Countdown to Cuba

cuba-map-fashionado

By this time next week I will be at the airport, patiently waiting for my flight to Cuba. [Replace "patiently" with anxiously!] As I'm pulling wardrobe, doing laundry and going down the list of all that I need to do, I am starting to feel the excitement. There is so much emotion around this trip for me that I need to sit back and just take a breath from time to time. I never, in my wildest dreams, believed I would ever return to my place  of birth. While I won't have any wifi or 4G accessibility, I will do my best to grab Internet at the hotel whenever possible and instagram/FB/tweet. Make sure to follow me  @fashionado

xo

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Pharrell talks Personal Style with GQ

Pharrell Williams is one of the most stylish men on the planet, big hat and all! In this brief video for GQ, he answers questions about his own personal style and approach to fashion. He's a super cool guy, talented and confident. 

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The GOCA Gala 2014

How do you take your gala? Shaken, Not Stirred, of course. The Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance [GOCA] understands that the key to raising awareness and funds require a balance of entertaining guests while driving the mission home. How do you entertain 550 guests?  

The evening began with a VIP cocktail reception at 6:15. I took this photo soon after and you can already see the large crowd gathering. At about 6:50, Doug Barron, GOCA's director, welcomed guests by opening the huge hangar doors and revealing the abundance of silent auction items. Some items were super fabulous, other... eh. But hey, it's for charity.  

GOCA Gala emcee, Christine Pullara, host of Atlanta & Company was radiant and sparkly. From her smile, energy and bling, lots of it, which was auctioned off. Christine was gorgeous and totally amazing last night. We make a pretty couple, don't we? Well.. so does she and her husband!

No, Sean O'Keefe was not singing. (Thank goodness!) He was doing something far more important, directing guests to their table for dinner - a delicious meal, served family style, by the Capital Grille.

(I guess I could have turned my camera horizontally for a full view). But this gives a good idea of the overall scope of the room. The Atlantic Aviation Hangar is a 16K square foot space. WOW!

Valet parking was provided but guests arrived in alternate ways to the GOCA Gala, after all, we were at PDK Airport. One of my favorite photos of the night, proud mom Meg Reggie with her pilot son Drew, who drove this plane. 

You can't have a Bond themed gala without martini's. Tito's flowed all night.

And finally, the Joe Gransden Big Band. They were terrific! They began playing around 7PM and entertained the crowd through cocktails, silent auction perusals, casino games, dinner and dancing. They performed a most impressive version of Adele's Skyfall.

There were tender and tearful moments to the evening: Chemo nurses, doctors and survivors were recognized. Business was handled in a respectful yet swift manner. Everyone knew why they were there and understood the significance of the evening. The support was generous and touching. It was a beautiful night all the way around filled with love and good spirit.

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Save-the-Date AUG 8 Penland, NC

This photo is spectacular! The scene: Penland's Annual Benefit Auction. Last night I attended a cocktail party to celebrate (and introduce) this event to art lovers, supporters and collectors in Atlanta. Penland Director Jean McLaughlin, artist Julia Woodman and I spoke passionately about the magic of this incredible place. The short film about the annual auction and the making of the signature piece - a stunning, sterling martini shaker & tray- played throughout the evening. Watch it here. What's the Penland Auction all about? In their words: 

The Penland School of Crafts Annual Benefit Auction is a gala weekend in the North Carolina Mountains featuring the sale of more than 240 works in books, clay, drawing, glass, iron, letterpress, metals, painting, photography, printmaking, textiles, and wood. The Penland auction is one of the most important craft collecting events in the Southeast and a perfect opportunity to support Penland's educational programs, which have helped thousands of people live creative lives.

This is truly an event like no other. Trust me. Been there. AMAZING! For more information, visit the Penland website, here.

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Jeremy Scott's Winged Shoes

I LOVE these shoes by Jeremy Scott! They are so much fun. I can see (me) wearing them with a pair of jeans and a blazer. The wings are a trademark for Scott. These shoes are part of a collaboration with Addidas. They are leather with a metallic finish and sport gold laces. At $140, they'll fly right into your closet. There's only one problem (and for me it's major). These shoes are for women! WTF Jeremy Scott?? The largest size would only fit men with small feet. Not me. #fail

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#tbt Tracye Hutchins: Doggies on the Catwalk

CBS46 News Anchor

Tracye Hutchins

was radiant in a yellow-green lace Vera Wang from Tootsies at last year's

Doggies on the Catwalk

at the W Atlanta Buckhead. Her modeling companion,

June

, was quite the catch herself wearing nothing but a precious organza bow. Support this year's Doggies on the Catwalk by visiting the Atlanta Humane Society's website and purchase tickets!!!

WE are thrilled Tracye will be joining us back on the 'catwalk' on May 16th. She'll be modeling two looks from Tootsies. All jewelry by Kendra Scott. See you then at Atlantic Aviaton at PDK Airport! xo

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The Auction: Penland 2014

I'm honored to be speaking this evening at a private screening of a short film I co-produced about the remarkable Penland Annual Benefit Art Auction. Designer Master Silversmith Julia Woodman, who's featured in the film, will also be talking about her collaboration with glass artist Kenny Pieper and the signature piece they've created for this year's auction. The exquisite tea service (above) by Julia, is in the High Museum's permanent collection. The Penland Annual Benefit Auction is held every August at the beautiful Penland School of Crafts in Western North Carolina.

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