Favorite Fashion Choices for December Parties...

Time to get those fall fashions organized.  The invites are beginning to come in for tons of holiday functions. Its important to organize what is in your closet so you are fully prepared to avoid those common fashion no-no's. Taking inventory of what you have and which outfits are good for "office" related functions and "friend" related functions can help when making the outfit choices. Don't forget the accessories. You don't always need a new outfit, sometimes a new belt and necklace can do the trick.
Take a look at some of our favorite fall fashions for daytime, nightime and anytime (page 41-42 of Nov/Dec issue of CenterStage1 Magazine)

Don't forget the cocktails...Thanksgiving drinks

All things pumpkin...Drinks for the entire day...based on your mood...to deal with your in-laws, your mother's complaining and the uncomfortable subjects your family will bring up...
Checkout the list of drink ideas you can make to go along with your mood :-)

Open publication - Ideal PR Media - More Ideal PR Media Issues

Jennifer Aniston, Robin Williams, Morgan Freeman, George Lopez, Shaun White, Dwyane Wade and Luis Fonsi Star in St. Jude Thanks and Giving® Campaign Asking Shoppers to Support St. Jude this Holiday Season

For 50 years, the entertainment industry has embraced the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital^®. When Danny Thomas set out to build the hospital in 1962, some of the biggest stars of that era such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Elvis Presley, Sammy Davis Jr., Dinah Shore and Jack Benny donated their time and talents to help raise awareness and funds for St. Jude. Today, that tradition continues with celebrities from film, television, music and sports all donating their time, talents and support to the 2011 St. Jude Thanks and Giving^® campaign. Jennifer Aniston, Robin Williams, Morgan Freeman, George Lopez, Shaun White, Dwyane Wade and singer Luis Fonsi will join Marlo Thomas in helping raise awareness and funds for St. Jude, one of the world’s premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other deadly childhood diseases.

Heartwarming national television spots for the Thanks and Giving campaign will air featuring each celebrity paired with the biggest stars of all - St. Jude patients. The spots will air across broadcast and cable networks in English and Spanish and online. The celebrities are also featured in a movie trailer that will appear on screens nationwide at theatre industry giants including Regal Entertainment Group, AMC Entertainment, Cinemark and Carmike Cinemas as well as many others.  In addition, the trailer will be shown on American Airlines and Delta Air Lines flights. All the spots, as well as exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, began showing on Nov 22 at www.stjude.org 

“No family ever pays St. Jude for treatment thanks to the thousands of people across the country who support programs like Thanks and Giving,” said Morgan Freeman, who appears alongside St. Jude patients Mia and Camryn in one of this year’s television spots. “With your help, we can help give hope this holiday season to kids battling cancer and other deadly diseases.” 

Created by Marlo Thomas, and her siblings Terre and Tony Thomas, the Thanks and Giving campaign brings together celebrities, media and corporations to ask shoppers to “Give thanks for the healthy kids in your life, and give to those who are not.”

“Fifty years ago my father, Danny Thomas, went to the entertainment industry to help him found St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,” said Marlo Thomas, national outreach director for St. Jude. “It means so much to the Thomas family that the new generation of entertainment has also taken the St. Jude families to their hearts and are committed to St. Jude’s lifesaving mission of finding cures and saving children.”

The campaign will also get a boost of star power from several new and returning friends of St. Jude that encompass a wide spectrum of the entertainment industry. This year, the star of the upcoming NBC show “Smash” Katharine McPhee will serve as the St. Jude Give thanks. Walk.™ grand marshal and will walk alongside St. Jude supporters at the New York City walk. History Channel’s “American Pickers” star Mike Wolfe and his Antique Archaeology-Nashville crew will rally his fans to donate to St. Jude in support of his participation in the Nashville Give thanks. Walk.™ and Disney stars Elise Neal (“A.N.T. Farm”) and Adam Irigoyen (“Shake it Up”) will join walkers at the Los Angeles event. On the fashion front, Victoria’s Secret model Lily Aldridge is modeling the new DKNY tee from the St. Jude Holiday Gift Book that features a poem written by 10-year-old St. Jude patient Micah. Country music artist Blake Shelton, comedian George Lopez and actor Hill Harper have taken to the airwaves and recorded special radio messages in English and singer Luis Fonsi has recorded messages in Spanish that will air on more than 200 radio stations across the nation during the holiday season.

Thanks and Giving was created to build awareness and raise funds for St. Jude during the season that exemplifies thanks and giving to so many. The official kickoff event for the campaign is the annual St. Jude Give thanks. Walk.™ held on Nov. 19 in 80 communities nationwide. The campaign then runs from Thanksgiving week through the end of the year.

St. Jude is the nation’s leading pediatric research and treatment center devoted solely to children with cancer and other deadly diseases. It is the only pediatric cancer research hospital that covers all of the costs for treatment, travel, food and lodging for each patient and a family member. To learn more about the Thanks and Giving campaign and to learn about the more than 60 brands participating in the campaign, visit www.stjude.org. 

A very special thanks to Katie

Avril Lavigne and Brody Jenner at Lucky Strike in NY

Avril Lavigne - Rockstar, philanthropist, fashion designer hit the lanes last night at Lucky Strike in NYC to celebrate the Picksie 2.0 App Launch in support of her charity The Avril Lavigne Foundation with boyfriend Brody Jenner.  














Surrounded by lucky contest winning fans, Lavigne checked out the app, and killed it on the lanes while getting the occasional snuggle from Brody and enjoying the chicken skewers.  

About Picksie 2.0                                                                                                                            

Picksie is a location-based discovery service optimized for iOS devices that answer the question “What can I do, right here, right now?” Picksie applies a user’s profile, past ratings, searches and reviews, as well as current day, time and weather, to recommend events, activities and places of interest – such as restaurants, theatres, museums, cafes, bars and cinemas. By creating a Picksie profile, users save time deciding what to do and receive instant recommendations that match their unique likes and location. Please visit www.Picksie.com or http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/picksie/id441834960?mt=8  to download.

About The Avril Lavigne Foundation

The Avril Lavigne Foundation R.O.C.K.S.  Respect, Opportunity, Choices, Knowledge, and Strength in support of children and youth living with serious illnesses and disabilities. Award-winning singer/songwriter and philanthropist Avril Lavigne created The Avril Lavigne Foundation in early 2010. Please visit: http://theavrillavignefoundation.org/ for more information

 Special thanks to Aileen Brody of 5WPR

Celebrities at GBK Gift Suite for American Music Awards

Designer headphone company Fanny Wang participated in a GBK Productions AMA gifting suite yesterday November 18 at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills. GBK is known for having some of the best gifting suites surrounding the hottest award shows in Los Angeles. GBK has always been gracious and kind to Ideal PR clients and Ideal PR Media over the years.

This year Lil Jon and Soulja Boy fell in love with the Fanny Wang headphones.

Twilight’s Edi Gathegi and Bronson Pelletier, Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, and Josh Sussman also were at the gift suite and showed their support.

Star of Glee and co-host of the AMA red carpet pre-show Josh Sussman said of the Fanny Wang headphones, ““These are so cool.  I like that I can share these with my girlfriend when I’m flying.”

Fanny Wang Headphone Co.’s headphones are said to be the ultimate merging of high fashion and technological expertise and have previously been seen on celebrities and athletes such as NY Giants’ Prince Amukamara,Bachelor Pad’s Vienna Girardi, and actors Jason Ritter and Suits’ Patrick Adams, to name a few. 

A very special thanks to Colleen of MPRM Communications

How Do You Work Out The Thanksgiving Battle?

A few of our readers have asked how to work out the battle of where they spend thanksgiving if both sides of the family are in different cities? The common answer is to alternate years, but are there any other alternatives?

Get The Fashion Look Seen in "My Week With Marilyn"

When "My Week With Marilyn" hits theaters next week, Marilyn lovers will have the opportunity to watch actress Michelle Williams channel this fashionable global icon.

Rumble 59 Ladies Black Sacramento Capri; $98

http://www.unique-vintage.com/rumble-ladies-black-sacramento-capri-p-15253.html

'50s Style Siren Black Stretch High Waisted Pencil Skirt; $80

http://www.unique-vintage.com/rockabilly-girl-bernie-dexter50s-style-siren-black-stretch-high-waisted-pencil-skirt-p-12284.html

Monroe was a private woman off set and when not strutting her sex-kitten persona, she stuck to a monochromatic wardrobe.

 

Cotton Black & White Houndstooth Scarf;$19

http://www.unique-vintage.com/cotton-black-white-houndstooth-scarf-p-8466.html; $19

White 50's Style Retro Neck & Hair Scarf; $8

http://www.unique-vintage.com/white-style-retro-neck-hair-scarf-p-15523.html

Hardly did she ever veer from white, cream, beige, camel, red and black. Aside from her signature white halter dress, Marilyn was also famous for being photographed in chunky cardigans, capri pants and pencil skirts.

    

1950's Style White Marilyn Satin Halter Dress; $78

http://www.unique-vintage.com/1950s-style-white-marilyn-satin-halter-prom-dress-p-3041.html

Check out how you can achieve Marilyn's simple and luxurious look seen here and more at UniqueVintage.com.

Special Thanks to Robin Doyle for the images.

Dishcrawl DC: Penn Quarter...Absolutely Heavenly

JoAnn Pham

Event Coverage: Neeta Wooten
Images: Donell Sellow (DES Photography) for Ideal PR Media

In today’s society, we each have many decisions we have to make on a daily basis, some more complex than others. Thankfully, "Dishcrawl DC" isn’t one of the more complex decisions on the list; it is an easy, no-brainer decision. In fact, this event is so awesome that they take ALL of the decision-making and thought processing out of the equation. All you have to do is enjoy!

 They choose the date, they choose the time, they choose the locations, they choose the dishes, they choose the order in which you experience each of the four locations...they even bring 49 other happy, fun and interesting people for you to meet and eat with.  In fact, it is the most simple and amazing on-going food tasting experience that I know of in Washington, DC. Insert the pounding sound of my stamp of approval and an oversized-melodramatic stamp into the picture (smile).

The first ever DishCrawl DC was headed up by JoAnn Pham, the delightful Ambassador for the evening and her assistant Katherine. JoAnn opened the event by explaining exactly what Dishcrawl’s mission is. “This is a chance to have a gathering each month for you to come out and taste the local food within your neighborhood and socialize. We hope you get to meet some great friends today and try some new food that you may not had the chance to try before and have a really great time.”

In the Penn Quarter neighborhood starting at 8^th and D Streets, NW, four restaurants were chosen and two items were provided at each location.

Teaism was our meeting place and first tasting experience. With the help of nametags we were able to mix and mingle with one another before the first tasting experience began.   

Michelle Brown, one of the owners of Teaism discussed that one of the reason’s they opened the store was “so that people could come and drink beautiful, pure and exquisite teas.”  Their food concept is inspired Asia and influenced by one world “wholesome.” Michelle stated that they do not use any high fructose corn syrup, MSG, or trans fats.“We use very pure fats. We cook with rice-brand oil only, no canola, no soy oil... we use a little bit of coconut and olive oil and we are bringing flax and hemp into the menu to supplement your heath.” They pride themselves on making most of their items from scratch to avoid having soy in their foods. Teaism has plans to open a new location in Old Town Alexandria Virginia in the spring of 2012

The two items presented were the following:

Soba Noodle Salad: Vegetarian Korean style noodle salad with napa cabbage and sugar snap peas drizzled with a spicy Korean chile sauce

Dog Bite: grilled sliced smoked chicken apple sausage with togarashi mayo with jicama-slaw in a ficelle roll

Noodles, dog bite, the freshly made mayonnaise spiced blend was the common favorite. 

 A few comments from the group included: 

“I really like the spicy mayonnaise aioli spread that was on the dog bite”“The kick in the noodles was great”

The array of Asian teas accompanied each sampling very well.

The second stop on the Dishcrawl was at Meatballs.

Meatballs Options:

Classic Beef, Chicken, Lamb, Lentil, Crab

Tasting included two meatball minis

The mushroom sauce was the hit.  Regardless of which type of meatball the crowd chose, the crowd favorite was the mushroom sauce and the bread. 

“It would be nice if the sauce came in a dipping cup, that way you could dip your mini into the sauce that way every bite would be the amount of sauce you want on each bite.”

Brain (L) and best friend/store manager (R)

LUKES LOBSTER

Manager and co-owner Brian:

Founded in Oct 2009 by Luke in New York City, NY. This Washington, DC location is their first outside of NY. All of the seafood comes directly from their father’s seafood processing plant in Maine who has been in the business for over 35 years. Sourcing their drinks, food, décor and even employees from Maine, Brian said they try to bring as much of Maine to DC as possible.

Two menu items:

Lobster Roll

Clam chowder

The comments were

“One of the best I’ve ever tasted, its not chewy, very creamy, potatoes are perfect in size and texture.”

“This is the best claim chowder I have ever had”

“This is THE best lobster sandwich I have ever had”

My sentiments in that I enjoyed the lobster roll so much that I dreamed about it (literally) the next 2 days and can’t wait to get back down there to buy one. Why was it so good? Brian explained how they prepare their signature lobster roll.

“We take a New England Style split-topped bun, we butter each side, toast it. Put a little bit of mayonnaise, chilled seafood, lemon butter and add spices on top of that,” said Brian.

The last stop of the evening was at Red Velvet Cupcake:

Were the motto of fresh baking is taken seriously. They bake everything fresh and daily and are open 8am-11pm M-F and 9am-11pm Sat/Sun.

“We have bakers in here 23 hours a day making sure we have fresh product for every day part.” “In our commitment to the neighborhood we donate to non-profit organizations on a daily basis. So if we have left over cupcakes and you are involved in a non-profit organization and you want to request our day-old cupcakes, we are happy to give them to you,” said Tracy Wilson, General manager for the store.

Two items served:

Vanilla bean cupcake

Red Velvet cupcake

Tracy Wilson

The red velvet cupcake is a signature favorite that everyone enjoyed thoroughly, yet it was the vanilla bean cupcake that people were fight over if there were extras given out.  And rightfully so, as they use Madagascar bourbon vanilla and layer the vanilla flavor in this tiny piece of heaven.

Some comments included:

 “The cupcakes melted in my mouth, the cake was moist and the flavors blended very well together.”

“I loved the red velvet, and as much as I love red velvet, that vanilla bean cupcake was the best ever. Its not like typical cake batter...it seams like there was something else in there because it was really good.”

When I randomly asked people if they would visit the location again, everyone said yes. Some even said they would travel from a far distance to get that vanilla bean cupcake.

While all of the locations were absolutely wonderful, and different crowd members had different favorites, we all walked away with new friends, a full belly, and a history of smiles and good tastes in our mouths. This was definitely an amazing kick-off to the first ever Dishcrawl DC. 

Hurry up and reserve your place for the December Dishcrawl, which is set to explore the neighborhood foods in the Adams Morgan area. To find out more visit http://www.dishcrawl.com/dc


A very special thanks to JoAnn and her staff for being very gracious and accommodating to Ideal PR Media

The New Issue of CenterStage1 Magazine is HERE! (November/December 2011)

CLICK BELOW TO READ ISSUE



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Trevis Cage
Assistant Publicist
Ideal PR Media
EMAIL HERE


November 9, 2011 (Washington, DC) - Ideal PR Media is thrilled to announce the release of the second issue of CenterStage1 Magazine, available now via http://idealpr.com/centerstage1magazine. This issue continues to expose readers to an eclectic blend of creative arts, fashion, music and places worth mentioning.

In the November/December 2011 issue, soulful Grammy Award nominee Lalah Hathaway takes us on a journey through her sixth studio album, the admired Matt Damon fills us in on his initiative with Water.org, trance vocalist Susana from Amsterdam lets us know why she is the first to receive a record deal in her genre, multi-talented Brian J. White discusses his new book, “Black Carpenter,” and mural artist Byron Peck discusses his fine art found all around the streets of Washington, DC. Some other sections include holiday drink ideas, how to wear the “little black dress” with a twist, and photography by Shamel Washington and Sisilia Piring.

“CenterStage1 Magazine appreciates the personal time these entertainers gave us to engage in one-on-one interviews,” said Neeta Wooten (Editor-in-Chief), acknowledging her gratitude for those featured in the magazine. “It’s always a pleasure to write about the amazing talent and their new ventures. We are looking forward to some new and exciting sections of the magazine, which are in development for the January 2012 issue. ”

CenterStage1 Magazine is a monthly digital publication that targets men and women 30-55 years old with a diverse entertainment pallet. CenterStage1 Magazine merges culture and arts from around the world. Story content focuses on the performing, fine, literary arts, culinary arts, fashion and other topics associated with many races and nationalities. Readers are introduced to new and fresh faces, in addition to well established talent. CenterStage1 is published by Ideal PR Media out of Washington, DC.

Current and past issues of CenterStage1 Magazine can be found at www.idealpr.com/CenterStage1Magazine



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"The TRUTH" Is A HIT at the Chicago International Film Festival

Leading cast members Diandra Lyle and Jensen Atwood

Hill Harper, an accomplished actor and New York Times best-selling author, made his directorial debut with TheTruth, a taut, 15-minute short film that premiered at the 47^th Chicago International  Film Festival.   


A private press screening at The Screening Room and film premiere party at The Society Art Gallery took place in Chicago with leading cast members Diandra Lyle and Jensen Atwood in attendance.

“The Chicago International Film Festival screening and film premiere party are both huge for us because  The Truth wasn’t financed by a large studio, which makes it important for us to generate grassroots excitement, anticipation, word of mouth and viewership,” said Randy Crumpton, writer and co-executive producer. 

Co-executive producer Kenny Johnson and Randy Crumpton, writer and co-executive producer

Be on the look out for the Ideal PR Media write up in the Winter Issue of The IDEAL Magazine by Lauren Kellye/Olishia Robinson with an exclusive one-on-one interview with Hill Harper about this project. 

A very special thanks to Merge Consumer Marketing, Rochelle Hill, Isiah Hill and Chris Brown


Watch the trailer below...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDTYuEgzjH4

DC Residents...It's Time For DishCrawl: November 8th Is Almost Here

Dishcrawl Phenomenon Now Making its Way to the Nation’s Capital

DishcrawlDC begins with Penn Quarter Neighborhood to kick off series of D.C. food tours

What the “San Jose Mercury” news describes as the “hot, foodie social event sweeping the Bay Area,” has now hit Washington, DC.  Recently featured on Springwise, Foodista and in the TRENDS section of the National Retail Federation trade magazine, STORES, food experience innovator Dishcrawl serves up the newest social event to our nation’s capital. DishcrawlDC takes food lovers on a tour the taste offerings of a particular DC Metro neighborhood along with other DC locals. Tickets to the inaugural event in Penn Quarter on November 8^th, are $39 and available on the Dishcrawl website.

“We explore everything from the high-end to the hidden gems with a crowd of locals, food lovers and the food curious alike,” says Tracy Lee, Dishcrawl Founder.

 

Dishcrawl explores four restaurants in one night capturing the imagination and appetite of the 44 percent of adults that according to the National Restaurant Association say restaurants are an essential part of their lifestyles and the 78 percent of adults that consider going out with family and friends an opportunity to socialize. Dishcrawl gives neighbors and neighborhoods a chance to meet, greet and share a heaping portion of delicious fun while allowing them to learn more about the faces behind the food and their food philosophies.

To purchase tickets for the DC Area Dishcrawls visit www.dishcrawl.com/dc. For more information on what a Dishcrawl is visit www.dishcrawl.com or see our segment on NBC Bay Area http://vimeo.com/20363303. 

About Dishcrawl

Dishcrawl is a national foodie start-up founded on the premise that communities can be brought together through good food and good company, four restaurants in one night. Rapidly expanding into new markets, Dishcrawlers can currently join monthly progressive food adventures in San Francisco, New York, Montreal, Ottawa, San Jose, the Tri-Valley Area Peninsula and, most recently, Washington D.C.  Dishcrawl is currently located in the Silicon Valley and on the web at www.dishcrawl.com.