June8forJBH Highlights & Social Media Prize Winner!

Joelle with Susan Busby

Last night Joelle's & Jeff's Guyshop held their annual Fundraiser and Fashion Show at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario.

This year, as with last year, was in support of our local hospital, Joseph Brant, in its quest to purchase a state-of-the-art digital mammography machine with biopsy attachment to help women in our community access highly accurate breast cancer test results and do so with much needed speed and efficiency. As we all know, time is often of the essence where cancer is concerned, so this is a great cause to be sure.

You can see dozens of photo and video highlights on Joelle's instagram account, or simply search your favourite social media sites (facebook, instagram, twitter) for the event hashtag: #June8forJBH and you'll find a treasure trove of visual goodies! I know Joelle will be posting tons of photos and recaps in the days and weeks to come, so be sure to follow her facebook fundraiser page for all the special deets!

I held a GirlItUp! social media draw that saw every person who shared one of Joelle's social media posts about #June8forJBH, or created their own post using that hashtag, entered to win - and from over 50 entrants, the winner is the lovely Erin Faria, a repeat fundraiser attendee who I'm thrilled to drop off my favourite beauty basics to later today! Congratulations Erin!

Centro's Oyster Bar

To say the event was a success is a giant understatement, and I heard many people in the crowd say the words "best one ever". I heartily agree.

From Centro's spectacular Oyster Bar to Turtledoves' gluten-free cheese biscuits accompanying the chowder & gumbo bar, to the enormous Agro Salad Bar (caesar, quinoa, asparagus & artichoke, and more...wow), to custom pasta and noodle bars from RBG's awesome caterers, to the Mollycakes dessert bar and all the hors d'oeuvres that were passed...it was definitely a foodie paradise.  Did I mention the Peller sparkling cuvee or the Hypnotiq cocktails? Yeah. Unreal.

Agro's Salad Station

The RBC Must Have It Silent Auction was a themed masterpiece, with generous vendors from all over our community donating amazing items that nodded to the night's nautical theme. Guests bid generously, and I can't wait to hear how much money was raised. I know it's going to wow us all!

Live Auction items included a gorgeous painting from artist Vanessa Drew, a high-tech Creston Pyng Smart Home System & installation from PM Wyre, a romantic holiday for two on Turks & Caicos from The Morren Group/Remax Realty, and a Shop Sip & Dine night for 8 at Martini House/Joelle's & Jeff's Guy Shop - raising thousands and thousands of dollars for this great cause!

Co-hosts and DIY tv stars Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault and Glen Coyle added some great levity and energy to the festivities this year from the podium. Graphics galore (from programs to signage to logos and more) by the uber talented and tireless David Whale never cease to amaze me.

Jenn Fenton's jewels, pearls galore from Bozek Orthodontics & Keith Williams, Amy Montgomery/Duncan & Wrights beautiful keepsake photos of all the guests, Brave Leather's custom-made-on-the-spot belts, and live music from The B Team made the night even more special.

And I haven't even gotten to the Fashion Show yet! Gorgeous models and stunning breast cancer "grads" rocked the runway in the hottest spring & summer fashions supported by Joelle's, Jeff's Guy Shop, Cougar Boots, Specs on Pearl, Throat Threads, Miik, Fox 40, Skeates Contracting, Centro Garden, Burlington Taxi, Agro, MacDowell Insurance Brokers, Smith's Funeral Home. Gorgeous hair & makeup was done by Studio B and Body Language, and tons of stunning photos were captured all night long by Look Local magazine.

The amount of local businesses that come out and support this event each year really astounds me. It's literally hundreds of people and organizations - and with Joelle & Jeff - along with Joelle's mentor Susan Busby - rallying the troops, I am never surprised it all comes together so perfectly.

Thanks for another wonderful evening everyone! Looking forward to hearing how much money was raised for Joseph Brant Hospital!