Educator Appreciation at the Casa Monica Hotel!

Back by popular demand …

Educator Appreciation in historic St. Augustine!
August 9-20, 2009 … rooms as low as $59!

The Casa Monica Hotel and Prime Outlets of St. Augustine would like to
give back this summer to those that spend tireless hours preparing our youth for tomorrow.

60% off your Room Rate!

Become a part of the distinguished heritage of this time-honored luxury boutique hotel. Visit the Casa Monica Hotel, where the past and present seamlessly converge in a setting of regal beauty and inspired service. The four-diamond Historic Casa Monica is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is located amongst the brick-lined streets of St. Augustine’s Historic District. Facility includes 138 rooms and multi-level suites, a private oceanfront beach club located within minutes of the hotel, four star restaurant, piano lounge, retail shops and outdoor heated pool and spa.


20% off your Dining!

At the Casa Monica Hotel, dining is celebrated as an art form. 95 Cordova features New World, Middle Eastern and Asian flavors. The glamorous Cobalt Lounge is THE place St. Augustine’s to sip top-shelf martinis and sample an extensive wine-by-the-glass list. For casual fare, experience the European sidewalk café ambience of Cafe Cordova, favored for its gourmet pizzas, tempting desserts, and Starbucks®!

Discounts on Shopping!

While enjoying all that historic St. Augustine has to offer, experience the premier outlet shopping destination in northeast Florida with a VIP Coupon Book from worth hundreds of dollars in savings. Prime Outlets St. Augustine® showcases more than 75 top outlet stores offering savings of up to 65%.

Click here to book: http://www.casamonica.com - Promotional Code: TEACH
Call: (800) 648-1888

Current educators ID required. Limit two rooms. Sunday through Thursday only and subject to availability.

TLC's Making Over America....lands in St. Augustine at the Casa Monica Hotel!

The Casa Monica Hotel : We are looking for "extras" for the filming of TLC's "Making over America with Trinny & Susannah" tomorrow night (Fri 7/17) on the hotel's pool deck from 5:45-8pm! (Resort Casual Dress, Cash Bar) Invite friends and family as St. Augustine welcomes another nationally syndicated show to our town!

Jarelis and Hank

While meeting with Jarelis and Hank during the planning process, we were entertained by the couple's playful banter and assured that everyone in attendance would have an unforgettable and exciting evening. Boy, were we right!


These carefully chosen Wedding Day Elements worked together to highlight the chemistry between Jarelis and Hank, and to create the couple's dream wedding!


Wedding Day Elements...

Ceremony Location The Casa Monica Sultan's Pavilion

Reception Location The Casa Monica Flagler Ballroom



Photography Jennifer Brum

Videography Mary Sullivan

Entertainment Sandor Davidson

Flowers Curly Willow

Cake Publix

Ceremony Planner St. Augustine Weddings and Special Events

The day of celebration began with a beautiful outdoor ceremony on our very own Sultan's Pavilion. The ceremony was ornamented by directly imported Hawaiin orchids that were shipped to the hotel, and guests were entertained by a live cello player from the bride's family.


Guests enjoyed cocktail hour in the Flagler Ballroom Prefunction Space featuring Citrus Chile Spiked Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail and other butler passed hors d'ouevres.


Following cocktail hour, the newlyweds joined their guests for our Queen Sophia Plated Dinner. Jarelis and Hank shared their first dance, which was followed by a slideshow of the two for all of the guests to see. Sandor, the DJ, was a personal friend of the couple. He played fun, upbeat music and the group danced the night away! Guests went home with personalized bottles of Jone's Soda featuring none other than Jarelis and Hank on the label! Those very favors were recently featured in The Knot Magazine as "fun, functional, and totally cute" wedding favors.


On behalf of The Casa Monica, Congratulations to Jarelis and Hank! We wish you the best of luck!

Introducing....LuLi's Cupcakes!!!

LuLi’s Cupcakes Announces: “How We Met Story” Wedding Contest
Winner gets 75 FREE wedding cupcakes for their special day

St. Johns and Duval County residents are invited to participate in the “How We Met Story” contest sponsored by LuLi’s Cupcakes for a chance to win 75 wedding cupcakes. To enter, the Bride or Groom-to-be must deliver their one-page story to the shop on San Marco Avenue between June 8 - 22.

“We’re looking for the most touching story of how the couple met. It can be romantic or funny, a long time coming or love at first sight,” says Janeen Damiano Sara, owner.

LuLi’s Cupcakes has been catering weddings since opening in 2008 but has recently launched a new exclusive Wedding Cupcakes line. Couples can choose from four delectable flavors and two custom designs.

Full contest disclosures:
Entries must be made at our 35 San Marco Ave location in historic St. Augustine, between June 8-22, 2009. Please bring in proof of St. John’s or Duval County residency, contact information and a detailed one page story of how you met your fiancé.

Winners will be announced June 29 via contact information. Each entry will be individually judged based on uniqueness of their story. Judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

The prize is valid for 12 months from the date of winner’s announcement. Limit of ONE entry per person. Prize includes up to 75 wedding cupcakes, levels 1-3 only, standard price for each additional cupcake. Winner can choose up to two designs and up to four flavors. Delivery is free in the historic district of St. Augustine only; all other delivery and set up fees are not included.

Contact:
Janeen Damiano Sara / Deana Welsh 904-824-5280
35 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine, Florida 32084

Photos taken from Luli's Cupcakes website.

Pictures of Hope; Helping Amazing Photographer, Naomi Williams

Naomi Williams is an extremely talented photographer here in the NE Florida area and Megan and I have just heard of her sad and devastating news...please read below, which was taken from her support website, http://www.fornaomi.com/:

The Casa Monica Wedding Team extends their thoughts and prayer to Naomi and her family for a quick and full recovery.

About Pictures of Hope

Pictures of Hope is a collaborative response initiated by family and friends of Naomi Williams. Naomi is fighting cancer – Stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma - and has just begun a very tough and challenging journey. Please join us as we support an incredible woman who has had a huge impact on our community. This initiative and Blog is for sharing hope, information, dreams, thoughts, prayers and support. DONATIONS ARE APPRECIATED and will help Naomi and Nik focus on Naomi’s recovery at this time where Naomi is unable to work.

Just one month ago, 29-year-old wedding and portrait photographer Naomi Williams of Ponte Vedra Beach was living a normal life; watching her 2½-year-old son Jake grow bigger by the day, running a successful studio and together with her husband Nik of 8 years, they were looking for a bigger home and hoping for a little brother or sister for Jake.

That was before everything changed. What started as a pain in Naomi’s back led to several tests and surgeries and then, the verdict: Stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma - a type of skin cancer which has spread from its original site to other parts of the body, in Naomi’s case into her spine, pelvis and lungs.

The emotional burden of this grim discovery and the journey ahead is difficult enough. We can all offer words of support and our heartfelt prayers, but there’s something equally powerful we can do for Naomi, Nik and Jake. Like so many other, the Williams family lives on dual income. Obviously, Naomi is unable to work causing a financial burden that this young couple simply can’t concentrate on right now.

Pictures of Hope is a collaborative response initiated by family and friends of Naomi Williams. We are trying to raise funds for Naomi and her family who have just begun a very tough and challenging journey. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of currently approved treatments - such as Chemotherapy and Radiation - for Stage 4 Metastic Melanoma are very limited. Should Naomi’s body not respond to her current treatment, she and Nik will be seeking alternative treatment programs abroad which have had greater rates of success but are not covered under insurance.
In addition to this website initiative, we have also designed an event called Picture A Cure which is aimed at raising awareness of skin cancer - so that other families can be reminded of the importance in taking measures in disease protection, living in the moment, and planning ahead if disaster should strike. Picture A Cure is scheduled for June 13th 2009 and will help raise funds for Naomi and for skin cancer research. Tickets will have a suggested donation value of $50 per person. Due to space considerations, a limited number of tickets are available. If you’d like to request a ticket, please email your address and your desired number of tickets to: info@naomiwilliams.com.

Please join us as we support an incredible woman who has had a huge impact on so many lives - through her work as a wedding and portrait photographer, as a mother, wife and as a friend.

Mother's Day Brunch

Spend some time with the wonderful Mothers in your life and help celebrate them in a special way on their day! Join us at the Casa Monica Hotel, in our award winning restaurant, 95 Cordova for Mother's Day Brunch!

Mother’s Day Brunch

May 10th, 2009, 10.30am to 3pm

BREAKFAST
Waffle, Pancake and Omelet Station
Egg Benedict, Scrambled Egg, Bacon and Sausage
Cheese Grits, Biscuit Gravy,
Muffins, Croissants Danishes
Jelly, Marmalade, Honey
Chef DeJuan’s Crème Brulée French Toast

SEAFOOD

Atlantic and Norwegian Smoked Salmon
Shrimp, Oysters, Mussels, Scallops, Crab Claws
Mustard Dill, Horseradish Relish, Sweet Chili Sauce, Lemon, Lime, Crackers

CRAB CAKES
Spicy Oriental, Maryland, Plain
Lime Aioli, Sweet Chili, Remoulade, Cocktail

SOUPS
Thai Coconut and Crab, Chicken Tortilla

CARVING
Prime Rib of Beef, Pork Roast, Chicken, Salmon

SIDES

Mashed Potatoes, Corn Pudding, Penne Pasta “Al Pirata”Spring
Medley of Roasted Vegetables

BREAD & DIP
Artichoke & Spinach Dip, Hummus, Eggplant Hummus
Crostinis, Sesame Crackers, Flatbread

CHEESE & FRUIT
Chef DeJuan’s Private Selection of Cheese, Warm Brie,
Grapes, Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Berries, Pineapples

ANTIPASTO
Eggplants, Yellow Squash, Zucchini, Artichokes, Olives,
Onion, Goat Cheese Tart, Prosciutto, Stuffed Grape Leaves

SALADS
Caesar, Organic Greens, Cucumber, Tuna, Egg, Tomato, Mozzarella

BANANAS FOSTER
Grilled Bananas served with Caramel Sauce and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

DESSERT
Apple, Key Lime, New York Style Cheese, Carrot, Bread Pudding,
Chocolate Dipping Station with Strawberries
Pound Cake, Assorted Fruit, Marshmallows, Pretzels

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES
Madagascar Dark, Grand Cru Bolivia, Milk Gianduja,
White Gianduja, Spicy Mexican Dark

Adults $59
Includes 2 glasses of Mimosa or Champagne
Teenagers $29 – Children $ 9 –“Teeny Tiny’s” Free

20% gratuities and 6 % Sales tax will be added

95 Cordova Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084
904.810.6810 – http://www.95cordova.com/

Real Wedding: Taryn and Carlos

CONGRATULATIONS to Taryn and Carlos who got married in March! They are a beautiful couple who loves life! There ceremony was held at the Cathedral Basilica and then there reception was on the Sultan's Pavilion and Pool Deck here at Casa Monica. Check out these gorgeous pictures from talented Ron B. Wilson Photography. His creativity and attention to detail is amazing! Photos courtesy of Ron B. Wilson Photography located in Jacksonville, FL. You can check out more of his work in the latest copy of The Knot Florida on page 62, Real wedding; Kathy and Michael.

Celebrities Staying at Casa Monica

Here in St. Augustine we are fortunate enough to have the St. Augustine Amphitheatre and other venues in Jacksonville for artists to perform. Just a few of the celebrities we have had staying with us in the last few weeks have been: Darryl Hall from Hall and Oates, and Joe Cocker .

Most recently, we had Nickelback staying with us, they checked out yesterday! The picture above is of a client who met up with Nickelback while having a cocktail in our Colbalt Lounge on Tuesday night! Pretty cool!

The Knot Best of Weddings 2008/2009 Pick

We are proud to announce that the Casa Monica Hotel has been rated by local brides and voted The Knot Best of Weddings 2008/2009 Pick. Please pick up a copy of The Knot Best of Weddings 2009 magazine and check out our listing.

This has been an honor the Casa Monica Hotel has received for the third year in a row! Thank you to all brides who have voted for the Casa Monica. We look forward to assisting you in hosting the best and most memorable wedding!

Welcome to the GRAND BOHEMIAN HOTEL ASHEVILLE

Welcome to The Kessler Collection's latest masterpiece, the Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville. Opening today, April 1, 2009, just steps away from gates of the famous Biltmore Estate lies the authentic Old-World, rustic ambiance of this Tudor inspired boutique hotel, masterfully blended with all of the modern luxuries synonymous with a contemporary Kessler Collection hotel experience.

www.bohemianhotelasheville.com

104 luxurious guestrooms and suites
Red Stag Grill
Grand Bohemian Gallery
Poseidon Spa
5,000 square feet of exceptional event space
Fitness center
Valet parking
On-site concierge

The Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville joins a distinguished group of beautiful properties, including :

Grand Bohemian Hotel, Orlando, FL

Celebration Hotel, Celebration, FL

Casa Monica Hotel, St. Augsutine, FL

Doubletree Castle, Orlando, FL

Sundy House, Delray Beach, FL

Mansion on Forsyth Park, Savannah, GA

Beaver Creek Lodge, Beaver Creek, CO

Kessler Canyon, DeBeque, CO

El Monte Sagrado, Taos, New Mexico

Below are pictures taken by members of the Kessler Team

Erin got MARRIED!!!!

On February 20th, I became ERIN JOHNSON! Woo hoo! Landon and I after a long and wonderful engagement we got married at the Cathedral Basilica and then had our dream reception at Casa Monica Hotel in the Casa Monica Ballroom. We had so much fun and are ready to do it all over again! :) The night before we had a phenomenal, intimate rehearsal dinner at Collage Restaurant (where we got engaged!) followed by meeting friends and family at JP Henley's for cocktails after dinner! Then, the day after the reception (Saturday) we hosted a "BBQ and Brews After the I Do's" at our local favorite, Hurricane Patty's. Then off on the honeymoon, we spent a wonderful week relaxing and having fun in Riviera Maya, Mexico! AMAZING!

Thank you to the fabulous vendors that helped make our wedding so much fun!

DJ: Kris Parnell with Footloose Entertainment

Flowers: 57 Treasury

Cake: Sweet Weddings

Wedding Planner: Karen Erwin, St. Augustine Weddings and Special Events

Hair and Makeup: Joyce-Hair, Gail-Makeup, Small Indugences Day Spa

Uplighting in Ballroom: Robert Capers, PRI Productions

Photographer: Kris Graham Photography

(Note: the photos below are NOT professional photos from Kris Graham, they are from my friends and family's cameras.)

Vows

Landon and I with Fr. Tim and Pastor Terry

My favorite shot...

With my sister, and Matron of Honor, Shannon...she had a tough job of keeping my dress up!

We're married!!!

Having fun at the reception!

With my parents after the ceremony!

With Matron of Honor, my sister and Best Man, Landon's step-Dad, Dave

Landon's Surprise Groomscake...unreal...the boot was edible!!! Thanks, Sweet Weddings!

So good!!!!

As soon as I am able to post some of the professional pictures, I certainly will! My new email address is Erin.Johnson@casamonica.com if you still email to Erin Poticny, don't worry, I will receive it but you will get a reply from Erin Johnson! :) Have a wonderful day! Happy Wedding Planning!

Beautiful Weddings Captured at Casa Monica

Thank you to the K-Gallery, from Gainesville, Florida for providing these beautiful pictures of couples getting ready at the Casa Monica Hotel!

Congratulations!!