Susan G Komen Pink Tie Ball

Susan G. Komen of Orange County held their annual Pink Tie Ball in Laguna Beach at the Festival of the Arts, where the Pageant of the Masters is held every summer.  The Pink Tie Ball Committee chooses unique venues each year, from the ball field of Angels Stadium to the private airport hangar of Atlantic Aviation.  The Komen Foundation strives to eradicate breast cancer by donating community grants to Orange County non-profit facilites that can offer free screening to residents. 
Art was the feature of the evening, with painted works by breast cancer survivors, donors, and volunteers in collaboration with renowned artist, Jerome Gastaldi, being featured and auctioned off. 

Guests purchased lanterns from the Tree of Hope, for a chance to win a $10,000 18-karat gold and diamond bracelet, generously donated by Black Starr & Frost.  Guess this wasn't my year, as someone else walked away with the bracelet by the end of the night.  But I did manage to win (or as my hubby puts it, "pay more than anyone else wants to" lol) the opportunity for a child to announce "Play Ball!" before an Angels game!  Lucky Knolton!


Carolyn Ausman, myself, Analisa Albert

Hubby and I, wearing Brunello Cucinelli

Festival of the Arts,
where the Pageant of the Masters is held every year

Pink cocktail of the evening, adorned with a starfruit

Great concept of paying $50 for a surprise wine pull to enjoy at dinner

Cathie Lawler and Bill Peters of Louis Vuitton

myself, Lori Kenyon of Ritual Cleanse, Richard Farley II

The family plus a buddy for Knolton!

"Play Ball!"



photos coutesy of Osusan Haraikawa, Tyler Jo Gaines, Richard J Eldridge, and myself

To donate or get more information for the Susan G. Komen Orange County Foundation
www.komenoc.org



David Yurman Opening

Last week's opening party of the sleek and stylish David Yurman store in Orange County was in support of the Harvesters 20th Anniversary.  Sculptor David Yurman's iconic cable bracelet is the focus of the brand, with cable-style jewelry, watches, and thick statement cuffs adding a youthful flare to the line. 

A portion of the sales that evening was generously donated to the Harvesters, who fund 38 Kid's Cafe Programs throughout Orange County.  The Harvesters celebrated a milestone 20th Anniversary at this party, and it was only fitting that the money raised this evening alone would provide over 41,000 meals for the families of Orange County. Kudos ladies!

The charming David and Sybil Yurman

Wendy Nguyen of Wendy's Lookbook and party guests

Jennifer Segerstrom and I
Wearing Theory blose, Armani slacks, vintage men's braided belt,
vintage 60's necklace, Chanel Purse, Hermes cuff & charm, ippolita ring

Nicholas Gannon of Bask Magazine and Moira Kamgar

myself and David Yurman

*photos coutesy of David Yurman and the HL Group

David Yurman
South Coast Plaza 3333 Bristol St., Unit 2418
Costa Mesa CA, US 92626
(714) 444-1080
www.davidyurman.com

If you'd like to donate to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County or to get more information
www.feedoc.org

Rose Pear Gin Cocktail

These hints of balmy summer days that we've been having in Orange County lately has made me antsy to start drinking refreshing summer spritzes and cocktails already.  Working with Rose Water recently to make a champagne cocktail for my last event, I decided to try a different type of pairing, introducing the sweet, honey flavor of a ripe pear and the herbal, slight anise tone of gin.  It's easy as pie (the store bought kind, not the hundred-step homemade kind) to make your own Simple Syrup, and this recipe can be modified to fit your particular taste.  Add more or less of the Simple Syrup or the Rose Water, or you could even change the recipe to a vodka for a cleaner taste.  I personally like the use of a herbal gin, as the whole rose pear herb gin concoction reminds me of garden party in the dusk.  Happy cocktail-ing!

Take 2 cups of granulated sugar

Add 2 cups of water

Slice up a pear, in no particular size or shape

Bring to a boil until pears are translucent (10 - 15 minutes)

Mash the pears, then continue cooking on medium heat
until lightly golden, then cool completely

Get a nice quality gin. I used this brand as it has a herbal flavor
that reminds me of a wild herb garden

Rose Water essence. Use in equal parts
to the Pear Simple Syrup. I used a
half tablespoon of each for a small glass.

After the Pear Simple Syrup and Rose Water are added,
pour the gin half way the glass, then add soda water to the rest.

Or super-size the glass and enjoy it outdoors!

Summer Food & Wine Event 5/16/12

How many of you like food?  How many of you like wine?  Now how many of you would like to have both while you help feed local hungry children?  Yup! Exactly!  

South Coast Plaza is throwing a Summer Food & Wine event at Bloomingdale's in South Coast Plaza on Wednesday, May 16th, 2012 from 6 - 9pm.  This special evening will have Chef de Cuisine Saekyong Kim of Charlie Palmer's Bloomingdales, cooking his delicious menu items while partygoers will have the opportunity to sample over 100 wines from the Central Coast and Napa Valley, while music will be provided from KCRW 89.9 DJ Jason Bentley.

All ticket sales and silent auction proceeds benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank, whose services encompass groceries for Seniors, afterschool meals for kids, shelter meals, emergency food, food stamps, and summer meals for children in need.  Second Harvest Food Bank, and particularly our local Orange County Harvesters, have funded 38 Kids Cafe Programs throughout Orange County.  The children that visit these centers often have their school provided free lunch as their only meal for the day, and would remain hungry until the next school day.  The Kids Cafe Program provides afterschool meals for these children who would normally not have access to dinners or meals on weekends. 

Personally, the thought of these children going hungry in our local area is heartbreaking, both as a mother and as a wife of a man who once lived on the streets as a young child.  Please consider offering your time, money, or attending this fun event benefiting our Orange County families and children in need. 

Hope I see you there!

Summer Food & Wine Event
Wednesday May 16, 2012 6-9pm
Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's
South Coast Plaza
3333 Bristol Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Advance tickets $75 / $100 at the door

www.feedoc.org

Brunello Cucinelli Anniversary party

I got the chance to co-host the One Year Anniversary of Brunello Cucinelli at South Coast Plaza on April 19th with Suzan Paek of Jessica Grant Handbags and Jeffrey Alan Marks of Bravo's Million Dollar Decorators.  This private event showcased Jeffrey's interior designs, with an opportunity to get his creative advice, in addition to that of Ross Cassidy, also of Million Dollar Decorators.  Stylists from New York were here to lend their expertise, for a fun-filled evening of shopping and champagne.  OC's top caterer, Brian Dobbin, created a taste of Umbria for the evening, tantalizing palates while the styles of Brunello Cucinelli excited our shopping senses.

The Brunello Cucinelli line is a glorious mix of fine cashmere and knits, with luxurious details of fur, feather, and leather.  This is what you imagine wearing while overlooking your vineyard from your estate in Tuscany.  Supple suedes and clever draping make this more than your everyday basic; it's effortless elegance and style.  Even the men's line is quite dapper with the great cuts in the sports coats, chic fits with knits, and the ever charming pocket square.  Personally, I'm in love with the feathered suede loafers. If I ever wore flats, it would definitely be those.  So dreamy! 



Hosts for the evening. Ross Cassidy, myself, Suzan Paek, Jeffery Alan Marks

Jeffrey's interior design tableau. Amazing lover's couch!

myself, Lia Kieckhafer, Maggie Flornes

Individual Mac & cheese??? So cool!

I love these sooo much!

Jessica Debreceni, Sarah Ollenburger of Juggling in Heels, Ross Cassidy of Bravo's Million Dollar Decorators

Kuen Rameson, Suzan Paek, Moira Kamgar, myself wearing Brunello Cucinelli dress and belt

Brunello Cucinelli
at South Coast Plaza
3333 Bristol Street
Costa Mesa, CA
714-957-6930
www.brunellocucinelli.com

Chloe

Chloe rolled out their new season at South Coast Plaza to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Orange County Museum of Art with an evening of cocktails and shopping.  Fashionistas and art enthusiasts nibbled on bites from AnQi while listening to the DJ spin, as the latest season was modeled.  Dresses were light and effortless airy, invoking an idea of the chic parisian socialite in the Spring.  I fell in love/lust with the studded booties with the triple buckle.  C'est magnifique!

*photos courtesy of Anjie Sommerville

Wearing Wyeth dress, Chloe purse, Oscar de la renta cuff, YSL ring, and vintage necklaces.
With the lovely Kathryn Glassmyer Cenci of South Coast Plaza.