Thoughts on Naomi Campbell, Mean-Spirited Intentions, and Media

I just finished reading a piece, written by a fashion reporter, about Naomi Campbell. The supermodel apparently has an anger problem fueled by delusions of superiority and entitlement that I won't go into here, but she's been in trouble with the legal system more than once, for assualting her "service providers." Apparently, anger management classes and a slap on the wrist wasn't enough to get the supermodel to modify her behavior. This time, she was ordered to do five days of community service, cleaning up for the NYC Department of Sanitation, after pleading guilty to throwing a mobile phone at an assistant.

A look at the beautiful Ms. Campbell's "official" web site mentions the fabulous life she leads, without any mention of her community service stint in NYC. It also doesn't mention that this "punishment" will be part of a 20-page feature planned for the July issue of W magazine, among other things.

Community service isn't a laughing matter, yet, to my amazement and dismay, quite a few of the fashion media seem to think that Ms. Campbell's stunning outfits and "I'm SO above this" attutide, is a hysterical joke. The fashion writer whose column I just read, supports her shocking behavior, suggesting that Naomi was making a shrewd "fashion statement," wearing clothes and accessories to the "job" at the Sanitation Garage that cost more than an average civil servant makes in months, and changing into a stunning gown and stilettos, and sweeping past the Sanitation Workers, into a Rolls Royce, for the finale of her service.

I write about beauty and fashion, among other things, but I also have worked for the same Department of Sanitation that Ms. Campbell sneers at along with her fashionista supporters. In fact, I helped set up NYC recycling programs after Local Law 19 was passed, mandating recycling for all the Boroughs. Even though I was Director of Special projects and wore a suit to work, I never thought that I was somehow more entitled or better than the hard working Sanitation men and women I came in contact with. I have worn a work jacket and boots, and they were not designer. Even if I had been able to afford such luxe duds, to wear them would have been inappropriate--a "diss" that would send the message I was somehow better or more entitled to do so than the actual San workers.

In my opinion, Ms. Campbell's antics were a huge slap in the face of decent, decidedly-UN-glamorous, civil service workers, who provide essential services to all New Yorkers. These unseen workers keep the City running smoothly and safely. Even Ms. Campbell cannot live in a City piled high with garbage. Essential services are not something any of us should take for granted.

The Sanitation workers who provided such merriment to Ms. Campbell and her ilk, will never be able to afford a luxury Rolly Royce to take them home after a hard days' work. And, these men and women don't just work dirty, hard jobs to make even more money in fashion spreads and as an atonement for a violent act(s), but to put food on their family tables.

While I agree that there is no reason to look terrible at work, even dirty work, the outrageously expensive outfits, the mean-spirited attitude, and the finale gown and Rolls antics, were tacky. Sadly, Ms. Campbell knows nothing of why she was sent to do community service. She obviously doesn't feel bad that she hurt someone, and worse, she views it as a great way to be rewarded with money. Her "I'm above it all" attitude shows just who Ms. Campbell thinks she is, but it shows her ugly side. A pretty model with a nasty streak is an ugly human being. Next time Ms. Campbell gets nasty with one of those "service providers" who she thinks she is better than, I hope she is given a stint in jail, since to date, she obviously has learned nothing about humility, patience, kindness or dignity. She has been rewarded, not punished. Instead of another chance to promote herself, I hope (if she shows her nasty temper again), that she will have ample time to reflect about how she appears to others, in her less than stylish prison garb. This will give her a chance to learn what equal means. Abusing people who work hard at jobs she will never have to do "for real," given her beauty, is digusting and base. Perhaps, it will also tone down her ego a notch.

Ms. Campbell learned nothing from this experience except that remorse isn't as necessary as money and media attention.

BeneFit Cosmetics Brand New Bloomies Brow Bar

Tomorrow night, BeneFit Cosmetics will be having a "brow raising party" (sponsored by Bacardi and Hampton Popcorn, to kick off the grand opening on Friday, March 16th, of their first ever Brow Bar on the East Coast (in Bloomingdale's New York 59th Street store)! I can't make it tomorrow night, alas, but my fabulous contacts at BeneFit invited me to get a sneak peek, today. That's Benefit’s National Makeup Artist (and Arch Empress of Brows), Arianne Damboise, posing near the mostly pink and white BeneFit brow area on the first floor near the back of Bloomie's famed makeup floor. Directly opposite the brow bar area is a large BeneFit makeup counter. As you are having your brows expertly waxed, you can enjoy looking at all the great, BeneFit products, and figure out which you can't live without.

BeneFit already has 10 brow bars in California. However, soon, Chicago residents and East coasters will finally get their chance to enjoy professional brow shaping from BeneFit pros, easily, quickly, and for a reasonable sum of money (just $23.00). The brow bar is actually opening on Friday, March 16th. Ms. Damboise, who is an elegant woman with a glam, sparkling personality (and lots of experience with faces) is here for the opening, but if you want her expert, personal attention RUN to Bloomies or you'll miss out. If you don't get a session with Arianne, however, she assured me that every single BeneFit brows person is trained to do perfect brows. They work work with the shape of your face to make a brow that is natural, and not so trendy that you'll have trouble growing them back in. If you want to try a more dramatic shape, Arianne suggests snipping hairs at the base rather than pulling them out, because tweezed hairs take longer and don't always come back fast, or at all. And, if your favorite brow shaper isn't there the day you just happen to need a brow shaping fix, your brows will still be just the way you like them, since every person is trained similarly.


There are other waxing services (not below the waistline, but anything above)as well, from a lip was (just $11) to brow and lip wax ($26) and so forth.
Appointments are recommended, but I was told that as long as you're willing to wait a bit (you've got shopping to do if you've come to Bloomingdale's, right?) they'll fit you in without one.

Mother's day is coming next month. You can order a Bloomingdale's gift certificate for Mom, and send her for an "eye-opening" experience at the brand new BeneFit brow bar (there are Benefit Brow Bars at Macy's, in CA), both literally, and figuratively. Well-shaped brows do make a world of difference, opening your eyes to flatter them even more. Package that gift certificate with any one of the cute products from BeneFit, in a cute makeup bag. She may love you now, but Mom will love you even more, with this gift (and give you points for originality)

Sheckys Girls Night Out Spring 2007

Sheckys Girls Night out is one of those things you anticipate and mark off the days for. It's just a girl's dream: shopping at a discount, cute (and polite) guys offering free drinks, plenty of restrooms without long lines, and the bonding experience girls only get from shopping en masse. If you've read this blog for a while, you know that I've been covering Shecky's Girls Night Out for a few seasons now. I know you, my readers, are looking for information about Sheckys as well.

I just got back from the latest Sheckys Girls Night out at the Puck Building in Manhattan. It was suggested that I not only get there early, but try to come on Monday or Tuesday, because as the week continued, the event would only get more and more crowded.

The doors open at 4:30, and I was there 15 minutes later. Already, there was a line, but it was still quiet. By the time I left after 7pm (it goes until 10 pm. every night March 12-16th), the line was constant, and getting longer.

Inside, two rooms of "girl stuff" tempted shoppers of all ages and interests. This season, cute spring dresses and tops, jewelery, handbags, and some more unique items (such as vibrator.com (that's Keith Levinson with a staff member posing in a photo at the top of this page...the large, pogo stick vibrator that he is holding is mostly cut out of the photo---shucks!). I was surprised to see a bunch of young women actually trying the vibrators on themselves (over their jeans, but still...). I guess you could call vibrators a "beauty item." Keith showed me one that is the size of a lipstick tube. This silvery mini-vibrator would be discreet enough to put in a makeup bag. In fact, The Advice Sisters will be including the first-ever review in our MAY "What Works" Beauty, Cosmetics & Fashion review column, so watch for it the first week of May.

Meanwhile, back inside, the girls with wristbands allowing them to get a Shecky's Goodie Bag, were waiting at the elevator to go to the 7th floor, where more vendors, were waiting. I have a photo of the shecky's bag, but for some reason blogger isn't allowing me to upload photos tonight, so I'll have to add them later. Inside the bag there were a number of things, worth more than the $20 plus $10 general admission you have to pay. Actually, you can attend for just the $10.00, but most of the women I saw had the bags on their shoulders, and seemed fairly pleased with the contents. I didn't get to see all of the items in the bags, but from what I recall, there were several magazines, a chic-lit-type paperback, a hairbrush, softLips lip balm (really good stuff), some makeup from Revlon, a lip gloss from "Little Black Dress" (that's a winery in California that also had a bar set up with three types of wines to try in tiny bottles), some hair elastics from i/M Active (we have reviewed these nifty, stay-put hair accessories in our "What Works" columns), some mints, skin care from Caudalie, a set of mini-sized SunSilk hair products, and there was more, but I didn't quite get to see to the bottom of the bag because I wasn't getting one on my press ticket and I didn't want to hold up the line for the women who were waiting to claim their bags.

One of the highlights of the evening for me was meeting Sabina from Red Branch PR, and Jen Groover, the creator of the Butler Bag. We reviewed this unique handbag in our 2006 Holiday What Works column , and I named it as one of my "must-have" items for Fashion Week. Actually, this nice leather bag is more than just a fashion accessory, it has a rigid, internal organizer system that finally makes it easy to look in your handbag and find exactly what you want, in seconds. I have dozens of handbags, but for me, The Butler Bag is the most functional, go-with-everything bag I've ever seen, and it's the one I wear nearly every day. I think Jen was happy to see that I was actually using her bag. There are new colors for this season, and we'll be re-reviewing the Butler Bag in one of our upcoming "What Works" columns, probably MAY's column (it would make a great gift for yourself, but also for "mom"), so watch for it!

I wandered through the rooms, taking in the scene. I was there alone, to report on the event, but the women who were there in groups were having an amazing time. And, while free drinks and social bonding might make you overspend a bit, everything really IS discounted at Sheckys Girls Night Out. There was a jewelery designer there with a specific type of signature necklace. Two hours later, as I was meeting my husband for dinner and we passed a boutique not far away from the Puck Building, I saw the very same necklaces from the very same designer, for about $20-$40 more!

It is clear that girls LOVE Shecky's Girls Night Out. There's just something so relaxing and silly and girly about all of it. I even love the fact that the mens room on the first floor is marked "Ladies" for the event, even though the restroom right next door is the actual ladies room.

I don't know if I have ALL the names of the vendors, but just in case you are interested, here's at least a partial list: Allison Corey Fine Art
Anavaa Kisasa
Annette's Angels
Arbonne International by Angela Giadone
Arbonne International by Christine Egan
Arbonne International by Juliana Gannon
Ayazakura
B'atchi Intimates
Baci Jewelry Designs
Bella Oro
Crunch Fitness
Finlandia Vodka
Little Black Dress Wines
IN:NYC® Card
PEELS
Revlon® Beauty Bar
SkinMilk
American Laser Centers
Dip
Dr. Rizk
i|m
Institute Beauté
It's A Treat Pet Boutique
Laser Cosmetica
LiteTouch
Mussio DeGroot
Nini Montifiore NYC
Pharmaskincare
POM Wonderful
smartwater
Stýli-Style
Universal Music
Vibrel
-------------------------------- 25 Lexington
Acme Media
Aiko Designs
Alâra
Allison Corey Fine Art
Anavaa Kisasa
Annette's Angels
Arbonne International by Angela Giadone
Arbonne International by Christine Egan
Arbonne International by Juliana Gannon
Ayazakura
B'atchi Intimates
Baci Jewelry Designs
Bella Oro
Bijoux By Belle
Blakely Ink
Butler Bag
Chameleon
Charmed & Dangerous
Conchi New York
Corrente
Delicate Raymond
Ditty Inc.
Eda & Betty Couture
Erin Swietnicki
EyeSave
Fashion Doll
Girlfoolish
Goodlooking Clothing
Harriet's Alter Ego
Hip Chic Couture
Initial Reaction
InnaSense
J Rosen Showroom
Jahanna Martinez
Julie Brown Designs
K Lewis
Kacey K Fine Jewelry
Karen Fairborne
KC Signatures
Kismet Boutique
Krina
LaMaide Designs
Lauren DiNardo
Levity Designs
Linda de Taxco Jewelry
Lolabean
Lucid Studio
Madison Kelly NYC
Madrigal Designs
Michael Darouiche
Nabi Med Spa
Nobel Leather
Pearls and Crystal
Perfume River
PJ Cobbs Arts
Pondür
Pretty Little Thing
Primo Luxe
Rebecca Lorraine Designs
Rocksandfame.com
Ruth Mikos Charms
Selective Search
Soul Star Underground
StayStylish.net
Tarte
Terry Ross
The Runway
Tracy Vanderbeck
Trends
Tudor Jewelry
uncooked
Unie
Very Cool Jewels
Village Pourhouse
We Wear It
Yumi Chen Designs

Kelloggs Rice Krispies Rise Again with Stawberries--Recipe is here, too!

As a reviewer, I get to try a lot of new and unusual products, but one of the most delicious appeared before Valentine's Day. I received a package that contained a new cereal (just launched in January) from Kelloggs that is a delightful take on the traditional: Rice Krispies with Real Strawberries. The Rice Krispies are the same as ever, low fat and crunchy (and they "sing" to you when you add milk, be it regular or soy), but the new version has dried strawberries..YES! THE REAL ITEM! These add a naturally sweet taste and a beautiful color in your breakfast bowl (and they taste great, too). *there is also a new, Chocolately Delight version with chocolate bits that is also a way to work something good into your diet.

Fruit is a good thing, of course, but if you're like most time-pressed people, breakfast tends to become a fattening bagel or donut on the run. One cup of Rice Krispies with Real Strawberries is just 110 calories dry and 150 with a half cup of fat free milk (and who needs more than that in cereal, anyway)? There are 9 grams of sugar, but the other stuff you're chowing down on probably has a lot more than that. Even better, it's fat free and has less than 220 mg of sodium (important to know if you have a medical condition, or if you're just feeling a bit on the bloated side and don't want to make it worse).

I'm not a mom, but I guess it's also good to note that kids like this cereal as well as adults, and it has Vitamins A, C, D and iron, plus other "essential vitamins and nutrients." This means you might get the kids to forgoe to sugary cereals and snacks, and save room on your pantry shelf but getting just one cereal everyone likes.

I also got a recipe for "Rice Krispies Treats." If you live in America, and have ever been a girl scout or attended a children's cooking class, or just love the taste of these classic treats, you've probably made a batch at some time. I meant to include this in my latest Advice Sisters Enews which (if you're a subscriber) you just got last week in your Email. (You can be a subscriber too, if you wish, just fill out the form at: http://www.advicesisters.net/thankyou.html ) but alas, there wasn't room in the Enews for it, so I'm including it here for anyone who has forgotten how much fun these are to make (if a bit sticky) and how yummy there are, or who might have lost the recipe. Try them for Mother's Day or for a bridal shower (cut into heart shapes) with the new, Rice Krispies with Real Strawberries. They make a feminine version that is a showstopper!

If you DO make these, please send a digital photo to the advice sisters (advicesisters at advicesisters dot net) and we'll post your photo on this blog (your 15 minutes of fame is waiting)!

Kellogg's ® Rice Krispies Treats ® with Real Strawberries

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 package (10 oz. about 40) regular marshmallows or 4 cups miniature marshmallows
6 cups Ready-To-Eat Cereal Rice Krispies ® With Real Strawberries

Directions
1. Melt butter in large saucepan over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.

2. Add Kellogg's ® Rice Krispies ® with Real Strawberries cereal. Stir until well coated.

3. Using buttered spatula or waxed paper, press mixture evenly into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cut into 2-inch squares when cool. Best if served the same day.

MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS In a microwave-safe bowl, heat butter and marshmallows at HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Follow steps 2 and 3 above.

Microwave cooking times may vary.

Note For best results, use fresh marshmallows.

1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow crà ¨me can be substituted for marshmallows.

Diet, reduced calorie or tub margarine is not recommended.

Store no more than two days in airtight container (but it's doubtful you'll have leftovers!). *This recipe has been tested and endorsed by Kellogg and Rice Krispies® and The Advice Sisters®

Where is Your Copy of the Advice Sisters Enews?

you are a subscriber to the bi-monthly, free newsletter, the Advice Sisters Enews, you already received the information below and more, with live links!

This time, I'm not going to put the entire Enews online in this blog. If you want to information in the Enews, I hope you will subscribe. The Advice Sisters Enews is free, delivered to your in-box bi-monthly. It features Advice Sisters news, tips, reviews, expert advice,the latest in style and culture, and more. It isn't too late to get your own subscription, and get the Late Winter, 2007 Advice Sisters Enews delivered right to your in-box. Here are just a few of the highlights:


"The Devil (and You) Wear Prada, Contest: Five lucky people have won more than $1,000 worth of ultra-luxe products from Benefit, Dior, and Z. Bigatti. *sorry, you have to be a subscriber to the Advice Sisters Enews to get the link

Fair Game on NPR with Faith Saile: At precisely 22.30 minutes into the 50-minute+ Valetine's Day "Fair Game" show Black Holes, Neuroscience, and Michael Jackson you will hear a segment about what couples should and should not do behind closed doors. *sorry, you have to be a subscriber to the Advice Sisters Enews to get the link

What Works Beauty, Cosmetics & Fashion Review March 2007 is focused primarily on color cosmetics to add new life to your Spring fashions, along with new fragrances, skin and body-care products, kits and gifts, nail, hair and men's products. *sorry, you have to be a subscriber to the Advice Sisters Enews to get the link


THE ADVICE SISTERS "ABOUT TOWN"


MERCEDES BENZ FASHION WEEK Fashion Week for Fall, 2007, was a busy one, thanks to my colleagues, who facilitated backstage access for me at some of the hottest shows Here are the links to all the posts I created for Fashion Week Fall 2007: Alice Ritter, Akiko Ogawa, Gustavo Arrango *backstage coverage , Alice Roi *backstage coverage , Venexiana, Alexandre Herchovitch *backstage coverage , Araks *backstage coverage, Ellen Tracy *backstage coverage , Vanidades Fashion Lounge, Bill Blass *backstage coverage, Cynthia Rowley Hair & Makeup and Runway Show (& the Cynthia Rowley/Jillian Dempsey Makeup Collection for Fall 2007 for Avon) , Carmen Marc Valvo *backstage coverage, Zang Toi , Alison's Fashion Week "must-haves" *sorry, you have to be a subscriber to the Advice Sisters Enews to get the links

Book Reviews: These non-fiction books are some of the latest titles from major publishing companies. From secrets, to starvation, to sex, they'll educate, inspire, and entertain you *sorry, you have to be a subscriber to the Advice Sisters Enews to get the full reviews. Sign up now: http://www.advicesisters.net/thankyou.html

Write about what you know" is the advice that is often given to beginner authors. Amanda Kerlin obviously listened, and it's for that reason that Secrets of the Model Dorm by Amanda Kerlin and Phil Oh (Atria Books, 2007) succeeds. Ms. Kerlin is a statuesque and beautiful young woman who has "been there and done that" when it comes to modeling....

The Honeymoon's Over by Andrea Chapin and Sally Wofford-Girand (Warner Books, February 2007) is a book of original essays by female writers about love, marriage and divorce. Most of these are short, and well-written, but while they are amusing as stories, the book's main attraction is the way it connects women to women, with powerful emotions that most of us have felt in some way or another, at some time or another. .........


Gaining by Aimee Liu (Warner Books, February 2007) is an attention-grabbing, often intimate look at the life and mindset of Ms. Liu , a recovering anorexic, and the primarily women (a few men too) who she has followed up with after a hiatus of a few decades. Her first book, "Solitare," was about her battle with anorexia, but this one is more like a Part 2, or a sequel.....

Satisfaction: Women, Sex, and the Quest for Intimacy by Anita H. Clayton with Robin Cantor-Cooke (Ballantine Books), could have been a dry discourse on female sexuality, but it is a surprisingly entertaining and empowering book about how why women settle for lackluster sex lives, even though they may be high-powered in all other aspects of their lives.....


Sex on the Brain by Daniel G. Amen, M.d. (Harmony Books, 2007)takes a more cerebral approach to the subject of better sex, with a serious, if somewhat clinical view on the subject matter, but it is no less interesting. The information is irresistible.....


A Perfect Mess by Eric Abrahamson and David H. Freedman (Little Brown 2006) will not give you the secrets to a tidy desk, but it might make you re-think the costs and benefits of organization......

Welcome to Your Crisis by Laura Day (Little Brown 2006) confirms what I've been told most of my life, that out of adversity, comes opportunity. As it states on the back cover: "The moment your life falls, apart, it is also the moment your new life begins." ....