THE TRUTH ABOUT VOODOO WEDDDINGS: TRUE VOODOO TELLS ALL

Earlier today "news" broke that world's favorite young vampires in love, TWILIGHT stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson were going to tie the knot later this year with a voodoo wedding performed by a voodoo priestess in New Orleans.

Wondering what exactly happens during a voodoo wedding? Perhaps you'd like to speak to one of the most respected voodoo practitioners in the country, Zaar of Voodoo Authentica in New Orleans. In addition to being an elder of the New Orleans vampire community, Zaar is an ordained minister who regularly officiates the weddings of couples being married in the voodoo tradition.

If you would like to speak with Zaar or anyone else from Voodoo Authentica, please let me know and I will be more than happy to put you in touch.

Below is a link to a wedding ceremony performed by Zaar which was shot for the forthcoming show, True Voodoo which was created by Edward Paige of Blank Paige Productions.

view a TRUE VOODOO WEDDING


About Zaar

The Vampire Zaar has an incredible gift for reading tarot cards and
speaking to the dead. Zaar is used to being the ultimate outsider. As a gay
vampire who can communicate with the dead it wasn’t until he came to
Voodoo Authentica that he !nally found a place where he could !t in. The
rest of the shop may not always understand him, but they’ve accepted
him as one of their own. Since his early childhood Zaar could communicate
with the dead, and they’re the source of his uncanny psychic abilities.
Zaar is also a leading Elder in the New Orleans Vampire community and
founder of N.O.V.A. (New Orleans Vampire Association). Zaar is a vampiric
poster boy for safe sanguine (blood sucking) behavior, advocating blood
screenings and contracts with his donors known as Blood Dolls. According
to Zaar, this activity stabilizes his energies and is performed in a safe,
mutually agreed upon manner. Foremostly Zaar is a humanitarian; organizing
food drives for the homeless and fundraising to rebuild the city
post Katrina. His charitable e"orts even extend beyond the grave; rather
than perform full exorcisms Zaar often invites displaced spirits to come
live with him. He currently has eight spirit roommates.

About Voodoo Authentica
Everyday tourists from across the country and around the world come into
Voodoo Authentica and mingle with the local true believers. Some come out of
curiosity but most have an intensely personal issue to resolve. These are the
stories of ordinary people seeking extraordinary help for everything from love
and !nances, to court cases and political campaigns. The shop also performs a
variety of services including uncanny tarot card readings, Voodoo weddings,
spiritual cleansings, exorcism, and even séances to help locals make peace with
the spirits residing in their homes. The team’s extraordinary psychic gifts and
experience with the paranormal means they aren’t just hunting ghosts, they‘re
speaking and working with them!

My 1st year in LA part 1

Still holding my keys in his hand, Moses called out, "Mistah Steve, when are you coming back?"

I didn't have an answer but said, "Two weeks, maybe Three?"

I nodded thank you to Juan for helping with my bags and as I got into the town car and before I even closed the door or the driver even had a chance to turn around, I said, "JFK," and put my headphones on.

He nodded, said, "OK," and got on the phone as we pulled away from The Park Royal. As he turned left on Columbus, it never crossed my mind that this would be the last time I would walk through that marble lobby, the last morning I would wake up in my apartment, GA, the apartment I had lived in since I had graduated college, but maybe it should have as this would also be known as the day I moved to Los Angeles.

Bryce Gruber Gets Vajazzled

So when my friend Bryce Gruber told me that she was going to get Vajazzled as part of an early Spa Week kick off event I really didn't think much of it.

It was around the same time that Martha Stewart had Shelia Kelley from S Factor on the show and Kelley got Martha to do a little pg-13 pole dancing. But today's tale is a little more adult....

So if you're under 18 please don't continue reading and if you're under 18 and that warning translates to oh I'm gonna see something I shouldn't, sorry all the pics are SFW (safe for work) and with out further ado I give you a single photo of Bryce Gruber of THE LUXURY SPOT after she got Vajazzled, but if you want the full story and even more pics including the process I suggest you visit www.theluxuryspot.com asap.

So what is Vajazzling you ask?

A play on bedazzling and a part of the female body, Vajazzling is the adornment of crystals and beads to the bikini area after waxing. According to the Completely Bare website, " Accessorizing your privates is the hottest rage. From crystal flowers to customized favorites, you too can now decorate your own jewels. Whether it’s a special occasion or you just want to sparkle everywhere, you can choose from an assortment of real Swarovski crystal designs so you can shimmer and shine."

Anyways just click here

Longboobs Live -- update Special Offer Half Price Tickets

SPECIAL OFFER
HALF PRICE TICKETS
promo code: chelsealately

If you're a fan of Chelsea Lately (and who isn't) you're probably familiar with our good friend, the hysterical Heather McDonald, who has been dubbed 'Heather Longboobs' by one our hometown heroes, Chelsea Handler. Besides being a regular member of the roundtable on Chelsea Lately on E! (weeknights @11pm), Heather can do impressions that are so spot on that she doesn't even need a wig or props to have you convinced. She's that good.

So if you're in the LA area (re-read in tv show announcer voice) you might want to snag some tickets to her live performance, this coming Friday, February the 19th at The Canyon Club in Augora Hills.* It's probably the best $25 bucks you'll spend this week.

*relax, according to google maps it's a 26 minute drive from "the 90210"

The show starts at 8PM
opening set by chris franjola

SPECIAL OFFER
HALF PRICE TICKETS
promo code: chelsealately

Be the first to pre-order Heather's forthcoming book,
You'll Never Blue Ball in This Town Again: One Woman's Painfully Funny Quest to Give It UP
in stores Spring 2010.

Check back here Friday afternoon, there might be an exclusive interview with
the multi-talented McDonald

Sharona Alperin subject of the song, MY SHARONA issues statement on singer Doug Fieger's passing

Sharona Alperin, “The little pretty one” who the late Doug Fieger sang about in the iconic song MY SHARONA by The Knack issues statement of the passing of her dear friend.

Feb 16, 2010 – Doug Fieger wrote a song about me that changed both of our lives forever. "My Sharona" became an iconic smash hit, and even though Doug and I didn't end up together, we remained close friends through all these years. His searing wit, love of music and ability to recall the B side of any 45, his gift for making friends and keeping them for decades, and his incredible optimism in the face of the toughest challenge remained vital until the very end.

Since the song first hit the airwaves more than 30 years ago, whenever I meet someone new or give my name, the response is always the same, "Oh, Sharona, like "My Sharona?" The fact this continues to happen daily, no matter the person’s age, serves as a testament to the enduring impact of Doug's amazing talent.

He may no longer be with us, but his love for life and passions will live on through his music. My family and I deeply mourn the passing of our good friend, Doug Fieger.

About Sharona Alperin

Sharona Aperin is one of the most successful and sought after real-estate professionals in Southern California. A life-long Los Angeles resident, Alperin has carved out a niche as the go to source among the entertainment community however she is happy to help anyone find their dream home.

Alperin attributes some of her success to the fact that when she was only 17, she was immortalized in the Knack's 1979 hit single "My Sharona".

Sharona believes that "'My Sharona' has had an impact on my ability to understand the entertainer's mind, there's something simpatico. You've got to care to the n'th degree. You can't drop the ball for one minute." I sell "the most emotional product on the market, because a star's home is their only safe haven."

Sharona's 'round-the-clock commitment has resulted in her being consistantely ranked as a top producer at Sotheby's International Realty for more than a decade. "I do what it takes to get my clients their dream home because their happiness is my happiness." Sharona specializes in her clients' needs whether it's finding a lease, a purchase or selling a home. Her depth of knowledge and experience has made Sharona Alperin one of Los Angeles' premiere real estate professionals.

Sharona, her husband Jason, and their two children Eden and Adam reside in Los Angeles.

www.mysharona.com

Jewel Heist on Crescent Heights

Earlier this week the ladies of Los Angeles were introduced to Alex And Ani, a super fun and eco-friendly line of jewelry known for their signature expandable bangle bracelets designed by Carolyn Rafaelian.

The event was hosted by the hysterical Heather McDonald and took place at the home of Mark Young in The Historical La Fontaine, which was designed by Leland Bryant the same architect who is responsible for our favorite hotel in the world, THE SUNSET TOWER.

The 50 or so guests got to experience
Alex and Ani's "Bangle Bar"where they were able create their own set of bangle bracelets from the brand's plethora of choices.

When they arrived the crowd could be called classy and refined but once they hit "the bar" suddenly it was a room full of bangle-bandits! Think black friday at a Wal-Mart if only that Wal-Mart happened to be on Robertson or Rodeo.

But none the less everyone seemed to be having a great time drinking cocktails provided by O.N.E. natural experience thanks to the lovely Lucy Render-Caplan and healthy fair provided by Joey Santos and his team at Fit Food. If an armful of free bracelets wasn't enough to make these woman feel great, they all received a gift card to Sheila Kelley S Factor to embrace their inner goddess.

Heather brought along some of the funny friends she works with including Chuy Bravo, Jen Kirkman, Sara Colonna, and Natasha Leggero. Other VIPSs included Sharona Alperin (aka My Sharona), Alexis Blum, Stacy Broff, Mary Loomis-Shrier, Liz Roman, the amazing Alisa Starler and a gaggle of girls who call Ken Baker their boss. We're told Jillian Reynolds would have loved to have joined her gal pals but Cedars has this thing about going to a party 48 hours after having a baby.

To See More Pics From The Party Click Here

Ready to Get Your Bangle On?

SAVE 10% on any Alex and Ani order

promo-code SB2010

Images (c) D. Arnoult /WireImage 2010

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.

To Purchase a copy of Being Simply Beautiful click here

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.

To Purchase Belacrema One Creme Here

*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.

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

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

And we're back...

We apologize for the lack of any new postings in the last few weeks but we've been busy, really really busy. The facebook group BENDER MEDIA has the pictures to prove it.

We had George Clinton's Launch Party and Fall Presentation, SEA NYC PRESS DAYS and then the next day thewife of a certain presidential candidate wore a certain Donna Ricco dress on a certain show that resulted in more than 45 phone interviews and several tv spots including THE TODAY SHOW. At the same time we were prepping for the renovation of our apartment, The Berry Elegance grand re-opening and the US WEEKLY CONTEST that appears in the current issue on page 83.

The contest is sick you get to FLY on VIRGIN AMERICA to LA, Stay at the LONDON WEST HOLLYWOOD (formally the BEL-AGE where Dylan McKay used to live), get a personal assistant from LAMBENT SERVICES, your hair and make-up did, a Donna Ricco dress, not one but two pairs of sunglasses from VOGUE eyewear, a sweatshirt and t-shirt from SEA NYC, and most exciting of all a VIP CHELSEA LATELY EXPERIENCE. (Chuy sold separately!)

Enter the contest here

We are excited for the 4th of July....our plans in case you care, include Malibu for the day, a bbq in Hancock Park, and a party at a high-rise (that was a blast in '06) with killer views where we get to see about 6 different fireworks displays and then we head to Laguna for the weekend. Not so bad.

It's been a long but exciting past few weeks and we have some really cool projects and partnerships we're almost ready to announce.

We are back in LA where things are great,creative juices are flowing and we're looking forward to a great summer even if we aren't on the shores of Lake Balfour, we'll be there soon enough.

BACO PRIDE.

Sb

Mid-Century Goes Postal

The United States Postal Service, our favorite way to ship things, we love us the flate rate boxes, is offering a limited edition set of stamps based on the works of celebrated design duo Charles and Ray Eames.

They don't come out until June 17th but you can pre-order here.

Its probably the best $7 bucks you can spend right now. For an extra 10 bucks throw 'em in a frame and you've got a great gift for your design obsessed friend who invites you to their weekend home this summer. (JM do you want a set?)

I can't take full credit for this discovery, it was in the June issue of Vanity Fair.

Luxe Presents: Silver Lake

On Thursday night I went to a show house in Silver Lake, which was presented by Luxe Magazine, a very upscale interior design magazine in Southern California. The party was packed with designers and their clients. The home itself was well done, just not really my style. I didn't feel like someone really could live there, until I looked in the closet and realized that someone actually did. (It wasn't staged like those apartments New York magazine wrote about a few months ago.) Whoever lived here had a lot of interesting things in his wardrobe and a mild obsession with Angelina Jolie. The food at the party was outstanding and there was Wisconsin Cheese Maker and Monger on-site doing cheese and wine pairings which was great. This was the probably one of the better gift bags I had gotten in while, with the exception of the US Weekly Hot Hollywood/Fiji Water bag, that I've been using as my beachbag of late. While going through the bag late last night to figure out who to give what, what to keep and what to toss, I came across a business card from the valet from the party, "VALET OF THE DOLLS" pure and utter genius.

Speaking of Luxe, I'm going to suggest that everyone check out one of my current favorite things, Lux Radio Theatre on itunes for $1.99 you get an hour long version of a classic movie with the original cast and original commercials from the 50s. "So smart this season."


Sb

Beachy Keen -- Part 5

Name: Roberta Wagner

Occupation: Fashion Stylist

Beach of Choice: One which is extremely isolated.

Type of Bag: A very large one matching mybeach towel.

In the Bag: Think Gidget's best friend who
was alergeric to the sun. 30 varities of sunscreen, a
large floppy hat, Pucci vintage caftan,
giant sunglasses,and a volley ball.

Type of Towel: Hermes

The Suit: Norma Kamali 40's maillot

Name: Dorothy Cascerceri

Occupation: Entertainment Editor, On Air Talent (Fox News)

Beach of Choice: Chapin Beach, Cape Cod

Type of Bag: A cloth Fiorucci bag, I bought in Milan when I lived there.

In the Bag: Ipod, sunscreen, softlips, scarf for my hair, refresh tears for dry eyes/sand in eyes, a good book, cellphone (i wish i didn't have to travel everywhere with it!)

Type of towel:white and purple towel from the Beach Club, a nightlife hotspot my dad owned in Philly in the 90s.

The Suit: BeachBunny Swimwear is my favorite!

Name: Amy Stipa

Occupation: Owner, Berry Elegance

Beach of Choice: Malibu or Hermosa

Type of Bag: Oversized, slouchy, and able to withstand some wear and tear, mine is organic cotton with rope handles.

In the Bag: My ipod and treo, towel, a book, hawaiian tropic 8 and 15 oil for the bod and lancome 45+ for the face, sunglasses.

Type of Towel: a HUGE hula girl towel from of all places COSTCO (shhh)!

The Suit: bikini by ROXY.

Beachy Keen -- Part 4

Here we go again...

Name: Gillian Hearst Simonds

Occupation: Editorial Assistant at Town & Country

Beach of Choice: Any one on Anguilla

The Bag: My DVF wrap bag I carry everywhere because its such a great size, and I got it in several colors.

In the Bag: A Patricia Underwood straw hat, Spf 55 Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch or Babyfaces 60+ sunblock (always make sure my face is protected with that). Will use regular Hawaiian tropic 30 on the rest of my body, FloJo’s flip flops, a bottle of Smartwater, Vichy Thermal Spa Water, and MAC Take a Hint Tendertone Lipgloss (also with spf 15).

Type of Towel: Hermes, love the the elephant and the sea horse ones!

The Suit: Anything by Vix! I love their cuts, and they make adorable cover-ups too.

Name: Kristi Miller

Occupation: Director of Brand Communications, Donna Ricco

Beach of Choice: Turks and Caicos or Sorrento Italy

The Bag: Large Bendel's Striped Tote

In the Bag: SPF 30 Sunscreen, a donna ricco cotton dress that i can wear as a cover-up, neutrogena, lip balm, sunglasses, all 5 of "the magazines", and NO CELLPHONE!!

The Towel: Anything large and soft

The Suit: Ugghh! Can't I just leave my Donna Ricco cover up on?

Sex and The Hair Do -- Tips by Mark Slicker

As with their clothing styles, the 4 characters of Sex and The City have very diverse and much desired hairstyles. According to Mark Slicker of the Mark Slicker Salon in Westwood, "Back in the 90s I was cutting more of "The Rachel" than anything else and it drove me crazy. What I love about the hair in Sex and The City is that each of the girls' hair really matches their personality and their looks for the most part can be easily recreated on most women without compromising their own personal style."

Below are Mark's Tips on How to Get of the character's signature looks:

CARRIE

Carrie Sports loose curls by incorporating her natural curl with the help of a flat iron. By using the flat iron instead of a curling iron you can achieve loose bohemian curls. A curl enhancing mousse is used for better curl definition and body. At times extensions are used to add more fullness. The top and front sections are round brushed to add softness. Carrie doesn’t like predictable highlight placement. Instead she incorporates unexpected chestnut brown lowlights into her blonde tips for a more sunkissed effect.

MIRANDA

She wears a layered 30's inspired bob. To achieve her loose curls add a root volumizer first to prep and build body. After round in vertical sections going back, place velcro rollers in the same direction until cooled. This locks in the body and the curl for longer lasting body. Her color is a simple tint application with a few highlights on top. This golden apricot tone is fantastic for her skin tone.

CHARLOTTE

Her look focuses on long layers and shattered ends. Color glosses are used to provide shine and dimension. This is a semi-permanent vegetable color is totally healthy for the hair. A gloss will coat, seal and temporarily repair damage done by hairdryers, irons etc. She gets a classic blow dry styled with a large round brush for soft volume and smooth ends. Charlotte would never use product on her hair that would dry it out. A classic blow dry is best without.

SAMANTHA

With fine hair and a wide forehead, bangs and layers work the best to frame and soften her face. She is a classic golden blonde with highlights concentrated around the front and sides. Her bangs and blown down but the top and sides are blown back for a soft feathered effect. Samatha often uses extensions that clip on to add thickness and length.

The Mark Slicker Salon is located at 1107 Gayley Avenue in Westwood.
Please call 310-443-8018 for an appointment.
www.markslicker.com

(images courtesy of new line and wireimage)