Chic in the City

My good friend Kimmi invited me to the Chic in the City event.  It’s a benefit to the Susan G. Komen for the cure foundation to fight breast cancer.  The event was a ladies night out, with fun, fashion, pupus, cosmopolitans, and the viewing of Sex and the City 2.  We were even invited to dress up as our favorite SATC character…ofcourse my fave is Carrie.  I tried to dress like her, I think I just came close to her eye makeup (after many youtube tutorials)…and maybe the heels.  I actually went out to buy heels to walk the red carpet.   I tried on these beautiful pair of pumps and I wanted it…until I looked at the price, $850….I thought I read it wrong, until I saw the brand, Manolo Blahniks.  Ofcourse, Carrie, but unlike her I couldn’t wear it daily to make it worth that much.

Kimmi is a breast cancer survivor, I look up to her, she’s such an inspiration and so strong.  So I couldn’t say no to being there and supporting her.  We were her ‘cancer posse’.  She did a speech there, a testimonial of what she went through.

In March of 2008, while showering, I found a lump in my left breast. I bathe every day, why am I just noticing this NOW?? I hope it would go away. A few weeks later after visiting my doctor, doing a mammogram, an ultrasound & a biopsy…Oh God! I was 36 years old & diagnosed with Stage IIB Breast Cancer. The one thing that sticks in my mind is calling my sister crying, asking “What am I going to do?!” She was all, “What do you mean, ‘what are you going to do,’ You are going to the doctors, find out what’s the next step and you are going to fight this! THAT’S WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO!” And that is exactly what I did.

I concentrated on the next step, through a lumpectomy, 5 months of chemotherapy and 2 months of radiation. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. But like Samantha Jones, I didn’t let cancer get the better of me. I continued to work. I was still productive. As awful as cancer is, my experiences weren’t all bad. I came to the realization that I am stronger & more resilient than I ever thought possible. And the love I received from co-workers, friends, family & even complete strangers was overwhelming! It’s a very humbling experience. These people kept me positive and happy. I have my “cancer posse” here tonight with me. I would not have gotten through this without them. Thank you!

This is why I’m so happy to see that all of you decided to join us to support Susan G Komen for the Cure. Finding a cure is so important. For those women who are diagnosed, 5% will have breast cancer again within the next 8 years. 12%, in the next 20. Those percentages may seem low, but for those of us who already fought cancer once, those statistics are terrifying.

So to my “survivor sisters”, good job! Congratulations!

I’m so proud of her, she’s my hero, such an inspiration!!  Following her speech and a few other survivors, there was a fashion show.  My first and it was so great, with designers on the island showing their awesomeness.  Here are some from our awesome night out.

Fashion Designer – Erin Ludolph

Suzanna Kuhlemann

Jodi Salmonson

Sierra Dew

Doug Jago …. anyone notice the awesome ANTM in this row?

Then we ladies ended the night with the movie… which was fabulous by the way.

Thanks for the event Dream on HI, Amanda Stevens and Cheryl Witbeck