Swell Forever Creates Customized Blankets That Give Back

Searching for a corporate gift that will truly be appreciated? Order a custom, cozy blanket from Swell Forever and have it embroidered with a logo or a CEO’s handwritten message, or add a message tag to create a lasting impression. Swell Forever blankets are proudly made in American mills, come in a variety of patterns and have become a go-to for several Texas-based companies. The company offers bulk discounts. And, for every purchase, Swell Forever makes a donation to its sister nonprofit, Foster Swell, which offers grants to children in foster care and to adoptive families.

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Room with a View: Montesino Ranch

The newest Collective Retreats property, Collective Hill Country, a Retreat & Mountain Ranch, is located on the Montesino Ranch along the Blanco River in the heart of Texas Hill Country outside of Wimberley. The ranch is about 45 minutes from Austin and an hour from San Antonio. Collective Hill Country features 12 luxury canvas tents equipped with high-end amenities that include soft beds with 1,500-thread count linens, a French press coffee bar, an in-tent bathroom, in-tent dining and private decks. Meals at the retreat are prepared by executive chef William Howell, who offers a menu of “farm to flame” items, including Hill Country breakfast tacos, Wimberly smoked chicken, wild boar osso bucco, BBQ shrimp and grits, and Gulf-caught redfish. Meals are offered alfresco or guests can customize their own fajitas for a BBQ-in-a-box option. The retreat site is nestled on a ridge overlooking a sprawling valley on the 225-acre working ranch and organic farm. Collective Hill Country is the brand’s first winter retreat and offers a variety of both onand off-site activities, including swimming, fly fishing, hiking, horseback riding and many others. Collective Retreats currently operates locations in Big Sky, Montana; Vail, Colorado; and Hudson, New York.

 

Lush Dessert Bar Makes a Splash at Party Fest

Lush Dessert Bar offers a wide variety of grown-up cupcakes made with wine, liqueur and other spirits. The company was originally established as Crav Alcohol Infused Desserts in Wichita, Kansas in 2010. Company founder Nichole Kinchion relocated to Dallas and opened as Lush Dessert Bar in 2017. “Dallas is such a great foodie city, the move has been a real success,” says Kinchion.

Recently Lush was one of 200 suppliers featured at Party Fest 2018 held at Dallas Market Hall on April 4. The invitation-only event brought together event suppliers, planners and industry affiliated organizations for a single day of networking and updates on the newest trends in the industry. “Party Fest was an amazing event,” says Kinchion. “We had a return on our investment within days of the event. I have been very impressed.”

Lush Dessert Bar offers alcohol-infused treats as regular cupcakes, cupcakes in a jar or in bite-sized mini Cupcake Shotz. Cupcake flavors include Hot Buttered Rum featuring butter cake, rum, butterscotch schnapps frosting and a wafer crumble, and The Red Vixen made with chocolate cake and red wine.

For the younger crowd, Lush offers virgin or non-alcoholic desserts inspired by nostalgic beverages like the Dream Cream Soda made with French vanilla cake, cream soda frosting and Heath topping, or the Hot Mama Hot Chocolate cupcake made with chocolate cake, hot cocoa and marshmallow frosting.

The company serves personal events such as wedding receptions and graduations, but does most of their business in the meetings and events industry. “We offer a unique spin on alcohol-infused events with our desserts that are not only novelty treats but great-tasting high quality cupcakes as well,” says Kinchion.

The cupcakes in a jar are completely customizable with top labels, wrap-around labels or individual note cards. The company caters local events, but for planners outside the Dallas area, Lush Dessert Bar cupcakes in a jar are easy to ship and have a shelf life of up to two weeks.

Hotel Crescent Court Renovation Welcomes New Champagne Bar

Hotel Crescent Court in Uptown Dallas recently opened Beau Nash, an upscale champagne bar and cocktail lounge. The opening of the venue is just one part of a $30 million property-wide renovation. The champagne bar pays homage to the see-and-be seen restaurant of the same name which operated in the hotel from 1986 to 2004 and is situated among the marble floors and tall limestone columns of the hotel’s Great Hall on the lobby level.

The menu at Beau Nash consists of more than a dozen craft beers including Texas-made favorites from Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Community Beer Company of Dallas, and Saint Arnold Brewing Company of Houston. The list of signature cocktails includes many made with champagne such as the Uptown ’86 made with Absolut Elyx Vodka, Grand Marnier, peach pureé and G.H. Mumm Brut Champagne. Beau Nash offers an extensive list of wines, champagnes and sparkling wines from $50 per bottle up to $170 per bottle. The bar also features a large selection of scotch, whiskey and cognac.

The food menu features a selection of salads, small plates, large plates and desserts. Hungry bar guests will not be disappointed by cuisine offerings such as jumbo lump crab cakes, Tsar Nicoulai caviar and grilled tenderloin of beef with baked potato and caramelized Texas mushrooms. Finally, patrons can complete a great meal with one of the bars decadent deserts like the champagne sorbet, Vahlrona Chocolate fondue or the Ott sundae made with brownies, cookies, toasted marshmallows, toffee sauce and candied pecans.

For 30 years the 186 guest room and 40 suite Hotel Crescent Court has anchored The Crescent, an 11-acre mixed-use development offering dozens of retail stores and restaurants as well as easy access to the Dallas Arts District. The hotel offers many amenities including The Spa at The Crescent, a fitness center and rooftop pool. For meeting planners, the hotel provides nearly 24,000 square feet contained in 17 different spaces which can accommodate seated events of up to 250 people and receptions for up to 500 guests.

“Beau Nash, Hotel Crescent Court’s new champagne bar and cocktail lounge, is the ideal place for hosting groups and events of various sizes. The dynamic space is sophisticated, yet casual and approachable, creating a multidimensional setting that inspires all. It’s situated on the lobby level of the hotel, making it easily accessible and an equally appealing venue for family celebrations, company happy hours, private parties, community celebrations, business mixers and more. The entire Hotel Crescent Court team makes private events their top priority with the goal of exceeding our client’s expectations,” says Andrew Davidson, general manager for Hotel Crescent Court.

Hotel Crescent Court is located less than five miles from downtown Dallas, 15 minutes from Love Field and 30 minutes from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. The hotel offers a courtesy car within a five-mile radius which is subject to availability. Beau Nash is open seven days a week for hotel guests as well as locals and the dress code is smart casual.