To be specific, this post will address what to wear to evening wedding and event planning/hospitality industry events such as a venue open house, industry cocktail parties, grand openings, associational gatherings, etc.  I addressed what to wear to weddings/events when you are acting as the planner in last Monday’s post, so check it out if you haven’t already.

To me, industry events held in the evenings are a great opportunity to let your personality show a little more than daytime events.  This is the time to bring out the (higher) high heels, a shorter skirt, bare your shoulders, wear a bold color, basically – have fun!

Generally speaking, the event invitation should address what kind of attire to wear to an event.  Lately, I’ve been receiving many invites via facebook and attire is not always addressed on these invites.  It is perfectly acceptable to contact the host of the function to ask what the attire should be.  Here is a short list of the types of attire you may see mentioned on invitations:

Black Tie:  Calls for formal attire. Men wear tuxedos, women wear cocktail, long dresses or dressy evening separates.

Formal:  Same as Black Tie, but in some trendier cities like New York or Los Angeles, it could mean a black shirt, no tie with a tux. Women wear cocktail dresses, long dresses or dressy evening separates.

Black Tie Optional or Black Tie Invited:  Black Tie Optional or Black Tie Invited gives gentlemen the option of wearing a tuxedo or a dark suit and tie.  Women’s apparel remains the same as for a formal event.

Creative Black Tie:  this attire leaves room for trendy interpretations of formal wear.  Sometimes themed parties call for dress codes like Texas Black Tie or other variations of Creative Black Tie.  In those situations, you can have more fun with attire, choosing a dressy look with a theme.

Semi-Formal:  This means that tuxes are not required, nor are long dresses.

Business Formal:  Basically the same as Semi-Formal for him, but for women this suggests that women go with a more tailored suits or dress (nothing too slinky or sexy).

Cocktail Attire:  This means short, elegant dresses for her and dark suits/slacks for him.

Informal:  Often interpreted as the same as Casual but it really is the same as Semi-Formal – dark suits for him, short dresses for her.

Festive Attire:  Usually seen around the holidays, for ladies this means to choose looks with a bit of sparkle or holiday colors.

Dressy Casual:  This calls for dressed-up versions of casual looks. For him, it could be trousers and a sportcoat, for her a dressy slacks look.

For the type of event we are discussing today, you are most likely to receive an invite with the suggested attire being Semi-Formal, Cocktail Attire, or especially this time of year, Festive or Holiday Attire.

Here are some suggestions of what to wear to evening industry events:

• Your basic black dress with a flashy broach/pin or statement necklace/bracelet/earrings.  The idea is to bring some color or sparkle to your basic black.  With the right broach or jewelry against basic black, your look will instantly say, “evening”.
• Your basic black dress with a print as accent.  My favorite print is leopard and I love to wear it in the evenings.  Just be sure you only use a print in one article of clothing or accessory, pair it with basic black and you’ll look stunning.
• Your basic black dress with fishnet stockings.  Fishnets are way more comfortable than regular pantyhose, more flattering than bare legs (in the winter), and up the glamour quotient of any ensemble instantly!
• A great cocktail dress in any color.  The brighter, the better.
• An off the shoulder dress or blouse.
• I have several halter style tops and bustiers I call my “cocktail tops”.  They have interesting sequins, jeweled details, embroidery, etc.  Some are made of beautiful fabrics, or have a lovely print.  I love to wear these with basic black slacks, especially in the winter time.  I can pair these with a wrap/bolero/shrug and be warm from the car to the building, then lose the wrap once I’m warm again.  (For some reason, I just can’t stand for my legs and feet to be cold!)

Here are a few photos of items I might wear to an evening industry event:

What do you wear to evening industry events?  Let us know!

From our family to yours:

Well, it is the day before Thanksgiving and if you watch the chatter on twitter, or your friends’ updates on facebook, you will undoubtedly see posts about food. People are cooking. People are looking forward to eating. People are looking forward to eating but worried about gaining weight. (I am one of the fortunate people that will be doing all three.)

In the food world, there is a buzz now about “clean foods” and that idea goes beyond buying organic – it refers to the preparation of foods and how they are served and presented. We Americans tend to take good things to an extreme – not all things must be fried or covered in gravy or sauces to have a wonderful flavor. With that line of thinking in mind, I wanted to share with you a short list of five Thanksgiving foods that are actually good for you.

So, enjoy great food, time with family and have a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow!

1) Turkey - Turkey is a wonderful source of protein – in simple form. When you deep fry it and slather it with gravy is when it becomes a poor choice. Sarah Krieger, RD, National Spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, points out that a serving of turkey provides almost half of the recommended daily allowance of folic acid and is a good source of vitamin B, zinc, and potassium. These nutrients have been found to keep blood cholesterol down, protect against cancer and heart disease, and boost the immune system (not bad for an old bird). A normal portion size is usually 3 to 4 ounces – think of the size of a deck of cards. Stick to white meat and peel the skin off, you’ll literally save hundreds of calories at the Thanksgiving table. Turkey is also one of those dieter’s dream foods that will fill you up when you eat just a little.

2) Pecans – Stay away from the pie, instead, sprinkle pecans over salads, add it to your stuffing, or snack on a few as a precursor to the meal. Pecans are a great source of vitamin E and magnesium, which supports muscle strength. Plus, they’re packed with protein, fiber, and the same “good” fats as olive oil. Toasting them for a few minutes in the oven will really bring out the flavor – and aroma.

3) Pumpkin – If for you it isn’t Thanksgiving without a slice of pumpkin pie, here’s some good news. Pumpkin is packed with heart-healthy fiber and vitamin A. Plus, because pumpkin is very moist, you don’t have to add lots of unhealthy ingredients to make it taste flavorful yet still be low-fat (sub in skim and egg substitutes to make any recipe healthier).

4) Cranberries – Millions of us will reach for cranberry sauce tomorrow to garnish our turkey and stuffing, but, you are really getting your money’s worth with this berry. Cranberries are loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants and their fiber content helps lower “bad” cholesterol levels. Just keep it simple and “clean” stay away from added sweetener. Try adding a sugar substitute like Splenda to keep this side dish healthy.

5) Sweet Potatoes – I’ve never met a potato I didn’t like, and sweet potatoes are no exception. If you agree, sweet potatoes are among the healthiest vegetables around — as long as they are not doused with butter, marshmallows, or some other high-calorie holiday sabotage. When roasted, sweet potatoes keep the flavor very intense without adding fat. These vegetables are bursting with fiber, vitamin A, potassium, and phytochemicals, which stave off aging, cancer, and arthritis. Plus, they’re very filling, so you don’t have to overload your plate with them.

I personally only discovered my perfect skin care routine a couple of years ago.  It seemed like everytime I turned around, Oprah was talking about Philosophy skin care products and now I see why.  I am sold on several of the products they offer.  Right now, Philosophy is offering a Holiday gift special on Sephora.com that you may be interested in:  Magical Minis™ ($97 Value) is a complete regimen of petite essentials to reveal a perfect complexion.

The set contains:
- 2.0 oz Purity Made Simple
- 0.25 oz Help Me Night Retinol Treatment
- 0.5 oz hope in a jar
- 0.5 oz Hope In A Jar SPF 20
- 0.25 oz Eye Hope™ Advanced Anti-Aging Eye Cream
- 2 x Microdelivery Peels

Sale Price:  $45.00 plus tax and S&H

Magical Mini's

I believe in this product line so much that I’d like to send a couple of readers some wonderful samples.  I have two samples of Philosophy’s micro-delivery peel system, various body wash samples, purity made simple cleanser samples and hope in a bottle, hope in a jar samples.

Just reply to the blog with a comment on why your current skin care routine needs an overhaul.  Two winners will be chosen from the comments received.

Remember: take care of your skin – no one else will!

There are literally hundreds of thousands of skincare products on the market today.  Choosing what to use can be intimidating, to say the least.  Let’s take it back to the basics and think about what skin care in its simplest form, should accomplish.  There are three basic things a good skincare routine should include:

Cleansing: Remove makeup and daily grime/oil.

Moisturizing: Replenish and hydrate the skin after cleansing.

Sun Protection: At all ages, you should protect your skin from harmful ultraviolet rays.

About your cleanser – : Your cleanser should effectively remove your makeup and facial oil, but be gentle enough not to irritate your skin.  The rule of thumb that dermatologists use is that a cleanser should be gentle enough so that it does not burn your eyes.  First, determine your skin type – sensitive, dry or oily and choose a cleanser for your specific skin type.

About your moisturizer – The older you are, the more crucial a moisturizer is.  When we hit about age 30, our body’s natural ability to moisturize is decreased, and will continue to decrease the more we age.  (Keep reading for more information on anti-again product recommendations.)

Many women think that if their skin is oily, they can skip moisturizer and that isn’t true.  If you are experiencing breakouts, and you are attributing that to oily skin, it may be because your skin is irritated from being dry.  Try a lightweight, water based moisturizer and see if your breakouts decrease.

For all skin types, you will want a moisturizer with a combination of ingredients.  Your moisturizing goals should be to:  1)  replenish your skin’s natural ingredients, 2)   decrease damage from free-radicals and 3)  support normal cells function.

Some basic moisturizer ingredients to look for are:

• Glycerol – to help water and other moisturizer ingredients penetrate your skin
• Ceramides – to help replenish your skin’s natural oils
• Hydroxy Acids – to help with exfoliation of dead skin cells

About your sun protection - The final but most forgotten step in a good skin care program is using sunscreen.  Unfortunately, most of the damage to the skin from UV radiation is beneath the surface and happens so slowly that we don’t realize how much damage is being done.

Most people know that exposure to UV rays can cause damage, but most don’t know that this damage also occurs when you walk from your house to your car or sit next to a window during the day.  In fact, you very likely have more sun damage on the left side of your face from driving than you do on your right side.  This damage can come in the form of wrinkles, dark spots and skin cancer.

When choosing a sunscreen, there are several things to consider such as, should you use an everyday sunscreen or a full on sun exposure sunscreen?  Should you use a sunscreen alone or a sunscreen plus moisturizer?  All skin colors and types should make it a point everyday to use a good broad spectrum sunscreen on your face, neck and even hands.  The easiest way to do this is by using a moisturizer with sunscreen.  When referring to “broad spectrum, I mean a sunscreen that absorbs both UVA and UVB rays.  Products that meet these criteria will indicate this on the product label.  Always choose a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 – higher if your skin is fair, if you are in higher altitudes, high humidity locales, or will come in contact with water.  It is always a good idea to reapply often.  Actual sunburn can take up to 24 hours to show on your skin.

Anti-Aging Products: If you are doing all of the above, but feel that it is time to incorporate some additional steps into your skin care routine to assist with anti-aging efforts, here are three fairly new product ingredients that you should know about:

Resveratol – an antioxidant compound found in red wine.  It is said to stimulate collagen production and increase skin’s firmness.

Activin Boosters – an enzyme that naturally occurs in skin to help repair damage caused by sun exposure or acne scarring.  May help skin cell turnover, which in turn can decrease fine lines and brown spots.

Quercetin – derived from oak tree bark, it is said to improve skin’s texture and firmness.  It contains strong antioxidants and also has been proven to increase proteasome function which encourages growth of healthy cells.  That means that skin will stay younger looking longer.

Skincare can be overwhelming, not to mention, expensive.  How do you know which products are right for your skin?  One simple way would be to talk with your girlfriends.  Describe your skin and listen to what products they are using.

Another way I recommend choosing a skin care line would be to visit www.dermadoctor.com.  Created by a dermatologist, Dermadoctor has feature articles sharing the most current developments in skin care technology and research. All products are approved by a dermatologist and accurate information gives you the power to make the right skin care choices from the wide array of products offered.

Hands down, the best way to determine products for your skin care routine would be to see a dermatologist in person.  A good dermatologist practice will have aestheticians in house to perform non-invasive procedures, including everything from microdermabrasion to your basic facial.  Dermatologist offices should include 1 -2 skincare lines for sale and these will most likely be available by prescription only.  They should also be able to point you to an over the counter solution when asked.

See Skincare 101 – Post B for more skin care info and a Philosophy skin care sample giveaway!

Each Monday here at The Stylish Planner, I will post a controversial topic with the intent of getting the dialogue going among fellow planners.  For the next few weeks, I will cover a series of “what to wear” posts regarding appropriate attire during the various stages of meeting with your client, attending industry events, networking meetings, etc.  Today, I wanted to touch on the big finale for us, the wedding or event itself.

I’d like to go on the record and let you know that I am generally conservative when it comes to attire.  I have some whimsical items in my wardrobe, but I tend to save those for certain events or when I am “off the clock”, so to speak.  When it comes to the event day itself (in my case that is 98% weddings), I typically go with basic black, either in the form of a dress or slacks with blouse/top.  I steer away from colored attire as much as possible and try to keep in mind that although I am attending a wedding, I am still working, so I want to look professional.  Here are my reasons for going conservative:

• Most of the time, my contract is with the parents of the bride.  Generally speaking, that puts my client at about 55 – 60 years of age, so I am working for a fairly conservative client.  My clients are attorneys, bankers, real estate agents – all fairly conservative occupations and these clients tend to invite a large number of work related friends and colleagues.  The last thing I want to do is call negative attention to myself by choosing loud colors or showing too much skin.
• I choose not to wear the bride’s colors (except perhaps in an accent piece such as a broach/flower pin on my lapel) so as not to be mistaken as a member of the wedding party.  I would never want to be mistaken for a bridesmaid helping out with the wedding.
• Although for the most part, I blend in with guests at a wedding, I am also identifiable because I wear a nametag with my name and company name/logo.  I think my appearance says, “She’s the one to ask if you have any questions” and I’m o.k. with that.
• Sticking with basic black dresses as my rule of thumb for wedding attire makes my wedding day choices easy.  These pieces are classic and I don’t spend the evening worried that I made a poor choice or that I am sending the wrong message to others.  Because 100% of business for my company for the past two years has come from referrals, I inevitably end up in a conversation with a guest who is planning a wedding or thinks they will be soon.  By the close of the evening, my goal is for them to have had an impressive interaction with my staff and I, as well as the recommendation of my client (their friend or colleague).

To me, it is all about knowing your client and what they expect.  Florists, event designers and photographers can get away with more eclectic attire choices in the name of creativity.  I’m definitely not saying this is how every wedding or event planner should dress, just that this is what has worked for my clients and I.  A planner with more of an emphasis on design could certainly be more adventurous.

As a point of reference, here is a photo of the dress I wore to our last wedding:

Join me next Monday for the “What to Wear” series as I discuss what to wear to evening events such as associational Holiday parties/industry events.

What do you think about this post?  What is your “go-to” attire for the actual wedding/event?

My favorite store has done it again.

White House|Black Market just released their new Holiday line.  Most items are not available until November 23rd, however, this baby is worth the wait:

From the website:  ”Also available in solid black, the charmeuse gown features a unique, hand-designed rose print and theatrical, asymmetrical skirt with hidden pockets. A slim-fitting bodice artfully balances the fashion-forward skirt with tulle underlay for maximum volume.”

Will someone please buy this dress?!  I would, but I have absolutely no place to wear it to!

Stunning, just stunning! {*swoon*}

Or, said another way, what makes a planner stylish?

I like this question so much, I think I’ll have a contest to get your feedback!  Read on…

The thing about style is that it is subjective.  Things that I place a high style quotient on may be the worst thing you’ve ever seen and vice versa.  My definition of a stylish planner would be someone that is grace under pressure, appears fresh and put together for the duration of the event day.  Anyone can be stylish at a planners luncheon or a new venue grand opening when all that is to be done is to mingle and imbibe.  However, it is HARD to be stylish on the wedding/event day – all the very looong day!  Can I get an AMEN?!

I have one terrific book to giveaway to the best comment posted in reply to this question.  Aptly named, The Little Black Book of Style by Nina Garcia (of Project Runway).

Here’s the jacket description:  Every time you dress, you assert your identity. With style, you tell the world your story. In that way, style affords you opportunities to think about your appearance as a quality of your creative character. The Little Black Book of Style helps you to explore your own fashion voice—the piece of you that joyously revels in the glamorous experience of creating your best self. From cultivating good taste to guarding against definite fashion faux pas, Nina Garcia offers readers the ultimate guide to follow when it comes to dressing their best. Including tips on how and when to wear an outfit, occasion-appropriate wear, advice on how to combine colors and textures, and inspiration on how to achieve your own signature look, you learn how to experiment, storyboard, archive, and play. Timeless and universal, this book seeks to remind women that eternal style is internal style, and that everyone has what it takes to discover themselves through the colorful palette that is fashion.

You’ll love this book for its function as your fashion and style encyclopedia.  Also, it has some of the coolest artwork I’ve seen in a long time!

Share your thoughts until midnight on Wednesday, November 25th, 2009 and the best comment will receive the book delivered to your door by your friendly neighborhood postman.  Think of it as a Christmas gift from me to you!

Inquiring minds want to know…what do you think makes a planner stylish?

Every week, The Stylish Planner shares with our readers a wedding and/or event planner that we feel has a great sense of style.  In order to be considered for The Stylish Planner of the week, the following criteria should be met:

• You must be a professional wedding or event planner with an active single domain website.
• Your submission should include several recent photos of yourself in different looks.  Photos should meet the following criteria:
  • Photos should be no more than 6 months old
  • Photos should have been taken at an actual wedding/event in which you were the planner, OR taken at an industry event (i.e., associational meeting, bridal show, open house, grand opening, vendor appreciation, etc.)
  • Photos should include at least one full head to toe shot if possible
  • Photos must include at least one waist-up shot
  • Photo should not be smaller than 300 pixels in width.  (We can adjust if larger than this.)
  • Preferred photo format is .jpg.  If you choose to submit .gif or other files, please know that we reserve the right not to use them.  Photo formats other than .jpg appear grainy and are difficult to enhance for the website.
  • Photographer credit must be included with photos! (Please include photographer’s name and website.)
  • If you would like to be considered as The Stylish Planner of the week, please complete the attached questionnaire and return it via e-mail to info@thestylishplanner.com with “Featured Planner Submission” in the subject line.  Please remember to include photos of yourself according to the above criteria.
  Stylish Planner Submission Form
  

You will be advised if you are chosen to be featured as a Stylish Planner and when your feature will be posted.  Once your feature is posted, you will receive a badge (shown below) for your website or blog.  We would appreciate if you would write a post about your experience with being featured as a Stylish Planner of the Week!

I’m sure there are some of you out there that are wondering why I’ve started this blog.  You may question whether or not it is relevant.  I can see how it would not seem as substantive as other wedding and event business blogs.  I know this may not appeal to all of you.  I am prepared to accept that truth.  There’s another blog out there that will be more appealing to you and I’m o.k. with that.

You may be saying that you don’t have time for such frivolity when sitting in your in-box are 489 e-mails.  (How close was I?  Go look in your inbox, right now!)  I completely see your side of the coin.  You may be thinking it’s too time consuming, you can’t put one more thing on your plate right now.  I get it, I really do.  However, if you want to build and grow a successful business, make your personal style a priority in the near future.

A study by Dr. Albert Mehrabian, published in his book Silent Messages, shows that when establishing credibility, 55% of credibility comes from how you look while only 7% comes from what you say.  Does your outward, in-person appearance match the way you are perceived via your website, e-mail, Twitter or Face book?  If not, you’re letting people down, and it may be costing you potential business.

Nina Garcia of Project Runway says in her book, The Little Black Book of Style, “Style affords you opportunities.  Every time you dress, you assert some aspect of yourself and your identity.”  Unfortunately, if you don’t determine and design your personal brand, someone will do it for you.  In an ever challenging industry, first impressions are irrevocable and who has time for damage control?

Fear of apples and skinny jeans…

Seth Godin wrote a great post in October called Fear of apples.  In it, he said, “People are afraid of anything with too many choices, too many opportunities to look foolish or to waste time or money.”  I loved this post, and it definitely hit home for me.  I can be incredibly indecisive when faced with too many choices!  I think Seth’s point  definitely applies to fashion and style.  There are an abundance of choices available to consumers.  Who hasn’t been afraid to try the latest trend for fear of looking foolish?  (A-hem, skinny jeans anyone?)  How often do we ask ourselves if the latest “revolutionary” skincare product is really better than what we pick up at our favorite discount store?  And heaven only knows we spend way too much time deciding what to wear each day!  Some people – women especially, have this kind of fear when it comes to fashion and style, so instead of trying to improve, we just get comfortable with what we know.  In the meantime, we are missing out on our own “fabulous-ness”.  Yes, I just made that up, say it with me, “fabulous-ness”!

It is important to me that readers understand that I’m not saying, “I, Jeannine Kennedy am The Stylish Planner, so follow me and do what I do.”  Those of you that know me know that I would never say or think that.  Instead what I am saying is, “Here is a resource for you when you are feeling overwhelmed.”   YOU are The Stylish Planner and here’s a place you can come to when you’re not feeling certain about your style, when you’re looking for a change, or when you want to take things to the next level.

I think we can all agree that we are in an industry that appreciates style.  Weddings, especially, are becoming increasingly more personalized – with design ideas coming from both the bride and groom.  We are seeing beautiful graphic design elements in stationery, ceremony areas that rival Broadway production stage sets, and amazingly detailed tablescapes at receptions.  In a time of economic downturn, people are getting creative out of necessity and I feel that we are seeing some of the most stylish events created to date.  So what we have are increasingly stylish people producing increasingly stylish events.  Guess what?  Those stylish people are in search of a stylish planner.

This is exactly why The Stylish Planner™ was created, to help you exude confidence and succeed.  Read our tips, product reviews and recommendations.  Implement some of our ideas to streamline your beauty and/or fashion routine.  Purchase that new jacket we featured because it is perfect for your body style.  And if for some reason you don’t land that new client, contact my friend, Saundra Hadley for some help with your sales pitch.  Then, pour yourself a cocktail, take a deep breath, let it go, and smile, knowing that even though you may not have won the client, you looked damned stylish at the consult! J