Russian fête in America

Tonight was a celebration of friends – to those who are moving far away, those that are sticking around (for now, at least), and those that we haven't seen in ages who make surprise trips to see us – all of whom we've forged deep, meaningful connections over the years.

Alrighty, Jam-Jam, enough with the tears. The Russian-themed farewell fête that The Fella and I hosted turned out to be both bittersweet and hi-larious!

First off, K walks in wearing a fur hat (so what if it's from Prague and not Russia, still HI-LARIOUS!). Naturally The Fella and I were compelled to dons ours, brought all the way back from Moscow! FurFur just couldn't get enough of the dead animals on our heads. Sorry, PETA (and FurFur). When in Russia, do as the Russians do!

It was a little bit of "Taste of Russia" meets "America Down-Home", with a mix of imported caviar-creme fraiche-wild salmon toast points, Russian cookies, vodka, and Chicago's very own, Brick's On-the-Run Take and Bake pizza (sorry, didn't have much time to prepare after a full day at work).

Secondly, FurFur had a blast! She managed to get table scraps all night (ADAM!!??), as I felt her stealthily lurking around my feet for at least half the party, munching away like it was noone's biz. Can you spot her little head under the table?
 Thirdly, the ladies and I (yes, Furfur, too!) snuck upstairs to gab about Prom* dresses slash bling, my fashionable finds straight from Moscow, and my upcoming birthday bash! It was so very circa 1996, when my high school besties and I would kick back and gossip in the bedroom.

{ My favorite ladies, minus A. }

And finally, the night was capped off with a spontaneous visit from our long-time friend, Z, who popped by all the way from Houston/Miami/NYC to see us here in Chicago! (This picture taken after more than a few vodkas, of course.)

Cheers to fabulous friends!