La Rabida Summerfest 2009

La Rabida Hospital (SaintJohnsAbbey.org)

Tomorrow from 6-9p, La Rabida Children’s Hospital is opening their beautiful grounds to host “Summerfest 2009,” an outdoor concert to help raise funds for their Child Advocacy Center (CAC).

The CAC is a safe, child-friendly environment for children who have experienced psychological trauma and for alleged victims of sexual abuse and other violent crimes. All of crucial services are provided for free to the children and their families. THAT is why it’s so important to support this department!

The Summerfest will feature live performances from local talent, while spreading word of CAC’s commitment and service throughout the community. Tickets are $10 in advance and $20 at the door. You can purchase them by clicking this link. I don’t need many excuses to listen to live music on the lakefront, so I definitely plan on attending. Grab a ticket. Grab some friends. Come on out and help this GREAT cause!

-kb

Help Fight AIDS at Banana Republic

On July 7th, Banana Republic (744 N. Michigan Avenue) will host a private shopping event from 7-9p to benefit the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Guests will receive 25% off their purchase and Banana Republic will also donate 5% to AFC!

To join the festivities, you will need the coupon at the right. Just click on it, print it out, and bring it to the store with you.

As the event will be catered, make sure that you RSVP! Send an email to Katie O’Malley by Sunday, July 5th!

-kb

What A Great Wednesday!

Cheers!

Tomorrow is one of those days in Chicago where there are a few after work events raising funds for charity! If you’re looking for someplace to unwind and grab a drink for a cause, consider one of these options!

TweetNetworking (For A Cause)

What: Master networker, Mark Carter, has created an off-shoot to his successful Networking for a Cause events. These tweetups will combine the power of social networking and philanthropy.

Where: Catalyst Ranch (656 W. Randolph) from 6-8:30p

Donation: $10, benefits Dream for Kids. Includes drinks, pizza, pasta, and sandwiches! More details are here!

Summer Flavors

What: The Planning Committee of the Meals on Wheels Celebrity Chef Ball is hosting this summer event to raise funds for the ball and build the anticipation of the Ball happening on Friday, October 16, 2009.

Where: Rooftop of Chaise Lounge (1840 W. North Ave) from 6-8p

Donation: $20, benefits Meals on Wheels. Donation will be waived if you purchase a ticket to the Celebrity Chef Ball. Includes cocktails featuring Milagro Tequila and Hendricks’ Gin along with new appetizers from Chef Cary Taylor! More details are here.

Recessionista Shoe Party

What: The Hello Stiletto Shoe Club is hosting a networking social/book signing with Gwendolyn Beck, the author of Flirting With Finance. I posted about this event on Friday!

Where: Vertigo Sky Lounge (660 N. State) from 6:30-9p

Donation: $25, benefits the Accelerated Cure Project for MS. Includes a copy of Flirting With Finance. More details are here!

Okay, so there you have it! Three great events…Three great causes! No matter which one you pick, I’m sure that you’ll have a GREAT time!

-kb

Let’s Talk Shoes…and Finances!

Remember my post on the Hello Stiletto Shoe Club? Well, Chicago ladies, get ready because there is an event next week that I think you’ll enjoy!

On Wednesday, June 17th, Hello Stiletto is inviting you to come out and show off the shoes that you got for an absolute bargain! So, those $300 pumps that you miraculously purchased for $75? Yep, put them on and strut down Hello Stiletto’s pink carpet from 6:30-9p at Vertigo Sky Lounge (60 N. State).

The Shoe Party will feature a book signing with Gwendolyn Beck, the author of Flirting with Finance, a nonfiction guide that weaves financial concepts with romance and real life stories to make understanding money matters so much more enjoyable than a text book. Attendees can also win some great prizes by participating in a Best Bargain Shoe Walk-Off contest!

Admission is $25, and includes a copy of Flirting with Finance, along with a donation to the Accelerated Cure Project for MS. So, grab your stiletto steals and come out for rooftop drinks and networking on the 26th floor of the Dana Hotel!

To attend, please RSVP by sending an email to sandra0509@shoeclub.us!

-kb

Giving Back While Throwing Down

Patio at Zella

I absolutely love the official description of the Stimulus Social Club!

Stimulus Social Club is a network of socially conscious professionals in the Chicago area who choose to give back while throwing down!

Giving back…Throwing down? Um, sign me up! Every first Wednesday, hundreds of Chicago professionals gather at a local hotspot for networking, drinks, and fundraising. Tonight, the group will gather at Zella (1983 N. Clybourn) from 6:30-9p. The selected beneficiary? The Valentine’s Boys and Girls Club, located in the Bridgeport neighborhood. If you’re interested in attending, send an email to rsvp@stimulusocialclub.com!

The suggested donation is $10, and includes a complimentary drink and appetizers! You can learn more by visiting their website!

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Y.E.S! Chicago Happy Hour

The ladies of Y.E.S! (Young Executives for Success), a great group who supports Dress for Success, will be hosting a Happy Hour this Wednesday at Bull and Bear (431 N. Wells) from 6-8p. It’s supposed to be 80 degrees in Chicago on Wednesday, so if you’re looking for something to do after work, definitely come by and join the fun! Attendees are asked to bring a pair of Queen-sized flesh (neutral) tone pantyhose to the event. They, of course, will be donated to Dress for Success, an organization which supports the professional empowerment of women by donating suits and hosting beneficial workshops.

For more information, you can visit the Y.E.S! website or check out their Facebook page. Hope to see you there!

-kb

Forever Young!

 I BLEED ORANGE AND BLUE!!!

Looking for a great way to support the public schools while meeting some of Chicago’s friendliest citizens? Then, you need to come out to Griffin Lounge (326 W. Chicago) this Friday to Forever Young, a party to benefit Alumni for Public Schools. Alumni for Public Schools is a not-for-profit organization that promotes and supports volunteer partnerships between the Chicago chapters of college and university alumni associations and individual Chicago Public Schools.

From 6-9p, guests will enjoy sponsored cocktails, drink specials, appetizers from Crazy Creole Cooking, a cheese and chocolate station from The Melting Pot, a hot DJ, and much more! And, if you choose to purchase a VIP ticket, you will receive all of those perks PLUS access to the VIP lounge/rooftop deck and a goodie bag with over $200 worth of great items!

The fantastic peeps over at Windy City Social have put together what sounds like a good time for a great cause! If you are a member of Windy City Social, the tickets are $35 for general admission and $65 for VIP. If you are not a member or choose to purchase your tickets at the door, the ticket prices will be higher so don’t wait until the last minute!

Still on the fence? Well, how about a discount??? Thanks to Hope at WCS, my lovely readers (hint: you) can enter the discount code FAB at checkout to receive $10 off of your ticket price! How does that sound?

Get your tickets now at http://foreveryoung.eventbrite.com!

-kb

P.S. Shoutout to my alma maters! Whitney Young Magnet High (Public School and alma mater of Michelle Obama) and the University of Illinois! Orange and Blue, baby!!!

# Sponsored Select Kilo Kai cocktails from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

# Sponsored Select Vodka cocktails from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

# Drink Specials

# Appetizers from Crazy Creole Cooking

# Cheese and Chocolate Station from The Melting Pot

# Domino’s pizza and Cinnasticks from our friend @dpzramon

# DJ Sye Young will play a few sets to help us gear up for the weeke 

“Join The Bite Against ALS” in May!

I don’t know how I’ll ever get ready for swimsuit season if I keep getting information about “eating for charity!” My newest challenge will be to make it out of May WITHOUT doubling my body weight. Of course, I’m exaggerating but the Les Turner ALS Foundation is tempting me with its “Culinary Crusade: Join The Bite Against ALS” initiative! 

Throughout the month of May, diners who visit twelve Chicago restaurants will be doing their part to donate to the fight against ALS, a neuromuscular disorder that causes muscle weakness and impaired speaking, swallowing and breathing, and eventually total paralysis and death. The funds raised will go towards supporting scientific research, ALS patient and family services, and educational and advocacy programs.

Participating restaurants are listed below. When you’re at one of these places, inquire about their “Culinary Crusade Special” for specifics on exactly how the restaurant will support the Les Turner ALS Foundation. 

- Adobo Grill (2005 W. Division, Chicago)

- Bluegrass (1636 Old Deerfield Road, Highland Park )

- Graziano’s Brick Oven Pizza (5960 W. Touhy Ave., Niles)

- Ina’s (1235 W. Randolph, Chicago)

- Tuscany (1425 W. 22nd, Oak Brook)

- Tuscany (550 S. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling)

- Unrefined Café (24 N. Washington, Valparaiso, Ind.)

- Vinci (1732 N. Halsted, Chicago)

- Wishbone (1001 W. Washington, Chicago)

- Wishbone (3300 N. Lincoln, Chicago)

Sign me up for a late weekday breakfast at Ina’s, a weekend brunch at Wishbone, and happy hour fajitas and margaritas at Adobo Grill. Have any of you guys ever been to the other places on the list? 

-kb

Red Kiva 2nd Anniversary Party!

West Loop hotspot Red Kiva will be celebrating their two year anniversary this Wednesday, April 30th with a soiree. The swanky set will benefit TPAN (Test Positive Aware Network), a Chicago organization dedicated to empowering people living with HIV through peer-led programming, support services, information dissemination, and advocacy. For more details, please view the flyer below!

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Toast to Success at 312 Chicago

Just because the economy is in the dumps, it doesn’t mean that your style or beauty routine has to be as well! On Thursday, April 23rd, 312 Chicago will host “Recover and Reinvest: A Toast of Support for Dress for Success,” an evening designed to celebrate women and, of course, support the amazing work of Dress for Success.

Guests will be treated to drinks, appetizers, a silent auction, and much more. But, that’s not all! The event will also feature:

• Mini-manicures from Head2Toe Mobile Spa
• Consultations with a Chicago style expert on how to be a “recessionista”
• The opportunity to mingle with 312′s new Executive Chef and learn secrets to home-style Italian cooking

Kimpton Hotels has been a long-standing supporters of Dress for Success. You can read my previous post about them here. If you’re interested in attending the event, send an email to rsvpchicago@kimptonhotels.com by Monday, April 20th!

Event Details

Where: 312 Chicago (171 W. Randolph)

When: 5:30-7:30p

Price: $25 in advance, $35 at the door

-kb