Now, I’d much rather get a hug or a cool million from Lady O, but beggars (even the fab ones) can’t be choosers. If you’ve always wanted to get a piece of Oprah’s wardrobe, here’s your chance! Harpo is auctioning off over 150 pieces from her personal wardrobe to give you a piece of fab and to raise money for her Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. Items in the collection range from Christian Louboutin boots (size 41) to black Ferragamo bags. This auction is like a fashionista’s dream house. From Prada to Manolo to Carolina Herrera, it’s alllll there! The auction ends on March 11th and all items can be found on her eBay site!

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Photo: Ruven Afanador (Oprah.com)

About a week ago, I mentioned that I would be in attendance as ULTA treated its inaugural scholarship recipients to an afternoon of pampering at the 18,000 sq. ft store and salon on Chicago’s State Street. I did and I had an absolute blast meeting some of the young ladies as well as ULTA President and CEO, Lyn Kirby.

Award recipient enjoying her makeover

First of all, if you’ve never been to the ULTA store, then you do not know what you are missing. It’s like a giant candy store, but obviously for beauty. The first floor is all about makeup and as you move upstairs, you pass through hair products and more, before ultimately arriving on the top floor at the ULTA Salon.

The girls were so energetic and in awe of their awards! It was really great to be around such positive energy, especially coming from gals who are already leaders in their community. I had an opportunity to talk with 5-6 girls and they discussed their community involvement. These high school gals volunteer with pediatric cancer patients, teach children in wheelchair how to “ice skate,” teach dance classes, and much more. And, all of this is in addition to their educational achievements.

They most certainly earned the spoils provided by ULTA. Spoils which included a trip to Chicago, lunch on the 96th floor of the Hancock Building, a $100 ULTA gift card, and a hair/makeup makeover! Whew…So much! Next year, ULTA plans to expand the program in order to award more young women across the country. Applications for the 2009-2010 scholarship program will be available this month on ulta.com!

You can read my official take on the celebration in my Examiner article.

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Credit: (AP Photo for ULTA/Stacie Freudnberg)

This Friday, ULTA will host 16 scholarship winners at the unofficial flagship store on Chicago’s State Street (114 S. State). High school students from across the country had the opportunity to write an essay discussing what the words “enrich, empower, and enlighten” meant to them. The awardees will receive a $5000 scholarship and are being flown to Chicago to join ULTA CEO, Lyn Kirby, for a luncheon and an afternoon of celebration.

The students in attendance will be treated to makeovers, a shopping spree, along with a tour of the 18,000 sq. ft store! These are some very lucky students! That’s all that I can say about it. Wow.

I will be in attendance tomorrow, so you know that I will provide a recap and photos for all of you! However, I am praying that all the lipglosses and eyeshadows don’t distract me…

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 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!

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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!!!

Since 1993, Nordstrom has been providing scholarships to outstanding high school students to help with the increasing cost of higher education. Annually, 40 students are awarded a $10,000 scholarship, which is paid over four years to the college of his or her choice.

In order to be considered for a scholarship, students must:

• Maintain a strong G.P.A.
• Have made a substantial contribution to his or her community
• Be involved in school activities
• Demonstrate a financial need
• Be a junior in high school to apply

You can find applications in the Customer Service department of select Nordstrom stores and in participating high school guidance counselor offices. In addition to the criteria listed above, students must live and attend school in one of the participating geographic areas designated by Nordstrom to apply. Currently the scholarship program is offered in the following communities:

• Bay Area and Sacramento
• Los Angeles County
• San Diego County
• Chicagoland (Cook and DuPage counties)
• Metropolitan Atlanta
• Northern and Central New Jersey
• Greater Washington D.C. metropolitan area and Baltimore
• Washington and Alaska

For more information about applying for a Nordstrom scholarship, please contact Ellen Greene, Corporate Scholarship Coordinator, at 206.373.4550 or nordscholar@nordstrom.com. Applications must be postmarked by June 1, 2009. More information can be found on Nordstrom’s website.

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If you’re going shopping this weekend, you should check out the stores of Gap, Inc. This weekend is Family and Friends weekend at the Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy. Not only are they giving you 30% off your purchases, they will be donating 5% of sales to one of six charities.

That’s right! You can contribute to the following organizations:

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

Teach for America

Feeding America

Boys and Girls Club of America

World Wildlife Fund

The Global Fund

If you don’t already have a coupon, you can click the following links to receive coupons and contribute to The LLS, Feeding America, and the Global Fund…I don’t have the other three!

http://www.gapgiveandget.com/np/lls.html

http://www.gapgiveandget.com/np/fa.html

http://www.gapgiveandget.com/np/gf.html

Enjoy…Have a great weekend!!!

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On Wednesday March 4th, the Chicago Fashion Foundation is hosting their 2nd annual Scholarship Benefit, a fashion show featuring the designs of five local design students. These students will have the opportunity to present their designs in a live fashion show to a panel of judges from the Chicago fashion community. The winning designer will receive a $5000 scholarship!

Attendees will be enjoy drinks, light appetizers, a DJ, and silent auction. The first 150 guests will also receive goodie bags (yay!). The event will be held from 6-8p in the Narcissus room at Macy’s (111 N. State). Tickets are $25 for students and CFF members, and $35 for non-members. 

Click here for more details!

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Happy Monday, everyone! My Monday morning topic is brought to you courtesy of the classic movie “School Daze.”

While watching the movie, one particular scene stuck out. The conversation discussing the financial situation of the college. I believe the question phrased was “Who supports the black colleges?”

In the past few weeks, I’ve seen a few articles talking about how the economic situation is affecting Historically Black Universities and Colleges (HBCUs). Although I attended the University of Illinois, I have friends who attended HBCUs and find them incredibly important to the thread of our (Black and American) culture.

I say all that to say this…If you are an alum of one of these great institutions, then please start and/or continue supporting your schools financially. Of course, the rest of the world may still give but you need to be at the forefront of that movement.

The articles are below…

Economy Hits Hard on Black Campuses – New York Times

Economic Woes Test Historically Black Colleges – MSNBC.com

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If you’re fortunate enough to live in NYC and are looking for something to do this Saturday, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund will host the 3rd annual “Front Row” fashion show at the Roseland Ballroom (239 W. 52nd St).

Lynn Whitfield

This year’s honorary chairperson is Actress Lynn Whitfield (loved her in Thin Line Between Love and Hate) and Fonzworth Bentley is serving as co-chair. This year’s honorees include: Supermodel Beverly Johnson, Photographer Keith Major, Supermodel Tyson Beckford, Fashion Entrepreneur Audrey Smaltz (CEO and Founder of The Ground Crew Worldwide), Make-Up Artist Ross Burton, Celebrity Hair Stylist Oscar James and Ashley Stewart Retail Stores.

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund was established in 1987 and represents 47 public Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Over the last 21 years, Thurgood Marshall College Fund has awarded more than $91 million in scholarships, programmatic, and capacity support, enabling more than 7,500 students to attend public Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

I wish I’d known about this earlier! I’ve been looking for an excuse to go visit NYC. I like the Big Apple in the fall…And, I’ll down for any opportunity to be under the same roof with Mr. Beckford. Just seeing his name inspired my to do a Google image search. Yeah, his body was sculpted by God! And, that’s the absolute truth!

Anyways…

Ticket prices range from $50-$250, and include both the fashion show and after party. To purchase tickets and for more information, please visit the fund’s website at www.ThurgoodMarshallFund.org.

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Jim Spellman/WireImage.com

Tonight, the Chicago Fashion Foundation will host its Annual Membership party at the W Lakeshore (644 N. Lake Shore Drive). The event will last from 6-8p and take place in Altitudes on the 33rd floor. Attendees will hear about the plans for Fashion Focus 2008 (Chicago’s Fashion Week), the 2009 CFF scholarship benefit and much more! 

The event is free for current members and $10 for non-members. For more information, please visit chicagofashionfoundation.org!

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