Last year my car was totalled by someone in a rush. At first, it was a challenge to get around, but I soon realized that if you live in Hollywood, there is so much to do in walking distance.
For the foodies...
Do you love burgers? To turn up the heat on grilling season, Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood is giving guests a backstage pass to sample Local Legendary Burgers from across the globe as part of its World Burger Tour menu. Guests say bon voyage as their taste buds take flight - a menu showcasing international Local Legendary™ Burgers - from the English Breakfast Burger, which pays homage to a classic English breakfast, and Hard Rock's first-ever location in London, to the Jamaican Jerk Burger, which features mango jalapeño cream cheese and jerk seasoning inspired by Montego Bay is available now through Thursday, June 30, 2016. This year, Hard Rock is also offering a literal World Burger Tour, a travel package that takes the most adventurous burger enthusiasts on the road (and the skies) to sample offerings from the World Burger Tour menu at Hard Rock Cafe locations in London, Athens, Buenos Aires and Seattle!
If you can't get enough of burgers, check out Fox's popular series Bob's Burgers, which recently celebrated its 100th episode! Since the show debuted, the series, which profiles a burger restaurant owner and his adorable family, has done really well in the ratings. if you have never seen an episode, check out the new-the voice cast is all standup comedians so expect to laugh a lot!
Zumba, the largest dance-fitness brand making people sweat and smile, has launched into an entirely new category of nutrition drinks called 'Zumba Shake Shake ShakeTM'. I got to try the protein-packed, vegan, gluten-free, allergen and dairy-free,100 calorie drink (with less sugar than any others in the marketplace-1 gram per serving!) at a recent Zumba event in Hollywood.
If you are looking for a class, go to Zumba's website, and presto, 100 listings in the area! And after your class, definitely check out the Shake Shake Shake, which comes in 3 flavors: Coco Loco, Thrilla in Vanilla, and La Vida Mocha.
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For The Beauty & Fashion Gals...
If you are looking to buy beautiful jewelry in Hollywood, check out Origami Owl, a customizable jewelry company, which tells stories with their assorted personalized charms. I was invited to a fun lunch at Cecconi's West Hollywood to talk with Bella Weems, the young bright gal who created the concept at age 14!
I made a lovely necklace in honor of my mother for Mother's Day-I wear it every day and never take it off. If you ever go to an Origami Owl party, don't be surprised if you need a tissue; creating a necklace was a very personal experience. Now every time I see my necklace I think of mom!
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Last week, the Indie Beauty Expo showcased over 105 indie beauty brands including Joanna Vargas Skincare, The BrowGal by Tonya Crooks, SkinOwl, Pacifica, top Crème Collective brands and as seen on Shark Tank/Mark Cuban's invested brand, Simple Sugars. Also there were other great products from FootMate® System, Circ Cell and Nicole Granato Wellness.
"The Indie Beauty Expo LA was a fantastic platform for smaller indie brands to get exposure to the big beauty buyers like Sephora and Ulta," said Jennifer McKay Newton, founder and ceo of DefineMe Fragrances. "We (indie beauty brands) are growing with great speed and many are finding success because people want new, innovative, stories and real people behind the beauty brands they support. These are exciting times in indie beauty and we're so happy to be part of this movement!"
There were over 40 speakers and panelists, bringing guests exciting presentations, demos and Q&As from top executives from EVINE Live, Detox Market and ICMAD and influential beauty experts such as Sophie Uliano, Jessica Richards, Jeannie Jarnot and Antonia Burrell. The event was also filled with fun activations from the @UptonGreyFloral photo wall to Thistle & Seed flower crowns and brow touch-ups from The BrowGal's lead artists.
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I had the pleasure of meeting AJ Crimson, an Entrepreneur, Makeup Artist and Beauty & Lifestyle Expert, to talk about his latest makeup items. AJ's established reputation as an innovative beauty solutionist has made him and his products first choice for artists and celebrities including Fergie of The Black Eyed Peas, Hilary Duff, Adrienne Ballon of The REAL, Seryah of Fox's Empire, Christina Milian, Brandy, Raven-Symone, Estelle, Regina King, Angela Bassett, Ameriie, Letoya Luckett, Keyshia Cole, Missy Elliot and more. His products are also used on the television series American Horror Story, Empire, Scandal, Girlfriends Guide to Divorce, The View, VH1's Hit the Floor, The Real, and the box office smash The Hunger Games and in countless runway shows.
The AJ Crimson Beauty cosmetic line, like most great inventions, was borne out of necessity. "I felt like there was an absolute need to bring products to women that actually worked and didn't oxidize or change," explains Crimson. "I wanted to create a product inclusive of women of all ethnicities, a product all women could find ownership in and believe in. So often, makeup has been designed with a one size fits all mentality, and with black women and women of color My cosmetic line contains shades for women of every ethnic background."
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What are Hollywood celebs taking to have beautiful locks? Sugar Bear Hair Vitamins may be the answer. The company strives for maximum safety and maximum results, using only the best ingredients available to ensure an effective product that looks great, smells great and tastes great too! Their vegetarian vitamins contain Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin B-6, Folic Acid, Vitamin B-12, Biotin, Pantothenic Acid, Iodine, Zinc, Choline, Inositol, as the active vitamins and minerals. The gummies are made with real berries for a deliciously sweet flavor, coconut oil, and a dash of sugar.
Vitamin A is a powerful vitamin found in sweet potatoes, carrots and kale. This powerhouse contributes to the health of your skin and scalp by helping to promote your blood's oxygen circulation. Increased oxygen circulation to the scalp helps to feed your scalp the vital nutrients your hair needs for longer and stronger hair. This marvelous vitamin has antioxidant properties that helps to protect your hair follicles from problems such as excessive shedding or hair fall. If you suffer from a dry scalp, you'd love
Vitamin A for it's ability to moisturize the scalp by supporting your body's natural oil production (known as sebum).
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TV Talk
Fans of The CW's "Crazy Ex Girlfriend" are elated now that the show has been renewed. At the TV Critics Press Tour, CW president, Mark Pedowitz, acknowledged while the ratings hadn't been great, the network was firmly behind the show. "At the moment, I wish I had more optimistic statistics or measurements. I don't," he said. "But what we do have is great faith in the show, great faith in the showrunner and creators Aline McKenna and (Golden Globe winner) Rachel Bloom. We believe in the show. We stand by the show."
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Everyone at FOX were thrilled to give the new X-Files series another season.
During a conference call, Fox Television Group co-chair Gary Newman said that while everyone involved with the show was interested in returning for a second season, there were some logistical problems that would have to be tweaked before they could start filming.
"In a short season like a six-episode season it might feel like more of an extreme," David Duchovny noted at the TV Critics Press Tour. "Think of it as a bento box of X-Files. You have to honor the fans as well as introducing people that don't know anything about it into it. There had to be a mythology episode to begin it."
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New Yorkers who live in Hollywood and are a tiny bit homesick-you can order the Original New York Seltzer (several delicious varieties to make egg creams with!) and receive an incredible chocolate babka from Breads Bakery, which ships nationwide!