Laurie Sandell's Blog, page 358

A friend visits from New York

[image error][image error]Meet Jenny Rosenstrach, former Cookie editor (RIP Cookie), foodie, writer, illustrator, and friend of several decades–we went to Hebrew school together. In fact, aside from my dad, she was the first person to encourage my cartooning; I used to draw a comic strip just for her called "Famous Faces," in which I'd draw our classmates and teachers and she'd have to guess who was whom. Since Cookie folded, she's been using her considerable energies and talents to write a cookbook, create a blog...

"First Fridays" in LA

[image error]This weekend I met up with my friend Karen Ramos and her friend Bayne Gibby (who acted in one of my favorite shows, The Comeback) to attend "First Fridays" at The Museum of Natural History in LA. The first Friday of every month, they open the museum to the public for lectures, bands, food and drink. We tried to get in to see a new hot band called Yeasayer, but by the time we arrived, the fire marshal was turning people away. So instead we hung out in the diorama room, listening to a DJ spin t...

After The Rapture, I will take your dog

[image error]A woman in Westfield, Indiana has created a website dedicated to the care of pets left stranded by the coming of Jesus. The tagline reads, "If The Rapture happened right now, what would happen to your pets?" Presumably, millions of Chihuahuas, Pugs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, and even elephants would be stranded in their empty homes and cages, bereft of food, water and companionship. But for the low, low price of $15/month, you will be assured that after you leave this mortal coil, your...

A night out with a book group in Beverly Hills

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Julie Goler, Book Club Facilitator

Since I've come to LA, I've met with a number of book groups who are reading my book, thanks to the amazing Julie Goler, who holds the interesting position of "book club facilitator" and also teaches at Beverly Hills High School. She chooses a book for her group then moderates the discussion; there's an interesting article on what she does, here. So far, the groups have been made up of women only, but the women come from all walks of life, and I've so...

"So, what's your next book idea?"

[image error]Did you know that you can spend four years doing research for a book, two years writing it, one year drawing it, and mere months after it comes out, people will start asking, "So–what's your next book idea?" Huh? Next book idea? As if I didn't mine every single solitary idea I've ever had for that book? As if my brain hasn't accessed every painful, funny memory; processed it, turned it into art, and now you want to know if there's more? The main problem, of course, is that one doesn't want...

Behind the scenes at a Glamour photo shoot

[image error][image error]I'm sitting in a large white room at Smashbox Studios in Culver City, California, getting ready to do my next story for Glamour. There's music blaring–the Glee soundtrack, of all things–and a woman dancing around and getting photographed in a gorgeous Dior dress. I've been here for hours, since shoots always last longer than they're supposed to, so of course I've already eaten three lemon bars and a plate of steak.

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The photographer's dog, Sontag

(Someone–I'm not naming names–has been my...

Wednesday night I'll be featured on Brian Lehrer Live

[image error]Last year, I did an episode of  web show called Stacked Up–here's a description of it:

A mashup of MTV's Cribs, Oprah's Book Club and The Paris Review, each five-minute Stacked Up episode will feature one of your favorite writers giving an insider's tour of his or her library. We've found the best way to know writers is by the books they keep.

So today I got a call from Jill, co-creator of Stacked Up, to let me know that Brian Lehrer would be featuring the show–and a clip with me in it–on his l...

Two pinheads go to see Avatar

[image error]As one of the last people on earth to finally see Avatar, I went into the film with a few expectations. I knew it would be an astonishing visual experience but didn't think the story would hold up all that well. I was wrong–I really loved it! I was entertained throughout and never bored; if I closed my eyes for five minutes it's only because I didn't get much sleep the night before. The theater itself was cool, too; we saw it in 3-D at the Dome at the Arc Light Cinema in Hollywood. The only r...

A night of music in the Hollywood Hills

[image error][image error]C. and I went to a great little dinner party last night, at the home of a talented director/musician. The place was filled with instruments, and apparently, they throw this party every few months, featuring a somewhat spontaneous performance by various guests. At the party I ran into Alexandra, a photographer I met a few years ago, who remembered me and my book; we completely hit it off. After dinner, we gathered in the music room and enjoyed a private show featuring many talented musicians, ...

The full report from InStyle's Golden Globes party

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On the shuttle bus to the affair

Still buzzing from last night's extravaganza, which was one of the most fun nights I've had in recent memory. My friend Amy Spencer and I watched the show and got ready at my house, stuffing our faces with so much Chinese food I, at least, was unable to fasten my dress until we arrived at The Beverly Hilton. Thanks to C., I was wearing a Leila Rose gown and carrying a Naeem Khan clutch. The jewels–a pair of cubic zirconia "shmimonds" from Bloomingdale's–were...