This post is a bit different, because I’m taking the latter part of a two-part event to benefit Nevada Ballet Theatre, and writing about it, first.  To give just a bit of backstory, the charming and multi-faceted Ken Downing (Senior VP and Fashion Director, Neiman Marcus) – known to millions of Americans for his role on Project Runway All-Stars – came to town to stage a special, invitation-only fashion presentation entitled The Trend Report: Spring 2012.

After the presentation (about which I’ll be writing, in detail, in my next post), the assembled – which, as per usual, consisted of a coterie of some of the city’s classiest gals, and me – made its way into Vintner Grill’s VG Strip.  Located at Neiman Marcus Las Vegas, on the second floor, past the Fine Fur and Bridal departments; with it's prime view of the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Spring Mountain Road, the bistro features an unimpeded vista of Wynn, Palazzo, and TI.  There, we were treated to one of Chef Matthew Silverman’s fabulous lunches (always healthy, but sublimely flavorful), consisting of a Green Apple and Celery Root Soup with a Profiterole of Rice, and a desert of Fresh Chopped Plums topped with a dollop of Crème Chantilly.

Audra Hendley stood, on behalf of NBT, and thanked Ken for his wonderful presentation.  Then they drew the winning raffle ticket, which was one that had been purchased by Nancy Houssells – she of the sparkling eyes.  Nancy is not only one of the sweetest women in Las Vegas, and one of the true grande dames of philanthropy; but nobody in this town rocks a sassy pantsuit quite like she does.  Anyhow (as a result of habitually buying her weight in raffle tickets, at every event she attends) her name is regularly called as the winner at various raffles.  This cracks me up, because she always seems genuinely flabbergasted when they draw her number; after which she benevolently gives the prize(s) to whomever she’s sitting with…  (Note to self – start sitting next to Nancy Houssells!).

I’m not complaining about my seating situation, because I was fortunate enough to be sitting with Sonja Saltman, M.A., M.F.T., who, in addition to being among the most fascinating and well-educated people in this town, has one of the fiercest senses of personal style of anyone, anywhere.  To wit, any woman who can wear Marni as effortlessly as she has earned what Damon Wayans and David Alan Grier might refer to as “the new and improved Three Snaps in a Z-Formation” (snap, snap, snap).  Learn it!

Next time, it’s all about Ken Downing’s presentation of The Trend Report: Spring 2012.

Luncheon to benefit Nevada Ballet Theatre
VG Strip at Neiman Marcus

Get into it!