Summer Romance | Weekend Getaway: First Sleepover
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The moment has arrived.
You know the one—after a dozen dates, late night phone marathons and intense, teenage-like make-out sessions—you cannot go on without some “fantastic footsie” in the sack.
For some, the wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am moment has already come and gone after the first date dinner plates were cleared.
For others, there was no date…just straight to home plate.
For many, there is an actual courtship involved, one that builds up to a romantic crescendo. Maybe it’s a night at a cabin in the mountains, a day at the beach or a night on the town in the big city.
The bottom line is the sleepover. And that makes the event into the classic Romantic Weekend Getaway.
Let’s be totally honest, the moment you have both been waiting for with bated, often panting, breath. But the plans have been made. Now comes the hard part.
You are under pressure as you frantically try to figure out what to pack, what to wear, and what to “under wear.” Then comes the “gasp!” as you fret over what kind of lover are you to be and, even more daunting, what kind of lover they will be!
Let’s just tell it like it is, ladies. How intense is the fire? How volatile is the chemistry? Will the two of you spontaneously combust the second your bodies collide? Or will you both wilt?
You have to decide exactly what type of experience you want the romantic weekend to be? It is your hands. Do you want to be the siren, the naughty girl or the lover?
What you want portray will determine how it all plays out. And it isn’t an act. We all have a little bit of siren, naughty girl and lover in us. But, sometimes, we get to choose which one we want to take control.
The trick, though, is whichever one you select is the kinda gal you will be expected to be in future footsie forays in the sack. You are laying the expectations between the sheets…literally and figuratively. It may also lay the groundwork for the type of relationship you may or may not have after the romantic weekend getaway.
The Siren
Think Betty Page, or any classic, lusty pin-up lady. Become a siren by embracing your frisky “inner kitten.” The Siren is a balance between sexy and sensual, between classy and claws. Sirens are one part romantic, one part luscious and a jigger of jiggle. And clothes make the Siren, so check out the outfits below and see how you can leave some things to the imagination while also revealing some sex appeal.
Must Haves in the weekend bag for the Siren:
1. A bottle of bubbly
2. A jazz CD or playlist
3. Pinup style lingerie
4. Dress
5. Heels
6. A great travel bag
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The Naughty Girl
Think Megan Fox, or all the sassy young girls who are not afraid to bare it all. Become a Naughty Girl by flaunting what you’ve got with an attitude that is 110% confidence. Naughty Girls are into that whole “brevity thing” and like to get straight-to-the-point. The Naughty Girl adds a dash of nice to be suggestive and handful of spices. Check out the outfits below and see how you can show that you have nothing to hide but that everything is theirs to gain.
Must haves in the weekend bag for the Naughty Girl:
1. Leopard handcuffs
2. Edible chocolate
3. Naughty Girl style lingerie
4. Dress
5. Heels
6. A great travel bag
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The Lover
Think Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston or any clever
sweetheart who opens up with a touch of the “girl next door”.
Become a Lover by showing that you are girly, a bit sassy and very
self-assured. A Lover is flirty but makes him work a bit. For the true
Lover, the advertising is almost as important as the product. (ha!).
Lovers will show a few curves here and there, but the main attraction is the chemistry set: the laughs and smiles and glances that make up a great date with a great mate. The Lover’s outfit never distracts. It attracts, but the outfit isn’t the statement maker here. Dress to imply that the main focus will be on them.
Must haves in the weekend bag for the Lover:
1. Romantic candles
2. Massage oil
3. Lover style lingerie
4. Dress
5. Heels
6. A great travel bag
They will be putty on your hands at the moment you agreed to the
getaway–so be sure to pick your sleepover attire for the romantic weekend appropriately and match it to the moment. You will be setting the tone with what you wear so be sure that you are not only setting the expectation but that you are meeting ‘em!
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Meet your new best friend…InTraffik.com’s Fashion Accomplice:
As a media publication digital editions manager, Leah King manages the creation of the digital replica of design magazine, Dwell, and sees it through as it transforms to be viewed on the iPad, Nook, and Kindle. Shepherding through images and editorial pages, iconic designers and their designs,architects and their creations, and the photographers who shoot them,gives her a unique opportunity to see to the beauty and style produced in each issue. Leah also contributes editorially to dwell.com. In life outside of Dwell, she indulges in her passions for photography, producing graphic design projects, spinning her vinyl albums, collecting vintage electronics and calling it like she sees it over at Caught Looking. She also blabs about design, fashion, technology and architecture five days a week at Smitten Kitten Style.
OUT TO SEE: BLOOMFEST 2012
It was off to Bloomfest 2012. To me, this street festival deserves more attention. It has the perfect mix of music and art. The organizers appear to be taking a conservative approach to expanding – though it is growing. Time fades memories, but I do believe that the size of the festival has grown significantly both in number of people attending and in geographical size since my first visit in 2010. Bloomfest this year had two main music stages: the usual Traction Stage and the new Bloom’s Stage.
My day started off at the Bloom’s Stage to catch Swords of Fatima. Their Facebook page describes them as Bollywood Disco Punk. The lead singer wears a headdress and the drummer looks like he came from Blade Runner or The Fifth Element central casting. It was an interesting way to start my day.
Noticed: most of the crowd was about 15 meters back, in the shade.
It was around the corner to the Traction Stage to catch Helena. She has a Southern-inspired, big vocal sound that quickly hooks you. It also doesn’t hurt that she brings out the violin for a few songs(strings are always a plus with me).
I stuck around the Traction Stage to catch a handful of songs from NO.
Two moments noticed: the drummer’s child was onstage during the set-up and she had ear muffs on, a good father. Backstage there was a NO group hug before they started their set.
I do love NO. Their music is so powerful.
I needed to skip out on the back half of NO’s set to catch Carnage Asada.
Noticed: the folks closest to the stage were mainly middle-aged individuals who were rocking out like they were in their twenties –though perhaps a tad slower.
Saccharine Trust played next on the Bloom’s Stage. A lady came up and asked, “Is this the original Saccharine Trust line-up?” I shrugged. I didn’t even know who Saccharine Trustwas. While writing this up, I did a little Wikipedia research on the band. They started in 1980 and toured with Black Flag. Also, Kurt Cobain considered one of their albums a favorite.
Noticed: during one song, the lead singer hung himself on a cross (his microphone stand) and sang, “In Hell, this is not allowed.”
Comment: Every pair of glasses I reach for are broken.
Clips of song lyrics: Un-circumcise me . . .Everyone has a reason to sing . . . The struggle within goes on.
It was back to the Traction Stage to catch one of my favorite 2012 finds: Grace Woodroofe. She started her set early and so I was hoping she’d go longer with her set, but she stuck to 30minutes. I argue she gave the performance of the day on the Traction Stage.
Noticed: if she doesn’t have a guitar in her hands,her right hand is always keeping beat by either slapping her leg or tapping the air.
Audience moment of the day: between Grace Woodroofe and The Neighbourhood, a barefooted little girl, danced to the DJ. Following her lead, a number of adults started to dance, as well.
The Neighbourhood also seemed ready to start their set early. I could be making this totally up, but the body language of the Bloomfest staff seemed uncomfortable with this. The Neighbourhood fiddled around on stage for a few moments and started their set five minutes early. This band had the fans out. They gave a smooth sounding set.
I moved back to the Bloom’s Stage to catch Downtown Devil Dogs. This was another seasoned band of rockers, the main focus of thisstage.
Two moments noticed: for one song, the bass player tapped the guitarist in front of him, which indicated they needed to shift spots. There was a clock on the stage to keep the bands on track.
My final band of the night was Superhumanoids on the Traction Stage.
Exchange of the night: Band, “How are you all doing?” Woman in the audience, mouthed, “Pretty good.”
Noticed: Older gentleman dancing throughout the set.
Sarah’s vocals linger in the air.
The Bloom’s Stage was for the seasoned rockers. The Traction Stage was for bands looking for their break. I’m going to say this: I have my biases towards NO and Grace Woodroofe, but the best stage shows were put on by the seasoned rockers.
SATURDAY JULY 21ST: BLOOMFEST
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Bloomfest is back. The Mini-Music/Food/Art Fest, named in honor of community activist Joel Bloom (1948–2007), BloomfestLA celebrates all things a’bloomin’ in Downtown Los Angeles — art, music, and even the environment, returns this Saturday for all-ages fun!
DATE | TIME: Saturday, July 21 @ 2 PM to 10 PM
LOCATION: Downtown Arts District of Los Angeles at 3rd St. & Traction Ave. (90013) near Wurstküche, The Pie Hole, Zip Fusion Sushi, NoLA’s Taste of New Orleans, and District BBQ & Lounge.
Bike Valet Station: Ride to the festival and park your bicycle at the FREE bike valet station at Rose St. and Traction Ave.
Music
TRACTION STAGE
3rd St. at Traction Ave.
curated by KCRW Host Chris Douridas • produced by EVFA Music
9:30 PM – Superhumanoids
9:00 PM – KCRW deejay set
8:15 PM – The Neighbourhood
7:45 PM – KCRW deejay set
7:00 PM – Grace Woodroofe
6:30 PM – Buzz Bands L.A. deejay set
5:15 PM – NO
4:45 PM – KCRW deejay set
4:15 PM – Helena
4:00 PM – Changeover deejay set by DJ Vealchop
3:30 PM – Robotanists
3:15 PM – Changeover deejay set by DJ Vealchop
2:45 PM – Light FM
2:30 PM – Changeover deejay set by DJ Vealchop
2:00 PM – Yellow Alex and the Feelings
BLOOM’S STAGE
Hewitt St at 4th Pl.
curated and produced by artist/musician Alberto Miyares
9:30 PM – Sukia
8:45 PM – Downtown Devil Dogs
8:00 PM – The Gears
7:00 PM – Mike Watt and the Missingmen
6:15 PM – Saccharine Trust
5:30 PM – Carnage Asada
4:45 PM – Size Queen (Betty Blowtorch members)
4:00 PM – Lightnin’ Woodcock
3:15 PM – Swords of Fatima
2:30 PM – Third Grade Teacher
2:00 PM – Tawny Ellis
JARRITOS DJ STAGE
Angel City Benefit Beer Garden (21+ and wristband required)
curated and produced by Marko Bacilio of Downtown Lobby
9:00 PM – DJ Joey Mojo
8:00 PM – ILL-A
7:00 PM – Our Name Is Legion
6:00 PM – Mike T.
5:00 PM – Pony vs. Bear
4:00 PM – Justin Cornwall
3:00 PM – Mastah Syphe
2:00 PM – Bass and Gently
KOOL KID ZONE STAGE (2-8 PM only)
3rd St. at Rose St.
curated and produced by Vanessa Acuna
7:00 PM – Plaza de la Raza Youth Rock Band
6:00 PM – Kindie Rock with Ellen & Matt
5:00 PM – “Opera Girl” Golda Berkman
4:00 PM – Storytelling by We Tell Stories
3:00 PM – Little Divas Fashion Show
2:30 PM – Children’s Yoga by Light Learners
2:00 PM – Maryknoll Karate Club Kids
Summer Romance | Don’t Send A Mixed Message On First Date
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The first date.
Sweaty palms. Butterflies. Pre-stalking your date on Facebook. And
tracking down tweets and blogs to make a list of talking points for those
uncomfortable pauses in-between sips of wine or small bites of Tuscan
white bean hummus on artisanal pita chips.
C’mon, it’s okay to admit it.
We’re all friends here.
But those things are simple and pretty much stress-free. That’s when it
hits you — the dreaded “what-to-wear factor” and it hits you like a Prada
flash sale.
Gasp!
You know what’s coming. In mere moments every article of clothing in your
closet ends up in a sky-high pile on your bed. Some of it topples onto the
floor.
You try on and then frantically kick every last shoe you’ve hastily pulled
out from under the bed. They’ve now been re-distributed all around the
floor.
You perspire from the unwanted exercise of putting and pulling clothes on
and off in front of your mirror. And on and off. Again and again.
And there you sit on the edge of your bed…glaring at the clock…as time
mocks your fashion sense with each passing second.
“What to wear?”
Nothing looks right and the question circles around in your poor, reeling
mind.
Stop. Take a moment. Give your inner Anna Wintour a time-out.
Take a deep breath.
Calmly turn on your favorite song. Crank it up. Loud. Sip a glass of wine,
if you so desire.
Just remember…you have to feel good and confident in what you select to
wear. Pick something you feel comfortable and strong wearing. And sexy.
Once the Black Keys gets you loose and the wine inspires a little karaoke,
stop and consider your audience.
What type of message do you want to send on this first date?
Seriously. This is a first date. This is his first impression.
Do you want to come across as flirty? Fun-loving? Or, the girl next door?
Look, girls…this really isn’t a “good girl vs. bad girl” decision. It
really comes down to what type of date is this for you?
That’s right. How you look and feel is going to make or break how you feel
about this date. If he doesn’t get it, or get you, at least you will have
done it on your terms.
So, pick one.
1. Flirty?
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If you want to be flirty, it means that you want to be playfully romantic
but feature slightly hidden undertones of sexy (without getting tarted-up,
of course).
(Flirty outfit and accessories from modcloth.com)
2. Fun-loving?
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If you want to be fun-loving it means that you are playful with a dash of
naughty. Perhaps you are seeking laughter and adventure. You want this to
be an evening “out and about” on the town.
(Fun-loving outfit and accessories from express.com)
3. Girl Next Door?
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Okay, so you’ve decided to “go retro” with the girl next door look. It’s a
bit old-fashioned, a little down to earth, but also a little enticing.
Everything is implied. Ultimately, you are letting him know that he should
consider that you are a good bet to be a “meet the parents one day” kinda
gal.
(Girl Next Door outfit and accessories from anthropologie.com)
So, ladies…think about which message you want to send on your first date
because, if all goes well, you just might just tempt your date to ask for
seconds (a second date, that is). And be sure to go with the style that
suits your personality and suits the person you are dating and the place
you are going.
Most of all, make sure that your message is seen and understood—loud and clear.
Meet your new best friend…InTraffik.com’s Fashion Accomplice:
As a media publication digital editions manager, Leah King manages the creation of the digital replica of design magazine, Dwell, and sees it through as it transforms to be viewed on the iPad, Nook, and Kindle. Shepherding through images and editorial pages, iconic designers and their designs,architects and their creations, and the photographers who shoot them,gives her a unique opportunity to see to the beauty and style produced in each issue. Leah also contributes editorially to dwell.com. In life outside of Dwell, she indulges in her passions for photography, producing graphic design projects, spinning her vinyl albums, collecting vintage electronics and calling it like she sees it over at Caught Looking. She also blabs about design, fashion, technology and architecture five days a week at Smitten Kitten Style.
A MOVIE REVIEW: SAVAGES
This Mexican drug cartel/Southern California pot growing movie opens with a brutal scene that hits you in the gut. A number of men are kneeling in a random building, a look of resignation in their eyes. A person has a chain saw and you know what is going to happen next. Luckily for all of us, the scene cuts without us having to witness the gruesome ending. In the sick world of the Mexican drug cartel, the murders are videotaped and sent to two pot growers living in Orange County. Due to growing pressures from the Mexican government, Elena’s (Salma Hayek) cartel is shifting operations to Southern California. The reason Ben (Aaron Johnson) and Chon (Taylor Kitsch)attract the attention of the cartel is due to the unique high-end pot that they grow. Ben is the brains and Chon is the muscle. Added into the duo is O (Blake Lively) who is mutually loved by both men.
Elena’s underlings meet with Ben and Chon and give them 24 hours to come to a decision on the proposed partnership. After much debate, the two decide to flee to Indonesia. One of the cartel lieutenants, Lado (Benicio Del Toro), grows suspicious and comes to the conclusion that they’re about to flee the U.S. In order to keep them in line, O is kidnapped. Ben and Chon are told that O will be kept as a hostage for a year. The two go about trying to find a way to get her back. Tossed into the storyline is a U.S.federal agent named Dennis (John Travolta) who plays off both the Mexican cartel and the two pot growers.
The young cast of Aaron Johnson, Taylor Kitsch and Blake Lively do a fine job. I’m sure Taylor Kitsch (John Carter/Battleship) and Blake Lively(Gossip Girl/Green Lantern) were more than happy to take on these dramatic roles. As for the more “mature” cast that includes Salma Hayek, Benicio Del Toro and John Travolta, I just couldn’t help but feel that at certain points in the movie they enjoyed playing campy with their characters.
The movie does give you an interesting look into the drug world. Immediately, we are presented with the fact that Ben believes in using the profits from their pot business to do good in Africa. There is a degree of hypocrisy here. Yes, Ben is helping people in Africa and keeping his hands clean in his pot business, but Chon is his muscle. They are the Mexican cartel, but just on a smaller scale, using less violent means to enforce their rules. The movie also delves into the role of the cartel lieutenants. The most intriguing of the lieutenants is Lado who is both looking out for Elena and his own future. In the U.S., we see how drug money is already impacting law enforcement. The U.S. federal agent,Dennis, is as dirty as they come or perhaps is just a political realist who is attempting to keep the cartel violence in the U.S. to a minimum while padding his own pockets. We also get a glimpse of what I assume was a dirty U.S.cop, paid off by the cartel. Another intrigue that plays a role in the movie is that there are two Mexican cartels attempting to penetrate the U.S. The movie focuses in on Elena, but in the background there is another cartel ready to jump in and take advantage of any potential missteps.
This movie starts off with promise, but then falls off a cliff. The problem isn’t how it first probes the drug wars and then shifts into a gritty chess match. The movie is about rescuing O from the hands of the cartel so we should expect to see cars get blown up. The problem is that Oliver Stone shifts the style of his movie at the end. It goes from gritty to surreal and it isn’t appreciated. This movie is based on a book and so perhaps the ending is faithful to the book, but if so the translation to the big screen failed.
NOTES FROM VIVACE’S JUNE SOUNDTRACK
Here’s my June 2012 playlist of a selection of bands I caught during the month.
Now, Now: “School Friends”
Location Seen: Bootleg
blondfire: “Where The Kids Are”
Location Seen: Bootleg
the Colourist: “Oh Goodbye”
Location Seen: Bootleg
Montë Mar: “Different Place”
Location Seen: the Satellite
JJAMZ: “Never Enough”
Location Seen: the Satellite
Kera and The Lesbians:”Green”
Location Seen: the Bootleg
Summer Twins: “I Don’t Care”
Location Seen: the Bootleg
Delta Rae: “Bottom ofthe River”
Location Seen: One Colorado Pasadena
Peg: “Unwinding of a Vein”
Location Seen: SilverlakeLounge
Maybe Vultures: “The Midnight Hour”
Location Seen: SilverlakeLounge
Quick notes on three of the bands. Keep an eye out for the next time Now, Now is in town. They’re from Minneapolis so it isn’t like you’ll get the opportunity to catch them every other month. Kera and The Lesbians had one of the most emotional endings to a set I’ve seen in a while. Delta Rae is from North Carolina. They also attended college at Duke University. Every so often I mention Duke in my posts. Yes, Duke rules and so does this band.
And my July 2012 pick: Coco Morier is playing at Pershing Square,July 19th, Thursday, 9 p.m. Her music gets you dancing and what better way to spend a Thursday night.