photos, videos, interviews and more: jingle ball 2016

HOT 99.5 Jingle Ball. It's the biggest night of my year. It's like prom, or maybe even a wedding. MONTHS of planning. MONTHS of outfit picking. LOTS of dollars spent... for one day... that you pray goes smoothly, but rarely goes according to your assumptions.

In September, I was pretty pumped that I had an outfit I loved ready to go, only missing one piece. Then, come Black Friday, I go to try it all on again and realize I actually hate it. *cue panic* I ordered a bunch of things, mostly from Boohoo, and prayed one would work. Two days before Jingle Ball, nothing had arrived. I was forced to find something else. Instead of going to any of my usual places, I hit up the Rent the Runway STORE in Georgetown, and got really lucky when they had just one sequin jumpsuit left- in my size. [I knew I wanted pants and sequins before I even began shopping.]

Damn, it's amazing what angles and a good mirror can do, huh?! 

I picked up shoes from DSW, earrings from Charming Charlie, necklace from Forever21, and prepared myself to do my own hair and make-up. I was too devastated with how it turned out last year when someone else did it for me[I don't even like linking to it in reference but here we are]. Cue the waxed-up braids, curling wand, Urban Decay smokey eye, NYX red lipstick, some failed attempts at contouring, and stila mascara and I was really diggin' my look for this year.

I ended up finishing the look with a giant SACK this year [with flask inside] and gave out some random goodies to the artists backstage.

Machine Gun Kelly was easily the most appreciative [and just the most fun in general throughout the entire night], Ellie convinced me that she might actually use what I gave her, Daya was the first to practically throw it away in front of me, and Joe Jonas was the one to call me out for having holiday leftovers. Sigh.

Unlike last year, I got some time "on the couch," in the broadcast room with some of the artists coming in for an interview. My girl Alessia had more than an interview coming for her, though. Days before Jingle Ball, the Grammy noms came out and her name was not included in any of the lists. That ain't right. Luckily, I know a place with some good and quick trophies and we made magic happen.

OBVIOUSLY I wish she would have been as excited as Meghan was, but I get it- she's gotta play it cool and stuff or whatever. JUST WASTE MY MONEY ALESSIA IT'S FINE.

Tove Lo also came in and made it real easy for my to once again just talk about her boobs and naked body.



Diplo came in to talk about holiday parties, what you need, and to receive a gift of course. I also tried to get a preview of his after party but there was no predicting the clustereff of artists that ended up being on his tiny stage that night. I have no idea how he was able to perform under such conditions. This is a real HQ video, straight from Facebook Live because #variety #allthesocials #HOT995JingleBallbeTrending.

And when you have a duo of DJ/producers who made a dumb but catchy song about a Selfie, then turned around and made the year's biggest hits there to close the show, I HAD to stop them backstage. I cornered them after their meet and greet for a very professional game of Urban Dictionary... which they definitely beat me at but I'm gonna say it's because they have more experiences with *substances.* Maybe. Probably. #DJlife

There are so many other clips that I'm gonna have to post as Throwback Thursdays or something because... well... let's be honest. It's January 5th and I'm JUST NOW getting this entire post up. I'm behind on things... but to look forward to:

• Machine Gun Kelly's room had some nice "air fresheners" that neither of us would shut up about
• DNCE's Cole and I had a very fun relationship, that came to a dramatic end when he asked if he could keep my flask
• Daya definitely thinks I stalk her, or mooch off of her, like her friends who were visiting in her room
• Ashley I from the Bachelor, who is seemingly everywhere, even made it backstage at our Jingle Ball as some sort of correspondent
• Ellie Goulding is one of the sweetest, but coolest chics, who is great at sneaking in the subtle dirty jokes or lines
• The girls of 5th Harmony were more separate than I've ever seen them, but now we all know why. Still- they're the sweetest girls I've ever met so I will never say anything bad about them. Especially Ally. Girl- you are a special kind of human being that I wish I could be

Finally, I wouldn't have ANY of this to show you if it weren't for my little brother. I'm sure you've heard of him once or twice. His name is Mike.

I was able to fly him in from Toledo to be my camera guy... but really, he's there to be my inspiration, my comfort, my focus-and-be-you-and-let's-make-this-great. Having him around reminds me to be myself, not focus on the camera or the fact that I'm "interviewing celebrities." I'm just a girl with a mic, genuinely interested in meeting these people who create good music and great shows. I know I won't always be able to have my favorite person next to me at big events, but it's hella nice when I can, and I'm gonna take advantage of it.

It's almost weird to even look back at all of this because it all happens so fast, you can't process it at the time. We're sprinting to the stage, then back to the hall to catch someone, then sitting and waiting for something to happen for 45 minutes, then sprinting again, losing something, forgetting something else, hitting record, and suddenly stepping out in front of 16,000 people. It's a rush that I never wanna lose the ability to feel, that's for sure. 

So in 2017, my goal is to keep the rush alive. Create more opportunities to feel it. Share it more with you... and what I preach to you and myself every day: stop making little excuses for why you can't do something or why it can wait. Don't let anything wait. Don't push anything off. Live in the today and the now and make things happen. 

love,

elizabethany

PS: Never thought I'd get a sweet gif of myself and the Grinch on a huge stage at the Verizon Center but that's my life now.

Tweet

watch etv: mom learns to whip and nae nae, silento learns the white girl

By now you know how to Whip and Nae Nae [and in a couple weeks the song will disappear for a while until we're reminiscing]. He came into the studio one night to host the countdown with me and do some dancing.

Yes, of course we did the full dance together, but more importantly- I taught him how to do THE White Girl. [I should probably trademark that ish and come up with a song so I'm rich, bitch.]

[If no one on the Internet finds this funny, at least someone from his entourage who was filming did! Win.]

The face on his producer/friend on the left is priceless the entire time. That 16 year old is so not impressed with me.

Silento was awesome, by the way. Typical high school kid-hustler who said he knew this song was going to be a hit right away, even though everyone else in the room disagreed. He's also hella attractive, but I probably shouldn't say that in public since it'd be illegal.

Maybe they'd be impressed with Mama Plog, though. Each year we try to teach her a new dance [until one time she told me it felt like she was trying to achieve an O, which made me immediately run, cry, and hide for a couple years]. This year it was all about the "Watch Me" dance and a side of Stanky Leg.

[For the record, we could barely hear the music which is why I seem confused. Somehow it was loud enough on this here video.]

Now you know why it's so easy for me to get my White Girl on. Thanks, Mom. Your Stanky Leg is spot on.

love,
elizabethany

PS She can't be mad at me for this... it's still nothing compared to Papa Plog's dance moves.

Tweet

video: plogerpalooza in 30 seconds

My blogging is all sortsa out of order from real life right now! I've been trying to get as much done in the small amounts of time I have each day, so chronology is not something I'm worried about. [It's currently my 12th hour in the office for the day after 16 spent here yesterday. Not complaining because I know I love my job and I'll have a reckless weekend to make up for it, but this is the excuse I use for lack of blogs.]

Do I still have ya? Okay, phew. That was close. ANYWAY.

I've shared things from Plogerpalooza before. It's my family's epic annual party. Multiple bands. Yard games. 200+ Jello shots. Belly flops. Rocket car racing. A moonbounce to sleep in. Classy white trash dancing in the driveway. And this year- coozies and a "photobooth."

My brother finally edited his first GoPro video to show ya some of the fun, but the truth is: No video will ever do it justice.

Here's a look at my ghetto DIY photobooth. Some streamers, a tripod, a camera with a timer, and all sorts of props in the box beside it. 

As always, so many props to my parents who are forever young and know how to throw a good party... and obviously taught me my ways of living! :)

love,
elizabethany

Tweet

photo diary: race day at bug out 75

For me, Memorial and Labor Day are not complete until I've spent a day at the racetrack. Unfortunately I haven't been able to make it to the Bug Out in a year or so, but I was finally able to make it out to the new track/location over the weekend! 

The Bug Out is one of the biggest Volkswagen events on the East Coast. It's full of pretty cars and trashy people coming together in a beautiful way. My bro got to have the car for the drag races, so I played photographer for a while.

That's my pops in his homemade car. 

Here's Mikey winning! [He made it to the semifinals!]

Then here he is losing by red lighting. [Haha, sucka... I've won and you haven't! #givemethecar]

But most important thing I realized while playing photog- he never, ever looks at the road in front of him. Luckily it's a straight track, I guess... but his competitors should probably start worrying a little more. 

BTW [classy, nice, fun, and worthy] ladies, he's multitalented. 

The race used to go down in Manassas. I went to probably 40 races there... so now that it's in bum-eff southern Virginia, it was hard to get used to... but even a hard-headed girl has to admit when the track is beautiful. I might have to take out my brothers legs come September so I can race. Don't tell him that, though.

I did get to hop in for the slalom, though! It's a little different than it used to be. They set up the most confusing set of cones to weave in and out of throughout a parking lot. I'm gonna let you know right now- I sucked. That heavy ass car with no floor doesn't turn easily. Also, my driver's side door flew open in the middle of it. That was exciting. Racing while reaching out to shut a door.

Just so you know what I mean about the whole "no floor" thing. It's really safe. 

The Ploger racing team normally dominates these races... but we ended up with two engines blown, and three people out of the drags thanks to red lighting. [That means they started to early, for you racing newbs.] It wasn't our best showing for such a milestone race- #75!! We looked cool in the chrome wheel, though.

And if you never saw the video I made last time I got to race, click here duh!

Until next time!

love,
elizabethany

Tweet

what ya wearin wednesday 022713

Oh hi! Happy Wednesday! Let's see all the sexy!

No joke, all I wanted was a pair of green jeans this morning, then @melmoraes had to go and wear this cute outfit. Now I gotta go shopping.

My little bro @Ploger finally decided to jump in on the action in his fancy suit on the set of WVU News!

@KaciKruz wore a red dress with those fabulous Target heels to a fashion show! Good choice. The dudes love a lady in red. 

@aarronjustin lookin good in a plaid and v-neck! [PS he was totally an extra on Nashville last week which made me geek out. Whatevs. I'm so proud of the people I know!]

@Song_of_adam was rockin the Levi's and red kicks. I enjoy.

I also enjoy @danchiz's striped socks showing. Not many people can pull it off correctly.

@epbsgirl was reppin' her old team!

I love @amsnedegar's dress and cardigan combo! Simple and cute!

Once again, I'm jealous I don't have more stripes. This time thanks to @eewerner

@toribabyy14's fluorescent pants are fantastic! They're toned down with the shoes, but I love em most with the jean jacket. 

@RomulaLynn was breaking in some fabulous new shoes before her vacation

@trudee757 rocked a hoodie, but her friend was in full-out Woody mode!

@katiecakes26's dress is pretty and comfortable!

@Lopezricky75 had sweats, a tshirt, sandals... and a $300 hat apparently.

Totally obsessed with @krystinaborgo's skirt and shoes!

@Abaker1804's red skirt and clearance outfit is an all-around win!

@dcolells's all black is so great with the studs and cardigan additions.

Love @ksnedegar's butterfly sleeves and colored trousers!

Beyond impressed with @misterignacio's suit and tie ensemble today!

@ddryan got talked into jumping on the WYWW bandwagon with his button down! Yay!

Every time I look at @barelyaware's flats I fall more in love. Great match with her necklace.

A simple white top and boots is super cute on @BrookeOnHOT, and why I love fall/winter fashion.

And @frocks4life's neon/lots of jewelry combo will be my inspiration this weekend or next week. 

After getting super pissed that I couldn't find my dark purple jeans for the outfit I planned in my head, I threw this together.

-navy t-shirt material cardigan from Love Culture $6

-jeans from F21 $10

-flats [looking a bit beat up, but I swear not as bad as this pic] from Charming Charlie $5

-scarf from ?? H&M maybe. No more than $5

I want you all to know that if you ever want to send me multiple pics to post, you totally can! If you didn't already know, I try to post a bunch of these to Pinterest for you to share/save, and the non-collage pics actually work better! So don't be afraid to bombard my timeline, or keep it in collage form if you prefer that!

No matter how you get em to me, know that I love ya for it! Until next week!-

love,
elizabethany

Tweet

you must see my dad tearing up the dance floor

Over the weekend I went home for my cousin's wedding. [Let the season begin!] I knew it'd be a lot different than any wedding with my friends considering my entire family would be there, but I really had no idea what to expect. 

Well, I was more than pleasantly surprised when my dad was the first person to hit the dance floor and completely OWN it. He had some dance moves I've never seen [that were mostly off-beat], and so it's only right that I made them into gifs for you to enjoy.

This would be his dance to the "DING DING DING" in Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feelin"

Some fist pumping song came on, so I showed him how it's done. He went way harder than me.

"EVERY DAY I'M SHUFFLIN"

Maybe my personal favorite. This was what I called the "white man dance." He didn't like that so much. 

And this is what I call the grand finale. Totally caught me off guard.

My dad thinks he's a 25 year old. It's pretty awesome now that I'm out of the house and also about to be 25... but I'll be honest... for a man who is naturally AWESOME at all things playing music, he certainly has no rhythm. Hence my mother laughing at him in most of those.

But like... SERIOUSLY. How freaking hysterical is that?! I'm still crying laughing.

--

Here are some more pictures from the wedding:

My bro thought he'd get a little comb-over action going for this summer. What a old grown man.

My cousin Joe, the groom.

I caught the bouquet!! And, check the sculpture I conveniently placed Mikey near... teehee.

Why did I even waste space with those pictures? I should have just posted the gifs twice.

love,
elizabethany

PS: Dad, I know you said I shouldn't post these and you have some "career" to hang on to but like... so do I. And I'm the future. So like.... I love you?

Tweet