A couple weeks ago, LA's PsychicGirl Justine Kenzer, was visiting NYC and asked if she could do my reading. Apprehensive at first, I checked out her website. What I discovered was a lovely intro written by Ms. Kenzer and a ton of press (including; NY Times, The Daily News, the London Times, VH1, E!, Glamour, and countless other reputable press sources) about her and the numerous celebrities for whom she's done readings. In addition, she had met with my girls at The Luxury Spot, who adore this PsychicGirl.

I met Ms. Kenzer at a small cafe in the East Village. I was struck by her vivacious presence, extremely pleased she was not decked out in crystals, nor did she hint of patchouli (I did live in Venice Beach for several years). We ordered iced tea as she explained to me how it all works.

All readings are recorded for you, phone or in person. The recorded reading is sent you in by email link to an MP3 that you can listen to online, download to your own computer or ipod. Cool.

I felt completely comfortable and was ready for Ms. Kenzer to do her thing. She asked me to say my full name, as she would do an initial reading of what she saw.

What she saw, is so personal, that I cannot even disclose the details to you, my faithful readers. I had to bite my lip so I wouldn't burst into tears. Obviously, she could read on my face that she touched on something. She explained that a large part of what she does involves healing.

I consider myself to be more of a healer who is able to provide spiritual healing which can quickly result in positive change in your physical world. I strongly believe that destiny is not set in stone, that we create our own reality through our thoughts and our actions, yet we can have unconscious limitations due to our past experiences and the memories of them.

That being said, Ms. Kenzer went on to see my professional future... which involved loads of travelling to some amazing places, perhaps even writing about my adventures. Therefore, I was completely willing and open to any sort of healing in order to fulfill that prediction.

Though Ms. Kenzer revealed a few general dates which would bring my professional and love life into fruition, any shrink will tell you that you have to accept, deal and heal your past, in order to move forward.

Honestly, Ms. Kenzer's uncanny intuition regarding the skeletons in my closet, completely freaked me out. Yet, she was spot on and there is, without a doubt, something to be said for that.

Conclusion: Jot down some specific questions, and book an appointment with Justine Kenzer ASAP. Readings are available via instant message, phone or in person in Los Angeles.

Deets: PsychicGirl.com Email: Justine Kenzer

*Photo 1: Justine Kenzer

*Photo 2 courtesy of Wire Image: Justine Kenzer and Eva Longoria

The evening began by meeting my fantavulous and vivacious hostess of the evening, event planner and publicist extraordinaire- Christine Coppinger. Dressed to kill and a megawatt smile that lit up her eyes, Christine chatted me up on our way the ever so exclusive The Box.

Now all I had heard thus far was: a) you could not just show up and expect to get in, you had to have rezzies at a bottle service table or be on the list, b) there is nothing like it in Manhattan, and c) expect the unexpected.

Okay...

Hence, I decided to not try and figure out what this place was. Sure I grew up in the tri-state area and went to the underground galleries and lofts of the East Village and Soho in the 80's (thanks Mom and Dad) and spent many high school evenings partaking in the the "scene" that was NYC back in the day (sorry Mom and Dad). However, it's long since the days of keys, cards or those little tiny ziplocs manufactured for one reason, to grant entry into the latest hot spot.

So, like a transplant from Kansas City, as Christine gave her name to one of three door guys dressed in vests, one with a bowler hat, and general 20's gangster style, I belted,"I feel like we're going into a speakeasy during the prohibition!" Hopefully, they either could have cared less who I was to even care what was coming out of my freshly glossed lips, or ignored me out of courtesy to Christine.

Regardless, the door opened for us and Christine pushed aside the velvet curtain...

Fantastic.

Two gorgeous crystal chandeliers lit the deep oak bar, garnished with two male bartenders in similar garb as the door dudes. Everywhere was an unmistakable decor of another time. I felt like I was in Doris Duke and Mrs. Astor's estate sale, amidst a flea market in an Upstate New York town; minus the must and Guerlain Shalimar perfume scent.

Faded velvet cushions, a mini wooded rocking horse, dodged photographs from the year one, and I swear there were a few lace doilies around. My eyes were in heaven and awe.

Christine led me around, giving me the lay of the land, and informed me there was to be a show. We walked into the main room, adorned with banquettes and and tables- reservations and bottle service only. And at the far end: a closed curtain adorning a stage. I looked up to see sheer curtains hanging above the balcony.

We headed upstairs where I discovered the uber privee booths and immediately envisioned Moulin Rouge- men in silk top hats and women in lace and gabardine dresses with beaucoup cleavage, leaning over the banisters cheering on -La Revue de la Femme.

I absolutely adored this place and nothing had really happened yet, despite the fact that it was just before 2am.

We headed back downstairs, found a spot at the bar and dutifully sipped our champagne.

To read what happens next, please visit The Luxury Spot

*photos courtesy of Raven-O

** Special thank you to Christine Coppinger, and The Box for being an impressive, unique, and stellar venue.

On April 2nd, 2009, Dactyl Foundation opened its' 4th solo exhibition by Judy Glantzman, curated by Neil Grayson. The 30-Year Retrospective of drawings and paintings, includes works from 1979 which marked Neo-Expressionism, that was then on the forefront of New York's East Village scene.

It is apparent that Glantzman has stayed true to her core, with the exploration of psychosis and expression, throughout the years. Yet, she seems to have developed almost to an intrinsic examination of herself within her society, as well as an objective narration of those around her.

At first look, one might be struck by the dark foreboding characters portrayed in a whimsical palette. In deeper study, one sees an organic analysis of human expression and devotion, thus revealing a broad spectrum of innate emotions given the underlining subject or situation.

For example, in her smaller works, which are mostly grouped and displayed together, the 10 or 20 faces seem to come alive out of the background paint, almost as if the faces are a direct result of the landscape. Thus, purging the question- are we a product of our environment and how do we come into our own?

In Glantzman's larger works, which vary from expanded ideas similar to the aforementioned pieces, to a focal subject such as Monster Head- c.1993, which clearly elicits not only a sentiment, but the subject's reaction to a specific emotional response depicted in one image.

It is actually quite fascinating to visually dig into the depths of the canvas, the layers and layers of thick paint, conceptualizing that each layer may be the embodiment of a psychological expression.

In Glantzman's artists statement, she describes her work as, "A cacophony of voices desired to be heard, these paintings can be seen as the inside of my head made visible, ...The paintings are worked over a long period of time. The repetition and repainting allows me freedom to form each figure without judgment - I choose to reveal myself, but what is revealed can be scary. I try to be unafraid of my work."

Conclusion: Definitely worth a visit to Dactyl Foundation, 64 Grand Street, and absolutely take your time exploring the depths of Judy Glantzman's 30-Year Retrospective.

*Image courtesy of Judy Glantzman/Dactyl Foundation