And we're back...

We apologize for the lack of any new postings in the last few weeks but we've been busy, really really busy. The facebook group BENDER MEDIA has the pictures to prove it.

We had George Clinton's Launch Party and Fall Presentation, SEA NYC PRESS DAYS and then the next day thewife of a certain presidential candidate wore a certain Donna Ricco dress on a certain show that resulted in more than 45 phone interviews and several tv spots including THE TODAY SHOW. At the same time we were prepping for the renovation of our apartment, The Berry Elegance grand re-opening and the US WEEKLY CONTEST that appears in the current issue on page 83.

The contest is sick you get to FLY on VIRGIN AMERICA to LA, Stay at the LONDON WEST HOLLYWOOD (formally the BEL-AGE where Dylan McKay used to live), get a personal assistant from LAMBENT SERVICES, your hair and make-up did, a Donna Ricco dress, not one but two pairs of sunglasses from VOGUE eyewear, a sweatshirt and t-shirt from SEA NYC, and most exciting of all a VIP CHELSEA LATELY EXPERIENCE. (Chuy sold separately!)

Enter the contest here

We are excited for the 4th of July....our plans in case you care, include Malibu for the day, a bbq in Hancock Park, and a party at a high-rise (that was a blast in '06) with killer views where we get to see about 6 different fireworks displays and then we head to Laguna for the weekend. Not so bad.

It's been a long but exciting past few weeks and we have some really cool projects and partnerships we're almost ready to announce.

We are back in LA where things are great,creative juices are flowing and we're looking forward to a great summer even if we aren't on the shores of Lake Balfour, we'll be there soon enough.

BACO PRIDE.

Sb

Mid-Century Goes Postal

The United States Postal Service, our favorite way to ship things, we love us the flate rate boxes, is offering a limited edition set of stamps based on the works of celebrated design duo Charles and Ray Eames.

They don't come out until June 17th but you can pre-order here.

Its probably the best $7 bucks you can spend right now. For an extra 10 bucks throw 'em in a frame and you've got a great gift for your design obsessed friend who invites you to their weekend home this summer. (JM do you want a set?)

I can't take full credit for this discovery, it was in the June issue of Vanity Fair.

Luxe Presents: Silver Lake

On Thursday night I went to a show house in Silver Lake, which was presented by Luxe Magazine, a very upscale interior design magazine in Southern California. The party was packed with designers and their clients. The home itself was well done, just not really my style. I didn't feel like someone really could live there, until I looked in the closet and realized that someone actually did. (It wasn't staged like those apartments New York magazine wrote about a few months ago.) Whoever lived here had a lot of interesting things in his wardrobe and a mild obsession with Angelina Jolie. The food at the party was outstanding and there was Wisconsin Cheese Maker and Monger on-site doing cheese and wine pairings which was great. This was the probably one of the better gift bags I had gotten in while, with the exception of the US Weekly Hot Hollywood/Fiji Water bag, that I've been using as my beachbag of late. While going through the bag late last night to figure out who to give what, what to keep and what to toss, I came across a business card from the valet from the party, "VALET OF THE DOLLS" pure and utter genius.

Speaking of Luxe, I'm going to suggest that everyone check out one of my current favorite things, Lux Radio Theatre on itunes for $1.99 you get an hour long version of a classic movie with the original cast and original commercials from the 50s. "So smart this season."


Sb

Beachy Keen -- Part 5

Name: Roberta Wagner

Occupation: Fashion Stylist

Beach of Choice: One which is extremely isolated.

Type of Bag: A very large one matching mybeach towel.

In the Bag: Think Gidget's best friend who
was alergeric to the sun. 30 varities of sunscreen, a
large floppy hat, Pucci vintage caftan,
giant sunglasses,and a volley ball.

Type of Towel: Hermes

The Suit: Norma Kamali 40's maillot

Name: Dorothy Cascerceri

Occupation: Entertainment Editor, On Air Talent (Fox News)

Beach of Choice: Chapin Beach, Cape Cod

Type of Bag: A cloth Fiorucci bag, I bought in Milan when I lived there.

In the Bag: Ipod, sunscreen, softlips, scarf for my hair, refresh tears for dry eyes/sand in eyes, a good book, cellphone (i wish i didn't have to travel everywhere with it!)

Type of towel:white and purple towel from the Beach Club, a nightlife hotspot my dad owned in Philly in the 90s.

The Suit: BeachBunny Swimwear is my favorite!

Name: Amy Stipa

Occupation: Owner, Berry Elegance

Beach of Choice: Malibu or Hermosa

Type of Bag: Oversized, slouchy, and able to withstand some wear and tear, mine is organic cotton with rope handles.

In the Bag: My ipod and treo, towel, a book, hawaiian tropic 8 and 15 oil for the bod and lancome 45+ for the face, sunglasses.

Type of Towel: a HUGE hula girl towel from of all places COSTCO (shhh)!

The Suit: bikini by ROXY.

Beachy Keen -- Part 4

Here we go again...

Name: Gillian Hearst Simonds

Occupation: Editorial Assistant at Town & Country

Beach of Choice: Any one on Anguilla

The Bag: My DVF wrap bag I carry everywhere because its such a great size, and I got it in several colors.

In the Bag: A Patricia Underwood straw hat, Spf 55 Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch or Babyfaces 60+ sunblock (always make sure my face is protected with that). Will use regular Hawaiian tropic 30 on the rest of my body, FloJo’s flip flops, a bottle of Smartwater, Vichy Thermal Spa Water, and MAC Take a Hint Tendertone Lipgloss (also with spf 15).

Type of Towel: Hermes, love the the elephant and the sea horse ones!

The Suit: Anything by Vix! I love their cuts, and they make adorable cover-ups too.

Name: Kristi Miller

Occupation: Director of Brand Communications, Donna Ricco

Beach of Choice: Turks and Caicos or Sorrento Italy

The Bag: Large Bendel's Striped Tote

In the Bag: SPF 30 Sunscreen, a donna ricco cotton dress that i can wear as a cover-up, neutrogena, lip balm, sunglasses, all 5 of "the magazines", and NO CELLPHONE!!

The Towel: Anything large and soft

The Suit: Ugghh! Can't I just leave my Donna Ricco cover up on?

Sex and The Hair Do -- Tips by Mark Slicker

As with their clothing styles, the 4 characters of Sex and The City have very diverse and much desired hairstyles. According to Mark Slicker of the Mark Slicker Salon in Westwood, "Back in the 90s I was cutting more of "The Rachel" than anything else and it drove me crazy. What I love about the hair in Sex and The City is that each of the girls' hair really matches their personality and their looks for the most part can be easily recreated on most women without compromising their own personal style."

Below are Mark's Tips on How to Get of the character's signature looks:

CARRIE

Carrie Sports loose curls by incorporating her natural curl with the help of a flat iron. By using the flat iron instead of a curling iron you can achieve loose bohemian curls. A curl enhancing mousse is used for better curl definition and body. At times extensions are used to add more fullness. The top and front sections are round brushed to add softness. Carrie doesn’t like predictable highlight placement. Instead she incorporates unexpected chestnut brown lowlights into her blonde tips for a more sunkissed effect.

MIRANDA

She wears a layered 30's inspired bob. To achieve her loose curls add a root volumizer first to prep and build body. After round in vertical sections going back, place velcro rollers in the same direction until cooled. This locks in the body and the curl for longer lasting body. Her color is a simple tint application with a few highlights on top. This golden apricot tone is fantastic for her skin tone.

CHARLOTTE

Her look focuses on long layers and shattered ends. Color glosses are used to provide shine and dimension. This is a semi-permanent vegetable color is totally healthy for the hair. A gloss will coat, seal and temporarily repair damage done by hairdryers, irons etc. She gets a classic blow dry styled with a large round brush for soft volume and smooth ends. Charlotte would never use product on her hair that would dry it out. A classic blow dry is best without.

SAMANTHA

With fine hair and a wide forehead, bangs and layers work the best to frame and soften her face. She is a classic golden blonde with highlights concentrated around the front and sides. Her bangs and blown down but the top and sides are blown back for a soft feathered effect. Samatha often uses extensions that clip on to add thickness and length.

The Mark Slicker Salon is located at 1107 Gayley Avenue in Westwood.
Please call 310-443-8018 for an appointment.
www.markslicker.com

(images courtesy of new line and wireimage)

Who wore it better??? -- Donna Ricco Edition

 NATURAL FOODS CHEF, BETHENNY FRANKEL

WHEEL OF FORTUNE'S VANNA WHITE

We think they both look great!

if you want the dress click here