Stars come out for Fords Gala

THE OBAMAS AND THE STARS ATTEND FORD'S GALA:

Markette & Vanessa were on the red carpet for the Ford's Theatre Society Annual Gala.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were in attendance . The event featured appearances by Ty Burrell (who hosted the event) American Idol Kelly Clarkson, Renée Fleming, George Lopez, Lionel Richie, Robin Roberts, Dick Van Dyke and The Soldiers' Chorus of the United States Army Field Band. South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu and South African Constitutional Court Justice Albie Sachs received the theatr's Lincoln Medal. Interviews with both of these extraordinary gentlemen to come!!! "American Idol" winner Kelly Clarkson, who sang "Everybody Got Their Something," and pop start Lionel Richie, who sang "All Night Long."

Markette and Vanessa on the red carpet interviewing

The highlight of the event: Lionel Richie arrived late to the event, so late secret service and security were not sure how to let him in since everything was blocked and taped off. He wasn't going to give interviews or photos because of time constraints, (he was about 10 feet away from us) so M and I took matters into our own hands and serenaded him with "Hello is it me your looking for." (way off key by the way, but it worked!) He turned back smiling and laughing and walked over to us and gave us the only interview and photo for the night!!! There was a huge crowd around and everybody started cheering. And by the way he looked amazing. He is tall, slender, and in very good shape. He wore a modern clean polished suit. "Oh what a feeling" after scoring that interview!

Lionel arriving late...

Dashing past press and photogs

But he came back and we got an interview and photo after our off key performance. Hi-Five on that!

Tons of people at one of six corners

Crowds gathered to see the stars and to catch a glimpse of The Prez

President's motorcade

The President's car "The BEAST"

Dick Van Dyke performed a medley of songs from his children's movies. In an interview with him Mr. Van Dyke told me how earlier while at the President's house he went to shake his hand and his clip on bow tie fell off! A true comedian no matter the circumstance, Van Dyke threw out a one liner and just kept smiling.

To see more pictures of the event go to DC ON HEELS on facebook. And STAY TUNED for all of the video interviews!

Watch the behind the scenes video after we talked to Lionel

Vanessa xxoxoxo

Deal or No Deal? Grilled Shrimp + Shark Empanadas, $23.70

Grilled Shrimp + Shark Empanadas, $23.70

I was directed to this restaurant after arriving at Market 28, a tourist trap of a shopping center in downtown Cancun. I asked my cab driver where the best Mexican food was and he sent me to El Cejas, which literally means "The Eyebrows."

There, I was met by a straight-faced, burly man with bushy eyebrows standing behind a cash register. Apparently, he was the bean counter (no pun intended), the owner, and the inspiration behind the restaurant's peculiar name.

This marked the beginning of a culinary adventure that - although tasty - put a serious dent into my shopping budget...

I was impressed by the main course, considering it was from a food stand at an open-air market with pictures on its menu...

And the appetizer was tasty, too!

(Deep fried empanadas filled with shark meat -- tastes like chicken)

But, I dunno. Is $23.70 too much to pay for a meal from a place with pictures on its menu?

What do you think? Is this a DEAL or NO DEAL? Here are some details to help you decide:

Menu Item: Grilled Shrimp and Shark Empanadas for an appetizer.

Price: $23.70

Restaurant: El Cejas

Cuisine: Mexican

Neighborhood: Market 28, Cancun Centro, Mexico

What the menu tells you you'll get: Since this is a place with pictures on its menu, it was a "what you see is what you get" type of set up

What I actually got: Seven medium-sized shrimp (shell and eyes still attached topped with a garlic sauce, a cup-sized portion of Mexican rice and steamed vegetables.

The appetizer came with three small empanadas filled with shark meat.

So what's your opinion: Deal or no deal? Post your thoughts in the comments section.

xoxo,

Markette

All the Single Ladies...

So apparently, the legs are the last thing to "go."

Sixty-four year old "Single Lady," Liza Minnelli gave a dazzling performance of Beyonce's bachelorette anthem in the new Sex & The City movie that was so funny, you almost forget you are watching a senior citizen shake her derriere in booty shorts. Apparently, when it comes to getting older, the legs are the last thing to go and Liza worked her best... or last asset ;)

And speaking of legs...

Vanessa Hudgens obviously knows this secret because she recently ripped to shreds a couture evening gown just before hitting the red carpet in L.A. on Tuesday.

OK, so maybe I was exaggerating when I said ripped it to shreds, but Yahoo's OMG! blog did report that she grabbed a pair of scissors and cut the dress above her knees to give it a sexier look.

What do you think of V-Hud's "D.I.Y." look? I think she pulled it off, but I wouldn't recommend trying this at home ;)

xoxo,

Markette