Two of my most favorite shows are coming back on FOX43 starting Sunday!

For starters, 24 is baaaccckkk! Anyone else as excited as I am? This Sunday and Monday at 8pm FOX43 will premiere the 2 day, 4 hour launch into what is sure to be the greatest show on TV this Spring!

On 24’s heels is the return of American Idol! Woohoo! American Idol starts at 8pm on Tuesday night, and like 24, it will be a 2 day, 4 hour extravaganza!

This coming week is going to be a great for FOX43! I’ll be posting blogs about both shows as they air, so stay tuned and leave me comments to let me know how much YOU are loving them! I’ve also started a 24 discussion board on my Facebook Fan Page - so feel free to post there and get discussions started!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Face-of-FOX43/26310908527 <— Facebook link!

That’s all for now. I’m on the edge of my seat!

Kelly’s Top 10 Favs is back! You can check out the latest on www.youtube.com/faceoffox43! For a brief rundown, here they are:

10) Biggest Loser Finale! Michelle won!

9) I got glasses!

8 ) MAC Makeup! Love the glitter eyeliner!

7) For all you locals - wasn’t Holly Dazzle at City Center just fabulous?!?

6) One of my fav YouTubers, Whatthebuck, was interviewed on CNN! It was a great interview! He’s so interesting to listen to!

5) Welsh Corgies (one was recently added to my family and I love her!)

4) David Archuleta’s freshman album! Sorry David Cook!

3) Times spent with friends!

2) One word - Twilight…

1) Mario Cart for the Wii! Play it! It’s sooo much fun!

And that’s the rundown for Kelly’s Top 10 Favs for December! Go check the video out on YouTube! Don’t forget to comment and let me know what your favorites were! Oh, yes, and SUBSCRIBE!

Love, love, love!

New videos are on there way!

See where I landed on my latest shoot from a “mystery location!”

AND

“Kelly’s Top 10 Favs for Dec.” will be up on YouTube (and blogged about) later this weekend! 

Good stuff is coming! Don’t miss it!

The past couple of days I’ve been thinking a lot about stories. The stories we tell, the stories we’re told. I just got back from Florida last night and the first things one of my girlfriends texted me is, “I can’t wait to hear you stories!” We all have them don’t we? We use them to teach, to entertain. Stories connect people. I love stories. I’m drawn to people who can tell them well.

Today I am going on location with one of the FOX43/WAVY10 reporters. I was sitting in a meeting earlier as everyone decided which stories were worth telling and which would stay on the back burner for now. People in the community are involved in these stories. Some people ask us to cover a story because it would be a positive event to highlight, others want us to highlight a story because they seek justice. I do not know what is in store for the day, but I feel as if the point of reporting is simply to tell a story. And by doing so, making a difference somehow. And that, I think, is a very worthwhile thing.

With each new year that closes in on me, I find myself reflecting on my life - on my story. I often wonder when all is said and done, how will my story would be told? Would it filled with humorous tales and loyal friendships? Will there be love and obstacles that were overcome? I mainly wonder how, in the end, if my story will make a difference. So, I think in light of it all, that is one of my resolutions this year - to live a life that will leave an impact when my story is told to future generations and to tell the stories of those around me in a way that leaves them satisfied with the outcome.

Happy New Year Hampton Roads, and if you have any good stories, feel free to leave them below!

With all the hustle and bustle happening around us right now, I just wanted to take a second to wish you a Merry Christmas! In my family, our Christmas celebrations begin on Christmas Eve night, so I don’t know if I will have a chance to blog before then. The day after Christmas I’m going to go out and see what movies are hot at the theater this season and then I’m heading to another “mystery location.” It’s going to be a great end to the year! What are your plans for Christmas Hampton Roads? Are you planning on seeing any movies? Do you have any traditions that are close to your heart that you can’t wait to take part in this year? (Ok, starting to sound like the ‘Delilah After Dark’ show, so that’s it for the warm and fuzzy questions! Haha!)

One of my favorite Christmas traditions happens at Christmas dinner! Every year that I’ve been alive, me and my family head over to my grandma’s house with my dad’s brother’s families and we eat homemade lasagna. Let me say that again - HOMEMADE LASAGNA! Mmmm! It is the best lasagna known to man! Haha! And that’s not an exaggeration in the slightest! My grandma has to start cooking this delicious creation in the morning and it’s still cooking by the time we arrive in the evening. It’s a lot of work, so it is a once a year deal for us! And lemme tell ya, my family looks forward to that once a year deal! We look forward to it, with mouths watering, starting in January! So, that is one of the things I’m most excited about this Christmas - plus having my bother and sister-in-law in town. Those things are just going to make my holiday!

Hope you’re enjoying your week Hampton Roads - golly, 2 days left! Enjoy your Christmas…I’m personally hoping they’re white (please Don Slater, tell me snow is coming!)!

Merry Christmas with Love,

Kelly

Wanna be featured in my next video? If so, I need YOUR help!

Right now I’m putting together a video about the “Christmas Spirit.” I want to know, besides all of the hustle and bustle of the season, what makes you stop in wonderment, or what simply makes you feel all warm and fuzzy during this time of year? What does the “Christmas Spirit” mean to you?

If you’d like to submit you answers, simply leave a comment on this post by Dec. 20th!

Thanks so much! Hope you are having a wonderful week Hampton Roads!

This blog may very well turn into a smorgasbord of information and updates, so bear with me.

To start, this past Sunday I turned 24! Thanks to everyone on Facebook and Twitter who sent me birthday wishes! It was so nice to hear from you- I super appreciate the shout-outs! It was a great “birthday weekend” filled with good friends and good memories. I’m hoping 24 tops all the others years of my life that I’ve lived so far! However, it has definitely been quite an adventure up to this point. I feel very blessed and I’m glad to have had you along for the ride for the past 4 months Hampton Roads!

What else? Ok, in completely unrelated news to me entering my mid-twenties, I just got a “FOX publicity news & notes” email about AMERICAN IDOL! Whoohoo! Are you getting excited? Well, I am here to announce American Idol will be back on the air, marking a brand new season,  January 13th-14th! If you will recall, American Idol also has a bit of a twist this season- they are adding a brand new judge to the panel! I’m still not quite sure how I feel about that. I’m willing to give her a chance, but I kinda liked it just being “Paula and the boys.” The competition moves into the 36 semifinalist round Feb. 11th, and March 10th we will know who our “Top 12″ are for 2009! *Whew* I can’t wait!

Oh yes! The Face of FOX43 page has gone under a bit of a remodel! You should definitely check it out! It has all my latest videos, blogs, and other links where you can find me! The new address is: http://www.fox43tv.com/subindex/face_of_fox_43. Hopefully we’ll be adding a comment section to it as well so I’m able to interact with you guys a little bit more right on the page!

Ummm….there are 9 days left ’til Christmas! Ahh! I was wrapping and wrapping yesterday and still have not remotely finished. What about you guys? How’s the Christmas shopping coming? If you’re looking for great stocking stuffer ideas, I highly recommend Bath & Body Works “Sweetest, softest, sleeping socks!” I mentioned it in one of my last blogs/YouTube videos and it’s true, I can’t get enough of them! Everyone on my list this year is getting a pair!

Speaking of YouTube, be sure to check out my latest favorite “blooper moment.” It’ll make you giggle. Don’t forget to rate, comment, and/or subscribe if you are a fellow YouTuber! www.youtube.com/faceoffox43!

Whelp, I think that will about cover it for now! Talk to ya soon Hampton Roads!

Much love!

Wednesday (12/10) I headed over to Chrysler Hall and met with the creator/director, Neil Goldberg, and a few of the cast members from Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy! Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy is a show brought straight from Broadway to us here in Hampton Roads from Dec. 10th- Dec. 14th. According to the Seven Venues website, which is a great way to check out what’s playing at Chrysler Hall each month,

“CIRQUE DREAMS JUNGLE FANTASY is an exotic encounter inspired by nature’s unpredictable creations that are brought to life by an international cast of 25 soaring aerialists, spine-bending contortionists, acrobats, jugglers and musicians.  The astounding feats performed in this action packed Cirque Dream are enhanced with over 150 spectacular costumes and set in a fantastical jungle ignited by striking visual effects. From the breathtaking aerial ballet of butterflies to the balancing giraffes, gigantic flowers and trees, this world-class explosion of athleticism, theatre and imagination will exhilarate and entertain audiences of all ages.”

Indeed, combined with the artistic performances, intriguing set designs, and a magical story, what shines through in this performance is the passion and energy the performers have while on stage. The energy they exhibit takes you right of your chair and into another world.

Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy also hits home for us here in Hampton Roads because it boasts two Hampton Roads natives! Leah Scott is an ODU student and church choir director who got a call from her mom one exciting day to let her know that Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy was holding open auditions. With a dream in her heart and a love for song, Leah auditioned and won the walk on role in the performance. She will perform as a ladybug and sings a song called, “Surprise,” for her solo number.

Another familiar face gracing the stage is 81-year old David Kennedy! Also know as the “Tap Dancing Terror of Tidewater,” David Kennedy was cast as a tap dancing gorilla! Talk about entertainment! Those who have seen David’s routine say his high kicks would make the Rockettes jealous!

We are so proud of our Hampton Roads talents and so thrilled to have Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy performing on the Chrysler Hall stage! If you are free this weekend and looking for good family fun and a great way to enjoy the holiday season, go check out Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy! You won’t be disappointed!

Holly Dazzle was AMAZING! Oh my goodness, such a fun event. I’m telling you, going to Holly Dazzle at City Center in Oyster Point should be a staple of the holiday season for you and your family every year! It’s THAT awesome! Over the weekend I went out there and saw the lighting of the Christmas tree and the spectacular fireworks show! Bayport Credit was handing out lightsabers and glow necklaces out to everyone! I also went around and quizzed the peninsula to see whether or no they knew their Christmas lyrics! They did pretty well, I must admit, but I don’t think I can hang up “Don’t Forget the Christmas Lyrics” just yet… Check out the Holly Dazzle video on:http://media.myfoxhamptonroads.com/special/head/face-of-fox/fof.html

Also, if you haven’t checked out my YouTube channel lately, stop by! “Kelly’s Top 10 Favs (Nov.)” is up and running! When you check it out, don’t forget to rate, comment, and/or subscribe to TheFaceofFOX43! See my latest YouTube video here:http://www.youtube.com/faceoffox43.

That’s all for now- 16 days ’til Christmas! I’m stoked!

Alrighty, well, I decided in order to stay more connected with the YouTube audience, as well as just make my blog feel a little more personal, I am starting a new monthly blog/vlog called, “Top 10 Favs!” This will just showcase some the things I was most excited about from the past month. Simple as that, but I thought it would be fun! So, let the list (in no particular order) begin!

Top 10 Favs for the Month of November Include:

10) Starbucks finally rolled out some seasonal holiday drinks - which included my absolute favorite, the Eggnog Latte! Yummy! Besides it just being a wonderful drink that makes you feel like your glowing from the inside and out with Christmas cheer, it comes in the traditional red Starbucks cup. Ah…nothing says “holidays” quite like this.

9) This past month I VOTED in my very first  Presidential election! As you know, it was a very historical election. Not only will the results go down in history, but the race each party ran was also very significant. I really thought the experience of voting and educating myself in the political arena was something very important and special to take part in.

8 ) Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah - so you think you can dance? dance? dance? dance? I got to interview five of the “So, You Think You Can Dance?” contestants as they are making their way around the country on their 2008 tour! They were awesome, I am definitely adding them to my favs list! All of the 5 I interviewed were just so down to Earth and very talented - I liked them immediately! “So, You Think You Can Dance?” airs on FOX during the summertime - I would encourage you NOT to miss it next year!

7) The guitar! I recently started dabbling in the guitar and I am LOVING it! I  have so many friends who are amazing at this instrument and of course  every time my man, Keith Urban (my absolute favorite country star), jams on his I am just amazed at the sounds those things can produce. So, yes, I decided it was time I picked one up and learned to jam myself! I only know a few little jingles right now, but once the Fall semester is over, I’m hoping to really dive in it a little bit more!

6) Bath & Body Works call them the “sweetest and softest sleep socks on Earth,” i just call them Heaven sent! When I went out shopping on Black Friday, I found these little treasures for only $5 and my life has never been the same! I wish everyone could have a pair - they are THE best pair of comfy socks I have ever owned! Below is the picture of the in a solid color, but I found mine in a red & gray stripped pattern - which I would highly recommend. For all you folks who like to cuddle up when the cold weather arrives, these socks are for you!

5) This past month I also went to a local event that was so much fun and a very interesting way to get out and do something different with the family. Chick-fil-A, in Kiln Creek, hosted their 4th Annual Mascot Competition! They had mascots from all over competing for a grand prize of $500 to give to give to the charity/cause/organization of their choice! The winner is chosen by YOUR votes! It’s competitive, funny, and overall, a good wholesome time!

4) I discovered a love for P-Coats! Haha! Yes, I have officially jumped on the fashion coat band wagon! I went shopping for one for my birthday (which is coming up!) and was swallowed in a sea of these coast! I just couldn’t make up my mind! Black, navy, red, gray - what’s a girl to choose? :)  I finally decided on one similar to the one picuted. Very excited about it- it makes me feel like a movie star! Haha!

3) Did you know we have a Water Taxi here in Hampton Roads? Yes sir! When I went over to Nofolk for the Grand Illumination of Lights Parade, I waited patiently in line for the Ferry that takes your over from Portsmouth to Waterside. The time was getting closer and closer to the start of the parade and I needed to get over there quick! Water Taxi to the rescue! It was only $5 and was it ever speedy! It was a very fun way to travel - I had never taken one before. So, the Water Taxi is on of my favs for the month of November!

2) “The following takes place between…” Know what my 2nd fav for the month is? If you guessed the season premiere of 24, you are correct! Ok, let me just get this out - ahhhhh! 24! Ahhhh! Ok, all better. Jack is back and based on the nail biting season premiere we saw on Nov. 23rd, it’s going to be the best season yet!Is there really any more to say on the subject?

And finally…to conclude the list of my Top 10 Favs for the month of November…I give to you…

1) THANKSGIVING! Duh! Were you waiting for that one? Not only did I get a chance to enjoy all my favorite Thanksgiving treats (p.s. my cousin makes one heck of a pumpkin cheesecake!), but I got to spend a lot of time with my parents and brother and sister-in-law who came in from out of town, as well as the rest of my family in the area. The holidays are always such special and magical times- this year was no different.

So, there you have it! Kelly’s Top 10 Favs for November! What were some of yours? Let me know! Also, be sure to check out my YouTube site later this week for my vlog on my Top 10 Favs! (I’ll post when it’s up!)

That’s all for now! Much love!