Haute Meeting with Mac Cosmetics' Mary Beth Donohue

Spending an afternoon with fellow beauty enthusiasts is as much fun as one could hope for in a single day. I was one of a handful of beauty writers, influencers and trend-setters who turned out at the Renaissance Hotel in Midtown Atlanta to meet Mac Cosmetics’ Assistant Manager of Global Communications Mary Beth Donohue during her visit last weekend.

Tammie Reed of Talking with Tammie played host for our meet-up and connected us all. During our conversations, Mary Beth shared tips on blogging about Mac Cosmetics as well as insider-secrets about what’s Haute for fall 2011.

Like most girls, I use a variety of beauty products, but one that I cannot live without is my Mac NC-45 concealer! I use it every day and my skin looks “cute-ifyingly” flawless as a result.

So what’s your fave Mac Cosmetics beauty essential?

MJCI is HAUTE!

It was my pleasure to attend the 10th Annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational in Las Vegas... where Jordan and Toni Kukoc once again walked away winners. Each took home $20,000 for the charity of their choice.

The tournament called the Aria Resort and Casino its new home after years in the Bahamas. The game was played at the beautiful Shadow Creek golf courses. This year’s tournament allowed the public access to the renowned Shadow Creek reportedly for the very first time.

 Jordan didn’t disappoint he brought out the big stars from the world of entertainment, sports and business. Each foursome was paired with a different celebrity. Since the tournament’s inception, it has raised over $5 million for a variety of worthy causes. This year, MJCI raised money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the James R. Jordan Foundation, Cats Care and the Nevada Cancer Institute.

Celebrities spotted on the course… Model Gabriel Aubry, Actress Salli Richardson, The Dream, Actor Hill Harper, former football player Richard Dent, Actor Flex Alexander, sports super stars Wayne Gretzky and Michael Jordan.

 Will you head to Vegas next year for MJCI?

Haute Poolside Fun in Las Vegas!

Poolside parties are the best way to hang out with old and new acquaintances. I love Liquid Lounge at Aria because it comes with a DJ and cabana! My weekend trip to Las Vegas was so much fun! I ended up handing Jamie Foxx my cell phone to chat with a mutual friend (who had not spoken with him in 10 years because they lost touch) and became the subject of a rap song with Chris “Kid” Reid from Kid N Play. He said that my brightly colored green dress reminded him of a bag of skittles!

We spent the afternoon just grooving to the music, talking about all kinds of things including relationship dynamics with Jamie and Chris suggested that bring I bring my Haute Travels to Los Angles. I really loved the company and can’t wait to catch up with this crew again.

So who else was in the Michael Jordan cabana on Saturday? Christina Milian, Shanice, Flex Alexander and Comedian Craig Robinson were some of the coolest, most down to earth people that I’ve met.

If you’re shopping around for a haute hotel in Las Vegas… check out the pool area so that you’ll have plenty of fun during the day and night.

What’s your favorite Vegas hotel?

Haute Parties in Las Vegas

If you’re looking for a great party—head to Las Vegas! I was in Sin City over the weekend to cover the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational golf tournament but somehow I ended up at a few haute spots shaking my groove thing. Now, because the parties were thrown at some really cool clubs by members of the Jordan team or Black Hollywood, I didn’t take a lot of photos so that what happens in Vegas—well stays in Vegas.

But I can tell you that I loved the clubs in Vegas… all of them have dancers in custom that made the atmosphere hip and happening. My first stop was Haze at Aria where MJ and a few friends (actors, athletes and power brokers) danced the night away in a private section for insiders only… yes, I was standing in the middle of everything… before the night was over former football player Richard Dent gave me his seat just in time for Busta Rhymes to come out!

On Saturday night, Bivett and I hit Vanity for Champagne before heading over to Tao where Jamie Foxx hosted the hottest party of the night! Nobody throws a party like Mr. Foxx… and a number of his friends flew in from LA to party with him. You just never know who may be dancing next to you… and the best thing—we’re all just having fun so it’s no big deal. By the time the party was over, it was 4 AM and I had to get to the airport for my 6 AM flight back to Atlanta.

My Haute Tips if you’re partying in Las Vegas… plan it so that you arrive in town when there’s a big event where somebody Haute will throw a party.


How do you party in Las Vegas?

My Haute Thoughts on Friendship

When it comes to friendship it should be a two-way street, but lately I’m finding most people don’t get it. Since I’ve taken on a more visible role as a journalist by starting a blog and entering into the fascinating world of social media, I seem to attract people who think that they can extract my contacts and resources without giving something back. I find these people to be opportunists and incapable of being a true friend. So when the truth reveals itself… I take notes. I have learned to love or like people from a distance and rid myself of anything that’s toxic. I wouldn’t say these people are bad, but they have misguided intentions and may not value and protect friendship the same way that I do. They see my network and start adding up the net worth to figure out how they can benefit from it with no return on investment. As a result, I chose not to spend my time with them. It’s not always easy to draw such hard lines but it’s necessary to maintain my sanity.

My tried and true friends tell me that I’m too trusting and extremely kind… I can’t help it—I’m a Pisces and we tend to wear our hearts on our sleeves. But we’re not pushovers! So when I start to notice your pattern, I course correct.

 This is what you should know about me… I work smarter so I can play hard. I travel the world because it inspires me to be better than I am. I fiercely protect my friendships because they matter to me. I will never allow someone to use me and be ok with it. I create my own opportunities and help others when I can. I don’t focus on what you have because I’m too busy building my own empire.

It’s not easy to do what I do but it’s the price that I pay to follow my passion and encourage others to live their dreams. I wish everybody who has entered my life and had to go the best… I really do. I just can’t participate in your one-sided view of “friendship” because that doesn’t honor me. So live your life and know that you have taught me a lesson that is more valuable than you will ever know… and for that I’m grateful to have known you. But the expiration date on your friendship and loyalty has expired.

What's your view on friendship?

A Haute Birthday Celebration!

When I decided to meet a small group of friends for an intimate birthday celebration at the beautiful St. Regis Hotel in Atlanta… I didn’t imagine that I would have so much fun! It was like an evening of girlfriends meet Sex and the City!

You just never know how much you’ll learn about your friends and yourself when you open up and share your past, present and future. Now, while what we discussed at the St. Regis stays within the walls of the wine room, I can tell you that we laughed so hard—we cried!

 

We also shared our stories and secrets to our individual success and what we’d like to tackle next. Each one of the girls has decided to try something new in 2011… as smart women we’re always shifting and growing as our journey through life becomes more focused.

Our girls just having fun interaction caught the attention of a number of people who were in the hotel meeting friends or having a drink because a few of them came over to say hello to us. Our positive energy was infectious… and so was our Hauteness. We even had our own security detail!

As I ring in another birthday… I’ve never felt more alive or fabulous than I do right now. It’s true… I seem to get better with age. I’m stronger, wiser and more open than I’ve ever been. My relationships are sound and my circle of friends inspire and empower me every day. I’m so grateful to have the love of friends and family in a world where so many people have lost hope, faith and themselves.

But I’m not ready to wrap my birthday celebrations; I still have engagements in New York City and Miami!

How will you celebrate your birthday?

Appearing in the Haute Photos: Monique Eddleton @GoldnParachutes, Mattie James @Mattieologie, Tammie Reed @TalkingwithTami, and Jayda Cabbell @JaydaCabbell

Haute State of the Art Airport Terminal Unveiled in Nassau

The who’s who in Nassau came out Friday and walked the red carpet to see the unveiling of the new terminal at the Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA). Prime Minster the Rt. Hon. Hubert Ingraham made the reveal to a crowd of 1500 dignitaries and other guests, including Haute Travels!

This is the first phase of a $400 million dollar redevelopment project for the airport… the new state of the art facility is now the best in the Bahamas and Caribbean. The government is delighted by the “successful” conclusion of the first phase of the redevelopment of the LPIA, “a job undertaken and completed on time and within budget,” says The Prime Minister.

The night was amazing… the terminal came alive with music and fabulous people. The party moved up stairs to the gate area where we feasted on a variety of food including roast beef, chicken, shrimp, and a potato bar. A few hours later we moved back down stairs for a private concert by rock star Lenny Kravitz!

 

The new USA departure terminal is gorgeous! I can’t wait to return to the island and walk through the new terminal for the very second time.

Is the Bahamas on your list of haute destinations?

My Haute Sailing Adventure in the Bahamas

On Saturday, I spent my afternoon at sea on a luxury yacht in the Bahamas. It was so HAUTE! We sailed around Rose, Nassau and Paradise Islands. We even ventured over to the Atlantis where the super rich came in on what else—their private boats.

Our afternoon was full of fun, sun and a wonderful lunch of roast beef, salad, lobster tails and rice and beans. We even had an open bar to go with our cool conversation!

It was such a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon sailing through the Nassau harbor while Vaughn told us all about the new development that’s headed to the downtown area with new shops, restaurants and so much more. I can hardly wait… because I wonder who will sit alongside some of my favorite boutiques—Gucci, Fendi, David Yurman and John Bull on the famous Bay Street? Hmmm

There’s so much excitement in Nassau right now… and you’ll hear all about it on Haute Travels.

What do you want to know about Nassau, Bahamas?

The Bahamas is HAUTE

I love the beautiful island of Nassau for so many reasons. I was just in the Bahamas over the weekend and I got to spend time ocean side reflecting on a number of things. But more importantly, I got to enjoy warm tropical breezes, crystal clear turquoise water and stunning views of Nassau and Paradise Islands. I even got to meet some cool new friends… and convert a few to my Haute Travels following.

Whenever I travel to this pretty little island, I feel at home because the people are warm and beautiful. They’re so friendly; I feel a shared connectedness even though I’m not Bahamian. Over the last several years, I’ve been to Nassau many times, occassionally with my mother, but I always find something new to discover every time I return.

This time I found even more reasons to explore Nassau in a way that I’ve never done before as a writer and photographer. I’m already planning my return for fashion week in the fall. Look for upcoming features on the Bahamas as exclusive Haute Travels profiles because it's just that HAUTE!

Have you ever visited the Bahamas?

Prepare for Spring at Van Michael Salon!

Spring is in the air so it’s time for a haute makeover! Yesterday, I got the star treatment at Van Michael Salon in Buckhead. The hair pros literally took my hand and talked to me about my needs while they combed my hair and gave me a neck massage. It was beauty bliss! 

The Van Michael team really spent time getting to know me and my hair. Once we talked about my vision, they shared theirs and guided me through a hair book so that I could see different ways to add highlights. When I decided to trust Ron and add in caramel highlights taking my hair from fall and winter into spring… I never looked back. Kara suggested that I take my base color a shade lighter to really add warmth to my face. But not before, my PR and marketing rep Laura Hinds got the details. When Kara told her that she wanted to do something dramatically different… Laura wanted to know if it was NYC different or ATL different… I just had to laugh! Although, my friend and image consultant Tonya Seavers Evans suggested that I stay close to my established look.

After a second head and neck massage and color it was time for a keratin boost to keep my hair frizz-free as I prepared for an upcoming weekend in the Bahamas. While, I waited for the product to sink in I got a hand massage and sipped herbal tea while emailing a friend with the other hand!
 
The final step, the blowout and trim with Kara… she brought my shoulder-length bob back to life with her precision cutting and face framing techniques. I loved the way my hair started to bounce when I turned my head… ok so I may be dramatic, but I love my natural hair!

Before heading out the door, J. Marie cleaned up my brows and made my lips pop with a bolder color and softer eye!

My new spring look is HAUTE! And just in time for another trip to my of my favorite locales.

Are you planning to update your look for spring?




To learn book your appointment visit
http://www.vanmichael.com/locations/buckhead