You wouldn’t have known it, but we had just tasted Macallan 10 year Fine Oak as well as 18 year Sherry Oak and they may have very well been a source of inspiration. I put together a tasting thanks to Macallan’s PR company in Manhattan and invited some friends and bloggers (some of whom couldn’t make it but mostly everyone on Blogger Prom Committee were invited) to partake in the joy that is single-malt scotch. But I was glad Caroline on Crack, H.C. of LA OC Foodie, Julie Wolfson of LAist and Maya of ShopEatSleep were able to be there. The tasting was a really enjoyable and even educational experience.
But we weren’t done yet. We left The Viceroy for the Phoenix-based La Grande Orange, which coincidentally was having its soft opening the very same night across the street at their Santa Monica mainstay.
My non-blogging friends went home and fellow bloggers (plus captainsean) and I had decided to stay. We were waiting for our 6-person table while giddy on fine spirit. The topic of high school, formals and ultimately prom came up and how important that rite of passage was – at the time – for us. Well, and how silly it seems now that we look back. The truth is, I had never been to prom. As far as formals, I had been to one homecoming in high school. What a geeky time in my life – which I am sure is what most say. I had limited interaction with my peers outside of school due to overprotective parents. Recollecting on that, I remarked how fun it would be to do it over again the way we wanted with “just us nerdy bloggers.”
I continued in my comic relief: We’d dress up in sea green and salmon cummerbunds, matching dresses, corsages, boutonnières and dyed-to-match satin shoes. We’d take funny prom photos, complete with guy standing behind girl and hands clasped in front. Braces showing and bangs sprayed to stand straight up. We all laughed at the idea. Exactly how much fun would that be?! Silly bloggers!
Or not.
Or yes.
Wait. Hold on a minute…
Just us blogging geeks? With our PR contacts?
*Cough* It would be stupid not to do this.
While we were seated and subsequently satisfied by food that was actually decent for a resto’s opening day, the idea would not leave my subconscious. My conscience. The next day, Caroline and I conversed via Twitter DM and text messaging.
Me: “No, really. We should totally do Blogger Prom.”
Caroline: “Totally. Let’s chat later.”
Me: “Yes.”
Yes!
And there it was. Because Caroline had had her Blogiversary party at Bar Lubitsch and is tiiight with Jared, the owner, naturally we were inclined to have it at a place whose owner we were familiar with. And then an opportunity presented itself.
The very next Friday, I had done an open call for a recommended happy hour in West Hollywood over Twitter. My Tweeples (yes, I did) didn’t disappoint – and I went with Maya’s suggestion of happy hour at RH on the bottom floor of the Andaz Hotel, formerly the Riot House. After a bad experience, I complained and recommended against said happy hour to my followers on Twitter. The next Monday, there was an email in my inbox expressing a desire to rectify my experience by the Andaz rep. So we scheduled a weekday lunch since I work nearby and brought my coworker and girlfriend C since she was also at that *meh* happy hour. Long story short, at the end of our meal I told Andaz’s rep about the Blogger Prom Caroline and I were going to put together and offered the positive PR opportunity to give out a couple free room stays as raffle prizes.
After a bit of back-and-forth, Andaz offered the entire rooftop space as well as RH catering in exchange of the honor of hosting our event there. We were floored, so to speak.
Members of the Blogger Prom Committee and others who caught wind have wondered why this wasn’t done sooner. We all have our contacts – why not freakin’ pool them, baby? DUH. From the food, to the pool deck view, to the furniture set-up, a DJ who came to us and offered his what-turned-out-to-be extraordinary services (wut wut, DJ Wmdeez), to the extraordinary plethora of sponsors from which to pick, choose and refuse the goodie bag items we wanted and didn’t want … nothing here was left up to chance. Luck, maybe – but it’s an amazing thing to have to say no to sponsors (complete list) because there isn’t enough time in the night to dedicate to all of them! Oh, and by the way – do you have 200 of something to offer everyone?
Marni was our tickets hookup, H.C. and Caroline hooked it up with blinged-out gift certificates, Tara was our big-time corporate and sweets hook-up, Maya hooked it up with the most slippery goodie bag item of all, Lindsay and Caroline were organizational wizards, H.C. was our in-house graphics designer and Natalie was our in-house mixology expert. We had every corner hooked up and I cannot take for granted that this idea just took off on its own – there was nothing short of an incredible motley of talent I am so honored to have been a part of.
In the end, it was all about the bloggers. To this effect came our no signage policy. Everyone hates a blog color scheme that makes your eyes bleed or is inundated with ads; we designed Blogger Prom in the same vein. It’s all about content, baby – and your prom outfits made for the best décor and expressed your personal style. Or, what that would be if it were 20-years-ago…today? I wore a sleeveless purple velvet and gold number with long sleeves (apparently it IS possible to be sleeveless and sleeve…full at the same time). Okay, first of all, I didn’t know if I wanted to serve pancakes more or put on ice skates. And geez was that dress hot!! I was sweating bullets.
And I heard RH did an awesome job with the food. If I wanted to do a food post here, I wouldn’t be able to since I was running around and escorting Pauly Shore to the mic to announce The Comedy Store’s raffle prize, announcing raffle prizes myself or checking people in. But adding to RH’s magic were Barrie Lynn of Cheese Impresario’s demonstrations, mini Polkatots cupcakes and dipped-on-a-stick Pure Cheesecakes. Verizon even gave us a computer lab and gave away a MiFi via a Twitter contest! Imagine that.
And we can’t forget Natalie’s signature cocktails, the Flor de Maria with Rosangel Tequila and Prom Punch Jungle Juice with Pinky Vodka. They were absolutely delicious and on-theme. And thanks to Martin Miller, Newcastle and Fresh & Easy for providing top-notch gin, brown ale and wino. And we couldn’t have a prom without an official photographer!! Special shout out goes to Claire Barrett, who shot some amazing photos all night. Also to the rep(s) at Andaz West Hollywood – we were in contact a gabillion times the past two months to make sure things were coordinated with the fabulous venue.
The goodie bag? Would it be bashful of me to say that I don’t remember a better blogger goodie bag , ever? My favorite items were the mini bottles of Pinky Vodka and Martin Miller’s Gin, plus a free pass to The Viper Room, a bottle of Pepsi Natural, a Pinkberry parfait coupon (tip: they expire soon, everyone – so use them soon!), and the box of 4 Charles’ Chocolates. I can’t wait to wear my Born to Blog tee with pride!
It was so good to meet the faces behind the blogs and see old friends. And like other prom committee members, I do wish I got to meet more bloggers. Many more bloggers! While a rewarding experience to have conceived and executed an event – I’m almost content to leave all the attendees reap the rewards. Almost!! This event is no joke any longer…it’s for serious.
Can’t wait til next year (well, maybe a little)…
For now, I’ll leave you with the recaps (and please do comment if I’ve unintentionally left you out). 
Also remember to check out the Blogger Prom Flickr Pool! Join if you haven’t already – pics are still coming in daily. All photos in this post except top credited to Claire Barrett.
15 Comments
Hey, I’ll be shameless and say it — it’s the best goody bag put together; full of products and coupons to things I actually would use and buy!
I was thrilled to be a part of this crazy ride! Can’t wait for the sequel — and I’m sure it’ll surpass the “sophomore album” expectations
You guys did an excellent job. Thanks for letting me be a part of it.
It may have started as a joke, but that was a serious event. I’m glad you pulled through and held the event.
Thanks for letting us be a part of it!
Nicely done! I appreciated reading about how the whole event came together.
@H.C. – I know, I can’t believe how good the goodie bag turned out. (Shoot – just remembered I forgot to put the Pinkberry coupon in my purse.) I had such a good time “working” with everyone…lots of giddiness to go around!
@will – Well thank you and Ms. Slackmistress for coming out – we were honored to have you there!
So glad to hear you had a good time…
@m@ – Hee hee thanks for noticing we were definitely serious (about stuff like dress code) !!
Totally worth it. Loved all the outfits.
Pinky Vodka – And thank you for your generous sponsorship! The Prom Punch was such a hit!
@kevinEats – Thanks, Kevin! I must say I was so impressed with your post turnaround. I’m in awe – I think you were “breaking.”
I have to admit I did pre-blog some of the boilerplate material. It worked didn’t it?
@kevinEats – Dang!! That’s wonderfully hardcore!!
You guys did such a great job! Looking forward to next years! Loved your outfit by the way.
@Nanciful – Well thank you kindly and doubly missy.
I said it before and I’ll say it again: What fab tights those were!!
Thanks so much for taking a seed of an idea to fruition as an awesome event! My date and I totally enjoyed it. Also, feel free to include my review:
http://www.southbayfoodies.com/2009/07/23/blogger-prom-takes-the-cheese-cake/
Thanks!
um so sad i couldn’t make it this year. love the recap and the pictures, looks amazing.
@Michael – Well thank you two so much for coming.
Glad you had a great time, and of course I will add you to my list! LOVE that your post is a food review (and that the food itself was to your liking) – I read it and tried to imagine as though I had eaten some myself!
@katelin – I know.
You had a higher calling at BlogHer; I know you had fun with that! Next time, for sure.
Blogger Prom was awesome!! You guys all did an amazing job of coordinating the entire thing. I was wondering how it all began and had a feeling alcohol was involved
Kinda bummed I didn’t get a t-shirt (and some other things) in my swag bag, but that’s okay, it was a great experience and what I did get, I love!!
You guys totally rock!
@Katy – Thank you so much and it’s funny the story confirmed your suspicions on how it all came about.
Sorry you didn’t get a tee! Glad you came and had a good time…can’t wait to see/meet you next time!!
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