When you look back at photos from Thanksgiving gatherings of the past through the lens of 2020, things that might have seemed charming suddenly appear horrifying. Such as: Everyone is sitting so close together!  Grandma and Grandpa are kissing everyone! Aunt Lorraine is drinking from everyone’s wine glass! And, why is the turkey so huge?    Whatever your version of a “traditional” holiday is, it might not be happening this year. Thanksgiving-ish might start new traditions. The pandemic is keeping apart many families and friends who would typically gather together. That might be painful, but there’s a good reason for it. Public health experts are warning that indoor get-togethers, particularly for the holidays, will be major drivers of a deadly spike in cases this fall and winter.  At CCE, we are taking a different approach. We’re slating, “We’ll miss our family and friends, but maybe this is going to allow us to create some new traditions.”  Let’s get creative! You can still get festive with Thanksgiving Day. Even if it’s just your immediate family (or your extended “Covid bubble.) Spend a little extra time decorating your house and add a few extra special touches to your table setting. Whether your decor is simple or elaborate, your everyone will definitely notice the extra mile you took. Here are few ideas to try: Add a fall wreath to your doors inside your home. This way you’re able to enjoy them all throughout the day! Add extra candles to the home that give off a cinnamon scent Tablescapes can be budget friendly  Start with a clean foundation by adding a table runner such as burlap or a simple white cloth Add assorted mini pumpkins and votives throughout the center of the table Add embellishments of sage and rosemary sprigs Stationery Have your local

When it comes to summer entertaining, I love to jazz up my bar cart with a mix of festive decorative items and of course, delicious cocktails!  Remember, first you eat & drink with your eyes! For my family and friends, I like for them to admire my bar cart as they lounge on the patio for happy hour. I am in love with my Z Gallerie bar cart. You can also find these beautiful carts at Target, William Sonoma, World Market and Wayfair. I always start with styling my cart by adding decor, and finish with adding the cocktails. The decor for me is just as important as the actual drinks! I am always a bit obsessed with all the fun decor details! I also like my decor to transition from daylight to evening. It’s simple with candles and/or twinkling lights. I found all of my candles and outdoor twinkling lights at Target. My finishing touches are always the glassware and garnishes for the cocktail! Since being in isolation, I’ve started to be adventurous with my cocktail recipes. Unlike my husband, I am not a skilled mixologist. I typically take the simple route and work with pre-mixed cocktails that I’ve found at World Market and William Sonoma..  However, my newest favorite cocktail to make at home is a Lemon Drop Martini. I use the fresh lemons from my Meyer lemon tree, Tito’s Vodka (because it’s gluten-free), triple sec, and simple syrup. It’s festive and refreshing, especially with a garnish of a lemon wheel! If you don’t have a bar cart, no worries; any small cocktail table will work just as well! Happy Quarantine Hosting!

From quaran-tinis to frosé, to icy margs and tropical mixed cocktails/mocktails there’s something for every mood! Whether there’s 2 or 10 people, summer happy hour is here to stay, in the safety of our own homes! All of our lifestyles have changed due to the world-wide pandemic. However, we should still be celebrating life! A simple fun cocktail or mocktail during Happy Hours, Thirsty Thursday or Sunday Funday can help keep our spirits up high! I like to use the freshest ingredients for my summer cocktails. Anything from fresh mint leaves or rosemary sprigs to muddled strawberries and citrus zest. Pretty much anything fresh will help jazz up your beverages! There are only so many weekends for our Chicago summer months and yet so many fun cocktails! I suggest making a bucket list! Here are a few of my favorites: Rosemary Gin Fizz Classic Strawberry Daiquiri Rum Sunset Rainbow Sangria  Mimosa Margaritas (Why choose between the two?) Frozen Dark & Stormy Black Berry Mojito Layered Lemonade Drops (Don’t be fooled by it’s cuteness, it’s potent!) Sweet Tea Sangria Strawberry Frosé (I have a crush on this one!)   If you are interested in one of the drinks above, please send me an email for the recipe. Cheers and Happy Summer!

I love that we set aside a whole day to honor and celebrate the women who raised us. My mom is an amazing mother who dedicated her life to me and my sister.  She is selfless yet strong- and the most beautiful woman I know. Mother’s Day holds a special place in my own heart because of my own two daughters who made me a mom.  Every year as Mother’s Day gets close, I get a little nostalgic about my girls and how much celebrating them in the day-to-day means to me. Especially during these self-isolation days. I wanted to share this note to all moms, encouraging you to fully appreciate the season you’re in. Whether your child(s) are infant/toddler stage, teenager or adulthood, take the time that was handed to you by COVID-19. You are enough. I think at times all moms get this insecure feeling of “I’m not doing enough.”  As a working mom for years,  it was the hardest when my girls grab onto me as I’m walking out the door and say, “let’s go swimming, let’s play a game”. I would try to explain that I have to work just like they have to go to school. I also let them know what I’m doing at work that day—whether I was with a client or going to an event—and what time I’ll be home. Taking a few minutes to let them in on this other huge part of my life helped them understand and navigate through their day.  Taking the time. As a mom, sometimes I have to change my mindset and remind myself what’s important. I only have so many hours a day to spend with my daughters. During these isolation days I’ve learned to slow down (well, was forced) and it has allowed me

Quarantine Celebrations with Style! While you may not be able to throw the celebration you had planned, there’s no reason to skip the festivities altogether. CCE Ladies are working with local Barrington area businesses to bring interactive, experiential celebrations into local homes! We’re coordinating and safely bringing everything right to our client’s door including decor, catered meals, cute cocktails, personalized favors & stationery, outdoor signage, photographer, etc. For each party booked 5% of your proceeds would will be donated to Let It Be Us, to help fund the foster care program. Here are 5 easy (and trendy) at home celebration ideas: Create a “Happy Birthday” montage video with all your friends! Host a virtual birthday party on Zoom! Setup the background to something festive, grab your cocktail and a bit music! Bubbles! Deliver champagne to your friend’s doorstep to help them celebrate! Leave it with fun glassware! Send desserts or flowers to your special friend to help them celebrate! Decorate their yard with balloons and signs!   The CCE Ladies are here to help personalize your micro-mini party! We’ll start with designing an inspiration board, finding the chef that best meets your needs, and deliver & setup safely in your home! Remember to stay strong and positive! With Love – CCE Ladies              

Mexico? Europe? St. Thomas?  Belize? Where will your next milestone birthday take you? Christina Currie Events’ expertise will point you in the right direction AND take care of all the details. From invites to travel arrangements, itineraries and everything in between. So, you and your guests can relish in the accolades without worrying about a thing. Happy Birthday to you!  Destination celebrations should be elaborate and so is the planning process. CCE makes sure  to be with you every step of the way. The event journey begins with a consultation party at CCE’s office. We get to know our clients’ needs and likes to design a dreamy getaway. We make sure that everything is customized to your milestone affair. Personalized invitations get the party started for all guests! Upon arrival to your chosen location, imagine a birthday toast with a signature cocktail in hand, welcome bags with goodies delivered to your room, and many surprises in place that continue throughout the celebration. Fun filled games and local entertainment complimented by lavish dinners will have you and your guests laughing and dancing each night away! There’s no greater pleasure than seeing the birthday boy or girl and their closest friends and family jumping for joy, (inside and sometimes out). 🙂 We visit places abroad and tour accommodations all around ahead of time to understand the local culture and hospitality offered.  Let’s get our bags packed and celebrate! With style,  

  Food and libations are a big part of your big day, so make sure you prepare properly when planning the menu. Have a tasting event with your caterer or venue in advance to ensure that day of delivery is flawless and flavorful! In addition to you and your loved one, find a few close family members or friends to offer their advice. Not only does this provide more than one palette, but it is a fun outing for everyone involved! Before you begin, it might be helpful to the chef if you offer some direction on the type of meals or packages you’re interested in. Have an open mind when it comes to menus, because chefs are trained in flavor and food pairings. And, while creativity can be intimidating, it should be welcomed. Come hungry! Everyone knows food tastes best on an empty stomach. Leaving room for many courses can leave your body and mind satisfied. Also, consider the whole day when mapping out the menu, so that the same type of fare isn’t offered at cocktail hour and dinner. Always include options. Options should be an assortment of fare and include dietary restrictions. Do you have guests that have allergies, dietary preferences, or children? Providing everyone with their desirable meal is thoughtful and necessary for friends and family to have a great time. Don’t forget about drinks! Beverage choices can be just as important as the food when it comes to variety in order to be crowd pleasing.  Take notes and take pictures! Since there are always different courses and options, it can be difficult to remember all of the plates being passed around. Taste and presentation need to be in line with the tone of your affair. By being specific, you can ensure that the chef will

How fun! What a glamorous job! Is the New Year a slow time for you? Christina Currie and her team agree that the opportunity of planning milestone affairs for others is both glamourous and glorious, but many don’t know what it takes to orchestrate stylish and flawless events. The process requires us to adhere to extensive timelines, and be steadfast with our work. The pride we receive in delivering a successful end product is the result of many victories, defeats, and trials and tribulations along the way. And, there is no ‘off season’ when it comes to curating celebrations year round. We are here to give you the 4-1-1 on our event planning world, and an insider’s view on any misconceptions. When a client approaches us with a special occasion, CCE develops their timeline from the first meeting. Understanding their needs is a priority in executing a flawless celebration. Matching our couples with the right vendors will speak to their big day, and deliver exactly what it is they’re looking for. Coaching clients on day of details and offering guidance with personal decisions; (attire, bridal party disputes,etc.), gives event planners a whole new title. Juggling multiple projects at once is a strength of ours. CCE’s doors are never closed and our growth is a result of such diligence. A balancing act of answering countless emails, phone calls, and site visits gives our clients all the support they need. Changes, additions and questions continue to arise as each element comes into play. We must have patience and persistence when needing answers from vendor partners and clients alike. Being a middle man can be a challenge, but knowing the proper communication is key. Problem solving and alternative plans are essential when unexpected challenges arise from venues, clients, or mother nature. CCE’s goal

Location, location, location! Views overlooking la Piazza del Duomo were the most breathtaking backdrop for our couples’ Florence wedding. Guests sang and danced under the Tuscan sun to celebrate the romantic bride and groom and were treated to cultural surprises along the way. The personalized trip to Tuscany included private wine tours, a make-your-own pizza rehearsal dinner and welcome bags to help guests feel comfortable throughout their stay. The reusable welcome canvas’ contents, included local chocolates only found in Italy, breadsticks, mosquito spray, Advil, Tums and city maps. Simple and thoughtful gestures that went a long way. The gracious couple invited their 50 closest friends and family to Villa La Vedetta for the sophisticated affair. The elegant neo-renaissance hotel is home to a one-of-a kind panoramic terrace overlooking Florence, where you can almost touch the city centers’ historic domes and architecture. Fairytale-type gardens and Cypress trees that surround the property make for the perfect photo ops.  Watercolor inspired stationery was specifically designed for this wedding, helped set the tone for the picturesque setting. The soft colors and gentle patterns were cohesive with the event’s theme. Invitations, menus and escort cards replicated the classic Renaissance artwork, which Florence is known for. Guests were inspired by the beauty of the valley and all it’s compliments. The ceremony was held in front of the venue, and we couldn’t have ordered better weather as they exchanged vows among the estate’s lush gardens. Standing with a small and mighty bridal party of their select ‘bests’, the bride and groom were on cloud nine. For the reception, guests were ushered to the back of the Villa where they sat at a regal King’s table set on the balcony terrace overlooking the ancient city; a completely different vibe from the earlier nuptials. The elegant table settings of

Milestones and memories go hand in hand. And, Christina Currie Events had the pleasure of celebrating both at the close of 2019. Christina Currie Events, Inc. reached its fifteenth year in business this past year, and humbly recognized the many developments over the years with an elegant and sophisticated affair. Founder, Christina Currie also turned fifty years old in December. And, to help her celebrate her accomplishments; both personally and professionally, Christina was surrounded by close friends and family at the St. Jane Chicago Hotel.   The historic city landmark is home to an inviting ballroom, which set the tone for the joyous occasion. Shades of purple and pink spotlighted the event spaces as candles and hints of glitter accented the rooms. The evening included live music, performances, and dancing; all accompanied by fine libations and light fare. Decadent desserts were arranged on glamorous displays, and set the stage for the food displays. A tribute to her favorite snack, and Christina’s after hours treat (once completing a big event), was an epic nacho bar with all the fixings; a huge hit! Glittering cakes encircled on a small table alongside a classic cheese and charcuterie board were set up for all guests to enjoy. A highlight of the evening was a performance by Ameya Performing Arts, an Indian Fusion dance company founded by CCE’s very own Event Designer, Masumi Jadia. Speeches from her husband Ed and daughters Rachel and Ava were a sentimental and sweet touch to the fun-filled atmosphere. A playful, digitally enhanced photo booth, provided added extra flair to the evening. The celebration was a true representation of hard work and success, purely magnificent! Through extravagant destination affairs, expanding services, and life-long relationships with clientele and vendors, the past fifteen years have been quite an adventure for Currie. She is

Sweet or savory? Dark or light? How do you take your chocolate? The options are endless with the sweet treat that is a Valentine’s Day staple, and maybe that’s why we like it so much! Not only does flavor count, but CCE finds that presentation is key in offering the sensual sweet on the upcoming holiday. Show a loved one you care by gifting heart shaped boxes filled with varieties, or bake a homemade goodie that includes the aphrodisiac. Dating back to ancient Aztecs, chocolate has always been known to be a way to win a woman’s heart. Also good for heart health and cognitive functions, cocoa has many benefits.  Foiled candies are the most popular gift for a special someone, but consider other ways to incorporate it into date night. Fondue allows for dipping all kinds of foods into a waterfall of decadence, and makes for great entertainment too! As you can see, you don’t have to be a chocoholic to enjoy the wonderful world of chocolate this Valentine’s Day! CCE Ladies favorite chocolates are: Anna Shea Chocolates Anderson Candy Shop Venchi Chocolates With Style,