This is Lady Mel, your favorite NYC fashionista and celebrity columnist. I had a wonderful Christmas and New Years in London and I am back in full force for 2011. Please submit your questions below for the next column.@Bridget_Jones: Did you see the Grammys? What were your favorite moments? Least favorite?
Yes! My favorite performance of the night was the Aretha Franklin tribute. Christina Aguilera overdid but she gave me "diva". If you are going to perform at the Grammys, despite the lack of good performers this year, you have to capture the audience. She even outperform Jennifer Hudson and Yolanda Adams of all people. Now the haters can't say anything after her Superbowl performance.
The Cee-Lo performance was hilarious. Gwyneth Paltrow tried to sing, but I will give her a pass. She actually sang better than Rihanna. Loved the muppets and Cee-Lo's red turkey outfit. Lady Gaga's performance was good, although it was over-hyped. I loved that she whipped her hair like Willow Smith and Beyonce. If I have not mentioned any one else, I did not like it. Oh, two more things. Justin Bieber. There is always next year. And who is Arcade Fire?
@PrincessVal: What ever happened to you and Gerard Butler last Valentine's Day? I wanted more! Can I be your Valentine's? :)
He was such a hottie but a douchebag at the same time. Extremely overconfident. We did have dinner and that was that. I would love to be your Valentine's this year. I am happily single, not Jennifer Aniston's type of single life.
@Makael86: If you had to pick any Grammy outfit, what would it be?
I have to go with Glee's Dianna Agron's Vivienne Westwood black dress. It was magnificent!
I've decided to group July and August together. We are in the middle of the summer and I want to take these last days of intense heat and sun to prepare for my fall plans. Here is what I will do within the next two months:
1. Take 1-2 days out of each week to myself to leave the house and go out and explore and have fun. Life is too short.
2. Actually study for the Driver's License Test and then take the writing exam in the fall.
3. Walk more, eat healthy.
4. Find a part-time, paying job before September 1st. At this point in my career, I do not care what I get, at least as I start saving money.
5. Be an indispensable worker in my career and as a volunteer worker.
6. Finish reading Seth Godin's "Linchpin, Are You Dispensable" book.
7. Build my portfolio and skills so that when I find my dream job down the road, I'll be ready. :)
8. Relearn my French skills.
9. Blog at least 2 times per week. Write more engaging blog posts!
Also, will Shannon and Nickelnm contact me? You showed interest in guest blogging, but have responded back to me. I need to know your plans before Monday, July 12th. Thanks.
Lets review what I accomplished last month.
June Plan
4. Look for a paid, part-time internship.
5. Build my resume and skills with the volunteer opportunity I already have.
6. Build my French and Japanese language skills.
7. Lose between 5 to 10 pounds.
8. Study for Driver's License Test.
Finally, Picture of the Week! I want to wear this one day. The French know how to design!
I am going to self-teach myself Photoshop. Last night, I successfully downloaded Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended Edition onto my computer. For now on, when I post pictures on my blog, they are going to digitally alter and enhance them. I think it will be fun what silly things I can design.
My first creation is this altered V Magazine cover with Hollywood child actress, Kristen Durst. I played along with layers and saturation and color balance levels. I think it is a little on the "safe side" but when I learn about the different things I can do on Photoshop, I will be a Photoshop Mad Scientist!
Do you think? You like what you see?
Last week, I applied to the 2010 Talent Buzz Blog Post Contest, remember? Well, today, I need my your help! All you need to do is click the given link below, read my article Alice in Twitterland: How to Tweet Like A Rockstar, and share the article with your friends online. You can even retweet the article to your followers!
The more visits I have, the more likely I will win the grand prize: A $1,500 Visa Gift Card! I have until Monday, March 29th! Help spread the word! I worked very hard on this blog post and I want to show my witty charm with all you guys and to the rest of the world! Help me make this happen, my LITTLE MONSTERS! Click here!
Is it just me or this year's fashion choices seemed a little too banal? If I remember correctly, the last several Academy Awards shocked me with endless arrays of gorgeous and edgy gowns. Although, I have managed to pick the ten most gorgeous emblems in my opinion, I wish there was more vay-vay-voom on the Red Carpet! If it is the Oscars, I should not have managed a list, the dresses should be so awe-inspiring that it would be harder to comply a list. That is what fashion is all about. Nevertheless, here are the picks that caught my eye.
(The Lovely Meryl Streep in Chris March, Rachel McAdams in Elie Saab Couture, Kate Winslet in Yves Saint Laurent, J. Lo in Armani Prive, Queen Latifah in Badgley Mischka, Sarah Jessica Parker in Chanel Couture, Mylie Cyrus in John Peckham, Sigourey Weaver in Lanvin, Mo'Nique in Tadashi Shoji, Cameron Diaz in Oscar de la Renta!)
Time: February 12, 2010 about 6:00pm EST
Place: In an exclusive hotel outside Bryant Park in Manhattan.
The dress is set. The makeup, the hair, the shoes, the image are all set. When Lady Mel walks down that red carpet into the hotel's grand ballroom, she knows that everyone will be staring at her flawless figure. The jealously in the other socialites' eyes bares the test of time. LadyMel gives Prue the next day off because of the snow and the slow commute to Jersey City.
LadyMel departs her Solo apartment into a black limousine. Twenty minutes later, the limousine door opens and out comes LadyMel in all her smoldering glory. Her curves ran for miles. Honestly, many of the male photographers and crewmen,even Perez Hilton himself gasped for air like they were reaching their sexual climax. (Kiss and tell). Oh, the spotlight is her bitch and she is LOVING it!
Mel talks to a couple of reporters, citing that the fabulous Rachel Zoe styled her in this lovely Alexander McQueen assembly. (R.I.P). Mind you it was all in velvet red with a black high-waisted belt to commemorate Valentine's Day. Plus, she had this dashing red hat customized by the famed and late fashion designer to make her stand out. This was her moment. This was the moment for the millions of people at stake in Port Au Prince. She had to work!
Gerard Butler: (Smirking in his thick Scottish brogue). Hello ladies (Loud screaming from back of room.) One lucky woman can have all of this (turns around) on Valentine's Day, just keep that in mind. (More loud screaming, Mel shakes in her head in dismay, such a prick.). With the joking aside, I am more than humble to be here for the people of Haiti. Through resilience and struggle, they shine. Thank you. (Audience claps, Gerry sits back in chair.)
Host: Ok, lets go on with the show. I want all participants to be ready. (LadyMel and Kim glare at one another from opposite ends of the room). Let's start with $1,000.
(Several minutes have passed..)
Host: Can I get $100,000?
Participant #20: (Waves sign).
Host: $100,000 to the woman in black. Going once, going twice..
Kim Kardashian: (Smirks at LadyMel and jumps up in her seat): One million dollars, sir!
Host: (Everyone in shock mode): $1,000,000. (Gerry's face in complete disgust). Going once....
LadyMel: (In a nonchalant matter). $1,250,000.
Host: (Everyone in more shock mode): $1,250,000. Oh, la, la. Going once, going twice....
Kim Kardashian: (Screams). $2,000,000! (Smirks at LadyMel).
Host: (Everyone in shock). $2,000,000! Wow. Going once, going twice....
LadyMel: (confidently).$10,000,000. My last bid of the night. (Gerry smiles in glee, Kim stares at Mel like she is about to kill her from across the room.)
Host: $10,000,000! Going once....Going twice..... Sold! To the woman in velvet red! (Everyone applauds all around her!, Mel then walks on stage and gets on the podium.)
LadyMel: (confidently). I want to thank you everyone who in here tonight. This organization could not do it without you guys. The money that I have just contributed to the plight in Haiti will get to the hands of the Haitian people and I will be making sure of that. People within the Hollywood community need to continue with their efforts. If New York was mostly destroyed by a 5.6 magnitude earthquake, you would want people from across the world to help the victims of this natural disaster. Good night and good luck everyone! (Loud applause, people start leaving room.)
Random Person from Audience: Tap that ass before he hops to the next girl! (Everyone in room gasps.)
LadyMel: (confidently). I'm a classy lass. I have my dignity. (Everyone laughs) Good night everyone and make sure you have an umbrella at hand. It's raining terribly.
LadyMel: (Leaves podium, Mel walks down in Kim's direction and whispers in her ear). It's over. (Kim Kardashian then runs off in the direction of the main doors of the ballroom.)
(Gerry in complete awe of Mel, walks in Mel's direction in the most confidence I have ever seen.) This is going to get interesting....
Time: February 9th, 2010
Place: LadyMel's stellar Soho apartment in NYC, around 3:00pm EST.
LadyMel is getting ready for the Valentine's Day's "Love For Haiti" charity benefit in Upper Manhattan tomorrow night. She and Prue, her long-time personal assistant/personal shopper, are frantically searching for the perfect outfit. Why you want ask? It's only a charity benefit right? Well, first of all a screw of media journalists and NY socialites will be there at the event so she has to look beyond presentable.
Secondly, all the proceeds from the food to the individual donations will be donated to several non-profit organizations including Save the Children and the American Red Cross that are at the front lies feeding and healing the victims of the January 12th Haiti earthquake, so first impressions must be perfect. Thirdly well, the Scottish heartthrob, Gerard Butler will be "auction" off to a potential young lady. That is all the NY socialites are there in the first place. The person with the highest bid will win a Valentine's Day date with the most wanted man in Hollywood. You know LadyMel must be on her A game because it's Gerard Butler!
LadyMel: (Mouth wide open, opens her closet doors in an overly dramatic way): Where is my life? I cannot find anything to wear for this banquet! Everyone is going to be there. Who is This "Mr. Butler"? He seems soooo..... whats the word? Bland, shall we say? (Smirks then throws tons of expensive clothes to the ground.)
Prue: (with a Ipad in her hand, searches the Internet for the perfect dress) Mel, were you born yesterday?! He is the it-guy in Hollywood right now. I've seen all his movies. He's quite the ladies man but he has a heart of gold! He has grown, married women at his feet. I've been in his presence once and let me tell you, it was like my body was being controlled by his eyes. It's the eyes! He made me do things I would not even tell you. (Blushes)
LadyMel: (Stares at Prue quite playfully): Prue, you just went to one of his movie premieres and he signed your autograph T-shirt. Stop with the over-dramatic hyperboles. He's an average actor with good looks. He's quite talented as I have seen on the big screen, but he is not my cup of tea. (Continues to look in closet).
Prue: (Smirks): You just have not been out with a good man lately. Remember Robert? Paul? Kevinnnn?
LadyMel: (Talking to Prue as she reaches for a pair of Jimmy Cho shoes at the top of closet): All assholes. All Ivy-League, pompous assholes. And I hear Mr. Butler is a manwhore so I won't even bother. Plus, I do not need a man or anyone of that nature in this point in my life. I have a future. I am financially independent. I'm driven and assertive. The world is not ready for this honey.
Prue: You are absolutely right. (Looks at Ipad.) Mel, you remember that Christian Dior store that just opened near Central Park?
LadyMel: Yea.
Prue: Well, if you are look this, we may have to take a little tour there. (LadyMel jumps down and looks at Ipad, eyes open wide with excitement).
LadyMel: I adore the dress. You know how much I love Christian Dior couture. But I want something that has a little more va va vom. You know how I feel when I see two or more celebrities with the same dress on, walking down the red carpet! I blame the stylist really. Is there anyway you could get Christian Dior to customize the dress for me?
Prue: Uhm, do you think Christian Dior has enough time to customize it considering that he will arrive to NYC from Paris this evening in preparation for New York Fashion Week. He is a very busy man. We only have three days until the big day too. We have to be realistic here.
LadyMel: (smiles confidently). I think you are right. That is why your are my ears and conscious when I need it. I know who to call when I have a fashion emergency. (Starts picking up the clothes from floor). Call Rachel Zoe and tell her I need her badly. She owes me. Tell her I want to see her tomorrow morning.
Prue: Of course. What will you do with the dress after the banquet?
LadyMel: Auction it off online to help the Haitian victims. I know friends who are down there risking their own lives to save those people and I will do anything in my power to make the world a better place. That is why I am going to be the most stylish lady there and win that date with Gerard Butler.
Prue (Sarcastically): I sure your intentions are clear.
LadyMel: I am doing this for the love of business and philanthropy. Nothing else.
Prue: (Smirks wildly). Says the biggest flirt on the planet.
LadyMel: Ok, I'm the biggest flirt, but can I have a serious side? This is my serious face. (Shows her serious face, Prue giggles.)
Prue: (Smirks). Whatever you say. Let me head down to your office and I'll call Rachel. She works wonders.
LadyMel: Most certainly. I'll follow. (Both ladies leave room).
This is my first part of my Grammy review. I'll talk about the night's festivities on my next blog post. God, the most of the fashion was horrible and plain, yet I was shown the light in some unexpected places. Check out who I thought were the best dressed at the 52th Annual Grammy Awards.
(Lady Gaga in Armani, Leah Michele in Romona Reveza, Jennifer Hudson in Victoria Beckham, Keri Hilson in Dolce and Gabbana, Taylor Swift in Kaufman Franco, Pink in Tony Ward)
If you remember from my What is Twitter is Good For? article last month, I declared that I was using Twitter solely to understand company politics, job postings, and read statements from my favorite Hollywood celebrities. Since then, I have expanded my membership by actively using Twitter to market my blog and reach out to people outside my inner circle. I am now following more technology and media gurus because I am interested in a career in new media. I am tweeting and retweeting about everything, from whatever I was thinking in a certain moment in time to a link to an article about Conan O'Brien's unexpected departure from the NBC network. I think I am becoming a Twitter addict and I think it is a good thing. Usually, addictions are bad transgressions that we cannot control, yet metaphorically I will use Twitter's marketing tactics to control my personal brand and its reputation on the Internet.
As Baratunde Thurston voiced in a recent Varity Fair article about what the late MLK would have thought of microblogging platforms such as Twitter if he was still alive, "Twitter is everything today: news source, stock ticker, pop-culture meme tracker, font of inane narcasstic chatter, time suck, marketing tool, and promised savoir of journalism/capitalism/democracy/[insert dying institution here]."
I could not say or phrase it in any other fashion. Twitter is now my source of news, fun, online politics, and guilty pleasure rolled up into one multifaceted online pool. And as the inquisitive person that I am, I am only dusting off the surface of my Twitter experience. There are still other Twitter techniques out there that I am still unaware of and I hope with online research, I will learn to use Twitter more to market my blog to new readers by finding new ways to effectively implicate my 140 character feed to attract new readers and industry professionals to my work. But life is all about learning and communicating, so I will get there in time. I hope to engage in more online "real-time" sessions in the future because my Golden Globe Party was quite fun. It would have a lot cooler if I had dressed up and met Gerard Butler in person. *Sighs*
I wonder around the Internet like a homeless hobo all the time. It was until I came across this NY Mag.com article about the fashion trends of the past decade that I had to say something. The decade is about to end. I remember many of the fashion trends within the past ten years. For instance, the forever-changing short bob haircut that Rhianna rocked since her launch of her third album, Good Girl Gone Bad in 2007. One short hairstyle and one edgy makeover created a fashion phenomenon.
However, if I were living on Earth one hundred, even two hundreds years from now, I would not recognize the 00's as the decade of the "it" fashions. Some of the trends are regurgitated 80's punk styles and 70's platform shoes. Anything before 1990 had the best fashion styles in my opinion. Those were the days when people were making statements without any effort or an agenda. Fashion was a part of daily life. Now it's..... I do not know, commercialized? Although, I do love fashion to a certain extent, will we remember this decade for its post-modern sense of style in the distant future?
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1. The United States just elected its first black president. If you haven't noticed this even if you are not an American, remember that there wasn't a black president until 2008. There were 42 white presidents before him.
2. Wow, we just elected our first black president. Hooray! Racism is so over! We are free at last! If you follow this philosophy, where have you been these past 500 years?! Many political figures are spreading anti-Obama hate all across the country. This post-November election world is bombarded with people who do not think that Obama is an American citizen because his father was Kenyan and that he is spreading his socialist ideology to every facet of our society, including our children. Let just say the 2008 presidential elections brought the racists out of the closet.
3. There is always this misconception that France, Great Britain, and other European nations are more racially-tolerated because slavery ended in those countries way before slavery ended in the United States in 1865. But is there is a black or non-white British prime minister? No. I admire French culture, especially its intellectualism. Famous African-Americans in the late nineteenth century such as W.E.B DuBois left the U.S to France because France was more accepting of racial minorities than the land of the free. Fast forward to 2009. Paris has a strong, present North-African immigrant population. Algeria was a former French colony. Yet, they live in the poorest Parisian neighborhoods around. Secondly, France has more strict immigrant and assimilation laws than the United States. So, I am not surprised if these people are having a harder time being accepted into modern French society because they also discriminated based on their ethnical backgrounds.5. There were NO women of color in this French Vogue issue.
6. Fashion has a long history of not accepting models who do not go by the industry's standard beauty qualifications.
7. Did I forget anything?
Although, French fashion is art, I think it is best to be fresh and creative in other ways. Unless, magazine publications want drama and controversy added to their resumes. Maybe, just maybe, the editors and photographers were not thinking about blackface in the context of the colonialist history. Maybe there were challenging our traditional notions of "race" and "racism". But, people have to be more careful and considerate of the current state of race politics in the United States and in other countries. The United States is not the only country with this problem. Trust me.
