We are ALL about being green here at The Simplifiers…And we love incorporating eco-friendly elements into our events!

Consider adding these “green” elements into your wedding:

Looking for an awesome alternative to the unity candle? Why not plant a tree together?! (You can always use a pot during the ceremony and transfer it to your yard later). What an amazing reminder [everyday] of your love for each other!

Have a ton of mason jars and glass bottles?…They’re absolutely great for creating an eclectic vibe. Just add some beautiful, bright wildflowers, and you’ve got some fabulous centerpieces!

I can just picture the bride and groom exchanging vows in the woods beneath towering trees and a natural wooden arch. After the ceremony, the guests enjoy an organic fare including a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. And for dessert…Amazing apple, cherry and blueberry pies. Tiny Pies in a jar…Yum!!!

Consider using recycled papers for your wedding invitation stationary.  Or you could use plantable seed cards as a biodegradable wedding favor gift for your guests.

Or how about DIYing a chandelier made of recycled wine bottles?

The ideas are endless…and we can help you pull the entire look together.  An eco-chic wedding is perfect for DIY brides…So have fun and go a little crazy with some eco-friendly projects!

The Simplifiers are Austin’s top event planning and personal concierge firm, offering full service event planning for luxurious events, green events, quirky events and everything else in between.  For more information, visit www.thesimplifiers.com or give us a jingle at 512-695-7744.

links: Green Wedding Shoes, Green Wedding Shoes, Etsy, Etsy, Daisy Farms, Adventures in Cooking, Lauren Conrad, Etsy, papernstich, Green Wedding Shoes, Hostess with the Mostess, Inspired Kara

Venue change 30 days prior to a 300-person event? No sweat, The Simplifiers to your rescue!

Okay, maybe a little sweat. But, 30 days later, the event went off without a hitch. Renaissance Austin came through for us when it was crunch time and we are so grateful to their friendly staff and impeccable service.

How amazing is that lighting?

We can not stress enough to our clients how lighting can really transform the look and feel of a venue. This grand ballroom started out as warm, yellow room. Then, BAM! Ilios Lighting did their magic and the ballroom transformed into this cool, icy blue winter get away. Fleurish Austin created 5 different floral centerpieces that were absolutely beautiful. Ruth from Fleurish Austin and her team definitely know how to make one-of-kind floral arrangements that keep your interest.

A simple, understated stage backdrop created by Ilios Lighting‘s icy blue uplighting and 6 large, white weather balloons from Custom Decor made just the right impact when guests entered the balloon through the velvet, white curtains. And, of course we need an ice sculpture to complete the icy, cool winter theme. This beautiful, branded ice snowflake was created by Full Spectrum Ice.

Entertainment for the evening was provided by the talented DJ Johnny from Groove Labs. Groove Labs also set up Scratch Labs which allowed guests to show off their DJ skills. Another activity was good old fashioned gambling. Guests were given chips upon arrival to play at the many casino tables by Southwest Casino Productions.

Oh & check out that amazing panoramic shot of the entire ballroom, courtesy of Jerry Hayes Photography.  LOVE IT!

Event Planning: The Simplifiers / Venue + Catering: Renaissance Austin / Rentals: Premiere Party Central / Floral Design: Fleurish Austin / Lighting: Ilios Lighting / Ice Sculpture: Full Spectrum Ice / Balloon Decor: Custom Decor / Entertainment: Groove Labs / Casino Tables: Southwest Casino Productions / Photography: Jerry Hayes Photography

The Simplifiers are Austin’s top event planning and person concierge firm, offering full service event planning for corporate events, weddings, social events and beyond.  For more information, visitwww.thesimplifiers.com or call 512-695-7744.

Oh, love is in the air!

And there are seriously few better days to have your wedding than on Valentine’s Day. So grab a box of chocolates and snuggle up with your true love for this adorably sweet inspiration board.

Purples and reds give this wedding a little bit of a Valentine’s twist.

We just love the idea of having your own sweetheart’s table [at any wedding] and spending some one-on-one time with your honey. Individual strawberry cheesecakes… can you say YUM?! And I am completely head over heels for the groom’s heart boutonniere! Don’t be shy about using hearts in your décor (even if it’s not Valentine’s Day)… I mean, weddings are all about love.

The romantic colors of this inspiration board were inspired by BBJ Linen’s Scarlet Velvet and Wineberry Bengaline linens.

The Simplifiers are Austin’s top event planning and personal concierge firm, offering full service event planning for luxurious events, dreamy events, quirky events and everything else in between.  For more information, visit www.thesimplifiers.com or give us a jingle at 512-695-7744.

links: Ruffled, Style Me Pretty, Elizabeth Anne Designs, Ruffled, Kitchen Simplicity, This is Not New, Elizabeth Anne Designs, Green Wedding Shoes, Elizabeth Anne Designs, Green Wedding Shoes, Ruffled, Paper Crave, Elizabeth Anne Designs

ISES Austin PRESENTS: CulinART: All We Need is Love!

Central Texas event professionals are joining forces to raise money for a good cause. Want to show YOUR support for a great cause AND get a little somethin’ somethin’ in return?

…Then come join us on Thursday, February 23^rd for a night of food, fun and charity, benefiting The Wright House Wellness Center!

The Austin Chapter of the International Special Events Society is hosting their seventh annual CulinART event, a fundraising gala created to give back to the Austin community.

Inspired by The Beatles classic “All You Need is Love”, leading event professionals from across Central Texas present a one-of-a-kind program featuring cocktails, gourmet food, fantastic entertainment and unique art, silent and live auctions.

The gala will be held at the brand new Shoal Crossing event venue, featuring culinary creations by local chefs from Whole Foods, Crave Catering, Primizie Catering, Sterling Affairs, Catering with a Twist and Catering by Rosemary.

CulinART will also feature the latest trends in event décor, production and design, including a citywide centerpiece competition where you can vote on the winner. Take part in silent and live auctions, with proceeds benefiting The Wright House Wellness Center, an area non-profit that offers support, education and compassion to Central Texans living with or at risk of HIV and other chronic illnesses.

Event Details:

CulinART: All We Need is Love

Date: Thursday, February 23, 2012

Time: 6pm – 10pm

Location: Shoal Crossing at 8611 N. Mopac Expressway, Austin, Texas

Ticket Prices: $100 individual or $1000 for a table of 10.

Sounds too good to pass up! Am I right?! So, purchase your tickets NOW by visiting www.isesaustin.com/culinart.

Can’t wait to see you there!

Owner of The Simplifiers, Mary Baird-Wilcock, is the chapter President for ISES Austin and she would like to invite you out to THE event of the year!  Sponsors of this year’s event include Whole Foods, LCRA, Bravo Interior Design, Higley Family Law, Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc, Blue Cross Blue Shield, St. David’s Foundation, L Style G Style and Pump Project.

Holy cow, Formula 1 is coming to Austin!

And we are absolutely excited to announce that the Select Seating waitlist is now available…

If you haven’t heard about Circuit of The Americas yet…Let us fill you in.

Here’s the scoop:

“Circuit Of The Americas is a multi-purpose facility that will host the most prestigious racing events in the world, including the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™. It is the first purpose-built Grand Prix facility in the U.S.

Built around a state-of-the-art 3.4-mile circuit track with capacity for 120,000 fans and an elevation change of 133 feet, the facility is designed for any and all classes of racing – from motor power, to human power.

Circuit of The Americas is ideally situated on a 1000-acre site in southeast Austin, approximately two miles from Austin Bergstrom International Airport, with scenic views of downtown.

Far more than a racetrack, Circuit of The Americas is a world-class performance, education and business center that will feature:

• - Racing-focused amenities including a private Motorsports Driving Club and a Karting Track
• - Public spaces for private events, seminars and conventions (and The Simplifiers can help you plan those events!)
• - Visitor attractions that include an expansive live entertainment space, retail center and museum
• - A center with research facilities and robust services and amenities to power a broad range of business, technology and education allies
• - 40,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art Conference/Media Center
• - 5,500 sq. ft. medical center, offering paramedic services and EMS & medical student training
• - Area for law enforcement vehicle training
• - Fire and rescue training areas
• - Driving academies
• - Educational programs”

Sounds pretty amazing RIGHT?!

Itching to reserve your spot on the official Circuit of The Americas Select Seating waitlist for Luxury Suites & Grandstand Seating? Then give us a ring at 512.695.7744 to get on the waitlist and book your executive travel and corporate events today!

Hurry! The Circuit of The Americas Select Seating waitlist enrolling period has already begun and will end on Monday, February 13th. Members of the Select Seating Waitlist will be able to buy Premium Seating at the Circuit of The Americas when it goes on sale March 1st. Select Seating includes a variety of premium features: covered seating, great sightlines, priority parking, food and beverage options and more.

>>NEWS: Hamilton and Button Ready For Austin!<<

Team Vodafone McLaren Mercedes has unveiled the car it will campaign in the upcoming Formula One season that includes the inaugural United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas on November 18.

“I’m really excited about heading back to the States,” Button said. “I’ve never been to Austin but I’ve heard great things about the city itself. And I’ve heard also great things about the circuit and the layout, and hopefully we can put on a great show when we get there.”

“I remember racing in the States before in Indianapolis which was a good circuit. But the steps that Austin has taken to make sure this is a proper, F1 circuit, I think we’re going to love it. It’s going to be a lot of fun. And hopefully we have the support of the American fans.”

Fans at the Circuit of The Americas and the other tracks this season will see a record six Formula One World Champions in action as Kimi Raikkonen makes his return to race alongside Button, Hamilton, Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso and 2010 and 2011 champion Sebastian Vettel.

>> Read more about the McLaren MP-427 and the team’s goal to win two world championships

The Simplifiers are Austin’s top event planning and person concierge firm, offering full service event planning for corporate events, celebrity events, social events and beyond.  For more information, visitwww.thesimplifiers.com or call 512-695-7744.

We’re all STILL recuperating from the hustle and bustle of the holidays… And detoxing from a sugar overload. But we are so excited hearing about all the lucky ducks that got engaged over the holidays! This inspiration board is for all you Maid-of-Honors and Best Men out there! Take a look and spark up some ideas to celebrate your BFF’s engagement with an Engagement Party celebrating the couple’s LOVE for each other!

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner… *cough cough boys and girls… take this as a sweet little reminder* … So why not draw some inspiration from the day of LOVE? Bright reds, whites and some darling little hearts…Just makes me think love is in the air!

I am totally loving the heart-shaped watermelon chunks…heart balloons…AND the heart within the cake. What a cute little surprise! Make sure to tell the bride to wear a fabulous red dress…And maybe she can convince her groom to wear a bright red bowtie.

The bright, fun colors of this inspiration board were inspired by Premiere Party Central’s Red on White Polka Dot and Red linens in their “Boutique Collection.”

links: Etsy, The Sweetest Occasion, Style Me Pretty, Life in Images Photography, Tumblr, Etsy, Etsy, Bump Smitten, Wishing on My Stars, Sweet Paper, Libby Loo Boutique

Isn’t this inspiration board just simply DELICIOUS?!!

So, ask yourself…are you a Retro Bride?

(answer the following yes/no)

• - You insist on sipping your favorite milkshakes out of red-striped paper straws.
• - Your closet overflows with tea length dresses…and shoes…lots and lots of shoes.
• - You carry a fabulous vintage Streamlite train case when traveling…backpacks are simply overrated!
• - Your favorite restaurant is a local diner that serves both burgers and ice cream…on roller skates.
• - Bright red lipstick is always tucked away in your vintage Chanel purse.
• - You are unique and beautiful…fun and quirky…and dream of a wedding filled with the finest of Retro details!

If you said yes to 3 or more of these, then, you my friend, are a RETRO BRIDE!

And we are simply coo-coo crazy about our Retro gals and love, love, LOVE putting together all the details… from the paper straws to the perfect vintage ride.  These are some of our most favorite weddings to design!  Pick up your rotary phone and give us a ring at 512.695.7744; we would love to hear from you!

The retro colors of this wedding were inspired by Marquee Event Group’s Light Blue Polyester, Dusty Rose Polyester, Beige Polyester and Red Waterfall linens.

images: Colour Me Turquoise, Poppies and Sunshine, Picasa, Ruffled, Poppies and Sunshine, Fancy, Love Your Way, Ruffled, Ruffled, Etsy, Eat Drink Chic, The Slightly Obsessive Bride, Eye Candy Creations, Ruffled, Red Waterfall – Marquee Event Group, Light Blue Polyester – Marquee Event Group, Dusty Rose Polyester – Marquee Event Group, Beige Polyester – Marquee Event Group

It’s all in the details…even the HOT ones.

For their July wedding, Amanda and Kyle chose a venue that fit their style and most importantly was INDOORS. With a record-breaking hot summer in Texas, Villa St. Clair‘s grand ballroom, with elegant chandeliers and breathtaking stain glass, was perfect for this 200-person wedding.

Vignette Photography captured two before-the-ceremony moments that pretty much sum up this couple and their friends… The bridesmaids wrote loving messages to Amanda on her wedding shoes and the boys, well, they played with water guns.

Amanda and Kyle have a special affection for board games. Name the game and they’ve played it, own it, and conquered it.

Board games were uniquely incorporated into their wedding. Games were set out on tables during the cocktail hour and used to create a playful cupcake display. Dining tables were assigned with either a board game name or a dance style name, which is their other hobby, and designed by The Inviting Pear.

The board game cupcake display was so fun to design. Luckily, Amanda and Kyle’s mutual affection for game boards meant that they (now) owned two of almost ever game. The Simplifiers were then able to take those extra games and take them apart to create a playful cupcake display. The Inviting Pear also created those super cute cupcake flags that spelled “Yum” in Scrabble letters.

Austin Party Machine provided the tunes for the evening and a custom “F” for Fernald gobo light illuminated in the center of the dance floor. Amy’s Ice Cream was a big hit with guests and is always a sweet Austin touch we suggest to our clients.

Remember that sizzling cha-cha I hinted at before?

Yeah well, Amanda & Kyle nailed it! The hot red flower in Amanda’s hair and her short flirty dress.. Kyle’ slicked back hair and semi-unbuttoned shirt with rolled up sleeves.. Oh yeah, they were in character the moment they reappeared on the dance floor. All those pre-wedding dance lessons paid off!

The newlyweds exited in a sea of bubbles. The bridal party did a great job decorating Amanda and Kyle’s red convertible. “Hott Bride” in the passenger seat!

Happy wedding, Amanda & Kyle! We hope these first six months of marriage have been absolute bliss! Now’s the perfect time to look back at your wedding video from Adam Grumbo Wedding Films.

Wedding Planning: The Simplifiers / Photography: Vignette Photography / Venue + Catering + Floral: Villa St. Clair / Entertainment: Austin Party Machine / Rentals: Marquee Rents / Videography: Adam Grumbo Wedding Films / Signage: The Inviting Pear / Dessert: Amy’s Ice Cream

The Simplifiers are Austin’s top event planning and person concierge firm, offering full service event planning for corporate events, weddings, social events and beyond.  For more information, visitwww.thesimplifiers.com or call 512-695-7744.

It’s a demanding world out there…Demanding of our time, money and all of our attention. So how do we find time for it ALL? We try to find time where we can, whether between two jobs, a long lunch break or EVEN when we’re supposed to be working. BUT there is a solution! It’s a win win situation for both companies AND their employees!

Intrigued?

Read below to find out more!

The source material for this blog post is an article written by Nicole R. Matthews, the Chief Experience Officer of RECESS by The Henley Company, entitled “The Dirty Little Secret – No One is REALLY Working 8 Hour Days.”

If you are reading this article, it’s more than likely between the hours of 9-5 and you are sitting at your desk (which is owned by the company), reading this on your computer (which the company provides) and taking a “break” from your “demanding” work (which the company pays you to do). From the outside, you look busy because your eyes are aimed at the screen. This should make your manager happy. The reality is that this virtual “smoke break” will not be just the standard 15-minute break from your workload. Instead, it will morph into 2.09 hours per 8-hour workday, not including your lunch break or allocated break time, according to American Online and Survey.com [1] That’s 2.09 hours PER employee. Now multiply that by the number of employees you see in your immediate eyesight and you realize that there is a whole lot of nothing being done each day. The research by American Online and Survey.com has shined a bright light on the fact that employees are wasting twice as much time as their employers think they are wasting. And to really add salt to the employer’s wounds, Salary.com ran the numbers and found over $750 Billion (yes, with a B!) is spent on salaries (translation= compensation for actual work) for work that was never performed. Who’s pulling a fast one on whom?

Now before the employees start muzzling me for exposing the dirty little secret, it’s important to take a look at why they are spending so much time sitting at their desks without actually producing any relevant work for their employers. Given the current economic implosion, it’s easy to justify the feeling of burnout most employees are experiencing and the overwhelming inability to manage work / life balance.

53% of employees would opt for a personal assistant rather than a personal trainer. [2]

Only 14% of Americans take two weeks or more at a time for vacation. The average American spends more time in the bathroom than on vacation. [3]

88% of employees say they have a hard time juggling work and life. [4]

70% of working fathers and working mothers report they don’t have enough time for their children. [5]

64% of Americans report that time pressures on working families are getting worse, not better. [6]

Work is inevitable but does it mean we have to give up our personal life for the sake of a paycheck? Not at all. It just means that employers should recognize that work / life balance is a huge motivator for employees. So if you can’t beat ‘em, why not join ‘em? A corporate concierge program can bring sanity to an otherwise scattered workplace filled with unsuspecting managers overseeing unproductive workers.

Texas Instruments is a perfect example of a company that understands happy, stress-free employees make for profitable champions for the business. According to the Texas Instruments website, in 2010, their concierge program served more than 2,900 U.S. employees and fulfilled more than 8,000 requests. They also expanded on-site services, providing 1,276 employees an opportunity to save a trip away from the work site during business hours. [7]

Implementing a corporate concierge program equates to:

• The ability to retain and recruit quality talent
• A far more productive and engaged workforce
• A reduction in absenteeism
• A lower level of stress within the workplace

Corporate concierge programs can be operated either virtually, with employees having access to the concierge through email or a dedicated website, or on-site, where employees can interact with the concierge in a face-to-face engagement. The concierge is retained to provide a solution to the employee’s work/life balance problem.

Frequent requests include:

• travel coordination
• errand running,
• household management
• personal shopping
• personal assistance and
• event planning

Imagine stopping by the concierge desk in the morning on your way into work with a request for designing and planning tonight’s dinner party; only to leave the office 8 hours later armed with the necessary groceries, a customized cd for background music, a paired wine selection and personalized favors for each guest. A corporate concierge becomes the one-stop solution for the time strapped employees. Without a concierge, the employee must manage this to-do list from their own desk and their lunch hour is spent running the errands.

As the workforce begins to shift from retiring Baby Boomers to Generation X & Y prodigies, employers need to evolve. What worked “back in the day” in terms of designing a workplace is completely foreign to today’s up and comers. Gen X & Y demand instant gratification because they have grown up in a world of access.

Although this might seem extravagant to those over the age of 45, the “children are the future.” (cue Whitney Houston).  I think this is what Darwin would call “survival of the fittest.” The strongest employee benefits package will become King of the Jungle. If you don’t make their life easier, I’m sure your competitor would be glad to invite them over. Now is the time to be a trailblazer and create a workplace that can be a place for a Gen X / Y’er to park themselves for a while because their work/life balance needs are met, versus just being a hop, skip and a jump on their resume.

IN SAN DIEGO:

Nicole R. Matthews is Chief Experience Officer of RECESS by The Henley Company, a concierge firm specializing in events travel and lifestyle experiences. She set out to create a company that gives clients the gift of time to experience life. Living a life that incorporates RECESS is a commitment, not just a hope and a dream.  Working with corporate clients, busy individuals and executive families, Nicole designs lifestyle management programs that create work / life balance. She champions the implementation of corporate concierge programs because she knows happy employees are productive employees. When she is not in the office, Nicole can be found with a Diet Coke in hand planning a trip to somewhere that requires her passport, kicking a soccer ball, drooling over fabulous accessories, scanning her social media sites (@henleyco / FB= Recess By The Henley Company) or belly laughing with her family. Follow her journey on her blog:www.henleyco.wordpress.com.

………………………………

IN AUSTIN:

The Simplifiers provide personal concierge services for busy folks in the Austin, Texas area.  From grocery shopping to errand running, picking up dry cleaning to home reorganization, we’ve got you covered.  Call us at 512.695.7744 to schedule your undercover superhero to help you today!  Business owners: we can setup concierge services as an employee benefit…let’s chat about details!

Full list of concierge tasks and pricing we provide: http://thesimplifiers.com/files/PC-pricing.pdf

 sources:

[1] Salary.com, 2005

[2] Circles, 2001

[3] The Families and Work Institute

[4] Aon Consulting, 2000

[5] Family Matters Survey; The National Partnership for Women & Families, 1998

[6] The National Partnership for Women & Families; Family Matters Survey, 1998

[7] Texas Instruments, 2012

image: Merchant Circle

Surely, it’s martini-o-clock somewhere in the world right now, RIGHT?

Black and white create an absolutely beautiful palette for a stunning black tie wedding! So elegant and classy…so subtle, yet totally fabulous.

To stand out from the stark white accents, the bride walks down the aisle in a stunning, glammed-out pale golden sequined gown.   (My kinda gal.)  Guests sip on martinis as the bride and groom waltz around the ballroom, beneath breathtaking crystal chandeliers.

And oh my goodness the little white and black macaroons with hearts…can I just have a moment, please?  Because they’re killin’ me…Not to mention the tuxedo high heels! Call the morgue, I’m dead now.

This soiree is all about keeping it classy x a BAZILLION with glamour. And we are all about the little details here at The Simplifiers…So give us a buzz at 512-695-7744…We would love to be your Undercover Superhero on your wedding day!

The fabulous colors of this soiree were inspired by Premiere Party Central’s white and black bengaline linens.

The Simplifiers are Austin’s top event planning and personal concierge firm, offering full service event planning for luxurious events, dreamy events, quirky events and everything else in between.  For more information, visit www.thesimplifiers.com or give us a jingle at 512-695-7744.

links: Katie Neal Photo, Ritzy Bee, Ruffled, Greige Design, 100 Layer Cake, Lemonpi, Etsy, Pretty Stuff, Ally Cat’s Meow