About Converse & Governors Island:

The Beach @Governors Island is in the heart of New York Harbor, only 800 yards and a 4-minute ferry ride from the Southern tip of Manhattan (even closer to Brooklyn). The Beach @Governors Island operates in conjunction with NY Water Taxi, who will provide continuous ferry service to the island for ticket holders on their fleet of boats.  This year’s expanded concert series is a result of the partnership of The Highline Ballroom, The Bowery Presents & Mad Dog Presents resulting in music programming representing a broad cross section of bands and performances that have become these promoters’ signature. There is a maximum capacity for The Beach venue on Governors Island. Please arrive early. For more information visit thebeachconcerts.com

Dirtee Hollywood celebrated the collaboration at Fred Segal in LA, and Atrium in NYC, where Pretty Connected had the pleasure of meeting Molly and watching her work (she literally transformed a blank canvas into a burlesque-vixen with an octopus before our very eyes (see pictures below).

Pretty Connected (PC): How did you come to be apart of this collaboration?

Molly Crabapple (MC): Dirty Hollywood approached me about a year ago. I had never thought I would do a fashion line before but they gave me complete creative freedom. They said ‘Molly you’re known for doing saucy Victorian girls, do saucy Victorian girls for us’ and it’s just been this wonderful collaboration ever since.

PC: How did you come up with the drawings for Dirty Hollywood?

MC: I suppose I should have a more rational explanation for this, but I really put pencil to paper and see what comes out. I did a ton of sketches and they selected their favorites and then I refined the drawings.

PC: What inspired the piece you’re working on in the store

MC: I like octopuses and I like girls in stripey tights.

PC: Did you also pick the outfits for the models this evening?

MC: I did. All these models are my friends and the top burlesque performers in NY.  They are all kind of my muses –I come from the Burlesque scene. They are all styled to look like my drawings. I picked big crazy hair, striped tights, and little booty shorts.

PC: What’s next for you?

MC: I have a bunch of projects I’m working on right now, I’m doing a web comic with DC Comics, which is awesome. I’ve done a number of seasons with Dirty Hollywood, this is just the first one to be released. So I hope we’ll be collaborating for many years to come.

For more information on Molly Crabapple for Dirtee Hollywood collection visit dirteehollywood.com

From 10am – 7pm, simply visit the white Batiste tent in Union Square to participate.  I haven’t tried Batiste Dry Shampoo, however I’ve only read great reviews so I look forward to getting my hands on a bottle.

About Summer in the Square:

Summer in the Square is a popular free weekly series in the South Plaza of Union Square Park that runs every Thursday starting on June 17th through August 12th. The series offers an electrifying blend of music, theatrical performances, yoga and fitness classes, as well as activities for children.

For more information visit www.unionsquarenyc.org

Hey New York, She & Him is playing a FREE show at The Beach at  Governor’s Island today! Doors open at 12pm, show starts at 4pm (get there by 3:30pm –that’s when they are distributing wristbands).  Hopefully I pull it together and make it. I’m a fan of Zooey Deschanel, she was the cutest in Elf.

Unique Vintage clothing is offering 20% off their entire site until July 5^th with code ‘happy 4^th’ at checkout.

Talika is holding a Love Your Lashes.  Visit their facebook page from now until July 31^st and receive a FREE Lipocils Expert, their new natural lash booster. After using the product for 28 days, entrants are required to submit a video between July 18th and August 31st that documents their experience and results. The winner receives a collection of Talika products worth $1000! Visit Talika Cosmetics  Facebook page HERE for full details.

Check out Votre Vu’s Lifestyle Photo Contest for your chance to win a $500 Votre Vu shopping spree! Submit a photo that shows you being what you’re all about by 9/1 for your chance to win. Details HERE.

If you’re in New Orleans for the 4th, celebrate the last day of the Essence Music Festival with Carol’s Daughter. Their pop-up shop is located at 531 Bienville Street (between Charters St. & Decatur St.), open from 10am-7pm, stop by around 1pm to meet gospel duo Mary Mary. Details HERE.

Oh and catch some fireworks while you’re at it. Happy 4th of July everyone!

Disclaimer: I have nothing to disclose

Wella Professionals is partnering with “Dancing With The Stars” host, Brooke Burke and top NYC salons to kick-off their first ever 8 city Color Discovery Tour.  On June 21 and 22^nd, Wella will be taking over the South Street Seaport to educate women about haircolor.

Brooke Burke, will be sharing the secrets behind her haircolor in a special presentation on June 21st at 10am. Once inside Wella’s mobile salon, women will receive a free consultation with colorists from top salons like Mark Garrison and Arrojo Studio and a coupon for a discounted color service at a participating salon.

• When: Monday, June 21st  – June 22^nd
• Time: 10 am – 6 pm
• Where: South Street Seaport – Pier 17, 19 Fulton Street, NYC

Wella Professionals will be making stops all summer long in Philadelphia, Washington DC, Miami, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco and Los Angeles.  For more information visit their Facebook page HERE

See you there!

Kiehl’s Since 1851 will be hosting a Double Dutch Event and Fundraiser to benefit The Lower Eastside Girls Club.  For every correct jump you do, Kiehl’s is donating 25¢ the help send members of The Lower Eastside Girls Club to a seven-week summer camp program in the Adirondacks.

Don’t remember how to do the double dutch? No worries, Renée Laster of The Lower Eastside Girls Club is teaching everyone the basics.

WHEN: Saturday, June 5, 2010, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

WHERE: Kiehl’s Since 1851 New York Flagship store, 109 Third Avenue (at 13th St), NYC

Did I mention all jumpers will receive Kiehl’s samples? See you there!

About The Lower Eastside Girls Club: The Lower Eastside Girls Club provides a place where girls and young women 8-23 can grow, learn, have fun, and develop confidence in themselves and their ability to make a difference in the world. By delivering strong arts, literacy, science, health and leadership programs we provide girls with the vision to plan – and the tools to build – their future. All Girls Club programs develop environmental, entrepreneurial and ethical leadership in the girls we serve. For more information visit www.girlsclub.org

Jackie Gomez, Celebrity Makeup Artist for many of today’s leading singers and Hollywood stars, including Beyoncé and Zoe Saldana,will be conducting one-on-one demonstrations and sharing tips on makeup application for women seeking expert advice on how to wear makeup in a professional environment. All proceeds from ticket sales, $20 will go towards the Connelly Center. All donations are tax deductible.

WHEN: SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2010
TIME: 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: CONNELLY CENTER, 220 E. 4th Street (between avenues A & B)
New York, NY 10009

Get there early… the first 15 people to arrive will receive complimentary gift bag with products from Olay, CoverGirl and Pantene.

To purchase tickets ($20) or make a donation visit www.brownpapertickets.com/event/

Just in time for spring, the June 2010 issue of Women’s Health Magazine will report the winners of their 4th annual Beauty Awards. Featuring both reader’s and editor’s picks by category (hair, face, body, and makeup), I had the privilege of joining the publication for the announcement of their winners and received an advanced copy of the magazine.

So who won? Here’s a sneak peek at some of my favorite editor’s picks:

• Best Budge-proof Eye Shadow – Tarte Lock & Roll Eyeshadow in Burnt Bronze
• Best Sheer Cheek Color – NARS Cadacques Multiple Tint
• Best Foundation – Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
• Best Self-Tanner – Clarins Self-Tanning Instant Gel
• Best Mascara – CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume
• Best Dry Shampoo – Umberto Beverly Hills Dry Clean Dry Shampoo
• Best OTC Treatment for Uneven Skin Pigmentation – Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector

I have to say this event was a lot of fun. Women’s Health Magazine featured all the winners by category and I greatly enjoyed reading about each product and having the opportunity to talk makeup with Women’s Health Beauty Director Molly Nover-Baker and Associate Beauty Editor Alexis Farah and answering the infamous question of ‘what do you think?’ Honestly, I was impressed for a number of reasons, mainly because I thought it was very original.

I was happy to see of the products I had tried, all of them were in my top five for that category (if not my favorite), and pleasantly surprised that I hadn’t tried the majority of the winners. There was great mix of mass and prestige brands across all categories and price points. They didn’t choose a lot of the ‘classic winners’, which while deserving, it’s always nice to learn about some unsung heroes who are just as worthy. In fact, I noticed a healthy assortment of new products that launched within the past year that have been on my radar won. Of course we all have our favorite products and brands we’d love to see make the charts, but it’s difficult to be so opinionated when there really are so many spectacular products on the market right now. So while I can’t judge what I haven’t tried based on the assortment of winners, I’m very intrigued and excited to try their recommendations. This is especially true for the Best Product for Curly Hair winner of whom Alexis raved about –however you’ll have to pick up the issue for that winner (I’ve spoiled enough of the surprise).

The complete list of winners is available in the June 2010 issue Women’s Health Magazine hitting newsstands on May 25th. For more information visit WomensHealthMag.com

With a very comedic and entertaining delivery, Vincent was nothing short of impressive in both his vast amount of product knowledge, as well as his ability to introduce the audience to a number of new brands (all of which I look forward to learning more about).  I’m so excited for the show!

If you are in the any way shape or form affiliated with this industry, The Makeup Show New York is a must! May 16-17, tickets are available at the door.  For more information visit www.themakeupshow.com/
Affiliation: I was invited to this event as press by a company representative

What an evening! The space was definitely prom worthy, as we’re the guests who took the dress attire very seriously –I even overheard the girl in the ladies room say she is wearing her dress from senior year. Impressive considering mine should be burned (I still can not believe I ever wore a sea-foam green Jessica McClintok princess dress –by choice). Great 80s and 90s classics had the dance floor packed; there was even a performance by the St. John Cheerleaders!  They really delivered all the perks of prom, with the added bonus of being old enough to enjoy an open bar.  The only thing missing was the photo booth, I’ll just have to keep my fingers crossed for next year.
Affiliation: I was invited to this event as press by a company representative