Dahvi's Weekend Debrief (4/27/25)
Speed dating in LA (!!!), milestone celebrations with media friends, more press trip updates (good and bad)
Lots of updates this week. I’ll start with what’s probably the most universally intriguing: speed dating in LA. I’ve always been curious, and it’s like why not? The key is having a fun friend join you who is on the exact same page as you are about the experience. So I grabbed my fellow journalist pal Jasmine Desiree, and the two of us took on Venice, CA.
One of my male publicist friends told me about this speed dating group. It’s called Love in LA, and they host ongoing ticketed events all throughout the city. I consider this friend to have good taste, so I figured if he can do it, so can I. He didn’t meet his match when he went, but he said he had a good time. The only upcoming event in my age group (and somewhat in proximity to where I live) was in Venice. I am not a Venice person, and being at this event reminded me of that. But more on that in a sec…
So, Jas and I met at Great White for a quick nibble and pow wow. We both felt calm and collected going into the experience, and with an open mind. Neither of us had done this before. I have to start by saying the venue was a weird vibe. It’s called The Lincoln on Lincoln Blvd., a street that’s always made me feel icky. Already, the energy was off. But, as far as event coordination is concerned, this was executed effortlessly. There are little nooks sectioned off with different numbers all around this one section of the bar. Once you log into your Love in LA account and “start the event,” a photo and a number appear on your phone. That leads to where you’re sitting and who with. After your five minute “date,” a bell rings, and you give your date a heart or an X (a la dating apps). We went on 13 dates. That was… a lot.
Well, anyway, no one was creepy or rude, but definitely no one was a match. It’s interesting how it really instates that knowing-within-3-seconds rule. There were a few downers, a few with totally different lifestyles/interests and a few that just were not it. There was one really handsome guy, but he said he still has PTSD from the military so yeah… not a match. And there was one guy who I’d be down to go to a concert with. But after Jas and I pow-wowed during intermission, we agreed there’s no reason to “like” the dates that we either see as just friends or as “well, maybe in case there’s no one else..” Looking back, I can tell you there was not one single guy who I would have wanted to see again. But, when all else fails, you document the night on TikTok so at least you leave with content, amirite? HERE’s the video if you’d like a visual recap (sans the actual dates themselves, of course).
All of that said, Jas and I aren’t opposed to trying this again. There’s actually a hetero meetup at Yamashiro in Hollywood on May 27, for ages 31-45. I would LOVE to get a group together (either sex, it doesn’t matter). If this sparks interest in any of you, PLEASE let me know. It could be a fun networking activity for us Substackers, especially if we haven’t met before IRL. ;). Also, HAVE YOU TRIED SPEED DATING BEFORE (regardless of location). I’m so curious about your experience.
To conclude on the speed dating front, I thought the main image of this post, a raccoon on a trashy date, was perfectly fitting. My friend Natalie gave me a framed print of this (I love raccoons) when I took her out for a belated bday lunch this week. The artist is Lora Zombie and apparently she’s doing an everything must go sale on her site. So if you like this, there are others similar. ◡̈
The rest of the weekend involved honoring longtime media friends. Let me just say, it’s crazy how quickly time flies. Like how have I known some of these people for 17 years?! Anyway, my friend Priscila Martinez threw a celebration to honor the 10-year anniversary of The Brand Agency at Cipriani in Beverly Hills. It was an intimate gathering with her clients and a few close media friends from over the years. I remember the day she started the company, so it was exciting to commemorate the milestone.
The next day I attended Christina Lara’s baby shower in Pasadena. Fun fact: She was literally one of the very first publicists I ever met when I started my job at E! Online. She was working with the Lauren Conrad Collection at the time, and while the original collection was panned, its appearance at LA Fashion Week (lol) in 2008 was major. The whole experience was chaotic, with people clamoring to get into the show. Getting backstage for my coveted hard-hitting exclusive about what fashion means to LC? Forget about it… Until, of course, Xtina saved the day. She told me exactly where to go, grabbed me to the backstage area and graced me with that interview (let me see if I can find it… ok sadly I can’t. I think E! Online stripped every old byline. That sucks.). Anyway, she has since moved to New York, met the love of her life and now they’re expecting in June. It was really nice seeing her and her old-school besties who I’ve spent time with over the years. She looked amazing.
I also got a lot of work done this weekend. (well, office-related work, not de-cluttering work). One thing at a time. But the surprise rain yesterday was pure joy, and today I’m looking out at the overcast sky and I feel more productive than ever. It’s wild how that works. Trying to get as much done before I leave on a four-day press trip to Tulum. This will be my 3rd time going there. It’s a beautiful, relaxing destination, but I’ve always said it’s the biggest schlep. So to be able to go with a brand and not have to do all the heavy lifting feels like a dream. It’s a wellness/relaxation trip with the supplement brand Blume (not to be confused with the other supplement brand Bloom - lol). In addition to fruity supplements, they’re known for superfood lattes, so if that’s what I’m subjected to all week, I’m good with that ;).
Speaking of press trips, I know we love having this discussion, so I have a little more tea to spill… At the beginning of the month, I was invited on a wellness trip to Lake Chelan, Washington (have you been?). I love lush nature, and I’ve only been to Washington like once, so I thought this sounded great. I was clear upfront with what I’d potentially be looking for in order to pitch for coverage, and got no reply. A full week later, I followed up and got a reply saying my concept wouldn’t work for this trip but they’ll keep me in mind for next time.
Guys, we have to do better. If a subject line reads: You're Invited: Relax & Recharge in Lake Chelan, I’m going to read that as this is happening, see you there! For starters, how are you not deeply researching my work before inviting me on a small press trip? Secondly, before extending a full-blown invite, ask to hop on a call and talk me through your ideal vision and what you expect on my end. And like so many of these, there was actually no mention of guaranteed coverage anywhere in the invite. “This exclusive, invitation-only trip is designed for you, a journalist we’ve identified as someone who may be interested in a wellness-focused travel experience, showcasing the best of what this peaceful haven has to offer.”
Here’s the thing: I see both sides. If the trip is curated a very specific way for a very specific journalist experience, I can understand why it doesn’t make sense to have me if our visions don’t align. But on the flip side, going off of the above, this is why you hop on a phone call first. This isn’t just another event. If five people are invited on a trip and you want to have all your ducks in a row, initiate that call. Especially if this is a journalist you’ve never worked with before.
For those who haven’t been here long enough to remember #HAMPTONSGATE (which started it all), there’s valuable insider’s intel provided by two leading PR experts in my Substack from that experience. It’s actually a really interesting read all around, so if you have any interest in planning better trips or avoiding major PR faux pas, give it a go. Even if you don’t work in PR, how this whole thing played out is juicy.
With that, I’m off to catch up with another media friend—Ashley, who I met in 2016 at a place we’ll keep private this time (IYKYK *wink*). I want to hear about your weekend plans, thoughts on press trip tact and whether you’ve gone speed dating! LMK in the comments.
And if you’re looking for any Sunday reading material, some highlights from my editorial month include:
Kimpton hotels partnered with Tiny Zaps tattoos to offer free tattoos at select destinations. It’s all part of the “tattourism” trend (are you familiar?)
Sarah Creal launched a luxury bronzer geared toward the Gen-X it-girls. (where are all my 45+ peeps at?!)
Everything to know about R.E.M.Beauty (Ariana Grande)’s new liquid eyeshadow collection (I’ve been wearing Fembot and I like it!)
Tarte collabed with Tru Fru frozen snacks for a lip-smacking delicious cherry lip collection and sweet treats (I’m not a big cherry girl, but these lip products feel nourishing and taste good!)
I was injected 40 times in the face, all in the name of moisture (my review of Allergan’s Skinvive)
So damn fun!!! No one better to go speed dating with 🥰