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 ]]> http://blog.jessicaradloff.com/?feed=rss2&p=431 0 http://blog.jessicaradloff.com/?p=427 http://blog.jessicaradloff.com/?p=427#comments Tue, 31 Aug 2010 06:06:43 +0000 Jessica Radloff http://blog.jessicaradloff.com/?p=427 Absolutely hilarious! Leave it to little kids to give you the most honest, literal answers ever! My favorites are the answers to “What Would You Do if a Date Was Turning Sour?” and “How Would You Make a Marriage Work?” Tell me yours!

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

]]> http://blog.jessicaradloff.com/?feed=rss2&p=427 0 http://blog.jessicaradloff.com/?p=422 http://blog.jessicaradloff.com/?p=422#comments Thu, 19 Aug 2010 04:07:05 +0000 Jessica Radloff http://blog.jessicaradloff.com/?p=422 (courtesy of Mia Carmel, www.miacarmel.com)

Joey Tribbiani: Mature?

THIS IS BRILLIANT!  So true and absolutely hilarious!

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?

Actress, model, entrepreneur, wife, mother and now author, Brande Roderick sure has her hands full. But that didn’t stop the on-the-go career gal from giving me her “Bachelorette” picks (tonight’s the finale!) or sharing other fun pieces of info about herself. Read on. . . .

Jessica Radloff: Ok, let’s get to the really juicy stuff. Roberto or Chris?
Brande Roderick: I would think it’s going to be Roberto. Chris is just a little bit too goofy.  I absolutely believe he would love her
and would be loyal to her, but I think she is too strong of a personality, and he isn’t. She’s such a career woman.

JR: Before Frank left the show to reunite with his ex-girlfriend, did you see him with Ali?
BR: I never liked Frank from the beginning. He’s so insecure and wishy-washy. I’m sure she had a physical connection with him, but that was overcoming her thoughts. Frankly (no pun intended), I thought he was gay! Bottom line, she wasn’t thinking clearly with him.

JR: Now you’re married with a four-month-old son, but before you met your husband, would you have considered going on “The Bachelor?”
BR: I actually had a conversation with (the producers) years ago (about doing the show), but I had a boyfriend at the time. (Side note: Obviously that hasn’t stopped recent contestants, but good for Brande for staying faithful and not selling herself out).

JR: What are some of your favorite scripted shows?
BR: “CSI” and “Desperate Housewives.”

JR: Favorite guilty pleasure?
BR: Pizza. LOVE margarita pizza and (Pizza Hut’s) meat-lovers pizza. Lots of pepperoni and mushrooms! Plus, I love movie popcorn with lots and lots of butter and salt. And of course, reality TV.

JR: Favorite sports team?  
BR: The 49ers.

JR: Favorite LA restaurant?
BR: Nobu, for their black cod.

JR: Favorite city to visit?
BR: I’d have to say LA now, because I live in San Diego.

JR: Best part of the Playboy Mansion?
BR: The beautiful grounds.

JR: Favorite co-worker on set?
BR: Stacy Kamano and Alicia Rickter from “Baywatch.” (Stacy played Kekoa, and Alicia played Carrie. Brande, of course, was Leigh Dwyer). Those girls are my best friends, and it was because of “Baywatch” that I met them. Turned out to be the best job because of it.

JR: In one word, what is the Donald (Trump) really like?
BR: Charming.
JR: And Hef?
BR: Two words: sweet and sensitive.

JR: What do you like to do in your spare time?
BR: Sleep! Before I had Keaton though (Brande’s 4 1/2 month old son), I loved going to the movies, eating popcorn, reading a book. Anything relaxing because my life is always go, go, go.

JR: What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
BR: I drive a Prius?
JR: Well, that’s kind of the norm for celebs now a days. What else you got?
BR: I have a left eye that doesn’t turn. My left eye muscle is too short, so I can’t really turn it.

JR: Favorite cosmetic product you can’t live without?
BR: Shu Uemura’s eyelash curler.

RELATIONSHIP ROUND-UP  
JR: If you could tell guys one piece of dating advice, what would it be?
BR: Don’t waste a girl’s time. If you know this is not the right girl for you, let her move on. Let her be available so the right guy can approach her.
JR: What about your biggest piece of advice for girls?
BR: Be available and open to a guy asking you out.

JR: Let’s say an ex comes back. Do you entertain a second round or move on?
BR: It totally depends on why you broke up in the first place. If he was emotionally abusive or cheated, then absolutely not. If it’s a situation where you were still young and needed to grow, but your ex was wonderful, then it might be worth a second shot.

JR: What is the best way to bring up a serious talk with your guy (or girl) and not have them shut down?
BR: Just ask, ‘when is a good time to talk?’ And never be accusatory by saying, ‘you you, you.’ Always make it about ‘I feel.’

Want more of Brande’s relationship and career advice? Pick up Brande’s guide to life, love, and success, called “Bounce, Don’t Break” at a bookstore near you.

That’s why last Monday, July 19th, was incredible for my entire family, and one that I know none of us will ever forget.

My great Aunt Ruth, who will be 98-years-young this December, got to attend her first St. Louis Cardinals game in 35 plus years.  Thanks to a colleague of my Dad’s, we got 4 tickets in the “green seats” at Busch Stadium (which at $250 a piece, could cover two months of rent in St. Louis).  But because it was the middle of July–and because summers in St. Louis can hit well into the 90s–we were unsure if Ruth would be able to actually make it.  She’s an incredible woman who lives on her own, volunteers twice a week, exercises daily, doesn’t need glasses (or a hearing aid or a walker) and is sharp as a tack.  But let’s face it–95 degrees for a 97 year old is not the most ideal of circumstances.

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!

]]> http://blog.jessicaradloff.com/?feed=rss2&p=391 0 http://blog.jessicaradloff.com/?p=380 http://blog.jessicaradloff.com/?p=380#comments Wed, 28 Jul 2010 05:35:12 +0000 Jessica Radloff http://blog.jessicaradloff.com/?p=380 Who knew M.C. Hammer was so good with dating advice? Hip-hop—yes. Relationship authority? Um, not so much. Well, you could have fooled me. While I was interviewing 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 ]]> http://blog.jessicaradloff.com/?feed=rss2&p=380 2 http://blog.jessicaradloff.com/?p=373 http://blog.jessicaradloff.com/?p=373#comments Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:34:28 +0000 Jessica Radloff http://blog.jessicaradloff.com/?p=373 My newest Huffington Post piece is now live, and can be accessed by clicking here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jessica-radloff/is-it-always-the-best-in_b_658374.html

This time I tackle Dating & Relationships and whether or not the beginning of a relationship really is the best part. Leave me a comment and tell me what you think!

LOVE THIS!

First up. . . a quote that has been making the rounds on Twitter.  It’s especially meaningful to me because I know I have been guilty of it myself many times.  I tend to put other people’s needs and well-being above mine, and then get frustrated when the same consideration is not reciprocated.  It’s something I’m working on, and have come a long way, but it’s always good to remind myself.So, here’s my first LOVE THIS! for the blog:

“NEVER MAKE SOMEONE A PRIORITY WHO ONLY CONSIDERS YOU TO BE AN OPTION.”

Love this!

Have any favorite quotes you’d like to share?  Comment below and let me know!

Jessica

More often than not, visitors descend on LA with the notion that they’ll run into a celebrity at every restaurant, every boutique, and every corner. Unfortunately, it’s also very possible to spend a week in LA and see no one. So, if you’re about to take a trip to the Land of Angels (or TMZ), you’ll benefit from reading my newest Travel article at The Huffington Post (how’s that for shameless self promotion? ) 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