Showing posts with label new york city. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new york city. Show all posts

Sunday, May 9, 2010

cool pix












Friday, February 19, 2010

wacky laws

i got to be in a casual friday episode with @mememolly. check it out! so much fun - i think you'll like the ending...regarding the ball and ice cream cone: ask me how many takes we had before we got them right...

Friday, February 12, 2010

happy valentine's day

here's the valentine's episode i shot with @mememolly - enjoy! also, click here to read the case against i love you - a short article that explains why the phrase "i love you" is overused and loses meaning...definitely something to think about before you give away your valentines this year!

Saturday, October 24, 2009

New York City Landmarks

i love this video! great job molly and bob.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Get in the Van!

Last Saturday afternoon, I took to the streets of Chinatown in mad pursuit of a Louis Vuitton with Colleen & Colleen. I thought that just meant a quick stroll down Canal Street, but I soon learned of the whole underground purse market in NYC.



NY Colleen informed us that there are rooms underground and in abandoned stores that have better quality brand purses. She led the way since NC Colleen and I had no idea what we were doing. We met with several different Asian women who led us to these private rooms to check out the goods.


While we were in the 3rd room, NC Colleen looked around and said, in what was definitely louder than a whisper, "Is this illegal?" Um...why do you think we've been following around Asian women to these secret locations and have to ask for permission to leave the room? Yes, Colleen. This is illegal.

On one of the longer journeys to the secret rooms, we were actually handed off to a second guide. I was confused for a minute, ready to keep following the first lady - but I quickly turned to my right to see NY Colleen half way down the sidewalk with another Asian woman.

Finally, we were led to a van on a side street in Soho. We stood on the sidewalk, stared at the van for a few seconds, then the lady unlocked the sliding door, jumped in and waved us all in, "Get in, get in!" So there we were - the 3 of us and our dealer. The inside of the van was pitch black. The dealer turned on the light and you could see the wooden shelves that had been built to hold up all the bags. The windows were blacked out with star-studded black wrapping paper.

She had the bag NC Colleen wanted and NY Colleen also found a Chanel she liked. I was just there to document the whole incident. They negotiated 2 for $95. Before they agreed on this number though, NC Colleen tried to talk the dealer down to $45, which is when she snagged the bag out of her hands and threw it on the floor saying, "NO, I told you, $50, its good deal". Originally, she was asking for $65 so it wasn't too bad after all was said and done. The two Colleens settled on $95 for both, paid the dealer in cash, and then we waited for permission to get out of the van. The dealer made a call and kept saying, "Wait...wait...wait". Finally, we were allowed out.

I had no idea these private rooms and vans existed. If you're in NYC and you want to see more than what's on the street, then just go up to any one of the dealers you see on Canal Street and in the most subtle way possible say you want to see the bags first. Otherwise, they will send someone down to get them and bring them up to you in a black garbage bag. It's way more adventurous to go with them. Just don't do it alone.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

NYC Restaurant Recommendations

Here are some pics and links to a few of the restaurants I've been to over the last couple months in the NYC area. Enjoy!



Ok, we're going to start with desserts. I forget the name of this little gem, but it was delicious. Apparently they haven't updated the menu on their website recently cause nothing of what we ordered is on there currently. Regardless, you need to go here at least once, but you'll probably go twice or more. Decent prices, good food and excellent desserts.


Oh, hello again you pretty little flourless chocolate cake! This thing is like eating a 2 inch thick chunk of the best frosting you could imagine. Don't be deceived by its small size. I had to share the rest with the table cause two bites and I was done - and I love chocolate.

Risotto with parmigiano, prosciutto and something that made it green. Damn it I thought the info would be on their website. It was delish.

Melone e prosciutto as an appetizer. I didn't try this, but heard it was nice. We all shared a bottle of prosecco, as well, which is a dry Italian sparkling white wine. Try it sometime if you haven't yet. It was a class favorite when I lived in Italy and traveled in Germany. P-R-O!


Again, we'll start with dessert. This is profiterol, which are dark chocolate pastries stuffed with cream. So, so, so good. This picture doesn't do it justice. I'm still working on my food photography skills here. Seriously, I'd go back just to have these.

A delightful new friend of mine, writer/producer Diane Uniman, and I shared this mixed meze platter to start, which was a sampling of humus, tzatziki, eggplant salad, circassian chicken (amazing), borek & sheperd salad. FANTASTICO. A must order. Paired with a Turkish white wine Emire de Nevsehir - Kavaklidere "Cankaya" 2006 from Anatolia. We then shared the Manti, which I forgot to take a picture of, but are "traditional minced beef dumplings in a yogurt & tomato sauce, seasoned with fresh mint". This place is so charming. They had live jazz the night we were there and the food is just outstanding. Go!


Homemade ravioli stuffed with Shiitake mushrooms in a pesto sauce. A bit heavy with the oil, but nevertheless very good.



This is a special Reuben sandwich they had on their menu that day. Lucky for Dan Delany from Vendr.tv who invited me to brunch at this lovely little place just outside Dumbo (area in Brooklyn for those outside of NYC). And it just so happened that Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon were two tables over from us, who were later joined by Maggie, her hubby and the kids.


I decided to go with the banana pancake, which I believe was an excellent choice. Honestly, I think I can say this is the best pancake I've ever had. It wasn't overly sweet and sugary like most breakfast places. Perfect blend of flavors and consistency of the pancake was solid. Two thumbs up!

I've been to a lot more places than just these listed above, but only recently started making a conscious effort to take pics and mental notes. Do you have some recommendations for great restaurants in NYC? Share them here on the dealio!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Kora

Great video from Kornhaber Brown.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Renegade Cabaret

Evening fire escape performances near the new High Line Park. This is so New York.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Personal Thoughts on a Rainy Day

My Perspective.

I've always been on a fast track. For example, I finished my BA in 3 years and my MA in 1. I viewed college as a time to learn fast so I could go out into the world with a solid education and do cool stuff. My uncle introduced me once as his niece "who thinks the world is going to end tomorrow". I guess I've always felt that I have to make the most of each day because I don't know how much time I have in the world--and there's so much I want to accomplish in my lifetime that I don't want to waste a minute of it doing something meaningless.

This way of thinking is the result of losing my one and only sibling, Gina, to cancer when I was 10 years old. She was only 12. Watching someone suffer & fight for their life for 3.5 years and then lose the battle, especially when they're so young (and when you're so young, too) changes you forever. It changes the way you look at life, people, and yourself. For some, those 3 things become sources of bitterness, resentment, and negativity. For others, those 3 things become sources of joy, motivation, and happiness. Life is challenging enough without tragic events thrown in the mix and it's difficult to pull yourself towards the positive. Tragic events like these morph over time as to how you understand them. Who I am, what I do, and how I do it have all been significantly influenced by this event.

Two quotations I strive to live by are from Albert Pike who said, "What you do for yourself alone dies with you; what you do for others and the world remains and is immortal," and from Ralph Waldo Emerson who wrote, "Make the most of yourself for that is all there is of you." Together, I think these two thoughts are good guidelines to reach your full potential as a human being, while making a positive impact on others and, in turn, the world. "World" doesn't need to be literal...that's a bit grandiose..."world" is the circle of influence around you--no matter how big or small--it's important.

How I Ended Up in LA.

In the winter of 2007, I decided to pack up my bags and move from Toledo, OH to Los Angeles, CA in order to advance my career in the entertainment business as a host/actor/model/producer/musician/whatever someone would hire me as. I had been working in local broadcast for nearly 2 years and wanted to put myself in a larger market with more opportunities.

Without too much of a plan, I flew out to LA with two suitcases, my guitar, and enough money to get through about 1.5 months of rent/food. A friend from acting school let me crash on her floor for 3 weeks as I searched Craigslist for a good rooming situation. I slept on an air-mattress that would slowly deflate during the night, so I would wake up with my hip bone against the floor. Luckily, it had a remote control air pump attached. I rented a blue Chevy Malibu (hey, I didn't get to pick what kind--just asked for the cheapest) for the first couple weeks while waiting for my Honda to get shipped out.

From my first week in LA.

Once all of these "life" things got sorted out, I started taking acting classes and worked as a hostess at an Italian restaurant on Melrose Ave. My original "career" plan fell through due to a series of poor advice that I followed from people who I thought knew more than I did about "the business" and about "doing business" in general. The only thing I really got out of it was work as a fit model, where I would try on clothes for designers and they'd make adjustments on me. It was the most money I ever made for putting on clothes. At least I wasn't getting paid to take them off! I worked lots of hours in the restaurant and eventually moved on to another Italian restaurant as a bartender. Taking whatever "opportunities" seemed to come my way, I even worked for 2 weeks as a secretary for a venture capitalist company after being approached in a parking garage by one of the company's employees. It was the most money I had ever made in 14 days for answering phones and ordering lunch, but my schedule was getting out of control, so I quit that job and stuck with making drinks.

The Turning Point.

Four months into my stay, I met an acting coach/actor woman in a gelato bar who recommended that I take classes at the Meisner Center in North Hollywood. I ended up babysitting her son for a couple months in exchange for coaching/business advice until new classes started up in September. Then, from September 2007 - December 2007, I found out why I moved to Los Angeles: it was my time to get broken down.

Broken down only to be built back up--empowered, full of understanding, and with a "toolbox" I did not have before. Those 3 months changed me as a person and as a performer. It is still the most valuable "thing" I did during my two years out West. I got to know myself more in 3 months than in all 23 years of my life. If you haven't put yourself through something like this--a retreat, meditation, class, therapy, etc--I highly recommend it. It will hurt while you're in it, but you will come out healed and ready to take on anything that comes your way. "How you do anything is how you do everything" is one of Meisner's many sayings that force you to look at your core truths. It is so worth your time and money. I cannot stress this enough. Take this class, or at the very least, read his books. You will be thankful.

Your core truths are the foundation for everything you do, think, and feel. If you don't know what they are, you're missing out on knowing the most important person in your life: you.

Validation.

A few weeks after finishing my class at the Meisner Center, I quit my bartending job and started submitting myself for acting/hosting projects online. I started taking a couple more classes around town so I could network into a group of actors, coaches, and casting directors. I landed a few gigs here and there--some short, independent and student films, local commercials, and hosting spots. Finally, in April of 2008, I got called in for "Vlog Idol" with Mahalo Daily.

Two months later, in June of 2008, I was hired as the host of MD and had my first real full-time gig in LA. Soon I was promoted to Executive Producer and was in charge of researching, producing, writing, hosting, and overseeing edits for the show. I absolutely loved this job. I felt it was the perfect combination of things I enjoy doing. All the various shows, from how-tos, to red carpet events, to interesting people/places around Southern California, I loved meeting new people and learning about all the different subject matter. Unfortunately, in February of 2009, MD decided to go a different direction that eliminated the full time hosting/producing position. It was time, again, for me to find work.

The Search.

From March - June I casually searched for jobs, while pursuing a few personal goals and questioning what I wanted to do with my life. In March, I went to SXSW for networking, fun, and celebrated my 25th birthday at a Divo concert (ask me about gin & tonics), trained for a half-marathon (which I ran in 2:58 in April) and started working as a publicist for writer, Christopher Canole. I got new headshots with photographer/actor Jack Brewer, lost 15 pounds with personal trainer & fitness coach Adam Brewer, and worked 1-on-1 with acting coach Elena K. Smith. My best friend was getting married in June, so I spent a few weeks back in Ohio to help her out as her maid of honor--a role I took very seriously! The people who came into my life during this time period are people who I value tremendously and for whom I am extremely grateful. They helped me in ways that I don't think they even know they did. Hopefully this post gives them a little indication as to how much of an impact that had on me during a very transitional period of my life.

While in Ohio for my best friend's wedding, I find out about Rocketboom's openings and applied immediately. Over 1.5 months, I eventually was hired as a producer for RB and relocated from LA to NYC. And now, here I am. Producing for the award-winning web show from one of the best cities in the world!

Thinking Back.

I came across another great quotation today from Chuang Tzu, “Happiness is the absence of the striving for happiness.” Maybe this is what put me in such a reflective mood today...that and the rain.

Though I don't fear the world is going to end tomorrow, I do live each day with the philosophy of making the most of myself and having a positive influence on the people around me. One of these posts, I will go into detail about my sister and how her life shaped mine into what it is today. For now, this is just a brief introduction to the most influential person from my life and a summary of what I've been doing over the last 2 years. Of course, there are so many more details I could go into, but those are more for a novel "that wins a grammy" than for a blog.

A couple photos of positive people in my life!

Screen writer and "West Coast Godfather" Chris Canole.

Brothers Jack & Adam Brewer.

See more pictures on my new Facebook Fan Page!

*special note: Through all of my endeavors, my family and friends have been extremely supportive and also helped me tremendously during the ups and downs of my journey. I am sincerely thankful for their generosity and understanding. I couldn't be where I am today without them. No question.

Mom & Dad (and Jen drinking a beer in the background)

Uncle Joe, my "Life Coach"

The Grandparents - seriously my No. 1 fans!

Uncle Jon "You gotta eat."

Thank you all. Who are your biggest influences in life? Share them here on The Dealio.

-Leah

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Friday, July 24, 2009

Cross Country Blur

@jsto took this pic of me as I was walking into LAX with some of my gear (the rest came in boxes today). I absolutely love this photo. It captures the essence of what my move cross-country has been: a bit of a blur, bright, exciting and fast. Settling in this weekend and then starting work again on Monday. Have a great weekend everybody! My postings should get more consistent now that I'm all in one city. Thanks for all your support and interest!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Little Italy

Check out my whole album on Facebook.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Rocketboom.com

Lately, you may have been wondering (or not wondering), "what's the dealio, D'Emilio? what exactly have you been doing these days besides running, dining out and going to friends' weddings?"

Well, aside from all those other things, I have been searching for my next big media gig and landed an awesome one this week. Drum roll please! I am moving to NYC to produce for Rocketboom.com! I've been in the city for the past week and absolutely love the crew and location. Check out yesterday's news program with our new host, Molly:



More details on my time here and what's next coming soon! I'm in the process of getting everything settled so I can make the big move cross-country! Happy to be a part of the RBNY team!

THAT'S the Dealio!