Video Song: Bulletproof (Hyper Crush Remix) - La Roux
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Hey Guys!
Thank you so much for tuning into our THIRD week! We really appreciate all the love. I just finished e-mailing Pulp Fiction actor, Paul Calderon! (100 Hispanic Men are actually honoring him with the First Annual Arts Award at Villa—THIS SATURDAY!) It’s still so surreal knowing that I have the contacts of top notch singers, actors, athletes, radio/TV personalities - I find it incredibly mind boggling!
::Ok, Sam focus (lol)::
So back to this week’s topic….
Jess & I attended a couple of liquor sponsored events last week! “Rising Icons” (loving the title) sponsored by Grey Goose Entertainment and “Latin Nights” sponsored by Bacardi. They were both very different, but yet pleasurable and motivational affairs. The “Rising Icons” event was an evening to recognize two local women in the arts & fashion. Going to this event with Jess, stimulated our drive even more to MAKE it into this industry. I love seeing young women striving hard to form their dreams into a reality. Check out Jessica’s blog to get the 411 on these fashion “Icons” and our exclusive interview with one of them!
On Wednesday, September 29th we had the opportunity to attend Latin Nights at the Empire Hotel (Rooftop). This Bacardi sponsored event to me was more of a soothing but engaging evening!
There were salsa dancers, casino games, and hand rolled cigars being passed out by beautiful Bacardi models. There was also a Piragüero serving frozen treats that were made out of shaved ice and covered with fruit flavored syrup & Bacardi! I later found out that they actually found him on the street and brought him to the event! How crazy?! It definitely went along with the motif, so thumbs up! I felt like I was on vacation in Puerto Rico for the night! The ambiance was very tropical. Not to mention the abundance amounts of FREE drinks, yea… that was on point! My fave were the Mojitos!
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| Piraguas! |
We actually bumped into some of our entertainment associates, co-workers and friends – you think the world is small? Ha! It’s even tighter in this circle; everyone is somewhat connected. You don’t know who you might be talking to or even learn a thing or two from! SO GET YOUR NETWORKING GAME ON! (I enjoy these events for that specific reason)
Jess & I are content with what we have accomplished thus far and we are excited to see how our work will prosper and continue. With that being said “Put your drinks up” & CHEERS TO SUCCESSS, CHEERS TO YOUR DREAMS, CHEERS TO LIFE <3
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| Enjoying a Bacardi Mojito |
XO,
Samantha
P.S. - Song of the week “
Bottoms Up” – Trey Songs ft. Nicki Minaj (love her)
P.S.S. – WE WANT TO READ YOUR COMMENTS!
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What up?!
Another busy fun-filled week has come and gone. I'm thoroughly exhausted (**bbm yawn face**). It's more of the usual at work - promotions, magazine, social media updates and more. We're coming up on our last Given Saturday at Villa (so be sure to stop by if you haven't already to check out the venue and to enjoy a great night out), hoping we close it with a "bang!!"
Along with our crazy work schedule, Samantha and I were able to attend two very different liquor sponsored events to network and enjoy a cocktail or two. Tuesday night, we traveled downtown to a small lounge named RDV for Grey Goose Entertainment's "Rising Icons" series.
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| Laurel & Amanda w/ Grey Goose Reps |
Grey Goose Entertainment (founded in 2005, dedicated to producing original and unique content for TV, music, and etc to reflect the spirit of Grey Goose vodka, while celebrating the interests of their consumers) honored two very different local "icons." Amanda Diva and
Laurel DeWitt were recognized that night for their creative excellence and for "rising" as revolutionaries in the world of visual art and fashion. Both women are extremely talented and have made very influential contributions to their respective crafts....what's so also interesting about these two
extraordinary artists is that they happen to be close friends as well.
The event (adequately named) “DivaLuxe”, featured an art installation combining Amanda's paintings and Laurel's ready-to-wear jewelry designs (and of course, Grey Goose flavored cocktails!)
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| Some of Amanda Diva's Hand Bags |
Amanda Diva, actually started out as a young actress on
Nickelodeon's "
My Brother and Me." Moving from Florida to New York, she became exposed to hip hop culture in a whole new way, which has has been a heavy influence in all her faucets of work. She started writing and performing, and was chosen to perform on
Russell Simmons' Del Poetry Jam in 2002 and later in 2005. She was "discovered" and offered an oppportunity to host her own show, "Breakfast at Diva's" on
Sirius Satellite Radio. She then landed an job as a TV personality on
MTV2 and
VH1. After that other opportunities began to arise from becoming the host and creator of a humor based web show (
"Diva Speak TV"), a host on
Music Choice ("Speaking of..."), and the host and creator of
"The Spark" on AOL's
Blackvoices.com. While all these accomplishments are honor worthy, it's her visual art that sets her apart as a "rising icon." She has exhibited her work in various shows, participated in live painting events, created murals and has developed a hand-painted bag line, which is available at
Karma Loop.
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| A LaureLuxe Design |
Laurel DeWitt is the designer and creator behind the
LaureLuxe brand. She's a native New Yorker, graduated from
Pratt Art Institute in fashion design with an emphasis on jewelry and accessories. She has received numerous awards and recognitions for her work in fashion and previously served as a handbag and accessories designer for
Guess,
Rocawear,
Nine West,
Calvin Klein and
Oscar De La Renta Intimate Apparel (just to name a few!). Her fashion bags have also been seen in
Target,
Forever 21 and Nordstrom's. Her LaureLuxe designs have been worn by a diverse array of celebrities and personalities, such
Milla Jovovich,
Nicki Minaj,
Amerie,
Lady Gaga, the ladies of
Dirty Money, among many more. Her pieces are handcrafted, unique, edgy, customized to fit each client and created from aluminum geometric shaped plating.
Samantha and I got the chance to have a Q&A session with Laurel, here's a little of what she had to say:
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| Samantha & I with Laurel Dewitt |
What/who inspires LaureLuxe? And how would you describe your jewelry line? I'm an artist. I can paint, draw, do all of the traditional forms of artistic expression. But, working with metal and chain is sculpture. It allows me to express my inner crazy. But at the same time, I've learned to focus the unbridled energy into sexy, wearable outfits and a thriving business. No one person inspires me. It's the artist inside speaking out.
Tell us a little bit about your journey to starting LaureLuxe? It all started with a class I took at Pratt Art Institute entitled “Wearable Art”. One of our assignments was to make a garment from found objects/costs nothing to make. So, when I told my father about the assignment, he sent me aluminum metal scraps from his company that makes high-end lighting. From there,I created a metal bra and the reaction was very positive. So I continued building my craft from there.
How did you feel being honored by Grey Goose as a "Local Rising Icon"? It felt great to be recognized for all of my hard work. All of the sleepless nights and lost life moments finally felt worth it.
What's in the near future for LaureLuxe? LaureLuxe is now in Heaven Sent showroom, which will significantly drive sales. I'm also starting a line of pink chain bracelets in support of breast cancer awareness. All proceeds will be donated towards the cause.
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| Enjoying a 'lil Grey Goose |
That's all I have for now, see you next week! (Don't forget, follow me on FourSquare)
XO,
Jessica
