Out with a bang! ACI 2nd Wednesday Finale "Tea at the Ritz"

This year has been an amazing year for programming with the ACI and we've had some incredible speakers come to give lectures as part of the 2nd Wednesday series at the museum.  However, every year for the last 2nd Wednesday we like to shake things up and take the party offsite.  This year we descended on the Tea Lounge at the Ritz-Carlton in Phoenix.  Members and guests in their finest and smartest suits and dresses (and fabulous hats!) arrived for the Royal Tea service at the Ritz, presented by none other than the tea master himself, Jeffrey Hattrick.  Champagne and tea flowed freely as the ladies and gentlemen present sat back for more than two hours of chatting and watching a fabulous informal fashion show presented by Neiman Marcus.

The event was a fabulous, sold-out success and as one of the organizers and ACI Programming Co-Chair I would like to add a personal thank you to ACI President Natalie Kaan, ACI Programming Co-Chair Helen Bobince, Jeffrey Hattrick and the Ritz-Carlton, and Neiman Marcus and Lisa Pagel for their help and support in putting together this fabulous event.

For those who weren't able to attend, I hope you enjoy these pictures.

xx
Andrea

President Natalie Kaan welcoming the guests

Jeffrey Hattrick getting the tea service started.

The fashion show was fabulous and so much fun!

Loving the poppy print on this dress.

Does it get any better than scones with Devonshire cream?  I think not.

From mini fruit tarts to Scottish shortbread, the Ritz has it all!

I've always loved carousels, so I fell in LOVE with this Judith Leiber bag! 

Posing with the incoming 2012-2013 ACI President Gail Adams.

2011-2012 ACI Programming Co-Chairs. Helen Bobince (left) and I!  Job done, we were happy to sit back and enjoy the tea.

Not to sound like I'm imitating Rachel Zoe, but I die for this dress.  Seriously.

Lois Alberts thanks Natalie for all her hard work this year as President of ACI. Thanks Natalie!  From all of us.

Jeffrey concludes the event by honoring and delighting us all with a song.