NYC Trunk Show, Amanda Wakes Up Paperback Launch & Champions of Change on CNN
Last week, on June 12th we hosted our first NYC Trunk Show at my friend Anne Sylvestor's beautiful home on the Upper West Side. We celebrated the launch of Alisyn Camerota's paperback launch of her book Amanda Wakes Up and introduced our store & food to NYC. We had a wonderful evening full of toasts, appetizers from Chef Duane Shand, plenty of laughs and smiles. We want to give a special thank you to Flavia Barker of Green of Greenwich for the beautiful flowers, Catherine Cutier of Vineyard Brands for the delicious wines including Miraval Rose Wine (my favorite),and everyone who turned out to help us celebrate. Check our Facebook page for more photos.
To give you a behind the scenes look on the inspiration for her book, we sat down with Alisyn Camerota and asked her about her work, her life & the book. To buy the book, you can click Amanda Wakes Up.
As fate would have it, we are lucky 10 times over as this week CNN is featuring their Champions of Change series spotlighting charities supported by their news anchors. Alisyn and I went on a medical mission in April with Operation Smile to Bogota, Colombia and the segment aired for the first time yesterday. It will air several times this week, and the full special will air this Saturday, June 23rd at 8 p.m.EST on CNN. click to see the segment -- Champions of Change
Enjoy! Lisa Lori
A Conversation with CNN's New Day Alisyn Camerota, Author of Amanda Wakes Up
1.When did you know you wanted to be a journalist?
When I was 15 years old and sitting on the sofa after school watching Phil Donahue run around his studio audience with a microphone, I thought, what's THAT job called?
2. Tell us what you and Amanda have in common?
Well, have eerily similar career trajectories and job experiences.
3. What advice do you have for young journalists today?
Always be open to having your mind blown by a new fact or perspective.
4. Who are your (heroes) in real life?
Firefighters, police and emergency responders who run towards danger to save lives.
5. What is your greatest extravagance?
Fancy restaurants. I just had an amazing meal at Chiltern Firehouse in London when I was covering the Royal Wedding. It's possible I did a lousy job of converting from Euros to Dollars but I'd never seen that many digits on a dinner tab.
6. Tell me about what you’re wearing & why red?
Ever since Amanda Wakes Up came out, I find myself wearing a lot of red. It works with the cover of the book, as well as the themes of drama and heat and power -- all of which play in the plot.