X Marc's The DOT!
*Model image above is sampled from the AWESOME City Brewed and recofigured/reimagined via Violetteazura's creative photoshop.
Finally! A beauty related product party from Crowdtap!
*My Iphoto program is holding a slew of pics hostage. As soon as I figure it out they'll be up- sorry for the delay!Marc Jacobs DOT Eau de Parfum is a wonderfully tropical and dewy scent. Let Marc's DOT whisk you away. Bathe your senses in a butterfly gentle breeze graced with the juicy notes of Red Berries, Dragonfruit, Sweet Honeysuckle, Jasmine, Coconut Water, Orange Blossom, Creamy Vanilla, Driftwood and Sensual Musk!
Highly deserving of a chance to fit into your 2013 Spring and Summer wardrobe, check it and Marc Jacobs new Spring/Summer '13 line out during the Neiman Marcus 'Scent Event' going online through Sunday, May 5th!
When I was chosen by Crowdtap for the opportunity to help my friends discover one of Marc Jacob's latest parfum creations I was ecstatic! I knew instantly I would be hosting a real beauty of a CT party! I love hosting these CT get-togethers and I like to think that- even while on a shoestring budget -it's possible to make them something to remember! Hosting a cocktail party based on a parfum? Absolutely my kind of event! Instantly the planning ideas for this soiree kept me up at night. I was seeing DOTS in my dreams. My Pinterest addiction resurfaced. Eventually when out doing my day to day thing I subconsciously started counting the times that I saw polka dotted items or things that resembled. Running errands, lunch dates, at home and trying to relax, watching TV, baking, writing, working out... dot. dot. dot. DOTS. A part of my brain was OBSESSED with them and was having a heyday letting me know it. And while that might make you laugh- I know it still amuses me -what is funnier still is that I am NOT a polka dot person. As in, although I admit not quite as intensely as gingham, I actively dislike polka dots. I leave the dots to others to wear, to share, to paint here or there. Want to get on my good side? Don't try to garb or surround me in patterns comprised of little round spheres or checkered squares and we will get along nicely. As one could imagine this posed a problem. How could I promote the oh so lovely Marc Jacob's DOT perfume- which while dressed in dots- is definitely not on my list of "What not to wear!"? Usually I go all out on these CT things. I put together little outfits and add personal touches to my home that identify with the brand. I try to sport make-up, hair and nails inspired by my latest share/party CT theme for at least a week. But this time? When it came to what on earth I was going to be comfortable wearing to my own event I felt genuine panic! How could I host a polka dot cocktail party and not don the dot?
So how do you express and promote your love for Marc Jacobs DOT without polka dots? I am not ashamed to say that I meditated on the notion hoping to be struck with a stroke of non-speckled genius. No matter how much I banged away at its surface- The response that danced back at me remained stubbornly circular like a veritable whirling multitude of giant reverberating gongs chiming, "You ca-aaan't. You must give i-iiiin. Give in to the DOT-ot ot ot.". The week looming on the horizon was not going to be my idea of Zen.
And so I surrendered... Dot manicures, Dot wardrobe, Dot Pinterest board, Dot makeup looks etc.
It started with just one, one measly little and somewhat spherical spot on my body. You guessed it- the nail art! I told myself, "This isn't permanent.Nail polish can be removed at the end of the day.You can handle this.".Then the tiny seemingly insouciant things multiplied. They invaded my home and body like a StarTrek Replicator with a BORG agenda. "You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.". Now, if you know me- then you know wearing something that I don't care for is a recipe for my serenity's demise. Until I take whatever the offending party is off I will forever be picking at it, pulling at it, shifting and twisting, re-adjusting and otherwise fussing... ALL. DAY. LONG.
It's highly distracting- and not just to me. This would have continued to be justifiably horrendous unto myself- except that it turned out to be BRILLIANT. A wild cat master plan camouflaged in dotted disguise! Granted, polka dots are like tiny little round arrows that point and scream LOOK AT ME. But be that as it may- because of my not being able to stop messing with them? No way were people not going to not notice or refrain from saying something about the buggers. Thus giving me the perfect opportunity to discuss my reason for spotting up! I don't think I have ever spoken so frequently about a Crowdtap brand in my
life!
I may have developed a temporary fidgety twitch worthy of a Daria character's creation- but nearly everyone I came across heard about Marc and his DOT. And oh how it payed off! Recently (and it it came as no surprise to me) an associate of my fave beauty haunt expressed to me upon my last visit that I am believed to be personally responsible for said store (at that point anyway) being out of Marc DOT stock.
Anyhoo... on to the actual event-
The decor:
Dots, Dots and more dots. Dot bouquets. Dot cocktail glasses. Dot lights. Dots hanging from the ceiling. Dot raindrops and dot umbrellas... A box full of secret dot treasure/prizes and more!
The food:
The deliciously smoky Orange Blues-Som
1 part top shelf Silver Tequila
1 part Whipped Vodka
2 parts Blue Curacao
Pre-chilled and poured over ice then shaken.
Strain and fill each glass approximately 1/3 full then top with a mixture of 2 parts Half and Half to 1 part French Vanilla liquid coffee creamer. Stir gently and garnish with a white chocolate orange blossom- or a real one if you have them handy!
A Dotted Butterfly Island Cake- Dubbed so because it looked like a sand island ringed with Marc DOT butterflies!
(Jasmine Coconut Butter Almond White Velvet. Layered with Red Raspberry filling and Vanilla Jasmine Orange Blossom Cream Cheese filling. Frosted with Orange Honeysuckle Liqueur Vanilla Italian Buttercream. Topped with highly edible real white chocolate hand made decorations.
Sinfully riche homemade (with the best damn chocolate for home chocolate creations- Guittard) truffles. I figured- hey they would be round- that's dot like. Just go with me on this one.
Frangelico Kahlua
A mix of milk and dark chocolate creamy ganache flavored with Frangelico and Kahlua. Enrobed in dark chocolate and drizzled with white chocolate.
Chocolate Mint Irish Creme
A mix of soft mint white chocolate and dark chocolate creamy ganache flavoured with Chocolate Mint Baileys. Enrobed in dark chocolate and drizzled with soft mint white chocolate.
Since sweet tends to outpace the rest at most of my non meal oriented events- I went the easy-peasy route for a savory addition and served a variety of crackers and spreadable cheeses.
The activities:
Games (a DOT scented version of CAH, Who wore it best?A Polka dot garb contest, X Marc's the Dot Treasure Quest... etc.) were played, people laughed and shared perfume related mishaps, thanks to DOT and CT- everyone smelled unbelievably delicious (almost as delicious as the Butterfly Island cake) and attendees tweeted and FB posted their hearts out! Half of my guests went out and bought Marc DOT the following week. I am thrilled to hear that to date my friends are still talking about and wearing this one! Yay! I am happy to relate that this party was so successful that it made me want to throw another one the second it was over- albeit based on something slightly less dappled! haha.
Ahem. She takes a bow in the scintillating spotlights. Thank you Crowdtap and Marc Jacobs!
