For the chocolate lovers

I love chocolate and it is rare that I go a day without it. I figure it's a much better habit than smoking, right? In the past few years boutique chocolate cafes have been popping up in cities throughout the country. I like this trend! Fancy chocolate is a great gift to bring to the next dinner party you are invited to (with wine as well, of course!) but you can also make an outing to these cafes and host events there too.

I pass Aroa a few times a week, it is located on Washington Street in the South End. I would have never thought to host a kids party here, but what a great idea. This is an especially great option when it is freezing out (like today!). For us grownups, they have chocolate tastings - the next one is January 19th from 6:30-8:30 for only $10/person.
















Finale has been around for years now. I passed the Park Plaza location on my way home from the movies last night and everyone looked like they were having such a nice time in there. This is a wonderful place to pick up desserts from but it is also a great option if you are looking for a place to host a shower. The prices are pretty reasonable, the "afternoon delight" costing $14.95/person and includes coffee or tea, tea sandwiches and a finale pastry.


















When my parents lived in downtown Philadelphia, my mom and I used to walk by the Naked Chocolate cafe and try our best to refrain from going in. It is a great place with awesome chocolate! There are three locations, two on Walnut street and one on 18th.

Find the local chocolate cafe wherever you live, and if you don't have one, you can order online from the three chocolate shops above. Now after writing this blog, I am off to make some hot cocoa, it's the only chocolate I have in the house right now!

A lovely NYE table...

Saw a pic on facebook of a friend's NYE dinner table, thought it looked so nice so wanted to share. Well done Genevieve & crew.  (Newport, RI)

Looking for something to do in Boston this weekend?

Figuring out your weekend plans?  Well, if you love wine - this is your weekend!  The Boston Wine festival is taking place. The opening celebration is tonight at the Boston Harbor Hotel, you can taste wines from your choice of 50 wineries. Tickets are $100/person. 

OR...how about trying out some of the fun new bars/restaurants? 

Coppa, a venture by our beloved Ken Oringer (I frequent Toro often!) and Jamie Bissonnette, in the old Dish location on Shawmut Avenue.  They serve dinner until 12:45, I like that!

Woodward at the Ames Hotel. Enjoy some fun, colorfully names cocktails and some great late night snacks like fancy grilled cheese, burgers and lobster salad sandwiches.

I think we have all frequented and enjoyed the Parish Cafe on Boylston Street and I have some good news, they have a new location!  Try out the newest Parish on Tremont & Mass Ave.  Rumor has it there was a line around the block for New Year's day brunch. 
And last but by no means least, how about some live jazz at the Stork Club?  
Have a great weekend!

Beau coup part 2 - place card holders

Yesterday I shared some of the favors from beau-coup.com and today I want to share a sampling of their place card holders which are so great for any party with assigned seating or a small, more intimate dinner party.  This is really making me want to host a dinner party, but which to choose?  The mittens would be great for a casual winter dinner and I really would like to use the topiary for an outdoor party.

Corks

Topiary plants

Tea kettles

Sail boats

Mittens

Gold trees

Mini champagne bucket

Beach chairs

Beau coup part 1 - party favors

I found some great favors, or little something extras to spice up a table setting, on beau-coup.com. One of my favorites for a birthday party is the mini gum-ball machine.  And the cupcake mix is something anyone would appreciate, so perfect for a shower, wedding OR any darn occasion you want!  This is just a sampling of some that stuck out to me, there are many more on their website. 

Custom Playing Cards - choose your own design & color scheme

Personalized Candy Bars - who doesn't like leaving a party with a treat?

Mini candy jar, perfect for my desk

The mini gum-ball machine, so awesome

Fortune Cookies - fun for a wedding or New Years Eve

Cupcake mix

Personalized poker chips

Where are the deals?

Although I am hopeful the economy is starting to turn around, I think we have all been watching our wallet just a little bit more closely this past year. Saving money is NOT a bad thing and it's something I hope to do more of in 2010! So to help is in this endeavor, I introduce to you - Hub Eats - our friend (well, website) who tells us about restaurant/bar specials for each day of the week - i.e. Union Park offers free bar bites during the week (I love it there and plan to take advantage over a glass of wine). So the next time you want to get a group together, check out this site for some specials. There are more sites where you can find a good bargain, and I will share them in time...

If only we could rent the space at Looc Boutique

This is the first of many posts to follow about places where I would love to host a party, hopefully 2010 will bring lots of reasons to celebrate! The first space is located on Union Park in the South End just a few doors down from the South End Buttery. It's a boutique called Looc which has a unique space on a beautiful street. Recently, the space was rented to film part of the Tom Cruise/Cameron Diaz movie being shot in town, so be sure to keep an eye out for it (although, they said the space was completely redone for the day of filming).   

The space is mostly white with exposed brick and a loft area.  I think going with colors like pink, navy blue & a lighter green would be perfect.  A preppy theme would work well with the classic bicycle they already have on-hand.  Or perhaps make it a white party (although kind of overdone at this point) or polo-esque (popped collars encouraged to fit the theme). 

The front of Looc, on Union Park:

The largest room with a chandelier and I love the brick. 

                     I would like to have flowers like these all                                around to add some color. These flowers were at the Four Seasons in Istanbul, their hotels always have the most beautiful flowers.

I was at a party in Nantucket last summer and there was a photographer on-hand so one of the parting gifts was picture frames with photos from the evening.  You can order some of these Lucite picture frames from Dabney Lee (so cute!) but if you need a bunch, make your own. Buy plastic picture frames and buy some paper with fun patterns (the above are from the paper source in Boston).

These monogrammed coasters (below) in navy blue and pink would be a great touch.  You can order 30 for $25. 

Another party favor idea is some preppy key chains - $10 each from 2preppygirls.com

I love these nautical wine charms, perfect for the theme. And don't buy just regular plastic cups, how about these from Lilly Pullitzer.....major preppsta!