Saturday, November 14, 2009

2009 Holiday Guite Vo1. 1 - Gifts For Your Mother

A few years back a friend of ours who can be quite clever declared that there are only 3 people you ever really need to buy a gift for; your mother, your brother and your lover.

We kind of agree but more importantly we like the way it sounds. We dedicate The 2009 Holiday Gift Guide Vol. 1: Gifts For Your Mother, to you Anna Cygnar, now if you finally get that buzzer fixed, you might be the proud owner of some of these great products and services that we'll be writing up over the next few weeks.

Otherwise it's another Christmas of incense and old magazines from those guys set up near 8th street on 6th avenue, which is fine because we can buy your gift while we wait for you to come down since you can't buzz us up.

So without further ado we give you...

The 2009 Holiday Gift Guide Vol. 1- Gifts For Your Mother

We love our mom, we really do, but the lady is always cold and can't wear wool (even 2ply fine gauge cashmere) so when we heard that we pilates who makes some of the coolest shirts around was making scarves out of their signature burnout fabric, we thought this might be the perfect gift for her.

The we pilates burnout scarf ($24) comes in lots of colors and will go with basically anything. It's pretty safe bet to say she will love it.



Better yet check out their just in time for the holidays, Sack of Lusciousness ($48) which comes with 3 burnout scarves in a nifty little eco-friendly organic reusable bag. ($48)





Were gonna order "the sack"- give mom 2 scarves in the little bag and save the other one for someone else. It's kinda like how we used to pick the cologne we got our Dad on Father's day, not based on what he wore or wanted, not even the smell, but the brand that was offering the best free gift with purchase, that we could keep for ourselves.


Next up a new book called, Being Simply Beautiful ($13.95) by Helen Noble, the founder of Belacrema, a luxurious line of natural European skin care.


In Being Simply Beautiful, Noble speaks to her readers like an old friend in a candid yet eloquent voice about wearing one's inner beauty on the outside for all the world to see, especially once you've passed a certain age.

The book is packed with tips, tricks and anecdotes from the author's own life and covers topics such as skin care, fitness, and nutrition.

Chances are anyone who reads Being Simply Beautiful is going to be able to incorporate at least a few of Noble's teachings into their daily lives without much effort while feeling empowered, renewed, refreshed and of course beautiful.

Now, if even after reading Being Simply Beautiful, you're thinking mom's (or your own for that matter) skin looks anything but, we suggest Helen's best selling product, Belacrema One Creme ($100). This ultra rich luxurious creme does it all and a little bit goes a long way. One Creme is both a day and a night creme and works wonders on the eyes. Based on a secret 100 year old family recipe and made of the finest natural ingredients, One Creme really is the one and only product you'll ever need.



*One little tip, if using as a night cream and you are a habitual over-user of product like we are, allow your skin to absorb the cream before hitting the sheets, especially if have white bedding. Not to worry a little shout and a nice long soak and our pillowcases were good as new.

If you have a great holiday gift idea send it our way and once we're done working our way down the roster we'll get it up for ya.

Sb

Kourtney Kardashian's Baby Shower

There's a lot here so try and keep up. K?

Earlier today, nearly 80 people including our good friend, the hysterical and oh so talented Heather McDonald joined Kris Jenner and her daughters Kim, Khloe, Kylie, and Kendall to host a baby shower for Kourtney Kardashian, at the family's home in Hidden Hills, California.


At the sensational shower guests enjoyed hand dipped chocolate covered strawberries from BERRY ELEGANCE.




At the conclusion of the celebration, guests received a Le Sport Sac weekender stuffed with all sorts of goodies including we pilates shirts and scarves, a bottle of Essie nail polish in a limited edition color called "Little Baby Dash", a handblown glass personal tea maker and flowering tea set from Primula, a gift card from Sheila Kelley S Factor, a signature expandable bracelet from Alex & Ani as well as other great gifts from brands like Amala, Ellen Sirot, Epicuran, Real Kidz Shades and more!




For the ride home, guests were given a Berry Elegance treat bag filled with white cholocate covered pretzels, a Kardashian family favorite. From what we hear, custom hand dipped chocolate strawberries and treats from the Studio City based delicatable edible emporium were also served at Khloe's recent nuptials.



Sunday, November 8, 2009

Lambent I love you -- then, now and forever

Lambent Services is an amazing company that I’ve been working with since the day I started calling my apartment Suite GA back in 2006.


They offer part-time personal assistants on an as needed basis and their PA’s can do pretty anything you can think of. Seriously the list of things they won’t do has maybe 4 things on it, all of which are pretty much self-explanatory.


From building a database, to booking travel my travel, to sitting home waiting for the cable guy while organizing my closet all while I was out at meetings, to sorting receipts before I go to the accountant are just a few of the plethora of things I’ve had Lambent PA’s do for me these past few years.


I use Lambent all the time in various capacities and it’s usually easier to have them send over an assistant than to get a cab in midtown around say 5:00pm.


After seeing a segment on the Today Show about how tricky rebates have become, I realized that I had totally forgot to send in the rebate on my new blackberry.


I had a bunch of other things I needed to get done but just didn’t have the time so I made a call to my good friendJill Glist, Founder of Lambent Services and THE EXPERT when it comes to personal assistance and outsourcing. About an hour later, Jessica was downstairs.


I said hello, handed her the bag from AT&T, pointed to the box where I toss all my receipts and the rest is history.


I didn’t even know I owned and Exacto knife,somehow Jessica did.


Below is a list of what Jessica was able to accomplish during our 4 hour session:


1. Rebate on my blackberry (100.00)

2. Rebate on a printer from staples (30)

3. Returned the empty inks I had been saving (15)

4. Got continental to refund the baggage fee being that I had used a continental branded credit card to buy my ticket (60)

5.Returned a few things that I had only 30 days to return, it was the 29th day

6.Got me a credit from godaddy for something I bought that never needed or could use had paid 6 months in advance.

7. She was able to get me a credit from Time Warner for the 3 days that my wireless didn’t work. It wasn’t a lot but hey it’s still money in my pocket.


She also did a few organizational things for me like made a spreadsheet that all has all my frequent flier account numbers, bank account and routing numbers, and the customer service numbers for anyone I’d ever need to call. Then the best part, she saved them in my phone.


Jessica also set up mobile banking for me and now all I have to do is send a text and I can get a balance and see if a check has cleared or was cashed.

No more entering my account number, last four of my social and zip, and verifying the date and amount of my last depsoit, It's *BAL hit send and were good to go.


She also went through all slew of websites that I have logins for and updated all my info, one constitant username, no more is it stephenbender, bendrestephen, stephenbender25. (not tht it's any of those well at least not anymore.


She then saved them all in a file and printed a copy which she taped to the inside of a cabinet door in my kitchen. Brilliant!


I’m never going to have to google “Time Warner Los Angeles online bill pay" while sifting through my "paid bills" folder to find that totally random 16 digit account number ever again.


In the four hours that Jessica was mine I had rebates, checks, credits, and other money coming to me for more than 500 bucks.


Even more so that omni-present pile of mail on my desk is going to be a lot smaller now that Jessica made nearly every bill and account statement I get paperless.


Now the only thing left to do is decide Drachman or Gotlieb as the answer to the childhood best friend security question since all my passwords were reset.


Maybe I’ll just go with Favorite Author. That's one question whose answer never changes.


For your own personal angel or assistant give Jill and her team at Lambent Services a call at 212.979.8700 or check out their site www.lambentservices.com


Bang, Wham, Pow -- Just another Sunday Afternoon in Hollywood



We had a busy day. After a haircut and all the usual Sunday suspects, we headed up to the hills with Jennie Ketcham and Edward Paige to a Reality Cares event. It was to kick off the holiday season for a toy drive and party, where we drank our favorite water of late, O.N.E. but our good friend Lucy was no where to be found.

After nearly sinking in the mud and falling into a pool while trying to get a photograph, we decided it was time to head down the hill towards another set of hills. This time those would be the Hills of Beverly to go to an opening at David Streets Fine Art and Photography.

We were there to support our friend photographer Gray Malin, whose latest series, Vintage de la renta is currently being featured at the famed gallery. Little did we know that today was also the opening of rather amazing exhibit, "A Life in Motion" a retrospective on the life of the iconic Julie Newmar.

While Ms. Newmar, who was wearing a shirt bearing her own likeness, was being serenaded by a rather over zealous fan, we were mixing and mingling with some of Beverly Hills' finest. The upper east side was never this fun.

Doing my duty as a consamate professional, a little introduction was made between Ms. Newmar and my crew.

It seem as if Mr. Paige has a new lady in his life. A certain someone kept wanting to introduce everyone to her new friend, "THE DIRECTOR."

MEOW!

Ain't It Grand?




When we first came across Maison Le Grand a few months back we were thinking this is kinda cool, pesto in a little pouch.

Then we tried a few of the varieties of the products offered by the Montreal based brand that makes fresh artisanal all natural vegetarian or vegan pestos, tapenades and aromatic sauces; we were wowed.


Our first go around we went simple, boiled some whole-wheat penne, untwisted the cap to the 4 cheese and nut pesto and voila dinner was ready in all of ten minutes. We had at least two bowls in our first sitting and came back for more.


Keep in mind prior too we wouldn’t exactly put pesto on our short list let alone a shopping list.


Next up their mild olive and sun-dried tomato tapenade, which we planned on serving at a party we were hosting. While prepping for the party we spread some on a few crackers and damn this stuff the real deal. The texture was spot on and it had just the right amount of zing. That's when we knew these guys were onto something.

Next thing we knew we were standing in a towel with the fridge open eating this tasty treat right out of the package. Lucky for us we had an extra pouch on hand that we had picked up at Whole Foods earlier that day to serve at the party, we tend to have too much of everything when we entertain.


For the party we drizzled some olive oil and sprinkled some sea salt over a baguette, threw it in the broiler for about a minute and then sliced in to small slices. We took out a plate, squeezed some tapenade into a small bowl smacked it down in the center and arranged the toast around it. Everyone, even those who claimed they didn't like tapenade were raving about it. One guest proclaimed, "So Long Salsa, Buh-Bye Bruchetta."


For easy entertaining or when we were feeling a little adventurous but need a jump start these all natural artisanal pestos, tapenades, and aromatic sauces which are sold in re-sealable 100 percent recyclable pouches are kind of perfect and at about 6 bucks a pop are more than worth it.


We plan on marinating some scallops in their lemon confit aromatic sauce one of these days but chances are being were so busy will stick to the simple stuff for now.

Maison Le Grand products are sold at Whole Foods, Zabars, The Fresh Market and other specialty stores nationwide.


www.maisonlegrand.com


Sunday, November 1, 2009

Five Months and a few days

Head west young man...I did and just in the nick of time. Five months and about a week ago, two days before the birthday that would require me to check a new box, I woke up for the last time in the apartment that I had known as home since nearly the day I graduated college.

As much as I love New york and where so many amazing experiences and people came into my life, it just wasn't feeling right anymore. About 4 years ago I started doing the bi-coastal thing and whenever I would come home, I just wasn't as happy as I should have been. Despite all the friends I had and all things to do in the city, I just wasn't into it.

Using what I commonly refer to as "Carrie Bradshaw logic," I had cheated on my city and it was over. Now we just had to figure out if we could remain friends. That question is still to be answered. But I'm thinking we can co-exist. Stay tuned.

So after 10 years of riding in the back of taxis, being crammed like a sardine on the subway, having regular meltdowns at Duane Reade, and more or less spending the first half of 2009 being holed up on West 73rd street, it was time for head to Hollywood for good, or at least the summer.

Thanks to the recession and few other elements out of my control, business was in the gutter and I had no clue what the immediate future would bring. I did know that if I was going to be broke and trying to figure out what was next, I'd rather be doing in it LA than spending the summer sitting in my apartment feeling sorry for myself.


So with nothing more than my computer, blackberry, ipod, and some summer clothes, that didn't even fit since I all had done for the past few months was watch TV and order in from seamless web (I was fat), I got on a Virgin America flight at 730am on May 23rd said what up to Peter Davis and the rest is history.

Now just a few short months later life is more than back on track. I'm living in LA full time business is booming and most importantly I'm happy. Tan and Happy.

I sleep (ok,maybe not enough) but better than I ever did in NY. I don't remember the last time i tossed and turned or had to hop on the ambien express, which for someone who just a few months ago could tell you verbatim the entire line up of Time Warner's late night/early am programming, it's mind blowing. I go to the gym daily (some times more than once) and in NY I didn't even have to go outside to go and I never went. I always have something to do and I can take $100 bucks out of the atm on Tuesday and still have 40 left in my wallet by Saturday.

On a recent trip back to NY I realized that the little life I've created in LA works for me and I don't see myself ever going back.

I don't want to fight all the time; for a cab, for a seat on the subway, for table, with the co-op board for leaving an umbrella outside my apartment, it's not just a good way to live. Everyone is so angry and stressed.

One of the great things about LA is that everyone is doing their own thing and for the most part people seem happy, even if they aren't they pretend they are. So when I am walking to get my starbucks at 6am before heading to the gym dressed in what looks like a summer camp uniform (navy shorts and white t-shirt) singing along to my ipod, nobody seems to care. They either aren't paying in attention or they flash a smile. That doesn't happen in NY, I'd get the same kind of stares that the crackhead sifting through the trash get.

I was in Times Square about two weeks ago around 8:30 in the morning running around getting ready for this editor event and everyone looked so sad. Getting out of the packed subway car to go sit in their cube to work like a dog for the next 8 hours to go back to the little box they live in.

It's just not living, people need to have space and feel like they can breathe. I have an outdoor space bigger than the apartment I lived in. I have a desk outside where I can sit and work wearing just a bathing swim suit (if i want to, and I do) and can get more done by noon in LA than an entire day in NY.

I don't mean to sound like I hate New York cause I don't, I really don't. In New York it's just that you're at the mercy of everyone and have to rely on people for everything. People who aren't the people you need to be interacting with, cab drivers, store clerks, baristas, delivery people. And everyone wants a tip. For 10 years I tipped the porter at Christmas along with the other 15 people on my building's list I still after all these years I don't know what a porter does, other than that I must have given him about 1000 bucks over the years.


Now if I could only figure out a way to to have Pat Kiernan fill me in on what's "In the papers," when I wake up every morning now that would be amazing, almost as amazing as having a deck bigger than your old apartment where you can work and get tan at the same time.


Some statistics:
Square Footage in NY 355
Square Footage in LA 12,050

Clients May 2009 1.5
Clients Nov 2009 12 + 2 projects

Weight
05.23.09 187lbs
11.01.09 162lbs

Excuse me, I gotta run to target real quick, I need to get some more suntan lotion, between my hike and going to the pool, I think I'll run out before tomorrow and I am playing tennis tomorrow afternoon and won't have time to go tonight since I've got that premiere and then tomorrow is just crazy with work, taping a segment, meetings, and that lunch in Burbank.




Sb

The same but different

Back when I was a kid Friday night meant watching Dallas as a family. We'd all be in my parent's bedroom watching the serial soap like so many people i know did and then after the previews of what would be happening next week at Southfork, it was time for 20/20 back when Hugh downs and Barbara Walters were holding court and a young John Stossel (same mustache) was in the field.

This was years before the term age-appropriate was in the lexicon, so this was a ritual many families would take part in. Nowadays there's probably some watchdog group that would have a problem with a 7 year old who was keeping tabs on JR, Bobby and the rest of the Ewing clan.

Since Dallas went of the air there really hasn't been a serial nighttime soap that has captivated the entire country in a really long time. Sure there have been attempts, many of them, but until a little show hit the airwaves a few years back there was a void that needed to be filled.

It wasn't until about two weeks ago during a conversation with some people at the Elle Women in Hollywood dinner that I realized that there was a show that had replaced Dallas and I was already watching it, Brothers and Sisters.

I didn't start watching Brothers and Sisters until the middle of last season and now I'm hooked.

Turns out so is everyone else.

Brothers and Sisters, is the new Dallas.

Everyone is watching and there's doesn't seem to be anyone pulling the ol' oh i don't watch that show as in the case of say Desperate Housewives or Melrose Place back in the day.

Besides the mass appeal and the basic concept of a large wealthy powerful family struggling with all the normal issues of daily life and the added problems a certain demographic has to deal with, there are quite a few parallels between the two shows. Enough to explain why it works but not so many that you're thinking it's a remake or rip off. To find a show that is original but also feels familiar is kinda nice.

I feel like I've known the Walkers for years.

I'm pretty sure Barbara Bel Gedes' Miss Ellie could give Sally Field's Nora more than a few pointers about how to be the matriarch to a family of dis-functional grown children who are trying to find their way while dealing with being a recent window without going crazy.

Next time you watch Brothers and Sisters try playing the little game I played last Sunday. Say Ewing Oil every time Ojai Foods is uttered by one of the characters. The scandals, the financial woes, the power struggles, the controlling interest changing hands, it's all the same.

Now if Balthazaar Getty shows up in the shower as if nothing happened a few years from now that's either going to be genious or the moment i stop watching.

Brothers and Sisters is on ABC at 10pm on Sunday Nights.

Sb

new and maybe improved

Good Morning.

Today is one of those days that there is so much going on and so many thoughts running through my head, i figured i might as well get the blog back up and running even if I am the only one reading it, it's far easier to come here and read my notes to myself than fowarding emails to my stephenbender2 or other "secret" email accounts.

So i woke up a few hours ago in a beautiful hotel suite overlooking mountains and a pretty nice swimming pool in Indian Wells, California which is about an 20 miles past Palm Springs totally confused what time it was. There's no clock in the room, I forgot to wind my watch, and I use the time on the cable box as my basis. So I was a little confused did my blackberry automatically turn back the clock or not, I wasn't sure. Same goes for my computer so I called the front desk who let me know that it was 5:59am so I was more or less up at my regular time,

Im here in the desert this weekend doing double duty working the Desert Cities Woman's Show with the team from The Fountain Retreat and plugging one of their experts who is also a client of mine, Helen Noble founder of Belacrema and author of the about to be published book, Being Simply Beautiful.

In all honesty I kinda love a trade show or expo. I get into this mode where I am on fire and it's actually a lot of fun. I really believe that The Fountain Retreat is going to be huge success, think canyon ranch but you can also have fun. More about The fountain later.

It's a new week, a new month, no longer day light savings time, and although Sept 21 was the official start of autumn, in LA its starting to finally feel like a new season. What that season is I really can't say for sure but as much as I love sunny and hot, there is something comforting about being able to wear pants during the day and not feel absolutely disgusting. If you know me well you know I am a huge fan of anything with a zipper. I've recently been able to break out some of my favorite sweaters, jackets, and hooded sweatshirts that haven't seen the light of day in ages. I think I'm going to refer to this time of year as holiday. Yeah, Holiday it works, Halloween is over and if you go into any mass market store it's begining to feel a lot like Christmas. Speaking of holiday today is the day that the perfect holiday gift hits stores, The Primula Speak n' Brew, the World's first voice activated coffee maker is in stores. Seriously it's kinda of amazing, If you don't believe me go check it out on google.

Sb