A VERY L.A. DAY! 'Virgin Produced Malibu Beach Party' & 'Sunset Strip Music Festival'

(L-R) Ashley NYC, Erica Rand (entertainment publicist), Elizabeth Covington (celebrity chef)
(L-R) April Young, Ashley NYC, Justin Berfield (actor/producer), Rebecca

What a fun Saturday to end my California summer trip! In the afternoon we went to a fun party at the Malibu Inn on Pacific Coast Highway which was hosted by Virgin Produced (new film/TV production company from the owner of Virgin Music and Virgin America). A couple bands played music inside, while people partied it up outside with libations, comfort food and socializing outside.

I was happy to catch up with my longtime pal Erica Rand, the coolest PR girl in LA! And her BFF Elizabeth Covington (celebrity chef) was there too. Was good to see my friends Anthony Smith, Ronny and a few others too.

We left the party early, and I went to the Sunset Strip Music Festival in West Hollywood. They close down Sunset from Doheny and westward and have some of the hottest bands perform on different stages,. I was bummed to have missed Bush, but got to see Public Enemy and Motely Crue perform.

We then went to Rainbow Room on Sunset for a couple drinks, and then next door to a VIP party at ‘On The Rox’.

What a fun day to mark my last Saturday in LA. Now I have a good memory to remind me of things I do like about LA: the beach, music and friends. Will be back in NYC soon!

(L-R) Ashley, Anthony Smith, Toby Midgen

(L-R) George A. (HollywoodBroker.com), Ashley NYC, Naia Cucukov (Creative Exec. of Virgin Produced)
(L-R) John N. Marchesini (Hollywood Reporter), Ashley NYC, Jason Felts (CEO of Virgin Produced)

(L-R) April Young, Jordan, Ashley

Malibu pier

Public Enemy performing at Sunset Strip Music Festival

Motley Crue performing

I took a dare and sang a song on stage at the VIP after party

The coolest door girl ever from 'On The Rox' club on Sunset

Rosario Dawson Hosts G-Star's "Women's Night" @ Kitson in Los Angeles

Actress Rosario Dawson

Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth (Legally Blonde, Wicked)

Singer Jo Jo

Actress Tina Majorino (HBO's 'Big Love')



(L-R) Michael R. Greene, Claudia Lari, Ashley NYC



(L-R) Adam Fayback, Ashley NYC, Jason Barschi

Fashion designer Prince Peter



(L-R) Ashley NYC, Rocco Leo Gaglioti (host of Fashion News Live), Ida Kay Khabazian (PR for G-Star)Sandi Margolis

(L-R) Chalise "Love" Collins, Jasmine Simpkins, Ashley NYC, Armon Areece, Ashley Sean Thomas

Caitlin Moe (violinist who performed at the party)

LATISM and BlogHer Conference Host Roof Top Fiesta w/ Hundreds of Female Media Activists, Salsa & Fireworks!

(L-R) Ashley NYC, Elianne Ramos (LATISM's Vice Chair of Communications & PR), Elma Placeres Dieppa (Director LATISM Chicago Chapter)


In one of the most fun parties of the summer (a rooftop party overlooking the beach, fireworks and with California perfect weather is hard to come by), LATISM and BlogHer Conference (sponsored by K Mart and Latina Smart) hosted a party to celebrate the conclusion of the BlogHer’s annual gathering of thousands of bloggers, writers, media activists and brand ambassadors. After a couple margaritas, and some delicious fish tacos, we took to the dance floor to dance some salsa, and some hip hop.The fireworks were majestic, and there was so much positive energy amongst the women from all over the country who had attended the conference.
LATISM's Vice Chair Elianne Ramos addresses the audience on stage before the raffle drawing

Elianne Ramos of LATISM tells Ashley & New York:

"The 2nd annual LATISM Social Fiesta at BlogHer was a truly magical night: great view, great food, drinks, dancing, and even fireworks! What better way to honor our Latin@ power, pride, and sisterhood – and to celebrate our new partnership with BlogHer – than by inviting our amazingly supporting community to party with us? This party was a delightful preview of all the fun and surprises we have in store for our LATISM ’11 Conference in Chicago this November - you are all invited!"

(More info about LATISM, their 2011 conference, and BlogHer at the bottom)

(L-R) Ruby Wright ('Growing Up Blackxican'), Ashley NYC, Event model, blogger

I really enjoyed the LATISM party! I met a lot of other writers and it was empowering to hang out with other Latinas. My mother is Mexican American, my father is Black. I sometimes call myself a "Black-xican" or "Bla-tina" :). I met a lot of other 'Bla-tinas', including Ruby Wright, author of the blog 'Growing Up Blackxican'. Stay tuned for her interview of my Blackxican experience on http://www.growingupblackxican.com/

Elianne Ramos and the rest of the LATISM team were so warm and welcoming to everyone, and I look forward to collaborating with this amazing organization.

I also met at the party Sandra Gonzalez of the blog Soy Fashionista, Marta Darby of the blog 'My Big, Fat Cuban Family', Ana Lydia Ochoa-Monaco of Latina Lifestyle Bloggers Group, tech consultant and BlogHer Conference panelist Adria Richards, Jennifer Salazr Hutchenson of the blog 'Mami 2 Mommy', Elma Placeres Diepa (Director of LATISM's Chicago Chapter), Angela Chee of the blog 'The Zen Mom', Marie Denne of the blog 'The Curvy Fashionista', BlogHer's Maria Niles and many other sisters doing it for themselves!

I had so much fun at the event, and am looking forward to trying to go to the LATISM Conference this fall, see you there!

LATISM's Elianne Ramos (red dress), BlogHer Co-Founder Elisa Camahort Page (purple and black dress), BlogHer Co-Founder/CEO Lisa Stone (far right) and LATISM's Elma Placeres Dieppa (2nd from left holding raffle jar) doing the raffle portion of the presentation.

BlogHer's Maria Niles

Info about the upcoming Latism 2011 Conference in Chicago in November, here's the URL: http://conference.latism.org/

BlogHer: http://www.blogher.com/

More pictures from party on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/groups/latismdoesblogher11/

LATISM's Website: http://latism.org

LATISM's blog: http://blog.latism.org