Parasailing on Cloud 9

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Me. 800 feet up. Above the Pacific Ocean. Over Santa Monica and Malibu. = Dream come true.

I went parasailing with Daniela on Saturday. Courtesy of Marina del Rey Parasailing, Marina del Rey CVB and Blaze PR. Parasailing is something I’ve wanted to do my whole life. (Well, since I found out what parasailing is!) Left out of the marina and headed up north towards Santa Monica and Malibu! Best parts of LA if you ask me!

Listening to Foster the People and Nelly Furtado, we headed out of the marina in very appropriately named boat called, “Cloud 9!” Captain Mark snapped a group shot and immediately uploaded it to Facebook and Twitter. Nice touch, Mark… coming from a social media gal! Hitting the ocean caused us all to take flight for a split second. It was thrilling!

The first two to parasail set the tone for us all. We watched in amusement as they took off Cloud 9 swiftly… up up up and away they went. They were flying. And soon it would be our turn!

The weather couldn’t have been more perfect. A few clouds in the sky to the west added depth to the experience. Clear to the east, we could see the Hollywood sign and Downtown LA! We could even see down to Redondo Beach and up to Point Dume!

We were flying! It felt like a dream! Totally surreal!

Daniela and I were lucky enough to be able video record our experience thanks to MDR Parasailing! It’s really totally perfect, and I can re-live the moment whenever I want!

On the way back, the ideal song (for me) came on – I’m Like a Bird by: Nelly Furtado. Here are some of the lyrics:

I’m like a bird, I’ll only fly away
I don’t know where my soul is, I don’t know where my home is
(and baby all I need for you to know is)
I’m like a bird, I’ll only fly away
I don’t know where my soul is , I don’t know where my home is
All I need for you to know is…

I moved to LA ten years ago, and I’m Like a Bird was my “moving to LA song.” How fitting to hear that song again at that moment! Not to mention that I was just flying in the air above the Pacific Ocean!! I took a moment to realize how fortunate I am, and how far I’ve come. We sailed back alongside Santa Monica, my favorite part of Los Angeles. Daniela pointed out to the Clock Tower and Blaze PR. I sat and realized that I love my life. I am so lucky to have Blaze PR, and have the amazing experiences that come with working at such an amazing place and such amazing people!

PHOTOS (Courtesy of Marina del Rey Parasailing)

View my photos on Flickr.

Thank you, Marina del Rey Parasailing! Thanks Captain Mark and Captain Andrew! I can’t wait to come visit you again!

 

Blaze PR Co-Workers

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Next Monday marks the end of my internship. I can’t believe how fast time has flown!! Wanted to showcase my awesome co-workers. Here’s the pics I’ve gathered the past few weeks.

Daniela took Miche’le and I out for a “Welcome to Blaze Lunch” during week two. 

I think this was Mandev’s birthday. We had one a week for awhile! I work with lots of Fall birthday people! They were excited about the vegan cupcakes!

This is Chris. She’s the one that brought me on at Blaze. Love her! Thanks, Chris! Here we pose with Gnomey, Blaze’s house gnome.

PR intern Susan blows out her birthday candles.

Me posing with 7-Eleven goodies for the 7-Eleven SoCal Twitter account! I look like a pin-head!

And the finale. This is at my Blaze Breakfast Presentation this past Tuesday. Chelsea, Mandev and Daniela enjoy Whole Foods goodies! I did a Prezi presentation titled, The New Face of Facebook. 

The internship ends Monday, November 14th. And I start part-time Tuesday, November 15th. SO EXCITED.

Seriously, this is the best group of people I have ever worked with. We just fit. The office and location are superb. I’ve always always always wanted to work on the Third Street Promenade, and now I do. Blaze PR is located less than a half-block from Third Street Promenade, on Santa Monica Blvd.

The clients are awesome:

And more new biz in the works!! Love it!

 

Best Tangerines in the World!

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Satsuma Tangerines.

Look no further. These are the best tangerines… uh.. er.. orange citrusy fruit… in the world. And they are now in season again. The wait is over!

Since I’ve discovered satsumas, I haven’t bothered with oranges or any other tangerine, tangelo, mandarin or other. The other guys don’t even come close to satsumas!

And the best part – you don’t need a knife to cut into em. The skin peels off so easily. No mess!! Perfect for school lunches. Perfect as a dessert. They are always sweet! I’ve never ever gotten a sour one!

Go Satsuma!

On the set of Batman

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This is what we say coming home from BlogWorld last night. We actually walked right through it so we could get to our apartment complex!

Needless to say, it was alarming.

The only reason we knew to suspect film set is this photo from earlier in the day, and the fact the The Dark Knight Rises has been filming in Downtown LA for at least two months.

Here’s some other shots I took of all the extras and film crew. So neat to live in LA, and see this on a regular basis!

BlogWorld Expo LA 2011

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I was like a kid at Christmas. A kid waiting to see Santa Claus. A kid waiting to open her presents… A kid waiting to learn more tricks of the social media trade!

Yes, this is how excited I get for social media. Yes!!!

Needless to say, I had an amazing time at BlogWorld today. Learned about some great products and services including Caveman Klaus, Livefyre, WeVideo, Jakprints, Cliff Ravenscraft and the general success of podcasting!

Didn’t see Mari Smith or Guy Kawasaki or Chris Brogan for that matter. Not even sure if they were there today. Next time. Next time….

 What I took away from BlogWorld today – Continue reading →

REVIEW: Night Toast Cafe

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as posted – by me – on Yelp

*******

Name: Night Toast Cafe
Address: 653 S Spring St Los Angeles, CA 90014
Phone: (213) 488-9944
Website: www.nighttoast.com

We had a Groupon for Night Toast. Otherwise, I’m not sure I would have gone on my own… just based on the exterior. I mean what’s up with the name, right?

Having said that, this place is awesome!

The owner (I assume the owner) took our order and personally thanked us: “Thanks for trying us out, guys.” We took note of that because no one else has ever said that to us when we’ve used a Groupon or Living Social Deal. Nice touch!

Food was exceptional, especially the red bean hummus, which I posted a pic of here on Yelp. Amazing. To die for! Wish I had some right now. The Night Toast sandwich is a must order too. SOoooooo good! And the iced tea!

While eating, the owner came over to ask how we liked everything. He squatted down to chat with us for a bit. So nice. Talked about how fava beans are so healthy and he’s not sure why they aren’t a bigger deal in the states. I’ve thought that for years!

Dirty Dancing was playing on Netflix inside Night Toast. VERY nice touch. Totally awesome.

I would totally recommend Night Toast to anyone! I can’t wait to go back and get some of their special hummus!

 

 

REVIEW: LA Cafe

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as posted – by me – on Yelp

*******

Name: LA Cafe
Address: 639 S Spring St Los Angeles, CA 90014
Phone: (213) 612-3000
Website: www.lacafe247.com

This place is A-OK. I didn’t really think it looks all that cool from the outside, especially compared to Coffee Bar nearby, but inside – Wow-e-Wow! Amazing goodie finds, including rainbow rice-krispie treats and GTs Kombucha! The croissants are surprisingly good too. (So hard to find a good croissant these days.) Coffee is exceptional too! (Another really hard find in the cafes these days!)

I would totally recommend LA Cafe! Look forward to visiting again.

 

My Swimming Buddy, Bob

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It was a spectacular summer. I was able to get to the pool 2-4 times most weeks! What made it extra special is my pool buddy, Bob. Before I knew his name, Michael and I called him Ron Paul. I bet you can guess why! He looks like Ron Paul.

Bob is known for arriving to the pool at around noon, setting up at the far end by the hot tub, eating lunch and feeding the birds while listening to radio, wearing a baseball cap, and always wearing his socks… even in the pool! Bob mostly lays out, and only gets in the pool for a lap here and there.

My pool regimen is a bit different. As soon as I get down there, I swim 25-40 laps, having to stop every ten laps because of foggy goggles! On days where there’s time, I layout and eat lunch or read my buddha book. There have been days when the hot tub was a nice top-off. And on extra-special days, Michael comes down with me!

I’ve seen Bob down there for years, but it wasn’t until this year that I’ve gotten to know him. He’s a great man. I’ve enjoyed learning about his squash adventures and his life!

 

Hello? Is it me you’re looking for?

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I’m sure you all have been seeing these Hello? promos all over the digital space. I’ve been seeing them this whole year! Well, I am finally finding them in the physical space in my neighborhood of Downtown Los Angeles. Spring and 6th. Brilliant. It’s like why didn’t I think of this!

I decided to look into the history of this promo. I mean is it even a promo? It may be just for fun. BUT it’s definitely promoting Lionel Ritchie, as I have been watching videos of him all morning.

I found this blog that would indicate that this all started in Brooklyn.

Hello? Is it Lionel Richie you’re looking for?

And I found where you can download a replicated PDF  (as no one knows who posted the original).

I want to steal this idea for the things I want to promote, but then will I just be seen as a copy-cat?

 

 

IKEA sells DTLA

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There were other city specific photos too. New York. London. We want to get this one for the home office, and then put a “YOU ARE HERE” arrow to show where we live. Cool!

IKEA rocks!