Keep Your Eye on the Prize (The Prize Being Your Goals)

I was recently at a networking event that I was a plus one of a friend and once the hosts realised that they had an event planner coming to their event they got very nervous. The hosts were sweet enough to tell me this and ask for some free advice to make their event an even greater success the next time. I took this opportunity to discuss with them what their goals for their event were; this is something I do with all my clients, that way I know we are all aiming for the same target.
They explained to me that they wanted to create an event where professionals were able to get together and with the devised networking techniques that they had implemented throughout the evening, basically force their guests to interact with each other in a fun way that gave you an opportunity to talk to everyone. It was wonderful!
I looked around the room and told them that their event was a great success, everyone was walking around and interacting with each other, laughing and seemingly having a great time. But they then told me this about the limited decor and that about the food. Yes, those things matter, but if your goal is achieved without any excess of that cost, take a moment and pat yourself on the back and enjoy the fact that you organised a great event.
Goals are different for everyone, so my advise, know what you want to achieve and make that happen, everything else is icing on the cake after that. Enjoy!

“know what you want, work to get it, then value it once you have it.”
― Nora Roberts

 



It's Time for the OSCARS!

This is a wonderful night in Hollywood when you get to be with friends and get all glammed up with champagne, martinis, and red carpets; or, you can view it as an opportunity to be comfy cozy and induldge in the evenings entertainments.
I've found two clips via YouTube to assist you in making your evening the best it can be; these tips will make your Comfy/Cozy evening with friends that much more extra special night. Or your more Formal Gala type evening something to be talked about as much as that dress by you know who for weeks to come. Enjoy!



Smells like Team Spirit

 Learning Lesson #1, don't try to be everything to everyone as you will soon spread yourself too thin and when you do that, you weaken the event  Everyone needs a good group to work with, even if that group consists of two people, it's still a group.
I once did an event where I was the event planner, the caterer, the bartender, the decorator, waitress, and who knows what else, all because I thought I had to do it all. I learnt quickly, I may have juggled it all, but was I ever burnt out afterwards.
If you can get a team, reliable people who you trust and are willing to help, you'll be laughing and really able to enjoy what you are doing.
Being able to delegate is so important with any kind of event; but remember, just because you've asked someone you trust to do something for your event, it's always important to keep them on task, have meetings, ask for updates.
If you are able to ask for help, you will be able to do anything. Enjoy!



The Year of the Snake

The Chinese New Year is fast approaching; February 10th to be exact; and celebratory planning should be under way; however, if you are not familiar with the tradition, and either want to host your own party, or are attending someone else's; click here for 11 steps on how to celebrate correctly; there's tips on food, clothing, cleaning, and etiquette.
Not only is this an amazing tradition, but it's also a great reason to get together with friends and family and bring some love and enjoyment to these dreary months.

Each year has it's own animal, I'm the  Year of the Rooster: Honest, energetic, intelligent, flamboyant, flexible, diverse, confident. Interesting...
A fun idea to ring in the new year is to have a costume party where everyone must attend in an outfit based on their Chinese zodiac sign.
What are you? What does your sign say about you?


新年好 (Happy New Year). Enjoy!

Years Corresponding to Chinese Zodiac Signs:

Rat	1900	1912	1924	1936	1948	1960	1972	1984	1996	2008	2020
Ox	1901	1913	1925	1937	1949	1961	1973	1985	1997	2009	2021
Tiger	1902	1914	1926	1938	1950	1962	1974	1986	1998	2010	2022
Rabbit	1903	1915	1927	1939	1951	1963	1975	1987	1999	2011	2023
Dragon	1904	1916	1928	1940	1952	1964	1976	1988	2000	2012	2024
Snake	1905	1917	1929	1941	1953	1965	1977	1989	2001	2013	2025
Horse	1906	1918	1930	1942	1954	1966	1978	1990	2002	2014	2026
Sheep	1907	1919	1931	1943	1955	1967	1979	1991	2003	2015	2027
Monkey	1908	1920	1932	1944	1956	1968	1980	1992	2004	2016	2028
Rooster	1909	1921	1933	1945	1957	1969	1981	1993	2005	2017	2029
Dog	1910	1922	1934	1946	1958	1970	1982	1994	2006	2018	2030
Boar	1911	1923	1935	1947	1959	1971	1983	1995	2007	2019	2031

Below are the Chinese Zodiac signs, and the characteristics that correspond to each one.
Rat:
Element: Water
Partners well with: Dragon and Monkey
Characteristics: Intelligent, adaptable, quick-witted, charming, artistic, sociable

Ox:
Element: Earth
Partners well with: Snake and Rooster
Characteristics: Loyal, reliable, thorough, strong, reasonable, steady, determined

Tiger:
Element: Wood
Partners well with: Horse and Dog
Characteristics: Enthusiastic, courageous, ambitious, leadership, confidence, charismatic

Rabbit:
Element: Wood
Partners well with: Sheep and Boar
Characteristics: Trustworthy, empathic, modest, diplomatic, sincere, sociable, caretakers

Dragon:
Element: Earth
Partners well with: Rat and Monkey
Characteristics: Lucky, flexible, eccentric, imaginative, artistic, spiritual, charismatic


Snake:
Element: Fire
Partners well with: Rooster and Ox
Characteristics: Philosophical, organized, intelligent, intuitive, elegant, attentive, decisive

Horse:
Element: Fire
Partners well with: Dog and Tiger
Characteristics: Adaptable, loyal, courageous, ambitious, intelligent, adventurous, strong


Sheep:
Element: Earth
Partners well with: Boar and Rabbit
Characteristics: Tasteful, crafty, warm, elegant, charming, intuitive, sensitive, calm

Monkey:
Element: Metal
Partners well with: Dragon and Rat
Characteristics: Quick-witted, charming, lucky, adaptable, bright, versatile, lively, smart

Rooster:
Element: Metal
Partners well with: Snake and Ox
Characteristics: Honest, energetic, intelligent, flamboyant, flexible, diverse, confident. 

Dog:
Element: Earth
Partners well with: Tiger and Horse
Characteristics: Loyal, sociable, courageous, diligent, steady, lively, adaptable, smart

Boar:
Element: Water
Partners well with: Sheep and Rabbit
Characteristics: Honorable, philanthropic, determined, optimistic, sincere, sociable

No Need to Whine about Wine

Choosing wine for an event can be a bit of a daunting task if you are not that familiar with wine pairings and varietals. Your local wine shop should be able to assist you in your choices; but it is always nice to go in with a little knowledge on your own to have an understanding of what they are talking about.
I was lucky enough to work at a wine boutique for some time in my past, and to attend and host numerous tastings which allowed me to explore the world of wine and eventually obtained my level 1 W.S.E.T (Wine and Spirits Educational Training); which makes choosing my wine for dinner, or any function that much easier.
I've come across the Berry Bros. & Rudd Virtual Wine School episodes on YouTube; which will definitely assist anyone just getting into the wine world.
I hope you find this educational and entertaining. Enjoy!

Cheers!

Time to ReCharge

As Christmas and New Years have come and gone, the relatives have gone home, and your house no longer looks like glittery, shiny, and bright; I like to take this time to reflect on the past year. I think about all the lessons I've learned, challenges I've come up against and either conquered or learned not to make that mistake twice; and take some time to recharge myself.
As much as I love socialising, planning, and organising; I recognise that every once and a while I have to recharge my inner battery. I do this by reading, hiking, or just listening to some lovely calm music.  This may not just be an annual occasion either, it's always good to take some time for yourself after any event, this allows you to reflect on how the event went; or, to totally put it out of your mind and just focus on yourself; which ever way works best for you.
How do you recharge after such a busy season? If you are like me and enjoy some beautiful music, you will love this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M2ZS2pICv4, sit back, relax, and recharge. Enjoy!