Splitsville: Population Jesse James & Kat Von D

Hope they haven’t yet sent out save-the-date cards!

Six months after announcing their engagement, Kat von Dand Jesse James have called it quits.

PHOTOS: Hollywood’s broken engagements

Breaking the news on her Twitter page late Monday, L.A. Ink tattoo artist von D, 29, offered a short statement out of respect for her former fiance.

“I am no longer w Jesse, and out of respect for him, his family and myself, thats all the info I’d like to share. Thanks for respecting that,” von D (real name: Katherine von Drachenberg) blogged.

PHOTOS: Celebs’ crazy tattoos

Engaged since January, von D and James, 41, first stepped out as a couple in August 2010: making out at a Las Vegas museum exhibit and then holding hands in Fredericksburg, Texas.

In a promo that began airing earlier this month for her TLC series, L.A. Ink, von D gushed about her then-fiance. “I feel like I’m the luckiest girl,” she said in the clip. “I don’t care what anybody thinks.”

VIDEO: Watch Kat von D and Jesse snuggle up in the show promo

This would have been the second marriage for von D and the fourth marriage for James, whose exes include Karla James, porn actress Janine Lindemulder and, most famously, Sandra Bullock.

James’ six-year marriage to Bullock famously ended with the revelation of his affair with numerous women — including Michelle “Bombshell” McGee, a stripper with a similar plethora of tattoos.

usweekly

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Virgin America Sale!

Virgin America is having a sale on flights from SFO until this Friday. These are the lowest prices so far this year.  Take advantage of the lowered taxes from the FAA hold up.

Sample each-way nonstop fares:
- Los Angeles ... $49
- Las Vegas ... $49
- San Diego ... $59
- Seattle ... $79
- Dallas ... $99
- Chicago ... $109
- Los Cabos ... $119 (August and September only)
- Washington, D.C. ... $139
- Boston ... $139 (starts in September)
- New York ... $139 (starts in September)
- Fort Lauderdale ... $139
Travel

Monday Shopping!

Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale is still going on.  This is their best sale of the year!

Banana Republic is giving you an extra 35% off your entire order just for today.  Use the code BRSUMMER when checking out.

Rue La La has Taryn Rose shoes, pre-fall fashions and Skagen watches on sale today!

Ideeli is having a sale on designers Adrienne Vittadini, BCBGeneration, Kensie Girl and more today!

Gilt has sales on Banana Republic’s Mad Men Collection, Cynthia Vincent shoes, Peter Som & Derek Lam and more!

Swirl has sales on Voom by Joy Han, DVF Sunglasses, exotic accessories and many others today!

Beyond The Rack has sales on Michael Kors, designer shoes, and lots of sexy lingerie.

Neiman Marcus is giving an extra 25% off their Last Call sale prices.  It doesn’t get much cheaper than this!

Last Call is giving an extra 20% off your order when you buy 2 items, 30% off when you buy 3 and 40% off when you buy 4 or more.  This is going on today and tomorrow.

Cole Haan is giving an extra 25% off all sale items today only!

BCBG has an extra 20% off on all markdowns.

Calvin Klein‘s Final Sale ends today with an additional 20% off all clearance items.

Shopbop is having their Summer Sale with up to 70% off.

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Cal Football Tickets

If you have ever been to a Cal football game, you know how fun they are even if you aren’t a Cal fan.  You can buy pre-sale tickets beginning July 24th at 9am.  Use pre-sale code CAAF11 and buy tickets 24 hours before the general public!

Social Events ,

Details Emerge on Amy Winehouse…

Details surrounding the death of Amy Winehouse have begun to emerge today, and it has been claimed she purchased a combination of drugs that included cocaine, ecstasy and ketamine late on Friday evening in Camden.

  • Amy Winehouse
    (Reuters/Stefan Wermuth)
    Flowers and tributes are seen outside the home of Amy Winehouse in London July 24, 2011. Winehouse, one of the most talented singers of her generation whose hit song “Rehab” summed up her struggles with addiction, died in London on July 23 at the age of 27.
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Winehouse was found dead at her house on Saturday afternoon, and as yet police have still not been able to confirm the exact cause of death.

However, a source has reported to The People that Winehouse was seen buying a mixture of drugs in the hours before her death. Other reports have said that she was drinking heavily prior to her death.

According to the Sunday Mirror in Britain a “friend” of Winehouse has said she believes she died from a “bad” ecstasy pill that was mixed with a large amount of alcohol.

The friend said, “It was an ecstasy overdose. She could do cocaine until the cows come home. But this was obviously a dodgy pill.”

A post-mortem is scheduled for Sunday to determine the exact cause of death.

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After news broke of her death, hundreds of fans and friends rushed outside her home to see if the news was true, and a memorial has been established with well-wishers leaving flowers and messages outside her home.

Winehouse’s management company, Metropolis Music, released a statement Sunday saying: “We are trying to come to terms with the death of a dear friend and colleague, the most amazing artist and talent.

“We will always remember Amy as a vibrant, funny, caring young woman who made everyone around her feel welcome. We have lost a very special person, part of our family.”

Winehouse’s mother Janis has told of her concern for her daughter when they met just 24 hours prior to her death. Janis said, “She seemed out of it. But her passing so suddenly still hasn’t hit me.”

The heartbroken mother described the final time she saw her daughter alive; Amy told her mother “I love you, Mum.”

Janis said, “They are the words I will always treasure and always remember Amy by.”

Winehouse’s father had just arrived in New York on a jazz tour when the news of his daughter’s death was reported to him. He said, “I’m coming home. I have to be with Amy. I can’t crack up for her sake. My family need me.”

A police spokesperson said in a press conference has confirmed that as yet no cause of death had yet been confirmed: “I am aware of reports of a suspected drugs overdose, but I would like to re-emphasize that no post-mortem has yet taken place and it would be inappropriate to speculate on the cause of death.

“The death of any person is a sad time of friends and family especially for someone known nationally and internationally like Amy Winehouse. My sympathy extends not only to her family but also to her millions of fans across the world.”

Winehouse’s U.S. record label released a statement saying: “We are deeply saddened at the sudden loss of such a gifted musician, artist and performer. Our prayers go out to Amy’s family, friends and fans at this difficult time.”

Stuff and Things

Festival de Comida Peruana

The 3rd Annual Peruvian Food Festival is Sunday, July 24th from 10am-7pm.  More than 20 chefs and restaurants will be preparing over 40 unique Peruvian dishes.  There will also be 2 stages with live entertainment and a beverage garden featuring delicious Peruvian beverages and beers.  Its a free event that takes place at the Civic Center Plaza.

Food, Social Events ,

Sonoma In the City

Sonoma in the City is the largest tasting of Sonoma County wines outside of Sonoma.  Besides San Francisco, it has taken place in NYC and Washington, D.C., and is a great opportunity to try hundreds of Sonoma County wines all in one place.  My friend Garret, a sommelier at Cafe Des Amis, got invited to a VIP luncheon as he is friends with Evan Goldstein, a Master Sommelier who was hosting the event along with his company, Full Circle Wine Solutions.  Garret was generous enough to invite me since he knew A) I liked to drink and B) I’m not currently working full-time so could booze it up on a lovely Tuesday at noon.

The luncheon and Grand Tasting took place at the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco.  The chef of the luncheon was Duskie Estes of Zazu in Santa Rosa.  Food Network geeks might also recognize her from when she competed on the Next Iron Chef.  It consisted of a 3 course meal and each course was paired with 3 wines.  Eek!  This is going to be a looooong day.

The first course was Tolenas Farm Quail paired with Redwood Hill goat cheese gnocchi and Sebastopol mushrooms, peas and baby carrots.  The quail was tender and succulent and very tasty.  The gnocchi were like fluffy little pillows.  If you like goat cheese, these were little pillows of heaven.  This course was paired with 3 different Chardonnays: 2004 Ramey Wine Cellers Ritchie Vineyard, 2005 Martinelli Winery & Vineyards Charles Ranch, and 2005 Hanzell Vineyards.

The second course was lacquered pork belly with red quinoa, black crimson tomato and anise hyssop chimichurri.  I finished everything on my plate.  Is that descriptive enough?  This course was paired with 3 different Pinot Noirs: 2002 Joseph Swan Vineyards Trenton Estate, 2003 Dutton-Goldfield Winery Sanchietti Vineyard and 2005 Papapietro Perry Winery Peters Vineyard.   I had the honor of sitting next to Rod Berglund who is the owner of Joseph Swanson. Ironically, that was my fave wine…somehow my glass of Joseph Swan was empty before the course was finished…must have been a leaky glass.

The third course was venison chops with grilled eggplant caponata, cocoa nibs and bing cherries.  Venison is normally a little too gamey for me but these were cooked a perfect medium-rare and just melted in your mouth.  The cherries and eggplant was an odd combination but ended up being a wonderful compliment to the venison.  I guess she knows what she’s doing since she was an Iron Chef contender.  This course was paired with 3 different Cabernet Sauvignons: 1992 Silver Oak Cellars, 1998 Laurel Glen Vineyard, 2001 Chateau St Jean Cinq Cepages.

After the meal, it was off to the Grand Tasting down the hall.  Garret’s colleague Ted was too cool for the luncheon but shockingly made it to the wine tasting.  And in we walked.  So many wines, so little time!  I’m not spitter but I was trying to not drink the entire pour.  Ok, there were some that accidentally got finished but I was really making an effort to not drink everything that got poured into my glass.  Despite my valiant efforts, I still ended up a little drunk by the end of the event.  And since the entire event was in a hotel, you had no idea what time it was, much like Vegas.  When we left and I was very bewildered to see it was still very light out.  It felt like it should be midnight and it was only 5pm.  So the moral of the story here is…..to get a cool friend like Garret who invites you to fun events like this! And don’t drink and drive.

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Marc Anthony Cheated!

Affair in the air?

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony announced their surprising split last Friday, but the duo came close to parting ways two years ago because of Anthony’s fling with a flight attendant.

PHOTOS: Look back at J-Lo in Marc in happier times

In the new Us Weekly, out now, a source says that Anthony, 42, hooked up with a flight attendant he met aboard a private plane in 2009.

PHOTOS: All of Jennifer’s exes

“Marc and Jennifer almost split up over it,” the source tellsUs of the couple, parents to 3-year-old twins Emme and Max.

Seconds another insider: “Jennifer was going to leave him then, but Marc begged her to stay. They went to marriage counseling and she decided to give it another shot. He was someone she truly loved.”

PHOTOS: Jen and Marc’s adorable twins

Although Anthony and the American Idol judge, 41, weathered the storm of infidelity, his raging jealousy over Lopez’s successful career continued to drive a wedge between them. Anthony’s controlling behavior over his wife’s wardrobe and business endeavors — and his own unfounded paranoia about her and other men– also factored in to their major decision to end their seven year marriage.

PHOTOS: Hollywood’s friendliest exes

For much more on the shocking split — what’s at stake, their money squabbles, who will get  Max and Emme and whether she’s ready to date again — pick up the new Us Weekly

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Kayak’s Travel Deals of the Week

If you are interested in any of these deals, email me at Barbara@wrighttravelagency.com!

 This Week’s Deals – July 20, 2011

Hotel $99
& up
Save Over 65% on 3-Nights or More at Atlantis
Limited time only – book by 7/24 to stay this Fall
Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas
Cruise $499*
& up
European Cruises on Sale this Summer
Sail through the Mediterranean, the Aegean and more
Expedia
Hotel $154
& up
Luxury All-Inclusive Riviera Maya Resort
Beachfront, adults only resort deal available this summer & fall
Excellence Resorts
Vacation $1349*
& up
8-Night Guided Tour of China w/ Air & Internal Flights
Use promo code to save in Shanghai, Beijing, Xian, & more in 2012
Gate 1 Travel View Taxes, Terms & Conditions
Vacation $299*
& up
Caribbean & Mexico Getaways on Sale w/ Air
Use promo code to save in Bahamas, Cabo & more – book by 7/22
CheapCaribbean.com View Taxes, Terms & Conditions
Flight $168*
& up
Low Fares to Canada, Asia, & South America
Fly O/W to Calgary, Montreal, E/W to Tokyo, Santiago, R/T Requ’d
Air Canada View Taxes, Terms & Conditions
Hotel $210 All-Inclusive Costa Rica Resort on Sale
Junior Suite w/ terrace in Guanacaste through November
The Westin Playa Conchal provided by Travelzoo
Hotel $179
& up
Luxury Honolulu Beachfront Hotel Rooms on Sale
Stay between 8/28 and 10/2 to get this Hawaiian deal
Hilton Hawaiian Village
Travel

What Would You Sell a Baby For?

Mother tries to sell baby at Taco BellHeidi Lynn Knowles tried to sell her newborn for $500 in Taco Bell.

Heidi Lynn Knowles tried to sell her newborn for $500 in Taco Bell.

A mother walks into a Taco Bell…and what does she do? No, she doesn’t order a Beefy 5 Layer Burrito. She peddles her three-day old to a customer. Some people just shouldn’t have children.

Heidi Lynn Knowles, 36, of Vancouver, Wash., reportedly stumbled into the restaurant and started taking bids from customers for her newborn son. The asking price ranged from $500 to $5,000. The cops were later called and showed up at a motel where Knowles was crashed. She was charged with attempted child selling-buying, a Class C felony, and was held on $50,000 bail.

Some customers reported that Knowles seemed drunk or high at the Taco Bell, but in court she claimed to have been clean from methamphetamine for a year. She also said that she was trying to sell her baby so she’d have more money to leave town and start a new life.

A friend, who showed up at the hearing to support Knowles, told reporters that the new mother might be struggling with postpartum depression, according to the Seattle Times.

Knowles has a criminal history that includes drug-possession and domestic-violence assault charges.

This story breaks my heart. This child deserves better. This mother needs help.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfmoms/detail?entry_id=93549#ixzz1ShEs0vha

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