One of the biggest events of the season - and the century - Dallas realtor royalty Ebby Halliday celebrated her 100th birthday with a roast and toast at the Hilton Anatole Wednesday evening, February 23rd. The event raised $640,000 for the Foundation Fighting Blindness-funded research to help find treatments and cures for blindness caused by retinal diseases.

If you are looking for a place to get fit somewhere in Chicago, then be assured that you are safe at Charity Gonzalez's Urban Fit Clubs. Charity Gonzalez, being the fitness fanatic that she was at an early age, started Urban Fit Clubs. Why? She found herself in a situation that many people find themselves in, she was in a workout rut having been a member of the same gym for five years. Wanting to have the convenience of local gyms but without paying the price of one, she created Urban Fit Clubs using her background knowledge in marketing. What is special about being a member of Urban Fit Clubs is that members are able to access fitness facilities around Chicago with the use of a simple card. They offer an abundance of workout options such as cardio and strength training, spin, dance, TRX, martial arts, pole dancing and more. She has sought out partnerships with TeamIFit, Go Cycle Studio, North Pilates, POW! Kick Boxing, Lincoln Park Crossfit, Yoga Now, and many more locations continuously being added.

The secret language of the Hermès workshops and the words that give life to Hermès objects will be celebrated with its first traveling Festival des métiers (Festival of Crafts). In a thoroughly modern setting by internationally acclaimed Milanese designer Paola Navone, the Festival is a vibrant celebration of craftsmanship and its indispensible knowledge and ability to create by hand. Starting on March 11 at 25 Oak Street in Chicago, the Festival will present weeklong demonstrations by the masterful craftsmen and women from the renowned Hermès workshops in France.

Get ready, Miami, because “the taste that launched a thousand parking tickets” is on its way! That’s right...Pinkberry is coming to Miami!

Any food connoisseur in Los Angeles is quite familiar with the former restaurant, Grace on Beverly Blvd. Having loved the food at that stuffy little place, I was sad to see it go, but more intrigued to see what it would be replaced with. After daily drive bys past my former haunt, the newly redesigned restaurant had finally secured fresh ownership and an updated look, with a Spanish tapas style menu not even the pickiest of “foodies” could ignore. Enter, Playa, the latest Latin restaurant from Chef John Sedlar.

Hair, like fashion, goes through seasonal collections and changes. You know the feeling -- aching for beach waves in the summer and maybe a more editorial bob in the winter -- but the salon that takes that idea to the next level is Sassoon, naturally. The South Coast Plaza location has a new Assistant Creative Director and a new season to get you looking great just in time for spring.

It has just been announced that the famed restaurant Azul at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami has hired a brand new Chef de Cuisine: Chef Joel Huff.

On Saturday, February 19th, Voices For Children Foundation, the fundraising arm of the 11th Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program, celebrated its 2011 “Be A Voice, Take A Stand” Gala at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami. Mandarin Oriental, Miami and Swire Properties were honored for their 10-year dedication and fundraising over $2.7 million in financial and in-kind support.

Aston Martin has presented the world with the only the highest-class luxury automobiles, and they continue to do so with their newest creation, the supremely elegant and powerful Aston Martin Virage. The sexy new model will offer drivers a greater choice of individualized sports car characters and a class-leading range, but always upholding the illustrious Aston Martin soul and luxury.

On Sunday, Feb. 27, while the 83rd annual Academy Awards were taking place, another equally important event was happening across town–the 19th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party. The event, hosted by Sir Elton John himself, along with partner David Furnish, Chopard jewelry and Jo & Raffy Manoukian. The lavish affair was held at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood and catered to all A-listers who didn’t make it to the award show this year.

The Sazant family of the Sagamore Hotel in South Beach depends upon the love and support from each other to keep their business going strong. At the Sagamore Hotel, it’s a family affair. Jennifer Taplin Sazant and her husband, Neil Sazant, are involved in all aspects of the business. We caught up with the dapper couple to get a glimpse into their typical day.

Brothers Daniel and Derek Koch are renowned as two of the most sought after tastemakers in New York’s dining and hospitality scene. Upon transplanting to New York City from their native mid-west, Derek and Daniel began their careers as models, but earned their first entrance into the hospitality industry working at Le Bilboquet, notorious for its signature, raucous parties. We recently caught up with entrepreneur Derek Koch to get a glimpse into his typical, and frantically busy, day and night.

In light of some recent stalker drama, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has chosen to move, along with his long-time girlfriend Priscilla Chan, into a high-security home, heavy with satellite dishes, just down the street from his old home in the Palo Alto neighborhood of College Terrace. Although larger than his previous four-bedroom house, the new home is yet another rental and modest, especially for a young CEO with a net worth of $12.5 billion. Although he has recently surpassed other tech moguls such as Apple's Steve Jobs, Google's Eric Schmidt, and stock brokerage magnate Charles Schwab on the annual Forbes 400 Richest Americans list, his real estate decisions don’t shadow those of the other names.

I asked my longtime friend Pamela Huizenga what inspires her, who inspires her and to share with us her jewelry and gemstones. Pamela has been passionate about jewelry since she was 16 years old when she first studied stones and became a certified lapidary!! She is inspired by colors, textures and shapes and loves rocks, fossils and gems! No surprise that her inspiration is her family (as she is an amazing Mother) and her love for Mother Earth is evident in her work. “I love to see their reaction to my pieces, I appreciate their honest input and I always try to impress them!” says Pamela.

On Thursday, February 24th, New York City celebrated a tremendous cause. Harbouring Hearts, a 501(c)(3) established in 2009 by Michelle Javian and Yuki Kotani; implemented their first annual fundraiser at the Rubin Museum of Art in downtown Manhattan. This cause is close to both co-founders hearts’, having experienced loved ones going through cardiac and transplant procedures; decided to put their efforts in helping cardiac patients and their caregivers.

Dylan Lauren, Founder & CEO of Dylan’s Candy Bar and daughter of fashion-icon, Ralph Lauren, lives the sweet life and on Thursday, Feb. 17, Juan Arevalo, Jorge Arevalo, and Lara Shriftman hosted a signing party for her new book, “Dylan’s Candy Bar – Unwrap Your Sweet Life,” at ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa.

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and the famed Blue Ribbon brothers Eric and Bruce Bromberg brought the lights of Vegas to Miami for the 2011 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival on Sunday, Feb. 27. The luxurious Las Vegas hotel and resort brought culinary A-listers together for a tasty late night party at Miami’s New World Center.

One of Montecito’s premiere properties perfectly situated on prestigious Picacho Lane. South facing terraces look over lush gardens to ocean and island views.