How could I forget??

I saw Brittney's comeback Circus concert in Tacoma! With my little sis. Here are some vids and pics. It was so long ago that I can't remember my fave performance...but definitely loved it all. She was fierce and came back just like I told y'all she would. And now she's on the cover of this week's OK! looking HOT in a white bikini. Work it Brit Brit!


AND I'm headed to Vegas this weekend to party with my Dee Gees and fabulous friends (and older sis) to celebrate my last few months as a Bachelorette. Luckily I don't have to marry some guy named Ed with "failure to launch" issues and two girls on the side (poor Jillian!)

In the words of my girl Syd: "Vegas lookout - fabulousness is coming to town."

Life. The Top 10.

It's been apparently several (ahem) months since I've updated this blog. Not that any one notices... but I figured I'd put some updates out there in the world so at least my mom and friends have something new to read.

I spend a lot of my time educating clients on how to use social media to tell their story. Or sell a product. Or mitigate a communication crisis. Or simply waste time at work (sssshh don't tell).

But all of that time has turned me into a sorry excuse for a communicator! This blog being exhibit A.

So I'm digging down into my "blogging best practices" file for this one. And here, without further adieu, is a Top 10 list of what I've been up to the last several months.

1) Getting married. Or trying to get married, I guess... In Mexico. In a few months. Been learning to deal with my nasty little procrastination habit (apparently you don't just start losing weight because you're getting married on a beach and going to be in a bikini in front of EVERYONE you know. Go figure.) But in all seriousness, I am very happy and lucky to have found the love of my life. He knows who he is (and will be making his own dinner tonight if he doesn't notice the new blog post, btw.)

2) Going to the gym (see #1) and using the iPhone app "lose it" religiously, which I've begun to hate because humans aren't supposed to survive on only 900 calories per day! Do you know how many calories are in an almond? 7. Who eats 5 almonds at a time? Hamsters? I'm only torturing myself because a) of #1 (damn wedding dress!) and b) I have a Biggest Loser-style weight loss challenge going on with one of my bridesmaids' husband. Winner gets a reuben. I heart reubens so much they may be single-handedly to blame for my 15+lb weight gain since the engagement!

3) Independently contracting. That's right... I've taken the plunge and decided this whole "self-employment" thing was too alluring to pass up. It's pretty awesome. Don't know why everyone doesn't do this. Oh right, money... aaah, who needs it? Luckily, I'm still working part-time at R/West, which I love (shout out to my R/Westies!) and still get to work on really cool accounts doing some writing, media relations and social media. I have a feeling many future posts will be dealing with this topic... so stay tuned.

4) Having a love-hate relationship with Miley Cyrus. Don't understand why she bugs so much... maybe I'm just jealous? I really think if my mom had been a stage mom, I could have been her. Damn parenting got in the way! J/K mom. Really happy you didn't sell me out and force me to perform on stage at the Teen Choice Awards in booty shorts & a stripper pole. But deep down I kinda wish you did...

5) Not writing. Which is why I'm editing this Top 10 list down to 5. Let's see...what else have I been up to the past few months? Forcing myself to Tweet (I just can't compete with J.Simp & Perez & Ellen and all these prolific celebrity twits. They make me feel so boring!) Helping out my friends at www.moonit.com (sign up to be a Beta tester and you'll know what it's all about!)... looking (maybe) for a new place to live, although I'm just getting used to the fiance working from our bedroom... catching up on Mad Men, getting obsessed with Twilight and then New Moon...being disappointed in the new season of Entourage... and missing the Teen Choice Awards (my biggest let down of the year!)

So really not that much. Going to have to work on the "getting a life" process if I want to keep up this whole blogging thing...

VMA Redux

So I live tweeted for the first time last night and it was so much fun. And obvs I wouldn't do it for anything less than super important - like the VMAs. I did get in trouble from a certain boyfriend (not naming names or anything) for over-tweeting. In the words of my three-year-old niece Payton, "Whatever. I don't care." She's precious.

So anyway - last night's show was a doozie. First of all, let me just say how proud I am of our girl Brit (and I know Syd will be feeling me as soon as she gets back from Cabo!)

Even though we need to get that girl a new hair stylist stat (it's called dry shampoo/volume/at least a little hairspray!), she still managed to pull it off. Although she seemed a bit nervous - wish we could have seen her face behind that static microphone! Moving on, she deserved some lovin' after what she's been through and it's obvious her fans are rabidly awaiting her comeback tour! I'll be the first to reserve a stretch limo for my girls and breakout the boob shirt as soon as Brit announces her tour dates - may even have to fly to Vegas for the occasion.

Anywho - the rest of the VMAs were blah.

I can't stand Miley Cyrus (is it me or is she just mean?? Did anyone else catch her trying to punch sweet little Taylor Swift in the face? Gross).

Lil' Wayne's performance was ridiculous - why even wear pants at that point?

Paramore was good and Katie Perry is adorable albeit a little annoying... but other than that I was not impressed. Oh except Xtina's performance - good bye Madonna, you have been replaced by a far more talented singer/dancer/performer than you. And she has boobs. Ouch.

So that's it for now. Sorry I've been so MIA - the rest of the work duties are taking over my life. I seriously cannot believe I am responsible for several other blogs, Twitters, Facebooks...plus my own! Sheesh. I barely have time to... ummm... shower. Yeah, that's right (sorry Mom!) I don't shower daily any more because I literally don't have time to eat/sleep/work/play and wash my hair.

Check out the work blog and ANSR: Acne Care's PR blog (a.k.a. what's been keeping me so busy the past several months). We better get in a glossy soon or I'm going to have a nervous breakdown! I'd take the Today Show too... whatev.

Obsessed with Tech? Prove it and win free gadgets from Ciao...

Hey everyone,

One of my new clients, Ciao.com, is hosting a contest for the world's biggest electronophiles (read: people who are scarily, even unhealthily, obsessed with tech. Like "stop using your fancy new iPhone while driving or you're gonna kill us all" obsessed...)

It's really easy to enter - all you have to do is join the Ciao community and either submit a video or written review of your fave tech gadget. Put "electronophile" in the title of your review and you're in the running for these sweet prizes:

- An Apple 8G iPod Touch, an approximate $299 retail value
- A Nintendo DS Light handheld gaming console, an approximate $299 retail value
- A Sony Cybershot DSC-W120 digital camera, an approximate $179 retail value

What is Ciao? It's an online shopping community that pays members for accurate, honest reviews about everything from cell phones to laptops to home appliances (even movies!)

Read all about the contest here. (thanks to PitchEngine for our fancy new social media release!)

Oh, and I just posted it on this cool site that lets you know about a ton of free contests and giveaways (if only I didn't have to work...)

It's here, it's here!!

One of my fave clients is FINALLY on the market!! It's ANSR: Acne Care, a truly groundbreaking anti-acne skincare product. Check out their website for real-life testimonials (these people will make you cry) and the coolest infomercial I've ever seen.

We also have our very own snazzy PR blog for media who are interested in learning more - but regular folks may like it too. ;-)

I've been using ANSR: for a few months and am LOVING my skin! (disclaimer: my company is being paid to promote this product, but I swear I'd promote it for free because it actually works...)

For those who have known me for a while (or even just a few months) know that I am OBSESSED with beauty products (Sephora has frequently been called my mothership and I have recurring dreams about having my very own store). And I've tried everything for my acne - Murad, Proactiv, oral and topical antibiotics, natural remedies (they don't work!) One thing that did work on my own was not drinking coffee...I think it aggravates acne b/c it causes inflammation in the body.

Anyway, take a look at these pics (no I'm not a narcissist, I'm just really happy I have clear skin!)

If you're reading this and have acne, or know anyone who has acne, tell them about ANSR: It will change lives and I'm not kidding. We'll have some real people blogging about their experiences with ANSR: soon, but just to give you a feel for how powerful this stuff is, here's what one infomercial star had to say (warning, be prepared to be moved!):

I had a relapse of severe acne last summer that wouldn't respond to anything. I got in on this on the trial level and it's unbelievably amazing. It's phototherapy and treats acne on like three levels. It didn't dry my skin out and it's not harsh. The beauty about the light is you can't do it "too much," it fits in the palm of your hand, and it's not horribly expensive. The truly cool part is it's ability to heal scars and hyperpigmentation (those discoloring marks left after the pimple has gone away). I've never really bought into a product but the results are pretty amazing. For a first time in a long time the first thing I saw in the morning was my eyes, not my challenged skin. It's so amazing I'm willing to send the people I know my own picture - before and afters (it's on the living proof page) - to show you the difference. While I will probably always struggle with acne, I now have something that works in managing it. It's not a "cure" but a system that manages acne. I saw my acne shift from cystic all over to just little acne. My breakouts are greatly reduced. The topicals are geared toward total face help. In other words, I'm 36 and can use this and only this rather than searching for special moisturizers and extras to keep my skin - aging skin I might add - looking good and healthy. It worked for me, it may work for you or someone you know. I know skin can be a tough issue to bring up with someone. I've had acne all my life and I know it's painful. This stuff really can make a difference for someone. While there are no such things as overnight cures, this is worth a try....it really is.

You'll meet this star later via the ANSR: PR Blog and I'm sure you'll see her in media coverage in the coming months. She rocks!

So that's about it on the ANSR: front. You'll hear more. ;-) Other exciting things are happening at R/West... lots of new clients to announce, but those will appear on our blog.

For my three friends who actually read this blog, here are some JA updates. I still love living in the Pearl, it's hot in P-town (107 today!) and I'm looking forward to a very relaxing weekend IN MY OWN BED (this doesn't happen often). After a summer of traveling to NYC, Jersey, Los Angeles, San Diego, Newport Beach, Fargo, San Francisco a billion times, Sonoma County and soon-to-be Port Ludlow, Wash. - Steve and I will be relishing our time in our little 1 bedroom "Loft-O-Paradise" in the Pearl. Curb Your Enthusiasm marathon to ensue...

Ciao for now!
Jules

WTF is a lolcat

Apparently it's this whole online phenomenon fueled by some peeps with way too much time on their hands. Kinda catchy though. They even have their own language called "Kitty Pidgin" (like pidgin English, get it?)

A lolcat is best explained through imagery. Here is one to your left.

Wow.

In other animal planet news. Two of my best friends have adorable puppies and it's making me incredibly jealous and ga ga for baby dogs. It's disgusting really. I let one practically gnaw my fingers off last night as my friends are trying to train him to stop biting. Oops. The best part? They both have old man names: George and Henry. How cute is that?! They just need pot bellies and receding hairlines and their transformation will be complete.

So my friend last night watched me as I was tearing myself away from George to go home. She looks at Steve and goes - "You'll have a puppy in a month."

Dear Steve,

I want a puppy. I will love it forever (and you, of course.)

xoxo,
Jules

Happy Earth Day

Happy Earth Day to my peeps!

In honor of my fave environmentalist, this is a shout out to Ed Begley, Jr. - who I had the pleasure of chauffeuring when he was in town for the Better Living Show last month.

Keep up the good work Ed! I'm going to make it a point today to tell everyone I know not to recycle bottle caps. They end up in baby sea animals' mouths... :-(

Also, sorry for the lack of posts lately...I'm up to my eyeballs in media and blogger lists. Really makes the days fly by.

Ciao for now. Go save the earth!