AJ Feuerman

Publicist | Social Media Strategist | Brunch Fanatic

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My Faith in Humanity

November 17, 2018 By AJ Leave a Comment

I’m going to tell you how a brief – and somewhat awkward – encounter with three women in a ladies room restored my faith in humanity. Hear me out.

On Thursday night I was having dinner at a fairly posh restaurant in Beverly Hills with a friend. Mid conversation, at the end of our meal, I caught a nosebleed. I jumped up and ran for the bathroom and by the time I got there, I was pretty much a waterfall. I was alone at first, which was fine with me because I felt embarrassed and ridiculous, gushing blood over the pristine, white, porcelain sink and shoving paper towels under my nose. (I get nosebleeds fairly often with bad air quality or dry weather but they always stop quickly. This was really bad.)

Suddenly one woman was out of a stall, with her hand on my back, asking if i was okay. And then a second woman, in a very sexy gold dress, was standing next to me, with more paper towels, asking if she could help.

I kept insisting I was fine, but I was actually starting to feel dizzy and nauseous and I think they could tell I was nervous. I have a fuzzy memory of asking if I should go to a hospital. Gold-dress-lady started dabbing at the spots on my arms and hands where I’d stained myself with blood while the other woman, whom I later learned was named Wendy, started rolling up tissue and putting it up my nose, instructing me to tilt my head back and showing me how to hold the bridge of my nose. They were both kind and gentle. It was extraordinarily comforting.

My embarrassment started to fade and I only felt gratitude. Neither would leave me until the bleeding stopped and I appeared to be okay on my feet.

It’s easy to assume anyone would do the same in that situation but I don’t believe that to be true. I saw both women out in the restaurant later. Wendy asked me if I was really okay and I said “yes” and mouthed “thank you.” She said something about how things like that are happening to lots of people because of the air quality from the fires.

I don’t know. Women are often accused of being catty or competitive. Human beings, just by nature, are apprehensive and it’s easy to keep to yourself. You’ll get no judgement from me for that. In a fancy restaurant, in our nice clothes, with good food and great music beckoning from outside the door, it would have been easy to smile, quickly ask if I was okay, and move on. But they stuck with me and I found it incredibly touching.

Faith in humanity restored for the moment. Thanks, ladies.

My Faith in Humanity: Restored in a Public Restroom

Filed Under: Around LA Tagged With: My Faith in Humanity

Friday Favorites: A Rumbly in my Tumbly

November 16, 2018 By AJ Leave a Comment

The last couple weeks have been, quite frankly, very dark and terrible. And I will address some of the reasons why in a later post but for now, I choose to move on and celebrate more joyous things. The little things. It’s the WEEKEND! Happy Friday! Not to steal anything from “Game of Thrones” (which I don’t want anyway), but WINTER IS COMING and I could not be happier. Break out the sweaters, scarves and boots, guys. I am READY. It’s got me in a better mood. Walking the dog in this cooler weather makes me smile. And speaking of joy, shall we also delve into the Friday Favorites? Here we go….

Friday Favorites: A Rumbly in my TumblyWHAT I READ

  • I finished a fun mystery novel called Crisis . I don’t usually read books like this but it was a lot of fun to try something new. I enjoyed it a lot. Then I started Sally Field’s autobiography which has been full of surprises thus far.
  • A friend of mine forwarded me a couple political articles this week that were excellent reads. If you’re inclined and have a few minutes, check these out:
    • From The Atlantic: “How to Salvage Congress.”
    • From The Concourse: “This is All Donald Trump Has Left.”

OTHER BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS

  • This recipe from Lindsay at Fit & Awesome for a tasty and healthy “smash cake” is super cute. I know smash cakes are for babies but I want it.
  • Amanda (SUCH a great name, by the way), over at A Cookie Named Desire, compiled a stellar list of Hot Chocolate recipes and I’m down to try all of them.
  • I don’t buy a lot of movies anymore. I’m all about the streaming. But when I really love or cherish a flick, I do feel a need to own it so I will totally be buying Disney’s Christopher Robin. I had ALL THE FEELS watching that movie. Anyway, Wendy has all the deets on that release. Even though I am a Tigger fangirl, I thought Brad Garrett as Eeyore stole the whole movie. He had me laughing the mostest. (But really, I HEART TIGGER.)

PR & SOCIAL MEDIA

  • Here are five reasons why you should still be advertising on Facebook. (Consequently, I would also ask why you stopped?)
  • One of my favorite businessmen, Mark Cuban, touts why being nice is still a much-lauded, underrated trait in business.
  • Ice T has never had a bagel. EVER. It’s kind of the best thing that’s ever happened to Twitter. Enjoy.
  • And now, some PR 101. How to do a public apology by Saturday Night Live:

EARLIER THIS WEEK

  • I hope you caught the third volume in my continuing series of guides to Millennial vocabulary for the old folks.
  • And, also, that you caught my guide to coffee shop etiquette. I am here to help.
  • Someone sent me this list of amazing, “ugly,” Hanukkah sweaters. Wanna guess which one I bought?

Friday Favorites: A Rumbly in my Tumbly / Ugly Hanukkah Sweaters

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • AAAAAAAAAH!!!! Do you know who I LOVE? I mentioned this…. I love TIGGER. And I love seeing Jim Cummings doing that voice in person. He delighted me immensely singing the Tigger theme in this interview:

  • James Corden’s most famous segment is probably Carpool Karaoke, which I enjoy, but I also LOVE his “Spill Your Guts” segments. His duel with Jon Hamm was hysterical:

Filed Under: Pocket Fridays Tagged With: Christopher Robin, Hanukkah sweater, Ice T, James Corden, Jim Cummings, Jon Hamm, Pete Davidson, Sally Field, SNL, Tigger, Ugly sweater, Winnie the Pooh

AN OLD PERSON’S GUIDE TO THE MILLENNIAL VOCABULARY: VOLUME 3

November 15, 2018 By AJ 1 Comment

The Wait is over. Here we go again.

My very first edition of “An Old Person’s Guide To The Millennial Vocabulary” was a smashing success so crafting Volume Two was a no-brainer. It’s been a hot minute since, but at long last, I felt it was time to get back into my hard core research (i.e. crowd-sourcing on Facebook) and assemble the latest words I do not understand for a third volume of my glossary series.

You guys, every time I put one of these together, it’s a stunning reminder that I am AGING. Sigh.

AN OLD PERSON’S GUIDE TO THE MILLENNIAL VOCABULARY

Best life: A hella (do people still use “hella?”) catchy song by Cardi B but also, a way of expressing pride as in “living my best life” or a compliment “he’s living his best life.”

Bougie: Typically used sarcastically to describe someone acting uppity or of a higher class.

AN OLD PERSON’S GUIDE TO THE MILLENNIAL VOCABULARY

Canceled: To reject something because it’s no longer trendy or it’s become too ratchet.

Chuh: If someone says “chuh,” it means they’ve combined sure and yep into one word. (Why is that necessary?)

Curve: If you reject someone, you in essence , “curve them.”

Darty: Day party. There will probably be day drinking there.

Dipset: To depart. To exit. To bounce. As in “Hey guys, I’m about to dipset but I’ll talk to you later.”

Esh-get-it: Or, “esketit.” Short for “let’s get it.”

Finsta: Short for a fake Instagram. If you ask me, the term is misleading because it’s a private Insta account to show off the real aspects of your daily life that you wouldn’t feel comfortable sharing with followers on a regular page. So it’s not really fake, right?

Fire: About as cool as something can get. “That dish is straight fire.”

Flex: Showing off, “flexing,” your valuables in a non-humble way.

Gassed: When someone has had one too many compliments and is full of themselves

Generic: When you are so, so basic, you are just generic.

Girlypop: Girlypop is some girls’ favorite way to classify their friends. A general greeting that some use regularly to acknowledge their besties.

GMT: An acronym for “getting me tight,” which is getting upset.

Issa mood: Simply short for “it’s a mood.” How it sounds.

It me: A way to convey something represents exactly how you feel.

AN OLD PERSON’S GUIDE TO THE MILLENNIAL VOCABULARY

JOMO: Perhaps you have heard of “FOMO,” which is “fear of missing out” (and if not, it was in Volume One). JOMO is the opposite; the “joy of missing out.” (And BTW, it me.)

Kiki: In addition to being the subject matter of a super annoying Drake song (#SorryNotSorry), it’s also a synonym for a party.

LB/FB: Some text speak for “like back” and “follow back.”

Merch: Merch is short for “merchandise,” AKA swag or, really, just stuff.

Mom: The most responsible friend in the group

Noods: Nudes. Like, we’re that silly now that we’re just spelling words differently with the same amount of letters.

Norts: Norts are the ultimate fashion statement when you arrive at college. Norts began as Nike shorts, but now can include any shorts. They may seem extremely short when wearing them, but it’s just because those who sport them are wearing shirts that are three times their actual size.

Phubbing: Snubbing someone to pay attention to your phone instead.

Quiche: Used to describe someone who is hotter than hot.

Respeck: So much respect you can’t even get the ‘T’ sound out of your mouth. (EYE ROLL.)

Salty: Pissed off, annoyed, etc.

Shook: An adjective to describe a state of shock. “Girl, I am shook.”

Smol: Sometime small and adorable like a puppy or kitten.

AN OLD PERSON’S GUIDE TO THE MILLENNIAL VOCABULARY

Snack: I’m not saying I endorse this, but it’s when someone looks so good, you could eat them, hence you refer to them as a “snack.”

Suh: This word is a shortened version of “what’s up” — like many of these terms, it came into use as a way to shorten an existing phrase for texting purposes.

Swerve: A command to get someone out of the way or command someone to avoid something.

Tea: Tea is gossip. You can pour it, you can drink it and you can serve it. All the tea. So much tea. (I love this one!)

Thicc: Someone with curves

Thirst trap: A sexy photograph or flirtatious message posted on social media

Trill: True and real.

Troll: This is not a reference to the creatures often found in works of fiction. Rather, it refers to assholes who have nothing better to do than provoke others online with negativity.

AN OLD PERSON’S GUIDE TO THE MILLENNIAL VOCABULARY

Tuning: Chatting a person up in a flirtatious manner to advance toward a sexual or romantic relationship. “Ugh, he was tuning some random girls on Tinder….”

Weird flex: Often stated as “weird flex, but okay” when someone brags about something that isn’t really brag-worthy.

Wig snatched: Exposing someone to reveal the truth

Xennials: TFW milennials hate being called milennials because only milennials would make up a new word to categorize themselves under.

Yeet: A way to show excitement or agree. But also to disagree. Yeeting is very versatile. Like “fuck!” but less offensive.

Za: Apparently we’re shortening the word “pizza” now. I wish we wouldn’t. This is ridiculous.

# # #

Y’all, it’ll be a good chunk of time before I get to the next volume but did I miss any words? I’m open to amendments! Drop me a note in the comments.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: glossary, Millennial Slang, Millennial Vocabulary, urban dictionary

Coffee Shop Etiquette

November 5, 2018 By AJ Leave a Comment

Let us now learn some important coffee shop etiquette.I was recently inspired by a friend’s Facebook post from her local coffee shop: “If you are in a public place having a full on conversation on speaker phone…you are an ass.” Too far, people. Too far. As a freelancer, I do half my work in coffee shops and it’s made me acutely aware of some really poor – dare I say trashy – behavior in these public places. And I am here to help. Not that I should have to but I guess we’re not all blessed with the same levels of common sense?

YOU DO NOT LIVE HERE 

If we are Facebook friends, you may recall this experience:

Never mind that he was on a loud phone call — I will bring that up later. And never mind that his hardware was busted. This was not the last time I saw a desktop setup in a Starbucks. And It just looks ridiculous. At least he had the decency to do it at a small table but I’ve certainly seen it where the customer takes over a four-top to spread out their computer and what-have-yous. It’s just in such poor taste, people. If you don’t have a place for that at home, why do you own it?

In a discussion about this, someone suggested to me once it may be a homeless person who only had the desktop to their name and transports it to coffee shops to look for work. Well…. maybe? I suppose I can’t argue with that. I wouldn’t tell them to sell it if they’re using it to look for work or a place to live. I could actually understand a need to cling to it.

BARE FEET

Don’t do that, people. Not in a Starbucks, not in a Coffee Bean, not in any public place (see also: airplanes). Some people would argue that “my feet don’t smell,” and that it actually has health benefits to go barefoot. Okay, then stay home and take your shoes off. Close your office door and take your shoes off. But I think when I go to get a coffee and spend a couple hours doing whatever, I get to assume your feet are stanky and I don’t want them near anything I am drinking or eating. It’s gross. It’s just gross.

SOUND BARRIERS 

YOU ARE NOT IN YOUR OFFICE, YOU ARE AT STARBUCKS, STOP SHOUTING. If you’re going to have a loud phone conversation in a public place, you better be ready for me to chime in. Because I will (see that Facebook post up there for proof). Even worse? VIDEO CALLS. Why are you doing that here? It’s bad enough I hear you, now I have to hear TWO of you? NO.

Also, are you watching videos or listening to music? Why aren’t you using headphones?! COME ON.

SHARING SPACE

Let’s be courteous here, people. If you are a party of one, you do not need to hog a big table for four. And if you sit at one of those, I hope you are prepared to share your space with another individual. That’s the coffee shop common courtesy law. Also? Don’t hog the outlets. If you’re at 100%, let someone else plug in for a bit, would you?

coffee shop etiquette

What did I miss? For example, how do you feel about people who “camp” at the coffee shop – that set up and stay for hours and hours? People who only buy one little thing? Is tipping required? Do tell in the comments, please.

Filed Under: Pro Tips Tagged With: Coffee bean, Coffee Shop Etiquette, Starbucks

Friday Favorites – Moving Sucks So Much

September 28, 2018 By AJ Leave a Comment

The day before I moved, I had a boxing lesson. Between that and lifting boxes, I thought my arms and legs might fall off. Like, actually FALL. OFF. I was jello. Moving sucks so much. I am relieved, though, to have that behind me and to be settling into the new place.

Friday Favorites - Moving Sucks So Much

WHAT I READ

  • I finished this book called “More Beautiful Than Before: How Suffering Transforms Us.” It wasn’t a gem from start-to-finish, but a good chunk of it really moved me and I’d recommend it to anyone who’s struggling.
  • Padma Lakshmi wrote a powerful Op-Ed for the New York Times. Read it. All of it.
  • Also quite powerful and moving, this piece from Huffington Post called “Everything You Know About Obesity is Wrong.”
  • If you are not acquainted with Justin Tranter, you should be. Read this. His is an amazing man with a big heart. I am proud to say I know him a little from my NYU days.

OTHER BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS

  • Our Best Bites strikes again with this amazing recipe for QUESO.
  • Lindsay hit the Fancy Foods Show and found some cool, new products! I love reading stuff like this.
  • And how about Munchies’ recipe for beer-bettered glazed shrimp?!

Friday Favorites - Moving Sucks So Much

PR & SOCIAL MEDIA

  • This is good news. Twitter will allow you to make your feed chronological.
  • The artist behind the ‘Awards for Good Boys’ Instagram isn’t afraid to piss off her trolls.
  • Kinda interesting — Facebook pages can now join Facebook groups.
  • Did you know ABC news is earning half a million views on their weekly “selfie style” news program? Good on them.

EARLIER THIS WEEK

  • An AX THROWING BAR opened in Los Angeles. AX. THROWING. WHAT?! (I’m totally going to take a lesson. No joke.)

Friday Favorites - Moving Sucks So Much

  • I binged the second season of “Handmaid’s Tale.” And then I needed to take a Xanax and sleep it off.
  • I moderated a terrific discussion for Social Media Club LA on crisis communications. It was a great experience and I loved the three women I got to present with!

Friday Favorites - Moving Sucks So Much

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • This rather special seven year old brought some serious soul to the National Anthem at a recent soccer game.
  • Fall in love with this cheeky little Rhino:

Filed Under: Pocket Fridays Tagged With: Fancy Foods Show, Handmaid's Tale, Huffington Post, Justin Tranter, LA AX, Padma Lakshmi, Queso Recipe, SMCLA, Social Media Club

Friday Favorites – Live From Box City

September 14, 2018 By AJ Leave a Comment

I need theme music! “LIVE! FROM BOX CITY! HOORAY!” The audience applauds….

My tiny apartment is a box city. I am moving on Wednesday — not far at all from where I live now — and I am both excited and stressed out beyond belief. MOVING SUCKS. It especially sucks when you are running your own business out of the home your are packing up. It is even harder when you have a seven month old puppy running around, trying to eat everything in said boxes. SIGH. Friday Favorites - Before The Move

WHAT I READ

  • OMG. This reporter ate Brunch at the Scientology Celebrity Center. A fascinating read. I wanna goooooooo….
  • I am so sad that this is our reality — teachers taking second and third jobs to make ends meet. This is unacceptable.
  • This is so interesting. Every year in Paris, they have a day without ANY CARS. What a cool idea. I wonder how they make it happen?! Los Angeles would probably collapse on itself.

Friday Favorites - Live From Box City

OTHER BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS

  • Our Best Bites has aggregated some amazing-looking apple recipes. YUM!!!
  • Alice’s family’s Summer vacation looks idyllic.
  • Do you take advantage of Give Back Box? If you order anything from certain retailers online, they will print you a label for free shipping to use their packaging for gently-worn clothing donations.
  • Vanity Fair does this great online series, “73 Random Questions.” I love this latest episode with Lady Gaga.

PR & SOCIAL MEDIA

  • A new study tracks how teens really feel in relation to social media. I love this stuff.
  • Some great tips to running a successful Instagram giveaway.
  • Don’t forget on September 24, I am moderating a Social Media Club panel discussion about crisis communications! Get details and tickets here.

EARLIER THIS WEEK

  • Pottery Barn unveiled a line of Harry Potter homewares and I want to be a kid again.
  • One of my clients made a very cool casting announcement! Check it out.
  • Joe Biden rejoined Instagram. That made me happy.
  • I saw Enchanted and it’s so cute and clever. What a fun movie! Have you seen it?

Friday Favorites - Live From Box City

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • Paula Abdul CRUSHED IT on The Late Late Show. I’ve watched this multiple times.

  • One of my idols, Marin Mazzie, a three-time Tony nominee, passed away this week from Ovarian Cancer. I have been unable to shut off her music since. She was just 57. What a loss. I had the privilege of seeing her a few times on stage, twice on Broadway, and she left an indelible mark on my soul.

Filed Under: Pocket Fridays Tagged With: Brunch, Enchanted, Give Back Box, Harry Potter, Instagram, Joe Biden, Lady Gaga, Marin Mazzie, Paris, Paula Abdul, Pottery Barn, Scientology, Summer Vacation, Vanity Fair

Everyone is a Baller With JetSuiteX

September 10, 2018 By AJ Leave a Comment

Just last week, I threw up an Instagram post as I boarded a semi-private flight to Las Vegas aboard JetSuiteX and the responses were plentiful. As such, I figured I thought I should jump in here and explain exactly what it is and why it’s not the high-end, pricey choice everyone assumes it is. You too can be a baller here and fly private! It’s pretty glorious.

Everyone is a Baller With JetSuiteX

To immediately put it in perspective, my round trip flight to Vegas (from Burbank Airport) was $158. Total. When I flew to Vegas back in April, I think that round trip was about $170. I did shop around and even the go-to, Southwest, was more expensive. What’s more, the ease of flying out of Burbank Airport, as opposed to LAX, is extraordinarily valuable and worth a few more bucks to me, if it came down to that. Additionally, with JSX, you can show up 20-30 minutes prior to your flight, check in easily, drop your bags at the curb (for lack of a better description), sans TSA hassles, and you’re off. There are snacks, free booze (beer, wine, hard alcohol), non-alcoholic beverages, of course, and lovely lounges at their private terminals.

Other amenities include:

  • Comfortable leather seats
  • Business class legroom
  • Power outlets at every seat
  • Full flight attendant service
  • No overhead storage bins for a more spacious cabin
  • Hanging rack for your hanging wardrobe luggage

Everyone is a Baller With JetSuiteX

It’s funny, too, because I a not a great flier. I usually require a healthy dose of Xanax, a pre-flight soothing call with mom, and some hand-holding, but I find with JSX, I am just so much less stressed. I know the prospect of flying a smaller plane would seem scarier, but it is very smooth and just doesn’t phase me. They make the whole experience so easy. And you’re only conceivably on the plane for an hour (right now they only fly between Burbank, Vegas, Oakland, Concord and Orange County) so no biggie, right?

I’m sure you can all see why I love using it so much and here’s one more incentive. Every time you refer someone, you get a $20 credit on your account. And if you use MY referral link, you get $20 off your first booking. So that $170 or $150, whatever the airfare is, is already $20 less! (If it’s easier, you can also visit their homepage and use my code, 8YOUU5, to get the $20 discount.)

BON VOYAGE! If you take a trip using JetSuiteX, I hope you’ll come back and tell me what you think!

 

Filed Under: Pro Tips Tagged With: Jet Suite X, JetSuiteX, Las Vegas, private plane, semi-private plane, Travel

Friday Favorites – Fresh From Sin City

September 7, 2018 By AJ Leave a Comment

Greetings! I am here with Friday Favorites, fresh from Sin City, USA. Yes, I just returned from a brief but phenomenal trip to Las Vegas to see JLo in concert and a lot of you were impressed with the semi-private charter I flew on, JetSuiteX, so I’ll let you in on a little secret. It’s not expensive. We looked at flights on Southwest, round trip, that were $170. JetSuiteX was $150. If you live in Los Angeles, especially if Burbank is convenient to you, it’s an amazing way to fly to Vegas or Northern California. If you want to know more about it, I’m happy to get more into it with you. And if you try it, use my code, 8YOUU5, for $20 off your first flight.

Friday Favorites - From the Surface of the Sun

WHAT I READ

  • FAO Schwartz is COMING BACK!!! It sounds like a lot of fun — the way they’re executing it. Check this out.
  • I read a LOT of articles about Colin Kapernick and Nike this week. Then I bought a pair of Converse sneakers (Nike owns Converse).
  • This company is winning because they offer “FURternity leave” when an employee adopts a new pet. COME ON.
  • There is a second-hand shop in Cardiff where a genius employee filled every picture frame on sale with a photo of Jeff Goldblum. I couldn’t love anything more than I love this.

Friday Favorites - Fresh From Sin City

OTHER BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS

  • So I am not following 2Chainz’s French Bulldog on Instagram. Don’t judge me. He’s pretty cute.
  • Carolyn wrote a really lovely post to her daughter, who just left for college.
  • Natalia keeps tweeting these ridiculous recipes and I’m not minding. Check out this one for “Crack Chicken Tacos.”
  • This dad is having a helluva time posting a video of himself…. I DIED LAUGHING.

https://twitter.com/RB_TRUEST/status/1034822114023493632

PR & SOCIAL MEDIA

  • The Village Voice is gone and I am very sad. It is (was?) a Greenwich Village and Manhattan staple.
  • Learn a little more about Instagram Engagement Rates.
  • This is social media at its worst. This bride canceled her wedding after her guests refused to contribute $1500 pp. Then she let her ugly shine through on Twitter.

EARLIER THIS WEEK

  • My dog is ridiculously cute and very popular with the LAPD.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Amanda J Feuerman (@ajfeuerman)

  • You can now register for Social Media Club’s September networking event and panel discussion on Crisis Communications. I shall be the moderator. Click here for more information about it as well as the three badass women I’ll be chatting with. (GIRL POWER!!!)
  • I was added to the list of speakers for this year’s Austin Film Festival!!! I am SUPER EXCITED. I love Austin and I love meeting filmmakers. It’s going to be great. If you’ve been on the fence about attending, let me try to sway you with a discount code: AJ25.

Friday Favorites - Fresh From Sin City

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • And speaking of Jeff Goldblum….

  • Nickelodeon is launching a streaming platform that will showcase many of their old shows I loved as a kid and teenager. I really hope it includes “Roundhouse,” which was one of my favorites. It’s so under-appreciated. Does anyone else remember it? I shall leave you with their end credits routine:

Filed Under: Pocket Fridays Tagged With: Austin Film Festival, Colin Kapernick, FAO Schwartz, Hot Ones, Jeff Goldblum, JetSuiteX, Nickelodeon, Nike, Roundhouse, Social Media Club, Village Voice

Girl Crushing

August 20, 2018 By AJ Leave a Comment

MANcrush Mondays? NOPE. Ladies – and gentlemen – there is a big, big universe of powerful females out there. Be it celebs, entrepreneurs, bloggers, “regular” people… I am girl crushing on so many so hard these days and would like to recommend following the following:

SOPHIA AMORUSO, GIRLBOSS RADIO

On each episode of the Girlboss Radio, Sophia interviews boundary-pushing women who’ve made their mark—eschewing polite conversation and extracting solid advice from the lessons they’ve learned along the way. The co-hosts are hilarious, vulnerable, and honest. Listen here. Visit the show’s page on the web here.

LAURA BENANTI, TONY AWARD WINNING ACTRESS

I love following Laura on Twitter and Instagram. Massive girl crush. She’s so smart and funny and honest. Her small captures of her experiences as a new mom are relatable – even to a non mom like me. Sometimes it’s comforting to remember that the glamorous and famous people we worship are still real human beings, too. If you are not familiar with her work on Broadway, you might recognize her as the Melania Trump stand-in on Colbert or from numerous TV shows she’s starred in. One of my favorite appearances of hers was this bit from the 2013 Tony Awards featuring a bevy or stage performers lamenting over their canceled TV efforts:

Follow Laura on Twitter here and on Instagram here.

HANNAH KEYSER, JOURNALIST

Formerly with Deadspin, now writing for Munchies, I enjoy Hannah’s acerbic wit and astute observations. I very much enjoy her articles such as “There is Something Fundamentally Wrong with Cupcakes.” (Read it, she’s not wrong.)

Today I read one op-ed about how women should cover up more while breastfeeding and saw two different men pissing on the sidewalk.

— Hannah Keyser (@HannahRKeyser) August 20, 2018

BARBARA CORCORAN, REAL ESTATE MOGUL AND “SHARK”

I discovered Barbara on ABC’s “Shark Tank” and came to appreciate her expertise in business – especially marketing – but more importantly, her empathy and sense of fun. She loves what she’s doing and it shines through. Barbara is a 100% self-made billionaire. She entered the workforce as a waitress. In fact, she’d had 22 jobs by the age of 23 and then, she built a $5 billion business with a $1,000 loan. She has a podcast and I love her little bits of wisdom on Twitter. BONUS: She was a guest on fellow-Shark Daymond John’s podcast and it was one of the best podcast episodes I’ve ever listened to. (And when I tweeted about it, both Barbara and Daymond retweeted me!!!)

WENDI AARONS, HUMORIST

I don’t really know what to call Wendi because she’s “a little column A, a little column B,” but everything she posts online has me in stitches, so we’re going with “humorist,” okay? She has mastered the art of making a fine point whilst making you laugh your ass off.

https://twitter.com/WendiAarons/status/1031532418359013377

You can follow her on social media but you will also find her byline on McSweeney’s, which happens to be one of my favorite outlets to read. (Do you follow “Paul Ryan Gosling” on Twitter? That’s her creation as well.)

ZOË FOSTER BLAKE, AUTHOR & SKINCARE CO. FOUNDER

Zoë Foster Blake has worked in journalism for over 15 years for little publications like Harper’s BAZAAR and Cosmopolitan. She was killing it all the way back, starting a beauty blog called fruitybeauty back in 2006 when blogging was a newb hobby, and then founding and launching a beauty site, Primped, in 2008. She has also published four novels and a children’s picture book called “No One Likes a Fart” (!!!). As if that were not enough, she launched her own skin care line in 2014 and it just invaded a Sephora near you. Follow her on Instagram.

ASHLEY GRAHAM, PLUS SIZE MODEL

I wouldn’t be so obsessed with Ashley were it not for the recommendation of a friend who followed her. She is inspirational. She is a force. She is one of the most outspoken voices gracing the cover of magazines today, encouraging women to be their most confident selves and recognize their own personal beauty. Following her on Instagram builds my own confidence. Make sure you also tune into her Stories — equally amazing and often hilarious. She has a great sense of humor.

LAUREN MODERY, HIPSTERCRITE

I have been reading Hipstercrite for years and following the author, Lauren, for almost as long. We agree that Jeff Goldblum is a stud and she has written for a myriad of websites you probably read frequently. She successfully bridges the gap between blogging about her personal life and blogging about pop culture. She’s lived in New York, Los Angeles and now Austin which I think shines through in her writing style. She is just very enjoyable. Highly recommend.

EMMELIE DE LA CRUZ, REV15

Marketing guru Emmelie De La Cruz regularly posts Instagram GOLD, including social media tips and tricks, website how-tos, and the best books she’s read recently. As if that’s not enough, her style is something fierce. She is opinionated and informed. I love when she nails an argument. Follow her on Instagram.

# # #

When I started this post, I’d planned to give you five names but it just kept going. And it could go longer but stay tuned for a second chapter someday soon….

Filed Under: Pro Tips Tagged With: Ashley Graham, Barbara Corcoran, Emmelie de la cruz, girl crush, Girlboss radio, Hannah Keyser, hipstercrite, lauren modery, Sophia Amoruso, Wendi Aarons, Zoey Foster Blake

Friday Favorites – A Tea and Croissant

August 17, 2018 By AJ Leave a Comment

Good morning, everyone, from my perch on the sofa with a green tea and fresh croissant. I am super bougie this particular Friday. I’m working on a ton of projects, coming out of a chunk of slow weeks, and it’s exciting but exhausting. And I always have these great blog post ideas but before I can jot them down, they trickle out of my brain. Alas. But I am always trying to think of ways to reinvent “Friday Favorites” so if you have any ideas, do share in the comments.

Friday Favorites - From the Surface of the Sun

WHAT I READ

  • I am going to try and see Crazy Rich Asians this weekend. Here’s why it’s important.
  • An accurate article on why diversity matters (and is lacking) in independent films.
  • Jeopardy is now streaming on Hulu. Everybody say so long to productivity!  And by the way, Alex Trebek, guys. Is he not aging anymore? What’s the deal?

OTHER BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS

  • Natalia shared this recipe from Delish for “Oreogasm” Rice Krispie Treats. OMG.
  • Whitney shared her recipe for Frozen Peach Sangria and I want it immediately.
  • Jen is telling us why Plan B One Step is important. I know this is “controversial,” but….. #sorrynotsorry.

PR & SOCIAL MEDIA

  • Check out eight great tips on using Instagram Stories to drive engagement. Lindsay knows her stuff.
  • It had never occurred to me this would be a problem but it makes sense — Facebook is cracking down on the keyword search for “opioid.”
  • THIS was everywhere. A very unusual woman sang Missy Elliot’s “Work it” at a backyard karaoke party. She happens to be holding a Shofar. I cannot explain it. But boy did it go viral.

EARLIER THIS WEEK

  • There was a epic discussion on my Facebook page. Creamy peanut butter or crunchy peanut butter?
  • Just an update. I still don’t know who Kiki is.

  • I’ve been working with 20+ influencers on a campaign for the live-action The Little Mermaid that comes out today in AMC Theaters nationwide. This group has been so wonderful, restoring my faith in the influencer universe! Here’s one of their posts.
  • There is this AMAZING pop-up in LA right now, That’s From Disneyland. YOU HAVE TO GO. In short, a very wealthy man has been collecting Disneyland items for decades and filled a vacant department store with them. Incredible.
  • I attended a stand-up comedy show to benefit a great non-profit, Recycled Resources. Maria Bamford and Marc Maron were the big names — and they had me laughing til it hurt.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • Just…. these. Obviously.

Filed Under: Pocket Fridays Tagged With: Alex Trebek, Aretha Franklin, Drake, Instagram Stories, Jeopardy on Hulu, Kiki, Marc Maron, Maria Bamford, Recycled Resources, That's From Disneyland

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"Today I will be classy and elegant. Or, I will spill on my shirt and trip over things."

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