Recently, friend and business associate, Rikki of The Invitation Lady {not to mention, Mrster Certified!} and I had the opportunity to compete in the National Association of Catering Executives Elements Table Design Competition. We went head-to-head against some of the Valley's top designers and well, we have bragging rights. We came in first in our category and won the People's Choice Award. We were told by the judges that were were three points (out of 400 points) away from taking Best Overall award as well but we were just as ecstatic with the two awards that we did win.

Our element was Toyko (there were four categories, all designed around cities). We were assigned to design a table for eight within a 16x16 space and let our creativity flow. Well, if you know either one of us we are never ones to do something expected, so of course we took our creativity to another level and decided to give it :: Harajuku Style.

Below are several pictures taken by the talented Ben of BQ Photography.

These little babes acted as our favors. They were small bottles of perfume.

Our menus laid gently on origami. Remember playing with this design when you were a kid? Pick a color, then a number, then I will read your fortune.

We gave our guests a choice for utensils. A fork or chopsticks. Then on their beaded place card we wrote, "If you can't rock the chops then fork it." The judges loved that one!

Our napkin enhancements were these punk leather belts. Kiss ass!

Again a shot of our "Scent of Gratitude." Her name was Baby.

Also notice the mix-matching of the glassware. Two out of the four glasses were a part of a set. The other pieces were not, but seemed to blend perfectly. Who wants the boring matchy-match anyway?

People couldn't stop touching these chairs. How electrifying were they?! Very.

The floral was unbelievable. People kept thinking the flowers were all fake. Not these...just like me--100% real, baby!

We had other thoughts for the tissue pom-poms but it just wasn't flying. So we opted for them to be a part of the wall decor. I think it worked out nicely. Also, notice the checkered dance floor as the table's base.

We amplified Gwen Stafani's Harajuku-inspired album in the background and asked guests at the event to "Holla Back." This was an awesome option for our guestbook.

The genius behind the over all design. Me (left), and the magnificent Rikki aka The Invitation Lady.

We can't thank our kind sponsors enough that helped us execute our Tokyo-inspired table.

Rentals ::Mrster Certified and outstanding event professional :: Brianna of Creative Event Rentals.

Floral :: The amazingly talented and uber creative :: William of Artistic Surroundings.

Paper Products :: Were all hand made by The Invitation Lady. She rocked it!

For more information and pictures of the tables visit the Life Design Event Planning or The Invitation Lady blogs.