My first blog post

For my first blog, I can't think of a better topic to start with than Opera Carolina's recent Bella Notte gala, which is the Super Bowl of Charlotte's social scene. Here are 5 reasons why:

1. The sold-out event is kept to 300, so the guest list is a Who's Who from Charlotte's top arts, business and philanthropy circles.

2. The gala's honorary chairs are always stellar members of the community who really know how to do things right. This year's hosts, Paige and Art Roselle, continued that tradition.

3. The attention to detail - from the gorgeous engraved invitation designed by Elizabeth Peters of Arzberger Engravers to the sumptuous décor executed by event planner John Lupton - is off the charts. To give you a sense of the event's atmosphere, I've included a photo by Jeff Cravotta taken from above the stage of the Belk Theatre where guests dined on food from the Ritz Carlton and danced to the Big Swing Orchestra.

4. The women in attendance make the effort - they take dressing for a Charlotte gala to another level. I was completely star struck as I looked around and realized many of them were so stunningly beautiful and were wearing such elegant gowns that they could have been at an opera gala in New York, Paris or Milan and would have turned heads.

5. It's the only Charlotte gala that's covered by the luxury society magazine Town & Country.

At each woman's place setting at the dinner was a thoughtful gift of a lovely leather bracelet embossed with crystals in different colors. Mine is a combination of gray and black. I saved it (it's never been worn) because I want to give it away to one of our readers. (Staff photographer T. Ortega Gaines took the photo of it so you can see how pretty it is).



To win it, send a short pitch on why you want the bracelet to ofortson@charlotteobserver.com. Include your name, mailing address and phone number.