Going Tiki: Review of “Paradise Lost” and Tiki Oasis Preview

Posted on by stilettocity

I’m hereby declaring it officially “Tiki Season!” With the annual blow-out Tiki Oasis in San Diego just around the corner, the Egyptian Theatre kicked things off with “Tiki Night” featuring a Luau Dinner, venders, the Polynesian Paradise Dancers, a performance by King Kukulele and the Friki Tiki’s (featuring guest appearances by Crazy Al and Judd Finkelstein) and the Premiere Screening of “The DVD of Tiki Volume 1: Paradise Lost”

I got to hang with my pal DJ Lee Joseph and we stopped in for a pre-screening cocktail in the adjacent bar with some of the film’s luminaries including Shag and Bamboo Ben – a fruity rum based drink was a must for my Tiki mood, and then we took our seats in the theatre to enjoy an extensive exploration into Tiki Culture by Director Jochen Hirschfeld who held is own during an offbeat Q&A with King Kukulele before and after the film.

Kastle with DJ Lee Joseph

King Kukulele and the Friki Tiki’s

The film chronicles the origins of Tiki to the birth of the Polynesian Pop movement that centered around the romantic idea of Tiki as an escape from squares-ville conformity of the ‘50s and ‘60s. I especially enjoyed the research on the origins of the cocktails and the sounds of Tiki from exotica music (think Martin Denny and Arthur Lyman), to “hapa howlie” and ukelele sounds. Anyone into Tiki Culture would benefit from this quick crash course that pays tribute as to why we are so in love with this idea of an island paradise. The evidence was in the audible gasps when the film showed of some of the greatest Tiki bars closing and being steamrolled into history. Be sure to pick up a copy of the DVD when it goes on sale and catch the screening of it at Tiki Oasis.

Director Jochen Hirschfeld

To further get you in the mood for Tiki Oasis coming up August 16-19, check out my three-part series on Tiki Culture featuring:

And the slideshow from last year’s Tiki Oasis Stiletto City review, click the photo:

This year’s theme is Spy Tiki: Exotic Espionage and Polynesian Pulp,” featuring The Untouchables performing on Saturday night. (I can’t wait!)  Here they are doing “(I Spy for the) F.B.I.”

See you on the island!

Aloha,
Kastle



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Pin Up Girl Boutique: Va Va Voom!

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If ever there was a night get your va-va-voom on, it was the opening of the Pin Up Girl Boutique last weekend. Located along the increasingly vintage fashionable Magnolia Park in Burbank, it was a welcome addition since Pin Up Girl Clothing, (which carries brands such as Deadly Dames and Dixiefried) had only been available online up to this point. And let me tell you, when you’re shopping for a form-fitting wiggle dress, it’s really hard to eyeball the size you need from a picture. Now all pin-ups, and aspiring pin-ups, can go to this gorgeous new boutique and try on these glam dresses and see how they look on.

The opening was a night to turn up the glamour. The shop is a pop of colorful girly-ness, filled with vintage-inspired dresses, shoes, handbags and a beauty bar. All of the Pin Up Girl models from the website also work the store and they are jaw-dropping knock-outs in real life including, Micheline Pitt, Doris Mayday and La Cholita. There were so many curves, red lips, eyelashes, big hair and high heels, it was hard not to feel like you stepped into some alien planet of glamazons! As the band, Nick Waterhouse sat in the back waiting to go on, surrounded by wall to wall beautiful women, I overheard someone say they uttered, “This is the best gig we’ve ever played in our life!”

Nick and the boys rocked the house, cocktails were had, shopping was done, makeovers were given in front of broadway-style Vanity Girl Hollywood* mirrors, it was indeed a reason to celebrate. Check out the party photos by clicking on the photo below:

The Pin Up Girl Boutique is located at 3606 Magnolia Blvd. in Burbank, CA.

You can have your very own Vanity Girl Makeup Mirror at home! Shop for the lighted Makeup Stations* as used in Pinup Girl Clothing Boutique pictured here!

Go glamourous or go home,
Kastle

*Disclosure


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Headscarves: My latest find to dress up that do!

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Ever wanted to dress up a simple updo or ponytail – perhaps there isn’t enough time to do something fancy? I came across a super cute accessory on Etsy recently. Big, fun headscarves in a variety of prints that go from cutesy to retro chic.

Made by Oh Honey Hush, these hair bow ties and bandanas can be tied into a big bow on top, tied into a neat little knot or tied in back to show off more of the print.  What I like about them is that there’s a little more material to work with than the average square bandana or scarf so you can make the look a little exaggerated. Plus, the material is a nice substantial canvas so it stays put, unlike a silky scarf. There are so many colors and styles, it’s really hard to choose – – and let’s just say they had me at the comic book and cherry prints! But at only $12, there’s no reason to limit yourself. So go on honey!

Do what you do,
Kastle


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A Night with a Beatle

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I don’t think I could be a fan of the ‘60s era without loving the Beatles. In fact, I don’t think I could be alive and not love the Beatles. So I was pretty excited when I had a chance to go see Ringo Starr and his All “Starr” band at the Greek Theatre this past weekend.

It was a perfect summer evening to see a show nestled in the trees of Griffith Park. Ringo was in full effect and it’s hard to believe he’s 72. He looks a man of age 50 and has the energy of a little kid, smiling widely, telling jokes and doing his boppy, swinging arm dance, punctuating his between-song banter with shouts of “peace and love!” I adored him!

His All “Starr” band included Todd Rundgren, Toto’s Steve Lukather, Santana/Journey keyboardist Gregg Rolie, Mr. Mister singer/bassist Richard Page, drummer Gregg Bissonette and sax player/percussionist Mark Rivera.

Ringo took turns sharing frontman duties with the rest of his band, who each got a chance to bust out some of their best hits. And there were a few surprises, firstly, Joe Walsh who came out and did a down ‘n’ dirty version of “Rocky Mountain Way,” and then the finale when Ringo called on a “little help from his friends” and was joined on stage by Peter Frampton, Jeff Lynne, Edgar Winter, Micky Dolenz of the Monkees, Gary Wright, Guns N’ Roses/Velvet Revolver drummer Matt Sorum and others.

All-in-all it was such a joyful night. I must say, now I know why these songs are classic hits – I knew them all and had a really good time singing along!

Act naturally,
Kastle


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Vintage Summer Style Exhibit at FIDM

Posted on by Cider House Media

Summer has arrived, so what better time to take a look at a vintage summer style exhibit for those hot days ahead? Clever Vintage Clothing recently showed off a little bit of their carefully curated inventory in a special exhibit for the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM).

“Swingin’ Summer Vintage California Resort Wear” opened with a party drawing FIDM students and vintage clothes lovers. Clever’s Dave Temple and Sabino Gutierrez gave a walk through the exhibit explaining the top designers and clothing detailing of the eras of the 1940s-1960s.

See the video of the Vintage Summer Style Exhibit:

The exhibit runs one week through July 14th but if you can’t make it down, you just might catch these amazing pieces FOR SALE at one of Clever’s upcoming vendor events:

  •  July 29: Pickwick Gardens, Burbank
  • August 11: Helm’s Design District, Culver City
  • August 16-19: Tiki Oasis, San Diego

Stay cool,
Kastle



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Pets Fashion that Rocks!

Posted on by stilettocity

Those who know me know that I am a HUGE animal lover. I spoil my cat/ Stiletto City mascot, Lil’ Queenie with toys, treats and many cozy beds to lounge in — she totally deserves it!  I had to do a double-take when I saw Poison lead singer Bret Michaels on a TV commercial for PetSmart talking about “pets that rock your world” and a collection that combines pet supplies and rock ‘n’ roll.

Michaels teamed up with PetSmart to create a collection of rockin’ pet accessories for dogs, including a vinyl cowboy boot chew toy, bow ties, skull/ guitar print beds and Bret-style bandana do rags (your pet really has to be a good sport for those!). even a plush guitar they can wear or carry depending on the size of the dog (just long enough for a laugh and a photo before they tear it shreds I’m sure.)

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAWNb6agJaM]

My favorite are the outfits – rocker hoodies, even  a rock t-shirt and pleather skirt outfit. I have a neighbor who dresses up her mini-dog for her walks – I can just see her snatching these up!

See the whole collection here

My only question – where’s the Cats Rock collection? My Lil’ Queenie would like a few rockin’ mouse toys, a studded collar and flamed food bowl! Can you really say no to this face?

Pets really do ROCK!
Kastle



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Lip Color That Lasts

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There’s nothing like a kisser that goes POW! Color-drenched lips can really define a look. But I find so many lipsticks go on full of color and disappear a few minutes later. I recently discovered two fantastic brands that make highly-pigmented lip colors that LAST.

Read on to my article for Yahoo! Beauty – your lips will thank you!

Pucker up!
Kastle

Products mentioned in this blog were sampled at an event and purchased by the author. See Disclosure.



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How to Correctly Apply Perfume

Posted on by Cider House Media

The last thing I do before I leave the house is give myself a spritz of perfume. A scent can be as much of an accessory as your favorite pair of heels. I discovered a perfume that combines both – Nine West’s Love Fury. This bottle of perfume literally stopped me in my tracks when I spotted it in a store window – the cap is actually a stiletto heel! I would buy it just for the bottle but thank goodness it smells great – a blend of fruits and florals with mild notes of amber.  A great smell is one thing, but do you know how to correctly apply perfume?

Video: How to Correctly Apply Perfume

Once you find the scents that appeal to you and represent your personality, it can only go so far if you don’t know how to apply perfume to get the most out of it. And here’s a tip, you don’t have to use much. Learn more in my video on how to apply perfume correctly:

Kick up those heels!
Kastle

Products mentioned in this blog were purchased by the author.  See Disclosure.

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Rock of Ages: Movie Review

Posted on by stilettocity

In continuing my “Rock of Ages” celebration, I had to write a review now that I saw the movie over the weekend.

The film is fun. I know the critic’s reviews have been mixed. I think you have to have a rocker spirit for this – have either been on the Sunset Strip at the time or wish you were. I’ll admit the opening scenes of the movie are a little too musical-cheesy and had me worried, but it definitely hit its stride and rose to the occasion to rock. So on with the review:

Tom Cruise – I’ve never been fan. I always thought of him as too mannequin-esque, no edge. But man, he did his homework on this, he truly embodied it. I loved the bravado, the moves, the sex, the well-timed comedic moments, and those scenes where a mere hand gesture carried so much attitude. Mr. Cruise you won me on this one.

Buff boys – most of the guys back in the day were rail thin, pre-middle age spread and many were drug addicts. Few were as fit as our leads in the movie. (I can only think of Bret Michaels and Glenn Danzig as looking like they hit the gym.) It’s hard to believe Cruise is age 50 playing Stacee Jaxx. Most 20-year-olds don’t look that good. Dang!

The songs – great to hear some of the big hits of the time from Def Leppard, Poison, Warrant, Twisted Sister and GNR but some of the soundtrack was a little too early ’80s – I could have used less Pat Benatar and Jefferson Starship and more Aerosmith and Motley Crue, which were bands who helped inspire that time. I also would have liked to have seen some punk and death rock in there since those scenes were still happening a bit. I did think the mashups were brilliant however!  Read more about the bands from the Strip that I was listening to at the time: http://yhoo.it/KAv4lN

Russell Brand – IS a rock star, he lives it and makes me laugh so hard every time he’s on screen. The scenes with him and Alec Baldwin had me literally buckled over! I would party with him ANY time!

Julianne Hough – OK, her singing was ultra auto-tuned (especially compared to Mary J. Blige who can bust it out!) but she was totally believable as that farm fresh girl off the bus (hello, that scene is completely taken from the Gun N’ Roses video for  “Welcome to the Jungle”.) So fun seeing her look go from sweet to big hair and big boobs. I was expecting to see her to show off her well-known moves in a big dance scene in the strip club but we only got a mere swing around the pole. I loved the shots of her up in the hills overlooking the city lights and dreaming. I did that when I moved from Texas to LA – classic!

Art direction – an A+! Perfection on the little touches such as the Michael Monroe and Jetboy (great band of that scene by the way) posters, the hairspray and bathroom hand dryer (yes, I did that) and Stacee Jaxx rolling up on a Harley (which every band member had back then, pre-helmet law.)

The rock article interview – as a budding reporter at that time, boy did I have those difficult interview moments. It’s not all glamorous! I guess I will have a write a book now!

The end – while I get that soundtracks are subject to obtaining the rights to the songs and many are here because the song lyrics fit the story and everyone can sing along, Journey was way over by the time the Strip was rocking. The ending should hinted at the grunge movement, which began to form in ’87 and rose to KILL the Hollywood rock scene in the early ‘90s.

Overall, “Rock of Ages” really rocked! Just the right amount of comic humor, camp, musical cheese, spot-on styling and a fantastic tribute to a wild and ruckus time. I would totally go see it again.

Who’s with me?
Kastle



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Rock of Ages – Nails It!

Posted on by stilettocity

As mentioned in my previous post, “Rock of Ages” just opened in theatres, so I felt compelled to put a little ‘80s glam metal into my look just for the occasion. I had to giggle with delight when I spotted the “Rock of Ages” nail product in the store – an assortment of peel-on polishes by Sally Hansen in rock-worthy designs such as leopard, lace, stars, guitars and more. I opted for the silver and black zippered look and mixed it up by putting them just on a few nails and  solid black polish on the other nails.

Photo via Pinterest

Now I just have to bust out my teasing comb and Aqua Net to get my big hair on and I’m ready! For more tips on how to get a “Rock of Ages” fashion sense, check out this slideshow article in The Blush.

Paradise City, baby!
Kastle

Products mentioned in this blog were purchased by the author.  See Disclosure.



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