Boston: Marilyn Riseman

"I don’t put up with people I don’t like. I don’t want their energy. It’s the good energy you want to have around you. I want to have fun, and don’t have any time to worry about the rest of it." - Marilyn Riseman

My husband and I had the good fortune to meet and talk with Marilyn Riseman on several occasions over the last two years of living in Boston.

The first time was when I photographed her at Zac Posen's fashion appearance at Neiman Marcus. Her effervescent prescence and signature look lit up my lens as she did the entire room!

The next time we saw her was at The Clarendon's penthouse suite for the launch party of the new Ann Taylor store at the Prudential. She was such a gracious lady who always remembered both of us (and our jobs!) and always had a welcoming smile and fun disposition and she never minded being photographed!

At the Empire Hotel Rooftop in New York City for New York Fashion Week.

Another highlight for me was at the Luke Aaron show at Boston Fashion Week, where I had the chance to talk with Marilyn, Jane Conway Caspe and Elisha Daniels.

Marilyn Riseman with Boston Fashion Week Founder Jay Calderin.

Warm, witty, classy and charming, Marilyn Riseman, you will be missed.

Boston: Neiman Marcus, Beauty with Katie Boyd

 

With award season upon us, Neiman Marcus is getting you RED CARPET READY along with Katie Boyd (who was celebrating her birthday) of Miss Fit Club and special guests Miss Massachusetts, Miss Maine, Miss Maine Teen, Miss New Hampshire and Miss New Hampshire Teen.

All of the latest trends for Spring in makeup were showcased with fashions styled by Neimans' own Style Advisor Dave Chen and modeled by Maggie Models's Genevieve, Abba, Amber and Melissa.

With music courtesty of DJ Liz Ladoux and cotton-candied cocktails served by snazzily dressed male models the only thing left to round the evening off, was a life-size golden statue, bringing the red carpet excitement to life!

Boston: Meet a Model: Danai Kadzere

I had the pleasure of photographing Danai Kadzere, who is not only a model, but an author, aspiring actor as well as Harvard student. Together with talented makeup artist and hair stylist Molly Leahy, we shot this fashion shoot on location in Cambridge, MA.

Boston: MiniLuxe

Above: Elizabeth in OPI's "Big Apple Red"

You've heard me rave about MiniLuxe before, but this time it was even more EPIC because I was with a group of lovely ladies organized by Janee, who I recently met and adore!

As far as I'm concerned, there's nothing better than spending a chilly winter evening in the warmth of MiniLuxe's spa-like atmosphere with a group of wonderful, smart and funny women, getting our nails did! Forget "selfie" as the word for 2013, I think it should be LADY DATE.

It was terrific to hang out with Janee, Elizabeth, Ana, Alaina, Molly and Emily. The proof is in the iPhone photos (this one below is from Alaina):

Of course we all selected varying shades of RED...'tis the season, afterall!

Above: Ana in OPI's Malaga Wine

Thank you once again to MiniLuxe for hosting all of us and for my lovely manicure.

For amazing recaps, check out Yellow Bird, Yellow Beard, So Alaina, Scavengenius, Wicked Cheap and Seagrass Studio.

Boston Ballet: The Nutcracker

It was an absolute dream to visit The Boston Ballet for a behind the scenes look at the new costumes and production opening on November 23.

What a marvel to view the craft and intricate handiwork of the costumes in the costume shop and speak to costume shop manager Charles Heightchew. 2,000 yards of net and tulle along with cottons, silks and linens were some of the materials used, with extensive hand painting (award-winning costume designer Robert Perdziola hand tipped every Sugar Plum and Snow Queen tutu with metallic paint) and jewels (as many as 200,000) individually sewn on with 3,600 jewels alone for the Sugar Plum's and Dew Drop's costumes.

The creative team wanted to keep the dancers' silhouettes streamlined and control the color palette in Act I in an early 19th century inspired way. Act II showcases a burst of color as we saw during the dress rehearsal, where the costumes were tested for the very first time.

Creative Director Mikko Nissinen tells us that the set design was inspired by "18th century Prague with the use of flats with everything hand-painted to incredible detail and resembling a puppet theatre". As the play goes on, layers of of the story unfold, irising out of one another.

Robert Perdziola on Mikko Nissinen:

"We needed a strong Captain and needed to abide by that. Mikko is the Captain!"

It was a magical day at the ballet; very Degas-esque for me! I can't wait for what promises to be an extravanganza of a production, the biggest show the Boston Ballet has built in over a decade!

The Nutcracker runs from November 23 - December 30 at the Boston Opera House. For tickets visit BostonBallet.org