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Farewell Gen Art

By now many of you may have heard the new that after 16 years of discovering and showcasing new talent, Gen Art has closed their doors due to challenges incurred by the recession.  Considering, all the support and exposure Gen Art created for emerging artists in fashion, film, art and music, I was disheartened to receive the newsletter from Founders Ian & Stefan Gerard sharing this news. While they say all good things come to an end, a large part of me hopes that considering all of their connections and reach someone will swoop in and save them.

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of joining my dear friends Wesley Nault and Daniel Feld of WESFELD in showcasing of their first collection.  The event, hosted by Molly Sims was all made possible thanks to Gen Art (in conjunction with Plastics Make It Possible and the American Chemistry Council).  To know that other deserving designers of future generations won’t have the same opportunities that this talented duo did is tragic.  This is a huge loss for the artist community.

Be Green Jelly Bean

Happy Earth Day Everyone!

The Anti-Hitch

Somewhere in Iowa, someone’s getting a good laugh. That someone is probably Will Smith’s alter ego in Hitch, Brad, Founder of iDUMP4U, a website where he does just that, breaks up with people (over the phone) on your behalf.

In the age of text, twitter, Facebook, email, instant messenger, is this really necessary? Apparently for some cowards out there, yes!  Maybe coward is the wrong word; perhaps customers of this service are just too busy to be bothered.  Breakups can be a real time commitment.  Plus iDUMP4U averages a 24-hour turn around time (pending the availability of the dumpee to pick up their phone).  Either that or someone can’t afford to leave a paper trail.

iDUMP4U charges $10/breakup ($25 if you’re engaged, $50 if you’re married).  I can think of a few inconvenient breakups where $10 would have seemed like a bargain to just be done.  However, I

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Blood Donors Needed! Help Make a Difference

Back in January, I tried to do my part in the Haiti earthquake relief efforts, by writing a post listing five easy ways individuals could get involved and help and pledged to do them all.  One of the ways listed was to donate blood.  Earlier I received a phone call from the Red Cross saying “I’d like to talk to you about your blood donation in January”.  Naturally, I stopped dead in my tracks and panicked; I thought the only reason the Red Cross calls was if there was something wrong with your blood.  I was wrong.  She continued with, “Are you aware that there’s currently a shortage of all blood types in NYC but especially 0+, and with just one donation you can help as many as three people? Can we count on you to make a donation?”

My answer was most definitely yes! Although I recommended they open with “We need your help” when making these types of

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DVF’s iPhone Cover

I’m obsessed!!! How hot is the new Diane von Furstenberg iPhone Cover?  She designed it in honor of the new iPhone application DVF launched earlier this week.

I saw on Facebook they are running a free shipping promo. ‘Use DVFSHIPFREE for free ground shipping on any order with an item under $100’.  Is it me or is that awkwardly worded?  The iPone cover is $20, which is under $100 so I think that means I’m getting free shipping?  And on that note, ONLY $20!!!! I’m so impressed (and surprised) they didn’t price it higher.

I need it and am ordering it now! Or at least trying to, the website seems to be having a meltdown at the moment when it comes to ordering them.  Maybe they weren’t expecting the entire female population to be ordering it all at once.

It also fits iPod Touches, for more information visit dvf.com

The Long and Windy Road to Running the NYC Half Marathon

I’m going to cut to the chase since this turned out to be a rather long post.  So for all of you who would like to be spared the page long story . . . in a nutshell, I ran the New York City Half Marathon (13.1 miles) this morning in 2 hours, and 11 minutes.  My first race ever as well as the longest distance I have ever run (by far) without stopping!  Despite not being able to feel my legs, this was quite possibly one of the most amazing experiences of my life.  How did I get myself into this mess?

My story begins last November at Morandi.  I attended an intimate birthday dinner where one very charming and persuasive ABC weather girl, Heidi Jones managed to convince the entire table of 6 that running the New York City Half Marathon was a great idea.  That is until the next morning when the wine wore off and suddenly the thought of doing 13.1 miles to a bunch of otherwise non-runners seemed doubtful.  Some emails circulated, much grunting was done, but with

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Travel Treasures: Colgate Wisp, Starbucks VIA, L’Oreal Skin Genesis

I’m a coffee lover, girl on the go, frequent traveler, and sometimes (many times?), I’m just plain lazy.  If you share any of my characteristics then you’ll appreciate my latest finds, Colgate Wisps, Starbucks Via 100% Natural Roasted Instant & Microground Coffee, and L’Oreal Skin Genesis Micro-Smoothing Wet Cleansing Towelettes.  In the past few months these products have entered my life and now I don’t travel without them.

1. Colgate Wisp – On a recent Jet Blue flight, the flight attendant was handing out these disposable mini-toothbrushes.  My mouth always feels so raunchy after excessive time in airports and planes so to be given something that requires not getting out of my seat that delivers a clean mouth and fresh breathe is a big check plus in my book!  One end is the brush; the other a soft pick which really works to get anything in between teeth out.  Plus it’s so compact (only 3 ½”), so carrying these little wonders around with me is a non-issue.

Colgate Wisp’s come in Peppermint, Cinnamint, and Spearmint flavors.  For more information visit www.colgatewisp.com

2. Starbucks VIA Ready Brew – I consider myself a coffee snob.  In fact while I write this I’m sitting at one of my favorite coffee spots, Sweetleaf, enjoying my second cup of Stumptown coffee. So perhaps coffee addict is a better description of me.

I needed to qualify that since I’m about to attempt to sell you on Starbuck’s instant coffee.  Yes, I know —eww.  Or at least that’s what I would think if someone would praise adding water to coffee and expecting anything decent.

So here’s my storey: Confessions of a Reformed Instant Coffee Hater

While hanging out in the tents at Bryant Park during New York Fashion Week I was in dire need of a coffee.  All I could think was ‘I’m saved!’ when I saw Starbucks was a sponsor, but when I got to their booth all I saw was a fridge full of their cold Frappuccino drinks.  I like my coffee hot and unsweetened, the Frappaccino’s would simply not do.  And then on the table I spotted milk and half and half, and what I thought was a coffee dispenser.  Again, ‘I’m saved’, is going through my head, but when I got there hot water came out of the dispenser –is this a cruel joke? Then I noticed the women next to me are pouring these small packets of Starbucks VIA instant coffee into the water.  Again –is this a joke? Up until that moment my experience with instant coffee is likely from five years ago at convention centers or hotels that would provide you with a tea bag that supposedly contained coffee in it that just tasted terrible.  I mean so terrible that one sip and it was in the garbage can.  But there I was pouring a bag of instant coffee into the hot water, adding milk –desperate times calls for . . .  Then came the shock: It’s good.  In fact it’s more then good, it’s not weak and totally accurate!  If I had ordered a Starbucks Italian Roast coffee and the barista gave me a cup of the VIA Ready Brew Italian Roast in it’s place I would not have noticed.  My mind is blown.

I keep one in my wallet at all times.  It’s perfect for traveling or when I’m too lazy in the morning to make a cup (or am running late) and need something fast!  Plus VIA is 100% natural roasted coffee and contains no by-products or chemicals and can also be served cold.  Instant ice-coffee anyone?

Starbuck’s VIA comes in Columbia, Italian Roast and Decaf Italian Roast.  For more information visit www.starbucks.com

3. L’Oreal Paris Skin Genesis Micro-Smoothing Wet Cleansing Towelettes – I’ve decided that makeup wipes are probably one of my favorite things to review.  All you have to do is get really made up, spend a night out, then come home and put that towelette to the test.  If it can handle a really done up makeup look, it can handle your everyday cosmetic choices.  I’m happy to report L’Oreal’s Skin Genesis passed with flying colors! One wipe took it all off (my foundation, blush, eyeshadow, lipstick and bronzer). Provided I used every inch of both sides, and by the end of it no part of that towel resembled it’s original state of white. And get this, yesterday I had a mysterious yellow stain on my cardigan and no instant remover so I dabbed the towellette on it and it disappeared.  Now I keep a pack of these next to my bed just in

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Interesting Watch: The State of the Internet

The internet and social media have had such a huge reach and influence on the world. Just how much? Check out this interesting watch:

Pretty Connected Backstage at Malandrino

Malandrino Fall 2010 fashion show was inspired by Mongolia and “a vision of earth as seen from above”. Words like, nomadic, tribal, strong, warriors were all part of the vision for the collection and influence for the hair and makeup.

HAIR: Lead Stylist Odile Gilbert for PHYTO Professional

“The inspiration was a bit of Mongolia and a bit of Africa so what we wanted to create for Catherine, was a little tree on top of the head … in a very organic, natural way” said Gilbert.  “It should be fresh but have the touch of a barbarian girl.”

Gilbert began by applying ‘Intense Volume Mousse’ and ‘Actif Volumizing Spray’ to create a dry, matte texture.  While the hair dried, the stylist aggressively massaged the roots using her hands to add volume. ‘Fiber Paste’ was then added to create even more texture before hair was swept and bound on the top of the head. Next, Gilbert sprayed ‘Workable Holding Spray’ to add a strong hold.

MAKEUP: Lead Stylist Tom Pecheux for M.A.C

“My inspiration came from Catherine, she got inspired by Mongolia, and the beauty of the women there … so I created a powerful eyebrow, shaped eyes, and high cheeks.  I darkened the eyebrow, but nothing on the upper eyelid, and no mascara.  Everything is happening in the bottom with the bronze color and black eye pencil.” –Tom Pecheux

To achieve the look, Pecheux applied M.A.C eyeshadow in Tarnished Bronze to the lower eyelid, with Eye Kohl Pencil in Smolder to elongate eyes. For a powerful brow, Carcoal Brown eyeshadow was applied.  For an even complexion and fresh face, M.A.C Face and Body Foundation, Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder, and Blot Loose Powder was applied to the face followed by M.A.C Contour Bronzer Powder to accentuate the cheekbone. Pecheux then applied M.A.C Lipstick in Folio on the model’s lips to complete the look.

NAILS: Lead Stylist Angi Wingle for CND Nail Polish

To compliment the collection, Angi Wingle created a bark hued manicure textured to look like leather using CND Nail Polish in

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Happy Valentine’s Day

Happy Valentine’s Day my loves! Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is is our date for this week.  Full hair and makeup coverage from our favorite shows to come!

Nothing says love like Christian the Lion’s story.  I tear up everytime I watch this!

xoxoPretty Connected

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