'Tis the season to party

Jeff's company holiday party was a week ago.  It was at Art and Soul in the Capital Hill area of Washington D.C.   Art and Soul is owned by the guy who used to be Oprah's chef.  So I guess in some weird way I am now a few degrees from being friends with Oprah.  Not like BFFs or anything, but should the opportunity to have a conversation with Oprah arise,  I can now tell her I went a party at this guy's restaurant.  Sounds very important of me, doesn't it?  :)

It's been 20 years since I've graduated college.  That's a lot of showing up at company holiday parties under my belt.  I can honestly say this one for Jeff's company this past week was one of the best ones I've ever been to.  If I was in charge of throwing a company party, this is exactly what I would've done.  From start to finish it was amazing.  It didn't matter I didn't know anyone beyond a brief introduction to a few of his team members maybe a few months ago or another holiday party.  And it didn't matter that Jeff knew a very small percentage of those attending the party.  We had a GREAT time!

There was a big outside patio area with heat lamps and an awesome fire pit.  Plenty of seating and tables were scattered about.  Next to the fire pit was a bartender making spiked Hot Chocolates from the Hot Chocolate Bar.  Can you say "YUM-O!"?  Because I can...twice!  My first combination was A Milk Hot Chocolate with Baileys.  The second one I had was a Dark Hot Chocolate (made with cayenne, cinnamon, and vanilla) flavored with Amaretto, whip cream and chocolate shavings.  Now, we're talking!
  
Inside the restaurant's main room was a DJ playing dance music that got you moving.  A lot of the company's employees are on the young side and it was fun watching them get a little crazy.  There is nothing that makes you feel older than seeing several twenty-year-olds jumping around in 5 inch heels. 

Another room had a casino with a black jack, roulette and craps table.  Upon entering the party, we were each given $25,000 in funny money to play with.  Too bad it wasn't real, because in under 10 minutes, I took the $25,00 and turned it into $80,000.  Gosh I love to gamble!

The food was incredibly tasty. I love risotto and there were 3 different kinds.  There was also a bunch of other foods offered as well, but honestly the risotto had me at hello.  I will have to ask Oprah (you know the next time we hang out) if she likes the risotto too.  :)

There were two bars on the inside of the restaurant. We were given raffle tickets as soon as we entered and could pick various items to win.  The choices were an iPad, Zoo Lights Ticket Package, and a gift card to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.  Obviously Jeff and I didn't win or else I would've been leading with this bit of news from the beginning.

Who doesn't love getting their picture taken? There was also a photo booth.  It was a higher tech version than the ones you've seen before at parties.  You had the option to instantly view your photos, pick a filter (b/w, color, sepia, etc), and add effects.  You could email it, post on Facebook, print it out or a combination of any of the above.  As Jeff and I were approaching the photo booth, I asked this couple if they were in line to get their picture taken and they said yes.  I wanted Jeff and I to go next and walked right up to the couple and stood directly behind them - in between the man and the woman.  The woman then turned towards me and asked if I'd get out of their picture.  WHAT!?!?!  I had no idea that where they were standing was where you got the picture taken.  Oh my!  I giggled an apology and quickly moved to the side.  The couple gets their picture taken and moves towards the screen to finalize it when they decide they want a retake.  I didn't know that they weren't happy with their picture (it looked great to me!) and I had already moved front and center to the spot they had been standing in when posing for the camera.  Now the lady needs to ask me again to get out of her picture retake.  Oops!  I joked, "What, you don't want me in this shot either?"  Oh my!  What a fool I felt like. 

Jeff and I chose to get this in black and white.  Love this picture.

I am usually ready to leave any social event of any kind within 45 minutes of arriving.  It doesn't matter how much fun it looks like I am having,  I am ready to go and move on to the next thing.  This party had my attention and kept me entertained and engaged for three hours.  Hard to believe, but it did!  Jeff and I had a fabulous time.  I can honestly say I look forward to his next company holiday party.