Earthquake!

I'm still swaying. As you've probably heard a 5.8 earthquake just shook Los Angeles, my first one out here. I was on the 7th floor of the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, which is like all glass. It's a large building and it was rocking to and fro. We've been having construction going on so at first we thought it was something they were doing outside, but then the vibrations kept coming in waves and increasing in strength. One person exclaimed "It's an earthquake," and a couple of girls here at work got under their desks.

Being from New York, I didn't know what to do, I just sat in my chair looking up a the swaying light hanging from the ceiling and riding it through. What was especially creepy is that it felt like a really long time and I wasn't sure when it was going to stop.

The sound system alarms went off in the building telling people to remain calm and inside. I felt reassured since I knew one of the architects of this popular building and awhile back he had told me that the building was super safe and in fact where you wanted to be if an earthquake hit. So I stayed inside, trying to ignore the idea of 9/11 and when they had heard a similar message, but that's apples and oranges.

This wasn't my first earthquake actually. When I was a little kid an earthquake happened in Westchester, NY in 1986. It was early morning and I was sleeping but awoke to my brass bed shaking, I thought someone was under it moving it, so I ran into my mom's room and saw her sitting up in her bed, which was also shaking. I then thought it was a tornado and had visions of Dorothy. Then it stopped and we sat and watched cartoons in my mom's room.
I hope the after shocks aren't bad.

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Experiencing Comic-Con

I headed down to San Diego this weekend for Comic-Con, the largest comic book and popular arts convention in the world. Now, I have no clue about comic books outside of their movie counterparts, but this massive show sneak peaks movies and TV shows too, and has appearances by stars like Samuel L. Jackson who was promoting his video game Afro Samurai. So far I've seen Lost's Matthew Fox (so hunky), Matt Groening the creator of The Simpsons, Johnny Galecki of Roseanne and now The Big Bang Theory (he smiled at me) and Patton Oswalt from King Of Queens and the voice in Ratatouille.

Now, I was obviously expecting the show to be geeky, after all Friday was "Star Wars" day, but the people aren't just that, they are fanatical. Every other person was outfitted in outrageous costumes of characters I've never even seen before and they were practically running from booth to booth. The organizers had to keep yelling out "no running!" I also knew the show was a big deal, but there were sooo many people it was overwhelming and a sensory overload. The exhibit hall itself is an artistic explosion of colors, sights and competing booths. I felt like a very sheltered kid gaping at all the stuff on display and at the passing people. Really, I've never experienced anything like Comic-Con before.

While there I interviewed Chris McKenna the writer of TV’s American Dad and the upcoming animated film Igor by Exodus Films (video here). We discussed his inspiration for the story and the difference between writing for film and TV. Set to be released on September 19^th, the film’s characters are voiced by actors John Cusack, Molly Shannon, Sean Hayes, Jay Leno, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese and Jennifer Coolidge. I had the pleasure of seeing a rough cut of the cartoon and really enjoyed it. I had feared it was going to be a Nightmare Before Christmas type of flick, but I was delighted to see that it wasn't, since I'm not much of a fan. Igor on the other hand is actually funny and Molly Shannon definitely steals the show as Eva, the not so evil monster.

Meanwhile, over in the artists gallery, I paid $5 to have a quick portrait of me done by Frank Silas and while he was sketching my face, the guy at the booth next to him (Johnny Beware) started his own sketch of me for free. Here they are and their drawings:

Here are some general photos from the show:

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The bachelorette get psyched mix

A few weeks ago, I was offered the chance to temporarily try out a review copy of the DYMO DiscPainter ($279), which prints photos and text directly onto discs, printing while it spins around in the device. Years ago I had bought a cheap CD label stomper that printed labels that would stick on top of my discs, but they ended up ruining them and looking kind of cheesy. I've also ruined plenty of mixes using the wrong marker to write on them. But the DYMO printer, makes really professional images that are very glossy, especially perfect for musicians or filmmakers making their own CDs and DVDs on a regular basis.

Personally, I used the DiscPainter to make several "get psyched" mixes as favors for my bachelorette party attendees. We all listened to it on the party bus to and from the casino and danced along the way. Each disc took about two to three minutes to print and despite all the color that I used in my chosen design, they were dry almost instantly.

Below is the design I made using their accompanying software, fun no?

Here's the track list (It wasn't easy narrowing it down):

1. You Give Love a Bad Name - Bon Jovi

2. Hot Child In the City - Nick Gilder

3. Hollaback Girl - Gwen Stefani

4. Gold Digger - (Featuring Jamie Foxx) Kanye West

5. Smack That - Akon

6. Party Like a Rock Star - Shop Boyz

7. London Bridge - Fergie

8. Don't Stop the Music - Rihanna

9. Murder On the Dancefloor - Sophie Ellis Bextor

10. Umbrella - Rihanna

11. Don't Cha - The Pussycat Dolls

12. Lost in Emotion - Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam

13. Ain't Nobody - Diana King

14. Nobody's Supposed to Be Here (Dance Mix) - Deborah Cox

15. Sinnerman - Nina Simone & Felix Da Housecat

16. The Warrior - Scandal

17. Right Back Where We Started From - Maxine Nightingale

18. Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond

19. September - Earth Wind & Fire

I only wish I made a copy for myself.

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Thank you for being a friend

Picture it, New York, 1988, a mother racing home on a Saturday night so that her young daughter can watch The Golden Girls. Talk about a role reversal.

I was very saddened today to hear about Estelle Getty's passing at age 84. Being Italian myself, I loved that fiery Sicilian, Sophia Petrillo. I loved her sassy comebacks and her special mother-daughter relationship with Dorothy (Pussycat). Estelle, this post is for you.

One of my favorite scenes:

Blanche: I treat my body like a temple.
Sophia: Yeah, open to everyone, day or night.

Sophia: Blanche, a terrible thing has happened to you. But when life does something like this, there are a couple of things you got to remember. You got your health, right?
Blanche: Yeah.
Sophia: You can still walk, can't you?
Blanche: That's true.
Sophia: Great, go get me a glass of water.

News: AP- Estelle Getty of 'Golden Girls' dies at 84
LAist-So Long, Sophia: Estelle Getty 1923-2008

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Viva Las Vegas or fainting and Bette Midler

For our anniversary back in February, Raphael had bought me tickets to see The Divine Miss M in concert. For those who aren't "Betteheads" or gay, The Divine Miss M is none other than Bette Midler. I had seen her back in '93 for her Experience the Divine Tour and now at age 63 she's performing in Vegas in a new concert show, The Showgirl Must Go On.

To get into the mood I watched the film For The Boys, which Bette was nominated with an Academy Award for. We then drove to Sin City on Saturday morning and stayed the night to catch the show and hit the clubs. First stop was the pool though in the 100 plus degree heat where we enjoyed a cocktail while wading in the water. I hadn't eaten since breakfast and now at 5 p.m. inside the busy casino, I fainted! I woke up on the loud colored carpet with Raphael and a security guard staring at me along with plenty of onlookers. It's been over a year (that story here) since I went into a full faint due to my Vaso-Vagel (syncope or the classic faint) and it hurt not to mention embarrassing. It also took me awhile to feel normal again so I had to have a wheelchair wheel me back to my room, where I only had an hour and a half to compose myself before show time. Yes, I was still going, after all the show girl must go on! ;) I took a shower, ate some crackers, had some real food and cabbed it over to Caesar's Palace, I even went out that night but refrained from drinking since I still wasn't 100%.

Bette was indeed divine. What I especially liked is that her concerts aren't just about playing music, but include a lot of interaction with the audience and are a throwback to original Vegas theater performances. She's bawdy, funny and has great songs or in her own words the show is full of "hits, glitz and tits." She also kept poking fun at her age, which was funny. For instance, she usually does a bit where she comes out as the character "Dolores Delgado" in a mermaid suit. I remembered this from the first concert that I went to along with a bunch of hopping around in the Ariel like costume, so I wasn't surprised when she reappeared on stage in the fin outfit. However, this time she came out in the mermaid costume like usual, but on a motorized wheelchair doing a whole choreographed dance number on it much to the howling of the crowd. Despite her jokes about being older, she looked great and sang all of her popular tunes, From A Distance, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, The Rose and ended with Wind Beneath My Wings. Not surprising, there are clips on YouTube from her concert, here.

Afterwards. We live only 10 minutes away from the real LAX but had to wait 30 minutes in line to get into the Luxor club also named LAX, and that's with being on the guest list.

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Test driving a hydrogen powered car

Chevy has launched a program called Project Driveway, where they are testing a fleet of 100 hydrogen-powered fuel cell Chevy Equinox SUVs in Washington D.C., Los Angeles and New York. Basically, people apply to test-drive the zero gasoline, zero emissions SUVs in the participating cities and if they are accepted, they get to drive the futuristic cars for free for three months! All you have to do is fill out a survey and see if you qualify.

I recently got a chance to test drive one of these fuel cell vehicles myself at the Project Driveway Enthusiast Event at the GM Training Center in Burbank. On a very hot and sunny Saturday, about 150 people who had expressed interest in the program came to hear a seminar on hydrogen fuel and then test drive it. I even met one guy who was getting his hydrogen powered Chevy in the next week. Despite the early morning hours, the seminar was quite interesting with GM executives discussing how fuel cells work (no combustion), their plans to bring hydrogen fuel cells to the nation and how they reduce our dependency on oil.

Here are some interesting things I learned:

• There are over 20 hydrogen gas stations in California


• We can make hydrogen here in the U.S. There is no need to use foreign supplies.


• The top speed of Chevy’s hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is 100 MPH.


• The car only emits water vapor into the air — no harmful emissions, and no exhaust.


• Hydrogen is currently being used to clean the sludgy gasoline that we receive from abroad.


• A hydrogen fuel cell vehicle can go up to 200 miles per fill-up.

After the seminar, I was more eager to ride the vehicle than interview the other participants. Luckily, I was able to do both. When talking with the drivers, it seemed the most common word used to describe the Chevy Equinox Hydrogen Fuel Cell was “smooth.” Most were also impressed with its pick up and said it drove like a regular car.

So, with a cameraman in the passenger seat, I drove around the test area known as “the loop” — which was several blocks around Burbank. I also thought the car drove smoothly and I couldn’t tell it wasn’t gas-powered. It was a little bit louder than a hybrid — which I think is good — but still very quiet compared to a regular gas-powered car. In fact, it was so quiet that I had to make sure I had turned it on correctly. Also interesting were the display settings that show the fuel cell process happening with an animated graphic. Overall, I’m eager for the future.

To check out the video of me test driving the car and interviewing different people, go on over to GM Next (luckily they edited out the part where I hit the breaks too hard and jolted the cameraman towards the dash, my bad).

Oh and one of the execs that I interviewed on camera said that there was a Shell hydrogen station opening on Santa Monica Blvd in West LA, so I went and took pictures before it's grand opening.

The staion is now open though. Exciting!

News: Los Angeles Times Stars test the waters with hydrogen cars

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The making of Hollywood hot spots

One of the hottest clubs in Hollywood right now is GOA and last week I was able to skip the lines and receive a tour of the decadent styled club by it's designer, Kristopher Keith, during CitySearch's Wine, Dine & High-Design event.

Inside it looks like you are in some Mahārāja harem with over eight miles of imported gold chain links hanging from the ceiling, lush pillows scattered about and incense burning from perches on the walls. My hair still smelled of the exotic scents long after I left and went home, passing by groups of paparazzi parking their cars and setting up for the night.

Keith also gave the group an advance look of two new restaurants and lounges that his company is building and designing--Osaka and Delux.

Osaka is going to be a sushi bar. Right now it's just a bunch of wood framing the place though. The final eatery on Hollywood Blvd, will look like a rusted metal cage inside says Kris Kieth. He went on to say he wanted it to be like you're entering a different world via Hollywood Blvd. There will be a glass front and you'll have to cross stepping stones over a pond to enter and as a result we tiptoed into the construction zone on a large plank over the hole for the mini pond. There will also be a zen garden outdoor smoking room with a high opened ceiling (photo on the left). Overall, he said it will have a Japanese and Peruvian style to it. It's still six months or so away from completion, but I look forward to seeing it all finished and hopefully eating there.

Delux meanwhile is a bar/lounge that will also serve appetizers and finger food. This project was more finished, thus provided us with more of a visual. When I entered I thought of the classic movie Metropolis and later Kieth said he was inspired by old Hollywood movies like Wizard of Oz and Metropolis. It's very art deco with lots of smooth mahogony fixtures, a stainglass wall is in the works and olive green velvet curtains to be draped over the length of another wall. Oh and Kieth said he is making a female only lounge with bathrooms and makeup counters, so not just a one stall club. Delux is expected to open at the end of August.

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Party like a rock star

OK so I blogged about the bridal shower, but now let's talk about the real fun, the bachelorette party. While Raphael was in Vegas for a "spiritual retreat" for his bachelor party, I was busy partying like a rock star with my girlfriends on the east coast.

I was told to wear a white dress while everyone else would wear little black dresses. We started the evening with some drinks of course and then a "cop" came to call and we soon headed in a party bus (from my uncle's limo company) complete with stripper pole, flat screen and more to Mohegan Sun casino in Connecticut where we hit their nightclub and the craps table.

Here are some photos along the way:

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Bend It Like Beckham

Tonight I headed out to The Home Depot Center to see the LA Galaxy and the famous David Beckham play some futbol. I had never been to a pro soccer game before and it was really cool, although I didn't expect so many accidents and falls, but that made the game even more interesting. The crowd went wild when Beckham was announced out onto the field and whenever he was passed the ball. He was just as speedy with his feet and as handsome as expected.

Everyone in the stands were wearing either a Beckham jersey or whatever soccer related shirt they could find. I had my Italia jacket on from Rome.

They were playing the other Los Angeles team, Chivas, which means goat in Spanish. We had great seats in the lower level at the center of the field so we could see all the action. The stadium itself can hold 27,000 people and was super clean and new looking. They even had fireworks go off during the singing of the Star Spangled Banner.

On a side note, I was surprised to see that every time a ball would get kicked into the stands, fans were forced to throw it back. In baseball you can at least keep the ball.

The sellout 90 minute game ended in a tie at 1 to 1.

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The Sex and the City Bridal Shower

My maid of honor suggested the theme of Sex and the City for my wedding shower. After all, what a perfect theme for a New York journalist, who met her future husband on a NYC subway, no?

The Decor:

Our girly, skyline invitations requested that everyone dress as a character from SATC, some copied the flirty outfits others went all out and put birthmarks on their faces or came in sexy lingerie. I went as Carrie, wearing my similar gold Tara necklace that I got when I was 10 (I'm Italian) and I wore a poofy Carrie-like ballerina skirt with Capri leggings underneath, I also styled my hair in waves.

We printed out stickers with each character's face on them saying "I'm a Charlotte" etc. so that the guests could pick and stick on the character that fitted them the most. Charlotte was the most popular followed by Samantha then Carrie, sadly there wasn't one friend dressed as Miranda.

We had an official Sex and the City movie poster on the sliding door so that it was viewable from the outside tent and tables, bright flower, cheap cloth table runners, pink roses and pink, silver and black balloons anchored by sexy pumps and stilettos. After all, "decorations, from the simple to the elaborate, can transform a regular setting into a place of celebration," writes author Jennifer Adams of Wedding Showers. Oh, and of course lots of martini glasses were on display and for cocktails. Plus, Sex and the City DVD was playing on loop inside on the TV for an extra touch as those went in to refresh. 

Cocktails & Cupcakes

For drinks we had a fountain bubbling out pink lemonade and vodka, which looked like Cosmopolitan’s when poured into a martini glass, but not as strong for an afternoon party, although they were lethal in its ability to mask the taste of the alcohol. We also had wine and champagne and placed flower designed Wine-O cards around their necks for added decoration, which I first heard about over at Hostess With The Mostess. For dessert, we of course had Magnolia NY cupcakes and some awesomely designed ones from Sweet in Boston with little edible emblems with shoes and handbags on them added to the frosting.

The Favors

The Bridal Association of America estimates that the average couple spends over $400 on favors for their guests!

"Favors are such an easy thing to do, and they make the shower much more memorable. It's fun to send your guest off with their own memento from the party," writes Adams.

Well, my guests got more than just one memento, but several flirty and fun gifts that matched the overall theme. I probably did more favors for the shower than I am doing for the wedding, but then again the shower was only around 25 people and the wedding is 150.

First item in the favor bags, that my bridesmaids and I stuffed, were Cosmopolitan jelly beans in a cool tin from Beau-coup Wedding Favors, they also sell Bellini, mojito and lemon drop flavors as well. Way better than doing boring mints. Jelly beans are the new mints ;)

Next up was the ZookHooks quality purse hangers, which hang from a table and hold on to your purse so it doesn't touch the dirty ground. I was skeptical of how it would work, but it can hold purses up to 20 pounds, which is good in my case and now I use my hook at work for some added glitz. Anyway, I couldn't wait to give them out to my fashionable friends and they come in a velour pouch.

I loved the vintage designs on the tiny lip balm tins from Pin Up Balm - All Natural Lip Care ($4), each flavor came with a different glamorous retro pinup girl on it. I kept a Voluptuous Vanilla for myself and gave out their assorted flavors randomly in the bags.

Oh we're not done yet, I also had two very SATC favors for my girls from MyWeddingFavors.com -- a mini martini gel candle (I love gel candles and we were going to give away martini glasses as a favor so this accomplished both and more uniquely) and a chic leather stiletto key chain. I love the idea that the candle might appear on their dresser or desk and the key chain will be on their keys always reminding people of the fun day and our friendship. What's especially great about these two gifts is that they come in cute black and white boxes already and with hanging Thank You tags, thus the work was done.

For my bridesmaids:

For my awesome bridesmaids, after I opened my gifts I called all of them up to join me and presented them with a little thank you by giving them personalized bow pads with their names on it and a Thank You note written by me.

Bridal Shower & Bachelorette Party Games:

We did a how well you know your fiance game, personalized bingo boards during the Shower and the Guess the Panties games the night before during the bachelortte party.

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Happy 4th

Enjoy the holiday everyone!

I'm celebrating the 4th with my bachelorette party back on the east coast followed by my Sex and the City themed bridal shower. I'll have a lot to report on and photos to share after the holiday weekend, so definitely stay tuned and stay safe.

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