Glamour Friday: Funny Betsy!

Betsy

Welcome to Glamour Friday, everyone!  Today, I'm THRILLED to introduce you to one of the sweetest, most HILARIOUS peeps I know: my friend and former improv teacher, Betsy Stover!!!





OOOOMG, Betsy is just the coolest!  I met her as a student in her improv class at Upright Citizens Brigade in the ol' NYC.  For those of you who aren't familiar with improv, it's comedy without a script.  It's fun to do, and BEYOND fun to watch!  

Amy!

Improv is great for so many reasons. It helps actors flex their comedy skills, and for anyone else, it's a great way to break out of your shell, meet people, and spend a few hours a week just having FUN!  Upright Citizens Brigade is an amazing place to do it.  Founded by four friends (including a LEETLE-known actress named Amy Poehler), UCB is the only accredited comedy school in the country - meaning college students can actually get credit for attending.  THAT'S how serious this comedy stuff is, folks!  ;)

     HEY, BETSY... 

What does glamour mean to you?

Feeling good about yourself.  I have to say that glamour's a bit foreign to me now, being that I'm a mom and I have another baby on the way.  Even if I have makeup and a dress on, I always feel like there's a bit of a frazzled element to me!

What's your favorite thing about improv?

You can be anyone or do anything.  It's limitless.  I mean, I can be a tightrope walker or a 400-pound Russian mobster.  There are no boundaries to who you can be, what you can do...I find that exhilarating.

What's your favorite thing about being a mom?

Every family obviously has all of their own dysfunctions, 
 and I love that you can try your best to correct them when you're creating a brand new family.  You can break the cycle, and try to get better with every generation.  

The best part about my experience at UCB was having Betsy as my teacher!  Having a great teacher makes a BIG difference since improv can be a little intimidating at first.  So if you're interested in trying it out, make sure your teacher's been recommended to you.  My favorite thing about Betsy is how comfy she made everyone feel.  She created a safe environment, where everyone flourished!

It's SUPER easy to find an improv class near you.  Visit Google, and you'll see lots of options pop up wherever you are.  And, if you're looking for something a LEETLE different to do with your friends one night, there's NOTHING like seeing an improv show!  WOW - seeing experienced peeps perform this stuff will give you MAJOR belly laughs!  It's such a fun night out!

Betsy & Ari!

Obviously, Betsy has RIDICULOUS inner glamour!  When I asked what her favorite thing is about being a mom, I was BLOWN AWAY by her beautiful answer.  I'm so inspired by how she manages to be BEYOND hilarious, and also really down-to-earth and super sweet.  She and her hubby, Ari (also an improv teacher), will be hosting a show with some other UCB teachers in the new year, so visit www.ucbtheatre.com to learn more about it, or about any classes or shows happening at UCB.  


Have a glamorous weekend xo!

Glamour Friday: ChickLitIsNotDead.com

Lisa (Left) & Liz (Right)

Welcome to Glamour Friday, everyone!  OMG, I can't even HANDLE how happy I am to be talking about two of my favorite ladies who are like rock stars to me!  It is with CRAZY EXCITEMENT that I introduce you to Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke - co-founders of one of my FAVORITE websites - ChickLitIsNotDead.com!  


*Sigh*  Where do I even begin?!  "Chick Lit" stands for "Chick Literature" - ya know - literature for chicks!  Think: romantic comedy in book form.  I have to admit, I USED TO be embarrassed about my love of these books.  It's like when someone asks you what your favorite movie is and you have to come up with something clever like Citizen Kane, when REALLY, it's When Harry Met Sally...

Best happy ending ever!
*Sigh*

Well, no longer am I embarrassed by my chick lit addiction!  Ever since discovering Chick Lit Is Not Dead, I want to shout it from the rooftops: "I LOVE CHICK LIT!"  As the website's tagline so cutely states, this site was founded by "two girls who believe that books with high fashion and happy endings never go out of style."  How can you argue with that?!  

Every time I visit this website, I feel like a kid in a candy store: "Where do I look first?"  It's pretty and girly, choc full of adorable features, and written in a tone that makes you feel like you're chatting it up with a friend.  One of my FAAAAVORITE parts of the site is the author interviews, where everyone from Emily Giffin (author of Something Borrowed and Something Blue) to Lauren Weisberger (author of The Devil Wears Prada) answers a series of fun, cute questions, like "What's on your bucket list?" or "What are your five Do's and a Do-over?"  It's such a great way to get to know the authors you love.  

And of course, my number one favorite thing about peeping this site is that it's a great way to fall in love with NEW authors, too!  It's actually where I discovered Beth Kendrick, author of Exes and Ohs, which I posted about here.  I seriously NEVER buy a book without visiting Chick Lit Is Not Dead first.  I HIGHLY recommend stopping by.  It's like a playground for your brain...you'll just never wanna leave!  

I gotta say, Liz and Lisa have RIDICULOUS inner glamour happening.  I love the story of their friendship, which you can read about here.  When I asked Liz if her friendship with Lisa has changed now that they reside in different states, she said that they actually appreciate their friendship that much more.  And how do they keep in touch?  In between visits every six weeks, they text, text, text away, and chat live every few days.  


PS...These two women are UNBELIEVABLY driven and passionate about writing!  In addition to running their fabulous site, Liz and Lisa have co-authored two books: I'll Have Who She's Having and The D Word, which have received AMAZING reviews, AND, they're hoping to come out with their third book early in 2012.

DEFINITELY check out the adorable, charming, girly, cute ChickLitIsNotDead.com!  You'll become addicted!  OH, and peep Liz and Lisa's blogroll and you'll see none other than yours truly listed there...I KNOW!!!  For this, and for their FABULOUS site, I want to thank Liz and Lisa!  These two women inspire me in so many ways, and I hope they inspired you today, too!

Have a glamorous weekend xo!

Glamour Friday: Say It With Sequins!

Welcome to Glamour Friday, everyone!  Lately, I have been BEYOND inspired by the sequins I'm seeing everywhere!  Nothing says glamour during the holidays like a LEETLE sparkle!  ;)  What I love about sequins is their versatility.  They're perfect to wear in the evening, but I LOVE to add a little glitz and glamour to my ensemble by rocking them in the daytime.  I'm also totally diggin' the fact that sequins are showing up in all different colors - not just black.  SO much fun!  Take a peek at the stunners below, and remember to keep the rest of your look simple so the sequins can be the star of the show!

Blazers:
LOVE all of these!  The pink one is super fun, different, and unexpected!

Zara Short Sequin Jacket - $129

Nasty Gal Crop Sequin Jacket - $98



Forever 21 Allover Sequin Blazer (BLACK) -$27.80



Forever 21 Allover Sequin Blazer (PINK) - $27.80



Skirts:
SO chic and holiday-appropriate!

Anthropologie Twinkle Lights Pencil Skirt - $218



ShopKempt Emella Sequin Skirt - $42

Sweaters:
Nervous about wearing sequins in the daytime?  These pieces will perfectly ease you into Twinkle Town!

Banana Republic Sequin Knit Blazer - $175



J. Crew Sequin-Striped Fine-Knit Sweater - $120



INC Petite Dolman Sleeve Sequin Slouchy Sweater - On Sale for $76.07!


BAGS:
Am DYING for these sparkly bags.  Love the festive shape and easy-to-match quality of the Betsey Johnson option!



Kate Spade Sparkler Missy (GOLD) - $155



Kate Spade Sparkler Missy (MULTI) - $155



Banana Republic Shimmer Bead Tunnel Clutch (ASSORTED COLORS) - On Sale for $88!



Betsey Johnson Evening Sequin Cheetah Bow Clutch - On Sale for $37.99!



Have a glamorous weekend xo!

Glamour Friday: Inspirational Icons

               

Welcome to Glamour Friday, everyone!  Every Friday, as you know, I share a glamorous tip from someone who inspires me.  Well today, I thought I'd talk about some of the style icons - both past and present - who inspire me every time I see their pictures!  Whether they've mastered a specific style (Nicole Richie) or they've mastered the art of confidence (Alexa Chung), one thing's for sure: These women are ALL glamorous!

Sophia Loren

Love the On-Trend,
Ladylike Bow!

I mean, it just doesn't get sexier than Sophia Loren!  BOMBSHELL.  Love her adorable top in the pic at the left.  Polka dots are DEFINITELY making a comeback this seez.  Check out this sweet little number from ModCloth.com for a modern spin on this classic look!

Katharine

Free Peeps!

Katharine Hepburn was my kinda woman!  She was the first leading lady to rock the tailored menswear look, but she ALWAYS kept it feminine.  Such a pioneer.  LOVE HER!  Take a peek at 
Free People's version of her sequined button down.  SO cool!

GAWJUS!

Coach

I'm OBSESSED with Nicole Richie's style.  She takes boho chic to the next level for sure.  Check out her adorable, 50's-inspired look at the left.  Love how she keeps it modern with a crisp, white shirt and subtle cat eye.  You can achieve this look by picking up a similar scarf at Coach.  They come in so many fun patterns, AND, they're double-sided!

Oh, Alexa!

Piperlime's
Faux Leather
Jacket

Alexa Chung is just the COOLEST cat there is!  Not only does she have a gift for putting together awesome outfits; she carries herself with such confidence that she could even make a nightgown look amazing!  Visit Piperlime.com and take a peek at the Lucca Couture Faux Leather Jacket to rock a similar version of Alexa's style.  Timeless!

So Pretty!

Comes in
Assorted Colors!

I don't think I've EVER seen Olivia Palermo in a bad outfit.  She just never has an off day!  She is GORGEOUS and I LOVE the scarf she's rockin' in this pic.  Perfect for the Fall.  Check out Rachel Zoe's Faux Fur Pull Through Scarf here and stay nice n' toasty (n' stylish!) this winter!








Have a glamorous weekend xo!