The 2012 Met Gala in New York City paid tribute to two of the world’s most influential female designers, Miuccia Prada and the late Elisa Schiaparelli. The extraordinary exhibit dedicated to these two women is called “Schiaparelli and Prada, Impossible Conversations.” The exhibit consists of multiple rooms with digital film of imaginary conversations between Prada and Schiaparelli. The rooms compare and contrast their different design styles as well as conversations about fashion’s role in each woman’s life.

Scarlett Johansson in Dolce & Gabbana

Gwyneth Paltrow in Prada

Sofia Vergara in Marchesa

We are deeply saddened to hear about the departure of one of the beauty industry’s most revolutionary hairdresser’s, Vidal Sassoon. Sassoon changed the hair industry forever. He opened his first salon in 1954 and helped change the way women of the ‘50s and ‘60s styled their hair. He took them from using gooey products to the wash-and-wear look for which he is famous for. Even though Sassoon is no longer with us, his legacy will live on in the beauty industry forever.

Republic Hair Studio is the newest client to join the MTL family. Located in Freehold, New Jersey, Republic Hair Studio embraces creativity and individuality for all of its clients. The specialized staff put their expertise to use. They are dedicated to offering unsurpassed excellence in the beauty industry and the highest level of professional service. For information about Republic Hair Studio visit their website at www.republichairstudio.com.

For press inquiries, interviews or sample requests please contact Melisa Tropeano LaTour via email at melisa@mtlcommunications.com or by phone, 908-603-5403. For more information on MTL Communications visit www.mtlcommunications.com

GlamNatural™, the premium cosmetics brand that creates high performance, gluten-free, vegan, cruelty-free makeup for all skin types, has named MTL Communications as their agency of record. GlamNatural™ products are Shea butter based and made in the USA. All of the GlamNatural™ products are BodySafe™ – translation: each item is hypo-allergenic
, vegan
, gluten free
, cruelty free
, talc free
, fformaldehyde free
, mineral oil free
, petroleum free
, harmful emulsifier free
, phthalates free
, sodium lauryl sulfate free
, synthetic dye free, synthetic fragrance free and EU Cosmetics Directive compliant. This is a standard that no other product in the industry can boast. The current product line includes a hydrating foundation, cream blush and finishing powder and later this year the lip-gloss and concealer with join the line.

For press inquiries or sample requests please contact Melisa Tropeano LaTour via email at melisa@mtlcommunications.com or by phone, 908-603-5403. For more information on MTL Communications visit www.mtlcommunications.com

MTL Communications is happy to announce it is the agency of record for Anna Pereira Designs. Anna Pereira Designs is the creator of “Circle of Inspiration” charms. Each charm is designed and handmade by Anna and boast an inspirational expression that serves as a reminder of the wearer’s inner shine, brilliance and radiance. For more information on Anna Pereira Designs and “Circles of Inspiration” charms visit www.annapereiradesigns.com

For press inquiries or sample requests please contact Melisa Tropeano LaTour via email at melisa@mtlcommunications.com or by phone, 908-603-5403. For more information on MTL Communications visit www.mtlcommunications.com

By Dana Ranney

Regardless of whether you believe in New Years resolutions or not, every New Year can jump start the opportunity to bring about a new you! Here are just a few of the newest beauty trends that you can try in 2012.

LIPS: Don’t be afraid to hop onto the colorful trend, for 2012 you’ll want to aim to stay in the red and orange families. For those with fairer skin, stick with deep, bright reds, while for darker complexions, look for red-orange tones. These hues are sure to make your lips pop with some fun extra color!
*LOOK FOR:
• M.A.C. Lipstick (Morange)

EYES: Wait! Don’t put all the metallics and glitter away just yet! This year, designers are still incorporating the sheen of glitter, just on a lighter scale. All your essential shadows – browns, taupes and greys – can stick around, but work some of that leftover glitter into your look for some shiny subtlety. These softer, sheerer shadows applied after a white shadow base will give your eyes the perfect glow.
*LOOK FOR:
• Estée Lauder Pure Color Gelée Powder EyeShadows (Copper, Cyber Pink, Cyber Silver)

NAILS: Time to get over the dark colors of winter! Put them away for now while you look for bright violets, pinks, and purples that were popping up all along the runways for Spring 2012. These colors, especially violet will look best on short, well-groomed nails, says Allure Magazine.
*LOOK FOR:
• Essie Nail Polish (Splash of Grenadine) *This color is one of my personal favorites!

• M.A.C Nail Lacquer (Blueblood or Purple Majesty)

CHEEKS: Make sure you have the right shade of pink going into 2012. By sticking with peach and apricot tones, your skin is sure to glow healthily and remain looking natural and effortless. After all, the goal is to look like you’re actually blushing!
*LOOK FOR:
• Glam Natural Cream Blush (Sun Kissed)
• Revlon Powder Blush (Pink Blush)
• Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact (Nectar)

HAIR: When it comes to hair, things get tricky – there are just too many different types of hair to recommend only one product! Thankfully, Allure magazine offers an online beauty product finder that will take into consideration your body’s specifics and match them to a product just right for you! Visit Allure and find it right below the menu bar.

PERFUME: Wonderstruck Eau de Parfum by Taylor Swift, reasonably priced for just under $60, can be found on Sephora. All over the January edition magazines, this fragrance will get you off to a sweet, yet inspiring start to 2012.

SKIN: Don’t let stress get to you this early on in the year, keep calm instead with purifying Monoi Oil. What is Monoi Oil, you may be asking? Monoi de Tahiti Oil is a natural beauty product based on two unique ingredients, Tiare Tahiti and refined Polynesian Coconut oil. Incorporated with Vitamin E, Monoi Oil is safe to use on the hair and skin and is a multipurpose luxury. Many use it as calming bath oil, but it also doubles as a pre-shampoo and swim protection formula, as well as a body moisturizer. Be sure to pick some up this winter – the calming effect and fragrance will take your mind all the way to Tahiti.
*LOOK FOR:
• Moana Beauty Monoi Oil

By Dana Ranney

• Choose at least one day a week to have a family meal –
We all know how hard it can be to get the family together during the week, with sporting events, music lessons, tutors, meetings – the list goes on. But, sometimes we’ve got to put on the brakes and make some time for the ones we love. Scheduling this cherished family time can easily allow opportunities to get into that beautifully decorated dining room…that may otherwise be collecting dust…

• Birthday dinners –
Forget about spending all that money having a birthday party at some traditional venue…your dining room is free! Whether it’s a beautiful dinner party for you or a friend or a dress-up tea party for your little girl, you can’t go wrong. Bring Hollywood to your home and hire your own staff for the night! Without the expense of a venue you’ll have room for other luxuries.

• Host a beauty party –
A new trend, sure to get the girls together, is hosting your own jewelry or beauty party! This makes for a great excuse to show off that dining room space. Whether your hosting the party for jewelry, make-up, clothing and accessories or – even Tupperware – the dining room will definitely provide a glamorous backdrop.

• Host a “game night” –
Be different! Be the FUN one out of your group of girlfriends and host a game night! The dining room can act as your own private casino or club. Use your imagination! Maybe go out and get some fun accessories that will add to the theme to make it feel like you’re really out for a night on the town. Though the best part is that you’re actually in the comfort of your own home.

• Host a theme party –
Hey – there are more than enough holidays out of the 365 days a year for yet another excuse to host a party. Make it your own by choosing a holiday you really enjoy and can get into celebrating! Doll up your dining room with all sorts of decorations to accent the holiday and choose fun foods to stay true to the theme. In terms of food, a buffet style setting will surely put that dining room table to good use.

*Party Tip! Checkout FLOMO USA for inexpensive, yet chic, party decorations, like these cute tabletop flowerpots!

Try these different ideas if your dining room remains untouched except for those special holiday occasions. Be creative and don’t be afraid to have a party ‘just because’! You spent all that time making your dining room look the way it does, so use it, for whatever you want!

The Holidays are getting closer and closer. Just when you thought you still had month left to get your shopping done you blink your eyes and that month has turned into a week. Below is a list of go-to gifts for the lovely lady in your life. Or, if you’re not too sure what to ask for, this may come in handy when handing out your wish list.

Make Up Brush Set: Every woman frequently needs new make up brushes in her life. Not only can brushes wear out quickly from every day use but they also can house bacteria and dead skin cells. Refresh your brush set for next year! A great package that comes highly recommended in the Dior brush set. This brush set includes quality brushes for powder, blush, eye shadow, eyeliner and lips and is encased in a convenient zippered holder.

J. Crew Sleep Wear: Who doesn’t love J. Crew? It’s Classic, beautiful and affordable. I just love their sleepwear sets for the holidays and sleepwear is just the quintessential gift for giving. My favorite is the flannel set in gingham. It’s bound to fit any taste and will definitely keep you warm on cold nights!

Nail Color: It’s official—nail color is in. Women all over are changing up and rocking bright colors and patterns are yearlong. Nail color makes a great stocking stuffer and is a safe bet with just about any of your female friends or family members. My advice is to go with one that is high quality. Invest in a great nail color and the user is sure to be satisfied at their color no longer chipping away. My suggestion is the Chanel Nail colors for $25 a bottle. The best thing is you can personalize the color based their style!

Bobbi Brown Ultimate Party Palette: Have someone in your life that loves to dress up and go out? Who doesn’t really? Bobbi Brown makes a party palette that is perfect for the party girl in your life. It has a range of colors for every occasion and at an affordable price it is the complete gift exchange item.

Archipelago Signature Soy Candle: This is my absolute favorite candle. They have numerous scents to choose from and I swear I have tried them all. The scent is unbelievable as it is not overwhelming but carries throughout your entire house. My favorite scent is the Bergamot Tobacco. I like a masculine smell and this one smells like your grandfather sitting by a warm fire smoking his pipe. However, the scents range from floral to fresh cut wood and once you have a whiff, you will agree there’s nothing quite like them.

MyYogaLoop: For the work out fiend in your group of friends MyYogaLoop is a hot new brand of the MyYogaLoop strap, an innovative strap designed to get best out of your yoga work out. MyYogaLoop can be used as a strap to wrap and carry your mat. With the easy-to-slide buckles, MyYogaLoop can be adjusted to a length that is a comfortable fit on your shoulder. It is also used as a prop to assist when hands are not able to grasp each other and to loop your feet, allowing you to hold the pose longer so that you can feel the healing effects.

Jewels: Jewelry will always be a gift that no woman will say no to, it’s an universal likeness that brings us all together. This year you can surprise your pal with a customized and personal nameplate necklace. Jane Basch makes a gorgeous ‘Name it Claim it’, name plate necklace that can be customized every which way. A unique thing to do is get their child’s name instead of their own! If you are shopping for your mom or family member and are looking for something especially wonderful I am in love with A. Jaron Fine Jewelry’s lapis bon bon earrings. They’re classically gorgeous and anyone would be thrilled to have them.

Queen Helen Mint Julep Masque 12 oz. Jar: I do not know a woman who has used this is does not love it. This is especially great if you have oily skin and need a way to shrink up your pores. I use this every other night and it leaves my skin feeling silky-smooth and refreshed. The best thing about it is that it lasts forever and it’s incredibly inexpensive at about $5.95 for a 12 oz. jar!

Spa Package: I’ve always thought that a spa visit is the ultimate gift for the holidays. During the holiday season many people find themselves stressed out and spread too thin. That’s why a spa package gives that special person in your life the perfect opportunity to relax and treat their selves. Spa packages can run on the pricey side so this is not a gift you give lightly. However, when given to the right person it really can mean a lot!

Damage Control Hair Product: This is a great gift for a friend you may know has brittle and tired hair. They will not take offense at your offer to help them. Instead they’ll rejoice in your presenting of these moisturizing hair healers. Bumble and Bumble make The Live Richly Box and it is a fantastic gift that comes at a great price!

Casual Garb: If you have seen the recent movie, ‘Our Idiot Brother’ starring Paul Rudd you probably feel like you know someone like that in your life you need to do some shopping for. They may be sweet and loving—but they definitely don the hippie vibe. A great gift may be their favorite rock band on a tie-dye tee. Tie Dye Mania makes all the 60s and 70s rock band tie-dye tees that the rocker in your life will be proud to wear.

I know personally when cold weather hits all my style senses fall flat on the floor. The number one thing I want to do after I get out the shower and start to get dressed is look for the coziest (which usually ends up being the ugliest) outfit in my closet. Every year I try and tell myself, “this will be the winter I try harder to get dressed in the morning”, but every year I seem to disappoint my inner self.

However, this year I made it a point to not only want to make a better effort to get dressed but to actually do something about it! So, like usual when I get excited and motivated I start banging away at my keyboard to find what I need. The best thought that came to my mind is sticking to what I know: the Internet. I figured most people are like me, and generally fall into this rut of not wanting to get out of their warm bed and put something stylish on during the winter days, so finding inspiration at work or on the streets was not about to happen easily. So where else do I look? To the people who find fasionista inspiration all over the world on a daily basis, that’s right: street fashion blogs.

The Internet is vast and can be a confusing place to look for ideas—digging through the noise alone is overwhelming. That’s why I thought to bring you the best street style blogs out there to pull you on those feet that are placed ever so beautifully in this season’s hottest boots!

1. The Satorialist : www.thesartorialist.com

This blog has been around since the words “street style blog” were first uttered. If you know anything about fashion and spend even a slight portion of your day on the Internet you should know about this blog. The Satorialist blog was started by Scott Schulman and reigns from the streets of NYC, offering up the top outfits roaming the streets of the big apple.

2. Garance Dore : www.garancedore.fr/en

Meet Garance, a frustrated magazine illustrator gone blogger coming from the fashion capital of the world. She started the blog to post her design drawings with text and found out that she was getting rave reviews and tremendous feedback. So, she kept with it and formed a critically acclaimed and now famous, street style inspiration blog.

3. Look Book : lookbook.nu

There is no single person behind all that is Look Book. A user-uploaded site is the mecca to all people trendy and holds high in the world of street fashion. Warning: if you become easily addicted to sites with endless amount of inspiration and the content to back it up, set some time aside for this one, it’s going to be a long ride.

4. Street Peeper : streetpeeper.com

Not just for your average fashion crowd strutting the streets. The Peeper catches a glimpse of best-dressed celebrities wandering as well. You can search by city and maybe find which location fits you the best?

5. Fashion Toast: fashiontoast.com

The brains and beauty behind the popular blog Fashion Toast is Rumi Neely. She models along with her blogging and most famously can be seen in ads for Forever 21. What I like about her is that her style is do-able. As creative as her ideas are—she is not as wildly over trended as some of her fashion counterparts.

Well there you have it, a top 5 list of what I consider to be a guide to get me out of my style slum. However, don’t just rely on these 5, there are endless blogs and style sites to choose from that fit your every need. An important thing to remember no matter what—the best part about style is to make it your own. Though, every now and then it feels great to step out of your comfort zone, doesn’t it?

The Nolita Collection was featured twice in less than 20 minutes into the program around the neck of Krista Levitan, wife of award winner, Steven Levitan.

Krista Levitan, wife of Steve Levitan, Modern Family Co-Creator and Executive Producer, will be walking the red carpet at tonight’s 2010 Emmy Awards hosted by Jimmy Fallen in a stunning Oscar de LaRenta gown and Couture jewels by Amanda Jaron, A Jaron Fine Jewelry.

Amanda Jaron, designer of her namesake jewels is inspired by her own life. When asked, Amanda said “As a mother/wife I am living and designing in my own Modern Family. It means the world to me that Krista has chosen my Couture A JARON Collection. Krista and Steve represent all my brand is about!”

Modern Family has earned 14 Emmy nominations.

For those who missed it… here is the link with Krista Levitan wearing the necklace!