Meeting Notes

Meeting Notes is a weekly feature. Here we will dish on tidbits, news, and important things we think you Working Girls should know. So scroll down to hear what we think you should glean from this work week.

• Over The Hills: It's been weeks since my last The Hills post and I would to officially state that I am over it. The dramatic reality show was fun when it was slightly believable but now I find Spiedi too draining to watch and Lo, who used to me be favorite, became a bitch. And while I applaud the girls for carving themselves careers out their reality success, they just aren't the type of Working Girls I want to waste my time on.

• Fall Fashion: Target (a.k.a. the best store ever) will have some new fashionable fall accessories for us very soon. British handbag designer Anya Hindmarch's line designed for Target and Sigerson Morrison footware line will start selling in Target stores on Oct 12th. Get there soon, you know they'll sell out.

• Vote!: The 2008 presidential election is weeks away, are you registered to vote? If not, click here and register.
  

• No Money, Lots of Problems: I wont try to make any sense of the financial crisis. Both of my roommates work in finance and/or on Wall Street, when they talk about work it's like their speaking chinese. Bottom line, something has to be done and no one can agree on what. While some of us may support the bailout and others may not, if it does not pass it could have a negative affect on our fellow Working Girls. Not everyone on Wall Street is rich and greedy. Some of them are just your average Working Girl.

• Ask Working Girl: Have a question for WG2 or myself? About the blog? Or work related? Email us! We will be starting a biweekly Q&A feature soon so send in your questions to workinggirlone@gmail.com and/or workinggirltwo@gmail.com.

• When the Working Day is Done: Enjoy this fantastic cover from Miley Cyrus and enjoy the weekend!
  
  

The Hills: "Whitney, Can You Come Up?"

(Writer's Note: I realize this post is a few days late but the past few days, I've actually been social rather than watching other people be social on TV.)

Another Monday, another The Hills.

Stephanie and Lauren, do they actually go to FIDM? My guess is, No.

All the restaurants in L.A. look the same to me. Doug ("Lauren's Friend") and Lauren are on a lunch date at Creperie where Doug tries to get her to skip out on work and go to the beach. Three seasons ago, Lauren probably would have ditched work for a boy. I think she's learned her lesson.

At Epic Records Chiara and Audrina almost convince me that are employed. I like Chiara. She's much better than chick Heidi "works" with.

Kelly Cutrone is baaack and she's brought her New York crew with her. While I think Kelly is great, she makes me want to crawl in a closet and hide. Whitney is invited to go out to dinner with Kelly and crew. She's nervous because she's a newbie but if I know anything about Whitney, I know she's going to rock it.

Speidi. Ew. Out to dinner. I do have to give props to Heidi for seemly nicely suggesting that they make an appearance at the Stephanie's party because, after all, she is Spencer's brother. On another note, why does Spencer continue to call Lauren, LC? That's so Laguna Beach.


Whitney's work dinner is held at Simon Restaurant and the red wine is flowing. Whitney, let me tell you, from experience, say no to the red wine. Oh look at her, she's drinking water. I'm so proud. Jessica, the L.A. publicist always looks pissed. Probably because she's bad at her job and people are starting to notice. It's all over when she starts crossing Kelly about working with stylists. "It's my company" - Kelly Cutrone. You better watch out, Jessica.

I'm drained my Stephanie's birthday party. Lo is as fake as Stephanie's tan and it's only a few moments before Audrina shows up and doesn't talk to anyone and a few more until Speidi crashes the party. Yes, Brody!

Lo and Audria: AWKWARD!
Specner and Heidi: ANNOYING!
Everyone leaving because Speidi is there: SO HIGH SCHOOL.

"Seriously, let's go" - Lo

Kelly Cutrone is yelling at her assistant on the phone. We must be back at Peopel's Revolution. She's telling the assistant to try living her life for one day and see what it's like. Ok, I understand if you're an owner of a place like People's Revolution, you're a busy Working Girl. But, Kelly might be underestimating how much work an assistant actually does. She hangs up the phone and calls for Whitney.

Whitney, where is your notebook? Always bring a notebook. Finally, Kelly fired Jessica. It's about time, Kel. And, drum-roll please, Kelly is offering Whitney Jessica's job. Yes! Bi coastal lifestyle, sounds draining. Kelly's advice: "I wouldn't make any plans for the next couple of months."

Congrats Whitney!

To hold you over till next week, here are my favorite Spencer quotes of the night:

"It's like telling Iran and Israel to get along"
(Because the LC/Spencer feud is as important as the Middle East)
"I cant' make you un-my sister"

The Hills: Nice is Not Lo's Middle Name

Spoiler Alert!

When we last left the girls of The Hills, Whitney and Lauren were working at People's Revolution in LA and Heidi ditched her boss in Vegas for Specner. This season there is bound to be drama. Hopefully some of it will be work related.

Scene 1, People's Revolution. This is a good sign. Perhaps the girls will continue to be somewhat career focused this season. Whitney and Lauren are discussing friendships (Lo and Audrina hating one another) and romance ("Doug's such a funny name" - Whitney), don't we all do this at work? And I don't mean gossip. I mean, talk about Lo, Audrina and Lauren Conrad's love life.

Scene 2, Bolthouse Productions. Seriously? Heidi wasn't fired after last season's Vegas fiasco? Are you kidding, Brent? I'm losing respect for you here. Also, this chick Heidi works with needs to get her act together. She totally encourages Speidi. She seems smart, mature, doesn't she know better?

Secne 3, Epic Records. Good to know all the girls are still employed. I take that back, where is Lo working these days? Was she ever working? "Lo's always been super bitchy, that's just how she is." - Audrina. Perhaps her job is to be a bitch?

And that's the extent of our work coverage for this premiere episode of The Hills. But, because there is so much ridiculousness going on in The Hills, I'll continue my commentary:

Heidi's sister Holly is visiting LA. Ugh, Speidi. I have zero tolerance for them.

"Please be nice" - Heidi

"It's my middle name" - Spencer.

I hate him, but sometimes he has great lines.

Seeing Doug makes me miss Brody. We need Brody back. But I'll give the guy a chance.

I love love love that the Black Eyed Peas "Don't F*uck With My Heart" is still the outro music.

Audrina's Birthday Party. Yes, Frankie! Brody can't be far away. What? No Brody? C'mon!

Lo is officially a bitch. And that look Lauren gave her when she commented on Audrina's friends. Priceless. That girl has the best evil eye.

Justin Bobby is hot. He wasn't when we first met him, but he got wicked hot.

I didn't always buy the whole "Lauren is such a sweet girl, she's so genuine" thing. Now I get it. She's a straight up, good friend. It's Audrina's birthday. She isn't supposed to be in the kitchen, she's supposed to be enjoying her party. Granted, I'm not sure I'd be rolling with Audrina's friends, but Lo has got to learn to be nicer.

Back to Speidi. Is it just me or are Heidi and Holly kind of fake to one another. Holly's LA move is going to be fantastic. Unfortunately, her LA Makeover hair extensions are heinous.

Lo and Audrina will never be friends. Bummer.

"What Are You Doing?"

It's been a few weeks since I've written a Hills post but we're back in action for the season three finale. 

We last left Heidi in Las Vegas with her bosses to scope out a new hotel and casino.

"Think really hard before you do something stupid." - Stephanie Pratt

Within five minutes of this weeks episode Spencer is on his way to Las Vegas to completely humiliate Heidi. As much as those two annoy me (beyond words) I can't help but look forward to this awkward confrontation. 

Heidi walks through the Sahara Hotel & Casino with a notebook and pen in hand. I'll give her credit here because every good Working Girl knows not to go anywhere without a notebook and pen. But really, what is she really writing down? Her to do list? She probably doesn't know how to write.

All Whitney and Lauren talk about while at work at People's Revolution is Audrina. Bor-ing! Where is Kelly Cutrone?

"Working with drinks? Yeah, that sounds really legit Heidi" -Stephanie Pratt

I have to say working with drinks sounds pretty legit to me seeing as I was drunk or hungover for 85% of my work trip to South Africa. Anyway, Spencer and Stephanie are on their way to sabotage Heidi's work trip. As he walks in, Heidi is hanging with the boys. I would be so awkward if I were having drinks with three of my male work superiors.

"What are you doing? What are you doing? Like, what are you doing?" - Heidi

Blah, blah, blah we've heard this fight before. Brent Bolthouse is no joke. I picture him as an intimidating boss and now Heidi is on his bad side. 

Back in LA...

"I'm gonna eat all of the cheese before [Audrina] gets here, which is not going to be good for my behind!" -Lo 

Best. Lo. Quote. Ever.

And back in Las Vegas, Brent is waiting for Heidi outside the hotel. She's late. A good Working Girl isn't late. She is on time or early. Unless, of course, it's a Friday morning after a Thursday night happy hour that went a little too long. Brent left her. What a gentleman! No worries, she's with Spencer. Didn't see that one coming. False. 

"I feel like I need to talk to Audrina." - Lauren

THEN DO IT ALREADY!!!! Ok, good, she's finally talking to Audrina and it's probably the worst conversation ever, nothing was resolved. 

Spencer and Heidi are back together. That's it? That's the season finale? 

At this point I'm ready to swear off The Hills. It's the same thing over and over again. But someone at MTV is doing their job and the "Next season on The Hills" package has sucked me back in. Kelly Cutrone. New hot boys. Lo and Audrina fighting. Yes. Yes. Yes!

All Play, No Work

Last night's episode of The Hills had nothing to do with work, with the exception of the first 3 minutes. At first, I wasn't going to post about the episode but I like to think you all come back here every week for my witty comments about Lauren, Heidi, Audrina and Whitney. So here we go:

I love it when episodes of The Hills begin at People's Revolution. It means Kelly Cutrone is lurking around somewhere, wearing black and looking greasy. No work talk though. Only that Whitney is glad she has someone to talk to now that Lauren is working with her. I thought Whitney would be better at making friends. Maybe Jessica made the staff turn on her.

I love it when Lo makes a guest appearance. She always seems to make statements that create awkwardness. For example, "maybe she'll bring Heidi."

Heidi is too obsessed with this girls night thing. Just let it happen Heidi.

Yes, Justin Booby!

Am I the only one who has enjoyed Dove Fresh Takes?

Justin Bobby and Audrina go on a date, as friends.

"I haven't showered in weeks." - Justin Bobby

Did he get cuter? Not that he was ever really cute, but he's not looking to shabby. And, are he and Audrina having a real conversation? I think I like the new Justin Bobby.

"No, he didn't burp at all." - Audrina

Heidi and Spencer drain me beyond words. I think I say that every week. Imagine if you're job was to edit The Hills, Spencer and Heidi would be the bane of your existence.

"I mean, if you guys want me to move in with you." - Audrina

I don't think they want to live her.

And the episode in dunzo. Not the best episode ever. I'm looking forward to Stephen Colletti's return to Lauren's life.

Together Again

We begin this Hills episode at Epic Records and Heidi points out that Audrina's place of work has a real cafeteria. As opposed to what, Heidi, a fake one? Nevermind, I forgot this was LA for a second. As Audrina and Heidi dine in the real cafeteria, I notice no one else is dining. I immediately picture angry Epic employees waiting to eat lunch while The Hills is shot. I, for one, have to eat and have my diet coke at approximately 12:30 pm and would be pissed.

From one workplace to another. What's this line at People's Revolution? Models? Lauren walks right in. "Is Kelly here?" Lauren looks terrified as she tries to spot Kelly before Kelly spots her. I know Lauren, she's like freakin' Cruella DeVil. Seems like Kelly forgot all the Teen Vogue drama.

Is it just me or does Kelly Cutrone sounds like she's drunk all the time?

"Omigod, you guys are so slow" - Kelly Cutrone

Kelly sits the girls down and teaches them a lesson. No, not a "I'm going tell you who is boss" kind of a lesson, more of a "I want to be your mentor lesson." Jessica get bumped from her desk and when she asks for Lauren's help is told by Kelly to do it herself. Lauren - 1 Jessica - 0.

More Britney as the scene cuts to the girls night out at S Bar (reason #25 why I love The Hills).

Girls night out is bor-ing. Back to work.

"If you impress Kelly maybe she'll hire you" - Whitney

I'm loving the foreshadowing going on here.

More Girls night: "They're taking shots?!?!" - Heidi. Calm down Heidi it's not like they're doing the nasty on the bar.

The three-minute scene at the fashion show has taught me that no matter how fabulous and glamourous working in fashion looks, I could never do it. It's too stressful. I crossing my fingers that Whitney and Lauren don't f*ck up. Not only does the fashion show go on without a hitch (I can finally breathe) Lauren is offered a job at People's Revolution. She's gone from slow-mo to fashion glow (whatever that means) according to Kelly and that means a job offer. "We want to make some changes in our LA office," she says. Lauren - 2 Jessica - 0.

This is going to be like Teen Vogue all over again and I can't wait.

The Hills: Working Girl Whitney

Lauren turned 22. Heidi and Spencer fought then bonded over Stephanie's betrayal. Stephanie and Spencer fought over her betrayal and over a fish tank. Brody looked yummy. I've seen this all before. 

Was my girl Whitney even in the first episode that aired Monday night? I don't think so. 

Episode Duex: Yes, Whitney is there before I even hear the words "Staring at the blank page before you..." And they played Britney's "Break the Ice," this could be the best episode so far. 

We're back at Whitney's workplace: People's Revolution. 

"Let's gather around like the family that we are," Kelly Cutrone says. Does that make you the mother Kelly? That scares me, I think she might emotionally abuse her "children" by making them wear all black.

Kelly Cutrone's rules of LA fashion week are basically to cover or hide anything that makes you an individual. This is one messed up family. Do you think Kelly will make Whitney go brunette?

Jessica isn't good at her job. I think she spends too much time trying to look miserable. Whitney pulls through with a bright idea for getting celebs to the shows. Kelly's impressed and so am I. Whitney voiced her idea without deliberately making Jessica look like the lazy employee that seems to be. 

At Teen Vogue, Lauren is looking lonely in the intern closet. She calls Whitney and busy Working Girl Whitney doesn't have time to talk. 

There is time to talk at the gym. Whitney isn't scared of Kelly Cutrone; I guess I'll take her word for it. But she's talking smack about Jessica (she's the boss of the LA office?). "She brought out her fangs." - Whitney

Back at People's Revolution it's like Lauren and Whitney are back at Teen Vogue only with a more industrial feel. Lauren's helping Whitney inventory the clothes and what's that, there is a possibility of the girls working together again? I knew it wasn't the end of the dynamic duo. 

I can't wait!

The Hills Doubleheader

Episode Une: "I think Whitney doesn't want to work for Teen Vogue anymore." 

Looks like this is going to be a nice little Working Girl episode. Lisa Love makes her first appearance on the extended season three of The Hills when Whitney quits her job at Teen Vogue. Congrats on the new job Whit! Oh, what's that? You haven't even interviewed for this job yet?

During her time at Teen Vogue Whitney learned that working behind the scenes at at a magazine wasn't her dream job. Her internship taught her that she is more interested in styling and she took Kimball's earth shattering advice from last week's episode and pursued what she wanted to do. That's the great thing about internships, if you don't learn what you love to do, you learn what you hate to do. That's pretty helpful. 

Meanwhile Heidi is back at work. "Here's the files," she says to her coworker. Now that was staged. I truly believe that Heidi's job at Bolthouse Productions is completely fabricated. As for the rest of The Hills, completely true. 

"I don't really see how I could pass up an opportunity like this."

Whitney interviews for a job at People's Revolution, owned by Kelly Cutrone. 

Kelly Cutrone scares me already. Didn't she say she was going to kill someone in the phone conversation that Whitney overheard? I would not want to work for her. And she looks like she's homeless. She's supposed to be a stylist? When I'm rich and famous, remind me not to ask her to dress me. Remind me to ask Whitney. 

"You're basically making a deal with the devil." - Kelly Cutrone 

Now, I'm really scared. But I'm impressed by Whitney for asking "why do you say that?" I would have awkwardly giggled, smiled and nodded. 

On Whitney's last day, she and Lauren reminisce about their early days of interning, specifically the Young Hollywood party and almost getting fired for letting in Heidi and her posse. I wish we had this blog during that episode. I remember WG2 and I sitting in our NYU dorm (where we lived for a summer while interning at magazines) and our jaws dropping as Lauren earned the crown of "Worst Intern Ever." 

Now, one thought on the non-work related happenings of the episode. Heidi's conversation with SheSpencer at lunch. I believe it went something like this: "I remember when Spencer ordered muscles and I said 'why, because you have no muscles?' And he said 'Shut Up.'" 

Uh, What?

Episode Deux: Toto, I don't think we're in The Hills anymore. 

Whitney's in the Big Apple for Fashion week. She walks into People's Revolution office in New York. Everyone is wearing black and ignoring her. "They are so New York!" - WG2

It's a rule to wear black? Okay, I work in New York and it's typical to see many Working Girls wearing black from head to toe, but a rule is a bit much. Also, that rule book (!), reason #5 Kelly Cutrone scares me. 

"I'm willing to do whatever it takes." -Whitney

She really did sign a deal with the devil. 

The Australians look scary too. What is happening to The Hills? It's supposed to be sunny and happy. 

Looks like Audrina is still employed. Is it weird that I'm surprised?

Whitney is rocking this new job and impressing the Aussies. 

"How was work?" - Lauren

"I'm tired" - Audrina

WG2 and I have this conversation everyday. 

Whitney seems to be dominating Fashion Week, but my stomach is in knots right now. I'm so nervous for her. Phew, she totally rocked it and Kelly is smiling and complimenting her. Whitney, say "thank you," didn't you see America's Next Top Model? The girl who didn't say "thank you" is no longer in the running to become America's Next top Model. Maybe Kelly isn't that into manners because it sounds like Whitney is already getting a promotion. She's my new Working Girl Idol. 

Alright, I may be going overboard but Whitney will be fun to watch this season. 

Working Girl Watches: The Hills

Lauren and Whitney are off to Paris within five minutes of The Hills: Season 3 Continued premiere (but not without Heidi getting some facetime discussing her relationship with Spencer) and my stomach is immediately in knots. How are they going to mess up this time, I think to myself. C'mon you know they are going to. 

They haven't even checked into Le Grand Hotel in Paris yet when they decide to skip the first item on their itinerary, picking up shoes at Colette, and get their ballgowns. When L and W arrive at Colette, oh mon dieu, it's closed. "Clearly, we should have gotten the shoes first, and our dresses second." Clearly, Whitney, clearly. 

"I mean, it's our first night here, I'm sure they'll understand." Right Lauren, because Lisa Love and your colleagues at Teen Vogue have been so understanding in the past.

I'm amazed that the girls are so clueless about their itinerary. Did anyone at Teen Vogue sit down with them and go over their schedule? their tasks for the week? anything? Co-workers of mine are planning a trip for their bosses to three major European cities, it's taken countless hours of planning, pages of word documents, and several discussions with those people taking the trip. Why? So they know what they are doing, where they are doing it, and how they are getting there. How could these two not know what they have to do?

"There's a light show, right?" - Lauren on le Tour Eiffel.

The moment Lauren turned to her ballgown and pondered the idea of wearing out in Paris, I knew she was going to eff-up. Anyone else? I predicted (to myself, because WG2 is still in the Vegas, probably taking pictures in front of the fake Eiffel Tower) that her eff-up would occur as she was taking out her homemade hem. I was wrong, she burned the dress with her curling iron and somehow it looked like coffee on the dress. Remind me not to have coffee next time I'm in Paris. 

"The curling iron does something like that?" - Whitney

"It's fabric, it burns!" - Lauren 

Did Teen Vogue really hire Whitney? Obviously fabric burns. 

Kimball, senior editor at Teen Vogue, had some life-changing advice for Whitney when she told him that she sees herself more in styling. "Then maybe you should pursue that," he said. Very profound. Kimball, however, is right and at the end of the episode Whitney expresses that she's ready for a change, that she doesn't want to sit behind a desk at Teen Vogue. I say, Go Whitney! She's put in, what is it, three years there? It's time for her move her Working Girl heels up in the world.

I'm beyond thrilled that The Hills is back! I finally have something to watch on Monday nights. I have a few lingering questions about this episode:

1. Did Heidi get her lips done?

2. It's been five years since Carrie went to Paris on "Sex & the City", MTV couldn't find a different french r&b/rap song to play during the debutaunt ball scene?

3. How did Heidi manage to get all this time off work to "figure things out?"

Things I'm looking forward to this season:

1. Brody Jenner 

2. Whitney's final days at Teen Vogue and her "deal with the devil" (what is she doing?).

3. Brody Jenner

4. Lo-ism's ("Brody's girlfriend's very pretty." Way to make your BFF feel better, L0.)

5. Justin Bobby

6. She-Spencer's friendship with Lauren.

7. Brody Jenner