By Stefania Aulicino
A big birthday of mine was coming up and I wanted to do something different. I asked a friend who has a lovely city garden if I could have a garden party in his backyard. Wili was delighted. He himself is a party guy. As a complement to his profession as a graphic designer and manager of engineering draftsmen, which is how I originally got to know him, he loves to exercise his creative side; he is a skilled interior decorator, clothing designer, and gardener and loves the culinary arts.
We set the date and Wili asked me what I wanted. Something simple. Just the backyard for friends to gather with me. Yes I would bring the cake. And Wili’s sister, who has a side catering business, was engaged to help Wili with the food.
As we got close, Wili did not want to use paper products, but came up with stemmed glasses, porcelain and cloth napkins- in keeping with his eye for proper look for my event. Wili told me we must have cut flowers and we added that to the budget. Wili got the flowers wholesale and arranged then in his own vases.
The party was a smash success. Everyone was amazed at the backdrop of a very intimate garden party with fabulous food, cut and planted flowers and energy contributed by Wili’s entire family who joined our celebration.
Then the problem happened. continue reading…