Kitten Lounge

Fashionable Fridays ~ Checkin' in With Kimmie

KittenCouture — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Whether you catch me at an event, see me talking to someone on a show or you just happen to catch me out, you know that clearly I'm all about style. When I'm out and about, people will ask what made me think of Kitten Lounge back in 2007 and I always let them know that Kitten Lounge actually originated as an Internet show back in 2004 when it covered my favorite artists and blended my love of fashion but even that is not an accurate description so I thought it would be good to tell you how it came to be and why it is such a driving force for everything that I do. First off, hi - I'm Kimmie, the Editor in Chief of this site and although I'm not really into the whole "Letter from the Editor" setup, it's nice to understand who is bringing you all of this content and why it's all here!

I fell in love significantly twice when I was younger the first time was at the age of 3 when I remember looking through Vogue and loving gorgeous dresses that showed me that you could be a princess everyday. For those that know my love for accessories, only the big baubles caught my eye! I loved going with my mom to fabric stores where she would make items from Vogue patterns into reality and when she later opened a boutique of custom design clothing in Indianapolis, I was in love. My world opened up to gorgeous brides, sequins, shantung, gaberdines and more and I had an AMAZING closet. That love came from my mother.

My father gave me a second love - at the age of 5, he taught me how to use a computer. We had an Apple and I loved it (don't ask me why I have an HP now although I have to give it some love too even though I continue to dream about a Mac book haha). I loved playing games on it and wondered what would the possibilities of that machine be? Who knew that in college one of my majors would be Telecommunications with a focus in New Media? Leaving IU and coming to NYC, I began doing PR for independent music artists who were only available online and I assisted them in getting spins and getting them booked. Why not, my Great Uncle was Joe Henderson, tenor saxophonist with Blue Note, Verve, etc so it was in my blood and I loved it. But then again fashion kept pulling me back in.

Is it true that I modeled (yes lingerie/swimwear), had a fashion line and currently have my own jewelry line Kitten Couture, and also assist firms with their Social Media via my other company Sikara Designs Group - check it all. But is it true that Kitten Lounge has been around more than two years? Absolutely. It initially came on board in 2004 as an Internet Radio show that I hosted daily for an hour each day for 3 years. Then I played DJ's who had crazy mixes and then talked with indie artists about their personal style. I loved it but realized after I began blogging for another site that I wanted to talk about more than just accessories on that site and do more than just host a radio show. The Kitten Lounge became my place to talk about fashion, style, beauty, food, music and travel. I believed that as a whole person all of this was important to me and that I wasn't alone.

I realized that I'm around stylish and amazing people who they need advice on where to go or how to dress when they are not in the settings that tend to go to all the time. People have always gravitated towards the way I present things and what better way then to introduce my world of showrooms, designers, industry shakers and more to you! Where do I go from here? Because of Kitten Lounge, I have been able to attend Fashion Weeks, go to Project, Magic, see private presentations, launches of all kinds and more. But I truly loved it when I made the cross over to personality when I shot an episode of To Be a Star which comes out later this year. Sharing the importance of accessories, finding your signature look and ultimately branding yourself was so important to me and to the 6 aspiring models that I worked with to achieve it, I'm very proud that I could be apart of that experience.

It is my goal and vision to continue to push various themes that are not only keys to my success but are core mental investments: I feel that accessories are an essential way to set yourself apart and that in the vein of Audrey Hepburn, you can take great classic pieces and look amazing. In addition, you can be someone that crosses over into a lot of areas (hello - I run a style blog, have my own jewelry line, create Social Media strategies for fashion/entertainment firms and am a personality as well) and yet still make it truly your own. Finally and most importantly, Kitten Lounge is about community whether it's introducing you to my favorites that you may not be aware of, reaching out via Twitter (@cocoabebe) or checking in with such favorites as the Holiday Gift Guide which launches Nov 1st (I can't wait to share the fab giveaways that we'll have, those who will be in the guide and a list on who to keep an eye out for in terms of industry must knows for your business). The experiences that I have had and those that will come have come to pass as I'm always open to reaching out, learning and helping someone else. In doing so it has created friendship, trust and has allowed me to interact with groups that I would have never come across if I had done it alone. The power of collaborations and having good people as your checks and balances definitely come in handy when you're running 300 miles an hour - no you're not crazy, you just know that you can do 48 hours of work in a 24 hour cycle and still go out to grab drinks and have a little fun! I want to thank everyone that has made this brand successful and who has been with me in each phase of re-invention that I have been through and look forward to sharing a lot of AMAZING items that are coming up soon!

Treasure Tuesdays ~ Web 2.0 Soap Opera

KittenCouture — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 07:33:16 -0700

I have never been bitten by the Soap Opera bug, the lingering stares the obvious connections and the music that doesn't really bring any form of anticipation. The characters are not people that I have ever felt were real. I simply have never been hooked UNTIL (hit the music as someone peeps behind the door to hear my secret that I say ending with the lingering pause and look) - I fell upon Chicago to Coronado, a Twitter Soap Opera that is done in 140 characetrs complete with links to images and video! I don't want to give too much away but Coronado is a Navy SEALS town and the main character @kirsteno comes here from Chicago (interestingly, there are a lot of Chicago connections here that built the town) and finds herself here and as much as she wants to leave, her new life and love of flip flops keeps here here. There are some interesting characters that somehow all link up even when you're totally surprised. In addition, you can become a character of this saga (oh I so want to be a character - let @kirsteno and for some reason I started looking at the tweets and realized it was a story after clicking on some links I was lead to her homepage where you can begin the story at wherever you left off (but if you follow her you can get the story in real time) and that's how on a night back from hanging out with my girlfriends and heading to Long Beach, NY I found myself getting hooked and reading this story! Good job team and I love the fact that everyone in the story is all about Reinvention! This is something that many of us know about starting anew whether it's in a new location, job, etc. Don't think that you have to be a military buff to follow along nor is it heavily military where you feel like you're reading a history book. The staff have an AMAZING mix of history, military info, fashion, etc - I would so be the fashion advisor anytime they need it! Check it out and get hooked on an amazing story and the first Twitter Soap Opera and follow the characters of the story as well!

Mingling Mondays ~ Vegas Baby

KittenCouture — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 05:00:00 -0700

This time next week, I will be in Vegas hitting Project, Pool, Magic, Slate, etc. I'm staying at the Venetian and can't wait to catch all the shows from fashion to entertainment! In addition, next week's coverage will include amazing boutiques, restaurants, spas, etc as this is a great way to spend a getaway with friends! I can't wait to meet those that are bloggers that live in the area who are covering various Fashion stories (and to my friends that are in the area, you know that I'm super excited to meet you!). The Venetian serves as my home base and there will be quite a lot of posts to share about what's going on! Don't feel too nervous to let me know you're in the area and a meet up - Yes PLEASE! I can't wait to share the coverage and I'm days away from celebrating my 30th as well!

Sippin Saturdays ~ Iconic Ladies of Style

KittenCouture — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 10:09:57 -0700

The Loretta Young Show

I Love Lucy

Gale Storm

Audrey Hepburn

When it comes to icons of style, I have always felt that Audrey Hepburn was mine; however, over the last few days, I learned that her style was a derivative from Gale Storm, Loretta Young and Lucille Ball! I've included their shows and of course the trailer for Audrey Hepburn's Breakfast at Tiffanys!

Loretta Young was a famous actress who starred in various movies. When she crossed over to TV, she wanted to have a show that still showcased her style. Her entrance onto every episode was one that everyone enjoyed! Each episode was a new entrance with a fabulous outfit! For Lucille Ball, it's easy to remember that she made everyone laugh; however, she wore a lot of outfits that were common during the day and of course she had fab evening wear when she was out at the club or traveled with Ricky! Gale Storm's show incorporated her singing and of course signature outfits as she played a cruise activities director on The Gale Storm Show. Of course my favorite is Audrey Hepburn who brought style to the everyday; however, now that that I have seen the other women that have been included within this post, I can see that she embodied elements of each of these women and of course added a bit of a mod style in order to bring an element of her own! I love learning about older shows which were classics that everyone loved and with the beauty of You Tube, you can find a variety of shows that will eventually be within your DVD collection.

Fashionable Fridays ~ Taking On Italian

KittenCouture — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 06:24:09 -0700

Rosetta Stone Lessons 1, 2 & 3 $499 ~ Rosetta Stone.com

I've always wanted to go to Paris and Italy. I learned French in school and still read magazines in the language and yet I always felt like I wanted to learn Italian but with what time? The idea of sitting in a class definitely didn't make me feel comfortable and then I began to think about Rosetta Stone. I had always heard that it was a software that was easy to learn, visual and it allowed you to interact with it. So the mobility and being able to learn at my own pace while doing it in a natural way was a huge bonus and I knew that if I were to pick it up, this would be the best way. Now, this is going to be an ongoing series of posts which will fall on every other Friday! This week is the only week that you will not see a video with me using and speaking it so you can definitely see my progression! But what I felt was an essential point to understand before seeing me work with the software was the screenshots and the common ways that you learn the language. First, I love that they break words down and after they introduce you to vocabulary they will have a series of pictures and the speaker will say "una bambina" which means a girl. But this means that you have to click on the image that makes sense with the words. If you're right you go to the next one and if you're not you continue to click to find the next one. Upon clicking the right image, the words are said again. I found myself while finding and hearing the answer - saying the words along. This leads me to my second screenshot - pronounciation. I don't have to worry if I'm pronouncing it right as there are screens that require you to take the word "bambina" for instance and to break it up into "bam" and "bina". Not only do you get to see the vocal patter of the speaker but you also get to see yours and when you're not saying it right you have a better indication of where your pattern is versus the instructor's. This is essential as you need to know the flow of how these portions of the word are said as you will use them within other words and this is where you become stronger as a speaker. Finally, my favorite part are the scenarios. In the last screen shot, a couple are saying hello and you are required to answer back to them! Once again if you're right you move on and if you're not, you continue to say the right phrase until you move on. I have moved slowly through learning the language and I enjoy going to the manscreen to see what my lessons within a certain section will entail. I love typing out certain words when required and you really feel that you have a grasp of it and that you're retaining it. Click on the link within the spread to learn more about Rosetta Stone! In addition, every other Friday you'll see me use this at home, out and about and finally while I'm in Italy which will be later on this fall! I have enjoyed the experience so much that other languages that I want to pick up will also be learned in this manner as I feel it's not only effective but a lot of fun. Who doesn't have around 45 minutes to learn something and whether you're going to Italy or want to say your favorite meal at an Italian restaurant, it definitely comes in handy!

Sippin Saturdays ~ Avant Coco Chanel

KittenCouture — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 04:00:00 -0700

As many of you know, I love knowing what a brand was like before it was something that we all considered drool worthy of being within our closets! I enjoyed reading The Towering World of Jimmy Choo and loved learning about the importance of proper financing and maintaining the creativity of a brand in order to ensure that it can compete effectively amongst companies that have a deep rooted heritage. Another favorite designer of mine is Chanel! I love her timeless quality and of course I have always been curious to know more about what she was like and how she was inspired to create this amazing brand. Soon, many will begin to learn more about her in Avant Coco Chanel which translates to 'Before Coco Chanel'. Prior to being a fashionable force, she was merely Coco who wanted to get out of her day to day job in order to grasp her true passions. Check out the trailer and I'll let you know what I think of the movie!

Sippin Saturdays ~ Pay it Forward

KittenCouture — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 19:43:11 -0700

We all know of Pay it Forward, doing something for someone else not for any kind of gain; however, I was recently touched by something that I wanted to share with you and hope that you can assist. The other day, a friend of mine told me the saddest story about someone who has worked in the fashion and beauty industry for a number of years and in the sake of anonimity - as she would be shocked to have her story told, I had to see if there were those who could offer assistance. This woman has helped many people in the industry by finding them amazing jobs, being a mentor and a friend. Prior to her losing her job due to the economy, she became ill with a disease and later found that she had breast cancer. Being someone who has helped so many people, it was shocking to learn that she felt she couldn't reach out to her friends and with no money, weight loss and more, she has run out of food and she even needs clothing (she is an XS).

As my friend told me this, I saw how upset she was and felt that I should reach out to my community of friends, PR people and more. Someone who has given so much to others now has so little. The outpouring of assistance that she recieved on my friend's behalf was AMAZING. To see someone from Trader Joe's who doesn't deliver offer to bring items to her and to pay for the groceries just because he wanted to assist was touching. If there are those that could help or know of someone it would be amazing. She is in the NYC area and we will continue to assist her as she continues to go through more challenges. Typically, Kitten Lounge talks about all that's fabulous and fun but we are also a HUGE believer in reaching out and getting our community together to assist others - I thank you for your time and feel free to contact me for further questions or ways that you could assist!

Mingling Mondays: The Ultimate Runway Show

KittenCouture — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 05:00:00 -0800

With it being Fashion Week, all attention is focused on the runways at the tents, presentations that are outside of Bryant Park and so much more. I love this time of year as it makes me think of the spring/summer being closer together, but I'm also thinking of another runway that is even more impacting in terms of helping so many that fight every day! On April 30th, St Jude Children's Research Hospital will present the Design Cares fashion show which is a collaboration of so many designers (including my fave Diane Von Furstenburg) whose pieces will hit the runways and will later be auctioned off in order to benefit pediatric cancer research. The sketch above is a custom couture gown for Design Cares by Maggie Norris Couture which is being donated for this worthy cause. I think this is such an important cause and Kitten Lounge (along with other sites that I write for) will keep you in the loop on this event up to the day (and of course the day after). There are so many amazing stories and interests that are associated with this amazing event, that it would be unfair to share it within one post. Definitely stay in touch as Kitten Lounge presents more posts about this and of course, you can see this event first hand by purchasing tickets to attend!

Mingling Mondays: When The Ball Drops in NYC

KittenCouture — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 05:00:00 -0800

When the ball drops in NYC, where will you be? Well for starters, the Kitten Lounge team will be at Gustavino's which is a fab facility with arched ceilings which are perfect to party in and with it being on 59th street, the drive in will be perfect! But there are a number of places that you should consider and so, here are 5 fab places that you may want to consider and of course you;ll want to get your group together and buy your tickets at Joonbug in order to make sure you can be together and ring in 2009 which is bound to be an amazing year!

1. Gustavino's - Our Food Editor loves high ceilings and interesting places, so it was a no brainer that the team should ring in the new year here as it is centrally located! I am psyched about the open bar, passed appetizers and more. I love dressing up and going to an area of town that I typically do not party in!

2. Duvet II - I have always loved partying here! I love the beds and how relaxed it is so I think that this is definitely a place to consider. Of course if you're going to be here, make sure that you reserve a bed as it adds to the luxury!

3. One - When it comes to one of my favorite places in the Meat Packing District, One is in my top 3! With that being said, this is definitely a place to go to for New Years Eve as I love the intimate vibe while also having enough space to flow from one room to the other! This is an essential when you're going to hang out at a place for awhile, a change of pace is always appreciated!

4. Amalia - The Dream Hotel is one of my favorite places. It has my favorite rooftop - Ava Lounge! I love that it has an amazing view of Times Square and yet you're a bit removed. I say that to say that the restaurant, Amalia is downstairs and is gorgeous! I love that it has a Louis the XVI vibe to it and everywhere you look, there is a feast for the eyes! In addition, selecting this party allows you to have a double combo with D'or.

5. Aspen - My final pick is for the group that wants to have a bit of nature while being inside! I have always been a fan of Aspen (always been so Freeman's like). I love that this is definitely a place to see and be seen! The Flatiron District is always a great place to hang out and is centrally located to wherever the night will take you afterwards.

So these are my top 5 faves and of course, you'll know where I will be! But there are plenty of parties to enjoy out there and you can search Joonbug as you plan one of the most important nights of the year! I will keep you up to date on what's going on over the next few days and will let you know of various parties in NYC and our sister city Toronto will be in the next post (I have to say that with it being a fashion capital, I had to show some love to them as well! If I wasn't here, I would be in Toronto ringing in the new year!).

Wearable Wednesdays: Tracy Reese Does it Again

KittenCouture — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:00:00 -0800

You guys know that my favorite show, hands down at Fashion Week was Tracy Reese's collection which was full of whimsical garden dresses - she makes you feel girly and ready to take on the world at the same time. I still get chills thinking of her choice of music and including Terrence Howard within that line up! Anyway, when her pieces pop up outside of the runway, I love sharing! At the Twilight premier, Jennie Garth was seen wearing this Embellished Toga Dress. She looks elegant and oh so Tracy Reese touched as well! Take some time to check out her site so that you can see what would look best for you!

Fashionable Fridays: Our First Lady

KittenCouture — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 06:26:13 -0800

I love looking at presidential pictures of first ladies and of course, one of my faves was Jackie. She had a great sense of style that was timeless. So of course my eye is on Michelle and so I have decided that as apart of Fashionable Fridays, I will make sure to keep you in the know of the various looks Michelle wears. It will be interesting to see how her style will be. In a recent WWD, they suggested that the first family will be a classic presence where they will mix their high fashion with those that many of us wear. Either way with this historic family, I am interested to see how Michelle and the girls represent their style from functions to just being out and about! I would love to hear your thoughts! Of course we have to kick this off with some images of the soon to be First Lady on Election Night. I know there were some mixed reviews of the look but I thought it was powerful while being fashionable. I saw this dress hit the runway during Fashion Week - loved it then and thought it was appropriate that night as well!

Trendy Thursdays: Give Your Face the Boots

KittenCouture — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 06:00:45 -0800

During Fashion Week, it's more than the fabulous clothes and parties, I love being in the tents and getting introduced to new products. As I walked around the various booths, I came in front of Boots. I knew them to be a store that sold various skincare, beauty products, etc. But I was surprised that the line called No7 was their own line. I was given a moisturizer for day and night and I have been using it since Fashion Week! I love how fresh my face feels and as I received a full sample, I know that when it's time to get another one, I can either go to Boots or I can get it at Target. This is affordable and attainable skincare that will make your face glow everytime you apply the creams! This has made my skin look very refreshed and I honestly feel that I am getting a mini spa everytime I was my face! So although this post is late in coming, I wanted to spend a few months with this product before sharing it with all of you!

Treasure Tuesdays: Get Out There & Vote

KittenCouture — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 05:37:31 -0800

You guys know that this is not a place where I talk politics! I feel that I am not qualified and I don't follow all the issues; however, I do have a message! I have stood in a lot of lines for Fashion Week, ramdom events and I have waited to get interviews about new items that are hitting the market and if I can do all of that and fit everything into my schedule, I know that I can vote. This year we have learned a lot of information and have seen the candidates in various ways. I feel that this has been and will be the most exciting election and to be apart of it, if you took the effort to register to vote - follow through and get out there! If you didn't fill your info out, I believe that you can also do a provisional vote as well (this allows you to place a vote when your information may have been incorrect to due not filling out your intent to vote or simply not getting yours in on time) check such sites as Can I Vote which will let you know where you vote and also get you in touch with someone in your state who can help you out. I will be voting later on this evening as polls here won't close until 9pm. Then I will head out to some bar to watch the numbers start coming in. This election has really made people have a lot of issues and a lot of us who may have sat back before are standing up now. Even T.I. voted in Atlanta via an early voting period last week. He had believed he was not eligible to do so due to serving some time but found that he could. It is an important part of what we do in this country and it is important that if we can be vocal on what we think is wrong, we should put action into what we know is right by making a stand. I will be on Twitter all day so let me know your thoughts and how the numbers are coming in!

Wearable Wednesdays: Inhabit

KittenCouture — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 05:00:00 -0700

I found out about Inhabit days before Fashion Week and fell in love with their pieces that definitely leave people lingering to get a second look of your outfit! I love that they are for men and women and are all about ultimate comfort to boot! During Fashion Week, I had the opportunity to wear one of her long tunics that had long sleeves and little holes for your thumbs. I could wear it everyday. Regardless of whether you're wearing the cotton or cashmere look, this is definitely something that should be increasing in your closet without a doubt! If you are into organics, they also have a section of the line that includes this as well. I love casual luxe which Inhabit is without a doubt

Kitten Lounge is Following the Starter Wife

KittenCouture — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:00:00 -0700

One of the things that I loved most about Sex and the City is that it had fabulous outfits that dazzled you. From the simplistic looks to those that were for a massive night out, there was always something that you wanted to keep in your closet. Yes, Sex and the City was an end of and era of amazing fashions (I suppose people thought the same thing with Dynasty and other shows such as that). Fortunately, I have picked up such shows as Lipstick Jungle to enjoy the super cute looks but I do believe that I have acquired another find - USA Network's the Starter Wife whose 2 hour premier wil launch tonight!

Debra Messing stars in The Starter Wife; however, much like Patricia Field was a dynamic element to the show, Agata Maskiewics is the same for this show! I can't wait to see all the looks (some which are including within the gallery of this post) and make sure to tune into USA at 9pm EST for the 2 hour premier and to see whether you loved seeing Carrie's east coast looks or those that Molly (Debra's character) will wear as a lady of Hollywood. Below is a snippet of the interview with Agata Maskiewics, costume designer for this series. Eye 4 Style had the amazing opportunity to do an exclusive interview with her and we have a portion of this, if you want to know about the entire interview, visit Eye 4 Style which has amazing finds about various styles and previews that you'll want to know more about.

Being a costume designer must be a fun job! How did you get your start?

I started working in the film & TV industry after graduating from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising where I studied fashion design. I started as an intern on a feature film and worked my way up holding various positions in the costume department.

How is styling a celebrity different from styling a character in film or television?

While I don’t particularly style celebrities, I feel that the main difference is that when designing a character the job is to transform an actor into the character they are portraying. Often times the costumes can really help an actor make the transition into the character they are set to play. Also, sometimes the costumes are not meant to be flattering; depending on the character, the goal isn’t always to make them look beautiful. But when styling a celebrity, it’s all about having them look amazing.

What role does fashion play in The Starter Wife?

Fashion is almost like another character in The Starter Wife. So much of the personality of the actors comes through in the clothing they wear. Our goal is to have the audience as excited about the fashions as they are the characters. We want the people at home to feel as though they can hear the ruffle of Molly’s Zac Posen silk dress and smell the exquisite leather of her Manolos. We want them to daydream about getting into Molly’s closet and have the opportunity to dress from it everyday as she does. And yes, the closet is huge, since as a Hollywood woman, she never repeats an outfit!

Kitten Lounge Loves Lucky Shops

KittenCouture — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:31:10 -0700

There are certain times during the year that I absolutely love to be in the midst of shopping mania! One of them is when Lucky Magazine holds its Lucky Shops event! I love going and checking out a variety of items that are greatly reduced while enjoying some cocktails. Each fall that I have attended, the deals have been better and I have walked away with some great finds and awesome goodies to go with it (I am still giddy about my Tory Burch bag and the most amazing CK seamless panties - TMI I know but I love them so it's ok). This year, Lucky Shops will be at the Metropolitan Pavilion on November 7th and 8th. This year the denim bar is back thanks to Lycra and of course Singer will be there for complimentary hemming. Lucky's "The Lucky Guide to Mastering Any Look" will be available for purchase and I love that Benefit will have a Brow Bar. With so many giveaways available and more, you'll want to get your tickets to be apart of this. In addition, the lovelies at Lucky Shops want to give you a little love so we have a giveaway for the coveted goodie bag! One of you will win this bag stuffed to the brim with goodies by visiting the site and providing comments here on the following question: Tell me why you like Lucky Shops and what you hope to get while there from the vendors that will be attending this shopping event. Those with the correct answer will be randomly drawn. Winners will be announced on Oct 24th! If you're going let me know and I'm sure I will see you there!

Trendy Thursdays: Beam Brings You Into the Daylight

KittenCouture — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 05:00:00 -0700

I have to say that one of the things that I love most about Fashion Week above and beyond the shows is that it's a time when people come together to see people you run past daily or who you only talk to via emails. It's also a time when you have the opportunity to meet others through people that you already know. This can take place at shows, in the tents, parties and so much more. Simply put, it's a great way to relationship build!

Well, the night before Fashion Week, Total Beauty kicked off this week of events by throwing a party and via Sam from Dark PR, I had the pleasure of meeting Andrea and Liza Young, the Brazilian sister duo that is behind New York's prominent, Beam Laser Spa (1841 Broadway Suite 806). The night that I met them, I knew that not only did they look adorable but I was definitely intrigued to learn more about the services that were available at this spa. Fortunately, we were able to meet again and I settled on a date and time to not only have an appointment but to learn about the spa!

Trust me when I say that I was a little nervous to have my appointment. Although the idea of never having to shave under my arms again seemed like a dream, the idea of having a laser on me was a little too Goldfinger for my taste. But my apprehension was calmed by being greeted by Liza who has such a great calm personality, I love that she chatted and explained my forms and one look in the office makes you feel a bit of Zen. Andrea has such an amazing personality and beyond having a bubbly personality, knowing that she is a molecular biologist with an MBA and has worked within the hair removal industry for many years, made me feel that she was knowledgeable about various techniques and had seen the evolution of them.

My initial concern was the obvious - pain, I love how she explained that in areas that had less hair, you wouldn't feel as strong of a sensation as denser areas. In fact, the sensation would be temporary. Seeing her demo the laser and watching the puffs of air that came out that cooled the areas that had received the laser was very calming. But another issue that still remained was that I had always heard that African Americans were not able to have this treatment or that many people felt it simply wasn't for them. Even my mom was shocked that I had received this treatment as she explained that back in the 70's she had had laser treatment in her face and that later her dermatologist had explained that it wasn't for women of color. In fact when Googling on various message boards, I found this response along with warnings of scars and spots appearing on the skin as a huge warning against doing this.

Andrea's knowledge and answer to this question was shocking to hear. In spas that have these laser treatments, those who are olive to darker skinned should find out what kind of wavelength is used in terms of the procedure. Those that are darker need to make sure that their facilities have a dual laser machine which has an Alexandrite and a Yag wave. The YAG wave is for those with darker skin and although it penetrates deeper into the skin layer bypassing the skin color, it has a slightly reduced effect that still removes the hair without lightening our color. I found this amazing and was pleased to know that laser treatments could be an option for all skin tones.

Andrea explained everything, answered questions and continued to make me comfortable. Now for those who are thinking of getting this treatment, they offer a free consultation where they do a patch test. This is where you choose a small area and they do the procedure so that you can have a sample. In many cases, over 90% of those who do the consultation, come back to actually get it done. With all this knowledge and hearing this percentage, I was ready.

Prior to this, I was not able to shave about a day or two before coming in and (to my grossed out dismay) I didn't have deodarent on. Since I was doing my underarms, Andrea, shaved the arms to make sure it was clean, drew the area that would be treated with a white pencil and then used the laser. This procedure probably only took 10 mins total. At first the sensation of feeling the beam and then the cold air on my arms just felt different as you don't usually have this on you; however, when it got to the denser areas, there was slight discomfort. I love that she guaged my reactions and when I needed a slight breather she stopped. She continued to chat with me and you were able to continue. When it was over, aloe was placed under my arms.

I was shocked that it was over so quickly and after she examined my arms, she said that it didn't look aggravated. I felt a slight discomfort but absolutely nothing major. Now when you sign up you know that you will have to do somewhere between 6 - 8 treatments and they are spaced out by 6 weeks. Each time the hairs are growing in less and you can see the difference. In fact, within 3 weeks, both sisters said that I would notice hairs under my arms but that they would literally fall out. Although I am not a fan of stray hairs, the idea that I am one step closer to not having to shave is AMAZING.

When I got home, I checked under my arms and each day (as this took place on Sun) I am amazed that I haven't really seen anything! They offer so many services and I would start with doing your underarms. Because this is such a new thing for me and I have my next treatment in Nov, I will keep you guys up to date on how everything is going. Three weeks from now (actually from this past Sun), I will let you know if I see any hairs. The sisters reminded me that if I have hairs that are growing in by then and have not fallen out, they would take away the stray hairs at no cost.

The care they take from the time they walk in the door to when you leave is amazing and being comfortable is half the battle! Beam Laser Spa is definitely a place that I will refer to my friends and if you guys go there, you have to let me know your thoughts!

Fashionable Fridays: Get Into Michael Kors

KittenCouture — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 05:00:00 -0700

After seeing the Michael Kors Fashion Week show a few days ago, as I sat thinking about my post for today, I knew that I wanted to add some of his fab accessories. I am all about his bags (have always been a fan) and of course, how could I not mention the footwear which are perfect. I feel that he has quite a few items within his collection that use the olivine color which is the perfect neutral while adding quite a pop of color. Take some time to check out these items and then of course start putting together items from his label as well.

Kitten Lounge is on Alltop!

KittenCouture — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 20:44:30 -0700

Hey guys! I am so pleased that Kitten Lounge has been included within Alltop on the Fashion Channel. This is so exciting that we have joined other bloggers not only within this channel but also throughout their network. Check out the sites that are on here and pick up some new favorites!

Treasure Tuesdays: Islands of the World Fashion Week

KittenCouture — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 05:00:00 -0700

Last week I was in the thick of things at New York Fashion Week and I ended it on my birthday! As exciting as this was, I can only be giddy about my next location to cover Fashion Week. This year, the Bahamas will have the Islands of the World Fashion Week taking place Nov 5th - Nov 8th! It is definitely going to be a lot of fun in presenting designers from various islands all over the world! These designers come from Cuba, Jamaica, Bahamas, Madagascar, Fiji, St Vincent and The Grenadines, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia, Haiti and British Virgin Islands. All the action will take place in The Bahamas at the British Colonial Hilton and Atlantis.

In addition, the entire team will make its way down with our Food Editor, Paul covering local foods and restaurants and our Development Editor, Arlene, covering hotels and real estate developments. Arlene is a new member added to the team who I am excited to have as apart of Kitten Lounge. With my love for HGTV's House Hunters (International and Domestic), when we have the opportunity to leave the city, she will look at the market from a tourism and a relocating stand point! This is a great time to enjoy beautiful weather and amazing hospitality. We'll give updates as we get closer and of course, I can't wait to give all the details as well.

Sippin Saturdays: Recouping From Fashion Week

KittenCouture — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 12:01:47 -0700

All the planning and tests of endurance and witihin a few days, it's all over! Well the good news is there will be some recapping on Fashion Week next week but we will start to go back to our normal structure. There were a lot of outfits and coverage that made it onto other media outlets which I can't wait to share with you and my lovely sponsors but I don't have the footage and like you, will have to wait for it. When I receive it, I will let you guys know! With that being said I am recovering from Fashion Week and definitely had some parting thoughts and I have a new Fashion Week that I will let you know about shortly that I will be covering which takes place right before the holidays and it's International as well! We are getting the last bolts tied down but I can't wait to share with you.

Fashion Week - I have been to shows before but never seriously covered it in the way that I did this year! It definitely take a lot of planning and there are events that happen prior to, during and after! My big thing was feeling amazing each day and it wouldn't have been possible without starting off the day with my beauty regimine which consisted of Mistral Soap (I used a different one everyday and always smelled amazing - they are a must for any day), Nars Cosmetics (I need to know that I will look amazing and not have to retouch as I was running around all over the place) and Model Co (which kept me fresh with the misting sprays). These were my basic tools that I relied on!

Comfortable but amazing clothing was a must as well - Lauren Conrad's Collection made everyone smile as I went from the tents, suites and off site locations! I can't thank their staff enough and it actually made it live on air in Sacramento since Fox News was at the tents on Friday and a few Japanese magazines (once again, when I get the footage and magazines, I will let you know). Linea Pelle had amazing belts and on the first day and with my outfit from Inhabit, I included it within my look which was amazing. It just goes to show you that you can put your flair in there and still look amazing.

Every now and then I had to take a breather and constantly rework my schedule as I had plans to see one event but would recieve an invitation to another. When covering the shows flexibility is the key! Most important, being able to hang out with people in the industry and to remember that this is an amazing series of days is also key. I have to thank Sam Dark PR and Dashing Diva for not only keeping me amazing in manis and pedis but letting us go back stage to Erin Fetherston and Tony Cohen to see what they do and what it takes to put on such a show. I love you guys and it added so much to this coverage.

Finally, when it was over, yesterday was my birthday and with Lauren Conrad on my back I felt amazing covering the show and then heading out to dinner at Nam with my boyfriend and later to Mocca Lounge. There is nothing like hanging out in Tribeca with the rain, a few friends and your boyfriend. Today, I'm heading out to the beach and working on covering the super secret Fashion Week but it was all worth it and I can't wait to do it all over again in a new location! I have included two images: one is me on the red carpet of the Total Beauty party which kicked off Fashion Week. They had a daily sponsored suite at the Bryant Park Hotel with Chanel, Ted Gibson, Aveda and more. It was nice to meet fellow bloggers and to get away from the madness. You guys throw a great event. The next is last night at Mocca Lounge after a few drinks with Paul our Food Editor and also my boyfriend. Speaking of Food Editor, he was linked on Food Channel so you can learn a bit more about him there!

Carmen Marc Valvo: Spring 2009 Fashion Show

KittenCouture — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 09:33:42 -0700

So Fashion Week is over and yesterday I had an AMAZING birthday and of course there will be recaps and I have another show that I attended last night as well. The Carmen Marc Valvo show was a beautiful show and reminded me of everything that I enjoy about fashion! I love seeing a show where you love every single piece that hits the runway and it's a shame that I can't include every piece but these were my ABSOLUTE faves from this show! I love a great evening gown and the attention to detail that is applied!

Fashion Week: End of Day One

KittenCouture — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:52:14 -0700

I made it through the first day. It was a lot of fun and nothing is better than jumping in with both feet and just going with the plan - you know that there isn't really one. I have to say that I was a little tired towards the end and all the running around was making us all a bit sweaty but it wasn't too bad - I had Lauren Conrad, Linea Pelle, Mistral Soaps and Nars Cosmetics to push me to the last bit of energy! Check out my parting words for the end of day one at New York Fashion Week!

Action in the Tents

KittenCouture — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:59:42 -0700

Part of the fun in between shoes is to sit back and watch others. As we were waiting for the Perry Ellis Show (my mom was my guest and it was her first show ever), we saw the Evian girls. I had actually received a tip that they would be at the show. Somehow, I thought they would be outside but since Evian is a major sponsor, it's not that hard to think that the girls would be at the tents. They served water on silver platters and ensured that we were all cozy. In addition, after the show, my mom and I were able to create our own Haviannas! After being in heels, my mom was so glad to wear these comfortable flip flops! There was also an area where the the Premium M&M's were sitting. I love these so it was nice to get refreshed by them.

Fashionable Fridays: The Calm Before the Storm

KittenCouture — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 05:00:00 -0700

Last night, prior to the TotalBeauty.com and StyleList.com party, I took a second to take in the tents. It's my favorite thing to do the night before the shows. I love seeing the people making their preps and just seeing people hanging out in the park casually. Knowing that in hours the place will have constant activity until the conclusion of this event is absolutely amazing. But sitting there last night with great weather, a party around the corner with the amazing brands and my friends Dashing Diva and Dark PR, you forget about that and just enjoy that you're in the area. I love that the Empire State Building peeks out in this video clip and that also you can see the other buildings around. It's absolutely amazing that there is such a nice area that everyone loves to hang out at in the heart of the city! Enjoy and I can't wait to keep in touch via posts. If you Twitter, follow me! My screenname is Cocoabebe.