Born and raised in the Czech Republic, KristynaKix began modeling when she was just a kid. Winning Miss Bravo Girl 2008, though, led her to work with some bigger agencies and travel the world for her career. On a recent vacation stop in the US, she was introduced to photographer Ash Gupta, who immediately noticed her strong features and distinctive looks.

Anya Monzikova was born in Vologda, Russia, to Natalia Monzikova, a single mother of two. When her mom met her step-dad, an American on a vacation to Moscow, fate had brought a new twist to this young girl’s life. Her mother re-married and the two moved to Ft. Lauderdale, FL, to live. At a young age, Anya loved to perform.

Many movies are currently being made into musicals. For Billy Elliot, it’s a transition that not only makes sense, but which opens up additional possibilities. Because the story line is about dance, Billy Elliot not only fits the stage, it belongs on stage. There is an energy elicited with live dance performances that can never be captured in quite the same way on screen.

The new production of RED HOT PATRIOT: The Kickass Wit of Molly Ivins plays at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles until February 19, 2012. This 75-minute show is an opportunity to spend an evening enjoying two incredible women.

In Agenda’s November issue I briefly told you about Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series, seven books published between 1991 and 2009, with the eighth and final in the series due out sometime in 2013. Since I started this series in September of last year, 2011, having been introduced to it when visiting my sister, I have not been able to put it down.

One of the most popular ingredients in skin care these days is Vitamin C. It’s included through the use of essential oils, extracts, and synthetic compounds. The jury is split on just how effective the addition of Vitamin C is, but there’s one thing that’s never in dispute.

They say that beauty is only skin deep, but we beg to differ. Making healthy choices can actually help beautify you from the inside out.

Octavio Carlin showcased an elegant yet simplistic collection during Style Fashion Week LA at Vibiana. He presented a collection that showed a variation on cocktail dresses consisting of jersey, slinky, hip hugging skirts with horizontal striped tops . . . a play on the athletic influenced trend for spring.

Rear projected cinematic, interchanging backgrounds of nature and the outdoors created the scene for the Gypsy 05 2012 collection at Vibiana during Style Fashion Week LA. The fashion show opened with eclectic music and ritualistic choreography in the form of modern dance: our dancer’s face had white war paint, and she wore a loose fitting tunic. She put on a convincing performance and set the bohemian stage for what was to become a very enjoyable runway experience.

At the tail-end of November, a few days after I turned thirty-one, I had an awakening. I remember looking in the mirror, sternly telling myself, “Look, Elana, this is your life. You get what you put into it. Excuses get you nowhere, so continue to focus on the future and connect the nuts and bolts that will help you get to where you want to be.”