It's Time For A Giveaway!

It's been awhile since I have done a giveaway, so let's dust off the gifting closet and find something fun.  This month's giveaway is a pair of sparkly silver Summer Jasmines, "the comfortable, compactable evening and pedicure shoes that fit in your purse!"  Consider these shoes the multi-purpose sandal to throw in your big, slouchy bag when you are walking all over the city, grab a pedicure, and then need a reprieve at the end of the night when your Louboutins (or a fabulous pair of knock-offs) are dragging you down.

So, I am going to do a spectacular giveaway with these shoes and by the way, they retail for $98. Shazam! That's a good giveaway. They are Silver, they are Size 7 (They run big, so I would say it is closer to a Size 8), they come complete with sparkles, and it includes a black satin carrying case PLUS a cute red Summer Jasmine key chain.  Does this sound like a good deal or what?

Here's how to enter:

1. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Bloglovin'.

2.  Leave me a comment letting me know where you follow me and be sure to leave your contact information.

Rules:   18+ to enter, US residents only, Enter by 11:59 PM on Friday, March 18th.

Winner will be selected by Random.org and announced on Monday, March 21st.

Good luck, everyone!

This giveaway is featured on Blog Giveaway Directory.  Be sure to visit them for the most comprehensive list of blog contests and giveaways happening each week.

March 21, 2011:  The winner is announced!

Under-Your-Garments

The great thing about having a blog is that you get the chance to meet so many new friends.  So today, I want to introduce you to one of my blogger friends, Elle, of Elle Sees.  She's a fun Atlanta gal who loves Mad Men as much as I do and she throws some darn good looking theme parties. Recently, she called out to fellow bloggers for our hottest style, hair, and beauty tips.  I figured it was a good time to dust off this post and remind everyone about your undergarments as you move from your winter wardrobe into spring. Remember, we don't want to see your thong, bra straps, or the dreaded VPL.  I want to thank Elle for featuring my post on her site yesterday because undergarments should stay just that:  under-your-garments.

Revisit the post and make sure to stop by and say "hi' to my friend, Elle.

If you want more of Red Carpet Closet, come along and follow me on Bloglovin, Twitter, or Facebook.

That's A Wrap: Oscars 2011

Okay, we have finally hit the one week mark since The 83rd Annual Academy Awards and it is time to put this show officially to bed........BUT NOT BEFORE WE ROLL MY FINAL VIDEO!!  The interviews from the red carpet:



If you missed my appearance on My Sentiment ExactLee where I discussed fashions on the red carpet, you can watch it here.

Also, thank you to Liz Kelly from the Examiner.com for including my photo with Oscar-winning cinematographer for Inception, Wally Pfister, in her article about Mingle Media TV and Break Media.

That's a wrap!  Thanks for all of your support, comments, and questions.  I hope you enjoyed this season as much as I did, I promise to bring you even more coverage when awards season begins in September with the Emmys.

Oscars Gifting Suite Goodies

Here's the real fun part of being a celebrity, FREE stuff.  The celebrities are offered everything from vacations to watches to a year supply of gum.  It's nice being famous because they suddenly don't have to spend any money, even though they are earning a lot of money.  For the rest of us, we have to scrimp and save for the coveted items, but I am here to feature a couple of affordable options that stood out last week in the gifting suites.

Enjoying my Red Velvet Cookie at the GBK Gifting Suite.

1. Cookies for a Koz:  Roberta Wilson created a cookie company in honor of her late mother, Audrey Koz, who made the world's best chocolate chip cookie. The flavors range from the conventional oatmeal raisin to the absolutely divine red velvet or the white chocolate raspberry cookie.  The cookies have a crisp edge with a soft, chewy center, just the way a cookie should taste. You will also feel good about your purchase because 10% of the proceeds go to the Starlight Children's Foundation.  They make great gifts with a Baker's Dozen going for $19.95.  

2.  Neal's Yard Remedies: This line of organic skin care really walks the walk and talks the talk:  no silicones, no parabens, no animal testing. The line is based out of England and only available here in the US via consultants, but it is worth it.  Each product smells like the aromatherapy spa you pay hundreds of dollars to go to.  Well, you can bring the spa to you with this line of products and know that you are investing in a company who believes in the mantra of reduce, reuse, recycle.  Psst, there is a sale going on now.  

3. Two Cosmetics:  This company was founded by two sisters who believe everything is better in twos:  "two eyes, two lips, two lovers".  Their colors are fun and it's another line that won't break the bank.  You can grab a couple of fun shades of eyeshadow and slip them right into your purse. There is no need to worry about a brush since the case includes a small brush for on-the-go touch ups. Eyeshadows:  $6.50/each.

Running around Hollywood and Highland with my new etoix T-shirt.

4. etoix T-shirts: The etoix line is made in the USA and they are known for their tie-dyed look.  The shirts are soft, comfy, and stretchy, exactly the type of Tee perfect to dress up or down for any occasion. The line also offers leggings for mixing and matching in your wardrobe.  T-shirts and leggings all under $30.  

5. Charles Winston earrings:  This collection of earrings is created from Moissanite, which is also known as silicon carbonbide.  They are believed to have been formed from a meteorite, so it is not a laboratory formed stone.  It has the fire and brilliance you want from a topnotch diamond without the astronomical sticker price.  These will be your go-to earrings for everything.  I have them in 8mm rounds, but they are available in smaller sizes and at a lower price point,  the perfect additional to your jewelry wardrobe when you are treating yourself.  A 3.5mm White Gold pair of earrings starts at $127.95.  

Disclosure:  All of these items were given to me gratis during Oscars Week.  None of the vendors asked me to review their products.  This post was done on my own accord because I really enjoyed the products/items.  Please direct any further questions here.  

Link-A-Palooza

It has been quite an exhausting week, so I am going to take a little bit of a break today from Red Carpet Closet and share a few links with you.  I will be back tomorrow with a few great finds from the gifting suites during Oscars Week.

The Academy Award winning designs by Rick Baker for The Wolfman.

1. Starpulse:  Check out my article on the Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Symposium that was held at The Academy last week.  All of the nominees in the Makeup category were there including famed Makeup Designer Rick Baker (An American Werewolf in London, Thriller).  See how they are competing with CGI in their field and how Anthony Hopkins "helped" the makeup artists on the set of The Wolfman.

2. Cathy Baron:  She's a talented actress and rising jewelry designer with an amazing Steampunk line.  I've worn her pieces on the red carpet here and she is featured on another great blog called Stuff She Likes. The photos of Cathy's pieces on this site will have your credit card flipping in your wallet.

3. LonsTV:  Lon Harris was a guest on my show, The Web Files, back in December of 2009. I was thrilled that he mentioned my show in one of his recent episodes.  Thanks, Lon.  I hope to bring The Web Files back sometime this year.



Three Random Photos to Ponder:

Shhhh, don't tell Wolfgang Puck, but my chocolate Oscar was stale.

This dress looked terrible on camera, but it was stunning in person and NO ONE else could have worn it but Cate Blanchett.

His movies are twisted, but I have a secret crush on Darren Aronofsky--porn 'stache and all. 

All Photos are Property of Red Carpet Closet.  May not be published without permission.

An Oscar Nerd's Dream

Me and Luz Pena, winner of the MTVu contest on the red carpet.

I feel like I am going to be showing you Oscar footage for weeks, kids.  There were so many incredible events to share with you, so we are going to kick it off with the MTVu Correspondent Contest.  College students around the country created broadcast submissions to win a spot on the red carpet, backstage in the pressroom, and at the Governor's Ball.  I was fortunate enough to befriend the winner before she and her partner won the entire contest.  Behind the Red Carpet on Mingle Media TV was there to catch all of the action. Congratulations, Luz and Phil!



The excitement continued as I interviewed one of the judges of the contest, Brooke Anderson, host of HLN's Showbiz Tonight.



And finally, my Oscar nerd dream come true:  I interview the accountants from PriceWaterhouseCoopers about how they count the ballots.  I don't think we have ever seen accountants so excited on camera before.  It is my favorite piece that we shot during Oscars Week. (You will also learn some great balloting secrets.)



If you missed my appearance on the Lori and Julia Show from 107.1 FM from Minneapolis, you can listen here:  Monday, February 28th, Hour 1  These gals are my favorite radio duo and I dished a lot about the red carpet foibles, fun, and fashion.

And as always, I leave you with a few more photos from Oscar Sunday:

 Me and my hairstylist, Ozlem Dalgic, post-hair, pre-makeup. (and a glimpse of my pal, Maria, in the mirror.)

 Next up, my makeup artist, Carolina Groppa, gets me all dolled up. The pink bow is holding back my bangs-nice look.  

The man behind all of the awesome footage we shot, JD Piche

My favorite annual post-Oscars date with fellow Oscar nerd, Matt Crabtree. 

Who Are You Wearing?

I received so many questions about my outfit and my overall look, so here is the entire rundown.  I joked that it took a village to put me together, but I wasn't kidding.  I am so grateful to the team that assisted me, not only for their time and patience, but for really helping me shine on Oscar Sunday.

Stylist:  Roni Binshtock:  You know I talk about her all of the time, but her talents are immense and she was with me every step of the way.  She even made a last minute decision to bring me a stunning gray Sans Souci wrap that I wore through most of my red carpet interviews. (It was cold!)

Hair: Ozlem Dalgic:  She has done my hair now for two Academy Award shows and the DGA Awards.  No one does it better.

Makeup:  Carolina Groppa:  This gal has held me together for the last month and I don't know what I would do without her.  (Thanks, Bonnie Gillespie!)  My makeup and lashes held for a marathon 14 hours and that is impressive in my book.

Dress #2 outside of the after-Oscar party at the Polo Lounge.

Dress:  Chagoury Couture:  Gilbert Chagoury and Marco D'Angelo loaned me the most beautiful gown with such delicate beadwork on the flower.  It fit me like a glove, I felt like a million bucks, and it had two front pockets that added to the comfort of the gown.  After the show, I was able to change into a short dress with draping and incredible trimming on the sleeve and strap.  Thank you, gentlemen!

Even in a goofy iPhone shot, that Charles Winston ring is divine.

  My beautiful Charles Winston bracelet to accessorize my gown.

And don't forget my Charles Winston earrings!

Jewelry:  Charles Winston: I worked with Charles Winston on air back in my ShopNBC days.  I emailed him asking to borrow jewelry.  He immediately said "yes' and he and his partner, Sandy McMillan, made sure I had everything I needed and more.  The cocktail ring alone drew so many compliments, I knew I made the right choice in contacting Charles.

A HUGE THANK YOU to the entire team because I could not have done it without you.  Your contributions to my big night were immeasurable.

Just a few more photos that show the incredible beadwork on my Chagoury Couture gown.....