California Blooms Supports Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and OCRF


‘CALIFORNIA BLOOMS,’ THE PREMIER INTERNET RETAILER OF FRESH BOUTIQUE-GROWN ROSES FROM CALIFORNIA, HELPS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST OVARIAN CANCER THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER

EVERY PURCHASE OF SPECIAL 18-ROSE BOUQUET RESULTS IN A DONATION TO OVARIAN CANCER RESEARCH FUND

BURLINGAME, CA – AUGUST 31, 2010 – California Blooms (www.californiablooms.com), the premier internet retailer of fresh eco-friendly, boutique-grown roses from the central coast of California, will offer consumers a special 18-rose white bouquet throughout the month of September in honor of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.   With the purchase of the benefit bouquet, 15 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF), an organization dedicated to the fight against ovarian cancer.

“We are honored to partner with OCRF and to help in their efforts to prevent ovarian cancer,” commented Mark Skorlich, CEO of California Blooms.  “This is a worthy cause that has affected so many people, and we’re excited to offer our customers an easy way to contribute with this month-long campaign.”

“We are so grateful to California Blooms for their support,” said Audra Moran, CEO, OCRF. “It’s important relationships like these that enable OCRF to continue funding the most cutting-edge research in our quest to find an early detection method and ultimately a cure for ovarian cancer.”

According to OCRF, ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancers in the United States and is the fifth leading cause of cancer death among U.S. women.  The symptoms of ovarian cancer are often vague and subtle, making it difficult to diagnose. However, when ovarian cancer is detected and treated early on, the five-year survival rate is greater than 92%. Supporting ovarian cancer research makes it possible to develop new early testing techniques as well as new treatments.

California Blooms proudly supports the search for a cure in honor of the late Gerre Skorlich, mother of CEO Mark Skorlich, who lost her battle with ovarian cancer in 1994.


About Ovarian Cancer Research Fund:
The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF) is the largest private non-profit organization in the United States dedicated exclusively to funding ovarian cancer research.  Our mission is to find a method of early detection and ultimately a cure for ovarian cancer.
Each year there will be approximately 22,000 new cases of ovarian cancer in the United States, and about 15,500 women will die of the disease.  Currently there is no effective means of early detection. Since 1998, OCRF has given almost $40 million for ovarian cancer research. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, OCRF sponsored researchers are developing innovative strategies for early detection; exploring the genetics that increase risk for ovarian cancer; understanding the underlying molecular biology of the disease; identifying new and better targets for treatment; and deciphering how and why ovarian cancer spreads, and how to stop it.

For more information or to join us in our fight, please visit OCRF’s website at www.ocrf.org

About California Blooms:
Launched in 2009, California Blooms (www.californiablooms.com), is the premier internet retailer of the freshest, boutique-grown and eco-friendly roses from the central coast of California for any occasion.  California Blooms roses are delivered direct from the grower to anywhere in the U.S. within 24 hours of being hand-selected and cut, resulting in the superior quality and freshness of every bloom as compared to delivery times of upwards of 3-7 days for many of the larger floral retailers and florists.

Get up-to-the-minute California Blooms info and special offers at www.twitter.com/calblooms or www.facebook.com/californiablooms.

PRICELESS OUTDOOR FUN FOR UNDER $50 FROM BRAVO SPORTS

Many folks are feeling the pinch this holiday season, but that doesn’t mean you have to put coal in your stocking!

Below are 18 holiday gifts for kids ages 3+, which offer hours of outdoor fun all for under $50. Bravo Sports prides itself on manufacturing the best quality products for the best price, making them THE go-to resource for great gifts and incredible prices.

Here’s to a happy and wallet-friendly holiday.


Pogo Sticks - $19.99-$39.99
Disney Princess(Pinks) and Disney Fairies (Purple and Pink) Quad Skates: $39.99 Diamond Retro Quad Skate - $39.99

Barbie and Bakugan Skootboards - $24.99; Dora 2 Wheeled Scooter - $24.99; and Bubble Scooter
X-Games Ramp $39.99; X-Games Kinked Grind Rail - $49.99
Kryptonics Sound Combo - $39.99; Kryptonics Board & Bag Combo $19.99; Kryptonics Shredder Set $49.99; Kryptonics Locker Board - $14.99; OP Retro Cuiser - $29.99

NEW KRYPTONICS SKATEBOARD COMBO SETS FOR BACK TO SCHOOL AND HOLIDAY


Bravo Sports Corp., a global leader in the recreational and sporting goods markets, is proud to announce the release of four skateboard combo sets from the Kryptonics Skateboards line.

Geared for kids ages 8 and up, the combo sets include cool extras from pads and helmets to headphones or a shoulder bag with the purchase of a skateboard. Sold at Sears, Toys R’ Us, Walmart and Kmart among other major retailers, the combo sets are great for back to school or as a killer holiday gift.



The Kryptonics Skateboard combo sets include:

a. The Rocker Combo: Skateboard and a helmet; $39.99 exclusively at Sears

b. The Shredder Combo: Skateboard, helmet and pads; $49.99 at Toys R’ Us

c. The Sound Series Combo; Skateboard and headphones; $39.99 exclusively at Kmart

d. Skateboard and Bag Combo: Skateboard and shoulder bag; $19.99 exclusively at Walmart


To receive hi-res images and/or request samples of these product, please contact Townsend Olmstead Media Co. – allison@tomediaco.com/lauren@tomediaco.com or 949.722.8488.

Halsea’s Best Selling Handbag

The Ocean Ave Tote from Halsea has become the go to bag for gals-on-the-go. Whether you want a back to school bag or you need a tote for everyday, the OCEAN AVE Halsea Tote is a hobo style with a removable cross-body strap and a shorter strap for easy carrying.


Halsea designer, Sally Bartz says, “Halsea customers love this handbag because of its easy resort style. Who doesn’t’ want to be reminded of a vacation?!” The best selling handbag for the company, this soft canvas bag is lined with Halsea’s signature pink satin and features an inside zip pocket with leather trim. It retails for $95 and is available on http://www.halsea.com/

The hobo tote is available in the following prints: the newest Halsea print Kona Koi, a fish-scale inspired print, in Aqua and Sunset; China Cove, shell print, in blue and pink; and Little Harbor, a crisp bamboo lattice print, in coffee and kelp.

OP’S RETRO SKATEBOARDS HOT FOR HOLIDAY


Bravo Sports Corp., the global leader in the recreational and sporting goods markets, is launching retro style skateboards from OP, Ocean Pacific, this holiday season.

 Available at Walmart, the new OP boards come in two styles, Retro Cruiser and Old School Longboard.

OP Old School Longboard (lime green) - 36”; $59.99

OP Retro Cruiser (red) - 28”; $29.99

Halsea Holiday 2010


Looking for a holiday gifts under $50?
Need something for your jet-setting sister?
Want to splurge on a show-stopping gift?

Halsea, the beach chic travel bag company, is offering a full line of totes, handbags, suitcases, roller duffles, clutches, make up bags and more this holiday.


With four prints and eight color ways, the shell pink and coffee brown Sunset collection is the perfect match to the aqua and kelp green Aquatic Collection, making any Halsea bag easy to mix and match. www.halsea.com

Here are a few of Halsea designer, Sally Bartz’s favorite gifts:

• Large Tote – Everyone love this bag from celebrities to moms. With six pockets on the inside and laminated canvas on the outside, this bag goes everywhere from the beach to the gym to the farmer’s market to the airplane.

• Under $50 - Our Small Make Up Bag ($40) and the Sunglasses Case ($30) have long been staples of every Halsea girl. I love the small make up bag not only for make-up but also to keep my cell phone, camera and other essentials organized in my tote.

• Roller Duffle – I can be efficient if I have to, but I love the Roller Duffle because I can carry everything I need to get away. People love this style because of the Doctor Bag opening and the pink lining on the inside. It is a show stopper and a great gift for someone who travels a lot or just wishes she did.

For samples, hi-res images or interview requests, contact: TO Media Co
allison@tomediaco.com or lauren@tomediaco.com

TO Media Co + Halsea

Sally Bartz, the designer and creator of the effortlessly chic Halsea line of travel bags and accessories, is amazing.  In just four years, her bags have become the definition of beach chic lifestyle and are now carried in stores nationwide.

When she first launched her line in 2006, she hired TO Media Co to handle her public relations and introduce Halsea to the press.  She has been a client ever since.   

Halsea bags have appeared in countless national magazines and national TV shows, as well as local Orange County press, while Sally herself has been featured in Coastal Living, Orange Coast, Riviera, Romantic Homes and on KABC and KTLA.

Bravo Sports, Pulse and Other Big Brands Offer Toys With A Retro Nod For Holiday 2010

With a nod to kids’ favorite toys for generations, Bravo Sports, the global leader in the recreational and sporting goods markets, is referring back to the 1970’s fun this holiday with Pogo Sticks; 4-wheeled skates; scooters like the Kick ‘N Go built after a 1970’s version and the Pavement King with a wood deck; Barbie skateboards and skateboards from the 70’s surf giant Op. Toys start at $19.99.

Bravo Sports, with a stable of market-leading brands including Pulse™, Quik Shade™, Moto Shade™, Airzone™, Tony Hawk™, Birdhouse™, Darkstar™, Kryptonics™, Hyper™ and Variflex™ also has leading licenses with partners like Nickelodeon, Mattel, Cartoon Network and Disney. “This holiday, we wanted to make fun holiday toys that the kids want to play with day after day,” says Leo Pais, Bravo Sports CEO. “Our outdoor toys are made of quality materials to endure hours of use but with a price that doesn’t break the bank.”

Bravo Sports products are available online at http://www.bravosports.com/, http://www.pulsescooters.com/ and other major retailers such as Walmart, Target, Toys R Us and more.






For prices, samples or photos, contact: TO Media Co.
 allison@tomediaco.com or lauren@tomediaco.com

TO Media Co. Has An Amazing Month With National Magazines

At TO Media Co. we have been working like crazy on holiday gift guides and other stories for national magazines.  I know - Christmas in August?!   But it will all pay off when you see the great gift guides these magazines are rolling out, starting in November. 

Here is a list of the national magazines that we are working with right now:

Self

People

Woman’s Day

Better Homes & Gardens

Continental Magazine

Real Simple

Parents

Cooking Light

Bon Apettit

Southern Living

Cookbook Digest

Cooking With Paula Deen

Semi- Homemade

Romantic Country

Yum Magazine

Romantic Homes

Redbook

One Pan Recipes

Family Circle

Good Housekeeping

Upscale

Eating Well

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE!! OC Look 2010 Event Revelers Strike a Pose for JDRF OC

Now until August 31, become a friend of Orange Coast magazine on Facebook (click here - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=190899&id=60949313380&ref=mf#!/orangecoastmag) and you can vote for the image you like best from the OC Look 2010 Photo Studio.  The person with the most comments/likes gets a family portrait session and a framed 18" x 24" with ...Emotion Portrait Studios' awesome David Capron.

Thanks again David for the great shots and for your support of OC Look!!!

 

The 3rd Annual OC Look event was hosted by Orange Coast magazine and benefitted the JDRF Orange County Dream Guild.  This year's event raised $15,000 for the organization, while honoring 16 individuals
who are defining Orange County's style.

California Blooms are picture perfect in YUM for Kids Magazine!


The only thing we think is more precious than all those adorable kids are the
BEAUTIFUL California Blooms Roses on the table!

Thanks to Jacqueline De Montravel of YUM for Kids for incorporating California Blooms into your shoot!

Click here to learn more about California Blooms eco-friendly roses - http://www.californiablooms.com/
And click here to download the FREE iPhone App - www.itunes.com/app/californiablooms

3rd ANNUAL ORANGE COAST OC LOOK PARTY HONORS SIXTEEN OF ORANGE COUNTY’S FASHION ELITE

EVENT RAISES $15,000 FOR THE DREAM GUILD OF THE JUVENILLE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION


The 2010 OC Look event, held on Wednesday, July 21 at an exquisite private residence in Pelican Crest, Newport Coast, was as dynamic a celebration as the fashionable set it was designed to celebrate.

To see a video from the event, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Tk1J89nQ-Y
“This year’s class of OC Look honorees represent the best of Orange County style, from the surf industry to high-fashion and it was a pleasure to celebrate their passion for style as well as the many ways they each give back to their community,” says Linda Goldstein, publisher of Orange Coast. “This event has become a great success thanks to our wonderful partnership with JDRF OC and we look forward to continuing to build on that success in the future.”

The 2010 OC Look honorees are:
Jackie Melby- Philanthropist
Lisa Heil – Mom and fashion enthusiast
Robert Nettles - Modern Cosmetic Surgeon
Dinah & Chad Gracey - Mother and Animal Rights Activist/Drummer of LIVE and The Gracious Few
Alexis Bellino - OC “Housewife”, mother, model and spokesperson
Nicholas Rose - Hand & Upper Extremity Surgeon
Jeanina Esparza - Managing Director, Black Starr and Frost
Elizabeth An - CEO, House of An and Managing Partner, AnQi by Crustacean
Sean Harris - Online Sales, Stussy Inc.
Timothy A. Blett - Senior Partner, President Doner Advertising
Heather Madden - Philanthropist
Lisa Vogel - Co-President, RAJ Manufacturing, Creative Director, LUXE
Eric Vaughn Traut – Lawyer
Christina Ferguson – Medical Marketing Consultant
Renetta Ascher Caya – Lawyer, Beckstrand Gala Chair, Mom

All of the OC Look honorees were presented with an exclusive award designed and provided by Tiffany & Co. as well as a VIP gift bag from Gifted Inc. Portraits of each of the honorees accompanied by insight into their personal fashion philosophies will be featured in the special section on the August issue of Orange Coast.

ABOUT OC LOOK 2010
The 2010 OC Look honorees, their guests and other attendees were treated to an evening full of style & fashion complete with beauty bars by M•A•C Cosmetics, signature cocktails and a Tequila tasting hosted by award-winning CaPaz Tequila, massages and mini-spa treatments from Pure Blue spa, handwriting analysis courtesy of Mont Blanc, and a dazzling display jewels from Winston Jewelers ranging from $1000 to over $1 million. Models meandered in the hottest fashions from Saks Fifth Avenue while attendees worked their “inner model” for photographer David Capron of eMotion Photo Studios. Vitamin Water and Chateau Ste. Michelle wines accompanied the decadent fare offered by 24 Carrots including mini fried chicken and waffles, tempura zucchini flowers stuffed with goat cheese, roasted lamb “popsicles,” seared ahi tuna and much more all sponsored in part by Rolex

An opportunity drawing for prizes including a trip to the Aston resort in Hawaii, a limited edition Ferrari Lithograph, a fashion consultation with Saks Fifth Avenue and several extraordinary gift baskets raised several thousand dollars throughout the evening.

The 2010 OC Look Party was housed within a brand new palatial estate in prestigious Pelican Crest. The jewel of Newport Coast, this exquisite home features 14,000 sq. ft. of quality craftsmanship and elite amenities including: Beaumaniere light limestone floors in the grand two-story foyer with dual sweeping staircases, multiple terraces & custom picturesque windows highlight huge harbor and coastline views, expansive entertaining level with a gorgeous home theater, bonus room, wine cellar, Alder cabinetry, kitchenette & teppanyaki grill with Monte Carlo marble countertops and an in-home executive office features marble flooring, extended library, fireplace with wood mantle & coffered ceilings. The grounds also feature a gym with speakers, shower, sauna & bath, infinity edge salt water pool & spa, outdoor fireplace, elevator & garages for 9 vehicles. The home is currently offered at $17,500,000 by Lee Ann Canaday with RE/MAX Fine Homes, Canaday Group.

About the OC LOOK Advisory Board
The OC Look winners were selected by an advisory board, which includes such trendsetters and fashion forward individuals as: Christopher Del Castillo (M•A•C Cosmetics), Kacey Spies-Bruno (Montage Resorts), Michelle Pulfrey (“Good Day L.A.” producer), Amy Denoon (Beach House PR), Michael Botsko (Tiffany & Co.), Michaele Hall (Neiman Marcus, Fashion Island) and Jason Wallis (Fashion Photographer) Gretchen Pace (General Manager, Black Starr and Frost), Nichole Carroll (Designer, Tyler Rose Swimwear), and Jennifer Condas (Co-Founder, the Dream Guild of the JDRF, Orange County).

VONNY SERVES UP A HIP CASSEROLE CARRIER

Los Angeles, CA – Nothing is more Southern than comfort food and family gatherings. To that end, vonny, a tote and accessories designer that mixes Southern hospitality with LA style, created their newest product, the vonny Casserole Carrier, as a tribute to their Southern family roots.


“Growing up in the South, every event was a potluck with friends and family bringing their favorite dish to share,” says Vonny Faucheux, vonny designer. “Since relocating to Los Angeles, ME MAW’S GREENBEAN CASSEROLE has become a regular request for dinner parties and get-togethers, but it never felt right to walk in the door with a pyrex in a paper bag and so we were inspired to create the vonny casserole carrier.”

Available for $45, the casserole carrier is the perfect way to tote your favorite dish to family parties, tailgate gatherings and friends’ houses. Completely insulated to maintain food’s temperature whether hot or cold, the vonny Casserole Carrier is made with a laminated printed canvas exterior for easy maintenance and a bright colored interior designed to fit a standard 9x13 dish. It also features an exterior pocket large enough to hold your serving utensils, an interior pocket for hot/cold packs and a convenient Velcro handle.

The casserole carrier comes in four colorful, graphic prints, including Orange Daquiri (a multi-color stripe), Black & White Bohemian (black and white floral) and NEW Calliope (pronounced cu lie a pee) (green, yellow and brown circles); which is named after the signature music that is played on the river boats in New Orleans and NEW Carnival (retro red and white sunbursts). The vonny Full-of-Pockets tote is the perfect partner to the Casserole Carrier if you need to tote wine or other essentials to the party. Available online at www.vonny.com

# # #

 For photos, samples, interviews, or if you want ME MAWS GREENBEAN CASEROLE recipe, contact: TO Media Co. 949.722.8488 allison@tomediaco.com or lauren@tomediaco.com

Orange Coast Magazine Names Top Orange County Style Makers at OC LOOK 2010

Sky high heels, amazing dresses, sharp suits and an incredible mansion in Newport Coast all set the stage for the July 21st 3rd annual OC Look party hosted by Orange Coast Magazine, where they named the top style makers in Orange County.

The 2010 OC Look honorees are:

Jackie Melby- Philanthropist

Lisa Heil – Mom and fashion enthusiast

Robert Nettles - Modern Cosmetic Surgeon

Dinah & Chad Gracey - Mother and Animal Rights Activist/Drummer of LIVE and The Gracious Few

Alexis Bellino - OC “Housewife”, mother, model and spokesperson

Nicholas Rose - Hand & Upper Extremity Surgeon

Jeanina Esparza - Managing Director, Black Starr and Frost

Elizabeth An - CEO, House of An and Managing Partner, AnQi by Crustacean

Sean Harris - Online Sales, Stussy Inc.

Timothy A. Blett - Senior Partner, President Doner Advertising

Heather Madden - Philanthropist

Lisa Vogel - Co-President, RAJ Manufacturing, Creative Director, LUXE

Eric Vaughn Traut – Lawyer

Christina Ferguson – Medical Marketing Consultant

Renetta Ascher Caya – Lawyer, Beckstrand Gala Chair, Mom



Fashion lover, Mona Shadia from the Daily Pilot just wrote a story about the OC LOOK event that you should read.

We will be posting more about the party soon -- a link to photos and a video from the party, the amount raised for JDRF, etc.  So stay tuned!

Halsea Surfboard & Pillows in House Beautiful!

Really?!  How darling is this Balboa Island cottage?!
The designer Krisa Ewart is AMAZING!  Congrats on the great article in House Beautiful!

Krista also designed the Halsea Shop in Newport Beach.  Halsea designer Sally Bartz and Krista grew up together so when Krista needed a little color and a nod to the island's surf culture, she quickly called Sally to get a custom Halsea surfboard in the kelp green Little Harbor print.  Also featured in the article are Halsea's pillows in the company's new Kona Koi print.  

Here is a closer shot of the pillows: