AJ Feuerman

Publicist | Social Media Strategist | Brunch Fanatic

Friday Favorites – It’s Been a Minute!

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Is “Quarantine Life” over yet? While it seems on the outside like a lot is returning to “normal,” Los Angeles just reinstated the indoor mask mandate and in my head, we are still very far away from the light at the end of the tunnel. And admittedly, I’m in a bit of a funk as a result and without a specific target for my rage at those who refuse to get vaccinated and follow some very simple rules. Sigh. But here I am with my “Friday Favorites” because I do know that writing in any form always makes me feel good. Quarantine Life WHAT I READ AND WATCHED
  • I recently read Andrew McCarthy’s memoir, Brat, and it was really well done. If you’re an 80s kid, I highly recommend it. I also read Oprah’s collab with Bruce Perry, What Happened to You? and it really got me thinking about trauma in a new way. If you can handle some triggering, I recommend that one, too.
  • Just this morning I read about these remarkable young women who found out they were all dating the same man. Instead of stewing on it, they turned it into something uniquely positive.
  • This small restaurant also spun a negative into a positive. But sheesh, humanity. We’ve got to do better.
  • I’m very into this list of amazing ice cream shops in Los Angeles.
  • I binged the crap out of “Hacks” and “Mare of Easttown” and therefore am having a wonderful Jeannaissance (Jean Smart is in both series). The Hollywood Reporter is hip to it. The Daily Beast is, too.

Jean Smart / Friday Favorites

EARLIER THIS MONTH
  • I have been working with a documentary called All Things Bakelite for several weeks and they were live on WGN America today!
  • Earlier in the month, a documentary I have been working with off and on for a couple years, was showcased on the TODAY show. I am so dug in with these guys since we’ve all been together so long (and beyond, since I worked on a previous film for them as well) and am so proud.
  • I have been out to brunch again! And I’ve also been on a plane more than once. There have been a lot of tasty meals and I’ve been posting more frequently on Hollywood Brunch.
BLOGGERS & SMALL BUSINESSES

Friday Favorites

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT
  • I found a puppycam. You’re welcome.
  • I, like most of the world, enjoyed the hell out of “Loki” on Disney+ and think everyone needs to pay more attention to the composer, Natalie Holt.
  • And this nice lady will ruin nursery rhymes for you…
 

Friday Favorites in Quarantine Life

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When this whole Quarantine Life began, I had a profound sensitivity to any statement akin to “2020 is the worst year ever.” My father passed away in 2019, and it is impossible to imagine anything being worse than that, so every time I’d hear a jab at 2020, I wanted to shout “IT IS NOT THE WORST THING EVER, I SWEAR.” But at this later point, while I’m not at all willing to concede anything is worse than my 2019, I have developed a better sense of humor about it. I mean, this really, really is a SHIT year. The Pandemic, the election, the unbelievable stress and agony of it all. No one could plan for this. Murder hornets? Dino-gators? Whatever. You’re not gonna scare me with mutated insects and amphibians now, 2020. Kiss off. And BTW, a warning, if you need: Lots of politics in this post. #SorryNotSorry. Quarantine Life WHAT I READ AND WATCHED

  • It’s time for everyone to get on the same page about Melania. I thought this piece was poignant. She does not deserve anyone’s pity or sympathy.
  • Found this through a friend and it’s a very cool website – check out Political Playlist which is bi-partisan and aggregates info/news for you taking the next generation of political leaders into consideration, which is SUPER important with our aged political system.
  • I, along with the rest of social media, fell in love with Netflix series “The Queen’s Gambit.” I then went down a long, long rabbit hole of relevant content and loved this New York Times piece. Did you know they have a chess columnist?!
  • Another smart journalist, this time for Variety, broke down Trump’s breakdown. A very good read.
  • And P.S., I cannot wait for Trump to lose all his protections. His Twitter account will be on watch.
  • We all know about Four Seasons Total Landscaping by now, yes? I’ll be hanging onto that gem for a long, long time, kids.

Quarantine Life: The Four Seasons

EARLIER THIS MONTH

  • I bought this fleece-lined hoodie from Aerie and it is my new favorite thing. I got black because that was easy but now I want it in EVERY color. But how many hoodies is too many? I own a lot….
  • One of my favorite people in the upcoming administration is our new Second Gentleman.

  • Another successful beach day in the books. We really love it. It’s a perfect Quarantine Life activity. Except when Neville got a little too much feels for freedom and made me chase him way down the beach. Then I did not enjoy. My dog is adorable and smart AF but he can be a little devil.

Quarantine Life: Dog Beach VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • The giddiness apparent in this video of Kamala Harris calling Joe Biden is so endearing.
  • For all my fellow Hamil-stans, they original Broadway case made this really cool video pre-election, that I am still enjoying:

  • Sean Connery and Alex Trebec’s passings were so sad, of course, but it send me down a video spiral of SNL Jeopardy parodies. God, these were funny.

 

Friday Favorites – Except Not On Friday

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Quarantine. Day… I don’t know anymore. But it’s almost OCTOBER. How did we get here? We’ve spent more than half of 2020 in Quarantine and I don’t know that anyone is enjoying it. It has obviously been some time since I’ve felt like writing anything here but I am just a bit twitchy today, so here we are. I have still been keeping bookmarks for you but don’t worry, I am not about to load “Friday Favorites” with pages and pages of content; just the good stuff for you, my friends, even though it’s not Friday today at all. Friday Favorites - Except Not On Friday WHAT I READ AND WATCHED

  • I read this every Fall and it never ever ceases to make me hysterical with laughter.
  • Every other Friday or so, I join with some friends at Hollywood Picture News and make some streaming recommendations. I love it because not only do I get to share my own recommendations, but I inevitably end up with five more things to watch via my friends’ suggestions.
  • Would you… cook something in the DISHWASHER? I read this with my jaw hanging open.
  • Are you aware of the “Buy Nothing” project? Here’s a great article on it. I just love my local group.
  • Whenever I see one of these “listicles,” my mind is blown.

Friday Favorites - Except Not On Friday

BLOGGERS & SMALL BUSINESSES

  • The Curvy Fahionista has launched a plus shopping directory – genius.
  • If you’re local, I recommend Lady & Larder for a little indulgence and Natty Pours for a little indulgence to wash it down.
  • I love Henry Masks if you are still looking for a more comfortable fit.
  • Emily McDowell makes the cutest greeting cards and I’m going to buy some up to send out to friends!
  • I’ve become an even bigger Etsy fan lately!
    • One of my favorite ways to decorate my home seasonally is with a cute wreath on my door. I got one from Chloe’s Craft Closet for Halloween.
    • The Painted Mouse is on a break right now but keep an eye out — her Disney crafts are so cute. Follow her Instagram, too.
    • I remain a fan of Lizz’s creativity at PewPewLasercaft.
    • This is SO cute. Frame a floor plan from your favorite TV show set. (I was thinking about ordering one from “The Golden Girls” and then two dear friends sent me one!)

EARLIER THIS MONTH

  • Two of my good friends launched newsletters and courses to teach you about social media, marketing and personal branding. Check out LTM Digital and Chris Lam. Now is a great time to get educated.
  • I was on a podcast! To discuss LITERATURE! Who saw that coming?!
  • A friend and I took our pups to the dog beach and it was a joy! I can’t wait to go again.

Friday Favorites - Except Not On Friday

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • The Sweet Life of Steve is a cute, new web series my friend Jason at Icon vs. Icon tipped me off to.
  • Did you catch Ryan Reynolds’ commercials for Mint Mobile? Very enjoyable.
  • My “comfort food” on YouTube is showtunes. So here are a couple remarkable, beautiful projects that have come together during Quarantine.

FRIDAY FAVORITES – Quarantine Life

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Quarantine Life, Day 3,976,210. Well, truthfully, for me, it’s day 70. 70 DAYS! 10 WEEKS! My goodness. I have not touched another human being in that time. No hugs, high fives, handshakes…. I have not been to a movie theater nor eaten at a restaurant… It is so strange how this new normal has become our reality and, frankly, even more strange to me that so many people are still resistant to any precautions when the alternative to it is basically being deathly ill. But if any side effect of this Quarantine brought me comfort, it’s that deleting some misguided Facebook “friends” was suddenly easy.

Not a ton to share this day but onward….

Quarantine Life WHAT I READ

  • Twitter is a gift and sometimes you just wanna read silly stuff like this and laugh.
  • So here in California, universities will no longer require the SAT or ACT. I had exceptional grades and curriculars but I’ve never been great at standardized test so I’m sorta happy for all the current and future students.

BLOGGERS & SMALL BUSINESSES

EARLIER THIS WEEK

Quarantine Life

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • The many casts of Hairspray put this together and it is an absolute JOY.

  • President Obama gave a commencement speech and nailed it.

FRIDAY FAVORITES – Quarantine Life

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These Friday Favorites coming at you from the Quarantine Life, day 617. Okay, it’s like day 67 but doesn’t it feel like that? 67 days might as well be 617… I’ve started to crack here and there, kiddos. I’ve become a chef, a skilled dishwasher, a puzzle savant, an expert napper….  We all have our struggles right now and your struggle is no easier or harder than mine so remember we are all permitted a lot of latitude in this situation. It is okay not to be okay. Quarantine Life WHAT I READ

Quarantine Life

BLOGGERS & SMALL BUSINESSES EARLIER THIS WEEK THINGS TO DO – EVEN IN ISOLATION
  • Every week, We Like LA posts a great list of things to do around town, and that practice has not stopped in Quarantine. This week’s list is pretty stellar.
  • Fever Up has been hosting a lot of fun, creative online events. Check it out! This week I’m taking a tiki cocktail class and playing Drag Queen Bingo.
  • Tech Radar has a pretty extensive list of things to do – mostly online – as well.
VIDEO SPOTLIGHT
  • Stars from several incarnations of the musical Hairspray joined forces to sing “You Can’t Stop the Beat” together and it’s a pretty joyous video and I’ve watched it a whole bunch today.
  • Did you know? You need this mash up of Lizzo and The Aristocats?. Trust me.
  • I guess this is a little self-serving but I did a thing! I participated in a panel discussing how the entertainment biz is adapting to the Pandemic:

FRIDAY FAVORITES – Quarantine Life

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When I wrote my last Friday Favorites “Quarantine Life,” I did not think I would be drafting another one, many weeks later. My Quarantine Life began on Friday, March 13, so today marks seven weeks of this lifestyle and also means that as it would happen, my birthday, which is a week from today, will mark two months sheltering at home. How annoying. But, as my mom keeps telling me, “this too shall pass” and as the commercials on TV all tell us, “we’re alone together,” “we’ll get through this,” and so on. Just imagine what this would be like if we did not have all this wonderful technology at our fingertips…. So there’s that.

Quarantine Life

WHAT I READ

OTHER BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS

EARLIER THIS WEEK

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • Loving this UK “Times Like These” music video from numerous pop stars, including he song’s originators, The Foo Fighters:

  • If you are not watching John Krasinski’s “Some Good News,” what are you even doing with you Quaratine Life?
  • This Stephen Sondheim special was absolutely wonderful. The showing of this gorgeous “who’s who” of Broadway-and-then-some compilation was delayed by some frustrating technical difficulties at first, but once it got off the ground, we went into 30+ musical homages to the Maestro. Watch it if only to see Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski and Audra McDonald bequeath us “The Ladies Who Lunch” dressed in bathrobes whilst shipping cocktails.

FRIDAY FAVORITES – Quarantine Life

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The days of this “Quarantine Life” are blending right into one another for me and it’s not doing a whole lot for my morale. So I am doing this looong “Not on Friday” version of Friday Favorites because what day is it, anyway? Does it matter? Hopefully this list of links and videos occupies you a bit; keeps you entertained. I have added a special Quarantine Life section as well, entitled “Take Advantage of This Time” because for many, this is a lot of downtime and I think it’s important to be productive, lest we let our brains turn to mush. Disclosure: Alcohol is medicinal right now so my brain may be mush already. *shrug*

Quarantine Life

WHAT I READ

Quarantine Life OTHER BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS

EARLIER THIS WEEK

  • I made a Quarantine themed playlist on Spotify. BECAUSE I HAVE NOTHING BUT TIME RIGHT NOW, GUYS.
  • I’ve read a couple of Batman comics and am going to start working my way through this list, too, which my friend Ryan shared.
  • Well, my puzzle-addiction has resurfaced. There is a 1000-piecer in progress on my dining room table right now. But I really wanna try this puzzle….

Quarantine Life

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS TIME

  • First of all, The Sacramento Bee has assembled a STELLAR list of things to virtually-do right now, including Ivy League courses you can participate in for free online.
  • Try a Netflix Party!!!
  • Have you ever used Lynda? Lynda is not a person, it is a website jam-packed with online courses covering a ton of topics, now owned by LInkedIn. Sign up for 30 days, free, and learn some new stuff!
  • Some fun, new groups have popped up on Facebook to make Quarantine Life more interesting. Check out this Karaoke group, for example, or this meal prep group.
  • I am a little nutty so I made myself an Excel spreadsheet of movies, documentaries and TV shows I want to catch up on or watch anew during this time. So far, I’ve enjoyed “Hunters” on Amazon, “Tiger King” (of course) and “Love is Blind” on Netflix, among many others. In making the list, though, I get to check something off when I’ve completed it, making my streaming feel more productive than lethargic! Are you watching anything you would recommend I add to the spreadsheet? And if it helps, /Film has created an ongoing list of new movies being released to streaming platforms.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT A silver lining, if you will, is all the creativity we are seeing from content creators right now. Some of my favorites:

  • Living room concerts are IT, y’all. I’ve gotten to see some of my favorite artists perform in the most intimate of settings! Consequence of Sound is keeping a list of these updated. (You will also get a pop-up for their daily digest, “Quarantine and Chill” to sign up for!)
  • John Krasinki’s “SGN” (Some Good News) broadcast.
  • International treasure, Sir Patrick Stewart, is reading Shakespeare DAILY for us. Go. Enjoy. Bask in its warmth and creativity.
  • If you are a Broadway lover, you MUST check out the “Stars in he House” series happening on the Actors Fund YouTube channel, twice daily.
  • James Corden is having a great time messing with my emotions, like when he had Andrea Boceli on to serenade us with “‘Con te partirò” or the cast (past and current) of Dear Evan Hansen on to sing this song that ALWAYS KILLS ME! (And if you love this song, Hugh Jackman also sang it on Twitter for us.)
  • The Backstreet Boys collaborated on “I Want it That Way” from their individual homes for the iHeart Radio special that aired Sunday night:

FRIDAY FAVORITES: THE FIRST OF 2020! OH MY!

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Friday Favorites – we’re back! Here we are in a brand-spanking-new year. Hope everyone’s 2020 is off to a great start. 

Friday Favorites

WHAT I READ

  • I was very happy to read that Netflix will now let you disable its awful autoplaying feature. THANK YOU, NETFLIX! 
  • I’ve been doing a “home edit” so I’ve been reading a lot of articles about organizing small spaces. This one with kitchen tips was great.
  • The New York Times wrote a lovely profile of my next door neighboring town, Burbank. 
  • Did you see Knives Out? I thought it was so much fun. I was excited to read they are making a sequel. 

FRIDAY FAVORITES: THE FIRST OF 2020! OH MY!

OTHER BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS

FRIDAY FAVORITES: THE FIRST OF 2020! OH MY!nives

EARLIER THIS WEEK

  • My favorite bookstore opened a wine shop INSIDE THE STORE. I plan to move in. Please forward my mail. 
  • Trump failed at geography but Claire McCaskill won at Twitter:

FRIDAY FAVORITES: THE FIRST OF 2020! OH MY!

  • I spoke on a panel hosted by the LA chapter of PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) called “How Social Media is Disrupting PR.” It was a lot of fun! I often book engagements like this because I learn so much from my co-panelists. This was certainly the case here.

PR & SOCIAL MEDIA

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • Rebel Wilson just went ahead and stole the BAFTAs. Her intro here is just genius. And the audience reactions are priceless all around. Andrew Scott (“Fleabag”) straight up cries.

  • These were my favorite Super Bowl commercials:

FRIDAY FAVORITES: TIS THE SEASON

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Friday Favorites – we’re back! Oof. Guys, I’ve been MIA for a bit but still bookmark things to share so apologies in advance, but there is a healthy handful of internet gems to behold here. 

Friday Favorites

WHAT I READ

  • I can’t say I “read” this, but I WANT IT — Golden Girls wrapping paper!
  • This article about two Auschwitz lovers/survivors who reunited 72 years later gave me ALL THE FEELINGS.
  • If you need it – and I did – this TED Talk about living with grief is really wonderful. It also lead me to the speaker’s podcast, which I’ve been enjoying.
  • Podcasting is going mainstream, says FORBES. Says everyone who knows: DUH.

OTHER BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS

EARLIER THIS WEEK

  • I finished my holiday shopping. HOORAY! I also added like 92 things to my Amazon wishlist. Like this poncho — can I pull this off?
  • I started researching vacationing in Naples, Florida. Here’s why.
  • I added to The Hollywood Picture News’ weekly wrap-up of film trailers. Always enjoy doing it! Especially because I got to make fun of CATS which looks ABOMINABLE. Please enjoy.
  • This heart-warming, festive moment went viral:

     

 

PR & SOCIAL MEDIA

FRIDAY FAVORITES: TIS THE SEASON

FRIDAY FAVORITES: TIS THE SEASON

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • I am massively obsessed with Harry Styles’ cover of Lizzo’s “Juice” for BBC1:

  • And here’s a real treat — a while back I witnessed James Corden and Eddie Redmayne shoot a bit for his late-night show in an iconic deli here in Los Angeles. Well, it finally aired and if you pay close attention, you can see me checking my phone…. (about 2:28 and fun Hollywood-esque fact, they shot this twice.)

Friday Favorites and a Funny Story

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Before we tackle the Friday Favorites, a funny story, if you’ll; indulge me…. On Wednesday morning, I was walking my dog to the doggy daycare that is a couple blocks away. It’s just a couple blocks, cross a street, and there we are; then I turn around and walk home alone. On this morning, on my way back, a loud man in a black car with tinted windows rolled down a window to shout, “HEY! HEY YOU!”

“Me?” I asked, pointing to myself.

“Yes, you. You walked by a few minutes ago. Didn’t you have A DOG???”

“Oh, shit!” I replied. “I wonder where he is!”

I kept walking. And I’d like to think I screwed up his whole day. Him wondering where the hell I left my dog. As if it’s any of his business. What a creeper. And so, onward….

Friday Favorites

WHAT I READ

  • The New York Times profile of Tom Hanks this week was absolutely lovely and you should read it because it will make everything better.
  • Esquire Magazine listed the best new restaurants of 2019 and it was cool to see quite a few LA spots on the list, including a sushi place in Sherman Oaks I now need to try.
  • Nicolas Cage is going to star in a movie AS NICOLAS CAGE. This is PEAK MAXIMUM CAGE. (Can you tell I am excited? I love his crazy.)
    • And BTW, do you guys remember the SNL “Get in the Cage” bit? I loved these…..

OTHER BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS

  • Every week I contribute to the Hollywood Picture News’ movie trailer scrutiny and this week was especially enjoyable.
  • I found this recipe for Pumpkin Soup and am dying to make it. Doesn’t it look just gorgeous?!
  • Ella Dawson wrote a beautiful piece: “You Deserve a Partner who Texts You Back.” Read it here.
  • Guys. I am captivated by this sandwich demonstration:

EARLIER THIS WEEK

  • Spotted this backpack on Instagram. What do we think? Cute or cheap-looking? I could go either way.
  • SNL put every Stefon moment ever on YouTube in five parts. This made me so happy! I LOVE STEFON. I made a playlist. Enjoy.

Friday Favorites: Stefon

PR & SOCIAL MEDIA

  • A charming short film I am working on got a nice review here!
  • Variety profiled Danny Huston, my friend and former client, here and it’s a lovely piece.
  • The FTC released a packet for social media influencers — will they enforce it appropriately? Doubtful. Sigh.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • Dolly Parton’s “Heartstrings” are coming to Netflix and I am here for all of it. She’s a treasure.

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