At the Sowden House for my client's wedding

As a celebrity publicist, I am there for the good, the bad and the ugly. Fortunately, the good this week was my client’s wedding. I attended as a guest, but my job consisted of negotiating which magazine was going to get the photos first, working with the photographer to get approval of the images before they were released, setting up the interview and just making sure everything went according to plan. Normal business hours do not exist in Hollywood. Most of this took up my weekend. But, the party was fun, wink.

Photo shoot for an upcoming issue of the Hollywood Reporter

On Monday, my day started with a half day photo shoot in downtown LA. It was for an upcoming Emmy issue, so I was pretty much in the company of greatness (look closely, I’m sure you’ll recognize these talented actresses). The shoot took place at the top of the restaurant Perch (I plan to go back for their jazz brunch and so should you!) and the view was AH-mazing. I even said to my client…”wow, we’re lucky this is our job today!” I assure you, not every week begins like this…

Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas with Musical Guest Kiss

During the season of “Dancing with the Stars,” I have to attend each show because there is a press line after each one. I’m sure by now your eyes are rolling, but I promise after three months of every Monday and Tuesday night, it starts to get a tiny bit exhausting. You’d think that I would at least get to watch the show from a prime seat, but no, it’s actually a very tiny cramped room with about 50 other people backstage on tiny televisions—it’s hardly the lap of luxury. Don’t tell, but occasionally if my client dances early in the show, I’ll sneak off with another publicist for a happy hour drink for the last hour (bad publicist!). Go #TeamKMark !  This isn’t actually from last Tuesday because last Tuesday I had…

The cast of "The Killing" and the creator Veena Sud

“The Killing” screening at The Academy. So, one of my colleagues covered ‘Dancing’ for me, while I met another client here. Academy screenings are for Academy members to view an episode and then have a Q&A panel with the cast (and then hopefully decide to nominate the actors for an Emmy!). I decided to sit outside during the screening and only watch the panel. Watching the panel is the fun part of my job. I don’t love what comes after…

I basically stand around for what feels like hours holding my client’s handbag while she mingles and receives praise from attendees. It’s just not fun. And, my feet hurt. Oh and I didn’t get home until almost 11pm. But, a big part of my job is making sure my client feels comfortable and at her best, so it makes me happy to know I am there for her.

I did, however, get a reserved seat on the back row with my name on it. Oh, the glamour!

The next day, I went with a client to The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Talk shows are, surprise!…not very stressful and one of the best aspects of the job. I met my client there (rule numero uno—always get there before the client arrives!) and just made sure everything went smoothly. The taping ended at about 6pm and was on the same lot as “Dancing,” so I high-tailed it over to the other stage to finish watching the show and do the press line. Despite lots of nerves, we made it through to the semi finals. Whew! Two more weeks to go…

It seems like every week lately I’ve had a client on Extra, which tapes at The Grove. Part of the fun is that your client gets to dodge TMZ, paparazzi and tons of fans wanting autographs to take center stage in the middle of all the shopping. What’s hard about that? Well, thanks for asking! What’s hard is not going to all these fun places, but rather that my number one job is actually GETTING PRESS FOR MY CLIENTS. How do you do that you ask? Well, it’s not by being out of the office all day at talk shows! I actually have to sit at my computer and type out creative pitches to bookers, producers and editors. When do you do that when it seems like you always have to be in 5 million places at once running all over town in LA traffic, making sure to get everywhere ahead of your client with a smile on your face and a carefree attitude. Another great question. My answer?  Exactly.

Wardrobe for the InStyle shoot

Yay for Friday! My favorite day of the week. Like most, I usually try to take it easier on Fridays. But, this Friday I had a fashion shoot at the legendary Chateau Marmont for InStyle magazine. Oh the clothes! Gucci! Prada! Oscar de la Renta! Clap, clap, clap!  It would have been heaven had it not also been Upfronts, the big network presentation where the major broadcast television networks announce their fall primetime shows. Lots of my clients were awaiting news to see if they still had a job. Needless to say, I couldn’t be away from my phone/email for more than a few seconds all day. Everyone was a bundle of nerves, including me.

And my body decided to rebel against that stress and those nerves and gave me a severe 10 day (yes, 10 day!) migraine that would not quit. After lots o’ doctors, physical therapy and drugs, I’m happy to report that acupuncture made all the difference. Tomorrow is Monday again. Are you ready?? I say, Bring. It. On.

PS. Most mornings, I look at this little guy and think…can we trade lives for a day? Meet Bailey, king of my household. Can you blame me?

I’m sure you all know it’s Mother’s Day this Sunday…riight?? (Don’t worry, Mom, your gift is in the mail!). But, if you are still looking for the best way to say I love you, why not let one of your favorite celebrities say it for you? Stars such as Will Ferrell, Neil Patrick Harris, and Amy Poehler (to name a few) have created these great comedic e-cards in collaboration with the Noreen Fraser Foundation to help raise awareness for women’s cancer and the importance of early detection. So, wish your mom a Happy Mother’s Day and possibly save her life. What more could she ask for? (Well, a fancy clutch, some flowers, a trip to the spa perhaps?) The cards can be sent for free via this link.

Lisa LoCicero, Brianna Brown, Geena Davis, Angel Parker, me

Last Wednesday night, my girlfriends and I spent an evening with Geena Davis to support the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. It’s rare that I attend an event because I want to go…it’s usually something work related, where I’m schlepping down the red carpet, carrying my handbag, my client’s handbag, prepping reporters in uncomfortable shoes, while trying to look put together (always a challenge). I was happy I had a night off.

The event took place at the William Turner Gallery at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica. What is it with me and art galleries lately?? Regardless, the space was very cool and I look forward to returning just to view the art.

We chatted with friends and colleagues over ginger cocktails and passed hor d’oeurvres.

That is until Geena Davis took the stage—wow, what a remarkable lady. Warm, smart, beautiful and funny, she enlightened us all on the sad statistics of women in leadership positions. It hovers around 17% in case you are wondering.

Proceeds from the cocktail party went towards the Institute’s work in helping the entertainment industry to recognize the need for gender balance, to avoid stereotyping and to present women in a variety of roles in programming geared to youngsters. “If she can see it, she can be it,” says Geena Davis. I whole-heartedly agree! For more information about this great organization visit www.seejane.org

A couple of Fridays ago we had one of those enviable L.A. days that is only good for one thing…Spring Fever!  My girlfriend and I decided to ditch work early and head downtown to happy hour at Blue Cow Kitchen. This is the new restaurant from the folks that brought us the Mendocino Sandwich Market and they collaborated on a menu with executive chef Joshua Smith (Church & State, Anisette). This place is hopping for happy hour, so I highly recommend a reservation (which we did not have). Luckily, my friend was able to work her magic and score us two seats at the outdoor communal table. The outdoor seating is especially fun because you are surrounded by tall buildings and feel like you are actually in a city.

At $5, the CASA Margarita was an easy choice, as were the Baked then Fried Potatoes—as good as they looked. I was starving, so I decided to dig into the dinner menu because I can never turn down a Cuban sandwich. That’s it above and apologies for the messiness of it all—I couldn’t resist a bite before I remembered to take a photo! Using ingredients from sustainable farms, they have really elevated the American restaurant experience.

We were thrilled to make new friends, which is so un-L.A. by the way, to actually speak to anyone around you. The guy next to me was more than happy to share his favorite menu picks and I thought oh, how nice of him! Then, after about his 5th margarita, he proceeded to tell us how he is a serial online dater and has been on at least 50 blind dates and seemed to get really angry about the fact that he was still single. I was very happy I came here for the drinks and not the fellas!

The inside decor is an eclectic display of California locations and artifacts, with the focal point being a lit up sign in the back spelling out EAT HAPPY. That alone put me in a good mood! On the way out,  never missing an opportunity to check out the loo (TMI?), I loved this fun wall, a clever way to  disguise an unpleasant necessity (that “W” on the right is the ladies’ room entrance).

Happy Friday! What are your favorite happy hour spots??

Blue Cow Kitchen.  350 S. Grand Ave.  Los Angeles, CA.  213-621-2249

On Saturday evening, Blum & Poe contemporary art gallery had an opening reception for its latest exhibit, Victor Man: The White Shadow of His Talent. I’ve been to art exhibits…you know when a friend has their latest works on display in the local coffee shop etc. I’d never dared pretend I was part of THE art clique—sadly, I’m not that cool. But, when a friend mentioned this gallery was the best of the best in LA, I thought, why not?!  We stepped outside our comfort zone and away we went.

Now I’ll admit, I had visions of girls in all black passing around champagne on little silver trays while I wondered from room to room deep in thought about what I’m seeing, surrounded by super interesting people.

So, basically something out of a Jean-Philippe Delhomme illustration (photo above from ‘The Cultivated Life”)

Instead, this is what I got—a very intimidating guard watching our every move through very white and mostly empty space. Nobody served us champage. Come to think of it, nobody actually spoke to us. That must be part of the cool factor.

But, in all seriousness, the exhibit was a series of paintings and arrangements of images and objects. My husband noted Man’s bold choice exploring such dark contrast in the above paintings. (Yes! My thoughts exactly.)

The horse motif appears throughout, which I learned is “a metaphor for an extreme state of empathy, the medium to express deeper forms of non-verbal connection between human beings and the world.”

Upstairs displayed many rooms of his sketches, often magnifying very specific parts of the body. I think I may have quoted Love Actually at this point suppressing a giggle…”They’re not funny, they’re art.” Really, you can’t take us anywhere.

The Blum & Poe gallery really is a stunning space. Near the entrance, located in the back, stands a boulder on top of a mirrored column—pretty awe inspiring.

This enclosed garden is a little retreat that transports you from South La Cienega

Creating a sharp contrast of our own, we sang off our pretention at the legendary Brass Monkey karaoke lounge to celebrate my hubby’s birthday.  We’ve been coming here since we were mere kids looking for love in all the wrong places. I highly recommend it !

Blum & Poe.  2727 S.  La Cienega Blvd.  Los Angeles, CA  310-836-2062

Last week, I met up with a few friends at Hollywood’s country club, Soho House. The people watching is unsurpassed, but the food (in my humble opinion) has never been anything to write home about. That is until I tasted their chopped salad. Simple, crisp, healthy goodness—I’m making this at home and so should you!

My version

Soho House Chopped Salad
(This is my recreation, not their recipe)

2 handfuls uncooked green beans, snapped in half or thirds depending on size
2 carrots
2 ears corn, grilled
butter lettuce mix
cherry tomatoes (I used yellow and red)
4 french radishes
garbanzo beans
red wine vinegar
tsp whole grain mustard
olive oil
salt & pepper

Directions:
First, blanch the green beans. To do this, bring a pot of water to a boil. Salt the water. Add green beans and boil for 3 minutes. Remove immediately and place in a bowl of ice water. After a minute or so, remove and dry and put in a large salad bowl. Next, chop the carrots and radishes so they are about the same small size. Half the tomatoes.  Next, grill your corn (I did this on a grill pan—put the whole ear of corn minus the husks on the pan and continuously turn. I also added a little butter and salt, but that is optional). When the corn is slightly cooked (you’ll know because the kernals become a more vibrant yellow), remove from grill and cut the kernals off. Next, rinse and drain the garbanzo beans. Finally, chop a handful of butter lettuce to mix in—you don’t want this sald too lettuce heavy, but it does add nice texture. Add all your prepped vegetables into the bowl with your green beans.

To make the dressing: this is a very simple vinagarette so feel free to play around. I like to use a 2:1 ratio—2 tbls olive oil to 1 tbls of vinegar. Then mix in a tsp of whole grain or dijon mustard. Add salt and pepper to taste.

And just for kicks, here is a photo I took four years ago at this exact time of year in one of the most famous gardens in Paris, Jardin des Tuileries. It too is listed in the book with its long and violent history. Though you’d never know this was ever a place of anguish. As Cahill points out—Edith Warton once wrote in regards to a stolen moment with her love in the Tuileries, ” Never had we been happier. ..Blissful hours.”

The Spicy Tuna–miso-cured albacore w/ sriracha mayo ($6)

Cold Fried Chicken-house made ranch cheese, gindo’s spice of life ($4)

Everything comes packaged in little labeled lunch sacks—so cute!

ink.sack.  8360 Melrose Avenue #107,  Los Angeles, CA. 323-655-7225

The weather in LA yesterday was spectacular, so we packed a little tote bag full of books, sketch pads and sunscreen and headed to my favorite place—Huntington Gardens in Pasadena. But, first we stopped for a little Jazz Brunch at RedWhite+Bluezz. This place is so much fun! I would definitely go back and try a Bloody Mary to go along with my biscuits and gravy.

 I’ve written about the gardens a lot, so I’ll spare you from the obvious, but everything is in full bloom now—the perfect time of year to go!

 The color of these irises were so vibrant!

 Lily pads at the North Vista

 Hydrangea delightfully hanging on a limb

The Japanese Garden just underwent a $6.8 million renovation and reopened on April 11th. It’s definitely one of the most serene spots on the grounds.

We were starving after walking all day at Huntington. Luckily, The Cheese Store of Pasadena was close by. They have all sorts of fun goodies, aside from the obvious…like Edmond Fallot Gourmet Mustard (I recently bought the Tarragon Dijon and loved it), olives, French lavender, truffle oil, etc. We took a few home with us and ended our day with cheese & wine.

Ossau Iraty and French Pyrenes—both Sheep’s Milk Cheeses, delicious!

Brebirousse D’Argental Sheep’s Milk Cheese, so ooey gooey fantastic!

My only complaint is that this Sunday was over all too fast. And now I have the Monday blues. (And not the good kind with a jazz pianist & mimosas). Until next weekend…