building hope around the world

My husband is a builder and an Ambassador for Habitat for Humanity of Eagle and Lake Counties. Every year Habitat for Humanity hosts a Carpenter’s Ball in celebration of their mission of bringing people together to build homes communities and hope. It’s their signature fundraising event, and after attending 3 prior Ball’s, this year was my absolute favorite. They mixed things up from their standard cocktails/silent auction and ceremony/sit-down dinner…and it was a fabulous time!

This year’s annual ball, “Building Hope Around the World,” brought people together in a festive way – each guests received a Passport to experience food and drink from regions around the globe where Habitat is making a difference offering housing solutions. Here’s why I think this international wine and food tasting worked and was a success:

It allowed everyone to mingle and not be stuck at one table.

Guests really learned about Habitat and the places they make a difference around the world, not just by reading it in a program or hearing it from the President of Habitat during a speech in a ballroom, but by ‘visiting’ stations inspired by the locations, along with interesting facts about the specific location.

We were able to try all kinds of new and delicious foods inspired by cultures from around the world, along with paired beverages. The talented Chef Richard Hinojosa of Larkspur Restaurant designed six, three course tasting menus paired with great wine and other beverages. From Braised Fennel Citrus Sea Scallops to Little Larkburgers at the USA station. Shrimp Pad Thai to Steamed Pork Bao in Asia & Pacific. Crème Fraiche Pierogi {my personal fave} and a Hungarian Risotto with Spring Pea Pancetta created the European flavors with Veuve Clicquot to compliment the cuisine at that station.

Opportunity to bid on unique auction items.

Great, live music.

Being a DIYer, I was impressed with the construction-themed DIY details Elyse Howard, Development Director at Habitat Humanity, and her team executed beautifully. Some of my fave DIYs were the nuts and bolts in mason and hob nail jars, real ladders that we use at the job site and wood for auction shelving, burlap runners and habitat hard hats with mints and labeled lotion and soap in the bathrooms. They also used biodegradable bamboo “vessels” for the food which you can find here.

Lighting, which I’ve come to believe really sets the tone for a party, was warm with amber up lighting around the room, and custom gobos added a personalized touch. And a wow factor was the exposed lightbulb chandelier, which exuded an elegant work site feeling.

Can’t wait for next years party, Elyse. Thanks for sharing this year’s photos with us.


{this was my favorite display – food and wine lined up along wood planks {anchored at each end with different sized wood blocks} at different heights to appear ‘stepped.’}

Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.  Habitat builds simple, decent, affordable homes in partnership with local families in need.  Founded in 1995, Habitat for Humanity of Eagle and Lake Counties has served 42 families to date housing over 120 children. To learn more about Habitat, or how to become involved, visit http://www.habitatvailvalley.org/.

VENDOR LOVE

Photography: Joe Kania from Axel Media Solutions
Annual Event Operations/Production and Planning
: Highline Sports & Entertainment {special thanks for Katie at Highline for her help in planning and DIY projects}
Decor: Pink Monkey Solutions {chandelier, gobo light, lounge areas, burlap pipe and drape, burlap runners, hob nail and mason jar centerpieces, food station decor and overall look and feel}
Venue and Food: Larkspur Restaurant
Photo Booth: Patrick at Go Photo Booth
Invitation: Bahan Design
Entertainment:  My Brother’s Keeper Band
Alcohol: Veuve Clicquot, Grand Marnier, Milbrant Vinyards, Crazy Mountain Brewery
Auction tablet software/smart phone bidding: AES  Solutions

Sponsors:
ANB Bank
Amanda Precourt
Hermes Resort Properties
Alpine Bank
Beck Building
Bob and Sue Baker
First Bank
Gallegos
George Schaeffer Construction Company
Land Title
Laureen Hopkins Interior Designs
Remonov & CO
Ron Byrne & Associates Real Estate
Ruggs Benedict
Slifer Smith and Frampton
VAg, inc Architects and Planners
Vail Board of Realtors
Vail Daily
Vail Resorts
Veuve Clicquot

to: dad

We found some great gifts for the men in our lives, as we celebrate them on Sunday, Father’s Day. Cheers to dad! I know we have the best dad in the world, and I know my kids are blessed to have my hubby as a dad too.

Billy Jealousy Shave Cream, Nordstrom
{my husbands fave}

The Mantry
sold in one month, 3 month and 6 month subscriptions. Each Mantry includes 6 full size artisan food products delivered to your door and packed in a handmade wooden crate, along with a custom manual detailing product stories and recipes.

Corkcicle Chillsner
Corkcicle impressed us with the wine Corkcicle, and now they are pleasing the men too, the first in-bottle, drink-through beer chiller. Perfect for those hot summer days where no one wants a warm beer in hand.

Cigar of the Month Club
For $24.95 a month, plus $5 shipping, your dad will receive five hand-rolled premium cigars from the world’s top producers, along with a newsletter with tasting notes, cigar profiles and alcohol pairings. Shipments will be sent monthly, every other month or every 3 months.

Horseshoe Set, LL Bean {$69}

Brew2Go, The Product Farm
Hopefully you bought mom a Vino2Go for Mother’s Day, so now Dad can be a part of the cocktail action too with a Brew2Go.

Star Trek Wine, VinPort
If your dad is a cool Trekky like ours, he will love this bottle of wine that celebrates the series.

Men’s Santa Cruz, Crocs {$55}
my dad loves these

{image via Corkcicle, The Mantry, Cigar of the Month Club, Crocs, LL Bean, VinPort, The Product Farm}

the little things…

It’s the little things in life that have the biggest impact sometimes. When I think of the little things that make me smile, it’s watching my kids discover something new for the first time, or the sound of tiny feet running into our bedroom in the morning, or a sweet note from a friend, a hug, a smile – whatever it may be, the little things are noticed and often, never forgotten.

All that was so ‘high level;’ in relation to what this post is really about. I’m not even sure why I got into that. This post is so not deep or philosophical. But, you know those little things that you’ve discovered, or special treats that can make a big impact in your day-to-day routine? That’s what we’re sharing with you today…some of our tricks of the trade that are small, but worth trying.

1. Frozen grapes in your wine glass.
Instead of ice, add frozen grapes to your glass of vino, and it will look pretty, and stay chilled without getting watery.  

2. Coconut Oil on the skin
Looking for a glow to your skin, without feeling oily? Coconut {organic and unrefined} is my go-to for a healthy, softening and brightening skin lotion. It adds a special glow, and doesn’t stain clothes or make me feel oily. You can find liquid Coconut Oil or solid Coconut Oil {when rubbed in between your hands, it will melt immediately and then you can apply to your skin} at your local health food store, and possibly grocery store. 

3. Cinnamon in coffee
Cinnamon consumption has been known to have positive health benefits, including lowering blood sugar and has also been noted to detoxify the system, help fight bladder infections and stimulate brain function. My brother-in-law, Will, said this coffee trick, changed his life. 🙂 Just a dash of cinnamon added to the ground coffee in the filter {before you brew} will give your coffee a little {and delicious} kick, and healthy non-natural flavor. 

4. Chlorophyll in water
I know this sounds totally gross, but a couple drops of chlorophyll in a glass of water is so yummy! Even my hubby likes it, and the kids ask for green water daily. If you’re not a water drinker, but enjoy mint flavor, adding chlorophyll to your water will make boring water, tasty and refreshing. Chlorophyll fights toxins and boosts energy, so you’ll get some healthy benefits as well. Find liquid chlorophyll {mint is our favorite} at your local health store, and follow the directions for appropriate amounts of chlorophyll in your water. 

 Do you have any little things we MUST try. Please share! Send us an email at trejsorelle@gmail.com or comment on this post.

{image via Tutto Bella}

GIVEAWAY: vino2go

We are obsessed with our latest favorite thing…a to-go wine cup, otherwise known as Vino2Go. For all you wine drinkers, this is a fabulous must-have vino accessory. What a genius invention. It makes such a wonderful, and affordable gift and hostess gift. The one for you, one for me rule totally applies here. The more vino-drinking friends sipping together, the better.

Kimi, one of our BFFs and Fleur de Lis’ best Minnesota customer, took her Vino2Go from Fleur de Lis with her on a St. Thomas vacay …she made us jealous sipping her vino in a Vino2Go cup during a romantic beach walk with her man, Tim.

Vino2Go is flying off the shelves at Fleur de Lis {call 303.996.6885 or email paperie@fleurdelisdtc.com to reserve yours today and we’ll ship to you}, because new shipments just arrived. Pink, Orange, Red, Green, Blue, Black, White – we’ve got the color spectrum covered.

Jenna from Fleur de Lis, is giving away a Vino2Go to one lucky customer. Enter the giveaway via the Rafflecopter link below by Friday, March 29. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don’t forget to check out all the other unique gifts we love sold at Fleur de Lis online store here.

{images via Tutto Bella and Kimi}

unique gifts we love

We have an exciting announcement – Jenna at Fleur de Lis, a paperie, is rolling out an online store. Now everyone can get a taste of the fabulousness of her store, no matter where you live! More products will be added overtime, but there are some really fun gifts for sale now. Shop the boutique here.

Today, we have fabulous gift ideas for the bride, her bridesmaids and even the girl that just can’t find Mr. Right {we’ve all been there}. And, they are available online and at Fleur de Lis, a paperie.

FOR THE BRIDE
Minimergency Kit for Her
Luck favors the prepared and we certainly hope the bride is prepared for her wedding day…and of course lucky too. These minimergency kits are a lovely gift for the bride {or for any friend} who likes to be prepared. Includes 17 mini beauty and person care essentials. Breath freshener, clear nail polish, lip balm, clear elastics, hair spray, and earring backs, dental floss, mending kit, double-sided tape, safety pin, deodorant towelette, nail polish remover pad, stain remover, tampon, emery board.

FOR THE BRIDESMAIDS {AND THE BRIDE…AND LET’S BE HONEST, ANY AND ALL WINE LOVERS}
Vino2Go
I took one look at this new gift Jenna started to carry in her store {not available online yet, but call the store at 303.996.6885 to buy one today}, and I was totally in love.


FOR THE GIRL WHO JUST CAN’T FIND MR. RIGHT
Dammit Doll
Ever have those days where nothing goes right, Mr. Wrong just isn’t that into you, someone pushed your buttons or you just can’t catch a break? I know my hand was raised…was yours?

Well, when things don’t go your way, just grasp a DAMMIT DOLL firmly by the legs and find a place to slam it…and as you whack the doll, yell “DAMMIT! DAMMIT! DAMMIT!” I promise, you’ll feel so much better, and no one will get hurt in the process.

{images via Tutto Bella}