What Pretty Girls Are Made Of (29 page)

EPILOGUE

Y
ou’ll have a four-minute sell and then a six-minute sell before you cut in with the Today’s Special Value,” Travis, the 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. producer, channeled into my earbud from the glass control booth overlooking the studio.

For three months I had logged both the graveyard shift and the morning shift, and I lapped up every minute of being on-screen. Feeling the charged silence in the studio while simultaneously being heard by hundreds of thousands still fascinated me, the increasing financial numbers on the screen broadcasting their own success story. Talking to people. That was what it was about. Relating. A level of trust and finding delight in each and every product I was selling. All while being an authority. But not an arrogant one. Approachable and real.

My shows all started with goose bumps. Not from nerves, but from the chilly air in the studio, together with my sheer drive to exceed the numbers from the previous show. Could we do it? Was it possible to sell twelve thousand wooden grilling sets in an hour (nowhere near Father’s Day)? A trio of dog shampoo, conditioner, and fur-shine spray by the thousands?
Ice to an Eskimo! Anything is possible.

“This is your six-minute marker, Alison,” said Travis again into my ear. “Your talent should arrive any minute.” I paced the small set around me. Tonight was my first evening lineup of shows because Pamela Ross had called out sick. I knew this set, though I hadn’t worked on it before—I had lived it. Makeup. Blush. Lipstick. Primer. Eye shadow. Squirt gun. It made sense that my first full beauty hour on QVC was selling the brand I knew best.

She was slowly making her way down the hallway—
click double-click double-click
—her heels ringing louder the closer they got. I couldn’t hear it, but I could feel her flowery top sashaying with her—
click double-click sashay double-click
. I slowly removed my off-camera sweater and counted down from ten to one so the sound engineer could check my levels.

I was prepared, in a fitted royal-blue power dress, my makeup perfect and my confidence high. I had my war paint on, ready for battle.

“A, B, and C cameras up, please,” I heard Travis say to his operators. I glanced over at my reflection on the sixty-inch monitor propped against the concrete across from the set—ladders, wires, lighting rigs, dust—a reminder that this was all for show.

“Three minutes, Alison.”

“Thanks, Travis,” I said. “
Merde
, team. Let’s do this!” I directed to the booth. A little show business slang had woven itself into my pre-show ritual, no matter the crew or the performance hour.

The set lights powered on, and I could no longer see the rest of the room, only the veil of bright particles sparkling toward me in the warm streams of light.

I couldn’t see her approach the set. But I heard her. And I felt her: a form edging closer, masked in the shadows of the spotlight hitting my eyes.

She puttered around the displays, shifting products, noting where each rested. “Uh-huh,” she said to herself. “Yep. This works.” She didn’t look in my direction or acknowledge my presence. She reapplied her lipstick and took one last glance in the makeup mirror on the display table. She rubbed a red smudge off her teeth. I smiled in the power of my stillness as her movements filled the silence.

She slowly turned toward me, and before either of us could say anything—

“Stand by, Alison. Stand by,
Sall
y,” Travis said. “You’re on in three, two, one . . .”

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Game On

Here are some of my favorite resources, mostly based in NYC.

Get into some trouble and enjoy!

Love, Alison Kraft

Retail

Club Monac
o
:
http://www.clubmonaco.com

An international retail brand that designs and creates current yet timeless clothing for men and women. Visit their Fifth Avenue flagship and browse clothing and accessories while also grabbing a book from the Strand (books and clothes in one location!), picking up some fresh-cut flowers, and sipping on a home-brewed cappuccino in their effort­­lessly styled store. Some of my favorite “I feel hot” outfits are from CM.

Bloomingdales and Forty Carrot
s
:
http://www.bloomingdales.com

Famous for a reason. Sales often abound; this store has everything from clothing to accessories, housewares to luggage, as well as multiple restaurants. The frozen yogurt at Forty Carrots is infamous (peanut butter is my favorite!), and their signature trick of putting the yogurt toppings in the middle of the serving sets them apart.

Karen Mille
n
:
http://us.karenmillen.com

Karen Millen has made her way from England to the US, and thank goodness she has! Each piece is beautifully crafted and has an air of feminine elegance while always representing what’s in style. Perhaps the “KM” secretly stands for Kate Middleton, because I imagine that Princess Kate inspires some of the styles. Well, at least I feel as elegant as she looks when I wear KM.

Monocle Sho
p
:
http://monocle.com/shop/

Derived from the successful, London-originated magazine and media brand, Monocle, a tiny West Village shop, is a gift haven that’s ideal for those who like Porter bags, stationery, and cozy knitwear. I picked up a sporty cardigan for Bret (which he loves) that’s very hip and not at all Mr. Rogers–like.

MayaJNY
C
:
http://www.mayajnyc.com

Maya J believes that jewelry is a celebration of a woman’s personal style, her intimate journey, and a representation of the special moments and people in her life. The owners are as classy and special as each piece of jewelry, making everything from silver, gold, and diamond trinkets to the big baubles seen at awards shows. I wear a trio of their thin gold bracelets, which gets compliments all the time.

Cami NY
C
:
http://www.caminyc.com

Your search for the perfect silk camisole ends here, as Cami NYC has a range of gorgeous styles and colors. When I put them on, I feel like I’ve uncovered the secret to undergarment confidence. Each piece is easily mixed and matched with anything you already own.

pamuk & co
:
http://www.pamukandco.com

Takes Turkish cotton to the next level. Their authentic textiles are stylish and luxurious, but also practical and versatile. Use them as beach towels, bath towels, throw blankets, shawls, baby wraps, and even yoga mats. They’re cozy, cuddly, and eco-friendly, too!

Liquido Activ
e
:
http://www.liquidoactive.com

I swear by these printed Liquido leggings. They give me that extra (often needed!) push to work out when I’m not feelin’ it, and even if I don’t make it to class, I still look great walking around the city!

Makeup & Beauty

Bobbi Brow
n
:
http://bobbibrowncosmetics.com

Bobbi Brown was my first experience with natural and elegant makeup meant to enhance rather than cover up. They have mastered the color palette for all ages. Bobbi’s articles on Yahoo! Beauty—of which she is cofounder and acting COO (https://www.yahoo.com/beauty)—are must-reads.

Dryba
r
:
http://www.thedrybar.com

The creation of blow-dry bars changed my life! They are the affordable option for those of us who have difficult (read: frizzy, unruly, unmanageable) hair. Founder Alli Webb changed how women walk out the door in the morning by offering this reasonably priced and confidence-boosting option. Alli, if you ever read this—thank you! Love, The Ali with Frizzy Hair No More!

Glamsqua
d
:
http://www.glamsquad.com

The epitome of on-demand and in-home beauty. Sign up on the app and have a beauty professional sent directly to you. For hair styling, makeup, and mani/pedis—leave your home looking like Cher Horowitz turned you into a “total Betty!” Glamsquad is also a wonderful treat for an at-home girls night. Be careful, though—you might become addicted!

Paintbo
x
:
http://paint-box.com

This fully ethical nail studio takes nail art to the next level with their belief that great nails get you noticed! A splurge, indeed, Paintbox makes your nails your outfit’s accessory with ten perfectly filed and painted digits. This is not your traditional manicure experience. #worthit

Rouge N
Y
:
http://www.rougeny.com

Rouge NY is all makeup all the time! I like to have my makeup professionally applied for a pick-me-up, before a special date, and even on Halloween. Brow shaping, lashes, and facial waxing are done by the Rouge NY pros as well. You will leave this warm and welcoming salon, started by the awesome Stephanie March, looking flawless.

Laura Mercie
r
:
http://www.lauramercier.com

Laura Mercier is known for her flawless face. She’s also known for her tinted moisturizer (which is fabulous), but here are my absolute faves (meaning I don’t leave home without them!): Tarte au Citron–scented anything, Foundation Primer Radiance (use alone or under foundation), Tightline Cake Eyeliner with brush in any color. Learn the Laura Mercier Tightline technique for applying the liner, and your eyes (and anyone who looks at you) will thank you!

Dr. Schult
z
:
http://nealschultzmd.com

I was a bit confused at first when Dr. Neal Schultz asked me about my life habits, stresses, and personal history—I just wanted a derm consult! But I soon realized that Dr. Neal is all about treating skin (and repairing confidence) from the inside out. Ah-ha! While Dr. Neal Schultz is a leading medical and cosmetic dermatologist, his approach is down-to-earth and about getting to the root of your problem. His line is called BeautyRX (https://www.beautyrx.com) and my favorite product is the Progressive Peel. If your skin doesn’t look fab, it doesn’t matter how good the makeup looks on top of it!

Spa Castle 5
7
:
http://spacastleusa.com/57/

Spa Castle Premier 57 is not your typical day spa. It’s a bit
Lost
In Translation
meets hammam meets spa-country club—a worldly wellness experience. Soak in the traditional Japanese bath culture, travel to Germany’s hydrotherapy (fully equipped with a bar and bartender), and end at Korea’s customized Beauty Spa. A date took me for the day and instead of being self-conscious about it, we laughed for hours!

Treats & Goodies

DAVIDsTE
A
:
http://www.davidstea.com

My friends make fun of my addiction to DAVIDsTEA. I can’t walk by one of their stores without stopping in and walking out with a tea in hand. They have teas from all over the world in flavors that range from exotic pu’erh and mate to oolong, rooibos, and a variety of green. Some of my favorites are Salted Caramel, Forever Nuts, Apple Custard, Chocolate Rocket, and Cherry Blossom. David—I love your tea!

Francois Payard Baker
y
:
http://www.payard.com

Francois Payard is a third-generation pastry chef who makes the most delicious French macarons and pastries. And they have this new ice cream macaroon that’s mind-blowing—combining my favorite food (ice cream) with their signature claim to fame. Stop in any of their shops and you won’t be disappointed!

Sockerbi
t
:
http://sockerbit.com

Scandinavian Sockerbit is a gummy-candy lover’s paradise. An entirely white store, the large selection of “smågodis”—little candies—provide the perfect pop of color as you fill your bag. Not only are these candies pretty but they also taste delicious and are made of high-quality ingredients, free of GMOs and trans fats. So they’re totally healthy! I like to bring them as hostess gifts or sneak a bag of smågodis into the movies.

Fatty Sunday
s
:
http://www.fattysundays.com

Thoughtfully flavored and decorated chocolate-covered pretzels, hand-dipped in Brooklyn. They are the most perfectly balanced salty/sweet treat! You can personalize their boxes as swag for events or favors, and the team of sisters who started the company is as solid as their awesome product.

Restaurants

( *indicates a great date spot!)

Le Relais de Venise L’Entrec
ô
te
*
:
www.relaisdevenise.com/newyork/

Taste this unique steak house experience and feel like you’re actually in Paris, dining on their famous Porte Maillot steak frites with secret house sauce and savory green salad. Tip: don’t fill up on the bread—as Bret and I experienced, you need your stomach space for the TWO helpings of steak and frites. Also, order extra dressing for the salad and steak since you’ll want to consume them both like soup.

Rubirosa
*
:
http://rubirosanyc.com

This family-run neighborhood Italian-American restaurant and pizzeria is my absolute favorite in NYC. The dishes have an old-school Italian feel versus the big American-centric Italian that we are generally used to. Tip: Order the “honeypie” —it’s not on the menu, but trust me, you will love it!

Empell
ó
n Taqueria*
:
http://empellon.com

This trendy Mexican hot spot serves up innovative tacos (the lobster taco is delectable) as well as creative drinks. It’s an easy place to bring a group of friends, though a reservation is smart. Arrive earlier than your reservation and hang at the bar—if what happened to me happens to you, you’ll meet a handsome man over drinks.

Sofia
*
:
http://www.sofiany.com

Sofia Italian Grill is a family-run restaurant with exquisite food and the kind of service where you get to know your server and the staff remembers you when you return. Their mac-and-cheese is to die for, as is the chocolate cake. Thanks, Courtney, for introducing me to Sofia!

Taïm
:
http://www.taimfalafel.com

I am picky about my hummus and falafel—extremely picky—and Taïm always exceeds my expectations. This tiny hole-in-the-wall spot is often busy since others are in on the “best hummus ever” secret. Pick up a platter or a pita, sit on a local bench, or walk over to the water or High Line and enjoy. It’s fresh street food with a gourmet twist.

Catc
h
:
http://emmgrp.com/restaurants/catch/

This huge space has a garish atmosphere and always tasty food. Tip: The crispy whole snapper is worth the expense—and every time I’ve ordered it with another girlfriend, men have stopped by our table to ask if we were going to finish it. No joke—multiple times! And yes, we finished it.

The Smil
e
:
http://www.thesmilenyc.com

I feel hip just knowing about The Smile downtown on Bond Street. It’s a clubhouse of sorts, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And to finish your meal, you must order the dessert sandwich: chocolate and Brie on a baguette—yum!

Clean Progra
m
:
http://www.cleanprogram.com

“Clean” is not a diet or a fast or a fad—it’s a lifestyle, created and monitored by Dr. Alejandro Junger and Dhru Purohit. It will change how your body functions on the inside and looks on the outside. My vice is sugar—ice cream and sweets! So twenty-one days of no sugar, gluten, or dairy sounds downright miserable—but it’s not! Give yourself the gift of a Clean twenty-one days. Really.

NYC-Centric Culture & Events

NY1—Pat Kiernan’s “In The Papers
”
:
www.ny1.com

Where locals in all five boroughs get their news (if they have the proper cable provider for it). NY1 has a loyal following, as does Pat Kiernan, whose daily “In The Papers” report is not to be missed.

Brooklyn Flea &
Smorgasbur
g
:
http://brooklynflea.com
&
http://www.smorgasburg.com

Brooklyn Flea is one of New York City’s top attractions, featuring hundreds of top vendors of furniture, vintage clothing, collectibles, antiques, jewelry, art, crafts, and food by local artisans and designers. The Flea also operates Smorgasburg, a giant all-food market showcasing the best of Brooklyn’s artisanal food scene in a gorgeous waterfront setting. Arrive hungry!

Manhattan Theatre Club
:
http://www.manhattantheatreclub.com

My absolute favorite Broadway theater (the Samuel J. Friedman) and theater company in New York. MTC’s mission is to find and produce new Broadway and Off-Broadway work in order to keep the art of theater going. There’s a reason that MTC is one of the country’s most acclaimed theater organizations, and I always dreamed of acting on their stage. I’ll never forget donning a hard hat when the Broadway theater was being restored and getting a tour of the rubble before it became a gilded masterpiece!

Affordable Art Fai
r
:
http://affordableartfair.com/newyork/

The Affordable Art Fair celebrates the idea that art is for everyone—and makes me feel like I can afford to have some big-girl art on my apartment walls. A global brand, and in NYC twice a year, there are thousands of original paintings, prints, sculptures, and photographs that are actually . . . affordable! Sign me up!