During his recent visit to Oklahoma City while on tour to promote his new album Battle Studies, John put on another jaw dropping performance leaving the audience wondering if there’s anything he ... Read More »]]> Whether you follow @JohnCMayer on Twitter, your one of 1,000,000 fans on his Facebook page, you read his blog, or hang out in his community, there is no doubt that John Mayer loves social networking and his fans.  Put aside all the tabloid covers, the Playboy interview scandal, and the other “open mouth and insert foot” comments that have been publicized; John Mayer is a gifted musician.

During his recent visit to Oklahoma City while on tour to promote his new album Battle Studies, John put on another jaw dropping performance leaving the audience wondering if there’s anything he can’t do.  He had the theatrics with multi-colored lighting that swung down almost close enough to knock him over, a screen around the stage where video clips where played, the HUGE jumbotron and ramps on each end of the stage.  He had the amazing band he had put together which included  Steve Jordan who plays with the John Mayer Trio. He had a multitude of guitars, amps and equipment.  However, his interaction with the crowd is definitely one thing that sets him apart.

John often put the house lights up between songs and talked to people in the audience.  He addressed signs by wishing people “Happy Birthday”, telling them “No, you can’t have my guitar,” and even told one girl “I would like to slow dance with you too”. As seen on his recent TV segment of “Storytellers” on VH1, John likes to talk between songs and engage his listeners.  With the multitude of young children in the audience, John kept his performance clean (give or take a few curse words in his songs) and appropriate for all ages.

The shows set list was a mix of old and new.  John told the fans that he was bringing “‘Your Body is a Wonderland’, not back from the dead, but from a long nap.” He incorporated songs from other artists such as Journey and “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers and he thrilled the audience with his encores of  “Who Says” and “Gravity”.  At the end of his performance, he put his guitar down on the ground and played it upside down.  There is no doubt that John is a master of his instrument and an incredibly gifted artist.  His guitar skills are comparable to the great Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughn. Fans can’t help but gaze in awe at the giant screen behind the stage focusing on his hands as he plays.  It is definitely a “jaw dropping” moment.  John Mayer’s music, talent and personality are what makes him such a successful artist.  He’s genuine gratitude to his fans is what makes him special.

Photo Credit: Abby Blunt

When it comes to covering Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York, there is always one runway show that Chic Galleria magazine awaits with great anticipation.  Our friend Malan Breton continues to deliver the most awe inspiring collections and his Fall 2010 Collection entitled  “Fantasme de l’Inde” was no exception.  Malan’s unique talent for bringing  beautiful clothing, models, dancers, music and drop-dead gorgeous fabrics together in one show always has the audience completely riveted.  Malan’s pose, grace and kind manner speaks volumes and his talent is enormous.

This seasons inspiration came from the concept of a child’s view of beauty and the world. ... Read More »]]>

When it comes to covering Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York, there is always one runway show that Chic Galleria magazine awaits with great anticipation.  Our friend Malan Breton continues to deliver the most awe inspiring collections and his Fall 2010 Collection entitled  “Fantasme de l’Inde” was no exception.  Malan’s unique talent for bringing  beautiful clothing, models, dancers, music and drop-dead gorgeous fabrics together in one show always has the audience completely riveted.  Malan’s pose, grace and kind manner speaks volumes and his talent is enormous.

This seasons inspiration came from the concept of a child’s view of beauty and the world. With plush silks and cashmeres, vivid colours like Venetian red, Pyrite, Saffron, and the signature Breton Blue. Each piece was inspired by dissecting the most traditional of Indian garments, the saree. Malan’s own niece opened the show this year.

The show was a 15 minute bollywood fantasy, with appearances by: Dancer and Muse Zuleka Emerson Dove- Hatch, The SA Dance Company (www.sadancecompany.com), American Idol’s Anoop Desai with a world premiere of his single “My Name”,  Countess LuAnn de Lesseps author of “Class With the Countess”  Real Housewive’s of New York (Bravo TV). Presented by Style 360, Toni and Guy, and Sephora. Theatrical producer  Judy Dove (Broadway’s Finian’s Rainbow, Guys and Dolls …). Directed by Guy Smith Production + Design (Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, Brittany Spears…)

This seasons collection was dedicated to the organization Care and share India (www.careshareindia.org) and the tremendous work they do for the children of India. A special gown from the collection will be auctioned to benefit Care & Share India.

Chic Galleria magazine Style & Beauty writer, Dawn Del Russo attended Malan’s fabulous event. “Malan perfectly worked futuristic sophistication into his Fall 2010 line with fabulous shimmering metallics and pops of color. Countess LuAnn Lessepes looked absolutely gorgeous in a fitted light gold corset dress.  The royal blue tones were a splendid addition to the collection, mixed in with the blacks, silver and gold pieces. I spotted a seriously chic cropped leather jacket, and model with face jewelry, simply unique and a new trend we are sure to see starlets wearing on the red carpet,” says Dawn. Thank you Malan for inviting Chic Galleria magazine to be part of your amazing show!

Visit www.MalanBreton.com.

Photo Credit: Gary J. Cooper

It’s simple and easy to enter. Simply display one of their jewelry badges on your blog, website or social profile page and be automatically entered each and every month. The sweepstakes giveaway is open to all countries. They will also draw $200 monthly to award a random winner. Every month they use a random query to pick from the list of current entries. They run the query and it returns 1 random entry from the list. They then go ... Read More »]]> Interested in a chance to win $5000? Seriously, who wouldn’t be!  I recommend taking a minute to visit the LuShae Jewelry website.

It’s simple and easy to enter. Simply display one of their jewelry badges on your blog, website or social profile page and be automatically entered each and every month. The sweepstakes giveaway is open to all countries. They will also draw $200 monthly to award a random winner. Every month they use a random query to pick from the list of current entries. They run the query and it returns 1 random entry from the list. They then go and visit that blog and check that it still has the badge on their page and if it does,  they send them an email telling them they have won $200 USD via PayPal. If the money is not claimed within 2 weeks then they cancel it and pick another winner. If you leave the badge on your blog you will automatically be entered into the next draw every month!  This is a brilliant marketing plan and worth displaying their badge for a chance to win each month.

Imagine what a treat it would be to receive an email telling you that you’ve won $200 or even the $5000 Grand Prize and all you did was display their badge! What have you got to lose?  Go grab one of their great badges, sit back and wait to win! LuShae Jewelry

Designer Jill Solomon recognizes that while women may have lost their budgets, they have not lost their great taste. That’s the inspiration behind her revolutionary new product called ‘Itch to Stitch’. It delivers boutique baby bedding in a bag, ready for moms to sew.

The ‘Itch to Stitch’ line features 6 bedding set: 4 gender specific and 2 non- gender specific.  Each kit contains pre-measured, pre-cut, fabric pieces and easy to follow directions for a mom to make her nursery bedding. Bumper, sheet, and skirt included. Other kits available contain blankets, window ... Read More »]]> Now every mom can afford to give her baby designer bedding!

Designer Jill Solomon recognizes that while women may have lost their budgets, they have not lost their great taste. That’s the inspiration behind her revolutionary new product called ‘Itch to Stitch’. It delivers boutique baby bedding in a bag, ready for moms to sew.

The ‘Itch to Stitch’ line features 6 bedding set: 4 gender specific and 2 non- gender specific.  Each kit contains pre-measured, pre-cut, fabric pieces and easy to follow directions for a mom to make her nursery bedding. Bumper, sheet, and skirt included. Other kits available contain blankets, window treatments and accessory pieces.

Jill came up with an idea to help women create their own custom bedding without the custom price. It broke Jill’s heart to watch women come into her boutique and want something that was out of their budget.  “I watched women literally fall in love only to be heartbroken when realizing they could not afford all the bells and whistles. I began to listen to what my consumers really wanted. They wanted my designs, tricks and tips of the design trade and bragging rights at the end!”

Not an expert seamstress? No worries! Jill walks moms through the entire process on a DVD included in every ‘Itch to Stitch’ Kit. This Tulsa, OK product is causing a national buzz because it’s a perfect way for every mom to literally create the baby room of her dreams.

Above photo:

Bumpers: Outside (what shows from the outside of the crib) Heather Floral
Inside: (what the baby sees) Tawny Suede
Ties: Strawberry Leopard
Ruffle: Strawberry Leopard
Sheet: Strawberry Leopard
Dust Skirt: Body: (Main part of skirt) Heather Floral
4” band on bottom of skirt Strawberry Leopard

Visit More Than Dreams to view all of the ‘Itch to Stitch’ Kits, fabric choices and introduction video.

Read more articles written by our fabulous Chic Galleria magazine writer Jill Solomon!

Born and raised in Clearwater, Florida, Lindsay displayed a passion for art and creating from a young age. When the ceramic flip-flops Lindsay created for a high school project were well received, she set out to make a wearable version. After hitting on the idea of attaching the straps with Velcro, ... Read More »]]> SwitchFlops founder Lindsay Phillips first came up with her revolutionary business idea in a high school ceramics class. Since then, 23-year-old Lindsay has parlayed her creative changeable flip-flops into a tremendously successful business, selling her trademark SwitchFlops at boutiques around the country.

Born and raised in Clearwater, Florida, Lindsay displayed a passion for art and creating from a young age. When the ceramic flip-flops Lindsay created for a high school project were well received, she set out to make a wearable version. After hitting on the idea of attaching the straps with Velcro, Lindsay was able to make a variety of grosgrain ribbon straps for the flip-flops, all with a unique twist on a classic style and topped off with a unique button

The versatile, changeable flip-flops were a hit with family and friends, who urged Lindsay to make her dream a reality. After researching the concept, Lindsay found that no one had tried it yet and decided to apply for a patent. Lindsay waited a few years for patent approval, then began laying the groundwork for her company, Lulu Design, Inc.

During her years at Rollins College, Lindsay realized her vision and perfected her patented design concept for interchangeable flip flop straps. In that time period, Lindsay’s mom helped her grow her business while she concentrated on her studies. A business and design prodigy, Lindsay honed her design, merchandising and manufacturing skills working summers at Polo Ralph Lauren’s leather goods division in New York City.

Lindsay debuted her signature SwitchFlops in January 2007 at the Surf Expo trade show in Orlando, Florida, where the footwear innovation was an instant sensation. Lindsay brings a personal connection to her product, naming strap designs after important women in her life. With the help of her family, Lindsay developed the brand’s slogan: “Change your look, not your sole.”

Following the immense success of her flip flop line SwitchFlops, Lindsay Phillips introduces another must-have shoe style to her quintessential collection: Liz Ballet Flats. Bringing the interchangeability of Lindsay’s trademark switchable flip flops to the classic ballet flat, the debut of Liz Ballet Flats allows you to experience the same versatility of SwitchFlops year-round.

Each flat comes with a removable flower secured by a snap. Just snap off the flower and snap on another design to revamp your flats—and your style—on a daily basis. Made from genuine Napa leather, the Liz Ballet Flat is available in brilliant bronze, shiny silver and basic black. The collection includes 12 snap options in three unique collections, providing an endless shoe wardrobe.

Today, SwitchFlops and Liz Ballet Flats continue to offer versatile fashion footwear for every taste and occasion. SwitchFlops and Liz Ballet Flats  are available for purchase at www.Lindsay-Phillips.com and at retail outlets across the country.