Tis the Season!

Happy Holidays Everyone!
Why is this the busiest time of the year?! I have been so busy I can't see straight! I love the decorations, the food and of course THE PARTIES! However, a big shame on me for letting so much time pass without a blog!

On an exciting note for myself (and future clients,) I am going to be traveling to Watercolor, FL this Sunday to spend the afternoon with Lara Casey and attend Making Things Happen 2010. You know I embrace my youth in this industry, but I also recognize that there is still room to learn from the best in the business. I am absolutely ecstatic to learn from someone like her! I'll have lots to blog about in the upcoming weeks!

Confero Holiday Feature

Have you flipped through the current issue of Birmingham Home and Garden? If you have, surely you recognized Mr. Confero himself. If not, I've got the heavy stuff right below! BHG photographed my wonderful holiday sioree last year and it finally has hit the hot press. I was also asked to design tablescapes for the BHG Preview Party and they were a feature in this issue as well. Be sure to check out the recipe for the signature Christmas cocktail B&A Warehouse concocted. Enjoy! Visit www.christopherconfero.com to download the full article.

Print in Action

A few weeks ago, my dear friend Jay Barrett called on me to transform his home for the annual MKA Holiday Home Tour here in Birmingham. Since I have the article out right now about how to decorate your home with ease, I thought it would be appropriate to integrate some of those tips in his decor. With Confero's classic style together with Mandy Majerik's flair for funky, we got the home was picture perfect for the tour.

Jay anticipates the first round of "tourists."

I wanted a simple greenery to bring some life to the entry but not detract from the view

through to the inside. Mandy accented with silver ribbon to bring in a holiday shine.

In the main living room was the largest of the 4 trees and our mantle all aglow with candlelight.

The house cat was enjoying the ornaments as well!

Just as promised, I took my own advice and used simple elements from the local grocery store.

- hand sugared cherries and gathered greenery from the yard.

To add a personal touch, we decorated one tree with dog treats and Jay's business cards.

It was such an unexpected twist!

We were so excited to wake up with snow on the ground.

In Alabama it happens once every few years - such fun.

Wedding Rewind

I always enjoy showcasing when I get one more bride married off to her new groom! On December 12 Jennifer Fox became Jennifer DeStefano. Jennifer & Tyler met at an UA football game and so, keeping true to their casual personalities, our decor displayed their love of Crimson & White.

This was the official debut of Christopher Confero's floral & lighting design for my clients. Not only do we offer planning and event design, but now all of the other elements to make the vision come to life - a true "One Stop Shop!"

Confero created a beautiful bouquet of Black Magic Roses, white mini calla,

berry, foliage and a hint of holiday flair. Jennifer adored it!

The doors to Canterbury UMC have the cross carving which made for the neatest photo!

Clean and simple florals accented the entry table at the Avon Theatre.

Guest tables with beautiful silver linens and floral design by Christopher Confero.

Confero also created the custom monogram for Jennifer & Tyler which we projected above the cake table for maximum visual impact as guest entered the room.

Luminaries cast a soft glow around the cakes which added to the wintery effect.

Christopher Confero.com

Last but certainly not least, I absolutely can't wind this blog down without sharing with you all my NEW WEBSITE! I am extremely proud of it and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! Lance Ingram did an amazing job on making my vision come to life - I can't say thank you enough for his talent, time and patience! He is the best! Let me know what you think.

www.christopherconfero.com

Until next time, Cheers everyone!

So many things to be thankful for….

Gobble Gobble everyone!!

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your families and the ones you love. I have ate so much the past few days, I swear I’m about to burst! It was nice enjoying the holiday because it’s been a problematic few weeks for myself - - two car accidents for me, lost a dear friend in a car accident, and my grandma had a mild stroke a few days before Thanksgiving. I am happy to report she is okay and we are taking steps to better her health. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

It takes going through the valleys to appreciate being on top in life. Never miss the opportunity to tell the ones you love how you feel. You never know when the chance won’t be there anymore.

Moving on to something a little more up beat and catching you up on the life of Confero. It’s been a busy few weeks since my last blog. Great new things in the works! I’m launching an entirely new website in the next couple weeks. It’s going to be fantastic! I have also found a space to call home for my new office. I am so excited to share in the Heidi Elnora Birmingham Gallery. The past few weeks have been spent giving the space a little facelift, and this week we will be adding the final few touches to polish off the space. Heidi & I are going to have an open house early 2010 to show off the new look. Stay tuned for more info!

From my table to yours.

Coming off of the Thanksgiving holiday, I wanted to share with you a family recipe that I have adapted to be apart of my tradition each year. My Grandmother Bea lives in Tennessee and runs her own natural farm. She introduced me to this wonderful recipe and she is so knowledgeable about healthy food, and the way to grow healthy things. Check out her website or follow her blog! Both are super interesting and have wonderful information on them.

Sage Hill Farms

Bea's Beatitude's Blog

I know most people enjoy the traditional cranberry sauce with their turkey, but we always go for something a bit more fresh – cranberry chutney. It’s so simple and yummy, I hope you enjoy it! Here are the recipes for both the chutney and then my favorite way to eat it.. on a leftover turkey sandwich with some brie.

Cranberry Relish

2 cups washed raw cranberries

2 cored tart apples

1 large, whole orange, cut into sections

1 ½ cups granulated sugar

1. Place fruit in a food processor, but be very careful not to over-pulse, or you'll end up with mush. Use the entire (seedless) orange, peels, pith and all.

2. Mix in the sugar. Let sit at room temperature until sugar dissolves, about 45 minutes.

Store in the refrigerator and served chilled.

And then for the leftovers - - sandwich up some sliced turkey, brie, add a little of the chutney... grill it until the brie melts and it is fabulous!

Wedding Rewind.

Wrapping up this holiday entry, I wanted to share with you a few photos from my latest beautiful wedding. The ceremony took place at the Matt Jones Art Gallery, and the colors were Tiffany Blue, Espresso & White accented with acrylic details that made the event shine! Professional photos by RJK Photography are to come, but for now a few snaps from my handy dandy iphone.

This was a small and intimate family wedding, which was so special for my bride and groom.

I designed large family style tables so the guests would feel at home and relaxed.

As the guests left the reception, they were treated to a buffet of sweet treats

that were packaged in super cute white boxes that resembled a ring box.

Confero always ties in every detail!

To meld with the art gallery feel, we used a book of local photography art as the sign-in book.

The beautiful cake by Amanda Combs.

Designed by Ferruccio Laviani for Kartell, this baroque styled lamp has three layers that cross over each other, and the shade is made to create a thousand reflections when lit.

Two of these lamps flanked the bar to illuminate the drink menu framed in acrylic boxes.

Can you say, fabulous!?

Last but not least, a very special Happy Birthday to my dear best friend, Blaine Johnson!

My hair is greying - yours is thinning, but happy 25!

a snapshot of the screen as I was previewing my Signature Style photos.

Blaine graced my shoot as resident pianist. An amazing talent!

Be sure to pick up the current issue of Birmingham Home & Garden. Confero's personal christmas party is featured, along with tablescape ideas from the 2009 BHG preview party at B&A Warehouse.

Cheers everyone! Happy holidays!

I'm BACK!

Oh my gosh! It has been TOO long since I have sat down and blogged! Shame on me! I have been so busy, but that is always a good thing. I want to know how everyone's holiday weekend went! Let me know.

Catching you up in the life of Confero...

The Elnora case has been closed! Two weekends ago, my dear friend and colleague, Heidi Elnora, and her present husband tied the knot to become Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Baker. Of course, Confero was by her side the entire way from fluffing out her gorgeous, self-designed gown to waving goodbye as they drove from the reception. By now, Im sure you know there were one million and one details in between. The ceremony was held at Mt. Brook Community Church where we had sweeping garlands of baby’s breath strung from the altar and other soft, feminine touches to keep the special moment warm and personal.

Later that evening at the Alabama Theatre, we created a Masquerade Bal with guests and servers alike donning masks and navigating through the labyrinth of hallways and nooks within the upper mezzanines of the theatre. There was everything that spoke of Heidi and Jeff! Southern comfort breakfast and supper bars, Jeff's family tie to the dairy industry with mini Barber's milk cartons & Krispy Kream doughnuts, a Trick-or-Treat room to show Heidi's love for Halloween and a Ball Park Kids Station with mini corn dogs, burgers and chips. SO cute and So personal. Yours truly even sported a mask in spirit of the evening!

The early morning set up of the ceremony.

Who do you see WAY up high?!

Fluffing Heidi's dress for the day's photos! Such a beautiful gown!

Personal touches make all the difference.

Heidi's grandmother's antique Singer sewing machine sat along side the sign in table and showcased family photos.

Ceremony view from the balcony of the church.

The marquee of the Alabama Theatre set the tone for the evening as guests arrived.

What a SPECTACULAR gown!

Myself and Mandy Majerik showing off our custom masks!

Posing for a photo with Tracy and Michelle of Alabama Weddings Magazine.

Thank you to Angela Karen Photography for all the beautiful photos.

These were just a sneak peak,

So many more amazing ones to come in publications all across the U.S.

Below is a link to the sneak peak video by Holloway Productions!

It's a FABULOUS video go check it out!

Heidi Elnora Wedding Teaser from Holloway Productions on Vimeo.

Having brought that evening to an end, it was time to begin looking to my next wedding which is indeed this coming weekend! Exciting and pretty things are pulling together of course! I’ve grown quite fond of this bride these past several months and I cannot wait to give her the wedding for which she has been waiting. A little teaser.... Nothing speaks feminine luxe like Tiffany Blue!

I also had the chance last weekend to create a chic and sexy lounge for Crown Royal for the Magic City Classic, a local festival held every year here in Birmingham. Sharp acrylic tables and great lighting were implemented in true Confero style. I don’t stop just for a holiday weekend!

All in the middle of all my event bliss, I have been trying to pack and move and eat and breathe. You know I never stop! I had an interesting Halloween to boot, with a stop at a friend’s Halloween soiree with a “Wicked” theme where I got the chance to catch up with my dear Alicia Clavell as we sipped her concocted “Popular” punch. I found my deepest inner-youth and even dressed up as a soccer player for the night. Not to say I’m the athletic superstar, but at least it gave me the chance to wear one of my brand new Christopher Confero staff shirts, which I am extremely excited about! Nothing wrong with a little advertising right?

Tablescape by Ricky Whitley. Such fun spooky things!

Last but not least I have been nominated as one of Birmingham's top industry professionals in the Fox6 Upick Contest. Please take a moment and go vote for me! Thank you to everyone who has shown your support!

Link to Vote for Christopher!

Time to hop off here and get back to the grind.

Fabulous weddings don’t just happen on their own!

Best!

New School & Old School

It’s been a LONG TIME since I’ve posted hasn’t it?

You know it's a sign - me being "that word" that seems to pop up in every post of mine – BUSY!

There’s so much to say, but of course not enough time to say it, so we’ll hit the highlights.

Two weekends ago, I designed the Phi Mu Carnation Ball for the girls from the University of Alabama. The event was held at Old Car Heaven, which showcases an amazing selection of vintage automobiles. The Dan Band, as you may have you seen in Old School or The Hangover, was the night’s entertainment and was entirely hysterical!! Look them up on Youtube if you’re not familiar.

A new friend to Confero, Mark Thompson, from Guntersville AL produced the florals for the evening. It's always great to find a young new talent!

Hot pink and oranges made that space really come alive and it was apparent the girls had an absolute BLAST! I can’t wait to go meet and greet with them at a future chapter meeting; perhaps some future Confero brides in the mix???

Old Car Heaven was a great space for the 500+ guests.

I say over and over again, lighting makes the biggest impact!

Acrylic Tables lit in orange were the perfect way to jazz up the VIP area.

Fabric panels hung from the balcony to the lounge area.

Highboy tables with an orange base stripped in pink

carried the color theme through the space.

Does anyone see any single ladies?!?

Close shot of the bistro arrangements with custom pink votives for the girls!

Playing off of the "Carnation Ball" theme, I designed a carnation ball to sit

on the ledge of a cylinder with delicate orchids floating inside.

For those of you who don't know, the word Confero means

to "bring EVERYTHING together,"so you know I'm all about the details.

Down to having tissue that coordinated with the color scheme adds an unexpected twist!

Colored tissue available at Hothouse Design Studio!

We Declare War!

The very same night of the Phi Mu Ball, I had the pleasure of designing table centerpieces for DL Salon to jazz up their annual Hair War competition. I usually call on a certain floral studio to fill my need for flowers, but a close friend asked that I personally take on the task for this event. With my knowledge of floral design, I whipped up a sleek focal that my friends at DL loved!

Close view of the sleek florals inside a glass cylinder.

DL's tables stole the show.

The height spoke volume when you looked over the room.

Along for the ride.

Whenever I have a down day, I lend a helping hand to my dear friend in the wedding biz, Hothouse Design Studio. As we were setting in the ceremony I was inspired by the breathtaking statement stained glass windows can make in a space. It creates great lighting and has a simplistic beauty without you having to do a thing. It was a great reminder of how traditional features should never be taken for granted. I’m all about contemporary and modern designs, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have a great respect for “old school” style.

Over view of the ceremony in the chapel at Canterbury UMC.

Between the stained glass and the bouquets, this shot had to be beautiful.

Tight shot of the altar piece by Hothouse.

The night's reception.

Cake by Diane Olexa

Styled by Christopher.. the bride provided the cutest wooden figures!

Lighting by Design Productions

For an alternative to a groom's cake, Olexa's had a yummy cheesecake buffet!

The Oreo is my personal favorite!