New Hampshire film community behind the scenes at the SAG Awards

[From Gary Anderson at New Hampshire Movies, Inc.]

The NH Film Archive, the Keene State Film Department, and the deRochemont Film Archive played a part in Sunday’s Screen Actors Guild Awards when Ernest Borgnine was recognized for his lifetime achievement in acting.

Last week in a quick turn-around at SAG’s request, Shaler McReel, Louis deRochemont’s grandson, gave permission to use an excerpt from Whistle at Eaton Falls, Borgnine’s first film. Whistle was shot in 1950 in NH’s seacoast by producer, Louis deRochemont, a maverick, independent NH filmmaker.

Since Whistle doesn’t exist in digital form, Larry Benaquist found the16mm print in the Keene State Film Vault and shipped it to Gary Anderson at the NH Film Archive in Deerfield.

Anderson transferred the black and white clip of Borgnine via telecine and shipped it to LA as a digital file. Last night that excerpt was part of a retrospective of Borgnine’s career in film and television.

More about the NH Film archive is available at http://nhfilmarchive.nhmovies.com/. 

2011 SAG Awards

This award show season in the fashion department has been a wild ride of "What the heck?" to "Whoa!" to "Okay, now that is pretty."  Nothing has wowed me beyond belief, so I am hoping everyone is squirreling away the best dresses for The 83rd Annual Academy Awards.  Otherwise, I am worried about the state of fashion in Hollywood.  A couple of the categories from The Golden Globes are carrying over to this year's SAG Awards.  Here we go:

1.  Flesh:  Okay, are your stylists watching Fashion Police on E!?  It is very rare that Joan Rivers or Giuliana Rancic ever rave about one of these nude dresses on the red carpet.  In fact, they even called Leighton Meester's dress a "sister wife" dress from The Golden Globes.  Find a color, kids. Go back to your Crayola Pack of 64, pick your favorite crayon, and wear it in a dress.

2.  Mother of the Bride Dresses:  What happened to you, Nicole Kidman?  You used be a fashion icon, everyone wanted to dress you.  Now I want to run from you. Your fashion choices scare me lately.  Just because you moved to Nashville, does not mean you have to add tassels and frou frou to your elegant red carpet wear. Simplicity is king on the red carpet. Leave your Bedazzler at home.

3.  Get A NEW Stylist:  Amy Adams.  I can confirm that Amy Adams does work with a stylist.  I do not know who it is specifically, but my friend, Ali, and I have decided that her stylist hates her.  Why?  She continually takes one of the most classically beautiful women and cuts up her figure, smooshes her boobs, or dresses her to look chunky. (Amy has a beautiful figure!) She always looks a bit "off" and her stellar career deserves more.  It's just time to spend a few extra dollars on an A-List stylist, Amy.  You've earned it.

4.  Most Improved:  January Jones.  I knew you could do it!  While I don't think this look is flawless, it is a strong start to improving her red carpet look.  Carolina Herrera designed this dress for the Pre-Fall 2011 collection.  January's hair is a bit severe, but her body is divine in this piece.  I think she might have her look polished in time for the Emmys next fall.

5.  The It Is NOT Your Night Award:  Angie Harmon.  You are not a nominee, you did not star in Black Swan or Pink Swan.  Leave the feathers at home.

**UPDATE**:  I love that I have to write an update a 6:35 AM. Thank you, because it thrills me when my posts elicit a response.  I think the Angie Harmon fan club has stopped by, so I am going to print my response to one of them in regards to Angie's dress from last night because I failed to explain myself well in my #5 above.  Here it is:


Annie wrote:  Pfft. Angie is gorgeous.


ME:  She is. No doubt about it. The problem? There is a hierarchy to the red carpet on how you dress if you are a nominee, an entertainment reporter, or just attending. She was doing coverage for TNT, but she was dressed like a nominee. It may not make sense to you, but it's like wearing a wedding dress to someone else's wedding. Great dress, wrong night to wear it.   I'm giving my insider's perspective on this one.

What were you thoughts about the SAG Awards?  Other than the red carpet, were you as bored as I was?  It's the same format as The Golden Globes, but without the fun or spontaneity.  You know the drill, give me the dish below.

PS  Despite the snark scooped out above, I am a proud member of Screen Actors Guild.

Call-For-Entries: National Student Awards for Excellence Competition, NATAS-Boston/New England

High school students from New Hampshire and throughout New England are invited to submit work for the National Student Awards for Excellence Competition (NSTV), presented by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences – Boston/NewEngland Chapter. NSTV was established in 2001 as a way to highlight outstanding talent involved in high school television production and journalism. Student winners will receive a certificate with the Emmy® emblem and the winning school will receive the statue. Projects eligible for awards should have been completed between March 1, 2010 and February 18, 2011. The deadline for submission is February 18, 2011. More information, including a submission form, is available at http://www.newenglandemmy.org/nstv.html.

Call-For-Entries: WGBH's The Lab looking for video submissions

An opportunity from The Lab at WGBH in Boston.

The Lab at Boston's public media station WGBH has a new opportunity for film and video storytellers and new media makers. In partnership with the PBS show AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, which will air the film Stonewall Uprising this April, we are looking for 3-minute videos that tell the story about the gay rights movement happening today in your community. Help WGBH Lab share news about this important civil rights story by contributing your own view.

Your video could be one of five to win a $1000 prize and maybe even a chance to air on PBS after the film. Video submissions will become part of a contest and guest judges, including prominent gay rights advocates Cyndi Lauper and Dan Savage, will help decide who wins. The deadline for submissions is February 14th, 2011. To see a trailer of Stonewall Uprising and to find out more about the application process, visit the open call home page: http://www.thewgbhlab.org/open-call/stonewall

Reminding Me Why I Love The Princess Diaries...

When The 83rd Annual Academy Award hosts were announced, I was initially lukewarm to the idea of having Anne Hathaway and James Franco lead the evening's events.  Yes, the Academy wants ratings, they want younger viewers, but most importantly, they need to shake the formulaic formula up.  A good way to do that is to change up the expected idea of a host.  We expect comedians, but it is a night that the entertainment industry takes very seriously.  What we saw Ricky Gervais do at The Golden Globes this year would never be done at the Oscars.  So, often times, comedians can't be funny in the way we expect/want them to be.  So, enter James Franco and Anne Hathaway and the new promos for the upcoming show.  The first piece is my favorite, but watch Anne's outfits in the promos, they scream Rachel Zoe all the way.  I am "bananas" waiting to see Anne's entrance on the red carpet on February 27th as I'm sure a pregnant Rachel Zoe will hold off on childbirth just to see her client's big moment.   Either way, the promos are well-produced which I think is a good sign for this year's Academy Awards. (And I reminder that The Princess Diaries is a classic to watch on TBS over and over again. Long Live, Princess Mia of Genovia!)

What do you think of this year's hosts?





Photo Used with Permission from AMPAS.
Photo Credit:  Bob D'Amico / ABC

New Hampshire Film and Television Industry Roundtable: Assisting National Media in the 2012 Primary Season

SAVE THE DATE
New Hampshire Film and Television Industry Roundtable: Assisting National Media in the 2012 Primary Season
February 11, 2011, 11 a.m.
Red River Theatres, Concord, NH

The New Hampshire Presidential Primary is one year away, and as all eyes begin to focus on the Granite State and the politics that will take shape in the coming months, television networks and other media outlets will be looking to hire stringers – freelance videographers and photographers – to help capture various events and breaking news from around the state.

The New Hampshire Film & Television Office will again be a resource for the media, as we work to connect the state’s video professionals with potential jobs and opportunities surrounding the primary season. We will also be continuing our outreach to create greater awareness of the importance of utilizing New Hampshire-based companies when producing campaign ads in the Granite State.

New Hampshire’s video production professionals are invited to join the New Hampshire Film & Television Office for a roundtable conversation about the upcoming presidential primary and the campaign season on Friday, February 11 at 11 a.m. at Red River Theatres in Concord. Industry members who have worked as stringers in the past will be on hand to offer insight into what to expect when working with the television networks, and attendees will be able to list their services with the New Hampshire Film & Television Office specifically for this resource.

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP with the New Hampshire Film & Television Office at 603-271-2220 or film@nh.gov. Red River Theatres is located at 11 S. Main Street in Concord. Parking is available in the garage behind the theatre.

MyTV New England Studios teams up with TheGreenScreen.tv series

From Christopher Murphy at MyTV New England.

MyTV New England Studios teams up with TheGreenScreen.tv series

Announcing the TV premiere of "theGreenScreen.tv" on Sunday, March 6th, 2011 at 11:30am

Portsmouth, NH (January 27, 2011) - MyTV New England Studios is excited to announce our latest collaborative commercial broadcast television show "theGreenScreen.tv".

MyTV New England produces its own line-up of TV programs which have included many "green" businesses (MyTV New England, My Premiere Bride, My Favorite Restaurant etc). Recently, MyTV New England began collaborating with externally produced TV shows like "theGreenScreen.tv" and also independent feature films.

"theGreenScreen.tv" will be produced by Portsmouth, NH based Now or Never Media and distributed on MyTV New England to a wide home audience. The TV show may expand it's broadcast reach in 2011 to include the Portland, ME market through another TV channel (WPME) which is in the same managed family of TV stations as MyTV New England.

Film and TV Development Executive at MyTV New England Studios, Christopher C. Murphy says, "I'm very excited to be collaborating with Now or Never Media which has a history of producing quality programming. What's great about the "theGreenScreen.tv" is that it'll be both entertaining and educational. I really think our audience is going to enjoy the unique way "green" branded entertainment is presented."

There are exclusive branding opportunities for local green businesses to communicate their messages to a target audience by having a positive link between their products and services in "theGreenScreen.tv". Any participating business sponsor has the ability to be branded within the TV show content itself, the ongoing TV advertising campaigns and special events.

Now or Never Media is an award-winning not-for-profit production company based in Portsmouth, NH. The talented indie producers on staff have decades of combined experience producing socially relevant media that have appeared on PBS, in classrooms, communities and agencies in the United States and abroad. Contact William Rogers, Executive Producer with audience, press and "theGreenScreen.tv" sponsorship inquiries. 603-436-3092. www.nowornevermedia.org

MyTV New England is the broadcast leader in branded entertainment in New England. The TV channel is a major commercial broadcaster that reaches 2.5 million homes through cable systems (Comcast, Metrocast, RCN etc), satellites (Dish Network, Direct TV), Verizon FIOS and over-the-air broadcasting (rabbit ears). Contact Christopher C. Murphy, Film and TV Development Executive at MyTV New England Studios with audience, press and TV advertising inquiries. 603-553-3203

After The Nominations

Now that all of the serious coverage of the 83rd Annual Academy Award Nominations is completed, here is a loopy and quick (1 minute. 20 seconds) video made by me and my cameraman, JD Piche of Mingle Media TV, after all of the morning's events.  We had both been up for hours at this point, so forgive my hair and my camera work.  If you are a fan of entertainment news, Nancy O'Dell of ET makes a cameo as well.

I hope to do a few of these videos from time to time, so you can see what it really looks like behind the scenes. (and I promise my shaky camera hand will get stronger.)  Now, I am off to do some Oscar dress shopping with the amazing Roni B. I need to think tall and lean today because these gowns are built for glamazons.  Tall and lean, tall and lean, tall and lean......

83rd Annual Academy Award Nominations

Yesterday was quite a day!  From my 2 AM wake-up call to the 3:30 AM breakfast to the Academy Award Announcements themselves at 5:38 AM, I cannot believe I managed to stay awake.  Okay, I did go to bed at 5:37 PM the day before.  It was a thrill of a lifetime to cover this event and I cannot believe it is about to get better with my upcoming red carpet coverage and backstage press room opportunity on Oscar night.  I could just scream with excitement.  I worked for several media outlets yesterday including Mingle Media TV, Starpulse, and then a guest appearance on Minnesota's 107.1 FM's Lori and Julia Show.  Phew!  It was a long and crazy day, but here is where you can find all of the links and photos to yesterday's events"

1.  To read my insider thoughts on what happened at the theatre yesterday morning hour by hour, head on over to my Starpulse article here.  I had a great time writing this article because you never really know what happens inside the theatre until you are actually there.

2.  To hear what I had to say with Lori and Julia on 107.1FM (My favorite radio duo when I lived in Minnesota.), head over here.  See the "What You Missed Section", click on "Hour 2", and then hit "Listen Now".  My favorite highlights include the ladies asking whether Mo'Nique shaved her legs for the event and what was up with that awkward kiss with Academy president, Tom Sherak?

Nancy O'Dell makes her official debut with ET replacing longtime host, Mary Hart.

3.  Mingle Media TV:  If you missed yesterday's announcement, you can find it here along with my commentary at the end of the video:



4. Photos from inside the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre courtesy of Mingle Media TV can be found here.


Photo 1:  Courtesy of Mingle Media TV.

Access A/V to host new technology seminars and mini expo Feb. 10

Access A/V of Concord, NH will be hosting a day of new technology seminars and a mini expo on Thursday, February 10 at the Tupelo Music Hall in Londonderry, NH from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The day will feature presentations and demonstrations from Canon, Qvidium and Leightronix, and New Tek. There will also be an exhibit floor featuring representatives from the presenting manufacturers. Lunch will be provided.

For more on the seminars and expo, including registration info, visit the website for Access A/V at http://accessavnh.com.

BENEATH CONTEMPT screens at Slamdance Film Festival

New Hampshire actor Eric Eastman contacted us recently to let us know that the indie feature BENEATH CONTEMPT, which was shot partially in southern New Hampshire, would be screening at this year's Slamdance Film Festival, which runs at the same time as the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. As promised, Eric has provided us with a wrap-up of his time at Slamdance and asked that we share it with you. Thanks, Eric!

Eric R. Eastman here (ericeastman.com), with a quick update on the progress of the Emerson College Sr. Thesis film project "Beneath Contempt", a feature, which was accepted at the SLAMDANCE Film Festival in Park City, Utah. As you may remember, this film was partially shot in Nashua, NH, and includes 2 NH-based actors as a part of it's ensemble cast. (Larry Vigus and Eric R. Eastman).

The film has made it's World Premier at the SLAMDANCE festival, which runs concurrently with the famed Sundance Film Festival (also held in Park City, Utah). "Beneath Contempt" first screened on Saturday, Jan 22nd @ 2:30pm MST in the 'main theater' at the festival's host facility, the Treasure Mountain Inn. The screening sold out, with some attendees even sitting on the floor, w/o seats! The second screening is set to run on Tuesday evening at 10pm, MST. Anticipation is high for this 2nd screening, as numerous distribution agents of consequence have expressed specific interest in attending.

Post premier buzz on the street has many attendees attesting to the cast/crew and production staff of this film that "Beneath Contempt" has impressed them as one of the best and most gripping dramas amongst Feature Narrative entries that they have ever seen presented in the festival's 15 year history.
One attendee, it is reported, a woman from California, even tearfully hugged the film's lead actor following the screening and thanked him profusely.

Moreover, coordinators of the coveted "MethodFest Film Festival", a competitive film event in California that focuses on quality of acting in film, have exhibited their interest to the writer/director of "Beneath Contempt", Ben Brewer, in including it as an official entry at their next festival in March of 2012 (submissions 'officially' open in Summer, 2011) !!

Links to Learn about "Beneath Contempt":

beneathcontemptfilm.com

beneathcontemptfilm.blogspot.com/

beneathcontemptfilm.com/cast.html

http://www.twitter.com/highschoolfilms

Variety Magazine SLAMDANCE announcements:

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118028586

Oscar Nominations Dress Winner

I just returned home and changed back into my pajamas to file all of my Oscar Nominations stories I have to take care of before I nap.  I wanted to post the winning dress before I hit slumberland. (My call time for the Nominations announcement was 3:30 AM!)

Congratulations to Lula for choosing the Banana Republic dress.  It was perfect for the occasion.  I looked professional, but I was comfortable and I was pleased the dress had pockets.  I was constantly on my phone or camera during the event, so they were very useful to me at 5 AM.  I was thrilled with the color and the stretch of the fabric because I don't usually have a lot of luck with Banana Republic. I decided to buy one from their petite line and that was definitely the right call for a 5'3" gal like me.

The cost of the dress is $150, but with free shipping, a 25% coupon, and 6% back from Ebates, my total cost was:   $116.72.

Dress:  Banana Republic
Shoes:  Guess, DSW
Jewelry:  Ring, Bracelet:  ShopTheLook.net
              Earrings:  Roni B

Lula, be sure to contact me so I can send you a $25 gift certificate to the store of your choice. Congratulations and thanks for picking such a great dress for me!

Academy Award Nominations

If you have been following all of my fashion dilemmas lately (official Nominations dress will be revealed tomorrow too!), you know that I will be covering the Academy Award nominations LIVE from the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre in Beverly Hills tomorrow at 5:30 AM PT/8:30 AM ET.  I will feature extensive coverage this week on my site, Starpulse, and Mingle Media TV.  I will provide all of the links here at Red Carpet Closet, so you have one central hub for all of the awards action.  If you want the up-to-the-minute update, please follow me on Twitter as I will be giving the inside scoop from the theatre.

This is going to the start of a very exciting month.  Thanks for joining me for the ride!

Top Photo:  Hanging with Oscar in 2008, Meet the Oscars exhibit.
Bottom Photo:  Me and my pal, Ashley Head, pretending we won an Oscar at the 2007 Meet the Oscars exhibit.  


Images and content may not be used without permission.

I'm Looking for A Dress, Part Two

I am dutifully following the cross country arrival of my dresses for the Academy Award Nominations.  So far, both of them seem to be in limbo; one on the West Coast and one in the Midwest.  Hopefully, they will arrive by Monday so I have a 50/50 shot that one of them will fit and look good.  Cross your fingers that I will have something to wear!

After critiquing the Golden Globes fashions and after I figure out my fashion dilemma for January 25th, I will have to start searching for some serious wardrobe for February 27th.  I received huge news this week that I will be covering THIS event in the press bleachers on the red carpet and the backstage press room where the winners are ushered after they receive there award for Mingle Media TV and Starpulse.  Can you believe it?  It's a dream come true. 

On the red carpet after the 79th Annual Academy Awards with my friends, Rose and Ashley in 2007.  I was kindly invited as a guest that year by Ashley.  The Departed was the big winner and Erica Davies designed my dress.  Guess who styled me for this event?  Kim Kardashian.  Yep, she was working as a stylist in 2007.  No E! show back then, she was known as Paris Hilton's friend and worked behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.  Wow, have times changed.  

So, I am reaching out to all of my fashionistas who have contacts in the fashion industry.  I am looking for a gown.  Where should I go?  Who should I contact?  If you have any ideas or suggestions, let me know.  I only have a week and a half in LA in early February and two weeks in Chicago in mid-February, so those cities would be my ideal locations for dress shopping/fitting.  Please note, anything I wear will get promotional consideration.  

Feel free to contact me in the comment section below or on my Contact page.  Thank you all for your assistance!

Photo 1: Courtesy of Seth Maxwell

Photo 2: Courtesy of Brian Wilson

UDU MAKING IN NIGERIA

Creo que las imagenes bastan. Increible!

MIS NUEVAS ADQUISICIONES

North American International Auto Show 2011

If you have been following me on Twitter, then you have seen my notes and comments on NAIAS.  Right after I finished the live internet broadcast of the Toyota Prius v in LA, I jumped on a plane to Detroit to the North American International Auto Show.  This is the fourth year we have hit Detroit with Toyota Live and I have to say, I am having a better time this year than previous years.  Yes, service is still slow and things still close down early, but the economy is looking up in this town and the automotive industry is a whole lot happier versus January 2009.  I ranted and raved last year about my visit and an electrical fire in Cobo Hall dampened one of the days, but I think Detroit and I have turned the corner and happily, we have a new understanding.  Check out a few fun photos from the first weekend of NAIAS:

Thanks to Joe Neuberger and Jalopnik for giving me the secret sign via Twitter to get my free CFL bulb from BYD Auto.

 I am one big day-glow orange pumpkin head while being interviewed for a local news story. Ah, convention center lighting!

Hanging with NASCAR's Camping World Truck Series champion and Toyota Racing team member, Todd Bodine.  

Photo 1 & 4:  Courtesy of Trackside Tina.

Photo 2 & 3:  Courtesy of Matthew Troyer.

CÉLINE BAGS

STREET STYLE - FALL WINTER 2011

2011 Golden Globes

It's the glitz and glam of red carpet season and the Golden Globes never disappoints.  The stylists are working overtime to get their clients a bit of fashion buzz.  Did they succeed?   Here is the knowledge I am imparting from last night's show:

1.  Botox:  If you want to look your best on the red carpet and you think that involves a shot of Botox, do it two weeks before the big night.  Your face needs time to relax and get used to its new position.  You want the press to avoid describing your forehead as frozen, surprised, or shocked.  In fact, they shouldn't be talking about your forehead, JLo.

2.  Pregnancy:  Often times, it is a guaranteed way to win an award.  The press loves belly bumps as do the awards show voters.  Think Catherine Zeta-Jones back in 2003 when Chicago swept the awards season.  She sang, danced, and she even had EMTs on hand to deliver her baby just in case she went into labor while accepting her Academy Award.  This is Natalie's year to win it all for Black Swan, so please find a stylist who doesn't dress your bump like a mound of soil to plant your little flower.

3.  Flesh:  Okay, okay, we get that flesh tones are in vogue, but it's time to leave your skin tone dresses at home.  They don't look great on the red carpet, in photographs, or on camera.  It's time to tell the stylists to drop the fleshy palette and look for a bit of color to liven up the joint.  Who wore flesh dresses?  Nicole Kidman, Michelle Williams, Leighton Meester, Carrie Underwood, Sandra Bullock, Julie Bowen, Scarlett "The Frankenbride" Johansson, and more.  You want to be a movie star?  Act like one.  (You know that Lea Michele is gunning for the movie star title, so watch your backs, kids.)

4. Mother of the Bride Dresses:  Leave the frump at home.  This means you....Angelina, Michelle Williams, Anne Hathaway (Her dress looked like it would feel itchy with the thousands of sequins.), and Jenny from the Block who gets a mention here for the capelette over her gown.

5.  Stop Dressing Yourself:  January Jones.  Your Versace dress with a side of smooshed boobs and a dash of "What the hell?" should send you straight into the arms of a stylist.  Any stylist.  I don't care whom.

What were your thoughts on last night's show?  I would love to hear who you were happy and horrified with on the red carpet.

All photos are property of Jason Merritt/Getty Images.

Victoria's Secret 2010 - VS Loves Katy Perry

LLEVATELA AHORA!!!

POR CONSULTAS O PEDIDOS: juananomuerdas@hotmail.com

SEDAL 04 ENERO DESFILE - MAR DEL PLATA

JOY AND THE APOCALYPSE premiere at Red River Theatres Feb. 5

Tickets are on sale for the theatrical premiere screening of the locally produced indie film JOY AND THE APOCALYPSE--from Rock Your Head Productions, Fat Foot Films, and MyTV New England Studios--on Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 3 p.m. at Red River Theatres. Q&A with filmmakers to follow screening. Broadcast premiere on MyTV New England on February 12.

Tickets can be purchased here: http://bit.ly/ewrNPz

More information on the film can be found at http://joyandtheapocalypse.com.

The Dress Challenge: The Finalists

After much deliberation and searching at the dresses you picked, we have two finalists!  I think you might be surprised at one of the choices because it doesn't exactly fit all of the criteria, but I think it could be a perfect choice with a cute little jacket or sweater. There would have been three finalists, but we can thank Bloomingdale's for running out of inventory.  The winner will be announced on Oscar Nomination Day:  Tuesday, January 25th.  In the meantime, take a look at the two finalists:

From Andrea:   Dress by ModCloth (a favorite of mine), $162.99
I know there isn't a lot of color here, but the possibilities for accessorizing are endless all the way down to my shoes. It's a blank slate, so I think it makes the outfit a bit playful and fun. 

From Lula:  Banana Republic, $150
I think this cut and color are terrific for camera and I cannot wait to try it on.  I am hoping the ruffles add the touch of drama that I want to this dress without being overwhelming.  

The Runner-Up:

From Krystyn AND Kimberly:  Cynthia Steffe, Bloomingdale's, $110.25

This would have been a finalist, however, the dress is out of stock at Bloomingdale's. Boo! This would have been a strong contender. 

Prius v Launch

Hello, I'm back!  I know I usually post a little more, but my week involved a live internet broadcast for the launch of Toyota's new Prius v and then I immediately hopped a plane to Detroit for the North American International Auto Show.  I have spent the last two days immersed in the automotive press and industry all while trying to adjust to my Eastern Time Zone.  Yawn, it isn't easy!

See if you can spot in the photo taking a photo of me, taking a photo of me, taking a photo....it's very meta.

I was honored to be asked to co-host the first internet broadcast of Connect Live with University of Toyota veteran, Dave Lee.  We rehearsed on Saturday along with the producers, Creative Design Group, to help hype the newest member of the Prius Family, the Prius v.  It is no secret that I am a proud Prius owner, so it was thrilling to be on set that day--live on the internet immediately following the press conference in Detroit.  We had a studio audience made up of Prius Chat enthusiasts, Toyota corporate, and representatives from nearby dealerships.  I was a bundle of nervous energy, but the show went off without a hitch.  Thank you to Toyota for inviting me to participate in the "Prius Goes Plural" event and many thanks to Rodney Esteban for the additional photos.

With my pal, Joe Neuberger after the shoot.  We let everyone jump into the vehicle and check out all of the new features. 

After the big event:  James, Dave Lee, me, Rodney Esteban, and Jason Kong.

One of my favorite pictures of the day.  Me and Dave goofing around before the big shoot. He's got some great Karate Kid moves.  

Photos: 1, 4-7:  Courtesy of Rodney Esteban

No photos may be reproduced or copied expressly without my permission.

The Dress Challenge: More Selections

I cannot believe the response to this challenge.  It confirms that you like to shop, you have good taste, and you have been hard at work shopping for me.  Someone even gave me 13 options to choose from!  I have a lot of new selections to post that really stand out in my mind.  Let me know what you think of some of the options from Friday's post and today.  Remember, you have until Wednesday at Midnight ET to enter.  All of the rules are here.  This decision won't be easy.

Let's see some of the latest frontrunners:

From Krystyn:  Julie Dillion, Nordstrom, $178

Ah, the first green dress of the bunch.  I love this color, the simplicity, and the belt.

From Krystyn AND Kimberly:  Cynthia Steffe, Bloomingdale's, $110.25

So cute that TWO of you selected this dress.  The color is perfect for the camera, the neckline is asymmetrical perfection, and the layering of the fabric flatters the front of the dress.

From Roni B:  Yep, this Roni B.  The amazing woman who styles a lot of my looks has even jumped in this challenge.  This time, with accessories.  

You will see that this is a very "KB" look, especially with that belt in the mix.  I think I want a little more color for this event, but I may be stopping by Roni's for a closer look at the outfit.  I am sure there is something I could wear this to..... 

From Bentoboxx:  Adrianna Papell, Nordstrom, $148

I am a huge fan of this shade of purple and this dress is available in petite sizes--score! This is probably one I would also hem above the knee.  It's all about the shoes and a little leg.  

From Rebecca:  Tahari by Arthur S. Levine, Nordstrom, $118

A very Jackie O look and the first one of the bunch.  The color is gorgeous and the simplicity is divine.