While we all start to pay a little more attention to our bottom line, the good news is that it doesn’t have to mean that a good bottle of wine (or a bottle of wine, period) is out of reach! Available in 3 tasty flavors: Recession Cab Sauv (which Brandon tells us is the choice favorite), Recession Merlot, and my fav, Recession Chardonnay–these wines will compete with Trader Joe’s “Two Buck Chuck” in price (Recession retails for only $4.99 a pop), but not in quality.  Recession, while cheap in cost, is superior in blend, hailing from the Central Coast of California.

To help keep this wallet-friendly line on the shelves, head to your local store to scoop up a bottle now, during its initial run.

Availability in Manhattan:

• Warehouse Wines & Spirits (Broadway @ Astor Place)
• The 67 Liquor Shop, UWS (67th & Columbus)
• Buy Rite Wines & Spirits, Murray Hill (3rd Ave @ 28th Street)
• 86th Wines & Spirits, UES (86th & 2nd)
• Chelsea Wine Country, Chelsea (Seventh Ave @ 16th Street)
• Bulls & Bears, Battery Park (309 South End Drive)

Also proving this wine to be ahead-of-the-curve, you can skip the trek to the store entirely if you like: Recession is available ONLINE for HOME DELIVERY via Post Wine & Spirits! $4.99/bottle or $51.00/case of 12.

*And for any winos who are interested in the tasting notes on each, here is what the professionals have to say:

Recession Red is a fantastic bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon from California’s Central Coast.  There is also a Chardonnay and a Merlot available for the same price.  You will find the Cabernet complex, smoky, and brooding with traces of oak and tobacco, creating a structured Cabernet without excessive tannins that will pair well with any red meat and will not rip the palette right of your throat. This Cab stands up for itself on its own; with steak, lamb, or even with a bit of chocolate after dinner.  The Merlot is bright and jammy with hints of raspberry and cassis—a medium-bodied red that is easy to pair with any meat or sauced-dishes. Recession White Chardonnay is lovely for its medium-toast characteristics: this Chardonnay is not over-oaked and while it exhibits racy hints of Vanilla and lemony-citrus, it will not overwhelm your taste-buds; perfect with chicken, salmon, and white-sauced pastas.

**Drink Responsibly!

(Alyson Campbell for Its All Very PR)

PART 1

We started out at the Van de Weghe Fine Art Gallery in West Chelsea, where they were unveiling the The Octagon Exhibition by Kevin Lynch, a series of Before & After photos taken of UFC fighters, before & after a fight.  When I got the invite in the mail, I immediately knew this event was for OJ, as he is my MMA guru and a huge fan.  I don’t think any of us realized, though, that there would be such excitement in the air at the gallery, and that a handful of the fighters would show for opening night.

As we swiveled through the gallery, one-by-one, OJ pointed out people who were “a big deal” in the industry, giving me a brief bio pulled from his wealth of knowledge on each, in 30 seconds or less.  I felt like I was Meryl Streep and he was Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada, getting the scoop on who’s who whispered in my ear, and then acting like I knew who these people were! (OJ: sorry for the girlie analogy, but its true!)

*A look at the exhibit; this whole wall can be yours for $150K

We said our hellos and shook hands with Kenny Florian (lightweight contender, smart guy, and co-host of MMA Live), Matt Sera (former welterweight champion, Long Island native who owns 2 local Sera Jiu Jitsu schools, and the first ever American to earn his black belt under Renzo Gracie) and most excitingly, the outspoken President of The UFC, Mr. Dana White, who OJ informs me purchased the dying UFC in 2001 for $2M with the help of his childhood friends Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, owners of Station Casinos in Las Vegas (who Patrick McMullan tells me later showed up after our exit).

*OJ with Kenny Florian

*OJ & Ruddy with President, Dana White

What was most-shocking was how star-struck I got when Chuck Liddell walked in, since his is really the only name I can associate with the UFC (other than Royce Gracie, wow, flash-back to my days of watching Regan & Ryan wrestle all day long, “he has him in the royce gracie!”), so who knew I was a fan? Turns out I am.  Chuck Liddell is bad a$$. I heart him.

*Chuck getting interviewed by the crowd

*Me & Chuck AKA The Iceman. He’s huge!

*The only pic of OJ & I from the night, courtesy of PatrickMcMullan.com

PART 2

Riding in style in OJ’s new Mini Cooper Clubman, we cruised down to the Lower East Side in the rain for a Barack Obama-inspired “Vote for Change” fundraiser @ Gallery Bar (on Orchard & Rivington).  Our friend, my client, and huge democrat supporter Ms. Bob Bland was there, contributing some of her Brooklyn Royalty handbags to the Silent Auction which employed the lower level of the space, as well as selling her super cute, “Vote Barack Obama, Brooklyn Royalty approves this message” t-shirts, of which she so graciously sent OJ, Ruddy, & I home with.

Party-goers were on a mission to be active in the campaign, with discussions of Obama circulating the room, and a general mentality that we all have the ability to help in some way, but now is the time, on November 5th, it could be too late.  As a Canadian, and thus non-eligible voter, Bob assured me that if I have an opinion in this race, I can do my part by convincing eligible voters to register, proclaiming that she had already converted 1 religious republican to swing the other way in 2008.  How?  She’s not sure, but the tangible result is there!

*Designer Bob Bland in her signature Obama Tee Design

*Bob & I

PART 3

After a quick slice at Rosarios (AKA the BEST pizza in town), we were back in the mini coop and on our way to our final destination in the Flatiron District, The Metropolitan Room to see my client, Jazz Vocalist Marcus Goldhaber perform in Night 2 of his Double-Header Pre-Release Concert Series, in anticipation of the new album streeting on November 10th, 2008, “Take Me Anywhere”.

Marcus’ performance is an escape to a different time. After 2.5 years of working with Marcus, I can say that he operates with the manors and goodness reminiscent of the 1930s (the era, from which he sings). He always holds the door, he never gives the impression that he’s in a rush (like most New Yorkers cant help but do), and he’ll give you the coat of his back (and he actually did, later on, because it was raining on our way out). To top it off, he carries a pocket watch, and has never listened to Justin Timberlake .

Taking in a Marcus show is a relaxing throw-back, to a simpler time, and a simpler place. It was the perfect way to cap off our hectic and diverse evening, with a glass of white, good company, and great music. Not only is it exciting to see the growth in Marcus’ live performance since the beginning of his career, and to hear brand new original material that seems to be flowing out of him like an unstoppable force nowadays, but I have to say, his band, “The Jon Davis Trio” were on point as well: Jon Davis (piano), Martin Wind (bass), and my favorite: Marcello Pellitteri (drums). I’m always a sucker for great percussion.

As we strolled out of the space post-concert, we decided to pop in a venue next door to wrap on the show and cap off the evening. *Cute New Venue Alert* Catch 22 on 22nd between 5th & 6th. I knew when we arrived at the door that it is apparently the new “it” spot (and I’m told on Friday Nights, it is especially so), when I saw Andrea Westinghouse (now Mrs. Andrea Westinghouse Imposimato) working the door. Andrea is an NYC Nightlife Door Staple, who works the newest of the new clubs and the hottest of the hot events, because of her talent for recognizing who’s who, and making sure the VIPs get the VIP treatment, and DO NOT wait in line when they show. Andrea was also the door girl at the deceased Happy Valley Nightclub, one of my most exciting clients of 2006 known for its gaytacular Tuesday Night party thrown by Nightlife Royalty Susanne Bartsch. Andrea is now married to former Happy Valley Nightclub owner, Sal Imposimato (I attended their beautiful Union Square wedding last May), and is with child! She was glowing and beautiful at 3-months pregnant last night. Congrats guys!

*Marcus discovering a fellow pocket-watch holder over at Catch 22!

So there you have it, after a fun-fillled evening of nice fighters, active democrats, and mellow jazz-enthusiasts, we called it a night. Another random and amazing NYC day under our belts!

(Alyson Campbell for Its All Very PR)

I got the most delightful post-work phone call today from “Sherry,” informing me that I actually won the inclusive stay at none other than #6 on the list: Amanyara – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos (which Perfect Escapes is telling me normally costs $1,100 per night, what!?).

Not only is this a spectacular and much-needed trip for me, but also – the direct flight from New York is only 3.5 hours to paradise, and the mini-bar and water-sport expeditions are included. Come On!

This is proof, folks, that it is worth seizing the opportunities that are presented to you. I was “this” close to not going out last night, let alone filling out the ballot to win this prize (I never win anything!).

Refer back to my “story of my blog” where I discuss how many possibilities are at our fingertips if we’re willing to take them. When you’re asked to do something out of your element–you should!

CHECK THIS OUT: Upon further research into the Official Turks & Caicos Wikipedia Page, I find out that my native province (Nova Scotia) has this to say: “A great many of the tourists who visit the Turks and Caicos Islands are Canadian. The province of Nova Scotia voted to invite Turks and Caicos to join the province in 2004, should the islands ever become part of Canada. This would bypass the problems with admitting Turks and Caicos as a separate province.” Who knew!?

** A very special “Kudos” to my spontaneous friend Mary, who originally looped me in on this event and suggested I attend. Mary – I owe you one (or several!) as soon as you get back from Germany! XO.

Beautiful, gorgeous Turks & Caicos, here I come…

(Alyson Campbell for Its All Very PR)

After much debate on how to start off this blog and what to call it, I decided to go with the title that was the most “me,” and was also my initial reaction as to what it should be called: “It’s All Very PR”.

Did I pick the right name?

Here were the other choices:

• aPRstateofmind.com (which got the most votes from the peanut gallery)
• everybodyPRsSometimes.com
• PRitForward.com (me likey)
• PRkeepsmesane.com
• prisamentality.com
• ithinkthereforeipr.com (me likey, too)
• YouHadMeAtPr.com (courtesy of my brother)

Vote after the jump!

(Alyson Campbell for Its All Very PR)