Kelly Slater and Dave Mathews at the Everglades Foundation Gala 2012

What a great way to start Presidents Day Weekend with a gala for the Everglades Foundation. The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach was the location for this benefit that raised over 2 million dollars. This was no black tie event. The dress was Surfer Chic and I was glad to wear a sun dress and leave my hair out! The first person I saw was the event designer DeJaun Stroud who pointed out the boat on the stage that set the scene for Dave Mathews who later performed.
Kelly Slater, the honoree, flew in early Friday from Hawaii and was joined by his family at the dinner. Jack Nicklaus introduced him on stage and surprised him with a set of clubs. After that Dave took to the stage. Here are my photos that were posted on NY Social Diary.

Maya's to Go in St Barths

All my friends know that I am in love with St Barths.
Everything about this little island makes me happy.
The first thing I always do when I arrive is stop at Maya's to Go and pick up a picnic.It is so easy cause it is just opposite the airport. I then drive out to one of my favorite beaches and start to relax. There are salads and vegies galore to chose from and the best shrimp I have ever eaten. The cold slice beef is tender and juicy and the fruit tarts are mouth watering just thinking about them.
They also have the most amazing greek yogurt with granola and mixed berries in the morning but you have to get there early cause it goes really quickly. Don't worry cause there are always lots of other tempting treats to eat. I also love the chocolate cup cakes.
It is also my last stop before leaving the island. I grab a sandwich and some french nougat to eat on the plane ride home.

La Grenouille NYC

Sometimes it is just one simple moment that defines a day, but even the simplest of moments can takes hours of preparation.
This week I had a chance to go behind the doors at la Grenouille that lead to that mysterious place were the magic is created that tantalizes the taste buds. Tonight I did not venture into the world of chefs and waiters doing their duet. I was doing my own job, camera in hand. And in a quiet second as the guests were enjoying the food and each others company I took a moment to take this photo that in my future memory will define this day.

Kim Hicks Blogger Party hosted by Derek Warburton

Last night was the Kim Hicks Blogger Party hosted by Derek Warburton at Talent Resources. What an amazing collection. We got a sneak peak at a few of the gowns to be shown next week at Kim's Fashion Show. The brownstone was buzzing and people could not get enough of the girls. John Barrett Salon did the hair and makeup on them and they looked stunning.

Bri Arden Album Release Gig at Rockwood Music Hall

Last night was the Bri Arden Album Release Gig at Rockwood Music Hall. I heard about the gig from my friend and drummer Jake Cohen who was performing with her.
She is amazing and so was her band who also included Justin Goldner, Oscar Bautista, Jason Wexler, Ian Schaefer, and Kate Ferber. Rockford was jammed packed and most of the audience new all her songs by heart.
I was glad I got there an hour early because those who didn't missed the show! Good luck Bri. You truly rock!

Jessica Sailer from Vogue gets married in St Barths

When Jessica Sailer, the Fashion Market Editor at Vogue and her fiance Mark wanted to get married in St Barths neither of them had actually ever been to the island. This very busy couple who spend their weeks in NY both play polo on the weekends so trying to organise a destination wedding meant finding someone on the island to take care of all their needs.
Melanie Smith is the go to person on St Barths. The couple needed two villas close to each other for them and their families to stay in. The wedding ceremony was in the church in Gustavia and the reception followed at Eden Rock. After a delicious dinner of local lobster it was time for the couple to cut the amazing cake. I had watched it being assembled by the pastry chefs from Maya's to go. Because of the warm weather it was kept inside until it was ready to be cut.
After that it was dancing on the beach followed by a swim in the ocean. Luckily Jessica had changed into a second outfit and was by that time bare foot however some of the other guests were tossed in shoes and all.
Elouise the youngest guest at the dinner kept very busy drawing portraits of all the guests, As you can see she has a big career in front of her but first she has to finish 1st grade.

For any more information on weddings on St Barth's I suggest you contact Melanie at melanie.stbarths@wanadoo.fr
And for all your picnics at the beach and at home meals Maya's to go has the best take out food I have ever eaten anywhere that my travels have taken me.