Cinema Benefit Elegant Winter Party

Last night our university cinema threw a huge bash to raise money for the upcoming year.  With a theme inspired by the 1930's caper film, The Sting, who would want to miss out?  My date, an avid cinema lover, and I donned 30's inspired clothes and headed to the theater,  which was transformed for the evening into a swanky lounge and screening hall combo.  

After being greeted by men in mobster hats, we were greeted by something equally impressive once inside - an immense spread of food, catered by some of my favorite restaurants and bakeries in the city.  Particularly delicious and a great party food were the mini samosa - they were amazing alone, and it was also fun to try them dunked in the various sauces.

See those lanterns above the food?  They are made out of decks of old playing cards.

The sound of piano rhapsodies wafted across the theater from the direction of the stage, and after eating our first round of hors d'oeuvres, we headed over to investigate.

Up on the stage, there were little tables covered in desserts.  In addition, there was a benefit silent auction, featuring all sorts of goodies, from wine gift baskets to signed film paraphernalia   One sought-after favorite was a movie poster for The Life of Pi, signed by director Ang Lee (who I'm a big fan of).  

However, my bidding sights were set on this:

Yes, that's the complete set of all 22 (now 23 since Skyfall's release) James Bond films, plus passes for two for some upcoming screenings.  

And they now belong...to me.  My first ever silent auction victory!

The night wrapped up with a screening of a beautifully restored copy of The Sting.  I loved how the film could suck you back into the past, into a world of mobsters, Studebaker cars, and master conmen.  A pretty amazing end to the evening.

Copious amounts of food seemed to follow me into this morning - we had a pretty lucious breakfast spread at the museum where I volunteer. 

 It gave me just the energy I needed for all the work I had to do for the day.

But the best reward of the day, even better than the tasty breakfast, was definitely this.  It was a boat made by a little ~5-year old girl, who unlike most of the other kids, didn't want to take it with her or destroy it, she wanted to give it to me as a thank you.  Yup, I pretty much melted at that moment.