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Nail Salon

Ohio Spa Owner Under Fire For Naming Nail Salon ‘Inappropriately’

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Jobs. A necessary evil. That is, of course, unless your job doesn’t feel like day-to-day toil. A poll taken in 2016 referred to Millennials as the job hopping generation, with six in 10 open to a new job at any given time. This is a greater number than any previous generation.

While that fact has drawn criticism from older generations, younger people are much more likely not to suffer through doing a job they hate. A concept that doesn’t compute to certain mindsets. A way to avoid disliking your job is to start your own business. Sure, it’s tough at first, but you’re ultimately in charge of what happens, for good or for ill. Plus, you get to name your own business.

Ohio resident Dawn Moon is a new business owner. The licensed cosmetologist recently opened her nail salon and spa that has since caused quite the scene. The value of on-site signage is equal to 24 full-page newspaper ads each year. For Moon, this wasn’t enough, so she took her marketing acumen and opened Pandora’s Box by officially naming her nail salon Hand Jobs Nails & Spa.

So many reactions. Outrage. Offense. Laughs. Viral marketing. Her spa, in just a few days, is on the map internationally.

“You don’t want something that they can’t remember or that they can’t pronounce or say. In less than a week, I think the whole country knows about us. You can’t pay for that kind of advertising,” she explained.

Phenomenally clever. She goes on to defend the name because it’s literally the establishment’s job to work on hands. Still, some residents of the town are outraged over the name and have appealed to the zoning board to force Moon to change the name of her spa. She’s prepared to fight it tooth-and-nail.

“If you go in and get your nose done, it’s called a nose job right? Well you come in and get your hands done it’s a hand job!” she argues.

She’s certainly not wrong and whichever way the verdict turns out, she already got enough free marketing out of it for the whole ordeal to be worth it. The spa has reportedly received more compliments and jokes about it than ire, but it only takes one “I want to talk to a manager!” type to get the authorities involved.

The decision of whether Hand Jobs Nails & Spa remains named thusly is forthcoming and if they’re told to change the name, appeals will be filed and it’ll be taken to court, reports say.

Some 99% of marketers swear by the unique value of trade show exhibits that aren’t found in traditional marketing mediums. We might suggest they take a lesson from Dawn Moon and harness the unique advantage of knowing the viral content market and thoroughly exploiting the attention span of the internet and the collective reach of a little PG-13 humor.

Now, who’s ready for a manicure?

Remembering The Creative Influence Of Fashion Icon Karl Lagerfeld

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A post shared by KARL LAGERFELD (@karllagerfeld)

Days ago, the world lost fashion and design icon, Karl Lagerfeld. You’d be hard pressed not to know who he was, even if the world of haute couture is lost on you. As of 2017, there were more than 3.74 billion internet users in the world. Days following Karl Lagerfeld’s death, millions of those internet users who would’ve otherwise not know his name are learning about him. His presence, appearance, voice, and influence have rippled through the fashion world for decades. Now his death has left a void where once stood a Titan.

A post shared by KARL LAGERFELD (@karllagerfeld)

In an extremely private battle with pancreatic cancer, the longtime creative director at Chanel passed away at age 85. His dazzling creative life changed the face and attitude of fashion as we know it and we’ll still — often unknowingly — be feeling the impact of his influential creative genius as it subtly flows down from luxury fashion houses to mass marketed apparel. While 75% of internet users never scroll past the first page of search results, they’ll be seeing hundreds of Lagerfeld memorials over the next few weeks. And it isn’t difficult to see why.

Starting Out With Karl

“When I was four, I asked my mother for a valet for my birthday,” Lagerfeld told Vogue.

From his earliest life, it was pretty clear that Karl Lagerfeld wasn’t like everybody else. At an early age, Karl went to Paris where he began his life-long journey in the fashion industry. From Balmain to Chloe to Fendi, Lagerfeld made his mark on some of the most famed fashion houses on earth through the 1950s and 1960s. Then, he found his throne as the creative director for Chanel.

“My job is not to do what she did, but what she would have done. The good thing about Chanel is it is an idea you can adapt to many things,” he said in reference to founding designer Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel.

He proceeded to bring Chanel back to life after the fashion house had been long dormant. Chanel CEO Alain Wertheimer said that when Lagerfeld took the creative reigns, he told him to do whatever he wanted. Free creative reign. As it turns out, this would be one of the best decisions he could’ve made as Lagerfeld proceeded to revive and modernize the former glory of Chanel.

When you make a name for yourself that large, all eyes are on you. A fact which he relished, regardless of the reactions he received.

A post shared by KARL LAGERFELD (@karllagerfeld)

Controversial Karl

Lagerfeld was, while widely revered, not without a swath of controversy surrounding him. His quick wit, sharp tongue, and flippant attitude toward his own manner of self-idolatry were certainly central to his character. With him front and center upon the throne of a world revolving around image, he was unabashed to make sure that people heard what he had to say on things. And where many famous people in the spotlight choose their words carefully, Lagerfeld believed the exact opposite.

“Be politically correct, but please don’t bother other people with conversation about being politically correct, because that’s the end of everything. You want to create boredom? Be politically correct in your conversation,” he said to Vogue.

Reflected in a comment he made about abandoning his German citizenship when German Chancellor Angela Merkel decided to welcome a million migrants into Germany, whispers of xenophobia weren’t uncommon. Where the immigrants make up 13% of the U.S. population, Germany’s immigrant population is much lower, a fact that isn’t lost in the political sphere there. Also, a fact Lagerfeld felt the need to offer his opinions on.

From the political sphere to every and any aspect of the fashion world, Lagerfeld didn’t censor himself. Something that many didn’t like, others feared, and masses respected. Who fell into which category among those who had opinions about Karl didn’t matter. Why? He simply couldn’t be bothered.

Quotable Karl

Lagerfeld was never shy about speaking his mind. Widely regarded as one of the most quotable people in the history of fashion, his nuggets of sharp-tongued “wisdom” still permeate. He was notably quotable in the way he spoke of (and lived in) absolute luxury.

He had a little obsession with 18th-century French decor and design. This was, of course, reflected in his homes. In the United States, the average home sold brought in about $249,000 in 2017. For a man who did not abide such words as average, Lagerfeld’s homes included: a villa and two apartments in Monaco, a home in Rome, one in Melun, one in Paris, and a chateau in Brittany. All of which were decoratively modeled after the splendor of Versailles. Packed with luxury, Lagerfeld reportedly got tired of things in his homes and, in the year 2000, auctioned items off grabbing a total of $21.7 million. He shrugged this off stating the following:

“Anything dusty, dirty, musty — forget about it here. I like my eighteenth-century fresh.”

If it did not sparkle, he would not have it. This attitude spanned his whole existence and contributed to his outlook, as well as his personal look. He himself dressed the part in an unmistakably Karl fashion. Dark sunglasses, silver ponytail, fingerless gloves, and suits with incredibly high collars.

The entire fashion world is still paying tribute to his legacy and his seat at Chanel’s creative helm will be taken by the director of Chanel’s Fashion Creative Studio, Virginie Viard, reportedly Lagerfeld’s closest collaborator of over 30 years.

In a few words, there’s little left to say that Karl himself couldn’t have said better, so we’ll leave you with one of his particularly smile-worthy sentiments:

“I am very much down to Earth. Just not this Earth.”

Rest in peace, Mr. Lagerfeld.

Christopher Lowman Fall/Winter 19 NYFW Presentation

NYFW THE SHOWS: Christopher Lowman Fall-Winter 2019 Collection

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I had the pleasure of attending the Christopher Lowman Fall-Winter 2019 collection this year at Mdrn Dsgn, a lifestyle-focused interior design firm and retail space in the Flatiron District.

In this clever collaboration, Lowman’s theme, “Intelligent Life” is a well-developed branch from Mdrn Design’s Intelligent Living Collection – a luxury-focused furniture collection offering modern, transformable multi-function furnishings for the city dweller.

Christopher Lowman Fall/Winter 19 NYFW Presentation

Over 20 fresh-faced models, both men and women dressed in sporty statement pieces were placed throughout the retail space in an arresting, live mannequin spectacle. Softly tailored sports jackets and shirts are combined with athletic performance pieces within each look. Lowman ties together these contrasts with human comfort; a cozy, and comfy touch:  Tall white cotton socks and cashmere house slippers. The skin was fresh, and super glowy – thanks to skincare by Immunocologie and makeup from Aveda. The effect was a look into the Christopher Lowman customer at home after a busy of traveling.

NYFW has often occurred in two phases: Men’s Fashion Week then an explosion of women’s fashion collections. This separation slowly begins to blur as time marches on. More women are inclined to wear items that many fashion brands would call “the boyfriend” maybe for its edge,  maybe for its ease. Simultaneously, silhouettes for men have also slimmed down considerably in the last decade, resulting in easy, sporty clothing for any gender that is easily interchangeable between the traditional binary genders.

For intents and purposes, Christopher Lowman designs primarily under the Menswear category; but we found that many of his pieces transitional and wearable for women!

The collection aligned both the design aesthetic of Christopher Lowman and Intelligent Living’s Creative Director Warren Kay. This collaboration further uncovers similar sensibilities between both brands. Both lead by making forward-thinking statements with high–end materials, quality design, focusing on quality and craftsmanship. Warren Kay, a self-proclaimed futurist, and Lowman both tapping into the youthful spirit of their customer. Both design firms focus on raising the luxury standard in lifestyle design without forgetting comfort is king.

The Christopher Lowman collection is produced in New York City. Christopher began his career interning with Pyer Moss, working closely with the design team, eventually venturing out on his own. He has established celebrity clientele:  Chris Brown, Jake Miller, Aidan Alexander, Jr. Smith and others.

Upstate Vodka by Sauvage Distillery

Upstate Vodka by Sauvage Distillery: The Big Apple’s Vodka

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Ready for a new vodka that just hit the market? We know what you’re thinking, what makes this particular vodka so special? What makes it unique is it is distilled from apples. Before we continue, we must stress, Upstate is in no way, shape or form, an apple-flavored vodka. It is also not an apple infused vodka. Upstate Vodka is a small batch, craft-distilled vodka made from apples. We know you’re used to vodkas made from potatoes or grains, but we promise you will love it.

Upstate Vodka by Sauvage Distillery

Raise a glass to this latest offering from Sauvage; already known for their popular Comsi Comsa range of apple-based wines. Upstate Vodka is a craft spirit produced in small, limited batches with high-quality standards.  This handmade vodka is distilled and bottled at Sauvage Winery & Farm Distillery in New York, using natural ingredients and water that is known to be the cleanest.

Upstate Vodka by Sauvage Distillery

As you can guess, the apples used to distill this innovative vodka comes from upstate New York farmers; Oneonta to be exact, where Upstate Vodka is also produced. It features a little sweet pre-taste from apples which disappears almost right away. Upstate is 90 proof and contains 45 Alc/vol, higher than the industry standard of 80 proof and 40 Alc. It is available in 50ml, 375ml, and 750ml bottles (the latter are pictured above). There are many delicious cocktails you can create with Upstate and we’re happy to share a few with you below

Upstate Vodka by Sauvage Distillery

NEW FASHIONED

1 oz Upstate Vodka
1 oz Bourbon
2-4 dashes of Angostura Biners
0.5 02 Simple Syrup
Shake all ingredients and strain over ice. Garnish with orange twist and/or maraschino cherry.

UPSTATE MULE

2 oz Upstate vodka
0.5 oz Lime juice Ginger beer
0.5 oz Triple Sec
Shake vodka and lime juice and strain into a mule copper mug. Fill with ginger beer and garnish with lime wedge.

COSMOPOLITAN

1.5 oz Upstate vodka
1.5 oz Cranberry juice
0.5 OZ Lime Juice
0.5 OZ Triple Sec
Shake all ingredients and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime slice.

APPLE PIE SHOT

0.75 oz Upstate vodka
0.5 oz Cinnamon schnapps
0.5 oz Comsi Comsa Apple Crisp {or apple Cider} Dark Chocolate Liqueur
Jagermeister
Pour the vodka, cinnamon schnapps, Comsi Comsa into a Double Shot glass, Layer a splash of Dark chocolate liqueur and Jagermeister on top.

Upstate vodka is available in major liquor stores including Columbus Ave Wine & Spirits, Cabrini Wine & Spirits, Ambassador Wines & Spirits in NYC. Get the 750ml bottle of Upstate for $19.99. What are your thoughts on this apple-distilled vodka? Are you open to trying an alternative to potato and grain vodka?

OZNaturals Cold Processed Skincare

Cold Natured: OZNaturals Cold Processed Skincare

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During the winter season, we usually try to protect our skin from the cold; but this time around, we are fully embracing the cold……cold processing to be exact. We know what you’re thinking, we’re supposed to protect our skin from the cold. That’s true unless you’re using OZNaturals Cold Processed Skincare.

OZNaturals Cold Processed Skincare

Skincare products formulated through cold processing allows the active ingredients in those products to remain fresh and highly potent as intended. This enables the products to be even more effective and beneficial to your skin. Cold Processing also offers an environmentally friendly alternative requiring much less energy, less carbon dioxide, and provides a smaller carbon footprint. It eliminates the need for harmful preservatives or known toxins such as phenoxyethanol and sodium benzoate. OZNaturals Skincare the first company to create skincare products using this formulation process. Their cold processed skincare collection includes cleansers, exfoliators, masks, toners, serums, moisturizers, and eye treatments.

We had the opportunity to try three of the amazing OZNaturals cold processed skincare products –  OZNaturals Vitamin C Facial Cleanser $15.49, OZNaturals Vitamin C + Sea Hydration Mask $19.99, and OZNaturals Ultra Ageless Eye Crème $17.49. We are in love!!

OZNaturals Cold Processed Skincare

As sufferers of oily, acne-prone skin, and enlarged pores, our search for skin problem-solving skincare is a continuous journey. Our research has of Vitamin C has benefits of a vitamin C-based skincare range for our skin issues. Not only does it leaves you with younger, firmer looking skin, but it also helps with pigmentation and achieving smoother skin. During the dry, harsh winter months, we always experience overly dry and overly oily skin and so far, we haven’t experienced either. And that’s just from using the three OZNaturals cold processed skincare products we are using. We can’t imagine how amazing our skin would be if we were using the full cold processed skincare range.

Say goodbye to wrinkles, dark circles, fine lines, and puffy eyes and hello to well-rested looking eyes with the lightweight OZNaturals Ultra Ageless Eye Crème.  The Vitamin C + Sea Hydration Mask, which also boasts Vitamin C, is essential in brightening up your skin why hydrating it. The best part, it’s gentle enough to use every day. Those 30 and below degree days we had was no match for this skin-loving mask.

You’ll love everything about these skincare products; the texture, scent, and of course the effect they have on your skin. The OZNaturals cold processed skincare products range from $15.49 to $19.99. All products are cruelty-free and gluten-free; they contain no parabens, GMO’s, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic color, petrochemicals, propylene glycol, PEG’s or formaldehyde. Get acquainted with this wonderful skincare brand on available online at www.OZNaturals.com and www.amazon.com.

UNWONTED Fall/Winter 2019 at Nolcha Shows

Nolcha Fashion Week: Unwonted Fall-Winter 2019 Collection

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Our first fashion show from the Nolcha Shows showcased a mix of men’s, women’s and children’s ready-to-wear but we’re concentrating on the womenswear. Founded by Lujin Zhang, Zampano Lin, Yokiri Qin and Yanting Zhao in 2018, Unwonted is affordable limited high-end clothing. We had the pleasure of attending the Unwonted Fall-Winter 2019 Collection, which was inspired by “Balance”.

UNWONTED Fall/Winter 2019 at Nolcha Shows

Inspired by the “Balance” shown in the intimate relationship between materials and cut, including wool, velvet, organza leather, silk, and corduroy. Fabrics were deconstructed and resembled in different ways resulting in designs that could be dressed in various ways. Unwonted’s designs embody balanced aspects of yin and yang in (inspired by) Taoism. This philosophy believes balance leads to beauty in harmony while imbalance leads to destruction in chaos. With Unwonted, the designers strive to create harmonious designs using the philosophy of balance.

UNWONTED Fall/Winter 2019 at Nolcha Shows

The color palette for the Unwonted Fall-Winter 2019 collection boasted earth tones with splashes of bold color including chocolate, greys, bean, dusty rose, black, blue, white, purple, celadon, and emerald green. Fabrics used include wool, organza, tulle, velvet, and corduroy. Design details include asymmetrical silhouette, topstitching, embroidery, beading, patchwork, and pleating.

UNWONTED Fall/Winter 2019 at Nolcha Shows

Apart from making their collection of affordable luxury, only 100 pieces are released per design. All of Unwonted’s pieces hold one-of-a-kind looks while embracing dresser’s unique personality and attitude. This allows a balance between the clothing and dresser themselves. Each with a unique number engraved to ensure quality and exclusivity.

UNWONTED Fall/Winter 2019 at Nolcha Shows

Some of our favorite pieces include a Dusty Rose dress in a double-layered yarn silhouette with sleeves with beaded patches; a Cave Pearl double layered tulle dress  with long sleeves; Dark Grey/Light Grey woolen jacket with contrasting light grey pockets and Dark Grey plaid close-fitting zippered pants; and a Blue/Silver/Grey short zippered velvet cardigan jacket with corduroy sleeves and asymmetrical patent leather pockets with plaid zippered pants with slanted pockets and silver embroidered pockets.

They usually say too many cooks spoil the broth but in the case of this multi-designer label, it only enhanced the collection. What are your thoughts on the looks from the Unwonted Fall-Winter 2019 Collection?

 

 

Photos by Paul Newland/fashionstock.com

Captain Morgan x Adam Devine Get Romantic this Valentine’s Day

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For Valentine’s Day, Captain Morgan Rum and Captain Morgan Chief Party Officer Adam Devine brought fun, delicious rom-com and Valentine’s Day themed rum cocktails to the “Isn’t It Romantic” movie premiere. What better time for some Captain Morgan x Adam Devine romance than Valentine’s Day.

Captain Morgan Chief Party Officer and Isn’t It Romantic costar, Adam Devine, at the movie’s premiere at The Nomad Hotel in Los Angeles.

Isn't It Romantic Movie Premiere

Celebrities and guests enjoyed hanging out at the Captain Morgan bar while sipping a specialty Captain Morgan Love Bites cocktail named appropriately for the movie and of course Valentine’s Day. After the movie screening, guests attended the Captain Morgan sponsored afterparty at the NoMad Hotel. Along with enjoying more specialty cocktails, they also partook in an on-site photobooth and pose for photos in front of the Captain Morgan floral wall (as Adam Devine shows above).

Captain Morgan cocktails

To make your Valentine’s Day a little extra special, we’re sharing two Captain Morgan x Adam Devine’s Isn’t It Romantic-inspired rum cocktails that you can create at home. Whether you’re celebrating with your best friend or want to woo the love of your life with a delicious libation, we’ve got you covered. Check out cocktail recipes for The Best Friend and The Leading Lady cocktails below:

THE BEST FRIEND

1.5 oz Captain Morgan White Rum
1.5 oz Passion Fruit Juice
2.5 oz Champagne
Pour in Captain Morgan White Rum and Passion Fruit Juice. Stir and top with Champagne.

THE LEADING LADY

1.5 oz Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum
.5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
.75 oz Mixed Berry Preserves
.5 oz Simple Syrup
Seltzer Water
Berries for garnish
Combine Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, Fresh Lemon Juice, Mixed Berry Preserves, Simple Syrup, and ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake (what ya mama gave ya or like a polaroid picture) and strain into a highball glass over ice. Top with seltzer water and garnish with berries.

We hope you enjoy these two amazing Captain Morgan rum cocktails and have fun celebrating the day of love.

A Breakdown Of Common Myths Surrounding The HPV Vaccine

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You’ve heard of it on the news, seen commercials about it on cable television, and spotted the posters in your doctor’s office. It seems like ads about Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and the HPV Vaccine are everywhere, but what exactly is it?

HPV is a term for a family of common viruses that people can pass to one another during sex. These viruses are so common that most people will contract an HPV infection at some point in their lives, but it usually clears up on its own. The danger comes when an ongoing HPV infection causes abnormal changes in the lining of a woman’s cervix. When these changes are not treated, they can lead to cervical cancer.

injecting injection vaccine vaccination medicine flu man doctor insulin health drug influenza concept – stock image

About 39.6% of men and women will receive a diagnosis of cancer at some point during their lives. Although HPV is most commonly associated with cervical cancer, it has also been strongly linked to other cancers in both men and women, including cancers in the mouth and throat, penis, anus, vagina, and vulva.

Luckily, there is a vaccine that helps the immune system fight and clear the HPV infection before it causes cancer. As with most vaccines, there are many common myths about the HPV vaccine that tend to circulate. Let’s break down some of these misconceptions and find the truth about this helpful vaccine.

Myth #1: The HPV vaccine is not safe or effective

The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Advisory Committee for Vaccine Safety (GACVS) has continuously reviewed the safety of Gardasil, the common HPV vaccine. WHO reported as recently as July 2017 that the vaccine has an excellent safety profile. As with all vaccines, some people experience effects after the injection such as redness, swelling, mild nausea, or a headache. However, these effects tend to pass quickly and are minimal when compared to the protection from cancer the vaccine provides.

Myth #2: Only women need the HPV vaccine

As both men and women can get HPV, anyone of any gender should get the vaccine for optimal protection. The HPV vaccine protects against approximately 90% of cervical cancers, but it also offers protection against many of the other cancers mentioned above to which HPV has been linked. It will provide protection against most genital cancers in men caused by HPV and against 90% of genital warts in both men and women.

Myth #3: You can only get the vaccine as an adolescent

While it is recommended that you receive the HPV vaccine when you are younger, anyone up to the age of 26 can get the vaccine. Doctors tend to advise getting the vaccine when you are younger because it works best if given before you are exposed to HPV through sexual activity. Research has also shown that young people create more antibodies to the vaccine than those in their late teens or early twenties, making it more effective in the younger crowd. While patients aged 14 and under need just two doses of the vaccine, patients over 14 years old will need an additional third dose.

Getting the HPV vaccine is just as important for your health as doing seven or more hours of physical activity per week, which has been shown to extend the life expectancy of adults. Make sure that you and your loved ones are doing everything you can to protect your health by getting the HPV vaccine and spreading these myth-busting facts to others. To find out more information about HPV, you can visit www.hpvalliance.ie.