We are making changes

Posted on April 22, 2012 by Daphne

We are moving in a different direction.
It’s not you; it’s our corporate restructuring.
The many things you are told when you are no longer wanted at a job.
I just got a very nice boot from Star Magazine. For over 5 years I wrote jokes for the their worst of the week feature.
I really don’t mind.
The managing editor wrote me himself, which was classy not leaving it to a flunky. Frankly I don’t blame them. I was having a hard time getting it up for it. How many times can one write a funny line about a disheveled Helena Bonham Carter?
( “ The char woman wants her look back.” )

At some point we just need to accept she has had children with Tim Burton that’s her look! Like we finally got it with Diane Keaton. The lady likes blazers and hats.
How many times can you make a joke about a wanna be starlet, who I have never heard of, but shows up on the red carpet in a too tight cheetah pattern? ( “Don’t call the wild, they’ll call you!”)
I was first asked to be on the panel when I hosted TV Guide’s “The Fashion Team”. Last year it was cancelled and I thought, “I wonder when Star will cut me loose?” I didn’t tell them my show went the way of the dodo bird. I had Coolmom.com in as part of my credit and had hoped that would drive traffic to my site. But, actually it didn’t. I was usually rushing to do the jokes on a Tuesday night while making dinner. Or I would be dropping off Vivien at school on Wednesday and get an email from the editor, “are you sending the jokes?” Crap, I would race home to make the deadline.
One thing that bothered me was the candid shots of celebs on the street.
Look Bai- Ling and Phoebe what’s her name want to be photographed. The ones that dress up in kooky or sexy outfits on the red carpet are fair game. But, Hillary Duffy going to get a Starbucks in sweats, Rumer Willis shopping in shorts and no make up? They are just leading their lives and I look like a hot mess when I go run errands. So, those always made me feel ethically uneasy.

Also, sometimes the editors got it dead wrong. I would get a picture of a celeb in a fashionable outfit and I would write back, “Good look, no joke here.” Fashion can takes chances and still be in good taste. They don’t have to look like Rihanna.

Just in case anyone is planning on hitting the red carpet and doesn’t want to the Worst of the Week here are a few tips.
- No animal prints
- No shiny clothes
- No too tight clothes
- Not too much flesh
- Not too directional in anyway

Will I miss seeing my face in a magazine while I get my pedicure? A bit. But, I will no longer have to correct people when they say, which they did all the time, “ I just read you in US magazine!”

What a week

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Daphne

Oscars,

a death,

a stomach bug,

a big food event.

This has been the last few days. Sunday morning I was at cheap hair salon in a rundown mini mall getting a blow out in preparation for Oscar night. I went there because there is not a lot open in the way of hair on Sundays and it’s cheap.

My friends Heather and Nina, with her darling little girl Ruby, had road tripped down from San Francisco for the fun times. Feeling good.

Then my sister Cecily called and told me her father in law Louis Mitchell had just died. Ugh. My tummy started to hurt. Hurt for his family and recalled for me my own father’s passing. So sad for my brother in law. I knew he would feel the pain in his head, stomach, neck. His father had been sick for a while, but it’s always a blow no matter how prepared you think you are. Now my brother in law was “in the club” as my friend Nina puts it. That means someone who has lost a parent.
“I can drop everything, do you need me?” Cecily said no. The Oscars didn’t seem quite so important anymore. Nevertheless, that hard lesson when someone you love passes is life does go on. Although what was to be a total fun day had a tinge of darkness on it. It was also a tad annoying to have the guy who was doing my hair, “What happened?”

I told him.

“Oh, God bless, light some candles. Light some candles.” He repeated this so many times I was tempted to say “why is there a power outage?” I wanted to be sad for the moment, but didn’t want to mourn next to this guy who reeked of tobacco who believed candles held the key to grieving.
I raced home to take Rex to a kiddie party, but he was asleep. So, Heather and I decided to go and see if the Oscar attendees needed our help. The show starts at 5:30 so Carole’s hair and make up lady arrived at 11:30. Kevin got tickets to the big show for his brother and his wife, Meaghan and my nephew. I was glad I showed up because I helped Meaghan with her hair.

It was fun to see Carole getting all dolled up. The nominee was relaxed. He was jotting down a few things to say in case he won, but he wouldn’t share them with us. The car arrived at 2, though they didn’t get in the car till about 2:45.
Heather said, “We have to get ready!” So, back home we went.
Seeing Carole’s pro make up made me spend a bit more time on my own. I was walking the red carpet , but was presiding over an Oscar watch party and Campanile and then Heather and I were going to the Fox Searchlight post Oscar party.
Rex said, “I want to wear something handsome.” So, we put on his vest and good pants. Vivien loves to get dressed up. My mom had arrived at our home at 3pm and settled into watch the red carpet hoping for a glimpse of Carole and Kevin. We figured they wouldn’t do an interview with him on the big stations, but we might see him. She kept moving the channel around from E! to TV Guide ( oh people still work there?), to the our local coverage. She didn’t see here. Meanwhile I was getting texts from my cousin Mary and another friend, “I just saw her.” ”She is by Octavia Spencer.”

Me, my friends, kids, mom, Mark and Oliver and Dolly our baby sitter went of to Campanile. It was so cool.
The catering director had set it up perfectly. He had a big TV set up on one wall and rows of tables in C shapes fanned to the back. Friends of ours trooped in. I ordered everyone to fill out their ballot. The winning one would win a $50 gift card to Campanile.
As the show began we were all craning to see if we could spot them.
“They are in Row k” My mom started counting back from the stage, “a, b, c” Then our friend yelled, “there she is.”
They were towards the back, but visible and Kevin was on the aisle. My mom was chuffed. We all knew what it meant. Winners are sat on the aisle. Time seem to fly ( not something I usually say watching the Oscars.) The Oscars are more fun to watch with 42 of your friends and family while you served the best food in LA. I didn’t have a seat for awhile. Rex had kicked me out of our shared seat, “mommy, go get your own chair.” But, he got tired so Dolly took him home and I got to sit down in front next to my mom. Vivien was happy hanging with her cousin and grandma’s.

Cecily and Lily had shown up. She had been tending to her grieving in laws, but said, “not to be insensitive, but I’ve got an Oscar party to go to.” They all understood, “Good Luck to Kevin.”.
All of a sudden it was the editing award. What?? Everyone figured his competition was from “the Artist”, as they were favored to win best picture. The day before the editor of “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” ( who had won last year for “Social Network” told Kevin, “I”m rooting for you.”) They showed quick clips of all the editors talking. When Kevin’s face came up we don’t know what he said because we were all screaming.
“and the Oscar goes to…”Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.”
huh?
We all slumped our shoulders a bit as we saw my sister Carole in the audience mouth “Wow.” The winners were behind them and she said they were surprised as well.
After a few minutes I got up in front of the crowd and said, “Okay, let’s all do this together, AHHHHH.”
Many of us were saying, “hey he was nominated!” or “he will be back”. Cecily said, “I’m taking this harder than everyone else, I just wanted some good news today.”
We did get one thing to cheer about Alexander Payne, and his co writers took the gold for adapted Screenplay for “The Desendants”. He is one of Kevin’s best friends and good person. It would be the pictures only win, I’m glad they got something.
We also whooped it up when we got some more good shots of Carole and Kevin.

Particularly when they gave an ovation to Oprah, James Earl Jones and the other special award winners there was a shot primarly of them clapping and smiling.
“>
I got texts from my cousin “great shot of Carole”. People were cheering for Kevin all across the country. His family who live outside of Buffalo even had a story about their watch party. With a world full of cynics it’s sweet when people root for each other.
Party was done and all departed. Heather and I drove up to the after party. Some of the stars of “The Desendants” were there. My nephew and his aunt and uncle. We heard about their time at the Oscars.
After a while Carole and Kevin showed up.

The were in a great mood, it was all exciting even without the win. Then a big cheer went up. Alexander had walked in holding his gold. It took him a while to get to us and when he did I asked if I could take a picture with he and his Oscar.
“Only if you hold it” say things that make me love you more. Heather snapped the picture. But the flash didn’t go off. I turned and Carole, Kevin and Alexander had walked out the door. I went after them. ”What’s going on ?”

“We are going to the Governer’s ball” Carole said. It was perfect timing because I was exhausted, but I was gouch enough to want my picture. So I asked Alexander fro a retake. In reality he obliged kindly, but this picture makes me look like a crazy stalker and he like he just had root canal or perhaps fears the crazy stalker.

I’m not going to kid you. I was trashed the next day. Trashed. I can’t stay up till 12:45, and not be. Plus there was so much emotion in the day. I cancelled everything on Monday to spend time with Cecily.
Tuesday I woke up sick, sick, sick. I’m just coming out of it now. But, since I’ve only eaten jell-o and tea I’m almost at my ideal weight!
Tonight is the big Mark Peel Roy Choi mashup that I came up with ( yeah me!). I’m telling my tummy to get it together because I want to eat the great food. The event is sold out.
Ah, La Vida.

and the winner is…

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Daphne

One more week to the Oscar’s, but this past weekend was the A.C.E. awards, the Editors associations awards known as the Eddy’s. My brother in law Kevin Tent has been nominated before, but the first year he is also nominated for an Oscar. It was a big gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Yes, I did see the Whitney Houston shrine outside. Before the award show my sister Carole and family went to a rooftop party where Kevin snapped this stunning picture of her. Who says you have to be 20 to be a knockout?

The Brogdon Tents walked the marble carpet.

The Bev Hilton has a big room where a lot of the award shows are done and my prom was there.

Kevin got my mom and I and his sister Lauren tickets. Carole, Kev and my nephew Charlie were sitting up front with people from Fox Searchlight. We were farther back, but staked out seats with good views of the show. It was an enjoyable award show. Most are dreadful. But, this moved along and Patton Oswald was a hilarious host.
“I haven’t seen this many cutters in the room since the Teen choice awards.”

Clint Eastwood handed out an award. He was charming and funny and you know, he was Clint Eastwood! Kevin and Reese Witherspoon , looking thin and sophisticated in a black suit presented a special award to Alexander Payne ( who lavished praise on KT).

“The Artist” has such a buzz behind it I wasn’t thinking of Kevin winning, but about 30 minutes into the show I suddenly thought, “Kevin is going to win”. My wise nephew (14) said, “I knew he was going to win when I saw “The Artist” was in a different category.” Savvy Hollywood kid.

By the way, most banquet food is pretty banal, but the Bev Hilton did a darn good job with the food. Serving 1,500 people is no small thing at that level of quality.

The Eddy’s divide best editing in dramatic and comedy/musical. ”The Artist” was in the latter. They won that. ”The Descendant’s” was in the drama category. Before the show got going I ran down from the “bleachers” and visited with Carole. She was sitting next to two of the actors from the film. Judy Greer, who I think is rubbing embryonic cells on her face as she has the best skin. She said she loves going to The Tar Pit, which made me like her even more. Matthew Lillard, who plays her spouse was there. Very nice guy. I told him he is one of the those guys who gets cuter as he gets older. I followed that up with , “I have to flirt, my mom is my date tonight and I don’t think she is going to put out.”

Okay, so after the baked Alaska the show was humming along. The VERY last award given out was for best edited film dramatic. I was sitting in between Lauren and my mom. I had butterflies in my tummy. I grabbed their hands as that hunk from “Friday Night Lights” said, “and the Eddy goes to Kevin Tent!”

We jumped up, screamed, I said to Lauren, “aren’t you glad you came? ( from Buffalo)” It is VERY nice to hear the voice called you want to hear.
Unlike when I was nominated for a Northern Cal. Emmy and lost to the now defunct Tech TV. Yes, I’m bitter.
Kevin got up and thanked his wife of 25 years Carole Brogdon first. Then his son Charlie, “who our life revolves around.” He did great. He said he was nervous and doesn’t remember what he said, but he was gracious and dear.

You can see we are pretty happy.

I am so glad I still have some nice duds from when I had money. I was wearing a Prada dress my BGF Michael told me to buy years ago ( thank you) when it went on sale. I had patent leather burgundy Manolo’s that Mark gave me as a push present when Vivien was born. I had on underneath a bustier which was more valuable than spanx.
My dogs were barking as I limped to the valet, but it was a great night.

Oscar nominee lunch

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Daphne

I could blog about money woes, some blogger job crap, a family member’s health issues, but why? Let’s celebrate the good. So, as I have mentioned my brother in law Kevin Tent is NOMINATED FOR AN ACADEMY AWARD. I’ve hooked my sister up with hair and make up and we went to my designer friend Kevan Hall for her dress. He has dressed Vanessa Williams among others and is a class act.
But, before the big NIGHT is a big day. When all of the nominees go to lunch. I mean ALL of them. George Clooney, Meryl Street, Brad Pitt, and my brother in law! My sister got to go as well.
Here’s they are. I don’t know who she is wearing, but it’s spot on perfect for the event.

Here is Kevin with the head of the Academy on the red carpet.
a href=”http://www.f
Every year there is an iconic picture of all the nominees together. You scan the pictures looking for the famous among the behind the scenes folk. Other years I would have thought, get rid of the nobodies, Where is Clooney! But, this year it was surreal to see my kin folk with the Hollywood heavy hitters. I know he isn’t a household face, but see if you can spot Kevin.

Clooney is a few rows beneath him in a grey sport coat with that “Artist” hunk next to him. Man, I’d like to the filling in that sandwich.

Muff on the Huff

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Daphne

Muffinlicious was included in a great post on woman formerly known as beautiful. Read it here, but in a nutshell, the blogger, Shannon Colleary, says she has decided not lose weight and practice self acceptance. Her body stats are almost the exact same as mine. So, of course I say “you go girl!” And thanks for including me in a post that went to Huffington Post.
**( and thanks to Jessica Gottlieb for emailing me while I was at the park “you are on Huffington Post!”)**
Since posting about my muffin top I’ve gotten many “you are so brave” comments. Thanks, but I don’t feel that brave. I consider no surprise how I look. If I appeared in public like Kate Bosworth

and then did a video about how my guy floats around the edges of my slim jeans, than yes, that would be brave as I’m blowing the lid on my image.

I don’t have an image to blow up.

pregnant with Rex

I’m in my forties, I’ve had a few pregnancies, that have yielded two children. I live with a great chef and we co own restaurants with stellar food, wine and cocktails. If I became a water swilling vegan I think my marriage would be over. I’m not going to look like Kate Bosworth. I don’t want to be “mid western fat” ( this is distinct from LA fat, which is a size 8), but I am what I am.

Now, did you see me shooting a video of me SITTING DOWN in tight jeans? That would be brave.

How to make it in Hollywood: Oscar nominee in the house!

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Daphne

My brother in law Kevin Tent has been nominated for an Oscar for film editing the George Clooney picture “The Descendants.” Allow me to burst with pride. His is a great story of making it in Hollywood. This is no Gwyneth Paltrow with an “uncle” Speilberg story. This is the American Dream.

Happy couples at French Laundry ’06″

Kevin hitchhiked to LA from Buffalo when he was 19. He showed up to go to a film school that he realized was a racket. He instead went to LA city college and took film courses there and worked at Pep boys. It was at LACC that he met my sister Carole. No fancy film school for this guy, but he learned the basics of film making. Then he got a job editing educational films. Great titles like “VD: old bugs, new problems”. He always did his best and says that it was at Al Higgins production he learned to edit.

From there he graduated to Roger Corman movies. He also got me a PA job and and apprentice editing gig. This is back when editing was done on moviola’s and you needed a razor to cut the film. I decided the long hours of post production were not for me, but Kevin steamed along.

He edited Tracy Lords’ first non porn film, the campy “Not of this Earth”. He edited “Frankenhooker“. We loved all these B films and Kevin worked on all of them.

The first time he had a film in Sundance I went with he and Carole . It was for “Homage“. The glamour of Sundance is for those on the ‘hot’ films. Once we were there we realized our film wasn’t catching fire. We slogged through the slush on the main drag of Park City disappointed. I remember running into a friend of Kevin’s who was with the young star of his new film. A perky little blond name Reese Witherspoon. Kevin congratulated his friend on his film.

We went back to Sundance the next year for the first film Kevin ever did with Alexander Payne, “Citizen Ruth” (rent it). This partnership would become a deep friendship and significant professional collaboration. Citizen Ruth was a quirky comedy dealing with abortion ( who tackles that anymore) and the Christian right and girl who sniffs glue. This trip was worth getting new boots and a parka for. The film was getting some buzz. I met Laura Dern and Alexander at the screening in a small movie house. Back at the condo we had rented I was woken up as Carole and Kevin came back from a party. Carole told me excitedly about the stars who were there. I think Travolta, but it’s been a while.

Ironically, Kevin and Alexander’s next film was “Election” starring Reese Witherspoon. Another must rent.

Kevin edited a ton a film’s, but always come back to collaborate with Alexander. Who, btw, is a good family friend and I’m very happy for his success ( he won for best adapted screenplay for “Sideways”). Alexander says “Campanile is our generation’s Chasen’s.” Love that.

with 4 day old Rex

So, my brother in law Kevin is the nicest guy you could ever meet. A great dad,uncle and husband and was like a son to my dad. He did a lot for my dad in his last years. Following behind the ambulance that would take my dad to the hospital. Visiting him in assisted living when my dad was doing very poorly and it was getting painful to see him. Sometimes when his own daughters couldn’t handle it Kevin would go and sit with my dad.

at “Papa’s” memorial. Kevin was the first to speak

He had two dear parents, Cathy and Charlie ( who my nephew is named for) that were taken way too soon. I’m so sorry they aren’t here to see Kevin attain this level of success. But, I know they wouldn’t be surprised. Kevin has a great picture of he and his dad, must be over 20 years ago it was taken, Charlie is holding a Variety magazine and they are laughing as if they are reading some good news. I told Kevin today, “that was prescient. Your dad was seeing this nomination back then.”

It’s great to dwell for a moment in the good moments of life. The moments that make you cry with joy. Knowing what went into all that he has done in his adult life. At least in this case, a nice guy did finish first.

LA girl Now

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Daphne

Frequent Cool Mom Player Carole Brogdon, my sister, has a blog of her own called lagirlnow. Now most of the content and information on this site will be of greatest interest to those in the Greater LA Metro area I think anyone can appreciate her writing. I’ve long told her that she has a distinct voice in her writing. Witty, lively. Her letters cracked me up long before the web came along. She is an active stay at home mom who somehow manages to keep up on cultural happening in our city. I don’t know how she does that so I do pop over to her site for the lowdown on what’s going on. Here is a one recent post she did. Yes, she did mention one my favorite eateries as well ( well, I co own it), but Brogdon girls promote each other. That’s how we (blog) roll.

(from lagirlnow.com)

Art ~ Vivian Maier at Merry Karnovsky Gallery

Don’t miss this exhibition entitled, Vivian Maier A Life Discovered, the opening night reception is this Saturday at the Merry Karnovsky Gallery. If you haven’t read about this hertofore unknown nanny who spent her life taking vivid black and white images on the streets of Chicago, it is quite a story. During her lifetime Vivian Maier was not recognized as the astute chronicler of people that she was. Her vast cache of negatives were found after her death and they are compelling pictures that should be seen. Post picture viewing just scoot up La Brea to The Tar Pit Restaurant for a perfect cocktail and dinner.

http://mkgallery.com/index.php

http://www.tarpitbar.com/

Good Bye Legend

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Daphne

If you eavesdropped on me and my sisters without seeing our faces you would think we were 90. We remember things that we are too young to know. Particularly when it comes to

1) Los Angeles history

2) old restaurants in Los Angeles

We were taken to them at a very young age and as LA is not great at perservation most of the eateries of our youth… are gone.

The latest casualty is the Hamburger Hamlet on Sunset Blvd. The Hamlets were a big deal back in the day. From the Hamlet’s website:

In 1950, Marilyn, a dress designer, and Harry Lewis, an actor, opened the first Hamburger Hamlet on Sunset Blvd; because of their commitment to quality, flavor and “simply marvelous food and drink,” it became an immediate success. Hamlet quickly became a Hollywood landmark and was packed with celebrities every night of the week.

Particularly since I had a mom who stopped cooking when I was 8 and an older sister with a driver’s license, many a dinner time was my mom handing my sister a twenty and telling her to take me to the Hamburger Hamlet ( usually on National blvd) to feed me.

The book about how the restaurants got going is a fun read. Sammy Davis Jr helping to serve in the first little place they had.

Well, the Lewis’s sold the place years ago and look, it was NEVER the same. Not as good, menu changed a lot. But, the one on Sunset, the oldest one left, still had a sweet spot in our heart with it’s red vinyl booths, brass fixtures, clippings of John Barrymore as Hamlet.

A couple of days ago Kat Odell of Eater LA wrote that the Sunset Hamlet was closing on December 19th. Some company that makes expensive restaurants for posers ( my words, not hers) were going to take over the place. Good bye French Onion soup and older black waitresses who had worked there for 30 years.

It serves all day so we were able to have dinner at the dream time–for me of 4:45. The host handed us simple pieces of paper with the menu items.

“Everyone is stealing our menus. We don’t have any left.”

Cecily, “I don’t blame them”.

Despite the changes over the years the burger was still quite tasty. We noshed as my mother told us about going to the original Hamlet down the block with my dad and my oldest sister, a baby at the time. My dad had an old Studebaker and my mother cut white shag carpeting to fit on the bottom of the car to make it more comfortable. Cecily and I rememeberd in our teen and college years coming here for a late dinner with our friends. Often through the years Dean Martin sat at the bar. Or he was in a booth with friends. After he lost his son Dean Paul Martin people said he didn’t look the same. How could he?

We thought we were nostalgic snapping a few photos when near the end of our meal a videographer with a camera light blazing followed an older couple to a table. The lady had the upswept hair of an earlier generation. The kind that never left house without being done. Not the scrappy, half dressed peasants we all look like. Her hair was was raven and I knew I knew her. Cec and I couldn’t place here and then I said,

” Her first name is Carol”

Cec: ”She was in Incredible Mr. Limpet”

Me: ”Carol Cook!” bingo, I knew it wasn’t Arlene Dahl, but in that food group.

As we left a manager told us they had raised the rent. That the restaurant had grandfathered in rent for only 10 grand. A tiny sum for that size of place in that area. ”They raised it to 45 thousand”.

Then she said, “and we haven’t been busy like this for a long time. Everyone’s coming since we are closing.”

“I’m sorry”. We told her how much it had meant to us. I realized this woman and the rest of the employees were all about to loose their jobs right before Christmas. The Hamlet’s are part of the past. There are two left, but not ones I ever went to as a kid ( in Pasadena and Sherman Oaks).

Did the world move on or do restaurants like this not keep up and current? Who their patrons were became clear when we tried to leave.

We could not.

As I started to walk to the front door to leave Cecily nodded toward Viven as if “not a good idea”.

“A guy is on the ground” she said.

“What?” There was an elderly man being attended to be some of LA’s strapping finest firemen. After a few minutes or so of vamping I pushed open the door enough to ask if we could leave.

“yeah sure”, Fire man biceps said.

As we walked to our car we saw them put a very frail, gray skinned older man on a gurney.

Yes, we do have the same taste as 90 year olds.

Picture this

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Daphne

I just went to an art exhibit that I am still thinking about. I was asked to go because I guess I’m sort of “media”, but I never get invited to stuff that doesn’t involve donating diapers, so this was an exciting departure for me. It was at the Annenberg Space for Photography. I had been there once before and while it’s in a lovely modern space–not a room, or a studio a space mind you– it’s among these huge buildings in Century City and the parking is a little hard to figure out.

The first time I went with Rex and my mom and we I didn’t read the signs that are small and have small white lettering and we ended up coming up from the underground parking in the wrong tower and it took two different, kind workers to lead us to the correct place with our stroller. So, be forewarned, look sharp for signs!

That aside, I did enjoy my return to trip to see Digital Darkroom. Full of artist who are using new technology in their photographs. Think of it as Photoshop to the 100th power. Some are just quirky. Some I looked at having NO idea how they did them.

There was a 3-D picture of Queen Elizabeth, by Chris Levine, that had this royal watcher mesmerized.

I got to speak to one of the artist, Brook Shaden. She is young and new and this and I bet she buys a house one day with the money she can make selling her pictures. She is a self portraitist

Me: ”Like Cindy Sherman”

Brooke “yes, there are a lot of of us self portraistist now and they are getting more recognition.”

Hey, I guess that’s what I am! But, without all that pesky technique.

Her pictures have a cinematic look to them and I barely recognized her in person. She seemed tiny and like Alice in Wonderland whereas her pictures had a drama that was compelling. She shoots several pictures and then layers them. I frankly can’t even follow the machinations that go into all of these artist work. It just made me feel very humbled thinking of my little video work. Going forward next year, do to costs, I am going to be shooting more of my videos myself . I wish I could bring a 10th of the visual brillance to my videos that I saw in these photos.

Closer to home I have a problem with one budding photog, Rex. He loves to take pictures. Now, since this is a digital camera he is not using up all my film, but recently I uploaded the pictures from my camera. There were 354 pictures. I had to then delete about 100 of them. I could have been mindlessly surfing Facebook instead, but I wanted to get rid of the fuzzy images, the close up of my cracked, chapped lips, sideways pictures of chairs.

But, gosh darn it if that 2.10 year old boy didn’t take a few gems. Not photography show worth, but they remind me of what life looks like from Rex’s vantage point. Standing on a chair next to mom who is telling him to sit down.

His parents. Who knew I had such asymetrical nostrils? Not me. Thanks Rex.

Pretty sweet shot of a Christmas puppet show we went to. I like his technique of fuzzing out the audience. Jammy fingers or genius?

Dad finally got the camera. Or rather I said, “take a picture of us. I’m always the one who takes the pictures.”

This one I love! King Rex.

How to Meet Dr. Oz (sponsored)

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Daphne

1) Enter a contest on coolmom.com sponsored by Clorox Toilet Wand to go to O You!, O Magazine’s annual premiere event where the Oprah stars gather to share their wisdom about life improvement. (Clorox Toilet Wand was one of the sponsors of the event, too.)

2) Win the contest.

3) Have the sweetest, most open personality so that when you buy the said stars’ books or run into them they want to talk to you.

That’s the story of Lori in a nutshell, the sweet gal who won the O You contest. A much belated post here to share with you including Lori’s post about her time at O You! and a video I shot while I was there. While the kind people at Clorox edited it for me, I didn’t do the best camera work here, but hey I was in the room with Suze Orman, and Oprah!

It was a fun event. I would say they need to have less lines for some of the booths and more food and bathrooms, but the talks were worth the ride…and meeting Lori!

****

Lori’s post:

My name is Lori and I am a single mom and full-time student. With two teenagers and two kids age ten and under, being a Health Professions major trying to learn chemistry and human genetics can be very difficult to say the least. I have been without a job for over a year now and adding the financial struggle on top of all the responsibilities I have, can sometimes seem overwhelming. About three weeks prior to the conference I went through a very difficult situation, I thought I was going to loose my place to live. It was a very hard time and I was terrified. A lot of prayers, hundreds of phone calls and some amazing people, I was able to stay in my home and it all worked out. Although relieved and extremely grateful, I felt exhausted from the fight. Not even a full week from surviving that struggle I got an email from Daphne telling me I had won the trip to O You! First I was in disbelief but as it all came together, I was so exhilarated to know I was going to be able to be a part of the event I had heard about and wanted so desperately to attend but knew there was no way I could afford it. A dream come true, a gift from above and the most welcome break I think I could have ever asked for.

O You! in Atlanta, Georgia was the most energizing, uplifting and empowering event I have ever experienced. From the arrival, going through the line to get into the convention center, until the last moments in exiting the conference, the excitement was constant. The women I had the opportunity to encounter throughout the day from different states and parts of the world, were one of the biggest highlights for me. To connect with women that are searching for enlightenment, women who have found truth, women in triumph, women in struggle ….. to realize you are not alone in the journey was such a revelation come real. Seeing it up close and personal was a dream come true.

Gayle King spoke giving me goose bumps in the opening ceremony, Martha Beck and Suze Orman bringing mental and financial forecast as Lisa Ling rounded out the morning with her keynote speech that gave my goose bumps chills. After such a powerful start to the day, it was off to check out some of the sponsor tables before the first class. Samples of Truvia, small gifts from Crest, healthy snacks from Actifry and boy o’ boy the free pair of Spanx!!!!! That was a happy moment Almost as happy as the moment of meeting the Clorox girls and getting a ToiletWand to take home!!! Just when I thought I was in heaven with my free pair of Spanx, I was standing next to Dr. Oz taking a photo with him!!!! One of my best life experiences, he is one of my all time favorites. From Dr. Oz to Bob Greene who was also kind enough to take a photo with me!!

It was a day filled with meeting and being able to appreciate my favorite O Magazine contributors up close and personal. Peter Walsh, Lisa Ling, Nate Berkus, Donna Brazile and Gayle King all in the span of a few hours. Love, love, love Gayle!!!! I did not know Eva LaRue was going to be there, with her beautiful Crest smile, she was so kind and took lots of photos with fans while signing many autographs.

Floating on a cloud of ’WOW’, the first session of “Finding Your Passion” was just what I needed. The session was lead by Suze Orman, Martha Beck and Donna Brazile. It was an hour and a half of soul nourishing information and essential inspiration in moving forward in life with whatever and wherever you are in your life. Suze Orman brought out Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx to hit home the idea of believing and persistence and being ready. A trio that was just what the doctor ordered. Just when I thought the day could not get any better it was on to the second session of ‘Feeling Good, Looking Better’. A session that offered steps and advice from industry leaders Dr. Mehmet Oz and Bob Greene. Living longer, looking younger, with life changing tips easily incorporated into any lifestyle accompanied by real makeovers and beauty trends of now and later.

It was a day so packed with great learning moments and it all came to a peak when all the experts came together on one stage and expressed what they know for sure. It was such a beautiful bow on such a gift of that day. The ultimate prize in that gift were the closing remarks, spoken so eloquently and power-filled by the O of O magazine, Oprah. The words and the message in those words were so overwhelmingly joyous bringing the end of the conference to a spectacular close. Oprah is one of the best speakers I have ever had the pleasure to hear speak. She delivered such a life-changing message that I will never forget. Oprah even answered questions from some lucky O You! attendees!!!

Ride the wave of life, I owe it to my creator and the universe to accept life’s opportunities and do the best I can with them. I pledge to follow my heart and live the passion that I have growing in my soul. I will remember to do my part in the world because it only takes one to make a difference and inspire change and that is why we are all here to learn and teach and give to one another the love and the knowledge we all are capable of sharing.

I want to thank the wonderful people at Clorox for the incredible trip and the outstanding stay at the W Hotel Midtown. It was an absolutely fabulous weekend. A huge thank-you to you, Daphne for your wonderful website and banging blog and your awesome personality!!! I appreciate the experience you gave me from the bottom of my heart.

P.S. Meeting Dr. Oz was an amazing highlight because he was part of a great inspiration for me. I weighed 220 lbs and had gotten so tired of myself. I had become such a great minded spiritually grounded person but was miserable being so out of shape. I began to try to loose weight and had gotten down to 180 but it was so hard and I was so overwhelmed by the process. I love sweets and fried anything It is so easy to eat… put it in your mouth and chew and it feels so good going down. I saw a show Dr. Oz did with a cadaver showcasing the areas in the human body that are affected by fat… I knew about the belly fat and all the troubles it can cause and the various other areas that being overweight adversely affect. Dr. Oz had a human brain and explained how fat deposits in the brain cells…. it was something that blew my mind and scared me to the point where I was able to get down to 135lbs and become the smallest I have ever been in my adult life, even part of my teens. Thanks to Daphne and Clorox I was able to thank Dr. Oz personally and he even invited me to send in my story and come on the show… stay tuned to see if it becomes a reality

Cool Mom – Funny videos on parenting and pop culture

parents don’t know what they are doing anyway, might as well laugh about it

parents don't know what they are doing anyway, might as well laugh about it

Category Archives: Celebrity and Entertainment Blogs