PREEN & CHIC: Key to the Cure 2012

As the social calendar starts rolling along, I get very excited about some of the key events of the season. It's true that Sarasota likes to party, and we do it all year long. As soon as fall hits, the first invitations and committee meetings start to fill the schedules of everyone in town. One of the best-attended events is Key to the Cure, held this year on Oct. 20 and hosted by Saks Fifth Avenue to benefit the Women's Cancer Care Program within the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System. Along with their committee of local power players, Co-chairs Sally Schule, General Manager at Saks Fifth Avenue, and Dr. Allison Silver Schwartz of Sarasota Memorial Hospital brought quite a crowd exceeding 600 attendees. Here's how PREEN & CHIC experienced the evening ...  

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The parking lot is full in the South Gate Mall. Several carts decorated in pink balloons transport guests from their cars to the entrance of our favorite store, Saks Fifth Avenue. My accomplice for the night is new cat on the block Nick Diamond. This dapper gentleman and good friend just got back in town after living in Washington. As Nick and I enter the establishment we encounter Chris Voelker, and she is looking fabulous! I saw her recently at the Ringling International Arts Festival's closing party in what I thought was her best look yet: black and white with diamante accents in none other than Oscar de la Renta.

A couple steps and I see one of our hosts and friend, Rochelle Nigri, who welcomes us to the event and shows me where to find the bar. It's no surprise to find Lynn and Richard Barrie searching for Lynn's new favorite scent which she had found in a magazine. Lynn and I are quite alternative in the sea of pink get-ups; she's sporting her usual worldly-chic outfit, contrasted by a pink-hued pedicure to go along with the night's theme. I had opted for all-black casual, interrupted by multiple pink bracelets I got from friend Amanda Landesberg, designer of Clean & Well Lit Jewelry , and a few of my own. 

After a quick catch-up with the Barries I reach the bar, staffed by Michael's on East. The drink of choice is the ever-tasty Cosmopolitan. A few encounters with attendees: Vanessa and Maurice Opstal, Heather Dunhill, Ashely Kozel, Carrie Riley, Diana Kelly, Courtney Adams, Mercedes Mann and Tatyana Sharoubim---and then I see my “amoretti” Molly Klauber wearing what our friends call "Go-To-Girl pink" with boyfriend Ethan Biter. As Molly mingles, Ethan, his mother Tina Biter and I go check out if we won anything from the raffles, which this year's attendees had an 80 to 90% chance in winning.

At the end of the night I decide to get my glitter on! So I sit to have a fun pink glitter ribbon applied to my wrist. As I show off my bling, my friends and I make plans to head out for a proper dinner at Jolly's. Before leaving, I spot the multiple balloons throughout the store. I go over to get decked out by the balloon twisters, and as I wait my turn, I ask the professional to get inspired by me for the balloon creation. He hits it on the spot as he finishes twisting a crown of hearts. We all know I may not be the Queen of Hearts ... but I will take a royal crown any day!

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Looking for fun events occurring this weekend? Get spooky tonight with the Safe Sex Halloween Bash hosted by Planned Parenthood of Southwest & Central Florida. Tickets can be purchased at safesexhalloweenbash.com. 

The Sarasota Ballet opens their season by presenting the Paul Taylor Dance Company this entire weekend; call Mike Marraccini for tickets at (941) 359-0099, ext. 101. 

The Sarasota Opera seasons kicks in with Rigoletto, showing till November 12. Call (941) 328-1300 for tickets.

You bet PREEN & CHIC supports all of these fabulous events.