Candid Candace

At Last, A New Beginning!

As we all know by now, the Inauguration festivities in Washington were everything we had hoped it to be and more.  It seems almost everyone in Chicago attended. Among those lucky people witnessing history were Jan Melk, MK Pritzker, Linda Johnson Rice, Katherine Chez, Judd Malkin, Melinda Jakovich, Grace Barry, Joan Harris, Martin Gapshis, the Double-Hunks -- Nate Berkus and Brian Atwood (seen lunching at RL on Friday) -- Robin Berger, Neal Zucker, Les Coney, Cheryle and Charles Jackson, Shirley and Pat Ryan, all of the Daleys and Katherine Gehl. My handsome friend from L.A. David Aminzadeh went and had all-access. He supplied me with the best photos I’ve seen yet of the Inauguration. Check out his gallery of pics here. My favorite shot is the closeup of the President crying during the National Anthem. And if this weren’t enough, he also attended the Golden Globes and People’s Choice Awards and shared a table with Angelina, Brad and Clint Eastwood (click here for those shots)! Not bad, huh? Thanks so much David for sharing your awesome photos!!! Way to go!!!! Photos: top right, President Obama sheds a tear during the National Anthem; top left, Joseph Hobbs, First Lady Michelle Obama and David Aminzadeh; middle right, Nate Berkus and Brian Atwood; bottom left, Denzel Washington, David Aminzadeh and Jamie Foxx; bottom right, Angelina Jolie, David Aminzadeh and supermodel Alek Wek (all photos courtesy of David Aminzadeh).
 
I know I will probably be the only person saying this but I wasn’t thrilled with the First Lady’s wardrobe choices. I didn’t think the Isabel Toledo yellow suit was a good choice for her; yellow is not her best color and I wasn’t thrilled with rhinestones in the daytime. I also didn’t like the white Jason Wu gown that she wore to the balls. She seemed clearly uncomfortable in it and kept tugging at the bodice and throwing the train around.  I’m sorry but she’s such a stunner and so tall and statuesque that she could look great in almost anything but not these two outfits (in my humble opinion). On this note, I dropped in at Ikram

yesterday to see what their offerings were. As you know, Ikram Goldman advised Michelle on her wardrobe choices. She was leaving the store and refused a photographer who wanted to take her photo but she allowed him access to shoot inside the store. She told one of her sales staff that the media would have to email her directly about “the president’s shirt.” So apparently, she may be advising the president as well. Photos: top left, Michelle in Isabel Toledo; top right, Michelle in Jason Wu; bottom left, Ikram Goldman.

Debi Ford, who is a makeup artist, did President Obama’s makeup on Election Day as well as Joe Biden’s among others. This is what she had to say: “Election Day 2008 was the job of a lifetime for me...campaigning was over, so the mood was very light and relaxed...it was so relaxed in fact that you couldn't believe in a few hours Barack Obama was going to be President...I worked with him for at least a couple hours while he was on-camera answering questions from broadcasters all over the country...besides the usual ‘Hi, how are you?’ the first thing he said when introduced to me was ‘I think I may need a lot of concealer today; I'm a bit tired’...it was very cute...he was wonderful; so easy to be around and so unpretentious and ‘normal’ and yet you could tell he was constantly in thought when off camera, and had his finger on everything that was going on around the country with the voting polls...Michelle had one of the best outfits on that I've seen her in...black slacks, Laura Petrie-style, a black blouse and black flats...Joe Biden was so good looking in person and very affable, talkative and yet a constant politician...he and Barack are a great combination...Joe Biden and I talked about baseball, football, we're both from the East, so we chatted about that, everyday, easy conversation...I was the makeup artist for all four crews filming live broadcasting at the Hyatt, Chicago, Obama Campaign Headquarters, for the whole day, before heading over to Grant Park. I worked with Barack, Michelle, Joe Biden and [campaign manager] David Plouffe.” She only touched up Michelle’s makeup and said she was very quiet during this tense time. According to Deb, Michelle has wonderful skin and loves a paler lip with a darker eye. Deb’s client list reads like a who’s who – Beyonce, John Mayer, the late Paul Newman, Ozzy Osbourne, Tom Hanks and almost all of Chicago’s on-air talent. For your next close-up, contact Deb at [email protected] or by calling (847) 702-1522. Photo: top right, Debi Ford (photo courtesy of Mitch Canoff); top left, Vice President Joe Biden; bottom right, campaign manager David Plouffe.

I am proud to say I worked at the call center for the President’s campaign and this is what the headquarters looked like. From humble beginnings, great things have come! And in keeping with the presidential theme, my stepson Charley Jordan hosted a New Year’s Eve bash at our home for the Junior Politico set! Guests included Kathy and Hunter Biden, Chris and Amy D’Amato, Michael and Tony Buhle and Aili and Art Bresnahan. Charley is a terrific actor and has appeared in numerous stage productions as well as TV and voiceover work for clients which include Honda, Horseshoe Casino, Buick, Dun & Bradstreet and Comcast to name a few. He is the voice of the Minnesota Lottery and has appeared in a highly acclaimed one-man play entitled “The Benchmark.”Currently he is a part of the Polarity Theatre Ensemble Group and is exclusively represented by the Shirley Hamilton Agency. And I love him to pieces, of course! :) Photos: top left, Obama call center; top right, Aili Bresnahan, Charley Jordan and Hunter Biden; bottom left, Kathy Biden, Amy D'Amato and Aili Bresnahan.
 
Get ready for Common Threads’ World Festival and mark your calendars to save this date—Monday, March 23rd! The Museum of Contemporary Art will be transformed into a gourmand’s feast as chefs from all over the world strut their stuff at this uber popular event! Gail Simmons from Food & Wine and Bravo’s “Top Chef” will serve as honorary chair and mistress of ceremonies. The event co-chairs are Mayari Pritzker, Katherine Chez and me! :) World Festival celebrates food and how it teaches us about the world around us. Guests will experience culinary and cultural traditions practiced all around the globe. VIPS will enjoy a pre-party at the MCA celebrating Latin flavors and the after party will be at the James Hotel featuring a surprise musical guest. Silent and live auctions will be available to guests to purchase one-of-a-kind items. One of the top live auction prizes will be a custom Airstream Bambi trailer designed by Michael S. Smith – the Obamas’ White House decorator!!! Michael is a 44-year-old Californian who has designed for Steven Spielberg, Cindy Crawford, Evelyn Rothschild, Rupert Murdoch and Michelle Pfieffer to name a few. General admission is $250 per person and VIP tickets are $500 per person. Sponsorships range from $3,500 to $50,000. For more information on this event, please contact Kristin Weiss at [email protected]or by calling (312) 752-2692. Again, if you have an auction item idea, please let Kristin know. There is still time to donate an item and make a difference! Photos: top right, Katherine Chez, Common Threads' executive director Linda Novick O'Keefe and me; top left, Gail Simmons with fellow "Top Chef" judge Tom Colicchio; bottom right, Michael S. Smith; bottom left, an Airstream Bambi trailer similar to the one Smith will custom design for World Festival's live auction.

And many thanks to the eagle-eyed Playboy editor in NY who reads my blog and spotted my pic with Barack recently! It appears in this month’s Playboy Magazine in the Playmate News section. :) And on this note, Kendra recently told ALL to US Magazine about life with Hef. She said the girls had a 9 p.m. curfew and that “Hef was kind of like my best friend, but a sugar daddy at the same time. He would give me diamond bracelets and stuff. He put money down on my Escalade and was paying for it right up until it got stolen.” She went on to say, “I had to have sex every now and then, I had to kind of sneak it.” She got a $1,000 allowance every week and felt “awkward putting her hand out, but we couldn’t have jobs other than getting appearance fees.” Kendra said Hef was “blindsided by the Holly and Criss Angel thing and that hurt him so much.” According to the article, Hef’s rules were dresses only, no gum, lockdown (“there’s a gate to get in and a gate to get out. Every time you wanted to leave, they had to let you out.”) and no holidays away. Kendra said, “I could never go back for Christmas or Thanksgiving. When my grandpa was dying, that was actually the first time when I could go.” She said “she’s ready to be done with Playboy and be a classier woman, wife and mom.” Despite all of this, Kendra said “Hef made me feel beautiful. He looks at the most beautiful women in the world every day, and it’s crazy to think he considered me one.” Photos: top right, me and now-President Barack Obama; top left, Hef and Kendra in happier times; bottom right, Holly Madison and Criss Angel.

A huge congratulations to Terri Lee Ryan on her upcoming book, “Life Is One Big To-Do List: A Woman’s Life After 40.” The title alone should make it a best-seller! Terri is a gorgeous woman, as you can see, and she writes with refreshing candor and a biting sense of humor about her life experiences. She urges women to live for themselves and not for others. The dust jacket says that “Ryan shares her life and other women’s lives at an age when their hormones are diminishing faster than they can take estrogen, their career options are dwindling, and the cellulite on the back of their legs is multiplying faster than a virus!” Terri has written several books and co-authored the mystery “Guardian Angel” with Thom Racina. Fun, honest and pertinent, her latest book is a must-read for women over 40 and for those who will be! Photos: top left: Terri Lee Ryan's new book cover; bottom right, Terri Lee Ryan (photos courtesy of John Reilly).

That’s all for now! I hope you’ve enjoyed reading it as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it!! I already feel the winds of change in the air….. Photo: "Hope" banner inside Obama's call center.

Lights, Camera, Action!

Welcome to 2009, friends! I hope your year is off to a great start! We have some must-attend events coming up that I would like to share with you!

On Sunday, February 22nd, hold onto your hats or wigs for the annual Oscar party called “On the Red Carpet” which will benefit the Center on Halsted. This exciting event will be like being under the big top with performances during commercials and red carpet interviews starting at 6 p.m. The Oscar telecast will begin at 7 p.m. The Billie Jean King Recreational Hall will be transformed into a glamorous ballroom and an extensive and varied menu will be provided by The Entertaining Company. Bid on silent auction items and maybe even win one of the wonderful raffle prizes which will include a five-day trip for two to the home of the Oscars - Beverly Hills! Another wonderful raffle item is a set of Van Cleef and Arpels gold and mother-of-pearl Alhambra cufflinks. The raffle tickets are one for $10 and three for $25. Event tickets are $75 for general admission which includes a raffle ticket, four drink tickets and hors d’oeuvres. Premiere seating tickets are $125 and include all of the above plus premiere seating for the Oscar telecast and $1,500 table sponsors include all of the above plus a table with champagne service throughout the evening. Event co-chairs are Mike Demetria, Kenny Huang, Wayne Harth and Gregory Hyder. To order tickets, please visit www.centeronhalsted.org  or call Donna Williams at (773) 472—6469 ext. 176. We still need silent auction items so if you can help, please contact Donna at the number above. See you on the red carpet!! Photo: top right, "On the Red Carpet" poster; bottom left, the Center on Halsted.
 
And along these lines, did you see the Golden Globes this past Sunday? Hands down Eva Longoria Parker’s dramatic red Reem Acra dress stole the show! Next up was Drew Barrymore’s grey chiffon Galliano gown - fit for a Hollywood princess! I also loved Anna Paquin’s win for “Best Actress in a Drama” for the hot, sexy series “True Blood” and the most “Incredible Bling" award goes to Beyonce who had on the most fabulous diamond bib necklace! And my favorite line of the night came from “Best Actor” Mickey Rourke, who thanked his dogs “because when you’re alone, that’s all you got.” Photos: top right, Eva Longoria Parker in Reem Acra gown, Verdura earrings and Daniel Swarovski clutch; bottom left, Beyonce in Elie Saab Haute Couture gown and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry.

Next up is an event for the Joffrey Ballet on Friday, February 20th called “Shelley Does Sinatra…Her Way.” Beautiful chanteuse Shelley MacArthur Farley will be performing in the Empire Room with the Bradley Williams Orchestra at the Palmer House Hilton. Cocktails begin at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 8 p.m. and the performance at 9:30 p.m. The event is black tie and will offer three incredible live auction packages which will include VIP trips to the Masters and the Pointe (a former Roc Resort) plus a New York package with tickets to the David Letterman Show. NetJets, an event sponsor, will provide private transportation and first-class airfare will be provided by United Airlines. Tickets are $500 per person, $5,000 for tables of 10 and $10,000 for premier tables. There are many male entertainers who do Sinatra on a regular basis but I know Shelley will definitely be doing it “her way” and it should not be missed! For tickets and more information, please contact Julia Jankowski at (312) 386-8921 or visit www.Joffrey.org. Photo: top right, Shelley MacArthur Farley (photo by Manarchy Photography); bottom left, The Joffrey Ballet.  

Now, what are most of our New Year’s resolutions involve? You’re right: getting FIT!! A lot of my friends have asked me who I recommend and for me, there is only one place to go — the RIVER WEST FITNESS STUDIO! River West Fitness specializes in personalized fitness training with no membership fees. Take advantage of the private sessions with pilates, weight training, boxing and yoga at affordable prices as low as $65 a session. To top it off, River West offers all types of massage including deep tissue, soft tissue and sports massage for $70 an hour. Instructors personalize each workout to suit the individual and can include all sorts of twists and combinations on the numerous services offered. It is located in a cozy yet modern loft at 664 W. Hubbard with accessible parking and breathtaking views of Chicago. Owners Heidi Milby and Hector Lopez are dedicated to making sure that every guest gets exactly what they need for a complete workout. They train many high-profile clients and they and their staff are a delight to work with. Highly recommended from this blogger!! Give them a call at (312) 738-3334 or drop them an email at [email protected]. Photo: Heidi Milby and Hector Lopez.

Right about this time, we are thinking of a warm place to go for February - I know I am! - and one of my favorite locales is South Beach in Miami. The weather is usually perfect and there is so much to do! One of my favorite places to stay is the Sagamore (four stars!) at 1671 Collins Ave. It’s chic but a great mix of people and the pool and public areas are awesome. The owner, Marty Taplin, is from here originally and loves to have Chicagoans visit. He has been collecting art for over 15 years and has an extensive rotating gallery on display at all times. My favorite lunch spot there is La Piaggia; it is the closest you can get to the French Riviera in the United States! The owner, Robert Pascal, is one of the original creators of the world-famous beach club La Voile Rouge in St. Tropez and his restaurant here has a similar buzz. Tables are in the sand with views of Fisher Island, a lot of the menu items as well as the rose wine come straight from the South of France. It’s always a fashionable crowd with great music but don’t pay attention to the sign on the door marked “Private Club" because it’s the best party and the best food on the beach. Sundays there rock so sit back with a magnum of rose at sunset and watch the massive cruise ships travel up and down the Government Cut. Photos: top right: the Sagamore; top left, Chuck and me at the Sagamore; bottom right: La Piaggia.

That’s all folks...but have you ever wondered what happens when it snows too much and you have too much time to think? Well, here's an example: A friend from the NBC5 Street Team reminded me that this year will be the last time you can wear those funny New Year’s Eve glasses because the “1" in "2010" will cover one eye the next time!!! And if you haven’t voted for my blog yet and enjoy reading it, please go to this link below and vote for my blog. To vote, click on CBB Blog Suggestion and enter my URL - www.CandidCandace.com - and the blog title - Candid Candace! Thanks for your support!

HANGIN’ WITH HEF FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE!

Our New Year’s trip to L.A. started off with dinner with our old friends Patti and Jimmy Connors at their favorite restaurant in Brentwood – Toscano’s. It was wonderful!    All along Rodeo Drive, loud speakers were playing Christmas tunes and they even had Baccarat chandeliers wrapped in gauze a la Phillippe Starck at every corner. The Beverly Wilshire remains one of the great hotels of the world – especially so now after its gorgeous renovation. With a concierge staff of 14, your every wish is their command. The weather was perfect: 70’s and sunny. Photos: me and Chuck with Patti and Jimmy Connors at Toscano's; me on Rodeo Drive on New Year's.

At the Playboy Mansion, it was a winter wonderland for New Year’s Eve. Everything was white – the massive tent, the ceiling with all of the oversized sparkly snowflakes and even the white carpet covering the grounds – and I can only imagine that the transformation from grounds to party tent must have been very impressive to watch. There were huge screens everywhere showing scenes from past parties. It seemed strange to see Hef watching past parties with different women involved and then to have a whole new set of women by his side but in the Playboy world, time passes quickly and this all seems normal. Security was very tight as usual; I even heard over a radio that there was already a trespasser on the grounds when we arrived. Photos: party decor; a few of the many painted ladies circulating throughout the evening.
 
There were about 425 revelers – this party is typically one of the smallest – and for the first time, the invitation attire read “black tie and lingerie” instead of “pajamas and lingerie” like in past years. A sign of the times? Growing older? I don’t know but everyone came camera ready! Most of the young girls were all body painted. The artists there must have had a field day! They were truly works of art: one girl was painted in a Santa bikini and even the fur fringe looked real! Two other women came as snowflakes and they had done the paint job themselves! The guest list was varied and included everyone from B-list actors, past and present Playmates, an A-list astronaut, military men, rappers, porn stars, and everything in between. In other words, it was a gawker’s paradise! Earlier in the day, we had driven by the Mansion while roaming around Bel Air and noticed an army of catering trucks and servers’ cars stretching for blocks and blocks near the house. Hef spared no expense and it showed: That evening, he was surrounded by his usual pack of blondes but noticeably absent were Holly and Kendra. Bridget, however, was there with her new boyfriend; they were even invited into Hef’s VIP area with the Shannon twins but no one seemed to pay her much notice – even the cameras, which were usually trained on her in the past passed her by this night. It was sort of sad – kind of like Cinderella after midnight – and I don’t think I would’ve come had I been her. I overheard her tell someone that Hef had asked her to come by for a drink so she did even though she was hesitant to do so. In any event, she stayed too late in my opinion and appeared quite tipsy near the end. Photos: me with some painted ladies; Bridget Marquardt and her boyfriend; one of the Shannon twins (in bunny ears) dances on stage; the twin theme is definitely "in" now.

The food was plentiful – sushi, all types of seafood, multiple carving stations, sweet tables, cheeses – you name it, they had it. Even the bartenders were terrific—just like in the movie “Cocktail,” they were flipping bottles behind their backs and generally wowing the women. The cast of characters included astronaut Buzz Aldrin and his wife Lois (who speaks seven languages), Andrew Dice Clay, Julie Newmar, Kato Kaelin, Jimmy Kimmel, Jose Canseco, Bill Maher, Willie Gault, Martin Landau, Steve Guttenberg, Jon Lovitz and Jeffrey Ross (the A-list celebs like Leonardo DiCaprio prefer the Halloween party where they can come in costume and no one can recognize them; in fact, he’s been to the last few Halloween parties with his posse in giant oversized masks). Patti and Jimmy Connor’s daughter, Aubree, was there and looking more and more gorgeous just like her mother. She has that same auburn mane of hair and is 5’8” and stunning. The crowd seemed older and more subdued than in year’s past but as it got closer to midnight and the music got ramped up, it became the Playboy party we all know, love and read about. Photos: me with Buzz Aldrin and his wife Lois; Jon Lovitz and guest; me with Kato Kaelin and a friend; Aubree Connors and David Aminzadeh.
   
The twins were all over Hef and he seemed to be enjoying himself. When I asked him what his New Year’s resolution was, he said “to do more of the same!” He looked very dapper in his tux but older since the last time I saw him; he seemed deaf in one ear which may have been a blessing when the rapper Baby Bash performed. Although, the crowd seemed to love him, the music wasn’t my taste but the DJ who played after him was fantastic and kept the dance floor packed to the very end. When the thousands of white balloons were dropped at midnight, the crowd went wild. It was so exciting for a couple of girls that I saw them carried out on stretchers. In the infamous grotto, a man had to have the paddles put on him and he, too, was taken away on a stretcher. Photos: Baby Bash performs as the Shannon twins dance in the background; welcoming in 2009 with thousands of white balloons and a heartfelt kiss. 
   
There were playmates from every era and from all over the country. Dolores Del Monte was Playboy’s fourth Playmate (March 1954). She was a professional pinup model whose photo – like the famous Marilyn Monroe nude – was purchased from the John Baumgarth Calendar Company of Melrose Park, Illinois for $50. Cathy St. George was there – she was Playmate for August 1982 and still looks terrific – as was October 1985 Playmate Cynthia Brimhall (this issue was called “The Collector’s Edition” since it was the first perfect bound copy). She looks even better now than she did in her centerfold! It was fun to see all of the past Playmates and to observe the new ones. No one throws a party like Playboy and I’m always thrilled to get invited. (One of the Playmates even sold her invitation on eBay for $400 – more proof that the Playboy mystique never seems to die.) Photos: me with Dolores Del Monte; Chuck and Cynthia Brimhall. 

Hef’s right-hand woman Mary O’Connor was there, too. She knows everyone and everything about Hef and Playboy and I don’t know what Hef would do without her! She takes no prisoners but is still a fantastic and likeable woman. I’ve been fortunate to know her for 35 years – ever since I moved into the Chicago Mansion in 1974 as a bunny from St. Louis. Photo: me with Mary O'Connor.

Just as our trip began with old friends, it ended the same way. On our final night, we went to dinner at Mr. Chow’s with Tissy Eggleston and John Kennington to celebrate her New Year’s Day birthday. Tissy was a bridesmaid at my wedding 19 years ago and I’m sure we will always be friends. Flying back to Chicago the next evening with all of the beautiful lights of the city below made me realize, as we all know, “there’s no place like home.” Photo: Tissy Eggleston. For more photos from this fantastic event, click HERE.  
 
I hope you all have a healthy and happy 2009! And if you enjoy reading my blog, please click here and nominate CandidCandace as one of Chicago's Best Blogs. Thanks for stopping by!