Enjoy a Complimentary 3rd Night at New York’s Signature Collection Hotels

Posted in Travel + Destination by

If New York City is the destination of your upcoming girls weekend, romantic weekend getaway or destination wedding, you may want to consider staying at a Signature Collection hotel.  The Signature Collection is a conglomerate of some of New York’s finest hotels and from June 27 to September 5, 2011 they are offering guests the luxury of a complimentary 3rd night stay.   Participating hotels include:

  •  The Carlyle – A Rosewood Hotel (35 E. 76th St)
    • CALL TO BOOK: 212-744-1600 [Code: NYCC]
  • Hôtel Plaza Athénée (37 E. 64th St)
    • CALL TO BOOK: 800-447-8800 [Code: TNS11]
  • Jumeirah Essex House (160 Central Park South)
    • CALL TO BOOK: 212-484-5100 [Code: JEHNYCSUM]
  • Loews Regency Hotel (540 Park Ave)
    • CALL TO BOOK: 800-235-6397 [Code: LPRNYC]
  •  The London NYC (151 W. 54th St)
    • CALL TO BOOK: 888-LONDNYC [Code: TNS11]
  • The Peninsula New York (700 Fifth Ave)
    • CALL TO BOOK: 800-262-9467 [Code: NYCC1104]
  • The Pierre New York (2 E. 61st St)
    • CALL TO BOOK: 212-838-8000 [Code: T02]
  • The Ritz-Carlton New York (Central Park – 50 Central Park South)
    • CALL TO BOOK: 866-671-6008 [Code: LPR]
  • The Setai Fifth Avenue – A Capella Managed Hotel (400 Fifth Ave)
    • CALL TO BOOK: 212-613-8630 [Code: TNS11]
  • The Sherry-Netherland (781 Fifth Ave)
    • CALL TO BOOK: 212-355-2800 [Code: TNS11]
  • The St. Regis New York (2 E. 55th St)
    • CALL TO BOOK: 800-759-7550 [Code: TNS11]
  • Trump SoHo New York (246 Spring St)
    • CALL TO BOOK: 877-828-7080 [Code: TNS11]
  • The Waldorf Towers (100 E. 50th St)
    • CALL TO BOOK: 800-925-3673 [Code: NYCC]
  • The Ritz-Carlton New York [Battery Park – 2 West St]
    • CALL TO BOOK: 866-922-6882 [Code: LPR]
And now, the fine print: This offer cannot be combined with any other promotions/offers/savings and is valid based on a three-night consecutive stay. It must be mentioned when making reservations unless otherwise stated. Room categories for this promotion vary by individual hotel properties. Advance reservations are required, offers are subject to availability and blackout dates may apply. Offer does not include taxes, gratuities or service charges. Offer is valid at participating locations. Offer is valid for stays through September 5, 2011. NYC & Company makes no representations or warranties about the information provided in the offer or other related collateral and hereby disclaims any responsibility for any errors, incorrect information or other misprints that may appear. Additional restrictions may apply; please see individual hotel pages for specific details.

Guestiquette: 4 Tips for Being a Great Guest

Posted in Weddings by

Whoo-hoo!!  You’ve received an invitation to the party of the year but there’s more to do than just pick out your outfit.  I usually tell people that the best thing to do after receiving an invitation is to READ IT!  Seems silly, right?  But you can’t even begin to imagine how many people have showed up at the right venue at the wrong time totally under dressed.  It happens more often than you think so we’ve listed 4 tips that will not only make sure you get the the right event at the right time but will also have you considered for Guest of the Year Award.

Respondez S’il Vous Plait.

One of the greatest gifts you can give your hostess is the gift of an attendance confirmation.  While it seems a trivial act, your RSVP has a lot of power.  It helps your hostess figure out important event details like how much food or wine to buy, how much seating is needed, and how many party favors to provide.   It’s also a good time to let the hostess know if you are bringing a +1 or inquire as to whether additional guests are welcome.  Always respond  to an invitation and follow proper guestiquette by doing so within one week of receipt.

Honor the Dress Code.

If your hostess took time to specify a dress code requirement (ie All White, Black Tie, Beach wear),  just go with the flow.  Wearing red leather to the white linen garden party does not make you an individual.  It makes you a terrible guest who either didn’t read the invitation or just didn’t care enough to honor the hostesses request.

Arrive on Time.

I think everyone understands the unlikely awkwardness that is associated with being the first to arrive on scene but arriving “fashionably late” to a soiree where dinner is being served or someone is being surprised is NOT cool.  Always try to arrive within 15 minutes of the event start time and notify the hostess if you will be arriving any later.

Don’t Arrive Empty Handed.

Providing a small gift to your hostess is a small gesture that essentially thanks them for the time spent on providing a fun-filled gathering.  And these gifts do not have to be grand, sweeping, gestures of gratitude; wine, candles, books, or a dessert item, are all great ideas.

Celebrity Wedding Announcements

Posted in Celebrity Weddings by

Platinum weddings abound this summer as Hollywood continues to heat up in the love department and we raise our champagne glass to toast the following love stories.

 

JUST MARRIED: Amerie

Famous for: The R&B hit “One Thing”

Married to: Long time fiancée and manager, Lenny Nicholson (we just might be related…lol)

Where: Viceroy Hotel in Anguilla

What she wore:  A Monique Lhuillier gown complete with a cathedral train, baby blue Yves Saint Laurent Tribute sandals, and jewelry by Rafaello & Co.

Cute Wedding Fact: Amerie’s “something blue” was her Yves Saint Laurent sandals and Essie nail polish


JUST MARRIED: America Ferrera

Famous for: Ugly Betty, Real Women Have Curves, Our Family Wedding…shall I go on?

Married to: College sweetheart, Ryan Piers Williams

Where: Vanessa Williams’ estate in Chappaqua, NY in front of approximately 100 guests and family.

On The Guest List: America’s ‘Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants’ co-stars Blake Lively (without rumored beau Leonardo DiCaprio), Amber Tamblyn and Alexis Bledel alongside “Ugly Betty” pals Mark Indelicato, and Rebecca Romijn (with her husband Jerry O’Connell)

What she wore:  An ivory strapless dress called “J’Adore” from Amsale’s Christos line.  The gorgeous gown beautifully featured a dropped waist, six-tiers of tulle skirting and was embellished with French corded lace.  (Check out the “J’Adore” style from Christos’ fall 2011 collection here.)

Cute Wedding Fact: Judith Light, who played Claire Meade on the hit series “Ugly Betty”, officiated the ceremony

 

ROYAL WEDDING ALERT

JUST MARRIED: Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock (Prince and Princess of Monaco)

Famous For: She’s a one-time Olympic swimmer from South Africa and he’s…well, a Prince!

Where: Palace of Monaco

On The Guest List: James Bond actor Sir Roger Moore, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, bohemian designer Roberto Cavalli, British model Naomi Campbell, Czech supermodel Karolina Kurkova , Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld; Royal guests included the kings of Sweden and Belgium and Denmark’s crown princess; Prince Karim Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the world’s Ismaili Muslims, Empress Farah Pahlavi, and former French first lady Bernadette Chirac

What she wore: (Friday’s civil ceremony) A blue Chanel suit with billowy pants and pearly earrings; (Ceremony) A custom designed Armani gown which took 40,000 Swarovski crystals, 30,000 golden stones, 20,000 mother of pearl tear drops, and 2,500 hours to create and topped it off with a 16-foot silk train; (Reception) A stunning Armani Prive evening gown for which featured sheer, shimmering white fabric and a four-tiered ruffled skirt

Cute wedding fact: Charlene’s name is now officially written with an accent to give it a more French resonance

JUST MARRIED: Kate Moss

Famous For: Supermodel

Married to: Guitarist of the rock band The Kills, Jamie Hince

Where:  St. Peter’s Church in Little Farringdon, Gloucestershire

On The Guest List: Jude Law, Naomi Campbell, Jade Jagger, The Rolling Stones, The McCartneys, Vivienne Westwood, Iggy Pop, Beth Ditto, Snoop Dogg, John Galliano, James Brown, Bobby Gillespie, and Sadie Frost

What she wore: (Shown: For the ceremony) A rhinestone studded gown by John Galliano and Manolo Blahnik shoes; (For her first dance as Mrs) Stella McCartney oyster silk chiffon dress; (For the after party) a micro-mini bodycon dress; (For her honeymoon departure) a three-piece off-white wool Stella McCartney suit

What he wore: A light blue Stefano Pilati for Yves Saint Laurent suit and signature shades

Cute Wedding Fact: Hince’s bandmate, Alison Mosshart, served as the groom’s bestwoman

JUST MARRIED…AGAIN! Monica

Famous for: Selling more than 20 million records worldwide including The Boy is Mine

The First Time Around: Monica and Shannon were married on November 22nd, 2011 in a private home ceremony with only two witnesses present. They had only met a month prior on the set of her “Love All Over Me” video

Married to: LA Lakers star, Shannon Brown

Where: Vibiana, a renovated 19th century cathedral in downtown Los Angeles

On The Guest List: Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher, Kandi Burress, Jermaine Dupri, Lala Vazquez and Carmelo Anthony, Khloe Kardashian, Ashanti and Nelly, Cee-lo Green, Toya and Memphitz, Nene Leakes

What she wore:  A haute couture gown by Stephan Rolland

ENGAGED: Hillary Scott

Lady Antebellum’s, Hillary Scott is engaged to her love Chris Tyrell.  No info yet on when they will be exchanging vows.

ENGAGED: Neil Patrick Harris

Though they proposed to each other 5 years ago, Harris and long-term partner David Burtka have now publically announced their engagement to one another and are making plans to legally wed now that the bill supporting marriage equality in NY has passed.

Congratulations to all of the Newlyweds and Nearlyweds!!

 

{Photo Credits: Singersroom.com, Celebritybuzz.com, USMagazine.com}

Barbecue Sundaes

Posted in Food + Drink by

You know you’re on to something good when the words Barbecue and Sundae are included in the same sentence but let me warn you, this deliciousness is not for kitchen newbies.  Of course, that sort of applies to me but there’s absolutely no way these won’t be on the menu of my next summer soiree.  I just might be taking the short cut – ie, a trip to my local barbecue rib shack and supermarket – and recommend that you do the same if you’re short on time (Trust me, they’ll NEVER know the difference) but if you’re the more adventurous (also known as SHOW OFF) kitchen type, below are the recipes for pork, slaw, and beans as published on myrecipes.com

THE INGREDIENTS

Shredded Barbecue Pork Roast

  • 1 (6-pound) bone-in pork shoulder roast (Boston butt)
  • 1 cup Barbecue Rub
  • Hickory wood chunks
  • Apple juice

 

Barbecue Rub

  • 1 1/4 cups firmly packed dark brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup granulated garlic
  • 1/4 cup paprika
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground red pepper
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon lemon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons dry mustard
  • 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

 

Cole Slaw

  • 2 (10-ounce) packages finely shredded cabbage
  • 1 carrot, shredded
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar

 

Baked Beans

  • 3 bacon slices
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 (16-ounce) cans pork and beans
  • 1/2 cup root beer (not diet)
  • 1/4 cup hickory-smoked barbecue sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1/8 teaspoon hot sauce

 

 

THE INSTRUCTIONS

Shredded Barbecue Pork Roast

  • Trim fat on pork shoulder roast to about 1/8 inch thick.
  • Sprinkle pork evenly with Barbecue Rub; rub thoroughly into meat. Wrap pork tightly with plastic wrap, and chill 8 hours.
  • Discard plastic wrap. Let pork stand at room temperature 1 hour.
  • Soak hickory chunks in water 1 hour.
  • Prepare smoker according to manufacturer’s instructions, bringing internal temperature to 225° to 250°; maintain temperature for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Drain wood chunks, and place on coals. Place pork on lower cooking grate, fat side up.
  • Spritz pork with apple juice each time charcoal or wood chunks are added to the smoker.
  • Smoke pork roast, maintaining the temperature inside smoker between 225° and 250°, for 6 hours or until a meat thermometer inserted horizontally into thickest portion of pork registers 170°. Remove pork from smoker, and place on a sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil; spritz with apple juice. Wrap tightly, and return to smoker, and smoke 2 hours or until thermometer inserted horizontally into the thickest portion of pork registers 190°. Remove pork from smoker, and let stand 15 minutes. Remove bone, and chop pork

Barbecue Rub

  • Combine all ingredients. Store in an airtight container.

 

Cole Slaw

  • Combine cabbage and carrot in a large bowl.
  • Whisk together sugar and next 7 ingredients until blended; toss with vegetables. Cover and chill at least 1 hour before serving

 

Baked Beans

  • Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp; remove and drain on paper towels, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings in skillet. Crumble bacon.
  • Sauté diced onion in hot bacon drippings in skillet over high heat 5 minutes or until tender. Stir together onion, crumbled bacon, beans, and remaining ingredients in a lightly greased 1-quart baking dish.
  • Bake beans, uncovered, at 400° for 55 minutes or until sauce is thickened.

Divide 2 cups warm baked beans evenly among 4 Mason jars or large heat-proof cups; top each with 1/2 cup coleslaw, 1/4 pound warm shredded barbecued pork, and 1 to 2 tablespoons sauce.  Serve with dill pickle wedge, if desired.

Bon apetit!

Place Cards vs. Escort Cards

Posted in Anatomy of a Party, Weddings by

Place cards and escort cards are probably two of the most important directional signs your wedding (or formal event) should have and while both feature the name of the guests and each have a logistical benefit their purpose is slightly different .

Escort Cards, when used alone, are a little more informal but still identify each guest, by name, and the table at which they can be seated.  Set them atop a beautifully decorated table located directly outside of your event entrance and once the card is retrieved and the guest finds his or her table, they may seat themselves wherever they like. If you’re considering a larger number of guests or are hosting a more formal event, such as a wedding, you may also want to strongly consider using a place card.

Remember to ALPHABETIZE YOUR ESCORT CARDS!  I cannot stress enough how important it is that your escort cards be pre-sorted by last name of the guest and NOT sorted by table.  And if your escort cards are something completely untraditional such as sea shells, picture frames, biodegradable seed packets,  (I think you get where I’m going with this), sort them (by LAST NAME) into small, manageable groupings and clearly label them as such, “A – F, G – M, N – T, U – Z”.  Your catering manager or event coordinator will love you for it!

Place Cards also identify each guest by name but are generally located at the table setting at the guests table. It’s looked upon as the more formal of the seating considerations – a personal Welcome to the event.  I like to think of it as carefully assigned seating.

Bridesmaids Say Yes to the Dress on July 8th

Posted in Wedding Reality TV by

Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids Premieres Friday, July 8 at 10pm ET

From the TLC Press Room: With even more taffeta, trains and tantrums, TLC premieres another installment of the hit franchise SAY YES TO THE DRESS – SAY YES TO THE DRESS: BRIDESMAIDS – on Friday, July 8 at 10 PM ET/PT. With a behind-the-scenes look at the bridesmaids salon at Atlanta’s Bridals by Lori, SAY YES TO THE DRESS: BRIDESMAIDS gives viewers a sneak peek into the drama of finding a gown that meets the expectations of a diverse group of demanding (and sometimes difficult) bridesmaids. With the help of a new group of outspoken consultants, these wedding day divas must come to an agreement on a look that pleases the entire party. Unfortunately, the style disagreements and hefty price tags are enough to cause the bride’s fantasy wedding to turn into her worst nightmare. The network has ordered six half-hour episodes.

I don’t know about you but I’m looking forward to July 8th!