Real Housewife of NY, Alex McCord, Has a Whirlwind Chicago Weekend!

I first met Alex McCord in August 2009, when she came to town to promote the upscale consignment store, Second Time Around. My first thought when I saw her was how delicate and pretty she was in person. On screen, as are most celebs, she is bigger than life but in person, she is a striking blond with a sparkling personality and probably a size 4. I liked her instantly and during the course of the event, I also noticed how entirely gracious she was with each and every guest—treating them as if they were the only person in the room which wasn’t easy with flashbulbs going off constantly in her face. Kelli Zink, Ryan Preuett and I were co-hosts for this evening and it was the beginning of a lovely friendship between Alex and me. In August, Chuck and I had planned a trip to NY for Fashion Week…in particular, we were invited to the Pamella Roland show since she was our superstar designer for Joffrey Ballet’s “Couture & Cocktails” for that year. So I figured, what the heck, I have Alex’s e-mail, I will simply e-mail her and see if there is anything going on in NY that we shouldn’t miss. Well, not only did she reply in the affirmative, but she also invited us to sit front row with her for her friend Walter’s fashion show in Chelsea. I was over the moon with excitement and the show was so thrilling…with chic designs on gorgeous girls blowing bubbles from crystal bottles for the finale and banks upon banks of photographers. And, of course, most of the cameras were trained on Alex. I moved away from her when the cameras came but she squeezed my hand and pulled me closer…not only that, but she introduced me to her designer friend and insisted I stay with the two of them for all of the “end of show” photos. I don’t know many people – celebs or not – who would share that kind of spotlight. I was smitten with her kindness, not only for me, but for everyone she met. So this weekend, she and her handsome hubby, Simon Van Kempen, came to town to promote her first book, “Little Kids, Big City.” I invited them to dinner, not expecting her to say yes, but lo and behold, she was thrilled. We met at my favorite Old Town restaurant, Perennial, at 1800 N. Lincoln. The Executive Chef, Ryan Poli, was not there but he had a great excuse: He was in Washington cooking for the First Family! Manager Ben Sherman gave us a great, private booth and after her book signing at Barnes and Noble, they joined us. Simon was so charming and so clearly in love with and proud of his beautiful wife. It was wonderful to see. She was a knockout in red satin short-shorts with a matching jacket. She had on sky-high black strappy platform heels and looked like she belonged on a runway instead of on a top-rated reality show. Dinner guests also included friends Jeanette and Steve Ivankovich and Hedwig and Bob Golant and we all had a great time. Alex was so refreshingly honest and outspoken. Her book has delightful photos of her life and family with unique tips on dealing with children in an urban environment. We ate delicious food and drank fabulous wines, thanks to our wine expert, Steve Ivankovich. As the evening wore on, I wanted to make her time in Chicago as special as possible. One of my favorite spots in town for entertainment is the Baton Show Lounge at 436 N. Clark. Their last show on Saturday night starts at 12:30 a.m. and I knew we would be just in time for it if they wanted
to go…and they did! Hedwig and Bob joined us but the Ivankoviches called it a night since Jeanette is due with their second child any minute. The screaming crowd that greeted Alex and Simon outside the club took her by surprise but we finally made it inside. The show was fabulous, as always…Chilli Pepper, Mimi Marks, Sasha Colby, Ginger Grant, Maya Douglas, Sheri Payne and Victoria LePage never disappoint. We even got a tour of their warren of dressing rooms downstairs with each room stamped with their own unique touches. Mimi’s had incense burning and Maya’s had great pics covering her gilded mirror…it was very special and so much fun. Alex and Simon took pics with everyone who asked including audience members during the show…it was a memorable night. I’ve watched “Real Housewives of NY” as well as other similar shows on several occasions and I can tell you this for certain: Alex is the real deal…no phoney baloney, nut job egotist like the others. She wins hands-down as my favorite Housewife!
 
Okay, who were the two cutest people at the “Sex and the City” premier in New York? Give up? It was designer Brian Atwood and his beautiful sister, Jordan Stemer! Of all of the photos I’ve seen of this event, no one looked cooler than these two! Big bro Brian treated his sis to a Cinderella weekend arranging hair and makeup (and we know he knows the BEST: Hair was by Brian Duprey and makeup was by George Ortiz) all the way to this GORGEOUS and pricy one-of-a-kind Victor Costa vintage cocktail dress (to see the front of this amazing piece, click here). They wouldn’t even sell it to him because it was so rare! I don’t think I’ve seen a more glam photo than Jordan all decked out in this dress! Don’t we all wish we had a big brother, boyfriend, friend…anything…like Brian! Proud mom Dusty Stemer has sure raised all of her children well. They are smart, kind, funny and stylish…they have it all, Dusty! Kudos to you and your beautiful family!
 
I had the opportunity to visit the Hyatt Lodge on the McDonald’s Campus in Oak Brook. The grounds are spectacular and the event was a pre-party for Macy’s Passport Presents Glamorama, which will take place Friday, August 13th. The McDonald’s A-Team – Jamie Haberkorn, Andy Wiersma and Christina Thomas – were there organizing every detail and the room looked beautiful. There was a streaming video on a big screen showing past Glamoramas and the crowd was very appreciative. Hope to see them all at the Launch Party Thursday night at Prairie Production, located at 1314 W. Randolph, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. For tickets, please call Christina at 630-623-2309. 
 
Common Threads is celebrating their 4th Annual Crosstown Culinary Classic on Friday, June 11th. The Southside and Northside rivalry heats up in the kitchen as Four Seasons Hotel Executive Chef Kevin Hickey and Chef Bill Kim of Urban Belly and Bellyshack step up to (and serve up) the plate for the White Sox and Cubs, respectively, and put their team allegiances to cook for a common cause, Common Threads. Tickets are $150 per person and the evening begins at 6 p.m. at the Four Seasons with a Ballpark Reception showcasing fine dining versions of favorite ballpark snacks followed by a three-course dinner and the Bleacher Sweets Reception. There will be silent auction featuring autographed Cubs and White Sox memorabilia, culinary experiences and baseball-themed getaways. For reservations, please call Common Threads at 312-329-2501, ext. 204 or visit www.commonthreads.org.
 
The Service Club of Chicago presented “The History of the Little Black Dress” at Saks Fifth Avenue last week. It was organized by members Dusty Stemer, Mary Lasky, Evie Glieberman and Lynda Silverman with featured guest speaker, Laurie Davis of Lulu’s at the Belle-Kay. She brought unique examples from her store of the little black dress through the years and is a knowledgeable speaker on all-things-fashion. Breakfast was served with a donation made by guests to the Service Club. Some lucky ladies won a darling LBD-clad Barbie!!! What a cute idea! Click here for more pics!
 
Carrie Birkel and her husband Marty took the trip of a lifetime when they were guests at the Monte Carlo Grand Prix AND the Cannes Film Festival! Lucky Carrie and her hubby were flown by helicopter from St. Tropez to Monte Carlo with backstage access to all of the celebs and events. So check out these views that not many of us will ever get to see! Welcome home Carrie, you lucky lady! See more pics here!
 
Thanks for checking in this week! So much going on! Wait until you see all of the news next week!!!! :)
 
Love,
Candace
Candace@CandidCandace.com