Chef Philippe Chow and India Arie

Demetria Mckinney

Justina Valentine

Sullivan Stapleton

Safaree

JJ Hairston

Rachel Bay Jones

DJ Fluker

The Grammy’s excitement begins long before the awards are handed out on Sunday night. With the Grammy awards back in New York City for the first time in 15 years the 60th annual Grammy Awards were a whirlwind stream of pre-parties, dinners, concerts and of course Celebrity Gifting Suites.

One of our favorites is the GBK Celebrity Gifting lounge which took over the highly sought after Philippe restaurant on the Upper East Side. Chef Philippe Chow whipped up some of his most famous dishes to nominees, presenters, talent and media. His “Satays” are on many menus throughout the year on New York City’s social circuit set of events.

Upon arrival guests were treated to sparkling wine from Blue Nun 24K Edition. Talent was gifted a variety of the latest and most sought after products including Vinci Headphones, Jazz Series Cherrywood Executive Series Headphones designed and created by Jazz musician JC Stylles,  Fortune Lockets by Fortune & Frame, Skincare by CO2 Lift by Lumisque Skincare, a 3 night luxury all- inclusive resort stay at The Grand at Moon Palace courtesy of Palace Resorts and much much more.

Guests who joined the all day affair included Bobby Valentino. Adventure Club, Nya Lee, Empire’s Bre-Z, Chris Blue, Demetria McKinney, Denise Rich, DJ Fluker, Ella Mai, Emma Myles, Goldlink, Grammy artist India Arie, JJ Hairston, Just Chase, Justina Valentine, Killer Mike, Marc John Jeffries, Michaela Vybohova, Pat Houston, Rachel Bay Jones, Safaree, Selenis Leyva, Skeery Jones, Blindspot’s Sullivan Stapleton, Tatiana Elizabeth, Ty Hunter, Lil Key as well as influencers and media types.

The Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks display over the East River is the largest and most extravagant celebration in the country and nothing beats being on a opulent sailboat champagne in one hand with a delicious treat in the other saluting our nation’s birthday.

Classic Harbor Line operates 5 unique vessels ranging from sleek motor yachts to smaller intimate mini-yachts who travel NYC waterways offering a variety of tours including special full day trips up the Hudson River. These boats can be chartered for private events, weddings, or corporate functions.

The 4th of July cruise was aboard the newest addition to the fleet The Schooner America 2.0. Built in 2011, this 105 foot sailing yacht is a tribute to the original Schooner America who won the first ever America’s Cup in 1851. A wide open deck with seating for 75, bar service, a full galley, and restrooms that would rival a motor yacht’s. 2.0 stands for how modern and eco-friendly the Schooner is ,and with a powerful engine can efficiently travel along our waterways with minimal environmental impact.

To book a cruise please visit: Classic Harbor Line

Vera Bradley has been a favorite accessories designer of our team for years now, but now Vera is adding another component by teaming up with TLC and partnering with reality competition titled Girl Starter. Produced by Al Roker’s production company the show is aimed at empowering young female entrepreneurs ages 18-24 and those interested in supporting their dreams.

The competition follows the 6 steps of early phase business building from ideation through the pitch process and features entertaining challenges, vibrant guest stars culminating in a grand prize of $100,000 in funding and services.

Vera Bradley Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Barbara Bradley Baekgaard will serve as a guest judge.

Airing May 19th 7:00PM EST on TLC

Taste of The Nation was held on April 24th in NYC. Chaired by Danny Meyer of The Union Square Hospitality Group. This walk around food/drink event featured over 40 restaurants with all proceeds going to end childhood hunger through The Share our Strength No Kid Hungry campaign.

Held at the waterfront location 180 Maiden Lane ,the vast space was no match for a crowded venue with enthusiastic guests vying for the small dishes of signature treats, cocktails and desserts. Some of the city’s top eateries participated including Pig Bleeker, Union Square Cafe, Dead Rabbit, Daily Provisions, lilac, and many more….  Main sponsors included Citi and Sysco, media sponsor The Food Network and national sponsors Open Table and The Glenlivet.

Local beneficiaries of The No Kid Hungry campaign and Taste of The Nation include City Harvest, Food Bank for New York City and Hunger Free America.

To find out more about this organization or to donate now please visit No Kid Hungry/Share Our Strength

Monique Pean & Amikaeyla Gaston Photo by:Patrice Casanova

Amikaeyla Gaston Performing Photo by: Amber De Vos

Ambience Voss Foundation Lunch Photo by: Amber de Vos

The VOSS Foundation is dedicated to providing access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene as a means to enable community driven development in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Women helping Women (WHW) is a Voss Foundation Global Initiative that has raised over $650,000 in the United States and in Europe to fund 21 water access points and 291 sanitation facilities across Africa. Monies were raised through benefit events in New York City, The Hamptons, and in Boston.

This year’s Luncheon took place at The Stephen Weiss Studio in the West Village. Stephen Weiss is the late husband of Urban Zen and avid Voss Foundation supporter Donna Karan. In addition to a catered lunch by PTL catering and wines from Chateau Ste Michelle there was an African Bazaar with authentic artisanal handmade jewelry, scarves, baskets, and toys purchased directly from communities in Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Liberia, Swaziland, and Uganda, where the foundation does active work.

The benefit luncheon raised over $135,000 to fund VOSS Foundation’s ongoing water projects in Sub- Saharan Africa.

This year’s honorees were Monique Pean, a premier sustainable fine jewelry designer who raises awareness of art, culture and global environmental issues and Amikaeyla Gaston, an award winning singer, activist and executive director/founder of the International Cultural Arts & Healing Sciences Institute. (ICAHSI). The ladies were presented with handmade beaded walking sticks from Samburu, Kenya used by Nomadic Pastoralists.

June Ambrose Photo By Amber De Vos

Charlotte Ronson & Simon Doonan Photo by Amber de Vos

Latham Thomas Photo by Amber De Vos

Justin Parks & Estelle Girard Photo by Amber de Vos

Veronika Varekova Photo by Patrice Casanova

Andrea Greevan Douzet Photo by Patrice Casanova

Notable attendees included: VOSS Water CEO & CFO; Jack Belsito and Jan Saeboe, June Ambrose, Georgie Badiel, Elizabeth Belfer, Bill Cummings, Lydia Carlston, Carla Carstens, Greta Caruso, MacDella Cooper, Laura Currie, Rickie De Sole, Emie Diamond, Lauren Driscoll, Simon Doonan, Estelle Girard, Andrea Greeven Douzet, Susan Fales-Hill, Lindy Gad, Kara Gerson, Bernt Heiberg, Yaz Hernandez, Dr. Rosemarie Ingleton, Jill Iscol, Angelina Jolin, Katherine Kung, Sandy Leong, Charlot Malin, Chloe Malle, Stephanie Nass, Edris Nichols, Dale Noelle, Beth O’Donnell, Taylor Olson, Gina Otto, Justin Parks, Sanjay Rawal, Cayli Cavaco Reck, Draya Rose, Charlotte Ronson, Maya Samuelsson, Kimberly Ayers Shariff, Latham Thomas and Veronica Varekova.

http://www.VossFoundation.org

Chris Wragge, Louise Camuto Dr. Samuel Waxman, Joyce Varvatos, John Varvatos, Michael Nierenberg Photo By: Patrick McMullen

Roger Daltry Photo By Patrick McMullen

Dr. Samuel Waxman, Marion Waxman, Scott Waxman, Julie Waxman, Bettina Waxman, Spencer Waxman Photo By Patrick McMullen

Jean Jafiroff Photo By Patrick McMullen

Dr. Samuel Waxman, Lisa Aquilino, Rober Kantor Photo By Rebecca Weiss

Last Thursday Night We had the privilege of attending The 19th Annual Collaborating For A Cure Dinner, Auction, and Concert in honor of the 40th Anniversary of The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation.

Posthumously honoring Footwear Industry Icon Vince Camuto while introducing the (SWCRF) Vince Camuto Memorial Cancer Research Program. Mr. Camuto a great supporter of SWCRF passed away after a battle with Prostate Cancer in 2015. Louise Camuto, Chief Creative Officer of The Camuto Group accepted the award on her late husband’s behalf.

The evening was hosted by CBS News Host Chris Wragge and raised more than $2.5 million dollars for SWCRF research programs. 

In addition to a fabulous dinner and cocktail party at the Famed Cipriani Wall Street, the live auction, led by Hugh Hildesley, Vice President of Sotheby’s Auction House, featured some incredible items including a $10,000 shopping spree and lunch with John Varvatos that went for $15,000, A litter of adorable English bulldog puppies that went for $13,000 and $12,000 for the siblings, and the highest bid of the night, $48,000 went to a Private Jet Experience for 8 including 10 hours of air travel on the State of The Art Hawker 4000 Jet.

Roger Daltry (Photo Credit) Patrick McMullen

The highlight of the Evening was A Concert By “The Who” Founder Roger Daltry who sounded great and played a full concert with all his greatest hits while a very excited crowd danced and sang along. Surprise guest performer Willie Nile joined Daltry on stage.

Notable guests in attendance included: Marion & Dr. Samuel Waxman, Elin & Michael Nierenberg, Host Cris Wragge, Louise Camuto, Spencer Waxman, Kenneth Fishel, David Hinkelman, Robert Kantor, Howard Kurz, Howard Shlafmitz, Baron Silverstein, Dena K. Weiner, Mary Kantor, Joyce & John Varvatos,  Jean Shafiroff, along with over 750 guests from the corporate, fashion, and media worlds.

http://www.waxmancancer.org

Tattoo by Lalo Yunda

Lalo Yunda

Limited Edition Harder Cans with design by Lalo Yunda

Lalo Tattoo Designs

I have wanted to get a tattoo for years and even though my son is a tattoo aficionado with multiple tattoos, I was still reluctant. However, When I was recently invited to attend a pop up shop at The House of Monkey, owned by tattoo artist extraordinaire Lalo Yunda and his lovely wife, I decided to take the plunge. Lalo Yunda hails from Columbia and began his career with a homemade tattoo machine while developing a style of tattooing mixing fantasy and reality with difficult techniques and intricate colorful designs.

To celebrate The launch of Mike’s Harder Tennessee Barrel Lemonade, Harder collaborated with Lalo Yunda to create one of a kind tattoo designs on the Limited Edition Collectible Cans. Lalo, who appeared on Season 2 of Spike TV’s “Ink Master” is a self taught artist whose signature style is described as “magical realism”, which includes mythical elements combined with true to life images. The HARDER inspired tattoos feature designs such as a Skull, Snake, Dragon Horse, Bird, Jellyfish, and Coo-Coo Girl.

Yunda believes “Tattooing is one of the biggest art revolutions in history, and over the course of the next few years, collecting tattoos will of the same caliber as collecting fine artwork”. 

http://www.lalotattoos.com 

House of Monkey Tattoo 208 North 6th st, 1A Brooklyn, NY (929) 298-1887

http://www.houseofmonkeytattoo.com

http://www.MikesHarder.com