I’m a proud sister of a killer athlete.

The lovely Kelly Rutherford as our Host!

As an avid viewer of Gossip Girl since the very beginning, I was beside myself when I was invited to attend a private screening of the Gossip Girl season finale with fellow beauty and fashion addicts in NYC. The sponsors, Gossip Girl/The CW and Birchbox just added to the excitement (and awesome giveaways).

The evening started out with cocktails (champagne and a special drink created for the event) coupled with mini-treatments from Stila, Caudalie, andKérastase. Since I arrived late (I blame the rain!), thankfully  I was able to squeeze in a hand massage courtesy of  Caudalie (and some champagne too!)

Then it was off to the screening room to watch the season finale of Gossip Girl on the big screen.

Kelly kicking things off in the screening room

First – the screening room was incredibly luxurious – wonderful chairs, a big HD screen, and it smelled incredible (strange to say but I was shocked because usually rooms like that smell weird.)

Instead of commercials, we heard from the show’s hair/makeup team, Kelly, and the production team, who answered hot button questions like “Team Chuck or Team Dan?” and “Rufus or Bart?” as well as divulging hair/makeup tips and tricks from the show.

While in the company of fellow CW-ites and #GG fans, the reaction during the show was pretty hilarious — usually I’m watching at home, and it was the first time I’ve watched a CW show with a large group of girls since my sorority days back at Kappa Alpha Theta at Syracuse University.

Birchbox Gifts for the Guests!

In true Birchbox fashion (I love their events), a special birchbox was available for each guest to take home and enjoy. Overall, I had a wonderful time and can’t wait for the next event hosted by birchbox.

DrawNYC, my friend Randeep’s infamous tumblr of cartooned new yorkers juxtaposed against real photo backgrounds has featured me in today’s photo!

Randeep’s blog, which has been picking up serious traction after being featured on BuzzFeed, Mashable, and Laughing Squid just to name a few, showcases his daily warmup work before heading into the office.

Thanks to Randeep for featuring me on his blog today!

Last week, I read on Facebook that non-profit Guiding Eyes would be taking a few puppies and service dogs to Union Square (NYC) so people could meet them and learn more about the nonprofit (and volunteer opportunities.)

Since meeting the puppies in Union Square (they are even cuter in real life than in the pictures, if that’s even possible,) I’ve started to notice all the inspiring stories of the dedicated and unselfish love of service animals and the change they make in the lives of those that need them.

The stories of the most recent set of owners and their canine graduates are incredible.

Becky shares, “I’ve been blind all my life but didn’t get my first guide dog until 15 years ago. I don’t dwell on regrets, but if there were one that would stand out, it would be that I didn’t get a guide dog sooner. The ability to walk confidently with my dog – knowing that he will stop at curbs and stairs and will object if I happen to make an unsafe traffic judgment – gives me an indescribable sense of freedom. A new dog makes you think about new things you can do – new roads and new beginnings.”

My co-ed, catholic grade school in Northwest Ohio was a participant in a program called Accelerated Reader (“AR”), and like many other schools in the area, instated a minimum number of “points” each student had to achieve each quarter (earned by reading books and passing computerized quizzes).

For those of you unfamiliar with AR, it’s a reading program where students read books, and then have to take a quiz that will score you on your reading comprehension of the book.

At our school we had a challenge – earn the most points in your grade and win a prize. And did i mention that it’s announced in front of the entire school at the closing mass of the year? Needless to say, I wanted to win. And win I did. Every year.

Yea I’m an overachiever. I know.

Over the years, my love of reading has remained constant, but drifted away from me for a while, replaced by computers. I just found it harder to sit still and read something when there was so much to be experienced and learned on the internet.

Over the years, I tried to get into the whole ereader thing. I bought a first generation kindle, but after a few tries, it ended up only collecting dust. Since then, I wasn’t sure if anything could replace that traditional feeling of a physical book in my hand.

Enter Kindle Fire. A Christmas gift from my boyfriend, I find that I can’t tear my eyes away from it.

And while I used to spend hours floating around Barnes & Noble, I find that that the amazon book store app is a strong improvement from my first interaction with the kindle.

I think I’ve finally graduated into digital book territory.

Sorry paper books.

Boo has arrived.

At last.

Like everyone else on the internet, I am in love with a dog I’ve never met.

I’m not sure how to explain it- it just happened one day as I was on Facebook and started finding photos, videos, and notes from a really cute animal.

So of course, once he started to get famous (sigh!), with a book deal, magazine interviews and photos with celebs, I thought my chances with such a star were beyond my reach.

Of course, I let my hopes down too soon, because when Gund launched a special set of Boo plush animals, I knew it was my chance.

Knowing my love for all things cute pups, my boyfriend bought me this little cutie as part of an anniversary gift. <3.

Happy Birthday to me! (And thanks to Randeep for drawing this photo of me!)

It’s hard to believe another year has past and i’ve added a “+1″ to my age as well. I’m blaming the content of this post on the fact that I spent 3 hours on Monday updating my scrapbook. Is that corny? #nah

Since my 25th birthday one year ago, I have (a few highlights):

• Moved to a new city (NYC!)
• Moved in with my boyfriend
• SOLD MY AUDI :( but kept her in the family
• Worked at a social media agency, then quit for a new job :)
• Started a new job at a mobile company (just down the street from the social media agency!)
• Watched my brother graduate college
• Bought my first pair of louboutins (amongst other shopping adventures in nyc)
• Made some wonderful new friends here in nyc

it’s been a great year, and CHEERS to 26 being the best ever.

Well ladies and gents, fashion week is upon us again and I have to say I am looking forward to this round. As a “new” new yorker, I just can’t get enough- well- until my feet hurt of course.

Last night, diet Pepsi kicked things off at Lincoln center with a fashion show – complete with celeb attendees like Mary Kate Olsen and Debra Messing. I was most starstruck by the likes of MK- she looked flawless!

There is more to come- I have tickets to Monique Lhullier on Saturday so hold out for another recap. Who says techy girls can’t do fashion?

If you’re like me, and have an affinity for french macarons, then I have a feeling you’ll love the cosmetics line debuting later this month by the masters of the macaron, Ladurée. There will be a full line of cosmetics offered, including foundation, face powder, concealer, lipstick, and other accessories (SWOON!!!).

The line, named “les merveilleuses,” was popular in 18th century France, and it roughly translates into “fabulous divas” of the time. These women held “hundreds of balls” and started many luxury trends in fashion and beauty, including but not limited to: transparent clothing, cleavage, enormous hats, exotic scents, and greek-style sandals tied with strings of pearls.

I have not seen packaging like this in my lifetime – and watch out cosmetics manufacturers - this is a sign you need to step up your game.

Much to my discontent, these products will be available in Japan first – and more specifically, Tokyo, where they will cost you a pretty penny. BUT- fear not -  luxuryinsider writes that they will indeed launch the collection in Europe and the rest of Asia in the Fall. (and a better chance to pick up some of it on ebay for us in the United States!)

//via fashion-press.net

A few days ago, a coworker and I were having a conversation about Super Junior’s “Mr Simple” video that won a few awards (and has garnered over 33 Million views), and she sent me a video that blew my mind. This video, embedded above, features Hatsune Miku, a fully digital Japanese pop star princess, created by Crypton Future Media, a company known for creating virtual singers.

Born on August 31th, 2007,  ”HATSUNE MIKU” computer music software enables users to create synthesized singing of unprecedented quality and remarkable realism by just typing in lyrics and melody. The tech behind the phenomenon is powered by YAMAHA’s VOCALOID2(= Vocal + Android) technology. The name of the character comes from a fusion of the Japanese for first (初 hatsu^?), sound (音 ne^?) and future (Miku (ミク^?). Her voice is sampled from Japanese voice actress. Saki Fujita.

But what I really wanted to know is how Hatsune Miko’s projection technology works, which seems to be a secret, as there is much discussion on boards trying to figure it out. However, an article describes it as being achieved by “a special method of rear projection against a semi-transparent screen.”

Overall, the effect is pretty incredible if you ask me – so – if you’re interested in purchasing some music from Hatsune Miku, a record in collaboration with supercell is available on iTunes -and has  5 star rating. One fan mentioned that “If you’re new to Hatsune Miku, and you want to start getting her music on iTunes, I would definitely recommend getting this album first. It contains some of the essential Hatsune Miku songs that every fan ought to know.”

But what ties this all together is it’s similarity to a DCOM (Disney Channel Original Movie) titled Pixel Perfect. The movie is about a failing band called the Zettabytes, who leverage a friend’s knowledge of technology to create a holographic lead singer, Loretta Modern. The band instantly becomes successful, but Samantha (the original lead singer) begins to feel alienated, Roscoe discovers feelings for Samantha, and Loretta struggles with individuality. The ties between the DCOM (released in 2004) and Hatsune Miku (launched in 2007) are incredible – way to go Disney Channel for being ahead of the curve.

What does this mean for the music industry and the intersection of digital and entertainment?