Angela with her Mom & business partner, Pamela.  All images by Hannah Photography.

Name:    Angie Johnston

Location:    Colorado

Company Name:    Sapphire Celebrations

Number of years in business:    7 years

Website:    www.sapphirecelebrations.com

Blog:    www.sapphirecelebrations.com/scblog

Twitter handle:  @sapphireangie      

If you are a wedding and event professional other than a planner, please describe your product or service.  Wedding/Event Planner

How would you describe your personal style?  Classic, fun and functional. I’m a business owner and a mom of two active boys – I have to be ready for anything.

What is your “go-to” meeting attire?  In the summer I love skirts and cute tops with fun shoes or accessories.  In the winter layers are important – you never know what Colorado is going to throw at you throughout the day!

What is your “go-to” evening industry event attire? (i.e., associational meeting, vendor or venue open house, etc.)  Jeans and a cute top if I can get away with it. If not, then I wear something similar to my meeting attire.

What is your attire for wedding/event day set-up? If the timeline permits, I’m in jeans and my Sapphire Celebrations t-shirt with tennis shoes. Many times I’m with the clients, so I stick to what I’ll be wearing for the actual event.       

What is your attire for actual wedding/event?  Black pants – no matter the weather. I need the pockets for stuffing anything and everything (cell phone, lint roller, Altoids, trash (yes trash!).  Pants are also key, because I don’t want to have to worry about bending over to pick up anything or tie a chair sash.

What style and brand of shoes do you wear on wedding/event days?  Black flats. A wedding is not the time for my four-inch heels!

Tell us about your favorite jeans and why you love them.  Old Navy Flirt Jeans – they are long enough for my long legs, fit me great and aren’t hard on the checkbook!       

Who is your favorite celebrity style icon and why?  Jennifer Aniston – She always looks put together, no matter the setting.

Please share with us (in 50 words or less) your favorite style tip:  Don’t get too caught up in the trends, they come and go.  If you can figure out a way to incorporate them into your style go for it!

What would you like people to know about you that they may not discover just by viewing your website or blog?  I love football! My parents got season tickets to the Denver Broncos when I was eight and I still sit with some of the same people to this day. There is nothing like watching football in a stadium filled with screaming fans – no matter the weather!       

What is your most treasured possession?  My Kindle is always in my purse lately – if I’m early for a meeting I can just pull it out and escape into my latest fiction!       

What message would you like to convey to others in our industry?  Don’t spend too much energy comparing yourself to the others out there. Be true to who you are, your ideal client, and your goals and it will call come together.

Photo by: Henry and Masci Photography 

Photo by: George Rivera Photography

Name:  Phebe L. 

Location:  Lowell, Massachusetts       

Company Name:  Making ME Event Planning Firm       

Number of years in business:  1       

Website:  www.makingmeepf.com       

Blog:  www.makingmeepf.blogspot.com       

Twitter handle:  @Makingmeepf       

If you are a wedding and event professional other than a planner, please describe your product or service.  We are an event planning firm in love with all things vintage that focuses on planning, design, and vintage place settings.       

How would you describe your personal style?  Casual and elegant with fun and playful layers. My wardrobe and personal style are always ever changing and I’m inspired by a myriad of colors, the warmth of summer, cool of winter, and crispness of the fall and spring.       

What is your “go-to” meeting attire?  A tailored blazer paired with a shirt with a lovely pattern and skinny jeans paired with adorable flats. When appropriate I love to pair this with a fun scarf.       

What is your “go-to” evening industry event attire? (i.e., associational meeting, vendor or venue open house, etc.)  I love a great black cocktail dress! My personal favorite Shoshanna, Rachel Roy, or Mark and James by Badgley Mischika.       

What is your attire for wedding/event day set-up?  Black Tights and ruffled top paired with my favorite Ann Taylor flats.       

What is your attire for actual wedding/event?  A black dress, with Kitten heels!       

What style and brand of shoes do you wear on wedding/event days?  Ann Taylor flats (Set up) and Ann Taylor Kitten heels (actual event).       

Tell us about your favorite jeans and why you love them.     I have a great pair of skinny jeans from The Gap that I LOVE, they have just the right amount of give in them and they are so versatile and can be worn with a blazer, scarf, flats or even heels.       

Who is your favorite celebrity style icon and why?  Sanaa Lathan, this girl KNOWS how to wear a dress, but can easily glam up a simple pair of jeans with a fluttery top and a gorgeous accessory.       

Please share with us (in 50 words or less) your favorite style tip:  Keep it simple! Your wardrobe is filled with every day pieces that can easily translate into making your wardrobe fabulous. Think jewelry, scarves, and shoes. You can make a skirt, jeans, or legging look like a million bucks paired with the right accessory.       

What would you like people to know about you that they may not discover just by viewing your website or blog?  When I was really little I was convinced that I wanted to be a Chef.  My sister and I would play cooking show with our pretend Julia Child voices for hours…we secretly still play cooking show when I’m home except now we really cook!  Oh yes and of course we still use our “Julia” voice-ha!  Ok so maybe I use my “Julia” voice every time I cook!       

What is your most treasured possession?  Old family photos of the women in my family that go back 3 generations. The women in my family all had a strong entrepreneurial spirit, seeing them is a reminder to me of the woman I’d like to become.       

What message would you like to convey to others in our industry?  Don’t be afraid to do something different! We’re in an industry that demands creativity and out of the box thinking.    

Note from Jeannine:  I featured Christine Sweeney of Atlanta Watercloset last year shortly after I met her in person to get to know her a little better over coffee.  We talked about business and life, and especially our families.  Sometime shortly after that, my sweet friend, Kelly McWilliams of Weddings by Socialites in Southwest Florida encouraged me to give Entrepreneur Magazine a try.  I had always considered it a magazine for big businesses, but now I am sold out and read it monthly.  I was flipping though the April issue a while back and saw Christine’s face!  Wow – so excited for her – Entrepreneur wrote a great article about Christine and her business!  Take a look here:

 Click here to read the article online: www.entrepreneur.com

When people succeed and are recognized, I feel that it’s time to take another look at what they are doing.  I am so proud to know Christine, and seeing a fellow Atlanta resident, fellow woman – even more so – a fellow mother and small biz owner be recognized for her work makes me smile.  So I know that I have featured Christine’s Style Profile once before, but I think it’s time to take a second look – enjoy this “Stylish Rerun” today!

…………………………………………………….

This article previously posted on August 8, 2010.

Christine Sweeney has brought a wonderful product/service to the Atlanta Wedding Market- Boutique Portable Restrooms.  I am so pleased to know her and have her as a resource in our area.  Christine brings a lot of class to an otherwise non-glamorous side of event planning!  I hope you will enjoy getting to know her as much as I have.  Check out the photo collage below to see how she is changing the look of portable restrooms!

Photos courtesy of Climie & Co.

Note from Jeannine:  You know when you talk to someone for the first time and are immediately drawn to them?  That is exactly how I feel about Heidi Schwartz.  Heidi reached out to me via a Twitter DM and I was intrigued by her work.  When I spoke to her by phone, I really enjoyed her warm, honest and humble personality.  Folks, this gal is one to watch – be sure to check out her website and follow her on Twitter @PaintYourEvent.  Enjoy reading more about Heidi and keep her beautiful art in mind for your future events!

 Photo by: Ash Wright

Photo by: John Guider

Photo by: Heidi Schwartz of “The Betsy Johnson Wedding”

Name: Heidi Schwartz

Location: Nashville, TN

Company Name: Paint Your Event

Number of years in business: I began live painting a few years ago, but I didn’t form an official business until a few months ago.

Website: www.paintyourevent.com

Twitter handle: @paintyourevent

If you are a wedding and event professional other than a planner, please describe your product or service.  I’m an artist that paints live at special events. I paint weddings, galas, birthdays – you name it. I once painted on a rotating platform in the middle of a ballroom.

How would you describe your personal style?  I tend to be relaxed and simple. I like to use jewelry for accents. I love to do my make up. I would always watch my mother growing up – she was a make-up artist. She always said ‘never walk out of the house without mascara on!’

What is your “go-to” meeting attire?  Business casual or I’ll dress up my top, wear some colorful earrings and let my hair go natural with waves.  But I still wear my paint jeans. I get told all the time that I should start selling my paint jeans.

What is your “go-to” evening industry event attire? (i.e., associational meeting, vendor or venue open house, etc.)  I like simple, classy but unique pieces. I don’t buy cloths unless I’m drawn to them. A simple black dress or a skirt and a cool jacket. Then I’ll wear some funky cowboy boots with it.  If it’s a simple, clean piece I’ll do a funky scarf or a bracelet to dress it up.

What is your attire for wedding/event day set-up?  My paint jeans and a t-shirt.  I have four or five pairs of jeans that have been turned into pant pants. These are the pants that I feel have have had enough of the real world and get to transition in to the world of paint.

What is your attire for actual wedding/event?  I really like wearing my paint pants and tops. I love the contradiction of being covered in messy paint at formal events. It immediately takes people by surprise and makes them wonder what is going on. I love it. It’s so much fun to watch people get to the “ah ha” moment when they see me start to paint.  But no matter how “messy” my clothes are I always do my hair and and make-up – I do up my eyes, make sure my foundation is flawless and wear lipstick. I like to wear braids in my hair a lot – it looks cute and bohemian. It gets the hair out of my face. l always wear this pretty turquoise bracelet my mom gave me.

What style and brand of shoes do you wear on wedding/event days?  I wear my paint shoes – a pair of black loafers that most of my friends want me to trash. I always take them off when I paint because it’s more comfortable to me. My feet end up different colors by the end of the night.

Tell us about your favorite jeans and why you love them.  My paint jeans of course. I use my jeans while I’m in the middle of painting to wipe off the excess paint – so they are a different color after each event. All the rules go out the window with my paint clothes. They are messy and fun – that’s why I love them. It’s so freeing not to worry about what I am wearing. I have even used my paint pants to write reminder notes on them when I didn’t have paper on hand and to put down song lyrics when I get an idea.

Who is your favorite celebrity style icon and why?  Charlize Theron. She always comes across as calm, centered, strong and beautiful. Her style is classy but interesting. She seems so comfortable in her own skin – there is nothing more stylish than that.

Please share with us (in 50 words or less) your favorite style tip:  I think the best style of all is when you see a person who is healthy – their skin glows, they are toned and energetic. A person that takes good care of themselves always looks good dressed up or down and always shines. I like doing yoga, acupuncture and getting a good night’s sleep. I also drink tea, eat right and exercise.

What would you like people to know about you that they may not discover just by viewing your website or blog?  Hmmm. I think people think that I’m this wild, crazy artist. But really I’m pretty grounded when it comes to the important things in life. I really work on being healthy mentally, physically and spiritually. I aim for this balance. And to me, life is not all about what you do, it’s about who you are and how you choose to act this out.

What is your most treasured possession?  My two guitars – one is a black Fender that my mom got for me when I was 16 and the other is a 1978 Guild that I got a couple years. Another treasure of mine is the first painting I did when I moved to Nashville called “Cover of Color” – this was the beginning of me painting  my emotions.

What message would you like to convey to others in our industry?  Creativity is special and it’s what makes life exciting. Creating an amazing experience filled with beauty and sentiment is such an honorable gift to give to another.

 Photo credit: Joy Harmon Prouty of Wildflowers Photography: www.wildflowersphotos.com

Name:    Kathy Le Backes

Location:    Santa Monica, CA

Company Name:    The Vintage Table Co.

Number of years in business:    6 months

Website:    www.thevintagetableco.com

Blog:    http://thevintagetableco.tumblr.com/

Twitter handle:  @vintagetable    

If you are a wedding and event professional other than a planner, please describe your product or service.     Specialty rental company featuring handpicked vintage place settings (dishware, flatware and glassware) for weddings, events, photo shoots and film/TV sets.

How would you describe your personal style?    Casual, elegant and chic with a touch of vintage. Banana Republic meets Anthropologie. 

What is your “go-to” meeting attire?    Skinny jeans and a blazer or cardigan over a cute top… paired with flats and my big gold watch.

What is your “go-to” evening industry event attire? (i.e., associational meeting, vendor or venue open house, etc.)     Black skinny jeans, a cute top, scarf and heels, or, a vintage dress, black tights and heels.

What is your attire for wedding/event day set-up?    Black leggings, a loose top and flats.

What is your attire for actual wedding/event?   The nature of my business usually does not require me to stay through the actual event, but if I did…

Daytime events: simple jersey dress and peep toe heels or sandals

Evening events: simple black dress and kitten heels      

What style and brand of shoes do you wear on wedding/event days?  Set up: Glittery black TOMS or Cole Haan ballet slippers.  Actual event: DKNY black kitten heels

Tell us about your favorite jeans and why you love them.  Seven for all Mankind jeans… because they STRETCH!

Who is your favorite celebrity style icon and why?    Rachel Zoe—her style is feminine, eclectic, “boho” chic, elegant and vintage. She knows just how to accessorize and how to make a statement without going over the top. There’s a reason why she’s the stylist to the stars!

Please share with us (in 50 words or less) your favorite style tip:    Always wear one statement piece with whatever you’re wearing—a big gold watch, a unique necklace, a stunning cocktail ring, a killer pair of high heels, or some colorful earrings. You can make t-shirt and jeans look like a million bucks with the right statement accessory.

What would you like people to know about you that they may not discover just by viewing your website or blog?   I’m a HUGE foodie! I’m always up for exploring new types of foods and restaurants in Los Angeles… or anywhere I go. I love food so much, I travel to New York once a year just to EAT!

What is your most treasured possession?  A locket with my father’s picture in it. I lost him to cancer four years ago, and I miss him every day. I tied the locket around my wedding bouquet when I got married last year so he would be with me as I walked down the aisle. I wear it around my neck now, so he can continue to be with me today.      

What message would you like to convey to others in our industry?   I am thrilled and so honored to join such a creative and talented group of people. You all continue to inspire me with your amazing designs, helpful tips, unique ideas and most of all – your shared love of celebrating LOVE!

http://ninamullinsphotography.com/?load=flash

Location:  Lexington, KY
Company Name:  Always Planned and A Perfect Posy
Number of years in business: 4
Website: www.alwaysplanned.com 
Blog: www.alwaysplanned.com/blog
Twitter handle: @alwaysplanned
If you are a wedding and event professional other than a planner, please describe your product or service. We are a full service production company, meaning we do planning, design, flowers and décor.
How would you describe your personal style? Versatile.  I tend to adapt to my surroundings.  I love anything girly with ruffles, or sexy with some spice and love a fabulous and fun set of pajamas.  Most importantly I want to feel comfortable and that typically means casual with personality.   Boho Chic!
What is your “go-to” meeting attire? Skinny jeans, flats and a cute loose fitting top.
What is your “go-to” evening industry event attire? (i.e., associational meeting, vendor or venue open house, etc.) I am an ever growing collection of cocktail dresses, sometimes I do a classic pencil skirt and blouse too.
What is your attire for wedding/event day set-up?  We have these super cute and totally rockin t-shirts with our logo on them.  The entire team wears them with jeans.
What is your attire for actual wedding/event?  Typically a black dress.  If the wedding is more formal then I break out the jewels and dress up a little more!
What style and brand of shoes do you wear on wedding/event days?  For inside events I have some cute Cole Hann Air flats.  We do tons of events outside on farms, for those events you will see me in either Chaco flip flops or my Mizuno tennis shoes.  I am typically on my feet for 12-16 hours so great support is idea. 
Who is your favorite celebrity style icon and why? Zoey Deschanel- I think she is gorgeous!  I love her style and personality.  I think we would totally be friends if she knew me!  haha
Please share with us (in 50 words or less) your favorite style tip:  I love mixing colors and prints.  Play around with your favorite pieces!  You never know when you will create a fantastic new look and your girlfriends will be copying your savvy style.
What would you like people to know about you that they may not discover just by viewing your website or blog?  I love pigs!  I know it’s so random – but it started when I was a kid when I watched Charlotte’s Web and continues today.  The only difference is now I make it a point to only collect stylish pigs!
What is your most treasured possession?  My passport.
What message would you like to convey to others in our industry? Relax, be yourself and have fun!

Note from Jeannine:  I am so fortunate to know Melanie Pink of Le Bonne Fleur.  We met in March of this year when I needed a few extra flowers very last minute for a wedding.  Not only did Melanie come through for me, but the flowers were stunning!  I hope you enjoy meeting Melanie.  Be sure to check out her website and follow her on Twitter: @lebonnefleur!

Name:    Melanie Pink

Location:    Atlanta, GA

Company Name:    Le Bonne Fleur Floral & Event Design

Number of years in business:    2

Website:    www.lebonnefleur.com

Blog:    http://lebonnefleur.wordpress.com/

Twitter handle:      @lebonnefleur      

If you are a wedding and event professional other than a planner, please describe your product or service.     Le Bonne Fleur is the premier boutique floral designer in Atlanta. With each client and event Le Bonne Fleur creates a custom and completely personal design, using the season’s most quality blooms to reflect each client’s personal style and event vision. The personal touches and attention to detail will not be unnoticed, leaving your guests wowed and you with beautiful memories.  Le Bonne Fleur designs for any event from a small dinner party to your wedding centerpieces and personal bouquets. Discover the creativity and quality of custom floral design. 

How would you describe your personal style?   My style is classic and casual, like my floral designs. I like to mix textures, be comfortable and not make too much of a fuss over things.

What is your “go-to” meeting attire?  A comfortable pair of jeans with a cute textured or color t shirt and a blazer or cardigan of some sort. A flat shoe with a punch of color and some pearls.

What is your “go-to” evening industry event attire? (i.e., associational meeting, vendor or venue open house, etc.)     Usually something black.

What is your attire for wedding/event day set-up?   
Comfy, clothing. Floral design is not as glamorous as it may seem all the time. I spend a lot of time carrying boxes, filling vases and getting dirty.

What is your attire for actual wedding/event?    I can go two directions. If I do color, it’s got to be bright and make a statement. If I do black, very simple and elegant, but this is where the shoes and jewelry comes in. They must make a statement.

What style and brand of shoes do you wear on wedding/event days?    Either JCrew driving shoes or sneakers.

Tell us about your favorite jeans and why you love them.  JCrew makes a great jean. I have several pairs from there. Relaxed, toothpick, cropped. They all fit great and are durable

Who is your favorite celebrity style icon and why?    Probably Angelina Jolie. She has very relaxed style and sometimes even a little androgynous, but every once and a while she likes to get all “gussied-up” and wow some people with her glamour and grace.

Please share with us (in 50 words or less) your favorite style tip:   Stay true to yourself. Be who you are, not what you think the style is right now. In doing so you will feel more comfortable and confident and that exudes style and class far more than the latest trend.

What would you like people to know about you that they may not discover just by viewing your website or blog?  I love getting to know my clients and really enjoy figuring them out and what they are looking for.  Sometimes that is an even more important part of the process than the flowers.

What is your most treasured possession?  My engagement ring. It symbolizes so much… and is a pretty diamond.

What message would you like to convey to others in our industry?   Work it!

Name:  Mrs. Lauren R. Weems

Company Name:  RSVP Special Events & Design

Number of years in business: 3

Website: www.MyDesignRSVP.com

Blog: http://blog.mydesignrsvp.com

Twitter handle: @lw_RSVPdesign

What is your "go-to" evening industry event attire? (I.e., associational meeting, vendor or venue open house, etc.)
I love to wear dresses or skirts whenever I get the chance! If it’s
Summer, then I’m wearing something from Lily Pulitzer. If it’s during winter, then a dress from BCBG or Anthropologie. But in the winter, no outfit is complete without the perfect coat, scarf, and pair of
big sunglasses!

What is your attire for wedding/event day set-up?
While setting up events I will usually wear black slacks and a white shirt. I have to be comfortable while hauling vases and folding napkins! Whatever the occasion, I wear something because I like it, and it makes me feel comfortable, not because it happens to be trendy at the moment.

What is your attire for actual wedding/event?
For actual events, I need to wear something that looks very professional so that people know that I am in charge, not just a guest! Sometimes you have to dress for the respect that you want. Comfortable shoes for running around all day are also a must.

What style and brand of shoes do you wear on wedding/event days?
Comfort rules on event days. I try to wear good quality comfortable shoes that still look dressy and have a little heel. I find the most comfortable are the Cole Haan shoes that use the Nike Air technology, Anne Klein iflex, Aerosoles, Born, or Naturalizer. Things have changed in the shoe market; just because a brand is known for comfort doesn’t mean they don’t also carry cute styles.

Tell us about your favorite jeans and why you love them.
My favorite jeans is this black pair called "Dream Diva" by "IT! JEANS Los Angelos." I love them because they are so comfortable, and I can dress them up or down. I also love the studded rhinestones on the back pockets that add a little touch glamour.

Who is your favorite celebrity style icon and why?
My favorite celebrity style icon is Gwyneth Paltrow because her style has this effortless and graceful feel to it. She always seems put together without being too fussy. I think she always stays true to her own sense of style, without diving into every crazy trend that comes along.

Please share with us (in 50 words or less) your favorite style tip:
Never estimate the power of the perfect pair of sunglasses and purse!
These are power accessories that put the polishing edge on the perfect outfit. Invest in these accessories that you wear everyday, and it will enhance every single outfit. These complete your look, and if you take care of them, you will have them for a longtime. Eventually you can retire them to your "Designer Trousseau" collection of collectible and vintage labels. Pass them on to your daughter, or wear again later yourself!

What would you like people to know about you that they may not discover just by viewing your website or blog?
I would like all potential clients/brides to know how welcome we make you feel when you work with us! To us, this is not your average work relationship; it is a friendship. We become not only your floral & event stylist, but also your listening ear, your shoulder to cry on, your personal cheerleader, and your friend.

What is your most treasured possession?
Other than my two yorkies and my husband, I would have to say the paintings I did in college the year my husband & I started dating! I painted them at the beaches near where he was living at the time in Sarasota, Fl. How I was feeling at the time came through in the movement of my brush strokes. I look at those paintings and I remember falling in love with him, and feeling carefree, and unstoppable.

What message would you like to convey to others in our industry?
We offer a service that used to be available only to celebrities and royalty, but is now available to a normal bride. Having a customized and cohesive wedding design is something every bride wants, and we are here to give it to her! We believe every bride deserves a professionally designed wedding.

Note from Jeannine:  Michelle Loretta and I will be speakers at Eventology this coming Monday and I can’t wait to hear her presentation.  There is all kinds of business wisdom in her small little package.  What I think I appreciate most about Michelle is her willingness to help others with their businesses.  We spoke by phone a few months ago and I shared some uncertainties I had about the future direction of The Stylish Planner.  Michelle honestly shared her thoughts and very quickly clarified some things for me that helped me get back on track.  Although I have followed Michelle on Twitter and have read the Sage Wedding Pros blog religiously, I have not yet had the opportunity to hear her speak, so I’m very eager to hear her talk next week.  I’m so pleased to share her Style Profile here with you – be sure to follow Michelle on Twitter also: @sageweddingpros!

Name:  Michelle M. Loretta

Location:  Miami, FL

Company Name:  Sage Wedding Pros

Number of years in business:  2

Website:  www.sageweddingpros.com

Blog:  www.sageweddingpros.com

Twitter handle:  @sageweddingpros

If you are a wedding and event professional other than a planner, please describe your product or service.  We educate wedding professionals on how to create a sustainable business.

How would you describe your personal style?  Depends on the time of day.  I’m not a morning person whatsoever.  I’m often the one hiding under sunglasses (even on gray days) when I drop my daughter off at preschool.  Style doesn’t always make its way into my schedule until later in the day.

I used to have a fun funky style, but with age I’ve had to grow up.  What you wear in your 20s, you can’t pull off in your mid-30’s.  You probably shouldn’t try.  Also, after I had my daughter my feet changed and I couldn’t pull off the stilettos that I did when I was younger.  (I still try, but it just hurts so much more.) 

These days, my style has become much more of a “cool calm casual”.  I think this also melds with my life in Miami.  We live in tropical paradise here and so that’s how we dress.  I often wear white pants with a nice bold top in dark pink, turquoise, or lime green.  I love earrings and bracelets, but rarely wear anything around my neck.  I love sophisticated sandals too!  And, I gravitate towards almost anything gold.

What is your “go-to” meeting attire?  I used to get super-dressy for meetings.  I think this was a stay-over from my days in corporate America.  But, I realized this sometimes intimidated people.  It’s important that people can open up and relax with me – feel free to talk about their business with me.  I also can’t be changing outfits 10 times a day between the pre-school drop-off and my business meetings.  I tend to stick to my “cool calm casual” that I’d wear to a casual dinner out here in Miami as mentioned above.

What is your “go-to” evening industry event attire?  I’m a “dress” girl.  I have big hips and thighs so I feel most comfortable wearing a skirt or dress because they are slimming.  When presenting at a conference or attending an industry event, I’ll usually wear a dress.  I feel most comfortable and confident in dresses.

What style and brand of shoes do you wear on wedding/event days?  In my “other life” as a stationery designer, I never attend the actual events.  But when I have to be on my feet all day in a workshop or seminar I really like Me Too shoes.  They are really comfortable, cute, and affordable.  I only sacrifice my feet on days when I get to really enjoy myself (personal outings: dancing, drinking, dining, etc.)

Tell us about your favorite jeans and why you love them.  I have this pair of jeans I bought from Banana Republic about 6 years ago.  It’s really random because I don’t usually like their jeans.  I don’t even remember the make or fit.  (I’ve since looked for similar but they aren’t the same.)  These jeans fit just right.  I love them. I wish I could replicate them.

Who is your favorite celebrity style icon and why?  Hmph.  This is a tough question.  I really don’t have a “style icon”.  I think from so many years living (growing up) in Los Angeles that celebrity-fascination escapes me.  I don’t really look up to others in this way.  I am who I am and I’ve got the style that comes with that.

What is your favorite style tip?  Lipstick or lipgloss are incredible for dressing up an otherwise “dowdy” day.  (We all have them!)

What would you like people to know about you that they may not discover just by viewing your website or blog?  I don’t like labeling people or classifying anyone.  Everyone is interesting and individual in their own way.  Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and challenges.  I love getting to know each person I meet.

What is your most treasured possession?  Proverbial possession: 1) my education 2) my travels.  Real possession: my engagement ring which was my great-grandmother’s engagement ring, a ring designed for her in Uruguay in the 1910s for her own engagement.  It’s a very unique piece that blends the Victorian style of the early 1900s with the blossoming 1920s art deco movement.

What message would you like to convey to others in our industry?  Be true to yourself.  Your company and your brand will have greatest strength if you know who you are and are consistent in communicating this to your clients.

Note from Jeannine:  Kay is hands down, the sweetest woman in the event industry.  She has been a faithful supporter of The Stylish Planner from the very beginning.  Kay is a really savvy businesswoman and is a wealth of knowledge.  If you have a wedding blog, she probably reads it and comments on it often.  She very unselfishly answers questions posed on blogs and Twitter, and in general, is incredibly supportive of other planners and wedding professionals.  If you do not already know Kay, believe me, you should.  She will bless you, I promise.  Get to know her better by reading her style profile below and follow her on Twitter at @HowertonWooten.

Name:  Kawania (Kay) Wooten

Location:  Washington, DC Metropolitan Area

Company Name:  Howerton + Wooten Events

Number of years in business:  Four years

Website:  www.hwevents.com

Blog:  www.hweventsblog.com

Please describe your product or service:  Howerton + Wooten Events is a small event management boutique based in suburban Maryland.  Our couples represent the rich cultural diversity prevalent in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.  Since our team believes in the consistent professional care of our clientele, we carefully select a specific number of weddings and conferences to care for each year.  This allows us to provide consistent care from the beginning to the very end.

How would you describe your personal style?  I am often told that I have a nurturing spirit.  Industry colleagues, family members and friends know that they com come to me if they need a laugh, a cheerleader, a hug, or a shoulder to cry on.  I am a baker, so my nurturing spirit is pretty prevalent in my food and in my gifts.

How does your personal style related to your business branding?  If you ever come to my home, you are going to feel welcome and comfortable.  you will be well fed, you will feel well loved, and you will probably enjoy a good belly laugh.  Our approach to our couples weddings feels just like that.  Our team’s secret weapon is our ability to create a warm, intimate environment for our couple’s wedding guests.

What would you like people to know about you that they will not discover through your website or blog?  I can find humor in just about anything.  And that has carried over to our wedding planning.  Our couples laugh a lot when we plan their weddings.  At one wedding, a bride had to get her make-up touched up because she was crying from laughing so hard with me!

What is your most treasured possession?  I treasure my family the most.  My parents, my siblings, my son, and most of all, my incredibly sweet husband.  I feel extremely blessed to have all of them in my life.

What message would you like to convey to others in the industry?  Show some compassion for the new guys.  All of us were new to the industry at some point, so we should give a little slack to planners whey they charge $500 for full service.  Don’t get me wrong, I know that these rock bottom prices hurt our industry, but keep in mind that pricing is not easy.  A lot of planners simply don’t know how to determine the value of their service.  And, we all remember how scary it was to put a price tag on our service the very first time.

Please share your favorite beauty or style tip:  Practice behavior that minimizes stress.  Get eight hours of sleep.  Exercise.  Practice yoga.  Pray.  Get a pet.  Have an active (and safe) sex life.  Have a good belly laugh.  Live within your means.  Don’t worry.  Be happy.