AJ Feuerman

Publicist | Social Media Strategist | Brunch Fanatic

FRIDAY FAVORITES: The First Day of Summer

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It is the first day of Summer so naturally, here in Los Angeles, it is a balmy 67 degrees. Go figure. I can’t say I mind, though. I’m the exception, not the rule, in my native city. I actually abhor hot weather. So I’ll take the odd cool day in Summer when I can get it. I am presently enjoying a peaceful evening at home after a particularly strenuous week so it seemed like an apt moment to do some “Friday Favorites” for y’all.

Friday Favorites -- I Hath Returned! WHAT I READ

  • Apparently, Russell Crowe drunkenly bought a Dinosaur skull from Leonardo DiCaprio. Because rich guys.
  • I saw the movie Late Night. I enjoyed it and my favorite thing about it was the costumes so I enjoyed this article.
  • A new Harry Potter themed coffee shop is opening downtown, here in LA, and I am ready to throw all the money at them.
  • If, like me, you were into the TV show “My So-Called Life,” please enjoy this dialog between Claire Danes and Wilson Cruz, 25 years later.
  • Don’t we all want to grow old like the Golden Girls?

  OTHER BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS

EARLIER THIS WEEK

PR & SOCIAL MEDIA

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • Important information. In case you didn’t know, the Backstreet Boys have the power to unite us all: 

Friday Favorites — I Hath Returned!

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I am happy to say I’ve been feeling twitchy again — I have the writing bug. I hope that means I’ll be carving out time to post here more often moving forward. I do have some fun ideas and look forward to sharing them. And I’ve been crazy with bookmarking some gems for you this week so onward with the ol’ Friday Favorites!

P.S. Do stay through to the end. The Video Spotlight item is a real gem.

Friday Favorites -- I Hath Returned!

WHAT I READ

Friday Favorites -- I Hath Returned! / Tara Westover

OTHER BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS

  • Social Media Club LA is taking a “field trip” to the Dodgers/Cubs game on June 13! It’s $75 to attend but it includes all-you-can-eat concessions, guys. It looks to be a ton of fun — click here for more info and to get a ticket or four.
  • I don’t know if I am a weirdo for finding this stuff super interesting but maybe it’s in light of what my Father went through recently — anyway, Lizz Porter sent me this link to a breakdown of what dialysis is like for her and so many. Really interesting and I think it’s important to just have an awareness of these things. She is remarkably brave to withstand all she is going through, by the way. This post is from 2017 but she is still going through it. 
  • Tomorrow is National Best Friends Day and so I found this piece from Mayim Bialik to be quite wonderful. Were you taught you could only have one best friend? 
  • I am intrigued by this Bloody Mary Tomato Soup. But, like, can I add vodka to soup? Asking for a friend.

EARLIER THIS WEEK

  • I found this 90s playlist on Spotify – I am so into it!
  • I watched Ask Dr. Ruth on Hulu. MIND. BLOWN. That woman is a mother-effing HERO. I know we all know her as the petite, delightful sex doctor but did you know, for example, she was a SNIPER in the Israeli Army? That is some seriousness, y’all. It’s a must-watch. I highly recommend it.
  • There are approximate 900 people running for the democratic presidential nomination. I do not know whom I am voting for yet. To be frank, I wish the party would pick a horse to throw all its weight and money behind and just work it’s G.D. ass off to defeat Trump, but I guess I’m not gonna get that wish pre-primary. Anyway, like I said, I do not know whom to vote for yet but I do know I very much like Mayor Pete. I like other candidates too but his run seems somewhat monumental and historic, so I bought a hat. Just wanted to share that with you.

Friday Favorites -- I Hath Returned! / Peter for America

PR & SOCIAL MEDIA

  • Soap Opera News interviewed an actor I am working with, Hudson West (“General Hospital”) – take a look!
  • An influencer with 2.6 MILLION followers launched her own fashion brand — only to sell a mere 36 units. My friend and colleague Jack Appleby wrote a tremendous Twitter thread on it (he got quoted in several outlets for it, too!) and you should read and learn.
  • Instagram is going to allow advertisers to promote branded content from influencers as ads in the feed and in Stories – regardless of whether you’re following them. I know brands like us to believe in these trusted voices but I’d still rather choose which voices. So not a fan of this tactic.
  • There are some really sassy, wonderful celebrities out there, speaking up for mankind. Specifically, in recent days, Avengers. Please enjoy:

https://twitter.com/DaveBautista/status/1135315768550273024

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • I leave you now with this glorious PSA from George Clooney. Please join the fight to stop dumbfuckery. 

Friday Favorites

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Before we get to all Friday Favorites listed below, let me remind you that this past Sunday, in Pasadena, I attended one of my FAVORITE events all year, MASTERS OF TASTE. I pinned a great little Insta-story about it to my Hollywood Brunch feed you should go check out. 

Friday Favorites

WHAT I READ

  • Chris Evans wants to sing on Broadway and I am here for it.
  • Uh….. Patti LaBelle is launching her own line of… FROZEN CHINESE FOOD?
  • This Indiana school district turns unused cafeteria food into take-home meals for kids who need. So wonderful.
  • Also wonderful — the Mormon church will now allow gay parents to baptize their children and it will also stop calling same-sex couples “apostates.”

OTHER BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS

  • I am all about this recipe for an Eggs Benedict Casserole. Who’ll come over and be my taste-tester?

Friday Favorites: Eggs Benedict Casserole

EARLIER THIS MONTH

  • A client of mine, Casey McQuillen, premiered her new music video on EXTRA! She’s so wonderful and so talented. Please take a look. 
  • Another client I am working with, Nick Howard, was on a local morning show here in Los Angeles and he is a GORGEOUS singer. And the anchor’s reaction to his performance is pretty great.

PR & SOCIAL MEDIA

  • Social Media Club LA has an awesome podcast panel coming up on April 23! Join us.
  • Speaking of podcasting, expert Kelly Glover, gave a great interview on the space and how to convert listeners to MONEY.
  • Unless you live underground, you probably heard about Disney’s new streaming platform. Frankly, this looks awesome and I am excited as all get-out for it. 

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • I find the Queer Eye “Fab 5” so god damned delightful.

Friday Favorites and Early Mornings

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Happy Friday, everybody. One morning this week, I walked my dog in 53 degree weather at 5:45 AM with wind so cold bashing me in the face that I was essentially a human popsicle. Mornings have been hard these days so that dog is lucky he’s adorable and my only “child.” But seriously, is it Spring yet? My allergies seem to think so. I’m pretty over this sneezing nonsense already. But happy to have longer days back.

So much to catch up on! 


Friday FavoritesWHAT I READ

Friday Favorites and Early Mornings

OTHER BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS

Friday Favorites and Early Mornings

EARLIER THIS MONTH

  • My latest piece for LAist is about PIE. I was not sad to get the assignment. Pie is my second favorite meal – after Brunch, of course.
  • I watched Abducted in Plain Sight and lord-have-mercy, that is some messed up shiz. Have you seen it?
  • I also binged through “Umbrella Academy” and LOVED IT. Klaus is my fave. The kid who plays Number Five is GREAT. And Kate Walsh is gorgeous. Such a fun series.

Friday Favorites and Early Mornings

PR & SOCIAL MEDIA

  • Get to know these 50 women who are crushing it in the tech start-up space. 
  • Looks like the fundraising feature that’s been so successful on Facebook is going to live on Instagram soon as well. 
  • Twitter is rolling out a better way to include photos and video.
  • SOCIAL MEDIA CLUB LA is hosting another awesome event – this one about analytics and data. Super important in our field.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • The new Avengers trailer is OUT NOW and it’s fo@#wu!?*-23hgbnjmef9()%!!!!

Friday Favorites: From the Desk of…

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Happy Friday from my new office! Well, not really. One of my new clients offered me an opportunity to work in their office a few hours a week and I jumped on it. First off, it’s a really cool space. IT IS DOG-FRIENDLY. And also, it’s really lovely, as a freelancer, to be back with a lot of people, at a formal desk, amongst like-minded folks. Also, they have food trucks three days a week FOR THE BIG WIN. I’ve settled in quite nicely to being my own boss (and my assistant’s boss), but I did miss things about being in-house. A nice way to start my year indeed.

Friday Favorites

WHAT I READ

  • I read this article about open office spaces and it resonated with me. I know they are trendy but lord, I hate me an open office space. What about you?
  • This couple registered for BOOZE for their wedding. A stroke (sip?) of GENIUS.
  • Elina Shatkin from LAist 100% nailed this letter to milennials.
  • The new rule is that eating butter and cheese can prolong your life. I SHALL LIVE FOREVER.

OTHER BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS

EARLIER THIS WEEK

  • I must remind you that I am not a fabulously successful BRUNCH JOURNALIST. I mean, my second article is now published. Read it.
  • I’m diving into my awards season screeners and thus far have seen The Favourite, If Beale Street Could Talk, and Can You Ever Forgive Me. Last week I also watched RBG. All fantastic. All highly recommended for different reasons.
  • Betty White turned 97. NINETY. SEVEN. And she is still a mother-effing BOSS. How did she celebrate? WITH A POKER GAME.

PR & SOCIAL MEDIA

  • PR Pros salivating over vegan sausage rolls!? Okay. Here’s why.
  • So, a group that advocates for medical marijuana was turned away for commercial air time by CBS for the Super Bowl. A bummer to be sure, however now they’ve got everyone seeking out the “banner commercial.” Not a total loss from a PR standpoint. They should be capitalizing on that more, though. The video has less than 50K views as I write this.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • Who caught the trailer that came out this week for The Beach Bum starring Matthew McConaughey, Snoop Dogg, Zac Efron and Jimmy Buffet? This cast is ming-boggling. The poster is epic. The trailer delivers:

  • How much do I LOVE Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda together? God, I hope that 9 to 5 sequel comes to fruition. They are the cutest, coolest BFFs:

FRIDAY FAVORITES: All The Things

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Happy Friday, y’all! I sent out the annual holiday e-card this week. Wanna see?


And on with……!

Friday Favorites

WHAT I READ

  • I worship at a shrine dedicated to Nora Ephron. And I love the movie You’ve Got Mail. Here’s a great piece from the NY Post about how that film made New York a romcom star.
  • Thrillist revealed their list of Best New Restaurants this year.
FRIDAY FAVORITES: All The Things

OTHER BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS

EARLIER THIS WEEK

  • I am now a BRUNCH JOURNALIST. My first article for LAist went live. Check it out!
  • Lin Manuel Miranda played with a puppy whilst doing an interview. This is how all press should go.

  • This experience warmed my heart.

PR & SOCIAL MEDIA

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • A little “Spill Your Guts” from James Corden with Will Ferrell. So disgusting and so entertaining.

  • I also very much enjoyed Corden’s parody of “Thank U Next,” THANK YOU JEFF. Because Jeff Goldblum.

Friday Favorites: Thanksgiving Edition

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In this “Friday Favorites: Thanksgiving Edition” you will find the usual outline of my favoritest things but with the prevailing theme of profound gratitude. I have so, so much to be thankful for this year and couldn’t let the week end without sharing.

Friday Favorites: Thanksgiving Edition

WHAT I READ

Friday Favorites: Thanksgiving Edition

OTHER BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS

  • My friend Raquel shared this delicious recipe for beer-bacon-cheddar bites. I WANT IT.
  • GIRL POWER! Socialfly’s Stephanie Cartin and Courtney Spritzer are launching a podcast to help women boost their businesses.
  • My friend Jessica has been an awesome resource of information on Twitter these last few weeks. I appreciate it.

EARLIER THIS WEEK

  • The CEO and Founder of TOMS made a stunning, beautiful, wonderful announcement on the Tonight Show. WATCH THIS:

  • I hurt my left ankle. Somehow my Achilles’ Tendon is severely inflamed. When this happens, there is a high risk for tearing and I guess this is a tendon you don’t wanna mess with. So I am wearing one of those cumbersome boots/walking cast thing for the time being. All that is to say that regardless, this year, I am most thankful for my HEALTH. This time last year, I was very ill and it’s been a long road back.
  • My puppy got really sick this week and I am thankful he is all better and back home.

 

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • I never let a Thanksgiving go by without watching HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

  • Submitted without commentary:

WHAT ELSE I AM THANKFUL FOR

  • Family
  • My wonderful boyfriend
  • An incredible network of friends
  • A good brunch – always!
  • The most surprising year of my life

Friday Favorites: A Rumbly in my Tumbly

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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:

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:

Friday Favorites – Moving Sucks So Much

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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

Friday Favorites - Moving Sucks So Much

PR & SOCIAL MEDIA

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

Friday Favorites – Live From Box City

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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.

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