Allow me to catch my breath as I reminisce about my packed weekend as a Style intern. Week three at the office started off slow with writing and researching articles, sending email after email (can we just give the poor intern a break and respond the first time, people?!) and listening to the first-ever “Best of the Lehigh Valley” bash office chatter that makes its way over the walls of my cubicle. But soon enough Friday arrived and I was called to join the Style Girls and other staff members as we rolled up our sleeves to transform Hangar 3 at LVIA to the point where it looked more like a hip new nightclub than a garage for airplanes.
I started with the standard responsibility of draping tablecloths with fellow intern Carrie, whom I was delighted to meet for the first time and discover that we had a few mutual friends (shout out to my Nazareth girls!). Soon I was upgraded to stuffing the swag bags and eventually I earned my way to alphabetizing the Best Of winners' awards and being allowed to actually touch the luxurious Knoll furniture in the Winner's Lounge. The ladies and I welcomed a much-needed lunch break during which we taste-tested the “Best Pizza by the Slice” winner Westgate Pizza. The verdict: a symphony of “mmm's” and satisfied tummies. After a long day and my feet cursing me for choosing Sperrys over something more practical, I was more excited than ever to see all of the hard work pay off at the party the next day.
Getting to the party early to set up meant last minute touch-ups in the ladies' room to make sure everything was perfect and before we knew it, the guests started strutting up the red carpet into the hangar. I found myself welcoming guests into the Winner's Lounge and fetching swag bags all night, sparing a few minutes to run out and enjoy the delicious food offerings. My personal favorites included the shrimp and grits, and pork sliders from “Best Party Caterer” winner Simply Smooth and the many cupcakes I had, particularly from “Best Cupcake You've Ever Tasted” winner Blondies, who made it hard to just eat one. After a unique and fun performance from the ladies at The Gas House Dance Hall, The Broadway Social took over for the night, bringing everyone to the dance floor. It was fun to see the moves my fellow Style ladies broke out since it is not always a dance party in the office.
Alas, before we knew it the party was over, the hangar empty, and the “post-party depression,” as marketing assistant Kelli Hertzog so accurately described it, began to set in. I feel privileged to have been able to be a part of such an amazing event. Growing up in the Lehigh Valley, it warms my heart to see the local businesses I've known for years recognized and celebrated. I encourage you to stay tuned for my next blog which will feature a couple of meetings I sat in on, although I do have to agree that discussing sales numbers has nothing on the party of the year. If my first dream job as a professional party attendee falls through, I suppose working at a magazine that throws stellar parties wouldn't be too bad of a plan B.
