This was only the second time a Playmate of the Year has been crowned outside of the Playboy Mansion and the first time it has ever been open to the public. Good news and bad news. The good news is that any Playboy party is exciting just because of the mere fact that it’s PLAYBOY! There is always a media frenzy around Hef wherever he goes which, in and of itself, creates an energy all of its own. His bevy of beauties never disappoints and they are always dressed to the nines and gorgeous. So it’s no wonder that the Playboy Playmate of the Year Party at the Palms in Las Vegas was a paparazzo’s dream! Fifty Playmates from around the country and even the world converged on the Palms for the weekend. The rooms were comped for us and I shared a room with Janis Schmitt. Janis and I were bunnies together in St. Louis and she was Miss February 1978. It was a lot of fun to share bunny tales with my old friend again! Dasha Astafieva, the 55th Anniversary Playmate, flew in from the Ukraine for the party. She is a budding pop star there and did a sultry performance Saturday night with the other half of her gorgeous duo Nikita, Julia Kavtaradze. I flew in on Friday and met up with Janis later in the day. We went to see the rehearsal for the show Friday evening and it was fun to see the girls rehearsing their lines nervously with the help of a teleprompter. They have a group of Playmates called the “Playmate Dancers” who also performed and they were rehearsing their program too. When I first caught a glimpse of Playmate of the Year, Hope Dworaczyk, I knew instantly why she was chosen: She is a 5’11” stunner with legs that don’t quit, a mane of hair that rivals Sarah Jessica Parker’s and a gorgeous face. She was a catwalk queen in Europe and had many prestigious designers already onboard the “Hope Love Train.” In her ripped jeans and short white T-shirt, she was a showstopper in every sense of the word. Her mom and dad were there and it was cute to see how nervous her mom was for her when she first took to the stage. The pre-party excitement was something to see too! They had a true red carpet about 30 feet long with a bank of photogs and reporters hanging off of the ropes ready and waiting. When Janis and I were asked to “walk” the red carpet, they didn’t need to ask us twice! It was thrilling to get a taste of what the stars are so used to. Everyone was cordial, “Candace, this way…Candace look at this camera…” I felt like a movie star and Janis and I giggled about it afterwards. The Palms itself is definitely geared towards the 20-year-old male crowd. The pool plays heart pounding music from dawn until dusk and they needed signs posted everywhere stating “NO NUDITY OR DRUGS ALLOWED.” I thought this was pretty funny. (I wonder how the Wynn gets away with their topless pool area?) Anyway, we laid by the Palms pool on Saturday afternoon and watched the parade, the body builders trying to attract the beach babes and vice versa. It was very cute to see everyone having such fun. I heard that Hef had flown in this day on a chartered plane so the stars were coming into alignment for the party that night. Janis and I decided to go down early since it was open to the public. We expected a mob scene and we were right. Luckily, the press girl watched for us and led us into Rain Nightclub after we walked the red carpet so we were able to get settled before the rush began. There were Playmates there from every era so it was fun taking pics and trying to figure out who was who. The reserved tables held giant bottles of Stoli (a sponsor of course!) and red lighted crystal vases on black tablecloths. The effect was stark but matched the dark nightclub perfectly. The event was a sellout with about 500 people in attendance. The first person to enter Hef’s reserved area was his brother Keith. Keith escorted Dasha and her singing partner Julia who were dressed in long flowing gowns cinched at their tiny little waists. George Maloof, the owner of the Palms, was already seated and waiting for Hef. You always know where Hef is by watching for the flashbulbs. I don’t know how he sees to get to his seat with constant flashes in his face (mine being one of them…). Mary O’Connor was there, his longtime right hand helpmate and friend. She looked lovely in a champagne colored gown with crystal beading. It was great to see her looking so well and so happy. After what seemed like hours, it was announced that everyone take their seats for the show to begin. Host and emcee for the evening was Kevin Klein, who is also a host on Playboy’s Sirius Radio channel. One of his jokes was about a postage stamp that Hef was going to receive with his image on it. The stamp licked you, he joked. Kinda funny, I guess…anyway, he then introduced Playmates Kara Monaco and Jayde Nicole who in turn introduced videos of all of the Playmates from the past year. It was a clever idea and the audience loved it. Every time one of the girl’s images appeared onscreen, her fellow tablemates whooped and cheered. There was a great group from Chicago who performed, The White Tie Affair, who had the crowd on their feet dancing with pyrotechnics provided for an exciting effect. Then the high energy Playmate Dancers strutted their stuff onstage too. Last year’s Playmate of the Year, Ida Ljungqvist, was introduced and she looked stunning in a full length black gown with black crystal beading. Palms owner, George Maloof, introduced Hef and thanked him for the privilege of hosting this party. Hef spoke a few words and then introduced Hope. Her short (really short), ruffled strapless nude colored dress was perfect on her and showed off her legs to perfection. I couldn’t take my eyes off her evening clutch though. It was one of the most beautiful ones I’d ever seen…this girl has some serious style! She spoke sweetly about how her grandmother inspired her and encouraged her in all of her endeavors and thanked her mom too. There was a couple of hanky dabs but she got through it beautifully especially when the $100,000 check was presented to her and the keys to a new BMW. Next up was Robin Thicke, the son of game show host and actor Alan Thicke, who is quite a singing star with three Grammys under his belt. Sadly, I had never heard of him but the younger audience members were up on their feet again cheering him on so what do I know? At the end of the show, everyone headed up to the Playboy Club on the 52nd floor of the Fantasy Tower (of course). It was a true mob scene there and we didn’t stay in the casino long. Instead, we went back to the VIP section of the club which had more of a lounge feel. I was surprised and delighted to see that my cover was still on the wall! Another surprise was running into Playboy’s chief content officer and fellow Chicagoan, Jimmy Jellinek. He said Hef was very proud to see two Playboy peeps in Chicago magazine on the same month…cute :) I also ran into another Chicagoan, Michael Kornick, who runs the beautiful Italian restaurant Nove in the hotel and is with the Nine Group. Other Red Carpet VIPs included Hef’s ex, Holly Madison (who is appearing in “Peepshow” at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino) and current girlfriend Crystal Harris, “Iron Chef” winner Kerry Simon, Playmates Deanna Brooks, Hiromi Oshima, Summer Altice, Sandra Greenberg, Nancy Harwood, Peggy McIntaggart, Crystal McCahill, Barbara Moore, DeDe Lind, Janet Quist, Toni Ann Thomas and Reagan Wilson to name a few. It was a wonderful Playboy weekend and I was glad to reconnect with old friends. (BTW, Janis and I will be going to Glamourcon this year. We’re urging Patti Connors to come too so we can truly have a St. Louis Bunny/Playmate Reunion. Glamourcon will be held at Crowne Plaza O’Hare on July 31st and August 1st. Hope to see you all there!) Congrats Hope! I hope you have a wonderful year! :) Click here for more pics!
The PAWS Beach Party Kick-Off party was held recently at the newly renovated Ritz-Carlton to celebrate the launch of PAWS 8th Annual Beach Party which will be held on Thursday, July 22nd. I hadn't been to the Ritz after its renovation so besides supporting PAWS and my friends, I was anxious to see the redo. And it didn’t disappoint…it was so gorgeous! The fountain, the flowers and décor were lovely before but now it’s sensational! The Beach party co-chairs, Bonnie Krueger Spurlock and Christine Mallul, had lots of surprises in store for their guests on this evening starting with the gorgeous models dressed in beach wear waiting to direct you to the party. As you entered the reserved area, one of the models “lei-d” you – pun intended – so everyone was wearing something festive. They had two adorable pooches waiting for their forever homes who were already so well trained it was unbelievable! Bonnie, Christine, Paula Fasseas (the founder of PAWS) and the manager of the Ritz all greeted the crowd and announced the Beach Party plans. Lisa Dent from US99.5 will be the Beach Party emcee and we are expecting 500 people and 100 beach-wearing doggies at the North Avenue beach house! You will be able to lounge by the beach drinking cool summer cocktails from an open bar with a beachy dinner buffet while you enjoy live music by The Underwater People. And, as always, we will have an exciting live and silent auction which will include tickets to “Dancing with the Stars” and a Zamboni ride at a Chicago Blackhawks game among others exciting offerings. Congrats to Bonnie and Christine for knocking this year’s party out of the ballpark! Can’t wait to see what surprises you have in store on the 22nd! For more info, visit http://beachparty.pawschicago.org. View more photos here!
The “Rally for Kids with Cancer Scavenger Cup” will be held on June 25th and 26th and will benefit the Comer Children’s Hospital at the University of Chicago. Actress Eva Longoria Parker is the national spokeswoman for the rally and the event co-chairs are Jill and John Svoboda and committee members here are Juanita Jordan, Les Coney, Lori Ovitz and Laura Van Peenan. To ride with a celeb in the rally you must agree to raise a minimum of $25,000. On June 25th, there will be a cocktail reception to determine who rides with whom and on the following day, there will be a “Start Your Engines Brunch” and “The Winner’s Circle” Gala, “Jeans & Jewels.” Stars expected to attend include Adam Rodriguez (“CSI:Miami”), Tichina Arnold (“Everybody Hates Chris”), Eva LaRue (“CSI:Miami”), Gilles Marini (“Sex & the City”) and reality stars Giuliana and Bill Rancic. This is the first time this event has been held in Chicago. Previous rallies took place in LA, Miami and Toronto. For more info, please visit www.rallyforkids.com.
Don’t forget the 2010 Zoo Ball, “Rock & Roar,” on July 9th at the Lincoln Park Zoo starting at 6:30 p.m. This is the zoo’s largest fundraiser and draws over 1,000 civic and social leaders from Chicago and surrounding suburbs. This black tie evening, co-chaired by Kim Theiss and Peggy White, will be set against the backdrop of the lion house. The grounds will be transformed with a contemporary music vibe with al fresco gourmet dining, entertainment, raffle, and fabulous silent auction items. The Lincoln Park Zoo is one of only three free zoos remaining in the US and the last free major cultural institution in Chicago. Three million visitors, including more than 1 million children, enjoy our zoo annually. It is also home to over 1,300 animals, many of which are endangered in the wild. So don your best leopard print gown and come out and support our fabulous Lincoln Park Zoo!
My friend, Michael Perry Ladin, is hosting an event called “Havana Day Dreaming” on Sunday, June 6th, at the Peninsula Hotel. All net proceeds benefit prostate cancer research and other men’s health issues. Steve Stone, Cy Young Award-winning pitcher and celebrated baseball announcer, will be Mikey’s co-chair. This unique event, started six years ago, now attracts over 200 people and has raised over $160,000 for prostrate cancer research. We have all, unfortunately, been touched in some way by cancer. I hope you can come out to support this worthwhile event and have some fun too! Tickets are $200.
I was so thrilled to be one of only 50 bloggers invited to Oprah’s for tea! It was for “local social media influencers by invitation only.” There were so many fantastic bloggers there! I met Meredith Sinclair, a 30-something mom who writes a very amusing account of her life with her three boys: www.Hoo-dee-Hoo.com and www.meredithsinclair.blogspot.com. Chef Art Smith was there too signing copies of his latest book, “Back to the Table: The Reunion of Food & Family.” (Not many chefs can say they have First Family photos in their cookbook pages!) I also met Duong Sheahan who writes a great blog (www.healthierandhappier.com) about living healthier and happier. Nancy Loo (who writes about parenting) and Beth Rosen (who writes about midlife and all that entails), Brandy Middleton (Mrs. Windy City) and Dionne Williams (who writes about society doings in N’Digo magazine), were there too. Thanks to GM Darcy Rogers and Elizabeth Abrams for inviting me and health guru Karyn Calabrese for supplying the best banana bread I’ve ever eaten! I was so honored to be included…:) (I’ve asked Chuck to call me “Influencer” around the house…it’s not working.) Click here for more pics!
Lots of birthdays recently with lots of glam girls! Three at the top of this list were Kristina McGrath and Korinna Isselhardt and Lynn McMahan. Kristina and Korinna’s 40th was a big bash in Boca that half of Chi-town attended and Lynn’s was here in Chicago at multiple restaurants. She has so many girlfriends that she had to have her celebrations in shifts! All three of these fab women are as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside! Congrats girlfriends!!! More pics here!
Hope you’ve enjoyed Candid Candace! Can’t wait to begin our backyard grilling and watch the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup…it’s going to be a great summer here, I just know it!
The Steppenwolf Gala is one of the hottest tickets in town and is almost always sold out before any invites are even sent out so when we were lucky enough to be invited, we jumped at the chance. This year the attire was urban chic/black tie optional. In the past, it has always been full-out evening gowns and tuxes which I’ve always loved but the crowd was very chic with the winning dress going to my lovely table host, Jan Melk: Her champagne colored, delicately embroidered Valentino made me weep. Our friends Deb and John Gross picked us up in their chauffeured Phantom V vintage 1960 Rolls Royce to start the evening off in grand style. (They even brought along two bottles of Dom Perignon 2000 given to them by the owners of the vineyard for the table!) There is always a pre-Gala performance at the theater and this year, they presented an excerpt from Beckett’s “Endgame” featuring William Petersen, Artistic Director Martha Lavey, Ian Barford and Francis Guinan. At the end of the performance, a marching band played raucously in the aisles and played the crowd out to the trolleys which were waiting to take guests a few blocks away to their new venue for this year at 1460 N. Halsted. The space was an empty building which was donated for tonight’s gala and it fit the bill perfectly. The décor was sheer magic---leafy ferns with dramatic uplights nestled inside as well as four-foot-tall mini trees with glowing orbs in their branches. It was literally an enchanted woodland and everyone oohed and aahed. I learned this night that two major event/floral companies had merged their talents so it was no surprise that the room looked so beautiful. Ronsley and Heffernan Morgan are now partners so watch out Chicago—they will be a formidable collaboration for sure! Co-chairs for the evening included Jan Melk, Sarah Beardsley, Charles James III and David Kalt. Contributors and major supporters each had an ensemble member seated at their table for the dinner. We were fortunate to have the charming and talented Amy Morton at ours. Gary Cole was at the table next to us and both were gracious in their exchanges with fans and friends which was so nice to see. The dinner was excellent and started with a salad with lemon bay dressing, grilled will Pacific coast spotted prawns in a basil yogurt sauce followed by Chicago Spice House rubbed beef sirloin and grilled Green City Market asparagus…and then the live auction began. Steppenwolf has always been known for their unique auction packages since the actors who are involved always come up with creative ideas to raise money. Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning ensemble member Tracy Letts offered a dinner for eight in his home prepared by Chef Michael Kornick (MK Restaurant) with guest of honor actress Amy Morton which went for $14,000. ABC’s “Modern Family” star Eric Stonestreet (who plays Cameron) offered an on-set visit for four with hotel and first-class airfare via United that went for $16,000. Four people won a chance to celebrate opening night of “Mice and Men” directed by ensemble member and Tony Award-winning director Anna D. Shapiro, invitations to the exclusive post-performance cast party plus roundtrip first-class airfare that brought $14,000. Ten friends won the dinner party at the Elysian with ensemble member John Malkovich for $17,000. Gary Sinise’s package raised the most money for the evening. He offered four people tickets to the Sixth Annual CSI:NY Mid-Season Concert Bash that he hosts for all of the actors and crews working at CBS. This package also included a set tour, hotel accommodations and first-class roundtrip airfare. TWO of these packages were sold at $25,000 each! After dessert, Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band got everyone onto the dance floor and when they finished around 12:30 a.m., a DJ took over and the party kept on going but we were well on our way home to turn back into pumpkins by then! What a fabulously fun evening…only in Chicago baby! (Did I say the Mayor and Maggie were there? They came to support their daughter, Nora Daley Conroy, who is the Executive Committee Chair…sweet!). Check out more pics here!
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago hosted its 76th annual fashion show, The Walk 2010, presented for the first time in the Renzo Piano-designed Griffin Court of the Art Institute’s Modern Wing. This marked the return of SAIC’s annual fashion show to the Art Institute for the first time in 15 years. The Walk began with a pre-show cocktail and hors d'oeuvres reception and then emcees Christian Farr (NBC 5) and Karen Jordan (ABC 7) kicked off the evening and introduced Gary Graham, winner of the 2010 Legend of Fashion Award. Linda Johnson Rice presented a video tribute of her mom, Eunice W. Johnson, and also presented senior student designer, Luis Rodriguez, with the Eunice W. Johnson Fellowship award which included a check for $25,000. Then the spectacular runway show began featuring cutting-edge garments by the next generation of up-and-coming designers. This years chairs were Marilyn Fields and Greg Cameron and the co-chairs were Stephanie Sick, Donna LaPietra and Bis Williams Mau. A buffet dinner was served in Terzo Piano overlooking the breathtaking skyline. (There were three shows: one at 2 p.m., The Walk at 7 p.m. and the Nightwalk at 10 p.m.) Everywhere you looked, there were creative guests enjoying the opportunity to break out the coolest stuff from their closets! (Extra pics by Daniel Tomei...to see more, click here!)
I hope you can join me for THREE hot kick-ass Kick-Off parties coming up soon! First up is the Kick-Off for “Chefs & the City” benefitting Vital Bridges on Monday, June 7th, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 33 Club (1419 N. Wells St.— my hubby’s old advertising agency!) This wonderful organization provides food and support to men, women and children living in poverty with HIV/AIDS. Hosts for this Kick-Off party are Lee Blackwell Baur, Amanda Puck, Graham Kostic and moi! Chef Chair is RL’s Chef Ryan Pitts. The event is complimentary, but you must RSVP to attend at 773-271-5117. Don't forget the "Chefs & the City" event will be on Thursday, July 22nd, at the Peninsula. Tickets will be available soon...check their web site for details.
On Thursday, June 10th, don’t miss the Launch Party for Glamorama! Tickets are now on sale for the August 13th fashion show at the Chicago Theatre and after-party at Macy’s, but this year the first 200 people to buy tickets (at 10 percent off!) will get access to this fun-filled pre-party at Prairie Productions (1314 W. Randolph) on June 10th. The Launch Party will feature entertainment by Naturally 7—a unique group who have recently appeared on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” I won’t tell you more because it will be a surprise! Early-bird tickets range from $155 to $900 (this ticket level includes VIP access which allows you priority seating at the fashion show, entry to this Launch Party, VIP Pre-Party and After-Party!). Designers confirmed for this year’s show include Jean Paul Gaultier, Just Cavalli, Marc Jacobs, Philosophy di Alberta and more! Hope to see you there!! Tickets can be purchased online at www.RonaldHouseChicago.org or by calling 630-623-2309.
And last but not least, as a reminder, please join me on Friday, June 11th, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at A New Leaf Studio (1818 N. Wells St.) when we celebrate the 61st Annual Old Town Art Fair with our “First Sight” Kick-Off Party! So far, for our auction, we have 32 artists participating and some amazing jewelry donations. We also have a very unique package surrounding this little Fiat but you’ll just have to come to see what it’s all about! To RSVP, please call Shirley at 312-337-1938; tickets are$65 in advance and $70 at the door. You can also order online until June 9th at www.oldtownartfair.com. Check out this sweet video of my neighbors readying the ‘hood for the Art Fair!
Sorry my little blog is so late this week! On my trip to Vegas, I was unable to access the internet so it put me behind a little. On a brighter note, wait until you see the pics from the Playmate of the Year Party next week…it was a blast and I can’t wait to share the details with you! Have a great week!
There couldn’t have been a better guy for the Apparel Industry Foundation to honor than Chicago’s Mr. Hollywood himself, Bill Zwecker! He is literally beloved the world over and the standing room only crowd Tuesday evening at the Casino proved it. This event benefitted the Stanley Paul-Raelene Mittelman Scholarship Fund which was created in 1990 by Stanley to honor his dear sister, Raelene. Through this scholarship fund, monies are used as tuition for the study of Fashion Design in a Chicago area college or university. Raelene Mittelman mentored and encouraged many young designers after her own early years participating in every aspect of the fashion business from modeling to owning several of her own boutiques. I think she would be very proud of what and who this event honors every year. Past recipients have included Donna LaPietra, Leslie Hindman, Mary Ann Childers, Dori Wilson, Victor Skrebneski, Mark Heister, Ann Gerber and Tony Jones. The roaster/toasters for the evening were wonderful, clever and funny and included John Barron, Christie Hefner, Leslie Hindman, Terry Savage, Maureen Smith and Dori Wilson. There was an amusing video presentation at the beginning narrated by toast mistress Anna Davlantes that had the crowd in stitches. Bill’s list of achievements and awards are too many to mention without this little blog turning into “War and Peace” but suffice it to say he has won everything and been on every major TV and radio station known to mankind. Seen in the crowd of happy well wishers were Hazel Barr, Robin Berger, Neal Zucker, Sherren Leigh, Alderman Ed Burke, Bill Marovitz, Greg Hyder, Helen Melchior, Roxanne Atkins, Leslie and Bob Zentner, John Walcher, Patrick Plante, Brenda Sexton and Greg Nye, Linda Johnson Rice, Vonita Reescer, Victor Skrebneski, E.B. Smith, Lynda Silverman, Beverly Blettner (Event Chair), Bruce MacArthur, Whitney and Jerry Lasky, Mamie Walton, Diane and Sandy Whiteley, Linda Heister, Ann Gerber, Martin Gapshis, Dennis Minkel, Ken Norgan, Cynthia Olsen, Maureen and Marc Schulman and Michael Kutza among many others. And speaking of Michael, he was one busy man on this night too: Not only did he celebrate with Bill but he also picked up another honor of his own from The Niagara Foundation at the Ritz which awards individuals and organizations for their community service…we all know he sure deserves it! Congrats Mike! And Bill, long may you reign! :) For more photos, click here!
This year’s Spring Luncheon for the Service Club was held at one of my favorite places in town: The Palmer House! Our guest speaker was Carol Marin and she was UNBELIEVABLE! I’ve always admired her from afar but to hear her speak and to actually talk to her (I was fortunate to be at her table) made me a forever fan. Her intelligence has always been apparent, her talk to the club was interesting, appropriate, inspiring and more but to actually find out that she is also so very nice, interested in all discussions, conversant on all subjects and did I mention pretty?! This successful woman really has it all and it’s no wonder: Born in Chicago, she grew up reading the legendary Mike Royko and listening to the commentaries of Len O’Connor. Her own news career began in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1972 and in 1976, she moved to Nashville as the anchor of the 6 p.m. news and established herself as one of the market’s top reporters. In 1978, she returned home to Chicago to anchor and report for WMAQ-TV and was promoted to anchor the station’s 10 p.m. newscast in 1985 – a position she held until 1997 when she joined the staff of 60 Minutes II. She left CBS in 2002 and began writing a weekly column for the Chicago Tribune and in 2004 was hired away by the Chicago Sun-Times. She is the political editor for NBC5 and an interviewer/contributor to WTTW’s Chicago Tonight program. She was one of the best speakers we’ve ever had, thanks to Sharyl Mackey, who secured this dynamo for us. And now let’s talk about the beautiful Palmer House Honore Ballroom filled with gorgeous ladies in gorgeous hats! The Spring Luncheon has always had wonderful guest speakers and the ladies are always required to wear hats and this year did not disappoint. As you can see from the photos, it looked like spring had sprung right in the ballroom. Catering honchos David Brandt, Dennis Chaffee and Mark Coy made sure our day was wonderful with a perfect menu including a spring salad of Bibb lettuce and watercress with spring berries, toasted almonds and champagne vinaigrette. The entrée was a pan seared lemon chicken breast with artichoke lemon sauce. Chef Stephen Henry is a god in the kitchen and every event I’ve attended has been sheer perfection. Thanks to Carol Marin, the Palmer House and the Service Club for making this wonderful afternoon so memorable. :) Click here for more pics!
Have you heard that Robert Downey, Jr. is coming to Chicago?! I couldn’t believe this when I first heard about this major coup that the Gene Siskel Film Center had scored for their upcoming gala! But then, why would I be so surprised when last year’s guest was George Lucas?! Robert (I love thinking we’re on a first name basis) will be the recipient of this year’s Renaissance Award from the Gene Siskel Film Center on Saturday, June 19th at the Ritz-Carlton. Robert is one of the most respected and versatile actors of his generation. He is the winner of two Golden Globe Awards and has twice been nominated for an Academy Award, for his performances in “Chaplin” and “Tropic Thunder.” He began acting at age five when his father directed him in the film “Pound” and since then has worked with the biggest names in the business. Now YOU can see him in person in Chicago: There will be an interview conducted by Todd Phillips as well as an incredible live auction and raffle. Dinner will be a surprise so I can’t tell you about it…I hope you can come and see for yourself! Gala co-chairs are Ellen Sandor and Bill Marcus and all proceeds benefit the Gene Siskel Film Center. Tickets start at $400 and can be obtained by calling 312-846-2072 or by visiting www.siskelfilmcenter.org.
Amy Tara Koch wrote a book and everybody came…to Harry Winston (of course, what did you expect?) to help her celebrate! Amy is a one-woman dynamo as her list of credits attest to. She is a Chicago-based freelance journalist who contributes to Town & Country, the NY Times, American Way, Inc., Travel & Leisure, DailyCandy, The Huffington Post and Child. She has also served as a style columnist for the Chicago Tribune, a fashion and beauty editor for iVillage, host for The Inc. Life (an online trend program for Inc. magazine), trend reporter for NBC (WMAQ-TV) and a style expert for Vogue and USA Today. Whew…I am already tired of writing all of this—imagine how SHE must feel?! She lives in Chicago with her supportive husband, Peter Gottlieb, and their darling daughters, Isabella and Brette. On top of all of this, she is one cool chick! Wow Amy…congrats on your new book, “Bump It Up.” This book is a must-have style guide for mothers-to-be and anyone even thinking about it!!! (Photos by Bob Carl...click here to view more!)
I am so very happy for newlywed Rochelle Smith Trotter! As you may recall, she married star chef Charlie Trotter in the sun-drenched Maldives on February 21st at the One & Only Resort. Well, now she just celebrated with her girlfriends in beautiful Miami Beach with a bachelorette party to end all parties! Lucky girlfriends included Dusty Stemer, Toni Canada, Sherry Lea Holson, Denise Dayan, Ylonn Parker, Norma Rixter, Danita Bragg, Jennifer McCulloh, Terri Winston, Terri Day, Liza Brooks, Tricia Johnson, Caryl Chinn and Elizabeth Grossich. From what I hear, everyone sipped Cliquot Rose all day long on yachts, in bungalows at the Delano (with love notes from Chef Trotter, of course!), at Monty’s with Denise Dayan’s yacht (The Azimut, docked nearby) at the prime table in the MIDDLE of Mr. Chow (which is a nearly impossible reservation to get), at the Shore Club and then Sushi Samba for a goodbye brunch. Rochelle and Chef Trotter’s U.S.-based nuptials will occur on June 19th on the beach of his mother’s home in Wilmette! Don’t you just love a real life fairytale? Love and congrats Ro and Charlie!!
Mark your calendars now and prepare for some fun in the sun with FUR when PAWS Chicago hosts its 8th Annual PAWS Chicago Beach Party on Thursday, July 22nd at Castaways at North Avenue Beach. This fun summer celebration will include cool summer cocktails, a beach-themed dinner buffet, one-of-a-kind live and silent auctions and more! Tickets are $150 per person and $50 per pup. For tickets and more info, please visit http://beachparty.pawschicago.org.
You all know Morris Gearring!? You might have seen him at Neiman’s pulling together amazing wardrobes for Chicago’s high society but did you know he is also one heck of an entertainer? In his one-man show, “Something About Oscar!,” Morris channels Oscar Brown, Jr. Born in 1926, Oscar was a legendary singer, songwriter, playwright, pianist, poet and civil rights activist. You can catch his show, with Koco Brunson and his quartet, at Davenport’s at 1383 N. Milwaukee Ave starting May 21st and running through May 24th with special guest Maggie Brown. Hope to see you there!
The 61st Annual Old Town Art Fair, the largest juried fair in the country, will be held on Saturday and Sunday, June 12th and 13th from 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. This year’s fair will feature over 260 artists, garden walks and more! It is always so much fun and is the Old Town Triangle Association’s major annual fundraiser. I am proud to be a part of their 7th Annual First Sight Kick-Off Party called “On the Road Again” at A New Leaf Studio on Friday, June 11th from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. There will be specialty cocktails and a silent auction featuring the works of selected artists exhibiting in the fair and an after-party immediately following across the street at Perennial. It is always a magical summer day/night for both the fair and the Kick-Off so I hope you can come out and enjoy Chicago at its finest in my favorite neighborhood! Tickets are $65 in advance and $70 at the door. Please call the Mayor of Old Town and Event Chair Shirley Baugher at 312-337-1938 or order online until June 9th at www.oldtownartfair.com. Remember, reservations are limited so hurry Hurry HURRY!
Whew, that’s a lot of news…hope you had some coffee to get you through it! And now, something to make you smile. Have a wonderful week!
P.S. Congrats to one of my favorite photographers, Jack Perno, on the latest DROP-DEAD GORGEOUS issue of Factio Magazine! He is their go-to guy and I am so glad his amazing talent has found such a perfect outlet! Talk about a dream collaboration! Check out his beautiful photos (including ones of this gorgeous gown by Chicago designer Jermikko) and see more in this month’s Factio!
