The Bad Girls Guide to Great Hair

When it comes to my hair I have to admit I have been a bad girl. The at home processing along with a couple of bad haircuts and an over use of heating tools has reeked havoc on my once healthy hair. To get those gorgeous locks back I employed three simple steps which had my hair back to beautiful in no time at all:

1. Nutrition - a healthy diet consisting of balanced nutrition along with an increased intake of proteins and omega 3 fatty acids. A multivitamin and Vitamin E supplements will begin to do wonders for not only your hair, but your complexion as well.

2. Treat Your Hair- replenish damaged hair by using special hair repair treatments that  contain silk proteins and emollients such as John Frieda Frizz Ease which actually repairs the molecular structure of the strand itself. Many treatments are available on the market and range in price and quality. The best products do NOT contain alcohol in the ingredients (the same goes for skincare).

3. Cool Down - after you condition your hair be sure to give a final rinse with a blast of cool water. This actually smooths the strand and diminishes frizz once the hair is dry.  When using heating tools such as blow dryers and flat irons minimize the heat if possible and use a cool setting to blow dry wet hair. Avoid using high heat directly on hair when at all possible. Flat Ironing the hair is often done daily. This heated styling tool can cause more bad than good especially if used on wet hair. Always be sure to flat iron completely dry hair. Even with flat irons that promise to dry hair quickly while pressing strands flat. These can be extremely harmful to your hair and will actually sizzle your locks.

Regimenting proper hair care into your daily routine will result in a vast improvement in the look, feel, and shine of your hair. Nourish your hair and body from the inside out, by eating right, sleeping well, and treating your hair to alcohol free products and low to no heat tools.

Home Bar Basics

Whether your going out for a night on town or staying in for night with friends, knowing how to prepare a good cocktail is key in sipping a drink that tastes as it should. I recently hosted a cocktail party for some close friends, and while preparing for the soiree I ultimately created my own at home mini bar which made entertaining a little bit easier and a lot more fun. I started with a perfect little place in mind, a corner of my condo with floor to ceiling windows. The main idea is creating a bar that suites your personal comfort, style, and tastes. Smaller places such as studio apartments and lofts can also provide the ultimate space to entertain in. For the perfect cocktail party, a cabinet can easily be transformed into a minibar and stocked with a few simple basics.

Liquor & Liqueurs 

Gin

Vodka

Rum (light and dark)

Whiskey (bourbon, scotch, and Irish cream)

Cognac or Brandy

Tequila

Wine (red, white and champagne)

Beer (domestic, import, and micro)

Amaretto (almond)

Chamord (raspberry)

Cointreau (orange)

Godiva (chocolate)

Schnapps (various flavors)    

               

Depending on your budget you can purchase more or less, but these staples provide a nice basis for an adequate mini bar.  Add bottles of wine or fancier liqueurs you may have accumulated as gifts and be on the look out for supreme sales at the market. Ultimately you can build up, re-stock, and replenish your at home mini bar as time goes.

 

Mixers & Garnishes:

cola                                                                                          

sprite

club soda                                                                                       

grenadine                                                                                  

lemonade                                                                      

cranberry juice                                                                 

orange juice                                                                             

simple syrup                                                                        

lemon                                                                            

lime                                                                             

sugar                                                                                   

maraschino cherries                                                            

martini olives                                                                          

                                                                                       

Spring Fling with Fashion Week 2011

To be the best dressed and have the loveliest locks as well as a gorgeous glowing complexion this spring, go with what is  classic, carefree, and cleverly pretty. Chanel’s Spring 2011 makeup collection entitled Les Perles de Chanel encapsulates a bright youthful radiance easily complimenting any look this season. Softly shimmering shades of black and bright white pearly shadows are accentuated with a glowing complexion rosy lips and peachy cheeks. Slightly smokey metallic polish on the nails adds just a hint of perfection to complete this fabulous  look.

The hairstyle to have this spring is bouncy in texture and natural in color. Marcos Diaz of Ion Studio styled the girls for the Billy Reid runway show and did a magnificent job of exemplifying gorgeous healthy hair. These neatly trimmed flowing locks are reminiscent of almost any decade or century for that matter, allowing for that alluring style we all love so much. To easily achieve this hairstyle, blow dry hair on a cool setting and use a serum to minimize frizz keeping things smooth and shiny, next gather hair in one inch sections and roll with curlers. Give the hair a blast of warm and then cool air with a blow dryer before lightly shaking out the out the curlers.

Badgley Mischka's fresh flowing fabrics and truly inspired designs have me wanting to slip into their Spring 2011 collection. Wearable and classy, fresh and sophisticated this is certain to be the perfect wardrobe for any spring fling jet setter; be it bound for Beverly Hills or the settling down in the South of France this collection speaks volumes for the heiress wanting to escape it all and go incognito.

Forbidden Love at Zeffirino's

On a journey to find the most fantastic setting for the ultimate in luxury and lifestyle, I found myself swept into a Venetian experience which had literally been transported through time, and in an essence even space.  The award winning dinning experience known as Zeffirino's. One might expect an arduous adventure across the pond to find such a place. But the loveliest thing about this immaculate dining experience was that one doesn't have to journey far to find it. On the contrary a short flight to Vegas and a straight shoot to the Venetian will get you closer to this special gem of a hide away quicker than ever. Perfectly suited for the lovebirds trying to escape it all or those searching for a relaxing place to unwind for a weekend. So leave the passports at home and head to one of the most romantic places in Vegas. The Venetian Resort. While there be sure to visit Zeffirino's, a fabulous award winning eatery established in 1939 and transported from Italy sixty years later. This lovely bi-level Venetian style restaurant overlooks The Grand Canal  from the second story balcony. Stirring the senses and sweeping guests away to the dreamiest of places. While there with a lover or perhaps looking to find love, something to be experienced when you walk up to the handcrafted imported Italian bar, is the exquisite cocktail called the Amore Veitato or more familiarly known as the Forbidden Love. A most memorable drink designed by Wendy Verdel.

The Amore Veitato 

 

  2 oz. Hendricks gin

 1 oz. blood orange juice 
 Dash simple syrup, 2 strawberries 
4 slices of cucumber

 

Muddle fruit with simple syrup, add gin and blood orange juice. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with strawberry, cucumber spiral and orange peel hearts.

So memorable was my experience at Zeffirino's that I made an attempt replicate the drink at home for friends. Still, nothing beats the real deal which is well worth the trip next time you're in Vegas.