BACK WITH A BANG!!

Today the bang is in, or as the British would like to call it, "the fringe"! Wear it messy and curly or tame and straight. Try a fab short and choppy bang, a long sexy peekaboo, or jump right off the edge with a hip modern asymmetrical cut. Which ever way you choose to wear it...you'll definitely be aboard the "Trend Bus"! This hair look constantly cycles in and out of fashion, and throughout recent hair history bangs have been seen in large numbers on the fashion walkways.

Whether you call it a "fringe" or a "bang", this hairstyle has once again become popular with many of the top supermodels, fashionistas and celebrities, giving reference to the "anything goes" attitude relative in 2004's fashion trends. A basic blunt bang (which I am currently wearing) draws fantastic attention to your eyes. It adds instant drama and works well if you love to crank up your eye makeup. The blunt bang coupled with the right amount of makeup will produce big beautiful eyes. Blunt bangs are usually very flattering for face shapes like some heart shaped and inverted triangular face shapes that feature wide or full foreheads.

Models and celebrities alike are often captured on camera combining wild curly bangs with sleek, slicked back ponytails and braids or stick straight bangs with wild curly hair that flows to their shoulders. Here is a list of different bangs, provided with a brief description, that should be able to work for different face shapes:

Fringe Bangs-This type of bang is just a hint of bangs. They do not completely cover your forehead, just a subtle effect. They work to soften a hair style, draw attention away from high foreheads or other facial features.

Choppy Bangs-This type of bangs is very popular. The hair is very choppy, meaning not a straight or even angled line. Choppy bangs can range between short and long lengths. They are not a full bang, but add visual lines that can help accentuate your facial features.

Straight Bangs-This type of bang is cut straight across the forehead, with no angles whatsoever. It can be cut to medium length bangs and even very short bangs. This type of bang is also great to broaden a narrow face shape.

Long Bangs-- We named these the eyebrow bangs because they are long, full and right at or below the eyebrow. The long bang is sometimes worn very long and practically covers the eyes. This type of bang is sometimes called the Seventies Sexy Bang, and it is best suited for face shapes that are narrow, heart or pear shaped.

In short, bangs is a very smart technique in hiding or accenuatuating certain features of the face. It can be useful in bringing out boldness in the eye or it can be used to conceal a large forehead. Whatever case you want to use it for, you will find that it is a playful yet seductive hairstyle that allows you to show off you womanly facial features. The bang is also a chic & warm hairstyle for the fall, so run to your hairstylist and get the bang for your buck!

Never be afraid to STRIP!!

On my most recent trip to Atlanta, I enjoyed all the wonderful things the city has to offer...and as a past resident of Atlanta I got a taste of some things old...and some things new. I enjoyed shopping, the nightlife...and most importantly...dining. Whenever I travel to different cities, it is very important to enjoy a wonderful dining experience. You know, it kind of makes the city worth its while if you know there are great places to eat and drink! Now, Atlanta is known for its rising entertainment/music industry; but behold members of the Mauve...Atlanta has a kept secret, its dining experiences! There are so many different restaurants that cater to so many different taste, whether it be American to Mediterranean to Thai...it offers everything! So... earlier this month when I was there, my friend and I were torn between which restaurant to dine at for dinner. She mentioned Strip, a steak and sushi restaurant located in the Atlantic Station district. The name caught my ear, and steak and sushi caught my taste buds, so I agreed. We walked up to a three story building illuminated by white and red lights. We walked in on cherry hard wood floors and a very delicate atmosphere...(very different for a steakhouse). They accommodated us with balcony seating that overlooked the city...it was unbelievable.

The menu was filled with much to choose from...a sushi menu/bar ready at your order...and steaks grilled to perfection. I myself had a combination of sushi and steak, their infamous "strip" steak, to be exact. It was marvelous! My dining experience at Strip was one of the best dining experiences to date. The location, the service, the seating, and never the least...the food!

Strip has been open since February of 2006, so it has more over a year of delivering great food service under its belt. Strip Steaks & Sushi is Atlanta's place to be when craving for style and substance. The first level seats as a normal restaurant layout, with large 12 foot windows that overlooks Atlantic Station's Central Park. The middle level – known playfully as the “MEAT MARKET,” has a 20-seat sushi bar with Atlanta’s most talented sushi chefs creating sumptuous delights. Strip also hosts an in-house DJ that plays music, which allows their guest to go on the dance floor for a spin. The rooftop deck overlooks the city skyline and calls for an intimate setting.

Meet your friends after work on the rooftop to see and be ‘scene’ at Atlanta’s hottest place to "MEAT, DRINK and EAT!"

Sex, Sex, Sex...and More Sex!!!

...More Sex and the City to be exact. Yes ladies...(and some gentlemen) the HBO Series Sex and the City is returning, but in a bigger, better, and uncut form. Sex and the City has been officially set to hit the big screen! I myself am so very excited...I mean all the fashion, the glitz, the glamour, the romance, the drama, and but of course, the sex! Whoa, I must say...this shall be one of the most talked about movies to come. The movie, which is being jointly produced by HBO and New Line Cinema, is starting production this fall. The series spawned in 1998 and instantly became the "fashion" show of television. Many designer names were born to the mainstream public by being showcased on the show. The biggest example, in my opinion, was the "birth" of Manolo Blahnik who became the most talked about and sought after shoe designer after "Carrie Bradshaw" was seen walking down the streets of downtown Manhattan in a pair. The show encompassed everything that a woman goes through, whether it was with dating, careers, sex, men, friendships...and oh...did I forget to say, MEN?? I think this movie is a wonderful idea...I am hoping it will set out to answer all of those questions that the show's finale left me to ponder... "Hmmm...I wonder if Carrie and Big ever get married?"

There is definitely a massive audience for Sex and the City, and I believe the movie will do great! All the martini-sipping, the bed-hopping, and show stopping fashion is set to come to a theatre near you, so sit back and relax and get ready for more great SEX!

ALL HAIL...KING 3.1!!!

The first time I set my eyes on him was on a cold winter day in mid January. I was actually at the office, staring at the walls, in a trance, thinking about a new direction in which I should steer my attitude…my fashion attitude, that is. For the winter, I felt that my fashion attitude was very earthy, and moving into the spring I wanted an attitude that showcased spark and intellect. I quickly turned to my computer and began the hunt…the hunt for fashion that depicted intellect, beauty, and sensual style. At the click of a button, a feather fell from the top of the screen, and landed on a title that read, “3.1 Phillip Lim”. I clicked the feather to enter…and in moments I was witnessing some of the most innovative styles within the fashion industry.

Phillip Lim began his career in fashion as the creative director and co-founder of Development clothing line. It was not until 2005 that he launched his signature line, 3.1 Phillip Lim, which greeted him with critical success. Lim’s success continued in 2006, where he was presented with the Fashion Group International’s “Women Designer Rising Star Award”. From the athletic, to the soccer moms, to the fashion gurus; his designs fit the lifestyle for all categories of women. The vision of 3.1 reflects that of a polished look, with sharp cuts and edgy color schemes. When asked about his designs Phillip Lim states that, “3.1 is about clothes that refine women…not define them.” This is one of them main reasons he is the most sought after designer today…his clothes reflect intellect and individualism. I was invited to a trunk show a week ago that showcased 3.1’s Fall 2007 collection. May I be the first to tell you… this line is gloriously constructed to maximize the look of innocence mixed with “pedigree minus prudence”, as Lim would like to describe the line. From prep-schooler to the debutante…Philip Lim drew up his inspiration from many angles, especially from Grey Garden’s Edie Bouvier Beale. There were showcases of prep-schoolers’ bow tie blouses and plaid skirts. Also noticed was a motorcycle-styled jacket with the softest leather known to man…amazing! After completing the collection…I felt as if I had gone back into time…launched into the future…then situated into the present. The quality of his clothing line is immaculate, allowing you to create a runway look that may seem expensive to the eye…but in reality is quite friendly to the wallet. This is another reason 3.1 is well-praised, with the look of the clothing, you would expect to pay those high-end designer prices, but for the same quality and style you get the look for half the price! Here is a sneek peek at what to expect this fall:

Phillip Lim’s contemporary line has proven itself worthy of its praises. And with a flagship boutique set to open in Soho…the sky is not even the limit for 3.1 Phillip Lim! You can log on to www.31philliplim.com to get an exclusive look at his ready-to-wear collections.