Basil Hayden’s Tastemaker Design Chicago with Nate Berkus

On Thursday night, three lucky designers and finalists of Basil Hayden’s Tastemakers Design Chicago showcased their work at Crimson Lounge. Sponsored by Basil Hayden Bourbon, Out Magazine, Chicago Home and Garden Magazine, and celebrity designer Nate Berkus, emerging designers were asked to design an item from four categories: fashion, furniture, artwork and interior design. However, the competition stipulated that designers’ pieces reflect the inspiration of Basil Hayden bourbon.

The three finalists were Brian Lump – coffee table, Rion Stassi – chandelier, and Sarah Tranum – chair. While Lump and Stassi’s unique designs assumed the bourbon’s bold color and sophistication, Tranum’s chair resembled its smooth and warm taste, with sleek lines and round, rocking edges. Stassi’s design, however reminded me of a lamp I’d hang at the ranch as its eight dark wooden arms curved in the formation of antlers. And Lump’s coffee table, while chic and simple, reminded me of an item sitting at an old boyfriend’s studio—again, dark wood, but its body the shape of a surfboard, or even a body board. However, Tranum’s chair, while modern and different, is definitely an item I could envision in my study, in the living room, and, perhaps in my bedroom.

But alas, I was not the only one voting. That’s right; attendees were given the power to choose the Grand Prize Winner. While Berkus chose the three finalists, we were given some bourbon for the evening to consider the items a final time. To make the decision more challenging, the charismatic Berkus explained that while the finalist would win $10,000, this competition wasn’t about the money. We were about to change the trajectory of someone’s career. Forever. Wow, what pressure.

Ultimately, Rion Stassi’s chandelier won the heart of the people and the competition. Congratulations to Stassi and to all the designers for their hard work and dedication to their craft. While there could only be one winner, all talented designers clearly have a bright future ahead of them.

Maven Launch Party with Top Chef Chicago Winner, Stephanie Izard

On Friday, October 10, managing partners Renae Placinski and Sarah Vargo will host the official launch party for Maven, a new company offering clients an innovative approach to event planning, promotions and publicity.

While the first event of the evening is an invite-only reception featuring DJ Sye Young and designs by Emperor’s New Clothes, Maven invites the public to attend the second shindig at Le Passage on 937 N Rush Street, from 10 PM – 2 AM. Launch sponsors include Equinox Fitness, Icelandic Glacier Water, Vranas Properties, and Flirty Girl Fitness, to name a few. Guests are asked to RSVP to sarah@maven-chicago.com and say Maven at the door for complimentary admission.

Just to give you a little preview of what to expect, last week I attended Maven’s launch of the Diva Series at Madame Tartine. The Diva Series, Maven’s tribute to women in Chicago PR, media, fashion, fitness, beauty and lifestyle, honored Stephanie Izard, winner of Top Chef, Chicago (and first female to win Top Chef). I had the opportunity to speak with Stephanie and asked what her favorite food is. For those of you who missed Top Chef, Stephanie loves Mediterranean cuisine and is currently going through a Spanish fix. Lots of seafood, garlic, and who could forget those tapas? Mmmm, I’m getting hungry for more Maven events, as I also met other VIPS, fellow Street Teamers, and CelebTV host Kelli Zink. But not to worry gentlemen, Maven is saving room for seconds. Yep. I hear that Maven is cooking up a series for you too; Divo.

For more information, log on to, www.maven-chicago.com. So, see you next Friday and don’t forget to say Maven at the door! Oh, and should the doorman ask, a Maven is an expert or connoisseur, one with special knowledge or dazzling experience. In one phrase, “One who understands.”

Chicago Only U.S. City Named Best In Travel - 2009

As if your friends and family needed another reason to visit the Windy City, Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2009 just named Chicago one of the top ten cities to visit in 2009. As the only American destination to make the competitive cut, the globe-trotting experts at Lonely Planet sited Chicago’s business, art, architecture, food, music, theater and overall culture as the winning criteria. According to expert-author Karla Zimmerman, “If you want your finger on America’s pulse, don’t head to New York or LA. The heart beats in Chicago.”

McDonald’s and Oprah –the most American icons since apple pie and baseball—originate here, along with other ubiquitous, historical and random landmarks alike, including jazz and blues festivals, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the Green Mill, the Chicago Theater, and Picasso outdoor art. But the Lonely Planet also nods their hats to what has yet to come. With Trump Tower International’s 2009 completion and the world-renowned architect Calatrava’s Spire building (not to mention the Sears Tower), our skyline will soon be home to the three tallest buildings in North America, perhaps facilitating our bid for the 2016 Olympics; as if our array of world-renowned sports teams (Bears, Bulls, Cubs, Sox, Blackhawks, etc.) weren’t enough.

As Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2009 released last month, expert-author Zimmerman scooped the city before Obama could scoop the President-elect title. This is just one more piece of evidence that points to Chicago’s bright future. Despite our inferiority complex to cities like New York, it’s nice that the “Second City” is finally getting some recognition among the first cities of the world. Other global cities on the list you’ll need to visit this year include Antwerp, Beirut, Glasgow, Lisbon, Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Shanghai, Warsaw and Zurich.

Just pencil those in on your calendar – I’m sure you’ll be able to make it.


Photo Extra: The tower under construction behind us is Trump International in Spring 2007! Now complete, its' addition to the skyline continues the city's tradition of skyscrapers and unique architecture.

Taxi Cab Confessions by a Credit Card-Paying Junkie.

The scenario: You stumble out of bed late this morning. It’s monsoon season in Chicago and while the rain patters quietly against your window, putting you back to sleep, you wink, look at the clock, and realize it’s Thursday, NOT Friday. Glancing over to the pile of laundry sitting in the corner of the bedroom, a dark cloud settles around your head too, as it dawns on you that you wore your last clean pair of underwear yesterday. But alas, you find a thong, throw on a red scarf, pick up a banana and make it to the street –sans coffee. Unfortunately, there goes the #151 – in site, yet out of reach. You wish there was an old lady with her cart about to get on, as this would buy some time to run over there. Today, however the bus trudges on. No one is even waiting at your stop anyway. But the clouds part, and because your beauty is striking, no matter how late it is, a cab is always on stand-by, noticing you’ve either just missed a bus, or would be better off taking a taxi anyway. You get in, make it to work, rifle through your purse, and find four one dollar bills, while the cab fare is eight. Fortunately, something shiny stares up at you. You remember that your paycheck hits tonight, the Visa logo on your card calls, “do it, do it. What does he care anyway, now you can give him a real tip too.” What do you do? What do you do?

The inspiration for this scenario actually comes from two scenarios I’ve experienced lately. Yes, I’ve woken up without clean underwear and spent twelve-hour work days with wedgies, but I’m actually talking about being unprepared. If you live in the city without a car, chances are, you will find yourself taking cabs with credit cards. And, you’ve probably noticed those yellow charts smiling back at you in the cabs, you know, the ones that, “state your rights as a paying customer taking a taxi.” In case you’re not familiar with them, my favorite rights stated to me are:

You have the right to a driver without a cell phone
You have the right to ask the driver to turn down the radio (or roll up the window)
And, the most important one: You have the right to pay by credit card.

Perhaps these charts would be better off posted in the front seats as cranky cabbies often dismiss the rules. I’m beginning to think they are just suggestions anyway. I mean, if you missed the Cubs playing the Sox last night why wouldn’t you watch it on your IPOD while cruising down Michigan Avenue with customers in the back seat? It’s not like you’re driving drunk, right? Wrong-oh! Now, I don’t know if it’s because of the gas-gouging prices or election year, but, when I’ve begged to use my credit card (which I hate doing btw), I’ve received every excuse from I don’t have a machine, to it doesn’t work, to “the fare is only six dollars!” So, while its’ a law that cab drivers must accept credit cards, my advice is to NOT use them at all! I’m sorry, but I’ve had my luggage in the trunk held hostage at the airport now, and my credit card thrown back in my face as I’m told that I am an “a**h**e!” So, something this globetrotting gal has learned is that no matter what the stupid laws are, no matter where you are, those laws are not going to save you when you are alone in a cab in the middle of the day or night with an aggressor. I mean, come to think of it, I really don’t think there’s a screening process for these men that we hand our lives over to day in and day out. And, even if there is one, it’s obviously not good enough if I’ve had to fear for my life.

So, what do you do if you only have a credit card and need to get home? Here are your limited options:

A) Ask the driver before getting in if they take credit cards. Be polite, tell them where you’re going first, because they’ll probably take the CC for a $40 ride to the airport, but probably not for four blocks.

B) You can find an ATM machine and just spring for the $2.00 fee for pulling money out.

C) Those boots are made for walking

D) And, last, but not least, If I’m heading to my man anyway, I’ve asked him to be standing outside with his wallet on the other end (independent gals hate this one, but if you’ve got a friend on the other end waiting for ya, they won’t mind, will they?. Okay, so that settles the money thing. As for the cell phone talking, baseball watching, loud radio playing drivers, you’ve only got two choices. Either get out of the cab and find another one, or start walking boots.

Photo By: Andrew Muller