a peek into the intimacy of my mind planning and creating an event.. it doesn't matter the event my process is all the same.. I begin with the fantasy environment... I set the details of the scene within my mind.. I get a vision and then map it out.. what's impossible? is never a thought for me... my goal is to create an overwhelming environment that my guests can lose themselves within.., to forget the outside world.. fur and ice ...the theme.. narnia a glittery snowy woodland the inspiration.. the next step... to create a list of materials required... the best part ..my husband peter is beyond qualified to create the mechanics of the designs required.. we definitely complement each other..in creating... best of all he is ever so patient and tolerant...I might add.. our children all pitch in with their varied talents and help to make it perfect...through details.. the most important piece required for the fur and ice event..,were large branches or small trees... spray paint... glitter and pots to hold them... we happened to be going out to our home in the catskills.. which was a perfect place to get the lacy tiny pines... they grow like weeds out there.. sooo...while I was at coterie in nyc ordering my fall 2014.. peter ..tyler and mason dug down through 4 ft of snow and cut the trees down.. katie our niece spray painted..and we drove it all back to chicago.. lauren and courtenay worked on gluing gems to a mannequin and to the letters of ootra.. I found white shag rugs and white blankets and pillows.. the problem? once in the city designing our set... we would never be able to run out for anything I might need..that fact freaked me out...a lot! the gift of my mind? as much as I require obsessive details.. I am not stubborn beyond reason.. if time runs short I let go of some thoughts.. if something isn't working it's ok.. I continue on.. my habit? I never do it alone.. I engage the whole team.. to help.. and I have oversupplied myself with materials... my favorite details of our ootra fur and ice show? our sign in canvases... the arch entrance along with the trees.. things I let go... the lamps... the little white lights for the trees..we didn't have room in the truck and the mini lights we just didn't have time.. the pulling of merchandise was the very last thing I did... most would focus on that but not me.. I love all of my merch so whatever ended up on the racks was going to be perfect.. we drove down in a caravan and then began the construction of the scene... it was a team process... Tyler handled the computer checkout system with courtenay .. tyler and peter put all the trees in their pots... which we then arranged to create a forest.., wonderland.. to work at ootra.. is to experience every facet of the responsibility of running a retail business... I require 150 percent involvement .. I have no tolerance for mediocrity and lackluster attitude.. I have a couple of disappointments from the evening and I will deal with them.. head on... the only way I know..the best way to teach and learn.. after an event I assess every moment of every facet of the event.. I observe I listen I experience I take mental notes.. the turnout was beyond belief the scene incredible the guests were so loving... I spoke to as many as I could.. I observed my team and know who performed and who didn't and corrections will be made.. the graciousness of our host fashion&style bloggers incredible ... the alcohol sponsor wow...and the vertigo bar and the dana hotel perfection.., our pr company ...we adore.. the facts.. the set up planning ...days.. the actual set up 3 hours.. the teardown 30 minutes.. the rebuilding of our boutique one hour... the social media weeks.. fantasy of the event ...reality fulfilled.. xoxo ootragirl