Lu Ann Chillemi, Katie Hamilton Shaffer and Kate Walker have joined the team. With a combined 40 years of wine industry, marketing and event planning experience, they’re expanding the Wine, Woman & Shoes program into more cities, working with non-profit and corporate clients to educate about wine, introduce high-fashion shoes, and inspire women everywhere to think out of the box…shoebox that is!

If only planning the biggest day of your life were a fairy tale. Monsters-in-law and bossy bridesmaids aside, the fun really is in the details. And thanks to their keen eyes for, oh, everything, these wedding bloggers hold the key to your wedded bliss.

1. Laurie Arons – Glimpse photos of over-the-top weddings and the secrets to their success from San Francisco’s premier wedding coordinator to an affluent clientele.

2. Anti-Bride – Just as their site states, you can learn how to “tie the knot outside the box” with kitschy and clever ideas from this community of bride-advising bloggers.

3. 100 Layer Cake – From vintage stamps to DIY tidbits, you’ll fall in eternal love with this elegantly curated collection of photography and matrimonial stories.

4. Snippet & Ink – It’s no wonder this is one of the most highly trafficked wedding blogs with its bounty of resources including links to vendors and storyboards of inspiration.

5. Ritzy Bee – Washington D.C. event designer Maria Cooke blends her passion for creativity with attention to detail thanks to over ten years in the industry and even shares a list of her favorite blogs.

Do you have a favorite blog that is a must-share with brides-to-be? Post the link in a comment below!

Photo courtesy of Ritzy Bee.

The High’s Early Years:
Originally founded in 1905 as the Atlanta Art Association, the High Museum of Art received its first permanent home in 1926 when Mrs. Joseph M. High donated her family’s residence on Peachtree Street. In 1955, the Museum moved to a new brick structure adjacent to the original High house. When the Atlanta Memorial Arts Center opened in 1968, the High Museum of Art was at its center.

Given the roster of benefactors, patrons, and vintner elite, one would think this is a fabulously glamorous black tie affair – which it is not. On the contrary, this is a tastefully done event where even the highest bidders are likely wearing jeans. Because at this exclusive benefit, it’s about the kids, not the couture.

We sat down with Kathleen to find out why this year’s anniversary celebration holds a special place in her heart.

What was it about the event and cause that made you willing to take on the role as event Co-Chair?

I think it would have to be the compelling beneficiaries. These are children that are in great need of help. Proceeds from the auction go directly to the kids and we have strong community that has long-supported this event and these special children.

What will be special about the event? If this is an annual event, what will be new elements added this year?

We really stayed with what we feel is a proven formula: an afternoon auction which begins at 11 a.m., patrons arrive to peruse the lot room and sample wines and food under a tent before they are seated for the auction at 1 p.m. For this particular year, Francis and I wanted to highlight the ten year anniversary so we focused on vintners and chefs who have participated at previous festivals. Stressing the anniversary was important to us so we wanted to honor everyone who has contributed to the history – especially past NCEF trustees for whom we had a special plaque made. We are so grateful to our auctioneers Ann Colgin (who has been with us for 10 years) and Humphrey Butler (9 years) whose talent and support make this event unforgettable every year.

What constitutes success for you with regard to this specific event?

The end product – whatever that final amount raised may be. We never talked about a goal but it was very important during the process to reach out to every single trustee and emphasize the importance of this year.

How do you balance the quantifiable goal of raising money with the goal of broadening goodwill?

I don’t think they’re mutually exclusive – I think you can have both and they’re both equal. You can have a down economy but if everyone feels the goodwill, you can satisfy both needs. We couldn’t do this without the community at large.

What plans did you make to address any problems that could arise?

The only unanticipated challenge was the weather and we put a plan in place to set up more tents if it rained.

Are there any pre-event parties for Benefactors?

No, because this is an annual event in a seasonal community, we do not do any pre-events.

What background do you have to take on the role as Co-Chair?

I started out in development 30 years ago working for a presidential candidate and did a lot of political fundraising. I always found myself on the development side for museums, etc. I have co-chaired the Tulsa Opera Ball and I chaired the Philbrook Wine Experience in Tulsa.

What was the most compelling auction lot?

There were 61 lots. For the first time, we did a Fund-A-Need which raised $647,000 for children’s behavioral health – that was the most compelling. We also did a lifestyle package which featured a private yacht cruise in the Mediterranean that 6 couples bid on – the host is underwriting all expenses except airfare.

What is your fundraising motto?

A tip I learned many years ago – “always leave them wanting more.” You want them to leave the tent wishing the event wasn’t over.

What qualities make an event Chair successful?

Don’t panic, build a good team, have a vision, and be willing to say no when you have to. Have a set of standards. It’s not always easy to say no but there are times when it’s a must.

What external resources do you use in your fundraising efforts i.e. websites, classes/seminars, etc.?

We created a kitchen cabinet with our former chairs. They were a wealth of knowledge that we could consult. We did a trip to Napa Valley for last year’s Auction Napa Valley which was very insightful and attending other prestigious wine auctions across the country is always good research.

What is the best charity event you’ve ever attended and why?

I love the Opera Ball in Tulsa but selecting a favorite is too difficult.

What is one fundraising tip you’ve learned that you’re willing to share?

Do whatever you can to leave them on the edge of their seats – you want them to return next year.

What are three words that best describe you?

Detail-oriented, relentless, and a blocker/tackler – I am not the quarterback!

Photo Courtesy of Dawn DiNardo Photography

Feature photo from privilegedclub.com

1. Tell us a little about what you do.

2. Why did you join Vivanista?

I joined Vivanista because I’ve always been active in helping my community and I wanted to connect with other like-minded women who are doing the same.

3. What is your favorite element about Vivanista?

I’m a Creative Director at heart so I like the way Vivanista is designed. I like that it’s a private, elegant, informative environment that doesn’t at all feel corporate or utilitarian like other charity-focused websites.

4. What are your interests/hobbies?

I’ve been in the tech industry since 1993 and I feel like I’ve been sucked into cyberspace that has overtaken my life. I’m always on my laptop or PDA or Facebook-ing or Tweeting or responding to email or text messages. My baby girl often waddles up to me and closes my laptop, which is a sad wake up call. As a result my interest and hobbies are more focused on being offline and spending quality,
totally unconnected time with the people I love. That said, I’m very interested in finding more ways to use technology to support the
greater good.

5. What is your cause? What charities/nonprofits do you support?

For 7 years, I was on the board of Children of Shelters whose mission is to provide for the educational and emotional needs of the estimated 4,000 children living in or being served by transitional shelters in San Francisco. I am now on the Auxiliary Board but I continue to volunteer at their signature Santafest event. It’s the highlight of my year. Presently, I am supporting Women’s Reproductive Rights with my friend Julie Chaiken and I’m also looking to get further involved in Emerge America and Tipping Point.org. Typically I support charities that are focused on women, children, or poverty. I also support anything to do with Gay/LGBT Rights because I am vehement about equality.

6. Why do you support these causes?

I support the organizations above because they do good work and I respect and believe in the people behind them.

7. How have the causes changed your life?

Children of Shelters changed my life by putting me in physical contact with homeless children and their parents every year. I volunteer to paint faces for the shelter party and I’m always struck by the hardness and distrust in these kids eyes. It’s something I don’t see with kids from financially secure families. After an hour or so the homeless children warm up and then a dozen or so will be literally leaning on me and my volunteers, wanting more face paint or tattoos on their arms, hands, ankles, elbows–just so they can be around us and be fawned over. It’s amazing the power of touch and attention. It’s something so simple but something we often avoid because it’s easier to throw money at a problem. My experience at COS changed my life because it showed me that I can be more involved, touch more people’s lives, and set an example as a caregiver to my community to my growing children. My 4 year old son helped me this year as my tattoo assistant and he performed his job (for four hours!) with aplomb and great seriousness. When we returned home he brought me some books and said, “Here Mommy, we can give this to the kids at the party. I already have lots and lots of many books.”

8. What is one fundraising question you would like to ask Vivanista?

Do you know any creative ways to avoid donor burnout? It’s difficult to keep asking the same people for money and support year after year.

9. How do you plan to empow(H)er others this year?

I plan to empower others this year by getting more involved in the causes I already support financially. I haven’t yet made significant five or six figure donations because I choose to cast my support across a wide network. I might re-evaluate that
strategy this year.

10. What are three words that best describe you?

Passionate. Caring. Bulldozer.

Photo courtesy of Jessica Stout Photography.

*Latest Entries*

Fictionary Entry: voluntearing
Part of Speech: verb
Definition: The act of becoming emotionally overwhelmed while volunteering.
Use in a Sentence: When the blind children ascended the stage to accept their corporate sponsor check, Gigi began voluntearing uncontrollably.

Fictionary Entry: benefitness
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: The excuse that volunteer hours count as cardiovascular exercise thereby negating the need to go to the gym.
Use in a Sentence: After four grueling hours of stuffing envelopes, Gigi elected to skip her workout thanks to her benefitness routine.

Fictionary Entry: doughnation
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: The act of banding together to collectively contribute funds toward a country’s disaster relief.
Use in a Sentence: If she could find a sexy hunk like Clooney for her telethon, Gigi pondered if maybe she, too, could incite her country to make a charitable doughnation.

Fictionary Entry: benefactwhore
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: A charitable socialite who wants her name listed on every event invitation possible.
Use in a Sentence: Gigi worried about her addiction to name fame when she saw herself listed as a committee member for the 152nd event that year and wondered if she had become a benefactwhore.

Fictionary Entry: philanthropissed
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: The self-proclaimed humanitarian who feels they are never credited enough.
Use in a Sentence: After careful consideration, the committee rejected Gigi’s suggestion to put her name in pink neon lights on the new sports arena and informed the philanthropissed that it would be inappropriate.

Viva Style Expert Keylee Sanders (Founder/Stylist, Style Studio): As with most things right and wrong the question of how much is too much depends on several factors; age, event, audience, size, and comfort level. Nothing is worse than a woman who is showing cleavage and you can tell she not comfortable, they are pushed up to her chin, or appear to be personal floatation devices. The other important rule of showing off the girls is to not show a lot of other assets. Wearing a mini skirt and show cleavage screams the wrong message. But if you got it flaunt it, just be tasteful about it !

Good: Latin actress Sofia Veraga is a great example, she is always showing the girls and she is VERY comfortable with it- it is sexy not trashy. Helen Mirren does a great job of tasteful cleavage.

Bad: Pam Anderson… not so much.

Peyton Cochran (Founder, EPiC Design): I think body types really determine “how low you should go” in terms of plunging necklines. I personally like to keep it classic and chic and not reveal too too much. A little hint of to give allure can be sexy but anything more can be borderline tasteless.

Good: Gisele at the Met’s Costume Institute Gala

Bad: LinLo stuffed into her dress

Emily Morse (Founder/Blogger/Radio Host, Sex With Emily): How much cleavage is too much cleavage can only be answered by the context in which you find yourself. Applying for a job at hooters? Let ‘em all hang out. Picking up a guy at a bar? Push ‘em up as far as you’d like. However, if you’re dressing for impressing, say for work, or a charity function, or would like to be recconized for your other, um, assets, less is far more. If you overdo it on the cleavage it might look like you’re trying to overcompensate for skills lacking in other areas. Sexy versus skanky is a fine line. Signs you might be showing too much: when your breasts enter the room before you do, when it appears no one is making eye contact with you and their gaze is cast downwards and finally when everyone appears to be talking to your chest rather than your face.

Good: I love the cleavage and sexiness of a wrap dress which accentuates the hourglass figure.

Bad: Jessica Simpson busting a rhyme.

Jean Larette (Founder/Interior Designer, Larette Design): Yes: if have are in your twenties, wear a size eight or under, would consider yourself “perky”, you have great posture, gorgeous skin, wear a very good bra or have an excellent surgeon; No: if you have been breast feeding either recently or twenty years ago and you are not quite so perky. Focus on your other attributes: your great legs, buff arms, in shape derriere. If all else is in need of a trip to the gym maybe you have gorgeous eyes, beautiful jewelry. If all else fails, bring a gorgeous man and cover that cleavage!

Photo courtesy of Flickr.

I have been wanting this recipe ever since my first experience, so, needless to say, I was beyond ecstatic to learn from one of the chefs that Giovanni and his wife Donna were preparing them live for ABC’s View from the Bay. You will never, I repeat NEVER, have meatballs as insanely to-die-for as these, and now you can try them for yourself!

Mangia!

1. “Money (That’s What I Want),” – Barrett Strong
It’s what every fundraiser wants.

2. “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” – The Temptations
Check your pride at the donor’s door.

3. “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now,” – Starship
And we mean NOTHING!

4. “Man in the Mirror,” – Aiza Seguerra
Face it: charity begins at home.

5. “Girls Just Want To Have Fun,” – Cyndi Lauper
And they want to have fund, too.

6. “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours,” – Stevie Wonder
It’s all about checks and balances.

7. “One,” – Mary J. Blige & U2
United, we stand.

8. “Holding Out for a Hero,” – Bonnie Tyler
Every auctioneer is.

9. “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
And your paddle isn’t high enough, either.

10. “Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves,” – The Eurythmics
We’re saving the world, one party at a time.

Urban Safari Happy Hour with Zoo II

Thursday, January 28, 2010

6-8 P.M.

RN74

Millenium Tower

301 Mission Street

San Francisco

Attend and Enter-to-Win Two Tickets to Fur Ball 2010!

Recommended Donation: $10 (waived with Zoo II membership enrollment)

Complimentary Admission for Zoo II Members

Zoo II is a social club of young professionals dedicated to expanding conservation, awareness, providing and encouraging financial support of the San Francisco Zoo while connecting to others in the community and enjoying a variety of social activities. All Zoo II contributions and proceeds from events and parties support the Zoo’s animals, programs, and people.