Happy Monday to you all. I hope your weekend was stupendous. The weather in Atlanta was ridiculously beautiful and we had lots of fun.
Friday night, Eric and I had ourselves a little date night and went to see the movie Red. This was a hoot. Lots of things blowing up and Helen Mirren as an assassin. What more could you possibly ask for? After the movie we ducked into Fox Grille at Atlantic Station for a drink and to catch up on all the games. Did you see the Yankees against the Rangers? Unbelievable.
Saturday, Eric had a haircut scheduled, so we had a cup of coffee together and off he went. I went across the street to take pictures of our neighborhood park being landscaped by our wonderful neighbors. When he returned, we picked up Valerie and took the MARTA to the Little Five Points Halloween Parade. This is always a a great time, with loads of costume ideas to be inspired by.
Oh how I love my friends – the diversity among us is riveting and our differences make for the very best get togethers. After all, if we were all the same, it would be dull as dirt, yes?
And this weekend was Pride. What better excuse for a fabulous party than Pride? None, that’s what. So I got together all my favorites and threw a dessert dance party on Thursday as a mini kickoff to the Pride activities. A wonderful time was had by all.
I fashioned this sign out of 2 Happy Birthday Banners. The last "E" is a "B" cut up.
This was also the party I swore I could do for $100. How did I do?
This is going to be another short post as I am suffering the effects of too much sugar from last night’s Gays & Girls Dessert Dance Party to kick off pride weekend.
Are we ready to discuss pumpkin carving? If so, lets visit Pumpkin Masters to get some cool ideas.
Here are some of the cool things they are carrying this year:
“Follow You” Eyes: Attach these glow-in-the-dark pumpkin eyes that watch your every move! The special shape of the eyes creates an optical illusion, so it seems like they are following you as you walk by.
It’s Alive! Pumpkin Light: Shaped like a spooky brain, this pumpkin light uses three bright red LEDs to bring your creation to life. The LEDs slowly pulse on and off, creating the effect that your pumpkin has a mind of its own!
Kids Monster Pieces: A safe and mess-free way to get youngsters excited about decorating! Kids can create their very own monster by inserting eye, mouth, nose and ear parts in the skin of the pumpkin.
Kids Pumpkin Sticker Kit: Mix and match 60 full color stickers to create an endless variety of silly and scary faces.
Monster Pumpkins: This kit includes tools and patterns that are perfect for carving extra large, jumbo pumpkins (24” and larger).
Vintage Pumpkin Carving Kit: Step back in time with the retro patterns of this vintage carving kit.
Kits and accessories are available at major retailers and grocery stores nationwide, with suggested retail prices of $2.99 – $4.99.
I like the idea of stick on eyes – less carving, more fun. I am also contemplating putting a Mardi Gras mask on my orange friend to keep from carving. What do you think? I would love to hear your carving ideas and see your photos.
Send your photos to patti@anatomyofadinnerparty.com and I will post them here!
xoxo, Patti
Today blogging to The Groovie Ghoulies – Monster Mash
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.
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.
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
You know how I love to travel. And I love keeping you all up to date on the coolest destinations. Today’s inspiration comes from our friend, Bonnie Crail, with The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte. The drive is only 240 miles from Atlanta, so it would make a terrific weekend getaway, y’all.
Charlotte? Come on, now, give it a chance. They have lovely restaurants, they also have a five star rating in less than a year of opening. That’s stellar. And they have the new Mint Museum Uptown close by. Let’s see what Bonnie and friends have cooked up for us.
THE RITZ-CARLTON, CHARLOTTE LAUNCHES ENJOYMINT EXPERIENCE,
OFFERING ACCESS TO THE CITY’S NEW MINT MUSEUM UPTOWN
Weekend package includes entry to Charlotte’s long-awaited Mint art and craft museum, scheduled to open October 1 and located within walking distance of the hotel
CHARLOTTE, NC. September 23, 2010 – The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte has launched a new package designed for art lovers and featuring admission to the long-awaited Mint Museum Uptown, located within walking distance of the hotel and scheduled to open on October 1, 2010.
The EnjoyMINT package at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte is ongoing and offers deluxe weekend accommodations, breakfast for two, two tickets to the Mint Museum Uptown and more. Priced from $319 per night, the package is available on Friday, Saturday or Sunday evenings, while a Thursday evening option is also available when combined with a Friday night stay. Reservations may be requested online at www.ritzcarlton.com, by telephone at 800.241.3333, or through a travel professional.
EnjoyMINT at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte includes:
Deluxe accommodations for one weekend night
Breakfast for two
Two tickets to the Mint Museum
Late checkout of 4 p.m.
Overnight valet parking
Part of the Levine Center for the Arts, the Mint Museum Uptown houses the renowned collection of the Mint Museum of Craft + Design plus distinguished American and contemporary art collections and selected works of European fine art. In addition to the Mint, the Levine cultural campus includes the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, and the John S. and James L. Knight Theater. The Mint Museum is closed on Sunday mornings and all day Monday.
About The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte
An eco-focused rarity among luxury hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte offers 146 guest accommodations delivering highly-advanced technological and environmental features and an array of innovative comforts and conveniences for frequent travelers. The 18-story LEED® Gold-certified hotel features a 13,000-square-foot bi-level penthouse Spa & Wellness Center, fitness center and bromine-treated swimming pool, and 12,000+ square-feet of state-of-the-art meeting space. Dining highlights include the Lobby Lounge’s regional and organic culinary choices and signature martinis, cocktails, wines, coffees and flavored ice teas, while the street-side BLT Steak offers prime cuts of beef, fresh seafood, a wide variety of tempting side dishes, and classic American dessert favorites. Located seven miles from Charlotte Douglas International Airport, The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte enjoys a walkable setting moments from Uptown Charlotte’s favorite sights, sounds, restaurants, clubs, shopping and tourist attractions.
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
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.
