Grey Goose and UrbanDaddy Welcome the Summer Season with Summer Soirée Series

Host Mandy Kellog Rye of Waiting on Martha Welcomed Guests to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel for a Night of Cocktails, Mingling and Games...

On Thursday June 25, UrbanDaddy continued the Grey Goose Summer Soirée series in Atlanta at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Host Mandy Kellog Rye of Waiting on Martha welcomed Atlanta’s elite to a French-summer inspired evening with cocktails and backyard games.

Attendees were greeted with a choice of six refreshing citrus-infused cocktails provided by Grey Goose and bites provided by the Mandarin Oriental hotel.  Guests socialized and played life-sized chess and Jenga, while enjoying the Mandarin’s picturesque English Garden. DJ Pat O'Brien set the mood for the evening with chilled out electronic beats while guests ordered cocktails from bartenders and waitresses wearing French-inspired blue and white stripes. To enter for a chance to win a trip to France, guests were encouraged to create their own Summer Soirée videos at the GIF booths.

Continuing the series throughout the summer, UrbanDaddy is taking the event cross-country in four other markets for the Summer Soirée Campaign: Los Angeles (7/8), Washington, DC (7/14), Chicago (7/17) and New York City (8/5). These exclusive parties will be invite-only from the sites most socially, influential subscribers as well as influencers from each city. In addition, UrbanDaddy will also host the Ultimate Soirée Contest for four fans to visit Le Logis by highlighting their Summer Soirée in 5- 15 seconds using #SummerSoiree. For more information, visit: http://soiree.urbandaddy.com/ultimate-soiree.

Slideshow Photos by Ben Rose.

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PINK Limoncello & LIDESTRI SPIRITS' "Best In Show" Cocktails

PINK Limoncello

Photo by Jeremy Scott Photography

PINK Limoncello

Photo by Jeremy Scott Photography

PINK Limoncello

Photo by Jeremy Scott Photography

Continuing a trend established two years ago, LiDestri Spirits’ once again racked up an array of awards, touching every market, at the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America Convention & Exposition (WSWA) this April 2015. The annual event, now in its 72nd year, attracts wine and spirits distributors and importers from around the world who convene to find new products, develop new business, and hear about trends from leading experts. 

Leading this year’s awards was LiDestri’s mü, a coffeehouse-inspired creamy ready-to-drink cocktail. Having already established itself in 2013 with the prestigious “Hot. New. Now. Media Award.” and a Double Gold the following year, its Creamy Coco Cappuccino flavor took home a ‘Best of Show’ award in the premixed wine cocktail category as well as a Double Gold. Additionally, mü flavors Creamy Vanilla Latte and Espresso Macchiato landed Gold and Silver medals respectively. LiDestri’s Recipe 21 Premium Grape Flavored Vodka also made a strong showing at this year’s WSWA, earning a Double Gold on the first night of the convention. 

Continuing its winning streak, LiDestri’s Spicy Bloody Mary earned a Silver medal in the Wine Tasting Competition. The first ready-to-drink Bloody Mary product of its kind in the country, LiDestri’s Bloody Mary is a wine-based libation sold with alcohol in it, making it much more desirable and consumer-friendly than the traditional alcohol-free mixes currently available in the U.S. Finally, in the Spirits Tasting Competition, LiDestri’s Tuttobello, intensely flavorful aperitifs, saw Gold for its Amaretto and Silver for its Limoncello flavors.  

While not new to WSWA, LiDestri’s PINK Limoncello did take a new approach to showcasing the premier liqueur to attendees throughout the convention. Utilizing a type of interruptive marketing, word spread through out the WSWA about the unique PINK branded performances fueled by Atlanta-based personality, Mande Lauderdale. Spreading the message of ‘When Life Gives You Lemons, Drink PINK!’, Lauderdale interacted and engaged with attendees throughout the event, driving visitors to the PINK Limoncello suite to take park in fake weddings, a mock cat funeral and more. While pop-up performances were the talk of the event, PINK also took home a Silver this year and was one of seven competitors in this year’s Call For Cocktails competition.

“With the constant influx of unique brands at WSWA we needed a way for PINK to standout that was reflective of our culture," says LiDestri Spirits Chief Marketing Officer Stefani LiDestri.  “This new form of marketing not only achieved that, but hints towards what you can expect from LiDestri Spirits in the future."

Hand-crafting the finest spirits with a sense of family pride, LiDestri’s Bloody Mary can be found throughout New York and Florida and Recipe 21 is available in New York and New Jersey. LiDestri’s Pink Limoncello is available in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Missouri, Florida and Georgia, and mü is now available in New York, Georgia and Florida.   

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Celeb-Inspired Mother's Day Gifts

Celebs have it all, from the top fashions to the best accessories, their closets and wardrobes are certainly enviable. This Mother’s Day get your mom a gift that’s inspired by celebrity fashion:

Jennifer Lopez’s Favorite Earrings

Jennifer Lopez is known for her bold style. She’s been photographed by the paparazzi in many different pieces by the jewelry designer Lana, but her favorite pieces, by far, are the Eclipse hoops. If the mother in your life is known for making bold fashion statements, get her a pair of earrings that really stand out. The Lana Large Eclipse earrings give the hoop style new life. The ultra-modern, ultra-chic standout style really wows. Each pair is made with 14-karat gold and the Eclipse hoops comes in two sizes, so you can pick a pair that best fits the size of your mother’s personality.

SJP Heels

If your mom can’t get enough of “Sex and the City” and she takes after Sarah Jessica Parker’s chic, quirky, feminine style, surprise her with a pair of sexy and sophisticated Manolo Blahnik-inspired heels. Parker’s collection SJP rolled out exclusively in Nordstrom stores in January 2014 in a partnership with George Malkemus, the president of Manolo Blahnik USA. Her designs are both ladylike and playful, from workday pumps and sexy strappy sandals to summertime wedges and comfy flats, so there’s no doubt you can find a shoe that fits your mom’s unique style.

Bethenny Frankel's Watch

TV host Bethenny Frankel’s watch collection is nothing short of stunning. Fashion mags have reported that her closet is stocked full of designer watches —that includes a few Michele Watches, too. In a world where technology has taken over and we all check out phones for the time, Michele Watches has endured this era by crafting time-tested timepieces that are both traditional and modern. Each Michele Watch is customizable from the watch case to the watch strap. Choose from stainless steel, rose gold or gold styles in sizes from 16mm to 20mm. The Serein, for example, features 134 hand-set diamonds in the case and on the dial. Other, less-extravagant pieces, like the Deco are great for mom’s who prefer a timepiece that is more subtle.

Plus, since the straps are interchangeable, each Mother’s Day you could give your mom a new leather or crocodile strap to match the hottest trend of the spring or summer season alongside a bouquet of beautiful flowers. The online flower delivery service, FTD, offers stunning bouquets of fresh flowers from spring tulips to elegant roses.

Amal Clooney’s Handbag

Since her marriage to George, Amal Clooney has been making headlines for her polished style and amazing accessories. There’s no exception that she’s one of the best dressed women in Hollywood right now. The human rights attorney perfectly mixes professional with modern by wearing accessories like the vintage-inspired Balenciaga De Lix handbag. When translated “De Lix” means “The Ten,” so there’s no doubt that this calfskin leather handbag is a standout. The De Lix features two carrying options, by hand or by shoulder, so it’s perfect for women on the go. Balenciaga is known for its unique hardware, but you won’t find any over-the-top hardware on this bag. The two-tone palladium and brushed gold features compliment the sleek, architectural style of the bag without distraction. If your mother is perfectly polished 24/7 and has a high-profile career, give her the gift of a well-designed, Italian made handbag this Mother’s Day.

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Sharing the Fragrant Light of YUTHICA Soy Wax Candles

I recently discovered Yuthica soy wax candles after publishing a post about hostess gifts. Well, now I want to feature this amazing lifestyle brand with you because they are pretty amazing! Yuthica candles are 100% soy wax, have a natural cotton wick and are some of the most incredibly fragrant candles I've ever had the pleasure of burning. They are quite elegant as well, from packaging to design. Yuthica candles come in a variety of rich scents so there is something for everyone, every season and every mood. I'm partial to the clean, fresh scent of grapefruit, so right now, my obsession is with their "Grapefruit + Bois" candle!

Yuthica also offers a spa collection that features fizzlers, bath salt scrubs and body butters to indulge yourself in moments of personal luxury and bliss. 

A portion of Yuthica sales are donated to the Nanhi Kali Education Fund in India. A wonderful way to "share the light" with young girls.

Visit Yuthica's website and happy shopping!!

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About: E. Vincent Martinez / fashionado / #teamfashionado

fashionado is an interactive fashion & lifestyle blog where readers can experience social soirees including fashion shows, boutique grand openings, fundraisers, product launches, and a myriad of other stylish special events. fashionado delivers a little bit of everything and a whole lot of fabulous! With the added bonus of video via fashionadoTV, we have become a sought after media outlet by brands, public relations firms and other agencies, having interviewed the likes of Trina Turk, Stephen Burrows, Candy Spelling, Jeffrey Kalinsky and Gladys Knight.

In 2010, fashionado was named Best Fashion Blog by the Atlanta Fashion Awards and E. Vincent Martinez was listed as one of the Top 100 Fashion Bloggers Worldwide by Sparkah, a marketing firm in NYC.

E. Vincent Martinez

E. Vincent Martinez / photo by Steffano Morte

As a former educator, “UrbanCouture,” “Feed the Models,” and “Doggies on the Catwalk” are all products of E. Vincent Martinez’s creative vision and energy as well as his dedication to giving his students unique learning opportunities. Born in Havana, Cuba, Martinez came to the United States 40+ years ago. He grew up in Miami where he remained to earn his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Barry University. Later he received a fellowship to spend two years at the Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina. He received his MFA in photography in Rochester, NY at Rochester Institute of Technology. After earning his teaching certification at Georgia State University, Martinez joined the Grady High School faculty in 2002 and was named Grady’s 2007 Teacher of the Year. In 2010, Martinez received the prestigious Atlanta Families Award for Excellence in Education, the district’s highest award.

E. Vincent Martinez has been named one of the best dressed Atlantans by the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Access Atlanta.

C O N T R I B U T O R S

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With over 18 years experience in the broadcast industry as videographer, editor,  producer, and technician, Gil Guillama has worked with Discovery Channel, HBO and Turner Broadcasting just to name a few. Gil brings his extensive production knowledge  along with sharp, broadcast technical skills and a creative eye to fashionadoTV and the fashionado team as a videographer and senior producer.

Nyssa Green is owner of The Green Room Agency for Image Development and  an  Emmy award winning makeup artist.  Her firm represents a host of talented  pros in  hair, makeup, and wardrobe that work in all aspects of media. With a  fierce mix of curiosity and tenacity she has become a top makeup artist,  industry  expert, and TV personality. As a reliable and creative source, clients like  MTV, BET,  HGTV, and CNN have trusted her to create looks for their shows. Her work has also  been in magazines like Vibe, Upscale, Real Simple, WWD,  and People. The  versatility of the entertainment industry has led her to work with  singers, athletes, actors and more, including: Bono, Jane Seymour, Alicia Keys,  Ne-Yo, U.S. Presidents, Akon, Real Housewives of Atlanta, Ryan Seacrest, and many, many more! In addition to running the agency, and working as an artist, Nyssa makes regular appearances on television to discuss, fashion, lifestyle, and beauty.

Tomas Espinoza of Tomas Espinoza Photography is a fashion, portraiture and lifestyle photographer residing in Atlanta. In addition to working on his own independent photographic projects from an artistic perspective, Tomas also works with the top modeling agencies in the nation. Tomas shoots for a range of private and commercial clients to include some of the top publicists in Atlanta. You can also see his work in Modern Luxury publications. For fashionado, Tomas is specifically working with E. Vincent Martinez on an ongoing series of personal style imagery making Tomas not only a regular contributor to fashionado.net but a valuable member of the team.

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Candy Spelling: Candy At Last Interview

E. Vincent Martinez and Candy Spelling

In May, I had the pleasure of sitting with Candy Spelling at Estate in Buckhead to chat about her new best selling book Candy At Last. She had been doing all the Atlanta media for nearly 24 hours and by the time we met, she was exhausted. But Candy is professional and all class so she hung in there while we discussed her incredible life with Aaron Spelling and her relationship with Tori. We also spoke about her Hollywood movie star encounters - such fabulous stories - and what life is like now that she's all grown up and on her own! Get your copy of Candy At Last here. You'll love it as much as I did!!!

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Behind-the-Scenes with Candy Spelling at Estate

E. Vincent Martinez & Candy Spelling

I couldn't imagine a better location to interview Candy Spelling than at Estate. And after interviewing at so many TV news stations, she couldn't agree more. Candy Spelling and her bestie Alicia walked into Estate and felt at home. [So a big loving shout out to my friend Tony Conway and A Legendary Event for the love and the space!] Candy and her friend were relaxed, comfortable and enjoyed the Mitchell Gold furnishings, style and decor. They were especially impressed to learn that Bill Lowe Gallery changes the artwork out every season, which keeps the "feel" of Estate fresh.

So what else happened on and off camera?? 

E. Vincent Martinez

This was pre-interview. Demi Styles snapped the photo. I was trying to contain my excitement by distracting myself on Twitter. Candy was in the dressing room with Nyssa Green of the Green Room Agency getting her hair and makeup ready.

Cameraman Gil Guillama was getting us ready.

"Candy, may I get a sound check please," he said. Funny thing was that while we had the interior of Estate to ourselves, the landscapers reigned outdoors. Guess what, the loudest John Deere was mowing away right outside our window! Not to worry, Amy, Estates super fab manager took care of that! "Quiet on set. Action!"

I began the interview by letting Candy know just how much I enjoyed her book, Candy At Last. I read it in only three days! I was enthralled by her stories about her adventures with Hollywood celebrities. The greats! We spoke briefly about her daughter, Tori Spelling… "Everyone wants to ask me about Tori," she pointed out before the interview, so I decided to respect Candy's privacy and not dwell or pry. Just a mention. Besides, after thirty-eight incredible years of marriage with the legendary Aaron Spelling, Candy had so many other fascinating things to talk about. So we did.

And finally. I had to. I just had to... I whipped out a Sharpie and with a smile handed it to Candy... the inscription reads: "Vincent - Thanks for being so sweet! Warmest Regards." Signed Candy Spelling. Yup, no longer just Aaron's wife or Tori's mom. [It's] Candy At Last.

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