Allison Weiss Brady’s The Life of a Social Scribe
Bag It, I'll Take It...
Follow Allison Weiss Brady as she dashes about being oh-so-social. Tune in to SocialMiami as Allison continues to give us the inside scoop about Miami’s elite social and fashionista events from a point-of-view that only she can deliver.
This journey begins with every woman’s dream… that little blue box. Tiffany & Co. feted their VIP clients and senior execs at an exquisite soiree held at the waterfront estate of Eberto Vitier in Coral Gables.
I loved the house! The first floor had elegant mahogany doors that seemingly floated between white, art-filled walls. Ancient Chinese cabinetry gave the living room a mystical feel, and its secret compartment was the perfect hiding place for a television.
During cocktails there were strolling models dripping with jewels – sapphires and diamonds from the Tiffany & Co. Lace Collection, a double row diamond necklace with matching earrings from the Circlet Collection, and a pink morganite flower bracelet. It was all very glamorous. In honor of our host, I wore Tiffany & Co. aquamarine earrings and a Daniela Swaebe diamond collection ring.
Celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein of Michy’s prepared a sumptuous three-course dinner of foie gras, lobster and steak with potatoes au gratin, and a molten chocolate dessert. I’m not a fan of foie gras so I skipped it, but there was no passing on the lobster – utterly fabulous. Legendary Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Arturo Sandoval and his band wowed us with Latin and Jazz-infused beats! Fantastic!
From jewels to handbags – the focal point of the luncheon hosted by the Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade County, the second-ever “Power of the Purse.” This could quite possibly be one the greatest ideas for a fundraiser, EVER!
There’s more to see! Click here for the photo gallery
Social philanthropists Teresa Sarnoff, Sophia Galvin, Lauren Balkan, Eva Leivas-Andino, Nicole Lozano, Betty Weinkle, Nancy Perez, and Dana Ravich attended and more than $320,000 was raised from the 100 bags that were auctioned. All the hottest designers were represented – Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Versace, and Calvin Klein, and two handbags I secured from Fendi and Prada. Bidding for the $750 Fendi bag started at $300. How fabulous was that – a stunning white leather woven bag from the Fendi store in Bal Harbour, perfect for the Miami woman year-round.
Honorary co-chair Dolores Ziff was recognized for her significant contributions to the Women’s Fund during the past year. She was showered with flowers and given a beautiful basket made by a women’s collective in Africa. Colorful, hand-woven Bolga Grass Baskets served as table centerpieces, which were available for guests to purchase. The baskets were made by women in Northern Ghana, and each takes four days to make.
The Women’s Fund is investing over half a million dollars in the Miami community this year in women-based programs that help with self-esteem, academic performance, funding field trips, workshops, and so much more. For more information, visit WomensFundMiami.org.
There’s more to see! Click here for the photo gallery
A few days later, I hit the beach. No, not to suntan, but to check out In Style magazine’s “Inside In Style,” which was held in a huge open tent at 11th and Ocean Drive. Cabanas were filled with people being made over by Sephora, getting manicures and pedicures by Essie, and transforming their hairstyles on computers that let you look like everyone from Gisele Bundchen to George Clooney.
I strolled into the Le Sportsac booth looking for handbags designed by Gwen Stefani. They didn’t have any, and the buzz was all about the new bag that Stella McCartney was designing for them in blush rose. Stella is great, so I have to check them out! Best part of the In Style event is that 100 percent of the ticket proceeds benefit the Junior League of Miami. Plus, everybody got the latest issue of In Style with Carrie Underwood on the cover – a must read for all fashionistas who want to keep up on summer trends!
And there you have it – Tiffany & Co., designer handbags, the Women’s Fund Miami and Junior League. It was a good week!
Until next time I bid you adieu.
Allison
