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2. American Lifestyle IN THIS ISSUE
magazine UPPER EAST SIDE
OVERHAUL
6 BRINGING BACK
ANIMALS ON THE EDGE
36
ROBYN KARP: DESTINED
TO BE A DESIGNER
WEDDING PLANNERS:
IN THE BUSINESS 18
OF LOVE ONE COOKIE FOR
10 YOU, TWO COOKIES
FOR ME
TICKET FOR ONE TO
THE ISLAND OF KAUAI 24
THE PSYCHO 100:
BASEBALL’S MOST 32
OUTRAGEOUS MOMENTS
NOT YOUR CHILD’S
SIDEWALK CHALK 44
2 AMERICAN LIFESTYL E AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 3

3. AFTER A LONG DAY OF RUNNING,
American Lifestyle
magazine
HE TREATS HIMSELF TO A MANI-PEDI.
CEO/PUBLISHER Steve Acree
COO Bob Hiestand
DESIGN DIRECTOR Joshua Stike
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Jonathan Campbell
OUTSIDE SALES DIRECTOR David Cutillo
INSIDE SALES DIRECTOR Jeff Czerniakowski
EDITOR Shelley Goldstein
GRAPHICS
Heather Trout, Joe Corcoran, Erin Beeler, Alicia Mastrian,
Kenn Lucas, Pamela Lovell, Rick Boyer
EDITORIAL
Robin Manrodt
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Tom Setliff, Josh Freed, Daniel Miladinov, Jason Hobbs,
Dorian Preston, Steve Shogren
CUSTOMER SERVICE
John Serrantino, Michael Graziola, Anthony Burrell,
David McElroy, Phoenix Falkenrath, Megan Grebe,
Nicholas Porreca, Bill Bradford, Nathan Hartman,
Rachel Kleinschmidt, Josh Robert
SALES
Alyson White, Stephen Iacona, Dan Gallaway, Andrew King,
Lee Stouch, Dalia Vias-Fradera, Vince Giordano, Bradley Hoopes,
Ashley Wilkins, Joe Rooney, Amy Eyler, Christine Gibboni,
Krista Gallo, Rachael Stapley
FINANCE
Edmund DeAngelo, Ken Wolfe
HUMAN RESOURCES
Carey Ballou, Ron Ehrhardt
CONTRIBUTORS:
Linda Amendt, Asgeir Fotographica, Christine Hall Photography, Mary Dann,
Susan Fornoff, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Tor Johnson, Robyn Karp, Kauai Visitors Bureau,
Alex Kroke, Kusha Alagband Photography, Ellie Lawrence, Josie Littlepage, Steve Lyons,
Tom Paule Photography, Next Exit Photography, Robert George Studio, Robert Rose,
Danny Shower, Jeannie Taylor Sims, Tracy Stum, Triumph Books, Chris Weston
American Lifestyle magazine is published by Digital Grapes, LLC. For more
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4. [A]NIMALS
WHAT WAS THE UNDERLYING
GOAL FOR THE ANIMALS ON THE
EDGE PROJECT?
The belief that underlies the
A
Animals on the Edge project came
to me during a chance meeting
with a Kenyan farmer some years
BRINGING BACK
TALK ABOUT YOUR PASSION FOR ago. I was working on a project
WILDLIFE AND CONSERVATION: concerning the “human versus
When I was younger, I was fasci- elephant” conflict when I met
nated by nature and how things Matunde, an uneducated but
ANIMALS ON THE EDGE work. I used to ask why things
are the way they are—why do
intelligent man. He described to
me how, if an elephant trampled
Article based on an interview with Chris Weston, author of Animals on the Edge zebras have black-and-white and destroyed his crops, he would
stripes when they live in a yellow lose his entire annual income and
savannah, and things like that. I how he would no longer be able
Almost without also had an interest in photogra- to afford even the most basic ne-
phy, so I started using the cam- cessities in life, such as clean wa-
exception, the era to record animal behavior
in order to understand it better.
ter, food, and heating, let alone
luxuries such as schooling for his
villagers and My fascination with wildlife and
habitat grew from there. And,
children. It was the first time I
had considered conservation in
communities I spoke as I came to understand how
the whole of nature is linked, I
human terms.
to felt an affinity to the came to realize that humans can-
not live in isolation from nature.
Over the years, as my career
developed, I came across more
land and the wildlife
In these modern times, when people, all of whom had similar
global warming is hogging the stories of how sharing land with
headlines, we often talk about wildlife threatened the well-
that lives there. They our need to save the planet. In being of both humans and ani-
reality, what we mean is we need mals. Almost without exception,
consider themselves to save ourselves. Earth can and
will survive without humans, but
the villagers and communities
I spoke to felt an affinity to the
belonging to the land, humans cannot survive without
the Earth.
land and the wildlife that lives
there. They consider themselves
not owners of it. WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO
belonging to the land, not own-
ers of it. Most see the benefits of
ACCOMPLISH THROUGH YOUR conservation, of retaining what
WORK AS A PHOTOJOURNALIST? they consider to be their natural
I see photojournalism as a way heritage, and all of those people I
to motivate and educate people. spoke to who had been involved
The Animals on the Edge book is with illegal land use and wildlife
a good example. The aim was to crime became involved not out of
use photographs to make people greed, insensitivity, or egotism,
want to help; the text is there to but simply because they felt they
tell them how. But more than had no alternative—they were
that, I want to connect with peo- typically crimes of last resort.
ple who aren’t able to automati-
cally engage in the conservation In Animals on the Edge, I want-
discussion. One of the problems ed to tell these stories, to show
I see with those working in con- how poverty drives people to
servation is that we spend too take action against wildlife that
much time talking to conserva- we condemn, but that is not
tionists—preaching to the choir. without reason. I also wanted to
I want to give people outside of show that there are solutions to
that core group a chance and, the problems that benefit both
more importantly, a reason to people and wildlife, and that the
get involved. best way to protect wildlife is to
6 AMERICAN LIFESTYL E AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 7

5. I
[A]NIMALS
I visited every continent, climbing mountains,
crossing plateaus, and traversing rivers. I shinned up trees a
hundred feet high, hacked my way through jungles,
dug man-size holes, and crawled on all fours across
inhospitable terrain.
help those people living on the with zero-zero. I called in favors, I was photographing gorillas in
frontline of the “human versus spoke with biologist friends and Rwanda, we were following a
wildlife” conflict. colleagues working in conserva- lone female—an unusual sight,
tion, spoke to friends of friends as gorillas are social creatures that
TALK ABOUT THE PROCESS OF of friends and even to the odd live in a group called a band. She
ACQUIRING CONTENT FOR government minister. As time was being particularly secretive,
THE BOOK: went by, a plan emerged, and the and we were keeping a respect-
I guess something that people book took shape. ful distance so as not to disturb
rarely see in a photograph is the her. She made her way through
amount of effort—research, The next two years were a blur the forest into a clearing and sat,
planning, and execution—that of airports and airplanes inter- initially with her back to us. We
goes into its creation. Before spersed with jungle camps and stopped and watched her. After
any photography began, the the odd backstreet hotel. I vis- a while, she slowly turned her
initial task was to determine ited every continent, climbing head, regarding us with her in-
the scope of the project. There mountains, crossing plateaus, telligent eyes. Then she turned
are over 33,000 animals clas- and traversing rivers. I shinned her body, opened one of her
sified as threatened to one up trees a hundred feet high, enormous arms, and revealed a
degree or another. So, to help hacked my way through jungles, baby, asleep at her breast. The
narrow the list, I contacted the dug man-size holes, and crawled baby was just a few days old, and
IUCN World Conservation on all fours across inhospitable my guide and I were the first hu-
Union and consulted their terrain. I rode elephants, paddled mans ever to see it. I took a single
Red List database. In the end, I canoes and rafts, and flew in con- photograph and then watched in
settled on a scope that focused traptions that should have been awe. There are some experiences
on terrestrial mammals that are grounded long ago. At times, I in the wild that transcend pho-
categorized as endangered or was too hot and too cold, and of- tography. It was an incredible
critically endangered, the two ten I was exhausted and ill. I got moment of connection, and the
highest classifications right lost, held up at gunpoint, was one image I did take is perhaps
before extinction. stranded in the middle of no- the most iconic of all the images
where with just my cameras and in the book. [AL]
With the scope of the proj- the shirt on my back. I saw coun-
ect determined, next I spent tries reconstitute from kingdoms
hours researching the species, to republics and governments For more information about the
habitats, and locations. It was change from left to right. It was Animals on the Edge book and
a long, drawn-out process in- without doubt an adventure. nonprofit organization, visit:
volving a lot of time sitting
in front of a computer, typ- MOST VIVID MEMORY
i www.animalsontheedge.org
ing variations of search strings ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROJECT:
into Google, wading through There are many that stand out—
thousands of pages of written some related to people, others
material, and dialing phone to wildlife. But there is one that
numbers that invariably began holds lasting memories: When
8 AMERICAN LIFESTYL E AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 9

6. [F]OOD
Pumpkin Spice Cookies MAKES ABOUT 4 DOZEN COOKIES
ONE COOKIE FOR YOU
T h e s e s l i g h t l y s p i cy, s o f t , c h ew y, c a ke - l i ke c o o k i e s a re a p e r fe ct fall treat.
TWO COOKIES FOR ME i n g re d i e n t s : c o o k i n g i n s t r u c t i o ns:
Recipes excerpted from 400 Sensational Cookies by Linda J. Amendt (Robert Rose, 2009)
COOKIES • Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
Photography by Robert Rose
2½ cups all-purpose flour
• Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • Cookies: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder,
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, baking soda, and salt until well
combined. Set aside.
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon baking soda • In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream
¼ teaspoon salt butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about
½ cup unsalted butter, softened 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Beat in vanilla. Add pumpkin, and stir until well combined. Scrape
¾ cup packed dark brown sugar down sides of bowl. On low speed or using a wooden spoon,
½ cup granulated sugar gradually add flour mixture, beating just until blended. By hand,
2 eggs fold in pecans.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract • Using a cookie scoop or spoons, drop tablespoonfuls of dough
1 can (15 ounces) solid pack pumpkin purée about 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. Bake one sheet at a
1 cup chopped pecans time in preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until edges start to
turn lightly golden.
ICING • Immediately slide parchment paper onto a wire cooling rack.
1 cup confectioner’s (powdered/icing) sugar Cool cookies for 5 minutes, then transfer from parchment paper to
1 to 2 tablespoons half-and-half (10%) cream or milk cooling rack, and cool completely.
½ teaspoon maple flavoring • Icing: In a small bowl, combine confectioner’s sugar, 1 tablespoon
of the cream, and maple flavoring. Using a small whisk or a fork,
blend until icing is smooth and thin enough to drizzle from a fork.
Add more cream as needed to achieve the right consistency. Drizzle
icing over cooled cookies.
TIPS:
1. Flavors can blend during storage, so store cookies with
strong flavors in separate containers.
2. Let icing set before storing cookies between layers of wax
paper in a tightly sealed container. If cookies will be frozen,
do not ice them. Completely defrost the cookies before
drizzling icing over them.
10 AMERICAN LIFESTYL E AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 11

7. [F]OOD
Pe a n u t B u t t e r O a t C h i p p e r s MAKES ABOUT 5 DOZEN COOKIES
Pa cke d w i t h p e a n u t b u t t e r a n d c h o c o l a t e , t h e s e wo n d e r f u l c ookies are a
hit with both kids and adults.
i n g re d i e n t s : c o o k i n g i n s t r u c t i o ns:
COOKIES • Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
1½ cups all-purpose flour
• Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt • Cookies: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened until well combined. Set aside.
¾ cup chunky peanut butter • In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream
⅔ cup granulated sugar butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light
⅔ cup packed light brown sugar and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating well
3 eggs after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Scrape down sides of bowl.
2 teaspoons vanilla extract • On low speed or using a wooden spoon, gradually add flour
3½ cups quick-cooking rolled oats mixture, beating just until blended. Gradually stir in oats. By hand,
1½ cups chopped semisweet chocolate or fold in chocolate and peanut butter chips.
semisweet chocolate chips
• Using a cookie scoop or spoons, drop tablespoonfuls of dough
1½ cups peanut butter chips about 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. Bake one sheet at a
time in preheated oven for 12 minutes or until edges start to turn
lightly golden.
• Immediately slide parchment paper onto a wire cooling rack.
Cool cookies for 5 minutes, then transfer from parchment paper to
cooling rack, and cool completely.
TIPS:
You may use creamy peanut butter instead of chunky peanut
butter, if you prefer.
12 AMERICAN LIFESTYL E AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 13

8. [F]OOD
C ra n b e r r y O ra n g e S p i ra l s MAKES ABOUT 3 ½ DOZEN COOKIES
Tr y t h e s e w h e n yo u a re l o o k i n g fo r a p re t t y a n d d e l i c i o u s s p e cial cookie.
i n g re d i e n t s : c o o k i n g i n s t r u c t i o ns:
COOKIES • Cookies: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until
2⅓ cups all-purpose flour well combined. Set aside.
½ teaspoon baking powder • In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream butter
¼ teaspoon salt and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add egg, and
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened beat well. Beat in orange zest and vanilla. Scrape down sides of bowl. On
low speed or using a wooden spoon, gradually add flour mixture, beating
1 cup granulated sugar
just until blended.
1 egg
2 teaspoons grated orange zest • Shape dough into a flat rectangle. Tightly wrap in plastic wrap, and chill
1 teaspoon vanilla extract for at least 1 hour.
• Using confectioner’s (powdered/icing) sugar or flour, lightly dust a pastry
FILLING board, clean countertop, or other flat surface and a rolling pin. Unwrap
⅔ cup finely chopped dried cranberries dough, and roll into a 12-by-9-inch rectangle of uniform thickness.
Halfway through rolling, rotate the dough a quarter turn, and dust the
½ cup finely chopped pecans board again to prevent dough from sticking.
½ cup orange marmalade
• Filling: In a bowl, combine cranberries, pecans, and orange marmalade
until well blended. Spread cranberry mixture evenly over dough to within
½ inch of edges. Starting with long edge, tightly roll up dough jelly-roll
style to form a log. Tightly wrap in parchment paper or plastic wrap, and
chill for at least 3 hours or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
• Unwrap chilled dough log. Using a sharp knife, cut log into ¼-inch
slices. Place on prepared cookie sheets about 2 inches apart.
• Bake one sheet at a time in preheated oven for 8 to 11 minutes or until
edges start to turn lightly golden. Immediately slide parchment paper
onto a wire cooling rack. Cool cookies for 5 minutes, and then transfer to
cooling rack.
TIPS:
1. Rolling the dough out on a piece of floured parchment paper can
make it easier to roll the dough into a log after filling. Use the
parchment paper to fold the edge of the dough over on itself and
roll up the dough, shaping it into a log.
2. Eggs should be at room temperature when added to the creamed
butter and sugar mixture. Cold eggs can cause the mixture to break and
appear curdled.
14 AMERICAN LIFESTYL E AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 15

9. [F]OOD
Chocolate Chocolate Chip MAKES ABOUT 3 DOZEN COOKIES
T h e s e l u s c i o u s c o o k i e s a re s u re t o s a t i s f y a b i g c h o c o l a t e c ra ving.
i n g re d i e n t s : c o o k i n g i n s t r u c t i o ns:
COOKIES • Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2½ cups all-purpose flour
• In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder,
6 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch-process and salt until well combined. Set aside.
cocoa powder, sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder • In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream
½ teaspoon salt butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add
eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened Scrape down sides of bowl. On low speed or using a wooden spoon,
1½ cups packed dark brown sugar gradually add flour mixture, beating just until blended. By hand,
3 eggs fold in chocolate. Cover dough with plastic wrap, and chill for at
least 1 hour.
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups chopped semisweet chocolate or • Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Using a cookie scoop or spoons,
semisweet chocolate chips drop tablespoonfuls of dough about 2 inches apart on prepared
cookie sheets. Bake one sheet at a time in preheated oven for 10 to
12 minutes or just until set.
• Immediately slide parchment paper onto a wire cooling rack.
Cool cookies for 5 minutes, then transfer from parchment paper to
cooling rack, and cool completely.
VARIATION:
By hand, fold 1 cup chopped walnuts or chopped pecans into
dough with chocolate.
16 AMERICAN LIFESTYL E AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 17

10. [O]CCUPATION
“
© Christine Hall Photography jeannieTAYLOR SIMS
TALK ABOUT YOUR dark. The bride walked down the
www.bridesavannah.com
and to see how happy she is with
BACKGROUND: aisle at 7:00 A.M., followed by the outcome. Wedding planning
The ONLY wedding I grew up in Southwest Geor- a gospel choir. The only prob- is not fun when you have to deal
disaster I have ever gia, in a small town (popula-
tion: 5,000) of Dawson. My
lem was the weather—it was a
cloudy morning, which meant
with unexpected issues, such as
inclement weather.
had is when father was a country doctor, and no elegant sunrise. The wedding
my mother (Sunshine) loved to was followed by a breakfast, and TOUGHEST WEDDING TO PULL
THE ORGANIST decorate and arrange flowers. the reception was not until sun- TOGETHER:
She taught me early on how to set—which was beautiful. Basi- We once had a wedding we
started playing the appreciate the finer things in
life. She threw birthday parties
cally, it was too long of a day.
Eighteen hours from start to
planned and executed in two days!
‘Wedding March’ which were “dress-up tea par- finish. The day turned out very HAVE YOU HAD ANY POTENTIAL
ties.” My hobbies were butterfly well; however, we won’t be doing WEDDING PLANNING DISASTERS?
WEDDING PLANNERS:
before the BRIDE and shell collecting, and I took another one like it. The only wedding disaster I have
art and music lessons. I gradu- ever had is when the organist
walked down ated from University of Georgia TALK ABOUT THE AVERAGE started playing the “Wedding
after studying art history and WEDDING YOU PLAN: March” before the bride walked
IN THE BUSINESS OF LOVE THE AISLE.” landscape architecture. Our average wedding consists of down the aisle. He missed my cue;
one hundred guests, with a bud- the bride had hired him, not me.
Article based on interviews with Jeannie Taylor Sims, Mary Dann, and Josie Littlepage
HOW DID YOU GET INTO get of $15,000 to $20,000. They
WEDDING PLANNING? are mostly destination weddings. TALK ABOUT A MEMORABLE
I have been a corporate meeting Most brides plan six months to THEME OR CONCEPT THAT
planner for over twenty years. I a year ahead; others plan three YOU’VE SEEN FOR WEDDINGS:
got into wedding planning— months out. Locations are usu- One of the most beautiful recep-
primarily destination wedding ally in a square, Forsyth Park, or tions I have seen was a walkway
planning—in 2007. Due to the the chapel at Bethesda. The most in one of our city parks, lined
economy, corporate event plan- popular time is March through with white paper lanterns hang-
ning had slowed down. There June and October through De- ing from live oak trees. The tent
will always be weddings, and cember. November is the driest was a clear tent lined with hun-
Savannah was becoming a “hot month with beautiful weather. dreds of white lights.
spot” for them. July through September is gen-
erally too hot and rainy for DREAM WEDDING TO PLAN:
TALK ABOUT CHARACTERISTICS outdoor ceremonies. My dream assignment is to plan
OF WEDDINGS IN SAVANNAH: a platinum wedding at some ex-
Savannah is a great destination DESCRIBE YOUR DESIGN STYLE: otic location.
for weddings. It is a beautiful, Classical, simple, and elegant.
historic city laid out around a WHAT CAREER WOULD YOU HAVE
series of squares. It has a lot of LESSONS LEARNED OVER THE IF YOU WEREN’T A WEDDING
unique venues, from beauti- YEARS OF WEDDING PLANNING: PLANNER?
ful mansions to parks, squares, We plan for the best, but are If I wasn’t a corporate event plan-
gardens, historic churches, and always prepared for the worst. ner or a wedding planner, I would
museums. The city has a very We try to think of anything that like to be a construction proj-
romantic ambiance. could go wrong and have a plan ect manager or a meteorologist.
to resolve the situation quickly.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FIRST LIFE OUTSIDE OF WEDDING
WEDDING: WHAT ARE THE BEST AND PLANNING:
Our first wedding was for a cli- WORST ASPECTS OF Life outside is great! It’s fun liv-
ent from California who wanted WEDDING PLANNING? ing in Savannah’s historic district.
a sunrise beach wedding. We It is very rewarding to realize There is always something going
were on the beach in October that you have assisted a bride on in the city.
© Next Exit Photography doing set up at 5:00 A.M. in the in planning the event of her life
18 AMERICAN LIFESTYL E AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 19

11. I
[O]CCUPATION
of a wedding. Every little de- WHEN IS PLANNING WEDDINGS
tail is planned, so nothing gets NOT ENJOYABLE?
© Danny Shower
“ maryDANN
TALK ABOUT YOUR CHILDHOOD:
I grew up in Glendora, Califor-
WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER AS
YOUR FIRST BIG BREAK?
www.marydann.com
overlooked. There isn’t a single
element in the room that hasn’t
been thought out before the
wedding. Over time, I have es-
tablished great relationships with
some of the most talented ven-
dors in southern California.
It’s not enjoyable when clients
talk behind their friends’ backs.
I don’t appreciate clients who try
to suck profit out of a hard work-
ing vendor or clients who adopt
an “I win-you lose” philosophy. I
prefer a win-win relationship.
I loved allowing guests
to choose their favorite
comfort candy on their
I offer a
nia, where there were a lot of wide
open spaces and orange groves.
My first big break was getting on
board with the Ritz-Carlton Ho- DESCRIBE YOUR DESIGN STYLE: DREAM ASSIGNMENT:
RSVP and when they got
,
complimentary
I’m the fifth of six children. We
had a very busy household, full
tel, having no prior experience. I
worked under a general manager
I love simple elegance. I love
taupe and gold. Those colors cre-
A couple with great taste (great
in my eyes) who allow me to cre-
to their seat at the dinner
one-hour
of family and friends. It always
seemed like we were having par-
who saw something special in me
and spent a lot of time training
ate a classic, feel-good look. ate a magical day. I love when ev-
eryone’s dreams rest on this one
dance, it was waiting
CONSULTATION for all
ties! When I was little and I had
friends over, I would make sure
me. I am so thankful. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR
GO-TO STYLE ELEMENTS FOR
day. I like high risks because they
equal high rewards.
for them.
I had a little candy dish in the HOW IS THE WEDDING CULTURE WEDDING PLANNING?
my clients. I try to room to have something for my IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Rose petals and candles always TALK ABOUT A MEMORABLE
friends when they came over. UNIQUE? IS THERE A DIFFERENT make me feel special, romantic, WEDDING CONCEPT:
uncover THEIR VISION. DESIGN SENSIBILITY? and carefree. I loved allowing guests to choose
If they don’t have a SCHOOLING:
I had twelve years of Catholic
I think southern California is
the capital of weddings in the WEDDING PLANNING
their favorite comfort candy on
their RSVP, and when they got
vision, I share my schooling, and went to an all- United States. We do the most PHILOSOPHY: to their seat at the dinner dance,
girl Catholic high school. I be- weddings year-round, and we Our mission is to create more it was waiting for them.
WEDDING BOOKS came very accustomed to hard have the most creative people love in the world, one couple at
work and high praise. I was a star in one area. So California is the a time! WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST
and see what volleyball and softball player, melting pot for creative “out-of- DIFFICULT WEDDING TO PLAN?
and played varsity all four years. the-box” thinking. WHAT IS THE ACTUAL WEDDING A wedding with poor commu-
moves them.” For my undergrad, I went to DAY LIKE FOR YOU? nication between the couple and
Fullerton Junior College for two TALK ABOUT THE AVERAGE I am responsible for making sure their parents on who was paying
years to play volleyball, and then WEDDING YOU PLAN: the day runs seamlessly. I oversee for the wedding. Also, a mother
I transferred to California State Given our location, local wed- all vendor set up and make sure of the bride who wanted it to be
University Chico where I was a dings are the most popular be- the requirements not only have her wedding, not her daughter’s.
business major. My first business tween the months of May and been met but exceed expecta-
was designing sorority shirts and October. My average wedding is tions. We want our clients and WHAT CAREER WOULD YOU HAVE
selling them for our socials. For around 200 guests with a budget guests to be wowed. I am also IF YOU WEREN’T A WEDDING
grad school, I attended Antioch of around $100,000. Generally, responsible for keeping the fam- PLANNER?
in Marina Del Rey and received eight to ten months is the aver- ily, especially the bride, calm. It’s I used to be a marriage family
a master’s in clinical psychology. age amount of time we have to important to me that I am the therapist. After that, I’d probably
plan a wedding. family’s ears and eyes, so they can want to be a teacher. I love mak-
© Asgeir Fotographica
HOW DID YOU GET INTO relax and enjoy their special day. ing a difference in others’ lives.
WEDDING PLANNING? TALK ABOUT MEETING WITH
It was a moment of revelation. CLIENTS: HAVE YOU HAD ANY POTENTIAL LIFE OUTSIDE OF WEDDINGS:
I was hired by the Ritz-Carlton I offer a complimentary one- WEDDING PLANNING DISASTERS? I have a wonderful husband,
Hotel Company in Rancho Mi- hour consultation for all my Yes, many over my past eighteen Jimmy, and two beautiful babies,
rage to be their catering manag- clients. I try to uncover their vi- years of planning. Mostly they Gracie who is four and Sophia
er. When I worked my first wed- sion. If they don’t have a vision, I have to do with a family member who is two. I go to Mommy
ding, I realized I had a passion share my wedding books and see trying to use me to get another and Me once a week, take my
for creating an extraordinary day what moves them. Once I find person, usually the bride, to suc- daughter to preschool, and pick
for someone and making sure out what they like, I can show cumb to what they want. Often her up. I am a career counselor
they enjoyed it. them how I can help them real- times, family members can try to to many, mentor to wedding
ize that vision. control a bride’s day. I utilize all planners across the country, an
THOUGHTS ABOUT WEDDINGS: my tools (experience in the art of author, stationery designer, and
I love weddings and being able TALK ABOUT THE PLANNING psychology and negotiations) to producer of two informative and © Kusha Alagband Photography
to escort people along their PROCESS: bridge the difference and hold instruction DVDs. I am also a
journey of life in a creative and The client’s vision, personality, strong to a bride’s wishes. After tweeter on Twitter!
compassionate way. and interests inspire the theme all, it’s her day, her way.
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12. [O]CCUPATION
“ © Tom Paule Photography
josieLITTLEPAGE with Chasley Bradbury www.cosmopolitanevents.com
The reception began with a welcome from a BRAZILIAN DANCE AND MUSIC TROUPE. White-gloved
butlers passed hors d’oeuvres REFLECTING DIFFERENT FLAVORS of the world.”
WERE YOU ALWAYS PLANNING time. The incentive programs WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM idea of the couples’ personalities,
PARTIES AND SPECIAL EVENTS AS for companies gave me a taste of YOUR FIRST WEDDING? and we follow that with a relaxed
A CHILD/YOUNG ADULT? what could be done with an over- The first wedding I planned was meeting to just get to know each
Most members of our team have sized budget and a lot of “out-of- extremely meaningful—I still other better, including finding
a heavy theater background in the-box” creativity. At the point keep in touch with the bride and out more about what they do
one way or another. While a few where my husband and I decided keep the embroidered handker- on weekends, what makes them
were very involved in the set de- to move back to Saint Louis, I chief gift near my desk. I was able tick, and what are their quirks.
sign, which directly translates to re-examined my strengths and to plan it the way I did corporate
the creativity of designing events, put it all together to form a busi- events, using the same tools like WHAT DO YOU FIND VISUALLY
Chasley and I were caught up in ness that would specialize in so- the budget, payment tracker, INSPIRING?
the entertainment side of the cial, corporate, and fundraising time line, and production sched- Floral Row (an area in St. Louis
theater. From creative set build- events. The business started small ule. One of the things I realized full of wholesale floral and mis-
ing to orchestrating a team of in a tiny home-office space in St. right away was that planning a cellaneous items), store window
actors, lighting and sound tech- Louis’ University City, but I vi- wedding was much more time displays, blogs, magazines, na-
nicians, and of course the drama sualized big. Already going after consuming than the corporate ture, unique floral designs, mod-
of the production itself, the pro- top corporate clients, I landed events that I was accustomed ern flourish calligraphy, different
gression from theater to events accounts right away with Maritz, to planning. So, I spent much patterns combined together, fash-
developed naturally. “Party Plan- AC Delco, and the San Francisco of my first year putting systems ion runway shows, photography,
ning” peaked for us at different Convention Center and Visitors in place and making sure that I retail stores like Anthropologie
times in our lives. I found myself Bureau. But unexpectedly, I also didn’t have to reinvent the wheel and Restoration Hardware, vari-
© Robert George Studio
organizing fun activities for our started working with brides; the each time I was starting to plan a ous fabric textures, and draping.
friends, putting together travel word quickly spread, and I was new event.
plans, and creating itineraries for quickly accepted in St. Louis as a GO-TO STYLE ELEMENT FOR were not accustomed to con- African sky), as well as a compass cards. The tables were named dance and the poetic toasts, the
everyone involved. Chasley, on premiere wedding planner. TALK ABOUT THE AVERAGE WEDDING PLANNING: tracting their services—one for logo, were prominent features in in accordance with the couple’s five distinctive bands kept people
the other hand, was an amazing WEDDING YOU PLAN: I like to use the bride’s dress, the chef, who had never catered this luxury wedding. world travels, and the guests on their feet all evening.
hostess, throwing elaborate par- HOW IS THE WEDDING CULTURE Average Size: 300 table linens, or other textile for an event before, and one for the located their seats on a map of
ties at her home, creating some IN SAINT LOUIS UNIQUE? Average Budget: $75,000 cake design inspiration. band the bride had chosen for The gorgeous garden ceremony the world. In place of a tradi- WHAT IS LIFE LIKE OUTSIDE OF
very unique experiences for her Saint Louis is an old city with Location: Contemporary her wedding through a You Tube was set in a custom-made tent tional signing-book was a photo WEDDING PLANNING?
guests. Our third planner, Eliza- a lot of beautiful tradition, his- loft-style spaces, “Old World” HAVE YOU HAD ANY POTENTIAL video. Our chief planner also in a lush backyard. Upon enter- booth and suitcases. Guests were Our world revolves around our
beth, also was involved in events tory, and architecture. Because ballrooms, tents, country clubs. WEDDING PLANNING DISASTERS? had the daunting task of writing ing the grounds, the guests were encouraged to have their photo families and children. We work
starting in high school since be- of these factors, we see many Average Time: Nine to twelve With only three months to go out the ceremony for the offici- serenaded by authentic perfor- taken and mounted with a spe- very hard to be able to take time
ing elected “Activities Represen- classic trends and beautiful tra- months. Normally it would take until her big day, our bride came ant, who was a good friend of the mances from bands representing cial note to the newlyweds. The with our families. Our chil-
tative” for her senior year. She ditional weddings. The brides us about 90-120 hours for a full to us needing full planning as- groom and had never officiated various countries including Ger- cards were then placed in an an- dren are friends, and on our
enjoyed learning the ropes and like to incorporate many local planning client. sistance. Undeterred by the time over a wedding before. Upon ex- many, France, and Brazil. tique suitcase for safe keeping. time off, we all get together.
being involved in the events details, whether it is being mar- Popular Time: October is limitations, our team picked up ecution, our team worked triple
and continued this throughout ried in a historical building like number one; June comes in a where the previous planner had the amount to do things that the The reception began with a wel- The doors to the ballroom opened My two beautiful little girls,
her life. the Saint Louis Art Museum, or close second. left off. This wedding proved to vendors normally would have come from a Brazilian dance with gasps from the guests. A Cooper and Lucie, who are six
a renovated old structure like the be extremely difficult because done themselves. and music troupe. White-gloved typical traditional ballroom was and four respectively, are so tal-
TELL US ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT Coronado Ballroom where many TALK ABOUT THE PLANNING the bride was a DIY bride, so in- butlers passed hors d’oeuvres re- transformed into a breathtaking ented and smart and inspire me
OF YOUR CAREER AND BUSINESS: of their grandparents would go PROCESS: stead of working with her to find TALK ABOUT THE MOST flecting different flavors of the scene. The walls and ceiling were to be better. My husband, Tom,
The travel/program management to in their youth. Many of our Our job is to present and execute vendors, the event staff was busy MEMORABLE WEDDING: world. The focal point of the completely covered with spandex is extremely supportive of every-
job moved me to San Francisco, brides save the date by putting the “perfect wedding” for each finding her the necessary materi- The concept behind a travel- room was an oversized globe ice screens to showcase the palette of thing that I do, and is very help-
California, where I was plan- together a little “Meet Us in St. client. A “getting to know you” als needed in order to execute the themed wedding that we worked sculpture that had travel pictures papaya and jade. The wall pro- ful with parenting, considering
ning events for the dot-com Louis” card, which plays off of questionnaire is sent to each design. A major obstacle for the on was inspired by the colors of the bride and groom frozen jections created a new environ- many of my weekends are out
and the high-tech industry that the old Judy Garland feature. bride when they sign on with our main planner was having to write papaya and cool jade. These col- inside. Surrounding this piece of ment at every turn. In addition with brides. [AL]
was significantly booming at the company. This helps us to get an out contracts for vendors who ors (representing shades of the art, the guests found their escort to the beautifully performed first
22 AMERICAN LIFESTYL E AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 23

13. [T]RAVEL
TICKET FOR ONE
TO THE ISLAND OF KAUAI
Article by Susan Fornoff
Photography (unless otherwise noted) courtesy of Kauai Visitors Bureau
24 AMERICAN LIFESTYL E AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 25