Chase's Birthday/Mother's Day Trip to Georgia!

A break between the old and new job gave me the perfect opportunity to steal away to Georgia for a few days of 'home time'. How lucky was I? I was in time for my nephew's 4th birthday. He's the one that's always so awesomely appreciative of my giftgiving. I love it!

Other than family time, I had a fun night on the town (Virginia Highlands) with my best friend - since 7th grade, (at right) - my brother and his new girlfriend. Yeah - BIG NIGHT - first meeting of the new GF :) and I spent a lovely morning at the ballpark watching the nephews in their Little League games.

Now, refreshed and ready for the new job to begin!

TAB The Band At Hard Rock!

Exciting news! 1) TAB is coming to Hard Rock here in DC for an awesome show on May 16th They are set to tour with Stone Temple Pilots soon after this show, so you won't want to miss out! 2) TAB and Hard Rock have very generously offered to donate ALL the proceeds from the night to my team, the Pink Ladies of the Madison, for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure to benefit breast cancer research!

We definitely expect Hard Rock to be at capacity and the show to sell out fast. Won't you come support us and see this great band?! You'll see me collecting donations at the door and raffling off fun prizes!

Evening of Champions

It was a night where you could chat up soccer with new D.C. United midfielder Marcello Gilardo and then turn to discuss financials with Richard Fairbanks of Capital One, the Greater Washington Sports Alliance Evening of Champions. It was also my last big function of affiliation with the Sports Alliance. (More later on my new role at the D.C. Department of Employment Services!)

The big highlight of the evening was the celebration of Art Monk (formerly Redskins #81 and Darrell Green (formerly Redskins #28) and their upcoming induction into the NFL Hall of Fame. Surrounding the excitement of this induction, the two have formed a foundation to further their accomplishments in favor of area youth. It's called Route 281... and you can find out more about it here.

Above, Britton Miller and Daniella Levy, colleagues I will miss at the Sports Alliance.

NFTE "Fuel Your Ambition"

NFTE is Nifty. Yep - it's cool to support the National Federation for Teaching Entrepreneurship. And this year's annual Gala event, themed "Fuel Your Ambition", was pretty nifty, too. They bottled up the talent, inspiration, creativity, and drive of these young entrepreneurs and the mentors that support them and served it to us as an energy drink! (Actually, I think the drink was similar to Red Bull, but it was a cute idea.)

At right, Norm Corkhill and I at last night's NFTE Gala.

It was a night to honor the young business mavens and raise funds for future NFTE programs. In addition, real estate developer, Victor McFarlane, was honored - and will hopefully join the ranks of NFTE supporters, mentors, and talent judges for the years to come. We also congratulate Julie Kantor on her new job as Vice President of the NFTE policy office - she does more to fuel the ambition of area youth than anyone else I know!

The best part of the night is shopping the entrepreneur's booths and talking with them about their business plans... oh - and maybe watching Marsha Ralls put the audience on the spot for donations!

Sweet Charity

It was a heavy duty to be Miss Sweet Charity for the Sweet Charity chocolate fashion show tonight - "heavy duty" mostly because of the 25 pound chocolate cake on my head. It isn't a heavy duty at all to help raise money for children's literacy... especially when every dollar raised buys a new book for a child, or fills the shelves in a neglected library.

The Heart of America Foundation has been producing Sweet Charity, a fashion show sponsored by Des Alpes and Albert Uster, which features models on the runway dressed in costumes of chocolate, sugar, and marzipan. It was a sweet night for an even sweeter cause!

(Photo credit, the fabulous Pamela Sorensen of Pamela's Punch)

And you can check out my write-up of the event in DC Style by clicking here.

Fox 5 Media for Sweet Charity

Fox 5's Holly Morris came to the Mandarin Oriental to do a tease for the Sweet Charity event tonight.

She wore my costume for tonight, Ms. Sweet Charity, while I was a white chocolate ice princess.

Don't miss Sweet Charity tonight - limited tickets still available. And finally, it's for MY CAUSE, children's literacy. Seriously sweet!

Sunday Funday

I would venture to say the most popular Sunday brunch spot for the D.C. social set is Peacock Cafe in Georgetown (before heading down to the waterfront for a relaxing aftrenoon by the water). Even getting to Peacock super early can't guarantee you a seat, but the conversations to be overheard are worth the wait. Today's gossip... what went down at yesterday's Virginia Gold Cup races.

Before our big brunch, Elle and I found a new shopping treasure! It's probably only new to us - since Fresh has been across from Dean and Deluca for some 5 years - but the 2 for $99 deal (good for dresses AND bags!!) got us pretty excited.

After brunch, we waited in the longest line I've ever seen... for a cupcake! We've heard so much ranting and raving about the Georgetown Cupcake, I finally had to try one (or four!) for myself. I did predict that designer cupcakes would be a new trend, but I wasn't prepared for this! I'm telling you, it's better than New York's Magnolia. I am reserving judgement on calling it the best cupcake, however, because I have yet to try my girlfriend Paola Domenge's creations at Couture Cupcakes.

Though I never made it to the waterfront (I had a BBQ in Virginia), Sunday Funday was a mission accomplished.

Super Saturday

Saturday night's activities were super for many reasons, including the people, the causes, and the food!

I was honored to have been asked to present awards at the annual G.W. Cancer Insitute Gala. Husband and wife team Robert and Paula Siegel won the highly deserved Commitment to Overcoming Cancer Award for their team effort in patient care, outreach, and continual research. Cancer survivor extraordinaire, Sean Swarner, deservedly took home the Spirit of Life Award as his survival story inspires courage and hope in ALL OF US. Dr. Margaret Foti's outstanding public leadership in cancer health care and public policy won her the Distinguished Public Service Award, and Archibishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu made us all laugh and cry with his acceptance speech of the Cancer Compassion Award.

From such a distinguished occasion, I wore my black-tie attire over to the soft opening of Coco-Sala, a chocolate/coffee indulgence lounge that I have been waiting for!! The decadence was incredible - even the art is made of chocolate (more to come on that theme this week) - and the tastes are scrumptious. You must enjoy a signature chocolate mojito when you go!

And then I rejoined the ballgown crowd for the afterparty to the reception of newlyweds Mr. and Mrs. William Finnerty at L2. Their happiness was contagious! My sincerest congratulations.

Ready for a relaxing Sunday Funday.

Miss DC Tickets on Sale

Click the title link above to purchase tickets to the 2008 Miss District of Columbia pageant held at the historic Lincoln Theater on May 31st at 7:30 p.m.

Photo Shoot for Aidah Couture

Just a tease... from my photo shoot last weekend for Aidah Couture. Aidah's new line is incredibly comfy. She wanted this shoot to reflect both the ease and elegance of what her designs have to offer. And I think the shots turned out GREAT! (Helps when the artist and designer is equally as talented behind the camera lens.)

The new line will soon be available on http://www.aidah.com/.

Goldini Wins Artini

At last night's Artini competition, hosted by the Corcoran's 1869 Society, one of my favorite restaurant's... and my favorite bartender, won top honors!! Teatro Goldoni won for the best Martini in the city, a tiramisu-flavored delicious martini. You can sample Omar's creation, the Goldini, anytime at 1909 K Street NW.

May Day!

We're at that point in the year when the calendar is so full that you have to pick and choose the events you can actually make it to. Even with the best of intentions to "party-hop" it's impossible to support everything. If I could clone myself, I think I would!!

As I've mentioned, I'm supporting Andrea Van Dell's campaign to be named Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Woman of the Year (there are some amazing candidates, including Mrs. Chartese Burnett, VP of Communications for the Nationals, whom I also support). Andrea is putting on a Top Chef event this evening, where local socialites will test their kitchen skills to tantalize your tastebuds. Who is DC Top Chef? Help me decide! You can still buy tickets (JB graciously opened up more rooms in his home...) at www.llsangels.org

It's Lei Day at the Rookery! Don't know about the Rookery? Check out my first write-up, here. It's members-only... but I may find a way to get you in :) I promise, it'll be a great time.

My friend Ebong Eka is starting his own clothing line, Mi Chiamo Eka. Remember, I featured him in DC Style just a little bit ago? Now DC Modern Luxury wants in on the action! We'll be doin a fun shoot for him at an undisclosed DC hot spot tonight. Check back for more details!

AND... it's Thursday. So, all bets on the table say I'm sure to be spotted at Milano. Will you be there?