Not-so-Vanilla Diva

Hollywood’s Premiere Comedy and Music Showcase, Continues With an All-Star Line-Up featuring performances by Brad Sherwood, Tom Wilson, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Horns, John Ernst,Mark DeCarlo, Jimmy & Joey, Hempstead Nursery, Erin Ragland, Roxanne Ferrara, and the house band Old Blues Eyes ODD WEDNESDAYS, the new, live, bimonthly comedy and music variety show returns on Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 @ 9:30PM at the famous Ivan Kane’s Café Was featuring an amazing lineup of talented bands, singer-songwriters, and comedians coming together for the newest comedy & music showcase in Hollywood.  The March 31st All Star event will feature stellar performances by Brad Sherwood, Tom Wilson, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Horns, John Ernst, Mark DeCarlo, Jimmy & Joey, Hempstead Nursery, Erin Ragland, Roxanne Ferrara, and the house band Old Blues Eyes. Show starts at 9:30PM and tickets are only $5. Ivan Kane’s CAFÉ WAS is located at 1521 N. Vine St. Hollywood, CA.  For artists individual bios please see below or visit the Facebook Page: ODD WEDNESDAYS & www.oddwednesdays.com * WHO: Presented by Mark DeCarlo and Ivan Kane’s Café Was * WHAT: ODD WEDNESDAYS at Café Was: A bi-monthly comedy & music show featuring established A-List performers and artists, together with a select ...

By Josie Villa-Singleton a.k.a Travelista Mama Shelter’s unique name corresponds to its equally new concept.  Normally staying in a boutique hotel designed by  Phillipe Starck does not come cheaply, especially in a major city.  Mama Shelter changes all that.  The rates at Mama Shelter start at 79 Euros.  Anyone who’s stayed in a fine but functional Parisian budget hotel knows this rate can’t be beat. The first photo shows a typical Paris budget hotel room at a cost of around 100 Euros, the second shows the rooms at Mama Shelter. Mama Shelter showcases Phillipe Starck’s whimsical eye with graffiti grazing the ceilings and a unique mix of materials that include concrete, glass, and wood.  The eating areas combine old-school or shall I say Old World long wooden tables and benches.  The tech addicted can dine and surf at tables equipped with built in computer screens.  I-Macs, free Wi-Fi, Kiehl’s toiletries and five star bedding await you in your room.  All I can say is “bonjour, baby” and bye-bye to stiff, scratchy sheets.  You’ll find live indie rock and electronica music across the street at La Fleche D’or. So here’s the ...

ODD WEDNESDAYS, the new, live, bimonthly comedy and music variety show returns on Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 @ 9:30PM at the famous Ivan Kane’s Café Was featuring an amazing lineup of talented bands, singer-songwriters, and comedians coming together for the newest comedy & music showcase in Hollywood.  The March 31st All Star event will feature the house band Old Blues Eyes with stellar performances by Mark DeCarlo, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Horns, Brad Sherwood, John Ernst, Jimmy & Joey, Hempstead Nursery, Erin Ragland, Roxanne Ferrara, and the house band Old Blues Eyes. Show starts at 9:30PM and there is NO COVER CHARGE. Ivan Kane’s CAFÉ WAS is located at 1521 N. Vine St. Hollywood, CA.  For artists individual bios please see below or visit the Facebook Page: ODD WEDNESDAYS & www.oddwednesdays.com WHO: Presented by Mark DeCarlo and Ivan Kane’s CAFE WAS WHAT: ODD WEDNESDAYS at Café Was: A bi-monthly comedy & music show featuring established A-List performers and artists, together with a select up-and-coming singer/songwriters, providing Hollywood with a unique show every month. The March 31st event will feature performances by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Horns, Mark DeCarlo, Brad Sherwood, John Ernst, Jimmy & Joey, Hempstead Nursery, Erin Ragland, Roxanne Ferrara, ...

By Josie Villa-Singleton a.k.a Travelista Rail Europe recently began promoting The Eurostar high speed train that runs from London to Paris. November 14 marked the start of the new service provided by Eurostar which decreases travel time by 20 minutes (at speeds of up to 186 mph), making the journey from London to Paris 2 hours and 15 minutes. Tickets for the journey vary in price ranging from $97 to $400 depending on when the ticket is booked and what class seat is selected. The cheeky “get a little Paris with your London” Rail Europe campaign touts that “…you’ll be drinking wine in Paris while the lager foam from London is still on your lips”. The accompanying website provides a cute game where you can create “mashups” of London and Parisian animated icons. You can even enter your own mashup version of London and Parisian symbols or icons for a chance to win a trip to London that includes a stay in Paris via the Eurostar of course. Trains leave from the refurbished and central (near Oxford Circus and Covent Garden) St. Pancras station in London and arrive in the Gare du Nord station in Paris (near Montmarte, Sacre Coeur). Otherwise known as ...

By Josie Villa-Singleton a.k.a. Travelista I last attended the mayhem that is Paris Fashion Week two years ago.   I’ve since learned a lot about pulling an outfit together by scouring the photos of fashion magazine editors and tastemakers that I took during that trip.  Seeing how the most fashionable women in the world show up to fashion shows can inform our choices when it comes time to pack our bags for a trip.  Though these photos are from seasons past they still contain valuable information. 1.     Black is always in fashion Attendees of fashion shows and Europeans in general favor black and dark colors. Choosing mostly black clothing makes packing easier and of course black clothing flatters and camouflages our figures. Look for items made in travel friendly materials such as synthetic blends: rayon, polyester, lyocell, etc. Accessories keep the look from being boring. Both these looks are easy to pull off. Tight but stretchy skinny black pants, an interesting black tee. Top it off with a long, loose cardigan and a necklace. 2. Fashion remains Neutral If all black is not your thing ...