Labor Day supposedly marks the official end to summer, although Houston weathermen report it a more “unofficial” end to the season as sweltering tempertatures will continue.  Positive Translation: we have a few more weeks to get away with our stark white ensembles!

So what do we throw on when we really have to tuck away our white linen pants? Co-presenters, Houston magazine and Tootsie’s, gave us more than a few inspiring looks with Wednesday’s Fresh Faces of Fashion event!

Ten Houston fashionistas modeled an impressive fall runway show of prints, platforms and Pucci galore. We were thrilled to be a sponsor of the event!

Donning hot pink and neon orange ties, our bartenders served up refreshing specialty cocktails that incorporated Double Cross Vodka (a hot new item on the market you must run out and try!)

Off the runway, all 400 +  guests were a fashion show in and of themselves! Only interupting their mingling and designer-dud browsing to pick up a yummy cucumber slice of tuna tartare…

It was a night to remember, and if nothing else, a great indicator of the fabulous, fashion-forward fall to come!

“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens. Brown paper packages tied up with string…” Maria may have struck a note in our hearts with The Sound of Music back in the day, but today it takes a bit more umpf  to make the “favorite things” list!

Let’s just say you’d be hard pressed to find a modern-day woman who would leave ANY of the elements of Saturday’s event off her so-called list!

Let me highlight the key words for you… BRIDES Magazine hit 10 major markets on Saturday with a De Beers in-store event, inclusing San Fran, NYC, LA, Vegas, and yes… Houston! A Fare Extraordinaire was there to serve the Dom Perignon and the presentation of sweets as guests browsed the endless offerings of diamond designs.

Photography by Amy Vogel:

Now those are a few of my favorite things!

Our philosophy (both in our professional and personal lives) is that if you’re going to take hours out of your day (or month!) to plan an event, you might as well expend another fifteen minutes and insert some personalized touches.

We continually encourage our clients to do the same. Customized menu signage, themed name plates, departing gifts, etc.  give an otherwise “already seen it” event some real sparkle factor!

We love to design treats and tags to fit your event…

Just at this weekend’s Engagement Party we created diamond ring sugar cookies with a tag that read “On a Bridge in London…She Said Yes!” They were a huge hit, and got the bride and groom-to-be talking about the special engagement night they shared weeks ago.

So get those creative juices flowing. You won’t be dissapointed in the end result, especially the endless string of “You’re so inventive, how do you do it?” compliments!

How many times a day do you hear Houstonians utilize “inside the loop vs. outside the loop” when offering up directions? Probably a million. Well if you haven’t heard, Houston Museum of Natural Science has taken a stride to help close that gap!

The Sugar Land Museum of Natural Science opened in October 2009, and has since been gaining momentum as a place to learn, explore and throw special events. We took part in an open house just this week, and our jaws absolutely dropped when we took a peak at the rental prices for this spectacular space. It’s smaller, yes… but impressive, yes!

This unique building used to be a Texas prision, but now houses hundreds of gems and artifacts, a calendar of ever-changing exhibits, and a planitarium.

This guy greets you as you walk in…

…and the fun continues from there! Perfect for a corporate retreat, kid’s birthday party, small gala or any kind of reception.

We’ve already produced a 100-person Bat Mitzvah there, and can see many more special events in our future.

So for all those living outside the loop (or secretly dying for a quick reprieve from the inner-loop hustle bustle), hop on 59 and we’ll meet you there for some AFE fun!