Archive for July, 2011
Unplugged at the Park
12 years ago
A couple weeks ago I jumped in the car and headed down south for a vacation and to check out the music scene in a couple cities along the way. I have to say that I was really impressed with the music happenings in Atlanta. What comes to mind to most when talking about music down in the ATL is hip hop. Well the city hasn’t limited itself to one genre of music any longer. There is an expanding indie scene and many outlets for musicians to get their music heard, one of them being Unplugged at the Park.
Piedmont Park is beautiful on it’s own. Located in midtown overlooking the downtown Atlanta skyline. The park is a buzz with many people, often with frisbees and dogs. It’s a very relaxing, peaceful, and fun environment. On the corner of the park sits a bar and restaurant called, Park Tavern. There’s plenty of seating and a small brewery inside the restaurant. Outside they have a large tent with a stage and many tables for seating. The menu features a variety of sushi and claims to have the best burgers in midtown. Every Sunday Park Tavern hosts a free concert with national touring acts and local bands. The event is in it’s 9th consecutive season and is sponsored by Miller, Bacardi and 99X. It’s a beyond brilliant idea and I have to wonder why every major city isn’t doing something similar. Chicago offers free concerts at Millennium Park but it largely features classical musicians. I think it would be a great idea for mid-size cities to embrace the Park Music series to support singer-songwriters.
The event runs through to the beginning of October. The calendar of artists is worth checking out, I am familiar with quite a few bands on the roster this year. I happened to catch Joshua Fletcher & the Six Shot Romance and was very pleased to discover this band. I knew upon arrival that I would like their music. One of the members was running through the parking lot while slipping a pair of toms shoes on his feet. A couple members had longer hair and the lead singer was super clean cut. They are an eclectic group that sparked my curiosity about how they all could have came together. Each of them were so unique and I think thats part of the reason I feel like this band is so special. I want to see them again because it wasn’t an easy task to take in all that they have to offer. The drummer was super cool and smooth, someone I would have loved to just sit in on a jam session with. Joshua Fletcher had skinny jeans on that were rolled and combined with cowboy boots. He played his guitar and harmonica with so much emotion, and pretty flawlessly I might add. The bass player was quirky and seemed content in his own world, but still connected. I couldn’t help but appreciate their style. I did a quick listen of their ep after the show and it doesn’t quite do the band justice. The beauty of their sound is perfectly captured through their live performance, with each instrument blending and layering extremely naturally.
Honestly, one of the best events I’ve been to in awhile. Great food and music while being in a beautiful park, it’s the perfect combination. You can’t go wrong, there is something to offer everyone. I recommend that if you are in the Atlanta area check it out at least once. And if you know of any events going on in your city similar to Unplugged at the Park, comment or tweet me the info (@MusicITZLife).
Fishtail it!
12 years ago
I’m a loyal supporter of braids: french, side, small, large, crown, you name it. While I have been stalking the fishtail braid for months–it always looked too complicated for a hair novice, like me, to even attempt–I recently tried it and was pleasantly surprised to find it’s a piece of cake! There are several tricks for successfully fishtailing one’s hair. Firstly, I suggest having semi-dirty hair: if your hair is clean, it will slip right from your hands. Wait a couple days and try braiding in between washes. Secondly, the longer the hair the better. While it is certainly possible with medium length hair, the fishtail braid will look more distinct with longer hair. Plus, the standard fishtail braid hangs from one side–it is much easier to bring all the hair to one side when there is longer hair to bring. Thirdly, it helps to add some wax for texture, or Marakesh oil for smoothing fly-aways and adding some shine. As for the process, I suggest watching some online videos, which detail every step.
1. How To: fishtail braid video by Foxy Locks Extensions
2. Tutorial How To Do a Fishtail Braid by BebeXO
If you’re up for the challenge (it’s easy, I promise), watch the tutorials and take a look at these photos, and you’ll be fishtailing in no time.
Red Hot Tips on Wearing the Season’s Hottest Color
12 years ago
This season we have seen a surge of fashionistas choosing to don pants in bright hues rather than basic colors. Recent issues of Glamour Magazine and Women’s Wear Daily show women across the globe are daring to bring the heat with red pants this Summer and Fall. Here are our favorite ways to style Red Pants.
It’s all about the silhouette.
Skinny fit and cropped length – red cigarette pants looks fantastic with everything. This street style pic of Harper’s Bazaar market editor Joanna Hillman is to me the epitome of getting red pants right. Below is a look off the runway for DKNY Fall 2011.
Wear with an architectural or classic pump in black. The White Stripes, No Doubt and other pop rock groups of the early 2000’s got it right – Red looks best with Black and White. Complete your look with solid black shoes.
Ground red pants with neutrals. This has to be my favorite accessible way to wear red, with camel, or even greys and creams. Neutrals really help soften the harshness of red pants.
More OPI Shatter and Nail Art
12 years ago
Not long ago I posted about OPI’s Shatter nail polish (OPI: Black Shatter for Katy Perry and Serena Williams), the cool thing about this type of nail polish is that it shatters as it dries creating a very unique look. It was great, but only came in black; not anymore, OPI is now offering six new colors that Shatter and give you the coolest look.
Another great thing for your nails created by OPI for Sephora is Nail Art by Sophy Robson. It gives you a step-by-step guide and videos on how to create the coolest nail styles. All the materials you need to create the looks can be purchased at Sephora.
After checking out the looks and the how-to videos I was so excited I just had to try them, so using the nail polishes I already have in my collection I re-created Wild Giraffe and Punk Cheetah. Of course they don’t look as great as the do on the pictures, but I liked them. I used my cat as background for my nails.
The Nail Art Guide is very easy to follow and now I’m looking forward on trying the Cherry Blossom look.
Awakening Our Soles & Making the World a Better Place One Step at a Time
12 years ago
That’s right, we’re talking about shoes!
Juil is a new shoe company that is making the world a better place. Who would have thought that footwear could make anything better?
Juil sandals and footwear really can make the world a better place. They restore our natural balance of energy by connecting us to the Earth’s energy, helping us achieve a greater sense of health and well-being. Our bodies are alive with natural energies. However, our bodies have a hard time sustaining our positive energy levels, in part due to the toxins and free radicals we are exposed to on a daily basis.
Ordinary shoes prevent the Earth’s vital energy from flowing into our bodies. Juil footwear features exclusive Energy Flow Technology™, which uses copper conductors inset into the soles of the shoes to channel the Earth’s innate energy into our bodies. These copper conductors help ground ourselves to the Earth, which allow the Earth’s rejuvenating energy to flow freely into and throughout our bodies as if we were barefoot.
Juliu Horvath inspired us to create a shoe that is the next best thing to being barefoot. Horvath’s shoes look great and feel great while allowing for the free flow of positive energy between the Earth and our bodies, said Stefan Hartung, Juil’s design director.
Juil footwear is available in five styles for women and three styles for men. The supple insoles and uppers are made from the world’s finest leathers and the Energy Flow Technology incorporates quality copper insets. Shoes range in price from $125 – $145 and are available exclusively at www.juil.com.
I got a pair of Hera Juil sandals and wore them for them a few times time last week. Not only are they great looking, they are extremely comfortable. I can definitely say I was in positive spirits while wearing my sandals, and I believe the shoes played a big role in my good energies while wearing the sandals.
Home sweet home
12 years ago
Recently I’ve become a little obsessed with home decorating and organization. I share a one bedroom apartment with my boyfriend – who could care less how the apartment is decorated, as long as I never get rid of his chair (it’s old and gold). Since the chair stays, I’m dealing with the living room last! And hoping that the chair will fall apart soon.
For inspiration on decorating the rest of our space, I’ve been checking out websites like The Selby and The Coveteur, to help me decorate in a “boyfriend friendly” fashion.
I have a lot of jewelry and most of it is kept in boxes or hanging in a closet. I would love to display it in an interesting way (and hopefully wear a lot of it more often). I love the how the jewelry is displayed in these photos – the antlers are great pieces to hang your necklaces from (and masculine).
Old fashioned suitcases are a great way to store out-of-season clothing or bedding. And by stacking them – you’ll also create a unique nightstand!
I love the idea of dedicating a desk drawer for your makeup. Just another good way to “declutter” your space.
If you’re like me and have quite a few sunglasses, but wear only a few – these are super easy ways to display and get some use out of those oldies but goodies!
Fortunately, I have a closet in my room. But I wanted to share a couple photos of these lovely exposed closets. I’ve lived in apartments before where I didn’t have a closet in my room – I wish I would’ve done something creative, instead of stuffing my clothes into drawers.
I’m starting out small – finding unique pieces and interesting artwork to set the tone of our apartment. When I go to flea markets or home furnishing stores, I look for specific pieces (currently, those pieces are a wine rack and a mirrored tray). That way I’m not overwhelmed and I buy less junk!
Photo credits: The Coveteur, Apartment Therapy, The Selby
Drinkable Skin Care
12 years ago
If you have a bottomless bank account that can buy you every beauty elixir known to man, then this post is not for you. If, on the other hand, you find yourself strapped for cash every now and then, like the rest of us, have I got something for you.
I was doing a little research for a series of nutrition articles I’m writing and I found I was reading my resources like grocery lists. It didn’t take me long to conjure up visions of heart healthy salads and stir-frys ready to combat PMS.
Can you say one-track mind?
Not surprisingly, this drink sprung to mind quite quickly. So, without further ado I give you Strawberry Mango Green Tea Limeade. I know, it has a long name, it’s sort of like royalty and believe me, you’ll want to treat it as such. This delicious drink you see before you is not only wonderfully refreshing (even in 94% humidity) it also soothes, protects and repairs your skin while you drink. I know! You can thank me later; now let’s get down to brass tax. How is this miracle achieved?
The major players in this drink are all beneficial to the skin in their own way. Mango is an excellent form of skin care, because it contains a large amount of vitamin A, which helps your body repair skin cells. It is ideal for people with dry skin, but we all could use a little vitamin A love. Strawberries are loaded with antioxidants including Vitamin C, which your body cannot produce naturally. Vitamin C has been proven to improve, repair and protect your skin’s collagen, giving your skin more elasticity. Green tea contains polyphenols, which act as an anti-inflammatory, so say goodbye to those under eye bags. Polyphenols also keep harmful bacteria at bay. And the benefits of drinking Green tea do not stop there. Green tea is one of the few teas that will not dehydrate you and it is helpful to your digestive tract as well. So, drink up!
This drink will cool you down, quench your thirst and give you a glow even pregnant ladies will envy. So, don’t waste your time buying another expensive (and inedible) moisturizer you can’t afford. Why not indulge in this refreshing and cost effect beauty regime.
Happy sippin’!
Strawberry Mango Green Tea Limeade: Serves 6
1 cup of strawberries, hulled and quartered
1 cup of mango, peeled and cubed
1 cup lime juice
4 cups brewed green tea, chilled
¼ cup simple syrup
Directions:
In a blender or food processor puree and blend the strawberries, mango, lime juice and simple syrup.
Pour puree over ice in a large pitcher.
Add chilled green tea and stir.
Pour into glasses and garnish with lime wedges and fresh strawberries.
*I also added grapefruit for some reason.
The New Tribalism: Fall 2011 Looks Westward
12 years ago
For several seasons now, Asian and African influences have ruled the runways and set many hearts a-flutter with sparkling cheongsam sheaths and joyous explosions of ikat prints. Now, however, it’s time to expand your horizons and head west for the latest and greatest in Native American tribal style:
Proenza Schoeuler Fall 2011 RTW modeled by Liu Wen. Photo: style.com
And this isn’t your over-the top, old-school Ralph Lauren rip off either…
Iconic looks from Ralph Lauren’s 1981 Fall RTW collection- “Death by Santa Fe Style”.
Nope. Get ready for subtlety, drama, power and creativity with uber chic options from the cool kids in NYC to up and comers in Miami:
Proenza Schouler
Proenza Schouler Fall 2011 RTW, modeled by Hanna Gaby Odile. Photo: style.com
Proenza Schouler Fall 2011 RTW, modeled by Jourdan Dunn. Photo: style.com
Jack and Lazaro took a road trip to Santa Fe, loved the Navajo designs they saw on blankets and weavings, and created their own version by digitizing and pixelating the traditional design into New York cool.
Street Style
Urban Outfitters Staring at the Stars Baja Bustier, $54
Urban Outfitters Ecote Warrior inside out Print tee, $34
Urban Outfitters Ecote pop Bead tank, $49
Of course, you might have a certain shyness about print overload and feel you haven’t quite yet become a mix master. No problem. Start out easy with subtle yet potent jewelry accents:
Citrine, by the Stones Fall 2011 Collection
More South American than American West, but it still captures the raw/refined feel that Proenza Schouler did so well. Check out the rest of the fabulous collections by these two Peruvian sisters based in Miami: www.bythestones.com
And lastly, if you want to be truly authentic, take a road trip to Santa Fe and visit the Native American jewelry sellers in the town square. If you’re lucky, you might find the perfect squash blossom necklace:
Vintage Navajo Squash Blossom Necklace. Photo: Durango Silver Company.
If you can’t make it in person, check out one of my favorites, Sorrel Sky Gallery, for a fresh spin on traditional jewelry
18 kt Basketweave bracelet by Ben Nighthorse. Photo: Sorrel Sky Gallery.
There’s your latest and greatest from the western hemisphere! As always, if you’re craving a fresh taste of fashion (among other exciting, earth shattering cultural and adventuresome phenomena) come say hello at Downright Red.