IAWTV Awards-Tonight!

Just a quick post since as I write this I am en route from NAIAS in Detroit to CES/IAWTV Awards in Vegas.  Is that enough acronyms for you?  Anyway, The Web Files is nominated for 3 awards and the awards ceremony is tonight.  If you would like to watch the festivities live, click here to see what happens. Either way, it's great to be nominated.  I am just going to relish in the moment of hanging with so many creative and talented people in the web space.  I'll be back posting as soon as I hit Detroit (again) with the results and my red carpet look for the night. If you want a sneak peek at my shoes, it's my beloved pair of silver strappy sandals.  You know I love to recycle, when possible.  Wish me luck!

Dress Challenge 2012: Dress Choices, Part 2

We are hitting the final dress challenge day!  There's still time to enter as long as you get your choice in by midnight ET.  I will let you know what the two finalists are this weekend and the winner will be announced on Oscar Nominations Day, January 24th.  The entries I have received so far are great, so here's a look at a few more that have come in the last few days.  Let's take a look:

This one of three dress that Ali and Julia picked and I love the dress for the rich blue hue which always looks amazing on camera.  I do have a DVF dress with a similar design, but it is a very flattering cut on me.  This is another selection by Lauren by Ralph Lauren.  It seems like Ralph Lauren and Banana Republic are the clear frontrunners for everyone's shopping list this year.

This was also a dress picked by Ali and Julia and I like it because it has an unexpected twist.  It's hard to see in the photo, but it is a polka-dotted print.  The color is strong for an on-camera look, but it is a bit simple in design.  The simple design didn't deter me though because I think this could be accessorized with a belt and a great pair of earrings.  This dress is by Bloomingdale's.

Here is a final dress to look at that was selected by Sarah and I think this is a sweet and classic silhouette.  Believe it or not, it is a bridesmaid's dress by Alfred Sung in a soft firecracker color.  I know this dress would be appropriate for the event, but I have to find out if it is available online since my time frame to order is so short.  

Okay, that's a was a quick peek into some of the dresses picked so far.  If you missed Round 1, click here.  Remember, there is still time to enter.  You have until Midnight ET tonight.  All of the rules and comment form to enter is here.  Good luck and come back this weekend to find out the two finalists!

Hello, Detroit!

Yeah, I didn't sleep much this weekend and my 6AM flight this morning solidified the full-on nap I took the entire leg from LAX to Denver.  Unfortunately, our flight had mechanical difficulties and then we had jetway issues once we landed in Denver.  I had already started to plot how I was going to get to Detroit which involved two more flights, when I discovered there were several United Global Services passengers on my flight with the same itinerary.  If you watched the movie, Up In The Air, then you know exactly what I am talking about--that elusive card that gives you multiple flight benefits and carries enough clout to hold a plane.  So after running through the Denver airport huffing and puffing due to the altitude, I found out that they held the plane for us....okay, really just for them. I lucked out that they had the same itinerary.  Now you know that those secret airplane perks are all true and I just benefitted from them even with my little old Premier Elite card.

I am hitting the first press day tomorrow of NAIAS and I am sure I will tweet all of the updates happening from the show floor.  However, my first priority when I landed was eating at Slows, my favorite Detroit restaurant.  I stuffed my face with St. Louis ribs, Mac and Cheese, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, and a Brisket Enchilada. I know I am supposed to fit into a tiny dress on Thursday for the IAWTV Awards, but a girl has got to eat.

Have a great week, everyone, and don't forget to enter my 2012 Dress Challenge for Oscar Nominations.  The last day to enter is Wednesday, January 11th and the winner gets a $25 gift certificate!

The Friday Five

That was a quick week!  I'm now trying to cobble together my life and dust off my suitcases again for a whirlwind month.  I'm hoping Detroit is as warm as possible because after the December summer we have had here in LA, I am spoiled.  Here's a quick Friday Five to round out the week:

Zadi Diaz and me on set in NYC in the 90's...

On the set of The Web Files in 2010.

1.  Cleaning:  I spent much of the month home and digging through old boxes and organizing my home.  I'm not done yet, but it's a great start and I found some hilarious "vintage" photos that I will post from time to time.  I found the above photographs and I recognized someone who is my contemporary out here in LA, but this photo was from an old Pathmark industrial from my time in NYC.  Could it be possible that I worked with her in the 90's?  Yep, it is.  It's Zadi Diaz from Epic Fu.  I interviewed her and her husband/collaborator, Steve Woolf back in 2010.  We were both nominated for a 2010 Streamy Award and she won! The best part about the photo and the video I recently had digitized is that I remember this day on set. (By the way, we were playing rogue cashiers at Pathmark:  she stole a chicken, I stole steaks, and yes, my hair is really that color.)  Here's a look back at our interview in 2010:  Epic Fu on The Web Files.

2.  Press:  Jenna of Smarter.com featured Red Carpet Closet for all of the formal dresses and gowns I wore last year.  She highlighted my favorite dress of 2011 which was created by Chagoury Couture. Thanks for the shout out, Jenna.  To see the article, click here. To visit Jenna's personal blog, Seven Style Notes, click here.



3.  iVillage:  This is a fun compilation video from all of the entertainment correspondents over at iVillage that asks your favorite celebs about their best holiday memories.  I handled the Zac Efron, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Lea Michele interviews.  I know I am a little late in posting this and you probably don't want to even think about the holiday season right now. Just think of it as preparation for Holidays 2012?

4.  Driving with Gass:  Don't forget that I do my Monday night entertainment segment each week at 6:35PM PT/9:35PM ET. Now that we are in full awards season swing, there will be a lot to talk about this month. It's so easy to listen in at KWSS.org.  Click on the "Listen Live" tab and you can join us right from your laptop.  For those of you on Twitter, I also do an interactive chat during and after the show using the hash tag #RadioBurtt.

5. Team KB:  Team KB grew by one member yesterday, so everyone please welcome Melanie Marquez of M4PR.  She will be handling all of my media throughout awards season and beyond.  This will also bring more video, events, and exciting content to Red Carpet Closet.  If you need me for any event, show, press quote, etc, contact Melanie here.  My team keeps me together more than you know, so you will probably hear a lot of praise for Mel, Carolina, Roni, Annie, and Maria these next few months.

Have a great weekend, everyone!  I will be coming to you live from NAIAS Detroit on Monday.

The Dress Challenge: A First Look (2012)

The dress choices are rolling in for Dress Challenge 2012 and I thought I would give you a sneak peek at what other have selected for me so far.  I am seeing a color family scheme pop up quite a bit.  Let's start with the very first entry that came in and a color I really like because it is deep, rich, and something I don't wear often enough:

Bentoboxx selected this one and I love the raisin color.  It is by Lauren by Ralph Lauren and it is available at Nordstroms.  My one thought is that I might have to hike up the hem to show a little more leg, but this is a very classic design.

Next up is this Banana Republic dress selected by Eli and yes, Banana Republic was the winning dress last year.  I think Eli is going for a known winner.  This dress is available in four colors and Eli went straight to the Geranium Pink for me, but I think I like it in Fresh Fern.  I am posting both photos for comparison.  Which color do you like better?

Here is the final selection I am going to show you today, it is from a New Zealand fashion house, but I like the simplicity of the design because it can be easily accessorized and the Berry Red color is one I don't wear too often because red can be hard to wear on camera.  This shade has just enough pink in it, that it could work.  Thanks for this pick, Donette!

So, do you see anything you like so far?  I would love to hear your comments or see your picks for me for the Oscar Nominations.  Remember, the winner who picks the perfect dress receives a $25 gift certificate to the store of their choice.  To enter, read the rules here and enter the link to your dress here in the comments below, on Facebook, or on Twitter.  You have until Wednesday, January 11th to enter.  Now, get shopping!

Baby Bump Watch 2012

I have been known to be waaaaaaaay off base when it comes to Hollywood news on this site like my story about Susan Lucci--wrong! and my guess on how far along Natalie Portman was at the Oscars--also wrong!  Every once in awhile, I get it right like the baby bump on Tori Spelling.  YES, she was pregnant in 2011.  So, I saw a photo yesterday and I thought, "Baby Bump Watch 2012?"  I only say this because Reese Witherspoon is petite and always in shape.  This photo makes it look like she is in the beginning stages of a  Baby Bump.  She does have a hot new husband and she has publicly spoken about wanting to have more kids.  So, let's speculate:  Baby Bump or Just the Photo? Let me know in the comments below. (Or we can wait for the tabloids.....or just wait 9 months.)

Credit: bauergriffinonline.com via USMagazine.com


Don't forget to enter my Dress Challenge 2012. Help me find a dress for the Oscar Nominations and win a $25 gift certificate!

Oscar Nominations Dress Challenge: 2012

Happy New Year, everyone!  I hope you are all off to a great start to 2012.  I'm two for two on workout days and my house is the most organized it has ever been thanks to my holiday vacation clean out.  This week kicks off a whirlwind two months for me.  My work will take me to 4 cities all while trying to cover awards season.  It makes my head spin, but I am so excited about this year's slate of films and I cannot wait to cover all of the action.

Like last year, I will be covering the 84th Annual Academy Awards nominations live from the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre on January 24th.  I am so excited to be returning for all of the excitement and waking up at 2AM for hair and makeup.  YES!  Since I had so much fun with last year's dress challenge, I am officially announcing this year's Oscar Nominations Dress Challenge.  The rules are similar to last year, but here they are:

1.  It is not a red carpet event.  So, I am looking for a dress that is simple, classic and understated.  Think of a DVF wrap dress or a Jackie O. sheath.  I am short (5'3"), so I want to show off my legs versus lots of cleavage (which I don't have anyway) to give the illusion of height.  I love shoes, so I want to pick something hot and sassy from my shoe wardrobe.  One note from last year, even though I want a dress to show off my legs, please no so-short-I-can-see-your-hoo-ha dresses.  The Oscar Nominations are a very conservative event, so I'd like to keep it that way.

2.  I will be working at 5AM PT that day.  I want a dress that is easy, comfortable, and not fussy.  I hate pulling and tugging at my dress because I feel self-conscious.

3.  I like color.  It looks great on camera and adds brightness to my face since my hair is currently light blonde.  Please avoid red or crazy patterns because they have a tendency to moray on camera.

4.  The budget is important.  Let's keep the dress under $200 and it has to be available online in sizes 2      or 4.

Last year's winner was a dress by Banana Republic in deep violet.  It was perfect, comfortable, showed a little leg, and it had pockets (total bonus!).  I think we should avoid the same color for this year, but you guys have a pretty good guideline this year for what I am looking for.

The Challenge:  Can you help me find a dress?  I know so many of you are fashionistas out there with amazing style and taste.  Add the links in the comments section below or on Facebook or Twitter and I will post some of the best ones to vote on. (Make sure to post the exact link to the exact dress you are picking for me.) After last year's enthusiastic responses, I cannot wait to see what you guys pick for me this year.  Don't forget, the winner gets a $25 gift certificate to the store of their choice.  U.S. residents only, entries must be in by Wednesday, January 11th at Midnight ET.  The two finalists will be announced on Monday, January 16th and the winner will be revealed on Tuesday, January 24th.  On your mark...get set...SHOP!