The list of beautiful gowns and ladies in them on the red carpet at the 2012 Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala is endless. I will get to the standouts…but first – the real standout of the evening (for me anyway) – was the THE LOOK OF LOVE. There is just something about the look of a happy couple…it’s always in style.
Andre Balaz and Chelsea Handler
Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady
Funny Couple Will Arnett and Amy Poehler
Emily Blunt and John Krasinski
Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel (in Prada)
More of the Best Dressed at the Met to come…
Volunteering as Magic Hospital’s Playtime Coordinator has proved to be a truly rewarding experience time and time again. Yesterday’s Playtime visit to Hua Xin Hospital with the Harlem Globetrotters was no exception. In fact, it was utterly unforgettable!
I am so thankful to the Harlem Globetrotters for partnering with our organization to bring ear to ear grins to the faces of these sick little ones. While I was familiar with their basketball skills, I had no idea just how amazing they would be with the children. It was a blessing to watch, and I am just grateful to have played a small part.
Spinning the ball like a B-ball superstar! What better way to prep for his upcoming heart surgery?
Measuring in at 7 Feet 8 Inches, "Tiny" as they call him towers over everyone. He is certainly someone to look up to!
On behalf of Magic Hospital, I would like to thank the Harlem Globetrotters and the wonderful staff at Hua Xin Hospital for making this magical day possible!
While it’s true that the twenty-somethings can brag and boast to the world that their lady “baubles” are Barbie-perfect perky – and that bouncing a quarter off their firm derrières is a guarantee – tonight, at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles, it was the 30 and up crowd that ruled the red carpet. Check out these leading ladies below. They truly prove that 30+ is the new fabulous.
Nicole Kidman in Versace – Age 44
Kate Beckinsale in Roberto Cavalli – Age 38
Paula Patton in Monique Lhuillier – Age 36
Natalie Portman in Lanvin – Age 30
As if Brett’s birthday wishes weren’t enough (and they totally were!)…Mr. Dirty South himself, Ludacris showered me with birthday wishes backstage at the Black Rabbit Music Festival here in Beijing.
Backstage with Ludacris. One more perk of being Blonde in Beijing...it is much easier to get the attention of the people in charge of backstage passes when you are blonde in a sea of brunettes!
This was the inaugural year for the Black Rabbit Music festival – which made one-day-only stops in Beijing and Shanghai. The craziest part – Ludacris wasn’t even the headliner. It was 30 Seconds to Mars. We skipped out for that and went over to see Grand Master Flash. Sorry Jared.
Morgan and Jared Leto. He is an odd bird - very nice but still...odd. I think I liked him more as Jordan on "My So Called Life" than front man for 30 Seconds to Mars.
The festival was fun – but I really credit that to Brett and our wonderful friends who came with us…and Luda of course! His portion of the show was great. But as far as festivals go, Black Rabbit has a lot to learn. My favorite oddity of the night was that the VIP Area (this was just a perk to an upgraded ticket type – which I wouldn’t recommend except for the parking and easy entry access) only served wine. Who drinks Merlot with a hot dog? Or better yet who drinks Merlot at Grand Master Flash? I guess the answer in this case is – me. When in China, right?
Our Black Bunny Crew: KC Connolly, Lena Abed, Sara Wilson, Megan Connolly, Brett and Morgan Hutchinson (picture is missing Moya Li and David Soffer!)
Morgan and Brett at Black Rabbit (I prefer Bunny) Festival in Beijing
Morgan and Lener Beaner!
This picture was taken just after “THE GIRL” finished crashing the stage at Grand Master Flash. By the way, Mom, can you guess who “THE GIRL” was? That’s right…your 31-year old daughter! I use the phrase “THE GIRL” in quotes because after my exit from the stage (okay maybe it was more like a removal…) GMF yelled out, “Give it up for THE GIRL”! To this, my friend Megan replied, “Couldn’t he have at least said THE BLONDE?” I couldn’t have said it better.
Morgan sporting the Black Bunny Mask with Megan & KC Connolly and Moya Li.
For a first attempt – I think the Bunny people did an okay job. Is there room for improvement? Of course. Can they do it? No doubt (well…as long as they ask for some outside help). We will definitely give it another go next year!
Moya Li, Morgan Hutchinson, & Brett Hutchinson. Outfit: Purple Alice and Oliva dress with leather side panels on the skirt paired with Marc Jacobs belt. Neon yellow gladiators purchased at Jiayi Market in Beijing.
I believe fashion is worth fighting for in the case of protecting designers and their creations against counterfeit goods; however, I do NOT believe in physically fighting over it. Last night I was witness to a knock down drag out between a Chinese man and woman over a gift bag at a fashion show. This is how it went down…
Moya Li, Zhala, & Morgan Hutchinson at Bread & Butter Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear Show
The night started so lovely. Beijing is finally granting us some nice weather. It was cool, there was a breeze, and you could almost see a star. We were in the middle of Chiananmen 23, a beautiful outdoor space in front of Maison Boulud, Daniel Boulud’s Beijing restaurant, with dozens of waiters with trays full of Champagne. You really could not ask for a more pleasant evening. And then, there was the show, which was highly entertaining. The dramatic set-up for the runway made for a great presentation. High pitched tents surrounded the space to give it a carnival feel and magicians started the pre-show with a grand finale trick of making 3 models magically appear from a box that was previously “empty”. This set the fashion show in motion and dozens of models began to strut their stuff down the catwalk.
Here are a few of the looks… (honestly – the clothes were not as impressive as the production itself – but the hair was super big – therefore super fantastic!)
During the very last look of the collection…the clouds began to roll in and big raindrops started to fall from the sky. There was a mad dash to the covered spaces or to the exit (the show was over after all). Another spot of action was the gift bag table. After being informed that there was an umbrella in the bag, I scurried over to pick a couple up for Brett and me. It was very chaotic, so I suggested to Brett that he stand toward the front gate so we wouldn’t lose each other. I charged through the sea of people to the location of the bags (it was raining quite significantly at this point). As I bent to grab one – I was pushed…hard. I looked up to find a young Chinese guy punching a girl (mid-twenties) in the face. Seriously – punching. My natural instinct was to step in. I mean…how could I possibly stand by and let this girl get the crap beaten out of her over a what…compact umbrella covered with the Bread & Butter logo? The scenario quickly changed, and I found myself holding her back. She was not going out without a fight. At this point, the guy realized that it was two against one, so in order to even his playing field (I guess) he pushed me with all the strength of his skinny little arms (which was more than I was prepared for) and I went flying to the ground. (My 5-inch heels didn’t help the cause). This was my cue to excuse myself from the situation. So I did just that. I picked myself up off the ground and ran to find Brett (no gift bag in hand).
I really underestimated the impact the situation would have on Brett. I was startled of course immediately after the incident– but when I saw the rage take over his face – like a big Papa Bear – I knew that we had to get out of there. He peppered me for the identity of the “girl-beater”. What am I am fool? I would never have told him. I could see the future disaster about to happen just by looking into his eyes. Don’t get me wrong – I enjoyed the fact that my husband wanted to kick the “hiney” of anyone who would hurt me…but nothing good would have come from Brett taking on a scrawny Chinese dude.
Luckily we were able to hop in our car and head to another party for the Italian label, Ermenegildo Zegna at Beijing’s Today Art Museum. The food spread alone took his mind off of the “fashion fight”. A boy and his belly….
1/10 of the food spread at Zegna party. Very clear that it is a men's fashion line.
Brett and Morgan Hutchinson
I will say this….the story made Weibo, the Chinese version of Twitter. I was mentioned as the “other woman trying to break up the fight”. Of all the reasons to be on Weibo, I could have never predicted this one!
One more side story of the night. Immediately before the show started, Brett went to the restroom. By the time he returned – everyone had taken their seats. We were in the center of the second row – so it was very difficult to get to. His strategy was to climb over the guests in the front row. As he divided two Chinese young ladies to straddle the bench in order to get to his seat, our friend Moya began to giggle. She then informed us that Brett had basically “shoved” (very gently of course) China’s most popular movie star (at this time) out of the way. Love it. At the end of the show, I asked to take my picture with her so I could add it to the blog. Can you see in her face how delighted she was by my request ?
A Blonde in Beijing 