Samantha's Event Pick- Ping Pong for a Cause

The Carol Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund

I recently attended a ping pong event for the Carol Baldwin Breast Cancer fund at the hot spot, Spin. The room was packed with young social creatures, all turning out for the cause. Great place to meet someone, all for a great cause. There was a tournament going on in the middle of the room  between the Super women- Breast cancer survivors and Super Models. And people were playing pick-up ping pong games all over the room. Then Kelly Dooley was there peddling her Bodyrock Sportsline all for the cause. I even got a photo with Stephen Baldwin. Make sure to come out for the next one...

Samantha's Book Pick- Speaking is everything

How to Give  Pretty Good Presentation by TJ Walker

I don't know about you, but I can always get a few public speaking tips from a Master. I speak at conferences, events and on the phone all the time and I think I am good, but I could always be better. Everyone could. Enter TJ Walker, he has been coaching famous people on their public speaking for years. And now he has written a book as he says, "a speaking survival guide... for the rest of us." There are great tips in here that are helpful whether you speak at Fortune 500 events or you are just trying to get your children to take you more seriously. My favorite tip is if you feel like you are losing your audience, address someone by name and ask a series of questions so that they become reengaged in the talk. Definitely worth a read!

Samantha's Event Pick- Sipping for a Cause

Zachys Wine Tasting to Benefit the Robin Hood Foundation

When it comes to distributing wine, Zachys is one of the best in the business. And Robin Hood is one of our best philanthropic organizations as it is the leader in fighting poverty in NYC.  Put them both together and you have yourself a great event. And this one was not to be missed. There were over 130 wineries represented from across the Globe alongside restaurant outposts with food from some of New York top chefs. Some of the favorite wines I sampled were the Napanook 2007 Bordeaux blend from Dominus Estate in Napa Valley., the Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon 2007  "Fay"  from Napa Valley,  the Patz & Hall Chardonnay 2008 from Sonoma, the Columbia Crest Reserve Merlot 2007 from ChateauSte Michelle in Washington,  the Pierre Yves Colin-Morey Chasagne Montrachet Les Caillerets 2008 from Burgundy France, the Joseph Phelps dessert wine, Eisrebe 2008 from Napa, and the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc from Cloudy Bay. As for the food, the Pumpkin soup with chanterelle mushrooms and croutons was delish from Benoit, and the wine samplings of fromage, salamis and proscuitto from Primizie.  Yum, yum!

Samantha's "Must Do" Pick- The Hairy Gorilla

completely bare

How much time do you spend a week grooming yourself? Between your blowout, your facial, your nails and toes and shaving, I am betting at least 24 hours. And with shaving, we think that it is easier than going through with the laser hair removal down there because it seems quicker, it's less expensive and less painful. However, the fact of the matter is, if we could remove the hair down there once and for all, wouldn't life be grand? Shower time would be shorter, no more ingrown hairs and boyfriends all over would be perpetually happy. That's where completely bare comes in. Don't let the name fool you or scare you, you can go as bare or not bare as you dare; it's your choice but letting them permanently remove that stuff down there is the right choice to make. They have locations all over the city-it's private, it's pleasant and their technicians keep it simple and painless because they have a magical lotion that helps a lot. The first time is scariest but after that, it's smooth sailing. And when you are finished you will be so happy that you did it that you might reward yourself with a Vajewel or  a Vatoo.  I bet now, I really have your attention!!

Samantha's "I'm Obsessed" Pick- A New Kind of Supermarket

Trader Joe's

I have to admit, I was a little skeptical before entering this gargantuan establishment. I had been in one year's ago in Los Angeles, but all I remembered was long lines and lots of just okay generic brand food. However that was years ago and that wasn't in Manhattan so being the true curious Georgina that I am, I wondered in cautiously yesterday. The lines, they are still there so plan ahead but now I understand why people are willing to stand on those lines. They have everything in that store. And it's perfect for the busy NYer who doesn't really know how to cook but wants to make a romantic dinner for her beau because they have endless looking yummy pre-made foods. Even their produce looks fresh and good. And the prices, I felt like I was in Kansas, things are cheap in there, truly cheap. My burrata cheese that I love so much was $4.49 for 2 balls of it and it was yummy; I usually pay close to $15 for that in those ritzy establishments that I usually frequent!  I would say, it's worth a look see!

Samantha's Book Pick- I always wanted to be a designer

Book- P.S.- I Made This by Erica Domesek

You have to admit that sometimes you wish you were a fashion designer. You see a dress and you think to yourself, if only I could nip this, tuck that, add a button, add a color, but you have no idea how to do this, so you  are stuck buying what's out there and making no adjustments. Well, pine no longer. In Domesek's book, P.S- I Made This, she actually helps you play designer for a day or many days. She provides step by step, easy to understand instructions and even illustrations for "doctoring" clothing, handbags, jewelry, shoes and belts. And the end product, something that is really cool, really wearable and really individualistically you. As for me, I am gearing up to try to make a lucite necklace. How much fun is that?

Samantha's "I'm obsessed" pick- They come in different colors

Heirloom Tomatoes

For those of you who think that a tomato is a tomato, you certainly have not experienced an Heirloom tomato. I have been a fan ,maybe an obsessed addict for over 8 years now. Besides the face that they are so healthy for you (high in lycopene which is one of the best antioxidants out there), they are truly yummy! The Heirlooms are in season for only a short time each year- in August, in September and if we are lucky early Oct (we are this year!). Why are they so good when they are actually so ugly and deformed? Heirloom tomatoes are