Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Coming up for air for TWO seconds..

...just to tell you about the sale and pahtay at Daisy Too, Zelaya and Daisy Baby tomorrow:


I swear I'll be back. Maybe after my birthday.

xo

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Nothing But Net.

When we staged the first District Sample Sale in the fall of '06, we raised $10,000 for Suited for Change. In the spring, we upped the ante and raised $11,200 for SOME. So when we first met with Miriam's House, our fall 2007 charity, we told them our goal (to beat our previous year's numbers), crossed our fingers and hoped for the best.

Tonight at a reception at Nage, we were honored to present them with a check for $17,200. In addition, we came up with the idea of keeping our past charities in the fold, so we also donated $1,000 each to SFC and SOME as well.

So to those who came to the DSS, those who told people about it, those who enjoyed it, and those who didn't but came anyway, I say thankyouthankyouthankyou.

Okay, back to the pre-event chaos. See you tomorrow!

Monday, November 12, 2007

Friends

It's been a day of old friends. Had a high school friend send a long lost picture of us from, oh, about 1983, for starters. Like 10 of us sitting on Santa's lap, all awkward and braces-covered and chatty and decked in our Forenza best. Then tonight, I had dinner with my college roommates, which was just stellar. It's always so great to go home, to surround yourself with those who know you best.

The five of us at dinner are, in so many ways, at the same point in our lives, yet we're so different in others. There's L, who lives in Annapolis, who has three children and is a nurse. She sees more death and pain on any given day then most of us do in a lifetime, and yet she's still maintains her perspective somehow. There's D, who just finished the NYC marathon this year, home with her two kids (both as hilariously funny as she is) and looking for some balance. M, the schoolteacher, always the optimist, and N, who tutors and runs a camp for autistic children, pregnant with her second, due three weeks before me. And me, with the, ahem, more vapid job in the bunch.

Between the picture this morning, and the stories this evening, I can't remember the last time I laughed that hard, or felt so, hmm, I guess "comforted" would be the best word I can think of.

I dropped D off in front of a Starbucks at end of dinner; she just wanted a gingerbread latte, a little time on her own to walk around, some peace and quiet. I couldn't wait to get home to see my boy, since as of late, our time together has been in precious short supply. Grass is always greener.

No real point to this post, I guess, except to say that it's good to have friends you love, friends you've known forever. And a boy who can't wait to see his momma is an absolute bonus.

Saturday, November 10, 2007

But Don't Get Me Wrong...

LOCAL PUBLICIST SEEMINGLY ABDUCTED
Replaced With Chubbier, Crankier, Narcoleptic, Sober,
Caffeine and Botox-Free Version of Former Self


...there was, of course, a snarky press release.

Friday, November 09, 2007

Love Rules.

There are moments in my life that I can pinpoint--I have myself convinced that when I'm about to expire, these will be the snapshots that will run through my mind, in no particular order. Moments of clarity, moments of beauty, moments of truly understanding things just for a moment in an all too confusing world.

The moment we walked out of the perfect Dead show in Oregon and my husband (then fiance) and I realized, "Yup. That was it. Doesn't get any better. We can go now."

The moment driving solo through the Rocky Mountains at sunset listening to stunning classical music, realizing that even in moments of tragedy, there is beauty to be found.

The moment while taking a press call about vodka while hiding under my desk at my day job and realizing that I had to make the call right then and there, to jump off the cliff and try to do what I love.

Tonight's moment happened during Kravitz (who was about 10 feet away at the time--they cleared the tables away while the band was rehearsing).

He was awesome--I've seen him before, the last time was with the Black Crowes which, of course, completely rocked. But that's beside the point.

I was there, dancing with the crowd, with the randoms making out in front of me, the drunk girls sloshing their red wine all about and me doing my best to avoid it, the Fight Night men entering in droves, pumping their fists in the air and jostling us about while yelling "DUDE--THIS FUCKING ROCKS!!!" while slapping hands and slugging beers, the older women with the confused looks on their faces wondering why everyone thinks this sunglassed boy is so hot (and yes, he's as hot as ever).

He broke into Let Love Rule, I think it was his fourth song.

And then I felt it. A little pang in my chest at first, which then moved its way down to my belly. And then I felt a tear. First just a little watering, then a bit more, then it collected enough mass to begin running down my cheek, followed by another.

I dotted them away, but didn't really care. Because it hit me all at once.

That it's more than a read on a stick, more than a snarky press release to send out, more than just an excuse to hit the Breyer's at noon.

It's a baby in there. A baby.

And all is right with the world.

Thursday, November 08, 2007

since the secret is out...

Tonight's secret Knock Out performer:

LENNY KRAVITZ.

My proximity from center stage:

FOUR FEET.

Literally. I just measured.

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

My Day

8:00: Housepainters arrive to officially finish the process of making our addition homey and liveable. Ralph Lauren Plantation: genius.
9:00: Answer 20 emails reallyreally fast about tonight's event, tomorrow's two events, next week's event
9:30: Shower, try to give myself a blowout. Call one80 to get one for tomorrow's events, as my blowout skills are hopeless.
10:15: Crap! Have to make signs for tonights events (not make them, but mount them on boards, which is a process much more tedious than you can imagine).
10:45: Crap! Have to print collateral for tonight's event.
11:45: Run to client to pick up signage for Knock Out auction item, which takes 45 minutes due to other topics to discuss. Get lunch for painters.
1:00: Run to Whole Foods, get Rosemary for tonight's event (long story). Be completely annoyed by the fact that the parking lot is PACKED.
1:30: Run and get signs that I forgot to load into car. Realize am about to completely run out of gas (does "9 Miles" really mean 9 miles?).
2:00: Call friend K in Vegas while driving-I KNOW, IT'S BAD. Especially since I lurched the car a bit toward a VERY, VERY MAD (rightfully so) pedestrian. Hang up on K who then thinks I'm maimed in an accident.
2:09: Find no meter parking--dammit!--so have to pull into $8,000 an hour garage in the Design Center.
2:14: Run into photo shoot, manage taking of very fun pictures for press and holiday campaigns.
4:14: Book from photo shoot to Reagan building, 3 cases of vodka, 2 huge signs, recipe cards and rosemary trees out the wazoo in tow.
4:30: Holy security. I always forget about the security.
4:45: Join the huge line of chefs, owners and other assorted restaurant types in loading up packed elevator. One person, 18 bottles of vodka, a forest of rosemary and unwieldy signs and no dolly. Not easy.
5:15: Lug all of the aforementioned to one floor, then another, then back downstairs. Set up.
5:16: See Ris Lacoste, on my top 5 list of Nicest, Most Fabulously Brilliant Washingtonians.
5:22: Get pointed in direction of vodka mixers, which I lug along with 2 wonderful Food Fight volunteers
5:45: Talk other business with a restaurant owner re: upcoming event on November 29
5:46: Answer phone: VERY mad husband on the line, as I'm answering the phone not from my house, but from the Reagan Center.
6:00: Head out, see a fave press person on the way out.
6:30: Home, answer 20 emails, including print details on R. Nichols event next week!
7:30 - 12:00: more emails, 6 phone calls, 2 pitches, one report, one avoided email, one postcard with HUGE edits.
Tomorrow: repeat, switching "Food Fight" for "Mazza Gallerie Anniversary" and "Washingtonian Party."

It ain't glamorous, but Babs loves her job. Though Babs needs a nap.

Monday, November 05, 2007

Crossing the Line

While I usually avoid repeating Daily Candy (as, well, you've already read it), I want to underscore something of note today: the Modest Needs Foundation.

My cause is fighting poverty. It's where I try to steer the efforts of all of my charity work. The Modest Needs Foundation attempts to reach people before they hit that line, which I think is just brilliant.

You can visit their site, peruse their list of applicants--some need help with medical bills, some with taxes or car repairs, some with overdue mortgage payments. Modest Needs accepts applications, vets them for accuracy, then posts them on the site. You can search for people who need specific help, or that live in your area, or allow the foundation to channel your donation to those they feel are most urgent. In many cases, a small donation is all that's needed.

Starbucks is partnering with them for the holiday season, donating 10-20 cents per cup of certain coffees on certain days. Or you can pretend that you're drinking one extra cup or two a week, and schedule an extra 5 or 10 dollars be donated on your behalf on a weekly basis.

But no matter what, do something. Because you really can make a difference.

P.S. And be on the lookout, as the Gods Love We Deliver Holiday Catalog is supposed to launch today as well-another great cause, and an incredibly fabulous way in which to donate to it.

Friday, November 02, 2007

The Art

Here it is...


Tres cute, no? I'm not sure if Washington or Jefferson is my favorite, though you'll have to attend to see Jefferson!