Merry Merry Happy Happy

My goodness, has 2009 been a stellar third year for the Punch brand and we hope it has been for you as well. From the bottom of my heart as well as the team’s and Viget Labs, we thank you for all of your loyal support, feedback, emails, Facebook messages, Tweets, and in person conversations which provide a way for us to make the platform more robust, interesting, fun and full of content.

This next year looks to be even brighter and better because of our four team members, Lena Aburdene, Felice Cherry, Niki Clark, and Whitney Stringer. We promise to keep you busy reading about our “adventures”, opinions and where you should spend your time (and well earned money).

We wish you a beautiful, safe, blessed, love filled holiday with family and friends.  This is vacation time for us Thursday, December 26th through Wednesday, December 30th.

May all your holiday wishes come true… Pamela

Dining and Dressed

Don’t forget to set your TiVo for two important dates in January. The first being January 3rd at 8pm EST.  The Food Network will air their Super Chef Battle: An Iron Chef America Event with my buddy Emeril Lagasse, Bobby Flay, Mario Molto and White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford.  They filmed the show here in DC a few months ago with FLOTUS Michelle Obama (decked out in her beautiful orange dress) with the challenge being: Making a meal using ingredients from the White House’s garden in the kitchen … not the Food Network studio. Gasp!

Then the following Saturday, January 9th, same time, tune into the CW, DC50.  Washington Life TV’s Year in Review (I get to countdown our city’s Best Dressed) will air and you won’t want to miss.

Well fed and well dressed. What more could you want right after the new year?

Paradise Springs Winery OPENS. Finally.

I was just getting over the “I cannot believe’s” … but apparently there’s no end in sight for shocking my socks off.  Hear ye! Hear ye! Paradise Springs Winery in Fairfax County, Virginia … yes, you read right: FAIRFAX COUNTY … is opening for business in January 2010.  After months and months and months of arduous challenges that owner Kirk Wiles, his mother and the team faced with the Board of Supervisors, neighbors, and whatever else that could be put in their way, the will of the grapes was done.  Done and won.

Grand Opening Weekend Dates:
Saturday, January 16th, 11am-6pm
Sunday, January 17th, 11am-6pm
Monday, January 18th, 11am-6pm (Gov Holiday)

Hours of Operation: Sat, Sun – 11am-6pm (Through April)

Not only will Paradise Springs Winery have great wines (Kirk, where is my wine by the way?) they will have various entertainment and fun things to do. Remember, this winery is officially the closet in proximity to the District located in the Commonwealth.

If you are interested in purchasing wine as a holiday gift please send an email to wine@paradisespringswinery.com . Special arrangements can be made for pick up through the rest of December because you will get 10% all purchases through the holidays.

Congratulations Kirk…

It’s Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

and I cannot believe that Brittany Murphy is dead, that Tiger Woods got away with all of those love affairs simultaneously and his wife didn’t know, that the DC area got 20″ of snow dumped over a weekend and we are expecting more weather Christmas Eve day, that it took this long for everyone to realize about the Salahis, that the major press is still giving ink to the Salahis, that health care reform issues will ever end, for that matter, that global greenhouse and climate change issues will ever end, that Coach Jim Zorn called that bizarre (and I do mean bizarre) play during Monday Night Football “unique” and that the Giants played “good defense” when they almost killed Hunter the Punter, and that the Giants scored the most points on the road in 55 years in Monday night’s slaughter game against the Redskins.

What I can believe is that Washingtonians are freaking out about losing two full days and nights of shopping because of the Blizzard of 2009, thus making the mall traffic like a scene straight out of Independence Day.  No cars are moving. Horns are honking. Kids are screaming. Adults are panicking.  The reality of fear, destruction and certain death sets in (if you don’t get your family that Wii Console…and relieve your bladder).

I can also believe that I surveyed numerous friends, acquaintances, clients, and strangers, asking them if they were ready for New Year’s Eve.  If they hadn’t already purchased a plane or train ticket, the look back to me was incredulous.  “I even haven’t gotten through Christmas yet!” O.K.  Don’t ask me either, because I’m of the school of thought that less is more and a pj party sounds pretty darn good right about now.

However, for folks who are still enticed by a romantic or fun evening away from the kids or just out of the house, the Sofitel is doing something unique and “Sofistyle”.  Not only are they doing reservations at Ici Urban Bistro (as in no set seatings), but should you purchase a bottle of Pommery’s iconic Tete de Cuvée, Louise 1998 Champagne for $299 within Le Bar, you receive A COMPLIMENTARY OVERNIGHT STAY at the hotel.  Tres chic! Tres magnifique! Then on January 1st, 2010, you can wake up and smell the coffee for their brunch.

For all information and to make a reservation for this special one night offer, please contact Punch Partner Sofitel Lafayette Square at 806 15th Street, NW. 202.730.8800

Indulge in a one night complimentary stay when you purchase a bottle of Pommery’s iconic Tete de Cuvée, Louise 1998 Champagne for $299 at the hotel’s chic and sophisticated Le Bar

“Sparkling Sofitel Rendezvous” is based on availability (Reservations not required but recommended) For Reservations, call: 202.730.8800

Be a Part of the L’Enfant Society Legacy

With the L’Enfant Society’s Ball on the Mall Kick Off set for Thursday, January 14th 2010, we invite you to join the Membership before the end of this year in order to take advantage of a few benefits:

Each year, 25 million people – Americans and visitors from all over the world – walk the National Mall,
pause to reflect on its profound symbols, and ultimately come to appreciate our nation’s rich history.
There is no other place in the United States that celebrates democracy, freedom of speech, leadership
and heroism like the National Mall. Unfortunately, despite its place in our hearts, the National Mall has
been neglected and now faces $400 million in deferred maintenance. With cracked side-walks and
crumbling seawalls, and noticeably insufficient visitor facilities, the National Mall is in a state of total disrepair and has
even been called a “national disgrace” by The Washington Post.

Please join the L’Enfant Society and help the Trust for the National Mall restore and improve America’s
Front Yard. Created to engage emerging philanthropists and young business leaders in the effort to return the National
Mall to its former glory, the mission of the L’Enfant Society is to create awareness for the state of the National Mall,
provide financial resources to meet annual fundraising goals, and generate a foundation of supporters who will guide
the restoration effort in the future. Each year, the L’Enfant Society hosts the Ball on the Mall which attracts more than
600 guests for dinner and dancing under the stars. The Ball was recently named the “top young philanthropic event in
Washington, DC” by Washington Life magazine.

Benefits of L’Enfant Society Membership include:
Lincoln Member $75/year
 The opportunity to help restore and improve the National Mall
 Invitations to L’Enfant Society events held throughout the year
 20% discount on the official Trust for the National Mall Vineyard Vines apparel
 Subscription to “Mall Mail,” the Trust’s monthly email newsletter

Jefferson Member $150/year
 All benefits listed above plus
 10% savings on all ticketed L’Enfant Society events including the Ball on the Mall
 Recognition on the L’Enfant Society website
 An official Trust for the National Mall pin

Washington Member $225/year
 All benefits listed above plus
 An invitation to a private, exclusive reception held annually in the Fall
 Recognition in the Ball on the Mall program
 Private group tour of the National Mall

Capitol Member $500/year
 All benefits listed above plus
 Two complimentary tickets pre-Ball on the Mall VIP dinner reception (valued at $300 total)
 An official Trust for the National Mall Umbrella
 Invitation for two to a special reception with Trust Leadership and Board of Directors held at the private
home of a foreign Ambassador in the Spring
 One item from the official Trust for the National Mall Vineyard Vines apparel

*75% of each annual contribution is tax-deductible for income tax purposes.

Thank you for your support of restoring America’s Front Yard.  You can join today by contacting Kaitlin Devine at 202.207.3898 or kdevine@nationalmall.org.

STARTING JANUARY 4, 2010 join online at www.lenfantsociety.org

Tour Guide

This is just a quick note to thank DC Magazine, of Modern Luxury, for the piece about Wallpaper* City Guide to Washington, DC tour guide book (which should be in stores now, great for gifts!).  It’s found on page 28 in the December issue, “A Whole New View” by Leila Rafei.