair covers from Wildflower Linens (www.wildflowerlinens.com) and Cloth Connection (www.clothconnection.com) to give each setting a different personality, bringing variety to the rooms decor.

I designed beautiful floral centerpieces, which broke up the blue in the room with fresh white flowers that traveled down the glass like a waterfall. Jamie from Anna Rose Floral Design, www.annarosefloral.com, in North Haledon NJ arranged the exquisite, eye-catching flowers. I then added pearls, tiaras and diamond sprays to add that touch of Tiffany.

The black and white silhouette that hung on the back wall, was to emulate people looking through the Tiffany window. Henry at Unique Designz, www.uniquedesignz.net, really pulled through in a pinch to help get us these posters on time and they were a great contrast to the room.

Across the street from Tiffany and Co. was another 5th Avenue window with the famous looks of all of Diana’s favorite Icons including, Princess Diana, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and the disco queen, Diana Ross. We wanted to bring in authentic pieces from the decades these women were at their celebrity peak, so we went to South Paw Vintage, www.southpawvintage.com, right off 7th Avenue in NYC. They have so many beautiful pieces from every decade! This was a popular feature of the party, having a piece of history in the room. I created the look of beautiful fashion inspired table linens by using a simple satin clothes with various tweed and houndstooth fabrics on top finished with leather and sequin belts adorned with vintage broaches as buckles. All the fabric and trimmings were purchased at Joanne fabrics.

While the party was underway, we had two very special surprises for Diana…Audrey Hepburn and Liza Minelli, of course. Gigi Monroe, played the Studio 54 regular to a T! He looked just like Liza, Halston jumpsuit and all. It was so wonderful to watch the look on Diana’s face when we introduced her to these legendary women. Impersonators are an interactive way to engage guests and make them feel like there in the company of the actual star. Find Gigi Monroe on Facebook, www.facebook.com/GigiMonroe.

The Brownstone, www.thebrownstone.com, provided a huge spread for the party. From pasta to chicken to salad, it was important to keep the guests energized so they could dance all night long with the birthday girl. We also had some of Diana’s Brooklyn favorites delivered especially for her!

Before last call we sang Happy Birthday to Diana with a specialty cake donned with the famous images of Diana’s favorite ladies. Christine at Design Cakes, www.designcakes.com, decorated this “iconic” cake that created a huge buzz amongst guests.

Last but not least it took only one trip to Homegoods to get all of the new furniture and accessories I needed to give Diana her dream Ladycave and bathroom oasis. I started with that beautiful Ralph Lauren bedding and went from there. I was so happy to give her a new vanity area and a place for her to sit and write in peace away from the day to day chaos of everyday life. She is a great woman who does so much for others so it felt really good to do this for her…to me, she is THE Diana Ross!!

We were challenged with this event to create a high-end soiree for Joumana’s VIP guests, while still staying true to the root of the organization with sports inspired décor. So…. get your head in the game, while I give you an exclusive play by play of how we brought it all together!

Guests were welcomed into the backyard by a giving-tree, which is a unique way of acquiring donations. Contributors pull a leaf from the tree and meet the suggested donation price. In the case of Xperience, donations would contribute to any element that makes the organization possible, from transportation for the kids from and to events to lunch during their outings. We even gave a donation from Dina’s Party and sponsored the catering for the upcoming 9-11 events. The giving tree was specially made my our carpenter Joe from wood and was a gift for Xperience Outreach.

Just beyond the entrance, was the pool area. Here, guests were invited to sip cocktails besides the glimmering water. To draw attention to this beautiful, natural element of the backyard, we placed pin-spot lights along the pool. This illumined the water that we filled with basketballs, baseballs, tennis balls and soccer balls to add to the theme of the event.

On the patio area, In Thyme Catering , www.inthyme.com set up their beautiful spread of food. Having the food at the highest point of the party invited guests to explore the whole backyard space. Enjoying each element. In Thyme impressed the guests with not only their food display, but also the delicious flavors of their fare.

Making their way down to the main tent, guests encountered bright yellow day beds. This created a lounge area for guests to relax and mingle. We rented these from Jersey Street Furniture Rentals,www.jsfrental.com, and draped yellow fabric though the frame. This acted as a second party space outside of the main tent and for eating. We pulled some gorgeous pillows from my pillow extensive pillow collection to add that pop of color that tied in the gorgeous colors of the fabric on the bistro tables.

Arches led Joumana’s guests down to the party tent. We wanted them to feel like they were coming out onto the field through a stadium tunnel. Once outside the arches was the main event, a large tent for all the guests to mingle, dance and dine. Set on the level area of her yard, we erected a clear-top tent. This way, guests traveling to the main tent could see the excitement from the elevated deck and pool space.

All the décor elements inside the tent tempted guests to let loose and celebrate the wonderful mission of Xperience Outreach. From LED uplighting, to globes decorated as different sporting balls, to the dining tables and a dance floor, PBG Events, www.pbgevents.com, helped us create the perfect environment to bring the guests together for a great cause.

The flower centerpieces were so intricate. They were made to emulate the various sporting balls, like basketballs, baseballs, and tennis balls- all made out of flowers. They sat high above the tables, creating eye-candy for guests as they scanned the room. The beautiful, fresh flowers were arranged by Anna Rose Foral Design in North Haledon NJ and our very own, Kenny Sparkle.

Guests were moving and grooving all night to the popular sounds of DJ Cubby Bryant of New York’s radio station, 103.5 KTU. It was such an honor to have him DJing at the event; he was so sweet and fun. Cliffhanger Productions, www.cliffhangerproductions.com also provided entertainment for the attendees with interactive games of basketball and football.

A wonderful contender in the fight for the guest’s favorite décor element was the LIVING bronzed basketball statue by Ten 31 Productions. Everyone was so enamored by how much the man looked like real bronzed carved artwork. Ten 31’s statues are so authentic, they fool everyone! You must search them out, www.ten31productions.com.

Surrounding the tents were various lounge areas for guests to rest their feet and enjoy the company of other minglers. Chris Liconti of M2M Media Productions, www.m2mmediaproductions.com, was kind enough to provide the white leather furniture that was donned with the Xperience Outreach logo. The white furniture created a Miami style cool and calm environment.

Devotion Vodka, a protein-Infused Vodka, was the evening’s liquor sponsor. The popular mixologist, Martini Mark, concocted so many delicious cocktails for Joumana’s guests and had them sipping savory drinks all night. Get a taste of the new Vodka at www.devotionvodka.com.

Park East of Hazlet, NJ provided the upbeat, on-point wait staff and bartenders. They were great fun and very professional. They are available for you next soiree, just visit www.park-east.com.

Stuffed Cupcakes scored tons of point with their end of the evening treats. They’re always a game clincher. You must try, www.stuffedcupcakes.com.

We were so grateful to be able to work with Joumana for this very worthy cause, my favorite events after all are those that give back.

The social scene contributes a great deal to the Hamptons experience to most, so it was only appropriate to assist Socialite Devorah Rose, Editor-In-Chief of Social Life Magazine, in hosting her “Midsummer” soiree. Devorah was so used to planning big parties with decor consisting of only a step-and-repeat & some magazines, so I wanted to show her how to create an intimate affair that allows her to connect with her guests amongst beautiful natural décor.

The backyard of the home had tons of open space, but lacked the beautiful flowers and plants that are synonymous with the hamptons. So we called on The Laurel Group of Watermill, NY to help us give the space a facelift with hydrangeas, black eyed Susans, and beautiful ceramic garden accessories.

The Laurel Group was so gracious to allow us to film in there store and I was able to get so much inspiration from walking through. I pulled so many fabulous items to bring life to the home’s living area. The mermaid above the fireplace and the adjacent underwater art by local artist Eric Striffler created an ocean serenity in the room, welcoming the guests in to relax while mingling and sipping cocktails. Next time you’re in the Hamptons area, you must stop by The Laurel Group, get a preview at www.thelaurelgroup.com.

In creating our dining areas I wanted to keep it organic and open, so we formed a long communal table that not only created a large foundation for an amazing tablescape, but also allowed for conversation amongst the guests. Same was so with the cocktail tables and highboys we placed on the lawn and lower patio area. Guests were invited to this gathering to mingle, and the seating areas welcomed them to do just that. We dressed the tables with a bright striped linen, which was inspired by the colors of the wild flowers, as well as burlap, which is used for both decor and functionality in the shops and homes in the area. All of these items were delivered by Party Rentals, ltd. They are a provider for a number of events in the Hamptons, but can be seen all throughout the Tri-state area, visit them at www.partyrentalltd.com.

We took the guests for a ride with the lounge swing we placed near the bar area. Our friends over at Dodds and Eder, located at 11 Bridge Street, Sag Harbor, NY, were gracious enough to allow us to rent the swing for this soiree. I imagine such places as The Hamptons, with beautiful views of the ocean and landscape, be viewed from a porch swing, so I thought it only appropriate to have one on-site for guests to get great views of the party. And it was fun! Find Dodds and Eder online at www.doddsandeder.com.

The most precious part of this party was the animal canal. I’ve worked with Last Chance Animal Rescue for many years now and wanted to introduce Devorah’s guests to the local organization. Having them as a feature not only brought awareness to the rescue, but engaged the attendees and sparked conversation. Guests were playing with the dogs and cats and some were falling in love. Our own Design Assistant, Corinne, adopted the the newest addition to her family, Nora, the day of the party! It was so rewarding to see Nora find a new home, and we get to see how she’s doing all the time-see picture below! Please contact Last Chance Animal Rescue when your on the search for your next pet! www.lcarescue.org.

This show was actually taped the last week of my month long retreat to Sag Harbor, so I spent the entire 3 weeks prior to the party shopping for props (and watching the sunset of course) I picked all of the tablescape containers by hand, everything from shells, Mason Jars to that HUGE silver love cup. Flowers and produce from Pike Farms, www.pikefarms.com, a local produce-mart located in Sagaponack added that beautiful pop of color found in nature. We were lucky enough to film in their flower field and take in the sights and smells which only inspired me more. I made sure to have all of those natural scents incorporated in the table design with the use of lots of herbs like Basil and thyme. We set the table with finds from local shops as well. Raffia chargers, disposable bamboo dinner plates, linen napkins and of course nautical rope to act as napkin rings. We finished of the setting with small mason jars to enjoy that perfect summer lemonade.

How adorable was that mini beach? The idea of creating a “beach in a box” was a perfect way to bring that sandy clam bake to our event. My sister cookie along with our carpenter Joe repurposed the space into a mini herb garden for Devorah to enjoy long after the party was over. I’m sure she’s enjoy that for years to come!

This party for Devorah and her guests was absolutely beautiful and it was bitter-sweet to return home. I hope you all enjoyed it and felt like you were back amidst the summer breeze.

Until next week…..