Anatomy of a Dinner Party: a day in the life of a hospitalityaholic
 

The Four Most Read Posts – Number 1!!

Written by Patti on August 20th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

Happy Birthday to my little blog! She is one today! So exciting.

I bet you are dying to know what number one is. The most read post this year comes from the weekend I spent getting to know Eddie + Jaithan, and meeting the divine team from Larson-Juhl. I have to mention my friend Arlynn, first, as she is so sweet to always follow the blog and leave the nicest comments, there are also big hugs for Lynn and of course, Larson-Juhl’s wonderful CEO,  the charming Steve McKenzie.

Before I link you to the number one post of the year, I hope you will indulge me by letting me thank some very special people who have been amazingly generous to me over the past year.

1. As always, is the love of my life, Eric, without whom there would be no blog. He planted the idea. I love you, Honey!

2. Erika Rich, who swept in like a fairy godmother and so generously offered to host the blog and tutored me on the fine points of blogging. You are my mentor.

3. Brooke McLay, the adorable, darling author of Conversations With A Cupcake/Cheeky Kitchen, who came up with a banner so beautiful that I just sat at the computer and wept when I saw it. And then just gifted me with it.

All the amazing folks I have been so blessed to meet this year – Laura Scholz, who is determined to make me famous; Tami Hardeman, who invited me to some of the most fun events ever and introduced me to Sandra Ryder, who, in turn opened the door for my column about The Ritz-Carlton hotels for Design Is. Walt Ray, the Editor-In-Chief of Design Is, who told everyone I was the new Lifestyle Editor before I even knew. Shameeka Shy Ayers, Queen of All Media, for just being fabulous and for introducing me to Eddie + Jaithan, who I love so dearly. Spencer, Allison, LaToyin and Neil from Black Tie BBQ, who have become dear friends to us!

Then there are the besties – Bless their hearts for allowing me to photograph every morsel of food before it went into their mouths. Clint, Matt, Lisa, Crystal & Teague, Holly, John, Danny, Vickie, Diane, Chioke, Taruan, Curtis, Jay, Valerie, Denise & Rick. There would be no blog without you. You are the stars here and I love you!!! Thank you for putting up with me and my incessant picture taking!

I leave you with the number one post of the year – The Larson-Juhl Experience. And because it’s my blog and I can do what I want, some of my favorite photos from the last 12 months.

Clint & Me. Christmas 2009

Crystal & Teague. Christmas 2009

Danny, Taruan, Chioke, John and Me. Christmas Party 2009.

Popeyes Chicken and Wine Tasting. 2009.

Halloween 2009. End of the night....lol

Gay Pride 2009

Tina, Allison and Me. Cinco De Mayo 2010

Tami and Me. Bloggers Bake Sale 2010

Holly and Me. Thanksgiving 2009

Miss Sylvia, Clint, Eric and Me. St. Patty's Day 2010

Miss Sylvia, Clint, Eric and Me. St. Patty's Day 2010

Eric, Me. Taruan, Chioke and Holly. Sugar Coma 2010

Vickie. Easter 2010

Taruan, Jay, Valerie & Jill. Wine Tasting/Val's Birthday 2010

Jay and Valerie. Val's Graduation 2010

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Andrew Gold – Thank You For Being A Friend

 

Posted in Hospitalityaholic | 12 Responses »
Tags: ,

The Four Most Read Posts – Number 2

Written by Patti on August 19th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

Most read post, number two is The Ritz-Carlton Hotels of The Southeast. To be perfectly honest, this might be my personal favorite. It opened the door for me to write travel articles on the world’s premiere hotels and it has been a thrill so far. Last year, when Tami Hardeman took me to Lumen at The Ritz-Carlton Atlanta and introduced me to Sandra Ryder, I had no idea I would be reporting on some of the planet’s most fabled resort properties. It’s like winning the golden ticket.

And I will never grow tired of entering any lobby at The Ritz-Carlton. Here’s where it all began for me.

As a special treat, I am going to attach a few behind the scenes photos from my first three Ritz-Carlton visits. The full articles will appear each month in Design Is, starting on August 27th.

My Sweetie Enjoying An Afternoon At The Lodge

In The Courtyard at The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans

One Gorgeous Table Setting In New Orleans

It's Me! Sampling the wines during the chef's tasting menu at Salt - Amelia Island.

Me, with new friends Isabelle and Adrienne, in Amelia Island

Thanks to Tami and Sandra. And now to Valerie and Lisa at the Lodge, Char and Kris in New Orleans, and my friend Joe in Amelia Island. You all are stupendous. Meeting each of you has been a total delight. And next month it’s off to Palm Beach to cavort with my friends Christine and Donald. Can’t wait!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Taco – Putting on The Ritz

 

Posted in Hospitalityaholic | Comments Off on The Four Most Read Posts – Number 2
Tags:

The Four Most Read Posts – Number 3

Written by Patti on August 18th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

Isn’t this trip down memory lane fun? Number three comes to us from our sweeties at Black Tie Barbecue. It was their Cinco De Mayo Secret Supper and it was a fine time indeed. It seemed like everyone read this post. And why not? It is almost as fun to read as it was being there. Almost.

Time to relive Cinco De Mayo! Ole!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Lou Diamond Phillips as Richie Valens – La Bamba

 

Posted in party | Comments Off on The Four Most Read Posts – Number 3
Tags: , , ,

The Four Most Read Posts – Number 4

Written by Patti on August 17th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

On Friday, Anatomy of a Dinner Party, will be one year old. I can’t believe how quickly the year passed. So many new friends, so many fun happenings, parties and vacations!

I thought you might like to read the top four posts of the past year, so we can remember the good times together. Number four is our macaron making class with Helen of Tartelette. It was a super fun day with 12 of the most lovely women I have ever met. It was also the day after Sugar Coma, so we were all in tasty sugar mode.

Jennifer and Wendy filling their pastry bags

And now, without further adieu, I bring you the Merry Macaron Party With Tartelette. Enjoy!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to The Beatles – Birthday

 

Posted in baking | Comments Off on The Four Most Read Posts – Number 4
Tags: ,

Head For The Mountains

Written by Patti on August 16th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

Whew, I am finally at home after being gone since last Wednesday. Three days at the lavish Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island on assignment for Design Is, and then up to Sky Valley for some R&R with our sweet friends Clint & Matt in their cozy mountain cabin in North Carolina. Even though Eric and I were there to relax, I couldn’t help but see a story in the weekend. Those two really have this weekend guest thing down to a science. Everyone is responsible for a meal (including happy hour snacks), so no one is stuck doing all the cooking. Brilliant, yes?

Eric and I were in charge of Saturday night supper, since we got there too late to enjoy Friday supper with everyone.

I love all the sweet touches at the cabin...

More Rustic Fun Inside!

 

Posted in dinner, entertaining, party, Travel | 5 Responses »
Tags: , , , , , , ,

Fun Find Friday – The Gamerator

Written by Patti on August 13th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

This week’s Fun Find Friday comes to you via my sweet husband, Eric, who is always on the lookout for the cool stuff.

The Gamerator is pretty swell if you are a lover of video games. And beer. I have to admit, it would be loads of fun after everyone is finished with dinner. And since it has a keg built in – it’s interactive fun!

Here are the deets, peeps!

About Gamerator

A creation of The Custom Bar Guys, Inc. THE GAMERATOR strives to be the ultimate fixture in the world of home entertainment.

Each unit is pre-loaded with over 85 licensed classic arcade games. NOTE: Unit includes the original, licensed PC copies of all games listed. These are not emulators or knock-offs, they are the original games.

In addition, because of our commitment to making your Gamerator experience as enjoyable as possible, we will purchase a FREE one year subscription to GameTap’s Gold membership on your behalf, providing you with online access to over 1,000 more games! (Visit GameTap for a full list)

Other Gamerator features include …
* A refrigerated interior capable of holding a standard keg of domestic beer, as well as a 5lb. aluminum CO2 tank. (International keg taps are also available, please see our ordering page for pricing information.)

* A 26 inch flat-panel HDTV

* Two conveniently-placed cup holders to house your beverage while playing

* All Gamerators now come standard with a trackball system in addition to the dual joystick setup. The trackball is currently not pictured, but it will now be included on ALL units.

In addition, the Gamerator can be fully customized to your particular needs. Virtually any video game system on the market (past or present) can be hooked up to the Gamerator … XBox 360, Wii, PS3, PS2, NES, Genesis, etc. NOTE: Most gaming systems require an adaptor (not included) to use the dual joystick system, though all can be played with original system controllers. (Adaptors can be purchased via a third-party such as www.x-arcade.com)

Also, the Gamerator runs Windows XP, so you’re free to add virtually any other PC game you’d like!

Gamerator Specs: 75″tall X 38″wide X 38″deep
Approximate Weight: 400 lbs
System: Refurbished desktop PC, Windows XP

 

Posted in Hospitalityaholic | Comments Off on Fun Find Friday – The Gamerator

A Dali Party

Written by Patti on August 12th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

Salvadore Dali. Just the mention of his name invokes images of melting clocks, mind bending artwork and that iconic mustache.

Being able to see that fabulous artwork in person is staggering.

Being able to experience it with 4,000 other art lovers, a DJ, models resembling something from a Guillermo del Toro film, was beyond staggering.

What a night.

The multimedia exhibit at Atlanta’s High Museum of Art opened to a capacity crowd this past Saturday night and the people watching was part of the show.

Media Banners

Join The Twisted Fun Inside

 

Posted in atlanta, Hospitalityaholic, party | 1 Response »
Tags: , , , , ,

One Last Summer Fling!

Written by Patti on August 11th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

Not ready for summer to end? Me either. And since I’m at Amelia Island today writing a story on The Ritz-Carlton, I thought I would share a very special getaway to chase away those “not ready for summer to end” blues. This price is incredible – and it’s all inclusive – you know, all food and beverages included. That means all those swanky beach cocktails you like! Get on the horn and book that last hurrah, Darlings!

Paradisus Playa Conchal resort is currently offering the Spa Getaway Package which is a 4 night/5 day stay and includes:

In-room welcome gift

Welcome 30-minute facial treatment per person

Free use of Jacuzzi at Ahuia Spa

One 80-minute Shell massage per person

One 30-minute private yoga class for two

15% discount on any additional therapies bought at Ahuia Spa

Price per person/per night based on double occupancy for 4 nights:

Deluxe Garden Junior Suite: $318

Royal Service Regal Junior Suite: $398

Valid until August 31, 2010

Can be booked by calling the hotel directly at (506) 2654 4123 or by emailing resconchal@paradisusplayaconchal.com

And look at the gorgeous photos!

You Could Be Right There - Wouldn't That Be Fabulous?

Next Stop - Costa Rica Baby!

If I weren’t already booked solid for the month of August, I would be jumping on this. Five days y’all, for $318 per person? Insane!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to The Beach Boys – Kokomo

 

Posted in Travel | 3 Responses »

Goats And Moonshine

Written by Patti on August 10th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

While in New Orleans, Eric and I had the chance to visit the fantastic Farmer’s Market in town. It’s small, but the vendors are of the highest quality. We ate crispy, delicate pastries, popsicles made with the freshest fruit, bought brightly colored peppers, ripe Creole tomatoes, picked up luscious goat cheese and even bought a goat roast. Now, I have never cooked goat, but this seemed as good a time as any to try it.

Love The Market's Message

Spice Up Your Life!

Goat, It’s What’s For Dinner!

 

Posted in dinner parties | 7 Responses »
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

A Bittersweet, But Delicious, Goodbye

Written by Patti on August 9th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!
 
Over the past year you have met so many of our favorite folks. Chioke has been a guest star in many of these posts. Remember his movie night here, our taco and candy night here? Those are just a few of the times we’ve shared and I’ve shared with you.

But now Chioke is moving to THE big city, New York City, to continue his education, and will be gone for three years. Three years I will not be able to walk two blocks for a hug or a special cocktail. Three years I will not be able to hear the sound of his smooth voice and laugh at his wicked jokes.

My heart is a little heavy today.

We spent our last evening together for a while doing what we do best – eating. Eric, Holly, Chioke and I met up at JCT. Kitchen in Atlanta for a (semi) celebratory meal. I first introduced you to  JCT on my first meeting with Eddie and Jaithan.

Since JCT. does southern cuisine best, it was a fitting place to say our goodbyes.

JCT Kitchen

What Did We Order?

 

Posted in atlanta, dinner | Comments Off on A Bittersweet, But Delicious, Goodbye
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »