Kitten Lounge

Trendy Thursdays ~ Keep it Smooth

KittenCouture — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 05:00:00 -0700

Many times, I hit the shower and use my favorite products but on the weekends or on days where I have more time, I love to try new things. One of those new things may be products that I have to take more time to use. Recently, I received two products from Tree Hut, the Shea Butter and the Body Scrub with Brazil Nut. For those that have come over and watched me wash something or just talk for a long time, they find that I constantly moisturize. I do it so much that recently, my friend @nikisnotes commented on how she felt dry just watching me use so much! Brazil Nut has a great scent and I am in LOVE with the Body Scrub. Not only does it make your skin super soft but it's not so gritty where you feel that you have a bit of sandpaper. The Shea Butter has a nice thickness that's not too oily.

Your skin is definitely your best asset and whether you spend a lot of time at spas or re-create your own at home, you'll want to focus on spending time keeping yourself looking fresh! Not only will you enjoy taking some personal time but you'll love that these products are organic.Take some time to check out the full product line of Tree Hut!

Trendy Thursdays: Project Detox ~ A View of the Valley

KittenCouture — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 07:10:42 -0700

In an ongoing series, Keren Weinstein, our Guest Life-Balance Editor, took a much needed trip. More than the need to go on vacation to a new locale, she wanted to find her own sense of balance and thus Project Detox began. Last week, we enjoyed guacomole the way that it was meant to be but today we learn about the importance of ladies night!

Project Detox (PD) was designed like Yoga 101. As soon as I stepped on the mat (ala Desert Oasis) I used my senses to let go of daily stresses and to reconnect.

I have now completed my prerequisite and was ready to begin the journey into myself.

Tucson; Mecca of destination spa resorts, houses one of my absolute fave.

Miraval® Arizona Resort & Spa; Home of ‘Life in Balance’, ‘Mindfulness Experience’ & ‘Aha Moments’ naturally then becomes the next stop on my PD journey.

The name Miraval is made up of the Spanish words mirrar (to look or view/mirror) and valle (valley). The 400 acre resort was designed to be a journey into one’s self. A view of the valley. The name can also be interpreted as “mirror of all” as once you are relaxed by the all-inclusive pampering of mind, body, and senses you can see things in yourself and your life more clearly and/or from a different perspective.

In one of their brochures sits a quote by Marcel Proust “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new landscapes, but in having new eyes”.

When I first arrived at the resort, I was able to catch the ‘Mindfulness at Miraval’ program: The perfect way to start the walk through the valley of my being. There I learned that the “i” in Miraval is Me. (It’s like I died and went to holistic-Me-time heaven!). The teacher opened my eyes to how important holistic awareness (mindfulness) of the body, mind and heart is to getting the most out of any experience. How to be mindful, not only at Miraval, but in every experience in daily life (work, children, relationships even eating & walking). This will lead to a balanced life with more focus, ease and intention.

They were right.

The only relationship I need to focus on at the moment is with my inner self.

Apparently we haven’t hung out 1 on1 in a while and Lady’s night was long overdue!

Keren Weinstein is a seasoned professional in Fashion & Beauty with over 12 years in Integrated Marketing, Advertising and Celebrity Fashion Styling

Snazzy Sundays ~ Bathroom Simplistics

KittenCouture — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 14:38:42 -0700

Whether you have a huge bathroom or a tiny one, you'll find that you'll want to make sure that you keep it clutter free! There are so many ways to make sure that your space is as spa like as possible and a great way is condensing your bottles! Paul and I share a bathroom and between shampoos, soaps and more, there seems to be little surface space available. Simple Human solved this problem by creating not only a space saver but the containers that allow you to have more suds since they are dispensed in a professional way. It's so easy to assemble as everything is provided. You peel off the back of the plate that the bottles sit in and you also add silicon adhesive and press against the wall. After waiting 24 hours, you can place both of the containers in (you can also add a hook so that your sponge or razor can attach on to this). Finally, you have a cleaner bathroom with that spa sensibility! I love that you don't have to worry about not getting the last of your soap as the T-Bar ensures that you get the perfect squirt and that you get to use all of your favorite liquids!

Trendy Thursdays: Project Detox ~ Staging Moments

KittenCouture — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0700

In an ongoing series, Keren Weinstein, our Guest Life-Balance Editor, took a much needed trip. More than the need to go on vacation to a new locale, she wanted to find her own sense of balance and thus Project Detox began. Last week, we prepped with her for the trip and today, we're at the first stop! Thankfully, Keren will share her journey which will provide a little insight into our needs of finding our equilibrium.

For this full-time working mom that lacks sunshine, serenity and nature, a jolt back to equilibrium begins with detoxing from the jungles of NYC into the warm soothing arms of the Sonoran Dessert.

Sunshine. Straight up for me please. Dry. No olives.

And ‘according to the Tucson locals’, I was actually in the sunniest state in the U.S. (& one of the sunniest places on earth)…. Sorry Florida I love ya dearly & I know you have Sunshine State plastered on your drivers licenses but I did get the gossip on how Arizona really outsunned you but let you keep the title ‘Sunshine State’ back in the 70’s since they had the Grand Canyon as one of the world’s natural wonder’s to boast (& of course the added bonus title of ‘Copper State’ for their mineral wealth).

Their proof they claim is in the Biosphere.

As in, the choice to build the famed Biosphere 2 in Arizona because it most resembled outer space (ala’ lots of sunshine!) . Biosphere 2 is a glass dome which contains the largest closed man-made ecosystem ever created in order to study the interactions between humans, farming and technology with the rest of nature and to explore the possibility of humans living in one of these in space – talk about a destination spa fit for Jane Jetson, I’d love to go there!). And yes, this Biosphere is the place George Costanza referred to on Seinfeld when he lied and said “Elaine has been chosen to represent the Upper West Side in the next Biosphere project”.

Stepping out of Tucson Airport into the bright early morning sun was more like stepping in to a detoxifying sauna. You instantly feel your body melt away the stress in the dry desert heat.

This is the moment when you close your eyes and take it all in. (..and I mean Really close your eyes as you don’t have to keep one eye open to watch over your lil one!!)

The solitude. The heat. The stillness. The scent (gosh that clean scent! of mesquite, cactus, sun, rain, flora).

When I opened my eyes, I was standing in front of a very rare & beautiful sight: The flower bloom of the Organ Pipe Cactus situated right at the airport taxi station. This cactus blooms only at night and once a year but I was able to see it! Not only was it early morning and the flower didn’t close yet from the night but since it has many buds that open up on different days between May and July there is a span of a few shorts weeks out of the year where you can catch a glimpse of one of the buds blooming at the tip of the cactus’ arm.

It was one of those moments.

Now that I am back home to my busy urban life I infuse that detoxifying moment into my every day by simply lighting my Cactus Cream Travel Candle, closing my eyes and allowing the heat and scent transport me to Tucson.

Staging moments in a tin can.

Keren Weinstein is a seasoned professional in Fashion & Beauty with over 12 years in Integrated Marketing, Advertising and Celebrity Fashion Styling

Trendy Thursdays: Bamboo is Essential Skincare

KittenCouture — Thu, 07 May 2009 05:00:00 -0700

I am OBSESSED with AHAVA! Now there are many reasons why I love this body wash first off - the smell is amazing! You definitely feel that you have a spa at home as soon as you use this on your sponge. I have been using Bamboo & Pansy for about a month and I love how silky smooth it makes you feel. Now what else makes this amazing, there are no harmful detergents (parabens) used within this product and it is composed of Dead Sea minerals as well. This ensures a healthy glow that you'll notice within days of using this (in my opinion). This Mineral Botanical comes in various scents so you'll have quite a variety to choose from.

After enjoying this, it has me thinking about using the Dead Sea Mineral Mud which is for the entire body and then the men's line seems perfect for my boyfriend as he has sensitive skin! I believe that the fact that AHAVA's products use Dead Sea Minerals, sunflower oil and more - you get an amazing essence of vitamins that work for your skin and make you look like a walking spa enthusiast.

Trendy Thursdays: Go Koh Gen Do!

KittenCouture — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 05:00:00 -0700

Earth Week continues and you know, Kitten Lounge will continue to talk about various items within this category. The response for our Earth conscious items has been so great that it will actually get a day to itself once we get to the month of May! I love how people are sending items about sustainable lifestyles, food and so much more! But of course, we will never give up our beauty segments and I have a great one to share with you that I started using. Can I just say that I have been a Dove user for a number of years (I loved the face pads and use the deodarent but I have found something that I truly love)!

Koh Gen Do is a very sleek line of cosmetics, body products and more. I love that no animals are tested with this line and that it is comprised of raw ingredients. This is not only better for the environment but also for your skin. In addition to the benefits of the products, who doesn't love the packaging? Whether it's makeup or the skincare portion, I love that your bathroom turns into a personal spa simply because the packages have a boutique luxe look to them. I love the idea of having a home spa whether you have a routine or whether you simply decided to take some time for yourself just because.

What pieces do I like and what's considered on my "list" of items for this line? I love the Organic Cotton pads that are super soft! It's so plush that even when you're makeup is on, it doesn't leave fuzzies on your face. The Cleansing Spa Water is literally the best solution when it comes to ensuring that your face is clean and that all of your makeup has been removed. I love the fact that everything this beauty line uses is good for you and the environment at large. I do have a few of the cosmetics; however, I have yet to use them (I will have to try it this weekend when I go out). Find out more about the line by visiting the site and you can order online as well! Your face and body are the ultimate calling card so choose wisely what brands you use and definitely consider Koh Gen Do!

Trendy Thursdays: Cocoa Butter is Best

KittenCouture — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 06:00:00 -0700

I am all about lotion but when it comes to what I use everyday without changing every now and then, I am a HUGE fan of Palmers Cocoa Butter! This is a great product for so many reasons. From an economical standpoint, it's never above $5 for a regular jar and not above $8 for the large one. I love that it's available at Target, Duane Reade, CVS and at Drugstore.com. But the biggest thing about this is the fact that it is an amazing moisturizer for the skin, it takes blemishes away within a quick amount of time and it has an amazing smell to it. Using this everyday creates a nice glow that makes you look like you came from a spa. What's not to like and if you love this, you'll love the full product line which is good for many areas of your body whether it's a lotion, soap, etc. They don't just stop at cocoa butter, it continues on with their olive oil as well.

Mingling Mondays: Digging Out

KittenCouture — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 08:14:17 -0800

PGA was so much fun and I just got in last night. Of course I went straight to a Super Bowl Party and so today is a quiet day; however, posts will resume tomorrow and tonight I will add my top 3 fave restaurants that I went to while I was away. Thank you guys for all the emails on a lot of items that will be posted on here within the next few days and if anyone has some spa suggestions, let me know!

Trendy Thursdays: Beam Take 2

KittenCouture — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:27:33 -0800

On a chilly and windy day this past Sunday I was off to Beam Laser Spa (1841 Broadway Suite 806) to get my second treatment! I have enjoyed a hairless existence under my arms since Oct! The idea of never having to shave again has also made me think of other areas that I may consider as well. As always Lisa and Andrea (the amazing sister duo) make the experience even better by chatting with you about life in general and also how it's been since your last treatment as well. Just as they said during my first treatment, within three weeks, the little hairs that were there just fell away and for my experience - the hairs didn't really grow back. Those that did were much finer.

After our chatting, I went into the room with Andrea. On my first treatment, Andrea described what it was that I would feel and explained the process of what she was doing. She educated me on the two types of lasers available the Alexandrite and the Yag (the Yag is for those that have an olive skin tone and darker) and what to expect in terms of after the treatment. Although I am a complete convert to the laser treatment, she explained the waves and what to expect after my treatment. The first time it took about 10 mins and this time, the treatment felt like 5 mins! In addition, when I left the first time, I felt a slight feeling of irritation as my arms had experienced a laser but within about two hours it was fine! Andrea suggested that I use Aloe and I bought a Cocoa Bean Aloe which was perfect. Coming into the treatment, I had meant to bring this with me and forgot.

After this treatment, we went back into the waiting room and I chatted for about 15 mins with them. It wasn't until I got into the elevator that I realized I didn't feel anything! My underarms are smooth and I never have to spend time shaving which is amazing. Generally, their packages are for 6 treatments and I have my next one on Dec 20th! In terms of a gift that you should give yourself, this is definitely one that I would suggest. The time that is saved and the piece of mind that you never have to wonder about a shadow is worth it! I'll let you know more about this in my next post about Beam and if you want to hear about the first step in my hairless journey, visit Beam Brings You Into the Daylight. If you're interested in trying this out, get a package (6 sessions) and receive 25% off from now through Dec 31st, 2008. Just visit their website and give them a call!

Mingling Mondays: One Night Only

KittenCouture — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 05:00:00 -0800

Weekends are essential! I get very excited about them and this one was even more exciting since Kitten Lounge Food Editor and boyfriend, Paul and I were hitting the road to go to Atlantic City to not only enjoy Halloween night but to get in some good food, spa time and a little poker - obviously not all of these would be enjoyed by me but we were both excited. As many of you know who Twitter me, I kept counting down to Atlantic City and by 5pm, I was picked up by Paul and off we went after gassing up the Murano to tackle Atlantic City. There's something about going on a road trip and if you travel with me, you can enjoy me singing along and doing dances (the closer we got to AC we lost our stations and went to 60's and 70's music which brought back memories of Sat mornings when I was little with my mom, sister and I!).

Paul and I had been invited to come down to Atlantic City and to stay at the Tropicana and to enjoy some dining. As we continued on the Atlantic Expressway into the strip, I couldn't help but think that since we took a few wrong turns, that we should definitely think about the next car having a little navigation and that we definitely want to have an SUV but that we might consider getting a Ford Flex as we will do quite a bit of traveling and you can't deny that it is a head turner - I always feel when you hit certain streets you definitely want to do the whole "see and be seen thing".

Arriving at Tropicana, I was pleased to find that we were staying in the new Havana Tower. Not only do I love that it's new but it's so close to all the food and club.lounge options. Since we were a little late (wrong turns will do that to you), we checked in at the front desk and checked in with PF Changs, went upstairs and came back down. All week I had been dreaming of Lettuce Chicken Wraps and I was not disappointed in the slightest; moreover, munching on the Crab Wontons was equally as satisfying. After a crazy week full of presentations and finishing up the Holiday Gift Guide, I was so glad to have the Mai Tai and later a Plum Collins (an interesting take on the Tom Collins which substiutes the vodka for Plum Vodka and also Plum Wine). Paul being a creature of habit, enjoyed the red wine. For dinner, I enjoyed the Sea Bass which sat on spinach leaves and Paul had large prawns. We shared garlic snap peas and for dessert we shared a chocolate dome.

I have always been a fan of PF Changs as I enjoy their asian fusion menu; moreover, when I have had it in a resort setting, I tend to enjoy the food that much more. During dinner we were able to touchbase with Courtney who is the Tropicana's PR Manager. In addition to attending events, I love meeting the people that you spend weeks chatting with in order to learn about a product or service. She let us know that there was a huge Halloween Costume Contest that would happen in the Quarter which is an annual event. While at dinner we saw various costumes and my favorite was actually a couple that we saw while we were checking in - they dressed as a bride and groom from the beyond and yet they had a pack of beer.

After dinner, we walked out into the Quarter to see all the restaurants and clubs that were available upstairs and downstairs. With more people gethering for the costume contest, we decided to step into Cuba Libre downstairs and enjoy some mojitos and of course to dance. I love lively music and everything is much more interesting when you have so many costumes around you. We popped out to catch the winners of the costume and then went upstairs to not only look down on the winners but to pop in to a few more places for a drink. We are both a fan of people watching and I have to say that the Cuba Libre upstairs has a bit of a lounge which is perfect for that. Although it was past midnight and we had only been in Atlantic City for about 4 hours, we continues to Red Square to enjoy an amazing selection of vodkas.

With such a long day behind us and quite an agenda to cover the next day, we decided to turn in. Nothing is better than having a large corner room with a spectacular view of the cities. Whether I'm in Vegas or in AC, I love seeing the bright lights. Being on the 64th floor we had an amazing view that we took in for about an hour or so.

The next morning, we knew we had a lot to do as we were heading home later in the day. Paul had to play Poker as he had been itching to do this for weeks and I knew I had a spa and both of us would meet up for lunch. We decided to do the smartest thing by ordering a plate of fruit to kick off the day! Paul played poker and I headed out to the Blue Mercury Spa. I had no idea that we have one in the city but as I walked in, I saw products that you could purchase from Model Co, Kiehl's, Molton Brown and more. When I headed downstairs, I found Erin who would perform my Blissfuls Coconut Sugar Scrub. Leaving the lockerroom, I walked into a lounge with pitchers of water filled with oranges and limes and platters of fruit. After nibbling on these, Erin walked with me to our room. This treatment had various stages. Erin rubbed coconut scrub on me, I soaked in a coconut milk bath for 20 mins, I took a shower to cool my body down and then I got an intensive full body massage. This was 100 minutes that I could have enjoyed for quite some time. Interestingly enough, I was starving by the time I met up with Paul and we headed to Carmine's.

Carmine's is an Italian restaurant that we have here in the city in Times Square and on the UWS. This family style restaurant has HUGE portions that are meant to be shared with 2 - 4 individuals. Most items are made on premise. As we thought about the menu, we munched on various breads and dipped them into an amazing olive oil ordered lasagna with a side of spinach. From presentation alone, this lasagna looked so good that the table next to us told us that they wished that they had ordered. We had so much that we knew we had to take it home with us. The General Manager stopped by and shared with us the benefits of a restaurant of this nature. When you have various people eating together, everyone has the opprotunity to share various portions of an Italian meal and everyone is able to chip in. We finished the lunch with chocolate canoli's and decided that we had to walk off lunch.

As we walked the boardwalk, we went to a taffy shop to pick up James' Salt Water Taffy. This is a must if you love this candy and everytime I go to Atlantic City, this is something that I have to do. Our walk found us at the outlets and from a little after 3 until almost 7 we shopped! I knew that AC had outlets; however, the amount of shops was surprising. After all the shopping, eating, partying and more, it was time to head home and to ensure that Sun was all about rest.

Thinking back, there are times when you want to do something fun and don't feel like boarding a plane. Filling up the car right after work to head out to AC is totally doable and once there, you can gamble but there are so many things to take advantage of! Whether it's you and hyour sig other or a large group, you won't be at a loss of things to do. The Tropicana was a great place to stay with so many options and you can still visit other areas. This is definitely an option for over night, a couple of days or on your way to something else. Atlantic City and the Tropicana was a Kitten Lounge Pick and a great way to kick off the next few weekends where we will be traveling! Next stop: our invitations to Islands of the World Fashion Week in the Bahamas and Skytop Resort in the Poconos.

Kitten Lounge Roundup: Week of 10.13.08

KittenCouture — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:02:22 -0700

I love the roundups! Sometimes, I need to be reminded of all the goodies that have been going on, will take place here and maybe just something that needs to be mentioned because you guys will love it! So what happened over the past week that is of note: Well, I am rapidly moving in with Food Editor and boyfriend, Paul so I am all about decor at the moment! Expect that Sundays are going to be packed with items that we actually will choose. Last week, I highlighted great pieces that are from West Elm! Expect to see interesting pieces of items that we have actually purchased over the next few weeks - starting with this Fri and learn about our color schemes. It may be a little TMI but I could use some design direction as I am in the middle of quite a few things at the moment!

We began an amazing and fun partnership with Lucky Magazine which makes me so pleased. If you want to be apart of the giveaway of one of the goodie bags that will be given away at Lucky Shops, make sure that you leave a comment here as this drawing takes place on Oct 24th and you don't want to miss out. At the same time, we also have another great Lucky item which allows you to play a Denim Stylist and you can enter through our site! We have a few shows in addition to magazines that we have partnered up with! In addition to Lipstick Jungle, you can also check up Starter Wife with an amazing interview from one of the key members of the cast!

In the realms of fashion, we loved covering Hayden Harnett which has amazing bags that have been on Gossip Girl and have been covered everywhere! We can't help wishing that the Hayden Harnett fairy would bless us with this season's bags. Fortunately, they have a site so enjoy some goodies. Pearls took on an entirely new meaning with this post about Moon River Pearls

I love reading and you got your first introduction of A.W. Gryphon who will be featured throughout the month as she is the author of 'Blood Moon' which is perfect as we get closer to Halloween. This is the first book in the 3 book series letting us know about the path of Amelia and how she not only finds herself but her own truths as Wiccan. Along the way she has some amazing Chanel pieces and this past Thurs, we received some great beauty tips!If you missed it, you know that I am all about Dashing Diva and they had Jennifer Hudson stop by and they are doing an amazing contest with ABC Daytime Soaps and SOAPnet! This past Thursday, you were hit with 3 beauty items and one of my favorites was the lovely Brazilian sisters of Beam Laser Spa - the idea of never having to shave again makes me gidddy and after 6 - 8 treatments it will be a complete transition! I can't wait and know that once I get this done (armpits) who knows where I will go next! Learn more about the process and that this is truly attainable beauty for everyone!

Looking forward, there is an unofficial meet up of sorts in the shape of my sister's party and I will be there! If you're in NYC, stop by, it's on the 25th and will be a lot of fun. Going forward we have amazing partnerships with WE TV which will start soon and Express as well! I am so excited about this and can't wait to share this with you. In addition, we launched our Holiday Guide and 25 Days of Holiday Glam. Find out how you can be apart of this. I think that this week was so jam packed that we will take a breather but know there is always something around the corner!

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!

Modern Romance Bridal Event

KittenCouture — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:01:07 -0700

Last night I went to the Millenium Hotel's Hudson Theater to attend the Modern Romance Bridal Event. Now before anyone starts spreading stories, I am not engaged nor does that seem on the immediate horizon; however, I know it will happen one day and I am a fan of various Bridal shows and in lieu of hearing from people on Twitter, those I have lunch with and more announcing their engagements, I felt that this was something that I wanted to know about. Now I have attended many bridal events which are bona fide tradeshows where there are booths of the same types of services that are run by various companies, I would find this very overwhelming and difficult in terms of just focusing on the moment,. I wasn't sure what I was walking into but I was very intrigued to not only attend the event but to also see the Jenny Yoo Collection which I am familiar with many of her dresses.

Upon entering, I knew that this wouldn't be a massive and impersonal show.. For $25, brides were able to come to the event with a guest and to sample various foods, beverages and an extremely select group of vendors from entertainment, spa, makeup and more. The best part, this was extremely intimate! There weren't large groups of people the entryway of the theater (which at one time had actually housed various Broadway productions prior to their purchase of the Millenium Hotel next door) allowed everyone to check in, receive their goodie bag and to meet with the vendors. This space was illuminated with lighting and large mirrors. I know I began thinking about having an event here as the mood was definitely in place. As you walked into the theater, you were welcomed with tasty sweets on the right and on the left various meats and appetizers. Both sides had bartenders and of course there were passed beverages and drinks as well. I was very pleased to enjoy the champagne. The theater not only had tables set in various motifs that were created by James Abel Events (I love the amber inspired table), but there was seating for the fashion show and on the stage the band played. This was very soothing and kudos to the organizers to hold the event from 6:00 - 9:30. Although the fashion show didn't start until nearly 8:00, it was nice to come early and to have ample time to talk to the vendors while also recognizing that some brides would be unable to come until later.

Most of the attendees had a guest with them (kudos to the fiancees that appeared) although I felt bad for those that were alone as this was definitely an event to begin honing in on the decisions of your wedding while also enjoying the atmosphere. Mental note: these events are the best to go to and I would prefer to not go alone - friends and family beware!

I could go on and on about each vendor but I focused on certain areas but if you have a question, you can contact me and I can pass on what I know/heard. Jo Malone attended this event and as I have always been a fan and tend to walk by their Flatiron location, I was pleased to learn that they have an interesting way of offering their services. Obviously, they are available to have the bride and their party come to their location to enjoy their services and they are also able to travel as well. This is a great way to get pampered and to enjoy one another's time. But the most interesting element that I enjoyed was learning about their Fragrance Combining. This service is where the bride chooses a particular scent that will be worn for the wedding and then her bridesmaids will have various notes of this scent with other items layered in. In this way, the bride has a signature scent and her bridal party has elements of it while being different from hers. She doesn't have to worry about competing or offending scents as it is complimentary. I loved this concept and was so pleased that the two ladies attending this booth were so knowledgeable about this. Pampering and a signature scent - fabulous.

This event also had a great blend between traditional versus having your own element within your wedding. The band played traditional songs such as "Just the Way You Look Tonight", "Night & Day", "What's Going On", while also putting in a Stevie Wonder song that had elements of Will Smith in the song. They were not only playful and welcoming but they showed their range as we listened to the different songs and heard from the male and female singers respectively. This was enjoyable as we had Tuna Tartar, Spicy Shrimp and more.

Prior to the fashion show, I was able to see Tarte Cosmetics offerings, Cake Alchemy, Jerry Kravat Entertainment and more. Our hostess for the night who I thought was very warm and shared many of her experiences as she had recently been married, introduced the Fred Astaire Dance Studio. This couple did two dances (shown in the video) with a traditional dance and then one that was a salsa for the first dance. Once this was completed, we were treated to the Jenny Yoo Collection which had wedding gowns and then vibrant hues for bridesmaids dresses. These are definitely not the dresses that I have seen in Bridezilla epidsodes where the adventurous bride strives to find the most questionable dresses. These are beautiful gowns that you could use for other dressy occassions and that are very flattering whether you're looking for long, short, strapless, halter and more. Of course no fashion show of dresses would be complete without showing the super cute flower girl!

I left this event thinking that there are no shortage of events that "assist" brides and their friends and families with the options available to them. But when it is my turn, I want to attend events such as this that have a select group of vendors, a small number of attendees and then having a staff that caters to everyone so that you can feel special leading up to your day.

Spongelle Giveaway Winners!

KittenCouture — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:00:00 -0700

First, I have to say thank you so much to everyone who participated! I love when people leave comments and share something about themselves! If you have always wanted to know what you could do to relax, I would definitely take notes from the people who left their great pieces of advice! But unfortunately, we only can have 2 winners although it was so close, I decided to give away 3 Spongelle Soaps!

Congratulations Jennae who was my favorite, I think it's adorable that she is able to relax while having fun blowing bubbles with her child. Obviously, she's a busy lady between doing graphics, blogging and also dabbling in yet another form of creativity! I checked out her site at Green Your Decor and I think we should all take notes!

Another kudos to Mary Jenkins! I love taking baths too and although I find to get the perfect one, it takes some time - it's so worth it. Check her out at Now Entering Momville - I definitely started reading it when I had a second and gave me some much needed laughs!

And finally, I love keeping it simple so how could I not include Theresa N who does yoga in her garden? Maybe it's because I grew up in the Midwest and sometimes miss those serene moments being out in NYC but it made me feel refreshed just thinking about it!

Congratulations ladies and thank you to everyone who put in comments as well. As a heads up and in honor of Fourth of July we have an amazing giveaway that will include two different items which is going to be fun. One involves a food that is definitely iconic when you think about Americana dining and the other is something that is quickly becoming a typical activity that we enjoy more and more! Both will launch on Mon and winners will be selected on Fourth of July so keep your eyes peeled!

This Week's Giveaway: Spongelle

KittenCouture — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 03:00:00 -0700

I love giving away something amazing that makes us all feel good and I love getting to know more about all of you at the same time. Tomorrow, two people will be chosen for this giveaway randomly and all responses can be left via the comments within this post! The summer is here and we're all super busy, "How do you stay calm and refreshed as we go from one day to the next?" Let me know what you do and you could win! Maybe you shop certain places, do yoga, make something special - whatever it is it's something you enjoy!

Spongelle is an amazing scrubber that keeps your skin looking fresh, soft and it's like having a spa when you don't have the change to get one. In addition these soaps last for awhile! You can enjoy over 20 washes. I absolutely love the way they soap up when you use them and they smell really good as well. Tell me and the rest of the Kitten Lounge readers what you do and 2 of you can enjoy this. Extra bonus points go to those with Flip Cameras that would like to provide a "day in the life" of how they relax; however, keep it clean haha. I'll contact those entries that won. If you don't win this time, stay tuned as we have so many goodies from a number of sites that you will be super excited to know more about and to get!

Trendy Thursdays: Be Cool & Keep it Clean

KittenCouture — Thu, 29 May 2008 05:00:00 -0700

The best thing about being apart of the Coutorture network is to see a variety of writers that talk about various areas in fashion and beauty. When I first started writing, my focus was purely accessories. I enjoy writing about all items that within this category on See Pretty Things. Of course after writing about this, I realized that I wanted to be able to bring in entertainment and style so I included that within this blog - The Kitten Lounge. This site has definitely stepped it up by adding additional elements and today I launch Beauty! I am really excited that going forward, Thursday will covers makeup and cosmetics. I want to share with you my favorite products and those that have just hit the market! Previously I have posted about this here and there but to have this as an ongoing selection makes me very happy!

With that being said I am including my 2nd favorite item that I love using. Those who know me know that I love my MAC Studio Fix powder. I love the coverage and how natural it is and whenever I am out and about, this is in my bag and knows that it is time to travel. Recently, I became a fan of
as I have her baked products that include bronzer and eye shadow. As we transitioned from winter to spring and on to summer (and because I am never without my lip gloss or balm), I wanted to find a nice Lip Strip that would ensure that my lips would stay soft! This soft sugar scrub comes in a tiny cute container and can be massaged on the lip for about one minute. I love that there is a great peppermint taste if you happen to taste it by accident and upon first use, this $15 product is absolutely worth having! Available exclusively on Sephora.com - this is a must have no matter where you go. I use it about once a week after I have used my mask. It's a nice quick spa with great results.

November's Giveaway Goodies!!!!

KittenCouture — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 08:00:00 -0700

This month we are giving away 5 Spongelles each Friday. Now for those of you that are not familiar with this fab spa product, let me tell you how amazing this feels with each use. These super cute sponges that come in a variety of shapes and colors have soap that is activated when water touches it. Spongelle can be used for a number of showers (ranging from 15+ to 30+). I love that it replenishes your skin while also having an exfolliant in it that makes sure your skin looks its healthiest!

In order to get one of these Spongelle's for your very own, simply email me and the winner will be randomly chosen. Each month we will have a different "Giveaway Goodie". Put your name in each Fri, once you win on a Fri you can't re-enter this giveway; however, if you have yet to win for the week - feel free to re-enter the following Fri. Also, check out Spongelle and learn why it's a must have for your home spa.