Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Renaissance Beauty


Renaissance Beauty: This term may suggest to you the statuesque works of Michelangelo, or perhaps you may think immediately of the quirky Mona Lisa hanging in la Louvre. The Renaissance marked an era in Europe when beauty in art and literature were at the forefront of new ideas. Here began an educational revolution, a deviation from the Middle Ages, and with the modern turn came a revolution of physical beauty.

Affluent women perched beneath the sun for hours letting dyes made from onion skins, sulfur, alum, and saffron turn their hair a brighter shade of blond. They tirelessly, painfully, plucked and threaded their hairline to elude a wider, higher forehead (or a “five-head” as Tyra Banks likes to call it.) Affluent women in France and Italy would go to great measures for beauty, mixing powders from cinnabar (vermilion,) white lead, and mercury to dust their skin a paler shade of ivory. Eyebrows were pale and thin. The women of the Renaissance proudly boasted a fuller figure… it was seen as a gift from god.

There was a certain sensuality of the Renaissance, delicate faces and soft bodies; summed up through the eyes of the greats that encapsulated the understated beauty of 15th Century European women.


“Human subtlety will never devise an invention more beautiful, more simple or more direct than does Nature, because in her inventions, nothing is lacking and nothing is superfluous.” – Leonardo Da Vinci

Monday, August 16, 2010

Stefanitely ♥'s Funky Funk Music

So, I have a small obsession with music.  A major obsession, actually. As a long-time practitioner of the creative arts, I rely on sound to lift me up while helping me expand creatively. Because I am forever on the hunt for a new musical feast, I experience sheer delight when I discover music in the darndest places: coffee houses, movie trailers, cars bumpin' on the freeway beside me... Yes, I am the woman who accosts the barista demanding she go to the back look to see what song is streaming through satellite.  What's the point? These four songs that are really inspiring me this late summer - funky, modern and cool: 

Warning: These songs are for those with an eclectic taste for song.  

♩ ♬ ♩ ♬

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Cast Your Vote for Beauty Trade Secrets!



Category: Beauty
Add this link: http://www.worldwideskin.com/beauty-trade-secrets.htm

Thursday, June 17, 2010

New iPhone App for Upscale Parties in Paris France

I just launched the iPhone version of my Google Map-based website: http://www.parisguestlist.com, which helps Parisians find upscale parties, art openings, fashion events, nightclub soirées, etc. in the French capital.

Information about the app can be found here: http://www.parisguestlist.com/iphone/


I'm looking for new partners in Paris: party organizers, socialites, fashion and art event organizers, agencies, and marketing professionals, to help the app reach its potential.

Please contact me with your ideas,

Stefanie Payne
stefanie@cityroom.com
Senior Editor / CityRoom Inc.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Invitation to Member's Only HauteLook and GILT Group

Join HauteLook and GILT Group for High Fashion at Low Prices. That's where i'll be, see you there!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

DailyLitQuote - New CityRoom App for iPod, iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch

For years, over 200,000 people have been getting their daily gift of literary wisdom through the website www.dailyliteraryquote.com. Now there is an enhanced version of the DLQ service for iPhone, iPod, and iPad devices. See why this app is so popular. Install it now to bring great insights of world literature to your mobile device.

Get the app for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch


Every 24 hours, a new carefully-selected quote by a famous author from literary history or today is presented. Quotes vary from recognizable figures like Dostoevsky and Shakespeare, to lesser-known talent, showcased to help you find literature you may never run across elsewhere. This app is an excellent way to improve your knowledge of literature, discover new authors and books, and to gain wisdom through quotes that are often humorous, often serious and profound, and always interesting.


Themes range from writing and the art of literature, to the exploration of the creative process, to general thoughts on living, to offering wisdom and improving one’s outlook on life.
Each day’s quote includes a picture of the author. Sources are cited when possible. App also features links to sites where related information and more great quotes are offered for free.
Get the Daily Literary Quote app now and watch your knowledge of literature grow day by day, and have fun a
t the same time, with sayings you can carry around with you and share with your friends and family.


Note: this app is suitable for young adults, but may occasionally contain words, concepts, or other content that may shock or not be appropriate for very young audiences. Use this app at your own discretion. More iPhone and mobile device apps available at www.cityroomapps.com.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Grasse, France - The World's Capital of Scent


French perfume: synonymous with romance, history, found it's deep roots in today's Daily Travel Destination: Grasse, France. A little north (15 km) of Cannes and just east of Nice, lies the birthplace of French perfume. This provincial town on the French Riviera is also noted as the world's perfume capital, producing more than 2/3 of the country's natural aromas and harvesting upwards of 27 tons of Jasmine annually. Jasmine is not only one of perfumes most common blending scents but is also one of the world's most expensive natural aromas. Situated 350 meters above sea level and blessed by warmth from the Riviera, this region's climate makes for an ideal growing region. The world's most prolific "noses" - from perfumers to gastronomes - consult this historic town for inspiration, study and the abundance of natural ingredients. Tour historic and working 'parfumeries' (Molinard, Fragonard, Galimard), savor the flavors at the olive oil mills and explore many museums of the "Ville d'Art et d'Histoire" (Village of Art and History.) Charpin painted here, Edith Piaf died here, Princess Pauline Bonaparte recuperated here... exceptionally French, Grasse is an ideal representative of the best this extraordinarily country has to offer.

Photo credit: theoneill | www.sxc.hu


Friday, February 12, 2010

Weekday Recharge

We spend less time as we get older taking advantage of some of the most precious alone time available to us: the daily shower (or bath, whatever suits you.) As we get older, our responsibilities thicken, we try to cram more efficiency into every day… fact of the matter is that not only have we become completely accustomed to minimizing the amount of time it takes to complete a task, we are still trying to better ourselves – increase activity + sleep less = winner!

While pondering this idea of shortcuts, it occurred to me that I am this person. If I am struggling to find time enough to run errands, then I am almost certainly not creating enough time for myself. Done are the days of my early twenties in Los Angeles when I managed a spa, spent countless hours perusing the latest beauty trends and even more hours trying them out… yes, I have become like many others past the age of 25, scrambling to get out the door, cutting beauty corners, you know the deal.

So in an effort to relax after a busy couple of years, I decided today that my shower would become a spa-like experience after several months on hiatus from taking the time to pamper smyself. Here's how it went down:
  • I applied a fruit-infused sea kelp mask, (which I rinsed ten minutes later in the shower.)
  • I exfoliated my body with sugar scrub, massaging in circular motions like Self Magazine tells you too… rinsed, didn’t repeat.
  • I consulted my most lavish, exotic, paraben free body wash, mixing in a variety of bath oils that would penetrate my recently exfoliated skin.
  • Added organic neem oil* to my body lotion – the trick with neem oil is to mask the scent (not so enchanting) by mixing it with a bold, lovely one.
  • I toned my face, applied serum, face cream, and eye gel (because the eyes are a tad puffy today after a long Superbowl/blizzard-filled weekend.)

I am looking at this list of steps thinking that it is almost silly to consult so many products in pursuit of a mere recharge… yet here I sit, steps from my home-spa feeling completely cleansed, more delicate and 100% more relaxed than I had felt just an hour before. Instead of ruing a lapse in my life of fine-tuned organization, I acknowledge that my “I need a spa day” meltdown did purge one hour from my day, but it noticeably increased my productivity.

*More on neem oil coming soon.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Life at the Dead Sea




The fabled beauty that lies within the Dead Sea basin is not a secret - but the grand effectiveness of its healing powers are. Spanning from Jordan to the West Bank in Israel, the enchanting tea-colored seas and its deep, salty waters stand as a symbol of purity, health and vitality. The splendor of natural elements on the Jordanian side of the lake caused it to be dubbed long ago as “the most fertile spot in Judea." Thousands of years ago, the fruitful banks attracted the likes of King David and Herod the Great as a home for relaxation and reflection… after all the Byzantine Empire certainly caused a fair amount of stress – even for kings. The concentrated mud and salts were used by the Ancient Egyptians for mummification or preservation, (and as recent as fifteen minutes ago by me to exfoliate and restore my dull winter skin.)

Today, this just may be the ideal place on earth for the upkeep of your health. From the low-allergen content of the air and the low atmospheric pressure, to the reduced glare of ultraviolet radiation and high mineral content in the water and earth (mud), the Dead Sea is widely studied among scientists, health nuts, spa-goers and travelers worldwide for the vitality that the waters provide.

Why is a sea that rich with such powerful healers called “dead”? The high saline and mineral content make it impossible for aquatic sea life and plants to survive – allowing some of the purest water on earth to remain. The salt content ranges from 30%-35% (about 9%,) while the earth’s oceans average about 3%.

Curative Benefits – Mud and salt extracted from the sea is one of the beauty industry’s most touted weapons to tighten and firm aging and damaged skin, removing impurities and toxins from tissues and cells while increasing circulation. After just one use, cellular regeneration and restoration begins, resulting in more radiant, healthy skin.

Skin Softener – a natural exfoliant, Dead Sea Salts are soft and gentle and easily absorbed into the skin while washing away dead skin cells. Use circular movements (always - this increases circulation) and expect a light tingle.

Eczema and Psoriasis – Reduced UV rays and substantial levels of sodium are powerful cures for these irritating skin conditions. While the term “pouring salt on a wound” carries a different and often negative connotation, this is opposite with sufferers of such skin disorders. As a long-time sufferer of eczema as a child, I can attest that salt from marine waters does cure the condition. In my case it happened in Hawaii – ending my 17-year bout with eczema (and inspiring my vegan bodycare brand, Hawaiian Skin.) The combination of salt water and Thalassotherapy for an extended period of time resulted in clear, happy skin – which I have had with ever since.

Disinfectant – The waters provide natural cleansing properties, deeply penetrating dermal cells and eradicating hardened sebum. Sebum (a product of the Sebaceous gland,) is a naturally occurring fatty acid that secretes wax and oil, resulting in such skin conditions as acne, sebaceous cysts, hyperplasia, sebaceous adenoma & sebaceous gland carcinoma. Oh, you can also count on the minerals removing dirt, makeup residue and free radicals.


Related therapies - There are many healing and wellness therapies that take advantage of unique environmental conditions, including:
  • Climatotherapy: Use of environmental healing factors to benefit health including: humidity, barometric pressure, sunshine, climate, temperature, and atmospheric properties.

The Dead Sea (also called the "Salt Sea,") is facing considerable water level loss every year due to environmental factors in the region and global warming. So, keep it on your wander-radar, and enjoy the brilliant healing waters while you can.

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