One of my favorite actresses of all time is Cate Blanchett (did you see ‘Notes On A Scandal’? I mean, come on!). She’s a classic beauty who embodies her characters flawlessly. She makes it look so easy, as all great actors should. I strive to be as good an actress as Cate and recently read something that made me very happy. Cate enjoys making lists and crossing items off as she accomplishes them. No shit?! That’s what I do! Yes, I know lots of people make list but I’m obsessed! Its really the only way I can get things done. I will actually write something down I’ve already done, just so I can feel the gratification of crossing it out! I obviously have a problem, but who cares…so does Cate. And I’ve convinced myself that its this similarity between Cate Blanchett and me, that will one day win me an Oscar. (Or at least have me nominated for one!) A ha! I crack myself up.
If you follow this blog or know anything about me, you probably know I’m a lady with many jobs. I’m an Actress, Host, Stylist and former MTV Producer to name a few. You can learn all about my gigs here if you like…but that’s not really what this post is all about. Its about my styling baby: aerie.
I got into styling because of my dear friend Matthew Ellenberger, Director of Concept & Design at American Eagle Outfitters (aerie is the underwear/loungewear line within AE). About 3 years ago, he asked me if I would assist him on an LA based campaign shoot…I did and LOVED IT! I’ve been fortunate enough to work on almost every aerie campaign shoot since! (With the exception of a few, that have conflicted with acting or hosting work…feast or famine, ya know?!) In that time I went from wardrobe assistant, to wardrobe associate to my current position as aerie’s own stylist! YAY! But lots more has changed then just my job title…aerie itself has undergone a HUGE transformation.
Let’s put it this way…3 years ago when shooting our Holiday campaign, we had our lovely female models fully clothed in PJs (with hats & socks too), baking cookies, wrapping presents and lounging with Beagle puppies! Cut to the edgier, sexier campaigns of the past couple of years and our ladies look HOT HOT HOT and are wearing less, less, less! Hooray!
Our aerie girl is all grown up and I’m a very proud mama.
Below are pics from last 3 seasons, check them out, then get to your nearest aerie (usually located within an American Eagle) and pick up something cute! This Summer try a pretty neon bra peeking under a loose fit white tank!
5 years ago I did one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life…I adopted my pooch Hayden. This little guy is so sweet and always makes me smile. I’m a very lucky gal. Here he is at our neighborhood dog park. Doesn’t it look like he’s smiling? I guess I make him happy too!
I’m looking for LA based photographers who want to test shoot once a month for this website! Basically we’ll shoot on location, all around LA, to get the coolest “story-telling” pics possible.
The purpose is to showcase your photography and my styling. If interested contact me at info@grasiemercedes.com for more info.
I shot new headshots over the weekend with the extremely talented Michael Evanet & Kelsey McNamee. They took me to the quaint little neighborhood of Angelino Heights. Best known for its impressive well-kept Victorian era houses. I felt like I had walked onto a studio lot. Since we were shooting headshots there’s not much of the neighborhood to see in my new photos…but we did have fun with these dreamy pics.
Last night was the I ♥ Ronson & JC Penney Cocktail Jam at MILK Studios here in lovely LA. All of young, hot Hollywood came out to support Miss Charlotte including her siblings Samantha and Mark Ronson. But one of the biggest draws of the night was a kick-ass performance by legendary classic rock band FOREIGNER!
In a town full of “so-so” events, this party had all the right elements to make it kick-ass: An IN N OUT Truck, Yogurtland Smoothies, Coldstone Creamery Ice Cream Sandwiches, Chocolate & Rainbow Sprinkles Cupcakes, an endless supply of cocktails and I ♥ Ronson t-shirts (as parting gifts) that you can actually wear out! (not just to bed or the gym).
I attended the event with my good friend Natalie Golonka (designer of the dresses we’re both wearing in the photo to the right)…after our arrival, we stuffed our faces, mingled with friends we bumped into, then made our way to the front of the crowd for Foreigner’s set. Holy crap they were good! Belting out their classic tunes to a Hollywood crowd too cool to get their hands up. But that all changed when they began to sign “I Want To Know What Love Is”; hands started to sway, voices were singing along and cell phones started to record! (mine included…check out the video below).
All and all it was a very fun night. Thank you to David & David for the invite. And thank you Charlotte & Foreigner for knowing how to throw a party.
I ♥ Ronson…for realz.
In these photos: Charlotte Ronson, Samantha Ronson, Foreigner, Mick Jones, Kelly Hansen, Mark Ronson, Paris Hilton, Nicky Hilton, Mischa Barton, Nicole Richie, Benji Madden, Shenae Grimes, Sara Gilbert, Rashida Jones, Aaron Paul, Brittany Snow, Ben Lyons, Stephanie Pratt, Carlos Lopez, Marisa Miller, Taryn Manning, Drea De Matteo, Shooter Jennings, Clifton Collins Jr. and Slash.
Last night marked my first of four shoot days with E! News Now and it was a blast. I arrived at 1:30p for hair & make-up in the studio and met all the fabulous make-up & hair ladies. They E! beautified me and while in the chair, I got to meet the delightful Jason Kennedy & Kym Johnson (pro dance for Dancing With The Stars). Then up I went to the offices of News Now to meet the staff and the lovely Amy Paffrath. Amy shift as host was ending and I was taking over. My wardrobe was selected and we were off and running! For the next 8 hours I would be handed news copy to go over, then head to the studio to record VOs (voice overs) and my on-camera copy. At one point we did a practice “Breaking News” run in the E! News Newsroom…that was so fun! Even though I knew it was fake, it felt super exciting. I had breaks in between as well and a delicious dinner break with Baja Fresh (ok, it wasn’t that delicious but I was so happy to be doing something I love I didn’t even care!). At 11p I was wrapped! Here’s my hosting reel. There are clips from E! News Now at the beginning.
Starting Monday I’m filling in as an On-Air Host for E! News Nowthe online clip show for E! News! I am super excited and can’t wait to work with the fabulous peeps at E! I promise to post pics and my video pieces starting Tuesday. Woot! Now, what will I wear??!
I met my dear friend Lissie about 4 years ago and when I first heard her sing I thought “Damn! How can one person be so freaking talented!” Seriously her voice is outstanding!…Soulful, emotional and rich. She recently did a cover of Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance. Its pretty bad-ass. Check it out and let me know what you think.
I recently had the pleasure of shooting with Aaron Feaver of Feaverish Photography. I threw on some of my favorite everyday pieces and channeled the model within. No make-up, no hair stylist. Just me. Scary. Fun.
Photographer: Aaron Feaver
Stylist: Me
In these pics: Vintage beige vest, JungleGurl bikini top, BDG jeans, Kimichi Blue flats, Urban Outfitters floral blouse, Silence & Noise blue harem pants, BDG button down shirt, Vintage boots
Lady Gaga & Beyonce the two baddest (as in good) ladies in the music biz tear it up in this brand new vid TELEPHONE! In a time when its hard to keep the average ADD webviewer’s attention for more than 3 minutes, Gaga & Beyonce give you 9 1/2 minutes of visual ecstasy. Trust me, you will want more. The costumes are outrageously fantastic and FIERCE and the story line is simple but oh so fun.
I just installed a new widget to my sidebar today. (Also included in this post) Its an ASPCA widget that you can click on to donate; your donation will go towards my $500 goal. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) was the first humane society to be established in North America and is, today, one of the largest in the world. To learn more about them visit http://www.aspca.org/
Damien and I have 3 wonderful pets: Hayden, Dakota & Gazpacho. They are all rescues and they are everything to us. We decided today that we should try to help other precious pooches and kitties just like them and would love your help. Give whatever you can, even a dollar makes a difference. Thank You!
Here’s a Grammy Wrap Up from my beau DAMIEN FAHEY straight from his blog page. PS – I styled him…Enjoy!
What a night. I was backstage all night talking to the Grammy winners (for CBS’ The Early Show) just as they finished posing for their official Grammy pictures by world famous photographer Danny Clinch. My dream interview happened with Stephen Colbert saying he and I we’re the whitest men in the room. The biggest surprise was out of Beyonce. I was speaking to her after her Grammy photo and asked her the significance of winning considering they are for what she calls her “most personal album to date”; she broke down and began to cry right in front of me. She said that she feels old enough now to realize what these awards truly mean and that affected her deeply. Read more at www.damienfahey.com. Here are some small clips of his interviews.
I feel so blessed to have had the honor of being at last night’s VMAs. It was a special one for sure. Between the Taylor Swift / Kanye non-sense, the touching MJ tribute, and Lady Gaga’s ummm lets say “interesting” outfits; this show is definitely one for the books! Being back at Radio City in NY, felt so right! (the only place the VMAs should be, if you ask me). But with all the fabulous entertainment I still kept my eye out for my favorite fashion looks of the evening. And I will say there were some I LOVED…Here are my stand-out looks, one pic of me and my beau Damien and a few from inside Radio City.
Let me know what you think of my fashion picks…Leave your comments below.
