Media Mondays

My final big shoot of the year...dressed as Mrs. Claus.

Here we are with a new week after a very tough weekend.  My thoughts are with everyone in Newtown, Connecticut.  Your sorrow is all of our sorrow, we grieve along with you. 

My media events from last week:

Tom Barnard Podcast:  You never know where I am in LA when I do my radio hits.  I was in my car in Orange County about to go on set for a Kia shoot.  Take a listen.

On the set of 1600 Penn at Bill Pullman AKA President Gilchrist's desk.

SheKnows:  It was a fun week working with SheKnows as I hit the Golden Globe nominations and the set of NBC's new show, 1600 Penn.  Here are the articles from the those events:
Golden Globes Snubs and Surprises
Top 5 Things You Didn't See on Golden Globes Nominations
1600 Penn Set Visit

Reunited with my Toyota Live co-host, Matt Troyer, for a Kia shoot.

Spreecast:  I chatted with James Molnar of Gold Knight Blog about the Golden Globes and SAG nominations.  See our thoughts on the tight awards race:

 An early morning with Megan Fox, Ed Helms, and Jessica Alba at the Golden Globes nominations.

I was tired that morning...

The Radio Dish:  Catch me talking about "swatting" in Hollywood.  Don't know what that is? Miley Cyrus, Simon Cowell, and Ashton Kutcher have all been victims of this latest trend. Listen here.  

 My New Year's spot for Kia...

My cat is still drinking out of the tree stand.  

Don't forget it is #RadioBurtt night.  I will be on Driving with Gass at 6:35pm PT/9:35pm ET on KWSS.org.  Listen live!  

I'll be back tomorrow with an end of the year giveaway, so come back and join me for some fun, free goodies!

New Adventures With SheKnows.com

I've been hinting at new adventures a lot lately.  Normally, I would be with my Toyota team gearing up for another season of Toyota Live.  This year, I am staying put in Los Angeles to cover all things entertainment.  A new season brings new changes and I alluded to some of the changes last week.

Well, I can officially announce that I am joining the SheKnows.com team as a trending entertainment writer.  I will be posting daily news stories about the hottest scoop in entertainment.  I will let you know when my first story posts, but you can find SheKnows entertainment here or on Twitter or Facebook.  I will, of course, cross post all of the articles on my social media sites to make it as easy as possible for everyone to find me.  So, you will see a lot more entertainment news coming your way.

I have a few more tricks up my sleeve, so make sure to watch this space for more announcements. Thank you all for your support over the last year, it's been a fun ride so far!

Don't forget, I will be on Driving with Gass tonight at 7:35PM PT/9:35PM ET on KWSS. org or 106.7FM in Phoenix talking about the weekend's hottest entertainment news.  

The Friday Five: June 8th

It's time to wrap up the week with the Friday Five after a busy first part of the week and then two days in bed with a cold. (Boo!)  Here's what's been happening this week:

1.  AfterBuzz TV:  I'm really enjoying my weekly wrap-up show for SYTYCD every Wednesday night with AJ Gibson.  We talk dance, choreography, and a little bit of gossip on the show.  I know it runs really late for those of you on the East Coast, so you can listen to the podcast from Wednesday here.  I will let you know when the video is available.  Watch each week LIVE on AfterBuzz TV.




2.  Wreck-It Ralph:  I saw a sneak preview of this Pixar film at last year's D23 conference and at E3 this year, they released the full trailer.  I think this is going to a Must See on my summer movie list because it pays homage to the classic video games of my youth done in a way only Pixar can create.  How about you?

Wearing my Lotus Premium Denim at the Let It Shine premiere on Tuesday.

3.  Lotus Premium Denim:  When I attended the GBK Productions Gifting Suite last week, the ladies at Lotus Premium Denim hooked me up with a complimentary pair of their jeans. I chose a pair of the dark wash since they look better on camera, but they also have a more hipster vintage line that I loved too. They just make your butt look good and who doesn't want that? Head on over to their Facebook page and tell them KB sent you.



4.  Cleaning Out the Clutter:  I've talked about cleaning out my house a million times before.  I like a very minimalist house, so being home always encourages me to clean and sell what I don't need anymore. (By the way, a few new dresses went up this week!) So, I love it when I open a box and find gems like this video with my Toyota Live co-host.  We shot this in September 2007 in Hawaii to honor Toyota's 50th Anniversary in the U.S.  Enjoy the wardrobe, it's the best part of the video.

5. Sex And The City (SATC):  I won't ever let this show die, will I?  Yes, I am fan who has watched each episode at least five times.  Lately, I have noticed that many of the episodes are starting to show their age and look really dated.  Well, I am not the only one, seems like BuzzFeed had the same idea, but they take it a step further.  Read their article:  "28 Ways Sex and The City Would be Different If It Were On TV Now".  It's hilarious and a worthy read for any SATC fan.

Have a great weekend!  I have a Mad Men party to attend and a Mad Men finale to watch. What are you up to this weekend?


Follow my weekend adventures on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram:  @KristynBurtt


Disclosure:  My jean were gifted courtesy of Lotus Premium Denim.  My opinions are all my own.

The Toyota Live Farewell

Thank you, Toyota Live......Goodnight!

 The Ugly Cry....you know, the one Oprah always talks about. 

Every good ending....and beginning starts with a Magnolia cupcake.

Endings and Beginnings......

Post-show and I am a bit puffy-eyed and weepy for our final Toyota Live photo.

If you told me in 2007 that I would still be doing the same show, Toyota Live, in 2012, I would laugh in your face.  Here I am, some 4000 shows later, and finally on the precipice of retirement.  It was a hard decision, but one that was pretty much sealed after this post.  I accomplished everything I wanted with a  show that was basically built around me and my co-host, Matt Troyer. I was having trouble balancing my work and personal obligations in LA with life on the road.  It's hard to give up a job that I really enjoyed and a job that I was incredibly grateful for, but it was time.

An old 2008 team photo with Emily and Amy.

Now Matt and I went through it all from trying to do shows with laryngitis to on-set pranks (usually involving unattended iPhones and new wallpaper.), it was never a dull moment.  We weathered through a rough economy, a massive recall and the subsequent media onslaught, and an earthquake/tsunami in Japan.  Toyota stood behind our show through each and every event.  I am not sure many people can say that about a corporation in this day and age.  I started the show with a Corolla and I end it with a Prius.  Yes, I drive a Toyota and it was a true pleasure to represent the brand on and off the stage.

This was a hard moment, our last sentence of the show:  "This is Toyota Live!"

Yesterday, we said our final farewells to the show as a team.  Matt is off to another city for another job while I still have three more days in New York to finish out the show.  I didn't expect our last show to be so emotional.  I walked onstage not expecting anything but a regular show, then reality set in. The crowd was huge, our supervisor, Simms, started the show with a moving speech, and we kicked it off with a final surprise rendition of Michael Jackson's "Beat It". (A dance I often bust out on command.)  The show was electric, but the final moment had come......"I'm Kristyn"....."I'm Matt"......and I heard the crack in the voices.  I know our last line of "This is Toyota Live" came through a flood of tears.  Even when you are ready, it's sometimes hard to say goodbye.

Backstage, the countdown continues....

I leave with a huge sense of gratitude to Toyota, Productions Plus, Mindfield Pictures, and GPJ. Thank you for an incredible opportunity, it's been such a wonderful journey with all of you. (I will be thanking you individually offline since there are so many of you!)

If you ever wanted to know what a Cobra is.....this is a Cobra. 

To all of the kids who came year after year to see our shows, play our games, and win prizes:  You have no idea how much fun it was to see you each year after growing a few inches, losing a few baby teeth, and still coming up with hugs even though twelve months had passed since we last saw you.  I won't forget you.

To our TDs, Cobra and Larry: Thanks for feeding me lots of candy, teasing me unmercifully, and playing ridiculous sound effects for us.....my Justin Bieber joke will always be my favorite because secretly, I am a Belieber, not Matt.

The team last weekend with NASCAR/Joe Gibbs driver, Joey Logano.

To our Toyota Racing expert, Trackside Tina:  You are a true inspiration and you bring so much joy and enthusiasm to the team.

To my co-host, Matt Troyer:  You are the best co-host in the world, but you are an even better friend.  Thank you for the laughs, the tears, the support, and your friendship.  I will always try to break into your phone and change your wallpaper.

Thank you, Toyota Live, Goodnight!

New York Auto Show, 2010.

First Weekend at the NY Auto Show 2012

This was not choreographed.

If you have been following me on Twitter, you know I am retiring from Toyota Live at the end of the NY Auto Show.  I will post more about this later in the week, but I want to thank you all for the well wishes and support.  Here are some fun photos from my first weekend at the NY Auto Show.  I still have 6 days remaining, so come on down and say "hi" if you are in the NYC area.  My shows are at the top of the hour beginning at 11AM and ending at 8PM, no show at 4PM, because a girl has to eat!

 The countdown has begun on the production room wall.

 Trackside Tina, Camping World Truck Series driver, Timothy Peters, me, and Matt Troyer after our Saturday show.

 Eating a slice at one of my favorite NYC pizza joints.  They are under new management and their pizza is not-so-good. Boo!

You know me....posing on a red carpet no matter where I am.  Um, the sneakers really make the outfit?

Anatomy Of A Dress

Awhile back I mentioned that a dress was being created for me by V. Mora Designs for an Oscars Week event.  I wore the dress on the red carpet to The Wrap's Pre-Oscars event at the Four Seasons Hotel where Oscar nominees Demian Bechir and Max von Sydow celebrated their awards season triumphs.  I wanted to  document how the whole dress came together so you can see how it all began.

Anna Livermore of V. Mora Designs asked me to pick some silhouettes that I liked.  I saw a photo of a dress that she had created that I loved and I sent a photo of a DVF dress since Diane von Furstenberg is one of my favorite designers.

 DVF

V. Mora Designs

Anna then sent me a series of sketches and fabrics.  We decided on a silk charmeuse fabric in coral since I haven't worn that color much on the red carpet.

While I was in Chicago for Toyota Live, we scheduled our first fitting.  Some adjustments were made on sizing and the collar.

We flirted with adding feathers to the tapered end of the asymmetrical collar, but the simplicity of the dress design spoke for itself.

Anna did some finishing touches and shipped it to me just in time for the event last Wednesday.  Here is what it looked like on the red carpet paired with my beloved Stuart Weitzman shoes.

The dress is being shipped back to Chicago as we speak because it will be auctioned off at Chicago Roundup to benefit the GLBT community who are in recovery.  I am so happy my dress will go to a great cause and I hope it brings in lots of money for the charity.

V. Mora Designs was featured in the March issue of Chicago Social, so check out the article (on Page 85) and my quote about Anna's incredible work.  Thank you, Anna, it was a pleasure to wear your designs on the red carpet.  You make a girl look good.

Find out more about V. Mora Designs here.

Where in the World is KB?

I'm not sure where I am either.  Actually, I am in my last few days in Chicago with Toyota Live, but here are a few places where you can find me in the next week or so.  Remember, Red Carpet Closet will be the hub for all of my Oscar coverage over the next week, so come back here for all of the awards show magic.

1. News Talk 690:  I am on Idaho's News Talk morning show today at 6:45AM PT/9:45AM ET.  Click here and find the tab in the upper righthand corner to listen live.  I'll be talking about the Oscars for sure and I am going to guess there will be a Whitney reference or two.

2.  Driving with Gass:  As many of you know, this is my weekly #RadioBurtt appearance.  I will be on again on Monday for an in-depth look at Oscars Week.  Kevin Gassman has been also kind enough to provide a podcast of my appearance from Monday.  We had a thorough discussion of Whitney and the prevalence of prescription drugs in Hollywood. Listen here and give me your thoughts in the comments below.

3.  Cocktails and Conversation:  I will be making two appearances on the show pre and post-Oscars, so make sure to mark Saturday, February 25th and Saturday, March 3rd at 5AM PT//8AM ET.  Listen here.

4. Toyota Live:  I have four more days at the Chicago Auto Show, so come on down to McCormick and join us at the top of every hour.  Shows begin at 11AM with the last show at 8PM. (There is no 4PM show, a girl has to eat!)  We have a few Chicago Bears, Chicago Fire, jellies from the Shedd Aquarium, and Ramblin' Ray from US99 coming through over the next few days.  For the full schedule, click here. Thank you to everyone who has stopped by to say "hi".  It's been so nice to see old friends and meet new friends here in the Windy City.

My News Page will also be updated with the latest appearances, so be sure to check back there often.

Chicago Auto Show 2012: First Weekend

Here we are again:  back in Chicago and up on the Toyota Live stage and on the huge LED wall.  This year, our guests include Bears, Cubs, Turtles, Snakes, and Fire.  Yes, some are local sports heroes while others are visitors to from the Shedd Aquarium.  Either way, the Windy City always provides colorful characters on our stage....especially 1985 Chicago Bear, Steve McMichael.  If you've ever met him, you know what I am talking about!

Check out my insider's perspective on the Toyota Prius for the Chicago Auto Show's daily web series. (And holy close-up shot.....back up, camera dude!)

 Dancing on the stage at the Charity Preview to the Biebs. "Baby, baby, baby, oh!"

 There's a turtle on the stage....we named him "Prius" since he is hydrodynamic like the hybrid which is aerodynamic.

Hanging with Steve McMichael after the show.  He's pretty funny and larger than life.  

 I just have to say that Earl Bennett liked me way better than my co-host.  Hahahaha.......

Um, I had the opportunity to wear a Superbowl ring.  POW!  It was huge on my little fingers.  Thanks, Steve!

The Friday Five

I haven't done a Friday Five in forever!  I love doing them, so let's kick it off with our winner!

1.  Caption the Photo Contest Winner:  Congratulations to Don B for this quote:  "Only the BEST Jedi have microwave light sabers".  Don, I will be contacting you today for your mailing address so I can send your prize pack.  To see the photo, click here.

2.  Toyota Live Photos:  You all know that I love photo bombing photos, so I am certainly happy to do it under any circumstances.  Here you go, me photo-bombing away!

3.  Google Alerts:  I used to think it was obnoxious to Google Alert yourself, but since we live in a digital world, I know think it is smart.  I met photographer, Franklin Teng, at the LA Auto Show and he took a few photos with me and my pal, Elliot. You never know where the photos are going to turn up. Thanks, Franklin, for the photos and for being so kind.  

4.  Store:  So, I was a bit hesitant to do this, but I have been getting a lot of photo requests.  Instead of everyone sending a SASE, etc, I thought I would do something for charity.  You can check out the available photos here and proceeds, minus my shipping and handling costs, will be donated to the Thirst Project.  I am happy to personalize the photos and I will keep a monthly total of the money donated to a great cause.  I am looking for feedback since this is a work in progress.  Contact me here with feedback and shop here at the store.  

5.  Farmeeohs:  These are the most delicious cookies on the planet from The Farm of Beverly Hills. We discovered these caloric laden cookies during one of our lunch breaks at LA Live.  They are basically homemade Double Stuffed Oreos with a side of Whoopie Pie.  Um....YUM!  My co-host found the recipe online if you are looking for a mouth-watering holiday dessert.  If you are in LA, hit up The Farm.  You won't be disappointed. 

What's your Friday Five this week?