On Friday January 30, promotions company Media Arrow will be presenting the first UNDISPUTED TALENT event in New York City at The Delancey (168 Delancey Street). The monthly event showcases models and fashion companies from New York alongside music groups, all competing for prizes to be awarded that night. The show begins at 8pm and will feature 5 fashion designers, 15 models, and 5 bands.
The featured fashion designers are Farrah Bhalloo, Gwen Beloti, Ayesha Hakki, Nicole Laborante, and Dean John NYC. The models set to appear include Nissa B, Cindy Beato, Sofia Falleroni, Allison Gayne, Victoria James, Nicole M. Nieves, Victoria Ortiz, Jolita Sakmanaite, Shanae Strachan, Ruth Testman, and Diana Vrankovic. The bands slated to perform are Across the Aisle, Angry Old Man, Hungry Tiger, Maslow, and Witches in Bikinis. The guest judges for the evening are Kimberley Williams from MTV Networks, Jenna Rubenstein from Jellybean Music Group, and LP Anderson from Volume Music Entertainment.
The first round of the evening will have the models introduce the bands who will each perform a set of their own original music. In the second round, the models will be displaying the collections from the featured fashion companies, and the third and final round will be a bikini round. Each monthly event will also have a musical theme; the theme on January 30th will be Pop/Rock/Alternative music. The sponsors of the event are Bossman Productions, Danny Scream, David Barton Gym, Film Gravity, Kabab Factory, and Radian Records.
Tickets are priced at $10 and can be purchased online at www.MediaArrow.com
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
The return of the 80s with Too Faced’s Smurfette Collection!!
Good morning all. Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend. My weekend was pretty uneventful, but thats ok everyone needs some down time.
Being a child of the 80s and totally obsessed with make-up, I was immediately drawn to the Too Faced Cosmetics Smurfette Collection. I love the packaging; it might be childish and immature but that’s what makes it so much fun!
The Smurfette Collection includes...
Smurfette Mood Swing Lip Gloss, $18.50: I had the pleasure of trying out this mood activated lipgloss. It starts off Smurfy blue and changes into different shades of berry pink depending on the wearer's emotional state! I must admit I felt like I was 10 years old again, but it was nice because it was a genuine girly girl excited emotion.
So Smurfy Eye Shadow Collection, $32.50: A chic palette that includes four complimentary eye shadow shades -- two of which are debossed with the classic Smurf daisy and Smurfette's silhouette. I simply love the eye shadows. The colors included are matte pink, a bold navy blue, a shimmering glittery gold, and a glittery bronze. I loved it so much I’ve invited my make-up obsessed BFF to play around with the colors on my eyes (I’ll have pics of that this weekend).
Smurfy Eyed Liquid Liner, $17.50: Two long-lasting, fast-drying liquid eyeliners, in Smurf-inspired blue and white shades formulated with sparkling, micro-glitter for added impact and edge!
So Smurfy Illuminating Face Powder, $26.00: Created in the image of Smurfette, this multi-shade palette brightens and tones with a combination of soft, color-correcting shades that blend together for wear on any skintone.
This fun and flirty assortment is available at Sephora stores and at sephora.com. As a limited-edition launch, the young at heart, hipsters looking for a dose of trendy nostalgia and any glamour girl that lives to play with makeup will need to act quickly to get these stylishly chic items before they sell out!
Being a child of the 80s and totally obsessed with make-up, I was immediately drawn to the Too Faced Cosmetics Smurfette Collection. I love the packaging; it might be childish and immature but that’s what makes it so much fun!
The Smurfette Collection includes...
Smurfette Mood Swing Lip Gloss, $18.50: I had the pleasure of trying out this mood activated lipgloss. It starts off Smurfy blue and changes into different shades of berry pink depending on the wearer's emotional state! I must admit I felt like I was 10 years old again, but it was nice because it was a genuine girly girl excited emotion.
So Smurfy Eye Shadow Collection, $32.50: A chic palette that includes four complimentary eye shadow shades -- two of which are debossed with the classic Smurf daisy and Smurfette's silhouette. I simply love the eye shadows. The colors included are matte pink, a bold navy blue, a shimmering glittery gold, and a glittery bronze. I loved it so much I’ve invited my make-up obsessed BFF to play around with the colors on my eyes (I’ll have pics of that this weekend).
Smurfy Eyed Liquid Liner, $17.50: Two long-lasting, fast-drying liquid eyeliners, in Smurf-inspired blue and white shades formulated with sparkling, micro-glitter for added impact and edge!
So Smurfy Illuminating Face Powder, $26.00: Created in the image of Smurfette, this multi-shade palette brightens and tones with a combination of soft, color-correcting shades that blend together for wear on any skintone.
This fun and flirty assortment is available at Sephora stores and at sephora.com. As a limited-edition launch, the young at heart, hipsters looking for a dose of trendy nostalgia and any glamour girl that lives to play with makeup will need to act quickly to get these stylishly chic items before they sell out!
Monday, January 19, 2009
The Inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama
There has been tremendous momentum and excitement leading up to tomorrow's inauguration where President-elect Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th president of the United States of America. Tomorrow night the new president will celebrate by hosting the first-ever Neighborhood Ball. Through interactive technology and a live broadcast on ABC, the Neighborhood Ball will be linked with parties across the country, making for a truly special night that all Americans can take part in.If you happen to be in Northern Manhattan tomorrow, MoveOn members in conjunction with Give.Be.Grow of Washington Heights are organizing an Inaugural Bash to celebrate the historic swearing in of Barack Obama. This event will bring local residents together to celebrate and recognize the work of the millions of Americans who helped achieve this victory.
This event is a 21+ event hosted in The Monkey Room, 589 Fort Washington Avenue (near 187th street) at 7:30pm.
To find an inaugural party near you visit http://www.pic2009.org/page/content/neighborhoodballparty.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Shotgun Theatre Festival
I’m so glad I decided to brave the cold weather Friday night and attend one of the “Performance” nights of the Shotgun Theatre Festival presented by the Gene Frankel Theatre --I had mentioned this festival in a previous post on January 7th. It was such an enjoyable experience; I went alone and had a great night! There were six original 10 minute works performed (everything from drama, suspense, and comedy). In between each play musician Michael Bryson performed as well. Those works were written and put together in a compressed time of about one day. I was really impressed with the writing and performance put together in such a short amount of time.A little background on the festival – Thursday, January 8th and 15th directors and playwrights watched over 30 actors do cold reading and monologues in front of the audience. Playwrights randomly selected a director’s name and actors were randomly distributed to a director/playwright team. Overnight, the playwright wrote a ten minute play. January 9th, 10th, 16th, and 17th were the performance nights. The audience then voted for their two favorites, and those winning plays will perform tonight, Sunday January 18th at 7pm for the opportunity to win three free nights of rental at the Gene Frankel Theatre to produce a full length version of the mini play they created.
I enjoyed this experience so much; I would love to attend another festival like this in the near future. I was excited when one of the plays I voted for "Roomies" was selected to move on to the finals. I really think it’s a fantastic idea and a great way to showcase new talent in theatre. Support theatre and get your butts over to the final day of the festival tonight at 7pm at the Gene Frankel Theatre 24 Bond street, NYC (near Lafayette)– tickets for tonight are $20.
The Shotgun Theatre Festival was presented by Gail Thacker/The Gene Frankel Theatre, Jason Surratt, Diamondo Stratakos, and the City Actors Theatre Company. For more info on the Gene Frankel Theatre visit http://www.genefrankel.com/
Friday, January 16, 2009
I love a bargain (parte 2)
Hola! As promised here is part 2 of Pongan el Cafe's interview with fashion expert Lilliana Vazquez. I had one very important question for this chica -- What are some of your secrets for looking fabulous on a budget?
Here are a couple of suggestions from Lilliana:
Start with a great pair of Jeans
Jeans are the foundation of many Hollywood starlets looks and there’s no reason to spend $200 on designer denim when so many stores carry similar, if not exact styles! Check out the juniors department at Macy’s for the latest washes, cuts and styles and if you want something even cheaper, give Old Navy a try! They run countless promotions on their denim for the whole family and they never cost more than $30 anyway!
Know Where to Shop
Certain stores are built around designer looks for less. H&M and Forever 21 are a goldmine of inexpensive trendy style inspired by today’s hottest celebrities and runway looks. You can find shirts, tunics, pants, dresses, and all kinds of accessories at very inexpensive prices, which will have you looking just like the Olsen’s at a fraction of the cost!
Diffusion Lines
If you’re looking for a designer label, but not a designer price, many high-end designers are now partnering with certain retailers to offer lower priced versions of their designer collections. Stores like Wal-Mart, Target and JC Penney have paired up with some of the biggest names in fashion to bring you designer names at budget friendly prices.
Scour Secondhand
One of the best places to find vintage and designer pieces is at secondhand stores like Goodwill and The Salvation Army. You have to be really patient and in the mood to sort through all the bad stuff, but there’s so many great finds if you just take the time to look! You’d be totally surprised at what people will just give away!
Mix High + Low
The reason celebrities like Cameron Diaz and Nicole Ritchie always look so stylish is because they’re perfected the art of the mix. Although they could dress in head to toe designer, what gives them their unique look and personal style is that they’re not afraid to mix a Balenciaga jacket with a pair of Old Navy shorts. Mixing designer pieces with cheapchic items creates a look that’s entirely your own!
Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize
This is the cheapest way to get the most “bang for your buck”. You can transform jeans and a white tee from basic to WOW by adding just the right mix of jewelry or a standout pair of shoes!
Learn to sew or find a great seamstress
Tailoring to fit your body makes any garment look custom and switching out the standard-issue buttons on a jacket or a blazer makes it look like a designer buy.
Shop early…for the next year!
The end of the season is the best time to shop because of the aggressive markdowns. You might have to store those bikinis until next summer, but you’ll save tons of money in the process!
Shop your own closet!
If you feel the need to shop but just can’t afford it, try shopping at home. Pull out your favorite pieces, find new ways to wear them or new ideas for mixing them with items that you already own. If you challenge yourself to come up with 3 new ways to wear a favorite, you’ll feel like you’ve shopped for new clothes without spending any money!
Quality not quantity
It’s better to have a few things that you really love than a lot of things you kind of like. If you buy what you love, you’ll end up with a closet full of things to wear, instead of trend items that will have you looking dated in just a few months.
Pongan el Cafe had one more question for Lilliana before hitting the road: Finding clothes for curvy women is hard enough, but where do you suggest Hispanic women shop for great affordable and chic outfits?
I don’t think it’s as much about where you shop, but more about how you shop. Buy clothes that fit your body and gently hug your curves. Also, if you’re more voluptuous avoid tight fitting clothes and busy patterns at all costs! Try looser styles in darker colors that camouflage your problem areas instead or drawing attention to them.
Gracias Lilliana!!
For more great fashion finds and tips visit The Cheap Chicas Guide to Style. If you'd like to learn more about this fabulous chica, visit www.lillianavazquez.com.
Here are a couple of suggestions from Lilliana:
Start with a great pair of Jeans
Jeans are the foundation of many Hollywood starlets looks and there’s no reason to spend $200 on designer denim when so many stores carry similar, if not exact styles! Check out the juniors department at Macy’s for the latest washes, cuts and styles and if you want something even cheaper, give Old Navy a try! They run countless promotions on their denim for the whole family and they never cost more than $30 anyway!
Know Where to Shop
Certain stores are built around designer looks for less. H&M and Forever 21 are a goldmine of inexpensive trendy style inspired by today’s hottest celebrities and runway looks. You can find shirts, tunics, pants, dresses, and all kinds of accessories at very inexpensive prices, which will have you looking just like the Olsen’s at a fraction of the cost!
Diffusion Lines
If you’re looking for a designer label, but not a designer price, many high-end designers are now partnering with certain retailers to offer lower priced versions of their designer collections. Stores like Wal-Mart, Target and JC Penney have paired up with some of the biggest names in fashion to bring you designer names at budget friendly prices.
Scour Secondhand
One of the best places to find vintage and designer pieces is at secondhand stores like Goodwill and The Salvation Army. You have to be really patient and in the mood to sort through all the bad stuff, but there’s so many great finds if you just take the time to look! You’d be totally surprised at what people will just give away!
Mix High + Low
The reason celebrities like Cameron Diaz and Nicole Ritchie always look so stylish is because they’re perfected the art of the mix. Although they could dress in head to toe designer, what gives them their unique look and personal style is that they’re not afraid to mix a Balenciaga jacket with a pair of Old Navy shorts. Mixing designer pieces with cheapchic items creates a look that’s entirely your own!
Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize
This is the cheapest way to get the most “bang for your buck”. You can transform jeans and a white tee from basic to WOW by adding just the right mix of jewelry or a standout pair of shoes!
Learn to sew or find a great seamstress
Tailoring to fit your body makes any garment look custom and switching out the standard-issue buttons on a jacket or a blazer makes it look like a designer buy.
Shop early…for the next year!
The end of the season is the best time to shop because of the aggressive markdowns. You might have to store those bikinis until next summer, but you’ll save tons of money in the process!
Shop your own closet!
If you feel the need to shop but just can’t afford it, try shopping at home. Pull out your favorite pieces, find new ways to wear them or new ideas for mixing them with items that you already own. If you challenge yourself to come up with 3 new ways to wear a favorite, you’ll feel like you’ve shopped for new clothes without spending any money!
Quality not quantity
It’s better to have a few things that you really love than a lot of things you kind of like. If you buy what you love, you’ll end up with a closet full of things to wear, instead of trend items that will have you looking dated in just a few months.
Pongan el Cafe had one more question for Lilliana before hitting the road: Finding clothes for curvy women is hard enough, but where do you suggest Hispanic women shop for great affordable and chic outfits?
I don’t think it’s as much about where you shop, but more about how you shop. Buy clothes that fit your body and gently hug your curves. Also, if you’re more voluptuous avoid tight fitting clothes and busy patterns at all costs! Try looser styles in darker colors that camouflage your problem areas instead or drawing attention to them.
Gracias Lilliana!!
For more great fashion finds and tips visit The Cheap Chicas Guide to Style. If you'd like to learn more about this fabulous chica, visit www.lillianavazquez.com.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
I love a good bargain!
If you love a good bargain as much as I do then you should really continue reading. Pongan el Café had the opportunity to chat with one Latina who’s making moves, fashion expert Lilliana Vazquez. This chica offers trendy and budget-conscious ideas to the masses through her blog The Cheap Chica’s Guide to Style.Here is Part I of our chat with Lilliana, where she shared some of her experiences in the fashion industry and some advice for women who’d like to break into the industry.
CB: What made you want to pursue a career in fashion?
LV: My aunt taught me to sew when I was just a little girl and since that day, I’ve always had a deep interest in how clothes were made and a true appreciation for fashion. When I got older, I knew that this would be the perfect industry for me because I was going to pursue something I loved and that I was passionate about, instead of just any old job.
CB: What experiences did you have when you first moved to NY after college? What kinds of obstacles/opportunities did you encounter?
LV: Unfortunately, I had a very “Devil Wears Prada” experience when I first moved to NYC and was working at W magazine. But it quickly opened my eyes to how cutthroat this industry was and prepared me for the future.
LV: My aunt taught me to sew when I was just a little girl and since that day, I’ve always had a deep interest in how clothes were made and a true appreciation for fashion. When I got older, I knew that this would be the perfect industry for me because I was going to pursue something I loved and that I was passionate about, instead of just any old job.
CB: What experiences did you have when you first moved to NY after college? What kinds of obstacles/opportunities did you encounter?
LV: Unfortunately, I had a very “Devil Wears Prada” experience when I first moved to NYC and was working at W magazine. But it quickly opened my eyes to how cutthroat this industry was and prepared me for the future.
When I started my accessories line I had NO money and I was totally out of my league. I was competing with designers who had more experience and established brand names, but I had confidence, loads of it, and buyers sensed that about me. They also sensed that I was a young, hungry and a really hard worker and that opened up a lot of relationships for me with major department stores and big time buyers.
CB: What led you to The CheapChica's Guide to Style?
LV: For as long as I can remember, people have always asked me what I was wearing. When I told them where I got it and how much it cost, they were totally shocked! I rarely spend more than $50 on one item and I live by the mantra that style has nothing to do with money… so I thought, why not share my budget fashion tips and style advice with other people?? I love to write and I thought a blog would be the perfect forum to reach millions of people who just want to look good, on the cheap! =)
CB: What advice can you give Hispanic women trying to break into the fashion industry as a writer, stylist, designer, etc.?
LV: Commit, commit, commit. I can’t tell you how bad you have to want something to actually get it! I also strongly believe in the benefits of internships and having a mentor. Find someone in your community that has the job/position you want and get in touch with them…ask if you can volunteer your time and take full advantage of that experience…even if it means getting them coffee! It will open your eyes to the daily nuances of that job and by being in that workplace, you will start to build a network of contacts in that industry which will be beneficial in the long run.
CB: What do you have planned for the near future in terms of your career and working with Hispanic women?
LV: I am looking forward to adding both video and audio elements to the blog and hopefully developing a web show all about budget fashion!
CB: What led you to The CheapChica's Guide to Style?
LV: For as long as I can remember, people have always asked me what I was wearing. When I told them where I got it and how much it cost, they were totally shocked! I rarely spend more than $50 on one item and I live by the mantra that style has nothing to do with money… so I thought, why not share my budget fashion tips and style advice with other people?? I love to write and I thought a blog would be the perfect forum to reach millions of people who just want to look good, on the cheap! =)
CB: What advice can you give Hispanic women trying to break into the fashion industry as a writer, stylist, designer, etc.?
LV: Commit, commit, commit. I can’t tell you how bad you have to want something to actually get it! I also strongly believe in the benefits of internships and having a mentor. Find someone in your community that has the job/position you want and get in touch with them…ask if you can volunteer your time and take full advantage of that experience…even if it means getting them coffee! It will open your eyes to the daily nuances of that job and by being in that workplace, you will start to build a network of contacts in that industry which will be beneficial in the long run.
CB: What do you have planned for the near future in terms of your career and working with Hispanic women?
LV: I am looking forward to adding both video and audio elements to the blog and hopefully developing a web show all about budget fashion!
I always make a strong effort to reach out to the Hispanic community for models and designer to feature in all of my TV appearances and articles.
Catch up on more with Lilliana Vazquez in Part II of our chat, where she’ll offer some great fashion tips – how to look fabulous without breaking the bank (especially useful in this economic slump)!
Catch up on more with Lilliana Vazquez in Part II of our chat, where she’ll offer some great fashion tips – how to look fabulous without breaking the bank (especially useful in this economic slump)!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Dios Mio PORQUE!!!!!
If you happen to be in a cold climate, I feel for you. If you happen to be in a nice warm climate, I'm going to have to hate on you!! It's freezing in NYC (although I was expecting it to be colder today).
Hope you're all trying to stay warm. Here is something to help -- happy thoughts, happy thoughts........
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Busy in the city....
The holidays are winding down and January always seems like such a long month. So, if you want to find something to distract your mind and you're in NYC, here is a great suggestion.
The Gene Frankel Theatre (located at 24 Bond Street) will be presenting the Shotgun Theatre Festival: Theatre Under the Gun, which will run January 8th-10th and January 15th-18th. The festival aims to create spontaneous theater in a compressed period of time while allowing an audience to witness the theatrical process in its entirety; from auditions and casting through the staging of twenty eight original works.
The January 8th and 15th shows are "audition nights," where actors will perform monologues and short solo performances (including dances, songs, and stand-up). The playwright and director teams will also be picked live in front of the audience on those two evenings, and the casts will be determined.
Performance times are at 8pm, except for the final night of the festival which begins at 7pm. Tickets are $10 for each night (tickets for the final night are $20), and festival passes may be purchased for $25 (one weekend) or $60 (all festival pass). Tickets can be purchased at The Gene Frankel Theatre, at 24 Bond Street (just off of Lafayette).
For more information on The Gene Frankel Theatre, visit http://www.genefrankel.com/
Go check it out, should be an interesting experience.
The Gene Frankel Theatre (located at 24 Bond Street) will be presenting the Shotgun Theatre Festival: Theatre Under the Gun, which will run January 8th-10th and January 15th-18th. The festival aims to create spontaneous theater in a compressed period of time while allowing an audience to witness the theatrical process in its entirety; from auditions and casting through the staging of twenty eight original works.
The January 8th and 15th shows are "audition nights," where actors will perform monologues and short solo performances (including dances, songs, and stand-up). The playwright and director teams will also be picked live in front of the audience on those two evenings, and the casts will be determined.
Performance times are at 8pm, except for the final night of the festival which begins at 7pm. Tickets are $10 for each night (tickets for the final night are $20), and festival passes may be purchased for $25 (one weekend) or $60 (all festival pass). Tickets can be purchased at The Gene Frankel Theatre, at 24 Bond Street (just off of Lafayette).
For more information on The Gene Frankel Theatre, visit http://www.genefrankel.com/
Go check it out, should be an interesting experience.
Monday, January 5, 2009
As usual, one of my New Year's resolution is to lose weight.
First off, I know I'm about 5 days late but, FELIZ ANO NUEVO!!!!
On that note, as usual with the New Year more than half of the population resolves to lose weight, and I'm one of those people. It can be a difficult resolution to keep simply because if you really want to lose weight and keep those pounds off it's a complete lifestyle change.
Luckily, my friend put me on to this fantastic website - sparkpeople.com - that I just signed up for and will begin to use this week. I started to lose weight last year (and did pretty well), but I've come to a stand still and need a little help to put me back on track.
Sparkpeople.com is a free site that has diet trackers, exercise programs, and much more to keep you on the right track. What I love most about this site is that they offer nutrition, health, and fitness tools, support, and resources that are 100% free! (everyone's favorite word especially in these times)
You should definitely go on to sparkpeople.com and sign up. Go explore the site, read the articles, and get on the discussion boards. Buena suerte!!!!
On that note, as usual with the New Year more than half of the population resolves to lose weight, and I'm one of those people. It can be a difficult resolution to keep simply because if you really want to lose weight and keep those pounds off it's a complete lifestyle change.
Luckily, my friend put me on to this fantastic website - sparkpeople.com - that I just signed up for and will begin to use this week. I started to lose weight last year (and did pretty well), but I've come to a stand still and need a little help to put me back on track.
Sparkpeople.com is a free site that has diet trackers, exercise programs, and much more to keep you on the right track. What I love most about this site is that they offer nutrition, health, and fitness tools, support, and resources that are 100% free! (everyone's favorite word especially in these times)
You should definitely go on to sparkpeople.com and sign up. Go explore the site, read the articles, and get on the discussion boards. Buena suerte!!!!
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