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

Fun Find Friday

...now browsing by tag

 
atlanta Barry Belcher birthday brunch cake Caren West Chioke Christmas Clint cocktails Crystal Danny Desserts Easter Eddie Ross Eric Fun Find Friday Giveaway Halloween holly Hospitalityaholic Jay John Lisa Matt Name That Thing Name That Thing Answer New Orleans New Year's Eve Parties party Recipes Salad Shopping Summer Super Bowl Tami Taruan Teague Thanksgiving The Ritz-Carlton The Ritz-Carlton Buckhead The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans tracy Valentines Day
 

FFF-Everyone Deserves Clean Water

Friday, March 4th, 2011

Good Morning Darlings!

So many parties this week! Hot diggity. The weather is starting to smile on us here in Atlanta and grace us with warmer temperatures, making all of us very happy indeed.

You know I am not one to get up on a soapbox, but I sure am grateful for everything and everyone in my life. We tend to forget that not everyone in the rest of the world has such a rosy situation. My friend, Colin, is working to change that. His organization, Trashwater.org, is working to provide clean and sustainable water for developing countries. Do you know that billions of people don’t even have clean water to drink? While we’re over here worrying about which hot spot to choose on Friday for date night.

Now, you can do both. Help those less fortunate receive the resources they so desperately need, while enjoying a hip, fun Friday night out. Two birds, one stone, y’all.

Colin tells me there will be 25 local artists, DJ Chris Devoe (smooth and cool) Bar (sponsored by PBR) great raffle items including dinner at premier restaurants, tattoo sessions, photography sessions, Fleet Fox tickets, and more!!!

I don’t know what a Fleet Fox is, but I bet you hip kids do. So come on out and let’s drink some PBR, do a little dancing and buy some art for an astounding cause. I will absolutely be there, too.

You should be, too. I’ll save you a dance.

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Doobie Brothers – Black Water

Posted in atlanta, cocktails, entertaining, Events, Fun Find Friday, party | 3 Responses »
Tags: , , ,

Fun Find Friday – Yacht Rock, Baby!

Friday, December 10th, 2010

Good Morning Darlings!

Leave it to our girl-about-town, Caren West, to come up with something to warm you up and something to cool you down, at the same venue. Tonight.

What? There’s an opening in your party going schedule? Let me help you pencil something in for tonight.

Yacht Rock. That’s right. Yacht Rock. You know, cover bands that do all the fun music from the 1970s. Like Christopher Cross and Seals & Crofts and whatever else was popular back in the day. It’s fun! And…you can get all cooled off before the show by ice skating at Park Tavern.

Honey, we’ve got you covered. Miss Caren, details please!

PARK TAVERN HOSTS THE SECOND ANNUAL YACHT ROCK HOLIDAY SPECIAL ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10TH

Featuring Three Levels of Entertainment and Performances from the Yacht Rock Revue, Yacht Rock Schooner and DJ MP3PO

Atlanta, Georgia (November 29, 2010) – The second annual Yacht Rock Holiday Special will be held at Park Tavern in Piedmont Park on Friday, December 10, 2010.  Revelers are invited to attend an early show at 8 p.m. or late night bash at 10 p.m. The festive evening features three levels of live entertainment including the Yacht Rock Revue, fireside performances by the Yacht Rock Schooner, ice skating at The Rink with DJ MP3PO, and the PleaseRock Carolizers!  Two cans of food for the Atlanta Community Food Bank will get guests a picture with Santa at the Mixtape Atlanta photo booth. Advance tickets are available for $20 for both the 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. shows at https://www.xorbia.com/rsvp/yachtrock/extravaganza/tickets.cfm.

This should be a blast – go on, buy some tickets. You know you want to…

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Christopher Cross – Sailing

Posted in atlanta, Events, Fun Find Friday | 2 Responses »
Tags: , ,

Fun Find Friday – Improv Monster

Friday, November 19th, 2010

Good Morning Darlings!

My new friend, Bret Love, is a member of this cool improv group here in Atlanta. Don’t you get tired of doing the same old thing every weekend? Here’s your chance to mix it up a little bit and have some fun!

Stop! Improv Time!

December shows will be FREE with the donation of a new, unwrapped toy for the Atlanta Union Mission:

WHO: Improv Monster
WHAT: A troupe of Atlanta’s finest improv comedy veterans inspired by different performing artists every week
WHEN: Thursday nights at 8PM
WHERE: Relapse Theatre, 380 14th St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318. Call 404-541-9911 for more info.
WHY: Because it’s one of the city’s funniest and most innovative improv shows, and tickets are only $10 ($5 w/student ID)

• • • • • • •

What is IMPROV MONSTER? Imagine the irreverence of early Saturday Night Live, the colorful characters of Christopher Guest’s best work (Waiting For Guffman, Best In Show), and the madcap improvised mayhem of the Upright Citizens Brigade. Now imagine it performed live and unscripted by Atlanta’s best improvised theatre veterans, and you have Jackpie’s IMPROV MONSTER.

Co-directed by Jackpie Theatre founder Jim Karwisch and John Sexton, IMPROV MONSTER takes its inspiration from different guest artists every week, whose performances provide the source material for their long-form improvised scene-work. Recent sources have included burlesque troupes, circus acts, standup comedians, poets and musicians. Together, IMPROV MONSTER and their guests forge a unique artistic fusion unlike anything the Atlanta improv scene has ever seen.

In December the show’s theme will be Holiday Stories, with guests including Santa Sam Smith (Dec 2), the cast of Actors Express’ “Every Christmas Story Ever Told” (Dec 9) and
Kara Cantrell of Stone Mountain Christmas (Dec 16).

“Improv Monster makes Saturday Night Live look like entertainment for daycare kiddies. I read my poems, and they took my poems and ran with them, expanding them and finding the humor in them. The audience loved it. You will love Improv Monster!” –Poet Mikel K

Looks like they give out hugs, too!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Happy Tree Friends – Don’t Make Me Laugh

Posted in atlanta, Events, Fun Find Friday | 2 Responses »
Tags: , ,

Fun Find Friday – Red Hot Yoga

Friday, October 29th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

You’ve bought all the candy, you have frosted the cupcakes for the kids’ class parties and whipped up snacks & cocktails for your home Halloween soiree.

The day after Halloween you are eating the leftover candy you bought, pilfering the kids’ loot and nibbling on the uneaten snacks from the party.

Ugh. You are suffering from a serious junk food hangover. Maybe worse, if you indulged in one too many spooky cocktails at the adult party.

What to do? How about a yoga class? A HOT yoga class to detox your entire system. A hot yoga class at Red Hot Yoga on the tony Miami Circle in Buckhead. I started classes there this week after a 4 year absence. Oh, and I won’t lie and tell you it’s easy, but you will sweat (don’t forget your towel and bottled water!) You will feel like you truly accomplished something after class. And it’s owned by the lovely Bethany & Wes, who really know what they are doing and will help you with your poses so you won’t feel totally klutzy. They are kind, caring and patient – hmmm, that seems to be a recurring theme in my life these days!

I knew after all the dining out, dining in, dining with fab chefs and their fab tasting menus, that I had to do something. Plus, I was feeling all achy every morning. Since I write a blog about eating, I couldn’t very well just stop that, either. So I had to find some balance. Yoga is helping me with that. Bethany and I discussed how much better I would feel and look by next year. Heck, I feel better already. I still can’t stand on one foot for a long time, but that will come. Most of the classes I have taken this week have been taught by Gwen, who I think is super swell.

Because they are such nice folks, they are willing to let you attend unlimited classes for a full week for only $25, as an introduction! Such a deal.

If you come to the 9:30 a.m. class, you will see me there. Just don’t expect me to look like this.

Have a safe and happy Halloween, Sweeties. See you at yoga on Monday. Namaste, y’all!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Bow Wow Wow – I Want Candy

Posted in atlanta, Fun Find Friday | 5 Responses »
Tags: , , ,

Fun Find Friday – Jacques Torres Chocolate Sampler

Friday, October 1st, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

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?

You deserve it!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to The Archies – Sugar Sugar

Posted in Dessert, entertaining, Fun Find Friday, takeout | 2 Responses »
Tags: , , , ,

Fun Find Friday – The Salsabol!

Friday, September 24th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

Don’t you hate when the salsa falls off your chip? Me, too! Check out this specially-designed bowl so you never have to worry about errant salsa jumping off your chips.

Called the Salsabol, it features a unique, patent-pending lip that pushes your salsa or dip back onto your chip for the perfect scoop, every time!

They’ve combined incredible functionality and unique modern design to create a playful party piece that adds style and flavor to any table. It’s half revolutionary, half brilliant, and half ridiculous–but it will make your parties awesome and your chips (and guests) happy.

Ole'! No more empty chips!

Buy Now

I have to order this for my next party. Even the color is pretty!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Chica Boom – Mi Bomba Sono

Posted in dinner parties, entertaining, Fun Find Friday | 3 Responses »
Tags: , ,

Fun Find Friday – Mary Esther’s Baby Cakes

Friday, September 17th, 2010

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

Posted in atlanta, baking, Dessert, dinner parties, Fun Find Friday, party, takeout | 4 Responses »
Tags: , , ,

Fun Find Friday – Amy’s Gourmet Apples

Friday, September 10th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

It’s still pretty warm here in Atlanta, but in the early morning, I can feel a bit of Autumn trying to peek out.

Which convinces me that Fall is just around the corner. Almost.

And Halloween. Halloween is less than six weeks away. Halloween means candied apples. This year it means Amy’s Gourmet Apples. Look at these babies:

Photo Courtesy of Amy's Gourmet Apples

They are huge! And there are all types to choose from. Oh my goodness. I need them all. Well, maybe not need, but want. Definitely want.

Sure, you could make your own, but if you have no inclination for dealing with the mess of piping hot chocolate, this would be much easier.

Wouldn’t they make a swell hostess gift? Or a gift for that hard-to-buy-for boss? Or for yourself? Or for me! Yes, they would make a lovely gift for me.

And since they’re apples, that must mean they are healthy! You can get one of your daily fruits in for the day.

Rationalization is a wonderful thing.

Now, excuse me, I must go purchase some of those apples.

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Glen Campbell and Bobbi Gentry – Little Green Apples

Posted in Autumn, Dessert, Fun Find Friday, Guest, Halloween | 3 Responses »
Tags: , , ,

Fun Find Friday – Book Swim

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

Remember on Wednesday, when I nabbed that cozy chair at Victor’s house and said it would be the perfect place to curl up with a good book? I found the book.

Actually, I found a boodle of them at Book Swim, a new service that’s like Netflix, but instead of movies, you receive books. Isn’t that cool? Here’s the press release from lovely Marita Burke:

The happiest time of the year is also the busiest and most expensive time of the year! Make your holiday hosting plans a little easier (and affordable!) this year with the help from BookSwim. Rent books to teach you everything from how to create spectacular decorations to making the best Eggnog. It’s the perfect way to come up ideas for those picky in-laws. Plus, when the holidays are through, you can send each book back, cutting down on clutter (a New Year’s resolution?) and allowing you, also, to rent all new and updated books the following year!
 
You and your guests can even gather on the couch and enjoy a Christmas classic like The Night Before Christmas!

Here are the pricing tiers:

Unlimited Plans
3 books at-a-time: $23.95/month
5 books at-a-time: $29.95/month
7 books at-a-time: $35.95/month
11 books at-a-time: $59.95/month

Limited Plans
1 book per month: $9.95/month, $3.99 outgoing shipping

I love the unlimited plan. This way I can read three cookbooks at one time and enjoy them at my leisure. They go back in a pre-paid envelope when I am finished.

Loving all the holiday titles right now. I can’t help myself! And lookie, here’s a book from Ree, The Pioneer Woman – one of the web’s first food bloggers.

One of our own!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to The Reading Rainbow Theme Song

Posted in cooking, dinner parties, entertaining, Fun Find Friday | 1 Response »
Tags: , ,

Fun Find Friday – Paperless Post

Friday, July 2nd, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

I have a special treat for you all today. These gorgeous electronic invitations were found when I dropped by Party Blueprints Blog (love these girls!)

Now I know we all use Evite and they are swell, but these are much more chic. You can even design your own personalized note cards, which I did. This is how the invitation looks when it is delivered:

Tres Chic!

As they are in beta, it looks like they are just getting started, but their invites are very elegant. They have invitations for July 4th, baby showers, bachlorette parties and of course, those gorgeous personalized note cards that I don’t know how I ever lived without.

They will give your party guests the warmest feeling to receive this in their email. To take a look at my cards, click here. Your first 25 invitations are free! Free! I love free!

I promise, they will start your party off right.

Happy Friday!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Gretchen Wilson – I’m Here For The Party

Posted in Hospitalityaholic | 4 Responses »
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

« Older Entries