Do It Yourself Facial - CHAMPAGNE FACIAL

Champagne isn’t just for parties and ringing in the new year. At The Spa at The Sports Club/LA they use bubbly to smooth, protect and brighten skin with their Champagne Facial. Why champagne? Because of the grapes! They release skin-loving antioxidants and polyphenols.

Try the Champagne Facial at The Spa in San Francisco and you will be very impressed with the results. Your skin will be delightfully soft and smooth and with a wonderful glow.

Lead esthetician Kamee Rose Tong will start by thoroughly but gently cleansing and exfoliating your skin. Then she'll massage in a custom-blended crushed grape serum and follow up with a hydrating mask. She also steams the skin and extracts impurities.

Tong says this facial is great before events, because it improves the look of the skin without spurring breakouts.

Where to Get It. The Champagne Facial ($99 for a 50-minute treatment, $120 for 80 minutes) is a special seasonal treatment that is available through the end of March at at all The Spa at The Sports Club/LA locations, which are in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Washington DC, Miami and New York on the Upper East Side. They’re also offering an Indulgent Grape Body Wrap available through the end of March.

The DIY Champagne Facial

While a professional facial is a wonderfully pampering experience, sometimes it just doesn’t fit into the budget. To do a champagne facial at home, try this recipe for a champagne mask from Heidi Braley at ehow.com.

What You’ll Need


* 1/4 cup champagne
* 2 tbs. heavy cream
* 4 tbs. powdered Bentonite or rhassoul or green clay
* Glass mixing bowl
* Mixing spoon
* Washcloth

Directions

* Measure out 4 tablespoons of powdered clay carefully into the glass mixing bowl. The clay is the ingredient that cleanses and purifies the skin. It pulls toxins and excess oils from the skin. It is the basis for the mask, as it holds the cream and champagne in suspension.
* Pour in the heavy cream. The acids in the cream soften and lighten your skin, while the fats in the cream add a luxurious creaminess to the mask, keeping the clay from drying your skin. Mix it into the dry clay slowly until the clay is moistened. It will be rather dry and lumpy.
* Add the champagne, and stir the mixture until it is creamy and soft. The carbonation makes the mixture light and the sweetness in the champagne softens your skin. There are antioxidants and phenolic compounds in the champagne give anti-inflammatory attributes to the facial mask.
* Apply the mask immediately, before it has a chance to dry out. Smooth it over your face, avoiding your eyes, nose and mouth. Smooth it down over your neck and upper chest for a full facial and even the tops of your hands if you have enough mask mixture. This should be enough mask for one use.
* Allow the champagne mask to dry for 20 minutes, then wipe off with a warm, damp washcloth. Rinse any residue left with lukewarm water.



Do Tell. Have you ever used champagne to beautify your skin or hair? Do you regularly go to spas for facials or do them at home? Do tell.

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The Social Registry: SURVIVAL GUIDE

Salutations and all that Jazz...
WELCOME TO OUR WORLD!!!!

 

We've been racking our brains in between parties trying to come up with a way to guide you throughout the Social Scene since you're a newbie... after careful consideration we've just decided to let another Socialite explain it for us... SEE YOU IN THE FAB LANE *and thanks Ariel*

TAKE ME PLASTIC
When the cameras start to flash, people start to gossip, invitations flood your mail box and everyone knows your name, you’ve entered the world of an ‘American Socialite’. What does it take for a guaranteed VIP entrance into the world of socialites and red carpets? Ariel shows you the way.

Direct from Ariel:
Anyone can be a part of the American social life, but how social do you want to go? A little warning, If you desire to enter unfamiliar elite social territory prepare to be ripped apart, chewed up, rapidly questioned and externally analyzed. One wild game of social affairs is headed you way and like Heidi Klum will say, “Your either in our your out!” For a fresh start to a new you, I’m providing some tips to help bring out the ‘socialite’ in you.
Before I take you to the FAQ’S of a socialites life, I will tell you climbing the social ladder is not the easiest job. Socialites daily see people perform their social circus auditions and they often fall off the ladder. Sure, Socialites can party all they want to, but that is no way to define a socialite. Socialites party and use VIP functions to see and be seen by other Upper Class and Hollywood society they may not be familiar with. If you desire to be a part of the “In-crowd” or want to break into a reality unscripted series of evil, opulent, fun, sad-at-times social circle, this is your chance to jump in and make a name for yourself.

TIPS FOR THE SOCIAL TOT (15+)
THINK?
To become a socialite, think like a socialite. You certainly don’t begin with the thought of being or acting like a snob, if you enter the social world with your nose in the air, prepare to commit social suicide within the next five minute.

 ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT
Confidence! Socialites allow themselves to be seen and identified as controversial experts. Dressed as the best in the room, they are divine perfected people filled with accessories and designer clothing. People look up to them, want to follow them, want to be like them and want to dress like them. Served like royalty wherever they go, they always get what they want. Socialites always smile, use very verbose language, always change and always reinvent themselves. They embrace chaos and love to create it. They don’t take no for an answer and if they don’t like something they cause a scene and walk out the door.

BLACK LISTED
Even in the world of socialites there’s a line. That line is one you don’t want to cross. Yes, in my ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT summary if a socialite leaves an atmosphere, its because something is not right and the setting is off. It’s not because they’re not being served a drink fast enough. It’s because some one’s attitude around them is poor. Leave the situation, don’t cause a scene with an idiot or consider yourself an idiot and done. If you are Black Listed it will take months for your reputation to be reconsidered and your name may disappear from ‘the list’. Keep your nose at the right level; if you act like a snob, you’re out.

NUMBER ONE ACCESSORY
Meet the Blackberry or iPhone; if you don’t have one, you left your phone at home. Give them your number and let them call you. Better to be without a phone then a phone that’s resembles the year 2000, so socially embarrassing.








BEAUTY, NOT THE BEAST
It can get real ugly if your not working it out! Plus, You got to have clear skin, clean hair and perfect nails. How can you begin to live a social life in the elite if you look like a freak? Not everyone has a perfect day, so if your day is not perfect stay home. No matter what people say about someone being narcissistic these days, it’s 2010, who cares what he or she think? If you want in, be selfish. Adjust your face and raise your middle finger. It feels good to want to feel gorgeous in the best way possible.

STEALING
Don’t forget, these days Face Book can be your worst enemy. If you just became friends with a socialite, you’re new to the game, don’t steal their friends and that also goes for being out in private VIP gatherings. Allow their friends to come to you through seeing Face Book ‘wall’ conversations or even at the party. Get rid of any ugly pictures of you and people, less is always better. Don’t post pictures of you on social networks with multiple celebrities like they’re your very best friends. Socialites know your wearing the same outfit in every picture. Post outrageous statements on your status that are mind blowing. Keep your personal issues a secret. Then when you gain more and more attention, bust out with something outrageous. Let them come to you, don’t be a social tagger!

SNEAKY
Socialites really have very few friends. Be cautious when making friends with a Socialite. They often meet people on a daily basis trying to climb up their social ladder. You may get close to them for a week or two, but if you’re meeting there friends, jumping on their tables and inviting your friends over for a drink, that will be your last drink. Socialites are out to have fun, create buzz and roam with their posse, they want friends that like them not their lifestyle. If a real socialite spits you out for using them, my advice, move out of town.



GIVE IT. DO NOT TAKE IT!!!
Giving is very important. Attending charity balls, galas and events make many in the media and social community respect you and remember you. Never crash the Gala. Pay your way in or get on the committee as a volunteer or contributor. That doesn’t mean help hand out nametags, ‘oh dear’.  It means collecting silent auction items, or contributing half your closet or what ever you can.


BURN OUT! THE WRONG FLASH
Never talk about money or what you have. It’s a horrible thing to do. Socialites appreciate the people they learn to love. You don’t need to impress them by exploiting on what you have. He wears a watch to tell time, she wears her shoes to walk, he has a wallet to carry cash, she has a hand bag to carry her make-up, don’t flash what may be last season. Your one handbag may not meet the fifty they have in their closet. You don’t need to tell some one, it’s Channel, Socialites already know that, don’t turn them of. Turn them on by saying nothing. Keep your money in your mouth and save the flash for the camera.

CLOSET CASE
The social nightmare is a tragic outfit. If you don’t have the money for designer clothing, don’t settle for a regular name brand. Yes, the wonderful world of socialites prances around in their flawless YSL, Dolce, Louis Vuittion, Prada and Channel because they can. The last thing you want to be is a ‘fashionista’ wannabe. Don’t over due your budget! Simplicity will get you through, solid colors, never pleats, custom fit shirts all from Zara, also check out BCBG or Forever 21.









CONTROVERSIAL

Be honest and say what you feel, It’s good to disagree and voice your opinion sometimes, create a little diversity. Stamina if done in a positive way you may just out shine one socialite’s moment at the right time and in front of the right people. Just don’t do it on your first meet and greet.


BE KIND
It’s not nice to act snobby or ignore the people that help you. (i.e. bus boy, bellman, doorman, cashier, bathroom attendant, and waitress) These people remember you and if your nice they’ll classify you as a genuine cool person and always help you with anything you need.  So many social snobs ignore these people, but they can help you out some times when you least expect it.


LESS YOU TALK, THE BETTER!
Be Mysterious, if you don’t know the geography of your own city or the name of the social hot spots you’re tagging along to, don’t speak! Act foreign, smile, and say, “love your hair, who does it” till you get there. Once your insides have fun, don’t get too crazy or over excited. Act a little bored. Most socialites have a must go, swear by the life rule when acting bored. Scrolling down the blackberry or tuning into the I-Phone, yawning works really well, followed by a quick glance at their nearest “friend” and a wink or two!

TRAPPED IN CONVERSATION
“I don’t know the situation, so I really don’t know what to say”
These words are your very best friend. Gossip is awful, if a socialite gossips about some one else, don’t go along with it, you’re not responsible to agree or respond. Agreeing or responding will chain you to a social click, which will condemn you from speaking to other socialites.







TRANSPORTATION

No real socialite really cares about your car, but if you do have one, keep it clean, like yourself. Driving around with a car that needs ‘Plastic Surgery’ is kind of bad. Take the cab if this happens.








OTHERS:

• DO NOT DRINK FROM PLASTIC CUPS, UNLESS IT’S AFTER THREE AND YOUR TRASHED
• DO NOT WAIT IN LINES FOR MORE THAN 60 SECONDS, UNLESS THERE’S FIRE MARSHALL. GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!
• DO NOT MAKE THINGS UP ABOUT YOURSELF
• FIGURE OUT THE WHOLE CAR SITUATION
• DON’T TALK SO MUCH ABOUT YOUR SELF
• ALWAYS SMILE AND SAY HELLO, WINKS ARE GREAT!
• DON’T SAY ANYTHING, IF YOU CAN’T FOLLOW THROUGH
• DO NOT SUCK UP TO THE SOCIALITE; KISS YOUR OWN A–!
• DON’T SLEEP WITH A SOCIALITE RIGHT AWAY, IF THEY DITCH YOU, YOU SOCIALLY DITCHED YOURSELF
• SHOW UP LATE, LEAVE A LITTLE EARLY
• IF OFFERED A DRINK ACCEPT, IT’S AN INSULT NOT TO
• DON’T CHOOSE EVERY EVENT ON THE CALENDAR

For more fab tips stay tuned to

http://thesocialitesurvivalguide.blogspot.com/

Miss Sicily...

Click pictures for links.

OSCAR FASHION: AND THE AWARD GOES TO…..

Oscar Night is the biggest night in Hollywood, and one of the biggest nights in celebrity, and fashion. So it’s no wonder A-listers, beautiful people, and the film industry puts their best foot (or dress, jewels, and hair) forward… OR DO THEY???
Here are some of the BEST, and WORST, … of the year:
****The Red Queens****
These ladies rocked the Red Carpet in Red, and this should be an Oscar category in its own right! “And the Red Dress Winner of the night is…”

JENNIFER HUDSON!!!! ATELIER VERSACE! OSCAR GOLD! This is DEFINITELY my BEST DRESSED for the OSCARS! THIS is how you DRESS! A PERFECT STAR! WHOMEVER is her stylist- I congratulate you! A Standing Ovation!!!!!!

The Hostess, with the Mostest. Anne Hathaway in VINTAGE Valentino….. and not ONLY did she wear an iconic dress, but she was ON the carpet WITH VALENTINO HIMSELF!!!! Talk about a DOUBLE WIN! Chic, classic, Hollywood.
Sandra Bullock, in Vera Wang. Nice. Pretty. Safe. (The extra bow “poof”  on the butt provides cushioning for the long sitting during the show.)
Jennifer Lawrence, in Calvin Klein Collection. I think she looks ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. Yes, this goes against my saying that “Oscars are a reason for dressing up like Royalty”, and this is a HUGE deal for her- Oscar nom for her first film, but DAMN! Simplicity here… is GOLDEN! I want more Jennifer!!!
Penelope Cruz, in L’wren Scott. Bombshell…. she wasn’t in a film to be nominated, but was there to support her man. She looked HOT, WITHOUT stealing the spotlight… perfect!
****WHITE WASH****
Hailee Steinfeld, in Marchesa. She is young, 14 YEARS OLD! This IS her PRINCESS MOMENT! She was up for a Best Actress!! So cute, and age appropriate! Everybody say it: “aww……”
Michelle Williams, in Chanel. OMG, I’m so TIRED of this look from her!!! She’s SOOO white, and she’s always wearing these LIGHT COLORS! When I can’t tell the difference between the dress and skin, WE HAVE A PROBLEM!!! Put in some extensions, and wear a colored dress for once… PLEASE!!!!!!
Mandy Moore, in Monique Lhullier. WTF?!?!? This IS a WHO LIED TO YOU MOMENT….. AGAIN! Mandy has CONTINUALLY been on my WORST DRESSED! She looks like a Friggin GHOST, skin and dress match, she’s all washed out, makeup and hair makes her look OLD…. she is “THE GHOST OF JULIANNE MOORE PAST!”
Celine Dion, in Armani Prive.  Nice to see her after a while, and dressing like a wholesome mom. Could we add  a slit in the leg please? Celine: It’s your night off!!! And still, it looks like your wearing the kitchen apron!  HAVE FUN!!!
Melissa Leo, in Marc Bauwer. Oscar winner (her role in The Fighter was Amazing), but this dress, like the Christmas tree Skirt! I love me some White & Gold, but this doesn’t look like a “Oscar Dress”.. this looks like a Holiday tablecloth! Or one of those snowflake cutouts kids make in school! WHY THIS?!?!? Where is the FEMININE,REGAL BEAUTY? This is Militant Doily.
Gwenyth Paltrow, in Calvin Klein. Everyone on the carpet loved this, “the modern edge”, “the simplicity”, etc… I like it as well, but NOT for the OSCARS. She is a past LEADING LADY OSCAR WINNER: a lil more “OOMPF” please. I think this dress would be GREAT for something like a Museum gala.
Nicole Kidman, in Dior. I like the top half; the bodice and beading and fit are perfect. I love a strapless with a choker style necklace, (this one she was wearing was 150 carats!!!). And then: the rest of the dress….. What is this??!?!? She said she liked it because of the “structure”.  To me, this is a structure of a diaper. I want to see her little waist, not her big hips! This dress is EDITORIAL! to be seen STILL in a magazine PHOTO! When she walked, she looked like a white woman trying to wear a kimono: stiff and uncomfortable. Nicole: stick with the column gowns, and keep it SIMPLE!
I HAD to share this extra photo with you I saw on JustJared. LOOK AT GWENYTH’S BODY!!! SHE IS TINY! We all know that Nicole Kidman is a STICK, so when I see THIS photo, I’m thinking Gwenyth is the NEW Nicole Ritchie! I LOVE this photo, and I LOVE Gwenyth’s SHOES! (still not for Oscar’s though)
****THE A-LIST LADIES****
Cate Blanchett, in Givenchy. This is from the same collection as Florence Welche’s Grammy Dress, wear the the design house was all Asian influenced.  The backstage video/presentation of this collection (find it on youtube) was a great way to appreciate all the work and beading and time that went into this well done collection.  Cate is a beautiful woman, and one of my favorite actresses. This dress on her…is not my favorite. It’s a little too much “bullseye on the bosom”. It’s a pretty pic, I just know she could have found a dress JUUUUST a bit better.
Halle Berry, in Marchesa. I know I don’t have to tell you twice to look at this photo, (I could stare at that face all day). But REALLY look at this dress. The whole design is STUNNING…. BEFORE all that Tulle was added…!!! The crystal beading, the nude-gold tones, perfectly go with her skin, and compliment her body. And then, the WHOLE ROLL of TOILET PAPER GOT STUCK AS SHE LEFT THE BATHROOM!!! It looks sloppy, and like an after thought from the designers. LESS IS MORE in this case!!!!!!
Hilary Swank, in Gucci. I love the dress, from the structure being simple, to the long flow of feathers. But where’s the rest?!?! Was she running late??? Because she forgot all her JEWELRY!!!! Neil Lane Diamond Studs PLEASE???? Chopard necklace PLEASE??? She is wearing a piece in her hair… can YOU see it??? NO!! So we need MORE! That necklace Nicole Kidman was wearing should BE ON THIS NECK! (and add a light spray tan….  a little glow would help).
****YOUNG HOLLYWOOD****
Mila Kunis, in Elie Saab. We all know she’s beautiful, and has taken over the spot as the “hottest in Hollywood”. (I put her up there as the new Megan Fox, who is under Angelina- Mila WAS “Young Angelina” in GIA). So PLEASE MILA: DRESS LIKE THAT! We don’t want to see you “pretty in lavender”, we want you to be the SMOLDERING TEMPTRESS! Where is that character from “Black Swan”?!?! This is too girly-frill -frou-frou for her. The one thing going for her was the bust area, where it looked like the lavender bra lace was about to push her out! Next time, I want to see LONG HAIR, TIGHT DRESS, and SEX APPEAL (the OSCAR version). GET NOTICED, and GET WORK! I want to see MORE MILA!
Natalie Portman, in Rodarte. YAY FOR WINNING!!! “Meh” for the dress. I think she is EXTREMELY TALENTED, SUPER SMART, and I have LOVED HER since she played “Matilda” in “Leon: The Professional”.  But, this is about fashion.  I can clearly see she has taken on the role of “mom” already, seeing as this is the dress version of “mom jeans”. Yes, she is pregnant…Yes, she wants to be comfortable…. I just think it was a boring dress. I mean, she just won BEST ACTRESS, and her dress looked like a jersey knit, not an evening gown silk or satin. But I LIKED THE EARRINGS!
Scarlett Johannsen in Dolce & Gabbana…. or her Grandmothers curtains…. or that doily from the back of the couch… or the tablecloth for special occasions….REALLY? It looked like she ROLLED OUT OF BED (BRUSH UR DAMN HAIR), and wear a dress WORTHY of OSCAR GLAMOUR!!!! This is NOT Glamour!! Who lied to you and told you this was an Oscar dress!?!?!?
Reese Witherspon, in Armani Prive. Or IS IT?!?! NO! IT’S ELLE WOODS!!!! SHE’S BACK, and ALL GROWN UP! Is she trying to tell us there will be a Legally Blonde 3????? We all know by now one of my favorite words: BARBIE! I LOVE her for showing up in an evening gown, with a BIG ponytail, and TAN! THIS is MALIBU BARBIE, this is… THE RETURN OF ELLE! “SNAPS FOR ELLE!”
****AND THE WORST DRESSED GOES TO…****
Amy Adams, in L’wren Scott. UGh, this look was executed SO HORRIBLY! WHAT THE HELL IS THAT NECKLACE DOING??? With the MATCHY-MATCHY bracelet? UGH, she might as well be wearing BRACES on her TEETH and this look can be from Saved By the Bell: Prom Night!!! It’s so BAD 80′s Prom/Dynasty/Pretty in Pink… Just Horrible. This stylist LIED.
Virginia Madsen, in Romona Keveza.  Sigh…. I think she is trying to get work with Disney, because she is dressing like a cross between both “Ursula” from The Little Mermaid, and “Cruella DeVille” from 101 Dalmations. She said she chose this because it was “classic old Hollywood”. WHY, BECAUSE IT’S BLACK & WHITE???? The bottom half looks nice, but the top makes her look heavy, and that GARISH RED LIPSTICK is CLOWNISH.
Marisa Tomei, in OLD Charles James. Fashion people were talking about this dress, and Randolph Duke said something that struck me. He said, “this is an important dress”, and that its amazing that a Vintage Charles James was brought back…. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO SEE SO THAT WE KNOW NEVER TO MAKE ANYTHING LIKE IT AGAIN!!! This is one of the UGLIEST things I have EVER SEEN!!! WTF is that Tutu Hemline?!?!?!?! The LOSING contestants on Project Runway could make a better dress, drunk AND blindfolded!!! This is not about Marisa (“My Cousin Vinny”.. My favorite character EVER!) This is about her STYLIST WHO LIED TO HER. HORRIBLE!!!!!!
Helena Bohnam Carter, wearing Colleen Atwood. I put her here, because this is normally where she goes. Even though, I have to say, for HER: this is GOOD! She is wearing a creation from Colleen Atwood, who is probably the TOP Costume Designer in Hollywood. (I would DIE to work with her on a film).  But, I think instead of having your film’s costumer make you a dress, you should wear a true fashion designer’s! All in all: a BIG improvement. But this is still like having your mom make your Prom dress.
****THE MEN****
Colin Firth, in Tom Ford. Not only is this custom Tom Ford, but ECO Tom Ford! All materials used in this Tuxedo were italian organic, non chemical dye fabrics, that were safe for the environment.  Even Tom got a mention in Colin’s WINNING SPEECH. Must be doing something right!
Justin Timberlake, in Tom Ford. What can I say that’s bad about this outfit? NOTHING. Well groomed, well fitted. THIS IS WHY TOM FORD IS WHO HE IS. PERFECTION.
Jesse Eisenberg, in I DONT CARE. That’s what his appearance seems to say anyway. THIS IS THE OSCARS. You just played the ROLE of a LIFETIME, in the film that “DEFINED A GENERATION”, and that (COULD) have won! And you disrespect the Academy by showing up like this… WASH AND STYLE YOUR F***ING HAIR!!! STRAIGHTEN and CINCH your F***ING TIE!!! Your not in character anymore, you don’t need to play an ASS****. Dress appropriately DAMMIT.
And saving the BEST FOR LAST… A SPECIAL APPEARANCE…. by the sexy: SHARON STONE!
KATHERINE TREMMEL IS BACK!!!!! Sharon is JAW DROPPING in this DIOR. She is in her 50′s!!!!  Look at her Posture, her pose! DAMN! She is the one woman last night that wives were scared of! This Lady was on the PROWL!  SHE IS REEKING of SEX APPEAL,  ATTITUDE, and JUST PLAIN HOTNESS.
 (thank you Mr. Style!)

The man behind MrStyle is Brian Toth; an Actor/Model who wanted more: to actually create the image of what was seen for the public eye.