Good Morning Darlings!
I am scooting about getting ready for tonight’s Gays & Girls Dessert Dance Party, but believe I have come in just a bit over budget.
Think about a dessert party for your holiday bash. After all, it is all mostly flour, sugar, eggs and butter = super cheap!
Please forgive my brevity today – it is a whirlwind over here!
One fun sneak peek for you though.
Peek at the candy bar!
xoxo, Patti
Today blogging to Judy Garland – Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Good Morning, Darlings!
Still talking about the weekend. Sunday found us at brunch with Diane and Jonathan the day before she was set to drive up north (there’s a lot of that going around, apparently) to start her new job as a newspaper editor in Michigan City. We are all so proud of you, Diane! Go get em, Bunny!
After brunch, we scurried home to get ready for the evening’s event, Get It Out Of The Closet, to benefit M.E.N.S. Wear Inc. (Making Employment the Next Step). This very swanky event was held at Atlanta’s Biltmore Hotel. Dripping with crystal chandeliers, sumptuous carpet and all the beautiful people you could ever care to see. The evening started with a cash bar, buffet catered by Gordon Biersch and a silent auction with items that included a trip to The Emmy Awards and a chance to fly a fighter plane.
Stunning details in the Biltmore's Grand Ballroom
Good Morning, Darlings!
I am still glowing from the weekend’s activities. Last Friday, I got some surprise news that tickled me to no end. It was a treat I wanted to share with our very besties and neighbors so I sent out an email asking everyone to be at our house on Saturday between 5- 7pm for a huge surprise.
All the guesses I received were hilarious – was I pregnant (what?!?!), did I get a television show (hmmm…), are we moving (hell no!!!)
But I knew it would make all of us smile and warm our hearts in a big way.
And it did.
Good Morning, Darlings!
Whew, what a weekend. Lets get started with the recap.
Friday night we attended FLUX, the art installation in Castleberry Hill. It is more of an art installation than art festival because it is interactive and a bundle of fun. Called Le Flash last year, this year’s incarnation had a ton more partiers and more things to see. There were zebras running on buildings, movies projected onto high rises, singing heads, food carts and much more. Eric and I went with besties Crystal & Teague, said hello (and Happy Birthday!) to our friend Denise Jackson in her gallery, and then stopped for a drink at our other besties loft, Matt and Clint. It was delightful, exhilirating and cultured.
Roll the footage!
Crystal and Teague party down at Miss Jackson's gallery
Good Morning, Darlings!
On Monday I was on the set of “Dirty Dishes” as the guest star of this fun series made popular on You Tube. My friend, Barry and his co-star, Cori Davenport invited me to come on and be a guest on the episode entitled “Open Faced Sandwiches With Two Faced Friends”. You all might remember Cori as Kim Kolciac’s friend on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. We filmed in Cori’s palatial mansion in Gainesville, Georgia. The house even has an elevator! And of course, we dished – Cori had all sorts of delicious tidbits to share with us about being on reality television. I love to know what happens behind the scenes. And no, I can’t divulge….that would not be nice. Ok, a little divulgence. The producers of the reality shows make sure everyone is in serious party mode before they start filming. I guess it should come as no surprise that the chardonnay is flowing, but I never knew for sure. But now I do!
Barry, Troy and I board the elevator - going up!
Good Morning, Darlings!
Remember our gratitude dinner from Monday? We had invited our two new friends, Teresa and Nick. People ask how I meet all these people. Here is one tale of meeting new friends.
Eric and I had decided to treat ourselves to a nice dinner out two weeks ago and made a reservation at Shaun’s through Open Table. You know about Open Table, right? The more reservations you make, the better chance you have to earn dining gift certificates. This is an especially great idea for all you executive assistants who make a lot of reservations for the office. The more they dine out, the more you earn. Win-win!
Anyhoo, our reservation is made and we arrive at Shaun’s about 5 minutes early. It is packed – everyone is trying to use their Scoutmob coupon before it expires the next day (I have to admit that two of those people were us). You would think the restaurant would take this into account when allowing folks to book a table. But alack and alas, I don’t think it crossed their minds. We waited. And waited. And waited. 45 minutes go by. We are about to walk out and order a pizza when we are told that our table is ready. Ok, we’ll stay.
We are seated next to a nice couple and through the shared experience of being made to wait, we get to talking. She previously worked at The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island, where I just visited and he is a nice chap from England. Just add wine – instant friends.
And food. You need to share your food. Here’s what we ordered.
Pork belly buns - Scrumptious
Crabcake with slaw. Good but tiny...
Chicken Liver heaped on toast. This was huge. So I guess it all balances out.
Flatbread with greens. I don't think I touched this. I was too busy gabbing.
Swell new friend, Teresa, and me.
Eric and our new friend, Nick.
And that’s how it happens. It’s a small world and we are all in it together. Make a new friend today.
oxox, Patti
Today blogging to Joe Cocker – A Little Help From My Friends
Good Morning, Darlings!
Last night, Eric and I had the most fun with our friend, Chef Matt Murphy of The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans. Chef was in town on business and arrived a bit early so he could spend some time with us.
We wanted to make sure he had the best time, so I came up with this itinerary (you know how I love a list).
7:30 Meet at Rathbun’s for drinks and apps
8:45 Dinner at Iberian Pig
After dinner – drinks at Mac Magee’s Irish pub
How was it, you ask? Oh, we had a mighty fine time.
Chef Matt and me at Rathbun's
Good Morning, Darlings!
Happy Monday to you all. I hope you had a fabulous weekend. On Saturday night we gave a dinner to thank some very special folks for being so good to us. Joining us were Spencer, Allison, LaToyin and Neil of Black Tie Barbecue, Laura Scholz, her husband, Tim and our new friends Teresa & Nicholas.
Menu
Grilled Shrimp w/cocktail sauce
Chips w/cheese dip
Grilled Ribeyes wrapped in bacon
Twice-baked stuffed Potatoes
Salad w/raisins, almonds and red onion
Garlic Bread
Pound Cake soaked in Lemoncello
Apple Pie
Sesame and Chocolate Cookies
Vanilla Ice Cream
Malbec, Chardonnay, Cava
Pellegrino
But first, you have to start with a pretty table. I dressed the table in all metalics to give it sparkle. Gold runners, candlesticks and napkins rings paired with silver chargers.
Before guests arrive. I ended up moving the candelabra because it was in the way of the a/c and blowing madly everywhere.
Candles lit and ready for guests
Good Morning, Darlings!
This week’s fun find is Mary Esther’s Baby Cakes. I met Jessica, the owner, this past Sunday at Tami’s Sip and See. Jessica gifted each guest with one perfect Red Velvet cupcake. Mmmmmm, yummy!
Everyone loves red velvet cupcakes
And let me tell you, they were luscious!
Jessica is so special that she doesn’t have website, so I am letting you in on the secret – because I love you so.
Prices start at $15 for one dozen minis and you will not believe the variety! OMG, listen to a few of the types of cupcakes Jessica is baking up for you:
• Apple Chai
• Apple Pie
• Bailey’s Irish Cream
• Caramel Pretzel
• Chai
• Cheese Cake
• Choc. Covered Strawberry
• Chocolate Truffle
• Coconut
• Crème Brulee
• Cookies & Crème
• Cookies & Crème Cheese CupCakes
• Drumstick
• Kahlua
• Lemon Drop
• Lemon Meringue
• Margarita
• Mochaccino
• Molten Chocolate
• Nuvo Red Velvet
• Pecan FrenchToast
• Pina Colada
• Pink Champagne
• Pink Lemonade
• Tiramisu
• White Chocolate Mousse
Oh, wait – don’t see one you love? Jessica will custom bake your favorite. How fab is that? AND she provides FREE delivery in the metro Atlanta area. Ohhhh whee!
You can find Jessica and all the news on her Baby Cakes here on Facebook.
Um….did I just read Caramel Pretzel? Oh, yeah, I’ll take a dozen!
xoxo, Patti
Today blogging to Three of a Kind – Baby Cakes
Good Morning, Darlings!
From yesterday’s post you know that Sunday was fashion day. It ended with Victor’s fashion advice, but started with some lovely bags at a “Sip and See” hosted by my friend Tami at Talking With Tami. Tami always gives the most fun parties and since I had missed a few of them, I decided I could not miss this chance to see her at brunch, hosted by Parker’s On Ponce in Decatur.
We all gathered to fete Tami’s friend Lori, CEO of Mocha Moon, makers of lovely travel bags and totes. And you know I love a tote.
And brunch. How I love brunch. There were yummy mini quiches, luscious pastries and some of the most decadent whipped cream coffee I have ever had. Also super tempting was the sparkling pink lemonade (and if you know Tami, everything has to be pinktastic – and it was!)
As always, I met some of the most remarkable women. Dang, we have a lot of fab folk in Atlanta!
Diane, Jessica and Ursula