AJ Feuerman

Publicist | Social Media Strategist | Brunch Fanatic

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.

Friday Favorites – Fresh From Sin City

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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.
  • 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:

Friday Favorites – A Tea and Croissant

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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

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.

Friday Favorites – From the Surface of the Sun

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It’s too hot for words this week. This month. This Summer. Climate change deniers, you can kiss my….. well, you know where to find it. I have learned now that having a dog means I don’t get to stay inside all day with my sweet, sweet A/C. The pup needs to be walked. But sunblock is my new BFF. Also this goofy little fan I bought to plug into my iPhone! But onto the Friday Favorites:

Friday Favorites - From the Surface of the Sun

WHAT I READ

  • There is a slow-but-steady renaissance happening here in Los Angeles, downtown, where a lot of the old buildings are being purchased and renovated. Apple is doing a pretty cool thing with the old Tower Theater.
  • Would you see a movie starring Margot Robbie, Charlize Theron and Nicole Kidman? I WOULD.
  • My friend Meghan took me to Crossroads, a vegetarian restaurant, and I am IN LOVE. So I liked this article listing some other fantastic veggie spots around town.

Friday Favorites - From the Surface of the Sun

OTHER BLOGGERS & INFLUENCERS

  • Pinch of Yum’s recipe for fried chicken sandwiches has me feeling ALL THE FEELINGS. OMIGOD. These looks SO GOOD.
  • Not to mention A Beautiful Mess posted this recipe for chocolate covered cherry cookies. I am not a chocolate person but I do have a weakness for it with cherry anything.
  • These savvy ladies are launching a female-focused podcasting network. I am here for it.

PR & SOCIAL MEDIA

EARLIER THIS WEEK

  • The Boston Globe profiled one of my clients, a docu-series called “We the People.” It anchors this column.
  • I saw the movie Blindspotting. It was AMAZING. So unique. Go see it.

Friday Favorites - From the Surface of the Sun

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

  • Uh…. Netflix announced a new series. Starring Tony Danza and Josh Groban. I mean, if that pairing does’t grab you….

  • This dog who stole a GoPro is pretty much the reason the GoPro was invented. If you don’t smile and/or laugh watching this, there is no hope for you, I’m sorry.

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