Tag Archives: champagne

Forty, Fabulous, and Preggars!

"Baby Schnitzel On Board"!!!
“Baby Schnitzel On Board”!!!

There are many milestones in our lives, in my case, I had to combine two at once!  I recently hosted my 40th Birthday party with my besties, but what they did not know is that I was 15 weeks pregnant! A very hard secret to keep when my social life involves champagne!  Not to mention, hiding a 3-month baby bump!

Pink and blue was my color scheme and a spring patio setting was important to me.  The perfect venue for a Sunday afternoon was A’Bouzy….a champagne bar and restaurant in the oh-so-fancy River Oaks neighborhood! My spread included fresh floral arrangements, charcuterie board and lite bites, Sprinkles mini cupcakes

"Blonde Mafia"
“Blonde Mafia”

(some gluten free), and flowing champagne!  I wanted my guests to be bubbled up with sugar and sweets for our very special announcement!

I got married at 37-years old, so having a “Baby Schnitzel” as we are calling our little bundle, is truly a blessing!  Honestly, the thought of being a mother grew with me in time.  When I was in my 20’s-early 30’s, I just wanted to work hard and play hard!  Today, I still enjoy of that but my priorities have shifted.  I love being married and motherhood is my next natural progression.  I cannot wait!!!

Continue reading Forty, Fabulous, and Preggars!

“Champagne & Caftans”: An Engagement Soiree

lori_bridal_shower-7group-poolWords cannot express our enthusiasm for our bride-to-be Lori Lemon-Geshay!  She is a lovely lady inside and out and what a privilege to be her friend and be able to help her in celebrating her new chapter in life—marriage!  Our group could not wait to spoil her with all of the things she loves….friendship, bubbly, caftans, pool-side, hydrangeas, Parisian + Italian decor, the color blue, lemons too.  Stop the madness!

lori_bridal_shower-67-lori-eiffel-towerA few weeks ago Houston’s “Blonde Mafia” hosted Lori’s first engagement soiree at the Manhattan Lofts in the Galleria area.  Private room and poolside we sipped champagne, played, danced, and celebrated the gleaming bride.  A group effort from catering, to decor, flowers, sentimental touches, and good old fashioned game time…it was an epic evening full of fun and love for our dear friend.

The Girls:  Lori Lemon-Geshay, Lisa Bridle, Hollie Wells, Liliana Cuellar, Anna Kaplan, Marina Kaplan, Laura Cernock, Joanna Podsiadlik,  Melissa Back McAlpine, Lissa Goldsmith, and me…Nicole Brende!

lori_bridal_shower-53-saladHollie thank you for preparing your famous salad and other healthy and sumptuous goodies!  Liliana and Lisa the champagne kept flowing….a BIG thank you!  Marina and Anna those cupcakes were so cute and loved the gluten-free option!

My hubby and I whipped up lemon lori_bridal_shower-48-dessertchocolate and macchiato desserts for our Ms Lemon…soon to be Bergeron!

Laura the sentimental touches from the photo eiffel tower plus other goodies really set the scene.  Joanna the flowers were blooming with beauty. Melissa thank you for the yummy empanadas. Lissa the bridal game was so much fun!  Learned much more about our Lori!

lori_bridal_shower-104-ring-pop-kissesMore festivities to come!  This is only the beginning!!  As you can see we all adore our Lori Lemon-Geshay. Keep on sparkling up the room my friend! Bisou Bisou!

 

#Best Bridal Bruncheon Ever!

bridal brunch granducaOkay, sol I am taking you back to August of this year.  Sometimes I get a bit behind.  My friend Lori put together the most amazing bridal shower and I love her so much for it and that day in time deserves some Trende Brende attention!  If you have ever stepped foot into the Hotel Granduca in Houston then you will see why this place is worth raving about.  Naturally, it set the scene for the most perfect shower ever.  This Italian boutique hotel in Uptown offers an elegant experience like none other. Lori and I occasionally come here for our “girl time” for high tea during the week and happy hour on Thursdays.   We’ve even seen and met celebs here such as singer Steven Tyler and reality TV star Rob Kardashian for example.

bridal brunch the girlsBack to my party.  From the formal invitation, to the personalized gift bags including monogrammed candles, to the venue, to the food and flowing champagne; my friend really knows my style!  By the way, Hotel Granduca has the most savory Sunday brunch! Who knew?  Stations included the meats, the cheeses, omelets, and desserts.  What got us most excited was the fried chicken and waffles, the grilled cheese with bacon, peanut butter and jelly, and the sushi and oyster bar!! WOW! I should just go ahead and book my standing reservation for every Sunday I am in town for the rest of my life! For more information on their brunch, the hotel, and events check out their website www.granducahouston.com.

Us & Them.. who is cuter? LOL!
Us & Them.. who is cuter? LOL!

I just have to say, the party was so sweet including my wonderful parents, my sister, and a selection of dear friends. We laughed, nibbled, sipped, shared stories, and opened gifts.  What an intimate day that I did not want to end.

Our boys met for the first time too.  Looks like they will get along just fine. LOL! Hey, it’s important.  Thank you again to Lori for hosting such a flawless and meaningful shower. Jan and I are truly humbled by your generosity and love.

"The JaNic"
“The JaNic”

Before I go, have I mentioned that I have definitely found my prince and knight in shining armor??!! 🙂  I am the happiest girl ever!  It is the best feeling to love and to be loved.  I am marrying the smartest, kindest, honest, caring, and most handsome man in my entire life.  God Bless #TheJanic and our amazing future ahead!  For our love story we’ve put together a short video https://youtu.be/TL0se2PqxzM.  Yes we are goofballs!

Photo Credit: Angelique Cook Photography

The De Gaulle Grand Opening Soiree

the de gaulle openingMy friends and I only drink champagne and wine, for the most part.  Finally, Houston has figured this out and is accommodating our champagne wishes!  New to the Washington Ave. entertainment corridor is The De Gaulle, next to Hughe’s Hangar.  This is H-town’s first official champagne house and home to over 50 types of champagne.  This town just got a bit more bubbly and I like it! Saturday, March 29th I attended the VIP grand opening reception .  Thank you for the invitation Ms. Lori-Lemon Geshay! The theme was midnight in Paris! Ok, I thought it was spring time in Paris hence my floral Alice + Olivia pants, but I won’t worry too much about it.  I had a wonderful time with my lovely friends and my handsome man!

the de gaulle event crowdThe venue took me back to Paris, drinks were flowing, the DJ had us dancing, and fashionable eye candy everywhere.  Tres chic crowd! I love my Veuve, Dom, and Moet, but a taste of Perrier-Jouet Nuit Blanche had me at HELLO! They had a champagne tasting bar set up and I learned very quickly, the smaller the flute, the more expensive the taste!

the de gaulle piere blanchThe evening would not officially go down in style without its charitable efforts.  A suggested $20 donation at the door helped support the Pink Door nonprofit.  Well, I am looking forward to more nights  at my new favorite place.  Chin chin!

Jan-Oliver Schmidt and Nicole Brende
Jan-Oliver Schmidt and Nicole Brende

Host Committee Members in the crowd included Cortney Cole Hall, Jared Lang, Kim Padgett, Lori Lemon Geshay, Lisa Gochman, Mark Sullivan, Tiffany Halik, just to name a few.