TULESTE is offering us a 20% discount on all of their enamel pieces (hearts, stars and shells.) Just go to www.tuleste.com and pop in the code: GIGGLES20

I caught up with this sister team at their showroom on 5th avenue.  Check out the interview below!

*Warning wearing TULESTE evokes spontaneous smiles.

The post Item of the Day: Tuleste Jewelry! appeared first on HelloGiggles.

Before reading Jamie’s work, my only experience with erotic novels was the 50 Shades series. I devoured those books, wrapped them in brown paper and delivered them to friends and friends of friends in some Harriet Tubman type underground railroad situation. I was definitely primed for the erotic fiction genre. But what I love about Jamie’s books is not only that they’re super sexy but they offer compelling characters that live in complete and detailed worlds.

We chatted about the exciting advent of eSerials, what lead her into the erotic fiction genre, and about her plan of attack when she begins the journey of writing a book.

Jamie, did your first book come out just two years ago???

Yes.

So you’re an overnight success! 

Ha! Well, my career leading up to this point has basically been a giant masters program in writing. I worked at a publisher in publicity, I worked at BarnesandNoble.com as an editor choosing what books would get on the site. I worked as an agent selling to editors and I still don’t have all the answers.

When you’re thinking about a new book, what comes first, marketing or story?

It’s two things. It’s story and establishing who the reader is. I have ideas all the time but if I don’t know who should be buying the book, I can’t write it.

I’m fascinated by the whole eSerial thing. Can you explain how it works? I read Gin Lovers and Bettie Page Presents: The Librarian in full book form. 

So eSerials allow the reader to enjoy books in parts, like an online soap opera. The readers were getting it like, 80 pages at a time. Sometimes eSerials come out in paperback, as well, but they can also just stay as a serial. The fan base for this way of consuming is growing.

That’s so much fun. It brings an episodic feel, à la waiting for the next juicy episode of Scandal or Revenge. 

That’s exactly what it is! Miss Chatterley is being rolled out as an eSerial now. It’s based on the D.H. Lawrence novel Lady Chatterley’s Lover. It’s set in Silicon Valley.

A hot spot for hot lovin’.

Exactly  Each episode is $0.99 and around 80 pages, so you can get a new episode on your iPad or Nook every week. (Miss Chatterley Part 1: HUNGRY is available on Amazon & BarnesandNoble.com now.)

Something I took note of was that no matter how hot the sex scene was, you managed, for the most part, to have the characters use protection. Is that something you were conscious of? 

Yes, and believe me, it can be challenging to write. But I think readers will judge a woman or a couple who isn’t even thinking about protection.  I think you risk losing the connection to the reader. I like things that are real and not perfect.

Safe sex is not something that’s always addressed in movies and television, so I think what you’re doing is great. Is being compared to 50 Shades of Grey a good thing?

Yes. I wrote my first erotic novel before that book came out and I’d try to explain to people what I was writing…

And they’d ask if Fabio was involved?

Right! And now I just say it’s a “50 Shades-type book” and they get it.

What lead you into this genre? 

Growing up, Jackie Collins and Judith Krantz became my blueprint. They wrote about these very glamorous, independent, sexually aware women who found their way and defined themselves. They had these very passionate loves but that wasn’t what made them. They made themselves. There’s a study about how when you’re young, the things you read and take in imprint in your mind a way they can’t at any other time.

The post Erotica & eSeries & Author Jamie Brenner – Oh My! appeared first on HelloGiggles.

I sat down with writers/brothers Daniel and Matthew Libman, who’ve been working on the show from the jump and have contributed tons of funny, including songs like “Love to the Power of Love” and the idea that Max needed to drive an ‘80’s limo. The brothers shared what it’s like to work on Happy Endings and weigh in on ABC’s campaign to save their show.

Hi, Daniel and Matthew! Google just told me that you guys are long time friends of David Caspe, the creator of Happy Endings.

Matthew: Yes! We’ve been friends since 3rd grade.

That’s so amazing! 

Daniel: How else do you think we would’ve gotten hired on such an awesome show?

Matthew: Yeah, not only do I get to work with my brother, but also one of my oldest, best friends. It’s so much fun to go to work.

The Internet also told me that you two have written a ton of episodes.

Daniel: Well, we’ve been on the show from the very beginning but the truth is, all of the scripts get written by the entire writing staff. The real big secret is that every single person contributes to every word you see up on the screen. It’s such a team effort. It’s very much a best-idea-wins environment.

That sort of true ensemble spirit is represented in the cast of actors, as well. Casey Wilson, Eliza Coupe, Elisha Cuthbert, Zach Knighton, Adam Pally and Damon Wayans, Jr. are all so talented and really and truly seem to share equal time on screen.

Matthew: We say how lucky we are all the time. The cast is incredible. That’s one of the benefits of being on for three seasons. You get to know the cast personally and professionally and learn what their strengths are.

Daniel: And then nine times out of ten, something that you wrote you didn’t even think was funny they make hilarious, so you lean into that. It also contributes to the pace of the show. They bring so much to the table each day.

Matthew: But in all seriousness, it’s mostly funny because of the writers…

Ha!

Matthew: Maybe when you write that, you can throw joking in parenthesis but I don’t want to tell you how to do your job.

So let’s talk about ABC’s “Save Happy Endings” campaign. They’ve reached out to the viewers and asked them to help save the show. It kind of feels like a slap and a kiss because the viewers are viewing the show and clearly don’t want it going anywhere! What was your first response when you heard about the campaign?

Matthew: It seemed a little curious, but it got so much attention that it might be kind of genius. It’s certainly more talked about than any other television advertising campaign that I can remember.

That’s true. 

Matthew: Yeah, there’s been a lot of press about the campaign. I wonder if it was some brilliant calculated plan that was so weird that it just might work. The bottom line is they’re advertising it. ABC really seems to want it to work, but at the end of the day, it’s a business decision.

Happy Endings has had its time slot moved around a couple of times. What happens to the cast and the writers when that happens? Does the energy change? Do people start to second guess themselves?

Matthew: I’ll say that from the very beginning, we’ve always been a bit of an underdog show. Our first time slot was April 13th at 10 and 10:30pm, which is like the weirdest time ever for a premiere and there were no comedies on at that hour. It basically felt like they were going to burn us off and that was going to be it.  Because it was mid-season, it didn’t have the traditional launch. So every time we get moved around, we get bummed for a second and then just say, “Eh, all right, lets get back to work. We love the show.”

The post We Need More ‘Happy Endings’! An Interview with Show Writers Daniel and Matthew Libman appeared first on HelloGiggles.

The physical comedy seems to have been amped up this season. I laughed out loud at every fall, tumble and crash. What’s your favorite Happy Endings physical comedy moment?

Casey Wilson: I love in the “pranks episode” when Elisha’s character got pranked and an airbag went off in the couch and she sprang into the ceiling. Amazing. I also loved when Penny (and this was not me, so I’m not taking any credit, it was my stunt double) went through the glass at the car dealership.

Elisha Cuthbert: I’d have to say getting shot through the ceiling. During the “prank episode”, everyone got their fair share of physical stuff to play with. Even the damn limo got blown up!

Eliza Coupe: I think it was definitely when Casey went through the plastic wrap, after she had gone through the glass at the car dealership. When that sticky plastic got stuck in her hair and she kinda stumbled over to the chair and sat down annoyed and defeated, it took everything in my power to not break. I was biting the inside of my lip that entire scene.

If you could cast old-timey sitcom stars in your role, who would you choose?

Elisha: The most amazing, 90 years young Betty White. The queen of comedy timing. She would be the best Alex.

Eliza: Maybe Lucy and Desi would be Brad and Jane? Brad could also be black Cary Grant just cuz Brad is so damn sexy and classic and striking and endearing. Can you tell I love Brad.? I mean, JANE  loves Brad….right right.

Who is killing it in the comedy game right now? First name that pops into your head.

Casey: Melissa McCarthy!!! My love for her knows no bounds!

Elisha: Anne Hathaway.

Eliza: Melissa McCarthy.

What’s the funniest “Happy Endings” blooper to date?

Casey: Favorite blooper moments are when Damon and Eliza start cracking up, which happens every take of every day. At the wrap party last year the editor who did the Bloopers reel said he had 6 hours of potential footage that he had to cut down to a 15 minute video. He looked shaken to his core, like he had been up on an all night bender. But when we watched it was a mini masterpiece.  Fifteen minutes of Damon and Eliza laughing and being sexually inappropriate.

Elisha: Not so much a blooper but a great behind the scenes moment would have to be our “Harlem Shake” video. It’s on YouTube and we have had over a million hits. It was also a great way for me to show off my dance moves.

Eliza: Brilliant bloopers happen minutely on our set. When Penny called Jane “mom” by accident and when she called The Car Czar “Carl,” those bloopers pretty frickin’ funny. She was so certain that Corddry’s character was named Carl in that moment. I mean you can see the word journey: Car-Czar—Carl. It makes sense. In other news, I have a wonderful cousin Carl in real life.

The post Girls We Love: The Happy Endings Edition appeared first on HelloGiggles.

Which is why we LOVED her unplugged reaction to seeing her Miss Dior photo spread for the first time. She was being interviewed by Access Hollywood at the Oscars when she first saw the pictures. JLaw goes, “Oh my God, I haven’t seen these…” She takes a quick glance and squeals, “That doesn’t look like me at all! I love Photoshop more than anything in the world!”

The host of Access Hollywood tried to explain to her that the pictures didn’t look Photoshopped and Jennifer quickly set him straight. She replied, “Of course it’s Photoshopped. People don’t look like that.”

People don’t look like that, but she kinda does. After watching Silver Linings Playbook a guy friend of mine commented on her looks saying, “She looks CGI. She has no pores, she’s just perfect.” So if anyone on the planet doesn’t need the help of Photoshop it’s Miss Lawrence. The fact that she was retouched highlights the absurdity of our beauty-crazed culture. If a 22-year-old knockout is getting digitally enhanced, then we can rest assured, none of the pictures we see in the glossies are the truth. We know this on some level but it’s so good to hear it out loud. I also imagined the people at Dior frantically running around the office, fabric flying and Blackberry’s shorting out after they heard her comment.

Her face is near perfection and her attitude is 100% real. She’s funny and spontaneous and sharp. There are examples of actresses who aren’t as breezy as Jennifer Lawrence but JLaw would never mention them so neither will I. Hollywood has a way of changing people but fingers crossed this It Girl’s outlook will remain perfectly imperfect.

The post Jennifer Lawrence Puts Dior and Photoshop on Blast appeared first on HelloGiggles.

So I think my first Amy Phillips sighting was on FunnyorDie.com. It was there I saw your perfect Rachel Zoe impression. You played Rachel shopping for bananas that were “bananas” whilst getting pushed around in a shopping cart. Was that the first impression that got you buzz?

Yes, actually it totally was!

How did this buzz get started? 

Well, basically I was putting a new character and impressions reel together to send to Saturday Night Live to get an audition. So I had made a compilation video of impressions and then I also made a stand alone Rachel Zoe video of Rachel driving around in a car. I had put that video up on YouTube and then one day I got all these hits.

That’s a pleasant surprise. 

Yes and then that video was featured on Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live, which is when I decided I wanted to keep making these types of videos.

It definitely doesn’t make me crazy. That’s the ultimate show that I’ve always dreamed of being on. And really, I’ve had the opportunity to audition twice and I consider that an honor. So when I’m asked – it makes me feel good like I’m doing what I should be doing. You don’t get feedback on your auditions so I’ll never know, but that’s okay – I’m doing my own thing!

It’s just crazy, because who does better impressions than you?

(Pause)

I’ll answer that. NO ONE. Seriously!

Well. Make a call?

I will! P.S., it will go straight to voicemail and then get deleted. Who do you look up to for impressions specifically and then comedy in general?

I guess going back to middle school when I discovered Saturday Night Live. Dana Carvey would definitely be a huge inspiration, and my earliest were The Muppets and Carol Burnett.

Nice! 

For impressions, definitely Dana Carvey and Phil Hartman for sure. From there, there’s a long list of comedians from Madeline Kahn to Amy Poehler today. It’s such a long list.

The thing about your videos that speaks to me is that the writing is really good and you have clever ways of featuring characteristics. For example, you have Rachel Zoe and Roger going to bed in full-length Snuggies to highlight the platonic nature of their relationship, which is so smart and funny. Are you always looking for those type of specifics?

(Laughs) When I’m writing, absolutely. But I’m such a fan of these reality  shows that I’m going to watch them whether I’m doing an impression or not. So all this information pours into my brain subconsciously. Then when we’re working, we improvise and I try to find something about the character to exaggerate.

How so?

Well, I’ve been doing so many reality stars that on some level they’re putting themselves out there to be made fun of. So I’ll take more risks with them than if I’m doing Sarah Silverman, who’s someone I have so much respect for.

That makes sense. The reality stars are already at a 10 in terms of exaggeration. Where are you going to go if you don’t cross the line?

That’s actually the challenging part. How can I be funnier and more exaggerated than what they’re already portraying?

I would definitely marry Lisa V for sure. I’m going to have to drink pinot grigio with Ramona and fondle her gently. This is terrible, but I’m going to have to kill Bethenny. Ramona’s my gal, she was responsible for getting me on Watch What Happens Live. And Bethenny can handle being killed. She can turn it into a brand and parle it into another show.

The post Girls We Love: The Amy Phillips Edition appeared first on HelloGiggles.

Last season, hunky fireman Mark Orlando (Ken Marino) was the prize to win for an eclectic group of ladies looking for love. Beauty-with-a-monkey-heart Tamara (Deanna Russo), lady-with-an-aversion-to-underwear Haley (Natasha Leggero) and emotionally-charged dental-hygienist Julie Gristlewhite (June Diane Raphael) were some of the ladies looking to win Mark’s heart.

Via Paramount Pictures

Julie Gristlewhite’s time on the show was cut short when she opened up to Mark, whilst roller skating, about her ex fiancé. Then, on the reunion show, we learned that Julie and girl-crazed contestant Carly (Janet Varney) were hot for each other and didn’t need a fireman to put out their fire. But that love was short lived and Julie was tapped to be our bachelorette for Season 2 of Burning Love. Now she has a gaggle of gorgeous men to choose from.

Via Paramount Pictures

Julie, you have had, what I can only imagine is, the journey of a lifetime as the star of Burning Love Season 2. Could you sum up your experience? What can we look forward to seeing this season?

Julie: You can look forward to seeing your girl Julie being woo’ed by a ton of sexy dudes! There is way more drama than I would have liked. I HATE DRAMA! But what can I say – the men go a little crazy for me. And maybe I go a little crazy for some of them too. As a wise man once said, “I fell in love in a hopeless place!”

Via Paramount Pictures

Julie had some awfully dynamic suitors and I had the chance to touch-base with a few. Robby Z (Paul Scheer), Simon (Rob Huebel), and Henry (Jerry O’Connell), were three of the many men vying for Julie’s hand in marriage.

Robby Z, you’re a “Party Motivator” with a shocking amount of energy. Was Julie Gristlewhite the yin to your yang?

Robbie: Julie is definitely a girl that knows what comes before Part B… it’s PARTAY! I think being on the show reminded me that the most important party is the party one heart has with another heart in the club of Love! 

Simon, you claim to be a Prince. Is that a self appointed title or do you actually have royal lineage? Is Julie Gristlewhite fit to be your princess?

Simon: I can assure you, I have royal lineage. My father says he was a prince. And my father’s father also says that. So, you can look that up. As for Julie, she is definitely princess material. I can see a crown on her head someday. And some royal hair extensions. 

Via Paramount Pictures

Henry, you seem to have a good head on your shoulders. From the looks of things, I think Julie could benefit from a little stability. Was she charmed by you or bored to tears?

Henry: I think I can bring a lot stability to Julie. I’m here for the right reasons, unlike some of these other guys. I live in Utah and have a home for Julie to walk right into. It’s ready to go. I believe I can give Julie the life she really needs and wants.

Tune into Burning Love Season 2 it’s going to be a sexy and sensational ride! http://screen.yahoo.com/burning-love/

If you want to learn more about Julie Gristlewhite follow her on twitter @BurningLoveJul and read the “Girls We Love: Julie Gristlewhite Edition”

Via Twitter @BurningLoveJul

Watch the first episode of Burning Love Season 2 Today on Yahoo!

The post Burning Love Season 2 Exclusive! TODAY on Yahoo! appeared first on HelloGiggles.

Well, well, well, Julie Gristlewhite, you have come a long way from being the gal who was prematurely kicked to the curb. The tables are turned and you are in the driver’s seat! Eat your heart out Fireman Mark! Is it fair to say that your emotions got the better of you last season?

That’s definitely fair to say, thank you!

I was rooting for you, partially because I thought you had the prettiest eyes, but also because I thought you were there for the right reasons. The moment you opened up to Mark, he dumped you. Was he an emotional cripple?

Well, from my experience most men get scared when they see a woman cry or throw herself on the ground in hysterics, or try to jump out of a car and stuff…. so I don’t blame Mark. After going through this journey I have a lot more sympathy for what Mark went through. Being adored by so many good looking suitors IS NOT as easy as you would think. I hold no ill will toward Mark.  And I got so many tweets from my awesome fans who thought he should have picked me. At the end of the day I think my tweets are always right.

Mark was gorgeous. He had the kind of body that you could experience night after night and still learn new things about it, you know? Must have been tough to see that go….

Mark Orlando does a fantastic job of keeping fit, as do SO MANY OF MY SUITORS THIS SEASON! I am blown away and humbled and inspired by the bodies of Julie’s men! I do not have the kind of commitment they have so it’s truly awesome for me to see.

Julie, you deserve love and I hope for our sake you’ve found it. Was it nerve-wracking having all that testosterone aimed in your direction?

I love testosterone! Looking back, I think it’s why I was drawn to a lesbian for a spell. I have never had that many men interested in me so this was definitely a new “experience” and like I said at the time, it’s not as easy as people think. HOWEVER, I just tried to really be my best self. And I did that with the help of a number of prescription medications and chardonnay blends.

How much fun is it to have all these guys focusing on you and only you? From the looks of it, you have some real dreamboats to choose from. What’s more important to you, looks or personality?

Honestly, I think personality is SOOOO IMPORTANT! The problem is, it’s hard to see a great personality if you don’t like the packaging it comes in. So for Julie, looks are always number one. To get a bit more specific, I prefer a good body over a good face, but ideally both would be on point!

Do you think your work as a dental hygienist prepared you for this journey?

100%! The teeth are the mirror to the soul. -Julie Gristlewhite (trademark pending). Our teeth are both our history and our future – Julie Gristlewhite (trademark pending).

Gristlewhite… is that Puerto Rican?

I wish! I love latin men. They are muy caliente.

With so many hours clocked in as a gal about town, do you have dating no-nos you can share with us?

You know your girl, Julie is gonna tell you the truth! One thing I have found really useful is to deny my instincts. I show them my real self by showing them my opposite self! This seems to warrant the best result. Also, always floss after every meal!

Sometimes I have big feelings on a 1st date. Should I release them or hold them in?

Gurl, you have to tell him. This might be your husband! Can you imagine!???? If you build it they will come. Refer to him as your husband to the waitress and maitre d’ etc, and then perhaps he will become just that!

How far is too far to go on a first date and how far is not far enough?

I can’t answer this question without knowing how hot the guy in question is. THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING!  But as a general rule I’m pretty easy.

Is there one moment that sticks out to you as “peculiar” this season?

Seeing men cry over me. That was just too great! Hahahahaah.

Last season there was an elderly contestant and a gal with a monkey heart. Did any of your fellas fall into surprising age groups or have animal parts?

Well unfortunately one of my bachelors was a preemie. I tried very hard not to treat him like a carnie freak. Because “carnie freak” is only a small percentage of who that amazing man is.

Did you feel in control or out of control of your emotions this season?

Nope.

Last season Mark gave the ladies he was interested in – a hose. Are you giving your gentleman callers something special to hold?

I am offering my gentleman a chance to hold my box. It’s a ring box with a flame of love inside it. My box is so beautiful!

Well Julie, thank you for talking to HelloGiggles and thank you for searching for true love. You are a true American hero and we salute you. We will be watching Burning Love Season 2 on Yahoo! tonight! And we will be rooting for you, Julie Gristlewhite!

Follow Julie on Twitter @BurningLoveJul. 

The post Girls We Love: The Julie Gristlewhite Edition appeared first on HelloGiggles.