Sure, the past weekend of August was the final week for the Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge, but I was so over it. I needed something new and exciting to fascinate my weekend. Therefore, I was absolutely thrilled when I received an invite to stay at The Chelsea in Atlantic City. I jumped at the opportunity to visit the other end of the spectrum. After all, how can I call myself a Jersey Girl if I've never even been to AC?

My girl Sam and I promptly did a little research. The first thing that caught my eye was their MO: Atlantic City, the way it was meant to be. Dine. Unwind. Socialize. Umm... done, done, and done! We were down and couldn't wait.

Finally, the weekend came and we arrived in the am. Walking into the lobby, we felt like we had been transported back in time to AC's heyday. Back to the old school glam of the Rat Pack Era. Clean, well-lit, with a modernized art-deco decor that's absolutely divine. The front desk clerk, Monique, was super friendly, cute, knowledgeable (gave us a bit of hotel accommodations without being salesey or annoying), and efficient- qualities I wish every hotel employee would have.

Also located on the 1st floor; a world-class spa, boutique, gym, and Teplitzky's Coffee Shop (which is open to 4am...).

Monique hooked us up with a corner room on the 18th floor with a view of the ocean. Gorgeous. The room was big, with an oversized bed dressed up in crisp white down blankets and pillows, a flat screen tv and ipod speaker dock (rock on), and a well-stocked "mini" bar... full size wine bottles and assorted bevs in the fridge.

I absolutely adore the decor, which is thematic throughout the entire hotel. Before I get into the fantavulous Fifth Floor deets, I have a little insider scoop for those of you looking to have fun on the cheap.

Although I highly recommend staying in the main tower, The Chelsea also has an Annex, which features smaller rooms for less. Still comfy, connected to the main hotel, and overlooking the salt water pool. The only differences are; the bathroom isn't ginormous and there is limited counter space. For bros looking to crash, it's perfect.

Now to the coolest part. Socializing was a key ingredient while designing The Chelsea. With that in mind, the hotel is filled with nooks of couches and common areas to fulfill that criteria. In addition, being the first non-gaming hotel on the boardwalk since the '60s, they put everything you need to have a killer time on one level, aptly dubbed: Fifth Floor.

A Stephen Starr restaurant- Chelsea Prime, C5- the nightclub, Cabana Club- the stellar pool area, the Game Room- with bar and pool table, a lounge area, and an outside terrace overlooking the beach.

The Cabana Club feels like it came directly out of a glamour Hollywood movie set. All placed conveniently around the pool, there is one huge cabana (available for rent, but usually houses a DJ spinning tracks late afternoon into the evening), several private cabanas with flatscreen tv's, and a slew of lounge chairs and couch areas. Full-service is available to every area (including drinks and yummy food from Teplitzky's).

After lounging poolside all afternoon sipping Hurricane Lemonades and Cakebread Rose, we ordered room service from Teplitzky's before primping for C5. All I will say is: delish.

With several reserved areas available, our crew opted for a couple banquets lining the covered dance floor near the DJ. This primo locale was between the Game Room and the outside bar. FYI: the poolside cabanas are also a choice bottle-service option.

Then it was on! The entire area was filled with a mix of good looking peeps- dancing, chatting, and chilling. Zero pretentiousness, excellent beats, and fab service.

Conclusion: If you're looking to get away and have a great time, head no further then The Chelsea. Promised to never disappoint, the concierge team will go above and beyond to make you feel like you have returned to the golden age of leisure and luxury.

I was so not prepared whatsoever for the shenanigans that were to take place Thursday Night. It seemed like it would be a typical SBS eve; Designers for Darfur Benefit in Soho and my  friend from The Luxury Spot, Vivianne's birthday party in the Meatpacking District. So wrong.

It all began at one of my fave restaurant's, Salt, on Macdougal. A few glasses of vino rojo and a scrumptious beet ravioli dish later, we headed to the uber exclusive Speakeasy with the password on hand.

Through the unmarked gate, down the stairs, and beyond the metal door, was a room full of fashion mavens and Justin Parks. Although it is not unusual for Mr. Parks to be surrounded by a bevy of beautiful ladies, I still had to giggle, as he seemed a bit perplexed. Naturally, I promptly reached out to greet him and introduced him to my friend and photog. The source of Mr. Parks' quizzical smile: Step and Repeat. Apparently, this was the first time there was to be a Step and Repeat at the Speakeasy, and Mr. Parks was simply curious how it would turn out.

The Answer? The photogs were pretty sweaty under the lights, but those being snapped: Glamtastic.

Luckily, Mr. Parks had Ms. Amanda Parenti of The Green Room NYC, in charge, making sure it all the S & R ran smoothly. She also was not opposed to having a few photo ops of her own. And why shouldn't she? She looked lovely.

Also making appearances: Derek Warbuton (looking a-maze-ing), Guest of a Guest Editor Rachelle Hruska, Designers Pooneh Mohazzabi, Caroline Cameron, Amy Britt, Christine Marchuska, and many many more...

After making the rounds a couple times, being thoroughly entertained by Josh Beckerman's magic tricks, and few gin 'n juices later, I was ready to take my Betsey Johnson peep-toe kitten heels to Viv's birthday bash at One Little West 12th.

Viv was all smiles and looked smashing. As she was introducing me to a few of her friends, I got a panic call from my cohort who was trapped inside with our drinks.

When I went to the rescue, I also went into the twilight zone. Yes my friends, it was an apropos meat market, specializing in sausage circa 1984. Acid wash jeans and men with poor hair product choices surrounded me, entrancing me with their white man's overbite dance routines.

I kid you not.

Highly entertained, we found a prime real estate banquet to survey the talent.

Unable to resist a well-aged man with a thinning ponytail and a faded floral and striped short-sleeve button-down doing "the jerk" (I think), I leapt to my feet. I just had to dance with this silver fox in clogs.

Sadly, after some nifty moves with me, he moved on to bump and grind with acid washed jeans boy.

As I sat back down feeling used, a group of women who must've been wearing their dresses from middle school, gathered in front of our table and began some serious booty dancing. I desperately wanted Viv and her crew to witness our entertainment, but I found myself trapped in a sea of unfortunate dressers.

Perhaps the whole evening was a fashion history lesson. After all, one cannot become a style visionary without a solid foundation of what has already been done. Likewise, one cannot appreciate those trendsetting efforts without grasping the alternative of remaining in the past.

To view more picts from Designers for Darfur: click HERE

To view more picts from Viv's party: click HERE

*Photo 1: Derek Warburton

*Photo 2: Brett Helsham

*Photo 3: Men Gone Wild

*Photo 4: Courtney Kline and Vivianne Lapointe

Tuesday Night at Le Poisson Rouge was jammed with people getting their groove on to some delicious tunes while sipping on some tasty treats. The Inaugural Reeve Rocks Benefit, hosted by Torsten Gross and Matt Reeve, was nothing short of a smashing success. All proceeds go to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. Rock on.

100's of friends gathered in the stellar cavernous venue to rock out to Jamie McLean Band, Edison, and Jesse Ruben and partake in the raffle and silent auction. Items for bid included, wait for it.... Bruce Springsteen front row tickets, Dinner at Wylie Dufresne famed restaurant- WD-50, Autographed Rock memorabilia, Flip HD video cameras, and more.

Now we are all pretty familiar with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation (and if you're not... you should be), which is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy. We are also aware of the  various events that are thrown to benefit the cause, so I wanted to find out why and how Reeve Rocks was conceived. Who better to ask then one of the hosts for the evening? I caught up with Mr. Gross this morning (both of us were rockin' too hard last night to sit for some Q&A) to find out how he pulled off such a epic event...

Scene B Seen: Torsten, how did you get involved with the Foundation and why?

Torsten Gross: I got involved with the Reeve Foundation 4 years ago while working at an advertising agency. I took on the account because the Foundation has major importance to me, as I am a Quadriplegic and in a wheelchair. We helped focus their brand and move them to the next level.

SBS: How did the idea of Reeve Rocks come about and why did you want to do it?

TG: The idea of a benefit show has been bandied about for a few years. For one reason or another, it never took off. After I started FatBaby, I felt I had the means to be able to pull the trigger and make it happen. It’s one of those opportunities that I would love to constantly get: great people, great music and a great cause. It’s the perfect storm of greatness right?

SBS: How do you think it went?

TG: I think it was a great success. We haven’t seen numbers yet, but by the mass that came out I can say we did what we set out to do. People are asking when the next show is and how they can get involved. That’s all we can ask for: seeing something and immediately wanting to be a part of it.

SBS: Absolutely. So, what is next?

TG: Two days of sleep, catching up on neglected work, and probably starting the planning for Reeve Rocks 2.

SBS: Well, I, for one, can't wait.

If you made it out this time, thank you for realizing and contributing to Rock for a Cause. If you didn't, you won't want to miss the next one. Stay tuned at Reeve Rocks and for more info on the Foundation, please visit Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.

*Photos courtesy of Susan Blond Inc.

Our dear friend and birthday girl: Britten Heft, what isn’t there to say? She is thoughtful, loving, selfless, super sweet and is always there when you need anything.... She’s the new girl in town as Editor of Scene B Seen, covering who’s hot, what’s not, and where’s where in NYC and the Hamptons. Obviously, this society gal knows how to throw a party.

Last night it was time to truly be scene and be seen at the utterly jaw dropping Hudson Terrace Rooftop Lounge, for one of the best birthday parties to date. Guests included everyone from the most charming Heft family members to fabulous friends Stephanie and Jesse Newhouse, Jen Marden, designer extraordinaire Allison Parris, host and promoter Malik so Chic, Karen Biehl with cutie patutie Eli the Chihuahua- accompanied by magician Matt Wayne, and publicist queen Hillary Schupf, artist Jenny Belin… to name drop a few.

Whoever said you couldn’t have your cake and eat it too, should have made it to the beautiful bash! Cameras caught the many who stopped by- hugging, laughing, dancing and taking a bite of their very own little slice of delicious life, eh hem, I mean cake. Hey, we are New Yorkers; we know how to do that.

I finally stopped dancing to ask Britten why this Birthday was particularly special, she responded, "I left the east coast when I was 18 and spent the next dozen years moving around the west. I was trying to figure out how I fit in this world. I suppose I was searching, learning, and questioning so much, I forgot to just be. Now, I finally feel like I'm living- triumphs and tribulations." ...and may I add... Back in New York City- exactly where she belongs!

We need more big hearted “Britten’s” in this city, especially in times like these where some of our best organizations are getting hit hard by the lack of donations due to rising unemployment. Prior to the festivities the sensational guest of honor requested as her birthday wish, for those who were able, to donate a small amount to help out a great organization here in our beautiful city of New York: City Harvest.

It’s a small organization with a big feat. Day in and day out, City Harvest helps feed hungry men, women and children all around our city. They collect and deliver excess food to over 600 community food programs every week. Britten knows it is no tiny task to reach over 260,000 hungry New Yorkers find their next meal.

With Britten's many generous and kind friends- such as Walt Freese, Chief Euphoria Officer of Ben & Jerry’s, and two donors she had never met before she made her wish, City Harvest is now able to help a few more people. Britten raised $555 in just two days via Causes on Facebook.

A huge thank you to Britten and all the unbelievably wonderful donors! Happy Birthday, Britten, we adore you!!!!

To see more party picts, click HERE and please visit: Guest of a Guest, Alan Barry Photography, and Marc Stamas Photography

*Photo 1 courtesy of Guest of a Guest by Ben Hider: Stephanie Newhouse, Britten Heft, and Jen Marden

*Photo 2 courtesy of Marc Stamas: Beau Thebault, Hillary Schupf, and Britten Heft

*Photo 3 courtesy of Marc Stamas: Britten Heft

Ever feel like you want to do good and have a stellar time, but the bills are due and the recession is hitting you hard? Well, now you have a chance to give back for very little.

Tuesday, July 28th, promises to Keep everyone rockin' at the Inaugural Reeve Rocks Benefit Concert. "Bringing together some of the country's finest rock talent to raise money for the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. The spirit and dedication to get people out of wheelchairs is the driving force behind the generosity of those involved."

As Christopher once stated, "It comes down to us. You have to take action, and believe me, it works. We have the power to make an enormous difference."

Check out the four W's to get your Rock On:

WHAT:

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation (CDRF) will hold its 1st Annual Reeve Rocks benefit concert on Tuesday, July 28th at Le Poisson Rouge featuring up and coming musical acts including the Jamie McLean Band, Edison, and Jesse Reuben. Appetizers and bottle service will be provided by Libation, the Lower East Side’s hottest nightclub.  

WHO:

Hosted by Matthew Reeve and Torsten Gross, the evening’s musical acts include:

-      Jamie McLean Band: Known for performing alongside musical icons such as Elvis Costello, Widespread Panic, and Dave Matthews, the Jamie McLean Band offers drops of southern roots rock, blues, R&B, funk and soul oozing from their amplifiers.
- Jesse Ruben: Jesse Ruben boasts a trio of sold out CD release shows in Philadelphia, New York, and Boston.
- Edison: Just off a successful European tour, Edison celebrates an ever-endangered brand of underground rock-n-roll spirit.  Fresh off the release of their debut album “Aiming for Honesty”.

WHY:

Proceeds from Reeve Rocks will benefit the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, which is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy. To purchase tickets, please visit: REEVE ROCKS

WHEN:

Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Doors open at 7pm

WHERE:          

Le Poisson Rouge
158 Bleecker Street @ Thompson
New York, NY 10012