Everything CW

Cool It!

Fri, 22 May 2009 23:14:42 GMT

How nice! The leaders of the most immoderate country in the world are finally “warming” up to the idea of preserving our planet!

Environmentalists all around the world rejoiced last night after a green bill was passed, for a change. The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 promotes renewable energy and energy-efficient measures, which will hopefully serve to slash greenhouse gas emissions in the next few years.

Sadly enough, it was the first time such a measure has advanced this far in the House of (climate skeptics) Representatives.

Better late than never, because the condition of our climate is gnarly—and the future ain’t looking too bright, either.

According to Reuters, a new study predicts that the issue of global warming could be twice as bad as previous estimates have predicted!

In fact, the research showed that there is a 90% chance that worldwide surface temperatures will rise to 9 degrees OR HIGHER by the year 2100.

While this may not seem like a significant number, we really should have learned by now—judging from the melting ice caps and rivers disappearing into thin air—that even the most subtle change makes a big difference.

We are already walking on thin ice people! Why gamble with the future of our planet any longer?

Take the bus to work on Monday—better yet, ride a bike!

For more tips on how to lead a less lavish lifestyle, click here!

Target's Making Dreams Come True

Wed, 06 May 2009 23:54:59 GMT

Always dreamed of having a fab wardrobe like Blair and co.? Well, you’re not alone.

Unfortunately, we all know that Mr. Zac Posen ain’t cheap!

So, we must all take a minute to thank the fashion gods for discount stores like Target, who are fulfilling thousands of young girls’ dreams by making the Gossip crew’s stylish outfits affordable!

One famous designer has been inspired by the teen fashionistas, and is now creating a new clothing line for Target that is based on the clothes worn by GG cast!

Anna Sui has decided to team up with the store to create a line that resembles the styles of Blair, Serena, Vanessa and Jenny—without the horrendous price tags, of course. Awesome!

The line is set to hit 250 target stores starting September 13^th!

Sexy Time at the CW

Mon, 04 May 2009 22:53:37 GMT

Now that the Bay Area Search for America’s Next Top Model is a wrap, the CW has crowned 10 of the Bay’s most beautiful babes—and I got a glimpse of the scrumptious selection last Friday!

For the past weeks, hundreds of model hopefuls polished their portfolios in an effort to impress the judges here at the CW, who narrowed the selection to 10 stunning ladies.

For the most part, there was no airbrushing, photoshopping or any other type of fluff involved in the submissions as we encouraged natural beauties of all heights and sizes to send us their hottest pics…and the truth never looked better!

Granted, not all the entries were easy on the eye. But I can tell you this much—there’s A LOT of undiscovered talent in the Bay Area!

The Bay Area Search’s “Top Ten” were invited to KBCW for a professional video/photo shoot last Friday—and the day turned out to be very amusing, to say the least. J

While they were already rated on their looks by cwbayarea.com viewers, we sat the girls down and asked them the nitty-gritty to see if they would be a good fit for Tyra’s model bin—after all, looks aren’t everything!

To our great surprise, we received very candid answers from the wanna-be models that probably wouldn't exactly make their mamas proud--and left our jaws scraping the floor on several occasions (going bungee-jumping in a mini-skirt while being gratuitously wasted is such a cliché, girls!!!)…

After the interviews, the ladies were given their time to shine during a photo session with a professional photog….And yes—some very fierce alter-egos were unleashed as soon as the girls stepped in front of the camera! Tyra would be delighted!

All in all, it was very refreshing to see that some of these young ladies managed to stomp the stereotypes that come hand-in-hand with the modeling industry. While the girls pranced and posed for our camera all day long, we were introduced to some very vibrant and charming personalities—on and off the cat walk!

Who knows, maybe one of these ladies has what it takes to become America’s Next Top Model???

Filmmakers With Heart

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:43:50 GMT

It’s always heartwarming to see people giving back to those less fortunate—especially when they have profited off of them, big time!

The producers of the Oscar-winning film, Slumdog Millionaire, have promised to donate close to $1 million to create a 5-year program that will help the impoverished children living in Mumbai’s slums.

The film won 8 Oscars and has grossed more than $300 million worldwide! That’s a lot of loot!

Fortunately, producer Danny Boyle knows how to share. Despite allegations that two of the child-actors (who live in the slums themselves) received only a paltry sum for their contribution in the movie, Boyle is now fulfilling his pledge to help improve the lives of nearly 5,000 children living in the city’s slum communities.

With the help of the international children development organization, Plan, the team behind Slumdog has invested in a program that will help educate, as well as train these kids in good hygiene and sanitation.

“Having benefitted so much from the hospitality of the people of Mumbai, it is only right that some of the success of the movie be plowed into the city in areas where it is needed most and where it can make a real difference to some lives,” Boyle said in a statement.

Word!

Canoodling Behind the Scenes?

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 22:37:23 GMT

Enjoying the wave of fame that breakthrough star Rob Pattinson is currently surfing on, the heartthrob seems to have come to terms with his godly appearance—and is now more than happy to share his goods with the whole world!

Hoping for the Twilight crew to be privy to his lovin’, Robbie P’s already managed to hypnotize fellow co-star Nikki Reed with his charm—and he won’t stop there!

While the poor actress is reportedly all gaga over the young Brit, HE continues to make the move on anything that isn’t on a tree by the count of three!

“Rob’s been flirting with everyone on set in front of Nikki, even though they’ve been sleeping together,” a New Moon insider revealed to Life Style & Weekly!

The audacity! While Rob came off as such a sweet and shy guy, he’s reportedly whoring around like there’s no tomorrow! The only female immune to his seductive ways seems to be Kirsten Stewart, whom Rob has proposed to incessantly during the filming of Twilight.

Stay strong, honey!

What do you think of Rob’s new found confidence (or play boy behavior)?

Happy New Year!!

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 19:09:56 GMT

Hey peeps!!!

Hope y'all are enjoying the Holidays! I'm off to Germany on a well-deserved vacation (snow, ice, slushy-mushy weather...Can't wait!).

See you in the New Year!

Hugs,

Laura

Speaking of Musicals...

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 22:56:56 GMT

While Shrek the Musical is currently leaving its mark on Broadway, a musical smash hit-turned-big-screen-movie has Brits swarming to the cinemas for 22 weeks straight!

The film adaption of the musical Mamma Mia! has become THE biggest hit since Titanic at the British box office!

That’s pretty noteworthy, seeing that Titanic has held down the record in the UK since ’98!

Mamma Mia!, starring Pierce Brosnan, Meryl Streep, and Julie Walters, has made a fat $95 million since its release on July 18^th—and that’s in the UK box office alone. Worldwide, the mother-daughter flick has raked in about $571 million.

Dang! Who would’ve thought that the former James Bond actor’s heartfelt ABBA interpretations atop a hill on an idyllic Greek Island would put British movie-goers into such a frenzy (and so what ifthe man's tone deaf? He's still amazing!).

Although I’m not big on musicals, I saw the flick while I was in Germany this summer and have to say that I liked it. It’s two hours of sheer happiness, and let’s admit it—a feel good film is exactly the kind of escape people need from this financial mess we’re in!

I’m glad the film didn’t turn out to be an embarrassment for the legendary stage show!

It’s Big, It’s Green...

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:40:06 GMT

…And it’s a monstrous hit!

It’s been a long wait for fans of the animated film/book incarnation, but Shrek the Musical finally opened last night on Broadway. And the Ogre-love story literally was a huuuuge success!

Playwright David Lindsay-Abaire and composer Jeanine Tesori did a wonderful job at transferring the swampy tale from the big screen to the stage—earning stellar reviews from both the Associated Press and the New York Times!!!

Click here to check out the pictures from last night’s curtain call!

Got Canvas?

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Pfff. I’m so over seeing ridiculously expensive Chanel clutches, or Louis Vuitton purses. And those Fendi bag-snob-creations—ladies, forget about it!

This season, flaunting your wealth is out. Keeping it real (simple) is in. And being environmentally friendly while you’re at it never goes out of style, anyway!

Especially in a place like San Francisco, the first city in the nation to ban plastic bags, it’s kind of a phenomenon if you haven’t heard about the latest eco-friendly trend—canvas bags!

While traditionally plain fabric, the “new” canvas bag comes with colorful prints, designs and fun slogans. Or you can do it like me and go crazy by putting pins all over it. The possibilities are endless…

Sounds suspiciously trendy? Like something a ‘hipster’ would wear?

Well it is—but not exclusively. Canvas bags are convenient for a day at the beach and a perfect replacement for your stinky gym bag. Fashion-conscious socialites wear them (probably from Vivienne Westwood’s collection, but a canvas nonetheless!), trendy students rock them, and mailmen swear on their sturdiness.

Being a student with a heap of books to lug around, I most def appreciate an alternative to using a backpack (ick!). So I got myself one of ‘em. Now, I’m a truly happy woman. :-)

NO to paper, plastic, and spending a fortune on ugly purses! YES to Canvas!

Hugs,

Laura

Morbid Muppets

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 19:30:15 GMT

Kermit the Frog has had enough of the kiddie pool -- he’s so ready to explore adult waters.

Unfortunately, its only half as twisted as that sounds. :)

The furry creatures that star on the popular kids show are taking a “creative break” from being happy Muppets in order to get into character for their first collaboration in the “film noir” genre.

The gang will delve into to the sinister world of adult entertainment in the Jim Henson Co.’s new feature, Happytime Murders.

While the film centers on a string of murders, it supposedly has some comedy to it, too. How could it not be funny - parody is what the Muppets do best! The film’s main character, er... puppet, is going to be a detective Muppet with a drinking problem (is that enough to give it an R rating? Don't think so...).

To me, the thought of a world where Muppets and humans co-exist is preeetty sweet. But only if everybody is treated equally (the puppets are viewed as second-class citizens in the film).

I’m thinking the Muppets are on to something big here (the rainbow connection, maybe?). What do you think? Are you a Muppet fan like me? Will you be watching Happytime Murders?

Hugs,

Laura