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Blushington

I don't know about you, but I am not that good at doing my makeup.  I try to imitate all of the makeup artists that do my face for camera, but alas, they are the artist and I am lucky to get my eyeshadow blended.  Well, I cannot tell you how excited I was to be invited by Laura Tremaine of Hollywood Housewife to experience a new way to have your makeup done.  Blushington is a new hot spot on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood to get your makeup done for that big event:  birthdays, weddings, New Year's Eve, etc, all for $35.  You get the affordability plus the artistry and no pressure to buy products like you do at the department store makeup counter.  If you do like the products they use:  Stila, Kevin Aucoin, and Julie Hewett, they are are available for purchase.  They also offer everything from classes to parties to makeup for the under-10 set for that budding fashionista.  So, be sure to check them out the next time you need to put your best face forward and don't forget you can get a blow out at Dry Bar next door beforehand.  Genius, right? 

Not my favorite photo, but here's my no makeup look beforehand.....

Me and Emily Button after....phew, it's a way better look for me.

 Chatting it up at Blushington.  Photo courtesy of Laura Tremaine.

 Me and the lovely Laura Tremaine of Hollywood Housewife. Now, go read her awesome blog!

Photo bombing as usual while Emily gets her makeup done.  Yes, I am still using my Godspell iPhone case.

The most delicious way to serve champagne.

Me and Emily post-makeover.  I have had a lot of inquiries on my necklace, so head over to Jessica Matrasko for all of the details. Dress is DVF. Photo courtesy of Laura Tremaine.

3 Tips For Producing a Red Carpet Event

I have been on the red carpet quite a bit this year and I've seen it all from the grandest red carpet to one of the most laid back red carpets.  Even if you are having a small press event, it is important to have a well run red carpet that not only pleases the talent, but also pleases the media. I've given my helpful hints on how talent can shine on the red carpet here and here, but I haven't offered up a few suggestions for producers of red carpet events. Here are my Top 3 tips for running a top notch red carpet.

Press Release:  Ringling Bros PR was great at updating their press release several times before the event.

1.  Press Releases:  This is one of the most important aspects of your event, so make sure to write a compelling press release that will get the media excited about coverage.  It should include the pertinent information about when the event is, expected celebrities, and types of media opportunities. (red carpet, VIP party, Meet and Greet, awards show press room access, interviews with producers, etc.)  Get your press release out about 2-3 weeks in advance.  This gives media outlets time to plan their coverage and line up reporters for the event.  If you put the press release out 3 days before the red carpet happens, you run the risk of having a low media turnout.  This is especially important if your red carpet is happening during summer movie premiere season or during Oscar season, it's hectic...plan accordingly.  Check the Hollywood Calendar or the trades for important awards show and movie premiere dates, you don't want to schedule your big night the same night that the Academy Awards occur.  Finally, if you are announcing nominees for an awards show, have the press release ready to go BEFORE the announcement. (Honestly, this is PR 101.)  Once the announcement is completed, email it out to your media contacts,  place the nominees list on your website, and tweet it out.  If you want the media to cover your event, be prepared, otherwise we grumble (Trust me, we are good at grumbling.) about the lack of preparation and it is noted for next year.

Tip sheet from my Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus red carpet. 

2.  Tip Sheets:  These are imperative to any photographer or reporter's job on the red carpet.  They include a picture of the confirmed celebrity and their latest/most notable credit.  For me, I see so many faces and talk to so many people in any given month.  I may recognize a face, but I forget what show I've watched them on.  Having that tip sheet in hand lets me do quick research on my iPhone as I see them walk down the red carpet.  For up and coming talent, it is great if a publicist is escorting the actor down the carpet with a sheet of paper that includes the correct spelling of the actor's name and their upcoming movie or TV show.  If they are making their debut in the Twilight series or in a new Disney Channel show, chances are I will jump at the chance to interview them.  It's fun to break a new actor to the public before they are wildly famous.

3.  Placement:  A typical red carpet places photographers first, then video crews, and then writers/bloggers at the tail end of the line This is done for a reason.  The photographers grab their shots and then send the talent down the line to be interviewed.  After the video crews grab the interview, the writers will ask more in depth and longer questions so it is okay if the back end of the red carpet crowds up a bit.  Each media outlet is assigned a spot where the bigger the outlet, the better the placement.  You can expect to see E! News, ET, and Access Hollywood up front and the online media outlets closer to the back.  Honestly, it's a fair way to do it and I never hear anyone complaining about this system.  What can be a problem is the amount of space given to each outlet.  A piece of 8x10 paper is placed at your feet to indicate your spot.  The problem is that the next piece of paper is laid down side by side for other media outlets.  Uh....I don't know about you, but my body is not built in 8x10 dimensions.  It can be so frustrating for all of us to jostle for space, keep out of other network's shots, and interview at the same time.  Now, I don't expect a plot of land, but placing each piece of paper even three inches apart would make a huge difference.

I hope these tips help if you are producing your next red carpet event.  Feel free to leave me comments or questions on an area I might have missed.  I am always happy to do a follow-up to this article.

Don't forget to enter to win my Red Carpet Gift Bag.  Enter before July 31st for a chance to win!

Got SWAGG?

I am always a big fan of new apps that are designed to make my life more simple and I think I have found the exact one to manage all my gift and rewards cards in one place.  It's called SWAGG.   SWAGG will "track all of your balances and organize your cards with ease".  I cannot tell you how many times I have added Sharpie marker numbers to my plastic gift cards so I know what my remaining balance is.  With SWAGG, all of my Sharpie pen marks are ancient history.  

An added bonus to this app is that SWAGG offers you access to over 3,500 merchants.  If you don't like that gift certificate you received for the holidays, why not swap it for a gift card to a store you frequent?  Or if you need a last minute birthday gift, you can immediately send a gift certificate.  You can choose the store for the birthday girl or even let them choose all from your Smart Phone.  It's that simple!

The app is free in the iPhone app store or in the Droid Market, but there's even more.  This summer, SWAGG is teaming up with American Eagle to give about $100,000 in gift cards to more than 2,500 winners.  You could win a gift card valued at $25-$1000, but you have to enter to win.   

Here's how to enter:

1.  Download the SWAGG app from the App Store or Android Market for FREE.  Enter the promo code on the "Enter Promotional Card" tab: AEOSS.  

2.  If you don't have a Smart Phone or mobile access you can create a free account at SWAGG and enter the following link:  http://www.swagg.com/aeopromo.php

3.  Don't DELAY!  The sweepstakes began June 23rd and it ends in 3 short days.  Get your entry in by July 10th, 2011. 

To learn more about SWAGG, check out this short YouTube video on how it all works:

Disclosure:  SWAGG kindly offered an American Eagle gift certificate in exchange for this post.  You will see my new American Eagle purchase on the red carpet soon.  Stay tuned.

The Coach Kristin Collection

 Kristin Spectacular Leather Willow Small Shoulder Bag in Silver/Grey Multi

I am no stranger to Coach bags, so I was thrilled to open my mailbox today and find a wonderful surprise from Coach:  a gift certificate!  Coincidentally, their summer offerings are from the Kristin Collection.  I think it was meant to be even if the spelling is just a bit off.  I picked out three different looks from the designer; two based on size and one based on color.  I like the small shoulder bag for those nights out on the town when you just want to carry your iPhone, ID, lip gloss, and keys.  I think the sunny yellow (Although I do have an ASOS yellow clutch already.) in the satchel is the perfect pick for summer.  Finally, the tote is ideal because I am often lugging a laptop, iPad, iPhone, makeup, shoes, and hair necessities all in one bag.   Which one should I pick?  Help me decide in the poll listed below.  You have until Monday, May 30th to vote. (As you know, my polls are always a bit tongue in cheek.

 Kristin Leather Satchel in Silver/Yellow

Kristin Elevated Leather Tote

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Glimpsed Launch Party

My "go-to" dress by Deborah Viereck with my ASOS clutch.

Last night, I headed to Venice Beach to the Hotel Erwin to check out the launch party for a new app called Glimpsed.  Glimpsed is described as "a new way to share the faces and the places that make up your social scene and define your lifestyle." You can rate photos, meet new friends globally, and check out the hottest places in your area.  The app is FREE and currently available on the iPhone.

The best part of the night was the scavenger hunt to find all 7 of the Glimpsed logos and take creative photos with the app.  My friend, Maria, and I eagerly attacked this project.  We made sure she looked like she "photo bombed" each snapshot as I posed with the Glimpsed eyeball.  Then the photos were uploaded and shared with all of the Glimpsed users, many of whom where celebrating at the launch parties in San Francisco and New York.  The most creative photos with all 7 logos wins an iPad 2.  Wish me luck!

                                              How fun is this?  Photo courtesy of Calvin Lee:
Many thanks to Melissa Rowley for the invitation to the party and to JD Piche for being a good sport and taking all of these absurd photos for us.  Even if we don't win, we sure had fun!

The only party where it is socially acceptable to have your nose buried in your iPhone.  Photo courtesy of Calvin Lee.

Flying By......

My posts may be a bit light this week because next week I will be posting up a storm--OSCAR WEEK!  I am headed back to LA today after finishing up my shows for another Connect Live internet broadcast with Toyota.....and then back to Chicago for the final weekend of shows......and then back to LA for Oscar coverage.  Whoa, that's a lot of frequent flyer miles.  In the meantime, here's a few candid photos from Chicago and a treat for my musical theatre geeks:  Idina Menzel and her recent inspiring concert at Lincoln Center with the NY Philharmonic and Marvin Hamlisch.

I love to change the wallpaper of my friends' iPhones when they leave them unattended.  Moral of the story?  Use a passcode:

While Israel Idonije of the Chicago Bears greeted our guests at the Toyota Live stage, I must have felt the need to steal the spotlight.  Maybe I didn't get enough attention as a child?

Finally, Idina Menzel singing one of my favorite songs from Rent.  Her banter with Marvin before the song is worth the price of admission alone.  Enjoy!

A Picture is Worth....

......a thousand words, especially when you kiss AT&T goodbye.  I am happy to be back on Verizon with my beloved iPhone.  That means the end of my cranky tweets to AT&T and I finally have a phone that works as a phone.  What a novel idea!  Have a great weekend, everyone.  I will happily be tweeting, texting, and talking on my iPhone 4.

Thank You, Dallas! Good Night!

The day has finally come, I get to fly home after 25 show days, 5 yellow shirts, and 1 Fletcher's Corny Dog.  This year was a lot more fun after have 24 days of sunshine versus only 7 days last year, especially when you are working outside.  Here are a couple of things I learned while visiting the great state of Texas:

1.  Tex-Mex food is by far tastier than Cal-Mex.  I should know, I ate a lot of guacamole and salsa verde enchiladas.

2.  Texas is another state that does not believe in recycling or toilet seat covers in the restrooms. (Michigan and Illinois are also guilty of the this.)

3.  I really think the dress and cowboy boot trend is cute.  If I can accomplish the look without looking like Britney Spears or Miley Cyrus, I think I may dust off my cowboy boots for fall.

4.  Football is a religion.  Friday Night Lights.  We do it bigger and better in Texas (regarding football). Well, it's all true.  Football is a business in this state and if you can't beat them,  you join them.  Yes, I attended my first high school football game in Texas.  I went to a New England prep school where lacrosse and hockey ruled and then I headed to NYU where the team name is the Violets.  Need I say more?

5.  Even with AT&T World Headquarters across the street from my hotel, the phone and data service was atrocious.  Verizon is getting the iPad this month and hopefully, the iPhone in March 2011.  Sign me up.

6.  As much as I love to annoy my co-host, Matt Troyer, he really is the best co-host in the business and a great friend to boot.  Enjoy your photo, Matt!

7.  Dorothy was right, "There's no place like home."

It was a great month, Texas.  Your hospitality and sunshine was appreciated.  Thank you, Dallas!  Good Night!

CHANEL