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Atlanta is no stranger to landmarks. With the worlds largest aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, the busiest airport in the world, and Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta is steeped in a rich history and a modern progression. But the average Atlantan and the world at large might not know of a certain gem in the heart of downtown known as AmericasMart. The Mart is comprised of four integrated, John Portman designed buildings that offer over 7.7 million square feet of showrooms, tradeshow floors, and meetings spaces. With 15 annual markets, over 500,000 visitors come from all over the world to shop and sell wholesaleproducts in various categories like High Design, Apparel, Gift, Rug, and Furniture.

If you’ve never been before, it can be quite overwhelming, most likely because your are in Building 1 on the 22nd floor trying to get to the 10th floor of Building 2 West Wing. Bridges connect between the buildings, but only on certain floors! So you really have no know where you’re going, or else your shopping will be all screwed up. AmericasMart is not open to the public. In order to be admitted, a buyer must provide proof of a valid business license and show identification at a registration office. We went to the Mart this past week to shop for various clients of ours. So be expecting a few updates of the great new products we found!

-William Fogler
WM Events

It’s that time again! Flipping the showroom at Affairs to Remember is a great exercise for us as designers. We get to push our limits, incorporate trends, and flex our creativity muscles. The current look in the vault is all white, using textures and layers to add visual interest. The main room showcases the three different looks (Classic, Gallery, & Artisan) with color continuity.

We’d like to thank all of our vendors that made the Spring 2012 look possible- –Monte Carlo Productions, Lounge Art,Peachtree Tents and Events, BBJ Linens, Classic Party Rentals, Party Tables, Graceful Tables, and Newberry Brothers. Check out our pictures below (also available at our Facebook Page and Consulting Page), and leave your thoughts in our comment section.

-William Fogler
WM Events

We’re no stranger to planning a certain amazingly delicious Mexican Grill’s Holiday party. There is a bright spot on our calendar every December for this fun, exciting corporate affair. This year, we decided to play off of Chipotle’s recently announced Southeast Asian concept, Shop House, and create a unique experience employees would enjoy. Director and Co-CEO, Monty Moran offered a warm welcome and thanks, while guests partied the night away.

We’d like to offer a special thanks to all our vendors that made it happen: Four Seasons Denver for a great venue and suburb food, Newberry Brothers Greenhouse & Florist for the beautiful arrangements, Charming Chairs for the comfortable lounge furniture, Julian Bradley at  ESP for a spectacular lighting design, Starkey Productions for entertaining dragon dancers, DJ Rex Buchanan for his outstanding mixes, and Indigo Sky Productions for a delightful decor job! Check out David Wegwart’s stunning pictures below and on our Corporate Services page, and tell us what you think!

–William Fogler

WM Events

Cameras have been shrinking for years. But what if they became so thin, they weren’t there anymore? That’s what Yeon Su Kim’s Air Clicker prototype strives to do. With two simple rings you wear on one hand, this camera looks more like a jewelry accessory than a state of the art photographic device for space-saving shutter bugs.

Here’s how it works. The lense is situated on the thumb ring, and activates using the silicon sensor on the pointer finger. So, when you would have bent your finger to press a physical shutter release button, you’re instead just pressing the air. The two rings sync up and take a picture, which is then wirelessly sent to your phone. Voila! Also, a prolonged tension in the ringer finger sensor will change the camera to video mode like in the picture below. I wish this technology would hurry up so I could save some pocket space. How much would you pay for something like this?

-William Fogler
WM Events

*YAWN* Now that we’ve finally woken up from our holiday hibernation, it’s time to take a good look back on what happened this past year. 2011 was certainly a year for celebrating absurdities (read: Charlie Sheen’s Tiger Blood), and incredible changes (Lybia, anyone?). But let’s scale all that happened down to our two favorite categories, Entertainment & Events. So let’s dig in to the interesting events that made 2011 a year to remember.

Entertainment

In the Music World, we had a strange start with the introduction of Rebecca Black’s YouTube phenomenon, “Friday“. It’s been covered by everyone imaginable- from the boys on Glee to Stephen Cobert, but it’s silliness was more than most could handle. Then Nicki Minaj won our hearts and the award for most “featuring” spots on just about everyone’s number 1 singles. But it was her super hit, “Super Bass” that really won us over this year thanks to Taylor Swift (not to mention the smaller version, Sophia Grace Brownlee). And lastly, with over 5 million copies sold world wide, the whistling intro of Moves Like Jagger was all I needed to start dancing like a maniac! Adam Levine and Christina Aguilera really knocked it out of the park with this infectious tune. Take me by the tongue and I’ll show you!

The movies of 2011 were less than exciting- that is, of course, unless you’re a Twilight fan or 3D movies don’t give you headaches. So let’s skip over all those Bridesmaids, pretend you actually sat through X-Men: First Class, and move right on to the best TV Shows we waited for each week. It was quite a year for Modern Family, Mad Men, Big Bang Theory, and Community. All of these shows did excellent at the Primetime Emmys, and are slated to do equally as well at the Golden Globes in 2 weeks.  And as far as the guilty pleasures go, there’s nothing quite like a marathon of Real Housewives of Atlanta (Congrats Kim!), The Biggest Loser, and Extreme Home Makeover.

Events

Without a doubt, the most exciting event for me to watch this year was William and Kate’s Royal Wedding. The attention to detail, the extravagance, and the world attention (nearly 2 billion tuned in) were altogether fascinating and inspiring. If you really want to know what I thought, read my post for MyWedding.com here!  Speaking of weddings, how about a congratulatory hoo-rah for New York state in their legalization of Gay Marriage! Kitty Lambert & Cheryle Rudd became the first same sex couple to wed in NY at Midnight on July 24, 2011. And then, of course, the world grew 6 Billion strong on October 31 (at least, approximately). It was kind of a big year.

There are a few things we intentionally left out- Osama Bin Laden, the Casey Anthony Trial, and that whole Rapture thing that never happened. But let’s not dwell on those events while we look forward to a great 2012. Afterall, this is the year of a 29 day February, the London Summer Olympics, the Presidential Election, and the end of the world (thanks, Mayan Calendar). What could be more exciting than that?!

-William Fogler
WM Events

Moms are special people. From the love notes in your lunch box to their all-purpose cleaning saliva, they know how to do just about anything and make you feel like you’re the only person in the world. And that’s exactly how we wanted to make these 40 Pink Power Moms feel during a weekend of festivities and celebrations around Atlanta. For the last 4 years, Kids II, Inc. has honored 8 worthy women who have survived breast cancer and then gone on to do something monumental by presenting them with a $5,000 award and a pampering weekend in Atlanta. This landmark year brought 32 Legacy Moms back to join the 8 new Pink Power Moms in a spectacular 5 Year Anniversary spectacular. Take a look below at the phenomenal photography of Patrick Williams, and a few descriptions of what the Pink Power Mom weekend was all about!

The weekend began with a pink-ified gift basket presentations as the Moms checked in to Twelve Hotel at Atlantic Station on Friday evening. After gathering in the lobby, everyone walked together from the hotel over to The Grape for an intimate meet and greet, filled with fabulous food, wonderful wines, and a delectable dessert bar. Yahgo Entertainment’s Atlanta Soul Bandrocked the socks off all the guests with smooth, swinging sounds. And Balloonacy added that extra POP to the delectable decor with multiple arrangements of thematic balloons!

Saturday morning began with individual spa treatments for each Mom in their hotel room, followed by a some free time for shopping around Atlantic Station. But the real fun began Saturday night at the High Museum of Art. As guests arrived at the pink carpet entrance, they were greeted by Absolute Entertainment’s gorgeous Pink Ladies suited up in shocking pink. Inside the Taylor Lobby entrance, Event Scapes decorated space with 10 foot ribbons covered in pink carnations, and decorated the tables with stunning centerpieces. Spectacularly, Magnum Lighting Company washed the entire room in magentas and fuchsias, adding gobos and break-ups for visual interest.

Guests then moved through a Pink Power Mom Hall of Fame, chomping on Legendary Events‘ legendary catering, where they could read blurbs about all the Moms and their charities. Arriving in the Robinson Atrium, all the attendees were amazed at the decorative pink fabric panels hanging from the curved banister, the spandex screen, and the exceptional stage set. A short congratulatory video by Marcia Cross from Desperate Housewives kicked off the presentation, where a ballyhoo ushered in the 5 classes from different areas of the room. Each class was led by a Pink Lady carrying banners with key words such as Hope, Courage, and Inspiration before the 2011 Moms were presented with their award checks. Guests then partied the night away, dancing to the musical stylings of Atlanta Party Band, capturing memories at the instant photo booth provided by Button It Up Photography, and catching the new Picasso to Warhol exhibit upstairs.

Sunday morning, the Moms and their guests woke up to a brilliant brunch at Lobby at Twelve. This final goodbye was bittersweet, and a perfect closing to a perfect weekend. But the festivities were not yet over for the 2011 Moms! They boarded the bus and enjoyed the Kids II Suite for a great Falcons Football game at the Georgia Dome. The weekend was a total success! Let us know what you think about the event in the comments below!

-William Fogler
WM Events

Our favorite folks down at Caring For Others have just received a spectacular shipment 18 pallets deep of Ralph Lauren clothing items for their store, Care Mart. Adding to the already awesome inventory of Free People, Laundry, Frye, and a variety of other fashion forward labels, this shipment is primed and ready for purchase just in time for Christmas. Head there this weekend to pick up jewelry, housewares, baby items, toys, and books at decidedly discounted prices that directly benefitCaring For Other’s mission! Let us know what great deals you find in the comments below.

-William Fogler
WM Events

Few things are more magnificent than the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book. This year’s 150+ pages of full color compositions flood our minds with inspiration, style, and whimsy. From the over-sized holiday card props, to the “I WANT IT ALL!!” gift list, this book has everything you could want and more. With fantasy catalog options like a $250,000 speed boat ($3,000 of which goes to a good cause), no one would ever suggest that the NM offerings are typical. If you’re lucky enough to pick up one of these pieces of bound artwork, make sure you check out page 71 for a coaster set we’ve been dying to get our hands on!

-William Fogler
WM Events

Today is the first day of December. That means that since all the decorations are hung, it’s time to open that first gift of the advent calendar. They’re great reminders that Christmas is right around the corner. And who doesn’t like receiving presents for 24 days straight!?! Beginning in 19th century Germany, the advent calendar was a daily reminder for those of the Lutheran faith to physically count down each day before Christmas. Today, these festive  elements come in all shapes, sizes, and uses. From your traditional card stock illustrations with windows to hanging garlands of mittens, there’s certainly something surprising for everyone. We’ve taken a minute to hunt the internet highways for the most interesting takes on these jolly gadgets, and complied them in a list below. How do you and your family gear up for the holidays?

A Story A Day Advent Calendar App by via Shiny Shiny

Advent Koenecke Sausage by Butter via LovelyPackage

$1 Million Advent Calendar by Porsche Design via BornRich

Worlds Smallest Advent Calendar by University of Regensburg’s Micro- and Nanostructures Group via Royal Society of Chemistry

-William Fogler
WM Events

Now that everyone is full and fully rested from their Thanksgiving feasts, it’s time to deck the halls in preparation for the Holidays. We were at the Fox Theatre yesterday preparing the vintage venue for decadent decorations. See below for some action shots of the dynamic duo fluffing the Fox’s Grand Salon and staircase. Or go to the consulting services page to see the whole gallery! How do you decorate for the holidays? Tell us in the comments below.

-William Fogler
WM Events

After our numerous posts promoting the Caring for Others Caring for Art event last month, we’re finally ready to share the celebration pictures with you! So, head on over to our social event gallery page to check out all the great shots. Thanks so much to all of our sponsors & vendors: Atlanta Gallery Association ,Saigon Cafe, Bradford Event Gallery, and Jabari Grover. Everyone did a great job, and without you we would have never been able to raise the $15,000 for this great organization that prevents homelessness everyday!

-William Fogler
WM Events

Here at WM Events, we’re all about breathing new life into old or otherwise unusable objects. So, when a pair of her white leather shoes got a little scuffed, Leigh looked for a wonky way to spice up her spikes. Inspired by a contest on DoodlersAnonymous.com where the website gave away a pair of Sam Pierpoint doodled shoes, she took to her red sharpie and went to town. They’re relatively symmetrical, and filled with interesting patterns that will make any little black dress pop with artful flair. These conversation pieces took about 2 hours and 5 sharpies total. What are your favorite ways to cover up imperfections? Would you wear shoes like this down the aisle? Leave your comments below!

-William Fogler
WM Events