Healthy, Fit & Fabulous: Keep Your Shape in Check During the Holidays
The holidays are here, bringing with them the opportunity to imbibe like crazy, eat indulgent goodies and dance the night away rather than get our healthy eight hours of zzzs. Ahhh, the joys of the season! Life is short—why not enjoy it? Yet there’s nothing worse than weighing yourself come January 2, only to discover that Santa left you a few extra pounds at the Hanukkah bush. The good news is, that extra poundage is not inevitable. With a little bit of forethought and a few tricks here and there, there’s no reason to deprive yourself of a few treats and epic nights to remember.
Savor Every Bit
Carpe noctem! Enjoy the spread—but eat and drink slowly to allow yourself to enjoy every single taste on your plate. It takes approximately 20 minutes for our brains to register that we’re full, so if you eat slowly, you will feel fuller and won’t want to finish your plate. Plus, when you eat more slowly, you’ll chew your food more thoroughly, which leads to better digestion.
Just Say Yes
Don’t deny yourself your favorites! The more you hold back from your favorite Christmas fudge or cookies, the more likely you are to continue thinking about it and ultimately binge. The key is to be selective and make each indulgence count. If you’re craving pie, have it—but don’t eat cookies just because they’re in front of you. Chances are you’ll fill up on stuff you don’t like AND eat your favorite when it pops up in front of you. You’ll end up rolling home with a few extra pounds if you indulge in mediocre choices.
Don’t Leave Home With An Empty Stomach
Have light snacks before you go out for the evening or to holiday parties. Enjoy a little bit of soup or Greek yogurt with fruit beforehand—that way you won’t find yourself grazing at the buffet table all night. Tres tacky!
Hydrate, Hydrate and Re-hydrate!
Filling up with water not only boosts your metabolism, it makes you eat less and helps prevent a hangover. Have a glass before you leave your house, and if you’re drinking all night, have a glass of water between each drink. If you overindulge in martinis, make sure to stock up on Pedialyte and Gatorade to replenish your electrolytes.
Smaller Portions
Grab a small plate when you hit the buffet. A bread plate is dainty and cuter to hold, and also slows you down on stuffing yourself with hors d’oeuvres. Plus, you won’t feel super cool refilling the plate 10 times, so that will help you keep yourself in check.
Peruse the Healthy Options
Start at the veggie tray first and load up on green, colorful goods and fruit. Trainer and Fitness Expert Bing Dinh of Body Mind Architects (www.BodyMindArchitects.com), reminds us of the importance of getting a strong dose of protein as well. “Making protein and veggies your first stop at the buffet table will keep your muscles growing, which increases your metabolism,” he says. “It takes more calories to maintain a pound of muscle than it does fat. Besides, if you’re training hard it defeats the purpose if you don’t feed your muscles with protein—holidays or no holidays.”
As tempting as it is to go straight for the high-caloric, fatty foods, help yourself to low-fat, nutrient-rich foods first, such as fruit, veggie platters, beans and any form of protein. It will help you eat less of the unhealthy stuff—plus when you do, you’ll eat them more for their flavor than to satisfy your hunger.
Keep it Moving
I personally work out every Christmas morning. It helps alleviate some of the guilt, gives me some alone time before the storm, and energizes me for all the cooking! “Get an intense workout in as early as you can on Christmas morning, so you have time to connect and be thankful for all the good things in your life,” says Bing. “Not only it will metabolize all the food you will be consuming, but it will put you at ease, and in a good mood to enjoy your loved ones.”
Keep it Clear
Really pay attention to what you drink. It’s pretty hard to pass up the bubbly—but try to stay away from all the creamy drinks and fancy chocolate martinis. Two mixed drinks can contain as much as 500 calories and one cup of eggnog is around 380 calories. Yet two glasses of cider or white wine have only 300 calories. If you’re poison falls in the liquor category, then keep this rule in mind: the clearer the liquor, the less toxic and fattening. So a vodka soda is your best bet, while a Jack and Coke is a sugar-ridden taste of Satan. Okay, maybe not that bad, but you get the picture. When it comes to mixers, stick to soda, if you can. Adding some lemon and lime will give it a refreshing twist that is easy to get used to. Juices and tonic have a lot more sugar, which leads to more calories and a worse hangover.
Chaton Anderson is a Writer, Filmmaker, and certified Trainer and Fitness expert, as well as a product and pop culture addict. She is always looking for the coolest, hippest things on the market, as well as the newest health and fitness trends to hit the scene. E-mail her at Chaton@FusionIntegrated.com with questions or leads on products and services on the cutting edge.
Perfect Your Pout – Healthy Lip Treatments to Die For
A confessed lip balm addict since my early teens, there’s no other type of product I enjoy testing more than those for lips. Since one of the myriad benefits of being a beauty writer is all the fun sampling I get to do, I’ve put together a list of my current favorite lip treatments for this week’s column. It just wouldn’t feel right to not share some of the awesome knowledge I’ve gained!
My all-time favorite is LipFusion XL, which I use every other night before bed, but it has garnered tons of press attention already, so I’m going to branch out into the unknown, starting with … Suggah, an ultra rich, conditioning formula that delivers instant moisture to smooth and soften lips. It feels like luxuriously rich butter when you apply it, and tastes like … you guessed it, sugar! Unlike other lip soothers on the market, whose main ingredient is petroleum or wax, Suggah’s main ingredient is shea butter, which we all know is one of nature’s most effective moisturizers. It’s also fortified with Maxi Lip, an ingredient specifically developed with intense hydration properties that result in a fuller appearance of the lip line. Your pout will be richly hydrated and look younger right away. www.sircuitskin.com
To keep your pout looking pretty and healthy, regular exfoliation and hydration is an absolute necessity. The smoother your lips are, the longer your lipstick and glosses will stay put. Leaf and Rusher have an impeccable product on the market called TX Lips. I am absolutely addicted to this stuff — it has to be the best anti-aging lip therapy I have ever come across. This natural exfoliant literally tastes like sugar and assertively removes dry flakes, yet has this rich emollient quality that makes your lips feel soft and moist. Your lip contour will look and feel smoother and more youthful. Ingredients include shea butter, jojoba seed oil and fruit from the exotic buriti palm, combined with natural hops and other humectant properties. TX Lips also provides natural SPF protection and plumps the lips. www.leafandrusher.com
Osmotics Cosmeceuticals Blue Copper 5 Lip & Tuck is a very cool conditioning gloss that promotes fuller, plumper and more youthful lips. It comes in a natural blue tint that turns into an elegant gloss that makes your teeth look whiter, and can be worn under lipstick or on its own. Packed with super hydrating hyaluronic acid particles that deeply penetrate and swell the lip tissue to add volume, Blue Copper 5 Lip & Tuck prevents and repairs signs of aging and vertical lip lines around the mouth area. Other effective ingredients include copper, hydrating macadamia nut oil, alon and two powerful anti-aging peptides that prevent the loss of collagen and elasticity. www.osmotics.com
Become Age Resistant Lip Treatment is a nourishing, stimulating lip treatment that aids in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth. Made with Palmitoyl, Oligopeptide and jojoba oil, it provides the perfect level of gloss without any stickiness and can be worn alone or over your favorite lip color. www.becomebeauty.com
SKINN has two awesome, fun to use products that will truly boost your pre-party beauty routine. In just 3-5 minutes, the 3 Minute Lip Party Rapid Volumizing Mask will increase in the volume of your lips. For occasional use, this baby is made with an extract of Chinese hot pepper that works to temporarily dilate the capillaries in your lips, resulting in a fuller, plumper and sexier pout for those special occasions. Follow with Lip Rejen – Lip & Laugh Line Smoothing Cream, an uber concentrated serum-strength cream that helps reduce the appearance of lip and laugh lines and maintains the look and feel of a smoother, more youthful texture. www.skinn.com
Pin Up Balm is a fun way to keep lips soft and supple. Made from natural ingredients such as avocado oil, beeswax, apricot kernel oil, and vitamin E, this moisture rich treatment protects and nourishes with the best. The standout factor is the adorable vintage tins featuring old school pin-up models. Available in fun flavors like raspberry and lemonade, Pin Up Balm makes the “green list” for its use of organic ingredients and its lack of parabens, petrochemicals, or any artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Plus, they make you feel glamorous and retro all at once! www.pinupbalm.com
For the budget conscious beauty junkie, SoftLips offers a wide-ranging line that provides long-lasting coverage and SPF protection. The slim and feminine tubes can fit in the tiniest of purses, and are great for standalone sheen or under lipstick. SoftLips has just introduced a new line of organic balms, SoftLips Pure, in two delicious flavors, Pomegrenate and Honeywdew, as well as new sheer colors to its SoftLip Tints line of lip conditioners. A great inexpensive staple to buy five at a time! www.softlips.com
Another great alternative for cost-cutters is Athena’s Olive Tree Cocoa Butter Lip Balm. One hundred percent natural, this slick balm is made with super moisturizing avocado oil, cocoa butter and beeswax, and protects your lips from the elements. It’s another awesome base for lipstick, or for overnight hydration. www.shopaot.com
Chaton Anderson is a Writer and the Publicity Director for TheSavvyGal.com. A product and pop culture addict, she is always looking for the coolest, hippest things on the market, as well as the newest health and fitness trends to hit the scene. Email her at Chaton@TheSavvyGal.com with questions or leads on products and services on the cutting edge.
Starr Campbell Leads the Way
The Head of Marketing for Cable Africa Network (CAN), a division of the MultiMesh Broadcasting Group, a Nigerian-based broadcasting company with 22 content-rich family entertainment channels, Starr Campbell is making her own mark.
After living all over the world, modeling, surviving an accident, and sharing her lessons with young women, Starr is an inspiration that achieving dreams and goals is always possible.
Born in Canada, Starr and her family moved to Westchester, New York when she was seven years old. At age 15, she landed an international makeup campaign for Fashion Fair Cosmetics, the world’s leading makeup line for women of color. Yet beauty is just one aspect of Starr’s makeup; her parents were very progressive and she was always exposed to literature — her father read classic novels to her from a very young age.
As soon as she was old enough to travel on her own, Starr set off to explore the amazing places and cultures she had read about for so long. She moved to Paris, where she was quickly discovered by the president of Elite Models. She modeled for the next two and a half years, living in Paris, London, Milan, and Dublin. As much as this appealed to her, Starr returned to the states to live in New York City and attend Vassar, to study English Literature.
While living in New York, Starr worked for the Bloomingdales in a management position, overseeing sales and marketing. When a colleague suggested that she enter a BayWatch contest held by Backstage Magazine, she did, won and relocated to Hollywood.
Within weeks, Starr found herself in a new town, taping a major hit television series. Her career quickly gained momentum as she landed several national commercials for brands including Lady Gillette, Kodak International, the U.S. Postal Service and Ross, among many others. In an attempt to strike a balance between work and education, Starr enrolled at UCLA to study Print and Broadcast Journalism.
While in school and modeling, she accepted an internship at United Press International (UPI), which enabled her to cover the Oscars and the SAG Awards. Starr also held key positions where she learned the creative and production side of the industry at Jack Morton Worldwide and Caribiner International, two of Hollywood’s leading marketing and communications companies. These positions, coupled with her broad education, gave her the knowledge necessary to launch her own marketing and PR firm, Starr Media Group. It was during this period that Starr was involved in a terrifying accident that shifted her course significantly.
After waking up in a hospital room with a large laceration running down the left side of her face, Starr was faced with the reality that her modeling and acting career was over. It was a defining moment — surprisingly, she remembers a feeling of calm and peace that came after this realization. Her rigorous pursuit of education and self-discovery over the years had resulted in a strong core and sense of self that could not be diminished by the loss of physical beauty.
With the help of faith and good friends, Starr had a full recovery. To spread the valuable lesson she learned, Starr became a spokeswoman for FIDM. She traveled and lectured to students on “Marketing Yourself in The Electronic Age.”
Her message was one of strength and hope, and her intent was to show women that they could show up in the world in a powerful way and conquer anything that they set their minds to. Her lectures received such positive response that she was moved to launch a production company, Field of Dreams, to reach a larger audience by producing inspiring, meaningful films and documentaries.
Starr’s desire to prove that beauty was not about physical perfection inspired her to direct a reality piece centered on her quest to join the cast of the Price Is Right as a “Bob Barker Beauty.” A risky undertaking considering that she didn’t know whether she would be able to actually land the job — yet she was determined and quickly landed the role, enabling her to successfully complete her first documentary, “The Making Of A Price Is Right Model.”
“I’ve always thought that even if you weren’t the most probable candidate for success, as long as you have ambition, persistence, and a strong work ethic, it’s possible to climb mountains and be victorious in all your affairs.” Starr said.
When Multimesh approached Starr to oversee the Marketing division for CAN, Starr felt it was the perfect culmination of all of her experience, both on and off camera. As the Head of Marketing, she is responsible for the company’s aggressive expansion, as well as the much-awaited launch of CAN. Since CAN will add four new channels this fall, with family and value-centered programming, Starr is thrilled to about this opportunity.
“I loved being able to reach out to the young generation,” Starr said. “I’m excited to continue touching this audience, but on a much larger scale, through CAN’s meaningful, family-oriented programming.”
Her beautiful message is heard loud and clear.
Ojai — The Perfect Escape
After completing a seriously demanding nightmare of a project, I realized it was time for some much-needed respite.
Yet with only a few days before my next project began, I needed to find a place where I could recharge and rejuvenate in the quickest, dirtiest way possible. Luckily, I picked the perfect locale — the charming town of Ojai, California. It was exactly what I needed — in just two days, I felt like a completely new woman.
I stayed at The Oaks at Ojai (www.oaksspa.com), which I chose because of its reputation for being comfortable and unassuming. It was a great pick — the staff was legitimately friendly and there was absolutely no attitude — I leave Los Angeles for a reason. The newly renovated rooms were nice and relaxing, and as a whole, the place has a casual yet welcoming feel, perfect for a woman traveling by herself (did I mention I also needed some alone time?). The minute I got there, I felt like I was in an entirely different world — it was hard to believe I was only an hour and a half away from Los Angeles.
The food at The Oaks was outstanding and amounted to between 1000 and 1200 calories a day — obviously ideal for anyone trying to lose weight. I consider myself a foodie, so was a little apprehensive about such a small allotment of calories, but everything was full of flavor and texture, and I felt full after every meal. Best of all, both lunch and dinner included a low-cal, delicious dessert.
The fitness classes were fun — I took a relaxing yoga class and belly dancing, as well as the mind/body awareness class, which is an awesome stress reliever. There are a full array of exercise classes, including guided hikes, cardio, muscle conditioning, rollerblading, Qi Gong, Tai Chi, Dance and water workout classes, among others. In addition, there is a special optional program every evening so you can continue your foray into wellness.
The spa services were equally outstanding. There is a wide array of body treatments, salon services and massages. I indulged in the Massage.com treatment and was absolutely blown away. At first, I was a little disappointed when I saw that my massage therapist was a woman. I hate to admit that a savvy gal like me has always preferred male massage therapists; I’ve just never had a female who was strong enough to affect my extremely tense muscles. Yet my therapist at the Oaks, Heather, was probably the best to ever work on me. Strong and well-versed in the healing arts (she does Reiki, too), she gave me one of the deepest and most relaxing massages in my life!
Being in what is coined as the “spiritual capital of the world,” I couldn’t spend my entire stay indulging and pampering myself, so I decided to check out some of Ojai’s highly recommended sites and places. My first stop was Meditation Mount (www.meditation.com), an absolutely gorgeous point at the top of the East End of the valley. It is beautiful and serene, and a definite inspiration for meditation. Next was a visit to Soul Centered (www.soulcentered.com), a metaphysical shop like no other, where I picked up some awesome aromatherapy products, books and fragrant chakra sprays. The store holds all sorts of great events, from astrology courses and Qi Gong classes to concerts, healing ceremonies and other cool workshops. The owner is full of information (I learned that Ojai is basically a feminine energy vortex — love it!) and is extremely generous and helpful.
If you are looking for some good shopping, downtown Ojai hosts quaint bookstores, shops and charming art galleries, in and around the Arcade Plaza. Also worth a visit, if you’re in the mood for some challenging yoga, is Lulu Bandha’s — more than just a yoga studio, Lulu Bandhas (www.lulubandhas.com) hosts Ojai’s famous Yoga Crib, a weekend immersion in yoga and meditation in historically significant and sacred venues. Yogis travel from all over the world to attend this “yoga pilgrimage,” which takes place Friday, October 23- Sunday, October 25 this year.
All in all, my mini-vacation worked wonders on my mind, body and spirit. I was more relaxed, a little lighter in weight, physically challenged — and wondering how quickly I can make it back to Ojai!
Chaton Anderson is a Writer and the Publicity Director for TheSavvyGal.com. A product and pop culture addict, she is always looking for the coolest, hippest things on the market, as well as the newest health and fitness trends to hit the scene. Email her at Chaton@TheSavvyGal.com with questions or leads on products and services on the cutting edge.
Gifts for Mom, Part Two!
Give mom the ultimate gift of relaxation with a Therapy Bath Basket in Lavender by That’s Caring. Their Web site (www.ThatsCaring.com) is packed with a plethora of unique gift baskets to suit every possible taste or style – but the Lavender basket is to die for. With body butter, natural bar soap, liquid hand soap, bath salts, shower gel and a soy candle, it promises an indulgent, relaxing respite, guaranteed to soothe the most frayed of nerves within seconds of stepping into the bath. The high quality products in this basket come from The Enterprising Kitchen (www.theenterprisingkitchen.org), a fair-trade, nonprofit enterprise that provides workforce development and support services for women working towards self-sufficiency and economic independence. Purchasing the Tub Therapy baskets supports this organization and its worthy programs.
- Best of all, That’s Caring is offering a free basket to the lucky Savvy gal who emails the name of this week’s Mover and Shaker to Chaton@thesavvygal.com before anyone else!
- Become is offering a complimentary set to the winner of another Savvy drawing — email Chaton@thesavvygal.com before anyone else!
Another great indulgence is Become‘s set of Color Therapy Masks. With six in a box, it makes for a long-lasting gift that promises hydration, relaxation and better skin. These unique, no-mess, peel-off masks are technologically advanced for maximum absorption of their active, scientific ingredients and botanical extracts. These powerful masks revitalize your skin, leaving it silky smooth and radiant while minimizing the appearance of fine lines. Perfect for an instant boost to recharge your skin and your senses! The set includes pink for soothing stress and anti-aging, orange to revitalize your skin and uplift your spirit, and green to relax your senses and rehydrate your skin.www.becomebeauty.com
with the name of the book featured in last week’s Glass Ceiling Demolitionists column.
Moms everywhere have been waiting for the No Lipo Lipo DVD — it’s finally available! The No Lipo Lipo DVD shows users how to apply an amazing knuckle type treatment that breaks down fat deposits and smoothes cellulite, while firming and toning. This proprietary technique employs strong, upward sweeping motions in order to reverse gravity, tighten skin and reduce inches all over the body, unlike a liposuction procedure, which reduces fat one or two areas only. Non-invasive and completely safe, the results are unrivalled by any other body sculpting treatment. Also demonstrated is a Dry Brushing technique that strengthens connective tissue and firms the skin, leaving it silky smooth and younger looking. www.nolipolipo.com
Mom will undoubtedly indulge in one of Shidon Naturals Ultimate Moisturizing Body Wash Bars. These delicious handmade bars of soap contain all natural ingredients such as coconut oil, shea butter, rose hip oil, vitamin E and red raspberry oil, along with natural essential oils for scent. Wrapped in beautiful handmade paper, they’re available in some gorgeous scents, including lavender eucalyptus, sage pomegranate, grapefruit bergamot, and lemongrass verbena. They can be purchased by clicking here http://www.greenraising.com/Shidon-Naturals-Ultimate-Moisturizing-Body-Wash-Bar-P101C7.asp and you can take comfort in the knowledge that with everything you buy on their site, you get to choose a charity that receives 25-40 percent of your purchase price!
For the mom who’s serious about her anti-aging regimen, Bioelements Overnight Rejuvenation Kit is an integral component for younger looking skin. We all know that while we sleep our skin is hard at work trying to undo all the damage and rejuvenate in time for tomorrow. With this kit, mom will definitely make the most of her sleep! It includes Probotix Anti-aging Serum (Bioelements’ latest revolutionary product), Sleepwear — packed with calcium, retinol, protein peptides and cranberry seed oil to strengthen and repair visible damage, Quick Refiner to smooth and refine, and as a bonus, Multi-Task Eye Creme to firm, de-puff, moisturize and reduce dark circles all in one step.
Another groundbreaking option for the mom who is conscientious about her skincare regimen is Osmotics Cosmeceuticals’ Best Of Beauty Bag — a collection of award-winning favorites designed to take care of every skincare need with incredible anti-aging ingredients and breakthrough technologies. The bag is a fun zebra print clutch that includes Hydrating Cleanser, Renovage Cellular Longevity Serum, Blue Copper 5 Firming Elasticity Repair, Blue Copper 5 Lip & Tuck (probably one of the best lip treatments I have ever tried), Anti-Radical Age Defense Barrier Longevity Complex and Age Prevention Protection Extreme SPF 40. It’s a tremendous value and the perfect way to get glowing and beautiful just in time for summer! www.osmotics.com
Carol’s Daughter is offering a beautiful Mother’s Day Gift Set called Pearls, filled with their unforgettable Eau de Toilette and special Body Creme Deluxe. Sparkling with lemon verbena, apricot and peach, Pearls evolves into a floral heart of jasmine, rose and violet, topped off by warm vanilla and sweet caramel. The gorgeous gift set arrives inside a lovely keepsake jewelry box, making it a very special gift. www.CarolsDaughter.com
Diptyque has launched its new Art of Body Care Collection, with five outstanding new fragrances inspired by five amazing destinations along the Mediterranean — from Florence to Byzantium, Aleppo to Alexandria, and on to Cordoba, Spain. Mom will love their Creamy Body Wash in Olive Flower & Bay Laurel, Fresh Body Lotion in Orange Blossom, Rich Body Butter in Turkish Rose, Luxurious Hand Balm in Apricot, and Body & Bath Oil in Iris. Designed for the well-being of both the body and soul, these products do not contain any parabens, synthetic coloring agents, TEA, DEA, glycols, silicones, PEG, aluminum or sulfates derived from petrochemicals.
Chaton Anderson is a Writer and the Publicity Director for TheSavvyGal.com. A product and pop culture addict, she is always looking for the coolest, hippest things on the market, as well as the newest health and fitness trends to hit the scene. Email her at Chaton@thesavvygal.com with questions or leads on products and services on the cutting edge.
Eco Stiletto-ite Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff
In honor of Earth day, we’re profiling the founder of EcoStiletto.com (www.Ecostiletto.com), Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff.
Rachel is an absolute inspiration to women everywhere, especially to those working to make a difference for the environment.
A writer, producer and spokesperson who represents eco-friendly living, Rachel co-founded GreenGirlGuide.com in 2007 and in 2008 founded EcoStiletto.com, an online magazine dedicated to eco-friendly fashion, beauty and lifestyle.
Now a powerhouse in the eco-friendly community, EcoStiletto is a truly innovative site that features green picks in beauty, health, fashion, parenting and other relevant areas of life. It shows you how eco-friendly choices can help turn your carbon footprint “from a ginormous Ugg into an oh-so-slender Manolo.” It’s packed with information that provides green alternatives and shows you how to make a difference without giving up what’s most important to you.
Rachel was always careful about the environment, even as a child. “My father teaches Native American Studies at UCLA, so I grew up going to Pow Wows and thanking the plant every time I cut a flower,” Rachel said. Her cautious nature turned into a serious passion when she was pregnant with her third child in 2006. “I discovered Healthy Child, Healthy World and really started understanding how important it is to put your money where your mouth is,” she said.
“I learned about the links between asthma and cleaning products, breast cancer and parabens in beauty products, and that it takes one third of a pound of pesticide to make enough cotton for one t-shirt. That was a downer.”
Thankfully, Rachel started discovering all the amazing “green” options and began sharing them with others. “There are so many options — organic cotton, cheap eco-friendly cleaners you can make from vinegar, totally gorgeous makeup without chemicals!” Rachel said. “I started using them and talking about them with my friends and that started a conversation. Then I started writing about them and the conversation got bigger. Now I’m chatting with 30,000 women a month!”
Rachel’s mission is to spread the word about all the amazing eco-friendly options out there and to prove to doubters that green fashion and beauty is just as chic and stylish and sexy and gorgeous — not to mention affordable — as anything else on the market. “The word is getting out there but sometimes I feel like I’m preaching to the choir,” she said. “I want to grow my readership to the point where just as many people are reading EcoStiletto in Des Moines as in Los Angeles or New York!”
When asked if she faced any obstacles as a woman starting a business, her answer is one that many women can relate to. “I think the biggest challenge as a woman is that I started this process when I was pregnant with my third child. What was I thinking?” she said. “Obviously, having small children is a challenge in itself. But that’s so common among women.
We don’t stop for anything!” Her advice to other women … “Follow your dreams! Don’t be afraid to sacrifice for them.”
Rachel was a reporter for PlanetGreen.com and Treehugger.com, and wrote the “L.A. Story” column on Sprig.com. Her “Mommy Greenest” blog on greener parenting is hosted at Yahoo’s Shine. As a small-screen environista, Rachel has guested on eco-lifestyle “Extra,” “Hollywood Green,” “Good Day L.A.” and TV Guide Channel’s “The Fashion Team” segments, as well as appearing in EcoStiletto and GreenGirlGuide video segments. She has alson spoken on behalf of the national non-profit, Healthy Child, Healthy World, and Whole Foods’ Whole Body department. A green living television show co-written by Rachel is in development.
Rachel spent 10 years as a magazine reporter and editor, beginning with an internship at Paris City Magazine while living in France in 1993. She was editor-in-chief of Children magazine and West Coast beauty trade editor for Fairchild Publications. As a freelancer, she wrote the beauty pages for Spa magazine and special sections for Daily Variety, while also contributing to WWD, among others. Her six-page article on green beauty appeared in SELF May 2008, and she’s working on an eco-parenting book called Mommy Greenest.
A graduate of UCSB, Rachel worked as a publicist while completing her masters degree in journalism at USC. She left Fairchild Publications in 2002 to found Sugar Public Relations, where she created nuanced marketing campaigns and event planning for clients such as the Step Up Women’s Network, benefiting disadvantaged women and girls nationwide.
Rachel also consulted with clients on “greening” their product lines, with results such as the organic line of Lilyfield Cakes. In this emphasis on environmental and social awareness, Sugar came to reflect Rachel’s personal code of ethics.
In 2008, Rachel closed the company to focus on other projects. A mother of three, Rachel and her family reduce, reuse and recycle in Los Angeles.
Read more about Rachel and her GIVEAWAY(!) at http://www.ecostiletto.com/
Savvy Gifts for Mom
Mother’s Day is around the corner, so it’s time to find a unique gift for the special woman in your life to thank her for all of her hard work. Show her love with some pampering gifts that are stylish, make life easier, or help her relax and unwind …
The Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth headset is the stylish way to be hands-free! This colorful, functional and great looking Bluetooth is like no other, and comes with a matching, lipstick-sized charging case. It actually holds a full charge, perfect for powering up when you can’t plug in. The Discovery 925 comes in black, purple, white and gold. Great news: two lucky Savvy Gal readers will have the opportunity to give mom a gift that she’ll love to use — for free! Send an email with the name of Elizabeth Arden’s new fragrance to chaton@thesavvygal.com for your chance to win The Discovery 925 (hint: you can find it in last week’s Savvy Style column). Only TheSavvyGal readers are eligible to win. www.plantronics.com/north_america/en_US/products/mobile/bluetooth-headsets/discovery-925-black
Unfortunately, acne is not limited to the teen world. Once you get into the arena of adult acne, there are scary conditions like cystic acne, which leaves nasty scarring. Thankfully, Zeno, the only FDA-approved device of its kind, has released the Zeno Mini. Small enough to fit into any clutch or travel bag, the Zeno Mini uses painless heat to treat blemishes by killing the bacteria that causes them to surface and worsen — so basically, you can zap a blemish before it surfaces. Clinical trials have proven that 90 percent of Zeno users saw their blemishes disappear or fade significantly within 24-48 hours. It’s an absolute must-have for anyone who suffers from breakouts. Safe, natural and “green,” the Zeno Mini is available at www.MyZeno.com.
The Relax Intuit CD — “Your Present: A Half Hour of Peace,” is an awesome way to provide a little respite to the stressed out mom. This soothing, stress-relieving CD is a guided meditation for physical and spiritual wellness by national mind-body Stress Relief Facilitator Susie Mantell. It’s a great escape from a hectic day or a prelude to deep, restful sleep. www.relaxintuit.com
Mighty Leaf Tea’s Abaca Spa Box is an ideal way to provide Mom with a relaxing treat to enjoy in the comfort of her own home. Made from an eco-friendly blend of treeless paper, this handcrafted box contains two Oasia bath pouches filled with Dead Sea Salts, green tea leaves, 22 essential oils and verbena leaves, as well as eight whole leaf tea pouches to help Mom relax and nourish herself. The tea varieties included are Chamomile Citrus, African Nectar, Ginger Twist and Rainforest Mate. It’s a steal at $19.95 and can be purchased at www.Mightyleaf.com.
For the wine aficionado and chocolate lover, how about a membership to the California Wine Club (www.cawineclub.com)? They’ve partnered with Choclatique (www.Choclatique.com) to create an awesome Mother’s Day gift: recipients who place orders for two months or more will receive a four-piece box of fine artisan chocolates that perfectly complement the California Wine Club’s hand-selected, award-winning wines. Another unique gift idea for Mother’s Day is Choclatique’s Bubbly chocolates made with Dom Perignon. Peruse their Web site at www.choclatique.com for more delicious “out of the box” chocolates.
Chocolate lovers will also be absolutely overwhelmed by The Mother’s Day Medley of Fairytale Brownies. I am a chocolate fan like no other, but for some reason never liked brownies — these babies had me at hello. They are the most decadent treats I’ve ever had! Baked by hand using a secret family recipe, Fairytale Brownies are all-natural, made from pure creamery butter and farm fresh eggs. The box includes three sizes of brownies in delicious flavors like caramel, toffee crunch, cream cheese, chocolate chip, walnut, raspberry swirl, pecan, mint chocolate, espresso nib, peanut butter and original. I’m just hoping they need me to sample more in the very near future! www.brownies.com
A new anti-aging product that works with all skincare systems is something mom will truly appreciate: Perlabella PureDose Pearls with Microsponge Technology. The latest in Italian skincare, they are anti-aging serum “pearls” available in four formulas (Retinol Face, Q10 Face, Vitamin C Face and Retinol Eye) and are the highest concentration of anti-aging ingredients available over the counter. Perlabella PureDose Pearls are unique because they are airtight, making it impossible for water, air or preservatives to compromise the integrity of their ingredients, thus ensuring their effectiveness. They’re a great value and a perfect gift to help mom preserve her youthful looks. www.perlabella.com
For the mom with wanderlust, Icy Bag is the ideal way to protect cosmetics and skincare products. It’s a truly innovative cosmetic bag that is fully insulated to prevent beauty products from getting hot, sticky or melted. Icy Bag can also extend the shelf life of many products by preventing harmful bacteria from growing. With a three-ounce freezer gel pack included for extended cooling, it’s airplane-certified and just right for travel, the beach, golf course, outdoor activities and driving in the hot car! It’s a unique, fun and affordable gift — and mom’s favorite lipstick will never melt again! Made of water resistant, rip-stop nylon with a coordinating inside pouch for the gel pack, Icy Bag comes in black, pink/tan and turquoise/black. www.icybag.com
Stay tuned for the next installment in Savvy Style for more great gift ideas to make this the best Mother’s Day ever!
Chaton Anderson is a Writer and the Publicity Director for TheSavvyGal.com. A product and pop culture addict, she is always looking for the coolest, hippest things on the market, as well as the newest health and fitness trends to hit the scene. Email her at Chaton@TheSavvyGal.com with questions or leads on products and services on the cutting edge.
Support a Children’s Charity and Win!
We want to give you savvy gals the heads up on a couple of cool contests going on right now, one that benefits the Prayer Child Foundation and another that will benefit the winner (and a friend) with the ultimate getaway: a spa vacation for two! The other will benefit one of our own savvy readers with a scrumptious candle from one of our favorite makers, Gold Canyon.
WIN A GOLD CANYON CANDLE FROM SAVVY GAL
We’re offering our readers the chance to win Gold Canyon’s super delicious Orange Mango candle from their Bella series — this amazingly indulgent candle is reminiscent of lazy afternoons relaxing on a warm, tropical beach, and that is exactly what makes up the essence of its aroma — the scent is bursting with mango, tangerine and sweet floral musk. To win, email chaton@thesavvygal.com with the company where this week’s Mover and Shaker currently works. Good luck! www.goldcanyon.com
Gold Canyon has a new online charity game called “The Candle Game.” It’s simple, fun and best of all, for each person that plays The Candle Game, Gold Canyon will donate 10 cents to the Prayer Child Foundation.
The Prayer Child Foundation helps children with physical and emotional challenges by providing financial support, opportunity for involvement to help others and hope for a positive future. Gold Canyon’s goal is to attract 50,000 players of The Candle Game by April 30, 2009. To play, visit http://thecandlegame.com.
YOUR CHANCE TO GET PRETTY AND WIN AN INDULGENT SPA VACATION FOR TWO
Through April 19, Elizabeth Arden is offering the chance to win a fabulous spa vacation for two, plus the entire new Pretty Elizabeth Arden collection.
Click here for details and to enter: http://www.style.com/promo/elizabetharden/pretty. This awesome prize includes: airfare; accommodations for five nights; massage treatment; $100 credit toward additional spa services — the entire Pretty Elizabeth Arden collection, a value of over $150
Elizabeth Arden’s newest fragrance, Pretty, is a spirited scent with exceptional charm -perfect for spring and summer! Its premiere ingredient (and core of the fragrance), Petalia, is the perfect floral; it’s the very essence of femininity. It is surrounded by a melange of fruits, including orange blossom, peach nectar and Italian Mandarin ORPUR, and wrapped in a background of serene woods. Pretty will definitely leave your admirers with an indelible impression of your innate femininity.
Chaton Anderson is a Writer and the Publicity Director for TheSavvyGal.com. A product and pop culture addict, she is always looking for the coolest, hippest things on the market, as well as the newest health and fitness trends to hit the scene. Email her at Chaton@TheSavvyGal.com with questions or leads on products and services on the cutting edge.
Yelena Burnett is a Star
In Tinseltown, there are many stars, but none shine quite as bright as creative superstar Yelena Burnett. Originally from Kiev (formerly the Soviet Union — now the Ukraine), Yelena’s love of art started early — as a little girl, her heart was set on being an artist and she was often caught drawing her one-of-a-kind “masterpieces” on the walls of her family home.
Now a resident Angeleno (aka Los Angeles), Yelena Burnett uses her inspired talent to her advantage as the Vice President of the Print division of Hollywood powerhouse Creative Asylum (www.creativeasylum.com).
Headquartered in the entertainment capital of the world, Creative Asylum is an Emmy-award winning integrated digital agency that successfully develops and executes integrated marketing campaigns for a variety of leading entertainment, hospitality and lifestyle clients. The company mission is to communicate brand and product messaging for its clients in innovative, exciting ways that result in wide-ranging exposure.
As the VP of Print, Yelena directs creative, hires designers and uses her vast creativity to help craft unique, memorable campaigns. “It’s the perfect position for me, because I love building things,” says Yelena. “Not only was I given the opportunity to build an entire department from scratch, but with the team, we build campaigns that have integrity and are focused on the art,” she noted.
It was in 1980 that Yelena moved to the United States to pursue her creative endeavors. She recalls arriving in New York City as a young girl, feeling scared yet overcome with excitement. If you ask her, she will tell you that the Big Apple taught her to be fiercely independent and infused her with the go-getter energy she has today.
After graduating from Columbia University, Yelena moved to Europe for a year, where she spent the majority of her time restoring historical landmarks in Belgium. She then traveled through Europe, as well as to Africa and South America. She believes that her travels made her hyper-aware and accepting of many world cultures. A huge benefit to visiting many countries was that she was able to experience firsthand the way other cultures expressed beauty and creativity.
Fluent in four languages, Yelena used her wide-ranging background and vast experience to create the print division at Creative Asylum “from the ground up.” Under her expert guidance, this flourishing, dynamic department quickly became integral to the company’s incredible success in integrated marketing.
Yelena’s team has worked on some amazing campaigns ranging from “The Mummy: The Tomb of the Dragon Emperor” and “Wanted” for Universal, the “Rescue Me” DVD campaign for Sony Home Entertainment, and the “Valkyrie” teaser campaign for United Artists, among many others. The division is currently working on all the artwork for “Aaron Stone” for Disney, as well as the new XD channel they are creating.
“The projects we work on are exciting and challenging, and the team here at Creative Asylum is extremely inspiring,” Yelena said. “The energy and creativity that everyone here possesses is incredible.”
When asked what gets her out of bed in the morning, Yelena responded with, “Life and all its beautiful aspects — people, nature, art, film, architecture, but most importantly LOVE of life itself.” She attributes her strength of spirit to her grandmother Evdokia, who was among other things, a WWII vet, a federal prosecutor for the city of KIEV in the USSR, an amazing chef, and the kindest and warmest human being Yelena has ever known. She considers herself lucky to have also been graced by several other strong and inspiring women along the way who shaped her both a woman and a businesswoman.
In a town with so much aspiring creativity, it’s a breath of fresh air to meet a woman so grounded and focused, who is really making waves in the entertainment industry. Of the industry itself, Yelena said, “The synthesis of creative minds that work together as a team is unparalleled to any other industry, in my opinion. The writers, filmmakers, designers, editors and marketing talent, as well as the general public, all add to the alchemy of this business.”
Chaton Anderson is a Writer and the Publicity Director for TheSavvyGal.com. A product and pop culture addict, she is always looking for the coolest, hippest things on the market, as well as the newest health and fitness trends to hit the scene. Email her at Chaton@TheSavvyGal.com with questions or leads on products and services on the cutting edge.
Unleash Your Inner Pin Up Girl!
Ever felt like doing something different to bond with your girlfriends to celebrate the amazing women that you are?
Have a pin up party (www.pin-up-party.com)! It’s a classy new take on getting glammed up and honoring your feminine wiles; and it is the perfect idea for a unique birthday or bachelorette party.
If you’ve ever pictured yourself lounging inside a champagne glass or jumping out of a birthday cake, but wanted to keep your clothes on, then a pin-up party is for you. Founder Gina Gattina, of Santa Monica, California created this innovative get-together as a way for women to play dress up, drink some bubbly, do some bonding and leave feeling confident, saucy and sexy. She designs a relaxed, supportive atmosphere for you and your friends to congregate and enjoy the support of stylists to get you looking beautiful and stylish in a gorgeous vintage way.
To start, you and your friends will receive a consultation to determine the look you are going for, decide on wardrobe, and to give you advice on how best to prepare for the shoot so that you look and feel your best. See The Savvy Gal’s article on getting red carpet ready for ideas to prepare in advance. While Pin-Up-Party provides wardrobe, you are also encouraged to bring your own fun and flirty wardrobe that already inspires you.
On the day of the shoot, you will come to the studio and relax with some bubbly while you get ready. A female photographer will get you warmed up and in the mood to pose and gallivant with your friends to produce some stunning shots that you will want to keep forever. Pin-Up-Party photographers will take a vast number of photos to ensure that you have time to get comfortable in front of the camera (note: this company does no boudoir style or nude shots). Afterwards, they use their photoshop skills to retouch and make up for any little imperfections that you may have or that the camera may create (love that!).
Once you find your dream shots, Gina will help you create an array of fun souvenirs from this exciting event. You can turn your photos into key chains, notebook covers, playing cards, and magnets — and you can even become a calendar girl or be simulated on a Pulp Fiction cover if you truly want to unleash your inner vixen.
Pin-Up-Party packages include delicious French champagne, fruit and crudit‚s, and there are myriad choices for those on any budget. My friends and I were shocked at the extremely reasonable prices, and it’s the perfect way to cheer up and forget about all the doom and gloom the news is focused on. You really feel empowered after one of these parties, and it’s an incredibly fun way to commemorate your inner and outer beauty.
For more information, visit www.pin-up-party.com.
Chaton Anderson is a Writer and the Publicity Director for TheSavvyGal.com. A product and pop culture addict, she is always looking for the coolest, hippest things on the market, as well as the newest health and fitness trends to hit the scene. Email her at Chaton@TheSavvyGal.com with questions or leads on products and services on the cutting edge.
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