Wedding Planners Mingle at Salon MONTE

Story by Kellie Gunderman | Photography by Victoria Mance

Local celebrity, Monte Durham, recently hosted a Wedding Planners Mingle Event which took place at Salon MONTE, followed by a reception at Hummingbird. Makeup artist to clients such as Michelle Obama and Meryl Streep, Carl Ray, worked his magic on the models before they stepped into stunning gowns by Zoya's Atelier and were accessorized by the talented jewelry artist, Mindy Lam. Of course, no Monte Durham event is complete without bubbles! Guests enjoyed their evening sipping on champagne, discussing fashion and taking pictures with the beautiful models. Monte Durham told VIP, "It was an evening where fashion met style and beauty met glamour!" To make the evening even more special, The Angel Wings artwork by Mary Edwards was on display. The wings have been showcased at various local businesses throughout the month of Ocobter in an effort to raise breast cancer awareness.

OLD TOWN BOUTIQUE DISTRICT IS

FOR PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS

Story by Maria Elizabeth

The statistics are unsettling. However, with more awareness, research, and funding, we can ultimately increase the survival rate and give patients and their families more time together.

November is pancreatic cancer awareness month and the Old Town Boutique District (OTBD) is going PURPLE! This worldwide campaign to “Light It UP Purple” for pancreatic cancer awareness is on Thursday, November 19th and we want Alexandria to shine brightly on the map. Not only does switching out a lightbulb to purple help to shed light on this deadly disease, but it also gives honor to those who have passed or who are battling the third deadliest cancer in the United States. Our passion to get involved was initiated by a local Alexandrian, Amy Benitez. Amy lost her Mom, Georgia Sobolewski, to pancreatic cancer on May 4, 2019. She approached OTBD with this initiative with hopes that Alexandria would get involved in the fight against the horrible disease that stole her Mom away from her and her family way too soon. This year, we’ve also mourned two great Americans who lost their lives to pancreatic cancer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and John Lewis. Megan Podolsky (OTBD President) and Maria Elizabeth (OTBD VP) immediately agreed to join Amy and get Alexandria prominently involved in the “Light It UP Purple” campaign. The survival rate for pancreatic cancer is a mere 9% because most individuals receive a Stage 4 diagnosis. This is the lowest 5-year survival rate of ANY cancer. With mild symptoms, people often dismiss them as normal fluctuations in their bodies. The time is NOW to bring more awareness to the symptoms which include: mid-back pain, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, stomach pain, indigestion, new-onset diabetes, jaundice, and changes in stool. When pancreatic cancer is diagnosed at Stage 1, the five-year survival rate increases to 34%. It is estimated that in 2020, about 57,600 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and about 47,050 will die from this horrible disease. The statistics are unsettling. However, with more awareness, research, and funding, we can ultimately increase the survival rate and give patients and their families more time together. OTBD would love for all of Alexandria to join us and Light It UP Purple! On November 19th, simply change out a lightbulb to purple at your home or business and wear purple to show your support. If interested in supporting this cause, Salon DeZEN is donating purple lightbulbs while supplies last.

For more information, please email: maria@salondezen.com. Lastly, don’t forget to snap a picture of your purple light and attire and post to IG or FB with the hashtags #WPCD #immunovia #PANCaware #earlydetection.

DID YOU GET MARRIED THIS YEAR? HAVE YOUR WEDDING VIP ALEXANDRIA WEDDINGSfeatured issue

Email us at weddings@vipalexandriamag.com We will connect you with one of our professional writers who will help you share your love story in VIP Alexandria Magazine’s February 2020 Weddings Issue. We will also work with your wedding photographer to design your feature, ensuring you look just a beautiful in print as you did on your wedding day!