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?

Jinhae Cherry Blossom estival

This past weekend we decided to make the hour trip north to the city of Jinhae, on the southern coastline, with our friends Mike and Alissa. The town is best known for the estimated 340,000 cherry blossom trees that bloom for only a few short weeks each spring. At the beginning of those weeks the city holds the annual Jinhae Gunhangjae Festival, this year marking the 49th year. in 1952 a statue of Korea's greatest naval hero was erected in the city's center, and since 1963, the festival has been held annually in honor of him. Each year these trees that are thought to be native to Korea attract over 1 million visitors. I apologize ahead of time for the overwhelming amount of photos that are sure to make you jealous.

Our first stop was to romance bridge. It spreads 1.5 km long with cherry blossom trees arching over the stream on both sides.

Our good friends Mike and Alissa who we went with

Jeremy loves making friends with the locals. The owner of a small snack cart that makes red bean pastries

Loads of photographers waiting for a train to arrive. They were about 2 hours early but that didn't stop them from sitting and waiting. Once they saw our group some turned and started taking photos of us instead.

Jeremy makes a new friend, another photographer waiting for the train with a birds eye view

Stairs to the observation tower. You can either climb the 365 stairs or pay to take a tram to the top. We chose the more strenuous version

The view was worth the climb. From the top you can see the entire city of Jinhae and all the cherry blossom trees that coat the mountains.

We were just excited to be done with all the stairs

There is also a market where you can find anything you would ever want. Even a fin to eat.

Shabu Shabu!!

I have found my favorite Korean meal! it's called Shabu Shabu. Basically they put a huge pot in the middle of the table and fill it with some sort of broth soup, they then add mixed veggies and let it cook. They then bring out raw meat and rice on lettuce. You swirl the meat in the broth and within seconds the meat is completely cooked. put it on the rice, dip in horseradish sauce and eat! At the end you can eat the veggies and broth as a soup. 

the plate of raw meat and rice

so much food!

Abandoned Theme Park

We went to Okpo and decided that we would try and find an abandoned amusement park that some friends told us about. Apparently it's a big attraction for local foreigners and high school students. Rumor has it that it was shut down some time ago because a little girl died on one of the rides. You can still see the cart hanging from the rail where she supposedly fell out. Others say that the owner simply ran out of money and it shut down...I like to think it was the first reason just to add a little more thrill.

While we were there a huge fire broke out on one of the ships in the shipyard. We heard sirens from every direction and very loud announcements being made

The ride that the girl supposedly died on

It felt a little like we were walking around the set of a horror film, very creepy and yet you want to keep walking and see more (makes me understand those girls in the movies that instead of leaving, like we all yell and the screen and tell her to do, keeps walking deeper into the house).

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?

Finally

Well after months of planning, endless trips to the post office, a 14 hour flight across the pacific ocean and one lost bag, we have finally made it to South Korea! For those of you who don’t know, we are located on Geoje Island, off the southern tip of South Korea. The island is roughly 250 sq miles and has a population of around 220,000, our city being the largest on the island. It’s clearly smaller than Tulsa but with everything being so compact and the constant hussle and bussle on the streets, it definitely feels like we’re in a big city.

This is a picture taken from our hotel room which we stayed in for the first two weeks here. Everywhere you look in the city you can see mountains stretching along the horizon. We are now in our roomy apartment and will give a proper house tour soon!

We hope you’ll check back and follow us on our new adventure together!