J.Alexander *Follow the Model*

My new reading for this week...

How does a six-foot-four, Bronx-born black gay male become Queen of the Catwalk? In one word:attitude. Belovd by millions of fans from his outrageous wit, spot-on crities, and irrepressible flair, J.Alexander, affectionately known as Miss J, has helped groomed hundreds of wannabe models as a runway coach and judge on America's Next Top Model, as we as coaching such supermodels as Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, and Kimora Lee. But his empowering, no-nonsense advice applies far beyond the runway. And in this inspirint guide he shows women not just how to walk, but how to live the Miss J way-gully and fabulously.

XOXO Lil J

John Varvatos Designs Grammy T-Shirts

Just spotted these images of John Legend, Common, Akon, Adam Lambert, Sean Paul, Joel Madden and Taboo from the Black Eyed Peas with their limited edition Grammy t-shirts designed by John Varvatos. 

John Varvatos designed a limited edition series of t-shirts for the Grammys featuring the artists nominated for Artist of Year.   You can choose between shirts featuring Lady Gaga, Beyonce, the Black Eyed Peas, Taylor Swift, and the Dave Matthew Band. The shirts can be purchased for $45 at John Varvatos and select Bloomindales.  

The Cheesecake Factory

Few people have achieved in their lifetimes what the Overtons accomplished during theirs. With a great deal of courage and determination, Oscar and Evelyn Overton realized their dream - to own a successful business. 

Always known as an excellent cook, Evelyn created her Original Cheesecake recipe that everyone loved. By the late 1940's, she opened a small cheesecake shop in Detroit. In order to raise her two small children, David and Renee, Evelyn chose to put off her dream and gave up the shop. She moved her baking to a kitchen in her basement and continued to supply cakes to several of the best local restaurants. In 1971, with their children grown, Evelyn and Oscar, now in their early 50's, decided to move their cheesecake business to Los Angeles. With the last of their savings, they opened a 700 square foot store, "The Cheesecake Factory".

My first Cheesecake factory experience was amazing. My roommate and I decided instead of going out clubbing with the rest of the dreamers, we would grab a coffee and dessert at the cheesecake factory. YUM YUM YUM... im definitely going back there... you have way too many options, Amy's chocolate cheesecake was delicious!!! and the coffee MMGOOD  :)

My first shopping experience in Los Angeles at the beverly center! Here are my thoughts: 

The stores: Great, you've got everything 

People: No one

Food: like any other, not really any options

Price of clothing: you have 2 options, you need to be rich or everything is really cheap (cheap quality & cheap in cost) you dont want to buy it.

I think it might take me awhile to get use to all this! 

The shopping journey must go on... :)

Dancing Across Borders

DANCING ACROSS BORDERSis a feature-length documentary about change, growth, and the powerful interaction of many talented people. Produced by Anne Bass and Catherine Tatge and directed by Anne Bass, DANCING ACROSS BORDERSpremiered at the 2009 Seattle Film Festival. In January 2000, Sokvannara (Sy) Sar was performing in a temple with a traditional Cambodian dance group when American dance patron Anne Bass saw him. His abilities made a strong impression on her and after she returned to America the memory of Sy’s performance lingered. After much deliberation she asked the World Monuments Fund, who helped sponsor Sy’s dance troupe, to contact his teacher and parents to see if Sy would like to visit America and audition in New York for the School of American Ballet (SAB) which is considered America’s premier ballet training academy. What unfolds is a tentative negotiation between Sy and the world of American ballet culture—and between Sy, Bass, and his new dance teacher, Olga Kostritzky.

The film follows Sy’s training and development as a dancer through footage that was originally made to inform his parents of his progress in America, and it offers a view behind the scenes of the world of ballet.

In addition the film follows Sy as he visits his parents and his old school of Khmer dance, and as he attempts to come to terms with the challenge of adapting to a new country while not losing touch with Cambodia. His story is one of growth, adaptation, and belonging as well as of the development of talent and the mastery of an art form. It is hoped that his story will be an inspiration to all young people and especially those of Cambodia as they struggle to regain their identity and hope for a better future following the lingering upheaval of the Khmer Rouge era.



After about a 30 min meeting yesterday with my boss and two co-workers, I sat at my desk... in total awww of the job that was given to me! Excitement, fear, happiness.... I couldn't wait to get started on this project!! This doc premiere will be the most amazing learning experience for me. When I heard SY's story, I couldn't help but feel a connection... a young boy from Cambodia who's dream was to become a dancer... this is going to be amazing!

xoxo Lil J

Baking WhOOpie

Whoopie Pies originate from the East Coast. For over 50 years they have been a delicious dessert tradition. Baking Whoopie uses only the finest ingredients in all our varieties of Whoopie Pies-from Red Velvet to Peanut Butter and of course, The Classic-- Chocolate cake and vanilla marshmallow creme filling.

-A young Lady came to deliver these Whoopie Pies at the office this week... no one in the office had ever heard of this company before...KNOW... let me tell you we all know what WhOOpie Pies are and we all now that you cant resist this little pie. Yummmmmmm!!!!!!!
ps: I think the name is soooo sweet!

www.bakingwhoopie.com

Haylie the Star

Last Saturday, I had the privilege of meeting Haylie, this stunning little blond blue eyed girl. We met at the pool and became BFF!:) This little girl is gonna be all over DISNEY! keep an eye out for her!!!

lauren Conrad-Sweet Little Lies

I dont think i've ever been so happy to meet someone!! Lauren conrad is as beautiful and as sweet as she is on TV!!!! :) I hope to meet with her again...

Lil J

xoxo

Beautiful madeleine, golden cake of love

There was once a pretty young thing who hung around a pastry kitchen 24/7. The year was somewhere around 1720, some king called Louis was in charge, and somewhere in Paris there was the young fille Madeleine who simply loved being around guys (as most chefs were in those days) and she loved her sweets. Understandably, a professional pastry kitchen was a great place for her to be. And the men in the kitchen were happy to have her in attendance. 

Madeleine yearned for a tempestuous love affair but also, she yearned for one perfect little cake. And so, the head pastry chef, quietly in love with the lovely cake-addicted Madeleine, was inspired to create something exceptional, just for her. He did...Aww... yummy

Nothing better than waking up in the morning with this...

It's a new day! Every day!

Put on the bathing suit, kids. Were going to the beach

Welcome to Santa Monica!

From award-winning dining, top-rated shopping and the attraction-packed Pier.

Beautiful day in Cali! Need I say more

Good Day LA!!!!

http://vimeo.com/9396822 

Blowing Hot Air

Drybar Blow Dry Studio Opens

http://www.dailycandy.com/los-angeles/article/80153/Drybar-Blow-Dry-Studio-Opens

You say sophisticated. They say showgirl. You say pretty. They hear pageant. Somewhere between your frizzy mop and the prom-queen pomp that’s atop your dome, something got lost in translation.

Repeat after us: Drybar. Using clever names for the most requested dos, the darling new blowouts-only studio in Brentwood speaks your language.

Looking for silky, straight, and smooth? Ask for a Manhattan. California beach-babe wave? Mai Tai. One part Manhattan, one part Mai Tai? Cosmopolitan is what that’s called. And these and other signature styles are all just $35.

Other lingo to master: Floater, a ten-minute scalp massage; and Bartabs, monthly membership programs.

All that’s left to say is the magic word.

Please.

Valentine's Day Premiere

Jennifer Garner, Jessica Biel, Anne Hathaway, Taylor Lauthner, Bradley Cooper, Jessica Alba, Jewel, Emma Roberts, Julia Roberts, Jamie Foxx, Eric Dane, Carter Jenkins, Rebecca Gayheart, Shirley MacLaine, Jillian and Patrick Dempsey, Mario Lopez, Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore.. Just to name a few;)

The movie:

Intertwining couples and singles in Los Angeles break-up and make-up based on the pressures and expectations of Valentine's Day.

An amazing night!

Fun Fact

Lo Bosworth, "The Hills" TV Star was an intern at BluPRint for some time!!! Gotta love LA

Dry Bar Project

This is a project that i've been helping with at work! Im very excited for the grand opening!!! If your ever in LA come get a blow out!!!

Ever feel guilty about going to your hairdresser for a blow-out only? (Is that just me?)

Well, there’s soon to be a one-stop-spot for blow-outs sans the shame (and the exorbitant prices of high-end salons). Drybar — a salon that does $35 blow-outs only — will be opening in February in Brentwood.

The concept was created when co-founder Alli Webb — who was doing blow-outs for clients in her home — realized that women, “wanted a better blowout, a better experience and a better price – especially in this economy.”

The idea is centered around a bar experience as opposed to a typical “hair salon” environment — where the main “blow out bar” is the focal point of the space, where women “will sip their cocktail and watch Sex and the Citywhile getting a blow out.” (My question: Who can hear anything under a blow dryer?)

And apparently, it’s not just sleek and stick-straight blow-outs that are offered. Styles range from the “Manhattan” (pin-straight) to the “Southern Comfort” (lots of volume) to the “Mai Tai” (messy beach hair). Check out the fun website for more info.

http://www.thedrybar.com/main.html

Lauren Conrad-Sweet Little Lies

Went to B n N today for the first time!! Purchased the "Sweet Little Lies" book by Lauren Conrad. Lucky me... she is coming to The Grove for a book signing FEB 18TH 7PM. yeah so excited!!!

Noah's Bagel

First breakfast stop on my way to work...

BluPRint-FashionPRfirm

mmmm...Nice Latte in the morning! 

bluPRint a fashion PR Firm 

MY INTERNSHIP!!

a BEAUTIFUL day in LA

THE GROVE-DAY

More pictures to come...

For shopping, dining and simply loving life, The Grove is your ultimate entertainment destination. From your favorite boutiques and restaurants to choreographed fountains, free live concerts in The Park and the adjacent historic Farmers Market,  an experience like no other in Los Angeles.

Air-Plane

A powerful and inspiring landscape, the Grand Canyon overwhelms our senses through its immense size; 277 river miles (446km) long, up to 18 miles (29km) wide, and a mile (1.6km) deep. SO COOL!!!! I slept for about 4 hours on the plane and then watched one of Catlin's fav movies " Cloudy with a chance of meatballs" 

Hello from L.A

Hello to everyone!!!!!

I have finally settled down in L.A, met my roommates, taken the public transportation, and completed my first day at work.

The change was very hard, but with time L.A will become a second home!

So far... i have been able to do the groceries:)... managed to program the internet!!! Thanks to Amy my super roommate!!! 

First day at work... shipping back designer clothing to their main offices in NYC... receiving back clothing that was taken out of the showroom for the Grammy's... one particular dress caught my attention. Taylor Swift's blue dress...  I TRIED IT ON!! let me tell you the dress weighs sooooooo much!! lol and its beautiful!!! Tomorrow I have to rearrange our showroom with a new collection and designer!!!

Not bad for a first day!!!

Stay tuned...

Lil J