Memorial Day weekend is sure to be a blur, and then before we know it, it will be June. Fortunately, we’re providing you with a jumpstart on your social calendar for next month so you can come back from the weekend without ever missing a beat. Here are a few of the events we’ve already penciled into our day planners.

June 2: “Adrian: The Iconic Suit” at the Phoenix Art Museum
At 7 p.m., fashion historian Jane Trapnell Marino will lead a lecture and discussion centered on Hollywood costume designer Adrian and the fashions he presented to the world during Tinsel Town’s “Golden Age.” While working for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Adrian created costumes for some of the most famous films of the era, including The Wizard of Oz, for which he designed the iconic ruby slippers Judy Garland wore. In the early 1940s, Adrian left the motion picture company in order to further expand his career in the realm of fashion. Trapnell will examine the impact the designer and his work left on society and the entertainment industry, taking into consideration the effects of World War II on fashion during that decade.
Phoenix Art Museum is located at 1625 N. Central Avenue in Phoenix (602) 257-1222

June 9: Armitage Bistro’s Six-Year Anniversary
At 6 p.m., Armitage Bistro and Winery in Scottsdale will kick off a party celebrating its six years in the business. Serving elegant cuisine in an Old World setting, Armitage hosts weekly wine tastings, caters events, and has a wine store that can provide cellar services and place special orders. Enjoy complimentary food and drinks from 6 to 8 p.m., then everything at half price from 8 p.m. to close.
Armitage Bistro is located at 20751 N. Pima Road in Scottsdale (480) 502-1641‎

June 11: SMoCA Summer Opening Celebration
From 7 to 9 p.m., enjoy complimentary entry to the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art as it kicks off its selection of summer exhibitions. Some of the artists will even be in attendance, including local photographer Mark Klett, who will be available to sign copies of his book Third Views/Second Sights – A Rephotographic Survey of the American West, as well as photographer Michael Light, who will be available to sign copies of his book 100 Suns.
The SMoCA is located at 7374 E. Second Street in Scottsdale (480) 874-4666

June 24: Cook with the Chef at Prado
Each Thursday, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., join Chef de Cuisine Claudio Uriciuoli at work at the award-winning Prado Restaurant at Montelucia Resort. A great way to start a date night for foodies and those who love to cook, Cook with the Chef guests sip wine while helping Uriciuoli to prepare appetizers and entrees that everyone enjoys at the end of the cooking presentation. Reservations are $65 per person, plus tax, and must be made no later than 4 p.m. the day before.
Prado at Montelucia Resort is located at 4949 E. Lincoln Drive in Paradise Valley (480) 627-3200

We know how to do things here in Texas. We’re not as much Wallstreet as we are Willy Nelson, more Daisy Dukes than capri pants. Oh, we also know how to barbecue some serious meat. Which is why Memorial Day weekend is so dadgum important to us Southern folks: it’s our opportunity to shine (that and July 4th, we’re pretty good with settin’ fire to things, too.) So, ’tis the season to love all things Texas, and kick the summer off right with something that just says I Love the Lonestar State. Enter Chef Blythe Beck of Central 214, made famous by her series “The Naughty Chef” last season on Oxygen. If anyone knows how to cook something you’ll get guilt pounds just looking at it, Beck’s your gal. So although I’m sure you know exactly how to cook your meat, here’s her recipe for smoked brisket, which is flying off the bone at her restaurant (summer bonus: check out the newly renovated patio at Central 214 for nighttime movies all summer long!)

Smoked Brisket with Warm Potato Salad

1 whole brisket

2 cans of your favorite beer

3 Tbsp bacon

3 Tbsp diced shallots

1 tsp diced garlic

¼ cup malt vinegar

¼ cup water

2 Tbsp corn starch

¼ cup brown sugar

1-2 lbs fingerling potatoes

Kosher salt

Cracked black pepper

Procedure for Brisket:

Heavily season brisket with salt and pepper. Place brisket in smoker on low (225-250) for 8 hours. Pour beer into bowl or container suitable for smoker. Place underneath brisket. Flip brisket half way through cooking time. HINT: remember to allow your brisket to rest out of the heat for 10-15 minutes.

Procedure for Warm Potato Salad:

In sauce pot, cook bacon and render fat. While bacon is cooking, in a separate container, mix vinegar, water, corn starch, and brown sugar. When bacon is ¾ cooked, add shallots and cook until they begin to brown. Add garlic. Combine liquid mixture to bacon mixture. Allow to come to a boil until thick. Stir often to incorporate ingredients and prevent sticking. Fold in roasted halved fingerling potatoes. HINT: you can roast potatoes a couple of days before you need the salad. When roasting make sure to season with salt and pepper.

Assembly:

Slice brisket against the grain. Place potato salad on plate and enjoy!

Get together with some of Vegas’ top chefs, restaurants and mixologists as they help fight childhood hunger during Share Our Strength’s 18th annual Taste of the Nation. The culinary benefit raises funds needed to support Share Our Strength’s efforts to end childhood hunger in the Las Vegas valley. This year, the event takes over Rain Nightclub at the Palms from 6:30 to 9 p.m. June 2 with a VIP reception beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The event brings together more than 30 chefs and restaurants. Chef Carlos Guia of The Country Club – a New American Steakhouse helms the event that includes Aureole and RM Seafood at Mandalay Bay, Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House at MGM Grand, Rosemary’s Restaurant, N9NE Steakhouse at the Palms and more. A complete list of participating restaurants can be found here. The night also features a silent auction with once-in-a-lifetime items and a spirited live auction hosted by Nate Tannenbaum.

VIPs get a champagne reception and early entrance to the event for some face time with the chefs. All VIP guests will receive a gift bag to take away from the event with fun gifts from local businesses and retailers.

Area charities that will benefit from this year’s event include Three Square Food Bank, Catholic Charities of Las Vegas, UNCE Chefs for Kids and Project MANA. Since 1988, Taste of the Nation has raised more than $70 million for organizations in the United States, Canada and abroad, including almost $1 million in Las Vegas alone.

With more than 12 million children facing hunger in America, Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation works to end childhood hunger in the United States and abroad by ensuring that children and their families have reliable access to nutritious food, and by addressing the deeper causes of these conditions. Funds raised through Taste of the Nation events provide grants to organizations in the United States, Canada and abroad that work successfully to end childhood hunger.

Taste of the Nation Las Vegas is nationally sponsored by American Express, Sysco and the Food Network. One hundred percent of ticket sales help ensure no kid in America grows up hungry.

Tickets for Taste of the Nation Las Vegas are $75 for general admission and $100 for VIP and can be purchased by calling 1.877.26.TASTE or visiting TasteOfTheNation.org.

It takes a club like Haze at Aria at CityCenter to leave you feeling a bit foggy in the morning. Did you just dance on the catwalk railings on the second level where everyone could see you? Did you run up to the elevated deejay booth in the middle of the dance floor to ask Tiesto to play that song?

We’ll never tell.

The 25,000-square-foot nightclub from Light Group decked in metallic, blacks, reds and golds lives up to its name. Four giant rigs rotate above the dance floor with lights flashing to make the club seem alive. A massive LED screen at the back puts on its own show and enormous chandeliers hang overhead. Despite all the lights, you can get lost in dark, empty spaces in the club or in the back halls that lead to the VIP areas. Grab some drinks from one of the three bars.

Themes change weekly with models and go-go dancers throughout the club following suit. One week might be a Candyland theme with dancers in cotton candy beehives while the next it’s harem night with a front voyeur room laid out like a hookah lounge. There’s never a shortage of celebrities, such as Gwen Stefani, Usher or Juliette Lewis, singing at the mike. This Sunday, the club opens for Memorial Day weekend and DJ Jonathan Peters spins.

Yes, you could leave Haze Nightclub feeling a bit hazy.

The club is open Thursday through Saturday from 10:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. For bottle service and table reservations, call 702.693.8300. For more information, visit www.lightgroup.com/nightlife/haze-nightclub-las-vegas.

Non-profit organization, The Kitchen, held their Spring Gala benefit honoring David Byrne at Capitale. The event’s co-chairs were Charlotte Ford, Bill Ford, Jacqueline Reses, Matt Apfel, Melanie Shorin, and Greg S. Feldman, proceeds went to supporting artistic and production costs for The Kitchen’s annual presenting season.

Arriving in support of The Kitchen, the organization which helps launch the careers of numerous artists, were Josh Hartnett, Justin Theroux, Aurel Schmidt, Cortney Novogratz, Bob Novogratz, Debra Singer, Andrea Glimcher, and Marc Glimcher. The evening also included performances by the Dirty Projectors, Doveman, Nico Muhly, and St. Vincent.

Check the Haute Living events page for more scenes for this evening.

Though Sex and the City 2 may be receiving less than rave reviews from the critics, HP’s screening of the film on Tuesday night at the Paris Theater was quite the red carpet event.

I was decked out in a dress and bag by Nicole Miller, from her 2010 line, that has not even hit the stores yet, and I had the pleasure of sitting next to Alexandra Lebenthal during the screening. She has a new book coming out in the fall called The Recessionista that I will detail in my next blog. The audience was, of course, filled with celebrities, including such famous faces as Charlotte Ronson, Ivanka Trump, Nigel Barker, Vivianne Tam, and Prabal Gurung. Complimentary popcorn, soda, and candy were provided for our viewing pleasure.

HP’s presence in the film was marked with scenes including products such as the HP Mini 210 Vivienne Tam Edition and HP TouchSmart PC, and HP TouchSmart tm2 notebook PCs.

Following the film screening, VIP guests made their way over to Bergdorf Goodman for the after-party, where the luxury retailer decorated its windows according to the movie theme of the night. Thank goodness for Jeff Kim who styled my hair and outfit for the evening because the women at the party were outfitted in supreme elegance. With Sex and the City’s reputation for fashion, fans showed up in their most glamorous getups, dressed to impress each other. It was a magical night, and I would have expected nothing less.

Check the Haute Living events page for more photos from the Sex and the City 2 premiere.

Check the Haute Living events page for more photos from the Sex and the City 2 premiere.

This week was all about the Sex…and the City, that is. With countless premiere parties happening all around New York City, every style lovin’ woman brought out their brightest ensembles. Some were lucky enough to hit the carpet alongside the four stars—Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristen Davis, and Cynthia Nixon—at the Sex and the City 2 premiere at Radio City Music Hall. And others weren’t. But that certainly did not stop masses of uptown and downtown fashionistas from showing up to catch a glimpse of the Red Carpet beauties. Click on to see our favorite looks from the evening.

El Museo’s 2010 Gala brought together names like Narciso Rodriguez, Maria Cornejo, Brian Reyes, and Liliana Dominguez, as they gathered at Cipriani 42nd Street for the annual blowout benefiting El Museo del Barrio. Partygoers crowded the dance floor, as a live Mariachi band was on hand to provide the evening’s entertainment.

Along with dancing, dinner, and drinks, awards were also given to prestigious names in music. The museum’s ongoing director Julian Zugazagoitia presented artist Tony Bechara with the Special Leadership Award. Renowned designer Oscar de la Renta stepped in for a recovering Barbara Walters, who recently had heart valve surgery, to honor Placido Domingo with the Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award as well as read him a heart-felt letter written by Walters.

Check the Haute Living events page for more scenes for this evening.

It’s not really a stretch to recognize how important yoga can be in our daily lives. Meditate on the following haute 5 yoga studios in the Dallas area.

Vert Fitness and Wellness Center

Nestled behind Barcadia on Henderson Avenue, Vert Fit is probably the only thing that’s actually good for you on the bar strip. Haven’t perfected that Warrior Three pose yet? Try their Candlelight Yoga class, a great way to Downward Dog in the dark. Or you can check out their innovative BALLOGA class, a fusion of ballet and yoga taught by Mavs dancer and former Cowboys cheerleader Lauren Castillo. Bonus: all classes are semi-private, so you won’t be mat-to-mat with a fellow bender.

Vert Fitness and Wellness Center is located at 1909 Henderson Avenue in Dallas

Uptown Yoga

Uptown Yoga’s studio is the perfect arena for some meditative moving, with its open, airy floor plan and large windows that invite in tons of natural light. The instructors practice Vinyasa yoga, focusing on breath and improvement of flexibility and core strength. Owner Jennifer Chitwood gave the place a face lift in 2008, bringing in new teachers and creating the casual, peaceful environment Uptown Yoga is today.

Uptown Yoga is located at 2636 Thomas Avenue in Dallas

Sunstone Yoga

At their many locations around the metroplex, Sunstone Yoga focuses entirely on power yoga in a hot, 90 degree room (whew!) They divide their classes up into Fire, Earth, Water, Wood and Metal series, all varying in pace and difficulty that are designed to reduce stress and improve strength and balance. Some classes close with a 30-minute restorative class to help the body wind down from the workout.  Feeling like your a true yogi? Try the 84 Asanas class, an 84-posture series that takes place over three hours every Friday at their Plano location.

To see a complete list of Sunstone Yoga locations, visit www.sunstoneyoga.com

Bikram Yoga

The first Bikram Yoga studio in Dallas, this is large space is home to the original Hatha Yoga, or “hot yoga.” With a basic 26 pose series, the classes take place in 105 degree room to ensure the body is warm and malleable. The heat also elevates the heart rate and increases circulation, which will help release the toxins in the muscles and glands. All certified Bikram yoga instructors complete an intense training by Bikram Choudhury himself out in LA, so you can be sure to get the best out of your sessions.

Bikram Yoga is located at 6333 E Mockingbird Lane, St 253 in Dallas

Bend Studio

Bend your mind and the rules at Bend Studio on Mckinney Avenue. From beginners to advanced practitioners, there is a class for everyone at Bend, including some specialized classes for those with back pain or high levels of stress. The studio also has a boutique with all kinds of yoga gear, scented candles and bath toiletries, and you can enjoy some local melodic samplings as Bend supports up and coming musical talents as well.

Bend Studio is located at 5014 McKinney Avenue in Dallas

Architecturally stunning, brand new hillside home perfectly crafted in the modern style. Panoramic ocean and Catalina Island views blend effortlessly with the gentle curves and floating aspect of this home’s unique design. World-class design elements include 20′ mitered glass view windows, exotic hardwood cabinets, honed marble floors, a constellation of ceiling lights arranged in a natural pattern, sublime German and Italian fixtures, a natural grass roof over the 3-plus-car garage, custom doors and stainless steel railings, aesthetically pleasing lines, art niches and pocketing sliders, elevator servicing all 3 levels, 4 fireplaces, and designer glass tiles and backlit mirrors. This home is ideal for those who appreciate sophisticated design and artistically creative architecture. Designed by one of Laguna’s top architects, David Parker. Huge lot affords privacy. Home is set far back from the street on its own private drive.

Offered @ $4,295,000

Contact Chris Guziak @ 949.494.0001 or guziak@gmail.com. Or visit www.sothebysrealty.com.