Attention, sports fans!

When one of our favorite It! Girls called upon It! Weddings & Events to create a fun and fabulous bar mitzvah to celebrate her son's rite of passage, we imagined everything from personal appearances by the Miami Dolphins cheerleaders to a laser-lit driving range for the young sports fans.

But a more tasteful kiddush luncheon affair was in order for friends and family. This fun video montage by LaFrance Films helped share young Andrew's sense of humor (and athletic prowess) while guests enjoyed an elegant three-course luncheon at Pistache French Bistro in West Palm Beach.

To create the montage, we put our heads together to collect the greatest moments in sports history. Photographer Alexi Sheilds captured Andrew's expressive images, and Michael LaFrance brought it all together, compiling video with the edited images and a fist-pumping soundtrack.

Andrew's Video Montage from Michael LaFrance on Vimeo.

It! Inspiration: Giving Thanks in Style

The Thanksgiving holiday reminds us to pause and recount all of the good things in life, to give thanks for these blessings and all of the special people who're special to us.

It's also a great time to set the kind of table that will keep your family (even your mother-in-law!) gabbing about your great taste throughout the holiday season! After all, who wouldn't be thankful for a few well-placed compliments? Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Gobble gobble.

xoxo
The It! Girls

Organic centerpieces from Bear Flag Farm; Cornucopia inspired centerpiece with sunflowers, gourds, and other fall vegetables from Better Homes and Gardens; "Flocking Together" Thanksgiving table setting from Martha Stewart; Autumn Harvest centerpiece with a variety of small gourds, squash, cones, and pods from Country Living; A healthy side dish of dried fruit and toasted nut stuffing from Whole Living

Save the Date: Dec. 3, Festival of Trees Gala Opening!

One of our favorite Palm Beach events each year is the Festival of Trees to benefit Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens. With more than 30 designer Christmas trees, Christmas carolers, a holiday boutique and more, it is just what we need to get us in the holiday spirit here in balmy South Florida — the delicious noshes and open bar during the Gala Opening doesn't hurt, either!

Festival of Trees kicks off with its annual Gala Opening on Friday, Dec. 3, and benefits the garden's Community Enrichment Program, designed to provide cultural opportunities to all populations through innovative programming incorporating the visual arts, environmental awareness and interpretive history of Ann Weaver Norton.

Chaired by Karyn Lamb and Mieke Van Waveren, Decorator Chair Joseph Pubillones and Honorary Chair David Miller, committee members include Robin Azqueta, Diana Bell, Jeff Blakely, Jonathan Cameron-Hayes, ,Joanne Colt, Chrissy Colton, Millie Dayton, Aime Dunstan, Jenny Garrigues, Amy Guerrieri, Austin Hancock, Margaret Horgan, Karyn Janssen, Kelly Kirkpatrick, Brian Kirkpatrick, Dana Krentschmar, Heléné Lorentzen, Denise McCann, David Miller, Tara Nicoletti, Eileen and John Otto, Joseph Pubillones, Analisa Ramos-Estaban, Chad Renfro, Jennifer Rodriguez, True Rodriguez, Ashley and Michael Ramos, Denise Silverman, Sandy Singer, Tracy Smith, Linda Soper, Diana Speight, Tricia Taylor and Emmy Wolbach.

The Gala Opening will Feature GREY GOOSE Vodka by Bacardi U.S.A. Inc. and fine foods by Rock Star Catering Company, Marky Caviar, The Breakers Palm Beach, Whole Food Markets, Sushi Jo and Opici Wines Company of Florida. Other sponsors include Gentlemen of the Garden, KOOL 105.5 FM, Palm Beach Illustrated, The Palm Beach Post, Imishmailmerritt Photography, Tree Towne Christmas Trees and House of Lavande.

West Boca Raton High School Choir, Palm Beach Atlantic University’s Stringendo School For Strings, BAK Middle School of the Arts Chorus, the Florida Classical Ballet Theatre and Palm Beach Atlantic University’s “Brass 5” are set to perform.

Family and friends of all ages are invited to the gala, with tickets available for $200 for adults (ANSG members $125) and $25 per child. Gentlemen of the Garden will present Community Days with $15 admission (children $5) Dec. 4 and 5 and Dec. 8-12.

For more information on Festival of Trees or the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, call (561) 832-5328 or email annnorton@ansg.org. To view the latest schedule of events at the garden, please visit www.ansg.org.

The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, Inc. is a recognized 501(c)3 operating foundation established in 1977 by the prominent sculptor Ann Weaver Norton (1905-1982). The gardens are conveniently located at 253 Barcelona Road, at the corner of Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach, FL. The rare palm and sculpture gardens, exhibition galleries and artist studio are currently open Wednesday-Sunday. 11- 4 p.m.

Back Yard as Ballroom

House too small for a hundred houseguests? No great room, formal dining room or even elbow room? No problem! Take the party outside and make al fresco memories.
For an afternoon Sip 'n' See in honor of Juliana Elizabeth, our youngest It! Girl, we set round tables in the garden with folding chairs and rustic burlap linens. To enhance Mother Nature's verdant backdrop, we tied fresh jasmine to mauve napkins, and planted budding carnations in mason jars trimmed with twine (guests were invited to take them home to plant in their own gardens). Lanterns were lined with family photos, and piles of miniature lady apples kept the organic feel going.
On the patio, glass vessels filled with gala apples, bosc pears and black mission figs complemented a simple menu of crudites, charcuterie and artisinal cheeses. Mini cupcakes by The Sugar Monkey — chocolate-peanut butter, pumpkin spice and vanilla — invited guests to nibble. Champagne punch, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir rounded out the beverage selections (plus sodas and juices for the kiddos!).
But don't take our word for it: Check out these lovely photos by LILA PHOTO!

Devil's Night draws 500 for annual costume bash!

Body paint, prosthetic chest hair and larger-than-life candy dots were key costuming elements among the 500 revelers crowding Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens on Oct. 29.

Hosted by Gentlemen of the Gardens, Devil’s Night is one of the biggest and best-attended events to benefit the landmark property. And despite a $50 ticket price increase (guests paid $150-$300 each to attend), this year’s event broke all previous records, raising $50,000.

“It is the GOG's most successful event and Devil's Night to date,” said event co-chair Dack Patriarca.

Guests included honorary chairman Todd Herbst and wife Brandie, chairmen Kevin Clark and Dack Patriarca, Ladies Committee co-chairs Hilary Jordan and yours truly, plus Gentlemen of the Garden president Jonathan Cameron-Hayes, committee members Loy Anderson, Ryan Bridger, Christopher Dunstan and Jay Holmes.

Bobby Leidy took first place in the costume contest, winning a two-night stay at Sunset Key Cottages in Key West for his interpretation of Richard Simmons. “Avatar” Kirsten Braden nabbed second place and a two-day Porsche rental from Chariots of Palm Beach, and Kelly Murray’s vintage Barbie costume landed her a spa package at Jupiter Beach Resort.

Live music from the newly reinvented Big Bang Radio, along with free-flowing Ketel One Vodka cocktails, multiple open bars and ice luges, and food stations from Grease Burger Bar, Rocco’s Tacos, City Cellar and City Oyster kept the crowd entertained. Later, Pistache French Bistro served up bite-sized desserts, and the party continued at Monarchy Nightclub in downtown West Palm Beach.

Devil’s Night sponsors include the Big Time Restaurant Group (Rocco’s Tacos, Grease Burger Bar, City Cellar and City Oyster & Sushi Bar), Stephanie and Lamont Harris, Chariots of Palm Beach, Downtown at the Gardens, Monarchy, Monster Energy, Mario Nievera Design Inc., Palm Beach Medical, Pistache French Bistro, VIP – Very Important Paws, Hy-Lite Productions Inc., United Rentals, Dunstan Designs, It! Weddings & Events and Mac Fabrics.

For more information on upcoming events and exhibitions at Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, log on to www.ansg.org or call (561) 832-5328.