Monday, January 30, 2012

Something Old Something New

By: Lisa; Hidden treasures are sometimes right before your eyes.  

As the saying goes, "Everything old is new again".  With the help from Flowers by Emily; www.flowersbyemily.com I was able to create a terrarium that is self contained and adds to the beauty of my kitchen. This sphere terrarium makes a conversation piece by it's colorful light and dark green moss, and the hint of purple dried flowers.  The rubbed oil hanger allows me to hang this work of art.  I continue to enjoy such simple things can add such elegance to my home.




To tastefully take your event from simple to elegant, contact Millie's Event Designs.

Friday, January 20, 2012

KC Star Q&A Lisa Jones owner of Millie's Event Designs


KC Star Story Millies Events
Posted on Wed, Jan. 18, 2012 08:00 AM
Q&A | LISA JONES, OVERLAND PARK
Q&A | Lisa Jones, Overland Park party planner
The Kansas City Star
By STACY DOWNS
Lisa Jones, shown in her Overland Park home, owns Millie’s Event Designs. She plans parties, weddings and gatherings big and small.
JOB DESCRIPTION: Owner of Millie’s Event Designs, a business that plans parties, weddings, fundraisers and other functions, 913-890-3368, millieseventdesigns.com
Q. You’re Lisa. Who’s Millie?
A. My daughter, Amelia. “Millie” is what my son started calling her when he was a toddler and couldn’t pronounce Amelia. We’ve all called her that ever since.
Q. What got you started planning events?
A. I chaired the Kansas City Ballet’s annual Sugar Plum Fairy Luncheon in 2005, 2007 and 2008. The first one stands out. There were Tiffany blue runners on the tables and snowflakes everywhere. It was magical. The one in 2008 stands out, too. Amelia danced the role of Clara. People kept telling me I should plan events for a living and not as a volunteer. I’m good at handling all the details.
Q. Tell us about the recent party you planned for your daughter.
A. Amelia turned 16 in December. We had a few of her close friends do a paint-splatter party at Creative Nectar Studio in Mission (creativenectar.blogspot.com). The girls each put on a white T-shirt and entered the black draped studio. As they entered, the studio was lit with a strobe light and black lights that would accent the fluorescent paint.
For the next hour the girls enjoyed creating their own masterpieces on each other as well as on canvases provided. There was a playlist of favorite music and lots of laughing. Amelia loved it.
Q. What’s your favorite way to entertain at home?
A. Having friends over for grilled steaks, or cheese and wine. We have a pool, so we like to have people over to swim.
Q. What are some ideas for hosting parties for kids at home?
A. Making a theme out of what your child is interested in growing up. We had a Scooby-Doo party for my son when he was little with Scooby Snack treat bags. There was one of those cutout banners for kids to stick their faces in for photos. I always like to have designated places for pictures.
Q. Tell us about your home.
A. It was built in the 1960s. We’ve lived there nine years. We just redid practically the whole house, including the kitchen and bathrooms. We got rid of the avocado green bathroom. There was also mirror everywhere, entire walls. We added ceiling tiles in Amelia’s room, the old-fashioned tin type. It looks so cool.
Q. What’s your favorite room in your house?
A. My bathroom. I have granite countertops, but the best part is the floor in the shower. It’s got pebbly rocks at the bottoms. It feels spalike and relaxing. I also love the dining room. It’s got hand-carved furniture my great-uncle made that I inherited from my mother. The walls are painted honeycomb.
Q. What are some of your favorite resources for entertaining?
A. Locally, I love Natasha’s Mulberry & Mott in Leawood and on the Plaza (natashasmulberryandmott.com). The bakery creates beautiful cakes and cookies. For Amelia’s party, we had Mike Elder of Black Sheep Custom Cakes in Clinton, Mo., make a cake shaped like a Mini Cooper, (mikeelderonline.com). He’s the three-time winner of TLC’s “Ultimate Cake Off.”
Rainy Day Books in Fairway always tells me about the newest books that are up and coming (rainydaybooks.com). Online, I’ll look at InStyle (instyle.com/instyle) and wedding sites. Martha Stewart Weddings and the Martha Stewart blog are the best, (marthastewart.com).
To reach Stacy Downs, call 816-234-4780 or send email to sdowns@kcstar.com.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/01/18/3375784/q-a-lisa-jones-overland-park.html#storylink=cpy

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

A Finishing Flair!

By: Lisa; Herbal swags provide that classic look to any kitchen or that perfect house warming gift...

An herbal swag says to your guests that you have taste.  An herbal swag is full of color and aroma.  When cooking your favorite recipes snip off sprigs of the preserved lavender, Santa Cruz oregano, or rosemary.  This Williams Sanoma swag is an exclusive and ships direct from the grower.  It brings a little taste and hope that spring may be just around the corner.  http://www.williams-sonoma.com


Looking for that exclusive, one of a kind to accent your next gathering, or that perfect gift, contact Millie's Event Designs to complete your venue.  

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Details Make the Difference


By: Lisa;  John Derian decoupage placemats are a certain detail you must consider when entertaining guests.

John Derian Store in NY
Front of placemat
This summer my daughter and I traveled to New York for a week of shows, shopping and site seeing.  Our  travels took us to the East Village where we happened upon John Derian's store.  



Decoupage paperweight
Back of placemat
Stepping into John Derian's store, you may well feel that you have left the city and are in an antique shop on the rue St. Paul. The cozy little home-accessories shop is filled with handmade knickknacks. Derian makes the découpage placemats and glassware (paperweights, trays and dishes, lamps, and so on); the rest is the fruit of his frequent scouting trips to France and beyond. There are collages and woodblock prints by Hugo Guinness, vintage Pakistani quilts, Moroccan lanterns and leather poufs, and hand-stitched French bedding. This extremely charming home-décor and knickknack shop also has French and American antiques, new luxury linens, accent furniture from around the world, and a nice selection of Derian's own découpage glassware. 

When it comes to entertaining attention to details can make the difference between a good event and a great event.  To make your event great! Contact Millie's Event Designs.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Warm the Heart of the Winter Chill

By: Lisa; Welcome the New Year with an intimate dinner for six...

As we welcome a New Year, and the winter chill has set in for its extended stay, think about hosting friends for an evening of comfort, laughs and bottle of your favorite wine.  Serving soup to warm the heart complimented with parmesan cheese crisp, sets the stage for another prosperous year ahead.

For more creative ideas on hosting your own winter chill relieve party, contact Millie's Event Designs.