Rampage in Las Vegas

Monty Clay

Rampage

I suppose one of the perks of what I do is the people I get to meet. While in Vegas a few months back for Project, I had the pleasure of running into old friend Monty Clay (feather weight champion) at the Pittsburgh airport. He was on his way to Vegas to meet with Travis Barker to sign a deal with his newly launched accessories line. We managed to connect, and had a really fun night of celebrity watching and catching up.

I have to say, hands down, the SCARIEST man I have come face to face with is Ultimate Fighting Champion (UFC) Rampage. Wow! He was E-N-O-R-M-O-U-S especially when next to me.

I forgot to post these a while ago, but I couldn't resist!

Maybe Monty will be a new face for Give and Take for the Boys and Girls Club????

Scene 2: Why Procrastors NEVER Win

Scene 2: Why Procrastors NEVER Win

Sooooooo, after the visit to repair my blackberry, I was ready to drive myself to the airport, but low and behold, I had only minutes to get there and not a minute to spare to park my car. So Spencer generously offered to drive me. Because I wait to do EVERYTHING until the last minute, I realized that I had not yet put the registration sticker onto my license plate, so I had to put all of my bags into Spencer's car, and we were off.

After rushing to the airport we arrived, and as I was blowing a kiss goodbye, I realized I had forgotten my purse!!! Did you know you can fly without an ID??? I had NO CLUE, but frankly it was more convenient that flying with one. I was shuffled through 2 first class lines, asked to open my bag, and then sent on my way. The whole time with smiles and a handshake.

Thank god I put $200 in my back pocket, or my landing at Laguardia would have proven rawther annoying. (I LOVE ELOISE)

Well, it was convenient until I realized I was in NYC WITHOUT A PURSE, CREDIT CARDS, ID, or LIP GLOSS!!!

Thankfully Spencer had already taken time to overnight me my purse. But don't think that meant the nightmare was over. . .

One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer?

One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer?

Not these days. Why would you when you can opt for a Passion Fruit Sidecar, Ginger Cranberry Mojito, or a repurpsed Classic Cherry Coke? Thanks to Spencer Warren, Pittsburgh can breathe a sigh of relief this holiday season (or dare I say stock market plummet) when we all need to add a little pep in our step. After all 'tis the season.

I am thrilled to announce that I can FINALLY say, let's go somewhere OTHER THAN the Firehouse Lounge!!! Ok, well it's almost somewhere else. It is on the 1st floor at this Strip District location, but it is totally different, and very needed in the burgh.

The Pittsburgh Tribune Review PM edition featured Spencer and Embury last week before the Whiskey festival in a great article. Hope you have a minute to check it out:

Spencer Warren, owner of the Firehouse Lounge and Embury in the Strip District, has concocted more than a hundred original cocktails to please the palate.

"I enjoy playing around with different tastes," Warren said. "Usually, I come up with something that's off the wall."

So much to tell

What a whirlwind of a week. I don't even know where to begin. I left last Thursday for Newport, RI and NYC to celebrate a friend's engagement and my birthday, and what started as a rocky beginning left me with an hysterical story. It's kind of long, so I figured I would break it into "scenes" to give a break because boy oh boy was it a long couple of days. Ha!

Scene 1: The Catalyst Thursday, November 13. My Blackberry, which many of you know is my "baby" or as I have dubbed it, "my pet rock" is sadly the center of my world. As a publicist (aka Social Butterfly with a knack for overcommitment and a "mild" case of ADD) , leaving home without it is what I compare to a mother losing her child in a mall. Ok, perhaps not quite the comparison that some would expect, and most would roll their eyes about, but that's just how it is.

Anyhow, upon waking for a REALLY early conference call, I learned that my poor baby had developed a virus --Sniffle-- So like any caring and neurotic mother I SPRINTED to the repair center where after a little finagling I was able to jump to the front of the line hoping for a little TLC for my little one. While waiting for the results, I discovered, that I had been focusing on my flight ARRIVAL time rather than my departure time, and had minutes to leave for the airport or I would miss my flight. Talk about a nail biter.

Alas, I discovered that the little one was not repairable, but not as a result of poor parenting --Yippee-- and so I was given a shiny new replacement and was sent on my way to NYC. Or so I thought . . .

Scene 2: Why Procrastors NEVER Win

Pittsburgh Whiskey Festival

Sadly, I won't be in town for one of my favorite Pittsburgh events this year, The Whiskey Festival, but don't let that stop you from checking out the newest additions to the world of premium spirits. The Firehouse Lounge and Embury will both be featuring cocktails. See what the Pittsburgh Post Gazette has to say about them: Click Here for Full Article

Shea Mullen "Star of the Month"

Shadyside Star of the Month
(For Full Article)

This feature highlights members of our community who go “above and beyond” to make Shadyside a better place to visit, shop, work, and live and play.

Shea Mullen is the founder and co-owner of CoCo's Cupcake Cafe on Ellsworth Avenue and lives by the mantra "It's Cool to Care". Mullen strives in every aspect of her personal and professional life to give back. From her neighborhood projects to her internationally distributed line of charity driven t-shirts, GIVE AND TAKE, creating a positive and pleasant experience in other people's lives is what drives Mullen's work.

CoCo's Cupcake Cafe is all about the "good stuff" in life... good taste, good times, and good friends. The cupcakes are hand crafted, high quality, and aesthetically astounding. They are more than dessert, they are decadent accessories at the boutique bakery. Made from the finest ingredients available, the team at Coco's Cupcakes, under the creative direction of Mullen, combines premium ingredients with creative genius to create edible works of art. The signature French Buttercream, is both delicate and decadent, and the infusion of fresh flavors throughout, captivate every bite.

"Cupcakes make people smile," says Mullen, "so behind every design, flavor, package, or event, my ultimate goal is to know that people smile when they think about their CoCo's experience." Where else can you find a 6-Pack of Bailey's cupcakes for St.Patty's Day, a long stem box of Cupcakes for Valentine's Day, or a shoe box filled with minis for Mother's Day?

It is hard to believe that cupcakes are only a portion of Mullen's day. She also owns and designs for a t-shirt company called GIVE AND TAKE--a line of vintage charity inspired athletic shirts. The tees, which retail at upscale boutiques such as Barney's, Saks, and Fred Segal (and at hip’tique locally) are true to Mullen's goal about caring because proceeds from each garment are donated directly to affiliated foundations. What makes this project really exciting, is that the custom cut and sewn tees have recently been spotted on the backs of many A-List celebrities, which is helping to strengthen Mullen's message "It's Cool to Care".

Thank you Shea for helping to keep Shadyside as the best place to EAT, shop, work, live, and play.

For more information about CoCo's Cupcakes www.cocoscupcakecafe.com

For more information about GIVE AND TAKE www.giveandtaketees.com

Steelers Style Fashion Show

Talk about home-field advantage. Nearly 900 fans roared their approval as their football faves blitzed the Hilton Hotel catwalk at Friday's eye-popping, jaw-dropping Steelers Style 08 fashion show. Fifty-four extreme hunks shared the spotlight with their ladies, kiddies and models in looks that went from team jerseys to black-tie. What moves! What rule books?

Lending their immeasurable fundraising clout, the Rooneys and Steeler Style have helped raise more than $3 million in seven years for the Starzl Transplantation Institute and Cancer Caring Center. Thanks to chairs Greta and Art Rooney II with Kiya (she created a Steelers gown for the show!) and Mike Tomlin calling the plays, it was the slickest, best-produced fashion bowl in its history.

Between quarters announced by KDKA's Bob Pompeani, videos reeled salutes from fans around the world and those closer to home, like Joy and Dr. Tom Starzl; Athena and Frank Sarris; fashion coordinator Alana Bly; Rebecca Whitlinger Kontul; Clyde Jones; Debi Wheeler; Jennifer and Dr. Wallis Marsh; Dorothy and Dr. Richard Raizman; Lisa and Dr. Fadi Lakkis; Massy and Alex Paull; Holly and Dr. Clark Gamblin; and Meg and Rob Eberly.

Read-A-Thon Spencer Tee Shirt

I received this question the other day, and so I thought I would post a response.

Q: How do you choose the names for GIVE AND TAKE tees?

A: Every shirt in the collection is named after a person in the designer, Shea Mullen's, life who has been affected in some way by the affiliated foundation.

This shirt on the left is one of my favorite designs from the GIVE AND TAKE for a few reasons. The most obvious is because I LOVE LOVE LOVE the shirts from this collection that are 3-tone color (see below for more examples), but most importantly it is because it was named after one of my FAVORITE people and BESTEST friend, Spencer.

Unlike many of the other tees in this line, the "Spencer" is named for a man who GAVE BACK to Multiple Sclerosis, which is how he was affected. When he was 7 years old he was in a Read-a-Thon at school where he was the highest fundraiser in the history of the school and he won a bike. Without a dime from his family, he solicited his neighbors and came out a well-read winner. His highest donation came from a neighbor who pledged $20, not realizing it was for EVERY book he read! Sometimes it is the people who GIVE BACK who are most greatly impacted but who can make the biggest difference.

This tee was a popular style at the MTV Video Award with Victoria's Secret Model Alessandra Ambrosio who is the National Ambassador for Multiple Sclerosis Society. (Inside Scoop) She liked it sooooo much that she actually left with the sample! That's ok because she understands the importance of GIVING BACK.

Want to look like Alessandra Ambrosio

and

GIVE BACK TO MS?

Click here to purchase

Post Gazette, LaMont Jones, Steelers Fashion Show

Local press, in my opinion is often the best press, especially when it comes to charity events.  I am excited to announce,  GIVE AND TAKE tees are debuting local Pittsburgh charity, The Cancer Caring Center, in this year's annual Steelers Style Show.  See what LaMont Jones, Fashion Editor from the Pittsburgh, Post-Gazette has to say!!!

Ebony, Steelers take to the runways
Monday, October 20, 2008
By LaMont Jones, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Two of Pittsburgh's biggest annual fashion events are this week.

On Friday, the Pittsburgh Steelers and their families will take to a runway at the Hilton, Downtown, to benefit the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute and the Cancer Caring Center. The theme of this year's Steelers Style fashion show and dinner is "Steelers Pride Worldwide."

Honorary co-captains are James Farrior and Jeff Reed. Chairing the event are Steelers chairman Art Rooney II and his wife, Greta, and Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and his wife, Kiya.

A Steelers-inspired gown designed and worn by Mrs. Tomlin at last year's show will be auctioned. Shea Mullen of Give and Take will unveil T-shirts she designed to celebrate both charities, and fashions in the show will be from Nordstrom, hiptique, Reebok and Tuxedo Junction.

Cocktails are at 6 p.m., dinner at 7, and the show starts at 8. Attire is cocktail or business. Tickets are $225. For tickets and information, contact haimee@pmhsf.org or call 412-802-8256. 

For entire article click here

First published on October 20, 2008 at 12:00 am

Give and Take ONE SHEET


GIVE AND TAKE (G&T) is a line of graphic tees and sweatshirts where a portion of the proceeds are directly contributed to a partnered foundation.  The shirts are vintage replicas of charity event tees, similar to what you would find in a thrift store.  The graphics combine the best of old and new, thus creating a wardrobe piece that is timeless but still trendy.  Currently there are [NUMBER OF CHARITIES] affiliated foundations where a combined total of over [$ amount donated to date] has been donated on behalf of G&T.

The socially conscious line was created by graphic designer Shea Mullen, who has done private label in the garment industry for over 15 years.  Tired of creating shirts with negative, but fashion forward, imagery, Mullen was inspired to do something that showed retailers and consumers that it is "cool to care".  Although there are a number of charity endorsed projects on the market, the strength in this line is that it is very personal because it has been inspired by actual people and events, thus making G&T tees not only fashion friendly but emotionally impacting.

For the past three seasons, the line has been picked up by major retailers including Barneys, Saks, Fred Segal, Kitson, and Scoop and the popularity of them is booming.  Many A-list celebrities have contracted G&T to help endorse the line because of their affiliations with the various causes represented by the line.  As a result of the growing popularity, G&T tees have been featured on numerous fashion, celebrity, and charity blogs including the popular trend reports of Daily Candy and E!Online.

All of the tees are printed on 100% cotton, and the colors and cut are
customized to ensure G&T meets Mullen's high standards of design
quality. The tees currently retail for $48 and the sweatshirts [fill in the $].  More information about G&T can be found online at www.giveandtaketees.com

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Selena Gomez Gives Back

While Fashion Week has come to and end, and Coterie has only a few hours before closing its doors, I thought I should keep this fashion friendly and post another celebrity spotting in a GIVE AND TAKE TEE! What could easily become the hottest item for holiday 2008, the GIVE AND TAKE tees, are a huge hit with not only Hollywood heartthrobs but the tweeners as well.


This time it was Selena Gomez, who according to E!Online and Celebrity-Gossip.net The sweet-as-pie tween queen leaves L.A.'s Du-Par's diner and pie emporium before heading over to the local GNC. The 15 year old Disney actress, who was sporting the Boys and Girls club logo tee from Fred Segal in LA can be seen on their website. Here is a link where you can see the tee.

And another for more pictures

Band From TV for GIVE AND TAKE

Rock and Roll and Fashion have always gone hand in hand. GIVE AND TAKE is proud to announce the launch of their newest tee for the celebrity backed music group BAND FROM TV
the newest charity tee will launch next week during the PROJECT show in Las Vegas, so stay tuned for a sneak preview.

What started out as a love for music and simply having fun jamming with buddies has led Greg Grunberg and his friends to an unusual place: packed venues playing rock and roll for charitable causes!

• Greg Grunberg (drums), a veteran of shows such as Alias and Felicity and currently starring in the NBC hit HEROES;
• Teri Hatcher (vocals) currently starring in the ABC hit DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES,
  
• James Denton (guitar), currently starring in the ABC hit DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES;
• Bob Guiney (vocals), who appeared on THE BACHELOR and is currently seen on TLC's DATE MY HOUSE;
• Bonnie Somerville (vocals), starring in ABC's new fall series CASHMERE MAFIA;
• Jesse Spencer (violin) currently starring in the FOX hit HOUSE;
• Rounding out the band are accomplished musicians Chris Kelley, Barry Sarna, Jon Sarna, Chris Mostert and child-star turned bass player Brad Savage.

GIVE AND TAKE on MTV

I too couldn't believe my eyes. While getting ready for my girlfriend's birthday party on Friday night, I had MTV on for background noise, and there before my very eyes was the new American American powerpop band WE THE KINGS and the lead singer was wearing a GIVE AND TAKE tee shirt!

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

Why it is Cool to Care

Here's my very 1st tip!

Robert Buckley may be shirtless on the Lipstick Jungle, but on the streets of New York, this star is sure to wear his heart on his sleeve . . . Well, actually his chest. Spotted on Bleeker street, the TV star was excited to tell fans about his GIVE AND TAKE t-shirt. GIVE AND TAKE is a line of vintage replica charity event tees where a portion of the proceeds directly benefit the affiliated causes. The t-shirt worn by Buckley in the photo donates proceeds of the sale evenly among the affiliated foundations.

For more information about GIVE AND TAKE: www.giveandtaketees.com

Or you can order one online here

It's Official. . . .Here I go

About Me:

I am a connector. I LOVE to connect people, places, things. Life is like an overly stimulating game of connect the dots, I do it because it genuinely excites me to open doors for others. Meeting new people with fresh ideas, unique perspectives, endless energy, and edgy outlooks on classic concepts.

So this blog is about the things I stumble upon, hear about, gossip about, or simply want feedback on.

xox