Sorry I have been MIA on the blog front this week, I just got back from a wonderful weekend in Miami! I zipped around town and to the beach on my new old-school styled Vespa (white with brown leather seats-so chic) When I arrived back in New York I had to hit the ground running since I was finalizing some details for a Pier 1 editor’s day event that my company produced last Wednesday.

Pier 1 presented an extended line of epicurean items they will have in stores this coming fall. The products ranged from hearty flavored olive oils to bon-bons and cookie frosting for the holidays.

For this week’s hot list, I chose six elements that made this event a success. The seventh is a special surprise featuring a well-known designer!

1. Go with the flow

Often event planners come to a space with a notion that they are going to transform the space, however, many times the space is just great as it is.

Also, when working with the existing elements you can keep the budget low for your client and work with an existing synergy. For example, instead of going with Pier 1 Brand colors as the base, I used the Glass house space colors as a base in creating product vignettes and let the product "shine" with its colorful packaging and added the branding in GOBO (Logo projected through lighting)


2. Play a little

I had a few hours to "play" with the product to create the display (I felt like a kid in a candy shop!) and that is how it should be. Give yourself time to play work with your displays. If you put too much thought in the creative process you eliminate the connection to the "source". It is like playing Tetris, finding the right pieces that work.


3. Understand how the mind works

When designing a space for an editor’s event and presenting product you have to understand that editors are there to garner quick facts and information. Therefore people like a familiar structure, especially in our over exposed world, and you set the presentation up in that way. Then editors will be able to retain more information. With this in mind I created a layout that was easy to follow and worked easily in that space


4. Whimsy

When displaying a product, I always try to display it in a whimsical way. For example: I wanted to create four stations: Tuscan food store (Oils, breads, cheese, tapanades), a candy store, a bar station and a coffee and tea station.

With the Tuscan and Candy displays I really wanted to pack a punch! I recreated an old Florentine food store for the former and an over the top, color saturated theme for the latter. The editors felt like kids again touching and smelling the candy.


5. Got talent?

Hiring a celebrity to host is always a good draw. Rocco Di Spiritto worked with us on this event and editors appreciated having someone so handsome to show them around!


6.Give more

I sure hope the editors that attended have a trainer, because the gift bags were filled with great products from the Pier 1 Epicurean line: biscotti, chocolates, oils, cooking books, flavored popcorn, and more.

Who doesn't like a good gift bag?


7. I was fortunate enough to spend Sunday afternoon with the talented Christian Siriano (of Project Runway fame) at the ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair). If you are into design, especially contemporary, you will get sensory overload from seeing all the new products and designs. For me it was a super special experience as I was walking the show with a hot tranny mess!

I also had the chance to a say hello to a bevy of leading industry people like the talented and so funny Jamie Drake, event designer David stark, and some of Bravo's Top designers.

Seven Years of Success!

Mazel Tov Shiraz NYC!

This year I am celebrating seven years in the event planning business! I can’t believe it all started back in 2001. The people I have met, worked with and garnered relationships with have all been amazing and I am so lucky to have grown as fast as I have. A huge thanks to my teams in NYC and Miami!

Seven is a magical number in many cultures so to celebrate the number I have decided to feature seven things I fancy each week on the blog.

Lets get this party started:

1. Another reason to celebrate is that my homeland, Israel, turned 60 this week. Whenever I get homesick for mom’s cooking or a night out in Tel Aviv I head to these spots for a slice of regional cuisine. First stop is The Hummus Place on St. Marks. To start my evening off I order hummus with warm fava beans and a hard-boiled egg accompanied by a frozen mint lemonade (Yum!) or an Arak Mojito (Arak is an Annis Liquor). OK so the Mojito isn’t all that Israeli but it sure is refreshing after a long day at the office. Next stop is Café Mogador where I indulge in a super savory chicken tagine with couscous. Friends are always secretly excited when I am feeling homesick because they know we are going to have an appetizing night on the town. Once I finish up at Mogador I beeline across the street to Milk & Honey, an Israeli grocery store. Here I pick up a Milky, a chocolate pudding with whipped cream that I grew up loving for snack time after school.

2. One thing is for sure, party planners are in the business for a reason- we love to party! When I am getting ready to go out I put on Leona Lewis' "Spirit" and sing in the shower. Her vocals are incredible and "Bleeding in Love" and "I will be" are my top picks off the album.


3. The creative aspect of planning events and food is obviously a highlight for me. Creating great invitations whets everyone’s appetite for an exciting event. Recently for an editorial preview I organized for Pier 1 Imports (they launched a new extended epicurean line) we hand delivered invitations in a beautiful box that contained a bar of specialty chocolate from the new line as well as the invitation. Editor’s loved the idea and it didn’t hurt that it was delivered by a hunky male model.

4. Summer is around the corner and I am itching to hang up the jeans and step out in some shorts. Theory has some great looking tailored shorts in khaki and gingham that are lightweight and fit me to a T.

5. When I am working in Miami my new fave spot is The Pool and Spa at the Miami Standard. After wrapping up work or an event I take a dip in the pool looking over the bay and then head into the Hamam for a steam and massage. Heaven! Andre Balaz certainly knows a thing or two about relaxing. Once I am almost reaching nirvana I order dinner poolside (dress code: Bathing Suit!) and sip a rose as the sun sets. Next time you are there try the filet of snapper with the truffle vinaigrette. Divine. www.standardhotels.com/miami/

6. When escaping the city this summer I will be buying all of my Hamptons host gifts at Bellhaus. The new lifestyle store in Wainscot is opening next week (perfect for Memorial Day) and is a treasure trove of designer clothing, accessories, home furnishings and gifts. http://www.bellhaus.net/

7. Most importantly, my heart goes out to all of the people of Myanmar. After the terrible disaster that happened there people are going hungry and many children ended up orphans. Please make a donation at http://www.unicefusa.org/

That’s all for this week. Stay happy and healthy. Most importantly, have fun!

A Few of My Favorite Things...

May is a month to celebrate births.  My brother and his wife had their third child and seven years ago, I gave birth to my first company, Shiraz NYC.  I am proud to say "my child" has grown to be a strong member of the New York creative community. But, any parent will tell you, it is not always easy and sometimes you need a little help.

Here are seven things that have contributed to seven years of my business success:

1. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, got me through some difficult moments of doubt.

2. My massage therapist, Jeff Saxe (646-251-3081); his magical hands relieved some major stress and allowed me to relax and focus.

3. Icebox Cake from Billy's Bakery.  Do I really need to explain?

4. My best friend and business partner, Yaniv Cohen; makes me laugh and helped me build a wonderful event company in South Florida (www.shirazfl.com).

5. My friend, the very talented Interior Designer, Vicente Wolf (www.vicentewolfassociates.com); he taught me about the luxury lifestyle and how to appreciate and design beautiful environments.

6. The beach in Miami or anywhere warm for that matter.

7. And most important, my family; they keep me grounded and help me to set priorities.