Friday, November 30, 2007

My Life: Celebrating and Having Fun this Weekend

Happy Birthday Sis!!

Tonight I'm going to go bowling with my sister and some of her friends to celebrate her birthday. She just wanted something fun and little low key but before we go bowling the two of us are going to dinner with our parents. Tomorrow, we're going to do a little light Christmas shopping and then go out to lunch (my treat). Saturday evening I'm just going to go out with friends. I just want to truly relax and have some fun.

Friday's Happy Hour Cocktail: French Cosmopolitan

The French Cosmopolitan is a really easy drink to prepare and it taste pretty good too.

(Drink Credit: Drink Mixer.com)

Ingredients:

1 oz Absolut® Citron vodka
1/2 oz Grand Marnier® orange liqueur
1/2 oz sweet and sour mix
1/2 oz cranberry juice
1/4 oz fresh lime juice
1 drop grenadine syrup

Directions:

1. Pour all ingredients (except grenadine) into a shaker.
2. Shake well and strain into a chilled large martini glass.
3. Pour a drop of grenadine into the middle of the glass and let it fall to bottom.
4. Garnish with a slice of lime, and serve.

Remember: Drink Responsibly and Don't Drink & Drive.

Luxury Trend For the New Year: Having a Philip Stein Teslar Watch

The Fashion Gods have spoken; the watch is replacing the ubiquitous handbag as the new “IT” accessory for this season. Must haves are defined by their universal wearability, their instantly identifiable design, and their visibility, especially to strangers. Philip Stein Teslar watches are just in time for their moment to shine.

In step with fall/winter’s saturated colors, art deco styles and luxe fabrics, Philip Stein Teslar watches are available in a variety of interchangeable bands made from luxurious skins and imported silks. Bring an elegant look together with colorful, opulent materials and artful use of diamonds.

Watch-wardrobing is primed to be the next movement and a Philip Stein Teslar watch is a luxurious way to start. What sets this watch apart from other luxury brands, beyond its unique high fashion design, is that the watch repels all the negative electronic energy we receive everyday from our cell phones, blackberries, PDAs, etc. Because of this feature, Teslar watch wearers experience a better, more restful night's sleep, less migraines and headaches in general, and are noticeably less stressed. Wearers also experience quicker recovery from jetlag and golfers notice that their swing improves wearing the watch.

Oprah Winfrey calls the Teslar watch “one of her favorite things”. Philip Stein Teslar watches are gaining a celebrity following with Hugh Jackman, Madonna, Avril Lavigne, Jessica Alba, Debra Messing, Samuel L. Jackson, Elton John and more.

Set the pace for the "IT" accessory with the first watch to beautify you inside and out. Below are some samples from the Philip Stein Teslar line including the newest scattered diamond watch.

To view the full collection, please visit our website Philip Stein Teslar.















Small Diamond Watch & Mini Opera Watch

Small Diamond Watch, 18mm
Price: $3,915.00

Mini Opera Watch, Black Alligator
Price: $930.00
















Small Black Diamond Watch, 18mm
Price: $1,830.00















Large Diamond-Index Watch, White Alligator
Price: $1,375.00














Nouveau Watch With Olive Silk Strap
Price: $740.00















Large Round Double Diamond Watch, Black Alligator
Price: $3,015.00















Chronograph Watch, Gray Alligator
Price: $1,395.00















Small Double-Diamond Mother-of-Pearl Watch
Price: $2,110.00














###

Natalia Tsurikova
Rubenstein Communications
ntsurikova@rubenstein.com

What I'm Listening To: My Playlist

My current playlist as of right now is below. It's mostly fast paced songs with a few slow songs sprinkled throughout.

My Playlist:

1. Nolita Fairytale by Vanessa Carlton
2. Shut Up and Drive by Rihanna
3. I want You by Common
4. Far Away by Nickleback
5. Clumsy by Fergie
6. Candy Man by Christina Aguilera
7. Sway by The Pussycat Dolls
8. Hands On Me by Vanessa Carlton
9. Roc Boys by Jay-Z from American Gangsta
10. No One by Alicia Keys
11. It's Not Over by Daughtry
12. Home by Daughtry
13. Savin' Me by Nickelback
14. Over You by Daughtry
15. Umbrella by Rihanna
16. Glamorous by Fergie
17. Where do we go from here by Alicia Keys
18. Buttons by The Pussycat Dolls
19. Don't Stop the Music by Rihanna
20. Say It Right by Nelly Furtado
21. Hate that I Love You by Rihanna and Ne-yo
22. Drivin' Me Wild by Common and Lily Allen
23. Do It by Nelly Furtado
24. Fight For All The Wrong Reasons by Nickelback
25. Extraordinary by Mandy Moore
26. All Good Things by Mandy Moore
27. Gardenia by Mandy Moore
28. Do you know? by Enrique Iglesias
29. Somebody's Me by Enrique Iglesias
30. Rock Star by Prima J
31. Let's Dance by Vanessa Hudgens
32. Come Back to Me by Vanessa Hudgens
33. LDN by Lily Allen
34. Say Ok by Vanessa Hudgens
35. Smile by Lily Allen
36. Hey There Delilah by The Plain White T's
37. Fallen by Sarah McLachlan
38. Let it go by Keyshia Cole
39. Shoulda let you go by Keyshia Cole
40. Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson

Should Students Be Expelled Over MySpace Pictures?

I find it really disturbing that school officials are expelling students for pictures on their MySpace accounts. There are three incidents that I've heard about. When did schools have jurisdiction over the Internet and what students do during their non-school activities. Why not talk to the students with their parents about the negative images then give them a chance to update their accounts (if the parents deem it necessary) before they just expelled them. It is the parent's responsibility to "parent" their children not the school. The students do need to know that what they put online others can see but what does expelling them actually teach them.

I thought the focus of schools were to educate students instead they are closing the door on their educational future. I think education is one of the most important things in the world. Many of the schools state they have a zero-tolerance policy, which pretty much every school has. Maybe it's a little hokey but why not have the students create a presentation on the perils of negative images and behaviors or some other form of "punishment" that would result in them learning something positive instead of just getting kicked out of school leaving them to try to find another school (which will probably be hard with a expulsion attached to their name), home schooling or some other option.

I'm not a parent, but I graduated from college when Facebook.com and MySpace.com were starting to become really popular and I can remember people posting pictures that most might deem inappropriate but it's like Maslow's hierarchy of need of belonging, they post things because they don't want to be left out. They want to be part of the group and they want to be accepted. The more raunchy or outrageous the pictures the more "friends" they seem to have on their accounts.

I see if the students were planning something violent on the school or inciting violence towards students at school through the use of their MySpace account then the school should step in but to expel students over pictures is a little ridiculous in my opinion.

What's your opinion, should students be expelled over their MySpace pictures? Is there another option or is expulsion the only option?

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Thursday, November 29, 2007

My Latest Obsession: Party Dresses Part Two

Below are additional party dresses that are sure to make you the center of attention at any party.



















Sequin U-neck Dress
$36.50
Wet Seal






















Goddess Short Dress
$215.00
J.Crew






















Strapless Shirred Dress
$69.50
Gap






















De La Ru Bubble Dress
$66.00
Nordstrom



















Adrianna Papell
Beaded-Trim Dress

$228.00
Macy's






















Purple Halter Dress with Knot Back
$159.50
Windsor






















Women's Plus Velvet Empire Dress
$39.50
Old Navy.com Only






















Ruby Rox Princess Lace Dress
$78.00
Nordstrom






















Marilyn Dress
$128.00
Guess



















As U Wish Sequin Tube Dress
$54.00
Nordstrom






















BCBG Max Azria
Charmeuse Dress

$360.00
BCBG
















Embellished Special Occasion Dress
$99.50
Lane Bryant






















Young Fabulous & Broke
Goddess Dress

$176.00
shopbop.com



















As U Wish Taffeta Party Dress
$68.00
Nordstrom






















Lilly Pulitzer
Belinda Rosette Dress

$295.20 (sale, regular: $328.00)
inthepink.com

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

ELLE Decor: Holiday Glam

I totally love this time of the year because I love to decorate my place. Though I haven't started decorating just yet. ELLE Decor has a few easy decorating tips to help make your home feel festive.

All the Trimmings
Written by Maria Montalvo
Styled by Dominique Baynes and Dan Pasky
Photographed by Mark Lund
(Photo Credit: pointclickhome.com)

(Click each picture for a better view)

Give It the Glitz


Gold and jewel tones make a sophisticated statement that works well from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. An array of party favors, wrapped in foil paper and piled high on two glass cake stands stacked one atop the other, creates an enticing centerpiece when combined with three topiary cones and a striking glass bowl of white lilies—all set on a unique beaded runner.

Overhead, a display of glass ornaments lends whimsy and is easy to replicate: Suspend a lightweight curtain rod from the ceiling using eye screws and ½-inch-thick cord, then hang ornaments from loops of ¹/8-inch-thick cord with decorative S hooks.


Return to Nature


Imbue your holidays with a subtle woodsy theme. Instead of one large conifer, we used a grove of small ones, displayed on metal tables of varying heights. Birds—hand-painted on the pillows, perched on the trees, and gracing the gifts—add fanciful color to the setting. On and above the mantel, next page, is a veritable ode to the evergreen: mini trees under glass domes, a fresh wreath, and a quartet of pines printed on felt and set in matching white frames.


Pump Up the Glam


A branchlike light display adds extra shimmer to an already sparkling assemblage of glass and silver-toned pieces, including barware and a painted demilune cabinet. We took flexible branches with attached LED lights, affixed them to the wall with press-in cable staples, and hid the electrical cord behind the ice bucket.


Celebrate Color


Adding red to a neutral-toned room infuses it with a merry holiday spirit that can appear fresh all year long. Stencil-embroidered and solid-hued pillow covers add a regal look to the sofa, whose curvy arms echo the lines of the cocktail table next to it. A lacquer tray extends the festive vibe to the coffee table. Use shots of green—emerald goblets with silver accents and striped ribbon candy—when you want to kick the jollity quotient up a notch.

From Day to Smoldering: Revlon Luxurious Color Eyeliner


(Photo Credit:cogdziezaile.pl)

Going from Day to Night will be easy with Revlon Luxurious Color Eyeliner ($9.99, drugstores). It gives you a precise even line for day or a sultry smoky eye for evening with the use of the built-in smudger. This very smooth and easy to apply liner is available in six shades (from top to bottom): Antiqued Gold, Burnished Amber, Sueded Brown, Brushed Pewter, Blackened Sapphire and Black Velvet.

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My Latest Obsession: Party Dresses Part One

Lately, I find myself searching for party dresses. Because, this is the time of the year when a lot of party invites are going to be pouring in such as cocktail and dinner parties, office parties, New Year's Eve parties, etc. It's something about the holidays that makes you want to glam up and look your absolute best, which is why I love dresses, they're easy and effortless to wear but make you look stunning and gorgeous.

Long or short, satin or sequin, sexy or demure, just make sure it's appropriate for your event.






















Calvin Klein
Obi West Jersey Dress

$148.00
Nordstrom






















Draped Sequin Dress
$149.00
bebe























Deep V-Neck Halter Dress
$49.99 (sale, Regular: $59.00)
Frederick's of Hollywood






















Vintage Party Dress
$48.00
Hot Kiss





















Sexy Sequin Sweater Dress
$148.00
Arden B.





















Knot Front Dress
$98.00
Arden B.




















Johnny M
Metallic Brocade Halter Dress

$62.00
Nordstrom























Strapless Satin Dress
$22.80
Forever21























sass & bide
Faustian Glee Bowed Dress

$438.00
Shopbop.com























As U Wish
Two Tone Party Dress

$74.00
Nordstrom

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Monday, November 26, 2007

Bontoni: Elegant and Timeless Men's Shoes


Bontoni is known for their superior hand crafted Italian men's shoes and exquisite hand coloring. These shoes are perfect for the man who has everything.



Their shoes are classic but with a contemporary edge resulting in a style of timeless Italian elegance. This family owned business has been known by their local customers for years, but the company has recently expanded their business to luxury shoe connoisseurs outside of their local town.


Bontoni Italian men's shoes are available in ready-to-wear and made-to-measure service. Their ready-to-wear is available in four collections (Amarcord, Casanova, Serenata and Volare) which range in prices between $1000-$1550.

To ensure the quality of their shoes, they make only a small batch of 7-10 pairs a day in their modest workshop which is located in the Marche region of Italy. They are available at these luxury retailers: Bergdorf Goodman, Wilkes Bashford, Stanley Korshak, Mario's, Lawrence Covell, Louis Boston, Battaglia and more.


Their made-to-measure service is a luxury treatment with the client working with Bontoni to create their ultimate shoe. The service takes place over five months with the help of three separate shoe fittings resulting in you receiving your custom made shoes in a hand crafted leather box. The price starts at $3,500. For more information visit Bontoni.com and click on Contact.

Bontoni was recently selected by Forbes as the "Find of the Day" for their made-to-measure service. Their shoes are currently being worn by prominent actors, Hedge Fund managers, CEOs, professional athletes and many more.



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