Month: August 2014

BeautyCon LA 2014

k150_24heel iconBeautyCon rolled through Los Angeles for the second year. I had high hopes for this conference after last year’s debut drew such a crowd that me and hundreds of other beauty enthusiasts were met with an overcapacity mob scene and there was no getting in. After moving the event to a – somewhat – larger venue, I hoped for a little more organization to handle the massive crowd who shows up to see mega Beauty YouTubers including Kandee Johnson, Bethany Mota, Meg DeAngelis, Gigi Gorgeous.

BeautyConLA 2014

The minute the elevators doors opened to the 2nd floor of the LA Mart, you could hear the volume of hundreds of excited beauty fans. I stepped into the scene and it was instant insanity. Girls were already pushing through the too-narrow isles with giant shopping bags and lines wrapped throughout the venue to try to get in to the see the panel discussions. It was a beauty zoo! And while it was fun to be among my fellow beauty lovers, I found the setup to be exasperating. I could barely see what beauty vendors including CoverGirl, NYX, and tarte had to offer. It looked like the majority of the booths were offering quickie makeovers (which you had to wait in line for) and had very little product on display.

BeautyConLA 2014

The demographic in attendance was very young, we’re talking tweens and teens, many there with their moms to see their beloved Beauty Vlogger. Let’s just say the running, pushing and screaming got a little trying. Perhaps I’m not the target audience here but I was also there to see some of the vloggers I’ve admired and while I had a VIP pass, there was no getting near any of their appearances without fighting mob scenes and lines. No thanks, I’ll stick to watching them on YouTube in the comfort of my home.

BeautyConLA 2014

But it did say a lot about the draw and influence of these new self-made stars. They are the new celebrities. But just a note to BeautyCon – get a bigger venue, these YouTubers have millions of fans who subscribe to their channels and are going to show up to see them in person. Do the math. Remember BeatleMania? This is BeautyMania!

Stay beautiful,
Kastle

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Month: August 2014

“Please Kill Me” Reading at Lethal Amounts Gallery

k150_21heel iconAs the 20th anniversary approaches for one of the defining books on the punk era, “Please Kill Me,” it was only appropriate that a reading be held at the Lethal Amounts Gallery, surrounded by an exhibit of photos of Joey Ramone, Wayne Jayne County, Johnny Thunders and others who made the New York City ‘70s scene a milestone in rock ‘n’ roll history.

On hand were authors Gillian McCain and Legs McNeil to read from their oral history, which came together from hundreds of interviews with key scenesters and musicians.

Authors Gillian McCain and Legs McNeil
Authors Gillian McCain and Legs McNeil

Though the summer heat had the gallery steaming, and Legs was running late (really late), it didn’t sway the crowd of young and old punk fans from sticking around. Photographer Paul Zone introduced the reading and his exhibit – a majority of the photos taken when he was between the ages of 14-16 and running around clubs CBGB and Max’s Kansas City. (Man, I wish I was that cool at 14!) Zone also has his own book now available, “Playground: Growing Up in the New York Underground.”

PaulZone
Paul Zone

Gillian and Legs then took the mic and traded off parts reading first from their most recent book, “Dear Nobody: The True Diary of Mary Rose,” an edited diary of a teenage girl who struggles with addiction and bullying.

For the readings from “Please Kill Me,” they then called up old pal Howie Pyro to read a few pages about the death of Sid Vicious. They then wanted to find Howie’s part in the book when he was mistaken for Johnny Thunders, but since they all had different prints of the book with different page numbers, they gave up and just had Howie tell the story from memory – which ended up being even funnier than the book version!

Howie Pyro
Howie Pyro

If you haven’t read “Please Kill Me,” you can’t claim to know your rock history. Get it now. And pick up Paul Zone’s book while you’re at it. Click the images to buy ’em*.

Please Kill Me DearNobody
Paul Zone Playground

And if you are looking to incorporate a little punk style into your wardrobe, check out these classic pieces to get a look worthy of shouting, “Gabba Gabba Hey!”

Punk Skill Sweater Ramone T-shirt
Punk Tarten Plaid Skirt Punk Doc Marten Boots

Hey, ho, let’s go!
Kastle

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Month: August 2014

Stylish Work Wardrobe

Kastle Waserman Stiletto Cityheel iconI just landed a new job as Social Media Manager for a large corporation, and with that comes a whole new occasion to dress for. Unlike the casual culture of my past two jobs, my new job is more traditional business casual. But that doesn’t mean dressing boring, at least not to me.

While my Ramones t-shirt may not work for this job, I’ve been thinking about what I can do to let my funky leanings and passion for vintage peek through to show my personality. Plus, it’s a good excuse to go shopping and add some new pieces to my wardrobe that can also be worn outside the office.

Click the images to shop* the items below.

A Unique Blazer

I like jackets that have a unique cut, bold color or interesting print. I also love short tuxedo jackets for their tailored fit and slim lapels. Classic black blazers let my inner Chrissie Hynde come out.

Unique Blazer Striped Blazer

Tops and Skirts

I love wearing a rock ‘n’ roll t-shirt with a blazer but I don’t think it will fly at my new office. So I’ve been on the hunt for tops with fun prints – polka dots, stripes, houndstooth, florals, leopard — to add some texture to my layers. For skirts, nothing looks more polished than the timeless pencil skirt, hello Joan from “Mad Men”!

Houndstooth T-shirt Red Pencil Skirt

Shift Dresses

I love a good shift dress. One piece, zip and you’re done. Plus you can dress them up for nighttime wear. I look for bold, solid colors and fun prints. Also, don’t be afraid to layer and add texture. A striped jacket with a floral print can add an interesting twist.

Floral Print Shift Dress

Stylish Shoes

Work shoes for me have to be comfortable. I save my sky-high stilettos for night’s out – I just can’t be in them for the long nine hours of a workday. I also look for shoes that are easy to slip on – fancy buckles are out because I’m usually racing out the door to get to work on time. But shoes are a great place to sneak in your funky style and for me, finding shoes that also go well with my vintage wardrobe is also a plus, like these from Modcloth by Bait Footwear:

work_shoes

 

Statement Accessories

Accessories are really where you can let you personality shine. Lately I’ve been obsessing on statement necklaces. When the trend first started I didn’t pay much attention to them and thought they were too garish. But then I found one I liked and I became addicted. Now I have several in different colors and styles. I’m also loving chiffon scarves at the moment. They add a pop color and style to any outfit.

Statement Necklace Blue Green Gold Statement Necklace Silver
Chiffon Scarves Scarf Look

Make the workplace your runway!
Kastle

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Month: August 2014

Look of the Day: Vintage Little Black Dress

k150_23SZDheel iconThe little black dress is a staple of any woman’s wardrobe. If you keep it simple, it’s the one women’s fashion item that can be dressed up or down and is perfect for any occasion. When you find one that’s vintage, it makes it all the more special. Today’s Look of the Day features a dress I found at a Hollywood costume rummage sale – an annual frenzy of shopping treasures put on by Western Costume Company in the San Fernando Valley. I added some vintage reproduction touches including a leopard-print purse, a rhinestone and pearl brooch, pearl drop earrings, pinup heels from Pinup Girl Clothing, plus, a victory-roll hair do and red lips.

You can shop similar items by clicking the links below.

Vintage Little Black Dress

Pearl drop earrings

Vintage Look of the Day

Leopard Print Purse

Pinup Shoes

Shop* similar items:

Little Black Dress  

Leopard Purse 

Black and White Heels  

Rhinestone and Pearl Brooch 

http://www.amazon.com/Wedding-Silver-Tone-Simulated-Austrian-A08962-1/dp/B00AFCMUL0

Pearl Drop Earrings  

Get the look

Kastle

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