Let me just start off by saying that I am completely and totally obsessed with Yuka Okajima, wife of Red Sox pitcher and equally adorable Hideki Okajima. She is just the sweetest thing to happen to American baseball since — whatever, I don’t have an historical point of reference — let’s just say EVER. She is so incredibly adorable. We met at yesterday’s seventh-annual “From Fenway to the Runway” event, held this year at the Natick Collection. The yearly luncheon is a favorite among local socialistas and brings in a ton of cash for an incredible cause: the Red Sox Foundation.
So what exactly happens at this ladies-who-lunch, invite-only, expensive daytime soiree? Hosted by Liz Brunner of WCVB-TV Channel 5 (who, by the way, has killer arms), the event is an informal runway show featuring the wives and significant others of Red Sox organization gents, plus a live auction.
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Okay, back to my new obsession. Yuka, I promise not to send you countless e-mails or use the cell phone number you gave me — that is, once you accept my invitation to have tea and go shopping together, become my best friend forever, and take me to visit your friends and family in Japan.
Ms. Okajima was a total stand-out in the fashion show, wearing a bright purple sweater dress, a diamond dragon broach, and gray suede boots. She strutted her stuff with a confident but cute demeanor, looking adorable, so adorable . . . have I mentioned that she is adorable? Okay, I’m sorry, enough about my new girl crush. Moving on . . .
Other stand-outs included Tiffany Ortiz, in an über-ladylike little blue belted number, Brooke Shields-esque flowing hair, and a killer necklace from Tiffany & Co. A few words for Tiffany O: stick with this politician’s-wife-chic look; you were truly stunning, and I’m sure it’s a style even the hip-hop dressing, gold-chain wearing Big Papi can appreciate.
Anna Delcarmen, wife of pitcher Manny Delcarmen, also looked stunning in her gemmed Paul Smith dress from Stil. And let me also just give a huge shout-out to the adorably pregnant Ashley Papelbon: you work it, girl, in those five-inch killer pumps and your cute little bump. Note to God: let me look that good preggers!
Lunch itself was slow and mediocre, the room was way too bright, and sitting at a $350-a-VIP-ticket event in a mall food court with gawking onlookers is not exactly my cup of tea. Clearly event organizer Kortenhaus Communications was trying to do a good thing for its other client, the Natick Collection, but this event is much more fun in a private venue — sans the uncomfortably bright sunlight and mall audience. Lastly, Kortenhaus, when you run an event, try not to look like you’re nervous and miserable — it makes the rest of us feel uncomfortable. I love you, but just a little advice.
My last and final comment about the daytime charity soiree: Kelsey Hawkins — longtime sweetheart of my personal sweetheart, Jacoby Ellsbury (you lucky, lucky girl) — and I had a chance to chat while her beau’s autographed base was being auctioned off. The bids started at $2000; she looked stunned that anyone would pay that amount for a white plastic square, whispering, “Oh God — that’s crazy,” under her breath. I agreed — I’m just not a fan of signed sports paraphernalia, even from my baseball sweetheart.
— Erica Corsano
