If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know I love people, creativity, and anything with a beautiful backstory.

This month, I hosted an intimate art and fashion event at our oceanfront home in Laguna Beach featuring Texas-based mixed media artist Ash Almonte—and it was truly one for the books.

This all started thanks to a divine algorithm and a little bit of God.

Ash found me after I hosted an event as an ambassador for Alice + Olivia at Highland Park Village.

She had done similar events for them in the past (painting live on jeans!) and started following me on Instagram.

She messaged me, saying I came across as genuine and kind and wondered if one day we might do something together.

I followed her back and immediately became obsessed with her work!

Joe and I love mixed media—we have quite the collection in both our Laguna and Texas homes—and Ash’s style lit my soul up.

We put the idea on the back burner, but a few months later, she reached back out. “What if I bring a piece to your home, and we have a little party?”

I slept on it and woke up with the full download: I could turn my entire house into an art gallery.

Let’s just say—I don’t do things halfway.

Ash poured weeks into this, painting one-of-a-kind pieces just for the event, carefully packing each one, and planning a road trip to California with her husband (who also happens to be her director of sales) and their two small children.

The commitment, the faith, the family teamwork—it was beautiful.

On my end, the planning started with a carefully curated guest list.

This was one of the first events where I invited a lot of locals I hadn’t met in person yet but knew shared my love for art, fashion, and community.

We kept it intimate—about 22 guests—and it was just right.

Planning the Vibe: An Art Party with a Twist

We hosted the event on a Saturday from 3PM to 6 P.M.—which I highly recommend.

It’s after lunch, before dinner, and the perfect window for cocktails, laughter, and relaxed conversation (Sunday afternoons work beautifully, too!).

Ash created the artwork for the invitation, I added the verbiage, and we moved into planning mode.

I kept food light and elegant with charcuterie boards (check out Boarderie—they ship nationwide!) and added two signature cocktails:

“Butterfly Kisses” (a lavender gin and elderflower mix)

“The Monarch Welcome” (sparkling rosé with edible glitter and butterfly stir sticks)

You can explore beautiful cocktail ideas on A Beautiful Mess for your next gathering.

To add to the fun, I brought in a friend from a luxury medical spa to offer brows and Botox.

Fun fact: the only husband at the event was the first in line for Botox!

Another hilarious moment?

Our tall, handsome bartender.

I had half the ladies come up to me and whisper, “Where’d you find that bartender… dang.”

He knew he was charming—he’d flex his biceps every time someone ordered a drink.

Let’s just say, by the end of the night, he had sampled a few too many of his own pours!

Ash Almonte: From Canvas to Closet

Ash painted live on guests’ denim—jeans, jackets, Louis Vuitton Neverfull bags, and yes… even a silk dress.

Watching her work in real time was electric.

Each design was unique, personal, and full of soul.

She sold several pieces and is now collaborating with multiple women from the event.

One guest is flying her back to California in May to paint a one-of-a-kind mural on her spiral staircase—scaffolding and all.

Another purchased a large piece for her Beverly Hills condo.

Others are currently commissioning original works for their homes, each one tailored to their space and story.

What It Means to Commission a Piece

If you’ve never commissioned art before, it simply means working directly with the artist to create something custom for your space.

Ash will chat with you about your vision, do a sketch, and create something meaningful and completely one-of-a-kind.

If it was me? I’d suggest:

Your powder bathroom — the most visited room in the house! Try one bold piece or a trio of smaller ones.

Your great room or family room — a conversation piece with emotional resonance.

Your closet — where you get ready, feel joy, and want your favorite art collecting on you.

She offers everything from small, joyful trios to massive focal walls—and now, clearly, even full murals!

The Heart Behind the Butterflies

One of the most powerful moments was when Ash shared how her father passed away unexpectedly—and shortly after, butterflies started appearing everywhere.

She now paints butterflies in his honor, and as she told the story to our group, you could feel the room soften and connect.

Want to Host Something Similar?

If you’re thinking of throwing your own creative gathering, here are some vendor ideas to get you started:

Invite a live painter or self-portrait artist

1 Add a permanent jewelry pop-up

2 Hire a calligrapher to write custom verses or quotes

3 Set up a flower bar for make-your-own mini bouquets

4 Create a tea or cocktail corner for charm and conversation

If you’re interested in commissioning a piece or sending her your denim, just send me a DM.

It’s $300 for a hand-painted denim piece.

She’ll collaborate with you on the design, sketch it out, then mail it back.

Several of my friends already sent in jackets and jeans—it’s such a fun and fashionable idea!

And for my Texas friends… stay tuned! We’ll be doing this same event at our Fort Worth house sometime next year.

I cannot wait.

If you want to dive in deep with me on all the details and behind-the-scenes of the Ash Almonte event—how it came together, the art, the denim, the vibe—stay tuned for my upcoming podcast, Amy Plus Podcast, launching in May.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

– 2 Corinthians 5:17

Let beauty rise in you—and around you.

Love,

Amy