A Simple Evening: Raleigh – Styling

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Simple Evening: Raliegh Styling with Jenn Elliott Blake | The Fresh Exchange

Ever since the first Simple Evening last August it has been about collaboration. Like I mentioned on Tuesday, if I did all the things that it took to pull together A Simple Evening I would go crazy and it would not feel as beautiful as it does when a team of people come together with one common goal; to come together and share their talents, enjoy a meal, and celebrate the beauty of collaborating.

This is why I love that we are sharing the behind the scenes part of putting together this event. Tuesday you all saw Jenn and I wander through Logan’s to gather the plants for the centerpieces, so today I wanted to go the step further and share the creation of all the pieces you will see styled during the dinner. Each of these things were Jenn’s brilliant ideas. We simply all helped make them come to life together.

Simple Evening: Raliegh Styling with Jenn Elliott Blake | The Fresh Exchange

Simple Evening: Raliegh Styling with Jenn Elliott Blake | The Fresh Exchange

Jenn had brought all sorts of gathered glassware with her on the plane from Seattle (yeah she flew across the country with that stuff! That’s dedication!!) and then used the plants we purchased and the wild onions we pulled from fields to fill them.

Simple Evening: Raliegh Styling with Jenn Elliott Blake | The Fresh Exchange

Simple Evening: Raliegh Styling with Jenn Elliott Blake | The Fresh Exchange

Simple Evening: Raliegh Styling with Jenn Elliott Blake | The Fresh Exchange

The glassware was all super eclectic but had the same consistency as far as clarity and glass color. Jenn did an awesome job putting together the perfect collection so you could see the dirt and roots of all the plants. We felt that since this dinner was centered around the garden we should be showing the realness of the garden and not just the pretty parts. Though truthfully what isn’t beautiful about dark rich soil and uncontrolled roots?

Simple Evening: Raliegh Styling with Jenn Elliott Blake | The Fresh Exchange

Simple Evening: Raliegh Styling with Jenn Elliott Blake | The Fresh Exchange

Simple Evening: Raliegh Styling with Jenn Elliott Blake | The Fresh Exchange

While Jenn was getting her hands dirty with the potting Mike and I were on the task of hand lettering the menus and place cards. We had gotten cut strips of steel for all the menus. Now I have to tell you these guys are heavy, but we really wanted something that each guest could take home with them from the evening that reminded them of not just the dinner but the passion of Raleigh, so Mike hand lettered over 20 different menus.

Simple Evening: Raliegh Styling with Jenn Elliott Blake | The Fresh Exchange

Simple Evening: Raliegh Styling with Jenn Elliott Blake | The Fresh Exchange

Each one had the same content each time and he did it without any stencil it was all completely free handed. That still amazes me as someone who letters just as much as he does. I was socked when I looked over and saw 15 of them all done and he hadn’t messed one up. The concept really added something personal to the event.

I spent time hand lettering dipped plant markers for all the place cards for the dinner. Jenn had pre-dipped the wood markers and brought them with her. I then sat and wrote all the names on each one. It really was fun to all end and see what we had accomplished as a team. We ended that day with a good meal together with the rest of our team and dreamt up crazy ideas all night.

Simple Evening: Raliegh Styling with Jenn Elliott Blake | The Fresh Exchange

Next week we will be sharing the setup of the dinner so get ready to watch the Videri Chocolate Factory be transformed.

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