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Documentary film Vanishing of the Bees
On Sunday, I got to attend the Los Angeles premiere of the documentary film, Vanishing of the Bees, narrated by Ellen Page (Juno, Inception), which takes a piercing investigative look at the economic, political and ecological implications of the worldwide disappearance of the honeybee. At first, I was wondering what the big deal is if bees are disappearing, however, I soon learned that it's indeed a big deal. Just take a look at this trailer that sets the stage for the problem:
This documentary isn't just a story about the mysterious phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder, but a platform of solutions, encouraging audiences to "bee" the change they want to see in the world. For instance, plant bee-friendly wildflower seeds in your garden, patio pots or window boxes to provide essential nutrition for bees. Also, even in our home gardens we should be using natural pesticides. These holistic methods of repelling bugs can also be less expensive and more effective. Plus, of course buy local honey from farmer's markets and write to Congress asking them to change EPA's stance on systemic pesticides.
Overall, I thought it was really powerful and interesting. It definitely shed light on an issue that I wasn't aware of. In fact, I'll never look at honeybees the same way again.
Oh, and at the premier was actress Ellen Page who provided an introduction to the film. It was really cool to hear about her passion for the cause.
Screenings for Vanishing of the Bees are currently being held across the country in select cities, just click here for a complete list. The DVD will also be available this summer, so do add it to your queue.
Nespresso Pixie Review
I recently included the Nespresso Pixie Espresso Maker ($249.95) in my Mother's Day Gift Guide, but let me expound on this 
awesome eye-catching new single-cup espresso machine.
I wasn't even an espresso fan until I got the Nespresso Pixie. Now, I love having a little cup to keep me going between events for an artificial second wind. I also love being able to say to my guests, "Would you like a cup of espresso?" It just sounds so mature and European. Plus, it only takes under 30 seconds to make each cup, thus no fuss, yet you're an instant barista.
The machine is from Switzerland and outside of the home it is used in locations such as gourmet restaurants, upscale hotels, luxury outlets and offices. Brewing is fully automatic, all you have to do is have water in the tank, which I change every few days. Then, simply pop in a coffee capsule (16 varieties available from around the world) and select your cup size. Then an impressive sound of steam takes place as hot espresso liquid pours into the little cup in less than 30 seconds. I literally made five cups in under five minutes for my guests last week.
I was thinking I was going to have to store the machine elsewhere and bring it out when I wanted to use it, but it is called the "Pixie," because it's much smaller than other devices I have seen. It’s the ideal size for small kitchens, apartments and offices. As a result, I simply leave it on my counter since it doesn't take up much space and because it's so pretty too.
In fact, the Nespresso Pixie is smaller than my curious cats:
It is also about the height of a standard DVD case:
The Nespresso Pixie is available at Williams-Sonoma and Bloomingdale's in six different bold colors - red, silver, indigo, electric lime, aluminum and steel blue.
No compensation was received for this post. I received a unit for review.
Giveaway: Glee Karaoke for the Wii
Even though I'm hardly a good singer, I do enjoy me some Karaoke, especially when in the privacy of my own home. This is why I enjoy playing the all-new Nintendo Wii game--Karaoke Revolution Glee: Volume 2, featuring GLEE’s greatest hit songs and show moments from Season 1.
It just so happens I have another copy of the game to giveaway here so that you can call upon your own inner Gleek! You can perfect your vocal skills with a variety of challenging ballads, pop songs, and unforgettable show tunes, while performing alongside your favorite GLEE characters as actual scenes from the show are playing. Karaoke Revolution Glee: Volume 2 includes a microphone so you can belt out show smashing hits such as Bad Romance, Gives You Hell, Total Eclipse of the Heart, Like A Virgin, Dream On and more. The game is valued at $49.99.
How to enter: Just leave any ole comment here by Friday, May. 27, but please don't forget to leave your email address in the body of your comment or link back to a blogger profile or website that actually has your email address on it. U.S. mailing addresses only, sorry.
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Update: Congrats to paula michele!
No Strings Attached Girls' Night In viewing party
Over the weekend I had some much needed girls time, with a girl's night in viewing party at my place, where a bunch of my girlfriends and I watched an advanced copy of the comedy No Strings Attached starring Academy Award winner Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher. The film comes out on Blu-ray/DVD Combo with Digital Copy ($29.99) and standard DVD ($19.99) from Paramount Home Entertainment on Tuesday, May 10. Not only did we get the DVD ahead of time, but some other goodies to make for a fun party. I'm really excited that the combo pack comes with a digital copy too, so I can load it onto my iPad for free so the next time I'm flying I can re-watch it.
Everyone really enjoyed the movie too. In fact, we were surprised that we liked it so much and that it was both funny and sexy. We had fun spotting the different locations in Los Angeles too like Culver City, Marina Del Rey, downtown, STK Restaurant, etc. The storyline also sparked some raunchy conversations among our group afterward discussing no strings attached relationships, lol. If you're looking for a fun girls night, I'd highly recommend a watch over some wine and cake pops like we did.
Oh and ladies, the next time its that time of the month, play the Period Playlist from the film.
A Mini Mother's Day Gift Guide
Here are some colorful gift suggestions for this Mother's Day.
Trio of Bulbs for Mom
7oz tube/$33.50 or 17.6oz jar/$64.00
Nespresso Pixie Espresso Maker
$249.95
Meet the Pixie: an eye-catching new single-cup machine that combines a super-compact silhouette with superb espresso-making abilities. It won't take up much space on the counter and it's great for entertaining or when you just want a quality cup at home. I just got one of these stylish babies and I know my mom is jealous. (A longer review is in the works). Available at Williams Sonoma and Bloomingdale's in six different colors.
$29.99
These will last longer than a boquet of flowers and who doesn't like to see things grow? Should make a lovely addition to any home. Available at ProFlowers.com.
7oz tube/$33.50 or 17.6oz jar/$64.00
Pamper moms' skin with a gift that has all the elements to help her relax and unwind this Mother’s Day! Borghese’s FANGO Active Mud mask for the face and body, brings the essence of the spa home and will help Mom to rejuvenate, cleanse and purify her skin in under 5 minutes! Plus, all four varieties of FANGO (original, delicate, brightening and intense hydration) come in a beautiful mason jar that looks pretty on any sink. I've used a lot of face masks, but this one has active ingredients that you can even feel it's tingling on the skin. You can pick up these Italian muds from Bloomingdale's, Borghese.com and Beauty.com.
Nespresso Pixie Espresso Maker
$249.95
Meet the Pixie: an eye-catching new single-cup machine that combines a super-compact silhouette with superb espresso-making abilities. It won't take up much space on the counter and it's great for entertaining or when you just want a quality cup at home. I just got one of these stylish babies and I know my mom is jealous. (A longer review is in the works). Available at Williams Sonoma and Bloomingdale's in six different colors.
Hair feather extensions take LA
Besides the Brazilian blowout hair trend, you’ve probably seen feathers in celebs and girl's locks everywhere you go from 
elaborate pieces to thin strips. Putting feathers in the hair started of course with Native Americans and were also popular additions to 70’s getups, but today a longer-lasting extension using rooster tail feathers, left naturally colored or brightly died, are becoming popular again. Celebs like Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Hillary Duff, and even Steven Tyler have be-feathered themselves and inspired countless others to do the same. Los Angeles is claiming to have started this trend and it has since moved to New York and soon across the country.
Fred Segal Salon in Santa Monica doesn’t just go with the flock, if you will though. Their stylist Krystal Riddle (right) does "feather tipping," which adds a feather at the end of a braided piece of your hair. She has been working with feathers for the last three months, but she says during the last three weeks it has really blown up. In fact, her days are pretty much booked solid just doing feather extensions for women from ages eight to 50 for both casual and playful looks.
Apparently, the price of feathers have gone up significantly recently as a result of this trend and demand for them. Krystal, however has a friend in the fly fishing industry and she has been raiding his collection of dyed rooster feathers and even taking feathers out of jewelry pieces. Her offering also consists of guinea, pheasant, ostrich and peacock feathers. Typically, she says her customers get about five feathers put in their hair and the natural colored ones are the most popular. Yet, Krystal herself was wearing a bright blue feather in her black hair when I met with her for my appointment.
Since I have a day job in a professional setting, I opted for adding just two feathers for something subtle, but chic. I chose a blackish green rooster feather on one side and a spotted brown one on the other side (see below). Although, she did have a beautiful pink dyed peacock feather available that I was tempted to use, but it was much too dressy and elaborate for casual wear.
The extensions last one to three months and can be washed, blow-dried and even curled just like the rest of the hair. I'm glad that I just went with two though, because it makes it easier to comb my hair that way, since you have to be careful not to brush and ruin the feathers/braid.
Feather hair extensions range from $30 for a single custom feather to $45 for a handful, but prices will vary depending on the number and types of feathers used.
Here is pic of one of Krystal's more exotic feather pieces too:
You can see Steven Tyler's feathers on the cover of this month's Rolling Stone magazine.
Miley Cyrus:
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