We had so much fun at the Carasco Halloween party last week! A haunted bus tour, (tricks and) treats from Boutique Bites and Truffle Truffle, a dance floor and…of course…the Shutterbooth Photo booth!
Here are some of our favorites from that night!
Happy Halloween everyone!!
Can you tell what our costume was?
Did you dress up? if so – as what?
What was your all time favorite costume?
xo-tm!
Soirée would like to introduce Stephanie Pirishis and her wedding gift registry site, Poladora.com. We love the local items and retailers on her site and wanted to give you guys the inside scoop on Stephanie’s online store!
In 2009 Stephanie founded Poladora, and like most business owners in the industry, Stephanie came up with her plan to start an online gift registry after being a bride herself. According to Stephanie she and her husband had a difficult time finding the perfect options for their own gift registry. She tells us,
“One of the issues I had when registering was I felt I ended up getting the same plates and glasses as all my friends. I found it very complicated to get access to stores I liked and get the unique and fun items that are more representative of our style without needing to create 10 different registries and then worry where people would end up buying all the exchanges I would have to do.”
Stephanie Pirishis
Poladora.com connects couples to 20 fabulous local Chicago stores and boutiques with over 8,000 products and services all in one convenient online store. “Couples love being able to register and shop local and they also love discovering some retailers they might not have been familiar with [prior to Poladora].” Items on the site range from traditional registry items like home ware and furniture by local artisans to more out-of-the-box options like spa treatments and yoga classes to get relaxed and pampered before the big day.
So how does it work? The entire process of shopping with Poladora is another reason why it is such a convenient and fun option for Chicago couples and their guests. Because all too often friends and family don’t always give a couple what they truly want or need, gifts purchased by guests on Poladora are held as ‘credit.’ This means that instead of being stuck with a certain gift, couples can simply use the credit of the gift instead; and purchase any of the other items in the online store that is of higher priority to them. This unique process avoids the hassles of having to run around the city returning gifts to several different retailers.
Poladora’s plethora of non-traditional gift options is another reason why it is quickly becoming a popular choice for Chicago land couples. “Certain couples love being able to include experiences and non-traditional items along with their dinnerware,” says Stephanie. Wine lovers will love to see the wine cellar starter kit and those constantly on the lookout for new activities to try can find dance classes and cooking classes.
What makes Poladora really stand out from other retailers is the fact that it can be used to plan and fund your wedding as well! With packages from photographers and florists, stationary—and even wedding gowns available, couples can use their credits towards the actual big day.
Poladora is Chicago’s one-stop online store for marvelous and unique wedding gifts and experiences. Simply register on the website and experience what a wedding gift registry should really be—hassle-free, convenient and fun!
Post by: Melanie Enright, Soirée Intern
We are hosting The BRIDE RIDE, a health and fitness Bridal Event at Flywheel this Sunday from 1-3 pm with a complimentary Flywheel class starting at 2pm. Space is limited so please RSVP to rsvp@soireechicago.com
Not familiar with Flywheel? Well you are in for a treat! I am personally obsessed with this work out. It’s the most fun I have ever had working out, building muscle and burning fat!
Here’s a bit from them to fill you in:
Flywheel is the workout for you. Whoever you are. The workout that offers a chance to achieve something more. To step up onto a custom engineered bike…and ride as hard as you dare.
This is the experience crafted by Ruth Zukerman, the legendary instructor and driving force behind the New York indoor cycling phenomenon.
An experience that lasts 45 or 60 minutes and includes climbs and descents, while working arms with weighted bars. It’s an amazing escape that challenges your body and relaxes your mind. Our studios offer stadium-style seating, making every seat in the house a good one.
Music is also an integral part of the Flywheel experience. Our playlists are created by instructors from a collection of music carefully curated by our own in-house DJ. Instructors choreograph their own classes, syncing their rides to the beat, assuring a fresh ride every time, and showing a little glimpse of their unique personalities.
In a Flywheel class, your instructor will lead the way, suggesting target resistance levels and RPM’s to strive for. But YOU decide exactly what’s right for you by controlling the technology on your bike. If you’re feeling pumped, ride harder and faster than the targets. And if you’re just beginning, you can take it down a notch.
Ashley Pettit
Your Flywheel bike is tailor-made and can be customized for you. Not only do you set the positions that fit your body and comfort levels, but you control your “tech-pack”. Each bike has a tech-pack that displays your resistance (“torq”), your speed (RPM’s) and your power output (current and cumulative for the class). This allows you to know how you’re performing at all times.
If you’re the competitive type, you may opt in to participate in our in-studio Torqboards – large-screen displays that occasionally flash leaderboards that show how you’re performing.
Your stats for every ride will be recorded and made available in your private account on our website. You’ll see your own metrics for every ride you take with Flywheel, including RPM’s, Torq, Speed, Power, Distance and Estimated Calories. This will allow you to set your own goals and measure your performance over time.
And of course, you should expect all the extras we don’t consider extra – including free towels, bike shoes, lockers and more to keep you comfortable and riding at peak performance.
You’ll ride just once before you understand completely, “Why Flywheel?”
So now you might understand a little bit more about the phenomenon that is: Flywheel. But you have to experience it for yourself to really appreciate it!
As if the free Flywheel class isn’t enough- we will also have music provided by Fig Weddings, healthy snacks from Kind Bar, refreshing Pomberry Zico Coconut Water, amazing raffle prizes and swag bags for every bride that attends!
Space is limited – so make sure to reserve your spot. rsvp@soireechicago.com
See you there!
xo-tm
photos courtesy of Ashley Pettit and Flywheel Sports
This event is tonight and it’s going to be truly spectacular! Be U Weddings is hosting the event at Room & Board from 6-8 pm. There will be music, bridal fashions, wedding decor, delicious bites and much more.
So come by and check it out – we will be there!
This is a bridal event you will not want to miss!
xo-tm
Happy one year anniversary to Suzanne and Matt! I can’t believe it has been a year since their gorgeous Fall wedding at the World’s Fair Pavilion in St. Louis.
To see the full wedding feature – click here: Matt + Suzanne: classic elegance (Part II).
Have a fabulous anniversary you guys! I had such a great time planning this amazing day with you and I am lucky to have such dear friends!
Here’s to many more to come!! Cheers!
xo-tm
all photos are by: Metropolitan Picture Company
The Soirée team recently met up with Katie Knox, special events account manager at the Field Museum for an eye-opening walk-through at this historic and breath-taking Chicago venue. The quintessential space for the adventurous couple who loves to travel and is constantly exploring everything the world has to offer, there are many aspects about the museum that many are unaware of as a wedding or event venue.
Upon setting foot inside the enormous Stanley Hall with its gleaming white 300 million year-old limestone floors, higher-than-high ceilings and the surrounding upper balcony, it is apparent that any wedding here would be absolutely jaw-dropping. However, not every couple needs this much space for their wedding.
Luckily, Field offers multiple smaller event spaces with price tags and guest capacities to match, making it a venue for almost any couple’s budget and design aesthetic.
Stanley Hall can seat up to 1,500 guests for a seated dinner and 7,500 for a reception. The museum’s smaller spaces can contain anywhere from 50 to 500 guests. Some of these smaller spaces provide a more intimate setting where your guests can sit amongst some of the museum’s famous exhibits. But others, such as the East Atrium and Pavilion provide a more traditional venue feel but with the same grace and opulence of Stanley Hall.
The museum also allows ceremonies to be held outside on the beautiful outdoor patio area where guests will enjoy views of the city skyline and the lake.
Not only does the museum provide a variety of space options, it is also a venue where a variety of design options can be brought to life. Especially in Stanley Hall, as Katie related to us, a multitude of different ideas can be played out design-wise. “We are ready to customize anything,” Katie says.
The Field has their own list of approved vendor options for couples to choose from, including Hall’s Rental Company and Frost Lighting.
Walking through the different rooms of the museum with Katie, we couldn’t help but think about the endless potential that this venue has to offer. We hope to be planning a wedding here in the near future!
Check out some of the shots we took on our tour with Katie below!
Not getting married but want to check out the exhibits at the museum? The Field Museum is open every day except Christmas, 9am-5pm.
Basic Admission for Adults is $15, Children (3-11) are $10 and Seniors/Students are $12. City passes are available here
Post by Soirée Intern, Melanie Enright
Thanks to Natural Beauties Floral for this lovely fall arrangement they whipped up for me yesterday! Not only did we have a great meeting, but I left with this gorgeous present!!
We are really excited about the many more great things to come!
Thanks Jan and Jillian! 😀
xo-tm
Last week we were invited to the Grand Opening of 1225 Old Town; the newest, full amenity rental apartment building on Wells Street.
It was an easy commute for us, as our office is just right down the street. I got to watch every stage of the construction as it went up. So I was excited to see the finished project.
Not familiar with the area or this new fabulous apartment building that went up? Here is a rendering of the completed project. Drive down Wells Street and you can’t miss it…
They did a phenomenal job with the decor of the lobby, pool deck and recreational/party room. There was a full kitchen with island, fireplaces, flat screen TVs, not to mention the floor to ceiling windows with panoramic views.
Some of Old Town’s most popular restaurants were being featured at the event. Kamehachi had an amazing sushi station set up, equipped with a sushi chef and made to order sushi rolls!
Tokyo 21 brought the most amazing bacon and crab rangoons! Those were definitely a favorite among the guests.
Our friends at Pure Kitchen Catering were also passing some of their mouth-watering hor d’oeuvres. I tried so many, but I remember the meat ball being one of my faves! Benchmark was making their famous Korean Tacos in the kitchen for the guests to try. And O’Breins had a sandwich and hot wings station set up! We ended our feasting session with some Pinkberry fro yo – Chocolate Hazelnut…yum!!
By the way, Pinkberry does cater too!
The ambiance of the pool deck was set with the sounds and skills of Fig Media Djs. Ambient music mixed with a chic pool deck and outdoor fireplaces? Are we really in Chicago right now?
A heated pool and hot tub? I must make some new friends that lives here, so I can reap some of the benefits!
Thanks to my friend Billy for taking most of these pictures! He was in town from New York, we recruited him for the night and he seemed to really enjoy himself!
Looking to live on Wells in the heart of Old Town? Check out 1225 – they offer 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms with all different views of the city. On-site gym, parking and even a grocery store on the first level (Plum Market coming Spring 2013).
And with views like this? How can you resist?
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…I love my job!
xo-tm
Soirée to Z. 