Friday's Escape: Hotel Carlton, Venice

The inspiration for today's post is my fabulously globe-trotting friend, Ms. Franki Durbin. An acquaintence asked for hotel recommendations in Venice, something fabulous and directly on the canal. I knew Franki would not disappoint...ladies and gentlemen, The Hotel Carlton, Venice. The main selling point in my eyes? 100 windows facing the canal! Can't go wrong with that.
Gorgeous at night!

Love those chairs.

Food For Thought Thursdays: Lobster Macaroni and Cheese

An incredibly decadent take on the ultimate comfort food...so what time's dinner?
Lobster Macaroni and Cheese
By Michael Smith, Chef at Home
Ingredients
1 box of penne pasta
1 sticks of butter
2 x garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 cup of flour
1/2 cup of white wine
1 can of evaporated milk
4 cups of milk
1 tbsp of paprika
2 tbsp of Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper
8 oz of cheddar cheese, grated
8 oz of Monterrey jack cheese, grated
Salt and pepper
2 x 1 lb. lobsters, cooked and shelled
2 cups of breadcrumbs

**Check out Butter and Sugar for complete directions**

A Bowl Full of Blooms

After we wrapped an event on last Friday, I had some beautiful orange and peach roses to take home but I wasn't quite sure what to do with them. With all of my glassware, I didn't have anything quite small enough for the shortened stems. Then it hit me! Calgon take me away, lol. Yes, I was tired but seriously...a hot bath seemed like just what the doctor ordered but I digress. An image of a gorgeous bath tub filled with rose petals flashed in my mind. I dug out one of my hardly used Pyrex dishes, filled it with water, a snip here and there and voila. A floating mini-tub for my coffee table! And yes, Will Smith loves it...

Raising A Glass

Those who know me fairly well know I have a love affair with glasses, particularly wine and champagne flutes. It goes back to my childhood, I think. My parents have this grand china cabinet filled with their wedding dishes and a myriad of stemware. I always loved it when my mother would break out the "fancy glasses." When I moved into my first apartment, my aunt gave me boxes of wine glasses and champagne flutes as a housewarming gift. I was in heaven! When styling your reception or next party, kick your glassware selection up a notch. Move past the plain, boring crystal and find something that really reflects the mood you're creating.
Versace Arabesque wine glass, how delicate and thin

Belle Boulevard by Kate Spade; look at those spidery lines

Waterford's Clarendon; how formal and ornate, very old school

Gigi by Crate and Barrel; I love how modern and spare this design is. Would be perfect on a square table.

Happy Celebrations by Waterford; if bling is your theme, this is your glass!

June Lane by Kate Spade; feels so preppy chic

Nambe Tilt Double Old fashioned, love the sensual line of this glass

Crate and Barrel's Valencia; would look great with a vintage damask linen

Vera Wang's Love Knot champagne bucket, doesn't it look satiny smooth?

May I Have This Dance?

One of the most beautiful parts of your wedding celebration will be your first dance as husband and wife. You're surrounded by family and friends, the spotlight is on you and the DJ is definitely playing your favorite song. You want this moment to go smoothly, like you're naturals. One thing I've learned working with couples, is surprisingly most have never danced together, at least not formally. It's one thing to get your groove on in a club, (more than likely you're not dancing cheek-to-cheek) but quite another to perform a simple box step. So if you need a little help in this area, have no fear, I have a few professionals on speed dial. If you're in Richmond, be sure to check out Rigby's Jig, The Dance Space and Dance Masters Studio. For my Hotlanta couples, Fred Astaire Dance Studio and Dance 411 Studios will make sure you're first dance ready in no time.