Our family has ties to the Diné (Navajo), Choctaw, Blackfoot, and Cherokee Nations. Our Tuesday’s Table gives honor to this beautiful heritage, full of life, color, and vibrancy.
Bowties and Bliss | Green Wedding Shoes | The Knotty Bride | Lukas and Suzy
Harlem Nights
August has become a full month of celebrations; with my birthday, my husband‘s birthday and capping with our daughter, Brooklyn Joy’s birthday too (well she’s technically Sept 2nd…but still).
These last 5 years, I have been honored to share this eventful month (and even my actual birthday) designing wedding celebrations for a few of my happy couples. Last year, in the middle of all this celebrating, we added our handsome little Jackson Porter Gray’s birth to the calendar as well, just over a week after another beautiful August Wedding.
I had the pleasure of designing and producing the wedding celebration for the always eventful Dedra & William at the breathtaking Casa Romantica in San Clemente, CA. We nurtured a lasting bond with a little less than 6 months of wedding planning, included in that time William throwing Dedra a surprise “all-white” birthday party at our LOFTon2nd in Pomona, CA
I was absolutely overjoyed when Dedra called to inquire on my and the Loft’s availability for another August celebration…William’s 50th. She wanted a memorable casino-inspired evening with about 50 friends. So I said, what do you think about giving it ‘a little soul’…’a little gangsta’…’a little pizzazz’? Lets go for Harlem Renaissance…
The Theme: Harlem Nights. The Location: LOFTon2nd. The Task: Turn our Historic Pomona brick lined loft into a Speakeasy. We made custom invites, brought in the casino tables, had DJ Alex bumping Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington, chose a few of their favorite drinks (including Will’s somewhat hard to find, Heineken Dark), some “stick to your belly” catering, brought in my staff and a couple “Cigarette Girls”, and custom cigar labeled Twix bars in a vintage leather piece. The Loft was transformed and between the guests dressed-to-the-nines in their best (and I mean they went all out) 1920’s attire and the feathers, hanging crystal valances and cobalt blue, you would almost forget you may need to take an Uber home, check in on Facebook or post a few on Instagram.
Here are a few shots from the night, taken by two of our favorite photographers, Rich & Vanessa Mora of MoraCreativeStudios.
Welcome to SUGAR WILL’S…
William 40th Birthday | Pomona, CA
William 40th Birthday | Pomona, CA
William 40th Birthday | Pomona, CA
William 40th Birthday | Pomona, CA
William 40th Birthday | Pomona, CA
William 40th Birthday | Pomona, CA
William 40th Birthday | Pomona, CA
William 40th Birthday | Pomona, CA
Thank you again William and Dedra for allowing me to do life with you. xoxox
Tuesday’s Table | Jolly Christmas
Starting the day after Thanksgiving, the holiday music begins and all the giddy childhood images of stockings, trees, candy canes, tinsel and ornaments begin calling my name. Maybe it’s a bit tacky to some, maybe even a bit childish, but I love it.
As we get things ready for our Ugly Sweater Party in the LOFT this week, I can’t help but to daydream. Enjoy!
| Hostess with the Mostest | Dana Padgett Designs | Decoholic |
Tuesday’s Table | Day After
We started a tradition, nearly 10 years ago, saying Thank You to our parents and grandparents. The day after Thanksgiving, we take a moment to breathe. It’s just a little of something to show them how much they mean to us. No football games, no rushing around to other houses, no kid’s table, just us and them enjoying a beautiful meal and great conversation.
This year, we invited them to our Loft gallery for an amazing Paleo approved meal I prepared (for some of the new dietary commitments). A slow cooked roast, homemade crancherry sauce, organic green beans and cashews, bacon wrapped dates (filled with almonds), persimmon salad, baked apples for dessert and more.
Below are some pictures from the dinner.
Leave it to Diddy to bring the Christmas flair
Persimmon salad, feta on the side for the Paleos
Little two-step with my dad to Bruno Mars’ Treasure.
Pageant photo circa 1997
Late night game of Black Jack, Brooklyn’s new favorite game
Tuesday’s Table | Orange & White
Around this time of year, we get pretty used to seeing the color orange. Orange has seemingly become synonymous with autumn, usually being coupled with browns, golden yellows and hints of mahogany. Today’s table is inspired by the season, but given a fresh perspective that is bright and modern.
Cocoa and Fig | The Knot – Pacific Palisades | The Knot – Peach | The Knot – Photos
My Italian Wedding | Occasions Online | Ruffled Blog | Weddingomania
CharaNicole 