Fashion-Travel-Lifestyle: Social Vixen Articles in February, 2012

Archive for February, 2012

What’s for Dinner: Chipotle Chicken and Tomato Soup

Posted by Kristen Colapinto on February 29th, 2012

So far, today has been a rainy day here on the East Coast (a snowy day for some of my friends further up North).

I don’t know about you, but whenever the weather is cold and damp, I really crave comfort foods like chicken and soup (usually together in a Traditional Chicken Soup).

But going a little more gourmet, I’ve tracked down something a little spicier for tonight’s dinner; Chipotle Chicken and Tomato Soup from myrecipes.com.

One of the things I love about finding meal inspirations on this particular website, is that they also provide the nutritional details of their recipes, so you know what you’re preparing. This makes cooking at home, and sticking to your diet super easy! This is a simple, do it yourself recipe that can be prepared to your liking. For instance, I love spicy foods, so I might use a little extra jalapeno, while the recipe suggests substituting smoked paprika for the spicy pepper if you prefer a tamer taste. Recipe below.

Posted in Food & Beverage

Charlotte Ronson Fall 2012: Full Photo Gallery

Posted by Kristen Colapinto on February 29th, 2012

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2012: Charlotte Ronson

Charlotte Ronson’s Fall 2012 Runway show was full of flirtatiously fun looks that are perfect for her clientele – the girl who is sophisticated, yet still young and fresh. She is a trendsetter, often on the go with her friends to the latest music or film festival and while she is always fashionable, she also believes in dressing for comfort.

The models strutted the runway wearing colored tights paired with sheer prints and over-the-elbow gloves, to a mix made by Charlotte’s famous DJ sister, Samantha Ronson. Samantha kept the audience in high spirits with catchy beats that included M.I.A.’s “20 Dollar. Front row attendees included media mogul Russell Simmons, his daughter Angela Simmons, Nicki Hilton, Louise Roe, and plenty of nightclub celebutantes. There is a full gallery after the jump.

Posted in Fashion & Beauty

Tags: 2012 Fall/Winter Collections, Charlotte Ronson, Jane Kratochvil, Jane Kratochvil Photography, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Samantha Ronson, Vera Wang

Beauty Product Review: MUD Mascara

Posted by Kristen Colapinto on February 29th, 2012

Most women have a love-hate relationship with mascara in that they love that it transforms their appearance, giving them sky high lashes, but hate that it clumps, flakes, or dries out. Recently, I was sent Mascara from Make-Up Designory (MUD), a world-renowned professional make-up school’s new cosmetics line, to review on SocialVixen.

Available in a black cream and volumizing formula, MUD’s Mascara comes in a pewter gray squeezable tube that lessens waste since it is less likely to dry out or spoil. More…

Posted in Fashion & Beauty

ESOSA Presents the ‘Urban Geisha’ for Fall 2012

Posted by Kristen Colapinto on February 29th, 2012

Project Runway Finalist, Emillio Sosa’s fashion show, ESOSA was presented during New York Fashion Week. This collection is rooted in classic American sportswear silhouettes, joined with Japanese references; all done with a modern edge.

For Fall 2012, Emilio Sosa used gold leaf artifacts and Japanese calligraphy-inspired fabric treatments and prints that are urban, dynamic, and strong. Vibrant colors are teamed with varying shapes to create looks that are visually stimulating and timeless. The result is the Urban Geisha collection, which speaks of strength and courage.

“I began designing the collection while researching the costumes for my current Broadway show, Porgy and Bess. As I rode the subway to see my family in the Bronx, I discovered Arthur Golden’s novel, Memoir of a Geisha and began reading it. I was instantly transported to a completely different world from Catfish Row” says Emilio. More…

Posted in Fashion & Beauty

Vera Wang’s Fall 2012 Collection: Full Photo Gallery

Posted by Kristen Colapinto on February 29th, 2012

Vera Wang: Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2012

For her Fall 2012 Collection, shown during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Vera Wang was going for sensual and suggestive with sheer fabrics covering the models in see-through looks layered with wool parkas and imaginative outerwear.

Starting off the show with a neutral color palette, the models walked the runway in Champagne and nude tones before transitioning into a bright coral-red (not sure the official color, but it certainly reminds me of the color I chose for my recent manicure, which is ‘Cajun Red’ by OPI), black, plum, and finally a subdued blue.

Front row guests at Vera’s show included Renee Zellweger, Viola Davis, and one of my favorite celebrities, Leighton Meester, who was also the face of Vera’s Fragrance. Images from the Fall 2012 runway below:

Posted in Fashion & Beauty, Social Vixen

Tags: 2012 Fall/Winter Collections, Jane Kratochvil, Jane Kratochvil Photography, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Vera Wang

Ford Explores The Many Emotions of Color

Posted by Kristen Colapinto on February 28th, 2012

Recently, I had the wonderful opportunity to interview Ford’s Senior Interior Designer, Anthony Prozzi where we spoke about the role that fashion plays in the interior design of automobiles. (Read my interview with Anthony Prozzi here)

In addition to fashionable inspirations for their interiors, Ford researchers are also using color therapy to create an ambient lighting palette designed to make driving more comfortable and convenient. Ford researchers have actually explored not only which colors people prefer, but also how their eyes and brains react to different hues. So it’s not your imagination – color can affect how you feel. In fact, it affects everything from your buying choices to your blood pressure.

Lighting works with design to create a balance of illumination that reduces eye strain and optimizes driver-vehicle interaction.
Ford researchers realize that a person’s attention span is limited, and lighting can play a key role in providing a driver with critical and noncritical driving-related information without diverting attention.
Developing the ice blue color available in the ambient, or accent, lighting palette was critical, since it is a shade that can help keep drivers and passengers more alert. This makes it easier for a driver to absorb all the other messages coming from inside the vehicle.
On the Ford Fusion, the palette is ice blue, purple, blue, orange, red, white and green. The palette allows the customer to set and change each color, depending on wants and needs.

Find a few more fun facts and a really colorful info-graphic chart below.

Posted in Health & Fitness, Social Vixen

Parsons and FIT present Fusion

Posted by AK-47 on February 27th, 2012

Ever wonder how designers like Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang, Donna Karan, Anna Sui, Michael Kors, Nanette Lepore and Reem Acra got started? They all have one thing in common—they went to school to study fashion first; specifically they all went to either Parsons or the Fashion Institute of Technology.

For the last twelve years the two schools have challenged each other in a competitive fashion show known as Fusion. The director of the show, Jimmy Ramey, started Fusion when he was an Resident Assistant at one of the Parsons dormitories. Ramey got FIT involved, and it became a competition.

The show features about 30 young designers, most of whom are freshman and sophomores. The show features both menswear and women’s wear. This year’s show should be particularly interesting as it serves as a tie breaker, both schools have won six shows.

Posted in Fashion & Beauty, Social Vixen

19 Glamorous Oscar Looks for Less!

Posted by Kristen Colapinto on February 27th, 2012

After the jump, you’ll find 19 looks inspired by the gowns worn on the red-carpet at last night’s 84th annual Academy Awards ceremony.

Angelina Jolie showed a little leg in a high-slit gown by Atelier Versace, while Sarah Hyland looked stunning in an Orchard Chiffon dress by Alberta Ferretti. Emma Stone looked like a million dollars in a red-hot Giambattista Valli, while Viola Davis had spectators green with envy in Vera Wang!

Straight from the runway, these looks would cost thousands of dollars, but below you’ll see how you can achieve the same glamorous looks at prices that don’t break the bank!

Also after the jump is a complete list of who went home with an Oscar.

Posted in Fashion & Beauty