NECOLE BITCHIE HOSTS X-RATED LIQUEUR CHICAGO

Blogger and entrepreneur Necole Kane better known as Necole Bitchie  was in Chicago on Thursday Dec. 15, 2011 hosting the Chicago stop of the X-Rated Fusion Liqueur Tour. The event was held at Hebru Brantley's space at the Lacuna Artist Loft (2150 S. Canalport). Ms. Kane has expanded her brand from self blogger to strategic partnerships with corporate brands.  I had the opportunity to briefly speak with Ms. Kane, who offered some behind the scenes insights and what it takes to run Necolebitchie.com

BEHIND THE SCENES -JEFF SCHEAR

A lot of times, the people that work behind the scenes making the scene rarely get recognized for their work. SociaLifeChicago will spotlight the amazing people that make you and your event look great.

Chicago based photographer Jeff Schear is synonymous with great events and event better pictures not only here in Chicago, but nationally and internationally.  I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Jeff on a rare day off (he had most of that week off, his first in quite some time). Public Hotel library was the perfect setting to sit down and get to know Jeff Schear the man behind the lens.

JOFFREY BALLET NUTCRACKER DINNER

Cindy Burns, Melissa Babcock, Candace Jordan, Sonya Jackson

The Women's Board of the Joffrey Ballet hosted the annual Nutcracker dinner chaired by Women's Board members Cindy Burns and Sonya Y. Jackson.

After the spectacular ballet performance, guests arrived at the Grand Ballroom of the Palmer House Hilton and were greeted by a myriad of activities and treats. Magnolia bakery provided some of their signature treats such as the banana pudding, Peanut butter no bake bar"just like Grandma used to make" and cranberry chocolate chip cookies. There was a candy station for kids to make mixed bags of their favorite sweet treats. While the kids were treated to juices in champagne flutes, adults had wine and signature mixed drinks that were passed around.

The whole room was whirling with activities from the video game station to the arts and craft center, face painting and the cookie decoration area. All the kids in attendance were having so much fun before dinner was served.

Dinner commenced in the grand ballroom with Executive Director Christopher Clinton Conway and Artistic Director Ashley Wheater welcoming guests and thanking them for their support. Mr. Wheater encouraged the kids to "take the time to say thank you to your parents, you are very lucky."

The Co-chairs of the Nutcracker Dinner Sonya Y. Jackson and Cindy Burns recognized and thanked all the Sponsors and staff and everyone that was involved in the process of making the dinner a success.

After an intense game of head & tails, The winner of the iPad2 was Olivia 

Guests in attendance included: Goodman Theatre's Regina Taylor, Women's Board president Melissa Babcock, Candace Jordan, Odele Hawkins, and a lot of adorable well dressed kids.

GIFT IDEA #18-MUSEUM PASSES

Co-chairs of Museum of Science and Industry Columbian ball 2011

The greatest treasure sits right under our noses but we never take the time to see it. Chicago has one of the biggest and greatest collections of museums in the country, if not the world. We are blessed to have institutions such as: Museum of Science and Industry, Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Art, Shedd Aquarium, Illinois Holocaust Museum, DuSable Museum, Adler Planetarium, Chicago History Museum and many more. These museums are great treasures within our city that are not only for children or school field trips, they can also serve as sources of inspiration and out of the box fun. For example The Museum of Science and Industry is a great date spot where you can partake in intellectual conversation. Museum of Contemporary Art has different engaging events(First Fridays, Culture Catalysts) in addition to the great works of art on display.

GIFT IDEA #20-SOMETHING HOMEMADE

Homemade is defined as:

something made in the home by one's own effort

Homemade items conjure warmth and thoughtfulness. If you’re looking for a slightly inexpensive gift that will will wow the receiver, make something homemade. Word of caution, if you are not a baker or adept around the kitchen you might want to skip this gift idea. I wouldn’t suggest this as your experimentation time and also stay away from allergens such as nuts & berries.

I decided to make homemade pound cakes for my co-workers. Its something that I like to eat and its comfort food. I found the perfect recipe on Epicurious

J.CREW PRIVATE SHOPPING PARTY WITH THE BREAKFAST CLUB

The J.Crew store located at 900 N. Michigan Avenue was buzzing with eager shoppers Tuesday morning as Shauna Montgomery and Whitney Lasky hosted a breakfast shopping party. The two ladies invited some of their closest Breakfast Club friends to join in their secret fashion weapons: Personal shopper Shellie Thompson and the amazing clothes at J.Crew. The  staff at the store welcomed guests  with warm smiles and blue plate catering provided the delicious mimosas, nosh and sparkling water. The hostess' were dressed in head to toe J.Crew and Ms. Lasky topped off her look with a pair of Brian Atwood shoes. Ms. Montgomery's daughter, Meredith, was one of three models, the other being Lynne Bredfeldt.

GIFT IDEA #22-DELIVERY SERVICE

The holidays really brings out our creative sense(the 6th sense) when it comes to gift giving. Gone are the days when you can gift a tie, power drill,  or sweater and call it today. In today’s modern world, we have a plethora of options as everyone is always on the move. The one things our busy schedule might not be able to accommodate is cleaning, driving, or just taking a moment to smell the roses.  Gift idea #23 is for delivery service. 

GIFT IDEA #21-STATIONERY

Remember back in the days of when people had to correspond via letter? When you anticipated the arrival of the postman and not because of your Zappos order? Remember when lovers didn't text, email or tweet each other but rather waxed poetic words onto paper, sealed with a kiss? (well I'm not so sure about the sealed with a kiss part). The idea is, not so long ago sending letters in the mail was a meaningful thing. Gift Idea #22 is stationery. Stationery paper and cards comes in different forms of paperweight and price range and you don't have to live in an opulent zip code or come from a certain pedigree to use them. Some of the best places in Chicago and surrounding suburbs to get your stationery from are:

GIFT IDEA #23-MOLAMI HEADPHONES

Molami Headphones is the fashion crowds' alternative to those ubiquitous Beats By Dre. Created by industrial designer Maria Von Euler with detailed swedish craftsmanship. You will soon find these on the chicest females on the street or in the gym. The line offers 3 design types(BIGHT-earbuds, TWINE- head piece wrap and PLEAT an over the head piece). If you're looking to splurge on yourself or that special someone, a unique gift like MOLAMI headphones will do the trick. You can purchase online at ShopBop

Molami Designer Maria Von Euler with Giovanni Battaglia

photo source:wireimage

CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA #25-LuLu'S AT THE BELLE KAY

During this time of year a lot of us try very hard to find the perfect gift for that special someone in our family, a dear friend, significant other or even mentor. The hardest thing is finding something that's not only unique but the gift receiver will love and gush about.  There are few places in the city that can offer a shopper the best one of a kind, vintage gifts and Lulu's at The Belle Kay is the perfect place go shopping for that special gift.

Lulu's at the Belle Kay kicks off the 2011 SocialLifeChicago 25 gift ideas of the Holiday's. The vintage boutique located at 3862 N. Lincoln is a treasure chest within the city teeming with lots of one of a kind ware for even the most hard to please gift recipient. The store carries a variety of accessories, vintage dresses, handbags and clutches.  Lulu's at the Belle Kay owner Laurie Davis,who recently co-chaired the Service Club Gala, hosted a vintage holiday shopping party  at the breathtaking (it's a scenic panoramic view of Chicago's skyline) home of Maria Smithburg. As guests walked into the 60th floor apartment, we were greeted with a glass of champagne and hors d'oeuvers. Walking into the dining area of the house, a spread of jewels and a rack of fur coats and dresses lay ready for guests to admire, try on and eventually purchase. The jewels displayed for sale ranged in price from a bracelet that was a steal at $40 to a necklaces priced over $900- I admired those ones from afar.

JOFFREY NUTCRACKER FAMILY DINNER

The Women’s Board of The Joffrey Ballet presents the Nutcracker Family Dinner which will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at the Palmer House Hilton in the State and Grand Ballrooms. The enchanting evening will feature entertainment for children and adults alike, a traditional family-style meal, and of course, a thrilling performance of Robert Joffrey’s The Nutcracker. Guests will have the option of attending the matinee or evening performance of The Nutcracker on December 10, 2011.

Co-Chairs, Sonya Y. Jackson and Cindy Burns are both Women’s Board members.

Tickets are available HERE

VOSGES HAUT-CHOCOLATE OPENS IN BEVERLY HILLS

   Vosges Haut Chocolate a Chicago based business started by Katrina Markoff, held a launch party for their new Beverly Hills store. The small business that was first launched in 1998 and has received numerous national and international recognition has finally made its way to California.

Residents of Beverly Hills and surrounding area  are in for a treat with Vosges' amazing combination of flavors that dances in your mouth. Your relationship with chocolate will forever change once you taste Vosges Haut- Chocolate.

 Liane Weintraub and Katrina Markoff

THREE HEART BEATS JEWELRY CHICAGO LAUNCH

Jason Arasheben(JBH) and Malaysia Pargo

Malaysia Pargo mother of three and wife of Chicago Bulls basketball player Jannero Pargo hosted a launch party Friday night(11.11.11) for her Three Beats Jewelry line in collaboration with Jason of Beverly Hills. Three beats jewelry are custom designed jewelry for children and parents looking to indulge their kids.  The event was hosted at the W City Center Chicago and sponsored by Grey Goose vodka and WAVA Media, portion of proceeds will benefit the Watts Boys & Girls Club.

Guests at the launch party included: Tia Dantzler(Expert Celeb makeup artist), Jerry Azumah (A.S.A.P Foundation), Cameka Smith, Audrey Griffin, Crystal Peters, Garret Wolfe and many more

Jason of Beverly Hills was the designer and manufacturer of the 2010 NBA Championship rings.

Legacy Venture Consulting along with Wava Media, August Bloom and Micaeh Johnson executed fabulously.

 

 Congratulations!

JENNIFER HUDSON IN TOKYO FASHION'S NIGHT OUT

Chicago Native and svelte Weight Watcher's spokesperson Jennifer Hudson was in Tokyo to help American designers celebrate Tokyo'sFashion Night Out. Fashion's Night  was the concept of Anna Wintour and some of the fashion industry  heavyweights to help put a jolt back in the lagging sales for the industry. It has since caught on and celebrated all across the globe. Ms. Hudson performed for Michael Kors at the residence of the Japanese Ambassador to the United States. Other designers that took part in Tokyo Fashion's Night Out included Christopher Bailey of Burberry, Roberto Cavalli who recently opened a store in the city, Nicola Formichetti of Thierry Mugler and Vogue Japan EIC Anna Dello Russo.

WEEKEND ROUNDUP

BETTE MIDLER NY RESTORATION BENEFIT

Chicago's very own Rick Bayless was tapped as the chef to prepare a sumptuous meal for about 900 guests at Bette Midler's NY Restoration benefit dinner. Chef Bayless tweeted:

The New York Restoration project established by Bette Midler in 1995 aims to help restore the landscape of the city parks in different boroughs within the NYC area. Congrats to Chef Bayless and his hardworking staff!

RANGE ROVER EVOQUE DRIVING EXPERIENCE CHICAGO

Land Rover North America hosted a driving experience this past weekend in Chicago. The South parking area at Soldier Field served as the rugged terrain. Don was my driving instructor and he was very knowledgeable. The Evoque, though not as large as most of the other SUV's in the Land Rover fleet, it does not skimp on the luxury feel. The leather seats fit the driver snug. The car is equipped with Meridian audio system and the navigation system which is integrated into the dashboard is very user friendly. The driving experience took us on Columbus and Lakeshore drive and even when we hit some of those potholes you couldn’t really feel it. I got to drive the 5 door prestige. After we left the road, I got to drive on the “off road” simulated area. To test the off road capabilities of the car, there was a large mound of gravel setup and the car went up and down the hill, It was so cool. You accelerated a little bit to go up hill and to go downhill I took my foot off the brakes and the car took over,  I was duly impressed! I think this car is a great fit for someone looking for a sleek but yet rugged car that can withhold all the elements and get you through the Chicago winter.  Fun fact: about 70% of the Evoque’s interior is made of recyclable material. I am a fan of the Land Rover brand and If I were in the market for a new car at this time I will highly consider the evoque especially with winter approaching and it gets 28 miles to a gallon, not bad huh!
Land Rover has held a reputation of producing luxurious and lasting Sport Utility Vehicles and the Evoque is a welcome addition to Land Rover family and the most fuel efficient with about 28 miles per gallon. The EVOQUE was recently named SUV of the YEAR by MotorTrend magazine.

photo: Timothy Hiatt for Getty Images

LYNNE BREDFELDT & COCO MEERS HOST EVENINGS IN VOGUE

Evening's hosts Coco Meers and Lynne Bredfeldt-Joffrey Auxiliary Board members

J. Lynne Bredfeldt-Park Hyatt Chicago's Dir. of Public Relations and Coco Meers-Joffrey Auxiliary Board chair hosted an Evenings in VOGUE at PUBLIC hotel. Evenings in VOGUE Chicago featured some of Chicago's best guys and gals about town who noshed and sipped while browsing items from: Essie nails, Sunday Riley Cosmetics, Qream Liqueur, Victorinox watches. This is an annual event hosted in major cities across the country, past hosts have included Marc Brooks, Whitney Lasky and Amy Tara Koch

Violinist Katarina Visnevska

OPRAH. RALPH LAUREN

Rickey Lauren, Ralph Lauren, Oprah Winfrey

On Monday October 24, Oprah Winfrey sat down for a retrospective interview with fashion designer Ralph Lauren. As someone who considers both these iconic figures mentors and inspirations in my head, this was big for both the fashion and philanthropy world. To have these two iconic figures in American culture history sit down for "An Evening with Ralph Lauren" brought out the heavy hitters in the fashion,media and philanthropic world. Audience members included: Wendy Deng Murdoch, Michael J Fox and Tracy Pollan, NBC's Brian Williams, Kerry Washington, Jonathan Groff,Bravo's Andy Cohen, Camilla Belle, Desiree Rogers, Glenda Bailey, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff to name a few.

The event raised in the ballpark of $7 million for both the Lincoln Center and the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention.

INVITE: WOODFORD RESERVE AND ESQUIRE MAGAZINE MANHATTAN EXPERIENCE

Woodford Reserve and Esquire magazine invites you to experience the finest mixologists in Chicago as they demonstrate why they are Master of the Manhattan. Join Woodford Reserve for the Chicago Manhattan Experience at Quay on Monday November 14, 2011 at 7pm

Quay: 465 East Illinois
            Chicago IL 60611
             

31ST ANNUAL MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY COLUMBIAN BALL

The 31st Annual Columbian Ball gala at the Musuem of Science and Industry celebrated today’s leading inventors. Nearly 800 guests were received by Gala co-chairs: Jackie and Glenn Tilton, Dianna Strassman and Jeff Smisek, Pat and David Mosena. Guests in attendance were the who’s who and civic leaders of Chicago including: Honorary Chair for the ball Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Julie and Jeremy Unruh, David and Susan Axelrod, Linda Johnson Rice, Desiree Rogers, Neal Zucker, Bill Kurtis, Donna La Pietra, Alison and Dean Chung and many more. Mr. Mosena, who made a short speech before dinner was served, noted that the Science Rediscovered campaign raised almost $209 million surpassing their goal of $205 million. Inventors recognized that evening included Chef Homaro Cantu of Moto whose creative inventions inspired the nights menu(the “cuban cigar ashtray” was inspired by Larry’s apartment from Three’s Company) Dickson Despommier of Vertical Farm Project and Marques McCammon & Paul Wilbur of Aptera Motors. Guests started off the evening with a cocktail reception in the Rotunda while viewing the Fast Forward…Inventing the Future exhibit.

When Mayor Emanuel walked in there was a bit of commotion around him with people wanting to shake his hand or get a picture. I must say he moves through a crowd faster than the golden snitch in a quidditch game. There was no awkwardness between Desiree Rogers and David Axelrod, with Ms. Rogers assuring him she was calling him within the week for lunch but who was the young man that was her date?

Sponsors for the evening included: Presenting sponsor- JP Morgan Chase & Co, United Airlines. Allstate, Citadel Foundation, Tiffany & Co. Exelon, Northern Trust, Abbott, Crown Family + many others

Décor by Heffernen Morgan Ronsley really complimented the events theme. Food was provided by Jewell Catering. AV Sound and lighting by FROST Chicago.

Fun night!

 John and Connie Jaeger Jane and Dave Johnson

 Ed and Karen Sugay, Lynn and Steve Collins 

 BEST DRESS OF THE NIGHT!!