My fabulously talented Canadian visiting this week is the author of a delightful blog full of inspirational tidbits, whether it be an amazing image, design, party tip or fashion hit.
Being very fond of great graphic design I love her blog page design!
Bienvenue Melissa from Hare Styling.
She is...
Not only does Melissa, who has a fabulous eye for great design, write a wonderful blog she is also a corporate event planner, where she organizes and plans fabulous events!
On the side she beautifies her home {her bedroom was featured on MadebyGirl's blog} and throws fabulous parties for her friends.
Just this past week she threw an engagement party for her friends. Her DIY party decor is so simple and easy but really packs a design punch.
Tissue pom-poms....
Potted herbs...
Homemade bunting flag decorations.....
Thank you gifts for each guest. She found the idea here. They were super easy to make and pretty inexpensive.
Individual veggie and dip containers. They were a huge hit because they were easy to carry around and the perfect amount to snack on!
She used a bucket of beverages so people feel like they can help themselves.
Her bedroom, isn't it lovely?
Tell us a bit about yourself? What is your background? Your education? Did you study art/design?
I'm educated in Marketing and Communications and work as an Event Planner and Public Relations Specialist. I truly love my career but my passion is interior and event styling. I guess you can say it's also my hobby. I'm currently working on my Interior Design certificate through distant education. Who knows, maybe one day I can turn my passion into a career.
What made you decide to start blogging?
I started blogging after becoming addicted to all those amazing blogs out there. I had been looking for a way to share my passion with others. Without wanting to leave my day job, blogging was a perfect hobby.
What have you enjoyed about blogging and what has surprised you along the way?
I enjoy everything about blogging - the opportunity to write and share products, ideas and inspiration with others, the amazing feedback and comments that I receive from wonderful strangers and the relationships that it has allowed me to make with others that share in my interests. Seriously, bloggers might be the sweetest group of people ever!
You are an event planner, has blogging helped your business?
Unfortunately blogging is very separate from my career. I work as a Corporate Event Planner so I'm not actively pursuing my own clients. I plan local and national events strictly for one company. I do however have amazing colleagues who also blog. They encourage me everyday!
What types of events do you plan? What are your favourite?
I plan over 50 corporate events a year but my favourite events are the ones that I plan and host for friends and family. Recently I held a "showerette" for my girlfriend and this weekend I will be hosting an engagement party for friends of ours. With so many weddings happening around me, I've very lucky to have the opportunity to help with the decor and styling. I love finding unique event decor ideas and attempting my own DIY's.
Any tips for throwing a party with pizazz but not spending a fortune?
Absolutely! I can't say it enough -DIY (do it yourself). There are so many amazing projects that you can do yourself, without spending a lot of money. Here are four things that I think every party should have:
1. A fun invitation: the invitation sets the mood for your party. I personally love printed invitations because guests can display them as a reminder. Don't want to spend a lot on printed invitations? There are so many free downloadable templates out there. You can customize them with your own details and then send them to a local print shop. Printing can cost as little at .25 cents each!
I used recently used this template from The Wedding Chicks to create a "Save-the-Date" for my girlfriend.
2. Great food and beverages: to save money, try using basic and inexpensive food but display it in an interesting manor. For example, pick up your favourite vegetables and dip. Using small votive holders, place the dip in the bottom and then stack your vegetables on top. This gives people their own little jar to walk around with. It also looks uber pretty on display!
3. Party decor: I never spend much on decor but always receive compliments on it. Some of my favourite low cost decor items are tissue paper pom palms, paper rosettes and homemade banners, like this one that I made from old file folders and twine!
4. Parting gifts: I love sending guests home with a small gift to remember the party. This can be inexpensive and something that you've made yourself. My husband and I were part of an "around the world house crawl" last summer. Our home was Japan so we gave each guest a bamboo shoot with a thank you tag tied to it. My husband had a Japanese colleague write "Thank you for joining us" in Japanese. Talk about a unique (and inexpensive) gift for guests to leave with.
Understanding and appreciating good design must come into play in planning an event, how does interior design influence event planning?
I really feel that interior design and event planning are closely related. They are both about being creative and true to your personal style.
What do you like to do in your free time {that is if you have any}?
Right now I'm spending a lot of my free time helping my girlfriends plan their weddings and planning my own special parties for them. It's easy because I LOVE it! I also enjoy spending time with my husband, who plays baseball for an Ontario league. I spend a lot of my time travelling to watch him play. Any free time we have after that, we enjoy travelling and spending time with friends.
Where do you go for inspiration for your blog, for your home?
I'm very inspired by retail displays. I love to shop and I'm always inspired by all the wonderful displays in stores. Of course, I'm always inspired by the work of other bloggers. Seriously, bloggers have some of the best ideas!
How would you describe your design style?
It's funny that you ask that because I've recently been describing my design style as "blogger style". To me, that means a combination of precious purchased pieces, refurbished or diy projects and a constant re-styling of displays. I'm always changing rooms with items that I have or taking on new projects to mix with some of my favourite existing furniture and decor.
If you were given the opportunity to meet anyone or do anything, what would it be and why?
Oh my goodness, there are so many talented Canadian designers that I would love to meet. I'm a huge fan of Tommy Smythe, Karen Sealy, Sarah Richardson and Jillian Harris. If I could do anything, it would be styling rooms for magazine shoots! That is my dream!
What are your views on the role Canadian design plays in the world design scene? Do you feel that Canadians have a unique sense of style and design, and if so, what is it that you think sets us apart?
Absolutely! I'm completely enamored with international designers (who doesn't love Kelly Wearstler) but there's something special that attracts me to the work of Canadian designers. Many of the Canadian designers that I follow have a unique ability to mix high-end, low-end and DIY pieces. This makes their designs attainable to the everyday Canadian.
Thank you so much Barbara, for the opportunity to participate in a feature that I've followed for sometime now. I feel very lucky!
Thanks for visiting this week Melissa. Loved your party photos, so inspirational! Love your blog, your sweet personality really shines through!
Hugs.
XO Barbara
