Thank you to everyone who came out to the Celebrations book launch last night! I’ll have some more shots to share with you on Monday (after I’ve recovered) but here are some highlights from the party. And by the way, I’m heading to California today. My partner Theo Bleckmann was nominated for a Grammy, and I get to play the plus one.

Too busy to write a full post today, so here are more pictures of the set-up:

It’s only one day before the big Celebration! I was very torn in choosing a space for the event–in these economical times I didn’t want to give a party that was too slick, so it was essential to find the right venue. I love the Armory because it’s a raw, empty space that sort of reminds me of a high school gym.

It’s been an interesting challenge transforming this space. For each new venue, there are specific elements I always focus on:

• The walls–how do I cover them?
• The ceiling–what am I going to hang from there?
• The floor–depending on the space, sometimes I think, “How am I going to deal with this?”
• The entrance
• The actual decor itself

I think some people find it hard to find just the right thing to wear to a party. When I throw my own, I try to give direction that’s fun and amorphous so that guests can take the direction and interpret it in their own way. For example, at my last book launch party, the only attire request I had was to wear red (by the way, the rebel Martha Stewart showed up in orange). I love surveying the scene as guests show up to see all the clever ways they decided to get dressed.

For the Celebrations party, I wanted to come up with an attire request that complimented the mood of the party. January tends to be a depressing month since it’s so cold, it’s post-holidays and some people are partied out. That’s exactly why I wanted to throw the party at this time to bring back the mood of sexy, fun and hot…hence the attire requirement for this party: hot.

I’ve been so busy traveling and planning my party (along with many others…work never stops) that today it hit me: I haven’t chosen anything to wear to the party yet. What does one wear to a party where the attire requirement is “hot” and all the guests have already seen the invite?

When I grew up in Panama, I used to have to wear a uniform of white shirt, tie and slacks so I promised after high school that I would never wear another tie again. So, generally, I’m opposed to wearing suits–even though that may be someone’s definition of hot.

This is where you come in my loves. I need your help figuring out what to wear to my party. Tell me your suggestions, please!

Oh, and stay tuned for tomorrow. We’ll be talking about my favorite part of the party…the decor.

Similar to how doctors shouldn’t treat their own family, it doesn’t work for me to plan my own parties. So, I turned to the best for help with the Celebrations launch party (and many others–Marcy and I have worked together for years).

…And just because she happens to be one of my longtime friends who makes me laugh endlessly is just extra icing on the proverbial 20 foot tall cake.

Enjoy!

PB: Let’s talk about how you became an event planner and why you wanted to embark on this career.

Marcy: When they released me from the asylum (from Preston: I could not help but laugh out loud) I decided that I needed something to do. Okay, actually I was a foodie and I went to school to be a chef and worked as a cooking teacher and all sorts of things and it evolved from there over the years.

PB: How are you different from other event planners?

Marcy: (With a little smile) I’m good at it! (from Preston: More laughter from the two of us)

PB: What was one of your most challenging events?

Marcy: Every event is challenging. The interesting thing is that it’s always a different challenge. Just when you think, “Now I know how to build a tent in the middle of outer Slobovia in the pouring rain,” the next time, it’s in a desert or everything’s fine but the client’s impossible…Life is constantly different.

PB: What’s your favorite part of the event planning process?

Marcy: You know, I hear this question all the time and the truth is most of us lie and most of the time, I lie (laughs) but really it’s the joy of the process itself, rising to the challenge yourself.

I find people endlessly fascinating–both the good parts and the bad parts. I’m just fascinated by the mystery of what makes them tick; what makes someone come in and say, “I really want something simple and elegant,” and what they think of as simple and elegant is yards and yards and yards of satin wrapped around everything…

PB: What kind of advice would you give to a client looking for an event planner?

Marcy: Oh, to hire me! Of course. (Laughs)

PB: Okay, last question. Can you share some of the surprises you have planned for my Celebrations party?

Marcy: Well…we’re going to have a lot of very enthralling, sexy and interesting things planned–both in entertainment and the guests–don’t forget the invitation said the attire is “hot.” So, I’ve been looking for something hot for several weeks, I may just bring my boyfriend…

Your parties are about surprise and they’re very sensuous. I’m usually all about the food and you throw parties that are about the vibe. So, just wait for something very unexpected.

In the video below, Marcy snuck in one last thing she wanted to say after I thought the interview was officially over and I stepped out of the room. I was touched to hear what she said. Click play to watch.

For more info on Marcy Blum or to contact her, please email: lea@marcyblum.com or visit http://marcyblum.com/.

Now it’s your turn, share one event that took you months and months to plan, and tell me…was it worth it?