The Wizard of Oz

Tonight we went to cover the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandise. The event was celebrating the re-release of the movie in a fun, creative way by having some of the best shoe designers (Jimmy Choo, Oscar de la Renta, Betsey Johnson, L.A.M.B., Christian Louboutin, Stuart Weizman) create modern versions of Dorothy's famous ruby slipper and put them on display. Local artists' pieces surrounding the Oz theme were also on display, along with designer Tarina Tarintino's http://www.tarinatarantino.com/ new line inspired by the movie, called "My Pretty." Her jewelry and clothes were so fun to see!

This was the first event that I did all the interviewing myself. I got to interview George Lopez, Kristin Cavallari (from The Hills), Tarina Tarintino, Debi Mazar (Entourage) and Nestor Carbonell (The Dark Knight). My producer, Allan, let me come up with all the questions to use myself. My favorite was asking everyone what Oz character they'd be if there was a remake. Kristin Cavallari said that she would be the Wicked Witch, which was very fitting for her roll on The Hills, but she was actually a really sweet girl to talk to!

Allan and the entertainment reporter, Ross, gave me lots of tips when we got back to the studio and watched the tapes. Ross has been such a pleasure to work with. He is so fun and entertaining (maybe why he does entertainment news?). Ross also does two radio shows in England and has a Scottish accent, which makes him that much more fun to listen to! He's provided me with lots of reporter strategies, such as sucking on a cherry cough drop before going on-air because it clears your throat and makes your tongue look pink and "attractive" (who would have thought?) and staring at the sun with your eyes closed for 10-15 seconds when it is sunny out so you don't squint into the lens when it is time to shoot. Ross calls me "BB" which stands for "Baby Brinkley," because he said I look like a young Christie Brinkley - haha!

I'm having tons of fun exploring LA. Tonight was my first time downtown. This past weekend, my roommate, Amanda, and I got out to explore some more. We went out in Hollywood to Beauty Bar and Ecco with a group of UTLA kids. We had so much fun dancing! Saturday, we spent the day in Santa Monica and Venice beach. We walked the Venice boardwalk to see how Cali's weirdos compared to Austin's. I had high expectations, but they weren't as weird as I thought they would be... Austin prepared me too well! The picture I took on the boardwalk is hard to see, but its a picture of a man in an American flag speedo with black hightop sneakers who was listening to 90's jams with his mini boombox!