Kissed by an Angel

Sometimes with death and tragedy, it’s so difficult to celebrate life, God, and all of the good energy that coincides within the memory of someone’s life. But on November 8th, 2010, nearly five hundred people helped in celebrating the life of the very girl who taught me how to put on fake eyelashes, add a color background and graphics on my AIM profile, do somersaults on the floor of Hendricken basketball games instead of the typical cheerleader back handsprings, and act as an ally in my very short career of prank calling (which was stopped fast, but that’s a whole other blog entry). Desiree Mesolella’s life was tragically ended in a drunk driving accident on June 23rd, 2008- she was nineteen years old. And while we often remember the funny, mischievous elements of Desiree’s personality that made us laugh on a daily basis, one thing that we often forget was her INSANELY TALENTED art abilities. Upon her death, her family began The Desiree Mesolella Art Scholarship- a program that awards two five thousand dollar scholarships to college-bound Rhode Island art students annually. And what better, more fabulous way to raise funds than host a shopping/lunch event at the very Rhode Island-esque Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston?!

At sixty dollars a ticket, women of all ages enjoyed shopping at various vendors, bidding on paintings by Desiree’s fellow artist colleagues that were painted on the spot, lunch, and raffles that got pretty competitive (Come on, where else BUT Rhode Island do women go crazy for a gorgeous, silver Tory Burch bag and gold Roberto Cavalli sunglasses?!?!). Even more excitingly, at twenty five dollars a ticket, you could take your chance on winning a pair of diamond earrings attached to a champagne class of pink leomonade (every glass had CZs attached, but only one the real diamonds). Aside from the aesthetics, the event was truly a reunion for me and many of my high school girlfriends, and I got to catch up with many who I really only was tied to because of Desiree.

But with any event in Rhode Island, there were several “only in Rhode Island” moments that have still had me laughing two weeks later. And as elegant as the event was, where else but Rhode Island would:

• The Olive Oil Basket giveaway raffle be filled to the brim with tickets?

• Women be wearing fur coats in fifty degrees?

• There be on site hair extension demonstrations (which, yes, I did take part in)?

• Nona’s Kitchen, the Italian cooking public access television show in Rhode Island, be the most popular booth?

• Leopard print be the accent on the event’s aesthetic design (A+ for this idea)?
All in all, the event was a huge hit, and not only captured Desiree’s spirit, but brought women of all ages who simply loved fabulosity, high heels, and everything that makes being a woman fun. Because even when life is over, you really always can still paint the town leopard in spirit.
Check out www.desilee.org for information about Kissed by an Angel and The Desiree Mesolella Art Scholarship.