Posts Tagged ‘positively celebrity’

I would never have guessed that before I saw “J. Edgar” I would leave the theatre less than satisfied, but I did; read on for why!

Clint Eastwood and Leo DiCaprio…blockbuster in the making, right?!?!  Wrong.  Unfortunately, while the costumes and cinematography were to be applauded, the story was not.  Leo did his best to delve into the historical figure much like he approaches all of his roles, but I think the script failed him here.

The story plays out as a series of flashbacks from a senior J. Edgar Hoover dicatating his career with the FBI to an array of young men who type it for him.  Various personal life moments, most focusing on his relationship with his mother and personal secretary are interspersed.  We learn he is eager to please, hungry for power and a pioneer of the modern war on crime; and then a spotlight-loving dictator who loses his way.  Unfortunately, so does the story.  With so much bouncing back and forth between the past and the present, it becomes hard to form an opinion on the character; who in the end comes off as a miserable old man.

The handling of the relationship between J. Edgar and his lifelong number two at the FBI, Clyde Tolson, also added to the muddiness of the drama.  While Tolson’s character was clearly made out to be a homosexual, and the two men shared a kiss, the film did a bad job of walking the “is he or isn’t he gay?” line with Leo’s character.  The makeup the two wore also was terribly distracting!  It’s really hard to look at two gorgeous young men in fat suits and prosthetics with fake liver spots and believe that they were in their seventies.

All that said, Armie Hammer gave an amazing performance!  He really impressed me and stole the show.  See “J. Edgar” for that, if nothing else!  Dame Judy Dench as J. Edgar’s mother gave a superb performance, and Naomi Watts as Helen Gandy, Hoover’s secretary, was spot on.   In the end, Clint Eastwood directed a movie with lots of wonderful parts that didn’t make up a perfect whole.

Check back for more of the latest movie news and reviews from Megan Stecher right here on Positively Celebrity!

On picturesque West London shopping street, tucked neatly between Kensington High Street and the now famous Notting Hill is Manguette, a not so well-kept secret. Opened over 30 years ago by Belgian designer Michelle Manguette, this independent jewelry boutique is unique in its attention to detail, compilation and presentation of jewellery. As well as making a new collection each season in her ‘petit atelier’ in the back of the shop, Michelle travels the world keen to find new and interesting designers and the right stones for her exclusive creations.

For years Michelle was too timid to admit it was her who had made these beautiful combinations of semi precious stone, gold beads, pearls and amber. Even as they were selling out and people were begging for the name of the designer so they could order more she was too shy to say it was she! Over the years her collections have grown to include earrings and bracelets. Michelle is also curator, hand-picking an eclectic mix of young and established designers to show their work in her shop.

I am clearly not alone in thinking that this gem of a store, full of charm and most of all beautiful jewelled treasures deserves to be recognized. Not only is it a favorite of journalists, stylists, mothers, daughters, power women and very good (read well trained) husbands and boyfriends, I have spotted royalty (complete with lady in waiting) and many a well heeled celebrity (both Tamara Mellon and Lulu love to pile on the Phillipe Audibert cuffs) exchanging their gold coins for golden treasures but Manguette has recently been nominated for the Telegragh Magazine Best Small Shop in Britain Awards. You can vote for Manguette, 40 Gordon Place, in the women’s fashion category here.

Manguette was one of the first to be seduced by the distinctive style of Turkish award winning designer Gurhan. His work is favored by a host of A-list names including Angelina Jolie (above) Jennifer Lopez and Queen Rania of Jordan who has been photographed wearing several different gold designs. Always championing his exclusive designs, Manguette is delighted that Gurhan has recently launched a new line combining white silver, and oxidized dark silver with small amounts of gold. The collection is far more affordable but no less beautiful made using the same skilled craftsmanship.

Manguette is holding an event to celebrate the launch of Gurhan’s Silver collection this comingThanksgiving, on November 24 from 4pm to 8pm. Guests will receive 10% off Gurhan Gold, Silver and all other designers in store all day.

Manguette is the exclusive UK retailer of a few high profile American designers including Margo Morrison and Steven Vaubel, Brooklyn based founder of Vaubel Designs. MARGO MORRISON NEW YORK jewelry not only appeals to women of all ages, it appeals to celebrities of all ages as well! Blake Lively (below), Debra Messing, Julia Roberts, Julianne Moore, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sharon Stone, Brooke Shields, Karen Allen and Blythe Danner are all part of Margo Morrison’s growing celebrity clientele, wearing her jewelry on camera and off.

I definitely recommend a visit to Manguette if you find yourself in London Town.  There you will find an exceptional blend of jewelry for all budgets from the romantic mélange of semi-precious stones and 22kt gold in earrings by Adeline, the prolific Parisienne designer to gold or silver plates hoops by Italian designer Anticoa. Coralia Leets’ ‘mother and daughter’ pendant below would make a great gift for any woman this holiday.

If you cannot get to the shop, Manguette also does mail order and the girls in the shop have started doing what they call “Manguette Monday”. They choose an item of jewelry to post on the blog each Monday and for that M.M. day all orders will be processed FREE of postage and packing INTERNATIONALLY! Perfect if you can’t get down to the store personally! I also discovered that the Facebook account has more updated photos than the website and for a peek into the constantly evolving treasure box check out Manguette’s naughty little sister blog miss manguette and @missmanguette on twitter.

Please come back soon for more ‘International Specials’ from me, Coralie Rose, your Positively Celebrity London girl! Don’t forget to follow my pleasure hunt @tropical_rose on twitter.

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Versace, the iconic Italian fashion house with celebrity fans like Beyonce, Gisele Bundchen and Jennifer Lopez, is debuting a more affordable collection at select H&M stores on November 19.  Known for their sexy statement dresses, bold graphic prints, and outfit making accessories, Versace hits the budget friendly retailer just in time for frugal shoppers to get a fabulous holiday look for less!

Highlights of the new line include simple item pieces with a twist, like this chic black pleated silk skirt ($69.95).

What makes this so very Versace are the delicate metal corners that embellish each pleat on the hem.  Tuck a collared shirt into this skirt for an office look, or pair it with a sparkly tank and killer heels for a night on the town!

Leggings ($29.95) are also an essential item in the line, and a great way to play with fashion without breaking the bank!

Bold patterns and geometric studs adorn these affordable must haves, all in a comfortable stretch fabric with a slight sheen.  Add some drama to your everyday look with these fun and funky leggings!

If you’re looking to make a statement this New Years Eve, try one of these dazzling party dresses!  This hot pink sleeveless dress ($199) is flirty and feminine, the perfect dress for any holiday party.

The silk, sheath style dress has festive metal studs and a standout gold zipper on the back.

For an option that really says Versace, try this silver metal mesh dress ($249) that is dramatic, sexy, and sparkly!

The knee-length style comes in a mesh-like metal fabric, with a draped neckline, cross back straps and chiffon lining.  Wear it with a belt to show off your curves, or with tights and booties for an edgier look.

The Versace for H&M collection also features shoes, jewelry, and accessories (from $19.95 to $149), as well as specialty items for men and home.

Happy shopping, ladies! Be sure to check back often for more of the latest fashion news and reviews from style expert Kara Birkenstock, right here on Positively Celebrity!

Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars are venturing in to the world of fashion, launching exclusive collections with budget friendly retailers.  These leading ladies are not only stylish, but they represent real women with their curvaceous bodies!

The best part about the following lines is that they are designed for women with every body type, no matter if you’re petite or full figured.

This fall, check out these amazing designer debuts to look fabulous without breaking the bank!

Kardashian Kollection for Sears

The Kardashian sisters have taken the world by storm, and now, they’re making a statement in the world of fashion as well!  The Kardashian Kollection recently hit Sears stores nationwide, offering budget conscious fashionistas the opportunity to get celeb inspired style for less.  The specialty line features clothing, intimates, footwear, jewelry, and handbags, all priced between $20 and $150.

Highlights of the collection include feminine silhouettes and glamorous item pieces, which are signature looks of the style setting sisters.  The Tuxedo Inspired Dress ($68.99, on sale through 10/29) in plum and black is a sexy, body hugging style that beautifully showcases a woman’s hourglass figure.

For a fun night on the town, this sparkly sequined Waterfall Jacket ($68.99, also on sale through 10/29) would be perfect with skinny jeans and a platform pump!

Jennifer Lopez Collection for Kohl’s

Megastar Jennifer Lopez recently unveiled her new fashion collection at Kohl’s, with apparel, sleepwear, shoes, and accessories priced between $16 and $150.  The Jennifer Lopez Collection is the perfect representation of the multitalented diva, a combination of feminine elegance and contemporary glamour.  The line is designed with the female body in mind, with strategically placed draping, ruching and asymmetrical details to highlight a woman’s curves.

One of the most popular pieces is this Crop Faux Fur Jacket ($60, on sale from $100).  This item is one of the biggest trends of the season, and a must for every fashionista going in to the holiday season.  Wear this luxe find with everything from a floral maxi to a cocktail dress!

For a classic take on Old Hollywood, this cap sleeve Embellished Top ($28.80, on sale from $48) with beaded accents would look great tucked into a high-waisted skirt, or with a simple pair of black pants.

Sofia by Sofia Vergara for Kmart

Modern Family actress, Sofia Vergara, collaborated with Kmart to create a cool and accessible line of apparel, accessories and footwear that launched this past fall.  Sofia by Sofia Vergara features items ranging from $16.99 to $59.99, and is by far the most affordable of the new celebrity collections to hit stores this season.  The motto of the collection is “work what you got,” inspiring women to love their bodies and wear clothes that complement their shapes.  Vergara’s goal is for women to look stunning at a great price, whether you’re a busy career woman or mom on the go.

Highlights of the line include form fitting dresses that flatter all figures, and easy separates that are great for mixing and matching.  This black Bat Wing Dress ($29.99) has a blousy top and fitted skirt, making it a sexy and comfortable choice.

This royal blue Surplice Top ($22.99) features asymmetrical draping and a deep V-neck, which instantly lengthens your body and cinches your waist.  What more could a woman ask for?!

Happy shopping, ladies! Be sure to check back often for more of the latest fashion tips and trends from style expert Kara Birkenstock, right here on Positively Celebrity!

When VH-1’s “Pop Up Video” debuted in 1996, the way we viewed videos was forever changed. Gone were the days of idly watching our favorite artists’ mini movies; instead we were engaged by little nuggets of info popping up throughout the vids. Ranging from facts about the actual musicians to random tidbits taken from the videos’ different scenes, music video watching became, dare I say, educational.

After a 9 year hiatus, the pop culture phenomenon is back! And this time around, the videos are filled with way more pop ups than before…or maybe I just don’t read as quickly as I used to.

Whether you watched the show during its glory years or you’re just getting on the bubble bandwagon, “Pop Up Video” is the perfect remedy to make music video watching fun again.

Check out this Talking Heads classic. Watch closely to find out what to do (and what not to do) in case of a fire.

Baseball lovers, scenes from “I’d Do Anything” were filmed near a major baseball stadium. Hint: The team that calls this stadium home has a “dog” that’s as famous as the team itself.

Visuals in Prince’s iconic “Raspberry Beret” are the result of one inexperienced editor tampering with the animators’ hard work. Take a wild guess who that was!

Visit www.popup.vh1.com for newer videos and for television listings.

And be sure to check back often for more of the latest music news and reviews from music expert Erica Renee Davis…right here on Positively Celebrity!

Mark your calendars for November 3, because Alicia Keys will be hosting her bi-annual Blackball at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City! With amazing live performances, surprise guests and more, the charity gala promises to be one positively special night!

The Blackball is an incredible event that Keys throws twice a year, in both London as well as New York City. This year’s event in the Big Apple is being described as “an explosion of music, soul, philanthropy and art to benefit children and families whose lives have been affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India,” and all monies raised will go towards Keys’ charity Keep a Child Alive.

Keep a Child Alive started in Kenya in 2002, and what started as a small charity quickly expanded to quite a bit more. Today the non-profit organization provides anti-retroviral drugs for over 4000 children and family members, provides and cares for over 250,000 people, financially supports three orphanages, and has several major clinic sites in expansion.

Since 2004 Alicia Keys has organized and run the Blackball as a night to bring attention to the AIDS epidemic in Africa and India, and to help raise funds for all of Keep a Child Alive’s endeavors. Previous performers at the event include Keys herself, as well as Justin Timberlake, David Bowie, Bono, Kasabian (one of my personal favorite bands from the UK), John Mayer and a whole lot more.

This year, the Blackball in New York will definitely be another incredible show. To date, the event has raised over $13 million for Keep a Child Alive, and has been responsible for saving countless lives. Don’t miss out on the event of the season, buy your tickets today!

All of us here at Positively Celebrity are in awe of the beautiful Miss Keys for all of her incredible talent and even more incredible dedication to help children in need! To find out more about the Blackball at Hammerstein Ballroom please visit http://keepachildalive.org/the-black-ball/2011-ny/ and to purchase a ticket or reserve a tabl,e please contact Danielle Spitzer at danielle@keepachildalive.org or (718) 965-1111.

As always, be sure to check back for all things celebrity from Richard Munassi right here at Positively Celebrity!

From previews and commercials Real Steel may look like a simple summer action flick, but it is surprisingly one of the better movies of 2011. With a strong, engaging storyline, amazing special effects, a fast pace and an excellent cast, the movie is definitely a must see for all, whether the young or just the young at heart!

Real Steel is the story of Charlie Kenton, a former boxer who struggles to make ends meet, and his son Max Kenton, who has lived his 11 years without once meeting his father. Set in a distant future where the public has embraced robot boxing in lieu of traditional human pugilism, Charlie is a man trying to find his place in a new world where the life he has known is not possible anymore, while Max is just trying to get to know the father he has never had.

The movie is based in part off of the short story “Steel” by acclaimed author Richard Matheson (I am Legend, What Dreams May Come, A Stir of Echoes). “I thought it was great,” Matheson said of the film adaptation. “They hit all the right things with it. They gave it heart.”

Veteran Australian actor Hugh Jackman (Kate & Leopold, Swordfish, Wolverine) plays Charlie, with relative newcomer Dakota Goyo (Thor, Resurrecting the Champ, Defendor) in the role of young Max. Both are absolutely incredible in this movie, and make every minute of their journey together as father and son completely believable and entertaining. Rounding out the case is Evangeline Lilly (from ABC’s Lost), Kevin Durand (Legion) and Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker), all of whom turn in stellar performances as supporting cast.

Directing is Shawn Levy (Night at the Museum, Cheaper by the Dozen, Just Married), who does an amazing job presenting his vision of the future in a new genre for him. The great Steven Spielberg played a large part in getting this movie off the ground, and it’s clear why he so firmly believed in Real Steel – the movie is an action packed, fast paced, heart felt, jump out of your seat thriller of a summer blockbuster!

The effects of Real Steel are on par with that of James Cameron’s Avatar, and for a reason: director Shawn Levy used the same technology developed for the blockbuster about life on another planet for Real Steel, and it is incredible. The robots are so well designed and move so smoothly it is easy as an audience to forget that they are not really there. Every punch, every kick feels as if it is a real actor out in the ring, dishing out and taking all that he can.

The robots aren’t the only ones in on the fun though; Jackman shows off boxing skills taught to him by the great Sugar Ray Leonard throughout the film. Boxing aficionados will recognize a few signature moves of both Sugar Ray, as well as the great Muhammad Ali incorporated into the fight movie by Jackman, who really took to his tutelage.

“First, it was a delight to see how much Hugh took to the training and how as a great actor he was able to implement the suggestions I could make,” Leonard said of the actor. “His moves and the grace with which he carried himself in character was really astounding.”

At it’s core, this is a movie about redemption for Charlie, Max, and even Atom (the robot that the father and son bond over). In a thoroughly entertaining 127 minutes Levy takes us on a rollercoaster of a ride that starts off in small town fairs and ends up in big cities, with the characters growing throughout the journey. The last real summer action movie of 2011, Real Steel is a lot more than what it seems, and with Jackman, Lilly and Goyo paired with excellent direction, incredible special effects, a phenomenal score by the great Danny Elfman, and a heart warming storyline, all of us here at Positively Celebrity highly recommend the Dreamworks film!

Real Steel opens nationwide on October 7th, both in regular theaters as well as in IMAX. You can learn more about the movie by checking out Real Steel’s website at http://steelgetsreal.com and also on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/realsteelmovie

As always, be sure to check back for all things celebrity from Richard Munassi right here at Positively Celebrity!

When I read blogs or I hear celebs claiming a product changed their life, I usually think “yea right!” But seriously, this volumizing root spray has changed my life!

I suffer from flat hair. There I said it. It weighs me down and I thought I had tried everything to get a bit of extra oomph and lift! I was considering cutting off my heavy hair when Cherry Healey, the wonderful British TV presenter and journalist opened my eyes to Living Proof’s Full Thickening Cream. It’s available in the US from the Living Proof website or at JCPenney and Sephora ($15-$26).

So off I skip to my local Space NK. I have always loved this fab contemporary apothecary with stores all over the UK and the US for their great service and extensive product range. The male sales associate seemed to know a lot more about hair than me, so I took his advice and went for the spray (£20) as opposed to the cream that Cherry got.

Cherry is not alone in liking it; QVC have selected Full Thickening Cream as Best Volumizing Styling Products in QVC’S 2011 Customer Choice after nearly 30,000 votes. The Full Thickening Mousse is also a winner, having been chosen as Allure’s Breakthrough Award in The Beauty Expert in 2010.

Both the cream and mousse contain Poly Beta Amino Ester-1, the proprietary and patented molecule that the Living Proof scientists invented. I am very happy with my Root lifting spray, which really does give me lift at the root! And without greasiness! The cute little bottle also contains something called PolyfluoroEster, another molecule the science geeks at Living Proof came up with (I told you they were clever!). Living Proof is my new smart hair must-have! I can’t wait to check out the shampoos and conditioners.

I would like to know your favorite smart hair products and positive recommendations. Please leave a comment here or @tropical_rose on twitter.  Which hair or beauty product could you not live without?

As I was listening to Ryan Seacrest on the radio this morning, I heard a bit about how Jennifer Lopez keeps her skin so beautiful. How does she do it?  With water! Pure and simple.

She swears she doesn’t have a crazy beauty regimen; she just drinks buckets and buckets of water. Now I believe this because my friend was on set with her once and said she always has an assistant follow her around with a glass of water and straws. I remember laughing at the straws comment, but whatever floats your boat right? You are maybe thinking that is diva-tastic…and perhaps it is, but I would LOVE an assistant to follow me around with water — because my problem is I don’t drink enough of it. I just find it so boring!  But it is true that water keeps you hydrated and that does wonders for your skin. No wonder J Lo always has that glow!

Also remember that water is FREE (as long as you don’t buy the pricey bottles that ruin the environment). Some tap waters are off limits but with a Brita Filter ($23.99 Brita Bella Pitcher www.target.com) in your life it is very cost efficient . But how you choose your water intake is up to you. Many people like bottled water. Some prefer plastic bottles like Arrowhead water, others like the very fancy VOSS glass bottles, which I drink daily at work.

Now we are even offered boxed water.

Let’s talk about taste.  As “tasteless” as water can be, on the flip side I really notice the difference between Evian and Arrowhead. This has a lot to do with where the water is from. It can be from a mountain, a spring or a tap. The minerals also have a lot to do with how water reacts with your taste buds. For instance, I found out I was deficient in Zinc after my normal dose of Evian just started to taste different. I went to a nutritionist and she did the Zinc test under my tongue and bingo! There was the reason.

There are so many other benefits to water in the beauty industry — not just drinking it. Let me outline a few for you:

*Hot Springs. Below is a picture of the Grand Prismatic Spring and Midway Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park.

Just the picture made me smile!  Hot springs have a very high mineral content, containing everything from simple calcium to lithium, and even radium. This is why they are said to be so healing and help cure many ailments. I went to the hot springs in Palm Desert, CA at the most incredible day spa at http://www.the-spring.com/.

The natural hot springs there have been compared to the famous healing waters of Baden-Baden, Vichy and Evian. I only got to spend an hour there (as we had to get back to LA) but believe me when I say the place was so sensational, clean, beautiful and calming that I felt  incredible when I left.  I have to plan a trip back very soon and try out their other treatments, and I promise to let you all know about it!

*Salt water  has many benefits too, from keeping a cut clean to helping disinfect your mouth or throat.

*Colonics! Yep the main thing used for a colonic is … water! Yes… it goes in and it does come out! Colonics are incredible for well-being and also beauty, as it takes out toxins and helps clear your skin, giving you a brighter and fresher complexion.

*Tweezing. It’s always best to use your tweezers or wax after a hot bath or shower, as water opens up your pores.

*Tightening skin. Make sure to end every shower with a few seconds of cold water because it tightens up the skin.  If it’s ice cold, you can actually feel every pore in your body scream a little and suck in. Genius.

*Hair color. Cold water is best for people who color their hair because it locks the color in. So even if you take hot showers like me, just end with a blast of cold.

Beauty does not have to be expensive. Sometimes just going with what nature has given us is always a winner.

I will leave you with one more reason why we should all use water to bring out our beauty: the SEX factor! Why is it that if you’re wearing a bikini and you pour water all over yourself, it’s automatically sexy?  Ever notice how in movies and photo shoots they go for the wet hair look ? It’s just plain sexy!

I can agree that I always feel sexier near or in water. I just got back from Montcuq, France and I thought I’d share how sexy I felt in my Shameless bikini (www.twitter.com/shamelesswear). I didn’t really need the water to feel gorgeous and wild in this hot suit, but it sure did help

Check out more blurbs from me at www.emilyrosetv.com and check back often to Postively Celebrity for more of the latest beauty news.

Summer 2011, your music was good to us. Here’s a final, end of summer, hot list hoorah.

Let’s face it. You WILL hear LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” at least 10 times a day.

Channel surf your radio stations, and you’ll get the “everyday I’m shuffling,” soundbite on multiple frequencies. Even the Kia “HamStars” are shuffling to this super hot summer hit from the Gordy, uncle-nephew duo.

It’s virtually impossible to resist “Anthem’s” super contagious beat and hook. All summer, the track has dominated the charts and is one of YouTube’s most viewed videos ever. “Party Rock Anthem” = Positively Sizzling!

From “Can’t Buy Me Love” to “Yesterday,” the Beatles’ 1 compiles 27 of their #1s from the 1960s and 70s.

At the beginning of September, 1 was re-released as an exclusive-to-iTunes digital album. Congratulations, Beatles. You’ve mastered the art of getting your fans to purchase the same exact music three times. That’s pretty hot.

Four years later, “Cupid’s Chokehold” is still the band’s biggest hit, but I predict Gym Class Heroes’ newest single, “Stereo Hearts” featuring Adam Levine will give “Cupid” a fair fight. Travie McCoy has a lyrical finesse that energizes every Gym Class Heroes song. “Stereo Hearts” has summer hot list cred!

Do the names Mark Foster, Mark Pontius, and Jacob Fink ring a bell? If not, then I introduce to you indie pop band, Foster the People.

Not until I became utterly obsessed with their eerily sexy hit, “Pumped Up Kicks,” did I, myself, know who they were.

“Pumped Up Kicks” was released about a year ago, but it was in the summer of 2011 that this sleeper became a chart topper. Its provocative lyrics referencing bullets and guns paired with an MGMT-esque electropop beat make it a sultry song that needs both censorship and repeat play. Their sudden stardom has even landed them an October 8th date with Saturday Night Live. Foster the People’s hot list appeal is sizzling through to Fall!

As always, check back often for more of the latest music news and reviews from Erica Renee Davis, right here on Positively Celebrity!