Happy Mother’s Day!

We are super excited to share what we have been doing in our new Studio space! Last month after finally moving into our new space in Lacuna Artist Lofts, I decided I wanted to do something fun for Spring (wherever it was) and do a small Mother’s Day Photo Shoot!

Mother’s Day should be fun, colorful and delicious. Adorning the table with oversized blooms and bright color linens can make any spread festive. Whether you are decorating for your Mother or a bunch of Mothers, these ideas are sure to be fun additions.

The menu was simple…I had been loving the High Tea designs I had been seeing but also know my Mom likes breakfast items the most. We had a lovely spread: Cucumber Cigars, Salmon on black bread, North Shore Potatoes, mini quiches…

and sweets; lots of sweets! Cherry Garcia Cupcake, Baked Brie en Cout and Hand-Painted Chocolates were all a big hit!

Details are very important to me. I loved being able to use Hall’s Rental Jars for the Summer Salad. I think a unique presentation can add flare to any food spread.

Thank You to my AWESOME vendors!  (Add links)
Yum Cakes– I have had the pleasure of working with Erika of YumCakes a few times and always hear amazing things! YumCakes is a high end Cupcake Boutique (made to order only). Crème Puff, Crème Brulee (with a crack the top) and Cherry Garcia are just a few of the custom cupcakes she has done in the past!

An Apple a Day– a delicious caterer I met while doing a wedding last summer in Glencoe. They have the best selection of breakfast, lunch and dinner entrees in their restaurant and offer an even better selection for catering. I only wish I could use them more.

Life’s Sweeter Side– I met Abby while at WedBash 2015 and knew I wanted to use them as soon as possible. I am extremely happy I did…I am ordered more chocolates and desserts for another event coming soon and as a gift! Addicting and so delicately constructed.

Cake Chicago- Always provides the best cakes! This time, I wanted to try something different and use Mary’s amazing cake in a jar (Jar’d)

Jai Girard – the photographer who did my wedding in December. I love her work and wanted to see how she would capture Lacuna.

BBJ Linen– I always look to Rebecca at BBJ. She always points me to the newest in fabrics and chargers! I can always count her for the best.
Halls Rentals– I love their selection and they are so close by. I love doing walkthroughs and seeing the new items being added to their inventory!

Wedding Paper Divas– I always use them when I want something quick. They produce great Stationery and I have never been disappointed.

Whatever you’ve decided to do, it will be lovely! Remember, details matter and Happy Mother’s Day!

P3!

Celebration of the Ages

On October 13th of this year, my Mother and I had our Celebration of the Ages Birthday Extravaganza at  City Point Loft, I promised to show images of the space after MDM Special Event Lighting, Halls Rental and Town & Country Gardens helped me transform it.

1st floor cocktail and passed appetizers (image bottom right ) 2nd floor dining area (image top right) centerpiece and wall mural (image left)

Upon entering the first floor of City Point, guests were washed in red and greeted by a server offering appetizers from C’est Ci Bon Catering in Hyde Park or a drink from the bar. The appetizers included: mini Crab Cakes in a Creole Dipping Sauce, Cajun Fried Chicken Strips, Collard Green Egg Rolls with a Soy Mustard Mayo, Jerk Chicken with a Zesty Mango Dipping Sauce and Chicken Satay on a Skewer with a Peanut Dipping Sauce.

 

Ben, from Studio One Photography was excellent and made sure to get everyone at one point in the night…he even posed for a few pictures himself! Definitely a photographer I will use and recommend again.

 

champagne glasses with guests’ name and table number. flags purchased from etsy vendor

 

At 8pm, everyone was ushered upstairs for dinner service and more open bar.  The head tables were made from some of our rental inventory at P3 as well as the high boy arrangements. The candelabras and floral design came from Town & Country Gardens. A mix of Anemones, Roses and seasonal floral in reds and white accented the already red washed room.

 

Dinner was started with a seasonal salad and pine nuts wrapped in a thin cucumber slice. The second course, Gumbo, was served in a Ruby Red Martini Glass and the final course, was either a Southern Comfort Chicken with apple duck sauce sausage stuffing in a thyme jus or Cornbread Crusted Catfish with Jalapeno Peppers and Herbs. I have had both the chicken and fish, but that night I chose the fish and LOVED it!

Sorry, we only have images of the salad! The photographer said the food left the plates too quickly to capture…not a bad problem to have 🙂

You may of wondered why there was no dessert. I am not a cake person but do have a sweet tooth. YUMCAKES will always be my go to for anything Cupcakes! We had a mix of my favorites and my Mom’s. Some of the choices people had to choose from were: Creme Brulee Cupcakes (you actually got to crack the top!) Cherry Garcia (like the Ben n Jerry’s Ice Cream), Pineapple, Strawberry Rhubarb, Bellini and a Dark Chocolate Cupcake with a Pear and Red Wine Reduction Chocolate Icing.

The night ended with more pictures, more drinks and several trips back to the cupcake table.

Here are some more images from the night.

Thank you for reading!

Lindsay Gloria Parrott

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Wedding Salon’s Bridal Boot Camp at Nicole Miller -Chicago

In September I was a panelist, there to answer questions that could better equip new brides and couples. The event was held at Nicole Miller on North Avenue and Wells in Old Town. The season’s newest fashions were on display and made a lovely backdrop for the night’s events.

I said to always remember to account for tax and delivery in your budget. Most places range from 9%-%15 and sometimes charge more for delivery based on your location or proximity to them. It can bring your total price $300-$500.00 over your budget.

When helping a bride choose their design scheme and colors, what is your best advice? Especially with all of the different trends and opinions out there. 

I said: To stick to yourself. Know YOUR design style and grab hints and touches of trends you like, while still having the main theme be you. If your are at heart, traditional BE TRADITIONAL. If you also like modern touches, add modern touches. Don’t make it harder than it needs to be. You can have anything you want for your wedding. Just make sure it works; visually and for your budget. You are going to get A LOT of opinions and to take them as that, opinions. If you like some, use them. If you don’t move on. No one, except your Mother, Future Mother in Law and maybe close Bridesmaids will actually be offended and even then they will understand that in the end, you do have final voice.

How can your fiancé’s taste be incorporated into YOUR wedding day?

Have him pick images and pictures of things you already like, make him feel like he is a part of the process. Invite him to come to any showings, tastings, meetings with venue coordinators, etc…Sometimes they like it and its a fun experience for the both of you and sometimes they don’t and then you don’t bring them anymore. Let them weigh in on things that you really don’t have to have. If you are not set on a DJ or Lighting Company, let him choose from a few you picked.

The panel consisted of representatives from several Chicago businesses and well known rental companies. Each station gave some sort of information to  the brides walking by. My table gave our packages and a sweet treat to leave with, cupcakes from my favorite cupcakery: Yumcakes.

I think the Boot Camp was extremely informative and a fun event put on by Tatiana Bryon of the Wedding Salon.

Thank you for reading!

Lindsay Parrott

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www.parrottpartyproductions.com

Wade’s World Weekend 2012

This year I had the pleasure of being a guest at Carnival Cruise Lines Benefit Dinner for Wade’s World Weekend (W3). While he doesn’t play for his hometown team, Dwyane Wade does what matters and gives back to the children of Chicago. At a young age Dwyane wanted to be someone who not only could make a difference in his community, but WOULD. He mentioned seeing celebrities on TV visiting other communities and schools and wondered “why don’t they come here?” That was something that would resonate with Dwyane. To this day he makes it his mission to empower children to want to be successful, active members of their community and give back in any way possible.

Wade’s World Foundation was founded in 2003 and promotes the education of children with the three focus initiatives of literacy, health and fatherhood. Dwyane understands that his life is bigger than basketball and is a firm believer and supporter of the foundation’s motto “Every Child Deserves a Shot.”

I started my night at the silent auction tables. Among my favorites were: Bulls and Cub Tickets, Shedd Aquarium Tickets, a stay at The Cosmopolitan in Vegas and a Private Dining Experiences. I won the Cubs and Shedd Tickets. The passed Hor Dourves were delectable, I enjoyed the mini crab cakes and mini beef tenderloin bites.

There was plenty of time for guests to take pictures with Dwyane, bid on auction items and have drinks at the bar. But just in case you couldn’t make it to the bar, Heineken waitresses would find you.

We were then ushered into the Grand Ballroom for dinner. We were greeted by some of the students involve with Wade’s World and brought to our seats. The room was beautifully decorated with tasteful centerpeices of yellow calla lillies, roses and hydrangea. The dinner served was tasty. Salad with toasted pears and rustic cheeses made it a very earthy and delicious first course.  I enjoyed the beef medallion but loved the potatoes that accompanied it. The dessert was my favorite- a flaky crust, filled with hot -cinniman apples. LOVED IT!      

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                The dinner was hosted by Matt Rodewald and had several great speakers, including: Dwyane’s Sister, Mother and Donnita Travis, founder of By the Hand Club for Kids. There were inspiring speeches made by the students as well as a dance performance that was extremely impressive. The last part of the evening included a live auction jammed packed with tons of fun things like: Tickets to the NBA All-Star Game in Houston this year with airfare and hotel included, Carnival Cruiseline vacations and All Exclusive passes to all sporting events in Chicago (with parking permits!).

It was a wonderful event, produced by Agency 21 Consulting and I want to thank Jeff Schear for the great photos from that night.

Thanks for reading!

-Parrott Party Productions

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