What it Was Like to Be a Finalist in the Search to Discover the Next Oprah on Her New Network & How it Inspired Me to Reinvent Myself

                        Me, back in July, before heading off to an audition for Your OWN Show

I got People today and, for the first time in months, I actually looked at it.  Typically, I toss it aside thinking who are all these people with weird names like Snooki and why would I be interested in any of the Kardashians? The reason for my sudden interest? The magazine had an article profiling the 10 contestants on Your OWN Show – the upcoming series to pick and groom “the next Oprah.”  My interest in the reality show was more than casual.

It all started back in July. “Hi, Linda, this is Emily from OWN.” I'd answered my cell as I drove along the 405 Freeway.  I immediately thought of thought of my sister, Lisa. Yeah, it was her – being a smart ass.  She’d recently encouraged me to enter the OWN contest by putting my reel up on the network's site. I feigned sincerity, “Hi Emily. Is Oprah with you right now?”  “Excuse me?  I’m calling from the Oprah Winfrey Network.  We really liked your tape and we want to talk to you about possibly becoming a finalist to compete on the show. What???  

From Santa Monica to Paris: U.S. Ambassador to France Charlie Rivkin and Wife, Susan, Embark on a New Life Abroad

  Clockwise: Charlie with heads of Saks Fifth Avenue (right) and New York Times (left) at a party at the US Embassy, Charlie with Chanel CEO Maureen Chiquet at the Grand Palais, Susan being interviewed from her front row seat at the Chanel show in October, the couple at the L'Arc de Triomphe horse races, a horse after crossing the finish line.  All photos by Linda Grasso, except where noted.

When the phone rang one evening in early October at the U.S. Embassy in Paris, Santa Monica’s Charlie Rivkin grabbed the phone. For Rivkin, an after hours business call was nothing new. As the former head of various entertainment companies back in Los Angeles, working around the clock came with the territory. However, half a world and several degrees of sensibility away, Rivkin was now dealing with a very different set of issues. Concerned by some recent Al Qaeda activity, the State Department was issuing a traveler’s alert for Americans in Europe with special concern for France. It fell to Rivkin, President Obama’s appointment as U.S. Ambassador to France, to mark the administration's official line on the situation and deal with the aftermath.

                                 The Rivkin Family: Eli, Susan, Charlie and Lily, courtesy: Rivkin Family

Summer Siesta

Yep, it's time. We're grabbing a hammock and shutting down SheSez for the last two weeks of August. Hope you enjoy the rest of your summer and see you in September!

Indulge in Simple Summer Pleasures

            
Remember that feeling when you were little? You’d barely put on your bathing suit when summer would be over.  That’s why I always try to take stock of summer – summer pleasures to be more specific.  I make sure I enjoy the things I love about this season to the fullest. Here are some of my favorite pleasures that you might also enjoy. Do them now, so you're ready when Labor Day creeps up!

Food

Take advantage of all the gorgeous, mouth watering melons available now – from Tuscan to Canario.  Slice them up morning, noon and night – for a meal or a snack.  The other night my husband and I had an al fresco dinner of melon, topped with piles of aged prosciutto, and a crisp glass of chardonnay.  It was perfect!

A Beautiful Video Simply To Make You Smile

First off, an admission. This post has absolutely nothing to do with California.

I just got back from a gut-wrenching funeral.  At the reception afterwards, a friend and I were noting that we now seem to be going to more funerals than weddings. A friend of mine put this up on her Facebook page today and, plain and simple, it made me smile.

It's an incredibly well-shot, beautiful video of the day - mostly before and after the ceremony -  of a couple's wedding.  It makes me remember there's also a lot of happiness going on in the world, too. Enjoy. 

Taking Big Hair to New Level

                                   
 

Someone sent me this picture today of this big-haired woman anchoring E! News next to Todd Newton some 6 years ago. Anyone know who it is? 

Look I Love Tomatoes Too, But......

 I was at this weekend's annual Tomato seedling sale in Encino, called Tomania!, when suddenly a car pulled up and out popped a bride and groom, followed by a photographer.  As she dragged her long, white gown across the dusty fields of seedlings, all the customers turned and watched, somewhat spellbound. 

Well, This is Embarrassing

You are here and we are not!  Yep, we're caught red-handed, getting a little R & R with family and friends.  Back in January with some really cool features including a cooking session with the two brilliant chefs from La Jolla's Marine Room (who taught me how to make the rockin' pomegranate cocoa martini on left). Cheers and have a wonderful holiday! 

Just Because I'm Worth It!

I've been thinking that the celebrity obsessed People Magazine is really kind of boring these days - who are all those "stars" anyways?  And, are reality contestants really that interesting?  It's one thing to feature a bore who has talent - but a bore who's just a bore?  

Well, just when you thought People was getting too trivial, now there's People Pets!  The headlines say it all. This week's cover story "Pets Wear Wigs! Can you tell it's a hairpiece?"  We're told the wearer of this pink mop top, pictured above, is "Chucky." Thanks for the introduction. 

Midlife Crisis Management

I’m sure this will draw a few gasps from some of you, but I have been feeling extremely restless lately. Kind of like a cat on a hot tin roof. And I hate cats. Here’s the thing: I no longer want to be a mom/wife in the traditional sense. I mean I am fine with the sex and the conversation; it’s just the day to day aspect of the job.  And it is a job. This in no way means that I don’t love my husband and my two teenage sons. On the contrary, I love them so much, but sometimes I wonder if I was really cut out to be a “wife/mom” and all that entails.