Bastille Day! NARS FAll 2013 Sneak Peek & Lacoste Red, White & Blue Fragrance. Look & Scent like the French!

By Laura Medina

Okay, July the 4th is done and over.  What to do with all these leftover Red, White, & Blue rosettes and streamers?  Repurpose them for France's Independence Day, Bastille Day!

Ditch the barbeque for fancy puff sweet pastries and savory hors d'oeuvres, use Bastille Day to celebrate what we all like best about French culture, snacking on elaborate finger food we cannot make and guzzling bubbly champagne.

Leave the raggedy cut-off daisy dukes at home and make this Sunday an excuse to wear your blackest, chicest lingerie with her chicest yet Summer-y Little Black Dress, say in lace or linen or satin silk.  Shoot, go Rivera and pile on the jewelry on top of your tank and jeans.

Just in time, NARS will launch his Fall 2013 Preview at the 8412 Melrose Ave boutique.  This is how to look "French."

Simple Parisian chic-clean, creamy complexion finished with intense lip color.  For the traditional French red lips, Mysterious Red Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Crimson Red.  

For the "of-the-moment" fashion-forward crowd,  La Paz Pure Matte Lipstick in Orchid for a fresh take on the deep, rich Vamp look or a more current ginger/coral pink Peloponnese Pure Matte Lipstick.

You can go really girly fun with pink chiffon Paimol Velvet Matte Lip Pencil.

French chic is not just bold minimalism but also about subtlety, show your "French" and do a French manicure in these new nail polishes...

Fury in regal purple and dove grey Galathee nail polishes.

The big inspiration for Francois Nars was Helmut Newton's rival in the Seventies, the overlook but influential Guy Bourdin.  He made that ground-breaking but heart-breaking lesbian/bi-sexual Gia into the dark and sexy supermodel who paved the way for the dark and sexy but more wholesome Cindy Crawford.

Put those two together and they represent the Sultry, Sexy Disco Seventies.

We all know it's all about the sultry eyes.  Surprisingly, these eyeshadows are neutral with hot touch of teal....

If you're in a hurry and lazy because you have tons of more important events you need to rush to and still need to look fabulous, get these limited palettes and stash your kit in this sexy satin pouch...

For ginger-heads and fair-heads, you can go heavy on the deep but natural "Ride to the Moon" sultry browns eyeshadow palette.

Brunettes and deeper-complexions can go deep and rich with Fairy's Kiss plummy palette.

To complicated for you?

Don't worry, go to "how to get the perfect smokey eye" look at  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmcpeGfu5PU

Want to watch and learn, watch the behind-the-scenes of Nars Fall 2013 Ad Campaign with NARS Founder and Creative Director François Nars and model Toni Garrnhtt at //www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIxY7bObJ-4

Alright for the guys and those clean-faced androgynous, French preppy women (the true BCBG), you can "smell" French with Lacoste's Red, White, & Blue Fragrances, especially on a hot, sweat Sunday.

The iconic Lacoste Tennis Short, it can't go no more than French than that.


René Lacoste named his creation, "LACOSTE L.12.12 shirt."


L stands for Lacoste, 1 is a reference to the unique fabric (cotton petit piqué) and 2 means short sleeved. The second 12 relates to the number of prototypes that had to be produced until René Lacoste was happy with the result, giving a unique insight into the champion’s sense of perfectionism and hands-on approach to design.  

His company instill his beliefs into these three fragrances.  These resulting fragrances are as cool, refreshing, and light as his petit piqué fabric tennis shirt.
 

“With EAU DE LACOSTE L.12.12, we have distilled the experience of pulling on that petit piqué fabric which gave René Lacoste that all-important feeling of lightness, coolness and freshness. The fragrance comes in a collection of colors representing three different moods, classic and pure; masculine and powerful; or relaxed and natural.” Lewis Peacock, P&G Fragrance Creation Team

 

Rouge Edition

EAU DE LACOSTE L.12.12 Rouge harvests a triple blend of spices at the heart to create this energetic scent. The fragrance is introduced with a refreshing, colorful blast of iced red tea, spiked with spicy mandarin liqueur and juicy mango.  A second burst of energy notes emerge with a stimulating spice cocktail of Madagascan black pepper, Indian ginger and Guatemalan cardamom, which provides a vibrating contrast. The long lasting signature of this aromatic woody creation sustains its character through acacia wood accompanied by golden Laos benzoin and labdanum. The result is a masculine and spicy fragrance with a spirit that can be captured in one word – ENERGETIC.

Blanc Edition

EAU DE LACOSTE L.12.12 Blanc, which takes its inspiration from the classic white L.12.12 shirt, opens with a fresh, woody and herbal blend of grapefruit, rosemary, cardamom and cedar leaf to create a clean and aromatic first impression. These notes blend with a uniquely masculine, floral heart accord comprised of natural tuberose, ylang ylang and olibanum to give the scent its purity. The base of the fragrance merges cedarwood and georgywood with fresher notes of vetiver. The result is a timeless classic but with a masculine and woody tenacity.

 Bleu Edition 

The Blue edition moves from the pure classic scent of L.12.12 Blanc to something more powerful. The top notes combine a dose of citrusy grapefruit with cool aquatic notes of peppermint and watery fruits. At the heart there is a smooth and aromatic accord of sage which blends with an earthy dry down of patchouli, amber wood and oak moss to create a deep, powerful, and intensely masculine scent. 

French style, French fashion is all about the details.  

The square falcons with rounded corners and the constant back & forth development between France and Vietnam to source the right materials reflects Renee Lacoste's simple elegance.

Remember, French style is not about being outlandish.  It's good taste in simplicity.  Now, use Bastille Day as an excuse to enjoy the best of French culture and food and booze.  

It's your excuse to live like a French for a day-no excuses

Cielo Rosso Swimwear...From Sunset to Sunrise

By Laura Medina

 

http://cielorosso.com/shop/

As a fashion photographer who is lucky to shot swimwear on the beach, Michael Castillo didn't feel lucky.  More like concerned, he can't help but noticed and watched swimwear models constantly fidgeting with their bikinis and bathing suits, especially as they run, jump, and move.  The non-stop pulling and yanking adjusting, on the straps, strings, and openings, were holding back the shoot; and Michael would watch models being self-conscious, not being care-free as the fashion shoot he hoped for.

 

Determined to remedy this, Michael took it upon himself to make trendy, sexy, but comfortable swimwear that moves with the woman, unconsciously and care-free.  Traveling and living with models, he knows women need something dressier when they step off the sands and onto the sidewalk for shopping and dining.  He thought it would made sense to round out his emerging swimwear line with stylish and easy cover-ups constructed from the same swimwear and some eco-friendly but sensible bamboo sportswear/cover-ups that are great for travel and wear on remote, exotic locations.

While pondering of what to name his new swimwear line, Michael just always thought of this amazing red sunset on an Italian beach while in Italy.  It always pop into his head, can't get rid of it.  So, why not?  This is when he decided to name his line, "Cielo Rosso," Italian for "Red Sky," dreamy and sexy as his swimwear line.

Michael made the leap.  He went back to school to learn swimwear construction and fabrication.  He even partnered up with a creative director.  Despite just launching Cielo Rosso, Michael is still learning new skills and knowledge so he can further improve his line.

 

His fun and functional Cielo Rosso bikinis and cover-ups recently caught the eyes of Hollywood's Roosevelt Hotel, who asked him to personally design pool-friendly uniforms for their waitresses, exclusively for the hotel.  Cielo Rosso's comfortable halter tops, bandeaus, and wrap-skirts are comfortable enough for the waitress to cater to the hipster clientele while the hipster guests love staring at the sexy get-ups under the hot sun and sultry night.

This is a big triumphant for Michael.

 http://cielorosso.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=8

The plus for Michael was him adding lounge wear that doubles as cover-ups for the pool, the bar, the restaurant, the shops, and the sidewalks in creamy white, travel-friendly bamboo.  The entire cover-up collection has detailed stitched edges for durability and style.

Not so focused on the environmentalism but on the functionality for island-hopping, yachting, and jet-setting (he sensed this scribe travels a lot), Michael emphasizes the anti-bacterial properties, the lightness, the breath ability, softness, and toughness of bamboo.  The knits makes these cover-ups sweat-friendly.

These creamy bamboo lounge wear can double as sleepwear on a sweaty, hot night.  The fiber's anti-bacterial character helps.

The lounge wear, corresponding to the above photos, come in...

1. Siena-Organic Bamboo Lounge Pants, the perfect lounge pant for any destination.
2. Michaela-Organic Bamboo Long Skirt with contrasting white detailed stitched edges, is a super cute skirt, making it a great cover up for any swimsuit.

3. Arabella-Organic Bamboo Shorts are cute, comfortable and doubles as a cover up or just to wear out.

4. Organic Bamboo Ruffled Edge Sarong in luxurious bamboo fabric.  Its stylish design is the perfect accessory for any Cielo Rosso Swimsuit.

5. Rimini Cover Up-Organic Bamboo Shift Dress is the perfect cover up for any destination.

     6.  Some of his black cover-ups, such as this strapless maxi dress make for easier coordinating but with better options for dressing up.

Since the whole line can be rolled up into ball then tossed into a carry-on or tote bag, Cielo Rosso is ideal for resort-hiding and island-hopping jet-setting gypsies, a.k.a "the gypsets."

http://www.swimsuitbath.com/

Michael didn't stop there.  With a new collaborator, he wanted to prolong the life of his swimwear and cover-ups with a beach-friendly detergent, Cielo Rosso Swimsuit Bath, http://www.swimsuitbath.com/

A 8 oz. bottle contains 117 baths while 2.2 oz mini bottle holds 29 baths of this biodegradable and hypo-allergenic formulas that removes the chlorine to prevent your suit from yellowing while keeping the whites white and removes the chemicals and oils that are harmful to the fabric in your suit. 

In how to take care of your Cielo Rosso swimwear with Cielo Rosso Swimsuit Bath...

"Your swimsuit should be rinsed in cool water after each time you wear it whether for swimming or sunbathing. Perspiration and body oils react with the elasticity of the fibers causing them to stretch so removing them as soon as possible is important. The chlorine in pools can also harm a swimsuit's elasticity and cause the fabric to yellow, so prompt cleaning is very important"

"After rinsing out the suit, you must wash your suit. Plain water does not remove all the salt or chlorine. Refill the sink with water and add just a dime size portion of Cielo Rosso Swimsuit Bath. Turn your swimsuit inside out. Swish the suit around in the water, then let soak for a few additional minutes. When the water turns grey, that is the natural signal that the chlorine has been removed. Then rinse the suit well until water is clear. Gently squeeze - don't wring - the water out of the fabric"

 

Michael Castillo achieve something only a few swimwear designers, much less male designers, have accomplished...not functional but frumpy bathing suits, not sexy but silly bikinis...with daisy dukes as cover-ups...Oh no, he developed a complete resortwear line that is contemporary, sexy, and smart, all rolled up in one that can be worn any where in the world from Hilton Head to Miami to Mexico to Malibu.

Princess Di's Riding Helmet is Riding Back to the Royal Family and more Nobles to Come

 By Laura Medina

In a very kind and unselfish gesture, a woman is giving away her fiancee's gift for her and took it off the auction market then returning the gift to its rightful owner, the impending British royal heir, Kate and Will's expecting bundle of joy.

This gift appears to be pretty simple, a brown velvet riding helmet but it carries the weight of history.  This was Princess Diana's riding helmet.  She wore this when the British Royal Family gave her equestrian lessons to be part of the horse-riding loving family.

Once Princess Diana was done with her horse-riding lessons and the British Royal family, she gave it away to one of her assistants.  That assistant pass it through many hands, including hands of a Fred Hayman employee in Beverly Hills.  Eventually, the President of "In Person, Inc.," had it in her hands as a gift from her fiancee.  To relieve the clutter, Jean S. Beekman put the riding helmet on the auction market to make some extra money while cleaning out the clutter.

As soon as the news of the royal baby came out, Jean felt it was wrong to sell it away to another passing stranger who wouldn't cherish it as much.

Jean did what she felt was the right thing to do.  She is returning Princess Diana's riding helmet to her grandchild, arriving any day and time now in London. 

Welling up in tears in an interview, Jean felt it was selfish to make money off a stranger when it rightfully belongs to the next, upcoming generations of British royals.  If a princess, then it is expected of her to learn horse-back riding as soon as possible.  Her returning that child's grandmother's riding helmet as an heirloom is a continuation of a legacy.  Jean felt it isn't right to steal that away from the impending royal baby.

Princess Diana's riding helmet will be on display for the rest of the week.  Then, come Saturday (that expecting day), this heirloom will be on its way back home to London for the Kate's and Will's baby.

Since the whole world is going to be enthralled in anything Brit Aristo, this Sunday is airing the third and last Summer trilogy of "Secrets of Manor House" on PBS.

The third and last documentary is "Secrets of Chatsworth," this Sunday on the 14th at 8pm.

Following the success of the “Downton Abbey”-inspired special SECRETS OF HIGHCLERE CASTLE, SECRETS OF CHATSWORTH explores the estate’s extensive grounds and tells, among other accounts, the tragic tale of Billy Cavendish, heir to Chatsworth’s 10^th Duke of Devonshire, and Kathleen Kennedy. Kathleen, the sister of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, married the British aristocrat, only to lose her husband after only four months of marriage. Billy was killed in action in World War II. Four years later, Kathleen died in a plane crash and was buried at Chatsworth.

“What these magnificent estates have in common is not only a rich and immensely entertaining history, but a modern-day context as well,” said Robert Strange, executive producer at Pioneer Productions. “In their own ways, each house presents viewers with a living drama that stretches back for centuries yet still plays itself out today.” 

 “We are delighted to bring these specials to PBS,” added Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager of General Audience Programming for PBS. “British dramas are a centerpiece of PBS’ Sunday night lineup and this fascinating series adds a real-life dimension to those stories. These exquisite homes take on a dramatic new life once you understand the rich  — and sometimes twisted  — stories of Britain’s actual characters who lived in them. ”

Other than they're upper-crust, what's the connection between Princess Diana and Chatsworth House?  

They share a common ancestor, Lady Georgiana Spencer.

In the documentary, you'll find out she was the "Princess Diana" of her day, a spirited fashion plate who bucked conventions.  She was interesting enough to be the subject of a 2008 movie, "The Duchess" with Keira Knightley as her.

Oh shoot, just watch "SECRETS OF CHATSWORTH" this Sunday night at 8pm on PBS; and you'll find out.

This weekend is going to be British history butting against British present and future.
 

Let the Eating & the Guzzling Commence! Eater's Young Guns 2013 at LACMA

By Laura Medina

The two weeks before July the 4th, Los Angeles' Foodie & Booze Season was officially kick-started by Eater's Young Guns 2013 Showcase at Los Angeles County Museum of Art's open, central courtyard, conveniently right in front of Ray's & Stark's, the museum's haute restaurant and a couple of it's chefs were the star chefs that two.  Two chefs representing one restaurant in a food festival,..that's not bad!

As the showcase suggested, Young Guns foodie fest targets the emerging cultured foodies between mid-twenties to mid-forties but anyone of legal drinking age can sip and savor for this two fest.

Indie-folk trio, "Yellow Red Sparks," was one of the main entertainments, along side Bombay Sapphire Gin & Tonic and artisan beers.  One of the "Summer Suck Downs" (this Summer's easiest and most popular quaff) was Bombay Sapphire Gin's Raspberry Collins where the bartenders mix muddled raspberries (Los Angelenos are drowning in a fruit bounty) with gin, lime juice, and lime/lemon soda.  That Raspberry Collins stand had the longest line for two nights straight!

Don't worry, Young Guns Foodie Showcase isn't a drunken all-out booze fest.  Foodies merely used the yummy gin cocktails to quench their thirst in-between the delicious tid-bits from the country's best young chefs under 30, hence-"the young guns."

There were trends of marinating Kobe beef then shredding and mashing into spicy Sloppy Joes (childhood comfort food grown-up), and re-purposing overly sweet smoothies into the more savory but still Summer- appropriate Strawberry gazpacho, dotted with goat cheese and edible flowers by San Fran's Jessica Largey of Manresa.

Yet, the big hits among the munchers were from LACMA's Ray's & Stark's chef, Kris Morningstar.  Based on two nights of sipping while standing in a long line, his caramelized pork belly on Sunday night then his perfectly grilled octopus on Monday were not only hits but one was a feat unto itself.

Yes, his caramelized pork belly had the normally kosher crowd devouring it on a Sunday night but making pork fat and skin into semi-candy and snack-that's easy.

But, barbequing octopus tentacle had the high-heeled festival foodies on their feet.  Everyone was really taken back that something they normally associated with being tough, rubbery, and inky can be crispy on the outside, perfectly white like chicken inside, and the meat, moist and tender.  

Not everyone, much less most chefs, can grill and cook octopus perfectly but Kris Morningstar did, sans the bells and whistles and the molecular magic tricks.

Truth to be told, that Sunday night when this showcase started, was also the official start of Summer in Los Angeles.  The more popular dishes were light, refreshing yet filling (thank god they were enough to soak up the yummy booze) and seafood-based.  These chefs judiciously used the liquid nitrogen (the molecular gastronomy stand-by) to enhance the main ingredients of lemon-soaked fish crudo by making the side dish of rich into crispies and fish skin puffy and crunchy.

Of course being LA, folks seek out the spicy beef trend in Jason Wang of Xi'an Famous Foods' red-hot Korean lamb burgers (straight out of New York) and Ryan Lachaine of Underbelly's spicy and fancy Kobe beef "Sloppy Joes" done "Zone-style", lettuce wrap instead of in a bun.

This scribe might add that lamb burgers are pretty "haute" right now.  They're a limited-edition hit at Burger Lounge right now.

 

Since the target audience is the emerging Gen-Y and Gen-X foodies, Kettle Chips debuted new flavors and beer and wine pairings with their artisan potato chips for a more enlighten snacking.

Still, the best champagne was reserved as rewards, not awards, for those Young Gun chefs who traveled from all over the country to be rewarded.

 

Here they are, say "Hello" to the rising generation of taste-makers, Eater's Young Guns 2013.  After slaving over cookers in two hot days and nights, these guns deserve their own swig.

One of the "Young Guns" crack open his champagne bottle and started spraying people in a "golden shower," shocking one and lone Charlestonian, Brooks Rietz from "The Ordinary."

Being the Southern Young Gentleman, Brooks...the Charlestonian...was over-whelmed by "Southern Californian" hospitiality or the "love" he received here.

He can't believe that the City of Angels has its own die-hard core of foodies as such as Charleston.

Let's have a toast to this creative and impressive of class of Eater's Young Guns 2013.

Guess, this scribe has to reserve the appetite for the next class, next year.

However, let's the munching and slurping begin!

Next up...LuckyRice Festival LA, 2013 Edition, back in Culver City but in the bigger and yummier Book Bindery on Saturday, July 27th.

Staying Cool & Chic on Happy July the 4th!

By Laura Medina

 

Beach party bingo or down-home backyard BBQ...in a heat wave, we are all in the mood for some casual, not sloppy, patriotic, not tacky July the 4th Summer sweat-free cover-ups and sun dresses and casual classics we can gradually add into our closets...on a sweat-free budget.

There is nothing like a Brit showing Independence Love than British New York fashion expert, Jacqui Stafford showing us Yanks how to be stylish, sans sweating out the details.

She has tips for all body types.

For those lucky (or frustrated) stick-thin, straight up-and-down, you can't go wrong with the All-American Denim Jacket above.  Jacqui adoringly nicknamed you, "The Lipstick."

 

Jacqui knows not everybody is built perfectly and July the 4th is the time to feast in the middle of Summer, formality be gone.

Here, she offers a maxi bohemian skirt with a stretch waistband so you can kick back with freshly grilled burgers, steak, lobster, crab, and beer at the beach bake or the backyard grill with a pool.

Since the most of you all will at the pool, this maxi skirt is a great pool side and beach cover-up.

 

Can't go wrong with timeless, border-less nautical stripe in black and white in a Summer-friendly tank top.

This closet classic is very forgiving for those small on top and wide in the bottom, pair with a lightweight linen, stretch dark skinny denim makes you even sleeker.  This scribe swears you will still be rocking this come Fall when you top this tank with a dark blazer.

 

For those blessed with a Fifties' "Mad Men" womanly physique and you fretting you can't find anything trendy, modern, and spot-on and the actual vintage dresses do not your real physique, have no fear.  You can rock that retro-sque sun dress that is slightly more dressier than a relaxed caftan or maxi.  You'll fit for a proper garden party...do save this number when the occasion arrives.

For those who want to de-emphasize your hourglass figure, go fashion-forward trendy, this simple sleeveless silk blouse in perky polka dots emphasizes the perkiness while the loose but straight-forward button-down tailoring in breathe-able silk makes it a great Summer staple.

Remember, Jacqui Stafford's style mantra, "You don't have to be rich and skinny to be fabulous."

Following that, here are a couple of affordable styles from Kohl's and Sear's Kardashian Kollection.

 

The striped v-neck, cap-sleeved tee-shirt dress and white capri jeans by Jennifer Lopez and Rock n' Republic red blouse and "Stars & Stripes" cut-off denim shorts are great for the dock and the pier.

Call It Spring's pumps and sandals and clutches are quickie chic.

These are at Kohl's right now.

Want to save extra dough so you can have the picnic, the BBQ, and the clam bake of your dreams...but you still want to look appropriate?

Sear's Kardashian Kollection offers the everyday gal fashionable basics at basic prices.

Their dresses range from evening poolside cocktail to White Party.  Their tees are comfy on a sweltering afternoon for ice cream and smoothies.  Their skinny jeans are figure-friendly.

The Kardashian Kollections Bikinis are adorably cute, not skanky.

Their Hollywood-sque totes and satchels are the best Summer time investments because they still look great into Fall.

If you want a basic but chic boating essential, this hoodie is patriotic, not kitschy.

If you're the host or the hostess, you're in charge of food, booze, and decoration.  Basically, you volunteered to be an event planner for the afternoon.

Instant tying linens, from Hen House Linens, onto backs of chairs and as a table cloth is quick, easy, and cheap.  If you want to be extra fancy, you can accessorize with napkin rings and dinner napkins as the finishing touches.

Dressed, checked. Accessorized, checked. Food, checked. Booze, checked. Grill, checked. Seaweed, checked. Boat, checked. Grill, checked. Beach permit, checked.

Go celebrate the 4th of July!