It's in the Bag

What girl doesn't want a new handbag?  Especially when that bag helps bring an art into a child's life that normally wouldn't have?  Welcome to P.S. Arts Annual Bag Lunch.

With over 200 designer bags up for grab, guests can either "buy it now" for 20% off the retail price or start the bidding at 60% off the retail price.  100% of the proceeds go to P.S. Arts. And those funds support their program which brings in music, drama, dance and the visual arts to public schools all over the Southern California and Central California area.  Salaried Teaching Artists teach in the school for the entire year, teaching art disciplines to over 11,000 students.  The best justification for shopping!

Jewelry Designer Kimberly McDonald and Sydney Holland

And the event is always beautiful, this year held at the home of Shanna Brooks in Beverly Hills.  Guests walk the grounds sipping cool beverages and perusing the merchandise.

Sponsored by Dior, guests are also treated to a gourmet "bag lunch" and sit at impromptu spots at tables on the lawn.

Friends, Vicki McCarty Lovine, writer and Kimberly Brooks, artist

This is such a fun and profitable event that I look forward to each year.  I would urge arts organizations to use this as inspiration to host a similar event.  This party is fun, but it is clear that everyone is there to support the cause and celebrate having ARTS IN SCHOOLS!

The beautiful crocodile Francesco Santoro came home with me!

Trashy but Classy

Christian Louboutin must have a very wicked sense of humor.  Something I always find appealing about people, a sense of humor can sometimes be so witty and smart that you could miss it.  Take Mr. Louboutin's Trash Shoes.

I'm a little obsessed.  The shoe is designed with objects from the trash bins of the Louboutin world: thread, old fabrics, buttons, anything and everything.  The Louboutin label has a reputation of being a very serious, expensive shoe with a slight stripper edge to it.  The label is talked about so frequently, it seems as if there is a Fitzgerald quality to production.  Churning out shoe after shoe after shoe.  

But to turn around and use trash for inspiration, it's not only green and foot-print savvy, but has a comical and light-hearted element to it.  And I would imagine that the designer could also be sending a message out to the critics (if there are any?):  my trash is so good that it can make a stunning shoe.  

Cameron Silver in his Trash shoes with Kimberly Brooks

I wore my Makeup Trash shoes Saturday night.  Mine have a fake fingernail dangling on one shoe, false eyelashes and powder puffs.  I paired with Chanel in order to tone down some of the trash with class.  I will say the shoes should come with a warning:  do not intend to wear these all night, especially late ones that end up at Jack in the Box for an early morning food fest...