GO (RED) - Great products for the Spring and Upcoming Holidays!

I was recently at a media showroom event to show off the latest product line-up from (PRODUCT) RED and their partners.....some of our favorite brands had some great new products to show off.....line-ups that are currently in stores for Spring and products that will be hitting shelves in the summer and fall.....Here are some of the highlights from the event:

Hallmark - who would have thought you could help fight AIDS in Africa by sending a greeting card to your friend, you brother, your husband, whomever....but you can....Hallmark has a FULL line-up of greeting cards, sound cards and my favorite - MOTHER'S DAY CARDS AND GRADUATION CARDS - for the upcoming holidays. In addition to the cards, Hallmark has numberous gives including journals, gift card sets....and flowers that can be sent straight to mom on her upcoming day. Check it out at http://www.hallmark.com/.

Gap - The Gap showcased a fun new line-up of great shirts, blouses, totes, sweaters and scarves....their fall line takes clothing design a step further by giving us a geography lesson - each item was designed with the inspirations of a specific country in Africa...watch out for them in your local Gap stores soon!

Converse - I an a Converse convert...not only have I gone to http://www.converse.com/ to Make My Own Converse (PRODUCT) RED shoes.....but now we have a new line to choose from - one designed from a variety if artists! Definitely a great way to feel like you are a star!

Other products on my wish list - the Emporio Armani (PRODUCT) RED Julie Robert's bracelet and a Dell (PRODUCT) RED laptop. I am already sporting an Apple (PRODUCT) RED Nano....

Go check out the products and make a difference by doing something you do every day...shop!!! http://www.joinred.com/.

The Cheese Store Bevery Hills

My new favorite place in Beverly Hills is the Cheese Store. Located right on Beverly and south of Little Santa Monica, this quant little store has everything you want and need in cheese, wine and everything else perfect for your next cocktail party or lazy Saturday afternoon. Check it out next time you are in the area! http://www.cheesestorebh.com/

Another Great Restaurant in NYC - STK and Il Voce

I just returned from a great week in NYC where I spent most of my time meeting with variour reporters and catching-up with old friends. And of course, I continued to enjoy some amazing cuisine in NYC.

The first new restaurant was a recommendation that came from one of my favorite NYC residents...Il Voce was the name and it was supposed to be amazing! And thankfully it was. We arrived a little early, but the restaurant was running a little behind. So we rand down the street for a drink - the bar was too packed to sit - and within 30 minutes we had our table. The GM was so gratious that he gave us a free glass of wine for our wait - any one we chose including the pricey Barollos and Piedmonts. We tried one of each course including an appetizer, pasta and fish. The appetizer and the pasta were fabulous, and the fish was pretty good. We also received an amazing desert on the house....we were thrilled the meal and plan to go back soon! In addition to the food being right on, the staff was very accomodating - making us feel right at home.

On to STK - I LOVED this restaurant. This is my new favorite steak place in NY - although BLT Prime will alwayst be one of the tops. The first thing that struck me about STK was the vibe - I loved it. The restaurant can be found in the meat packing district inhabiting a beautiful, cavernous space that boasts a burning fireplace in the lounge area with comfortable, sociabile seating surrounding the lounge. I felt immediately like I was in the place to be in NYC. My dinner companion and I waited about 30 minutes for our table - this seems to be the trend in NYC these days - and the place quickly filled up. Once we got our table, we immediately scoured the menu and picked out the must have items at a steak place. The wedge salad, small filet, mac and cheese, spinach and home fries. Awesome, everything was delicious - all in a fun and entertaining environment.

One interesting note - at both restaurants our tablemates at the right started talking to us - on both occasions. When did it become hip to converse with your table mates at restaurants? At Il Voce, it was an interesting pair that offered up some of their Barolo...but at STK...it was actually an annoying pair....but I guess they were being friendly.

Check these two places out at:http://www.avocerestaurant.com/ and http://www.stkhouse.com/.

Project Runway Finale - Not so happy

As I mentioned in a previous post, I love Project Runway. TV in general does not interest me too much - except for reruns of Friends, SATC and my favorite show Bones - but Project Runway was one show I could get excited about, anxiously awaiting the next installment each week to see what amazing clothes the various designers would come up with. Honestly, I could do without the drama of the show - just the inspiration for the designs and the final runway gets my heart pumping.

I was disappointed with the fourth season's final installment. I guess my take of who should be the Great American Designer is someone who makes clothes that American women would want to wear. Jillian was my favorite for most of the show - especially with the trio of '70's inspired clothes she and her team made out of fashion don'ts. I loved ever piece. I WANTED her final piece she did with the black coat and the gold dress. Everyone that knows me knows that I love gold and silver pieces. So, I thought she was the ideal winner to go on and make clothes we - the American Woman - would want to wear. Christian - who did win - had amazing clothes and as everyone said - has amazing talent - but really, who is going to wear his clothest? Besides Victoria Beckham - which again - who really dresses like that.

Than Rami came in with a really fabulous show - I loved his pieces as well - and I actually thought the colors were great. Jillian's collection was not as wow as I anticipated - so maybe Rami should have won.....but basically, I am a bit disappointed with the selection. I felt it was a bit unfair!

So the question is now, how do I follow what Rami and Jillian are doing?

Some technologies I love

Most people know me as a technology "princess" - at least that was the latest title I was given by my good friend Joanne. I was never a fanatic about technology, but spending close to 14 years of my life working for Motorola - a major technology innovator and consumer brand - I have become a closet technology geek. I like talking about technology - whether it is wireless phones, computers or home entertainment equipment - I like having new toys to play with and I especially like new products that enhance my love of photography, fashion or just talking on the phone. So, I wanted to take some time out to hit on a few technology players that I just love!

1. Motorola: I will always love them, especially while my favorite designer is still driving the consumer design team - Jim Wicks. I firmly believe they are an innovator that happens to employ amazing people!
2. Apple: I recently started using the Apple (PRODUCT) RED Nano and I LOVE it. All of the new capabilities just make the experience so much more fun....especially when I am working out. I have loaded all of my pictures on there and I have a ton of fun scrolling through them while I have some downtime.
3. PhotoVu: This is a nifty little company out of Boulder, Colorado who makes high quality, custom made digital picure frames for the home or office. You will not find such a high quality product in this category like the one Photo Vu makes. Check them out at: http://www.photovu.com/index.php. If you love to take pictures and you find that the majority of your pictures just sit on your computer...this is a great way to get them out and in front of a lot of people!
4. Myxer: If you love to get cool, new content for your mobile phone - Myxer is a must-see site! www.myxer.com. Not only can you get new content - including some great music from some amazing indie bands - but you can also format your own content - Pictures, Songs, and more - for your mobile phone.
5. Bluetooth headsets: These are not new...I have been using them for years...but I forgot how helpful they can be in holding a phone conversation while doing other things....Check out Sound ID - a tech start-up that makes some really great headsets that actually let people hear you whether you are in your office, in an aiport or running outstide! www.soundid.com

Absentstar

I will admit that I am not a music fanatic or a music buff. In fact, most people will say that I have quite an interesting mix of music - because I tend to go with what I really enjoy: songs and music that move me and get me excited whether it is Neil Diamond, Kelly Clarkson or music from Footloose. If I can work out to it, sing to it or in general fell good listening to it, I like it....and so, I am thrilled to say that an up and coming band that I have been following for some time and who's lead singer is the bomb has just released their first single on iTunes. So I encourage everyone to check out their site, their song - "For God's sake" on iTunes and watch out for the full launch of their record, "Sea Trials" on April 15th! Enjoy and go download! www.absentstar.com