Portia Simpson Miller plans for an intimate birthday celebration today.

Oh, soo many parties ... soo very little time! It's that time of the year again, when the birthday celebrations are running hand in hand with the parties and it makes for a very, very busy season! Add to that the annual Christmas and craft fairs, art exhibitions and openings, and y'all know we are talking one cooking season here! Now, forget all that talk about it being one tough season; here, in the land of the fab, when the times are tough we all go partying!

Amid all the talk everywhere that some would be cutting back on their annual 'traditional' Yuletide celebration, the hot duo of Steve and Betty Ashley threw the season opening shindig last Thursday. In so doing, they underlined the fact that while a tradition might be fashionable, being fashionable does not a tradition make!

And their weekend opening event ushered in one weekend of simply fabulous and awesome happenings, from Kingston all the way to Runaway Bay in fabulous St Ann!

Following on the Ashleys' triumphant shindig, on Saturday morning, the fab beauty Dr Saphire Longmore wed her beau European Union official Alex Dropinski, in what proved a simply naff wedding and an even more awesome reception. But more anon.

On Sunday, the oh-so-talented artist Laura Facey Cooper opened her home in St Ann and hosted one of the season's best outings, as she showcased her latest offerings. More anon, too.

Then, there was the anniversary celebration of the fab SuperClubs resort known as Breezes Runaway Bay. It was such a celebration of fab resort chic and culinary triumphs, people are still going ga-ga over the outing, with the buzz being it was all good!

Anyway, the Christmas party season is off and running, and for my word, fabulously so thanks to those with a sense of tradition and sense of occasion. It's all about sharing the blessing and goodwill.

But speaking of things fabulous, it's all systems go tomorrow night in Kingston in the heart of the city as The Quad will come alive at 10 p.m. as it is 'The Night of the Little Black Dress'. Impresario extraordinaire and king of night-time entertainment Ribbie Chung and his staff are inviting ladies of sophistication to get all dolled up in their little black dresses, for what some are hoping will be an annual party on the social calendar.

Then, it's an oenophile's dream (never mind dream and make that treat), this Saturday, as the Royal Plantation Resort in Ocho Rios will be opening its hallowed doors to host what is expected to be a fab wine pairing dinner, in honour of the visiting wine maker Danielle Cyrot of the Napa Valley's St Clement Winery, voted Best Boutique Winery.

In what Peter Fraser and Jamie stewart-McConnell promise to be a stellar occasion, guests are invited to uncork the magic in what has been billed as the wine makers' dinner, in the Plantation Room - a four-course Caribbean-inspired fare, to be paired with the personal wine selections of the visiting wine maker, and the nominal cost of US$120 ($9,480) per person.

Birthdays

Celebrating his special day on Monday, December 8 was Douglas Orane. It was also time for man-about-town Oliver Magnus to step up to the birthday podium, and this he did with a rather intimate soirée in Stony Hill, that was a gathering of friends and relatives and proved soo fab, people are still talking!

On Wednesday, Professor Trevor Munroe celebrated his special day, and the affable Dwight Sangster turned 40 yesterday and partied like the rock star he is at his Beverly Hills residence!

A-crowder Anthony Watson celebrates his birthday tomorrow, and the lovely Heather Gray will celebrate on the 15th.

But today it's all about the grand dame of the People National Party, Portia Simpson Miller, who celebrates her birthday with plans afoot for a rather intimate do to follow!

Champagne toasts all around with caviar treats!

Tony Watson and his fab wife, Jeanne. - Contributed

Fraser

Stewart-McConnell

Orane