Red Carpet Rollout...

Last night I attended (worked at) my very first red carpet event for a program produced by Glamour called Reel Docs in conjunction with Tommy Hilfiger's new Dreaming perfume. The program began as a contest in which 3 lucky winners were awarded a chance to not only make their dreams come true but to star in their very own documentaries. The films debuted at last night's premiere and all of the winners (and their families/friends) were invited to celebrate. My job was to 1) Stuff gift bags and 2) pass out programs to everyone as they entered from the red carpet and made their way to their seats, both of which I actually enjoyed. It was so surreal seeing all of the photographers and reporters taking pictures and securing material for their stories. A few celebs even showed up! [pics below courtesy of Getty Images]



Jamie Lynn Sigler from The Sopranos -- How adorable is her dress btw?



Tommy Hilfiger (The Man of the Night), Gavin DeGraw, Andy Hilfiger

ANNNDDDDD......

America's fave couple...Alex McCord and Simon Van Kempen from REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NYC!!!

See this is exactly how fame gets to reality stars heads so quickly....people like me. What can I say, I am addicted to reality TV. I'm not ashamed. So what if I feel like I'm part of Lauren's drama with Audrina, or had tears in my eyes when Joey read his goodbye letter on Real World. Hate to say it but...reality rules the world these days. (But I digress...)

Following the event was an after party on the rooftop at The Bowery Hotel. Can I just say, what an amazing venue. There was a DJ, open bar, fabulous hors d'oeuvres, and gorgeous people everywhere, it was unreal. Of course I couldn't stay for very long thanks to my hour long commute home. Very disappointing ending. Here's a quick recap: Train leaves @ 10pm. Train breaks down 10 mins after departure. Conductors can't get train to start. Hour and a half goes by. Crew says a rescue engine will be coming soon to push us to the next station (wait I'm sorry...push???? ). Finally get to next station. Told to switch trains. Arrive home at 1:00am. UGH, like seriously? By the time I fell asleep it was time to wake up and head back to the city again. But even through all of that I'm still gracious to have this internship. It's all so worth it.

Happy Anniversary....Nordstrom!

So my boyfriend just called to tell me that he just got back from the 2008 Regional Anniversary Sale showcase meeting for the Nordstrom shoe department. The anniversary sale is the biggest sale of the year and allows you to get crazy savings on fall merchandise before the season even begins. Needless to say, it is my favorite time of the year and I am already anticipating the selections. He said there were a lot of crocodile prints, viper prints, and all-around exotic styles, all of which I love. If you have a Nordstrom charge card (and you really USE it), they allow you to pre-select and purchase the merchandise before the general public even has a chance to see it. In addition, you get invited to pre-sale parties to make sure you get everything you "need" to last you through the season. Last year I actually worked the Anniversary Sale. This is when the mom's (you know the "my husband makes a ton and he gives me a spending limit" type of moms) spend thousands upon thousands on all types of designer gear. About the only thing that got me through was the added 20% discount I got off of all the already-reduced merchandise. If you decide to go, make you sure go on the first day (things get sold out quickly!) and make sure that if you're trying not to spend too much you make a budget and stick to it. The common justification is "in two weeks the prices will go back up, so I'm much better off buying it now at a lower price" when in reality you never really needed it in the first place. Try to make a list of things you need for fall BEFORE you even step foot in the store. Nordstrom makes billions during the anniversary sale on people who "justify". If you like shoes (and clothes and accessories and well, everything) as much as I do, you will definitely benefit from visiting your local Nordstrom store during the sale. Here's a little preview (just between you and me), $500 mid-calf Tory Burch boots for $295....make room on your credit card, it's time to shop!

Until next time...

Jimmy Whoo?

So ever since my recent discovery on Oprah I have been overly obsessed with Jimmy Choo shoes (unfortunately for me, they're a little bit out of my price range....a lot..bit...I guess). Did you know that the founder is actually a British woman by the name of Tamara Mellon? Tamara bought out the name from an actual shoemaker --I bet he's kicking himself now, his name is making her millions. Her shoe closet is filled with some of the finest pairs of choo's available on the market and her six year old daughter, whom she raises on her own, even has her own little pair.

In collaboration with her creative director Sandra Choi, she comes up with elaborate, yet sophisticated designs influenced by pieces found in exotic places all over the world. One of my favorite pairs is her gladiator-inspired Glenys Elaphe Snakeskin Sandal...if only I had $1295 to throw around, they'd be all mine....wishful thinking I suppose.

I am determined to become president and founder of my own empire some day, but for now I'll just continue dreaming. As Tamara says, "feel the fear and do it anyway, if you fail, you get up and you keep trying again". It seems that's so much easier said than done. In my mind, "trying" means spending money, and "failing" means losing money (neither sound very appealing to me). Instead I think I will just wait and see what happens....that's my pessimistic, entrepreneurial world-view at the moment.

Quick Internship Update: My mentor left this afternoon for a photoshoot in LA, while I worked on a project for the GLAMOUR lifestyle merchandising team. This project (which I was thankfully able to work on with the other intern, Rachel) consisted of inputting names and addresses-- winners and non-winners of a "gift w/ purchase" promotion --into an Excel spreadsheet [See right]. We went through over 2500 letters from avid readers who were asked to buy a product from a list and send in a proof of purchase. The bright side?: if you showed me any zipcode, I could probably tell you what state it went with...could be useful some day, right? Maybe not.

More exciting updates later this week.

Summer so far...

Since this is my first post, I find it is my duty to fill you in on my life thus far...

Let me bring you back...when I FINALLY finished my last final (n. p. i) back in the beg. of may, I headed home to what would be the best/worst 4 weeks of my life (best because I was stress-free, and worst because, well, I get bored very easily). Let me just make it simple by saying...nielsen owes me big time. After rotting my brain with inane reality shows for what seemed like months I was ready to begin my dream internship at (drumroll? please?) GLAMOUR Magazine in NYC. I have officially completed week #1 of hour long commutes and blistered feet...which explains the flip flops in the picture --my yellow Jeffrey Campbell T-Strap Heels were taking a much needed rest in my bag... Don't get me wrong though, its all worth it to be where I am everyday. Here are some highlights of my job:

1. Its part of the Conde Nast Summer Intern Program which means you get the ultimate experience (seminars, social events, a mentorship, money...) And not to mention you get the chance to meet ppl from all different parts of the country (hmm sounds like school...)
2. All of the ppl I work with at GLAMOUR are awesome and really laid back (not surprising)
-The CN cafeteria is huge and the food (breakfast and lunch) is great (except the fact that you CAN'T pay with cash/credit you have to put money onto your security badge b4 you get your food...)
3. I work on the advertising side (as opposed to the editorial side) so my mentor showed me the fashion closet (it's everything you'd want your own closet to be) so I could admire its beauty
4. The area where I work is filled with creative geniuses who come up with ideas on the spot to help add value to the magazine (I.e. Come up with events, promotions, and contests)
5. I get my own cubicle, G5 computer, and email address
6. Fridays are half days so it gives me the opportunity to explore the city and most importantly shop for cute additions to my wardrobe
7. I have been told that I will be helping out at a big event (with celebs and red carpet) and that I may have to help out at a photo shoot or two (poor me right?)

Let me just end by saying I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity. Each day is better than the day before and I am looking forward to the next 8 weeks.

Upcoming?: Anna Wintour, NYC premiere, archive tour...I've got my hands full here...my tv definitely misses me

I'll keep you posted.