Anatomy of a Dinner Party: a day in the life of a hospitalityaholic
 

April, 2010

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Fun Find Friday-Eddie Ross Vintage on Etsy

Friday, April 30th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

The weather is getting warmer and although I have been a bit on party-giving hiatus, I am ready to get back in the swing of things. Last night, I broke out my pink seersucker jacket (Ralph Lauren, found for a steal at the Goodwill), and took my new Editor-in-Chief at Design Is Magazine, Walt, to a panel discussion at SCAD Atlanta. The panel topic was From Magazine to Monitor — The Rise of the Blog, and although that was an important topic to us, as a new online magazine (debuting in September, but blogging about it until then), more importantly, Eddie Ross and Jaithan Kochar were 50% of the guest speakers, along with Rita Konig from the New York Times and Nick Olsen, who were both hilariously funny.

If you have been reading since the beginning of the year, you would understand my delight in seeing Eddie + Jaithan, the darlingest darlings on the planet. Eddie, in the past, has been the senior style editor for Martha Stewart, blogger extraordinaire and now, a contributing editor to Woman’s Day magazine. It was the greatest treat catching up with them, however brief. Some pics from last night:

A Most Lively Panel

More Friday Fun Inside – You Don’t Want To Miss This!

Time For The Derby!

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

As you may (or may not) know, this weekend is the Kentucky Derby.  But you don’t have to hightail it to Churchill Downs to get in on the fun. Just grab yourself a fancy hat (for the ladies) and a seersucker suit (for the gents) and throw yourself a soiree.

And, although not everyone enjoys placing a bet, if you do, you can go to the official Kentucky Derby site and bet online.

Everyone knows you cannot celebrate Derby Day without a proper mint julep and appropriate nibbles. Let me tell you how to make your party authentic.

Photo Courtesy of Epicurious.com

More Derby Day Fun Inside, C’mon y’all!

Tablescapes

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

Eric informed me that we are now at blog post 201! So exciting.

I thought I would celebrate by posting some of my favorite tablescapes designed by others. Enjoy!

For More Glamour, Click Here

Lunacy Black Market

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

Last week, Eric and I visited Lunacy Black Market, the newest venture by Chef Paul Luna.  If you are familiar with restaurant lore in Atlanta, you would know that Chef Luna is legendary.  His past places have included Luna Si and Loco Luna, and he is back in town after a decade long absence with a cause. I once had a friend that worked for him and Chef Luna’s passion in the kitchen often translated to wild tantrums.  Has he changed?

Of course, he has. It’s been a decade. He has a gorgeous wife and partner in Cynthia, from D.C.  What’s that you say, Chef? You are running for Mayor?

Still, passionate. Okay, and still a bit wild.

Uninspired Cuisine? Explain, Please

More Lunacy After The Fold

Clint’s Happy Birthday Funtime Dance Party

Monday, April 26th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

Oh, this weekend was a hoot. Starting with everybody’s favorite bestie, Clint, and his funtime dance birthday party (and yes, you CAN call it a party! yay!)  To know Clint is to love him and anyone who has ever met him would agree. So when his partner Matt decided to throw him a dance party at his loft, our only response was – “which dancing shoes to wear?”  I mean, it was jam packed full of fabulous people wishing Clint the best birthday ever, with some of the best music ever and some of the yummiest cake ever.

You have got to see the photos!

Say Hello To My Favorite Birthday Boy, Clint

More Monkey Boy Fun Inside

Fun Find Friday – Morelli’s Ice Cream

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

This week I sat down with the charming Donald Sargent, Owner of Morelli’s Ice Cream.  Now, if you live in Atlanta, you probably already know about Morelli’s. They are simply the best ice cream in town.  With flavors like Ginger Lavender, Sweet Potato Pie, Chocolate Wasabi and their killer Salted Caramel, Morelli’s stands alone.

Morelli's Offers 15 New Flavors Weekly!!

More Ice Creamy Goodness Inside!

Simple Supper

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

I know how busy we all get, but you still want to eat healthy fare.  This is a quick little dish that never disappoints. It would be great for company, too.  Happy Thursday!

Super Quick and Delicious!

Stir-Fried Shrimp with Bacon, Mint and Chiles
Adapted from Food and Wine

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
  • 1/4 pound thickly sliced bacon, cut crosswise 1/4 inch thick
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 serrano chiles
  • 1 1/2 pounds shelled and deveined large shrimp
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped mint

Directions

  1. In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil.
  2. Add the bacon and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until most of the fat has been rendered.
  3. Spoon off all but 1 tablespoon of the fat from the skillet.
  4. Stir in the garlic and whole chiles and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  5. Add the shrimp, season with salt and pepper and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until they are pink and curled, about 3 minutes.
  6. Add the wine and cook until nearly evaporated, about 1 minute.
  7. Stir in the mint, transfer to plates, garnish with more mint, and serve.
This is so simple! Try it and let me know what you think. I usually serve this over cous cous – yummy!
xoxo, Patti

Taruan’s Birthday – Don’t Call It A Party

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

This past Friday was my sweet Taruan’s birthday date of birth celebration day. Called a “get together” by his partner, Chioke. Tomato, tomahto – I call it a party. And it was such fun!

Chioke always has something surprising and fun at his parties get togethers and this time was no different. Take a look at the outside of their house as we walked up.

Nope, That Doesn't Scream "Party". Not One Bit.

More Unparty Photos Inside

The Early Spoils of Spring

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

I love Spring, don’t you?  The days are getting warmer, everyone wants to hang out and have a drink on the porch or a cookout in the backyard.  My little garden is doing well, too.  I’ve got a few edibles and a few flowers. In the coming weeks I will plant tomatoes, more herbs and marigolds so we can have fresh tomato salads all summer long.

How about some photos?

The Most Fragrant of All Herbs - Meet Rosemary

Click Here For More of The Garden Tour

Bake Sale Recap!

Monday, April 19th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

This past Saturday was our National Bloggers Bake Sale to benefit Share Our Strength. And what a bake sale it was! Being from the south, I am used to seeing tons of bake sales – for church groups, girl scouts, schools – just about for everything.

But this bake sale was…different. It was more a gallery of desserts. Beautiful desserts. Scrumptious desserts. Desserts that belong on an elegantly arranged platter. My cookies were one thing, but the folks that baked for this brought it in style.

Most notably, Chris Arpante of Mele Cotte. Chris’s confections were incredible. Each delight was packaged in it’s own lovely box and around every corner you saw another treat you just couldn’t live without.

Lemon Drop Shots from Mele Cotte

Follow Me Inside for More Goodies!