Infusing grandeur into otherwise drab Mondays with five things/ideas/events for the week:

I.  If you follow me on social media, you know that I’ve finally been bitten by the ubiquitous entrepreneurial bug. After spending two years focusing on Table + Teaspoon law-firm free, I’ve figured out how to take the company to a more global level. Though I’m not at liberty to discuss details yet, I can say that I spent the last week meeting with potential suppliers at Chicago’s Merchandise Mart. The design mecca houses over 1,000 manufacturer showrooms featuring everything from elaborate carrara marble tiling to handwoven Scottish linens. My favorite vendor by far was Christopher Peacock. I appreciate the designer’s bold aesthetic (including this bubblegum pink dressing room, so bright you can surely see it from Mars). My layman’s takeaway from Mr. Peacock was to paint everything in high luster jewel tones and replace silver hardware with copper or brass. If only I had another room in my apartment in need of redesign…

II.  A week ago, if you asked me to recall my favorite Bloody Mary, I would have told you that it was any containing several generous splashes of Tabasco. Ask me today, and you’ll get a completely different answer: Bacon Bloody from a random Chicago hotel lobby bar. Yes, most of us have partaken in a cocktail with a stick of bacon replacing the straw. But this is entirely different. The bacon is actually pureed into the cocktail mix, which means that every single sip is infused with deliciously smoky fried pork fat flavor. Recreate at home using my interpretation of the ultimate Bloody recipe: In a blender puree tomato juice (5 cups) fresh bacon (8 slices), lemon juice (1/3 cup), Worcestershire (3 tbsps), garlic (3 cloves), horseradish (3 tbsps), celery salt (2 tsps), cayenne pepper (1 tsp), olives (6) and salt/pepper/hot sauce to taste. Serve over ice with a couple shots of vodka, tequila, or gin. Makes six.

III.  With wedding season in full-effect, there haven’t been many opportunities for intimate flirtatious event decor. Inappropriate for traditional brides, but perfect for a girls night or couples dinner party, these DIY black lace votives couldn’t be easier to make. Tools: 12 glass votives, 2 yards of lace ribbon, scissors, and super glue. Instructions: measure how much lace you need by wrapping it around a votive, then cut into twelve matching pieces. Adhere the lace to the glass by placing a few drops of glue on the top, middle, and bottom of each end of the ribbon and pressing it into place using something other than your finger (bobby pins, pencils, and scissor heads work well). Keep the menu equally sexy with Spanish paella and lots of liquor-laced chocolate.

IV.  My love affair with Amy Winehouse began nearly a decade ago in New York, when I was first introduced to her signature soulful raspy vocals as the song “You Know I’m No Good” blasted through my taxi’s speakers. Since then, I’ve been an Amy devotee - following her career until her tragic death in 2011. This summer, the Jewish Contemporary Museum is showcasing Amy Winehouse: A Family Portrait featuring the more private moments of Amy’s life, curated with the assistance of her brother and sister-in-law. Preview the exquisite exhibit tomorrow evening at the Summer of the Arts party, hosted by the young professionals boards for the Fine Arts Museums, Symphony, Ballet, and Opera.

V.  While you’re marking your calendar, pencil in August 12-13th for the Perseid Meteor Shower. Typically the brightest of the year, this shower is going to be particularly epic because the moon won’t appear until after sunrise (meaning less light obstruction). While the earth passes the orbit of the comet, bits that have broken off streak through our atmosphere creating a stunning display as they burn up. NASA estimates that at its peak, Perseids will produce up to 100 meteors an hour. Plan the best date night ever using EarthSky’s viewing tips (Half Moon Bay’s San Gregorio Beach would be ideal) paired with a delicious bottle of White Girl Rose (so genius, I can’t even…).

Have a wonderful week!  xx tt