the good, the bad, the philly
Ok, maybe you’re mother isn’t super chic, quirky, professional or free-spirited. Maybe she’s just a little bit of all those things. Regardless, she deserves an above-average gift.
So to officially conclude our Mother’s Day Gift Guide, here’s a slew of thoughtful treasures perfect for pretty much every type of mom other there…
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Ford Classic supermodel and entrepreneur Cindy Joseph about her career, her new make-up line BOOM! By Cindy Joseph, and her perspective on how every age can be beautiful. The 61 year old silver fox will also be speaking at the new raw food and juice café, Jar Bar.
PWStyle: Hi Cindy! You are so beautiful! Please tell us how you were discovered as a model.
Cindy Joseph: In 1999, I was approached on the street by a casting agent who wanted to know if I could model for Dolce and Gabbana. I was 49 and had silver hair. I did the shoot and 6 months later, the campaign was launched. I went to Ford models and they signed me. I have been modeling every since.
PW: What do you think is the most beautiful age a woman can be?
CJ: Every age has its own unique beauty. Think of a newborn’s tiny hands and feet, reaching out for sensation and the absolute awe in their eyes from experiencing all the new sensations. Then think of the sweet cuddly beauty of a toddler’s tender smooth skin romping around in their diapers. From that age through teenage years, through puberty, and young adulthood, all the way through a woman’s
30s 40s 50s, past 100, there is a nuance and shift that reveals another kind of beauty. It is our choice to seek and find that beauty in every girl and woman.
PW: What is your favorite beauty secret?
CJ: Taking joy in life
PW: Do you believe women should change their make-up routine as they age?
CJ: Depends on what they were doing when they were younger. Best thing to remember is that your face attains more character and develops more features as you age; so less of everything is better. If you wear eyeshadows and contours and powders and heavy foundations you will be just be adding more texture to the fine lines and wrinkles, and end up looking older. Think moist, dewy, color and radiance. Softer eyebrows. No dark shadows or hard eyeliners etc. Keep it simple and relax with the changes instead of fighting them. It will only make you look strained and possibly older.
PW: Do you prefer the natural make up look or the made up (to go out) look?
CJ: I think it’s all great as long as the girl or woman is motivated to wear makeup for fun rather than feeling desperate and motivated by fear.
PW: Do you believe women should embrace their age or hide it?
CJ: Not only EMBRACE their age but celebrate it. Be proud to have earned each SILVER hair and wrinkle they have!!
PW: Please tell me a little bit about BOOM! By Cindy Joseph.
CJ: BOOM! By Cindy Joseph is the first pro-age cosmetic line ever to exist. The message is that women are just right the way they are. The right size, shape, features, coloring and age, just as they are. And when a woman is taking joy in her life, experiencing pleasure she is extra attractive. It is her smile and her joy that makes her compelling and attractive. Boomsticks are easy to use, applicator free and great for multitasking. Simple, easy, and affordable. They are designed to make every women look as she naturally does when she is experiencing pleasure. If she is laughing dancing or romancing, her circulation revs up and her lips, neck, cheeks, forehead become colorful and her skin becomes dewy and radiant. Boomstick and Boomsilk are all safe, paraben phthalate free cosmetics.
PW: Explain your take on the “Pro-age” movement!
CJ: I named BOOM! By Cindy Joseph because that is the sound of a revolution. BOOM is the Pro-Age revolution! Women and men, children and adults are ready. It is simply time. Our society has hit a screeching crescendo of anti aging attitudes and products. If we believe that the largest percentage of our lives is downhill, which is after we turn thirty, it is a sad story. Life is not a mountain with one peak. Life is a V, expanding and becoming more as time goes on. As you age, you become more self-aware, develop taste and wisdom. Women are going under the knife and are injecting Botox; 9-year-old girls are worried about their weight and becoming anorexic. Women of all ages feel unseen, unnoticed, unless they look younger than they are. It is time for women and our society to realize looking like we are in our childbearing years just to be valued is archaic thinking!! Not only that, it simply does not work. It only makes a woman look desperate and they cannot fool anyone. The whole idea that women are only valuable for bearing children, ended 100 years ago with suffrage!!! Remember Women’s Lib? That happened over 40 years ago! Everyone is waking up to reality. That is the Pro-Age movement. We are not accepting this anti-age attitude anymore. Women are free, powerful and attractive at every age and are valued on many levels for many reasons. Its time to wake up and smell the coffee!
PW: Is BOOM! By Cindy Joseph only for a certain age group?
CJ: BOOM! is for every female from new born to over 100 years old. Girls and women of all ages enjoy Boom!
To learn more about this captivating woman head to the Jar Bar on May 10th from 7-9 p.m. Cindy will be offering interesting make-up tips for every age and will be discussing how you can discover yourself and live a passionate, happy life!
~Michelle Mass
The Art Institute of Philadelphia is swarming with talented young people and Adriana Maria is one of them.
Currently enrolled in the Institute’s Fashion Design Program, Adriana officially made a name for herself last month having won Philadelphia Wedding’s “Sew in Love Fashion Showcase. Philadelphia Wedding, a publication of Philadelphia Magazine, asked design students to create a one-of-a-kind wedding gown that cost under $500. The dresses, refereed by Fashion Icon Nicole Miller, Project Runway winner Jay McCarroll, Danielle from Bridals by Danielle, Pattie Lamantia from The Wedding Shop, Mary Dougherty from MKDA Agency, Danielle Hoysa from Bridal Garden and Philadelphia Wedding’s Editor-in-Chief, Carrie Danny, were judged in three categories including creativity, execution, and emotional response.
Having been deemed the best of 21 entries (all from five local design schools including, Drexel, University of Delaware, Philadelphia University, and Moore College of Design), Adriana not only will have her dress (pictured left) featured in the Fall/Winter 2013 issue of Philadelphia Wedding, but the budding new designer also won the chance to work closely with the Bridals by Danielle owner on her brand new eveningwear line.
Making the competition even more exciting, 50 percent of ticket proceeds from the April 20th reception event went to the non-profit organization, Wish Upon A Wedding, which provides wedding renewals for couples who face life-threatening illnesses.
Great job, Adriana!
~Michelle Mass
If your mother isn’t afraid of bold colors or prints and has a personality to match, here’s some Mother’s Day gifts worth considering…
Image Courtesy of Burberry's US Store.
On Wednesday, May 2nd, the British clothing house Burberry released a white collection for Spring/Summer 2012, including a video intro to give shoppers more of a feel for the line.
After watching the models look windswept in slo-mo for 55 seconds with camera panning over them, we’re wondering why? The line doesn’t make sense.
Now, I’m a huge Burberry fan. But who the hell is wearing a trench coat during the summer??? I don’t care how light or breathable the material is, no one in their right mind would don a trench mid-May. I love my trench more than like it’s my first born child and even I retire it the moment temps start reaching into the 7os.
In addition to focusing on the model’s trench coats, the video highlights each model’s white jeans. I’m a big fan of white, especially slim fit white jeans, but they’re nothing new. Based on the video, there doesn’t seem to be a difference between Burberry’s white jeans and a pair from H&M.
I only liked the male model’s sweater out of the entire collection. The subtle, yet oversized Burberry check is iconic, and incorporates the classic look Burberry is known for.
Overall, I think the line would fare better in an area with a cooler, rainier climate than the US. The line would be perfect for England where the average temperature through the summer doesn’t go past 70; however, in the US, it seems like a lost cause.
If your mom is a nine-five gal who’s always on the go, here’s some Mother’s Day gifts sure to appeal to her professional side.
Having grown up reading teen magazines, I’ve actually given a lot of thought to whether I’d want my hypothetical future daughter reading the selection of teen glossies out there today.
And by “selection” I mean Teen Vogue and Seventeen since, due to the demise of CosmoGirl!–a far more commendable publication, in my opinion–they completely dominate the market.
On one hand, both mags seem intent on training girls to become superficial pieces of shit, feeding them such vapid editorial content as “Flirty Text Messages!” and “Weird Boyfriend Behaviors!” (note: I didn’t add the exclamation points).
On the other hand, as much as they might prey on the all-consuming insecurities of teen girls, they definitely make an effort to ameliorate them with the health/sex Q&As and articles like “Make Peace With Your Body,” a slideshow of “Real Girls” in bikinis who have drawn peace signs on the body parts they’re most proud of (note: all the girls are attractive and skinny).
Either way, I’m all for the new online petition launched by a 14 year-old girl from Maine calling on Seventeen to print at least one unaltered photo spread each month.
“For the sake of all the struggling girls all over America, who read Seventeen and think these fake images are what they should be, I’m stepping up,” writes campaign leader, Julia Bluhm. “I know how hurtful these Photoshopped images can be. I’m a teenage girl, and I don’t like what I see.”
Bluhm is also a member of SPARK, a girl-led activist movement that works with organizations to put an end to the sexualization of women and girls in media.
So far, over 50
thousand people have signed the Change.org petition, which comes just days after the international editors of Vogue signed an agreement to portray models with healthy bodies and the pledge that Glamour made last month to no longer alter body size in photos they commission.
Unfortunately, after Bluhm and her friends staged a little protest outside of Seventeen’s headquarters last Thursday, the magazine’s editor-in-chief Ann Shoket sat down with her and proceeded to rejected the request while also refusing to comment on what exactly their Photoshopping practices are.
Seriously Seventeen? All this girl is asking for is ONE measly a month that doesn’t distort a girls appearance. As far as I’m concerned, for a publication that reaches 13 million young women each month, that’s the least you could fucking do. Perhaps it’s time someone started a petition against the entire magazine.
Anyway, in other news, I’ve officially decided that any hypothetical future daughter of mine will not be allowed to Seventeen. Guess she’ll just have to re-read The Feminine Mystique each month.
I’ve never really been into making a big deal out of your nails. It always seemed like way too much effort for something that would look just as good with a simple coat of red polish. But, it’s like you can’t avoid the tricked-out nail trend right now, so you might as well pick one and at least try it. You never know, you might like it.
I found this super simple DIY for nail stickers of Lauren Conrad’s Beauty Department and I thought it was such a cheap and easy way to make a super special nail, that I had to share it with you guys.
The search hasn’t been a vigorous one, but I have found my perfect shoe for this summer- maybe even for life, because, and believe me when I say, I am in l-o-v-e.
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| As seen on The Man Repeller |
Say hello to the Cody d’Orsay heel by 3.1 Phillip Lim. The shoe, with it’s minimally designed chunky heel and ankle strap, has such a sleek but fun aesthetic and would match any outfit effortlessly. In addition to the clear, the shoe comes in a splendid bunch of variations like camel, textured black leather, metallic silver and more. Similar to the PS1 decision-making-process-fantasy I often ponder, I don’t know which pair I’d choose. At a starting price of $595, I don’t see why I just don’t buy them all.
Seriously though- if I could, I would, and it would be so worth it.
Finally a chance to out all your America’s Next Top Model fantasies! During this exclusive, two-hour Philly Dance Fitness workshop, instructor Beverly Holskin who has modeled and choreographed for hundreds of fashion shows around the area over the past two decades, will lead you through the three key components of modeling. First, you’ll learn to work the runway like a pro. Next, Beverly will show you some basic tips when posing for photos to ensure that you always get a flattering shot. Finally, you’ll get a hands-on makeup lesson, learning professional techniques for both day and night. The workshop is limited to only 20 women so be sure you to register ASAP. Sunday, 2:30-4:30pm. $20-$30. @ Major Movement Studio (1624 South St.)
With the forecast calling for summer-like temps, you can expect 2nd Street in Old City to be packed with vendors tonight selling their handmade creations. Once you’ve worked up a sweat, head a block over to Three Sirens Boutique for a refreshing margarita while perusing their new summer styles, including fun dresses from Press and Gracia. As always, the store will also be offering special in-store sales on clothing and accessories. Friday, 5-9pm. Free. @ Three Sirens Boutique (134 N. 3rd St.)
Once you’ve loaded up on margaritas at Three Sirens, head over to Smak Parlour for Smak-tinis and even more pretty spring dresses and accessories. Sultana Maria Jewelry will be hosting a pop-up shop with everything 20 percent off so be sure to keep your mother in mind before you go spending all your cash on yourself. Friday, 5-8pm. Free. @ Smak Parlour (219 Market St.)
The first of a slew of upcoming spring craft bazaars, Greensgrow Farms is inviting you to come and spend the afternoon appreciating nature and the great outdoors while perusing the handmade goods of more than 30 local artists and crafters. With the variety of items ranging from handmade soaps, candles and jewelry to prints, wood crafts and furniture, you should have no problem finding something your momma will like. Saturday, 9am-5pm. Free. @ Greensgrow Farms (2501 E. Cumberland St.)
SA VA Style Event
Join SA VA founder and CEO Sarah Van Aken for a super fancy cocktail party featuring a Style-It Fashion Show showcasing the brand’s signature “New Classics” collection, modeled by local celebs with jewelry provided by Bario-Neal. There will also be passed hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and a chance to win one of two signature SA VA items. Following the event, shop at SA VA for the looks just shown, with 20 percent of all proceeds benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters. Space is limited and you can purchase tickets here. Sunday, 4-6pm. $59-$295. SA VA @ Sofitel Philadelphia (120 S. 17th St.)
