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The days of designer jean and tiny-T wars, playing out at Emmy events I’ve attended over the years, are in the past. I see this as a positive
development, as I have more of a personal interest in beauty products
that can potentially keep you fashionable long after a denim trend
fades. I also favour a many-sizes-fits-everybody approach to fashion
and beauty. As an avid cook, I also enjoy getting a literal taste
of the good life via the food and beverages put on display.
For this reason, I was especially delighted with the
Endless Summer Primetime Emmy Suite, produced by Doris Bergman and
Kathy Duliakas, staged in the exquisite garden area of Beverly Hills’
Gonpachi restaurant and anchored once again by CellCeuticals Skin
Care. While the food itself was quite inspirational, especially
with flavourful veggie skewers and sushi items, I was particularly
impressed with the refreshing cocktails built upon a foundation
of Pau Maui Handcrafted Vodka (PauMaui.com).
Though it is distilled from pineapples, the flavour is neutral,
crisp and clean—an ideal base for mixers like the featured Waialua
Sodas in passionfruit and coffee berry flavours. The caffeine-free,
black cherry-like coffee berry contains anti-oxidants, which add
a fun, healthy twist to the cocktails.
NitroCream Premium Ice Cream and Gelato makers (www.nitrocream.com)
effortlessly produced rich but refreshing dark chocolate gelato
and peach sorbet, and served it in coconut-shell cups. With its
easy operation and the pure luxury that pours out of the bottom
when quality ingredients are put in, the NitroCream machine is a
must-have at summer parties. Soy Terrific Candles (soyterrific.com)
are also rich and decadent, not just in their depth of fragrance,
but also the large selection ranging from nature-inspired spa fragrances
to enticing dessert aromas.
In fashion, there was a stylish nod to the silent
movie era, but with a decidedly modern edge. Non-traditional jewel-toned
shoes and bags from Spain-based Menbur (www.menbur.com), are well
suited for this year’s bridal and holiday festivities with silhouettes
that evoke the ageless style of Rudolph Valentino’s leading ladies.
Old became new again in the hands of jewellery designer Debra Mitchell
of Twisted Silver (www.twisted-silver.com).
Her pieces are fashioned from recycled vintage jewellery findings
and mixed-metal chains, but what adds freshness to the line is that
they are asymmetrical and often one- or few-of-a-kind. Dir-tee Hollywood
workout gear also put a smile on my face, with melt-in-your-hand
textures and cheeky satirical commentary on the modern Hollywood
lifestyle.
As for accessories, what speaks of summer fun in South
Beach more than Posh Life’s cellphone and laptop covers completely
covered in tropical colours and patterns, made entirely from tiny
crystals? And for adventure tourists who can’t live without their
electronic devices, Coleman Luggage has the perfect travel solution:
solar panelled carry-on cases designed by Roger Tam that charge
cellphones, iPods, and laptops on contact.
Speaking of rare finds, there were great beauty discoveries
abounding. CellCeutical’s skin care regimen is easy on sensitive
skin, and I’ve actually seen improvement in skin tone on those who
faithfully use their anti-ageing products along with their new sunscreen
lotion. Shikoma's Sugar Dust Exfoliating Scrub, Salty Sea Scrub,
Body Wash and Body Mist with Sake by Prana SpaCeuticals is a healthy
cocktail for the body (pranaspaceuticals.com).
Rockstar White makes home teeth whitening easier and cleaner,
thanks to a self-customizing set of dental trays and a single syringe
of solution. The jumbo syringe containing 27 applications did the
job for me, a self-confessed multiple cup-a-day coffee and tea drinker.
Celebrities partaking in such good, clean end of summer
fun included The Doctors’ Andrew Ordon and Jim Sears, Antonio
Sabato, Jr, Bokeem Woodbine, Bryan Batt from Mad Men, Cougar
Town’s Carolyn Hennessy, Carrie Preston, Lauren Bowles and Mariana
Klaveno from True Blood, Chord Overstreet from Glee,
Eric Roberts, Danielle Nicolette, Felicity Huffman, Deidre Hall,
Diane Ladd, Shirley Jones, Robert Townsend, Gregory Itzin, Heroes’
James Kyson Lee, Eva La Rue and Omar Miller from CSI: Miami,
R. J. Mitte from Breaking Bad, and Malese Jow from Vampire
Diaries.
Given that Nathalie DuBois-Sissoko consistently does
a great event with a global vision and interesting culinary influences,
it was no surprise I thoroughly enjoyed her spread for body, mind
and soul. The DPA Celebrity Gift Suite
Garden Party was staged at the Argyle Salon & Spa in the historic
Sunset Tower Hotel (the site of LA’s
only authentic Turkish bath).
Kusmi Teas (www.kusmitea.com
and www.us.kusmitea.com)
was one of my favourite finds of the week, not only because of their
outstanding quality and seductively elegant packaging, but also
the line’s amazing back story. Though Kusmi is currently Paris-based,
the company launched in Russia back in 1867 and served as a purveyor
of tea for the aristocracy. These citrus and bergamot flavoured
black teas went well with Millie’s bite-sized lemon cheesecakes
(www.milliescheesecake.com).
I also enjoyed a cold glass of Kusmi’s new Detox Tea, a blend of
yerba mate and green tea, with a savoury tomato-basil crepe. Crepe-maker
Ruth Hudin (www.crepessansfrontiers.com)
somehow managed to fit healthy things like buckwheat into her delectable
goodies—and nobody knew it was health food.
On the beauty front, Parfums Mercedes (www.jusdamour.com)
was back, not only with its delicious vanilla and jasmine Jus d’Amour
fragrance, but also Legend, an appealingly subtle men’s scent personified
by boxer Roy Jones, Jr. Milena Boutique’s soy and shea butter candles
were seductive in a different way. The coffeehouse scents, especially
the chocolate mocha latte candle, sent me into an extreme state
of craving.
I also appreciate Nathalie’s fashion sensibility and
her clear awareness that great fashion should come in all shapes
and sizes. Therefore, not only was I pleased to see the jewel-toned
fall collection from Eva Varro (www.evavarro.com,
who recently opened its highly-anticipated flagship boutique in
Santa Monica), but also some wonderful pieces from Delano Activewear
(delanoactivewear.com)
made from Brazilian fabric in a range of sizes and forgiving cuts.
They offer a particularly flattering jacket (with that dramatic
collar seen in many Mad Men-influenced outfits) that effortlessly
takes a woman from the office, to the yoga studio and off to happy
hour. Chewylou (www.chewyloudesigns.com),
meanwhile, offered wonderful Ts with positive sayings, well suited
for teens who could use positive messaging in their fashion (as
opposed to all that counterproductive texting).
Jizo and Chibi jewellery, an offshoot of books and
art created by Valerie S. Johns (jizoandchibi.com),
proved it could make a bold statement even with the most simply
rendered shapes and forms. Wrought in silver and gold vermeil styles,
the Jizo pendants are intended to not only put a smile on one’s
face but also protect travellers, children and others in a challenging
world. ‘Jizo has a long history,’ said Johns. ‘Two thousand five
hundred years ago, he was one of the four principal bodhisattvas—enlightened
teachers—in Mahayana Buddhism. Upon his enlightenment, when he could
have transcended this life forever, he pledged to remain on earth
until every soul was finished suffering. Revered as the protector
of children, he can connect us to our inner child.’
continued
|
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Given that Nathalie DuBois-Sissoko consistently does
a great event with a global vision and interesting culinary influences,
it was no surprise I thoroughly enjoyed her spread for body, mind
and soul
   
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