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.
My mind is on sweets lately. Next week I am hosting a very special “Gays and Girls Dessert Dance Party” in my home and I have got to come up with some treats that will impress my stylish friends.
And then I found this. Oh.My.Goodness. It is a sampler basket from Jacques Torres, the renowned god of all things fabulously chocolate. Listen to what you get in the very stylish hat box – a 12-pc boxed assortment of bonbons, Classic hot chocolate, cheerios, cornflakes, milk chocolate covered pretzels, approx 5oz. dark bark, 60% bar, Wicked bar, Brulee bar, and a Milk Almond bar. Chocolate cornflakes? Yes, please!
For your glamorous chocolate cravings
I believe I will be inspired and whip up some chocolate covered potato chips for the party, along with confetti cupcakes, blondies, brownies, lemon bars and a colorful candy bar. The decor will be the burlap material I have been hanging on to, waiting for the perfect occasion, which will be offset by pink tulle. It will be so cute!
But you could always just get in touch with Jacques and he will send one of those amazing baskets over. At $85 a pop, I know it’s pricey, but maybe for someone very special (you?) for Christmas?
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!
Whew! The past week has been crazy busy. Last night we celebrated Eric’s birthday with a handful of our besties. It was so nice. And I’m hoping that I can get by today by just posting photos. Because I am lazy and the laundry is piling up. And I’m lazy. Wait, did I say that already? Well, it’s true today.
Thanks to our nearest and dearest for making Eric’s big day so special. Boy Howdy, do we have a bunch of beer at the house. And now a contraption for making beer can chicken! But that’s a post for another day.
Thanks for allowing me to be lazy today. And a million thanks to all our darlings for helping Eric celebrate his birthday by eating chili dogs, chips & dip, donuts and mac & cheese.
xoxo, Patti
Today blogging to The Macaroni Cheese Song (I love all the hilarity of You Tube!)
Yesterday was a wild whirlwind of a video shoot, but today, it is time to celebrate. It is my perfect husband’s birthday. Tonight we will celebrate by recreating all his childhood faves. Chili dogs, Groovy Mike Sells Potato Chips, Onion dip, Real Coca-Colas in glass bottles. A group of our besties will gather together in our home and it will be a ball.
And macaroni and cheese. Apparently it’s everyone else’s childhood favorite. What was yours?
Anyhoo, I am going to indulge myself by posting some of my favorite photos of Eric from the past year. Happy Birthday, Honey. I love you madly.
xoxo, Patti Today blogging to Three Dog Night – Celebrate
