Philly Chit Chat

UPFRONT BY BRAVO MEDIA REDEFINES INDUSTRY STANDARD ON MARCH 30TH WITH STAR-STUDDED EVENTS IN NY, LA AND CHICAGO

Simultaneous Presentations Feature Live Cut-Ins From Top Chef’s Padma Lakshmi in LA, Gail Simmons in Chicago And Bravo’s Andy Cohen in NY During “Top Chef All-Stars” Finale Special “Watch What Happens Live: Top Chef Finale” hosted by Cohen to Feature First Interview with “Top Chef All-Stars” Winner and Fan Favorite, March 30 at 11 p.m. ET/PTNEW YORK – March 22, 2011 – On March 30th, Bravo will redefine the upfront, an annual event for advertisers that has historically been viewed as a trade only affair. As part of the network’s efforts to set new benchmarks across all platforms, Bravo Media today announced plans to host simultaneous presentations in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago hosted and attended by Bravo talent that combine the expected upfront fare with a mix of live ‘Bravolebrity’ cut-ins during the network’s broadcast of the “Top Chef All-Stars” finale on Wednesday, March 30th. This unprecedented initiative will – for the very first time – allow home viewers a glimpse into this “invitation only” advertising soiree while providing the clients attending the events, the opportunity to mix and mingle with Bravolebrities and be part of the “Top Chef All-Stars” finale broadcast via the live cut-ins. Additionally, host of “Watch What Happens: Live,” Andy Cohen will host both the New York dinner party with live cut-ins from the Big Apple and a special “Watch What Happens Live: Top Chef Finale” immediately following the finale; while “Top Chef” host Padma Lakshmi will be in Los Angeles and “Top Chef” judge Gail Simmons will anchor in Chicago. Live cut-ins from Lakshmi, Simmons and Cohen will begin airing in the re-broadcast of the penultimate episode in the 9 p.m. ET/PT hour leading up to and throughout the 10 p.m. ET/PT finale. “We wanted to create a brand new and uniquely interactive experience both for the viewer at home and our advertising partners centered around our signature franchise ‘Top Chef,’” said Frances Berwick, President Bravo Media. “This interactive evening extends the Bravo experience into the viewers’ homes allowing them to engage with their favorite chef’testants, while simultaneously giving our clients the unique opportunity to be part of ‘Top Chef All-Stars’ finale history.” Susan Malfa, Senior Vice President of Ad Sales, Bravo Media and Oxygen Media, added: “When advertising partners come to us, they expect a distinct brand experience for their clients. This watercooler event underscores how we deliver on that promise and will give attendees real insight into how the Emmy Award winning Top Chef franchise and all our network content, can be uniquely designed for customers needs. This is integration on a whole new level.”Adding another level to the Upfront experience, guests of the live finale viewing parties will be treated to interactive elements and will be served dishes as seen on the finale of the “Top Chef All-Stars” broadcast. In New York, the menu will be prepared by the finalists themselves; and in Los Angeles and Chicago, guests will also enjoy the same recipes served throughout the finale. Guests and fans will be able to follow the action with the Bravo Now app, which gives users a ticket to our exclusive coast-to-coast Top Chef finale viewing parties, allowing them to follow the conversation and check in on party guests, ‘Bravolebrities’ in attendance and fellow “Top Chef” fans with Bravo’s Tweet Tracker.For access inside the party, fans can visit BravoTV.com for a seat at the exclusive “Top Chef All-Stars” finale viewing parties, letting fans share in the festivities with @Bravotv’s Tweet Tracker and go behind-the-scenes with exclusive photos and fun facts from the set of the finale. And after the winner’s announced, users can also find out exactly how our All-Star champ was selected with an exclusive Extended Judges’ Table video and a sit down interview with the winner Viewers will hear Tom Colicchio, Lakshmi and Simmons’ unfiltered thoughts on the finale in their blogs. Have a beef with the winning chef? Settle that score with a Tweet Battle, debating with your friends, and letting other fans cast their votes. And for users that disagree with the outcome, they can crown their own champ with BravoTV.com’s “Virtual Top Chef” that features all 18 chef’testants from the current “Top Chef All-Stars” season. Fans began by choosing their favorite chef’testant, then earned points and trophies by completing actions and activities on BravoTV.com. The chef’testant whose team has the most points come season’s end will be honored with the “Virtual Top Chef title” and $5,000.The star-studded night continues at 11 p.m. ET/PT as Cohen interviews the winning chef live in a half-hour post-finale “Watch What Happens: Live” special. Other guests on the show include the “All Stars” runner-up, “Top Chef” talent from all three cities as well as other Bravolebrities at the finale parties. For the first time, the Fan Favorite for the “Top Chef All-Stars” season will be announced live during the special – awarding the fan-chosen chef a prize of $10,000. Viewers will be able to vote for their favorite chef from March 2 through March 24 via text message, Twitter, on BravoTV.com, and from their mobile phones at m.BravoTV.com. “Top Chef All-Stars” is produced by the Emmy Award-winning Magical Elves. Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz serve as executive producers. “Watch What Happens Live” is produced by Embassy Row for Bravo. Michael Davies serves as executive producer.Bravo is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Bravo has been an NBCUniversal cable network since December 2002 and was the first television service dedicated to film and the performing arts when it launched in December 1980. For more information, visit www.BravoTV.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BravoPR.

Last Thursday I covered the Zarwin Baum and Hub International’s annual NCAA kickoff bash at the Top of the Tower (Bell Atlantic Building). The firm invites many of their clients, vendors and friends to attend an all day party to enjoy the NCAA Basketball games on large TV screens set up in the two big meeting rooms.
And for the first time in years the games kicked off with two Pennsylvania teams playing each other Penn State v Temple and it was St. Patrick’s Day to boot.
The party was packed with over 1000 people at any given time filling out the floor with the never ending views of Philadelphia. Above Peter Madden and Dara Tye Goldstein from AgileCat who were one of the sponsors of the event.
Paul Smith and Susan Aldworth of Document Technologies, Inc.
Rachel Medmich and Kayla Gillin were there representing The Sporting Club at the Bellevue.
This year’s event was also a fund raiser for Philabundance
and manager Tina Rothfuss was there manning the table. Recently she did a blog posting on a day in the life of Philabundance that you should read.
Nancy Trzuskowski and Sharon Bowers represent HUB International a major sponsor of today’s event. HUB International Limited is a leading North American insurance brokerage that provides a broad array of property and casualty, life and health, employee benefits, reinsurance, investment and risk management products and services throughout offices located in the United States and Canada. Robb Lanham Chief Sales Officer at Hub International was busy running around making sure everything was running smoothly.
Harriet Lessey, Buzz Communications and her son Bob Shaw
Jay Scott and Zarwin Baum attorney’s Lionel Prince and Harris Baum
Part of the Zarwin Baum team: Norman P Zarwin, Mitchell Kaplan, Alan Casnoff, and Marvin Block

along with the cute “professional” dancers that entertained in the afternoon.
Some who wandered away and found my favorite table
The 2011 March Madness event raised 507 pounds of food at the event and raised nearly $12,000 through the silent auction for Philabundence. Here are a few guys participating in the super shot basketball game set up in the game room.
Tim Kelly and Mark O’Neill. Mark swears to me that he only wears these pants on St Paddy’s Day, but I think I’ve seen them out and about in Stone Harbor.
Silent auction items include golf with Mike Quick and Merrill Reese; Michael Vick signed authentic jersey, a designer handbag, a designer ring, ring by local, tickets to, sporting events, hotel stays and many restaurant gift certificates. Brendan Smith tries to bid on a Flyers Jersey as wife Stephanie looks on. Brendan’s catering company B*Smith Catering provided the food as well as the Irish dancers.
I didn’t win, but it would have been great zooming around town as I gather stories for PhillyChitChat.com, then everyone would know how I could be everywhere.
Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds-Brown (Vote for Blondell in November), Mitchell Kaplan, Zarwin Baum, District Attorney Seth Williams, David Oh, who is running for Republican City Councilman at Large and Jewell Williams who is running for sheriff.
Jonathan Saidel was also in the house. He tells me he reads PhillyChitChat.com to see what’s going on and who’s been where. Smart man. Laying low since running for Lt Gov last year, Mr Saidel has let his twitter account lapse. I suggest you get it up and going to lay the ground work for your next campaign. Social Media is the new grassroots campaign. With him is Maria McLaughlin
Lynn Fox and Erin Young
Danielle MaGuire. Dianne Reddington, Monica Slavin and John Rowley
Hmm B*Smith Catering. A few weeks ago I mentioned that B*Smith would be serving a free Sunday Brunch where you can make your own Bloddy Mary’s. It’s in honor of the Phillies winning the 2011 World Series, Brendan is an optimist if anything, which is good.
Herb Reid, Reggie Berry, Stacey Kracher, Jackim Wright and Philadelphia Eagles broadcaster Mike Quick
Zarwin Baum has offices in Philadelphia and Bethlehem, PA and Jersey City and Marlton, NJ was founded in 1960. The firm’s 53 attorneys practice in diverse areas including real estate, corporate, commercial litigation, environmental, banking, immigration, estate, tax, custodial abuse and neglect, employment law, causality defense and personal injury.
Erin Young, Mitchell Kaplan, Councilman James Kenny, and friends

Tanya Teece and Carol Tamburino
Audrey Morah and Michael Morah
Anne Nikolaus and Amber Goins. Did you see Amber modeling on NBC10’s The Ten Show earlier this week. She’s promoting The Jr League’s Green Fashion Show next Saturday. Check out the PhillyChitChat calendar, click on the button above.
After the party a few of us headed over to 10 Arts at the Ritz-Carlton to extend our night a bit. We ran into comedian Sheryl Underwood and shared a few laughs. Here she is with Zarwin Baum attorney Gary DeVito.

Today is National Diabetes Awareness Day

The St James sits back from Washington Square soaring about the city streets. I’ve only been inside once a few months after it opened when my friend Jim Donovan lived there. Unfortunately that was before I was PhillyChitChat so I only had the tiniest at the time. Recently I was invited by Jordan Hecht, JDRF Development Manager to Suzanne & Norman Cohn’s beautiful penthouse home where they were hosting the a dinner party for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Major Donors
The word extravagance doesn’t cover the gorgeous living space the Norman’s created in their home. Most of all their generosity came through with the cocktail hour, and later the dinner that was served to their guests. This is the living room area, the guests are standing on a glass floor above lava rock. The terrace is like another beautiful room when the weather is cooperative Looking towards the bar, on the right is the Thermador Wine cooler.
Julianne Green, Major Gifts, JDRF, Michael and Joannie Rich
JDRF is a leader in setting the agenda for diabetes research worldwide, and is the largest charitable funder advocate of type 1 diabetes research. Type 1 diabetes is a disease that strikes children and adults suddenly and requires multiple injections of insulin daily or continuous infusion of insulin through a pump.

On Saturday, May 21, 2011 we will be hosting our 41st Annual Promise Ball. This year’s event, themed, “Keeping the Promise” will be a night to remember with dinner, dancing and our remarkable auctions. The evening will honor Wawa President and CEO, Howard Stoeckel.
Ellen Rubenstein, Jeffrey Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer and Nancy Resnick
Heather King, Taylor King, Nancy Resnick, Norman Cohn , Judge Rovner and Donald ResnickCraving a lobster not a problem when you have 4 sea water tanks holding up to two lobsters in each. I couldn’t quite figure how to get them out, but I think a ladder might be involved.
Lea Cohn and Jennifer Westphal (She has a charity blog in honor of her son.)
Looking west. I would love to see a sunset from here.
Joannie Rich, Michelle Dorfman and Alan Dorfman
Eileen and Coley Bookbinder, first vice president at Wells Fargo
The dining room

April 7 is the opening night of Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts and the only day Charlie Sheen’s Goddess Bree Olson (real name: Rachel Oberlin) and N’SYNC’S Joey Fatone will be on the set together for the new film Mancation. The Film starts shooting in Atlantic City on April 1 before moving to Philly. This will be Olson’s first non-porn film but the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree as MSNBC (SPOILER ALERT) says one scene is fairly explicit sex scene with another women (probably the scene filming on 4/7 as my tipster says they are only on set for one scene). The film also features fellow porn star Danica Dillan and The Wonder Years’ Danica McKellar.

Come celebrate the transformation of the Kimmel Center Plaza as the Philadelphia International of the Arts comes alive in Philadelphia starting April 6 until May 1. Every day there will be French wine tastings, French lessons and French food. Followed by free nightly performances, a full service bar and lots more to keep your PIFA energy alive. Each night there will be a celebration in the beautiful lobby. Also in the lobby there is a spectacular 81-foot light-bulb-filled Eiffel Tower which reaches for the sky as trains and planes zoom overhead. It’s just amazing. Every night the Wolfgang puck snack bar will be open and you can grab a bite and sit in the lobby enjoying the view. There are many highlight event occuring in the lobby during the PIFA festival, but one I am looking forward to is the FREE PIFA Underground Post-Show Party! Following ?uestlove’s performance, catch him spinning a special festival DJ set in the Kimmel Center’s Perelman Theater. Philadelphia DJ favorites Rich Medina and DJ AfroDJiak also spin on April 17. The concert in Verizon Hall begins at 8PM, the free party around 10PM
Every Saturday & Sunday from 11AM til 2AM their are family events. Lobby Hours Sun – Tues 10AM – 10PM; Wed – Sat 10AM til 12AM; Eiffel Tower Light Shows nightly at 7PM and 10PM Check out the schedule here Above they are finishing touches on the 80 foot Eiffel Tower.

When I chat about this upcoming event with people a few have asked how this unique event was created and I tell them the the story about the Annenberg’s. As you know Walter and Leonore Annenberg were very philanthropic in Philadelphia during their lives, especially in the Arts. At the request of Mrs. Annenberg in her will she asked that the arts community throw a big celebration of the arts with money she left for the event. Years in the making PIFA is a mere 22 days away. I know I’ve said it before, but you must clear your schedule and attend some of the events.
This is an ongoing in a series of entries I am doing to promote Philadelphia International of the Arts follow them on Facebook or Twitter @PIFAphilly for the latest information.

Philadelphia Celebrity Sightings & Musings:

Friday I attended a “science of food” event at Stephen Starr’s Continental restaurant for the upcoming Philadelphia Science Festival April 15 – 28.I should have eaten before I went or read the press release as it was a tasting of the “miracle berries” which is not very filling, but an interesting subject. Then I went to dinner at Kokopelli with Where Magazine Publisher Laura Burkhardt and ABC6’s Monica Malpass. Monica tells me all her boys are doing well, and the twins are about to celebrate their first birthday, can you believe it!!
*****************

Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes’ wife actress Sheryl Lee Ralph tweeted Sunday: I need the power of ur prayers to help my dad thru chemo. Pray please. Thank you.
*****************
SATURDAY: Chynna Phillips husband, Billy Baldwin, was spotted Saturday afternoon at the Marriott Downtown’s Circ Bar. Earlier in the day Megan Haines tweeted he was at the Reading Terminal and then in the afternoon Steven Spangler tweeted what the fuck Billy Baldwin is in Pac-A-Deli (What no pictures people?) On Friday Philebrity reported that he was in town for the NCAA wrestling championships and Deadspin published pixs from Mac’s Tavern when he was celebrating St Paddy’s Day there. Chynna I’m sure he’s not in love with that chick who kissed him, and it was just impulsive.

Saturday afternoon Fox29’s Jenn Frederick who has a celebrity eagle eye as she spotted Friend’s star Matt LeBlanc heading into Dick’s Sporting Club on Saturday. She’s a big fan but a bigger fan of golf and headed for the greens instead.
Saturday night at the Human Rights Campaign dinner in Philadelphia Carson Kressley joined Madonna’s back up singer of 18 years, Niki Harris, who entertained the crowd, in a night to honor Delaware Sen. Chris Coons at the Hyatt Penns Landing. Later in the evening Carson was seen in the lounge at Ten Arts in the Ritz-Carlton. (Photo: Lex Ruby Howe)
Uptown: Shelita Buffet hosted the opening of the new club ICandy, 254 S. 12th St in the Gayborhood (the former 12th Air Command)
Philadelphia City Councilman-at-Large James F. Kenney stopped by to wish them well.

Back downtown in Old City to check out season 1 winner of Master of the Mix DJ Scratch spinning Saturday night at Trust for an exclusive Smirnoff party with Power 99.
DJ Sparkles was the opening act for DJ Scratch (r)

My dates for the evening Kristyn Aldrich and Megan Smith, Brownstone PR. It’s good to see Megan out as she is busy repping Cinefest this April as well as Dancing With The Philadelphia Stars on April 10 and tonight charity event with 76er’s Andre Iguodala hosting ‘Bowling for Promise” at Lucky Strikes TONIGHT 5PM $35.

DJ Scratch (r) with surprise rapper guest rapper Freeway (l) Also spotted Reggie Berry, Hacina Saadi, Jackiem Wright, Rosa Swinton, Tara Lassiter and Bill Andrews. It was tough getting names out of this crowd and I tweeted around midnight: “after photographing folks, no one wants to give me their names. Its like being at a karma sutra party.”

We then headed over to the private late night club Recess at 125 South 2nd Street for a nightcap. I love the place as everyone is chill, but you have to love body contact cause the place gets packed.

Sunday: Congratulations to Marny Baxt, Body Pump/Fitness Instructor at Drexel University who participated in the NY half marathon. At the end of the race she was rewarded with a Hugh Jackman sighting!! The day before she saw Lea Michele while eating brunch at Le Pain Quotidien (See yesterday’s entry about the glitch in Philly’s Le Pain Quotidien).

*******************

Relativity Media’s “Limitless” topped the weekend’s domestic box office with an estimated debut purse of $19 million from 2,756 locations. Us Magazine reports that Bradley Cooper celebrated by dumping Renee Zellweger. The only wedding ring he plans to wear in the near future is his dad’s Charles Cooper who passed away in January.
Shot from the special Limitless screening in Philly on March 5th at the Rave. BC is seen hugging his aunt as his mom Gloria Cooper looks on. TMZ reports that

Michael Klein reported on his blog the Insider, that Le Pain Quotidien was opening a second location in Center City at the old Robbin’s Jewelery Store at 8th & Walnut close to the summer.

There might be a snag as it seems someone may have challenged their right to have seating outside. Would that affect their business decision to open there? I walked by on Friday and saw that there is a Washington Square West Meeting Monday night at 7PM to discuss an Appeal with the Zoning Board of Adjustments.
Seems there is a variance with bakeries, cafe’s and restaurants on Walnut Street regarding seating on any sidewalk on Walnut Street.
Applicant has approached Washington Square West for their Non-Opposition to the variances sought.
Hmm I wonder if someone could wander up the street a bit and take care of this fiasco? I love al fresco dining, I don’t like anyone or anything clogging up the sidewalk. PS. It’s the first day of Spring – Go out and get some free Rita’s Water Ice today!!

A room with a view
Yesterday I mentioned about my bud Big Rube who is going to shoot street style for The Daily News. The style of shooting he is going to do is direct candid shooting where the subject may know he is photographing them to capture their style. I try and shoot that way but often get intimidated if folks can see what I am doing. I hate to invade their private space & or wrath of a tongue lashing. I often will shoot from the hip as they call it, no not to upskirt, just a very candid, natural setting shot.

Although these folks knew I was shooting them because their dogs are so adorable, and well they are being pushed in a doggie carriage.
I also do a lot of shots like this, especially for my twitter folks. It about getting the outfit, the most outlandish the better. And I mean outlandish and not always in a good way. These girls are styling it though.
I love this shot. I can’t figure out those shoes the guy on the left is wearing. They look very flat.
The end

Get Ready for Your Close Up, a familiar face is armed with a camera and is going after the style hit-stirs in Philadelphia
Comedians Kyle Erby and Sheryl Underwood are at the Liacouras Center tonight to appear in the Mike Epps Comedy Tour. Last night they were at the Ritz-Carlton enjoying a few late night snacks from Top Chef Jennifer Carrol at 10 Arts. Above Big Rube (Ruben Harley) and I rolled in after a party at Zarwin Baum law firm to chat about an upcoming column he is going to have in the Philadelphia Daily News. It’s based on a photographer that we both love who has been shooting for the NY Times for decades, Bill Cunningham. No doubt Big Rube is excited that Sheryl is rocking a green jacket for St Paddy’s Day.
As I’ve mentioned before my career inspiration is NYC celeb & social diarist photographers Patrick McMullen & Ron Gaella. I also admire, street fashion photographer Bill Cunningham, but it takes a certain talent to take candid street photos without permission (the ledgendary photographer Robert Capa did a series of my favorite candid street photos which once had an exhibit at the Phila Art Museum.) The Philly Daily News is just about to expose it’s readers to Big Rube who is going to be doing a similar photo column & video in it’s paper beginning in April. Above is an example of the kinda work that Big Rube produces now. You can check it out on his blog StreetGazing. The kinda shots he will be going for are candid, sometimes with very little interaction of his subject. Big Rube will be covering the City on his bike, just like Cunningham. You are in for a treat as he’s got an expert eye for fashion having been reared by his grandmother who was a millinery, and his uncle who taught him how to use a camera. I really look forward to his video too as he’s going to do a narrative on how he chooses which subjects to shoot. To say I’m excited is an understatement, I’ve always been a fan of Big Rube’s work.
Wednesday night I headed out to Mica for a friends and family night. My invitation said HughE we need your unbiased opinion. It’s a practice run for the new Chestnut Hill restaurant
from chefs Chip Romanand Jason Cichonski, which opens TODAY.

Mike had the halibut. Mike really is a much better food critic than I as he is the cook in our house. He was in LOVE with this dish. OH but first let me tell you about my mix up. Mike and I actually arrived at Mica last Wednesday as I can sometimes be dizzy. After a few phone calls I realized that I was there on the wrong day. Last weekMica looked like this. No sign, no tables, just a space. I successfully won a buck from Mike when I told him that the restaurant would be in operation in a week. Sure enough the place looked awesome a week later. When Mike and I saw the 70 seat restaurant last week I had thought the space housed an old antique store or cobbler, but after chatting with Chip I learned that the flooring was reclaimed wood, as well as used in the tables. Chip told me the space was completely gutted from the previous tenant, a Mexican restaurant, down to adding the wainscoting. They even installed the original door that was stored in the basement. It then dawned on me, this is the exact kind of decor that fits right in with the landscape and sense of Chestnut Hill. The R7 Chestnut Hill East and the R8 Chestnut Hill West lines both terminate at Chestnut Hill and are nearby. I really need to spend a little more time there, it’s really adorable.I had the Baby Spanish octopus, licorice mayo, white asparagus, bacon. Delicious
I had the lamb which was
delicious
for dessert I had the coconut mango, which again was unbelievable.
On the recommendation of another diner, who seemed to have a Meg Ryan moment at the next table, Mike enjoyed this chocolate dessert that had tequila in the center. I had to restrain Mike from licking the plate. I think it was about this time I tweeted: Mica was fine dining and was more than just fine, it was awesome and fine enough for Craig LeBan to come by & review on opening night.
Run don’t walk to Mica for your next meal. You won’t regret it. I’m confident you’ll find the it foodelicious. 8609 Germantown Avenue 267-335-3912

The Philadelphia Belle invited a few bloggers for a boat ride last Saturday night.Christened as the Mississippi Belle II in 1994, our four-deck, paddlewheel-style riverboat operated on its namesake river for much of her early career. After undergoing extensive $2 million remodeling, the new Philadelphia Belle will cruise upon the Delaware River from her new homeport of Penn’s Landing, between Chestnut and Market Streets, in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Belle is the largest vessel of its kind on the East Coast. The top deck is open, with three enclosed decks below where guests can enjoy first-rate entertainment, delicious food and beverages, and original artworks—all inspired by the best of Philadelphia. Total passenger capacity is 1,000 guests, with seated dining space available for approximately 700.Welcomed aboard by Captain Tim Gasparovic and John Carter
When I got the invite it said it was a night of bloggers on the Belle, I was thinking sounds good I like mixers with my fellow bloggers, but I was pleasantly surprised to learn there was going to be a whole bunch of bloggers I didn’t know. On Saturday I saw happy mommies tweeting about their up coming night on the Philadelphia Belle. Recently I had heard about the cult of Mommy bloggers and was excited to observe them in a setting not surrounded by their charges. What I learned from them is that they are organized and monetized. Like a mother bear they are protective and out to earn extra dough to put food on the table. Not much leaves their lips without a sponsor attached and money in the bank. They have created the new sales model for the future and business’ are paying attention.
One of the most popular mommy bloggers & tweeters is Cecily Kellogg with husband Charles O’Hay above (& who has his own interesting blog.)
Mike was with me, he liked the view from our window table. I’m happy when he’s happy cause he keeps us all happy allowing me to do this crazy fun blog.
Philly Frugal Mom (Linda Pham-Vertleih was on board too with her husband, Nicholas VertleihSugar House looked packed last Saturday night about 9PM
NJ Aquarium. Looks like the Nipper Dog stain glass windows have been replaced again on the old RCA building.
The Menu. There is several different menu options and price ranges for various cruises for the Belle which I have linked here
Mike LOVED the lobster bisque and
and his ravioli dish. I had the salad and the steak. I guess I am just spoiled eating at Del Frisco’s as I wasn’t a big fan, especially because of the demi glaze which was like brown gravy, but it could just be me as Gen Mom, who was seated next to me loved her steak. I heard the salmon was delicious. The salad was good, but I think I would go with the bisque next time, and I should have as the boat has an upscale feel and I should have gone with something I can’t get at Ruby Tuesday’s.
But the ride, the views, the band and dancing was well worth the price of $40 lunch tours – $75 (Saturday night) price tag, especially on a beautiful night, 3 hr tour.
Karla Trotman and Shannon Choe of Premier Baby Concierge
These two mommy bloggers business compliment each of and have become friends. Karla has Belly Button Boutique which specializes in products of comfort for pre- and postnatal women. Shannon’s business is about preparing the new mom for having a baby. Such fun and unique business ventures these two mommies created.
Many of the “mommy bloggers” don’t necessarily focus on their “blogs” anymore, what with raising a family, some running business’, etc can now get the word out through Twitter which allows them to micro-blog. It’s all very fascinating, and educational on how one can monetize their blog and branding. A few mommy bloggers on board http://www.queenmotherblog.com/
Gen Mom
Then it was off to dancing.
I would be surprised if the Philadelphia Belle wasn’t tapped by Philly Magazine and many other media outlets, as one of the most romantic dates in Philadelphia. It’s fun for friends and couples, and has some of the most beautiful views of the City from almost every point of view.