Category Archives: Event

Real Men Wear Pink

My computer has been on the fritz for the past couple of weeks but after countless visits to Best Buy and interactions with the Geek Squad, we’re finally back in business! Computer issues make me feel so helpless.

A couple weeks ago, my friend Sarah and I attended the Real Men Wear Pink Fashion Show presented by Saks Fifth Avenue. The store was closed to the public and proceeds benefitted MD Anderson Cancer Center here in Orlando. The event featured food and drink stations, samples from various Saks beauty counters and a fashion show involving local celebrities.

Sponsors

Sarah and I

We had a great time learning about different fragrances and make-ups, and we indulged in quite a bit of yummy foods.

Ciao Italia Ristorante Italiano

Tortellini with peas and bacon, goat cheese and mushrooms stuffed chicken and salmon from Ciao Italia Ristorante Italiano

Hyatt Catering & Events

Wild mushroom tart from Hyatt Catering & Events

Taverna Opa

Seafood paella and baklava from Taverna Opa

Cakes by Design

Pumpkin cupcake from Cakes by Design

While the food was wonderful, the highlight of the evening was the fashion show. In addition to local celebrities, professional models and MD Anderson cancer doctors modeled Saks’ latest lines. It was great seeing the cancer doctors on stage. They are true heroes.

Johnny Magic

Radio DJ Johnny Magic

Mayor Buddy Dyer

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer

Other celebrity models included Sheriff Jerry Demmings, Orange County Commissioner Ted Edwards and SunTrust CEO David Fuller. The store was also open so you could do some shopping during the event.

The event was very well done and it was empowering to see so many people showing their support to raise awareness for breast cancer. Even though awareness seems to peak in October, it’s an important cause year round.

I cannot believe we’re already in November, which means it’s less than one month until I’m married! Every day seems to be filled with wedding-related tasks, and I know it will be here before I know it.

What are you most looking forward to in November? Yesterday we celebrated Kevin’s birthday and next weekend is my bridal shower. It’s going to be a whirlwind month!

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Filed under Celebrity, Event

2012 Taste of the Nation Orlando

Last year I had the priviledge of attending Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation, which benefits the fight against childhood hunger. It’s a wonderful event that benefits a great cause. Guests get to sample dishes from some of the best restaurants in the Orlando area. It’s an all-you-can-eat-and-drink feast featuring a variety of different cuisines. Guests could also participate in live and silent auctions.

I was so excited that my friend Erica invited me to attend this year as well. It’s one of my favorite evenings of the year.

Taste of the Nation brings this event to multiple cities across the country. Here in Orlando it was held at the World Center Marriott. Erica and I started out with a strategy: hit up all the main courses and then go back for desserts. However, by the time desserts rolled around, I needed to be rolled out. I had to be very choosey with what I wanted to fill my belly with by the end.

Below are some snapshots of my eats from the evening with the restaurant and dish when I could remember.

Sausage and roasted corn and black eyed peas from World Center Marriott

Crab ceviche from Fulton’s Crab House

Gnocchi with pulled pork ragu from Portobello

Lamb, potato and tzatziki from Taverna Opa

Pumpkin ravioli from Wolfgang Puck

Pork taco from Sushi Pop

Sushi Pop

Bubble gum sorbet with Pop Rocks from Sushi Pop

Beef carpaccio

Stuffed red peppers

Steak with fried onions and baked beans from World Center Marriott

Beef short rib ravioli with truffle butter, cream and peas from World Center Marriott

Pork tenderloin with coleslaw

Chicken and lamb koftas from Bosphorous

Steak and mashed potatoes from The Capital Grille

Poached lobster and salsa from Spencer’s Steaks and Chops

Short ribs and ahi tuna from Roy’s

Bacon pate from K Restaurant

Roasted eggplant

Steak, hush puppy and sweet potato

Lobster risotto

Steak over creamed spinach and baguette with a mini cupcake from Del Frisco’s

Display at Universal Orlando booth

Bananas Fosters

I highly encourage you to check out this event if it is coming to a city near you or to be on the lookout for next year’s event. I have a long list of new restaurants I want to try, and I’m so thankful to Erica for inviting me. I truly thought I’d never be hungry again!

What is the best charity event you have been to?

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Filed under Event

Party rockin’

Last night was a sea of neon, animal print and man thongs, which can only mean one thing: LMFAO and time to get my dance on. Kevin’s younger sister Sarah and her best friend Stephanie got the tickets, and Kevin and I gladly accompanied them as “chaperones.”

The girls

Kevin and I

Before heading to the Amway Center, we grabbed an early dinner at La Bella Luna in Baldwin Park. I started with the tomato basil bisque and then ordered the baked ziti.

La Bella Luna - Tomato Basil Bisque

La Bella Luna - Baked Ziti

The bisque had good flavor, and it was a lot of soup. The ziti was fine, but I was expecting something dryer from being baked and with ricotta. It still beats paying for overpriced concession food.

Kevin ordered a pepperoni stromboli, and Sarah and Stephanie split a BBQ chicken pizza.

La Bella Luna - Pepperoni Stomboli

BBQ Chicken Pizza

After loading up on Italian food, we headed to the concert. There were a ton of opening acts, the most notable being Far East Movement, who sing Rocketeer and Like a G-6. I find myself jealous of them because they’re Asian but have rhythm…something I have yet to achieve.

After Far East Movement, LMFAO took the stage. I was surprised by how many little kids were in the crowd. LMFAO was pretty inappropriate but a lot of fun.

LMFAO Concert

They are incredibly high energy, upbeat and happy, so it’s hard not to get on your feet and dance along, even in five inch heels. It was no NKOTBSB, but I did have a great time and would definitely see them again.

Are you an LMFAO fan? Shots, shots, shots, shots…shots, shots, shots, shots…EVERYBODY!

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Filed under Baldwin Park, Event, Italian

Windy city recap: the wedding

Our trip to Chicago culminated on Saturday evening at the wedding of my cousin Mike to his wonderful now-wife Lauren. Before the wedding, my sister picked up Kevin and I so we could go visit my grandma on the other side of the family. She is one of my favorite people in world having lived with my family when Kathryn and I were young and had a huge part in raising us.

With Grandma

Isn’t she the cutest? She doesn’t speak very much English but managed to communicate with Kevin just fine. After visiting with my grandma, we headed back to the hotel to get gussied up for the main event.

It was great to see the rest of my family who lives in Chicago, including my grandpa.

with Grandpa

with Kevin

The wedding was beautiful. Mike and Lauren did a great job personalizing the entire event. Every last detail reminded their guests of who they are as a couple. They’re both avid city bikers and used bicycle wheels throughout their stationery and as a part of their altar.

altar

They’re also avid runners. It seems like they’re running races every weekend. This was reflected in their table numbers, which were past race bibs framed, and in their “finish line entrance” into the reception (to the tune of Chariots of Fire). We were at table 509.

table number

reception entrance

reception entrance 2

Each ingredient in their wedding menu was locally grown or raised.

menu

For desserts, instead of a traditional wedding cake, they opted for cupcakes (which Kevin and I will be doing as well). I chose a cookie dough cupcake, which literally had a cookie dough center. It was rich and delicious.

cupcakes

Their favors were little plants for us to take home.

favor

I had a blast dancing the night away and spending time with my family. Most of all, I’m so happy for Mike and Lauren.

Three days in Chicago wasn’t nearly enough, but it was nice to have a break from work and to celebrate such a great occasion. I can’t wait to return to the windy city!

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Filed under Chicago, Event, Family, Travel

Sporting

After this weekend, I think Kevin and I have reached professional sports viewer status. We had a sports-packed, and incredibly fun, weekend. On Friday, Kevin and I headed to the Orlando Magic game where we had tickets for one of their Founder’s Level suites. One of Kevin’s friends got a group of us to chip in. The view was great.

View

The suite was equipped with two televisions, tables and plenty of different foods and drinks. Both were endless. There were steak fajitas, noodles, salad, wings, meatballs, mac and cheese, flatbread, popcorn, chips, pretzels, cookies, cakes, beer, wine, liquor…I was definitely a happy camper.

food

cookie

cheesecake

friends

Plus, the Magic beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, which is always a plus.

The sports festivities continued into Saturday, when Kevin and I went to the Arnold Palmer Invitational, an event that we look forward to every year. This would also be our second buffet situation in two days. I’m full again just thinking about it. Kevin’s whole family came out for the event, so it was fun to see everyone and to watch the golfers.

girls

gofl tourney

I’m not a huge golf enthusiast, and my astigmatism prevents me from seeing the ball while in motion, but I loved checking out everyone’s outfits and seeing professional golfers up close.

We made it home just in time to catch the Florida Gators basketball game…although, we probably could have done without that spectating event. Despite the Gator loss, it was another great weekend for the books. Today we caught up on errands and I made us Pinterest-inspired cinnamon rolls by molding the ready-to-bake rolls into hearts.

cinnamon rolls

baked and iced

A sweet ending to a fun weekend.

Central Florida Lady Bloggers

Before I forget, I wanted to pass along some info that the lovely Paula sent me. The Central Florida Lady Bloggers is hosting a meet-up this Wednesday at Mucho. Details are here. I will be attending and would love to meet some fellow Orlando-area bloggers!

What is your favorite sport to watch in person? Of course, I’m a sucker for college football.

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Filed under Blogging, Event, Sports