This past Sunday Food Outreach hosted its largest annual fundraiser A Tasteful Affair !   The always-popular auction and food extravaganza was held in the Khorassan Ballroom at The Chase Park Plaza, from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.  (VIP preview party 1:00 – 2:00 pm)  Last year’s event drew a crowd of 1,500 and raised more than $280,000.  This year Nearly 1400 people packed the event and over $210,000.00 was raised.

THE HIP EVENT!

Spring has sprung and seasonal attire is a must have. This weekend (March 20th and 21st), Neiman Marcus is hosting their annual HIP EVENT. This is a not to miss festival of everything in vogue for Spring and Summer fashion. Ladies, NM is offering you a special Juicy Couture tote filled with goodies from all you favorite designers. Shop women's Contemporary Sportswear or Dress Collection and with every $350 you spend, the Stylish Juicy Couture Tote is all yours. With every $650 spent prepare your wrist to be adorned with the uber NM exclusive Juicy Couture Bracelet. 

Gentlemen, Don't think you have been left out! Each season ushers in a new style of must-have jeans. I recommend the defining characteristic of the "Straight" leg jean this season. You can try this cut and other cool denim options at THE MEN'S DENIM EVENT. Spending $500 or more in Men's Contemporary will net you a pair of jeans with NM's compliments. 

Hurry out this weekend to Neiman Marcus located in Frontnec Plaza! It is time to stimulate your own wardrobe!

Style on,

DSly the Style Guy

DJ ROB LEMON

Starting in the mid 90's, DJ Rob Lemon commenced procuring his St. Louis fan base by throwing house parties.  Doing so gained him much exposure and finally landed him his first few gigs in the St. Louis nightclub scene.  Back in the day Lemon explains-" DJ'ing club music was not genre specific. A DJ played music ranging from deep house to trance all in one set. Around 2000, the touring DJ became the new rock star and the music ultimately became very genre specific. A DJ would come into town and would play either house, progressive or trance but never all of the above in one set. Today the touring DJ is even more genre specific. For example a DJ today may play tech-house, minimal, epic trance or deep house."

Lemon describes his "style" as progressive house with a deep sexy vibe. His main goal while working the decks is to paint a musical picture over the night by building tension early and then delivering a sound that has even the "wallflowers" dancing by the end of the night. Speaking of style, it got me pondering the age-old question of  "does art imitate life or does life imitate art?" The same goes for music and fashion.  Lemon explained- "Music sets the trends and fashion follows. Fashion designers want to design pieces to compliment whatever music style is hot at the moment. There is so much money and power behind fashion that it appears that they are in sync because fashion can be produced, marketed and delivered so quickly. It is that simpatico that creates the cool element that is executed at fashion events or in an advertisement. "

Even though DJ Rob Lemon travels a large part of the year spinning in Las Vegas, Chicago, New York, Miami and LA, he never forgets his roots and adores the St. Louis music market. "St. Louis has a more extreme core group of electronic dance music lovers verses other cities. The people here who love dance music are totally addicted to it. They do not listen to anything else and I really love the passion they express about club music"-he explains.  While in St. Louis, Lemon has residencies at the $15million nightclub HOME located at Ameristar and SOL in the heart of the Central West End. He describes-"HOME has greatly elevated the expectation for nightlife in St. Louis with a national roster that compares to none. SOL lounge is the closest example to a New York City underground bar that draws an international clientele and has a very cool vibe."

In 2006, Lemon produced a massive hit named Hypnosis. It's been played by such international DJs such as Deep Dish and Paul Van Dyke. In 2009 he is working on a track of that magnitude and hope that it will surpass his last club hit. Even with today's economy in the tank, Lemon feels that it has actually helped the nightlife scene. "People want to let loose now more than ever before which has resulted in packed houses at almost every national nightclub."-Say's Lemon.

Today it seems that every Hollywood starlets and stud are claiming their DJ status and Lemon feel that this has only helped promote the club music scene by exposing more people to it.  However, if your career is DJ'ing you must eat, drink, breathe and sleep music 24/7. Lemon hopes that once the Hollywood DJ trend has passed, those who were newly exposed to club music for the first time will continue to go out.

If reading this article on one of St. Louis's ICONS of club music hasn't got you excited about experiencing Deep House Dance then you should check out DJ Rob Lemon spinning at one of his up coming performances or log onto www.RobLemon.com . Below is a list of his up-coming performances. Now get yo' booty on the dance floor,

Style ON!

DSly

DJ ROB LEMON

March 13^th            SOL                                                 9:00pm

March 14^th            HOME                                            10:00pm

March 20^th            HOME w/ Sander Kleinenbeg            9:00pm

March 21^st            CZAR BAR (Kansas City)                  10:00pm

March 28^th            SOL w/ Justin king                            9:00pm

April 4^th                SOL                                                  9:00pm

April 24^th              HOME w/ D-Fuse                             10:00pm

April 25^th              SOL w/ Justin King                            9:00pm

May 24^th              HOME w/ Benny Benassi                   10:00pm

                        (Look for DSly at this Event)

Mardi Gras is upon us and the "Fat Tuesday" celebrations have already began. Friday (the 13th), yours truly attended the Mardi Gras Groove at the Atomic Cowboy in the heart of the Manchester Grove.

New Orleans native Pamela Raymond of the Raymond Experience PR and Marketing firm, held court as queen of the ball and event organizer. To Raymond, the key to celebrating like a true Louisiana lies in knowledge. The event, was a fitting kick-off to Saint Louis’ own illustrious Mardi Gras celebration and gave attendees the opportunity to learn about things like the history and ritual of Mardi Gras, and the definitions of favorite Cajun catchphrases, while enjoying cocktails and gifts such as the ever-present Mardi Gras beads.  Raymond even encouraged some of her New Orleans brethren to come to the event, sending invitations and offering incentives to attendees able to present a valid Louisiana issued ID, or student ID from the areas’ many universities, in the hopes that they’ll be able to share a bit of their New Orleans with us as well.

Although she has lived in Saint Louis for thirteen years, Raymond hasn’t forgotten her Southern-fried charm- or her love for her hometown, which is why she wanted to bring the spicy essence of the bayou to Saint Louis. “I thought to myself, ‘I love Mardi Gras, I love New Orleans. Now, how can I share some of my personal experiences with the city I have adopted as my second home?”

Those experiences and memories of Mardi Gras center around family and ceremony, aspects of the celebration that may not spring first to mind when recalling the historically bourbon-soaked holiday. Raymond wants to change that. She says, “That’s the great thing about New Orleans’ Mardi Gras. You can take pretty much anything YOU want away from the experience. That area is so steeped in tradition but it also values individuality. That’s why it’s called ‘The Big Easy.’” 

The inventive mind behind St. Louis tastemaker events such as Sauce Magazine’s, “Saucy Soiree” and the recent “New Years’ Eve At Moulin”, Pamela now had the opportunity to bring a bit of herself into the mix, giving residents of the city she has come to love an education in the city she left behind. As for “lagniappe”? The glossary on the Experience New Orleans’ website defines lagniappe as “Something extra that you didn't pay for--thrown in to sweeten the deal--like a baker's dozen.”  Attendees of the "Soirez" received  a “Lagniappe Pack,” complete with complimentary pint of Samuel Adams, Tarot Card readings, New Orleans-style gumbo and King Cake, as well as a chance to win tickets to a St. Louis sporting event, courtesy of St. Louis Sports Magazine or a gift certificate from Salon Privé were also on the menu. A specialty cocktail, “The Perfect Storm Hurricane” also got the party kickin'.

Spotted in the packed house were lawyer Aime Needham, Estee Lauder's Kyle Hamilton, political candidate running for the 25th ward alderman Shane Cohn, Sauce Magazine publisher Allyson Mace, adventure photographer Steve Perotti and OBGYN/ pilot Dr. Teressa Knight! Be sure and check out the Photo Gallery for more party pics!

Style on,
DSly the Style Guy

So, yes... the DSly may be single but that doesn't stop me from finding a few amazing Valentine buys for all you love birds out there. Sure, some people say that Valentine's Day is a commercial holiday developed to get you to spend big bucks on your significant other. Or, it could be a ploy for retailers to make up for a slow January sales month. That is cool for all the nay sayers. However, in a bleak economy that doesn't mean you can't find some great gift ideas for your little lover for a little price!

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DIAMONDS!!! Yes... I said diamonds. Just back from the exclusive National Jewelry Show in New York, famed ice hunter Debbie Kaminer of "What A Girl Wants" is set and sassy to unveil her new line this Thursday and Friday ( Feb 12th-13th) at CODI Diamonds in Town and Country. I know what you are thinking. DSly... have you gone crazy? Diamonds are "Tres Cher"! Have no fear, Madame Kaminer has found some fabulous bobbles that fall into the $100 to $300 range. So, if this Valentine's Day you plan on wowing your girl... Debbie Kaminer knows just "What A Girl Wants"  

CODI Diamonds 

Featuring "What A Girl Wants" trunk show.

Thursday, Feb 12th 5:00pm-9:00pm and Friday Feb, 13th 10:00am-5:00pm

1066 Town & Country Crossing Dr,

Town and Country, MO

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MONKEY LOVE!!! Now, this is the DSly's personal favorite this Valentine's Day. Build-A-Bear Workshop is offering you the "Pawfect" way to share your heart with this "Beary Limited" edition "Hugs Fur Your Monkey". Priced at an affordable $15, its long arms will hug your sweetheart with adorable Valentine's pink fur. This new friend is sure to make you the hero of the year. Chief executive bear, Maxine Clark says "The season of love would not be complete without teddy bear hugs"  Build-A-Bear Workshop also has a cornucopia of make-your-own stuffed animals starting at only $10 and outfits and/or accessories starting at just $2. Guest can find personalized gifts at a "Pawsome" price!

Build-A-Bear Workshop

Saint Louis Galleria and West County Center 

Monday- Saturday 10:00am-9:00pm and Sunday 11:00am-6:00pm

or online at: www.buildabear.com

STYLE ON,

DSly The Style Guy