Van Cleef’s Elegant Affair and Romance in the Outback!

Welcome back to my little “blogazine” and thanks for tuning in!

Van Cleef and Arpels hosted an uber elegant evening on Tuesday, November 11th at the Peninsula Hotel. It was to introduce their high jewelry collection and to thank the patrons of the Joffrey Ballet’s Spring Gala and their own loyal clientele. It was black tie, by-invitation-only, intimate (only 80 guests) and exquisite beyond belief. Van Cleef had flown a stone setter and jeweler in from New York to give a demonstration. They created their Snowflake diamond bracelet and it was amazing how labor intensive it is—it takes over 250 man hours to create a piece such as this one! The room décor was by David Beahm (who also masterminded Catherine Zeta- Jones and Michael Douglas’ wedding) and glowing with pale blue uplights and modern stage décor – very dramatic and different. Van Cleef’s handsome president and CEO Emmanuel Perrin spoke passionately about their long history with the ballet starting with a chance encounter between their founders, Claude and George Balanchine. Balanchine even created a dance piece inspired by Van Cleef entitled “Jewels” in which Suzanne Farrell danced. The sparkling fashion show began with the models bringing out mirrors for every table and then encouraging all of the guests to try on the magnificent pieces – many of which were one-of-a-kind and absolutely breathtaking. Guests included Shelley and Bill Farley, Amalie Drury, Graham Kostic, Shauna and Barry Montgomery, Melinda Jakovich, Mary Jo and Doug Basler, Chris Long, Helen Melchior, Whitney and Jerry Lasky, Sandy Deromedi, Jay Franke, Brent Nestor, Lynn and John McMahan, Hedwig and Robert Golant, Amy and John DiTomasso, Rochelle Smith and Charlie Trotter, Kathy and Guy Crane, Toni Canada, Natel and Nick Gouletas, Joffrey Ballet artistic director Ashley Wheater, Maureen Smith, Rebecca Besser, Michaela Parillo, Gale Gottlieb, Christopher Clinton Conway and Jonathan Ryan, among others. It was a night to remember and I thank and congratulate my friend Sheryl Dyer on creating such a wonderful evening! Joffrey Spring Gala co-chairs Jay Franke, Sandy Deromedi and Mary Jo Basler thanked everyone for coming and reminded them about the Spring Gala on Friday, April 24th at the Chicago Hilton and Towers. Prior to the Gala, there will be a one-hour performance which will include the premiere of Christopher Wheeldon’s "Carousel, A Dance" and a piece by students in the Exelon Strobel Step-Up program. For tickets and more information, please call (312) 386-8944. Photos (from top right): Maureen Smith, Emmanuel Perrin, Sheryl Dyer and me; Bill Farley, Melinda Jakovich, Chuck and Women's Board president Kathleen Klaeser; Michaela Parillo wearing Charleston; Graham Kostic, Amalie Drury and Luke Gibson; photographer Bob Carl; Hedwig Golant wearing Envol; Lynn McMahan and Van Cleef's VP of retail Brent Nestor; Gale Gottlieb; a Van Cleef model.

Chicago Link Productions (Brenda Sexton and Suzie Glickman) pulled off another coup recently when they hosted the premier of “Australia.” If you like romantic action adventures that you need hankies for, then this is the movie for you! It doesn’t hurt that hunky Hugh Jackman stars with Nicole Kidman (Chuck and I saw Mr. Jackman on Broadway playing Peter Allen and to see him now in this role is a true credit to his acting abilities)! Director Baz Luhrmann and art designer Catherine Martin made sure that every detail was authentic to the time (the 30s right on the brink of World War II), right down to Nicole’s shoe wardrobe designed by Ferragamo. The designer has even made the “Lady Sarah” shoe – the evening sandal worn during the film's pivotal Governor’s Ball scene – available in a limited edition. Simply beautiful! The event drew a wonderful crowd that included Australia’s Consul-General Elizabeth Schick and her husband Barry, the three top stars from “Dirty Dancing” musical including Britta Lazenga (formerly of the Joffrey), Josef Brown and Emily Williams, Mayari Pritzker (who informed me that her stepson Matt produced “Nothing Like the Holidays” which was filmed in Chicago and premiered here December 1st ), Linda Johnson Rice, Korey Karnes, Cassandra Gaddo, Lauren Rafferty, Sherren and Harvey Haddon, Margaret O’Connor and Dr. Michael O’Meara, Dorothy Whealan, Holly Hunt, Jesus Salguiero, Sugar Rautbord, Bernice Pink, Patrick Plante, Desiree Rogers (the new White House Social Secretary), Dori Wilson, Joy Germont and many other notables. The after party was graciously hosted by Ferragamo where many of the shoes from the movie were displayed. It was a great movie to share with friends. Thanks again, Brenda and Suzie!! Photos (from top left): Ferragamo's Michigan Avenue window display for "Australia"; Dirty Dancing stars Emily Williams, Josef Brown and Britta Lazenga; Dr. Michael O'Meara, Margaret O'Connor, Australia's Counsel-General Elizabeth Schick and her husband Barry; Carrie Lannon and Ferragamo manager Donald Lyons holding a limited edition numbered pair of "Lady Sarah" evening shoes; Jesus Salguiero and Mayari Pritzker; Holly Hunt and Suzie Glickman.

On the dining front! If you haven’t been to Graham Elliot’s “bistronomic” restaurant, you are missing the boat on food and fun! Upon entering, the tone is set with a simmering pot of apple cider that immediately tells you this is no ordinary restaurant. The creativity from Chef Graham Elliot Bowles is astounding, as foie gras popsicles that literally pop in your mouth, baked potato bisque, crisp pork belly marinated in root beer and maple glazed scallops don’t even begin to scratch the surface of this artful menu. It’s located in the River North Gallery district at 217 W. Huron. Bowles is the youngest four-star chef in America and when you visit his restaurant, you’ll know why! It’s one of my new favorite places…. Photo: Chef Graham Elliot Bowles and me.

If you want to step back to a kinder, gentler era for authentic Italian food, then I highly suggest a visit to Salerno’s at 1201 W. Grand Ave. The place is family owned and operated and when you’re there, you feel like family, too! Every other Thursday, Pat Benkowski is the host of Trivia Night and on Saturday, December 27th, join him as he hosts the Title Match. Anyone can play and, for only $21 per person, you can enjoy pizzas, chicken a la Salerno, salad, dessert, live entertainment and the chance to win $300 and the Trivia Title! This long-standing institution provides innocent fun in these hard economic times …. Photo: Elliot and Jannie Pearlman with Pat Benkowski and Salerno's owner Victoria Lia.

Congratulations to my favorite hairstylist, Charles Ifergan, on his brand new location at 2531 W. 75th St. in Naperville! Charles has been in business for over 35 years and this is his fourth location (his other salons are in Deerfield, Oakbrook Terrace and his flagship on Oak Street). My dear friend Tom Lawler is the manager of the Naperville location and if you don't know Tom, you should. He could be doing stand-up comedy if he wasn't such a terrific hairstylist so you see, you will get a lot more than a haircut with him! Charles has been doing my hair for over 30 years and I adore him. His teams of stylists are not only great at what they do but they are also the nicest group of people you could hope to know. It is always a joyful atmosphere and they are all committed to making their customers happy in every way. Call (630) 717-4700 today for an appointment. Photo: Charles Ifergan and Tom Lawler.

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? If you haven’t, check out the best gift guide I’ve seen in a very long time: The December issue of Elle magazine

has 10 pages of incredible finds with over 100 items under $100, 50 under $500 and 20 under $1000. This is the kind of guide we need unless we’re Warren Buffet! Some of my favorites include a necklace by Yves Saint Laurent that holds a duo lip color combo in its gold pendant on a black silk cord for $65 (Marc Jacobs makes a similar, daisy-shaped solid perfume charm necklace on a leather cord for $35 at www.sephora.com), a travel clock in a croc box by Charlotte Moss for $100, leather faux python flats in multiple colors by Nine West for $69, Fashion Rules board game for $100 at Fred Segal in L.A., 12 months of colorful journals boxed at Pottery Barn for $99, beautiful Left Bank candle by Charlotte Moss for Agraria for $55, colorful suede baby booties a la UGGS by Cole Haan for $55, silver champagne straws (set of two) by Christofle for $150, red lizard dice set by Tod’s for $295 and a gold champagne cork necklace by Maison Martin Margiela for $295 at Fred Segal in L.A. This is just a sampling of the terrific and unique gifts in this issue. Move over, O Magazine: Elle has you beat this time! Photos (from top right): Elle's December cover featuring Carrie Underwood; Yves Saint Laurent's lip gloss pendant; Cole Haan's suede baby bootie.

I hope you all had a very happy Thanksgiving! See you again soon!