Living in the NOW

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We try so very hard to live in the moment but in today’s world the moments move so fast its near impossible to even see them before they pass by like a twitter feed.

The JOB.

I have a job that moves quickly, scurries about town, sends me traveling to lovely places and is in a perpetual state of “warp speed”. That said, there are sweet spots in doing what I love and those are the times I revel in. I have met so many artists, worked with some big names, and the one constant is – SO much has changed in entertainment. In hospitality. In the way that we communicate. I live in the age of digital media (even the structure of this magazine relies on it) and social media? My greatest asset. HOWEVER – we have created the land of ADHD with all of the exponential realms of instant gratification.

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Fashion Report: Weather WHAT?

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I figured perhaps this week I’d spend a little time focusing on airy, gorgeous summery trends that bode well on far off islands and beautiful landscapes rather than feed the flurry of frenzied meteorology. This Spring | Summer 2014 Collections play with color and texture, sophistication, style, ease, whimsy. The THEME: do NOT take yourself too seriously. This year is one of total and utter change. Embrace that in the fabrics draping your bodies.

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La Cosecha Paso Robles

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On site is La Cosecha Owner, Carole MacDonal – wife to Executive Chef + Restaurateur Santos MacDonal (acclaimed for his culinary mastery at many of Los Angeles’ finest restaurants). Carole is, much like her yellow tunic suggests, bright and full of sunshine. Her demeanor is calm and friendly and it’s clear she’s no stranger to media (a Hollywood Producer of some of the biggest shows on television). She explains that there are a few must-try items…

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Feeling Ravenous

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In the heart of Downtown, an evening of live music, art, cocktails, food, and a crowd abundant in sophistication gathered. Celebrating the 1st official party of the year for the Magazine, I had the pleasure of curating my first official space. Working with brothers, Drew and Cory Jacobsen of Ebanos Crossing in the heart of DTLA, we began to plan an event that would allow me to feature art, bring in a phenomenal band, work with the best tequila brand around, offer tasty bites, and encourage every guests to tap into all of their senses.

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Wine for 5 Days You Say?

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Paso Robles is one of California’s most beautiful little secrets – though now, after being named the wine region to watch – it is a city making an impact. And producing some of the most illustrious wines! I have been invited to go visit the region for an entire week so next week you can expect to see some photos that will make you salivate from the vineyards to the helicopter wine tasting tour to delicious cuisine. I will be spending a week at the beautiful Villa San Juliette with one stop at Summerwood Resort & Winery. For those of you who want to experience something truly magnificent, I encourage you to purchase tickets. There are a few left and the Event begins Wednesday with a grand gala Saturday night.

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LIVE FIRE!

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The Live Fire Challenge at one of Austin’s most beautiful outer city locations, Salt Lick BBQ, is one of the highlights in the entire Food & Wine Festival. With its off-the-beaten-path locale and the smells of meat cooking thick in the air surrounding every pocket of air over the surrounding mile, well, one can’t help but find an insatiable appetite looming.

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Los Angeles – the Cultural Playground

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Have you ever really dove head first into the City of Angels? I don’t mean the cool obscure clubs or the sophisticated plethora of gatherings. I mean just gone off, explored, walked into a gallery, Museum, restaurant, wine bar, clothing store, oddity find, or simply plodded along, pulled up a chair in the middle of a crowded spot and just people watched? Well then, then this is your invitation to do precisely that.

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Fashion Sweet Fashion

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Fashion is like a glove. Sometimes it touches your skin and takes the frigid chill away by warming you from the outside in, far beyond your flesh – and – sometimes a glove can be like gloves that simply don’t fit right, get stuck, or don’t do anything to keep you warm. Clothing is no different. I have been on a quest to find beautiful but simple pieces that I can wear with jeans, in a meeting, or out playing with my daughter. SO – I took an early morning stroll through the sophisticated Americana at Brand in Los Angeles this week and found a few pieces I utterly adored.

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Carb and Nation

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Church & State DTLA is one of the better restaurants in the Downtown Corridor but previous chefs, Chef Fata and Chef Kevin have a new vision…

Carb & Nation is a food truck selling chef inspired sandwiches and craft sodas. Time spent working in some of the country’s top restaurants from New York to Los Angeles Chef Fata and Chef Kevin have elevated sandwich and soda combinations from traditional to new and exciting. What started out as a conversation on how to put together the perfect burger quickly …

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE!

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SO – I am THRILLED to announce that starting next week we will be publishing on a WEEKLY basis. EVERY THURSDAY by 10am EST a new WEEKLY ISSUE will be available online. You can expect to see all the stories, guides, interviews, and event announcements to take you through the weekend and the following week.

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No Man’s Land Show

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Ah dating. We’ve all done it, we’ve all had some doozies along the way but one thing’s for sure: we ALL have a few worthy stories to share but none quite as impacting as Comedian, Rajiv Satyal whose “solo show about being solo”, No Man’s Land touches on the impending woes of not only dating but dating in a culture that requires certain, well, requirements. Rajiv delves right into his first childhood crush and from that point on we are taken on his romantic journeys over the last three decades. The highs the lows, the cultural implications of “finding a wife” suitable to familial obligations, all done in a way that makes you laugh AND think.

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New Hope for Cambodian Children

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In the heart of Beverly Hills just a stone throw away from Rodeo Drive, an event is happening that is changing the lives of children in Cambodia living with HIV/AIDS. A couple, John and Kathy Tucker have sold every piece of property they own, decided to live their lives simply in order to build a 20-acre orphanage – New Hope – offering solace, medical care, education, and most importantly, love to the children living with HIV/AIDS.

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Chef + Restaurateur Michael Mina

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An Avid supporter of his Chefs, Michael, in spite of being one of the youngest chefs to receive a Michelin star rating (in his 20’s), is a down-to-earth visionary, husband, and father who truly believes in creating food that makes people happy. It’s simple and admirable and flawlessly executed. A Four-Star Award Winning Chef, Mina is not the typical celebrity chef. His passion and desire to always strive to give a remarkable customer experience is unparalleled. Chef Mina takes pride in the dishes he has created and with multiple chefs working to bring his vision to life, he gives his heart and soul to his craft.

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The Byrd Series – The Dustbowl Revival

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WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA – Imagine a boutique hotel tucked away in the streets of West Hollywood, an entrance, a man, a list, an elevator, a rooftop – you pass a pool all too inviting and follow the strings of Edison bulbs dangling overhead in rows of ambient wonder, down the steps. You see a large fire pit made of tiles and stones nestled cozily on the planks of wooden flooring amidst rows of over sized tangerine cushioned chairs, a corner bar with bartenders buzzing about the abundant crowd inquiring of cocktails and wines and plates of fare. Now imagine all of this as a band is arranged at the front of the deck; music and sound traveling with an undulated swing of sheer playful delight – that is tonight’s Byrd Series and the band: The Dustbowl Revival.

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LA Meets Nashville

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While there are major bands living and playing all throughout the city, there are smaller indie musical artists that take you by surprise. The kind that envelop the more unfiltered parts of ourselves. The singers, songwriters, and musicians that play with a hunger within to simply tell their story – the kind of music that comes from Nashville or Chicago or another time altogether and somehow, when lucky enough, you get 3 in one night!

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Taco Tuesday

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We’ve all heard the term excitedly expressed, TACO TUESDAY! *Which usually means, affordable tacos and beer. Yes, it’s perfectly acceptable to admit it is a bonus to get at least one day a week where incredible food isn’t going to raid your bank account.

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Restaurante Azrak Spain

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SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN – Juan Mari Azrak and Elena Azrak Espina work in tandem. A Father and Daughter duo, their cuisine has taken Spanish fare to an entirely new level. First introduced to them through research, it is their passion, their quest, their innate desire to bring new life to cuisine that cultivates authenticity, fresh high-quality ingredients, and an ever evolving willingness to surprise that endeared me to want to share them with you.

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