Welcome back… I hate to admit it, but I definitely have a case of the Mondays.  On the good side, the Darkness to Light Circle of Light gala was another great success this year- with about 600 attendees

Our Bollywood inspired decor, courtesy of Taylor Stewart, a wonderful local photographer who volunteers her time to shoot the event every year.

Ann Lee, the Director of Darkness to Light with Mackenzie Phillips, this year’s Voice of Courage award

Tara’s Tidbits

With the holiday season coming up, some of my favorite items to receive as a gift are books and I wanted to recommend the ones I’ve been able to cross off of my list:

Just got this in the mail, and haven’t been able to put it down…

Kate gave this to me for my birthday, and I’ve already found some new inspiration- especially for some redecorating we’re doing in our office!

his photography is amazing- I’m dying for a great giraffe print to put up in my son’s room

My Roots

Since Carol Hannah Whitfield (From Charleston, SC)  did not win first place on Project Runway, I’m still holding out hope, that one of my other hometown heros, Kevin Gillespie will take top prize on Top Chef.  His restaurant, Woodfire Grill, in Atlanta is mighty tasty!!!!  The Atl has always had a great representation, with Richard Blais from Season 5 to three chefs appearing this year!  Fingers crossed…

On the Horizon at Soiree

Lots of stuff in the works- when it rains it pours…  A new look for Soiree is on the horizon- We are redoing and rebranding our logo and launching a new website, so as soon as I have that, I’ll post- it’s totally new and different, so I can’t wait to share!  We’re also updating our office- it’s time for a facelift… Construction starts this week, so I’ll share photos with you as soon as I can.

And of course, don’t forget our new book, Weddings by Tara Guerard will be available in stores and on amazon.com January 1st, 2010.

Till next time…

That’s what we’ll be doing…

Happy Thanksgiving

Please give thanks next week for your families, your health, our troops, and a bright future for next year. See you next week for a new post…

We are so thrilled to be a participating sponsor and the event designers for the annual Darkness to Light, Circle of Light Gala. This is THE event in Charleston every year, and we’ve been donating our design services since 2005…All the big chefs in Charleston donate their talent as well, so guests dine on amazing food, experience fabulous entertainment, and both a live and silent auction with out of this world items. This year’s theme- Passage to India! And, Mackenzie Phillips will be accepting the Voice of Courage award.
For more information on how to purchase tickets, click here.

Here are some shots from years past:

From left: For a Cuban themed evening, tropical grass imags were projected the exterior of the tent; vivid oranges, yellows and reds along with tropical grasses made the tent warm and alive- images from the invitation lit the ceiling of the tent; a glowing orange walkway led guests to the dinner tent.

From left: A glowing green after dinner lounge; Volvo was sponsor that year, so we projected vintage Cuban images on the cars on display; raised stages scattered around the lounge allowed for salsa dancers to provide entertainment.

From left: A Cuban themed drag show had guests on their feet cheering; tall lamps placed on a few of the dinner tables provided ambient lighting; Flamenco dancers demonstrate their art.

Tara’s Tidbit

Tara is too busy to tidbit this week- and too old from her recent birthday to think…

A Star is Born

We are so proud of our May wedding couple, Ann E Rice and Tucker Ervin, who were recently asked to guest star in Darius Rucker’s new video, “History in the Making”. It debuted on Wednesday night at the CMT Awards where Darius won Best New Male Artist. To watch the video, click here. Ann E also shared some photos from when they were on set.

Make It Work…

I have been a loyal Project Runwayer from the ‘ol Bravo days… This year amazingly we had two Charlestonians on the show- Gordana Gehlhausen, owner of Goga Boutique on King Street, and Carol Hannah Whitfield- whose wedding designs you can find at her Etsy shop. She does lovely stuff for a bride and her maids, and is one of the final 3 designers, with her collection showing in Bryant Park/New York Fashion Week on this Thursday night’s season finale.

love the pale aqua color…

the perfect rehearsal dinner/engagement party dress!

Can’t Find My Way Home…

My husband and I just returned from a week in San Francisco and Napa Valley. How breathaking… however, I’m still waking up from my food and wine coma. Some of my favorite shots and inspiration from the trip:

On Alcatraz Island, you would not believe how HUGE the succulents are- the diameter on the top one was about 10″.

Sorry for the horrible camera skills, but I loved the Modern take on the Men and Ladies’ restroom signs- cute!

We have recently done glass etching for weddings, with a guests’ name on it so that it doubles as a place card and a favor… The twist on this, as Mia, PR Director for Miner Family wines told me on our trip that for her wedding, they etched their names and date onto the bottom on a Riedel glass for all of their guests to drink from that night and take home.

Love the fresh vines and greenery growing on the covered piazza, could be great to do in an event space that needs some dressing up.

Garden roses grow “like weeds” everywhere! They are huge (again, diameter on this one about 6-8″) and you see them in every color…

These copper cups are the water glasses at Bottega in Napa… How luxurious.

One of the highlights of the trip was a Richard Avedon exhibit at the SFMOMA… I’m obsessed with his books and vision.

Just some eye candy:

Top of Nob Hill from the Cable Car

View of Napa Valley

Getting ready for the next harvest

The barrels are amazing, artwork in themselves

Amazing wine cave at Miner wines… this is just one section…