Another hemisphere away after the Australian Embassy Polo party... at a welcome event honoring the new Ambassador from the United Arab Emerites, Mr. Yousef Mana Al Otaiba.

This was my first time at the hip and happening Halcyon House - though I know some of the biggest bashes of the year have been thrown there. (And did you know it is currently for sale?!)

Sushi on one end, peking duck on the other, Georgetown cupcakes in the middle, and DJ Seyhan's music all around introduced the Ambassador to some of Georgetown's social scene.

Spotted: Andrea Rodgers, Lana Orloff, Jen Crovato, Marybeth Coleman, Phillipe Cousteau, Tom Quinn, Ray Regan, and Joe Robert (Host).

With Kamila Kostolova at the America's Cup of Polo party at the Australian Embassy.

My good friend Andy Baldwin has accomplished the ultimate test of physical dedication - a marathon. So what's next? Two in a row! He may be crazy, but he's doing it for charity, running the Marine Corps last weekend and now the NYC marathon this weekend.

We can all help Lt. Baldwin raise $2000 in 24 hours for the Armory Foundation, 'Keeping Kids on Track.' Andy says, "Every little bit counts. I'll match your donation and write your name on the honorary NYC Armory Track and Field Foundation t-shirt!" Use this link to donate.

Here I am with Shelby Burcham, a good friend and my favorite shopgirl at Intermix in Georgetown.

Last night Intermix had Pamela Sorensen host a style event to raise funds for the Washington Ballet. Despite the onset of winter weather, some serious shopping was done!

I'm in love with Fall's casual chic sweater and boot styles, but still wondering how to ward off the cold in my cocktail attire...

In honor of our favorite President - turned Nationals Rushmore - turned celebrity plush partygoer, Victoria Michael assembled a group to celebrate Teddy Roosevelt's 150th birthday at Hudson last night.

Drink specials and birthday cake enticed those of us who were there to help blow out the candles. The rest of the restaurant surely was wondering what in the world was going on... and why was there a larger than life Teddy in the house?!?!

Just some of those spotted include: Phillip Ballard, Andy Baldwin, Tommy Quinn, Kirk Wyles, Wright Sigmund, and Laura Carlson. I am, at left, with Anne Lee, photo credit Pat Ryan.

Washingtonpost.com just relaunched its City Guide as the new Going Out Guide—a go-to resource for local entertainment planning in DC. The Going Out Guide, home to the Going Out Gurus, focuses on restaurants, bars and clubs, event venues and movies... you can search it for a place to plan your fun night out!

Click above for info on last weekend's Corcoran Fall Fete on Examiner.com.

Congrats to my good friend Ebong Eka who literally got Ravens' Terrell Suggs to wear his birthday suit. Way to make the men stylish, Ebong!

The miserable weather Saturday was a perfect excuse to stay in, watch movies, and lounge.

But the day got exciting when I ran into this at Blockbuster... perfectly trained, very polite, and interested in going home with me to watch Iron Man :)

*I also saw 'Body of Lies' in the theater this weekend. Worth watching - entertaining, it makes you think, and some people I know think Leonardo DiCaprio is still scrumptious.

I love the ballet! I don't know why it has taken me so long to make it to a Washington Ballet performance.

I've seen the Kirov and other classical ballet companies at the Kennedy Center, so Friday it was time for me to get some contemporary culture.

Genius2 is the 10th Anniversary masterpiece of Artistic Director Septime Webre. It consists of 'works by renowned living choreographers at the vanguard of contemporary dance': Twyla Tharp's jazz Baker 's Dozen, Mark Morris's Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes, Wheeldon 's Morphoses and Nacho Duato’s Cor Perdut.

In the future, I think I'll stick to my classics like Giselle and La Bayadere, but I'm happy to have seen what my hometown ballet has to offer. And congratulations on 10 years, Septime!

It started in 2004 when one person in California chose a random soldier's name off a care package list. She sent the usual a few times - socks, underwear, gum. And though he was thankful, the soldier asked if she could send some items for the local school the next time instead. This is how Operation DreamSeed was born.

Individuals and social groups have been assembling "kits" or backpacks of school supply items for the children of Afghanistan, a contribution that helps the youth and Afghan schools to accomplish their dream. These donations of supplies and monetary support have so far helped scholars in Khandahar, at the Sayed Bacha School, at Nele Zaragak, and the Kohak School.

An event was held Thursday night in D.C., which introduced me to the effort. Even Hamid Karzai's (President of Afghanistan) brother (a champion of the cause) was in attendance to raise funds and celebrate Operation DreamSeed's success.

Check out the website for information on how you can help.

Click above to read my most recent Examiner article.

What is a Media Maven?? Do you know a blogger (um...you're reading one now!), someone who develops web applications, a store that has been innovative with their internet use? These are your media mavens. Those of us who harness the power of technology for social and commercial benefit. And we're not just taking over the web... we throw great parties, too!

Last night at East Hall in Union Station master mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim taught me how to make a Caipiroshka. I'm a simple cocktail girl myself - if there are more than two ingredients, I get nervous - so it was quite an experience to have an award winning crafter of cocktails teaching me some tricks. And my strawberry/lime concoction turned out surprisingly drinkable!

I was there to cover Taste the Nation, events that are helping end childhood hunger in America, and was able to take part in all of the fun. Kudos to friends Peter Corbett, Peter Abrahams, and Tony Chord whom I saw there supporting the cause as well. And thanks to pr guru Jill Collins for making sure to get me a great spot at the demo table!


Check back for a link to my write-up in the Examiner.

Don't miss this! Party with me and the Media Mavens tomorrow at The Park. RSVP to Laura@park14.com.

Is it because you were born here? Your parents were born here? You have worked for the Feds for years? Or is it because you LOVE this city and want to make it your HOME?

We should all enter this contest.

If you are registered to vote in the District and will need to vote absentee... find out how here.

Happy Birthday again to Chantal Attias, my favorite beautiful pirate! Chantal, you left a TON of cake in the fridge at the lounge. So we took some - a huge chunk of it - and it was sooooo yummy. Thanks for the fun time and feeding of my sweet tooth ;) Here's to another year of fun!

That's right - I showed up with the biggest man in the room to Hollywood Vibes at Lotus last night - Teddy Roosevelt! (Well, he was actually Victoria Michael's date, but I stole some spotlight.) I still don't know how we got him in the lounge... luckily Ted's flexible, and he doesn't mind bumping his head HARD!

The back VIP area was slammed early because everyone was anticipating the arrival of guest DJ Samantha Ronson and galpal Lindsay Lohan. When SamRo started turning the beats, LiLo let loose and danced. Yayaya - a girl after my own heart. Vicky and I danced, too, but Teddy was a chair dancer... go figure! That head is heavy! Or maybe he had too much Patron, a sponsor of the party.

As always, the party was for a purpose, the Children's Miracle Network, and raised funds to help that nonprofit (which never asks for payment from patients) continue its great work.

Check back for a more complete write-up in the Examiner.

http://gawker.com/5063338/massive-layoffs-at-niche-media

Ouch!

From what I know, my good friends over there are ok... fingers crossed!

Thanks to Jim Epstein who allowed me to attend the WAWF annual luncheon as his guest. The event was sold out to a 1,500 crowd of wonderful and accomplished women who want to pool their influence to invest in the lives of women and girls in the region. It was also the 10th anniversary of the Foundation, so the enthusiasm in the room was particularly powerful.

I missed the M Cafe Couture Pizza Party to take a Media Bistro course on book publishing last night. Four times published author, Felicia Pride, taught the course... now I just have to write my manuscript, get an agent, submit to publishing houses and sell millions! :)

Click title above to see my latest Examiner article on Allison Priebe Brooks and Queen Bee! There's an awesome Trunk Show this weekend in Alexandria. See what everyone's buzzing about!

Saturday afternoon at the Taste of Georgetown, an annual event featuring many of the great restaurants of Georgetown. Tickets can be purchased to taste as many of the delicious dishes as you dare. This year, I tried Tackle Box, 1789, Morton's, Bangkok Joe's, and Baked & Wired.

And congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Tom Jewsbury, whose wedding I attended Saturday night. Reception was held at the swanky City Club of Washington. Best wishes to the newlyweds for a long and happy life together!

One of our favorite Hawaiian hotties, Elle Collver, is saying Aloha to us all as she prepares to leave for the great Down Under with her Aussie, Quinn.

Pictures from up to fifteen years ago, when Sesto first opened, lined the entrance to the restaurant last Thursday night. Some very familiar faces - looking considerably younger - seemed to have spent a great deal of time at this Italian eatery. And according to Seyhan... "Y'all don't understand This was the party place."

Friends and patrons old and new celebrated fifteen years of Sesto Senso (and in my case, its fabulous risotto!) and look forward to many more at Sesto, Andalu, and the group's newest.. Darlington House.

(I think, at right, Yama can't believe John Cecchi tried to immitate his plaid styles.)

We all know how Facebook has invaded our lives, and I'll be the first to admit my pleasant surprise at how this little website we started using in college to keep in touch with each other has taken off in the social media blitz. But I recently joined A Small World, too, and I've noticed some particular features that really give it a niche! ASW is invite-only... so exclusivity is one area of comparison, in addition to the more international nature of the network.

Attended a celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month this morning at the Spanish Embassy, which also served as the release of the Spanish Edition of the Doing Business in DC Guidebook: Su Negocio.

A++ for economic development today - these communities are really growing!

Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's been "open" for a while. But now it has a floor and that bleach smell is gone. And there is signage outside! Yesterday, for the first (and perhaps only) time, a uniquely older clientelle enjoyed the new Gin & Tonic on Wisconsin Ave.

Click here to view my posting on the event for Examiner.com

Went to see this flick last night with Anne after some yummy tapas at the new Bodega on M Street in Georgetown.

From the National Book Festival last weekend when Tiki Barber stopped by the Junior League of Washington table in the Pavilion of States. We gave him a tiny football eraser (gift we were giving the kids) and he was like "What is this?" Priceless.

I've joined the Examiner.com team as a "DC Community Examiner" - which means you can read even more of my community and events coverage!

Just posted an article about Susie Kay's birthday bash to benefit Hoop Dreams. Go on over there to check it out.

Awesome Rockstar costume idea for a party on Friday...

In case you thought I never spent a quiet night in... last night I got cozy with some sweats, a bowl of popcorn and the quintessential Disney movie.