TO: MEDIA CO. ANNOUNCES NEW CLIENT -- STROLLER SUSPENDERS

Costa Mesa, CA – June 22, 2009 -- Townsend Olmstead Media Co., a partnership between PR veterans Lauren Townsend and Allison Olmstead, is proud to announce their newest client, Stroller Suspenders. Stroller Suspenders is an easy to use, innovative patent pending strap and clip that is designed to secure a baby blanket in a position to cover the stroller for warmth, shade or privacy. As the latest “must have” product for moms and babies manufactured by Los Angeles-based Omma, Stroller Suspenders will protect both baby and their special blankets.

There are two lines of suspenders – the Designer Series, featuring cotton webbing and six decorative patterns – Polka Dots in blue and pink, blue Stripes, yellow plaid and Baby Prints in blue and pink which retail for $18.00. The Basic Series, which retails for $9.99, features nylon webbing in three solid colors – black, tan and pink and will make their debut at Baby Depots nationwide in July 2009. http://www.strollersuspenders.com/


About TO Media Co.
Townsend Olmstead Media Co. is a full-service public relations firm specializing in promoting the people and products setting trends and defining style. Through strategic media outreach, creative positioning, personalized attention and a comprehensive “big picture” approach to clients, TO Media Co. has been focusing on entrepreneurs and trend setters in fashion, accessories and lifestyle companies since 2006. http://www.tomediaco.com/

DRIVE FOR CHARITY - Buy a Car, Give Back to Charity!

Now through July 4, Townsend Automotive Group is offering an easy way to support your favorite cause through the Drive for Charity campaign.

For any new car sold between now and July 4 at either the Anaheim Hills or Cerritos locations, 50% of the proceeds from that sale will go towards the charity of the purchaser’s choice.

Buyers can name the charity of their choice or select from the list of Drive for Charity Preferred Charitable Partners.

For additional information about the Drive for Charity event or to view the complete line of products and build your own Land Rover or Jaguar visit www.lrjah.com or www.lrjcerritos.com.



Stroller Suspenders Makes Its Debut on Working Mother's Website

Genius. Genius. Genius.

When we heard about Stroller Suspenders, an easy way to clip your baby's blanket to the stroller, we were kicking ourselves for not coming up with the idea. Really - how many times do you have to pick up the blanket off of the ground to figure out it should clip to the stroller!?!
Working Mother heard about the new product and just posted information on their site under "Daily Solutions". Check out the article here:


Stroller Suspenders ($9.99 for the Basic Series; $18.00 for the Designer Series) can be found at Baby Depot in July, http://www.mom4life.com/ and http://www.strollersuspenders.com/.

Jan Norman of the OC Register Features Halsea + Cotton Idea Studio

I love a good idea.

When Sally Bartz of Halsea and Mindy Gayer of Cotton Idea Studio decided to team up and open their businesses under one roof, I thought it was genius. With Sally's travel bags in the front and Mindy's stationary and accoutrement's in the back, the two entrepreneurs share customers, store hours and often package their items together to make gift giving an easy grab-n-go kind of thing.

Jan Norman of the Orange County Register picked up on their story and just wrote a great feature about it, complete with photos. Check it out here:http://jan.freedomblogging.com/2009/06/14/money-saver-two-shops-in-one/15887/sally-bartz/



Cooking with Paula Deen Features Halsea's Travel Bags

Summer. Summer. Summer. There is nothing that feels more like summer than good food with friends and family. The latest issue of Cooking with Paula Deen has tons of recipes and ideas sure to make this summer the best yet.

While you are checking out the magazine, flip to Paula's Picks where she features Halsea's roller duffel, cosmetic bag and small make up bag so you can "travel with style".


Thanks, Teri Freeman!

Mariel Hemmingway's New Book - Mariel's Kitchen

Just last week, I was invited to tea at Ellen and Ned Olivier's beautiful house in Malibu for a book signing to celebrate Mariel Hemmingway's new cook book "Mariel's Kitchen" . Not only is she beautiful and obviously fit, her commitment to leading healthy life is inspiring.

Author Mariel Hemmingway with host Ellen Olivier
Her new cook book is divided by season, which I love. Also her recipes are also sugar free and gluten free. If that weren't enough - her delicious Blisscuits (I tried the cinnamon and lemon - both yum!) are going to be available at Target!

One of the things that she talked about that has crept into my life is that she plays a game with herself about how little trash she can throw away in the kitchen. So now I am washing out the used jelly jars so that I can make some of her All Purpose Marinade (thank Mariel for planting the seed!).
Mariel is one of 50 top authors who will participate in this November's Literary Feasts, which benefit for the LA Public Library's reading enhancement programs for children and teens. The "feasts" consist of 50 private dinners with 50 different authors in some of the most beautiful homes throughout Los Angeles.
More about Mariel:
The granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway, Mariel is the author of three books herself, including Finding My Balance: A Memoir with Yoga; Healthy Living from the Inside Out; and the new book, whose full title is Mariel's Kitchen: Simple Ingredients for a Delicious and Satisfying Life. The new book also includes the recipe for her famous, Blisscuits, which will be on sale at Target and other stores starting this fall. More information about Mariel's recipes for good health are available on her website, http://www.marielhemingway.com/.

Halsea Sunglasses Case in People Style Watch!

OMG! Seriously! Halsea's beach-chic sunglasses case is featured in the June/July issue of People Magazine's - Style Watch!

You have no idea how excited I am -- I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this magazine (who doesn't turn to it to find out the latest, hottest trends) and to see Halsea in it is beyond exciting!


Many, many thanks to Regina Gardiner, the amazing accessories editor at People Style Watch!

Martin Smith of Orange Coast on KOCE - Real Orange




KOCE's Real Orange is always the best place to go for local news and issues. Recently they had on Martin Smith, the editor of Orange Coast, and Steve Thomas who wrote the story about "The Best Places To Live" in the May issue.
I love the idea that the best places to live in Orange County are the smartest places to live. With the climbing gas prices, I too might be moving to a city near the rail lines.
Thanks Maria Hall Brown for setting up the interview!

Queen of Hearts Foundation Raises $30,000 For Ovarian Cancer Research

OVER $1 MILLION RAISED FOR OVARIAN CANCER RESEARCH

Queen of Hearts Nets $30,000 at “Set A Course To Save A Life” Event Putting Them Over the $1 Million Mark of Funds Raised Since They Started in 2000.



Dr. Krish Tewari and Grateful Patient - Elizabeth Courtney
Queen of Hearts Board Members

Guest having fun!
Entering the party under the baloon arch!

The Queen of Hearts Founders with Chair Sandi Hanscom

After walking under the balloon arch to enter the Queen of Hearts “Set A Course To Save A Life” event, 150 guests dined, danced and bid on auction items at Newport Harbor Yacht Club. The event netted $30,000 which raised enough funds for ovarian cancer research at UC Irvine - Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center to put Queen of Hearts over the $1 million dollar range for the total amount raised since the foundation started in 2000. The nautical-themed party was held on Saturday, May 16.

After Queen of Hearts Foundation Founder Kim Beaudette introduced Dr. Krish Tewari, a doctor at UCI Chao Comprehensive Cancer Center, who spoke about the women’s programs at the hospital, one of his patients, Elizabeth Courtney, took the microphone to deliver an amazing, heartfelt speech about her cancer struggle and recovery. There was not a dry eye in the house, including the men. Her speech also served as an inspiring message, confirming why Queen of Hearts efforts are important to all women.

Event Chair Sandi Hanscom says “When I learned that each year approximately 20,000 American women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer and approximately 15,000 die from the disease, I was shocked. I’m thrilled to assist in planning a fun event which will help raise funds to save and extend the lives of the women we love.”

“Queen of Hearts Foundations is dedicated to helping raise funds for research projects working to find an early detection for this disease. With events like Set A Course to Save a Life we can work to not only raise money but help inform others about the severity of ovarian cancer and what little there is out there to prevent it,” says co-founder Lori Hunter.

All proceeds from the fundraiser will be donated to help develop the Queen of Hearts Ovarian Cancer Laboratory at Sprague Hall part of Chao Family Cancer Center at University of California, Irvine. The Queen of Hearts Ovarian Cancer Laboratory will support research on the “whispering killer”. Currently, there is no early detection test for ovarian cancer.

Donna Bunce of the Orange County Register and Coast Magazine, recently ran a story about the event. Click here to read it: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/philharmonic-cancer-kidsingers-2428948-through-one

Coastal Living Features Sally Bartz and Halsea


As a publicist of a boutique PR firm in Orange County, there are certain things in your career that make you beyond excited. June's issue of Coastal Living is one of them.
TO Media Co's first client, Sally Bartz of Halsea, was recently featured in the issue in an article titled "Making Her Case". Lindsey Ellis Beatty worked with us for the last year on this article, which survived one magazine closing down and Lindsey moving to Coastal Living. (Thanks Lindsey for working so hard on this - Coastal Living is the perfect place for Sally's beach-chic inspired travel bags!)
It features a full page article on Sally and her inspirations behind the line, her beach-y lifestyle and of course her amazing travel bags. The fabulous shots were taken by the VERY talented Shelly Strazis. I was so excited to not only see the article but to also see that an additional shot of Sally in the Halsea Shop made the Table of Contents page!
Thanks Lindsey!

Sweet Dream ARE Made of These - The Register Reports on Bedroom Trends Seen At The ASID Design Tour

Lauren and I have been on the ASID Design Tour a million times and every time there is something new to see or a design idea pops out at you that you didn't notice before.

The Orange County Register picked up on a bedroom trend that I thought was great -- dreamy bedroom suites with symmetry. Cindy McNatt of the Register's Home Section featured the rooms of Eve Lowey (Chameleon Studio), Amanda Malson and Jolene Ballard (One2BOND), Kimberly Franzen (Franzen Interiors) and Barbara Coulter - Phllips (Bliss Linens)
The Tour ends May 22 so be sure to see it for more design ideas before it closes!

Taylor LeClaire and Joan Wilson's Terrace On The ASID 2009 Design Tour Inspires The Register

The Orange County Register's home section recently ran a story about succulents, which I loved since they are the one plant I can actually take care of! One of the photos featured was of Taylor LeClaire's terrace on the ASID 2009 Design Tour that she did in conjunction with Joan Wilson.

The Design Tour is open until May 22, benefits Orange County Performing Arts Center and is sponsored by Orange Coast magazine.

More about Taylor LeClaire Designs/Living Couture:
Taylor LeClaire recently received her B.A. Degree in Interior Design and is pursuing a career in the commercial design industry with an eye on hospitality. Currently a Faculty Advisor at her alma mater, Interior Designers Institute of Newport Beach. For the 2009 Design Tour, Taylor has partnered with Joan Wilson, Owner of Living Couture. Joan has vast experience in many aspects of the design industry and has been doing Interior plant-scape and outdoor landscape design in Orange County for more then 7 years in both High-end Residential and Commercial projects.
Thanks Cindy McNatt of the Register!

ORANGE COAST RECEIVES TOP HONORS AT 2009 MAGGIE AWARDS - Most Improved Publication/Consumer Award Winner

Newport Beach, CA -- Orange Coast magazine was awarded Most Improved Publication/Consumer by the Western Publishing Association’s 2009 Maggie Awards, the most prestigious publishing event in the West.

Emmis Communications bought Orange Coast in 2007 and the magazine’s new look and direction were unveiled in July 2008. “As one of the WPA's more prestigious awards, this means a lot to our staff and the company,” says Orange Coast Editor-in-Chief Martin J. Smith. “It not only speaks to our excellence in design but to the overall editorial content of the magazine.”

Orange Coast was up against the following publications for the coveted Most Improved Publication/Consumer category:
Desert Living
Natural Solutions
Private Clubs
Yellow Scene Magazine

About the Maggies
One of WPA’s primary objectives is to promote the pursuit of excellence among publishing professionals. The tools, training and information WPA provides are designed to improve skills, foster creativity and inspire our members to do their best work. WPA believes recognition is the best way to honor achievement. For more than fifty-eight years, WPA has bestowed awards of excellence to deserving individuals and companies whose work is deemed “The Best in the West” in a wide variety of publishing categories. The Annual Maggie awards ceremony and black-tie dinner, which this year was on Friday, April 24, is the most prestigious publishing event in the West. Over 600 publishing professionals gather to honor excellence in print and electronic publishing in over 100 editorial, design and promotional and event categories. A trademark of the Maggie ceremony is the high-tech, visually creative multimedia show featuring entries from the current year. www.wpa-online.org/

About Orange Coast
Orange Coast magazine has long had its finger on the pulse of Orange County, serving as the definitive guide to the area’s laidback luxury lifestyle. Having won numerous awards for its editorial, artwork and design, Orange Coast has been named one of the best city/metropolitan magazines in California by the Western Publications Association and has been recently nominated for several national awards.

The re-designed, Orange Coast magazine offers a refreshed, contemporary look and read for its 443,580 readers. The new design and editorial format speaks to a smart, sophisticated and influential readership. Orange Coast magazine is based in Newport Beach, CA, and is published by Emmis Communications. www.orangecoastmagazine.com