Archives for June 2011

June 28, 2011

Fashioned for Hope Event & Help Gilda’s Club

Fashioned for Hope

Cancer…..unfortunately I can’t think of anyone in my vast circle of friends whose life has not in some way, shape or form been transformed by that word. In NYC alone, nearly 35,000 people are diagnosed with cancer. Each diagnosis affects not only the person diagnosed, but an entire circle of family and friends. Thankfully there are organizations that offer support, social and emotional, to all people with all types of cancer, as well as their families and friends, so that no one has to face cancer alone.

Having a mother who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, Gilda’s Club has always been near and dear to me. Gilda’s Club is named for Gilda Radner, the brilliant comedian and one of the original cast members of Saturday Night Live who died of ovarian cancer in 1989. Gilda’s cancer psychotherapist Joanna Bull had encouraged Gilda to seek support from The Wellness Community, founded by Dr. Harold Benjamin in Santa Monica, California in 1982. Gilda shares extensively about her experiences at The Wellness Community in her book, “It’s Always Something”. It was her dream that anyone touched by cancer would be able to receive the kind of emotional and social support that she had found. After her death, her husband Gene Wilder, his friends Joel Siegel and Mandy Patinkin set out to fulfill Gilda’s wish that “no one should face cancer alone.” In 1991, they reached out to Joanna Bull and created the Gilda’s Club program and opened the first Clubhouse in New York City in 1995.

 Since opening, Gilda’s Club NYC has offered a place where men, women and children living with cancer – and their families and friends – can join together to build social and emotional support as a supplement to medical care. The success of their flagship prompted the formation, in 2000, of Gilda’s Club Worldwide, an organization dedicated to developing a national network of clubhouses. Gilda’s Club NYC serves all five boroughs of NYC and strives to meet the growing needs of the cancer community by offering support and networking groups, workshops, lectures, social events, and children’s and teen programs all free of charge.

On Wednesday, June 29th, join ModaCYCLE.com, Lion’esque Media, and host Alex McCord in a designer clothing auction to raise money for Gilda’s Club. Designers contributing include Nanette Lepore, Tracey Reese, Chado Ralph Rucci, A. Detacher, Araks, Loris Diran and more of New York fashion’s most exciting names. It will be held at Millesime at the Carlton Hotel, 88 Madison Avenue. Admission is complementary. Come out, support and continue to help Gilda’s legacy grow!

 RSVP to: http://fashionedforhope.charityhappenings.org/

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June 27, 2011

21 drops pre-blended therapeutic grade essential oils offer a natural solution to help you feel better naturally

Essential Oils have been used throughout the ages for the purpose of healing and helping us feel better via body, mind, and spirit. 21 drops has taken this knowledge, and developed combinations of various 100% natural, organic or wild crafted oils from the “healing properties” of plants that focus on 21 problems that most of us, at one time or another, have issues with.

When given the opportunity to try 21 drops, I was extremely enthusiastic to check them out. I had decided that stress was something that seems to be ever-present with the type of work that I do, and was absolutely ecstatic when my roll-on bottle of “#11 De-stress” (pictured) arrived.

I followed the easy instructions (and I quote from my #11 De-stress information sheet) to apply early, and often to temples, wrists, collarbone and front of the neck. Dab under nose and breathe in frequently throughout the day.

For me, I start my day with #11 De-stress! It can be used “anytime and anywhere”. My bottle of #11 De-stress is always with me, and it imparts a calming, more balanced, and not as “anxious about things” demeanor that I usually tend to deal with.

Here are the ingredients in #11 De-Stress (Quoted from 21 drops information Sheet) :
•Frankincense resin oil
•Lavender flower oil
•Ylang ylang flower oil
•German chamomile flower oil
•jojoba seed oil (carrier)

Take a moment to peruse their very informational website: www.21Drops.com

There you can find out more about aromatherapy, information about ingredients used in their blends of essential oils, and all about their company and dedication to creating these wonderful blends! You will also be able to see all the 21 blends you can choose from and purchase right on their website!

It gets even better! You can even find out how to have a special blend created just for you….if you wish.

And….they have new 21 Drop Trios! ( and I quote from their website) Our new Trios combine our remarkable aromatherapy blends into sets that make sense in the context of daily life.

Once again, I encourage you to enjoy all the aromatherapy information and 21 drops products that are available at :www.21Drops.com

I give 21 drops a 5- Star review!

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June 25, 2011

Topical Treatment with Botox Results?? Sign Me Up!!

Anatomy of a Wrinkle Alleviated With Skin 2 Skin

 

With age comes wisdom—and wrinkles! Of course most of us would forgo the wisdom when we spy those wrinkles on the brow, forehead, around the eyes and lips that seemingly weren’t there, or weren’t as noticeable the night before! At first, we think we are imagining it, but we’re not. Years of being exposed to sunlight, environmental free radicals, and even our facial expressions weaken our skin, leaving us gradually with wrinkles.  Like it or not, as we age, our skin thins, the connective tissue weakens, we produce less collagen and elastin, leaving us with those fine lines that become deeper and more pronounced with age.

Chances are, it is when we first start to see these wrinkles that we begin the never ending quest to find anything that works to slow down the process and make them (please!!!) go away! Most doctors will tell you that is possible to take preventive measures against wrinkle damage.  Their simple solutions would include the following:

1)      Protect yourself from sun and environmental factors as much as possible.

2)      Boost collagen and keep skin hydrated.

3)      Be smart about skin care. Pick products that work.

4)      Soften muscle contractions.

 What is it about the softening of muscle contraction that makes it important? To understand the anatomy of a wrinkle, it is important to understand how our skin works.  Our skin consists of three layers.  The first layer is epidermis, the thin protective layer. This layer has rows of cells resembling a brick wall, with the new cells at the base. The dermis or the middle layer contains connective tissue, blood vessels, nerves, sweat and oil glands as well as the cells that produce collagen. Collagen, along with elastin weaves through the outer layer, giving our skin flexibility and firmness. The base layer or the subcutaneous layer is composed of connective and fat tissues.

Remember being told when you were making a face as a child to be careful because your face would freeze that way? They weren’t kidding! Anytime you make a facial expression temporary folds in the skin form where our muscles move. The collagen in our skin develops a memory of each crease. Collagen production decreases with age and the skin thins. What are those lines deepening in the forehead? You are looking at those muscles remembering movement and staying contracted. Not pretty is it?

What can you do to lessen and alleviate these lines? Keep the muscles relaxed!  One reason Botox is so popular is because Botox lessens the contractions of the muscle causing them to relax. It acts as a muscle relaxant by blocking the neurotransmitters that cause muscle contraction. Botox cosmetic injections are popular because they are a simple, minimally non-invasive procedure that is easy to perform and consistently achieves good results. As of 2007, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons estimated that 4.6 million procedures were done in the US alone.

The effects of Botox are temporary. The results wear off in about three to four months, and the muscles will then contract again. The contractions appear gradually. The goal of Botox is a subtle softening of the lines.  The average cost of a Botox treatment anywhere from $300 to $500. Multiply that by 3 or 4 times a year. OUCH!!! It can become a pricey addition to your budget. Vanity aside, I personally I can think of better ways to enjoy the money.

If you are just starting to see those lines, or if they aren’t that deep, there is no need to run right out and book that Botox appointment. Get yourself a bottle of Skin 2 Skin’s Un-Wrinkle Forehead & Crow’s Feet Cream. STAT!!! This intensive cream is formulated with three powerful peptides (Argireline 20%, Snap 8 10%and Dermaxyl) that calm the muscle contractions that lead to the deep wrinkles on the forehead, between the brows and crow’s feet.  Dermaxyl hydrates the skin and helps mature skin to function like younger skin. By using these powerful smart anti-aging peptides together you will see a 60% wrinkle reduction within 28 days and continued smoothing of the skin over time.

If you are using Botox, then this cream can also be used to get longer wear out of your treatment. Like all of Skin 2 Skin products, (www.skin2skincare.com) the Un-Wrinkle Forehead & Crow’s Feet Cream is a natural, USA made, Medical Grade, Certified Organic, double duty cream that works to repair existing skin conditions and prevent future skin damage. It contains some of the highest concentrations of anti-aging elements known to science, designed to repair, rehydrate and enhance skin elasticity, while noticeably reducing wrinkles and improving the skin’s appearance and balance.

A less invasive treatment and certainly a much cheaper alternative to Botox would be to use Skin 2 Skin Un-Wrinkle Forehead &Crow’s Feet Cream. As much as I have earned every one of those laugh lines, frowns, scowls, etc., I’d rather not wear them on my face! With age does come wisdom—–the wisdom to use smarter products!

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June 24, 2011

Brenda Novak, New York Times and USA Today Best Selling Author, is presenting a very special book offer!

Here is an opportunity you don’t want to miss!

I was fortunate enough to receive and read Brenda Novak’s newest novel ,INSIDE, which will be released on June 28th. This thriller keeps you on edge from start to finish !

Here’s a review from Night Owl Reviews (and I quote) ” INSIDE is a brilliant mix of danger, romance and spine chilling thrills. Readers will enjoy the first installment of Ms. Novak’s Bulletproof Series, and will eagerly await the next installment.”

Leave it to Ms. Novak to come up with an irresistible offer like this for her fans !!

When you purchase INSIDE during it’s launch week (June 28th -July 4th) you will receive an Ebook Download of Brenda Novak’s “FIRST” book, titled OF NOBLE BIRTH! Can you believe it!! This sought after book is a real collectors item.

Go to www.brendanovak.com to find out all the details how you can receive two books for the price of one! There’s more… You will even be able to read the first chapter of INSIDE, and some more amazing reviews of this exceptional new book.

What a phenomenal opportunity!! Don’t miss out…

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June 22, 2011

Hey NYC…Do You Kiss and Tell???

Hey NYC…..do you kiss and tell??? If you don’t you will now! Join Fresh and their pop-up trucks around the city the next couple of days. On Thursday, June 23 and Saturday, June 25, Fresh will have their trucks around the city (see locations at http://www.fresh.com/content/popuptrucks). Inside the Kiss and Tell trucks, you will receive a Free Sugar Lip Treatment of your choice and get a SugarLips Experience, a beauty ritual that nourishes, protects and perfects your pout!  

Kiss & Tell Pop Up Trucks

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June 21, 2011

Christina Hendricks is named ambassador for the 2011 “Latisse® Wishes Challenge” that benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation®

The 2011 LatisseWishes Challenge was recently announced, and I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with their ambassador for this year, the very talented Emmy nominated and well known film and television actress, Christina Hendricks.

I asked Christina what inspired her to try the prescription treatment Latisse® that grows your eyelashes “longer, fuller, and darker.” She mentioned that she had been thinking about improving her eyelashes for quite some time. “I’ve always felt my lashes were short and thin, and in my profession, I wear a lot of false lashes and makeup, which take a toll. So when LATISSE® became available, I was curious to learn more. My doctor talked with me about lashes, and I was surprised to learn that some women may notice their lashes thinning over time. Women who notice these changes in their lashes now have the option to talk to their doctor about LATISSE® and see if it’s right for them,” said Hendricks. Christine was also very interested in helping the Make a Wish Foundation that benefits from the Latisse®Wishes Challenge“.

Christina shared a touching story about how she had found out about Make-A- Wish when, as a young girl, one of her classmates faced a life threatening illness. Quoting Christina, “LATISSE® is also a brand that contributes to children, and I couldn’t think of a better cause to support than the Make-A -Wish Foundation. When I was seven years old, I saw firsthand the difference a wish can make in the life of a child when a girl in my class got her wish to meet Eric Estrada.”

Christina is a very versatile actress, and eager about the beginning of another new season of the extremely popular (Television Series) MADMEN. .

I asked Christina about some recent films she had done that we could look forward to seeing, and she was very enthusiastic about a musical called “COMPANY” that she was in. It was filmed at the Lincoln Center and was released on June 11th. Cristina enjoyed doing “COMPANY”, and would like to do more musicals in the future.

She also spoke about the movie “DRIVE”, and what a great experience it was working with director Nicolas Winding Refn, and actor Ryan Gosling. (DRIVE is due to release in Fall of this year: Source-IMDB.com) .

I told Christina that the 2011 animation, “ALL-STAR SUPERMAN”, where she did the voice of Lois Lane totally got my attention, being a commercial voice talent. She said that it was really fun, and would love to do more animation! Christina has a terrific voice, and I look forward to hearing a lot more of her in future animation productions.

What an interesting interview with such a delightful person. I had only one more question for Christina and that was, with such a busy career, what do you do when you get some “Christina” time? She said that she enjoys cooking, knitting, and spending time with her friends, and her husband Geoffrey Arend.

Wishing all of the best to you, Christina, as you begin your ambassador duties with the 2011 LATISSE® Wishes Challenge!

(As quoted from the Press Release) “Inspired by the tradition of blowing on an eyelash to make wishes come true, the campaign (LATISSE® Wishes Challenge) is gaining momentum for the second year by rallying women in support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation®, a non-profit organization dedicated to granting wishes of children with life threatening medical conditions.”

Here’s to Beautiful Eyelashes! LET the MAGIC of THE “LATISSE® Wishes Challenge help grant wishes to the children with life threatening illnesses across the country!

Find out how you can be a part of this wonderful endeavor by visiting : www.LatisseWishesChallenge.com

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June 19, 2011

Treat your skin to Chella Foaming Cleanser Lavish Soufflé

Here is a cleanser I know you’ll enjoy. It’s 5-Star sensational! This is one of those products that you really can’t wait to use. It has a creamy consistency that just feels so good and truly has you looking forward to your cleansing regime!

What I really enjoyed about the Chella Cleanser was how it’s foaming soufflé texture cleaned so gently, and how smooth and pampering it felt as you worked it into a lather using circular motions, massaging Chella gently over your skin as the delightful aroma of grapefruit, vanilla and lime added that extra little finishing touch to complete a wonderful cleansing experience.

After completely rinsing off the product, I was quite impressed with how clean my skin felt, while still maintaing a soft hydrated finish.

Ingredients in Chella Foaming Cleanser include (quoting from their literature) :
•The combination of coconut fatty acids with aloe vera leaf juice to provide a gentle cleanser, and take off makeup without irritation.
•Barley and sandalwood oil extract as emollients to hydrate the skin.
•Sage, calendula, and chamomile to pamper the skin with healing herbal extracts.

Chella Foaming Cleanser is for all skin types.

Chella is generally found in spas, but you may purchase Chella’s complete line of skin care and other products on their website:
www.chella.com

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June 14, 2011

Celebrating Flag Day with Fashion Designer Douglas Hannant

 

June 14th is Flag Day in the US. Almost all countries have a flag day. Usually it is the day designated for flying certain flags (normally the national flag) or it is the in the case of the US, the day to commemorate the nation’s adoption of the flag.  I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the day, than by showing fashion designer’s Douglas Hannant’s Naval inspired collection for Douglas Hannant Resort 2012.

The designer showcased his collection last week on the flight deck of one of my favorite museums….The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum (http://intrepidmuseum.org/). Models strutted down the runway on the picture perfect day with a slight breeze blowing and the sun-setting over the Hudson River. The 40 look collection, primarily of red, white and blues, high-lighted the look which Hannant is so well known for- couture sportswear separates, made up of impeccably tailored, versatile pieces in luxurious fabrics.

Hannant’s first collection was in 1996, and he has long been a favorite of the Park Avenue set.  His looks easily go from the office, to dinner, to charity functions. His evening gowns are often bold colors made of soft flowing fabrics that manage to highlight the female form. His designs are sexy, dramatic, and Hannant has no problem adding to the drama with beads, fringe, sequins, lace, ruffles and other luxurious trimmings.

This show continues the tradition! With gorgeous gowns, flag dresses, halter dresses, hot pants, bomber jackets, it was hard to pick a favorite look! There were too many favorites! Paired with gorgeous shoes, hats, (provided by Eric Javits), sunglasses, (provided by Modo), and vintage jewelry, (provided by Albino Riganello), the collection was a crowd pleaser!

To see the entire collection, courtesy of my favorite fashion photog Shawn Punch, see http://shawnpunch.photoshelter.com/gallery/Douglas-Hannant-Resort-2012/G0000jW0lVYZ0dy0/

 

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June 10, 2011

Want Your Hair Stylist to Love You? Spread the Word–Wella!

 WELLA PROFESSIONALS CELEBRATE REDHEADS

 From the red carpet to the runway, one of the hottest trends this spring and summer is tinted tresses. The color of choice: RED.  Stars like Drew Barrymore, Scarlett Johansson, Mandy Moore, and Blake Lively have all recently been spotted donning luminous strawberry and copper locks. My hairdresser confirmed this, and said not only was it the hottest color around, those that went red, were not opting to go blonde for the summer, rather they were going more strawberry. Celebrate the redheads!

Wella Professionals, the global leader in salon color had an inkling long ago that fiery red hues would be taking spring and summer hair care by storm. As part of the global leader in salon color’s 2011 trend forecast, the brand revealed the bold red hue with PASSIONISTA,.Created by Wella Professionals Global Creative Directors Eugene Souleiman and Josh Wood, alongside the Wella Professionals Creative Team, the PASSIONISTA trend was born out of the exploration of sophisticated codes of passion, seduction and sensation. Love is communicated through the confidant allure of ultimate femininity, and RED, the definitive symbol of love, makes bold statements through an eclectic blushing palette from soft nude pinks to burning hot reds. “I wanted to create the right red for Passionista,” notes Wood. “I wanted to capture the moment and the strength in the hair.”

 While Haute Couture and Hollywood may have already embraced the trend, the real work comes in taking the trend from the runway to the streets: taking inspiration from it, personalizing it, and interpreting it into street styles and living looks. Wella knows this transformation doesn’t always come easily, and is giving stylists across the globe the chance to make their mark as true visionaries and express their own signature styles. From now until June 30, 2011, the best talents in the hair industry will have the opportunity to showcase their talents by entering Wella Professionals Trend Vision 2011 hairstyling competition and interpreting Passionista or one of three other Wella Trend Vision 2011 themes.

 Encourage your favorite stylist to enter by visiting www.wella.com and complete the online entry before June 30, 2011. The winner of the US final will represent the United States at the international final in New York City with an all-expenses paid trip. They will also receive PR support and coverage, training and the chance to take part in Wella events throughout the year, such as shows during New York Fashion Week. And having your hair stylist forever in your debt? Priceleless!!!

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June 9, 2011

Keeping Cool in the Summer Heat-Stay Hydrated!!

It’s another scorcher in the city! At temperatures that may break records! All of this and summer is officially two weeks away! As temperatures soar, it is important to remember ways to safely tackle the heat. One of the easiest ways to beat the heat and stay healthy is to raise that glass of water, and keep raising them!

We have all heard the best advice is to keep ourselves hydrated. Did you know the best time to drink fluids is BEFORE you are thirsty? By the time you notice you are thirsty, your body is already dehydrated. I try to get myself on a schedule, drinking water as soon as I am up, before I go to bed, and consciously making sure I have water every hour and half. If you are planning on exercising, or being out in the sun, you need to drink more as those activities will put you at a serious risk of dehydration which can lead to other heat related illnesses including heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

What to drink? While a cold beer may sound like an ideal way to beat the heat, alcohol can actually speed up dehydration.   Avoid drinks with caffeine and alcohol, as they stimulate urine production and lead to an increase in the loss of fluids.  Water is the best liquid to drink. I’ll admit it has taken me years to actually like drinking water, so as boring as water may be, I figure out ways to dress it up and enjoy it! I will often add fruit, vegetables to my water and flavor it. My mix today is strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, pineapple and ginger. Mix together and refrigerate for a couple of hours. I try to make a mix every night before bed. Sports drinks, such as Gatorade are also good as they provide electrolytes that you lose with sweat.

How much fluid is needed? They say that adults need 17 to 20 ounces before beginning an activity, as well as 7 to 10 ounces every 10 to 20 minutes during the activity. The hydration doesn’t stop when the activity is over either. Another 24 ounces of fluid is needed within 2 hours of the activity.

Most children spend a greater amount of time outdoors in the summer weather. Because children have a larger surface area in relation to body mass, they often gain heat faster than adults. Children, especially those 18 months or younger, are especially susceptible to heat related illness. A good rule of thumb is that children need 4 to 8 ounces before beginning an activity, 5 to 9 ounces every 20 minutes they are outside and 24 ounces after they have stopped their activity.

There is a fine line between how heat affects adults, and there is even a more profound way that it affects the elderly. Be a good neighbor—check on neighbors that are elderly or sick. Offer to do some errands for them. Make them some flavored water. Play it forward!

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that there are over 300 deaths due to heat related illnesses every year.  The sad fact is that most of these deaths are preventable, and could be prevented from knowing the realities and symptoms of heat related illnesses.  Symptoms of heat related illnesses include:

  • Dry lips and tongue.
  • Headache.
  • Weakness, dizziness, or extreme fatigue.
  • Concentrated urine that appears darker than normal.
  • Nausea.
  • Muscle cramps.

It’s important to remember that anytime a person who has been exposed to heat becomes disoriented or unconscious, immediate medical attention for that person must be sought.

Keep plenty of water available for all of our animal friends as well!

Stay safe and beat the heat!

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