Haute Event: Lady of the Lakers, Jeanie Buss, Hosts Private Dinner at Beauty & Essex

Beauty & Essex is already one of the hottest spots in Manhattan after just a few months of being open. Last night, it got a little hotter with some L.A. sunshine. First lady of the Lakers Jeanie Buss rolled through to talk about her new book “Laker Girl.” The beautiful Buss is, of course, top executive for the NBA champion Lakers. The new book focuses on her life as the daughter of high-profile Lakers owner Jerry Buss… and as everyone knows, her life as the girlfriend of Lakers coach Phil Jackson.

She dropped by my table during the dinner to chat, joking that when she started dating Phil she thought Magic Johnson would be dropping by for dinner every night. Effervescent and extremely bright, Buss says she has been cataloging her experiences throughout her life just for this book, and she can’t wait for the world to get a peek at her life.

Buss collaborated with former Los Angeles Times writer and renowned Laker author Steve Springer. The book follows the Lakers’ 2009-10 season (which Buss pointed out, has a very happy ending.). The story is interspersed with biographical sketches of Buss’ life, and tons of photos of some of the stand-out moments in her life, like meeting King of Pop Michael Jackson on her 20th birthday.

Celebs in attendance included Oprah’s closest friend Gayle King, makeup genius Laura Geller, fashion designers Marc Bouwer and Elie Tahari, and “Real Housewives of New York” star and socialite Kelly Bensimon.

You can pick up the book here: http://www.amazon.com/Laker-Girl-Jeanie-Buss/dp/1600785115.