Vday Gifts You Can Get in 24 Hours

Source: Red Envelope

Oh my Gosh it's ALMOST HERE! Have you gotten gifts for your lover yet? That's ok, we've scouted out some super fantastic ideas that will have them swooning.
Here's our Vday love equation: 
Experience+Physical Gift+ Thoughtfulness= Perfect Vday.
What does that mean? Basically, people generally live in one of two categories when it comes to gift giving: they love getting actual "things" or they love getting new "experiences."
If you mix the two, you're bound to please, plus expose your loved one to something new. Where does the thoughtfulness come in? Personalization. Perhaps 24 hours isn't enough time to go out search for that totally perfect gift, but there is time to make a great gift personal. Personalizing- like getting something engraved or getting someone their favorite flowers- is the finishing touch. Ok procrastinators, let's go!

Source: Cloud 9 Living

Last Minute Experiences:
Groupon- NYC & Groupon Long Island are offering some really cool packages for Vday this year. Choose from the myriad of offerings- everything from vacations to St. Lucia to ballroom dancing to a professional personal chef service. There's also spa packages and dinner date packages. Seriously, your beloved will not know that you waited until the 11th hour.

Cloud 9 Living is your one stop shop for an awesome experience. If your beloved has any taste for action and excitement, this is where you've gotta go. Take them on a flying lesson, race care driving, a caving adventure or tandem skydiving. Other offerings include spa packages, art lessons, personal ninja lessons, chocolate & wine tours...truly, the list is endless!


Digital Experiences:
Pandora.com is a fantastic personalized radio program. If your loved one is a audiophile, this is a must. (especially if they listen to music all day at work.) Buy them PandoraOne and they get a year of service free of ads! It's affordable and a great way to top off a buffet of presents.
I-Tunes: Get her/him some tunes. It's easy, fast and a nice finish.
Netflix: Watch any movie, any time with a subscription.





 

Source: Red Envelope

Physical Gifts:
The first recommendation we have is to go to their favorite store- (Burberry, Guess, what have you) and find out if they do overnight shipping. Pick it out before the end of the business day and you'll be all set. Hmm..what if you don't know what their favorite store is because this is a new, budding relationship? Here's a few you might like:

Red Envelope:  Get them something luxurious- gifts range from fine leather travel cases to chocolate covered fortune cookies. You'll also find jewelery, wine making kits and more.

Source: KenRockwell.com

Teleflora  :Flowers don't have to be boring. Ditch the red roses (unless they're her favorite) and go for something ecelectic. Orchids, Tulips...be creative. 1-800 Flowers is also an option- Or call your local luxury flower store.

DJS Events is Long Island's and NYC's premier event planning service.
Our website: www.djsevents.com
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Luxury Valentine's Day Gifts Pt. 1

Red Envelope Cufflinks

Olive & CoCoa

You have 5 days left until Vday comes around...do you know what you're getting your sweetheart?

It's really easy to get caught in the same patterns of gift giving, especially after a few years. That's ok, because we've got enough creativity to go around- didn't you know that event planners are the best gift givers? (Think about it...we have to execute other people's events with their tastes intact to a "T".)
Now onto some great, "out of the chocolate box" ideas:

For Him or Her:
Forget chocolate!  Eddy Rocq Macaroons are the "it" cookie. Trendy, sweet and totally sinful, these are exactly what you'll want to feeding your lover in bed...

Ok, so maybe we didn't mean it about the chocolate...
We're not going to get into the flavors or packages you should buy---we'll leave that up to you. What we do think is more important about chocolate is the quality factor. If you're going to get her chocolate- do it right. All of the below names are artisenal, decadent award-winning and globally recognized. They blow Godiva right out of the water.
Amadei
Valrhona
Cluizel
Scharffenberger

For Her:
This Petite Flask from Olive & Cocoa will thrill your party- going lady. (Shown above)

Bulgari's 100% hand rolled crafted scarves from Italy are seriously raging right now for Spring. If she's on the cutting edge of luxury fashion...she'll swoon.

White leather, cross body with cascading detailed fringe...she'll love this springtime bag from Ralph Lauren

For Him:
Does he love mechanics? Is he a tech-head? These super cool cufflinks from Red Envelope will make your guy smile. (Above Right)

 Also from Red Envelope- a personalized keychain for a finishing touch to a Vday basket. We think "You are my superhero" is a pretty cool thing to be reminded of. (Could be good for ladies, too.)

 This sexy Italian wallet from Ralph Lauren has "rugged heritage elements" and "vintage appeal".

Out of the Chocolate Box V-Day Ideas

Photo by RoseVita from MorgueFile

Valentine's DAY! The last big holiday of the winter season. How is everyone doing with their resolutions? Right about now is when things get tough. You can do it!
Now get your hand out of that chocolate box!



For Him or Her: Celestial Offerings

1.) Blindfold your hottie, drive them to a planetarium, sneak in some naughty snacks (their favorite candy, cookie or something delectable and different...like maple sugar leaves). Guide them to their seat and don't take off the blindfold until the show starts. Then, when it does, say: I love you more than all the stars in the world. Talk about cosmic! 

Photo Cred: Free Background Wallpapers

2.) Buy a star and give it a poetic name. Present your love with the framed certificate and tell them you'll love them forever. http://www.starregistry.com/

3.) Prepare a midnight star gazing picnic, complete with blanket and hot cocoa- tell them to bundle up and drive out to a gorgeous place out in the country. Read them hand picked poetry under the stars.

 

Photo by Beglib of MorgueFile

For Her (mostly):
1.) Does she make you feel like your in the clouds? If you're in a part of the country where it's NOT freezing right now, try a hot air balloon ride.


2.) Nothing's sexier than a partner who wants to grow and evolve with their girl- check out yoga workshops, couples communication workshops or couples retreats. She'll swoon.



 

Photo by Mae7 at MorgueFile

For Him (mostly):

1.) Jam out. Take your guy to a concert of his favorite band...in a different city. Bonus points for a private plane flight to get there.

2.) Going back to blindfolding...blindfold your guy and bring him to ski-retreat. Make sure you get the suite with a whirlpool. Hotness. 


DJS Events is the hottest event planing firm in LI and NYC. Get in while there's still time! Our schedules are filling up quick with Spring weddings events. Click here to see our portfolio, and find us on facebook!

New Years Photos+ Fun Part II

Photos by Tom Fitzgerald and Pamela Napoli for Society-In-Focus, www.society-in-focus.com 

We wanted to share some more of the New Year's Eve night we had at Indigo! If you want to learn how to plan a hot New Year's party, this may give you some ideas! 

Were you with us? If you were, you no doubt took advantage of the custom photo-booth that created the template you see below. This was definitely a hot spot at the party Tres chic!  

We had such a fantastic group of people who kept the night going with their incredible energy and dance moves. Those on the sidelines enjoyed the roped off VIP areas for drinking,  flirting, and lively discussion. The VIP furniture was lush- lack and white tufted couches. The decor on the tables was inspired by peacock feathers, and played up Indigo's permanent decor throughout the hotel. Each table was the color of a Carribean lagoon and we hung chandeliers throughout the space.Crystals that reflected the midnight blue and green tones were draped everywhere and created a festive glow. Oh and by the way... ( we can't help but note it)- the crowd was really attractive! What more could you want?

Scroll down to see the delicious menu of scrumptious food we had. 

  Here are some more shots from the night...

All photos taken  by Tom Fitzgerald and Pamela Napoli for Society-In-Focus, www.society-in-focus.com 

 v vvvvvvvvv 

But what about the party-goers who weren't interested in dancing all night? For them, we had a special Prix Fix dinner on the second floor, complete with a jazz band. It was simply lovely!

Here is a breakdown of the Menu- all of which had locally grown ingredients!

Appetizers 
Bruschetta
Parmesan Crostini, Plum Tomato, Asparagus and Prosciutto

Humus Trio
Roasted Garlic, Roasted Red Pepper, Kalamata Olive, Served with Pita and Pretzel Chips

Raw Bar 
Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, Crab Claws, Langostino, Little Neck Clams, Marinated Mussels, Served with LIV Vodka infused cocktail sauce

Entrees
Tenderloin Roulade
Baby Spinach, Roasted Red Pepper, Boursin Cheese, Roasted Garlic Demi-Glaze

Stuffed Mushrooms
Andouille Sausage, Arugula, Chardonnay Beurre Blanc

Pappardelle
Sauteed Mushrooms, Fresh Cream, Tasso Ham

Baked Brie
Puff Pastry, Raspberry Puree, Flat breads

Pork Tenderloin
Herb crusted, Caramelized Vidalia Onions, Potato Risotto Cakes

Crab Cakes
Tarragon Cream, Lemon Compote

Lamb Lollypops
Panko Crust, Mint Butter

Saffron Chicken
Foccacia Toast Points, Chorizo, Saffron Cream

Dessert

Mini Cheesecakes
Chocolate and Vanilla Mousse Shooters
Chocolate Fondue
Chamburd Cream Brulee 

So...are you hungry yet? The food was fabulous, take it from us!
Interested in having us turn one of your affairs into the party of the century? Give us a buzz!
www.djsevents.com
Find us on Facebook.

New Years Photos+Fun Part 1!

Photos by Tom Fitzgerald and Pamela Napoli for Society-In-Focus, www.society-in-focus.com

Our Champagne & Chandeliers New Year's Celebration at Indigo was a blast! We thought you would want to see the photos from the awesome night we had.

Photos by Tom Fitzgerald and Pamela Napoli for Society-In-Focus, www.society-in-focus.com 

  

The Main Floor was where people took the house down! Doors opened at 9 p.m. and it was pumping until 2 in the morning. We had a great, high energy crowd that shook it like a Polaroid picture it all night long. The party attracted mostly professionals in their 30's, but there were a handful of mature twenty-somethings as well as super-fly folks in their 40's and 50's.

Photos by Tom Fitzgerald and Pamela Napoli for Society-In-Focus, www.society-in-focus.com 

We were able to calculate how many people would be the perfect amount for a thriving, bubbling party- the perfect combination of cool people and a beautiful space. Even though the hotel was completely booked out for the weekend, the dance floor was filled just right for people to ring in the New Year.

Photos by Tom Fitzgerald and Pamela Napoli for Society-In-Focus, www.society-in-focus.com  

We had VIP lounges around the perimeter of the room. Each lounge got a bottle of champagne, vodka, and personalized service from a special server. Around them were sparkling tables to sit and have a drink, and in the middle was a fabulous dance floor which was filled from beginning to end.

Photos by Tom Fitzgerald and Pamela Napoli for Society-In-Focus, www.society-in-focus.com 

Dawn was able to bring Piper as Indigo is dog-friendly!

People that didn't want to part with their kids for the weekend were in luck- there was a special play room for the kids where they were supervised in a safe place while their parents enjoyed the night. About 5 minutes before New Year, they were brought out, rang it in with their parents, and then were brought back in for the night. How cool is that? Many families got to enjoy the night with their friends- drink, dance and have a good time- while their children were right in the next room. The next morning, lots of people had breakfast and then went shopping at the nearby outlet mall, went vineyard hopping, or just had a lazy weekend.

Stay tuned for our next blog where we'll give you some more scoop on the details of the spectacular evening!
Interested in DJS Events hosting your event? Check out our website here and find us on facebook here!

How to Dress for a Winter Wedding

Are you unconventional? Love the frosty weather? We noticed that the brave and bold have winter weddings, as well as people who have previously been married; they're looking for a new experience.

Winter weddings pose some challenges but are well worth the preparation if it's what you want. Here are some tips for a successful, beautiful event.

1.) If you're going for the holiday look, make it tasteful. 

Sanders-Sluter Wedding

1.) Your wedding dress doesn't have to be determined by the weather. 
Just because it's winter doesn't mean you have to chose heavy fabrics like velvet or fur- although they can make a nice accent. In Stacey's wedding shown above, the dress was rich with layers but not anything she couldn't have worn in a Spring or Fall wedding. 

2.) Don't be afraid of the cold! Your outdoor photos will stun.
First step: get a great photographer.
If you're into the gorgeous sweep of snow as your background, we can assure you it will most likely look beautiful. You can go unconventional and wear white (on white) or chose a different route...

Green Wedding Shoes


Ruffled

3.) Boleros, overcoats and vests are your friend! 

Marilyn's Keepsakes

Wedding-Beauty.com

WeddingWindow.com

4.) Mixing color can be dangerous- but if done right, will knock your socks off:Add that to a snowy background and you'll POP.


Top Right: Vera Wang. Top Right: Vera Wang. Top Left: Marry2012

Want a gorgeous winter wedding designed by one of New York's hottest event planning firms? Yes, you do!
Check out our portfolio here! Find us on facebook here and here about promos, special events and more!

5 Actually Helpful Tips on Keeping Your Resolutions

You know the deal. Resolutions wear off around the end of February, and by mid-April you're back hustling to the gym in the race to create the perfect bikini body. Over exhaustion and overexertion lead to stress, and the next thing you know, it's New Years again, and you're going through the same battle.
Or maybe it's social media that's eating up your time. Being that it's the crack-cocaine of the internet, you're not alone. Have you resolved to kick your angry birds gaming in bed (when you're supposed to be sleeping)? You're among many.

So, besides sheer will, what's the difference between people who keep their resolutions, and people who fail miserably every year? We don't know all the answers...but we have some tips that may help you out this year.

1.) People who keep resolutions understand that's part of a bigger plan. 
 The folks who keep resolutions are usually the kind that do 3 month plans, 1 year plans and 5 or 10 year plans every year. They can see the big picture, the end results (which usually lead to even bigger results). It's not just about losing 5 pounds...it's about being able to scale a mountain in Colorado, or run a 5K. Yes, that 5 pounds may be the first primary goal, but it's one in a big scheme of super awesome life planning.

2.) Get a buddy. Or a few.
Successful people know the value of relationships. Getting to the gym, or to the art studio, is easier when it's done with others. Creating a team or a partnership is great because because you can make up for one another when one of your is feeling uninspired or like staying in bed. People need people to succeed, in all areas of life.

3.) Hire a Pro. 
It's hard fact that when people spend money on something, particularly something that involves a personal relationship or two, they are more apt to keep that commitment...rather than forget about it.
Think about it..your gym doesn't care if you hit the elliptical every morning, but a personal trainer is extremely invested in you showing up. Getting a yoga instructor or health coach to come to your door is also a way to stay committed: there's nowhere to hide.

4.) Mark it down. 
Simple but true, and you're not allowed to scoff: if it's not on your calendar, it does not exist and it will not happen. Mark it down.

5.) Keep track of your successes. 
 Keeping a running list (where you can see it easily) of all the great results your turning out every day, week, month. Motivation from others is not enough, you need to keep reminding yourself of how your growing. Oftentimes success happens in subtle, small steps- easy to overlook. Make sure your recognizing all you're accomplishing!


Is your big goal this year to have an incredible wedding, fundraiser or private party? Let DJS make yours visions a reality. Check out our portfolio here. Find us on Facebook for news, promos and awesome event tips!

The Most Fabulous New Years of Your Life!

Hottest Outfits for New Years Eve!

News Year's Eve is right around the corner and we've scoured the web for the hottest dresses!
 Check them out and get your party on! 

Victoria's Secret

FreePeople

Urban Outfitters

Victoria's Secret

FreePeople

Victoria's Secret

Urban Outfitters

Victoria's Secret

Urban Outfitters

                                Urban Outfitters                                                Urban Outfitters