Can It!!

The jesGORDON team attended the Vipp 70th Anniversary Charity Auction to support DIFFA and the Vipp can that Jes herself designed. Jes was in fabulous company with other Vipp designers like; Robert Verdi, Calvin Klein, Nigel Barker, Oscar de la Renta, and Yoko Ono. All of the proceeds from the auction go to Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) which Jes has been involved with and passionate about for years.

Jes and William pose while checking out the silent auction cans.

Everyone loved the can Jes designed. You can't tell in the photo but the can moves through a rotation of colors, great for film!

Always helping raise money for DIFFA, Jes won the Robert Verdi designed Vipp Bin.

Jes and Christine play with the colors on Jes' Vipp Bin.

Find out ways you can contribute to DIFFA and learn more about the custom Vipp Bins at www.diffa.org

Setting the Bar High

Yesterday we gave you a few tips from the book on how to set-up a home bar for your holiday party. Today I wanted to show you a few of my favorite classic, functional items from Crate and Barrel. Each of these items (and most things at C&B) are a good investment because they are staples for the home bar you will use for seasons to come!

With the Swoon Carafe form meets function. The shape is beautiful while allowing wine to breathe and pour easily. ($24.95)

This party beverage server is a great item to have behind the bar to chill beer, wine and mixers. It's also attractive enough to have your selection on display. Loop a bar towel through the handle so no one drips on their party clothes. (party beverage server, $69.95, bar mop dishtowels $8.95)

No one wants to be struggling with a cheap wine opener in the middle of the party. The rabbit wine opener has a sophisticated design and opens a wine bottle with two simple motions to let you keep the party going! ($59.95)

I love that stemless barware has become trendy. People are less likely to knock things over and spill; they really are the best bet when having a bar in your home. ($2.50 each)

All of these items can be found on Crate and Barrel's website (photos from website).

Home for The Holidays

One of the best things about the holidays is entertaining friends and family in your home. However, people often underestimate the amount of pre and post work that this requires. One area of prep-work Jes is often asked about is how to set-up your own home bar correctly for a party. How do you ensure you will have the correct amounts and varieties? What are some of the essential tools you should have on hand? These are all questions Jes answers in her book Party Like a Rock Star but, below are a few of the most key tips for you. These will take the headache out of the set-up but we can't promise to cure a hangover!

1. As a host you should be comfortable not offering the world of alcohols and confident in your edited selections. For a cocktail party, it makes sense to offer one signature cocktail, a few mixers like vodka and gin with juice or tonic, a couple of wine selections, a couple of beer choices, and a scotch or whiskey - that will definitely cover your bases. Be sure to display the selections for guests.

2. Essential Bar Tools:

- Corkscrew

- Ice Bucket

- Ice Scoop

- Cocktail Shaker/Strainer

- Colander

- Wine Bucket

- Wine Stoppers

- Decanters

- Garnishes

3. The most difficult question is often: how much do I buy? Basically, one bottle of wine should provide four to six glasses; for hard alcohol, you should have about twenty-two to twenty-five servings per liter. You usually multiply your guests by four - meaning if you have ten guests, you would have forty bottles of beer.

4. Where should you get the drinks for the party? One of Jes' favorite stores is Astor Wines in New York, they also have a website (www.astorwines.com). If you are buying in bulk, wine.com is a great resource or even your neighborhood Trader Joe's. Often, if you go to your local wine store or liquor retailer most will offer discounts on cases - even mixed cases. Also, if you go to a smaller store, you may have the opportunity to sample your selections first!

5. To add a fall/winter touch look into the seasonal beers that many brands offer. Blue Moon offers Harvest Moon, Buffalo Bills does Pumpkin Ale, and Sam Adams has Holiday Porter among others. These along with your regular selections will give your guests something to feel festive about.

Check out these and many more tips when Jes' home bar segment airs on BetterTV.

Making a Splash

Today Jes' book is being featured on LA Splash. They have a great holiday gift guide (for those who just can't wait) and they have decided to include Party Like a Rock Star! The book is in great company on the list and it really does make a perfect gift. What do you guys think?

LA Splash Gift Guide

Rock the Party that Rocks the Party

Who better to tell you how to rock a party than the one that makes the party?! Jes' fabulous tips for how to be the center of attention at your next bash were featured in this month's Cosmo. Also, look out for even more tips and tricks from Jes in next month's issue.

Busy week in NYC!

Team jesGORDON in NYC had a very busy week. It was one of those, “ wooh is it only Tuesday? It feels like Thursday or something!” On Tuesday, we were at the Lighthouse in Chelsea Piers, working for the Dow Live Earth Event. The shimmery blue fabric and tall cylinders with river rocks, sea glass, and blue LED lights created the illusion of being under water.

Celebrities like Pete Wentz, Jessica Biel and many others came to support the event!

http://www.icis.com/blogs/green-chemicals/2009/10/jessica-biel-and-stars-come-ou.html

http://newsroom.mtv.com/2009/10/13/pete-wentz-jessica-biel-water/

Velvet: The Fragrance Launch

This event took place at the Victoria’s Secret store on Lexington Avenue and was a launch for the new fragrance Velvet. Makeovers took place with the VS Makeup team, and a preview of the new Heidi Klum for VS Makeup holiday collection. Victoria’s Secret supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio appeared in a gorgeous sequin dress.

(Source: www.superiorpics.com)

But we must say, the center of the attention for this event was the CAKE! The gigantic Velvet fragrant bottle shaped cake (which had to be carried in by three burly men) created by the "Queen of Cakes" Sylvia Weinstock, took everyone's breath away.

We've created a vignette for the photo shoot!

Hot Off The Presses

Party Like A Rock Star has officially launched! We had a fabulous book launch/signing party in New York this past Wednesday. It was a down-home fun affair at The Hog Pit NYC with comfort food like fried pickles and mini BLTs. Press, friends and clients mingled while picking up their own copy of the book for Jes to sign.

Then on Thursday Jes visited the Union Square Barnes & Noble to take a look at the book on the shelves! So now that they are officially on the shelves go pick-up your copy and leave us some comments with your thoughts!

Tips and Treats! (No Tricks)

Halloween is fast approaching and Jes has some scarily-great tips in today's "Real Moms Guide" on SheKnows.com. Take a look at these great tips on how to jazz up your regular Halloween Celebration.

Real Moms Guide

There are also more great tips like this in Jes' book Party Like a Rock Star (www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, www.borders.com)