The 411 Diva

What: The hottest summer marketing topics that help brands and businesses build a better online presence. Why: In one full day each attendee will learn tactical formulas they can instantly implement at their company (and network with other professionals). Where: (Above Kitson Store) Santa Monica Place Mall “Expert Dojo” Workspace, 395 Santa Monica Pl, Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica, CA 90401 When: Thursday, July 23rd, 2015 – Checkin: 9:00am to 9:30am – Breakfast & Networking: 9:00am-10:00am – Panel #1 starts promptly at 10:00am (Please don’t be late) – Lunch at Noon – Cocktail hour starts at 5:00pm Who: This event is limited to 120 professionals from brands, businesses, startups and agencies that want to learn key tips and trends from panelists. Join 100+ digital marketers to learn online trends & tactics on July 23rd in Los Angeles. Special Bonus: Our friends at Expert Dojo are offering a free 30 day membership to their business club to anyone that buys a paid ticket to this event. Use their premium workspace for meetings or as a place to build your business. Register To Attend On July 23rd, 2015 professionals in Los Angeles will join us for our second Digital Growth Summit, designed to give them tools to build a powerful online presence for their business. Panel Topics & Agenda ...

Hello all Travelers!  Traveling Diva is proud to be part of the very first and ONLY Travel & Food show on iTunes! Along with my husband, Emmy winning comedian Mark DeCarlo, each week we will embark on a great quest for food, travel and fun! We'll interview interesting and unique folks across the world who travel for a living, including musicians, chefs, and comedians. Our past guests included Brad Sherwood from Who's Line Is It Anyway?, Rick Browne, author of  A Century of Restaurants, comedian Jimmy Palumbo and Hell's Kitchen Chef Barbie Marshall. Subscribe to A FORK ON THE ROAD show on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/a-fork-on-the-road/id637933581?mt=2 STAY TUNED !!!  We'll see you at A Fork On The Road! CLICK HERE TO GO DIRECTLY TO OUR ITUNES PAGE: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/a-fork-on-the-road/id637933581?mt=2

I gotta say it:  Up until a few years ago, New York City held the number one spot in my heart.  Then came NOLA.  It was love at first bite.  From the incredible food, to the narrow cobblestone streets, to the artistic, caring, amazing people, this city captured my heart in a New York minute. If you’ve never been to New Orleans, you are truly missing out.   Don’t think of it as just an endless carnival, although it can be.  New Orleans is many things.  There’s Jackson Square Park in the French Quarter, where, on any given day you may witness a brass band parade or a wedding presided over by a voodoo priest.  Surrounded by artists, vendors, and most of all music, Jackson Square is the mecca of what down home New Orleans feeling. Next is Bourbon Street, just steps from Jackson Square.  Bourbon Street has survived fires, endless parties, and Hurricane Katrina.  Nothing can keep this stretch of road down.  It keeps rising up for more like a Phoenix.  Filled with jazz clubs, mom and pop restaurants and stores, Bourbon Street is the nightlife spot to go to in the French Quarter. A taste of ...

Hello all Travelers!  Traveling Diva is proud to announce the launch of the very first and ONLY Travel & Food show on iTunes! I will be joining Emmy winning comedian Mark DeCarlo each week as he embarks on a great quest for food, travel and fun! Mark will be having interviews each week with interesting and unique folks across the world who travel for a living, including musicians, chefs, and comedians.   This month, we will be giving away Cancun discount coupons and a chance to win a HD Underwater VIVITAR 850W CAMERA to all subscribers! Here's what you have to do: 1. Subscribe to A FORK ON THE ROAD show on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/a-fork-on-the-road/id637933581?mt=2 2. Let us know you subscribed and give us your email address.  You can do this by following and tweeting @MarkDeCarlo #AForkOnTheRoad, or sending us an email to: markdecarlotv@gmail.com, or leave us amessage at 424-250-FORK. 3. We will send you the code and enter you in the contest.  Winners announced on the podcast JULY 4th, 2013. Also, Mark is here to help YOU the listener with your travel-related questions. All you have to do is call 424 - 250 - FORK, leave your name and contact information and we'll have you on the show ...

Prague Castle Every diva loves a castle!  Prague castle is one of the most well known landmarks in the Czech capital. Perched high on a hill above the streets of Mala Strana, the castle is a great place to start a diva’s visit to Prague.  Prague castle is surrounded by the small houses of the Golden Lane (my personal favorite, and if you’re feeling a little guilt, the Basilica of St. George. The best way to visit is to take a guided tour or an audio tour, and then explore the area after getting oriented. Prague castle offers spectacular views of the city below, and you can best enjoy them after climbing up 287 steps to the bell tower and yelling “Sanctuary! Sanctuary!.” Charles Bridge Charles Bridge is on the top of every Diva’s must-see list. It is also popular with Czech artists, musicians and souvenir vendors whose stands line both sides of the bridge year-round. A great time of day to come to the bridge is at sunset when one can enjoy a breathtaking view of the fully lit Prague Castle against the evening sky. The bridge is almost constantly filled with people. If you want to have it all to yourself, ...

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 deal.  Mama Shelter is in the 20th arrondissement, which in more ways than ...

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 ...

Had fun storming a castle lately? On the way to Temecula’s wine country, many roads lead to wine, but only one leads to The Castle Estate. Every detail there is designed to keep you in a past reality of castles, kings and, of course, Queens.  From the gigantic medieval iron locks that guard your room and the mural on the stairs depicting part of it’s own family history, to the most minute detail of a delightful butterfly garden right outside your bedroom door, this castle has proven to be a diva’s favorite. If you happen to endure LA traffic, a night arrival is breathtaking, as the castle lights glow to guide the way.  Past the helicopter pad out front, you’ll be greeted by the sounds of a huge front door knocker, and welcomed by dimly lit candelabra and a smile from the castle’s proprietors, Joanne and Dee. How does waking up at The Castle sound? “Ding, ding, ding!” A soft “Good morning!”   a bell ring in the morning light shining through the hand-painted stained glass windows onto the luxurious medieval bed linens, and the chain link armor guard standing by. Thankfully, you’ll still have time to enjoy the feeling of waking up in a ...

Mark DeCarlo visits the island of Maui and invites you to join in on all the fun. As heard on Mad Dog's radio show in Palm Springs: The Maui Prince, Hawaii -Filled with enchantment and romance, this Hawaiian paradise will find its way into your hearts without emptying your pockets. Rated one of the top hotels of the island, the Maui Prince is now offering amazing rates for all their rooms, including ocean front rooms. Their amenities range from spa to complimentary valet to wi-fi in your room, should you need it. Take advantage of their Special Packages or let them take the worry away from planning a wedding! That's right, lucky divas! They also have wedding packages, complete with every detail, including the fabulous backdrop of Black Rock and red sunsets. *** Email us at diva@travelingdiva.com for more info and special rates not advertised on their website! and..... shhhhhh... the secret to their free upgrades!!!!!! diva@travelingdiva.com

With the economy being what it is today, we all need a cheap laugh.  Included is a list of LA's comedy open mics, for both amateurs and pros come try out their new material.  Feel like a laugh?  Check out these great venues at great low prices: MONDAY HAHA CAFÉ COMEDY CLUB 5010 Lankershim Blvd  North Hollywood, CA 91610 (818) 508-4995 Sign up: 5:00 pm   Show: 6:00 pm Cost: $5 COMEDY STORE 8433 W Sunset Blvd  Los Angeles, CA 90069 (323) 656-6225 Sign up: 6-6:30 pm  Show: 7:00 pm KULTURAS BOOKS (2ND Monday) 1700 Ocean Park Blvd  Santa Monica, CA (310) 450-8707 Sign up: 6:00 pm  Show: 7:30 pm Notes: Music & comedy open mic CAFÉ MUSE 6547 Santa Monica Blvd  Hollywood, CA 90038 (323) 464-6873 Sign up: 7:00 pm  Show: 7:30 pm Notes: Comedy & poetry RAINBOW BAR AND GRILL 9015 W Sunset Blvd  West Hollywood, CA 90189 (310) 278-4232 Sign up: 8:00 pm  Show: 8:30 pm Cost: $2 Notes: Comedy & music open mic SKINNY'S LOUNGE 4923 Lankershim Blvd  North Hollywood, CA 91601 (818) 763-6581 Sign up: 8:00 pm  Show: 8:15 pm Notes: Mostly booked show. Drawing for 2 open mic spots GROUND ZERO COFFEE HOUSE 615 Child's Way  Los Angeles, CA 90089 (213) 821-1484 Sign up: 9:00 pm (USC students)  Sign up: 9:20 pm (general public) Show: 9:30 pm Notes: Music, comedy & poetry open mic LIQUID ZOO 7214 Sepulveda Blvd  Van Nuys, CA 91405 (818) 997-3818 Sign ...