We're strong believers in the idea that the company you keep says A LOT about you--revealing character, values, and a bit of personality.  We love our friends and family...and brainstormed a really fun idea just for you (and them!):  Since Elva Fields is such a friends-and-family type of company, we'd love to introduce you to the company we keep!  Whether friends, family, customers, or any combination of the above, we'll be featuring them over the coming weeks with a mix of style, insight, and info.  Check back weekly(ish) for a new profile of one of our peeps!

First up: dear friend (and incredibly willing volunteer) Whitney Frazier Watt.  (Thank you, Whit, for agreeing to this!)  

Whitney is a fellow Kentucky gal (hailing from Ashland) and--in addition to being an incredibly hard-working and accomplished attorney with one of the southeast's top firms, Stites and Harbison, PLLC--is also a consummate hostess.  (Watt parties are legendary!)  We recently sat down with her (read: begged her) to find out how she does it all!  (Yes, she's one of those people who achieves more in 24 hours than most of us do in a week...but would never bore you with the details!)

E: You are a natural hostess! What are your top three tips for throwing a great party?

W: You are sweet – I love to entertain. (E: See? Such manners and humility!) As far as tips, I would suggest:

E: 

Do you have a favorite accent item (decorative or functional) when entertaining at home?

   

W:  My favorite accent items when entertaining are both decorative and functional.  I love using fun serving trays and bowls.  Whether we are entertaining in the dining room or having friends over to watch a game, there is just something about fun serving pieces that sets the tone for a festive gathering.

E: You're also an exceptionally busy woman...what saves time when prepping for a party?

W:  My biggest time savers are accepting help when offered – whether it is having my husband run last minute errands or taking a friend up on an offer to bring a dish – and having "go-to" places to pick up prepared appetizers and desserts (though I always order in advance).  Also, I must admit that I create a "to do" list before almost every party so I do not waste time thinking about what needs to be done when I am rushing around before guests arrive.

E:  As if work doesn't occupy most of your time, you also make volunteering a priority in your life...tell us about some meaningful organizations with which you are involved.

W:  I enjoy giving back to the community.  I have loved being a member of the Younger Women’s Club (including co-chairing the Charities Group with you, Emily, to award grants to worthy local charities), serving on the Board of the Louisville Visual Arts Association, serving as a pro bono lawyer during emergency protective order hearings through Legal Aid’s Domestic Violence Advocacy Program (Stites & Harbison was recently honored for our litigators’ support of this program), and serving on the Board and now Advisory Council with Dress for Success Louisville – to help low-income women acquire the skills and confidence they need to get back into the workforce.

E:  Speaking of "dressing for success" what are your go-to outfit elements for looking professional?

W:  I wear a lot of black, gray, and neutrals – but my favorite accessories are Elva Fields necklaces and earrings! What better way to add some interest to a plain suit?

(We decided to shoot some of Whitney's Elva, Deb, and June jewels...and were both shocked when we saw the size of her growing collection!  Each piece has such a great story--anniversary, birthday, a reward for a job well done--and we loved photographing them on Whitney's husband's grandfather's steamer trunk in the guest bedroom.)