Candid Candace

PAWS BEACH PARTY & CHEFS AND THE CITY BREAK RECORDS!

Who said the economy isn’t doing so well? Two of our town’s favorite events both broke records this week! I guess if you love a charity, you support it. Period. PAWS Chicago’s “All Paws on Deck” Beach Party attracted 500+ guests and 200 pets and broke all records this year with the results topping out at over $220,000 raised for this worthy cause. Even Governor Quinn showed up with his own little dog, Bailey, and signed two important pet rights bills into law. One of the bills requires the addition of a bitter flavor to antifreeze and engine coolant sold in Illinois which is meant to prevent poisonings (they currently have sweet tastes and can pose a threat to animals and children); the Humane Society of the U.S. says about 90,000 animals are poisoned each year from this. The other bill prohibits private ownership of primates as pets, spurred by the tragic incident last year where a pet chimpanzee in Connecticut attacked its owner’s friend. It was so exciting to have him attend! One guest reminded me that last year, President Obama flew over in a helicopter! The Beach Party is a politico magnet, I am happy to report! Lisa Dent from US99.5 emceed and the Underwater People kept everyone on the dance floor. The evening began with delectable appetizers and a huge beachy buffet with everything tasty imaginable included. Castaways did an incredible job! There was even an authentic Chicago Hot Dog Cart which was another big hit of the evening! The live and silent auctions were loaded with one-of-a-kind packages like tickets for two to “Dancing with the Stars,” being a guest chef for a night at Charlie Trotter’s, a “Pretty Woman Weekend” to L.A. with first-class airfare, dinner and a private car, two tickets to a Blackhawks game plus an autographed Patrick Kane jersey and a Zamboni ride, and last but not least, the chance for your pets to be the “poster children” for next year’s Beach Party! The total numbers aren’t finalized yet but preliminary estimates show that the auction items are up over 50 percent, attendance increased by 25 percent, sponsorships increased by 40 percent and raffle dollars increased by 116 percent! Kudos to co-chairs Bonnie Spurlock and Christine Mallul, who along with their committee, made this year’s Beach Party the best one in the history of PAWS! Christine even made custom necklaces for the host committee with images of their pets on them as thank-you gifts! Every detail was attended to and then some for this fabulous and fun annual event! There were even Chicago’s top models there who greeted guests and with megawatt smiles and leis for everyone who attended. It was an exciting, well-planned party where everyone – furry and otherwise – had a blast! Even the weather cooperated after a threat of rain…which miraculously ended as soon as the party began. I knew Bonnie and Christine were good but not THIS good…WOW! Anyway, mark your calendars now for next year’s fun! I don’t know how anyone will be able to top this but I know it will be fun, as always! Woof! Woof! :) (Pics by Caitlin Saville & moi...click here for more!)

The next record-breaking event was held on the same evening as the Beach Party at the Peninsula. The Sixth Annual Chefs & the City event, benefitting Vital Bridges, was a sellout that attracted almost 600 people. Over 30 chefs participated in this year’s fundraiser including Arun Sampanthaviviat (Arun’s), Ryan Poli (Perrenial), Chris Pandel (The Bristol), Koren Grieveson (avec), Bill Kim (Urban Belly and Belly Shack), Michael Sheerin (Blackbird), Reginald Watkins (Charlie Trotter’s), Curtis Duffy (Avenues), Phillip Foss (Lockwood Restaurant), Jason McLeod (Ria), Jeremy Sher (Swirlz Cupcakes) and Andrew Zimmerman (Sepia) among many others. RL’s Chef Ryan Pitts was the Chef Chair. CS Magazine’s Graham Kostic presented fabulous fashions celebrating the glamour and fun of summer 2010 on gorgeous models throughout the evening with selections from The 900 Shops. There were so many exciting auction offerings including “Dinner at 8 for 8” prepared by Chef Rick Gresh (David Burke’s Primehouse) with Allen Bros. meats as well as wines; party for four at Horseshoe Casino to hear Tony Bennett; a Francine Turk charcoal drawing; a progressive dinner for four at Blackbird, avec and Publican in a horse drawn carriage; and a custom designed cocktail dress by Chicago designer Elda de la Rosa, among many other exciting food and fashion packages. The grand raffle winner, Tom Pickett, won dinner for two with wine at 12 restaurants, including a majority of those participating. Honorary chairs for the event were Lee Blackwell Baur, Graham Kostic, Amanda Puck and moi.  Additional event chairs included Bill Lasche of Vital Bridges’ Board of Directors; Rich Varnes (GM of RL Restaurant); Joyce Dawson and Ryan Ruskin. The food was amazing and each chef took great care to prepare a unique dish for the event. Chef Curtis Duffy of Avenues prepared Wagu beef with pistachio, summer truffles and spring onion samplings; Blackbird’s Chef Michael Sheerin (a Food & Wine Best New Chef, July 2010) prepared braised octopus with green tomatoes, watermelon and fried okra; Chef Bill Kim prepared olive oil poached shrimp with watermelon and spearmint while Chef Ryan Poli (Perennial) delighted the crowd of foodies with delicious deconstructed fish tacos! It was a feast for all of your senses in every way! This record-breaking party benefitted Vital Bridges which, for 22 years, has helped people living with HIV/AIDS with few resources to get the food, housing and care they need to improve their health and build productive lives. Vital Bridges fills this need by providing high quality, nutritious food for over 500,000 meals from their five program sites in Chicago and the suburbs. They have served over 10 million meals to date and have more than 400 dedicated volunteers. Of every dollar raised, 82 cents goes directly to client services and the $120,000 net raised this night will provide over 35,000 nutritious meals. UBS was the proud lead sponsor for this event and Vital Bridges’ Charles Benya worked tirelessly to make this party the best one yet. Guests included Todd Hatoff, Tom Polucci (Vital Bridges’ Board Chair), John Carroll, Donnie Madia, Greg Hyder, Jim Smith, Victor Zarroli, Cindy Burns, Hazel Barr, Cynthia Olsen, Sheila O’Grady, Marcus Riley, Sun-Times’ Elizabeth Hamel, John Volk, Paul Iacono, Kelli Zink, Scotty McClellan, Ryan Ruskin, Bill Lasche, Mary Ann Weiner, Amanda Puck, Graham Kostic, Chris Sofka,  Chris Glatz, Kim Winzeler, Lynn Fordon, Steve Kadlec, Joyce Dawson, Cynthia Varnes, Anthony Vayos, Eda Davidman and many, many others. What a wonderful event that just keeps getting better and better! The VIP After-Party, which went until midnight at RL, hosted 200 guests. They had removed the tables in the middle of the room to make space for all of the happy revelers. GM Rich Varnes was the Host with the Most! Congrats to everyone who helped break records this year for Chefs & the City! Check the website for next year’s fun and I hope to see you there!!! (Pics by Caitlin Saville & moi...click here to view more!)
 
It was a GREAT week for parties in Chicago!!! The Kohler/Chicago magazine “Bold & Beautiful” event was held at the Merchandise Mart in the beautiful Kohler showroom Wednesday night. Over 200 guests came out to toast the honorees who included Linda Novick O’Keefe, Mindy Segal, Laura Schwartz, Catie Keogh and moi! These ladies are all so accomplished and it was an honor to be included in their company. Linda O’Keefe is executive director of Common Threads, an organization which is committed to educating Chicago’s youth about cultural diversity, the culinary arts, and the importance of nutrition. Catie Keough is the host and executive producer of 24/7 Chicago on NBC5 and trained at Second City. Laura Schwartz is the author of “Eat, Drink and Succeed,” the founder and principal of White House Strategies, a former Special Assistant to the President and White House Director of Events during the Clinton administration and an international television commentator appearing regularly on Fox News. Mindy Segal is chef and owner of Hot Chocolate, was named “Best Chef in Chicago” by Chicago magazine and has also received rave reviews in the New York Times as well as Conde Nast Traveler. The party was so much fun, lots of friends and great food courtesy of The Chopping Block. Seen celebrating in the crowd were Dan Duffy and Sheila O’Grady Duffy, George Jewell, Johnny Haskett, Chris Draska, Mark Bell, Helen Melchior, Jocelyn Stoller, Hazel Barr, Cindy Burns, Brooke Gless, James Deague, Franco La Marca, Anthony Contrucci, Bonnie Schultz, Natasha Lindad, Sal Cianciolo (Kohler Manager), Kim Morris (Destination Kohler), Scott Bobek, Sandy and Chakib Doghmi, Greg Hyder, Susan Ellefson, Ken Norgan, Andrea Schwartz, Julee White, Jon Wool, Chicago magazine’s Natalie Sturgis, Leslie Hindman, Jen Knoedel, Ed and Mike Howlett, Richard Braido and Marcin, Paul Iacono, Nick O’Keefe, Chicago magazine’s Rich Gamble, Julie Johnson, Kathy Lidbury and her handsome Dan, Stephen Potter, Laura Baron and Cristina Montgomery among others. After the party, Chuck and I went to 33 Club with friends to celebrate our golden wedding anniversary...21 years on the 21st! :) (Pics by Caitlin Saville and moi...click here for more!)
 
And speaking of honors, I want to congratulate my friend Linda O’Keefe on yet another accolade, this time from the ADL (Anti-Defamation League). Linda was named one of their Rising Stars for 2010 by this prestigious organization which fights anti-semitism and all forms of bigotry in the U.S. and abroad through education, legislation and advocacy. Last March, another friend, Barbara Levy Kipper, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from this organization, too. Kudos to my deserving, award winning friends! :)

That’s it for another week of Candid Candace. I hope you’ve enjoyed it and I hope you are all enjoying these dog days of summer… :)

Love,
Candace
[email protected]

MOVERS, SHAKERS, LOVERS AND FRIENDS

Last week’s entry focused on my recent trip to the South of France, so continuing on that trend, International Film Festival Founder and Artistic Director Michael Kutza had a great time in Cannes! The Chicago International Film Festival Yacht Party took place aboard the yacht Magic which was graciously donated for the day by longtime friend of the Festival, Clint Atkins. Michael welcomed an international gathering of filmmakers, producers, distributors, press and friends from more than 27 cities across the globe including the Marrakech, Montreal and Toronto Film Fests. Chicagoans at the party included Alexis Atkins (Miss Teen Illinois USA), Michael Phillips (Chicago Tribune), Patrick McGavin (Chicago Tribune and Screen International) and his wife Monika, Lisa Nesselson (Screen International), Zbigniew and Beata Banas (Radio Chicago), Facets Cinematheque, programmer Charles Coleman, Ben Kenigsberg (Time Out Chicago) and Carol Iwata representing Roger and Chaz Ebert. Michael says, “Cannes is the granddaddy of all the festivals. The one where you see, buy and sell your film productions. It offers the film-makers of the world a chance to show off their wares. We promote filmmaking in Chicago and Illinois and promote our own 46th Chicago International Film Festival. There is no place like Cannes if you love film!” The Chicago Film Festival is the oldest competitive film fest in North America and has been directed by Kutza since 1964. (His recent star-studded summer gala honored Ron Howard.) He has also helped develop the Spoleto Film Fest in Italy, the Tehran International Film Festival in the ‘70s and the Manila Film Fest alongside Ferdinand and Imelda Marco in the ‘80s. His awards are too numerous to mention and we’re glad he’s one of Chicago’s own! Congrats on your dedication to the world of film and beyond Michael. You’re a treasure the world over.

Have you heard about the StoryBus? If not, I am thrilled to tell you we have an early literacy program like this in Chicago! Lou Bank of the Dolores Kohl Education Foundation sent me the info and I am so happy to share this wonderful program with you. The StoryBus gets pre-K and kindergarten children in Chicago’s low-income neighborhoods excited about stories and they do it all with a 37-foot Winnebago that they have transformed into a children’s museum on wheels. Whole Foods Market Sauganash is helping them raise funds by donating 5 percent of total store receipts on Thursday, August 12th. Parents and children will be treated to all kinds of free fun! Smithsonian recording artist Ella Jenkins - the First Lady of Children’s Folk Music - will perform at 11 a.m.; recording artist, educator and former PBS Kids host Miss Lori will be performing at 4 p.m.; there will be additional story telling sessions at 10 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. and all day long children will be invited to climb aboard America’s Children’s Museum on Wheels, the Storybus! If this isn’t enough, the first 1,000 children will be treated to a free Bugs Bunny or Daffy Duck comic book from DC Comics. I hope parents will bring their kids, have some fun and help support literacy! All aboard...and view more images here! 
 
Love is in the air in Chicago! I just attended a bridal shower for my ace photographer, Caitlin Saville, who will be marrying the impossibly adorable Brendan Collins on September 25th. The flawless shower was hosted by Bonnie Rickard, Sherrill Bodine, Peggy Martay and Lynda Silverman. The guests were all requested to relate a piece of “sage advice” for a successful marriage and, believe me, there was plenty of it for Caitlin and Brendan! They are just the cutest couple and such a perfect match. I wish them all the best on their happy life together! (Click here for more pics from the shower!) And the Joffrey Ballet’s Special Events Coordinator, Julia Jankowski, recently wed Matt Doherty on May 22nd, in her gorgeous Reem Acra gown. She looks like a fairy princess and I couldn’t be happier for them! And last, but certainly not least, PR queen and Park Hyatt Chicago's Public Relations Director, Lynne Bredfeldt, recently went on a romantic trip for her birthday to Madrid with her handsome guy, Mark. I am so thrilled to see so many awesome couples who are making magic happen in their busy and successful lives! There IS hope for the future!

One Man Chicago: Who’s YOUR pick?! Twenty men in the Chicago area have been selected from hundreds of nominations and applicants to compete for the title of ONE MAN CHICAGO. The winner will be chosen based on who represents the best of the city from the perspectives of community involvement, personality, intelligence and fitness by a panel of judges. To determine the five finalists, through August 30th, anyone 18+ can vote by visiting www.OneManChicago.com. Profiles and pics of all 20 men and their affiliated charities are posted there. The 20 semifinalists and their charities are: Bryan Herb (Center on Halsted), Cameron Croft (Alumni for Public Schools), Chris Conlu (Chicago Professionals for Youth), Daniel Balanoff (A Silver Lining Foundation), Desmond Kemp (The Passrite Education Foundation), Eric Lugo (Institute for Latino Progress), James Goeke (Vital Bridges), Jason Laws (Catholic Charities), Jason Schmitt (PAWS Chicago), Jeremy Weisbach (Jimmy Insulin), Judson Kinnucan (Bin Donated), Michael Lorenzen (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society), Matt Matros (Common Threads), Nick Karavites (Ronald McDonald House), Omar Barragan (Pilsen Neighbor’s Community Council), Philip Chang (Be Bright Pink), Rob Calvin (Jobs for Youth), Terrence Chappell (Chicago Public Schools Arts Education), Tim Swindle (St. Ignatius College Prep) and William Burfeind (Prevent Blindness America). Isn’t it fantastic to have so many wonderful guys involved with so many worthy causes! The ultimate event will be co-hosted by Ginger Zee of NBC Chicago and Kelli Zink of Celeb TV on Thursday, Sept. 2nd at the Harris Theatre in Millenium Park followed by an after-party at the Hard Rock Hotel. The winner and his affiliated charity split $5,000 and the charities selected by the finalists will receive an additional 30 percent of ticket sales. Tickets are $35 general and $55 VIP which includes preferred seating, a gift bag and a photo with the winner. Visit www.OneManChicago.com for more info and click here to view more photos.
 
I recently visited my first Ronald McDonald House, the Comer House in Hyde Park. As you know, all of the proceeds (after expenses) for Macy’s Passport Presents Glamorama 2010, benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. It was an inspirational and enlightening trip for me. The house itself is gorgeous—every detail attended to and so very comfortable and cozy. As one father put it, “It’s the nicest place you never want to visit.” This year, 6-year-old Max Herrick and his family will serve as the Ambassador Family for Glamorama. They are staying at our Northside House while Max is being treated at Children’s Memorial Hospital. He was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and his journey has been an arduous one. After a heart transplant, the anti-rejection drugs which suppressed his immune system caused him to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma but despite all of this, Max still keeps a smile on his face, loves to show off his dance moves, wear his signature hat and quote lines from his favorite movie, Star Wars. These families need our Houses more and more each day so please come out and support Glamorama and the building of our latest House in Streeterville. It will be a fun-filled evening featuring Macy Gray and Eric Hutchinson. This year’s show will be a compilation of fashion, fantasy, music and magic (I’ve heard the ideas, can’t tell you, but you will be AMAZED!!). Designers featured will include Marc Jacobs, Sonia Rykiel, Issey Miyake, Just Cavalli, Sportmax, Philosophy Di Alberta Ferretti, Tommy Hilfiger, Material Girl, Felina, 2(X)IST and Jean Paul Gaultier. And, as an added extra, from July 29th through August 2nd, Glam ticket holders will receive 20 percent off from the 28 Shop, Bridge Dept. or Impulse Dept. by scheduling an appointment by calling 312-781-3088. To purchase Glamorama tickets, which range from $50 to $1,000 VIP, please call 630-623-2309 or visit www.RonaldMcDonaldHouseChicago.org. CLICK HERE to watch the SIZZLE REEL!
 
The “Day on the Terrace” fashion show and luncheon will be held at the Peninsula Hotel on Monday, August 2nd, benefitting the Service Club of Chicago. There will be ten star collections presented by Dennis Basso, Michael Kors, Escada, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Tory Burch, Luca Luca, Paul Stuart, Starr Couture and Lulu’s at the Belle Kay. Cocktails begin at 11 a.m., the fashion show begins at 11:45 a.m. and the luncheon begins at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $150 per person and can be purchased by calling Maria Cieciura at 312-664-8471; visit www.ServiceClubofChicago.org for more info! 
 
I am putting my two cents in too about Hef’s desire to take the Playboy brand private. I understand perfectly why he wants to do this. I don’t know how anyone could stand to see someone else giving the orders on a magazine they founded. Hef IS Playboy and even though Marc Bell, of FriendFinder Networks, Inc. and the owner of the Penthouse adult entertainment franchise), wants to buy it, he should know that Penthouse’s Bob Guccione and Hef have been rivals for as long as I can remember. And Bell’s offer to “let Hef stay in the Mansion” should serve as a cautionary tale: Penthouse’s Guccione was thrown out on his behind after a similar “arrangement.” I say NO DEAL…Hef should be able to stay in his rabbit hutch as long as he wants to. Long live Hef and Playboy…together forever! Click here for more images.
 
And now some more magazine news…this time from TCW! I have been chosen along with four other Chicago women to be featured as “Style Setters” in their September issue. Mum’s the word on the other four lucky women but you know who you are so CONGRATS! Thanks Sherren and TCW for this wonderful honor! Can’t wait to do the shoot with John Reilly at the end of the month!
 
I also want to wish Victory Gardens Artistic Director, Dennis Zacek, a very happy retirement after 34 years! He will be greatly missed but has promised me he will certainly still be around as Artistic Director Emeritus. Thank Goodness! I can’t imagine Victory Gardens without HIM although I’m sure his beautiful wife Marcelle will be happy to have him around a bit more! Save the date for “Chicago Stories 2011” set for Friday, May 13, 2011 which I will be co-chairing! We love you Dennis!!!!  
 
And finally, another birthday hug for the Peninsula’s Greg Hyder...nobody does it better!! :)

Love,
Candace :)
[email protected]
 
P.S. Mickey is ready for the PAWS Beach Party on Thursday, July 22nd…ARE YOU?!? 

Summer Fun in St. Tropez, Monte Carlo and Paris!

It was no surprise to see over 35 private jets parked at the Nice airport when we landed. After all, the French Riviera is known for being the “Playground of the Rich and Famous.” And even though neither adjective applies to us, it is still our favorite vacation spot: We’ve been going here for over 19 years, so long, in fact, that PBS travel writer, Rick Steves, contacted me when he was writing his book about the region! It is a very special spot for me; I had my 50th birthday party at the Byblos Hotel and every year, we meet up with friends from all over the world for some fun in the sun around the Fourth of July. It’s hard to explain the magic of St. Tropez but the weather is usually perfect (although this year it was almost unbearably hot) and the people are chic and beautiful. The shops all carry things you don’t see until at least a year later in the States and the beach clubs are divine. Everyone is there to have fun so it is always a wonderfully upbeat atmosphere. It’s the sort of place where you can’t believe anyone could be sick or unhappy…my kind of place! Going back to the Byblos was like going home. Head concierge Giuseppe Pochintesta not only works magic with our reservations but he is also our friend. We share e-mails all year long in anticipation of our trip. And Sylvie, the reservations manager, always makes sure our friends are accommodated, even when the hotel is filled to the brim. The hotel has undergone an extensive renovation and is even more beautiful than I remembered it. Our room had a delightful terrace which overlooked the countryside and the dramatic umbrella pines sprinkled across the landscape. You can understand why all of the famous artists and writers came here for inspiration. Our band of merry friends met at the pool bar, as is our custom, to begin our week of fun. This year, Paul Iacono, Anita and Ken Brown (from Spain and London) and Tissy and John Kennington (from California) came to party. After a cocktail at the bar, we made our way to Dick Eddy’s 24th Annual Rose Wine Tasting Party at his villa in town. Every year, Dick hosts this party and guests are given a score card upon entering to vote for the best rose wine. Chuck and I go through the motions of voting, but in reality, it’s all about the party. Dick always has an interesting mix of people—regulars who drive up from Monte Carlo, a famous photographer – one year I even ran into Leslie Hindman there! – you just never know who you’re going to see. After the wine party, we went to Banh-Hoi which is a small, charming Thai restaurant located down a tiny little ivy-lined street. The following day, we went to one of our favorite restaurants in the world, Club 55. This beach club restaurant came about in 1955 when the film crew from Bridget Bardot’s movie, “And God Created Woman,” came for meals. Owner Patrice Colmont runs the restaurant and plays no favorites. There are always celebs here and on this particular day, we saw Liam Neeson with Ralph Fiennes (who had just worked together in “Clash of the Titans”), Ryan Seacrest, Joan Collins with husband Percy Gibson and sis Jackie Collins, Harvey Weinstein, Naomi Campbell and stunning Victoria Silvstedt (the Swedish actress, model, singer, TV personality, Miss World contestant and Playboy’s 1997 Playmate of the Year). Anyway, the food and ambience here are nonpareil. The loup de mer, the sea bass, is to die for and they must go through 500 a day. After lunch, we drove to another beach club, La Voile Rouge. This club is known for dancing on the tables and spraying expensive champagne all over the crowd. Their specialty drink is called “Sex on the Beach” which suits this spot perfectly. For dinner this evening, we went to one of the most beautiful restaurants in town, La Romana, where the entire ceiling is made up of wisteria vines with tiny, white lights strung throughout. At the entrance, is the largest arrangement of flowers you’ve ever seen and the room is aglow with all manner of candlelight ranging from small votives to magnificent, antique candelabras. There are large banquets filled with beautiful people. Their specialty drinks are bucket- sized and served with 50 straws and delivered to your table with huge fanfare—so you have to order one! There is a fashion show with beautiful French models and the items are for sale, bien sur, in a delightful shop at the back of the restaurant. The next day was July 4th and it seems like the French like to celebrate this day even more than we do: There is a big party at all of the beach clubs up and down the coast and everywhere you look, you see the American flag! We chose Moorea Beach to begin our celebration and to be with our friend Dick Eddy and friends. After lunch, we walked down the beach to La Voile Rouge where you could see the people already dancing on the roof! After giving the magic code word (the manager’s name), we were allowed in to this by-reservation-only party. There were women dancing topless, men wearing pirate costumes and jeroboams of champagne on many of the tables (which were priced at 9000 euros). The boats in the bay were enormous—lots of Russian billionaires call this their playground and they were easy to spot. Naomi Campbell was at Club 55 with her Russian boyfriend, Vladislav Doronin (known as Moscow’s Donald Trump), along with billionaire Topshop owner, Sir Philip Green. After La Voile Rouge, we drove to Nikki Beach Club. Playboy was hosting the party and they even had French bunnies there for photo ops. This club is my second favorite after Club 55; it’s always packed with fun seekers and the sushi here is the best I’ve ever eaten—Chuck thinks the atmosphere has something to do with it and I think he’s right. This is also the only club with a pool which is a big draw. There were large Playboy bunny heads hanging in the trees and our flag was flying in full force…and the people watching was unbeatable! We met some handsome guys from Chicago: Chris Draska, Mark Bell, Matt Unertl and Mike Manning, who the girls were all lusting after. It was great running into them and Matt even lives in our neighborhood in Old Town! After our daytime activities, we had a nap and then out to dinner that evening at Joseph’s. They play great music but after our long day, we preferred the quieter outdoor patio where we could hear each other. On our final day, we went back to our favorite spot, Club 55, and dinner that evening at L’Escale. This restaurant is in the port and is sheer elegance—the place is all white, silver and cream with white sand on the floor. It was a fitting place to say our goodbyes and raise a final glass of rose until next year. The following day, we drove to Monte Carlo, where Tissy and John joined us. We stayed at the elegant Hermitage Hotel and dined at one of the most beautiful hotels in the world, Hotel de Paris. One of their restaurants, The Grill, is on the top of the building and has a roof that opens to the Monte Carlo sky with views of the harbor and the palace. (Grace Kelly was a lucky woman!) The next day, we took a helicopter to the Nice airport where we ran into Victoria Silvstedt again who was on our flight to Paris. She is so beautiful no one could take their eyes off of her. I saw a man take his son to the restroom on the plane just so they could look at her in the first row…and they didn’t even go into the bathroom! In Paris, we stayed at a chic and charming boutique hotel on the Left Bank called Esprit de St. Germain. It was two blocks from Les Deux Magots, another favorite, and down the street from the church of St. Sulpice. We wandered all of the Paris streets and went to the largest flea market in the world on Saturday, Marche aux Puces, at Clignancourt. This year the dealers seemed to be a little nastier than I remembered and we both agreed it was probably due to the lack of American buyers which is the bulk of their business. In any case, I didn’t see anything I couldn’t live without and after filling my eyes with visions of fabulous antiques, paintings, silver, majolica and tapestries, back to the hotel we went. Dinner was at a new restaurant called La Societe, owned by the Costes brothers, the hip, cool team who run Café Marly and the Hotel Costes among many other places. On this night, we saw a man come in with two young boys who had 10 bodyguards with him!  I had no idea who he was but he must’ve had a lot to lose. The final evening was spent at Ralph Lauren’s first European restaurant, Ralph’s, 173 Blvd. St. Germain, with friends from Chicago. Inside this 17th-century mansion, Ralph Lauren has created a chic temple to American cuisine. The menu included Maine lobster salad, Maryland crab cakes, steak from the designer’s Colorado ranch, southern fried chicken and all types of hamburgers. I will dream about the deep fried olive appetizers. There was dining in the courtyard as well as inside and, as you can imagine, the restaurant was done to a turn. Every detail was perfect and it was a great way to end our trip. Leslie Hindman, Michael Sneed and friends had just arrived in town and it was great to spend some time together at this special spot with a Chicago connection. What a wonderful summer vacation…I hope you enjoyed reliving it with me! See more photos here! 

On the Chicago party front, there is still time to buy tickets for what CS Magazine has called the Number One must-attend summer event, Chefs & the City, benefitting Vital Bridges. There will be an amazing fashion show, great auction packages and, of course, GREAT FOOD! The event will be held on Thursday, July 22nd, at the Peninsula Hotel with the VIP After Party at RL. There are still a few tickets available so I hope to see you all there!!!! For tickets and more info, please call 773-271-5117 or visit www.vitalbridges.org.

On this same night, I will also be attending the PAWS Beach Party (yes, it will be possible to do both!). This 8th annual event will be at the Castaways at the North Avenue Beach Boathouse beginning at 6 p.m. Their auction items are not to be believed and the surprises that co-chairs Bonnie Spurlock and Christine Mallul have planned will make it the BEST one yet! So grab your best four legged friend and join the party!!! Visit www.pawschicago.org or call 773-890-5118 for tickets and more info!
 
Love always,
Candace (I missed you!)
[email protected]