Gift ideas for active kids, entertainers, foodies, pet lovers + the pencil obsessed

At TO Media Co., we believe it is more important than ever to give gifts that are thoughtful and honor the receiver’s hobbies and things they love. So this holiday season, we wanted to share our top picks for: active kids, the entertainers, the foodies, the pet lovers and the pencil obsessed!


Pulse Charger Electric Scooter (Walmart; $99) – Great for kids ages 8+, this NEW scooter travels up to 10 mph and is available in several different colors that are great for boys and girls. http://www.bravosportscorp.com/

American Mutt Art from Animal Blueprint Company (http://www.animalblueprintcompany.com/; starts at $110) – A great way to mix classic and contemporary style, this new series paying homage to the classic mutt are done in the style of a 1950’s architectural blueprint.

Personalized Pencil Dish from Timree (http://www.timree.com/; $28) – What a cute addition to any desk! This is for sure a favorite for the teacher, kid or office pal!

Blacktop 360’s Pit Pan (http://www.blacktop360.com/; $19.95) – This fun way to cook over an open fire transforms any party in the backyard, not to mention it is fun for the kids to make pancakes on it when you are camping.

Vonny Designer Casserole Carrier and NEW Pie Carrier (http://www.vonny.com/; Casserole $48; Pie $64) – This is perfect for the pot luck queen or the home entertainer. Who doesn’t want to show up in style with their dish?!

Antique 1940’s Mother of Pearl Beads and Sterling Antique Brittish Medal (Engraved “MacKay Cup 1933” on the back) from Little Relics (http://www.littlerelicsjewelrystudio.bigcartel.com/; $185) – Caitlin Whelan is a 20-year old jewelry designer phenom with her own store, Little Relics in Newport Beach, CA. She focuses on one-of-a-kind pieces and mixes antique jewelry to create her signature recycled, re-purposed, and hand-made pieces.

Star Wars Helmet (Toys R Us; $25) – For the kids ages 5+, we love this NEW helmet because it’s a character and movie we can get behind plus the kids love. Nothing like reliving your childhood through your kids! http://www.bravosportscorp.com/

Blacktop 360 Party Hub Grill Fryer (http://www.blacktop360.com/; $249) – This award winning, NEW bad boy of the tailgating industry has 11 different cooking functions in one unit so you can do everything from fry to grill to griddle. Love it!


For photos, samples or more information, please contact: Allison Olmstead at TO Media Co. 949.722.8688; Allison@tomediaco.com

4th ANNUAL ORANGE COAST OC LOOK PARTY TO BE HELD AUGUST 11

Event To Benefit The Dream Guild of The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation


Newport Beach, CA – Honoring Orange County’s arbiters of style, Orange Coast magazine, the definitive guide to Orange County life and style, is presenting the 2011 OC Look event on Thurs., August 11 from 6 to 9 pm. Daniel Callahan has graciously opened his home in Ritz Cove (51 Ritz Cove Dr., Dana Point, CA 92629) to host this year’s OC Look party

Now in its fourth year, the OC Look honor has become highly desired among the Orange County style set. From surf industry vets to philanthropists and physicians, OC Look celebrates the eclectic array of style in Orange County all while benefitting the Dream Guild of the OC chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

“Style is an attitude, a passion,” says Linda Goldstein, publisher of Orange Coast. “With Orange County’s style copied worldwide, we are privileged to showcase this year’s OC Look honorees, proving that style is personal, creative and ageless.”

The 2011 class of OC Look honorees will be revealed and presented with a beautiful award designed and provided by Tiffany & Co. Each of the 2011 honorees will also be featured in a special section of the August issue of Orange Coast. The fashion house Chloe, will present a fashion show with the season’s most beautiful women’s styles, while Saks Fifth Avenue is presenting men's fashion. Some of South County Lexus’s hottest cars will be on hand. The OC Look event is open to the public and every attendee will be treated to an evening full of style and fashion complete with handwriting analysis by Mont Blanc, beauty bars offered by M•A•C Cosmetics and Kenneth Brown Salon, signature cocktails by Agave Underground Tequila, and decadent fare offered by 24 Carrots Catering.

Having raised over $45,000 since the event’s beginnings, this year’s OC Look party is expected to draw over 400 people and continue being a sold out event. Tickets to attend the 2011 OC Look Party are $75 each and can be purchased online at http://www.jdrfoc.org/2010-OCLook/ or by calling the JDRF office at 949.553.0363.


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: Greer Wylder (Greer’s OC), 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), Jennifer Condas (Co-Founder, the Dream Guild of the JDRF, Orange County), Christina Ferguson, Melanie Hurwitz (Medical Marketing), Neil Letham (Salon Gregories), and Todd Quartararo.

About The Dream Guild
The mission of the Dream Guild is to build a friendly, cohesive group of women who will help increase Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s presence in the community through exciting and fun events to help raise funds to cure diabetes. The Dream Guild brings women together through special events while driving awareness that a cure for type 1 diabetes is within reach. A membership and fundraising organization, all net proceeds from The Dream Guild events go directly to JDRF to fund a specific research project. In addition to setting and exceeding their own fundraising goals, The Dream Guild supports JDRF across all activities including a commitment to supporting the Fore the Kids Golf Classic , The Walk to Cure Diabetes and the chapter’s annual Dream Gala held each year at the St. Regis Resort and Spa at Monarch Beach.

About The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
JDRF was founded in 1970 by the parents of children with type 1 diabetes – a disease that strikes children, adolescents, and adults suddenly, makes them insulin dependent for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications. Since inception, JDRF has provided more than $1.16 billion to diabetes research worldwide. More than 80 percent of JDRF's expenditures directly support research and research-related education. JDRF's mission is constant: to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. For more information please visit www.jdrfoc.org.

About Orange Coast magazine:
Orange Coast magazine has long had its finger on the pulse of Orange County, serving as the definitive guide to the area’s laidback luxury lifestyle. Having won numerous awards for its editorial, artwork and design, and recently awarded the title of the West’s Best City & Metropolitan Magazine and Best Overall Consumer Publication at the 2011 Maggie Awards.

Orange Coast magazine offers a refreshed, contemporary look and read for its 200,489 monthly readers. The design and editorial format speaks to a smart, sophisticated and influential readership. Orange Coast magazine is based in Newport Beach, CA, and is published by Emmis Communications. www.OrangeCoastMagazine.com

Emmis Communications – Great Media, Great People, Great Service®
Emmis is an Indianapolis-based diversified media firm with radio broadcasting and magazine publishing operations. Emmis Publishing includes Los Angeles magazine, Orange Coast, Texas Monthly, Indianapolis Monthly, Cincinnati magazine, Atlanta magazine and Country Sampler. Emmis owns 20 FM and two AM domestic radio stations serving the nation’s largest markets of New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, as well as St. Louis, Austin, Indianapolis and Terre Haute, Ind. Emmis also owns a radio network, international radio stations, an interactive business and ancillary businesses in broadcast sales. www.Emmis.com


For questions or more information, contact:
Lauren Townsend & Allison Olmstead Townsend Olmstead Media Co. 949.722.8488, Allison@tomediaco.com

Meet our New Client! Animal Blueprint Company

We want to introduce you to a new client of ours that we think you will love – Animal Blueprint Company. 


Animal Blueprint Company, designer of detailed dog portraits created in the original style of a 1950’s blueprint complete with schematics and design notes calling out thespecial features of each breed, has doubled its offerings and now offers over 75 dog breeds to choose from (see below for the full list of breeds).  All 75+ breeds are currently available online at www.animalblueprintcompany.com and in select retailers.

Featuring a distressed finish to give them the look and feel of working blueprints used by architects, engineers and construction supervisors in mid-20th century, the classic renderings are perfect for dog lovers or those who want to combine style, design and nostalgia in their homes.

A great stand-alone piece of art or as a collection, Animal Blueprints start at $110 with a variety of framing and matting options available and also make excellent gifts. Custom orders for specific breeds or individual pets are also available.




About Animal Blueprint Company
Inspired by a passion for animals, art and architecture, Animal Blueprint Company, is the creation of artist and graphic designer, Robert Redding, who prior to this latest endeavor spent more than a decade designing apparel for the surf and sportswear industry. Located in San Juan Capistrano, California, the company focuses on animal renderings drawn in the original format of blueprints used by design and construction professionals in the 1950’s. www.animalblueprintcompany.com

Blacktop 360™ Revolutionizes Outdoor Social Cooking + Announces The First of Its Kind, The Blacktop 360 Party Hub Grill Fryer™

TAILGATING HAS CHANGED FOREVER

Santa Fe Springs, CA - Blacktop 360™, a new company revolutionizing social outdoor cooking, announces its first line of ultimate patented outdoor cooking devices with the launch of its flagship product, the Blacktop 360 Party Hub Grill Fryer™, a versatile, ground-breaking way to grill, deep fry, griddle and much more anytime, anywhere. There is nothing else like it on the market.

Tailgating has become a sport in its own right pitting diehard cooks, dedicated sports fans, and party goers in competition to create a complete tailgating experience for friends and family. Now, with the Blacktop 360 Party Hub Grill Fryer, rather than standing in the corner tending the grill alone, the cook can be part of the action and party-goers can share in the preparation. Designed specifically to be the center of the party and easy to transport anywhere, the Blacktop 360 Party Hub Grill Fryer features a patented multi-tasking, round cook top that maximizes the cooking surface and offers 11 cooking functions including: grill, fry, griddle, warm, steam, wok/stir fry, boil, sauté, sauce pan, searing and fondue. Available nationwide at sporting good stores, home centers and mass retailers, the Blacktop 360 Party Hub Grill Fryer retails for $249 and will be available in stores this August.

The Blacktop 360 Party Hub Grill Fryer is the first portable outdoor cook top of its kind, allowing tailgater’s endless menu possibilities with one unit. The Party Hub Grill Fryer has four distinct, porcelain enamel cooking areas including the grill, griddle, warming plate and fryer, making it possible to make burgers and fries, chicken wings and poppers, and just about anything else all at the same time. It also features an accessories rail that comes with attachable plates with integrated cup holders, tool holder and cutting board. Serious BBQ-ers will love the 30,000 BTU’s of cooking power, infrared burner capable of 450-650+ degree temperatures, independent fry, grill and griddle controls, and generous 16oz. capacity deep fryer.

With matchless lighting, the Party Hub Grill Fryer uses a standard one-pound propane canister or can accommodate an optional hose for 20 lb tank use. It also features a removable splash ring to prevent oil splatter or that can double as a fondue ring, a high-temperature silicone steamer with a lid that fits over the deep fryer, and an oil/meat thermometer. Easy to clean with its porcelain coated cooking surface, the cooking surface tips to empty the fryer into an oil reserve mounted at the end of the channel.

The Party Hub Grill Fryer is also easy to transport in a carry bag, weighing less than 40 lbs. It has four sturdy, collapsible steel legs with parking lot gripping rubber feet and locking hinges for maximum safety and stability. Not just for tailgating, the Blacktop 360 Party Hub Grill Fryer is perfect for all outdoor parties including, the back yard, park, or beach.


ABOUT BLACKTOP 360
Inspired by outdoor social cooking for tailgating and more, Blacktop 360™ creates innovative products that are specifically designed for people to gather around, interact and have fun while preparing party food. With the Blacktop 360 Party Hub Grill Fryer™ and other products, the design is optimized for the cook and the guests to be in the center of the action, socializing and eating. Other products in the Blacktop 360 line include: the Party Hub Grill Fryer™ ($249), Frying Saucer™ ($129), Grillionaire™ ($99), Wok-O-Rama™ ($129), Pit Pan™ ($15.95), and Pit Grill™ ($15.95). All of the products represent new capabilities and features to let everyone tailgate in a way they simply couldn’t before. www.blacktop360.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Blacktop360

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Blacktop360

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Allison Olmstead & Lauren Townsend

allison@tomediaco.com . 949.722.8488 (o) . 949.887.2426 (m) . www.tomediaco.com

http://twitter.com/tomediaco

http://tomediaco.blogspot.com/