screen shot 2012-05-14 at 5.14.38 pm.png

Sensationally Shriftman

Lara’s Birthday Party Bash in NY

We love a great party, don’t you? Especially when it’s for one of our dearest friends, Lara Shriftman.

So what happens when three head-turningly stunning women get together to host a joint birthday party? Glamour sparks were bound fly as the coveted invitation to Lara Shriftman, our favorite entertaining hostess with the mostess and principal of PR firm Harrison & Shriftman, and her friends Rita Schrager and Leila Fazel hosted a birthday gathering in New York City. Manhattan may never be the same.

The hosts worked with their favorite design duo Anders Ruff to send out an invitation that was, clean, classic… with a bit of edge. The party site was hipster haven Double Seven, one of Shriftman’s favorite hotspots in New York City. The venue had almost everything to offer, leaving her minimal details to make the party swing. Details like the staff, glassware, DJ and an amazing room layout catered to the crowd who, knowing the hosts, were not surprised to arrive to the party environment that was cozy, comfy, and sexy.

screen shot 2012-05-14 at 5.15.17 pm.png

Did someone say cocktails? You bet. Naturally, a signature cocktail was available for guests when they arrived… the Grey Goose Le Fizz & Grey Goose Cherry Noir Midnight Highball cocktails flowed all evening.

Party Cocktail Recipes:

Grey Goose Le Fizz

1 part Grey Goose

½ part St Germain

½ part Fresh Lime Juice

Soda water

Garnish: lime twist

Glassware: Champagne

Recipe: In a shaker combine all ingredients, shake and strain into a champagne glass. Top with very cold soda water.

Grey Goose Cherry Noir Midnight Highball

Ingredients:

For 1:

1 ½ oz Grey Goose Cherry Noir

¾ oz M&R Sweet Vermouth

1 ½ oz Lemon Juice

¾ oz Simple syrup

Dash of Lavender Bitters

Bitter Lemon Soda for Topping

Garnish: Mint Leaves

Glassware: Highball

Recipe: Mix all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice, top with Bitter lemon soda and garnish.

screen shot 2012-05-14 at 5.54.09 pm.png

Was there bottle service at the party? Indeed, because it always helps make the party flow so smoothly. A bottle of GREY GOOSE, a bottle of run, mixers, and a pitcher of ice, surrounded by glasses appaered to the crowd’s delight creating a chic,self-service scenario that suited the evening perfectly.

Let them eat cake. A three-tiered custom made Crumbs cake was the icing on the event. The clever one-layer-for-each-hostess idea was in play with Lara choosing vanilla, Rita decided on chocolate and Leila loved her red velvet layer. The cake was made in the same colors of the invite; white, black and red. Details, details, details.

What is a party without great music? First, a great DJ is a must. DJ Sara Morales kept the evening humming with her amazing playlist, while the oldies playlist was Shriftman’s favorite. Disco inferno on the dance floor is what we’d call it.

screen shot 2012-05-14 at 5.15.29 pm.png

Some of the guests were surprised to learn there were no gift bags, a first for Lara in all her years of entertaining. The party was an antithesis of a Lara Shriftman party, really, with no bells and whistles. It was just good friends, great music and great drinks!. Guests are typically accustomed to Shriftman’s over-the-top themed parties such as her "Barbie and Ken" birthday bash that she and British It-girl Tamara Beckwith hosted, or when actress Lara Flynn Boyle & Shriftman teamed up to bring back Old Hollywood at their dual birthday bash awhile back, or when Shriftman and Chris Heinz' "Pimps and Ho's" birthday party happened when Jim Carrey was running for president.

Nope, not here. Not this time. This party was different and memorable in an unfamiliar way giving guests a memorable time feting three of their favorite gals about town. We look forward to next year’s party because Shriftman, will no doubt, outdo herself again.