Double Down, Bitches

It's 5 pm, and I have girlfriends coming over at 5:30 for an in-house happy hour to plow thru some of the leftovers from last night's festivities. But a few highlights of the latest event to keep me away from my blog... Viva Las Vegas, O'Brien style.

That's right, the third annual Casino Night at my house, hosted as a fundraiser for Carlie's school. Low turnout this year, so we only had 30 people total, which was 20 paid guests, 8 hosts and two friends who came to lend a hand.

Serious bragging rights were on the line. This is the trophy, engraved with the names of the previous big winners in Texas Hold 'em and Blackjack. Winner gets to show the trophy off at home, and then it will reside in the trophy case at the school. I wish I had a better picture to show the trophy in some kind of context to give you an idea of its enormous size. And also? Check the blinged out cross. Because Casino Night? Is what Jesus would do.

An early shot of the 1st floor partiers. This is before we even opened up the second blackjack table. As the night got busy, the pictures got scarce, but we had two blackjack tables (1st floor) and two poker tables (basement) going strong most of the night.

A set-up photo, to show off my blinged out blackjack tables. How much do I heart my husband for building these tables?

Okay, poker in the basement looks pretty depressing in this set up photo, but I swear, once you add in a dozen or so gamblers, a sick iPod playlist and a lot of beer, the party was kicking. I never did make it downstairs with the camera though once things got going.

On the main floor, I kept the decorations to a minimum. We had a lot of casino themed things to hang up on the walls and such, but they're kind of tacky. I think the blinged out tables can carry the entire event, and the added "pop" on my pre-war lights was all we really needed.

The food. Need I say more? I didn't get a second picture, but when the rare roast, stuffed mushrooms and caprese salad were done, the cream puffs, pumpkin mousse and pineapple upside down cake replaced them.

Add a protective top and a blingy skirt, and my 1890s buffet makes an excellent bar.

What an awesome night. The best part, even though we had a lower turn out this year, everyone who came was a good enough friend that I didn't feel the need to enter OMFG FREAK OUT MODE with the cleaning. Can't ask for more than that.

UPDATE: I am linking up with Six in the City to share "Bits of My Weekend," a cool photo project.