Toast | JFK50

Image courtesy of Art Space 111. In a series of JFK paintings, Leslie Lanzotti commemorates this tragedy and turning point in American history. Image: Leslie Lanzotti, JFK Motorcade, oil on canvas.

Today marks a somber yet hopeful day for Dallas. It is the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The young and inspiring President and his family left an iconic impression in American culture that is undeniable. The fact that the assassination took place in downtown Dallas' Dealey Plaza  has long cast a dark shadow on our city. This year, Kennedy's spirit is felt in the forward movement of a downtown Renaissance of sorts, a burst of art and science on the downtown scene, and a new movement led by love - The Dallas Love Project. If you're downtown today, there will be festivities taking place all day. You can see an itinerary and visuals of the events at the Dallas Morning News and KERA, which will also live broadcast here with the speech that Kennedy would have made had the day taken a different turn. We toast Kennedy by remembering the future he aspired to create and are therefore inspired to learn from the past and look towards a future that cares for us all, every color and race, in our community and beyond. 

POSH 101 | Set up the Bar

Just a taste of what POSH has to offer in glassware. Rows from top left: Crystal Champagne Coup, Classico Flute, Pure Flute, Silver Floral Lace Flute, Valencia Etched Glass Flute / Balloon Red Wine, Classico White Wine, Red Chloe, Purple Stella / Classico Pilsner, Gold Scroll Pilsner / Irish Coffee Mug, Classico Old Fashioned, Brandy Snifter, Elise Cut Crystal Double Old Fashioned / Classico Cordial, Gold Leaf Cordial, Gold Floral Lace "Hot Toddy" Demitasse. Note: Blue circles indicate new items.

Mixologists, craft beers, and specialty cocktails are on the rise in Dallas. As the holiday season kicks into high gear, we're brainstorming on how to incorporate the best beverages into our parties. Of course, presentation is everything, so here are a few tips on picking the perfect statement stemware for an impressive displays come cocktail hour.

Serve your SPARKLING WINES in flutes, tulips, and coups. Fun fact: The original cocktail was served in a coup as is making a big comeback thanks to vintage inspired bars and movies like The Great Gatsby. Build a champagne tower of crystal coups or serve up some bubbly in shimmering etched flutes, like our Valencia Etched Stemware or Silver Floral Lace Flute - perfect for toasting the holidays or bringing in the New Year!

WINES are meant to be enhanced by their stemware. We offer everything from Riedel's award-winning linen of stemware to fun alternatives in bright pops of color and whimsical patterns. Our favorite new addition? The purple Stella goblet - it's sturdy with a wide mouth, perfect for pouring and sipping throughout the night. 

Serve straight liquors in their specific glassware. We offer everything from shot glasses and cognac and brandy snifters to martini glasses and old-fashioneds. We love the idea of a seasonal warm beverage served in our Hot Toddy demitasse or Irish Coffee Mug. For dessert wines, pick a cordial that serves just the right amount for such a sweet liquor. 

What else do you need for the perfect bar? How about a perfect ride. We love UBER for their posh ride, plus you can drink and dance the night away without worrying about driving.
 

Abilene // Chef Derry's Italiano

Chef Tiffany Derry's authentic Italian menu shown with its paired plate. Blue + White Salad Plate, White Classic Catering, Gold Rimmed Glass Charger and Blue + White Dinner Plate, Parisian Flatware, White Rectangle Plate, all POSH.

Our West Texas friends came together for good with an evening of fine wining and dining at a private ranch in Abilene, Texas, to raise money for the Pregnancy Resources of Abilene.  The hostess committee, led by Danna Oliver, handpicked everything from the chef to the entertainment.  With the idea of a Tuscan feast in mind, they picked the fan favorite Top Chef alum and Beaumont, Texas native Tiffany Derry to create an authentic Italian feast, which was served family style and paired with five Italian wines. This magical night under the stars also included musical pairings with each course thanks to the award-winnings singer/songwriters Caryl and Scott Parker from Nashville (also Abilene natives).

 

Chef Tiffany Derry goes over the menu. / POSH Place Settings / Breaking bread with friends for a good cause.

Chef Derry’s  menu was printed around an Italian Deruta pattern by Tinyah Hawkins for GoofididtyDesigns. Danna and friends hand-picked the tabletop for the evening. We everything served family style, they still wanted to showcase the presentation of each course as well as play with the bright whites and blues of the evening. Courses were then served on either a traditional blue and white china plate or classic catering white china. To further personalize the place settings, Parisian Flatware was selected for its mixture of silver and gold, White Chloe Goblets provided another pop of bright white, and the Pure Stemware was a perfect choice for enhancing the wine selections. Thank you for allowing POSH to be a part of such a special evening, Abilene!

Images courtesy of Danna Oliver / Waitstaff by Zodiac Hospitality Service and Staffing / Paper Goods by Goofidity Designs /  Entertainment by Caryl and Scott Parker /

Tabletop Tuesday // TWO x TWO Gala 2013

A mixture of white Chloe goblets with Onyx and Stella black stemware on black + white striped linens from POSH Couture Rentals. Design by Todd Events. Image courtesy of Roderick Pena Photography

What an honor to be a part of the 15th annual benefit dinner and art auction for TWOxTWO for Aids, benefiting amFAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, and The Dallas Museum of Art. Hosted by Howard and Cindy Rachofsky in their Richard Meier-designed home, The Rachofsky House, the charity event of the year included a who's who of national accord as well as the top event producers in States. Todd Fiscus of Todd Events  pulled out all of the stops, with a European-constructed dome for guests, a wall of black and white photographs from years past, and a scrumptious menu from Cassandra Fine Catering. Guests included Dallas philanthropists (Nancy C. Rogers, Deedie Rose, Tina Craig, Nasiba Adilova, and the fashion darlings of the world (DVF, Derek Lam) and art enthusiasts (Maxwell Anderson, Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld ). A live auction was conducted by Jamie Niven, Chairman, and Sotheby’s, North and South America. The event raised over $5 million in one night, bringing their total contribution over the past fifteen years to be over $45 million. 

Alternating tables of white and black chiavari chairs and specialty stemware set the stage for a celebratory charity dinner. Roderick Pena Photography.

White Chiavari Chairs, Artesian Flatware, Onyx Stemware, Black and White Chloe Goblets, Pure Stemware, all POSH.   Roderick Pena Photography

We find it fitting that Todd picked an elegant mixture of black and white stemware for an evening celebrating a cause that should be black and white - helping make AIDS history and honoring the art that inspires and teaches us all. Congrats to all of those involved in this magnificent night and a huge shout out to the sponsors. Read more about the event here, like TWOxTWO on facebook, and see Vogue's coverage of the event.

Clockwise from top left: Dinner guests toast the evening with crystal champagne coups. The dome constructed by Todd Events. Howard and Cindy Rachofsky play host to the gala of the year. Photographed by Kevin Tachman for Vogue.

 

MM // Thanksgiving

Clockwise from top left: Mottahedeh Charger and Tree China, Vintage Crystal Compotes, Prada Jacket, Contrella Salad Plate, Hot Toddy Glasses, Jan Barboglio Charger with Barcelona Gold and Sevres China, Carmen Dell'Orefice, Gold Radiance Charger

Can you believe Thanksgiving is next week? If you've left planning to the last minute, might we suggest a few options for your hosting duties with this week's moodboard. 

1. Dress festively and with flair, a 'la Carmen Dell'Orefice. Jewel tones are always a fall hit, but if you do stick with neutrals, go for detailed textures like leather, fur, and tweed. 
2. Don't neglect your tabletops! A fabulous linen, like the traditional bengaline moires, create a perfect foundation for pretty place settings. 
3. Charge it up with textured like the Jan Barboglio or Golden Radiance Chargers.
4. China should reflect the season. Mottahedeh Tree is perfect for fall, but go with the pattern that best reflects your personal setting and atmosphere. 
5. Toast the season with personalized drinks served up in specialty glassware.