The Friday Five: June 8th

It's time to wrap up the week with the Friday Five after a busy first part of the week and then two days in bed with a cold. (Boo!)  Here's what's been happening this week:

1.  AfterBuzz TV:  I'm really enjoying my weekly wrap-up show for SYTYCD every Wednesday night with AJ Gibson.  We talk dance, choreography, and a little bit of gossip on the show.  I know it runs really late for those of you on the East Coast, so you can listen to the podcast from Wednesday here.  I will let you know when the video is available.  Watch each week LIVE on AfterBuzz TV.




2.  Wreck-It Ralph:  I saw a sneak preview of this Pixar film at last year's D23 conference and at E3 this year, they released the full trailer.  I think this is going to a Must See on my summer movie list because it pays homage to the classic video games of my youth done in a way only Pixar can create.  How about you?

Wearing my Lotus Premium Denim at the Let It Shine premiere on Tuesday.

3.  Lotus Premium Denim:  When I attended the GBK Productions Gifting Suite last week, the ladies at Lotus Premium Denim hooked me up with a complimentary pair of their jeans. I chose a pair of the dark wash since they look better on camera, but they also have a more hipster vintage line that I loved too. They just make your butt look good and who doesn't want that? Head on over to their Facebook page and tell them KB sent you.



4.  Cleaning Out the Clutter:  I've talked about cleaning out my house a million times before.  I like a very minimalist house, so being home always encourages me to clean and sell what I don't need anymore. (By the way, a few new dresses went up this week!) So, I love it when I open a box and find gems like this video with my Toyota Live co-host.  We shot this in September 2007 in Hawaii to honor Toyota's 50th Anniversary in the U.S.  Enjoy the wardrobe, it's the best part of the video.

5. Sex And The City (SATC):  I won't ever let this show die, will I?  Yes, I am fan who has watched each episode at least five times.  Lately, I have noticed that many of the episodes are starting to show their age and look really dated.  Well, I am not the only one, seems like BuzzFeed had the same idea, but they take it a step further.  Read their article:  "28 Ways Sex and The City Would be Different If It Were On TV Now".  It's hilarious and a worthy read for any SATC fan.

Have a great weekend!  I have a Mad Men party to attend and a Mad Men finale to watch. What are you up to this weekend?


Follow my weekend adventures on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram:  @KristynBurtt


Disclosure:  My jean were gifted courtesy of Lotus Premium Denim.  My opinions are all my own.

GBK Gifting Suite: Kids Choice Awards 2012

With Sasha Pieterse from Pretty Little Liars.

We were back in the GBK Gifting Suite this week for the Kids Choice Awards.  This one always is fun because you can ask crazy questions like "Who will win Best Butt Kicker"?  Yeah, forget the serious Oscar questions of who will win Best Actor.  We hit the ground running and ran into Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and ABC Family favorites from shows like Lab Rats, Big Time Rush, Pretty Little Liars, and A.N.T. Farm. Come and check out all of the fun we had and who everyone thought should win the Best Butt Kicker category.  You might be surprised at the answer.

By the way, several of you asked what a celebrity gifting suite is, so check out my post from 2010 that talks all about it.

Where in the World is.....?

I am all over the place this week.  I thought I was going to have a nice, relaxing week and then I was suddenly thrust into prepping for the 65th Annual Tony Awards!  So here's where you can find me popping up this week:

1.  Today at 12PM PT/3PM ET:  I will be a guest on The Final Cut with host, Matthew Robinson talking about all of the fun at the MTV Movie Awards.  I hope to slip in a few tidbits about the GBK Gifting Suite too.  You can listen or call into the show here.

2.  It's Meredith Vieira's last day on The Today Show.  She's one of my broadcast heros, so I salute her with a fond farewell.  I was lucky enough to interview her at The Gracie Awards last month.  My mornings won't be there same without you, Meredith.



3.  I will be on the red carpet for Starpulse covering the 65th Annual Tony Awards.  For a musical theatre geek like me.....holy cow!  This is exciting!  If you have any questions you want me to ask on the red carpet, feel free to leave your questions in the comment section.

4. After the red carpet, I am heading to the Broadway Space Tony party.  The party is hosted by Rachel Potter and Adam Riegler who play Wednesday and Pugsley in The Addams Family.  There are still tickets available, so come join me for all of the fun.

5.  Finally, I was asked to guest blog over at Elle Sees this week. You will find some of my online shopping tips and some of my recent deals.  So, stop over and say "hi" to Elle.  I think you will enjoy her blog as much as I do.

Caption This Photo

I spent yesterday at the SLS Hotel at the GBK Productions Gifting Suites in honor of the MTV Movie Awards. Yes, it's an awards show, let's give away free stuff to rich celebs!  You've seen my coverage of this A-List gifting suite for the 2010 Emmys, 2011 Academy Awards, and the 2011 Kids' Choice Awards.  I will share my coverage on Monday, but for now, caption this hilarious photo. What is going on between me and Frankie Muniz from Malcolm in the Middle?   Ready, set, go!

Kids' Choice Awards: GBK Productions Gifting Suite

Rico Rodriguez from Modern Family

Just when you think awards season is over, a couple of shows sneak in there:  MTV Movie Awards, ESPYs, BET Awards, and of course, Kids' Choice Awards.  I am no stranger to GBK's gifting suites since I have happily covered them with Mingle Media TV for the Emmys and the Oscars.  The Emmys gifting lounge still continues to rank as my favorite, but we had a lot of fun with the kids from your favorite shows like Modern Family, Wizards of Waverly Place, and Hannah Montana.  It also made me very popular with my 11-year-old niece who has a nice box of goodies headed across the country to her.

See the full interviews with everyone here:  Kids' Choice Awards:  GBK Productions Gifting Suite

Ana Maria Perez de Tagle from Hannah Montana

Some of my favorite interviews of the day were Bailee Madison of Wizards of Waverly Place who is a complete delight and who passed along a "hello" to my niece.  She was running around with Rico Rodriguez of Modern Family who is a bundle of energy.  I handed him the microphone and off he went asking me all of the important questions of the day. (You must, must watch my full interview with him.  That kid is one of a kind.)  I think I flirted shamelessly with Gary Cole whom I have loved since he played Mr. Brady on the big screen and we stood back as the Jackson entourage piled into the suite.  Yes, LaToya, Paris, Prince, and Blanket were all in attendance followed by The Insider camera crews.  We were not allowed to take photos while they were there, but I'm sure The Insider has exclusive rights to the Jackson clan.  (Read between the lines on that one.)  The Jackson kids were probably the most low key family that walked through the door that day, so while they have an extraordinary life, they act like very ordinary kids which was nice to see.

 I pretended this photo was for my niece, it was for me.  I love Make It or Break It on ABC Family. Thanks to Josie Loren for being a good sport. 

 Singer and fellow Massachusetts native, JoJo.

The lovely Bailee Madison from Wizards of Waverly Place.

Finally, I fell in love with Glimmer Body Art which is an amazing temporary glitter tattoo that lasts about 7 days.  My vet even commented on it, "So I guess you like purple".  Be sure to check them out since they were my favorite vendor of the gifting suite and I still have my glitter star on my wrist after 5 days. So, enjoy the interviews and the photos, it just reminds me that it's great to be a kid.....in Hollywood!

 I think I look a little too happy next to Gary Cole.

 This one is for the Vampire Diaries fans.  Arielle Kebbel wouldn't give me a single spoiler about next season.  

I'm the Beebs on the cover of Tiger Beat.  Awesome!

My favorite new accessory, a glitter tattoo!

Photos are property of Mingle Media TV and Kristyn Burtt

*The Glimmer Tattoo Kit was complimentary.  I was not asked to write a review.  I liked the product and I wanted to share it with you.*

Insidious

Interviewing Barbara Hershey for Insidious, but I really wanted to ask her about this.

I'm here to let you know that I am not a fan of horror or the paranormal, so covering the Insidious press junket was a big step for me.  This was one of those times when I am glad I said "yes" despite my hesitations on covering this film because I love learning about the process of filmmaking.  James Wan and Leigh Whannell were so enthusiastic about their film and how they wanted it to have an indie feel both on and off set that I felt inspired after talking with them.  So, yes, I was inspired by the creators of the Saw franchise.  I cannot believe I wrote that.  That's why I love my job, creativity and revelations come in the most unusual places.

To read the article and see the video, head over to Starpulse:  Insidious

Or to just see the video interview for Mingle Media TV:  Insidious

Obviously asking a very intense question to director, James Wan.

Have a great weekend!  On Monday, I will bring you some great photos and interviews from the Kids' Choice Awards Gifting Suite by GBK Productions.

Photos Courtesy of Mingle Media TV.

Oscars Gifting Suite Goodies

Here's the real fun part of being a celebrity, FREE stuff.  The celebrities are offered everything from vacations to watches to a year supply of gum.  It's nice being famous because they suddenly don't have to spend any money, even though they are earning a lot of money.  For the rest of us, we have to scrimp and save for the coveted items, but I am here to feature a couple of affordable options that stood out last week in the gifting suites.

Enjoying my Red Velvet Cookie at the GBK Gifting Suite.

1. Cookies for a Koz:  Roberta Wilson created a cookie company in honor of her late mother, Audrey Koz, who made the world's best chocolate chip cookie. The flavors range from the conventional oatmeal raisin to the absolutely divine red velvet or the white chocolate raspberry cookie.  The cookies have a crisp edge with a soft, chewy center, just the way a cookie should taste. You will also feel good about your purchase because 10% of the proceeds go to the Starlight Children's Foundation.  They make great gifts with a Baker's Dozen going for $19.95.  

2.  Neal's Yard Remedies: This line of organic skin care really walks the walk and talks the talk:  no silicones, no parabens, no animal testing. The line is based out of England and only available here in the US via consultants, but it is worth it.  Each product smells like the aromatherapy spa you pay hundreds of dollars to go to.  Well, you can bring the spa to you with this line of products and know that you are investing in a company who believes in the mantra of reduce, reuse, recycle.  Psst, there is a sale going on now.  

3. Two Cosmetics:  This company was founded by two sisters who believe everything is better in twos:  "two eyes, two lips, two lovers".  Their colors are fun and it's another line that won't break the bank.  You can grab a couple of fun shades of eyeshadow and slip them right into your purse. There is no need to worry about a brush since the case includes a small brush for on-the-go touch ups. Eyeshadows:  $6.50/each.

Running around Hollywood and Highland with my new etoix T-shirt.

4. etoix T-shirts: The etoix line is made in the USA and they are known for their tie-dyed look.  The shirts are soft, comfy, and stretchy, exactly the type of Tee perfect to dress up or down for any occasion. The line also offers leggings for mixing and matching in your wardrobe.  T-shirts and leggings all under $30.  

5. Charles Winston earrings:  This collection of earrings is created from Moissanite, which is also known as silicon carbonbide.  They are believed to have been formed from a meteorite, so it is not a laboratory formed stone.  It has the fire and brilliance you want from a topnotch diamond without the astronomical sticker price.  These will be your go-to earrings for everything.  I have them in 8mm rounds, but they are available in smaller sizes and at a lower price point,  the perfect additional to your jewelry wardrobe when you are treating yourself.  A 3.5mm White Gold pair of earrings starts at $127.95.  

Disclosure:  All of these items were given to me gratis during Oscars Week.  None of the vendors asked me to review their products.  This post was done on my own accord because I really enjoyed the products/items.  Please direct any further questions here.