Fashiontribes Life & Style

A Pirate's Life for Me! Fashiontribes Life & Style finds third time is still a charm At World's End.

The third installment of the popular series based on the Disney theme park ride, At World's End ties up all the loose end left by Dead Man's Chest but leaves the door open just a crack for a potential fourth flick.  Will there be further adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow?  Johnny Depp has said he's willing to play the role indefinitely and box office returns--while not record-breaking as its predecessor--are strong.  Most movies don't make in their entire run what Pirates III has managed to rack up in its first weekend.

The "finale" is darker, deeper and more complex than the first two films.  Hidden agendas, secret alliances and shifting allegiances all weave together to form an intriguing tale.  Will Jack Sparrow be rescued from Davy Jone's locker?  Well, that's not in doubt since Depp features prominently in the marketing and trailers.  Will Elizabeth and Will finally be united?  Again, another no brainer.  But while some of the outcomes are a foregone conclusion, the zig-zaggy plot takes us on quite a ride nonetheless.

All the favorite are back--Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), Elizabeth Swan (Keira Knightley), Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), Tia Dalma (Naomie Harris), Davy Jones (Bill Nighy), Bootstrap Bill (Stellan Skarsgard)--as well as Norrington, Beckett, Gibbs, Ragetti and Pintel, Cotton and his parrot, the wenches and that cheeky monkey.  In addition a number of new characters are introduced notably Chow Yun-Fat as the pirate Sao Feng and a cameo by Keith Richards as Jack's Dad. 

All in all the movie would have benefited by some judicious editing--at a whopping 168 minutes it becomes more of a test of endurance than a thrill ride.  Also some of the fight scenes are shot and edited in such a way that it's confusing to follow.  At times the spectacle becomes an overwhelming sensory overload.  But in the end, it's still a must-see.  The plot is complicated but interesting, the dialogue sharp and witty, the acting top-notch, the special effects are stunning and the action sequences enthralling. 

Kudos to Oscar-nominated writers (Shrek) Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio for the intricate and intriguing plot and plumbing the psychological depths of their characters.  I've had the most enjoyable opportunity to meet Ted and Terry and I have to say that it would be difficult to find two nicer people in Hollywood.  In addition to writing kick-ass scripts for blockbuster movies, they both devote a lot of time to mentoring aspiring screenwriters.  Between their Wordplay website and the Artful Writer (Ted's web venture with writer Craig Mazin), they have selflessly shared their knowledge and experience.

If I had to grade the Pirates movies, it would be B plus for Curse of the Black Pearl, A minus for Dead Man's Chest and a solid B for At World's End. Whether At World's End is truly "the end" of the Pirates saga remains to be seen, but as it stands it's a worthy addition to the Pirate "canon."

Stella Louise

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East meets West--Kinara hosts an evening with anti-aging experts!!! FashionTribes Lifestylist reports...

On Thursday, May 3rd, Kinara Skin Care Clinic and Spa in West Hollywood hosted an evening to discuss anti-aging options.  The event featured:

Olga Lorencin-Northrup - co-founder/owner of Kinara Skin Care Clinic and Spa and renowned skin care expert and esthetician.

Dr. Daoshing Ni (aka "Dr. Dao") - established authority in Chinese medicine including acupuncture and herbology.

Dr. Andrew Cohen - Board certified plastic surgeon specializing in ocuplastic surgery.

The panel was moderated by Clio Manuelian, fashion and beauty press consultant and veteran of Elle magazine and E! Entertainment.

The discussion highlighted the different options available for aging gracefully--from the more gentle maintenance that can be provided by regular visits to an esthetician utilizing a variety of facials, alpha hydroxy acids, peptides and microdermabrasion.  Lorencin-Northrup saw her role not only in helping her clients achieve good skin health with a combination of products and services, but the ability to diagnose and recommend specific treatment for her client's anti-aging concerns.

In the middle of the spectrum, Dr. Dao works with a combination of acupuncture, herbs and nutritional supplements to optimize hormone levels--key to staying young and aging gracefully are balanced hormones.  Lorencin-Northrup credits Dr. Dao with enabling her to conceive a child at age 41.

Going beyond skincare maintenance and optimized hormones and one enters the realm of Dr. Andrew Cohen.  From botox and fillers like Restaylene to more aggressive procedures like eyelifts and facelifts, Dr. Cohen's mantra is that he will not take on a patient unless he can make them happy.

And perhaps happiness--feeling good about oneself, having self-confidence--is the most important part of anti-aging or aging gracefully.  Dr. Dao lists ways to a healthy life including:  getting a good night's sleep, being positive and active, eat healthy, take care of your body, drink herbal tea daily, meditate and most importantly--SMILE!!!

For more information about Kinara, check out Kinara Skincare Clinic and Spa.
Information about Dr. Dao's practice can be found at Tao of Wellness and for information about Dr. Andrew Cohen check out his website.

We may not have an option about whether or not we age, but thankfully we have plenty of options to preserve a youthful looking appearance for as long as possible!

Stella Louise

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Provoked--coming to theaters May 11th. A FashionTribes Lifestylist movie review!

Provoked is the story of Kiranjit Ahluwalia who, after suffering 10 years of spousal abuse and degradation, is sentenced to life in prison after she sets her husband on fire while he slept. Set in London in 1989, the story has similarities to the famous Farrah Fawcett TV movie, The Burning Bed. While the story is not cinematically groundbreaking, the actual case helped redefine the legal term of “provocation” in the United Kingdom in cases of wife battering.

Under English criminal law, a person who intentionally kills as a result of “provocation,” will be convicted of manslaughter and not murder. The law's interpretation of what constitutes provocation, however, was very narrow, requiring a "sudden and temporary loss of self-control.” If there is a time delay between the provocation and the victim's response—as in Ahluwalia’s case where there was a two-hour delay from the most recent incident of abuse until her reaction--the law will tend to deny the defense to the woman who has been provoked.

Kiranjit Ahluwalia was eventually released from prison after the charge was changed from murder to manslaughter and she was credited with the three plus years she had already served. The film deals not just with the abuse she suffered at the hands of her husband or the efforts of the Southhall Black Sisters to obtain justice for her, but the transformation she experienced in Mullwood Hall Prison where ironically she is freed from being trapped in a cycle of silent victim hood to growing strong and giving voice to her story.

Provoked is also somewhat groundbreaking in its release in India—a country currently in an uproar over a public kiss planted on Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty by actor Richard Gere. The film was originally given an A-rating (Adults only, or the equivalent of an R-rating in India) by the censors. The director decided to cut out the "four letter word" and the film was then given a U/A rating, equivalent to a PG-13. Ahluwalia traveled to back to her native India to promote the film’s release. She hopes the film will raise more awareness about the issue of abuse of women and said in an interview,

“The government should do something about this; they should educate women so that they don't suffer all this. Thousands of women suffer every year because of dowry, which is wrong. We are in the 21st century and if our women are suffering so much then this is very wrong.”

The movie, scheduled to be released on May 11^th in New York and Los Angeles and limited national release on May 18th, stars the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai as Kirinjit and Lost hottie Naveen Andrews as her abusive husband Deepak. Strong supporting performances by the wonderful Miranda Richardson (The Crying Game) as Kirin’s cellmate Ronnie--also incarcerated for the murder of an abusive husband, Rebecca Pidgeon (The Unit) as the barrister who provide Kirin’s initial defense and a masterful Robbie Coltrane (Harry Potter) who plays the Lord Edward Foster who pleads the case for Kirin’s appeal add to the film’s appeal.

Provoked was adapted from Ahluwalia’s autobiography “Circle of Light” by Carl Austin and Rahila Gupta and directed by Jag Mundhra. Unfortunately, while the story is not new and acts of abuse are far too prevalent all over the planet, Provoked ultimately is an uplifting saga with a strong message. As the character of Kirinjit Ahluwalia says in the movie following her release from prison,

“It is our responsibility as mothers to raise our sons to treat women with love and respect not violence and anger. Only then will the suffering end.”

Stella Louise

 

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Dermology Med Spa Brings You Cutting Edge Med-Spa Treatments. Fashiontribes Life & Style Blog

 

DERMOLOGY MED SPA newly located on ultra-chic Sunset
Boulevard in the heart of West Hollywood, is a
fabulous new addition of spa conscience  treatments
and products available in this new location.  Having
recently moved here from Pasadena, the clientele are
finding this wonderful oasis a one-stop-shop for all
of your favorites, including:

7 different types of facials including:
NEW VIBRADERM for progressive resurfacing and skin
polishing (I had this done in a one hour multi-layered
skin resurfacing facial - the best!);
Corrective acne facial;
European facial and tension tamer;
Skinceuticals facial;
Extreme skin rejuvenation combined with
Vibradermabrasion and light peel plus other variations.

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Let's not forget the men!
MEN'S Facial and Tension Tamer;
Skin Tightening and Body Contouring:
"Titan" treatments that  provide skin tightening for jowls, neck, forehead, abdomen, underarms or thighs;
and "Velasmooth Body Contouring and Cellulite Reduction".

Injectables available include Botox, Restylane, and Juvederm.

LASER Treatments include
Laser-Genesis Skin Rejuv;
CoolGlide (IPL);
Levulan Photodynamic Therapy and
CoolGlide Laser Vein Therapy.

Chemical Peels offered include  Amino Acid Chemical Peels from 30% to 60% strength.

LASER Hair Removal is provided with CoolGlide Laser Hair Removal;

Wow! LOTS of treatment options.   Go! Go! Go Girls and Guys! Great one-hour lunch-time facials and procedures, terrific gift idea with 10% off on packages!
Just in time for Mother's Day, Beauty Week in May will coincide with terrific specials for Mom!

The ladies will take great care of you in a relaxing
atmosphere with soothing music and a professional,
caring staff. (Veronica's facials are the wonderful)!
My experience was the best I have had in a long time
among many spa treatments - I highly recommend this
spa for your one-stop-shop treatments and products.

Note that there is an MD medical director and the staff is fully trained for all types of treatments. Their before and after page is phenomenal!

Find DERMOLOGY MED SPA at 8590 Sunset Blvd., West
Hollywood, www.dermologymedspa.com, 310-657-1050.

PS Arts Charity and LA Antiques Show Hang Out at the Barker Hanger for Charity! Fashiontribes Life & Style Blog

PS ARTS CHARITY and The L.A. Antiques Show at the
Barker Hanger opened this evening with a terrific
pre-party preview for the next 4 days of the show.
Dealers from all over the world showed their fabulous
wares, and some stunning estate jewlery to a packed
crowd, which included Barbra Streisand, Blythe Danner, Steven Weber and wife modeling some of the jewelry,Debbie Mazure (wearing a red turban) and (the
model/actress on Las Vegas--- Molly Sims? Terrific
cocktails and passed food kept a very young and
beautiful crowd lively and happy, which led to a very
spirited silent auction, all to benefit the PS Arts
charity.  Runs through Sunday, GO! It's an event NOT to be missed!

Taking place at Barker Hangar at Santa Monica Air Center, show hours are from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm on Thursday, 4/26, Friday, 4/27 and Saturday, 4/28. Show hours on Sunday, 11/29 at 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Ticket prices will be $15 for daily admittance, which includes the show catalog.The Antique Dealers Association of California, founded in 1924, is a group of knowledgeable dealers pledged to integrity and fair dealing in the buying and selling of antiques. Members are experts in their individual fields with inventories ranging from 17th century baroque to Americana, from 18th century ceramics to fine rugs and textiles, from fine art to Asian antiquities to 20th century photography and design.

P.S. ARTS mission is to restore arts education programs to public elementary and middle schools in disadvantaged areas, predominantly serving children who live at or below the federal poverty level. This non-profit organization accomplishes this by providing comprehensive, sequential and grade-level appropriate programs in dance, music, theater and visual arts to every child at its 24 partner schools throughout the year from September to June. Since it’s founding by Paul Cummins in 1991 at Crossroads School, P.S. ARTS has positively impacted the lives of tens of thousands of children. Currently, the organization serves 14,000 Pre-K-8 grade students throughout Los Angeles County and California’s Central Valley. P.S. ARTS strives to raise more money to provide even more children with its critical educational tools.

Karina Mediate

FashionTribes Lifestylist parties it up with the Tribeca Film Festival!

In NYC?  Need an idea for something fun to do?  Get on over to the Tribeca Film Festival!

If you're a New Yorker--or in town visiting--you may want to check out the Tribeca Film Festival.  Starting now through May 6th, the the Tribeca Film Festival features over 200 films selected from over 5,400 entries!  But the festival is much more than just movies--with the TribecaESPN Sports Saturday, Tribeca Family Festival, presented by American Express, the Tribeca Talks panel series, music events, special presentations for working and aspiring filmmaker--there's something for everyone!

Just some of the offerings on tap at this year's event:

TRIBECA FOR FREE 

http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org/tribeca-for-free.html

You don't need a ticket to everything! Not only do we show movies, we’re also committed to giving back to the community that hosts us every year by offering these free events (Spider-Man 3 Premieres, Tribeca Drive-In, Film Technology Workshops, and many more!) 

FAMILY FEST

http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org/tff-familyfest.html

Round up the kids and join Tribeca for international family films and neighborhood events including kid-friendly programming and Family Festival   Street Fair with family-oriented activities!   

STUDENT DISCOUNTS:

http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org/tff-students.html

Another great reason to be in a student! Tribeca is offering half price student tickets that are now available for all Regular, Matinee, and Family Screenings (Valid Student ID required).

For more info and ticket sales, check out Tribeca Film Festival website and if you go and you see Robert DeNiro, tell him Stella says "Hi!"

Stella Louise


 

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Want to Give MOM the Gift of Her Dreams? Enter To Win A Trip for Mom & Daughter/Son to the Big APPLE for the DREAMGIRLS DREAM BIG GIVEAWAY!!! Fashontribes LIFESTYLIST DREAMGIRLS Dream Big Blog!

In  honor of Mother's Day and in conjunction with the release of Dreamgirls on DVD, Glam.com  would LOVE to send one LUCKY reader  and their mom to New York City for a day packed with pampering and fun.

What the winner gets:

* A trip for him/her and his/her mom to New York City (Airfare for 2)
* at the luxurious Dream Hotel ( 1 room/1 night)
  * Makeovers for him/her and his/her mom (2)
  *Tickets to a Broadway show (2)

  * Dream Big gift bag
  * Dreamgirls 2-disc DVD
  * Dreamgirls 2-disc Soundtrack
   * Exclusive Dreamgirls Playbill
   *  Dreamgirls Coffee Table book

When?
This  promotion is in progress NOW  and will run until May 31st.

For more  information AND TO ENTER THIS CONTEST, you can go to www.glam.com/dreamgirls

Start DREAMING Chiquitas and ENTER this contest! It never hurts to dream and this is a BIG dream, so dream BIG!

Joshua Radin Sits Down to Answer Fan Questions!!!

Hear Joshua answer never before asked questions. We discuss touring, Bob Dylan, and fans.The interview is very chill and it is like talking to someone you know for a long time. It was an amazing experience talking to one of my favorite artists and getting to know them a little bit better. His music takes you into his problems and most of the time you relate.

Joshua Radin, Q&A

His shows are what you expect. Just him, his guitar and a small band. They focus on his music and brings it to life. Talking to him, it is obvious to see how much music means to him. He is thankful for every fan he has and that really shows.

For the fans over seas, after the interview he said that he really is trying to get over to other countries to tour and he is hoping that maybe this summer it can happen.

I really want to thank everyone who sent in questions, without you other fans this interview wouldn’t have happened. Thank you so much!!

Samira,myspace.com/Joshua_Radin_fansite

Calling All Musicians!!! FashionTribes Lifestylist MUSIC Alert...

Would you like your music in a movie?!!!

Geffen Records is calling all musicians for the chance for their music to be placed in the upcoming live-action comedy adventure of Bratz: The Movie which will be hitting theatres nationwide on August 10th through Lions Gate Films. The soundtrack will be available through Geffen Records on July 31st.

Musical submissions will be reviewed by top A&R executives at Geffen Records from now until the deadline of May 15th.  If you've always wanted to get your music in front of a major record label, this is your opportunity and a chance to be discovered!

Here’s how it works: 

Musicians can go to the following website www.bratzsoundtrack.com and enter their contact information, including their URL, where the A&R department from Geffen Records will review the music. If the music is accepted, a representative from Geffen Records will contact the artist and award them placement into the film and or soundtrack, where their music will be placed along the music of artists signed to Interscope, Geffen and A&M.

Rules and regulations apply. Please go to www.bratzsoundtrack.com for complete information.  Good Luck!

Stella Louise

 

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Go GREEN--FashionTribes Lifestylist takes a look at the Sundance Channel's series promoting environmental awareness. Fashiontribes Lifestylist GREEN blog!

Newsflash--earth tones are in this spring!  And why shouldn't they be?  With April 22nd designated as "Earth Day" this year, the Sundance Channel shows off its sense of style with an ongoing series highlighting environmental issues titled "The Green."  Debuting Tuesday, April 17th at 9 pm, The Green will feature a variety of environmental subject matter every week through July.

Some of the episodes will feature celebrity "ecoists" (not to be confused with "egoists") such as Tim Robbins, Daryl Hannah, Josh Lucas, Amber Valletta, Laura Dern, Gabrielle Reece, Woody Harrelson and Ted Danson sharing ideas, information and enthusiasm for their cause of choice. 

For more information on the programming and episodes, check out The Green and tune into the Sundance Channel!


Stella Louise

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