Something Material About Thread

If you haven't already heard, The Thread Show came and went without a hitch, this past Sunday, from the back lots of The Lab shopping center in Costa Mesa, Orange County. The weather looked grim earlier on but the sun shined through bright and strong just in time, ensuring a day of shopping and mingling with the local designers who proudly shared their wares from lavish to down right organic jewelry and accessories, garments, furniture, art, eco-friendly hand bags to baby clothes. Many of the clothing vendors displayed their garments in a familiar "swap-meet" manner, so the digging through rolling racks and piles of "mix and match" on tables wasn't too enticing. Otherwise vendors such as Shaune' Young, owner of Exfolatte Body Scrub, who stood by an eloquent free standing sink along with a glass pitcher of water ready to share her luxurious coffee face and body scrub, to any and all passerby's was a real sweet treat. This impressive scrub literally acts as both an astringent as well as an exfoliate while the unique ingredients detoxifies and facilitates the breakdown of cellulite and reduction of varicose veins! Also if you were willing to wait a half hour or so you could have joined the long list of patrons who enjoyed getting their nails done by Atlas Studio pro nail techs. who were demonstrating their 3D nail art for only $5-$15 depending on what you desired. If you want to "bling"-up your nails, glam, animate, or just polish them up, make your appointment with Yoko Ono, nail and eye lash expert, or any of their talented crew at Atlas Studio in Costa mesa. This next mention may not be beauty related, but the fact that this up and coming company of hand made eco-friendly accessories, White Apple Threads, creates the most adorable and functional messenger, duffel, diaper bags, to totes was definitely a beautiful find! From exquisitely impressive soft locally sourced, recycled coffee sacks lined with a sundry of eye catching redeemed fabrics, anyone will enjoy toting around these totes.
Overall The Thread Show proved to be a shoppers delight, whether it was the music, the food, the art, or the wares you came for, all together the people and what they shared with Orange County that day was a purely pleasurable event.

THREAD Show Launches 8th Annual Independent Designer Shopping Tour

Hold on to your hats Orange County; oh and your Gucci sunglasses and your Prada hand bag too, because the Thread Show's Independent Designer Shopper Tour is coming to The LAB in Costa Mesa next week, Sunday May 15th!
Anyone and everyone who must have the latest or just be in the know, having everything to do with fashion and beauty will be there and there's no better place to host such an event than the "anti-mall". A place where art and innovation collide on a daily basis. If you haven't heard about Thread and all the talented designers they have brought to the surface, along with collaborating with the local artists, salons, and musicians, creating the epitome of a shoppers dream come true! Just to name a few, You will experience The Style Lounge; offering complimentary hair and makeup for show attendees hosted by local hair and makeup artists from various salons. The Nail Bar which is offering free manicures all day, hosted by Atlas Studio . THREAD Well is a complimentary massage lounge hosted by Balance in Motion. Be pampered by a whole new way in taking your coffee. Introducing a coffee-rich body scrub designed to shed dead skin cells, restore suppleness, and improve skin texture, exhibiting exclusively by ExfoLatte.
Read on for what is in store and if you think you can beat the next person, the first ten to e-mail me wins a free ticket to this fabulous one day affair!

THREAD Show, the multi-city shopping event promoting emerging designers and artists, is traveling to San Diego, San Francisco, Orange County, Los Angeles and Seattle on the 2011 tour. At each show, THREAD will showcase 100 of the top independent designers in each market, as well as complementary music, art, food and entertainment from locals. In 2011, attendees can expect new interactive spaces with the additions of a DIY Lounge, Nail Bar, Live Style Series, THREAD Well Lounge and a Man Cave complimentary with entrance to the event.

“By allowing shoppers to skip the third-party retailer, THREAD gives trend-setters an opportunity to meet the designers face-to-face, feed the local economy, be kind to the environment and ensure products are locally-made and ethically produced,” explains THREAD Show spokesperson, Danielle Gano. “This one-on-one connection also allows designers to get direct feedback from their consumers and lifts the veil for consumers to know exactly where their products come from.”

For eight years, THREAD Show has encouraged cities across the country to shop local by presenting a curated showcase of the most skilled and creative designers in each market. In addition to shopping prices lower than retail from the top independent designers, attendees will enjoy a Style Lounge, live music, seasonal trend showcases, a pop-up local art gallery, photo booths, live screen printing and giveaways all day. Additionally, 2011 will introduce a DIY Lounge with make-your-own fashion designs and accessories, a Nail Bar with complimentary manicures all day, a Live Style Series, a THREAD Wellness Lounge featuring massages and holistic living tips and products, and a Man Cave with beer, magazines, darts and entertainment for male shoppers.
In 2011, THREAD Show is also announcing a new Premium Ticket, available to the first 300 at the door. Serial shoppers will be granted entry one hour prior to general admission. The shopper who prefers wide open isles and plenty of room to browse will be able to enjoy first access to the collections. This limited availability ticket also comes with a gift bag packed with THREAD Show swag and a complimentary cocktail. The preview hour for each show will be from 11 a.m. to noon. Premium Tickets will be available for $25. Doors open to general admission from noon to 6 p.m. General admission tickets will be available for $5 if attendees pre-register up to 24 hours prior to the show at www.threadshow.com. $10 tickets will be available at the door.
THREAD Show’s 2011 line-up consists of:

* San Diego: Sunday, April 3, 2011 - Horton Event Space
* San Francisco: Sunday, April 10, 2011 - Metreon Shopping Center
* Costa Mesa: Sunday, May 15, 2011 – The Lab
* Los Angeles: Sunday, June 12, 2011 - The Cooper Design Space
* Costa Mesa: Sunday, October 9, 2011 – THE LAB
* Seattle: Sunday, October 23, 2011 - Fisher Pavilion Seattle Center
* Los Angeles: Sunday, November 13, 2011 - The Cooper Design Space
* San Francisco: Sunday, November 20, 2011 - Metreon Shopping Center
* San Diego: Sunday, December 4, 2011 - Horton Event Space


Each show is held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the 11 a.m. to noon hour reserved for Premium Ticket holders. General admission is open from noon to 6 p.m. Attendance is $10 in all cities – or $5 if you RSVP on the THREAD website or bring a bag of clothes to donate to a local charity in each city. Registration is now open for all cities and interested designers are invited to apply here. For regular updates, to visit the THREAD blog, RSVP to a show or subscribe to the email newsletter, please visit www.threadshow.com.

About THREAD Show // Good Style. Good Value. Good Karma.
THREAD Show is a traveling juried showcase of the best independent fashion and home designers on the West Coast, and the music and art that rock their world. This dynamic one-day retail environment has showcased more than 7,000 emerging designers since its inception in 2003. THREAD allows consumers a unique opportunity to support their local economy, reduce their carbon footprint and discover emerging designers while scoring deals and purchasing one-of-a-kind wares in a fun and unique setting. For more information, visit www.threadshow.com.

Albolene, making you clean or lean?

There is a very unique product out there Orange County, that seems to be more popular with the local athletes than what it was originally intended for. A facial cleansing product by the name of Albolene. This makeup remover found at your local CVS or Rite Aid, has been around for over five decades, but is mostly recognized by either your grandmother, or todays' pro. wrestlers and weight trainers. Such a diverse following. Well they both don't use this product for the same reasons. Albolene has been one of cosmetics original, affordable, makeup removers consisting of mineral oil, petrolatum paraffin, ceresin and beta-carotene. As for modern day cosmetics, especially with the advantages of organics, boasting the benefits of "mineral-oil free" and "Paraffin-free" as a positive and healthier alternative when it comes to their ingredients, there's no wonder today women are making better choices to what they put on their face. Just the facts that ceresin, which is commonly used in the production of semisolid lubricants; is also used as an anticorrosive coating for various mechanical devices and as an insulating material in electrical engineering, doesn't make one want to slather that on. In grandmas day people were convinced that this was an option to remove their makeup as well as hydrating their skin?
Well, now it's understandable why it's the number one choice for pro athletes who are competing in sports such as wrestling, boxing, MMA, to weight training. This product is so pore clogging, asphyxiating the epidermis to force the skin into excessive "sweat-mode", causing the body to excrete it's normal reserves of water weight, enabling an athlete to lose inches on top of pounds in just a few hours! This product is recommended by numerous health and weight loss sites as a perfect quick fix to dropping weight fast for any sport event to even losing enough to fit into your old jeans or better yet wedding dress! Albolene does not work all on it's own though, it's only effective, by slathered it on in thick layers, concentrating on your troubled areas, and then you go for a run, lift weights, or do some intense cardio. work out, so you sweat like no ones business, then watch the weight come off. It is understood that this is only a temporary solution, being that it's only water weight coming off, not fat. Once you return to your normal everyday routine, your body will replenish the previous water loss. It is noted on most these sites, thankfully, to continue drinking water as you work out to prevent dehydration, cleanse, and detox the body, while your body is coated in Albolene. It is also impressed to keep up a balanced diet, and continue with a daily exercise regime along with the periodic use of Albolene, and one can successfully see longer more effective weight loss results.

It's in the bag!

On the way out the door? Did you find time this morning to do your hair, apply deodorant? Put on your shoes? Like many women living in Orange County, you may be juggling multiple daily responsibilities. Whether you lead a household full of children, a husband, and a job on top of that, or just whirling your own personal life obstacles day in and day out, there may be days you lose track of yourself on the way out the door.

One simple strategy to ensure you have what you need by the time you turn the key in the ignition, adjust your rear view mirror, gasp in horror when you realize you still have your bath towel on your head, is to pack an emergency touch up kit and have it ready and waiting in your purse, handbag, tote, baby bag, computer bag, what have you.

This small zippered bag, shouldn't take up much space. Look for something about 5 by 7 in size and preferably translucent so that you can find an item more efficiently. This bag should hold the most important items that YOU find it hard to get through a day without.

On your way to the gym? Warm to blistering day ahead? First and foremost, pack your favorite deodorant in travel size. Hit your local pharmacy, Target, or Walmart and have a good time picking from all the fun miniature sized grooming products for .99 cents each. You most likely can find a travel bag there too. Mother's Market carries an amazing organic body/deodorant spray by Avalon Organics in Rosemary and Peppermint. Keep a pack of face wipes handy, alcohol free, preferably chamomile based to refresh and cleanse the face as well as body, when needed. For example Jason All-Natural fragrance free quick clean makeup remover/face wipes. When your favorite products come in bulk or large containers, down size to travel jars and spray bottles(even a simple ziplock sandwich bag), which are also available at your local pharmacies and grocery stores.

Protect that skin! Spf is imperative for not just your face but neck, decollete, arms, and hands, that all get their fair share of sun exposure when simply sitting in the car on a sunny day. Most sunscreens offer travel sizes of their product like Banana Boat, or to "kill two birds with one stone", find a tinted moisturizer with spf 15 to 30 and even out your skin as well as protect it from the suns damaging rays. Remede Translucent oil-free UV coat 30, offering four skin-blendable color tones.

Tweezers! How many get in the car and at some point, wished they had tweezers to pluck away that stubborn chin hair that miraculously appeared out of no where! OR, you haven't found the time to get your brows shaped but with a few tweaks you can make it through one more day. Rubis Switzerland precision tweezers (They sharpen them free, for life!).

If your'e a makeup wearer, and somehow this daily ritual got interrupted, at least have a tube of water proof mascara and lip gloss stored in your bag for this very emergency. MAC offers a reasonably priced high quality waterproof mascara, Opulash in Bad Bad Black $14, or run down the cosmetic isle at Target for Loreal Voluminous Waterproof Mascara $8.95. Lip glosses come in so many shapes, sizes, textures, flavors, and of course colors. So for every gloss type out there, there is an individual who is partial to what resides on their lips. Whether it be just a clear lip balm, a hint of pink, a mauvey-bronze, to a sassy red. Just keep it in a squeeze tube or wand format, just in case you leave this bag in a hot car, you don't have to worry about it melting. Stila offers a unique lip and cheek stain with the added sheer gloss, in a convenient twist-tube and seven yummy flavors and colors.

Now what about your hair? For long hair, simply keep a couple of hair ties/ rubber bands available to neatly or loosly tie the hair back. If your hair is short, layered possibly, with just a couple of twists using Scuncci No Slip Grip Mini Octo Jaw Clips or their No-Slip Grip Wide Hairband in just minutes, you can look like you spent all morning on your hair. If you forgot to wash your hair, and just need that oily look(and smell) to disappear. Keep Rene Furterer's Dry Shampoo on hand, for an instant boost and clean feel to your scalp and hair.

Last but not least, how's the breath? Did you forget your morning mouth care? Keep a pack of Wrigley's sugar-free Orbit Professional chewing gum on hand when a tooth brush and water isn't near by. This unique gum actually helps clean the teeth while you chew! Recommended by four out of five dentists, well at least by Professor Klaus Konig of Germany!

An important mention to all of the busy ladies (and men, you too) who try to do it all before that early morning meeting; never attempt these grooming tasks while behind a moving vehicle! All personal business, same goes for the cell phone, can wait until the car engine is off. Before or after your drive is the best time to pull out your bag of tricks and then and only then, work your magic

The air brush tan

Orange County is hip with the ever popular sunless tanning pastime, as far back as the 1960's, women and men have been fake n' baking, bronzing, spraying, and rubbing it on to achieve the ultimate tan without the time and agony it takes lying under the sun's UV rays. The sun's rays in moderation can be beneficial in helping the body produce vitamin D, but beyond this, avoiding prolonged exposure from it's damaging rays is pro active towards anti-aging as well as a skin cancer preventative. Tanning beds are found just as harmful to the skin considering they deliver concentrated doses of ultraviolet rays both UVA(actinic, cancer causing) and UVB(burning), and many end up burning the epidermis, causing severe adverse reactions. Air brush tanning has become a quick and easy way to achieve that healthy glow, it's long lasting, safer than ever, without wasting your time baking and burning your day away.
So many people are still hesitant on trying self tanners due to that age old fear of turning orange. Tanning products have come a long way baby! Consumers looking for a safer, quicker, realistic tan in just moments can find reliable tanning products right on shelves of their local grocery stores, such as Jergens Natural Glow, a highly effective easy to apply lotion for all over the body. Then there is the, ever growing in popularity, spray tanners, typically applied by an airbrush technician in a salon or even right in your own home. Self tanners not only provide the "melanin challenged" an opportunity to experience an exotic tan but make it easier to maintain your "healthy glow", longer, along with keeping the skin hydrated, bronzed, and silky soft. Depending on the product, the scent of self tanners have improved ten fold, many are scented with coconut, mint, to raspberry-almond, instead of that old stale potato smell that still haunts many to this day. Self tanning sprays are available in organic formulas, different tanning hues, and can last up to two weeks before needing a touch-up. So now that spring is here and the weather is warming, fashion is gearing it's head towards, shorts, minis, sandals, tanks, and of course bathing suits. So whether you want to get a head start on your summer tan, look amazing in that little black dress, or sculpt your new six pack that you've worked hard all winter for, make your appointment today for a body and mind altering experience with a professional organic airbrush technician from salons such as Sun Silhouette in San Clemente, to Surface Beauty mobile beauty tanning services who bring the spa to you!

Un "bridal" ing Beauty

Wedding season is upon us Orange County! From the Montage in Laguna to The Villa in San Juan, these venues are booked! The brides have it all covered, from tiara down to their toes! However, there is one thing brides most commonly neglect and that's their skin! How so many classically let their faces fall to the wayside by forgetting that stress and lack of sleep along with improper skin maintenance can truly turn "The blushing bride" more like, "The blemished bride".
Here are some simple beautiful ways to ensure the angelic skin every girl desires on the day of her wedding!
First and foremost if hiring an artist for makeup, finding the right one can take time. NEVER feel stuck with the first one you try, always interview two to three different artists(expect your trial costs to run from anywhere between $45 to $100 each sitting), and making sure you have done this at least three months in advance of the wedding date as to ensure the one you choose doesn't become booked as well as giving you ample time to find the right one.
You shouldn't rely entirely on the makeup artist for perfect skin though. Skincare is an important primer to ensuring the makeup will look and stay as flawless from the moment it's applied to the moment she takes it "all off!" So the next concern is maintenance before the magical day. Keeping a regular cleansing regime morning and night, avoiding soap based cleansers that only dry out the skin. Look to Yum (vegan) Gourmet Skincares Oatmeal Apricot Creme Cleanser if your'e on the dry side or Lemon Soy Cleansing Lotion if you lean more on the oily side. Toning with an alcohol free toner after every wash to balance skins PH, try, Yum's nourishing bio-complex Pomegranate Toner. Being a big believer in serums, find the right one for your skin type, high in skin nourishing anti- oxidants, and restorative ingredients.(Melvita's organic, Regenerating Serum).
Take good care of the windows to the soul, especially when the groom stares into those eyes, you don't want him noticing the rings of sleepless nights. Take time out for a soothing eye masque once or twice a week especially right before the day of, (Shiseido's Pure Retinol Instant treatment Eye Mask). Exfoliating is key, once a week removing the unwanted dry(corneum) layers of the skin and allowing fresher smoother skin to come forth. Avoid harsh scrubs involving nuts and seeds of any sort, smooth jojoba beads, and ultra fine sugar scrubs such as Farm House Fresh's One Fine Day Flawless Face Polish. (You will have to TRY not to lick it off). A truly delicious way to pampering and caring for your skin. Hydrate and protect the skin your'e in everyday and every night. Moisturizers seal in the nourishing ingredients you have layered on prior, as well as shield the skin from outside free radicals such as smog, dirt, oils, smoke, and sun as long as you remember the SPF!(Oil free, and avoid oxybenzone because it can trigger allergic reactions). Now, for dry skin, gently hydrate with a weightless effect try Yum's Avocado Whip Moisture Creme and if your'e on the oilier side try Yum's Lychee Balacing Gel. One more savory step towards blissfully beautiful skin, take 20 mins. once a week for a relaxing, regenerating facial masque, appropriate to your skin type. On the dry side? Look to a gel or creamy based masque nutrient-rich in vitamin C, seaweed extracts and ultra hydrating shea butters to condition and restore natural suppleness.(Yum Nori Mango Butter Masque). If more on the oily side lean towards something clay based along with natural salicylic acids preferrably naturally found from papaya and pineapple which clarifies, detoxifies,and mildly exfoliates simultaneously balancing oil production, combating bacteria, as well as current and future blemishes.(Yums Red Earth Mineral Masque).
Along with remembering to drink your eight glasses of water a day, eating right, getting plenty of rest, and learning to deligate to relieve stressfull situations, these helpful hints and products will provide any bride "unblemished wedlock!"

The Makeup Show LA

The third annual Makeup Show LA, if you haven't heard, was held at the downtown California Market Center, just this past weekend. Pro makeup artists, working artists, up and coming, to wannabe artists, came from near and far to catch a glimpse of the latest in cosmetic and supply trends within the industry. There were several booths catering to special effects and film makeup such as Make Up Forever, Graftobian, Mehron, and Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics to name a few. A perpetual query throughout this venue and among the cosmetic booths seemed to be the concern about HD(high definition/digital) ready makeup. "Is this makeup HD approved, certified, ready, appropriate, etc?"
What!?
High definition makeup has made its way to the forefront of the cosmetic world not only catering to the film industry but for the everyday makeup wearing woman(and man, Yves Saint Laurent L'Homme Touche Eclat). Within the past ten years makeup artists have been well aware of the need for this "finer", more perfected coverage. Since the introduction of HD and the quality imagery it provides the viewer, it was inevitable this would force the cosmetic industry to change the quality of how and what is applied to the skin and hair. High definition means we as the viewers see our actors six times as sharp as the previous, softer grained images, exposing more details, such as lines, wrinkles, skin imperfections, where basically makeup mistakes are more easily seen!
Pro makeup artists spoke on panels explaining their personal adaptations to this higher expectation for the flawless, unreadable makeup. For the everyday makeup wearer this has been the sought after dream product for decades!
Pro artists such as Ve Neill currently working on The Amazing Spiderman, Eryn Krueger Mekash of Glee, and Debbie Zollar from Mad Men, continued to explain whether how much more they carefully need to apply to actors and then there were some explaining how much less to apply. What was also expressed was the honest understanding that a makeup should be applied accordingly to what the situation demands. For example actor A who let's say has perfect skin, needs a natural makeup for a 40's era piece; give her the appropriate, flawless, undetectable finish with the accurate period styling of liner, rouging, and lip shaping. Then we have actor B who has level one acne, maybe an unwanted blemish square in the center of their forehead, requires special effects for an alien character where in "Quadrant 9", acneic skin doesn't exist. Now, the special effects pro can either use the blemishes to their advantage, or if smooth skin is a must, apply color and effects accordingly, then look to CGI(computer generated imagery) for the texture fix-ups. This is a given across the board, CGI is there to save the day when HD gets in the way!
Now just because we have CGI doesn't allow the artistry to relax just yet. The experienced artist knows the importance of accurate detail to the face and hair of their actor, along with the help of quality product, checking and double checking how it all looks on camera, and with the DP's approval, they then, maybe, can sit back and finally "take five".
High Definition may have taken away the subtleties, smoke screens, the veils that otherwise film provided the makeup artist with to hide imperfections, but todays experienced makeup artist must prove they actually can match the actors skin tone to the foundation, blend away the lines, and contours, and concentrate on those details in the looks they were hired to create, as this is also true for bridal, print, and video because across the board, the HD camera truly doesn't lie.