I was one of the 'experts' featured in the Kansas City's Star House + Home on Sunday!  

"Local pros and experts suggest their favorite guides to include on the home library shelf." 

My recommendation : 

Barefoot Contessa Parties! (Clarkson Potter, $32,50)

"Jenny Steffens, an event planner who owns Occasions Kansas City and The Bliss List, a site with descriptions of wedding vendors (www.blisslistkc.com).  Steffens considers this book her home-entertaining bible.  'It has it all,' Steffens said, 'from recipes to party idea, to how to set the table.  She even talks about her mistakes.'"

"The 264-page book is organized by party ideas for the four seasons.  The book is iconic Garten, host of her own Food Network series and author of other cookbooks.  Her philosophy is keeping an event simple but elegant, making for a happier host and more memorable party.'

"'I can't say enough about assembling food rather than cooking,' Garten wrote. 'I keep telling myself that my friends won't have more fun if I spend two days making a dacquoise for dessert than if I find a delicious pound cake at a bakery and serve it with store-bought lemon curd and fresh raspberries.'"

Sunday, January 11, 2009, Kansas City Star, House + Home

There's a familiar face in today's KC Star... It's me!  FYI's columnist, Jenee Osterheldt, wrote an article about The Bliss List!  I've included a small excerpt below.  To read the entire article, visit The KC Star or pick up a copy!

"...She found herself spending her days at her advertising job thinking about weddings.  She became a devout fan of bridal blogs like Martha Stewart Weddings, Style Me Pretty and Wedding Bee."

"...Jenny started an event-planning business, Occasions Kansas City.  She does about 10 weddings a year, plus parties and other events."

"...After doing this for four years, she realized KC didn't really have one place you could look to for wedding resources.  A lot of brides use the Knot, a nationally known wedding mega-site.  But Jenny thought the city needed something more personal."

"...So she recently launched the Bliss List (www.blisslistkc.com).  The site features local wedding vendors and descriptions about their style.  She also hosts events to introduce people to undiscovered talent in the wedding business."

"...'I love bringing personalities and styles together,' she says.  'One photographer might work great for one bride, but his style may be all wrong for another.  There is a real art to matching people up."

"...'I take weddings very seriously,' she says. 'It's easy to forget what the day is really about... it's about celebrating the blending of two families, not impressing people.  There are so many ways to treat your friends and family without spending a bunch of money.'"

Kansas City Star : Profile on Jenny Steffens & The Bliss List

Kansas City Star : Jenny & The Barefoot Contessa Parties!