Celebrity Sips - Giuliana DePandi

Don’t Hate Her Because She’s Beautiful

Giuliana DePandi is one of those women who has it all… brains, beauty, charm and a killer career! She hosts E! News, covering all the latest celebrity headlines, interviews A-List hotties (such as Clive Owen, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jude Law and the “that’s hot” girl herself, Paris Hilton), produces documentaries ("Nicole Richie: Her Simple Life") and released her first book in June of this year called 'Think Like a Guy: How to Get a Guy by Thinking Like One.’ She was also voted one of Maxim Magazine's Hot 100 of 2003, and featured in People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful of 2006 issue.

After spending an afternoon with Giuliana recently in Los Angeles (to write the December cover story of Washington’s Finest), I found that she is totally down-to-earth. With every justification to have a ‘tude, she doesn’t. That kind of class is how I define “cool.”

Born in Naples, Italy in 1975, Giuliana was six when her family moved to Washington, DC. It is rumored that, as a youngster, she taught herself English by watching TV, which spurred her love of Entertainment. Later, while working on her Master’s degree in Journalism at American University, DePandi covered happenings at the Pentagon, Supreme Court, State Department, Capitol Hill and White House. Recounting a defining moment in her scholastic career, Giuliana says, “I was interviewing Ted Kennedy and told him that his fans want to know what was his idea of a good time. When I played the tape for the class, my teacher just looked at me and said, ‘You need to go into Entertainment.’”

Depandi’s first Hollywood job was in the mailroom of power agent Mike Ovitz. Today, she makes her living chatting with celebs at glamorous events, for a show aired in 120 countries. Her wardrobe consultant, Jose Camilo makes a full time job out of choosing outfits for the hostess, who can’t wear the same ensemble twice. When asked if she gets to keep the clothes, she jokes, “Well… I try to steal stuff!”

Giuliana shares that her most memorable interview is with longtime crush, George Clooney, during which she was so nervous, that she blurted out “Will you marry me?!” to which he sillily replied “No.” But, DePandi says that turned out to be a good ice-breaker because it got him talking about his views on marriage. She reveals, “Every time I interview him, its still nerve wracking! I remind myself to stay cool. Even my producer, finally said, ‘This fawning over George Clooney has to end!’ But, he was my biggest crush!” Laughing, DePandi confides, “Later, I even replayed the part of the interview where he kissed me on the cheek.”

Her assistant, Matthew Allard, says that he loves working with Giuliana because every day is different. Sometimes they come up with ideas for the show together. Commenting on her high energy and work ethic he sighs, “If there were more hours in the day, she’d have her own radio show, too!”

E! News Executive Producer Peggy Abraham sums up the equation for DePandi’s popularity this way, “She is a combination of enthusiastic, intelligent and pretty – she’s the whole package. Celebrities respect her because she is prepared.” She explains that Giuliana’s “mass appeal” is non-threatening to women so they appreciate her, while she also appeals to men.

Of course, DePandi's Number One male fan is first-season “The Apprentice” winner, Bill Rancic, the first candidate hired on national television by The Trump Organization, and Giuliana's beau since earlier this year. In addition to running a Chicago-based Trump enterprise, Bill also fills in on the TV show to judge new contestants when George (Donald’s usual right-hand man) is away on business. When her honey's name came up during our chat, Giuliana gushed (through a big smile), “He’s so cute!”

And, (inquiring minds want to know) what was it like meeting “The Donald?” Giuliana says he is very warm and admits she was more nervous to meet Mrs. Trump, the stunning European model, Melania. Says DePandi, “Oh my God! I was so scared of Melania. But she is really nice. She told me that she gets all her entertainment news from my show. She’ll know lots of things we talk about on E! News, especially when we mention her!”

With her own fame on the rise, DePandi is a target of “celebrity gossip” to which she declares, “It’s weird! On a recent flight to New York, I was at the ticket counter trying to upgrade. A couple of days later, Gawker.com had a piece about me being at the airport 'freshly-botoxed.'” Considering she doesn’t do botox, Giuliana found it both humorous and flattering. She comments, “I thought, Really? Thank you!”

Having dreamed of a career in journalism since age six, Giuliana’s role models include Katie Couric, Oprah and DC news anchor, Barbara Harrison, who was the first person to inspire her. Giuliana says, “I grew up thinking that she had the greatest life. I saw her once at White Flint Mall, in the middle of the day, and I thought, 'So, that’s what she does during the day!’ She had kids and an amazing job!”

Giuliana continues to dream of following in Ms. Harrison’s footsteps explaining, “My ultimate goal is to be an anchor on local DC news. That’s my dream, to come full circle.” DePandi clarifies, “My family is there.”

And, though that left me mildly baffled (I'd call her current one the dream job...), if delivering hard-news headlines in Washington is her idea of a Hollywood ending, who am I to judge? It is safe to assume that with her many talents, her career options are limitless. The coast she calls home and the aspect of journalism around which she throws up her white picket fence will surely be hers to choose.

Favorite watering holes? In DC, she frequents Cafe Milano. In LA,she likes Cut, Katana and Giorgio’s. Giuliana also loves Koi‘s great food but doesn’t want people to think she’s just there for the scene. She simply must have their crab roll!

Favorite cocktail: "I love a martini, straight up, with an olive."

Photos of Giuliana on the set of E! News, courtesy of Claire Barrett Photography

On Fire in Tucson!

I’m spending a few peaceful months in the gorgeous foothills of Tucson working on my cocktail book. However, just because I’m holed up (slaving over recipes and wordsmithing) don’t think I’ve become a hermit. This town has a lot to offer… and I’ve only just begun!!

Tucson may be known for notoriously HOT summers but, trust me, you’ll stay warm year ‘round judging by some of the fiery cocktails featured in local restaurants. Here is the first of my spicy extravaganza!

Firecracker serves Pan Asian influenced cuisine in a lively atmosphere. Their cocktail list has all the usual suspects with an unexpected flight of sake (which I thought was a novel idea). But, when our server, Matt, suggested the Chilitini, I knew I couldn’t resist.

Chilitini
2 oz. Tanqueray gin
1/2 oz. dry vermouth
3 drops tabasco
freshly squeezed lime juice

Mix, shake, serve, feel the burn!

Good Fortune and Cocktails Go Together!

Carla O’Brien, Australian Empress of fortune cookie-inspired Fortune Tees has been on my radar for a long while now.

I became aware of her saucy T-shirts, at the toll of the Chinese New Year in 2005, and was an instant fan. The first shirt I owned from her line was a white wife-beater featuring a big red rooster standing over the lettering “Year of the Cock.” Being both a Rooster (in Chinese Astrology) and a rebel (in my own mind) I also bought the shirt in black, and a ski bonnet with a rooster patch sewn on.

Chinese New Year 2006 rang in “Year of the Bitch” at Fortune Tees, which I proudly sport (admittedly, for more reasons than one…). Other “Year of the Dog” slogans include “I like it Ruff!” for grown-ups and “Year of the Pup” for little tykes.

Needless to say, when Carla added the “A cocktail is in my near future” to Fortune Tees earlier this year, she became my casual-wear Rock Star.

Carla, a fan of Asian culture, studied Mandarin for four years in high school. While she once read and wrote in Chinese, she laments, “Now, I can only sing Happy Birthday.” The Ozzy native (Melbourne) has lived in Los Angeles for eight years, and formerly worked in sales for an Australian travel company. Tiring of the corporate world, she longed for something more creative.

One day, in early 2002, while noshing Chinese, Carla opened a fortune cookie whose message read, “You’ll make a fortune with a friend.” Taking the message quite literally, she launched Fortune Tees with pal Megan MacEachern. (Luckily she didn’t add the obligatory “in bed” to the end of this fortune, or her career path may have gone quite differently…)

The ladies started off making fortune cookie-inspired T-shirts for babies. Messages include, “A nap is in my near future” and “A surprise will appear in my pants.” (Carla also gave me an adult-sized version on the latter for my husband, which connotes an even better fortune for me…) Moms-to-be shirts say, "Sleepless nights are in my future."

Like many home-businesses, Fortune Tees started small. In 2002, she and Megan schlepped to the Hollywood Farmers’ Market every weekend. Says O Brien, “I made 100 shirts. With that money, I paid for the next week’s stock.” And, so it continued for the first few months. Clients loved the concept so much that word-of-mouth got Fortune Tees into stores.

Within the first year, Fortune Tees made the Top Ten Celebrity Baby Gift List on E!, were included in the 2003 Grammy Award bags, featured on the Today show and included twice in Baby Stuff Magazine.

Carla says that the first year they took Fortune Tees to M.A.G.I.C. (a gi-normous trade show, focused largely on fashion, in Las Vegas) they offered a shot of sake to each buyer for good luck, which, she exclaims, “sure helped sales!”

Eventually, the ladies needed room to grow. Carla explains, “We started in Megan’s back bedroom. Then, we moved into a garage behind Fred 62. (a popular Silver Lake eatery) As fortune would have it, the space next to the restaurant became available.”

In June 2006, Carla and Megan had an amicable split, and Carla nabbed the retail space for the next phase of her budding business. Nestled into a superb location, near popular shops, bars and a movie theater, O Brien says, “Now I create things specifically for the store. If it’s popular, I add it to my line.”

What does the future hold for Fortune Tees? Carla’s newest hot selling is the Kung Pao Combo for babies, an embroidered satin pants and top set. She is also adding lounge pants for kids and adults, and plans to launch some Fortune Tees especially for brides.

Where does Carla consume the “cocktails in her future”? Preferring places in walking distance from her home (also in Silver Lake) she frequents 4100, El Cid and Good Luck Bar (she says she can’t resist the Asian theme).

What does she like to consume while wearing a cool "cocktail" T-shirt? Margaritas. “At home, I make them with cilantro and fresh limes. The green bits get all over your mouth!”

**Mention The Liquid Muse and get a discount on "A cocktail is in my near future" T-shirt!**

Slip into Something Silky…

SV Vodka, also known as the Russian Silk Vodka. Filtered fourteen times through mountain crystals, it is crafted with water found in 400 feet-deep Artesian wells, leaving its finish silky smooth. Our comrades at SV suggest the following cocktails:

Silk Stocking Vodka Martini
2 1/2 ounces SV Vodka
3/4 ounce Chambord
1/2 ounce lime juice
1 1/2 ounces sweetened lemon juice
Lemon twist

Pour into mixing glass, shake and strain into a champagne flute. Garnish with lemon twist.


Silk Teddy Vodka Martini
2 1/4 oz. SV Supreme Vodka
3/4 oz. Cointreau
3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
Lemon wedge

Pour ingredients into iced mixing glass, then shake and strain into chilled cocktail glass with sugared rim. Garnish with lemon wedge.

Do The Red Thing!

Being a pop-culture junkie, I admit that a large part of the information I ingest comes from places like The Jon Stewart Daily Show, Yahoo News headlines, The E! Network and Oprah. Today’s Oprah inspired me to share this info.

As we know, Bono is a huge advocate for helping Africans suffering from AIDS. According to him, in some African countries 1/3 of the population has AIDS. In Africa, 150,000 men, women and children die each month, or as he pointed out, “the equivalent of 2 World Trade Center (casualties) a day.” He explained that the situation in parts of Africa is so bad that children who actually make it to a hospital sometimes sleep three to a bed, and are dying of starvation – in the hospitals.

Bono (being a mega celebrity activist, Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and all) is one of the creators of a fundraiser of epic proportions. We (the fat, happy and rich-by-comparison American and European consumers) can now buy (RED) products, and an average of half the money goes to help provide food and medicine for Africans suffering from AIDS.

What does “red” stand for? Inspri(red), Admi(red), Empowe(red), Uncenso(red), Cente(red), Desi(red).

Some companies involved in this (RED) campaign include:

GAP - A denim jacket (modeled by Penelope Cruz) provides enough medicine to prevent 50 pregnant women from passing AIDS to their unborn babies. On the show Cruz stated, “When Bono called me, I was blown away by the idea… You can wear a T-shirt that will actually save somebody’s life.”

Proceeds from Christy Turlington’s outfit would help 58 pregnant women prevent the transmission of HIV to their unborn children. As a mother of two, Christy said, "It is unfathomable to think that women in Africa can’t provide medicine for their children."

CONVERSE - A pair of African print Converse (RED) sneakers gives an AIDS patient an entire month of anti-retroviral drugs.

Oprah and Bono check out the iPod Nano. For every purchased, one HIV positive child can be treated with pediatric drugs for two months.

MOTOROLA - One (RED) Bluetooth headset gives a child orphaned by AIDS hot meals and school supplies for one month—and 10 of them provide a year's worth of treatment for HIV/AIDS-related infections.

EMPORIO ARMANI - features T-shirts, sneakers and jeans and watches. Each shirt has an African symbol with meanings like "harmony" and "flight." One watch pays for one month of anti-retroviral treatment. Armani (RED)™ sunglasses also equal a year's supply of school supplies and hot food for an orphaned child.


Get involved with Bono, Oprah and join (RED) at: joinred.com

Clothing of the American Mind – An Invitation into the Blue

In June 2004, I went from LA to DC to live with Jason (now, my husband). Whew, two cities could not be more different… at least at first glance.

Finding myself in the Nations Capital a few months before the Presidential elections, I wondered how I could get involved in a political revolt. (er, "movement.") The year before, I had marched in the California sun with thousands of others protesting a war that had no chance of being diverted. I mailed letters to Senators. Nothing made any difference. "Maybe I’ll find inspiration in Washington," I thought as I flip-flopped my way down Connecticut Ave in low-cut jeans and a Playboy T-shirt, bewildered by icy stares from makeup-less “womyn” in suits, and well aware that, freedom of expression aside, I wasn’t in Venice Beach anymore…

Around this time, some friends out West told me about Caitlin Blue, creator of Clothing of the American Mind. Her creative blending of politics and wearable art was making both fashion and political statements. She was on a grassroots, cross-county mission, registering young people to VOTE for the upcoming election, reaching out to them through clothing. Caitlin’s crew filmed a documentary during that trip, preserving celluloid snippets of the political climate. They’d arrive in DC in a few days and wanted to be part of a politically inspired event.

Having only been in the DC-area a week, with little idea of what was going on around town, I pulled on my publicity and event planning background, and created an event for them called “Free Speech IS Patriotic” outside the now-defunct Visions. I invited the fantastic spoken word artist Tonya “Ja Hipster” Matthews and was thrilled to find something that bridged my LA life with this strange new political (and politically correct) place.

When Caitlin stepped out of their well-journeyed tour bus, I knew she’d be one of the coolest gals I’d meet for a long time. Although my lack of contacts in DC at that time resulted in an underwhelming turn-out at the event, the dedication and philosophy behind C.O.T.A.M. left an impression on the people there, and ‘blue voters’ across the country.

Caitlin, a New York native who resides in Los Angeles, is an acclaimed set decorator for TV, by trade. She started Clothing of the American Mind in her ‘spare’ time in March 2003. She says, “At that time, there was a lack of good news outlets. Important ideas and issues were not talked about. Bush had the pulpit, literally.”

However, she noticed that people were excited to connect with others who were, like her, fed up with the current administration. She remembers, “I was having political conversations at Starbucks with the person behind the counter. T-shirts are a great way to start those kind of conversations, especially in LA which is a very visual city. I thought clothing was the best use of space.”

Some of the T-shirts in her line include slogans such as “VOTE,” “Electoral College Dropout,” “Stop Wars,” and my personal favorite “My Bush is Pro-Choice.”

The goal of her coast-to-coast trip in 2004 (which ended at the Democratic Convention) was getting people registered to vote. Caitlin explains, “Registering to vote is something I take for granted but a lot of people didn’t know how to do it. Each state has different rules. Many people don’t realize that when they move, even down the block they have to register again.” She notes that the democratic process is not stressed in school and most people learn how to vote through media, friends and family. She also found that a lot of people don’t know how to get involved in change. Her message is, “Political activism is as simple as a t-shirt.”

Caitlin describes her biggest challenge, still today, is connecting with the “marginalized.” She feels that the majority of Americans are against the Iraq War but are afraid to speak for fear of being labeled “unpatriotic.” She worries that people don’t see their communities represented in the White House. And, she is concerned about Americans losing rights, especially the right to privacy. She hopes the upcoming elections make Congress more Democratic, on many levels.

With a family (she gave birth less than two months ago!), a career and devotion to her cause Blue explains, “It is harder for me to be on the streets.” Luckily, her other baby, Clothing of the American Mind’s new flagship store, gives a home base to her movement.

Blue says that the store, which sits in the heart of where immigration marches took place this summer in LA, gives C.O.T.A.M. great exposure “in a community crossroads of hip and Hispanic.” Caitlin feels it is important to be in neighborhoods that are up-and-coming and “working class.” The Clothing of the American Mind store is a place where voters can get registered. It is a community center that offers movie screenings and holds yoga classes and wine parties to raise money for causes.

The Grand Opening party called VOTE 4 CHANGE, takes place:
- Saturday, October 14, from 8 – 11pm at:
- Clothing of the American Mind 1284 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles 90026 (in Echo Park)

VOTE 4 CHANGE, features DJ Lillyanne, comedienne Natasha Leggero and sketch comedy by The People Who Do That. Speakers include Holly Jacobson, co-director of Voter Action, and Sheri Myers, co-author of Cheated! The event benefits VoterAction.org and aims to raise awareness, register and educate voters for the November 7th mid-term elections. Consider this your invitation, the public is welcome!

Click here for more information on Clothing of the American Mind.

PS – Caitlin’s favorite cocktail is the Margarita!

PAMA - Pomegranate Liqueur

Pomegranate was all the rage a coupla months back, which is why I put this one on hold for a moment. Now that we can actually talk over the buzz, I would like to express my appreciation for this versatile liqueur... Sweet without tasting overly fruity, so far, my favorite way to imbibe PAMA is to incorporate it into a sparkling drink. And, don't forget, it is also super in food recipes. Below is a fruit salsa recipe (good for sweet or savory dishes). PAMA is one of those staples I plan to keep in my liquor cabinet at all times.

PAMA Champagne Dreams
1 oz. PAMA
1 oz. Cointreau
1 oz. fresh orange juice
3 oz. Champagne or sparkling wine

Pour PAMA, Cointreau and juice into a cocktail glass, with ice. Slowly pour Champagne while gently stirring to retain the bubbles and chill. Strain into champagne flute and garnish with orange zest.

Pink Perfection
2 oz. PAMA
1 oz. Plymouth gin
Splash of Fresh Orange Juice
Ginger Ale
Juice of 1/2 Lemon
Splash of Egg White
Berries on a stick dusted with Powdered Sugar

Combine PAMA, gin, juices and egg white into mixing glass. Shake with ice. Strain ingredients into a highball glass filled with crushed ice, top with Ginger Ale. Garnish with Berries on a wooden pick dusted with Powdered Sugar.

PAMA Pomegranate Salsa
Award winning salsa from Café on the Bay, Florida, Serves 6

1/4 cup of pomegranate seeds
1/4 cup blueberries
1/4 cup of pineapple, diced finely
1/3 cup of strawberries cut into matchsticks
1 1/4 tablespoon jalapeno pepper finely diced
1 tablespoon of mint, chiffonade
2 squeezes of fresh lime juice
1 1/2 teaspoons of PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and set aside until ready to serve. To use as a dessert salsa on ice cream or waffles, add more PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur and less jalapenos. Also great on chicken, fish and steak.

Personality Profile -
Reed Landry

** This post went up in the summer of 2006. The Liquid Muse does not endorse the group, or the people involved with it. When I spoke with Reed, LNS had just gotten off the ground and sounded like an interesting social network. Any subsequent reports on what LNS has become in the year since its inception have nothing to do with my interview. I stand behind this report of my pleasant conversation with Reed at the time it happened. If any unsavory people / actions / consequences have since come about with regard to LNS, it is not a reflection of my political or social opinions or The Liquid Muse. ~ Natalie**

I am pleased to highlight yet another young, smart-as-a-whip (and yes, good looking) Washingtonian with a super idea. After graduating from UVA, Reed Landry (a native of McClean, VA) toiled at a government contracting firm. In 2004, this enterprising fellow started his own Internet ad agency, Sugar Media Group, with his sister-in-law.

In February 2006, they launched Late Night Shots, an invitation-only social networking website which has enjoyed fast success. Reed comments, “We had no idea what to expect, and were surprised how quickly it grew.” He explains that social networking is hot on the Internet, and describes LNS as similar to myspace and facebook but fills the gap for a post-college crowd.

Prospective members of LNS have to be 21 to join. Many are in their 30’s, a few in their 40’s. Landry notes, “Sites like facebook and myspace get a bad rap because they have objectionable content. LNS is a closed network so we don’t have a problem with that. There are photos of people at bars but nothing offensive. I think that’s what drives away older people from other networks.”

According to Reed, most sites buy their users so there is no connection between the people visiting them. The invite-only model alleviates that problem. He explains, “The sites I go back to are the ones I know people on. LNS isn’t meant for random people. It’s for meeting with friends at happy hours, bars, etc. Most people on our site have already seen each other out. It’s unique in the social networking field.”

The other key to LNS is that it keeps a local focus. Once someone receives an invitation and joins, the next step is to list his / her regular watering holes, making note of the type of bar and neighborhood they frequent. They can also see which members go to which bars.

Members can also post articles of interest for others to read. And, bar owners can log in and edit the content on their pages, listing happy hours and drink specials. LNS newsletters go out once a week. 83% of those who receive it click on at least one of the articles which Landry says is unheard of for an email newsletter.

What does Reed say to those who criticize his site’s invitation system as exclusionary? “Too bad.” He clarifies, “The invite-only value in this system makes things more connected and spreads it without us doing anything. We’re going for a targeted demographic.”

With plans to expand into NY, LA and Atlanta, this could become the next hot list to be on…

Cielo Tequila
and the Heavenly Margarita

The first thing I do when I sample a new spirit is sip it straight. I want to know what it tastes like before it gets mixed up with other flavors. After all, every ingredient counts!

Cielo Tequila is a smooth sipper - up or over ice. I always prefer to sip anejo (aged) tequila straight - no mixers - as it is robust in taste, color and "pow" factor. I was not disappointed with Cielo's version. A tiny squirt of fresh lime - and it was perfect. To make cocktails, I go for the silver or slightly aged reposado tequilas.

I am in Tucson at the moment, so the hankering for a margarita was upon me. I never touch pre-mixed 'sweet and sour' from a bottle. (Please folks - life is too short...fresh lime juice only!) I found my way to a supermarket and picked up a big bag, then settled in to marvel at the fire-red, orange and pink Arizona sunset...

Here is a refreshing recipe I came up with for that spectacular event!

Cielo Heavenly Margarita
1 oz. Cielo reposado tequila
1 oz. freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
1 freshly squeezed lime
1 tsp. organic sugar

Salt the glass rims (if desired). Shake Cielo tequila, juices, sugar and ice. Strain and serve up in a martini glass or over ice in a rocks glass.

Cocktails For Choice

The Liquid Muse Supports The Right To Choose! And, though this is a cocktail blog, not a political one, it is an arena to share my inspiration. So, here are two delicious recipes I created for an event coming up in Los Angeles, this weekend. If you are in town, and support the Right to Choose for all women, you may want to check it out. Here is the low down (and the recipes!):

Sip a martini and learn why you should vote No on Prop. 85! Saturday, September 30th - 5-7 pm. Feel free to bring friends. Cocktails4Choice@aol.com

Café Lattetini
2 oz. Grey Goose Vanilla Vodka
1 oz. Khalua (or other coffee-flavored liqueur)
splash cream
3-4 espresso beans for garnish
Nilla Wafter crumbs

Rim a martini glass with Nilla Wafer Crumbs, place the espresso beans in the bottom of the glass. Shake all ingredients with ice, strain, pour and serve!

The Taste of Freedom
1oz. Vodka
1 oz. Pomegranate Blueberry Juice (plain pomegranate juice is fine, too)
Generous squeeze of lemon
Dash of bitters

Shake all ingredients with ice, strain, serve up in a cocktail glass.

Celebrity Sips

Mark Burnett’s Gold Rush!

Emmy Award winning Executive Producer Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Contender and The Apprentice) launches Gold Rush this fall. AOL and CBS team with Burnett, marking a groundbreaking collaboration between interactive online and on-air entertainment.

Burnett, formerly in the British military, parlays his hunger for adventure into block-buster shows. Gold Rush begins with thirteen armored trucks driving off to hide over $2 million worth of gold bars in various locations across America. Twelve of the trucks contain a value of $100,000 and the thirteenth carries gold worth $1 million.

What happens next? Each week new clues are found within CBS TV programs, sponsor commercials, AOL.com® web site and other media properties. Then, real-life treasure seekers embark on a race to find the gold, in other words - a national treasure hunt.

Mark Burnett explains, "Unlike reality TV shows, where 16 hopefuls take part to win, 'Gold Rush' allows potentially millions of players to look for the gold in mediums which are omnipresent, such as the Internet, radio, network television and print magazines. It is a game-changer in the way that the first 'Survivor' changed the game."

Mixologist Leo DeGroff (son of famed “Cocktail King” Dale DeGroff) created three cocktails for the show’s recent launch party in Los Angeles. Get all three recipes and read Leo’s interview here.

Gold Rush Mint
Mixologist: Leo DeGroff

3/4 ounce lemon juice
1 1/4 ounces simple syrup
3 juicy orange slices
6-8 mint leaves
1 1/2 oz Maker's Mark Bourbon whiskey

In pint glass, muddle the lemon juice, simple syrup, orange slices, and mint leaves together. Add liquor and shake with ice. Strain over new ice. Garnish with a mint sprig and orange slice.

Hold the Red Bull!

Zygo caffeinated vodka does two jobs in one - liquors you up and keeps you awake. Talk about a bang for your buck!

I was skeptical at first... but I have to say that its peachy flavor works nicely when mixed with a squeeze of lime and a little muddled mint. (I made that last night.) A splash of hibiscus juice enhances it, too (shaken with ice and strained, of course).

Use Zygo for your next slow-me-down and speed-me-up cocktail. It's the hardest working liquor on the market!

Shopaholics Unite through Peruse.com!

Katherine Kennedy carries a concealed weapon. Of course, I am not referring to a firearm or blade. What I mean is that meeting this California bombshell for the first time can be misleading. Lovely to look at with a bubbly personality, it is easy to dismiss this clever lady as another privileged Georgetown princess, with an ability to make good grades and spend “daddy’s money.”

I freely admit that I had to scold myself for judging a book by its cover! (And, I should already know that when BabsieD makes the introduction, the person must be fabulous!) When I finally sat down to chat with Katherine, I was blown away by her charm, ambition and business savvy. At only 21 years old, she has learned the fine art of creating a career from something she loves to do. (Hmm… Isn’t that what school counselors encourage, after all?) With Peruse.com, Katherine turns her passion for purchases into a soon-to-be goldmine.

Katherine says, “My two favorite things are myspace.com and shopping online.” While working on a project for an e-commerce class, she learned that 81% of products which get into a shopping cart are not bought. Reflecting on her own online shopping experiences she recalls, “I’d put 1000 items in a cart and abandon them.”

When she moved to DC (and became car-less quite an adjustment for most Californians) she would make “wish lists” on Target.com for her mom, who could them purchase the items and send them to her. This sparked a light bulb to flash in Katherine’s mind, “I had the idea to make a universal wish list.”

As The Liquid Muse, I am happy to say that Katherine’s concept, like many brilliant ones, was developed over cocktails with friends. She explains, “The idea for Peruse.com came up at Sea Catch, next to a wall of fruit-infused martinis. We’d go every day for happy hour / dinner for half-price martinis and oysters. I wrote my first business plan on a napkin there.” (No wonder we could relate!)

How does Peruse.com work? In a nutshell: prospective shoppers join for free, then use the integrated browser. Katherine explains, “We let you shop any retail site. The web is your world. You can get anything you want.” Desired items are added to the person’s Universal Wish List on Peruse.com, where additional information can be noted. Friends and family members can access the wish list as a convenient guide for gift-giving occasions.

What makes Persue.com different than traditional online shopping? Katherine explains, “Only 3.4% of retail shopping is currently for ecommerce market. Our competitive advantage is the social aspect.” Peruse.com subscribers create profiles. Shopping Buddies with similar tastes can connect and even rate each others’ prospective purchases. Katherine says, “In traditional online shopping you don’t get to shop with peers.” Retail businesses also have the opportunity to add “buy now” incentives.

How did this young woman get so clever? Perhaps it’s in the jeans. I mean, genes. Katherine grew up in Palo Alto, California and her father worked in Silicon Valley. She headed down to So-Cal for a Poli-Sci degree from Loyola Marymount in LA, then arrived in DC a year ago to work on a Master’s degree in Politics and Media at Georgetown University.

From class project to budding entrepreneur, Katherine expressed her confidence that she will win online shoppers’ business, beaming, “I am the demographic.” Peruse is scheduled to launch this month. Katherine says, “It’s all coming together. It’s a bit scary but I’m ready for it.”

Her favorite places to go out? Blue Gin, Café Milano, Mate, Georgetown Waterfront
Her Favorite drinks? mojitos and beer: Yingling, Bud Light

Women & Wine

Julie Brosterman fills a gap in our lives. Dismayed by the “vacuum of information speaking intelligently to women about wine,” Julie points out, “When it came to wine, it was always geared toward men.” Taking matters into her own hands, she created Women & Wine, a trusted source for female wine enthusiasts.

Julie explains, “I don’t want to look through a card catalogue of wines and scores. That doesn’t tell you anything about the people who make the wine. To only judge a wine by a score… well, it’s a crazy way to learn about anything.” She says that women gravitate toward storytelling when it comes to wine. She also credits good timing in the success of her site, citing a Desperate Housewives-meets-Sideways trend.

Julie, raised in New York, considers LA home. Previously a Mortgage Broker, she says that looking back on her life, it’s not the business deals that fulfill her but the “postcards of my life” in which wine has played a part. She explains, “I may forget what I need to buy at the grocery store today but I can tell you, in detail, about an afternoon 14 years ago, when I sat on a terrace, drank rosé and ate apple tart, over-looking the Riviera.” (Hmmm - did I mention that Julie is my kind of gal?)

Luckily for us ladies, Brosterman has done her research and knows what we want. According to her, last year women bought 55 % of wine in the US. She believes the wine industry has taken note and is making a strategic commitment to marketing to us. She has even observed more attractive labels and bottles as subtle encouragement for ‘impulse purchases.’

Julie makes the point that while businesswomen are starting to get the attention they deserve from the wine industry, women who drink wine for pleasure, who travel, make luxury purchases and give themselves affluent lifestyles are overlooked. She describes Women & Wine as a “luxury brand,” appealing to that neglected market.

As an example, Women & Wine offers “Reading Glasses,” a clever service pairing book club selections with vintages which highlight, accentuate or playfully accompany the topic, title or setting. (I’d say reading just got a whole lot more fun!) Women & Wine also makes corporate events experiential by providing Beverage Matching services. And, don’t forget to listen to Voice America for the weekly radio show!

And, a note to my much-valued male Sipsters: Women & Wine events are man-optional. (Julie’s husband is involved in the business, too!)

Optimistic for the future, Julie ponders, “Are we the next Oprah, Martha Stewart or Rachael Ray? Maybe. I hope so.”

Time will tell – but while membership is still free, take a look at the site and raise a glass to Women & Wine!

Props to DC Drinks

I love this post on "Why Your Bartender Hates You." It is a must-read for anyone who goes to bars, tends bar and has any affinity for bartenders what-so-ever.

I appreciate someone who can serve up a kick-a** drink with a little personality on-the-side. For a bartender full of knowledge and talent, I am an eager and appreciative audience. I reward them with revel and awe (and, of course, put my moo-lah where my mouth is).

On that subject, I've noted some shitty tippers during my time in DC - even at free events - which really amazes me because people in Washington have money. What the hell? I'd like to hear your thoughts on that...

I've also come across some incredibly talented "mixologists" during my time in the District - many of whom inspired me to start my cocktail blog. For God's sake, treat these people well, tip them accordingly and everyone has a better night!!

I love a good drink - and I love a good bartender... especially in a fun, lively and comfortable atmosphere. And, a friendly attitude behind the bar is the cream on the cake.

It's what I call my Liquid Muse wet dream...

For the Love of Espana

If I hadn’t just moved back to sunny LA, I would have gotten my “culo” to Spain, this summer. The 2 1/2 years I lived on the Costa Brava were among the highlights of my life. The food, the people, the culture, the food, the music, the beach, the food…

Washingtonians longing for a Spanish fix don’t have to travel far! Through the end of September Taberna del Alabardero celebrates its 17th anniversary with a Paella Festival. Named after the in which it is prepared (a paellera) paella originated on the eastern coast of Spain, in the city of Valencia. Executive Chef Santi Zabaleta is joined by guest chef and paella expert, Chef Miguel Fuster Ribelles of Spain's La Lluna de Valencia restaurant.

Bring a friend because there is a minimum of two people per-order. A few of the many paellas presented are:

Paella Valenciana - Traditional Paella Valenciana with Chicken, Rabbit and Mixed Vegetables
Arroz Negro - Squid Ink Paella
Arroz Meloso de Pulpo con Habas y Ajetes - Creamy Rice of Octopus, Fava Beans and Scallions
Paella de Marisco - Seafood Paella with Fish and Shellfish
Arroz Meloso de Bogabante - Creamy Rice with Lobster

Wash it down with this Sangria, created by Sommelier David Bueno:

Taberna’s Sangria

1 bottle fruity red wine (Shiraz, Merlot, or Grenache)
2 oz Bacardi White Rum
1 fresh peach, skinned and diced (if peaches are out of season, use 1 green apple and 1 orange, skinned and diced)
Pinch ground cinnamon
4 oz freshly-squeezed orange juice
1 oz 7-Up

Marinate the fruit in a pitcher of rum for up to a day. Add wine, cinnamon and orange juice, then top with 7-Up and pour over ice.

In the mood for a cocktail?

Taberna’s Sangritini

1 oz Bacardi Orange
1/2 oz Bacardi Apple
1/2 oz Bacardi Lemon
1/2 oz White wine
1/2 oz Triple Sec
Splash Orange juice
Splash Lemon juice

Shake ingredients. Serve in a martini glass garnished with orange twist and apple dice.

One for the boys (and some girls…)

At least half the population is waiting for this sequel.


A drink suggestion by which to enjoy it:

Slippery Nipple

1/2 oz Bailey's® Irish cream
1/2 oz butterscotch schnapps

Serve chilled in a shot glass

La Bella Italiana

Sipster Pierre Bovis (who happens to be my dad) is a lover of the drink. (I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!)

Born and raised in Beaulieu Sur Mer, France, he enjoys the boozy bounty the Mediterranean coast has to offer. When spending time in Beaulieu, we often make the half-hour drive into “bella Italia.” Below is my dad’s recipe using my all-time favorite summer spirit, Campari.

La Bella Italiana

2 oz. Campari
1/2 oz. Mandarin (or Orange) flavored Syrup
Champagne

Shake Campari and Mandarin Syrup in a cocktail shaker to chill. Pour into a champagne flute or rocks glass. Top with champagne.

Manhattan’s Manhattan

I remember visiting the World Trade Center for the first time as a kid, in the early 80's, on a whirlwind tour of Manhattan with my mom and sister. My mom even took us into Windows On The World for lunch. It was breathtaking.

The next time I went there was in the summer 1990, with a few fellow students from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Being “aspiring artists” Windows On The World was out of our budgets – but peeking inside the famous restaurant was still a thrill for me.

The last time I visited the towers was in 1997. Little did I know that the photos taken from the roof deck of one of the twin towers would come to mean a lot more to me a few years later. Peering down on that glittering city, looking out across an awe- (and vertigo!) inspiring expanse, it was hard to imagine that those crystalline beauties upon which we stood could even be thought of as fragile or vulnerable.

In 2005, I was in Manhattan again. I did not want to go to Ground Zero. However, a girlfriend was visiting from Germany. We were doing the tourist dash from uptown to downtown, and back again. Returning from Battery Park, past Wall Street and heading toward Midtown, suddenly and quite by accident, I found myself there, standing in front the chain-link fence surrounding Ground Zero.

Overpowered with emotion, I got choked up, thinking of the people trapped inside the buildings that day. I thought of the panic they felt - jammed into the stairwells trying to escape. I imagined the phone calls telling loved ones "good bye" and not to worry. Who would I call first, in the last moments? My blubbering turned to tears as I recounted stories to my friend, and thought about what it takes to seize the last shred of control and jump out of a doomed skyscraper. I marvelled again at the rescue workers, the people blind-sided in the Pentagon, and Flight 93, crashing in the fields of Pennsylvania whose passengers, with their "let's roll" attitude, died heros...

It was still too much to imagine that could happen, standing on that sidewalk, gazing upward into empty blue sky.

I never did get to drink a Manhattan atop the world, but I can share New York’s “King of Cocktails” Dale DeGroff formula for the perfect Manhattan. In addition to founding the Museum of the Cocktail, he also trained many of the bar staff at Windows On The World.

On this somber anniversary, a liquid tribute to one of the most special cities in the world…


Greater Manhattan

2 oz. Blended Whiskey
1 oz. Sweet Spanish Sherry (Windows On The World substituted sherry for Italian Sweet Vermouth, which is more commonly used)
2 Dashes Angostura Bitters

Pour all ingredients over ice in a mixing glass and stir as you would a Martini. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry. Note: If you prefer a dry Manhattan, use dry Vermouth and garnish with a lemon peel.

Interesting side note: On January 4, 2006, a number of former Windows on the World staff opened Colors, a co-operative restaurant in Manhattan that serves as a tribute to their fallen colleagues and whose menu reflects the diversity of the former Windows' staff.

The Ass–Licker

I don’t think that Tony Blair is an inherently bad person. I kinda feel sorry for the guy. Being referred to as George Bush’s poodle can’t be easy. Not to mention, he is nothing like a poodle, really. Every poodle I’ve ever met has an identity of his own. They are happy-go-lucky animals with some sense of autonomy. Blair looks anything but happy these days, and Lord knows he melded himself into one entity with George Bush years ago.

Now, I am not someone who can claim to know a whole hell of a lot about politics or foreign affairs (which is probably the only thing I have in common with our president). However, I have opinions. And, thankfully, the freedom to express them is one of the founding principles of the country in which I was born. (Just in case you were wondering, I am referring to the United States. At least, it was that way before the whole “if you’re not with us, you’re against us” policy became our new-and-improved Crawford Constitution…)

But, I digress. Let’s get back to Blair, the poor chap. Thinking back to five years ago, when President Bush delivered a speech just after 9/11, he said something to the effect of “The United States has no truer friend than Great Britain.” I seem to recall the camera shot of Tony Blair, all warm and fuzzy, lit a-glow from the inside. I think that must have been the moment he decided to become George Bush’s ass-licker.

Not only did Blair join Bush in defying the United Nations and invading Iraq, he earnestly stood behind an inarticulate, beady-eyed American President whom the rest of his European neighbors mistrusted. While the world-at-large (we’re talking pretty much every continent) staged protests, marches, signed petitions and screamed “NO!” at the top of our lungs, Blair remained loyal to his bumbling friend from Texas. And, like his Yankee pal, he loaded up his own farm kids, inner-city youth, and the noble young men and women who want to serve their nation, and sent them off to the Middle East.

I can’t help but wonder what happened to poor Tony in childhood to make him feel the need to align himself with “he who shoves the hardest” rather than reason through his choice of friends. In my mind’s eye, I see Tony as a clever but lonely little boy who is picked on by bullies and dreams of being a popular kid. When the lesson he really needed to learn was “just be true to yourself and people will like you for who you are.”

I can’t help but think that without Bush’s influence, Blair would not be the kind of arrogant and boorish fellow who would march into a country, wielding the WMD flag, and proceed to decimate its land and people. He really does seem far too “civilized” and well bred for that sort of behavior.

The one thing for which I must commend Tony Blair is that he, at least, has the integrity to announce that he will resign within a year. If only W would have that much consideration for our great nation…

So, in honor of our buddy, Tony Blair, let’s raise a glass!

The Ass-Licker

1 oz. berry-flavored vodka
1 oz. chocolate liqueur
splash cream

Shake all ingredients with ice. Serve in a chilled glass. Garnish with a Marachino cherry and a mini Union Jack.

Celebrity Sips - Scotch for Sir Sean

The American Film Institute (AFI) presented a very rare, award-winning 40-Year bottle of the celebrated Scotch whisky to Sir Sean Connery, winner of the 2006 AFI Life Achievement Award.

The AFI Life Achievement Award, established in 1973, honors an individual whose career in motion pictures or television has greatly contributed to the enrichment of American culture. Past recipients include Bette Davis, Fred Astaire, Jack Nicholson, Martin Scorsese and Barbara Streisand.

It was presented to Connery at a gala tribute at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles in June, 2006. Other famous personalities at the event included such as Calista Flockhart, Harrison Ford, Andy Garcia, Julia Ormond, and Steven Spielberg.

Laphroaig single-malt Scotch is distilled on the island of Islay and rests in European oak barrels, in a seaside warehouse. It is the only whisky to bear a Royal Warrant bestowed by HRH Prince Charles, in 1994.

Laphroaig has received high accolades including “Distiller of the Year” and “Best Whisky of Show” at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2006 and Best Single Malt in the World in Whisky Magazine 2005. The bottle awarded Sir Connery would retail for approximately US $1,800.

So, what I want to know is if he passed the bottle ‘round for sips to other celebrities in attendance at the AFI event!

Crocodile (Hunter) Tears

I want to pay tribute to the late wildlife conservationist and damn-fine human being, the ultimate Wildlife Warrior, Steve Irwin.

His commitment to educating us all about exotic animals and dedicating his life to helping them survive is an example of what it means to be a productive member of society. His purpose on Earth was larger than his own existence.

In honor of his work, you can make a donation to his wildlife preservation organiztion, Wildlife Warriors Worldwide. The money is used to run the non-profit and also to help maintain Australia Zoo, the wildlife park started by Irwin's parents and continued by Steve and his wife. In an interview, Steve said he hoped to pass the torch of wildlife preservation to his children, Bindy (8) and Bob (2), one day.


Crocodile Tears
(Disclaimer! This recipe is not meant to be in bad taste. Rather, this drink is meant to be a nod to his zest for life and his sense of humor.)

1 oz. Midori
1 oz. Cointreau
1 oz. Galliano
4 oz. pineapple juice

Combine all ingredients and shake vigorously, with ice. Pour into a rocks glass. Exclaim “Crickey!” upon consumption.

Personality Profile - Out Of The Closet

I met Margaret Lilly at her launch party, earlier this summer, in DC. It was an intimate, stylish affair centered around a fashion show featuring her six lovely sisters. Her hunky hubby passed hors d’oeuvres while her brother-in-law and dad kept the bubbly flowing. The event reflected Margaret herself – upscale yet unpretentious – and utterly charming.

Margaret says she became aware of personal style at an early age. “When I was old enough to know what fashion was, I knew I wanted to work in it.” Margaret’s silings have varying personalities and lifestyles. She took it upon herself to guide each one’s wardrobe to reflect their individuality.

Eventually, she turned her passion into a business. Lilly’s Closet took off like wildfire this summer after her write up in Daily Candy DC. Recently, she teamed up with DC’s Kimpton hotels to create Diva Weekends. Fun!

A Silver Spring native, Margaret recently returned to Washington (after several years in California) with a goal: to guide Washingtoniennes in finding a new look or updating their current one. Sensing a shift in fashion-consciousness among women in the DC-area she notes, “Suddenly there is a fashion re-birth in Washington. People want to spice up their wardrobes.”

Margaret’s personalized style packages (in your home) range from basic ‘closet editing’ to an all-day, in-depth one-on-one workshop, resulting in a “look book,” polaroids of outfits (to recreate alone) and even an accompanied shopping trip! She has something for everyone saying, "“I’m so enthusiastic about dressing people that my style packages accommodate people with varying incomes.” Now, that's a service with style!

What are this style-Divas favorite drinks? Sparkling cocktails tickle her fancy.

And, where does she drink them? Well, let’s just say Margaret and I put down a few at Topaz…

Sipster Submission - The Scarlet Woman
(Sipster: A member of The Liquid Muse Community. To get the "museletter" email: natalie@theliquidmuse.com)

Elizabeth Denton sends us a lascivious Labor Day libation from the wily, windy city. (While enjoying this cocktail, don't forget to check out her new fashion blog, The Tailored Woman.)

From Elizabeth:
"I'm addicted to a fabulous carbonated fruit juice drink called Essn. The company makes four flavors in little Red Bull-size cans. One evening I tried adding a splash of vodka to my favorite, Sparkling Blood Orange & Cranberry, and the Scarlet Woman was born.

The cocktail is prettiest with freshly-squeezed blood orange juice, but since these are only in season December through July, and can be difficult to find, I’ve suggested an equally-delicious lime alternative."

The Scarlet Woman

1 Can Essn Sparkling Blood Orange & Cranberry Juice

1 (or 1 1/2) oz. vodka (preferably Ketel One)

Juice of one freshly-squeezed blood orange (if not available, use fresh lime juice)

Pour into a highball glass and garnish with a lime slice and fresh or Maraschino cherries.

photo of The Tailored Woman by: Clay McClure