If there’s one thing that I truly do enjoy about these winter seasons, are the parties and social gatherings. Even more than a club which I’ve since outgrown within the past few years.

But what if a social gathering was filled with drinks and enough food to put you into a blacked out coma. No seriously. Foodies and alcoholics all in the name of seasons greetings, it’s bound to happen; and in fact, that’s with the case of most social gatherings, but this event had another agenda in mind.

My friend Cherry contacted me about a last minute event for LA Weekly happening down town that involved food, desserts and lots of holiday beverages. Because it was in the downtown area, I took the offer of the free vip tickets and invited my friend Laquan. The event started at 8 pm, but due to the last minute invite, we were bound to be late. The event was being held at the Reef, which I’m familiar with being that Style Fashion Week and the Women’s Convention have both had a few of their shin digs at this particular location.

Once we arrived just a few minutes past 8 pm, we received our vip wrist bands which granted us gift bags and a private area. Apparently we dodged the money train after hearing the cost of tickets were somewhere around $75. One advantage the wrist bands could’ve offered us was bypassing a line and getting to the food and drinks first, but clearly that wasn’t an issue once inside. A line had already formed by the time we walked down the long hallway. Security that took their jobs as if they were on the ladder to becoming CEO’s of the production made it very clear that no person would get through without a valid I.D. The venue was on the second floor where opened its doors to many vendor booths far more than what you’d expect at a food fair.

This was alcohol heaven for anyone who found the local bar as their midnight snack. Though there were cocktail drinks, this was still pertaining to the Holidays where the eggnog was being spiked with a full bottle of Vodka. Holy crap this stuff was strong. Just like I said Sip and Shot. Well actually, I could only manage taking a sip and throwing the rest out.

Some of these sponsors said Screw mixology classes! You’re here to have a good time! as I knocked out from the punch of liquor and ice with a pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon. You couldn’t be fooled by the decorative feel of these drinks and how crafty these people made them. You wouldn’t find any complainers here speaking of how they could barely taste any alcohol. If that’s the case then they have some serious problems or either relapsing from too much time spent in rehab. Sorry not sorry if I’ve offended anyone.

Now the actual name of this event was Sip and Sweets. Ice cream, brownies, fudge, cookies, cheesecake and pies oh and Vodka pops…again with the alcohol.

Then again, this vendor actually had me coming back for more. I would’ve been more than happy taking the entire cart off their hands. Loft and Bear appealed to my taste buds with their mini pops. Their grapefruit pops were right in my alley and although they were a treat mainly for the adults, it was a perfect blend of refreshing. I wouldn’t be surprised in hearing a kid hijacking a truck even though clearly on their page you have to be of legal ages to even proceed their website.

With the amount of liquor in my system, I needed some serious food. Not all this sugary stuff that would be the root of all diabetes, but food. We found a tamales table that catered to both vegetarian and meat lovers that brought quite the crowd. Laquan and I chose the black bean and cheese for our bite size options. We knew that they weren’t fully warm, but mine was clinging onto the wrapper which made it difficult to eat. About an hour later, I needed some protein in my system and decided to make my way back in the line to try the chicken option. Not sure who one of the women was talking to when she addressed a second helping, but Laquan would’ve flipped a table real quick leaving nothing for a third. Make the tamales bigger!

Music performers entertained a small audience with one singer repeating her lyrics of wanting a horse. I hope she got one, while another band rocked out in a red dress and suits. During this time, I was trying to find Cherry to thank her for the invite, but there was so much to eat and drink that I had hoped to just bump into her. Eventually we did and I could tell that she was enjoying every helping of cocktails.

The room was mainly filled with women and some men, but it was this specific couple that reminded me of the dreadful idea of the holidays. Relationship goals. Every single persons moment of truth in trying to find someone, anyone, crap even a dog to cuddle with.

It’s the idea of boyfriend /girlfriend season being in the air, and I’ve almost given up on that countdown reaching up to Valentines Day, but seeing moments like this makes it hard not to get a little googly eyed.

There were so many vendors, but I found us just walking around in circles of dehydration.

No thanks sir, I enjoy having my liver

By this time I just wanted a pitcher of water or cranberry juice; and my gift bag was getting heavier with items I was given. There were a few vendors who had set up shops and that was me and Laquan’s area to work up business relationships.

One vendor, Skin Tone , whose remarkable hand woven dresses I fell in love with, had me already considering my future beach wedding dress which I could have custom made into a rose dye to make it versatile for any occasion of my liking. This style is mean for anyone who prefers a laid back lifestyle or just comfort with style.

Photo credit to LA Weekly

Not going to lie, but I needed a veggie burger or milk shake at this point and my feet were turning into claws, so I was ready to go. Cherry had met up with some other friends of her who looked as if they were one sip away from passing out. This had to of been thee worst time to get involved with a conversation with any drunk who can’t realize the hands of clocks doing marathons with time. Thankfully, Laquan took one for the team as I wouldn’t have the patience,  so instead I pulled Cherry towards a vacant couch and waited over conversations.

As my stomach started eating itself, I distracted Laquan  and we made our way towards the elevator. Cherry fell behind with her group and we chose to wait downstairs in the lobby for her in hopes that her talkative friends made another round with drinks. Finally people started making their way towards the exit and we found Cherry among them where we officially said our thank you’s and goodbyes.

LA Weekly definitely put on a great holiday tasting parting, but my only suggestion is to have a few food trucks waiting outside. Until next year…

Drink Responsibility!

Xox