New Harmony Benefit Gala: You're Invited!

Come on out to this very special benefit event in support of two wonderful organizations performing critical environmental and human rights work in Guatemala.

This event is a cocktail gala and concert featuring Guatemalan musicians Tuco Cárdenas and Fernando Juárez, followed by a party with NYC-based bands and DJs. Be ready to shake it!

All proceeds go towards supporting Semilla Nueva's ongoing work in sustainable agriculture, and maintaining the various social programs offered by Nuevos Horizontes, a nonprofit organization that works on behalf of the rights of women and children in Guatemala.

In particular for Nuevos Horizontes, the proceeds from this event will allow the daycare center to stay open in 2011. The daycare center is for children of working mothers/families living in poverty, and provides full-time childcare as well as nutritional, educational, and psychological services.

When: SATURDAY, December, 18th 7:00pm - 10:00pm (6:00pm - 10:00pm with VIP tickets)

Where: Club Soiree NYC | 199 Bowery, | MANHATTAN, NY 10002

Tickets: $35 General Admission; $100 VIP
REGISTER ONLINE HERE: http://www.semillanueva.org/event1210.php

Come out and support the farmers of our future!

Angry Fashionistas Take It to the Streets

Young black women, feeling more and more under represented in the fashion world, took their frustrations to the street on the opening day of Fashion Week (Sept 9th).

Find out more at Clutch Magazine:

http://clutchmagonline.com/newsgossipinfo/young-women-stage-fashion-in-action-demonstration-at-new-york-fashion-week/

Ladies Lotto at Red Velvet Lounge Photos - Were You There?

Photos by Susie G & Katie Dicicco

Ladies Lotto Networking Event at Red Velvet Lounge in NYC. We had so much fun, over 100 of the finest female creative tastemakers in NYC came out to network, taste amazing Baked By Melissa cupcakes courtesy of Red Velvet Lounge, sip on XANTE liqueur and chase it with refreshing bubbly from Perrier. Tunes by Susie G + Lacee Swan.

Are You In It To Win It? Hope to see you at our next event!

xo

Kinect the Dots

In mid-February a select group of tastemakers, bloggers, early adopters and media were invited to an intimate event in New York City. Once there; they were given an up close and personal introduction to Xbox's super secret Project Natal as chronicled in Project Natal: Rebirth of Gaming. Project Natal was Xbox's answer to Nintendo's Wii, with an interesting spin -- the player became the controller -- and picked up where Sony Playstation left off with the EyeToy. Guests tried their hand at a retooled version of Ball Breaker. Players flung their arms, kicked up their legs and on occasion used their heads to keep the ball in play with the aid of a trusty avatar.

Months later many of those same guests were invited to share in the Project Natal for Xbox 360 Experience at E3; the gaming world's Mecca. Ladies Lotto's Chrystina Woody and Jessica Lange (both from Edelman for Xbox) shepherded designer Samantha Edwards (LLNY), YouTube make up guru Melissa Ponce de Leon, writer Lindsey Murphy, me and others into what was likely to be an unforgettable experience.

We were jetted off to Los Angeles for four days and three nights. Upon arrival we were given quite possibly the best welcome goodie bag one could receive, including a guide to the city -- which went along well with Liz Wasserman's (LLLA) guide to what's cool in the City of Angels, sun block, the most comfy poly-cotton tee ever and a few other much welcomed surprises. Later we met the rest of the crew we would be sharing some quality time with during the "experience". Other guests were bar owner Danny Marino, an Olympic gold medalist -- with shiny medal in tow and Heidi, an amazing mom blogger. At the meet and greet we pondered what we would be seeing the following night at Cirque du Soleil's performance and afterward at Loft 7.

The following day we were off to have the time of our lives. First there was a pre-party at The Lab Gastropub in Downtown LA. In between bites we took some time to bang the drum as a part of the interactive experience of the Project Natal World Premiere Imagined by Cirque du Soleil at The Galen Center.

After our stomachs were filled with the delicious treats produced by the staff at The Lab we headed over to The Galen Center -- it seemed like a circus. Thousands of people were gathered outside, eagerly awaiting what was in store inside the venue. The entryway was inhabited by undulating dancers draped in multicolored ethnic garb and "tribal" makeup. Upon entering the venue we were given the oddest looking gowns: shiny, white and held up by quite possibly the largest shoulder pads created by man. We weren't quite sure if we were going to experience outer-space travel. While we were waiting for the show to start there was lots of chatter about what the real name of the peripheral was -- many settled on Kinect and lo and behold, they were right!

Cirque du Soleil dancer

The Cirque du Soleil show was quite unlike anything I've ever seen. Odd tribes people ran back and forth in the center of the room uttering an unintelligible language while engaging the audience in dancing, marshmallow making and a game of Telephone; complete with cups and string. To make matters more interesting, a family was suspended approximately 20 feet above us with no explanation. Later, another wonder -- gamers; men women and children played upside down, sideways and any which way imaginable on another wall. Each sequence of play introduced us to another game; Kinectimals, Kinect Sports and Kinect Adventures. For the gamer who was a little more hardcore they revealed Star Wars for Kinect. Also, the secret of the space gowns was finally revealed. The shoulder pads contained RFID chips that allowed producers to create waves of color sequences as a part of the show's finale. After such a spectacle how could we not be left glowing?

Sean Gallagher and KK Graham

The party didn't stop after the show. We were ushered over to the trendy Loft 7 at the Haas Building for another hands on experience complete with drinks, treats and music by Ladies Lotto's DJ Lady Sha. There we lined up to play the games previewed at the Cirque du Soleil experience and a few more: the wildly popular Dance Central and Kinect Joy Ride.

DJ Lady Sha on the decks

Samantha Edwards and Danny Marino playing Kinect Joy Ride

Kinect Joy Ride

Kinect Sports

Dance Central

Based on the name of the peripheral and the games introduced, Kinect is definitely geared towards families first and foremost. It's all about making the human connection and moving. The games encourage you to play in a team setting and are a great substitute for those days when you can't get to the gym. Kinect does away with passive game play and really invites players to get in the game. The event in and of itself was a bonding moment since many people who were strangers became friends.

Xbox has taken gaming to a whole new level and I am so there! Gamers can't wait to see what else Xbox has in store for Kinect. Units are already being pre-sold and they are moving fast.

November 4th -- get Kinected!

Clockwise: Sean Gallagher (designer); Chrystina Woody (Edelman for Xbox) KK Graham, Ladies Lotto; Lindsey Murphy, Edelman's Jessica Lange

Stay tuned for the Slideshow!

The Eggs in Your Basket: Sexuality and Cougardom

Women's sexual appetite increases with age, yet women are more fertile in their teens and 20's. Ever wonder why the onset of middle age makes women lust more? Time Magazine has explored this issue in a recent article.

All cougars in training take a look and let us know what you think: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2002838,00.html

Il Cielo: Sky Ferreira

Sky Ferriera is a singer-songwriter in the vein of Marina & the Diamonds and La Roux and Ladie's Lotto has the scoop on this young artist for you. Her style might make you think that she is far beyond her 17 years when she wears vintage dresses from all over the world (check out her fashion feature in Elle Magazine). However, her electro fused pop songs are pure youth that would have the teenagers heading for the dance floor. Her single 17, available now on Itunes from E.M.I., could easily fit in with the current pop music world (although I don't think her sound is quite as developed as that of the on-the-rise Marina & the Diamonds). If you listen to the lyrics of this tune, she definitely does not let you forget her age. Besides the title, the lyrics discuss her age as a "dirty little secret" when she's drinking with her friends "at the nightclub." Sky's lyrical focus on her age could make people focus on this subject more than her music. What are your thoughts: does it pigeon-hole the burgeoning pop star as a teen singer or can she grow into a successful 20 something pop act?

Her voice and electro style also bring a new sound to a very edgy cover of "Happiness is a Warm Gun" by the Beatles. You can check out this cover on her Myspace- it is listed under the name "Happy Dre" and is produced by Daniel Luttrell. I really like what she did with this song; her young feminine voice brings a new sound to this classic song. The beats on the song make me sad that I can't dance even a little in my non-air conditioned apartment without breaking a serious sweat.

For now, I will keep her single 17 in my pregame playlist; at least while I can still understand the fear of getting caught with a fake id. I can definitely dance to this beat but, as her song says, "I wonder how long she can last before she falls." I look forward to seeing her mature and see what comes from Sky Ferreira. I for one will be happy to buy her debut record if she develops into Marina's style of respectable, confident, and sexy womanhood as opposed to Ke$ha's party animal, drink till you drop, hot mess style pop act.

If Women Owned Their Money Like Their Sexuality

Do the ladies feel as confident with their money as they do their sexuality? Women are quite comfortable with owning our sexuality but how does that translate to our financial lives? Seems like the ladies are a little behind in the latter... Meaning: our attitudes and actions when it comes to money are closer to our grandmother's. GASP.

"According to a 2007 study on gender differences by Tahira Hira of Iowa State University and Cäzilia Loibl of Ohio State University, women are still less likely to be socialized in financial matters, and they are more likely than men to find investment decisions stressful, difficult and time consuming. The study also found that it often takes a life event, like getting married, to prompt women to save and invest, whereas men were more likely to start investing gradually."

- Maddy Dychtwald in her new book on women's economic power, Influence

That is precisely WHY all of you in NYC should be attending our HOMEBODIES event tomorrow night (June 8th in Brooklyn) - because you should be owing your money like you do your sexuality!! There's no empowerment like independence.

More information here: http://ladieslotto.blogspot.com/2010/06/are-you-homebody.html

Read the full article about Women's attitudes towards money on Jezebel.com here - http://jezebel.com/5534241/own-your-money-like-you-own-your-sexuality-the-depressing-truths-about-women--money

Dang-A-Lang by Trina, Lady Saw & Nicki Minaj

Los Angeles: Lotto Take Over! March 30th at The Village Idiot

Hello, hello!

Spring is in full-effect, the flowers are blooming & the birds are chirping and you're getting ready to conquer the season! Broaden your social and professional network by mixing with Ladies Lotto.

Here's the deal -

March 30th
8-10PM

The Village Idiot
7383 Melrose Ave (between Martel & LaBrea)
Los Angeles, CA 90046

Doing what we do best - bringing power house ladies together to create & further personal and professional development, build successful ventures and community.

Ladies Lotto Los Angeles begins spring with an exclusive networking event for its members and those like-minded independent ladies.

Join us as we bring together women from all over LA and a variety of industries for drinks and dinner (optional).

RSVP NOW: RSVPLA@LADIESLOTTO.COM

$15 prix fix available (includes food and beverages)

**Look sharp, bring your business cards & like-minded women**

Flashback: Evelyn Champagne King

A little music from singer Evelyn "Champagne" King to make a Monday go really right...

Love Come Down video on YOUTUBE -


Here's the MP3

Solo Mujeres at Mission Cultural Center SF is March 3rd

The Solo Mujeres Exhibition at Mission Cultural Center opens on March 2nd, running through March 27th (right in time for Women's History Month).

The Opening Reception is Wednesday March 3rd from 6-9:30pm
Admission $5

A little about this two-part show: 1) Aesthetics for Renewed Independence Group exhibition, curated by Aide Rodriguez is in the Main Gallery

“Two Four looks at four decades of Latina culture through collected photographs and ephemera from the archive of life long 24th Street/Mission resident Sandy Cuadra as well as through preserved archival footage of the neighborhood from the 70s and 80s collected by Veronica Majano and the Mission Film Archive”. - Clare Haggarty (curator)

“Two-Four Home Girls, Circa 1980”

The Tiny Locas, "You and I" dances, and the Low-rider cars represented rites of passage and the social scene for teenage girls in the early 1980's in the 24th Street Mission neighborhood. The exhibition features photographs by Sandy Cuadra- a former Tiny Loca who has lived in the Mission for over 30 years- memories of dancing, cars, parties in the park, and tight friendships. In addition, footage from the Mission Film Archive (thanks to filmmaker Vero Majano) further activates the world of Low-riders and the "You and I" dances. Vintage posters to promote those dances, made by Mitchell Salazar, also hang in the gallery, and complete this nostalgic look into a particular period in the Mission that speaks to the former teenager in all of us.

Yo-landi Vi$$er of Die Antwoord

Latest obsession - Yo-landi Vi$$er of Die Antwoord. She's a pretty cool chica. If you haven't heard of them, you've been living under a rock (and that's ok, there's a lot of more important stuff to know about).

Here's the site: http://www.dieantwoord.com/

And below is their official video for "Enter the Ninja"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc3f4xU_FfQ

Focus. Say No.

A simple yet helpful and motivational piece on the importance of FOCUS by Michele Miller. Take the 30 sec out of your day to read this then learn how to say NO.

"In a day when we have cell phones tethered to our being and an email Inbox that never stops dinging, focus is not easy to master.

But it’s really the only way anything of substance is created and maintained, from business plans, to marketing strategies, to blog posts.

I’ve had friends and clients over the years that can’t quite get a handle on this focus thing. They want to be all things to all people.

They think that by offering a broad selection of product they’ll swamp the market, when in reality they’re diluting their message and impact to the point that no one really cares.

Focus is hard. Sometimes, focus seems impossible. I know. I’ve been there (and still struggle with it).

You need a mantra. A daily question to ask yourself in order to keep you on the right track:

What Will I Say NO To, Today?

Focus means that something has to give. Some things that you’d really like to do, or take care of, or help with, must fall away.

It almost always means saying NO to someone you care about.

But until you start saying NO, you’ll never have the focus you need for the big success you dream about. You may end up with a handful of small successes, but not one of them will have any long-term impact.

I know, I know – it’s hard at first, but it definitely gets easier the more you do it. That’s because every time you do say it, your load gets just a little bit lighter. And you get a little less angry with yourself. And a little less depressed.

EXERCISE: Sit down and make a list of all the demands on your time and energy – home, family, business, staff, friends, organizations. Take 3 of those demands and say NO – not just to yourself, but out loud to the person who needs to hear it.

Then be bold and write down how it made you feel in the Comments section below. Does your load feel a little lighter already?"

I Have A Dream - Let's Hear It For The Girls!

Today is a holiday commemorating civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. He has forever changed the world in which we live in. Much gratitude to his contributions.

We're all aware of the amazing contributions that Dr. King, Jr lent to the civil rights movement and like every movement, revolution, posse or gang, women played a key role. Here are quotes by women who helped make a difference in this movement.

"I want history to remember me not just as the first black woman to be elected to Congress, not as the first black woman to have made a bid for the presidency of the United States, but as a black woman who lived in the 20th century and dared to be herself."
- Shirley Chisholm

"No march, movement, or agenda that defines manhood in the narrowest terms and seeks to make women lesser partners in this quest for equality can be considered a positive step."
- Angela Davis

"Nobody's free until everybody's free." - Fannie Lou Hamer

“Greatness is not measured by what a man or woman accomplishes, but by the opposition he or she has overcome to reach his goals.” - Dorothy Height

"Women, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe that you must become its soul." - Coretta Scott King

LLady Parking Only

This is NOT a joke.

A shopping center in China's Hebei province has built a car park with wider spaces and painted in pink and light purple to appeal to female tastes.

Official Wang Zheng said the car park was meant to cater to women's "strong sense of color and different sense of distance". UM OK???

The parking bays are one metre (3ft) wider than normal spaces, he said.

The Wanxiang-Tiancheng shopping centre had also "installed signs and security monitoring equipment that corresponded more to women's needs", he said.

Female parking attendants have been trained to help guide women drivers into their parking spaces. The bays also have extra lighting.

via BBC

A Woman's Worth - $3 Trillion Bucks!

Women business owners have a MAJOR impact on the economy. $3 Trillion bucks baby!

In her article on Huffington Post, Ladies Lotto member Adelaide Lancaster writes

"Apparently the independence we women entrepreneurs seek is coming at a big price. The benefits of entrepreneurship are driving more women than ever into self-employment, yet the financial rewards necessary to make this trend stick, still elude most of us.

In October the Center for Women's Business Research published the first ever study on the economic impact of women business owners in the US.

The following data were rightly heralded by many media outlets as a great triumph:

* There are approximately 8 million women-owned businesses nationwide

* Women-owned businesses employ 23 million workers (16% of total US jobs)

* Women business owners account for approximately $3 trillion dollars of total economic impact

Pretty impressive stuff."

We are definitely impressed. What's rather alarming is that regardless of this MAJOR economic contribution, women are STILL getting shorted! Read more from her article HERE.

And we highly recommend spreading the word to raise awareness and DEMAND MORE!

First Annual Cougar Convention

This is HILARIOUS. SPOILER: Best quote of the piece - "I like young penises and old vaginas."

Cougars - STAND UP!

Art Exhibition: Feminine Topography

Sofia Vilarinho and Raquel Nicoletti along with a small crew have created a super interesting art installation called Feminine Topography. Aimed at bringing attention to the physicality and importance of women's bodies, beyond the usual glamorization. The works include jewelry made from paper maché, artificial skin, and human hair. Check out the video of the live performance.

NYC LLABS: The Better Cupcake

LLabs; a low-cost, no frills event where we help members find solutions to pertinent everyday issues.

Our next LLAB is on Tuesday, Sept 22nd at Butter Lane!

HOW TO MAKE A BETTER CUPCAKE + get that crazy dream started (like these chicks did)!

Hear from owners Maria Baugh (Managing Editor at Glamour), Linda Lea (Producer: Queer Eye for the Straight Guy) & Pam Nelson (Founder: Girl Press)

Tuesday, Sept 22nd
7PM

123 East Seventh Street
NY NY 10009

RSVP: LLABS@LADIESLOTTO.COM

Check them out on Martha.

Hot, Green & Shameless

Reposted from Treehugger

"Angry feminists usually get the eye roll. But what about angry green girls? Seems like they're getting plenty of attention - or at least this particular spokesperson for green issues. Basically, Angry Green Girl knows how to use her hotness for getting attention, but for a good green cause. From hybrid-only bikini car washes to nearly naked shower tips, check out how Angry Green Girl broadens the eco-issue umbrella through her sarcasm-laden eco-tips. Water issues have never looked quite like this. Scathing sarcasm and sex.

Think it works? The AngryGreenGirl website is a whole network of women like this - "hot, green and shameless," that is - working to spread the word about green issues...and they're getting thousands upon thousands of page views."

This particular brand of sarcasm is a little over the top as far as I'm concerned, but it's nice to see women putting their obvious charms to good use! Hey, if you've got it, flaunt it!

Kung Fu Nun

A Kung Fu expert has towed eight cars 30m with her hair in Kaifeng City in China.

Zhang Ting Tang fell short of her target of 100m but was still pleased with the stunt.

The 52-year-old, who credited her martial arts skills to the strength of her hair, then shaved it off so that she could officially be recognised as a nun.

SOURCE: BBC News

Watch the video here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/8221933.stm