Scenes From Nashville

I was lucky enough to travel to Nashville for the first time to host an infomercial with a true home shopping icon, Tony Little.  After rehearsal on Thursday, I had time to walk around downtown to catch the sights and scenes of a truly amazing city.  It was the perfect crisp fall day that I don't get from living in LA.  I also knew that I was worlds away from the West Coast.  Enjoy the flavor of Nashville in photos.

The Architecture:

The Fashions:

Um, where I am from, you don't EVER see a Confederate flag.  Here, they are on flip flops.  Yikes!

Nashville Dreams.......

They take their cowboy boots very seriously.

Always a fashion don't, no matter what city you live in.

Cowboy hat, check.  Cowboy boots, check.  Wrangler jeans, check.  Yep, I am in Nashville.

Parting Shots:  

  

October: Monthly Wrap-Up

It's been a week of premieres, panels, and infomercials, so my posting has been a bit lax.  I will be back with a vengeance on Monday and I will post more on my awesome week on set in Nashville with an infomercial icon.  In the meantime, here is what you were reading this month on Red Carpet Closet:

Top 5 Posts:

1.  Dos and Don'ts on the Red Carpet: The Sequel:  This continues to be a heavy hitter with a majority of the readers coming from overseas.  I'm not sure what is drawing them in as awards season is still six weeks away, but I appreciate everyone stopping by to learn a little about putting your best foot forward on the red carpet.

2.  GQ/Glee Controversy:  The photos are all here, you can chime in with your opinions on Lea Michele's spread-eagle photo spread.

3.  Happy 20th Anniversary, 90210!:  A lot of you certainly remember the Brenda years and those delightful mom jeans.

4.  Disneyland's Club 33:  This post continually makes the monthly Top 5 list, but it slid a few numbers down.  Maybe you are finally tiring of this topic?

5.  Behind the Scenes with Taryn Southern:  This lovely lady is a multi-hyphenate:  actress, producer, writer, singer, and host.  Learn a little more about my pal, Taryn.

I decided to also do something new for this monthly wrap-up:  The Top 5 Most Absurd Searches:

1.  "Berbank Delai":  Um, not sure what this means, but it sure is close to this post about getting stuck at an airport.

2. "Can You Have Carpet for Kinect?":  Okay, this isn't a video game blog, but I did attend the launch of XBox 360 Kinect.  Even armed with that knowledge, I have no idea if you have to have hardwood floors or carpeting to play a video game.  That would seem a bit exclusionary, no?

3.  "Glasses Mark Gantt Wears":  Well, I do know Mark Gantt, but I don't know about his glasses.  He is the super hot star of The Bannen Way.  Do you want me to ask him what kind of glasses he wears?  Mark, maybe you could chime in the comments section.

4.  "Something Serious in Olga Kay's Life Right Now":  Yep, I know YouTube sensation, Olga Kay, too.  I think she is okay, but thanks for your concern.  Maybe Olga can reassure all of her fans with a comment below.  Olga, are you okay?

5.  "Smarties Halloween Treat Holder":  That's some interesting phrasing, but is this what you were looking for?

Have a safe and sweet Halloween!  See you on Monday at Red Carpet Closet.

The Legend of Neil Series Finale Party

I was honored to be invited to Atom.com's series finale party for the web series, The Legend of Neil at the Downtown Independent last night.  Sandeep Parikh and Tony Janning created a spectacular Season 3 filled with special effects and a conclusion that no one will be disappointed with.  It is a really fitting ending to a terrific series.  I cannot wait to see what Sandeep and Tony create next, it will be well worth the wait.  If you missed my Web Files interview with the guys earlier this year, you can find my interview and behind the scenes look here. Be sure to head over to Atom.com to see The Legend of Neil today.  Congratulations, Sandeep and Tony!

Me and creator of The Legend of Neil, Sandeep Parikh.

With Bernie Su, writer extraordinaire of Compulsions.

My partner-in-crime last night, Julie Tyler. 

You might remember this DVF dress from Fashion's Night Out.  I wore these Steve Madden black shoes with it.  

Photos 2-4:  Courtesy of Bernie Su.

Photo 5:  Courtesy of Julie Tyler.

Web TV Workshop

Last night I had the opportunity to speak on a panel at Web TV Workshop moderated by one of its co-founders, Damian Pelliccione, and TechZulu host, Amanda Coolong.  It was a terrific panel that focused on all aspects of creating a web series from the ground up:  branding, film festivals, media, producing, and advertising.  I was joined by an impressive group on the panel:

Matt Bolish:  Director of Programming, Anaheim Film Festival
Michael Redford Carney:  Writer/Actor, Flashing Lives
Jeremiah McMillan:  Founder, Global Content Group

If you missed the panel, it is archived over at TechZulu or check it below.  The panel is a little over an hour and it ends with a big finish--the Electric Slide!  (You have to watch to see how that one evolved.)  Thank you to Diahnna Nicole Baxter and Damian for inviting me to speak on the panel.  It was an inspiring night!



I will also be speaking at a FREE panel tomorrow night about putting your best foot forward on the red carpet. You can either watch it live online at Mingle Media TV or if you are in LA, come join us at Showbiz Cafe from 6:30-8:30 PM.  Make sure to RSVP, all of the details are here.  

Scenes from a Sunday Afternoon Hike

After a morning on location reporting for The Vintage Vehicle Show, I decided that my puppy needed some serious exercise after a rainy week in Los Angeles.  So I strapped on my hiking boots and off we went into the Santa Monica Mountains.  What I wasn't prepared for was the rain that decided to fall from the sky the second we hit the trail.  I didn't let that stop us as we traipsed through a foggy wonderland and enjoyed the crisp fall air.  It was a refreshing way to start the week:  soggy, muddy, and full of excitement for the week ahead.

Signs of a good hike=Muddy Paws

The GQ/Glee Controversy

Well, the controversy of the week belongs to GQ Magazine and the cast of Glee.  Someone has to be a part of a media's salacious story of the week and I imagine Lea Michele and Dianna Agron are wishing it would go away or that the cast of Hellcats would do something tabloid-worthy.  If you missed all of the controversy, the Parents Television Council "denounced the makers of the TV show 'Glee' for a hyper-sexualized GQ photo shoot that will be featured in the November issue.”  Words like "pedophilia" have been thrown around in the press and Dianna Agron took to her blog and apologized to those that are offended by the shoot. 

Many people have weighed in on the photos adding that the cast members involved in the shoot are all in their 20's and that Glee really isn't a show for the young set.  I think what people are failing to realize is that they are missing the real point of this controversy.  We get it:  GQ is a men's magazine, Glee is a hot, and sometimes racy, show, and parents to need monitor what their kids are watching on TV or reading in magazines.  The real tragedy is the handlers for these young stars.  I am sure there was a network publicist or an agent/assistant/manager to one of these young stars on set that day.  Who decided that Lea Michele posing with her crotch open to the camera in white panties would be great for her career?  I realize at 24 years of age, she is an adult, but she has been thrust into the spotlight and things are happening around her quickly.  That is when you need a strong advocate on your team and they failed the young stars of Glee that day.  

Look, I think that the Dianna Agron pictures aren't that bad. She is dressed like every video vixen from the 1980's and Cory Monteith gets off easy because he is a guy.  It's Lea Michele who really gets stuck.  Her body looks amazing, but she really needed someone in her corner that day.  Unless you have a contract to pose for Playboy or Penthouse, you should never spread eagle in front of the camera.  I actually feel bad for her.  If you want to know what happens to young Hollywood, it starts with all of the handlers saying "yes" to everything for fear jeopardizing their young star's career and the cash flow that is coming in so quickly.  When people learn to say "no", you have a career like Anne Hathaway, not Lindsay Lohan.  The bottom line, young actors have to start understanding show business is just that:  a business that is dying for you to put on a show.  

Take a look at more of the photos from the November issue of GQ.  Weigh in. I want to know what you think:

**All photos are property of GQ Magazine.

Halloween for the Pets

We know I am not a fan of dressing up for Halloween, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy dressing my pets. Yes, I have become one of those crazy pet owners who loves to put outfits on my cat and dog.

I have learned through the past few holidays what works and what does not, here are a few tips:

Indy at Petco trying on Christmas wardrobe.

1. They do not want anything covering their heads or ears. I think because it such a strong part of their sensory system, they need to keep their ears and whiskers open. A hat on the cat or dog will barely last long enough to snap a photo.

2. A comfortable elasticized collar with a costume attached to it works well. Dogs and cats are accustomed to having something on their neck, so this is often the best route to take. Just make sure it is the right size (Most pet costumes come in S, M, L) and the costume doesn't stick too far out into their peripheral vision.

Christmas 2008-Indy doesn't like bells on her collar.

3. Take your animal's personality into consideration because any type of sound adornment can be stressful to the animal. For instance, my cat loves bells on her collar, but for the dog, it is a source of irritation. What is right for one animal may not be right for another.

Finally, Halloween 2010:

Beans the Kitty as a Spider:

Indy the Dog as Count Barkula:

Am I the only crazy one dressing up their dog and cat?  Please tell me one of you is joining me in the Wacky Pet Owner Club.  

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