The 2nd Annual Solving Kids Cancer, an organization established to find, fund, and mange solutions to improve survivorship, took place this year at 583 Park Avenue. The annual spring celebration event successfully raised a total of $400,000.

Solving Kids’ Cancer founders John London & Scott Kennedy, along with Donna Karan, hosted the May 12th benefit. Co-hosts Debra Ashkenazy, Gabby Karan De Felice, Lyss Stern, Yvonne Force Villareal and Bonnie Young, along with committee members Alina Cho, Carolina Herrera, Nanette Lepore, Alexandra Lind Rose and Amy Sacco, were joined by guests Chelsea Clinton, Donna D’Cruz, John Demsey, Veronique Gabai-Pinsky and Tom Silverman.

Each year's event is special due to the sincere words of founders John London and Scott Kennedy. This year, John London's spouse, Catherine London, took to the podium and spoke in loving memory of their daughter ... Read More

No one loves to dine out in a scene restaurant more than I. One of my favorites is the Lion, where four of my archival photos are prominently displayed, Another is the charming Waverly Inn, where Pierce Brosman and Cindy Lauper once waited patiently for their tables.

However, there are those occasional evenings when a relaxing seafood dinner without attitude is just the thing. Recently, I discovered the Mussel Pot on Bleecker Street. In a rock garden, highlighted by a soothing waterfall, I enjoyed good conversation, a tower of succulent seafood, an oversized pot of Thai mussels (with red curry, lemongrass, cilantro, coconut milk and couscous) and a delectable crème brûlée.

As everyone knows, the enjoyment of any meal is enhanced by where you're seated in a restaurant. So, imagine how delighted my friends and I were in this setting of alpine rocks and and waterfall...without leaving the city!

Whenever you book ... Read More

When I attended the fledgling fashion show of the provocative Alexander McQueen at the Angel Orensanz Foundation on the lower east side one snowy evening, little did I know that he would become one of the world's most renowned designers.

Sadly, McQueen recently took his life at age 40, leaving behind endless radical creations. Run, do not walk, to the Met's Costume Institute to view over 100 works and mind-altering accessories from the the early 1990's to his very last collection. While his London fashion house is in the capable hands of the very private Sarah Burton, few will ever forget such masterpieces as a glass-vitrine encased gown covered with silk and fresh flowers (that are slowly disintegrating) or a flowing silk taffeta cape or a hat of butterflies.

As his fellow design student Stella McCartney remarked at the Met's press conference, "Who would have thought?"

The exhibition closes on July 31st.

... Read More

Celerie Kemble's "Sanctuary for a Siren", photo by Rose Hartman

With its South Beach tropical feel (blazing orange walls, intensely-colored paintings and vases), Nuela's cavernous restaurant proved to be the perfect venue for a Sunday "Aid for Aids" benefit brunch . In order to help this worthy cause, I joined Phillip Bloch and an attractive, fashionably, arty and lively group to enjoy a "sabroso" South American brunch. Before anyone could say "Arepas!", i was ready for this fabulously tasty dish mixed with black beans and chorizo, followed by Latin crepes, all washed down with one, two or three Mimosas (who's counting when it comes to a good cause?). With the rhythm of bossa novas and cha cha chas provided by a young female DJ-the latest trend-the benefit was the perfect kick-off to the spring season. Booking a reservation at Nuela on West 24th Street for a Sunday- in -May brunch is a must--and you be helping a most worthwhile ... Read More

If you haven't visited Urban Zen yet, you are in for a treat. Located on a quiet West Village street, the store/gallery was established by Donna Karan.

Hand-crafted Balinese furniture, gorgeous exotic jewelry (like the pieces that Donna always wears), oversized art books and, of course, all those neutral linen and jersey must-haves (for those with money to spare) to entice Karan's many fans.

What distinguishes this space are the exceptional events that take place in the enormous, former sculpture studio of Donna's late husband, Stephen Weiss.

Recently, I strolled over to Urban Zen to attend the high-energied event for Elizabeth Jordan, a documentary photographer and world traveler who depicts the plight of people in war-torn and developing countries. The walls of the gallery held striking, brightly-colored images of African and Haitian women balancing enormous baskets of produce on their heads . Jordan, a philanthropist, had promised much-needed money to Rawandan women, so ... Read More

Promising an exclusive preview of Impressionist and Modernist art, the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation 5th Annual Connoisseur's Dinner, held at Sotheby's on Thursday, April 28th, did not disappoint. The prominent setting featured a cocktail hour, where Château Bonnet Entre-Deux-Mers Blanc 2009 was served, while works from the current Contemporary Art and Impressionist and Modern Art collections were admired.

ADDF President Nancy Corzine, an early arrival, welcomed VIPS, including Macy's Chairman President/CEO Terry Lundgren, Alexandra Lebenthal, Muffie Potter Aston, Hoda Kotb and Donnie Deutsch, as they entered the long hall leading to the main viewing rooms. Corzine, the first board member of ADDF, is a longtime fighter for an Alzheimer's cure, she has worked for ADDF for six years, having worked previously with the Alzheimer's Foundation for 10 years. She graciously shared her enthusiasm for the foundation's successes and ... Read More

It was a night of quiet elegance at legendary Midtown mainstay, the 21 Club, on Wednesday, April 20th. "Latino Leaders Magazine", the premier magazine amongst the most influential and important Latinos in the country, hosted a very private affair celebrating 25 Latin Leaders of New York. The event was sponsored by CH Carolina Hererra, Ovando, Johnnie Walker and Mirabelle New York and co-hosted by Gabriel Rivera-Barraza and Michelle Violy Harper.

The cocktail hour, destined to acquaint guests with the evening's honorees, Paloma Hererra, Valerie Boster, Eugenia Gonzalez, Alex Hank and others, welcomed a bevy of supporters early on. Clutching specialty cocktails, we meandered around the candlelit room and found an eclectic mix of associates from Latino Leaders Magazine, El Museo del Barrio members and esteemed designers, including Alvin Valley and Moises de la Renta. Gabriel Rivera-Barraza of GRB Communications, the evening's ... Read More