Earlier this winter I braved the arctic cold of Ithaca, NY to be a MADE coach to a totally disheveled but adorable 15 year old. I essentially had to take her from a type “Z” personality to type “A” in six weeks making her into the ultimate “Power Girl.” It was not easy. At times I wanted to leave. There were times I would come home (meaning the hotel) in tears because I knew she was failing and I took it as a personal failure. I had to balance being upstate with my day job of fashion and retail analyst and had to frequently drive back to be on air to talk about the failing economy and a crumbling retail sector. And to top it off, I got a terrible case of the flu and didn’t eat for seven days. That SUCKED. Carrie’s transition wasn’t that apparent when the show wrapped. Her change was crystal clear however when she called me a week later to tell me that she was getting up early to work out and making an effort to get good grades. Being a ”Power Girl” meaning, a girl that can do ten million things and STILL look amazing. Here is a “behind the scenes” clip re: what my MADE kid, Carrie thought of me.
Still editing video.
… and will probably be editing well into the night… stay tuned.
Fashion week and wrap up.
Every season I have high aspirations for live blogging, video uploads, even updates but I can never quite execute in the way that I initially plan. Anyway, will attempt to upload these videos in chronological order…
CNN tonight!!
Gonna be on Campbell Brown’s show tonight at 8:00pm EST. Everyone tune in or tivo it!! YAY.
The second stop of the night- the Mercedes Benz fashion week...
The second stop of the night- the Mercedes Benz fashion week party at Thomson LES.
Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Day #1
Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Day #1
Pictures...
…are kind ff non existant because I can’t seem to upload the photos. Instead, for your viewing pleasure I will upload our totally cool video play-by-play of fashion week!
It's Fashion Week.
And the last time I will be experiencing fashion from the tents in Bryant Park. Sad.
Alvin Valley.
Not one of the most impressive presentations I’ve seen but still OK. His foray into men’s wear was not that strong (ill fitting suits, etc.) but I am John Varvatos spoiled and hold everyone up to that gold standard. Pictures TK.
Charlotte Ronson show
Lindsay and Sam Ronson are perpetuating sales and buzz for this collection. Both are in the DJ Booth and are swarmed by the paparazzi.
Sleep
I don't sleep more than five or six hours a night. Might have something to with the three cups of tea I drink a day!!!
I love this song by MGMT. It reminds me of the end of summer/fall.
December 31st NYE! Had to make my way through the crowds to make sure I go to the studio on time. This was the best way to end the year.
December 30th. On with Stuart Varney on Fox Business. I didn’t love my hair but I love Stuart! He is seriously the BEST.
December 27th, 2008. Back at Fox News again!
"Happy Hour" at Fox Business right after Cavuto's show
On to “Happy Hour” at Fox Business right after Cavuto’s show. The studio is at the Bulls and Bears bar, hence the drink in the background. Jen K., one my closest friends in the city was with me that day.
Hair and makeup ready.
atl-in-the-car-0021 Ha. I hate to admit it, but it takes a while to look half way normal for a party. My biggest issue is my insane hair which never really looks right unless it's totally blown out. Armed with this knowledge, the lovely peeps at the W Buckhead ("whatever, whenever" is their motto) booked me an appt at the cheapest place they could find. $20 at a place that was sort of like a Supercuts. Hello- it's a recession, people. Paying $80 for a blow out is just not acceptable any more!
Yay Atlanta!
Truth be told, I haven't been to Atlanta since my father lived there for a brief two years in 1996. From what I remember, Buckhead wasn't that fun but I was also a kid back then, so hanging out with ballers and finding the coolest party really wasn't on my "list of things to do." Right after the frenzy of inauguration, I hopped on a Delta flight to ATL. Upon arrival I went straight to my hotel, the W Buckhead and never really left. There was no reason to. This hotel is the newest property to open in the W/ Starwood empire and it was just as great as all the rest of the hotels. Actually, I take that back- this one was a little cooler because interior designer Thom Felicia put his magical design touch into all the rooms and common spaces (known as the "living rooms").
The bed really was as comfortable as it looks! How cute are the monogrammed pillows?
A close up view of the pillows.
Working meal #1: tuna burger with a garlic aioli (no bun), fries (I just wanted a taste), earl grey tea with soy milk, and of course my blackberry. All of my meals came from the incredible kitchen of Jean-Georges' restaurant, Market. If I wasn't ordering room service, I would wander downstairs to have this incredible steamed shrimp salad, that to this day I can't stop thinking about.
Working meal #2: A chocolate mousse with whipped cream and tea.
One of my favorite shows to be on is Eric Bolling's ADD hour on "The Strategy Room" ( www.foxnews.com/strategyroom). Since I was in ATL, I obviously couldn't be there, but I could watch it, which was the next best thing!
It's truly amazing to think about the reach of this show...
W Buckhead.
I had every intention of live blogging while in Atlanta, I really did. But there is only so much you can do in 36 hours when you are in back to back interviews and trying to orchestrate coverage of a party for the four magazines I write for. Anyway, for all of you wondering where I was after inauguration, here is the full story...
Live from Times Square...
I have to get on a flight tomorrow morning to Atlanta- hence the reason why I am not in D.C. rocking it out at some ball right now. Despite my totally insane shoot/travel schedule, I wanted a story to tell about my future kids, nieces, nephews, grand kids, etc., instead of the "Yep, I was busy so I watched Obama on CNN in my apt" situation. So one of my best friends Joy and I ran to Times Square to watch the president take the oath. Here are the pictures taken by the amazing Joy Sohn:
Watching the screen and listening to the president take the oath. Most of you are fully in the loop of my political views. Despite that, it was hard not to be excited about bearing witness to history.
A Brazilian TV crew had the camera on me for about five minutes. This is me telling them I am a journalist and to please stop. "I always feel like, someone is watching me. Tell me is it just a dream?"
My favorite picture from today. I love it.
More on Michelle Obama's accessories.
This is a picture of the INCREDIBLE Loree Rokin earrings Michelle Obama was wearing at the "Kids Inaugural: We Are The Future" Concert on Monday night. Here are the deets:
White gold and diamond pave rectangle earrings with 12 green sapphire brios 1.09ct of diamonds 17.40ct of green sapphires
The cost of these little gems is $17,500. And yes, they were borrowed.
...and what about the president?
Hearing he was wearing Ralph Lauren purple label (thanks to my little insider for that info.!) Will confirm this as well...
Tracy Reese for the ball??
Hearing reports Michelle Obama will be wearing a dress by the designer, Tracy Reese for the inaugural ball. Trying to confirm this rumor...
Inauguration and Michelle Obama.
I wrote about this on Twitter this morning but wanted to put it up on my blog as well. For the first time since Michelle Obama hit the media scene, I actually love what she had on- a canary yellow brocade shift dress and over coat by Isabel Toledo and a pair of green Jimmy Choo pumps. For those of you who don't know who Isabel Toledo is here are three fun facts about her:
-She is Cuban and based in NYC.
-She is married to Ruben Toledo, an artist and collaborator.
-She was the creative director of Anne Klein.