Note to Self: Be Brave

 

This one is for all the entrepreneurs out there. It takes lots of courage to step out on your own. I don’t know how many times people have said I should get a “regular” job so that my income will be consistent (who doesn’t want a steady paycheck, paid vacations and sick days, right?). Well, the office life isn’t for everyone. I have no interest in 40 for 40, and they way it’s looking these days, I don’t know how well that’ll work in the long run for ANYONE. I’m an entrepreneur at heart. It’s in my blood. I think I get it from my grandmother. This road isn’t an easy one, but it’s rewarding. So… Shout out to my fellow brave ones. (Image is a poster from the Lilco Letter Press Etsy Shop)

I’m an In the Streets Chick: Belvedere Intense Unfiltered Party

Let’s Have a Toast to The…

I think I may have somehow forgotten to mention this, but worked on the digital outreach for Belvedere Vodka’s “A Bartender’s Dream Job” Contest and the launch of the new Intense Unfiltered variety (never did see blog posts from certain bloggers- who attended the tasting AND got comp bottles, but I know that comes with the territory). They had two launch parties for Intense Unfiltered this week in New York- one on Monday or Tues (which I was unable to attend) and another last night. (Here I am with one of my fave Belvedere folks. Our pic was on Guest of a Guest.)

Intense Unfiltered is made using food-grade grains and formulated to maintain its flavor, so it’s perfect for consumption by itself (like a scotch or cognac), but it also works well in certain cocktails. The Intense Sunrise and Intense Gimlet were served at the party, and while I actually prefer Intense Unfiltered neat, the gimlet was my favorite of the two cocktail choices. (I somehow couldn’t make any of them last long enough to take a pic, but here’s one of the sunrise.)

Intense Unfiltered is also 80 proof… that’s stronger than a lot of other vodkas, but it’s smooth enough that I think a lot of partygoers missed that point (especially a certain young lady who was clearly drunk very soon after the party started). However, a certain group of gents (Team Mancini) toasted and tippled with class all night. Cheers!

Technorati Tags: Belvedere Vodka,parties,industry events,StyleScrybe Consulting

Note to Self: Keep Breathing

 

Things in my world get crazy, as I’m sure they do in yours. The economic climate has finally hit home. Literally. Sometimes you just have to remember to breathe. Breathe deeply, breathe deliberately. Inhale solutions and positivity, and exhale your troubles. Taking square breaths as I type. Know someone who’s having a rough time? Get them this poster (or another uplifting one) from Farouche’s Etsy Shop.

Check it Out, Yo: Lombardi on Broadway

Play on... (Playa')

I recently got a call from a fellow PR diva inviting me to see and then share my thoughts on a new Broadway play about NFL coaching legend, Vince Lombardi. Here's the catch, though, tickets were for that night (meaning I had about 8 hours to find a date... YIKES!). I accepted, went solo and had a great experience (yeah, I'm one of those girls who enjoy football... AND plays... and who doesn't mind enjoying either experience alone). The story, narrated by a young journalist-cum-author Michael McCormick (played by Keith Nobbs), took the audience on a journey from Coach Lombardi's days in New York, through his career in Green Bay, and then to his death.

Lombardi's showing at Circle in the Square, a theater with stadium style seating and a rounded stage in the middle (kinda like a football field). They made awesome use of the space, using projectors and minimal-yet-apropo props to move the story along. At one point, they projected footage of on old game onto the floor, as Coach Lombardi (played by Dan Lauria, whom you may remember as the dad from The Wonder Years) paced and yelled at his team. Although Lauria was alone on the stage, he was in the middle of the action (dope). 

My inner romantic (I know, I lost G-points for that admission) got caught up in the relationship between Vince Lombardi and his wife, Marie (played by Judith Light, the mom from Who's the Boss). It was one of love, support, understanding and gentle chiding (I want a love like that! *Tony Thompson voice). The loving gazes they exchanged, the willingness to sacrifice for each other, the fighting back tears in this scene or that... all beautiful and well-acted. (I wouldn't mind having Marie's fur coats or beaded sweaters.)

My lecherous eye got a treat at Lombardi, too. Robert Christopher Riley (who played Dave Robinson) was a nice piece of eye candy (word to Lombardi *Drake Voice*). Yeah, yeah, he was a good actor, too. But I kept getting caught up in that magnetic smile and smooth stride of his.

Then there were the speeches Coach Lombardi gave his team (how many famous inspirational quotes have come from this man?). Seriously, I wanted to go take over the world right then and there... or at least tackle someone, or score a touchdown. I wondered as I watched if the guys I've worked with, like Calvin Pace, Vernon Davis and others feel that way when their coaches talk to them. (I've heard that Rex Ryan is great at motivating the guys.) Oh, and I can't forget they way he went to bat for his players, when it came to fair pay and when it came to racism. With the potential lockout looming over the NFL, I could only think about my guys and their coaches. (Let's all just hope they get what's fair... guess you can tell whose side I'm on.) 

Football politics aside, I suggest going to see this play whether your a fan of sports, love, laughter or plain old good acting.

Check it Out, Yo: If the Shoe Doesn't Fit

Tonight, I'm Cleanin' Out My Closet

There are 2 things everyone knows about me (well, everyone who knows me, anyway). The first is that my favorite color is fuchsia (unrelated to most other facts, but still an important one to know). The second is that I love shoes (so much that I have a blog dedicated to them- and booze). I've actually been contemplating selling off a few pairs, but haven't been able to decide on how to do it. Craigslist isn't exactly the safest option, people only want to spend pennies at most flea markets and certain auction sites are so saturated already. Plus the fees aren't worth what I'll be able to get for the shoes. I recently connected with Ellen Simes, a fellow fan of spirits and shoes, who owns iftheshoedoesntfit.com, an online shoe auction website. (Kismet?) With low fees and a user-friendly format, iftheshoedoesntfit.com provides an easy and affordable way to sell, swap or shop for shoes. Now I know what to do with my shoes. The shoes you see here are among the ones I'm considering auctioning off. Which would you be more likely to bid on? 

Joey O Sandals (worn twice)

BCBG Wedges (worn once)

Unisa Ballerina Flats (never worn)

*Note- iftheshoedoesntfit.com is also a new client of mine. (Feel free to contact me for a press release, bio, images or other information).

For My Inner 6 Year Old: Sesame Street's "I Love My Hair"

Go On And Stare (See if I Care)...

People have come to know me for wild hair, it seems. At one point I wore a long weave with fuchsia streaks in the bangs. Then there was the HUGE Diana Ross-like weave. Now, I wear my natural hair, dyed to a light reddish brown and shaped in any number of ways. Some folks have combination skin, but I have combination hair. I'd say at least 5 different textures converge atop my head. That means I have both "good" and "bad" hair... plus some in between (kidding, I was raised to understand that good hair is hair well-kept). As a child, I enjoyed all the things my hair could do. During my tweens, teens and early adulthood, I struggled with breakage and scalp burning from perms. My coils, kinks, straight strands and I have reconciled, though, and I'm happy to say that once again, I love my hair! Shouts to Sesame Street for this song.

Check It Out, Yo: Achraf Amiri's Fashion Illustrations

The Art of Storytellin'... Or Vice Versa...

There. Are. No. Words. Well, there's one... WERK! Seriously, the commentary made by Achraf Amiri's art is... well... you tell me.

 

Yes, I love fashion, but I don't live for it. I devour certain monthly mags and habitually check for a few daily blogs. And, yes, I get supa dupa fly. Still, the glam world won't be the death of me (no sir-E). With NYFW on the horizon, I hope that last image helps some of my designer-obsessed homies keep things in perspective.