A PERFECT EVENT

Great style: Oprah's event planner, Debi Lilly

Today, Debi Lilly, owner of the event planning company, A Perfect Event, joins Trust Your Style for an exclusive interview! I'm so happy Debi could stop by to chat and really love her wonderful tips for Trust Your Style readers on making Valentine's Day very romantic. Thanks Debi!



Founded in 1996, Debi Lilly's company designs events, flowers and invitations for high-profile clients and companies that include Oprah Winfrey, O Magazine, Brooke Shields, Debra Messing, and Bvlgari--but you don't have to throw a $500 a plate event to enjoy Debi's expertise.



While some of the parties Debi plans cost as much as $500,000, scores of brides go to her popular blog http://blog.aperfectevent.com for tips on how to turn a $5,000 wedding reception into a seemingly much more posh affair.


mj: How did you get into event planning and what do you find most satisfying about your work?



debi: I have always loved throwing parties and events. As I child I threw Christmas cookie baking parties, bon voyage parties when my friends went on summer vacation, and more.



debi: It is a unique position to get to know your clients on such a personal, intimate level. I love that I see my projects develop from the beginning to the over the top end. It is very rewarding, and few jobs allow for such a genuine level of project completion.



mj If you had to pick a favorite event/party that you've planned, which would it be?

debi: Certainly it would be Oprah's 50th Birthday. There was such a buzz all over
the country about the show, Entertainment Tonight was there taping live interviews as we were setting up the night before, there was amazing talent rehearsing for days as we did floral, stage setup, and more. I have done about a thousand events, but never with Stevie Wonder and Tina Turner steps away singing in the background. I was 9 months pregnant with my second child, but worked round the clock for a week running around like a teenager...it was so electrifying.



mj: Are you working on any new projects?

debi: Always. I don't think a day goes by that something fun and exciting comes across my plate. The big new project is a book. I almost majored in Journalism in college, and love writing. So this is a whole new dream come true.



mj: What would your ideal project be?



debi: A very unique, small, personal, intricate celebration with no limits to the creative process. My favorite experiences in planning are designing all of the breathtaking florals, amazing details, special thoughtful touches and surprising the guests as they flow through the event from beginning to end.



mj: Could you recommend any tips to Trust Your Style readers to make Valentine's an extra special holiday for loved ones or just a special someone?

debi: A professional gifting secret is to make sure and design your gift around your loved one's personal style. Ask yourself, what is he passionate about? Then create an entire gift that revolves around his personal favorites.

For the man that loves wine, present him with a gorgeous case of wine wrapped handsomely. Explain this is a wine of the month gift, and he will receive 11 more cases, one a month. Each can focus on different regions in France, Spain, etc. To go that extra mile, surprise him with a knock at the door as you finish the gift exchange. Hire a sommelier to come to your home and do an intimate wine tasting and food pairing session. Now that is romantic.



Here are A FEW THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT DEBI LILLY:



A) THE FOUR MOST STYLISH PEOPLE THAT INFLUENCED ME:
1 Audrey Hepburn
2 Grace Kelly
3 Jackie O
4 no one else holds a candle to this list as a fourth...

B) FOUR WAYS THAT STYLE MAKES THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE
1 it is inspirational
2 it keeps us fresh
3 it makes every season a new beginning
4 it is like redecorating yourself (and your closet)

C) FOUR OF MY FAVORITE DESIGNERS
1 Catherine Malandrino
2 Tom Ford
3 Marc Jacobs
4 Givenchy

D) FOUR JOBS I HAVE HAD IN MY LIFE:
1 Mucking Horse Stalls - I just adore horses
2 Shampoo Girl at the hot salon in high school
3 Catering Prep Chef and Server
4 Health Care Consultant

E) FOUR MOVIES I WOULD WATCH OVER AND OVER (AND DO):
1 Anything Audrey...she is charm personified
2 Anything Cary Grant...he is perfection
3 Anything James Bond...I grew up watching them
4 Father of the Bride (Liz Taylor version and update)

F) FOUR PLACES WHERE I HAVE LIVED:
1 Chicago - now and forever - I love it
2 Farmington, Connecticut
3 Columbus, Ohio
4 Angola, Indiana...as a wee babe

G) FOUR TV SHOWS I LOVE TO WATCH:
1. Almost all of Food Network
2. Almost all HGTV
3. Gray's Anatomy
4. The Apprentice

H) FOUR PLACES I HAVE BEEN ON VACATION IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS:
1 St. Tropez...delish
2 Nantucket...my favorite
3 Santorini...a dream
4 Vail...heaven

I) FOUR WEBSITES I VISIT DAILY (Or at least Weekly):
1 well of course - www.aperfectevent.com
2 instyle.com (am addicted to Look of the Day...shhh...don't tell)
3 katespade.com
4 veranda.com

J) FOUR OF MY FAVORITE FOODS:
1 Anything my father makes for me...he is even teaching my children to make
my favorite dishes
2 Beef Wellington from The Copper Kettle on Nantucket
3 Steak Frites
4 Red Licorice

K) FOUR PLACES I WOULD RATHER BE RIGHT NOW:
1 Listening to my kids play on the beach on Nantucket
2 strolling the sidewalks in Paris
3 Seattle with my sweet goddaughter Darien
4 anywhere with my beloved parents


The Trust Your Style Valentine Pick of the Day:


A celebration planned by A Perfect Event. For more information call 773-244-9333 or email info@aperfectevent.com


p.s. Before I sign off for the weekend, I wanted to let you know that my email mjm@maryjomatsumoto.com is temporarily down. We hope to have it working again very soon.