pop!OP: Be A Design Star!

OPEN CASTING CALL: HGTV Design Star


Do you think you have what it takes to host your own series on HGTV? Would you love the challenge of competing in a design-based reality show? Here's your chance to be on Design Star! While this is one of those shows I would love to be on something tells me that it is best if I just pass the opportunity to you. Good luck designers!

“HGTV’s Design Star: Season 5” Now Casting

HGTV and Mark Burnett Productions are seeking a new crop of interior designers/decorators, design enthusiasts, architects and artists to compete in a series of difficult design-based challenges to win their own show on HGTV.

Auditions for the fifth season of Design Star will be held in New York City on Saturday, January 16, at Shetler Studios, 244 W. 54th St, 12th floor New York, NY 10019 from 10:00am- 4:00pm.

**Be advised that security may check your bag before entering an open casting call and we are not responsible for your parking or transportation at the open calls.

Don't Miss Our Open Calls

This is your opportunity to meet face to face with the Design Star casting teams. Be advised that security may check your bag before entering an open casting call and we are not responsible for your parking or transportation at the open calls.

LOS ANGELES
SATURDAY, JANUARY 9TH
The Beverly Garland Holiday Inn
4222 Vineland Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91602
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

NEW YORK CITY
SATURDAY, JANUARY 16TH
Shetler Studios
244 West 54th Street, 12th floor
between Broadway & 8th Avenue 
New York, NY 10019
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Click HERE for more details from HGTV!

pop!REVIEW: Corinne Bailey Rae at Hiro

Giant Step Presents An Intimate Evening with Corinne Bailey Rae

Hiro Ballroom - NY, NY

Let’s go back, circa 2006, when I was haunted by a song and words that felt like my very own - frustrated and in love. That’s what “Like a Star” did for me and ever since that moment I’ve been a big fan of Ms. Rae. Unlike most, I was never one to play “Put Your Record On” and instead chose to steadily repeat the songs on her album which reminded me of the feelings of love both good and bad such as “Till it Happens to you”, “Breathless” and “Young & Foolish.”

Monday I had the opportunity to see Corinne Bailey Rae live at an intimate concert at Hiro Ballroom. While this was not my first time seeing her in action it was very much a different and wonderful experience. Corinne’s performance felt like I was prying into a window, sneaking a peak into her private room where she was singing her most intimate thoughts and feelings. She sings with her eyes closed as if she herself were imagining herself perform. She then, every so often, makes flirtatious eye contact with you as to say “I see you looking at me.” For a moment you feel as if you’ve just been caught, but she smiles gently as to say “it’s ok.”  I think I’m blushing and crushing all over again.

She and her band treated us to a live performance of her entire new album “The Sea” and a few of her oldies, but goodies. The album, thankfully, is a bit more mature and bit grittier. Considering her sound is sweet and whimsical, you know the type you would skip to, it would not be a huge jump for the 1^st time listener, but for me a very good sophomore return. You can tell that she has grown and with the tragic death of her husband, much of the content is inspired by him. The show was being filmed for the public television series “Live From the Artists Den,” and due to technical difficulties they needed to rerecord “Paris Nights/New York Mornings” – can I say encore? Nonetheless, it was a wonderful night filled with my BF and the sweet Corinne Bailey Rae. A wonderful night indeed! For those like me who want the album LIKE NOW – sorry we have to wait until February 10, 2010 when the album is due to be released in the US. That is unless you get yourself a UK version which is set to be available on February 1st.

A big thanks to Giant Step for getting us access for the evening!


"Paper Dolls" The song that I am sure will get Fallon obsessed with the idea of getting a tambourine! lol


CBR performing "Love is on it's Way"

Photos: Joseph Bayot
Videos: sparkles61785 & DanceMrD via youtube

pop!A-RAZZI: President's State Dinner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Obamas Host State Dinner

The White House - Washington, DC

The President, Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama held their first state dinner last night at the White House, welcoming India’s Prime Minister, Manmoahan Singh, and his wife Gursharan Kaur to a night of chic Indian elegance!

Celebrities, democratic fundraisers and politicians alike clammored for what was the hottest ticket in town. The much coveted invitation however, did land in the mail boxes of about 338 guests who attended. Guests included, Gayle King, Steven Spielberg, Alfre Woodard, Blair Underwood, Jhumpa Lahiri, Alberto Vourvoulias, Katie Couric, Colin Powell and his wife, Alma Powell. Politicians mixed with Hollywood celebrities and Indian dignitaries decked out in tuxedos, beautifully colored saris and galmourous dresses.  The star of the night, as expected, was the first lady herself who chose to wear a Naeem Khan number. The Indian-born designer of Mrs. Obama's handmade gown, told CNN's "Larry King Live" that it took three weeks to complete the dress at his family's workshop in India -- with 40 people working on it. Fab indeed!

The entertainment lineup included Grammy Award-winning singer-actress Jennifer Hudson and jazz vocalist and composer Kurt Elling, both from the Obamas' hometown of Chicago, and Indian musician and singer A.R. Rahman, who won two Academy Awards for the music in "Slumdog Millionaire."

The theme was glam garden with an chic Indian twist. The tables featured beautiful apple green linens, gold trimmed china, and purple flowers to play homage to the national bird of India, the peacock.

New York celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson of Aquivit fame, First Lady Michelle Obama and White House executive chef Cristeta Comerford designed a menu "to showcase the best of American cooking," Obama said at a press preview. Below is a look at the vegeterian menu:

MENU
Potato and eggplant salad

White House arugula with onion seed vinaigrette
2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Modus Operandi, Napa Valley, California

Red lentil soup with fresh cheese
2006 Riesling Brooks ³Ara² Willamette Valley, Oregon

Roasted potato dumplings with tomato chutney
chick peas and okra
or green curry prawns
caramelized salsify with smoked collard greens and coconut aged basmati
2007 Grenache, Beckmen Vineyards, Santa Ynez, California

Pumpkin pie tart
pear tatin
whipped cream and caramel sauce
Sparkling Chardonnay, Thibaut Janisson Brut, Monticello, Virginia

Petits fours and coffee
Cashew brittle
Pecan pralines
Passion fruit and vanilla gelees
Chocolate-dipped fruit

Photo: Luke Sharrett/The New York Times
Brenda Smialowski of Getty
Frank Thorp CBS

pop!OP:Nigella Christmas

Nigella Lawson Book Signing of Nigella Christmas

Williams-Sonoma - NY, NY

Join the Domestic Godess, Ms.Nigella Lawson as she signs copies of her new cookbook, Nigella Christmas. This is a unique opportunity to meet this fab chef and author, get a signed copy of her latest cookbook, and take home fresh new ideas for cooking and entertaining. We hope to see you there!

Please note: Nigella will only be personalizing copies of Nigella Christmas purchased at Williams-Sonoma. Proof of purchase is required.

Williams-Sonoma Chelsea

Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 5:30pm

110 7th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

(212) 633-2203

pop!A-RAZZI: Reebok Pump 20th Anniversary Party

Reebok Pump Key Chains

Sneaker Display
Reebok Pump Display

Reebok Pump designer Paul Litchfield

POP Burger - NYC

Former NBA player and Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins and former NFL player Emmitt Smith

Kicks

Gift Bag items

Reebok Pump 20th Anniversary Party
POP Burger - NY, NY

Let’s take you back… Circa ’89/’90. A young Bronx girl gets her first pair of Reebok Pumps and feels on top of the world! Hold on as I pump my sneakers so they fit just right… {{{pump}}} {{{pump}}} {{{pump}}} Ahhhhhh, now I’m ready to go!

I can’t believe it was 20 years ago that Reebok first launched their Pump line. As a kid it was “The” shoe to have and you might as well not even walk through the halls if you didn’t have yourself a pair. In order to celebrate the big 2-0 Reebok enlisted legends Dallas Cowboy’s Emmit Smith and Atlanta Hawk’s Domonique Wilkins. Also, in attendance was Reebok Pump designer Paul Litchfield, who was awarded with the best sneaker gimmick ever during the party for coming up with this kind of attention to the sneakers.

The event was held at Meatpacking District’s Pop Burger in New York City. The decor played homage to the sneaker line and featured collaborative Reebok Pumps involved in the Reebok Pump 20 Program which were on display hanging from the ceiling. Cheers to Reebok on hitting this great mark!

Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images North America

pop!A-RAZZI: Louis Vuitton Launch

Jewelry displays nestled in mounds of mums

The decor included moss and live trees

Rentals by Taylor Creative

Oliver Cheng Catering - Champagne upon entry, a perfect way to start the night

Dinner table and luggage display

Luggage Display

Floral Monogram at entrance

Love their interpretation of the chess board

Loves her shoes!

DJ Sky Nellor

Wishing tree

Atmosphere

Louis Vuitton 2010 Cruise Collection Launch Party
Louis Vuitton Saks Lifestyle - NY, NY

Genius David Beahm has taken the in-store event concept to a whole new level! Inside the launch of Louis Vuitton's 2010 Cruise Collection and concept boutique inside Saks Fifth Avenue, the brand brought their holiday catalog to life. In my last post I featured the catalog which took you through six tales inside of this fantastic wonderland and this party was no less extravagant.

With less than 2 and a half hours to set-up, David and his team were able to construct a phenomenal extravaganza of pure luxuriousness which included Artisans from Louis Vuitton's workshop in France who spent the evening showcasing their craft, mounds of mums displaying their jewelry, models in garden themed vignettes and the centerpiece at the entrance to the event a wishing tree, where guests were encouraged to answer the question "Where will your journey take you?" Louis Vuitton plans to include some of the messages in their seasonal display at it's Fifth Avenue store.

Sounds like a fab night and as a send off guests were treated to small bouquets of flowers. Here's my virtual nosegay for you. Ciao! Until next time...

Photo: Jeff Thomas/ImageCapture

Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images North America

pop!LOVES: Louis Vuitton Holiday Catalog

Louis Vuitton Holiday Catalog

I know you're probably thinking to yourself "why is Yaz posting pictures from the LV catalog?" Well beyond it being a fab catalog, I was swooning at home for like an hour when it arrived at my house, but I just love the wonderland vibe it has about it. I see many designers/event producers have been inspirired by Tim Burton's release of Alice in Wonderland next year. Anyhoo, speaking of inspiration, my next story will be about the actual Louis Vuitton launch party. So pay attention lads to the six tales to follow, salivate over the inspiration and await the luxurious photos to follow! YUM!

6 Tales:

The Dark & Enchanted Forest

The Secret Garden of Luxury

A Light-filled Fantasyland

A Courtyard of Hidden Delights

Woods of Great Wonder

The Golden Pathway

Images via Louis Vuitton

pop!A-RAZZI: Sean Diddy Combs' 40th

The Invite
Diddy and his kids with his gorg cake!

I'm sure even Diddy relishes in the love he gets!

Kim and Kris Kardashian

Ms. Martha Stewart

That's Right! Al Green performed! Sinf it with me "Let's Stay Together...."

Tyrese, Diddy and Baby

The Atmosphere

Confetti never gets boring! Loves it!

Cassie

Momma Combs

Sean Diddy Combs 40th Birthday

The Plaza Hotel - NY, NY

Diddy promised “the party of the century” to celebrate his 40th birthday on Thursday and that he did! Mr. Sean Combs took over the Plaza Hotel’s Grand Ballroom and his event planner Bronson Van Wyck created a "fantasy dreamland" with fashion installations, a labyrinth, performance art and a display by "wizard of light" Bentley Meeker. The unfortunate part is that not many people got to get inside as I’m told there was a massive crowd outside the venue. Fantasy Circus is more like it! Ha! Well, what is to be expected when it’s Diddy’s party? Where you stuck outside? Join in on the hilarious trending topic of who was #outsidediddysparty

If you did get access then you were rubbing elbows with some of the industry’s best. The guest list included – hold on as I inhale a big enough breathe to name all of these people: Kim Kardashian, Kris Kardashian, Martha Stewart, Baby, Jay-Z, Gayle King, Regina King, Rick Ross, Cassie, Lil Kim, Shannon Elizabeth, DJ Sky Nellor, June Ambrose, D-Nice, Kid Capri, Spike Lee, Tyrese, BBD and more!
Happy Birthday to the KING! Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop!