KB Linkapalooza

My view in Chicago......

I am enjoying a nice fall weekend in Chicago away from the heat of LA and the onslaught of Carmageddon, Part 2, Electric Boogaloo (for all of you '80s kids out there.)  It's been a busy week, so take a look at what I've been up to.  Pick your path and enjoy the ride!

I summed up my time at the Emmys backstage gifting suite for the presenters here for Starpulse.

We are kicking some nice butt with our Afterbuzz TV recap show for The New Normal.  It continues to be in the Top 5 on our iTunes podcast list.   Watch last week's episode here.

I'm super excited about this opportunity!  I will be co-hosting the after show for Dancing With The Stars: All-Stars this season on AfterBuzz TV.  We are going to have amazing guests from the show all season long.  Check out our first episode with my co-host Suri Serano and our guest, Karl Warden.  

Some of my favorite articles this week from SheKnows:
Experience the Oscars red carpet firsthand
Arnold Schwarzenegger opens up about his affair (See my photos with the Governor from 2010 and get your mind out of the gutter.....they are work-related!)
Brooke Shields caught smoking pot?

Finally, one of my favorite gigs lately is with The Radio Dish in Kansas City.  Here is my entertainment segment, The Hollywood Bling, at the 21:00 mark.

Okay, that's it for this week!  Let me know what you liked the most so I know where to focus all of my crazy energy.

What's In My HBO Emmys Gift Bag?

You might have seen some of my photos from Emmys weekend which included an invite to the HBO after party.  I have written about the gifting strategy with celebrities quite a bit. (In fact, here's my recent article about the Presenters Lounge backstage at the Emmys for Starpulse.)  However, I haven't written much about the gift bags celebrities receive on the way out of big events and parties.  So, I thought it might be fun to take a peek at the gift bag I received from HBO.  If I were a guy, I might be disappointed, but for me, it was a happy day when I saw what was inside:

 An HBO cookie prepared by Wolfgang Puck.  I'm Gluten Free, so I didn't take a bite, however, my friend who was the lucky recipient of this cookie said it was "delicious".

A reusable HBO bag, Dry Bar shower cap, a gift certificate for a free scalp massage at Dry Bar, Peter Thomas Roth Instant Firm Eye (temporary eye tightener), Deborah Lippman nail polish in Purple Rain. 

If you live in a city with a Dry Bar, you know this was the greatest gift created by the hair gods.  For $35, you get a wash and blow out that's perfect for events, weddings, or that hot date when you just want your hair to look good.  Copycat blowout bars are popping up everywhere, so look for one in your city.  Trust me, it's so worth it.  (At the HBO party, Dry Bar was offering hair touch ups after a long Emmys night. Awesome!)

This might have been my favorite part of the gift bag, Stila Cosmetics.  Like Dry Bar, they are offering free touch ups at the party, so I was excited to see a few free gifts in my bag:  the Foliage Lip Glaze Trio in Delicate, Loganberry, and Fawn, Forever Your Curl Mascara, and the Smudge Crayon eye shadow and liner in Pink Violet plus a 20% off coupon and a makeup bag.  Score!  

If you haven't tried Stila Cosmetics before, it truly is a great brand with quality pigments and brushes.  It is pricier than a drugstore brand, but it is a good one to use when you are saving up for a splurge.  In fact, I used to represent the brand on QVC.  See my appearance on my host reel at the 2:41 mark.  

What do you think of my beauty haul?  Do you have any favorite products in the lot? Let me know in the comments below.

Dancing with the Stars fans, I will be co-hosting the after show tonight on AfterBuzz TV beginning at 7pm PST/10pm EST.  I hope you watch along with us live as we will have members of the cast each and every week!  It's going to be fun.

Photos From Emmys Weekend

I'm still recovering and finishing articles from the crazy Emmys weekend, but here are all of my photos from the set-up to the parties to the backstage gifting lounge.  What was your favorite part of the Emmys show?  Did you think Jimmy Kimmel was a good host?  

 Stand-ins for the real celebs in preparation for the red carpet show.  See the faux Ashley Judd here!

 It's so good to be a rich celebrity, you get more free stuff.  They were giving away these beautiful Aquaswiss watches.  I want one!

 This might be my favorite Shellac name color ever. It won't be out until November, but it's called "Midnight Swim" by CND. Thanks for the manicure, Lisa!

 I totally scared Matthew Perry who then followed me to the NBC party on Saturday night.

 Oh look!  It's the real Ashley Judd at the HBO party.

 Lena Dunham is quirky and interesting, but she deserves a better dress.

 My former colleague at ShopNBC, Charlie Lapson.

Outside The Awards Lounge Party with Gordon Vasquez of Real TV Films.

 It's a guy with an Emmy!

Outfit:  

Dress: Laundry by Shelli Segal 

Shoes:  Nine West

Jewelry: All costume jewelry probably totaling less than $50

And yes, I've worn this dress before!

Join me tonight on AfterBuzz TV at 10PM for our live chat about The New Normal. 

Top 5 (Snarky) Superlatives On The 2012 Emmys Red Carpet

Here's a quick recap of tonight's Emmy Awards red carpet before I head off to the HBO after party.  I will have more inside scoop and photos in the next few days.  Here we go!

1.  The award for "Things may look good in real life, but don't look great in photographs" goes to:  Heidi Klum.  Her hair is pretty, the sea foam color is divine, but the cut of that dress is not.  I think one slit would have looked elegant, but two high-cut slits on the leg look cheap with a low-cut décolletage.  I would have liked a little less matchy-matchy with the shoes and the earrings, but I'm glad Heidi took a risk with a color other than her usual red.  Dress by Alex Vauthier.  

2. The award for "please lay off the Botox by 50%" goes to Nicole Kidman.  Enough said. 

3.  The "It's fine you don't use a stylist, but please do a mirror check before you leave" goes to January Jones.   I am always hard on January, but if you are going to take big risks....make sure they work.  The hair and the makeup ruined an otherwise stunning dress by Zac Posen.

4. The "It looks good on the runway and in real life" award goes to Leslie Mann.  The color was nicely balanced with a pop of turquoise in the jewelry.  Leslie is petite, so it's great to see a dress translates well on the tall and the short.  Stunning gown by Naemm Khan and the second gown Leslie has worn by Naemm recently.

5. The "I'm sorry your marriage is over, but you look incredible" award goes to Amy Poehler.  She's never looked better and Stella McCartney helped her do it.  Again, I don't wish divorce on anyone, so please don't yell at me.

Runner-Up:

"Thank you for eating this year" Award goes to Julie Bowen.  Phew.  I almost sent you a year's supply of In-N-Out Burger after this photo.  Yes, she's still thin, but she at least she's lean versus skeletal.

What are your thoughts on tonight's Emmy Awards red carpet?  Hit me up.....you know where to find me.  

KB News Network

After all of my hard work this week, I promise I did have fun.....The Book of Mormon at the Pantages was just the kind of dirty laughs I needed!

What a week it has been!  I've been all over the place working and talking about the Emmys plus wrapping up a long season of SYTYCD.  In order to keep everything straight for me and for you, here is where you can find all of my entertainment scoop from the week. You can pick and choose your adventures along the way.  You guys are awesome and I appreciate all of the support.  It's been a crazy ride to get here, but I feel like it is all coming together.  If you comment somewhere, let me know......I always respond back!

Spreecast:  Emmy Predictions in the Comedy and Drama Categories with me, AJ Gibson, and Stuart Brazell:

AfterBuzz TV: So You Think You Can Dance Finale with Emmy-Nominated choreographer, Spencer Liff.  This was my favorite broadcast all week because Spencer has done four Broadway shows.....I'm such a musical theatre nerd.



AfterBuzz TV:  The New Normal with me, AJ Gibson, Lauren Leonelli, and Anna Koppel.  We break down two episodes on a series I am not completely sold on yet.  There are an awful lot of stereotypes being thrown around here.  Do you agree? Watch here.

Spreecast: Behind the Red Carpet Live with Cheeks, creator of the online series, Husbands.  We did a lot of comparison between his show and The New Normal.  His show was created first and originally dubbed "the new normal" by This American Life back in October 2011.  Interesting, no?  Watch here.

SheKnows. com:  I began my first week on the job!  Here are a few of the articles I wrote:  Amanda Bynes is a mess, Demi Moore is a mess, and oh yeah, Chad Johnson is too.

Tom Barnard Podcast:  Tom is a legendary broadcaster in the Minnesota area and I was fortunate enough to make an appearance on his show this week talking all about Emmys Week.  You can listen here and I will hopefully be on another show soon.

I will be covering the Emmys official gifting suite this weekend plus I'm off to the NBC, HBO, and The Awards Lounge parties, so follow me on Instagram:  @KristynBurtt, Twitter, or Facebook for all of the updates.  

Hot Topic Tuesday: Botox In Hollywood

Nicole Kidman finally admitted to using Botox after years of denial.  She swears she doesn't use it anymore.  This photo is from the 2012 Golden Globes....natural or Botox? She's 45.

Ah, ladies, let's get right down to the nitty gritty on this topic:  EVERYONE is doing Botox in Hollywood.  Everyone.  From TV stars to men to women younger than 30, it's a phenomenon that was quickly accepted in the digital age.  With high definition (HD) the standard in home entertainment centers, no one wants their crow's feet and neck wrinkles to show in glorious HD.  When you hear a celeb say, "I never use Botox", most likely they are lying and it annoys me.  Why?  Well, it sets up a false standard for people who look at Hollywood stars and think they are perfect. It's no different than saying, "I never diet" or "I never workout".  Chances are, the celeb is starving herself all while employing a trainer five days a week.  Some stars insist they used it once and never again, yet when I interview them on the red carpet, I can see the Botox block on their forehead.  It's as smooth as a baby's bottom and yet, the star is over 40.

Honestly, I see nothing wrong with using injectables as long as you are doing it for the right reasons, you understand the risks, and you do it under medical supervision.  I do mind when stars pretend like this trend isn't happening in Hollywood because it's happening all around us.  Why do you think sites like Groupon and Living Social offer discounts on Botox or Juvaderm?  It's because it's a popular dermatology service.  It's why dentists are suddenly offering Botox with a cleaning.  It brings in money and clientele to their offices.  

Marica Cross is 50 years old.  Botox or Natural?

If you think this trend is going to go away, it's not.  Cosmetic injectables are here to stay as society constantly seeks the secret elixir to staying young.  We are living longer and we want to look as good as possible.  Is it narcissistic?  Perhaps, but if it makes someone feel better then there really is no problem with it.  Just do it sparingly so you look refreshed, not frozen.  And Hollywood, stop lying about it, it doesn't have to be such a dirty little secret.

What do you think about Hollywood and Botox?  Is it a bad trend or do you even care?  Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter or Facebook.  

New Adventures With SheKnows.com

I've been hinting at new adventures a lot lately.  Normally, I would be with my Toyota team gearing up for another season of Toyota Live.  This year, I am staying put in Los Angeles to cover all things entertainment.  A new season brings new changes and I alluded to some of the changes last week.

Well, I can officially announce that I am joining the SheKnows.com team as a trending entertainment writer.  I will be posting daily news stories about the hottest scoop in entertainment.  I will let you know when my first story posts, but you can find SheKnows entertainment here or on Twitter or Facebook.  I will, of course, cross post all of the articles on my social media sites to make it as easy as possible for everyone to find me.  So, you will see a lot more entertainment news coming your way.

I have a few more tricks up my sleeve, so make sure to watch this space for more announcements. Thank you all for your support over the last year, it's been a fun ride so far!

Don't forget, I will be on Driving with Gass tonight at 7:35PM PT/9:35PM ET on KWSS. org or 106.7FM in Phoenix talking about the weekend's hottest entertainment news.