Urban Vancouver

One entry per person, please.
Contest Ends Sept. 14, 2008

Special thanks to our friends at Oral-B for making this contest possible.

In Israel, many females are conscripted to serve in the Army at age 18.

Rachel Papo is a Brooklyn based, American-born photographer, raised in Israel, who served mandatory duty in the Israeli army. Rachel has done a stunning photo essay on the young females on the Israeli army, Serial No. 3817131, which was her military-assigned ID number.

A quote from Rachel’s website:

At an age when social, sexual, and educational explorations are at their highest point, the life of an eighteen-year-old Israeli girl is interrupted. She is plucked from her home surroundings and placed in a rigorous institution where her individuality is temporarily forced aside in the name of nationalism. During the next two years, immersed in a regimented and masculine environment, she will be transformed from a girl to a woman, within the framework of an army that is engaged in daily war and conflict. She is now a soldier serving her country, in a military camp amidst hundreds like her, yet beneath the uniform there is someone wishing to be noticed, listened to, and understood.

from boingboing.net

Barrettes, pins, clips, hair bands and chop-sticks: you’ll do anything to play with your hair. If you are one of those ladies who likes to have fun with your hair you must try new knotheads. They are bendable wires with soft satin washable covers. They come in two sizes, short and long, and do not damage hair like some hair bands can.

I found them a little too slippery to hold my silky hair in place, but when used in conjunction with a clear plastic ponytail holder, you can achieve some really funky looks.

There is a new lip gloss on the market and it’s designed for the everyday woman. New everyday Lip gloss is priced right, has natural ingredients and part of the proceeds go to breast cancer research.

Experience an all natural gloss that comforts and moisturizes your lips while providing a brilliant shine and shimmer.

Crafted from the finest natural ingredients, this lip gloss will seal in moisture without making your lips feel sticky.

Choose from eight beautiful colors that are designed to wear alone or over your favorite lip stick.

Our no-mess application is designed for everyday use.

.15 oz. Tube - $5.00

Opportunities exist to sell everyday Lip Gloss. Click here for wholesale information.

We will be giving this new lip gloss a full review on an upcoming episode of Lip Gloss and Laptops.

Airdrie’s Reviews

1. L’Occitane Aromachologie Discipline Mist:

A delicate hair mist, to tame the hair with the lightest touch.
A natural complex of 5 essential oils - Angelica, Lavender, Geranium, Ylang-ylang and Patchouli - plus honey and corn extracts. This leave-on mist helps control hair. It softly holds hair in place, leaving it feeling supple and light. This non-sticky texture preserves the shine of hair and protects against the damaging effects of environmental stresses. Product plus: spray on hair to remove unpleasant odors (cigarette smoke, cooking odors…). (link)

I love this product. The price point is high at $20, but the scent and product is fabulous.

2. REN Clean Skincare Line from London available online or at Barneys New York

3. By TERRY cosmetics from France available to purchase (in stores and online) at Barney’s New York

Kerry Anne’s Reviews

1. Oral B Pulsonic Toothbrush

The rechargeable Oral-B Pulsonic has 27,000 gentle sonic vibrations per minute, super thin bristles for precision cleaning and gentle whitening. It also has two “speeds”; clean, and sensitive.

The product will become available in September and can be pre-ordered until then on Drugstore.com and Amazon.com.

2. Secret Flawless Anti-Perspirant

It’s a good product, and claims that it has “Five Facets” of flawless performance: goes on clear, strong wetness and odor protection, skin-nourishing conditioners (also available in an Olay formula), smooth, lightweight formula, and self-renewing fragrances. I actually think it’s a better product than the Secret Clinical. The downside, apparently it has such an annoying commercial that women are being turned off the product.

Links:

Daiso
Gnomedex Conference
Wine Bra. Thanks to Arieanna of Cooking Gadgets (just one of her blogs) for the link

Blush: The Search for America’s Greatest Makeup Artist
Isis Tsunami of America’s Next Top Model

Reality Check:

Miss Sister 2008 Canceled!

Song of the Week:

“Never Got Her Number” by Alistair Christl from the Podsafe Music Network.

MAC Cosmetics has officially released their Cult of Cherry line, which has a cherries and chocolate colour scheme. The colours are bold and rich and dramatic; perfect for Fall.
From the MAC site:

The new forbidden fruit. Deep, dark, dramatic. Lips ripened with juicy cerises and intoxicating kirsches while eyes smoulder in luscious spiced chocolate. With its sense of way-to-go dark, this is how we separate the bitter from the sweet…Fall drama just got more delicious.

I tried the Illegal Purple Nail Laquer and Bing Mattene Lipstick, and they are opaque and super dark. New shades of Lipstick, Lipglass, Powder Blush, and Eyeshadow are also featured in the collection. Check out Cult of Cherry online, or at your local MAC store.

MAC has been releasing promotional videos to accompany some of their new lines. The Cult of Cherry movie stars, and is directed by, Floria Sigismondi, a Canadian photographer/director who has worked with the likes of Interpol, Christina Aguilera, David Bowie, The Raconteurs, and Marilyn Manson.

MAC Cult of Cherry

Maggie Ruggiero, food editor and stylist for Gourmet magazine was asked to be a part of the making of the Cult of Cherry video, (she’s what I’ve deemed the “cherry whisperer” toward the end) and gives us a glimpse behind the scenes.
Inside the Cherry Cult

1. I purchased a set of five of these fabulous door knobs at Anthropologie. They have clothes there, but I could not afford them. The knobs will look fabulous on my closet doors.

2.
I found a fan of Lip Gloss and Laptops at Nordstrom Rack. She recognized me and made me feel like Angelina Jolie; internetfamous! She is a huge fan of the podcast, but has never left a comment. It was great to meet her!

3. Daiso! w00t!

We are packing up and heading home now. It was a great trip. I love Seattle. I wish I could stay another week, but alas, reality calls.

As the summer draws to a close, I thought I’d share with you some of the things that have made this summer memorable for me.

Book

In the Skin of a Lion by Michael Ondaatje.
I’ve lived on the West Coast for fourteen years now, but I still get homesick for Toronto. (I can hear the collective groans of my Vancouver friends now). It’s a love story that precedes another of Ondaatje’s famous novels, later made into a film, The English Patient. In the Skin of a Lion depicts the building of some of Toronto’s most notable structures, including the Prince Edward Viaduct, and the **R.C. Harris Water Filtration Plant, in my old neighbourhood, the Beaches. It also weaves in the untold story of new Canadian immigrants in Toronto, and the integral, yet unrecognized role they played in building that city’s history.

**A little know fact about the R.C. Harris Water Filtration Plant is that it served as the Melonville Maximum Security Prison in an episode of SCTV where they visit the prison on Mrs. Falbo’s Tiny Town.

Drink

Strongbow Cider - Sweet Jesus, this stuff is good. Not all sweet and fruity. It’s crisp, and the perfect beverage for a hot summer afternoon. Drink it cold.

Getaway - The Sunshine Coast, BC

Fun Website

Style Rookie. Now I’m not much of fashionista, but twelve-year-old Tavi sure makes looking at fashion fun. She’s got an interesting site, and I get to see what the kids are wearing these days, plus she makes me feel nostalgic for my childhood because she reminds me of my old friend, Chase. When we were twelve, we’d dress up all crazy, put on the Rocky Horror Picture Show, and let loose. Where were our parents when we were proclaiming that we were “Sweet Transvestites from Transexual, Translyvania“? Anyways, Tavi is an original. She’s quirky and fun, and has taken the fashion blogging world by storm, though not without controversy. Some doubt that she’s doing her site on her own. Indeed, her sharp wit, and writing style may seem wise beyond her years, but really, people, lay off. She’s twelve.

Music

In Rainbows by Radiohead. If you ever get a chance to see them, go for it. If I was 20 years younger and devoid of responsibility, I might drop everything and follow them around a bit. Not like a stalker, like a Deadhead, but I’d be a Radioheadhead.

House of Cards by Radiohead

Actor

Robert Downey Jr. Le sigh. Great in Iron Man and Tropic Thunder.

While I spent the morning walking around Seattle, shopping for back to school clothes, the vibe down the street at Gnomedex this year has taken-on a less materialistic theme. While I know it is unrealistic to think that people just like me will forgo spending money on clothes and cosmetics, and instead donate 100% of that money to needy groups (NGO’s helping with child prostitution and AIDS orphans, or scientific research into cancer or diabetes, to name a few), I can see that there is a balance that can be achieved.

I’m spending this afternoon watching the conference via USTREAMtv, and am extremely impressesed with two of the presenters I’ve seen.

1. Beth Kanter:

Beth Kanter has a great story about tapping her social network in service of a good cause. At Gnomedex 8.0, she’ll tell us how she poked, prodded, tweeted, blogged and mobilized a networked army of supporters to rally their friends and personal networks and raise over $90,000 for Cambodian Orphans, winning the #1 spot for Global Causes for America’s Giving Challenge in January 2008. Come hear the story and the learn the secrets of success for socially-networked, person-to-person fundraising. Hopefully, you will leave the room inspired and ready to use social media for good!

(source)

Beth spoke passionately about her cause. I am inspired by her because she holds so much hope for the future of fund-raising and helping others. We all know what it feels like to suffer from “donor burn-out” (too many causes to donate to, all the while keeping the kids in piano lessons and mom in designer jeans, you know?) and Beth loses sleep over it. She remains positive and makes me think that the next big idea could be just around the corner, in my mind or someone else’s. For example, during her 30 minute talk she inspired the audience and viewers online to raise money for one of her causes. It was amazing. And yes, it did make me re-think how many pairs of jeans I really need; but also made me want to write this blogpost and share her enthusiasm with you –my friends, readers and podcast audience. Do you have an idea, inspiration, concept for raising money for a particular cause that is outside-the-box, different, new? Look at how Beth uses social media to attain her fund-raising goals, and perhaps take a lesson from her in order to attain your goal. Simple. Uncomplicated.

2. Amanda Koster

Amanda is an internationally acclaimed photographer who has made it her mission to raise awareness by documenting some of the world’s more compelling issues. For over a decade she has combined her anthropology background with photographic and media-making skills to create inspiring media content as a means for powerful communication, storytelling and learning.

Her project is called Salaam Garage. Please check it out here.

Chris Pirillo, Gnomedex’s organizer, has told me that he will put all the Gnomedex08 presentation up on YouTube. This may take a few weeks, but when they do become available, try to view Amanda’s presentation.

________________________________

While Beth and Amanda are trying to raise awareness of issues in the Third World, Vancouver blogger Tanya (aka NetChick) is trying to raise money for Diabetes research. I had a chance to talk at length with her at the Gnomedex pre-registration party last night. She needs to raise $4500 in pledges, and will be running a half-marathon as part of Buzz Bishop & 95Crave’s Team Diabetes. Hoping for a viral promotion, she is offering entries into a $500 draw in exchange for blogging about her efforts, and one entry for each $25 donation. Check out her post about the draw. $500 can buy a lot of jeans. Or would make a great donation to a different charity.

I’m sitting here in the bar at the Red Lion, drinking margaritas, watching Gnomedex, trying to write to inspire you all to feel as excited about life as I feel right now. But I’m not sure it it’s working? Are you inspired yet? If not, maybe you should have a margarita and re-read the post.
Or plan to go to Gnomedex next year, or just watch it live at home.

You can check-out the Gnomedex conference live!

We had a great shopping day yesterday, and a great party last night.
Today I’m hitting the SAM to see the Impressionists show.

So Derek and I are down in Seattle for a few days. He is attending the Gnomedex conference, and I am going shopping (yay!) I need a few back-to school clothing pieces as I’m working five days a week this year — at least that’s my excuse. I love shopping “cross-border”. There is such a better selection in the USA. I also get to check-out some stores we don’t have in Canada.

L’Occitane has a new Hair Care line. Each product in the collection contains five essential oils designed to strengthen, repair, regenerate, and soften the hair: Angelica, Lavender, Geranium, Ylang-ylang and Patchouli. I’m thinking of buying the Aromachologie Discipline Mist ($20). I tried it out yesterday, and while it did not leave my hair smelling as good as I’d hoped, it did do a great job to re-invigorate my curls after the long drive from Vancouver to Lynwood, where I went shopping at Alderwood Mall.

Today we are going to head-up to one of my favourite Seattle neighbourhoods: Capitol Hill. Home of my first taste of Urban Outfitters, Capitol Hill (aka “Broadway”) is also the colourful gay district, and it has loads of great shops and restaurants.

To change the topic, have you seen the site YearbookYourself yet? You can take a picture of your face and morph it into a yearbook-style photo. The best part is that you can pick dates starting from 1950! The photo below is me, circa 1952. (Thanks to Mace for the idea.)

And here’s Kerry Anne, also 1952.

This week we review:

Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics Dream Tint

(Big) Sexy Hair Root Pump Voluminizing Spray Mousse

Tarte provocateur pressed mineral powder (spf 8)

Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew anti-sun-damage daily moisture lotion

Pureology DryShine Styler

Books

Airdrie recommends:

“Nights In Rodanthe” by Nicholas Sparks. Soon to be a movie with Richard Gere and Diane Lane.
trailer:

Kerry Anne recommends:

The Gum Thief by Douglas Coupland

Movies

Airdrie recommends: “The Other Boleyn Girl”
trailer:

Links

Pin Up hair how-to’s on YouTube

America the Beautiful
Booty Boosters at LoveMyBubbles.com (via Styledash)
Brad Pitt hooks up with Kiehl’s for an ecofriendly aloe bodywash
Russell Brand and his podcast

We all know that Air has been quite the activist for the Original Tampax, but KA has been using o.b. for years, so was totally on board when we were contacted by the people at Matchstick, sent a free trial kit, and asked to spread the word about them.
Not only are o.b. tampons tiny and discreet, but they’re better for the environment than other brands. Did you know that o.b. tampons create 58% less waste than brands with applicators?

Get your own free trial case of o.b. mighty.small. tampons, and if you’ve got a couple minutes, fill out the Blog Reader Survey.

Granfaloon Bus
“Petty” (mp3)
from “Exploded View”
(reapandsow, Inc.)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Puretracks
Buy at GroupieTunes
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More On This Album

I used to blog privately at another location, but have decided to meld my personal blog to the Lip Gloss and Laptops Podcast Blog. I will not only be talking about beauty, but all sorts of things. Welcome new and old readers. Please leave comments and feedback.

You don’t have to listen to my podcast to enjoy this blog. Just wait and see!

You will notice my friend Kerry Anne will also be blogging here. Look under the title of the post for her name or my name so you know wrote it.

Today’s tip is a great free e-card service called Someecards.com. I absolutely love them.

Yesterday I attended the first ever VinoCamp, organized by some Vancouver Social Media people and in celebration of the local wine industry here in BC. It was a fantastic day. I got to taste wine from all over BC, and also sipped a few expensive wines that I otherwise could not afford.

I did not live-blog the event, but the lovely ladies over at the Full-Bodied wine blog did. Check them out for a full report of all the wine stuff we experienced. My favourite talk was on wine glasses by the people at Riedel. We each got a Riedel wine glass to take home as a gift. I also enjoyed a talk by Chef Bal Arneson on healthy Indian cooking for the modern woman!

Great photos of the event were taken by Megan Cole, available on Flickr.

Extra special thanks to my husband for driving me too and from the event, which was held at the UBC Botanical Gardens.

Curly Hair Product Recommendations & Links

Listener Picks:

Jessicurl An independent line for curly hair exclusively.
NaturallyCurly.com A website devoted to everything curly! Discover what “curl-type” you are.
DevaCurl “One Condition”
Bumble and Bumble Tonic
PureOlogy Nanoworks Luxury Hair Mask
Biolage Gelee hair gel
Infusium Repairologie Shampoo & Conditioner
Mixed Chicks product line for curly hair

Airdrie’s Product Picks:
Kerastase Elasto Curl ($30)

Pantene Style Curl Shaper aka Curls Anti-frizz Creme (< $10)

Sebastian Whipped Creme Light Conditioning Style Whip ($18)

Aveda Confixor Liquid Gel
Joico K-PAK Protect & Shine Serum
Pantene Style Always Smooth Anti-Frizz Serum

MAC Lustre Twins

MAC has released nine shades of Longwear Lustre Lipcolour. The double sided tube features a rich lip colour, and a sheerly shaded topcoat. Airdrie tried it in Pink Air/White Top and found it long-wearing and still comfortable. Also in the collection are three nailpolishes.

Links

Urbanella specializes products for curly, kinky and wavy hair Calvin Klein’s Secret Obsession Perfume ad, starring the very hot Eva Mendes, garners the product way more publicity for not being shown on TV. Check it out at Superficial Diva.

Song

It’s “Falling Down” by Duran Duran, baby!

[Download the show now]

Podcast Puppy via Air’s Flickr

Murad Age Reform Intensives with Durian Cell Reform

Rimmel Wear Maxx Nail Polish

Sunsilk Waves of Envy Sea Mist

Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara
Matrix Sleek.Look Shampoo and Conditioner

Links

Free Stuff at Allure mag!
Feist
J Brand Jeans is making jeans for curvy women under their new Blue Label. Skinny jeans and regular jeans that have more thigh room and they won’t gape at the waist. Hallelujah! Now if I could only justify spending $160 on jeans instead of groceries.
Harvey’s Original Seatbelt Bags at Hipundies

Apple Bottoms Jeans

Broken Social Scene
“Love And Mathematics” (mp3)
from “Noise Factory Sampler Vol. 02″
(Noise Factory)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
Buy at GroupieTunes
Buy at mTraks Download
More On This Album