Angeleno Magazine's Generation Next Spring Fashion Event

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to catch Angeleno Magazine's spring fashion event at the Westfield Topanga Mall in Los Angeles.  My day started at the fashion show where Angeleno Magazine's Fashion Style Editor, Elizabeth Varnell, helmed the latest spring fashions with two trend experts.  I am always interested in dresses for the red carpet, so I was thrilled to find a Mad Men-inspired black and white dress by Betsey Johnson and a pair of black and natural wedges by Charles David on the runway.  Both of those items wound up in my shopping bag after the event.  After the show, I was treated to a manicure by Venetian Spa and a makeover by Heaven's Makeup Bar to complete my new look.  To end the day, I hit the VIP Lounge for a cocktail and treats by Kate Mantilini and Snow Monkey Shaved Ice.  Admission to the VIP lounge was pretty easy, all it took was "Like" of Westfield Topanga Mall's Facebook page.

Cute and quirky Betsey Johnson dress in a bird print....look closely, those are birds. 

If this sounds like a fun day to you, hit the Westfield Fashion Square Mall in Sherman Oaks this Saturday, May 5th from 1-6PM for all of the complimentary beauty and fashion fun.  Here's an insider tip for you too:  if you buy $500 worth of merchandise, you also get a gift with purchase.  Guess who received two free tickets to Cirque du Soleil's Iris at the Kodak Theatre?  Yep, I'll tell you all about it after the show on May 17th.

 I loved this spring dress with a pop of color from Macy's.

This model had the perfect body for the jumpsuit silhouette.  I'm jealous.

I bought this right off of the runway, a Betsey Johnson polka dot dress that is featured on the home page of her website.  I can't wait to wear it to my next big event.

Here I am shopping right off of the runway again, I bought those incredible Charles David "Letti" wedges for the summer.  Dress by Angl.

 So many fun color choices, but I went with......

 ........purple instead.  

 Oh man, the "before" pictures are never fun, but here you go.

This is what I looked like after my makeover by Heaven's Makeup Bar.  I also took a fun picture with my makeup artist that is posted on my Facebook page. Check it out here. 

 Ahhh, cocktails in the VIP lounge: The Mark Alberto Tequila Traveler prepared a "Spring Day in Mexcio" drink:

Casa Noble Reposado Tequila

Lime Juice

Ginger Beer

Fresh Stevia

Fresh Ginger

Dried Hibiscus Garnish

I'm a little obsessed with the yellow Vitamin Water. It's been a three-year addiction.

I was invited to this event by a PR Firm, but all opinions posted above are mine. The event is free and open to the public.  

Oscars Week: Day 1

It's the last year as the Kodak Theatre.  I wonder what the name will be next year?

It feels like Christmas to me and I am bouncing off of the walls.  I picked up my credentials today and received my official badge that will get me on the red carpet and in the press room on Sunday. Now, please don't ask to see a photo of my badge.  I can't do it.  Find out why and what to look for in today's edition of Behind the Red Carpet....

The day was filled with scoop as I sat to get my hair done. I cannot tell you where or who I sat near lest I break the sacred hair salon code, but oh boy, this person has their choice of Monique Lhuillier dress or Badgley Mischka for Sunday's activities and I cannot wait to see them on the red carpet.

Also, I think the producers are misleading us about not highlighting either of the two Best Original Song nominees....or they are featuring music in some way during the show.  I saw a group today that involves music roaming around Hollywood and Highland.  Mark my words.....we will hear some singing come Sunday night.  (And that is exclusive scoop.  If you look around, I named the group somewhere......did you find it yet?)

Now watch my one minute video and let me know what you are most excited about this week!

Oscars Friday Five

Here's an Oscars Friday Five to help kick off what is going to be a very exciting week in Hollywood.  It will be filled with interviews, multiple wardrobe changes in my car (which I am getting quite good at.) and meals on the run.  I can't think of a better way to spend my week...

1. News Talk 690:  Tim Lewis labeled me a "red carpet diva"-the best compliment ever.  Listen to our interview and see the article.  Tim asked incredibly insightful questions and I really enjoyed my time on air with him.

2.  Red Carpet Report:  My insider's look at the Best Actor and Actress Oscar race. Who did I pick?  Find out:


3.  Kodak Theatre:  If you heard the news this week, the Kodak Theatre name is coming down due to Kodak's bankruptcy issues.  I am going to refer you to this post I did in 2009 and I mentioned my love of this theatre in my recent feature in The Gold Knight Blog.  The theatre has a significant role in my career and I will be sorry to see the name go away.......

4.  Chagoury Couture:  I'm not ready to reveal my Oscars dress until February 26th (Trust me, it's gorgeous!), but I want to give a little love to Marco D'Angelo and Gilbert Chagoury for continually dressing me every time I have a big event.  My Oscars dress last year was executed divinely and my Tonys dress was probably my favorite dress of 2011.  Go visit their site and see what everyone is raving about.

5. Reese Witherspoon:  Check out my iVillage interview with the 2006 Oscar winner, Reese Witherspoon, about her new film, This Means War.  The movie is a fun ride and if you are looking for a fun romp at the movie theatre this weekend, buy a ticket to this flick. (And after seeing her in person, she's definitely not pregnant.)

2011 Oscars, Day 3

My day began with my press walk-through over at Hollywood and Highland, so I will know where I am going on Sunday.  While I am trying not to be overwhelmed by the process, it's hard not to sucked into thoughts like, "Oh my God, this is one of my top 5 dreams come true!".  I cannot feel anything but grateful to the people who have helped get me to this week.  I will have to do a whole thank you post next week because, it's a long list.

The exciting thing about my Hollywood & Highland visit, the complex that holds the Kodak Theatre, is that the red carpet is officially down.  It's covered in plastic to protect it from the elements including the pending rain, but it's there.  To understand how the red carpet is laid out, it starts at the intersection of Hollywood and Highland and runs down the middle of the street. Yes, Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth will be jaywalking all over the place on Oscar night.  Photos from the red carpet are not allowed until Thursday, so I have a few shots from the pedestrian point of view from today.

After that, I hopped on over to Paramount Studios for the red carpet for Cinema City International Film Festival where I rubbed Tom Sizemore's head.  Yep, he's back, drug-free, and sporting a mohawk.  I was asking everyone all night about their picks for Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Actress.  If they voted, Colin Firth, Natalie Portman, and The King's Speech would win.  However, I have been hearing rumblings all over town that many Academy members are voting for Annette Bening.  Annette has made herself very available to the press, it is her fourth nomination, and conveniently, she is a member of the Board of Governors at the Academy.  If you don't think politics plays a hand in voting, think again.  I am predicting an upset in either Best Actress or Best Supporting Actress category.  Let's see if the rumors turn out to be true.

Here's my video of the day:  I take you to the red carpet set-up and I have a minor problem sprouting.  Ah, reality always keeps you grounded.



Make sure to catch up on Tuesday's uh...interesting Beauty Suite and then see the video:





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2011 Oscars, Day 1

The first day of Oscars Week has officially arrived!  After a 3AM return home from Chicago, I spent the morning trying to cover the dark circles under my eyes to bring you my first video of the week.  It is a quick look into my morning ride to the Renaissance Hotel to pick up my press credentials.  I was giddy putting that piece of plastic around my neck and my picture came out okay. I can definitely live with that photo for the next week.  Before I left, I snapped a few photos for you:  in front of my old stomping ground, The Kodak Theatre, the view of LA from the top of Hollywood and Highland, and a bird's eye view of the bleacher seats on Hollywood Boulevard.  The red carpet doesn't go down until Wednesday, so stayed tuned for further insight later in the week.

Tomorrow, I will bring you highlights from my first event of the week.  The event is promising a one of a kind Black Swan handbag that yet to be determined celeb will promote on the red carpet and the most expensive baby cake ever created and dedicated to Natalie Portman's baby boy.  Only in Hollywood, kids....

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

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.

Kodak Theatre: KB has left the building!

Yesterday was my last day on a media job that I have held for 4 years. It was a fantastic ride, but with my current schedule with The Web Files and a few other upcoming host gigs, it was going to be impossible to keep it all up. Believe it or not, this was a job I found off of Craig's List when I was at a crossroads in my career. 2005 was not a good booking year for me and I needed something to keep me in the host loop, earn me money, and keep me sane. Surprisingly, the job gave me so much more......amazing friendships, more Oscar knowledge than I could ever imagine, tons of laughter, tickets to the 79th Annual Academy Awards, and best of all.....my super cute BF.

Meet The Oscars 2007

I know the Kodak Theatre inside and out. I took naps on the benches on the 4th floor after a few late nights out, Zen Gray and I used to chill our (non-alcoholic drinks) on the kegs in the bar area since we didn't have a fridge in the guide room, and we all spent many hours trying to find a wireless connection at Hollywood and Highland. I spent hours talking the ear off of one colleague, Dom, who really loved my incessant chatter despite the annoyance. :) The Kodak often gave us tickets to events when the house needed to be papered and Michael Bolton was the best of them all. Who else brings the entire cast of Desperate Housewives, screaming middle-aged women held back by security guards, and love ballads that you long forgot? One of the best nights ever after a few cocktails.

Friends after the 79th Annual Academy Awards: Seth, Ash, me, Rose, and Brian, at Cafe des Artistes

I did interviews for media outlets in Mexico, Japan, the US, and the UK. I filmed a piece as an Oscar expert that opened the live 80th Annual Academy Award show in Belgium. I talked about how heavy little Oscar was, what he was made of, where he was made, and how each winner got their name plate weeks after the show.

Post-show in 2007, everyone needs a Charlie's Angels pose.

When American Idol was exciting to me, it was thrilling to watch the set-up for the finals. I spent an afternoon listening to Tony Bennett rehearse for his concert from the front row of the theatre. I observed Lance Armstrong rehearse a monologue for the 2006 ESPY awards in flip-flops and shorts. Even better, Steven Spielberg and Catherine Zeta Jones stopped by to practice their introduction to AFI's 2006 honoree, Sean Connery.

On the red carpet by the bleacher seats with friends, Ash and Brian

Best of all was my opportunity to work at AMPAS' Meet the Oscars exhibit from 2006-2008. There, I met the most amazing people who continue to play a huge part in my life. Nothing like the excitement that builds with each week of Oscar madness. The red carpet goes up, the flowers, and then the statuettes move in. It was magic, especially for an Oscar geek. Oh, and when I attended the Academy Awards in 2007, I managed to get my photo in People magazine. Okay, so they were taking a picture of former Vice President Al Gore and family and the photo ran months later after his son, Al Gore III, was arrested for speeding in a Prius, but hey, I made it to People!

An Associated Press photo of me polishing Oscar in 2006.

So, good times behind me, but even better times ahead. Thanks to Crabby, Ash, Dom, James, John, Sarah, Zen, Ro, Tiffany, and Seth who made my time there so incredible. KB has officially left the building!

It takes a lot of technique to polish Oscar correctly! :)

Pointing out some of Oscar's uh.....assets.