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Philadelphia

CAREER WARDROBE GALA, I learned: SUSIE CELEK CAN DO A SPLIT



Last week Career Wardrobe held it’s annual fashion show gala in the Grand Ballroom at the Hyatt in the Bellevue. Lots of changes this year, first look at their new branding, fresh and current.
Secondly, and one of the best ideas, a prolong cocktail hour with buffet stations.  After an hour we all headed into the ballroom and enjoyed sit down dessert dining while enjoying the action on the runway.

During the cocktail hour there was an extensive silent auction too. Lot’s of great items, and several Viv Pickle purses signed by celebrities.

Devin and Carrie Ann D’Andrea, Melanie Restad and Angelina Martin. The gals work for Viv Pickle as seamstress and created the bags that were sold at the night’s auction. The design is collaboration between their boss and the Career Wardrobe, then they create them. Their favorite is definitely Elmo.

Ann Kelly, Christine Doyle and Tamzen Harrington, Career Wardrobe board chair

Celia Brown, Donna Coghlan and Abby Siegel-Greenberg

Robin Bender Stevens, Cari Feiler Bender and Laura Bender Koropey
Shawn Huston and Nikki Johnson Huston, Esq  Career Wardrobe honored Nikki,an assistant city solicitor for the
City of Philadelphia, with the “Fashioning Futures for Women Award for overcoming homelessness and poverty creating a successful life and being a role model to others.
great crowd, sold out at

Susan Taylor, Lisa Aronson, Robin Rodin and Stephanie Marsh Golson
Nina Wilson, Reba Poole, and Dawn Wilson, all that hats in the nights runway show were created by Dust to Dawn, her company.

Also strutting the runway for charity was Skin Palette’s Susie Celek and Julie Dorenbos

Every year the ladies of the news donate their time, and then the clothes off their back to the Career Wardrobe. Fox 29’s Karen Hepp, 6 ABC’s Alicia Vitarelli, CBS 3′s Erika von Tiehl and career wardrobe client Ernestine Volcy

Tamzen Harrington, outgoing Career Wardrobe board chair and Sheri Cole, executive director of Career Wardrobe
Co-chairs for this years event Paige Wolfe,

Paige Wolf, Media and Public Relations

and in coming board chair Veronica McKee, The Haverford Trust Company

Everett Gillison, deputy mayor for public safety of the city of Philadelphia is grateful to have the MC position every year, as Monique Braxton, NBC10 introduces him.

6 ABC’s Alicia Vitarelli
Marian Conicella Publisher Philadelphia Magazine

hats and head

pieces were provided by Dawn Wilson of Dust to Dawn Fashions

Joey Fortman recreating a shot I had placed in Michael Klein’s Philly Inquirer column when I was a contributor.
Buff Susie Celek!!

Julie Dorenbos and Susie Celek with the great auctioneer Jason Katz
Susie Celek shows us just how stretchable the body rock material is

What’s the name of the female Phillies Phanatic?

The Elmo Bag was so adorable, sold for $350. John Stewart tickets went for $2,000, Colin Farrell bag $400, Jessica Alba $250, Flyers Bag signed by 3 players $600, $2600 Eagles tix in the Mayor’s box and

Marie Procacci and Chris Urban. Marie snagged the January Jones, signed Mad Man bag for $300, but she’s never seen the show. She just loved the bag.

Then the Phanatic posed with the fans for about 30 minutes.Check out Career Wardrobe, and ladies donate your business clothing to help women transition into the work force.
Categories
Philadelphia

HAPPY FLAG DAY: MY PICTORIAL OBSESSION WITH FLAGS

“Most eternal God, as Americans, We want to thank you for this
great country. We are not proud, but humbled, that in your divine
sovereignty we were born or naturalized in such a nation as this.

Thank you for those serving and who have served in the
military that protect this country of ours. Thank you for those men and
women in our military services who were willing to give their lives and
who gave their lives to fight to keep this country free

This day we remember with compassion
Your children who have lost their lives to war;
Incline us to honor their memory, dear Lord,
With a sincere pledge to seek peace

We pray for the safety of those entering military service,
And succor for the many returning from combat
With wounded bodies,
Or minds
Sickened by the sight and sounds of war.

Haddon Ave, Collingswood, NJ
Idaho

Collingswood, NJ

My sister Judy’s last garden before she passed away.
Glacier National Park, Montana

Categories
Philadelphia

ALEX’S LEMONADE THE GREAT CHEF’S EVENT 7 Photos that didn’t make it & the Link to my Epic Column

Ryan Davis and Leandra Kern

If you’ve been following me on Twitter today, you know I had to cut back on a few photos where I didn’t have epic stories to go along with them. The event is epic, and well I need stories that haven’t been printed before or well that are epic. (I’m having a very disclosure kinda week here on PCC) Plus I was looking for people dressed in Yellow for Alex’s Lemonade or epic stories: Here’s the Link to the PhillyMag Column, or you can read on and see the 7 shots I had to take out for brevity, which well didn’t happen either. HERE

Mark Bee, Silk City, Dan Stern, R2L and Kirby Mallon III

They came all the way from Italy…

Donna Coghlan, Advance Staging who did the lighting for the event, Hope Cohen, Larry Cohen (hmm I don’t think they’re related, I should have asked.) and Cori Moskow, Gloss Pr

I found these ladies in the Men’s room. Kate Quarella, Melissa Levy and Paige Marmar
Tara and Anthony Boucci, Founder of RevZilla.com. Now this is an awesome shot. I took it as I was running out, I wish I had asked them a few questions like when are you due? So gorgeous, both of them. Just glowing.
Meg Torpey, Starr Restaurants, Chef Jennifer Carroll (helping out) and Nick Gregory, Kimpton Hotels get ready for the game changing Hotel Monaco opening this fall.

You know I love WINGS. I go to HOOTER’S and put up with those ugly orange outfits just to have some delicious wings. Well I’m hear to tell you I don’t have to do that anymore. I’ve discovered PJ Whelihan’s Pub. They were at the Great Chefs Event after party at Amis. Delicious. Here’s that Philly Mag link again.

Categories
Philadelphia

Bethenny Frankel Likes To Eat, Meet & Greet in Philly

95.7
BEN-FM & Fox 29 threw a party for Bethenny Frankel at
XFINITY Live yestereday and everyone is invited.

 ‘Bethenny’ premieres Monday at 11am
on Fox 29 and will air weekdays throughout the summer. Those in
attendance at XFINITY Live had an opportunity to see Bethenny, in
person, as she talks about her new show and takes questions from the
crowd. Throughout the event there was music, BEN-FM prizes and happy
hour specials.

The party, hosted by Fox 29’s Mike Jerrick, Karen Hepp (above) and BEN-FM
morning personality Marilyn Russell, is in honor of the debut of
Bethenny Frankel’s new talk show ‘Bethenny’.

Xfinity Live’s Rob Johnson, VP Marketing, Ben FM 95.7’s Marilyn Russell and Fox 29’s Mike Jerrick

Bethenny Talk Show Debut: Was It Too Over the Top (Even for Her)?

Fox 29’s Jenn Frederick moving like Mick Jagger
Emma Jacob, Gracie Gutos and Anne Gutos. Check out Gracie’s fashion blog

 Lots of fans came out to see there gal
 I ran into one of my fans who watches me on Fox 29’s Good Day Philly. So sweet. She also got a personal meet and greet with Bethenny up on stage.
When is Bethenny giving birth?
Sue Serio and Bill Vargus
Before greeting the general audience, Bethenny greeted a few fans upstairs in the VIP area.
Before the Q&A session, a clip of the show was shown to the audience. It’s the opening monologue that really reviews Bethenny’s rise to the top. It was only the 2nd time she had seen it. Check out the video below to hear it and watch her reaction.

Cute outfit

 

Bethenny Frankel tells us some of her favorite restaurants in Philly, and gets a consensus on which cheese steak place is the best in Philly.

Bethenny did cringed a little when she heard her youngest fan watched her show that day as she had talked bout penis’ sizes, masturbation, breast feeding, using sour cream to stop razor burn under the arm pits and demonstrated. It was a wild show. Produced by the Queen of Class, Ellen DeGeneres, Bethenny is not afraid of being the Queen of Crass.

Kristen Schada and Amanda Kramer told me that Bethenny delivers, her new show was exactly like her reality show – She didn’t hold back. OK then I guess I should fasten my seat belt.

Categories
Philadelphia

Video: Congratulations to Nicole Cashman & Nigel Richards


The Money shot. The Money Shot. The Money Shot. The Money Shot.


Marnie Hall chats up the engagement

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Philadelphia

FASHION FUN AT THE 2012 PHILLY PRIDE PARADE

Yesterday was 2012 LGBT PrideDay Parade and Festival was held yesterday, Sunday, June 10, 2012. 
The parade route ran from the Gayborhood to Penns Landing via Market Street

I know it’s going to be hard to believe, but I was late and missed half the parade. I had a good reason though as I had volunteered to shoot the Strides for Stroke walk/run in the morning.
I did catch a few of the “floats”

and the best part ran into some friends
But also saw a lot of fun peeps that I’m sharing on PCC today. Who’s this on the fan?
How does PAWs feel about dying your poodles colors to the Rainbow Flag? If their names were Hitler they’d be taken away from their owners.

Isis – Miss Philly Gay Pride 2012 – Rated R for langauge

Cher

It was 94F out. Sadly I saw at least a half dozen peeps pass out.

Can we talk? Which reminds me…

Party Planner/Field House guy, out there gay time, Tim Adams ran into the real one at a hotel near the QVC studios on Saturday.

Lex with his gal friends Emma, Kate and Krystn. Lex and Kate attended the prom together. It didn’t work out and now Kate is with Krystn and Lex is with Thomas.

Fashion Foot Forward Award of the day

Fashion Stunner of the Day: Henri David with his 3 foot high hat. Tomorrow I’m going to chat about the Weigh It Forward folks, and info on my participation in the event. Check out more pixs from yesterday at G Philly.
Categories
Philadelphia

PHILLY CHIT CHAT MISSION STATEMENT

I just wanted everyone to know how I conduct business:

My core business is being hired to shoot and document social and mostly charity events in Philadelphia on PhillyChitChat.com  People hire me because of my skill of shooting the right people at these parties and writing a compelling story. The client gets to keep the photos I take, and I give them the license outright to distribute as they please**, that’s why you might see them in the various outlets in the City, Facebook or in their newsletters. 

In order to write a story about the event I use the press release distributed by PR; as well as what I observe, including chit chatting with guests.  I choose the photos to run in PhillyChitChat, and I write the story using my own words (I think my readers know this as I sometimes get complaints on my spelling and sentence structure.)

I have a contributing contract with Philly Magazine for one column a week, and they assign those events to me, and two random shots, usually a celebrity or notable person. (Thank God I have an editor there.)

For all other events:

Philadelphia Magazine and Fox 29 are
outlets for publication. (Similarly to when they are pitched by companies, Publicists, and PR agencies to cover their events, products, or clients.) Hiring me to shoot your event doesn’t guarantee
placement in any of my affiliates
and that is clearly spelled out in contracts with the parties that hire me.  Ultimately, I submit/pitch my work to the editors
at the respective media outlets and they select stories for coverage.  In
fact, those editors don’t even know which events were paid and which
were not. Any allegations claiming otherwise are simply false.
(& I don’t receive any additional compensation ie double dipping for you in the know.)

P.S. You don’t have to hire me to come out and photograph your event.  Most of my events are not client driven, and so I want you to continue to pitch me.  

** If Philly Mag accepts a pitch for photos from an event I shot, I give them 10 exclusive shots. After 90 days I will send them to the client.


Thanks so much for stopping by. HughE

Categories
Philadelphia

MY PHILLY MAG COLUMNS THIS WEEK – & a little gossip

Often I’m not home when my Philly Mag columns go live, and I am often on the go, go, go and forget to post them or push them through my social media outlets. I thought I would post them here today for you to see what I wrote on Philly Mag this week in The Scene section. I really work hard on those columns, each one can take up to two hours to write. Hope you enjoy. Have a great weekend.

CHECK OUT my column in PHILLY MAG TODAY, About the Voice Foundation Gala last weekend
http://blogs.phillymag.com/the_philly_post/2012/06/08/hughe-dillon-voice-foundations-voices-gala/

I had never heard of the Phila Arts & Council Awards. That was a fun event, and interesting to see all the movers and shakers come out from behind the desk. (sorry about Martha Graham Crackers eyes, I tried to correct the red in photo shop, and now she just looks demonish.) HERE

Ball on the Square Patron Party. I heard someone was mad I tweeted that it was held at someone’s former house and she was on the guest list. Hey it’s the truth, it was her former house and she was on the guest list. If it were my former house it would feel weird seeing it with other peoples furniture and taste, but I’d want to visit it again. I’ve always dreamed of knocking on the door of the peeps who live in my childhood home to see if I could tour it again.  Rittenhouse Square Patron Party.


Dallas rides into town again: 

LAST WEEK

The Philadelphia Award:  So much fun, and super personalities attended. I just got my new camera and am learning on the job, that’s why there’s a little in consistency in the photos. I probably should have used one of my older models on such an important event. What do you think? Did they come out OK?  I loved, loved, loved meeting Aileen Roberts sisters. Fun Irish gals with lots of spunk.

Beyonce at Revel

I didn’t appear on Fox 29’s Good Day this week. I was just slammed with work and wanted to get it all done so I could go to the beach today and visit my mom and sister. Did you see she’s renting her house out. Check it Here


BTW Rachel Ray ate at Rouge yesterday and didn’t tip. WTF. I’m sure she thought it was taken care of.

Also Colin Farrell was
seen taking one last stroll through the neighborhood yesterday. His
time here is nearly at the end. Such a super guy. Thanks for donating
your signature to the Career Wardrobe’s purse auction. I totally hooked
that up and was glad to do it.

Rumor smummer, I wrote about Harrison Ford
coming to Philly to film Paranoia at least 2 weeks before you “heard a
rumor.” Then I tweeted it constantly. Gees some people, I just don’t
understand them. I usually ignore most of your dribble about your exclusives that I actually wrote about already, but I thought we had mended those fences. Let’s see I haven’t talked about a big film coming in August yet, could you pull that rumor out of your…

Congratulations to John and Lauren Colabelli on their nuptials last week. (PS I will never spell Lauren’s last name incorrectly again.)

There’s another big wedding happening in our area, but it’s not Anne Hathaway’s like the rumor mill says on Twitter. Thank you so very much to my tipster for thinking of me though. Can’t wait to hear who got married under the big tent in Cape May.

If you like what you see at Philly Mag, LIKE my column for each story and share it with your readers. I would really, really appreciate it. It helps my numbers and keeps me fed as well as allows me to bring it all to you.

Thanks so very much, HughE

Categories
Philadelphia

OMNI HOTEL TO AUCTION $50,000 WEDDING TO BENEFIT ALEX’S LEMONADE STAND FOUNDATION

OMNI
HOTEL AT INDEPENDENCE PARK TO AUCTION $50,000 WEDDING TO BENEFIT ALEX’S
LEMONADE STAND FOUNDATION AND THE FIGHT AGAINST CHILDHOOD CANCER
PHILADELPHIA, PA  – The Omni Hotel at Independence Park is donating a big girl’s dream to make a little girl’s dream come true.
The
hotel, together with a group of select vendors across the city, is
auctioning a complete wedding package worth more than $50,000 to benefit
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation in its battle to cure childhood
cancer. The auction – entitled aweddingforalex.com
will begin June 9, 2012 8p.m. on eBay. The minimum opening bid will
be $10,000. Final bids coincide one week later on June 15, 2012 at 8p.m.
A preview of this spectacular package is at
www.aweddingforalex.com as of June 2, 2012.

The
package includes an exquisite ceremony and reception for up to 140
people and an all-inclusive resort honeymoon in Mexico, photography,
flowers, hair and make-up for the bride and her party, a wedding cake,
wedding bands a penthouse suite – the works. Put simply, it is the best
of Philadelphia coming together to benefit a truly magnificent cause. 
Alex’s
Lemonade Stand Foundation is named for Alexandra Scott, a little girl
with cancer who, at the age of four, set up a lemonade stand in her
front yard as a way of helping raise money to cure childhood cancer.
Amanda Hemingway, Director of Human Resources and Christopher Laufer, Director of Sales. Both of  at the Omni Hotel at Independence Park
 Alex
passed away in 2004, when she was only eight years old – but not before
raising more than a million dollars for her cause. The Foundation that
bears her name continues. It has raised millions of dollars and funded
more pediatric cancer research projects nationwide.
The Omni Hotel at Independence Park is located at 4th
and Chestnut streets in the city’s historic Old City section. The
wedding ceremony and reception will be held at the hotel’s acclaimed
Azalea restaurant and includes everything from filet mignon to a premium
open bar. The hotel recently underwent a spectacular, $4 million
renovation. The couple will spend their wedding night in the Omni’s
penthouse suite with its magnificent living room, luxurious marble baths
and commanding view of the city.
The
lucky couple will begin with a rehearsal dinner at the lovely Union
Trust Steak House with 30 of their family and friends. They will then
host their wedding August 17, 2013 at the Omni Hotel at Independence
Park. Carl Alan Floral Design has donated 20 centerpieces for the
reception.
Hair and make-up services are being provided by Marc Voci Salon and Color Bar, Delaware County’s premiere salon for chic and progressive hair. Hair and make-up services will
be completed in the Omni’s penthouse suite. The groom’s tuxedo will be
provided by Beau & Co., a British influenced custom clothing company
that was created to spread an infectious passion for unique,
custom-tailored garments. The groom will received a made-to-measure,
full-canvas, custom suit or tuxedo, along with a bespoke dress shirt,
more than 40 individual measurements of the groom will be taken to get
the perfect fit and there are hundreds of fabrics and many individual
style options for the groom to select from, to create something truly
unique for the wedding. It is also an opportunity to add a number of
custom details to celebrate the big day, such as a monogram of the
wedding date on the shirt sleeve or inside of the jacket.
           
Barsky
Diamonds,
on Philadelphia’s famous Jewelers Row, is donating the
wedding bands. And the bride can custom design her cake with the help of
the experts at the Classic Cake Company.  Sparks
Photography, who has photographed some of the city’s most notable
society weddings and events, will be taking pictures. DJ Services will
be provided by Synergetic Sounds & Lighting.
When
it’s all over, the couple will fly round trip and enjoy their honeymoon
at the all-inclusive Dreams Tulum resort on Mexico’s stunning Riviera
Maya. Omni Hotel and Resort Cancun Mexico. The resort is home to
world-class restaurants, splendid white sand beaches and an atmosphere
of relaxed perfection. Staff will even deliver dinner and drinks to
their private balcony – anytime of the day or night.
Complete information on every part of the wedding package can be found at the auction’s official web site –  aweddingforalex.com.
The
Omni Hotel at Independence Park, 401 Chestnut Street, is a four-diamond
European-style luxury hotel that  offers elegance and style at its best
– all within walking distance of the Liberty Bell, U.S. Mint,
Independence Hall and the Benjamin Franklin House.  Situated just 10
minutes from the Philadelphia International Airport, the Omni Hotel at
Independence Park offers the ideal Philadelphia hotel location.

###
About Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation
Alex’s
Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade
stand of cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004). In 2000,
4-year-old Alex announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to
raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer. Since Alex
held that first stand, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into
a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of supporters
across the country carrying on her legacy of hope. To date, Alex’s
Lemonade Stand Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 charity, has raised more
than $50 million toward fulfilling Alex’s dream of finding a cure,
funding over 200 pediatric cancer research projects nationally. For more
information on Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, visit www.AlexsLemonade.org
 (Sponsored)

Categories
Philadelphia

SETH IN THE CITY, sexy at 57 floors above the City

High above the maddening rush hour crowd and sipping SIPS peeps
During Seth’s chat with the guests, thanking them for their support he told the crowd his favorite song
was Jay-z ‘s Run This Town Ft. Rihanna, Kanye West
As I mentioned on my segment for Fox 29’s Good Day Philly last week, the Friends of DA Seth Williams were having a fundraiser for his next campaign in 2013 at the Residences of Liberty Place last night called Seth in The City.

 

Mitchell Kaplan,  Chef Daniel Stern, R2L (who catered the party) and DA Seth Willaims
“Ladies, dress like a star and put on your sexiest shoes. Gentlemen, dress to impress!” said the invitation.
Greeting guests at the 57th Floor of Liberty Place Residences was Gina Sweet-Comrie and Demetrius Widerman
Stacey Cummings and Claudia Tucker-Keto were on hand to support Seth Williams’ next run.
Gar Giles and Cheryl Mosley

 

Lakeisa and Latasha Hill, with Linda Jackson and Tanya Hill of Exotic Glo jewelery

 

Yorel E Pressley and Salters B Davis IV

The event was attended by friends, family and supporters.

As the sun set the sexy came out: Darrely Irizarry, Executive Director of Seth’s Political Action Committee Lisette Gonzalez, Clament Newport, Janiel Ruffin, Marisol Maldonado and guest.

Alex Urevick-Ackelsberg, Greta Russo, Lotus Events, and Antoine Johnson‏, House of Talent Pa (Look for the fashion stylist guru’s reality TV show to hit the airways this summer on the Bounce Network.)

Luz Centeno, Betty Slafman (The Loveliest Betty of them all!), Aida Strata, Stacey Kracher and Zeli Penna (Zeli@friendsofsethwilliams.com – to write to attend the upcoming Seth in the City fundraising parties)
Wanda Albert, Pandora Wood and Councilwomen Blondell Reynolds Brown

Seth Williams and Mike Quick, former American football wide receiver who played his entire career with the Philadelphia Eagles, and can now be heard on the Philadelphia Eagles radio broadcasts on WIP 610 AM and 94.1 FM along with Merrill Reese.

Next up for the Seth in the City supporters a fabulous party on July 27th dress to impress and participate in the All White Line Dance Party at Parkside Banquet Hall