StarPulse

I am pleased to announce that I will be writing for the upcoming Awards Season for Starpulse.  I am excited to bring you up close to all of the red carpet and nomination action.  I will also bring you some insider scoop on the Kodak Theatre and the lead-up to the Academy Awards.  I hope you will join me with my first article on the Academy's choice of hosts for The 83rd Annual Academy Awards, Anne Hathaway and James Franco. What do you think of this year's hosts?  Read all of the dish here.

Cyber Monday

While I am not a fan of Black Friday shopping, I am a huge fan of Cyber Monday.  I love sitting on my couch and shopping all with a click of a mouse.  Given that it is my birthday week, I will probably buy myself a treat or two.  I have had my eye on these for awhile.  If you are going to the laptop for your holiday shopping, remember these three rules:

1.  Never pay full price.
2.  Never pay for shipping.
3.  Try to avoid sales tax.  Look for sites that either pick up the sales tax for you or an out of state site that does not charge sales tax to your home state.  (This is a big one for me as California sales tax is now flirting with 10%.)

I wrote a huge online shopping article awhile back, so start there and find out how one site will pay YOU to shop.  You will thank me later when you get a check back for your holiday purchases in January.  The article also has a link that adds $5 to your account for your first purchase.  Remember, that is $5 for you to add to your bank account, not $5 off a purchase.  Happy Shopping! Be smart, be safe, save money!!

Let me know what is on your holiday list too. I would love to hear what you are buying this holiday season.

Thanksgiving Musings....

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!  I hope you are all spending time with your family and friends while indulging in some mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie.  I will be hitting the Toyota Live stage and then off to a lovely meal with my family here on the West Coast.  If you want to see what I am grateful for today, you will find that list here.

Otherwise, here are a few things I am excited about:

1. Press Day at Disneyland!  Yes, it is my annual trip to see the lights and "snow" at Disney, but at press day, they also serve Rice Krispie Treats the size of my head.  I cannot wait to dive right into that dessert plate.  I will post lots of photos after my December 4th visit.

2.  Happy Birthday to my amazing kitty, Beans!  She's 15 years old and I plucked her from the streets of New York City.  She has followed me from NY to LA to Minneapolis to LA back to Minneapolis to LA and soon to our new home.  She's a chubby and lovable furry family member and I am glad she is healthy after a small cancer scare earlier this year.

3.  This weekend marks the official beginning of Awards season, but there is one movie I am dying to see, Burlesque.  This movie is so wrong in so many ways, but so right at the same time.  It has it all: dancing, music, glitter, sequins, and of course, Cher.  I am hoping it is Showgirls 2.0, is it wrong of me to think that way?

4.  My new rings from a Miami street vendor on Lincoln.  It is vegetable ivory jewelry with amazing striations of color in a big chunky ring design.  The price is also right as I paid $25 for two rings--a lot of bang for your buck.

5.  Tory Burch Reva flats and yes, they were part of Oprah's Favorite Things this year.  I am not a fan of flats, but I am a fan of Tory Burch flats.  They are comfortable, well-made, and they don't make my short legs look stumpy.  While they are an investment shoe at $195, you won't buy another flat again.  This might be my birthday treat to myself this year.


Happy Thanksgiving!  Be sure to share what you are excited about this holiday season!

First Weekend: LA Auto Show

I made it through the first weekend of the LA Auto Show with a hoarse voice and some sore feet, but the crowds were the largest I have seen in five years.  Maybe it is a sign that the economy is rebounding?  Sunday proved to be the most challenging in terms of crowds, traffic, and chaos thanks to the city allowing the American Music Awards, the LA Auto Show, and the Lakers game to occur at the same time at the same complex.  Phew, that's a lot of people in one place.  Here are a few highlights including a visit from Chelsea Sexton, EV proponent whom you might recognize from the fascinating documentary, Who Killed the Electric Car? (add it to your Netflix queue.) and a clip of the show.  If you live in Chicago, Detroit, or New York, Toyota Live will be hitting your city in early 2011.

Me and Chelsea Sexton

Bossing my co-host around on the LED wall.

Lots of crowds at the show.

New Media Innovators Panel: Live Online Networks

Last week, I had the opportunity to moderate a panel at Showbiz Cafe LA on the future of live online networks with Susan Johnston of New Media Film Festival, Michael Davis of The Room Live, and Stephanie Piche of Mingle Media TV.  It was a fascinating evening talking about the successes and challenges of running an online network, and of course, monetization.  It was also a huge thrill to learn that we had over 22,000 viewers watching on Stickam that evening.  So, thank you all for a great panel and thanks for watching!  If you missed the panel, you can check it out below:

All photos courtesy of Mingle Media TV.

Press Week at the LA Auto Show

It's that time of year again when the big automotive companies roll out their big eco-friendly debuts at the LA Auto Show.  It's no secret that I host a show for Toyota as you have seen photos over and over again on this blog here, here, and here, but I also get the opportunity to participate in press week.  This year, I was giddy because Toyota launched a new demonstration RAV4 EV partnership with Tesla.  If you aren't familiar with the CEO, Elon Musk, I encourage you to read this fascinating Wired magazine profile on him.  He's basically a rock star in the automotive industry:  he's young, he's rich, the ladies love him, and he made his fortune developing PayPal.  Elon is now rocking the automotive industry with electric vehicles.  It really was a dream come true for an alternative fuel vehicle geek like me....Elon Musk in person!  

Check out a few other fun photos from my week.  If you are in the LA area, my shows begin today at the top of every hour through Sunday, November 28th.  Just look for me on the JumboTron at the Toyota Live stage.

This is what it is like to be surrounded by automotive paparrazzi.....

Don't tell anyone I ate a Mercedes cupcake.....

The new badging on the RAV4 EV demo vehicle:

Here it is!  My nerd brain is so happy to see more options for alternative fuel vehicles coming to market.  You do know I drive a hybrid, right?

My co-host drove a perfect game in the Toyota Star Safety System driving simulator.

 Me......uh, not so much.  Stay away from me on the road!

Whoa!  Scary overhead lighting makes my hair look green.  Time to add some low lights the next time I sit down with my stylist.  Photo courtesy of Mingle Media TV.

A Fashionista Extravaganza

It's no secret that I love my local store, Roni B.  If you have followed my blog for awhile,  you know she has dressed me from head to toe for events and shoots here, here, and here.  Well, I am excited to be hosting A Fashionista Extravaganza on Tuesday, November 30th with Roni B.  It will be a night of fashion, fun, food, wine, and a dash of charity.  Guests are encouraged to bring their gently used business casual and professional attire to donate to The Valley Women's Center.  So, clean out your closet and maybe add an item or two or grab a snazzy holiday gift.

If you would like an invite and you are in the LA area, contact me to be added to the list.  It will be a fun night on the fashion front!

Photo Courtesy of My Daily Find.

Photos From Miami

While I was in Miami for work, there is always a lot of fun to be had in this international city.  The night doesn't begin until midnight and it ends in the wee hours.  I tried really hard to conquer Miami, but in the end, Miami conquered me.  It was a blast, but I am happy to be home and back to my regular sleeping schedule.

Getting ready for a night out on the town......

The rooftop bar at the Gansevoort Hotel...

Perhaps my favorite photo of the trip, hanging with my pals at the Gansevoort.....

Hanging with my pal, Melody Freeman, of Blonde Moxie.

And the best showcase for my cute purse and new ring.......

My 5.5" Steve Madden heels.  Remember these?

One more stop at the Delano......

And a good reminder that Miami always wins.  Me and my greasy day-after food......

For Miami 2009 photos, go here and here.

Miami 2010, go here.

New Media Innovators Panel: The Future of IPTV

I am finally back and ready to hit LA again.  I was stuck in a virtual internet blackout because my hotel in Miami thought it was okay to charge $12.95/day for internet service.  Regardless, I am thrilled to be moderating a terrific panel on Wednesday, November 17th.  I hope you can join me in person in LA or via the live stream on Stickam.  All of the details are below:  


Join us for an evening of networking and live discussion about Long Form Web Broadcasts with the New Media Innovators Panel.

The focus of the discussion will be on the growth of the industry of Live formatted series and the successes that on-line web TV networks like The Room Live and Mingle Media TV Network are seeing.

Free Tickets Here: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1012579653

If you can't make the event in person, please watch on line or on your smart phone using the FREE Stickam.com app. 
Watch here:  http://www.minglemediatv.com/SpecialEvents.html


Moderator:

Kristyn Burtt
Red Carpet Closet
Host/Show Creator of online entertainment show, The Web Files, and Author of Red Carpet Closet.

Award-winning new media, web TV show host and producer, Kristyn Burtt, talks and writes about the world of Celebrity Red Carpets, from Awards Shows to Photo Ops, stylists, designers, caterers, event planners and more. She also works as a host for Mattel, Toyota and other brands and is as fluent in tech-speak as she is in fashion-speak.

Panelists:

Pamela Day
CEO
Stickam.com

Pamela Day, preeminent businesswoman and a favored contestant on NBC's "The Apprentice," recently joined Stickam as the company's Chairman and President. With over 7 million registered users, Stickam.com is first and largest Web site dedicated to live interactive video streaming. Pamela was selected from nearly a million applicants to appear on The Apprentice, where she entertained audiences with her no-nonsense business style. A Harvard MBA with an undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania, she has served as an investment banker on Wall Street and founded two successful companies from the ground up. In addition to Stickam, she is currently managing partner of Crimson Fund Advisors, the private investment firm she founded in 2002. Her commitment to upstanding business practices, no-excuses approach and tell-it-like-it-is style that made her instant favorite has extended beyond the realm of television into her businesses, philanthropy and writing. Together, Pamela's business acumen, accomplishments and style have established her as one of the most respected business leaders today.

Stephanie Piche
Founder of Mingle Media TV Network;http://www.minglemediatv.com/

Stephanie is serial entrepreneur, marketing strategist and new media producer. She is the founder and Executive Producer of Mingle Media TV, an online media and live, interactive web TV network company producing and curating an average of 40 hours of video content weekly for a largely female audience. Piche has been producing long-form video content since early 2009 with a previous network she created and now focuses on both live, and produced web shows on over 20 different lifestyle topics. Mingle Media TV is also a sponsor of the Audience Choice Awards category in the New Media Film Festival for web series creators. Stephanie has over 20 years sales and marketing experience and has led over 35 successful new media, ecommerce and mobile technology product launches. She has received the Presidents Club award from IBM, Under the Radar Audience Choice Award, Mom's Choice Award 2009, Listed in the Top 50 Tweeples on Twitter; founder/president of a NY National Association of Female Executives (NAFE) chapter, founder/president of the itSMF Portland chapter; and industry speaker: WITI, Silicon Valley Marketing Group, Int'l Newspaper conferences, Digital Hollywood,140Conf, Web TV Workshop, Web Series Network Summit as well as contributor to MediaPost online and other industry related publications.

Michael Davis 
Co-Founder and Executive Producer of The Room Live online network.http://www.theroomlive.com/

Davis spent his time representing top talent for a decade at CAA, then producing films & TV including the Jason Statham action-franchise 'Crank' and more recently in the tech world having just launched Mindopia, a video-based career discovery website. The Room Live is an online network that produces original series in a live interactive format. All content is traditional length programming in 30 & 60 minute blocks, and produced out of The Room Live's studio in Hollywood, CA. The content is focused in 5 main area's Music, Talk, Game Shows, Cooking and Comedy. The talent is generally well known or celebrity talent that is Los Angeles based. All the content is executive produced by The Room Live team, while enabling the talent to produce and have a larger control over their shows as well --- allowing the content to be original and pure. All the programming is broadcast free via theroomlive.com website, as well as distributed throughout the web.

Susan Johnston
New Media Film Festival Directorhttp://www.newmediafilmfestival.com/

The New Media Film Festival (NMFF) spotlights stories worth telling. The festival celebrates innovative and imaginative visual work that can make audiences laugh, cry, think, and go beyond the ordinary. In its second year, NMFF will exhibit a selection of both short and long-form works that exhibit a strong personal vision combined with the highest standards of creative excellence and technical achievement. With a satellite event in November in San Francisco, the growth of the festival has also added a group of distinguished judges from the industry and an award of $10,000 grand prize of goods and services. All finalists also will be viewed by distributors for possible online, theatrical, or broadcast distribution. For more info visit www.newmediafilmfestival.com. Susan has also worked with the Providence & Rhode Island Film Commissions to build the infrastructure used by the Farrelly brothers, Dir. Michael Corrente, NBC's hit TV series "Providence" & Context Media Studios for their Int'l productions & implementing a 25% tax incentive for investors of RI films. Upon relocating to L.A. CA, expanded services included Int'l co-producing, talent producing, TV Dev. & innovative projects such as: The first series ever produced for cell phones, Mini-Bikers, Developing with SAG their Internet contract,The Hidden Realm, one of the first HD TV Pilots. Shooting some of the first music videos to use the DVX100.


If you can't make the event in person, please watch on line or on your smart phone using the FREE Stickam.com app. Watch here: http://www.minglemediatv.com/SpecialEvents.html

Miami 2010

Well, those nasty feet are how I started my trip to Miami.  Gross, right?  I might have to post on airplane etiquette soon because subjecting other passengers to your nasty bare feet is up there with some of the worst behavior I have seen on a plane.  Yes, I did say something to her after she curled up with her bare feet and they were resting on my seat.  I have no problem claiming my space on a plane and I also have no problem posting a picture of your gnarly toes on my blog.  Enjoy!

Fortunately, lots of cocktails, the beach, and my favorite papaya pancakes at Eva's Bistro were waiting for me when I arrived.  Miami is downright chilly this weekend, so I might not be soaking up the sun by the pool. However, I will be jogging off those pancakes along the boardwalk.  Have a great weekend!

Mad Men Withdrawal

Is anyone else suffering from this terrible illness?  Mad Men Withdrawal?  I aimlessly channel surf around my 250 stations on my TV on Sunday nights hoping for a glimpse of Don Draper smoking a cigarette or Peggy pursing her lips because she has to fight the boys' club at the office again.  I am not sure I am patient enough to wait until Summer 2011 for a Mad Men return.  The Saturday Night Live episode with Jon Hamm last week did not satiate me at all because, well, SNL kind of sucks these days.

However, there is a little glimmer of hope for me today as The Daily What compiled the Best of Don Draper's favorite word, "What?" No one does it better than the Draper and the clip is pretty brilliant:



This certainly isn't my first obsessive Mad Men post.  Join me as I discuss all things Mad Men here from the Janie Bryant/QVC fashion collection to my love for Sal to my first interview with Kiernan Shipka AKA Sally Draper.  Or head on over to my Emmys week post for my second interview with Kiernan who is perhaps one of the most delightful child actors I have ever interviewed.  Good luck with your withdrawal symptoms.  I hope this gets you through the week until it all begins again.  Sigh.

The Dress Details

After several of you contacted me yesterday about my dress from the "Get Red Carpet Ready!" panel, I decided to reveal all of the details here:

Dress:  $65-Aryeh
Purple Suede Shoes:  Approximately $80-BCBG--Seen in this post.
Sun Dance Stretch Ring:  $10-Shop The Look-Seen in this post.

The dress was purchased at one of my favorite local stores, Roni B where I get a lot of my red carpet wardrobe.  If you are interested in checking out some of the fashions from Roni B, I am hosting a party on Tuesday, November 30th.  Contact me with your email address and I will add you to the list.  It will be a fun night of wine, cheese, and shopping!

The pleating and asymmetrical bow on the neckline is one of the best details on the dress.

Get Red Carpet Ready Recap

From left:  Kallah Maguire, Jeff Rago, Me, Alexandra Lippin.

Last week, I had the opportunity to speak on a panel called "Get Red Carpet Ready!"sponsored by Mingle Media TV and Stay Tuned TV at the Showbiz Cafe in LA.    With the awards show season just around the corner, this panel offered the ins and outs of a red carpet from the perspective of a stylist, an entertainment reporter, and a publicist  Joining me on the panel were Alexandra Lippin of The Lippin Group, Kallah Maguire of The Emerald Scarab, and Jeff Rago of the celebrity interview show In Bed With.  I think it was a fantastic way for actors, reporters, writers, and directors to understand what goes on to create a red carpet and how to make their red carpet experience as successful as possible.  Not only do you want good publicity, but you should enjoy the experience and come to the table with witty stories and sound bites.  To learn more, check out the video of the panel.  If you have any further questions, feel free to contact me or ask away in the comments below.  

Photos 1, 3, 5:  Courtesy of Stay Tuned TV

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