Browsing "Uncategorized"
Wine Gala Wonderment
Saturday, February 11th, 2012
Endless flutes of Dom Perignon were a magical feast for absolutely all five senses.
The Wine Auction itself, was a total and complete feast for the eyes.
I am going to create a family rubber stamp, and from now on, wrap my wine bottles with stamped tissue, a la Rothschild, to emulate this beautiful wrapping.
Confession: all photos from my trusty Blackberry. Will never leave camera home again.
I mean – wow.
They had me at LaTour.
Beautiful, beautiful storied bottles.
I admit. I judge a wine by it’s label.
The better the label, the more interested in purchase.
Love these.
Clever, clever Elizabeth and your brilliant Lyric Women’s Boarders.
And don’t think I didn’t notice your FABULOUS mini MYdrap pull apart cocktail squares…so loved.
Dinner of a lifetime.
Yours for the bidding.
The hors d’oeuvres were truly fresh – fun – deliciously decadent.
Calihan Catering hit it RIGHT out of the park.
Big time.
And all oh so francophile, in honour of guest of honor, Richard, Chef du Cave, Dom Perignon.
These were our very favorite – Black Sea Bass on Chips with Olives.
Foie Macaron?
Genius.
Beef Tenderloin with Marshmallow?
Truffled Butter French Radish?
Duck Pastrami wrapped Brie Endive?
My girl.
Peggy (et Richard), your personal Dom Perignon butler made it quite impossible for us to leave your side, move on, or mingle elsewhere for cocktails.
Merci beaucoup.
After drinking stars, for much too short a cocktail hour, the trumpets sounded overhead.
Dinner was served.
On stage.
Gorgeous gilded boxwood topiary, potted in gilded lattice cachepot.
Luscious Lobster Salad preset first course.
Every which way the view was divine…
Wine glasses, wine glasses EVERYWHERE.
And, there is my favorite white glove pour again.
Short Rib, Tenderloin, Roasted Beets, Haricot Vert…
Silver trays filled with after dinner nosh, nibbled at the table, while bidding the live auction.
Silver revere bowls brimming with truffled popcorn and savory cheddar shortbread squares.
This was just a dreamy dream of a night at the opera.
Certainly one of the most beautiful celebrations one could ever imagine.
Merci mon ami, Elizabeth, for an entire evening, filled with stars.
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The Pour
Saturday, February 11th, 2012
…and then, he pours.
And we are transported right back to our dreamy tasting trips to Hautvillers and Epernay.
And now, the Wine Lots shall be toured, and bid upon, and – we hope – won.
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Lyric Lobby
Saturday, February 11th, 2012
From minute one inside the Lyric Opera Wine Gala – we were in awe.
As our black patent toes hit the first inch of the marble lobby – Dom Perignon enveloped, inspired, and warmly greeted us.
Don’t you just love walking into a party, and BAM!
Sparkling, sophisticated first impressions just inside the front threshold, creating a buzz and excitement that draws you inside.
Our first sight, two gentlemen in black ties, white gloves, silver trays, and "Dom Perignon tonight, my dear?"
First, he reaches to the silver tray, for two coupes…
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Champagne
Friday, February 10th, 2012
Why yes, Elizabeth Cole, I would absolutely, positively, love nothing more than to join you for an entire evening bathed in Dom Perignon.
Top that with the honour of the presence of Chef du Cave, Dom Perignon, Richard Geoffroy, and you can pretty much peel me off the ceiling of the Lyric Opera.
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Cutie #1 Pie
Friday, February 10th, 2012
You wouldn’t believe it.
It was nearly impossible to find whimsical, colorful, youthfully
toddler-speak correct Valentine boxes to accent our candy topiary
centerpiece decor.
Everywhere we turned it was:
Text Me
BFF
Hot Stuff
LOL
Finally…
At long last – SUCCESS.
Yes, we WHALE be your Valentine.
Candy Man
Friday, February 10th, 2012
Tomorrow, we give new meaning to having a sugar rush.
We are handcrafting almost one hundred Valentine candy topiary for young Jack’s first birthday bash.
The birthday boy of honor is so very special to us, as we have created and designed parties for his own parents for years – including their magical candlelight wedding celebration years ago downtown.
To extend our love for thoughtful, personal creations toward a whole new generation of favorite clients is truly a great honor.
We cherish each tiny red, chewy, sweet candy for little Jack as we adhere them to cones, spheres and more – losing our fingerprints to steamy hot glue pots all the while.
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Public Display
Thursday, February 9th, 2012
Have you been in Public?
Have you basked inside the beauty that is Ian Schrager’s newest white hot boutique hotel hit, PUBLIC Chicago?
I for one, cannot possibly get enough.
Take the immediate first step inside the white lacquered, floor to ceiling crackled mirror, dream cloud of a lobby.
It is an oasis of style and sophisticated chic in the city.
Even my seven and ten year old beg to go every Sunday morning.
Once there, we enjoy brunch in Pump Room, then hang out for hours across the white marble lobby in the Game Room, playing vintage wooden board games together for some old fashioned by the fireplace family fun while chilling with coffee and chocolat chaud.
Oh, and did I mention, rock star playground, the quaint wrought iron fenced London square-esque enclave Goudy Park, conveniently located directly across street.
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Stepping Up
Thursday, February 9th, 2012
This morning we are thrilled and inspired.
Even though we were up half the night finishing our 8 am presentation – filled with our favorite, must have, can’t miss, two hundred plus spring entertaining trends.
We are speaking to a sold out, pack the house crowd at Step Up Women’s Network, downtown at Loft on Lake.
The handsome and dapper Joshua Yates, Pure Kitchen Catering, is partnering with us to create a simply stunning breakfast event.
Step Up is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting and advancing women and girls.
They strive to bridge communities of professional women and underserved teen girls, through mentorship, networking and advancement, all in the name of creating a better future.
An honor, and a privilege ladies, thank you so very much for the invitation.
Happy step it up Thursday to all of you – now let’s go.
Let’s mentor.
Let’s network.
Let’s inspire.
Let’s bridge together, and create a better future.
Photo credit: Amanda Sudimack, Artisan Events
Bubble Gum Dreams
Wednesday, February 8th, 2012
Mon dieu.
You know you are bringing your work (specifics: Valentine First Birthday Party this weekend) home with you when…
You dream several nights in a row: colorful, candy coated style, while visions of Valentine sugarplums dance through your head.
To make matters worse – when I snuck in Lilly’s room this morning – for my very favorite warm, cozy, slumbery morning hugs and kisses, she said:
"Mom – I dreamed I was racing on a cupcake!"
Well – that’s our peek behind the scenes this week.
We have been counting down to the Very Valentine First Birthday Bash for weeks…
and Finally!
It’s almost here.
