Its My Party

Shame on me for letting so much time pass between blog entries! I suppose I just havent experienced anything interesting lately.  Make no mistake; Ive been visiting plenty of Sacramento places and spaces. But I dont write about just any ol' Sacramento scene.  Only the hidden treasures or worthy hot spots will get attention on this blog.

For this entry, though, I think I will do something a bit different. 

While I dont consider myself much of a homemaker, the Stepford Wives spirit sometimes strikes and transforms me into a domestic diva.  This weekend, the best Sacramento scene was located at my very own home as I threw a lingerie bridal shower for my best friend, Ashley.  Now this woman is Martha Stewart's successor so it was quite a challenge to throw a party that would impress her.

I think I succeeded....

Party Planning 101.

The invite is your introduction to the event.  Its like a first impression.   Would you show up to a first date wearing sweats or a track suit?!?! ( I fear some of you would, but..)  The correct answer is no.   Same goes for a party.  And on that note, never RSVP "yes" to a party that has a lackluster invitation.  You can assume the actual event will be just as drab.

There must be a fabulous focal point. In my case, I made a banner and below it placed a table adorned with favors and activites.

"The devil is in the details" as they say. So everything should hint at the color scheme and theme of the event. In the case of my lingerie shower, all the decorations recalled the 'pink with white polka dots' scheme from the invite.  The favors were satchels of potpurri for the panty drawer.  And the playlist inlcuded sexy songs like Love Game by Lady Gaga; Sex Machine by James Brown; She Wolf by Shakira; and Afternoon Delight by the Starland Vocal Band.  What songs would you recommend?

Detail and first impression are also important when bestowing your gift on the bride-to-be.  Ive added a few special trinkets including a "U" made of pearls for what will be the first letter of her new last name!

Here I am frosting my homemade red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. Red is so sultry, isnt it?

I also made bra and panty cookies...

...because thats just the kind of girl I am!

The best way to a girl's.... um...heart.... is through desserts!!!  I couldnt resist these sweet treats.

A few silly games helped everyone loosen up. Here we passed a cucumber between our legs in 'musical chairs' fashion.  Dont get caught with it between your legs when the music stops!!

Any if you've done it right, all of your hard decorating work will pay off in the form of beautiful and memorable photos. 

Happy marriage!

italiano bello

After a Haywood housewarming and a bachelorette at Badlands, I was spent.  Sunday morning brought  tired legs, a slight headache, and the general desire never to leave my bed again. Sometime around 4pm, I gained enough strength to accept an invite for pizza with friends.  They too were experiencing a bit of lethargy and were in no shape to dine in, so we opted for take out from HOT ITALIAN on 16th & P.
If you dont recognize the name, surely you would recognize the very distinct storefront.  A sexy couple stenciled on the side of the building protrude upward with European vogue.  Open windows negate the indoor/outdoor distiction and allow passerbys to observe all the beautiful people (and beautiful food) inside.
And if you're really feeling this trendy Italian ambiance, there is a sidewalk parking structure designed especially for your Vespa.

In just a single bite, the Magnini pizza brought me back from my listless state and gave me reason to live again!  But if you dont like salmon, I also recommend the Citterio made with proscuitto and spinach.... slightly orgasmic.

In addition to its sleek, modern design and tasteful eats, this restuarant is also LEED certified! Now that's HOT.

More reasons to love HOT ITALIAN:
Thursday Lunch Concert Series
Bici & Bevi (bikes and wine)
Gelato

Chalk Full

I went to Chalk It Up yesterday at Freemont Park on P&15th. An annual Labor Day weekend event, proceeds benefit children's art education and activities.

The vibrant colors brought life to my heart! Seriously thinking about having a couple of these pieces tattooed on my body.

 

Whether for political, business, social or personal reasons: 

nourish the artist inside of you. 

What would you chalk?

The Classics

I am a lover of the classics. A classic is timeless. It is constant. It is wise. There is simply something magnetic about it. It has outlasted both time and trend. It is a deep cavern of societal and personal history. Its beauty never fades.

Behind the antique, are the qualities of a classic. Despite the many coats of paint it has worn; the many hands it has changed, or the many scuffs it has endured, it retains its unique and lavish detail.

I can recall the countless weekends of my childhood spent inside antique shops. The smell of cigars and aged potpourri still linger in my memory. I didnt understand my mother's fanscination with "old things", but each passing year brings greater appreciation for these little mementos of history. Symbols of a time when things were made to last; or simply for the joy of fine craftsmanship.

After a filling lunch at the Beach Hut Cafe on J and 24th, Tanya and I went on what I like to call an "antique boutique" adventure. When we stumbled upon Tina's One Stop Shop, I wasnt particularly impressed (although they did have an extensive collection of vintage issues of LIFE magazine). Just in time, however, I realized Tina's has a furniture gallery in the adjacent storefront.

I was so overwhelmed by the potential of each piece that I went back to today and bought four items. Im already envisioning their placement in my home once Ive refurbished them. Although, a classic needs very little improvement.

Im afraid Ive become a lover of antique furniture. But there should be no shame in it. I quote Valentino: "I love beauty, its not my fault".