Archive for the ‘Out On The Town’ Category
Meet Shannon Tavarez
Thursday, July 29th, 2010
A Reason To Be “Glee”ful!
Wednesday, July 28th, 2010Click Here To Go Back To JAM!
Today is September 21! No not really, but we sure wish it was. That is when Fox premieres the new season of the show we love, Glee. Until then, Fox is giving us a taste of those adorable guys at the Teen Choice Awards.
Mathew Imaging/FilmMagic
Cory Monteith (Finn), Mark Salling (Puck), Kevin McHale (Artie) and Chris Colfer (Kurt-wasn’t he adorable dancing to Beyonce’s “Single Ladies”?!) along with Katy Perry, will be hosting the show that airs August 9.
The program honors the year’s biggest achievements in music, movies, sports, television, and fashion as voted on by teens aged 13-19. Have you voted yet?
http://www.teenchoiceawards.com
If you haven’t had a chance to catch Glee yet, it is a show that airs on Fox about a modern Glee club at a fiction high school set in Ohio. Sounds drab and annoying right? Not at all. Full of choreography, music and enough drama to give Gossip Girl a run for its money, it is an amazing show full of talented actors and actresses (which we LOVE!).
It’s exciting to see teens getting their chance to shine on prime time television outside of the reality shows and talent contests. What’s your talent? Can you sing? Dance? Or act? Maybe, you can draw, write or maybe you are great at telling jokes.
In my book “My Self: A Guide To Me,” I talk about giving your self-esteem some steam! Exploring the talents that you have is a great way to find out what you are good at and give your confidence a boost. Even if you are not on prime time television, don’t be afraid to express yourself! There are so many ways to show off your goods-Facebook, Youtube, or start your own blog. Not only will you inspire other people, but you never know who may discover your amazing work!
Keep JAMming with the Self Esteem Cheat Sheet!
The Early Bird Gets the Worm
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010Click Here To Go Back To JAM!
With the school year almost six weeks away (time is flying!), it’s never too early to get started on those back to school deals. A lot of retailers are starting to target to all those proactive parents and students with deals you can’t pass up!
Here’s some deals that we found over here at JAM, that are too good to pass up!
Supplies
Office Depot
Rulers, Notebooks and paper starting from $0.50
Staples
The One Cent and $1 Sale is back this summer with tons of deals on everything from highlighters to notebooks.
Walgreen’s
$0.90 School supplies like, folders, staples and three-hole punchers
Fashion
Children’s Place
$10 on Kid’s denim, shorts & skorts
Kohl’s
$5 Tees and Tanks
Macy’s (www.Macys.com)
$0.99 Shipping on clearance merchandise. Use coupon code: 99cents
Also, remember before you check-out at online retailers to take a peek at www.retailmenot.com. If you search the retailer that you’re about to shop from, sometimes they will feature online coupon codes like free shipping, percentages off, or even free gifts.
Now that makes back to school shopping all the more worth it!
Be sure to check back for tomorrow’s post on what’s hot and NOT, for “Back to School” fashion.
Keep JAMming with the JAM’s Survival Modeling Cheat Sheet!
From Paper to the Big Screen
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010Click Here To Go Back To JAM!
Making the classic book “Ramona and Beezus,” by Beverly Cleary into a movie production is one of the most exciting things that could ever happen this summer. (Well, besides the fact that the Mr. Softee ice creams trucks are back on every block in NYC!)
Anyone who can remember reading about this rambunctious third grader Ramona (played by Joey King) can remember thinking, that she somehow was just like any other third grader in the world. Ramona was ready and willing to explore the world no matter what crazy mess she ends up in. The books were so interesting that it was so easy to skip the bedtime that our parent’s gave us and hide under the covers with a flashlight just to see what Ramona would get into next. With the addition of characters like her older sister Beezus (played by Selena Gomez) and other editions of books, like “Ramona and Her Mother,” a trip to the library was always welcomed and an adventure to say the least.
It’s a great thing when executives in the movie industry take a great literary work and turn it into a film. It’s as if all the things you’ve imagined while reading a book come to life on the screen. BUT-sometimes, they miss the mark. Although, since it’s release on July 23, “Ramona and Beezus” have been getting rave reviews, there are plenty of book adaptions that have fell through the cracks. It’s also sometimes hard to capture a writer’s emotions and turn it into a screenplay. Which, is why it’s important that we don’t turn away from reading great books!
What’s the last great book you’ve read? With so many options to read online like, e-books, and other other online sources, there’s still nothing like the tattered pages of a book at your local library. Some times those prints can’t even be found online and you never know what you’re missing out on. Especially, if the book becomes a movie. There are hundreds of scenes that have been left out for time sake, or the director’s choice. But by reading the book you have access to so much more of the storyline. Here’s the first chapter of “Beezus and Ramona” here:
http://browseinside.harpercollinschildrens.com/index.aspx?isbn13=9780380709182
Not only that, our local libraries are being forced to shut their doors because of a lack of funds and anxious readers like you! So next time you have a free summer day, visit your library, grab a great book, and head to the beach! You never know what adventure may lie there 
!
Keep JAMming with a copy of the JAM books, MY SELF, MY LIFE, MY LOOK & MY BEAUTY NOW!
Get Out and Do It!
Monday, July 26th, 2010Click Here To Go Back To JAM!
Still haven’t found an internship, volunteer opportunity or summer gig? It’s not too late to get out and do something! If you’ve been searching for something to do but haven’t stumbled upon something you like, why not design it, make it or build it yourself?!
DoSomething.Org is an online site that encourages teenagers and young people to get out in their areas and make a difference. It’s pretty easy, they have three rules: “no money, no cars, no adults.” They provide all the resources you need to make your ideas and goals come to life.
Every week (Yep! Every single one!) DoSomething.Org grants tweens, teens and young adults funds from $500-$1000 to start their own programs that make a difference. Not only will you feel great about starting something new, completing a goal and helping others, but you never know the impact you may have on your community or the people around you!
Want to clean up the neighborhood? Help abandoned animals? Or even help kids who are sick in the hospital? The world is yours! Just visit DoSomething.org/grants.
Keep JAMming with JAM downloads!
Bibbity-Bloggity-Boo
Wednesday, July 21st, 2010Click Here To Go Back To JAM!
I’ve been reading a lot of blogs recently by fashionable young women around the NYC area. Blogs are powerful ways to get your thoughts, your style, and your name out there. (And if you want to be a model, blogging can be a great way to get the public’s attention!) So how do you start a fashion blog?
1. Make a blog. Simple, right? Most of the blogs that I’ve been reading are on BlogSpot. It’s easy to put one together using the basic templates. If you want to take your blog up a notch, you can hire a blog design service like the fantabulous Moxie Design Studios, April Showers Design, or A Blog to Brag About. The price tag is high (say goodbye to those shopping sprees!) but you can always ask for a blog design for a major holiday present from BOTH parents . . . and all of your other friends and relatives might need to pitch in as well. Or you could do what I did and become an HTML expert (um, sort of) yourself. By yourself a book or visit a website like HTML Goodies. I’ve spent many hours engrossed in web design. And if you get really good, you might be able to help put yourself through college (or buy a really cute pair of Christian Louboutins!).
2. Get a digital camera (or maybe even a Flip). A decent digital camera will run you about $100-150 but will be absolutely priceless. If you’re running a fashion blog, you’re going to be taking photos almost every day. You can take photos of what you’re wearing every day, what you see on the street and in shop windows, and even locations and items that provide you with fashion inspiration. I recommend also getting a Flip if possible. You can vlog when you go on family vacations!
3. Find your niche. What’s your blog going to be about? What’s going to make you stand out from all of the other blogs on the web? Some blogs document attempts to wear a different outfit every day for a year (much more difficult than you might think, trust me!), while some blogs focus on a specific fashion item (like shoes). Some blogs post videos showing you how to create different makeup “looks” and some blogs appeal to specific audiences (like plus-size or petite). Think up an amazing hook for your blog that will get attention. And then . . .
4. POST! Think about what your audience wants to read and write about it! Blogging can make your life much more exciting. It might be tempting to stay home with a good assortment of rental movies on a Saturday night. But if you know that you have a blog to post, you’re much more likely to check out the local art museums, the small boutiques downtown, or even a screening at an independent cinema. Plus, you can meet lots of great people through your blogging. (I know that I’ve met some amazing young women through JAM!)
If you do start a blog, e-mail me at justaskmarlene@gmail.com and tell me all about it! (I’ll make sure to link to you!)
Keep JAMming by following us on Twitter!
Just Ask Marlene!
Thursday, July 15th, 2010Click Here To Go Back To JAM!
I’m going to be answering questions on my blog this week and next week. So if you have something that you want to ask, just send me an e-mail at justaskmarlene@gmail.com.
Hi,
I want to own a small boutique when i am older. Right now I am 12 years old. I am thinking of interning, but do you have any other advice?
Thanks for your help!
Yours Truly,
MH
MH:
First of all, I think it’s great that you want to get out there and start interning at 12! You’re putting yourself on the path to success. I recommend looking for boutiques in your area that are similar to what you’re thinking of starting someday. You’ll have the most luck if you contact small, independent boutiques. Not only are they more likely to let you intern, you’re also going to find out about buying merchandise (a HUGE part of owning a boutique)! If you’re interested in selling formal wear (like prom and homecoming dresses), you might want to look into a store like Spy Baby Boutique or Eva’s Boutique. If you’re interested in consignment, Modern Pop Culture is a great vintage boutique. Ask around your friends and family about where they shop.
You could also try calling up the chain stores at the local malls (like the Carousel Center) and asking the manager if you could intern for a few days. Most of these stores’ decisions are made at large corporate offices. (For instance: everything Abercrombie gets done at their corporate headquarters in Columbus, Ohio.) So you’re going to be limited in what you learn at a chain store. But you can still get valuable information about the day-to-day operations of a major business.
When you call the store, you should ask to speak to the manager. Tell her/him that you’re interested in owning a boutique someday and you’d like to intern with their company for a few days or weeks (whatever works best for both of you). Be extremely clear about what you want to get out of the internship. Show them that you did your research! Do you want to learn about how boutique managers choose and purchase merchandise? Do you want to learn about how boutique managers get customers to shop at their store? Do you want to learn about how boutique managers hire their staff members and budget their finances? (Remember: some parts of a boutique are less glamorous but just as necessary!) Work together to come up with a date when you could start and the hours that you could “work.”
Make sure to check with your parents first and choose a location that would be easy for them (and you) to get to. Once again, I think that it’s great that you want to start interning already. If you start out interning at small boutiques in middle school, you’ll find that all sorts of opportunities will open up to you in high school. Make sure to e-mail me and let me know how your search goes!
XOXO,
Marlene
Keep JAMming with more information about internships!
(Make sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2!)
A-List Interns, Pt. 2
Thursday, July 1st, 2010Click Here To Go Back To JAM!
So you’ve found an internship! Great work! You’re on your way to making all of your dreams come true. (And if you don’t believe me, just ask my current intern. She directed her first off-Broadway show during an internship!)
Now what do you do?
1. Make a great first impression. Remember that you’re in the professional workforce now so you need to dress the part! You can’t do wrong with a skirt or pants (not jeans!), a blouse, and shoes (not sneakers!). You can always search “business casual” for more examples of what to wear.
2. Always be willing to help out. If your employer says that she really wants a cup of coffee, offer to get one for her. If your employer says that he needs someone to answer the phones, be the first one to volunteer. Showing that you’re up for any challenge will definitely give you an advantage.
3. Ask questions and take notes. Always come up with questions about the job that you want to have answered. Maybe you want to know how your employer got started in the industry. Maybe you want to know how she made a major business deal or why he chose a certain partnership with another company. Ask questions and then take notes on the answers. You never know when you’ll be able to use that information later.
4. Say “thank you!” Always make sure to say “thank you” after you’re done with an internship. Sending a hand-written card will definitely make an impression. Make sure to buy some cute stationery!
On The Hills, both Lauren and Whitney had internships with Teen Vogue!
Keep JAMming: Do YOU know the difference between energy drinks and sports drinks?
A-List Interns, Pt. 1
Thursday, July 1st, 2010Click Here To Go Back To JAM!
Summer has officially started! That means that some of you are going to be looking for summer jobs. Well, here’s something that you might not know about the workforce: most employers (the ones that hire for the really glamorous professions) want to see that you have 1-2 years of work experience. How are you supposed to get that kind of experience? You’re still in school!
You need to get an internship. An internship is when you work part-time at a company (usually without pay). You’ll learn how the industry works and get practical experience. You can also start to decide which careers might be right for you!
Internships are usually reserved for college students and recent graduates. However, I believe that you’re never too young to start interning! Here are some tips to get you started:
1. Think about jobs that you might be interested in. Do you dream about becoming a famous actress? Do you want to win the Pulitzer Prize for journalism? Or are you determined to discover the cure for cancer? What do you see yourself doing in another twenty years?
2. Find someone who has the job that you want. Ask your parents and your teachers if they know anyone who might be able to help. Look in the phone book and online. Don’t get discouraged if you can’t find someone who has the exact job that you want! If you want to join the WNBA, for instance, you might not know a professional basketball player — but you could meet the best player on the local college team (and her coach).
3. Make contact! With parental approval, call or e-mail whoever has your dream job and tell them that you want to “intern” with them for a few days. Explain that you want to follow them around and see what their job would be like. You can even do small tasks for them (like office work or running errands). All throughout high school, I would call up companies and ask if I could intern with them for a week or two. Almost all of them told me “yes!”
I’ll be posting later today about what to do after you’ve gotten the internship. But, for now, pick up a pen and start listing jobs that you might want after college!
The Vogue Lobby (Could you be here someday?)
@everyone: Keep JAMming by following us on Twitter!
I (Heart) New York
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010Click Here To Go Back To JAM!
New York City is red-hot in the summer. (According to New York: Little-known Facts About Well-known Places
, the average temperature of New York City pavement on a hot summer day is 150 degrees!) Whether you’re a native New Yorker or a tourist visiting for a week, check out our favorite hot spots for the summer season.
1. Best Ice Cream: Max Brenner
Max Brenner might be known for its chocolate but dishes like the Euphoric Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge Sundae and the Spectacular Melting Chocolate S’mores Sundae ensure that you get the best of both worlds. Sure, Serendipity 3 might have the $1,000 sundae (although owner, Stephen Bruce, created a $25,000 sundae back in 2007 with five grams of edible gold, the world’s most expensive dessert) but Max Brenner has the chocolate that’s guaranteed to melt in your mouth.
2. Best Way to Spend a Week: MADLab Summer Art Camp
The Museum of Arts and Design offers one-week workshops for students in areas like papermaking, basket weaving, and jewelry-making. For high school students who want to apply to fine arts programs for college, they also offer a portfolio development workshop that will review your artist statement, your resume, and your work samples. It’s a “must” for any aspiring fashion designer or photographer!
3. Best Way to Cool Down: The Pioneer
This 1880s schooner sails every day around the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The sunset voyages offer a majestic view of the downtown Manhattan skyline. You can also try sailing the ship yourself (with some professional guidance, of course) and doing some fishing in the harbor.
