#normajeangala

Uplift Family Services At Hollygrove Gala (18-05-2017)

Ever feel like “beautiful” is a far away word? Well, that’s been me the past few weeks. And, It takes a very special fairy godmother of a designer to make a girl feel like a goddess when she’s been feeling anything but goddessy lately. When I rolled into Ripley Rader’s magical compound on Friday, with desert-frizzed hair and no makeup, I was feeling a little hopeless when it came to what to wear to the Uplift Family Services#NormaJeanGala2018 on Saturday. Truth be told, producing and hosting multiple influencer trips as well as working on 7 projects, not to mention being in 6 cities in 6 weeks, and 3 cities alone this past week, my nutrition and exercise have taken a major backburner to everything else. But, when I called Ripley with the last-minute request for a gown, she said she had the PERFECT piece in mind: a custom, sapphire blue sequined number with winged sleeves that would make Stevie Nicks jealous. It sounded beautiful, but beautiful was NOT how I was feeling. In fact, the first thing I told Ripley when I entered was, “I don’t know if there will be anything that makes me look the way I want to look, and feel the way I want to feel.” But, Ripley doesn’t allow such naysaying in her Land of Oz. This woman, whom I’ve worn on countless occasions (including to the @cma Awards TWICE) said, “We as women need to love our bodies in all of its states and in all of the shapes it takes. They are all beautiful. When will we embrace this?” Wow. Things I say to women all the time I wasn’t able to say to myself...and, enter my fashion fairy godmother. I am so thankful to this little southern fairy of a woman who dresses women of every age, size, body type and race, and who really sees women for the beauties they individually are - no matter how they are feeling about themselves at the moment. But, then again, what do you expect from a former ballerina who wears a sequined sash around her wrist and who serves glittered donut holes and Irish coffees for breakfast fittings and comes to the gala when you invite her? Ripley, you are a goddess. And, because of YOU - not just your design but your spirit - I felt like a goddess. Thank you in spades, you fairy you. ••• And, it takes a village to glam, y’all...soooo... Shoes: Prada vintage c/o Nicolas Delgado at The Fine Art Of Design Makeup: the AMAZING Christopher Miles Hair: PRÊTE Earrings: Melody Ehsani - a gift from my honey, Nick Yedinak 💗 — with Ripley Rader, Christopher Milesand Nick Yedinak at Hollygrove.

I can think of no more meaningful way to honor Mental Health Awareness Month than by standing shoulder-to-shoulder with these fine folks as we supported Uplift Family Services at the Norma Jean Gala last night at Hollygrove. Uplift Family Services provides a continuum of programs and services to meet the social, emotional, behavioral and mental health needs of young children, teens and their families. And, seeing it firsthand myself, has changed my life. Busy Philipps, on my left, invited me to sit at her table at this same gala last year...but little did I know what a big role this little heart-centered organization would play in my world this year. Each time I have volunteered at the campus, I am overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the children and their families, and in awe of the love and indefatigable spirit of the staff here. IN AWE. I was so honored to be included when they asked me to be on the host board along with Busy, Colin Hanks, Samantha Hanks, Matt Bomer Ian Ziering Erin Ziering Janie Bryant, Ashlee Margolis, Carson Meyer, Catherine McCord and more. Special thanks to our fearless event co-chairs, Boni Bryant & Sheri Stowe Weller for their vision and passion, and to Sally Pressman (on my right) for her mad auctioning skills with Ike Barinholtz. Speaking of Ike, congratulations to him and his wife Erica on being honored with the Ambassador of Children Award, and to Volunteer of the Year, Chris Andrews of CAA. And, personal very special thanks to my dear friends who sat at my table last night and bid away, and to my many other friends and brands I work with for their generous auction donations, including Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya JetSuite Kate Somerville Skincare philosophy Ripley Rader Game Night In A Can Ocean Prime Beverly Hills Citizen Andrew Freeman Jennifer Birn and to Dove for the beautiful giftbags that everyone took home with them. Together, with all of our love, intention and enthusiasm, we helped break a Hollygrove record and raised over $100,000 for these vital services and support for our city’s children and their families. I implore you all to get to know this organization, and to fall as deeply in love with it as we have. Ask me how. 📷: Michael Kovac Getty Images #NormaJeanGala2018