"America's Next Top Model" - The top 4

Tonight's episode of "America's Next Top Model" is a recap episode which gives us a chance to look back and look ahead.
In general, this has been a pretty strong group. But there are some that clearly stand out in the pack.
Here are my picks for the top among the top models. What do you think?


Chantal.
She has yet to have a bad week. She's been among the top consistently every week so far.


Heather.
America has already embraced her, judging by the viewer's choice awards she's earned week after week. She's a favorite among the judges as well. The wonderful thing in all of this is that her strong showing has nothing to do with her having a form of autism. She's gorgeous and she's a fast learner. And yes, she's a sweetheart, too.



Bianca.
Watch out for this girl. She's beautiful and she knows what she's doing. And again, folks, this isn't a popularity contest.



Lisa.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: never underestimate a Jersey Girl. Lisa has already proven that she has what it takes. Remember that one week where she won both competitions? That wasn't an accident. Confidence is a major factor in how far she'll go.

Spa Special for New York Commuters

What: The Spa Experience www.spafinder.com/thespaexperience
When: Wednesday, October 31 – Saturday, November 3, 2007
Time: 11am – 7pm (10/31 and 11/2); 11am – 5pm (11/1 and 11/3)
Where: Vanderbilt Hall, Grand Central Terminal (42nd Street at Park Avenue)
Admission: Free, open to public
Website: www.spafinder.com/thespaexperience.com
Phone: 1-866-377-8621

SPA CENTRAL TERMINAL: THE SPA EXPERIENCE BRINGS
FREE FACIALS, MASSAGE, AND OTHER PLEASURES TO GRAND CENTRAL

Event Will Also Feature Travel Sweepstakes to Body Holiday St. Lucia and
Vermont’s Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa, including Airfare from JetBlue

www.spafinder.com/thespaexperience

New York, NY (October 16, 2007) – Free hot stone massages, seaweed facials, and even a pumpkin hand treatment just in time for Halloween are just a few of the signature spa treatments that spa enthusiasts will enjoy at The Spa Experience at Grand Central Terminal, organizers announced today.

The four-day event from October 31 to November 3 will transform Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall into a free hands-on spa exhibition showcasing 50 of the world’s premier spa travel destinations and spa beauty companies.

Presented by SpaFinder, the world’s largest spa media and marketing company, The Spa Experience will give the 750,000 commuters and shoppers who pass through the terminal each day the opportunity to immerse themselves in the spa lifestyle and book a spa vacation.

Spa treatments and product samples to be offered at The Spa Experience include:

• Pumpkin facial and pumpkin cream pie hand treatment from Oasis Day Spa
• Count Chocula hand and arm mask, a nourishing, hydrating, antioxidant wrap and massage featuring Mountain Body Chocolate Skin Food, from Red Mountain Spa
• Proper foundation shade selection and makeup application, from Jane Iredale – The Skin Care Makeup®
• Newly radiant skin thanks to an Alpha-Beta Professional Peel, valued at $225, from MD Skincare® by Dr. Dennis Gross
• A 20-minute skin treatment -- Ultimate Body Lift, Moisture Maximizer, or Intensive Body Firmer -- from Clarins Skin Spa
• Individual spa treatments, plus a consultation (Oct. 31 only) with the Spa Elder, an expert who creates customized treatments based on time-honored Jamaican traditions that incorporate indigenous herbs, plants, and sea botanicals -- from Fern Tree, the spa at Half Moon
• IMT (Carotid Ultrasound Intimal-Medial Thickness) testing from Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa
• Hot-stone hand massage and mini neck-and-shoulder massages from Red Door Lifestyle Spa at the Hyatt Regency Bonaventure
• BlackBerry hand massage from Hyatt Pure Spas
• Pulsar (light and sound experience), scalp and hand massage from Tourism Quebec
• Thai Ritual Foot Cleansing and Massage from Body Holiday St. Lucia
• On-the-go version of Repechage Seaweed Oxygen Facial from CuisinArt Resort & Spa
• Rejuvenating treatment and deep massage for the hands, featuring Arevita products, from Darphin Paris
• Upper-body massage, intensive eye lift, and microdermabrasion hand treatment using the age-fighting power of caviar, from La Prairie at the Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park
• Product samples from Avon Wellness and Radisson Resorts, Aruba & St. Martin
• Learn the art and science of myofascial release, using tennis balls, from Rancho La Puerta
• 3D topographical map displays of The Cliffs, the spa-lifestyle residential communities
• Chakra alignment using healing-crystal "singing bowls," from The Lodge at Woodloch
• Aveda hand therapy treatments from Ste. Anne's Spa
• Detoxifying pressotherapy mini-facials, organic hand and foot treatments, and yoga demonstrations from Moss Spa & Yoga
• A custom-blended hydrosol (floral water) spritzer from Ojai Valley Inn & Spa
• Reiki healing massage from Élan Resorts and Spa
• Indian hand massage and back/neck/shoulder massage from Emerson Resort & Spa
• 25-minute traditional Rainforest Massage, using solar-infused herbal oils of organic marjoram, lime, lavender, sage and patchouli from Gran Melia Puerto Rico
• Hand and foot reflexology based on local Junkanoo traditions from Islands of the Bahamas
• Hand exfoliation and massage treatments from the Israel Ministry of Tourism
• The Graceful Face, a sequence of rejuvenating masques and free-radical-fighting thermal waters, from Saybrook Point Inn and Spa
• Deluxe Energy Balancing Hand Massage, an invigorating sugar scrub followed by slow, sensuous warm compresses, concluded with a meridian point energy massage from Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa
• Rejuvenating hand treatment from Skana, the Spa at Turning Stone
• A mini-Sphatika Experience: Hand and foot massage using Sphatika’s quartz crystal skincare line, while listening to the Sphatika healing CD on a Bose noise-cancelling headset, from Sphatika Holistic Treatment Center

Spa enthusiasts will also be able to vie for valuable sweepstakes prizes, including a five-night trip for two to Body Holiday St. Lucia in the West Indies, $525 jar of Darphin Paris's Stimulskin Plus Cream, and five nights at SAMAS Deluxe Destination Spa at the five star Park Hotel Kenmare in South West Ireland.

Even those who can't attend the event can win: Vermont's Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa and supporting sponsor JetBlue Airways are offering the chance to win a luxury three-night package that includes airfare, accommodations, and Stoweflake's spa treatments. Enter to win at http://www.spafinder.com/thespaexperience.

Completing Grand Central Terminal’s spa transformation, restaurants and shops throughout the terminal will feature spa-related discounts and specials, from free stress-relief treatments at Aveda to a $5 discount on special spa meals at Wild Edibles. Other participating retailers include Ciao Bella Gelato, Francesco's Salon, Origins, and Zaro's Bread Basket.

“Our goal is for everyone to leave Grand Central not only refreshed and ready to take on the city – but also inspired to book a trip to one of the world-class spas participating in The Spa Experience,” said Sallie Fraenkel, chief operating officer of SpaFinder, Inc.

The Cliffs Communities is presenting sponsor and Avon Wellness and JetBlue are supporting sponsors of The Spa Experience. Media sponsors include: Moffly Publications, publisher of Greenwich Magazine, Westport Magazine, and New Canaan-Darien Magazine; New York Moves magazine; Wainscot Media, publisher of New York Spaces and Bergen Health & Life; and Westchester Magazine.

For more information about The Spa Experience, please visit www.spafinder.com/thespaexperience.

Special T-Shirts for Charity

Several entities are offering special t-shirts to raise money for various causes. Here's a look at some of the t-shirt campaigns:

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Nordstrom is once again teaming with socially conscious fashion label EDUN to offer an exclusive limited edition t-shirt to benefit the ONE campaign. The t-shirts are 100 percent African and made in Lesotho, Africa. The t-shirts cost $40, of which $10 will be donated to the Apparel Lesotho Alliance for Africa (ALAFA). ALAFA provides antiretroviral drugs to factory workers and their family members in Lesotho. In addition, Nordstrom will donate $10 for every t-shirt sold in the U.S. up to $100,000.
As part of the campaign, celebrities such as Ben Affleck have been photographed in the t-shirts which they have personalized.
Lesotho's apparel industry is the major form of employment for this South African country, accounting for 40 percent of the jobs there. Lesotho has one of the highest AIDS rates in the world, with 29 percent of the population infected according to the ONE Campaign.
For more information or to purchase a shirt go online at www.nordstrom.com, www.one.org, or www.edunonline.com.

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As part of Gap’s partnership with (PRODUCT) RED, half the profits from Gap’s sales of Gap (PRODUCT) RED collections go directly to the Global Fund to finance programs that help women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.
The (2 WEEKS) T-shirt, a limited edition T-shirt is designed to emphasize the message about the direct impact contributions from the sale of the T-shirt will make to the Global Fund. These funds will support programs which provide HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment, including ARV medicine, in Africa.
Contributions from the sale of the (2 WEEKS) t-shirt are equivalent to the average cost of 2 weeks of AIDS/ARV medicine in Africa.
(2 WEEKS) shirts are $28.
For more information go online at www.gap.com.

Feeling Lucky? Win a free Makeover, Lucky Shops Event

Are you feeling lucky?

Read on for information on two exciting events.

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On The Run Magazine, the quarterly glossy women's magazine published by the Asbury Park Press, is offering four women from Monmouth and Ocean counties here on the Jersey Shore, the chance to receive a free makeover for the holidays.

To enter, send us an e-mail telling us in 50 words or less, a little bit about yourself and why you need a makeover for the holidays whether it's for the office party, to host your own holiday gathering or for New Year's Even or some other event during the holidays.

Make sure and include your photo (no large files, .jpg format) and your contact information.

Send entries to kcollins@app.com. Deadline for entries is Oct. 31.

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This weekend, it's time to shop for charity.

Lucky Shops, hosted by Lucky Magazine, features a huge range of products by designer labels and major name brands at prices up to 70 percent off retail. The event, at the Metropolitan Pavilion (125 W. 18th St. - off Sixth Avenue) in New York City) will be held from noon to 7 p.m. and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
This year's event is a fundraiser for Baby Buggy, a non-profit organization that helps New York City families with essential equipment, clothing and products for infants and young children.

Tickets for today, known as the first dibs day, are $85 at the door while supplies last. Tickets for tomorrow are $45 at the door.

And yes, you get a goodie bag, too!

For more information go online at luckyshops.com.

Bridal Chic - The Spring 2008 Collections

(from Priscilla of Boston)

The bridal market shows are winding down after a flurry of showings and exhibits over the weekend in New York City.
Soon-to-be brides will be able to see these looks in their local bridal shop beginning in January, although some of the higher end designer lines will not have these looks available in stores until June.
This is a huge event with collections at every price level being pitched to buyers.

One of the many people we met was Martin Thornburg who headed a team from Mon Cheri Bridals, based in Trenton. Mon Cheri actually produces 21 different lines of finery - mother of the bride gowns, bridesmaid and flower girl dresses, prom dresses and five different lines of bridal gowns.
Who knew such a big company was headquartered right in our own backyard.
So what's in?


Accessories vendors like Nora Hollinger of Erich Koesler Wedding Accessories says when it comes to veils, brides are opting for short veils - fingertip or elbow or even shorter. Tiaras, she and others say, are on their way out with more brides opting for headbands, decorated combs, hairpins, wreaths and little hats with just a spray of netting or feathers.
As for the gowns, the big trend is fit and flare or the Mermaid look in which gowns are fitted to the hip and then flare out dramatically. Of course you'll also see plenty of A-lines. And colorwise, you'll see everything from white and ivory to champagne and blush.
Here's a look at some of the gowns:
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Badgley Mischka








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Claire Pettibone








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Melissa Sweet









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Priscilla of Boston

New Line at American Eagle Outfitters launches Oct. 23

American Eagle Outfitters will launch aeriefit, a new fitness line, tomorrow (Oct. 23).
The line will include everything from pants and leggings to sports bras, tanks and caps. Nice little details real women will appreciate include the hidden money pockets and reflective piping on some of the items. And the fabrics are the type where moisture is kept away from the body.

"America's Next Top Model" - Oct. 17

Never, ever count out a Jersey Girl!
Lisa, the Jersey Girl on this season of "America's Next Top Model" not only won the challenge, she won the final shoot for the week. Let's just hope she doesn't let herself fall victim to the head games some of the others are trying to work on her.


And speaking of head games, Bianca is really looking strong. The haircut really emphasizes her beautiful features. And she's a fast learner. If only she could do something about that acid personality.


Audience favorite Heather continues to impress. Yes, she does need to get comfortable with looking at the camera straight on. But the girl is gorgeous, talented and a sweetheart. What's not to like. And her popularity isn't a sympathy vote.

The reality of color on the runway

People turn on the television and see Tyra Banks holding court as one of the most famous models in the world. They watch Beyonce shimmy her way through commercials for Armani Diamonds. They flip open a magazine and see supermodels like Iman and celebrities like Queen Latifah posing in ads for various cosmetics lines.
But the reality of the fashion world is that very few black models are seen on the runways or in fashion photo spreads in the major fashion magazines.
The subject has been a hot topic of discussion for several seasons now during Fashion Week, especially among the small group of black fashion editors covering the shows.
It came up most recently last month during the Spring 2008 collections at New York Fashion Week which frames our coverage in today's On The Run section in the Asbury Park Press (www.app.com)
Diane von Furstenberg and Ports 1961 both used nine black models in their shows (out of about 40 for von Furstenberg, 30 for Ports). That was news, big news in the tents. It's not unusual to see shows that have only white models. Most shows only use one or two models of color (usually Asian and/or black).
Some writers called the unusually large number of black models in the von Furstenberg and Ports 1961 shows a gimmick. After all, the only other time you usually see that many black models is if the designer is black a la Tracy Reese or the label skews urban like Baby Phat.
Gimmick or a move forward, there are only a small number of models who are seen everywhere. The two we see most often are:

Chanel Iman, one of the hottest models of color on the scene right now.


and Liya, who shares the title of hottest model of color on the scene right now.


















Others we see a lot are:

Alek


Hye


Ajuma



Du Juan



Jaunel


Han


Jourdan



Kinee




In the past few weeks, articles in Women's Wear Daily, the Washington Post and the New York Times have focused on the subject. In one story, designer Vivienne Westwood also blamed editors of prominent fashion magazines for not using a diverse selection of models for spreads.
Personally, I think Westwood makes a good point. Editors - of magazines and newspapers - do have a responsibility to consider diversity when selecting models and images. Consider the impact if an editor like Anna Wintour were to take a stand on this issue. But designers and casting agents also share the responsibility.
"Everyone is pointing fingers. The bottomline is that what's in vogue right now is a certain look - models from Russia and Eastern European countries. Designers want a look (in a model) that doesn't stand out,"" says Roy Campbell, an advisor and occasional judge for "America's Next Top Model." Campbell is a former fashion editor for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Campbell says he doesn't think designers are overtly racist. It's just not a big issue for them.
"I remember I once had a talk with a very well known designer who had gotten complaints about not having any black models in her shows and she said to me, 'I don't see color.' She just didn't think about it," Campbell says. "I think that's the case with a lot of the designers. They just don't think about it."

Special events, new products and other fashion news

There's a lot going on these days in the fashion world.
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Tomorrow night, QVC shopping channel will present its popular shoe sale for breast cancer research and education.
The event, held in conjunction with the Fashion Footwear Association of New York, will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. tomorrow night (Wed. Oct. 17). More than 100,000 shoes from 80 different brands, will be offered at half the manufacturer's suggested retail price. Brands will include Via Spiga, Michael Kors and Enzo Angolini.
Net proceeds go to six organization including Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania.
For more information visit QVC.com

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Target has launched a couple of new, limited edition collections this week.



The bullseye chain has teamed up with designer Holly Dunlap to create a special Hollywould for Target line. The accessories line, the third such designer accessories line offered by Target, will be available through Dec. 16.


The line will include both handbags and shoes for day and evening. All shoes are $29.99; handbags are $19.99 to $49.99.

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Target has also launched a limited edition men's collection. Called Bowie, the new line by British musician turned designer Keanan Duffty was inspired by rock legend David Bowie. The line, which is available through Dec. 24, includes tuxedo jackets and pants, dress shirts, rocker tees, skinny ties and skinny black jeans. Pieces for the collection range from $14.99 to $59.99.

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L'Oreal Paris has come out with several new fall lines.
- Some Enchanted Black is a limited edition cosmetics collection featuring an inky, black palette infused with metallics. The collection includes eye, lip, cheek and nail products.

- Infallible Never Fail Lipcolour which promises transfer-proof wear and comes with separate applicators for a basecoat and topcoat.

- Color of Hope collection to support ovarian cancer research. L’Oréal Paris will donate 10 percent of the proceeds from the sale of the Color of Hope collection’s Colour Riche Nurturing & Protective Lipcolour in Color of Hope. The collection features products for the eyes, lips and cheeks in shades of mauve and teal.

BET Hip-Hop Awards

It was red carpet time Saturday night in Atlanta as the stars turned out for the BET Hip-Hop Awards.
Am I the only one who is tired of seeing the brothers dressed in the uniform of jeans, t-shirt and the ubiquitous big diamond-encrusted medallion hanging from a big chain? It's become such a cliche.
But despite all that sameness there were some men and women who stood out (in a good way) in the crowd.



Big Boi
Okay, I'm not sure about the boots, but if you're gonna do combat boots, this is the way to rock 'em.




Ciara.
Beautiful. She worked the dress in all the right ways.




Cee-Lo.
Why not have some fun with your look and I loved the hat.






Keri Hilson
This is a winning look by any measure.




Krs-One
Classic. But then that sort of describes the man and his music doesn't it?






Lauren London
Another example of how to keep it simple.



Trina
Bringing the bling but in a good way. It's a lot but not too much.

Poll of the Week: Lead in Lipstick - Do you Care?

For years we've heard various rumors that some lipsticks contained high amounts of lead. Some people have said this is a so-called Urban Myth.

Now, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a consumer rights group, is reporting that more than half of lipsticks the group tested contained lead. Among the brands tested - Cover Girl, L'Oreal and Christian Dior had more lead than others.

The testing, done by Bodycote Testing Group in Sante Fe Spring, Calif., was done on 33 brand name red lipsticks. The tests found that 61 per cent had detectable lead levels of 0.03 to 0.65 parts per million (ppm).

Apparently the FDA has not set a limit for lead in lipstick.

One third of the lipsticks tested contained an amount of lead that exceeded the US Food and Drug Administration's 0.1 ppm limit for lead in candy - a standard established to protect children from ingesting lead, the group said.

Lead can cause learning, language and behavioural problems such as reduced school performance and increased aggression.

According to the group,pregnant women and young children are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure. Lead has also been linked to infertility and miscarriage.

Are you concerned about lead in your lipstick?
	Yes but I'll still wear it
	No
	I don't wear lipstick anyway
pollcode.com free polls

*(Because of software problems, I wasn't able to add another option such as Yes, but I'm concerned or Yes, but I'll change my shade/brand). Leave a note and we'll add your answer to the results.

America's Next Top Model - Oct. 10

This was makeover week which is always fun to watch.
Talk about drama!
I can't say I was crazy about all the new looks. But it's always interesting to see how the ladies adjust.


As for the shoot, the front runners continue to be Jenah


and Heather.



And Jersey Girl Lisa continues to hold her own but it was very revealing that she was unable to bring something else to the table during the shoot. Hmmmm.


As for the best makeover: I'd have to say Bianca. Thank goodness, they made her get rid of that awful red weave. Too bad they couldn't make over her nasty personality, but then again, this isn't a Miss Congeniality contest.