Ladies Day at Aintree Grand Nationals

Ladies Day in any race holds a special place, but there is no comparison in great events than Ladies Day at the Aintree John Smith Grand National horse races. The prizes for the fashion show are great and include packages such as a trip to London where you will spend the night at a luxury hotel, a photo shoot with Jeff Banks who will also give you his advise to help you spend the £500 Matalan voucher, handpicking a new wardrobe just for you, and dinner at the Ivy where you will meet a number of celebrities, or another package which includes an all-inclusive 10 night stay for two at your choice of Almond Resorts. There are also smaller prizes like a Boodles Raindance Diamond Ring, or one pair of Christian Louboutin shoes. Needles to say there will be a number of women competing for the chance at any of these great prizes. You will need to register with them, and they have not made it clear yet if there will be fashion scouts looking about for lovely women who look lost. There are a limited number of spots in the competition, so you will want to head to the table as soon as you get there. Below is a video of some of the contestants from a few years ago.

There are a few tips on how to win the competition, but there is no way to guarantee you are the winner unless you absolutely look your best. The thing to remember here is that spring has now come, with the start of these races and the best outfits to wear should match accordingly. This means that it is up to you to determine the new spring fashions, coming in your trendiest clothing. Keep the outfit to spring colors, pastel yellows, blues may want to be the focus of your dress, but don’t forget the vibrant reds and greens in your accessories. If you dress down the main part of your clothing, you can show off the accessories better.

Madonna in Udaipur

It’s one of the great jewels of India, offering sumptuous views everywhere you look.  This is one of the most celebrated exotic places in the world, and its surface, which bears ancient palaces and spectacular vistas is only the beginning of its charms.  There is a remarkable sense of elegance everywhere you go here, and it’s a joy to explore the city and to experience all that it has to offer.  Curious travelers wanting to experience another world will find many nooks and crannies here to satisfy all their desires to explore, and the weary traveler will find splendid opportunities to relax in the heart of an ancient place, letting the world’s pace come to a halt and offering a glorious rest from the responsibilities of the everyday.

There is nothing about the every day when you’re staying in an Udaipur palace hotel. These are some of the most beautiful lodgings available on the planet, with magnificent surroundings and fantastic interiors.  You never forget you’re staying in a palace here, and there’s no reason to forget, because the novelty never wears off, and there’s always more details to increase the sense of luxury and elegance.  It’s tempting to stay in the whole time you’re here, but there are many amazing things the city has to show you.  There are some fantastic sights, and there are also celebrities.

The roll call for famous people visiting this city is enormous, and you can now add Madonna to the list.  She was here with her husband, Guy Ritchie, enjoying a few weeks off her busy schedule, taking in the city with a few close friends.  Their time here was less than a week, but they were drawn by the spectacular things the city offers just like other visitors, the beautiful sands, the lakes, and the palaces that speak to its incredible royal heritage.  You may not see Madonna or Taylor Swiftrank on your trip, but there’s something beautiful for everyone to love here.

Fun Event Tickets for Kids

I’m standing in line with my 11 year old niece to get inside the Madame Tussauds for a Broadway performance and to get my limited addition of ‘The Great American Mousical’ signed by Julie Andrews and her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton who are the official ambassadors for this year’s ‘Kid’s Night on Broadway.’ But, we have to be the first 150 people in line, which we are!  I thought this would be Fun Event Tickets for her while she was visiting me here in New York. Luckily, my niece if a huge fan of Broadway musicals and knows who Julie Andrews is. We both don’t know Julie’s daughter, but we figure we soon will.

With the purchase of the ‘Kid’s Night on Broadway’ tickets, which is only good for children of the age of 6 to 18, I’ll be able to get discounts for a Pre-Theater Fan Festival which will let my niece participate in how live theater is produced with special activities run by the actual cast and crew of all the participating shows. Like getting to see how theatrical make-up is put on, they’ll get to sing famous Broadway tunes karaoke style and learn some take Broadway dance lessons. My niece is most happy about the singing part, as I’ve said, she loves all Broadway Musicals. For me, there will be plenty of Broadway stars available to sign autographs.

For food, area restaurants are offering family-affordable dinners including free dishes for the children participating in the ‘Kid’s Night of Broadway.’  There will be special fun with participating shows which will let kids stay after the show is over and ask questions and listen to speeches given by cast members. My niece and I will most definitely have a memorable night out and I’m sure will be singing show tunes all the way home.

Kristin Cavallari to replace Lauren Conrad on The Hills

It all started with MTV’s reality show about rich High School Students called Laguna Beach. The focused mostly on the teen trials of relationships in a California beach town, and for one reason or another everyone on any world maps could just not get enough of it.

During Laguna Beach, Kristin Cavallari was its star. But when former show mate and reality rival Lauren Conrad decided to take her show up the map of California to LA, she was given her own show. Alas, The Hills was born and after five seasons Conrad has decided to leave the cakey-st job in the entire world.

So Hills fans across the entire map of the world were left wondering what would happen to their Monday night guilty pleasure. Although, admittedly, Conrad has been fading into the background in the show, being replaced by the bizarre relationship of Heidi and Spencer.

Ironically enough, it has been announced that now Cavallari will be taking over the “lead role” in The Hills. The season five finale will introduce Kristin as the new focus of The Hills.

It should be a good move for the reality franchise, showing that it can be adaptable to whoever is the most interesting person to follow. Cavallari was always the focus of the previous show but fell to the wayside after Conrad was given her own series.

She was always the leader of the drama on Laguna Beach, so Kristin should inject a little main character drama that Lauren Conrad never really did. She just doesn’t really seem like a real dramatic person.

Here’s hoping that Cavallari will bring the show to a new level with her addition. At least to the level of guiltiest pleasure on Monday night, next to Gossip Girl, of course.

Not Just in Columbia, Maryland Anymore: Next Day Blinds Has 35 MD Locations

With 35 locations across the state of Maryland to choose from, Next Day Blinds has your window treatment bases covered — with knowledgeable and friendly sales staff to boot.

Next Day Blinds is a retailer of high-quality window treatments, utilizing only the highest-quality goods for their wide range of home decorating/window treatment products. All of their products are custom made in their own state-of-the-art factory in Jessup, MD (in the Columbia, Maryland area). They have 35 stores throughout the Washington, DC and Baltimore MD metropolitan areas, showcasing a wide variety of window blinds, shades, shutters, and cornices. They’ve also dedicated themselves to top-notch customer service, including low-price guarantees on their products.

Next Day Blinds Columbia, Maryland has a full range of attractive and stylish blinds, shutters, cornices and shades which fit perfect for nearly any home design. They offer unusual amenities such as free swatches, online shopping and catalog, a free in-home consultation, and much more.

Customize your space with Next Day Blinds, and create the perfect atmosphere for relaxation or stylish retreat. They utilize only the highest quality materials from which to manufacture their products, as they would have nothing less for their clientele. To quote from their web site:

You will get a better deal on the blinds because they manufacture what they sell.

Don’t feel like stopping into our showroom? Shop online and experience the Next Day Blinds site whether you are on the couch watching tv or even on your iphone!

Indian Celebrities Shine in Dubai

A host of Bollywood celebrities turned out for the recent Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge. However, it was “Slumdog Millionaire” star Anil Kapoor who received the most attention.

Kapoor was mobbed by international fans at the event and later at an English pub. Other stars, such as Monica Bellucci, Chunky Pandey, and Jas Arora were surprised by the amount of attention the actor generated.

“I could have understood if Indians would have gathered around him but it was crazy to see so many foreigners literally pouncing on him.” Chunky Pandey explains. Pandey accompanied Kapoor to the pub and mentioned that the tourists at the event weren’t just ordinary fans, but autograph-seeking “gentry” types.

Anil Kapoor and other celebrities attended the Polo Challenge, which was graced by the presence of Dubai’s Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein. Dubai has become a mecca for Middle Eastern, Indian, and other celebrities who can be found at only the best five star hotel Dubai as well as the top restaurants and clubs in the city.

Celeb Drugs and DUI – Barkley, Phelps, A-Rod & More

NBA legend Charles Barkley admitted he was driving under the influence last December in Arizona. His reported blood-alcohol level was .149 percent, which is alarmingly about double the .08 percent limit. For his misdemeanor, Barkley will have to install ignition interlock devices on his vehicles, enroll in an alcohol treatment program, pay about $2,000 in fines, and serve a five-day jail sentence. His jail time will start on March 21.

This news comes after a month filled with drug-related celeb news, including the Michael Phelps weed scandal and Alex Rodriguez’s admission of abusing steroids during his game time with the Texas Rangers. Even President Obama said in a press conference that A-Rod’s drug abuse was depressing news.

Sports stars aren’t the only ones making the DUI mistake. The elderly film and TV actor, Gary Collins plead no contest to a DUI charge today. This was the third DUI offense for the actor, which landed him a mandatory 120 day jail sentence. Reports have yet to confirm if he will actually serve jail time, as he may be able to apply for an electronically monitored house arrest.

“Slumdog” Star’s Secret Marriage

Frieda Pinto, the attractive Indian starlet made famous by her role in the Oscar-nominated “Slumdog Millionare” is making headlines for a secret marriage. Pinto, 24, broke off her ongoing relationship to Rohan Antao last month. The two were believed to have been engaged, but new reports indicate they actually tied the knot in December 2007

Pinto and Antao met in college and were together for four years. The marriage is said to have been the result of an impulse when they were visiting Antao’s hometown in Goa, India. Goa is the smallest state in India and known for its fabulous beaches and vibrant nightlife. Many of the best hotels Goa are beach resorts to capitalize on the area’s best feature.

The press has been speculating since the breakup that it is a result of Pinto ‘s sudden international stardom. Even though Antao supposedly supported Pinto during the “Slumdog” production, she abruptly broke off contact with him once the film began picking up international acclaim such as the BAFTA and SAG awards and a number of Oscar nominations.

Pinto is expected to attend tonight’s Oscars wearing a dress specially designed for her by a Mumbai designer. But Antao will not be her escort.

Pinto’s representative refused to confirm the allegations, stating that they challenge whoever is making the claims to produce documentation that the wedding took place.

Recent Celebrity Sightings in NYC

New York City is always a great place to spot celebrities. Whether partying at the best nightclubs, dining at trendy New York restaurants, or shopping at designer boutiques on Fifth Avenue, there’s always someone famous to see.

With New York’s famous Fashion Week in full swing last week, celebrities were everywhere. Some of the more notable names spotted in and around Bryant Park were Paris Hilton, Julia Stiles, and Eva Longoria. Justin Timberlake, Kanya West, and Lil Kim were some of the musical guests on hand. Others attending the events in Bryant Park included Jessica Biel, Claire Danes, Heidi Klum, and Aubrey O’Day.

Elsewhere, Blake Lively and Penn Badgley were spotted shopping on the Upper West Side and Michelle Tractenberg and Amanda Bynes were caught having lunch at Fred’s at Barneys New York.

Paris Hilton was snapped by fans in the Indochine ladies room during the Vladimire Restoin-Rotifeld Collect Hardward photography exhibit. Others in attendance at the exhibition were Clain Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Angelina Jolie was also in New York this week. She took two of her daughters on a shopping spree that included a stop at Lees Art Shop. Angelina is expected to be back in LA in time for the Oscars where both she and husband Brad Pitt are nominated for awards.

Slumdog Millionaire Tops BAFTA Awards

The stars were out in force last night at the British Academy of Film & Television Arts Awards in London. “Slumdog Millionaire” walked away with seven awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Danny Boyle.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were among the stunningly-clad nominees in attendance. Other popular celebrities in attendence included Kylie Minogue, Alesha Dixon, and Kate Winslet who won for best actress in “The Reader.”

One of the British awards handed out (many of the awards are international), was the BAFTA Rising Star Award. This went to Noel Clarke, a young actor known for his recurring roles on the latest “Doctor Who” series and on “Adulthood” a BBC urban drama.

Other winners included Best Actor Mickey Rourke for “The Wrestler,” Penelope Cruz for Best Supporting Actress in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” and a posthumous Best Supporting Actor award to Heath Ledger for “The Dark Knight.”

“Slumdog Millionare” was filmed in Mumbai and tells the story of a young contestant on a tv quiz show who is accused of cheating. The film is a favorite to win at this month’s Oscars, as it has now picked up both the BAFTA award and the Director’s Guild award, both of which are usually good indicators of Oscar winners.

The film is generating renewed interest in Mumbai’s film industry, though it was produced by a British company. No doubt there will be an influx of movie people and celebrities (filling up the 5 star Mumbai hotels) invading the city, should it complete the trifecta and win the Academy Award on February 22nd.