Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Lilybrooke quoted in CNBC"s Confessions of a Personal Assistant

I loved being a Personal Assistant to Barbara Bush and am always happy to give my side of the story about working for a "celebrity". The Bushes are amazing people and I was thrilled to be part of their lives. They are real, kind and genuine to every person they meet.




Confessions of a Personal Assistant

Published: Tuesday, 30 Nov 2010 | 2:54 PM ET
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Peter Dazeley | Photographer's Choice | Getty Images

The modern personal assistant plays a role similar to that which used to be called a personal secretary, but at any moment a personal assistant might also be called upon for services otherwise performed by a butler, concierge, babysitter, personal shopper, messenger, pet sitter, mother, lover, or therapist.

Once found mainly among the rich and famous, the personal assistant has more recently entered the greater public consciousness thanks to Hollywood reality shows like Kathy Griffin’s ‘My Life on the D List,’ or “reality” shows like ‘Entourage,’ not to mention “fictional” exposes like ‘The Devil Wears Prada.’ They’re no longer just found next to bigwigs or in la-la wood trailing behind actor-director-agent types. Thanks to virtual personal assistant services, anyone with the cash to spare can outsource a task like making appointments (or even online dating) on a one-time or regular basis.

But those virtual assistant gigs don’t yield the stories that arise when PA s put in long hours in close quarters at the beck and call of big personalities. Just as common now as the personal assistant, it seems, are the PAs' horror stories. Although some personal assistants are sworn to secrecy—most assistants to high profile celebrities sign non-disclosure agreements, says Drei Donnelly, President of the Association of Celebrity Personal Assistants—other PAs past and present were willing to share anec-donts from the trenches.

Mission: Improbable

For personal assistants, unusual tasks are business as usual. One assistant recalls having to keep a special healing mushroom alive by soaking it in goat’s milk as it grew to new and alarming sizes, and later reserving that mushroomy goat milk for her boss to drink (she never did drink it). Lynn Sudlow of Complete Errand buried a hamster that died while its owners were on vacation in Europe, but after hearing back from them about the dead pet, she had to exhume the hamster and stow it in the freezer (where it remains to this day).

When Missy Brown was hired to work for an Israeli artist, she expected her tasks to consist of managing the studio, meeting with buyers, and working with museums, but the job also entailed accompanying her boss on shopping trips and bringing back to the loft office her hauls of $700 boots and custom-made Chanel dresses. When still new on the job, Missy took a weekend trip with her new boyfriend, which her boss knew about. “She called me constantly. She’d call me and say, ‘Missy. Where’s my address book.’ ‘Missy. Where’s this CD?’ She needed to feel important at the expense of my vacation, [but] I was too naive to know any better.”

Four years later, Missy did know better. Her boss screamed at her regularly. “A couple of times I’d say, ‘I can’t take this anymore, then she’d sweet talk me, offer me more money. It was like an abusive relationship. She called me her brain—it would put her in a very bad position to be without me.” This abusive relationship is a comparison commonly evoked among disgruntled former PAs.

Now, the fate of a dying kumquat tree in the artist’s loft—and on an apparently related note, the well-being of the boss—was Missy’s responsibility. She kept prioritizing her boss’ business needs over the tree, until she got called in for a kumquat-inspired scolding: “It’s this bad energy, this tree is like a dying animal, and you need to call a nursery, I want somebody to bring the tree back to life.” When resurrection proved impossible, Missy hid the tree, ending that particular chapter in a troubled work relationship.

Just Do It

Leon Renyop, an assistant to a film and TV director, recalls being saddled with finding an ethnic baby to be photographed for a greeting card of questionable taste. He couldn’t very well tell the infant casting agencies that the baby was needed for a goof, so he fabricated the alter ego “Geoffrey Bozenkampf” complete with accent and Gmail account, and acting as Geoffrey he claimed he needed the baby’s image to use in a short film. Then, because his director boss is “obnoxiously frugal,” Leon had to find a way to print up 150 of these holiday cards for about $80 (Kinko’s quoted about $250 for the job). “Find a way, there’s gotta be a way,” came the director’s typical refusal to take no for an answer. Leon faked a fall and injury at Kinko’s for an instant 60% discount, and in this case, for the win.

Another time, the director called Leon around 9:30 on a Saturday, requiring 200 tennis balls before noon, so he could teach his girlfriend tennis—and he needed to get the balls for a cost of about $10. “There’s gotta be a way.” Leon ran around town, finding those ways, not all of them necessarily legal. “I hopped the fence at a country club with a basket I picked up at the grocery store and picked up like 30 orphan balls, I got chased by the tennis coach. Then I called a buddy who was a member at a country club, who knew a crooked groundskeeper, who sells balls he steals from the country club. I drove like 30 minutes and did this sketchy tennis ball transaction in his alley like I was buying a pound of cocaine and I had to haggle him down.” It took until about 12:15, but Leon once again made it happen.

Katie Harvey worked for a brother and sister team who regularly fought over who got to use her. In addition to being verbally abusive (“a monkey could do this!” was among the phrases screamed at Katie), the sister boss also asked the impossible. She called Katie in to her office holding a folder and demanded that the assistant find the paper that went with the folder.

“What does it say?”

“New York State.”

Katie balked. Okay…A New York state document. Their office was located in New York state, so there was bound to be a lot of documents containing that phrase.

‘Do you think I have time to describe every f-ing detail? Just find it.”

“Is it a bill?”

“Just find it.”

There were 30 file drawers and Katie was going to have to look through every paper in every drawer. She started at the most likely drawer that had a lot of official documents with the state seal.

“Not that goddamn drawer. Don’t you think I looked in that one?”

So Katie went through every single piece of paper in every other file until the boss took lunch, when she I went over to the first file drawer and found it. This triumph elicited no thank you from the boss lady, mind you, just: “That was a big f-ing waste of my time.”

RubberBall Productions | Getty Images

This Time, it’s Really Personal

One assistant worked for an award-winning cinematographer and his family for several years. “I had developed a very tight bond with them and we considered each other family. The couple asked if I would film the birth of their child. They said I was the only person they trusted enough to handle this task. While I was terrified at the thought of filming such a personal and unfamiliar event, I was honored to have been asked. It was requested that I watch several hours of birthing videos so I would know what to expect during the birth. Each day, I watched hour-long videos of women going through labor and the delivery of their babies. Video after video, I watched as these women were screaming and cursing and looking as if they were being tortured. What had I gotten myself into?”

”Inside the delivery room, I was introduced to the doctor and knew that I was going to have to be very creative to get the perfect shot and capture the whole event. I found the perfect place to stand, the overhead light was in the perfect spot. Just as things were getting good and the baby was crowning, the doctor moved to a different position, moving the overhead light with him. Knowing that my boss was expecting a perfect video, I quickly apologized to the doctor and moved the light to where it was best for my camera angle. There was an excellent chance that my boss and his wife would have been outraged that I would get in the way of the doctor, but instead, my boss, the cinematographer, gave me a high-five and said... ‘YES! That's why I knew you were perfect for the job!’

”I never watched that video, but I'm told that it was wonderfully shot and perfectly lit.”

Moving On

Brooke Sheldon of Lilybrooke Events, a one-time assistant to Barbara Bush, feels that assistants to devils wearing Prada should simply quit and find other jobs, and says her time with Mrs. Bush was “almost completely enjoyable.” She remembers being invited to a personal performance at the Bush’s summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine, which was also attended by members of their current staff and some locals. There was also the time they visited the White House during George W. Bush’s presidency and staff and administrators were so happy to see Mrs. Bush that they cried.

“But of course there were times when we disagreed or just plain grew tired of each other—especially after a long trip,” Brooke says. “My role was to assist her, not be her friend (although 99 percent of the time I felt like a granddaughter, and she would often say she was as close to her aides as she was her grandchildren). But when times were tough, and she wasn’t happy (hanging chads, anyone?) it was my job to continue to make her life easier and continue to do the job I was hired for.”

Not surprisingly, sometimes these worker-boss relationships come crashing to ugly ends. When one final insult prompted Missy to quit, her boss compared their split to a divorce, and it came complete with a legal battle Missy initiated to collect unemployment, which she won. However, some endings are happier. Katie’s tenure on a different assisting gig to a “semi-celebrity chef” ended when she was promoted to the job she wanted. And Leon feels he’s learned all he can from this director, and feels like he can never rest easy in this job, so he’s ready to go shadow other directors. For unhappy personal assistants, greener pastures beckon, and after they have time to heal, they’ll still have the stories, even if they can’t legally tell them to others.

© 2010 CNBC.com

Monday, November 29, 2010

Craig Paulson Photography

Today I had lunch with award winning New York City photographer, Craig Paulson. Craig is a fun Aussie who has had an interesting career working and doing things he loves. After growing up in Australia, he moved to London to work alongside a photographer. He traveled the world taking photos and eventually ended up in NYC where he currently has a thriving wedding business.

I met Craig this summer as he photographed a wedding that I coordinated in Biddeford Pool, Maine. His behind the scenes style is always welcomed and his professionalism prior to, during and after the wedding is outstanding. My bride and groom met Craig while he was photographing a friend's wedding. The couple was not yet engaged, but they proclaimed to Craig that he would be shooting their wedding. And true to their statement, days after their engagement, Craig was one of the first people they called.

The relationship between wedding planner and photographer can be a bit rocky at times. The photographer has a goal of taking as many great photos of the bride and groom as possible while the wedding planner has the goal of keeping everything on schedule and making sure that the bride and groom do get great photos, but also are able to have enough time to attend their reception.

It's not a hard formula to figure out, but all vendors have to be honest with each other about their expectations and their needs. We all have the same goal of making the bride and groom happy.

Craig was a pleasure to work with. He has amazing photos and I'm thrilled to now call him a friend.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Lilybrooke Staffers

Ever wonder what an Event Planner is? Or how it all comes together? Well...it takes a team of dedicated, fun, creative people. We are doers. We are problem solvers. And we don't understand the word "no." Every situation has a way of being resolved, but many times, no one wants to be responsible for making the decision. An event planner not only makes the decision, they see to it that the decision works with the overall plan and tweaks every situation as needed throughout an entire event.

There's no better compliment than to hear how "easy everything was" or that "everything was flawless." There is no such thing. But if something appears seamless to our guests, then our job was done correctly. The food is often delayed so someone has to tell the Best Man that his toast will happen shortly. Or that the First Dance or Cake Cutting is coming.

Sometimes our tasks are not as glamourous. The restroom is out of toilet paper, it's about to rain, the father doesn't have time to finish all the tasks he thought he would have time for on his daughter's wedding day.

At Lilybrooke, we are an extension of all your event needs. If it happens the day of your event, it is our problem to solve. It becomes our job description whether we signed up for that problem or not.

Below are a few fun examples of being caught in the act.

Lana making sure everyone has an umbrella.


Bob our film crew during the "Take 5" news taping.


Gift Bags take an army of people to assemble, sort and deliver!



Groomsmen could almost have one person assigned to them just prior to the ceremony. No matter how smooth the rehearsal, more direction is always needed for our supportive team of guys.


Of course you alway need someone with the bride at all times to not only help her with anything (and any vendors) while she is getting ready, but to keep in communication with the staff at the church to be sure the bride arrives at just the right time! Lucy was every bride's best friend this summer.


Walk thrus always include notebooks full of notes, measurements and small details. Every comment could play into a much larger role later on as the entire look is pulled together.



If you've ever stood in a wide open space trying to contemplate what a large tent full of flowers, tables, chairs, candles and 200 of your closest friends looks like, then you understand this photo.


The chairs look pretty when they are finished, but it is almost its own science to get them picture perfect.


Pat helping to determine the amount of light that will be needed if it's too cold and the dark drapes need to be closed.


Nils helping out a proud father on his never-ending to-do list.


It takes a lot to get a tent and the rental items to go from this...


To this!



We love what we do. And we have fun doing it.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

New York, New York 10028

I have always wanted to live in NYC. After college, I was just 3 hours south in Washington, DC and enjoyed visiting friends in the city frequently. I have interviewed off and on since those visits, once getting an offer at Sotheby's, but the timing was never right.

Lilybrooke is my ideal job that allows me to be busy in the summer months in a town that I adore, Kennebunkport, but also have the freedom to explore or hibernate in the winter months. This winter I finally landed in New York's Upper East Side. Since the majority of my brides live in New York, it is a perfect location for me to be.

Gabby (my dog) and I arrived today and the first adventure after unpacking and delivering the rental car was to walk the three short, beautiful blocks to the Metropolitan Museum. I haven't been there in years and have never been there at night. It was a stunning and wonderful welcome to our new neighborhood.


Saturday, September 25, 2010

A Cape Porpoise Wedding at Pier 77


Tina and Adam are a fun, loving midwest
couple who were excited to escape
Ohio to host a small, intimate
wedding along
Maine's seacoast.

The ceremony and luncheon reception were held at Pier 77, a charming restaurant at the end of Pier Road in the sleepy fishing village of Cape Porpoise,
Maine, over looking the small harbor.

The weather was warmer than usual for late September, but that didn't stop the wedding guests from dancing long into the reception.

Wedding Coordinator: Brooke Sheldon, Lilybrooke Events
Venue: Pier 77
Flowers: Fleurant
Cake: Let Them Eat Cake
Photographer: Ellen Dooley
Band: Center Stage
Transportation: InTown Trolley




Saturday, September 18, 2010

River Club Wedding

Kate and Dave loved the Kennebunk River Club so much that they not only were married on the back porch overlooking the river, they had their reception and post party there as well.

Having worked for Vogue in New York and now as an Interior Designer in San Francisco, Kate had a specific, tailored look that she achieved through so many small details. From the sisal rugs flanked with candlelit lanterns that became her aisle through the boathouse, to small topiaries atop custom made striped linen tablecloths in off-white and tan, the speciality cocktails and a band like no others, the Michael Aranella Dreamland Orchestra. As an additional touch for her guests, the Kennebunkporter had on hand several vintage cars from their collection to provide a ride home for guests who were not within walking distance.

The evening concluded with an after party across the street in the "Casino" where a DJ was brought in from NYC to spin tunes into the late hour as guests enjoyed late night burgers and fries and serving them selves from a popcorn machine.

Wedding Coordinator: Brooke Sheldon, Lilybrooke Events
On-site Coordinator: Tressa Sedlock, Lilybrooke Events
Venue: The River Club, Kennebunkport, Maine
Florist: Anniebell's
Photographer: Emilie Inc
Hair: Studio 41
Transportation: Kennebunkporter


Saturday, August 14, 2010

A Laudholm Seaside Wedding


Sarah and Rob are a Colorado couple with New England ties, so when they came to Maine for their wedding, the combination of St. Ann's outside chapel and Laudholm Farm provided the obvious setting for their wedding.

The bride worked tirelessly to provide numerous small details of her and Rob's favorite things. From personalized packages of lavender that were tossed during the recessional, to jars of Maine blueberry jams and mustards that were given as guests departed the reception.

The bride made flags that hung from inside the tent and each dinner table was decorated with unique vintage linens that were a mix of family linens and those picked up throughout the year at area sales. The centerpieces were
a mixture of wild flowers placed in a fabulous variety of silver pieces at varying heights.

Guests enjoyed a cocktail hour at the top of the hill, while dinner was inside a sailcloth tent with dessert and dancing following in the historic barn who's doors were draped with dramatic burlap.

Wedding Coordinator: Brooke Sheldon, Lilybrooke Events
Venue: Laudholm Farm, Wells, Maine
Photographer: David Murray Weddings
Hair: All Seasons Day Spa
Transportation: Kennebunkporter



Sunday, July 11, 2010

A Biddeford Pool Seaside Wedding


Lindsay and Arthur met in college and Arthur introduced Lindsay to the wonders of Maine. Once they were engaged it was quickly decided that they would host the wedding near Arthur's family's summer home in Biddeford Pool, Maine.
The stunning, simple St. Brendan's Chapel was
the location for the ceremony. The church was
adorned with flowers and draped in a dramatic, stylish fabric that had never
been done before. It was a special touch greeting guests who traveled so far to be there.


Everything was perfect aside from the pouring rain which paused long enough for guests to get inside the church and then from the church to the reception just down the street at the Abenakee Club. No one seemed to mind the raindrops. After all, rain on your wedding is good luck.
Wedding Coordinator: Brooke Sheldon, Lilybrooke Events
Church: St. Brendan's, Biddeford Pool, Maine
Reception Venue: The Abenakee Club, Biddeford Pool, Maine
Florist: Fleurant
Photographer: Craig Paulson
Videographer: Lynne Valeri
Band: Secret Service
Ceremony Quartet: New England Musicians
Hair: Studio 41
Manicure and Pedicures: Breakwater Inn Spa

Sunday, July 4, 2010

A 4th of July Wedding

Shannon had always dreamed of a wedding on her favorite holiday, the 4th of July, so when she became engaged to a U.S. Secret Service agent, the date was a given. Working with many different shades and variations of Red, White and Blue, we finally selected lots of blues and a touch of a deep, traditional red.






Shannon and her mom did much of the design on their own, with Lilybrooke overseeing the planning aspects, but I was happy to help out this amazing family that I am honored to now call friends. Here I was caught tying flowers and lanterns on the pew ends of the Franciscan Monastery where all of their family and friends gathered for the ceremony. The Monastery is steps from her mother's Kennebunk, Maine home, so the bride decided to walk to her ceremony
along the path that they walked every Sunday.

Following the reception, InTown Trolley took all of the guests to Kennebunk Beach for the beautiful firework show. It truly was a magical day for Shannon & Jeff as the months of planning made this day, one that the bride had dreamed of for years, become a reality.

A thank you to C.A. Smith Photography for providing photos.












Wedding Coordinator: Brooke Sheldon, Lilybrooke Events
Venue: The Franciscan Monastery, Kennebunk, Maine
Caterer: Winks
Florist: Autumn
Photographer: CA Smith Photography
DJ: David Reid
Transportation: InTown Trolley