A few weeks ago, I read that Oprah was going to bring her show on the road to NYC. In honor of the 10th anniversary of O magazine, she had a giant weekend planned, titled "Live your Best Life." It would kick off with an Oprah show taping at the beautiful Radio City Music Hall. Tickets were free but given out only in a random lottery drawing. I decided that I probably wouldn't be chosen so I logged out. But I thought about it again and wondered why shouldn't I give it a shot? So I entered my name and that of my friend S.
When I checked my email in the morning, I received a confirmation! I immediately called S to let her know and make sure that she could go. (She could) I tried to tell people at work because I was so excited but they're all men and couldn't care less. So I called my Mom. I got the appropriate reaction from her. Thanks Mom!
S and I had to be in line by 8:30 the morning of the taping and the amount of people at Rockefeller Center was staggering. We found out later that 5300 people, both women and some fabulously dressed men, were waiting excitedly to get in. There was such an amazing energy as we waited in the line that wrapped around 4 city blocks.
We made it inside and into our second level mezzanine seats a little after 9am and waited for the curtain to go up. When the assistant finished going over the order of things and the rules (no cameras during the show or else you would be escorted out) the amazing Oprah took the stage! She was glamorous in a lavender, glittery mermaid style skirt that was topped with a white wrap top. She joked with the fashion expert later in the show that it was a ball gown that she loved and wanted to turn into an "everyday" outfit.
The assistant had warned us that the show would go by really fast and it did. The first segment was all of her peeps, her experts, her dream team. Suze Orman who told us not to buy on credit. Dr Oz who spoke about his new show after a funny montage of him answering medical questions from his new neighbors at 30 Rock, Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira. Matt Lauer asked him if it was exzema on his head and Dr Oz said no it was baldness. :-)
Dr Phil talked about changing your routine and to prove his point, he shaved his mustache live on the show. His wife Robin was in the audience and said she hadn't seen him without his stache in 38 years. He looked a lot younger after it was done. During the commercial break, Dr Oz jumped up to help do the shaving. He dabbed a bit of shaving cream on Phil's bald head which lead Phil to quip that he was sure that wasn't necessary. Funny Phil!
Last but not least was the adorable Nate Berkus who talked about his new show (sensing a theme here?) and his new loft in Manhattan. It is beautifully decorated with an amazing view of the Hudson River through the floor to ceiling windows. Officially jealous.
Next we were treated to a Mother Daughter Fashion show starring Vanessa Williams, Cybil Shephard, and the amazingly tiny Susan Lucci! She came out with her son who is about twice her height. We hoped for a pair of the heels as an audience gift. We learned that this year is all about the nude shoe, statement shoes, and cargo pants. Clearly lessons to live by.
The main guest was Christina Aguilara. I was so impressed with her during the interview and the performance she put on was incredible. I was especially moved by one of her responses. Oprah asked her about becoming a mother, and she replied that she has never felt better about life or more comfortable in her own skin. We could tell during the performance! She was incredible. I've never seen fireworks at Radio City but she had them. She also had an awesome black cape that she flung around as she danced. She rocked.
The grand finale was when Oprah brought up all the staffers from O Magazine to honor them for all their hard work in the last ten years. And the last surprise was when Buddy the Cake Boss from TLC wheeled out a giant cake! I think it was five layers tall and it had the O logo all over it. S and I were hoping that we could snag a bit, but it was only for the magazine folks. I bet it was delicious!
One of my resolutions this year was to drink up every experience that I could, see new things, and be present in the moments of my life. In other words, live my best life! Oprah thanked us all profusely for sharing our day with her and I want to thank her for sharing her show with me! I loved being in the amazingly beautiful Radio City Music Hall with Oprah Winfrey and 5299 of my closest friends. :-)
And just for the record, we took this with my camera phone after the taping had ended. S and I did not break the camera rule!
Ta Da! It seems like such a simple change but we love having all of the walls the same color now. It does seem a bit empty though...
This is the "floor model" of the new photo wall we're going to put on that big blue wall. I'm buying one frame at a time at Michael's so I can use the 40% off discount on every frame. Not only am I cheap, but I am very patient. :) We're still trying to decide on the rest of the photos but are excited to see how it will transform the room!
We are shocked at how much lighter the kitchen looks already. We're in love. 
We are shocked at how much lighter the kitchen looks already. We're in love. 
