Stuck in a Rut for Halloween? L.A. Opera meets Bloomingdale's, "Dress the Fantasy"

By Laura Medina

Stuck in a rut for Halloween?  Running out of fuel thinking about what to wear?  The slut strut is done...many times over.

Hit your local museum, if you have one, your local opera company.  Shoot, even dig through your closet, your mom's closet, or your aunt's closet or hunt through a thrift store or a vintage boutique rack for some real costumes.

That's what Bloomingdale's Ready-To-Wear Fashion Director, Stephanie Solomon would do during Bloomingdale's cocktail party celebrating the Los Angeles Opera's opening season...

"Every piece of clothing in this room will become historical costume at some point.  They’ll just have to morph into historical costume since they represent a certain point in time, a certain era, a certain historical moment in time.   Say you take that colorblock dress then show it in the future, you can say that colorblock dress was the trend in the year 2012.  If the pop culture is relevant then today’s pop culture is tomorrow’s history."

"I believe women are in costumes everyday of their lives.  They get up in the morning, in some degree, they wear a costume.  They think about how do they feel that day or they have a business morning today, what do I do to look impressive, put on a sharp suit today…and you dress the fantasy."

"The same influence you have in costume design is the same influence you have in haute couture design during haute couture week. You have an image. You have a vision. Haute Couture runway show reads like an opera. Like in an opera, they execute the fantasy, except no one is singing."

"Translating RTW into operatic costume…dressing onstage is similar to a woman dressing for a black tie event. You dress to fill a fantasy or share a fantasy. This is why I love the theme, “Dress the Fantasy.” Every time a woman dresses for a special occasion it is aspirational. She wants to feel like and dress like a diva in an opera."

"Lady Gaga, Madonna…these are the new style icons.  These girls are over-the-top. They unafraid to break the rules. They are living the fantasy. They wake up, feel like wearing that feather hat or top then go through it then all of a sudden, what they’re wearing is the hottest thing in the world and these girls are the leading style leaders and this is where fashion is heading."

For Halloween, the era Stephanie would love to mine is...

"My favorite era for costumes is the ‘70’s when the word “hippie” was tossed around, everybody wore bell-bottoms and women went wild, talk about costumes."

For the Los Angeles Opera's Costume Designer, Mattie Ullrich, costume design is more current than you think.

She and Stephanie both agree whatever is current today will be historical tomorrow, especially when the most fashion-forward haute couture of today will translate into costumes.

But for Mattie, she learned to use contemporary construction and experimental fabrics lifted from the haute couture runways for her designs for the L.A. Opera because she has to...

As soon as she graduated from fashion design school, back on the East Coast, she had no choice but adapt fashion-forward construction, such as heavy boning, and experimental fabrics for off-off-Broadway productions just to get her feet wet in costume design for the stage.

As for the fancy head dresses, Mattie informed that there are specialized departments within the thirty-staffed Costume Department at the L.A. Opera, that just build hats, gloves, and jewelry.

So, dust off that fascinator.  Wreck the rack at your thrift shop or vintage boutique.  Do your research at your local opera company, if you have one, for your Halloween ideas. If not tonight, even next year.

Happy Halloween!

How About Pairing a Wine with Your Updo at Blo.W Hollywood

By Laura Medina

In this proliferation of Dry Bars and salons just specializing in blow-outs, like Jiffy Lube specializing in oil changes, Blo. W Hollywood, the W Hotel Hollywood's salon, is pairing Be. Wines with the hair do of the month.

Ok, until tomorrow, October's updo and wine pairing is this fun and yummy, Flirty Pink Moscato with Messy Side Chignon. 

This scribe can't think of a better way to kick off a night a glass of dessert vino with a rosee of an updo.

Be. is a line of wine created especially for millennial women designed to be stylish, fun and break the rules.  Instead of pairing wine with food, you can mix and match your wine with your 'do at Blo W. Hollywood. 

The hairstylist, Michelle, is a twenty-years veteran and an artist.

The Messy Side Chignon isn't messy in her hands.  She creates body with precisely rolling and pining sections then spraying volumizer over them.  Then, she teases the hair into a big, sexy blow-out to give it pouf then tame it into a sleek chignon.  For the finale, Michelle twist the bun into a crafted rose of a bun.

That rose of a bun and that chignon stayed put through-out the whole night and the next day, never a strand stray out of place.

Located on the same block of the W Hotel Hollywood and across the street from Pantages Theater, actors, in-between, dash to Blo W. Hollywood for a quick and refreshing wash and dry from hours sweating it out in wigs on-stage.

Tourists find it convenient to get their glamour on and get the Be. Wine of the Month with the updo of the month, something they can never get back home.

Like any hair-styling salon, the services cost a normal flat fee of $35 but at Blo W. Hollywood, they come with a glass of the Be. Wine of the Month.

Next month, for November, the featured style will be the Half Up/Half Down Bouffant and the potential pairing will be Be. Radiant Riesling.

The finale month for this pairing will December, in time for the holidays.  It will be the High, Sleek Bun (a ‘must’ for any holiday soiree).  The wine pairing can Be. Bright Pinot Grigio or Be. Fresh Chardonnay.

Can't think of a better way to start off the holiday season, a new hair do and delicious glass of wine of the month.

 

Not your normal "fruit of the month" club.

Ke$ha's new Baby-G Watch for Casio...the Second Time Around

By Laura Medina

Last night, Ke$sha rolled out her newest, latest, and second design collaboration with Casio's Baby-G Watches.

At a press conference at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, modeled her second watch design, along with gearing up for the launch of her second studio album, Warrior, which is scheduled for release on December 4^th 2012. 

Taking on her sophomore design effort with the same warrior spirit, Ke$ha debuts a tough and trendy watch to match her style sensibility.

Launching in December 2012, the limited-edition Baby-G x Ke$ha watch reflects the eye-catching essence of the “Die Young” singer/songwriter. Ke$ha drew inspiration for her BGA160KS-7B watch from the evolvement of her personal style while keeping with trends of the season.

"Just like music, fashion is a form of expression. And as you might have been able to tell, I’m all about expressing myself,” said Ke$ha. “Having a good time with your style is so important, and that’s why I’m thrilled with the design of my new go-to accessory with Baby-G!”

The limited-edition BGA160KS-7B Baby-G x Ke$ha model is a classic timepiece perfect for any outfit or occasion. It features a white, matted shimmer band and a gold Roman numeral index. The watch takes wrist wear to a new dimension by mixing this tough resin band with 3-D metallic gold accents, special hand crystal details and a LED light that shines in different colors.


The Ke$ha-branded accessory is not only fashionably on-trend, but it also offers multi-tasking functions such as a UV-ED “neon illuminator” light, shock resistance, 100M water resistance, world time from 27 cities and 29 time zones, four daily alarms, countdown timer, 12/24 hour formats and a mute function. This watch warrior is perfect for keeping the pop star on time and in style while on tour!

The limited-edition BGA160KS-7B Baby-G x Ke$ha model is a classic timepiece perfect for any outfit or occasion. It features a white, semi-gloss case & gold pinstriped band with Ke$ha's signature logo and a gold 3D Roman numeral index consisting of four layers. The watch takes wrist wear to a new dimension utilizing a Neon Illuminator in which a black light LED illuminates special luminous ink on hour markers, the hour and minute hands, and on the dial. The result is a dazzling array of colors.

The Ke$ha-branded accessory is not only fashionably on-trend, it's also tough with a shock resistant & 100-meter water resistant structure and offers functionality with 27-city world time , 4 daily alarms, countdown timer, stopwatch, 12/24 hour formats and a mute function. This warrior's watch is perfect for keeping the popstar on time and in style all tour long!

“Ke$ha’s standout character and mass appeal is the ideal pairing for our upbeat Baby-G brand,” said Shigenori Itoh, Chairman and CEO of Casio America. “Merging our fashionable and functional watches with a fun, fearless and charitable star makes this collaboration a perfect fit for our consumer.”

The limited edition collaboration watch will be available this December at Tourneau, Nordstrom, select Macy’s stores and fashion boutiques, at $130 for the BGA160KS-7B. Please visit www.baby-g.com.

At the press conference, asked what she'll be for Halloween, Ke$ha said she doesn't have time to shop for costumes but she'll take one of her penis costumes from her tour and flop around in it for Halloween, balls a flopping.

Since her first claim to fame was as a songwriter for the likes of Brittany Spears, Ke$ha would love to get into Beyonce' head and write her a song because she thinks Beyonce is amazing.

Tiger Beat Magazine asked her what advice would she give her 13 years-old self, other the questionable outfits, her advice to her younger self was "Fuck the haters. Be yourself."

Her biggest splurge is the biggest bed she can get her hands on, spacious for her, her friend, and her cat.

People Magazine wondered what outfits to wear with the new Baby-G watch, Ke$ha suggested it looks great when you're naked.

When it came to this scribe's question in how she came to collaborate with Casio Baby-G Watches, she said it came really easy.  Ke$ha was very familiar with the brand when she first played and composed on their Casio keyboards.  When the watch collaboration was started at the time of "Tik-Tok" last year, Ke$ha came to it really naturally.

Not only is Ke$ha the style ambassador for Casio Baby-G Watches and a design collaborator for last year's collection and this latest watch, she is ambassador for the Humane Society's Street Dog Foundation that rescues street dog all over the world.  Casio made a very generous donation to the society.

Here she is with ...left, Senior Director of the LA Office of Humane Society International, Beverly Kaskey and in the middle, CASIO Senior Marketing Manager, Mike Princiotto

Detox, Cleanse, then Recharge

By Laura Medina

Ok, you've running the treadmill. Nope. Not the one at the gym, but the global-trotting, driving, running (not jogging) one where you attend meetings, arrange then network at events, eat and sip (or guzzle) whatever is on the tray, and fly all over.  You're just relieved you didn't get lost, didn't get into a car wreck, or lucky be, didn't get a parking ticket.

In other words, you run the "fashion marathon." 

Now that your system is a wreck from buying and schmoozing for a good one to two months, it is time now to renew and recharge and start fresh....remember the major gluttony call "the holidays" are just around the corner.

These detox juice systems will clean your gear while refueling your cells.

BluePrint Cleanse Juice System started this all.  They made detoxing and juice cleansing more forgiving and more realistic, leading the way for Kaeng Raeng, an adjustable juice cleanse powder.

Instead of you buying a heavy and expensive juicer or dealing with a messy blender then buying the fruits and veggies then figuring out when and what to drink, BluePrint's detox sets and Kaeng Raeng's adjustable powdered fruit and vegetable powdered mixes gives you the option for juice or smoothie with water, milk, or fruit or vegetable juice. 

BluePrint starts everyone off with a 3 stage detox, the first set is the easiest with the most variety of flavor then the third one is the most intense with the least amount of flavors.

Let's start off with the easiest one, the one that does all the thinking for you, BluePrint Cleanse.

The Renovation Cleanse is the easiest for those who need a nudge into detoxing.  The flavors are already set for you.  It is a gentle and fun way to start detoxing.  For those living on fast food on the go or road, Renovation Cleanse is a good way to gradually start your system running and slowly get rid of all those yummy toxins like fast food and whatever food at the party.

BluePrint Cleanse calls this set, "a gateway cleanse," as it may encourage you to experiment with the next two levels of the BluePrintCleanse. This "Class-A" cleanse will leave you addicted to feeling amazing and wanting more.  This cleanse is designed for the absolute beginner—the "I'll have my martini with a side of steak, please" type—and for that we applaud you. Typically, the renovating type is one who could stand to lose a few pounds, or perhaps a few more than a few. You like to indulge, sometimes in excess—a few extra drinks here, a few extra smokes there, but hey, who's counting? Maybe you have a family history of health issues. Point is you're a real person, who is about to feel real results. 

The Renovation Cleanse fills you up with six delicious juices per day—a combination of creamy cashew nut milk with vanilla and cinnamon, combination fruit juices like pineapple & mint, refreshing lemonades with agave nectar and nourishing green juices. More smoothie than algae.

The Renovation Cleanse is for the everyday person or rehabbing from bad eating habits.

Foundation Cleanse is for those smack dab in the well-balance middle.  Neither the extreme. Enjoy the fine things in life but needs to clean one's palate or has a run-in with a guilty pleasure, those in the middle will find the Foundation Cleanse not too light nor intense. Just right.

The Foundation Cleanse fills up the gourmand with six delicious juices per day—a combination of creamy cashew nut milk with vanilla and cinnamon, combination fruit juices like pineapple & mint, refreshing lemonades with agave nectar and nourishing green juices.

The most intense level of BPC, Excavation, is designed to flood your body with chlorophyll, restore your alkaline balance, and seriously rest your insides.  This is for the hardcore and the experienced.

Excavation provides the cleanest way of juicing, as it omits certain foods that would otherwise slow the detoxification process.

There is little fruit and aside from cayenne, no herbs/spices (i.e. garlic, onion) are used. Certain foods that are used in previous cleanses, such as carrot/apple/beet juice and other fruits with a higher glycemic index, such as pineapple, have been eliminated. Excavation focuses on juices that trigger detox and elimination, such as citrus (spicy lemonade), which act as “cleaners” and green vegetable tonics which act as “healers” and, ahem, “sweepers.”

Excavation takes you much deeper; it digs down to a cellular level, and leaves you feeling brand spanking new.


For those still on-the-go and need a reliable pouch of powder cleanse that can be used and adjusted in many use, from juice to smoothie to meal replacement, KAENG RAENG.

"Skinny Bitch"-approved a.k.a. Kim Barnouin, this gluten- and caffeine-free, vegetarian-friendly mix, vouched by Jennifer Lopez, Lauren Conrad, Alicia Silverstone, and JWOWW, frees you from hauling heavy bottles of juices.

These light-weight but potent powdered mixes detox and cleanse the body, acts as weight-loss system, removes toxins, boost the immune system, and eases the digestive system while giving you the option to drink them thin as juices or as thick as smoothies or as a meal replacement shakes.  For fun, you can use water, juice, or milk (dairy or soy or almond).  You can also blend it with liquid, frozen fruit, or ice for a thicker, sweeter smoothie or milk shake, doesn't feel like a cleanse or a diet.


The accompanying shaker has two measurement lines.  The lower line is for the lesser amount of liquid for a thicker smoothie.  The higher line is for the larger amount of liquid for a thinner juice.

Whichever system you choose is based on how comfortable you feel in starting then continuing your detox/cleanse system.

Either way, you'll clean out enough toxins, you'll be ready for the holidays and the Awards Season just around the corner.

Tender but Tough, RevitaLash for Cancer Patients and Survivors

By Laura Medina

A simple tube of mascara can perk up a cancer patient's spirit, but a tube of lash conditioning serum packed with benefits and accompanying friends with benefits does wonder.

It all started with a tube of lash conditioner. 

Michael Brinkenhoff, M.D. developed RevitaLash as a special gift for his wife, Gayle, while she was recovering from metastatic breast cancer treatments. Gayle’s beautiful eyelashes had become dull, brittle and lifeless. Dr. Brinkenhoff believed that he could find a way to give Gayle’s eyelashes the look of renewed health, strength and beauty. Thus, an entirely new and unique cosmetic product was born; and a gift created originally for just one special lady has become a product available to men and women everywhere who want to have attractive, beautiful-looking eyelashes.

This became the original RevitaLash lash conditioning serum.  The one that started it all.

Self-esteem defeating hair loss is a common side-effect of chemotherapy.  Witnessing his wife's hair loss in her lashes, the RevitaLash team came up with RevitaLash Advanced Hair Conditioner to thicken and boost the hair strands appearance and people's self-esteem.  A blend of unique conditioning agents like Gingko Biloba, Ginseng Root, Japonica, Fruit Extracts and Wheat Proteins, which help to fortify and strengthen thinning hair.

It takes 4 to 8 weeks of daily application, Hair ADVANCED by RevitaLash, enhances the appearance of thin and fragile looking hair.


It's a pretty powerful product, only a small amount (1to 2 pumps) is needed for maximum conditioning results, a money saver.



How can anything with a tender backstory be so tough?

Once the mascara is done, you need an eyeliner.  RevitaLash's Raven 12 Hour Eyeliner is tough. It has the staying power to withstand heat, sweat, and dust without a blur, a drip, or a smudge. You can smudge the eyeliner for a soft, sultry look as soon as you apply it then smudge with the sponge applicator. 

This scribe worn this during two television interviews and an appearance during the dog days of Summer; and it never melted or dripped or faded.

Smudged or precise, RevitaLash's Raven 12 Hour Eyeliner is still there but can be washed off with soap and water or makeup remover.

If you lashes can be enriched, why can't your brows?

RevitaBrow Advance thickens weak and faded eyebrows with peptides and botanicals to strengthen, condition and nourish eyebrows.



To make your lashes even richer and fuller, first swipe this Revita Volumizing Primer onto the lashes then swipe another coat of the original Volumizing Mascara for a healthier look.



For a soft-focus effect or just to blur those crinkles and wrinkles around the eye area, use the combination of RevitaLash FineLine Primer and RevitaLash Spotlight Highlighting Pencil.

Quickly and lightly, pat this luminious and moisturizing cream primer with a pearly sheen to fill in and soften those lines then...



Lightly draw this RevitaLash Spotlight Highlighting Pencil over the primer as a light-reflecting concealer, covering up those fatigued bags and crinkles, for an awake look.

RevitaLash covers all your bases for eye makeup but it still hasn't forgotten it's hair roots, a simple tube of lash conditioning serum that boosts dying eye lashes then expanded into a conditioner to thicken a frail head of hair.

Athena Cosmetics, the company behind RevitaLash, gives back 20% in online sales in October to breast cancer charities. Its philanthropic activities have been focused on several organizations dedicated to the breast cancer community across the country including the Breast Cancer Research Center, Susan G. Komen Walk for a Cure, American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Revlon Walk for Women, City of Hope’s Walk for Hope, Entertainment Industry Foundation and Cancer and Careers.

They haven't forgotten their roots.

Lotions, Potions, & Pick-Me-Ups when You Undergoing Cancer

By Laura Medina

Estee Lauder saw thousands of women, at first, suffering in isolation from breast cancer.  The more she investigated, she realized that men, too, suffered from it in further isolation.

As a makeup and skincare maven, she knew their potions and lotions and cosmetics are not magic bullets to kill cancer.  Still, she knew a just portion from her huge profits is enough to fund research to manage and find a cure for it and educate people about the illness and how to detect it for prevention and awareness.  Estee knew that her existing and evolving lineup of products of creams and lotions can ease the discomfort of dry and sensitive skin suffering from chemotherapy treatments.  Her makeup can boost someone's self-esteem. 

Most importantly, she lifted that veil of shame and made cancer patients and survivors more welcomed in society while increasing awareness of one's health.

In honor of Estee's 20th Anniversary of her Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, here are a line-up of her most popular products where a portion of the proceeds goes directly into Breast awareness, research, and education.

Sure, the following products are not cure-alls, not magic bullets; but they ease the pain and make every minute and everyday more comfortable.  What's really great, a portion of the proceeds goes back into research and education to make life a little better day by day.

For someone whose skin is a wreck from the medications and the chemotherapy and the illness, itself,  this wide array of skincare products offer a little of something to ease and tackle the side effects.

ESTÉE LAUDER Perfectionist CP+R with Pink Ribbon Keychain and DARPHIN HYDRASKIN Intensive Skin-Hydrating Serum are both light-weight serums that easily quench thirsty, sensitive skin.  Their little, extra-something of advanced skincare technology and botanicals and antioxidants refreshes tired skin, imparts a refreshing radiance. 

While Perfectionist CP+R's CPR-75 Technology bump up collagen, laminin and fibronectin production (it was meant to tackle wrinkles), Darphin Hydraskin Serum may feel like a fly-weight but it's a potent powerhouse of botanicals and antioxidants that maximize water replenishment while enhancing skin’s natural ability to retain moisture.

All without the discomforting heavy layer of wax and grease sitting on top of the skin.  Once soaked in, these serums allow your skin to breathe...with an extra glow.  Now, these are the friends with benefits.

ESTÉE LAUDER Perfectionist CP+R with Pink Ribbon Keychain will donate 20% of the suggested retail price from every sale of Perfectionist CP+R with Pink Ribbon Keychain to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.

 DARPHIN HYDRASKIN Intensive Skin-Hydrating Serum will donate $10.00 from every sale of Hydraskin Intensive Skin-Hydrating Serum to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.

The cult classic, Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, may be the standard, reliable basic.  But it is so basic and still feather-light, that it makes a great base to add on antioxidant/vitamin and protein serums to boost it up and adjust to whatever your changing skin needs.  Plus, this lotion classic is found almost everywhere, easy to obtain and easy to customize.  $10.00 from every sale of this limited-edition Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion benefits The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® while supplies last, from September 15th to November 15th, 2012.

For when your skin is really fried, AVEDA Hand Relief™ is an incredibly rich moisture therapy soothing dry hands, leaving them noticeably softer and smoother. The hydrating plant-derived emollients, humectants, exfoliating fruit acids as well as antioxidants, including vitamins A and E, help diminish signs of aging and provide optimal relief.  $4.00 of the purchase price supports cruelty-free research
through The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®, with a maximum donation of $270,000.


Thanks to Breast Cancer Awareness, it brought awareness to skin cancer and the importance of sun protection, especially towards men.

Whether your skin is fried from chemo or your sun is blistering because you fried yourself under the sun,
LAB SERIES SKINCARE FOR MEN Daily Moisture Defense Lotion SPF 15 is light weight enough that your skin can instantly drink it in without the tackiness of traditional sunscreen (which irritates most folks).  While your thirsty skin drinks it in, this sunscreen infuses the dermal with antioxidants,  hydrates and protect skin from UVA/UVB rays, smoke and pollution. Doing all that, it minimizes signs of aging, smooths fine lines, and improves overall skin texture. It is formulated for all sort of skin types: normal, dry or oily.

Lab Series Skincare for Men will donate 20% of the suggested retail price from the sale of each Daily Moisture Defense Lotion SPF 15 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.

After enduring the meds and the chemo, it never hurts to perk up your mood.  Especially, now that you built your skincare foundation of collagen, antioxidants, and proteins to comfort your skin, a little bit of color to brighten your day and night never hurts anyone.

"When you feel good about yourself there’s no limit to what you can do – and that’s pretty powerful." – Bobbi Brown

Her BOBBI BROWN Pink Peony Set Illuminating Bronzing Powder & Mini Face Blender Brush makes for one great all-around blush and bronzer.  It's pink enough to give you rosy radiant cheeks yet it is bronzy enough to make it a simple but great eyeshadow.

This year, in memory of Evelyn Lauder and her profound legacy and devotion to The Breast
Cancer Research Foundation®, Bobbi Brown offers this limited-edition set featuring a Pink
Peony Illuminating Bronzer and Mini Face Blender Brush.  

Bobbi Brown will donate $10.00 from the sale of this limited-edition set to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.

ESTÉE LAUDER Evelyn Lauder and Elizabeth Hurley Dream Lip Duo Collection is a sexy and compassionate set in a chic and urbane, hot pink, faux snakeskin clutch, good enough for a night out.

Pure Color Gloss in Pink Innocence, chosen by Elizabeth Hurley, is a comforting balm and gloss with a yummy chocolate fragrance to it.

Pure Color Lipstick in Candy, a shade chosen by Evelyn Lauder, is pearly pink classic that goes well with any outfit.  

Remember, these makeup are pick-me-ups.  Once you recovered, ESTÉE LAUDER Evelyn Lauder and Elizabeth Hurley Dream Lip Collection clutch is roomy enough for your pinky BOBBI BROWN Pink Peony Set Illuminating Bronzing Powder & Mini Face Blender Brush, the Pure Color Lipstick in Candy, and Pure Color Gloss in Pink Innocence, a card, some cash, and an I.D. for a night out on the town.

ESTÉE LAUDER Evelyn Lauder and Elizabeth Hurley Dream Lip Collection donates 20% of the retail price to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Have you noticed that there are touches of blue with the Pink Ribbon emblem charms?  It is to remind people that men get breast cancer too.  In fact, the headlining Pink Ribbon Pin with a blue gem represents the 1% of men or the 2,000 men who are diagnosed with breast cancer every year.

Don't you know that Richard Roundree, a.k.a. "Shaft" is a male breast cancer survivor who underwent a double mastectomy and chemotherapy?  He is currently an Ambassador for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Which means Breast Cancer Awareness doesn't stop with the females, nor does it disappears towards the end of October. 

It continues into next month, "Movember," November for Men's Health Care Month, continue to see more skincare and style updates for the guys soon...

  

Remember, It's Breast Cancer Month

By Laura Medina

For October a.k.a. "Breast Cancer Month," Wacoal has some exciting initiatives on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter that make giving back easier than ever. All three #SupportTheGirls campaigns will result in donations to Susan G. Komen. 

Go to Wacoal on Facebook and hit "Like" then enter to win a wardrobe of lingerie. Wacoal will donate $1 per entry to Komen.

https://www.facebook.com/wacoal/app_194975693850063


On PinInterest, repin any pin from Wacoal’s ‘Support the Girls’ board with the hashtags #SupportTheGirls and #PinItToGiveIt. Wacoal will donate $1 to Komen for each repin.

http://pinterest.com/wacoal/support-the-girls/


On Tweeter, tweet follow @Wacoal + RT #SupportTheGirls and Wacoal will donate $1 to Komen. www.bit.ly/SuVtmb

https://twitter.com/wacoal


As you see, supporting Breast Cancer fundraising is pretty easy.  But for those already suffering and coping, it's tough.  The accompanying complications only makes the journey bumpier and lonelier.

Here are some thoughtful products that can make road smoother...

Madcapz are a chic twist on the baseball cap-- a unique design created just for women. A selection from the PINK Madcapz line makes a thoughtful gift for a cancer patient experiencing hair loss from chemo. In fact, Madcapz were created by a stylish woman who was losing her hair from Grave’s Disease and couldn’t find a cute cap to wear! Now, she’s helping other women feel feminine and chic with these cute caps. Madcapz will donate 20% of all October online sales to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. http://madcapz.net/

For those unlucky enough to discover then lost a breast or both at the late stages of breast cancer, there's a discreet and considerate recovery robe designed to disguise and cope during recovery, The Brobe.

The Recovery Brobe is a luxurious robe with an attached bra, designed for women who have undergone a mastectomy or have had breast reconstructive surgery. The award winning robe has pockets inside to hold post-op drains, and pockets are also built in the bra to hold ice packs during the healing process. This lightweight, soft loungewear has ¾ sleeves and hits just about the knee in length. What’s more, 10% of sales are donated to breast cancer research. http://thebrobe.com/.

Many women with breast cancer experience chemotherapy-induced menopause.

Designed with women in mind, coldfront® is a portable accessory that fits in your purse to ease hot flashes. 

Coldfront is a convenient solution and supports breast cancer research with a 5% donation. The personal cooling system includes two cooling gel palm packs the ‘recool’ inside the convenient carrying case allowing for multiple uses and constant relief. It's hormone-free and has no side effects like medications can often have and provides instant relief when a hot flash strikes. It also contains a super absorbent, reusable, quick drying cloth to remove excess moisture. http://www.mycoldfront.com/

Stacy London, Personably Yours, for Westfield Malls

By Laura Medina

The Scribe & Stacy London.



During her Los Angeles tour of Westfield Malls in Culver City, Stacy London sat down with The Arriviste and chatted about style in South California.

Since she is known as the uber-Manhattanite, it'll be interesting to see and hear what will her style be in the sunny So Cal. So, here's the chat...

Asked how her style will be different if she was born and raised in Southern California,...

"I'll probably wear boardshorts.  No, I'm kidding.  I don't know.  I don't know what my style will be like if I live here.  I think in general, California style tends to be more relaxed and laid-back.  I do believe that climate does have something to do with culture."

"The fact that it's beautiful weather all the time; and you don't have season here the way we do, like the extremes of the season like we do in the East Coast. It does dictate the environment because here you have a sunny beachy culture."

During and through-out the interview, this was not "Not What to Wear" at all.  Live in person, Stacy was accomodating and accepting and open to new experiences, new ideas, and new people. 

She even asked this scribe to jump right in and have her photo taken with this scribe, very welcoming.

On being asked what style advice she'll give to New York-to-Los Angeles transplants (very typical here in LA), Stacy reveals she's pretty open-minded to how they'll adapt...

On why they move to LA, Stacy jokingly commented, "Because they don't want to be depressed for half of the year!  I don't blame them!"

In between the giggles, back to the question of how New Yorkers adapt to the change,...

"Again, it's hard for me to say.  I see a lot of people in fur, faux fur because it's a look that they like.  I think a climate should dictate your fashion.  I think if you're looking for cultural description, in being very general,  it tends to lend towards more of a laid back style."

"If you're a transplant, you still have to figure it out for yourself.  What's your comfort level is.  Whether you want to retain to your seasonal look or adapt to a more laid back style, it is up to the individual." 



Since she's been in Southern California or "So Cal," Stacy lists her favorite things here...

"I love L.A.  I can't and still can't drive but I love the city.  I love 3rd Street (in the Mid-Wilshire, border line area of  Beverly Hills and West Hollywood where the Beverly Center Mall is located).  I'm a big Satine fan.  I mean to steal away and do some shopping over there.  I love Ten Over Six (in Melrose Place). I love Joan on Third for the cupcakes and cookies"

This scribe personally recommended that she tries Joan on the Third's Meringue-Nougat Cake, three layers of goodness.  She was impressed by So Cal taste.

Soon after, Stacy couldn't be happier than to jump right in and greet her fans who had been standing in line for hours.  No wonder she's a successful stylist.  She really shines meeting and greeting her fans and totally welcoming and accepting.  You can feel her "personal touch" in her presence.

Stacy loves L.A.!



The Damage is Done. Now What?!

By Laura Medina

Alright...you spent the past Summer relaxing, beaching, sun-tanning, boozing, surfing, sweating out a couple of pimples that you picked because you were too lazy to exfoliate and treat...or God forbid, you popped out your acne for cheap, simple fun; and now, it's costing you.

Now, your Summer-time bad habits are here to haunt you through connect-the-dots sun spots and zit pits and dark acne scars..; and you know you'll repeat the same thing again (except the sun tan is going to be replaced by spray tan and it will be too cold to surf). 

What to do?! What to do?!

As of now, it's blustery cold on the East Coast while the West Coast is still baking in Indian Summer heat.  This scribe has been through this all in extreme weather and climate and time zones.

Short of spending a fortune on laser treatments and saving you from the pain of medical grade chemical peel, these gradual but effective skin-recovering products will gradually and safely erase the damage while healing and pampering the skin.  Because God knows, your poor face needs it.

Psoriasis-stricken and eczema-suffering Matthew Malin of Malin + Goetz Skincare developed 10% Glycolic Acid Pads that are effective enough to do the job yet mild enough that any skin type can use it.

To erase the blotches, splotches, and those dots, gently wipe a Malin + Goetz 10% Glycolic Acid Pad over your face as a very gentle exfoliating peel for a clean start and base for repair.

Physician grade Glycolic Acid thoroughly sloughs away dead skin to encourage cell turnover, collagen production and to smooth wrinkles for a healthy, radiant glow. Highly effective glycolic acid clears pores and improves clarity and texture achieving maximum absorption without the irritation of an aggressive chemical peel.

After washing with a cleanser, smooth pad over face avoiding eye and lip area. Leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse with water to neutralize. After 3 weeks of use, pending tolerance, treatment can be left on overnight.

If you're still stuck in Endless Indian Summer; and it's sticky, hot, and humid well into Fall, Osmotics Cosmeceuticals Lighten FX is a light, grease-less line to fade to those dark spots away...without the harsh drying from most commercial acne treatments.

During the dog days of Summer, dab the Lighten FX 3x Dark Spot Remover, directly on the acne scar or "spot" itself and apply the Lighten FX Serious Brightening Solution all over your face for a efficient but oil-free "fade" treatment when your skin is still sticky and greasy. 

For those experiencing dry skin and acne scars with dark spots because it's cold right now on the East Coast,  RX for Brown Skin Hydrating Acne Set comes to the rescue. 

Yes, believe or not, acne-prone skin needs moisture to prevent oil glands from over-producing too much oil in tight pores which flares up those pesky pimples. Get it?  By adding a little, light moisturizer, those stressed-out oil glands can ease up and slow down in releasing those oils and your pores will thank you for that.

As your oil glands relax, RX for Brown Skin Hydrating Acne Lotion and Moisture Cream are great for adult acne where the surrounding skin is too sensitive to handle extreme teen acne cream.  As in, your skin is cracking apart and that pesky pimple is still there!

RX for Brown Skin Hydrating Acne Lotion is a soothing formula is ideal for sensitive skin and gentle enough for daily use.  This gentle, all-over, daily lotion fights acne at the source to stop breakouts, soothes sensitive skin and deeply hydrates to prevent dryness and flaking.

If you're blessed with oily, sensitive skin like this busy scribe, RX for Brown Skin Hydrating Acne Lotion's SymCalmin reduces redness, itchiness and sensitivity for inflamed, acne-prone skin.

During the depth of Winter, you can use RX for Brown Skin Essential Hydration Moisturizing Cream.  This lightweight, oil-free cream provides continuous hydration throughout the day to promote a smoother texture and velvety soft feel.  A soft but matte appearance, great for the more elegant holidays.

The Dynamic Moisturizing Complex draws in and absorbs water from the air to leave skin optimally moisturized throughout the day.

The DayMoist CLR improves skin’s hydration level for at least 24 hours after a single application.

The Shea and Cocoa Butters, in RX for Brown Skin Essential Hydration Moisturizing Cream, provides Vitamins A, E, F and essential antioxidants to help soothe, calm and replenish dry skin.

Both can be smoothed over Salicylic Acid-enriched Precise Clarity Acne Spot Treatment.

Osmotics Cosmeceuticals Lighten FX and RX for Brown Skin gently fade away dark spots and heal acne scars effectively, with continuous use, in one to two months while pampering the surrounding skin.

They do it without destructive hydroquinone, fewer the damages.

Now, you have light-weight Osmotics Lighten FX to heal the damage when it's sticky and you can switch over to the more moisturizing RX for Brown Skin when you need to add more moisture without clogging up the pores.

Remember, in using these fading products, always wear sunscreen-powder or lotion or cream or spray-over your face to save the repairs and to stop further sun damage.

This is how you repair the damage without the doctor's visit or the bill.

John Varvatos Rocks Bloomingdale's

By Laura Medina

John Varvatos, the Man, himself.

The elusive rock n' roll menswear designer to rock n' roll's gentlemen rockers and hipsters, made a rare appearance at Century City's Bloomingdale's in the men's department.

His appearance is three-pronged.  John is getting himself out there due to his rising popularity on NBC's "Fashion Star;" to debut his two "boutiques," John Varvatos and the younger, edgier, "John Varvatos, Star USA;" and to raise funds and bring attention to the charity that means the most to him, 826LA, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6 to 18 with their creative and expository writing skills and helping teachers inspire their students to write.



In his introductory speech, John paraphrased, "Not everyone is going to be baseball star or a basketball star or a football star.  Let's help the kids who will become great writers."  In a way, he's helping the kids who are different and who are bullied because their gifts are different and unique from the others.  Touching.

10% of John Varvatos sales from the evening’s festivities will benefit 826LA in after-school tutoring, evening and weekend workshops, in-school tutoring and help for English learners. More information may be made available at www.826LA.org.

 

John Varvatos' 5 Fragrances Collection, Left. Right, Star USA John Varvatos Fragrance.

As a rock n' roll patron, John always throw a free concert showcase for up-and-coming young bands he likes, at his main store, the ex-CBGB, in Lower Manhattan.

He's no different with launching his two "mini" boutiques inside Bloomingdale's.  He selected Alberta Cross, this Swedish-English duo, hailing from Manhattan, to christen his Bloomingdale's debut.

After being asked which one of his fragrances best fits this night's rocking mood, John instantaneously mention his Star USA Fragrance, the most youthful of the five which reflects the young band, Alberta Cross.

"...The newest fragrance, Star USA because it is the most rock n' roll of all our fragrances, in terms of the fragrance itself and the packaging.  (The packaging) is really industrial and the fact we have a concert, it really ties in real well with it."  

"Our other fragrances are more sophisticated and more refined.  Whereas with Star USA, it's more edgy.  Whether it's my age who feel youthful or for someone who's 20 years old."

"It's a little fresher, for sure.  No doubt.  Our other scents have a little bit more darkness to them, in a way.  Star is a littler fresher."

The fresh, bright notes comes from red ginger from Laos, juniper berries and cedrat. The middle note incorporates blue spruce, green cardamom absolute and osmanthus absolute, while vetiver, Venezuela tonka and belambr ground everything else.

The long and slender bottle and the spring-loaded cap is a take on antique beer bottles and the topper inspired by an old subway token.  The packaging idea is to offer tough, urban and young design.

Enough with the seriousness, onward with the party and the concert!

John treated everybody to Alberta Cross, rocking their British take on Southern Rock...and the usually prim and proper fashionista audience rocks and grooves along with them.

Gee, what a nice gentleman to give a rare treat; and what a fun night.  Rock on!