Wash the color right outta my hair

I had blond hair growing up, but come high school it started getting mousier and darker. I started highlighting and coloring it when I was a teenager. I've sometimes done it myself or gotten it done professionally. However, lately I've been going to a cheaper place and the condition of my hair has suffered. The color looked alright, but my hair itself was now damaged.

Thus, when I heard about master colorist Kazumi Morton at the Neil George Salon in Beverly Hills, I booked an appointment to a get fabulous hair color makeover. She specializes in coloring only, no hair cutting. She says its the difference between an interior designer and an architect. This also allows her to focus more than other stylists would who are trying to do all things. Kazumi also has an impressive roster of celebrity clients, who unfortunately have to remain anon.

After just seeing me in the waiting area she said she knew right away what she wanted to do to my hair. I decided to just leave my hair in her hands and just go with it. Not that I wasn't nervous about the possible change, but knew I was with a pro at least.

Several hours later (I'm not kidding) she did a color correction, which gave my color a more softer and more natural dirty blond look. This will also make it easier to maintain as I won't need highlights again for a few months she said. She also didn't over process my hair or keep the stinging dye on for long like the places I used to go to did. Instead, she did several applications and washes, but for only a few minutes each time. It was the first time my scalp didn't hurt after either.

Before (over processed, stripey with brassy colors)

After (more natural, but the lighting doesn't do it enough justice)

Although getting your hair done right is expensive, base is $125 and up and highlight is $175. Yet, we'll pay that much for shoes, which you only wear a few times a season, but you wear your hair every day. Your hair color can also make you look younger and more energized if done right says Kazumi. Thus, no more slumming it for me.

Neil George Salon 9320 Civic Center Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210-3604 (310) 275-2808

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Tara's Thrift Store

In prep for moving, I've steadily been going through all my belongings and swag and getting rid of things. In doing so, I had a nice compilation of items including purses, kitchen supplies, makeup, beauty items, games etc. Instead of donating or throwing away the loot, I decided to have a fun girl’s night in where my friends helped me drink up my wine/liquor and pick through the nicer items that won't be moving with us. I literally set up a faux shop in the guest bedroom. Thus, Tara's Thrift Store!! I even gave everyone a reusable tote to fill.



So that everyone could leave with at least one item that they could be happy with, each girl picked a number out of the hat numbers 1-10. Lucky girl #1 got to go in first and pick just one item (she chose a gift certificate to an LA spa) and so on. Then, once everyone had their first pick, I let it be a free for all. The store was literally mauled and cleared out in under 5 minutes.



Here's a pick of my group with their top choices:

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Leaving Los Angeles

I’m not sure how to start this post. I had a few drafts where I said something witty, but I think I’ll just jump right in. After 5 years of living in Los Angeles, we are moving back east in September. I can’t believe it’s been 5 years. It feels like only yesterday I was writing a similar post saying that I was leaving New York for love. This time, Raphael’s job is offering him a great opportunity in their NY office and I’ve always intended to move back eventually. It’s just sooner than we expected.

I’m looking forward to seeing my friends and being near family again, but it’s bittersweet. After all this time, I’m definitely comfortable here in Los Angeles now and have made a lot of great friends and contacts too. Moving in general is also very stressful and it has Raphael and I both freaked out. Luckily, we found a two bedroom outside the city already.

What does this mean for my job? I'll still be doing PR at Disney till the end of the year, just remotely.

What about my blog? Well, it originated in New York back in 2004, so I'll just have to transition back. I'll still be covering new trends and entertainment though, just on the other coast.

But it's cold in New York. True. My blood has also thinned, but hopefully I'll bare it. Luckily, I'll be there in time for Fall, my favorite season.

Who knows? Maybe one day we'll be back. Become bi-coastal. The below Neil Diamond song, I am I said sums it up best- "Well I'm New York born and raised, but nowadays I'm lost between two shores."

More to come on the move.

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OC Register Interview for Disney

Ahhh! During the many media tours that I conducted last week at the D23 Expo some were just informational, others recorded audio, and some were on camera too. Thus, this Orange County Register piece, where I look like crap. Let me preface that this was early in the morning and I had a long day previously.

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Wordless Wednesday: Red Bull Graffiti

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At the Disney D23 Expo

Over the weekend, I worked at the D23 Expo--the ultimate Disney fan event in Anaheim. It's like a ComiCon for Disney enthusiasts. I actually attended the last expo two years ago as press though, not for PR.

The show included appearances by Disney talent across TV and movies as well as past Disney legends and animators. They also sneak peek the latest from parks and studio, as well as offer exclusive items for sale that you can only get if attending the show. There's also a bunch of props and collectibles on display. My favorite being this Dharma Initiative van from Lost.

I was particularly excited for David Arquette's appearance. He's one of the voices on Disney Junior's cartoon series Jake and the Neverland Pirates. He looked really cute in person and I loved that he was sporting a Mickey tee under his blazer too. Unfortunately, no Courteney or Coco though.

I also got to see Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence during a Melissa & Joey meet and greet from ABC Family. I've been liking the show, even if it's a modern Who's the Boss and Joey still looks "Whoa!"

American Idol's Constantine Maroulis also performed with Mickey Mouse during the unveiling of Fisher Price's new toy Rock Star Mickey.

Now here is the part where I sound like a teeny bopper, but I was pretty psyched to see Disney Channel's Sterling Knight (17 Again, Sonny with a Chance, So Random) too. I know it's not appropriate, but I have a little crush, lol.

At one point I was backstage with Wilmer Valderrama (the voice of Handy Manny), but it was too awkward to snap a photo, lol. He looked good though all in black and in a tight t-shirt.

Oh and of course the people watching was amazing too. Some of the outfits were pretty intense especially those who stayed in character too.

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Wordless Wednesday: Gatorade Shower

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Iced Coffee Tips for Summer

Single serve coffee machines are all the rage right now, especially for smaller households that don't want to brew an entire pot.

With summer in full heat, here are some tips on making the perfect iced cup of joe with full proof tips below, especially good for entertaining.

Tip #1: Start with making stronger coffee: As a general rule, you want to make your iced coffee brew double the strength of your normal coffee. We recommend using the same quantity coffee you normally use and reducing the amount of water in half. Ice will significantly dilute the final cup, so you need to start with strong coffee in the first place to allow the flavor to stay strong and fresh. My Café’s technology allows you to adjust brew strength by the amount of water you use- try starting with 4 ounces of water and a 10 gram pod. For stronger coffee or tea use My Café’s pulse brew option to make the strength as you like it!

Tip #2: Add sugar while the coffee is hot: Sweeten the coffee while it's hot, or the sugar won’t dissolve and will end up in a clump at the bottom of the glass. While it's still hot, stir in your desired sugar amount. When you're making your different variations of iced coffee, try adding spices such as cardamom or cinnamon to the coffee after it brews. A dash is all that you need! You can also consider adding almond extract, vanilla, chocolate or raspberry syrup after the coffee has brewed for even more flavor. Or, just keep it simple.

Tip #3: Chill carefully: Most drinking glasses cannot withstand large temperature variations. So pouring hot coffee into a glass and putting it in the refrigerator can actually cause the glass to crack! We suggest using a travel mug, as it's more durable than glass and coffee cups.

Tip #4: Brew coffee the night before: For frosty morning coffee, make it the night before and chill it overnight. In the morning, pour your chilled coffee over a lot of ice and wait….. letting it sit for a minute to allow the ice to slightly melt. You remember that saying, “all good things come to those who wait”? Now, add a splash of cream if you prefer and stir very well! Remember cream or milk is just fine but if you're making iced coffee for guests, consider whipping up some heavy cream and adding a little confectioners' sugar and cinnamon for a special touch.

Tip #5: Serve over coffee cubes: Use coffee cubes instead of ice cubes so you don’t dilute the rich coffee flavor. Simply pour left over regular brewed coffee into an ice cube tray and freeze.

Do you have any other iced coffee making tips?

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Looking back on BlogHer 11

Last weekend, 3,600 bloggers flooded the San Diego Convention Center for BlogHer 11, the largest female blogging conference in the country. This was my 3rd year attending! Imagine if I didn't show though, there would only be 3,599 and that isn't as cool ;) It's always such a whirlwind with lots of parties and meetups taking place.

In the end, I managed the following:

• 50 tweets
  
• 27 business cards collected
  
• 14 parties/suites attended
  
• 4 crazy days
  
• 3 totes worth of swag
  
• 2 photo booths
  
• 1 pic with Winnie the Pooh

Here's some photographic evidence of my time there:

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The Help Movie Review

Wow, powerful, funny, poignant and uncomfortable - that's the laundry list of my reactions after seeing an advanced screening of the new film The Help at BlogHer 11 last weekend.

Set in Mississippi during the civil rights movement, Skeeter (Emma Stone) is a southern society girl who returns from college determined to become a writer and turns her friends' lives and the town upside down when she decides to interview the black women taking care of prominent southern families. Aibileen (Viola Davis), Skeeter's best friend's housekeeper, is the first to open up -- answering questions like "What is it like to raise a white child while your own child is at home?"

I knew very little about the story before going into the theater as I hadn't read the bestselling book, yet luckily I still really enjoyed it. I wish I was more prepared though and had tissues on hand, because the one I had in my purse was worn to bits by the time the credits scrolled. It definitely put a damper on the partying that night, lol. I wasn't the only one affected, as almost all the women were rushing to the bathroom for tissues and to fix their ruined makeup. Yet, although there were sad and intense parts, there was also a lot of laughter and uplifting moments too.

The acting is superb with stellar performances by Emma Stone, Sissy Spacek, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Allison Janney and Bryce Dallas Howard as the irritating villain that you'll love to hate. Best of all, there is never a dull moment in the film, I was riveted and enjoyed the ride.

The Help comes out tomorrow, Wednesday August 10th, so go see it!! Just bring tissues though. (PG-13)

Here's the trailer:

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Wordless Wednesday: Aloha bathrooms

Found in the Honolulu airport.

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