Rock of Ages: Ready for Nothing But a Good Time

Posted on by stilettocity



Are you ready to rock? The film “Rock of Ages” opens this weekend and I for one am pretty excited. I was in Los Angeles in the late ‘80s – a teenager with a fake ID, not to drink, but to get into clubs and see bands, and lots of them!  This film looks like a fun trip back to some crazy-good times when Hollywood had an amazing club every night of the week – punk and glam and hard rock came together and the city’s local bands were on the brink of chart-topping fame.

When I saw the soundtrack for “Rock of Ages” I was disappointed that it didn’t seem to really represent all the bands I was hearing on the Sunset Strip in 1987. So I put together my own soundtrack for you to get ready for the film. Find it in my report for Yahoo! HERE.

Poison

The premiere took place on Friday night, turning a full block of Hollywood Boulevard into a “black carpet” runway leading to Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Julianne Hough, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Mary J. Blige, Poison and Def Leppard were all in attendance.

See the arrivals:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwiaApes5xE]

After the film, the entire theatre audience made their way back down the carpet and across the street to the after party set up on the back parking lots between Hollwyood and Selma where a full stage set up was rocked by Poison and Def Leppard – the music was so loud, it shook the buildings for blocks! As it should be!

All very exciting unless you happened to be enjoying a delicious Cucumber Collins at the Roosevelt Hotel with some friends as I was and couldn’t get back to my car because they blocked both sides of the street for pedistrians for almost AN HOUR. Not great planning by the production company.

But alas, that’s LA – the good and the bad. We have a lot of fun, we have fancy premieres and we rock!

So enjoy the LA scene in “Rock of Ages” – I did then and I look forward to doing it again!

Rock on,
Kastle

Photo of Poison by Weatherman90 from Wikimedia Commons



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June Weddings: Celebrity Dress Picks

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 June is a upon us and that means wedding season. A recent wave of celebrity engagement announcements had me wondering which of the famous couples would give us some June brides and when they do – what, or rather WHOM, will they be wearing?

I picked five famous brides-to-be and did a little dress shopping on their behalf to pick styles I think would suit them. Some of these not-so-traditional dresses are so cool I want to wear them just for a fancy night out!

Read more in my story for Yahoo!

I do!,

Kastle



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Beauty Tips: Get Your Skin Glowing For Summer

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Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer. That means, time to go outdoors and have some fun! But wait, that skin of yours has been hibernating for months; how is it looking? It could be dehydrated, dull or “boo!” white as a ghost! Face it, you might want to take a few steps to get your skin in shape. Here are some ways to get your skin glowing again, and put your best face forward.

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You glow girl,
Kastle
Products mentioned in this blog were purchased by the author.  See Disclosure.



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Trip Report: Catalina Island & The Avalon Ball

Posted on by stilettocity

I can never say I don’t win anything. A couple of months ago, I attended the Art Deco Society’s Casino Moderne and despite my terrible (play)gambling that left me with a mere three raffle tickets, I won the grand prize – four tickets and a reserved table for the Avalon Ball in Catalina Island’s landmark Casino Ballroom.

It was time for a getaway. I’d only been to Catalina Island once for an afternoon so this time, I really wanted to see it. My man and I planned a much over-due long weekend and jumped aboard the Catalina Express. Even though it was a Friday afternoon, the boat was full as it was Mother’s Day weekend and a big mountain bike race was also taking place. But we didn’t mind much, we were on vacation!

I love how the minute you step off the boat, you’re on an island and you just walk over to your hotel. We booked a room in the St. Lauren, a super cute Victorian-style hotel that’s painted all PINK! I loved it, especially the deck that overlooks all of Avalon – a great place to take pictures!

We put down our bags and headed out to do some sightseeing. We poked in and out of all the little shops and took snapshots along the waterfront. Then it was time for dinner. All that sea air had us craving some fish ‘n’ chips so we found, Armstrong’s Seafood Restaurant, a little place along the waterfront that hit the spot. Then we dashed over to a party in one of the rental homes given by some members of the Art Deco Society as a warm up to the following night’s glamorous ball.

Saturday morning we got up and headed for breakfast at Jack’s Country Kitchen where we enjoyed some delicious eggs benedict while seated near Spencer Davis, who is a local on the island these days. After a quick hello to friendly vintage flash mob of Art Decophiles outside, all dressed up in 20’s and 30’s garb and turning heads down the street, we were off to rent a golf cart and took off for the hills for a tour the place and its spectaculars views.

Afterward, we wandered over to the Casino where many were gathering for a screening of the silent film, “Wings” in the famed movie theatre. But the weather was just too lovely for a movie, so we opted for a jaunt through the museum to learn the history of the island and chewing gum magnet, William Wrigley, Jr., who played a major role in the charming development of Avalon and conservancy of the rest of the land.

Then it was time to get ready to ball! One tuxedo and one vintage dress with a touch of flapper, some pin curls, and we were off!

The Casino is one gorgeous place, with its 10,000 square foot circular dance floor. Dean Mora and his his Orchestra were playing hits from the 1920s and 30s with the help of some guest singers including swoon-worthy crooner, Johnny Holiday who we had the pleasure of chatting with out on the balcony. My he has some stories!

After the ball, we all went out foraging for food. While the Avalon Grill stayed open late, all they were serving were appetizers. So we ventured into the darkness and with the recommendation of the local liquor store clerk, we found Pete’s – an oversized hamburger stand in the center of town. We weren’t the only ones there either. Mr. Holiday was in line ahead of us and a line of formally dressed ballers began to form behind us. It was hilarious to see everyone in their gowns and tuxedos chowing down out of styrofoam boxes while seated in plastic lawn chairs!  We got a couple of grilled cheese sandwiches to go and scurried back up hill to our cute little hotel room.

The next morning we enjoyed coffee on the deck of our hotel with a perfect view of Avalon before setting sail back to the mainland. So long Catalina – you glamorous place of island charm. I’ll be back soon!

See more photos in the slideshow by clicking the photo below:

Island girl,
Kastle

Note: No, I do not smoke, but the long cigarette holder you see in the photos was a fun prop for the night!



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Nail Files: The Painted Nail Party

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Nothing like a last minute party invite to liven up your week! I got an email from my pal Maxine from Vanity Girl Hollywood* to join her at her makeover station at a party celebrating the new hair salon & blow-out bar at The Painted Nail, home of the “Nail Files” reality show on the TV Guide channel. If you haven’t seen the show, owner Katie Cazorla brings a whole lot of Hollywood glamour to the land of mani-pedis, with a big celebrity clientele and spa-like experience — you never know what’s going to happen! But what I like best is the surprisingly affordable prices for service in a ultra hip atmosphere! My kind of place!

The party was an Alice in Wonderland-theme with Katie decked out as Alice herself and lots of beautiful girls and handsome dudes in Wonderland glam for a surreal tea party complete with whimsical treats and amazing decor. TV cameras and boom mics where swinging around everywhere following Katie and her music producer husband, Walter Afanasieff  wherever they went. I’m sure we’ll see what drama ensued in the next episode of “Nail Files”!

We were also treated to music by girl trio The Goods and Alex Hughes, who got the crowd going with her great energy. Each guest was given a beauty card to visit all of the makeover stations for a little primp treat. I had my lips done in of-the-moment tangerine at Maxine’s Vanity Girl makeup station by makeup artist, Zarah Villarreal. She did a fantastic job – thanks doll! The Vanity Girl “glam squad” also included, makeup artist/blogger Olivia Danielle and makeup artist Crystal Strayer.

Then I was off to get a hot pink hair extension and a splash of blue hair chalk coloring. Lastly, was the nail “Ice Cream Bar” before I could pick up the amazing gift bag stuffed to the brim with all kinds of beauty samples and goodies I can’t wait to try out and write about in future posts.

Check out the pictures from the party by clicking the image below:

Read more about Vanity Girl Hollywood in the Stiletto City interview.

Shop for your own Vanity Girl Hollywood Makeup Mirror* as seen here!

Nails on ladies!
Kastle

*Disclosure



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5 Fashion, Beauty and Lifestyle Tips to Green Your Summer

Posted on by stilettocity

Summer is here and that means warmer temperatures, outdoor fun and vacation time. All that sunshine should serve as a friendly reminder that there are things you can do to green your summer:

Keep cool. Warmer temperatures mean using the air conditioner more. Cut back with other ways to stay cool. I’m a big fan of fans. I have one in each room and they keep my place surprising cool with the air circulation. Or as Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) executive director, Ted Ning suggests, “Open windows in the morning and on the opposite sides of the room to allow a natural flow of coolness and moisture through your home.”

Also try insulating window treatments such as glass films and heat reflecting drapes to reduce the amount of warmth that comes in. If your property allows it, consider solar panels. I recently discovered solar shutters that absorb that sunshine and put it on your energy grid! It’s a great solution for renters or condo owners.

Dress wisely. When shedding layers for lighter options, look for fashions made with organic cotton, which means it is produced on farms that use methods that have a low impact on the environment. Or instead of buying new, shop your closet for items you’ve forgotten about. I also wear a lot of vintage fashion – the ultimate reuse clothing. I love the styles from eras past and each piece is one of a kind, which definitely adds some personality to my wardrobe.

Eat smart. Yum, fresh juicy summer fruits are a delight of summer – but harmful pesticides do not sound tasty. Know what you’re biting into – each piece of produce in your grocery store has a sticker with a code on it. Go for “fine number 9,” which means the fruit is organically grown. A code that starts with 4 means it is conventionally grown – and sprayed. You’ll probably find more organic choices at a farmer’s market, which also helps you keep it local, and it’s a great day out! Eco lifestyle expert and author of “The Conscious Kitchen,” Alexandra Zissu offers this suggestion, “Talk to farmers and ask what they use to spray. Some use Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which is almost as good as organic. Another good resource is the Environmental Working Group’s dirty dozen and clean fifteen lists to find out which fruits contain the least amount of pesticide residues.”

Protect your skin.  A few minutes of sun is good for Vitamin D but more than that and the sun’s UV rays can damage skin. That means wrinkles and skin cancer – yuck! To keep skin beautiful and youthful, be sure to have some fresh sunscreen on hand and just like the food you eat, read the ingredient labels. According to LOHA’s Ning, “Some some sunscreens can contribute to cancer due to their mutagenic and free radical generating properties. Zinc oxide is a mineral that provides complete UVB/UVA protection.” Some green sunscreens options include Kabana, Coola  and MyChelle. If you really want a tan, opt for a sunless tanning lotion. Lavera makes an organic, award-winning self tanner.

Vacation time! Summer is a great time to getaway but transportation can put a big dent in your carbon footprint. I love taking a “staycation” and just being at home, seeing friends and catching up on much-needed sleep. When you do travel, pick destinations that are walkable or check listings for cab companies that use hybrid vehicles. Hotels are also becoming more socially responsible. Orbitz has listings for eco-friendly options. If you find yourself being quite the jet-setter, CabonFund provides a way to calculate your carbon offset and donate to your choice of carbon-reducing projects.

So enjoy your summer, be healthy and do the same for the planet.
Kastle

Photo of Malibu beach from Wikimedia Commons



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Lomography: My Journey In Rediscovering Film

Posted on by stilettocity

The first time I walked into a Lomography store was for a party – the night featured an Italian theme to launch a product called the La Sardina, which I discovered was a funny little camera shaped like a can of sardines. When I entered the space, I couldn’t help but notice a large table in the middle of the room covered in candy-colored cameras laid out buffet-style, beckoning me to pick one up and ask, “What are these?” Party guests and store workers swirled around me taking snaps with cameras of all shapes and sizes but you couldn’t see the digital image instantly on the back, no, this was film. Film? Do people really use that anymore?

My questions weren’t uncommon, neither was a party in a Lomography store…read the full story.
(Note: this story was is no longer available online, please pardon the missing images on the PDF.)
Example of Lomography
Every picture tells a story,
K.
Photo by Kastle, taken with the Lomography Diana F+



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Kentucky Derby: Party Time!

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Every year it happens: “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” a thunderous mass of speed, strength and stamina in a run for the roses. I always look forward to it and this year, after my taste of Santa Anita (see my previous blog post), I’m particurally excited. If you can’t make it to “My Ol’ Kentucky Home” for the race, you can still enjoy the party and watch the pre-show and learn the amazing stories of the horses, owners and jockeys (my favorite part, really.) The race will be over in a flash so get ready for it by partaking in the following:

1. Get a hat – putting the “derby” in the Kentucky Derby, hats are the must-have accessory when watching the race. Over the years, ladies hats have become bigger and more extravagant, some elaborated with tiny horses and horseshoes. Most have bouquets of flowers, feathers and netting on the band to the brim, while others have opted for “fascinators,” which can range from a decorated headband to hair clips with ribbons  and plumage.

Take a look at some of the wild hats of races past.

See what the celebrities have worn to the Derby in recent years in my Yahoo! report.

2. Learn how to make a Mint Julep – the drink is the traditional libation of the celebration. It consists of:

  • simple syrup or powdered sugar
  • whiskey bourbon
  • mint sprigs

Learn how to make it with this recipe.

3. Watch a movie – There are at least two great movies based on true stories about horse racing and the famous thoroughbreds that will inspire you to want to be part of the action:

  • Seabiscuit –   the ultimate story of the little horse that could, Seabicuit was an underdog who found his way into the hands of an owner and jockey who nurtured him into a surprise champion. His winnings brought the nation together during the Great Depression.
  • Secretariat –  the story of a long-shot stallion and owner Penny Chenery who never gave up faith as she watched her horse become a winner of the Triple Crown and set new speed records in two of the three races.

So mix up your mint julep, pick up a bouquet of red roses, put on your hat and get ready to race, because everybody loves a winner! The Kentucky Derby takes place at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 5th. Check your local listings.

And they’re off!

K.

Photo by Rotatebot from Wikimedia Commons



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Morgan Spurlock: Art’s New Blood

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The last time I saw Morgan Spurlock, he was puking up a Big Mac on the side of the road. “Super Size Me,” the film he made about the fast food industry by eating nothing but McDonalds’ for 30 days, was brilliant. I also loved “What Would Jesus Buy?”, a film he produced about the commercialism of Christmas and American’s massive consumption of material objects. See my Yahoo! review here.

But who knew Morgan Spurlock was an art collector?

Apparently he’s a big one and the good people at Thinkspace Gallery in Culver City thought enough of his taste for up ‘n’ coming talent to let him curate his own show. Spurlock put together a collection of artists he especially likes. In turn, he asked each of those artists to invite an artist they felt people should know about, thus, the appropriately titled show, “New Blood.”

The show features work from:

Camille Rose Garcia / Travis Lampe, The Date Farmers / Albert Reyes, Dzine / Jesus Bubu Negron, Elizabeth McGrath / Morgan Slade, Gary Baseman / Jesse Dickenson, Gary Taxali / Adrian Forrow, Jonathan Yeo / Charlie Gouldsbrough (aka Ch-gh), Mark Jenkins / Sandra Fernandez, Nicola Verlato / Marco Mazzoni, Ron English / Kid Zoom, Saber / ZES, Shepard Fairey / Nicholas Bowers, Tim Biskup / Patrick Hruby,

Opening reception was packed with Hollywood hipsters, art scenesters and Spurlock himself looking clean-shaven and greeting attendees. And he’s tall, you can’t miss him in a crowd!

I was especially taken with Ron English’s piece of Morgan Spurlock at the Last Supper with dinner guests Sarah Jessica Parker and Spongebob Square Pants. However, I wasn’t sure what to make of the fur-covered man about to pee on a fire hydrant!

You can see a slideshow of the night by clicking the image below.

“New Blood” runs at Thinkspace Gallery through May 19.

Makes ya think,

K.



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Day At The Races: Santa Anita Park

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And the horses are on the track! I spent a day at the races for closing day at Santa Anita Park last week. A big group of us dressed in our vintage for a good ol’ fashion afternoon.

I’d never been before and had no idea that Santa Anita Park Race Track was just a little bit outside of Pasadena. I must admit that I’m a bit of a fan of horse races but not an experienced attendee. I tend to get swept up in the excitement of the Kentucky Derby every year and long for an afternoon when I can wear a big hat, drink mint juleps and admire some absolutely magnificent animals. I usually end up watching the entire Triple Crown on TV and picking my favorites by the time it’s all over.

So I was excited to see a horse race in person. We met at the statue of Seabiscuit, which in itself had me a bit awestruck. (It’s an amazing story if you don’t know it. See the movie, much of it was filmed at Santa Anita where Seabiscuit raced many times.) We then made our way up to the stands. Since we were all dressed up in styles from the 1930-60s — the men in their suits and hats and the ladies in their dresses and gloves — we made quite a scene as people stopped and stared.

I had a few dollars burning a hole in my wallet so I turned to one of the fellas to assist this virgin racer on how to place a bet. Of course I had no idea how to beat the odds, so  I went by names I liked.

With the sound of the bugle, we were ready for our first race. I watched as the numbers I picked flew past with the thunder of speedy hooves in the dirt. Not a winner but I tried again. Ok, well I lost two races and I stopped there. We spent the rest of the day exploring the grounds, posing for pictures and we even snuck into the Winner’s Circle for a spell, just long enough for one lady from our group of retro dollies to be pulled into the coach ‘n’ horses for a private spin around the track!

See photos from the day by clicking on the image below:

It was a great time and a perfect lead-up to the Kentucky Derby on May 5th. If you want to celebrate like they do at Churchill Downs, the historic downtown Los Angeles Athletic Club is having a viewing party. Don’t miss the “Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports!”

Run for the Roses,
K.



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