Live in the Now

Lately, I've been obsessing over living in the now. Whether it's a fun, impromptu trip to San Diego gay pride or attending one of the best foodie charity events in the city, Chefs and the City – I just don't think about it being over. Enjoy the moment. Indulge in the moment. Live in the moment. And that's exactly what I've been doing with our city and some of its most prized people and their exceptional endeavors and events.

I was so honored and excited to co-host A Midsummer Fashion Show to benefit Human Rights Campaign (HRC) presented by Luxury Management. Lux Management founder Ricardo Sebastian and his team did an excellent job of getting the most cutting-edge in the city's fashion enclave to feature their designs at the industrial chic Mini Cooper Dealership (1111 W. Diversey). Designers included: AKIRA, The Denim Lounge, J. Toor, and Thread Lounge. Of course AKIRA closed out the night with designs that were fab and walks that were fierce. I was actually even more impressed with the style of my fellow co-hosts. Of course 24/7 correspondent Jeff Conway looked dashing but AGirlsGuideTo.com's editor-in-chief Brette Borow looked absolutely stunning in her evening gown – truly was the belle of the ball. Bottom line, it was fashion for a great cause as HRC works and acts as a watchdog for the equal rights for LGBT members.

With this next event, I can honestly say that I lived every single moment of it – one my palate won't ever forget. Chefs and The City returned in its 8th year to offer guests an exclusive culinary retreat, which featured the city's top executive chefs from the elite in Chicago's dining destinations. Restaurants included: GT Fish & Oyster, Karyn's on Green, BOKA, Pump Room, The Publican, RL, Province, and a slew of other signature names. Hosted at the Ritz Carlton, Chefs and the City benefits Vital Bridges Center on Chronic Care, which helps people impacted by HIV/AIDS in Chicago by improving their health according to the website. Honorary chairs Amanda Puck, Rich Varnes, Jason Dohmann, and chef chair Ryan Pitts, executive chef of RL Restaurant welcomed guests to not only an evening that whisked their palates away in style but to some amazing auction prizes. Prizes included a Napa excursion that included round-trip airfare for four to San Francisco, a trip to Italy with round-trip airfare for two to Rome, and my favorite an in-home dinner prepared by one of Chicago's premier chefs, Sarah Grueneberg of Café Spiaggia. Needless to say, the big gurl inside me was satisfied and honestly didn't know which was her fave. food station – big gurl problems.

Scoring an invite to David Burke's Primehouse to experience the new menu selection of custom Ceaser salads is completely priceless. However, receiving a culinary tutorial and menu walk-through by the restaurant's executive chef Rick Gresh with an introduction with celebrity chef himself David Burke was an unexpected treat. Gresh's aim for the restaurant's updated Caesar salad menu selection is to harbor and elicit the same kind of intimacy and comfort as a coffee order – a place where people know how you like your salad and possibly even your name. My fellow blogging pal, Amanada Maloka of Hemlines and Headphones (http://headphonesandhemlines.blogspot.com/) started of with the beef filet on salt rock, then went on to the lobster bisque and ended with a lobster and shrimp Ceaser salad with lobster croutons. It was so much food that we had left overs – again big gurl problems. Each course presented a flavorful charm that was all in sync with my taste buds, so I'll definitely be back with an even bigger appetite. More importantly, I appreciate how Gresh has given David Burke's Primehouse, a fine dining restaurant, a down-to-earth feel and approach with the new menu items. Kudos to Gresh!

Until next update, unapologetically live in the now.

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