July 2015

Feeling the Burn at Self Magazine’s Up & Out Studio

It’s just before 10 a.m. and I’m already on a train bound for Manhattan. Rising before noon isn’t my ideal way to begin a Saturday but I’m optimistic (if not a bit terrified) about the Pure Barre class I’ll be taking as part of SELF Magazine’s inaugural Up & Out Studio event.

For more than two decades, the publication’s Workout in the Park wellness festival drew thousands of women to Manhattan’s Central Park for a day of exercise, beauty consultations and healthy treats. This year, SELF took its flagship event in a new direction, offering intimate group exercise classes—among them, Barry’s Bootcamp, Flywheel and Plyojam—that are more aligned with the evolution of the fitness space.

“What was happening in the marketplace was all these great studios were becoming the hottest trends, which is not new this year, but certainly is something that’s growing prolifically,” says Eric Johnson, associate publisher-marketing at SELF Magazine. “We really wanted to recognize that and to create a program that was more on-brand, more on-trend with what’s happening today with the studio partners. They’ve got such tremendous followings of their own; it makes sense to go where the consumers are going.”

As I enter the event, held at Spring Studios, I feel myself growing tense. I’ve never taken a Pure Barre class. The last time I was near a ballet barre, my pink tutu had the power to make all of my mishaps adorable. What if I can’t hack it as an adult? What if I pass out and have to explain to my boss that I was unconscious for half of my assignment?

For the full article, click here.

July 2015

‘America The Beautiful’ talent search brings out fresh talent and bitter rejects

Children as young as six from across the country converged on Queens Theater in Flushing Meadows Corona Park Tuesday for the chance to be one of the lucky 12 belting out “America The Beautiful” at the 2015 US Open.

The winners will perform the patriotic tune before 24,000 spectators during night sessions of the US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The US Open starts August 31 and lasts through September 13.

For full article and video, click here.

June 2015

US Open Casting Call hopefuls ready for their time to shine

In 2002, an unknown girl from Pennsylvania was chosen to sing the national anthem on Arthur Ashe Stadium during that year’s US Open.

Her name? Taylor Swift.

On Tuesday, June 30, 60 kids arrived at the Queens Theatre in Flushing, N.Y., for the callbacks of the ninth annual US Open Casting Call, hoping to take the first steps toward a similar career. After advancing through an initial round of online video submissions, these young talents were selected to vie for the chance to sing “America the Beautiful” in Arthur Ashe Stadium for up to 24,000 fans.

All participants were reviewed by a panel of judges that included Leane Romeo, president of Overland Entertainment; Melissa Victor, vice president of Island Def Jam Records; Ken DiCamillo, an agent with William Morris Endeavor; and Moises Belizario, producer and artistic director of City Kids.

“Having that experience of performing in Arthur Ashe Stadium is an incredible confidence boost for them. It’s a huge achievement,” said DiCamillo. “To be on national television like that is something you just can’t quantify.”

Swift isn’t the only major recording artist who landed a major break by performing the national anthem at the US Open. Bea Miller sang under the lights in 2008 and went on to finish in second place on “The X Factor” in 2012.

For full article, click here.

305 Fitness Craze Brings Miami Heat to Your Workout

The dance-themed cardio party workout is one of the many featured at Self Magazine’s “Up and Out” event.

To view video, click here.

SELF’s Inaugural Up & Out Studios Works Up A Sweat In Tribeca

Sure, you’ve hit up Spring Studios for a few NYFW shows, but have you gotten that heart rate up in the gleaming Tribeca space? On Saturday and Sunday, SELF turned multiple floors of the light-flooded, pristine digs into a boutique fitness junkie’s dream setup: A slew of classes from popular studios, plus all the requisite protein bars and thirst quenchers (like Lumi’s beet concoction) to power through the classes. The selection ranged from local and beloved offerings, like Barry’s Bootcamp, Flywheel, ((305)) Fitness, and Mile High Run Club, and out-of-town options like L.A.-based Plyojam, a dance workout filled with plyometric jumps, or Jetset Miami.

As for the weekend fitness extravaganza’s name, there’s a regular feature in the glossy’s pages chronicling a different woman’s morning routine (fitness and otherwise) in each issue. “Each morning sets the tone for how we work and play. So let’s get up and out and make the most of it!” said SELF’s EIC, Joyce Chang, who was certainly making good on that statement by hitting up at Flywheel class and more at Up & Out Studios. Missed out on the fun this season? Definitely pencil in the workout-filled weekend’s second iteration for next June!

For full article, click here.

June 2015

23 Glamorous Photos From The Star-Studded Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic

The seventh annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic returned to Liberty State Park this Saturday.

Hollywood stars such as Lupita Nyong’o and Olivia Munn, designers, socialites, and polo stars were among the thousands of good-looking, well-dressed attendees.

Model Behati Prinsloo threw out the ceremonial ball toss as Team Black Watch played Team Veuve Clicquot.

But it was all about the people watching, anyhow.

For full article, click here.

Polo Anyone? The style at The Veuve Cliquot Polo Classic

The style set brought its A-game to watch Nacho Figueras’ Black Watch take the win—and drink some pink champagne as well, of course.

For full article, click here.

June 2015

Who wore what this weekend: The Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic

This weekend saw plenty of sun and plenty of stars out and about. From the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic here on the east coast to the Audi Polo Match (where Prince William and Prince Harry played) in London, we loved the summery, bright style picks everyone was wearing.

Freida Pinto looked gorgeous in a green gingham Michael Kors dress as she kicked off the Veuve Clicquot polo match, and Diane Kruger stole the show in a Roland Mouret cutout jumpsuit. Emily Blunt looked lovely in a soft pink Jenny Packham dress while she watched the game in London, and Maggie Gyllenhaal and Charlize Theron stunned at the Critics Choice Television Awards.

For full article, click here.