So, this is the 2 days where I am unemployed. After an incredibly wonderful run with b5media, it is time to make a change.
I began writing what is now eBeautyDaily in July of 2005, at AboutWeblogs.com. An incredible group of women that welcomed me, a new blogger, with open arms. In November of 2005, About Weblogs merged with b5media. I adored the concept, and of course I adored Darren Rowse, so being behind b5media 110% was a no brainer. At the time, I was not working, as I had not since I married and moved to TX. I was at home helping my husband recover from his near fatal battle with MRSA. His recovery took about 9 months, and he wasn’t working and finally told me I needed to go to work.
So, I did not go down to Dillard’s and get a job at the makeup counter – I decided to do web sites. Apparently I didn’t think I really “needed” to make money. LOL But I had started a community for MRSA sufferers, as there was NOTHING online at the time. I then decided I was going to write a book about nails, having spent the nearly 20 years prior as a nail tech and a salon owner. This led me eventually to AboutWeblogs, where I joined as a beauty blogger – one of the first.
A few months after I joined b5media, Jeremy needed some assistance. I was so digging this blogging thing – I knew it was going to be HUGE from the minute I discovered it. So I jumped at the chance to be his $10/hr lackey. ;) I loved it. Ate it, drank it and slept it from day one. Shortly thereafter, my gracious and dear friend Hsien gave up being the editor of the “Women’s Channel” – and we split that channel up and I became the editor of the superfantastic Beauty & Style Channel (and the Arts & Crafts, Home & Dining, and Lifestyles Channels). I guess I have been the CE over almost all of the channels at one point or another. ;)
After our round of funding came in mid-2006, I got a “real job” – Project Manager. That soon changed to Content Manager, as I really wasn’t a PM. I was having a blast. Lots of socializing, lots of “nose to the grindstone” – the thrill (and related mental exhaustion!) of a startup. Love love love.
In the spring of this year, I was approached to take over the Director of Content role. We have gone through several directors – its a tough, tough job – attempted by some of the most brilliant people I have met. I declined it, as I am much more about having a great time than trying to make as much money as I can make (hubby is obviously working again at this point…lol) but somehow I wiggled into the Associate Director role. Tough stuff. But, I love the people and I love the company, so I’ll do what needs to be done. Im not sure what I could do beyond eat, drink and sleep b5media, but I did it. I still loved it, although this has been an incredibly tough year. I have lost several people who I considered dear friends. I will always have some sadness over that, but it comes with the job, I guess. Flashback to the end of The Devil Wears Prada.
So amongst all of this work work working – I still got to play beauty blogger. Beauty is my first love. I’ve had so many neat opportunities come my way because of beauty blogging. I’ve been to Fashion Week, got to be a Glam Editor for the Day in NYC, had the opportunity (did not take it) to fly with the Victoria’s Secret models cross country on Virgin Airlines. I have been quoted in the New York Times, Allure, Women’s Wear Daily and Texas Monthly magazines. I have been to many amazing parties and had the opportunity to meet some truly amazing people, all while being privy to amazing new product launches, and a foot into the door of the industry I adore. All these geeky bloggers I am around all the time - they think that tech blogging is all that’s out there and all that matters. ;) They have no idea how the beauty industry has adopted beauty blogging. It is incredible, has grown into a massive genre of blogging, and is something that I am so proud to have been and early adopter of. And then I went to L.A. in the spring, to the Total Beauty Blog Summit, where my dear friend Teri and I spoke on SEO. Beauty and geekery all rolled into one. LOVE!
So this summit took place in the offices of Intelligent Beauty. While I don’t think that IB was wowed by my wonderful public speaking (it is my biggest phobia), they certainly did take an interest. The amazing co-CEO’s Adam Goldenberg and Don Ressler, paid me quite a bit of attention and spoke to me a lot while I was there. Knowing their history, silly me thought they were interested in b5media, but a few months down the line, I was contacted and asked to help them learn how to reach bloggers. At first I thought I could do a little consulting on the side (although I didn’t know where I would find the time – not much time between eating drinking and sleeping b5media), but it soon became apparent that they were having none of that. ;) So after realizing that this was THE PERFECT BLEND of beauty and geekery, and having a couple of good friends slap me in the face (thanks girls – you know who you are), I had no choice but to realize that my dream job was sitting in front of me, and I would be a fool to walk past it. So, starting on Monday, I will begin a new adventure as Community Director of Blush, which is a subsidiary of Intelligent Beauty. Go sign up for our newsletters - it is the bare bones beta start of something that is going to be great - this I guarantee you. If you are a beauty junkie like me, anyway.
To my beloved (and I really, really mean that) Channel Editors – many of you have become friends who I will always hold very, very dear to my heart. I have told you all that this change is going to be good – and I feel deep down in my heart it was the right thing to do, both for me, and for b5media. Hang in there. Thank you all for everything, again. I love you all so much, wish you the very, very best, and will always be behind you 110%.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox,
CJ
***Update***
As of Sept. 12, I have pulled out of b5media completely. If you’re looking for my beauty rants and raves (hopefully mostly raves), please keep in touch with me at Christina Loves…
That moron Lindsay Lohan got arrested AGAIN last night for DUI. And narcotics possession. What the hell is wrong with these people? Are they going to have to kill someone before they get their driver to drive them around? Don’t tell me Lindsay couldn’t find anyone to drive her “rehabbed” butt home from the bar. This makes me sick.
Celebrities, drink yourselves into oblivion, do enough drugs to kill an elephant, I don’t care. Have a great time, enjoy your mass of fortune and all of the fun it brings with it. But keep your trashy moronic selves off MY roads where people I know and love are driving. I hope they throw the book at her. If they don’t, if I were Paris, I would raise 10 kinds of immortal hell. 
First up, Paris Hilton. I love Paris - I think she is fabulously entertaining, super stylish and probably a spoiled brat. But I also think she is incredibly astute where her career is concerned. Girl can take care of herself. Why these gals don’t use drivers when they are clubbing is beyond me, I sure would, but otherwise I think Paris is a pretty cool chick. I was somewhat impressed that she went to county instead of the country club jail, yep I was. This recent turn of events however is not impressive. How much did they pay someone off to let her out of jail and into that big punishing 52 bazillion dollar Hilton estate? Because her doctor said she wasn’t doing well in jail??? Who DOES well in jail - thats the point of the damn thing - you’re not SUPPOSED to want to be there (or come back!). Thats just wrong. Wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong.
Update: I am glad to see that someone realized the error of their ways. Or someones ways. Paris is in the country club now, but hopefully she really HAS learned a lesson or two now. Wonder how many days she will serve - anyone want to make a wager?
Second - Isaiah Washington has been let go from Greys Anatomy. It’s about friggin time. It’s a little anticlimactic now, but I guess its a good thing. Here is what Isaiah says:
“I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore”
Get over yourself. You’re lucky you weren’t booted on the spot. Don’t you know everyone in Hollywood is gay, and your bigotry *might* be an issue? You’ve carried on long enough. Next.
The home where this man was found is my dear friend and my son’s best friends house, AND who is supposed to be keeping him during my trip to Toronto in 2 weeks. Aaack. New. plan. needed. Anyone babysit? 
I probably should not be rewarded for crankiness, but my *oh so wonderful* bossman at b5media did just that. You *might* have noticed a little frustration in me last week - we have so much going on at b5media right now - and so much of it felt like it was landing square on my head last week. So yesterday, there was a knock at the door, and lo and behold, the FTD guy swooped in with the most beautiful basket of flowers, and such a nice note from Mark, thanking me for my hard work. Thanks so much, Mark - funny how flowers do wash away bad feelings. Men have known this for a long time, I guess. Women are great, but they are funny too. Thanks so much Mark, and everyone at b5 - I really do love working for you all!
A little humor in Britney’s sad situation - from the master, Letterman.
My opinion on Britney, if you wanted to know it - Britney is suffering from several years of heavy drug abuse and screwed up seratonin levels (ecstasy does that to you in a big way) and lots of depression accentuated by post-partum, and divorce. Divorcing even the crappiest person will make you depressed - trust me, I know this. I do think she is going to be dead soon if she doesn’t get some help - I wish I could help her and I hope she lets someone help her soon. Danny Bonaduce (damndoeshelookscary) did an interesting interview on TV last night and said that he knew Britney’s dad and knew if they could grab her up and take care of her, he would. I hope he tries harder - I don’t know how the paparazzi can find her, but her family can’t. Maybe X17 should let Mr. Spears ride around with them. 
Finally, Peyton wins the championship! Should have been in college, but leave it to Peyton to go big. Congrats Colts! w00t!!!
I have successfully ignored this once, but I will be nice and comply this time. Thanks, Glen. ::groan:: lol
Five things you don’t know about me:
1. I am a hobby taxidermist. I wish I had time to work on all the animals in my freezer, there are some beautiful ones in there.
2. I hate to take showers - I am a bath girl. I do bathe, though.
3. I am a headbanger at heart. My all time favorite band is Motley Crue.
4. I think I will likely be a crazy cat lady when I’m old. I keep way too many of them around now (…she says as she knocks a couple off her lap so she can type).
5. I love shock value, but I keep it close to home these days. I don’t like shocking you as much as my mother, my children and my hubby.
I tag Hsien (heh - you can’t ignore MEEEEEEEEE can you - especially when you know all this stuff about me already?) Shannon, SP, Elke, and Suzzann .
Much ado has been made about this sketch - but I think this one is at least as funny - and a whole lot more safe for the kiddies than the first one. Not that the kiddies care.
These are making me love Justin Timberlake again - hes a hoot.
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