You would call Eddie Ross a designer on Bravo’s Top Design, the former Senior Style Editor for Martha Stewart Living, Decorating Editor for House Beautiful, Contributing Editor to Woman’s Day and wildly popular blogger.
I am lucky enough to call him my friend.
When I learned that Eddie and his ultra fabulous beau, Jaithan, were going to be in town in July, they were so kind to set aside some time in their incredibly busy schedules to join us for dinner.
Okay, now that they have agreed to dinner – where do I go from here? This was not to be a wienie cookout with s’mores (though there is nothing wrong with that!), but needed to be warm, inviting and sophisticated – like the two of them.
Warm – check
Inviting – check
Sophisticated – let me work on that
Wow, did we have a crazy fun dinner party last night, so I’m a little slow this morning. But more on that next week.
Let’s talk about you. Want to do a movie night, but can’t decide on the movies? Have I got a treat for you!
Today’s Fun Find Friday is TOQ, or Tired Old Queen At The Movies, Steve Hayes. Steve is a wealth of knowledge on classic movies. And after listening to his reviews on You Tube, you will want to rush out and pick up a bundle of old black & whites for your friends to view. You could build a whole party around these classics, match them with the appropriate menu and have a swell evening of viewing.
Pop on over to You Tube to see all of Steve’s reviews. They are always fascinating and often hilarious.
You might even get your guests to dress up in their black tie best ala Cary Grant to watch, sip bubbly and nibble caviar. Your party will be a huge hit.
Enjoy your weekend, Darlings!
xoxo, Patti
Today blogging to Elton John – I’ve Seen That Movie, Too
Today’s post will be a shorty – I am readying a dinner party for my darlings Eddie Ross and Jaithan Kochar tonight (can’t wait!!) But I had to share my lunch last Friday with you.
My Sweeties at Black Tie BBQ have started serving lunch on Fridays! And what a delicious lunch it is! I swung by last week to pick up the Smoked Chicken Sandwich with Pineapple Basil Mayo – oh my goodness it was fantastic! For $8.50, it comes with two scrumptious sides. I chose the mac and cheese & the fresh fresh salad.
Nom, Nom, Nom - Go On And Get You Some!
My Buddy Spencer!
The Lunch Menu - Yours May Vary
So pull on up to their new digs on Dekalb Avenue and say hey to LaToyin, who is back to work after bringing her living doll, Nevada, into the world (and really, LaToyin, how can you look so skinny?), Neil, Spencer and the sweet Allison, who will fix up all your lunch cravings. Tell them I sent you!
The Adorable Miss Nevada!
xoxo, Patti
Today blogging to The Grease Soundtrack – Summer Nights
My friend Dana, who is also a mama-to-be, invited me to her sweet home recently for some lunch to catch up. I jumped at the chance to be able to spend some quality time with her before her little one arrives.
Pork Chop and Apple Sauce and Thermos? What’s that all about? Pork Chop and Apple Sauce are the names of Dana and Steve’s dogs. Pork Chop is an english bull and Apple Sauce is a adorable little pug. Thermos is Dana’s friend’s boston terrier she is baby sitting. It was a lively afternoon!
A week or so ago, I received an email from friend Laura Scholz of Scholz Communications, with the news that Fox News Channel was looking for people who had been laid off but were making the best of it. I am the poster child for FunEmployment! So after exchanging emails with Elizabeth Prann of Fox News, a time and date was set for she and her camera man to come by for an interview.
Um, I’ve never been on tv before. What to do? Why, call up my sweetie Eddie Ross and ask for pointers, of course! Eddie had just enough words of wisdom to get me through the willies. Pile on the make up, be yourself. Can anyone really be themselves with a camera in their face? I could certainly try.
The big day came and I whipped up some blueberry cobbler for our guests first thing in the morning. Elizabeth and camera man Tom were right on time.
This past weekend we were so happy to host a dinner party for my bestie, John. Conjured up by his sweetie, Danny, we planned and plotted to have 10 of his favorite friends gathered to fete our darling birthday boy.
For this occasion I decided to leave the table bare (I tend to forget how pretty it is…) and set it with silver chargers, white plates, white napkins nestled into silver napkin rings and a small arrangement of white and red roses. It was elegant without being fussy.
This week’s treat comes to us via my buddy, Eddie Ross, who turned me onto these awesome personalized plates. So adorable!
Of course, I’m partial to this one:
La Plates are made of melamine, which means they are dishwasher safe. They are not for use in your microwave, though. Lara Shelton is the force behind these gorgeous settings for your table. She has tons of colors to choose from and much more items to try other than plates. There are cups, placemats, trays, flatware caddies – just everything awaiting your monogram.
And since they are so durable, they are perfect for all those outdoor fetes you are planning this summer. You can tote them to your family reunion, picnic, outdoor concert, even take them on the boat!
There is no reason not to be stylish just because it’s summertime. You have every chance to be stylish with La Plates!
Louisiana, home of creole and cajun cooking, southern mansions and the unbreakable spirit of New Orleans. They have seen hard times, yet always bounce back with graceful resiliency. From Katrina and now the BP crisis, you might be wondering how the Paris of North America is faring.
They are faring quite well, thank you. And you should go and see for yourself. Party on Bourbon Street, enjoy the Garden District, listen to some down home music in Faubourg Marigny and don’t forget the beignets at Cafe Du Monde. With New Orleans only a 7 hour drive from Atlanta, you could be there in no time.
The Party Never Stops!
I have been in contact with my friends in New Orleans, Char Thian at the Ritz-Carlton and Kelly Schulz with the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. who tell me that all is well in their fair city and the best way to support it is to come and visit! Now, how many other ways can you give back by eating the country’s best cuisine and drinking up a storm? Only in New Orleans.
Take a look at this link. Honestly, the time has never been better to support New Orleans and have a dang good time in the process. The folks there are the friendliest anywhere and that food…OMG, that food. I am dieting right now in anticipation of my visit at the end of July. Can’t wait to drink sazeracs and eat all the luscious treats at Galatoire’s Friday lunch. You can even walk around with that Pat O’Briens Hurricane, as they encourage drinking and walking. But please grab a cab or a fab street car if you need to go further than your feet will take you.
But if you can’t get there right now, our own Pacci, in Atlanta, is supporting the cause with “We Cook While They Clean”.
We are very proud to announce that we will be joining the relief efforts in the wake of the devastation caused by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill with our “We Cook While They Clean” fundraiser.
Beginning Wednesday, June 23, $1 from every seafood dish on our lunch and dinner menu will be donated to the Gulf Relief Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to providing relief to the fishing community of the Gulf Coast and their families. For more information on the Gulf Relief Foundation visit www.gulfaid.org. “We Cook While They Clean” will continue until fishermen are back in their boats.
You could even plan to go down on July 30 – Aug 1, when I’ll be there. I would be happy to meet you at Tujagues for a evening of tippling. Come on down!
xoxo, Patti
Today blogging to Buckwheat Zydeco – On A Night Like This
On day one, after spending the afternoon on the Crush Pad with Doug, Sharon and Chef Dairen, we drove home to Atlanta where Eric had made dinner reservations at Abbatoir. It was a splendid affair, although no pictures. A couple needs to have some private time, after all.
But on Sunday, we made our favorite baked potato salad and headed over to Jay and Valerie’s house for their fabulous fried chicken, and Curtis’ world famous pulled pork and lots of other goodies. And of course, I brought my camera!
She's A Grand Old Flag, She's A High Flying Flag....
Isn’t it great to have an extra day off? Since Eric had Monday off we were able to squeeze in some extra fun this weekend. Friday night found us at Farm Burger in Decatur for the yummiest burgers this side of your home grill (actually, better than home burgers). Saturday we decided to go back to Dahlonega and visit our friends Doug and Sharon Paul at Three Sisters Vineyard & Winery for a special treat. We started with the wine pairings – my favorite was their Blood Mountain Red paired with Cheetos! Cheetos! Don’t you love Cheetos? Me, too.
Have No Idea How Doug & Sharon Thought This Up, But It's Great!
