Charlene's Kitchen
 
One of our newest additions to Charlene’s Vault is this beautiful bar cabinet! Check out this before and after transformation - Sondra sanded down the cabinet and then @laurenbrucestudio painted it. This cabinet also has two more pieces that connect with it or it can be used on its own. Try renting it for your next event! We used it at our recent retirement party a few weeks ago and it looked great with the full bar set up! • • • #charleneskitchen #oldtownalexandria #alexandriava #caterer #catering #alexandriacaterer #dccaterer #antiques #antiqueing #refinishing #antiquerestoration #antiquerefinishing #eventrentals #eventfurniture #bar #barback #barfurniture #charlenesvault #rentals #thecharleneexperience
Check out this new spring drink that can be made both with or without alcohol! The non-alcoholic version has blood orange shrub, mint, and club soda. To make it alcoholic, just add Koval ginger syrup and pair it with a spirt like this refreshing botanical cucumber Ketel One vodka! • • • #charleneskitchen #alexandriava #catering #caterer #entertaining #bar #bartending #signaturedrinks #customdrinks #mocktails #cocktails #shrub #bloodorangeshrub #mixology #mixologist #springdrinks #koval #kovalgingerliqueur #ketelonebotanical #springdrink #springcocktail #springcocktails
Charlene catered another lovely event tonight - this time a fabulous engagement party hosted by Susan McAdoo! The menu featured a broiled feta platter, mini beef tenderloin sandwiches, butternut squash sweet potato latkes, grilled spiced shrimp, ham biscuits, mushroom roll ups, smoked salmon lettuce rolls, and ginger lemongrass chicken skewers. The flowers were done by @enchantedfloristva.
Beef bourguignon getting picked up! This is one of our wonderful freezable foods that’s perfect for a rainy day or when you don’t want to cook!
Meet Sondra: she works for Charlene in Pennsvylavina and refinishes all Charlenes furniture! Charlene loves buying old antique furniture and refinishing it - first it gets sanded by Sondra and then it goes to @laurenbrucestudio for painting! These tables and chair are the newest additions to Charlene’s Vault and we can’t wait to use them for events once they’re finished! • • • #charleneskitchen #oldtownalexandria #alexandriava #caterer #catering #entertaining #eventrentals #charlenesvault #antiques #antiquefurniture #furnitureantique #refinishing #furniturerefinishing #antiquerefinishing #antiquerestoration #sanding #sandingfurniture #furnituremakeover #furnituresanding #refinishingfurniture #repainting #diy
Charlene’s vintage glasses add a great touch to any event! They look so much better on the bar than the plain glasses you’d get from a rental company. Charlene has glasses in all colors and styles, including these beautiful gold glasses we used at a recent event! • • • #charleneskitchen #oldtownalexandria #alexandriava #caterer #catering #entertaining #events #parties #eventsetup #partysetup #bar #craftbar #barsetup #beautifulbar #eventrentals #glassware #vintageglassware #glasswarerentals #rentedglasses #charlenesvault #goldglassware #beautiful #vintage #unique #bestpartyever
Lots of beautiful floral arrangements from our most recent party on Thursday! Charlene made all the gorgeous arrangements herself. Don’t forget that you can order floral arrangements from Charlene even if you aren’t ordering any food! They’re perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions. • • • #charleneskitchen #oldtownalexandria #alexandriava #caterer #catering #entertaining #parties #eventsetup #eventdeign #floralarrangements #charlenesarrangements #centerpieces #floral #floraldesign #greenandwhite #whiteflowers #winterfloral #winterarrangements #almostspring #beautiful #customfloral #customarrangements #customfloralarrangements
Another great shot from our event on Thursday! Charlene always designs beautiful buffet tables - for this one she made the gorgeous arrangement in the center and added branches all along the table!
On Thursday Charlene put together an absolutely amazing FULL Charlene Experience office party! This was a retirement party for James H. Youngblood, who is retiring as CEO of Heart Rhythm Society after 18 years! HRS is a leading resource on cardiac pacing and electrophysiology that represents medical, health, and science professionals who specialize in cardiac rhythm disorders. The event was organized by Germaine Schaefer, a longtime friend of Charlene’s, who reached out to us last year about the party. This party was truly the FULL Charlene Experience. The white washed farm tables, high tops, and tablecloths were rented from @selecteventgroup, but everything else came from Charlene’s Vault. The bar cabinet (a new addition to the Vault!), bar tables, vintage glasses, platters, plates, lights, votives, and other props all were rented from Charlene’s Vault. Charlene did all the lovely floral arrangements herself! The set up looked absolutely beautiful - the white office looked great with all the whitewashed furniture. Overall, it was the perfect party for the beginning of spring! At the bar, Charlene created a beautiful mocktail set up! Charlene went all out with shrubs for mocktails! She made lots of new seasonal flavors of shrubs, including strawberry basil, blueberry lavender, and pineapple coconut! The menu featured mini BLTs, butternut squash goat cheese crostini, smoked salmon lettuce wraps, classic deviled eggs, curry deviled eggs, mini Smithfield ham biscuits, a cheese platter, mushroom roll ups, grilled spiced shrimp, spring crudités platter, and assorted dips including edamame dip, hummus, and roasted beet dip! For dessert, Charlene made lemon bars, vanilla lime cupcakes, and chocolate cupcakes with coconut frosting. Photography by @victoriaheerphotography
Another great shot from the party on Saturday, this time of Charlene with the beautiful table she designed! Everything pictured except for the table and chairs was rented from Charlene’s Vault. For your next event, try out the Charlene Experience - Charlene will come to your home and design the table and bar for you! Our Charlene Experience events always look absolutely beautiful and will wow all of your guests! • • • #charleneskitchen #oldtownalexandria #alexandriava #caterer #catering #entertaining #parties #dinnerparty #thecharleneexperience #charlenesvault #eventrentals #placesettings #tablescape #tablesetup #seateddinner #blueandwhite
On Saturday night Charlene put together a wonderful event for new clients Tim and Albie Dickson! The event was a surprise special birthday party for Albie, all planned by Tim! Everything used in the table design and bar design were all pieces from Charlene’s Vault! The tables and chairs were rented from Select Event Group. The menu featured mini BLTs, pimento cheese stuffed mushrooms, classic deviled eggs, mini smithfield ham biscuits, garlic leek pappardelle with flattened chicken, whole grilled beef tenderloin, beet salad, mixed grilled vegetables, and caesar salad. For dessert, Charlene made two birthday cakes: a classic chocolate cake and a red velvet cake! Albie’s favorite was the red velvet cake! The cocktails were made with one of our specialty shrubs. Here’s what Tim has to say about the party: “We had SUCH a great time; it’s what I wanted for Albie; to be surrounded by friends in our home to celebrate her. The food was fantastic (including the leftovers! - the boys demolished both cakes when they came home). The house looked beautiful and the staff was truly excellent. Taylor and Jessica are really special. Albie is still beaming.” Photography by @victoriaheerphotography.
Charlene put together a wonderful birthday celebration last night! Stay tuned for a full post and more pictures coming soon!