With a ton of incredible choices available for New Year’s Eve, Sin City is THE destination to party away the last night of 2011, and kick off 2012 with a bang. From the flawless Holly Madison to the newly single Kim Kardashian to party rockers LMFAO, there are some positively awesome options for everyone in Las Vegas this year!

1oak, located inside the Mirage, is offering a VIP all access party with Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas this year, while her fellow group member will.i.am will be at Surrender nightclub (one of my favorite new Vegas clubs) located at Encore, Steve Wynn’s newest immaculate hotel and casino. Also at Mirage will be Caribbean crooner IYAZ, who will be partying at Revolution Lounge.

Gallery, located inside Planet Hollywood, will have their New Year’s Eve party hosted by Holly Madison, former Playboy Playmate/Girl Next Door and star of the sexiest show in Las Vegas, Peepshow at the Planet Hollywood.

The Bank, located at the Bellagio, is hosting R&B sensation Bruno Mars while fellow R&B singer Chris Brown will be at Pure at Caesar’s Palace. Tyga and Bobby Valentino will be performing together at Crown Nightclub at the Rio, Vegas’ most underrated hotel and casino.

The Kardashians will be in Vegas to kick off the New Year too, with Kourtney and husband Scott Disick celebrating at Chateau in the Paris hotel, and Kim at Tao in the Venetian (sans Kris Humphries of course), one of the most beautiful of all the clubs in Sin City.

If it’s house music that gets you going, Las Vegas is the place to be to party away 2011. From Kaskade performing at Marquee inside Cosmopolitan to legend Paul Oakenfold performing at Rain in the Palms, Samantha Ronson performing at Lavo inside the Palazzo and Playboy Mansion DJ Laura Cavender at the Deuce Lounge

Georgia born hip-hop sensation B.O.B. will be at L.A.X. at the Luxor, and my personal vote for the party of the year will be at Haze, located inside the Aria hotel at City Center, where LMFAO will be performing their special brand of Party Rock all night long!

Whether you want to kick off 2012 by hoisting a glass of champagne with the beautiful Holly Madison or whether you just want to wiggle-wiggle-wiggle-wiggle-wiggle (yeah!) with LMFAO at Haze in the Aria Hotel, Las Vegas has plenty of positively amazing options for New Year’s Eve! All of us here at Positively Celebrity hope you all have an awesome end to 2011 and an even better start to 2012!

As always, be sure to check back for all things celebrity from Richard Munassi right here at Positively Celebrity!

Positively HOT Summer Shows

The Naked and Famous
The Music Box at Henry Fonda Theater
August 2nd. 8 p.m.

Lykke Li, Best Coast, Fool’s Gold
The Greek Theatre
August 3rd. 7:30 p.m.

Phish
Hollywood Bowl
August 7th. 7 p.m.

The Decemberists
The Greek Theater
August 12th. 7:30 p.m.

Death Cab for Cutie
The Greek Theater
August 18th & 19th. 7:30 PM

Atmosphere
The Greek Theater
August 26. 7:30 PM

Have a blast, music lovers! And be sure to check back to Positively Celebrity daily for everything pop culture.

From Disneyland to Hollywood to the Malibu coast, SoCal is known for fun in the sun! One of most underrated hotspots that the golden coast offers is a tiny speck of land sitting in the Pacific Ocean: Catalina.

Just 20 miles off the coast is a picturesque little island named Catalina, where over 500 Hollywood features, commercials and more have been filmed.

With it’s beautiful bay, soft beaches, cozy streets and open land visible from the moment you pull into Avalon Harbor, it is easy to see why Catalina captured the heart of Tinseltown over 100 years ago, and why even today, Hollywood’s biggest stars escape to the amazing sliver of paradise.

Since the early 1900s, the island has been a favorite place for Hollywood, and has stood in for Italy, Africa, Tahiti and many, many more locales. Along with being a stunning backdrop, Catalina has also been the playground for many of the Hollywood elite throughout the years, as a variety of stars ranging from Charlie Chaplain to Christopher Walken to Nicolas Cage have vacationed, and even former President Ronald Reagan was given his first ever acting gig while on the island covering the Chicago Cubs (who held their spring training there).

With its idyllic beaches, beautiful harbor, cute little curio shops and more, Avalon (the city that lies on Catalina Island) has much to offer for any visitor, be they an A-lister or a family of five.

Some of the world’s best snorkeling, deep sea fishing and hiking can be done on Catalina, even all on the same day should one want to. Surfing, and shopping are also excellent excursions, and checking out the history of the island at the Catalina Island Museum is a definite must for all those coming in to explore.

Catalina is accessible via cruise ship, helicopter or boat (via great little ferries leaving out of Long Beach, Marina del Rey or San Pedro harbors). Highly recommended things to do on the island are grabbing breakfast at Sally’s (the Spanish omelette is amazing!), renting a golf cart to explore and see the wild buffalo, zip-lining, snorkeling, taking a nice ride on a glass bottom submarine and (of course) some beach time!

With so much to offer, one day might not be enough, but planning ahead you can find reasonable rates at one of the many hotels or inns on Avalon.

All of us here at Positively Celebrity implore you to make a little detour on your next visit to the Los Angeles area and spend a day or two on the beautiful island of Catalina to see the sights!

And, as always, be sure to check back for all things celebrity from Richard Munassi right here at Positively Celebrity!

And they will be blogging about their experiences and adventures around the globe, exclusively for Positively Celebrity!

Emily Rose: After some very difficult, testing times in L.A., combined with finding out my sister and new baby nephew would not be coming to California for Passover, I thought I might as well cancel Easter if I was going to be solo for it. Going home to London was not an option either, as my mummy and daddy were at their house in Lamu, Africa and it takes two entire days to get there.  Luckily, my uncle from Venezuela invited me to Aruba, which is basically paradise, so I said “Hell to the Yes!”.

I knew we’d be staying at the incredible Divi resort www.diviresorts.com, so my decision to go there was pretty much a done deal.

Coralie Rose: Nothing makes me as happy as family, but with mine dotted all over the globe, the world can sometimes feel anything but small! In order to see the ones I love and fulfil one of my major passions in life, I travel…a lot. My sister Emily and I are very close. As soon as I found out she was going to visit our Venezuelan family on the Caribbean island of Aruba, I hatched a secret plan to surprise her at the airport!

Emily Rose: I’m ultra close to my family from Venezuela so this wasn’t a consolation prize at all — more like #winning!! Aruba is the A island of the Dutch ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) located in the Caribbean. It’s picture perfect white sand and crystal clear turquoise water. I have had the pleasure of going to Aruba about five years ago and also getting my advanced scuba certification in Bonaire four years ago. I couldn’t wait for this trip.

Coralie Rose: This tax-free haven in the Dutch Antilles is unbeatable for shopping, especially jewelry. It’s a very popular destination for weddings and I can see why. It’s hard not to be beaming with love on this happy little island. Timbaland married his longtime girlfriend Monique Idlett on Renaissance Island, Aruba. A-list guests including Missy Elliot and Keri Hilson watched the producer/artist (whose real name is Timothy Mosley) tie the knot here in 2008.

Emily Rose: Easter weekend is right after the Coachella music festival, and thank God because as my mother would say I’m “burning my candle from both ends”.  No time for sleep because in the daytime, laying out is top priority — then comes the various sponsored parties before going in to the festival. Do that over four days, and add throwing a kick ass party for Jeremy Scott of Adidas at Elvis’ house, and you have a very burnt out Emily.

Aruba was fairly easy to get to…or so I thought. The red-eye from LAX to Atlanta was pretty painless, so of course I figured “Oh, I’m home free…just one more flight of 3.5 hours and I’ll be on the beach with a Pina-Colada!” As we were making a decent into Aruba, I was smiling ear to ear, so excited… and then the pilot informed us there was a pothole on the runway and that it would only take 20 minutes to fix it…so we would circle for that time.

After 20 minutes of flying in circles, Mr. Pilot got back on the intercom to tell us it would take another hour, so instead we’d land in Curacao to re- fuel.  By the time we re-fueled, the runway in Aruba was clear for landing but air traffic control was backed up on clearing take-off for other flights. Thank goodness for my ipad, ibooks and ipod that kept me occupied!

Finally, we landed in Aruba.  As I was waiting curbside for my auntie Grisele, I was definitely a little bit antsy because a surge in emotion took over me thinking about seeing my loving family…and I knew I was about to cry in happiness.  But…I had NO IDEA what was about to happen!

I suddenly saw this guy in an SUV and thought to myself, “gosh that looks so much like my sister’s baby daddy (and fiancée lol!)   That’s when I saw this lady with a camera and the most adorable baby…and it dawns on me…it was my sister from London!!  She had traveled all around the world to surprise me. My whole face crumbled in happiness, and the rest of this magical trip I’ll let Coco tell you…

Coralie Rose: The beach at our hotel was the widest of the island, and the sea was clear and bright blue! It really was divine. Mr H. and I played beach volleyball while Emily secured her “Auntie of the Year” award by babysitting!

Coralie Rose: The Renaissance Mall in Oranjestad features one of the best Starbucks I have ever been to. All dark wood and industrial looking bronze fans, it was a very welcome surprise on our extensive shopping spree. Across the street, we were delighted to find a delicious sushi restaurant. Sushi-Ya, a Sake Bar and Japanese restaurant, was the perfect spot for our umami fix. The staff were helpful and baby friendly but most importantly the food was yummy!

Coralie Rose: Emily and I, both fans of a MAN-icure, noticed that our favorite hotel bar man had beautifully sculpted talons. When asked, he recommended Diana at the Mandara Spa at the Marriott, the only technician qualified to do Shellac (our long lasting polish of choice).

Please check back for more travel stories and tips from the Tropical Roses, Emily and Coralie!

The Otheroom. 1201 Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Los Angeles, CA 90291

There is a reason why you’ll inevitably encounter crowds here on a Saturday night, because The Otheroom is a pretty cool find. It’s one of the few bars in LA where you can actually sit (music to the ears of every stiletto-wearing fashionista, right?), and walking around in a dark, candle lit bar can be pretty sexy. As if it couldn’t get any cooler, there’s easy street parking and valet. Huge plus.

It all sounds too good to be true, except when you make your way to the bar for a drink. The drink menu can be just as expensive as it extensive. In this bar, $9.00 is pretty reasonable for half a pint of beer. Not the best choice for you classy individuals who are on a mission to get hammered. You’ll wake up the next morning hungover and poor.

Truth be told, I didn’t care about spending the $9.00. I’ve paid more for many a ridiculous cocktail. It’s just that when I traded in my VISA for the drinks, I thought they’d be served in a big glass. Momentary disappointment.

The Otheroom is fun, the crowd is young, but it’s also small and crowded. Just try making your way to the bar without accidentally touching someone in an semi-inappropriate way, it’s nearly impossible. Keep in mind, it can also be a loud place, and not exactly the best destination for a conversation.

But with a Starbucks and/or Coffee Bean on every corner, ever wonder which mega-chain your favorite stars prefer? For comedian and late-night TV host George Lopez, it’s Coffee Bean!

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. 300 S. La Cienega Blvd. Los Angeles, CA. 90048

George Lopez was spotted chatting up the friendly staff at the Coffee Bean located on 3rd and La Cienega, joking that they could write “Jorge” on his cup of joe to-go!

There was a whole stack of shelves dedicated to hot sauce — it was like a shrine to piquantes with 50 variations of spicy sauce and six homemade salsas.

The guy at the counter said Mr. H sounded just like Russell Brand who had just been in before us. Russell Brand has been feeling the heat in Miami where he is shooting his new movie, “Rock of Ages” which also stars Tom Cruise, Mary J. Blige, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Paul Giamatti.

The terrace at the South Beach burrito shop was buzzing with cool healthy people happily feasting on really fresh fast food. The waitresses were switched on and smiley and one had a t-shirt that said on the back “if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything”.

All this before we eaten had a tortilla chip! They arrived in a huge pile with a generous dollop of thick gorgeous guacamole on the side and endless salsa. Yum. When our mains arrived and we were so happy we’d over-ordered so there would be more to snack on later!

The reason the food is so good is because it is fresh and local and all the meat is Humanely Raised. The menu also boasts that at Lime they “Speak Vegetarian” and reassures non-meat eaters than anything on the menu can be made fully veggie-friendly.

This vibrant Mexican food joint was started by John Kunkel in 2004 on the funky Alton Road. There are now nine of these positive restaurants in total with more to come. Now if only I could convince him to open up in London!

Mr. H. and I became addicted to ‘Weeds’, the TV series starring Mary-Louise Parker. We have had to stop watching the show at bedtime because we realized the little guy was more interested in the plot than in feeding!

I was desperate to get my flick fix back on when my cousin D. told me about the joy that is baby cinema. It really is a wonderful concept and I now visit the movie theatre at least twice a month. Screenings are usually early in the day and are open to babies under the age of one with their parents or careers. It is incredibly comfortable with the lights not too low and the sound cranked up to the max so babies can scream!

D was kind enough to introduce me to her movie going mates who visit the historical Rio Cinema (previously Kingsland Empire) in East London.

Kingsland Empire, 1915

Rio Cinema, 2011

I have since been to many different places including Monday Morning Mommy Movies showing at Pacific Theatres at the Grove in Los Angeles, CA.

I am particularly fond of The Everyman cinema in chi-chi Belsize park. They do a fab baby club twice a week. The seats are double leather couch style seats are incredibly comfortable and you get a big slice of cake and coffee with every ticket. If you’re lucky you can even spot a celeb in the audience as well as on screen. What’s not to like?

It is a simple pleasure and one I formerly took for granted. I recently attended the red carpet premiere of the last film I shot and I struggled to stay in my seat for the duration because I was so heavily pregnant! Baby cinema is a genius idea that meets my cinephile needs!

Fast forward fifteen years and if you see me at a local bar surrounded by dudes, food, sports and beer, it’s probably because you walked into the Hollywood Big Wangs.

It’s casual, it’s fun, it’s cheap. Big Wangs isn’t exactly where you’d bring a date, but rather roll in with a big group of friends to share some spicy chicken wangs and cold pitchers of beer.

With at least three different sports playing on the TVs surrounding the bar, you’re sure to find a team you an cheer on. Like most sport bars, Big Wangs is loud and can get crowded depending on the night you visit. Be sure to steak out a table (and a spot for beer pong, if you’ve got the skills) early.

When to visit? Try Wednesday evening, where recession-friendly $0.25 cent chicken wings and $2.50 pint specials are easy on the wallet. But the real fun began at 10 PM when drunken guests take the “stage” (more like a corner) to sing their favorite tunes karaoke-style.

Advice: Check the Big Wangs website before you go to check what’s going on, the specials are so good, it’s worth it! To avoid the $6.00 parking  in the bar’s lot, look for metered parking on he surrounding streets. If you choose to try your hand at karaoke, bring your A-game…some of those Wangs waitresses can really belt it.

And, as always, be sure to check back to Positively Celebrity for more of the latest celebrity hot spots from Erin Darling!

Located on 3rd and just west of La Cienega Boulevard, this incredible eatery is tucked into a nondescript strip mall, next to a sushi restaurant and a mani/pedi shop. Though from the outside it may not seem very unique, once you step into Crepe Republic you will be blown away at all it has to offer, at prices that belie the amazing food.

Started by Leana Aivazian and Yana Baksharskaya, Crepe Republic brings a taste of France by way of Moscow to Beverly Hills! The little shop with the big bright sign is much more than it seems, and from first walking into the shop you can see that it is not like anything you have ever experienced.

Brightly colored glass clings screaming messages such as “healthy!” and “farm fresh!” welcome you, and more often than not one of the extremely beautiful owners sporting an extremely beautiful smile does as well.

Be it for breakfast, lunch or a late night snack, Crepe Republic has a plethora of delicious foods, including savory crepes chock full of items such as mozzarella, basil, potatoes, bacon as well as gelato in a multitude of flavors.

If instead you are looking to drink some liquid goodness, Crepe Republic offers Illy, freshly brewed Italian coffee, and espresso. The smoothies are also a great healthy alternative, packed full of fresh fruit and made on the spot.

There is a reason why the restaurant is frequented by visitors from all over the Los Angeles area, many of whom drive over an hour just for a bite of all they have to offer. From the workers at hospital-to-the-stars Cedars Sinai to late night UCLA and USC students, Crepe Republic is definitely popular with a wide demographic because the food is incredible, at incredibly affordable prices!

The sweet crepes available at Crepe Republic are simply the best I have ever had. During my years bouncing all over the globe, I have had the opportunity to have crepes in Europe, in Malaysia, in Mexico and in India (where they are called dosa, and where I was lucky enough to eat them in Udupi, the city in which crepes may have been invented).

Not a single one can stand up to the Sinful Pleasure crepe available at Crepe Republic. Though every sweet crepe on the menu is excellent, Sinful Pleasure is simply unbelievable (hope my trainer is understanding of my indulgence!).

Available in wheat, buckwheat or flour (like all the crepes on the menu), this crepe is filled with strawberries, bananas, mixed nuts, custard and Nutella, drizzled with a bit of Nutella for show and topped with hand whipped light cream and dusted with powdered sugar and condensed milk. I highly recommend this particular crepe, as it is one of the most delicious foods I have eaten in the entire world!

You can learn more about Crepe Republic by visiting their website at www.CrepeRepublic.com or by checking out the stellar reviews of the eatery on Yelp or by Googling it. Better yet, just pop in and take a peek around, say hi to the owners and grab a quick meal! Parking for Crepe Republic is totally free, both within the complex and for two hours on Sherbourne.

Crepe Republic is open late on the weekends, and is definitely one of not only the best kept secrets in Los Angeles, but also one of the best restaurants in Southern California. If you are looking for great food for a great price in a casual, friendly atmosphere, be sure to make the drive over to Beverly Hills to check it out! All of us here at Positively Celebrity absolutely love all that Crepe Republic has to offer, and can’t wait for another bite of a Sinful Pleasure crepe!

Be sure to check back for more of the latest celebrity news and features from Richard Munassi right here at Positively Celebrity!