Happy Birthday Joshua Bell!

Last night was a musical marvel!

On such a cold and rainy evening, I could not think of a better place to be than in Joshua Bell’s recently completed and gorgeous apartment. I arrived about 20 minutes late into the champagne reception hour, and embarked on mixing with many familiar faces including Renée Fleming and Glenn Close. Clutching a small birthday present for the Virtuoso in my hand, I was trying to scramble through a crowd of about 150 people in order to capture Kipton Cronkite’s attention, who was chatting with several people simultaneously. Joshua celebrated his real birthday on Tuesday, and with some effort I managed to bestow my gift on Kipton who promised to pass it on to the birthday boy.

My friend Candice and I sneaked around the rooftop terrace (check out the view on the photo), and at about 9 pm I was lucky to find a spare seat facing the curtains that were about to reveal the star of the soirée. Joshua spoke about his choice of pieces that he was going to play with the help of his recital partner Simon Mulligan. I enjoyed listening to the first two compositions, the Ravel and the Massenet. The concert ran for about 40 minutes, and ended with two popular pieces from Bernstein’s “West Side Story”. Everyone stood and cheered, but I had the strong impression that the majority were particularly inspired by the last two renditions. Contrary to my tastes…

Afterwards, as the crowd was dispersing, I chatted to Joshua’s lovely mother Shirley, who took me on a short guided tour of the photographs hanging on the walls, and the Grammy Award sitting near the piano. I then drank a final glass of champagne with Candice, and jumped into a cab for my late evening rendezvous at Doubles…

A Chic Chanel Wonderland

It was a magical Friday evening sponsored by the greatest of them all, Chanel Fine Jewelry. Stepping out of my cab outside the Botanical Garden Conservatory, I could feel the Parisian winter chill sweep past my shoulders and through this Bronx neighborhood.

For the tenth year of the Winter Wonderland Ball, my favorite crystal palace was once again filled with a fabulous display of très chic guests and the magnificent Holiday Train Show. Thanks to my geographically literate taxi driver, I arrived earlier than any of my friends. So with cocktail in hand, I escaped into an enchanted wander through designer Paul Busse’s décor of model trains winding through a mix of tropical flora and historic New York buildings made entirely of dried plant material.

I had opted for the Chanel gown recently purchased in Monaco, while most of the lovely ladies were dressed in Escada. Margherita Missoni was sporting Missoni with shoulder ruffles, and the most courageous was the gorgeous Byrdie Bell, in a sparkling Chanel jumpsuit that matched well with the NY landmark replicas.

The trademark Camellia flowers were everywhere you turned! On chandeliers, on the black & white table centerpieces, on wall projections. On the menu, filet mignon and mashed sweet potatoes. The after party was hosted by Alex Kramer, Danny Baker and Christian Leone at Greenhouse. On the menu, organic vodka…

Love Lucy Liu

Lovely Lucy was the shining snowflake at last night’s Unicef Ball. She looked stunning in that J. Mendel “Unicef Blue” gown! She received the Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award, and she’s gorgeous, smart and human!

After my last year’s catastrophically late arrival, I was determined to zip up my Dior gown in time for the Reception that starts at 6.30pm. Well, let’s say 7… And you’ll have to believe me, I was actually running on time! Until I realized my Bottega Veneta clutch had vanished and was nowhere to be found! Fortunately I found a Roger Vivier substitute, yes that’s right, the Pluton… Lucy darling, I forgive you for wearing the same one, but only because it’s you!

The dinner was absolutely délicieux, thanks to the Chefs’ Committee: Marcus Samuelsson, Matt Hoyle & Charlie Trotter. While Michael Bloomberg toasted the room, I just had to take a sneaky photo.

It was a superb evening! Now back to that BV clutch search…although I think I should just call the maid and ask her…

Back from Monaco

Usain Bolt is the new Prince of Monaco!
Pardon Albert, I know you will forgive me…

I must say, almost every one of my whims has been satisfied on this latest trip to La Principauté. Surprisingly, I have almost nothing to complain about…

Conscious of your hectic lifestyles, I shall not enervate you with lengthy details, so here are strictly the highlights:

Last Sunday’s IAAF awards dinner was dazzling! And I just can’t bring myself to tell you who was sitting next to me… It was a truly superb evening indeed!

Bumped into my darling friend Victoria at the Chanel store, just as she was trying on the same shoes I wanted! Typical Victoria, but I still love you chèrie.

Dined at the Louis XV with Emmanuelle and her new boyfriend, a certain Mr D, he is gorgeous but I really can’t reveal any more than that. I had ordered the Blue Lobster and it was a little too salty. Nonetheless, thanks to Mr D, I avoided the restaurant’s mind boggling waiting list.

The weather was absolutely lovely and sunny, but that’s a Monaco classic! I am glad to be back in New York though, despite the fact that it’s cold and raining here, so I think that I’ve got a good excuse to skip my morning run tomorrow…

The Best Diet is Marco Perego

Last night was a complete loss of appetite!

I was invited to Bill Powers’ Half Gallery on the Lower East Side to the opening reception for Italian artist Marco Perego. Having heard from several friends about Perego’s exclusive 3-day June show at the Nikki Diana Marquardt Gallery in Paris, I decided to go and appease my curiosity.

Upon my arrival I was struck with a horrific image which is unfortunately still haunting me. I’m afraid that in order for the dear reader to comprehend, I will have to go into a minimum of detail, but at least some detail. Lying on the floor, a mannequin of a murdered Amy Winehouse, shot in the head, whose splattered brain stuff decorates the wall on which hang three inconsequential ink drawings. Next to Amy’s head, more blood, and the infamous apple. On the other side, a seated William Burroughs, resting a rifle on his lap. “I hope everyone gets it. It’s funny, no?” says Perego quite loudly. The gallery was so packed, I began to feel rather faint. On the brink of passing out, Andy Spade grabbed my hand and drew me into a corner where the bloody exhibit was out of my sight. We chatted, and when Andy asked for my opinion on the ‘art’, all I could say was “Pardon the pun, Andy, but Ms Winehouse wouldn’t be caught dead wearing those jeans!” I then agreed to accompany the Spades to the RowPow West Village residence for dinner & drinks.

Everyone knows that Cynthia Rowley is brilliantly imaginative, but who would have thought of mini cheeseburgers and mini milkshakes to satisfy her guests? But even these petite delights were unable to restore my appetite. After viewing Perego’s show I was only capable of approaching the antique grand piano, and reaching for an Il Prosecco chilled on ice. The RowPows have an impressive full length swimming pool in the backyard. So I spent the rest of the evening sipping Proseccos by the pool…

Lunch rendezvous at Michael’s

Yesterday was a rainy Thursday but a memorable one!

My darling friend Isabella flew in from Geneva. So I started my day in a cab, being driven down 5th Avenue to Michael’s for the lunch rendezvous. Approaching 57th St, there was complete gridlock. After listening to a symphony of police sirens for a few nerve-wracking minutes, and realizing that I was already 40 minutes late for my lunch date, I decided to walk the remaining 2 and a half blocks.

An entire lane of 5th Avenue was blocked off for the Bush motorcade. Thankfully I had decided to leave the Manolos at home, and had opted for the new Celine boots at the last minute! The street was soaking wet!

Upon my arrival at Michael’s, my dear Isabella had completely forgotten about me. But who could blame her? She was busy giggling away with Christine Taylor, who was sitting with her hubby Ben at Sir Elton’s table, just opposite ours. Their table was bursting with laughter, and we couldn’t help but listen in! Sir Elton and David are in town for last night’s opening of Billy Elliot.

We had a superb lunch and Isabella filled me in on her latest gossip. I then slipped into the ladies room, and just as I reached for the soap, I was startled by a woman with a perfect haircut - Anna Wintour! I am not acquainted with this great lady, but I knew that Isabella was on quite familiar terms with her. Did she know that Isabella was here? Hesitating whether to address her, I managed to mumble something out to her. “Oh, Isabella? Really?” She thanked me most kindly, and briskly walked out.

When I returned to our table, Ms Wintour was chatting with Isabella. She said that she had already finished her lunch and was preparing to leave. I had been dreaming of ordering the hazelnut tart for dessert, but Ms Wintour was adamant that we accompany her back to the office. We climbed into the black SUV that was waiting for her out front. The rest is sealed in secrecy…

Cut-and-Paste Richard Prince

On Friday I received a disappointing phone call, subsequently canceling my weekend in the Hamptons. A few days earlier, I had already turned down Viv’s “shopping in LA weekend” proposal, so I decided to stay in the 212 and be productive! I had an invitation to the Opening Reception for Richard Prince’s new show at the Gagosian Gallery on Saturday, so I invited a friend, and we showed up all dolled up at THE Chelsea address.

Lady Cavendish was already there, gawking at the numerous pornographic ink jet collages on canvas. The whole show was teeming with copied photographs and obvious recurring themes: sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll in the form of topless chicks, marijuana leaves, and electric guitars. Patrick Demarchelier came up to us, and asked what we thought of the 1987 Buick Grand National decorated with blown-up images of biker girls. I thought it looked pretty original, in fact, it was the only acceptably creative item on display. My friend Liz chose to be more blunt, and looking Patrick right in the eye, she said, “In my opinion, this show is nothing new. Richard Prince remains an appropriation artist. And that’s so frustrating!”

We left the buzzing gallery around 8 pm, and headed Downtown to Cipriani for dinner. I had about 7 Bellinis, and that’s before we got Upstairs!

Birthday Party by Donna Karan

Last night was a total surprise for Donna Karan! It was her big and round …th birthday, but she definitely looks 20 years younger, so I can’t bring myself to type these digits… Her friends, some of whom happen to be my friends, decided to organize a surprise birthday party for the Fashion Queen! The venue was The Box, absolutely gorgeous: we knew Donna would love it!

Walking in with Gabby, Donna looked completely stunned to find all of her friends already waiting for her inside. She genuinely didn’t expect this! We all had such a great time, and the exquisite birthday cake was to die for. It was made up of 5 different layers, with a gold and black color scheme on the outside, but a creamy white sponge cake on the inside. At one stage, Donna became absolutely smitten with the sexy blonde male performer, who was in possession of a muscular torso, numerous tattoos, and an extremely tight pair of pants.

David Furnish stayed till very late, so did André Balazs with his mystery blonde. And just as I was about to leave, Donna came up and hugged me. I was wearing the DK vintage Bandage dress: very black, very fitted, and very mini! Donna looked so pleased…