Friday, August 15, 2014

The Teen Choice Awards Gifting Suite Shopping Guide for Back To School

By Laura Medina
"Red Carpet Events LA" Tote Gift Bag for the Teen Choice Awards.

It's that time of the year again, Back to School where parent and kid duel it out over what's they need, they want, and what you think they need and want.

The Teen Choice Awards Gifting Suite pretty sums up the current trends of some really nifty stuff that both parent and kid both want and can live with.  Some of the stuff in the gift bag pretty has items that the parent may want to "borrow" for her and himself.  Remember, sharing is caring.


The industry's emerging hottest talent showed up for the gifting suite, of course...

 http://www.hotironholster.com/index.html

Now, here is something both parent and child need to live with, to keep the peace, Hot Iron Holster.

When tweens first discover hair styling, that habit will carry on for a lifetime, well into marriage.  As for now, the battle ensues over whose styling iron, blowdryer, and hot air brush gets counter/sink space.

The president and founder of Hot Iron Holster, and mom, invented the Hot Iron Holster after fighting over counter space regarding a pedestal sink.  After whipping up a silicon oven mitt and a hot pad sewn together as the first Hot Iron Holster to hold and store hot and active curling iron then to cool and store, she knew she was onto something.

Pretty soon, the Hot Iron Holster brought peace to a many bathrooms everywhere.  This heat-resistant, malleable, silicon pocket holds enough room for a curling iron or two, or a curling iron and a curling brush or/and a blow dryer.  The attached flaps has suction cups to grip and hold onto any sink or counter top, close enough for styling in bathroom mirror yet far away enough from electrocuting oneself over running water.

Using her home as a real-life product testing lab, she has since developed the Lil' Holster, mini water-proof, self-gripping pockets for soap bars and razors sticking to shower wall or dish brushes over the kitchen sink.

For the Martha Stewart wanna-bes, there's the Hobby Holster to hold your hot glue gun.

The Hot Iron Holster is a wise investment to keep the peace, from high school to shared dorm bathrooms to first roommate to husband-and-wife battling over counter space in a cottage of a house. 

The Hot Iron Holster and the Lil' Holsters are great for storing his and her hygiene and styling items that can be stored separately all-over onto the shower walls and bathroom counters. 

Think of the Hobby Holster as a toolbelt for her, a great gift for the sorority daughter who needs to decorate party spaces to crafting her own gifts as a lady or wife and mom later in life.

It's not just a space-saver.  It's a peace-keeper. 
 
 http://www.walmart.com/ip/Michael-O-Rourke-Rock-Your-Hair-Bombshell-Big-Hair-Powder-0.88-oz/22055

Ok, now, is the time over who fights over wants.  Basically, the mom spots the same stuff that kid also wants.

Since both the parent and kid are short on time and still have the pressure to look, at least, presentable, they'll both be grabbing at Rock Your Hair Bombshell Hair Powder, a simple "shake-shake" or a sprinkling of the powder volumizer "oomphs" up the hair without the heavy shellac helmet of a hairspray or the heaviness of a styling cream weighing your locks down.



 http://zico.com/products/ and http://us.soyjoy.com/


Fighting over healthy snacks versus candy bars are what both the parent and kid are dealing with over hectic-crazy work and school and after-school schedules.

Here are some snacks both will be carrying in their totes and backpacks to fuel them all day long.

Soy Joy's cake-like texture, rich and dense in soy and dried fruit, doesn't feel or taste fake like the majority of protein bars.  A quick breakfast and snack bar for on-the-go.

They can swig down Zico's Coconut water in chocolate, mango, pineapple, and passion fruit for extra electrolytes.

This is what the Teen Choice Awards Gifting Suite is all about, the latest in what both the kid and parent want...and need.










Monday, August 11, 2014

Pandora's Free Concert with Iggy Azalea & Rita Ora on the Santa Monica Pier

By Laura Medina

These kids in Santa Monica.  They're so spoiled.  They were treated to a free concert, on the Santa Monica pier, thrown by Pandora.


The musical performers that Pandora offered weren't slouches or emerging newbies.

These are the hottest stars, Iggy Azalea and ...


Rita Ora...

These LA kids got it so lucky, right before the school starts.


LuckyRiceLA Thrice, Third Time in a Row...

By Laura Medina
https://www.tastemade.com/@the_arriviste/MFxmO2y4S0WWOzBzWUPgDQ

This is the third year in a row this scribe has covered Lucky Rice LA.  This Asian foodie festival has steadily grew from the loading zone of H.D. Buttercup Furniture Store to the confines of the Book Bindery, both in Culver City to the more spacious environs of Create Nightclub on Hollywood Boulevard.

https://www.tastemade.com/@the_arriviste/MFxmO2y4S0WWOzBzWUPgDQ

Sure, the seafood was the main fare in the outdoor central courtyard, the main nightclub, and the side bar but the two stand-outs were Barbecue Beef Ribs by Seoul Sausage and Parks BBQ.

Seoul Sausage's Korean Spicy BBQ Ribs with Sweet Corn Cheese was candy-glazed beef.

The Parks BBQ Boneless Short Ribs wrapped with Radish and Rice Paper was succulent tidbit.

https://www.tastemade.com/@the_arriviste/MFxmO2y4S0WWOzBzWUPgDQ

The stand-outs at this year's Lucky Rice LA festival were dessert, dessert!!

Yes, there was a lot of sticky rice and someone has to do something with it.

Komodo did their version of rice pudding by whipping up Coconut infused Sticky Rice with Jackfruit and Brown Sugar.

Michael's Santa Monica did their take with their Honeydew Sago with Coconut and Sesame Crisp.

People are curious about shaved ice which was transformed into Fluff Ice in Lavender Milk Tea Fluff with Honey.

This scrumptious scribe's fave was BEP Vietnamese Kitchen's Lime Coconut Ice Sandwich with Sesame Butter Cookie.  The new ice cream sandwich!

https://www.tastemade.com/@the_arriviste/MFxmO2y4S0WWOzBzWUPgDQ

Among the sea of Bombay Sapphire East Gin cocktails, Big Bar's POP-CYCLES, adult frozen popsicle sticks infused with St. Germain Pastis in Lemon and Beet juice.  This refresher won this cocktail chic chick.  

This scribe wishes for more frozen adult treats during the dog days of Summer.

Lucky Rice LA is more than celebrating the best of Asian Cuisine in Los Angeles.  It highlights what's new and evolving in the food world, where trends happen.

Friday, August 8, 2014

The Indigos Making Their Formal L.A. Debut

By Laura Medina

The Indigos, Carson May & Amber Amanda, http://indigosmusic.com/

As a formal coming-out, Oklahoma indie-folk duo, "The Indigos," Amber Amanda and Carson May made their Hollywood debut at their album release party, "The Other Side."

It wasn't just a formal debut for their music but also for Amber's fashion design talent and skills.

Appropriately, they wore formal attire in the aptly named, indigo.

For Carson, Amber designed him an indigo velvet tuxedo blazer with black lapel, tailored along the princess line for a contoured, not tight, fit.

For herself, Amber crafted an indigo evening gown with gold filigree and black lace bodice.

This style-tracking scribe was in awe of her craftsmanship and musical talent.


Andrea Fletcher of MTV's

The Indigos are joined by other emerging talent.

Andrea Fletcher, of "Adventures with Angie" and MTV's "Catfish: Untold Stories Special, starring as Erin, couldn't wait to emcee The Indigos' album release concert/party.
    
 Spencer Owens, Salve Inc.'s spokeperson & the products he uses.

The new spokesperson for Salve Skincare, Spencer Owens also showed up for the performance.

He uses Salve Skincare's Breathe Deeply - Emergency Salve and Intense Moisture Body Cream, http://www.salvenaturals.com/index.php?route=common/home.


 http://indigosmusic.com/

Once they commenced their set, the audience were swooned by Amber's surprisingly wise and insightful songwriting reflecting on relationships gone wrong and starting over, in an intimate setting at Muse at 8th Cafe.

The mature and sly lyrics were set against the singular and crystal-clear guitar-playing by Carson, belying their youth.  No showboating here,  Carson's solo guitar was there to highlight Amber's contemplative musings.

The Indigos are a mellow but refreshingly rich alternative to their mainstream dance-pop peers.

When their dance-pop peers fizzle out like steal soda, The Indigos will be around longer, maturing like fine wine, meant to be enjoyed for a long time.








Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Free Summer Tune-Ups with Mimosa & 20% Off Brunch at W Westwood Every Saturday

By Laura Medina

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/happenings/detail.html?eventId=0900c7b981305f1b with Kit Rich

Did you get burnt and bloated from all these "Fun in the Sun," the food & booze festivals, the beach bashes, and the poolside parties?

Are getting equally burnt out on your routine work-out.  Plateauing and pooped?

Thank God, the free fitness tidbits of work-out classes are balancing out the food and booze fests this Summer.

The W Hotel Westwood (UCLA's real neighborhood) is getting people tuned up for free every Saturday morning, at 9am, for one hour at the tail end of Summer.  The fitness instructor/soccer tomboy, Kit Rich is helping us get ready for our new Fall wardrobe.


What Kit Rich is teaching and training, first thing Saturday morning, isn't your usual tiresome yoga but yogilates, the hybrid cross-over of yoga and pilates.

For every Downward Dog, there is a butt-lift to effectively burn calories from squeezing your gluts.

https://www.tastemade.com/@the_arriviste/0YqO19bsSQKQl4Vs9B7qmQ

For rewarding you for exercising up-and-early Saturday morning, The W Westwood, with kind help from Lucy Activewear, treats us to a free glass of Mimosa and 20% off Discount for Brunch after you made room for protein.

The W Westwood's Summer Tune-Up is open to the public every Saturday morning, from 9am to 10am, poolside until September 6th.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

The New Fall 2014 Basics

By Laura Medina

Since Back-to-School Season is right around the corner, we've been programmed to buy a new wardrobe to signal a new start, a new cycle.

These are the basics that you can already builld, the no-fail, classic Striped Nautical Sweater Dress from Bobi, "From Poolside to Garden Party then back to Yacht, Bobi's Striped Cover-Up/Dress," http://luxurist.blogspot.com/2014/07/from-poolside-to-garden-party-then-back.html, use this dress as the foundation to build your Fall wardrobe.

As the days get colder and the nights longer, you can shield yourself against the elements in this Bordeaux Suede Classic Bomber Members-Only Jacket, http://www.membersonlyoriginal.com/collections/womens-leather-jackets/products/suede-classic-bomber-jacket or cozy up in this grey NIC+ZOE Cable Knit Sweater.

For now, you make it up for missing out on the Target Missoni Collection two years ago, by snapping this Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Missoni Sneakers Collection at Nordstrom which was just released this week.  They all ranged between the affordable and comfortable
$85-$100.

As Fall transition into Winter, you trudge on through in this pair of Ziera Booties.

Just the basics to build upon your existing wardrobe for the next five years.




Monday, August 4, 2014

Fifth Annual Kiehl’s LifeRide Motorcycle Gang Ride for amfAR: Gilles Marini, Malcolm-Jamal Warner & Ben Cohen.

By Laura Medina

Kiehl's LifeRiders, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Gilles Marini, & Ben Cohen.

Gilles Marini's wife and family must be so proud of him doing an half-cross-country trek from the Midwest to New York for this next two weeks. 

For a Frenchman like Gilles, this is the idealized way of seeing America, biking on an Harley-Davidson from Milwaukee to the gateway of Europe, New York.

As far as this scribe knows, this is the second time Gilles Marini participated in being a "LifeRider" for Kiehl's.  His first time, he rode up and down the West Coast to end up in The Grove in Los Angeles a year ago.

Now, him and his fellow co-horts, Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Ben Cohen, to be joined by:
Tyson Beckford, model, Jay Ellis, actor
Kevin Robert Frost, CEO, amfAR
Conrad Leach, artist
Vanessa Marcil, actor
Gilles Marini, actor
Scott Niemeyer, producer
Grant Reynolds, actor
Katee Sackhoff, actor
Chris Salgardo, President, Kiehl’s USA
Teddy Sears, actor
Jesse Lee Soffer, actor...

are going from the middle (starting on this past Sunday, August 3rd) to the "Right Coast," the East Coast...finishing this leg in New York on Governor’s Island, New York on August 12th.

The leaders of the pack are Chris Salgardo, President, Kiehl’s USA and Kevin Robert Frost, amfAR CEO.
   
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152392544614457&set=vb.175168759456&type=2&theater

Kiehl's married two All-American heritage, their history as a Colonial pharmacy that made it's own skincare from scratch with Harley-Davidson to raise funds for AIDS Research.

Along the way, Kiehl's "motorcycle gang," The LifeRiders will make stops at six retail stores along the route, the company will donate a total of $150,000 over the course of the ride. At each stop, the public will be invited to meet the riders, learn more about amfAR, and contribute to the organization.

Come these two weeks, you might unknowingly drive pass them.  Here's a clip of Gilles riding his Harley in Chicago above.

In addition to store stops, Kiehl’s is sponsoring a monumental, open-to-the-public dedication of The AIDS Memorial Quilt, Aug. 11-Aug. 12 on Governor’s Island, New York. Kiehl’s and the LifeRiders invite New Yorkers to partake in the special tradition of activities associated with major displays of The Quilt including: unfolding ceremonies, new panel dedications and the Reading of Names for the duration of the display. This program marks the first time in nearly two decades that the City of New York has hosted The AIDS Memorial Quilt with a display of this magnitude.

At each stop, the public are more than welcomed to say "Hi" and the celebrity hottie riders are more than happy to meet and greet their fans.  Don't worry, they don't bite...

The ride will celebrate at the following stops, press and public welcome!
• Aug. 3: Ride Launch at the Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee, WI – 1pm – 1:30pm
• Aug. 4: Stop 1: Kiehl’s Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL – 12pm – 1pm
Stop 2: Kiehl’s Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL – 2:30pm – 3:30pm
• Aug. 6: Stop 1: Kiehl’s at The Somerset Collection, Troy, MI – 12pm – 1pm
Stop 2: Harley-Davidson event at Lake Erie Harley-Davidson – 5:00pm – 6:00pm
• Aug. 7: Kiehl’s at Dillard’s Great Northern Mall, Cleveland, OH – 11:30am – 12:30pm
• Aug. 11: World AIDS Memorial Quilt Dedication – Governor’s Island, NY – 4:30pm – 6:60pm
• Aug. 12: Stop 1: Kiehl’s at Macy’s Herald Square, New York City, NY – 11:30am – 12:30pm
Stop 2: Kiehl’s Rally: Kiehl’s Flagship Store, 109 3rd Avenue, New York City, NY
5:30pm – 6:30pm
Stop 3: Finale Celebration: 22 Little West 12th Street, New York, NY – 6:30pm – 9:30pm
• Aug. 11-12: World AIDS Memorial Quilt Display – Governor’s Island, NY

In celebration of LifeRide, every customer that visits one of these stores on the event day will receive a 15% discount on all purchases, with the exception of charitable products and value sets. Kiehl’s will donate that 15% to amfAR, up to the $150,000 total donation. (Each stop store will also offer the celebration discount on a second day, either before or after its stop; contact each stop store for details.)


Even if you can’t attend a ride event, as a Kiehl’s customer, you can join the fight against HIV/AIDS nationwide.

When you buy a jumbo-sized tube, limited-edition Ultimate Strength Hand Salve...big enough for the whole family or the whole body if for yourself...100% of Kiehl’s net profits from the sale of this product, up to $25,000, will benefit amfAR.

If you want to follow the LifeRiders' progress and see if you can meet them, follow them at Kiehls.com/LifeRide, #‎liferide5‬, @kiehlsnyc and @amfar.