A November to remember: brush with design greatness

Guest #2 @ my Table 4 Ten

The day I discovered Kelly Wearstler, I was perusing a Barnes & Nobles, one of the activities I find truly therapeutic. It's inspiring, to stand their among the accomplishments of such great people. Modern Glamour seemed so dangerous, yet so right at the same time. I instantly had a girl crush on this innovative interior designer after a few flips of the pages.



A little more research on the design diva, showed that we were partners in crime, both Scorpios. My birthday falling tomorrow, Nov. 16 and Kelly's just before the end of Scorpio's rein on Nov. 21. So I thought it perfectly kismet when a trip to Miami for work fell in November. So, I took this chance to visit one of Kelly's design inspirations, live and in living color.

My fabulous Miami-based colleague, Anabel, and her just as fabulous husband, Mike, we're kind enough to make my dream come true and shuttle us over to The Tides, South Beach for my first glimpse of a Kelly design in person, and it did not disappoint. Here are a few outtakes:







I also took this chance to check out the former home of Gianni Versace. If anybody reading this knew me freshman year of college, I was obsessed with Versace. It started when I discovered the Versace store at the Dallas Galleria when I was visiting my brother and turned into a full blown year of speech class speeches on the topic of the late designer. If I had a table for ten including ghosts, he would certainly be included. Eerily enough, his former address is my birthday...




And for the cherry on top of the sundae, Kelly gave me the perfect birthday present, a brand new book entitled Hue, just released today, Nov. 15.



If you need me, I'll be at Barnes & Nobles picking up my copy of Hue.

Edward, Bella and Sienna, I die!

Sienna, oh Sienna, where have you been? Gracing the headlines with Jude and Balthazar in one week's time. Thanks for coming back and that jacket, I die!

Edward and Bella, oh my! PopSugar.com has a slideshow from Harper's Bazaar, I die!

Help protect children and strengthen families this holiday season

The holidays make us all feel like kids again—the smell of holiday cookies baking, the sparkle of candles and lights, the jingle of bells and the overall anticipation of holiday fun! So many happy family memories are made during the holidays. But, what about the children without the support of a loving family or a happy, stable home, every day of the year?

Kids Hope United is dedicated to making a difference in the life of each child and family they serve. Here, three staff members share stories exemplifying their commitment to the organization’s mission:

“A youth came to us at 17½ after her parents passed away. We couldn’t arrange permanent guardianship because she was only eligible for less than six months in the child welfare system. We could not offer independent living—it wasn’t an option because she hadn’t been in foster care. We were afraid there were no services to help her. But with the help of the adoption unit, she was adopted the week before her 18th birthday. Now she qualifies for services that will assist her in going to college and best of all, she has a safe, nurturing home.”

“Our work is often about the little things that can change the lives of these kids and families, such as helping them get their heat turned on and finding suitable housing—removing some of the stress from parents who are really trying.”

“I am always touched by extraordinary efforts made by our staff who regularly provide care for clients beyond our contractual obligations. Through the years, I have observed staff help children obtain financial aid for college, help a family recover from a fire in their home, and find gifts for children removed from their home late on Christmas Eve—just to name a few. One staff member was even able to facilitate the transfer of a used handicap equipped van to one of our foster families—a remarkable gift from the donor and a small miracle for the family receiving the van.”

For more stories from staff members, board members and corporate donors, visit www.kidshopeunited.org/whyigive.

Without the help of generous donors, these special memories and success stories would not be possible. Help Kids Hope United wrap up this year and make this a holiday the children and families in their care won’t forget. Please visit www.kidshopeunited.org and make as generous donation as possible, be it $50, $100 or $1,000—every dollar makes a difference in the lives of the children and families supported by Kids Hope United allowing them to flourish year-round.

This holiday season, the Kids Hope United team wishes you a merry holiday to live, laugh, love and most of all … hope. Kids Hope United has just one hope for the holidays, a safe home for every child.

Martha, Martha, Martha: The ABCs of Martha Stewart

A is for: Apprentice

B is for: Baker, check out Martha's cookie of the day!


C is for: Master Crafter

D is for: Dreamer

E is for: Entertainer i.e. the hostess with the mostess

F is for: Foodie

G is for: grandinroad

H is for: Homebuilder

I is for: Inspirational

J is for: Jailbird


K is for: Kids

L is for: Whole and healthy living

M is for: Model


N is for: Newsletters

O is for: Organizer

P is for: Painter

Q is for: Quick!

R is for: Rugs

S is for: Shopping

T is for: TV Host

U is for: Ultimate pet lover!


V is for: Vibrant Verbenas

W is for: Wedding Planner

X is for: XM Radio

Y is for: Yellow Cake with Lemon Filling

Z is for: Zucchini Fritters

Crave Chicago Winter Wonderland Party

Do you want to venture down Michigan Avenue in this? I think not! Crave Chicago is making shopping for your holiday party attire super fabulous this year! Get your ticket now for the Winter Wonderland CRAVEparty! Details below...

What: Join your girlfriends for a captivating evening of opulence and magical events!
Where: The Historic Stan Mansion at 2408 N Kedzie in Chicago
When: Wednesday, December 9th, 7-10pm

REGISTER

Baby, it’s cold outside! Join the Winter Wonderland CRAVEparty on December 9th to find your perfect holiday ensemble from one of Chicago’s most fabulous boutiques, all of which will be under one roof! No need to travel from boutique-to-boutique, we have them all here! A CRAVEparty is an exclusive, festive, glam-gal gathering of fun, entertainment, personal pampering, and sippin’ and noshin’ on great food.

FASHION & SIPS
Take advantage of the exclusive opportunity to pre-order the season’s chicest fashions from Chicagoland’s favorite boutiques, while enjoying gratis treats & cocktails!

SPA & SOOTHE
Indulge in complimentary mini-spa services to soothe your holiday-time stresses!

GIFTS GALORE
Don’t be greedy! Shop for something fabulous that those special people in your life will love!

AND MORE…

• Find fabulous treasures on the catwalk as you watch fashion shows featuring local boutiques.
• Be dazzled by the most gorgeous jewelry this city’s designers have to offer!
• Bring your girlfriends to this one-of-a-kind event and we’ll see you off in high spirits… with a great goody bag in tow!
• Find yourself sipping a cocktail, getting a mini-manicure, and shopping for your glamorous holidaytime ensemble, all while viewing a fabulous fashion show and other entertaining acts!
• Become enthralled with the endless holiday gift options you’ll discover at various booths!
• Throughout the night, we will have great raffles including gift certificates to Osteria via Stato and Park 52!
• More details to come!

Let’s see how many tweets we can create; please use the hashtag #craveparty when tweeting about this event. Thank you!