Pierce Mattie Public Relations New York & Los Angeles

Award ceremonies… they are everywhere nowadays, whether it be the MTV Video Music Awards, the BAFTA’s (an English favorite!) or the worst dressed of the year – people just can’t seem to get enough of these glamorous events! The red carpet is out, the celebs strut their stuff, show off their new teeth while Paris View image tests the boundaries of clothing size restrictions (of course Lindsay looks on disapprovingly! View image) but there can never be enough red carpet merriment to keep the cameras flashing!

Recently I found out something new… there is even a Best Blog awards! Being of an inquisitive temperament I decided to check it out (it’s true, nobody was lying). Not long ago the sixth annual weblog awards were held – the 2006 bloggies! I have to take my hat off to the winners, I personally never knew it was all happening!

What does a school teacher have in common with a magazine editor? Aside from good grammar (hopefully), they are both grossly underpaid. And while editors have a few more perks that come with their jobs (i.e. free dinners, clothes and beauty products), I'm sure all of them would love to receive more compensation for their long hours. Perhaps this is why more editors are turning to additional sources for added income.

Do you perceive our fashion culture moving towards the conservative right rather that the liberal left? LA Fashion Week’s main idea was based around conservative fashion trends. High-end brands such as Chanel, Gucci, and YSL are also pushing a classier and traditional sense of style-where no shoulders ought to be exposed. In following with the fashion and cultural trends of modern conservatism, law enforcement agencies are following suit.

The NYPD rained on five trendy Chelsea Manhattan spots this past weekend in a circuit drug bust. Master locks and large offensive fluorescent postings were slapped on their doors giving the public full information on the recent illegal incidents. Two other locations were given temporary restraining orders. The NYPD was conducting a nine-month investigation on various Manhattan locations where drug activity was allegedly rampant. The sting went down at 10pm this past Friday night. Suddenly the music plummeted and all party-goers were forced to leave with no explanation. Since Giuliani’s reign, the city seems to be cracking down more and more on the New York free-spirit that now remains solely an intangible memory.

It seems that there is a larger presence of a Republican mindset permeating our culture. Fox news for example, is a very well known and heavily-watched news and media source. Fox’s ideology of news reporting is based on Republican/conservative viewpoints. There also seems to be an emphasis on supporting the traditional healthy-family living. As our divorce rates continue to climb higher, we are faced with the problem of keeping the traditional American family in tact as our culture seems to be branching off in various directions. A new magazine, Cookie published by Fairchild, focuses on the wholeness of American family living. However, as our cultures continue to break down into scores of eclectic subcultures, we are forced to adjust to the new changes that these subcultures bring to the table.

In New York City, there is a large homosexual influence, which is a subculture in itself. Speculation and thoughts are simmering through the streets as to why these seven locations, catering to a predominantly gay clientele, were closed down. Did heterosexual sites auto-opt out of this investigation? Over a nine month period….Come on… a drug deal has probably even gone down at your local kid’s toy store over such an extended period of time. In the midst of a changing cultural environment to a more straight-square approach, our fashion is also a changin’ with the times.

Fashion is a “sign of the times”, according to a recent Old Navy promotion campaign. A larger amount of fashion houses are showing a more toned-down look for fall 2006. At this year’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Los Angeles, Designers such as David Meister, Juan Carlos Obando, and St.John all selected a far more traditional fashion line this season, due to a desire to become more conservative. On the flip side, many believe that rules are meant to be broken – in fashion and life.

Juan Carlos Obando- Fall/winter 2006

The more rules that are made, the more of a desire we will have to break them. Heatherette is a perfect example of a rule breaker with their complete funk-infused, art-inspired clothing line. Let’s break the rules with fashion. If our rules are perhaps broken with illegal drug use, understand that straight people dabble just as much as the gays and time will not change that.

Heatherette - Fall/Winter 2006

Yes, you read that right- lose weight with your iPod. Actually, it’s not the iPod that loses wait for you it’s the content that is placed on your iPod that will help your sweat glands work a bit harder at the gym, or anywhere else for that matter.

Technology is constantly changing our normal day to day activities. The world seems to be shrinking due to new technologies. These days, with the wonders of Fresh Direct, you don’t even need to leave your house to go grocery shopping. In fact, human beings don’t even need to leave their homes at all and will still escort a normal life. Technology has made everything far more accessible and easier than ever. Even fitness is a piece of cake- rather… a low cal, fat free, carb free, low sodium, and vitamin C enriched piece of lemon butternut cake.

Going to the gym could be a grueling task- always saved for the last event of the day, after exhaustion sets in. Where does a gym-goer find that extra uumpphhh to work out? A personal trainer; too expensive and costs upwards of $100 per hour. iPod music; gets you pumpin’, but you’ll notice that changing those repetitive songs will have you standing blank on the black-turf for a good five minutes. The MP3 craze has stepped into another realm of expansion. With your iPod and a publisher, you can place workouts, yoga sessions, and massage treatments right on to your iPod!

Companies such as PumpOne, formerly PumpPod, offer exclusive image-based training programs that can be played on virtually all handheld devices that support images. One program starts at $19. Here, a personal trainer, coach, or drill sergeant will push you to make your workout worthwhile, along with your favorite energizing MP3 music of choice. If you know nothing about exercise, PumpOne is your instructor. It’s a personal trainer in your ear for a fraction of the price. Download abs, buns, thighs, cardio, and strength training. PumpOne also offers yoga instruction downloads. Go ahead; bring that Yoga instructor to the beach with you. Now, you can have a personal trainer with you anywhere, at all times. Enjoy your workout!

Mamma nature has treated us real sweet with such beautiful weather so far. Now, it’s the time of year where we bring out our colors, refresh our style, wardrobe, and makeup. All of these color-infused trends serve our eyes a delicious treat. Stiff styles are done with and quirky styles are a must. This also goes for makeup application. The main focus of the face for many, are the eyes and not the lips or cheeks. This season, have fun and get wild with your eye-makeup. Here are a few tips to get you started.

• Have the Sun Glimmer in Your Eyes: Highlighter pencils will allow you to place a certain color underneath your eyes which will reflect the natural light of the bright sun. The effect can be dramatic with a straight line or subtle with a smudged highlighted line on the skin.

• Naturally Shaped Brows are Back: Forget about your over-plucked/threaded/burned eyebrows- natural shapes are back in. Don’t come off to appear too affected with your over-arched masterpieces.
• Daring Eye Shadows: Traditional methods of applying eye shadows have been replaced by its opposite. To apply this season’s desired eye shadow look, go against the traditional application rules and blend the color from the center up and over the outside inner rim of your eye close to the interior of your nose/eye crease

• Glam Those Eyes Up: Add shimmer, gloss, and glam to your eyes. Hey, they are your best asset, so flaunt them! Go with a cream-based glossy shadow- this sheer look can not be overdone so have a ball with it.
• Colored Mascara: With color contacts looking artificially fake these days along with the 1.8 million Lasik procedures performed in 2005, where can we pull in some extra color flare to our eyes? Grab the color palette and paint the town pink, red, blue, and/or any other color of your choice. Combining color into your lashes is fun, erotic, and animated. If you’re wild, go for bright colors- if you are more of a tamed gal, check out the brown and auburn colors. And don’t worry if it smudges, at least you’ll appear to be a beautiful rainbow on a rainy spring day.

Even international celebrities have been amplifying their eyes. Beyonce, spokeswoman for L’Oreal Paris, can be seen in advertisements nationwide promoting the extravagant application of eye shadow colors. With these new techniques, you surely will lead the fashion pack this spring.

This weekend I caught the new Vh1 series “So NoTORIous” loosely based on the real life and starring the butt of more than her share of Hollywood jokes, Tori Spelling. When I first heard about the show I thought it was Spelling’s desperate and pathetic grab at attention and stardom. Her acting talent was never stellar, she was the ultimate spoiled daddy’s little rich girl, spent the annual budget of some small countries on her flop wedding, and came across like a stereotypical dingy blonde. As skeptical as I was at the start of the first episode, I completely changed my opinion by the end of it.

The Stars were out last night at the 10th Annual Condé Nast Traveler Hot List 100 party. The party was held at the trendy Celebrity mecca Buddha-Bar at 25 Little West 12th Street in the Meatpacking District. This is an amazing bar/restaurant offering an Asian French fusion cuisine that you will never find anywhere else. From the oysters to the sushi, everything tasted great.

Condé Nast Traveler’s annual “Hot List” party and issue reveals this year’s hippest hotels, most fabulous restaurants, chicest spas, and the hottest bars and clubs around the world. The party featured a silent auction to benefit The American Red Cross (which can also be viewed online from April 18th - May 18th on eBay.)

Among the ice sculptures of the Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty, and various other world landmarks, I schmoozed with the stars in the VIP section. Attending was Sarah Jessica Parker who may have been the most beautiful there. When introduced, I could only smile and say “nice to meet you.” She smiled, said the same and winked back. Definitely a class act!

Also attending was Lindsay Lohan, Mandy Moore, Cynthia Nixon, Lydia Hearst, Dennis Quaid and Marcia Gay Harden. I attended the event with Hot New York Media Directors Matthew Reedy and Tracy Lin pictured with me below to my left.

The only disappointing part was at the end. The goody bags weren't a great as I thought they would be. Bags were filled with Ellen Tracy products, travel size lotion and shampoo and a very nice wine bottle opener. P.S. Although I'm sure Ellen Tracy is a great brand, it's definitely not for me. People, you can return these beauty products to Sephora and get something you really like! You didn’t hear that from me though.

Hollywood is buzzing with reports that the highly eccentric Tim Burton is planning to direct the big screen version of the Broadway smash hit Sweeney Todd, about the “demon barber of Fleet Street.” Burton has reportedly been trying to make the film for years, but after talks with Warner Brothers led to a dead end, he put the movie on the back burner and focused on other projects like The Corpse Bride.

To bring life to the legendary barber, Burton will reunite with his muse of sorts, Johnny Depp. To date, the team has made five films together including Edward Scissorhands and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Sweeney Todd first premiered on Broadway in 1979, where it won eight Tony Awards. Now in its second revival, the musical is once again garnishing critical praise, and the star Michael Cerveris (Tony Winner for Assassins) is expected to receive a Tony nomination for his portrayal of the barber. For more information on the show, visit the official website.

As director of the home division at the firm and a design enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for new and unique home décor items. While flipping through the House & Home section in the April 20th edition of The New York Time, I came across an article on a new line of dinnerware that stopped me “dead” in my tracks.

Royal Tichelaar Makkum, a renowned Dutch ceramics maker, which has been in business since the 1500’s, has developed a new line of plates adorned with the anomalous and macabre. Featuring skeletons, sumo wrestlers and sperm cells, the curious creations are fired but left unpainted and unglazed, almost giving them the appearance of bone. And while the collection gets down to the “bare bone” minimal in their design, they come with a big price tag. Prices start at $100 and go up to $800. You can learn more about the line at www.tichelaar.nl.

As a beauty publicist in New York I have been to some of the best salons in the country and seen how salons properly pamper their patrons and make their experience a relaxing and enjoyable one – thus allowing for sometimes obscene prices. Recently I went to pick up my mom after she got her hair done – a cut, color and highlights. My step-dad always complains that she spends too much money on her hair, but I always justified it with the fact that 1) she had a great cut 2) the salon in one of the best in their area 3) she deserves to be pampered a little bit and 4) he’s just way too frugal.

Thursday'sNew York Times Style Section and Women’s Wear Daily featured articles on Kate Moss, in my opinion one of the most supreme models…EVER! The Times discusses her “unfabulous” coke scandal and how it was merely a minor blip in her career. It was almost as if the world thought this was going to bury her and end her career. While she did lose a couple contracts she bounced back and has resurfaced into the spot light. With two W Magazine covers in the last 6 months and a new contract with Calvin Klein (who held a dinner in her honor Monday night), and ad campaigns with Longchamp and Nikon camera company, the worlds favorite “love to hate” supermodel is back! I am absolutely thrilled. Does the media really think exposing celebrities negatively is going to damage their career? Well, if we look to Kate’s situation for the answer, then guess not

Fashion Wire Daily announced that A-list stylists, Christina Ehrlich and Estee Stanley will be designing a new collection for Frederick’s of Hollywood. Supposedly the collection is going to be conservative. Well, compared to the current Fredericks lingerie. This is the first time the company works with outside collaborators in 60 years. Frederick’s communications director said “Hollywood is part of our culture and heritage and we wanted to continue our tradition of working in Hollywood with celebrities, so it seemed like the right time and [Ehrlich and Stanley] in particular are the right people for this project.” The collection is slated to be in stores by Holiday 2006.

I suppose it is a good idea for the retailer, but I am wondering if they are trying to be the next Victoria’s Secret. Will consumers really turn their back on Vicky’s to purchase this new, sophisticated, more lady like collection? Personally, I think I’ll stick to Fredericks for the fun, kinky stuff!

Paris Hilton is a woman of many hats: Hotel Heiress, Realtiy TV star, actress, model, and designer. Now add mobile video game personality to that list (and keep a space open after it. You never know what she’ll do next). The game, created in a deal between Paris Hilton Entertainment, Inc. and Gameloft will be geared toward teens and will be available this summer. After her phone hacking debacle, and in since it seems her blinged out cell is an extension of her anatomy, it only makes sense that her next business venture is a foray into the mobile world.

To close out Black History Month 2006, your favorite publicist in conjunction with YOU Hair Care hosted a media launch to showcase not only the product, but also the Spring/Summer 2006 Urban Hair Trends. 60 of the top mainstream and ethnic magazine editors attended the creatively coiffed soiree. Held on Tuesday, February 28th at Bath House Studios, this ultra hip Red Carpet event was hosted by America’s Next Top Model finalist Toccara and is co-sponsored by Courvoisier. During a heart stopping runway hair show, YOU advertising campaign models took the catwalk by storm.

So, my lovely son, Jacob was getting in the shower this morning and he tripped. Under normal circumstances it would not have been funny. Upon his tumble to the ceramic flooring, he noted " Mommy, you're product is EVERYWHERE! It made me trip!" (By the way, I didn't even realize that the word "product" was so profound until I joined the legions of beauty industry Fabulistas) The reality is that product is abound and alive in my bathroom...but there is a place that it goes to die.

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are a publicist’s dream. Just as Cruise’s new film Mission Impossible 3 is about to hit theaters, virginal fiancé Katie Holmes delivers the couple’s first child, Suri, a baby girl weighing in at a healthy 7 pounds 7 ounces. Coincidence? Another publicity stunt? I guess only a DNA test could really tell the truth. While almost everything the couple does seems to garner some sort of media coverage in celebrity weeklies, the couple did not fail to disappoint with the production orchestrated prior to Suri’s silent Scientology birth, right down to the baby’s naming which alone has attracted mountains of media coverage and confusion over the origin and meaning of them name.

Last year, in rather perfect timing, Cruise and Holmes announced they were a couple, danced on some couches and got engaged just in time for the publicity tours of both of their films, Batman Begins and War of the Worlds. I refuse to believe this was not an extremely well thought out publicity stunt designed to bring attention to the couple’s respective films and raise the celebrity status of Holmes, a former D-list actress. All this among industry rumors of Cruise’s homesexuality and Holmes’ vow to remain a virgin until after marriage. I’m not buying it!

Oh, and Brooke Shields gave birth to her second daughter, Grier Hammond Henchy, straight down the hall from Holmes in the same Los Angeles hospital and is reportedly already addicted to anti-depressants.

Switzerland’s tourism board unveiled a new television ad campaign to attract visitors this summer — more specifically, females. As the World Cup is underway in Germany and the focus of European men will steer more toward the games, Switzerland is sacrificing its native hunks for the pleasure and enjoyment of lonely, neglected women. Well, at the very least it’s designed to attract a crowd.

According to the BBC, the ad goes a little something like this: “A swarthy mountaineer gives a steamy look, while Mr. Switzerland 2005 gently milks a cow's udders and a voice asks: ‘Ladies, why don't you spend this summer in Switzerland, where men focus less on football and more on you?’”

Spokespeople for Switzerland Tourism say the ad is not designed to encourage women to entertain men outside of their current relationships, despite the soft porn appearance of the men in the ads.

When the cast of the Academy Award winning movie, Crash, appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show to discuss the movie, rapper/ actor, Ludacris’ comments were heavily edited. That’s no surprise… Ms. Winfrey has taken a strong public stance against Hip-Hop music and only consented to his being on the show because he was coming on as an actor. In the May issue of GQ, Ludacris gets to tell his side of the story, and what he says really makes sense. He remembers feeling like he was in the home of someone who didn’t want him there. The clincher, though, is that he questions Oprah’s willingness to interview comedians like Chris Rock and Dave Chapelle while she refuses to allow rappers to come on her show unless they are coming to discuss a professional venture not involved with their music. The comedians speak in the same type of language about the same subject matter as many rappers do. The only difference is that they use another mode of expression.

This week I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the coming attractions for United 93, the new movie about the 9/11 terror attack. Why would this be allowed to be a feature film for entertainment? Didn’t anyone think of the family members of those that died on this flight?

I’m sure it will be one of the most successful films of the year, but at what expense? A Daily News article noted “It's an emotionally draining film that some might shun while others question the need for such detailed yet improvised devotion to a day of blood-soaked terror and loss.” I can’t agree more—why would Hollywood see the need to make a profit over one of the most terrifying days in America’s history?

Both Madonna and Jay-Z broke record sales and sold out Madison Square Garden in one day! Wouldn’t it be great for these two to collaborate and produce an amazing song? It would definitely be a hit in no time.

How does Madonna still do it? She’s nearing 50 (peaking in at 48 this year) and still manages to have millions of fans scrimmaging up her tickets like NY socialites and the La Mer Body Cream!

On April 10th at 10 am, tickets went on sale for two of Madonna’s “Confessions on a Dance Floor” tour at Madison Square Garden. In a mere ten minutes, some 40k seats were sold!! The Material Girl has done it again!

Walking past a Victoria’s Secret storefront window surely evokes sex appeal, however, something recently changed. Sure, the models are sexy- but their new line of “undergarments” are further away from being ornate and attractive. The new big idea in underwear is now created with modernity and technology. Pushup, flatter, and contour your body with new high-tech cotton butt n; boob lifters. Ms. Secret is promoting her novel Infinity Edge™ technology push up underwear, which actually “eliminates the line between you and your bra”. Not exactly sexy items; however, the push-up result is what really matters.

Today, Jockey and Macy’s launched a gorilla marketing campaign promoting their new 3-D Innovations™ for men and 3D-Contours for Women™ product lines. The flyer reads “These collections combine innovative technologies with incredibly soft and stretchable fabrics to create a perfected, flattering and totally comfortable fit.”

Today at Macy’s Herald Square, purchase any regular-priced Jockey® item and you will receive any 3D intimate item as a free gift. Men’s Health Magazine along with Jockey® will be hosting a fitness and style event this evening at 6pm on the lower level. Be sure to get your technology infused under gear for a perfect contoured modern-day body, or you’ll be left behind with your tighty-whities.

The world of fashion and beauty is an ever evolving industry, new treatments are being released every minute of every day. This is not old news, “creativity is key… innovate to stay ahead” - something one of my lecturers always used to say (and one of the only things I used to hear before I dozed off!)

Now, through university, we conducted many case studies around the innovative nature of the Japanese, electronics innovation, motor car innovation, robot innovation and particularly fashion innovation!

Now the adventurous Japanese really have their ears to the ground and are putting their best foot forward in the beauty industry! (I apologize in advance, just could not resist that one…)

Exfoliation has taken on a whole new meaning with the development of a revolutionary treatment…

And this is not one of them!

Now this as a topic has had a lot of interest since the beginning of mankind and finally somebody has sat down and given the subject a thorough testing!!

In the University of Leuven (Belgium) researchers decided to test a heterosexual male’s ability to make decisions under the influence of (the most distracting thing known to man…) images of beautiful women!

Men become indecisive at the sight of a pretty young lady, now there are probably a few nodding heads while people are reading this, but now science fortifies the suspicion! In addition it was concluded that the higher the testosterone levels, the greater the distraction!

So how can this be tested… a group of men were set a simple bartering test (designed a lab model for hunting or food sharing situations – very masculine!)

But before the test began, half of the test subjects were shown pictures of pretty young models View image and the other half landscape pictures View image…

Test begins… and the results…

It is apparent that the men subjected to the sexual cues accepted unfair offers (simply speaking they lost out!) and the men who had been looking at landscapes were the better off!

The researchers concluded:

"If there are no cues around, they behave normally.
"But if they see sexual images they become impulsive."

So it appears that beauty ……

….. what was I talking about??? Breakfast... no... Oh yes…..distracts the beholder.

As someone who is now, from LA, I drive everywhere. Thus, I pay attention to the price of gas because I find myself at the pump at least once a week filling up my gas tank. This past Monday, driving home from Palm Springs I saw the price of gas change in front of my eyes, literally. It was an electronic sign and it went from $2.99 per gallon to $3.05 in the time it took me to drive past at 60 mph. Yes, it was a bit humorous but more frightening than funny.

Later that evening I was watching the evening news and my guy Brian Williams on NBC’s Nightly News reported a little tid-bit of information, Lee Raymond, Exxon’s former CEO would be taking home $69.7 million in compensation and a $98 million dollar good-bye, thanks for all your help, retirement package.

My fellow Pierce Mattian, Josh went to a fabulous party, with fabulous celebrities and the most fantastic magazine editors and he complained about the gift bag. What makes a good or even great goodie bag?

I pose this question because I am knees deep in planning an event with a buzz around young Hollywood, that this is the party of the century, not your typical product launch party. At any rate, my team and I have been desperately calling companies that we want in our gift bag, because to go with the title, “Party of the Century,” you need to have a goodie bag of the century too, right?

The magic of Disney wasn’t so magical as I went to see, this past weekend, a preview of Disney’s Tarzan on Broadway.

Now, I am a huge of fan of Disney’s Broadway musicals. I can recall sitting in Beauty and the Beast being amazed by the costumes and the great music. I remember sitting in Aida and listening to R&B star Heather Headley sing and watching the amazing set and lights. I even recall sitting in on the Lion King and watching grown men with their wives crying in the first 15 minutes of the musical! It’s just that good! I only remember having one question for Disney in the first 15 minutes of Tarzan……what were you thinking??!!

From the first scene to the last scene, the musical is anti-climatic. The most memorable song (that really isn’t that memorable) is “You’ll Be in My Heart.” I am a huge Phil Collins fan. Who doesn’t love “Separate Lives”, “Against All Odds or “Another Day in Paradise?” Hello, Genesis kicked butt! With all of this great music under his belt and also the Oscar for “Tarzan the movie,” I thought surely the music was going to blow me away. The truth is, I’m sitting here now, not even able to remember one song from this musical. The beat, groove and melodic tones all sound very much the same.

I also assumed Disney would turn out the special effects and stage costumes. I mean after all, Disney spent 4 million dollars alone renovating the theatre. The closest example I can give to you of the set and costumes is this. Think about going into your mother’s sewing box and pulling out different colors of fabric. Then proceeding to rip the fabric up in long strips and hang them from everywhere including your body. I’m not sure what Director/Scenic and Costume Designer, Bob Crowley was thinking taking on all of these projects. At one point, there is a huge Spider that looks more like Ursula from “The Little Mermaid” than an actual spider. We couldn’t stop laughing.

The one actor who stood out to me the most was Tarzan himself. Broadway newcomer, Josh Strickland, really has a career ahead for himself. His voice is amazing and his face and eyes are captivating. You don’t want to stop looking at him. That’s about all I can say about the cast. I really could’ve cared less if any of them missed a vine they were swinging too and crashed on the stage floor. I was just so bored!

In the end, not one person gave the cast a standing ovation. This just doesn’t happen at a Disney musical. Usually the audience is jumping up and down and screaming. This just goes to show you, you can’t turn EVERYTHING into a musical.

Ballroom dancing is no longer only for pre-martial couples hoping to impress on their big day, but it is becoming a national pastime as well as a form of exercise. In theaters now is the movie Adam & Steve where ballroom dancing is the pinnacle of cultural and social happiness. The two lovebirds in the movie, played by actors Craig Chester and Malcom Gets, attend a country ballroom dance class where everyone is dressed to the nines as pro. If your perfect performance is doubted at this over-pretentious class, you better be ready for a dancing showdown where only one couple reigns.

In terms of fitness, we have seen so many hot new trends come and go and many of us have all taken a crack at them. The media plays a huge role in what is the new trend in exercise. Calming your inner ohm at Yoga or stretching to barely credible extremes at Pilates. Remember Billy Blanks and his Tae Bo workout? How about Suzanne Summers and her patented Thigh Master? What’s next? Ballroom dancing, of course! After the success of ABC’s "Dancing with the Stars” reality television series, ballroom dance classes have been the rage. These classes offer you stretch, cardio, and partner training all in one… how genius.

The success of ballroom dancing has lead a local New York gym to begin group and private ballroom dance classes. New York Health and Racquet Club is offering their “Dance Like A Star” classes to its members and non-members alike.. "Dancing is a great low impact workout", says Maryann Donner, group fitness director at NYHRC. "Ballroom and Salsa classes, held in a health club setting, are not only a good way to burn calories but are fun and social as well." In point of fact, NYHRC is the only major health club in New York to offer members a Ballroom Dance Program. According to the iVillage calorie calculator, a 140-pound person can burn an average of 349 calories in an hour of fast social dancing and 191 calories in slower styles.

In an age where many activities have an expiration date do to the attention deficit of our nation, surely ballroom dancing will go sour in the very near future as far as a cultural phenomenon is concerned. As for the exercise component, stay on the treadmill and do your crunches. If you want to dance off some sweat, save it for the Copa Cabana.

Chanel has selected "Pride & Prejudice" star Keira Knightley as the new face of its Coco Mademoiselle fragrance. The 21-year-old actress will appear in Chanel ads beginning in 2007, the company announced Wednesday.

Knightley succeeds Kate Moss, whose contract expired last October. The 32-year-old British supermodel had starred in the Coco Mademoiselle ads since 2002.

Moss lost several high-profile modeling contracts last year after a tabloid published pictures of her allegedly using cocaine in a west London music studio.

As a publicist I am well aware that we try really hard to convey a certain image for our clients. Because I know this, I extend my sincere apologies to the PR Diva who reps Janice Dickenson. This week I had the pleasure- yes pleasure of meeting THE Supermodel and contrary to popular opinion, she is far from the megabitch that the media makes her out to be. She really is a DOLL!

Yesterday, Wednesday April 26, the Clio Awards named Axe deodorant the Advertiser of the Year, from product powerhouse, Unilever. According to a release, this award is to honor the company who “achieves creative leadership and consistently demonstrates a commitment to creative innovation in advertising.”

I have to admit that their ads were pretty impressive, showcasing a witty sense of intrigue and humor. There are only a few companies that have really learned what it takes to capture this type of public punch, including my personal favorites Aflac and Geico. Nothing provokes more interest than a talking duck and gecco. Congratulations to Axe and to another year of great advertising! Need any PR?

You would think that with an arsenal of personal stylists, hair dressers and free product, celebrities would have bigger issues than bad hair. Not true for 21 celebrities, which Men.Style.com call out for their hair faux pas.

On the top of the list is Owen Wilson for his golden locks that pay homage to Farrah’s Charlie’s Angels days; Ricky Martin’s “Rock-a-Doodle” punk Mohawk; and Kevin Federline’s wavy cornrows, which Van from MTV’s The Shop commented by saying, “Ain't nothing wrong with the hair, he's just white.”

But my all-time favorite is Jonathan Antin. This celebrity hairstylist, turned reality TV star, turned QVC salesman made the top three for worst hairstyles. Pop from The Shop said, “He looks straight up like his hair is a McDonald's sign.” And while his hair is a little on the big side (which by the way is what Jonathan is famous for – big, sexy hair), I think this may just be a bad hairdo. The self-made millionaire is at the top of his game with a new baby and self-titled hair care line, which is available at Sephora stores nationwide.

At the end of the list Men.Style.com features a cast photo of The Shop stars. Ordinarily I wouldn’t call anyone out on their appearance, but since they did it to 21 celebrities, I figure their fair game. One look at Deb, the lone female of the group, and it looks to me like she got in a peroxide war with Buckweat (from the Little Rascals) and then went to play in a pool of water streaming with stray voltage. But that’s just my opinion.

To view the article click here.

Why is it whenever I enter a “luxury” retail store I seem to suddenly become invisible? I mean, I know I’m there, I am walking around and the staff seems to half smile but then look away when I approach, which leads me to believe that they DO see me. Despite my Marc Jacobs handbag, Fendi sunglasses and Manolo Blahniks, (which I assure you are notfake) I am consistently ignored. Could it be because I look like I just graduated from high school or are the staff at luxury retail establishments taught to help a specific type of consumer?

I suppose I could attribute it to class. Last Friday, Oprah Winfrey had a show entitled “Class in America.” She discussed perceptions people have about class and what characteristics they associate the different levels with. For example, some said they attributed dirty nails and bad teeth with “low class.” The main thing I found to be interesting, and incredibly appalling, was that 40 percent of America’s wealth is held by the top ONE PERCENT, yes, I said ONE PERCENT of the nation. So the other 99 percent of the nation is sharing 60 percent of the money?! Appalling! Because of this, the so-called “middle” class is simply dissolving. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. I’m glad we still have billions of dollars to give to Iraq—but that is a whole other issue.

Angelina Jolie has been chosen as People Magazine’s cover choice for the annual “100 Most Beautiful People” issue which hits newsstands today across the country. The beautiful actress has experienced quite a year in the media spotlight and not always for positive reasons. Her pregnancy, adoptions and charitable work have painted a beautiful picture of a mother, a strong woman and a kind and honorable woman. Yet, did we forget how she bedded a married man and contributed to the destruction of a marriage? I think Angelina is physical perfection — her lips, eyes, skin, that body! She exudes a sensuality and femininity that is very rare among idolized women today but when I look at her, I can’t help but think of poor Jennifer Aniston and what she did to her. It makes me sick…and don’t get me wrong, Brad is just as guilty! His presence was not absent from the list and others included are George Clooney, Halle Berry, Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Seacrest.

What I want to know is did Jennifer Aniston make the list?