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Second City Soiree
www.secondcitysoiree.com/index
6
Home Entertaining and Party Planning advice, ideas, and inspiration from a Chicago hostess.
#209870 in All , #5901 in General Lifestyle

Patriotic POPPIES for MEMORIAL DAY

I probably dont need to remind you that Memorial Day is nearly here, and that means a FOUR DAY WEEKEND! Memorial Day parties typically lean towards red/white/blue decor, but if youd like to go in a s...

4 days ago

Escort Card vs Place Card: What is the Difference?

One of the most frequently asked questions I get from my clients is: "What is the difference between an escort card and a place card"? These terms often get used interchangeably - even within...

22 may 12

Makeup KITS for BUSY Days

I dont remember the date specifically, but this Chicago Tribune article claims that Liz Claibornes "Season of Color" compact came out in March of 1993. Im guessing I received it as a birthday...

05 may 12

Cool Kitchen Gifts for Mothers Day

Todays post is part of the #HolidayHQ Blog Hop. See the links below for more posts from the best party and entertaining experts, and join us tonight at 8pm EST on Twitter for our #HolidayHQ chat. &nb...

02 may 12

How to WRAP GIFTS like an EXPERT

I am not the worlds most efficient gift wrapper. Oh, Ill admit...my presents look nice when finished, but I almost always end up wasting more paper than I should. I used to carefully watch the ladies...

26 apr 12

WINDOW gardening - grow your own SALAD

You know you should eat leafy greens, which is why you routinely add a bag o salad to your shopping cart. But really, nothing beats fresh salad greens. Fortunately, growing your own lettuce, spinach ...

23 apr 12

Add COLOR with BLENKO inspired glassware

The arrival of spring seems to bring a cleansing of our collective color palate (pun intended), and this year seems particularly bright; just look at the neons accenting spring fashion or the tangeri...

11 apr 12

Three UNIQUE Leftover LAMB Recipes

Last week, I made lamb. Well, lets back up. I ordered a leg of lamb off of Peapod, sight unseen, and didnt think about how enormous it would be for just my husband and I. (I also successfully boned, ...

09 apr 12

COCKTAILS that say SPRING

Todays post is part of the #HolidayHQ Blog Hop. See the links below for more posts from the best party and entertaining experts, and join us tonight at 8pm EST on Twitter for our #HolidayHQ chat. &nb...

04 apr 12

Simple + Seasonal: Sensational Sunchokes

Sunchokes, or Jerusalem artichokes, arent pretty, but they sure are tasty. Although they look like ginger roots, these tubers are members of the sunflower family and are so named because of their sli...

29 mar 12

Wedding Registry 101

Registering for your wedding can be one of the most exciting tasks for some brides... but also one of the most daunting for others. Couples these days are innundated with endless options, so here are...

27 mar 12

How to DINE like the MAD MEN

Do I even need to remind you that AMCs Mad Men is coming back this Sunday? The 17-month hiatus has been a too-long separation from one of my favorite shows. The decor! The wardrobes! The stories! The...

23 mar 12

{scene} Garfield Park Conservatory: A Hidden Gem

Winter in Chicago is a long and dreary business. One thing that always saves my sanity is visiting the conservatories. Here, my eyes are filled with lush green and growing things, exotic fragrances f...

16 mar 12

HOUSE BEAUTIFUL goes GREEN

FROM CITRON TO AQUAMARINE, HOUSE BEAUTIFUL GOES GAGA FOR GREEN IN ITS MARCH 2012 “COLOR” ISSUE House Beautiful is all about green as the March 2012 Spring Color issue gives readers d...

08 mar 12

{scene} THREE cant-miss EVENTS - week of 2/26/12

Who says winter is a time to hibernate? (Ok, I did, a few weeks ago...and on TV, no less). But you wouldnt know it from all the wonderful charity events taking place in the next week. Will I see you ...

23 feb 12

BHLDN Opens in CHICAGO

Earlier this week, the corner of State and Walton in the Gold Coast was abuzz with brides to be and lovers of lovely things when BHLDN ("Beholden") opened the doors for a preview party of the...

16 feb 12

Winter gear storage SOLUTIONS for your HALLWAY

Even during a relatively mild Chicago winter, there is still the inevitable cache of winter gear to wrangle this time of year. If not managed, scarves, gloves and hats can turn a once pristine entryw...

13 feb 12

Winter BRUNCH tips from my WGN segment

Do you feel like hibernating this time of year? I know, me too. Instead of hiding under the duvet and dreaming of summer, carpe frigus diem and have a few friends over for a cozy winter brunch. Last ...

01 feb 12

Your own patch of GREEN: How to make a TERRARIUM

Winter always gets me a bit stir crazy, so this year, I made my own little tropical paradise in a terrarium. These little gardens are only limited by your imagination, and are very easy to create and...

31 jan 12

{scene} Sneak peak: "First Look for Charity" gala menu

The Chicago Auto Shows First Look for Charity is one of the citys most prominent galas, donating more than 31 million dollars to local charities since its inception. Held right on the auto show floor...

24 jan 12

Indie Wed Bridal Expo - 1.28.12

Ten years ago, with a shiny new engagement ring on my finger, I went to one of those bridal expos. There in the bland hotel ballroom my eyes glazed over one dull vendor booth after another. After 20 ...

17 jan 12

Not Your Typical Wedding Cardbox

One small - yet fairly important - detail that many couples overlook is the cardbox. That little vessel that’s going to hold all of your wedding cards does not have to be a white satin box or w...

10 jan 12

3 EASY winter squash RECIPES

Winter has a reputation for being short on produce, but even in the coldest climes, you can find an abundance of fresh vegetables from hearty greens like kale and cabbage to pantries overflowing with...

04 jan 12

Sugar + Spice COCKTAIL plus AmEx Gift Card GIVEAWAY

Just in time for New Years (and the colder weather that follows), Ive concocted this sweet and spicy drink with a wintery kick. Inspired by my friends at Sierra Mist Natural (did you see the two Sier...

31 dec 11

Silver SPARKLE Tabletop for NEW YEARS

Just like trying to get into a hot new club or venturing out for a huge parade, going out on New Years Eve sounds more fun than it actually is. If youve ever been out on the 31st, you know exactly wh...

27 dec 11

Five STYLISH gifts for MEN

This selection was curated by Matt Solyst, a writer for my fashion/humor site, You Know You Love Fashion. Matt is an aspiring writer of TV, film and fiction, and you can follow him on Twitter @OldPas...

21 dec 11

Two fizzy holiday COCKTAILS (with MOCKTAIL options)

From Sierra Mist come two festive cocktails, sure to add zing to your holiday parties! If youre avoiding artificial ingredients - as I am - rest your troubled head with the knowledge that Sierra Mist...

16 dec 11

Small Space Tip: Use natures refrigerator

Just a quick reminder for all those living in a small space. To make the most of your set-up, sometimes you have to think out of the apartment... ...and onto the back porch or balcony! Of course, the...

14 dec 11

Hot Toddy: Mocha MAPLE Coffee

Cold days call for hot drinks! I was flipping through the new book Hot Toddies (filled with all sorts of concoctions just begging for a snow day or three) and spotted this caffeinated wonder...  ...

07 dec 11

BRIGHT and Whimsical CHRISTMAS Table

Todays post is part of the #HolidayHQ Blog Hop. See the links below for more posts from the best party and entertaining experts! If you saw my "Rough Luxe" Thanksgiving table, you might recog...

05 dec 11

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