Good Morning Darlings!
Before the new year we went to the annual holiday party given by Calvin and Steve at their fabulous loft. It is always a wonderful time and we always meet the most fun people. This year’s guests included a designer for Kate Spade from New York and a former news anchor. Fun!
The Big House's Big Tree
This past year the loft played host to the cast of The Vampire Diaries, where they filmed for a few weeks.
Come on in for more Big House Fun
Good Morning Darlings!
I trust you all had a safe and fun New Year’s Eve. Last year we stayed home but this year we attended two parties that blew the doors off. Couldn’t greet the new decade with a pizza and a coke, you know.
The first party was given by our friends Wesley and Mark at their loft, nicknamed “Remark Central”, because of Mark’s considerable dj skills. It was filled with interesting people, images and food. There is always a theme – last year being a masquerade. In anticipation of this year, I picked up several fabulous masks in New Orleans during our travels. But I didn’t consider that the theme changes every year. This year was “Red, White and Black”. And so we all dressed in the appropriate manner. Eric donned his tux with a red tie and I wore a black dress with fabulous new red shoes. And of course, my new red hair.
A look:
Ready to party!
Good Morning Darlings!
Sweet Stephanie from Deutsch Inc. clued me into some great tips from her friends over at Pat Glenn Productions on giving your best New Year’s Eve party ever. Trust me, even after years of giving my own parties, I can always learn something new and these handsome fellows from NYC have a few new tricks up their sleeves! Look at this gorgeous event they created – wouldn’t you just love to be a guest at this party?
Here’s some great tips from Event Gurus Pat James & Glenn Jacinto:
1. Know Your Space. Don’t over invite. There is nothing worse than having a space where your guests are crowded and can’t get a drink. (note: oops – I always overcrowd….)
2. Don’t Sweat It. You don’t want your house to feel stuffy and overheated. Turn down your heat well in advance of your guests’ arrival to ensure the temperature will be comfortable. It will also cut down on cost for your heating bill!
3. BYOB – Build Your Own Bar: You can create a bar by simply covering a six-foot table with a crisp, white floor length table cloth. Make sure to situate your bar in an accessible location so you don’t create a “traffic jam” in the corner of your living room.
4. Get Festive with Ice Cubes! Give your guests’ drinks a festive touch by freezing cherries or cranberries in your ice cubes! Any leaf from the mint family also freezes nicely.
5. Custom Cocktails: Don’t waste money on high-end champagnes. Instead create a signature cocktail for your event. It’s not only festive but will help monitor how much alcohol you’re serving.
6. Create a Coat Check: Clear out a hall closet or consider renting a coat rack, which are easy to assemble and can be placed in a spare room or hallway. It’s much nicer than having guests throw their coats on a bed with a sea of other jackets.
7. Kitschy Cocktail Napkins. Buy cocktail napkins with fun/seasonal sayings – they will becoming conversation pieces at your party.
8. Candle Couture. Instead of a large centerpiece at your dining table, decorate with pillar and votive candles. Votives come in virtually every color, so you can buy colors to match your other décor and line them down the center of the table to create a simple, clean warm ambiance.
9. Hello Espresso! Coffee, Espresso and Cappuccino Bar with whipped cream and shaved chocolate toppings are a special sweet treat for your guests. It’s also a great way to keep your guests awake until the New Years Eve countdown!
10. Forget Flowers: Save money by incorporating a common theme throughout your party and sprinkle the room with different objects that connect to the theme to tie it all together. Some great holiday touches are using pine cones, holly, mistle toe and wreaths to create an inexpensive yet elegant decor. Small personal touches really help make your guests feel the warmth of the season.
Or, you could just hire these two and they could turn your party into a once-in-a-lifetime event!
Party on, Dudes!
xoxo, Patti
Today blogging to Shop Boyz – Party Like A Rock Star
Good Morning Darlings!
Eric and I are back and tanned from Mexico (more on that later) and ready to party. Some more partying. I guess we should take a break for at least a couple of days, but there are so many soirees to attend!
If you are hosting, here are some fun cocktail recipes from our friend Kate at Deussen Global Marketing.
At the World Bar (frequented by major league sports stars and UN diplomats), mixologist Jonathan Pogash created the Cherry Pop, which is a beautiful rosy color and redolent of nutmeg:
Mmm, Cherry Pop
Cherry Pop
3 or 4 pitted sour cherries
.5 oz. fresh lime juice
.75 oz. almond syrup (Monin brand preferred)
1.5 oz. Lucid Absinthe
Crémant d’Alsace
Method: In the bottom of a mixing glass, muddle the sour cherries in the lime juice and almond syrup. Add the Lucid, then fill with ice, and shake very well. Strain into a chilled flûte. Top with Crémant d’Alsace. Garnish with a few swipes of freshly grated nutmeg.
Another spice that says “holiday” is cinnamon; here, it is combined with warming rum and Cognac, while the sparkle keeps things festive rather than too cozy:
Cinnamon Sparkler
Cinnamon Sparkle
.5 oz. cinnamon bark syrup (instructions below: cinnamon sticks, water, and sugar required)
4 sugar cubes
1 oz. club soda
2 oz. Flor de Caña 7 year rum
1 oz. CAMUS VSOP Cognac
.25 oz. Marie Brizard Peach liqueur
1 oz. lemon juice
1.5 oz. Crémant d’Alsace
Method:
5. Strain into a punch glass and top with 2 oz. Crémant d’Alsace
Finally, for a beautiful holiday red color, not to mention the health benefits of rosehips, hibiscus, and lemon (all great sources of Vitamin C), a simple but delicious cocktail is the Xanté C; Xanté is the second most leading liqueur in the Netherlands, where they know a thing or two about staying warm and celebrating the holidays!
Xanté C
1.5 oz. Xanté pear liqueur
2 oz. Rosehip & Hibiscus Tea concentrate (suggested brand: Teekanne Tee)
.5 oz. fresh lemon juice
Splash Crémant d’Alsace
Method: In a shaker over ice, add first three ingredients. Shake vigorously, then splash with Crémant d’Alsace. Strain into a chilled martini glass, garnishing with a red rose petal.
Sweet Bubbly Standard
1.7 oz. Russian Standard Vodka
1 tsp honey
Fresh ginger for garnish
Splash Crémant d’Alsace
Method: Shake Russian Standard Vodka and honey gently over ice. Serve on the rocks. Top with sparkling Cremant D’Alsace. Garnish with a piece of ginger.
That should keep you pretty busy all night. Don’t forget the number of your favorite taxi service or the number of your favorite designated driver. Safety first!
xoxo, Patti
Today blogging to Pink – Get This Party Started
Good Morning Darlings!
I’m sitting at the kitchen table in my red flannel pajamas, watching dreamily as snow flurries outside the window like sprinkles of white glitter, still basking in the glow of Saturday night’s party.
If you were not here, I wish you could have been. Because, if I do say so myself, it was astounding. Truly. But I cannot take credit for it all. First, I must thank Holland, our balloon designer for turning our house into a twinkling wonderland of lights and ribbons and balloons.
How about a peek?
Good Morning Darlings!
Today’s post comes from my friend, Chip Ivie, who told me of a supper club he belongs to. They recently got together to create a Feast of the Seven Fishes, which fascinated me. Chip was very sweet to write up and send me all the details. This sounds like the perfect way to involve all your friends in a special dinner.
Good Morning Darlings!
I hope your holiday party calendar is full this season. Mine certainly is. Party, Party, Party! Last week Eric and I went to a party here. Truly giggle inducing. It’s not everyday you get invited to a $10 million dollar house just to party. It is an evening we will not forget.
Another party I will hold dear in my Christmas memories this year is Richard’s Christmas party last Friday night. It was so much fun! Yummy appetizers, delightful beverages and some of the coolest people. It was a swell time.
The perfect time for my red hat!
We exchanged stories, sang and filled up on tasty fare that my sweet friend Richard slaved over all day long. Marvelous bruschetta, mini quiches and all sorts of treats. There were friends I already knew (Patricia, Jay, Barry and Kathy), along with brand new friends, Ricardo, Michael, Jamie, Kris, Sonny, Alexis and Bria – all super fabulous.
Sharing a hug with Kathy and Barry.
Not only is Richard an insanely talented photographer and stylist, but an incredible host as well. We had so much fun and were so tickled to be invited.
And aren’t friends the best gift of all? Priceless.
A very happy and stylish group of friends!
xoxo, Patti
Today, blogging to Dionne Warwick and Friends – That’s What Friends Are For
Good Morning Darlings!
Whew, this week has been a whirlwind of parties – and we have not even started the weekend. Last night found Eric and me at a palatial mansion in Buckhead where every real estate fantasy was brought to life and Tuesday night I was lucky enough to be Kerry Howard’s date for the Callanwolde Christmas preview party. Incredible.
My dear friend Kerry was chosen to design the dining room and oh, what an amazing job he did! No detail was overlooked. The room was bathed in lush blue and champagne colors, accented by a gorgeous large print by Artaissance and framed by our friends at Larson-Juhl. Two huge trees flank the end of dining room (one of which fell over during the night and Kerry had to redecorate all over again, with unflappable grace, I might add). The fabulous furnishings were supplied by The Foundry (formerly World of Rugs and also our party hosts from last night’s shindig), with lots of Kerry details and beautiful orchids. It is the house show stopper and the first room you notice when you enter the mansion.
The preview party was all about fun. And boy, did we have fun. The food was incredible (catered by Affairs to Remember), lots of lovely libations, a live band and dancing, an organist playing Christmas tunes and just the most lovely setting imaginable.
Photos!
Come on in!
Good Morning Darlings!
I love the holidays. I love get togethers. And food. So get togethers revolving around food, friends and the holidays are the greatest.
Our besties, Crystal and Teague, throw a big Friendsgiving party every year. It is for friends and friends that are basically family. This year about 40 friends (some old, some new), got together for the annual pot luck. Crystal and Teague provide all the meats and this year that meant pork shoulder and two turkeys! Everyone else brings the sides and desserts and a beverage. It is the best fun and a sure sign that the holidays are under way.
Enjoying the crisp, autumn weather.
Good Morning Darlings!
Last night was a dinner for 12 sponsored by POM Wonderful but given by me at our house. With a bundle of courses.
This morning I am staring at a kitchen full of dirty dishes.
Thus, my very belated Halloween post. And since a picture says a thousand words, here are several thousand words for you.
My costume was the Tooth Fairy, with my precious husband crafting my fleece tooth crown all himself. He is incredible. He went as a Juggalo. Google it for fun.
Our party hosts were the always charming Steve and Carrie Burns at their killer loft in Castleberry, overlooking the Georgia Dome. I especially loved the cockroach cupcakes. Brilliant.
Eric is the best at everything. Loved my softie crown.