I've had so much work in the coming months and more to come as I embark on a few new projects and while I love planning events, I have dialed down the job description or what my company stands for from event planners to event designers.   This makes more sense for everyone involved in working with me - because let's face it, interior design and event design resemble each other and go together quite nicely and we just don't have the time to plan big events anymore. 

But what is the difference between an event planner and an event designer?

Event planners are all about the “logistics for the day”. Who is the DJ, when will the florist arrive? How many rooms do I need to block at the local hotel for the out of town guests? Event Designers are all about the “look and feel for the day”. Does this flower go with the rustic outdoor event the client wants? Is lighting going to make a difference in the ballroom? What color linens best look best for this type of venue? Event Planners have a tougher job in ensuring your day whether a baby shower, wedding, child's party - goes well and runs smoothly. They work with you to choose vendors and venues that will fit into your big day nicely. Event designers on the other hand are hired to make sure your day looks well put together. From invitations, to flowers, to linens and lighting - Event designers are the fashion stylists of your event!! 

So our services will now include:

-  Interior & Event Design 

- eDesign 

- Online Home Decor Store

- Beauty Lounge and Forum (Coming soon)

In the future, please look out for our Beauty Lounge and Forum where we discuss new beauty items and where you can shop for vanity decor items and also Touched is coming to a mobile truck stop near you as we take our online shop on wheels and straight to your town!!  

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Enticing the Guests To Stay

By: Bobbi Klein

(Photo by: Diana Elizabeth, Event Planned by Princess’ mother, Nicole)

It’s our job as event planners and designers to produce an event that is both to the client’s liking and attracting to the guests. Many times we believe that our clients are the only people that we should be worried about; however, the guests make the event a success. Have you ever been to an event with a high percentage of invited guests? How did you think of the event? It probably was a success.

How about the opposite situation? I’m sure you have been to an event too that had a low percentage of guests in attendance. What were your thoughts about that event?

See how the guests can affect the outcome of the event sometimes more than the client’s desires.

How can you accommodate both the clients and the guests at your next event?

It’s pretty easy actually. Just tell your story.

We hear about storytelling all over various industries outside of writing lately from marketing, branding, sales, teaching, and now it has arrived to events.

We are conditioned to relate to stories from the way we learn since we were young children. Everything was told to us as a story. This is the key to having success not only in event planning but also in life. If you can make your event tell a story, it will take off and no one will want to leave.

Storytelling your event starts with meeting your clients. Find out what the event is going to be. The theme of the event here can spur your story. With the theme, find a way to tell the story. This is not going to be action items of what to include as the details of your event, but three main points that move your story along.

For instance, let’s say that our client wants to have an extravagant princess birthday party  for her daughter who is turning 5 years old.

The theme is princesses.

Three Main Points:

·       Welcome to the Castle

o   This can be an interesting way to greet the guests upon arrival. Make everyone feel like they belong to the royal family.

·       A Royal Ball

o   This is every girl’s dream to be part of a royal ball dancing the afternoon away with great music and possibly her prince charming.

·       Cake and Presents

o   Children love opening their presents that they receive and showing them to their guests. Make it an enjoyable experience for all, and as the birthday girl is opening her gifts, have the royal court hand out a gift to each of the children for coming.

Once you have the main points decided as to what is going to happen at the event, then it’s time to add the details to make the event flow. From colors to party favors to the music, these are the finishing touches that will set your event a part form the rest.

The guests will love the event and will stay to the very end.  Guaranteed!

What story are you going to tell at your next event?

Bobbi Klein (@bobbiklein) is the CEO of Splendore, an au courant marketing firm specializing in event experiential marketing and event services. Sign up for her newsletter today! 


Thank you to Bobbi for writing this wonderful post for KG Style Designs. 

Don't forget to link up your events on this month's Linky Party Hop. Link up here. 

Stay tuned for more insights on the event planning business from fellow event planners each week in May on the blog. So stay in the loop by subscribing here. 

Check out KG Style Design's gallery of children's parties:

**I LOVE LUCY**
**SUPERMAN**

Learn to Plan the Perfect Party with this easy "How To" guide written by Catherine Holt. Buy today! 

Children Party Planning Tips

By Brittany Champion 

When planning a party for your child the details can become extremely overwhelming. Parents, unavoidably, stress over details such as choice of theme, cake, invitations, and child attendees. These stressors are very similar to those experienced while planning a wedding, anniversary party, or any other social gathering, with the major difference being appealing to your child and making sure the party makes him/her jump with joy. It’s always a great idea to allow the party boy or girl to participate in the planning of their event. Remember, children have wild imaginations and are bursting with ideas. 

One of the biggest responsibilities is creating the guest list, and no one can offer a better idea of whom to invite than your little helper. If your child has a best friend, start with listing him or her first, then move to classmates and family members. You should know, there are no set rules for inviting classmates. For pre-school aged children, I would suggest inviting all classmates if the class consist of 8 or less. With such a small number of classroom buddies you don't want a child feeling left-out or excluded. If the class size is 9 or more, choose children based on your child's exact age or invite the schoolmates your child enjoys associating with (the last thing you want are a bunch of children bickering and wrangling). Your child has a “voice”, so trust their opinions and preferences in this stage of planning. They are capable of offering much needed guidance when allowed to dictate their guest list. Also, consider having the party at his or her school. Some pre-schools will allow parents to bring cake, candy, games, and a few family guests for a two hour celebration. This will cut cost and eliminate all classmate-inviting woes.

Second is choice of theme. This is one of the easier areas of planning because it usually involves fun, bright colors, and the kiddie menu options. For younger children, I typically suggest choosing their favorite movie, character, hobby, book, or cuisine (for those pizza lovers). For example, what child doesn't love a great movie? This “Vintage Movie Themed Birthday Party” serves as a great gender neutral option. Another option would be this “Ice Cream Shoppe Birthday Party Theme” perfect for sweet-seeking kiddies. A lot of young children are into the “Angry Bird” game, so consider this as a possible theme as well, they'll love it!

Next is the choice of cake. Don't "break-the-bank" trying to present a ginormous cake that guests will gawk at with no intention on devouring it. Children are satisfied with simple and are completely open to homemade options. This allows them to further participate in the process by choosing their preferred flavors and toppings! If ordering a cake, really consider one slice per guest (no sense in ordering more than necessary). Also, consider a cupcake tower if you dislike cutting and serving. It will give guests a bit of freedom to enjoy their sweet delight when they're ready!

Lastly... food for the adults. I suggest building a menu with food options for ALL attendees. Serve foods that are easy to eat, serve, and clean up. Some adult guests may not accompany a child, but are attending because they adore your child. It would be proper etiquette to offer them some refreshment options and included them in the cake-slice count (if applicable). Adults want to feel included in the function and are less likely to become agitated with the rambunctious children if their tummies are tended to.

Brittany Champion is a Wedding & Event Planner/Coordinator, based out of Chicago, IL. Brittany specializes in weddings and both formal and informal social affairs. Brittany is also available to help you plan your dream marriage proposal, from the moment you decide to pop the question to the moment your significant other says "Yes"!  
Contact Information:
Email: Events@TailorMadeAffairs.com
Website: www.tailormadeaffairs.com

Thank you to Brittany for writing this wonderful post for KG Style Designs. 

Don't forget to link up your events on this month's Linky Party Hop. Link up here. 

Stay tuned for more insights on the event planning business from fellow event planners each week in May on the blog. So stay in the loop by subscribing here. 

Check out KG Style Design's gallery of children's parties:

**I LOVE LUCY**
**SUPERMAN**

Learn to Plan the Perfect Party with this easy "How To" guide written by Catherine Holt. Buy today! 

We are at it again - another interactive month. This time we are going all PARTY  up in here...! Link up your favorite events or someone else's..it doesn't matter. We would just love to see the amazing way we all put a party together and what better way than to link it below for all of us to enjoy!! 
. 

In the month of May, our blog will be filled with interesting and helpful topics all on the event planning business.  Stay tuned! And be kind and visit your fellow linky participants - after all, this is a PARTY! 

Don't forget to SHOP for everything for your EVENT at our online store -Touched. From custom invites, custom inspiration boards to bring your event to life, Party boxes, cakes and more - you can find it all at under Event Essentials. 

Happy Linking!! 

Mother's Day is almost here! Give Mom a magical box full of thoughtful little gifts with this Mother's Day gift box from Touched, our online home decor store.

Learn to Plan the Perfect Party with this easy "How To" guide written by Catherine Holt. Buy today! 

that’s NEAT! 

The best in our Linky home organization blog hop! These are just a few of the fantastic posts. So many too choose, so little time.

There’s a new reason to smile when it comes to organizing with Vintage Mauve. That’s because she organized her bathroom closet using no money at all. Find out how she did it and how you could too just by moving some things around.

With work at home jobs becoming the new norm, more households are using their home offices as more than an area to pay their bills but as their actual place of work. Organize it by using these tips from by Erin from Managing the Manor.com where you can see a nice before and after of her overhaul. 

The kitchen is the most high traffic area in the home and coming in second is the pantry – where look for food and food items about 12-16 times a day! That’s a lot of ins and outs. But there is a way to keep it organized. Just ask Leah from Simple Home.Blessings.com She used a creative mind to create a clutter free space by using  funky patterned contact paper – she was able to bring the pantry to life.   

Learn 5 Fun Pretty Ways To Stay Organized and who doesn’t love Pretty? I know, I do!  Melissa from Freeing Imperfections.com knows just what a girl needs with simple makeup organization and pretty plates – she shows us how to make our space girly, functional and most of all – organized!

Not the coolest area in the home but quite important – the linen closet/hall closet houses things that we need on a day to day basis from cotton balls, to toiletries and everything in between, learn how to keep them organized with Sarah’s amazing organization system. Check out her wonderful tips at An Inviting Home.Com

What’s organizing without any tools?? Nothing, I say! This is why this post is fantastic to mention. Raquel from OrganizedIsland.com explains what tools she uses to keep her home organized and tools she can’t simply live without to live a clutter free life. Use some of these for your home and watch your life start changing.

Ode to the almighty playroom…our sanctuary as mother’s where our kids go to roam and we can be at peace even if it’s just for a few. We all know kids toys are the biggest pain in the butt to keep organized but read on how Jill from The Canterion Crew.com worked on this amazing space for her kiddies.

Bathroom storage always seems to be the hardest one to work with. Check out this gorgeous redesign from Chaney from Richer FullerBe. Com.  She pulls in the look with such beautiful accent pieces. Check out her blog for more lovely pics!

This kid's art space is awe inspiring. Not only is it beautifully decorated but fully functional. We all want our kids to be organized, why not start them on the right path with a perfectly organized art space. Learn how Morgan from Style Oyster.com did it. 

Last but not least….!

We had to stop at 10 but couldn’t leave without showing this adorable closet design from Erin who made our cut again from Managing the Manor.com. She used simple bins in blue and green to store necessary clothing for her big boy! This is something that is in the works for me and my boys – so I loved the ideas and I’m sure you will too!!

Thank you, thank you to all who participated!!! We had such a great time reading your posts and choosing. It felt like American Idol. :) 
Please don't forget to visit all of these blog posts and all the ones that have linked up below.  We enjoyed them and learned a lot from them so I'm sure you will too!! 


Here's the roundup of our home organization blog posts:
* Redesign your Laundry Room on A Budget
* Tools for a Cool and Organized Linen Closet
* Top Ways to Organize Your Closet
* Quick Ways To Organize Your Home Office

Questions for you:
- Have you been able to keep up the space you've organized?
- Would you like me to do more posts dedicated to organizing every few months?

As always, don't forget to stay in the Loop with everything from KG STYLE DESIGNS and our home decor items from our online store by subscribing to our newsletter here. 

Go on and VISIT!