Hot Spot: Croc's Drag Yourself To Brunch (with a side of Boobs!)

Sunday was truly a "Girls Funday" as we celebrated a pair of dear friends birthdays, like never before! I should have known-one of the Birthday gals is the owner of  "Diamond In the Rough"  Events & Affairs.  Reservations were made for "Drag Yourself to Brunch" at Croc's on 19th Street on the Virginia Beach strip and OH MY! It was all that and more, like literally! The place was PACKED; once the doors closed--the show got started in style--like literally! The Divas doned gorgeous costumes, or not (see pics below!) and put on a hell of a SHOW! They EN-TER-TAINED! I was even "Boob Bombed".  We danced and sang from the top of our lungs with Shania, Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Nicki Minaj, Cher, just to name a few.  I so knew all the words to each song by the way. 

The food-magnificent! The menu offered a nice array of brunch items from French Toast, Shrimp & Grits, Breakfast Tacos, Crab Cakes--Ahh! You name it-they had it! My cheeks were so hurt from smiling and laughing-like literally! I am all for "Something New" this was really something special!
 Shows start at 11am & 2pm!  

The food was delicious!

DragYourself to Brunch!

I had the Greek Goddess Chicken Salad! 

The Shrimp & Grits, Ahh-smelled and tasted great!

Crab Cakes served with Rissoto & a Pear Mimosa? I think so!

Oh the Divas were out baby! Yasssss. 

Make that money honey!

She was a crowd favorite! Love her!

A little cowgirl action!

Sing Girl! 

Us ladies really enjoyed ouselves! I was so thankful for the invite! The food was great, the entertainment-unmatched! The company-priceless! 

Hot Spot: Networking Wednesday! Who's Who?

 Hosted by R&B Singer/Songwriter Romonta, featuring the best 757 set, The Chuuch Band! 

"Wind Down"  your  "Work Week" with "The Who's Who Social Network" Wednesdays at 

VA LIVE! 3376 Military Highway, Chesapeake, VA.  

Every week there will be a business featured! Come "Mix & Mingle" with area's "Mover's & Shakers" Dinner & Drinks? Of course!  The Blackened Salmon Salad--BANGIN'!   Looking to be our featured business? Please email Aliceatlargeevents@yahoo.com.

Hang out on Hump Day with us! 

Culture Club: Sawadee Ka! Thailand Candle Festival

Wat Pasantidhamma 

 I was four years old, when I stepped foot on my mother's homeland. Growing up,  if my summer's weren't spent in St. Louis, I was in Bangkok & Ubon, Thailand.  Every trip, we went straight to the temple to receive blessings. Some of the happiest moments in my life, were spent in the beautiful, gold trimmed courtyards of Thai Temples. Mom a devout Buddhist would go in and pray, I would be exploring the grounds outside! Feeding baby chicks, or pretending I was a princess and this was my golden domain! Then she would come out and sprinkle me with holy water! We always celebrated the Thai Holidays! I remember always having fun times and LOTS OF FOOD!
Tradition still stands!  Mom had me out at the Thai Candle Festival in Carrollton, VA. She is pretty active and lends a hand all over! I go every year, and each year, I love it! Might I add, I still continue to get those blessings by the Monks! The Thai community comes together to make this event spectacular! There is a mini market place that sells all your authentic Thai cuisines, desserts & street foods. (Ahh, the smell is so enticing-you want to try it all) Vendors selling Thai material and mementos.
There were Raffles & a Peace Park to enjoy! There is also huge buffet of anything and everything Thai you could ever want, that is offered to Festival patrons and guests of the temple, free. As a "Thank You" for joining in this Spiritual Sunday! Mom helps prepare and serve the authentic cuisine.  I LOVE the traditional parade around the temple. Oh, Mom helped lead the parade by the way.  This "Taste of Home" for me, usually ends with traditional Thai drums being beat and Thai traditional dancers.  You know it-Mom, loves to play the drums AND dance! At the end of the day-that's where you can find her!     

Before the Thai Buffet Lunch, the Monks will bless the food!

Amazing Food! Just like home! Yummy Thai Soups! 

Plenty of Fruits! 

My Mom,  the beauty with the big smile, helps prepare the Thai lunch buffet to everyone in attendance! 

Working on a new building! Donations are accepted!

These Thai Rice Cakes drizzled in dark carmel are sold in packs and usually gone in minutes! My grandmother always had some ready for my arrival! 

Love fresh Thai veggies! Smells beautiful! Thai Basil, Bamboo, Lemongrass! 

Real Chicken Satay! All you need is Sticky Rice and Somtham!

Fried Fish, Tod Mun, Steamed Bamboo. Are you serious? I will take all three. Thanks. 

These incense & flowers are for the traditonal Prayer Ceremoy!

Jack Fruits & Thai Desserts were also sold in the "Thai Marketplace" 

This lady has to be my fav! She sold Som Tham or Thai Papaya salad fresh! You tell her how spicy or how lemony you want it...She got it! She is actually slicing up the Papaya in this pic!   

Thai Sausage is the best! Especially with Sticky Rice and Som Tham aka  Papaya Salad. 

Mom, far left, will help lead the Candle Fest Parade around the temple 3 times! Thai Tradition!

Everyone offers the Monks food for blessings, prior to our lunch and prayer session.

What I love about this pic? The Monk taking pics with a very nice camera! There's Mom again! Tired, but happy after the parade! 

My favorite childhood dessert! Tapioca with Sweet Corn topped off with Sweet Coconut Milk. Ahhh. Amazing.

Mom and all the pretty Thai babies after the parade. Tired but they were troopers. And so Adorb!

A stroll in the Peace Park leads to many Statues and outside alters. 

Our Meal! Pad Thai, Pad Woon Sen, Thai Beef Salad, Fried Crabs, Thai Chicken, Kai Palow, Chicken with Basil/Thai Eggplant, Fried Rice Patty, Som Tham, Sticky Rice, Jasming Rice. Yeah. We smashed!

Thai Gong rang after Monks were finished with prayer.  Kind of wish I was the "Gonger"! You have no idea! I was so close!!

Every Thai household has this! It holds Kao-Neuw or Sticky Rice.

The Sanctuary

Candle Festival. These are traditionally used to light up the Temple, back when no there was no electricity.  The community comes together to make the huge candles!

Thai Traditional Drummers end the event as everyone breaks out in Dance...Thai Style!