Vanessa & Angela Simmons of Pastry & Run's House exclusive interview!

Vanessa and Angela, flawless fashion femmes dressed in true Pastry fashion!

I zoomed into the lobby of The Four Seasons trying to make smooth of the mess of hair that I had inherited after doing a marathon up the stairs. I was trying to catch the girls before their next appointment. The Simmons girls were (are) only in Atlanta for two days and have places to go and people to see (they are hosting a party at the Compound club tonight)! Dang, I left all of my questions in the car in the rush! Oh well. Okay so what would they be like? They seemed cool on "reality" TV but maybe they were really super Hollywood in person or possibly rushed and bored? Who knew! But when the doors opened my partner Shem and myself walked into the interview with clear minds and renewed confidence. Because you know confidence is everything.

First impression: These sisters are svelte and more gorgeous in person than on television. Honestly the pictures here can do no justice to how stylish and glamazon these young ladies are. And then i learned these two may be in the throes of Hollywood but they are NOT Hollywood.

Vanessa and Angela Simmons have a full life. These 2 business savvy women under the age of 25 have got it all: money, power, loving family, great friends, fame, beauty but most importantly a strong connection with God. The spirituality that they so boldly share with others is probably what gives them the humility that is within them. This humility says, "I know I have all of these things because of God.".
With moral fiber these ladies manage: business, philanthropy, television AND enterprise. You want to know how they do it? Interested to know what their future plans are with their shoe line Pastry? Is the enchanting Vanessa still doing television or did she give it up after, "The Guiding Light"? What about, "Angela's Run Down" the hip hop magazine the more fiery sister started not too long ago? Is baby girl Miley easy going? And how do they have time for special men in their lives (Angela is dating skater Terry Kennedy) with all of this going on??!! Well needless to say I remembered all of my questions in my heart (God is good) and got the scoop from the girls on all the above and more in the interview here.

I've got to say that not only are these girls creative (the different shoe styles are cute cute cute!), young and successful but with that they are an oasis of positivity. The twosome take their job seriously as influential role models who give back. It is good to see beauty in Hollywood that is far greater than skin deep. My prediction is that this clever team will be around for a long time. Check out their website! There is much more love and success from them to come!

Thanks to Sheena Neal for letting Shem & I know the schedule. And a special thanks to the marketing director over at Pastry, Tonia Heath for your kindness. We will be seeing you in your market soon. Everyone else, enjoy the interview! (To hear just audio click on the links and to see the video interview use the youtube player above. If you subscribe to these posts via feed or email please log onto www.FindEntertainmentNow.com to view. Thanks!)

Shown above, Pastry Glam Pie collection (Raspberry lowtop). The girls were highlighting Glam Pie on their visit. See the video interview above for more!

Miesha
The Juice ReportER
http://www.findentertainmentnow.com/

Vanessa and Angela Simmons of Pasty Shoe line at Atlanta Stonecrest mall (Underground Station- store)!

Little girls love them and mom's love that their daughters can model after the Simmons' girls. Stonecrest mall is in Lithonia, GA. Check out the Meet and Greet of Pastry presented by Vanessa and Angela for spring!

Miesha
The Juice ReportER
www.FindEntertainmentNow.com

Juice on the street is that Luda is opening up a new restaurant in Atlanta!

Luda on the red carpet at the 2008 Trumpet Awards

Where else would Ludacris open up a new restaurant but home sweet home, Atlanta, GA! The Juice on the Street is that the new digs, Straits Restaurant will be located at 793 Juniper Street in the Midtown area of city and will seat 215 guests. This will be the 4th location of the fancy yet reasonably priced restaurant in the states. Straits has 3 locations already in California where Luda was first impressed by the food while dining in the San Francisco location. Chris Yeo, the owner and Chef of Straits is partnering with the rapping actor to bring this modern Singapore dining location to Atlanta. Look out for this guaranteed new hot spot in April 2008. You know the opening is gonna be fabulous! Check out the tantalizing menu at http://www.straitsrestaurants.com/.

It's smart/great that Chris is investing and staying out of trouble. Luda is confident, outspoken and not a pushover so I know this investment was well thought about. His mother, who helps run some of his businesses probably also gave the thumbs up. I look forward to this place to eat owned by a rapper, like Cafe Dupri and Justin's.

Miesha
The Juice ReportER
www.FindEntertainmentNow.com
info@FindEntertainmentNow.com

The KING Foundation Christmas Giveaway!

For Thanksgiving T.I. and Grand Hustle records hosted a Thanksgiving dinner and then gave away 400 turkeys to families in need in the Atlanta community. He also helped to raise $150k (with Ryan Cameron of V-103 Atlanta radio and Jermaine Dupri) for the Hosea Williams Feed the Hungry foundation. Now for Christmas the "king of the south"and his non profit organization, The K.I.N.G Foundation (kids in need of giving) are giving away toys and clothes to children today of 150 families at his Atlanta club, Club Crucial on Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway. Young Dro, Big Kuntry and P$C (such as AK The Razorman) will be at the event to pass out gifts from 2 to 5 p.m. It is straight pandemonium down there (in a GOOD way) right now because there is such an abundance of things to giveaway to these families! The organization of the event is led by Tips older sister, Precious Harris. She's helping out and doing a phenomenal job putting things in order since Tip is currently on house arrest. You can check out her travel business at http://www.precioustravelandentertainment.com/. She is a joy to speak with so I assume she is also a pleasure to do business with. Sadly I am not able to be there today to witnesses the love (i hear it's going great!) and take pictures but thanks to Precious for the invite!

Thanks to Big Lots that had a part in donating some of the clothing and items for the children. And on behalf of the grateful children, thanks to Tip for staying on the grind even when behind closed doors.

For more information of what the KING Foundation is doing in the community or find out more about Grand Hustle visit www.GrandHustle.com.

Miesha

It's Luda-Crismas time! The Ludacris Foundation gives back with a Winter Wonderland for the kids!

Chris Loves the Kids!
Enter, Winter Wonderland!

Luda told us that he'd like a Lamborghini this year for Christmas. But all I want is a BMW M6 Coup. Red, white or black please! Luda answering questions from the press
The Children after the screening of "Fred Clause"
Shaka chillin' for a pic

Grammy winning rapper, and movie star Chris "Ludacris" Bridges and his non profit organization, The Ludacris Foundation (his mother is the president) gave back to 150 children in the community in a BIG way this past Saturday. The organization held a Winter Wonderland event at the beautiful Atlanta Woodruff Arts center for some eager youngsters giving them Christmas cheer a few days early. Thanks to Katena Keno and Barry L Florence for the invite!

Snow men, Santa, Mrs. Santa, Gingerbread fellows, sugar canes and music filled the rooms that was the Winter Wonderland. The children ages 6-14 involved this year were provided with several treats for this event: A showing of the movie, Fred Clause in the Woodruff Arts theater(in which Ludracris plays an elf), Build a Bear, pictures with Christmas characters (Santa, etc.), as well as some pictures with Ludacris (several kids), and food and drinks! Shaka (Luda's Manager and partner at DTP came through to show some support). Shout out to EfuaAta of Amezkha Marketing who I had a pleasure to speak to during the event. EfuaAta is Shaka's sister that has HER OWN marketing company, Amezkha. She also manages a new artist. You can visit her at www.myspace.com/amezkha. I had a chance to speak with Ludacris about his foundation to let those out there that are not aware exactly what his foundation with the slogan, "Helping Kids Help Themselves" is about and what his plans were for the event. See the video below for more information.

Upon Luda's press hour we also learned that his new album, "Theater of the Mind" is smashing into record stores in 2008. This man has never been shoddy or shy on the lyrical tip so I know his new and anticipated album is going to jingle a few bells! Chris also spoke about how wonderful it was the work alongside Nelson Mandela during his involvement as the only rapper at World Aids Day in Johannesburg South Africa. The historical event featured a concert where Ludacris performed. There is also some video footage below about that. When the rapper was asked what was on his holiday "wish list" he humbly replied that since he's fortunate the greatest gift for him is to give back to others. It's great to see the rich and famous give back, especially to the kids! I wonder if I can pass for a little one again? Dumb question...anywayZ... To learn more about this organization or to get involved please visit www.theludacrisfoundation.org

If you subscribe to this blog via email or feed reader than you may not be able to see the videos below of Ludacris speaking about his foundation. To view please log onto www.FindEntertainmentNow.blogspot.com. Thanks!!

miesha

4th Annual Frank Ski Kids Foundation Celebrity Wine Tasting!

Keith, Luke, Frank and the lovely Tanya
Does Diddy get everything he wants??
an aerial shot of the "beautiful people"
Frank takes the mike at the 4th annual celebrity wine tasting/auction for the Frank Ski Kids Foundation at his home 12/16/2007

The Frank Ski Kids Foundation saw another successful year! The 4th annual celebrity wine tasting and auction went off happily with Christmas spirit at Frank and Tanya (she is always such a poised and warm spirited women) Ski's illustrious north Atlanta home. This year the December 16th event was catered by Carrabbas (makes sense since Frank & Wanda plug the restaurant so heavily on their V-103 morning show...should be great business pick-up for the Southern Italian restaurant) and several celebrity appearances were made: Yung Joc, Emmanuel Lewis, Keith Sweat, Brian Jordan (Atlanta Braves), Luke ("Don't stop...get it get it!"), Malik Yoba, Speech (of Arrested Development- and yes they are still recording and as FABULOUS as ever!) & his wife Yolanda, Q & Slim of 112, DJ Troomp, Vernon Jones and Dallas Austin. (thanks to the Sandra Rose Gallery for most of the pictures.)

Our media friend Diddy even stopped by and showed his love supporting the cause by bidding $14,000 during a bidding war on a 2002 six liter bottle of Opus One. I think the gentlemen that was bidding against diddy was trying to get a little attention, prove a point and show Mr. Combs up a little. Oh well the Ciroc Vodka endorser won and money was raised!

I will report on the pre-events that I had the pleasure to attend that were the youth bowls hosted by the foundation. Every year a youth bowl is held allowing the children ages 12-15 to perform in football for money and trophies received to go to their communites. In the final championship game last Saturday, The Sandtown Vikings didn't let the rain stop their focus, they won their first title, kicked major tail and scored an impressive 56 to 7 against the Central Dekalb Jaguars! Wooo hooo! Stay tuned for more news, videos and pictures from this event later.

Miesha

Vanessa and Angela Simmons already make millions off of Pasty Shoe line!

The Simmons sisters, Vanessa and Angela have sold over $15 million in their women's shoe line, Pastry! The shoe line features colorful, feminine shoes named after different deserts, cookies or cakes for example: Fab Cookie, Red Velvet and Chocolate Runner are a few. The girls have also spoken about creating a Thin Mint Cookie shoe where part sales proceeds will go to the Girl Scouts of America, their own Ugh boots called, Marshmallows, and also mentioned a sports wear or jogging suit clothing line that they'd like to start. Man these ladies are role models. They are not perfect, but real girls, young and positive. That's probably one reason why the Girl Scouts chose them to be spokespersons. Look at the picture above (from Sandra Rose's gallery)...see the little girls who line up to be near them and stare behind them in awe. Cute.

These are some smart girls who are using the resources (rich/savvy daddy, successful/smart uncle, and a great idea!) they have been blessed with to build something of their own. It's better than just dropping Daddy's money!

On a side note: Bow Wow and Angela Simmons continue to date. He seems to be in a slight concert scandal at the moment though. People are saying that he lied about having appendicitis (which I had some years ago...but will never forget that the junk hurt like heck!) since he was released from the hospital so quickly. He is saying that he just hurt his hand, drew lots of blood, grew nauseous and then went to the hospital and while there and got checked for appendicitis due to constant stomach problems. Who knows...oh well.

Miesha