Style and Focus News Bites

** Ashley Judd Protest Against Gov. Sarah Palin for Promoting Aerial Killing of Wolves. According to The Huffington Post (huffingtonpost.com), Ashley Judd stars in a new campaign targeted at Sarah Palin's alleged "anti-conservation agenda" and her promotion of the killing of wolves and bears in Alaska.

The group that Judd is working with is the Defenders Action Fund which have a new Website, EyeonPalin.org. In a video, Judd condemns Palin for promoting the aerial killing of wolves and even accuses her of suggesting $150 bounties for the severed forelegs of killed wolves. "Now back in Alaska, Palin is again casting aside science and championing the slaughter of wildlife," Judds recites somberly. "Palin even proposed a $150 bounty for the severed foreleg of each killed wolf. And now she is encouraging even more aerial killing. it is time to stop Sarah Palin and stop this senseless savagery."

** As Hotels Struggle for Business, Some Guests Find an Upside to the Struggling Economy. The upside for many guests are: bargain rates, less-crowded hotels and rooms available at the last minute at most popular hotels. Many also are enjoying improved service and special treatment, such as free upgrades to suites or club floors, as hotels roll out the red carpet to try to attract and hold on to customers. However, despite the good fortune of guests, many hotels have laid off workers or decreased their work hours resulting in guests having to wait longer to check in and out, have rooms made up and have cars returned by the valets. Luxury hotels are feeling the biggest decline in service, many travelers who used to stay at luxury hotels "are trading down," staying at less-expensive ones, says Will Marks, an industry analyst for JMP Securities. (USA Today)

** Emma Watson (The Tale of Despereaux and Harry Potter), has decorated and signed a Blue Peter plate for the Blue Peter's Mission Nutrition Appeal. The plate is currently being auction on Ebay (click here for link). The goal of the appeal is to provide meals to over 2 million children worldwide.

** In celebration of Black History Month, Payless ShoeSource Has Launched the Payless Inspiring Possibilities Scholarship Program for Minority Youth. Through the new program, Payless is selling a limited-edition I Believe necklace for only $4 (click picture for better view) in more than 800 stores nationwide and Payless.com, while supplies last, and will donate 100 percent of the net profits of necklace sales, with a minimum donation of $35,000, to a newly developed scholarship program established with the National Urban League (NUL). This is the first-ever retail partnership for the NUL. Payless said it expects the NUL to distribute a minimum of a dozen $2,500 scholarships to African American and other minority youth through its signature program, Project Ready.

"Youth and education are critical to the future of our nation," said LuAnn Via, president and CEO of Payless. "Our efforts this February are focused on supporting African American and other minority youth with our Payless Inspiring Possibilities Scholarship program. The unique, limited-edition I Believe necklace is available for only $4 -- a price point accessible to so many. Together, we are truly celebrating Black History Month with this fun, fashionable and affordable item and benefiting youth in the process -- providing strong opportunities for higher education and financial support to help make academic dreams come true." For more information on the I Believe necklace or the Payless Inspiring Possibilities Scholarship program, please visit http://www.payless.com/bhm. (Press Release)

** Angelina Jolie plea for more freedom to thousands of Burmese refugees that have been locked inside camps for up to 20 years in Thailand. After Jolie's visit to Thailand's Ban Mai Nai Soi refugee center, asked the Thailand government to give approximately 110,000 refugees in the northern part of the country freedom to move around and seek higher education. "I was saddened to meet a 21-year-old woman who was born in a refugee camp, who has never even been out of the camp and is now raising her own child in a camp," Jolie said in a statement. (People magazine)

Hilary Duff and DKNY Jeans Launch Femme for DKNY Jeans

NEW YORK, Feb. 5 -- New York, Hilary Duff and DKNY Jeans announce their new design partnership and the launch of their collaborative apparel line, pairing an international superstar with a global fashion powerhouse.

Multi-platinum recording artist, actress and entrepreneur Hilary Duff is co-designing a collection of special pieces with DKNY Jeans brand called Femme for DKNY Jeans. The collection mixes rocker chic with a soft touch, featuring innovative ideas, unexpected details and multiple functions. Each piece is unique; each look makes a statement. The line will debut in fine department and specialty stores nationwide in August 2009, marking the debut of Hilary's new beauty and lifestyle brand, Femme.

"As a young adult, I've chosen to dedicate my interest in fashion and design to creating a sophisticated upstairs collection," said Hilary Duff. "I took time finding the right fashion house to collaborate with in a design partnership. I have always adored and worn DKNY Jeans, so it made perfect sense to reach out to them. We hit it off immediately, sharing a design vision offering something special for young women like me."

"Hilary Duff's influence with this particular demographic cannot be overstated. From film, TV, to fragrance, there's an ability to connect with her on so many levels," says Kevin Monogue, President of DKNY Jeans, "The design partnership has been effortless, as our sensibilities are perfectly aligned; she's edgy and still feminine, embraces individuality, and offers a bold, experimental way of interpreting trends. We are so excited about what is being developed for Femme. It has been, and continues to be, a dream collaboration."

The Femme for DKNY Jeans line takes its inspiration from Hilary's love of feminine elements like poppies, sequins, and shine, mixed with tougher vinyl, menswear fabrics and motorcycle details. Hard and soft, provocative and powerful. A key theme is versatility: sweater tunics with removable cowl scarves, tees with detachable and printed necklaces, charmeuse cozies that layer like scarves, skinny jeans with adjustable belt loops for thin or wide belts. Black denim is the foundation, with vinyl leggings, tissue weight tees and strappy dresses rounding out the Fall assortment. The retail price range for the collection is $39 for a tee to $129 for an outerwear piece.

DKNY Jeans will support the launch of Femme for DKNY Jeans with a comprehensive marketing campaign, reaching the consumer through all media touch points, including national print, outdoor and online advertising, experiential promotions, in-store events, movie, TV and tour integrations as well as a dedicated behind-the-scenes web series showcasing the design process.


About Hilary Duff:

Hilary Duff has two new films being set for release and has recently been tapped to star as Bonnie Parker in The Story of Bonnie and Clyde. Her new network primetime series is currently in development, her single Reach Out has just topped the European charts, she's writing for her new album which will be supported by another world tour and she's developing her third fragrance with Elizabeth Arden.


About DKNY Jeans:

DKNY Jeans is a lifestyle denim brand which is owned and distributed through a license agreement with Liz Claiborne, LLC. DKNY Jeans designs and markets collections for men's, women's and juniors apparel and is available in the US, Canada and South America via wholesale channels.

Affordable Activewear to Keep You Motivated

You've decided to get in shape but with the cost of a new gym membership you're a little short on cash for new fitness clothes but don't just wear any old frumpy thing to workout in. What you wear can seriously affect your motivation to exercise. Studies show that women are more likely to be more motivated to workout as well as more confident based on how they feel compaired to what they are wearing. It's basic psych, meaning if you look good, you feel good.

However no need to break the bank, as tempting as those designer activewear tees and shorts are, I've found some affordable and stylish fitness clothes at Old Navy, Target, New York & Company, JCPenney, Victoria's Secret and Lady's Footlocker just to name a few.


All clothing below from Old Navy.


Fold-Over Yoga Pants $19.50



Running Shorts $15.00



Stretch Tank $8.50



Fold-Over Yoga Shorts $15.00




Dot Graphic Tee $14.50



Seamless Sports Bra $15.00




Fleece Drawstring Pants $15.00




Active Zip Jacket $19.50




Seamless Cami $15.00



Canvas Yoga Bag $14.50

"Confessions of a Shopaholic", Will It be a Delight or a Disaster?

by A. Brooks
Style and Focus Lifestyle PR

The New York Times Bestselling novel "Confessions of a Shopaholic" by Sophie Kinsella will be released in theatres next Friday, February 13th (just in time for Valentine's Day). The book centers around the main character Rebecca "Becky" Bloomwood's love of shopping that's hindered by her dread of the B-word....Bills. Becky seemingly has it all: a great apartment (which she shares with her best friend, Suze) in a trendy neighborhood, fabulous trendy friends, a closet full of the hottest clothes and a never-ending pile of bills. It's a funny and well written book that once you start reading you can't put down.

With hit Fashionable Female Movies like "Devil Wears Prada" (also a bestselling novel) and "Sex and the City" I can see how "Confessions of a Shopaholic" will fill that FFM void that's been missing from the box office. "Confessions" is much anticipated, however, some die-hard fans of the book series are voicing their unhappiness with the completion of this movie. Some of the most popular complaints they have are: 1) That Becky's not British, 2) The movie is set in NYC instead of London, and 3) Why did they Americanize the movie? From searching some of the blogs and message boards I have noticed that some of the die-hard fans think this movie will be terrible. As a fan of the book series, I was quite excited when I heard they were turning one of my favorite book's into a movie. However, I do feel like some of the Brit charm of the book is gone from the movie, but I will wait to state my opinion until after I've seen it.

Yes, the movie is a slight adaption of the book given they are still using the same characters and the general idea of the book but have changed a few things for their own reasons. For those who want to know about the fashion, Patrica Field is the stylist of this film. She also styled both "Sex and the City" and "Devil Wears Prada", so expect to spot a new trend in the movie.

What's your opinion, Will "Confessions of a Shopaholic" be a Delight or a Disaster?

Latest Obsession: A Casual Night Bag

What I've been looking for lately is a just a casual night bag. Something that's not too over the top for more casual get together with friends or dates. I really like this Foldover Clutch ($130.00, in black or green, Banana Republic) because it can do double duty for work and play. Bonus: you get two bags for the price of one.

Food Pick: Vanilla Bake Shop

Vanilla Bake Shop
512 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.458.6644

Hours:
Monday - Saturday 9am - 7pm
Sunday 10am - 6pm

Consider yourself lucky if you live in the Santa Monica, CA area because you get to taste some of the most rich and amazing sweets from the Vanilla Bake Shop. Their yummy desserts are baked from scratch daily (so that means fresh baked goods). The cakes include: Strawberries & Cream, Dark Chocolate, Espresso Milk and many more. The cakes range from $35-$150 (depending on the serving size). As for the cupcakes, there is a daily menu with prices ranging from $3.25 for individual and cute little cupcakes babies 3 for $5.00. Cupcake flavors include: Southern Red Velvet, Blackberry Passion Fruit, Fudge Brownie and more.

Vanilla Bake Shop is also a full service bakery and makes speciality cakes and cupcakes for weddings, birthdays and other celebrations, contact for more information. They also make assorted sweets such as Dirt Cake and Triple Berry Shortcake which are served southern style in old-fashion mason jars with prices for $10.00 for small jars and $20.00 for large jars.

These gourmet treats are some of the most decadent drool-worthy cakes and cupcakes you will find. Local delivery is available (I only wish they delivered where I live), check website or call for delivery charges in certain areas.

No More, Beauty Product Overload

Planning on going to a couple of Superbowl parties but long story short I had to take care of my sick dog. Vet said to give her medicine, special food and lots of rest for the weekend. I only caught a few of the commercials during the game and the ones I saw I thought were really good like the tire ad with Mr. and Ms. Potato Head.

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I did find time over the weekend to clean out my beauty products. Why as women do we hold on to products that don't work? They just sit in the bathroom taking up space. I'm planning on cutting back on buying so many products. Not for economical reasons but for simplification. I'm just trying to stick with products that actually work for me which hopefully will cut down on time trying to find the products I need.

The beauty industry is a billion dollar business with "new and improved" products hitting the market as I type. As a society we are looking for the latest and greatest thing making us less satisfied with what we have. Sad to say even as a marketer, I fall for the glossy ads and commercials promising perfect hair, pore minimizing serums, blah blah blah (hey, I'm human). We all want to look our best. It's been studied several times, the correlation between beauty and psychology and those marketing beauty products understand this very well. Notice how you feel when you have a good hair day vs a bad one. If you notice some ads show that, if you've ever noticed a Herbal Essences, Aussie or Pantene commercial it shows how dreary the lady is before using said product and how full of life she seems afterwards. These types of marketing and promotion are aimed at showing you that by using this product you will be transformed into a "new, more exciting" you. For example, you see a mascara ad touting fuller sexier lashes so you buy it but your eyes look exactly the same, resulting in you stuffing it in the back of your bathroom cabinet and the beauty cycle continues with the next product until you find the "right" one for you.

Most us have enough products that we could double as a small store, with scrubs, cleansers, exfoliants, teeth whiteners, lip sticks, lip glosses, bronzers, lotions, potions, etc lining the bathroom cabinets. But if you're in beauty simplification mode as me don't just toss out your unused or "didn't work for me" products donate them. Some organizations that could use the extra products are women shelters for battered and abused and non-profits organizations such as Dress for Success. Don't donate products such as mascara, eyeliner, lipstick or gloss -- these type of products have a high risk of transferring germs. It's best to just toss those instead.