DC CHARITY EVENT: @SAKS TEAMS UP WITH SUBURBAN HOSPITAL

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE CHEVY CHASE TEAMS UP WITH SUBURBAN HOSPITAL FOR THE KEY TO THE CURE CHARITY SHOPPING WEEKEND

To help raise both money and awareness for women’s cancers, Saks Fifth Avenue Chevy Chase will partner with Suburban Hospital to support women’s cancer programs and host the 2011 Key To The Cure, a charity shopping weekend taking place Thursday, October 20 through Sunday, October 23.

To launch this year’s event, Saks Fifth Avenue Chevy Chase will host a Key To The Cure kick-off celebration on Thursday, October 20 from 6 to 9pm, featuring hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment and, of course, shopping.

Saks will also offer a limited-edition Key To The Cure T-shirt designed by Elie Tahari, available beginning Friday, October 1 and retailing for $35 in Saks stores, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH stores and on saks.com. 100% of the purchase price of each shirt sold will be donated to local charity partners.



Grammy and Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson has been named the 2011 Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Women’s Cancer Research Fund ambassador for Saks Fifth Avenue’s 2011 KEY TO THE CURE campaign. In support of this program, Ms. Hudson will appear in a national public service announcement (PSA) wearing the Elie Tahari limited-edition T-shirt.



During the Key to the Cure kick-off celebration on Thursday, October 20, many special events will take place. There will be Key Cuisine from 20 of the hottest restaurants in the DC Metro Area, live music, DJ’s, signature cocktails, beauty treatments, floral presentations by local florists and a PopChips Lounge complete with a photobooth where guests can load their pictures directly to Facebook and Twitter.



Marco Bicego, Italian fine jewelry designer, will also be joining us for the kick-off festivities and showcasing his Fall 2011 Collection in our fine jewelry department. The Marco Bicego team will be making a donation directly to Key to the Cure.



Saks Fifth Avenue initiated its charity shopping weekend in 1999. Since then, the company has donated over $30 million to women’s cancer research and treatment organizations throughout the United States. Organizations benefiting from these funds include: The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Women’s Cancer Research Fund, Cleveland Clinic, Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Nevada Cancer Institute and many others.



About Saks Fifth Avenue

Saks Fifth Avenue, one of the world’s preeminent specialty retailers, is renowned for its superlative American and international designer collections, its expertly edited assortment of handbags, shoes, jewellery, cosmetics and gifts, and the first-rate fashion expertise and exemplary client service of its Associates. Today, Saks operates 46 full-line stores in 22 states, 5 licensed stores in the Middle East and 2 licensed stores in Mexico City, 57 Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH stores and saks.com, the company’s online store.

DC FASHION EVENT: Lafayette 148 Launches Spring Collection at Saks

LAFAYETTE 148 NEW YORK DESIGNER EDWARD WILKERSON
TO PRESENT SPRING 2011 COLLECTION
AT SAKS 5TH AVENUE TYSONS GALLERIA

WHAT:
One of Oprah’s favorites, Lafayette 148 New York Designer Edward Wilkerson presents the entire Spring 2011 WEAR and Salon Z Collections of Lafayette 148 New York for Saks. Refreshments and mingling with Designer after the show.

WHEN:
Saturday, March 26
Fashion Presentation begins promptly at noon

WHERE:
Saks Fifth Avenue Tysons Galleria
In WEAR Department on Floor Three

Capitol Fashionista Outing: The RAMMYS Nominations Party

Last night, I was fortunate to attend the RAMMYS Nomination Party at the fabulous Ritz-Carlton, DC. The RAMMYS are the prestigious awards given to the best of the best in dining by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington. There are more than a bunch of categories, with a new one added this year: Best Beverage/Mixology programs.

The Nominees for 2010 RAMMYS are:

Fine Dining
2941
Michel Richard Citronelle
Minibar
The Oval Room
The Source by Wolfgang Puck

Upscale Casual
Central Michel Richard
The Liberty Tavern
Proof
Vermilion
Zaytinya

Neighborhood Gathering Place
Bar Pilar
Belga Cafe
Cork
EatBar
Kemble Park Tavern

New Restaurant
Bibiana
Birch & Barley
Bourbon Steak
Eventide
Inox

Chef
Bertrand Chemel, 2941
Scott Drewno, The Source by Wolfgang Puck
Daniel Giusti, 1789
Vikram Sunderam, Rasika
Haidar Karoum, Proof

Rising Culinary Star
Michael Isabella, Zaytinya
Liam LaCivita, The Liberty Tavern
Shannon Overmiller, Majestic Cafe
Nicholas Stefanelli, Bibiana
Jon Mathieson, Inox

Pastry Chef
Anthony Chavez, 2941
Amanda Cook, CityZen
Josh Short, Neighborhood Restaurant Group
Fabrice Bendano, Adour
Travis Olson, 1789

Wine Program
2941
Michel Richard Citronelle
Dino
701, Ardeo/Bardeo, Bibiana, Bombay Club, The Oval Room, Rasika
Proof

Beverage/Mixology Program
Brasserie Beck
EatGoodFood Group (Restaurant Eve, The Majestic and The PX)
Founding Farmers
PS 7's
Tabard Inn

Restaurant Power Spot
Art & Soul
BLT Steak
Bombay Club
The Source by Wolfgang Puck
Teatro Goldoni

Hottest Restaurant Bar Scene
Birch & Barley and ChurchKey
Bourbon Steak
Masa 14
Posto
POV

Manager
Souheil Moussadik, Co Co. Sala
Ryan McCarthy, Passion Food Hospitality
Ashley Williams, Mie N Yu
Mark Politzer, Bourbon Steak
Fernando Contreras, KAZ Sushi Bistro

Employee
Corina August, Mie N Yu
Joe Bolam, Urbana
Adolfo Cajchon, Seasons
Marco Guzman, Cafe Atlantico
Jose Orantes, Dino

Associate Member of the Year
The RAMW Joan Hisaoka Associate Member of the Year Award is given annually to an associate member who best exemplifies commitment to and support of RAMW.
ProChile
SYSCO
The Legacy Group
Fiji Water
Adams-Burch


The Nominations Party was fabulous. There were food samples provided by the new restaurant nominees. Can I just say that I tasted the most amazing chocolate pudding dessert. It was the creation of the pastry chef at Birch & Barley. Delish. She made chocolate pudding takes more amazing than it already does. I also tasted two mouth-watering treats from Bourbon Steak - simply divine. All the treats from the new restaurant nominees were tasty including a fab banana dessert from Inox.

In addition, this year's party will have a 40s' theme, which makes me smile from ear to ear being the vintage lover that I am. So the one and only Saks Fifth Avenue graciously provided guests with a few ideas on how to pull off that forties look in high style. You have to love Saks. If you are attending the awards show, be sure to contact Saks for help with choosing the perfect outfit.

There were also mixologists on hand stirring up their special drinks. My fav of the night was an amazing concoction by Founding Farmers. They are also up for Martini of the Year at Artini. It will be interesting to see if they win. What I tasted tonight was a winner in my book.

Last but not least - I had the best cup of coffee that I have ever tasted in my life (with the exception of the coffee at my local Ethiopian restaurant). The coffee was provided by Santa Lucia Estate Coffee - from the high mountains of Matagalpa, Nicaragua. Must have more of this coffee on a regular basis. It was exquisite.

Nycci (of The List) and David Nellis, of the rdio show "Dishing It Out" on Sundays at 11 a.m. on 1500 AM



The Nominees


















The Mixologists





That Forties Look from Saks Fifth Avenue



Random Pics

Designer Spotlight: Loeffler Randall

If you can believe it, the brand Loeffler Randall is just a baby. Even though the company has only been in existence since 2004, it has made a boom in the fashion industry. Mixing up textures and silhouettes in a way that has been foreign in the shoe market. The norm has been to push the heel height or the color or the materials. But Loeffler Randall also decided to play with the design of the shoe. For me, that is what sets them apart. Here are my favorites from their Spring 2009 Collection.

Sydney, Shop Bop (www.shopbop.com)



Mazzy, Milk (www.shopatmilk.com)




Mabel, Barney's New York (www.barneys.com)




Poppy, Intermix (www.intermixonline.com)




Flynn, Shop Bop (www.shopbop.com)




Darby, Shop Bop (www.shopbop.com)




Delphine, Goldyn (www.shopgoldyn.com)



Clover, Marissa Collections (www.marissacollections.com)



Ever, Saks Fifth Avenue (www.saks.com)



Birdcage, Cusp (www.cusp.com)



Gracie, TwentyThirtyForty (www.twentythirtyforty.com)

The 15 Must Have Sandals This Summer

What would the summer be without the perfect pair of sandals in your wardrobe? Pretty dull. There are so many options, how is a girl to choose? We're here to help you. Here are the 15 must have sandals that are missing from your shoe closets.

Liza, J. Crew (www.jcrew.com), $285


Stasia, Calvin Klein @ Piperlime (www.piperlime.com), $135


Sandali, Miu Miu @ Saks Fifth Avenue, (www.saks.com), $685


Samao Kid, Jimmy Choo @ Net-a-Porter (www.net-a-porter.com), $785


Raffia Wedges, Prada @ Saks Fifth Avenue (www.saks.com), $650


Penelope, Sergio Rossi @ Nordstrom (www.nordstrom.com), $650


Paige, Pour La Victoire @ Endless.com (www.endless.com), $279.95


Mount Street, Christian Louboutin @ Barney's (www.barneys.com), $995


Margie, Brian Atwood @ Net-a-Porter (www.net-a-porter.com), $660


Jovita, Nine West (www.ninewest.com), $150


Denim Wedge, Newport News (www.newport-news.com), $29


Comma, Martinez Valero @ Endless.com (www.endless.com), $49


Colin Stuart, Victoria's Secret (www.victoriassecret.com), $98


Cobra, Very Volatile @ Lulu's (www.lulus.com), $48


Aurora, Jerome Crousseau @ Nordstrom (www.nordstrom.com), $575