Brilliant. Absolutely Briliant.
A few months back, I got to meet and talk to the cast of “Modern Family.” They could not have been lovelier. Click here to check it out: http://blog.jessicaradloff.com/?p=228
HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY? 
“You go to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.”
-Alan, age 10
“No person really decides before they grow up who they’re going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you’re stuck with.”
-Kristen, age 10
WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?
“Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.”
-Camille, age 10
HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
“You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.”
-Derrick, age 8
WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
“Both don’t want any more kids.”
-Lori, age 8
WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
“Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.”
-Lynnette, age 8
“On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.” 
-Martin, age 10
WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?
“I’d run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.”
-Craig, age 9
WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
“When they’re rich.”
-Pam, age 7
“The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn’t want to mess with that.”
-Curt, age 7
“The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It’s the right thing to do.”
-Howard, age 8
IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
“It’s better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.”
-Anita, age 9
And the #1 FAVORITE IS. . . .
HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
“Tell your wife she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck hit her.”
-Ricky, age 10
(courtesy of Mia Carmel, www.miacarmel.com)
Joey Tribbiani: Mature?
AS I MATURE . . .
1) I’ve learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is stalk them and hope they panic and give in.
2) I’ve learned that no matter how much I care, some people are just assholes.
3) I’ve learned that it takes years to build up trust, and it only takes suspicion, not proof, to destroy it.
4) I’ve learned that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes. After that, you’d better have a big willy or huge boobs.
5) I’ve learned that you shouldn’t compare yourself to others–they are more screwed up than you think.
6) I’ve learned that you can keep vomiting long after you think you’re finished.
7) I’ve learned that we are responsible for what we do, unless we are celebrities.
*My favorite is number 2 & 5. What’s yours?
However, someone was looking over Aunt Ruth, because on the day of the game, showers moved through the St. Louis area and brought with it an unseasonable cool front. Excuse my stretch of the imagination, but it was like Moses had just parted the skies (or at least had a talk with Mother Nature). Ruth donned her Cardinal red, grabbed her sunglasses, and planned for a casual night at the ballpark. If she only knew what was in store.
Prior to the game (weeks before, actually), I contacted the Cardinals to tell them that a very special guest would be in attendance, hoping for a shout-out on the scoreboard, or a video hello. What ended up happening exceeded our wildest dreams. You would have thought we were in LA, not St. Louis.
After dinner in the dining room (complete with a dessert bar that gave me a sugar rush just looking at it), Ruth was greeted in her seat by long-time Cardinals mascot, Fredbird. He presented her with a game ball, and a beak bite. You’ll have to see the pictures below.
The evening didn’t end there. During the game, Cardinals ballpark anchor “That One Guy” (aka Todd Schumaker), came over and told Ruth that during the bottom of the 6th inning, she would be featured on the jumbo-tron for a special rendition of “Happy Birthday.” I can’t think of any other city that would do such a thing. Leave it to St. Louis though. We may not have the hippest clubs or a sparking blue ocean, but we definitely have the best fans. And so, 40,000 plus (mind you–40,000 plus on a MONDAY night) got on their feet to sing Ruth an early Happy Birthday. Fredbird came back for the celebration, this time complete with a gift bag and cupcake with candles. To see Ruth being celebrated this way, in front of all these fans, on the scoreboard, was one of those moments you can’t even dream of. It was incredible.
To top the evening off, it just so happened that Pro-Bowl NFL Running Back, Steven Jackson (of the St. Louis Rams), was sitting a few rows in front of us. You never quite know how an athlete will be in person, especially when they are at a venue outside of work on their own personal time. But SJ39 could not have been more gracious or genuine. As far as he was concerned, Ruth was his new homie, and he was thrilled to share in her celebration.
Ruth hasn’t had an easy life. She lost her father very young, and had to go to work to help her mother support 6 other brothers and sisters. She never made excuses and never complained. This is a woman who always has a smile on her face, is always willing to help others, and is never comfortable with a lot of fanfare.
Yes, she was a tad embarrassed on this delightfully balmy evening, but for the first time since I can remember, she was also comfortable enough to soak in the attention. Either that, or she knew arguing with me was pointless.
At the rate Ruth is going, we’ll hopefully have her around for at least another 10 years. But life is funny, and as healthy as we are, we never know how much time we have left on earth. I learned that very early on in life when my Mom flew through the windshield of her car and almost died. Life is never to be taken for granted, never to be passed by, never to be wasted.
And on that night, the message couldn’t have been clearer. Ruth is one of those rare gems that you discover once in a blue moon. When you’re lucky to find it, you never let go.
And for those keeping track, the Cardinals won that night. Hit 3 home-runs in a row too. I’d like to think it was for Ruth.
My Mom (Barb Radloff), Aunt Ruth, and my Dad (Stuart Radloff)
Aunt Ruth, meet Fredbird.
St. Louis RAMS RB Steven Jackson with Aunt Ruth
Me & Aunt Ruth, Summer 2010
Krivicka is taking the web (and lots of hopeless romantics) by storm with the pilot episode of his new WE series (that’s Women’s Entertainment network in case you didn’t know), Put a Ring On It.
“It’s Queer Eye for the Straight Guy meets The Proposal,” explains Michael. “We take a relationship expert, a stylist/wedding planner, and a tech expert—the Charlie’s Angels of experts as I call them—and bring them together to execute a guy’s proposal for his girlfriend.”
Krivicka goes on to explain, “I wanted to show what guys could do and what they are capable of—with a little help. It’s so important to keep romance alive. I wanted to show what a guy has to go through to propose to his girlfriend. I think guys are freaked out about how much effort is involved (in proposing), and although we certainly show the elaborateness (on Put a Ring On It), I think the message that really comes through is that it’s about a guy listening to what a girl wants, and making one of the most special moments in her life unforgettable for her.”
Krivicka believed in his concept so much that the first couple featured on the show was none other than himself and his future-fiancée-to-be, Nadia. “I wanted to capture the moment on video so we always had it. It was so important for me to show the emotional investment of a couple (and their journey of starting a life together.)”
So, Krivicka and his Charlie’s Angels of experts teamed up to freeze time. Yes, you read that right. “Our lives are so busy,” explains Krivicka, “especially with living in New York, that we rarely have time for ourselves. And just for a moment, I wanted everything to stop still. No assignments, no meetings. Just her and I and nothing else.” Well, except for a few cameras and about 75 random folks in on the surprise.
Unbeknownst to Nadia, Krivicka had a colleague lure her to lunch at a beautiful Manhattan café. Shortly into the meal, Krivicka walks in, snaps his fingers, and the entire restaurant
Nadia & Michael
freezes. With hidden cameras planted all over the café, Krivicka gets down on one knee and asks Nadia for her hand in marriage. After she exuberantly accepts, he snaps his fingers, and the entire restaurant comes alive with applause. Apparently you really can script this stuff!
“Nadia knew about the show,” says Krivicka, “but she didn’t know it was going to be about us (in the first episode). Of course, because she investigates financial fraud for a living (Nadia is a forensic accountant), she had her suspicions. But I went (to the ends of the earth and back) to cleverly convince her that although a proposal was coming, I would not be doing it on TV, and she really believed me.”
Of course, in the end, Nadia was thrilled that it actually was. As she told several news stations, ‘I was in such shock, I don’t even remember half of what happened after he asked me. But because it’s all on tape, now I can watch it back!”
Krivicka is hoping his proposal to Nadia is only the first of many for Put a Ring On It. Buzz has been generating for weeks online, and once WE gets their sponsors lined up, the hope is to produce an entire season.
Guys might be scared to death at the prospect of having new proposal criteria to live up to, but as Krivicka mentions, ‘as long as you listen to the girl and pay attention to what she wants, you’ll never fail.’
I’ll toast to that.
*If you know of someone looking to propose, visit Michael’s website: www.thinkmodo.com. From there, you’ll be able to access the site for Put a Ring On it and submit your idea.
In the meantime, check out Michael’s proposal to Nadia below. It is NOT to be missed! Congratulations to the happy couple!
Brande Roderick, author of the just released, “Bounce Don’t Break: Brande’s Guide to Life, Love, and Success,” I didn’t expect Mr. Hammertime himself to find his way into the conversation. Or Emmanuel Lewis for that matter (but I’ll get to that later). As for Mr. Hammer, the case could be made that along with Donald Trump and Hugh Hefner, Brande Roderick wouldn’t be the successful blonde bombshell she is without them.But to assume that Brande wouldn’t be where she is now because of these famous folks is to underestimate Brande Roderick. This is no ordinary model with stunning good looks. This is a career gal who has worked her (Playboy Bunny) tail off to get where she is, and make sure the rest of the world knows it.
So in today’s rough-and-tumble world, how does one make a strong impression and stand out from the crowd? After all, telling someone to work hard just isn’t going to cut it anymore. According to Brande, although a hard work ethic should never be underestimated, it’s more important to be different. “Think outside the box. Make yourself different from the masses. No matter what your career or passion is, as long as you do things differently—along with working hard—then that is the key.”
Ok, that’s fantastic and all, but how does one do that? I mean, if you’re interviewing for a job at a university, do you come dressed as Albert Einstein? Different is one thing, but acting crazy (or dressing up as someone else) is another. Instead, it’s all about listening (and you see, all you did ever need to know you learned in kindergarten!) As Brande tells it, just by applying that very trait has led her to numerous job opportunities.
“When I first went in to audition for Starsky & Hutch, I met with Ben Stiller and (director) Todd Philips. A it turned out, Todd was a huge fan of The Surreal Life (Brande appeared back in 2003), and especially of Emmanuel Lewis (TV’s Webster). So as soon as I left the audition, I called up Emmanuel’s agent and had Emmanuel sign an autograph to Todd. I had it over-nighted to Todd, and Emmanuel cleverly put that Todd would be making a big mistake if he didn’t hire ‘my girl Brande.’ The rest is history.”
But every job opportunity hasn’t always gone so smoothly. Shockingly, when Brande first tried out to be a Playboy Playmate, she was rejected. Granted, it’s not as shocking as Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston suddenly announcing a reconciliation, but you do have to wonder if Hef wasn’t on tranquilizers that day. How else do you explain one of the most gorgeous, friendliest, and did I mention gorgeous females to get turned away? For Brande, it didn’t matter what the reason. “It was just something I always wanted to do. So I made some adjustments, worked on my confidence, and got right back on that horse so to speak. A year later, I went back and was accepted.”
Brande Roderick: 2001 Playmate of the Year
It was during those years at the Playboy Mansion that set the stage for Brande’s new book. “I became the mother hen. I had a lot of playmates coming to me for advice. Everything from dating and relationships to money management and career advice. I figured, why not write it all down? Besides, it was books like mine now that got me through some very difficult and confusing times.”
Which led me to wonder, is relationship success, or financial/career success harder to attain? “Relationship success, absolutely,” says Brande. “Because that’s not something you can control. You can’t track down Mr. Right. Mr. Right has to find you.”
Well, that should play well with those that believe you don’t have to wait on a man to make the first move. But wait—Brande does have a point. In fact, she was always the one that did the asking out. “It made me feel empowered, but these relationships never went anywhere. It’s ok to do that for a Mr. Right Now if it’s just for fun and experience, but if you’re ready to find Mr. Right (Forever), you have to become a lady again and let that shield down. As a career woman, it’s very scary because you’re used to taking control and going after what you want, but at the same time, it’s really nice to let go and let the guy do the work.” In fact—and here’s that M.C. Hammer story I was telling you about—“it was M.C. Hammer who sat me down one day and said, ‘Brande, you have to stop being the one to ask these guys out. Stop finding them. . . let them come to you.’”
Sure enough, it was that attitude that led Brande to her Mr. Right: Glenn Cadrez, a former linebacker for the Denver Broncos. He noticed Brande on an episode of The Surreal Life and immediately called her agent to arrange a meeting. The rest wasn’t exactly history, as Brande was dating other guys at the time. “However, after dating Glenn for a couple months, he called me up one night and told me he didn’t want me going out with these other guys anymore. He wanted to date me exclusively.” In fact, “it was that kind of assertiveness that really sealed the deal for me. He had a strength about him that made me feel so comfortable. Plus, he could stand up to me, and I needed that.”
In her new book, Brande makes it clear that if a guy wants to be with you, he will absolutely find a way to do it. So stop making excuses for your guy, because as Brande says, “he will want to take you off the market so no one else can have you.” She goes a step further by adding that “within a year, if he’s not talking marriage and children with you, then he likely won’t do it. It’s up to you if it’s something you can live with or not (if he is not bringing it up and planning a future).” Furthermore, “it’s ok to bring up on the first date, ‘so, do you see yourself getting married and having kids in the future?’ It’s better to do it sooner than later so you don’t waste any time. And if he says yes, then don’t bring it up again. See how things play out if your relationship keeps moving forward.”
Brande’s rules obviously worked for her. Just four months ago, Brande and Glenn welcomed son Keaton into the world. “Glenn proposed after a year and a half. But in the first year, we both knew we wanted children, we both knew we wanted to be married, and we both wanted the same things.” Bottom line: good old-fashioned communication. What a concept!
Balancing marriage, motherhood and a career is certainly no easy task, but Brande wouldn’t have it any other way. “I’ve always had to work harder to prove myself, and this is no different. The key is, no matter what you chose, make it something you love.”
And that’s good old-fashioned advice for the Playboy Bunny in all of us.
Check back next week for Brande’s pick for The Bachelorette’s Ali, as well as her favorite guiltiest pleasure.
And in the meantime, if you live in San Francisco, come visit Brande this Thursday, July 29th, at the Borders in Union Square to meet Brande and have her personally sign an autographed copy of her book, “Bounce, Don’t Break.”
Signed copies are also available at the Borders in Carmel Mountain San Diego and the Barnes & Noble at the Grove in LA.
Finally, follow Brande on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BrandeNRoderick and visit her website at www.branderoderick.com
LOVE THIS!
Have any favorite quotes you’d like to share? Comment below and let me know!
Jessica 
) titled “California Dreamin’: The Best Places to Spot a Celeb in LA!”Take a look and let me know what you think!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jessica-radloff/california-dreamin-celebr_b_653723.html
Thank you guys as always!!! xo~ Jessica
Brande Roderick is the newest celeb personality to take to the literary world with the upcoming release of her self-help book, “Bounce, Don’t Break.”In the meantime, if you’re in the Los Angeles area tomorrow evening, Thursday, July 22nd, stop by Barnes & Noble at the Grove for Brande’s book signing at 7pm. Tell her I sent you!
Let’s be honest. No matter how cool we think we are, spotting a celebrity is always a talking point. Yet, for millions of tourists that visit LA each year, I’m never surprised when I hear, ‘I was there for a week and saw no one! Where are they?!’ Believe it or not, there is an art involved (plus good timing), so you can walk away from LaLa Land with more than just tchotsky-looking souvenirs.
1) TIMING IS EVERYTHING: Plan your trip accordingly. Typically the months of June and July are slower if you want to catch a TV star. Most shows are on hiatus until early August, so actors find themselves out of town shooting movies, or vacationing on the coast of Italy (i.e., Sofia Vergara). More so, the BEST time to see Ryan Reynolds or Jennifer Aniston is during Awards season (typically January through March).
Culina at the Four Seasons
Grab lunch at the trendy new Culina restaurant at the Four Seasons Los Angeles during Oscar weekend, and you’ll be guaranteed to whisper, ‘Is that who I think it is?’
2) FORGET THE IVY: If you’ve never been there, it is definitely worth it to walk by or grab a pastry. But it’s no longer the hotspot it was in its heyday. Now you’ll find yourself among reality stars and the cosmetically-enhanced housewives of Beverly Hills. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that. After all, it is GREAT people-watching). If spotting an A-list movie star is what you’re after, schedule a late dinner (8pm or later) at any of the following:
Boa Steakhouse
Cut, Boa, Red-O, Pizzeria Mozza, Cecconis, The Tower Bar, or Katsuya.
3) SKIP TRAVEL SIZE TOILETRIES AND VISIT YOUR NEAREST DRUGSTORE: That’s right. You won’t find this tidbit in the Zagat’s Guide to LA. Hang out long enough at the Rite Aid in Beverly Hills and you’re bound to see stars like Ashton Kutcher (pharmacy), Mark Wahlberg (candy aisle), Kimberly Stewart (cosmetics) or the legendary Sidney Poitier (cold & flu aisle).
4) THE GROVE & WESTFIELD CENTURY CITY:
The Grove
As if you needed an excuse to shop at LA’s most exclusive boutiques, here’s more reason to stroll the tree-lined outdoor shopping meccas. If you plan on visiting The Grove, the optimal time is between the hours of 7 and 10pm when Dancing with the Stars is in session. Oftentimes, celebrities and their dance partners will swing by several of the Grove’s restaurants for a post-show bite. And don’t forget the ultra-popular holiday season when celebrities bring their kids to frolic in the fake snow. As for Century City, your best bet is the AMC Theatres on the second floor. If you ever want to see Tom Cruise watching well, Tom Cruise, then this is it.
5) THE PUMPKIN PATCH: Celebrities have assistants for everything, but one thing they always like to do themselves is visit the Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch with their kids.
Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch
Since relocating to Doheny Blvd., you’re almost guaranteed a Courteney Cox and Coco sighting, or Heidi Klum and Seal entertaining their brood of kids. Picking out a pumpkin has never been so glamorous. Obvious FYI: October only.
6) BARNEYS NEW YORK: For exclusive shopping you can’t find anywhere else, stick to the cosmetics counter and shoe department at Barney’s New York. Katie Holmes and Suri make regular appearances.
Barneys
7) COOK AT HOME!: Don’t expect Halle Berry to show up in an apron and chef’s hat.
Bristol Farms
Instead, look for her and Nahla in the produce aisle of Bristol Farms in Beverly Hills. Celebrities will often hit their neighborhood grocery store to stock up on whatever their personal chef won’t let them have (just kidding—I think). Hit up Vicente Foods in Brentwood, Gelsons in West Hollywood, Ralphs in Calabasas, or Bristol Farms in Beverly Hills, and you’ll be able to sneak a peak into a star’s grocery cart.
8. CUP O’ JOE: Hit up Entourage hotspot Urth Caffe (side note: if you’re wondering why Urth is always featured on the HBO comedy series, it’s because the producers own it) for an organic espresso or colorful seasonal fruit. In Santa Monica? Don’t miss 
laidback hot-spot La Grande Orange for an amazing breakfast on the patio, and the most delicious english muffins you’ll ever taste. It might almost make you forget that Christian Bale is sitting next to you.
Above all though, when you meet one of these so-called celebrities, take a moment to really think about the appropriateness of the moment. If they are dining with their kids, wait till they are heading out the door to make an introduction. If they are on their phone, let them finish the conversation before interrupting. And most importantly, keep it brief. Tell them you admire their work, but don’t bring up that your cousin’s best friend is acquaintances with their stepbrother. Just be genuine and sincere, and you’re pretty much guaranteed to leave LA with a souvenir better than any fake Oscar trophy you could pick up on Hollywood Blvd.
Culina (www.CulinaRestaurant.com, 300 S. Doheny Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90048, 310.860.4000)
Katsuya (www.sbe.com/katsuya, Numerous Locations)
Cut Beverly Hills (www.wolfgangpuck.com/restaurants/finedining, 9500 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90212, 310.276.8500)
Boa Steakhouse (www.boasteak.com/balboa/index.htm, 9200 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, 310.278.2050)
Red-O (www.RedORestaurant.com, 8155 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046, 323.655.5009)
Pizzeria Mozza (www.mozza-la.com, 641 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036, 323.297.0101)
Cecconi’s (www.CecconisWestHollywood.com, 8764 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA, 90069, 310.432.2000)
Tower Bar (www.SunsetTowerHotel.com, 8358 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, 323.848.6677)
Rite-Aid Beverly Hills (www.RiteAid.com, 300 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210, 310.273.3561)
The Grove (www.TheGroveLA.com, 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90036, 323.9000.8080)
Century City Mall (www.Westfield.com/CenturyCity/, 1801 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067, 310.203.9078)
Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch (Open the month of October; 702 N. Doheny Drive, West Hollywood, CA 90069, 310.276.9827, www.MrBonesPumpkinPatch.com)
Barneys New York (www.Barneys.com, 9570 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90212, 310.276.4400)
Bristol Farms (www.BristolFarms.com, 9039 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90048, 310.248.2804)
Gelsons (www.Gelsons.com, 8330 W. Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, 323.656.5580)
Vicente Foods (www.SanVicente-Brentwood.com/Vicente-Foods, 12027 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049, 310.472.5215)
Ralphs (www.Ralphs.com, 4754 Commons Way, Calabasas, CA 91302, 818.223.0284)
Urth Caffe (www.UrthCaffe.com, 8565 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, CA 90069, 310.659.0628)
La Grande Orange (www.LaGrandeOrangeSM.com, 2000 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405, 310.396.9145)