SUMMER FESTIVAL STYLE!
by mitzimsa on June 27, 2015
FESTIVAL STYLE FOR ALL
Simon Malls + Refinery29’s Style Festival
Yes, it’s summer and one of the best parts of summer are outdoor carnivals, fairs and festivals! Tickets to a music festival can put a dent in that pretty little wallet of yours. But before you begin to think about cost of tickets, food and drinks, you must take the time to put together your signature Festival Style. You know, the look that reflects the uniqueness of you. After all this is your chance to be part of the awesome, crazy and energizing events that take place all over the USA this time of year! Remember in this day and age of the selfie your image will be floating around the socialspher forever whether you like it or not so you better look the part!
I recently had the pleasure of attending an event held by Refinery29 and Simon Malls hosted by Brea Mall in OC, California. The event was all about the ongoing and upcoming summer fun and what you should wear to instantly stand out in the crowd of the young, fabulous and fashionable; when it comes to Festival Style! For some it can be hard to pull together a look that is carefree and funky that labels you as a modern day hipster and truly that’s the look you want…chic while sweltering in the sun, heat, dirt or grass at these overly crowed events!
FESTIVAL STYLE MADE EASY
This event was inspired by the music festival culture and blended fashion, style, music, beauty and fun you could design your very own concert tee at the diy stage, enjoy a live performance by MS MR and listen to DJs Sosupersan and Lola Langusta spinning tunes throughout the event. All while you discover how to put together a festive -inspired hair style with fresh flowers to include mother nature in your free flowing Festival Style.
When seeking items to design your special look be sure to include some the key pieces that represent FestivalStyle such as denim, dusters, crochet vest, or just shing a ling, twist and turn in fringe; it’s a staple for the season. You’ll find fring on tops, tees, bottoms, shoes and bags it’s everywhere… thank goodness Festival Style goes beyond halters, daisy dukes and crop tops! Be sure to accessorize with arm cuffs, headbands and metallic tattoos!
Festival Style essentials can be found at Simon Malls everywhere and Refinery29 can offer tips to bring out the Festival Style in you!
Pride Time – LGBT Celebration!
by mitzimsa on June 16, 2015
Southern California PRIDE
Pride has come to symbolize several things: the long history of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender dignity, the freedom of all people to meaningfully and proudly express their sexual and gender identities, and the commitment of LGBT people to combating oppression.
June is Pride month in America, but not the only month that Pride events are held across the globe. If you’re looking for the happiest place on earth to celebrate. You might want to consider one of the Southern California locations to let it all hang out!! No matter where you decide to get your Pride on; in the warmer months you can count on it being crowded, hot, sweaty and booze of all most any kind being the staple of the celebration.
LA Pride is one of the
Top 5 PRIDE locations in the USA
The 2015 LA PRIDE Celebration rolled out in the beautiful city of West Hollywood this past weekend. It’s the largest gathering of the LGBT community in Southern California. The Festival and Parade drew in over 400 thousand participants, spectators and marchers. Many Celebrities and Hollywood Personalities where in attendance for the parade and the entertainment on multiple stages at the festival included Wilson Phillips, Tinashe, Kesha, Ty Herndon and Faith Harmony! The festival grounds were lined with exhibitors, food and drink vendors and dance venues to be had. People from all walks of life buzzed around like busy little bees! Channing Tatum, Matt Boomer and Adam Rodriquez rode a float promoting the up coming release of their film Magic Mike XXL opening in theaters July 1!
IT’S NOT TO LATE
If you happened to miss the festivities and fun at LA Pride 45 which rates in the top 5 of Pride Celebrations in our nation. I would suggest strongly that you make an apperance next year. If this festival is a little big for your liking we also celebrate in the month of May in Long Beach and last but not least the San Diego Pride, which will kick off on July 18th. By the way the Queen Diva of Bounce herself Big Freedia will rock the stage in San Diego! If your looking to get your Pride on in SoCal you better head south in July and get not only your Pride on but your BOUNCE as well!!!
NATIONAL CORN ON THE COB DAY!
by mitzimsa on June 11, 2015
How Do You Eat Your Corn On The Cob?
I may live in Los Angeles but I’m Iowa Grown and proud of it!! So today I’m screaming and shouting HAPPY NATIONAL CORN ON THE COB DAY!! I decided that I would show my co-worker just how sweet this Iowa girl is!
Just another way to restore faith in the jester of kindness, one of the things that I love more than giving is the smile and happiness that I see in peoples face when they discover that they are special and that all things in life don’t have to cost you.
Me, I celebrate with corn on a weekly basis not one week goes by that we don’t have corn on the menu in my home!
Now it’s a little early in the year for Iowa Sweet Corn and the Peaches and Cream variety but, if you can find a good ear of corn this time of year I say enjoy! But the one thing I know for sure is…come July it will be prime time for the Iowa Sweet Corn and if you can get your hands on a few ears from Iowa you’ll be in business, it will be so sweet you can skip the butter if you like.
Growing up in Iowa the corn fields supplied summer jobs to many, after all it has to be picked. The sweet rewards that it offered on the table and in the pocket throughout the summer with an abundance for the Annual Corn Fest (pay admission and eat all the corn you can eat) and the Iowa State Fair. This was one of the main staples that was put away for the winter to carry us through to the next corn season.
I’m The Bubba Gump of Corn!
So weather you like it boiled, buttered, grilled, creamed you haven’t lived until you have corn fritters, pudding or corn chowder made with fresh corn or just a plain on cob straight out of Iowa.
Today June 11th National Corn on the Cob Day, go ahead sink your teeth into a cob!Happy Ears to you and don’t forget the toothpicks!!
New Orleans Cafe du Monde
by mitzimsa on June 5, 2015
Oh How Sweet It Is!!
Talk about a sweet dream…one of the ultimate experiences of New Orleans; Cafe du Monde. Street Music, Chicory Coffee and the light airy pillow of wonderfulness the Beignet. Brought to Louisiana in the 18th Century by French Colonists. This goodness can’t be found at your local doughnut shop nor at the amusement park. People want to compare Funnel Cake which is also a fried dough, it’s about as close as you’ll get to the Cafe du Monde Beignet if your not in New Orleans but, it’s no cigar!
While standing in line at Cafe du Monde with a light drizzle coming down, which is quite typical for the region I started to take in the aroma of this fried dough that filled the air. The line was quite long and moved at a snail’s pace. This was the part of the adventure that I despised the most for I hate standing in line and if you must know I hate lines that don’t move even more.
My companion, ever so kindly gave me a reminder that I was wearing black… “everyone told me that the number one thing to remember when showing up to Cafe du Monde was not to ware black.”
Cafe du Monde Beignet Anytime Is The Right Time
The thought to detour from this moment based on my black clothing never entered my mind. The joy of standing in the rain while people watching, vendor checking and watching the carriages line the streets to take tourist on tours of the French Quarter and Cemetery’s was like a scene I’ve only seen in paintings and pictures. This was a moment I’m sure I would cherish once I sunk my teeth into the delightful Beignet.
Once at the front of the line I started to become antsy waiting for a table for two, eye balling every table on the outer edge so I could continue to take in the sounds and smells of the French Quarter while enjoying my snack. My first sip of the coffee was soothing the joy that I felt and tasted when I sank my teeth into the puffy fried dough, was nothing in comparison to what I thought. OMG it was so much more! I felt as if I was in the sweet dream that I mentioned at the beginning of this post as the sweetness of the powder sugar kissed my lips all I could do was smile and flag down my waiter to place an order to go!
I’ll stand on line any day at any time, for these puffy little pillows of goodness at Café du Monde!!
New Orleans Wine and Food Experience & Barefoot, A Perfect Pair
by mitzimsa on June 3, 2015
SAVOR NEW ORLEANS FLAVOR
I was honored to receive an invite to the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience -Saturday Grand Tasting by Barefoot Wine! The event took place under the big top of the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The strands of carnival lights lit the room with food, wine, chatter and excitement. The layout of the room I’m sure was designed with the moto “The Big Easy” because it allowed for movement between stations quite smoothly. New Orleans is known as a visitor’s city and they treat you like you’re their closest friend. The southern hospitality filled the room of vendors beckoning the palate of foodies and wine aficionados to sample everything in the venue which is just impossible but I gave it a good try!
Connoisseurs, purveyors and novice wine drinkers alike took part in meeting wine makers from around the globe and top upcoming chefs of the Creole, Cajun; French inspired world of New Orleans. Over 75 restaurants served bites savory and sweet and the combination of both was presented by The Bombay Club with a Foie Gras Cheesecake!
CULINARY GETAWAY 
Going into this wine and food experience I was simply partial to Barefoot Wine which has been a participant for the last 10 years at the NOWFE. There was not one appetizer that could not be paired with one of the Barefoot Wines or Bubbly in this wonderland of wine and one bites! Barefoot had a variety of their catalog on hand to pour including the new line of light, rich, spicy, fruity wines of the red variety. Rich Red, Rosa Red and Sweet Red Blends are to be served chilled. Any one of the red blends taste as if you bit into a fresh summer berry fruit basket! Throughout the experience I did sample quite a few of the wines that where available for the tasting, but always found myself back at the Barefoot table for a splash of one or another of their products to cleans my palate for the next go around.
MISSION CHEFS OF NEW ORLEANS
I found pleasure not only in the sampling but the instructional seminars. The seminars gave step by step instruction on how to prepare some of the famous Louisiana dishes, learn tips from local chefs and guest sommeliers gave pointers about food and wine pairing with tastings. I quickly became a setting member of the New Orleans Mission Chief Demonstrations which gave a few tricks of the trade on how to 
prepare great culinary dishes on a budget! Cooking is a passion of mine, anytime I can gain knowledge of a culture through food it’s welcomed, paired with chefs that are focused on aiding the homeless, hungry and hurting souls of our nation is as warm and comforting as the cousine of New Orleans.
The opportunity to see who will be crowned the King or Queen of the eighth annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off, hosted by the Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board was a treat as well. Ten chefs from across the state of Louisiana competed for the coveted title and the winner represents the Louisiana seafood industry at events throughout the year.
As the event came to a close I found myself sitting in the VIP Lounge having my last sip of the experience, with two wonderful locals sharing stories of their last 10 years of attending the event and offering helpful tips about the city as well as awesome spots that I should take the time to dine.
But, there was no need to concern myself with where to dine for the evening. Barefoot had planned a media dinner to be held at Antonio’s the oldest restaurant in the French Quarter. I’ll catch you up on that adventure in another post…until then “Let the good times roll”.
Spring Style at The Shops at Mission Viejo
by mitzimsa on April 29, 2015
LOOKBOOK LIVE SPRING STYLE CLOSET
GQ and Glamour Magazines invited guest to take a peek at the newest spring style fashion during LOOKBOOK Live held at The Shops at Mission Viejo!
This event gave an inside look into the date-themed style closets. The style closets were filled with all of the newest style of spring for men and women to wear on a date. If your one of those people that need inspiration and visual you were in luck the fashion show gave the incentive to follow your favorite look right off the run way and into the store that supplied the look, located at The Shops at Mission Viejo.
Style experts where available to provide consultation to help all shape, sizes and ages pull their personal spring look together. The event included complimentary beauty applications, style challenges, giveaways, refreshments and a photo booth; to document your good time and send it off into the socialsphere for everyone to see what they missed.
THINK PINK IN SPRING STYLE
Four amazing women were honored by Mission Hospital whom had also partnered with The Shops at Mission Viejo to provide head to toe makeovers which include hair, makeup and an outfit. The breast cancer survivors showed their new found spring style and strutted their stuff across the runway! This portion of the event was to bring awareness to the Think Pink Breast Health Wall of Honor, that will be on display this October at The Shops at Mission Viejo for the 13th year. The opportunity to honor or remember a loved one on a hand-written card to be placed on the wall could be purchased for $25. This small amount helps to underwrite the cost of a mammogram for persons who would otherwise not be able to afford the procedure.
After I took in all the fun that was to be had, learned how to do the perfect cat eye eyeliner and drove the photo booth guy bonkers. I settled in with a few of the girls to chat and indulge in the array of refreshments as I poked through the great LookBook Gift Bag! Thanks to GQ, Glamour and The Shops at Mission Viejo for showing me my personal way to spring style!!!
Review: HAIR EDGE CONTROL
by mitzimsa on April 24, 2015
EDGE CONTROL REVIEW: Design Essentials Natural Honey Shea Edge Tamer
As I get older it’s harder to keep my hair under control but more so then my entire head it’s the Edge Control. I have numerous amounts of products in more brands then I care to mention. According to the hair style that I happen to sport determines the type of product that is needed. At present other than shampoo it’s all about finding an edge control that can lay these old grey hairs down around the edges of my head. I’m in love with rocking my Afro Puff but I don’t want puffy edges!
The other night I was at the store with the big red ball outside the door and decided once again I should take the stroll down the hair products aisle. With the natural hair craze being in full swing, daily a new line of black hair care products come on the market. At least every other month I take this stroll down the aisle to make my acquaintance with any new and improved or the latest that claims to be the greatest to hit the block!
I Don’t Care What You Call It, It’s All Edge Control To Me!
As I stated at the beginning the one product that I find myself needing constantly is a product that can control my edges. There’s a plethora of brands ORS, Cream Of Nature, The Roots and Aveda just to name a few, different brands have their own personal spin on what I call EDGE CONTROL. They’re made with argan oil, olive oil, flax seed and who knows what. Names for this product include pomade, pudding, taffy and gel. From my personal experience their all claiming to do the same darn thing CONTROL YOUR EDGES!
I’m sure you get the picture I’ve ran through a few different brands, I’ve used them singular and as a combo; all in the name of reaching the common goal of EDGE CONTROL. I just want a product that can lay my edges and remain in place for the duration of the day. Okay maybe I’m dreaming…. maybe remain in place at least through morning coffee talk with my work friends around the water cooler, is that too much to ask?
So I hit the aisle with my hawk eyes, skimming the shelves for the brands that stood out as new to me. There it was sitting all alone on the shelf this little black round tub that read Design Essentials Natural Honey Shea Edge Tamer. I laughed to myself as I repeated “Edge Tamer, that’s just what I need!” I gave it the once over and dropped in my basket while still looking for its section on the shelves. Soon I came to the conclusion that it was truly the only one left and moved along. When I got to the check out and this gem rang at 11.99 I was almost put it back. Even though I couldn’t imagine paying this small fortune for Edge Control was necessary, I gave in and let the product remain with my basket of purchases.
The Edge Control That Keeps Me From Going Over The Edge
Well, the morning that I tried my new baby hair goop the EDGE TAMER, THE SKY OPENED UP AND THE HARPS BEGAN TO PLAY! Design Essentials put the proof in the jar it truly lays down these mean, unruly, pesky, fly-away grey hairs around the edge of my head; puts them right in check. It’s my go to product, adds shine and nourishment with the shea butter and honey. Has a nice clean scent that doesn’t complete with my personal fragrance of the day and provides a firm hold that takes me through and beyond my morning coffee talk!
Design Essentials Natural Honey Shea Edge Tamer is a beautiful thing!!
Empire: Cookie Bites, Bits and Crumbles!
by mitzimsa on April 15, 2015
I Confess I’m A Cookie Monster
So by now I don’t have to tell you, I’m #TeamCookie!
I’ve been tracking all the cookie bites, crumbles and checking out what all the cookie monsters have to say! Why, recently I had a chance to get let’s say; up close and personal but no cigar that would be a selfie. But, I did do a personal shot out to the First Lady of Empire, Queen Bee of the Small Screen and in her own persona a Bison “You Know” MS. TARAJI P. HENSON.
A perfect example of speaking things into existence; Cookie has been in the making for some time, being that Taraji has owned this nick name since her days on the Howard Yard. Most recently I learned that Empire isn’t the only one that pinned the name in a script for Taraji. So Cookie it is!!
Watching Cookie do her thing on screen is like spending some time with ya gurl… some sh.. might go down, but one thing for sure it’s going to be one hell of an adventure. No way I’d pass up rolling around town in a smooth ride with Malcom for protection!!
Any who, season 1 has ended, and the 2 hour final knocked our socks off with all the twist and turns. I’m feening already!
Oh well, guess I’ll have to chew on these quotes until she returns!
COOKIE BITES, BITS & CRUMBLES
“The name’s Cookie. Ask about me.”
“Better be glad I don’t fell like no scene today, cause I’ll shut it down.”
“Oh, and Anika this is an a..,”
“Straight down the hall to the right then jump out the window and straight down”
You need to get La Cucaracha to clean up around here a bit.”
“Dead bitch walking that’s me out here now.”
“God, please do not withhold your blessings, even from ho’s that hire skanks to spy on me. In Jesus name I pray, amen. Hallelujah!”
“She [Camilla] got her draws wrapped around my babies neck. And he can’t breath.”
“Yeah, that’s my name. Take a bite!”
“The streets ain’t made for everybody. That’s why the made sidewalks.”
So, now what’s a girl to do Wednesday Nights?
The Shops at Mission Viejo
by mitzimsa on April 14, 2015
Glamour, GQ Magazine and
The Shops at Mission Viejo Present
LOOKBOOK Live
LOOKBOOK Live, Glamour and GQ magazines along with The Shops at Mission Viejo are bringing the hottest trends to life with themed styled closets for him and her, beauty stations, style challenges and makeover demonstrations. What’s all the fuss you may ask? It’s all to honor Brest Cancer Survivors, and bring awareness to the 13th annual Think Pink Breast Health Wall of Honor that will be displayed in October at The Shops at Mission Viejo.
The Shops at Mission Viejo have partnered with Mission Hospital and will honor four breast cancer survivors with new head-to-toe looks that will include an outfit, hair and makeup makeover. Each year, shoppers have the opportunity to honor or remember a loved one by donating $25 to place a hand-written card on the Wall of Honor. These donations go towards underwriting the cost of a mammogram or diagnostic procedure for someone who could not otherwise afford the $100 charge.
So come Make A Date With Style and Honor Breast Cancer Survivors The LOOKBOOK Live Event Series will bring the hottest fashion trends from the runway into real life style and will share where to shop for the looks that you love in the place where you love to shop. LOOKBOOK Live kicks off spring fashion trends in Glamour and GQ’s April Issue and continues online at simon.com with his-and-hers videos on how to wear spring’s best styles. The Shops at Mission Viejo will provide shoppers with one-on-one interactions and consultations with style experts along with Stage Events, Style Closets, Beauty Stations, Style Challengers, Shop This Look and a Photo Booth so you can share your style souvenir on social media!
The Shops at Mission Viejo Welcome Premier Retailers
This will all take place at The Shops at Mission Viejo on April 18th from 12:00 Noon to 5pm on the lower level near Nordstrom. It would be so nice if you would join The Shops at Mission Viejo as they welcome their new premier set of retailers Windsor Fashions, Brow Arc Dry Bar and Lush Handmade Cosmetics into their collection of over 150 stores and restaurants at this indoor mall which features Nordstrom, H&M, Macy’s, Apple, Sephora, and The Cheesecake Factory just to name a few.
Come out honor, remember or donate $25.00 it goes a long way in the fight against Breast Cancer you can even enter for a chance to win a $2,500 Shopping Spree just by posting a photo of your favorite spring look inspired by the featured trends to Twitter or Instgram using both hash tags #foundatsimon and #gqglamourcontestentry.
Cant’ wait to see you there!
Lifestyle Bloggers LA Event
by mitzimsa on March 13, 2015
LA Bloggers Come Together For Cocktails & Conversation!
Recently I was invited to the Lifestyle Bloggers LA event hosted by Kitty Bradshaw of Kittybradshaw.com and Kyle Langan of HamptonstoHollywood.com. The event was sponsored and held at Tom’s Urban – LA Live location. Bloggers were greeted warmly by the Tom’s Urban staff while being escorted to the main event, “The Kitty & Kyle Show!!” The dazzling dual were smiling brightly, sipping on a cocktail and embracing their guest arrival with the offer of a refreshment!
You could feel that something special was on the horizon starting with a brief overview of the host. Bloggers transitioned into individual introductions which produced feedback that may enhance your blogging success. As bloggers your programmed to keep your phone in hand and stay active on social media. So as always I run to twitter, type in post, add hashtags and off to the twittersphere it goes. While the physical event was being held tweets were running wild. To My surprise I started to get favorite and share notifications, my feedback was not coming from within the room…there was a twitter party going on behind the scenes during the event!
KITTY & KYLE SHOW
The cocktails and conversation was interesting and engaging with the mixture of talent in the room, add in one or two of TomsUrban delish menu items and a party was going on for sure! My dish of choice happen to be the Sticky Belly Street Tacos, even took an order home!
With the exchange of cards in hand or in a cloud this event came to a close with a directive to grab a swag bag! From the moment I walked in I had my eye on those classy, cute bags and was really excited to see the contents! An event sponsor McDonald’s McCafe Coffee was enclosed and had been paired with a bone white stoneware cup and spoon.
The warm feeling of the event carried over into the swag bag, impression and recall was incorporated. I’m sure each warm sip will take me back to the event, good times and information that was received and exchanged. Networking at its best! Thanks Kitty & Kyle, I loved it!!
