Birmingham’s Latest Workout Craze

Getting in shape for a big event can be such an overwhelming – and sometimes not so fun – task.  Luckily, there’s a new workout in town that all of Birmingham is talking about – Pure Barre.  Based on the Lotte Berk method, Pure Barre is a total body workout that is all about lifting and toning.  For most of the workout, you will work with a ballet barre – and the movements are all tiny, isometric movements.  I have tried so many different types of workouts and Pure Barre is by far the only one where you can see noticeable changes in a short time.  Pure Barre is a one hour workout where you are challenged to block out life and really focus on you.  I have now taken classes from every single instructor at Pure Barre and I can honestly say, they are each fabulous.  They push you to challenge yourself to really get the most out of your hour there.  If you have yet to try a class, your definitely missing out.  Pure Barre is located in Birmingham as well as other cities.  Check their website for more info and a class schedule.

Valentine’s Day Fun

The week of Valentine’s is officially here!  I know most people say that Valentine’s Day is a holiday made up by Hallmark or my very latest favorite  “it’s just a holiday invented by woman” but I still love all of the red, pink and white!  Here are some things that are getting me inspired for a weekend full of Valentine’s Day fun.

Look at all of the pink&white at this candy buffett!  I love the mini glassses of strawberry milk & the macaroon tower.

(Image courtesy of Amy Atlas)

I clicked on my favorite NYC flower shop this morning and found this beautiful ad for Valentine’s Day flowers.  Belle Fleur always gets it right and this time they even chose my all-time favorite flower – peonies!  Yes, I know that roses are the standard V day flower of choice, but it’s okay to think outside the box.

(Image courtesy of Belle Fleur)

And of course, Valentine’s Day isn’t the same without some conversation hearts.  How about this cute card from Minted?

(Image courtesy of Minted)

Don’t forget the pink bubbly!

(Image Courtesy of Gifts International)

Here’s to a very special & Happy Valentine’s Day from By Design!

Winter Wedding

This past weekend I attended an absolutely beautiful wedding of two very good friends.  Winter weddings can be so much fun and this wedding was a very fun excuse to see some friends I hadn’t seen in awhile.  The couple got married at Reed Chapel at Samford University. Unfortunately, I ran out the door in such a hurry to make it to the ceremony on time that I forgot my camera! I’ll try to do my best with a recap of their special day without pictures but I know this recap will not do it justice. The bride had wanted a fun wedding filled with delicious food, good friends and a fun band. Her wedding was exactly that! The wedding colors were navy and white – which worked perfectly for a winter wedding. The bridesmaid dresses were long, navy blue dresses and they were stunning – all of the bridesmaids kept talking about how comfy the dresses were too! (always an added bonus) My hands-down favorite part of their wedding was seeing how happy they both were. I know that sounds so very cliche, but it’s true.  I loved seeing the pure joy on both of their faces. The groom was all smiles and the bride even teared up reciting their vows. Anyone who has ever met this couple even for a brief second can tell how head over heels in love they both are.

The reception was at Work Play and Imperial catering did all of the food. There was everything from a sushi bar to mini sliders to delicious dips and more. Walking in to the reception, there was a slideshow of the couple, and a table filled with personalized hershey kisses, personalized golf tees (the groom is obviously a golfer!) and of course navy and white personalized koozies. Koozies have become pretty standard at weddings and I simply love them. I have a big bowl of koozies at home from various weddings and I love remembering someones special day when I see their wedding koozie. From the couple’s new monogram on the wall, to the simply spectacular bride & groom’s cakes, this wedding was so much fun and I loved being a part of the happy couple’s special day!

Most everyone who reads this blog, knows that I adore black and white.  How cute are these bridesmaid dresses? Now here’s a dress that I’d wear again.  (and no need to cut it short!)

(You can find more swoon-worthy black&white images at Elizabeth Ann Designs)

In other fun news, one of my all-time favorite gals got engaged on Friday night. I am beyond excited for her and her absolutely awesome fiancee. Congrats, N!

Floral Fun

I simply adore flowers.  They are by far one of my favorite things and I always love having flowers around my house!  There’s something about fresh flowers that not only brighten up a room, but they also make me instantly happy.  I’ve always wanted to be more of an expert at arranging flowers so when I moved home this summer, one of my all-time favorite flower vendors and good friends Rachel and Andy let me spend time with them working on flowers for several weddings.  Not only did I get to see what goes on behind the scenes, I learned some great arranging tricks and techniques.

(Image Courtesy of Style Me Pretty)

So what’s the average gal who doesn’t have an “in” with the rest of the flower world supposed to do?  Well, how about a Callatini class?  Callatini is located in Homewood right under Engaged. You bring the cosmos (or wine, bubbly or any other beverage of choice) and they’ll provide the flowers and teach you how to arrange them.  After a fun night, you leave with your own beautiful arrangement.  Callatini offers both private classes and day (referred to as Callajava) and night classes.  Callatini would be a very fun (and unique!) girl’s night out with your bridal party or just a group of good girlfriends!

Be My Valentine!

Christmas and New Year’s are now far behind us.  And now that my trip to Pasadena has come and gone (Roll Tide Roll!), it’s time to start focusing on another fun holiday…Valentine’s Day!   This morning I opened my email to find a note from one of my all-time favorite people – Ashley Brooke at Ashley Brooke Designs.  Ashley has done it again by creating some drool-worthy limited-edition Valentine’s Day cards.  How cute are these cards?  I wish someone was making cards as cute as these when I was in school!

Ashley has a few other limited-edition designs so pop on over and take a look!  And my dear friend Nina has posted some of her favorites for even more inspiration!

You don’t have to be school-aged, or even in a relationship to celebrate this day of love! Gather all of your friends together and throw a soiree!  Here’s some things that I simply can’t stop drooling over to help you get in that “Be Mine” mood.

(Style Me Pretty)

February is the month of pink so a signature pink cocktail would be a fun addition to your menu!  Perhaps a cosmopolitan for a girls-only shindig?

(Style Me Pretty)

Candy and Valentine’s Day go hand-in-hand.  Why not add a candy buffett?  This can easily be recreated with pink, white and red candies.  Get out all of those clear vases you have in storage and fill them with solid colors of candy!  I have seen TONS of candy buffets at various wedding but my friend Erin, better known as The Blue-Eyed Bride had the most beautiful one I have ever seen!

(The Blue-Eyed Bride)

Keep checking back for more Valentine’s Day ideas!

Hello, 2010!

2009 is officially behind us and so we say hello, 2010!   The past month has been a whirlwind – Christmas parties, Christmas Day, New Years Eve parties and of course New Years Day.  It’s been fabulous to celebrate the holidays with family and friends.  I absolutely love this time of year. Before I officially welcome 2010, I’d like to take a minute to look back on the previous year.  Wow, 2009 was quite the year.  I started off the year living and working in NYC and before I knew it, the South was calling me home.  After 6 years in New York, I was ready to be back in Birmingham.  I loved being able to reconnect with old friends and spend quality time with my family.  2009 was also a huge year because I finally started my own company and I created the By Design website and this blog.  2009 was a very big year – and I wish each and every one of you a truly spectacular 2010.

image credit: freedigitalphotos.net

Welcome to By Design:events by leila

It’s official! As some of you may already know, I’ve started my own event & wedding planning company – By Design: events by leila, LLC.  Ever since I was younger, I’ve loved the organizing and planning that goes in to any event and would spend hours looking at event and wedding styling books.  Now I find myself constantly perusing event and wedding websites for inspiration! Having my own business is something I’ve always dreamed of and after I moved back to Birmingham, the timing just seemed perfect.

During my 6 years in New York, I was fortunate enough to work with the best of the best, and I truly saw it all!  I’ve worked on events of all sizes – from small, intimate dinners, private wine tastings, to cocktail receptions for 500+ people at the Museum of Modern Art.  I’ve planned events for the “spare no expense” client and I’ve also worked with the more budget savy.  I spent a few years planning fundraising events with the New York Junior League, and despite the little to no budget, these fundraisers were always a hit! What I’ve learned through my years in the event industry is that it is not the budget that makes the party.  What makes the event truly special is having a bit of creativity and being surrounded by your favorite people. And just remember, you don’t have to have a reason to throw that get together you’ve been wanting to throw for months.  The next time you find yourself planning that special event, I hope you’ll consider By Design to help with all of the details.

My first blog post would not be complete without some very special thank you’s – first off, this site would not be possible without Bryan Powell at BPizzy.  This site has been a true labor of love and Bryan has really helped to make this site exactly what I envisioned.  Bryan, thank you for everything!  A very special thank you also to Rachel and Jean-Jaques Gaudel for allowing me to use their beautiful images.  Rachel is an extremely talented florist & stylist and I am fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to shadow her to see what really goes on behind the scenes. I also want to thank my family – from designing my logo, to helping me start my LLC, to editing copy, taking photos, the list can go on  – I would not be here if it weren’t for all of you! A million thank you’s to all of my family and friends for your love and support!