California girl Ashley runs away from her home in LA to go to The Big Apple to find inspiration for her writing. With a background in entertainment public relations, journalism & activism in social issues and politics, mixed with her quest for spiritual enlightenment, she throws herself into the center of all facets of New York City culture, & starts a blog, "Ashley and New York".
9/10/11
9/9/11
Maggie Betts, Genevieve Jones, Lady Alice St.Clair Erskine & Jessica Hart Host Salvatore Ferragamo Fashion Night Out Event
w/ jewelery designer Genevieve Jones
New York fashion trend setters and NYC socialistas Maggie Betts, Genevieve Jones, Lady Alice St.Clair Erskine & Grace Gummer hosted Salvatore Ferragamo’s ‘Step Out…Fashion Night Out’ party last night at the Fifth Avenue store. It was a black and white clothing themed party, so it was cute that the four hostesses ranged from black, white to bi-racial. We are all one race: The human race :)
I saw and really liked Maggie Bett’s directorial debut of the documentary, The Carrier, at the Tribeca Film Festival this year, a compelling story about a woman with HIV determined to prevent her unborn child from being infected.
Grace Gummer is an actress like her mother Meryl Streep. Meryl Streep is hailed as one the most talented actresses ever, so I wouldn’t be surprised if she passed down some of her gifts to her stylish daughter.
I have always liked Genevieve Jones’ jewelry. Jones tells Ashley and New York:
"I love Salvatore Ferragamo because his style is very classic, the clothes are high quality, nothing is permanent, but you want them to last a longtime. I also really like the accessory designer."
I met and chatted with Lady Alice St.Clair Erskine, who was very friendly. I asked her about Ferragamo. Alice tells Ashley and New York:
"I usually wear vintage, but with Ferragamo I feel elegant, more sophisticated,another side of Alice"
w/ Lisa Yom
Ricardo Duenas, Maggie Betts
(L-R) Julia Loomis, Diana Hsu,Genevieve Jones
(L-R)Pal Patel, Ashley NYC, Amber Dawkins
(L-R) Ashley NYC, Joe Wiese, talented artist Zev Eisenberg
9/7/11
Nur Khan's British Pop Styled Lounge 'The Electric Room's' Soft Opening Last Night Rocked Out the House!
Last night was the ‘soft opening’ of NYC nightlife guru Nur Khan’s new hot spot ‘The Electric Room’ which is located in the Meatpacking District under The Dream Hotel. Only 100 people can fit in this venue, so come with your A-game.
Prior to the opening was Scott Lip’s One Management’s 10th Anniversary party next door at The Maritime Hotel, where Courtney Love performed. Directly after her performance everyone left the party and some of us went to The Electric Room. When I went inside I felt like I was in the rockin’ rolling west end of Sunset Strip because the décor was British-rock-alicious themed. A disco ball above the DJ booth, artwork with British rock stars, eclectically groovy furniture and color and models seemed to step right out of a 60’s decade British music video. Courtney Love, One Management founder Scott Lipps and Entourage star Adrian Grenier and some popular models came out to enjoy the opening.
I was able to interview Nur Khan about his new venture. I asked him what inspired the amazing style and décor of his new lounge.
Nur Khan tells Ashley and New York:
“I have always loved British rock and pop, which is why I opened Wax in 1995, before anyone in NYC was doing that. With The Electric Room I want to remind people of the good times of the British pop invasion. Some of the more modern British bands that I like are Kills, Blur and Oasis. Many spots in town are only playing electronic and house, we are bringing rock back.”
8/21/11
A VERY L.A. DAY! 'Virgin Produced Malibu Beach Party' & 'Sunset Strip Music Festival'
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.
(L-R) Ashley, Anthony Smith, Toby Midgen
(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
8/12/11
Rosario Dawson Hosts G-Star's "Women's Night" @ Kitson in Los Angeles
8/8/11
LATISM and BlogHer Conference Host Roof Top Fiesta w/ Hundreds of Female Media Activists, Salsa & Fireworks!
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.
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BlogHer's Maria Niles
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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

