New Orleans, Round 2

Me and Mdme. Gilot

Oh, what a weekend!  I travelled back to New Orleans after the city had me captivated after a work trip in March.  I went back to meet the artist who created the serigraph I purchased on my first trip, Madame Françoise Gilot.  She's the well-known muse and student of Picasso, mother of two of his children, author, and wife of (the now deceased) Dr. Jonas Salk.  That's a lot to pack in a lifetime, but it was an incredible opportunity for me to be in her presence as a guest of the Vincent Mann Gallery for her show: Françoise Gilot and the figure.

 

I smell lots of old Louisiana money in this room.....

There was an incredible energy in the room as collectors had travelled from different states to meet her, see the collection, and purchase new pieces for their portfolios.  In fact, I added another piece to my very, very small collection, but I was amazed at the credit cards flying at this show for some impressive amounts.  Oh, to be rich.  I saw one gentleman in seersucker suit and bow tie sign a credit card slip for an amount some of us earn in a year.  My mouth was agape.

The piece I bought, Mother and Child.  It is an artist's proof and I love that I managed to grab the piece before someone else did.  They were good sports about it too.  Ah, Southern chivalry lives on.  Below is the original.....

The original is even more divine, but it is way out of my price range.......

When it was my turn to meet Mdme. Gilot, I babbled about how I loved the first piece I bought and why I bought it.  She mentioned that the connection was ironic given the fact that the piece was created for a Beverly Hills event, so the piece actually went back home where it belongs.  I loved that thought even if I only dream of living in the 90210. She truly is a legend.

This might be my favorite piece entitled A Friendly Visit, so friendly that it cost $220,000.  

Afterwards, I headed off to Drago's to indulge in their famous charboiled oysters.  I missed the opportunity to eat there last time, so I was not missing it this time around.  I headed to the oyster bar and plopped myself in a stool in between two couples as we all dove into heaping mounds of oysters, butter, and cheese. I was in heaven.  The guys behind the counter were busy shucking oysters while we ate and they slipped me two raw oysters that were divine.  I also mustered up the courage to polish off a crab cake smothered in cheese (like any good NOLA meal) and then waddled back to my hotel.

 Drowning in butter, it's my charboiled oysters.....

Drowning in cheese, it's my tasty crab cake!

The evening was even better than I had imagined and I am so glad I made the trip.  I figured this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet Mdme. Gilot given the fact that she is 89-years-old.  I couldn't find anyone to travel with me, but I didn't let that stop me.  I came here, I feel at home, and I love this city.

Many thanks to Jill McGauhey for always making me feel welcome in the gallery and for introducing me to the art of Françoise Gilot.  I do have my eye on one final piece for a Gilot trifecta.

Friday Online Bargain Shopping

I woke up this morning to an email from one of my favorite sites, Ebates, letting me know that Nordstrom was running a double ebate special for Friday.  Now, normally, I wouldn't run and just buy anything because there is a sale, but I had a $50 Nordstrom gift card burning a hole in my pocket.  How could I maximize this deal?  After clicking on the Ebates link, I head straight to the clearance section of Nordy's to try and find a pair of wedges for the summer.  I feel like I am completely behind on the wedge trend, but I didn't want to spend a fortune on the shoes.  Bingo!  A cute pair of Jessica Simpson shoes in my size pops up and in a variety of colors.  I choose "Birds of Paradise" for a fun summer pop of color and head to check out.  Here is where my deal gets exciting:

Jessica Simpson Jungle Espadrille Sandal in "Birds of Paradise"
Original Price:  $68.95
Sale Price:  $49.90 (25% off)
Tax:  $4.87
Shipping: $0 (I never pay for shipping, it's just my shopping rule.  Stores make plenty of money in the retail mark up to pay for shipping for the consumer.  Nordstrom allows you to pick it up at your local store instead.)

So, my total should be $54.77.  So, I plug in my $50 gift card.  Now my total is $4.77.  But wait!  I am getting 12% back from Nordstrom/Ebates.  That 12% works out to $6.57.  So, if I subtract the tax I paid from my Ebate, that means I got PAID $1.80 to shop at Nordstroms today plus I received a new pair of Jess Simpson wedges.  Not a bad day at the office.

Total Profit:  $1.80 (and a new pair of shoes!)

For tips on online shopping, see my previous post here.
To sign up for an Ebates $10 bonus, click here.  (New customers only)

This post was created entirely by me.  Ebates did not ask me to post for them.  I like their services and thought I would pass the information on to you.  I like shopping and I like saving money.  

Cady McClain Questions

It's amazing, I write one or two articles about the ABC Daytime cancellation of two iconic shows and then an interview falls right in my lap.  I am thrilled that people are paying attention to my coverage and the importance of what is happening in this arena of television.  I will be interviewing Cady McClain AKA "Dixie Martin" from All My Children on Friday morning for Starpulse.  Here is your opportunity to ask Cady your questions.  She's returning to AMC and in fact, she filmed her scenes this week.  Does Dixie return as a ghost?  What's the mood like on the AMC set?  What are her personal thoughts on the end of the long-running show?   So, get those questions in before tomorrow.  I will take all questions until 9AM PT.  Fire away in the comments section below.  Ready, set, go!

Make It Or Break It

As I sit here waiting for another episode of ABC Family's Make It Or Break It, I cannot believe the continued response to my soap articles: the original one I wrote and the call for quotes for my upcoming article about the second phase of the daytime fans' fight against ABC.  I admire their fortitude and call to action throughout this entire process.  I'm not sure it is going to work out the way they want now that Susan Lucci is going to Desperate Housewives.  I just don't see All My Children surviving without Erica Kane.  I am sure all of the news will be announced and confirmed at the ABC network upfronts on the afternoon of May 17th.

In the meantime, here's my article on Ayla Kell who stars as Payson on ABC Family's Make It Or Break It that I wrote for Starpulse.  Since I love the show, I totally geeked out when show creator, Holly Sorensen, pushed out my article on Twitter yesterday.  Thank you, Holly!  Also, Ayla Kelly is a total doll who gave me the inside scoop on what it is really like behind the scenes on the show.  You have to give that cast kudos because they are required to be athletes and actors.  While they rely upon former elite gymnasts to perform their stunt doubles, they still have to act, move, and train just like their real-life counterparts.  As anyone knows, it isn't easy faking Olympic gymnastics.

Starpulse article:  Ayla Kell from Make It Or Break It.


*UPDATE*:
Ayla Kell and ABC Family kindly mentioned my article on Facebook and Twitter today. Yes!

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A Day in Catalina

I was lucky enough to be asked to fill-in on a panel at the Santa Catalina Film Festival.  It was a great location for the inaugural film festival.  The island was once owned by the Wrigley Family and has seen many Hollywood scenes filmed there from Rosemary's Baby to Apollo 13. So, with an illustrious history and short 75-minute ride by ferry from Long Beach, it makes it the perfect place to showcase the arts.  I invited my friend, Maria, to trudge along with me on our adventure.  She kindly sat through my panel and afterwards, we hit the town.  A margarita, some gelato, and lots of hilarity ensued on our chilly, cloudy adventure.  Enjoy the photos and add this to your must-see list on your next trip to Southern California.  Thank you to the Santa Catalina Film Festival for hosting my trip.  I will see you next year!

If you missed the panel, you can view it again here.  It was live streamed by Stickam.

The Queen Mary (now a haunted hotel) in the Long Beach Harbor.

The Carnival Splendor docked in Long Beach.  They are famous for their Mexican booze cruises.

The casino in the Avalon harbor of Catalina Island......

And the panel begins......

Talking away on the Social Media panel for New Media Markets Convergence.....

Hanging downtown after the panel, you can tell it wasn't that warm.

Me and my pal, Maria......

We asked for a margarita.  Instead, we got a gallon of margaritas.  It was strong and it lead to a giggly trip through town.

 Avalon Harbor......

The architecture on the island is reserved for small, but quaint, bungalows that are built close together....(and yes, golf carts are the preferred mode of transportation.)

....or you have a larger home in the hills.  You can see the juxtaposition between the two types of homes.

 Can you spot the crab in this photo?

Susan Lucci Signs a Deal With 'Desperate Housewives'

We interrupt the weekend with a special Red Carpet Closet announcement.....

I have been following the whole ABC Daytime drama by engaging in a dialogue with the soap fans and then writing an article for Starpulse about the whole debacle.  In my original article, I mentioned the rumor posted on Blind Gossip about Susan Lucci joining the cast of Desperate Housewives.  Well, turns out the rumor is true and Blind Gossip has confirmed that the deal will be announced next week.  The best news about the deal is that Susan will continue with All My Children until the end of its run and still star on the Sunday night drama with Teri Hatcher and Marcia Cross.  While this does not bring AMC back into the daytime fold, I consider the wise usage of Lucci's talents and fans one for the win category, especially since Desperate Housewives has been struggling in the ratings.  ABC was smart not to let her out of their network since she was bound to be snatched up quickly by a competitor.  Now, we just have to wait for the weekend to pass and the news to be officially announced.

Now that the rumor is true, what do you think?  Weigh in here, daytime fans!

Many thanks to Blind Gossip for the scoop!

Santa Catalina Film Festival

This is the week of last minute surprises.  Earlier in the week, I was asked to moderate a panel at the Digital Hollywood Content Summit sponsored by SAG New Media on "Commerce and Communication".  I had literally just stepped off of the plane from two weeks in NY, when I got the call.  Even though I was ready for a day off, I couldn't say "no" when SAG New Media called because the panel was on a strong topic and filled with people I know and respect.  While the panel was going on, I received a text asking if I could fill in and sit on a panel about  "Social Media Behaving Badly:  Campaigns That Miss The Mark" at the Santa Catalina Film Festival on Sunday.

The Digital Hollywood Content Summit Panel sponsored by SAG New Media.  

I haven't been to Catalina in about a decade, but it is a small scenic island off of the coast of Southern California.  You get to take a ferry in and most of the island is filled with golf carts versus cars.  It's charming and lovely, so I cannot wait to enjoy the day in Catalina and share the photos with you on Monday.  If you happen to be in the Southern California area and are looking for a great excursion for the weekend, check out the Santa Catalina Film Festival and the panel information here.

Thank you to Canyon Prince and Hayden Black for making my panel appearance at the film festival possible.  I appreciate it.

Pre-panel pose at Digital Hollywood with ElfQuest producers, Paula Rhodes and Stephanie Thorpe.

Now, share your big plans for the weekend!

Photo 2:  Courtesy of SAG New Media
Photo 3:  Courtesy of Stephanie Thorpe