Modern Girl Style

Sophie Monk Style

Sophie Monk has got celebrity style that every young lady seeks. She's a combination of sexiness, playfulness, and down-to-earth good looks. If you missed her in Date Movie, here is a hilarious recap:

Here are more photos to get you inspired to look your best around town. Let everyday be a day to inspire your inner goddess!

Monk has total control over her makeup, of course, make-up artists help with that! Don't fret if black eyeliner is hard to apply, take a lazy weekend & go for it! My favorite trick of the trade, that just might change your approach, is to switch out your angle brush to a brush that's meant for your lips. The soft bristles are easier around your sensitive eyes and the liner looks more natural.

Beauty works for PETA

Sophie Monk supports the troops. Here she is hangin' with the Girls!

Back to Monk in LA

Hope that inspired you on your next shopping trip!

Listen to Modern Girl Style Radio

Do you Jango? Internet Radio is something that's been up and down over the last few years, but Jango, a social internet radio website, is simply wonderful! In August, I received a special invitation to try it out & I haven't stopped listening.

Modern Girl Style has set up two radio stations, one is pop music and the other station is rock. Listening is free,the music is awesome, sign-up & add Modern Girl Style as friend! Better yet, start your own station! The bottom line is have fun discovering more music, 100% commerical-free!

Trace Adkins Rocks to Make a Difference

If you haven't been watching Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice, then what have you been doing with your Thursday nights!It was a wild ride that was worth sitting in front of the TV. Hola! I haven't enjoyed a show this much since the first few seasons of The Hills.

Last night was the final battle between Trace Adkins, country music star,

and the tabloid editor, Piers Morgan.

However, it quickly became apparent that the battle was truly the difference between having an amazing work ethic like Trace Adkins or, well, not, like Piers Morgan.  Ultimately, Piers Morgan won because he had just one wealthy banker spend $200,000 at his celebrity auction. In addition, Ivanka Trump spent $6,000 on one item. His grand total was something like $384,000. All moneys were donated to assist the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. In addition to winning the title of Celebrity Apprentice, Donald Trump  also gave an additional $250,000 to Morgans  charity. Despite his cunning and sometimes questionable approach, it is in the end for a good cause.

Trace Adkins isn't the loser in all of this. In fact, he helped to raise over $100,000 for FANN (Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network). He also has dedicated his song, "You're Going to Miss This" (click to listen)

to helping raise even more money for FANN. This song, only $0.99, will donate profits to FANN and it perhaps is the cheapest donation you might ever make in your life! In any case, I've embedded a sample of Adkins voice which brings new meaning to an old, old song, The Star Spangled Banner.

Click this iTunes link below to purchase Adkins amazing & beautiful single. I can't stop listening to it!

A Creative Lesson in Print, Pattern, & Texture

People can be so frightened to include print, pattern, and texture into their homes. Why? There is the argument for simplicity in design, but browse through this Marrakesh home and discover the refreshing values of PPT (print, pattern, and texture).

Creative Project Idea

One great technique that can get you over any fears that you might have is to create a collection of fabric swatches. Head down to an interior design fabric store and ask for a few samples or hunt through fabric stores. Take a folder, punch holes or use these plastic clips if you don't want to punch holes, and store your collection. When you've got a nice variety of fabrics. Use an artist color wheel and select three fabric swatches.

Ask yourself these questions:

What are the dominant colors of the first, second, and third fabric?
What are the values of these colors?
Are these fabrics complimentary colors?
What impression do these three fabrics give you?
How would you work these fabrics into a living room or a dining room?

Have fun, learn from the world around you, and never be frightened to try something new!

Post Resource: Browsing the internet can sometimes feel like an addiction until you find that one website that makes it all worth it. Today I discovered My Marrakesh. It's a lifestyle & design blog devoted exclusively to an American family living in Marrakesh.  This month she met a LA couple, featured in this months Elle Decor magazine, that recently moved to Marrakesh and started Popham Design, where they export tile to places like Ann Sacks. You've got to love their spirit & adventure which is reflected in every room of their house!

Studio 9one2

Architecture is more complicated than it has ever been. It is about ingenuity, resources, style and design  as well as redefining existing spaces and considering environment impact.  Yes, that's a tall order! Now try working in cities like Manhattan Beach to Malibu where the million dollar homes are being replaced with eight digit homes and every is one is a celebrity. Now that's starting to sound like environmental stress!

Studio 9one2 sounds like a scene from LA Story, but the man behind the scenes, Patrick Killen, Managing Principal of the firm, has made it his mission to reconstruct and improve the LA living experience.

Take a Moment to Think About The City in which you Live

Take a few minutes on your commute to work or your commute home to reflect on the condition, structure, and aesthetic quality surrounding your life! Studio 9one2 might inspire you to think differently about the city in which you live. Here are more highlights from Patrick Killen's portfolio and a few questions to consider:

When is the last time that you reflected on the homes and business in your community?
What do you like about your community?
What do you think about Patrick Killen's architectural vision? Would you like to live in one of his homes?

Patrick Killen won the Manhattan Beach World Trade Center Memorial.

On a different project, Killen's design concept helped a struggling daycare facility blossom into a state of the art facility with a wait list.

More residences with stunning design:

Could you handle this floor on a daily basis? I know I couldn't, but it's still exciting design!

 

Party Basics for New Nesters by Maria McBride

BOOK REVIEW

The wedding is over. The thank-you cards have been sent and the dress has been carefully cleaned, pressed, and put away. Maybe, it's at this point that the real marriage begins. Time is inevitable, holidays creep up, and you've got a few mother-in-laws, aunts, uncles, and gobs more family & friends that are ready to party at your place!

Now what? That wedding might have cost more than you expected and it might seem impossible to host a party larger than you & your husband! Don't fret! Maria McBride's new book, Party Basics for New Nesters, is a fabulous book for couples that want to party with elegance & style. However, there are two important reasons you need to add this book to your shelf. Here we go..

Reason #1

Maria encourages newly weds to step out of the box & think about the things around you. It might be as simple as a display of stones or floating flowers, but these simple elements can elevate a cocktail party atmosphere, without costing more than a few dollars. Let me repeat this point, the ideas in this book won't cost you tons of money, like a Martha Stewart project. This book is packed with tons of seasonal tips and advice that will make any newly wed couple seem like seasoned pros with mula in the bank.

Reason # 2

This book is crammed with eco-friendly party options. She implements the use of natural fibers, like burlap napkins or recycled cardboard drink coasters, and ways to reuse and recycle. With a few creative twists old materials become beautiful table top elements. And, her green ideas keep growing! Maria is awesome at re-purposing materials.  This book will inspire you to think differently about empty wine bottles and old towels! Yikes, that sounds like I'm touching back on my first point, saving money! Green consciousness not only helps the earth, but it cuts down on the amount of new material that you need to gather and that'll save you time, too.  Why not learn how to use stamps to create your own one-of-kind coaster, you'll be less stressed out! Isn't it time to get eco-creative with how we decorate for parties? The answer is yes! We'll discover that beautiful memories were made in the process and that there will be more than enough money left-over for the next time your inlaws come-a-knockin'!

BOOK SUMMARY

You did it! You got married and hosted what was probably the most significant party of your life. Now it's time to begin that very important first year as a married couple. Taking your first steps as newlyweds should be an extension of the wonderful events that just took place, paving the way for all of the celebrations to come in your new life together. And there isn't a better guide through this first year than Maria McBride, who knows from experience that spending quality time with family and friends is the healthiest way to embrace and celebrate a new partnership.

With McBride's signature dose of style and elegance, this book guides newlyweds through their new world of couples entertaining, offering ideas for every occasion, including romantic parties for two, weekend feasts, family celebrations, and holidays. Organized by event, each chapter is beautifully designed and filled with photographs that capture the stylish decor, table settings, and menu options that make these ideas extraordinary. From a New Year's Eve midnight buffet filled with crystal vases and caviar shooters, to a Cinco de Mayo celebration highlighted with candlelit trees and salsa-tinis, Party Basics for New Nesters provides newlyweds with plenty of avenues to celebrate and offer a toast to family, friends, and each other.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Maria McBride is internationally recognized as a wedding style guru. She produces special events and her work appears in Brides magazine where she is currently the Wedding Style Director. Additionally, she has written columns for InStyle and Country Home, and her work has been featured on Brides.com, TheKnot.com, BizBash.com, WeddingChannel.com, and on her own site, MariaMcBride.com. McBride has also been a featured guest on the Today show and Movie & A Makeover. She is the author of the series of books, The Perfect Wedding, The Perfect Wedding Reception, and The Perfect Wedding Details.

 

   

The Passion of the Christ: Four years Later...

The Passion of the Christ

Before Mel Gibson was arrested for DUI's in the Hollywood hills and built churches in Malibu, he directed a film, The Passion of the Christ, in 2004 that left people stunned with a new vision of the bible and the brutality that Jesus Christ endured.

Nothing like a movie to make an impact and it still does four years later. The images are riveting.

As always, Youtube has got all sorts of video, but this short video, with much of the violence not included, does a wonderful job at handling Mary's personal struggle. If you're Christian, Muslim, Pagan, or whatever, this movie and this video will have you looking beyond the issue of religion and staring into the face of humanity. Sometimes you just have to wonder when will the violence stop.

 

Milica Tempest Jewelry

Sometimes great discoveries happen when you least expect it. For me, it happened when I was staying in Toronto and went into the local library. Lo and behold, the glass cases were filled with astonishing beautiful jewelry. The collection of jewelry felt modern, raw, and inspired by beautiful earthy textures and materials. I also like that the jewelry draped down the neck in a modern way and most of the collection felt simplified and not overdone.

I grabbed a business card and made a mental note. Two weeks later, I came back to the same cases and everything was sold out! Had I only know that I could buy something directly from the library, I would have pounced! But, good things happen for a reason. She even opened up shop at Etsy. Check out her store here!

MEET MILICA TEMPEST

Milica Tempest studied fashion and has worked as a fashion designer for the past 19 years. Her interest in fashion lead her to study jewelry-making as a hobby. She began studying ancient beading techniques and soon found her own voice in her designs. Most of her designs are modern, clean, industrial and are always made with semi-precious stones or other natural materials.

Q & A WITH MILICA

Milica takes a quick break from her hectic schedule to share her inspirations & dreams!

1. How did your interest in jewelry begin and how long have you been creating your designs?

I have always been interested in jewelry. It is such a personal thing. It gives an outfit personality and it helps to define your own sense of personal style. It is an expression of your own taste and your mood. Someone’s choice of jewelry is always personal. Your choice of jewelry reflects your personality; it defines who you are and what you're trying to project to the world. Sometimes you become connected to a piece of clothing but usually a piece of jewelry has more meaning. It has a special quality, a lasting quality, something that is indefinable.

I have been studying jewelry making for the past three years and have been actively creating my designs in the last year. It took me a while to define my taste and look. I try and design pieces that I would personally wear.

2. What inspires your style?

I am inspired by the semi precious stones I use in all my designs. I find stones are so interesting they all have their own individual characteristics and beauty.

I usually first buy my stones and then spend some time thinking about the design. Sometimes I have an idea in mind and then look for the stone, but I find the most creative designs usually come from the stone’s essence.

3. What materials are you currently working with and what attracted you to it?

I am currently working with semi precious stones and a lot of chains and findings. I find the hardness of the stones and the metal off set each other to create a very modern look. It’s not too refined, a little edgy. I also love Swaroski crystals; especially asymmetrical shapes with some interest to them or a different color then what you would expect to see.

4. What is the hardest challenge in creating your work?
I think that time is the hardest challenge. I take a lot of energy, creativity and time to create the pieces. With my busy schedule I have to consciously make time to create my jewelry.

5. What individual, artist, or celebrity would you most love to design for?



I think it would be Kate Hudson. She has such a fresh, free spirited, casual look about her.  She is the quintessential California!

Go ahead, sneak out the credit card, and head over to her shop now! You just might fall in love with her amazing designs & lovely prices! Milica Tempest @ Etsy!

How to Knit Fingerless Gloves

Knitting is a fabulous tool for unwinding after a hectic day. Here's a fabulous quick video on how to knit fingerless gloves. This is a lovely evening project  that you might be able to finish by Friday!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Don't forget to wear green or pinch those that have forgotten! Take a moment to fly across the lands
of Ireland or enjoy the St. Patrick's Parade in Chicago, where the river is dyed green to honor the irish-americans that helped to build the river!

 

Here is the video on dying the river green. I've seen this done myself and I have to say that there might not be a crazier parade, with exception to Mardi Gras, than the Chicago St. Patrick's Parade. Chicago is a party town with bars closing at 4:00, very unlike NYC or LA.

Happy St. Patricks! I wish I were in Ireland enjoying the countryside!