CHEEKYCHICAGO.COM CELEBRATES “TOP 10 CHEEKY CHICKS OF THE YEAR!”

Congrats to the "Top 10 Cheeky Chicks of the Year!" At a recent, packed party at Sunda CheekyChicago.com founders, Jessica Zweig and Erica Bethe Levin, introduced their top 10 picks to the crowd at their second annual celebration this year. Honorees included Carrie Nahabedian (Cheeky Chef from Naha), Samantha Saifer (Cheeky Media Girl from CS Magazine), Katrina Markoff (Cheeky Entrepeneur from Vosges Haut-Chocolate), Lynn House (Cheeky Mixologist from Blackbird), Catie Keogh (Cheeky Mom from 24/7), Lois Miller (Cheeky Fitness Guru), Agnes Miles (Cheeky Artist from Love, LuLu Mae), Alexis Cozzini (Cheeky Fashionista from Sarca), Nicole Tempesta (Cheeky Nightlife Gal from SKYY Spirits) and ME (Cheeky Philanthropist). Guests enjoyed Absolut Wild Tea Cocktails, Seven Daughters wine and wonderful hors d’oeuvres plus the hot sounds of a cool DJ. There were also chic selections from the fab boutique, Handle With Care, as well as mini massages by Massage Envy. I tell you these ladies thought of EVERYTHING! Gotta love Jessica and Erica…this killer combo of ingenuity, open-heartedness and love for all things Chicago inspired the creation of their website, CheekyChicago.com. This online magazine, founded in October 2008, is designed exclusively for, by and about the cosmopolitan woman and features dining, nightlife, theatre, music, fashion, beauty…you name it, they cover it and in such grand style! Love and thanks to the two Cheekiest Chicks I know! To see ALL event photos, please visit my Chicago Now site. (Additional pics by Caitlin Saville, Mila Samokhina and Steve Starr) 

We know everyone and their grandmother has an opinion on the Golden Globes fashions but I have some personal awards of my own. First up, is the Gag Me Award which goes to Angelina Jolie. The “candid camera” shot of her posing on Brad’s shoulder with her hair perfectly splayed out made me gag. If this wasn’t completely calculated on her part to show the world how happy she and Brad supposedly are then you can pinch me. Come on, Angie…we ALL know you’re a couple so let it go. What happened to the actress I fell in love with who starred in “Gia”? I miss the old, unaffected Angelina. My second award, the "Stop It! Award," goes to both Johnny Depp and Robert Downey, Jr. Really?! Chewing GUM at an awards show?! Weren't your wives paying ANY attention to you? Robert Downey, Jr. also won my "Couldn't You Try Harder Award" by wearing a simple suit…to the GOLDEN GLOBES! I know dressing down is considered cool in some circles but I think a LITTLE effort would've worked wonders. Oh well…sigh…I still love him. And he was the cutest onstage. My "Hot Guy of the Night Award" goes to Christian Bale. I know the long hair and beard were for a role, but OMG, KEEP IT!! You looked soooo cool especially in that black tux, black shirt and black tie by Dolce & Gabbana! I didn't see enough coverage of Amber Riley's gown. She is the plus-size actress who plays Mercedes on "Glee." I thought her Oliver Tolentino beaded gown fit and suited her perfectly! And I loved the fact that she made her own earrings. You go, girl! I am also sick of the criticism of Helena Bonham Carter's quirky Vivienne Westwood outfit. Would you have expected to see her in a minimalist Calvin Klein?! I don't think so! This is totally who she is and she's not afraid to show it! I even loved the cute mismatched shoes. My candidate for "Worst Hairstyle of the Night" goes to Natalie Portman. I know, I know…we ALL love her but it looked like her grandmother styled her ‘70s inspired French twist! I wasn't fond of her Viktor & Rolf dress either for that matter…who was the person who decided at the last minute to slap that red, appliquéd rose on what could've been an elegant gown? I guess we'll never know…but he or she is probably in hiding somewhere…

And now my likes and dislikes on the red carpet. First, the likes: Olivia Wilde – my fav, rocked that Marchesa big-time. Halle Berry – need I say more? Piper Perabo – simple and elegant in her black Oscar gown. Sofia Vergara – my choice for "Bombshell of the Night" in a red Vera Wang with a fishtail and corset. Eva Longoria – stunning in a black Zac Posen and those Neil Lane diamond pins on her hips made the whole outfit. Megan Fox – gorgeous in a blush-colored Armani Prive and just gorgeous in general. January Jones – loved her makeup and hair and would've loved her red Versace gown more if the cut-outs were placed differently. Catherine Zeta-Jones – exquisite in her emerald green Monique Lhullier ballgown. Helena Bonham Carter – love her quirkiness. 

And now for the dislikes: Christina Aguilera – looked like she stole the black lace over nude Zuhair Murad gown from wardrobe on her film "Burlesque." Sarah Hyland – looked like she was wearing her mother’s clothes and jewelry. Nicole Kidman – ill-fitting, wrong color…wrong, wrong, wrong. Julianne Moore – now I'm a huge Lanvin fan but how did this dress slip through the cracks? One arm covered, one not and a hump on her shoulder?! So sad. Heidi Klum – was she getting on a plane for South Beach right after the awards show? Because this is the only excuse for that Marc Jacobs mess she was wearing. Scarlett Johansson – or should I say the Bride of Frankenstein!? You tell me. Yank that hairstylist's license and do it quickly before he or she strikes again! Sandra Bullock – first of all, was she wearing a wig? And secondly, the vintage-inspired Jenny Packham nude gown looked like she was wearing a disguise…well, maybe she should've been. Well, this is one reporter's opinion….gotta love awards shows…especially where there’s drinking involved! And now, click here for a shortened version of my appearance on NBC last week discussing Golden Globes fashion with entertainment reporter LeeAnn Trotter and designer Borris Powell.
 
Speaking of Borris Powell, he’s been designing beautiful clothes for women ever since his early days in Alabama when he watched his elegant mother dress for church and other special events. Inspired by the masterful shapes of Christian Dior, Powell is again following his dreams after a 10-year stint in retail management. Now he is doing what he loves and does best in his new studio located in Lincoln Park at 2465 N. Halsted. Starting with the Spring/Summer 2011 collection, which will be available in March, he will also offer ready-to-wear pieces as well. Good luck, Borris! Hope to “see” you at the Oscars! 

The only disappointment at the recent Bulls/Bobcats game was that the Bulls lost! Other than this small detail, the Joffrey women who attended the game in support of the Exelon Strobel Step-Up students who performed a flash mob at half-time had a blast! The box, courtesy of Kim White, was fully stocked and loaded with every fun food item you could imagine. There were hot dogs, artichoke salads, quesadillas, chips, dips, wine, beer, fresh guacamole, fruit, dessert carts…whew…you name it, they had it! I haven’t been to a Bulls game since the golden age of Jordan (I know…shame on me!) but I was very happy to see that the excitement and the many fun activities have, if anything, increased since those years. Benny the Bull was even more animated than ever riding through the stands on his mini-bike while, overhead, a massive Benny balloon creature roamed through the upper decks. The cheerleaders couldn’t have been sexier…my favorite being Ashley Bond, who just happened to be in the box next to us on her rotation night off with cute friend Matt Pritzker. Life is good in the stadium. Friends who attended included Suzette Bross Bulley, Kathleen Klaeser, Helen Melchior, Kim White, Joyce Wippman and Corinne Melchior (who danced with the students during the flash mob presentation), Christine Ott, Sue Gray Goller, Kelly Dettman, Pam Strobel and Amelia Silva. 

Photographer Christopher Free is working on his first online magazine beginning with a feature entitled “Project Inspire.” He chose four women to photograph and they included Lynn McMahan, Kristina McGrath, Trevian Kutti and me. I was thrilled to work with Chris and his beautiful assistant, Ingrid Feder, who should be a model herself. Chris’ next adventure will include covering NY Fashion Week! Look for Project Inspire next week at www.Project-Captured.com and remember you heard his name here first! Good luck, Chris!!!  

While we’re talking fashion, our own design god, Brian Atwood, will be appearing at Intermix, located at 40 E. Delaware, on Wednesday, February 23rd from 6-8 PM. There will be cocktails and music but who needs anything besides BKA??!!! A percentage of the sales for this evening will benefit the Service Club of Chicago. To RSVP, please call 312-640-2922. And now here’s Brian winning Designer of the Year Award!

Park 52 in Hyde Park was the restaurant of choice for a pack of Chicago Bears recently after their victory over the Seattle Seahawks last week! Owner Marc Brooks couldn’t have been more excited to host Tommie Harris, Israel Idonije, Johnny Knox, Matt Forte and Chris Harris after their win. I love this chic American bistro: The food, décor and service are always impeccable and it sure can’t hurt to have a cutie like Marc there to greet you!!!

Speaking of the Bears…WHAT HAPPENED?! I was already searching for my Super Bowl outfit on the web but now I’m just miserable. Chuck had even made his lucky chili…next year, TACOS!!! Well, I still love ‘em…that’s for sure!!! So…when does baseball season start??!!! 😉

Love,
Candace
Candace@CandidCandace.com

P.S. Don’t forget Vital Bridges’ fun fundraiser Wednesday night, January 26th, at Nacional 27 from 6-9 PM, “VITAL NIGHTS: HEAT OF THE NIGHT.” Hosts Julie Bouchard, Jim Lee, Kasia Koniar and Jeffrey Ward have planned a fun night of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres with performances by Katarina (violinist for the Lyric Opera) and DJ Luv Jones! Tickets are $30 at the door.