Rock the What?

To elaborate on the event I alluded to in this post...

Early in the year I was asked to be part of a local charity fashion show.  In fact, I believe the actual email I first received was titled "I WANT YOUR BODY!!!!!!" 

Needless to say, I was bit skeptical.

But seriously.  Who can resist being asked to be a "celebrity model" for a day?  Certainly not moi.  And c'mon, we all I know I have a little obsession with fashion.

Admittedly though, I was terrified.  I had no idea what I would be asked to wear, what the runway would be like, what they'd do to my hair and makeup, etc, etc, etc...

Thankfully it all worked out.  I was happy with my outfits (for the most part), saw that the runway wasn't all that intimidating and got my way with my hair and makeup.

Backstage, pre-show

Socializing with the husband during the cocktail hour before the show (in my own Arden B dress)

Here's where I got nervous.  As the cocktail hour approached it's end, the models were called back to the dressing area to get ready.  This was still 45 minutes before the show was to begin.  It was one of those "hurry up and wait" moments.  The 30 or so minutes I stood in line waiting to make my runway debut was more nerve-wracking than I ever imagined possible.  I was literally shaking.

dress by Nicole Miller

Once I made my way down the runway I was okay.  Although I didn't hear a damn thing.  Husband said that everyone was cheering and yelling my name but I honestly heard nothing.  The only thing I was focused on was not falling off the runway.  I think he was a little upset that I didn't hear him cheering me on.

I wasn't too thrilled with dress #1.  Totally not my style.  Way too matronly.  Ironically though, I got the most compliments on this outfit.  I liked the fascinator and shoes but the scarf and jewelry were awful.  

Dress #2 was better (totally can't recall the designer), but again it's nothing I would ever pick for myself.  The shoes, however.  Gorgeous.  Duh.  They're my Manolo Blahnik wedding shoes ;)  I thought the fascinator with this outfit was kinda cool though.  When else does one get to wear something like that without being invited to the royal wedding?

dress by Badgley Mischka

I loved dress #3 but it was the most terrifying to walk in.  It was LONG.  About 4" of the skirt puddled on the floor.  And I'm tall.  I had to hold it up as I walked which wasn't the most graceful.  It was pretty fab though.  Totally a show-stopper.

So I didn't trip or fall and the crowd didn't laugh.  That I know of.  I'd call that a success.  Whether or not I'll do it again is another story.

Many thanks to our friends Joe Carr of Joseph Carr Wine and Peter & Mary Burgess of The Revolution Spin Studio for sponsoring me in this fantastic event!

Life@(The Purnomo)Home

This is getting to be a bit much.  I promise I'll stop with the publicity posts soon but this one is too good not to share.

Late last year, we were asked by a good friend of ours, who happens to be a journalist with our local paper, to be featured in a Chef@Home article that he writes for the Times Union's Life@Home Magazine.  And as we're learning in this blog, I don't turn down publicity. 

In early March, we found out that we were scheduled to do the shoot later that month.  Cue three weeks of frenzied house clean-up and decorating.  All of those annoying little projects that we put off after the renovations definitely needed to be finished before a photographer stepped foot in my home. 

Or so I thought. 

Naturally, the pics that made it in the magazine only showed our kitchen and a bit of the living room.  None of the fancy new artwork, window treatments or gorgeous fresh floral arrangments appeared.

Oh well.  It was the kick in the ass that we needed to get the house done.  At least now we can relax and enjoy it.

We had a fantastic time during shoot, preparing and serving three courses for six.  Husband also paired two wines (one white, one red) with each course.

Course 1:  duck tacos with homemade salsa and creme fraiche
Course 2:  bacon-wrapped cipollini salad with hot bacon vinaigrette
Course 3:  paella (with every seafood variety known to man)
Dessert:  dark chocolate bread pudding a la mode

The food was delicious, the conversation entertaining.  And ever the hostess, I sent each guest home with a goodie-bag of homemade chocolate chip cookies.  Yes, I went a little overboard.

Even the pups enjoyed themselves.

We knew the article wasn't coming out until the June issue.  Waiting was so hard!  I was dying to see it.  Or more realistically, dying to read what I was quoted as saying.  Did I mention the two glasses of wine per course?  Or that our dinner conversation was recorded?  ;)

Finally in late May we received several advance copies and couldn't have been more pleased.  A few days later the article was posted online and then it hit news-stands.  Read it here.

And don't be shy.  Tell me what you think!

Love,

Mr & Mrs P, M & B