"Celebrity Connected" Celebrated American Music Awards w/Holiday Gifting

Photos & story by Karen Ostlund

Justins.com white chocolate with peanut-butter for the holidays

One day prior to the American Music Awards at Microsoft Theatre - The Celebrity Connected yearly gifting suite was held November 18th, at the W Hotel in Hollywood.
The suit focused on Holiday Gifting: Candles, Soaps, Creams, Apparel, Games, Jewelry and Sex-toys.                        

Rollingicecreamery.com specializes in making pan rolled ice cream, providing you with a variety of flavors to choose from and adding fresh fruit. Rolling Ice Creamery was founded back in 2015 from 3 best friends that was looking to revolutionized the way ice cream was made. By using a sub-zero temperature pan, the team was able to create freshly made ice cream from scratch using only the freshest ingredients.

Rolled ice cream with fruit

Noah Urreah eating rolled ice cream

James and Christian Ganiere at PrimBathandBodyCo.com
 PrimBathandBodyCo is a Louisiana-based bath and body shop, which specializes in unique bath and body products! None of the products are tested on animals and are all 100% handmade.  Bath bombs are their trademark, and the ingredients in each bath bomb are: baking soda, citric acid, SLSA, colorant, sweet almond oil, polysorbate 80 (helps disperse the colorant into the water so it doesn't stain the tub), & fragrance oil.

Costume Holiday and American Music Awards Candles by LoveLifeCandles.com

Wise Hands plant based salves on Facebook:Muscle Mend, Healing Touch and Working Hands

Elixirmask.com sauna foil mask can prevent to evaporate effective ingredients such as gold, hydrolyzed collagen, coenzyme Q-10, adenosine and soy bean extract.

Elixirmask

Elixir provides strong elasticity and a skin firming effect to loose skin, keeping skin’s health and making it soft. This mask is specially developed to help with anti-aging, getting rid of wrinkles and skin firming.

MelanatedRich.com is  best known for their haircare products, but have now launched a skin care for the holidays, to help with common issues such as moisture, firming, correcting fine-lines, uneven skin tone, dark circles or wrinkles. Melanated means combining form - of botanical as almond oil, aloe vera, antioxidants, avocado oil, chamomile & cucumber extract, jojoba oil, green tea and shea butter.

NakedAllNatural lotion for tattoos

Nakedallnatural.com is a company that believes in the power of nature, and harnessing that power to create the finest all-natural healing products with no artificial coloring or fragrance - which is very common cause of skin allergies and contact dermatitis. "Our soap is made from vegetable and plant oils only. You will notice in many bars a product called sodium tallow ate  and contain grapefruit seed (gse) , which is an all-natural, broad spectrum antimicrobial agent". The NakedAllNatural products: soap, tea, lotion, oil and salve were originally made as a healing aid for tattoos and piercings, and other cosmetic applications, such as nails, waxing, and permanent makeup.

Billy Morrison at Second Skin.SecondSkin.com is tight unisex sports apparel engineered for unrestricted movement so you can set your goals and break them.

                                               

Svakom.net presented Cookie & Candy new foreplay vibrators: Cookie with 3 massaging tentacles and Candy, the kissing fish mouth - both waterproof which run with lithium batteries

Shaka Smith at HempLoveProducts.com
 Hemp Love Chocolate share two powerful ingredients: hemp from Canada and love for chocolate.
Hemp is a crop that comes from the cannabis plant, but is not marijuana and does not contain THC. The hemp love chocolates come in Cinnamon-Salt, Lavender-Salt and Mint flavors.

ShageeKnots.com is a girl's lifestyle brand of sandals that is fun and festive. Each pair is handmade and no two pair are alike!

TheElephantPants.com was gifting women's elephant print harem pants with elastic smock waist, elastic ankles, and external pockets. Since The Elephant Pants store opened it’s doors in 2014, it has sold more than 400,000 pairs of pants and donated more than $127,000 to organizations that are looking to make the world a safer place for elephants.

Selectoil.com  - Select CBD Blends oil combines the medical benefits of CBD with essential oils and natural extracts to help you Relax, Focus, and Revive: Relax offers release at the end of a stressful day with sweet-smelling, calming lavender extract. Focus is formulated to provide the clarifying benefits of CBD combined with soothing, refreshing peppermint extract. Revive lifts you up with invigorating, rejuvenating grapefruit extract to help you recover, reconnect and regain energy. Experts use this oil to make devastating edibles, soothing topicals, and to fill their own dab pens. Over 21 for usage.

The idea the Wymgame.com was born from one scene of the movie ‘The Boss’ starring Melissa McCarthy, where she was getting her teeth whitened, wearing the infamous mouthpiece and struggling to speak. Watch Ya’ Mouth Game includes 143 cards (ages 8+), 10 mouthpieces (6 regular for adults, 4 small for kids), 1 60-second sand timer, and instructions.

VivianaDontanon.com Viviana D’Ontañón is the Puertorican jewelry designer who has been known for creating her layering concept lines.  Viviana creates today a wellknown brand with gold-filled chains and semi precious stones - minimal and classic designs.

Travis Deslaurier at Provincialvodka.com tasting, also in spiced flavor from Radouga distilleries

Okolifestyle.com
 OKO Lifestyle was created by sisters Abbie Boatwright and Katie Steelman. Their t-shirt dresses come in versatile styles, and has been their favorite since the beginning, created from 100% bamboo.

Eco-friendly and sustainable materials - "We use a variety of sustainable materials including bamboo, hemp, organic cotton, and recycled polyester said Alexa Varana the founder and owner of ThirdWolfDesigns.com
 "A stencil is created to ensure efficiency for production, which allows us to produce large amounts of our final product. The stencil is hand-cut and applied to our manufactured blanks,and then chosen a variety of paint colors, to hand-paint every item".

MaBelleAvenue.com
 MaBelleAvenue.com offers a selection of authentic products from a small european country Lithuania, where some very talented designers live and create. The store Ma Belle Avenue traveled from Hinsdale, IL to Hollywood, CA to showcase.

Eataly, LA's Italian Market Place Inaugurated w/Pasta-Ribbon Cutting

Photos by Karen Ostlund   

The Los Angeles Eataly, located in the northeast corner of the Westfield Century City mall, opened on Nov. 3 with pasta-ribbon cutting by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.

Mayor Eric Garcetti cuts the “Pasta Ribbon” with Eataly’s partners

Eataly  has locations in New York City, Chicago, Boston, Italy, and now Los Angeles, Century City.
The Italian company was brought to the Americas in 2010 with the help of Mario Batali, Lidia and Joe Bastianich and Adam and Alex Saper.
Eataly is not a chain, it's a family, and each location is distinct and highlights the city and people who reside there.

  The large-scale Italian marketplaces, which include restaurants, cafes and markets, are like Disneyland for Italian food lovers. Imagine giant rooms full of fresh pasta, bubbly pizzas, rounds and rounds of cheese, baskets full of fresh bread and walls lined with bottles of wine stacked to the ceiling.

Salumi and Formaggi

Eataly founder Oscar Farinetti said he’s been thinking about an L.A. location since opening the first Eataly in Turin, Italy, in 2007. Lidia Bastianich and her son Joe, as well as chef Mario Batali (Joe and Batali are partners in the L.A. Mozza restaurants along with Nancy Silverton), are all partners and collaborators.
There are now 13 locations in Italy, four U.S. Eatalys, and multiple iterations around the world for a total of 39. The next U.S. location will be in Las Vegas.

Italian desserts

Eataly has also announced plans to open its first Canadian location in early 2019 as an anchor tenant of the newly renovated Manulife Centre in the heart of Yorkville. Eataly, a vibrant Italian food marketplace including a mix of food markets, restaurants, and eateries will span three stories for a total space of 50,000 square feet.

Pasta making

Italian cheese

pasta tasting

www.Eataly.com

Bow Wow Beverly Hills Presented ‘Say Sparky Sent ‘Ya’ for Halloween 2017

Photos & story by Karen Ostlund

 Bow Wow Beverly Hills Presented ‘Say Sparky Sent ‘Ya’ Halloween Party to
benefit The Amanda Foundation last Sunday, October 29th, at
The Via Rodeo at 2 Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

The 3 winners of Doggie Costumes Contest 2017 with Amanda Foundation founder Teri Austin

Semi Final of Doggie Costume Contest

Tito's Vodka Martinis and Nectar of the Dogs Wine

Bow Wow Halloween 2017 theme was:
Step back in time to the Roaring ’20’s when a quick knock at the right unmarked door in Tin Pan Alley opened to a bevy of “It” girls and swanky Swells puttin’ on the Ritz enjoying some forbidden Hooch! You’ll be the cat’s pajamas in your flapper finery while you sip our special Halloween cocktail, the “Prohibition Inhibition Martini”.

1920's style dancers at Bow Wow Halloween at Via Rodeo in Beverly Hills

The Amanda Foundation's yearly Halloween event help raise the funds  to rescue our furry pals from the shelters, spay and neuter thousands of pets, and educate the public on how to be the best buddy to our best buddies.

Tina Sinatra with Teri Austin

Tina Sinatra (daughter of Frank Sinatra and Nancy Barbato) returned this year to talk about her long time support of The Amanda Foundation's mission to rescue homeless dogs and cats. She is an actress and producer, known for The Manchurian Candidate (2004), Perlico - Perlaco (1971) and Dream Girl of '67 (1966).
Tina confessed she was once allergic to dogs but overcame it with help from the Amanda Foundation, and she has been a dog-owner ever since.
                     

Collie in a hot dog costume

The night's highlights included the doogie Halloween Costume contest, a silent and live auction, Casino Night (roulette, craps and blackjack), delicious vegetarian cuisine by 208 Rodeo restaurant, and special Halloween cocktails from Tito's vodka and a launch of a new vineyard Nectar Of The Dogs Wine.

Craps at Bow Wow Halloween

Bow Wow veggie platter and silent auction

Chihuahuas in sailor costumes

More contestants

         

The Amanda Foundation established 1976 has rescued and placed thousands of dogs and cats into loving homes and is the ONLY non-profit animal charity in the city of Beverly Hills and the only one in Los Angeles to own and operate a full-service veterinary practice.Amandafoundation.org

Art-Hearts-Fashion LA Spring Swim 2018

Photos & story by Karen Ostlund

Vichi Swim, ES Collection Spain, Mister Triple X Resort, Honey Bee Swim, Gyv Me Body and Alina Petra were the six swim wear lines presented October 7th and 8th at Art-Hearts-Fashion runway shows at Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.

Over 35 local and international designers from around the world came together to present the latest of Spring fashion 2018 at Beverly Hilton Hotel, from October 4th to 8th  The event was produced by Art Hearts Fashion team and presented by AIDS Healthcare Foundation and has become a fashion platform on the west coast and has established itself as a world-class event.

Vichi Swim Spring 2018

 VichiSwim.com
Swimwear designer Monique Deptula is based in Los Angeles and she is inspired by California beaches and palm trees. VICHI swim was previously  know as Versa Swimwear.VICHI Swim has quickly become a new favorite swim brand creating waves in the swim world with their existing styles and create completely original designs. All bikinis are handmade in the USA using  hand-picked materials from sources all over the world.
VICHI Swim is well known for their transformable and reversible swimsuits, sexy cuts, and ability to accentuate all body types.

ES Collection Spain Spring 2018 for men

https://escollection.es/en/
ES Collection was founded in 2006 in Barcelona, dedicating itself to the design, manufacturing and sale of men’s swimwear. ES Collection Spring 2018 are various models of underwear and swimwear, such as the wonder-slip, wonder-boxer, wonderolie and wonder swim - and they are now expanding to other countries in 2017.

Mr Triple X Resort 2018

Mr Triple X
Designer Erik Rosete's collection Resort 2018 is for both men and women. The style is still avant-garde to his fashion and prints. Rosete uses unique prints with mixed tropical flowers with butterflies, skulls and black and white lines butterflies on men's boxer and women’s bikinis. The Spring 2018 collection features bikinis, one-piece suits, and boxer swimwear. MrTripleX.com

Honey Bee Swim Spring 2018

shophoneybee.com
Honey Bee Swim is an American made luxury swimwear line with unique designs, solid colors and unexpected cut outs, which guarantee that you will stand out poolside or at the beach.
                                                           

Gyv Me Body Swim 2018

Gyv Me Body Swim Spring 2018

 gyvmebody.com
Gyv Me Body swimwear line Spring 2018 are made for women in all shapes, shades and stages of beauty.
The suits & covers can be worn on the beach, poolside, on cruises, at resorts and outside of water or even in the bedroom. Gyv Me Body Cover-Ups are designed to  show style, with flattering fits, fabrication and styling. Most styles are offered in sizes S – 4X. Many swimsuit styles have built-in girdles and support straps and optional padding . The fabrication is a mixture of high multi Chiffon and nylon/spandex, which offers four-way stretch and control.

alinapetra.com
Alina Petra is an American lifestyle brand that embodies the personal style and perception of today’s fashion trends of its CEO and Designer Alina Petra. She launched in October of 2016, and the Spring 2018 collection includes swimwear, resort, active wear, and handbags. This line is perfect for those who want to stand out hitting the pool or the beach.

Los Angeles Fashion Week was presented by AHF and partnered with Official Hair Sponsor Style The Runway & Hair Dreams Extensions powered by Woody Michleb Salons. Official makeup sponsor Moira Cosmetics was powered by April Love Pro Team featuring Bdellium Tools.
Other sponsors included: AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Monster Energy, Savvy Travelers, Shibue Couture, Selfie Cookie, Thats IT, and La Foglia. Art Gallery presented by Six Summit Gallery.
www.ArtHeartsFashion.com

Los Angeles' WestEdge Design Fair Returns Oct.19-22, 2017

By Karen Ostlund
Stroll down for full schedule, October 19-22

(October 17, 2017) WestEdge Design Fair, the West Coast’s premier contemporary design fair, featuring a highly-curated selection of domestic and international manufacturers and independent designers and makers, will return to Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, October 19-22nd 2017.
Opening Night Party on Thursday, October 19 from 7-10 PM will be held with sponsorship in part by: Citi, Resource Furniture, Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home, Samsonite and Samsung - to benefit Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House.

WestEdge Design Fair Floor 2016

In partnership with Samsonite, the worldwide leader in travel luggage and accessories, 24 street artists working across the country from Los Angeles to New York will create one-of-a-kind, custom luggage pieces highlighting ‘The Art of Travel’. A. Moret, Founder of Installation Magazine, the digital contemporary art publication, has curated this unique and imaginative exhibit. 

“We are honored to partner with Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House for the second year,” said Megan Reilly, co-founder of WestEdge Design Fair. “One of the best ways to experience LA’s diverse and vibrant art landscape is by driving around the city and viewing its extraordinary urban artwork. We’re pleased to be able to celebrate these street-artists and their work at WestEdge 2017.” 

Megan Reilly and Troy Hansen at WestEdge Opening 2016

‘When WestEdge approached us with the idea of using our luggage as a blank canvas for artists, we jumped at the chance to participate,” said Stephanie Goldman, Sr. Direction Brand Communications, Samsonite. “We’re excited to see what the artists produce and are proud to partner with such a great organization.” 

Melissa Malone, Director of Development for Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House. “We are

excited to work with these street artists whose creativity is beyond amazing and we are thankful for their willingness to donate their time and talent.”
In addition to bidding on the custom luggage art pieces, attendees will have the opportunity to preview and shop from hundreds of premium design and home furnishings brands in advance of the opening on Friday, October 20.
“The Opening Night Party is a must-attend event for anyone who is interested in the art and design community in Los Angeles,” said Troy Hanson, co-founder of the WestEdge Design Fair. “Not only can you get a sneak-peek of the weekend’s events, but you get to meet top architects, designers and design and art tastemakers in one of the best venues in Los Angeles.” 

West Hollywood Design District Chair booth at WestEdge 2016

 Following the Opening Night Party, all luggage pieces will remain on public display throughout the remainder of the WestEdge Design Fair (October 20 – 22). Participating artists include:

Adam Dare (Los Angeles) Andre Miripolsky (Los Angeles) Bisco Smith (Brooklyn) Brayden Bugazzi (Los Angeles) Charlie Edmiston (Los Angeles) Chase Lock (Los Angeles) Collin Salazar (Los Angeles) Hektad (Los Angeles)
Jimmy Pierce (Los Angeles) Josh Webb (Los Angeles)
Jules Muck (Los Angeles) Karen Bystedt (Los Angeles)

Made of Hagop (Los Angeles)

 
 Matthew Laurence Knott (Laguna Beach, CA) Max Neutra (Santa Fe, NM)
Miki Yokoyama (Los Angeles)
Morley (Los Angeles)
Ricky Watts (San Francisco)
Ruben Rojas (Los Angeles)
Ser@LA (Los Angeles)
The Producer BDB (Los Angeles)
Thomas Schoos (Los Angeles)
Tonia Calderon (Los Angeles)
Yelena York (Los Angeles) 

WestEdge Design Fair Panels

 For the full schedule of programming events, see below:

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19 – DesignLIVE L.A.

California Home + Design’s Editorial Director, Lindsey Shook, will explore a range of topics with leaders of the LA design community including:

 2:00-3:00 PM: The Art of Investing in your Real Estate
o Featuring: Barclay Butera of Barclay Butera Interiors and Steven Cooper of Cooper Pacific

Kitchens

 3:15-4:15 PM: The Healthy Home
o Featuring: Leslie Delli-Venneri, WELL Certified, ASID Sustainability Committee Member,

Victoria + Albert Baths, Barry Cik, Technical Director, Founder & CEO of Naturepedic Organic

Mattress Gallery and Moty Ginsberg, CEO at Treeium Eco-Remodeling  4:30-5:30 PM: Made Local: Los Angeles
o Featuring: Alex Segal and Riley Rea of Croft House, Jamie Davis of Portola Paints. Meyghan Hill of Whorehaus Studio, Uri Davillier of Neptune Glassworks

 5:30-7:00 PM: Rose Reception 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20 – DIEM: TALKS DESIGN

Curated by Frances Anderton and Mallery Roberts Morgan, and presented in partnership with Architectural Digest, LALA Magazine and the West Hollywood Design District, this symposium explores the theme ‘Everything is Disrupted’. Retail is being automated; political leadership is chaotic; and the Los Angeles skyline is transforming before our eyes. Every which way, we are in a state of massive change. Today’s thought leaders discuss the challenges — and the opportunities. Topics include:

•   10:30-11:30 AM - Shaky Ground: The Shifting Cityscape of Los Angeles o Moderatedby:FrancesAnderton,KCRW;Featuring:MichaelMaltzan
  
•   11:45-12:45 AM - The Great Retail Revolution
  o Moderatedby:MalleryRobertsMorgan,ADFranceandLALAMagazine
  Featuring: Rose Apodaca, A+R; David Fishbein and Joseph Miller, Runyon Group; and Anna
  Brockway, Chairish and DECASO
  
•   1:45 -2:45 PM - The Green Rush: Is High Design Taking The Edge Off Marijuana?
  o Moderatedby:MayerRus,ArchitecturalDigest
  Featuring: Alex Halperin, Weedweek and L.A. Weekly; and Megan Stone, The High Road Design Studio
  
•   3:00-4:00 PM - Hot Wheels: The Transportation Revolution o Moderatedby:FrancesAnderton,KCRW
  Featuring: Ashley Z. Hand, LA CoMotion; Francie Stefan, City of Santa Monica; and Daniel
  
  Sturges, College for Creative Studies (Detroit Michigan)
•   4:15-5:00 PM - Riding the Wave – Tools For Managing Disruption
  o Moderatedby:MalleryRobertsMorgan,ADFranceandLALAMagazine Featuring: Suze Yalof Schwartz, Unplug Meditation
  
•   5:00-6:00 PM - DIEM Closing Champagne Reception SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21
  

 10:30-11:30 AM - Let There Be Light: How Lighting Accentuates Design
o Moderated by: Laura Eckstein Jones, Modern Luxury Interiors California and Angeleno

Featuring: Barclay Butera, Barclay Butera Interiors; Kelli Ellis, Kelli Ellis Interior Design; Stefanie
Stroud, Ferguson Enterprises and Erin Valencich, Erinn V. Design Group  12:30-1:30 PM - Art in Design
o Moderated by: Erika Heet, Interiors magazine
Featuring: Maria Cicione of Graye; architect and designer Gulla Jonsdottir; artist Nicole Landau and art consultant and gallery owner Wendy Posner
 2:00-3:00 PM - Behind The Design – The Art of Silent Story-telling: a Set Decorator’s Collaboration
o Moderated by: Juan Morales, Emmy Magazine
Featuring: Beverly Hadley; Jason Howard; Jan Pascal; Ken Sharp; and Ann Shea
 3:30-4:30 PM - Maximizing Your Outdoor Living Space o Moderated by: Melissa Goldstein, Sunset
Featuring: Regan Baker, Regan Baker Design; and Leslie L. Hunt; Leslie L. Hunt Interior Design  5:00-6:00 PM – The Future of Home Entertainment

o Moderated by: Shawn Barrett, Founder, Image People and Creator of Kinetic Lounge Featuring: Tony Christopher, CEO & Founder, Landmark Entertainment Group; Harry Evry, Head of Education, VR/AR Association; Justin Massion, Founder, JAM Studios/Virtuos3D; Thomas Schoos, Schoos Design; and Jeff Tillis, CEO/President, NeurAlive 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22

 10:30-11:30 AM - From Ordinary to Extraordinary: Ten Do’s and Don’ts for a Remarkable Renovation

o Moderated by Josh Cooperman, Convo by Design
Featuring: Brian Biglin, President, Biglin Architectural Group; Mike Grosswendt, President, All Coast Construction; James Magni, Principal, Magni Kalman Design; Bart Mendel, President, Stonemark Construction Management; and Laurie Haefele, Owner/Principal, Haefele Design
 12:30-1:30 PM - Green Design: Smart Tools to Live Well and Wisely sponsored by Nest
o Featuring: Robert Fortunato, Green Idea House; Nerin Kadribegovic, Lehrer Architects LA; and Mike Soucie, Nest
 2:30-3:30 PM - How To Foster Your Future: From Basquiat To Barcaloungers, Where Should Millennials Invest?
o Featuring:CesarGiraldo,CesarGiraldoDesign;RyanSaghian,RyanSaghian
Interiors; Joseph Spierer, Joseph Spierer Architects, Inc.; and Hilary Stevens, Coldwell Banker Global Luxury 
 

About WestEdge Design Fair
WestEdge is a three-day event that offers the best in modern design, all in an environment designed to engage, entertain and inspire. The fair offers the opportunity to shop from premium home furnishings brands – many new to the West Coast and meet the designers behind thousands of inspiring products. In addition, attendees gain insight from leading names in the design industry with a full series of educational programs and special events. For more information visit, www.westedgedesignfair.com

Follow WestEdge on Instagram at instagram.com/westedgedesign, Facebook
at facebook.com/WestEdgeDesignFair and on Twitter at twitter.com/westedgedesign.