October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

I would like to thank my readers for their support and patience while I've been busy with work. Thank you for listening to my last post about the jewelry I made and donated to a cause, for my client, that is near and dear to my heart.

Since October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, I wanted to reiterate some of my sentiments about the Last Kiss of Summer Gala held on September 27th at the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown for Second Chance Employment Services.

I spent a good part of this past summer soliciting item donations and sponsorships for this event. I did other things as well for Second Chance, but I spent a great portion of my time marketing the event in a number of different forums. I even created the Second Chance Employment Services Blog to help get the word out there and stop the silence. It really means a lot to me that the event was such a success.

The Last Kiss of Summer Gala is an annual fundraiser that takes place every September, so please do remember this event when you are planning your annual giving and calendar.

I want to now highlight the evening's event that took place last month:

The picture above is from last year's Gala event with Ludy Green (Black Suit), daughter Megan, Kathleen "Kassie" Brown (Brown Dress), and me, Stephanie Willson (Burgundy Gown and Shawl).

The silent auction was beautiful with many items that had been donated including one of my own pieces of jewelry officially found at Stephanie Willson Jewelry and listed in my previous post.

The silent auction was followed a delicious seated dinner: The Four Seasons started us off with salad, then salmon, and finally dessert. During that time we had speakers and introductions. A video was played with a woman silhouetted in the shadows as she spoke about her heart wrenching tale of desperately trying to survive her divorce with little resources and the humiliation of having to ask friends constantly for help.

Another speaker and Second Chance client went on-stage and told her tearful tale, in Spanish - the only language she can speak. This woman spoke from her heart about her trials and tribulations in trying to get survive her situation and the loving help and support that she received from Second Chance in helping her with housing, food, child care, English training, and job placement. The English translation moved the room and it was difficult to hold back a tear.

Tanya Brown, internationally acclaimed domestic violence advocate, author, and sister of Nicole Brown Simpson gave the keynote address. Tanya spoke from her heart and moved the room with her personal story and sharing the life of Nicole Brown Simpson. Tanya Brown gave a speech that penetrated and moved the room. It is truly a wonderful service that Tanya is doing by sharing her story as she delivers her message so powerfully in a way that many women wish they also could share.

Dancing ended the event to a fantastic live band!

This wonderful organization would not even exist and women would never receive the services that are not found elsewhere if it were not for the incredible support of volunteers, donors, sponsors, and supporters. Thank you for letting me share this with you.

Summer Kiss Necklace

On Thursday, September 27, 2007 I attended and donated Summer Kiss to the Last Kiss of Summer Gala which was specially commissioned for the event to be used for their silent auction:




Summer Kiss was especially commissioned for this Gala event to help raise money for Second Chance Employment Services which is a non-profit that connects at-risk women with suitable employment. Summer Kiss is a hand-crafted, hand-wired triple strand necklace, approximately 22" in length. Summer Kiss is made of two (2) types of turquoise in chips and 8mm rondelles, 8mm freshwater pearls, Sterling Silver Wire, Sterling Silver O-Ring Clasp, and Seed beads.


Tanya Brown, Nicole Brown Simpson's sister was the guest speaker and I was honored to hear Tanya's heart-felt story and plea for helping at-risk women. Thank you Tanya for protecting women and breaking the silence!

Best Soft Shell Crab - Ever!!

This summer I drove down to Florida and stopped into a restaurant on Sanibel Island next to Fort Meyers and Captiva called Red Fish Blue Fish. I was greeted by a very nice and personable waitress, Amy Wayne Wright who had recently remodeled and sold her home.

I sat at the bar, which was the best seat as it is a direct view into the kitchen as you can see in the picture above. I got to talk to my chef, a very sweet, and pretty blond - Melissa Talmage. Melissa was very personable and is the new executive chef who had revamped the tasting menu.

Everything I had was spectacularly delicious! I even got to watch Melissa make my dinner which was very cool. I had the duck which was moist and juicy! I also had the most incredible soft shell crab!! I love soft shell crab and Melissa made this crab so well that I can still envision it several weeks later!

For dessert I ate the Chocolate Mousse which was also made by Melissa. The plate was decorated with carmeled pineapples. Really beautiful!

The wine that Amy was serving me was really incredible too - a pinot blanc. There was a ton of wine in the restaurant - stacked against the wall. Red Fish Blue Fish obviously has really good taste in food and drinks!

Red Fish Blue Fish is a definite stop on the map for good food and wine. I will have to stop here again to eat the next time I find myself on Sanibel Island.

Best Crab Cakes in DC

I have been on vacation this month and also moved house - thus my quiet blog. Now I'm back! Thank you for reading and commenting while I was gone.

Ken, a reader, made the following comment in one of my posts:

"If you were to recommend 3 restaurants in the district, which would they be? and who do you think has the best crab cakes in the city?"

Thank you Ken for the question!

Recommendations for 3 restaurants in the District of Columbia would be:

1) Sequoia - for the view of the Potomac. (202) 944-4200

3000 K St Nw, Washington, DC 20007

2) Guapos - Mexican restaurant with the best Chile con Carne in town and friendly service.

(Yes - it is a chain - but done right).

4515 Wisconsin Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20016

Phone: (202) 686-3588

3) CLYDE'S OF GEORGETOWN - It's old "cave dweller" Washington - Classic!

3236 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007 Phone (202) 333-9180

Best Crab Cakes in the City?

Town Hall

2218 Wisconsin Ave Nw, Washington, DC 20007

(202) 333-5640

What 3 restaurants do you recommend in DC?

Who do you think has the best crab cakes in Washington?

What do you think of the restaurants I listed?

Ads Are Easy To Make

I had another client ask me to make them an ad at 400X300 instead of the banner at 700X100. I helped them with this new size and created a new ad button.

White and Nerdy

While working for Second Chance Employment Services I had a client that requested a banner advertisement of our upcoming Gala: Last Kiss of Summer for their website. I created a new banner for them over this Memorial Day weekend. I am having a White and Nerdy moment right now, thus the music video by Weird Al Yankovic ?!

My Client: Second Chance

I have also created a blog specifically for a client that I love and support, Second Chance Employment Services! I had attend the annual Gala for Second Chance every year. Here I am in this picture at last year's event. I'm so pleased to help with this non-profit organization that I know is effective in finding at-risk women real employment to give them sustainable financial independance. God bless you Ludy Green for founding Second Chance and for making a difference in so many women's lives!!