Fill the Silence

I’ve noticed dinner parties/rooftop gatherings/patio meet-ups are quickly becoming more favorable than heading to nights out at bars for drinks and cocktails among friends. So naturally, we have to be nearing adulthood right?? Adulthood or not, I will say the conversation topics have shifted. Talk that surrounding pop culture and trips of nostalgia, has now become “Guess what I learned this week?” and “You’ll never believe this, but …” Maybe chalk it up to Buzzfeed with the endless lists of things you never knew about your favorite films, bands, TV shows, etc. Whatever it is, I walk away from these nights with new facts for trivia nights, perfect since that season is right around the corner.

During my daily blog run down, I came across Fill the Silence. It’s a fun Tumblr with random facts sure to spice up conversation at the next dinner table. There are only a few pages, so feel free to go back through the archives, you won’t get lost in a never-ending hole for the next 2 hours (like most Tumblrs). Two of my favorite findings below from the site.

Via A Cup of Jo

Nights in White Satin

Dîner en Blanc was everything and so much more than we imagined. After meeting at the Belmont stop with about 20 others, we took the train and headed to Monroe…which was when the guessing game began. Standing on State Street, we learn we’re heading to…..the Art Institute! Upon crossing Michigan Ave., we see we’re in the South Gardens, a place I often overlook when walking by the building.

It.Was.Amazing. We quickly set up our table, popped open wine and began our 2.5-hour dinner. Everyone got along swimmingly and Rich even found ways to sneak his French in to conversation, though he often got a “I literally have no idea what you’re saying” response.

When we finished our wine, Rich went to get another bottle (the site said they weren’t selling onsite, but they were). And what does he come back with? Hanna wine. Cue my glee.

Once we stuffed ourselves full of cheese, hummus, crackers and fruit, we made our way to the dance floor. And had ourselves quite the interpretative dance party until the wee hours of the night.

I must say, for something that was just so “sudden,” this event was fantastic. You were responsible for yourself and party and there wasn’t a “schedule” to the night. You went at your own pace. At first, I wasn’t a fan. I think Rich looked at me and said “Just calm down” at least 7 times in the first hour. But that was the beauty of this. Hundreds of people could come together and enjoy a civilized night without any barriers and rules.

We’re definitely hitting up the party again next year.

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It’s A Nice Day For A, White Dining

Thank the lord for social media. If it weren’t for CHIRP Radio‘s tweet early this week, I would have surely missed out on this. I wouldn’t have been in the kitchen on Wednesday night cooking up a storm. And I wouldn’t have been planning my day around “table and chair rental” releases.

Twenty-five years ago, Paris started Dîner en Blanc–a flash mob, white, dinner party. You bring it all. From food and dishware to tables and linens. All white. And you yourself are dressed head to toe in white. You sign up for a night of good friends, good food and good dancing at a city spot. Now, the organization boasts 24 international cities for this pop-up event. While Chicago had a similar event last year, this is the city’s first event in accordance with this group.

At 7 o’clock tonight, we’ll meet up with our “row” at a designated spot and begin the trek to an unknown location for this event. We’ll get to the destination, set up our eating area and wave our white napkins in the air for the event to begin.

New York City had their party a few days ago. And per this CNN video, 3,500 people made the list with 30,000 left on the wait list. It’s a party everyone wants a seat to.

The images speak for themselves (sparklers?!) and I for one, cannot wait. Heading over with some friends and even a long lost pal from Student Council Camp we both attended in Colorado during high school.

C’est bien!

Photos from Dîner en Blanc-New York, Paris and Montreal Facebook pages

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