by Lance | Oct 2, 2023 | Culture, Blog
By Lance Avery Morgan Photography by Matthew Nieman
For those who have attended the wildly successful Austin City Limits Music Festival knows that the main attraction is the American Express Experience. So, just how does it work?
New this year, American Express is launching a new complimentary premium lounge for Platinum Card Members and Centurion Members plus their guest. The lounge, located to the right of the Amex Stage, allows card members and their guests to escape the crowds and enjoy drinks and light bites. The space is walk-in only with your card required for entry, and space is limited. Platinum Card Members may bring one guest and Centurion Members may bring up to three.
All attendees can shop the Depop pop-up featuring vintage and pre-loved accessories, located on the 1st floor of the Amex Experience.
The POAP (Proof of Attendance Protocol) returns. All guests can commemorate their ACL Fest by claiming a free digital collectible at the Amex Experience and unlock an exclusive offer.
On the second floor Card Members can take a break, enjoy elevated Amex Stage views and purchase a drink at the bar. Each Card Member (just show your Card or tap your Amex-linked wristband for entry) can bring up to two friends.
As always, there are plenty of benefits and perks for Amex Card Members at ACL that include:
Cashless Entrance: The Amex Cashless Entrances are located at the Barton Springs Road (Barton Springs West) entrance & the Lady Bird Lake entrance. All Card Members and their guests can enter.
Card Member Fast Lane at Merch Palace: Card Members can enjoy a dedicated fast lane at the merch palace – just tap your Amex-linked wristband to enter the fast lane.
Cashless Spend Credit- Link your ACL wristband to your Amex Card and receive a one-time $5 Spend Credit toward purchases made at the Festival.
So, what are you waiting for? See you at the ACL Amex Experience.
by Lance | Sep 26, 2023 | Blog
By Lance Avery Morgan Photography courtesy of Hive & Colony
Sure, you can go to Savile Row in London when you are there next. People do it all the time. Or, you can have the same experience here in Texas. Dallas, to be exact. Getting a custom suit made by Hive & Colony Clothiers is an experience that goes beyond the ordinary and delves deeply into the realms of craftsmanship, luxury, and personalized style. Here’s what it’s like to embark on this sartorial journey – and you will want to do it again and again like Rob Giardinelli and I soon thought as we both embarked on this creative process of having new tuxedos made.
First, the consultation.
The journey begins with a scheduled appointment at the Hive & Colony showroom, an elegant space that exudes timeless sophistication in Dallas’ NorthPark Center. The occasion for the new tuxedos was for the annual DIFFA Dallas gala where every iteration of black tie is seen in full regalia. If anyone has declared the Peacock Revolution over, then this event defies it. So, to match, and even, surpass the colorful expectations of attending DIFFA, Hive & Colony is the only place to go. As you step through the door, you are greeted by a knowledgeable and impeccably dressed customer service expert, who will be your guide throughout the process.
You’ll want to have a personal style assessment done to begin exploring all your choices. The customer service experts at Hive & Colony take the time to understand your personal style, preferences, and lifestyle. They ask questions about your prior and current fashion choices, the occasions you plan to wear the suit for, and the image you want to project while wearing it. After all, his consultation is crucial in ensuring that the final suit reflects your unique personality and requirements. As the Hive & Colony expert Pablo Mendez shared with us, “Whatever you want, however you want it…we can make it happen because we want you to feel as special as the occasion that the suit is for.”
Then, the real fun begins.
The fabric selection is like a trip to a fabrication candy store. Hive & Colony boasts an extensive selection of the finest fabrics from around the world. Here, you are presented with a curated collection of luxurious materials, including sumptuous wool, silk, and cashmere blends. Each fabric is a work of art in itself, and you’re encouraged to touch and feel the different textures and weights. The tailor provides expert advice to help you choose a fabric that complements your style and the purpose of the suit. Since the occasion we were shopping for was creative black tie, there were no boundaries to fabric selection, so I went with a sleek charcoal gray and Rob chose midnight blue. My guidepost in life is usually: What Would Cary Grant Wear?…and then I choose accordingly, as does Rob.
For custom measurement and fit, precision is paramount at Hive & Colony. The customer service expert takes a comprehensive set of measurements with a cool and futuristic 3D scanning method that Hive & Colony has developed, capturing every nuance of your body shape. They pay attention to details such as posture, shoulder slope, and arm length to ensure that the suit will fit you perfectly. These measurements are the foundation upon which your unique suit will be built. Plus, they are taken electronically with a computer program that Hive & Colony created, so it feels futuristic in a good way, to complement the good old-fashioned client servicing.
As you might expect, there are plenty of customization options at Hive & Colony.
To us, the really exciting part was customizing the suit. You have the opportunity to make a myriad of choices, including lapel style, button configuration, pocket styles, and vents. Whether you prefer a classic two-button suit with notch lapels or a more contemporary three-piece with peak lapels, the customer service representative guides you through the options, helping you create a suit that’s uniquely yours. With our classic tuxedos, they feel almost one-of-a-kind.
Beyond the exterior, the design details can be personalized in many ways…like the interior of your suit with options such as contrasting lining fabrics, monogramming, and even hidden pockets. These details add a touch of exclusivity and personality to your garment. Our favorite? A wildly cool print custom lining and matching pocket square. Talk about individualism.
Over the course of several fittings (about two to three, depending on how exacting you are), the skilled artisans at Hive & Colony meticulously craft your suit. The initial fitting allows you to see the suit in its early stages, ensuring that the fit and style align with your vision. Any necessary adjustments are made with expert precision, ensuring that the suit drapes perfectly on your body. And by perfect, we mean perfection.
The moment of truth arrives when you return for the final fitting for the final reveal.
The suit is unveiled in all its glory by Hive & Colony, impeccably pressed and ready to be worn. As you step into it, you feel the transformative power of bespoke tailoring – a suit that is not just clothing but is also a reflection of your personality and aspirations.
The tailoring tips you learn during the process are also invaluable. Before leaving, the tailor imparts valuable advice on how to care for your custom suit to maintain its pristine condition. They will also suggest coordinating accessories and shirts that they sell to complete the ensemble so that you feel like a billion dollars from head to toe.
We have found that owning a Hive & Colony custom suit or tuxedo is a privilege that extends beyond the initial experience. “We want to make sure our clothes we create for you are as special as the occasion for which you want it,” shares Pablo Mendez of Hive & Colony in Dallas. “It becomes a cherished part of your wardrobe, elevating your style and confidence on every occasion you wear it,” he continues.
So, getting a custom suit made by Hive & Colony Clothiers is not merely a transaction; it’s an immersive journey into the world of timeless elegance and self-expression. It’s a testament to their artistry, craftsmanship, and attention to detail that defines this renowned clothier, resulting in a suit that embodies your own unique identity and style. Run, don’t walk to Hive & Colony to create your favorite new suit now.
by Lance | Sep 14, 2023 | Blog
By Lance Avery Morgan Photography courtesy of Perini Steakhouse
Looking for the ultimate cowboy dining experience? Saddle up to the chuckwagon for a premium experience with Perini Ranch Steakhouse and help them celebrate 40 years of success of only-in-Texas cuisine.
Established in 1983, celebrating 40 years of success, and known for its authentic “cowboy cuisine,” the world-famous Perini Ranch Steakhouse began as a chuck wagon catering company founded by Tom Perini, who is still at the helm of the brand today. Located in the small West Texas town of Buffalo Gap, the destination restaurant sits on the ranch that has been in the Perini family since 1952.
We love that over the years, Perini Ranch has gained a worldwide following for its celebrated, “real Texas food” and authentic dining experience, complete with abundant Texas hospitality for all the ranch’s local and traveled guests. As a result, Perini Ranch Steakhouse received the coveted James Beard America’s Classics Award in 2014. The Perini Ranch brand has grown solely by word of mouth and continues to develop additional concepts to complement the steakhouse.
The legendary venue is also excited to announce the celebration of its 40th Anniversary with a lineup of celebratory moments, that began in May 2023. With several elements and pop-up events, The Perini Ranch Steakhouse will celebrate 40 years of “real Texas food.” Starting September 28th – October 28th, 2023, Lisa and Tom Perini will champion the anniversary events with a photo collection reflecting on the history of Buffalo Gap and celebrating the evolution of Perini Ranch Steakhouse curated by Michael Grauer and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Grauer has been a curator for 40 years, has written three books, and has contributed to numerous publications about the art and culture of the American West. This outdoor exhibit will be open to the public from September 28 to October 29. How cool is that?
Earlier this year, The Perinis kicked off the anniversary celebration with the launch of their new podcast, Meet Me At The Wagon. It also coincides with the launch of their fourth book, A Celebration of 40 Years, which celebrates the ranch and steak house’s rich history. The podcast, Meet Me At The Wagon, highlights the tradition and romance of West Central Texas. Tom Perini and legendary guests – including music superstar Reba McEntire, actor Rex Linn, celebrity chef Dean Fearing, and more – take listeners through the timeline of how Perini Ranch Steakhouse became what it is today, the impact of the beef and cattle industry on rural communities, and more firsthand commentary. The podcast is the perfect culmination of storytelling that brings Perini Ranch and the American West to life.
“It has been my honor to share my love of the American Cowboy, chuckwagon cooking, the beef industry, and Texas history with friends worldwide,” says Tom Perini. “It is a rare gift to take your passion and convert it into a career. The last four decades have been an amazing experience and Lisa and I look forward to continuing this adventure for years to come.”
So, what are you waiting for? Make your way to the festivities happening soon at Perini Ranch Steakhouse.
by Lance | Aug 17, 2023 | Parties, Blog
By Rob Giardinelli Photography by Jojo Korsh and Zach Hilty/BFA.com
THE SCENE: A picture-perfect summer night, at the base of Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen, was the recent setting that capped off an incredible week of art and fundraising. Over 500 of the world’s most notable art patrons, collectors, and philanthropists were on hand for the 18th annual ArtCrush Gala. The event was the grand finale of the third annual Aspen Art Week featured great food, fantastic conversation, and fabulous art.
THE VIBE: The black-tie crowd featured an elegant mix of black ensembles and bright colors, creating a fun, welcoming environment for all. Many chose to wear ensembles by Prada as a nod to one of the evening’s title sponsors who helped make the event happen. After patrons posed for photos on the red carpet, they proceeded to a lively cocktail hour where guests sipped on their favorite spirits while mingling with other guests.
The evening fun was mixed with some good-natured suspense with patrons keeping track of online auction items on their phones. The online auction featured an impressive lot of 60 items which included works by Korakrit Arunanondchai, Kerstin Brätsch, Naotaka Hiro, Roberto Lugo, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Cauleen Smith, and Lily Stockman, with the auction raising an impressive $1.8 million.
Revelers then headed to their seats for the evening’s main program. As partygoers dined on their multi-course meals, they were treated to words by organization and event leaders. Next came a spirited live auction, helmed by Quig Bruning from presenting sponsor Sotheby’s. Collectors bid on 10 different contemporary art pieces including works by Haas Brothers who were raised in Austin, Charles Gaines, Chase Hall, Peter Halley, Spencer Lewis, Liza Lou, Howardena Pindell, Otis Kwame Kye Quaicoe, and Carmen Herrera. The live auction also included a piece by Nairy Baghramian, who received the 2023 Aspen Award for Art, which coincided with her solo exhibition Jupon de Corps at the museum.
THE NON-PROFIT: ArtCrush 2023, co-chaired Jamie Tisch and Sara Zilkha, with Abigail Ross Goodman and Molly Epstein serving as auction chairs, raised over $3.8 million dollars for the Aspen Art Museum. ArtCrush 2023 was made possible because of its generous supporters including Steven Shane of Compass Real Estate, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, Tata Harper, and UOVO. The globally engaged, non-collecting museum featuring contemporary art has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 1979. Funds raised from this year’s ArtCrush will go towards funding the museum’s curation and education programs.
by Lance | Aug 16, 2023 | Browse, Style, Blog
In a special combined podcast of Success with Style and Fun In Fundraising, Lance Avery Morgan and Rob Giardinelli join in a conversation with Michael Harold and Quinn Peeper, the authors of the chic new book, Classical Shindig: Amateur Artistry from the Simple to the Sublime. This elevated, insider’s look at special occasion entertaining is chock full of ideas for your own hosting. You’ll come away with entertaining tips and tricks that even an amateur can execute.
We love the brand new, and very, very glamorous book, Classical Shindig: Amateur Artistry from the Simple to the Sublime. It should be on every coffee table or bookshelf once it debuts on August 29th, (available at ClassicalShindig.com, from Susan Schadt Press). It offers readers a captivating and unique exploration into the world of stylish entertaining that also includes music. Deftly authored by Michael Harold and Quinn Peeper, this book showcases the simple yet profound beauty of home entertaining, while shedding light on how to personalize your own hosting.
The book commences with a warm and engaging introduction by the authors, establishing their passion and desire to celebrate their extraordinary accomplishments of successful hosting. Their writing style strikes the perfect balance between informative and personable, making the book accessible to readers from all walks of life, whether they are seasoned hosts or novices to entertaining.
One of the standout aspects of Classical Shindig is the exceptional array of anecdotes and personal experiences shared by the authors. They show just how approachable entertaining can be. Of course, if you grew up wanting to entertain like they did, the sky’s the limit. “It’s not that difficult,” shares Michael Harold. “For instance, if we have somebody we’re entertaining, maybe somebody from out of town who has a special interest, let’s say a musician, then we’ll throw a party. We’ll say, ‘okay, it’s to celebrate Beethoven’ and we’ll all play Beethoven’s music on the piano, and we’ll have Austrian food.”
Their captivating stories provide an intimate glimpse into the lives of various moments of triumph of how they successfully entertain. Each anecdote reinforces the book’s central theme–that entertaining, at its core, is an art form meant to be embraced and practiced by anyone with a passion for it, regardless of their experience. However, unique themes help, and basing entertaining tips on worldly experiences can often help even more, too. “When I went to Oxford University, there was a wonderful professor there who used to give these fun house parties for the whole weekend,” enthuses Quinn Peeper. “There was studying involved, of course, but then he would always assign a play. It was usually by Noel Coward and guests were assigned roles. It was hilarious. It’s a great way to get to know other people that you haven’t met before. As time went on during the weekend, you end up being good friends, finding a lot of things in common you didn’t know you had.”
Harold and Peeper’s meticulous research is evident throughout the book, as they introduce readers to a diverse range of their plethora of party successes. Every narrative is woven together with care and appreciation for the events, both small and grand, that they have created. Their advice is as pristine as their parties. “I wouldn’t be intimidated. Look around and see what’s happening for ideas,” they both advise. “Is the theme a book? Is the theme a piece of music? Who are the friends? What do the friends have in common? What brought all these people together? Usually, we find a thread. Or, if you can’t find it that way, look outside. What is the season? If it’s autumn, you can include a beautiful red, brown, yellow, and orange palette. Or, if it’s spring, bring the outdoors in with blooming azaleas and other flowers. Before you know it, you’ve got your party covered with a theme.”
The book’s structure is well-organized, with each chapter focusing on a different aspect of their passion for hosting. Classical Shindig covers a broad spectrum of party ideas that the reader can replicate on their own. Additionally, the inclusion of beautiful illustrations and five-star photography further enhances the reading experience, providing readers with a multi-dimensional appreciation of the featured events with topics such as Seasonal Celebrations, Book Club Parties, Paying And Playing It Forward, and of course, the theme, Family And Friends.
The duo’s family functions take precedence in the book’s narrative. “What we have in common is that we came from families where we sat down at breakfast and dinner together. At the end of the day, it’s an exchange of ideas. It was a celebration of the every day,” the authors concur. Regarding themes, they agree by saying, “The selection of the event’s month it occurs is usually full of settings and possible things that could provide interesting menus. That always makes for a great dinner party. I think we have five or six selections that we used in the book for that. For non-profit organizations, if you entertain and volunteer to use your house, usually those organizations will have a theme that they’re working with.”
As the authors point out, entertaining isn’t only about hosting, as Michael Harold confides. “The Duchess of Windsor had some interesting quotes about this, and I agree,” he says. “I think the pressure and the stress is really on the guests because as she says, nobody has the right to come to a party and sit there like a piece of furniture. You know, if you accept a dinner invitation, you have a moral obligation to be amusing. So, with practice and over time, I think anybody can entertain and the pressure really is on the guests.”
With that in mind, we can all strive to be good hosts and good guests. Classical Shindig: Amateur Artistry from the Simple to the Sublime is a delightful and inspiring read for anyone passionate about upping their game as they hone their entertaining skills. Through engaging storytelling and a celebration of the human spirit, Michael Harold and Quinn Peeper succeed in illuminating the profound impact of the joy entertaining can bring to us all.
To listen to the Success With Style and Fun In Fundraising combo podcast featuring an insider’s look at Classical Shindig: Amateur Artistry from the Simple to the Sublime, visit Success with Style and Fun In Fundraising.
by Lance | Aug 3, 2023 | Parties, Austin, Blog
Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s A Celebration of Reading Raises Over $1.8 Million
By Rob Giardinelli Photography by Gary Fountain and Daniel Ortiz
THE SCENE: Houston’s Hobby Center for the Performing Arts was the recent setting for a magical evening that celebrated a milestone for one of the city’s most beloved organizations. The 29th annual A Celebration of Reading served a special purpose this year as it celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation. The event drew over a thousand of the city’s most notable sociables and philanthropists for an evening that honored the three things most important to the late First Lady and served as a theme for the evening – Faith, Family, and Friends.
THE VIBE: The cocktail-chic crowd began the evening mingling in the foyer of the venue where old friends reacquainted and new friendships were made. Patrons then proceeded to the main theatre inside the Hobby Center for the program. Upon entering the theatre, guests were wowed as they looked at the stage, which featured a replica of the living room inside George H.W. and Barbara Bush’s former residence.
Once patrons took to their seats, the festivities were kicked off with words from Neil and Maria Bush, son and daughter-in-law of Barbara Bush, which was followed by words from several other Bush family members. The evening then continued with conversations with several best-selling and acclaimed authors.
Featured authors included New York Times bestselling author Tess Gerritsen, Pulitzer-Prize-winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson, and Seven-time New York Times bestselling author Nelson DeMille. The festivities were capped off by Reverend Dr. Russell Jones Levenson Jr. who shared touching memories of President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush during each of their final moments of life.
THE NON-PROFIT: A Celebration of Reading, co-chaired Maria and Neil Bush, raised over $1.8 million for the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation. Proceeds raised from the event will benefit local programs via the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation as well as national programs through the Barbara Bush Foundation of Family Literacy
