Heart to Heart Event @ Pranna

TresSugar guest blog

Hey everyone - be sure to check out my guest blog at www.tressugar.com!

SPREAD THE LOVE: TAKEN FRIENDS CAN MAKE GREAT MATCHMAKERS

Last Fall, I was in a coffee shop, trying to write, when I struck up a lively conversation with a charmingly suave, but not too suave, guy on an adjacent fireside couch. He had nice hair, warm eyes, and was wearing satisfyingly distressed Levi’s paired with manly boots — part cowboy, part John-Varvatos cool.

Through our chat, I learned that he was single and looking for, in his words, "a kind girl." I swooned in a married-girl sort of way, and then, on a whim, snapped his photo with my phone. Later that afternoon, I posted it on my Facebook fan page, sure that there would be some takers in the 404. Within an hour, there were over two-hundred comments from girls in Atlanta and all over the country. Parker Estep became an instant cult figure on my page, and my moonlighting matchmaking career was born.

A week later, I went to a speaking event in Sacramento, and during a local television interview, met the very eligible weatherman. I snapped, posted, fielded comments. A short time after that, while in LA for a screening of Something Borrowed, I cut my foot on a glass at the Beverly Wilshire. While at the ER getting stitches, I didn't forget my sworn allegiance to my Facebook girls — and snapped a photo of my smokin' hot X-ray technician. And so on and so on . . . until the idea culminated in a big party, this Friday at Pranna in NYC, to which I'm bringing my six favorite bachelor buddies, all of whom I've unveiled on Facebook to the giddy delight of my 50k mostly-female followers. Eric the surgeon from Boston, Jamal the actor from LA, Doug the entrepreneur from Philly, Joe the professor from New York, Zach the chiropractor from St. Louis, and of course, sweet Parker from the coffee shop.

I recently read that one in eight married couples in the US met through some form of social media — so I'm just hoping to do my part to spread the love. Ladies — if you can't be lucky enough to be seated next to Parker while drinking your latte, keep your eyes peeled on Facebook and take advantage of your entire social network, especially your taken girlfriends. They’re bound to know some eligible bachelors, as well as something about your taste in men. And guys — if dating websites aren’t working for you, you might want to try a couple of chick-lit fan pages (hint: it helps to read the book first!). Just don't forget to invite me to the wedding.

Tobi.com

Spring is coming... which means it's time to shop!

My sister recently recommended Tobi.com, a fashion site known for their incredible customer service. They've got looks from Alice + Olivia to Missoni, Frye to Tom Ford - and many more designers for women and men.

In honor of the upcoming paperback release of HEART OF THE MATTER, they're giving my FB friends 20% off everything on the site through March 31st -- simply use the code EG2011 when you check out. One lucky girl will also win a $250 gift certificate! To enter, simply post a comment on my Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/#!/EmilyGiffinFans) of what you love from their site. (I'm coveting the Alexander Wang toga dress!) Check out Tobi on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/#!/shoptobi) to see how you can win a set of signed books.

I'll announce the winner here and on Facebook on April 1.

SOBO dress

Working on my dress for the SOBO premiere with my assistant. This Oscar de la Renta looked a bit ridiculous on me (think Disney princess), but aren't the colors sublime? Would love to find something pink...

James Franco

Okay, pitiful Oscar hosting performance aside, I like this dude. Impressed.