I never took a women’s studies class in college. Also, I didn’t know what first, second or third wave feminism was until after moving to New York City where I met many writers and such who did. In 2004, I came up with the idea of starting an all-female stand-up comedy show after asking a friend if one already exists. I had no experience in producing a show, nor was I a comedian. I did know how to organize events, so I just did it.  I first started with securing a venue, then scouted comics, and then came up with a name for the show. In May of 2004, Chicks and Giggles was born.  The show ran for nearly four years and got press mentions in The New Yorker, The New York Times and BUST magazine.  The one thing about running Chicks and Giggles is that it made me into a feminist.  In promoting my show, I found myself constantly defending and/or winning over some people who had  preconceived notions about women comedians.  Not every female comic is going to talk about their periods, ex-boyfriends or their mom. The diversity and talent of women who performed at Chicks and Giggles was amazing. The show was great, but it got to be exhausting.

Flash forward to May 2011- there has been a strong campaign for every woman breathing to go see “Bridesmaids” on its opening weekend as if their life depended on it. I am all for a good comedy and will go see “Bridemaids” soon, but the push of the movie via social media was so heavy handed with promotions with Yahoo Shine, Groupon and Living Social.  I actually don’t mind the social media targeting in as much that there was an undercurrent of FOX News-like fearmongering.  It implied women have to go see “Bridesmaids” or there will NEVER be another comedy starring women ever again. IMHO, going to see “Bridesmaids” was not a feminist act like participating in a Slutwalk. “Bridesmaids” is a major Hollywood movie, and the box office receipts over the weekend ($24 M) prove that Kristen Wiig and company will be alright. Going on stage to tell a funny story,  doing an open mic, producing a one-woman show or just laughing as loudly without worry are better ways to support women in comedy.

Yesterday, I attended Fashion140 conference at Alice Tully Hall. What drew me to the conference was the location-Lincoln Center and the subject matter-fashion.  I am not a fashion blogger but I love clothes and I love to shop.  Single topic conferences can be really enlightening because speakers can hone in on their expertise without explaining the basics. However, this was not the case for all the speakers at Fashion140.  Given that the most in the audience were experienced in blogging and social media, it is boring to tell people how to tweet, use Facebook or Tumblr.  Some speakers were too pitchy by doing little more than reciting their bio and explaining how their site works.  I would have liked to hear more examples of “social media serendipity”, advanced social media advice and what is coming next.   The excitement came from engaging speakers like Tom Guarriello, Yuli Ziv, Joe Zee, Robert Verdi, Josh Kilmer Purcell, Brent Ridge and Carole Rodie. I think conferences should also encourage speakers do presentations that more like Pecha Kucha or Ignite so that the attendees remember them which makes seek them out online later.  One of the best thing about going conferences is seeing old friends like Sarah and Lauren.

Some sites you may want to check out: HauteLook, Where To Get It, Lyst

A few days ago, someone recognized me from Cupcakes Take The Cake and said, “You do that cupcake blog; why aren’t you famous yet?!”  In some ways I am famous. Some of the fans of the blog ask to take photos with me. Some people have hugged me and told me that Cupcakes Take The Cake brings a little happiness to their life daily.  I feel good when I hear that but I don’t feel famous. I am not sure if Cupcakes Take The Cake will ever make me famous, and that’s fine.  I appreciate that it adds to my income and that affords me access to food events and meeting cool people in the food industry.  Is there pressure to be a top blogger when you didn’t initially set out to be?  I don’t feel it.  I am not competitive with other bloggers.  I am generous. I give people blogging and social media advice because I want them to do well.  Success breeds success. Keep on keepin’ on.

Natural Gourmet Insitute invited me to one of their Friday night dinners. In celebration of Earth Month, a percentage of the proceeds benefited Green Guerillas.  Chef Jay Weinstein planned a delicious and healthy three course meal.  The Natural Gourmet Institute has lots of public classes including a vegan cupcake baking class.

Asparagus Salad with Grain Mustard Vinaigrette and Spring Greens.

Chickpea Spinach Croquette over Parsnip Puree with Baby Carrots and Foraged Ramps and Mushrooms.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp with Cinnamon-Coconut Ice Cream and Fresh Mint