Make Me Over: Micheline Pitt Modern Pinup Makeup & Hair DVD

May 8, 2013

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The retro pinup look is such a classic, beautiful style. Those who love vintage know that nothing beats having fantastic hair and makeup reminiscent of the era to go with a killer dress you just scored. It always looks pretty, it always turns heads, but by golly, doing it right is not something that comes naturally. It takes a little know-how and a bit of practice. Thank goodness one of LA’s most stunning pinup gals, Micheline Pitt, is also a gifted hair and makeup artist and decided to share her tips of the trade in a DVD that both beauty professionals, and those of us who just love the scene, can take home, play over and over, and learn how to get our retro looks just right.

michelinePMicheline may best be known as a project manager at Pinup Girl Clothing where her work can be seen in photo shoots for the online catalog of their gorgeous couture line of vintage-inspired attire. For the DVD, she filmed hours of footage, some with the popular PUG models. For a mere $30 you get not one, but THREE DVDs of hair and makeup styles in eras from the 1930s to the 1960s, all done with a little bit of a modern spin on the pinup so it’s wearable for today without looking like you’re an extra on a movie set.

Originally planned to be just a makeup how-to, Micheline realized, you can’t have the look with just makeup alone. The right hair makes the image complete and who knew she was just as talented with hair styling as she is as a makeup artist. She does everything from glamour waves to a beehive.

There are also segments focusing specifically on eyebrows. Micheline is a self-proclaimed “brow snob” and rightfully so. Brows are one of the most important things to get right in your look and one of the hardest features to learn how to do.  I’ll admit I get brow envy every time I look at Micheline, so thank goodness she shared some of her expertise. Other segments include highlighting and contouring and Micheline’s own makeup routine where we get to see her as real as it gets, green sulfur facial mask on, hair natural and wavy. I also like the moments in the video where she shares a bit of her girl chattiness and we get a hint at her mischievous personality and some slips of raunchy humor.

While Micheline’s target audience for the DVD may be makeup artists, I think most aspiring retro pinups are going to get more out of this in doing their fun going-out looks. I know I personally have been trying out new looks from the tips I’ve learned. She is clearly ultra-talented and offers so much information here, it takes a while to get through all of the DVDs. I only wish some of the film production had been a little better to do her justice – for example, it would have been better if they used a hand-held camera instead of a camera planted on a tripod. There are times we can only see the back of Micheline’s hand or her head instead of the makeup she is doing.

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Here are some of the best tips I learned:

  • Buying three shades of foundation – one slightly lighter and one slightly darker than the shade that matches your skin. Use the lighter shade for contouring around the tops of checks and nose, forehead and chin, the darker shade for contour under cheekbones, jaw and sides of the temples. This give the face dimension rather than flattening it out with one shade. Works best for darker complexions but I tried it and love the subtle effect.
  • Lips contouring – for the perfect pout. A bit of bronzer under lower lip, a bit of highlight on the upper and a darker lip liner on the “bow.” Magic!
  • Brushes – she demonstrates when to use natural and synthetic. Go for select goat hair  and look for them in art supply stores to save a load of cash!
  • Setting waves – curl hair (she shows how-to with hot-sticks, hot rollers and a curling iron.) and use fingers to adjust waves around the face to “mold” into place and pin. I finally learned to let go and use my instincts on this and started creating some great new looks! Next, I might have to try a clip-in weave as she does for even more oomph!

To officially launch the DVD, the Pinup Girl Boutique threw a release party. There were cocktails and sweets, the Rhythm Shakers performed and Micheline did a live makeup demo. Of course the PUG models were there in full effect as well as lots of shoppers eager to get that pinup look. Check out the PARTY PIX:

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CLICK HERE for MORE party photos! >>

So a big thanks to Micheline for creating this DVD set and sharing her know-how. I’ve long been a big watcher of YouTube videos to learn new tricks but these are the most detailed videos you can get to completely transform yourself into a pinup babe! If you love vintage looks, you need this! Buy at the Pinup Girl Clothing Boutique in Burbank or online HERE.

Here’s to fun new looks!
Kastle

The DVD reviewed in this blog was purchased by the author

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Oh the Drama! The 15th Annual Film Noir Festival

April 30, 2013

k150_20heel iconIt was a dark and mysterious evening, the dames were dressed to the nines, you knew half of them were gun molls for the sharp-dressed gents hangin’ in shadows, hats tipped low, cigarette smoke filling the air as the music played. Oh a few danced like it was the best night of their lives, but others were on the hunt, looking for clues like scavengers. They were told they were part of a team but I knew it was every man for himself as I circled the gamblin’ tables. I was lady luck and the only one in the joint probably not headed for the state pen’. The dancing girls inside the theater were offering up there best burlesque tease, a few mugs hung around the bowling alley, and the band played on.

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The Egyptian Theatre was transformed into Noir City for the closing night of the two-week long, 15th annual Film Noir Festival. There was an Italian food buffet, cocktails, a burlesque show, a scavenger hunt, music by Dean Mora and his Swingtet, mock mug shots by Paper Moon Vintage Photography, even a play bowling alley as the place was set up to resemble Jefty’s club featured in the film centerpiece,  “Road House,”  a gem of a film noir black ‘n’ white flick with the requisite dramatic ending, starring Ida Lupino, Cornel Wilde, Celeste Holm and Richard Widmark.

Film Noir is a genre that was created in the early ‘40s to the late ’50s, with its signature high-contrast, black ‘n’ white look and plots filled with scandal to the point it’s almost funny to watch. It was great to see some of these films restored and on the big screen. I had the pleasure of catching “Sunset Blvd” and it was even better than the first time I saw it years ago. I was loving the Edith Head costumes, Billy Wilder’s direction and the engaging story that is oh so Hollywood. And what great fun to be in a crowd that applauded over those classic lines: “I AM big, it’s the pictures that got small.” And “Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up.”

The closing night party really drew a big crowd as the entire courtyard of the Egyptian Theatre filled with people, dressed in their finest vintage to reflect the era to watch the movie, have a cocktail and good time! Check out the party pix:

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The Annual Film Noir Festival is presented by The American Cinematheque. Be sure to catch it next year by following festival updates on the Film Noir Los Angeles Facebook page.

Here’s mud in your eye,
Kastle

“Road House” photo via Pinterest

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Like a Rolling Stone

April 25, 2013

k150_19heel iconAs the Rolling Stones celebrate 50 years of rockin’, fans are coming together to share their love for the band and the music. As I came up in the club scene, almost every musician I knew wanted to be as cool as “Keef,” and every girl wanted someone with “moves like Jagger.” They were wild, sexy, dangerous and oh so stylish, so it’s not surprising that some of my favorite musician friends would join together to form an all-star band to bust out some classic Stones songs in celebration of the band’s upcoming tour and a photo exhibit at the Project Gallery.

Singer/guitarist Jonny Kaplan (Lazy Stars), bassist Bruce Witkin (The Kids), keyboardist Rami Jaffee (Wallflowers), drummer Clem Burke (Blondie, International Swingers), pedal steel guitarist Chris Lawrence (Lazy Stars) and violinist Jessy Greene (Foo Fighters, Wilco)  rocked out under the name “Bitch” and it sounded oh so sweet! Kaplan had the perfect voice to pull out that bluesy, hip shakin’, rock ‘n’ roll, and what can you say about an all-star band, they know how to bring it!

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After the show, there were plenty of hugs between old friends. LA Weekly Writer/DJ Lina Lecaro spun a great e-mix of Stones tunes and we took pix like it was a rock ‘n’ roll high school reunion.

Spotted in the crowd: KROQ DJ Rodney Bingenheimer, International Swinger Gary Twinn, Charlie from Custom Made Scare and Marko from Sugarcult and scenester Vinni Stiletto (gotta love the name!)

See the party pix below:

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You gotta roll with it,
Kastle

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Hooray for Earth Day – Let’s Have Green Drinks!

April 22, 2013

k150_19heel iconHappy Earth Day! As a self-proclaimed greenie, I like to think of every day as earth day but it’s nice to have one day a year to really draw attention to why it’s important. Our poor planet has been beat up – too much disposable consumerism choking the landfills, too many toxins in everything. It’s not only hurting the planet, it’s hurting our health and it’s making precious animals like the polar bear go on the verge of extinction – and that just makes me sad.

I try to do as many sustainable actions in my life as possible – to conserve energy, not be wasteful, recycle, reuse, bring my own bags when I go shopping, drive a Prius. I’ll admit I’m not perfect, sometimes I forget my bags, sometimes there isn’t a place to recycle something and I put it in the trash. Sometimes I really want to buy something I know isn’t planet-friendly. But I try. If everybody at least TRIES, all those little actions add up to a big impact.

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And as you may know from reading this blog, I like to go out. And one place I found where I can let my green flag fly is Green Drinks, where like-minded greenies get together and enjoy eco-cocktails (yes, there are organic liquors, made with organic juices, you just have look for them.) The events take place in cities all around the world. In Los Angeles, the drinks are made courtesy of bartender Michelle Green Queen (see interview) and take place on the East and West sides of town alternately so no matter where you live, it’s close enough. We meet, chat about what we do, what we’re passionate about and inspire each other. It’s a friendly informal group that meets once a month and no matter what shade of green you are -from doing a little to a lot, all are welcome. Follow LA Green Drinks on Facebook to learn of upcoming events.

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At the recent Green Drinks celebrating Earth Day, there were models wearing fashions designed completely from trash found on the beach – dirty Styrofoam paper plates and cups, cigarette filters and potato chip bags. It’s shocking to realize how lazy people are – really, you can’t even put something in a trash can, let alone a recycle bin and just leave it on the beach for others to have to look at? Makes ya think.

Check out the party pix below:

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So this Earth Day, think little – little actions you can take every day to be more socially responsible. Turn off the lights you aren’t using, get a recycling bin in your home.  It all makes a difference!

Be green,
Kastle

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Viva Las Vegas 2013

April 14, 2013

k150_19heel icon“Bright light city, gonna set my soul on fire” – Elvis Presley

“Viva Las Vegas” is what we were singing at the rockabilly festival of the same name. For the past 16 years, it’s also been a definitive annual gathering of lovers of ‘50s retro culture – pinup girls, greaser boys and bands, bands, bands. I hadn’t been in a few years so it was time to head back to it.  While the festival runs for four days, since I just started a new job, and didn’t have vacation yet, we decided to make it an action-packed weekend. So we woke at a somewhat painful 4 a.m. on Saturday morning to catch a 7 a.m. flight to Sin City. I had my pincurls tucked under a Rosie-the-Riveter-style red bandanna and the security patrol must have seen a few of my type before me as they kept asking, “you going to that convention in Vegas?” which made us howl with laughter!

We arrived at the Gold Coast Hotel where our room was not yet ready, so we joined other blurry-eyed rockabillies in the not-so-glamorous-but-functional TGIFridays inside the hotel for a solid breakfast of eggs and toast to get us going. I realized I clearly wasn’t the only one in a bandana headscarf. I spotted several other girls sporting that curl-protecting look, making us look like some sort of girl gang! I think we made the other patrons nervous!

When we were finally allowed into a room, we had a quick nap and a primp and took the shuttle over to The Orleans to hit the convention.

wFabsThe minute we entered the hotel, we could see the place was crawling with rockabillies. The guys had their greased up hair and sideburns, but it was the girls who stood out as the big fashionistas. Massive ’50s rolled hair in bright colors – pink, purple, blue and lots of red heads. Rockabilly is no longer just about Bettie Page black hair and all the jewel tones made it such a feast of eye-popping fun!

We immediately hit the shopping vendors. Vintage stores from across the nation pull out their best goods to sell here and it was quite the bonanza. I was ready for the treasure hunt and I’m quite happy with what I scored:

My Viva Haul:

  • Blue brocade cocktail dress – deadstock from Sneaky Tiki
  • Sparkle blue flower hair clips (that match the dress!) from Vintage Gal
  • Mary Jane flats and peep-toe heels from Vintage Gal
  • Powder blue bullet bra and girdle (Oh I’ve been wanting this!) from V-Male Detroit

parasolAfter shopping we headed outside for the car show and bands. The temperature was in the ’80s — good ol’ Vegas heat – and girls were creating their own shade with colorful parasols that made them look so charming. But boy did it get a little dangerous in the packed crowds going to the vendors – one almost took out my pal Fabby’s big hairdo!

One of the vendors bringing on the glamour was the Pinup Girl Clothing booth, which had an endless crowd around it of girls not just shopping, but dying to get a photo with the pinup models Micheline Pitt, Erika Reno and Doris Mayday who are just as  gorgeous in person as they are in their photos. Micheline had on a metallic pink criss-cross strap gown with matching hair fascinator that was absolutely stunning, Erika had one on in black, and Doris was wearing a very groovy metallic copper jumpset with shorts that matched her hair and playful vixen personality.

I managed to find a moment when the crowd died down to buy Micheline’s recently released “Modern Pinup Makeup & Hair” DVD -a three disk set of how-to’s for looks from the ‘30s to the ’60s and featuring many of the clearly famous Pinup Girl Clothing models. Stay tuned for a full DVD review coming soon!

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We were waiting for Dick Dale to take the stage and getting mighty thirsty so we stood in line next to giant tiki statues for Sailor Jerry Rum tiki drinks in a souvenir tiki cup -gotta have that!

We got our drinks just in time when Dick Dale took the stage.  Now I certainly knew of Dick Dale’s legend but I can’t say I’ve followed his career. I wanted to check him out but wasn’t sure how much I’d be into it. I have to say he blew me away!  Now in his 70′s, he was fully in control of that stage and played his guts out, putting much younger guys to shame!  He told us the doctors said he shouldn’t be playing anymore due to his health issues – cancer and diabetes — it was clear nothing was going to stop him! I was thoroughly impressed and so glad I had the opportunity to see him live.

After the show we shuttled back to the hotel to slip into our cocktail dresses for the night’s activities. I put on my newly purchased blue brocade dress and Fabby went “Dreamgirls” with a sequined aqua shift dress.

We got back in time for Little Richard and the entire outdoor area was packed. Now in his 80′s, we all knew this may be the last time to see this legendary pioneer of rock n roll sing such classics as “Long Tall Sally” and “Good Golly Miss Molly.”

We waited for what felt like and eternity and finally the lights went down. Before the main act, we learned the winners of the Pinup Contest. Then Little Richard’s posse brought him out on stage in rolling gold throne of a piano bench.  He told us later in the show that he broke his hip three years ago and hasn’t walked since and the doctors say his heart isn’t strong enough to operate — so the poor guy is in massive pain, clearly wincing and moaning as he adjusted his seated position at the piano. I don’t know what those doctors are talking about, he certainly put a lot of heart into this performance, clearly excited to see the massive crowd, smiling, telling jokes punctuated with his trademark, “shuttup!” and dressed in his bright royal purple suit with sparkles – he still has great style! His voice was a little weak but his fingers made up for it, firing up the ivories for all his hits. He asked  the crowd to pray for him and his health and had his posse hand out prayer books to the audience that had a signed picture of him in it. I managed to grab one as a souvenir.

For “The Girl Can’t Help It,” they invited a bunch of lovely girls from the audience to dance along, which put a big smile on Little Richard’s face and he continued to play for over an hour, though it looked like his posse was clearly worried about the strain on him. I was just so happy to see him, I love those songs. Thanks Richard, you made our night!

After the show, we headed offsite in a cab pointed to Frankie’s Tiki Room, the famed bar is a must-go for local cool cats and their visiting friends. It’s fantastic Tiki décor was created by Bamboo Ben who I interviewed for an article on Tiki Culture. They have an awesome drink menu that you can have served in a souvenir Tiki glass. I had a Kahiki Kai and Fabby threw down a Three Rum Scum. The place was packed with Viva people and was a great night for drinking and people watching.

After that we were ready for some beauty sleep and a good lie-in before getting ready for the last day of our short weekend. It was Easter Sunday so I picked my most spring-like vintage dress for the occasion and topped it with a pair of bunny ears.

bunnyWe wandered back through the shopping vendors where we ran into our pals Dave and Sabino from Clever Vintage and then tried to make it out to the pool area to watch them judge the bathing suit contest, but there was a line clear down the courtyard and they weren’t letting anymore people in. So rather than melting in the sun, we opted to go back inside and check out the bands. Boy, were we in for a treat when we stumbled upon a set by Maureen and the Mercury 5. While Maureen looks like a little lady, she can belt out a tune like nobody’s business. Teamed with vocalist Douglas Roegiers from Phat Cat Swinger, they were delightful to watch. But things got downright dirty when they were joined by Switchblade 3’s Brad Hayman with his big ol’ white flaming bass and mohawk. Two big ol upright bassists created a thunderous beat and Maureen went and laid some saucy, sexy attitude right across the both to them – go girl!

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Afterward, we wandered around the casino, it wouldn’t be Vegas if we didn’t try our hand at gambling. I found myself a “Sex and the City” slot machine and fed in some of my hard-earned dollars. I walked away with a whole 30 cents! That’s Vegas for ya! Then we grabbed a drink with some pals and got in line for the ever-infamous Charles Phoenix and one of his hilarious slideshows of vintage photos. This time he had fresh material straight from Saturday’s car show mixed in with original photos of vintage cars, and some of his own auto treasure hunting.

He came out in a rainbow neon spray-painted suit and threw, what else, rainbow bread out into the audience! He’s always great for a belly laugh and was a great way to end the weekend before we jetted off back to LA.

Thanks Viva! What a great way to spend the weekend!

Click below for all my  pix!

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Yeehaw!
Kastle

Photos of Little Richard, Frankie’s Tiki Room, Charles Phoenix via Pinterest. 

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The Carrie Diaries: Be a Carrie

April 11, 2013

k150_19heel iconAs a huge “Sex and the City” fan, I tuned into the new series, “The Carrie Diaries” to see how they handled the prequel focused on the high school days of the now iconic character of Carrie Bradshaw. As a journalist turned blogger, I identitfed with Carrie’s character as well as her love of fashion and big city life. I was delighted to find the show to be a fun representation of the ’80s era and Carrie as a budding fashionista. It’s always inspiring to watch a show with great style to get some ideas to pluck for myself. And it’s even better when you know where to buy them. At the beginning of episode 112: “A First Time for Everything,” Carrie can be seen sporting the Up in the Tee Tops* from ModCloth and I just happen to love to shop that site. Here’s the link where you can get it for yourself.

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During the season finale of “The Carrie Diaries,” Carrie wears three different pieces from the site. The first piece she wears is the Tilt-A-Twirl Dress from ModCloth.

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Next Carrie wears the Music in Me Skirt in Mix Tape from ModCloth. This A-line skirt features bright cassette tapes set on a black backdrop. Super cute!

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Lastly, Carrie can be seen in the Cool With Me Top in Citrus from ModCloth featuring cap sleeves, a defined waist, and a fruity, retro print. Check out all of these great styles on Episode 113: “Kiss Yesterday Goodbye”.

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Now you too can be a “Carrie”!

Go city girl!
Kastle

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When Fashion Meets Business: FAB Counsel Event

March 30, 2013

k150_19heel iconSo you wanna be a fashion designer? You may have some great sketches and great ideas, but do you know how to balance your money records, do your taxes, register your company name and trademark your designs?

When you have a creative mind, turning that into a business can be tricky and challenging (and frankly, not nearly as much fun.) That’s why there are pros who can help you out.

This week, another FABulous fashion and business event took place with the FAB Counsel offering a panel discussion of business, marketing and finance needs when you’re thinking of starting a fashion business.

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On the panel:

  • Mary Vallarta, Founder of FAB Counsel speaking on marketing strategy
  • Members of the Fashion Law Group – speaking on trademarks and intellectual property
  • Alexandra Scoggin: VP of Business Development at Bibby Financial (and one ultra stylish lady in her own right!) speaking on getting business loans
  • Members of PMA Accounting Services – speaking on financial record-keeping and taxes for small businesses

Every member of the panel may work in the not-so-glamorous tasks of dealing with financials and paperwork, but they all had a passion for fashion and helping start-up entrepreneurs.

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Some notes I came away with:

- Before you start a business, do your research. Know the market and the demographics of your customers.

- Know your competition and learn from them.

- Don’t over-reach, go niche. Gain people’s attention and spread your voice.

- Law may not be the sexiest part of your business but it’s  something you need to know

- Don’t skimp on marketing. You have to get your name out there and do it well.

- Don’t be afraid to ask for help, there are professionals out there who know how to do what you don’t.

- Choosing a business entity is all about minimizing risk

- You have to understand your finances. You need to know how much it cosst to produce each item and what you can afford to sell it for.

- Keep a separate bank account just for your business. You’ll need a DBA fictitious business name to start a bank account under a business name.

- There has been a spike in sole proprietorship audits. Get a CPA  to help you with your financials, then you have the time to be the creative that you are.

And an extra bonus of the night was the location in Tarina Tarantino flagship boutique on Melrose, where it was eye-candy galore in this very pink and ultra girly store chock full of their signature chunky, playful, blingy jewelry and rhinestone encrusted cosmetics. As an extra bonus, we also heard some words of wisdom from Tarina Tarantino’s head of marketing.

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So if you’re looking to set out on your own fashion biz, check out upcoming FAB Counsel events, they offer the knowledge you need!

Be FABulous,
Kastle

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Dress Like Mad Men

March 26, 2013

k150_19heel iconWith just a few days to go before the premiere of Season 6 of Mad Men,  I figured it was time to let you in on some secrets I know in how to live the Mad Men lifestyle – mainly how to dress and drink like our favorite characters. Today’s blog post will let you in on how to shop for the looks seen on the show.

While I have always love ‘60s fashions for their fun silhouettes and bold colors, Mad Men has brought those styles back with a distinction all their own. Now when I go out in my best ‘60s era vintage I’m told,  “you dress so Mad Men,” which I of course take as a compliment because I love the show so much.

k_jbryant1Part of the reason I love it is the care they’ve taken to get every detail right to recreate the decade of so many cultural shifts. Part of that credit goes to costume designer Janie Bryant, who I had the pleasure of meeting during a book signing at my favorite vintage store in Burbank:

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 The store not only has supplied some of the amazing vintage seen on the show but it is such a joy to shop in. It’s in a gorgeous space with frescoed ceilings, the clothes are tagged by era, everything piece is in nearly perfect condition, they have a HUGE inventory of women’s and men’s wear at fantastic prices and the staff is super friendly and helpful.

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Clever Vintage Clothing

Another vintage source that has amazing owners is Clever Vintage who I’ve frequently featured in this blog because not only are co-owners Dave and Sabino so knowledgeable about their fashion history and doing custom styling, the are also fabulous party pals! Dave and Sabino travel all across the country to curate their vintage treasures. You can purchase their fine pieces at one of the many shows they participate in, including Helm’s Design District Vintage Boutique and Burbank Pickwick. Check the events page on their website for upcoming dates or make an appointment at their downtown showroom.  They did wardrobe for Peggy and Betty in two separate episodes. Remember these outfits?

Banana Republic Mad Men Collection

 

It was a genius move of marketing to get a major department store to work with Janie Bryant to design a line of contemporary clothing with a retro feel and make it accessible to everyone.  Banana Republic has been launching a new Mad Men collection at  the start of each season for the past few years and this one is no exception. Bold patterns and rich colors are featured here.  And these are great pieces for me to wear to work and still have a mod feel since I don’t dare subject my delicate vintage to long office hours.

 

Check out their inspiration and behind the scenes of the collection here.

And get 25% off through April 30 with this coupon.

What Katie Did Lingerie

Now, even your best vintage won’t look authentic unless you have the right undergarments.  Want to look and walk like Joan? Put yourself into one of these corsets and not only will you have an hourglass figure like you’ve never seen, but you’ll just WALK in a different way, a SEXY way!

What Katie Did specializes in designs influences by the glamour of the ‘40s and ‘50s film stars but with contemporary fabric and structure. Plus, were else can you find a gorgeous bullet bra these days?

 

     

And if you can’t get your hand on any of these clothes, you can always dress up virtually and “Mad Men Yourself” through the AMC website:

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So if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go get dressed up and mix a cocktail. Can’t wait for Season 6, starting on April 7th!

Stay tuned for Part II of Mad Men series next week where I show you more of how you can live the Mad Men lifestyle!

Now go shop!
Kastle

Photos of Vintage Playclothes by Kastle
Photos of Clever Vintage, Banana Republic Mad Men Collection, What Katie Did via Pinterest

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Time for a New Bag

March 16, 2013

k150_19heel iconAttention working girls:  have you ever felt like a bag lady walking out the door to your job? There are lunch bags, makeup bags, purses, gym bags, and shoulder bags.

I recently started a new job (yay!) as a social media manager/blogger at a tech company and I knew it was time to update my bags. Working in an industry where there is a lot of gear to carry around – laptops, cameras, cords – I need a work bag that’s functional and durable, and of course, I always try to do the right green thing.

So I turned to the Ultimate Green Store* to look for a stylish bag that I knew was made from recycled materials, that would look cool and serve my purpose.

There I found some really great options:

Messenger Bag – made from recycled seatbelts

Solar Charging Laptop Bag – great for eco tech geeks!

Messenger Bag – made from recycled rice sacks

Rocker Purse – made from recycled tires

Shop on – it’s in the bag!
Kastle

Photos: theultimategreenstore.com via Stiletto on Pinterest

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The Makeup Show

March 6, 2013

k150_19heel iconI can’t think of a better way to spend a day than surrounded by makeup. All those little jewel-tone colors, powders and brushes just waiting to make us beautiful. I was a kid in a literal candy store at The Makeup Show this weekend where beauty brands come to showcase their products, launch new ones and cater to the makeup artistry industry in the quest to make people gorgeous.

Along with the wealth of product displays and head-turning looks on everyone from the attendees to the workers in the booths to the made-over models, there were panels to teach everyone new techniques, new products and a little business sense for professionals in the beauty industry.

I made a point to catch demonstrations from two of my favorite brands, NARS and Stila Cosmetics and they didn’t disappoint. Here’s what I learned:

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NARS

One of the most respected brands out there, NARS offers top-notch quality, colors that are innovative and on trend, and the wear is long lasting. I learned about their Botan brush that buffs their triple-milled loose powder into the skin for a flawless finish, the spring launch of their new light reflecting, translucent powder – great for under the eyes for no creasing and slight highlight, and their new satin lip pencils – the smooth, long lasting sister of their awesome velvet matte pencil, which I’m absolutely in LOVE with. You won’t believe the moisturizing, non- smudging color that comes from these little pencils. I wish I could afford them in every color!

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Stila

Being a fan of ‘60s style, I couldn’t resist a demo in “Mod Makeup” done the Stila way. I learned about their Beauty Balm, applied over moisturizer and under foundation for a slight dewy glow of mannequin-smoothness all over the face. I was impressed with the Stay All Day Foundation (applied with a spatula – now that’s a serious foundation!) with a matching concealer in the bottle cap that is high definition at its finest. And the glory of the Smudge Pot in black for the ultimate smoky eye paired with a pink Barbie lips for a look that screams Brigitte Bardot! Makeup artist and Stila Executive Director, Dominick Briguglio was also hilariously charming in his demo.

I was tempted to blow out my credit card on the deep discounts offered at all the booths but I had to control myself and just make a wish list.

Some other product discoveries I found included

Skyn Demure Temporary Tattoos

Ja’Maal Buster Lashes and cute hot pink Applicator

Senna Cosmetics Brow Palettes

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I stopped by the Beautylish Business Forum to catch a presentation on Social Media and the Internet in the Beauty Business and learned a few tricks on self-branding. The hot tip I learned – there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. Look at what some of the most successful makeup artists are doing on the web and model them. Between Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest and Instragram, you can show your talent as instantly and easily as uploading a photo.

Walking around, I was blown away by some of the special effect makeup being done on the spot and of course all of the creative and beautifully made-up faces in the crowd. Check out the gallery by clicking the image below:

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What a great event! Check it out as it moves on to New York, Chicago, Orlando and Europe.  I’ll be back next year for sure!

Kiss and make up,
Kastle

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Dinair: Airbrush Makeup

March 1, 2013

k150_19heel iconA few months ago at the Mimi Mae opening party, I met two fun ladies from Dinair  who told me the awesome benefits of airbrush makeup. I’d never tried it before and was curious about how it work and what it looks like. They said, “stop by and get a demo to see for myself.”

So I did just that. Dinair has its corporate headquarters and a groundfloor showroom in the North Hollywood area, where you can get an airbrush makeover to see how the tool works and test-run the product.

Set up with Vanity Girl Hollywood makeup mirrors* and an assortment of little bottles in all shades and colors, I was shown how to load the airbrush tool with a few drops of foundation and use the right amount of pressure to apply for light to full coverage. The airbrush feels like cool air being blown on your face as the foundation mist is so light it never feels wet.

I was then given some blush and choice of eyeshadow – I chose a champagne color with some dramatic shading of dark blue. My makeup artist was even able to do eyeliner by holding the airbrush close to the skin and using a dotting technique. She also filled in my eyebrows with the help of a stencil.

She finished off the look with some highlighter on my cheekbones and a quick blast of  “sealer” all over.

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I looked in the mirror and loved it. The foundation was so smooth and the coverage was way more even than I get with regular makeup applied with a sponge, my fingers or a brush.

I wore it out for the night and the makeup stayed put. I only had to do a little powder on my nose late into the evening but other than that, no shininess or creasing.

I was impressed. Want to try it? Ring up Dinair and get a demo. They’re open on weekdays and Saturdays. The kits are available in the showroom or for purchase online starting at $129 for the Personal Basic Makeup System. They also have more extensive professional artist systems, a body kit for “Air Tans” (a little more involved as you’d probably need someone to do it for you and a tent to stand in so it doesn’t go all over the room.) I was also intrigued with the stencils to do body jewelry, temporary tattoos and wild eye makeup.

Get airbrushed!
Kastle

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Oscar Night 2013

February 25, 2013

k150_19heel iconOscar night is always a big night – whether you stay home in your PJs or head to a swanky party.  Being a big movie goer, I had my picks for the winners and I had a fancy dress that was perfect for a big Oscar party at the Egyptian Theatre that I was invited to by my pal Margot. It’s not every day you get to watch TV on a big movie screen and seeing the stars in this way certainly makes it a special event. Margot invited a group of friends for a private party to watch the show right across the street from the big event itself! I invited along my pals Dave and Sabino of Clever Vintage Clothing to Tweet along with me about the fashions and winner reactions.

Some thoughts on fashions:

Best: Jennifer Lawrence, Nicole Kidman, Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron, Amy Adams and of course, Helen Hunt for wearing an affordable, eco-friendly H&M gown.

Worst: Barbra Streisand channeling Cher, Jane Fonda – too ’80s and George Clooney going Kris Kringle with his grey beard.

Some thoughts on the wins:

I couldn’t not have been happier that Argo won for best picture! Period.

And now some pix from our Oscar night:

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With Margot

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With Dave and Sabino of Clever Vintage

tuxA tux is always a good choice

brianSabinoPhotographer Brian Boskind with Sabino

Special thanks to Margot for a fun evening!

A golden night,
Kastle

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London Calling: TopShop Comes to LA

February 23, 2013

k150_17heel iconWhenever I’m in London, I make a point to hit TopShop. I’ve been known to do some serious damage to my credit card in that store, stuffing my suitcase with their unique, fun styles. I’ve longed for the day it didn’t take an international flight to shop there. So I was especially excited to hear they were opening in Los Angeles.  Last weekend, I ventured over to the Grove — early in the morning to avoid the crowds — to check out the newly opened TopShop/TopMan LA.  I found plenty of eye candy from bold print skirts and tops, comic book graphic splashed skirts, vintage-looking, beaded party dresses and a wall of shoes I could have easily filled my closet with.

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I headed for the fitting room with an armful of skirts and dresses and emerged with some purchases. However, not without discovering many of the sizes run small and most of the skirts in the store did not come in sizes larger than an 6 or 8, so there wasn’t an option to buy a larger size to avoid everything being ultra skin tight. I overheard other people commenting in the dressing room that everything was running small on them as well. Buyer be warned.  A few skirts I really wanted I just had to put back on the rack. Sorry, the stuffed sausage look isn’t my thing!

To make up for my disappointment, I headed for the accessories and found some super cute checkered and houndstooth print ankle socks and a Peter Pan collar-style necklace made out of faux pearls. I was able to put them together for an awesome ‘60s style outfit for club Spin Out that night. See pix below.

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And check out the video of TopShop’s opening celebration:

See a slideshow peek inside the store HERE.

TopShop at the Grove in West Hollywood for a little bit of English style!

It’s tops!
Kastle

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Socializing Over Social Media and Art

February 19, 2013

k150_17heel iconIt was one of those California days when the sunshine made the city sparkle, bright and full of promise. It was the perfect setting to gather at the Getty, with its spectacular hilltop views across Los Angeles, and meet a group of social media enthusiasts to share ideas, tips and Twitter handles, take in some amazing art exhibits – and of course have unlimited Instagram moments. They came to be social about social, meet people face to face, and see what unfolds when as life imitates Tweets. This was the Getty Social.

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Kastle at the Getty @StilettoCity

Put together by:

This unique “Tweetup” didn’t have a set agenda other than to meet like-minded Socialistas and revel in our current engaging and ever-changing social culture. It was an in-person and online mix of stimulus as people talked and pecked away on their smart phones simultaneously.

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Beverly Macy @Beverly Macy

The highlight of the event was a keynote speech by Nic Adler (son of music producer Lou Adler and actress Britt Ekland), a band manager, promoter, and restauranteur and owner of the Roxy Theatre on the Sunset Strip, best known to this group as the man who got the Sunset Strip to go social with by taking the Roxy venue’s social media strategy into the stratosphere.

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Nic Adler @NicAdler

Some highlights of Adler’s talk included the story of how the Roxy really started listening to what their customers were saying about the venue on social media and how making little changes and becoming engaged with the community lead to building a large and loyal following.

He then encouraged us all to turn and snap a photo of the person sitting next to us and share it. So here’s a pic of my pal Jon, social superstar in his own right, who I know from attending UCLA’s Social Media Marketing class.

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Jon Burk @MrJonBurk

After, we were turned loose on the Getty to take in some of the exhibits and spectacular views. I enjoyed the “Farewell to Surrealism” exhibit, soaked up the gorgeous black and white photography of Robert Mapplethrope, and was particularly moved by the city scene compositions of photographer Ray K. Metzker. My how photography has changed with phone pix and Instagram as we capture real life moments more than ever!

Check out some of the photos and tweets of the day by looking up #GettySocial on Twitter and Instagram.

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View at the Getty @GettyMuseum

Tweet up people!
Kastle

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Backbeat: The Beatles Backstory

February 12, 2013

k150_17heel iconEvery famous story has a backstory and the Beatles were no exception. Before they were the Fab Four, they were the rowdy five, with the addition of one Stuart Sutcliffe, roommate of John Lennon’s, a painter who John talked into being in his band as they went from Liverpool to play dive bars in Hamburg, Germany.

While many know the Beatles’ music, they may not know of this gifted artist, who played the bass like a brooding James Dean, fell in love with a cute-as-pixie German photographer and saw an untimely demise from an undetected brain tumor. But this is the Beatles’ roots, when they were a scrappy band of greasers playing bluesy rock ‘n’ roll covers and polishing their chops to become the most famous band in the world.

Source: beatlesource.com via Stiletto on Pinterest

 

“Backbeat the Musical,” based on the 1994 film of the same name, is as artfully done as one of Astrid Kirchherr’s  photos, starting with a burst of rock that doesn’t let up. You feel like you’re part of those heady club days as the Beatles face the drama of a young band starting out. (Trust me, I’ve hung around enough bands to know!) Many kudos should be given to the actors for their perfect-pitch English accents, singing voices (particularly Daniel Healy as Paul McCartney) and spot-on art direction for capturing the era, which my boyfriend pointed out, had period-correct guitars.

I saw the film a few years back and I dare to say, I enjoyed this is even more. “Backbeat” is only at the Ahmanson Theatre for a short run through March 1, if you’re a fan of the Beatles, the ‘60s era or just rock ‘n’ roll, you won’t want to miss it!

Some pix from the night:

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Ready for the show!

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Audience members workin’ some vintage style

Check out the trailer for the musical:

And a scene from the movie:

See more of Astrid Kirchherr’s photos on the Stiletto City Pinterest Board HERE

Love me do,
Kastle

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FabCounsel: Connecting with Style

February 4, 2013

k150_17heel iconAt a recent networking party, I met Mary Vallarta, a petite dynamo in the fashion industry who has a passion for what’s trending in style, a head for business and a special social skill for connecting people. Having a background as a buyer and plenty of experience in the fashion biz, she decided to put her know-how to and connections to good use. She founded the FabCounsel to help people succeed in the fashion industry.

FabCounsel provides a wealth of resouces on how to break into the industry on its online site and Mary (pictured here) hosts events around town to give people interested in the industry the opportunity to meet and learn from each other. I recently attended her event “How To IMG_5811.jpgSell Your Fashion Line to Buyers and Retailers,” which took place downtown at chic boutique Brigade. A roomful of fashionistas filled the room to hear from esteemed panelists that  included: Alicia Allen, Director of Men’s Apparel for HauteLook, who spoke from her work in the corporate retail world, Kuo Yang, owner & founder of Brigade sharing his perspective as a small boutique owner and what he looks for in buying people’s lines to carry in his store, and Vanessa Lee, an experienced sales executive who’s worked with companies including Eight Sixty, Collective Concepts, Creative Commune, Daniel Rainn. She shared her knowledge in the art of selling, how to approach buyers, what to prep for before a sales meeting, what to bring to the meetings, how to follow up.

Some notes:

  • You have 15-20 seconds to make your pitch – know how to sell what you’re offering.
  • Know your target – where you fit in the market and the void that you fill.
  • Build your contacts – people want to do business with people they know.
  • Incentivize – offer something to get you in, a partial commission or something creative.
  • Build great collateral – line sheets and a look book that shows your designs. Get press clippings.
  • This is LA, go after celebrities and gift them items. While New York and Paris have the big fashion shows, we have red carpets. Those are our fashion shows.

Afterwards there was plenty of mingling, shopping and of course, checking out each other’s outfits! Here are the party pix:

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Just fab!
Kastle

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Bangin’ Bangs

January 26, 2013

k150_17

heel iconYou may have noticed, bangs are the “it” hairstyle lately. It became official when First Lady Michelle Obama stepped out a couple of days before her husband’s inauguration sporting a rockin’, heavy bang hairstyle.

I love bangs, but unfortunately, my wavy, thick hair simply won’t let me have them. Oh, how I’ve tried, and I usually end up with clumps of hair curling into an unsightly claw-like disaster on my forehead and no amount of setting gel and straightening iron can give me natural, wispy bangs.

If you feel my pain but would also like to have bangs, there’s also a new trend of just clipping in some extensions. Now we’re talkin’! I found this video from beauty guru Michelle Phan that teaches you how to make your own with some items from the beauty supply and super glue!

You can also buy clip-in bangs at most hair supply stores. Some are quite expensive. I found some nice affordable ones by Jessica Simpson/Ken Paves on Amazon.

Source: images.search.yahoo.com via Stiletto on Pinterest

If you’re ready to make the cut and get some real bangs, check out this article on how to pick the right bangs for your face shape HERE.

For my retro gals, you can do what I do, and roll ya some “Faux Bettie Bangs,” as in pin-up model, Bettie Page.

Source: en.wikipedia.org via Stiletto on Pinterest

Here’s how courtesy of Pin Up Doll Ashly Marie

For more bang looks, check out the Stiletto City Pinterest board “Bang Bangs!”

Bang your own drum,
Kastle

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Mod About Style

January 22, 2013

k150_17heel iconIf you’ve ever seen me out ‘n’ about, you may have noted I like to wear a lot of vintage, but I always ground it with something modern be it my shoes, a pencil skirt or handbag. I found a site the must of have read my mind in this approach to style. ModCloth features a mix of new clothes that are modern, some that look vintage and some that are actually vintage. They appeal of my sense of mixing it up.

I go ga-ga over their coats, ogle over their shoes and giddy over their dresses.  And right now they are having a MASSIVE Cabin Fever Sale to help you beat the post-holiday blues with a new outfit. But hurry, items are selling out fast!

Check it out HERE*  

Source: modcloth.com via Stiletto on Pinterest

Source: modcloth.com via Stiletto on Pinterest

Source: modcloth.com via Stiletto on Pinterest

 

Go mod,
Kastle

*Disclaimer
Photos from ModCloth via Pinterest

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Make It Funky!

January 18, 2013

k150_17heel iconAs they say, “the girl can’t help it” and sometimes I just have to blow off some steam and DANCE. I finally found a place that offers a night full of great music, a huge dancefloor, and laid back cool people where I can get my groove on. Funky Sole at The Echo offers a heaping dose of late ‘60s and ‘70s-era music every Saturday night. I recently met up with my gal pals, Fabby and Barni, and we claimed our corner of the dance floor to shimmy and undulate.

If you need a little inspiration on your footwork, the club projects old episodes of  the TV show, “Soul Train” on the stage’s big screen. The crowd is friendly and gives you space to do your thang without bumping into you. There is a mix of styles there from casual Silver Lake scenesters to funkiphiles flashing some serious fashion sense to more edgy alt rockers.

For a sampling of the music played, check out the playlist on the club’s MySpace page.

I can’t think of a better way to shake off the rest of the world and just have a good time! Check out the pix:

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crowd

Soul Train

Shake your moneymaker,
Kastle

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The Domestic Dame: Sweet Style

January 11, 2013

k150_16heel iconWhat’s cookin’? I’ve got something sweet to get you excited about prepping your next meal – retro style aprons from The Domestic Dame. Taking a cue from the ‘40s and ‘50s, these adorable accessories come in a variety of fabrics from sheer organza to practical cotton, with little heart shaped pockets and elegant trim. You’re sure to look sweet and maybe a touch of naughty when you’re wearing this around the house. Wear them at your next dinner or cocktail party and you’ll be the most stylish hostess on the block. Paired with the right outfit, they could even work for a hot nightclub outfit.

The Domestic Dame also makes loungewear that is sure to embrace your innocent kitten side with baby doll nighties and bloomers for mid-century style charm.

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The Domestic Dame aprons and loungewear are available at stores around Los Angeles and online.

Being a happy housewife never looked so good!
Kastle

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