Archive for the ‘Art’ Category

Honor the people that have contributed innovation and social change through the ongoing fashion evolution of Northern California this Sunday (8/28/11) 1:00 PM at the Hotel Phoenix CHAMBERS. It’s more than an awards ceremony, the San Francisco Fashion Awards also provides a stage for emerging talents to showcase their work, to bring together the community alongside runway shows, cocktails, and great company. Creativity is put to the test with local talent and innovative influencers that will be appreciated and exemplified in this annual ceremony approaching its fourth year of existence. Be there and discover and root for your favorite Bay Area artist, photographers, designers, and more. Get your tickets on EventBrite at http://sffashionawardstm.eventbrite.com/ before it’s too late.

Featuring Fashion Designers

Dahae Kim, Cameron Stewart, Ken Chen SF

Coral Castillo, Janelle Cardenas, Bacca da Silva

STELLAR (HONORARY) AWARD 2011:

GLADYS PERINT PALMER

Advance : Tickets $20.00

Door : $25.00

NO GUEST LIST / NO V.I.P.S.

PRESS & PHOTOGRAPHERS / INVITE ONLY

DRESS TO IMPRESS + CASH BAR

Major Sponsors

Hotel Phoenix + CHAMBERS & MTI Global Inc. Hong Kong

Partners

CITY Model Management, SCOUT Model and Talent Agency

San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology – A Paul Mitchell Partner School

Pigment Cosmetics, LODI International Film Festival

SF Station, Harmony Wynelands Winery + SFFAMA

See you there!

I will be one of the lovely eight hosts at The 2^nd Annual Beauty Expo tomorrow evening at Pigment Cosmetics.  Join us for an a fun night of workshops, networking, and goodie bags for the first 20 people! To get the entire agenda of the event, you can RSVP on the Beauty Expo facebook event page by heading over to: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=109055139180166

Lots of fabulous and fashionable San Francisco style favorites (from stylists to blogger and mor) will be all be under one roof. Refreshments and snacks will be available for all. Details are below:

SAN FRANCISCO FASHION AND MERCHANTS ALLIANCE, INC. Presents

THE 2ND ANNUAL BEAUTY EXPO

• Date: May 28th, 2011, Saturday
• Time: 5:30PM Door Opens / 6:00-8:00PM Workshops / 8:00PM Styling Competition
• Location: Pigment Cosmetics, One Market Street, San Francisco
• San Francisco Fashion And Merchants Alliance Inc. is pleased to announce The Second Annual “Beauty Expo”, to be held at Pigment Cosmetics at One Market Street on Saturday, May 28, 2011, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are available online for $10 and $12 at the door. The dress code calls for fashionably chic.

The Beauty Expo is divided into three segments.  The event begins with Fashion Bloggers Connect featuring local fashion bloggers Nicole Lindgren of Style Bust, Nicki Frye of Nickie Noel, Molly Covert of Rabbit Foot Fern and Alison Messinger of Eclectic à la Mode to discuss the importance of social media and fashion blogging as a media tool. Charleston Pierce will hold a model boot camp to provide tips on successful runway modeling.

Seven teams will compete in the styling competition for the most creative make-up and hairstyles. Judges include Greg Griffin of Barber Lounge, Brad Carrick of Solz Shoes, Mario Benton and Amy Soderlind of Refuses To Label. There will be a fashion installation,featuring designers from Pink Weave and RockChiq with Kate Knuvelder’s jewelry collection, before the winner of the styling competition is announced.

EVENT HOSTS:

1. Mira Torres @ http://thebeautybohemian.com/
2. Catherine Kallessis @ http://www.pigmentcosmetics.com/
4. Charmaine Adrina @ http://sffama.com/
5. Jessica Schoefer @ http://www.sffashiontv.com/
6. Stephanie Williams @ http://www.SFFFASHION.tv
7. Oliver Lorenz  and Dino Ynostroza @ http://www.fordiedinosaurs.com/
8. Andrea Igreja @ http://myfashionportifolio.blogspot.com/

This year’s soiree is a fund raising event for the upcoming San Francisco Fashion Week ™ and a networking event for luxury, beauty and fashion industry professionals.

For further inquiries, please contact SFFAMA’s Founder Owen Geronimo atcontact@sffamainc.org. Tickets available at http://thebeautyexpo2011.eventbrite.com/or visit http://thebeautyexpo.com/

See you there! Don’t forget to follow me on http://www.twitter.com/miratorres

If only I could be in four places at one time. Tomorrow is going to be a fashion and art fest, as a lot of San Francisco’s boutiques, stores, and venues have decided to plan their fun and fashion-filled afternoons all at the same time. So, if you don’t have plans tomorrow and would like to enjoy some sensational clothing discounts, visual stimulation, networking and fun, be sure to scan my list below to learn the who, what, and where to be for a memorable artful or fashionable Thursday the 19^th.

Rachel Roy at Macy’s Union Square
Meet Rachel Roy as she unveils the most coveted items for Spring. Check out her favorite pieces from her Rachel Rachel Roy line, exclusively at Macy’s. To reserve your spot, RSVP by calling: 1-800-786-2665 or visit macys.com/events

WHEN: Thursday, May 19th from 6:00- 8:00 pm

WHERE: Macy’s Union Square, Impulse Department, Level 3

DETAILS: Enjoy an informal fashion presentation, music, refreshments and a gift with your Rachel Rachel Roy purchase.

Banana Republic After 5 Shopping event

Banana Republic is kicking off the start of summer by hosting a special After 5 Shopping event!

WHEN: Thursday, May 19 from 5:00-7:00pm!

WHERE: 256 Grant Ave Store

DETAILS: Come celebrate the warmer weather and receive 25% off purchases of $100 or more.

Need a little help planning your summer wardrobe? Banana Republic is partnering with personal style bloggers to host this special After 5 event, and to help you choose stylish pieces for the summer. Get insider styling tips from style favorites Aimee from “Song of Style” and Laura from “On the Racks.”

To add to the excitement, Banana Republic is partnering with Virgin America to offer eight lucky winners round-trip airfare and a four day, three night stay at The Mondrian Hotel in Los Angeles . One winner will be announced that night from each participating store location.

For more information on Banana Republic’s After 5 event, visit BananaRepublic.com/After5 or “Like” them on Facebook by visitingFacebook.com/BananaRepublic. You can also follow the conversation on Twitter with #BRAfter5.

SFFAMA (San Francisco Fashion and Merchandise Alliance) Fashion Mash-Up: The Business of Local Designers

Aspiring fashion designers and industry professionals can enjoy and learn new things from an interactive discussion panel of experienced individuals.

WHEN: May 19, 2011, Thursday, 6-9PM

WHERE: Pigment Cosmetics, One Market Street (Studio 2), San Francisco, CA

DETAILS: $5 for SFFAMA Members/ $10 for Non-Members

The FOURTH annual 20×200 Bay Area Collectors’ Confab

Hosted by our friends at Chronicle Books in San Francisco. Art collectors will enjoy the incredible selection of art from local and nationwide artists. Space is limited, so make sure you RSVP to rsvp@20×200.com.

WHEN: Thursday, May 19th | 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Chronicle Books | 680 Second Street (btwn Brannan + Townsend) San Francisco, CA

DETAILS: Many local  awesome artists will be in attendance. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to meet a few of the very fine people from team 20×200. There will be a special selection of prints in sizes big and small, presented in custom mats + frames and ready for you to purchase right then and there.

He was that smoldering sexy “grass is greener” guy that Samantha Jones admired in the next door apartment in the first Sex and the City movie. That tall, dark, and handsome guy was Gilles Marini. That’s how I know who he is. The hot sultry scenes of him walking shirtless, tanned, and muscular are now ingrained as happy images in my thoughts forever. Anyways, let me wipe this drool off before I get it all over my keyboard.

Complete with orange flavored macaroons, mimosas, and champagne, L’Occitane threw a Grand Opening to remember at the Powell St. Boutique.  Aside from the delicious appetizers and refreshments, the lovelies at the San Francisco Centre store were able to combine two things that we girls adore: Hot men and brand-spankin’ new luxurious skincare products.

Making an appearance at the San Francisco store was Gilles Marini, the latest spokesperson for the French skincare brand. He is without a doubt on our list of desirable male eye-candy and their latest holiday line “Fleur Cherie” is equally as swoon worthy.

Meeting  the DWTS (Dancing With the Stars) hunk at the L’Occitane event a few weeks ago was no easy feet… He was in high demand, and definitely the man of the hour.

As we saw woman after woman fawning and asking for his autograph, we decided to take the liberty to avoid the crazy fandom exhibit and ventured the store to find the latest and greatest of L’Occitane’s new skincare line. Any L’Occitane lover knows that their products are absolutely luxurious. If you don’t, just head into one of their stores to get a whiff of their unforgettable aromas (pretty much the moment you walk in) and you can enjoy trying and sniffing any product your heart desires with their endless selection of samples.  Their lotions, fragrances, and scrubs are always scented to perfection and always soothing and smoothing.

What is so amazing about the Fleur Cherie, aside from the unique, light, and delicious decadent orange blossom and black currant notes, is that it is perfectly packaged for the season of giving in a number of limited edition holiday packages. The unique orange and white boxes, trimmed in gold, makes picking out holiday gifts for the mom, sister, or mother-in-law convenient and gratifying.

My favorite? This adorable Fleur Cherie Jewel Lip Palette. This is GORGEOUS! This little gem contains two sparkly lip glosses (beige and pink) encased in an adorable vintage pocket watch inspired compact.

I was able to meet the hottie! Here are a few pics. You can see more on my facebook fanpage at www.facebook.com/thebeautybohemian.

xo, @miratorres

Amid the multitude of people eager to have their fashion questions answered and the mob of men and women raising their hands just hoping  to be given a “360 critique” by the style guru himself, TLC’s What Not to Wear star host and “Freakin’ Fabulous” author, Clinton Kelly, delightfully distributed a wealth of style knowledge with the crowd that gathered on the Impulse level at Macy’s Union Square, Thursday evening, for the Clinton Kelly and Macy’s “A Night of Style” event. Useful bits and pieces of advice, the latest season trends, and vital knowledge to ensure clothes flatter and don’t fatten were discussed and devoured by the eager fans that ranged from every age and every background.

There were five extremely amazing style tips that I jotted down and just cannot keep all to myself. Read on to see what stylish VIP  thinks Bay Area ladies need to know in order to avoid fashion disasters in our beautiful city by the Bay.

1. Don’t be afraid to mix metals and prints… Just make sure they match. You CAN mix metals and prints together in one outfit. The trick is staying in the same color family or staying within neutral shades.

2. Stick to a faux fur Vest that doesn’t match your hair. With the lovely, stylish faux fur vest trend this fall, (which was showcased by a model for Clinton’s style challenge) Clinton recommends picking out a fur tone that doesn’t match your actual hair color, otherwise you risk “looking like Chewbacca.” He was too funny!

3. Skinny jeans are for people with great butts and thighs. These denim pairs are trends and certainly aren’t for everyone. Clinton stressed that those with different features to accentuate should stick to a classic boot cut or slim-leg jean, which still look chic, and will help you stay looking polished.

4. Brown shoes and black bags or vice versa is fine. This match works as long as the brown is a tan, camel, or light brown  – not one shade lighter than black. (e.g., a deep dark brown) Otherwise, it looks like, as Clinton put it, “you dressed in the dark and mixed up the dark brown for black.”

5. Leggings are best worn as hosiery. To stay tasteful and tantalizing, cover up! Or beware and be prepared to show off every flattering and unflattering bulge and bump that fate gave you.

Want more of Clinton’s exceptional advice on style and more? Check out his latest book “Oh No She Didn’t: The Top 100 Style Mistakes Women Make and How to Avoid Them” In stores and online now.

I adore MANGO stuff! Especially this season where the adorable curvy and insanely gorgeous ScarJo graces the face of their ads and magazine. MANGO fashion reminds me of one of my favorite fashion decades: The urban rhapsody of 70′s style that is effortless, functional, and feminine. Exactly the kind of clothes that I absolutely adore. Here is a list of the four products that I’m going to track, find, and purchase at tomorrow’s Marie Claie and MANGO event at 5:00 pm.

1. HANDBAG G CANTINA C - I have a thing for Cantina-style bags. It reminds me of traveling, going on adventures, and carrying everything you would possible need for the trip. I want MANGO’s in Toffee. Really just because I have enough black purses and the toffee color will look great with the adorable greige and light gray boots I just bought.

2. BOOT 6/1 VALLIT2 C - I have a feeling that these are going to be my go-to boots for fall 2010. They go with EVERYTHING! from a cute pheasant dress to black tights to jeans…Did I say everything?

3. DRESS WTD SETEMBRE - I love a great dress. One that can get me through San Francisco’s unpredicatble weather of freezing cold and sunshine is a “winner, winner chicken dinner” in my book. This one is beautiful. With adorable colors amidst a black background, makes for maximum mix and matching with my wardrobe.

4. HANDBAG M MADELLT3 - Okay. I couldn’t stop at three. And I lied. I, so, I lied. I can not get enough black bags in my closet and black bags with quilts? I LOVE! This one is only $69.90 is a steal! I might get one in every color if I’m feeling fabulous tomorrow night.

See you there, ladies. Word is there will be cocktails! Woot woot.

The first Saturday of October, I was able to attend the 11th Annual Vegetarian Festival of San Francisco, which was being held in a community hall of Golden Gate Park. With sunshine, bikes, and natural surroundings, the location was fitting as ever, and the place was packed with people, loads of vegan and vegetarian companies, communities, delicious munchies to sample… and  the first ever SF Vegan Fashion Show.

(I interviewed coordinators Karine Brighten and Kara Ashe  if you want to read their opinions about veg food and fashion just the click the links on their names above.)

I met New York Times Best Selling Author Rory Freedman: (of “Skinny Bitch”)

saw some fantastic cruelty-free clothes and tasted some of the most DELICIOUS vegan food I have EVER tasted in my life. What  stood out the most?

Vegan Thai tea, I loved it so much I went back for seconds. Unfortunately, I lost the contact info and I cannot even remember the name. *Serious sad face..I even contacted head Veggie Fest man to ask if he could forward me their info and he said it was “Trader Joes.” No. No, it wasn’t. In fact TJ’s was on the opposite side of the hall. I know this is a long shot but, if anyone can e-mail me that info that would be fantastic!

Tofurkey Pizza. As my fellow examiner, @Parmie, tweeted “Very dangerous for the figure.” 

Vaute Couture. If you read my work on www.GreenByDesign.com, you know she is one of my favorite vegan designers.  Her coats were the highlight of the fashion show. as were Pansy Maidens adorable purses. (Interview coming soon!)

ColorCraft and Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics worked the runway makeup. They gave me a tube of their red lipgloss. Which is like a stain and a gloss. It’s Soooo addictive. I love it. More to come about that.

And so many more… I’ve actually been so busy that I haven’t been able to back track and look through my treehugger bag of flyers and business cards eversince the event…but I will. So just stay tuned.

I wore my favorite vintage blouse (from Goodwill) and all my best cruelty-free makeup products:

Smashbox Jetset liner in Black, MAC Minerlize in “Deep Dark,” MAC lipstick in “Bare,” and my Pixi foundation stick in No.3 Warm.

I really had a blast. Can’t wait for next years! The healthy 12thy! Woot.

More pictures are available on my Beauty Bohemian Facebook page. Just click on the 11th Annual VegFest album.

Poor Mondays. Often dreaded and never quite as fun as any other day of the week. So to shake off the Monday-blues I turned to advice from my mother and Mary Poppins. 

“When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling sad…I simply remember my favorite things and then I don’t feel..so baaaaddd!!!”

What better way to start off the week than to shake away any bummer drag conviction, and think happy thoughts, by channeling the forces of the universe and scanning our brains of all things we adore. By yours truly, here is a list of the “Things to love right now:”

Zoe Kravits (daughter of sexy rocker, Lenny Kravitz) and Alexander Wang collide to create a grunge-chic, t-shirt campaign. And though that news is completely “love right now” awesomeness, what I’m really loving is her fantastical grunge-chic curls in the Refinery 29 stock photo. I need to find out the how to’s and rock that effortless sexy bedhead hairstyle until the day I die.

It’s August and all the SEPTEMBER ISSUES are already coming out. Unless you’ve been living under some kind of anti-fashion rock, you should already know that September mags are the ones that editors, fashionistas, and glossy mag-whores absolutely live for. (They’re the fattest, most celebrity-filled, and trend-laden copy of the year.) Most of my check will be going into purchasing every single fashion-mag possible off the stand… and with pleasure.

These “Mouse and Cheese” cupcakes  from Bristol Farms at Union Square! (Unless, of course you’re squeemish about mice.) So cute and so adorable I just couldn’t resist a snapshot! Whenever I venture downtown for work, I always bring the bubs home a cupcake. It’s a constant battle: Cako on O’Farrel or Bristol’s. Whichever captures my eye first wins the $3… and unfortunately for Cako, Bristol’s often gets the win. The lady baker always has the most gorgeous rose-adorned ready-made cakes AND a new character cupcake on display daily. A treat for the eyes and tastebuds.

Happy Mondays, honeys! May your week be filled with great shopping deals, adorable pastries, and lots of love.

Madonna is the best.

That is all.

P.S. I had a really bad day and needed to read this.

It started out to be a typical week after Memorial Day weekend. Past due articles, John’s back to school, semi-cleaning the house, and the occassional ”what’s-for-dinner?” mode. Or so I thought…Mid-week I got a reminder from the lovely people of John Frieda PR about their mobile salon being in town this Thursday/Friday…

My heart started to palpitate. What do I love more than fabulous hair products? Fabulous stylists! It’s been awhile since I actually set foot in a salon and my hair was in dire need of some TLC…So, I booked my appointment for Thursday, dropped the bub at school, kissed my hubby off to his new job, and towed my behind to Justin Herman Plaza by the Embarcadero where the gutted 18-wheeler awaited to fix this hot mess…

Okay. I’ll admit. My hair isn’t terrible. It’s extremely easy to manage. Just a bit dry, a tad stringy, and honestly, with the fact that I hardly ever EVER give it attention, it doesn’t look too bad. But, oh boy, if only I did. If only I had the mad styling skills of John Frieda stylist Miss Chris Megia I could look this fabulous everyday…

 I felt AMAZING…and so much so that as I was walking on my cloud of fab hair, I forgot to check out the BCBG kiosk for goodies to shoot with my handy dandy camera.

Maybe I’ll stop by tomorrow – the last day before they head off to beautify another lovely city – and hopefully, hopefully the John Frieda Style on Site Salon Tour will be coming back very,very soon. My hair eagerly awaits to be pampered once more.

Be sure to check out my article on the Examiner.com  to see an exclusive slideshow of inside and out the John Frieda and BCBG Mobile Salon.