WOMEN OF SUBSTANCE, SAY HELLO!

I've always loved entertainment and popular culture - television, film, music, fashion. My interest was initially about the arts and subjects themselves, but with time and current media trends, I've become increasingly interested in the personal and professional lives of celebrity personalities from Oprah's messiah complex to what in the world Miss. Hilton is doing with Three 6 Mafia. As a consumer, a marketer, a sociologist, and a lifestyle writer, I am compelled to these stories for a variety of reasons.

Among my circle of friends are emerging artists, visionaries and excellent conversationalists with limited interest in the fickle lives of priveledged, contrived and two-dimensional personalities, so we don't gab about celebs much. In my opinion, most entertainment weeklies stink, offering shallow and sensationalist reports with no valuable insights. They definitely are not written for me. The CHUM TV network isn't bad if you can stand seeing the same profile of teen-star ten times in twenty days. Rogers' publications are pretty good, but better for lifestyle than entertainment. So what is a smart, successful, multi-dimensional young woman to do for a not-so-fickle fix? Ladies, say hello to "Hello!"

Rogers Publishing (Flare, Lou Lou) is launching a Canadian version of Hello!, the UK's weekly answer to upmarket celeb and entertainment news. Some scrutinize its launch as yet another trash mag in a saturated market, but with Christopher Louden at the helm, Hello! could be the answer for smart pop-culture buffs like myself. Check your newstands this August. I suspect the new mag will offer a sophisticated look and informative editorial on the lives of our favorite business, royalty, and entertainment personalities, as well as super fashion, decor and travel sections.

I know, right?!

VOTE MUCH?

At 18, I was thrilled I could finally vote. I've always felt the importance of exercising my freedom of choice. That sentiment is somewhat jaded now that I understand the illusion of choice that exists in 'democracies'. As a marketer, I am also intimately aware of the illusion of choice that exists in consumer society. As a result, there are few subjects or promotions that can entice my vote. Until now, my vote was reserved for political elections, music awards and online celebrity polls. Then came the MuchMusic VJ Search.

I began watching about six weeks ago, just to check it out as any good pop culturist would. It didn't take long before the Apprentice-like challenges and ANTM-like bickering had me hooked. I knew just where I'd be at 8pm tonight. As it turned out, I cared much more than even I knew.

As the time ticked on the one-hour finale, I developed a stronger and stronger opinion of who deserved the coveted VJ title. The thought of having to settle for one of the inferior competitors actually bothered me. My next move was to muchmusic.com where I was greeeted by a major cyber traffic jam. A $0.50 text message it would be then - 54321 VJSEAN.

Never before has a promotion or reality/competition show prompted me to cast a vote, yet there I was. I watched the final moments of the Search as attentively as I watch the final tally on election days. It was as intense as watching the Oscars. So there it is. It would appear that the subjects that motivate me most are politics and entertainment. I want to know where my Mayor stands on the homeless problem, where my Premier stands on education, where my Prime Minister stands on health care, who's taking home best new artist, who's got Best Supporting Actress, and who's interviewing the people I want to know about most. Trust me, when you watch as much MUCH as I do, it matters.

Honestly. Right, Tim :-)

Sidebar: I'd be interested to know how many Canadians ages 18-25 voted for a MuchMusic VJ versus how many voted in the last federal election.

BULLSEYE: Nick Lachey Dating Predictions On Target

I blinked and almost missed it! Apparently Nick Lachey has been romantically linked to Laguna Beach star Kristin Cavallari. My first reaction - what? and who? Laguna Beach is yet another MTV reality show, this one following the lives of eight teenagers living in California's Orange County, of which Kristin is one.

Loyal readers may recall my December 28th entry detailing 2006 dating predictions for Nick and Jess. For Nick I predicted, "...With a flailing career his ego is fragile. For a boost, he may hang with a B-list personality such as a dancer, cheerleader, etc. If his career gains some steam, he'll move onto a long-term relationship with another A-List celeb...Look for Nick to be tied to the a Hailey Duff or Kylie Monogue-type" Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the 19-year old qualifies.

AnyWHO, that's old news. The latest dating rumors are linking Nick to NY TV-Host Vanessa Minnillo. I think my work here is done.

SPRING BRINGS NEW BEGINNINGS

It's been awhile since I've written about the job front, but not for lack of activity. When big changes are unfolding, I often prefer to sit back and let the whole story unfold before divulging info. That time has come.

During my first month in my new position, I was quickly exposed many aspects of the company - the company vision, work environment, management style - some positive, some negative. True to form, I decided to keep alert and see how things play out over time. By the end of Februay the negative were posing signifant diffculties and I decided to resign. The short stints aren't necessarily my style, but with experience I've learned to disuade concerns of outward appearance and act in my own best interest.

Since then I've returned as a volunteer with the PR company that manages the runway room at L'Oreal Fashion Week. I've also contracted with Reia N Studio doing a combination of admin, set-up, and sales work for Fashion Week and the Fashion North Womenswear trade show. Working in fashion, accessories to be exact, has been a blast!
From the wonderful purses to the wonderful people, it's been a great experience.

They say March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb, so I'm pleased to sit back, rest my feet, and see what the Spring holds for me.

A FRESH LOOK AT FASHION

At the wise young age of 30, I'm passed the pressure of spending a small fortune on my wardrobe, though some pieces definitely warrant the investment - winter coats, dress pants, and classic shoes, I say.

My greatest shopping glory comes from assembling fabulous ensembles on a stricter budget. I actually think budget shopping is a greater testament to good fashion sense. It's easy to look fab with a plump spending budget, but with limited funds, one's vision, sharpness and resourcefulness really come into play.

Some of my favs for budget shopping are H&M, Kensington Market, Le Chateau, Old Navy, and Winners of course. But sit down ladies, the mother of all affordable trends has arrived. Introducing Joe Fresh!

Joe Fresh is a new apparel line designed by Canadian fashion icon Joseph Mimran (the designer behind Alfred Sung, Club Monaco and Caban) and get this - the men's and women's wear are being sold in The Real Canadian Superstores!! So, as the cashier is checking your stuffed green olives, PC Butter Chicken, and litre of skim milk, she can also ring in your $17 classic dress shirt, $6 tank, and $10 polo for the guy in your life. Plus, there's less guilt involved if you get some sustenance with your new Spring wear. There's a big marketing story here, but I'll save that for another day.

For now, you'll have to venture to Steeles & Dufferin, the sole Toronto location, to take advantage, but I'm guessing it's worth the drive!

www.joefresh.ca

DIVAS NEVER DIE: How Mariah Stays on Top

You gotta hand it to Mariah. One day it's all about the uber-diva's near-nervous breakdown, then after two years of releasing greatest hits and remix albums (the beginning of the end in my eyes) she reemerges at the top of the charts with The Emancipation of Mimi. Ms. Carey, unarguably a supreme vocal talent, caught our attention in the 90's with her self-titled debut. But ballad after ballad and hip hop collab after weak hip hop collab, I didnt' think any of us still cared.

So I've figured it out. We don't care. But there is a new generation of teens that do. See unlike Madonna who grows and ages with us, Mariah simply continues to target the same demographic. As her fans age and move on musically, a new batch of teens are there to witness her timeless (i.e. hasn't changed in 8 years) performances. As long as there are 14 year old girls, Mariah will continue to succeed.

Knowing this, it makes perfect sense that Mariah opted to go low-end with her new jewellery and accessory line, Glamorized. Taking a different route than most celebs her age, the jewellery line will retail exclusively at Claire's Boutique Outlets - you know, the cheezy little stores in 'high school' malls like Dufferin Mall, Fairview and Eaton Centre - the 14-year old girls haven!

As much as I find her laughable, I am still caught singing the high-pitched hooks. You gotta give it to Mariah, she's hard to shake off.

Be good.

DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS REVEALED

In writing a blog such as this, one inevitably reveals aspects of the self. Sharing an opinion is one thing. Sharing your dirty little secrets is quite another. But this I do in hopes of breaking the unspeakable 'debt' taboo.

In 1998 I graduated from the University of Windsor with a BA(Hon.) in Communication Studies and a $30,000 student loan debt to go with it. Within three weeks of graduation, I had a job in my field (woohoo) and a laughable gross annual salary of $20,800 (no woohoo). Within the eight years that followed, I had four more jobs, a fairly snazzy wardrobe, seasonal make-up upgrades, tons of great meals, a zillion hairstyles, vacation photos from New York, L.A., Montreal, Jamaica and Paris;a FABULOUS wedding and honeymoon - you get the idea. I managed $500,000 communication budgets on a daily basis, but was not properly managing my own.

Mine is only one story. There are many, MANY others in Toronto alone, as finance and lifestyle editorials of the past few years would indicate. What strikes me most is that within our female circles, we talk about diets, sex, cosmetic surgery, bladder infections and other much more intimate subjects, but the most intimate of all is our debt. This is the dirty little secret our perfectly pink, glossy lips will never reveal. Jerrold Mundis does a wonderful job of explaining some of the reasons why. For more insight and some motivation to deal, check out "How to Get Out of Debt, Stay Out of Debt & Live Prosperously". Whether you owe $100 or $100,000 it will change the way you think about your finances and life!

Once you go black, you never go back! hee hee