The Collabor-eight

Be Radiant at Prom!

Posted by Kathleen Tower on May 31, 2012 in Beauty, Fashion

I remember contemplating my prom makeup like it was yesterday. Cliche? Maybe. True? Definitely. I wanted to coordinate my makeup look with my dress, which isn’t necessarily a bad idea, but it isn’t always the way to go. My advice to all you ladies getting ready for prom (I apologize if your prom already passed!) is to let yourself standout. Coming from the style editor of Collaboreight, it may sound a bit strange, but prom isn’t about the dress, the hair, or the makeup. It’s about you.

When I watched this prom makeup tutorial, I immediately wished I could go back and re-do prom. Regardless of dress color, skin color, or hair style, this natural-yet-glowing look will have you standing out for all the right reasons. Check it out!

Tags: beauty, cosmetics, dress, fashion, gown, kate middleton, makeup, prom, style, tutorial, video, wedding, youtube Permalink

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15 Minute Review: White Teeth by Zadie Smith

Posted by Tashay Gonzalez on May 28, 2012 in Books

Like the title explains, this is a review of the book “White Teeth” by Zadie Smith after a fifteen minute reading. Sometimes the first fifteen minutes of reading a book is enough to reveal whether or not the purchase was a mistake. I’ll choose various books at random and present first impressions in a hopefully useful way. Maybe my first impression will help guide your purchase and save you from making some possibly bad choices. (Note: Do Not Read “Fifty Shades of Grey” if you value well-written novels and carefully developed plots. Just don’t.) Continue Reading »

Tags: books, fiction, funny, narrative, novel, opinion, reader, reviews, spoilers, summary, white teeth, writer, zadie smith Permalink

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The Fashion Coloring Book

Posted by Kristine Hope Kowalski on May 27, 2012 in Books, Fashion

I can be heard shrieking about a designer’s new collection within minutes of entering a Bloomingdale’s. How can I instantly recognize the new Alice + Olivia, Marc Jacobs, and Diane Von Furstenberg collections? Silhouettes, fabrics, and patterns! If you have always wanted to give designing a try (but, like me, have none of that pesky talent,) The Fashion Coloring Book is for you! All you need are your favorite colored pencils and some imagination, and you’ll instantly feel like you’re interning for Alexander McQueen. Continue Reading »

Tags: alexander mcqueen, art, books, coloring, coloring book, design, diane von furstenberg, fabric, fashion, fashion designers, missoni, miu miu, textiles Permalink

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Interview Series: Lunch with Sam and Sasha

Posted by Kristine Hope Kowalski on May 25, 2012 in Beauty

At Trinity, a delightful outdoor Hoboken, New Jersey lunch spot perched on the edge of the Hudson River, I met with Sasha and Samantha, owners and co-founders of United Scents of America. (A Collabor-fave fragrance company!) Over chicken fingers and martinis, the ladies told me about the start of their company, the great personal story behind their scents, and what we can expect from them in the future. Continue Reading »

Tags: beauty, California, Florida, fragrance, interview, interview series, made in the usa, New Jersey, New York, perfume, Texas, united scents, United Scents of America Permalink

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Listen Live: Allen Stone, ‘Unaware’

Posted by Camille G. on May 24, 2012 in Music

Genre: R&B/soul
Sounds like: Mayer Hawthorne if he could sing (zing!)
Worth checking out: “You and I” (Stevie Wonder cover), “Satisfaction”, “Contact High”
Video highlights: the first few seconds after 0:18 when you realize you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, the bridge of the song that starts at 1:23

Allen Stone is one of the newest “blue-eyed soul” singers on the scene. With obvious influences from R&B/soul greats such as Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Al Green, Stone still manages to breathe new life into the lately uninspired genre. The Seattle-based crooner has been featured on Conan and Jimmy Kimmel but has yet to completely break into the mainstream.

“Unaware” is a track off of Stone’s self-released and self-titled sophomore album. His smooth voice, the vintage electric piano sounds, and the steady R&B drum beat make “Unaware” nice and easy on the ears.

Tags: Allen Stone, blue eyed soul, jimmy kimmel, live music, marvin gaye, music, R&B music, soul music, soul singers Permalink

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The Truth About Men

Posted by Kristine Hope Kowalski on May 23, 2012 in Books, Love & Dating

Dr. Ian K. Smith, of VH1 Celebrity Fit Club fame, has come out with a book claiming to let women in on the human race’s best kept secret: what men are really thinking. Oh? Do tell.

I received a free copy of this book while I was a member of the audience at a taping of The Wendy Williams Show. (My mom and I are compulsive TV audience goers.) Dr. Ian had gone on the show to talk to Wendy about being famous and gorgeous or whatever. Oh, and about this book that he wrote. He specifically forewarned the crowd that we might not like what he has to say, but the women eagerly clung to his every word anyway. Continue Reading »

Tags: book review, celebrity fit club, dating, dr. ian, ian k. smith, love, the truth about men, vh1, wendy williams show Permalink

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Chanel Boy Bag

Posted by Kristine Hope Kowalski on May 21, 2012 in Fashion

You know what I love about Chanel? (Besides, um, everything?) The brand manages to maintain its signature classic elegance while adapting to the coolest trends of modern times. Or maybe I’m just overjoyed right now because their new Boy Bag model, Alice Dellal, has the same half-shaved haircut as I do. Since the campaign images were released, every news outlet is … buzzing… with questions about what Alice’s presence does to Chanel’s proper ladylike image. I am happy to say that Alice represents buzzheads with poise and glamour. Continue Reading »

Tags: accessories, alice dellal, boy chanel, boy chanel summer 2012, buzz haircut, chanel, chanel boy bag, hair, shaved head, teen vogue Permalink

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OPI’s Holland Collection

Posted by Kristine Hope Kowalski on May 20, 2012 in Beauty

On Friday, I’m leaving for a nine day tour of Holland, Luxembourg, and Belgium! While I’m there, I will be scouring the shops to bring you my favorite finds from each country (including local beauty products!) To get myself into character, I’ve been rocking polishes from OPI’s Spring 2012 Holland collection.

Tags: belgium, colors, holland, luxembourg, nail polish, nails, OPI Permalink

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Sole Goddess is Your New Life Saver

Posted by Kristine Hope Kowalski on May 17, 2012 in Beauty, Health & Fitness

There’s an old adage that goes, “If your shoes ain’t hurtin’, they ain’t helpin’!” …Okay, so maybe I swiped that from Katie Cassidy’s character in that Selena Gomez movie, Monte Carlo. But up until now, it’s been too true for comfort.

I have spent too many years of sports, dance, and high heel addiction racking up blisters on every inch of my feet. I have even been known to cover my feet in cling wrap before running 5Ks to avoid chafing and blistering welts. (It doesn’t really help.) Luckily, there is a product out there specifically designed to prevent blisters — and look cute while doing so: Sole Goddess Blister Protection Foot Balm. Continue Reading »

Tags: add to your gym bag, high heels, product review, running, shoes, sole goddess, workout Permalink

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Listen: B. Traits, ‘Fever’ ft. Elisabeth Troy

Posted by Camille G. on May 16, 2012 in Music

“Fever” ft. Elisabeth Troy by B. Traits
Genre: UK garage/house/dance
Sounds like: the 2012 version of Robin S’s “Show Me Love”
Worth checking out: B. Traits – Moments ft. Donae’o; MJ Cole – Degrees ft. Elisabeth Troy
The ideal setting to play “Fever”: a rave in the UK (I know this isn’t possible for most of us, but remember that the key word is ‘ideal’ here)

B. Traits is a Canadian DJ specializing in UK garage, jungle, and electronica. Her debut single “Fever” is reminiscent of classic ’90s dance music a la Robin S, Cece Peniston, and Crystal Waters. Some of the elements that get me excited about this song: the piano chord intro and the characteristic drum ‘n’ bass beat that kicks in at 0:16. I love a good, strong female vocal in my electro/dance music and UK garage legend Elisabeth Troy definitely provides that. My only hang-up with this song is that fact there’s a few beats of silence starting at 0:43. When I first listened to it, I thought my computer froze, and it totally messed up my groove.

After the jump is the music video but I posted it for the track itself because it’s the only place on the internet with a good version of the song. The music video isn’t very spectacular but watching B. Traits and Troy dancing makes you want to move right along with them. Unfortunately ‘Fever’ is not available for international release just yet, so for now we’ll have to settle for replaying it on YouTube. Get ready for your whole upper body to start moving as you sit at your computer: