We posted this press release a while back, but now it’s officially official! In honor of this excellent news, we’ve reverted to our BRAVA blog, In the Know for all updates. Thanks for staying with us through this trying time … we can’t wait for you to see the outcome in August!

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We are thrilled to announce that after a three month hiatus, BRAVA Magazine is back in action, under new ownership and set to launch an August issue! After seven years of celebrating women in Madison and beyond, we simply couldn’t let such an outstanding product fall to the wayside. Read the following press release for the full story …

And until August, we want to stay connected with you! Please excuse the construction on our Web site (bravamagazine.com) as we’re in the process of updating everything with our fresh new look, but in the meantime, check back here to stay In the Knowon all things BRAVA, sent to you from our brand new digs: 951 Kimball Lane, Ste. 104 in Verona. (Feel free to stop by … we love visitors!)

And, if you’re up for it, we’d be honored to have your support on the Web.

• Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/bravamagazine
• And if you haven’t already, become a fan of BRAVA on Facebook

As always, thank you for your continued support. We’re eternally grateful to our dedicated advertisers and devoted readers — spread the word and stay tuned!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Michelle Page-Alswager
(608) 235-3857
michelle@bravaenterprises.com

BRAVA MAGAZINE AND MADISON WOMEN’S EXPO ANNOUNCE RELAUNCH

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BRAVA magazine confirms release date of August 1, 2009

Madison, Wis. — June 15, 2009 — BRAVA magazine, the monthly lifestyle publication dedicated to celebrating the lives of women in south central Wisconsin, announces it will re-launch the popular magazine with a brand new look on August 1, 2009.

Erickson Publishing, LLC, former publisher of BRAVA magazine, its sister publication the annual encore edition and producer of the Madison Women’s Expo suspended operations in April.  The fate of the products was unknown. Kristin Erickson, owner of Erickson Publishing, LLC, is happy to have sold the business to a core group of former employees. “I am so proud of the impact BRAVA made to our readers, our advertisers and the community as a whole,” Erickson says.  “It was extremely hard to suspend publication, and I am absolutely thrilled that this team of talented professionals will continue to take the products to new exciting levels. I am delighted to pass the baton to Laura Houlihan.”  Erickson will also remain working with the team as a consultant.

“The team is assembled and has been working behind the scenes for weeks in the hopes the purchase would go through,” says Houlihan, the newly named publisher of the magazine. Houlihan brings to the table her past experience running Skirt Magazine in Jacksonville, Fla., as well as her sales experience at BRAVA. “The outpouring of support from our readership and advertisers has been amazing. We couldn’t let it die,” says Houlihan. “It’s like having our family back together.”

The Madison Women’s Expo, a yearly event produced by BRAVA and held the weekend before Thanksgiving will also return for its 11^th year. Marketing and Events Director, Michelle Page-Alswager, will remain at the helm.  “What can I say?  Women look forward to this event and exhibitors love the results they get from the thousands of attendees visiting them.   It’s the perfect tie in — the premier women’s magazine in south central Wisconsin, and the best Women’s Expo, I’m lucky to be part of both,” states Page-Alswager.

More information to follow.

For more information, contact Michelle Page-Alswager at (608) 235-3857 or Laura Houlihan at (608) 609-9149 or michelle@bravaenterprises.com.

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BRAVA MAGAZINE AND MADISON WOMEN’S EXPO ANNOUNCE RELAUNCH

Brava magazine confirms release date of August 1, 2009

Madison, Wis. — June 4, 2009 — Brava magazine, the monthly lifestyle publication dedicated to celebrating the lives of women in south central Wisconsin, announces it will re-launch the popular magazine on August 1, 2009.

Erickson Publishing, LLC, former publisher of brava magazine, its sister publication the annual encoreedition and producer of the Madison Women’s Expo suspended operations in April.  The fate of the products was unknown. Kristin Erickson, owner of Erickson Publishing, LLC, is happy to have sold the business to a core group of former employees. “I am so proud of the impact brava made to our readers, our advertisers and the community as a whole,” Erickson says.  “It was extremely hard to suspend publication, and I am absolutely thrilled that this team of talented professionals will continue to take the products to new exciting levels. I am delighted to pass the baton to Laura Houlihan.”  Erickson will also remain working with the team as a consultant.

“The team is assembled and has been working behind the scenes for weeks in the hopes the purchase would go through,” says Houlihan, the newly named publisher of the magazine. Houlihan brings to the table her past experience running Skirt Magazine in Jacksonville, Fla., as well as her sales experience at brava. “The outpouring of support from our readership and advertisers has been amazing. We couldn’t let it die,” says Houlihan. “It’s like having our family back together.”

The Madison Women’s Expo, a yearly event produced by brava and held the weekend before Thanksgiving will also return for its 11^th year. Marketing and Events Director, Michelle Page-Alswager, will remain at the helm.  “What can I say?  Women look forward to this event and exhibitors love the results they get from the thousands of attendees visiting them.   It’s the perfect tie in — the premier women’s magazine in south central Wisconsin, and the best Women’s Expo, I’m lucky to be part of both,” states Page-Alswager.

More information to follow.

For more information, contact Michelle Page-Alswager at (608) 235-3857 or Laura Houlihan at (608) 609-9149 or holdthathought@gmail.com.

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Mollie, Sarah, Kristin and Michelle you are amazing … But mostly, I want to thank all of you — our followers, supporters and friends for checking in on our blog, supporting us along the way and most of all for your “you go girl attitude.” That’s really what this is all about … making lemonade out of lemons … girl power, plain and simple, milestones … sometimes, we are forced down paths that we never thought we could handle or consider …

As “hold that thought” approaches a milestone in the coming days — I can’t help but open the book on milestones a little — it’s emotional, it’s inspiring, and makes you stand a little taller … these moments are elusive and sometimes take on forms that you would never expect. When a milestone looms over you, it’s hard to ignore that your life is about to change.  So, as we look at the month of May as a milestone for the ladies of hold that thought, I raise my glass to all the women that have supported us and those that will in the coming years … this month, some of you will have milestones of your own you will celebrate marriages, graduations, having babies, birthdays, some will even get divorced or lose a loved one — to everyone fearlessly facing these moments — Congratulations to you. You go girl — there isn’t anything that you can’t handle! 

We look forward to celebrating with all of you in the coming days. Stay tuned …

This past Saturday the Heart Ball took place at Nakoma Country Club.  I always enjoy seeing how different charities decorate the room, treat us to delicious food, and of course listening to the memorable speeches by people who are so dedicated to the causes they represent.

Listening as a doctor addressed the room about a patient of hers, a child with type 2 diabetes, passionately asking everyone to take note of school lunch programs, idle “activities” and other obstacles our youth faces in the battle against obesity was moving, especially when the young patient joined her at the podium.

Jen, Elizabeth and Heather

Two noteworthy “fun” pieces I noticed to the event was the less-formal atmosphere of cocktail dresses versus evening gowns and secondly, a “strolling dinner” replaced the usual sit-down dinner.  It was fun to make your way around and chat with people rather than sitting in one spot all evening.

And of course it goes without saying the I loved the band – Under Cover (www.undercovermadison.com).   They had the dance floor moving and shaking.  Marni Brown and crew did a great job pulling off a fabulous evening.

Let’s all cross our fingers for Madison’s own Jennifer Engel (shown above, with yours truly!), one of the finalists in the “Go Red” Campaign for the American Heart Association as national spokesperson.  She’s one to watch.

In the meantime, we’re interested in picking your brain … what do you enjoy reading about in women’s magazines? We’re talkin’ features/tips/photos/people/places/things/etc. If you would be so kind, please take the following poll, and feel free to click on more than one option if you’re interested in multiple topics. If you don’t see a topic on the poll, please add it to the “other” box or just leave a comment.

Thanks for keeping tabs on us — we’ll have more news for you soon!

Charles and I

I was trying to remember exactly how many galas for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) I have attended since my son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 9 years ago at the age of 3.  I know I missed a few here and there, but I’ve attended every one one of them (or been responsible for putting on the event for the last 3 years) for the last 6 years.  Each year gets bigger and better.

Times are tough, don’t we all know it?  So I held my breath this year during the live auction and what we call the “Fund a Cure” portion of the evening where attendees raise their bid card and bid on nothing more … than a cure.  I was so moved and impressed by this eager crowd that was there to honor my good friends, Tim & Liz Kritter of TJK Design Build.  I’ve known Tim for years as we were on the board of directors together and then managed to ride our bikes together for the Ride To Cure Diabetes in both Death Valley, CA and Whitefish, MT – several times in fact.   It was an absolute treat to watch him humbly accept the honor he so deserved.

Prentice Eager and Miles Gerson with their dates

From exciting trips to stay at the Chalmers’ Ixtapa, Mexico villa, or a dinner with the firefighters, it was with trepidation that I watched the bidding in hopes that people would still be able to give … and give they did.  All in all the evening was an amazing success. Many questions about where our team will land next and I of course just told them ….

Hold that thought.

Mike and Jenny Wokasch

Patrons were encouraged to wear a fanciful wig or don a wild ‘do, and while some guests showed up in standard cocktail fare, many a blue bob or feather headdress could be found.

Hair Affair guests enjoy a Red (Mo)Hawk cocktail.

Me in front of the giant-sized Hair Affair logo (designed by yours truly!) wearing my Sarah Jessica Parker-inspired hairpiece.

The evening began with cocktails and hors d’oeurves, allowing time to bid on the myriad items up for silent auction.  After a short performance by the wildly talented Ahn Trio, the main event began. Down the staircase descended models sporting amazing sculptures atop their heads — sculptures made almost entirely of hair. Each was accompanied by an escort (some of which were relied on to help hold the hair up) and decked out in appropriately fantastic makeup and costume. From down and dirty dreadlocks to sky-high beehives, prehistoric texture to futuristic coifs, these styles truly ran the gamut.  Here are just a few of my favorites:

From a Japanese beehive to a tribal-inspired braid, Anui Salon Spa Yoga (left) and Millenium Salon and Spa (right) pulled out all the stops to create these fantastic creations.

Salon owner Deonne Winnie with hair stylist Jenny Polito and model Jessica Fanone, decked out as “Post-Apocalyptic Warrior Princess."

The month I’ve been waiting for is finally quickly approaching — May!! Curious as to what justifies two exclamation points? Three words. Wisconsin. Fashion. Week.

Not the ho-hum Madison Fashion Week of the past, oh no. Laura, Kristin and I attended the press party last evening, and it’s clear that event producer Kristi Moe (shown at left posing with the three of us at The Icon) and her team have hit the ground running with this statewide fashion concept. They’ve planned a jam-packed week of events in our capital city to showcase that — despite criticism of coastal counterparts — fashion lives here, too.

Still skeptical? I assure you there will be something for everyone, whether you’re interested in shopping, finding trends or stepping out to see firsthand what Wisconsin’s style-scene has to offer. Moe emphasizes that the audience for Wisconsin Fashion Week (WFW) is unlimited, and stresses, “We’re very inclusive, and we want to see Wisconsin succeed overall.”

So grab your iPhones, Blackberry’s, computerized schedules (full-size, tear-off calendars, anyone?) or what have you … here’s a sampling of events we’re looking forward to:

May 20: Fashion For All Abilities

Set at the pristine Inn on the Park, this runway show is the definition of inclusively. In collaboration with the Waisman Center, it’s set to showcase fashions for all, including those with developmental and physical disabilities.

May 22: Street & Urban Wear Runway Show

This is surely a spectacle to keep on your radar. A high-energy event, the show is all about the hip, the happening and the “what’s now,” promising an integration of fashion and live-performance.

May 23: Style District

This day is packed with runway shows targeted at all ages: childrenswear, menswear, womenswear and, a community-minded 55+ runway show and Go Red for Women red dress auction. From 11 a.m. on, the Overture Center for the Arts is the place to be for the culmination of WFW.

And like I said, this is merely a sampling of all the great events the WFW crew has planned. For more event information, visit wisconsinfashionweek.com, which launches officially this Friday, and for day-to-day, insider accounts of the who, what and wear at WFW, be sure to bookmark my blog, Fashionistaville.

In case you’ve been wondering, yes, we can see the elephant in the room.

And we’ll be the first to admit, its been a rough week. While transitions are hard, we keep telling each other, everything happens for a reason.

So for now, this blog is your connection to what we’ve got cookin’. The troops have rallied, the ideas are flowing and rest assured, we’re still here and we’ve got exciting things in store for the future — and for you!

To prove it, here’s a few snapshots from our first brainstorm session.

Thanks for stopping by, and keep in touch!

XOXO,

The Hold That Thought team
holdthathought@gmail.com