If you’ve watched Sherlock Holmes over the holiday then you’re familiar with the talented and beautiful Rachel McAdams, featured on the January cover of Vogue. In an issue now available on newsstands, Vogue Fashion News/Feature Director Sally Singer interviews the starlet known for her turn as Regina George in Mean Girls and her breakthrough performance as Allie Hamilton in The Notebook.

In an engaging and thoughtful conversation, Singer asks McAdams about everything from musical tastes, “Indie with a current emphasis on neo-bluegrass” to working with Lindsay Lohan on Mean Girls. “I just remember marveling about how much she knew as an actor, how much she understood. She did very few takes and had this naturalness to her,” says McAdams.

Rcahel McAdams poses for Vogue, photographed by Mario Testino Vogue

Singer borrows from the style of Rachel’s own Keel’s Simply Diary (with prompts like multiple choice and fill in the blanks) to chronicle Rachel’s perspectives and uncover a few hidden truths about the often private actress. Here are a few highlights from Singer’s Vogue interview with Rachel McAdams:

“I look at the world through a green lens now. But you can’t make yourself crazy. That feeling of green guilt can be really inhibiting. It’s about a changing mind-set, remembering to turn off the water when you are brushing your teeth.”

Rachel may be a bit modest about her commitment to being Green as Singer learns the young actress has a habit of biking or walking everywhere. She also sets aside the air conditioner, explaining “I can’t live with it. I feel I’m not living in the world.”

McAdams describing her perfect day:

In high school, circa 1995, McAdams would find contentment while sitting on the sofa.

“I grew up watching so much television. I was really into soap operas. I’d begin with Days of our Lives, then Another World, and finish off with General Hospital. And before dinner I’d watch Oprah. I would fake sick all the time to the point where I’d convince myself I was sick. In high school I really didn’t pay attention. I took the bare minimum to get by.”

On her childhood:

As a young girl Rachel contemplated a life as a figure skater. She began early, lacing up the skates and hitting the ice at the age of 4.

Mario Testino/Vogue beautifully captures Rachel in red

“At nine years old I was presented an opportunity to move to Toronto to train for pairs dancing. As soon as I heard that that’s what it entailed, I was out of there. It’s like a past life. I hung up my skates and never looked back.”

On what she finds pleasure in:

“I don’t really desire things. I prefer to spend my money on experiences, on meals or travel.”

On growing up:

“My mother never put an emphasis on looks. She let us grow up on our own time line. She never forced any beauty regimen into my world.”

Rachel McAdams as she appears on the cover of the January 2010 issue of Vogue

Rachel recounts a coming of age story from her high school days about being teased for not shaving her legs. Why didn’t you tell me?’ she asked her mom. According to Singer, Rachel’s mother replied “Once you start, there’s no turning back.”

“Such a brilliant actress—not like Meryl, but she has that kind of intelligence. That brain is substantial, and if you have that along with a face you can’t take your eyes off, it’s so compelling. It’s rare.”

And on Rachel’s search for true love?

For Rachel’s answer to that and other questions, visit the Vogue website and read the entire interview here…

On January 21, 2010, Bruce D. Schneider, founder and CEO of the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC), along with Luke Iorio, president of iPEC, will introduce their “Strategies to Help Innovative, Focused Transformation” (SHIFT) movement to Los Angeles.

Bruce D. Schneider

Bruce and Luke are promoting their network of certified coaches as well as potential leaders and agents of positive change. With the SHIFT LA movement, they want to facilitate proactive change to recreate any, and all, aspects of our lives, careers, communities, families, and our society.

SHIFT

Lately, everyone had become advocates for change and SHIFT is not falling short of the trend. SHIFT is about introducing new strategies, approaches and perspectives to get new results, foster new ideas, and create new solutions. The event will focus on this purpose and explore the latest cutting edge and innovative approaches to consciously create such change.

Luke Iorio, president of iPEC.

Bruce D. Schneider and Luke Iorio strongly believe and share the transformational power behind “The Slingshot Effect,” a unique phenomenon that occurs when a significant amount of pressure builds up within and around us. Simply learn how to release this pressure and you can be at the cause of your life and create a ripple effect of extraordinary results.

The Event

The power packed event is set to last three hours, offering existing iPEC certified coaches and students techniques and strategies to expand their coaching practice and develop strategic alliances. And with the state of the current economy, ways to get more done with less money and profit from the demand for coaches will also be shared. SHIFT LA is a movement for change and not just another great event with little drive. The event will teach you to harness your tension to leap forward, discover the release point with the greatest leverage, and learn to shift others in their lives and careers.

Get on the fast track to success with iPEC!

Read more about SHIFT LA and register at the official iPEC site http://www.ipeccoaching.com/shift-grads.html

The only way to enjoy New Year’s Eve 2009 is in Las Vegas, VIP style – no lines, first class perks and the best reservations in the hottest nightclubs.  LA’s the Place introduces Vegas Passport, Las Vegas’ premiere nightlife concierge, to help you bring in 2010 in the style you deserve

Party Like Its 2009

Vegas Passport offers exceptional VIP services to revelers celebrating New Year’s Eve in Sin City. Guests can avoid the lengthy lines and receive first-class treatment with Vegas Passport as they show off their finest party dresses, sip champagne and welcome the New Year.

Best Sin City Experience

As locals and visitors from around the world head to the infamous Las Vegas Strip for New Year’s Eve, many will encounter frantic nightclub hosts and impossibly long lines. Dealing with large crowds and waiting in line to enter the most in-demand nightclubs can be overwhelming and frustrating, but Vegas Passport creates the ultimate nightlife experience for those celebrating New Year’s Eve. With unbelievable deals on party packages, VIP hosted entry and table reservations with bottle service, Vegas Passport is the go-to nightlife aid for party-goers looking to have the best Sin City experience while ringing in the new year.

Why Vegas Passport?

Vegas Passport was formed in 2003 as a way to free visitors from expensive VIP hosts (some of whom can charge thousands of dollars) and give them the flexibility to plan their own schedules and itineraries. Since it’s beginning, it has rapidly become the go-to resource for hundreds of travelers. It has been featured in such publications as Conde Nast Traveler and 944 Magazine, and is partnered with Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity, Viator, Mark Travel, American Express, Southwest Airlines Vacations and many other major travel companies. In addition, Vegas Passport has been on the Honor Roll with the Better Business Bureau since 2004. For more information call 877-225-8284 or visit www.vegaspassport.com.

Whether naughty or nice, some of today’s hottest celebrities were treated to incredible gifts at the official H&M Artist Gift Lounge, produced by On 3 Productions. Held backstage on December 11th at the historic Madison Square Garden in New York City, the H&M Artist Gift Lounge was part of the celebration for Z100’s Jingle Ball 2009. With so many A List celebs at the gift lounge, even Santa wouldn’t be able to resist staying up late to catch a glimpse of Taylor Swift or Adam Lambert.

H&M

At the heart of the On 3 Production festivities was H&M (www.hm.com) as they handed celebrities an H&M $500 Gift card and H&M VIP Shopping Pass. Ugly Betty star Mark Indelicato wasn’t incognito when it came to his H&M loyalty as he boasted, “I wear my favorite grey H&M cardigan everyday”. Dancing With the Stars winner Kym Johnson’s feet were itching to step out and find an H&M. Kym said, “I’m going to H&M right now to buy hats and scarves, I’m not used to this cold!” H&M also put smiles on the faces of American Idol favorite Jordin Sparks and Gossip Girl’s Leighton Meester when they discovered the fashion forward thinkers at H&M had created custom Christmas stockings with their names on them.

WONKA Sugar Confections

Esteemed guests at the H&M Artist Gift Lounge were treated by WONKA (www.wonka.com) to an exclusive WONKA Purple Card! The special card entitled stars to a year’s worth of sweet, one of a kind candy treats. Orianthi from Michael Jackson’s This Is It revealed “I love throwing parties and my friends love WONKA candy”. Justin Beiber was a man on a mission as he grabbed up as much WONKA candy as he could. Jordin Sparks picked up the WONKA Everlasting Gobstoppers to snack on in her dressing room. 

Adam Lambert

Duracell

Hasbro

Christmas is a time for family and few know that better than Hasbro (www.hasbro.com). T

Ugly Betty's Mark Indelicato

The iconic maker of games prepped the stars who were going home for the holidays with a Hasbro Family Game Night Gift Pack. The competitor in Justin Beiber couldn’t hold back as he quickly snagged a Rubik’s Cube and solved it in a matter of seconds! Syesha Mercado of American Idol wasn’t shy about her Connect 4 prowess. Shailene Woodley may star in Secret Life of An American Teenager but at the H&M Artists Gift Lounge she was in a confessional mood; Shailene revealed that she and her boyfriend play Scrabble almost every night. Even The Fray got into the, well, fray by admitting they have Scrabble competitions while traveling on their tour bus!

Moroccanoil

If you ever wondered the secret behind Adam Lambert’s hair, part of that secret was in attendance at the H&M Artists Lounge in the form of Moroccanoil Professional Hair Products (www.moroccanoil.com).

Anika Noni Rose of Disney’s ‘The Frog and the Prince’

“I love Moroccanoil, I have it in my bag,” said Lambert. Lambert’s favorite thing about Moroccanoil is, as he says “The fragrance, so sweet”! Jay Sean also shared that he’s a fan of Moroccanoil’s scent while Ke$ha said “I’ll be using it in my hair tonight”! Katrina Bowden of 30 Rock fame already travels with Moroccanoil and loved receiving it as a gift.

Spin Master Liv Fashion Dolls

5 Gum

5 Gum (www.5gum.com) gifted a year supply of each Stars’ favorite flavor, including the new Solstice and Zing Flavors. With Christmas approaching 5 Gum was also in a charitable mood as they donated $1,000 to the Food Bank of NYC on behalf of the star who came closest to guessing the number of 5 Gum sticks in a jar. No stranger to competition, Jordin Sparks emerged as the winner and was excited at the chance to give back. 30 Rock Star Judah Friedlander said “I will use the Solstice flavor 5 gum before kissing scenes; it’s common courtesy, right”? Adam Young of Owl City joked (we hope) “I’ve never kissed a girl, but now I’m ready”.

Merkury Innovations

Maker of iPod and MP3 Accessories, Merkury Innovations (www.merkuryinnovations.com), was a hot spot at the On 3 Productions event. Gossip Girl star Conor Paolo chose retro black headphones and speakers from Merkury Innovations, explaining “I actually need a new pair of headphones, my old ones hurt my ears”. Katrina Bowden appreciated how easy and compact the speakers were, noting she most loved “The whites ones, so retro”! American Idol’s Kris Allen plugged his phone into the blue Merkury Innovations speakers and was moved to dance right then and there!

New York Health and Racquet Club

From the New York Health and Racquet Club (nyhrc.com) came the gift that keeps on taking, as in weight! 30 Rock Star Judah Friedlander said he’s committed to losing weight in 2010 and was ready to head over to one of the NYHRC locations.

Forever Mariah Carey

A popular gift among the ladies at the H&M Artist Gift Lounge was Forever Mariah Carey Eau De Parfum Spray. Celebs like Jordin Sparks, Alison Ireheta and Katrina Bowden shared their favorite Mariah tunes whiles taking in the wonderful fragrance from Forever Mariah Carey.

Verizon Wireless Droid

Motorola was also in attendance as they gifted the Verizon Wireless Droid (www.verizonwireless.com) by Motorola (www.motorola.com). Judah Friedlander enjoyed watching 30 Rock YouTube clips on the Droid’s crystal-clear screen while Kym Johnson had her Droid set up on the spot by Verizon wireless. Kym said she’ll use it to visit her favorite Australian websites.

LeSportssac

Another hot gift at the On 3 Productions Gift Lounge came from LeSportsac (www.lesportsac.com). Stars like Taylor Swift, Adam Lambert and Jordin Sparks packed all their amazing gifts in a roomy bag from LeSportsac.

On 3 Productions

Managing the entire experience was On 3 Production, a leader in customized gifting experiences. Their producing prowess has been on display at many of the most prestigious events, including The Tony Awards, The Independent Spirit Awards, Super Bowl and more. For more information, visit www.on3productions.com

Celebrities Spotted

Many of the brightest and hottest stars were found at On 3 Productions’ official H&M Artist Gift Lounge. They included Taylor Swift, Adam Lambert, Justin Bieber, The Fray, Jordin Sparks, Kris Allen, Boys Like Girls, Owl City, Ke$ha, Jay Sean, Allison Ireheta, Miranda Cosgrove, Leighton Meester (Gossip Girl),Orianthi (This Is It), Anika Noni Rose (Disney’s The Princess & the Frog), Connor Paolo (Gossip Girl), Judah Friedlander (30 Rock), Katrina Bowden (30 Rock), Kym Johnson (Dancing with the Stars), Mark Indelicato (Ugly Betty), Peter Facinelli (New Moon, Nurse Jackie), Shailene Woodley (The Secret Life of the American Teenager), Syesha Mercado (Dreamgirls at the Apollo, American Idol), Maksim Chmerkovskiy (Dancing with the Stars, Burn the Floor) and many more!

Written by Susie Salva
San Francisco based alternative rockers Train have put forth one of their best efforts on their latest CD release, “Save Me San Francisco,” on Columbia Records. This time out the band pays homage to and demonstrates their affinity for their home base of this cosmopolitan city. Train credits the city of San Francisco with cultivating the band’s identity and foundation, and so it’s no wonder their title track, “Save Me San Francisco,” tips it hat to the Bay Area metropolis that the band holds so dear. The album embodies a fresh, upbeat, youthful and spirited approach harkening back to their early musical roots.

“Save Me San Francisco,” is an autobiographical account of Train’s beginnings and also the soul of Train as a band. Frontman Pat Monahan is one of the most talented lyricists and the songs that the band have written on this new disc take the listener through the three piece’s humble start in the mid-90’s to present day music.

Accomplishments

Over the course of 15 years, Train has made its mark on music history with their Grammy-Award winning song, “Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)” and chart topping singles, “Meet Virginia,” and “Calling All Angels.” Since forming in San Francisco in 1994, the multi-platinum selling band has traveled a long, successful and sometime arduous journey.

Album Description

“Save Me San Francisco,” taps into Train’s organic sound, recalling the blues and folk-infused rock that put the band on the map from the start. “It’s pretty basic,” Monahan explains of the record. “But really cool because there’s super catchy riffs and melodies in it, which I think are way more important that any production trick or great-sounding vocal production. It’s kind of us going backward so we can go forward.”

The first single off of the album, “Hey, Soul Sister,” is peppy and fun filled tune with a catchy chorus that remands in your head for days on end. This song was recently featured on CBS’s “Medium”. With the help of producer Martin Terefe (KT Tunstall, Jason Mraz, and James Morrison) Train was able to tap into the bands roots and put out a song that is reminiscent of their massive hit, “Meet Virginia” while remaining fresh and current.

The third track, “I Got You,” is a tribute to the Doobie Brothers, “Blackwater,” evoking sounds of the ‘70s and mentioning Sonny and Cher’s, “I’ve Got You, Babe,” signatory song. “There are certain songs that, instead of there being have an intention, there is almost a theme,” says Monahan. This album seems to possess a theme of optimism, happiness, and hope in an enduring relationship. It seems this time out that Monahan and the band, (Jimmy Stafford, Guitar, and Scott Underwood, drums) are satisfied in their relationships and the storytelling lyrics on the album is, “about love in every you can think about it,” explains Monahan.

The rest of the disc including “This Ain’t Goodbye,” “Words,” “Brick by Brick,” and “Marry Me,” all evoke fondness of working relationships and one of finding one’s self in an happy and secure place.

In this day and age, career artists are few and far between, and after a decade and a half of being a band, Train is ready to present one of their strongest efforts to date. Monahan recognizes the band’s accomplishments, and, he states clearly, is more than grateful for the success they have experienced. For more on Train please go to: www.trainline.com

Train: Jim Stafford, Pat Monahan and Jim Stafford.

On 3 Productions is on top of their game in customized gifting experiences. The company’s presence has been felt at many notable ceremonies, including Gift Lounges at the Tony Awards, The Independent Spirit Awards, Z100’s Jingle Ball and many more.

Anoname Jeans

A very popular gift at the On 3 Productions event was vintage  jeans for men and women from Anoname Jeans. The style leader presented their Cult of Individuality Denim Jeans (www.cultofindividuality.com). These jeans have that vintage, worn-in feel like you’ve had them forever and features excellent fits in skinny, straight & bootcut.

Vanessa Williams with Anama Boyfriend Jeans.

Host Vanessa Williams and her beautiful daughter, Jillian Hervey (who performed with her at the Daytime Emmys) have something in common; they both like the same style jeans so the mother-daughter tandem pre-ordered the “boyfriend” jean from Anoname ahead of their release date in January. Don’t plan on seeing “Mom” jeans on sexy Cameron Mathison anytime soon.  While choosing a pair of Cult of Individuality Jeans, the All My Children beauty adored the straight, skinny jeans! That’s So Raven star Kyle Massey loves the denim brand name so much he’s considering naming his kid Cult of Individuality Massey! Erik Estrada can’t wait to wear his new Cult of Individuality jeans while riding on his motorcycle, and when they start wearing out the actor covers the holes with police patches like a former CHiPS star should. Rebecca Herbst actually performed a quick-change right on the spot, slipping into her new Anoname jeans on right on under her dress!

Coby Electronics

We all love our electronics and a gift that really excited the stars during On 3 Productions Official Presenter Gift Lounge was the latest high-tech camcorder. Coby Electronics (www.cobyusa.com) presented their SNAPP CAM3000 Portable Handheld Digital Camcorder and DP-240 Portable 2.4” Digital Photo Album with MP3 Playback.

Known for his work on Zoey 101, actor Chris Massey was particularly thrilled as he exclaimed “Awesome, I’ll be using this later tonight!” Kyle Massey of That’s So Raven said “This is so sexy” as he started shooting video with the Coby SNAPP CAM3000, teasing that everyone should check out YouTube later that evening. Iconic television actor Erik Estrada took that sentiment one step further as he received his Coby SNAPP CAM3000 and suggested, “I may start moonlighting for TMZ!” Kristen Storms of General Hospital used her new camera to capture the evening at the Daytime Emmy’s while Patrick Duffy plans to uses his Coby SNAPP CAM to keep up with his fast-growing grandchildren.

BooksOnBoard

Jennie Garth with BooksonBoard.com.

BooksOnBoard (www.booksonboard.com) presented $100 BooksOnBoard Gift Certificates and a Cybook Opus Electronic Reader. For the love of reading, BooksOnBoard, is the largest Independent eBookstore that gives the gift of e-books! Stars will receive a new electronic reader from BooksOnBoard with their favorite books pre-downloaded plus a gift certificate to enjoy even more of the latest best sellers and upcoming releases from BooksOnBoard.com.

Jennie Garth was excited to see that her BooksOnBoard e-reader was pre-loaded with the Twilight book as her husband stars in the movie! When asked what kind of books he’ll be downloading from BooksOnBoard, All My Children star Cameron Mathison replied, “I read a lot of books on meditation written by Tibetan monks,” who knew? Kristen Storm is all about old-world romance, first on her download list from BooksOnBoard was all things Jane Austen. (Pride & Prejudice tops her list!)  Heather Tom told BooksOnBoard “I’m a compulsive reader” and she’s currently flipping through Born to Run. Patrick Duffy is a history buff and told BooksOnBoard he’s currently reading selections by Winston Churchill.

Griffin Technology

Griffin Technology (www.griffintechnology.com) showcased their selection of accessories for the iPod, iPhone, Blackberry and other devices. An innovative leader in creating peripherals and accessories for Mac, PC, iPod and iPhone, Griffen Technology gifted their accessories to some of Hollywood’s hottest stars, including Vanessa Williams, Cameron Mathison, Gilles Marini, Susan Lucci, Jennie Garth, Lori Loughlin and Colin Egglesfield.

Lara Spencer and her husband received Griffin Technology accessories for their iPod Touch and iPod Nanos as well as stylish cases and accessories for their Blackberry phone. Melissa Claire Egan couldn’t wait to use her new Griffin Technology FM Transmitter in the new car she’s going to need to get when she moves back to LA from NY for All My Children while Cameron Mathison was excited about the good grip he can get on the Griffin Technology Graphite Case he picked out for his iPhone and Ipod.

Dancing With the Stars Gilles Marini with Starbucks Ice Cream.

Starbucks Ice Cream (www.starbucksicecream.com) features Caramel Macchiato, Mocha Frappuccino, Java Chip Frappuccino, and Coffee. All of the ice cream flavors are inspired by popular Starbucks drinks. Stars will indulge in Starbucks new line of super-premium ice cream and receive a gift certificate to enjoy pints at home to share with family and friends!

Stars were indulging in scoops of Starbucks Ice Cream backstage at the in the On 3 Productions Official Presenter Gift Lounge Gift Lounge Colin Eggelsfield of Melrose Place, who plays a chef on the new show, practiced his skills while scooping his own Starbucks Ice Cream. While Gilles Marini scooped up some Caramel Macchiato Starbucks Ice Cream, he shared that he’s about to stir up some trouble on the fall season of Brothers & Sisters. 90210 star Lori Loughlin loves Starbucks Ice Cream’s Mocha Chip flavor!

Crunch

Also in attendance at the On 3 Productions Official Presenter Gift Lounge was Crunch (www.crunch.com), a health club chain that leads the industry in fusing fitness and entertainment. Crunch gave away free One Year Memberships to their facilities. No matter who you are, Crunch offers a fitness community that serves a wide range of health and fitness goals, allowing you to exercise in many different ways.

90210 and television icons Lori Loughlin and Jennie Garth were excited to get their annual Crunch memberships! Lori said she does Pilates and Barry’s Bootcamp while Jennie Garth thinks this may be a sign that she should start going to the gym again!  Chris Massey of “Zoey 101” said he plans to use the clubs in both L.A. and Atlanta. Melissa Claire Egan shared that she’s a kick-boxing enthusiast but now super excited to try Crunch’s Dance Your Ass off classes!  Gilles Marini of Brothers & Sisters is very excited about his 1 year membership as he hates L.A. traffic and know that he can be at the Crunch in West Hollywood in only six minutes.

Colin Eggelsfield with Vera Bradley apron.

Vera Bradley (www.verabradley.com) featured their Imperial Toile Large Duffle & Fall 2009 Accessories. The Imperial Toile Large Duffle will be introduced to stores in Mid-September and are notable for their long handles and a seemingly bottomless interior space. The carry-on compliant bags provided a great place for the stars at the Emmy Awards to tuck away all the gifts they received at the Emmy Awards Gifting Lounge.

Vera Bradley was a hit with Host and Ugly Betty star Vanessa Williams. While trying on a new Vera Bradley apron, Vanessa shared that she’s pretty good in the kitchen and revealed her specialty is blueberry yogurt pie. Gilles Marini has a perfect reason to wear Vera Bradley’s new apron; Gilles shared that he was born in a pastry shop! Jennie Garth said that a new Vera Bradley apron would be great as she spends a lot of time cooking at home and enjoys a little help from her children during the cooking process. Daytime Emmy nominees and General Hospital star Kristen Storms said she’ll definitely be rocking her new Vera Bradley apron.

Holly McClain Designs

Holly McClain Designs (www.hollymcclain.com) was also in attendance with their Custom Handcrafted Embellished Dog Collars and Matching Leads. Made in the USA, Holly McClain Designs uses only the finest embellishments and handcrafted into the most elegant and durable dog collars and accessories.

Melissa Claire Egan of Days of Our Lives has a lot of people willing to watch her adorable 2-year-old dog Sophia when she’s on the set and she picked out a Holly McClain Designs dog collar and matching lead for her sweet pup!  Ron Moss of The Bold & the Beautiful is engaged and has two dogs. While he and his fiancé can’t agree on whether they should be part of the wedding they discovered the beauty of marital compromise when agreeing on one floral and one bow-tie design collar from Holly McClain Designs. Jennie Garth & Lori Loughlin both picked out matching Holly McClain Designs collars for their dogs, complete with bow ties, Swarovski crystals and matching leads.

Nature Made Sam-E Complete

Cameron Mathison with Nature Made SAM-E Complete& hand massage

Nature Made SAM-e Complete (www.SAM-e.com) made their presence known at the Emmy Awards Gifting Lounge, offering their “Discover Your Good Mood Essentials Kit”. The kit includes a 6-month Supply of SAM-e Complete. The gift package also included a one hour Personalized Nutrition Consultation Gift Certificate, a Massager and a Yoga Bag & Mat. As if that weren’t enough, Nature Made SAM-e Complete helped stars unwind with relaxing hand and foot massages from a licensed massage therapist in the Gift Lounge. Nature Made SAM-e Complete can help you achieve a naturally healthy mood in as little as 7-14 days.

While enjoying a relaxing massage from Nature Made SAM-e Complete and scooping up a 6-month supply of SAM-e Complete, stars shared what puts them in a good mood: Susan Lucci says eating the right food makes her happy, but that doesn’t stop her from having pasta or a hot fudge sundae once in a while! Brandon Buddy of One Life to Live says what keeps him in the best mood is making it to the gym on a regular basis! Chris Massey of Zoey 101 had a different idea, saying with a laugh “I think I’ll give this to my ex-girlfriend, she’s always in a bad mood!” Chris also shared that he’ll make good use of the yoga mat as he’s just now starting to get into yoga. Cameron Mathison was excited to receive SAM-e Complete and shared “I’m a big believer in doing nice things for people. That keeps me in a good mood!”

Chewylou Designs

A leader in clothing for Men, Women and Kids, Chewylou Designs (www.chewylou.com) was created to exemplify the good qualities we could all work to develop or enhance in ourselves. The mission of Chewylou Designs clothing line is to inspire goodness through positive thought and promote physical and spiritual strength. Stars will choose from “GIVE: Generosity, Integrity, Vision, Effort”, “PEACE: Praise, Engage, Accept, Care, Evolve” and more!

Jeopardy’s own Alex Trebek chose a “Breathe” Chewylou Designs t-shirt for his daughter while Chris Massey of Zoey 101 and All My Children star Cameron Mathison both picked out a “Breathe” t-shirt from Chewylou Designs. Chris said “breathing being an important part of my Yoga routine” while Cameron shared “I’m very into meditation, love it!” Tyler Christopher of “General Hospital” has a plan for matching “Breathe” Chewylou Designs t-shirts for he & his wife who’s expecting!  They will both wear them to remind them to do just that! Susan Lucci loved the “Believe” t-shirt so much she asked if Chewylou Designs would be interested in donating proceeds to benefit her charity Feed the Children and they agreed on the spot.

Jamie Kreitman

Another hit at the gifting lounge were the Jamie Kreitman Crystals Flip Flops (www.jamiekreitman.com) adorned with brooches. Lara Spencer couldn’t wait to slip out of her heels and into the comfortable and stylish new Jamie Kreitman flip flops when she popped into the Gift Lounge at the end of the night after a long night of Red Carpet hosting duties! The dynamic shoes are a whimsical accessory and a colorful fashion statement!

Stars Attending

Host Vanessa Williams along with Presenters including Kristen Alderson (One Life to Live), Texas Battle (Bold & the Beautiful), Daytime Emmy Nominee Bradford Anderson (General Hospital), Brandon Buddy (One Life to Live), Tyler Christopher (General Hospital), Ewa Da Cruz (As The World Turns), Trent Dawson (As The World Turns), Patrick Duffy (The Bold and the Beautiful), Melissa Claire Egan (All My Children), Colin Eggelsfield (Melrose Place), Erik Estrada, Jennie Garth (90210), Daytime Emmy Nominee Anthony Geary (General Hospital), Daniel Goddard (The Young & the Restless), Ricky Paull Goldin (All My Children), Kelly Monaco, Daytime Emmy Nominee Van Hansis (As the World Turns), Elizabeth Hendrickson (The Young and the Restless), Shelley Hennig (Days of Our Lives), Rebecca Herbst (General Hospital), Daytime Emmy Nominee Bindi Irwin (Bindi, the Jungle Girl ), Jay Kenneth Johnson (Days of Our Lives), Christel Khalil (The Young & the Restless), Mark Lawson (One Life to Live), Lori Loughlin (90210),  Susan Lucci (All My Children), Gilles Marini (Dancing with the Stars, Brothers & Sisters), Eric Martsolf (Days of Our Lives), Kyle Massey (That’s So Raven), Christopher Massey (Zoey 101), Cameron Mathison (All My Children), Billy Miller (The Young and the Restless), Ronn Moss (The Bold & the Beautiful), Robert Newman (The Guiding Light), James Scott (Days of Our Lives), Jake Silbermann (As The World Turns), Chrishell Stause (All My Children), Daytime Emmy Nominee Kirsten Storms (General Hospital), Dr. Travis Stork (The Doctors), Heather Tom (The Bold & the Beautiful), Daytime Emmy Nominee Alex Trebek (Jeopardy), Kevin Frazier & Lara Spencer (Entertainment Tonight & The Insider), Erik Estrada, Jillian Hervey, Tracy Chapman, Montel Williams, Bree Williamson (One Life to Live), Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (The Bold & the Beautiful) and Kim Zimmer (The Guiding Light).

Martin Automotive Group, Southern California’s premier Cadillac dealership opened its showroom doors to co-host with LA’s The Place Magazine the Cadillac of all parties. Good times and good will was the order of the day with exquisite food & drink, great music and fabulous fragrance. Over 150 of Hollywood’s finest turned out to celebrate the exclusive North American Launch of Cadillac: The New Fragrance for Men. And everyone loved it! “This new Cadillac fragrance is really fantastic!” said Lorenzo Lamas. “I love the way it smells on you, Dad, but I think women would love wearing the fragrance as well, I know I do!” added Shayne Lamas. Claudia Jordan, the co-host of the 2009 Miss Universe Pageant added, “This new Cadillac fragrance smells so delicious, I wish I currently had a man to spray it on!”

Shayne is giving her dad, Lorenzo Lamas, a spritz

LAs the Place’s TV hosts, Scott Harden and Lanee Neil chatted up some of the dazzling red carpet stars in the VIP Cadillac Lounge about their impressions of the new Cadillac Fragrance for Men:

Host Scott Harden and Jacee Jewel

“The essence is like a summer day in a country field” – Actress Tressa Thomas

“I would definitely give my phone number to a man that was wearing this fragrance” – Actress Adrienne Janic

Adriienne Janic with Lee Reherman

“It is light enough to smell it on the man when he is with you and it won’t linger after he is gone.” – LA City Councilwoman, Jan Perry

LA City Counselwoman Jan Perry with David Kean

“It smells so fresh and clean and that’s great for those guys that haven’t taken a shower in a few days like I tend to do from time to time. All they have to do it spray it on and they smell shower fresh.” Comedien Kevin Farley

Comedian/Actor Kevin Farley with designer Fay Byrd.

“Forget just being a man’s fragrance…I want to wear it too!” – Comedian Judy Tenuta

Conner Good, Judy Tenuta

Los Angeles Laker Jordan Farmer, James Wilder, Alice Greczyn, Kevin Farley, Tressa Thomas, Adrienne Janic, Loretta Divine, George Stults, Jacee Jewel, Benny Cassette (Fast & The Furious), Clifford Banagale (‘Bruno’), Jonathan Goldsmith (Dos Equis’ ‘Most Interesting Man In the World Ad Campaign), Michael Papajohn, Judy Tenuta and Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry (who will be running for mayor!), to name a few, were among the beautiful people who celebrated the launch of Cadillac’s new fragrance.

Alice Greczyn

Dubai-based Beauty Contact, Inc. (http://www.beautycontact.com/) entered into a licensing agreement with General Motors to design, develop, produce and market the Cadillac fragrance globally.

“This new fragrance is just a part of the recent Cadillac renaissance – hot new products and redesigns that capture the mantra of life, liberty and the pursuit,” said Alwyn Stephen of Beauty Contact, Inc.  “Our fragrance is a relevant extension of the Cadillac lifestyle.”

Los Angeles Laker Jordan Farmer and Alwyn Stephen

From the stylish and classic black packaging to the innovative design symbol – a wreath and crest – the tradition is creatively expressed in a captivating scent for men that is inspiring, bold, captivating, luxurious and masculine. With notes of rare ebony, cloves and incense, inged with the sparkling aromas of grapefruit and Roman chamomile, with a masculine tact introduced by geranium, tarragon and cinnamon, Cadillac Fragrance captures the essence of all that the Cadillac legacy represents.

When asked how he liked the scent, Brandon Beemer from Bold & the Beautiful gave a big grin and said, “My girlfriend, Nadia Bjorlin (Days of Our Lives’) loves the way it smells on me! It’s all good!

Nadia Bjorlin and Brandon Beemer

To purchase your own Cadillac Fragrance for Men, please visit: www.beautycontact.com

Read our article on Cadillac Fragrance here…

Beauty Contact President and Developer of the Cadillac Fragrance, Alwyn Stephen, Claudia Jordan, and Sanjay Bawa, Director Sales for N America- Beauty Contact Inc.

Darcy Snodgrass, Jonathan Goldsmith

Children Uniting Nations brought together two things Americans excel at: baseball and helping others. How better to spend a summertime Sunday than to support the LA Dodgers baseball team while making a lasting difference in the lives of thousands of at-risk and foster youth of LA County?

Mel B and Daphna Ziman, founder of Children Uniting Nations

Dodger Day 2009

Children Uniting Nations (CUN), one of the premier non-profit organizations working with foster and at-risk youth, facilitated a successful 2009 Dodger Day on Sunday July 26th. More than 1,500 foster youth, hundreds of mentors, and numerous celebrities came together at Dodger Stadium to share in the day’s excitement. The annual event celebrated LA County’s foster youth, parents, guardians, kinship care providers, mentors, and all of the community members who support the cause.

This special day exposed the youth to positive role models and experiences outside of their everyday situation. Festivities included breakfast, games, giveaways from 93.5 The Beat Radio for the youth in attendance, celebrity presenters, first pitch ceremony, taking the field, and of course the main event, the Dodgers vs. the Florida Marlins.

Actor Michael Copon from One Tree Hill shared his personal stories about foster children, Spice Girl Mel B told the children to stay focused on their dreams, and Ken Davitian from Borat shared words about hard work and not letting circumstances get in the way of achieving your dreams.

90210's Dustin Milligan is all smiles for the 1st pitch

Influential Advice

“Key legislators, celebrities and sponsors such as Coke, Ball Up, and The Beat all come together to make this day so special for our kids and we are so appreciative,” said CUN Founder Daphna Ziman. “Today we celebrated people coming together to serve America by serving our most needy children.”

Celebrity supporters who spoke and met the children included Mel B (Spice Girls; “Dancing with The Stars,”) Dustin Milligan (“90210”), Ken Davitian (“Borat”; “Get Smart”), Michael Copon (“One Tree Hill”), Kristina Guerrero (E! News), Gretchen Rossi (“Real Housewives of Orange County”),and Professor (Ball Up Street Team). Legendary Dodger Tommy Davis spoke to the kids about reaching their dreams. Political leaders also in attendance included Senator Price and Supervisor Ridley Thomas.

Dodger Day was a collaborative event sponsored by the LA Dodgers, Children Uniting Nations, United Care, LA County Dept. of Children & Family Services, LA County Probation, and numerous community members throughout the county.

For more information or how you can help LA’s youth, please visit: www.childrenunitingnations.org.

Photos Provided by: Robert Kenney

Dramatic actors get all the attention for taking risky roles. A guy puts on a dress or a girl wears a prosthetic nose and somehow it’s instant Oscar nomination. But what Kevin Farley did as leading man in An American Carol showed more daring than all the cross dressers and accent deliverers combined; he dared to spoof director Michael Moore in a satirical look at Moore, Hollywood and America’s politically correct culture.

LAs The Place Daily TV Interview with Kevin

An American Carol

Farley’s warmth and charisma prevents An American Carol from ever coming off as mean spirited. He removes the soapbox as a potential set piece by never taking himself too seriously while portraying Moore’s cinematic doppelganger, “Michael Malone”. What’s striking about Farley is that he always seems at ease in interviews or even when confronted by wandering paparazzi. Perhaps it is this quality of Farley the man that speaks to Farley the actor’s ability to perform without pretense.

From getting slapped in succession by General George S. Patton, President John F. Kennedy, and Bill O’Reilly or firing at ACLU zombies that are attacking a courthouse, Farley delivers an organically hilarious performance. He holds his own while acting with a cast of Hollywood heavyweights like Kelsey Grammer, Jon Voight, Dennis Hopper, James Woods and Leslie Nielsen.

Hollywood & Wine

Farley is surrounded by family and long time friends in his writing and directorial debut, Hollywood & Wine. Joining him in writing the film were his brother John Farley, sister in law Jennifer Farley (as Jennifer Herron) and Matt Berman. Berman also joined as co-director on the project, which stars SNL’s Chris Kattan.

John Farley, Kevin Farley

Starring in the film is Nicky Whelan, the fresh-faced Australian import known for her work as Pepper Steiger on the television drama Neighbours. She appears poised for a sensual takeover of American audiences as Whelan’s undeniably stunning appearance is matched only by an affable and inviting charm.

Whelan plays Diane Blaine, an aspiring actress who can’t land a role because her face is “Too Jamie Stephens”; a Britney Spears/Lindsey Lohan type that has fallen on hard times. When her boyfriend (played by Chris Kattan) becomes indebted to a mobster, Whelan’s Blaine must play the only role ever really meant for her; pretending to be Jamie Stephens as she has dinner with the crush-struck mobster. The film also stars Norm MacDonald, Chazz Palminteri, David Spade, Horatio Sanz, Chris Parnell, Pamela Anderson, Vivica Fox and includes an appearance from Farley himself.

Back in the Saddle

Farley has now turned his attention to starring in Back in the Saddle. A devout fan of the film Blazing Saddles, Farley wrote Back in the Saddle as an homage to the Mel Brooks classic. Back in the Saddle (a western comedy) is the story of a train-robbing cowboy who tries to go straight. He retires to the town of Tumbleweed to live his life happily ever after. Unfortunately, rumors of an impending railroad coming to town have the jealous sheriff and ambitious mayor of Tumbleweed grabbing for gold and looking to neutralize any opposition…to their dismay, our hero comes out of retirement to ride again. “We want to shoot in Wyoming because people care about real characters, and I wanted the locations to be as real as the characters on screen,” said Farley.

American Regal

He’s also partnered with Fay Byrd to develop a clothing line that caters to bigger men. Farley and Byrd are tweeting the progress of American Regal on Twitter at www.twitter.com/americanregalby. Kevin also updates his fans through his personal page, http://twitter.com/kevfarls.

More About Kevin

At first, Farley resisted the call of comedy. Growing up in a family that used humor to deal with life, it was fate that he’d end up sharing that laughter with the world. Once he graduated from Marquette University with a degree in business, he began work for his father’s asphalt company, Scotch Oil. While that road may have been paved by good intentions his love for making people laugh grew too strong to ignore. He would get off work and jump on stage at the local comedy club. Farley studied at the famed Second City in Chicago, and would spend time watching his brother Chris Farley and cast create comedy for Saturday Night Live, which was a tremendous education, before moving to Los Angeles and landing a role in Adam Sandler’s The Waterboy, and never looked back.

Chris Farley and Kevin Farley clown around as kids.

His breakthrough role came as boy band member Doug Linus in the MTV parody 2gether: The Series. The role was distinctly different from anything that Farley had done and attracted high praise from many reviewers.

Farley’s roles include films such as Joe Dirt, Beverly Hills Ninja, The Third Wheel and Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star. He lent his voice to Eight Crazy Nights and has had guest appearances on programs like That ’70s Show, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Just Shoot Me and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Many thanks to the beautiful $35 million dollar refurbished LA landmark Hotel Shangri La for hosting our interview with Kevin Farley.

www.shangrila-hotel.com
1301 Ocean Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 394-2791

All About The Food

So what kind of menu does a chef create for a restaurant surrounded by glamour? Some might try to match the glitz by overwhelming the menu with exotic or trendy selections. When you’re Kerry Simon, whose quiet confidence is cultivated through years of classical training and creative experimentation, you reinvent comfort food by accentuating the flavors we love through a playful manipulation of classic foods. At Simon LA the freshest seasonal ingredients are used in marrying American influenced cuisine with a global sophistication, creating a perfect tribute to LA’s own blend of Americana and international cultures.

He’s always introducing seasonal new items that cater specifically to Simon LA guests, including a whimsical California Pizza, a savory nod to the classic sushi roll that includes raw tuna, avocado, jumbo lump crab, cucumber and taman soy. Other highlights from the menu are tangy Smoked Chicken Wings as a bar snack and a “raw” selection of dishes featuring both vegetables and fish.

How It Began

The thriving restaurant on the corner of La Cienega and Beverly sheds light on the culinary craftsman’s career yet it is a building just 4 miles east of Simon LA that points to how it all began. Located in the five thousand block of Santa Monica Boulevard is a Little Caesars pizza restaurant.

As a teenager in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, Simon wanted to be a musician and secured a job at a nearby Little Caesars in hopes of saving enough money to buy an electric guitar. But a funny thing happened on the way to the stage as coworker Dave Glatt opened his own restaurant and invited Simon to join him. Working at Dave’s Italian Kitchen rekindled the passion for food he felt as a boy when he spent summers surrounded by the fresh fruit and fish of Puget Sound. Simon would stay well after the last customer left the restaurant, practicing dishes and devouring the lessons found in a cookbook from Julia Child.

If You Can Make It Here

Glat recommended to Simon that he apply to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. It was here that Simon began to develop the culinary acumen he’s now famous for. Days were spent at the Institute while weekends meant an internship at L’Hostellerie Bressane. Under the tutelage of legendary Chef Jean Morel, Simon gained an appreciation for French cuisine and Morel’s notorious cooking discipline.

Upon graduating he moved to Manhattan and threw himself into the New York restaurant scene, working for industry titans like Jean-Jacques Rachou of La Cote Basque and Andre Soltner of Lutece. He later found himself under Louis Outier at the now closed Lafayette restaurant in the Drake Hotel. Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten had no positions available but Simon agreed to work for free before eventually holding both pastry and sous chef positions, helping the restaurant receive a four-star rating from the New York Times in 1988.

That’s when things got interesting. That’s when Ivana Trump came calling.

The Trump Effect

Trump hired Simon as Executive Chef of the Plaza Hotel’s Edwardian Room, the youngest ever in that position. When he brought back the tradition of a chef’s table to the Edwardian Room, Diane Keaton came for dinner. David Bowie proposed to Iman in Simon’s kitchen.

The buzz spread quickly as tables were booked weeks and then months in advance. The guitar-strumming teen working at Little Caesars was now serving the likes of Bono and Debbie Harry as New York’s hottest chef. His celebrity stature was solidified in 1991 when Rolling Stone Magazine dubbed Simon the “Rock n’ Roll Chef”.

Rock n’ Roll Chef?

It’s easy to call Kerry Simon the Rock n’ Roll Chef, and that’s just the problem. There’s nothing easy about a man who tackles life with an almost maniacal work ethic. When you think rock star, you often think of everything but the music; the lavish parties, photo spreads and running the gauntlet of paparazzi while sporting an ear to ear grin. If Kerry Simon were rock ‘n roll, he would be all about the music.

That’s not to say Simon can’t put on a great show. His CatHouse at the Luxor Hotel & Casino features lingerie clad waitresses and a European bordello decor. Palms Resort and Casino, the hippest Las Vegas destination for the young and beautiful is buoyed by the success of Simon Restaurant & Lounge.

Still, Simon’s greatness has always been in his love for the food itself as he continually seeks new challenges. More Bob Dylan than Guitar Hero, one can imagine Simon playing acoustic performances in every small town café and reinventing himself with every new album release.

Leaving New York

And when Simon’s rock ‘n roll celebrity stature was exploding with the ferocity of a supernova, he did the one thing nobody expected. He walked away.

In 1992 Simon’s recipes were featured in iconic publications like Vogue and the New York Times. However, when Ivana left the Plaza management team Simon decided to leave his position and rising fame behind. His sabbatical included traveling overseas as he visited Russia, Europe and the Far East before finally returning to the U.S. by way of Miami.

Comfort Food

The game changing impact of Simon’s time in Miami was like Dylan going electric. Simon introduced his take on what he coined “comfort food” while at Miami Beach’s Raleigh Hotel. He applied his artistic touch to classic American cuisine. Mashed potatoes became wasabi mashed, meatloaf was prepared with the addition of veal and seasoned barbeque sauce.

Simon expanded the menu with Starfish, a restaurant located in a speakeasy formerly owned by Al Capone. In going from food musician to cuisine composer, Simon turned to developing restaurants here and abroad with restaurants in Las Vegas as well as New York, Hong Kong, London and Chicago.

Simon LA

That brings us back to Simon LA in Los Angeles, the latest in restaurant openings from Kerry Simon. Once inside, guests’ senses are treated to the delicious smells emanating from an exhibition-style kitchen and the awe inspiring visuals of marble water walls and fire pit.

Simon LA serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner with seating that includes private dining rooms and outdoor patio tables. Bold, crisp colors illustrate the décor with plush couches and a chic lounge.

Simon Classics

Simon LA also features vintage selections and guest favorites from the kitchen of Kerry Simon, including his Ahi Tuna with wasabi mashed potatoes, roasted shiitake, and baby bok choy and “the Meatloaf”, his special recipe with garlic mashed potatoes. Currently on the summer menu is the Brick Roasted Organic Chicken with creamless creamed corn and oyster mushrooms, and Pacific Northwest Black Cod with kumquat sambal, cashews, and cilantro rice.

The cuisine at Simon LA.

Kerry Simon

While the success of Simon LA has added to Simon’s celebrity profile, he retains the humble yet hungry spirit of the young man reading Julia Child cookbooks at Dave’s Italian Kitchen. Simon reminds of the young gunslinger portrayed by Ricky Nelson in the classic western Rio Bravo. The film’s star’s, John Wayne and Dean Martin, have a discussion about the kid who shows no interest in waving his gun around or getting involved in conflicts that aren’t his own. Dean’s character asks Wayne whether he thinks the young gunslinger really is as good as people say he is. Wayne replies, “I’d say he is. I’d say he’s so good he doesn’t feel he has to prove it.”

In a line, this is Kerry Simon. With Simon, there is no flamboyant brandishing of a chef’s gun; the cutting knife. After winning a television duel against Iron Chef Cat Cora on the Food Network in 2005, Simon talked about being in front of the camera in an interview given to Food and Beverage, saying “I just did what I would normally do. I am always trying to remember who I am. It’s not like I want to have my own TV show. I am a chef. That’s what I do. So I’m just going to be who I am.”

Who Simon continues to be is a consummate professional that checks his ego at the kitchen door. His dedication to learning as much as he can about his craft has earned the respect of fans and peers alike. In short, Simon is a chef’s chef.

Kerry Simon graciously poses for our cameras at a culinary event in Los Angeles.

GBK Productions, the premier luxury lifestyle gift lounge and special events company, presented their annual GBK MTV Movie Awards Gifting Lounge with a Vintage Beach Chic Party on May 29th and 30th. The Hollywood event honored 2009 MTV Movie Award Nominees and Presenters and attracted a bevy of beautiful celebrities, eager for the chance to lounge by the pool and be spoiled in GBK’s MTV Movie Awards themed gift lounge.

GBK has always been about the charities and involving them as beneficiaries; this beach chic event was no exception. This day, The Ashe Foundation was onhand with their charity Their motto is: “give your slightly worn clothes & shoes & change the world, two feet at a time”. By giving them your lightly used shoes and clothes they can dress girls in Africa who have nothing. www.theashefoundation.org

Celeb Sightings
GBK’s Gifting Lounge was a danger zone for recovering people watch-aholics as the two-day event was filled with more beautiful young celebrities than a CW after-party.

LA's The Place TV host Alexia Aleman chats with Tiffany Pollard, aka New York at the GBK Vintage Beach Chic gift suite for the MTV Movie Awards. Photo by Heidi Reeder.

In fact, leading the way among the hot young celebs were the female fatales of CW’s much anticipated new show, The Vampire Diaries. Candace Accola, Katerina Graham and Nina Dobrev were spied, possibly dishing over their own diary material while eating burgers and lounging by the pool.

Not merely an event for the single stars, a number of famous couples were spotted strolling around the gifting suite, including Billy Burke and his gorgeous wife, KayCee Stroh and her husband Ben Higginson, and the Feldmans, Corey and Suzie .

Lovey-dovey couple Corey and Suzie Feldman.

What better place to socialize and meet new friends than at a first class barbeque teeming with LA’s favorite celebs? Reid Scott and Jonathan Sadowski appeared to hit it off immediately, a budding friendship only to be rivaled by the candid interaction that occurred between Samantha Mollen, Matt Dallas (Kyle XY) and Krysten Ritter.

Reid Scott and Jonathan Sadowski - chilling for the best ice cream in town by NITROCREAM

Burgers weren’t the only thing on the menu at GBK’s Vintage Beach Chic Party. Using the finest and most elite liquid nitrogen ice cream and gelato machine, NitroCream served fresh, custom made ice cream right in front of the guests. NitroCream hand crafts the world’s most luxurious, eco-friendly, liquid nitrogen ice cream and gelato machines. www.nitrocream.com

With all the great food, beverage and ice cream at the event, someone had to think about the day after. That someone was LALO Fit, who gifted a DVD and free training sessions to attendees.

Lalo’s Fitness Philosophy is simple physical fitness and a true sense of wellness as a way of life; embrace a healthy lifestyle and live your life to it’s fullest potential by embracing a healthy lifestyle and make sure you never take what you have for granted.www.lalofitness.com

Rolling Razor, Changing Shaving Forever!
The razor has finally evolved! How could this perfect design have been overlooked this whole time! Rolling Razor is the the most advanced shaving technology in over a century. The multi-directional Rolling Razor was engineered to intuitively apply the perfect amount of pressure to the area being shaved. Some of the great features include 3 long lasting blades on each curved cartridge, easy cartridge replacement. www.RollingRazor.com

Explore Talent, the world’s largest talent resource provided the host, who interviewed the attending stars. www.ExploreTalent.com

She’s blonde, she’s breathtaking, and she’s the sultry siren that rocked GBK’s Vintage Beach Chic Party as recording artist Samantha Mollen entertained the crowd with her acoustic sets.

Pumping up the volume throughout the weekend were the beats provided by DJ Casey Connor and DJ Kiddkit.

Samantha Mollen wasn’t the only beauty sparkling against the backdrop of a Hollywood skyline. Guests received different pieces in the contemporary silver jewelry collections from Tara Moor Paris. Inspired in part by the myths and legends of ancient civilizations, these pieces from Tara Moor Paris articulate a timeless, iconic impression of beauty.

Tara Moor with her exquisite line that was a smash!

Deliberately crafted through elegant manipulations of archetypal geometry and texture, Tara Moor jewelry refines and elevates style without sacrificing comfort. www.taramoor.com

Selling Your Sole
Jonathan Bennett (Van Wilder: Freshman Year) stole the show by giving away his sole, offering up his shoes to charity with Shoes For Africa

But Don’t worry about Jonathan Bennett. He may have given away his shoes but he got some incredible attire from Faded Fool.

American Idol runner up Allison Iraheta wearing her T-shirt from FADED FOOL.

Faded Fool gifted some of their guys and girls graphic apparel at the Annual GBK MTV Movie Awards Gifting Lounge. After tackling the ultra hip college market in Austin, Peter Lofthouse and Mark White brought their explosive and expressive designs to the welcoming hands of LA’s hottest young celebrities at GBK’s Gifting Lounge. Relentlessly casual, these unpretentious fashions elicit double takes with their effortlessly cool look. www.fadedfool.com

Aaron Rides the Cool Three Big Wave

Recording artist Aaron Carter and music producer Tony Deniro seemed tight while being escorted around GBK’s Gift lounge. We’re not sure if Tony was pitching a project but we do know the offer Aaron seemed most excited about was the Cool Three Big Wave backpack he received in the Gift Lounge. Cool Three offers accessories for women and girls of all ages as well as men’s professional gear. www.coolthree.com

Aaron Carter receiving his BIG WAVE pack for surfing.

Celebrity guests looking for an aesthetic tune-up at GBK’s Gift Lounge were pampered by beauty treatments and products from High Maintenance Mobile Spa, which offered complimentary facial pilates, massage & reiki and custom facials. Founded by Melanie Marden, High Maintenance Mobile Spa eliminates the stressful drive to and from a spa by delivering the ultimate in luxury and indulgence directly to your home. www.highmaintenancemobilespa.com

Jonathan Schaech and Clifton Collins JR. say that are NOT High Maintance but they'd like to try it!

Stylish Ambience
Guests were treated to a ride in the brand new 4 door luxury coupe, The CC fromVolkswagen. www.vw.com/cc/en/us

Guests were driven up to the property by a handsome model in the new Volkswagon 4 door luxury coupe, The CC; it definitely had a luxury feel!

On display at the party was the work of famed artist Todd Goldman of Pop Factory .www.pop-factory.com.

Other event highlights included an array of coconut cocktails and other summertime elixirs served by Ocean Bar Service. www.oceanbarservice.com

American Idol star Allison Iraheta, attending her first ever gift lounge at the GBK Pool party was ecstatic at the chance to start using her new tube of RevitaLash. RevitaLash is an eyelash conditioner that lengthens and thickens eye lashes (A girl who experiences prolonged exposure to Simon Cowell needs all the protection she can get!). www.revitalash.com

Average Joe's Marc Marcuse and Real World Brooklyn's Chet Cannon want their girls to have beautiful eyelashes too. (Photo by Heidi Reeder)

Guests at GBK’s MTV Movie Awards Themed Gift Lounge also received packages to Keyah Grande Guest House, a luxury and gated wilderness retreat in the heart of the San Juan Mountains. www.keyahgrande.com

If burgers by the pool weren’t enough, Johnny Rockets provided year-long dinner for 4 VIP Cards to guests that can be redeemed as often as they want. www.johnnyrockets.com

Stars and starlets also walked away with gifts from Meggie Jewelry, which sells handmade California sophisticated jewelry.

The Cheetah Girls with their new gemstone rings by Meggie White (r).

Asked how she described the essence of her jewelry line, Meggie explains, “I wanted to create a line that is simple and delicate enough for the casual styles of a California Beach girl, but classy and elegant enough for the likes of a Hollywood socialite. . . something that you could wear either relaxing on the beach, or while sipping a martini at a chic Hollywood spot. I’ve been inspired by all of the beauty and colors you see here in California. . . the vibrance of the ocean, the shapes of the pearls, the luminescence that you see within each stone – it all works together to make each piece unique and special.” She truly did capture all this in her exquisite line. Check it out for yourself at www.meggiejewelry.com or www.meggiewhite.com.

Spray Tan Factory provided on-site spray tans as well as 2 complimentary spray tans for guests at GBK’s event. www.spraytanfactory.com

Never drop your cellphone or pda again with Mobigrip!

Mobigrip gave away a peel and stick safety button with bungee device that prevents expensive cell phones safe from falling. www.mobigrips.com

RN Factor Skincare: Innovative skincare combining nature and science. Created by Raynee Bird, an aesthetic nurse specialist who has been in the business of skin care for 25 yours,  knows firsthand what works and what doesn’t! She uses maximum strength quality ingredients with active delivery systems for her products and clinical studies validating their effectiveness. At the suite she introduced the  new Pumpkin Plus Masque and P2 Enzyme Masque for this season.
Pumpkin is a natural antioxidant and the P2 enzyme is full of fruit extract from papaya and pineapple to help reduce breakouts. No mineral oil, talc, petroleum, paraben-free and more!www.RNFactor.com

Kaycee Stroh with RN Factor; Tom Arnold and his new Brecca Bag.

Dr. Brecca Bags included men’s handmade leather and cowhide modern briefcase as well as women’s sleek sexy leather and cowhide clutch bags. www.drbreckabags.com

Lipstick Bail Bonds may be pretty in pink (including their pink Hummer!) but they take care of business! Former police officers, they are committed to getting people out jail fast, with the most confidential and discrete personalized service possible, and offering free confidential bail advice. According to the highest standards of discretion and professionalism, Lipstick Bail Bonds is committed to providing the fastest and most prompt bail bond services anyone could ever hope for. These dynamite gals are also bounty hunters. www.lipstickbailbonds.org

Lipstick Bail Bonds

GotWheatGrass.com served gourmet wheat grass beverages from the custom wheat grass bar.

Veneman Collections offered guests at the Annual GBK MTV Movie Awards Gifting Lounge 55% off on all Veneman Furniture. Veneman Collections designs upscale furniture for both personal and commercial destinations. www.venemanfurniture.com

Alexia Aleman interviews Celebrity Stylist George Blodwell on one of the Veneman Collection's great outdoor pieces. (Photo by Heidi Reeder)

Our host Alexia Aleman interviews George Blodwell, who has been a Celebrity Wardrobe Stylist for many years, with over two hundred major celebrities styled by him to date! In addition, he is Editor-at-Large for Genlux Magazine, based in the heart of Beverly Hills. He is also known for raising designer profiles. George Blodwell loves fashion and is always on the lookout for the hottest new designers. www.GeorgeBlodwell.com

BlueFin SurfBars gave away a gift certificate for 75% off surfboards or tables and free surfing lessons. www.bluefin-surfbars.com

Gavin Keilly, mastermind of GBK Productions.

It seems talent runs in the family. Tracey M. Keilly, Gavin’s sister, displayed some of her amazing and creative pieces of art. Watch for our upcoming feature and videotaped  interview on Tracey here in LA’s The Place Magazine.

Tracey M. Keilly and her compelling art!

 And a full rundown of celebrities attending the Annual GBK MTV Movie Awards Gifting Lounge:

Aaron Carter (Recording Artist), Alexander Gould (Weeds), Alimi Iraneta (Numbers), Arissa Hill (CSI Miami), Ashley Richards (One Tree Hill), Billy Burke (Twilight), Bobb’e Jay (Role Models), Carlos Ramirez (Hit List), Chi McBride (Pushing Daisies), Chris Warren Jr. (High School Musical), Christina Murphy (Dance Flick), Collins Pennie (Prom Night), Cory Feldman (Lost Boys, The Goonies), Daren Kargasoff (The Secret Life of the American Teenager), Greg Finley (Secret Life of the American Teenager), Jennifer Stone (Wizards of Wetherly Place), Jonathan Sadowski (She’s the Man), Julie and Teresa (Beat Freaks), Lauren Storm (I Love You Beth Cooper)Naturi Naughton (Notorious), Nolan Gerard Funk (Castle), Push Play (Recording Band), Reid Scott (My Boys), Samantha Mollen (Recording Artist), Shayne Lamas (The 13th Alley), The Game (Recording Artist), Trevor Wright (George Lopez Show), Willie Gault (Former NFL Star), Anastasia Griffith (Damages), Tiffany “New York” Pollard (I Love New York), Angus T. Jones (Two and a Half Men), Bella Thorne (In the Motherhood), Brandon Molale (Dodgeball), Briana Evigan (Step it Up 2), Bridget Marquardt (The Girls Next Door), Candace Accola (The Vampire Diaries), Cassie Scerbo (Bring it On), Chelsea Hobbs (Make it or Break it), Clifton Collins Jr. (Star Trek)Cody Longo (Medium), Daniel Franzese (Mean Girls), Jonathan Bennet (Van Wilder: Freshman Year), Jonathan Schaech (Prom Night), Julia Ling (Chuck), Kate Linder (The Young and The Restless), Katerina Graham (The Vampire Diaries), KayCee Stroh (High School Musical), Kayla Ewell (Fired Up), Kiely Williams (The Cheetah Girls), Kristen Quentall (Chrome Angels), Krysten Ritter (Confessions of a Shopaholic), Matt Dallas (Kyle XY), Nina Dobrev (The Vampire Diaries), Olyesa Rulin (High School Musical), Paul-Ben Victor (Entourage), Roger Cross (Mad Money), Sabrina Bryan (The Cheetah Girls), Sean Faris (Never Back Down), Shar Jackson (Toxic), Stella Maeve (Gossip Girls).

Bikini-clad models lounging by the pool were outfitted by Custom Made Bikinis by McQueeney Bikini. Celebrities were gifted with $150.00 gift cards in their gift bag. www.mcqueeneybikini.com.

The Scots came out to celebrate Dressed to Kilt, the highest-profile Scottish event in the United States. The highly-anticipated event featured kilted gents and plaid-clad ladies strutting their stuff down the runway for an A-list of judges. Traditional kilts as well as fashion-forward garb are showcased in a lavish display of Scottish pride. Honorary Chairman Sir Sean Connery and his wife hosted the seventh annual Dressed to Kilt charity fashion show in New York City, which took place March 31, 2009.

Oh behave! Mike Myers works that kilt on the runway.

This year’s proceeds from Dressed to Kilt benefitted the Wounded Warriors program and the Paralyzed Veterans of America through Friends of Scotland, a non-profit corporation dedicated to advancing contemporary Scottish interests in the United States.

NASCAR/Indy 500 Champion Dario Franchetti and NY Jets Damian Woody wear their kilts proudly!

Their mission is to be “the primary US organization promoting a contemporary view of modern Scotland by showcasing Scottish cultural, educational, historical and genealogical connections between the United States and Scotland”.

Andie McDowell and daughters

The 2009 Dressed to Kilt fashion show featured appearances by:

Mike Myers, actor; Andie MacDowell, actress; Ed Westwick, Gossip Girl; Kellie Pickler, American Idol; Mark Indelicato, Ugly Betty; York George Wayne, Vanity Fair; Marcus Schenkenberg, model; Tom Gold, New York City Ballet principal dancer; Whitney Casey, bestselling author and TV personality; Lauren Tempany, Scottish supermodel; Stephanie Willemse, reigning Miss Scotland; Rusilko, “Mr. USA”; Lawrence Tynes, New York Giants; Donald Trump, The Apprentice; Brian d’Arcy James, Broadway Shrek star;  Keanan Duffty, fashion designer; Maggie Rizer, actress/model; Chris Meloni, Law and Order: SVU; Katrina Bowden, 30 Rock; Paul Blackthorne, Lipstick Jungle; Damien Woody, New York Jets; Laura Bennett; Project Runway finalist Alex McCord, Real Housewives of New York; Dario Franchitti, NASCAR/Indy 500 Champion. www.friendsofscotland.org

Plaid can be glamorous, too. Stephanie Willamse,(left) the reigning Miss Scotland and "Obama girl" Amber Lee Ettinger rock the plaid.

Heidi Klum, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian of “Keeping up with the Kardashians” Lauren Conrad and Lauren Bosworth of “The Hills”, Holly Robinson Peete and pop singer Aubrey O’Day went beachside to help celebrate Barbie® Doll’s 50th Birthday party in Malibu(CA) with a custom life-size New Beetle convertible, fully loaded with rhinestones, sparkling pink paint and a motorized vanity in the trunk. The ultimate Malibu Barbie® New Beetle convertible debuted at the Barbie doll’s Malibu Dream House® for the 50th Anniversary celebration (March 9) in Malibu, CA.

Heidi Klum with Volkswagon's designer Barbie Beetle

From top to bottom and interior to exterior, Barbie® doll’s New Beetle convertible has left no detail unfinished. From the white custom leather interior and convertible top to the hand stitched floor mats and pink quilted leather lined door pockets and arm rests, even the dipstick is painted to resemble her favorite lipstick. The New Beetle convertible is equipped with a motorized vanity in the trunk and plenty of rhinestone accents and vanity mirrors. Over five shades of paint were mixed together to create the perfect pink color for Barbie® doll’s car.

Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian of "Keeping up with the Kardashians" and "Celebrity Apprentice".

The customized pink New Beetle convertible was prominently on display as the pink carpet was rolled out for the Barbie® celebration at her real-life Malibu Dream House®. Barbie® doll’s house is a 3,500-square-foot home in Malibu, CA, decorated by famed “Happy Chic” interior designer Jonathan Adler. The Barbie® birthday festivities were complete with 1,800 pairs of Barbie® sunglasses, 3,500 pairs of tiny shoes, 3,500 mini handbags and numerous Hollywood celebrity guests.

Holly Robinson-Peete with Barbie Beetle

Lauren Conrad and friend Lo of "The Hills" with VW Barbie Beetle

Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GLI, Eos, Passat, Passat wagon, CC, Tiguan, Touareg 2 and Routan through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. All 2009 Volkswagens come standard-equipped with Electronic Stabilization Program. This is important because the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has called ESC the most effective new vehicle safety technology since the safety belt.

MATTEL, BARBIE and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by, and used under license from, Mattel, Inc. © 2009 Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Wynn Las Vegas has evolved a masterpiece to add to the Wynn experience, appropriately named “Encore”. This sophisticated, chic $2.3-billion, 2,034-suite “boutique” hotel delightfully distinguishes itself from the others on the Las Vegas Strip. Encore has set the gold standard for innovative design not only on the Strip, but for luxury resorts around the world. Encore continues Wynn Resorts’ tradition of creating extraordinary interior environments that elevate the guest experience to unprecedented levels of timeless beauty, comfort, intimacy and innovation.

Beautifully designed to incorporate an outdoor-indoor convergence with intimate spaces, natural sunlit corridors via the conservatory-style ceiling, sprawling pools and flowering atria, signature mosaics and colorful butterflies set into the marble floor are a treat for the senses.

Atrium at the Encore (photo by Russell MacMasters)

The attention to detail throughout the resort is awe-inspiring and layers-deep. Each of its design elements are meant to create a particular “cinematic” experience with its own element of surprise, according to Roger Thomas, executive VP of Wynn Design and Development. Upon each return to Encore, it is likely you will notice different aspects of the intricate art and design that you didn’t notice the time before; Says Thomas, “The design is “meant to reveal itself over time.”

Detailed elements of Encore have been derived from history and cultures from all over the world. Thomas traveled the world to procure the design elements signature to Encore. It is home to countless antique, vintage and custom pieces. Inspiration for many of the spaces was found in art history, ancient history and mythology, for example:

The sculpted interpretation of the goddess Daphne; created under the direction of Thomas, which the entire piece is gilded. It is accompanied by a laurel tree, representative of the laurel leaf Apollo wore in his hair as a display of his love and affection for Daphne. The theme of the laurel leaf is carried throughout Encore and can be found in gilded sconces, bronze leaves and other design details reminiscent of their story.

The pocket doors in the Baccarat lounge at Encore are adorned with a peacock motif embroidered in silk and metallic gold thread on gold and green silk. The images are borrowed from designs by James Abbott McNeill Whistler, an American-born, British-based artist who created the Peacock Room, which was deconstructed and is currently in the collection of the Freer Gallery of Art at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

The Host Lounge, located adjacent to the casino floor, was modeled after the Temple of Dendur, a Nubian temple built by the Roman governor of Egypt, Petronius, around 15 BC, which Thomas once saw on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. He used the arrangement of its columns and rooms as an inspiration for the space at Encore, which is adorned with one of a kind, hand-knotted Tibetan wool carpets.

Every aspect of Encore is a work of art!

The Guestrooms at Encore

“Encore’s Suites are a refuge of sophisticated chic – simple in color, intricate in texture and layered in details that both read the elegance of tradition and forecast the drama of the future,” said Roger Thomas. Todd-Avery Lenahan, principal of ABA Design Studio, designed the all-suite guestrooms, said, “The design concept originated with a commitment to creating a supremely comfortable and unrivaled guest suite whose fashionable palette and details define it as a modern classic and industry-wide benchmark, which evoke timeless beauty, comfort, intimacy, and innovation.

Gorgeous suite at Encore.

The guestroom suites are all at least 700 square feet, with a division between the bedroom and sitting room in the open-plan suite which allow views to the Las Vegas skyline from throughout the room through the floor to ceiling glass windows. Each guest suite also contains the largest flat-screen television used in any standard guestroom in the U.S.

East Meets West Spa

Lenahan also designed the Encore Spa and Salon, which is truly one of the most visually stunning in the world. The Spa’s Asian-inspired décor emphasizes comfort in a setting of elegance and luxury. Robin Leach has termed it “The Gateway to Heaven”. Thomas calls Lenahan’s creation “one of the single greatest places on Earth”. They are both correct! The Encore Spa is ground-breaking in its level of design and the design’s focus on elevating the connection between visual beauty and guest wellness.

Encore Spa Lobby (Photo by Russell MacMasters)

The Spa is a vast 61,000 square fee ande offers 51 treatment rooms for massage, body treatments, facials and hydrotherapy. Try the Good Luck Ritual, a signature Wynn treatment based upon the five elements of Feng Shui, a traditional Eastern art practiced to achieve health, wealth, prosperity and harmony. This includes a 50 minute Fusion massage combining Thai herbal massage pillows, a lemon verbena and mint foot treatment, and a relaxing wild lime botanical scalp treatment. You can also have spa services in your suite or private poolside cabana.combined with the indoor-outdoor European-inspired service creates the perfect environment for ultimate relaxation and pampering.

Encore Spa Treatment Hall

Celebrity Chef Dining

Whether you are in the mood for a five course meal or a simple burger, Encore has it all with only the finest chefs at the helm of your culinary tour. In keeping with the culinary standards set by Wynn Las Vegas, Encore introduces a new all-star team of chefs to the dining family, each of whom is in their kitchens cooking dinner most nights. Five signature restaurants pair these master chefs with personally prepared gourmet fare. Sinatra is gourmet Italian as a salute to Ol’ Blue Eyes. Chef Theo Schoenegger’s modern Italian cuisine riffs with Sinatra tunes as guests revisit the entertainer’s legendary charisma, with many of Sinatra’s personal items on display. A surprise awaits at Switch, Chef Marc Poidevin’s French-inspired seafood and steakhouse. As you dine, the whole decor will metamorphosize right before your eyes, several different times with several different themes!

 Diners can appreciate the art collection and sculptures by Columbian artist Fernando Botero at Botero Steak while sampling Chef Mark LoRusso’s modern cuisine. Society Café Encore was designed with the whimsical era of Oscar Wilde in mind, to match the imaginative cooking of Chef Kim Canteenwalla. Turn a corner in the casino and come face to face with a 27-foot crystal dragon, mounted at Wazuzu, where rising star Chef Jet Tila serves up pan-Asian cuisine.

Too Much is Never Enough at XS

The resort also features several distinct bars and lounges, as well as its own nightclub, XS, which is destined to be the gold standard of Vegas nightlife.   The club’s design is inspired by the sexy curves of the human body and embraces the European pool and island bar it envelopes. No extravagance is spared. XS, co-created by Victor Drai and Steve Wynn, who also collaborated on Wynn Las Vegas’ Tryst nightclub, as well as a theater featuring famed Las Vegas singer, comedian and impressionist Danny Gans, takes the nightclub experience to a new level.

XS at Encore Las Vegas

The club’s design resembles the sexy curves of a woman and seamlessly envelops the European pool and island bar. Their opening night was New Year’s Eve 2008 and celebrities were there in force. Hit it big at the casinos and live it bigger by ordering XS’ signature cocktail, the “Ono” Cocktail, a $10,000 drink with Dom Perignon Enotheque and Louis XIII de Remy Martin Black Pearl cognac. The Ono cocktail comes with cufflinks and woman’s gold necklace with a black pearl XS logo pendant.

Intimate Gaming

Bucking the vast, open floor of traditional casino design, Encore’s butterfly-themed casino floor is partitioned into private chambers with columned pavilions, canopies, and draperies giving the gamer a feel of an exclusive club. Each pavilion has windows overlooking the garden or pool. As a welcome change to the drab, dark lighting of most casinos, Wynn has incorporated natural light and elegant lighting with deep red chandeliers and lamps throughout the casino. Encore offers 9 gaming pavilions with 66 tables in the main casino (even the tables are designed so you can get more cozy with the dealer).

Specialty Gaming

Featured poolside, Island gaming is in a special pit for outdoor gaming with a bar, sitting area and five gaming tables surrounded by the pool. At night, it becomes apart of the hot new nightclub XS.

Encore also offers High-Limit gaming with penthouse exclusivity and views from the Sky Casino. Sky Casino has five gaming salons, two with private dining rooms and each customizable to the guest’s every whim

Esplanade Shopping

The Esplanade at Encore is a selection of 11 new boutiques in 27,000 square-feet of exquisite retail space. The edgy Rock & Republic, the distinguished Hermès and the eternally classic Chanel anchor an array of clothing, shoe, jewelry, home décor and accessory stores. Ensemble, a store for men and women, has the newest looks from JV Star USA, The Great China Wall, Royal Underground, Taverniti So, William Rast, Boozendolls, Jaded by Knight, Vivian Westwood, Phillip Plein, Nudie Jeans, Helmut Lang and Sinha-Stanice among others.

Homestore is for those wanting to surround themselves with extravagance and comfort. Discover items like the Wynn Dream Bed, hotel linens, lavish bath items, exclusive resort furnishings and other unique object from Daum, Steuben, Arca, Adrienne Landau, Cara, Theodor and Gail DeLoach, to name a few.

Centrally located on the Encore Esplanade, In Step is every woman’s retail dream. Sparkling from ceiling to floor, the shop has the most exclusive collection of shoes and a sampling of accessories from Nicholas Kirkwood, Viktor & Rolf, Be & D, Freelance, John Galliano, Chloe and more.

Steve Wynn’s Encore caters equally as well to the sophisticated, well-traveled, jet-setter as to the one who just wants a weekend of luxurious escape. Encore strives to treat you like a member of an exclusive private club in an organically stunning atmosphere. Catering to the well-heeled person in all of us, a stay at the Encore will make your Las Vegas vacation one to be remembered.

Encore     www.encorelasvegas.com
3131 Las Vegas Boulevard S., Las Vegas, NV 89109
Main Number: (702) 770.8000
Room Reservations: (702) 770.7171,
Toll free information:  (888) 320.71251  (877) 321-9966

The 2009 Film Independent’s Spirit Awards were held Saturday, February 21, at picturesque Santa Monica, CA. Film Independent is an organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. The Spirit Awards is the premier awards event for the independent film community.

Set up in a large tent which was all-encompassing, The Film Independant Spirit Awards took place at the beach in Santa Monica.

Excitement was in the air as the On 3 Productions Gift Lounge, held just a day before the Oscars for Spirit Awards participants, opened up to celebrities. Jessica Alba, Christina Applegate, and Cameron Diaz were among the guests eagerly waiting backstage to customize their own unique gift collections from vendors.  On 3 Productions, the official Independant Spirit Awards Gift Lounge producer, has shown a keen intuition for finding gifts celebrities love.

These following vendors wowed the crowd with these fabulous goodies:

PALM Pre

Lucky celebs who attended the 2009 Film Independent’s Spirit Award Gift Lounge including Jessica Alba, Sandra Oh, and Taraji P. Henson, were overjoyed to be among the very first to receive the limited and highly anticipated Palm Pre, along with 6 months of complimentary service from Sprint, since the Palm Pre is only available exclusively with Sprint.

Eliza Dushku with Palm Pre (Sprint)

In fact, Sandra Oh was so thrilled with her new gift that she immediately requested that Palm call the Grey’s Anatomy propmaster on Monday so that her character on the show could be brought up to speed with the hottest technology! The Pre was previously unveiled in January at the in Las Vegas, where it received much praise and acclaim due to it’s superior capability and design that enable it to be harmoniously in sync with the user’s needs. By gracefully compiling information from the user’s phone, work, and the web into one simple, integrated view, the user can keep multiple applications open, simultaneously flip from one to another, and maneuver easily between activities without losing they’re current place. Alongside all those fore-mentioned desirable phone qualities, the Pre also has the advantage of a smooth, rounded ergonomic design with a touch screen and a slide-out keyboard. www.palm.com

On top of doling out handfuls of Pre’s, which are not yet on the market, Palm also made a noteworthy contribution to Project:Involve, the Film Independent’s signature diversity program, for every celebrity that entered the Gift Lounge. Once there, celebs took the liberty of leaving messages of encouragement on the new Palm Pre’s for all the filmmakers who benefit from the program. Here are a few of the messages that were left:

“Hi, this is Michelle Monoghan calling, I just want to say keep up the good work, keep doing what you’re doing!  What you’re doing is a labor of love and that’s what we all do!  And God bless indie film and keep up the good work and keep making them!”  ”Hi, this is Justine Bateman and I just want to say to you do not quit!  Do not quit because if you do we won’t hear your voice and we need it!” “Hi, this is Kerry Washington:  I can’t wait to see you guys at the awards next year or the year after so keep up your indie thing and never be anyone else, always be who you are!”

AMC Entertainment Exclusive AMC Signature Pass:

AMC, who brings independant films to communities at their theatres all over the country was also delightfully on hand to offer each glamorous star and one guest of their choosing the amazing opportunity to see movies for free at more than 350 AMC Theatres around the world for an entire year. Legendary song crooner Michael Bolton sang a funny, new tune saying “it’s Christmas in Santa Monica” when he received his AMC Theatres Signature Pass, and Indie sovereign Ileana Douglas promised she would take her grandmother to the matinees at the AMC in Century City that she loves with her passes.

Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson with AMC Theatres

Oscar’s Best Actress nominee Taraji P. Henson said she looks forward to taking her son to the movies as she chomped down on some concession-style Gummi stars, while Jessica Alba commented that the movie passes were “fresh” and her absolute favorite gift in the lounge. Eric Roberts, who catches a movie every Friday morning at AMC, said he’s very excited and that his wife will probably die when she finds out that they’ve got a year of free movies! www.amctheaters.com

ST. Regis Monarch Beach Resort 1-Night Stay in Monarch Suite

Stars were also graciously gifted an exclusive one night stay in a St. Regis Monarch Suite, the only Mobil Five Star and AAA Five Diamond Resort in California, which is located on 172 acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Dana Point between Los Angeles and San Diego.  The Monarch Suites are located on the 7th floor of the main building with full ocean views, with 3 bay suites that are 1,466 square feet each and have lovely private key access elevators, butler service, a living room, 2 balconies, a dining table with seating for 10, a wet bar, pantry, fireplace, guest bathroom and master bathroom with Jacuzzi. Michael Bolton spoke nonstop of his love of golf and how he especially loves the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course on the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort property.  He says that he’s really looking forward to a night at the resort!  Robin Wright Penn and Sandra Oh, who are already huge fans of the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort and have stayed there before are looking forward to yet another trip, while Best Actor winner Mickey Rourke plans to take a break after the “craziness of the award-show season.” While walking away with his one gift from the Gift Lounge he murmured, “I wonder if they allow pets?”. www.stregismb.com

GLOWELLE Beauty Drink Dietary Supplement – 1-Year Supply

Glowelle, whose motto is to “drink in beautiful skin“, was also at the Gift Lounge to make celebrities who were already radiant glow even more. A years worth of Glowelle’s new ingestible skincare supplement that promotes natural, radiant beauty from the inside out was generously given to each celebrity.

Melissa Leo trys Glowelle Beauty Drink.

As they were gifted they asked, “What makes you glow?”. Here’s what they replied: “Love makes me glow because it comes from within” -Taraji P. Henson, as she sipped on a delicious Glowelle smoothie; “My daughter, Honor” -Jessica Alba; “Laughing everyday” -Rose Perez; “Writing something good” -John Waters; “I think you know the answer to that….hmmmh!” -Alec Baldwin; “Joy in my heart”-Melissa Leo, Best Actress winner for “Frozen River”; “Free stuff!”-Richard Jenkins; “My wife of 17 years, Eliza Roberts”-Eric Roberts. www.glowelle.com

Arm & Hammer Advance White Toothpaste and Whitening Booster “Last Minute Smile Kit”

Arm and Hammer, onhand to ‘brighten up’ their day, was a vendor of the Gift Lounge committed to equipping star’s with the must-have essentials to ensure bright smiles by donating special kits that included certificates for a one-year supply of Advance White Toothpaste. Furthermore, when Dana Delany and Bryan Cranston dropped by the Arm & Hammer Advance White Toothpaste and Whitening Booster station, the Arm and Hammer attendants decided to have a little fun and asked them, “What movie made you smile?”. They both grinned and replied that “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” made them beam from ear to ear! Advanced White Toothpaste, specially created to supply deep-cleaning, leaves users with white “red-carpet worthy” smiles, a fresh from the dentist clean feeling, and teeth that are 3x whiter! www.myoralcare.com

Blue Notch Denim Jeans

The number one supplier of premium Japanese Denim for men and women, Blue Notch Denim Jeans, was also at the Gift Lounge to outfit celebs in one of a kind, great-fitting jeans. Rosie Perez could not stop commenting on how much she loved how stretch of Blue Notch Jeans denim accentuated her curves and booty! To boot, Jessica Alba, who is really into Japanese denim and was unaware of the origin of Blue Notch Denim, was ecstatic to find out that’s where Blue Notch Denim is from. However, no one was as ecstatic as Mena Suvari, who loved the custom ripped jeans that the rep from Blue Notch was wearing so much that she made a special request and ordered two pairs. Even “30 Rock” star Alec Baldwin couldn’t resist out a pair of Blue Notch Jeans for his daughter Ireland, while Oscar nominee Richard Jenkins said he’ll be living in his new Blue Notch Jeans! Lastly, the always beautiful, Andie McDowell officially launched Blue Notch Denim Jeans into the Hollywood stratosphere when said she plans to wear her new Blue Notch Jeans home on the plane! www.bluenotchjeans.com

Koolaburra Genuine Australian-made Sheepskin Boots

Koolaburra, the brand that features gorgeous boots with embroidered leather appliqués and Swarovski crystals that are actually made in Australia, showcased the hottest, newest styles from their Fall ‘09 collection for men and women at the Gift Lounge. As soon as she saw them, Jessica Alba quickly snatched up a pair of Koolaburra’s “Crystal Flock” Genuine Australian Sheepskin Boots in black from their not yet released Fall ‘09 collection that features Swarovski crystal birds.

Justine Bateman with Koolaburra boots

Meanwhile backstage, Mena Suvari slipped into a pair of her very own new Koolaburra boots- the “Erika Short”, which feature beautiful adornments of gold studs and fringe and Taraji Henson fell in love with a pair of double fringe boots, the crème de la crème of boots among young Hollywood starlets like Jessica Biel and Vanessa Hudgens. Blair Underwood even scooped up a pair of boots for himself, while remarking that his wife simply adores the Peace Sign boots he picked up from Koolaburra in January for her because she wears them all the time!  Illeana Douglas promised to wear her Koolaburra’s on stage while performing with her rock band and Justine Bateman found it so hard to settle on just one pair of the in-demand Koolaburra boots that she got two! www.koolaburra.com

Carlos Falchi Evening Bags

Even the renowned international handbag designer, Carlos Falchi, was there to lend his iconic style and fashion advice by helping celebs choose the absolute perfect Red Carpet evening bag, many of which featured luxurious exotic skins. While at the Gift Lounge, Eric Roberts sweetly picked out a blue and brown small snakeskin Carlos Falchi clutch for Emma Roberts and Academy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson, who was visibly excited for the Oscars the next day, scooped up a green square Carlos Falchi clutch with jewels, mentioning that the bag always makes her outfits! Tara Riggs and Eliza Dushku both picked up one-of-a-kind python Carlos Falchi clutch bags; Tara opting for the pink and Eliza’s for the gray and white. Afterwards, Jessica Alba, who had the hardest time choosing between two python Carlos Falchi clutches, happily opted for a daring leopard print python clutch, while Mena Suvari rewarded herself with a mint green python Carlos Falchi clutch.  Surprisingly, many of the stars decided to be animal friendly and opted for the Carlos Falchi microfiber clutches, versus the more expensive cayman and python styles on display! Andie McDowell and Melissa Leo both showed their love for animals and went with the bronze microfiber purses, with Misty Upham later going for the silver microfiber. www.carlosfalchidesign.comTLC Laser Eye Center & AMO, INC.

iLASIK Procedure Performed by World Renowned TLC LASIK Surgeon Alan Berg, M.D. and a 1-Year Supply of Blink Tears: The iLASIK procedure, one of the most advanced laser vision correction procedure available today, was made available to stars at the Gift Lounge in the form of a gift certificate, delighting many.

No more dry eyes for Blair Underwood with Blink Tears.

Blair Underwood, a self-proclaimed, “eye drop addict” scooped up a certificate, as well as Bradley Cooper, who he batted his baby blue eyes playfully after stopping at Blink Tears to refresh his dry eyes. Taraji P. Henson complained that the Santa Ana winds dry her eyes out and said that she can’t wait to receive her year supply of Blink Tears, another goodie complimentary of TLC! Blink Tears are advanced eye drops that relieve dry eyes and replenish tears with every blink.  (Advanced Eyedrop that Replenishes Your Tears with Every Blink). www.TLCvision.com / www.yourhealthyeyes.com / www.iLASIK.com

CRUNCH 1-Year Gym Membership & Private AntiGravity Yoga ‘Wings’ or BodyWeb w/TRX Class for up to 8 Guests

Anthony Mackie, who portrayed Tupac Shakur in “Notorious” was overjoyed when he picked up his an annual membership to Crunch Gym at the Gift Lounge and happily commented, “I’ve worked out at Crunch in NYC and I want to go back, so this is perfect!” Furthermore, Eliza Dushku, whose man is an unmentionable NFL player, said she was more than ready and willing to work out with her man at Crunch and “Hairspray” director John Waters sarcastically shared with a laugh, “I’m the only gay man who hasn’t been to a gym. Maybe Crunch will turn me into a Gym bunny?”. The Crunch AntiGravity Yoga ‘Wings’ allow users to stretch further than ever before and hold challenging postures longer by using a flowing fabric hammock as a prop. By using the fabric as a soft trapeze, users are enabled the use of simple suspension techniques allowing them to move into seemingly impossible inverted poses, relieving compressed joints and aligning the body from head to toe. On the other hand, the BodyWeb with TRX system hangs from the durable TRX system ropes to push, pull, lift and lower the user’s body through Spiderman moves for a total body suspension workout that will also super-strengthens your core. www.crunch.com

WACOAL Shapewear and Lingerie from B.Tempt’d by Walcoal

Never to be outdone, Wacoal, the brand featuring the most coveted seamless shapewear, “Lace Yourself”, gifted celebs with a table pant set (3 tangas) from the newly launched and imaginatively pulsating intimates collection from B.tempt’d, as well as a $100 gift certificate for a special, complimentary fitting and intimates from the latest Wacoal and B.tempt’d collections. B’temped which was launched in February 2009 by Wacoal, entices the young vivacious woman to “be tempting” and express her unique style in fun and flirtatious designs, all while reveling in exceptional fit, trusted quality, and comfort.

Dana Delaney with B.Tempt'd by Wacoal

“Mad Men” star John Hamm, who loves his wife, Jennifer Westfeld in lingerie, winked and nodded to her as he asked, “Did you get some of these? Nice!”. It seems he and Dominc Monaghan of “Lost” are new fans of the new B.tempt’d by Wacoal line of lacy bras & panties. Before leaving, Monoghan asked, “Are these edible?  They look delicious!”. Find them at: www.b.temptd.com  and www.wacoal-america.com

SAKROOTS Limited Edition Eco-Friendly Weekender Tote Designed Exclusively for the Gift Lounge Featuring Signature “Peace Print” by Graffiti Artist Gilles Jourdan

Sakroots, a creative, soulful, and dynamic collection of sustainable and stylish bags introduced by The Sak, demonstrated that “peace & harmony among all things” is possible in today’s society by introducing celebs at the Gift Lounge to their products created with the use of environmentally-friendly materials, dyes and processes.  The bags from the ECO Harmony collection made from 100% bamboo string, which feature messages such as “happy & free” on them and are meant to bring merriment to each bag owner were given to celebs at the Lounge. Sandra Oh of “Grey’s Anatomy”, who selected a bag from the Sakroots new Indio crochet bamboo collection, exclaimed, “This bag is a must-have, I’m gonna rock this, it’s fabulous!”. Later when “30 Rock” star Alec Baldwin was asked who he’d like to give his Sakroots limited edition weekender tote featuring a signature “Peace” print by Graffiti artist Gilles Jourdan to, he humbly admitted “I don’t have anyone special in my life, but I wish I did.” Then, Robin Wright Penn snatched up a crocheted Sakroots Indio Tote and shared her love of Bali! “I frequent Bali quite often.  I’ve seen the hand-crochet process and it’s amazing-the work that goes into it.” Even new mom, Jessica Alba got into it- declaring that she likes her bags eco-friendly. While choosing her new Sakroots Eco Harmony Black Space Dye drawstring bag, she commented, “It’s nice to see a company who is making something that is actually good for the planet.”
www.thesak.com, www.sakroots.com

ALTOIDS SMALLS Mints:

Altoids, the tiny breath mints that “go where you go” and are apart of  The Original Celebrated Curiously Strong Altoids family of mints, were on hand to keep celebrities breath smelling lusciously fresh. Celebs were delighted to learn that the mints that they so love are now smaller, sugar-free, and available in three flavors – Peppermint, Wintergreen & Cinnamon. www.altoids.com

Promax Nutrition PURE:
PURE, the scrumptious organic snack bar that’s raw, vegan, gluten free, and contains 1 1/2 serving of fruit and nuts that topped the cake as they served delicious, healthy treats to all the attendees. www.promaxnutrition.com

On 3  fashioned the Official Ceremony Gift Bag distributed to all ceremony guests. Host, Steve Coogan, Honorary Co-Chair, Alec Baldwin, Justine Bateman, Michael Bolton,  Maria Bozzi, Joey Cassata, Steve Coogan, Bradley Cooper, and Frank Corraci were all elated to receive their very own Official Ceremony Gift Bag with top-notch goodies such as the special Film Independent Publication, Film Independent Magazine; Alacer Corp. Emergen-C, Altoids Smalls Mints, an AMC Eco-friendly Reusable Water Bottle, ELLE March Issue, GARNIER FRUCTIS Wonder Waves Enhancing Spray, a one-month supply of Glowelle Beauty Drink Dietary Supplement, an IFC Custom Designed 2009 Spirit Awards Bag, Jessie Steele Tea Towels, a tube of Maybelline New York Lash Stiletto Ultimate Length Mascara,  No Nonsense Shoe Solutions, Popchips all-natural popped potato chips, ProMax Nutrition Pure, the Robyn Hitchcock “Goodnight Oslo” CD, The Container Store Oli Sticky Notes Notebook, a $1000 Gift Certificate from TLC Laser Eye Center& Amo, Inc. toward an iLASIK procedure performed by the world renowned TLC Lasik Surgeon Alan Berg, M.D, Blink Tears, the Wahl Lithium Ion Grooming Tool, and many more amazing treats!

The talent that received their On 3 Productions organized gifts also included Kerry Washington, Elizabeth Banks, Jason Bateman, Zooey Deshanel, Teri Hatcher, Anne Hathaway, Taraji P. Henson, Emile Hirsch, Sandra Oh, Mary-Kate Olsen, Blair Underwood, Evan Rachel Wood, Bryan Cranston, Dana Delaney, Chris Donovan, Illeanna Douglas, Eliza Dushku, Chiwetel Ejiofor, John Hamilton, Teri Hatcher, Taraji P. Henson, Robyn Hitchcock, Dawn Hudson, Richards Jenkins, Rachel Lefevre, Melissa Leo, Andie MacDowell, Michelle Monaghan, Dominic Monaghan, Sandra Oh, Mary-Kate Olsen, Rosie Perez, John C. Reilly, Jeremy Renner, Giovanni Ribisi, Tarra Riggs, Eric Roberts, Mena Suvari, Jeffrey Tambor, John Waters, Michael Winchester, Robin Wright Penn, David Zablidowsky, Paul Zablidowsky, Diana Zahn, Anthony Mackie, Misty Upham, Tom Noonan, and Jon Hamm.

Film Independent is an open enrollment and non-profit membership organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps fimmakers make their movies, builds the audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, film industry leader, or a film lover.

Spirit Award Winners

Despite worthy competition, Spirit Award winners earned their awards. The winners?

BEST FEATURE
“The Wrestler”

BEST DIRECTOR
Tom McCarthy, “The Visitor”

BEST FIRST FEATURE
“Synecdoche, New York”

JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD
“In Search of a Midnight Kiss”

BEST SCREENPLAY
Woody Allen, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”

BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Dustin Lance Black, “Milk”

BEST FEMALE LEAD
Melissa Leo, “Frozen River”

BEST MALE LEAD
Mickey Rourke, “The Wrestler”

BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
Penelope Cruz, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”

BEST SUPPORTING MALE
James Franco, “Milk”

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Maryse Alberti, “The Wrester”

BEST DOCUMENTARY
“Man on Wire”

BEST FOREIGN FILM
“The Class

Kathy Ireland

LAsThePlace.com caught up with Kathy Ireland to discuss FabulousFlorals.com, the ease of online ordering, the great value they offer award-winning designs on a budget, how they give back and more…

LA’s The Place:  How has fabulousflorals.com fit in with your Home Style Guides overall concept?

Kathy Ireland:  In a fabulous way! Every flower is chosen to support a Style Guide™. Our Style Guides™ include: Aloha, Americana, Architectural, European Country, La Vida Buena, In Russian Style, Ivory Coast and Far East Dreams. Although our Style Guides™ reach beyond home into all areas of design…they quickly and easily give mom the unique design inspiration from all over our globe. 

LATP:  Your company has embraced a “solution” theme to its marketing. Do your floral designs create a ready-to-go feel when your customers order?

KI:  Our mission at Kathy Ireland Designs™ by fabulousflorals.com is “…finding solutions for families, especially busy moms”.

Our brand offers four promises… fashion, quality, value and safety. Something mom does not have enough of is time! Kathy Ireland Designs™ by fabulousflorals.com makes it easy for mom to choose her florals by color, fragrance, occasion and season. She can also shop by Style Guides™, variety, specials for each day and by flower name. There is not a better value available! I placed an order this weekend and the recipient was ecstatic! The gorgeous flowers arrived overnight, fresh, fragrant and absolutely fabulous! Our customers save money by placing the florals in their own vase from home.

Our website includes design tips by Nicholas Walker of JduJ and Chef Andre of ACafe both a part of Kathy Ireland Home™. Nicholas and Andre teach how ordinary household items can become a gorgeous vase for your fabulous floral displays. You will also find information about flower care and handling. Your order will include a package of plant food to maximize the life and vibrancy of your florals.

LATP:  With online sales growing every year, how do you see the power-of-the-Internet with overall flower sales?

KI:  The internet is revolutionizing the industry! As a busy mom, I appreciate that I can go to fabulousflorals.com late at night after I put our children to bed. fabulousflorals.com is a huge solution for busy moms. The design videos by Nicholas and Chef Andre give moms everywhere, including me, a great education in floral design and they make it fun! There will always be a strong need for retail and designers. Something that Warren Buffet has shared is that there will always be a need for independent business. The internet gives mom a wonderful choice.

LATP:  What is your favorite arrangement and which one sells the best on your site?

KI:  Some of our best sellers include Roses and Orchids. I honestly could not choose one favorite flower. Each flower is so special, so unique. From the sweet perfume of the Gardenia to the bold statement of Birds of Paradise…each flower has its own origin, its own unique qualities, its own style and its own design. Flowers conjure up emotion, imagination and sweet memories. The Rose, the Phalaenopsis Orchid and the Lily have a way of wrapping around our hearts (I capitalize all flowers, because I have such a personal relationship with each one!).

KI:  My first adventure with world renowned Landscape Designer, Nicholas Walker was at the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show. Nicholas was used to working with clients with exorbitant resources. My challenge to Nicholas was this, “I want this extraordinary look and I want it to be real. It’s got to fit her budget”. I gave Nicholas a tiny and realistic budget. As the exhibitors were preparing for the show, the spaces next to Nicholas clearly had enormous budgets. There were beautiful mature trees… exotic and expensive plants of every kind…beautifully sculptured arbors, walls and statues. There were a few chuckles in Nicholas’s direction as he unloaded boulders, PVC pipes, white twinkly Christmas tree lights, beach glass and some succulents from his pick up truck. Besides the small budget, Nicholas was also given a very small and realistic space. He placed the white twinkly Christmas tree lights on the ground. He covered them with beach glass in shades of blue. The twinkling of the lights gave movement and the shades of blue reflected the beauty of the Pacific Ocean. Nicholas took the PVC pipes (very inexpensive from the hardware store) and sprayed painted them a warm, burnished gold. Every foot and a half he wrapped wire around the pipe which transformed these products into beautiful bamboo rain towers. He made holes in the boulders, inserted PVC pipe and made beautiful water features and fountains. Throughout this garden he placed succulents of every kind. Succulents are very easy to care for, they don’t require a lot of water and they are very durable. While Nicholas endured some looks and comments, he had the last laugh. Kathy Ireland Home™ JduJ cultivated by Nicholas Walker won the gold medal! Nicholas proved that you can have a gorgeous garden without breaking your bank.

LATP:  Since flower sales boom on special occasion days like Valentine’s Day, would you say this is a recession proof business?

KI:  In this economy, it would be arrogant to say that any business is recession proof. One of the blessings of these challenging times is that it causes us to do better work, to give mom the very best value for her precious dollar. 

LATP:  Do you find the quality of flowers best from California?

KI:  Kathy Ireland Designs™ by fabulousflorals.com offers flowers from around the world. Our company is based in California. As a seventh generation Californian, I have to admit, I am partial to this remarkable land. The climate in California is extraordinary for growing children and flowers.

LATP: How does the organic world fit into flower and plants sales?

KI:  Nicholas Walker has dedicated much of his life and career to bring the beauty of organic living to our homes and gardens. It is encouraging that our industry is experiencing a movement of moving away from pesticides. We are grateful to Nicholas for the awareness he brings to clean organic living.

LATP: What does the future hold for fabulousflorals.com?

KI:  We are in our infancy…we have a long way to go. It is a joy and honor to serve our customers through Kathy Ireland Designs™ by fabulousflorals.com. We are grateful for the loyalty of our customers. Our customers make it possible for our team to work everyday to fulfill our mission of “…finding solutions for families, especially busy moms.” Just as there are essential ingredients to growing healthy flowers, there are essentials ingredients to growing a healthy brand. The most critical ingredient is you, our customer. There is so much to learn from you. Please visit us on our contact page at Kathy Ireland Designs™ by fabulousflorals.com or at kathyireland.com and tell us how we can better serve you.

LATP:  What’s new with KathyIreland.org and how can flowers help heal the world?

KI:  Every time our business grows it allows us to be of service. All business helps us support the non-profits that are close to our hearts. Whether we are addressing the Alliance for Christian Education, Feed The Children, The Elizabeth Taylor HIV/AIDS Foundation, The Eight Millennial Development Goals or cancer research through the Barbara Ireland Walk for the Cure…you make it possible for us to support these non-profits that are positively and powerfully changing our world. Thank you.

Kathy Ireland Worldwide:

KIWW products include flooring, rugs, home furniture, office and entertainment furniture, lighting, decorative accessories, window coverings, bedding, mattresses, candles, apparel, jewelry, blankets, hand painted porcelain, fire resistant products and top of bed fashions.

KIWW teams with industry leaders in each category of business, Flooring-Shaw Industries a Berkshire-Hathaway Company, Rugs-Shaw Living a Berkshire Hathaway Company, Home Furniture – Kathy Ireland Home by Standard, Office and Entertainment Furniture – Kathy Ireland Home by Martin, Lighting-Pacific Coast Lighting, Decorative Accessories – Pacific Coast Accessories, Window Coverings – Kathy Ireland Home by Alta, Bedding – Kathy Ireland Home by Therapedic, Permanent Florals-Kathy Ireland Home by Labs, Candles-Kathy Ireland Home by Hanna’s Candle Co., Socks – Kathy Ireland by GoldToe Moretz, Top of bed fashions- Kathy Ireland Home by Hallmart Collectibles, Hand painted porcelain – Kathy Ireland Home by Franz, Fabrics – Kathy Ireland Home by Bonavista, Baby bedding – Kathy Ireland Home by Thank You Baby, Fresh Cut Florals – Kathy Ireland Designs by Florabundance and Kathy Ireland Jewelry.

Kathy Ireland is a woman with her finger on the pulse on the needs of society, and has fulfilled that need through her various successful companies, which helped millions attain a more beautiful existence. And well she has done; Forbes Magazine reports that KIWW is a “design empire which grosses over one billion dollars annually in retail sales”. This year, Newsweek reported, “Annual sales run to $1.4 billion”. Her companies have thrived because of her innate business instincts on the needs of society, which she has fulfilled in the highest of standards on all levels, and with a track record like this, you can be assured you are spending your hard-earned dollars in the right place!

For more information, please visit: www.KathyIreland.com or email: customerservice@FabulousFlorals.com

Read our article on Fabulous Florals here…  

New Year’s Eve 2008 in Los Angeles is going to be the best yet, with hot parties and celebrations all over town. How are you going to decide where to go? Here’s some choices to help with your delightful dilemma. And, please, don’t drink and drive! Happy New Year!

Ring in the New Year with DJ Donald Glaude at the Kress. With four floors of music, a premium open bar all night and a champagne toast at midnight, how could you go wrong?

The Kress: 6608 Hollywood Blvd, 90028
Pre – sale tickets are $125.00
VIP Roof/ All Access tickets are priced at $200.00
Pre – sale ends at 8:00 PM EST on December 31, 2008.
To order via mobile phone for the pre – sale or VIP Roof/ All Access text b8278 to 467467.
This party is presented by The Kress 
Must be 21 or over
www.wantickets.com/EventDetail.aspx?e_id=48707

Gridlock 2009, Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Matt and Sean Presents Gridlock 2009 – one of Hollywood’s most incredible New Years Eve bashes.
 
Matt and Sean brought it Held at the world famous Paramount Pictures NEW YORK CITY Studio Backlot in the heart of Hollywood featuring a live performance by Katy Perry! Pre – sale tickets are priced at $100.00 and VIP tickets are priced at $200.00.  Pre – sale ends at 5:00 PM PST on December 31, 2008.  This party is presented by Gridlock. Must be 21 or over.
http://www.wantickets.com/MattandSean

A nice dinner at Tengu to celebrate the New Year

Tengu in the West Village is offering a lovely four course with a choice of two dining options. Enjoy some great music, dancing and a midnight champagne toast to ring in the New Year! 
Tengue – The “House of Mischief” 10853 Indbrook Drive, 90024
Reservations are from 5:30 – 11:00 PM
Open until 2009
For more information call                      310 209 0071          
www.tengu.com

Robin Thick at Area!

Would you like to party at one of LA’s hotspots with a top recording artist? Robin
Thicke will help bring in the New Year at Area with a special live appearance! 
DJ Serafin
5 Bars
2 Smoking Patios
Large Dance Floor
Formal attire is requested
643 N LA Cienega, West Hollywood
For table reservations call:                      310 967 8107          
For more information email: nye2009@famela.net

Masquerade Ball with a Bebe Fashion Show at SkyBar

SkyBar is hosting a Black and White Masquerade Ball to celebrate the New Year. On Wednesday December 31, 2008, from 8:00 PM until 2 AM with an open bar and an exclusive fashion show by Bebe. 
Tickets are $175.00 per person for non hotel guests
Tickets are $150.00 per person for Mondrian Hotel guests
For tickets or table reservations email:

skybarla@morganshotelgroup.com

Ready for the Ball of the year? D.A.S.K. Production’s “New Year’s Eve Ball 2009″

Live performances, dance floors, lounges and party rooms, who could ask for more? D.A.S.K Productions is presenting “New Year’s Eve Ball 2009”, on December 31, 2008.  Do not forget to check this party out!
Chef Michael Richards Cuisine
Tickets are $100.00 in advance or $150.00 at the door.
For general information call:                      310 281 8440          

www.daskproductions.com

Looking for something Fraeche this New Years Eve?

Enjoy a champagne toast, party favors, dancing and entertainment!
Seating begins at 5:30 PM and continues much into the night!
Four Courses: $65.00 per person
Five Courses: $85.00 per person
Four Courses: $30.00 per person with Wine Pairing
Five Courses: $35.00 per person with Wine Pairing
Location: 9411 Culver Boulevard, 90232
Call:                      310 839 6800            to reserve your seats now!

Ringing in the New Year at Blvd 16

Blvd 16 is offering a variety of packages for everyone to bring in the New Year! Be sure to check out www.blvd16.comfor their variety of packages that will allow you to ring in the New Year!
Dinner begins at 5 PM
Dinner reservations are between $100.00 and $150.00
New Years Eve Party beings at 10 PM and goes until 1 AM

Flash Back or Flash Forward?

Come to Ninethirty’s “That Was Then, This Is Now”, New Year’s Eve party!

Enjoy a four-course menu with a variety of dishes from the 50’s to the present.
First Seating: 5:00 – 8:00 PM ($75.00 per guest)
Second Seating: 9:00 – 11:00 PM ($95.00 per guest)
Special VIP packages: 9:00 – 2:00 AM ($140.00 per guest)
Location: W Los Angeles, Westwood, 930 Hilgaard Ave. 90024
Call                      310 443 8211          

Come to the Little Door Restaurant and Wine Bar’s Starry Night to celebrate the New Year! Enjoy a six-course menu, champagne toast and some great DJ’s! They are open New Year’s Eve until midnight and New Year’s Day from 10AM – 9:30 PM! Visit: the www.littledoor.com for more details. 

Cherry Boom Boom, Travis Parker and DJ AM at NYE

Come to the Wiltern on Wilshire Blvd to bring in the New Year with people in various cities! Enjoy a 5-hour open bar, champagne reception upon arrival, champagne toast at midnight, various food stations and live performances by Cherry Boom Boom, Travis Barker and DJ AM!
Doors open December 31, 2008 8:00 PM
9:30 PM Cherry Boom Boom Performance
Tickets are available at www.newyearsnation.com 

Universal Studios CityWalk’s Free New Year’s Eve Bash!

Head over to Universal Studios this New Year’s Eve to ring in the New Year! Enjoy continuous music, thousands of pounds of confetti and amazing fireworks!
The party begins at 9:00 PM on December 31, 2008 with coverage of the New York City Time Square ball drop featured on giant screens! There are a variety of hot spots within Universal Studios to check out, which include: Café Tu Tu, Hard Rock Café, Jillian’s Hi – Life Lanes, Rumba Room, Saddle Ranch Chop and Howl at the Moon.  Leading up to New Years Eve, popular bands will perform live on stage at 7:30 PM between December 26 and December 30, 2008. For more information call:                      818 622 1111                    .

www.CityWalkHollywood.com 

How Lush are you this New Year’s?

Lush Entertainment invites you to ring in the New Year at West.  Hosted by the playmate of the year, Brande Roderick, enjoy an evening filled with fine dining and dancing until 2 AM! Tickets begin at $200.00 per person
Location: 170 N Church Lane, 90028
For general information either text:                      714 267 7218           or email luvship@gmail.com
There are also a limited number of tickets left for the Playboy Mansion party, email dht25@aol.comor text                      714 267 7218           for further information. 

Black and White Ball at STK

Ready to get dressed up and enjoy a lovely gourmet dinner at STK?
With a four-course menu, reservation seating and a divine champagne toast, how could you go wrong?
1st Seating tickets are $100.00
2nd Seating tickets are $175.00
For further information for to www.togrp.com

New Year’s Eve Austin Powers Style? Yeah Baby!

Enjoy a psychedelic New Year’s Eve bash at Coco De Ville!
755 N La Cienega Blvd
For inquiries contact                      310 659 3935          

NYE 2009

Enjoy a lovely black tie and lingerie masquerade ball this New Year’s Eve featuring Dagon!
Pre sale tickets are $100.00
General admission tickets are $125.00
$1500 premium bottle service
$2009 Opulence bottle service package
For table reservations call                      310 657 0111          

The Dolce Group and New Years!
The Dolce Group are offering a variety of places to dine this New Years Eve, prior to your big bash! Select one of the following restaurants and you will have definitely kicked off your New Year’s celebration in the right direction!

Bella Cuisine Italiano
1708 N. Las Palmas Ave, Hollywood, 90028
                     323 468 8815          
Dolce
8284 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, 90046 
                     323 852 7174          
Geisha House
6633 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, 90028
                     323 460 6300          
Ketchup
8590 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, 90060
                     310 289 8590          
For more information check out www.dolcegroup.com

Contributed by Ronit Zalik

Presented by Cartier, The Awards Gala will salute Clint Eastwood’s impressive career, which includes his most recent films, “Gran Torino”, which he stars in and directed, and “Changeling”, which he directed and produced and which stars Angelina Jolie.

Festival chairman Harold Matzner stated, “Clint Eastwood is a living legend who continually raises the bar of artistic expression with each new film, whether he is acting, directing, or producing.  The Palm Springs International Film Festival is honored to present Eastwood with the Career Achievement Award for his extraordinary body of work.”

In 2007, Eastwood earned dual Academy Award® nominations, in the categories of Best Director and Best Picture, for his acclaimed World War II drama “Letters from Iwo Jima.”  In addition, the film won the Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Awards for Best Foreign Language Film, and also received Best Picture honors from a number of film critics groups, including the Los Angeles Film Critics and the National Board of Review.

In 2005, Eastwood won Academy Awards® for Best Picture and Best Director (his second in both categories) for “Million Dollar Baby“.  He also earned a nomination for Best Actor for his performance in the film.  Eastwood’s critically acclaimed drama “Mystic River” debuted at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival, earning him a Palme D’Or nomination and the Golden Coach Award.  “Mystic River” went on to earn six Academy Award ® nominations, including two for Eastwood for Best Picture and Best Director.  In 1993, Eastwood’s foreboding, revisionist western “Unforgiven,” received nine Academy Award® nominations, including three for Eastwood, who won for Best Picture and Best Director and was nominated for Best Actor.  Eastwood was also honored with the Academy’s Irving Thalberg Memorial Award in 1995.

Other career highlights include, Eastwood receiving the Thalberg Award and DeMille Award, as well as receiving numerous tributes from the Directors Guild of America, the Producers Guild of America, the Screen Actors Guild, the American Film Institute, the Film Society of Lincoln Center, the French Film Society, the National Board of Review, the Henry Mancini Institute (Hank Award for distinguished service to American music), the Hamburg Film Festival (Douglas Sirk Award), and Venice Film Festival (Career Golden Lion).  He is also the recipient of a Kennedy Center Honor, awards from the American Cinema Editors and the Publicists’ Guild, an honorary doctorate in Fine Arts from Wesleyan University, and is a five-time winner of Favorite Motion Picture Actor from the People’s Choice Awards.  In 1991, Eastwood was Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Theatrical Society’s Man of the Year and, in 1992, he received the California Governor’s Award for the Arts.

Eastwood’s next project will see him directing and producing a post-apartheid drama set in South Africa, starring Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela.

The Palm Springs International Film Festival (founded by then Mayor Sonny Bono in 1990) will include over 400 screenings of more than 200 films from roughly 60 countries. The Festival presents a majority of the films submitted for consideration in the Best Foreign Language category for the Academy Awards, as well as a large number of American independent and international features and documentaries marking their world, North American or U.S. debuts.  Screenings are held on 15 screens throughout Palm Springs.

The Palm Springs Inervational Film Festival runs from January 6 – 19, 2009. The Festival’s 20th Annual Awards Gala is presented by Cartier and sponsored by Mercedes Benz and Entertainment Tonight.  Renewing sponsors of this year’s Festival are Title Sponsor, The City of Palm Springs and Presenting Sponsors, The Desert Sun, the City of Indian Wells, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Spencer’s Restaurant, and Wessman Development.  Major Sponsors include Bank of America, Integrated Wealth Management, Guthy-Renker, Regal Entertainment, Wells Fargo, Palm Desert National Bank, KPSP, Ocean Properties Development, Ciroc, Johnnie Walker and Don Julio.

For more information go to www.psfilmfest.org.

By Susie Salva.

Sexy, sultry, soulful Pat Monahan, the voice behind the Grammy award winning rock band Train, releases an entirely acoustic version of his highly successful album, “Last of Seven” on Columbia Records. This time out Monahan utilizes Gospel, soul, rock and rap music to express himself. If you enjoyed the original 14-tracks you’ll love this new acoustic version. Monahan has one of the best voices in rock and has distinguished himself through his decade long run as the lead singer of Train.

“Last of Seven” marks the revealing and altogether compelling solo debut; the result is a revelatory song cycle than finds Monahan offering the most intimate, powerful and eclectic set of songs of his career. He truly bares his soul yielding exceptionally sincere results.

In “Last of Seven”, Monahan has crafted a soul rock and pop album that takes his characteristic soaring, emotive vocals and powerful storytelling lyrics—behind such distinctive hits as “Drops of Jupiter”, “Meet Virginia”, and “Calling All Angels” into a whole new dimension. A close listen to “Last of Seven” you can hear the sound of a gifted singer-songwriter at the peak of his powers expanding his reach and enjoying creative freedom to follow his muse wherever it leads him.

Fear not, this is not the end of Train. “It’s very much the opposite. The guys have been extremely supportive of this record. They want this album to do well – as any friend would for any friend, and I want the same for them. For me, making this album makes Train live longer instead of the opposite being true,” explains Monahan. “There is so much out there musically that inspires me, and this album gave me the chance to go in any number of interesting directions.”

“Last of Seven” vividly reflects Monahan’s fully embracing his life and his own musical abilities. “I’ve never had less and I’ve never been happier,” Monahan says. Still, for that joy, Monahan confesses that he still has goals that “Last of Seven” may help him achieve. “With this album I want people to once and for all match this voice with who I am. I have a voice that’s been familiar enough over the past few years – now I want people to connect the whole story. I want the opportunity to keep making music – now even more than ever before.”

Stand out songs on this disc would have to include the hit single, “Her Eyes”, “Two Ways to Say Goodbye”, “Someday”, the soulful, “Ooh My My” and the Gospel, “Raise Your Hands” and “Ripple In the Water.” This acoustic version of the “Last of Seven” is intimate and revealing stripped down songs to the bare minimum without losing any soul. He is truly a great talent of our time. For more on Pat Monahan please go to www.patmonahan.net.

By Susie Salva        Los Angeles-based Grammy-nominated dance/electronica rock band Shiny Toy Guns release their very satisfying sophomore release entitled, “Season of Poison” on Universal Motown Records.  This highly-anticipated release is the follow up to their critically acclaimed Grammy-nominated debut record, “We Are Pilots”, which was released in 2006 spawning such hits as their riveting breakthrough single, “Le Disko”, a playful dance-anthem that permeated radio and clubs.

 The song was featured in advertisements for Motorola and Apple. This time around the band spent the better half of 2 years on and off the road progressing their dance/rock and electronic roots. This time around they have definitely have outdone themselves.

The band that once again produced the album themselves, founding members Chad Petree (vocals, guitar) and Jeremy Dawson (synthesizer, bass) used 2008 technology. Marrying dynamic late ‘70s style synthesizer programming with face-erasing stoner rock, gently spreading this over layer upon layer of ethnic and tribal rhythms. Not to mention their keen pop sense in lyrics and arrangement have collided with legendary mixing abilities of super-engineer Andy Wallace. They create a completely new color in future-forward musical spectrum. The first single off of “Season of Poison” is “Ricochet”, a heavy rhythmic guitar laden song already being heard on radio stations across the nation including the highly influential KROQ in Los Angeles. “Ricochet” pairs together aggressive pop rock with scream-o sounds.

“Season of Poison” marks an evolution for the band not only sonically, but in the band dynamics as well. Sisely Treasure from the band Cooler Kids replaced departed vocalist Carah Faye Charnow who left the group this past summer to pursue other interests. Dawson explains, “We moved forward with our initial choice for co-lead singer for the band in 2002, longtime friend Sisely Treasure. “So we have returned to the exact original idea and lineup that Shiny Toy Guns was meant to be.” With a new singer who is also now a writing partner to Petree and Dawson, Treasure brings in whole new complimentary perspective to the band. The result is a hard rocking, grove-shaking album that will appeal to die hard Shiny Toy Guns fans and new ones alike.

This mercurial foursome (which also includes Mikey Martin on drums) has been described as everything from ‘glam-goth-new wave-chic’ to ‘electronic mash-up with dance floor destroyer’. The lead track, “When Did This Storm Begin”, utilizes rap and electronic sounds beautifully starting off this dynamic CD. “I Owe You a Love Song”, has a ‘80s vibe with happy-go-lucky lyrics and an effective use of modulation.

“Ghost Town”, one of the strongest tracks on the disc has the shared vocals duties of Petree and Treasure who demonstrates a Gwen Stefani sound with haunting aggressive melodies. Both “Money For That” and “It Became A Lie On You” use lovely electronic sounds with the latter summing up the sounds of ‘80s pop band the Thompson Twins. “Season of Love” is a stirring ballad suggesting the beauty of love where you can’t live with or without it. “Turned To Real Life” and “Frozen Oceans” feature the lovely sounds of Sisely Treasure where a girl is living in a fantasyland and two lovers find themselves in different places.  

This CD is packed with excitement and excellent use of synthesizers and current cutting edge technologies. Petree, Dawson, and Treasure are consummate songwriters and this new disc is everything their fans have been longing for.

“Season of Poison,” doesn’t disappoint. Their new live show and sound of the Shiny’s will be one of the most dramatic displays of technology and performance…melting state-of-art lighting and video into sound with a stage display of over 12 different instruments. This brings “over-the-top” to a gentle word used to describe any of their tour dates. For more on the Shiny Toy Guns please go to www.shinytoyguns.com or www.myspace.com/shinytoyguns.

The hour-long holiday special, which will be broadcast Tuesday, December 23, on CBS, will feature taped profiles of three families sharing their adoption experience. The profiles will be presented by Emmy Award-winning comedian Martin Short, Rene Russo ("The Thomas Crown Affair”), Emmy and SAG Award winner Patricia Heaton ("Everybody Loves Raymond," "Front of the Class") and Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth of ABC’s “Pushing Daisies among the celebrities. The special will feature moving musical performances by Grammy Award-winning country music stars Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, actor/singer Jamie Foxx, rock musician Gavin Rossdale and Grammy Award-winning rock singer/songwriter Melissa Etheridge and others.

Distinctive Assets Backstage Talent Lounge Brought Christmas to the Set

The taping of this heartfelt special took place this past weekend. While the stars taped, they got a taste of Christmas early, as Distinctive Assets was thrilled to provide the presenters and performers some fabulous gifts to thank them for taking part in the show, which included:

Storm of London, the exclusive London-based brand, brought their extraordinary line of unique, sleek, stylish watches and accessories…ideal for all the trendsetters. The line ranges from super funky to sophisticated and just the right thing for the individual who is  looking to stand out from the crowd. “Storm” is sold in more than 45 countries world wide including Shanghai, Riga, Prague, Bratislava, Dubai, Melbourne and Delhi, making it a truly international presence. For more information on storm watches visit: www.stormwatches.com

Celebrities got a gift bag full of great soy-blend candles and other fabulous products from Tyler Candle Company, including  hand-poured, rich fragrant oil, and high quality wax candles are the perfect stress relievers and key items needed to enjoy those quiet, aromatic evenings spent during the winter solitude. Tyler’s long-lasting candles are soy based, which allows for longer and cleaner burning, and are amazingly manufactured within the United States from renewable resources. The signature leopard print trim, a new, spunky, contemporary twist, along with their long-lasting abilities are quickly making Tyler’s candle line one of the top sellers in the country. “Tyler’s Candle Company” also offers products such as Tyler Glamour Reed Diffusers , Tyler Candle Fragrance Fuels, Tyler Candle Fragrance Lamps, Chambre Parfum, and Mixer Melts. Tyler Candle Company products can be purchased online at www.TylersCandlesonline.com.

Golf Junkie’s trendy and functional collection of golf apparel, churned out of The Netherlands, Arnhem, is being distributed in the U.S. and stars were turned onto these avant gard styles. The golf course has never looked this good! This original clothing line created by a super-team of creative and innovative people has become the answer to the lack of traditional brands in golf apparel. This lifestyle fashion brand focuses on the demanding female and male golfer and is may quickly become the next “must-have” golf clothing line.

There were gift certificates for skin rejuvenation from the medspa of Dr. Frank Ryan, M.D., a top aesthetic cosmetic surgeon who specializes in delicate procedures and is a respected member of many elite plastic surgery societies such as ASPS, ASAPS, CSPS, and CMA. Dr. Frank Ryan is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and offers facials, injectables, and laser procedures. His many celebrity clients are as beautiful as ever, thanks to him.

He even has an exclusive skincare line, Dr. Frank Ryan Skin Care, available to his patients that will soon be available to people everywhere in January 2009. Dr. Frank Ryan believes in helping people find their healthiest selves and inspiring them to look and feel their best.

As a firm believer of a kinder world as well, Dr. Ryan has removed over a thousand gang-related tattoos pro-bono and founded “The Bony Pony Ranch” in 2003, a 26-acre ranch in Malibu, CA that serves as a hiatus for under-privileged and at-risk youth. Perhaps a visit to Dr. Frank Ryan could be your own personal gift to yourself. Frank H. Ryan, MD, 9675 Brighton Way, Beverly Hills, CA                      (310) 275-1075          .  For more information visit: www.drfrankryan.com.

Distributed worldwide, the Monarchy Collection is known for their unique graphics and fabrics. Monarchy is an eclectic premium men’s and women’s apparel line that is a front runner in fashion for trendsetting tees and ground breaking denim. It’s become a sought-after brand by in-the-know Hollywood. Ashton Kutcher, Ryan Seacrest, Jessica Beil, Jeremy Piven, Jake Gillenhaal and others are fans. Designer Eric Kim has created this line after a long career as a successful designer and feels its “raw-edged” appeal is right on the money. www.MonarchyCollection.com

Celebs seeking the not-so-typical location for a quick getaway can use their gift certificate for a 2-night stay and daily breakfast for two at the Legends Bistro at the legendary La Costa Resort and Spa. Located in Carlsbad, CA, just 90 minutes south of L.A., and nestled in 400 acres of charismatic lush landscaped setting, La Costa caters to individuals looking for an alternative yet pleasant experience. Guests can engage in activities such as tennis or golf or simply enjoy the peace and quiet in the spa courtyard. There’s even a small shopping center within the spa containing boutiques such as Pinkalicious, Coastal Dunes, Audrey’s Etc, Yamaguchi Salon Boutique, and Chopra Center Gift Shop. All in all, “La Costa Resort and Spa” is the unique and relaxing atmospheric destination of the traveler seeking refined contentment and tranquility.
For more information visit: www.lacosta.com

For all the kids in your life that you’d like to especially reward for being so wonderful, there are Bandai America Incorporated action figures, role play, and tech toys such as Power Rangers, Ben 10, Tamagotchi Connection, Dragon Ball Z, Blue Dragon, and Mugen Pop Pop. These super fighting powers, virtual pets, and alien figures are exactly what your kids need to wheedle away the long hours spent indoors. www.bandai.com

Sunstyle Tanning, a premier Los Angeles sun tanning salon, features the newest Ergoline Tanning Collection and showcases some of the latest sunless tanning treatments.  This one of a kind salon offers tanning and style concierges, studio attendants, fully stocked vanity bars, private parking, and even special goodie bags for all of their “Couture” members.  Open Sun, Excellence, Affinity, Advantage, and Ambition are a few of Ergoline’s newest professional tanning units available at Sunstyle.  Even more impressive, Sunstyle Tanning is the official tanning studio of the Hollywood Music Awards.  Furthermore, as a special incentive to new clients, you can join their guest list and receive a complimentary tan.  However, the biggest attraction of this salon would have to be “Open Sun 1050”, a 30 high-pressure unit that includes a stereo sound package with an external Mp3 player connection and a powerful cooling fan. Sunstyle Tanning is one place in L.A. that lets you tan “in style. www.sunstyle.la

 Grapes and Goodies Gift Baskets had their holiday editions onhand to gift the presenters and performers. The innovative and highly customizable gift baskets allow you the options of personally choosing from a range of gourmet items and marvelous gifts. You have the awesome ability to pick what you want and how much you want to spend and have it all put together and shipped out for you. Simple, easy, and convenient! To order a Grapes and Goodies Gift Basket visit: www.grapesandgoodies.com

Gamila’s Secret is a handmade soap made of mixture of wild herbs and hand-pressed olive oil, created by Gamila of Galilee, a Druze woman born and raised in the village of Pqi’in, from a secret, special formula. Its unique, all-natural combination of over 15 active wild herbs, Shea butter, and 6 vegetable oils soothingly restores, hydrates, cleanses, revitalizes, and heals skin that has lost it’s natural balance. With 100% natural active ingredients such as olive oil, avocado oil, grape seed oil, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, and laurel oil that are first cooked in kettles for over 40 hours and then added into the mixture by using a “gigantic tea bag”, a certain synergy is created that after use produces healthy and supple skin. This synergy is further intensified when the soap is left to ripen for a period of six months before marketing, thus creating the perfect non-skin clogging and preservative, dye, and emulsifier-free natural skin care product. Get more information on “Gamila’s Secret” by visiting: www.gamila.com

Jill Reno, the creator behind the Jill Reno Custom Jewelry line, is offering women a delightful diversion from the typical beige and earth tones usually associated with winter by providing brilliantly colorful jewelry pieces made from elegant and glamorous gemstones. Jessica Alba, Britney Spears, Vanessa Williams, Tori Spelling, Vanessa Ann Hudgens, and Ashley Tisdale are just a few of the celebrities that have already jumped on the Jill Reno bandwagon. For more information visit: www.jillrenocollection.com

Joico, the hair-care line originated in 1975 to “preserve, improve and enhance the integrity of [hair]”, is yet another way to treat yourself to a moment of tranquility while pampering your hair at the same time. Joico is marketed towards the salon professional and aims to preserve certain standards such as technology comes first, artistry, commitment, integrity making it more than just your average hair care product. This is an amazing line! Joico can be purchased at various beauty supplies throughout southern California. Find more information, where to purchase, and the latest hairstyles by visiting: www.joico.com

Other great items in the Giftbag included Range of Motion, TrueBlue Pet Products, Hollywood Fashion Tape, Tiny Prints, Vivites Skincare, Soy Basics Candles, Say it with Vases, Lindt, nGallerie, Reebok, PINK Spirits Company, Shomer-Furdigo, Cobblestone Vineyards, Otter Box, SpinLash, Caramba Tequila, Baskin Robbins, “Super Hero” by Shoshana Bean, ONE DRINK, BNY Dogs, Inc., Peek, Famima!! and Jockey.

Distinctive Assets, well-known for lavish gift collections and interactive gift lounges at major Hollywood events such as the GRAMMY® Awards, Latin GRAMMY®s, HBO Comedy Festival, People’s Choice, American Music Awards and Kids’ Choice Awards, Distinctive Assets spearheaded the celebrity swag industry over nine years ago. Established in 1999, Distinctive Assets not only produces the Gift Bags and Talent Lounges for many major award shows but also provides Celebrity Placement, Public Relations, Product Integration and Branding Opportunities within the entertainment industry and beyond. Other services include Corporate & Personal Gifting for every occasion. www.DistinctiveAssets.com

Some of the rescue dogs were lucky enough to walk on the red carpet before the event. They were joined by two legged celebrities that included, award presenters Jillian Barberie-Reynolds, Alyson Hannigan, and Eric Roberts. Joining them were Emmy Rossum, Rene Russo, Ken Howard, Arte Johnson, Cloris Leachman, Judy Tenuta, Andrew Bryniarski, Jodie Sweetin, Lisa Edelstein, and many others.

Those who walked the red carpet either brought their dogs along or gushed with joy when asked about their pets. Some even had personal rescue stories to tell. Good Day LA’s Jillian Barberie-Reynolds adopted many dogs, one in particular, Teddy, came from an abusive home. Teddy is now Jillian’s daughter’s favorite pet. Texas Chainsaw Massacre’s Andrew Bryniarski bought his Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Barkley who was found scabbed and skinny in a cage. Barkley made a full recovery since then. On the lighter side of things, many celebs gave input of what kind of dog President-elect Obama should get his children. The nominees included frontrunner the Golden Doodle, newcomer the Jack Russell, and the equally cute Cockapoo!

The evening started with the Founders’ Reception. Afterward, the party was in full gear with tray passed hor d’oeuvres, a dinner and dessert buffet, and an open bar. Guests dined on gourmet vegetarian food provided by Wolfgang Puck Catering. While dinner was being served, guests had the chance to bid on silent auction items, play games of chance for prizes, receive a personal psychic reading, and meet the stars of National Geographic’s “Dogtown”. For those bold enough to rock out in public, there was even a Guitar Hero station. Music was provided by Kiki Ebsen and Amy Keys. The night’s closing performance was given by Grammy artist Emmylou Harris. Attendees left the party with a gift bag heftily filled with goodies for them and their furry little friends.

Awarding Animal Advocates

Three awards were handed out to very deserving and hard working advocates. The Mini and Piffi Award for making a significant difference to the well-beings of animals were presented to Nancy Smith. Nancy feeds many cat colonies, volunteers at local veterinary hospitals, and provides hospice for those pets with terminal illnesses.

The Chrissie Award for giving animals the love, respect, and wellness they deserve went to the Stray Rescue of St. Louis. They rescue and care for many animals including those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

The Grass Roots Grant was given to Molly’s Mutts & Meows for providing Los Angeles with an all volunteer rescue and adoption organization.

Best Friends Animal Society

The society was founded almost 25 years ago with a one simple thought in mind, “No More Homeless Pets”. Best Friends has long since provided the nation’s largest sanctuary for homeless and abused animals. In their Utah facilities, they care for approximately 2,000 dogs, cats, horses, birds, rabbits, and many other animals. Along with actual physical care of animals, Best Friends hold adoption events and work with nationwide shelters and rescue groups to benefit the well-beings of those who cannot speak for themselves. Many of the guests have been familiar with The Best Friends Society for years and believe in supporting animal advocacy wholeheartedly.

The Lint Rollers’ Auction

The Lint Roller Party concluded with a performance by country sensation and animal advocate Emmylou Harris. For auction winners, the night closed with picking up their purchases. A small sampling of the auction items included:

*  The big screen is calling. A walk-on, non-speaking role in Clint Eastwood’s film, The Human Factor starring Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman was a prestigious item. The film is to be shot in South Africa. So the winner not only gets a role but a hotel stay and full airfare.

*  Tickets for the finale of Dancing With The Stars were up for grabs.

*  For racing fans, there was a 2009 Indy 500 weekend package with special privileges, and accommodations.

*  Film buffs were eager to bid on all access passes, 10 movie tickets, and accommodations for the Sundance Film Festival.

Pooch-friendly Giftbags

Guest who did not participate in the auction still left with a fair share of goodies in their gift bags. Dog friendly items were provided by Hero Dog Water, Zen Puppy Dog Treats, Dogswell, Full Petential, and American Kennel Club Green Planet Collection. People friendly goodies including a reusable bag designed by Sheryl Crow for Whole Foods, Tazo Tea, dog themed stationary, children’s DVDs and books, and even dark chocolate from Endangered Species Chocolate, among many other gifts.

For more information about The Best Friends Society which is a non-profit organization or to find out ways to help and support animal advocacy, please visit www.bestfriends.org

Photography by Greg Tidwell. 

The newest and most luxurious gem of the desert, the luxe Palazzo Las Vegas, counts Restaurant Charlie, helmed by the iconic Chef Charlie Trotter, as one of its premier destination restaurants. Charlie Trotter , best known for his nationally aired, award winning PBS cooking series, “The Kitchen Sessions with Charlie Trotter”, is recognized as one of the world’s most noteworthy and significant chefs, and is known for his relentless pursuit of excellence. Restaurant Charlie was named one of the Top 10 New Restaurants in the 2008 Gayot Restaurant Issue. We are proud to share that it is also one of LAsThePlace.com’s Top Choices for Best Restaurants Las Vegas, based primarily on the unparalled excellence of its cuisine.

Restaurant Charlie offers exquisite Asian-inspired seafood options and provides their guests cuisine with unique flavors, pure ingredients and an amazing overall dining experience. 

As you enter Restaurant Charlie you immediately experience the beautiful, expansive dining room, boasting 20-foot tall ceilings, a walk-through wine cellar and areas for semi-private and private parties. For a truly unique experience, the Kitchen Table Skyloft is available. Large enough for a group of 8, this stainless steel and glass space, which hovers above the kitchen, offers diners a bird’s eye view of Chef Trotter and his staff preparing magnificent meals for their guests. A spontaneous tasting menu is offered. Restaurant Charlie’s Sommeliers will be on hand to customize a wine pairing for each course. Obviously this table books months in advance, so guests who want this unusual experience will have to plan ahead.

The Menu

Charlie Trotter has dedicated himself to excellence in the culinary arts. As one of the most revered chefs in the country, he lends his brilliance to Restaurant Charlie, and the menu immediately reflects it. Before you indulge in your choice of entrée, there are a variety of wonderful items to begin the meal with. From Dungeness Crab Salad with Sake & Rice Milk to Oysters with Ponzu, Fresh Horseradish & Preserved Cucumber Vinaigrette to Traditional Caviar Service to Braised Octopus with Picholine Olives, Serrano Ham & Scarlet Peppers, there is no shortage of tantalizing choices.

The menu, largely a la carte, is not only filled with the finest seafood selections, such as Hand Harvested Sea Scallops with Emulsion & Yogurt, Poached Main Lobster with Yellow Curry & Lotus Root and Steamed Casco Bay Cod with Lemon Curd, but also offers plenty of choices for meat lovers as well, including organic Utah Lamb Rack with Braised Shoulder, Manchego Cheese and Cumin, and Seared 32-Day Dry Aged Rib Eye with Roasted Garlic, Fingerling Potato Puree and Rosemary, among other most exquisite choices.

Guests also have the option of sampling the Eight Course Tasting Menu, which is comprised of small plates of current menu items offered in a progressive style.

Bar Charlie is an intimate, ultra exclusive seafood bar unlike any other. The counter-only dining area seats 18 guests. Here guests experience the ultimate Kaiseki-style Charlie Trotter culinary experience as they enjoy either an eight or fourteen course menu featuring the freshest, most delicate sushi, sashimi and other culinary creations, customized and prepared right in front of them. Given the limited seating available we suggest you book early in advance.

Dessert
No amazing meal is complete without a sweet ending and Restaurant Charlie does not disappoint. With their Fuji Apple Pie with Wisconsin White cheddar & Tahitian Vanilla Ice Cream, Pineapple Upside-Down Cake with Roasted Pineapple & Yogurt Sorbet or Milk Chocolate Cheesecake with Roasted Marshmallow & Milk Chocolate-Graham Mud, Restaurant Charlie makes sure every guest is satisfied from the beginning to the end of their visit.

Restaurant Charlie includes a full bar, which offers seasonal drinks, in addition to the more traditional cocktails. With two menu styles, Vintage pre-prohibition classics and modern, the bar uses the finest ingredient which change seasonally and showcases the unique talents of their mixologists.

Chef Charlie Trotter

Discovering his love for food in college (where he studied Political Science), Charlie Trotter began his career in the restaurant business as a waiter. He voraciously read cookbooks, began cooking for his friends and eventually began catering parties. After graduation, Charlie traveled around the U.S. and Europe experiencing all the best restaurants. He had found his calling. 

Upon returning from his travels, Trotter went back to catering and trained under some of the best chefs at Sinclair’s in Chicago. For over 20 years, the restaurant has dedicated itself to excellence in the culinary arts. Charlie Trotter’s Restaurant is innovative and progressive in the world of food and wine and has been instrumental in establishing new standards for fine dining. Charlie eventually opened his own restaurant, aptly named Charlie Trotter’s, which has wowed his Chicago patrons for over twenty years and has been touted as one of the best restaurants in the country.

His innovation and progressive attitude has earned him numerous national  and international awards and recognitions from prestigious institutions. Charlie Trotter’s was inducted into the Relais & Chateaux in 1995 and became a member of Traditions & Qualité in 1998. The restaurant has also received Five Stars from Mobil Travel Guide, Five Diamonds by AAA and ten James Beard Foundation awards including ‘Outstanding Chef’ in 1999′ and ‘Outstanding Restaurant’ in 2000′. In addition, Wine Spectator named the restaurant ‘The Best Restaurant in the World for Wine & Food’ in 1998′ and ‘America’s Best Restaurant’ in 2000.

Chef Trotter expanded his empire in 2000 by opening Trotter’s To Go, a gourmet retail shop in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago. His culinary expertise can also be sampled by those flying Untied Airlines First and United Business to Europe and their transcontinental flights or United First to Asia, can select cuisine specially created by Chef Trotter.

Charlie Trotter’s restaurant in Chicago, which opened in 1987, was named as the 30th-best restaurant in the world, and 5th-best in the United States in 2007 by the well-respected "Restaurant Magazine". It has also made the prestigious Gayot’s Top 40 US Restaurants list every year since 2004. He also produces a line of private label organic products, has written 14 cookbooks, wrote three management books.

Not only is Charlie Trotter a renowned chef, but he is also a respected philanthropist. Although he never attended culinary school himself, Charlie has established the Charlie Trotter Culinary Education Foundation, which gives out scholarships to students entering culinary programs. He also founded the Excellence Program, allowing high school students to come in and experience his cuisine, while also talking to and learning from his staff. 

For his work with his Culinary Foundation, Chef Trotter has received awards at the White House from President George Bush and Colin Powell and was named one of only five “heroes” to be honored by Colin Powell’s charity, America’s Promise. In 2005, Chef Trotter was also awarded the Humanitarian of the Year award by the International Association of Culinary Professionals for his overall service to the community.

Experience Restaurant Charlie For Yourself
Open since February of 2008, Restaurant Charlie is one dining experience you won’t want to miss out on during your next trip to Vegas.

Restaurant Charlie is located on the Casino level of the Palazzo Las Vegas at 3325 South Las Vegas Blvd, Space 1560, Las Vegas, NV 89109 and is open for dinner only seven days a week from 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM. Call                      (702) 607-6336           for reservations. 

For more on Restaurant Charlie go to www.palazzolasvegas.com

Football great and "Dancing With the Stars" hoofer Emmitt Smith co-hosted with Hip-hop king Russell Simmons, and along Magic Johnson  and others, helped raise a grand total of $320,000 for the Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF), a non-profit international organization that raises money to support education in African Nations where diamonds are a natural resource, and benefits the Community and Individual Development Association (CIDA City Campus) in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Dallas’ Cityplace was packed with an energized crowd. Emmy nominated television personality Suzanne Sena from FOX National served as the Master of Ceremonies  while Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Terrell Owens (Dallas Cowboy’s wide receiver), Ray Crockett (former Broncos corner back) and Michael Johnson (Olympic Gold Medalist). and others roused the attendees to help raise the $320,000 for DEF.

Magic Johnson used his charm and influence with his friends and rallied sports stars Smith, Owens, Olympic track star Michael Johnson and Simmons to buy the ‘Dinner with Magic Johnson’ with his ‘Personal Lakers Tickets’ package, of which Johnson offered several more than originally planned, each time pushing the energized crowd to donate another $20,000 for each dinner. The fired-up audience elicited riotous applause as each was scooped up.

Retired NFL player Ray Crockett and wife April helped to auction an African Safari, which sold for $17,000. After the excitement of his first successful charity event, Russell Simmons stated he was, “thrilled with the outcome of the Dallas Rocks event and grateful to the Dallas community for opening its heart to DEF and its mission. In these economic times, it was a blessing for our young charity to raise a substantial amount of money.”

Simmons presented Magic Johnson with the Humanitarian Empowerment Award for his tireless work around preventing HIV/AIDS, and Eva Longoria Parker received the Lonestar Empowerment Award for her longstanding work with special needs children and adults  through her charity "Eva’s Heros" (accepted via videotaped message and showed her love and support for her older sister who is a special needs person).

The smashing success of Dallas Rocks sets high hopes for the next DEF event, the Diamonds Give 2008 New York DEF Greenhouse Event, on Nov 19th.  The star-studded affair will be co-hosted by Russell Simmons and David Blaine. Both events are part of an umbrella Diamonds Give 2008 online charity auction, orchestrated by auction experts, Charitybuzz.com.

The auction kicked off on October 30th and will come to a close on December 2nd. Bidders can click  on the Charity Buzz website for a chance to snag gorgeous diamond jewelry, luxurious travel packages, fabulous fashions and exclusive celebrity experiences.

Auction experiences include:

* Fashion Fabulosity with Kimora Lee Simmons – Want to take a bite out of the Big Apple during New York Fashion Week?
Kimora Lee wants to be your Fashion Fabulosity tour guide. She is sending one fashionista two tickets to her Fall ‘09 New York Fashion Week Baby Phat Runway Show and will include access to her exclusive after party. She is not only sending you there, she wants to make sure you get there in style. Kimora’s official Baby Phat Glam Squad will personally outfit you in fabrics from her collection at her high-rise showroom in New York City.

She will make sure you have some cash to stay chic, offering a $500 travel voucher to apply to your travels. After the whirlwind of Fashion Week, you can sit back and relax and read your new autographed book, Kimora’s ‘How To’ Guide to Fabulosity.

* Forget stealing a celeb’s style. Kim Kardashian, Erykah Badu and Eva Longoria Parker are letting you raid their closets! Each of these lovely starlets is donating one of their beloved garments or jewels exclusively to Diamonds Give 2008 bidders.

* Beyonce fans – here is one ride you won’t want to miss! Movie buffs can bid on two tickets to see Beyoncé portray Etta James in the new movie Cadillac Records at the December 1st official New York City movie premiere and after party. You and your guest will get to attend the red carpet event and brush shoulders with the cast members, including Adrien Brody, Cedric the Entertainer, Mos Def and Beyonce, herself.

* Super Bowl Frenzy is about to begin and the Diamond Empowerment Fund has secured two tickets to one of its hottest after parties, the Leather & Laces event. Tampa, watch out! This year it will be hosted by a bevy of beauties, including Kim Kardashian and Carmen Electra.

* Hamptons A-List Summer 2009 Weekend – New York’s Hamptons socialites are laying out the welcome mat to one lucky bidder to stay at their trendy home, best known as the HYTE ME Estate, located in the ritzy, celeb laden town of Bridgehampton. The winning bidder will secure a weekend stay at the Estate, as well as tickets to the ultra fabulous 10th Annual Rush Philanthropic fundraiser, ART FOR LIFE, taking place at Russell Simmons’ East Hampton home. It is the summer’s hottest charity event, where attendees rub shoulders with Hollywood heavyweights like Diddy, Brett Ratner, Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin and even Governor Patterson of New York. Two business class travel awards from to New York from within the 48 contiguous states, Caribbean, Mexico or Canada provided courtesy of American Airlines.

* Feeling the stress of the economy? Time to unwind in a special 90-minute yoga class with Russell Simmons in New York City.

* Winter is here, but true music fans are getting a head start on purchasing summer concert tickets for their favorite bands. Platinum selling American rock band Good Charlotte is putting a pair of its hot concert tickets up for grabs. Don’t worry, you can say you are with the band and mean it. The bid comes with a complimentary back stage meet and greet pass because the lucky winning bidder gets an exclusive meet and greet with the band!

* Bling in the New Year for a great cause! Whether you’re shopping for the holidays or looking to self-indulge, the Diamonds Give 2008 online auction is filled with stunning jewelry, with pieces being added daily, from such designers as Neil Lane, Erickson Beamon and Movado.

About D.E.F.
Founded in 2007, the Diamond Empowerment Fund (D.E.F.) is a non-profit international organization with the mission to raise money to support education initiatives that develop and empower economically disadvantaged people in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource.

Other dazzling celebrity experiences are available like a Super Bowl after party, a 90 min Yoga session with Russell Simmons, concert tickets and backstage passes to platinum recording artist Good Charlotte, and a Hamptons A-List Summer 2009 weekend.

For a chance to snag these amazing celebrity packages and fabulous fashions, log on to charitybuzz.com.

PHOTO CREDIT: Photography by Doré Marcelle Madere

Event sponsored by Rose’s Mojito

by Helen M. Ryan

The quintessential “80’s hot chick” and one of VH1’s 100 Greatest Women in Rock, Terri Nunn, lead singer of  Berlin, is better than ever; touring, writing, and on the radio.

As a young girl, Terri Nunn loved music, lived for music.She spent long hours listening to David Bowie, Robert Plant and the Beatles. Eventually she fell into acting, performing in commercials and TV series, but in the back of her mind she still thought mostly of one thing: music.

As the years passed, Nunn discovered a whole new array of female artists – Grace Slick, Ann Wilson and Stevie Nicks – whose passion continued to inspire her. She finally took a chance and put her acting career on hold and joined a musician named John Crawford. Together they launched a fresh, sexy, new wave synthpop band named Berlin. The world must have been ready for a new sound because just a few years after the band’s inception, Berlin’s hit “Take My Breath Away” reached the #1 spot on the Billboard Top 100 and won both the Academy Award® and the Golden Globe®. The young woman herself eventually went on to earn the #11 spot on VH1’s 100 Greatest Women in Rock  list. Terri Nunn had realized her dreams. Read our exclusive interview with Terri Nunn here…

Twenty years later, Nunn is still dreaming big. She is currently on tour with Berlin supporting their album 4Play (with upcoming performances at the Hollywood Park, November 14, 2008, and The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano November 28, 2008); has re-recorded Sex (I’m a…) for Michael’s Grecco’s documentary on the pornography business, Naked Ambition; shot a tribute video with an acoustic version of Olivia Newton-John’s Magic with Dave Navarro; contributed a chapter in the book Cherry Bomb; and co-hosted a radio show on Los Angeles’ 97.1 FreeFM.

As if that were not enough, the vegetarian and environmentally-conscious Nunn has also adopted a child from Russia, recorded a solo CD due out in 2009, and is organizing a concert series called Girls Night Out, slated to tour next summer.

Despite Nunn’s hectic schedule she took a few minutes to talk to LA’s the Place about life, passion, music, animal welfare and what’s next.

Helen Ryan for LATP: You have many irons in the fire right now (solo CD, Girls Night Out, touring, mommyhood). How do you keep everything straight?

Terri Nunn: With a LOT of help! Thank God I have a great team of people around me. My husband is a dream come true as a father, lover, friend, business advisor (he’s amazing), EVERYTHING! A new manager came into my life this year too who has made it possible for me to have all these irons in the fire at once. Plus my booking agent for over 10 years and my band who empower and inspire me all the time.

LATP: The Girls Night Out project. Great idea. Sometimes music can be so isolationist. You said you were inspired by Camp Freddy (a self-proclaimed “occasional happening” that invites a variety of artists to play together). The Girls Night Out format will allow you to actually play together, somewhat simultaneously, on one stage. Other than Camp Freddy, how did this idea come about?

TN: The idea has been my heart’s desire since I first got into music. I even thought back then that once I got established and made a name for myself, collaborations would just happen all the time, I’d get to sing and play with all kinds of people without even trying! Well, forget it. I don’t know why, but artists don’t reach out to each other that much. And it’s not just me. When I contacted Billy Corgan to co-write with me on my 2002 album, “Voyeur”, one of the first things he said was “Why did you call me?”  I told him I loved his music and wanted to do something with him. He said, “Wow. No one ever calls me.”  Can you believe it? Billy Corgan!

The response from the women artists has been phenomenal, overwhelming! We will have the greatest women in music on that stage. And every show will be different. I’m looking forward to it!

LATP: Your solo CD is coming out later in 2009…what style of music is it?

TN: I will always love electronic music, so it will definitely be electronic. But I have different tastes too that I want to incorporate into it, gothic and rock influences. People will get a little taste of the upcoming album this Friday at the Hollywood Park show!

LATP: You’ve been a vegetarian since you were 19. Many of the “bad girls” of music are vegetarians (Chrissie Hynde, Joan Jett, Sinead O’Connor). Why do you think that is?

TN: For me it was a logical choice for health reasons. I ate crap food – meaning processed, denatured and junk food – my whole life and by 19, it caught up with me. I was sick and tired a lot, my skin looked grey, my hair was lifeless. Doctors didn’t help; all they had to offer was drugs or surgery. Didn’t want surgery and drugs didn’t work, they just created a whole NEW set of problems. So I turned to nutrition. I read books and tried out different natural things and WOW! They worked! I decided I might as well get something for all my studying so I went back to college and got a Master’s Degree in Applied Human Nutrition. Vegetarianism was part of my transformation, as was vitamin therapy.

The main reason I don’t eat meat is because you find out in your studies that the factory farming of animals creates very sick animals. It’s so bad nowadays that the USDA no longer grades IF the animals are sick, it grades how sick they are. Isn’t THAT sick? Antibiotics are routinely given to all factory-farmed animals now, not to keep them well, but to keep them ALIVE so their meat can still be sold. That’s how bad it is. For this same reason, I do eat fish if it’s wild. Farm-raised fish are having the same horrible issues as factory farmed animals, as you can see in the follow-up reports coming out the last few years. I’m thrilled about Proposition 2 passing here in California last week! That’s a healthy step forward, not just for the animals but for the people who eat them.

LATP: You co-hosted a radio talk show this year and said you’d like to do more of that. How was that experience compared to being on-stage? Did the possibility of “dead air” scare you or were you naturally able to keep the talk going?

TN: I LOVE talk radio! I love the conversation, the give-and-take on important issues to people. I’ve always been good at interviewing others and creating a space for people to feel safe to be honest. And I have opinions myself that seem to be valuable to people, and experience. I think communication among us saves the world.

LATP: Going back to your early days…people might not know this but you were an actress. You said you always wanted to sing, to make music, but kind of fell into acting. Knowing, since you were a little girl, that you really wanted to be in music, do you think you put music on the back burner for awhile because it was scary to follow your “real” dream? Maybe being a musician is what you “were” intrinsically, while acting was what you “did?”

TN: You’re very good, Helen! That’s exactly why I didn’t try music first, it scared the shit out of me! I thought only gods and goddesses made music; that’s what they were to me. But when “Dallas” came along and offered me a part and a 7-year contract at 18 years old, I knew it was either acting for the rest of my life or taking a SHOT at music, and I had to decide right then. I picked the long-shot. Luckily, it worked out!

LATP: You recently contributed to a book called Cherry Bomb, The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Better Flirt, a Tougher Chick, and a Hotter Girlfriend-and to Living Life Like a Rock Star. Tell us more about your contribution.

TN: I was honored to be included in the contributors to the book. I’ve always been a writer, but of lyrics. I’m a huge fan of the written word thanks to my mother, who taught me to read before kindergarten and took me to the library every two weeks after that, where I picked up 5 or 6 books at a time and read them all. To this day, it’s my favorite pastime.

LATP: Your have tremendous on-stage presence and passion. Where do you get your energy from? How do you stay motivated while touring?

TN: I get my energy mostly from the love of music. I’m still inspired and energized all the time by it. There are so many mountains yet to climb, it’s really fun and challenging. Secondly, keeping balanced helps me keep energized. I crashed and burned in my late 20s, and it’s really because I had no life, only work. Now I carve out time for both, AND time for fun. You have to. No one else will for you. it keeps you healthy. Lastly, vegetarian food, as much raw as possible because raw means ALIVE – still with energy – and that GIVES you energy. Oh, and steady hot sex with my man!

LATP: One last question, which seems to be the important one on our coast…. You look amazing. How do you keep yourself in shape with your busy schedule?

TN: Thank you for the compliment! I eat a lot of soy and legumes – beans. There are so many great soy products out there now, from hot dogs to meat substitutes. Even my kids like them! I have to work out, so I do about 5 days a week. My general schedule is 2 days of cardio (30-45 minutes of running with my husband, treadmill, dancing to a video – I mix it up), and a day each of upper body and lower body weight training 30-45 minutes each. Add 10 minutes of tummy exercises 3 days a week in there. I just have to make the time, and yes I don’t always do it either. But I pick myself back up the next week and recommit. It’s really not that long.

For more information on Berlin and Terri Nunn, visit www.berlinpage.com or http://www.myspace.com/berlinmusic

Written by Helen Ryan

Berlin Snap Shots:
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
November 14, 2008 – Hollywood Park
November 28, 2008 – The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano

TOP HITS
Sex (I’m A…)
The Metro
Masquerade
No More Words
Take My Breath Away

DISCOGRAPHY
Information (1980)
Pleasure Victim (1982)
Love Life (1984)
Count Three And Pray (1986)
Dancing In Berlin (1987)
Best Of Berlin 1979-1988 (1988)
Moment of Truth (1991)
Master Series (1997)
Fall Into Heaven (1999)
Fall Into Heaven 2 (1999)
Greatest Hits Remixed (2000)
LIVE: Sacred & Profane (2000)
Voyeur (2002)
Metro Greatest Hits (2004)
4Play (2005)