Entertain: Southern Traditions

Image via Society Bride

Inspired by yesterday's toast to the Kentucky Derby , we're sharing our favorite recipes for classic Mint Juleps and mouth-watering Chocolate Bourbon Pie. Known as the quintessential Southern cocktail, Mint Juleps call to mind the grand dames of high society and horse races as well as the most magnificent pomp and circumstance. With just a few ingredients, you can recreate this splendid classic and keep the leftover simple syrup refrigerated for another Southern favorite - sweet tea. The rich dessert pie is an ideal way to end your Derby Day festivities (and the recipe below is from a Louisville native and ardent Derby fan). What better way to celebrate the Run for the Roses or even a simple Southern wedding or dinner than than with a bar set to serve these two classics. Serve alongside your favorite china and enjoy!

A classic Mint Julep. Image and recipe via Southern Living.

Ingredients:
3 Fresh Mint Leaves
1 Tablespoon Mint Simple Syrup
Crushed Ice
1 1/2 to 2 Tablespoons (1 oz.) bourbon
1 (4-inch) cocktail straw or coffee stirrer
1 Fresh Mint Sprig
Powdered Sugar (optional)

Directions:
Place mint leaves and Mint Simple Syrup in a chilled julep cup. Gently press leaves against cup with back of spoon to release flavors. Pack a cup tightly with crushed ice; pour bourbon over ice. Insert straw, place mint sprig directly next to straw and serve immediately. Spring with powdered sugar, if desired.

Scrumptious Chocolate Bourbon Pie. Image and recipe via Southern Living.

Ingredients:
1/2 (15 oz.) package refrigerated pie crusts
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
1 cup (6 oz.) semisweet chocolate morsels
1 cup dark corn syrup
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup bourbon or water
4 large eggs
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 teaspoons cornmeal
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:
Fit pie crust in a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate according to package directions; fold edges under and crimp. Sprinkle pecans and chocolate evenly onto bottom of the pie crust and set aside. Combine corn syrup and next 3 ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly for 3 minutes. Remove from heat.

Whisk together eggs and next 4 ingredients. Gradually whisk about one-fourth hot mixture into egg mixture; add to remaining hot mixture, whisking constantly. Pour filling into prepared pie crust. Bake at 325 degrees for 55 minutes or until set. Cool on a wire rack.
 

Toast: The Kentucky Derby

Southern Tradition: Top yourself off with an elegant hat and serve mint juleps for a festive Kentucky Derby inspired event.

The first Saturday in May marks the fastest and most ambitious two minutes in national sports with the Kentucky Derby.  The rich history of the sport and the amazing athleticism and sportsmanship of both jockeys and horses alike is remarkable. This year, the road to Churchill Downs Racetrack takes a different turn as it marks the first time for a point-based system (rather than the traditional graded stakes earnings) for the 20 thoroughbreds who will race for victory. The beauty of the race lends itself to pomp and circumstances upheld beyond Kentucky state lines. If we can't be there, the next best thing is hosting a derby-inspired dinner, complete with all the Southern traditions.

Left, Dapper dressing is a must for men. We love everything about this look. Center, simple yet elegant tablescapes. Get the look with P.O.S.H. Pure Stemware, Silver Beaded Chargers, Christofle Flatware, and silver accented centerpieces. Right, A gorgeous Southern belle knows her way around wearing pearls, lace, and hats.

First things first, break out your mint julep cups, seersucker suits, and elegant dresses. This event is the equivalent of a royal wedding when it comes to head attire, so don't forget to don your finest hat millinery. We picked out favorites on our Southern Traditions Pinterest board.

The Rules of Engagement
1. This is a formal affair. Invitations are a must!
2. Share the traditions of the Kentucky Derby with your guest. The Run for the Roses, as it is also known, has it's own rich history revolving around the red rose. Kroger actually makes the garland of roses for the winner, which you can read all about here. Want to know what the competition looks like?  From Governor Charlie to Charming Kitten (don't let the sweet name fool you), each fierce champion in it's own right is featured here.
3. As mentioned, the traditional attire includes a fantastic hat. We'd hate to be the lady who shows up without one! Get your head-to-toe guide on derby attire here and check out our Pinterest board for inspiration. Gentlemen should be dashing and dapper. Channel our favorite pretty woman and go for a winning Julia Roberts and Richard Gere racetrack look.
4. We love using mint julep cups as festive individual centerpieces. Use the traditional roses for an elegant addition to your tablescape. Mint juleps and bourbon are also the drinks of the day. Keep a steady supply of these favorites and pass out miniature bottles of Kentucky bourbon as a favor. 

What's in a mint julep? Check back tomorrow for Kentucky Derby recipes. 
If you're as intrigued by Kentucky and horses as we are, be sure to read our past posts by our friend Marin Fiske-Rankin, Events and Food Service Manager at SMU's Meadows Museum here and here.

Tabletop Tuesday: Baroque Beauty

Luxe be a lady. P.O.S.H. COUTURE RENTALS - Place Setting: Chocolate GEO Charger, Barcelona Gold Dinner Plate, Arte Italica Dinner Plate, Gold Lace "Hot Toddy" Demitasse (with raspberries), Dynasty 24K Gold Flatware, Royal Gold Water Goblet, Silver Goblet, Gold Lace Champagne Flute; Additional Serving Pieces: Gold Leaf Cordial, Silver Champagne Saucer/Compote Dish. Linen by LA TAVOLA FINE LINENS.

 
Inspired by Prada's Fall 2012 runway, Todd Fiscus designed a lavish tablescape for Dallas Bride on the idea of transitioning from fall to spring. We love the mixture of metals, gilded accents, and of course, baroque beauty - perfect for a true tastemaker or bride. According to Todd, in order to truly go baroque, "you have to take it 25 percent too far." Too far turns out to be too perfect. 

Concept, design, floral, TODD EVENTS | Photography, MANNY RODRIGUEZ | Published, DALLAS BRIDES, MODERN LUXURY  | Rentals, POSH Couture Rentals.

Moodboard: Earth Day

When designer Philippe Stark said, "We need to look at the idea of renting rather than owning," he likely envisioned a world that celebrates Earth Day, every day. While we are far from doing everything we should, we are getting better. Women's Health Magazine published statistics from a survey of 500 brides and found that 78 percent of them were making their weddings more environmentally friendly by donating leftover food (37 percent), using locally sourced flowers (35 percent), and using sites like GreenBrideGuide.com to figure out how to reduce waste from their big day. You know the saying, we have but one life and one earth, so let's take care of it. 

Check out our Earth Angel board on Pinterest to set more ideas on tablescapes, centerpieces inspired by Earth's gorgeous floral and fauna. We even have pins for POSH Petite parties where the idea of reusing and recycling plays a huge part in everything from decorations to party favors. Tell us, how do you your part? 

Weekend To Do: Striking Out

We're trading out high heels for Cowboy boots and heading to West Texas for the Buffalo Gap Wine & Food Summit. Proving that Texans know a thing or two about a great cut of meat and fabulous wine, Perini Ranch is hosting their 8th annual gathering of culinary greats for a weekend of fine wining and dining. Tickets to the event sold in just around eleven minutes. Award-winning chef Stephen Pyles will be this year's special guest, joining the equally stunning rooster of Texas greats. For a full list, check here. If a true taste of Texas weren't reason enough to hit the road, it's also bluebonnet season in these parts. God bless the beauty of Texas. 

To read more about the Buffalo Gap Food & Wine Summit, click here.

Toast: Luhrmann's Jazz Age

What would Daisy do? What wouldn't Daisy do is more like it. Inspired by her devil-may-care attitude. Left, Carey Mulligan channeling her Daisy Buchanan in Dior Haute Couture. Photographed by Mario Testino for Vogue. / Right,  A decadent dinner designed by Jordan Payne Events with Gold Leaf Stemware, Mottahedeh Charger, and Gold Leaf China.

It seems like we've been seeing a version of The Great Gatsby trailer for years now. We know, it takes time to transfer the literary genius of F. Scott Fitzgerald to the creative genuis of Baz Luhrmann. Still, it feels like they've been working on it forever. With May just around the corner, the premiere of what will undoubtedly be Oscar material is almost here. While you're sure to be familiar with the material, let us just wax poetic about the translation. We're talking about the Jazz Age meets 21st-century world director Baz Luhrmann and his wife, costume designer Catherine Martin have created for the Silver Screen. 
 

Director Baz Luhrmann on set with Carey Mulligan.

To get you up to speed, you should know Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge, Romeo + Juliet, Australia) creates a fusion of old worlds with an appeal to the contemporary age with an outstanding modern soundtrack. For Gatsby, we're talking Lana Del Ray, Jay-Z, Bryan Ferry, Jack White - and that's just for starters.There are chills just thinking about how good it will be! (If you don't believe how enrapturing this is, just rent Romeo + Juliet or listen to the soundtrack.) 

Just as phenomenal is Martin, who is not just Luhrmann's wife but every bit his equal. (Her own list of accomplishments, including Oscars, is just as long as the Mr.'s.) She not only adorned Carey Mulligan with Tiffany & Co. diamonds and Leonardo DiCaprio with custom Brooks Brothers, but she collaborated with Miuccia Prada on 40 cocktail and evening dresses reinterpreted from past Mui Mui and Prada for the film.

Catherine Martin's sketches for The Great Gatsby. Photos via Grazia/Prada.

There aren't enough exclamation points in the world to describe how much we are anticipating this film. To get you in the mood, we're sharing our favorite looks translated to tabletops and links from the cast. Here's to knowing it will hold up to the original. "Can't repeat the past?...Why of course you can!" - F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby.

"And I like large parties. They're so intimate. At small parties there isn't any privacy." - F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby. Left, Mulligan as Daisy caught on set. Right, A re-imagined Jazz Age. Get the look with Resource One Petal Linens (exclusively at P.O.S.H. Couture Rentals), Gold Radiance Charger, and Simply Ivory China.

 

"All I kept thinking about, over and over, was 'You can't live forever; you can't live forever." - F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby. Left, An ice blue setting for the Ice Queen. Get the look with Gold Glass Chargers, Royal Gold Glassware, and Gold Lyons Flatware. Right, Mulligan in Miu Miu dress embroidered with Swaroski Elements and Miu Miu heels. Photographed by Mario Testino for Vogue.

Get your fill of the Jazz Age and The Great Gatsby with these links.
The full trailer and soundtrack (finally!) here.
More on Miuccia Prada's Sketches here.
Read an interview with Tobey Maguire plus a behind the scenes look at the set design in Architectural Digest here.
A full fledged dinner party inspired by the Jazz Age (and featuring P.O.S.H.) here.
More of Carey Mulligan via Vogue here. 
An Afternoon with Leo via Esquire here.


 

billet-doux: The Chagall Collection

 

The beautiful and colorful imagery of Marc Chagall in The Chagall Collection by Bernardaud, currently available at the Dallas Museum of Art. Image courtesy of the DMA.

We are having a serious love affair with Bernardaud’s tabletop pieces entitled The Chagall Collection. The art of setting a table is taken literally with Limoges porcelain pieces depicting the Russian-born and French artist's work. Marc Chagall was known for his colorful painting, sculptures, and even costumes, especially in France. What we wouldn't give to see a full tablescape built around these gorgeous pieces of art. To see these beauties in person, get thee to the Dallas Museum of Art. Not to toot our own horns, but Dallas is the only U.S. city featuring Chagall's work then it's all back to France. To read more about this fantastic exhibit entitled Chagall: Beyond Color, co-organized by La Piscine Museum, Roubaix, France, and the DMA (and exclusively in these two cities)  visit here. 

Marc Chagall, Costume for a Clown (Aleko Scene II), 1942, Private collection, Paris © Archives Marc et Ida Chagall. © 2012 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/ADAGP, Paris

Marc Chagall, Model for the curtain "The Firebird", The Enchanted Forest, 1945, Private collection, © Archives Marc et Ida Chagall. © 2012 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/ADAGP, Paris

Marc Chagall, Between Darkness and Night, 1943, oil on canvas, private collection;  © 2013 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/ADAGP, Paris