Took a week off from my reality in chilly Westchester and headed south of the tristate border to see how the "other side" celebrates. From where I sat...
... on seat 24E of the sold out Delta 1505 flight . I found myself in a cloud of tweens and kids off to visit their grandparents. One very sweet twelve year old girl , from Scarsdale, shared tales of long distance video chats with her relatives in order to keep them in the loop. A moment of awkward silence and I knew that I was supposed to relate as a "girl" and not as a "mom." So, I walked her through my family's Thanksgiving '09 videochats...how I ran between rooms, Mac in hand, in order to bring those far off, those near at hand and those plagued with the flu together for the holiday. My plane ride BFF and I brought her mom into the conversation . She became quite animated with the notion of a grandparent ("Grammies") candle lighting video. The footage rolled behind those coming up to light the candles . The production served to fill in the blanks for latter day friends and closed the distance between those in attendance and those watching at home. The beauty of modern technology - c.d. copies gifted to all in lieu of extra photo albums ! A fraction of the price and an investment in love!
...on a lounge chair at PGA staring out at the pool, a.k.a. "the big drink." Water bottles of every shape and size customized with the resort's logo. Then, a long line of women with great shades, few tan lines and their own supply of water bottles all sporting labels which read, " Girls Night Out. " The party was in honor of Lindsay's up and coming wedding. Upon arrival , each woman had received a beautiful bag filled with water bottles and everything else needed to survive the weekend! The line up of bags behind the reception desk was as impressive as that of the bikini clad wedding party.
... on the same lounge chair by the pool hours later. I couldn't see Lady Liberty from Palm Beach but I could hear her words echo in my ears over Alicia's version of Empire State on the Ipod. "Give me your tired, your hungry..." Much chat between post-golfing ladies of in home catered Shabbat dinners and brunches in order to make it convenient for sleep away camp friends to stay over . The party never ends or goes into delicious overtime mode!
... beneath a hat and sunscreen SPF 70 . Some like it hot and some do not. Most people, with whom I spoke, voiced disenchantment with outdoor ceremonies.
The humidity and chance of blistering heat were atop their list of fears. Stunning paper parasols had made a name for themselves at outdoor life events. Handed out along with crystal stems of sparkling water guests sat more comfortably through life events without sweating the small stuff. Talk about great photo opps!
... on a bench on the tennis court sidelines. Somewhere between game, set and match I managed to shoot out a text to one of my favorite Floridian party planners. What was new and exciting under the sun? Shopping and buying on a local level. She told me that the request from most was for custom giveaways, decor and more by local talent. Supporting one's own economy and not paying huge shipping or travel surcharges. Agreed. I told her that I refer sources to my clients with their geographic positions in mind. So, a 50th birthday in Malibu meant using a Cali vendor for just that reason!
... both eyes on the beautiful blue skies from a towel on a sandy beach! A Jersey girl who spent countless summers on "the shore."I had trouble, at first, pinpointing exactly what was missing. Then, the absence of skywriting planes and flags with ads over the sands hit me like a wave. Sign of the time, a local
transplanted Long Island mother told me that Bar/Bat Mitzvah banners were the rage. Warholesque images of the celebrated child, life size text messages , with love, from family and friends and more. She had been a teen in the 70s and said that she felt that banners were a contemporary response to life size foam core silhouettes. I shared my story of having watched a Bat Mitzvah girl break through a stage of banners in order to dance out into a ballroom of secondary draping decor. For a generation of green-minded kids, the banner decor appeared far more practical as it served to add drama to the room and then reinvent itself as playroom or bedroom wall covering. Draping is leased. Banners are owned. Flowers die. Banners are forever.
... from a chair in the hotel business office in an attempt to get the computer to cooperate for boarding purposes. I'd come full circle. Yes, in the Citrus Belt I found some new twists on old themes. Then, a moment of clarity. Rituals and event focal points remain constant with little regard to the miles which separate all of us. I met a very sweet woman who was about to marry off her second child. The festivities were scheduled to take place in New Jersey. Atop her party punch list was a formidable blow dry. Yes, I gave her the name and number of a salon, two stylists from which to choose and all sans commissions. Her smile was priceless!
... back in my office posting a blog. Happy New Year and new ideas! Contact me now , please! http://www.jorosenfeld.com/ or joro1811@aol.com.
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