Next weekend come hang with me and Katie Cassidy (from Arrow!) and workout with SELF Magazine in Chicago.
This is a fantastic networking event if your looking to get into health and fitness, plus it’s a ton of fun and an actual workout.
Plus, there’s tons of free stuff and it’s only $20 bucks to get in- no excuses!
See you there?
It aired!
A few months ago, I was contacted by a Today Show producer about doing a segment on Chicago nightlife with E! and Today Show Correspondent Jason Kennedy. Then the weather freaked out and the Today crew’s Chicago show got nixed, along with the segment.
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!
Yes, I realize people in NYC and LA got to screen The Great Gatsby before we did…but it still was exciting to go to the big Chicago screening on Monday night thanks to Margaret O’Connor.
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!
Can I just proclaim my love for technology!?
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!?
When a blog or magazine asks you to be in a feature or photo shoot, it is normally weeks in advance.
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.
Today on Fox Chicago I did a segment on the newest trends in hair- and weaves.
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.
My gf who shall remain nameless, emailed me and said she needed some workout motivation to get into the gym after work.
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
I love brunch. I also love my gay friends. I am not really a fan of taking a cab all the way to Boystown on a Sunday. Why are there only one or two “gay” bars in River North? How do we create a fun brunch party?
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!
Oh baby I’ve been slacking on this blog again, since my last post I’ve been to LA and back for an amazing wedding, had some great interviews here at CelebTV and done some living.
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.
