Room to Read - Boston Event Thursday, November 5th

A close friend became involved with the Boston chapter of Room to Read, an organization started by John Wood, an ex Microsoft exec. It is a wonderful organization providing children around the world with the opportunity to learn.  This is something we sometimes take for granted but there children all over who can't go to school because there isn't one and where there are no books.  Room to Read is changing this and needs your help so we can all help young kids reach their potential.  

On Thursday, November 5th Room to Read is holding their first Boston event at the Harvard Club. Tickets to attend a VIP session with John are $250 and regular tickets are $100.  Buy your ticket today!

Cure your Halloween hangover with snoop

One of my all time favorite movie scenes is when Snoop comes on stage in Old School. Experience it yourself- Snoop Dogg is going to be at the House of Blues tomorrow night, I only wish I could go! I saw Thievery Corporation at HOB last week, great venue!

An alternative to the traditional dinner party

Most of you have probably heard of Barbara Lynch, at least if you live in Boston you have. Her restaurants are charming and delicious and she is one smart woman!  Barbara Lynch Gruppo opened Stir a year or so ago and I have been dying to go.  You can host a private cooking class or wine tasting at Stir with up to ten people.  So if you have a special birthday to celebrate and you have been to way too many traditional dinners out, this is the perfect option!  If I ever get there, I will be sure to let you know how it is. If you get their first, please do the same.

Picture from StirBoston.com

If you have a fabulous kitchen in your own home, consider having a chef come to you.  You could put a twist on this for showers and bachelorette parties  focusing on the bride's favorite type of food or learn how to make specialty cakes or cup cakes.  If it's just the gals, be sure to buy some cute aprons (I bought mine from Anthropologie). Make it special to you and your guests.

Looking for unique, vintage classics to wear to an event OR for halloween?

This past weekend I played host to a very close friend in town from Philadelphia.  We spent hours walking through the Back Bay and the South End looking in clothing boutiques and home stores (our main focus of the day). We were winding down but I desperately wanted to show the girls a strip of cool studios off of Harrison Avenue and that is when we saw it...our absolute favorite stop of the day - BOBBY FROM BOSTON.  

As Sarah said "this is like shopping in your parent's attic."  This vintage store is truly one of a kind and I plan to visit frequently to keep an eye out for new items.  If there is a beau in your life, they will fall in love will all of the blazers in stock - so classic and cool!  For the women, keep an eye for new dresses, antique clutches and some fantastic hats that could spruce up any outfit.  Adding some vintage flare to your next cocktail outfit will be a hit!

19 Thayer Street, Boston

Annual Mayflower Foundation December Event

Last year, this event was held at the Cylcorama in the South End. They had a great crowd at the event and we had a blast. This year, the venue has changed but if you want to get festive for the holidays, this is your chance! Dust off your dancing shoes...

A wedding to remember

The other evening I headed over to Anthropologie for a cocktail party celebrating the new show 'Man Shops Globe' on the Sundance channel. The show follows Keith Johnson who travels the world buying unique home furnishings & accessories for Anthropologie - I sure think this is the best job in the world!   

Sipping on wine, wandering through one of my favorite stores, what a perfect night!  It was a very low key event but it made me think back to one of the most fantastic weddings I have ever been to.  A close family friend (you will start to learn, we have a lot of them!) got married at the Urban Outfitter's HQ in an old Navy Yard in Philadelphia.  The space is incredible and this family did one heck of a job decorating! Below are some photos of the wedding, enjoy & be inspired!

Hanging lights across the dance floor

Beautiful tables settings with these terrific candles

Cherry blossom branches with candles hanging from them - these made a BIG impact. It was definitely a wow when you walked in.

This was at the entrance of the building, very rustic and city-chic. I am assuming this piece is always in the office, but they really leveraged the antique pieces decorating them with candles and greens

Stock up on wine glasses for your next party

While typically I enjoy drinking wine out of my Riedel glasses that I have acquired throughout the years (thank goodness santa still visits when you're 30!), there are times when you need less expensive wine glasses on hand to entertain a large group of people.  I have gone to plenty of fundraisers and parties over the years and I have learned from my mom - you do not serve wine in plastic cups. 

This is where Pier One comes in to save the day, and I better make a visit soon! They have a variety of wine glasses for only $2.50 each.  Buy in bulk and save them for your next party.  Your guests will thank you.

http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/Dining/Dining/tabid/493/CategoryID/110/List/0/catpagesize/25/Level/a/ProductID/207/ProductName/Classic-Stemware/Default.aspx 

 

What a splash of color can do

Stowe, Vermont is a place I love and a place I visit often.  So I was thrilled when close family friends opted for a quaint Vermont wedding at Edson Hill Manor.  

While this picture doesn't do the space justice, I wanted to share the table settings. They were  simple but elegant and so suiting for the location. 

A little bit of color can go a long way!

The ICA - become a member and enjoy the events!

I am always looking for something new to do. While I admit I do have my fair share of nights in relaxing on the couch, I try to embrace city living as much as I can.  Two years ago my friend convinced me to become a member of the ICA (the Institute of Contemporary Art).  I had not yet been to the newest Boston museum on the waterfront, and I was hooked when I found out they have special members-only preview events a few times a year. Imagine having a cocktail in hand, standing on the incredible patio taking in the view of the city and you are surrounded by an eclectic mix of beautiful, creative, stylish people (each time I make a mental note to step up the wardrobe). Then you continue upstairs to get a sneak peak of the newest exhibit.  For $65 a year, its a deal!  

It is an amazing space and I only hope that one day I will be a planning a large, black tie event there.  Be sure to look at their slideshow of event images - http://www.icaboston.org/about/facilityrentals/.  

For now, in lieu of a fancy event, I have my membership card and a few fabulous evenings of cocktails to celebrate modern art and feel like I am truly part of Boston. 

Hope to see you at the next member's cocktail party!

The classy way to send an invite via email

There is nothing better than receiving a letter or an invitation in the mail but these days, sometimes it is easiest (and appropriate) to send out an evite or set up an event on facebook, but now we have an even better option -  Paperlesspost.com.  You create your custom invitation and envelope and then invite away! You can even track responses using the site.  I have attached an example, a fabulous invite for a day of dress shopping & cocktails sent by a close friend.  

The site charges a nominal fee, $5 for 40 stamps, but sign up and receive a few complimentary stamps so you can test this out. 

Check it out for your next party:

www.paperlesspost.com

Let the fun begin!

ConnectForEvents.com is almost here! If you love planning events like I do, you won't want to miss it.  It will be a free tool to help connect those of us planning parties with local venues to make securing space easy. 

I have loved planning parties for years and get a lot of joy bringing together friends & family to have some fun.  Whenever a birthday party is approaching, I have become the go-to party planner researching venues and selecting that special spot to make sure the night is one to remember. Everyone has always said I should do something more with my passion so here we go.....

Please always feel free to send feedback about this blog & ConnectForEvents.com to ConnectForEvents@gmail.com.