As a member of the Middletown Chamber of Commerce I had an opportunity to attend the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Painting with a Twist located in the Dove Run Shopping Center.
Having never heard of “Painting with a Twist” nor having had a paint brush in my hand since elementary school – well not counting the paint brushes that I use for the house, I thought I would just go to hang out and take some pics for my blog.
However, when I say that I had a blast, I mean I had a blast and I even painted something decent enough to hang in my home office!
It was a fun and entertaining evening and why wouldn’t it be…wine paired with step-by-step painting instructions, music, food and dancing. This was definitely a great way to work off some stress after a long work week and to head into the weekend.
The next day after telling a few people about how much fun I had, most of them knew about the franchise and some even said, “that their parents loved it”. I guess since I’m a boomer, they naturally assumed that I should have at least heard about it – but sadly I didn’t! Now that I know about it and had such a great time, it definitely won’t be the last time that I attend a session.
For those of you who don’t know about the Painting with a Twist franchise, here’s what their website states,
“Painting with a Twist® painting sessions are the answer! Invite your friends, sip your favorite beverage* and enjoy step-by-step instruction with our experienced and enthusiastic local artists. You’ll leave with a one-of-a-kind creation and a new found talent you’ll want to explore. Book a private party and choose from over 5,000 paintings. From birthday and bachelorette parties to date nights and team buildings, we can help you celebrate anything!
* Please check with your local studio regarding options for bringing or purchasing alcohol.”
I tried to keep up with the painting instructor but was taking time away to video and take pictures that several of the instructors had to assist in keeping me on track, “thank you Christian”. I did however, do a pretty good job and that was with only 3 beers and 1 glass of Moscato!
Check out my Instagram page for more pics and I’ll upload a mini video to my YouTube channel this weekend.
Our themed painting was “Eternal Daze” and it was amazing to see the variations of each finished painting. The wine, music and dancing definitely brings out the creativity in all of us!!
Getting twisted and painting was so much fun, and with plenty of food and beverages this is definitely a great place to go for a “Girl’s Night Out” “Bridal Party”, “Guy’s Night Out” or just to have fun with the family.
They will travel to off-site locations for church groups, senior centers and homecoming affairs. Gift Cards are also available so it would be a perfect stocking stuffer, graduation or birthday gift.
Check out their website and if there is a Painting with a Twist near you, I recommend you sign up and go have an awesome time.
If you have already attended an event tell me how much you loved it because I know you did!
Rysheema Dixon, Wilmington City Council Member At-Large candidate, hosted her first campaign fundraiser on Friday, February 5th, 2016, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. The campaign fundraiser was held at the Chris White Gallery located at 701 North Shipley Street in Wilmington, Delaware.
The fundraiser was a free event open to the public, but a suggested donation was requested. If you would like more information on making a donation please contact Porsha Hargrove, (973) 842-5864.
I was invited to attend this political fundraiser and be part of the media coverage by Porsha Hargrove PR and Consulting. It was a highly energized and fun filled evening attended by many of Rysheema’s constituents as well as several movers and shakers from in and around the Wilmington community.
“Strong from the Ground Up” Candidate, Rysheema Dixon is running for Wilmington City Council Member At-Large. As an At-Large member of city council, Dixon hopes to continue her dedication to serving Wilmington residents by empowering them through her community development and entrepreneurship platform.
You can see her complete speech on my YouTube Channel – click here.
Hosting the fundraiser at the Chris White Gallery was a perfect venue because on this crisp winter evening many people came in and out, mixing and mingling and reminding me a bit of being in SOHO, New York City.
An eclectic mix of music provided by a DJ; lively conversations and laughter; finger foods and drinks was enhanced even more so by the various art pieces hanging on the walls, including this one of Audrey Hepburn in the ladies room.
As you can see from the following photos and Flipagram, everyone had a great evening in downtown Wilmington in the Shipley Lofts on the 1st Friday of February in support of Rysheema Dixon!
For more information on Rysheema Dixon, please connect with the campaign via their website: www.rysheemadixon.com, you can also LIKE her on Facebook at Dixon for City Council At-large and be sure to follow on Twitter @rysheemadixon to keep up on other campaign events.
Last Saturday was by far the best day of the summer, at least when it came to eating grilled burgers. The 2015 DE Burger Battle was held at The Cauffiel House in Wilmington and there was plenty of food (all burgers), family fun and musical entertainment. To top it off, having the opportunity to judge some of the best burgers in Delaware – what more could I ask for?
If you read Monday’s post you already know who won, but if not, click here to read it.
To all my friends in the USA, I hope you have a wonderful Labor Day holiday weekend. If you have plans to travel be safe on the road, and if you will be sticking close to home, eat, drink, and be merry for Tuesday will be here in a minute. I will be home catching up on some reading and doing a few outdoor chores…pool lounging!
I will also be firing up the grill and even though my burgers won’t be as good as these, they will be tasty. Now without further adieu, here are just a few of the burgers from last week’s #DeBurgerBattle
The sights of these burgers was awesome so you can just imagine how it was smelling with all those grills fired up – sizzling summer!
Hello friends, I hope all is well in your world. On Sunday, hubby and I had an opportunity to attend the Gospel Brunch at the World Café Live at the Queen. It was one of the premier food and wine events held this year by the MidAtlantic Wine and Food Festival.
The MidAtlantic Wine and Food Festival (#MAWFF) presented by Bank of America celebrates excellence in food, wine, spirits and beer. Sunday was the last day of the 4-day festival which included 35 events at 40+ venues in 4 states, with over 60 chefs, and 23 wineries from 6 continents.
If you read my previous post from the #MAWFF kick off event at The Atrium then you know that this was an awesome way to spend a beautiful Sunday in Delaware. The walk around Gospel Brunch had several stations of savory and tasty treats as well as a wonderful array of wines, spirits and beers from around the world, my favorite was the Brooklyn Summer brew.
This jam packed event was made even more lively with The Combined Choir of Calvary Baptist Church. They turned up the heat with soulful Gospel music that had the audience enthusiastically clapping and singing along. Check out my YouTube channel to see one of their soul stirring selections.
Hello friends, I hope all is well in your world. On Sunday I attended the 2015 Mid Atlantic Wine & Food Festival which was held in The Atrium of the Community Education Building in Wilmington. It was a fantastic fundraising brunchtime fete filled with food, fun, wine and enthusiastic entertainment.
The Atrium was filled with tasty foods from 18 MidAtlantic chefs plus local wines, brews and spirits. I wanted to try a tapa from each of the participating restaurants, but instead I chose restraint. I did however, have an opportunity to sample the Peach Cobbler Cupcakes with Bacon Ice Cream from Desserts by Dana; it was an explosion of goodness. The Egg Yolk Ravioli with Pancetta and White Wine Sauce was also an awesome creation from Piccolina Toscana.
The Whipped Goat Cheese with Soy Pickled Shiitake and Chai Tea Pickled Grapes was a tantalizing treat to the palate and this creation was made by the chef from Wilmington Pickling Company.
You know me, I couldn’t bypass the Wine Tasting or Bloody Mary Bars however, I only had one glass of a wonderful Sparkling Vidal from Crow Farm and Vineyard and a Calini Prosecco from the Tricky Rabbitbrand. I had no idea that there was a distillery literally in my backyard, about 30 miles south in Smyrna. Ron Gomes from Painted Stave had an assortment of cocktails and after trying just one I knew it was definitely worth taking a 20 minute drive down to make a few purchases!
The presentations and tapas were excellent, including the Pickled Egg Salad on Toast with Lox, Smoked Egg Aioli and Chervil created by SoDel Concepts. Culinary Art students from William Penn HS Bistro at Penn Farm created several tasty treats including the “Gimlet”, Surf Clams with Lime Pudding and the Shallot-Cucumber Marmalade and Thai Pepper.
In addition to the extensive array of foods and wines, there were energetic and soulful performances by students from the Christiana Cultural Arts Center and Ku’umba Academy. A portion of the proceeds were to help them with the purchase of instruments, check out their performances on my YouTube channel. Lively music was played throughout the day by local DJ’s: Zip, Jang O’Fett and DJ JMack.
There were so many smiling faces and friendly people in the Atrium that in between taking pics and sips I did a little networking; business card exchanging and thoroughly enjoyed meeting some new folks.
I am looking forward to attending the next Taste of the MidAtlantic event and hope to spend more time taste testing because I did miss out on these treats:
Caffe’ Gelato – Crispy Poached Quail Eggs with Crispy Prosciutto served on toasted brioche with Hollandaise sauce, Boucheron and Cheese Gelato
Bye-Bye February, pack up your snow gear and get to steppin, and don’t cha come back no more!
(well maybe same time next year, just keep those flurries at home)
By the time you read this, I’ll be enroute to the Sheraton Hotel in New Castle, Delaware deeply involved in the final preparations for tonight’s 2014 Goodwill Runway Show!
We have been preparing for this big event since last November and it has been both fun and exciting working with my models. Here are just a few pics of our shopping trips and rehearsals leading up to tonight’s show.
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I wish you all could be there to see the actual Runway Show, but look out for the highlights next week!
Hello Friends and Happy Monday, I hope you all had a nice weekend and that the weather was just as nice where you were as it was here in Delaware. Saturday before leaving Dover my sons and I drove through downtown and noticed a large gathering on The Green. Unfortunately, we had just missed the annual parade of The Delaware Volunteer Firefighter’s Association but I stopped to take pictures of some of the trucks and engines which were prominently on display.
Volunteer Fire Companies from around the state participated and vied for the coveted Governor’s Cup which was awarded to Smyrna’s Citizens Hose Company for the 34th year.
Families and friends enjoyed themselves, eating, drinking, and playing while a DJ played a variety of music to keep everyone entertained before the awards ceremony.
This traditional family friendly festival is just one of many events held annually in the Capital City of Dover.