Karen Robinovitz | CHALLENGE

KAREN ROBINOVITZ has lived 9 lives, all of which I'd gladly reenact. She is a New York fashion and beauty journalist turned jet-setting red carpet reporter turned published author turned renowned marketing and social media genius. And now she plays the part of CREATRIX of her very own bombshell beauty brand, PURPLE LAB NYC.

Karen and Sharon of Purple Lab actually found me on Twitter, glittering my life away, and it was love at first Tweet!

When we met at her West Village apartment, Karen inspired every glittering bone in my body with her fabulous rollercoaster tale of hard-earned success. She spent YEARS “hibernating”… writing, reporting, pitching and pitching, until she hit every homerun of her dreams!

Her writing was published everywhere from Harper’s Bazaar, Elle and Details to The New York Times. Her contagious, bubbly energy has taken her career all over the world as a celebrity reporter, television personality, fashion expert and pretty party girl.

ZOOM IN! Karen’s 30^th birthday... my favorite part:

For the big 3-0, Karen decided re-invent herself as a faux It-Girl. She convinced a PR firm to be her publicist, Harry Winston lent her $2 million of diamonds and a bodyguard, she threw an epic bash at Bungalow 8, Calvin Klein showed up, Paris Hilton was on dancing tables, and M&Ms sponsored the entire thing.

Her agent said to her that night: This is your next book.

And 3 weeks later Karen and her partner in crime, Melissa de la Cruz, signed a double book deal that included: How To Become Famous In Two Weeks Or Less.

The book launch party was an even bigger fuss! The starlets made a historic entrance, rolling up to Bungalow with 20 male models on Vespas, dripping in Diamonds and Dior. Foxy Brown showed up, Laura Brannigan performed Gloria per her own request, and then the duo went jetting - in all their fame! - all over the country on their extravagant book tour. Karen pulled together a Dior-sponsored wardrobe, a Bentley with a chauffer where they conducted all their interviews, and MAC Cosmetics sponsored the entire tour.

After all this she realized: “I am a marketing person.” (Aha moment!) She shifted her career, began consulting for major fashion and beauty brands such as DVF, Coach, Tresemme and Estee Lauder, and became a social media pioneer. Three years ago luxury brands didn't want to listen to Karen's advice about Twitter and Facebook. NOW what!

And now what? Here we are: Karen does a little bit of everything (I mean a lot of everything) and has accomplished her wildest dream, launching her OWN brand, Purple Lab NYC.

Personal note: I’m completely addicted Purple Lab’s lip gloss, Huge Lips Skinny Hips. As a beauty editor Karen tried every beauty product in the world, so when creating her own, refused to produce anything that wasn't better than everything single other thing out there. HLSH is "Double Duty Beauty," with lip plumper and Hoodia. Karen, you’re brilliant.

Purple Lab is a sophisticated, luxurious brand with a sense of humor, love stories and personalities behind every product. The colors are inspired by Karen’s favorite things in the world!

And guess what else was inspired by all her favorite things in the world? You guessed it... my rules for becoming a better New Yorker.

THE RULES:

1. Go to S Factor and take a pole dancing class. Bonus: get a private lesson with Barbara. (HLSH Color to match: Kittypole Dancer)

2. Let Drew Linehan of Trew Productions show you how to walk the runway... and own it.

3. a) Go to the Christian Louboutin store. Try on shoes with the manager Michael. Drool.

b) There’s nothing hotter than red soles on the back of a motorcycle. Get a ride somewhere - on a motorcycle - in Louboutins. (HLSH Color to match: Red Sole)

4. See Veronica Varlow perform in a Burlesque Show. (HLSH Color to match: Kittypole Dancer)

5. Let Devachan Salon give you the best curls of your life.

6. Go with Colin – the mixologist for U’luvka Vodka, and have him take you to some of his underground spots in NYC for the best Lychee Martinis you’ll ever have. (HLSH Color to match: Lychee Martini)

7. Get the 2 best Octopus dishes in Manhattan:

a) DBGB, Daniel Boulud’s newest restaurant.

b) Dell’anima

8. Get a Gogi berry smoothie at Organic Avenue.

9. Thank somebody with Crumbs cupcakes. (HLSH Color to match: Love Your Thighs)

10. Get a facial with Nina at Paul Labreque

11. Shop with Lisi at Kirna Zabete. (HLSH Color to match: Worship Kate)

12. Meet: DJ Coleman

13. Wear only Hanky Pankies. If you need a new pair, go to Scoop, where you can also get HLSH! (HLSH Color: No Panty Lines)

14.) Read How To Become Famous In Two Weeks Or Less

Wait a second… I COMPLETELY misread this.

On Friday when I typed this list out, I thought the rule said:

BECOME FAMOUS IN TWO WEEKS OR LESS

Oh no! I’ve put 8 publicists, 3 assistants and a full fledged GET-FAMOUS plan in motion…

I spoke to Karen yesterday about the slip-up - she stated that she would accept my completion of the rule in either form.

Alright... no turning back now!

I've had exactly 3 days to get my famous affairs in order, and here are a few things I've got in place.

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS ONLY A GAME! Please do not take any of this too seriously.

* My personal hair stylist and makeup artist, Jillian Halouska of Warren-Tricomi, is very strict and will be making sure I look perfect every day, at all times.

* I’ll be headlining and making appearances at parties all week. These venues and publicists just won’t stop calling!

* Designers and publicists have been clamoring to send me clothes and millions of dollars worth of jewelry.

* I’m performing in a World-Famous Burlesque show this Friday night at the Slipper Room… with Burlesque Legend Veronica Varlow. Upping the ante for Rule #4 just a touch.

* Citrine is throwing me a sexy, star-studded Burlesque-themed party, EYE CANDY, this Wednesday night to preview and celebrate my upcoming performance… the entire NYC Burlesque world will be there in my honor!

* I’ve signed as the face of RD International, a hot Canadian label that’s debuting in NYC this fall. Fashion photographer Joey Falsetta is shooting my campaign, and we’re throwing a huge penthouse press party during the shoot. Invite only.

* DJ Coleman and I are knocking out Rule #12 with all our wildly famous friends this Sunday night.

* Celebrity fitness coach Noam Tamir is thrilled to have signed me as his newest client.

* I don’t know who, but someone out there has been tipping off the paparazzi… I’m thinking of hiring a body guard.

* There will be an enormous NYC Game Hamptons Labor Day blowout party series…. to celebrate my fame! Invite only, but you’ll be able to read ALL about it ;)

TWO WEEKS.

Will I be household name by Labor Day?

Does infamous count as famous?

I haven't lost a round yet.

And the winnings - if Karen decides I've completed the challenge in 2 weeks and become a better New Yorker - is oh-so dreamy...

THE PRIZE:

A luxurious night ALL TO MYSELF at the new, ultramodern Smyth Hotel in Tribeca.

Shrimp Cocktails, Lychee Martinis and movies in an enormous bed.

WOW... sounds like a famous girl's fantasy.

Let the games… and the fame… begin!

MWAH!!!-HA-HA-HAH

Michelle Joni

This game has been won! Click here to see the results.

PS. Karen has a Kate Moss shrine on her mirror as inspiration.

For these next 2 weeks, my shrine is to Karen.

MWAH!!!

Alex Ott | YOUR TURN

Play The NYC Game!

PART ONE:

THE NEW-AGAIN FASHION GAME

Sabrina Alexis, the faboosh founder and editor of A New Mode, has now helped me to the finish lines in Rounds 3 and 4. In turn I have invited A New Mode to host half of Round 4's YOUR TURN.

TO ENTER: Visit A New Mode to find out how to play and what you can win from  Buffalo Exchange. Also shop my supercool vintage cork board... oh how I love making old fashion new again.

CONGRATULATIONS to the 4 WINNERS of $74 gift cards to Buffalo Exchange:

meamadison : http://twitpic.com/fb4jk - #NYCGAME swedish handstiched vintage dress from sweden, linen, to die for! One of a kind! @michellejoni @anewmode @buffaloexchange  

richelecole : @michellejoni @anewmode @buffaloexchange my grandmother's romper from the 60's http://twitpic.com/falhl #NYCGAME 

brookesamantha | http://twitpic.com/ej7e2 - my grandma's pearls. choker, necklace, & bracelet. :) @michellejoni @anewmode @buffaloexchange #NYCGAME 

stephaniecain | @anewmode @michellejoni @buffaloexchange# LOVE my vintage hand-embroidered clutch from Japan in the '40s. take it out every night! #NYCGAME 

PART TWO:

THE DRINKING GAME

***YOU MUST BE 21 OR OVER TO PLAY***

You now have the chance to be the NYC Insider and win one of the of the UNGODLY DIVINE cocktails that Alex Ott put in Round 4.

TO ENTER: Tell me YOUR favorite cocktail in New York City and where to get it.

Enter by commenting below. You may win any of the 4 following cocktails below.... May the Mixology Gods choose your fate!

1: The Sushi Samba Cocktail Tree 

Winner: CYNTHIA

Which means I will be trying... the Wet Ginger Martini from Schiller's Liquor Bar

2: Two Mememonee Falls from Onieals.

Winner: BECCA

Which means I will be trying... the Dirty Sexy WHOREtini at Divine Bar

3. A prescription written by Albert Trummer at Apotheke to heal all your pains. (If you're confused whatsoever, you need to re-read the results of rule 11, my friend.)

Winner: MISSA

Which means I will be trying... the Gold Rush at Cafe Mogador 

4: Two Pickle Back shots from TJ at Rusty Knot.

Winner: JEF G

Which means I will be trying... The Thaiperinia... which I must locate somewhere in Harlem!

COMMENT below by Monday, August 24, at midnight to enter.

The winning cocktails will be chosen at RANDOM: I will write every drink down on paper, crumple them up in a giant martini glass, and draw out 4.

The 4 prizes above will be awarded in order of the drawing. And in spirit of The NYC Game... I will go try ALL 4 of your winning cocktails!

*If you're not in NYC and still want to play, you'll be able to save your drink for your next trip to the city if it's this year, OR you may donate it to an NYC friend.

Kisses...  and cheers!

Michelle Joni

PS. I WON THE BALLOON RIDE!

WAIT!  >> If you're mildly confused - or severely confused - as to what's going on here and why I'm winning balloon rides... read the instruction manual on the homepage! Also navigate (at right) through the Challenge and Results of Alex Ott's Round. It'll be fun.

Alex Ott's declaration of my Round 4 victory was so darling that I framed it. See?

In case you don't have a magnifying glass:

"If the past few weeks changed your night life and drinking habits forever, then I'm happy. As a flavor crusader that is my mission statement for this planet. I am not only very proud of Michelle aka. Stumbling night owl (1st meeting on chelsea roof top), but also very impressed and happy that even MY below-the-radar guys in these spots were not only there, BUT she was even welcome and still alive at the end of the week. I somehow dont apologize for stretching this game, i am actually trying to keep this going at all costs, because when it comes to fun, there IS and Should not be a time limit....and when it comes to My life, the great thing about it is: it is mine, and YOU cant have it, but i do love sharing it with friends! You are one now! Your balloon ride is all yours!

Much love to you and your players and stay tuned for the crazy parts....

Truly yours"

Up up and awayyyyy I go. I'll keep you posted on the balloon ride and the "crazy parts"... balloon ride/crazy parts... what's the difference? Until then... stumbling night owl I shall be. :)

Alex Ott | CHALLENGE

If you ever decide to interview a world-famous, master drink mixologist, definitely let him pick the place.

Alex Ott suggested we meet for his interview at one of his favorite buried NYC treasures, Angel’s Share, (upstairs, through a Japanese restaurant, behind an unsuspecting wooden door) where he ordered me “the best lychee martini in Manhattan.” Except his own, of course.

This man is a mover and a shaker… and a stirrer. Alex Ott is a global scenester (he’s lived on 6 continents), a world-renowned flavor genius (he was trained by the best in the industry from age 16), a gifted artist, has 2 TV shows coming out, and is as passionate about his charity work as he was about the consistency of the crystallized ginger in his drink that night.

After getting to know Alex Ott and his take on New York and life in general, I can safely say this will be an amazing week… even if I drink too much to remember it all. ;)

INSIDER CRED:

Alex exploded onto the New York scene with multiple appearances on Sex and The City, as buzz about this hot, young mixologist Alex Ott echoed through the press. His signature cocktails and techniques are credited as a major catalyst in the revival of the New York bar scene.

Alex Ott brings the party. Literally. He’s catered drinking extravaganzas for the Oscars, the Emmys, VMAs, an $80 million Royal Indian wedding, and is called on by celebrity friends and philanthropists all over the world to do parties all the time. (Poor guy can’t catch a break.)

Buddha Bar in New York, Paris, Beirut, Dubai… Sushi Samba… these are just a few of the hundreds of upscale restaurants that have hired Alex Ott to design their signature cocktail menu and train a bar staff to meticulous perfection. He also consults for numerous liquor brands, and is currently the chief mixologist at Svedka.

Alex has two TV shows in the making: One is called Icebreakers, starring Alex traveling to 14 countries, introducing us to each one’s best signature ingredient and showing us how to mix it. (Saw the teaser... looks really cool!) He’s also the judge on Bartender Wars, the “Top Chef” of mixology. Does that make him the Simon Cowell of cocktails? Hot.

Sky’s the limit? Not a chance. NASA hired Alex to create a line of non-alcoholic drinks made for Zero Gravity.

<---- That's Alex! No, it's not. But he wishes it was. He actually owns a space suit. It hangs on his wall.

Here are shots from his GQ photo shoot. Nuff said.

Alex was born in Germany, grew up in Kenya, has lived on every continent that's not frozen over, and speaks 5 languages. But there’s no question in his mind: his favorite place in the entire world – and his home for the past 10 years – is New York City.

THE RULES:

1. First and foremost: Be spontaneous. Don’t think about the next day. Don’t plan. (That being said…I have to somehow not plan the rest. Hmmm..)

2. Have brunch at Bubby’s in Tribeca. Get eggs and the breakfast bread – both some of the freshest in the city.

3. Eat at Café des Artistes on the Upper West Side.

4. Go shopping at my favorite thrift shop, Buffalo Exchange.

5. Visit the Gagosian Gallery on the Upper East Side.

6. Go to the Hayden Planetarium and see a space show. (“I’m a space dork. Why else would I make drinks for NASA?”)

7. Watch the best movie ever: In The Shadow of The Moon. (“I mean, I’m really a space dork. Just watch it.”)

Rules 8-12: Get the 5 Best Drinks in NYC:

8. The Watson: Gin, fresh cucumber, Pimms, fresh lime, white cranberry. At Steak Frites

9. Gin & Tonic (because “nobody expects it” on a best drinks list… you have to really know how to make it): Highball glass, Hendrick’s gin, Schwepps tonic, 1 lime wedge, STIRRED! At Angel’s Share

10. Chucumber (Alex’s own): Fresh cucumber, Elderflower cordial, Shochu, lime. At Sushi Samba

11. Menomenee Falls: Tequila, pineapple juice, ginger, African spice, cilantro. At 2 places: Apotheke and Onieals. Taste and compare.

12. Pickle Back: Shot of Jameson Irish Whiskey. Chaser: Shot of pickle juice. At The Rusty Knot (Why do I feel like this is on here just to mess with me?)

13. Not your average NYC Game Rule…

I regret to inform you that Mr. Master of Mixology has refused to publicize all his favorite drink spots, because, as he explained, all of his most cherished spots in New York are true insider secrets and would be ruined (RUINED!) if the masses knew about them. (Plus: "they'd never get in.")

So going back to Rule #1 (be spontaneous, don’t plan), here is lucky number 13:

I must always be ready, at any moment’s notice, day or night, to meet him at an instructed intersection or landmark. And one by one… he will show me all the best.

Loves it.

But it gets better! I imagined the prize would be maybe an open bar happy hour party at Sushi Samba, a lifetime supply of Svedka Orange, a signature drink named after me… but no. And I never realized how badly I’ve always wanted this prize… until now!

THE PRIZE:

A hot air balloon ride.

Amazing.

I will drink my space face off, and I WILL rise to the top.

Helloooooo Round 4.

Now, Ladies... if you, too, have a weeeee bit of a crush on Hot Mr. Ott... I've added some more pictures just for you.

Alex Ott with Scott Harrison, founder of charity: water, one of his favorite charities to support.

Alex surfs too. This is him in Australia. There really isn't much he doesn't do.

Alex in some faraway land. I forget where he said, but you can see why I included it anyway.

Cheers to you too.

Boys, if you're NOT crushing, how about this one: He did the original sketches of many of the graphic scenes as a storyboard artist for the Matrix and Fight Club. (And sorry if I just broke rules 1 and 2 of Fight Club.)

Round 4 BONUS:

Alex Ott’s #1 Mixology Rule is… Use ALL natural ingredients. He would never so much as look at an artificial flavor, and thinks soda is the worst thing happening in the drink industry now. He's trying to change that! Alex uses magnificently unexpected herbs, spices and ingredients from around the world, with fantastic health benefits.

Check out his kitchen of mix-master paradise – bottles of aged liquor, African spices, and everything au natural. He even has a tiny vile given to him by the Princess of India worth $13,000. (Any takers?)

By law, Alex explained, you’re not allowed to claim that an alcoholic drink is “healthy”… but after learning all about his concoctions and trying a few, let’s just say I would totally trade in my multivitamins for his margaritas.

To that end, I am imposing a bonus rule to help in Alex's efforts to end bad bar drinks:

No soda or artificial flavor shall pass my lips!

Who's with me?

Kisses!

Michelle Joni

This game has been won! Click here to see the results.