This Wednesday they’re coming back to Chicago and Saturday, Jason and I got to shoot our piece.

I tried to pick a variety of places that showed off the different aspects of what we do here in Chicago, and I hope people feel like I rep’ed our city well.

Jason is HILARIOUS. He’s truly one of the funniest and most witty people I’ve ever worked with. We shot from 2:30-11:00pm and he kept me laughing the entire time. Not only that, but he’s professional, humble and kind. He fed the limo driver, always helped the crew carry their gear and was extremely gracious with fans. Plus he’s super down to earth…I got VERY lucky to work with someone so inspiring.

Our crew and producer Josh were also fantastic, and we had some moments that I wish people could see; like when our camera guy was standing out of the sunroof of their SUV shooting our limo on a packed Lincoln Ave.

Our crew after wrapping at Studio Paris

I also conquered my fear of sober (ish) karaoke for the shoot (truth be told I did a shot before singing TWO duets). I HATE singing but Jason made it less painful as he pumped up the crowd.

I can’t wait to see how Josh turns 9 hours into about 3 mins…and I hope you’ll tune in with me on Wednesday!

The invite said to dress in 20′s garb- which I wasn’t sure if people would actually do. I mean…2 hours and 23 mins in a dress?? But for fear of missing out, I jumped in and Pintrested some Gatsby hair and makeup for the occasion.

I watched a few videos on how to finger wave and basically laughed- it looks major complicated. So instead I broke out that trusty waving iron and used that and a regular curling iron and a ton of bobby pins to complete the look.

Let’s just say, my co workers had a blast laughing at me as I attempted to pin up my long hair into a short bob. It took more than a few tries and some help- but I was pretty happy with the results.

Kept the makeup simple with black liner, lashes and red lips.

The film was on lockdown- we had to turn our phones off completely and got a strict lecture from a pirating security.  Chaz Ebert and Bill Zwecker gave a touching intro to the film and Roger, and then it was time to put on the 3D glasses.

Jay Z’s music added so much to this film for me, he scored it so well. And to be honest- I wouldn’t change a thing. I left feeling like I got everything I wanted and more and I wasn’t bored or restless for one moment.

If anything- we left craving dirty martinis!

This is not the Oscars people, this is a night to be bold, and wild and have fun with style. So chill out, they aren’t supposed to look “pretty”. Let them have a little fun.

This year’s theme was *punk* and I applaud the celebs and models who tricked it out.

Oh and did I mention it’s on my bucket list to attend this one day? A girl can dream..

Anne Hathaway you really silenced those haters. Love the hair.

Madonna- isn’t she the original queen of punk? How can you not love that she went all out!? What- you want her in a boring dress?

The spray tan. The hair. Nicole Richie- you are amazing.

I flipping can’t stand Taylor Swift- but I’ll admit that she werked it and I’m a fan of this look.

Cara Delevigne – everyone wants to hang with her and be her and bang her. Put me one of those categories. She rocks.

This Bitch just knows how to do punk better than anyone else. Rooney Mara is punk for life.

Olivia Wilde really impressed me with this two piece number. And is her dude wearing Nikes?! LOVE.

The King and Queen of the Prom- always.

photos and more People here.

In the past I have avoided SO many decorating tasks because I am not handy- at all.

Enter Task Rabbit.

Task Rabbit is this magical site where you post the task you need done, and then people bid on doing the task. They are background checked, and you can look at their references.

For example, the last bed I ordered took SEVEN HOURS to assemble when my friend and I did it.

As we speak, a Task Rabbit just emailed me a photo of my new bed…ONE HOUR after he arrived to assemble it. He is also hanging a heavy mirror. For $65 dollars.

Now, if I would have even attempted to go out and buy tools, put the wrong hole in the wall, and put the bed together so wrong that I’d have to hire someone to fix it….it would have cost me WHO knows how much.

Instead- I get to go home to these things done properly. I would show you a photo, but no one sees my bedroom without buying dinner first. Just kidding.

LoClean is a cleaning service, that’s “on demand”. You enter where you live, your credit card info and number of rooms and they quote you a price and day they can come. No leaving out cash…no worrying about a last minute cleaning.

They cost $50 bucks for a one bedroom and did a fab job on my apartment.

Now, how do I order someone to come cook dinner every night!?

Clearly you want to look your best, or have your product look as appealing as possible in photos.

Well, when Racked Chicago asked me to be involved in a shoot for Shoe Week…I had 1 day notice. I said yes, not really thinking twice. Then I remembered I had just moved into a new apartment…and my closet was FAR from camera ready. In fact, as I took sample shots…panic set in. Let’s be honest, I have way more than I need…but many women in Chicago have closets 10 times cooler than mine. Mine will eventually have; a coat of Tiffany Blue paint, mini chandelier and shag rug. For now, it’s white on white on blah.

So we got creative. James Atkins, who shot the shoot and I decided to turn off the overhead lights and use candle light to create a soft glow.

We did a series of shots that were artistic and would take the focus off what wasn’t there and feature the cool stuff- the shoes.

I’m BEYOND happy with the way both the article and the photos turned out.

Hands down, my favorite photo.

I also loved this one, but it didn’t make the article.

You can check it here.

Moral of the story- be happy with what you have. Or shoot it in the dark.

We played a fun game where Anna had to guess if my two co workers and a Fox producer’s hair was real or faux.

The thing is, I really do believe it all three of the things we talked about; the Halo, Clip ins and Hot Heads.

I can not say enough about my love for Christina Morales- who does my hair. Anyone looking to try out extensions- she is 100% the way to go.

Watch the segment and all the fun here.

photo: Us Weekly

This is real. Reese Witherspoon- aka- the most vanilla, sweet celeb in Hollywood, got arrested.

For disorderly conduct!

Yes, while cops were administrating her hubby’s FST’s, she asked the officer; “Do you know my name?”.

Yada yada…the cop apparently doesn’t watch movies- ever- cause he said “no” and then hauled them both off to jail.

Now, I know a lot of you will say she’s gross for playing the “celeb” card with cops…but come on- you would all do the same thing.

I’m shocked and delighted by the fact that this squeaky clean actress actually has some edge and I’m ashamed for assuming she was so boring.

She must have been real tipsy, cause Elle Woods would NEVER have let this happen.

Cheers.

My methods are cruel and very unusual…but I shared my words of wisdom…which I will now pass along to you:

Drink a 5 hr energy. Then go on Pintrest and go to the “quotes” or “fitness” category. Then go to the bathroom and lift up your shirt in the mirror – only stomach. Look at your pasty gut.

That should do it.

But really, try that the next time you’re thinking about skipping the gym.

xoxo

Those random questions were swirling in a few of our heads and so we decided to do something about it.

Kevin Aeh, James Goeke and Ari Bendersky are three of my favorite people. They are;  smart, hilarious, witty, snarky, and they surround themselves with an incredible network of people.

Chef Ryan Poli is VERY pro gay rights and always down for a fun and innovative party, so we all teamed up to throw our first “Bacon and H.A.M Brunch”.

The bacon was a play on the gay equality symbol and H.A.M is just funny and Goeke’s favorite saying- inside joke….but it worked.

We agreed we needed a dj would would get the vibe and play amazing music (Megan Taylor) and a liquor sponsor to help booze everyone up (Nicole Tempesta and Yacht Club Vodka).

 I reached out to all my gay,straight and confused friends to invite them and most thought it was a great idea…cause the place was packed.

The vibe was really unlike anything I’ve seen in a while. Tempesta and her Yacht Vodka brought sailor hats which always seem fun after a cocktail or two. Everyone was up and chatting and bouncing around. It was my heaven.

Chef, Ari, Me, Nicole and James. Megan was busy spinning.

The next one will be even better- we are making notes on what worked and what didn’t.

But we can’t wait to taste the rainbow again.

Straight men- hello…girls love gay brunch!

But I can’t not mention my girl’s concert Friday night.

You know how when you have an outfit you’re excited to wear…going out is that much more exciting? Well Friday night I stopped by the Nike Training Center in Lincoln Park and picked up the siiickest pair of kicks I’ve ever worn.

Nike is releasing their “City Pack” this week, with 5 shoes inspired by cities around the world. The Milan is going to be offered exclusively at the NTC here in Chicago and they will also carry the entire collection.

The Milan’s inspiration comes from Italian luggage and they are insanely cool.

so bad ass that a plain standing photo wasn’t enough.

I rocked these to Rihanna and had girls stop me to ask for a pic of the shoes and ask about them. This continued all weekend- since naturally I haven’t taken them off yet.

close up shot of the new kicks.

Now let’s focus on Rihanna. The doors opened at 6pm, with ASAP Rocky starting at 7:30p so we assumed Ri would go on around 9pm and planned accordingly.

Thank goodness we went late- cause ASAP was sick and didn’t perform. The United Center was filled with the most eccentric and diverse crew of fans I’ve ever seen at a show and they were all doing their best “Rihanna” impression when it came to fashion. It was a trip.

We had amazing seats (they were my Valentine’s Day gift) and were off to the side right by the stage.

Rihanna put on an amazing show, but of course I was bummed she’d didn’t sing “Shut Up and Drive” &”I’ve Loved and I’ve Lost”.

Shaun asked if she would sing “I’ve Loved and I’ve Lost” because of the whole Drake vs Chris Brown thing (he must be watching CelebTV or something) and I said I really hoped so. We had seen Drake do the song, but were hoping for Rihanna too- but no dice. HOWEVER she did do “What’s My Name”…so is more likely she didn’t do the song cause Drake is the feature…whatever…we were bummed.

She DID do “All of the Lights”, which I am completely obsessed with- and all in all I kinda blacked out during the show due to excitement of being there. Do you ever do that?? Not remember what happened due to being so pumped to be in the moment!?

I did manage to take one photo…and caught the moment she was clearly pointing at me. *I’m aware I’m delusional*

Hi!

Omar from CelebTV Latino later told me that she stayed at Public Hotel- but I’m not THAT cray to just show up and stalk her without an interview or something. I do like to maintain a bit of professionalism and integrity.

But after waiting months to see her…I can confirm that her Cockiness is well deserved.