Much as I love to look through my books and magazines to be inspired...to plan, cook, and set the table for my own lunches and dinners... I also love to plan events in my office. Office cocktail parties and events are wonderful for me to plan because I don’t enjoy making hundreds of tiny bites for a cocktail party. Also, living in a borough, it takes time and effort for my friends to get to our house and the idea of just having a 2 hour get together seems like a waste of their effort. In my office, however, I so enjoy the collaboration with my caterer and get as restaurant style as I want to. I can steal ideas from restaurants or cooking shows...if I come up with something in my head I can describe it to him and his chefs create it beautifully for me.
Last night was my boss' annual party for the senior executives which I get to plan each year as well as being a guest at the party. I had a wonderful time finding the space, creating the invitations (which the very talented creative department created for me) working with the caterer, having the playlist made along with a video made by our video creative team (it's a loop of cool shapes and images so that the flat screens in the party space aren't blank during the party. I've never done that before so it adds a layer of excitement for me not the least of which is because I am meeting new people in the office).
The space we chose is downtown and low-key but an ultra fabulous store front that has been decorated to look like a loft that a hip NY couple could move right into but is really party and meeting space. My caterer and I worked a very chic menu of corn soup in a demitasse cup with a corn muffin topper, a tuna tartar with miso cream served in a Chinese soup spoon, grilled shrimp on a potato chip, butternut squash and sage ravioli on a skewer, sliders, and crispy bite sized tortilla cups filled with chicken and guacamole. All divine.
The playlist that a friend and coworker made for the party wasn't what I expected but turned out quite fashiony and I’m really happy with it. I though it should be jazz and blues both standards and more modern instrumental pieces but it's, instead, a high fashion ultra modern group of songs. I had to really get comfortable with the idea because I have very strict taste but I have become more than just accustomed and now really am enjoying the choices. Plus it was done by a good friend who I trust and my boss liked it. I listened to it in the office all day to make sure it has the background music feel that it must have, and it did. No one who sits near me was upset by it. So all criteria were met.
Both my boss and I were pleased and received a lot of compliments on each aspect of the event so we are content. And we both looked gorgeous in our dresses! Mine a one shoulder runway number that I wrote about in my very first piece and hers a black sheath with cool fuscia jacket over it.
Here's to next year's party!
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