September 28, 2007 - Julie Watson

Hi Everyone!

Well, not only is this my first blog for “In The Loop with iVillage”, it’s my first blog EVER! Here goes…bear with me!

First, let me tell you a little bit about myself and how I wound up in the lucky position of deciding what our three gorgeous hosts will be wearing on the show each day. After sixteen years of working in the fashion industry, and spending my entire professional career living on both the east and west coasts, I moved to Chicago.

At the beginning of 2007 I launched my own business, juliewatsonstyle as a stylist and wardrobe consultant. Not only do I style the hosts of the show, I spend the rest of my waking hours working as a wardrobe consultant for women in Chicago. My job is to teach them how to create their own “collections in their closets”! I apply all of my background in merchandising directly to my client’s closets, and together, we create a wardrobe strategy that takes the stress out of getting dressed in the morning! It’s the BEST of both worlds- I get to do what I LOVE and I’m running my own business in an amazing city (It’s great to finally be “my own boss”!). What more could I ask for?

I can’t tell you how much fun it is to be the stylist for the show- working with Ereka, Kim and Bill everyday is a blast. I’ve really had the chance to get to know all of them, and I can say with heartfelt sincerity that they are just the nicest, funniest (and best dressed! ha ha) people you could ever meet. There’s no such thing as “wardrobe drama” on our show. Everyone is so easygoing and great to work with that it makes my job easy. Look at them- good Lord, they’re all gorgeous- how could styling them every day NOT be a blast?!

My mantra as a stylist and wardrobe consultant is that fashion should be for EVERYONE, not just a select group of people. My goal as the stylist for the show is to make it fun for the viewers, and to let you all know that at the end of the day it’s “just clothes”! Fashion is about feeling GOOD, bottom line. My job is to wardrobe people (the hosts and my clients) in clothes that make them feel good- it’s not about a specific brand or size or anything else- it’s about wearing clothes that flatter you and make you hold your head high! It’s also about trying new things, experimenting, having fun and feeling confident.

As the show’s stylist, I apply my philosophy to our host’s wardrobes every day. And YES- I try to get them to push the envelope as well, to try new looks. Perfect example- Bill’s controversial argyle vest. It wasn’t his favorite, but I loved it (I think we’ve heard about that a few times!) so he gave it a shot, he was a “fashion-good-sport” so to speak! And hey- when your stylist and Tim Gunn BOTH say “it’s FAB-u-lous”…that’s got to count for something, right? Well, Bill and I agree to disagree on the argyle controversy, but I’ve warned him that the Argyle war will continue…it should be a lot of fun! Stay tuned.... :) Speaking of the fabulous Mr. Gunn, can I also say that getting to sit down and chat with him was an experience I’ll never forget. He was so genuinely kind and warm. I can’t say enough great things about him!

Since clothes are really a reflection of a person’s personality, I try to ensure that the hosts’ unique style personalities come through on camera. However, it’s also my job to make sure that the hosts look good “together”. This is definitely the most exciting challenge of my day. I consider their individual aesthetic, and then make sure that their looks really compliment one another from a color perspective. You can easily liken it to walking into a store, and seeing 3 mannequins standing there- perfectly coordinated. Well, those mannequins in the store generally stay put for at least a few weeks. My job is to change the looks every day! WHEW, it can definitely be challenging to say the least, but it’s really so much fun. So, every day I create a specific “color palette” for the hosts looks, to ensure that they all look great sitting on the couches together! The best compliment I can receive on the show is not only “the hosts look great today”, but “the hosts look so great TOGETHER today!”

I’d love to hear what you guys think of what the hosts are wearing, and of course I’m happy to answer any specific questions or comments on any of their outfits- what you liked, where you can get them, what was your favorite outfit for the week, style tips, fit questions- anything! You can e-mail me at info@juliewatsonstyle.com

We work with a lot of great retailers to create our looks for the hosts each week, and the list is getting longer! For Ereka, I can’t thank Jessika and her amazing staff at Intermix on Armitage for all their help with wardrobing her. I had a blast shopping with my new friend Franklin at Jcrew for Bill, and Ashley Stewart has provided so many of Kim’s great looks! A special thanks to all of them! I’m looking forward to hearing from you guys. Until next Friday, have a fun FASHION-FILLED week!

Best, Julie
juliewatsonstyle
info@juliewatsonstyle.com
View my Bio

Friday, September 28, 2007 - Kim

I’ll let you in on a secret.

Because my blog is due on Fridays and because I am a chronic procrastinator, I always start mine on Wednesday or Thursday. The good news is, I meet my deadline. That bad news is, I miss on telling you guys everything that happens on Thursday and Friday. Last week’s guest, Tim Gunn, was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. So charming, so handsome, so smooth, and his voice is like a rich, chewy caramel candy. I even snagged a copy of his book and he signed it for me. The inscription reads, “Dearest Kim, you ARE quality taste and style! XOX Tim”. OMG 2 kisses and a hug from Tim Gunn! It doesn’t get better than Tim Gunn, honey!

Still having a good time with Ereka and Bill, I feel like we’re becoming more and more like family. Working this closely is always a bonding experience.

So let me tell you about Mandy Moore. I only wish I had her poise at 23. Really impressive. Tall, smart, adorable and completely comfortable with herself. You can tell her parents did an awesome job. Oh, and Joss Stone, another tall, talented, beautiful young woman who also has herself completely together. It makes you wonder how some artists get it right and others lose their minds. ‘C’mon Brittney and Lindsey, get it together!’

By the way, I don’t want to brag about how famous I am, but while some celebrities get preferred seating in top notch restaurants and others get free jewelry from swanky jewelry stores, Kim Coles gets a Chicago bus driver to stop the bus in the middle of the intersection and make everybody on the bus wave. Thank God I didn’t cause an accident. Next week, I’ll try to slow down some of those crazy taxi drivers.

Wednesday, September 26 - Ereka

Hello again!

Jerry Springer, Joss Stone, Tim Gunn and a vodka oyster shot…that’s a heck of a first week! Yes, it tasted as gross as it looked.

I’ve been a big fan of Joss Stone for years now so you can imagine my excitement when I heard she was a guest. To clarify her song “Super Duper Love” was the song my wedding party entered to, not our first dance as husband and wife. “Super Duper Love” is great song from her last album.

How great is Tim Gunn? He’s a doll on and off camera and Kim does a great impersonation of him…she was fine tuning it in the makeup room right before the show. We were all in a frenzy to look perfect for him and gratefully he gave us all A+.

Speaking of wardrobe, a few people have written in and asked where I get my clothes and where I get my haircut. Our stylist Julie Watson and I pick the majority of my looks from Intermix and bravely, I had my first Chicago haircut 2 days before the show started at Marianne Strokirk Salon. I was terrified, but thankfully Bonnie took great care of me and I love the cut.

This week I’m a bit more relaxed than last week and I think our team is getting into a nice grove. There are a few kinks of course, but we are working on them. Thank you to those who have come to be a part of our studio audience. When I’m on set I pretend that the audience are the only people I’m performing to…it helps to think of it as an intimate environment.

Outside of work I’m still trying to get our apartment together. My parents are coming to visit on Thursday and I’m really excited to show them our new home and to have them join our studio audience on Friday. My mother was so cute…after Tuesday’s Graco segment she called to ask if the segment was a hint that she should get prepared for a grandchild. Yikes! The pressure is on.

Other than that, I’ve recently linked up with a great organization called Girls on the Run. For more details check out www.gotrchicago.org.

Have a great week!

Fashion Blog - Julie Watson

Check back on Friday for Julie's first Fashion blog!

Until then, you can read Julie's Bio.

or visit her website at juliewatsonstyle.com.

Monday, September 24, 2007 - Bill

Hi Everyone,

Well, we really hit the ground running this week. Everyone keeps asking me if I am nervous but I have to say no- I am more excited than nervous. We do have a few kinks to work out, but all in all, I am very happy with the way the show is going. We had some really great guests and a lot of laughs during our first five shows. I just put in an order for a case of the Artichoke potato chips for Kim’s Christmas gift.

It was great to see such an enthusiastic audience every day. I had a lot of friends and family come to the show- funny how they all started asking to be in the audience after we gave away the iPod’s---just an observation.

I truly enjoyed talking with Kim Lyons from the Biggest Loser. When I was watching some of the before and after footage from her show I realized what a huge difference she is making in these people’s lives. Kim really inspires a lot of people to manage their weight and change their lifestyles. It is a challenging job for her but it must be so rewarding.

This Week’s Lesson Learned: Don’t wear an argyle vest EVER again! No matter what.

September 21, 2007 - Kim

Whew! What a week! Let me give you a rundown of my day. I get up at 6am, grab a little breakfast, head to NBC by 7:45, and get my make-up and hair done at 8. Then, we get prepped for that day’s show with the producers, go off to rehearsal, get dressed, and go live at 11am. Did I say “whew”

I have to admit, it’s a lot more activity than I’m used to in the morning. You see, I’m definitely a “night person”. I really don’t get sleepy until at least midnight, but because of my early call time, I’m in bed by 9:30pm. I can’t tell if I’m 8 years old or 80 years old. But I’m not complaining because the truth is, I love this show. I’m learning so much, I’m bonding with my co-hosts and I love the staff (including Tiffany, who lets me sit beside her at her computer to write this blog because I don’t know how my computer works). Bill is a sweetheart, Ereka is a sweetie pie, and we laugh a lot. We’ve decided to have weekly dinners. We’re either going to get really close, or we’re going to get on each others nerves, but it’s all for the good of the show.

I can’t begin to tell you how fast the show seems to go. It’s like we start, we blink, and then we’re saying goodbye to the audience. What a rush! I enjoy the cooking segments and my favorite segment was with Margaret Cho. She was so outspoken about women loving their bodies. I think she had a very strong message. Another favorite segment was the one with E!’s Guiliana DePandi, oops, I mean Rancic. Did you see their wedding photos? She and Bill are so cute together! Ereka and I were teasing Bill that now that he and Guiliana are a Hollywood power couple, we have to combine their names a la Brangelina and Tomkat. So it’s Billiana, Ranpandi or Giancic. Bill’s eyes actually twinkle when he talks about Guiliana. It’s so cute.

Well, I’m going to get some rest this weekend. I sure need it. Maybe I’ll get a little facial, maybe even a bikini wax. Hey, what am I thinking! There’s nothing restful about a bikini wax! I have to say I’m really looking forward to our next week. More fun, more laughs, more Bill, more Ereka, more me!

September 19, 2007 - Ereka

I hope you all had fun watching our first three shows. I feel so fortunate to have a job where I get to interview interesting people who are so well informed.

Did you enjoy our segment with Dr. Lauren Streicher? I find her honesty refreshing. There are so many topics that women consider taboo and by refusing to talk openly and honestly about them we isolate ourselves. Instead, as Dr. Streicher suggests, we should be forming supportive communities. I also hope that you joined her for her online chat and have gone to iVillage to learn more about the topics discussed. A six-minute segment did not do these topics justice!!

Also, I now have a crush on Jerry Springer…I’m just kidding, but I do think he is a doll. He’s extremely down to earth and very bright. I immediately felt at ease when he sat down with us. Next time, I’ll make sure he teaches me a few of those Tango moves.

On the home front, my husband and I are quickly settling in to our new apartment in one of Chicago’s cutest neighborhoods, Old Town. We are taking full advantage of everything Chicago has to offer. We’ve already scoped out a few of our favorite restaurants, spent a day at “the beach,” a fabulous day at Wrigley Field and I was lucky enough to go to opening day at Soldiers Field to see the Bears play. Not too shabby for our first month in Chi-town. Of course we do miss our family and friends at home in New York, but it’s true what they say about the Midwest, everyone here is so welcoming. I think this would be a great town to raise a family. The only downside is having my mom so far away.

Thanks for tuning-in this week. I'll be back next week with a new blog!

September 17, 2007 - Bill

Hi Everyone,

Things are finally settling down after the wedding. Giuliana went back to Los Angeles to tape her show, I think Ryan really missed her!

I visited Bradley University in Peoria Illinois on Tuesday night to speak to students. Among other topics, I spoke to them about how I started my first business in college. It was a boat wash and was business based out of New Buffalo Michigan. There were over 400 students in attendance- the quarter beer night must have been cancelled. I attended Bradley my freshman year before transferring to Loyola University. I have a lot of good memories from Peoria, and I made many good friends there.

I am working on my next project with Nike. Three years ago I teamed up with Nike and each fall we give away new shoes to all of the kids at the Mercy Home for Boys in Chicago. I love seeing the kids faces light up when they receive their new shoes - this day it is one of my favorite days of the year.

Today is our first live show and I am very excited. I have really gotten to know the whole team here at In The Loop and it has been a lot of fun. We have some interesting topics lined up which I think you will enjoy. Personally, I am enjoying the cooking segments. Not too many people know this about me, but I love to cook. I try to eat healthy and love experimenting with different kinds of dishes- mostly chicken and pasta. Giuliana and I have a deal that I cook and she cleans up- that is only fair right?

Have a great week,
Bill