The evening air is chilly as Helen daCosta sips vino at Bin 26. She’s sharing how she has stylishly managed to pair her love of nature with her other love — event planning.

What are you sipping?

A glass of Pinot Grigio.

What do you love most about Bin 26?

It’s nice and relaxed, there’s also the wide assortment of wines.

Socialite or homebody?

A bit of both… I do like going out, but sometimes I prefer to just stay in.

Flats or stilettos?

Love my stilettos… even at work on the lawns.

Jeans or LBD?

Jeans, always.

What’s your style?

Sophisticated-classy and relaxed-comfy.

Who does your hair?

Mostly I do it myself, but on occasion I go to the hairdresser: Teresa Martin — she works from home.

Who does your nails?

Teo Duhaney, who works at Who’s Next in Baron’s Plaza.

What perfume are you spraying?

Armani Code.

What’s on your iPod?

What’s not on there? (Laughs) Dancehall, reggae, jazz, alternative… everything but country.

What’s in your evening bag?

My BlackBerry, my camera, iPod, car keys and business cards.

What’s your idea of the perfect date?

A picnic on the beach.

What’s your idea of the perfect date?

One who is loving, caring and respectful, he must also have a good sense of humour.

Outside of work, where is the next best place to find you?

Here (at Bin 26), the Pub at Mayfair or our country home in Westmoreland.

What do you enjoy most about being event coordinator of Nature Preservation Foundation?

Meeting people and the challenge of bringing their ideas to life.

What are your plans for Hope Gardens as a destination?

Ideally, for it to become one of the most sought-after venues for the choicest of functions… for people to return to the gardens, as it seems many seem to forget that there is such beauty in Kingston.

What projects are you currently working on?

Mostly doing a lot of site visits with respect to the various Christmas events we are slated to host.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

“Everything in life is for a reason, you may not know it immediately, but someday you will.”

And 10 years from now?

To be one of the top event planners in the island and potentially the Caribbean.