NEWS FLASH! NEWS FLASH!! NEWS FLASH!!!
This blog has moved to a new location! You can now find it at www.la-story.com.
I haven't left Fashiontribes.com. I am still part of the staff. It was to streamline the blogs.
Why the move?
So you can find it easier and the pages will load faster.
There's a ton of new podcasts and features waiting to go up. So check out the new location and let me know what you think!
Stevie Wilson
Papierblog ponders whether Australian designer Josh Goot made a mistake going with Target
Stylehive has just launched Style Communities with great brands such as InStyle, Gap, Shopbop and Ron Herman! Check them out and join today!
LA STORY suggests you "Surrender" to the luscious voice of Jane Monheit in her podcast!
FitFlops are all the rage in London says Girlawhirl
Second City Style is making beautiful music with the accordion...pleat this summer.
SheFinds - -Fashion, Beauty, FINDS: Chic Luggage for Chic Travelers
Styleaholics Love the 80's? Love Cassettes? Then you're gonna love these wallets!
Jewelry gets the bag as The Jewelry Weblog dicusses the idea of combining jewelry bling with hand bag function.
eBelle5 discovers a handful of Marc Jacobs Designer Handbags that retail for under $65
Find out what's tops for Pops with StyleBakery.com's list of Father's Day Gifts he's sure to love
Don't you hate it when you spot another gal in your favorite outfit? Coquette introduces you to the unique handprinted fashions of Snoozer Loser.
Zzzzzz.....time to catch up on your beauty sleep, advises Fashiontribes. In honor of Better Sleep Month, learn the secrets of a good night's sleep from experts at the Better Sleep Council.
Some dames dig dogs, other kittens cuddle cats-Kristopher prefers glammy dead animals, like a vintage alligator bag.
It's sale season at Bag Snob so get your goodies before they sell out!
Macy Gray was on the Jimmy Kimmel Live on Thursday, May 3, 2007 and did a performance.
LA Story featured the contest to win a pair of tickets to see Macy Gray LIVE on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Wouldn't it be better to GO to the show and watch it live, for free!
One of the Fashiontribes contributing writers was on the guest list to get in to that concert for a review and we had it all nailed down since she recently did a phone interview with Macy Gray on a new website. You will see an excerpt of this great interview on the Fashiontribes Life & Style blog! We thought getting a couple of live quotes post performance would be pretty nifty.
While the PR had everything in place, it seems when the FT contributor showed up with guest in tow, that she suddenly wasn't on the guest list. No matter how much she tried to explain that she was press and on the list, Geffen Records and Jimmy Kimmel Live staff refused to let her and the guest in to the show. What's worse is that they offered her the option to watch OUTSIDE in the cold Burbank weather. What we aren't clear on is if she was to watch through a window or just simply standing but given that there was a seated audience- and that was where the writer was supposed to be -inside, this was really not an optimum result. If it were a sultry LA night, no big deal but the weather wasn't cooperating and it was windy, blustery and cold!
Knock Knock Mr. Kimmel and Mr. Geffen. LA Story plugged the HECK out of this contest on 4 different blog sites--which helped get you a lot of LOCAL LA people to enter the contest and another plug for Macy Gray's new CD. Yet you blew our writer out of the show so rudely and were offering her the chance to watch it through a window?
This little mishap is back out on all the blogs. This shows that Geffen Records and Jimmy Kimmel Live don't have a lot of respect for blogosphere writers. While they "use" us to get their clients out there and get the grass roots movement, bloggers are the first to get booted.
Doesn't make me much inclined to
1) watch Jimmy Kimmel Live;
2) support Geffen artists and
3) buy the CDs (yes some of us actually buy the CDS. I personally have purchased 50 CDs since the first of the year to cover some artists).
All I can say is Boo Hiss and a pat on the back for the writer who went from the far "Westside" of LA to Burbank for the event and got zip from it.
That's show biz for ya!
Stevie
This is a time of weddings, Mother's Day, graduations, and seasonal changes that often make one reflect on the "state" of your personal situation--particularly if you are "in love"; in a budding relationship or a more solid one; planning a wedding or newly married; or perhaps have a long standing relationship or marriage in place. No matter what, love is something that should be expressed because it creates a deeper bond between both partners. There is no one gift that can really create or nurture that sentiment or feeling better than music.
Recently released from Astonish Entertainment is the debut CD of gifted musician David Martin. He may not be a singer or musician you have heard of yet, but he's going to be burning up the airwaves and the concert trail pretty quickly. Don't let the "eye candy" looks fool ya! He's got the musical chops to drive you to tears with some of his songs. Lyrics are phenomenal and the music itself is amazing. This singer, song-writer, musician did all the composing and even produced his own CD to make sure it had the right "feel" while working with top notch musicians behind him.
Martin-- known in the industry as a rising star-- was asked to open the show for Bill Boards Annual event. The headliner was Sir Elton John-- so it was quite a coup to be asked and then actually get up there on stage and rock the house with his gentle melodies and harder edged tunes.
Something In Your Eyes is a collection of love songs-- some ballads, some uptempo, some with serious rock and roll vibes and some acoustic tunes. Gifted in crafting lyrics, particularly love songs and ballads, Martin displays a talent that has "legs" (longevity) and this debut CD displays this distinctive talent best because making a love song sound "real", "authentic" and "genuine" isn't the easiest thing in the world. This CD is a "diary" of his marriage of 10 years and how much he treasures his wife and the life they have built together.
Consider this a CD to be a collection of "love letters" to the woman he adores and it encompasses the good and the bad-- the hard times and the fun and "off the wall" times of being married to a musician who is essentially a traveling troubadour always on the road.
The title track racks up an impressive orchestral arrangement that would work equally as well with just a piano or a guitar. Check out the video because it's a real heart breaker (links below). The model in the video with him, isn't just a model... it's his wife. When I first saw the video, I had nothing more to go on but the music. I had very little information. I watched the video and saw that this was no "usual" video--sparks were flying between Martin and the girl in the video and I was betting that it was his wife-- but hesitated to put it into a blog.
I was able to interview David Martin via phone (such a nice guy too!) and we talked about the ins and outs of that video (interesting side note: the director was the actor who played the Cobra Kai karate champ in the Karate Kid movie. If you haven't seen No More Kings, check out the reference), where it was made, and I asked a lot of questions -- all of which are answered on the podcast which will be posted soon. (You didn't think I was going to give you all that 411 NOW did you?)
More than a musician, Martin is a husband who is passionately in love and wants to express this to his wife in the only way he really knows how-- that he loves her more than the first bloom of passion.
Quicktime high:
Quicktime low:
Windows Media high:
Windows Media low:
The other songs present different aspects of their relationship and there are the rough patches where they have to be strong. Stand is one of those songs as is Be Strong. The song that hit me the hardest and told me the most about David Martin's ability as a musician, a writer of significant poetic ability, and a producer (no mean feat that-- producing his own CD), was the song Connected. You will have to wait for the podcast to hear the details but it's more acoustic in flavor, but it's about what we all need to "know" and "do" if we are in a relationship. While we are busy with our lives, sometimes we forget to take the time to "connect" one on one, eye to eye, and reach the core of the other person's soul and heart. Martin does just that in that song. He reaches out and touches you and tells you how and what it takes to make a relationship work. For a musician who admittedly is circling the globe and spends not nearly as much time at home as he would like despite the use of the cell phone, there's nothing like being face to face with the one with you love .
If you are in a new or long-standing relationship, whether engaged or newly married, or maybe not married at all but in a partnership/relationship, this is a CD for you. It's a CD of hope and anticipation for those who aren't there yet-- because you too can have this sort of passion in your life. Just realize that this type of relationship requires work and it's not always easy and there is that rollercoaster ride of ups and downs. You can do it.
I highly recommend this CD. While I spend a lot of time reviewing music and cds in various genres, I make sure that I spend a lot of time listening to each CD-- immersing myself in the music --to get a feel of what each musician brings something to the plate that's unique. I have a deep appreciation for what each musician communicates in his music yet I listen, evaluate, chart the evolution of the music with a slightly detached perspective. Very few musicians dig a hole deep in my heart with their lyrics. This guy is one of them.
No matter who the special person is in your life, when you give this CD to them, note the changes in them as the music hits them that you are showing your partner that you really appreciate what you have together.
David Martin's SOMETHING IN YOUR EYES CD. Song entitled I Will Love You
Check out David Martin at DavidMartin.com
Visit him on myspace at www.myspace.com/davidmartin
Sold already? Want to buy this record? Check out Itunes for a download to your iPod.
Or you can buy it at Amazon.com.
Stevie Wilson
Enjoying the wave of the mixed media jewelry trend, the Jewelry Weblog is loving the mix of suede and glass from Sepia.
Vote for your favorite emerging designers in StyleBakery.com's third annual "On The Rise" contest and you could win a $500 shopping spree at ravinstyle.com
Papierblog's ongoing mother's day gift guide highlights fragrances from Chanel
How to look like a bathing beauty, even when you don't feel like one. When it comes to Summer '07 swimwear, Second City Style has the ultimate swimwear guide for your body type.
Alexa Wilkinson Has An Amazing Appetite for Life and Music Check out her Lullaby Appetite CD and Podcast on LA STORY
Girlawhirl Gift Guide: Mother's Day Gifts-- All with special discounts for girlawhirl.com readers!
Go nude! In a podcast interview with CoverGirl makeup artist Molly Stern, Fashiontribes learns the best tips & tricks for rocking this hot trend for summer.
A Gift Guide for Mother's Day from the Bag Snob!
SheFinds Asks Hot or Not? The Return of Wayfarers
Styleaholics : Month of May Sample Sales Galore from D&G to LeSportsac
Stylehive gets the inside scoop on Zac Posen's widely rumored new blog project - check out the exclusive interview with the charismatic designer!
Inspired by or a coincidence. EBelle5 discovers the similarities between BeBe and the Louis Vuitton Riveting Bag.
This platinum Stella McCartney bag's playing PETA-friendly is nice, but leatherless or lambskin, Kristopher digs it.
My Fashion Life says "hell no" to the Jeans Bikini pant
eBeautyDaily addresses a common home haircoloring problem and its solutions.
Coquette loves the look of cute cropped cardigans.
Alexa Wilkinson is a name you might not recognize right now but very soon, you are going to hear her tunes climbing the charts and her voice will be on the radio a lot! Her first CD, Lullaby Appetite, currently available on iTunes and will be nationally released June 2007 on DNK Records (home to Josh Kelley.)
Photo my Mario Antoine
Having been a musician since the age of 10, Alexa Wilkinson is a formidable talent in a small package. Don't let her youth fool you! She's seen enough of life to carry her tunes and give you a fresh feel and also some edge to the music that won't disappoint. Her fresh, smooth vocals slide easily around the extremely hummable melodies, toe-tapping rhythms and sprite guitar playing. The lyrics are rich with expression, exposing a vulnerability and honesty sans naïvete. Young she may be and willing to learn, but immature isn't in the vocabulary to describe Wilkinson. Rather there is an emotional maturity of looking at life with an optimistic eye, learning from one’s mistakes, and moving on.
Recently I was able to snag some interview time with Alexa Wilkinson while she was in Denver on tour. As of tomorrow 4/30, Alexa along with Josh Kelley and Keaton Simons and gang will be back in LA hitting 2 dates in Los Angeles: the Coach House on 4/30 and then The Troubadour on Friday 5/4/2007-- where Keaton Simons will open for Alexa and Josh. Definitely a tour date worth heading into the city to see! Here's a podcast of PART I of the interview with Alexa. Look for part II soon!
Part 1 of Alexa Wilkinson, singer/ songrwriter/musician
Photo of the recording production crew including Josh Kelley
Josh Kelley, a serious musican/artist/record producer promoting his third album on this tour, learned of Alexa’s talent and collaborated on and produced five of her songs by July, 2006. Other collaborators include Michael Brauer (Coldplay, Paul McCartney, and Grammy winner John Mayer), David Thoener (Matchbox 20, Faith Hill, and Santana), and Greg Calbi (John Lennon, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, and Lenny Kravitz)--so there is some SERIOUS writers and musicians involved in this album and it belies that talent that's quite evident from the opening .
Alexa and Kate Voegele (as described in the podcast)..
Josh Kelley commented on working with Alexa,
“I was immediately impressed with Alexa’s music—she is an extremely talented singer and songwriter whose unique sound will no doubt propel her to the top. She’s got such a natural, easygoing style to her music that anyone from all ages can relate to. I’m proud to have her on tour with me
The Bitter End
Want to hear her tunes? Check out her myspace site below--and also Itunes.com too to purchase your favorites. I highly recommend the ENTIRE CD since there's a lot more to the music than what you will notice from 1-2 listening of the tracks. She's sharp as a tack.
www.myspace.com/alexawilkinson
Look for Part II of the Alexa Wilkinson Podcast coming soon! Probably after the Monday Coach House date on 4/30 .. and then I will follow up with the Coach House interviews of Josh Kelley, Alexa Wilkinson and Keaton Simons!
Stevie Wilson
Macy Gray will be performing on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Thursday, May 3, 2007. Tune in at 12:05 pm for the show and catch her performance!
Wait!!! We have something better. Wouldn't it be great to see the show LIVE?
Wouldn't it be better to GO to the show and watch it live, for free!
Jimmy Kimmel Live is looking for YOU!! He wants to find Macy Gray fans to be part of his mini-concert on Thursday, May 3rd.
Jimmy Kimmel Live features celebrity guests and cutting edge performers with plenty of surprises, panic, and general pandemonium. The best part is that Macy Gray will play 5 songs for you.
If you are interested in seeing Macy Gray in person and being a part of the Jimmy Kimmel Live audience, please visit www.1iota.com and follow these simple steps:
Click the 1iota TV Shows button
Click the Jimmy Kimmel Live logo
Choose Macy Gray event link to request tickets
ATTENDANCE TO THIS EVENT IS BY INVITATION ONLY!!! Remember, BE QUICK, because space is EXTREMELY LIMITED!!
ESSENTIAL NOTICES & Important 411!
You must be at least 18 years old
You must be available on Thursday, May 3rd from 6:15pm – 9:00pm
You must have a valid photo ID
Please do not wear white, light blue, beige or logos, as they don’t come across well on camera
Please do not bring large handbags or knapsacks
No cameras or recording devices
NOW go get your tickets!! If you get tickets, if you go, PLEASE email me directly to tell me about it so that I can get feedback and post it on this blog..
Happy Jimmy Kimmel Live Time!!
It's spring time! Magazines and the weather have you thinking about new clothes, accessories, beauty products-- and oh yeah-- don't forget about the couple of holidays like Mothers Day coming up along with weddings and even baby showers! So check out the deets on the most interesting posts for the week!
Aspiring Handbag Designers: eBelle5 wants you to be discovered
Girlawhirl readers save $50 on new Stella McCartney totes at Intermix
LA STORY Gets Into Hot Water--with Spongeables and Spongelles Infused Sponges!!
Papierblog looks at Singapore designer Khoon Hooi from Singapore's Spring fashion week
Second City Style on designer Cyndi Chan. Just in time for Spring/Summer '07..
SheFinds - -Fashion, Beauty, FINDS -- Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Lo.'s bangles
Styleaholics, get to know YANA Handbags, an artistic, luxe collection of beautiful bags.
The Jewelry Weblog is passionate about Passion Works' jewelry, which will put a smile on your face.
Bag Snob digs the anaconda bag from Devi Kroell, the bag designer du jour!
Because any boss lady - including Kristopher - sometimes lives in a Bubble" (Louis Vuitton Ring)
Christina is lusting after the perfect fake tan at eBeautyDaily
Lisa Palleschi's debut album "RELEASED" goes into "re-release" this week. Consider it a re-birth of this CD which had it's first single, "Learning How to Love Again" was the # 1 most added A/C single in its first week.
Lisa Palleschi cut a demo in 2003 in a small Long Island studio owned by Richie Cannata, a collaborator with Billy Joel. Through the help of Steven C. Beer of Greenberg Traurig, LLP, she began traveling to New York, L.A. and Nashville to co-write and define/refine both her voice and her songs with the likes of such co-producers/co-writers as Jeff Franzel (Taylor Dayne, Clay Aiken, Shawn Colvin), Adrian Gurvitz (Sheryl Crow, Meredith Brooks, Steve Perry), Frank Filipetti (James Taylor, Carly Simon, The Color Purple) and Tom Kimmel (Joe Cocker, Linda Ronstadt, Art Garfunkel).
Lisa Palleschi: songwriter musician-- Podcast!
MP3 File
When I listened to this CD, I heard two distinct voices or themes-- and I asked Lisa about it (and you can hear more in the podcast)
"I think this album has two personalities. Half the songs are really pretty ballads, love songs, and the other half are more in-your-face, rock songs."
Wanna See You Cry mp3
While I think she has a beautiful voice, after a while the love songs really start to feel the same-- hwoever when she cuts loose and switches the theme and "voice", she rocks and really comes across with a dynamic presentation. I would love to see this sort of thing develop more into a more fully developed presentation.. but as a first drop CD, great job!!
Palleschi EPK -- this is a cool little video that is really Lisa giving us the back story of her career and her life.
The 12 songs on the disc cover the gamut from post-break-up tune "New Beginning" which Palleschi states "It's about taking risks and not being afraid to fall on your ass!") to "Lightyears Away," which talks about living in the present-- being true to live in the moment: "It's about not worrying about little stupid petty stuff, tomorrow those things will seem light years away." Loving the "Already Gone" that what goes round comes back to bite you in the butt -- so apt at times whether it's about a guy or someone just getting justice (sorry but it just fits my state of mind currently) . "Once Upon A Time," talks about the drive to actually fulfill a dream rather than allowing something to die or the "would have/could have/should have" situation. According to Lisa, she "was thinking about all the people in the world who never followed through on what they really wanted to do in life."
Website:http://www.LisaPalleschi.com
Myspace.com: http://www.myspace.com/LisaPalleschi
Want to buy this CD? It's definitely a worthy addition to your collection or Ipod:
Amazon.com
Bag Snob has lunch with the Prince who woke Valextra, Massimo Suppancig.
What's behind a fashion logo? Coquette shows you the design process behind the new Saks brand and Kate Moss for Topshop.
Kristopher digs Cut-Out Wedge Jil Sander Shoes 'cause a fresh spring double-oh-seven is all about lightening up.
eBelle5 Celebrity Auction Alert: Scarlett Johansson's and Sheryl Crow’s Designer handbags are up for grabs.
I want candy! Fashiontribes finds some sweet bags, accessories & other fashion treats.
White shirts from top designers hit the Gap today! Girlawhirl can’t wait to check out the new designs from Doo.Ri, Rodarte and Thakoon
LA Story says that prom dreams --like fairytales-- can come true.--courtesy of Bronx Community College students and NYPIRG/Bronx!
My Fashion Life interviews the design duo behind label Daydream Nation
Papierdoll looks at touching up your makeup after an intense workout
Easy does it. Second City Style says hello to relaxed, lightweight pieces with a laid-back attitude for spring/summer.
SheFinds asks short shorts: Hot or Not?
Love color jeans but not sure how to wear them? Stylebites decodes the trend!
Stevie Wilson
Samira from the Joshua_Radin_fansite snagged a GREAT Q&A with Joshua Radin -- you remember him! I did SIX interviews with Joshua on the Hotel Cafe Tour on this blog!
Well catch up with him and his life courtesy of Samira who had a chance to sit down with him LIVE!!!
LUCKY GIRL and LUCKY us because she's sharing the 411 with fashiontribes.com.
Stevie
Wednesday afternoon, Drew Barrymore was ceremoniously unveiled as the newest face of CoverGirl Cosmetics. The star and filmmaker will not only find herself in front of the camera launching new products for the company, but also behind the camera as a co-creative director of her first TV commercial for the Brand.
“I am honored to be associated with a brand that has been at the forefront of its industry for almost fifty years,” Barrymore said. “CoverGirl has managed to change with the times, yet stay in touch with women of all ages and backgrounds. To be chosen not only as the newest face of CoverGirl, but to be given the opportunity to be a co-creative director of my first TV commercial is truly amazing.”
“Drew is a wonderful addition to the CoverGirl family and her role – both in front of the camera and behind the scenes as co-creative director – is new and different for the cosmetics industry,” said Esi Eggleston Bracey, Vice President and General Manager, CoverGirl Cosmetics in North America. “We wanted to honor Drew’s passions as a filmmaker and are thrilled she is not only lending her beautiful face to CoverGirl but also lending her artistic talents as the co-creative director of the ad campaign.”
Barrymore’s national print and TV ad campaigns will break in January 2008. This is the first major beauty contract for the actress. She joins CoverGirl spokesmodels Queen Latifah, Christie Brinkley, Keri Russell, Molly Sims and Rihanna as the newest face of the Brand.
Karina Mediate gives us her "on the scene" report.
DREW BARRYMORE signs her first major Beauty Campaign!
Drew looked beautiful in a canary yellow Carolina Herrera, drop waist dress with lime green satin Christian Laboutin shoes; hair was middle-parted,
blond and straight, all Cover Girl make-up.
She was introduced by Esi Eggleston Bracey, (General Manager of CoverGirl in North America). Drew emerged from behind a large movie clipboard that had Take One and her name with the CoverGirl Logo. Drew made
some lovely comments about the history of CG and how excited she is to have been asked to represent such a legendary cosmetic line like Cover Girl Cosmetics.
She mentioned how as a young teenage girl, she had Cheryl Tiegs, Carol Alt Cover Girl ads pasted on her walls. She likes the availability of Cover Girl and confessed that she is a make-up junkie.
When asked why now in her career, she said that in her 30's, she wanted to feel the best about herself and, saying "embrace what you have been given". Cover Girl has also stepped up and is joining her in her philanthropy,
starting with her schools and books for her Kenya project. There are other charities that she and Cover Girl will cooperate on.
Drew will also be working in tandem with Cover Girl behind the
camers as a co-creative director of her first TV commercial for the Cover Girl brand! Her national print and TV ads for Cover Girl will break in January 2008!
Karina added that she was exceptionally well treated by the Cover Girl contingent and was specifically requested to ask Drew a question-which she asked about her philanthropic activities and how they would involve Cover Girl.. which is happily answered above!
