DINING WITH BEVY: LIFE WITH VISION

You know when something happens and you feel like your life has been changed? That can go either way - good or not so much. I was fortunate to spend the afternoon at a event given by a woman I had met socially a couple of times to get a glimpse of what makes her tick. That woman is the one and only Bevy Smith of Harlem, USA. She is an incredible powerhouse of personality and chutzpah in 6 inch stilettos. Unlike most, she backs it up with an impressive resume in the worlds of fashion, style, print and television. Miss Smith has parlayed her successful career and love for hosting into a business called Dinner With Bevy. These are chic and intimate dinners where she matches celebrities and trendsetters with big name consumer brands. Not a bad gig.   

Bevy decided to create a similar vibe for 50 of her "twitpals" and burgeoning entrepreneurs and dubbed it Dining With Bevy: Life With Vision. She did not disappoint. The company, the venue and the food were stellar. The inaugural event was held at the Aureole Restaurant in NYC. She initially warned us not to come "trying to be fabulous or to network but to fellowship and to be prepare to hear the real deal about what it takes to follow your true passion." The guest speaker was Emil Wilbekin, Editor-at-Large of Essence Magazine and one of Bevy's BFFs. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Wilbekin on a prior occasion and was excited to hear about his journey. He spoke openly and eloquently about the transitions and challenges he faced in his career where he worked for magazines such as Vibe, Giant and now Essence. He gave us just what we all needed to hear - that the path isn't also clear but perseverance prevails.

Emil Wilbekin & Bevy Smith

So this is where the life changing part comes in - the energy, the camaraderie, the vision, the fellowship engulfed the room.  Of course I became emotional, the one who cries at tv commercials about orphaned children in Africa, when hearing about one sister's journey that resonated with me personally (no need to get into that now *blushes with embarrassment*).  Everyone connected in a room full of people who were complete strangers just a few hours before. I know it sounds cliche but the event was so inspiring that I have been on a high ever since. Even picked up new lingo: "co-conspirers, nay-sayers, vibrate higher."

As I mentioned, the venue was Aureole located at 135 W. 42nd St in NYC, one block from Bryant Park. Being the foodie that I am, I've been to some amazing restaurants in my time, *clears throat* most notably Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley. However I'm a sucker for a restaurant with classically elegant decor. The space is filled with rich wood panels, leather seating and an elevated glass and lighting sculpted wine case obviously created by a with a sommelier in mind. Dining With Bevy: Life With Vision was held in the private dining room that features a palette of rich earthy textures and silver finishes. Bespoke (that's designer-ese for custom) sculptural sconces backed with silver wallcoverings wrapped the room creating a warm glow. The room is topped with a recessed ceiling cone which houses the same exquisite chandelier made of silver acrylic tiles showcased throughout the restaurant. And yes, the food was great too. Wish I had "instagramed" my plates. We even had our choice of signature cocktails created for the event - I selected 'Vibrate Higher', of course. Check out some pics of the interior.

BAR

 DINING AREA

WINE CASE



 DINING WITH BEVY: LIFE WITH VISION
CLASS OF 2012

It was all just FABULOUS...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Restaurant photos courtesy of CharliePalmer.com

Illustration by Tamika Blockett

KIPS BAY DECORATORS SHOW HOUSE...

Every year since 1973, celebrated designers have created imaginative interiors for the Kips Bay Decorators Show House in Manhattan. This year was no different except the location changed from the usual toney Upper East Side townhouse to a chic West Side luxury high rise. This annual showcase of amazing talent supports the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club which is a non-profit organization that provides after-school enrichment for NYC youth.  A worthy cause indeed, the show house is always a pleasure to witness.  Enjoy some of the highlights:

Master Suite Sitting Area by Charlotte Moss, LLC

Library by Jamie Drake of Drake Design Associates

Bedroom by Lynne Scalo Design

Lounge by Neal Beckstedt Studio

Great Room by Patrik Lonn Design

Poolside Sitting Area by Scott Sanders, LLC

Sitting Room by Shawn Henderson Interior Design

Foyer by Thom Filicia, Inc.

Dining Room by Todd Alexander Romano, LLC

Until next year...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Photos courtesy of ElleDecor.com

DESIGNER HIGHLIGHT: TOP 20 AFRICAN-AMERICAN INTERIOR DESIGNERS

Welcome to the inaugural entry for the 'The Bold and the Beautiful', a lifestyle blog by me for you, featuring my favorite things from the world of design, art, fashion, food and travel - but mostly interior design, of course.

This first post is old news but I would be remiss if I did not give kudos to the Top 20 African American Interior Designers.  This list was compiled by Kimberly Ward of the design blog, Pink Eggshell.  She hosted a fabulous event last month at the 40/40 Club in NYC to announce this prestigious group of "artists."  So here they are (in alphabetical order)...

 Marian Akinloye of MA Design Studio in New York 

Helen Bailey of Urban Living in Chicago

Michel Boyd of Smith Boyd Interiors in Atlanta

 Keitha Brathwaite of Contrast Design Group in Chicago 

 Sheila Bridges of Sheila Bridges Design in New York

 Howard Brown of Howard Brown Design in Atlanta

Darryl Carter of Darryl Carter, Inc. in Washington, DC

 Anishka Clarke of Ishka Designs, Inc. in Brooklyn, NY
 Joan Goodwin of Verandah Interiors in Columbia, SC
Elaine Griffin of Elaine Griffin Interior Design in New York
Cecil Hayes of Cecil's Designers Unlimited in Miami
Alicia LaMar of Alicia LaMar Home in Los Angeles
Joy Moyler of Joy Moyler Interiors in New York
Janice Palmer of Palmer Design LLC in Atlanta
Roderick Shade of Roderick N. Shade Interior Design in New York
Erin Shakoor of Shakoor Interiors in Chicago
Courtney Sloane of Courtney Sloane Design in New Jersey
Lisa Turner of Interior Obsessions in Los Angeles
Robin Wilson of Robin Wilson Home in New York
Ron Woodson of Woodson and Rum in Los Angeles 

Seated from left: Erin Shakoor, Lisa Turner, Anishka Clarke, Janice Palmer, Michel Boyd,
Ron Woodson, Howard Brown and Joan Goodwin.  Standing from left: Alicia LaMar,
Joy Moyler, Robin Wilson, Kimberly Ward and Elaine Griffin

My GOAL: To be on this list within five years...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Photo courtesy of PinkEggshell.com