When Tara Met Blog: August 2009

Celebrity Catwalk

I recently attended the 9th annual Celebrity Catwalk event where celebs walk the runway in support of the National Animal Rescue. I had a spot on the small, but crowded red carpet (actually it was pink) and I manged some interviews, but it was so dark and loud that the video came out terrible, so this will just have to be a photo and text post.

The celebrity guests included the show's host Bridget Marquardt from The Girls Next Door followed by other Playboy bunnies and Palyboy Hugh Hefner himself, who looked ancient. Also there was comedian Kim Coles (Sinclair from Living Single, which I was a big fan of), singer Mya, Paul McCartney's ex and animal activist Heather Mills, American Idol's Kimberly Caldwell, Dancing with the Stars' dancer Edyta Sliwinska, The Hills' Stephanie Pratt and American Pie's Shannon Elizabeth. Later when they walked the runway they were in clothes from Lane Bryant, Rocawear, Puma and B @ One.

During the interviews, Shannon Elizabeth told me that she has four dogs all rescuees, while Kimberly shared that she has two dogs, two cats and a snake. I also talked with Carolyn Hennesy, a soap opera actress now on the upcoming show Cougar Town on ABC with Courteney Cox Arquette and I of course asked her about Courteney and working with her. She replied, "She's a dream, she's flawlessly beautiful she's like impossibly beautiful." Kim Coles was also fun and freindly and so much taller than me. I asked her if she had any moves planned for her fashion walk and she said "yeah, it's called pretending my feet don't hurt." Um, I hear that!

Lashing out with codeai eyelash regeneration

A lifetime of an eyelash hair is just 150-200 days, then it comes out. I also learned that mascaras, make-up removers, eyelash extensions and eyelash curlers (I like to call it the eyelash guillotine) are daily aggressors and can harm your lashes. So, I decided to try a new product called code.ai (www.codeai.com) for two weeks to make my lashes longer, stronger, thicker and more beautiful, since they claim you can start to see results in just two weeks. You do not need a prescription or have to buy it from a medical aesthetician like you have to do with Latisse.

First, I tried to take a picture of my lashes for a before shot like in the weight loss ads, but it wasn't very easy to do. I ended up having to take it through the mirror. Then, I learned to use the "macro" setting on my camera, which made a big difference in picking up the detail of my lashes. My lashes are decent to begin with, I don't have extremely long lashes, but they are fairly nice, especially when I make them darker with mascara.

Anyway, to apply code.ai it's like putting on eyeliner. First you dip the brush applicator in the tube filled with clear liquid, start at the corner of your eye and sweep it across to the outer corner, glazing the base of your lashes. As directed on the box, I did this almost every morning and evening to my upper and lower lashes. I liked that it claims to be non-irritating and infact I did NOT experience any irritation, burning or harmful side effects. My lashes just felt wet on for a bit of time after applying. I managed to get a decent gob into my actual eyeball once due to accidently moving my head abrumptly, which just made my eyes water, but thankfully it didn't hurt.

The first week I thought I saw a difference, but I wasn't sure if that was because I was actually paying attention to my lashes for a change. By the second week though, I definitely noticed that my lashes were indeed thicker and a little longer. I especially saw a difference on my bottom lashes, which seemed to really take off under the use of code.ai. Normally, I never noticed my bottom lashes, but now you can (photo below does not do them justice). I was afraid that my lashes might feel plastic-like or strange after using the serum, but they did not feel any different than normal.

Here are some of my attempted before and after shots (with no mascara on) of my experience:

Apparently, code.ai works by using lipo-peptides to boost a cell's natural productivity levels to promote natural, healthy growth. Luckily, their lash extend serum ($115) and brow boosting shaper ($75) have the most peptides on the market. Also, according to their materials code.ai's proprietary Myriplex formula stimulates cell replication and drops 20 years off a lash cell's age. Thus, I now have child eyelashes, lol ;)

I would have liked to of tried code.ai last year before my wedding along with when I did Crest white strips and got a facial three weeks before the big date. I'm still going to continue beyond my initial two week test and recommend it to any brides. For more eyelash and brow beauty tips you can follow @code_ai on twitter!

Ashton signed my camera!

In July, I had blogged about attending the fabulous Nikon Night Out party at BlogHer with Carson Kressley (post here). Then, a week ago, I received a surprising email that said I was randomly selected from the attendees to win a Nikon COOLPIX S60 autographed by their spokesperson Ashton Kutcher! Pretty awesome, no? It's the camera with the touch screen like an iPhone.

At first I was in disbelief, but then the camera arrived in the Artic White color, which is shiny like a pearl and sure enough, Ashton's John Hancock is scribbled on the surface in a silver-colored sharpie.

How rock star am I going to look taking photos with this signed toy during my next red carpet interviews along with my pink Flip? Can't wait! I just hope I don't smear the signature off, break it or loose it, or somehow manage to do all three. Hopefully, this win means my recent forgetful streak has ended though.

So who would you want to sign your camera?

Legally Blonde The Musical

Last night, Raphael and I headed back to The Pantages Theater (we went to Fiddler on the Roof last month) for some lighter fare, this time to see Legally Blonde The Musical. I liked the film, but it's not like I own the DVD or anything, so I was skeptical going into the musical adaptation. Also, it didn't help my opinion any when as I was entering so were Hugh Hefner's blonde twins from The Girls Next Door in short hot pink dresses followed by paparazzi. The opening number, involved a lot squealing girls and I started to feel bad for making Raphael go, however, once I accepted that this was going to be silly and fun, I started enjoying it more and the numbers also got catchier as the show went along and the plot progressed.

The star of the show playing Elle Woods is Broadway alum Becky Gulsvig, who was very vivacious and reminded me of a cross between Kristin Chenoweth and the mermaid Ariel. Other scene stealers include two live dogs, whose timing and cuteness impressed the audience and caused collective "awww's." Overall, I can describe the musical as fun with lots of pink and pep! I went away with a smile and a bubbly feeling influenced by the bubbly characters and storyline no doubt.

The national tour will be in Los Angeles until Sept. 6 and you can score half priced front mezzanine and rear orchestra tickets through Goldstar.

Cooking on the Wii with Chef Michael Symon

Despite hanging with online foodies and going to some awesome media dinners, I'm not the most up-to-date on the chef celebrities. I of course know the obvious ones like Gordon Ramsay, but I haven't watched many other food reality shows. Although, now that I've met Michael Voltaggio last week I do plan on watching this season of Top Chef. Anyway, for the latest blog event I was invited to join Iron Chef Michael Symon for an intimate cooking demo in honor of the upcoming Wii cooking game Cook or Be Cooked from the Food Network and Namco Bandai Games. I replied yes, because it sounded like fun and I because I have a Wii, but I had to google Michael Symon to find out that he is a James Beard Award-winning chef, an Iron Chef and the chef and owner of the restaurants Lola and Lolita in Cleveland.

In person, Michael was super dynamic, friendly and funny as he tried to cook up some chicken and broccoli stir fry quicker than the developer of the Wii game at the controls of Cook or Be Cooked. You can watch the cookoff in the video below and hear Michael provide some cooking tips and talk about Iron Chef:

Michael said the game is like a virtual and interactive cookbook, where you can learn how to do Food Network recipes and receive cooking tips like heating the pan or skillet for a bit before using it. The game comes out in November, sorry Michael Symom is not included.

You can spot me taking the above video in this pic:

Note: Our Los Angeles office does PR for Namco Bandai Games, but it is not one of my accounts and I had no part in planning this event.

GAP Born to Fit Party

Remember last month when I blogged about being selected to be a GAP Brand Enthusiast? Well, I did and on Friday after work I eagerly attended my own GAP Born to Fit jeans party at their 1969 pop-up store at 108 North Robertson Blvd in West Hollywood. The pop-up store is open to the public for a few weeks and has a wide selection of the brand's new "premium jeans," some are limited edition and others are only available online.

With over 25 of my girlfriends we sipped cocktails (I might have gulped tho), had some appetizers, took pics, video and most importantly tried on GAP's new line of designer-like jeans. Each of us were given a coupon for one FREE pair of jeans up to $69.50 in value, although some friends purchased additional pairs like me. I ended up going home with their Always Skinny in olive, a medium wash pair of their Curvy jeans and a charcoal Always Skinny riding jeans with silver buttons at the ankle. Although there was an adorable leather jacket that was as soft as butter that I wanted to buy too, but it was $289.

Here's a video from the awesome night where you can see the store, lots of jeans, bloggers and me being tipsy and taking requests for silly poses:

Yahoo! Video Why Blog?

While at BlogHer a few weeks ago, I met a fellow New Yorker and blogger, Melissa Chapman, who I really clicked with as we talked about blogging and our previous dating adventures in Manhattan. She also interviewed me for the following Yahoo! Video.

Why blog? @ Yahoo! Video

Win a $100 gift card to Dick's Sporting Goods store

In honor of Dick's Sporting Goods' chief marketing officer, Jeff Hennion, now tweeting for the company, they are letting me run a giveaway here on my blog for a $100 gift card to the sports store. Jeff will be tweeting about events happening at local stores, autograph sessions with athletes, store promotions (like the one going on now), also what he and the company are up to. He will also respond to your direct tweets if you have any specific questions.

To enter, follow @dickssportcmo and comment here saying that you are now following him on Twitter, but leave your twitter handle so I can check if you did. Also, comment with what you would buy with $100 gift card to Dick's and why? For example, my husband has been talking about needing a new golf club driver since his is out of date. What new innovations can they possibly make to a golf club anyway? It's just a club to whack a non-moving ball with! Personally, I'd probably get a new sports bra or splurge on a ski helmet. Back to YOU though, on Thursday, August 20th I will use Random.org to randomly select a winner here so you can fulfill whatever purchase you have your heart set on. Good luck!

Update: Congratulations to the 7th commenter NewYork Volleyball!

Media Dinner: The Dining Room

Last night, I attended a media dinner at The Dining Room at The Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa in Pasadena in honor of their new menu from Chef Michael Voltaggio. Previously, I've blogged about their amazingly decadent chocolate afternoon tea.

Michael just joined The Dining Room at the end of July and will be a contestant on the upcoming season of Top Chef, so pretty exciting to get this sneak peek. His menu features a selection of creative small plates showcasing New American cuisine and his passion for "molecular gastronomy," which is a form of food science that takes a food's normal consistency and structure and turns it on its head.

Over the course of the luxurious evening with e*starLA, Lindsay, FoodGPS, My Last Bite and Eating LA, we tasted seven plates. My favorites were the Pacific Yellowtail with soy-watermelon and salty sea sponge and fresh wasabi. I didn't think I'd like sea sponge but it was so savory. Another highlight was the Pastrami Pigeon with rye infused jus, brussels-kraut and puffed Gruyere cheese, as well as a suckling pig plate. Each entree was intense, artful and paired with a wine or ale. There was also an ocotpus dish with a sauce that somehow managed to taste like a bowl of buttered popcorn and was paired with a buttery Chardonnay too.

Now for the yummy photos so you can see what I meant by "artful":

For the complete menu not on a tasting night go here.

Why am I such an idiot lately?

My idiocy all started on my way back from BlogHer two weeks ago when I lost my iTouch. I called the hotel, but they didn't have it and after several calls to find the right number I left a message with the plane's lost and found department, but still haven't heard back. I searched my house and beat myself up about it to the point where I was depressed. I was convinced that I do not deserve expensive things since stuff like this always happens to me I.E the Burberry scarf, Ray Ban Sunglasses--all previously gone with the wind. Yes, I can simply buy another iTouch, but I've already gone through the allotted Apple iTunes connections so will not be able to load all my legitimate downloads onto my new one. Grr.

But then my carelessness got worse...

The night before our weekend trip to Vegas, I packed my clothes and hung out the different Vegas-style dresses (translation: slutty) that I'd be wearing out to the different restaurants and clubs along with pool and hot dessert attire for during the day. I remembered to pack everything, but once I unpacked my stuff in the Vegas hotel room, I realized I never actually put the dresses that were hanging into my bag! Thus, I had matching shoes, necklaces and makeup, but not the dresses. I didn't even have jeans, just my shorts for during the day, so I couldn't simply buy a fun top. It was also now 8 p.m. and we had dinner reservations in an hour. Thankfully I was in Vegas though where the shops stay open till late. So, I dashed over to the Mandalay Place shops and bought new dresses. They weren't the ones I had planned of course, but they sufficed for hitting the nightclubs Jet and Bank as well as for our dinners at Stack (twitpic) and at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant (mad view, twitpic). Sure, it sucked doing a quick shopping spree and coughing up extra money, but at least I got some new outfits out of my snafu, which is always nice.

Oh, it doesn't end there though...

Here's the worst act of all. When checking out of the hotel on Sunday--early to beat traffic--I made sure I collected every shampoo bottle and clothing item, even checked under the beds and looked at the outlets for our phone plugs since I did not want to lose something again. I still did though and this time it wasn't a stupid unsentimental iTouch but my WEDDING RING!!! In order not to lose it, I had put my ruby engagement ring and diamond band along with some earrings in a cup tray in the bathroom. Yet, in our inspections of the hotel room it was easy to overlook it as it blended in with the customary hotel items in the bathroom, thus being the opposite of a safe spot for it. The even more asinine part is that I didn't realize I had left it in the afformentioned tray until we were already on the road, and you don't even want to know how far along we were, before I screamed and had to turn the car around. I swear I almost threw up and fainted at the same time when I realized what I had done.

We called the hotel and was of course forwarded to a lost and found answering machine. We then tried housekeeping and we were relieved to find that our room had not been cleaned yet so they sent up a manager to look for it. Luckily, and here is when my luck finally changes, my ring was still there and they were holding it for us. We just then had to drive back and collect it, putting us back in the line of traffic on the way out. The extra time in the car of course was worth getting my ring back though and luckily my wedding ring didn't stay in Vegas like the famous tagline suggests.

Now, I ask you dear readers, how freaking stupid have I been lately?! Note: this is your chance to rip into me too. I'm not sure what is going on and why I've been so careless lately. I've always had instances, who doesn't, but three stupid and similar mishaps in just two weeks? Urgh. I feel like I need a babysitter.

6 Man

No, this post is not about six guys, sorry. It's about last weekend's annual 6-Man volleyball tournament in Manhattan Beach, CA.

My girlfriends who competed last year (previous post) were once again playing, this time dressed as race cars. Don't worry, this is normal. None of the teams play in regular sports clothes, but have some sort of Halloween-like costume and theme. I'm always a fan of the guys playing as nuns or old ladies personally, but there were other teams of female bubble bees, superheroes and more. Like at Halloween, the girls typically dress sluty and the guys dress funny.

The best part is that my friend Sarah put my blog logo on her cardboard race car (they remove the car portion after they race on to the court in their cars then they played in their pink race team looking uniforms) along with the message "My Friend Tara is Blogging This." Too true, she knows me well.

Another fun thing about 6-Man is the tailgating that happens on the crowded beach. Each team (courtesey of their sponsor) gets their own tent and their fans hang out inside it (me) in between games and lots of semi-undercover drinking goes on. Look at this random dude who fell on the team's cars:

Fiddler on the Roof comes to L.A.

Last week after work, I headed to The Pantages Theater to see the classic musical Fiddler on the Roof with the original Tevye (the dad), Topol, who once again performed the role that made him legendary in the '71 film. However, this is his "farewell" tour and the last time he'll be playing the role. His performance and the show was amazing. Much better than my camp's portrayal and me in the role as the mean Russian soldier.

I had forgotten how many great songs are from the heartwarming score-- “Tradition,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” “If I Were A Rich Man” and “Sunrise, Sunset.” The audience kept clapping along with the music, which made the performance even more electric and fun. I've also been humming the different diddies for the last several days.

For those not familiar with the film or show, it's set in pre-revolutionary Russia and focuses on a poor Jewish peasant who must contend with marrying off his three daughters while new ideas and antisemitic sentiment threatens his home and traditions.

My only complaint was that it's run time was a lot longer than the typical musical now-a-days especially for a weeknight performance, but it was worth getting home late to see it though. I'd also recommend hitting the bathrooms before it starts ;) Fiddler on the Roof is in Los Angeles only til Sunday, Aug. 9, so go see it while you can!

LA Times: It's tradition: Topol is Tevye

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