Candid Candace

JOFFREY BALLET’S “COUTURE & COCKTAILS” SRO AT PALMER HOUSE!

The BEST party of the year was Friday night at the Palmer House for the Joffrey Ballet’s Couture & Cocktails! It must be true because everyone told me so! If you weren’t there, you missed a lot of fun! Pamella Roland’s show was electrifying and she came with her whole beautiful family. It began with the VIP party in Lockwood Restaurant where guests mingled with celebs including the darling Rancics, Giuliana and Bill, and the red-hot glam DJ, Donna D’Cruz. The lobby where the event was held was SRO and it was a scene straight out of Anna Wintour’s dreams. The runway was covered in gold gel to coordinate with the ornate gilding in the room and the lighting by Dennis Remer of Frost was sexy, sexy, sexy. Then the lights went out and the first gorgeous models appeared at the top of the stairs leading from the Empire Room. The music made you think you were in St. Tropez as the models strutted down the runway with their avant garde hairstyles by Charles Lord. There were so many glam designs it was dizzying….after the show, Artistic Director Ashley Wheater and Executive Director Christopher Clinton Conway introduced the Joffrey dancers who paraded down the runway rivaling any supermodel. The crowd went wild and then they introduced Helen Melchior and me, the event founders. This was our fourth event and by far the biggest and the best thanks to our presenting sponsor, The Palmer House. We then introduced our beautiful co-chairs: Anne Kaplan, Kristina McGrath, Rebecca Besser, Shauna Montgomery, Ann Waters, Sheryl Dyer and Leslie Hindman (who was our Auction Chair). I thanked our gracious sponsors, Netjets, Van Cleef & Arpels, United Airlines, Neiman Marcus (who introduced us to Pamella) and our media sponsor CS Magazine, who has been with us from the beginning. Leslie Hindman then started the live auction with Giuliana and Bill. The Peninsula’s Far East Package went to Rhonda Sanderson, Pamella herself bought the gorgeous diamond Van Cleef & Arpels evening watch, the Pamella Roland NY Fashion Week package went to Kristina and Mike McGrath, the party for 50 in the lobby of the Palmer House went to Barkley Payne and the Chicago Package went to Steven Haislet, Victoria Dinges and Anise Wileylittle. Even the dancers joined in donating several items for our silent auction. Temur Suluashvili knitted four sweaters to outfit a family, Fabrice Calmels (who will be playing Othello in the upcoming season) donated a dance class for 12, Valerie Robin donated homemade limoncellos and Matthew Adamczyk donated a gorgeous painting. The dance party continued in the Red Lacquer Room and the State Ballroom served as our sexy lounge area with white leather furniture and the evening’s fashion show being replayed on a giant screen. When the dancers got on the dance floor, the crowd was captivated. If you haven’t seen a Joffrey dancer let his/her hair down then you have really missed an incredible treat. They dance with such abandon and style…it’s a sight you won’t forget. No one wanted to leave when the evening came to an end and we didn’t! Off to Potter’s we went to relive the evening over a final cocktail….WHAT A NIGHT IT WAS… :) And the best part is we raised $250,000 for our beloved Joffrey! Yehhhhhhh!!! Thanks so much to all who attended and supported this unique event! Bold-faced names in the crowd included Dana Hokin, Cynthia Holbrooke, Paula and Peter Fasseas, Traci and Barry Mansur, Angie DeMars, Lynn and John McMahan, Elizabeth Ryan, Sophie Bross, Liz and Jeff Sharp, Lisa Malkin, Sherry and Tom Barrat, Shelley MacArthur Farley, Jan Melk, Gregory Russell, Amelia, Alex and Laura Silva, Kimberly Gleeson and Dr. Stephen Stryker, Sarah and Ted Tetzlaff, Debra McMichael, Grace Barry, Noren and Richard Ungaretti, Jocelyn Stoller, Chris Long, Maria Smithburg, Donn Seidholz, Jeane Schroeder, Toni and Rick Canada, Greg Hyder, Jim Smith, Felicia and Kurt Winiecki, Nadine and Ira Epstein, Hedwig and Bob Golant, Charley Jordan, Jannie and Elliot Pearlman, Nicole Jacob, Paul Rehder, Nicki and Nicholas Patrick, Lydia and Francois Alouf, Leslie Hindman, Mary Lou Gorno, Sara Wheater (Ashley’s sis) and her family, Kelli Zink, Rebecca and Charlie Besser, Shauna and Barry Montgomery, Rich Varnes, Diane and John Patience, Marcus Riley, Anne and Burt Kaplan, Stanley Paul, Mamie Walton, Beverly Blettner, Sherren Leigh, Carol Beitler, Patti Eyler, Stuart Feinberg and Cookie Cohen, Susan Gohl, Deb and John Gross, Odele and Brent Hawkins, Paul Iacono, Rhonda Sanderson, Marty Higgins, Cheryl Larsen and Robert Murphy, Camille Rudy, Kristina and Mike McGrath, Barkley Payne, Lar Lubovitch, Leslie Blum, Terri D’Ancona, Maria and Bob Zec, Wendy Krimins, Tina Koegel, Susan and George Heisler, Claire Holdren, John Carroll, Bruno Abate, Howard Tullman, Michaela and Dick Parillo, Kathleen Klaeser, Averill and Buddy Leviton, Abigail Rutherford and Wesley Donohoe, Ellie Fisher and Dana Spektor among others. (Othello opens at the Auditorium Theater on October 14th. Don’t miss it!) Special thanks to Howard Tullman and Flashpoint Academy for filming the show as well as our peeps from Frost Lighting which you will see on Candid Candace at a later date but click onto this link for a sneak preview. BTW, guess who visited our own Ashley Wheater at Joffrey Tower? Mikhail Baryshnikov!!! They have known each other for ages and “Mischa” as Ashley calls him, congratulated him on the great job he’s doing!!! I AGREE! Kudos to our Ashley and infinite thank yous to Bob Carl, Caitlin Saville and Barry Brecheisen for the fab fotos! For more photos from this amazing evening, click here! 

All you need to do to have a crowd for a party is have Nate Berkus’ name on the invite! This is exactly what happened for the party at Ralph Lauren last week benefitting DIFFA. It was wall-to-wall with glamorous people (after all, it is benefitting the Design Industry Foundation Fighting Aids) and everyone was very happy to be there. Nate has never looked better – if this is even possible – and seemed very happy. He co-hosted this event, which was a kickoff party for “Dining by Design” which will be held November 5th through 7th at the Merchandise Mart with Alfredo Paredes, the Executive VP of Polo Ralph Lauren and the DIFFA Chicago Board of Trustees.There were people on every floor and everywhere you looked you saw someone you knew. Seen in the crowd were Todd Hatoff and Marshall Erb, Charles Hocevar III, Frank LaMarca, Izabella Stefnis, Corinne Melchior, Helen Melchior, Graham Kostic with Kevin Aeh, Elise Schmitt and Kristin Lamprecht, John Ansehl, Francine Turk, Shelley Koester, JoHannah Kornick, Chris McNally, Chad Duda, Holly Hunt, Patrick Plante, Chef Art Smith and Jesus Salguiero, Kyle Koenig, Az Ferguson, Laura Nelson, Marta Michulka, Melissa and Rich Gamble, Estrella Rosenberg, Jonathon Wells, Jerry Mickelson, Pavel Juricek, Judy Neidermaier, Victor Skrebneski, David Sheppard, DIFFA Chair Jennifer McGregor, Carrie Lannon, Lynn and John McMahan, Kara Mann, Jennifer Woolford, Richard Cassis, John Rouse, Jan Parr, John Brennen, Lee Allison and Deborah Walters among others. Afterwards, the party continued at RL Restaurant…it was a long night but a fun one for a wonderful cause…and, of course, it’s always great seeing NATE! :) Click here for more photos!
 
A BIG congratulations to CS Magazine on their 15th Anniversary! I can’t believe it’s been this long!! It seems like just yesterday they breezed into town and created a social sensation! The party was held at Barney’s and three of the windows were decorated with quotes about CS Magazine by Bill Zwecker, Billy Dec, Nate Berkus, Amanda Puck, Maria Pinto, and MOI! I was so honored and excited to be included—to see your name on a window like this was really something! I made Chuck drive by TWICE to make sure we got a good look! DJ White Shadow was the music man for the night with décor by Heffernan Morgan. It was a very happy crowd and included John Carroll and his girlfriend April Francis, Toni Canada, Neal Zucker, Amanda Puck, Stephen and Michael Kong (founders of Modern Luxury), Gina Bazer, David Barnett, Liz Grossman, Kelli Zink, Jenny Berg, Graham Kostic, Jonathon Wells, Gary Weidner, David Anthony, Bruno and Melissa Abate, Laura and Howard Sims, Jerry Kleiner, Julie Darling, Gregg Zgonena, Maria Ponce, Michael Crowley and Lisa Kingsley among others. Check out more photos here!
 
Chicago Now hosted its first Blogapalooza along with the 900 Shops on September 24th. Chicago Now bloggers were stationed all over the mall at selected retailers and restaurants meeting fans and friends and passing out treats. Caitlin Giles of “Wee Windy City” treated the kids to face painting, scavenger hunts and cookies while Brandon Frein and Arlene Matthews of “Styled in Chicago” created some new looks at Bloomingdale’s for a few lucky guests and presented fall fashions with personal shopper, Joyce Sobczyk. Sarah Stegner of “Prairie Chefs” gave cooking demonstrations at Williams-Sonoma while I mingled with friends at Mont Blanc. We served champagne and delicious food from Le Colonial. I like to think my friends came to see me but I have to be honest with myself—it was the food and drink! Anyway, lots of Chicago Now’s top bloggers participated including darling Ashley Bond (Miss Illinois 2009) who gave tips for working out and staying healthy at Equinox, Matt Lo Cascio of “Jay Cutler Superstar” and Julie DiCaro of “A League of Her Own” met guests and talked Chicago sports while treating them to cocktails and shoe shines and RedEye’s Stephen Markey held a meet and greet featuring Bloody Marys and breakfast bites at Oak Tree Restaurant and Bakery. (Stephen wrote a very funny account of his Blogapalooza experience on Chicago Now entitled “

I Think I’m Still Drunk from Blogapalooza.”) Friends who turned out to visit included Ryan Salzwedel, Jeffrey Alters, Bill Maxwell and Ryan Salz (Channel 3), Jon and Andrew Landan, Vincent Anzalone, Mable Buckner, Lynn McMahan, David Dvorak, Lonnie Rodriguez, Gina Driskell, JoAnne Bush, Michael Roberts, Julia Jacobs-Sandford, Allison Rausch, Kellen Sisler, Denise Sinz, Callahan Tormey, Kerry and Sally Schor, Jennifer Wirth, Rita Fisher, Joey Majumdar and Rebecca Franson among others. I hope you get a chance to check out all of the great blogs at ChicagoNow.com. For more images, click here!

As we all know, this month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and beginning October 1st, The Peninsula Chicago will dedicate itself to raising awareness and funds for it starting with a pink backlit hotel entrance and logo as part of the Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundations’s annual “Light the Way to Find a Cure” campaign.  They will also donate $2 for every Afternoon Tea served in the lobby from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.—this tea will also feature informal fashion shows during Fashion Focus Chicago. Designs will be shown from Escada (Oct. 20th), Neiman Marcus (Oct. 21st), Giorgio Armani (Oct. 22nd), J. Mendel (Oct. 23rd) and Ultimo with jewelry by Sydney Garber (Oct. 24th). Also, $5 per dinner check at Avenues or Shanghai Terrace will be donated to Lynn Sage when diners mention breast cancer awareness and $5 will also be donated per one hour or longer treatments at The Peninsula Spa by ESPA. Let’s hope more hotels follow suit to make a difference for this much needed cause. We all know someone affected by breast cancer—let’s show them how much we care….For more info, please contact Susan Ellefson at 312-573-6616 or via e-mail at susanellefson@peninsula.com.

Hope you have a wonderful week…I am sorry for our Olympic bid loss but to quote an old Garth Brooks song, I guess we have to be thankful for “Unanswered Prayers.” Check out this little clip that will make you smile and I’ll “talk” to you next week!

Love,
Candace :)

(And as always, if you would like to contact me, please e-mail me at Candace@CandidCandace.com.)

GLAMOURCON 2009 IS A 70'S CELEBRATION!

Glamourcon is a convention celebrating the glamour arts and has every type and stripe of pinups from past and present as well as pinup art and photography. This year at the Crowne Plaza O'Hare, it was dominated by dozens of Playboy Playmates – especially a strong contingent from the 70's (Golden Age of Playboy). My fellow Playmates this year included Patti McGuire Connors (Playmate of the Year 1977), Sondra Theodore (Hef's former girlfriend and Playmate for July 1977), Sylvie Garant (November 1979), Laura Lyons (former Jet Bunny on Hef's plane, Chicago Bunny of the Year in 1975 and Playmate for February 1976), Janet Lupo (November 1975) and Monica Tidwell (November 1973 Playmate, who had an off-Broadway show called “Mind Game.”) Among other Playmates attending were this year's Playmate of the Year Ida Ljungvist, Julie Cialini (Playmate of the Year 1995), Summer Altice (August 2000), DeDe Lind (August 1967) and Cathy St. George (August 1982). There were also a mother/daughter set of Playmates: Gale Olson (August 1968) and her daughter Crystal McCahill (May 2009). One of the original playmates after Marilyn Monroe – Dolores Del Monte (March 1954) – was there too. Hef had purchased her photo from the same calendar company as Marilyn. This event had a lot of firsts and one of them was having the oldest attendee, Herbert Lakin, at 97 years of age. One fan even brought the back plate from Bally’s famous Playboy pinball machine for Patti and Sondra (whose likenesses appear there) to sign and another fan/friend, Larry Armstrong, had the original copper plate of DeDe Lind's centerfold that he had bought on Ebay! Wil Rivers, a long-time fan, has only missed one show out of 47 and it was great to see him there again this year. My friends from the 70's were all in a row and we had a blast. It was so much fun to see so many fans who love and know the wonderful history of Playboy. Thanks to Bob Schultz for keeping the dream alive via Glamourcon. The next event will be in November in L.A. so I hope to see you all there! Photos from top left: Patti McGuire Connors with her iconic Bally pinball machine; Sylvie Garant, Patti McGuire Connors, me, Laura Lyons, Monica Tidwell, Janet Lupo and DeDe Lind; Summer Altice; with Playmate of the Year Ida Ljunvist; Dolores Del Monte; Cathy St. George; Bridget; Larry Armstrong; Chuck with Playboy's Shanthi and Rob Wilson; Crystal McCahill and Gale Olson. For more photos from this event, click here!   
 
Chicago Now’s official launch was Monday, August 10th, but the rooftop launch party was Wednesday for four of their top bloggers. It was my first time seeing a game from this unique vantage point. I was so honored to be among the four bloggers invited and the best part was our live interview on WGN TV! Fellow bloggers included Kevin O’Neil (CTA Tattler), Billy Dec (A Chicago Thing) and Julie DiCaro (A League of Her Own). Julie blogged live throughout the game and even had to shield her eyes from the sun to type with one hand….huge kudos to her! Wow! At first, it was thrilling and then as the seats started filling up and the crowd turned testy over the seat shortage, we left. And thank goodness we did—at least we didn’t see the Cubbies get slaughtered. Anyway, Chicago Now has 75 bloggers and is promoted as the “Huffington Post meets Facebook.” They have every manner of blogger and Chicago Tribune’s editor of digital media, Bill Adee, said, “We think of it as an online town square for the Chicago of right now.” I am thrilled to be a part of this August group and hope you all tune in early and often to www.ChicagoNow.com. Photos from top left: Chicago Now boss Jimmy Greenfield with bloggers Billy Dec, Juli DiCaro, me and Kevin O'Neil; view from the rooftop; scenes from three rooftop parties; Jimmy Greenfield and Kevin O'Neil.
 
Resale goes upscale when one of Bravo’s Real Housewives, Alex McCord, comes to Chicago on Wednesday, August 26th to celebrate the opening of Second Time Around from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 823 W. Armitage. Second Time Around is an upscale consignment store which started in Boston. Chicago will be their first location beyond the East Coast, where there are 19 stores. Alex is also reaching out to some of her celeb friends including "Project Runway" stars to help her open the store in style. Michigan Avenue Magazine is the sponsor of this event along with Moet Chandon, Berry Chill and Belvedere Black Raspberry and I am a co-host along with Celeb TV’s Kelli Zink and Ryan Preuett. There will be cocktails and fabulous hors d’oeuvres from The Entertaining Company as well as a lot of press so come camera-ready! Space is limited so RSVP ASAP to RSVP@secondtimearound.netor by calling 773-698-6260. (BTW, a unique aspect of Second Time Around is the fact that you can request the proceeds of your donations go to your favorite charity…I LOVE this!) Photos from top right: Alex McCord; Second Time Around on Newbury Street in Boston.
 
The Chicago Dancing Festival has begun! Tuesday night featured “New Voices” at the Harris Theater and features “Modern Masters” Thursday. “Modern Masters” is full but you can try to get seats via their stand-by process (just visit the Harris Theater Box Office at noon and they will provide you with a stand-by voucher while supplies last and voucher holders may be granted a seat should any reserved ticket holder not be present at the time of the seating). On Saturday, August 22nd, the culmination of the week’s festivities will be the “Celebration of American Dance” at the Pritzker Pavillion in Millennium Park. No tickets are required for any of the performances but it is suggested that you arrive early at the time of the seating.  The after-party Thursday night begins at the Palmer House at 9:30 p.m. in Potter’s Lounge. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. and will include an all-star lineup of dancers from some of the country’s most acclaimed dance companies. Hope to see you there!! Photos: scenes from past Chicago Dancing Festivals.
 
This summer has been a delightful mix of outdoor activities and one of the best parts of living in Chicago is having that beautiful lake to play on! We were fortunate to be invited out on Cary’d Away - Ann and Kevin Dwyer’s yacht - for an evening cruise and dinner at the Chicago Yacht Club. We were joined by long-time friends Terry (Whitey) Pearson, Kathy Peterson (who flew in from NY), Marissa Rudman, Diane Gottlieb and Mike Wilkie. It was the perfect summer night and the city never looked better. There is nothing better than spending time with old friends and I thank you Ann and Kevin for bringing us all together again! Love you! Photos from top left: Marissa Rudman, Whitey Pearson, me, Kathy Peterson and hostess Ann Dwyer; Mike Wilkie and Kevin Dwyer; Whitey Pearson, Kathy Peterson and Ann Dwyer; Diane Gottlieb and Marissa Rudman. For more photos from this fantastic evening, click here! 
 
Another fun summer soiree was hosted by Diane and Sandy Whitely. They had a stellar guest list with over 40 friends and since Sandy worked at NBC for over 33 years, there were a lot of guests from the station there too such as Anna Davlantes, Paul Nagano, Kim Vatis, Susan Ellefson and her hubby Bryan Kurtz, Stanley Paul and Cynthia Olson, Candace Corr, BJ Jones (Artistic Director of Northlight Theater), Brenda Sexton, Todd Lizak, Lydia and Francois Alouf, Evie and Herb Glieberman, Audrey and Len Rubin, Daniele and Dan Roberts, Jack Frost and Fantashia Hauss and her handsome boyfriend Simone Ortolani. Their wonderful summer menu created by Finesse Cuisine offered peach Bellinis, mini Angus burgers, yellow split pea veggie burgers, rosemary marinated lamb loin, beef tartar on brown butter biscuits and frozen goat cheese mousse with crushed sunflowers and caramelized honey. The chef even picked herbs from Diane and Sandy’s garden to add to the selections! I know this party won’t soon be forgotten! Can’t wait for the next one, Diane and Sandy! Photos from top left: Candace Corr, hostess Diane Whitely and BJ Jones; Anna Davlantes; Paul Nagano, host Sandy Whitely and NBC anchor Kim Vatis; Fantashia Hauss and Simone Ortolani; Thomas Monahan with Lydia and Francis Alouf; Susan Ellefson and Bryan Kurtz; Brenda Sexton and Tom Lizak. For more photos from this great party, click here!
 
The American Craft Exposition is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a preview party on Thursday, August 27th. This event, which runs from August 28th through August 30th, will raise money for breast and ovarian cancer research and will showcase exhibitors in many different areas including basketry, ceramics, emerging artists, furniture, glass, leather, jewelry and furniture among others. The event will be held at the Henry Crown pavilion on the campus of Northwestern University. Tickets for the Collector’s Hour from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. are $150 and includes admission to the three day expo. Tickets for the Benefit Preview party from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. are $100. For more information and to purchase tickets, please go to www.americancraftexpo.org or call 847-570-5095. Over the past 10 years, they have raised over $4.5 million for ground breaking research but this year will be one of their most challenging with the deflated economy. I hope you can come out and support this worthy cause AND have some fun! Photos: creations for the American Craft Exposition.
 
I hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s edition of CandidCandace. This video, if you’re anything like me, will make you rethink your dog training capabilities! Have a great week!
 
Love,
Candace :)

P.S. Since this is CandidCandace’s One Year Anniversary (time sure flies when you’re having fun!), I am taking the week off to celebrate! I will “see” you all on Tuesday, September 1st but to contact me anytime, please e-mail candace@candidcandace.com.

It's a FACTIO---We Love Them!

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 Sarah@Maven-Chicago.com! 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.

Winter is almost over now and you can see the deer wandering around in our yard….:-)

 

Thanks again for checking in!

 

Love, Candace :)