Amore Dinner – A little Ikea On All Of Us

img_0914From IKEA Elly dish towel to awesome aprons, an introduction to our Amore Dinner!

In preparation to a ten day choir pilgrimage to Italy, our Choir held an Italian Dinner party at the Church Parish wall. Let’s face it, we are not event planners but after this one event, we matter as well be. The dinner came out without a stitch and we have none other then ourselves to pat on the back. Job well done!

img_0757The theme was Amore and amore it was: cozy, warm, festive…

We were all “professionals”. So, we had “ushers”, “waiters”, “servers”, “bartenders” and “a band”. We had it all and we had fun.

We needed uniform, cohesiveness, consistency; so, we decided to tweak the IKEA Elly dish towel into handsome aprons. What a concept huh? Voila!

img_0659Step one: Do it yourself.

img_0664Step Two: Help others.

img_0663Step Three: Strike a pose. Smile. Everyone looked beautiful.

Me And Beyonce!

This is how life works. I planned to attend Art Basel that occurred in Miami on the weekend of Dec 5 to 7th on Saturday night but the traffic was horrendous. Normally, I wouldn’t mind. Patience would kick in. I would drive around until I found that perfect spot but not on that night. I had other plans later in the night that had me driving north about an hour and half to another county and I was not about to be late. So, we left the madness.

IMG_8934We returned on Sunday and found that the traffic leading to the island was no picnic either. It was a mess. Being it the last day, there were art lovers everywhere but since we were there early, finding a parking space was a breeze.

Once inside the convention center, we visited most of the galleries represented but one or two.

IMG_9040We had an awesome time and for a minute there, could not find the exit. We walked  around in circles for a few minutes until we came in contact with the door where we entered. We were about to leave when we came across her. Yes, Beyonce. Although the picture is a tad fuzzy but you can see her.

I went gaga and not completely celebrity crazy but a tad starstruck when I saw her. I  nervously began snapping some pictures but was disappointed that the bodyguard came straight up to me asking me to stop. I complied. I understand. She was not on an official visit but personal. So, much space was needed and given. I guess most people were understanding and did not hound her either.

IMG_9041She was there with most of the family, mother, sister Solange, Kelly and others but husband and daughter. My impression of her? She was gracious, much light skinned and skinner then I thought, always smiling. Her bodyguard? Very tall and cute, handsome. Kelly, very skinny and beautiful and Solange, her natural beauty always transcending. It was a pleasure even though it was only for a few minutes.

Lottery & The Vending Machine!

Powerball mania it is!  I mean if we have vending machines for soft drinks, candies, water, train and subway tickets, sandwich, there is one in Beverly Hills, CA operated by Beverly Hills Caviar that sells fish eggs and snails, and also boasts a selection of truffles and escargot, along with bottarga, blinis, gourmet salts and mother of pearl plates and spoons, so why not lottery tickets? I could not lose the chance of becoming a millionaire, so I got on the bandwagon and went to play.

Once at the store, to my surprise, there it was, sitting amongst the crowd, a lottery vending machine. Florida cannot find a good system for his voting issues but it surely found an artful  and simple way for people to spend money and go bankrupt. What has the world come to.

In case you don’t know how to play, it comes with its own instruction.

Put the money on

Select your pick

Get your tickets

Therefore, avoiding the line. For that alone, they have me. Not!