February 17, 2011

Light up the night to help pets in need

 

The Second Annual Brooklyn Bridge Pup Crawl

 First of all congratulations to Hickory, the Scottish Deerhound who won Best In Show in the 135th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show February 15, 2011. She is an absolutely gorgeous dog!

I’ve always found it fitting the Westminster Show was held around Valentine’s Day. Our pets show us unconditional love! One of the best things I have ever done was adopt Carmella. She has added immense happiness to my life. If you have a dog, chances are you know what I am talking about. I was interviewing Polly Blitzer, President of Beauty Blitz Media awhile back, when I learned she had just gotten Trixie, an absolutely adorable puppy. Then she, our hair and make-up stylist, and I promptly got out our phones to pass around the pictures of our canine beauties. I am told those watching us found it amusing!

 In 2009, The Brooklyn Bridge Pup Crawl was launched. It is an exciting nighttime walk across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge that raised funds for six non-profit partner shelter and rescue programs in New York, California and Florida. The second Brooklyn Bridge Pup Crawl will take place on Saturday, April 16, 2011 beginning at 5:30 PM in City Hall Park. Hundreds of pups and owners will convene in City Hall Park to mingle and share some puppy love before we enjoy a beautiful nighttime walk across the historic Brooklyn Bridge to take in the  Manhattan skyline and help to feed pets in need. Carmella and I will be there! Seeing all the lighted leashes on the bridge is a site to behold.

The mission of The Pup Crawl is to help shelters and rescue groups care for the millions of pets who lose their homes every year. You can register for the walk at http://www.thepupcrawl.com. The recommended donation to register for the Brooklyn Bridge Pup Crawl is $25 per human participant, which includes a free Pup Crawl Lights-Up Leash. All proceeds go to their six non-profit partners.  If you don’t live in a “Pup Crawl” location, you can still help the cause by buying leashes and encouraging your friends to get some, too.  $3 from every leash sale goes directly to a local animal shelter to help pets in need.

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February 17, 2011

Congrats to Amy Nix and Nix and Stones

Boy, do I SO love seeing people we profile on It’s a Glam Thing get some of the National Exposure that they truly deserve!! Hats off to Amy Nix, who is an IAGT fav, not only for exquisite and unique jewelry, but also for her philanthropic work.  Here she is in the March issue of People Style Watch!
There’s a good chance that Amy may be NYC bound a couple of times this year. Please “Like” nixandstones on Facebook and keep up to date with all of her wonderful work! You can see her line at The Plaza Beauty!

 

 
 
 
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February 17, 2011

Fashion Week Recap-Nicole Miller

Black, grey, gunmetal metallic silver, with splashes of persimmon and cerulean blue were the colors of Nicole Miller’s Fall 2011 ready-to-wear women’s collection. Geometric shapes and angles that played on these blending of hues were evident as Nicole Miller drew on Sol LeWitt’s sculptures and drawings as her inspiration. Miller describes the collection as “Angles over curves”.

 LeWitt believed that if you looked at any line with your eyes and mind open, the transformations of the line were endless. It could be straight, curved, broken, soft, angled, thin, or thick. One should enjoy differences. He reduced his art to a few of the most basic shapes; triangles and  quadrilaterals. Miller pays homage to LeWitt with her geometrics and the collection’s diagonal darting and seaming giving the thirty-four look collection a hip-but-oh-so-cool vibe.

 The models sported sharp lines and shapes to their faces with a slightly geometric smoky eye, peach blush and beige-y lips and grey nails to help capture the look.

To see the entire collection, as captured by our favorite photog of the fashion tents, please see Shawn’s gallery at http://shawnpunch.photoshelter.com/gallery/Nicole-Miller-Fall-2011/G0000mmzRuApbMRE/

 

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February 16, 2011

Fashion Week Recap-BCBG Max Azria

Break out the turtlenecks!! And who knew they could be sexy??? Max Azria, along with his muse, wife Lubov (who is also the company’s creative director) shows the turtleneck not only a staple, but the anchor of his Fall 2011 collection. The thirty-four line collection showed long, sleek, minimalistic lines that had a slight ‘70’s retro feel, but brought up to date in the details.

Long, delicate silk crepe maxi dresses, tunics, coats, hooded jackets and accessories were belted and layered over white turtleneck body suits creating a long, elegant and sensual look. When the dresses were of neutrals, the mochas and beiges, they elongated and enhanced the color pattern. When the dresses were colorful, in the reds and blues, they created a modern and elegant color block effect.  Overall, the collection was clean, simple, minimalistic, but the flashes of bright colors and varying neck lines created a “fresh sensibility and innate seduction”.

On the runway, models with sleek ponytails and little make-up complete minimalistic look. Look for accessories such as envelope clutches and knee high boots to stay in style as they enhance this style.

To see Shawn’s complete pictures of the collection, go to  http://shawnpunch.photoshelter.com/gallery/BCBGMAXAZRIA-Fall-2011/G0000Ql.lQJ.FN2s/

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February 15, 2011

Fashion Week Recap-LUCA LUCA

Since its inception in 1991, LUCA LUCA’s reputation and distinctive fashion designs have positioned the brand among other iconic fashion brands as one of the leaders in the industry. Their first collection in the fall of that year saw a unique infusion of Italian craftsmanship, timeless elegance and an appealing modern edge.  Their pieces are unique fabric and color combinations, in an extraordinary spectrum of colors that are coupled with feminine silhouettes making the LUCA LUCA one of the favorites among the red carpet and society set.

LUCA LUCA has always appealed to the modern, sexy, sophisticated woman.  Raul Melgoza, the Creative Director since 2008, has added his own touches and inspirations to the line. For fall 2011, Melgoza stated, “This season was inspired by the adventures to be discovered in the deep woods—the beauty, the color, the fantasy. The whimsy of a fantastical late autumn forest exploration brings to life graceful, flowing pieces. Throughout the collection, femininity is flaunted with embroidery and willowy prints that metamorphose into delicate lace. The contrasting elements in each piece represent a sexy, sophisticated woman with an uninhibited desire for adventure.”

Melgoza’s mission was to create a sophisticated forest-inspired look by juxtaposing fabrics such as leather, suede and lace to create texture and dimension.  The collection consisting of 30 looks, was full of rich olive greens, chartreuse, and burnt sienna browns that are mixed with bold fuchsias, golds, reds and orange coming together for an autumnal array of spectacular grandeur.

I have been a fan, and this collection surely does not disappoint.  I love them all! To see the entire collection, check out Shawn’s amazing array of photos that do Melgoza’s designs justice at   http://shawnpunch.photoshelter.com/gallery/Luca-Luca-Fall-2011/G0000W0ST6MMDkKo/

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February 15, 2011

Fashion Week Recap-Kimberly Taylor

What happens when one of the hottest young designers teams up with one of the hippest blogsters??  You get a preppy meets urban hipster look. A look that combines fashion and fun is what you got when 25 year old designer Kimberly Taylor teamed up with Leandra Medine of the Man Repeller blog. And just so you know the Man Repeller is about the fashion that women love and men hate (think men’s wear inspired, boyfriend jeans and jackets). When Medine styled Taylor’s fall 2011 line, the result is a look that manages to attract and repel at the same time. It is a delicate balance, resulting in a gamine, preppy sexy and proper urban hip!

Presenting the 17 piece collection at the Dop Dop Salon in Soho helped cement the look. Minis with maxis, man inspired blazers and trousers, with pops of red and sapphire blue in all the right places.  Each piece in her collection can be paired up or paired down. They can be dressed up or dressed down. The potential pairings are unlimited. Taylor has captures a sharp look that has a young playful spirit, with sexiness in all the right places.

To see the entire collection, please visit our favorite fashion photographer Shawn Punch’s website at http://shawnpunch.photoshelter.com/gallery/Kimberly-Taylor-Fall-2011/G00001zQRz1zRXU8/

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February 15, 2011

Fashion Week Recap-Ivy h. Collection

Project Runway fans celebrate! Ivy Higa, who was a contestant on Season 8, presented her collection for Fall/Winter 2011. She started her label in the fall of 2008, and this is the fourth collection that she has presented.

Raised in Hawaii, Ivy used that as her inspiration for her sixteen look creation.  She used color and sequencing to show the journey of Kilauea’s pahoehoe lava sizzling in the volcano, erupting out and then searching its way to the sea.  The deep grey and black colors represented the volcanic rock and the steam escaping into the air. The boiling lava was represented by the bright yellow and the white. The cooling volcano heat was represented by the blues, vibrant cobalt and turquoise.  Pretty and feminine!

Picture by Shawn Punch, and for Shawn’s pictures of the entire collection, go to:

http://shawnpunch.photoshelter.com/gallery/Ivy-h-Fall-Winter-2011/G0000o2xPiO27xd4/

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February 14, 2011

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Brenda Novak has a Valentine special for you !

Writer extraordinaire, Brenda Novak, has a “Valentine’s Offer I know you’re going to “Love”!!

Purchase any of her trilogies and not only will your books be autographed, but you’ll receive a lip gloss as well!

As a Brenda Novak fan, I eagerly anticipate the suspense, entanglement, and non-stop mystery of her captivating stories!

Whether a dedicated follower or new and curious about Brenda’s books, I inspire you to hurry over to Brenda’s website for more information at www.bookloverscafe.com/brenda_novak. Here you can conveniently order your books and really enjoy an informative, interesting , and truly delightful site to peruse.

Thanks also to Brenda Novak, for sharing some helpful hints on “How to keep your Valentine” http://www.brendanovak.com/#valentinetips

Happy Valentine’s Day

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February 12, 2011

Quick, Easy, Very Romantic Recipes from Linnea

Love Is in The Details

Some Very Special (and Quick!!) Valentine’s Day Ideas From Linnea Johansson

Are you planning on cooking a romantic dinner date for two? With Valentine’s Day on a Monday this year, it won’t be that easy to spend all day prepping a Valentine’s Day buffet.  I asked my favorite chef and party planner, Linnea Johansson to share some of her ideas on some easy romantic recipes that you could make up the day before or in a jiffy and simply serve up on the big V-day.

Here are some very romantic cocktail and desserts ideas and recipes from Linnea.

Flowers cocktails

Why give roses when you can serve them up? In Linnea’s Frozen Roses cocktail, frozen roses adorn the cocktail and “bloom” when the ice cube melts. These adornments works as a decoration for almost any drink just pop a “rose cube” in and watch it bloom.

To make the Frozen Rose, you simply take fully blooming small garden roses and freeze them with water in an ice cube tray to “rose cubes”. (Wash well first). If garden roses are not available, ask your florist for roses that would be safe for using in a drink, and has been not been treated with chemicals. Place in for example a clear drink such as the on below and watch it “bloom” when the ice melts.

Blooming cocktail
1 oz Xante pear cognac in the bottom of a champagne glass.
Fill up with champagne or sparkling wine
Place a rose cube and let it melt while sipping

Sorbet Bellini for two
Place 1 scoop of lemon sorbet at the bottom of a large martini glass. Fill up with champagne Place candied violet leaves on the top of drink, and enjoy with 2 straws

Flowery ice pop’s a very sexy drinks on a stick, or it would be a great after dinner treat.
1 part Xante
3 parts peach juice
1 dash rose water
3 candid rose leaves per Popsicle. Freeze in Popsicle mold for 12 hours and serve.

They look amazing!!

 

 

“French Soda”
Freeze eatable flowers in ice cubes.
Serve the cubes in a water glass, top with champagne and a splash of cherry syrup for flavor and color and serve with a straw

and now for some romantic desserts
Rose Pavlova
The dessert named for a Russian ballet dancer. It is very light and tres romantic with rose flavor.

1 store bought or home-made meringue cake bottom.
2 cups of whipped cream
1/2 vanilla flavoring
2 cups of fresh red berry’s, such as currant clusters, raspberry’s, strawberry’s
3 tbls rose water
1/4 cup candid rose leaves

– place the meringue bottom on a cake plate. Whip the cream until thick. Add the vanilla flavoring.
-place the whipped cream on top of the meringue bottom.
-lightly wash the berries in a colander, dry well. Spritz the berries in rose water and add to the top of the whipped cream.
-finish with the candid rose petals.

Dark Chocolate mousse
 Here’s one of Linnea’s secrets-Nothing makes chocolate taste more delectable then a little salt.
1. In a bowl, place on layer of chocolate mousse, add 1/2 tsp of vanilla
2.Sprinkle a fleur de sel sea salt on the layer

3. Finnish with a layer of whipped cream
Serve in a large kitchen bowl with two spatulas (instead of spoons) and enjoy licking the bowl.

I’d really like to thank Linnea for giving us some wonderfully easy and ultra romantic recipes to try! To see more of Linnea’s fabulous ideas and recipes, see her website at www.linnea-johansson.com and read more about Linnea on my December 13, 2010 blog!

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February 10, 2011

“Pucker Up” with Ramy’s Luck Be A Ladybug Lip Gloss and support Project Ladybug help children with life threatening illnesses!

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and I’m wearing my Luck Be A Ladybug lip gloss exclusively created by Ramy Beauty Therapy to benefit Project Ladybug.

Project Ladybug, was founded by Philanthropist and star of Real Housewives, Dina Manzo in 2007, and is dedicated to enriching the lives of children with life threatening conditions, and helping the families deal with financial and emotional struggles during their child’s treatment.

Project Ladybug’s hope is not only to improve the outcome for these children, but with proceeds from fundraising events, be able to provide birthday celebrations, toys, wigs, clothing, computers, and funds to assist with the hospital bills.

Project Ladybug has partnered with Ramy Beauty Therapy to create the Luck Be A Ladybug lip gloss. In fact, the seductive berry tone shade that I wear, and is also pictured in this article, was actually formulated by Dina Manzo, herself and named “Luck Be a Ladybug.” All proceeds of Luck Be a Ladybug gloss will go to Project Ladybug.

Take a moment to visit : www.projectladybug.org/donate/, and purchase a Luck Be A Ladybug gloss ! “Pucker up” and look great, not only on Valentine’s Day, but every day you wear your “special” gloss for a wonderful “cause“!

Come on “Glam Gals” ! Enjoy the pride of knowing that your donation is supporting Project Ladybug and bringing hope to a child and his or her family each day! ♡XO

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