The Oscars: 5 Things You Didn't Know

As you know, I've been around Oscar activity all week long. I've been sleuthing around trying to find a few details about the show. Here's what I dug up so far.  Remember, things could change at the last minute because there is a rehearsal tomorrow morning, but as of Saturday afternoon, this is what I heard:

1.  Barbra Streisand is performing the Marvin Hamlisch-written "The Way We Were" as a tribute to the deceased composer and all of the other artists we lost in 2012.

2. Barbra is being dressed by her longtime friend and designer, Donna Karan, who has been buzzing around the star's house getting her outfit red carpet ready.

3.  They are restaging "Cell Block Tango" from Chicago with Catherine Zeta-Jones leading the way. (One of my favorite numbers ever in a musical theatre piece.)

4.  Seth MacFarlane will be crooning at some point during the show. Rumor has it, he sounds just like Frank Sinatra.

5.  The orchestra will not be housed at the Dolby Theatre. There just wasn't enough space for them. They will be playing at the Capitol Records building down the street. (This has been confirmed by WSJ  Online.)

I also released the names of the SYTYCD kids who are performing at this year's show.

For more inside scoop on this year's show and the behind the scenes shenanigans, watch my appearance on Film Snobbery.

Fashion Fridays: Rough Justice Sunwear

I'm a big fan of sunglasses and I am one of those who is often guilty of wearing them inside, but sometimes I don't even notice I am wearing them.  You'll often see me sporting my glasses on the red carpet on those bright, sunny LA days, so I was thrilled when I had the opportunity to test drive

a few new pairs from the fall line of Rough Justice.  

Rough Justice is a California-based foot, sunwear, and accessories company that follows the motto, "Love the life you live, live the life you love."  Since that is always a great phrase to live by, I thought this brand might be a great fit for my crazy, but fun lifestyle.  

My favorite pair is definitely an homage to the classic Wayfarer style which is making an amazing comeback in fashion this year.  It's the Divalicious in my favorite color, Brown Tiger.  They have just a touch of animal print designs at the corner of the frame, but it's pretty subtle as you can see from my personal photos.  The opaque colors are made from recyclable materials which is always a win in my book and there are two other colors to choose from including Opaque Black and Opaque Grey. Most importantly, you will get 100% UV protection with these shades.  I have worn these jogging the bay in St. Petersburg and on the water in Chicago, so they are definitely versatile and sexy shades.  The sunglasses retail for $129.

The second pair I tried was a bit more casual, sporty, and colorful.  I have a tendency to be drawn to more earthy colors when it comes to sunglasses, so I had to be a more creative with this pair.  The Lustrous style in Ice Blue is also available in a fresh Lime Stone color and it is created in an Aviator design.  I love the splash of color throughout the frames because it isn't expected, it's just fun and perfect for that upcoming winter beach vacation. It's the pair that perks up your drab wardrobe with a bit of personality.  Like the Divalicious, this pair retails for $129.  

Each pair also comes with a sparkly gold cloth case that securely zips up and protects your sunnies from any lens scratches.  To learn more about the Rough Justice line (including shoes!), be sure to check out their website here.  

Disclosure:  Two pairs of sunglasses were provided to me by Rough Justice/Shine A Light PR, but all opinions are my own.  

Falling Into Fall

Last night on AfterBuzz TV......

I am slowly making my way back into work mode after a trip to Europe and a quick jaunt to Chicago.  I have a lot of irons in the fire this fall and things will be changing a bit around here, but it's all moving in the right direction after ending my road warrior status last spring.

Some of the things in the mix that I can talk about right now include:
AfterBuzz TV:  SYTYCD (ends September 18th with choreographer, Spencer Liff)
                          DWTS (starts the week of September 24th)
                          The New Normal (Tuesdays at 10PM PT--See our host photo here.)


Cocktails and Conversation:  Talking VMAs, SYTYCD, and Hollywood divorce.

I will also be going back to my roots with an appearance on one of the electronic retailing networks in October. Can you guess which one?

Finally, I will be doing an Emmys week countdown with Stuart Brazell on Spreecast, so there will be a lot to keep up with this fall.  Be sure to check my News/Appearances page for the latest updates.

Enjoying the Chicago skyline from the Trump Tower.

Munich: Photo Of The Day

I have safely arrived in Munich after a 13-hour trip from LA to Chicago to Munich.  I am a big fan of public transportation, so I looked up my hotel to see how easy it would be to get from the airport to the neighborhood I am staying in. Since the Munich Airport is farther out compared to most European cities, I had to hit the train and a bus.  A girl came up to me in the airport and handed me a free bus and train pass for the day and told me to "pay it forward" since she was heading home back to the States. Score!  My first ride through Munich was going to be free.

I have to admit I have been a bit intimidated by the German language since I only know how to say "hello", "thank you", and "awesome".  It's much easier in the romance language countries since I know enough Spanish and French to have a conversation, not so much here.  I was worried I was going to wind up in the German countryside versus my hotel, but I am happy to report that their signage was perfect and I made it safely to my home for the next week.

I managed to grab drinks and food with my colleagues today and actually have a bit of a post-mortem meeting on the event I hosted last week in New Jersey.  It's kind of weird to meet up in Munich to talk about a NJ gig, but I am not complaining.  I am still amazed people are willing to fly me all over the world to host a show for them.  Tomorrow begins my first day of rehearsal with a bit of sightseeing mixed in.  I will be updating this site each day with a photo.  Today, I leave you with my travel outfit.  I honestly hate it when people take photos in the bathroom, so hopefully, this is my last, but I couldn't resist.......I looked like a homeless Olsen twin.

Where In The World Is KB?: Summer 2012

Many thanks to Roni B. for making sure I had my signature hat for my trip!

Around this time last year, I was off to Paris, thanks to a really amazing client who hired me to host a game show (Or a quiz show for you dignified Europeans.) for them.  They kindly also sent me to Orlando, Chicago, and New Jersey over the past year. (Don't knock NJ, I had the opportunity to meet this guy.)  This year, they are shipping me off to Munich which means I won't be drinking beer now that I am officially Gluten Free.  (Ah, better to miss the beer than to endure a migraine.) I plan on having a blast and posting a photo each day, so I hope you join me on this adventure.  I will also be hitting one other country after the job is over for a little R&R.  Gute Reise!

 

Opening Weekend at the Chicago Auto Show

I have no idea what is going on in this photo, but I love unusual action shots.  This definitely qualifies.

 I know what you are thinking, "Wait, there's no red carpet post about the Grammys!".  Yep, you are correct.  I watch the Grammys from a distance:  I love Barbra Streisand and oh, her prom dress from 1988, I caught a glimpse or two of Eminem's performance, and when they announced Album of the Year, I thought, "Who is that?".  My obsession with the red carpet circles around movies, glamour, and Hollywood.  I am not sure I can wrap my brain around Lady Gaga and her egg.  I need my couture, unless that was a couture egg?

This weekend, I was running around on stage at the Chicago Auto show for our annual visit.  The weekend was packed with guests who are sponsored by or in partnership with Toyota, so it was fun working with radio personalities, soccer players, and snakes.  Here are a few highlights from the weekend:

Hanging with country music radio personality, Ramblin' Ray from US 99.5.  He's a big fan of the Tundra and always a lively guest.

Partners for Clean Air brought a superhero, "Breathe Easy Man"!  I haven't stood next to a man in tights since my dancing days.....












The Shedd Aquarium has also been a repeat visitor to the Toyota Live stage, but this year, they brought animals!  The photos aren't great, but he's holding a snake.  The snake was really cute and I learned that snakes utilize their sense of smell via their tongues.  His tongue was going crazy that day.  I sure hope I smelled good because donning a baseball cap in that outfit sure didn't make it look like I know how to dress.

In the photo below, I am peering at a painted turtle.  He kept swimming with his little legs in the air.  I really wanted to take him home, but I was afraid my kitty would eat the turtle for lunch.

The ladies with the Chicago Fire players, Kwame Watson-Siriboe and Sean Johnson:

One final action shot with the Chicago Fire:

I'm Looking for A Dress, Part Two

I am dutifully following the cross country arrival of my dresses for the Academy Award Nominations.  So far, both of them seem to be in limbo; one on the West Coast and one in the Midwest.  Hopefully, they will arrive by Monday so I have a 50/50 shot that one of them will fit and look good.  Cross your fingers that I will have something to wear!

After critiquing the Golden Globes fashions and after I figure out my fashion dilemma for January 25th, I will have to start searching for some serious wardrobe for February 27th.  I received huge news this week that I will be covering THIS event in the press bleachers on the red carpet and the backstage press room where the winners are ushered after they receive there award for Mingle Media TV and Starpulse.  Can you believe it?  It's a dream come true. 

On the red carpet after the 79th Annual Academy Awards with my friends, Rose and Ashley in 2007.  I was kindly invited as a guest that year by Ashley.  The Departed was the big winner and Erica Davies designed my dress.  Guess who styled me for this event?  Kim Kardashian.  Yep, she was working as a stylist in 2007.  No E! show back then, she was known as Paris Hilton's friend and worked behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.  Wow, have times changed.  

So, I am reaching out to all of my fashionistas who have contacts in the fashion industry.  I am looking for a gown.  Where should I go?  Who should I contact?  If you have any ideas or suggestions, let me know.  I only have a week and a half in LA in early February and two weeks in Chicago in mid-February, so those cities would be my ideal locations for dress shopping/fitting.  Please note, anything I wear will get promotional consideration.  

Feel free to contact me in the comment section below or on my Contact page.  Thank you all for your assistance!

Photo 1: Courtesy of Seth Maxwell

Photo 2: Courtesy of Brian Wilson

2010 in Review: February

I had to go back and look at what I did in the month of February.  I always have a gig in Chicago, but the rest of the month was kind of a blur.  However, I have a lot of fun photos that really capture my month:

1.  We were in Chicago and away from all of our significant others on Valentine's Day, but this was a really fun champagne and chocolate-covered strawberry filled evening with my pals, Melody Freeman and Ted Napolitano.

2.  I finally got behind that door and found out what Club 33 was all about.  It is a must for any Disney geek and it is my most popular post of 2010.  What's behind that door?  Unicorns, rainbows, and all the magic of Disney.

3.  Chicago is the most enthusiastic city we hit with Toyota Live each year.  We even gave away a 2010 Prius live onstage which was so thrilling, the winner grabbed me in a huge bear hug when she was declared the winner.  I'll be back in February 2011 and hanging on the jumbo LED wall again.

4.  This was the first infomercial I had shot in awhile and it became my first in a series of four infomercials that I shot in 2010.  It was a great day on set with fitness expert, Jennifer Galardi.  If you want to see the final results, wait for me at 2 AM on your TV or click here.

5.  The Streamys "For Your Consideration" screenings were in full force in February as I covered the red carpet for Koldcast TV at the Fall of Kaden and Blue Movies showing.  Here I am with eventual Best Director nominee, Scott Brown, of Blue Movies.  You can see some of the footage from this evening here.

Come back tomorrow at Red Carpet Closet for a review of March 2010 with Atlanta, paparazzi photos, A Good Knight's Quest premiere and more!

Women's Health Magazine: Are you Game? 2010

I am honored to be back as the official emcee of Women's Health Magazine's 3rd annual Are You Game?  It's a great day honoring women, health, fitness, and fun!  The first event is Sunday, July 11th in Chicago from 10 AM-4 PM.  So, get on your workout gear and head on down to North Avenue Beach.  Make sure to stop by and say "hi", I will be hanging with the DJ or on the main stage with all of the fashions.  Here's a highlight of my day in New York last year:

Details for the Chicago event:
To register, click here: Women's Health Magazine.

WHAT: Women’s Health’s annual summer festival, Are You Game? is returning to Chicago for the third year. Building on the success of last year’s events in Chicago and New York, which were attended by more than 3,000 people, Are You Game? will allow women to experience the ultimate in outdoor fun. Are You Game? will be open to the public at $10 per person with 50% of that fee going to the Event Beneficiary, FEED Foundation. The event will offer a host of fun activities, such as:

• Fitness Classes

• One-on-One Golf Instruction with a pro in the Oakley Golf Cage

• Mechanical bull

• Oasis Day Spa Chair Massages


• “Workout to Knockout” Makeover Cabana with manicures, skin consultations, hairstyling, and makeup applications.

• Eat Smart Cooking demonstrations 


• Breakfast & Snack Bar sponsored by Special K


• Nutrition Counseling


• Virtual Kayaking sponsored by Subaru


• Fashion Shows


• Happy Hour from 2-4 PM

• Live DJ spinning all day


• All attendees will receive a Women’s Health tote bag


• The first 1,300 women on site will receive a custom Women’s Health Are You Game? eco-friendly yoga mat from Kulae



WHEN: SUNDAY, July 11th, 2010
10 AM – 4 PM

WHERE: North Avenue Beach



WHO: Women’s Health presents Are You Game?

along with sponsors: Asics, Oakley, Skinny Cow, Special K, and Subaru; Partners: Crunch and Oasis Day Spa; and Beneficiary: FEED Foundation.



REGISTRATION: Will open online on June 14th at

www.areyougame2010.com. Attendees will also be able to register and pay on site.

W

Welcome to Chicago!

Well, here we are, a little over halfway through the season and at the toughest show on the circuit.  Now, don't get me wrong, Chicago is a fantastic city, but we are here at the toughest time of the year:  everyone is exhausted from back to back cities, we are at the height of flu and cold season, the weather is cold, and this is the show that has the highest attendance across the U.S.  Yet, this show offers more excitement that even NAIAS cannot match.  

We have amazing guests who stop by our show like Scotty Van Hawk of Four Feathers Racing who is one of the Top 5 AMA Pro Racers in the U.S.  He spent last weekend signing autographs for fans after his interview on the show where he revealed he has broken 84 bones in a sport where speeds can top 197 MPH.  Wow. 

And a three year guest to our show, Ramblin' Ray from US 99 Chicago.  I really enjoy Ray's visits, he is never at a loss for words and oh boy, he tells it like it is.  He has a partnership with Toyota that includes a Tundra that he loves to kick up to 110 MPH. Shhhh, don't tell Toyota.  Check out his website and photos from past Toyota Live visits: Ray's Tundra. 

This was our first attempt at a photo on Valentine's Day. Was it the camera or was it the champagne?

                                              

Our second attempt worked out much better!  My favorite friends from the Mitsubishi team. Yes, we do hang out with other manufacturers.

                                              

The larger shows also offer a glimpse of the show on the large screen.  Here I am looming over the

FT-CH turntable:

                                          

The crowds were in full force over the 1st weekend of the Chicago Auto Show:

                               

Other fun guest included an annual visit from members of the Chicago Bears:  Robbie Gould and Hunter Hillenmeyer. I have to say I was a fan of Robbie after interviewing him.  He's pretty charming. 

The other reason I love this show?  My little cousin.  Isn't she magical?  

                                

Yep, a nap backstage and a photo kindly taken by my co-host, Matthew Troyer.  Not my best look, but it sure sums up the week so far:  Lots of fun, but lots of work!

                                

2009 in Review: February

February brought my annual trip to Chicago for two weeks. That means cold weather, snow, wind, and a lot of hibernation for this LA girl. Not a super exciting month, but March is jam-packed, I promise.

I like to call this "Bored at the Hotel". Too much hibernation and I start playing with the Photo Booth on my MacBook. I am partial to the Comic Book Effect though.

I did get to meet my super cute cousin, Amina, while in Chicago. She's so squishy, I love it!

Interviewing Chicago Bears player, Jason McKie on our stage.....

Well, I didn't work the show this year, but I did get to hold an Oscar one more time.

Nothing is better than going home and grabbing my puppy for a hike......