JULIE & ANDY’S DRIVE BY BABY SHOWER CELEBRATION

Welcome to Julie & Andy’s Drive by Baby Shower Celebration!

In 2020, celebrating anything in the way we used to has been a challenge. The events industry has come to a sudden and stifling halt leaving creative entrepreneurs in a unique and obviously challenging position of pivoting how we conduct even the simplest of celebrations, safely.- Holly from Anything But Gray Events

One of the most special times in a couple’s lives is the welcoming of a bundle of joy. 2020 turned everyone and everything upside down and brought the world a bundle of chaos instead! With a global pandemic and the restrictions of any group gatherings, we need to rethink how to make this soon to be mommy and daddy feel the love of friends and family while maintaining a safe, social distance.

So, in lieu of the traditional baby shower with a room of ladies eating cucumber finger sandwiches and giggling about outdated baby advice, we opted for a non-traditional, co-ed, drive-by baby shower full of vegan chocolate chip cookies, La Croix, tropical florals, Lizzo, and lots of silliness to welcome the soon to be Baby Girl Shuford into this (chaotic) world!

LINK TO THE FULL BLOG POST!

J&J's Vineyard Garden Party

Remembering 2019 gatherings and birthday celebrations in the garden with friends. Here is a little slice of life I captured just for fun in my friends garden in Healdsburg, CA, set to one of my favorite Blossom Dearie songs.

xo, Aurelia

“I'm hip, I'm no square
I'm alert, I'm awake, I'm aware
I am always on the scene
Makin' the rounds, diggin' the sounds
I read Playboy magazine 'cause I'm hip

I dig, I'm in step
When it was hip to be hep, I was hep
I don't blow but I'm a fan
Look at me swing, ring a ding ding
I even call my girlfriend 'Man', I'm so hip

Every Saturday night
With my suit buttoned tight and my suedes on
I'm gettin' my kicks
Watchin' Arty French flicks with my shades on

I'm too much I'm a gas
I am anything but middle class
When I hang around the band
Poppin' my thumbs, diggin' the drums
Squares don't seem to understand
Why I flip, they're not hip like I'm hip

I'm hip, I'm alive
I enjoy any joint where there's jive
I'm on top of every trend
Look at me go vo dee o do
Bobby Darin knows my friend
I'm so hip

I'm hip but not weird
Like you notice, I don't wear a beard
Beards were in but now they're out
They had their day now they're passe
Just ask me if you're in doubt, 'cause I'm hip

Now whatever the fads
And whatever the ads say
It's needs fill
I'll be keeping abreast
Out in front of the rest with elites ville

'Cause I'm cool as a cuke
I'm a cat, I'm a card, I'm a kook, kook
I get so much out of life
Really, I do skoo ba doo boo
One more time play 'Mack the knife'

Let 'er rip, I may flip, but I'm hip
Ooh, I'm hip, ooh, I'm hip
Skoo ba doo boo, doo boo, doo boo
Boo doo boo doo doo doo”

Song: Blossom Dearie

Songwriters: Bob Dorough / Dave Frishberg

Cinco De Mayo Full of Color!

Photoshoot Inspired by Anything But Gray Events

Grab a friend in real life, on Zoom/FaceTime/Skype/Houseparty, a cold drink, put out some fun decorations, and add some festive latin music and celebrate life. Celebrations, music, sunshine all help keep your immune system strong! Being in a positive state has significant impact on your motivation, productivity, and wellbeing. - The Utopian Life

Cinco de Mayo was first celebrated in the United States in 1863 in Southern California. The celebration was in support of solidarity with Mexico against French rule. By the 1930s the holiday became an opportunity to celebrate Mexican identity, promote ethnic consciousness and build community solidarity. I love the diversity of Southern California and Los Angeles and am proud to have been an Angeleno since 1979!

“Here are my go to tips, tricks, and vendors to create an easy Cinco De Mayo party at home!” - Holly Gray COLORFUL CINCO DE MAYO TABLESCAPE DESIGN AT HOME!- Click here

CHEERS!!!!!

• Arriba (glasses up)

• Abajo (glasses down)

• Al Centro (glasses to the front – health for all of you!)

• Y Pa'dentro (inside) as the end and drink your Tequila!

Creative Team Quarantine:

Photography: @aureliadamorephotography

Planner: @anythingbutgrayevents

Decor: @mesa_chic_parties

Florals:@mulberryrow

Cocktails: @la.speakeasy 

Cookies: @sugarstudiola

A HISTORY IN HOLLYWOOD ELEGANCE; THE EBELL LOS ANGELES →

A HISTORY IN HOLLYWOOD ELEGANCE; THE EBELL LOS ANGELES

SEPTEMBER 14, 2019 BY HOLLY GRAY , Colorful and creative event planner from Anything But Gray Events

“Tucked away right off of Wilshire Boulevard in The Miracle Mile district is The Ebell of Los Angeles. With three levels and 75,000 square feet, this Renaissance-inspired structure is a noted architectural treasure and a registered National Historic Landmark.

Photos by Aurelia D’ Amore Photography

This philanthropic, educational and social club was built by women for women and has been in this Hancock Park location since 1928. In fact, The Ebell of Los Angeles is the longest-running women’s club in Los Angeles. The Club, founded in 1894 and now in its 125 year, The Ebell Los Angeles has been empowering women since day one…..…. read more here!

The Garland Hotel Visit With Anything But Gray Events

“Just a hop, skip, and a jump from Hollywood up the 101 North freeway is The Garland. Tucked away in Studio City, this colorfully retro gem is central to the hip and trendy restaurants, sights, and Universal Studios!”- Holly Gray

I few weeks go I went on a venue tour with Holly Gray, colorful wedding and event planner, Tuesdays Together Leader, and Lady Boss from Anything But Gray Events. We had a fantastic time on our tour… which ended with a PARTY!!!

Check out her blogpost about the venue. She really explains the space and it’s functionality much better than I could do. READ THIS!!!!!!

If you are planning on doing a venue tour soon and want a photo buddy to come along to document it,

I’d love to her from you. I strive to create valuable content for my clients and my peers and I believe in collaborations with kind, hard working, creative people.

If you want to collaborate with me, I have two main requests.

1.) proper photo credit for my work every time you share

2.) let’s explore together, not rush

So, if you agree to that, let’s go have a mutually supportive adventure together!

xo, Aurelia

The Garland Hotel has a trolly that will take guest on a local tour!

I love The Garland Hotel’s retro lobby!

DINGING INSIDE AND AL FRESCO

The Front Yard is a chill restaurant with a cozy bar area and outside patio. After photographing their signature Strawberry Margarita with a sugar rim and their Braised Short Rib dish, I had the pleasure of consuming these delicious creations. Thanks Chef!

I didn’t photograph the pool area, but it looked so inviting! It’s a fab place to send your friends visiting from out of town, the fam, and for a local staycation!

THE GARLAND CATERING DREAM TEAM

“If you are interested in booking an event at The Garland, these are the three ladies you are going to want to know! For more information or to connect with the team, contact Michelle Hunter at Michelle@thegarland.com “- Holly Gray

Alera Collins – Catering Sales Manager (Left) 
Michelle Hunter – Catering Manager (Middle) 
Monique Kelleher – Catering Sales Manager (Left)

Holly Gray- My venue tour buddy and colorful wedding & event planner ( in the tropical jumper with orange jacket)

Holly & Michelle just happened to to wear the same color jackets! Twinsies!

THE VENUE AND A FEW OF IT’S CHARMING SPACES!

When Holly connected with Michelle about visiting The Garland for a tour, she suggested we come the same day that they were hosting a vendor and client appreciation/ venue showcase celebration. Normally I like to capture a venue raw so that it can be imagined by my future clients unique to their wedding, but I must say it was a true treat to be invited to their event and see the venue adorned by the beautiful flowers and rentals. When the party started, I traded my camera for champaign and got to be on the other side of the lens for a change which was really fun. ( though I did feel a little naked without my camera).

Here are the talented vendors that helped bring the party to life!

West Coast Music

Revelry Event Designers

The Bubble Tap

Flower Blush

The Snap Bar

Yooshi

BTW… The Garland has a pool, a tennis court, a movie theater ( they were showing Father of The Bride the night of the event!) and three ballrooms in addition to their gorgeous garden.

THE GRAND BALLROOM

Revelry Event Designs and Flower Blush transformed this room into an elegant/ retro space with the decor and lighting. Lighting is SOOO important. It sets the vibe for the party and for the photos. Try to imagine this space without lighting. Luckily, The Garland thought of the ceiling when they redesigned the ballroom. The rings of light fit into a modern or retro vibe and add ambience to the space.

The hotel catering and the sushi from Yooshi was fantastic! One of my favorite parts of the night was getting on the dance floor with Holly & Michelle. West Coast Music does an incredible job every time they perform. It’s always a joy to hear them, see them, and photograph them. They even had a special string section that night.

Holly taught me something new on the dance floor! Have you heard of Diamond Dancing?! It’s my new favorite party thing. It’s an improv move where the person in the front of the dance floor creates dance moves slow enough that the people behind them can follow…. making it look like your choreographed a number together!!! Michelle had us all out there dancing a routine to ABBA which was perfect! Talk to Holly about how to get the party started! ( Hope I’n not giving away any secrets here, Holly) ;)