Style and Focus Lifestyle PR: August 2007

Friday, August 31, 2007

Strawberry Scone Recipe for my Saturday Tea Party

I'm planning a little casual tea party for a couple of friends and one of the things I plan to serve besides tea are strawberry scones. A recipe that I found on lanierbb.com is quite similar to mines. Here is the recipe:

Strawberry Scones
Serving Size : 12

Ingredients:

1 cup Strawberries
2 1/2 cups All-purpose flour (unsifted)
3 tablespoons Sugar
2 teaspoons Baking powder
1/4 teaspoon Salt
6 tablespoons Butter or margarine
2/3 cup Milk

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Cut strawberries into 1/2 inch pieces-set aside.
3. In a large bowl mix together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
4. Add butter.
5. With pastry blender or 2 knives cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
6. Stir in extra strawberries; toss well to coat. Add milk all at once.
7. With fork, lightly toss together until mixture holds together. With floured hands gently form into ball.
8. On floured board with floured rolling pin (if a rolling pin isn't available, try using a chilled, unopened bottle of wine with straight sides) roll out dough 1/2 inch thick.
9. Cut dough into 2 1/2 inch circles with floured biscuit cutter.
10. Place on greased cookie sheet. Bake until golden, about 12 minutes; serve warm with whipped cream.

Enjoy the weekend and Have a Happy Labor Day.

Life and Style Fashion News

This week's Life & Style Weekly fashion sneak peek comes from the Sept. 10 issue currently out on newstands:

(Click each picture for a better view)

* TOTE-ALLY: features four Jennifer Lopez inspired tote bags. Perfect for the reminder of summer and the beginning of fall.

* Steal The Stars' Super-Long Dresses!: features 7 celeb inspired floor length dresses. The dresses are similar to ones worn by "The Hills" Lauren Conrad, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Maria Menounos and more.

Perfect for a Weekend Getaway...Star-Worthy Luggage! features 9 travel bags perfect for any quick weekend getaway. Plus, see how Kristin Cavallari travels in style for her trip to Las Vegas.

5 Trends in 5 Days: features celebs such as Jessica Alba, Hayden Panettiere and Carmen Electra showcasing the latest trends such as carrying a bold colored handbag to dress up a casual outfit.

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Video Interview: Mandy Moore Talks about MBLEM Spring 08 Collection

If your a fan of Mandy Moore's clothing line, MBLEM (which I am) then you will want to watch this video. She is being interviewed by a host from raw Vegas TV at Project which is at MAGIC in Las Vegas. She talks about and shows a few pieces of her upcoming Spring 2008 collection and there is also footage of her preforming at the Ghostbar at the Palms in Las Vegas.

Thank you Charles from Wicked PR for e-mailing me this video. I hope everyone enjoys it.

Fashion and Sports: Hamptons Street Chic

I'm a little preppy and I just love the Street Style looks from style.com. The pictures were taken in the Hamptons before and after a polo match.

(Photo Credit: Scott Schuman)

One to Watch: Steven Strait

(Photo Credit: 1st (passionedsoul.com/steven) and 2nd (moviesection.de)

Steven Strait's modeling career began when he was spoted at his local gym in his Manhattan neighborhood by John Babin an agent at Boss Models. He was also interested in acting and began taking acting lessons at the age of eleven, and at the age of thirteen he started to study theater and stage craft at the prestigious Stella Adler Studio and the Black Nexus Acting Studio both in New York City. While modeling, Strait has had the opportunity to work with top photographers such as Bruce Weber, Herb Ritts, Steven Klein and Tony Duran to name a few. While he continued to study acting and attending classes at his private high school, he made his professional acting debut back in 2001 on an episode of "Third Watch" playing a teenager in a flashback scene of one of the lead characters.

Like so many hopefuls, this Manhattan native moved to Los Angeles to further pursue his acting, singing and modeling career. In 2005, Strait appeared in two movies, his first was Disney's "Sky High" playing the broody pyrokinesis (fire starter) Warren Peace. He was also able to include a song "One Thing Leads To Another" on the Sky High soundtrack and the song could also be heard during one of the scenes in the movie.

In his second movie, he starred as lead character Luke Falcon, a struggling musician trying to find success in the music industry in "Undiscovered" which also starred Ashlee Simpson. Although it wasn't a huge success the movie did give viewers a chance to listen to Strait's vocal abilities. He wrote and preformed six songs in the movie which are included on the soundtrack. In 2006, he starred as Caleb Danvers in the supernatural movie "The Covenant" which also included Taylor Kitsch (NBC's "Friday Night Lights"), Chace Crawford (CW's "Gossip Girl"), Jessica Lucas and Laura Ramsey (both from "She's the Man").

Even though he is mostly known more by teenage girls from his previous movie roles, his next movie, Roland Emmerich's prehistoric epic "10,000 B.C." may change all of that. The movie is about a young mammoth hunter's (Strait) journey through uncharted territory to secure the future of his tribe. This movie is scheduled to be released March 7, 2008.

Some of Strait's other endeavours include being lead singer and song writer for his band, Tribe. Although he is busy with singing and acting, he still continues to model and it's reported that he has been signed to campaignes for Harlequin and Hollister Co. Recently he was featured in the September issue of Vanity Fair Magazine for the feature on "Hollywood's Next Gen-Men", other magazines he has appeared in include: FLAUNT, L’Uomo Vogue, Spoon Magazine, Details, Surface Magazine and Pop Magazine.

I think he will have a good career in all three industries because he's obviously making it work right now without any young Hollywood scandals.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Latest Obsession: Sexy Flowy Tops

I love the look of a sexy flowy top, they're comfortable and alluring especially this LaROK Dirty Diamond Cami ($168.00, shopbop.com). For those who may not have perfect abs than this style of top will help you accentuate your positives and hide any negatives.

My Life: Week Agenda

Sorry for the late night posts, I've been working on a lot of different projects and this is like the only time I can carve out some time to post. I'm also planning a little tea party for friend for this weekend. It's just a way to sit down and relax.

To keep my life organized I try to carry my planner with me except for when I go out. Next week will go back to normal and I can upload early posts.

Reader's Best Bars: J Bar

A while back I asked you to e-mail me about some of your favorite bars, restaurants and nightclubs. I have received quite a large amount, I will try to post as many as possible.

The first up is the J Bar in Scottsdale, Arizona which is located inside The James Hotel.

The James Hotel
7353 East Indian School Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Tel: (480) 308-1100

Marni recommends going to J Bar on Saturday night for drinks with friends. They serve the best drinks but expect to pay for the best. It's the place to go to be seen. Get there early because the place fills up fast or you will not be getting in.

Monday, August 27, 2007

A Top that Can Work from Day to Night

Sometimes my life can be quite busy and I need to find clothes that I can wear to 9-5 and after 5. Which is why I love this Bow Top by Rachel Pally ($123.00, revolveclothing.com). You can pair it with a suit or jeans. Plus, I love the color, it's pretty and fun yet reserved enough to wear to the office.

Cleaning and Organizing for the Girl on the Go

You're running late for work because:

a) You don't have a thing to wear--because you haven't done your laundry in ages.
b) You misplaced your keys for the umptenth time.
c) Misplaced your import project, file, etc.
d) All of the above.

Just because you're really busy shouldn't be an excuse for living in a cluttered and messy place. I know after a long day the last thing you want to do is clean but it shows that you take pride in your home and your personal belongings.

Why live in fear of uninvited guests stopping by or being late for a date because that perfect dress never got to the cleaners. Though most people don't enjoy cleaning or organizing, it shouldn't be seen as a big chore. To get you started, professional organizer and host of Discovery Home's Neat, Hellen Buttigieg has provided her top ten tips for getting your home organized. Short of hiring a house keeper, there are some things you can do daily and weekly such as:

Daily:
- Picking up things off the floor
- Hanging up your clothes instead of tossing them on a chair
- Washing the dishes instead of letting them pile up in the sink

Weekly:
- Vacuum, it shouldn't take more than 30 minutes unless you have a huge house
- Clean the bathroom

Hellen Buttigieg's 10 tips to organizing your home:

1. DESIGNATE a specific place to keep your keys. This should be near the exit that you use most. Keep them on a hook on the wall, or in a bowl on a nearby table.

2. REDUCE your paper clutter by getting off mailing lists, canceling seldom-read catalogues or magazines, and paying your bills electronically.

3. SORT your mail as soon as you bring it home. Have a designated spot set up with a sorting system that works for your family.

4. LABEL all 4 sides of stacked boxes. This allows you to find what you want without hauling them all down.

5. STORE frequently used items at eye level. Place heavy items you use less often below eye level and light items above to make retrieval easier.

6. STORE hats, gloves, scarves and sunglasses in baskets on a shelf near the exit you use most. If you have children, designate a different colored basket for each member of the family or use shipping tags and twine to label them.

7. REPLACE round storage containers with square or rectangular ones. They hold more than the round ones while taking up the same amount of space. Use attractive wicker baskets, colorful cardboard boxes or even vintage luggage to contain your items.

8. TRANSFER everything from rice to cotton balls out of their clumsy packaging and into attractive glass canisters that can be kept right on the counter if cupboard space is limited. Consider using canning jars in different sizes as well.

9. KEEP items in the areas you use them. For example, store bills where you pay them and books where you do your reading.

10. GROUP similar items together. For example, place all hair products in one container and all bath products in another.

Follow these 10 steps, and you will be well on your way to a more organized, relaxing and inviting home.

Hellen Buttigieg is a professional organizer, life coach, TV personality and the president of We Organize U. Sign up to receive Hellen’s free monthly electronic newsletter with tips on organizing your home, your office and your life simply by visiting her official website, We Organize U.

Contact:
Telephone: 905-829-2219
E-mail: info@weorganizeu.com

Friday, August 24, 2007

My Weekend Movies: The Nanny Diaries and Mr. Bean

I'm quite looking forward to seeing The Nanny Diaries because I read the book a while back and it was a very good book. I want to see Mr. Bean's Holiday because I love the TV series Mr. Bean and think this will be just as funny.

The Nanny Diaries starring Scarlett Johansson, Laura Linney, Alicia Keys and Chris Evans.

Mr. Bean's Holiday starring Rowan Atkinson

Style and Focus News Bits

** The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Jessica Lucas will be added to CSI: Las Vegas as a recuring role (currently it has not been confirmed by CBS). Lucas is best know for her roles in "The Covenant", "She's The Man" and TV shows "Edgemont" and "Life As We Know It". She will also be featured in two upcoming movies, J.J. Abram's "Cloverfield" and "Amusement".

** According to WWD, the Gap has reported it's first profit gain in two years. Helped by cost reductions and better inventory management, Gap Inc. reported a 19 percent increase in second-quarter net profits to $152 million, or 19 cents a diluted share. That compares to $128 million, or 15 cents a diluted share, in the year-ago quarter.

** Lauren Conrad star of MTV's The Hills will be parterning with MTV to create her first fashion line (MTV).

** Two Ford dealerships in the Philadelphia area have settled a racial bias case with the Department of Justice, which Tuesday cited them for charging black customers higher loan interest rates than whites of similar financial means from 1999 to 2002. "Racial discrimination in lending is wrong and will not be tolerated," Wan J. Kim, assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division, said in a statement released Tuesday, August 21, 2007 (Philadelphia Evening Bulletin Newspaper).

** Supermodel Heidi Klum has been announced as the New Face of Jordache. Klum will be featured in Jordache's fall campaign which will be shot by famed movie director Brett Ratner (Fashion Wire Daily).

Friday's Happy Hour Drink: Blueberry Mojito

(Recipe and Photo from cocktailtimes.com)

Ingredients

1 1/2 oz light rum
1/4 oz fresh lime juice
8 mint leaves
8 fresh blueberries
1 tsp sugar
Club soda
Lime slice and mint sprig for garnish

Directions

1. Muddle mint leaves with sugar in a mixing glass.
2. Add light rum, lime juice to shake with ice.
3. Pour into a tall glass. Add blueberries and club soda.
4. Garnish with lime slice and mint sprig.

Affordable Party Tops

I love to go out and have a good time but I don't think you have to spend a lot of money on a shirt you're probably only going to wear once. There are lot of affordable party tops out there that will make you look as though you had spent a small fortune.

Below are 10 affordable options for going out:

Lace Corset
Victoria's Secret
$78.00

Lace Trim Satin Jacket
Frederick's of Hollywood
$44.00

Sheer Sparkle Top
Forever21
$19.80

Red Wrap Halter Top
Venus
$26.00

Silk Charmeuse Cami
Victoria's Secret
$58.00

Tiered Halter Top
bebe
$59.00

One Shoulder Top
Frederick's of Hollywood
$29.00

Open Back Satin Top
Venus
$29.00

Pleated Trapeze Tank
Arden B.
$33.99 (sale)

Knot Halter
Alloy.com
$19.50

Olive Oil Hair Treatment

Women in Italy have been using olive oil as a conditioning treatment for years. I like to use L'Occitane Olive Paste ($27.00, loccitane.com) to keep my hair soft, shiny and healthy. It very easy to use just apply after shampooing hair and leave on for about five minutes.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

My Latest Obsession: Prep School Chic

Fall will always remind me of going back to school and lately what I want right now is Prep School inspired clothes and accessories. I like to pair a pleated mini skirt with a button down and blazer or v-neck sweater vest, button down and trousers. A great weekend look is long sleeve rugby shirt and jeans.

Below are just a few suggestions of Prep School Chic items:

Blazers/Jackets