MJ LIVES ON ~ A TRIBUTE BY CHRIS BROWN

Chris Brown's heartfelt tribute to Michael Jackson at last night's 2010 BET Awards.

A breathtaking, captivating and unbelievably moving performance.

Long live Michael Jackson!

Wow.

LTLY,


Roni♥

SATC2: 5~28~10 : SAVE THE DATE!

This trailer doesn't tell us much, but SATC2 will be here soon enough...May 28th, people. May 28th!! The Jay Z - Alicia Keys track is PERFECT for this soundtrack!

LTLY,


Roni♥

DIVINE DESIGN 2009

Last night's Divine Design Gala was held at the elegant Beverly Hilton Hotel {where the Golden Globe Awards are held} in Beverly Hills, CA.  The annual affair kicked off what has become the biggest retail shopping event on the West Coast!

Giada DeLaurentis (Princess of The Food Network) sat at the table next to mine.  Also in the house was the voluptuous red-headed Mad Men hottie, Christina Hendricks who was honored with the 'Woman of Style' award, Rachel Zoe (who presented the 'Fashion Icon' award to Barbie - yes, Ken's girlfriend), Steven Kolb (Exec. Director of the CFDA & winner of the 'Man of Style' award) and a host of other Los Angeles fashion designers & fashion followers.  The dinner was capped off with a Barbie fashion show, with pieces from the FIDM Debut 2009 alongside special designer renditions of a Barbie look, circa now! The pink runway and Barbie-look-a-like models were enough to incite the crowd. Loved it.

Divine Design is a 4-day shopping fest with goods by designers galore, that are sold at 50% off of retail on day one, going to 60%, 70% on day two & three, to finally go to 80% off on the last day of the sale.  It's a shopper's delight, located in the old Robinsons May building on Wilshire Blvd. right next to The Beverly Hilton! All proceeds of the sale benefit Project Angel Food, a heavenly organization that prepares & delivers over 1,400 meals per day to people in LA living with illnesses that pretty much leave them restricted to their homes. This just adds to the goodness of it all! My family and I have volunteered several times at Project Angel Food, and I can say firsthand that it is both overwhelming and heartwarming to see what they do on a daily basis for so many people.

Gala guests were also treated to VIP passes good for in & out privileges during the entire sale event, and a preview before the sale was officially opened to the public.  So many good things were begging to be bought, with the retail floor divided into various departments from home to luxury fashion to mens, children & gift items. I spotted Sonia Rykiel striped sheets (that look just like her signature stripes as currently shown on H&M's website), thick & lush Matteo LA towels in midnight black, gorgeous Capiz trays & accessorie by Dillon Wells, dapper knit neckties by Henry Jacobson, ridiculously delicious baby clothes by Lola et Moi, teeny bikinis by Peonie Swimwear (which I'd never heard of until last night), Berliner C shirts that were absolute must-haves! Elizabeth and James (the Olsen twins latest fashion venture) also represented with a collection of  lust-inducing tops including a tiger print situation that I don't think I can survive without. 

An entire section was devoted to Barbie with framed poster art photos of Barbie through the years - so cute, and limited edition items up for auction:  Barbie Loves Rachel Zoe (Should I mention that Rachel's Barbie was rocking one of her signature looks - striped Missoni sweater, wide-legged jeans & an Hermes Birkin Bag!?! OMG!), and the Jonathan Adler Barbie Dream House (modeled after her real-life Malibu Dream House that he designed for her 50th Birthday - see photos under my Barbie posts).  Can I just say how incredible ADORABLE these items were??  They are up for auction (Zoe is currently @ $550 & the Adler house opening bid starts at $800) on www.charitybuzz.com .

LTLY,


Roni♥



Ps... also spotted last night were about 2 "Santa Babys" {two very tall & dashing gentlemen in the red corduroy Faconnable suit that was featured on TRR at the beginning of the week}! How about that?!

PARIS HILTON LAUNCHES NEW HAIR STYLING TOOLS

I actually like Paris Hilton.  She's such a girly girl and comes across as super sweet! Plus, she takes a fearless approach when it comes to style and is quite the savvy businesswoman to boot.  Paris' name has become it's own brand with ventures ranging from an apparel line, fragrances, publishing {remember 'Confessions of an Heiress' ?}, and now... HAIR?

Last night I attended Paris' unveiling of her new hair styling tools on the rooftop of the Thompson Hotel in Beverly Hills.  Hilton {who drives a Pink Bentley coupe}, showed up on the pink carpet wearing {guess what...} pink! Shown with Doug Reinhardt {above-left}, and alone {above-right}.

'The Celebrity Styler' is an All-in-one curling iron/brush with a rotating barrel and an adjustable temperature keypad.  The 'Styler' can be used to straighten or curl hair - I've never seen a curling iron quite like it!

'The Ultimate Brush' looks like a big ball with bristles and a pink handle, and is a tool used to detangle and help hair dry more quickly or to create volume and lift. You could probably do a fantastic blow-out with it too!

A line of hair extensions and other beauty products are in the works and will launch in the near future.  The gift bag was sweet, and featured images of PH.  Inside the bag:  'The Celebrity Styler' hair iron, one long Dream Catchers clip-on extension piece in electric blue {I was a wee bit confused by the blue hair -who wears that? Will be re-gifting it to some tween sometime soon.}, a full-sized 'The Ultimate Brush' and a little baby version of the brush {as a keychain} was latched to the handle. It was all so very pink and so very cute.  Thank you, Paris darling!

Spotted:  Paris, Kathy Hilton, Nicky Hilton, Doug Reinhardt {PH's beau who formerly dated LC on The Hills}, a few cast members from PH's 'My New Best Friend' show on MTV and a random mix of trendy Hollywood types were sprinkled around the rooftop deck eating yummy hors d' oeuvres {I ♥ Crispy Rice Sushi}, sipping champagne, and watching footage of PH's commercial for Dream Catchers {her line of hair extensions} on a huge white screen that spanned the width of the pool.

{Click the link in the title to order your own!}


LTLY,


Roni♥



Images via: Paris Hilton Online & The Celebrity Styler

Shopping Money

Shopaholics, listen up!
A $10 coupon for the Billion Dollar Babes sale in Los Angeles today and tomorrow.  Remember, you must {RSVP} first.  Print and enjoy. Repeat.

Billion Dollar Babes Los Angeles Sale

11/6/09 ~ 11/7/09

Petersen Automotive Museum | 6060 Wilshire Blvd. | LA, CA  90036

LTLY,

Roni♥

BEHOLD the BILLION DOLLAR BABES!

RSVP RIGHT HERE!

{Check in with me first thing Friday morning before heading to over to BDB for "Shopping Money"!}

LTLY,


Roni♥

JIMMY CHOO and H&M HEAT UP the HWOOD HILLS

The sparkling LA skyline was the backdrop at last night's launch party for the much anticipated Jimmy Choo-H&M collaboration that will land in stores November 14th.  The star-studded affair was held at a private residence just above the Sunset Strip, and the beautiful ones came out in full support.

Models posed by the pool in pieces from the new line, while guests Paris & Nicky Hilton, Hayden Pannettiere, Olivia Wilde and Jimmy Choo Founder & President Tamara Mellon also paid homage to the luxurious capsule collection.  Paris {below - left} and her mom, Kathy Hilton both carried a delicious hot pink pill clutch, Tamara represented in the sizzling black leather dress and signature black stillettos and Hayden rocked the sequined track-jacket-esque cardigan.

Stacy Dash {{above - center} of 'Clueless' fame}, Lisa Rinna & Harry Hamlin, MIA {{above -right}who performed in the H&M/Choo thigh-high boots}, Rashida Jones {daughter of Q}, Brett Ratner, Sheryl Crow, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon and Gabrielle Reece were amongst the bevy of familiar faces in attendance.

The leopard clutch, and the signature stilletto from this collection are at the top of my list.

LTLY,


Roni♥



Images via: H&M and WireImage

ARE WE IN HELLO KITTY HEAVEN??

First name, Hello, last name, Kitty is 35 years old!!! In commemoration, SANRIO is doing it big with a multi-dimensional exhibition and celebration of all things Hello Kitty!!  The exhibition is cleverly named, "Three Apples" - a nod to Hello Kitty's weight {as listed in her official bio}! How cute is this?!?  SANRIO partnered with over 80 acclaimed artists who were invited to interpret their creative vision of Hello Kitty in unique, original works that will be on display and for sale!! OMG!

This is a landmark event - the first that SANRIO has ever produced for Hello Kitty fans in North America! The entire exhibition {which officially opened today} will go from October 23rd to November 15th in Culver City, California {~aka~ LA}, is free of charge and will appeal to HK fans of all ages!!

If you aren't based in LA or at least bi-coastal, I suggest you hurry up & pull together a vacation, business trip or something immediately, and get here to see this awesome "Pop-Culture-Meets-Art" masterpiece!  I somehow missed the memo on the star-studded opening night event last night, and I am just too sick about it!  Looks like Paris Hilton and my fellow Taurean & HK lover Kimora Lee Simmons {with the adorable Ming & Aoki} were there.  I'm sure it was a spectacular evening and even more sure that the the gift bags were delicious! {I'll have to do some research to see what was in the bags}!  Suddenly, my weekend plans have changed...I'm going to HK Candyland - I'm so obsessed! I'll be there in my treasured Pinkhead by Tarina Tarantino HK necklace!!


LTLY,


Roni♥



{ Photos via:  The Food Librarian, Just Jenn , Flavorwire and Nitrolicious ! }

LA VS. LA

Downtown LA. was my second home this weekend!

On Saturday, a fashion fete at FIDM, while Sunday was all about Lakers vs. Clippers action at the Staples Center.

{Yes, girly-girls love basketball too}!

We watched from courtside as the Clippers kept a 10 point lead for more than half the game.  Lakers came through in the 4th quarter (or wait...was it the 3rd?), and swept in with a lead which resulted in a 114-105 Lakers win!

Spotted:

• The Usual Lakers Suspects (including newlywed Lamar Odom, sans Khloe. He didn't play. Perhaps he is still on his honeymoon?)
• The Usual Clippers Suspects (including Marcus Camby whom I grew up with back in Connecticut.  He didn't play though-perhaps due to that injury situation?)
• Jack. Black, not Nicholson (who was very visibly absent).
• Phil Jackson, still in effect.

What I Wore:

• Navy American Apparel turtleneck dress {worn as a t-neck tunic with navy sash}
• Lt. blue Diesel Jeans {with fringed cuffs except you couldn't see - they were tucked into my boots!}
• Navy leather Versace stiletto boots {which have a stonewashed look-had them forever and still LOVE 'em!}

{Only in LA do we get the thrill of being able to watch two major NBA teams from our very own city go head-to-head!}.

LTLY,

Roni♥

THE "HIGH STYLE" OF BETSY BLOOMINGDALE

I had the pleasure of attending the opening night gala for the "Betsy Bloomingdale: The Haute Couture" exhibit at FIDM in Los Angeles this past Saturday. The elegant white carpet|black tie affair was held beneath a glamorous clear tent in the courtyard of FIDM's Downtown LA campus.  Among the crowd was Ms. Bloomingdale herself, Nick Verreros {Project Runway Alum}, and me {in a slinkly giraffe-print backless jumpsuit}.

The mixed-media exhibit showcases couture pieces from Ms. Bloomingdale's wardrobe from the 1960's all the way to the present. Each item features a description detailing the designer, information about the garment and where & when B. Bloomingdale wore it. A book titled, "Entertaining at Home with Betsy Bloomingdale" is also on display.  Clearly, she was a woman of distinction, style, grace and elegance. 

This photo is iconic. So 70's socialite chic.

Betsy Bloomingdale arriving at her daughter's wedding in Los Angeles, 1974.

"The Fabulous Life of B. Bloomingdale" could have easy been the name of this retrospective, which was certainly an inspiration to live a life extraordinary enough that your belongings would later be curated into a celebrated art exhibit! Who is Betsy Bloomingdale? She was once the wife of an heir to the Bloomingdales dynasty, a socialite, and best friend of former first lady Nancy Reagan.

I fell head over heels for a stunning mint green knit one-shouldered floor length column dress that needs to be put into production immediately, circa now {can't recall the designer, but it's been eating at me so I know I'll be going back to confirm}.  Go see for yourself.  Exhibit at FIDM from October 21, 2009 - December 13, 2009. Wednesday - Sunday 10 am to 4 pm. Free.

@ FIDM | 919 South Grand Ave. | Los Angeles, CA  90015

LTLY,





Roni♥

THE MAGIC OF MAXWELL

Where were YOU on Friday night {10/16/09}???
The Hollywood Bowl was the place to be!

Chrisette Michelle, Common, and Maxwell all graced us with their presence.  The sky was clear, the temperature just right {75-80°}, crowd was gorgeous, and the music was so sweet - what a beautiful night!  The view from the front row was unsurpassed {our seats came with their very own security detail to add!}.  Common flirted with my PIC {partner-in-crime} and I throughout his entire performance, and even summoned her up to the stage to romance & plant a kiss on her! Of course this was captured on the jumbo-tron, making her an honorary "star" of the show! Cute! 

Common definitely deserves a style award. His fashion game was certainly on point - he's got a smooth Chicago street meets chic flavor going on & was rocking fresh jeans, a crew-neck sweater, with a shirt & tie underneath - all perfectly complementing his baldness.  How handsome! {I think Serena W. knows it too. She was only 1 step behind him at the after-party!}

Common had the crowd on it's feet with hits: 'The Light' {my fave Common song} & 'Universal Mind Control' and even featured singer Bilal during his set, who sang that smooth & sexy 'Soul Sister' cut from back in the day!

Maxwell shut it down with 'This Woman's Work', 'Possum Playing' & 'Pretty Wings' {among many other incredible songs}.  The Bowl is now at the top of my "Favorite Venues" list!

So much fun. Photos to come...


LTLY,


Roni♥

THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT

High fashion in Hartford, Connecticut!!

On Saturday, October 10, 2009, esteemed fashion designer, Nigel Ramsay will stage his annual fashion show production, previewing his 2009/2010 women's and men’s ready-to-wear collection at City Hall's Atrium Lobby, in the heart of Downtown Hartford, Connecticut.


After the remarkable success of last year's show Ramsay will dazzle this fall with "The Butterfly Effect", a collection inspired by the designer's journey to self-fulfillment and spiritual enlightment as compared to the natural evolution of the butterfly. The show begins at 7:00 pm and will include a live performance, elegant hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and a spectacular runway show.

Ramsay is best known for his unique style, often an alluring combination of simple, free-flowing lines, enhanced by vibrant colors, ethnic grandeur and raw sensuality." He has been a fixture on the Boston fashion scene for over a decade, and is poised to introduce a new fashion culture to the city of Hartford.

For tickets to "The Butterfly Effect", and to see a preview of Ramsay's latest collection,

visit www.nigelramsay.com.

LTLY,


Roni♥

FASHION'S NIGHT OUT 2009

On Thursday, September 10th, there will be a global celebration of fashion! Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) & NYC & Company have partnered to create what could be the biggest event in fashion!

In an effort to encourage consumer spending and revive lagging sales in the fashion industry, retailers in fashion capitals across the world will keep their doors open late to host special sales & events, sweepstakes, celebrity appearances, musical performances, trunk shows and such. Some designers are even creating limited-edition pieces that will be available on FNO!

Fashion's Night Out - exactly two weeks from today, on the first evening of New York Fashion Week.

LTLY,


Roni♥

LUDACRIS HOSTS MALIBU SPLASH

What a beautiful scene it was in Malibu on Saturday! Days like this remind me why living on the West Coast is so fun! It wasn't just the gorgeous ocean views from Point Dume, but lots of fabulous, fashionable and fun people came out to chill with Rapper/Actor Ludacris (Chris Bridges) who hosted the Summer Splash Pool Party at an exclusive Malibu mansion in honor of his charity; The Ludacris Foundation!

What I Wore:

*  Black Spaghetti-Strapped Romper {with SHORT shorts}

*  Black Strappy Carved Wedge Sandals {a la Sam Edelman}

*  Hello Kitty PinkHead Necklace {by Tarina Tarantino}

*  MCM Shopper Purse {in Cognac - I ♥ MCM}

Spotted { other than Ludacris}:

* Ciara (Singer/Dancer/Actress)

* Evan Ross (Actor & son of Ms. Diana Ross)
* Melody Thornton (Singer/Dancer from The Pussycat Dolls)
* Jill Jones (Actress from the hit show, Girlfriends)
* Kita (Publicist & TV Personality from The T.O. Show)
* Erica Hubbard (Actress from ABC Family's Lincoln Heights)
* More, but drawing a blank at the moment.

Fun times!

LTLY,

Roni♥

PROJECT RUNWAY TAKES OFF IN LA

Project Runway Season 6 premieres on Thursday, August 20, 2009!


This season will be the first on the Lifetime Network and takes place in Los Angeles, hosted by FIDM (the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising)!


After a departure from the Bravo network and the subsequent red tape that went along with it, fashion-loving fans have been left waiting over a year for this season to drop! We can't wait to see what Heidi Klum and the crew have cooking for us in this installment!


A special red-carpet viewing event will be held at the ultra-sleek Remedy Lounge in Downtown Los Angeles, courtesy of FIDM and the Lifetime Network!






LTLY,


Roni♥

An Evening At EVO....

Cocktails & Hors D' Oeuvres courtesy of Provecho Restaurant

RSVP RIGHT HERE!

LTLY,




Roni♥

FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD

TRR PREDICTS:

The next big fashion obsession will be all about Dorothy' s Ruby Slippers!

Ruby slippers were in abundance at last night's Warner Brothers and FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising) hosted celebration of The Wizard of Oz's 70th Anniversary along with the opening of The Ruby Slipper Collection / Inspirations of Oz Fine Art Exhibition at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) Museum & Galleries in LA.

The enchanting fashion-meets-art affair brought some of Hollywood's finest to FIDM in Downtown LA, where the luminous yellow carpet served as our very own "Yellow Brick Road"! There were Dorothy's galore (including a very tall Drag version complete with a little stuffed "Toto" peeking out of her basket), delicious treats, and a colorful new 'Wizard of Oz' inspired Tarina Tarantino jewelry collection. (I was totally lusting over her "Butterfly Necklace", which model Holly Owens circulated the party in- see photo). Nick Verreos, former Project Runway contestant, was wearing a glistening ruby colored heart pin, also by TT, attached to his baby blue and white gingham button-down shirt. Add to that, an historic art exhibit for the salivating shoe-nista in us all! Purely fabulous.

Spotted out were Debi Mazar from Entourage, designers Kevan Hall and Tarina Tarantino, Comedian George Lopez, Kristin Cavallari from the O.C. (and now from The Hills), TV host Amanda Geragos (who was very sweet), among many others. Also spotted were the most ADORABLE items to nibble on, including these little "Mashed Potato Martinis"! Imagine that? Mashed potatoes served in a martini glass, with any topping you could ever want on a potato to choose from. (I'm SO doing that!)

The Ruby Slipper collection featured a collection of Dorothy's "No-place-like-home" slippers (as they would look today), re-interpreted through the visions of 19 celebrated fashion designers including Oscar De La Renta, Betsey Johnson, Moschino and more! Bellisima! Each special pair were shown in a dazzling installation that included the designer's drawing of the shoe hanging from the wall and the actual live pair suspended from the ceiling in a clear lucite bubble with sparkling crystals inside adding shine and sizzle. Some of my stunning favourites were by Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B., Jimmy Choo and Roger Vivier!

The Inspirations of Fine Art Collection exhibited spectacular paintings and mixed-media art - all inspired by Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, Toto, Auntie Em, Glenda, and the Wicked Witch of the West! The exhibit will be shown at FIDM for 10 days, then tour the country for the rest of the year, culminating at The Wizard of Oz gala in New York this fall.

LTLY,

Roni♥

DID YOU DO YOUR HOMEWORK?

Saw this deeply moving and thought-provoking one-man-show at The Beverly Hills Playhouse this weekend. "Did You Do Your Homework?" written by & starring, Aaron Braxton. Directed by Kathleen Rubin.

"DYDYH?" paints a vivid & jarring portrait of the modern day, urban educational landscape as seen through the eyes of a substitute teacher in Los Angeles. Every one of us needs to see this. It's an eye-opener, and we look forward to seeing this important piece translated to Broadway, television and film!!

If and when in LA, you must see it.

Where:

The Beverly Hills Playhouse Theater

254 S. Robertson Blvd.

Beverly Hills, CA. 90211

310-358-9936

$15 General Admission $10 Student

When:

Originally a two-week run starting in January 2009, this show has been extended over 5 times and will now run through the end of May!

LTLY,

Roni♥

THIS ONE IS FOR THE ARCHIVES

Archive Agency Sample Sale in LA this weekend!

This luscious boutique/loft space carries an assorted mix of high-end designer pieces alongside ready-to-wear, dazzling statement pieces & one-offs by the indie labels we love.

Archive Agency hosts bi-monthly sample sales .... a true Roni Report Favorite!!

LTLY,

Roni♥

H&M, MATTHEW WILLIAMSON & ME!

Today, at H&M's Beverly Center store, it went down.
The Matthew Williamson collection hit the streets!

When the doors opened, it took less than a hot minute for the most coveted items to disappear from the racks! Crazy! The ruffled, multi-colored maxi dress (check!), the rockstar-ish taupe/putty colored leather jacket (with an adorable, colorful lining! Check!), the royal blue patchwork handbag with Peacock detailing (check!), the fushia mini-dress with pockets & studded belt (check!), the warm & fuzzy peacock cardigan (check!), the electric blue fitted pantsuit (check!). OMG! Matthew Williamson BROUGHT IT today! The pieces were adorable! The crowd was manic... but in a much more civilized way (unlike the launch of fashion god Roberto Cavalli's collaboration a couple of years back... dig through TRR's archives for the lowdown on that one)!

The collection was launched in select cities including: NYC, LA, Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, London & Paris! It looked as if about 100-200 were first in line at the LA launch. All in all, it was a good day! I was even able to score my birthday present! Look!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO JW & KF
for the most amazing b-day gift ever -- the signature piece from the line ...
the MAXI DRESS!! Yayyy!

So, terribly sorry to those of you who were not able to snag a piece or 2 from this RIDICULOUS collection, but I do have some AWESOME news for you:

On May 14th, the Matthew Williamson for H&M SUMMER COLLECTION hits the streets!! This man is KILLING us right now! Be ready - the swimsuits, tunics & little dresses are INSANE!! Sexy, colorful & hot-to-death! Get yours, babycakes!

LTLY,


Roni♥

ps... spotted @ the launch: Eric, the fashion stylist from Keeping up with the Kardashians, and one of the twins who are Khloe's best friends.