Candid Candace: February 2009

A Big THANK YOU to Factio Magazine for including me in their upcoming issue! Melissa Maynard de Kerch (editor in chief), her husband Henrique (publisher) and their darling daughter Milla came to my house recently for the shoot and they are such a dynamic and loving family. They started Factio as the first online fashion magazine in 2002 and their first print publication appeared in September 2006, all the while remaining hip and cool with a very modern format. Henrique is the creative person and also shoots a lot of the magazine’s content. Last month, my friends, photographer Jack Perno and Liz Ragen, did an outstanding job on the cover and also the edgy fashion layout inside. I predict great things for this magazine and I am honored to be included in its early years. Please mark your calendars and celebrate with me at their hot, hip Winter Issue Launch Party at the Crimson Lounge (inside the Hotel Sax at 333 N. Dearborn) from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, February 19th. Photos: top right, Melissa Maynard de Kerch and Henrique Kerch; top left, Melissa and Henrique's daughter Milla; bottom right, Factio's latest cover.

And on Thursday, February 26th, join the Junior Board of Heartland Alliance when they present ART AGAINST AIDS at the River East Art Center. They will have a reception and silent auction from 6 to 10 p.m. and a live auction at 8 p.m. One of the 2009 honorary co-chairs is my friend Aaron Baker who is the curator for Playboy’s corporate art collection. (If you ever get a chance to view the Playboy art collection with him as a tour guide, don’t miss it!) Princess Kasune Zulu, a human rights activist, is the other honorary co-chair. The auction will feature unique art works from across the country and there will be gourmet food, cocktails and music. To preview some of the artwork that will be offered or to purchase tickets online, please visit www.artagainstaidschicago.com. Tickets start at $125. Photo: Art Against Aids.

I really love the little Smart Car even though I probably couldn’t even fit into it. BUT, if you do fit and are looking for the ultimate in luxurious practicality consider this! Hermes has unveiled its version of the tiny Smart Car to celebrate the vehicle’s 10 year anniversary. The Fortwo edition Toile cars are available in 10 colors including gold, indigo and the luxury house’s signature orange. Each car is outfitted with Hermes leather covered steering wheels and start at $48, 564. I wish…..wouldn’t parking be a breeze? Photos: top right, a Fourtwo edition Toile Smart Car exterior; bottom left, a Fourtwo edition Toile Smart Car interior.

It's that time of year when we realize – or at least I do – that our/my closets are a disaster! Well, I just discovered a service that I’m sure we could all use—it’s a company called ReSpace and they “eliminate the chaos that clutter can bring to your home and life.” They offer to sort, purge, install and organize each space of your home. ReSpace was founded in 2005 by Missy Vitale a young, vibrant and delightful woman with over 15 years experience helping individuals and corporate clients. She is passionate about what she does and it shows in every project. To see the incredible before and after photos, please visit her website, www.respaceliving.com. Photo: ReSpace founder Missy Vitale.

All the while, right under our noses, a genius is at work. Jonathan Ryan goes about his business quietly, beautifully and with incredible artistry. Jonathan is an event and floral designer to the nth degree and the creative director of A Perfect Event. He moved here from L.A. where his projects included the Governor’s Ball of the Academy of Motion Pictures (8 years in a row!) - possibly the most important event in Hollywood. He has also done Seal and Heidi Klum’s wedding on the Mexican Riviera, Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey’s wedding in Austin, Texas, and Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale’s wedding in Bel Air. He recently did ONE birthday arrangement for Oprah – her 54^th was January 28^th – that took over 10 hours and used 3,000 orchids! For your next “perfect event,” I highly recommend Jonathan. He did the last “Couture & Cocktails” event for the Joffrey Ballet and it was pure magic! Photo: me and Jonathan Ryan.

Our own Brian Atwood has tapped long-time supermodel Christy Turlington for his first ad campaign for Bally. The photos – which also feature hot Spanish model Oriol Elcacho – were taken by Mario Sorrenti poolside in Miami Beach and will debut in the February magazines. I can’t wait!!! Photo: Brian Atwood's Bally campaign featuring legendary supermodel Christy Turlington (photographed by Mario Sorrentini).

Check out this photo of some of the NBC5 Street Team contributors and mark Reggie’s face well: He is an incredible Obama look-a-like and he’s headed for Hollywood! Reggie Brown will be going to boot camp on Obama before his upcoming Tonight Show audition. This includes custom suits a la Obama, studying his gestures and even hiring Saturday Night Live’s makeup artist who created the President Bush character last year played by Will Ferrell. This guy is definitely going places and I wish him all the best. Also, thanks to the genius behind the Team, Marcus Riley, who must never sleep since he’s taping and writing so much! And finally, check out Nude Hippo’s hot Ashley Lobo and meet her and the other ladies of the Team when Sarah Vargo hosts "The Diva Series: The Ladies of the NBC Chicago Street Team" at the Crimson Lounge on Thursday, February 5th from 6 to 9 p.m. Please RSVP to 224-622-1759 or email [email protected]! Check out our website at http://www.nbc5streetteam.wordpress.com for more up-to-the-minute news! Photos: top left, Ashley Lobo, Marcus Riley, me and Reggie Brown; bottom right, Crimson Lounge.

Here are some more lucky friends who attended the Inaugural Ball. They all look stunning! Jan Melk is wearing a gorgeous Maria Pinto ensemble….too bad Michelle didn’t follow Jan’s lead…..:-( Photo: Maria Pinto, Katherine Gehl, Melinda Jakovich and Jan Melk at the Inaugural Ball. (Click here for a few more shots from the Inaugural Ball.)

Bye bye Blago! I met Blago last summer with my girlfriend and our husbands at Il Mulino Restaurant. He introduced himself and invited all of us to spend the night in the Governor’s Mansion “because he never did.” He wrote his name and who to contact (Mary Stuart) on the back of a card. Thank goodness we didn’t take him up on it! Whew! He’s one hot mess…..And I don’t mean this in a good way! :-) Photo: me with former Governor Blagojevich.