Kissing Lions PR

I am pretty sure I was awkward (vs. cool), waiting in...

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 10:10:00 -0400

I am pretty sure I was awkward (vs. cool), waiting in anticipation of the stranger who invited me to the repurposed school house on Prince and Mott. I found myself in a sea of hipsters, Euro-creatives, artists and Rastas. Each room offered a varied style of mild visual debauchery, (compared to the original values dominated by the grounds, I imagine). Decidedly, it was a much more appropriate creative stomping ground than a disciplined one. Just like in school I wrote on the chalkboards only this time the colors were rainbow. Tatted fashionistas strolled through as if it were their world. Indeed it was but their shade of neurosis fell into installations, suspended mannequins, first dates and groups of friends huddled in smoky social clouds. I knew my ability to believe could leave me in stasis for abnormal amounts of time so I just dumbly waited for my stranger, chatting with the people who seemed more cool in their skin than I was. Art and boldness lived around each curve, scribbles became charming and the most simple tools began to draw a new global religion of purpose. I opted to view the rhetoric inspired by the take-over as an invitation to consider the possibilities…if I could only remember this was my world - what would I do with a brick building that used to be a Catholic School? I walked away remembering why I love New York, somehow soothed and happy to return home.

A special thanks to Red Light PR, VPR-NYC, Showroom 212 NYC,...

Tue, 29 May 2012 12:33:00 -0400

Models Edie and Milena

A special thanks to Red Light PR, VPR-NYC, Showroom 212 NYC, Tara, Ink., Ford, Chicago, all of our models, AIM, Root Management and Commence Quest who introduce a swimwear segment styled by celebrity stylist and E! Network Host Marcellas Reynolds for Defining Diva: Sexy is Smart. This live streamed celebration and fashion gala highlighted leading ladies in business and included a charity handbag drive sponsored by The World C.L.A.S.S. with proceeds going to Dress for Success. Kaftans by BlacMera and Ramona Larue. Women’s swimwear by Agua De Coco, shoes by Fergie and Carlos by Carlos Santana. Men’s swimwear by Andrew Christian. Hats by Christy’s. My turn to be styled next, Marcellas!

Jamaica Lily is in NY. Fruity and Sassy. Original watercolor by...

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:45:28 -0400

Jamaica Lily is in NY. Fruity and Sassy. Original watercolor by fine artist Chrisanne Robertson. The greeting card is cute! (Taken with instagram)

To say that I journeyed to the center of an incredible annual...

Sun, 06 May 2012 15:45:00 -0400

To say that I journeyed to the center of an incredible annual design incubator doesn’t begin to describe the sense of excitement that penetrated every ounce of myself as I strolled through with artist Christopher Thomas Trujillo who also created an original sustainable chandelier made especially for the event. I already felt like I was gliding, cloaked in an original design by Michael Jerome Francis…it was like channeling a private etiquette lesson - the history is just in the pieces. If the stroll through the City’s most popular interior benefit event at the Metropolitan Pavillion in Chelsea wasn’t enough being endowed with the vintage jumble of beads made by Christopher and the hand made leather and snakeskin flower really put me into eu-fashion-foria. ‘Now, that’s how it should be done’…one onlooker commented his approval. We strolled passed the booth Christopher’s sustainable lamp cluster was nestled in. It was sold and, finally, we were spent. We headed out into the drizzly Manhattan spring night to hail a cab. No one was going our way so we took a train. NYC, that was one for the books.

he added jumble of vintage beads Housing Works will present New York City’s most popular interior design benefit event at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea.

Sautéed Kale w/olive oil and fresh line added to Ramen, minus...

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:39:40 -0400

Sautéed Kale w/olive oil and fresh line added to Ramen, minus the MSG package it comes with. Yum. (Taken with instagram)

Cisco wrote a song about it, now, it’s sitting in my...

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 23:31:18 -0400

Cisco wrote a song about it, now, it’s sitting in my friend’s boutique, in a bowl. (Taken with instagram)

The writing is on the wall… (Taken with instagram)

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 23:26:32 -0400

The writing is on the wall… (Taken with instagram)

Jersey is blossoming.

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:10:36 -0400

Jersey is blossoming.

Yes, I’m a closet foodie! (Taken with instagram)

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:52:04 -0400

Yes, I’m a closet foodie! (Taken with instagram)

Loving Kinky-Curly’s Knot Today!!! (Taken with instagram)

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 12:01:16 -0400

Loving Kinky-Curly’s Knot Today!!! (Taken with instagram)

2012 Links, Inc. Annual Gala and Luncheon.

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 03:06:38 -0400

2012 Links, Inc. Annual Gala and Luncheon.

The invitation to walk for the Links, Inc. was a previous way to...

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 03:00:10 -0400

The invitation to walk for the Links, Inc. was a previous way to enter spring. Mica Hughes of 2M modeling agency,a set of Chondra’s and a runway Diva sparkle in their runway Sunday-best. (Taken with instagram)

The Links Inc. 2012 annual luncheon and runway show.

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 02:53:06 -0400

The Links Inc. 2012 annual luncheon and runway show.

Taken with instagram

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 01:37:24 -0400

Taken with instagram

The invitation to walk for The Links, Inc. 2012 Annual luncheon...

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:44:00 -0400

The invitation to walk for The Links, Inc. 2012 Annual luncheon and fashion event was a precious way to enter Spring. In the photo from left: Mica Hughes of 2M model management, two Chandra’s…one with an ‘O’ and one with an ‘A’ and a runway diva sparkle in their runway Sunday-best.

Andre J. Cohen of ThreeCohen’s Construction is supporting...

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 18:56:00 -0400

Andre J. Cohen of ThreeCohen’s Construction is supporting families in need through the Shields for Families organization who are recent grant recipients. Bound by a common vision of helping keep families that are working through crisis together, Mr. Cohen joined forces with Kathy Icenhower, who developed a work incentive program designed to focus on integrating Shields families into the workforce who have completed the rehabilitation program.

Once applicants complete the program requirements, Shields then recommends qualified applicants to ThreeCohens Construction,.a Los Angeles based family owned construction company that manages, develops and designs for new construction, remodeling and fire restoration. Applicants are screened and placed in job training. The ultimate goal is to hire these training recipients and give them a permanent skill set for career re-entry with a positive, lasting impact.

Shield’s vision of a work re-integration project was the focus of a recent visit from Assistant Secretary of Policy at the Los Angeles Department of Labor, Dr. William Spriggs. Icenhower and Cohen spoke in front of Dr. Spriggs and the Shields for Families founding team and associates about their approach to hiring those who chose to make a life change and rehabilitate themselves to have a better life with their families.

Shields for Families is in a position to further propel the community work they already offer to ensure families receive the type of support that allows them to address child protection, addiction intervention and staying together through tough times. “Having a job gives people confidence. Knowing they are needed and have to be somewhere can be huge for a persons’ morale which will in turn effect their attitude at home” states Cohen. “We can’t afford, as a community, to think we can just rehabilitate people and move on to the next family”. “While people are dealing with real life struggles, the work place may be entirely different when they are ready to develop skills again and join the workforce. We aim to make that transition smoother”.

ThreeCohen’s Construction will continue developing and implementing to empower their community and support Shields. For them, Construction is a labor of love.

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER WHEN YOU ARE IN A BAD MOOD?

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 20:41:53 -0400

Good friends.

I sat beaming with excitement barely able to stay in my skin as...

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 20:22:00 -0400

I sat beaming with excitement barely able to stay in my skin as the inventor of PhytoPods told me about how his garden is a resource that solves the urban agriculture issue on a large scale while offering an invaluable resource to people interested in growing their own food. Sipping on my decaf Earl Grey in anticipation of my soup, Cousin, as he is nicknamed by our common friend, further described how this simple invention of a vertical garden has a design that is perfect for disaster relief, the original designs offer a soil prototype and a hydroponic prototype. My soup arrived and on the first sip from the miso spoon I had the impulse to replace the ‘p’ in soup to ‘l’. What is this, I asked, not minding that I eat like a caveman when I am excited and single for the um-teenth year. It wasn’t just ‘soup’. It was like drinking liquid Earth. Wild mushroom stalks, shiitake and wakame inoki mushrooms. There were murmurs of black sesame paste and Yuchoi young mustard greens but by then I was talking with my mouth full as if I’d just entered the world of solid food from having my jaw wired shut. I hadn’t, thank God I am shameless when I have good food, it was so good. Thankfully, Cousin was forgiving of my fight-or-flight method of dining and educated me about his design. You can use the liquid from compost in the internal watering system. This is the way I prefer my education, over good food at a friend’s restaurant and great company. We spoke about the possibilities of sustaining ourselves and how that could build community. Right when relief and composure were fully rooted the chef bought out the braised short ribs, which Cousin had previously tasted and raved about. Out comes our braised short ribs, glistening on a rectangular plate drizzled with edemame puree, herb goat yogurt, grated Dikon, bonito and makrel with micro scallions. More heaven and groans of enjoyment. I am counting the days to get my PhytoPod and to have more food that moves me.

Where were you last moon? It’s time to make wishes, ten...

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 11:08:35 -0500

Where were you last moon? It’s time to make wishes, ten of them. For the rational types feel free to argue why connecting to dreams can and should be explained or taken apart. There is a commonality in the doing part weather the preferred word is ‘dream’ or ‘goal’…they both reference the destination that connects to a sense of self and pleasure…and who could argue with that.

Humans have woven such a story around fashion only to find no...

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:01:00 -0500

Humans have woven such a story around fashion only to find no one really owns beauty or defiance. We can believe others, shrinking away from what is truly original or striking. That is our right, to understand, believe and decipher for ourselves according to our own journey with how we put ourselves together and how we take ourselves apart.

I see a striking yet shy woman, bold and compassionate. At a first glimpse the red hit me as if someone splashed it right into my eyes, on my face. I don’t want reminders that all we see in others is in our imagination. Please, just let me have this…feel this contagious power that does not have gravity; just invisible radiance that for some reason makes me feel soothed.