My boyfriend is fantastic. He is always pushing me (professionally) and posing questions that really get me thinking. Even though sometimes I get defensive or annoyed, I know the only reasons why those feelings are coming up is because he has hit a nerve on something that needs more attention or a better approach. Recently, one of those questions popped up, and for once, I didn't find myself flustered, annoyed, or scrounging for a response.
"What sets you apart from every other Event Planner out there?" he asked. To which I responded, "Well I do full event production, not just event planning". If I thought the conversation was going to end there, that would make me a very silly girl. "What is the difference?" was his rebuttal. So this made me think. If he doesn't know the difference, he must be like most people out there. This inspired me fill everyone in right quick on how E.S.P.oused is just the right amount of different from those other planners out there.
I am not going to sit here and tell you what others do. I don't know everyone's company and what strokes work for those folks. I can tell you the things that we do that I believe go above and beyond the call of duty.
From the moment I start with a client, I like to really get to know them. I think its silly to think that you can't get close and become friends with the person you are about to go on a very in-depth journey with. My work day is never over. I know the feeling when you have an email or a text and its pending a response. Its unsettling to not feel like the first priority, so I am always reachable.
The other thing that is most unique is that we have a fine arts and design background, so all collateral is produced in- house. Invitations, place cards, menus, table numbers- you name it. We design a whole suite catered to you so there is uniformity throughout the event. That art background also comes in handy with our crafting department. If its on pinterest or etsy, we can craft it.
Lastly, besides producing the whole event & managing vendors, we love to focus on organization and post-event wrap up. We are hyper organized over here at E.S.P.oused Events, so once the event is over, our team doesn't stop caring. Whether it be helping with the organization of gifts & banging out those thank-yous, or creating a game plan for those turning his and hers into ours spaces. There is so much to put into order after an event is done, and lets me honest- only sickos like us live for that find of organization and planning. The "Hangover" planning package, if you will, is something I don't think you will find with many other planners.
So that's my answer, babe. Anymore brain busters?
As ever ,
Lizzy xx
When I was younger, I was a little bit of an ADD scatterbrain who always ended up on the losing side of things due to forgotten or missed opportunities. As I started to build my brand, I realized quickly that there was no room for that kind of behavior, and I quickly subscribed to the polar opposite belief of "DO IT NOW" and "TO DO LISTS".
Because of this new personality trait, I find that it sometimes leaves me a little rigid and uptight. Not allowing the moment to just be. I get caught up in the nervous energy that surrounds me knowing the possible outcome if I forget a task or I miss an opportunity.
Recently, my significant other and partner in crime pointed out to me that there is a middle ground and in that middle ground is where you find people living in the present and being ok with the unplanned future. Knowing there is life after a missed opportunity.
Listen, I am not saying I am going to pitch my agenda, and stop making to do lists- I AM A EVENT PLANNER FOR PETE'S SAKE. I have, however, found a great middle ground thanks to a few awesome websites that let me live a little more "fly by the seat of my pants".
At the end of the day, we all are exactly where we are supposed to be. So if we jump on something or forget something- either way, the outcome was exactly what was supposed to happen.
Last Minute Traveling
No one likes a workaholic. Lately, I have been clocking in at 70+ hours a week. All work and no play makes anyone a dull boy. I have also realized, the longer I am away from fun the less I miss it. It is almost like I don't remember what it's like to let my hair down, so I make excuses to keep moving full steam ahead without losing momentum. That all sounds like shit, so when I find myself in that split moment where I realize i have become a lame ass, I will go on one of these sites and just book it right away before I get a chance to give myself a reason not to. The prices are amazing- even better if you would book of plan months in advance.
Last Minute Travel for flights. They have amazing customer service too!
Jet Setter For amazing hotels at discounted rates. Deals only last a limited time, so **** or get off the pot.
Hotel Tonight Downloadable app for 1 night only deals that are made available THAT DAY. So if you are open for Hotel hopping, you can find amazing deals on 5 star hotels.
Restaurants, Adventures, and everything in between
I love planning out date night, but sometimes its better to let the deal pick you!
Savored Gives you specific restaurants and discount based on the time and day you want to make your reso. Everything from Le Cirque to Sons of Essex ( for you New Yorkers)
Gilt City Not limited to just restaurants. Any kind of fun last minute activities can be found here.
LifeBooker Book your last minute discounted service right then and there
As ever,
Lizzy XX
So while I wait to wrap up my Box v Box showdown, (I am still eating and judging as we speak), I have been fundamentally inspired by this blogger and I have to share her with the tens of people who may or may not read this.
Her name is Cara Loren Von Brocklin, and she just liked my insta post. #NBD! Anyway, moving outside of this current freak out moment, I digress. Cara was introduced to me by one of my lovely clients. She came to a meeting with flawless waves. When I asked her where she gets her hair done, (convinced curls that fly can't be done in-home) she told me about the awesome deal she got on a set of NuMe wands from her favorite blogger. Our stalking/work ratio at that point went from 0/100 to 80/20. Talking about lounge vignettes to pulling up youtube videos on best teeth whitening pens. I can't say it was the most productive work meeting, but I had hella takeaways.
Anyway, bottom line is you must check her out. She is adorable, totally my style, she blogs for the right reasons, has an gorgeous family, and looks amazing even preggo with her second ( I'm gunna have to find out her workout/ nutrition routine). She also posts tons of promo codes and deals for the products she uses so it is an added bonus to be a stalker... I mean fan.
Bottom line. If she wrote a book, I would read it. I have subscribed to her brand 100%. Love your hustle, young lady! A+
P.S.I love your baby's tank game. Its on a milli. I hope my kids are this swagged out :o)
City living is the land of instant gratification in regards to nourishment. There are so many things that can be delivered. We have Fresh Direct for our groceries, we have Seamless for our take-out, and we even have Postmates for every other food craving in between.
So in a world where the struggle has been taken out of every food related problem, where do we go from there?
Welcome the new hybrid of feeding services that is equal parts healthy and educational, while still catering to those lazy bones who would like to keep their meals thought- free and in home.
If you haven't seen them, I would be surprised. The Red Box (Plated) or The Blue Box (Blue Apron) have been all I see lately in my apres work elevator rides. 2 services: slightly different in pricing and format, same end goal; make it yourself.
Intrigued by both, I decided to enter into my own little meal challenge. 3 days of meals from each. Who came up on top?
Evaluations:
Both Blue Apron and Plated are meal delivery services where x amount of portions of food are provided with the recipe and all of the ingredients needed to create a healthy, home cooked meal from scratch. Both pride themselves on only using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, being environmentally conscious, and offering flexible reasonably priced meal plans. That, however is where the similarities end
Blue Apron was a little less moolah, but you are not given the option to choose your meals. You select your likes and then it is a surprise as to what shows up at your door. The first available option for delivery was 2 weeks out, so it wasn't instant gratification
Plated was a little bit more cashish, but you can choose the meals that you want. Each dish was created by a gourmet chef and it tells you a bit about their background. With Plated, I had almost instantaneous delivery (ordered on a Friday and got delivered on a Monday).
Both tell you the calorie count (keep it down, id rather not know), what was included, and what you would need (water for boiling, utencils you need, etc).
From Plated, I noticed the portions were a touch larger, all the ingredients I needed were included, (with the exception of salt, pepper, and water). Directions were also a little easier to follow. I made Fish Tacos, Chicken Paillard, and Skirt Steak. All recipes tasted delicious. Only strike against Plated was that the quinoa didn't cook right. I boiled for about 45 minutes and it was still hard as a rock.
As far as Blue Apron goes, they were good, but not good enough. All the recipes called for garlic, and none of them had it provided. I had to go out to the store- defeating the whole purpose of this service; Strike 1. Strike 2 was that things weren't clearly labeled as to which dish they were for, i.e. " Parsley for Hanger Steak". Last strike was their containers. They didn't put the honey in an appropriate container, and when I opened the bag of seasonings, it was all over everything. I was not only out of honey, but sticky all over.
I don't want to be all negative towards Blue Apron. You gave it the old College try. The recipes are amazing! I will for sure recreate the Kung Pao Chicken Tacos, and the Drum over Cheese Grits. YUM. I just am hoping this acts as constructive criticism. I know that they are more widely used, so I think they should take some tips from Plated. They may be minor league compared to you now, but they are coming to get you!
Congrats Plated- you are the winner of this blog that may reach 15 people!
As ever,
Lizzy XO
Below are some links for discounts off your first orders :o)
GILT CITY DEAL ON BLUE APRON
PLATED DISCOUNT CODE
