Should My Wardrobe Change with a New Living Space?

Should My Wardrobe Change with a New Living Space?

I don’t believe in jumping into new trends and styles based simply on the latest fashion featured on E! News, what your colleagues are wearing, or simply because you want to fit in with others at an event. However, I DO believe in the power of these factors. I am always influenced and inspired by what I see in magazines, on television, on fashion blogs, around town, at malls, and while visiting other cities. But I make it a point to acknowledge this very fact: What works for some people will not always work for me.

But this time, my biggest influence in re-wiring my wardrobe is moving from one home to another.

As my boyfriend Steve and I moved from a two-story condo in Rancho Cucamonga, California, to an Upland apartment-although only about 20 minutes away-I felt the need for a wardrobe update. Moving from an affluent area among senior citizens and lots of space to a complex where our friends live and music blares from people’s balconies while baby-daddy drama sometimes fills the air, I knew that it was time for “out with the old, and in with the new.” I enjoy walking up to my place with a little one asking me to pop his water balloon vs. pulling into my garage and having a next-door neighbor barely look at me. We were a bit desperate to move for various reasons, but for the most part, we were seeking a fun environment and a new peace of mind.

And that is exactly what I gain when I incorporate new accessories, shoes, and blouses into my existing wardrobe-a new peace of mind. Since we moved, I have been on a shopping (but affordable!) craze. Now, with a big backyard/back porch and a renovated apartment, including clean walls, beautiful carpet, and wooden kitchen floors, I am in love with the newness. I also feel this same warm fuzzy feeling inside when I tie my new scarves around my neck or strap on my black Betsey Johnson wedged heels. Fresh! Fun! Fabulous!

So what did I do with a lot of old clothes that have just been sitting in bags in my closet? Well, both Steve and I packed my car full of old, and still fashionable, clothes; we headed to the Goodwill, and dropped them all off without a second thought. Yes, my white college graduation skirt was in that bag, and the cute fur shrug I used to wear during my days at Nordstrom was in that bag. But I was OK with that. Not having touched either of those pieces for at least four years, I was more than happy to make them available for those less fortunate who are seeking some cute finds. Doing a good deed (or a “mitzvah” as my mother enjoys saying) matched my newfound peace of mind perfectly.

This time around, cleaning out my closet took less thought and debate, as I am more aware of what my needs are and how quantity doesn’t mean anything. It’s HOW you wear something and what you wear it with. That said, I am perfectly fine keeping my AG jeans, Nomad Tribe jeans, and pointed-flat Michelle K boots, because with new, flattering pieces to wear with each, I have been able to transform a bunch of old pieces into new personalities.

Reinvigorating my wardrobe has also aroused clarity regarding my shopping senses. Cut up are the credit cards, and out comes the checkbook. It’s the new Elana. Nice to meet you.

Visit http://www.diaryofapersonalshopper.blogspot.com andwww.myspace.com/talkingchic.

Death Race’s Max Ryan – Making a Career Playing the Villain and Making It Look so Easy!

Death Race’s Max Ryan – Making a Career Playing the Villain and Making It Look So Easy!

Landing your first part in a movie your first time out is a big deal, but landing your first role in a blockbuster starring Jet Li and directed by Luc Beson is a sign. Max Ryan has proven that he is and always has been a force to be reckoned with. He plays the villain in Death Race and has had major roles in countless other movies (Blackline, Dark Moon Rising, Kiss of the Dragon, League of the Extraordinary Gentlemen,The Box, Four Years Running, Craven Marsh, Thr3e, Attila the Hun, and The Corrupt).

An Interesting Fact…

At age 12, Max received his first motor cross bike. He had saved his money and his dad helped him buy it. “I started racing school boy motor cross, won my first race at 13 years old; it was my fourth official race.” After that he got sponsored and made it to the British championships in his teen years. After that Max transitioned to super bike and started road racing. “I love bikes and cars, how fast will the bike go, how fast will the car go … Ok, let’s go!” Max loves sports and pushing it to the limits. He’s a big skier and although he’s never skied in America, he laughs that when he skies, the question is “How fast can I go down this hill without killing myself!”

I understand there was a life altering incident that occurred while you were racing. Could you please share that with me?

I was on my race bike. I had a really big accident. You know most riders break a leg and a collar bone—most riders do—you fix it and you go back. I was about 30. I said that’s it, I’ve had enough now. I enjoyed my time, but I want to do something else. I thought maybe it was too late to start something else and I fell into this business (acting). I did a lot of print work and commercials then got bored with that. I thought if I can’t be an actor, then I’m going into property, also another interest of mine. My first movie audition wasKiss of the Dragon. That was the commencement and it set the precedence of who Max Ryan was to become.

Looks like you fell right into your destiny.

It was a real challenge. Thrust into that kind of world first shooting commercials and all of a sudden I’m being [thrown] around and beaten up by Jet Li, and cracking Bridgette Fonda around, I was like ‘damn I hope no one’s watching.’ And all of a sudden I start playing these bad guy roles.

So you have a few movies in production right now that have yet to be released.

Yes. The big one is Death Race for me right now. I’ve shot 4 studio pictures and they’ve been amazing. To stay in the studio system for any actor, to be really honest, it’s difficult. So you get asked to do independent films. And I’ve got three movies now that are in post production. They’ll be coming out next year. That’s the exciting thing. I’m actually the good guy in 2 of those movies.

Well that’s positive. (They both laugh) So we actually get to see you smile.

That’s going to be interesting for me even. They’re looking really sexy. By the end of the year all three of them will be finished.

So you were lucky… You know I’m not going to say lucky because that’s not a really fair term. People work hard and people call them lucky. That’s not really fair.

Yeah it’s been hell because I was living in England trying to get an agent or a manager. It’s like getting a hole in the head. It’s difficult. You walk into [an audition] and you’re either on it or you’re not. It’s a fine line between getting it right. But for me I put it out there. I really give it a good shot. I think I’m just a competitive guy. With the racing I kind of have it in my genes, my metabolism, my body and my train of thought that I want to be really good at what I do. That takes a lot of focus. It doesn’t come easy. It’s extremely challenging.

It probably takes a lot of energy I would assume.

It takes a lot of energy—emotional energy. Trying to hold a relationship down is really difficult. Telephone relationships have been difficult. It’s cost me a couple of relationships if you know what I mean.

So have you worked around that problem yet?

Not right now. I thought I cracked it but I missed—another chapter of my life.

So you mentioned that being a competitor has helped you land roles. Is there anything that you feel as an actor that you do that gives you the edge?

I am not good at auditioning. I don’t think any actor is good at auditioning, but I think I am particularly bad. I’m nervous. I don’t like being put on the spot. I’m Piscean rising star Leo with an element of Virgo. (Laughs) Don’t ask me why I know that! The casting part of it I’m not particularly good for, but some of the roles I go for they have that element of maybe nervousness or intensity about them so it kind of plays in my favor. This is a helpful message to any aspiring actor or actress: Whenever you get scene, make sure you have everything down in your head. Whatever the other character is saying, what you’re saying. You’ve got to put it down on tape. Find a location and make a film of it. Just make it short and sweet and bring it home. That’s what I did on death race. I was in Europe shooting this TV series and I got sent the sides. We shot it and it happened really quickly. It was just one of those things that was real. I was so excited. I got the offer with the tape. I didn’t have to come to America [to audition].

Tell me about your role in Death Race

I play an inmate named Pachenko who is a killer [Other characters: Jason Slatham, Tyrese Gibson, and Joan Allen]. Set in the future of America and it’s a high security penitentiary. He is sent to kill Jason’s wife and frame him. Jason finds out that it was Pachenko who killed his family. They end up on the race track. Pachenko is a neo-Nazi with tattoos and a mohawk. When we were doing the fight scenes there wasn’t much said because the atmosphere was really intense, and it comes across on camera. There are very intense moments. Even when I saw it, it was so silent and so powerful. It was really good stuff. I’m proud of this work. Everybody including myself worked really hard on this movie.

When you’re in the trenches of such a deep role like that, almost the anti-thesis of whom you might really be, do you find yourself actually becoming that role?

That’s a difficult question. The body goes through a big change. That’s number one because of my diet, training, costumes, and then I was branded with tattoos. I don’t sport any tattoos. So it does have some effect. I’m not a killer of course. But it becomes a very intense chapter in my life. In the audition, I was picked was because I got it down. Like I said it’s a fine line between getting it right and getting it wrong.

It seems like your aim has been dead on for most of your acting career.

I’ve done some great movies. For me it’s all about decisions. I know when I’ve done wrong. I just pick it up and make adjustments where needed. I make really big notes in my mind about auditions.

So what’s next for you?

I have three movies that I am currently the choice, and I want these movies to work out. I wish I could talk about them. They will not be the characters I have played before. One in particular is a really sensitive role. He’s an American icon and it’s a very intense drama, but a real life character, not fictitious. The script is really quite disturbing. The next six months are going to be interesting.

Highest High

The first job (Kiss of the Dragon) I got because it was my first movie. I hadn’t worked for 3 to 4 months. I had gotten offers to do commercials and print. And I said no. I have to stick to my guns here. And when that phone rang, I was like yeah there is a God! That was a real high. I called my mom and Dad. Mom started crying. It was wicked. I learned a lot from that movie as well. Luc Beson gave me some great advice and I still hold on to that today.

Lowest Low

I think I lost some movies because of myself. I am very outspoken. It’s not my fault it’s just the way I am. I went into this one audition. They wanted a big monologue and I completely flubbed it. It was a nightmare. And the casting director said ‘thank you very much.’ He didn’t even look at me. With 15 people in the room, I said ‘I just want to say something in my own defens—that was probably the worst read of my life.’ There was total silence. I used to beat myself down. Think about it for a few days [wishing I had done something differently]. Now I don’t audition unless I am really on it. You’ve got to love the competition and whoever gets the job is right for that part.

On Women

Like any guy I like beautiful women, but I’ve matured a little bit. I still want a beautiful girl, but now I want to know what’s in her head, what makes her tick. I’m in the industry so I attract people in the industry. I’ve met some beautiful women. Personality is really a big thing. The next five years I am looking forward to finding a woman and start a family. It’s just going to hit and it will happen.

A lot of actors have aspirations of writing and directing. Do you have any of those types of aspirations?

I’m a writer. I’ve written 2 screenplays. One of them won the Queens Spirit Award at the Queens Film Festival in New York, which was a huge step. I have a co-writer I worked with on the script for over 5 years. I am particularly good at writing action and dialog because of my background and I’ve read a lot of scripts. As a writer I have achieved something but I don’t think I would ever write again. It consumes your life. I only wrote something because I wanted to make it in the future and I want to star in it. I haven’t directed anything. I’m an actor right now and that is where I want to focus my energies. I don’t want it to take away from what I am currently good at.

To learn more about Max Ryan, visit his website atwww.maxryan.eu.

Interviewed by Kaylene Peoples

Alice Greczyn – Working Hard for the Hollywood Dream

Alice Greczyn lives the Hollywood dream. Unlike the young starlets who were discovered back in the 30s and 40s, most people struggle for years before they ever got that big break—and some never got that break their whole career. After filling out a card for a modeling agency at the mall with her friend on a whim, she received a call back. She modeled in and around Denver, Colorado, and then one day, a Los Angeles manager came to her agency and requested she come out for pilot season. Out of 300 rising talented aspiring actresses, Alice was one of the three invited to Los Angeles. She immediately booked a commercial and had a guest spot in a film. But don’t be fooled. This actress worked really hard for what she’s earned.

Since that first audition, Alice Greczyn has appeared in several movies including Dukes of Hazard, Shrooms, Fat Albert, and her most recent film, which was just released, Sex Drive. Greczyn’s first television show was the short-lived NBC series “Windfall,” playing the daughter of a lottery winner. She currently co-stars on “Lincoln Heights” where she plays Sage. I interviewed Alice in her brand new apartment in LA and I could see why she is one of those chosen few—she has that special indefinable something. Some have referred to it as the ‘it‘ factor. If she comes across half as authentic on screen as she does in person, then it’s no wonder why she’s come so far in such a short time.

Tell me about some of your recent roles.

I wrapped a film called Sex Drive which will be coming out I believe in October. The director was Sean Anders and he let the actors adlib a lot. I was working with a lot of good people: Clark Duke, Seth Green, James Marsden, Josh Zuckerman, and these guys are funny. And coming from Lincoln Heights where (understandably so) every word needs to be said exactly as written, it was really fun for me to go and be goofy and improv. I play an Amish girl, which was really weird because I so don’t look Amish, but whatever, if they want me for that, okay. It was a lot of fun. I filmed in Florida this summer. I was actually working during the writer’s strike so I was one of the lucky few.

The horror film I did is called Shrooms , and it’s about bad trips while on shrooms. That was my first horror film and that was just exhausting. It was fun. I thought it was a really cool idea and I had so much fun working on it. Plus I got to film in Ireland for 2 months. That was amazing and travel is definitely my favorite thing to do. If I’m not working I’m gone somewhere. That’s nice because my family travels too.

Looks like you’re really close with your family. Are they very supportive of your career?

Yes. I’m the oldest of 5 kids. My mom and my dad and our cat Gypsy. We all traveled a lot together and lived in very small quarters for a long time. So we’re very close. We were home schooled our whole lives. And since we moved around so much our whole lives, we pretty much just had each other.

That’s interesting about you being home schooled. You must have some kind of an edge to be able to book these roles. It seems like it’s happening for you rather effortlessly. Do you think that maybe your education (home school as opposed to traditional schools) is what has helped you get an advantage?

I can see both sides of the argument to home school or to not home school. I’ve had people ask me about it. “Oh I’m thinking of home schooling my daughter. What do you think?” For me it has definitely helped a lot. It’s made me very adaptable, very flexible, I was always told ever since I was a little girl, “Oh you’re so mature. You can speak with adults.” I only had adults! And then my siblings. It definitely made me very open minded.

Did you have any obstacles in pursuing acting?

The biggest obstacle was finding a place to live in Los Angeles. I always tell people get a place to live first. It took me about a year to finally decide I was going to do this. I had roommates and some of them just did not go well, and it’s very expensive to live here as we all know. Fat Albert was a job which allowed me to really cement here.

Auditioning is hard too—it’s exhausting. I don’t feel guilty now about the money I make or anybody else makes because it’s payback for years of work. It’s a fulltime job. During pilot season, I was going on 3 to 4 auditions a day, staying out all night, reading scripts, getting coaching, and driving all around. But then once you are working, it’s like a vacation. I’m focusing on one character, especially if it’s an ensemble cast that’s even better because then you have some time off, and then you can really develop more than having to fry your brain out trying to do too many things at once. Or there’s a flip side—You don’t audition enough and that’s just really discouraging.

Do you take a lot of acting classes?

I took acting classes for the first year and a half I came out and now if I’m having a hard time with a role, or I just want to sharpen up, there are a few acting coaches I see. I prefer to work more one on one as opposed to a class model.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I hope to still be doing films and call a little more of my own shots. I’d love to get married sooner than later I guess. I used to have a whole 10 year plan and honestly with this job, who’s to say. I have no idea. The industry could decide it’s done with me tomorrow. In 5 years I would love to have gone to massage school and be a license massage therapist. My dream would to be able to do one or two amazing films a year, travel with my family, do massage therapy, and cook and do all the things that I like. I’ve never been the type to want to just do one thing.

Maybe you’ll do those things with different roles.

Exactly! That’s the fun thing about acting. I can play different characters. I can travel through time. I can be an army nurse one day and the next day I can be a fashion model.

Highest High

I like being able to take my family on vacation. I was able to pay for them to come out here and go to Catalina Island for a few days. When I was a kid we didn’t have a whole lot of money and our vacations were camping. We literally lived in camp grounds without a house for quite a while. And there were a lot of us. So it was a big treat if we got to eat at the Cheese Cake Factory once a year. So it’s nice when they come out, we can splurge and go to the Cheese Cake Factory every night if we want. [I’d like to] help my siblings out with college. That’s probably my greatest high, being able to share it all.

Lowest Low

Anxiety attacks. This industry is not very friendly to the emotional psyche. It’s just very easy to get stressed out and spread too thin. I have to get away in order to come back. I can’t do what some of the people out here I’ve seen do. It’s just too much. I don’t know how I could go from one job to the next to the next to the next. Pilot season was a pretty low point for me. I was just ready to give it up. There’s nothing humane about it. Everyone just sees you as what they hope you’ll fit. But so many times, you get so rundown and you wake up in the middle of the night and you can’t go back to sleep [worrying if you know all your lines, etc…]. It’s hard to maintain friendships, much less personal romantic relationships when you’re in a job where you do have to travel. I’ve lost touch with so many people and it’s very difficult to maintain a healthy sense of sustained connection and love and support when you’re just exhausted all the time.

What advice would you give to someone who’s trying to pursue an acting career?

Logistically have a place stay if you’re going to come out here, whether it’s a friend or a relative. Save up a lot of money. Secondly, do not take things personally. Have a lot of back bone and a lot of self-discipline. You can’t be sleeping away your auditions. You can’t be lazy and show up on set and make everyone else mad at you because you were out late partying. Keep being inspired and that will get you a long way I think.

Interviewed by Kaylene Peoples

World Without End – Ken Follett

World Without End

Ken Follett

World Without End, Ken Follett’s sequel to The Pillars of the Earth, is a must-read. It is the continuing story of the Kingsbridge Priory and its continuing powerful political and religious influence in Kingsbridge, England, beginning in 1337, one hundred years after the end of the prequel.

One hundred years or so before, one of the greatest cathedral—and the central driving force of this historical novel—was built. It was the culminating dream of then Prior Philip and Tom and Jack Builder. Follett has created counterparts to these three main characters in this sequel in the persons of Godwyn, who becomes prior, and builders Merthyn (hero) and Elfrin (villain). Counterparts to other important characters are Caris, Gwenda, and Ralph. This is a must-read, especially if you enjoyed The Pillars of the Earth. Kingsbridge is a “world without end” in this well researched novel. Much of the plot is dominated and driven by the plague, which rages during this period in history. You will enjoy every page of this 1014-page novel, which I highly recommend.

Reviewed by Lee Peoples

Hope with Feathers

Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul,

And sings the tune without the words,

And never stops at all,

. . .

-Emily Dickinson

Earlier this week as I looked up into the sky, I noticed the clouds were as thick as chowder . . . but the sun peeked out still. Its presence indicated that through this darkness there was hope for a brighter, sunnier cloud-free day. And that takes me into the present state of affairs in which the world finds itself. It’s almost Christmas!

People are struggling as more and more get laid off in America. But throughout the world there is much sadness. The total state of Apartheid the Palestinians are experiencing at the hand of Israel is criminal. The fact that peace-loving Israelis are practically being ignored and forced to take part in a system they don’t believe in is also criminal. But there is hope. Only this week the Israeli government allowed the media and humanitarian aid into the isolated region. Will there continue to be struggles, starvation, and even death? Yes, there will. But will there also be salvation on some level? Yes, as people become more and more aware of the situation, not even a stubborn parliament can stop their ears and continue to do nothing. Hope is like the water that breaks down the stone. It takes forever, but the result is dust; and in this case, there will eventually be a sort of freedom for the people of Palestine and Israel as they begin to unify and put aside their differences.

It has happened in South Africa. The people arose. Both black and white defied a racist and unjust government to protest the inhumane treatment of one part of the population. Although there is still much to be done, the freedoms that were implemented were tantamount to climbing Mount Everest, a seemingly insurmountable feat accomplished by the outrage of the country and the greater outrage of the rest of the world.

That sun is burning brighter and those clouds still linger but cannot overcome the intensity of the sun’s rays. So it is that hope will triumph because those at war, those suffering through famine and disease, those going through inner struggles hidden from the surface just have to cry out a little louder, protest a little longer, volunteer a little more, and go on another day. Tomorrow is a better day. And wasn’t it just a few more days until the sky cleared and became the brightest blue? The sun stretched to fill the entire sky? It was there all along, and hope is a sign that we may one day live in peace, where there is no war, famine, or disease.

I struggled with hope this year. It has been a rough one for me and the rest of the country. I’ve been slighted and had to forgive. Forgiving is difficult, and unless I had taken that first crucial step, I would have stayed in a cloudy state. No love can enter in a blackened heart. I discovered that the mere desire to forgive could begin to clear up the pain. I discovered by wanting to love and get past all the slights, I could be like that sun peeking through the dismal clouds. In a few days or weeks or months I would find myself feeling joy.

My heart had been broken by a dishonest lover. The saying goes, “Hell hath no fury, than a woman scorned.” And in my case this was very true. I was so angry that I couldn’t even feel the joy that I found from my treks in the mountains, or from witnessing the sunrise, or by listening to the bells ringing at my front door—these things that sustained me in the past. I was so angry I couldn’t get past the tears that became my constant companion. But one day I spoke aloud into the stillness of my misery, “I want to forgive, I want to love, I want to be happy, and I want to get past this.” And I did in a matter of days. And not only did I forgive this dishonest lover, but I forgave all the dishonest lovers that had hurt me before, and I began to experience the joy that was always there waiting for me to notice as I took my walks, listened to the birds singing, worked on a song, or hugged my mother. The mere desire to see the light that was always there was all that I needed to see it.

As it has been for me, so can it be for the rest of us. If we can get past our differences and have the merest desire to move past our anger, we can learn to live together in harmony, a little at a time, and like the slow dripping of that meager drop of water, we can turn the stone of our bitterness into dust. We can make room for love in our hearts and burn away the hopelessness in our lives.

As the song goes,

Let there be peace on earth

and let it begin with me.

Let There be peace on earth

the peace that was meant to be.

With God as our father

brothers all are we.

Let me walk with my brother

in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me

let this be the moment now.

With ev’ry step I take

let this be my solemn vow

to take each moment and live

each moment in peace eternally.

Let there be peace on earth

and let it begin with me.

-Lyrics by Jill Jackson Miller

http://www.angelfire.com/in/omega2/LetThereBePeaceOnEarth.html

Written by Lisa Trimarchi

Make a Loved One’s Closet Turn Chic With the Help of a Personal Shopper!

So what could be worse than having an empty closet with nothing to wear? Having a closet full of fun fashion that you have no ideahow to wear!

Long before my February 2007 launch ofGood Girl Gone Shopping, an affordable personal shopping and wardrobe consultant business, I had noticed how fearful most people are when it comes to trying out new styles, fun trends, and basically, stepping out of the norm. Here are some of the reasons why men and women turn to a professional for assistance:

They can’t get the help they need from a salesperson

They are not aware of which specific cuts and fabrics are right for their body shape and size

They do not know how to stretch their small budgets to still purchase lavish styles

They are unsure of how to stylize what they already own

They want to feel more attractive

They do not have time to shop for themselves (productively) due to a busy schedule

And no time seems fuller of anxiety and apprehension than now, the holiday season. After all, there are family gatherings, employee luncheons, company dinners, and social parties that offer festive times for most of us. But during these events, gift giving is a key focus and typically, a key frustration.

Just what do you give someone?

Maybe you have a friend, coworker, or loved one who adores hot-off-the-runway styles but admits to being clueless on how to put anything together. Sound like someone you know? If you are tired of buying gift cards to his or her favorite stores, especially because you never see that person actually wear the new items, a gift certificate that allows him or her some time to work with a personal shopper for free is a new gift-giving route you may want to explore. Because really, it’s a win-win situation for both of you: You get rewarded for giving the creative gift of the season, while that person can finally find items that will complement his or her wardrobe…while gaining a boost in self-confidence in the process!

And if you are the person needing personal shopping and wardrobe consulting assistance, well, treating yourself to a Christmas or Chanukah gift might be just what you need to alleviate your own stress of the season.

If you would like to contact Elana Pruitt to discuss the many services of Good Girl Gone Shopping, and gather information about holiday gift certificates, please contact her atelana@talkingchic.com or (909) 997-3216. She is based in Upland, Calif., just over an hour east of Los Angeles.

Gifts for the Rich and Shameless

We thought we’d add this category because we didn’t want to leave out the Donald Trumps of the world. We decided to include in our holiday gift guide, outlandish and extravagant gifts, and the above definitions describe these gifts to a tee. Need a $30,000.00 doll house? Or maybe you’d like to carry that $120,000.00 purse to the inaugural ball. Well, here is the place to look for that one-of-a-kind gift fit for royalty.

1942 Willys MB Junior Replica

Price: $9,900
www.faoschwarz.com

What child wouldn’t want his own Jeep from F.A.O. Schwarz? He can read about big wheels and tonka toys when the stock market crashes. Since Christmas is just around the corner, don’t forget to run out and pick up this fun Willys MB Junior Replica. One of these babies will soften the blow of junior’s acceptance into his new military school.

Bugatti Veyron – 2nd Legal Fastest Car

Price: $1,192,057

This is by far the most expensive street legal car available on the market today. It is the fastest accelerating car reaching 0-60 in 2.5 seconds. It claims to be the fastest car with a top speed of 253 mph+. Check it out.Bugatti Veyron. Visit this link to see more expensive super hot rods: http://www.thesupercars.org

Hermes Matte Crocodile Birkin Bag

Price: $120,000

Named after French singer/songwriter Jane Birkin, the bag made of crocodile is like the one sold at auction house Doyle New York. The clasp of this 30-centimeter tote boasts 10 carats of white diamonds.

For more information, visit www.hermes.com.

About Lilliput Play Homes – The Ultimate PLayhouse

Lilliput Play Homes offers a selection of high quality playhouses and playhouse accessories that are great for making lasting childhood memories. These playhouses have attracted media attention from established broadcast shows, magazines, and newspapers such as Wall Street Journal and Home and Garden. Lilliput Play Homes customizes play homes to reflect the buyers’ imagination in a replica of their homeBuilt with high grade materials, such as lumber and molded polyurethane trim, these playhouses are created by the finest craftsmen in the small village of Finleyville, Pennsylvania.

Browse Products from Lilliput Play Homes

Lilliput Play Homes gvp – Grand Victorian Playhouse – List Price $28,900

This enchanting play home is picture perfect, including a wraparound porch, a stained glass window, window boxes, a skylight, doorbell, and brass door knocker. Inside, the decorative details continue with a bay window seat, sponge-painted walls, simulated hardwood floors, fireplace mantel, and upstairs loft accessed by a ladder. The most luxurious Lilliput play home, this Victorian is truly grand indeed.

Features:

Skylight
Wall stenciling
Hardwood floors
Doorbell
Great for children ages 2-10
Materials include lumber and polyurethane trim
1 Year limited warranty

About Lilliput Playhomes
These posh playhouses have become the golden standard in play homes appearing on the Oprah Winfrey Show, HGTV, VH1’s ‘The Fabulous Life: Celebrity Kids 2006, and in the Wall Street Journal!

Reviewed by Kaylene Peoples

Belli Pregnancy Products

Belli Pregnancy Products is the world’s safest skincare line available for pregnant women and their babies and come highly recommended by leading obstetricians across the country. All products use the best ingredients with aroma and massage therapy for a holistic and wellness approach. Check out the following pregnancy products below.

For the Mom:

Elasticity Belly Oil helps protect against stretch marks. The oil features Gotu Kola Extract, Vitamin E and Collagen Hydrolysates. Lavender and sweet almond soothe and calm the senses, nourish and moisturize to help prevent stretch marks. Price $42 (4 oz).

Acne Clearing Facial Wash is an exfoliating wash to help clear up acne, leaving your skin clear and refined without over-drying. Belli’s breakthrough formulation is the first to safely address pregnancy-related acne, using lactic acid, an ingredient found naturally in the body. Price $22 (6.7 oz).

Pampered Pregnancy Body Wash is the safest daily cleanser for pregnancy. Some of the ingredients include green tea and cucumber with the relaxing aromatherapy of lavender and chamomile. Price $18 (14.35 oz).

Anti-Chloasma Facial Sunscreen SPF 25 is a facial hydrator and sunscreen that leaves you protected and feeling comfortable all day. Its ingredients guard against UVA rays and chloasma–dark brown splotchy areas on the face that occur in 70% of pregnant women. The ingredients include zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, natural humectant glycerine and is oil free. This lightly tinted product blends in with all skin types. It can be worn alone or under makeup. Price $24 (2 oz).

Skin Smoothing Body Exfoliator is filled with anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients, ridding the skin of dead cells to reveal healthy skin. It features green tea, ginseng, and peppermint oil. Price $24 (6.7 oz).

All Day Moisture Body Lotion deeply moisturizes, comforts, and soothes dry, itchy skin with uplifting qualities, which includes aroma therapy to calm upset stomachs. Chamomile softens and refreshes. Price $25 (14.35 oz).

Foot Relief Cream is an aroma therapeutic and anti-bacterial moisturizing massage treatment that comforts swollen tired feet and relieves calf cramps. Ingredients include peppermint, tee tree oil, and shea butter. After using this product, feet are left feeling cool and refreshed. Price $18 (6.7 oz)

Other Belli Products:

Baby Products include shampoos, lotions, baby powder, diaper rash cream, and a complete baby gift set with all the baby products. Prices range from $12 – $32.

Belli Motherhood Products consist of Eye Brightening Cream, Stretchmark Minimizing Cream, Body Firming Serum, Pure Comfort Nursing Cream, Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer, and Surgical Scar Reducer. Prices range from $6 – $34.

Belli Pregnancy has set the standard for prenatal safety in the industry as the only skincare line in the world to perform ongoing screening of each ingredient. The medical director works with CARE Northwest to exclude ingredients linked to birth defects. Many published studies show links between common skincare ingredients and birth defects when taken orally or systematically. Skincare ingredients are often absorbed into the bloodstream in small amounts and can be easily passed into the fetal circulation. Belli’s exclusive teratology screening process helps moms err on the side of caution by avoiding the following red-flagged ingredients: Vitamin A, salicylic acid, oxybenzone, glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, aloe vera, caffeine, and rosemary. These ingredients are excluded from Belli Pregnancy Products.

To learn more about Belli Pregnancy Products , visitwww.belliskincare.com.

Reviewed by Kaylene Peoples

Lucky Me Tees

Lucky Me Tee

There’s nothing like a soft great fitting tee-shirt to brighten someone’s day, especially when the message reflects the recipient. That’s why Lucky Me Tee is the perfect gift this holiday season. The comfortable yet affordable tee-shirts are well-designed and range in color and size, fitting mommies and babies alike.

Long Sleeve T-Shirts are v-neck and sheer rib tees, featuring longer body length and slim fit silhouette. They’re made of 98% cotton and 2% Spandex super soft knit and are available in black and white, retailing for $46. Other items in the collection include Tank Tops in pink, retailing at $36; Baby Number Long Sleeve T-shirts, designed for easy on-and-off in gray, retailing at $26; Hoodies, which are sweatshirts made of 50% cotton and 50% polyester, in navy, retailing for $50; and finally, Tote Bags, perfect for any outdoor occasion or a long weekend getaway. The tote has contrast straps, side panels with water-resistant lining for easy cleaning, and an outside pocket with velcro closure and inside pocket flap. Made of 100% cotton and comes in Natural/Fuchsia, retailing for $34.

Lucky Me Tee was founded by mother-of-three Marlo Moleski, whose designs are cuttingedge, providing moms the opportunity to flaunt motherhood on a trendy tee. For more information, please visit www.luckymetee.com.

Reviewed by Kaylene Peoples

The Ultimate Receiving Blanket

This large square 42″x 42″ multi-use blanket is an award-winning design. It could be used as a play mat, privacy throw, sun shield, and more. This receiving blanket is 100% preshrunk, super soft, and certified organic cotton flannel, all designed by an RN and mother, and made in the USA.

My inspiration for SwaddleDesigns came from many sources: the love of my mom as she carefully wrapped my children in blankets she had sewn for me; the knowledge of many wonderful reasons why swaddling is important; and the discovery that many of my friends and family did not know how to swaddle effectively, couldn’t remember how to swaddle, or didn’t have the right kind of blanket to bundle their babies.

-Lynette Damir

The idea to design the Ultimate Swaddling Blanket was born when Lynette Damir shopped for blankets for her friends and family. She found the blankets were too small, not the right shape or material, and too fancy, slippery or too thick.

The blanket includes a special Tip Tag to help parents master the art of swaddling:

Wrap baby snuggly, but not so tight as to impede breathing;
Baby may self-soothe when hands are within reach of mouth;
Baby’s knees and hips should be slightly bent;
Etc. . . .

The Ultimate Receiving Blanket is a great gift and an everyday essential, designed to nurse, and is much larger than the average receiving blanket. It outlines the many benefits of swaddling your baby.

The entire SwaddleDesigns collection also includes the following:

1. Baby Burpies, which are handy when burping your baby and cleaning up messes;

2. Baby Lovie, a soft security blanket which absorbs parents’ scent to help baby bond with his/her blanket.

Many parents of newborns just love SwaddleDesigns, Ultimate Receiving Blankets, Baby Burpies, or Lovie. The list includes Angela Jolie and Brad Pitt, Marcia Cross, Gwenyth Paltrow, Geena Davis, Kim Fields, and Debra Messing.

You can purchase these products online or in stores. For a list of retailers, visit www.swaddledesigns.com.

Reviewed by Kaylene Peoples