An adulterous cat, or...

A Furry Affair! Last Friday the City Gallery at Waterfront Park was filled with auctioned animalistic art for the 3rd annual Furry Affair benefiting the John Ancrum SPCA. I volunteered as an aisle runner and had the perfect perspective to get some great shots! Tristan restaurant provided the plethora of yummy goodness (i.e., food), and Chef Ciaran Duffy hung out and watched it all go down. Some artists and friends who were involved included Jesse Hendrix-Inman, Christina Bailey, Philip Hyman, and Julio Cotto among others. The event was beautiful and hectic, I was told over 400 people attended! I'm on vaca, so sorry if I'm a little lax on all the details, but here are some fun photos. I'm always very supportive of how often these talented local artists donate their time and artwork for great causes. Also, go Mark and Gina, great event!

the aftermath!

The Black Cart

On vacation in Orlando, posting sporadically!

After the Furry Affair on Friday, which I'll post about soon, some friends and I went to the bar above Joe Pasta which just opened as The Black Cart. Local and uber-talented artist Julio Cotto opened the place and it is a breath of fresh air in a sea of predictability on Upper King, these pics don't do it justice, it's sweet! The Black Cart bitches... that's where I'll be this weekend.

It's not too late, we need help!!!

Looking for Volunteers

The 3rd annual "A Furry Affair 2007" will be held on Friday August 24th, 2007 at the City Gallery at the Waterfront Park 34 Prioleau Street & volunteers are needed throughout the day to help make this event a true success. Please read below and if you would like to volunteer email Gina at ginamwurst@gmail.com.

Aisle Sergeants (8 needed, 3 volunteers per aisle) (5:00 – 10:00)
Pick-up (3 volunteers needed) (7:00 – 10:00)
Runners (4 volunteers needed) (5:00 – 10:00)
Door Check-Out (2 volunteers needed) (8:00 – 10:00)

PLEASE HELP OUT IF YOU CAN, IT'S FOR A GOOD CAUSE!

Hump day hotness

I sort of like posting images of sexy peeps, it's a nice little break in the day... and week, right? How can one dude be so HOT? Freak.


Usa today

Just because she's FABULOUS

My artist/writer/creative/PR friend Jesse Hendrix-Inman was a blushing bride this past spring and she had such a unique and memorable wedding that I just have to share it. All of her planning ideas exemplified who she is as a person, artsy and fun-- and where she loves to be, New Orleans!

I did her makeup!

Jesse and Jamez (jay-MEZ) got married on April 27 at the stunning Unitarian Church on Archdale Street and were received at Gage Hall, just down the way, in a New Orleans fantasy- themed bash. Jesse wore a dress that was handmade by her mother, tres Audrey Hepburn, a chic birdcage veil (read about her on Unveiledbridaldesigns.com here!), and red satin shoes. Her bridesmaids wore fire red dresses and carried candles down the aisle instead of bouquets. The groom and groomsmen wore grey pinstripe suits, red vests, and pimpin' fedoras. The ceremony was a touching celebration and in such a beautiful venue.

The Unitarian Church, so pretty

Guests received mardi gras beads as they walked out of the church and cool mint juleps as they entered the reception. The decor was red and festive with beads and masks placed throughout. Mediterra Catering cooked up some bayou classics like gumbo, cajun catfish bites, roast beef po-boys (OMG so friggin' good) and crawfish bread! The cake was a decadent chocolate raspberry party in your mouth.

Everyone got down to the tunes of the River City Dixieland Jazz Band, and they even got in on the action! The newlyweds were even treated to an impromptu acoustic performance of, you're reading it right, "Jesse's Girl" by the bride's sister Britt and her fiance, Jeff, who are both in a band in Nashville.

This wedding was the antithesis of a stuffy, traditional affair; it was laid-back, intimate and truly a New Orleans fantasy! Congrats lady!

Flowers by Flowergirls, LLC

Photos by Ron Bailey Photography

Can't get enough of...

Kaki King! I saw this lovely lady open up for G-Love & Special Sauce at the House of Blues in New Orleans , and she just OWNED IT! Everyone thought she was the water girl or something, before she started playing the guitar, and did I mention she owned it? She doesn't just play the guitar, she uses every part of the guitar for each different sound in the song. Hard to explain, please enjoy:

My favorite right now, Gay Sons of Lesbian Mothers:

Democrats party in style!

Remember that teaser post that was up for, like, a second a few weeks ago? No? Well anyway, it's BACK and totally major. Most of you may remember that the Democratic debates took place at the Citadel on July 23 where all eight of the Democratic presidential candidates duked it out, so to speak... Yeah, yeah, but what about the dang after party, right?

Right, the after party was held at the Visitor's Center bus shed, and what a transformation it was! Stephen Duvall Catering & Events, and the Decor department in particular, really did a number on that space. Not to mention PDA, Other Brother Ent. and all the other people that made it something to blog about. The length of the structure was converted into 6 different rooms, each with a totally distinctive theme and look. For example there was the "Backyard" area where the entire ground was covered in real grass with cabanas and sleek leather ottoman groupings. Another stunning room had pure white shag carpet, red velvet sofas and white leather globe chairs.

The performance section looked amazing with an illuminated red bar, mod furniture and none other than SC-bred Edwin McCain taking the stage, by OBE. Enough cannot be said about PDA's absolute meticulous commitment to everything lighting and technology-related (as you can see), like whoa!

As for F&B, Stephen Duvall created a beautiful dessert tower with everything in the color scheme of the night (red, blue, yellow, green), as well as other stations with light hors d'oeuvres. The drinks were festive with glow-cubes, and other details included jars and vases filled with candy for party-goers to rifle through.

All in all it was a FANTASTIC event, and just give you an idea of how Dem donkeys party... it started at 9:30pm on a Monday night and the clean up crew didn't leave until 5 the next morning, I wonder if Obama Girl was there!

all photos by Stephen Duvall Catering & Events

Come let me take you on a party ride...

So I had toooooo much fun last week, I went out with the girls for some dancing on Wed. and also had one of my BFFs in town this weekend and I basically accosted a kissing couple on the side of the William-Aiken House while walking back to our ride! Yeah... it was a friendly, innocent salutation-- "Woot woot! Get some!" is all it turned out to be, haha.

Me and my friend Jesse (a girl by design) at the Upper Deck, just warming up suckas!

ANYWAY, last Wednesday we went to see Electric Company, a dj (deejay)/drummer/b-boy/costume-change kind of show at Trio that was very entertaining and just as interactive. The photo I took below is pretty crazy, but that's just how Electric Company rolls...

Above, Bryan workin' the floor, below, a different kind of workin' the floor

I highly recommend booking them if you want to PARTY! Electric Company can be hooked up through Other Brother Entertainment and they definitely get the party started and keep it going, it's sort of in the contract. Holla!

photos by Electric Company and ME!

Cha-ching$$$

I got the head's up from a reader (thanks Roberta) who is using Alia Designs Invitations ... and these are fancy! I can only imagine how much these cost, it sounds like I'm turning into a little bit of a penny pincher from working for a non-profit, lol-- but they are each a work of art.

Alia Designs sprung from the creativity of 2 sisters, and the website says this about the idea behind the hand made keepsakes: "Drawing inspiration from history, the pair discovered that some of the first invitations were sent out by Maharajas and Kings and were hand calligraphed on fine silk. They were also often adorned with jewels to express the permanence and richness of love and to show the host’s adoration for each guest by sending such a lavish gift. This inspiration, combined with the pair’s passion for fine fabrics, embroideries and eye for design, spurred the making of Alia Designs. "

The website has some great photos and it's worth a stare... yes, that's one invitation, and it's made of SILK!

photos from Aliadesigns.com

Just a quick break for...

some Christian Bale hotness. I watched American Psycho the other night and now I just gotta see his photo! The hubby's secure :)

Boutique talk

Having been in the hospitality industry all the way through college and afterward, and having a husband who is currently rocking it pretty hard, I appreciate all that goes into the biz. Event design ideas come from somewhere, usually interior design trends, so what better place to find this than in boutique hotels? Boutique hotels are artsy, trendy, ________ (ad lib here), and fun... here are some pretty photos for color ideas, textures, themes, etc. and just because I heart boutique hotels!

Loft 523, New Orleans, Louisiana

(I used to work here! It was pretty sweet, Subway delivered.)

523 Gravier Street is on the French Quarter edge of the CBD, charming.

the oh-so jaded penthouse terrace

Soho House Hotel, NYC, NY

Planning tip # 564: Decide if you would like your Agape spoon tub to be the "focal point"

Columbus Monaco, Monaco

Fuchun Resort, Shanghai, China

all photos from mrandmrssmith.com, loft523.com

I can't get enough....

of Paramore right now, a pop-punk band and this punk is actually very pretty. I love this song, it's sassy and a little theatrical all wrapped up in a cute little pUnk bow. The lead singer is only 18 and she really has a great voice. I have to post this somewhere, first there's the acoustic version that shows her voice is amazing, then the studio version that makes you want to thrash, or at least listen to it while working out! 'Misery Business' by Paramore.

PDA + SDC = WOW!

This is going to be a long one today, ya'll. Thursday, August 2, the Gibbes courtyard was transformed into a mid-century mod creation by the minds at PDA and Stephen Duvall Catering & Events (herein referred to as SD for length purposes). They combined their forces to thank their loyal clients with a blowout and blog-worthy event.

Guests first entered underneath the handsome awning installed by Robin and the team at SD. Once in the courtyard there was a stimulating feast for the eyes beginning with the stage. If you've ever seen the Gibbes courtyard on a regular day, I guarantee you wouldn't be able to recognize it after SD and PDA were done with it. Robin, Amelia, and Ziggy from SD draped the entire facade of the stage in intricately pleated red fabric and it took A LOT of balancing, literally, to get up that high. They also built smart covers that hid the less-than-beautiful stair rails and enclosed the space a little more. Todd and the guys at PDA hung a fiber optic fabric backdrop that twinkled like a starry sky. Vintage Velvet swanked it up with lead singer Regina Ruopoli's voice cutting the evening like buttah!

PDA created a very unique ceiling installation in the tent which carried on the color scheme of the night, RED! They also, according to a few sources, hand dipped the lightbulbs red... they work hard for the money. Guests were also treated to some cinematic art on 4 plasma screen tv's, courtesy of artist and creative director, Kevin Harrison. There was a fresh fruit daquiri bar (pineapple, peach, strawberry and banana), a rotating dessert display, mini-burgers and pomme frites, a yummy caesar salad station, and fresh seafood and ceviche.

Jacqueline Lawrence, Design and Decor Director for SD showcased all of her new rentable inventory ranging from groovy red benches (don't even know how to describe them, see photo), uber-mod tulip chairs and tables in sleek white with red cushions. Nicole and Nikki from PDA placed small LEDs throughout the tree beds and fountain, and hung strands of mirrored discs throughout the trees to reflect all the light and add an element of fun(k). The arrangements of red gerber daisies in shallow white boxes and chocolate brown ribbon represented the carefree attitude of the evening.

The head honchos for PDA and Stephen Duvall, Jeff Nickles and Steve Wenger respectively, got on the mic and graciously thanked their clientelle for supporting them and told everyone to please party like rockstars... only not in so many words. The night ended with Charleston's hottest, DJ Moo Moo spinning, and the hardcore partiers staying until the lights came on, just how it should be. FUN!

There I am attempting to capture the spirit, like a cheerleader.