St. Pucci Wedding Gown

Los Angeles, CA-  Soolip founder and gracious living guru, Wanda Wen, came up with the concept for A Soolip Wedding in 1999, wanting to create a stylish gathering to showcase inspirational items for weddings. Founded 17 years ago, celebrated stationer Soolip has become synonymous with an inspired way of life, selling paper goods and handmade treasures. 

This year, a panel of experts and purveyours gathered at the St. Pucci Flagship Salon to inform select media and invited guests of wedding trends, themes and history.  The panel included Pauline Parry of Good Gracious! Events, David Pressman of Pressman Events, designer Rani Totman of St. Pucci, Rrivre Davies of Rrivre Works, and Nelson Holdo of Black, Starr & Frost.

According to Pauline Parry, one of the new trends in weddings is that brides and grooms are taking on the expense of their weddings, allowing them to make it more reflective of their respective personalities.  Additionally, cocktail weddings are on the rise, in which various, little stations are set up in separate rooms allowing for uninterrupted dancing, speeches, etc.

This year's A Soolip Wedding will take place at the Bel Air Bay Club on March 3, 2013 from noon to 4pm and will feature gowns from St. Pucci and jewels from Black, Starr & Frost.

Kevin Sorbo and Family                photo by Paul Best

Deer Valley, UT-  Though the Sundance Film Festival is finally over, fortunate celebs will long remember Debbie Durkin's chic, Eco Hideway which provided branded entertainment in the posh setting of Deer Valley's upscale hotel, The Chateaux.  Sustainable film and television producer Debbie Durkin hosted the eco-luxury event along with Guitar Center and Aviir Diagnostic Laboratories.

Designer Michael Foster

Delighted guests were treated to live performances on the Aviir Music Artists Stage, spa treatments and products from Spa at the Stein Eriksen Lodge, custom designer blankets and scarves from Minky Couture, 100% Egyptian cotton men's scarves from Michael Foster, opulent boot wraps from HUGRZ, gourmet organic food from Whole Foods, wine and champagne from BX Napa and much more.

HUGRZ Boot Wraps

The eco-luxury event benefited the Guard A Heart Foundation which is dedicated to bringing heart disease prevention and awareness to the forefront of our lives.

Intraceuticals Skin Care

Golden Globes centerpiece by Bread Basket Cake Company

Los Angeles, CA-  Once again, GBK managed to attract the entertainment industry's brightest stars to their annual Golden Globes Luxury Gift Lounge.  This year, the event took place at Beverly Hills' swanky L'Hermitage Hotel, transforming the rooftop pool area into a luxurious playground filled with goodies from The Artisan Group, Essilor of America Inc., Newman's Own Wines, Vita Organic Foods, Beanpatch and Co., RevitaLash, Toy State, California Caviar and many more.

Scandal's Bellamy Young

Tucked away in two, separate luxury suites, celebrities were treated to services and products such as  H2V Skincare from Burke Williams Day Spa, eyebrow shaping from the always popular Tweezerman,  super-fun and convenient press-on manicures from imPRESS by Broadway Nails, and hair styling from Jose Eber of Beverly Hills.  For lucky celebrities and their fashion-forward pets, Couture by Sophie presented a gift certificate for products from their adorable and chic, haute-couture, custom-made and ready-to-wear collection for dogs.

         

Grey's Anatomy's Loretta Devine

True Blood's Janina Gavankar

Though fashion and accessories were the focus of this years luxury lounge, Daytona Helmets and Jetson E-Bike, an eco-friendly and stylish electric bike (recently featured as one of Oprah's Favorite Things) were among celebrities' favorite picks.  Actress Thandie Newton donated her gifted e-bike to aid the victims of Hurricane Sandy.  Speaking of charity, YES! Beat Live Tumors, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing information, resources, support and hope to those affected by cancer of the liver was featured at the luxury lounge and gifted celebrities and media keepsakes along with imparting invaluable information on the organizations services and programs.

Long Beach, CA-  Head down to Long Beach for a good time and a good cause...

Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

Thursday, December 13 - 6 - 9 pm

It's beginning to a look a lot like Christmas at CHILL. This year, the Queen Mary is pleased to announce that their annual tree lighting ceremony will be taking place in the Holiday Village at CHILL on Thursday, December 13th. The ceremony begins at 6 pm, all are welcome to join in for a very special evening of celebration, entertainment and delicious treats.

To attend simply donate a Ronald McDonald House wish list item at the CHILL entrance. Guests donating a wish list item will receive complimentary access to the CHILL Holiday Village on 12/13 (does not include tickets to any CHILL attractions).

Tree Lighting Festivities include:

• Free parking with event validation!
• Enjoy complimentary holiday refreshments
• Story time with Mrs. Claus
• Special visit from Santa Claus
• Live performances by AJ & The Merry Gentlemen and International Children's Choir

Wish List Items: 
Item must be new, unused and donated on date of ticket purchase. Not available online. Limited Supply. Redeemable Wish list items are as follows: Glade Plugin air freshener refills, 13 gallon trash bags, aluminum foil, Lysol wipes, liquid hand soap, microwave safe paper plates, AA batteries, and Magic Eraser ONLY. 

To learn more about the Ronald McDonald House, click here.

Beverly Hills, CA-  Conscience Cocktails, a networking group for young, philanthropic professionals, hosted a charity cocktail mixer at the Daniel Maltzman Gallery to benefit The Seany Foundation.   Inspired by Sean Lewis Robins, a young cancer survivor, The Seany Foundation is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to funding research for pediatric cancer as well as improving the quality of life for children and teens who are battling cancer.

The mission of Conscience Cocktails is to expose Angelenos to an array of charities by partnering with a different organization at each event, giving the participating charity a platform to share their cause.  The night's proceeds were provided in the form of ticket sales and a raffle of amazing prizes such as Randy Kirk Artwork valued at $4000, spa packages, luxury beauty products and more.

Benevolent guests were treated to cocktails made with Akvinta Vodka, Dirty Tequila and IZZE along with passed hors d'oeuvres and a food station of pasta, various cheeses and decadent desserts.  

Guests socialized and imbibed for hours while enjoying music provided by DJ Frackture as well as cancer survivor Urbalist and up-and-coming artist Ruby Summer.  Later in the evening, Mitch Robins, father of the late Sean Lewis Robins, spoke about his son's nearly seven year fight with Ewing sarcoma.

Gucci Girl Author Carin von Berg       photo by Angela Weiss

West Hollywood, CA-  Carin von Berg will be selling and signing copies of her debut novel Gucci Girl on Sunday, September 30 from 12:15pm to 2:45pm for the 11th Annual West Hollywood Book Fair.  Her booth will be located in the West Hollywood Writes section.  Notable authors that will be present are The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Kyle Richards, Gigi Levangie Grazer, Andrew McCarthy, Marienne Williamson, and Rocco DiSpirito.

Gucci Girl can be found on Amazon in paperback form and for Kindle and Barnes and Nobel for Nook.  

What:  The 11th Annual West Hollywood Book Fair

When:  Sunday, September 30, 2012 from 12:15pm to 2:45pm

Where: The West Hollywood Library's West Hollywood Writes Booth

all photos by Angela Weiss for Getty Images

Beverly Hills, CA- The Softcup Beauty Retreat, held at the home of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Adrienne Maloofs' palatial estate, could not have taken place at a more fabulous venue.  Beginning last Thursday and continuing through Friday, the two day event kicked off the Emmy Awards so celebrity guests, media and tastemakers could relax, unwind and pamper themselves prior to the big event. Guests were treated to beauty treatments and specialty cocktails by ZING Vodka (the Maloof Family's latest venture) while enjoying small bites created by Adrienne's private chef.  Celebrities in attendance included Diane Neal, Taryn Manning, Brooke Mueller, Boris Kodjoe, Nicole Ari-Parker, Keisha Knight-Pulliam, Alexis Bellino, Melissa Rycroft, and Fiona Gubelmann. 

Adrienne Maloof 

Guests enjoyed hand and arm massages from Bliss Spa, makeup touch-ups by Color Science, manicures by The Painted Nail salon, braids and blowouts from Blow Angels, lash application by Ja-Maal Buster, spray tans from Body Bakery, brow waxing by Stript Waxing Bar and a fitness consultation by Fitness Jog.  Celebrities were treated with goodies from La Vie handbags, Effy Jewelry, OMG Cases and Teleflora.

Alexis Bellino

all photos by Tiffany Rose for Wireimage

Hollywood, CA-  Over in Hollywood, GBK held their annual Emmy Luxury Gift Lounge at the uber chic W Hollywood.  GBK award show lounges are a favorite among celebrities as they deliver big with the goods in an opulent environment.  Additionally, GBK has donated over $3 million dollars in products, services and money over the last three years to various charities.  Celebrity attendees included AnnaLynn McCord, Rico Rodriguez, Camille Grammer, Lisa Edelstein, Mare Winningham, Mayim Bialik, Tamala Jones, Lisa Vanderpump.

AnnaLynn McCord

This year, lucky celebs were treated to luxury getaways from Caribbean Living magazine, hand crafted beauty products, jewelry, soap and accessories from The Artisan Group, footwear by Ron Donovan, luxury skincare by Miracle Hydrate, hair styling tools from Brazilian Heat, makeup from Secret Agent Beauty, clothing from Savee of Laguna Beach, leather goods from Wolfhardt, and personal training sessions from Mansion Fitness.

Karina Smirnoff

Mansion Fitness display

Carin von Berg

Los Angeles, CA-  This past Monday, members of the Costume Council of LACMA and their guests were treated to a special, preview screening of the entertaining documentary Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has To Travel.  The film, which was directed and produced by Mrs. Vreeland's grandon's wife, talented filmmaker Lisa Immordino Vreeland, offers an intimate portrait of the very animated and innovative icon whose influence changed the face of fashion, beauty, art, publishing and culture forever.

After the screening, the LA Times' Booth Moore moderated a Q and A with the filmmaker before guests mingled with celebrities Andie MacDowell and Jacqueline Bisset at an elegant cocktail reception.

Ellen Levy-Sarnoff (middle) and Kabrel Geller (right)

The film opens in theatres on September 21, 2012.

Carin von Berg

Newport Beach, CA-  This Labor Day weekend join ArteMare at Threads and Fins for an unforgettable, end-of-summer BBQ.  ArteMare is a collection of timeless, artisanal beach accessories and equipment hand-crafted in the United States and inspired by seaside locales from around the world.  The luxurious assortment of beach racquets, towels, linen blankets and special edition skateboards are made from carefully selected hardwoods and textiles.

ArteMare's Iconic Wooden Beach Raquets

For more info email info@artemare.com or click to buy.

Los Angeles, CA-  The much anticipated second annual LA Food and Wine Festival kicks off next Thursday for a four-day extravaganza of wine, cooking demos, grand tastings, live musical performances and private dining experiences.  The event, presented by Food and Wine magazine and hosted by Wolfgang Puck, will take place in four venues throughout the city:  Downtown, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and Hollywood.  Participants include some of the food industry's most established and recognizable talent: Guy Fieri, Giada De Laurentiis, Graham Elliot, Michael Voltaggio and Scott Conant to name a few.  The festival will benefit St. Vincent Meals On Wheels.  Click on the above link to purchase tickets.  For group and VIP sales please call 853-433-LAFW (5239).