On Saturday, the eco-focused magazine Conscious Choice celebrated its 20th anniversary at Allyu Spa. The cocktail party drew roughly 600 guests, with the magazine’s readers, advertisers, and clients comprising the bulk of the crowd. Without the help of an external planner, the entire Conscious Choice staff worked together to plan the event in just one month. “Our biggest challenge is to stay balanced with producing a great magazine and planning a great party,” said Carrie Fitzsimmons, an account executive with the magazine who helped organize the event.
At the party, Greg Christian Catering set up food stations featuring a chilled summer soup trio with Spanish gazpacho, French vichyssoise, and Mexican corn chowder. A selection of mini burgers, pesto-chicken paninis, and cheese quesadillas rounded out the appetizer selection. Local restaurants also added to the mix with gluten-free cookies from the Balanced Kitchen and raw strawberry cheesecake from Cousin’s Incredible Vitality.
Just outside of the spa on Chicago’s Riverwalk, a small stage provided space for global DJ Mark Riva. Guests took in Riva’s upbeat world music while sipping specialty cocktails like the "Eco-Tea-ni," made with 360 Vodka and Argo's honey-sweetened tea. Allyu’s interior had a more subdued vibe as down-tempo music streamed from its speakers, and guests relaxed in the quiet, candlelit meditation room, where Patric Marks—Sitar Maestro played.
Those in attendance were free to explore all 6,000 square feet of Allyu’s space, including shower and treatment rooms, though services were not on offer during the event. One of the spa’s smaller rooms provided space for a silent auction, where guests bid on local, sustainable items like an Earth Speaks woven jacket, tickets to the Museum of Science and Industry’s Smart Home exhibit, and gift certificates to restaurants including Big Jones, Kitsch’n, and Crust. All proceeds benefited FamilyFarmed.org, a Web site, food label, and expo that supports Midwestern organic farmers.
Correction: This story has been updated to properly describe the ingredients of the "Eco-Tea-ni."
