Meet the Good Taste Girls

Photo by the amazing Lynette Huffman Johnson

With so many exciting things happening at Good Taste Events, we thought we'd take a moment to introduce ourselves (via our blog) so you can put a face with a name and with the words we write and the projects we are working on. Stay tuned! More exciting news is on the way in a month or two...

Meet the Good Taste Weddings & Events Team
(from left to right)

Jody Taylor-Smith, President
Jody Taylor-Smith, event planner extraordinaire, has over two decades of experience coordinating, designing and managing events worldwide. From intimate parties for 20 to 5,000 person celebrity galas, Jody’s expertise is wide ranging.
Bringing her event production and management background to the wedding industry enables Jody to bring our clients’ visions to life. Passionate about events, Jody treats each one as if it were her own, creating smart, elegant and memorable affairs.
Starting her event-planning career in the early 1980s, Jody worked on Wall Street. She has served an impressive list of clients including Microsoft Corporation, Hewlett-Packard, Smith & Nephew and Warner Brothers.
Her small-town Minnesota upbringing enables Jody to weather any storm with grace and humor. She embraces Jimmy Buffet’s well-known refrain, “If we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane.”

Maude May, Creative Director
Maude May has been creating art in one form or another since age five (drawing dog bones on her family's walls, much to her parents' dismay). With advanced degrees in both photography and textiles, her art has led her in many directions and her career has encompassed a wide variety of professions including pastry chef, location scout, miniature golf course designer, photo stylist and paint color consultant.
Specializing in clever invitations, favors and party ephemera for both private and corporate clients, Maude also designs logos and related business collateral.
Maude has won industry awards for her graphic design and her work has been featured in several publications. A partial list of clients includes USDA, Amtrak, Starwood Corporation and the Seattle Art Museum.
"Go to your studio and make stuff," is Maude's motto and she believes that the all things we touch, look at, use and give should delight and bring beauty to our world.

Heather Tansill, PR Director
Heather Tansill has been an event planner and social butterfly since she was four years old, organizing dinners for her pre-school friends and their families at local restaurants, conveniently on the nights when "kids eat free."
Her flare for designing and planning events flourished. In college, Heather was not only the Homecoming Coordinator and Social Chair of her sorority, she was also the VP of Promotions for the French Society, the College Marketing Specialist for her church, and an Account Executive and Event Planner during her two-year internship with RealWorld Integrated Marketing Communications.
Heather brings experience, creativity and fearless ambition to the Good Taste team. Her outgoing and eager-to-please personality, combined with her business mind and leadership skills, allows her to create seamlessly executed one-of-a-kind events.
Heather truly feels that “many things can be resolved with kindness and laughter, but some just require cake.”

DIY now comes with help! Our latest creative endeavor

Dreams really do come true. At long last our sister company DIY Good Taste™ is here! Thanks to everyone who helped make this project come to life. We are grateful for all the amazing input, good wishes, great advice, caring, and love that has helped us see our latest creation come to life!

Doing-It-Yourself, Now Comes With Help

Edmonds, WA—The Do-It-Yourself (DIY) project craze is on the rise. It is a great way to add a personal touch and save money on creative endeavors that accompany any celebration. However, assembling all the necessary materials and tools can be confusing, time-consuming, costly and often, the results are not picture-perfect.

For those who want (and need) some inspiration and assistance with their DIY projects, the gals at Good Taste Weddings & Events are delighted to announce their new company, DIY Good Taste™.

Bringing award-winning creative ideas, talent and enthusiasm, the DIY Good Taste™ team has developed a wide array of clever invitations, table accessories, favors, programs and more. Projects are designed and constructed on site at the DIY Good Taste™ studio, complete with all materials and professional equipment. Two “floating design angels” provide creative guidance and support for each project.

The process is simple: the client meets with the creative team to discuss the event and its related collateral. Once all the details are cemented, DIY Good Taste™ orders all the components and gets ready for production. A “DIY Date” is the end result. The client, along with their friends and family, arrives at the DIY Good Taste™ studio, where they experience a fun, creative evening, leaving with their completed project ready to deliver to the lucky recipients.

There are four basic design packages in the DIY Good Taste™ line: Stunningly Simple, Divinely Deluxe, Marvelously Mind-Blowing and Outrageously Over-the-Top. Amazing hand-made papers, ribbons and other ephemera make even the simplest project unforgettable. Invitation pricing begins at $5 per unit and includes the invitation and RSVP card along with the return and mailing envelopes. Custom design is also available.

DIY Good Taste™ offers memorable experiences, each culminating in custom works of art and a sense of accomplishment. Finally, a dream come true for any DIY-er.

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DIY Good Taste™, subsidiary of Good Taste Weddings & Events
Heather Tansill, PR Director
120 Second Ave South
Edmonds, WA 98020
425.818.0369 or 877.389.1382
heather@goodtasteevents.com
www.goodtasteevents.com

Send email to request a digital copy of this news release.

Our Monday Six-Letter Memoir series. This weeks topic: Work colleagues

photo by veer

We've become addicted to the six-word memoir craze and decided to make it our Monday blog theme. Each week we'll choose a new topic to use when writing our six-word stories. So we challenge you to join us! Share with us your six-word memoir of the topic of the week, but be warned: this gets contagious!

This weeks topic: Work Colleagues.

In our case that means The Good Taste Team.

• Jody Taylor-Smith: "Big laugh. Big heart. Big dreams*."

• Maude May: "Generous beyond words. Creative beyond belief."

• Heather Tansill: "Amazing combination of brilliance and beauty."
  

*Maude May came up with this one and didn't tell me the last word. Fearful that it may be something about my ahem...anatomy...., I've made the executive decision to complete the final word myself. Please note that this is not how the official rules work.

So tell us how you'd describe your team? We'd love to hear from you!

Six-word memoirs. Addictive love and reading.

"Six-Word Memoirs on Love & Heartbreak"
by writers Famous & Obscure
Edited by Smith Magazine

If you haven't yet found this book, I suggest you drop everything and order it immediately. Along with their first creation "Not quite what I was planning", the folks at Smith Magazine have got us hooked on this amazingly inspiring book of short stories. Six word stories.

What they have shown is that an entire life can be summed up in six words! As an example, the editors cite Ernest Hemingway's famous quote that says so much: "For Sale: baby shoes, never worn."

This book conjured up so many ideas for us and how asking friends and loved ones to write their six-word essays could be a fantastic idea for events, ice breakers, memory albums, invitation quotes, blog 'tag' games, etc. So watch out! We may tag you for your best six-word memoir...

We agree with their thoughts on enjoying this treasure: "Under the covers with your sweetheart, over cocktails with friends, or alone with a tube of cookie dough, you'll find real energy on every page." You can even post your own memoirs here.

Here are some of our favorites from the book:

"Seven days turned into forty-six years." - Harriette Spanabel

"He wrote songs for me. Sigh." - Pamela Des Barres

"Soulmate found in grade nine gym." - Amy Leask

"We belly laugh every single day." - Michelle Ottey

"Where he is, I am home." - Julia Evans

"He always stirs my chocolate milk." - Sarah Thornburg

"He sees the me that I don't." - Mary Catherine Hamelin

and my personal favorite:

" Beloved's face. Like staring at God." - Susan Dickman

What the world needs now is love.... our latest series

We're starting a new series on one of our favorite subjects - LOVE! I happen to believe that every day should be like Valentine's Day, and, as Cupid is just around the corner, it seemed a great way to begin our latest blogging series.

The delicious chocolate butter cookies above are exclusive to Williams Sonoma and are available via their catalog or Internet only. Here's how they describe these sweet little bites:

"Made with equal measures of love, skill and premium ingredients that include dark Valrhona chocolate, our heart-shaped chocolate butter cookies from Sweet Guy Cookies will charm your valentine. The cookies are prepared, rolled and cut by hand, then decorated in green, pink, aqua and orange and yellow icing, each stamped with the words “Kiss Me,” “Cute,” “Love” or “Flirt.” The 2 1/2" x 2" cookies arrive in a reusable tin. 7 oz. Set of nine."

They are $22 and should be ordered by February 9th to ensure delivery for delivery on Valentine's Day.

However, why not stock up? Consider these love bites any time of the year... as an addition to a sweet little love note left on your sweethearts pillow, to surprise your loved ones in the mail, to drop off on at a colleagues office or even to simply have on hand when friends drop by for tea.


Gosh, I love love.

Colleagues who inspire....Liene Stevens

"Appreciation is a wonderful thing.
It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well." - Voltaire

I have had the great pleasure of meeting so many talented friends and associates in my career. All of them have touched me in one way or another, but just a handful have truly inspired me - making me want to reach higher, dream bigger, and reassure me that my positive outlook truly does matter. One of those amazing women is Liene ("Lynn") Stevens. Liene is the CEO of "Blue Orchid Designs" and the Founder of "The Smart Planner". She has the business sense of someone at least twice her age (although she is a youngster compared to me!), the wisdom of a seasoned professional, the intelligence that would make Mensa proud, the quiet humor and sass of the best stand-up comic, and a heart of pure gold. She's the kind of girl you just love being around ... I'm so lucky to call her my friend.

Today I attended a workshop that she sponsored on Blogging. (Imagine the pressure I'm feeling as I type!) As I returned to my hotel to blog, the thing that kept coming to my mind was gratitude. My heart is overflowing tonight with appreciation and gratitude for Liene. Her sharing, her ideas, her personality, her open and honest approach to this crazy business of wedding planning.

So, this blog post will probably not earn an "A" on the subjects we discussed today, but it's the thing that I wanted to share the most. If you haven't had an opportunity to meet Liene, make it a priority. Attend a workshop, read her blogs, follow her advice. You'll be Blessed by the experience.

Thanks, Liene. xo

Hi, I'm Jody and I'm a beautiful linen addict.

I have a confession. I absolutely love beautiful linens. I mean this is a serious love affair -not a simple matter of flirting. The look, the color, the feel, the texture all just make me happy. I love walking into a luxurious bedroom - it's my sanctuary in a crazy world. So, every Saturday morning, I look forward to changing my bedding and ironing my sheets. Yes, you read that right. I iron my sheets. I also polish my silver on a regular basis, and my towels are folded perfectly in my linen closet. Some of these traits scare my friends, but they are a couple of little things that float my boat.

One of my very favorites are the amazing Pine Cone Hill products found many places - and one of the best spots online for gorgeous items is Layla Grayce. They are worth every penny and like fine wine, truly get better with age.

So, if you haven't pulled out the Rowenta and gone through this exercise, I strongly suggest it. It can be addictive and be a nice and simple way to pamper yourself.

Wow. It feels good to confess. :)

No seriously. Where did you find that dress?

One of our brilliant, beautiful brides found this fantastic bridesmaid dress for her bridal party. Her colors are yellow/grey/silver and each girl will wear their choice of yellow shoes.

We absolutely adore it! The best part? Target. $39.99.

Yet further proof that Good Taste doesn't necessarily equate to a bulging bank account.

We've come a long way, baby!

"The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more". - Jonas Salk

With the Grand Opening of our new business venture "DIY Good Taste™", we were thrilled to come across this picture of what (if memory serves me), was our very first wedding. Gertrude was a lovely bride...and that handsome husband was something else, too. Can't you just see the passion, love, and joviality in their faces?

We're thrilled to see that in our recent couples, they've lost the layers of scratchy lace gowns and have seemed to loosen up a bit for the group photos.

There's nothing like experience to build a business. Here's to a thrilling and prosperous future!

Announcing - DIY Good Taste™! Making your DIY project a fun and fabulous experience.

With so many amazing 'Do It Yourself' people and projects out there, we are thrilled to announce the Grand Opening of our latest venture - "DIY Good Taste™".

What exactly is "DIY Good Taste™"?

We have award winning creative ideas and the talented team that can help you create your very own DIY projects. Combing the use of our studio (including all our professional tools and necessary materials), and our floating 'creative angels' to assist your group of friends or family as they "build" your dream projects - DIY will offer a memorable experience that will save you time, create wonderful memories and send you home with your completed projects - just as though you ordered them from a professional store!

How does DIY Good Taste™ work?

It's really quite simple. (And of course, fun.)

1. You'll schedule an appointment to meet with our creative team to discuss what you're looking for. The possibilities are endless so we've come up with some sample ideas (Save the Date cards, invitations, table numbers, favors, thank you notes, etc.) to help inspire you. They vary from very simple to over-the-top so we can work with projects in any budget range.


2. Once you decide on the project that you like, you'll choose the paper color and quality, the specific wording (we have ideas galore!), ribbon colors, anything else you'd like to make it "yours" - even calligraphy styles and stamps if you like!


3. We order all of the necessary materials and have them ready for your 'DIY team' to assemble on the date that you schedule.


4. On your 'DIY date' (or night!), our studio is all yours. Bring your friends and get ready for a fantastic experience - that produces tangible results! You'll go home with your beautiful invitations, favors, programs, gift baskets or whatever you've decided to produce in a beautiful bag ready to 'wow' your guests. A fun experience and a huge relief to knock off that to-do list!
   

I'm really not creative! I've spent hours in the paper store and feel overwhelmed by the process and how it can possibly get done in time!

Trust us. We've spent hours in those stores, too. We've probably seen you there! Remember those 'angels' I mentioned? They'll be there to provide full instructions to everyone upon arrival. If you run into any glitches, we're there to help! Plus, what a joy to have your kitchen table free from those piles of expensive paper and rolls of ribbon!

What makes it an experience different than just having my friends over to make invitations?

Great question. Again, when you do any DIY project, you realize that the most important thing you need is the proper tools. We have professional grade tools that work beautifully. We prepare all materials in advance so you don't spend hours and hours cutting and pasting and prepping BEFORE you even begin your project. Remember, we do this professionally so we know how to create amazing projects efficiently.

Also, because we're event planners, we love parties! If you'd like to bring wine or adult beverages, just let us know! (A designated driver or car service is required.) We'll supply the cheese and crackers! How fun to have a limousine pick up all of your DIYers and take you home at the end of the evening? Would you like us to take photos of your fun evening for your wedding memory book? No problem! We'll make it happen.

It sounds amazing! How much does this cost?

Your initial consultation (usually between 1 - 2 hours) is $75. If you decide to book your project with DIY Good Taste™, that fee is applied to the final amount of your experience.

We will determine the exact cost of your projects based on the complexity of it, the quality of the materials involved, etc. and we will let you know the prices, so you will know exactly where you stand with regard to your budget. There is a $500 minimum on any project. REMEMBER: your project will be unique to you. Totally custom. Totally cool.

Our studio rental fee is $90 per hour with a 3 hour minimum. This includes all work stations, aprons, professional grade tools, and a minimum of 2 'creative angels' to oversee your work.

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The DIY Good Taste™ possibilities are truly endless and we look forward to being your "secret partner" in your DIY project of your dreams. Give us a call today at 425.818.0369 or send us an email at jody@goodtasteevents.com and let's get started.

PS. Our new website is coming soon! Gift certificates are available and a referral program is being developed...