Many couples get engaged over Valentines’ Day. It makes so much sense since it’s a day to celebrate love, express your truest feelings and really let someone know how much you care. My team and I created the rings above as inspiration for those looking to propose to their honey babies.

You could make something similar to deliver to your sweetie, stick the engagement ring box into the large gift box and include a handwritten card that says, “Will you marry me?” If you really plan well, you could even schedule it so that you “magically” show up after the gift is delivered to hear the answer to your question in person.

Now, tell me all about how you got engaged. Please share how he or she (or you!) popped the question and what the reaction was. In addition, I shared my bling with you above, share yours with me on my Facebook page. Give me all the juicy details!

Valentine’s day. Depending on what your love life looks like currently, this day is either something to look forward to or something you’d prefer to forget. I remember being single in the past and feeling like a loser on this day (could you even imagine??). What made it worse was my friends who were in relationships carelessly going on and on about their planned romantic dinners.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m as romantic as the next guy (confession: one of my favorite ways to pass time on long trips is watching romantic comedies and shedding a little tear over the sappy happy endings–one of my recent favorite movies was He’s Just Not That Into You), but sometimes it’s just too painful to hear about how everyone is happy besides you.

In the past I came up with the perfect solution for my single friends on Valentine’s day. I threw a dinner party where the only requirement was that you had to be single and you had to bring a single friend too. I have had great success with these parties. In fact, there has been more than one hook-up where a friendship turned into a relationship. (If I wasn’t an event designer, I would definitely have been a matchmaker.)

I really enjoy trying to find the perfect present for my partner and guests of Valentines’ past. I suggest you keep in mind all of your single friends this year, and offer to make them your “Valentine.” Please tell me the most memorable Valentine present you have received or given (or plan to give).

(And guys, we love the red roses, but let’s try to think a bit more out of the box this year…)

For all the single folks out there: check my Facebook and Twitter for a special announcement just for you. Don’t miss it.

It’s a new year (a new decade!) and it’s time to talk about one of my favorite subjects: parties. I LOVE throwing parties (can you tell?). I often entertain at home with friends and family, but once or twice a year I enjoy having a BIG blow out party. Right now, I’m hard at work designing and planning my next big bash—a book launch party for Celebrations.

My book parties have become an exciting event in New York. I invite 500 of my closest friends and we take to the dance floor (or the buffet table) all night long. Here are some pictures from past book parties.

I’ll be blogging the whole process of planning and designing this celebration. Party day is January 28 so in the next few weeks, I’ll share ideas, inspiration, and ask for your opinion and feedback for the party.

Ready to help?

Happy New Year’s Eve to everyone! I hope you have a happy and safe night of celebration.

I won’t be posting tomorrow, since it’s a holiday, but I’ll be back next Monday. Have a great one!

(This beautiful champagne cake was created by the one and only Sylvia Weinstock. I love it! Since I don’t drink–I get to admire it.)

There’s so much to worry about when entertaining from home, but one of the most important things is the food. What should you serve? And how much? Here are some delicious food tips from me to you:

Tip #1: Make sure you know if your guests have allergies or food preferences.  If you are doing a formal invite, have a section where they can note this on the reply card.  Otherwise, make sure you speak to them about it or let them know they should contact you to discuss.  Having that brief conversation ahead of time makes everyone feel at ease on the day of the event.  You know you won’t have to run out, or make substitutions at the last minute, and your guests already feel taken care of!

Tip #2: One of my favorite tricks for creating unexpected décor is to use fruit.  You can also fill different sized clear glass vases with monochromatic fruits- I love the look of black cherries, plums, and figs- for a fresh, easy centerpiece. (They make delicious snacks too.)

Tip #3 Always make sure you have extra food!  You never know when an additional guest may show up.  I always like to have a course I serve at room temperature and so I can set aside extra portions and have them ready should an unexpected guest arrive.
Tip #4 One of my most prized possessions is my juicer. When you are entertaining you can pick a combination of fruits and vegetables that will compliment the food you are serving.  Fresh juice is a great way to spice up a party.  People can drink it plain, or mix it with alcohol for a light cocktail.

Also, check out this article from People magazine (the picture above is from the article) about some of the sweets I love to serve at New Year’s Eve. Do you have any food tips to share?

Photo by: Jim Franco