“Passion, dedication, expression, & influence are the foundational elements of any form of art”; according to young creative mind Melanie Aguirre. With every artistic creation, comes the inception of expression. With devotion and humility, Melanie Aguirre aims to bring her creativity and experience to the artistic world of dance, film, & music.  Born and raised in New York City, Melanie has been exposed to rhythm and culture since the age of 3, beginning with Salsa and the Hustle taught by her parents, also dancers. In a world of constant change, Melanie willingly embraced her talents and pursued her passion diligently. By the time she reached 18, Melanie Aguirre had earned a position on a Disney tour and a MTV show called “Say What Karaoke”, formally launching her career in the entertainment world.  Before May of 2006, she was featured in three magazines including twice in Cosmo Girl for the Body & Soul articles and Dance spirit. Was a member of House of Ninja and still an active member of Dance Soul Co.  Of course, this was only the beginning.

Since then, Melanie has held many influential roles such as being assistant choreographer to well known artist Keisha Cole. She has also held the title of choreographer with several broadcast networks such as Univision & MTV, Shaggy and a featured role on the new ABC series “The Unusual”. She was hired for Super Star celebrity Usher to Belly Dance as a Birthday gift which lead to a feature in his Lil freak Video. Most recently she performed on NBC as principal performer for Pitbull, Neyo, T-Pain and Marc Anthony. Melanie has an online reality show on www.creativecontrol.tv. With every new accomplishment come new heights and goals for Melanie Aguirre.

Click to view slideshow.

Hosted by Rockin’ The Big Apple

Join us on Tuesday, Feb. 14^th, 2012 as we celebrate Valentine’s Day in Style!

Toro Lounge at the Smyth Hotel

85 W Broadway, Manhattan

(Corner of Chambers and W. Broadway)

7pm-10pm

~Singles and Couples are welcome

~Happy Hour Specials

~Valentine’s Day Specialty Cocktail

*Featuring DJ JUSS

*Amazing Dance Performance by the MELANIE AGUIRRE

*An automatic Entry Into Raffle Drawing with Ticket Purchase

Online Pre-sale Tickets are $20 -until Friday Feb.10^th, 2012

Tickets at the door are $25 -CASH ONLY

Interested in having dinner prior to the event?  A Prix-fixe dinner menu is available at Plein Sud Restaurant at the hotel, located above Toro Lounge.

Dinner prepared by EXECUTIVE CHEF: SEBASTIEN D. AGEZ

To make reservations, please send an email to Rsvp@YourGraciousHost.com

 To purchase your tickets, please visit the link below:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=DWEGPN343J45J

For inquiries, email info@rockinthebigapple.com

Event lighting is one of the most important factors that need special attention to bring the magical and sophisticated atmosphere to life.

Unique concepts of using the different kinds of lighting equipment can transform any empty space to an elegant and visually appealing ballroom.

Some locations automatically put everyone in a romantic mindset. Scenic views, beachside venues and intimate lighting all help you achieve the look without the hassle. Explore your options with Rockin’ The Big Apple, we will assist you in exploring and selecting the right venue!

Of course you’ve already snagged your hubby, but many ladies will be hoping to catch the bouquet. Weddings are prime opportunities to connect people, so consider everyone’s status when plotting your chart. You’ll get a kick out of watching the singles flirt

A few tips we’ve come across and we think that we should share them with you!

1. Banish your crackberries. Do you realize every time you set your mobile device on the dinner table you are creating a barrier between you and your guests?  Using your device during a meal is like saying, “my text message, email, or phone call is more important than our conversation.” Build your people skills and put the phone on “stun” or vibrate, and keep it off of the table. Especially at an office or networking party – keep your mobile device stashed away and check it in the men’s or ladies room.

2. Place setting is all about B.M.W. The amount of silverware on a table can be overwhelming. Remember: Spoons and knives are on the right side, forks are on the left.  Liquids are on the right; solids, like the salad plate or a bread and butter plate, are on the left. Too often people are confused about which bread plate and which water glass is theirs and they end up “borrowing” their neighbors.  Remember, left to right it’s B.M.W. – Bread, Meal, Water

3. Buttering your bread. How you butter your bread is a quick indicator of whether you know basic table manners. Put butter onto the bread plate rather than directly onto your roll.  Break, don’t cut the bread, then butter one bite-size piece at a time. Never butter a whole slice of bread at once, or slice a roll in half and butter it. 

4. Be silverware savvy. Use your silverware from the outside in and don’t use utensils as a weapon and gesture with silverware in your hand to make a point — if you’re not using a utensil, put it down on your plate. Use a knife and fork to cut only one piece of food at a time and don’t “saw” your food, cut it.  Also, don’t clutch your fork in your fist and never stab food with your fork. When you finish a course, place the knife and fork in the “finished” position, which (on the face of a clock) is placing the tip of the knife and fork at 10:00 and the handles are at 4:00.

5. The art of the toast. Here’s a protocol rule most people do not know:  The rule is “one does not drink a toast to one’s self!”  If a toast is being given in your honor you do not drink but you do reciprocate by presenting a toast back to the host. 

~ Enjoy your Holiday and be Merry ~

There are many reasons to use a full-service wedding planner, or at least, a day-of wedding coordinator. Here’s the scoop:

Day-of coordinator – you should hold your bouquet NOT a clipboard

Planning a wedding is very exciting, but can be a time consuming and sometimes stressful experience. You still would like to plan it and this is where a day-of wedding coordinator comes in handy; he/she will make sure all your hard work and planning pay off on your big day!

A Day-Of Coordinator will:

• Create a detailed timeline for vendors and wedding party-so everyone knows what the schedule is and where they need to be at certain times

• Review all of your vendor contracts and contact vendors to confirm all details-to make sure there are no hidden fees or problems that might rise to surface on the day of your wedding

• Wrap up any loose ends you might not have thought about-a wedding planner sees things from a different angle so he/she might bring up some concerns

• Coordinate your wedding rehearsal-to let the couple, wedding party and parents know what to do and when to do it, and for the ushers to know who and where to seat guests

• Be the first on the spot to greet vendors and receive all deliveries- confirming arrival of all that’s involved in your wedding

• Coordinate and assist with set-up and decorating

• Distribute final payments and tips to vendors

• Assist guests and wedding party as needed- one of the ways is by keeping a copy of the seating chart to help guests find their tables or seats

• Pin boutonnieres and corsages

• Direct ceremonial processionals

• Keep an eye on the timeline

• Troubleshoot and act as behind-the-scenes manager

• Gather any remaining items at the end of the night — guest book, etc.

• Keep a list of contacts and phone numbers of Bride and Groom, all vendors, venue in case of emergency (for example…the cake is to be there at 1:00 and it’s 1:30 and no cake…it’s happened).

• Have on hand a wedding day emergency kit containing things you would never think of like sewing kit (in case of rips or tears), oil blotters (for that shiny face), Pins, double sided tape, deodorant, cover-up, pair of black socks, nice wooden hanger (for those elegant wedding dress pictures that get ruined because of a plastic or wire hanger), hair spray, buttons…and much, much more!

Please note: many couples think that since their reception venue has a wedding coordinator that they don’t need to hire one. The venue coordinator is a great asset to have, after all, the more people working on your wedding the better! However, when you hire your own day-of coordinator she will work with ALL of your vendors, she will work out the timeline for the day’s events, as well as work out the logistics for what you want. She will be at the rehearsal to direct everyone. She’ll be your go to person for anything you need on your special day. And most importantly… please remember that the venue’s coordinator works for the venue and not for you, he/she will do what’s in best interest for the venue… not you

Full service wedding planner – so you enjoy a stress free planning

Every bride wants to enjoy planning her wedding day. A full-service wedding planner will allow you to relax and enjoy your time leading up to your wedding by helping with every aspect of your wedding. In addition to all of the things a day-of coordinator does, she has existing relationships with vendors, from photographers to florists and more. She knows who’s good and who isn’t. Choosing vendors that your planner has built relationships with will save you time and MONEY, as he/she would be a repeated customer to those vendors, your wedding planner is most likely to get better prices than you ever would on your own. He/she also already knows the quality of vendors and won’t direct you to someone who does poor work. You also would avoid the dirty work of negotiating with venue and vendors for the best deal… after all; you would want to get the most out of your dollar.

A Full-Service Wedding Planner will…

• Help you create and manage a budget. He/she would know an approximate cost of your wedding based on your vision.

• Assist in selecting a ceremony location-whether it’s at a religious location or a public place or at the same venue

• Assist in selecting a venue-he/she will narrow down a few that best fit your style and budget

• Assist in selecting vendors and negotiating prices & contracts-many people are not comfortable with “haggling”. Wedding planners are; that’s their job. They will negotiate with vendors to get you the best price and deal possible.

• Arrange transportation if needed-figure out the best way of transportation for couple, wedding party, guests…etc.

• Assist in personalizing & choosing style, colors, themes…etc- your wedding planner can give you ideas on colors, favors, place cards, flowers and more. Whether you want a very unique wedding or a more traditional wedding, your planner can give you ideas and show you how to make it one that people will remember for years to come.

• Assist in selecting & mailing Stationary; Save the date cards, invitations and thank you cards-you’ll get the help you need in wording your invites as every wedding is different and every couple is different.

• Assist in selecting wedding attire, hairdresser, make up artist- again he/she will narrow down to selections that best suit your personality, style and budget

• Save you money. A wedding planner often has a network of vendors and can get you discounts or freebies added to the contract. The wedding planner represents your best interests.

• Possess knowledge and creativity. He/she has planned other weddings, read many bridal books and magazines, taken planning courses, knows what works and what doesn’t.

• Advise on etiquette. This would include how to word invitations and place cards, how to seat people, and more.

• Be your counselor and friend. She will be there to give you advice, she will listen when you need to vent about the parents insisting you invite all of their friends (it happens), when you and your Fiancé argue about the centerpieces, or when your bridesmaids decide they don’t like the dresses you picked…

IT IS worth repeating: A Wedding planner eases the stress, keeps your sanity, saves you time and most importantly, saves you money! Hiring one will allow you to enjoy planning your special day. And of course… enjoy your big day.

• Do remember that although office parties are intended as social events to reward employees and raise morale, they remain strictly business events. Do act as though your behavior is being observed every minute (because it probably is). 
• Don’t pass up the invitation to an office party; not attending could hurt your reputation. And when you attend, do spend at least 30 minutes at the party for appearances. But don’t overstay your welcome by partying until the wee hours. 
• Do conduct yourself professionally at all times. Don’t use the office party as an excuse to blow off steam. It’s still a company function, so proper etiquette and decorum matter. 
• Don’t bring the party lampshade, gag gifts for the boss, or any other crazy stuff you might do at a personal holiday party. 
• Do enjoy yourself at the party. Employers spend the big bucks to reward their employees, so be sure to enjoy the only holiday gift you may be getting from the company. 
• Don’t pull the nightclub attire from your closet for the event — and do ask whether the attire for the party is formal or casual. The party is still a business function, so conservative party clothes are a good choice. So, do remember to skip anything too revealing or too flashy. Keep your reputation for good taste intact. 
• Do keep your hands to yourself. Don’t flirt, and do avoid any other inappropriate behavior. The office party is not the time to end your career with the company by doing something inappropriate or illegal. 
• Don’t spend all evening talking business. You’ll forever have the label as the office bore. 
• Do keep all conversations positive and upbeat. Don’t spend the evening complaining, bragging, correcting, whining, or ridiculing. And do avoid controversial subjects (such as religion, politics, etc.) and off-color jokes. 
• Don’t monopolize conversations — and, especially, don’t talk about yourself or your accomplishments all night. Do show interest in others. Do be gracious and thank coworkers and team members for all their help and hard work during the past year. And don’t even think about gossiping about others. 
• Do keep one hand free during the night so that you can offer handshakes to people as they come by. And do keep your drink in your left hand, so you are not offering people a cold, wet handshake all evening. 
• Don’t feel you need to drink excessively just because it’s an open bar. And don’t pig-out at the food buffet either. Moderation is key. You can always eat and drink more after the party.

Check out our page on FaceBook to get more tips and information- http://www.facebook.com/Rockinthebigapple

A website is more than just images and text. A website is a marketing tool, like a storefront. It represents the company, owner, employees and products. It is a personality. A personality?! Yes. It represents a positive or negative presence. In a face-to-face meeting our body language speaks for itself. We smile, gesture, laugh, and become nervous. A website does exactly the same thing. The difference is: a website does it with color. They can make us happy, sad, angry, comfortable, nervous, and even trusting.

Colors and their meanings

Blue is the number one “favorite color.” Blue is seen as trustworthy, dependable and committed. The color of sky and the ocean, blue is perceived as a constant in our lives.

How the color blue affects us physically and mentally


* Calming and sedate


* Cooling


* Aids intuition

Green is second only to blue as a favorite color. Green is an ideal backdrop in interior design because we are so used to seeing it everywhere.

How the color green affects us physically and mentally


* Soothing


* Relaxing mentally as well as physically


* Helps alleviate depression, nervousness and anxiety


* Offers a sense of renewal, self-control and harmony

Yellow shines with optimism, enlightenment, and happiness. Yellow can also spark creative thoughts.

How the color yellow affects us mentally and physically


* Mentally stimulating


* Stimulates the nervous system


* Activates memory


* Encourages communication

Orange, in most occasions it’s a strong “hate it” or “love it” kind of a response, also Fun and flamboyant orange radiates warmth and energy.

How the color orange affects us mentally and physically


* Stimulates activity


* Stimulates appetite


* Encourages socialization

Red has more personal associations than any other color. Red draws attention and a keen use of red as an accent can immediately focus attention on a particular element.

 How the color red affects us mentally and physically


* Increases enthusiasm


* Stimulates energy


* Encourages action and confidence


* A sense of protection from fears and anxiety

Brown says stability, reliability, and approachability. It is the color of our earth and is associated with all things natural or organic.

How the color brown affects us physically and mentally


* Feeling of wholesomeness


* Stability


* Connection with the earth


* Offers a sense orderliness

White projects purity and cleanliness. 

How the color white affects us mentally and physically


* Aids mental clarity


* Encourages us to clear clutter or obstacles


* Evokes purification of thoughts or actions


* Enables fresh beginnings

Gray is timeless, practical, and solid. Gray also is associated with loss or depression. 


How the color gray affects us physically and mentally


* Unsettling


* Expectant

Black is authoritative and powerful; because black can evoke strong emotions too much can be overwhelming. A classic color for clothing possibly because it makes the wearer appear thinner and more sophisticated.

How the color black affects us physically and mentally


* Feeling inconspicuous


* Restful emptiness


* Mysterious evoking a sense of potential and possibility.

And we have saved the best for last… Our Color: PURPLE

Purple is the color of good judgment.

Purple has been used to symbolize magic and mystery, as well as royalty. Being the combination of red and blue, the warmest and coolest colors, purple is believed to be the ideal color. Most children love the color purple. It is the color most favored by artists.

It stands for luxury, wealth, and sophistication. It is also the color of passion, romance and sensitivity. Purple is the third favorite color in terms of color preference after blue and green. 

Purple also represents independence, creativity, nobility, power, passion, love, dignity, wit, and keen observation. In which we believe are important factors to event planning.

Colors are Universal, and throughout the ages, many different colors have been associated with different religious and spiritual meanings. 

But one aspect of color holds true in every corner of the world.  The colors we chose are not arbitrary, but hold personal meaning for us. 

We definitely have certain colors that “attract us”, and other colors we cannot even stand to wear or have around us.  The colors we chose are deliberate, carefully selected, and have personal meaning to us as an expression of “who we are”.

The colors we chose, to decorate our homes, flourish in our gardens, and adorn our body and personal spaces have a lot to offer us in the way of personal insight about what is going on inside, our innermost thoughts, feelings and emotions

So get to know yourself a bit more, know your true color and wear it well!