Surprise Party at Petite Phillipe

on January 15, 2011

Last night was Nicoleâ€™s SURPRISE 30th Birthday Party! I helped her boyfriend Isaac organize a Gossip Girl-themed masquerade ball at a new local wine and chocolate bar called Petite Phillipe.

The party was great. The space is warm but industrial, and the staff was super attentive to our private party!

But firstâ€¦ DINNER!

The four of us â€“ Nicole + Isaac and the Husband and me â€“ went to a place called 300 East, which is situated in a refurbished old house. I love the vibe.

The table ordered the falafel appetizer to share. The carrot salad on top of the fried chickpea ball was amazing!

The Butternut Squash Pizza caught my eyeâ€¦ I couldnâ€™t get anyone to split it with me so I just ordered my own personal pizza. 🙂

Everyone was super jealous, obviously. I shared two slides and gobbled up the rest!

The waitress brought Nicole a little ice cream and brownie.

We told Nicole that we were going to the bar to continue the celebration, but we were really headed to her surprise partyâ€¦.

She seemed really excited when she walked in. Everyone was there â€“ about 30 bloggers, friends, and family members.

For Nicoleâ€™s birthday, I gave her this sweet cat masquerade mask, since she loves cats. :) Pretty, huh?

Our party included a wine and chocolate tasting. I really love the attitude of the staff at Petite Phillipe. They know a LOT about wine but arenâ€™t snobby about it. Our flight of wine included 1 champagne and 3 reds (Nicoleâ€™s favorite).

Our flight included:

Antech Emoticon (Sparkling)
Rocco by Willamette (Pinot Noir)
Qupe by Santa Maria (Syrah)
Terra Valentine by Spring Mountain (Cab blend)

I loved them all, but the Pinot was my favorite.

The chocolate was to DIE for â€“ all handcrafted in the store!

Flavors included gingerbread, blood orange, and dark chocolate. Mmm!

All in all, a very unique party at a very unique space! I hope Nicole had lots of fun!

I hate to blog and bolt, but we have coaches training at Girls on the Run today! I need coffee, STAT!

{ 79 comments }

megan @ blackberries for jam January 15, 2011, 8:49 am
What a fun night! Now it’s 9 am and I’m craving wine and chocolate.
Evan Thomas January 15, 2011, 8:50 am
This looks so fun! It makes me want to try and dig up my masquerade mask from our themed prom. I have NO idea where that thing ended up.
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey January 15, 2011, 8:53 am
What a great night! You are an awesome friend to help out with that party!
Elizabeth@The Sweet Life January 15, 2011, 8:53 am
That pizza looks absolutely delicious! Glad she was surprised–looks like a fun night.
Jessica @ Jessica Balances January 15, 2011, 8:54 am
That looks like so much fun! 🙂 how sweet of you and her husband to plan such an awesome party — looks like your friend had an amazing 30th birthday!
Tonyne @ Unlikely Success Story January 15, 2011, 8:54 am
That looks like an amazing night! 🙂
Anne P January 15, 2011, 8:55 am
So fun! I love masquerade balls.
Blog is the New Black January 15, 2011, 9:00 am
Love the idea of a masquerade- cool one you gave her! You look so pretty in the pics, girl.
Lee January 15, 2011, 9:05 am
What a creative idea for a birthday party. I wish you lived closer to me and could plan my parties!
Amanda (Eating Up) January 15, 2011, 9:06 am
What a great space! Those chocolates look gooood.
Carrie (Moves 'N Munchies) January 15, 2011, 9:07 am
looks like a blast! i love masquerade themes!
Ann @ Day by Day January 15, 2011, 9:08 am
I love the Gossip-girl masquerade ball idea! That looks like so much fun! And that butternut squash pizza looks so good.
Kristy @ KristyRuns January 15, 2011, 9:09 am
That chocolate looks incredible! So do all of the eats there, and what a cool place! Fun time! 🙂
VeggieGirl January 15, 2011, 9:15 am
SUCH a fun time!!!!
Amanda @ JustAmandaJ January 15, 2011, 9:18 am
You’re such a great friend! It looks like that party was killer 🙂 Also, totally love your dress!
Katy (The Singing Runner) January 15, 2011, 9:19 am
Looks like such a fun night!!! 😀 😀 😀
Ashley January 15, 2011, 9:27 am
Sounds like a fun night! You’re an awesome friend!
Nicole @ yuppie yogini January 15, 2011, 9:44 am
That was the most amazing party and you are the most amazing friend! Thank you for making my bday so memorable! 🙂 xo
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) January 15, 2011, 9:45 am
What a cool space to host the party. Gingerbread chocolate sounds amazing!
Heather @ Side of Sneakers January 15, 2011, 9:47 am
What a fun party theme- and how sweet to throw a surprise party! 🙂
Erin @ The Grass Skirt January 15, 2011, 9:51 am
It looks like you had fun! I looooove 300 East! I haven’t been there in quite awhile. I need to get my bootay back there!
jodie January 15, 2011, 10:03 am
love your dress and that pizza looks devine.
Lacey @ Lake Life January 15, 2011, 10:04 am
What a cool surpise party! I want to try blood orange chocolate now.
Kara January 15, 2011, 10:05 am
Those chocolates look too pretty to eat…almost 🙂
Marie-Journey to Body Zen January 15, 2011, 10:13 am
That pizza looks great! I’ve never thought of putting butternut squash on a pizza before. Cute dress too!
Casey January 15, 2011, 10:16 am
We loved hosting you, Nicole, Isaac and all your friends last night at Petit Philippe. What a fun, joyful group! We’re so glad you had such a good time and look forward to having you back again. Wishing you continued success and great health.
- Caitlin January 15, 2011, 6:21 pm
  Thanks so much Casey!
Baking 'n' Books January 15, 2011, 10:31 am
Wise choice in that pizza! Squash goes with anything doesn’t it?
melissa (fitnessnyc) January 15, 2011, 10:35 am
I am not one for birthday parties, but I might have one just to do that!!! amazing, you all look so so so gorgeous!
monicanelsonfitness January 15, 2011, 10:38 am
what a great idea and fun night! That chocolate does look to die for. You all looked great. 🙂
Ali January 15, 2011, 10:54 am
Fun theme! I’m a GG addict 🙂
Whitney @ Whitinspired January 15, 2011, 11:01 am
What a good theme for a party! Super cute!
Natalia - a side of simple January 15, 2011, 11:04 am
A GG themed party? SO jealous.
Stacy @ Every Little Thing January 15, 2011, 11:07 am
Oh man, blood orange chocolate sounds to die for! That looks like a very uniquely cool place. Glad everyone had fun!
Camille January 15, 2011, 11:08 am
What an awesome party! That seems like a total blast!
Amber from Girl with the Red Hair January 15, 2011, 11:12 am
That looks really fun. I pretty much LOVE that you did it GG themed!
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun January 15, 2011, 11:14 am
What a FUN night!!!
Tyler January 15, 2011, 11:16 am
Looks like a really fun night! Please share outfit deets! You look adorbs!
Amber K January 15, 2011, 11:24 am
Looks like a fun time! Hope you got some rest. 🙂
Leanne (For Health's Sake) January 15, 2011, 11:34 am
What an awesome friend you are!

I love your outfit too 🙂
Liz @ Tip Top Shape January 15, 2011, 11:37 am
OMG- such a great party idea!!! I kind of want to steal it for my next party! lol
Anne Weber-Falk January 15, 2011, 11:39 am
Okay, I hope this doesn’t sound weird but you have to know…you looked amazing that night. The dress, the hosiery, the shoes. Your legs look great. Very pretty. Just thought you should know.
- Caitlin January 15, 2011, 6:21 pm
  Thank you so much! I appreciate it so much.
Jenna @ EatingGreen, StayingLean January 15, 2011, 11:42 am
Cute dress!
Lauren January 15, 2011, 11:55 am
Looks like a great party! The GG theme, wine, & chocolate all really go together, and that chocolate looks amazing. Great job planning!
Allie January 15, 2011, 12:15 pm
Awww 🙂 That is so nice of you to help organize a surprise party for your friend! I am glad everything went smoothly and they she was surprised + you all had a great time 🙂
Haleigh January 15, 2011, 12:38 pm
Surprise parties are so much fun 🙂 Petit Phillipe looks amazing! I had no idea there was places like that in Charlotte, I will have to check it out!
- Caitlin January 15, 2011, 6:20 pm
  Yes, definitely do. The chocolate… OMG.
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) January 15, 2011, 12:42 pm
Looks like a fun party!! I love themed events 🙂
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin January 15, 2011, 12:56 pm
That is such a fun theme for a party! I bet Nicole loved it!

If I’d been at dinner, I definitely would have split that pizza with you. 😉
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) January 15, 2011, 1:16 pm
what a fabulous post!
hot dress!
dessert, the bnut squash pizza, a wine + choc bar, time w/ friends and the hubs, soo many awesome things in one post! 🙂
Katherine: Unemployed January 15, 2011, 1:25 pm
I love masquerades. I think they’re so chic! I want that to be the theme of my sorority formal 🙂
Maryann January 15, 2011, 1:35 pm
How creative! Looks like so much fun!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing January 15, 2011, 1:40 pm
That sounds like so much fun! And I love your dress!
Stephanie January 15, 2011, 1:43 pm
What a fun evening!! I would have split that pizza with you!!
Cara January 15, 2011, 1:58 pm
That looks like such an awesome place, and what a GREAT place for a surprise party! Looks like lots of fun!
Sana January 15, 2011, 2:02 pm
What an awesomeeeeee party!
ashley@quasichick January 15, 2011, 2:06 pm
OMG you look so cute with your mask 🙂 I love parties!!
Ali @ Around The VeggieTable January 15, 2011, 2:13 pm
Oh fun! I wish we had something like that here! Hmmm….maybe I should host my own at home! It could be fun and not too pricey for a smallish group of people.
- Caitlin January 15, 2011, 6:20 pm
  Oh most definitely – just the cost of a few bottles!
Sarah (Sarah Learns) January 15, 2011, 3:17 pm
that looks like an amazing party! i’ve never been to one like that.

also, your outfit is so cute!
salah@myhealthiestlifestyle January 15, 2011, 3:21 pm
looks like such a wonderful time!!!! That would be so fun 🙂
Jess@atasteofconfidence January 15, 2011, 3:53 pm
looks like a great time, and i love your dress
erica January 15, 2011, 3:53 pm
aw, a gossip girl theme! i love it!
Melanie @ Jon and Melie January 15, 2011, 4:15 pm
Caitlin – sorry this question isn’t related to your post – I’m thinking of buying a Garmin for running. Which one do you have?
- Caitlin January 15, 2011, 6:19 pm
  305!!
Annie@stronghealthyfit January 15, 2011, 4:20 pm
Looks like such a fun and creative party!
Mary @ Bites and Bliss January 15, 2011, 4:23 pm
Looks like a blast!!! I’m sure Nicole loved it! Happy Birthday to her!
Amanda January 15, 2011, 4:44 pm
That’s a great idea for a party. I love your dress!
Tracy @ Commit To Fit January 15, 2011, 5:00 pm
I am totally jealous of the pizza, it looks to fantastic for words!
Faith @ lovelyascharged January 15, 2011, 5:22 pm
That’s my kind of birthday party! And heck, that pizza sounds incredible too! I can’t believe they wouldn’t split it with ya!
Laurie January 15, 2011, 5:45 pm
I feel nervous for you. I always get nervous around Surprise parties and there you were, the decoy. I would have had a hard time keeping it together all through dinner. The party looked awesome, was she totally surprised?
- Caitlin January 15, 2011, 6:19 pm
  Naw… I think she knew something was up!
Kiran January 15, 2011, 9:24 pm
Awesome theme for a surprise party. Y’all look so fancy and chic, and the foods? Yum!!!
Amalfi Girl January 15, 2011, 11:23 pm
You guys look so cute! I love your dress 🙂
Megan@frizzybaker January 16, 2011, 1:05 am
Aw! I’m so glad you helped throw my sis a party. Looks like she had SUCH a good time with GOOD friends 🙂
Ellen@FirednFabulous January 16, 2011, 10:57 am
Pizza, wine, chocolate, masquerade…sounds like a perfect night to me!
Lili January 16, 2011, 6:42 pm
You look great and so FIT 🙂 ! Love the outfit too!
Lisa January 16, 2011, 11:20 pm
I LOVE the masks! What a fun party!

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