Gotham Gal

last day at coachella 2011

The last day I went all out and got to the grounds around 330 to see Wiz Khalifa who might have been my favorite performance of the day.  I didn't stand in the crowd like Fred, Josh and his friend did.  I sat on the grass in the VIP section with a nice view and a glass of lemonade.  I was quite happy. 

My friend recommended I take pics of the outfits today.  Unfortunately I did not grab many of the outfits that really looked good.  For the women, there are the cut off-short denim shorts with flowy tops, there are the long flowy hippy dresses, lots of floppy hats and fedoras and boots with shorts. The men are wearing lots of tight shorts and pants with crisp tshirts or plaid button down short-sleeve shirts.  I think of the men as wearing the Mad Men look 2011.  There are also some really bad outfits too.  The fashion show is certainly set here.  I am just going to run through some looks and the days events.  Above is two very badly dressed hippy girls. 

Hanging out on the lawn

The plaid shirt

Really bad outfit and this woman is easily in her late 60s.  They must have just let her out of Woodstock.

A young Woodstock prodigy.

The groovy California look.

Two girls waiting for the taco truck. This is some of the standard looks here.

We had some ice cream.  Ice cream is certainly in these days.  Here you pick your ice cream and your cookies to create your own ice cream sandwich.  They were running low on supplies so creamsickle ice cream and red velvet cookies didn't exactly mix.

This is one of those moments you have to wonder if she looked in the mirror before leaving the house.

I like this.  The open back dress with the boots and the tattoo on her back.

Kogi truck was there daily.  Here is their short rib burrito.  Pretty damn good.

Boots and a short skirt

More boots and shorts

Tattoo central but you get the idea of the floppy hat.  It is the resurrection of the Carly Simon look. 

Lots of converse sneakers

Once again I made my way to the very front to watch the last two bands.  Honestly at 5'3" if I am not front row hanging over the fence, I can't see a damn thing.  My knees are still killing me from standing for so long.  Here are the Strokes.  I have seen them many times and my first time might have been the best.  A true NYC band, gritty and loud and they always come drunk to the party.

Kanye came in singing "can we get much higher" as he flew in over the crowds.

He gave quite a show with a large floor for him to dance on with ballerinas and a few other goodies.  He is really quite the man, what else can I say. 

We walked back after the long night, hopped the fence with our ladder still intact on the other side and back to the house to sleep for just a few hours before catching our flights back to NYC.  Coachella is an impressive music festival. 

 

Cari Sommer, Urban Interns, Woman Entrepreneur

I was introduced to Cari Sommer of Urban Interns through Amanda Steinberg of Daily Worth, a company that I am personally invested in and am looking forward to out first board meeting.  I am not surprised that both Cari and Amanda clicked.  Two very sharp women. 

Cari grew up in Rockland County, NY made her way to Cornell and then on to Brooklyn Law.   After law school she worked for six months at a Wall street firm before finding herself at a law firm where she parked herself for six years.  It was there that she practiced bankruptcy and criminal law as well as different areas of litigation.  As an associate that wasn't on the deal side, you can really learn a lot by spending time in a variety of different areas.  What she learned there were a few things.  You never know how things can end up so keep in mind there is absolutely a reason for legal documents with lines in them that you can't imagine could happen but shit does.  Protection is key.  Also keep in mind, being a lawyer, in some regards is entrepreneurial. 

In her gut she knew she didn't want to be a lawyer forever.  She had graduated law school at 21 and after 10 years in law Cari started to feel it was time for a change.  Cari became in involved with Step-up Women's Network. Step-up is a National non-profit women's organization dedicated to connecting professional women and girls through mentorships and networking to create a better future.  Professional women connecting with under-served teen girls.  She chaired this organization for three years that began her path to becoming an entrepreneur. 

At Step-up Cari was involved in doubling the fundraising and growing the membership by 400%.  It was unbelievably gratifying to head up this growth with a great team and to watch the organization truly blossom.  She left her law firm and went to another firm to do contract law during her time at Step-up.  Life was starting to change.

Through Step-up she met Lauren Porat, her business partner.  They would meet and share ideas.  They would fantastize about hiring a part-time personal assistant.  This was the original idea of Urban Interns.  Yet all good companies generally pivot and grow before the sweet spot is found.  That original idea morphed into a marketplace for business opportunities. 

On a side note, Cari had a child during the time between leaving her Chairman role and launching Urban Interns just as the recession hit in 2009.  Her and Lauren boot-strapped the business at the beginning putting out a real bare bones site.  They felt they had a great idea and by creating a bare bones business they were able to use the input of their customers as the site got sticky to stand back and understand what the business needed.  People began to input information themselves and that data helped create what Urban Interns is today. 

So they stood back, raised $250K in an angel investment, and rebuilt the site and continue to with ongoing enhancements.  That $250K really moved the needle as they had already put in so much sweat equity. 

Employers go on Urban Interns and post a job and for $49.99 they have unlimited access to their database for 30 days.  On the job side, professionals enter in their resumes, bio etc.  There is a private messaging platform that allows companies to filter through the site to find the right match for the job.  People use the site in different ways.  There are over 10,000 people in the data base and that continues to grow virtually.  There is community management and brand ambassadors who bring in high quality professionals to the data base.  Their target base is small and growing companies.  They launched in NYC and have rolled Urban Interns into 12 other cities and are planning on more in the very near future.  What is very cool is how many virtual jobs are available which in turn allows them to be a national organization.  Just became your company is in Austin doesn't mean you can't hire your perfect person who happens to live in Minneapolis.   That opens up the talent pool particularly for strapped start-ups. 

Cari loves what she is doing.  Between being a Mom, having her own company and master of her own destiny she is amazed herself at what she has done over the past 3 years.  She has re-tooled her identity from bottom up.  She learned a lot in her legal career and still applies that knowledge to Urban Interns as she should.  She is best when she has a million things going on just like any true entrepreneur.  Her entire professional circle has changed as she has connected with more women starting businesses like herself who are using tech as a platform to launch their businesses, hence Amanda Steinberg. 

I was really impressed with Cari's energy.  Analytical and thoughtful and a big picture thinker.  Between family and business she actually told me she wants to be able to volunteer some of her time to help others.  When would you sleep?  She still continues to support Step-up as the mission of this organization is something Cari is still passionate about and it is near and dear to her heart.  There are a few companies doing what Urban Interns is doing and in many ways they all have their own niche and community.  An extension of the ever growing flatworld that we live in by connecting people with the right opportunity for their professional life. 

 

 

saturday at coachella

The heat is really crazy.  You need to keep seriously hydrated.  The kids went back and forth to the festival earlier in the day but we opted for the later time period.  We got to the festival around 630 and started off with a little something to eat.  The lines were pretty long even in the VIP area.  I'd love to know how many 3 day VIP passes they sold. 

Here is the caramelized onion mushroom pizza.  Good but not great.  We lounged on the grass, ate our pizza and listened to Broken Social Scene. 


Next out was Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes.  I am a huge fan.  We went backstage but honestly except for the fact that it is not crowded the viewing isn't so great.  You are behind the stage so you really can't see the performances and because the speakers are pointing towards the audience, you can't hear that great either.  Here is my view.  We decided this was not the way to see the rest of the shows for the evening.

Mumford and Sons came out after Bright Eyes and we went up front and a little off to the side where it wasn't ridiculously crowded.  Although people were smashed trying to get into the area we were standing in.  You have to show your different wrist bands which lets the security know where you have access.  Mumford and Sons were fantastic.  Their voices, their songs...love.

Animal Collective was the next out.  We basically stood at the Coachella stage the whole time.  I like Animal Collective but don't love them.  I found my way back to the VIP area and hung out with Josh, Emily and their friends and Fred stayed front and center at the stage.  I saw Jessica back there too.  The texting situation is sub-par because their are so many people on their phones the entire network slows down so it isn't so seamless finding people. 

Arcade Fire was the band of the night coming on at 1120 and playing until 1am.  I had left Fred back in the front where we saw Mumford and Sons.  Josh and his friend finagled their way in there during Animal Collective.  Once Arcade Fire started I decided to get up there too.  Not so easy.  I had to smush myself through a throng of people trying to get past security.  Claustrophic would be the proper definition here.  Then once I got in I had to push my way by weaving and bobbing through the tight crowd all the way to the front.  People don't really love when people push them out of the way to get closer to the front.  I know, it is something I used to do when I was much younger and have not done in years but for some reason I felt compelled last night.  My last bob and weave was where Jessica was standing and when she saw me she laughed out loud.  I ended up spending the entire concert, off center, standing in the front row.  It was pretty damn awesome.  Arcade Fire is so good and they are so appreciative of their fans which puts them even higher up in my book.

They launched the balloons during their last song ( prior to their 3 song encore ), Wake Up, which is one of my faves.

Long day.  On the way back we took our new short cut where there is a ladder against a wall that goes into the development we are staying in.  We all hauled ourselves over the wall and to the ladder on the otherside.  A worthy shortcut taking about 20 minutes off our walk home.

 

this week in with mark suster

When I was in Los Angeles this week I spent an hour with Mark Suster on This Week In.  Mark is a great guy and it was really great talking about a variety of topics with him.  If you have an hour or some extra time on your hands, watch the video.

one more salad and then out to coachella

The last day in Los Angeles was one of many errands but we managed to squeeze in our last lunch at Huckleberry Cafe.  I love this place and Emily and I were dreaming about opening a place like this in NYC.  Never say never.  Here is our small beet salad that we shared.  A hint of citrus and mint mixed with perfectly cooked beets.

Asparagus salad with crispy proscuitto, grilled chicken, feta cheese, arugula, tomatoes and red peppers.  So good. 

After Huckleberrys it was time to fill up the car with groceries for Coachella.  Between my bag, Emily and her friends bag the back was filled.  Then we loaded up with groceries and such and there was no room for anything else.  A mini-van, believe it or not was not going to cut it.  I called Avis and after drilling down who to talk to, I upgraded to a 12 passenger vehicle van.  Yes, it is like driving a bus.  But for seven people, seven pieces of luggage and an entire weekend plus of groceries, it worked.  The crew thought it was hilarious when we picked them up at the airport.

The drive out to Coachella takes some time from Long Beach Airport.  We got out there around midnight and finally found the place we rented.  There was a lock box on the door with our key inside.  The number they gave us wasn't working.  We discovered the next morning that they had given us the wrong one and they really didn't seem to care as much as I did at 115a.  It is now past midnight and we can't get in the house.  First I call the cops because I don't want to break a window and maybe they can just break the box for us.  No such luck, they want nothing to do with me.  Screw this, I called a 24-hour locksmith to get us in.  Two super nice guys come around 130 and break in the house for us.  You can't make this up. 

In the morning we chilled by the pool before making our way out to the festival.  Pretty sweet.  We are here with Josh, Emily and Jessica.  Josh brought one friend, Emily brought two and Jessica brought three.  Full house!

Our house used to be across the street from Coachella.  I say used to be because there were a variety of entrances last year and now there is just one.  They make you walk and walk and walk to get there.  Last year our location was 20 minutes away but now it is almost a 45 minute walk.  Alas.  It is what it is.  Here is Fred and Mo prepping themselves for the days festivities. Classic picture.

It is hot (95)  and dry during the day and cools off at night.  Getting out there later is the way to go.  We first saw Cee Lo Green.  I have been to many music festivals and they run these events with a tight hand.  Cee Lo gets on stage 30 minutes late.  He plays for 20 minutes ( the sets are not long ) and then they turn his music off.  He was pissed but he deserved it.  Get your ass to the stage on time, you got paid for it ( I will get to that in a later blog post ) and play for your fans who by the way support your life style.  So uncool. 

We wandered back to the VIP tents.  You can get higher price tickets that get you into an area with some shade and good food and also a certain section where you can stand closer to the stage.  Well worth it.  We had some fish tacos.  Top. 

Met up with Josh and his friend who opted for the sausages.  Also excellent.

Coming back tomorrow for the wood burning pizza.

Next show we went to was the Black Keys although we did watch Lauren Hill and Interpol from afar earlier.  We know the manager of the band who proceeded to get all of us up to the sound board.  It was pretty damn awesome.  Look at all the technology that goes into these shows.  They Black Keys rocked.  So talented. 

That was enough.  Two more days ahead of us.  Fred and I made the journey back to the house listening to the Kings of Leon who we could still hear at our house.  Here is our command headquarters.  We hired one of the bicycle carts to drive us back as far as they can.  Definitely worth the $20. 

Looking forward to another day. 

2nd annual ITP pitchfest

I was delighted to be part of the group to watch the 2^nd Annual ITP Pitchfest.  I am a huge fan of the ITP division of NYU and after seeing the concepts and presenters this past week, I know why.

We saw eight out of nine pitches.  The ninth had some type of computer glitch like his dog ate the computer.   The presentations varied and so did the ideas but as a whole, a very impressive group.

First idea is Learny.  A web and mobile platform that allows users to author and view instructions.  This is based on the concept that most instructions are terrible.  The pitch was well done.  The app would have video, audio, timing and location built into it.  The instructions could be anything from haggling at the Green market to changing a tire to how to steep the perfect cup of coffee.  Crowd sourced instructions for anything. 

The second was Qmigo.   A mobile app that alerts you to exclusive deals from local businesses that you can share with friends.  Businesses would have to sign up on line and submit their deals to their users.  Didn’t really like this idea because it is basically being done in other ways from other companies right now.  To me they took something out there and tweaked it to be more niche.  I don’t see how this scales.

Third out was Huddl.tv   I really liked this although like many of these businesses I wonder how they can scale financially.  Huddl is a cross-platform web application, best used on an iPad, that will combined public twitter steams including private chats with a group of friends in different locations watching the same sporting event on TV.  Real time commentary among you, your friends and whoever you chose to add to the audience while you watch sports.  I just felt like there was something here as I see how we watch sports in our household with a variety of different applications including the TV.

Filmbot was fourth.  This guy thought of everything and I really liked this.  A film website that actually integrates all the theaters on one site with easy user functionality to see reviews from the NYTimes to Rotten Tomatoes.   The other side of the site is a social network made of bots that are created by your and your friends so you can see what friends saw what movies, what they thought of the film and you can privately rank your friends reviews based on how many films you actually like that they recommend.  Great user interface, clean fun site. 

Number five was Quibblers.  An game app for two people who are married so they can keep score and reward each other around activities such as doing the dishes and laundry.  If this is where we are going as a society, shoot me now.  If you can’t communicate with your spouse and need an app to do it then check yourself into marriage counseling immediately.

Walk.it  was number six.  The presentation wasn’t the greatest and they didn’t do their diligence but I did like this.  A simple tool for locally created maps from food, art, shopping, to help people check out new neighborhoods or cities based on their interests.  They also created the ability to print out the map and fold it into a tiny pocket map that can fit in your pocket. 

AR Spots.  An augmented reality social app for mobile devices.  By using location data you can find someone in your area who is looking to play a game and the game takes place in the area that you are at the same.  For instance, if you were sitting in a large coffee shop and wanted to jump on a game for ten minutes catching butterflies that were flying around your space.  These guys did not do a good job at describing what they are trying to create here but my gut is that there is something of interest here.

Commons was the last pitch.  This should probably be a non-profit or a business that is funded by local governments.  Commons aims to get people to improve their local services by citizen reporting from anything from a water main break, a need for a garbage can on a corner to a pothole.  311 doesn’t do the best job at putting the most important things to the top of the list. 

All and all a great group of people.  Impressive ideas and presentations.  Would be really interested to come back in a year and find out where they all are.

 

 

hitting up venice

While I was having breakfast with someone, Emily was walking through Temescal canyon.  I am not much of a hiker but Em and her friend really enjoyed it.  No mountain lions around so that was a good thing.  Only kidding.

The street has completely grown and transformed over the past 7 years.  Many stores have remained the same but from someone who pops in once a year the changes are huge.  To see the renovations and the different merchandise being carried is pretty amazing.  It is a fantastic street and a must every time we come to town

The Guild is a new store, about a year and a half old.  I started talking to the owner and it ends up his kids owned a store in the Meatpacking area for a few years that was closed due to the building being bought.  I knew the store, shopped in the store and was so bummed when they closed. Obviously a family business

We walked into Bountiful hat has been there for years but for whatever reason today we walked in.  Great shop.  Soaps and ample supply of cake plates.  Their e-commerce site will launch soon.  Looking forward to that.

Koko has been around for as long as I can remember.  Not my thing but I loved the tiny roosters in the window.  Unfortunately those were not for sale.

Altered Space Gallery which was not here last time I was in town is unique.  Art and jewelry in front and a garden store in the back.

I definitely do not remember this sign from last time.

Heist has also been around for a long time.  They took over new space and renovated.  Looks fantastic.

For lunch we went to Gjlena.  I love that place but the service is god awful.  We shared everything.  The food is really good and if you can score a seat in the backyard, do it.  I will just hit the highlights. Here is the smoked trout salad

Kale salad

Okra

Chickpea stew with israeli couscous and a dollop of yogurt on top and sauteed spinach. Really delicious.

Their pizzas are top. Here is the zucchini blossoms with spicy red peppers and slices of zucchini.

After our long lunch we headed over to Bergamot Station.  Years ago I bought a piece of art there that I love but was so incredibly disappointed on how downhill all the galleries were that I will not return. I do like the area of Culver City where there are some great galleries, Blum and Poe to name one but they are all so spread out and that wasn't happening today

We stopped by Sparkys in Santa Monica for some frozen yogurt to take home for dinner.  The guy who owns that place is hilarious. Back to my brothers where we made dinner for them and relaxed

Tomorrow is the countdown.  We will probably go to LACMA in the afternoon and will definitely have to fill up on food before we head out to Coachella.

another day in los angeles

Before I even get into the series of events today I just want to say how much I LOVE Google Maps.  Now you can even launch the navigational tool on your handheld and a voice speaks to you while you drive.  Works quite well if you are alone in the car.  Just brilliant. 

I have always been connected to Los Angeles.  I was born here and didn't move out until I was almost seven.  My parents went to college at UCLA (and Berkeley) and my father spent his teenage years here and my mother grew up in Bakersfield.  My grandmother lived here and in Laguna Beach for years.  My sister worked out here for four years.  I did my college internship out here and now my brother and his family are happily settled out here.  Almost full circle.  When I come out here to visit, in many ways I feel at home.  I know where I am and am comfortable.

I met up with Emily and her friend and my sister-in-law for lunch at the Ivy on Robertson.  A classic institution.  Food is definitely not what it used to be.  Years ago this salad was much larger and consisted of many grilled vegetables and almost no greens but now it is just the opposite.  Regardless it is a fun place to go and sit outside.  Driving over to that area from Santa Monica is the one thing that is not fun but that is Los Angeles. 

Then I took Emily and her friend to Opening Ceremony.  I love this parking meter in the front.  You can use quarters or credit cards.  Can we get some of those in NYC?  Opening Ceremony, IMHO, has lost their way.  The store was originally full of interesting merchandise from new designers at relatively affordable price points.  Now the store is chocked to the brim, literally you can barely see what is on each rack there is so much merchandise and the price point is really high on basically every item.  I can't imagine how they are turning their merchandise when the average price is over $500.  Alas, my prediction is that they are not doing well and there will be something to pay for all that merchandise sitting in the store. 

We then took a drive over to Satine on West 3rd.  They have moved since I was in the store last.  Great mixture of clothes and I really love the space.

Next stop was Noodle Stories where we bought some of these travel books.  I had never seen them before.  Well done and spot on.  Joseph Leonard was in the NYC one!

Afterward it was time for some frozen yogurt.  After all, there is a variety of yogurt places out here.  We opted for Bigg Chill.  Nice call.

Back to Santa Monica for a quick stop at Undefeated, Josh's fave store.  Had to pick him up a little something. 

We went back to the Shutters where I am staying and washed up before heading out to Katsuya.  I am not really a fan of Katsuya like I was when it first opened.  It is loud, the service is terrible and the food is ok.  But, I was thrilled when a woman came over to intro herself to both me and my brother because she recognized us and reads both our blogs.  I admit, I always get excited when someone says hi and I get to meet a face of someone who enjoys the posts.  The real reason we went to Katsuya is because Emily loves the spicy tuna on the crispy rice.  It is a nice dish.

Uni is always a fave, at least for me.

Home to bed, I am exhausted.  Emily summed up the day perfectly.  Salad for lunch, frozen yogurt for a snack and sushi for dinner...the perfect LA day. 

 

 

waterloo & city, culver city

A local diner converted into a neighborhood spot (think local pub)called Waterloo & City.  Really good basic food and a nice menu.  I went with my brother and my sister-in-law and their friends, who are actually now my friends too.  I have had the pleasure of meeting with my sister-in-laws friend in NYC a few times as she is in the process of building her business and I have been getting together with her to discuss when she comes into town. 

We shared all the appetizers which is definitely the way to go.  Roasted beets with blackberries, candied pine nuts and humboldt fog cheese.  These flavors always go well together.  The beets were the perfect size and I liked the blackberries as the fruit.  Really yummy.

A charcuterie plate.  Hudson Valley Foie Gras with Armagnac Prunes is in the glass cup.  Rich and decadent is the only way to describe foie gras no matter how it is served.  Then a selection of meats.  Classic and always good.

The pizza was fantastic.  Wild mushrooms with smoked mozzarella and a touch of truffle oil.  Wow.  I could have had a few pieces of this and been happy with the whole meal.  I'd even consider going back and just ordering pizzas.

For the main course I went with the duck.  Quite a large portion, definitely too much.  Thick slices of medium rare duck served over chopped mangos and basil.  Underneath this was a deep fried vegetable latke that had a little bit of a kick.  The dish was well executed and good but definitely not an omg like the mushroom pizza.

A few people had the veal special which was definitely being praised by the waiter.  Slices of medium rare veal with asparagus and a drop of truffle oil and some cheese savory pastries underneath.  Quite good.

The lamb bone dish is huge.  Large size piece of lamb mixed togehter with a crispy sheperd's pie sort of like a singular knishe and roasted spring vegetables.  NIce combo.  The chef definitely likes the idea of a protein with a vegetable and then some type of starch with a twist.  I like that.  Well balanced.

I also tasted the scallops that were served with an english pea ravioli and lemon marmalade.  All the main courses were rich and large sized.  I might prefer to go back with a group and just order loads of appetizers and pizzas.  The dessert which is a sticky toffee pudding was pretty dense and delicious.  Had that burnt toffee flavor to it. 

Great evening.  Nice place.  Great menu.  Nice vibe.  Simple and good which is always an unexpected pleasure. 

 

a few days in los angeles

We are going to Coachella at the end of the week and I opted for coming out early (Emily joined me a day later) to spend some time out here and hang out with my brother, my sister-in-law and their kids.  Also, I do love coming out to LA.  I generally spend the majority of my time in Venice and Santa Monica which makes for pretty easy driving.

Emily and her friend ( all the kids are bringing friends for Coachella ) is staying with my brother and the fam.  I am staying at Shutters on the Beach which kind of defines Los Angeles for me.  I am being totally decadent and getting up early, doing email, reading the paper and having breakfast in bed.  Can't beat it.  Here is the view from my room. 

Today I met my sister-in-law at Fred Segal for a little shop and lunch.  I have been coming back to Fred Segal for years.  The stores have not changed but their merchandise has.  Fred Segal is one of those singular locations that has never really been replicated anywhere else.  There are 3 locations in LA.  Each is a combination of a variety of stores under one roof that flow from one to the other.  Pretty clever how each location is curated and unique.  Here is one of the stores in Santa Monica, the one that has the bead shop.

We did not opt for the burger place, Umami Burger in the Fred Segal across the street but from what I have heard they have the best burger ever.  Might have to return just for a taste. Instead I went for the salad.  Everywhere in LA makes a good salad.  I wish there were more places in NYC that had a good simple salad for lunch.  This is the Mediterranean salad with chopped chicken and balsamic dressing on the side.  One of my faves. 

This is in the mens area of Fred Segal.  They have great stuff.  I loved this denim dressing room curtain.  The fedora over the white t-shirt says it all.

I admit that I am totally into the Royal Wedding happening on April 29th.  When I lived in London I stood in line for four hours to see the wedding gifts that Charles and Diana had received.  I still have a little tray that I purchased from that time.  There is nothing quite like the British royalty anywhere else in the world and there is something to say for certain traditions.  Also, the Brits love their royalty.  I am invited to a breakfast to watch the wedding and felt compelled to buy this piece to wear.  A little Kate Middleton...right?

One of my dearest friends lives out in Venice now.  We were partners at Silicon Alley Reporter.  He has started a variety of businesses that were all way before their time.  Timing in life is almost everything.  He has now launched a kids vitamin business called Smarty Pants.  Here are their headquarters. 

Then back to my brothers to get ready for dinner at Waterloo & City.