Media Mondays

I love finding crazy photos of me on the internet.  This is from the IAWTV Awards where I dragged my former co-host, Matt Troyer, to be my +1.  Photo courtesy of Brenda White.

Are you guys ready for another week?  I sure am because this week I'm checking out the Governors Ball decor and food in the actual ballroom where all the celebs party after the Oscars.  It's the first time I've ever covered this event, so I'm am so excited.  I have done some coverage in the past the week of the Oscars, but it's never in the ballroom since it's too close to showtime. Let me know if you have any questions for Wolfgang Puck, he will be there cooking up some delightful treats.

Also, if hit the home page, you will notice I did a little 2013 makeover for the blog.  Let me know what you think of the layout.  I want to do more with it, but for now I think it gives it a fresher look and it's easier to find old posts if you missed them.

Finally, a big THANK YOU to all of you.  This weekend, I had the highest views ever on my blog since I came online in 2009.  I am so excited to meet new friends (Be sure to say "hi" in the comments below.) and I truly appreciate my friends that have been here since the beginning.  Tell me what you would like to see in 2013 here on Red Carpet Closet because without you, I wouldn't be able to do my job and bring you all the insight from Behind the Red Carpet.

Now, on to Media Mondays:

Hyundai:  I have been fortunate to host their internet shows from locales like New York, LA, and now, Detroit.  It's been such a thrill to work with the Hyundai and CDG team to bring this show to life.  Everything is live, so you never know what will happen.  This time, we did a behind the scenes look of the booth, so it gave viewers at home an idea of how big the Detroit show actually is.  Take a look here or see a photo of the event here.

Spreecast:  My fellow entertainment reporter, Lindsay Hoffman, and I chatted about this week's hottest Hollywood stories.  She's sitting on a big story that breaks on Wednesday while I dished about the rumor that Jessica Simpson is supposedly having a boy.  Check out the archive below if you want the latest scoop on Britney, Lindsay, Rihanna, and Demi....Lovato, not Moore.




Tom Barnard Podcast:  Tom and I agreed this week about Spielberg and his films.  If you are following the Oscars race, you might want to hear our opinions on this one.

Dara on Radio: I occasionally stop by Dara's show throughout the year.  Last week, I chatted about the Golden Globes and the differences between the awards shows.  I will be back on her show January 29th and March 5th, but, in the meantime, you can check out the archived show here.

More photos from IAWTV Awards.  Photo courtesy of Brenda White.

The Radio Dish: Fun highlights from the Golden Globes with the ladies in Kansas City. I come in at the 20-minute mark.  Lots of snark going on this week...lots.

SheKnows:  Here are my 3 favorite articles from last week:
Zoe Saldana and Chris Pine to host the Sci-Tech Awards--Two Trekkies at the Sci-Tech Awards? Perfect!
Will the cast of Les Mis perform at the Oscars?--I hope so!
River Phoenix's last film to be seen 20 years later--He's still missed after all of these years.

Don't forget to enter my Metric CD giveaway here.

Tonight is #RadioBurtt night at 6:35pm PT/9:35pm ET on KWSS.org on the Driving with Gass show.  I'll kick off your week with the latest in entertainment news. See you there!

The Friday Five

In my Holiday Giveaway form, I have asked what are your favorite posts on Red Carpet Closet?  I see a lot of "The Friday Five" as a response, so I need to remember to do this type of post more often.  Here's my Friday Five for this week.

This is a photo of a photo, but I love how holiday crazy we look.

1.  West Elm Party:  We finally have a West Elm store in LA proper and I was invited to join in the festivities.  The place was packed full of people enjoying the champagne, truffle h'orderves, and shopping around the well-designed store.  I tried to resist buying anything, but I failed.  I picked up a silver ice bucket, a pillow sham to match my new duvet from One Kings Lane, and the cutest bicycle lunch bag that you can see here.  Julie Tyler from Golden Goose Films tagged along as we both toted out a big bag of goodies last night.  Thanks for a fun night, West Elm!  

2.  Holiday Giving:  I've been trying to find a good organization in LA to adopt a family for Christmas, but I haven't found a good option yet.  A friend posted this link on Facebook about shoppers paying off other Kmart customers' layaway purchases.  It makes you believe in the spirit of Christmas, especially in these tough times. So, if you find me lurking in the Kmart aisles in Los Angeles, you know why.   Read the article here. 

3.  Variety:  I talked a bit about my nomination for the IAWTV Awards yesterday, but this got me giddy all over again. My name in Variety.  If you don't work in the industry, Variety is an entertainment trade magazine that updates the industry on the latest entertainment news in terms of production, Hollywood deals, etc.  I feel like a total dork, but it is kind of exciting to see my name there.  

4.  Mentoring:  Late last night I received a DM (direct message) on Twitter from a kid whose work I have covered in the past thanking me for the encouragement because he had been feeling a bit down.  Now this kid is on the fast track to fame, but it made me think of how important mentoring is in any industry.  I have also received a few messages from up and coming entertainment journalists who are still in school, but who are looking for a direction in their careers.  It seems to me that people are seeking an outlet for guidance.  I am always happy to help with advice and information, but I wonder if we have lost our way with training the next generation?  It just gave me a moment to pause and think about what I could do in the next year to help change this lack of direction.  Maybe I will do a segment from time to time on Red Carpet Closet or be more active in my local community with up and coming young entertainers and journalists.  Anyone else have any suggestions?

5.  Fashion:  It wouldn't be a Friday Five without one mention of fashion.  I received this ring for my birthday from my mom and everyone has been complimenting me on it.  I love big, chunky cocktail rings, so this one fits perfectly in my ring repetoire.  Guess who makes it?  Jessica Simpson.  Another winner from the Momma-to-be. Her fashion empire is growing rapidly, so I think she's found her calling.  Seriously, have you seen her shoes here or here.  To die for.

Have a great holiday weekend and remember to leave me any mentoring ideas in the comments below. Don't forget to enter the Holiday Giveaway.  Entries close on Sunday, December 18th at 11:59PM PT and the winner will be announced on Monday.  

 

Images of New Orleans

Before I go into all of my indulgent New Orleans photos, I wanted to start off by reminding you that life for many residents is divided into two time frames:  Pre-Katrina and Post-Katrina. In many ways, the people who came back to the city really wanted to be there and invested time, money, life, and love back into the city. They have a lot at stake, but Mother Nature always has other ideas.  What we see on the news is never the reality.  So, it's good to take a pause and think of the people who live in the flood plains or are picking up the pieces after the tornados in the Southeast, remember when you think you are having a bad day.....you probably are not.

Holocaust Memorial by the river......

A French Quarter delight for buttery, flaky croissants.....(Croissant d'or)

Ham and cheese croissant the size of my head.....

I wolfed it down in the cute courtyard behind the bakery....

What a treat to watch a traditional New Orleans wedding with the bride, groom, and all of the attendees dancing in the streets.....

A little respite by the rooftop pool at the Renaissance Arts Hotel in the Warehouse District....

My new Jessica Simpson shoes!

My hotel actually had a sculpture garden on the 2nd floor and an art gallery on the main level.  I loved this piece.

This photo made me laugh.  My glasses are crooked, I was cranky and hungry, and the street car was running way behind....

The Garden District.

A crawfish extravaganza!

Desserts from Sucré.....

You might recognize this house, it's from MTV's The Real World: New Orleans.   The new owners do not have the house number posted on the property and they have painted it beige to disguise it a bit from its well-known white exterior.  

I love my new maxi dress, but flip flops in the French Quarter leads to very dirty feet.  

One of my favorite streets in the Quarter.  I nabbed a similar photo during my March trip.

Friday Online Bargain Shopping

I woke up this morning to an email from one of my favorite sites, Ebates, letting me know that Nordstrom was running a double ebate special for Friday.  Now, normally, I wouldn't run and just buy anything because there is a sale, but I had a $50 Nordstrom gift card burning a hole in my pocket.  How could I maximize this deal?  After clicking on the Ebates link, I head straight to the clearance section of Nordy's to try and find a pair of wedges for the summer.  I feel like I am completely behind on the wedge trend, but I didn't want to spend a fortune on the shoes.  Bingo!  A cute pair of Jessica Simpson shoes in my size pops up and in a variety of colors.  I choose "Birds of Paradise" for a fun summer pop of color and head to check out.  Here is where my deal gets exciting:

Jessica Simpson Jungle Espadrille Sandal in "Birds of Paradise"
Original Price:  $68.95
Sale Price:  $49.90 (25% off)
Tax:  $4.87
Shipping: $0 (I never pay for shipping, it's just my shopping rule.  Stores make plenty of money in the retail mark up to pay for shipping for the consumer.  Nordstrom allows you to pick it up at your local store instead.)

So, my total should be $54.77.  So, I plug in my $50 gift card.  Now my total is $4.77.  But wait!  I am getting 12% back from Nordstrom/Ebates.  That 12% works out to $6.57.  So, if I subtract the tax I paid from my Ebate, that means I got PAID $1.80 to shop at Nordstroms today plus I received a new pair of Jess Simpson wedges.  Not a bad day at the office.

Total Profit:  $1.80 (and a new pair of shoes!)

For tips on online shopping, see my previous post here.
To sign up for an Ebates $10 bonus, click here.  (New customers only)

This post was created entirely by me.  Ebates did not ask me to post for them.  I like their services and thought I would pass the information on to you.  I like shopping and I like saving money.  

Shopping in New York

As you know from my previous trips here and here, NYC is my home.  I can't get enough of the sounds, the smells, the food, the theatre, and the shopping!  It took me only 32 minutes to make a dent in my wallet with a ring, pendant, and earring purchase, followed by my coveted Jessica Simpson shoe splurge.

I wasn't planning on buying any jewelry, but I stumbled into the place on my way out of my favorite NYC sandwich joint, Cosí.  It's called Secret of Treasures (488 7th Ave, New York 10018) and everything is approximately $2.99 and under, so it's a costume jewelry fan's dream.   I scooped up a Murano glass ring.

How can you resist?  This colorful pile of Murano glass pendants was so enticing.  I only picked up one, but I could have sorted through the pile for days.  I also grabbed a pair of earrings bringing my shopping total to $9.77 for three pieces of jewelry.  Now, that's what I call a bargain!

Finally, you know I have been coveting these shoes from Jessica Simpson.   The girl may be a mediocre singer and actress, but she has a billion dollar fashion empire.  Yes, I said BILLION.  These are the Dany shoes that department stores and online sites cannot keep in stock.  It is a huge 5" heel with a 2" platform heel, but they are comfortable and easy to walk in.  I wish it was warm in NYC right now so I could sport them to the theatre tonight.  I think I have finished with my shopping here in the city, but I still have another 12 days to go.........wish me luck!

My Spring Obsessions

I became a little obsessed with this ASOS Cover Lock Clutch in Ochre when I saw it in a photo on Red Vines for Breakfast. It had that splash of color I love with any outfit, it was clean and classic looking, and it was $26.  What??  With a little bit of internet coupon hunting, I got it down to $20.  Well, the clutch arrived while I was in New Orleans and it is perfect--soft, squishy, and roomy.  I cannot wait to accessorize with it.  A big thanks to Elle Sees for introducing me to Valerie at Red Vines for Breakfast who introduced me to my new clutch.

Now, this is the next item on my wish list that I am coveting.  It's the Jessica Simpson Dany shoe in Black Nappa to add to my growing JS collection.  Hey, Jess may not be the most talented singer out there, but the girl knows her way around a shoe.  It is also the hardest shoe to find in my size this season.  The shipments come in and if you do not order it right away, forget it, they are gone.  So, back on the waiting list I go.  A big thanks to November Grey for encouraging my shoe habit. I am finding I am highly susceptible to fashion blogger suggestions this season.  Anyway, the shoes are $99, but you know I am not going to pay that price.  I'll let you know what I get that price down to when my size becomes available.

What is on your spring fashion wish list?

*UPDATE*:  I feel like I am completely on trend for once since Sterling Style featured her yellow clutch today.  It's like winning a gold medal in the Fashion Olympics.  

Did I Just Buy More Shoes?

When I am on the road for a long time, I find the most dangerous thing for me is the internet, specifically internet shopping.  In fact, while resting in my room last Saturday night, I bought these (see photo below) after running into a girl in the elevator with them on.  They were hot, I asked her who the designer was, I ran upstairs and then I bought them all in a matter of 15 minutes.  That's why the internet at the hotel is dangerous when you are away for 27 days.

Viciious in Black Suede by Steve Madden.  Currently on sale for $76.95

After buying the shoes, I decided that it was time to also buy the Jessica Simpson clogs I have been coveting for over a month, so off I went to Macys.com to purchase them.  This is what they look like:

Winsy Clog in Tobacco by Jessica Simpson.  $89 at Macy's

I am always completely embarrassed to admit that I wear Jessica Simpson shoes.  I have several pairs in  my closet now, but I can't get over her tabloid life.  So, here's my advice to Jessica:  stick to designing because you do it well, get over dating athletes because it's a dead end, and don't talk about your relationships otherwise US Weekly will turn you into the next Jennifer Aniston. (The oh-so-desperate to marry 40-ish woman but can never find the right man, according to the tabloids....which I find SO annoying.)

My other problem lately? I have bought 4 pairs of shoes in the last four weeks and I have not bought a single article of clothing to go with them.  So, my feet will look fashionable. The rest of me?  Not so much.

Come back tomorrow when I share with you the secret to internet shopping:  a site that has most of the major retailers attached to it and they send you a check for shopping with them each month.  You don't have to pay a membership fee, they are just happy to have you shop with them.  I use it for all of my purchases. Trust me, this is a post you won't want to miss.  See you tomorrow at Red Carpet Closet!  

PS  While I posted the retail price of the shoes, I did NOT pay those prices.  I am a deal hunter with online shopping.  I will share my tips tomorrow. 

Mad Men Monday

I know, I know, Mondays are not usually anyone's favorite day of the week, but I have a full week of excitement planned.  First of all, it's Emmys Week here in LA.  This weekend, I will be covering some of the gifting suites and Emmys festivities with Mingle Media TV.  I haven't been to a gifting suite before, so I want to see how elaborate these events are.  Can you imagine being a celebrity who just has to walk in and pick out whatever they want?  Free vacation to Cabo?  Okay, it's yours.  Free Ray-Bans?  If I must.  New Marc Jacobs boots for free?  Sign me up!  So, look for that video footage after the Emmys as we go behind the scenes of what they are really like.  I received my tip sheet for one of them (Tip Sheet:  A list of celeb faces/quick bio for media so they know who is attending the event.) and I was thrilled to see that Bryan Batt from Mad Men is on the list.  If you are a fan of the show, you know that he played Salvatore Romano for the first three seasons.  I really don't understand why they didn't continue with his storyline since I consider it to be an important one.  Being gay in the early 60's was a huge taboo and I wanted to see how that issue played out in his marriage and at work.  So, I am officially starting my campaign to bring Sal back to the show and I just might let Mr. Batt know on Saturday.

Bryan Batt AKA Salvatore Romano on Mad Men

If you are watching Mad Men, you know this season has been a big one for Kiernan Shipka who plays Sally Draper.  I was fortunate enough to have interviewed her at the Saturn Awards earlier this summer.  She is just as amazing in person as she is onscreen.   Since I work the red carpet often, it's nice to see kids be able to speak without having memorized lines about their show, role, and what they like to do. Sometimes the publicists give them little "speeches" and they sound like robots (I'm talking to you, Disney!).

For those of you in LA, be sure to see the FREE exhibit at FIDM where they are honoring some of the best in costume design from the shows Glee, The Tudors, and Mad Men.  You will be able to see a retrospective of the Emmy-nominated costumes through September 4th.  It is a stop you must make if you are interested in the incredible work that is being done with wardrobe on screen these days.  The exhibit is open from 10AM-4PM, Tuesday-Saturday.

Mad Men Collection by Janie Bryant on QVC , September 29th.

Finally, if you want to take Mad Men to a whole other level and wear those fashions, Mad Men designs are coming to QVC in September. Emmy-nominated costume designer, Katherine Jane Bryant AKA Janie Bryant, will bring viewers her inspirations from the show to the home retailing giant on September 29th.  It should be a great way to style up your fall wardrobe with a vintage look derived from the show.  According to InStyle Magazine, you will find "The 20-piece collection, which reflects the 1960s era, includes a reversible coat, leopard-print purse and faux fur boleros and capelets. Prices range from $26 for jewelry to $138 for coats."  I don't know about you, but I am anxious to take a closer look at the collection.  If you think home shopping channels aren't for you, then you might want to head on over to QVC.com  and see what they are offering these days.  I think you might recognize a few designers......Isaac Mizrahi, BCBG, Jessica Simpson (Her shoe line is to die for lately!), Marc Bouwer, and Erica Davies (I wore her dress to the Oscars in 2007.)  Maybe I am biased, but QVC isn't such a bad place to shop.


Have a great week, everyone.  Let me know what questions you have about gifting suites in the comment section below.  I will try and get those questions answered for you this weekend.