It’s happened yet again. I blinked and suddenly the year ended. Looking back, I’d say 2023 turned out pretty solid. In fact, it was the year that both myself and Joel Schaub finally purchased a yacht (separately that is), so not too shabby for either of us. This means things can only continue to go up in 2024! What things specifically I cannot say. Home prices, the number of buyers, the amount of bees in my garden; all of those things. So raise a glass to 2023 and pour in a little more champagne to ensure that your glass is more than half full for 2024.
I don’t have the best Wi-Fi connection on my private island, so I may have missed a few tidbits of gossip here and there. But I certainly didn’t miss any parties, or at least recaps of parties from my spies out in the field.
Why have just one holiday party in December when you can have two? The @properties Christie’s International Real Estate staff celebrated the holidays at Royal Palms in Wicker Park on Dec. 6, while agents rang in the holidays at Yardbird Chicago on Dec. 7. The Yardbird event featured a live DJ, and you know that means tushies were on the dance floor all night long.
COMPASS held its holiday party on Dec. 13 at Howl at the Moon. Some agents actually howled while others had a little too much fun and stumbled into the after party looking a little sheepish. No, it wasn’t me, but this person does enjoy wearing sunglasses at all times.
Holiday parties are a staple of December, but let’s not forget another important task to check off your list: holiday gift shopping! That’s why Angie Wozniak and Jill Daniels are saints for hosting a holiday sip and shop in West Town. Nothing is more stressful than figuring out what to get everyone in your family, so what better way to get that done than with a cocktail in hand?
It’s another new year, which means people are getting another year older, wiser, and more distinguished. Let’s start with Ted Guarnero on Jan. 3, and then you can wish Kelly Price a glorious bday on Jan. 5. I hope Jeff Parker has the best birthday ever on Jan. 9, while Gary Oeullette, J.D. Cortese and Jennifer Peterson should consider partying together Jan. 12. Kevin Rocia celebrates on his own on lucky No. 13, while Alex Zupancic, Jeff Baker and Vince Milito can celebrate together Jan. 14. George Schultz will raise a glass Jan. 15, while Donna Griffin may do the same Jan. 16. Monique Washington and Kevin Van Eck share a Jan. 20 bday, while Danny Lewis, Lissa Weinstein and Mike Golden celebrate Jan. 21. Say “hey, girl, hey” to Christine Lutz Jan. 23, and then on Jan 24 amend that statement for Mike Opyd’s big day. Jon Millikin and Anthony Marinaccio share a Jan. 26 bday, while Patrick Berger is on his own Jan. 28. Margie Smigel and Wayne Paprocki are bday twinsies on Jan. 30, and Craig Achtzehn will carry us into February with his Feb. 2 bday. Sara Bonert and Amy Settich Strauss will get wiser and more stunning Feb. 4, while Lane Sears will do his thing Feb. 5.