Book Review: Kelly Cutrone "If You Have to Cry, Go Outside"

Photo: courtesy of the LA Times.

"If You Have to Cry, Go Outside: And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You" (HarperCollins, 197 pages, $22.99.), by Kelly Cutrone, with Meredith Bryan:

Kelly Cutrone is honest and as real as it gets. She opens herself up and provides an intriguing read into her life story in her first book "If You Have to Cry, Go Outside: And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You." As I got further into the book, I realized that Ms. Cutrone is doing MUCH more than simply telling her story. She is a teacher, mentor and spiritual guide. The interesting thing about Kelly Cutrone is that no matter how much she is portrayed as a hardcore brutal boss; you come to understand that she is truly a very caring person. She is brutally honest and if that comes to telling someone on her staff or her interns that they suck, then she is doing them a favor. She states that to find out WHO you ARE, you must learn WHO YOU ARE NOT. She is extremely spiritual, which you learn is one of the things that guides her business and life decisions and keeps her sane in the superficial world of fashion, runway models and dramatic designers.

Kelly seeped into public consciousness by appearing on MTV reality shows such as "The Hills" and "The City" where she was portrayed as an uber-b***h boss, ordering pretty interns to work harder,faster, longer and fire fellow colleagues who weren't going to cut the mustard in the world of PR. She also has her own show now on the Bravo network; "Kell on Earth". It was through this show that I was introduced to the world of Kelly Cutrone and the Public Relations company that she founded; "People's Revolution".

I found Kelly's no nonsense management style to be breath of fresh air. Her no frills office space is clean, modern and edgy. She works daily with world's top designers in the fashion industry and is the real deal. She IS her own brand and markets herself well. She tells her readers that there is a reason she dresses in all black. Its her uniform. She likens her staff and her extended family an army; one that is fighting the good fight; that of honesty, integrity and damn good straight-up business sense.

Kelly's story is a compelling one, and extremely relatable. She encourages ALL women, no matter what industry they may be in or are pursing, to find their true voice, to listen to their instincts no matter how wacky they may seem, and make career choices for the right reasons; not by guided by voices from your parents, your friends, Hollywood or society in general. Kelly's book is an inspiration and should be read by all women who are interested in bettering themselves in their career and life in general.

Book Review: The Heroin Diaries by Nikki Sixx

Photo by Richard Chavez.

I have just finished reading the Heroin Diaries by Nikki Sixx. Wow; what a mind blowing book. When I mentioned to friends that I was reading a book written by a member of the infamous bad boys of hair metal 80's rock and debauchery, people sort of gave me a puzzled look, such as (why? what could he possibly have to say?)if they even knew of Nikki Sixx or Motley Crue at all. I can promise you all this; Sixx has A LOT to say. And what he says and how he portrays it through a collection of notes and a dairy where he meticulously noted his life and how he felt during Christmas of 1986 to Christmas of 1987 are the core of what makes this book great and not just another rockstar ex-junky telling his story.

The layout of the book itself sets it apart from others; its written on 411 pages of glossy paper complete with artwork and "doodles" from Sixx himself which adds impact to the words on the page and further brings you into his state of mind. The gaps and notes are filled in as diary progresses by the people who were involved at the time, their recollections of the situation and Sixx's state of mind and behavior; band mates, Tommy Lee, Vince Neil and Mick Mars, managers and music producers, ex-girlfriends (Vanity of 80's fame Vanity 6 and ex love of Prince was heavily involved with Sixx and his addictions that year), and importantly, his grandfather, mother and sister. He documents the pain and misery that he inflicted upon those that loved him a cared about him the most at a time where he didn't care if he lived or died. He wanted to experience life to the fullest by pushing himself to the limit until there was no going back. Sixx was legally dead in December of 1987 after an overdose (notably his 2nd one) and was brought back to life through an adrenaline shot to the heart.

Sixx admits today that he is not the same man that he was in 1987. He says that the Nikki Sixx of 1987 would HATE the Nikki Sixx of 2009. And that is a good thing. Today he is more passionate than ever about his band(s), the Crue; which he pulled back together after many years of estrangement and he admits wasn't at all easy, Sixx AM (an new band with James Micheal and the impressive guitar playing master DJ Ashba), a clothing line, and President of music label Eleven Seven. Above all he is committed to helping others fight addiction. He has stated that if he can save one life from addiction through his work and his book than it is all worth the effort. A portion of the proceeds from the soundtrack related to the book are donated to a Charity called "Running Wild in the Night" founded by Nikki for Covenant House to help troubled and homeless kids get off the streets.