By Marcy Clark, with additional reporting by Lauren Garroni

Can you think of the last time you did something romantic for the one you loved? That long huh? In the age of Facebook, Skype, texting, and Match.com it has never been easier to have a relationship, but with all these digital interventions something has been lost in translation. A virtual teddy bear gifted via Facebook doesn’t hold the same romantic weight as its analogue counterpart. Scott Gralnick, author of How to Get a Girl in a 1995 Corolla, has taken note of culture’s shifting romantic priorities. When Gralnick wrote the book How to Get a Girl…, a reference to his ability to pick up women despite his lackluster vehicle, two years ago he was single and on the prowl. He parlayed his talent with the fairer sex into a guidebook that taught men how to meet women in a tactful yet creative way. But today Gralnick is a changed man, he’s found what we’re all searching for – Love. There is one caveat, because of his charm book past she isn’t sure if she should date him…that and she lives across the country. What is a determined boy in love to do? Walk across the country to prove his love – of course. This is Dating Outside The Box.

Women’s Mafia: What qualities does this woman have that she has bewitched you soo that you are going to walk across the country to win her?
Scott Gralnick: Her compassion for the human race and wanting to help others. The love for her family. She has taken a step back from life and has learned a lot and keeps learning. She has a smile that can bring peace to anyone. Truth is her ally. She drives me to be a better person. I can get lost in her eyes. After I talk to her I have a feeling of fullness, but the fullness I feel is the essence she is. (I could go on for ever)

WM: Where did you get the idea for your trans-continental marathon stroll? Do you know of anyone who has attempted this mission and lived to tell the tale?

SG: My idea lies deep within my soul. I may not be the wealthiest man, but I am the most resourceful you’ll meet! If I cant fly there, id drive, if I cant drive Id bus, but i think most or any man can take those transportation to one they dream of. I want to show that We can over come anything, I am willing to put my soul and mind and all I am to get to her. The idea came to me with conviction and I knew I had to do it, wether or not I win her over I have to get the “WHAT IF” out of my head.. SEIZE THE DAY, well, this is my day and soon ours, I hope!  At the same time I want to show everyone who will joint DOTB.tv that some times no matter what you have to take that leep and not fear.. Dating outside the box, Living outside the box and most of all live with passion outside the box!

I don’t know anyone who has done what I am going to do. But I look forward to bring out the hopeless romantics in the world and showing them not to be afraid.

WM: “Dating Outside the Box” is a mission, a slogan and a way of life for you, are you hoping to inspire others with your quest to go all out for love?

SG: Outside The Box is a world of its own, and yes, if this action brings about a whirl of love and thought of loving actions for good, then Dating Outside The Box has done good. I am merely a man, a man who is filled with much compassion, which I need to let out. And for the first time someone has hit a deep inner core with me and in that moment I knew I had to walk and share with the world, DATING OUTSIDE THE BOX and what we stand for.

WM: How can adventurous people, without your impressive stamina and free schedule, break out of normal, boring dating box? Will your new business plan help them in a meaningful way? What’s different about DOTB.TV?

SG: DOTB.TV will bring about world peace one date at a time. People who hate the initial time if investment into online dating will love our site and mobile app. We bring online dating offline for real human interaction. I don’t want to get into all the boring tech talk but through us you’ll get a date quick and have tons of fun doing it.

WM: How can the Women’s Mafia help you on your mission? How can we find hopeful romantics like you?!!

SG: First I have to say I think there are a lot more hopeful romantics all around we just hide because we think of the realist side and have a fear to break out and take that chance. Women’s Mafia can help by letting men and women know its ok to be romantic if it works or not. Better to try and fail then never try!

WM: You mentioned you were trained by the Israeli Military, and that you know how to take care of yourself on the road, but still, aren’t you a LITTLE scared?!? How will you stay safe and healthy on your journey?

SG: So to clarify this, I trained in America in hand to hand combat, Krav Maga and Hagana before I went to Israel to join the military. I ended up studying in Israel and traveling instead of joining the military. (I did not want to harm anyone against my will, I believe we are all humans and I don’t want to cause pain to anyone!) I had foolish goals as a young man in fighting, but I learned that to fight in other ways.. (LOVE, COMPASSION, KINDNESS!) is much more powerful. I am to positive to fear the journey, for fearing is not knowing, I know only good can come. What will be, will be! Healthy, well that’s another situation… I hope I can get a health drink sponsor and vitamins sponsor so I can stay healthy. Without my health, how can I enjoy the compassion and love of others?

WM: What sponsorships, partnerships and help do you need to make your journey happen and leave this month (August!)?

SG: Well I hope to leave ASAP but, sponsors that would make it doable are in no particular order …some type of SOLAR power to charge my computer and phone… Hotel chains or groups, like Hilton, Motel 6, DoubleTree, Best Western, so that I can rest up properly a few nights a week and stay strong on the road. AT&T to get me internet access while I will be in the middle of no where. VIBRAM for walking shoes, I love FIVE FINGERS, I would not walk in anything else. Some type of sporting good store, like REI, Paragon or Eastern Mountain Sports for a tent, shoes, a sleeping bag and the right weather gear. HBO, YES HBO because I’ll be on the “GO” and they have HBO GO… I’ll still need some type of movies to watch and Curb Your Enthusiasm during my down time… It’s a long trek! :)  I would love a health food sponsor so I can stay strong in mind body and spirit.  If any of those brands I mentioned, or another company that likes my story, would like to be my monetary sponsor then I will be able to give them credit on DOTB.TV podcasts during the whole trip. I think that covers the bases to go right now…

WM: Do you think that you plan will work? Will you win her hand?
SG: If that chance was not there I would not be doing… (Well, I still might because you never know?) A man can only hope… Hope can keep you alive and strong… So I’ll be eating, drinking, sleeping and thinking on HOPE the whole walk. There is no reason why I cant win her over, there is nothing I would not do for her…. The future seems bright…  :)

Marcy Clark and the Women’s Mafia were thrilled to host the first (of many to come) press-only Fashionable Friday Gifting Events. Celebrity Stylist Nick Arrojo (you will remember his excellent cuts and sexy accent from TLC’s What Not To Wear) hosted us at Arrojo Studio in lower Manhattan last Friday July 22nd.

A group of selected bloggers and journalists, many from the fab NYC Fashion Bloggers Meet-up group, were treated with makeovers including hair & make up treatments by the professionals at Arrojo Studio, as well as gifts from latest jewelry collection by rising-star designer J. Rudy Lewis.

The bloggers were excited to meet J. Rudy Lewis and pick a piece to wear at the event and be photographed rocking his designs. He is rapidly becoming one of the darlings of celebrity stylists, publications such as Vogue, royalty (such as Her Highness Princess Ameerah of the Saudi Arabian Royal Family) and various fashion editors.

Guests were also treated to an exclusive reading by author Lora Condon with excerpts from her recently published book SPA WARS: The Ugly Truth About The Beauty Industry and afterwards they got a signed copy of SPA WARS. Lora Condon is a well-known Esthetician, Make-up artist and Beauty Industry Consultant who has been working in the beauty and spa industry for over 15 years and put together hilarious anecdotes and experiences in her book, which was recently featured in the New York Times. She is also known as the Lash Doctor for her excellence in applying fabulous lash extensions, working with clients such as the cast of Good

Morning America, among other TV and fashion shows. For the first hour of the event the Lash Doctor applied Xtreme lashes on the lucky bloggers who made it early!

It was an exciting time for all of those involved and all the girls looked beautiful with their new ‘dos and J. Rudy Lewis jewelry.Bloggers and editors at the event also got to meet Women’s Mafia Media Partner ASTONISH Magazine and sign up for their new ASTONISHBloggerati program. Women’s Mafia and Yellow Sky Agency will launch the stunning new Fashion & Art publication at this Fall’s Fashion Week.

Pop-Up Studio, a great new enterprise by photographer David Christiansen, captured the event and entertained all the guests with an authentic Photo-Studio experience. It will be the first of many collaborations with Pop-Up Studio!!!

Stay tuned for future possible Fashionable Friday’s for Women’s Mafia members!

To see more pictures from this event at PopUpStudio.com, click here

SPA WARS

Beauty, Shopping and Book Signing Event

Official Book Launch for “Spa Wars: The Ugly Truth About The Beauty Industry”
by Celebrity Makeup Artist, Esthetician and Consumer Advocate Lora Condon

Friday, May 6th 6 – 10pm

House of Field and The Salon at Patricia Field
302 Bowery Street, Between Houston and Bleecker

Expected Guests and Judges of the SPA WARS Fierce Photo Contest include: Countess LuAnn De Lesseps, Celebrity hairstylist Eric Alt, Radio and Television personality Flo Anthony, Royal Stylist Engie Hassan, Music Impresario Lori Michaels, Award Winning Beauty Queen Miss Tiffany and surprise guests.

DJ Sharri Model will be spinning electro-rock tunes all night long and Montana USA will be our official SPA WARS photographer. VIP’s will be getting glammed up by Makeup Artist Alicia Oliveri and the amazing Salon at Patricia Field team and interviewed on the Red Carpet by Cognac’s Corner, Flo Anthony and our esteemed media partner The Salon Guy.

Enjoy Cupcakes from The Stuffed Cupcake, Empanadas from Empanada Mama, Butternuts Beer and Chambord and Fris Vodka cocktails throughout the night!

Media Partners:

PRESS CONTACT:
Marcy Clark
Founder, The Women’s Mafia, Social Club & Online Magazine www.womensmafia.com
cell: 212.729.9619 fax: 212.208.2579 Marcy@womensmafia.com
Director, Yellow Sky Publicity www.yellowskyagency.com

MEDIA ALERT:
PATRICIA FIELD PRESENTS: THE OFFICIAL BOOK LAUNCH OF “SPA WARS” BY LORA CONDON
Beauty, Shopping & Book Signing Event to Benefit GLAAD

New York, NY. May 6, 2011 - This Friday May 6th at the House of Field, Fashion & Beauty insiders will gather together to support the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and be among the first to get a signed copy and face-to-face with Author Lora Condon. Style icon Patricia Field and the New York Social Club, The Women’s Mafia, are hosting this glamorous book launch event for SPA WARS: The Ugly Truth About The Beauty Industry.

In addition to being able to snag one of the first signed copies of SPA WARS, guests of the event will also be able to enjoy Salon & Beauty treatments at special rates all day at the Salon at Patricia Field and they will be able to compete in the SPA WARS themed Fierce Photo Contest, judged by special VIP guests including Countess LuAnn De Lesseps, Celebrity hairstylist Eric Alt, Radio and Television personality Flo Anthony, Royal Stylist Engie Hassan, Music Impresario Lori Michaels, Award Winning Beauty Queen Miss Tiffany and surprise guests.

In “SPA WARS: The Ugly Truth about the Beauty Industry”, Celebrity Makeup Artist, Esthetician and Consumer Advocate Lora Condon reveals the true secrets of the Spa and Beauty Industry, along with tips and advice to get the most out of your investment in beauty products.

This unique benefit for GLAAD, the nation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, features a red carpet, top shelf Chambord Cocktails, Butternuts Beer, treats from Empanada Mama and the Stuffed Cupcake, a 20% discount throughout the store and prizes all night long! Guests will enjoy electro-rock tunes by DJ Sharri Model, makeup by Alicia Oliveri and get their photo taken by celebrity photographer Montana.

Lora Condon, aka “The Beauty Buster,” is a recognized expert on revitalizing Spa and Beauty businesses and her popular new memoir and call for greater integrity and transparency in the beauty industry, is being reviewed extremely favorably. American Spa Magazine compared it to “Kitchen Confidential” for the Spa Set. And Spa Wish called it “a candid memoir” and “a hoot.”

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) amplifies the voice of the LGBT community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality. www.glaad.org

“Spa Wars: The Ugly Truth About the Beauty Industry” the new book by Consumer Advocate, Beauty Myth Buster and Certified Esthetician Lora Condon brings together the funniest true stories and the professional insight gleamed from over 15 years in the Spa and beauty industry. Irreverent, insightful, hilarious and actionable, “Spa Wars” is an invaluable tome for beauty junkies and wellness purists alike.

Lora Condon is known for her healing hands, professional demeanor and no-nonsense approach to beauty and skin care. As a professional makeup artist for film, television and celebrities, a licensed esthetician, a Reiki master and a consumer advocate, Lora is a sought after Beauty Expert, Spa Consultant and Motivational Trainer. As a professional make-up artist, Lora’s work has appeared in publications such as, Ladies Home Journal, The New York Times, Time Out New York and on television in spots for Good Morning America, The View, Larry King, CNN, Fox News and ESPN. As the owner of “Magic Hands Skin and Body Spa” she he has won awards for her esthetic work such as the three National Awards by Spa Week readers and she has served as the Director of Esthetics for a 5,000 square foot day spa in North Jersey. After being personally trained and working for the “brow guru”, Anastasia of Beverly Hills, Lora honed her skills for the perfect brow. She served as the Northeast Sales and Training Manager for Anastasia. Lora is also a certified Xtreme Lash technician and is known affectionately as the “Lash Dr.” among her celebrity and socialite clientele. For more on Lora Condon and “Spa Wars” visit Lora’s site www.makeupwithme.com.

Save the Date, RSVP and Book Today. We look forward to seeing you!
RSVP: rsvp@womensmafia.com

Call 212-966-4066 to reserve hair and beauty treatments.
Editors can submit press accreditation to reserve one complimentary Salon Treatment while space permits.

Treatments Packages:

1. The Full Patricia (blowout, haircut or hightlights, lashes and glam make-up) $125

2. Scalp Treatment, Blow Out and Style $50

3. Blow-Out $35

4. Lashes $20

5. Trim $50

6. Partial Highlights $75

7. Men’s Cuts starting at $30

8. Glam Makeup Applications Starting at $35

For more details on SPA WARS and LORA CONDON visit www.makeupwithme.com
For more details on PATRICIA FIELD, the House of Field and Salon at Patricia Field visit www.patriciafield.com

SPA WARS

Beauty, Shopping and Book Signing Event

By Carolina Sanchez for Women’s Mafia

“Spa Wars” by Lora Condon is filled with hilarious true stories about the highs and lows of the Spa and Beauty Industry, with names sometimes-but-not-always-changed to protect the not so innocent. It is followed by tips by this illustrious professional makeup artist and three-time National Spa Week Award Winning Esthetician on the best products. You will also find the best insights for applying and combining beauty products like a pro, spa etiquette and recommendations to get the most out of your hard-earned spa dollars.

Lora’s account of how she came to write this Memoir-meets-Buyer-Beware are almost as hilarious as her true Spa horror stories. Lora made the attempt to write a book about her life back in 2002, following a Haitian Voodoo priest’s advice, but this did not become a reality when she considered the thought of re-living her life was just “too depressing.” Later, in 2006 she started writing a book called “Just Your Average Angry American.” The book revolved around things that bother people, including politics and stupidity. In it she also added her own stories from when she worked in the Spa industry. As she told people, such as her celebrity and news industry clients, what she was writing about, she became aware that what people really want to read is what happens in the spa and and behind the makeup counter when the doors are closed.

Spa Wars tells true stories about the Spa and Beauty Industry, each narrated by the author in a witty manner. Lora, also known as “The Beauty Buster” for her consumer advocating tendencies, has a clear mission with her debut book: increased quality, integrity and authenticity in the beauty industry and truth in advertising to protect clients and the companies trying to keep them.

Some highlights: learn about “Gay Trance” and much more about Makeup Counter Psychology, an entire chapter of “Beauty Bullshit” that will have you cleaning out your makeup bag, guides on the best products and “fixes” to make all kinds of cosmetic products work better for you.

Available immediately for you at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders and more!

For more on Lora Condon visit www.makeupwithme.com

Full Disclosure: Lora is a longtime member of the Women’s Mafia and works with the Women’s Mafia on events, branding and PR projects. The Women’s Mafia will be co-hosting her official book launch party in April – so stay tuned and watch this space!

By Marcy Clark

Our good friend and Women’s Mafia member, Style Correspondent Jené Luciani, will be hosting a Bravo-filmed uber-glamorous event on Thursday March 10th that celebrates both her new Couture Collaboration with Project Runway’s Chris March and the launch of the digital version of “The Bra Book.” It’s at the restaurant at the Charles Hotel from 6-9pm.

Email TheBraBookOnBravo@gmail.com to get on this exclusive guest list! Will I get to see you there?

More Details on Jene Luciani:

Style Correspondent – TV/Print/Radio/Web
Contributing Editor/Writer/Stylist
Author of The Bra Book (BenBella Books, 2009) – Buy it at Amazon , Barnes and Noble, Borders and other fine bookstores!
www.JeneLuciani.com

Bryan Batt signing books at Doris Leslie Blau (Image by Charity De Meer)

By Marcy Clark

Thank you so much to those of you who joined us for “An Evening at The Interior Design Building with Bryan Batt,” with the charming, witty and dashing author, designer, actor and star of Mad Men, Bryan Batt. The evening was presented by the dealers at New York’s venerable Interior Design Building at 306 East 61st Street, an amazing resource for museum-quality, highly collectible antiques, art and original home furnishings and accessories. We were thrilled to be joined by New York’s top Interior Designers, Architects, Editors, Publishing Executives and so many other special guests. Guests secured their very own copy of Bryan Batt’s poignant and humor-saturated memoir “She Ain’t Heavy, She’s My Mother” and got to get their book signed. Design aficionados took the opportunity to shop and explore the 7 floors of the Interior Design Building, open for “Evening Hours” in partnership with our media partner for the event: 1st Dibs. Participating Showrooms included: Lucca & Co, Lee Calicchio, Sentimento, Liz O’Brien, John Rosselli, Doris Leslie Blau,  Atlantic Gallery, C.J. Peters, Suzanne Golden Antiques, Amy Perlin Antiques and Niall Smith.

Batt with Ron Wagner and Timothy Van Dam of Wagner Van Dam Design and Decor (Charity De Meer)

Bryan Batt meeting Lee Calicchio of Lee Calicchio Ltd.

Joan and Jayne Michaels of 2 Michaels Design Being Interviewed by French Film Crew StoryBox Press

Catherine Aaron, Bryan Batt, Lance Thompson at Lucca & Co.

Lisa Blecker, Barbara Kirshbaum at Sentimento Antiques

Brandon Vargas and Muffie Cunningham of Amy Perlin Antiques

Suzanne Golden of Suzanne Golden Antiques and Rubens Penna of Atlantic Gallery Ltd.

Nader Bolour of Doris Leslie Blau and designer Scott Guthrie

Brian Kish with LisaBeth Bastone of Doris Leslie Blau

Trudi Romero, Rhonda Cole of The New York Times, Gail Ahye of Vincente Wolf Home

Gail Karr of New York Social Diary, Bryan Batt

Lee Calicchio, Babette Cohen

Maureen Howard, Bryan Batt, Darrin Varden of Drake Design Associates

Jayne Michaels, Marcy Clark, Joan Michaels

Maria Rignack, Javier Maymi

Kelly Porter, Holly Orsburn

Elise Morrissey, Helen Hookway, Elizabeth Brush Saypol, Lisa Blecker

Jerome Whitehurst Jr., Teran Evans

Judith Powers, Peggy Schofield

Carolyn Sollis, Jonathan Preece, Audrey Margarite of Bunny Williams

Uberti Bona, Christina Vescovo, Eduardo Grigione

Ron Wagner, Timothy Van Dam

Frances Fontaine

Bryan Batt being interviewed by French Documentary Crew Storybox Press

Images here by Charity De Meer and Amber Des Vos / Patrick McMullen. For Full event images visit PatrickMcMullen.com.
All copyrights observed.

The event will feature a book signing for Bryan Batt’s new book “She Ain’t Heavy, She’s My Mother” and will be an Open Showroom event – a chance to see what is new from the designers, dealers and furnishings experts at 306 E 61st.
Come to meet Bryan and secure a signed-copy of his book, stay to re-design your living room!

Will we get to see you soon?

RSVP to Marcy@yellowskyagency.com

For press and media inquiries into Bryan Batt contact Cynthia Parsons McDaniel 917.412.0555.

B as in Beauty is a novel about self appreciation and uplifting one’s spirit. The novel informs the reader in subtle ways, that we can learn lessons in unimaginable ways. This is a cliché technique, but works every time. I think that is why many authors use it over and over. We see this happen with the main character B (Beauty Maria Zavala). She has very little self-confidence, but one day an encounter with a tax preparer changes her entire outlook on life.

The tax preparer, better known as Madame Natasha Sokolov offers B the opportunity to be a person who “provides comfort.” Not an “escort,” let us not confuse the two. If we were to confuse the two, then maybe we would think twice about how to classify her work. However, after getting to know B, I am sure we would be able to give her a designation. I personally think B is courageous, because not everyone has the cajones to do what she does, even if the benefits are amazing. This shows you how far some of us have to go in order to find ourselves, or to at least find our “true” selves. Perhaps it takes a life-altering experience to finally wake up.

To conclude the book, B learns many news things through the help of Madame, her nosy best friend Lillian, and the extraordinary men she meets through her new line of work. You have to read it in order to find out the specifics. This story could be applied to almost anyone of us. We all battle with issues that transform us into self-haters. These may be issues with our work or relationship abilities, having bad attitudes, and/or with our capabilities of being good parents to our children. We all deal with situations differently; there is no single, perfect coping mechanism. There is also no perfect way to finding the solution to your issues either. One quote that stood out to me was the transformative thinking that B took on. She went from “I am invisible,” to “I am stunning.” We can all apply this mentality and live a more beautiful life.

Ladies (and gentlemen), pick up this book and read it. It could add insight to your life, and possibly change your way of thinking if you give it a chance.

In light of the Twilight saga craze, I decided to join the wave. I am not a huge sci-fi fan. I once read Dreamcatcher by Stephen King and had to stop about half-way through (I enjoyed the movie better). You have to maintain all focus when reading and/or watching sci-fi. All the small details are critical and almost 95% of the time you are dealing with non-human entities. The Host was recommended to me by a good friend. I told her I did not like sci-fi, but she ensured me that I would like this book. After taking a peek at www.stephaniemeyer.com I knew my friend was right. The first sentence on The Host page says, “Science fiction for people who don’t like science fiction.”

This story is about small, silver souls that are on their way to complete domination of the planet Earth. These creatures have taken human bodies as hosts and put a real twist on the saying “living vicariously” through someone. We follow Melanie Stryder who is taken over by Wanderer, a soul that has traveled to many planets in the solar system. Wanderer and Melanie are against each other for about half of the book and then they finally become the best of friends at a critical point in the novel.

This novel is intriguing because it indeed captures the non-sci-fi reader. It is science fiction with a dramatic twist. It is a love story about two “women” falling in love with the same man; they share similar and distinct feelings for him. The love war that Wanderer has with Ian and Jared is special. Her body loves one man, while her soul loves another, and this love is reciprocated from both men. Ian and Jared see her as two different entities and express these emotions, even through physical contact. This made the story interesting. Wanderer’s character captivated me, because she became one with human feelings. She is a unique soul because she truly understood what it meant to be human.

It took me a while to get into the first one hundred or so pages, but once I got over that, I could not keep the book down. As the plot developed, the book became a page-turner. If you are a fan of the Twilight Saga, or just looking for a cool book, pick up The Host.