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January 2008 Archives
Win-It Wednesday: Newsletter and the Lancome party!
Last week's winners (all of whom graciously signed up for my soon-to-be-sent-out newsletter) are going to be named by part of their email addresses (since I didn't ask for names--oops!). They are: yellowcardrox, manda keener, redslinky, flayla14 and skoolsux697. You know who you are, so email me your addresses and you'll get your Juicy Tubes and books (let me know if you want Violet on the Runway OR Violet by Design!).
And for this week, the contest will take place in person. I know it's not fair if you don't live nearby, but I promise to have a contest for everyone next week!
NJ-ites and close people, see below for details and RSVP notes--hope to see you Friday night.
Today, as I watch my DVR list dwindle, I'm taking a look on the bright side of the writers' strike.
We're all missing Dwight and Michael's antics on The Office and Jack and Lemon's witty banter over at 30 Rock, but I'm in search of a silver lining. Here are 8:
1. Soap operas disappear. Unless some writer's long-lost evil twin brother comes back from the grave to pen new episodes of Days of Our Lives.
4. Self-help reality shows are like free life coaches. With financial whiz Suze Orman, the trainers from The Biggest Loser and fashion guru Tim Gunn on my side, I'll never sign on for an adjustable rate mortgage that I don't understand, gain 100 pounds or hang onto ugly mom jeans.
5. Hmm... maybe I'll finally finish that last dauntingly long Harry Potter book.
6. I can catch up on the best shows I missed with DVDs of Dexter, Monk, Weeds and Lost. (Yes, I'm a late bloomer.)
7. Kirk Cameron is now an intensely devout Christian with his own kooky avatar at wayofthemaster.com, which is way more exciting than his scripted, vanilla Growing Pains character, Mike Seaver. Get the man a camera crew and start filming VH1's "Born-Again Teen Idol." Stat.
8. If all else fails, I may just go out and try to meet the neighbors.
There are so many authors out there who have fantastic blogs, and it's fun to show love for each others' books and posts. After all, readers wanna hear about new titles, so it's kind of a win-win.
Big thanks to these authors who've been sweet about Violet on the Runway (they have cool sites and smart, funny things to say, plus contests -- yay! -- and when I figure out how to work a blogroll on Movable Type, they're so on mine).
Pretty! British designer Christopher Kane sketched the designs for Lancome's soon-to-be-released new Juicy Tube colors.
I'll be signing Violet by Design at the Fashion Week Juicy Tube launch parties on 2/1 and 2/2, so go here to get details about attending parties in NYC, NJ and Dallas (I won't be in Texas, but autographed copies of Violet by Design will!).
At each event, you can get your makeup done in the style of a different designer's runway show -- 2/1 is Proenza Schouler, 2/2 is Christopher Kane, of course.
Runway makeup walks the crazy-beautiful line, but who doesn't like to have fun with this stuff, right? After all, most of you are in favor of rainbow mascara.
I'm late on this, but I wasn't sure what to write and I'm having these River Phoenix flashbacks. For some reason, maybe because Heath lived close by in Brooklyn for a while and seemed like a happy-go-lucky brownstone-lovin' dad, I'm a little speechless. Not like if my best friend died, but maybe like a distant cousin? Anyway, I don't know why we feel close to celebrities, but we do. Don't we? Tell me I'm not the only crazy one. And my friend Anne told me about this nice Heath moment, so I looked it up, liked it, and wanted to post. He's so smiley. Sigh.
In the last contest for Jolene's brilliant Go Ask Ogre, I asked you to name your favorite album of 2007. And I wound up with a big shopping list for iTunes. Thank you! I think my favorite is Cease to Begin by Band of Horses, which just came out in October. I really love it, but I promise to change my myspace profile song soon to give other musical types some play.
In any case, without further ado, let's get to the winner of last week's contest. Out of 52 entries, our random number generator has chosen.... Krissy the Jonas Brothers fan! Krissy, email me your address and I'll get your prize to you!
Now, this week, the contest is a little different. You may have noticed that I have a newsletter sign up box on my website these days (it's the little purple one on the left that says, "I want updates from Melissa!"). Your mission is to, well, sign up for my newsletter. I promise it'll come out like 5 times a year--to tell you when a book is on sale or if there's a party/signing near you. So sign up!
Out of everyone who signs up between now and next Wednesday, January 30th, I'll chose five winners at random to win a copy of Violet on the Runway (or Violet by Design if you already have Violet on the Runway), PLUS a Lancome Juicy Tube.
Sound good? Sign up now so it won't be just me and my boyfriend on the newsletter list. That is incredibly lame.
Oh, and I'd love it if you guys would post comments of other contests you know about this week (especially from other authors). I'll post some if I see them, too! Let's enter to win like crazy!
I did two fun interviews in the past week, one with high school student Ren from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and one with the famed Little Willow, who asked me questions about teenagers and body image (something that comes up a lot in my soon-to-be-released second book, Violet by Design). Our interview is here, and the related ELLEgirl story that I'm still proud of, "Love Your Body," is here.
I also want to call attention to the fabulous post by DC Goodwill Fashion Blogger Em yesterday, highlighting the dearth of black models on runways and in editorial pages. She posted some gorgeous photos of Alek Wek, Beverly Johnson, Chanel Iman and Veronica Webb, too. I'll just add one of my favorite models, Ajuma Nasenyana (pictured here), who's from Kenya.
Question for you guys (Little Willow asked me this and I kind of hemmed and hawed, as you'll see in the interview): What do you think of the BMI (Body Mass Index) policies for models which are being put into place in some countries (where models have to meet a certain minimum BMI to work--that means they can't be too skinny)? Do you think America should follow suit?
PS-Two more days to win Jolene's awesome book. Comment Here!
I just have to say it. I love Fiber One bars, especially the oats & chocolate variety. Can I get a witness?
I mean, I eat one of these with a glass of milk and it's a total dessert experience. Bonus: They are Bob Greene approved.
One caveat: My friend Anne, who writes the Oh Oprah blog with me, cannot handle the amount of fiber in these bars. Do you mind me saying that publicly, Anne? I'm just warning other people.
Got a favorite health food that passes for delicious? Share! And Happy weekend!
Last week's Betty Boop calendar winner is... drumroll... Nancy! Address, please, Miss N.
If you wanna know how I pick winners, I just generate a number here and I count myspace comments first. It's totally fair and equal. Promise.
This week, I'm giving away an autographed copy of one of the most visually riveting and emotionally compelling books e.v.e.r., Jolene Siana's Go Ask Ogre: Letters from a Deathrock Cutter. These are actual letters, drawings and dreams that Jolene sent to a member of the band Skinny Puppy when she was a teenager. You will end up adoring this girl, and wishing you could hang out with her, like I get to sometimes!
Jolene is on the left, I'm on the right. Do you love her bright lips or what? Such pout style.
Anyway, to win this autographed treasure, which has a lot of music references from the late 80s, I want you to tell me what your favorite album of 2007 was. Ready? Go!
I'll tell you details soon, but for now, know that these parties will have great gift bags, a fun contest, and makeovers! (Oh, and mocktails like this one, but without all the glitter.)
Parties: A great way to promote because they're F-U-N.
This obviously isn't a personal photo, but I just got excited reading this article, which says that people are listening to music on vinyl again because it's a really social experience. I have to agree. I have a ton of records because someone left them in my first Brooklyn apartment (we think he was a DJ because there is lots of really bizarre 80s stuff, like the Depeche Mode single of People are People "Different Mix" and the soundtrack to Ruthless People). So now I love buying them! Especially old jazz albums where you catch every cough and it seems like you can almost hear them smoking cigarettes. I've noticed that lots of bands, like Bishop Allen, are selling vinyl at their shows. Yay!
Wow. If anyone answers this ad, please report back to me!
Time travel is something I was obsessed with when I was younger. Anyone else? It didn't help that Back to the Future came out when I was around 8 years old, young enough to believe and old enough to try to make science teachers explain the possibilities.
This, as Marty McFly would say, is heavy.
PS-If you want to do something good for the world, and get a chance to win a prize, head over to Manic Mommy's blog to check out her blood drive! I'm O+, in case you're wondering. And I should really give blood more, so I'm pledging to do it this month!
Win-It Wednesday: Betty Boop, MAC lip conditioner and flip.com!
If you don't have a calendar yet, this contest is for you! I'm giving away a mini Betty Boop calendar from bettyboopstore.com. Don't you think Miss Boop has a little notorious Bettie Page thing going on?
Is there a historical connection? Oh, anyway, who doesn't love a cartoon pinup girl? So, to win, comment below and tell me what fashion trend you'd like to see come back. I wish bodies like Bettie's would return to Hollywood.
Now, last week's winner of the Mac Lip Conditioner, chosen at random by one of those number generators among the comments here and on myspace, is Tammy, who resolved to teach her friend Poker or Euchre. I don't even know what Euchre is really. Cards? But yay, Tammy! Send me your address.
And, a reminder that today is the very last day to enter flip.com's contest to have your name mentioned in the third Violet book, Violet in Private (that means I'm not quite done with revisions yet and can still slip your name in!).
I'm kind of obsessed with blue and green mascara (thanks to Caroline and Anne for feeding this habit with beauty closet bounty!). And yes, that's why Violet is always swiping on blue mascara in Violet on the Runway.
I've tried to showcase my blue lashes here:
I know that isn't really clear--photographing your own eye is tough! I (perhaps naively) imagine myself looking like this:
But I worry that I'm stuck in the 80s, when I wasn't old enough to wear makeup but worshipped rainbow-lashed rockstars from afar.
So, I ask you this: Colored lashes--chic and subtle way to stand out, or tacky throwback trend?
And authors, you can find contact info for lots of high school newspaper advisors at myhighschooljournalism.com, so I advise you to get in touch with some and offer your book for review and yourself for an interview! Win-Win.
Now, down to business. My friend Charles took me to the premiere of the first episode of the final season of The Wire on Friday night. It was, in short, incredible. And then we went to the HBO after-party. If you're a fan of the show, you know what I mean when I say I was in the app line behind Chris and Snoop, and I got a little nervous (I seem to have a problem remembering that they are actors playing characters--The Wire is just so real!). I even danced with Bubbles! Unfortunately, we only had Charles's Treo camera to capture some moments with, but I did my best. Here is my fandom, in all its fuzzy glory:
Me with Omar! Did you hear me? I said that is ME, standing next to Omar. Okay, Michael Kenneth Williams. And he was so nice! You can see Carver (Seth Gilliam) in the background.
I am dancing with Bubbles (Andre Royo), who looked like an Ivy League college professor in person! The man had some major energy too.
Carver (Seth Gilliam) was really nice, and so cute in person.
Me and Marlo (Jamie Hector). Yes, that really is Marlo, the cold-blooded drug lord! He never smiles on the show, so this seems completely out of character, but that helped me remember that he's an actor.
Me and Mr. Prezbo (Jim True-Frost) got a moment on the dance floor. I was explaining to Charles how he used to bring Dukie clean clothes at school. I mean, his character did that.
My one regret is not getting a photo with Dukie (Jermaine Crawford) and Michael (Tristan Wilds), who were both out on the dance floor but somehow eluded me. I don't think on purpose... Anyway, I worship them, as evidenced by this review I wrote for Radar.
Any other Wire fans out there? This season is going to rule, and I'm sure I'll cry when it's over. Happy Monday!
Is anyone watching the return of 'American Gladiators'?
Okay, I am totally nostalgic for the early-90s old days with Nitro (left), but I'll accept these new Gladiators. As for the contestants, though, What is going on? Overall, I have a few questions:
1. Does anyone know a guy named Chad who is NOT from California? Nothing against Chads or California, I'm just asking...
2. Who else thinks the hand bike still looks REALLY hard?
3. What was up with Koya losing the Eliminator? First of all, both she and Venus looked like they'd been drugged. And when Koya collapsed on the high-incline treadmill? SHOCKER! It almost seemed staged, but I'll accept it because I like to believe in TV. Like, I still make myself pretend that The Hills is real.
4. What's your favorite Gladiator event? I'm into "Assault." It's a classic. (And Moley really messed it up last night.)
5. Does anyone else think Bonnie's hair is amazing in a 'the perm I wanted in 7th grade' way? Also, her performance on the rings was incredible (when Fury did her suicide move, I thought Bonnie was over, but no!). And she bled through the Eliminator after she hit her head!! Plus, her full name is Bonnie Blanco, which would make her the perfect girlfriend for Donnie Darko. Or something. But she still lost to Shanay.
6. I love how the Joust instruments still look like big Q-Tips. Don't mess with success, NBC!
7. It's kind of badass when challenges have a one-word name: "Pyramid," "Gauntlet," "Wall."
8. Hulk Hogan is hosting with Laila Ali, which is cool. But Hulk calls people "Brother" too much. And it also reminds me that I'm sad about his divorce. Is that weird?
9. I really like the end of the Eliminator when you bust through the square-pillow wall and fall into a cushiony victory. That part looks fun.
10. You can play for yourself here. You're welcome.
I posted about Neti mania here, so I won't repeat myself, but I just have to say: GET ONE!
And, someone I know just wrote this to me about working at Wendy's--it was too genius not to post: "Trust me, Frosties, chicken and fries are the only safe things to eat. People are too busy backstabbing each other or breaking each others' hearts on the roof or in the office to notice the meat expired."
So I saw Juno last night. And--I know, I know--everyone loves it. Overall, I thought it was a good movie. Maybe my expectations were raised, maybe I'd read about it too much in The New York Times, maybe I'm jealous of Diablo Cody for writing it (okay, I know that part's true)... but I just didn't love it.
For the first 20 minutes or so, I had to wince at some of the dialogue--it felt forced and self-conscious. Juno just didn't seem 16 to me. At times, she seemed 29. References to Goonies and Thundercats? Yes, I love them. I get them. But do they ring true for a 16-year-old?
I also half appreciated that there were no cell phones or online moments, but I also was slightly thrown off by their exclusion. I kept thinking, "Is this now? Or is this some kind of uber-anytime like The Royal Tenenbaums?"
My bottom line: Diablo Cody is a great writer, the acting was solid, it was a sweet (but not sickly so) film, and I'll be watching her next one. I just felt like there were speedbumps along the way.
Did anyone else have these issues? I'd love to hear what people are loving and not about the movie.
Also, Michael Cera is just adorable. Have I mentioned that? It wins a lot of points with me.
Win-It Wednesday: Happy New Year contest! Plus, who won Nick & Norah?
2008. Woohoo! I'm psyched for this year. I don't really have any resolutions except to be grateful for all the good things in my life. I know that sounds super-cheesy, but whatever. It's true.
This week, I'd love for you to share any resolutions you have. Then I'll randomly choose a poster to win a lovely, brand new MAC lip conditioner (pictured above with dramatic black background). It's good for guys too--and you need it in winter!
So, start listing those resolutions--and enjoy the new year!
PS-The last contest asked for your favorite movie adaptation--and I am fascinated by all the different answers! I'm with Kelbey--mine is High Fidelity. I'm just a sucker for John Cusack. I may be confusing him with Lloyd Dobler, but either way, who can resist this guy? Not I, my friends. Not I.
There are so many authors out there who have fantastic blogs, and it's fun to show love for each others' books and posts. After all, readers wanna hear about new titles, so it's kind of a win-win.
Just a note to announce that in early February (1st and 2nd--save the dates!), during New York Fashion Week, I'll be signing my about-to-be-released book, 
