Category: Philadelphia

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Philadelphia

Kevin Hart & Nicole Kidman Slept Here Filming The Upside

 

Kevin Hart & Nicole Kidman Slept Here While Filming The Intouchables, now known as The Upside with Bryan Cranston
The movie will be released March 9, 2018

Slept

The residences at AKA University City lie at the heart of Cira Centre South—Brandywine Realty Trust’s groundbreaking 830,000 square foot mixed-use building and Philadelphia’s vertical neighborhood, opened last year, but waited until the later part of the year to celebrate with a party as the ultra luxury community floor – Level 28, was opened.

AKA University, is located in the FMC Building in University City, is located in the upper 19 stories of the tower and features new ultra-luxury residential offerings ranging from hotel suites to apartment residences. Piero Lissoni Associati’s interior design for AKA University City will seamlessly complement the building’s architectural vision, imagined and executed by architectural firms Pelli Clarke Pelli and BLTs. 

Many officials were on hand for the ribbon ceremony in November, including Mayor Jim Kenney, Gerry Sweeney, President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee of Brandywine Realty Trust and Larry Korman, co-CEO of Korman Communities and President of AKA


With the temperatures seasonably warm in the fall, the party on the 28th Level outdoor area, with it’s sweeping views of Philadelphia, went strong into the night

 

Level 28 is open to all who live in the building, as well as for a monthly membership for anyone else.
It features a state of the art exercise room, with this view while your sweating on the treadmill.
  How about this inviting 70-foot waterfall lap pool .
There’s a golf simulator that lets users play on 36 of the world’s best-known courses and an 16-seat screening room with plush reclining leather seats. There’s a business center with computers, Wi-Fi, a color printer and several presentation options; there’s a conference room also doubles as a private dining room.

 


As I mentioned in the title Kevin Hart & Nicole Kidman slept here, and they did, not together. While filming the movie The Upside, as I mentioned in the first paragraph. Every day Hart would do Instagram Stories from here, sharing stories on the view, the amenties and his workout.


Kevin Hart’s view of Philadelphia from his living and bedroom.


His wife actually cooked a few meals here

 


Kevin Hart Slept Here


Nicole Kidman watched TV here with her husband Keith Urban.

 

 


Nicole Kidman’s bedroom view

Check out AKA University if you or your family want to stay here ie stay-cation, or if someone you know needs a daily, mid to long term stay I highly recommend staying at AKA University City.   It’s beautiful, the the views are breathtaking.

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Philadelphia

Chris DiGeorge and Megumi Onose Surprise I Do’s

Chris DiGeorge and Megumi Onose Surprise I Do’s

Congrats to Chris DiGeorge and Megumi Onose who surprised all of us at the Snowball Gala by getting married at the event. Once again Robert Marcin co-hosted the event at his gorgeous home in Flourtown, which brought together family and friends, who weren’t all able to get together during the holidays.
Thomas and Danielle Ashley 
Philly Socialite Melissa Leonard is on the scene
Daughters Sabrina and Samantha with the newly nuptial couple
Drs. Ary Modesto and Thanuju Hamilton
It was a beautiful night. So glad to be there to celebrate.

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Philadelphia

Pat Nogar’s Annual Ladies Tea – The Twelve Days of Christmas

Pat Nogar’s Annual Ladies Tea – The Twelve Days of Christmas

Nogar

Saving the best Christmas party for last, Pat Nogar’s Annual Ladies Tea was held on Saturday January 6, 2018 .

Nogar

The theme this year was “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. Guests were asked to come dressed as one of the days of Christmas, like in the song. Pat Nogar, who has a TV show “Living Well with Pat Nogar”, was dressed as “A Partridge in a Pear Tree, her husband,David Nogar, was dressed as a classy, supportive husband.

Two Turtle Doves Zoya Egan &  Tiffany Archard Arey flanking Jennifer Lynn Robinson, Brigid McGrath Stasen, Karen Toole-Ebbert, and Pat Nogar


On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love sent to me: 12 Drummers Drumming Eleven Pipers Piping Ten Lords a Leaping Nine Ladies Dancing Eight Maids a Milking Seven Swans a Swimming Six Geese a Laying Five Golden Rings Four Calling Birds Three French Hens Two Turtle Doves and a Partridge in a Pear Tree


Pat even had her steps stenciled with The 12 Days of Christmas
4 Calling Birds, but it’s really 4 “Colly” birds. BTW A Colly is like a crow.
Joan Hindin, and Doreen McGettigan

Two sets of Three French Hens: guest, guest, Pj Cline – Karen Toole-Ebbert, Jamie Singer and Su Rudy
My favorite, tea sandwiches

The house was decorated with 12 beautiful trees

Li Kramer Halpern

Marie Fritz and Elizabeth Barker

Jimmy Contreras grabs a peck of Brigid McGrath Stasen under the Mistletoe


There was a lavish spread, and when it came time for dessert Pat thanked her guests for coming and toasted them before
serving her world friend favorite Red Velvet Cake
Laura Eaton, Founder at Old City Collective and pastry chef extraordinaire Ruth Levitt Scott,

Cupcakes by Ruth


And to all a good night. Thank you Patricia and David Nogar for a lovely party!!
Happy New Year!!

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Philadelphia

Rhynhart Celebrates Her Inauguration at Saxbys

Rebecca Rhynhart Celebrates Her Inauguration at Saxbys

Rebecca Rhynhart was sworn-in as the new and Philadelphia’s first woman City Controller at the Kimmel Center for Performing Arts early morning on January 2, 2018. That evening she held a celebration at Saxbys Headquarters in Center City. All proceeds from this event will benefit Mural Arts Restorative Practices Youth Program.

Rhynhart
Sandy Brown, Brown’s Super Stores, Inc., Jane Golden, Executive Director of Mural Arts Philly, and Jeff Brown, President & CEO of Brown’s Super Stores, Inc.

Rhynhart Matthew Blank, Business Development Manager at Friedman LLP; Michael Barmash, Senior Managing Director | Principal at Colliers International; Bruce Marks, Partner, Friedman LLP and BK Marks

Dena Herrin, Executive Director at Girls Inc. of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey; Scott Brown and Marji Rosenbluth Philips
Rebecca Rhynhart, the first female controller of the City of Philadelphia , greets guests at her Inauguration Celebration at the Saxbys headquarters on Tuesday January 2, 2018
Anna Adams-Sarthou, ‎Adams Sarthou Communications, Rosamond Howard, ‎The Dow Chemical Company; Barbara Adams, Member | Philadelphia Energy Authority and Louis Ballezzi, Esq

 

DJ Royale spinning his magic

 

Brittany Goldberg, MSC Retail, Jason Malumed, partner at MFW Wine Co., a wine importer and distributor serving New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania (Congrats to Brittany & Jason on their recent wedding), Jacob Cooper, MSC Retail and Nick Bayer, CEO Saxbys
Michael Hoffberg, Vencore Inc. and Sharon Hoffberg, MA, MT-BC


Jane Golden greets Rebecca Rhynhart as Nick Bayer looks on

Kellan White, First Deputy City Controller at Office of the City Controller and Nicole Allen White, Director of government and external affairs at the Art Museum.
Amber Gay and Amy Williams
Rebecca Rhynhart, the first female controller of the City of Philadelphia thanks her supporters at her Inauguration Celebration at the Saxbys headquaters on Tuesday January 2, 2018. She reiterated her commitment to good government that works and to change the status quo that resonated with Philadelphia voters during the general election and secured her 83% of the vote.


“I want our work to be transformative, to be able to show real accomplishment. I want all of us to say one, two three years from now that we did this together, we made Philadelphia work better. That is what we are embarking on together, and I’m thrilled to now be able to get started. Thank you all!” Congrats controller Rhynhart !!

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TODAY: Saxbys opens a new coffee shop, this one at the Beneficial Bank Building 1818 Market Street. Malcolm Jenkins, starting safety for the Eagles, will be behind the counter from 11 a.m. to noon. I’ll be there shooting from 11AM to 1PM ish. Here’s the details:

Guests can order from a full menu, setting the price themselves. All proceeds will go to the newly established Saxbys Fellowship, which was created in partnership with the Community College of Philadelphia. It will provide scholarships for 10 students per year.

Below is the full lineup of guest bartenders for the event. The cafe will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

8:30-9:15 a.m. – Beneficial Bank CEO Gerry Cuddy will serve drinks behind the bar.
9:15-10 a.m. – Agile Cat CEO Peter Madden will serve drinks behind the bar.
11 a.m. to noon – Philadelphia Eagles Malcolm Jenkins will serve drinks behind the bar.
11:30-11:45 a.m. – Councilwoman Cherelle Parker will stop by the cafe.
1-2 p.m. – Mike Jerrick from FOX29’s Good Day Philadelphia will serve drinks behind the bar.

(source)

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Philadelphia

Sunday Chit Chat – Shipp Returns, Vetri Stops By, Eric Blumenfeld

Sunday Chit Chat – Shipp Returns, Vetri Stops By, Eric Blumenfeld Marries

 

Welcome to Sunday, hope you’re keeping warm.

The cold has made for some beautiful photos.


Welcome home Brittney Shipp, as she returns to NBC10 Philly to share weather duties with Bill Henley. I don’t recall someone boomeranging back to the same station after leaving to go to another city (Oh wait I was chatting with Mike Jerrick today, and he did leave Fox 29 in the 90s and come back in the 00s). I have seen them come back and go to a competing station, so this is really cool. So excited for her, and us. Shipp returns to NBC10 after working as chief meteorologist for KRON-TV in the San Francisco Bay area for two years. She worked at NBC10 as a meteorologist from 2013 to 2016.While she was gone she also wrote a children’s book –  “The Meteorologist in Me.”  Here she is with her NBC10 co-worker, anchor Jacqueline London enjoying the weather this weekend.
Congrats to Michael Strauss and his new eatery Mike’s BBQ is South Philly. Despite the wind, snow and freezing temperatures, he’s sold out of many of the items on the menu night after night, so get there early. Marc Vetri stopped by to wish him well. I think Marc looks damn happy, and relaxed. He’s not a big smiler, but he’s grinning ear to ear about life now. Yes for Marc this is a grin ear to ear.


Congrats to developer Eric Blumenfeld and Laura Cordaro on their marriage, which took place at his latest project The Divine Lorraine Hotel on New Year’s Eve in the newly renovated ballroom at the iconic hotel. I still pinch myself when I realize the most beautiful building in the City has come back to life. THANK YOU ERIC!!
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Spotted: Marcus Johnson wide receiver of Philadelphia Eagles dined at Davio’s in center city earlier this week. Marcus had a calamari to start, ordered an 10oz filet medium well for entree.


Spotted: Betty Schlesinger Domb stopped by her namesake restaurant recently with her son, Councilman Allan Domb. It’s one of my favorite restaurants as well, I’m a huge fan of their Academy Sandwich, pickle bar and the HughE German Chocolate Cake, plus the FunFetti Cake.

Mayor Kenney celebrated two years in office, by tweeted out a series of photos earlier this week including this one of me.
WOW so nice, thanks.


Hope to see you at Saxbys latest coffee shop tomorrow. I’ll be shooting the event from 11AM til 1PM.

8:30-9:15 a.m. – Beneficial Bank CEO Gerry Cuddy will serve drinks behind the bar.
9:15-10 a.m. – Agile Cat CEO Peter Madden will serve drinks behind the bar.
11 a.m. to noon – Philadelphia Eagles Malcolm Jenkins will serve drinks behind the bar.
11:30-11:45 a.m. – Councilwoman Cherelle Parker will stop by the cafe.
1-2 p.m. – Mike Jerrick from FOX29’s Good Day Philadelphia will serve drinks behind the bar.
Info Here

 

 

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Philadelphia

Snow BombCyclone hits Philly Captured In Photos

Snow BombCyclone hits Philly Captured In Photos
We all learned a new word this week. Now are today’s temperatures part of the Polar Vortex?

It’s interesting what’s happening with weather forecasting lately, I guess after being burned the past few years none of the local channels really predict major snow until it’s right upon us about 36 hrs out. I always follow weather geek twitter users on social media and follow them. They sometimes get it wrong as well, but they predicted this Nor’easter at least a week out. I’m a weather geek and it was exciting to follow along. Some of my fav weather geeks: @NJWeather1 ‏   @weatheroptics ‏and my favorite @nynjpaweather

Bombcyclone
There is not enough snow to sled down the Art Museum Steps without breaking your tail bone. There is enough snow to sled down the hill on the backside of the Art Museum, which by the way is really the front side “entrance” as the photo above is the technically the backside.

Bombcyclone
I really didn’t venture out early enough to capture the height of impact of the crazy storm, as I was enjoying my warm home and watching all the news channels simultaneously as only a weather geek would do.  In my head I thought I’ll go out about 1PM to catch people on their lunch hours to see how they were coping.

Bombcyclone
Not well. These folks at 20th & Market were basically holding on to each other as to not be blown away.

Bombcyclone

I did a lot of video at this intersection and put it on Twitter and Instagram. It was quite a howling wind.

Bombcyclone
I discovered there really weren’t that many people on the street. I guess offices were closed, which was a great thing

Bombcyclone

Looking South on Broad. I never realized there was a slight incline in front of the Ritz Carlton. Mind you I’m shooting a few of these shots from my buildings shuttle bus so I’m elevated. Annie is at the Walnut Street Theater.

Bombcyclone
This dad was having a snowball fight with his oblivious son

Bombcyclone Bombcyclone
The gal at Philly Pretzel put this note on the door, but forgot to lock the door as there was a steady stream of customers while I was standing thereBombcyclone
“Just one more photo Fido, PLEASE!!”
The Rittenhouse Square Tree is still up, and still lit

Bombcyclone
Most of the ornaments withstood the wind, except for this one Dove ironically. While taking photos it flew off several times, to the point where I just stopped putting it back on.

Bombcyclone Bombcyclone
Do these jackets really keep the dogs warm, or are they just cute? Don’t answer that I don’t allow comments on my blog. Bombcyclone
Why did I get rid of my comments, well I didn’t have time to monitor them, especially for comments on older posts.

Bombcyclone
A guy was salting the triangle island across from City HallBombcyclone
I saw a lot of these folks on the street, working hardBombcyclone


He’s got a serious scarf game going on here.
Happy New Year, check back on Sunday for PhillyChitChatter, my around town gossip column.
Follow me on FB HERE (I post news articles and events happening about 4 times a day) and on Instagram HERE (I post photos, I don’t always post them on other Social Media) and on Twitter, I share news, post news, opinions, Traffic Reports, and what’s going on around us in real time.

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Philadelphia

Philly Revelers Celebrate New Year’s Eve

Philly Revelers Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Craft Concept Group Soirees

Craft Concept Group New Year’s Eve held New Year’s Eve parties at a few of their bars and one very special place Bar 57 located at Liberty One Observation Deck.
Revelers
I started off the night at the Sugarhouse/Penns Landing VIP Party for the 6PM fireworks.

Revelers  

They were as spectacular as every, and the hospitality was much appreciated.

Then I headed over to Glitter City Gala at the Bellevue, which I’ll write about tomorrow.

Bru was happening

Then I headed next store to U-Bahn and the place was packed as well. This shot was taken about 11PM

At Bar 57 nearly 300 guests attended the one-of-a-kind NYE experience, where they enjoyed a lite buffet, spirits and entertainment by Philly’s own premier DJ Jason Weiss. I arrived about 1115PM and the party was in full swing.


At midnight high above the city party goers watched as the sky exploded with fireworks at Penns Landing while swaying to Auld Lang Syne playing in the background.

Teddy Sourias, Craft Concept Group , Deddie Sourias
Bru Craft & Wurst, Uptown Beer Garden and U-Bahn and Cinder Copper & Lace are part of Craft Concepts Group.
Next up for them is Tradesman, a BBQ place at Juniper and Chestnut Streets, right next to Bru, and U-Bhan.

Check out the article on Philly Mag for more info.

TODAY Enjoy snowstorm Grayson specials at

Cinder Copper & Lace
1500 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(267) 761-5582
https://www.cindercl.com

Open now, regular hours now until 2:00am. Specials until 7:00pm:

$4 and $5 draft specials (six beers total- special stuff too!)
$10 – all pizzas
$10 – Wild Goose Oysters (3, on the half shell)

BRU Craft & Wurst
1318 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Midtown Village
(215) 800-1079
www.bruphilly.com

Open now, regular hours, until 2:00am. Specials until 7pm.

$5 “Hot Cider (Big Hill fresh cider, Bluebird aged rum, spices)
$8 Brat & Beer – Housemade Bratwust w/ Bacon & Beer Kraut (housemade Brat, sandwich or plate) with Captain Lawrence Oktojawn (special Marzen Lager that I brewed with them, just for BRU)

 

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Philadelphia

The Sugarhouse Casino Presents The Mummers – My Fav Pixs

The Sugarhouse Casino Presents The Mummers – My Fav Pixs

I know a day late, here are my favorite Mummer photos. This year I decided to credential to shoot the parade instead of just shooting from the sidelines. When I applied I thought it was going to be 45F, as it stated in the 15 day outlook.


It was a lot of fun, being that cold made the whole parade feel like a community, cause we were all in the same boat, kinda. I did have the opportunity to party hop, which I did about every ninety minutes.


I headed to McCormick & Schmick’s for the Sugarhouse Casino/PHL17 Party. It was exactly what I needed, I warmed up, got a bite to eat and uploaded photos to CBS3, which you can see here.
Thanks Wendy Hamilton, GM Sugarhouse Casino, here with her son.


Councilman Mark Squilla
Definitely the best dressed at the parade


Quaker City performs in front of the Union League.
The crowd made a circle and everyone enjoyed the performance


The cutest thing, the Mummer shared a pair of gloves with a young fan


This mummer had photos of children around his neck


Cousin it makes it’s way up Broad Street

Then I headed to the Kimmel Center for their family fun day. It was fairly crowded for the frigid day.

There was a lot of fun happening. There was face painting and balloon crafts, this guy is making wings for the little girl

This is definitely the place for families to attend every year

On the 3rd floor, there was a Jose Garces Brunch until 3PM, when the floor was open to the public to check out the parade from the terrace.
There was also an area where families helped packaged healthy food for the needy in Philly


There were two lines of folks creating packages

Fire Chief Curran strutting with the Lego’s in front of Ladder 5 on Broad Street

Some Mummer spectators brought home souvenir.
All in all it was a fun day, in fact I think it was one of the best events. There was plenty of room and barely any crazies making a scene.

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Philadelphia

What Folks Wrote On The Resolution Wall at Kimmel Center

What Folks Wrote On The Resolution Wall at Kimmel Center

Happy New Year, did we all make resolutions? I did, and I already broke it. Darn. I made a promise to myself that I would post on Philly Chit Chat every day, and every morning by 7AM, like in the good old days in the first 5 years of PCC.

Let’s see what folks wrote about on the annual Resolution Wall at the Kimmel Center, where parade goers had a chance to write down their hopes for 2018.

Making money was definitely one of the resolutions that was repeated on the wall.  I guess Stop Smoking was something that person tried to do a couple times.



My new resolution is to learn how to do a meme

2 to 1 want Trump gone


If that person has saved lives before that’s awesome; Yeah Save More Lives!!
If you help around that house, that is awesome shit and a great role model to have better children

Well it’s a goalOk sounds good

Glad they didn’t sign their name

Ohhh who is DRP, I’m starving
I bet you’re already an awesome Nana

The most interesting notation on the Resolution Wall was that it was sponsored by the
Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board

The New Year’s Resolution Wall will be in the lobby of the Kimmel Center til this Saturday if you have a resolution you’d like to share with the world. Tomorrow I’m going to have a post up by 7AM, and will continue to do so until I break that resolution. Have an awesome year!!

 

 

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Philadelphia

Happy New Year : ChitChat -Lots of Engagements & No Surrender

Happy New Year. I usually do my best of the year entries this week, but as I am going away to Disney World in 2 weeks I’m going to save those entries for that week. It’s Friday so I’m going with my regular around town column ie gossip column where I share with you news of engagements, weddings, new business, celebrity sightings, cute pets, original content, tips from readers, info from PR peeps and of course news curated from Social Media.

Happy
Recently Billy Penn asked me where couples should get engaged in Philly. I picked the Waterworks as my favorite spot to get engaged because of the spectacular views of the City skyline and Boathouse Row. HappyAnd mentioned too cliche would be Rittenhouse Square, but why not anyway – it’s beautiful!!

As I expected many couples got engaged over the holiday, let’s see who’s going to the chapel….


Philly Mag featured a cute engagement of a couple on Philly’s other miracle street- Addison. I love that these days future grooms capture the moment either by hiring a photographer,

or taking selfies.
Happy
Oh it looks like someone read the Billy Penn article as Matt Malinowski popped the question to Charles Lentz at
the Waterworks, and then continued the celebration at Rittenhouse Square, which was the cliche place I mentioned to pop the question, especially during the holidays. What do guys give when they get engaged, sometimes a wedding band, cuff links, or in this case a watch as Matt gave to Chuck. Congrats guys.

Another friend of mine popped the question this weekend – Paul Smith. Paul and I both worked at Kohn Swift in our early careers. Paul and I went on to start our own successful business. Congrats to Paul and Sarah Ann!


Loren Robinson, MD, MSHP said YES to her fellow doctor. Earlier this month Loren was noted as 40 Under 40 Leaders in Health Awards Winners for 2017 Congrats on both accounts!

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Tattoos for Heroes

My friend Eddie Alderson, 23 and my niece Nicole Rae, 21 are in the battles for their lives, literally and they chose to commemorate the battle with their own “scar”. Both have been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Nicole was diagnosed nearly 2 years ago, and is done treatment and has returned to school, Eddie is still undergoing treatment. They both have been public with their battle, and are winning. They don’t know each other, but they both traveled to NYC this past week to get tattoo’s to represent the battle.

Eddie Alderson (ex-Matthew, ONE LIFE TO LIVE), who now lives in the suburbs of Philly, tweeted earlier this month to Bruce Springsteen that he’d be seeing his Springsteen On Broadway – “Hey @springsteen ! “No Surrender” has been my motto and go-to song throughout my current fight against Cancer. I’m seeing your #BruceOnBroadway show Dec. 27, and would LOVE to get you to write No Surrender on my arm, for my first tattoo! Thank you for being my inspiration!” His former co-stars added their support and pleas to the singer on Twitter. Renée Elise Goldsberry (ex-Evangeline) posted, “Thank you @Eddie_Alderson for inspiring me since our days on #OLTL! I stand with u! #NoSurrender @springsteen!” Melissa Fumero (ex-Adriana), wrote, “Eddie, you’re the best and you inspire me with your strength and bravery! Please, @springsteen give my friend the Xmas present he deserves. Sign his arm!! #nosurrender.” Josh Kelly (ex-Cutter), added, “When I grow up I wanna be @Eddie_Alderson … just my thoughts for the day. #NoSurrender … oh and @springsteen … please sign his arm.” Terri Conn (ex-Aubrey; ex-Katie, AS THE WORLD TURNS), posted, “@springsteen, you will find no more an inspiration, a talent, or a kind and pure heart, than in @Eddie_Alderson! #makeadreamcometrue #BruceonBroadway #NoSurrender.”

See the video of Bruce signing Eddie’s arm at Soap Opera Digest
Then Eddie headed to Fun City Tattoo today to get the tattoo done.


Nicole who finished her treatment a year ago, and is well enough to return to school wanted to mark this time in her own way, with 13 bats for reasons she is keeping to herself. What we do know is she’s been a fan of Megan Massacre: tattoo artist, model, fashion contributor, and TV personality for sometime and made an appointment a few months back, as Megan books out months in advance.


I asked Nicole if it was painful, and she told me it was less painful than the constant needles she had to endure during her cancer treatment.

Nicole’s dad Tom also got a tattoo of a bat with Nicole’s initials to honor his daughter (his first tat is a circle stamp honoring his dad who passed away several years ago).

Megan Massacre, Nicole DeFeo and Tom DeFeo

Kristin Alderson and Eddie Alderson

 

Eddie & Nicole congrats on your tats, and for being an inspiration to us all.
God bless you, and Happy New Year!!
#NOSURRENDER