PURPLE BLAB

Guess what we did yesterday? All the girls in the office and I went to the Sex & the City 2 world premiere. Sort of. Crashed is more like it. It was time for some serious guerilla marketing action at Radio City Music Hall.

Our girls dressed in their cute Purple Lab tees, skinny jeans, and one key accessory: retro style cigarette trays, wrapped in purple velvet and harnassed to their bodies. A moving beauty counter of products!

A close up of the trays:

I’ve been sharing what goes on behind the scenes when I’m at HSN but I want to give you a sense of how intense it really is.

This is what I see day in and day out while I’m there. Even in my dreams.

Imagine doing five shows over a 36 or 48 hour period. Now, I have to be at HSN in my green room two hours before each show so in essence, I’m there for 15 of those hours, not including the times I’m there for meetings in between.

After the 2a.m. HSN show, it was hard to sleep. I was on such an adrenaline (and Red Bull) rush, but I think I may have dozed off by 6a.m. or so.

The 2p.m. with Amy Morrison was amazing. It was my third time working with her and we have such a good connection. Love her!

I wore leopard print Derek Lam. Feminine. Flirty. Fun. But not too O.T.T. (over the top).

See a clip from the presentation below – and note: about 6:27 in, Jessica Harlow, the winner of the model search contest, is on! Yay Jess!

Those who know me know that I am not a night owl. I’m in bed by 10:30, never later than 11. So having a 2a.m. show is not easy for me. It takes an enormous amount of mental prep, not to mention sugar-free Red Bull (the only time I will have caffeine -I never drink any and I hate coffee).

Let’s just say, it took a long time in makeup to get me ready!

I’m just back from a five show stint on HSN and let me tell you – it’s so much easier the second time around.

Self portrait with Todd below – pre-show and pre-makeup!

First of all, I was A LOT less nervous having done this before. I felt more calm and like myself. I mean, I still had SOME nerves. I can’t lie. But I didn’t feel like I could have passed out at any moment.

We recently did a cute segment for Better TV in the Purple Lab apartment (a.k.a. my home/office/warehouse). They shot here once before and I have to say, it’s always fun to have a film crew come over!

The producer, Marianne, is heaven to work with and – I love this about her! – she writes vampire young adult novels (check her out). This was one of her last shoots for the network before she left to write full time (we’ll miss you, Marianne).

Because I shared 25 things you don’t know about Todd and me, I want you to know 25 things about Sharon! So this is her story!

1. I like cats better than dogs

My kitten Willougby Ann!

2. I live with my boyfriend Josh and he is my best friend (aww)

3. On that note, I met Josh at a bar… so ladies, there is hope!

4. My favorite movie (right now) is The Proposal (I know lame.. but it is so funny)

5. I have a girl crush on Jessica Simpson

As you know, Purple Lab is a husband-wife team. Todd, who I married four years ago, and I do this together, from home. It’s amazing on so many levels but challenging as well. And you know what – I wouldn’t change a thing.

He’s very much a behind-the-scenes kind of guy so I thought I’d share 25 Things You Don’t Know About Him!

1. He looks about 12 years younger than he actually is but I won’t say his age – it’s not polite!

Start at the Hearst building – midtown and way, way west. Then head all the way east for a meeting at Meredith’s HQ. Back to hearst Then down and a little east for Conde Nast. Over to Meredith again before American Media. Oh yeah, Time Life Building was in there at some point. One more Conde Nast stop.

This is a close up of what we leave behind with each editor.

The security at all the buildings knew us by name today! Every time you go in, you give your ID, they call up and you get a pass to get in to the inner sanctuary. These are the remnants of the last 28 hours.

I’m having a bad day. There. I said it.

You know I eat, sleep, and breathe Purple Lab and words cannot accurately express the passion I have for it. But it’s not always a fun glamorous party. If I’m to be honest, which is what this blog is about – a true look at everything that makes a brand – than I will tell you this…  Just because you’re on HSN doesn’t mean you’re rolling in it, especially when you’re building a brand and investing in product development.