Glowing faces, Pinot Grigio, and Blonde Hair. That is how I would best describe the scene of Ramona Singer’s Tru Renewal spa day at the Equinox spa on 74^th and 2^nd. The festivities took place this past Saturday and all-together it was a very successful and relaxing afternoon.

Equinox decided to greet its visitors on the top floor with complimentary pasta and sandwiches, but the true party was two floors under. ‘Real Housewives’ star Ramona Singer was promoting her Tru Renewal skincare line and all customers who showed up for the celebration, received a mini-facial using her products. Each lucky customer sat down in a fur-covered lounge chair and received the VIP treatment.

Ramona’s friends came out to support her and were decked out in fur jackets and beautiful outfits for the occasion. Fellow housewife of New York, Alex Mc Cord, also showed her newest series alliance support for her new line. Alex even left Ramona give her a facial!

It was definitely a sight to see as each lady or man would lie down, have their faces rubbed for a while and then emerge with a youthful glow from ear to ear. The products that make you glow can be found at the Equinox on 74^th and 2^nd, TruRenewal.com and coming in February- Amazon.com at Ramona Singer Collections.

If you wanted to be in a quieter spot, the lounge area was the place to be. Decorated with Ramona gift bags and orange-flavored water- every customer who escaped to the back room felt serene as they waited for their facial or re-touched their make-up afterwards.

With the buzz in the air, and the new season gossip filling the walls- Equinox spa was anything but private that day… but wouldn’t you rather feel renewed with a facial, a glass of wine, and some Tru Renewal products??

I would. On to the next event!

Life's Simple Pleasures...and an unlikely snowstorm

Life can be influenced by the simplest touch of a person's hand, a light caress, a smile of acknowledgment, or even the most innocent of winks as you walk by a stranger on the street. I was reminded of that this weekend through both my professional and personal encounters with clients and friends.

It was amazing to me to be witness at a cover shoot for Boulevard magazine with Ugly Betty's Ana Ortiz and Mark Indelicato and watch the people from the infamous world of Cassini, as in Oleg Cassini be so touched and moved and thrilled to be in their presence as both actors seemed to be in theirs. The chief designer for Cassini went so far as wanting to have numerous photos taken with the pair to show his friends, and was as excited to be working with them as any fan might be to pass them on the street. Meanwhile on the other side, it was Ana and Mark that were impressed and in awe and knew the greatness of the world in which they inhabited for a day. It was so much more complementary that other shoots I've been on in the past. Watching them all interact with each other, experiencing it as they experienced it on both sides was entertaining and enlightening. Plus just for a second If I can just mention the mansion that is the Cassini headquarters at 15 East 63rd was just out of the world incredible. Old world charm, high ceilings, murals on the ceilings, the stone work on the walls, marble floors, simple elegance that was being restored to its greatness from when it was first built. The cascading staircases, old crickety elevator leading floor by floor to wonderful treasures whether it be sconces, cherubs, stone carved ivy...it brought you to another world where a horse drawn carriage may have one day stopped in front of the residence to pick some one up for a stroll through the park. It also had the most beautiful collections of photos of Jackie O that were inspiring to gaze at. Although, I am fully aware that I work in this world, it still amazes me as an observer to watch the interactions between people and be aware of the human condition.

Again, I was witness to that on Sunday morning. For four years in a row, Tamara Tunie has generously donated her time in support of one of the oldest charities in New York. The Children's Aid Society. A local chapter of a national organization, the people who devote themselves to non profit are truly selfless in their pursuit to help others. Or at least that is what I was evidencing that day. From the sophisticated brunch at Calypso on Madison and 68th, the speech by the new President and CEO of the charity, for a moment you might forget we were in a recession and the ones who had money were more than willing to part with some of it to help the kids. Even I got into the moment and got an adorable pair of fingerless gloves and cashmere scarf in Fushia of all colors! Tamara said lovely things about helping these children get better education, health care and a chance at a better life. It was moving and although the streets may have seemed a little less crowded this year, it was the coldest day I ever experienced this season and ran out of the cold I did at the first chance I got.

Talking with a woman in her 80's who has been on the board of the Children's Aid Society of New York for 45 years gives new meaning to learning from your elders. She and her husband were quick as a whip-it and all too open to discuss how the charity and New York has changed through the years. This woman was the first ever President of a non profit. Or at least that is what she said. I should have taken a photo of the lovely couple.

Hopefully people shopped today on Madison Avenue and gave their little piece to children in need. And when I saw this 14 year old girl, go up to Tamara and ask to have a photo taken with her, I was reminded of how special my own life was in many ways, and that those that are not surrounded by what I do, on a daily basis, can be touched, by the simple acknowledgement by a person they deem to be a celebrity, and be okay knowing that for that moment in time, they had a piece of something different that they would take home with them and cherish, such as a photo with someone they admire.

Everyone has someone they look up to. I suppose its no different than the day I met Bill and Hilary Clinton or the fact that they acknowledged they new my last name (Thank you Ron) that made the passing moment so special. Or flying to Berlin to be part of history when the wall came down, or even simply standing next to Candace Bergen when you are eight years old as an extra in a movie where your moment of fame eventually ends up on the cutting room floor. It was reall fun though, I have to say. Not sure it was more fun missing school or standing there all day....
Or having a lovely evening with someone you just met, in a snowstorm, with whom you seem to have known in passing for a long time, only to feel comfortable talking with him like sitting in your favorite chair...

Everyone looks up to someone else, admires and appreciates others. Until you stand in his/her presence to truly see both sides of the equation, one can never truly know the layers and interests of a person no matter how well you claim to know them.

So whether the first snowfall, a charitable day, a moving touch or soft kiss is what reminds you of life's simple pleasures, one must only think back to the young girl who tugged at that celebrities coat tail to say "can I have a photo please?" To remind you that it doesn't take much to make people happy.

We have a new client!

Hi Everyone! Very excited to announce that the company is now working with the amaing Jim Norton - Opie and Anthony, New York Times Best Selling Author, Jay Leno Show, Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld...Sold out venues across the country! Heck this guy is legendary and he is only just in his 40's. We are so thrilled to be working with him, stay tuned for updates on his comedy tour, intersting items such as the one that ran in Page Six on Sunday....and more!

Have a great day everyone.
Amy

Ana Ortiz says NO to MCDONALD'S

The award-winning Ugly Betty actress ANA ORTIZ has enough! With McDonald’s that is! So much that she wrote a letter to the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), which is the largest national Latino Civil Rights and Advocacy organization in the U.S. Her letter urged the group to not to partner with McDonald for any future events.

In her letter, Ana pointed out that slaughterhouse workers (many of whom are Hispanic immigrants) are poorly paid, usually receive no medical benefits, and face dismal working conditions. As Ana writes in the letter, "McDonald's has no regard for animals or for the people who are paid an unfair wage to kill them." To that end, she's asking NCLR to join PETA in urging McDonald's to switch to a less cruel slaughter method that would improve conditions for both chickens and workers.

You can read the rest of Ana’s letter by clicking: http://tinyurl.com/yjdxgay

Tamara Tunie

A Day in the Life

This week has been a fantastic week for Brownstein and Associates clients. A record Day and so much fun!!!!!

Monday, my day started out a little bit dazzled from a late night with my client Gregory Generet www.gregorygeneret.com at his amazing show at Feinstein's at Loews Regency! His jazz is like the finest cashmere pillows...soft, comfortable and extravagant. Between his rendition of "Moondance" and the amazing "Two for the Road," my friends Jennifer Litt from 5WPR, journalist Jennifer Keil from the New York Post and my associate Tim Yates, were enveloped in his amazing sounds amongst a packed crowd that included his wife Tamara Tunie, Cicely Tyson, designer B Michael, THR columnist Roger Friedman, agent Sarah Fargo from Paradigm and many many more.

So you can imagine that when I woke up at 530 am Tuesday morning to go spin with the amazing Loi Jordan at Reebok sports club, you know it wasn't happening as changed the alarm and hit my head hard on the pillow for a "do over"

I woke up at 8 am and scurried to get ready to meet Tamara Tunie at the Wendy Williams show. We met the handsome and yummy Morris Chestnut and enjoyed "Shoe Day" on the show. Tamara rocked the house and Wendy and Tamara had a great time. I'm so proud of Wendy and hope her show continues to gain momentum. She is prepared, smart, and easy to talk. And she allows her guests to talk. She's also super fun. Give Wendy Williams the shout out she deserves for making it happen.

Simultaneously, our Broadway ingénue Saycon Sengbloh was being fitted for a dress for the opening of FELA!, November 23rd. First, she started out at Karen Sabag, then over to the lovely B Michael she went!

Then I made my way over to CNN to join Ana Ortiz at Joy Behar's show on CNN Headline News. She sat on a panel with a reporter from the NY Observer and actor Michael McKean. Ana was sharp and on it like always. She's doing some incredible work on Ugly Betty. Hilda Suarez rocks the house.

And Michael Ausiello from EW wrote the following last week about Ugly Betty:
“The Ausiello Files” '
Ugly Betty' spoiler alert: A death, a departure and a (shocking) declaration!
by Michael Ausiello

If you’re among the millions of viewers who haven’t followed Ugly Betty to its deleterious new Friday timeslot, here’s what you’ve been missing: the show’s most consistently entertaining season since its transcendent first. As I mentioned in this week’s Ask Ausiello, the fourth-year comedy is, IMHO, enjoying a helluva creative resurgence. For proof, look not further than tonight’s exceptionally funny, moving, gutsy outing. If there were any doubts that Betty has a lot of life left in her — I’m talking to you, Ken Tucker — this eppy should obliterate them. Now then, time to step off my soap box and board the spoiler train. Some teases for tonight’s hour:

* Ana Ortiz carves out an early spot on my Dream Emmy Ballot with a performance that will move you to tears and laughter. Honorable mentions go to Michael Urie, Mark Indelicato, Vanessa Williams, and America Ferrera, who has come to embody Betty so wholly that it’s easy to take her superior work for granted.Check out the complete story at: http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/11/13/ugly-betty-spoilers-deaths-departures/

Glad the fan base is growing again! Keep it going! The work IS better than ever.


But wait....a Laura Bell Bundy spotting! Yes Yes! She looks relaxed, beautiful, happy and confident. Strong and it was amazing to look at her face, give her a hug and say "Hi, it’s been a while" and let's not forget Christian Borle looked fantastic as well and he's appearing in "Mary Poppins" and loving it!!! Can't wait to see him in it. He looked really happy and settled as well. Not going to tell you where they were however or they can't go back again while she is in town LOL. For all our 11 blog followers out there! What a stampede that would make!

Jace Alexander, Maddie Corman and one of their children was there as well. Jace is an amazing director and he's responsible in part for Royal Pains on USA. Got to give a shout out to Jace. And Maddie, the older sister of my wonderful friend Noah is going to Broadway with her play Next Fall and I encourage everyone to run out and see it. It’s moving and tearful and joyous at the same time. Lessons can be learned; they just don't always come on time or on cue.

But what day would not end more perfectly if I didn’t treat myself to a three musketeers bar, a weight watchers frozen dinner, a TIVO'ed HOUSE and a new NCIS before bed. Is Spin in my future tomorrow? Only the REM's know for sure...

I miss my summer interns...

Amy

From Eden with Love

So OK, I meet celebrities and heck I'm used to it. It’s a part of my life. However, when you move over in a booth to make room for Ozzie and Sharon Osbourne something clicks inside you. It was the most bizarre moment, yet most natural as they came in on a fluke to see Eden Espinosa's show. We thought they were friends with her. It was her first concert in NY for the new show "From Eden with Love" and we publicized it the best we could but we didn't invite any celeb types. So of course, her agents and I were sure they were friends. So when they were sitting in an obstructed booth, we offered for them to come sit with us and they DID! Not only did they sit with us, but Ozzie hugged me to thank me for the better seat. We were sure they knew her, especially then when he turned to me and said, "She's hot. She's really hot!" I just nodded my head and went back to paying attention to the show. I mean this rock legend was not only sitting five inches away from me but he was giving his seal of approval to us about her voice and her concert. And they are both SO nice! Wonderful people. We still thought they were mutual friends. And then in the end, after the show, we found out that actually they were staying at the hotel and wanted to see something different, So they came down to watch Eden! How exciting it is!

"From Eden with Love” I was mesmerized by Eden's performance. The Osbourne's must have been as well as a bottle of champagne was sent over to Eden from them as congratulations. How amazing that must be for Eden. This concert is sultry, soulful, real and full of meaning. The fact that she can "perform" adds depth to her music that only someone who has performed can do. She put on a show but it was a concert that just as easily could have been in Madison Square Garden or Carnegie Hall. The direction Eden is going with this "to-be" record is a true rock album full of the melancholy and the sublime, songs of hurt feelings, hatred and of course love. She even dedicated the last song to her dad. I'm truly excited for her to go into the studio and record this concert so you can all be treated to something special - sans the Ozzy sighting of course. Some things just can't be replicated!

And everyone said goodbye tonight to the man who originated the Green Ogre on Broadway, Brian d'Arcy James. I could not be in two places at once, but could only imagine how emotional and heartfelt the show was as he slowly said goodbye and took his final curtain call. That role was truly an emotional journey for everyone in his life. And I know I talked about it last week. But everyone come and see him in Time Stands Still in January!!!!

One more piece of news - Mark Indelicato started writing a column for Fashion Week Daily. Check out his first one (http://www.fashionweekdaily.com/parties/fullstory.sps?inewsid=6642542). It’s very exciting and we are thrilled for him! Did you know he deleted his twitter account? What's going on with these celeb/actors - one minute it’s the greatest thing and the next its hell on wheels? Mark's tweets will most certainly be missed.

And for those who attended the Sunflower Gala, I want to thank my amazing staff - Tim Yates, Marti Gould Cummings, Ashley Cox, my intern Lauren and my friend Adam P Jacobs and my brother in law Peter Gewirtz for helping out. Adam got to meet his childhood crush - that of Paulina Poriskova so I think we're even. The red carpet rocked and the event on our side went super smooth. We'd love to do more celebrity wrangling and red carpet events. It’s like we were meant to mobilize and handle these types of things. Sunflower Children was very grateful. Things truly were amazing and I'm really glad that it all worked out. Except for the fact that Russell Simmons got a drink poured on him by a drunken stock broker and by the time they gave the award to Quincy Jones, the traders were so drunk and obnoxious, Quincy had to yell shut up so many times. The crowd was so incredibly rude. And when it came time to make donations, Helena Houdova poured her heart out and Russell got so frustrated, he said "I'm in for 10K" and I'm out! Then he jumped off the stage. I mean, who do these traders think they are? This is not the floor of the stock exchange. This was a black tie, classy charity event. I just thank goodness that I wasn't part of that. As far as the red carpet went and our getting the classy press there - we did and we hope that all you people googling "event planner" or "event public relations" that you find us! It was fun!

On Sunday morning, our client Gregory Generet brought his magical voice to Weekend Today in New York. Gregory performed songs from his album re)generation. As he began the first bar of Angel Eyes, the entire newsroom stood still and in awe of his melodic sounds! Even Cindy Adams, sitting in the wings, got off her mobile phone and gave her undivided attention to Gregory Generet. Gregory even closed out the show with his hot song How High the Moon. Take a look and listen: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/station/as-seen-on/Gregory_Generet_Peforms_on_WTINY_New_York.html.

Catch more of Gregory Generet at his show “Songs in the Key of ‘G’” at Feinstein’s at Loews Regency for a two nights on November 9th and 16th at 8:30 PM. He will be performing songs from the Great American Songbook as well as Contemporary Standards from his album (RE) GENERET-ION, which has received rave reviews from critics.

He has performed throughout New York City with sold-out shows at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Highline Ballroom, Joe’s Pub, and the Edison Ballroom. His debut effort has garnered much attention, including radio play across the country at stations like KKJZ-FM in Los Angeles, as well as Jonathan Swartz’s “The Saturday and The Sunday Show.”

Later Sunday, our Broadway diva, Saycon Sengbloh, who is co-starring in the highly, anticipated FELA! on Broadway, had an amazing photo shoot for the December issue of Paper Magazine (hitting stands the first week of December). Saycon joined her cast mates, Sahr Ngaujah and Kevin Mambo for this shoot. Though hair/make-up was hours late and the stylist a half hour late, the photo shoot was amazing as Saycon brought a certain sexy vibe to the shoot which was directed by photographer Rafael Rios. We are always excited for Saycon and can’t wait to see the photos selected as everyone at the shoot agreed, it’s going to be hard to pick as she’s so darn good! FELA! is getting rave reviews by its audience and we await the opening on November 23, 2009 at the Eugene O’Neil Theater.

Thanks