LADYGUNN

When coming across an event, I’d expect to hear about it in ways of a reputable PR representative, a party crasher or a mediocre tv personality that still needs the groups of his or her friends to ground them back down to earth. I don’t typically rely on social media for information for when my next event outings will be especially when chances are you’ll get every walks of life to attend.

Clearly, that didn’t phase LadyGunn. While going through my piles of event invites that I’ve dismissed over a period of time, I somehow came across an invite in regards to a launch party being thrown by LadyGunn and hosted by Brittany Snow herself. I’m familiar with the magazine and even more so the actress, so I was taken aback by the open invite to the public. I’ve always had my bias opinions of having mass invites being sent out to thousands of people on Facebook as being senseless, but this legitimately looked like something I’d consider going to. Several acquaintances I knew were going, so it was pretty much a given that this event was a for sure thing.

Brittany Snow isn’t any stranger to the Hollywood scene or common circles of mutual acquaintances and friends. I never personally knew her nor made the effort to through those that I knew, but it was common to see her at my favorite eating spot in the valley or social gatherings. So I’ve admired her work in tv and films over the past several years. With a list of credits underneath her belt, there are still those memorable roles that made her the blue eyed sweetheart in many peoples eyes. American Dreams, Hairspray, John Tucker Must Die. Though, now being recognized for Pitch Perfect. I had asked my best friend Efrem to meet me half an hour early from the starting time of the event and considering it was in Downtown, which has the worst parking, I wanted to beat everyone to the punch. I knew Efrem wouldn’t want to stand in a long line, so we got there half an hour early instead of fashionably late.

I haven’t been to the The Standard Hotel pool top in over 10 yrs when I was still living in Orange County. During that time, I was a personal shopper at Nordstroms while occasionally playing “hooky” to their rooftop parties if I didn’t have a client. Benji and Joel Madden would always be the guest Djs.

Obviously there was no line and parking was a breeze, so we got our wristbands and headed up to the party. A small banner and red carpet was being set up with a couple of women

informing us that we’d have to wait in the lobby since the photographers hadn’t arrived in order to for us to “Walk the red carpet” .

Eventually I will be the girl known as the girl who hates red carpets.

It’s so pointless! For what purpose is a red carpet when it’s a free for all. Of course there were a group of middle aged teeny boppers that made it a point to stay behind so they’d have their moment to shine on Instagram in front of the banner. Efrem and I disregarded it and still made our way to the rooftop, but not before clarifying we were with the party.

Thank the higher power! that I brought my sweater with me. It’s not quite the summer nights that it soon will be, but the breeze up there was real.

The crowd was posh and stylish while slowly growing as the hours came and gone.

Publicist, Stylist, Actors, Fashionistas all in one room. Nothing could be better than a night with creatives. My eyes were moving every which way admiring the ambiance of everyone in the same atmosphere. I especially noticed a few stylish peeps that were the prime example of what keeps my wardrobe so versatile and bold expressing all and any personalities that I posses. They didn’t do too much nor did they do too little. Actually everything about their looks were just right and I was intrigued.

You really have to appreciate creativity in the way people carry themselves and with these looks you can tell these two groups live a vibrant and beautiful lifestyle outside of the mediocre norm. Follow @madmavenstyle and @officiallyquigley for more of their looks.

As Efrem and I made our way to the bar before a crowd began, I opened up a tab for the two of us when in seconds he had ran into someone he hadn’t seen in years. Actor/Writer and Entertainment Host Drew McAnany. Kind of a nice coincidence to add to the evening, though I wasn’t too amused to see a familiar face from my past who took up more of my breathing space than I would of liked them to. With the breeze and all, Efrem and I walked over to some of the heating lamps near by that were hot enough to pull a Michael Jackson.

I couldn’t afford to have a hair malfunction so we chose to sit down. An eccentric and odd ball couple introduced themselves to us where we engaged in a mild conversation. A photographer and an Armenian “model” who we found more than amusing as she found every and anything to strike a pose on including photo bombing herself into other guests photos. They were sweet and harmless, but a Hotmess at its best. Not long after the rooftop started to fill up, the band The Relationships started to play. I’ve not heard of them, but when a member from my favorite high school band list Weezer was noted, I was all ears.

I was able to get myself close enough, but clearly their little light show prevented me from getting a clear shot.

The woman of the hour, Brittany Snow, appeared as cute as a button. I probably wouldn’t of had recognized her if she didn’t blend in so well with the rest of the crowd. Wearing a white two piece, she was absolutely lovely. Just as soon as she made her entrance people started approaching and I sat there wondering when the appropriate time would be to speak with her. Now, it’s been years since we’ve been at the same social gathering where we were amongst mutual friends, so I didn’t want to use the past as a conversation piece. I also like to stick to the “Elevator Rule” which I tend to use in all of my social aspect of my life. So I chose for the Elevator Rule over the babbling ditz.

Elevator Rule; when you only have x amount of seconds or minutes to reel someone in. It’s an attention thing. If you can’t get or even keep my attention within minutes of opening your mouth, my attention is going elsewhere.

So I chose the straightforward approach while still keeping a form of my etiquette in tact. The first time I didn’t want to be rude by interrupting her conversation with her publicist even though Drew told me to be direct by using his name. Sure that’s all I needed was a look as if to say, who are you and how did you familiarize yourself with my name. That’s how I’d respond.

Since the first time didn’t work, I went full speed ahead, got up and calmly asked her for a photo. She was taking off her jewelry and handing it to what seemed like her either friend, stylist or assistant. I patiently waited until she was done and then she kindly obliged.

I asked that she posed with these two. I didn’t want that moment where those around her weren’t just as important as I thought she was. An absolute sweetheart who didn’t give me that awkward pose or smile when feeling out of their element. I gave her my card and let her get back to her friends and I was happy I got my photo. This is where you see my more reserved and shy side at times, though it’s rare, but yeah I have my moments. Though with the guys…yeah I’ve gotten better with that.

Now, remember how I mentioned about Social Media not necessarily being thee best place for an event notice? Yeah well. Mind you, the Armenian “model” might have been a prime example of why I would never take a Facebook event seriously. Swarms of Justin Bieber, Eminem and Vanilla Ice spawns or rather die hard fans rolled through and they did it with more energy than in all the lights in the building.

First off how the hell did they even get in?!

They looked as if they had just reached puberty. Clearly it took Justin himself to grow a few whiskers enough to just pluck off if he needed a shave. But this group didn’t look much older than maybe seventeen. Red baseball hats and black bandanas oh this is entertainment all on its own. They must’ve been a boy band in the making by the looks of their Chris Strokes look alike manager who was video filming them half of the night. Okay parties done.

One of the lanky band members did every “white boy” dance move you didn’t even think was possible in one body movement. At first I thought he was having a seizure, but he was just feeling the music so much that he just had to let it out and of course the rest just followed. I was so amazed at what I was watching that I didn’t even think to discreetly ask for a photo. So this is close enough

Yeah…. they cause havoc to your playgrounds. I’m actually really curious to see what they’re first hit single would be.

Since they were the boy band of the evening you know there had to of been a girl group as well . From where Efrem and I were sitting, the most dolled up “Dream on Girls” that looked as if they had bought out every Mac store and smacked on every ounce of makeup residue from the linings of their purses, sat down and you couldn’t tell them that they were doing too much. There’s a difference with style, fashion, originality and leaving all that for the figment of your imagination.

Efrem and I were getting a little antsy and decided to roam around a bit. The Standard looked so different from the last time I was here. I was famished, so after seeing people walking around with huge pretzels, I went on the hunt to find one. Towards the back from where the elevator took us up, was a separate area where guest sat around with their drinks and played ping pong with a lighted area. A separate bar that I didn’t even know was there had the first drink that the main bar didn’t even have. A Riesling.

Thanks bar guy….I know you wanted to make that sell, but you could’ve told me!

The pretzel was bomb! and just enough for Efrem and I to share. Towards the end of the night the crowd was winding down while the Dj was spinning. This time around I didn’t feel like twerking or two stepping with the off beat crew on the dance floor. I was watching an eccentric female knock a guy around for whatever reason she felt was necessary.

Poor guy, but it’ll teach you to pull a bump N grind attack on a woman rocking flower dreads .

Earlier in the evening when Efrem had ran into his friend, I noticed a pretty tall and cute guy in his circle. So later on in the evening Efrem kept pushing me into talking with him. Tall, nice hair and light eyes. I was being shy of course so Efrem decided to break the ice. One word and I was taken aback. Who would of thought two complete opposites. Here I am a black girl from Orange County and a cute white guy from the hood of Louisiana, or so I thought with all his swag. He was an actor of course and just to change up the cliche topic of “So what do you do?” We talked about the universe, the afterlife and a third dimensional world. Now those are conversations I could really get into.

Why haven’t I met these people before?

We all exchanged numbers to make sure we kept in touch for the long haul. I definitely need to widen my social circle instead of keeping such a tight grip on the selected friends that I do have. Overall the evening was a thumbs up. I haven’t been able to have a night out with my best friend Efrem since he’s traveled the world , so it was nice that he chose to be my play date where good times are the inevitable.