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Kenneth Cole's AWARENESS Blog

THE KENNETH COLE BLOG, www.kennethcoleblog.com. Created to raise awareness and stir public debate and action, the blog will provide a unique two-way communication platform between the Kenneth Cole New York brand and the public.



THE KENNETH COLE BLOG will focus on four core topics of interest: Social Rights, Hard Times (poverty & homelessness), Political Landscape, and Well-being (health & the environment). The CLOTHES MINDEDNESS section is comprised of a weekly contribution from Kenneth Cole. In addition to Kenneth’s weekly blog, the site will present timely articles and up-to-the-minute commentary from a range of prominent voices in media, arts, entertainment, business, and philanthropic organizations. Contributors include singer KT Tunstall, Paper Magazine founder David Hershkovits, and Good Magazine founder Ben Goldhirsh. Some of Kenneth Cole’s celebrity friends including NY Giants Michael Strahan, Alan Cumming, Stanley Tucci, Alan Dershowitz, Natasha Richardson, Mario Cantone, Kathy Griffin, and Joey Pantoliano will also be contributing about the social causes they are actively involved with. Readers and visitors to the blog will be encouraged to participate in ongoing dialogue with the contributors around the issues and topics presented and invited to share their thoughts and ideas on how we as a society can work to create a better world.



“From the company's earliest days, social activism has fueled our philosophy that, "what we stand for is even more important than what we stand in.” Twenty five years later, we continue to use our resources to provoke thought about various, but always relevant, issues,” says Kenneth Cole. “THE KENNETH COLE BLOG is the perfect forum to encourage more of a dialog and expand discussion on the important issues of our time.”

In addition to the articles and commentary, the blog will showcase an inspiring collection of photographs based on the four core pillars that will change how we view the world. Within each image, the photographers will share personal accounts and details about the photo.

THE KENNETH COLE BLOG will be promoted through a variety of regional and national media platforms, including taxi-tops, street powerwashing, wildposters, and banners on numerous websites and blogs. The content of each post and comment will represent the views of the author and will not necessarily reflect the views of THE KENNETH COLE BLOG or of Kenneth Cole New York. THE KENNETH COLE BLOG was conceived, produced and maintained by award-winning digital brand strategy and marketing agency electricArtists, Inc. electricArtists has developed other successful online projects for American Express, Starwood Hotels and others. The software being used is to create and run the blog is the Movable Type 4: Community Solution by SixApart.

About Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc.

Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. designs, sources, and markets a broad range of footwear, handbags, and accessories under the registered trademarks KENNETH COLE NEW YORK, KENNETH COLE REACTION, UNLISTED and TRIBECA as well as footwear under the proprietary trademarks GENTLE SOULS and LE TIGRE and under the licensed trademark BONGO. The company has also granted a wide variety of third party licenses for the production of men’s, women’s and children’s apparel, as well as fragrances, timepieces, eyewear, and several other accessory categories. The company’s products are distributed through department stores, better specialty stores, and company-owned retail stores as well as direct to consumer catalogs and e-commerce. Further information can be found at http://www.kennethcole.com .

Chopard’s the Charm

The proverbial rabbit’s foot, a dried-and-pressed four-leaf clover, whatever their talisman of choice, actors and actresses have long yearned for the lucky charm that would help push the Oscar in their direction.

Several recent Oscar winners may credit the creations of Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele of Chopard.

Charlize Theron, Hilary Swank, Rachel Weisz, Helen Mirren and Marion Cotillard all wore Chopard as they accepted their Oscars.

Marion Cotillard Winner 2008

Winner for Best Actress for her role in La Vie En Rose, Marion selected to layer Chopard’s champagne diamond briolette necklace (64 carats) with light and dark brown diamond bead necklaces (106 carats) and a square cut brilliant cut yellow diamond ring (15 carats).

Helen Mirren Winner 2007

After her third nomination, Helen Mirren won the Oscar for Best Actress for her title role in The Queen by Stefen Frears. The delicate needlework of her champagne-colored dress served as a frame for the Chopard “Haute Joaillerie” brooch she selected, made of white and cognac diamonds (62 carats). She decided to suspend the piece from the back of her bustier. On her wrist, she wore a bracelet of marquise cut diamonds sculpted into a floral band (55 carats), accompanied by sublime diamond earrings (16 carats).

Rachel Weisz Winner 2006

Honored by an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Constant Gardener, the beautiful Rachel Weisz was pregnant during the 78th Academy Awards and chose elegant diamond earrings and a ring crafted from two rose-cut diamonds (2.71 carats) and 19 small rose-cut diamonds (2.69 carats).

Hilary Swank Winner 2005

In 2005, after winning the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild awards for portraying female boxer in Clint Eastwood’s Million Dollar Baby, Hilary Swank chose subtle pieces of Chopard jewelry: on her finger, an emerald cut diamond (5.15 carats) surrounded by baguette diamonds, and pendant earrings with cushion cut diamonds (2.13 and 2.16 carats) set in platinum.

Charlize Theron Winner 2004

Nominated in 2004 for her role in Monster, the South African actress literally sparkled on the red carpet. Fully re-embroidered with crystals, her dress echoed the set of diamonds Theron selected from the Chopard collections: Shooting star earrings composed of 46 diamonds (3.80 carats), a mesh cuff bracelet set with 546 diamonds (31.89 carats), and a Signature ring crowned by a 4.68-carat marquise cut diamond.

Wire In The Blood Returns

For A Fifth U.S. Premiere Season
Season premiere episode shot in Austin, Texas



BBC AMERICA co-production Wire in the Blood returns for a fifth season, opening with a special episode, Prayer of the Bone, shot in Austin, Texas.



* Wire in the Blood: Prayer of the Bone , Coastal Production co-production with BBC America in association with Ingenious Broadcasting 2LLP, distributed by Southern Star.



* Wire in the Blood , a Coastal Production and BBC America co-production, distributed by Southern Star.

Robson Green (Rocketman, Reckless) stars as Dr. Tony Hill in Wire in the Blood, based on the best-selling novels by Val McDermid. In the season premiere, Tony is invited to Texas as an expert witness in a case where an Iraq combat veteran has confessed to brutally slaughtering his wife and two young children. His defense team claims that he’s suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, but the prosecution asks Tony, who met with the soldier in the UK, to join them in disproving that claim. Alone in a strange country, surrounded by hostile lawyers and police, Tony finds himself at the center of a death penalty case with competing legal and political interests.



In the next four cases, Tony and his partner, DI Alex Fielding (Simone Lahbib), will join forces to hunt down a missing girl, ritualistic killers, a serial rapist and a killer — or killers — with a mother fixation. The fifth season also stars Emma Handy (Velvet Goldmine) as DC Paula McIntyre and Mark Letheren (Frances Tuesday) as DS Kevin Geoffries.



Wire in the Blood premieres on BBC AMERICA Sunday, April 6, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Lockheart Has Our Heart

We’ve written enough about Isabella Fiore handbags for regular readers to know we’re big fans. Although we don’t wait in the lines anymore for their factory sales, we do opt to go right before they’re closing, to avoid the crowds. We’ve gotten some pretty gorgeous pocketbooks, but they are so heavy, even empty. We were very carried away with the craftsmanship, but they are in no way practical if you actually had to tote your purse around.

Anyway, it’s no surprise that we greatly esteem Lockheart Handbags, since they’re from the founders of Isabella Fiore. We’re told that they’re lighter in both purse bulk and hardware. We’ll check it out the next time we have the opportunity to view one in person. At any rate, these make ideal big-ticket gifts, they’re just gorgeous. We guarantee you guys, you propose with the ring hidden in one of these bags and there is absolutely no way you're not getting a
"yes." www.lockheart.com

Britain's Best to the U.S.

For more than 12 years Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare has been one of the best-kept British beauty secrets.

Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare is the largest independent British beauty brand. The company has grown by the power of word of mouth, rather than advertising, supported by women who tell other women that the products work. The range is now sold in 77 countries around the world.

Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare offers a botanical skincare range that evolved into a full-service line formulated to treat all skin types holistically.

Reps for the company say the success of Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare is due to they call their “precious recipe:” a combination of carefully selected ingredients and a unique customer service philosophy. The Isle of Wight, one and a half hours from London, England is home base for the company and where products are formulated.

Each product is hand tissue-wrapped. After 12 years the range has only 28 products, but uses more than 100 naturally active botanical ingredients. A company ethnobotanist works directly with farmers and growers around the globe.

Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare can be ordered from:

www.lizearle.com
Customer Centre: 1-800-515-5911
Brownes Beauty, Miami, Fl

For more information on Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare please visit www.lizearle.com

Winter Special (seen in image above)

The above products and…When you buy these daily essentials you’ll receive a complimentary Smoothing Line Serum while stocks last. $67

Who Is This??

Didja guess?

It's HSM star Ashley Tisdale as a doll!

Ashley Tisdale dolls from Huckleberry Toys. Series 1 will debut at Toys "R" Us, Wal-Mart and other retailers this month. Series 2 will be out this summer.

Introducing (to BeansTalk, At Least)
Nutra Luxe MD

Nutra Luxe MD Plus skin care is the most advanced Anti-Aging Cosmeceutical product line on the market today. Not only are these products preservative fee, mainly harmful parabens and chemicals, but they also succeeded in micro- encapsulating all ingredients which maintains their original potency.

www.nutraluxemd.com

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About:

Dr. A Hawrych, a board certified facial plastic surgeon located in Naples, Florida is the Physician behind Nutra Luxe MD.

Dr. Hawrych has always been convinced that surgery should be the last option and is not always necessary in the treatment of the early signs of aging.

New, scientifically advanced anti-aging skin care ingredients, such as Peptides, Liposomes and strong natural Antioxidants are powerful enough today to not only repair skin damage and reverse the early signs of aging, but are also able to restore the skin to a naturally healthy complexion and provide protection from future skin damage.

Dr A. Hawrych strongly believes that these state of the art anti-aging Physician skin care products, also called Cosmeceuticals, should be priced that they are affordable for everyone.

Nutra Luxe MD leading edge technology products are clinically tested for effectiveness and for high performance results in Dr. Hawrych’s own skin care clinic.

Until today, Nutra Luxe MD products were only available through Dr. offices, high end Spas and Salons. We are pleased to announce that our Cosmeceutical skin care products are now made also available directly to you, the consumer. Our products come with the guarantee that they were thoroughly researched, developed and tested to deliver measurable, visible and proven results almost instantly.

We Have A Winner!


Anonymous Venice and BeansTalk are giving

Beth Zerilli of Markham, ON

a happy St. Paddy's day -- with the gift of two shirts for a gal and two shirts for a guy (that's a total of four super cute and cool shirts). Everyone's happy!

Thanks to everyone who entered!!

La Belle Katherine Heigl `a Paris

L'actrice de Grey's Anatomy, avec le mieux ami T.R. Knight et sa mere (et directeur), Nancy. Heigl s'use une Escada manteau. Et apparemment achat des cartes, parce que n'est pas cela que vous tuez Gay Paree? Elle est tres belle, n'est ce pas? Elle est comme une modèle. Ou est son mari, le chanteur Josh Kelley?

Part 1 Prizes for St. Paddy's Giveaway

Another Great BeansTalk Giveaway!!


Anonymous Venice and BeansTalk want you to have a happy St. Paddy's day -- with the gift of two shirts for a gal and two shirts for a guy (that's a total of four super cute and cool shirts). Everyone's happy!

For the Gals

Junk Food Lucky Care Bear T-Shirt – Green $22
Junk Food Lucky Charms Jersey T-Shirt - Green/White $32

To Enter:

1.Email info@beanstalkbiz.com ...with the following info
2. put ANONYMOUS VENICE in the subject line
3. Send to: w/in the email, include your name and the address you’d like the prize sent!
4. Good fit: IMPORTANT: please visit the website to see what sizes are available, and be sure to send the size you want for the women's shirt and the size you want for the men's.

And, so you and yours will be able to wear the shirts on the holiday of 17 March 08, as you sip your green beer or other beverage of choice, enter NOW, the deadline is midnight, Saturday 1 March 08. Winner announced Sunday, 2 March 08.

Part 2 Prizes

You will also Win....

For the Guys

Anonymous Venice Crystal Eye W/ Hamsa Hand Print 7/8 Sleeve T Grey $50

Anonymous Venice Blarney Stone T – White $28



About Anonymous Venice:

Anonymous Venice was founded by David Nagoshiner as a humble operation, catering to the local community of fashion forward artists and musicians that have made Venice Beach famous.

Anonymous Venice grew quickly as a fashion destination in the area, known by locals and tourists alike for having a finger on the pulse of the Los Angeles fashion scene. From their popular custom made t-shirts and designer brands to their unique hats, accessories and novelty gifts, Anonymous Venice is truly a one stop shop, providing cutting edge fashion to men and women of all ages, offering styles which range from vintage pop-culture to edgy, one-of-a-kind designs.

From DJs to designers to actors, there has always been tremendous public support for Anonymous Venice as it has become known as the place "where LA style is born."

http://anonymousvenice.com

The World's Most Expensive Flat Iron

We didn’t visit any of the recent Oscar Suites, but the swag was swinging, including a $1 Million Dollar Diamond CHI Iron.

We’re always interested in flat irons, especially since we stopped professionally straightening our hair. We have three gHd irons, one Gail Hudson flat iron, one Barbar.

Update (28 Feb 08): Today we found a 3/8" travel folding Curlmaster iron at TJ Maxx. It was only $9.99, so our hopes aren't high. We may just leave this overseasWe'll revisit this later.

So much for travel irons. We do have a Chi/Farouk curling iron, if that mood strikes us and we have to admit in our lifetime we've had many a curling iron and our Chi/Farouk is probably the best one we've had (o.k., it's also the most expensive one we' ve bought)…

At any rate, Farouk Systems participated in several Oscar fund raising events including the Ebony Pre-Oscar celebration and donated products to organizations such as the Humane Society, Writers Guild of America, Global Green, and Leeza's Place (Leeza Gibbon's organization).

The event was an opportunity to display Farouk System’s $1 Million Dollar Diamond CHI Iron. Farouk Shami hired former NASA Chief Scientist, Dr. Dennis Morrison, to be the Senior VP of Technology. This company created Ammonia-Free products, introducing the use of natural “Silk” in hair care called BioSilk Silk Therapy® and its Thermal Tool Technology made them the first company ever to incorporate Ceramic, Ionic and Far Infrared into hair tools called CHI®.

(images: the legendary Ruby Dee and Atonement’s Saoirse Ronan)

Linden Leaves Best UK Conditioner

Linden Leaves Herbalist Balm Mint and Tangerine Conditioner won Best Conditioner Award in the 2008 Natural Health and Beauty Awards in the UK.

Linden Leaves herbalist balm mint and tangerine conditioner has been voted the best conditioner in the prestigious 2008 Natural Health and Beauty Awards, UK.

The announcement was made after hundreds of products were tested, reader votes were counted, and dermatologists consulted to find the best natural products of the year.

Each product being rated on performance, quality, and beneficial ingredients, as well as on visual appeal, fragrance, and texture, with the winners representing the new face of natural beauty.

Linden Leaves herbalist balm mint and tangerine conditioner took the top award in its category, the results of which are reported in Natural Health and Beauty magazine, March issue.

The win follows a string of success in the UK to Linden Leaves’ carefully formulated herbalist range, specialising in balanced body care treatment for skin, face and hair.

270ml / 9.13fl oz

MSRP: $21.95

www.lindenleavesusa.com

Introducing kaplanMD LIP 20

Lovely Lips

For the soft, plump and safe lips.

There isn’t a girl in the world who is not addicted to lipstick, lip gloss or lip balm. But most lipsticks and lip glosses contain castor oil and petroleum jelly, which direct sunlight to your lips. Since our lips have a thinner layer of skin than any other part of the body, they chap, wrinkle and burn more easily. LIP 20 is the first dermatologist developed lip treatment designed to moisturize, plump, contour and protect – all in one.



LIP 20 is enriched with marine collagen, peptides and antioxidants, including the exclusive kaplanMD Phytogenic Triactive Complex of Soy, Grapeseed and Black Cohosh. LIP 20 is also the first and only lip treatment to use Seabuckthorn Berry extract, a moisturizer 20 times more effective than Vitamin E alone, providing superior hydration and lip softening. In addition, Hyaluronic Acid Filling Spheres are micro-injected into the lips to immediately plump and smooth skin, giving you softer, fuller and more luscious lips. Finally, a broad spectrum UVA & UVB SPF 20 protects your lips from the damaging effects of the sun. Unlike some lip treatments that take days or even weeks to see results, the results of Lip 20 are immediate and long-lasting. LIP 20 is also guaranteed not to burn, sting or cause redness.



“I wanted to recommend a natural product to patients that not only moisturizes and protects from the sun, but also fights aging. LIP 20 is the first true anti-aging treatment for the lips and because it is an all-in-one product, it is a convenient, easy to use treatment for both men and women!” says Dr. Stuart H. Kaplan, creator of LIP 20.



kaplanMD LIP 20 Key Ingredients:


*LIP20 contains no parabens, castor oil or petroleum jelly*

Phytogenic Triactive Complex – An exclusive blend of Soy Isoflavones that firms and plumps skin. Grapeseed extract, a powerful antioxidant that combats free-radicals and exotic Black Cohosh, helps correct imbalances in the skin.

Seabuckthorn Berry Extract – This all natural ingredient is known for its nourishing, revitalizing and restorative properties on the lips. The high content of fat soluble vitamins, along with essential fatty acids (EFA’s) and phytosterols provide unparalleled moisturization and skin repair. It is clinically proven to be 20 times more moisturizing than Vitamin E alone.

Aloe Vera – Aloe Vera contains eight essential amino acids, as well as Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E. Well known for its anti-inflammatory, wound healing and bacteria fighting properties, Aloe Vera restores skin tissues while softening the skin.

C10-30 Esters – A skin conditioning, reparative and moisturizing agent that is similar in structure to lipids found in the skin, and clinically proven to penetrate the stratum corneum. Its biocompatibility and complex composition makes it an exceptional natural emollient to help repair dry, chapped lips while providing an all natural high gloss shine.

Maxi-Lip – A patented tri-peptide that restructures the connective tissue by stimulating the synthesis of collagen and glycosaminoglycans. This provides remarkable moisturizing properties that affect the volume and outline of the lips, providing visible and immediate lip plumping.

Hyaluronic Acid Filling Spheres – Comprised of hyaluronic acid filling spheres (the active ingredient in fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm) and marine collagen, it functions to immediately smooth out wrinkles. Formulated for greater cutaneous absorption, these spheres are “micro-injected” into the tissue where they swell up with water. As they increase in volume, they immediately smooth and plump the skin, minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Key fruits and botanicals found in kaplanMD LIP 20:

* Soy, Grapeseed and Black Cohosh
* Seabuckthorn Berry Extract
* Aloe Vera
* C10-30 Esters
* Beeswax
* Candellila Wax
* Vitamin A
* Hyaluronic Acid Filling Spheres
* Marine Collagen

Celebrity fans of Dr. Kaplan and the kaplanMD brand include Jennifer Garner, Kate Beckinsale, Sienna Miller, Minnie Driver, Anne Heche, Kristin Davis, Aisha Tyler, Goldie Hawn, Julie Louis Dreyfus and more.

LIP 20 retails for $30.00 and is available at select Neiman Marcus stores and online at www.kaplanmd.com.

here! New Programming

here! gay television network, announced its Spring 2008 programming slate featuring 40 hours of original programming, including specials, new series, and feature films.

Since its founding in 2002, here! reaches all major markets via VOD and SVOD on all major cable services. The upcoming slate of original programming begins in March with the 1-hour special 11th Annual Ribbon of Hope Celebration hosted by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, honoring programs and individuals who have advanced the cause of HIV/AIDS awareness.

Also scheduled is a succession of new film and television releases aimed at expanding here!’s growing audience, including the Outfest award-winning film Shelter; Cut Sleeve Boys; the raucously entertaining The Ben and Dave Show, and Kiss Me Deadly, starring Shannen Doherty and Robert Gant (Queer as Folk).


March

11th Annual Ribbon of Hope Celebration - Hosted by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, which recognizes and honors programming excellence and commitment to HIV/AIDS awareness, education and prevention. Some of the shows being honored include TLC’s Ashley Judd & YouthAIDS, Girl, Positive from Lifetime, HBO’s Life Support, and Showtime’s 3 Needles. Featured presenters include Judith Light, Bruce Vilanch, Jasmine Guy, and Dee Wallace, among many others (March 7)

The Ben and Dave Show (Series Premiere) - A funny and irreverent topical talk show that dishes on topics from posting personal ads on Craigslist to the mystery of Ann Coulter to getting a sponsor for the show (March 14)

Cover Guy (Network Premiere), a reality competition in which men from all over the country vie for a chance to win cash, modeling contracts, and of course, the coveted spot on the cover of various gay men's magazines (March 21)

Sexplorations (Season Premiere), the hit series returns with weekly profiles of the world’s most unique and exotic sexual beings (March 28)

Jason Stuart: Making It in the Middle (World Premiere) - From longtime comedian Jason Stuart (Will & Grace) comes a docu-style look at is comedy tour through the middle of the country (March 28)

April

Shelter (Network Premiere) – Winner of Outfest’s ‘Best First Dramatic Feature,’ this involving romance is the debut of writer/director Jonah Markowitz, and stars Brad Rowe (National Treasure: Book of Secrets), and features a young cast including Tina Holmes (Six Feet Under) and Trevor Wright. Set against the San Pedro surfing scene, the film focuses on a young man’s coming out, and the budding relationship with his best friend’s older brother (premieres on the network April 18)

Paradise Falls (Season Premiere) - An adult soap opera (in the spirit of Desperate Housewives) now in its 3rd season. The show focuses on the lives and relationships of 10 principal characters in a small coastal town. (April 11)

Looking for Cheyenne - French filmmaker Valérie Minetto’s touching lesbian romance which the LA Times recently called “a highly venturesome and effective film” (April 11)


May

Kiss Me Deadly (World Premiere) - Stars Robert Gant (Queer as Folk) and Shannen Doherty (Beverly Hills, 90210), the first of three featuring a gay action hero (May 2)

House of Usher (World Premiere) - Based on the legendary Edgar Allan Poe tale, this is a gothic horror film with a twist, brought to the screen by cult filmmaker David DeCoteau (May 9)

Nina’s Heavenly Delights (Network Premiere)- A charming lesbian comedy from Indian award-winning filmmaker Pratibha Parmar (the Frameline Award at the San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival) that combines Scottish humor with Bollywood spectacle (May 30)


here! is dedicated to bringing the LGBT audience quality-driven programming that covers a wide variety of genres, influences, and formats, and the above slate is a reflection of that commitment. Summer and Fall 2008 look to repeat the same trend of diverse programming for a diverse audience.

About here! Founded in 2002, here! airs on all major U.S. cable systems as a 24-hour subscription service. here! appears in 96 of the top 100 U.S. markets, including every top ten market. here! also was the first gay network originating in the U.S. to launch in Canada. here! offers a wide variety of groundbreaking and acclaimed original movies and series plus the world's largest collection of gay and lesbian films appealing to the broad-based, diverse LGBT audience. here! Video, the broadband portal of here! Networks found at www.heretv.com/videoplayer, provides a broad sampling of here! programming. For more information on how to subscribe to here!, www.heretv.com or 1-888-HERE-NOW.

Images:

Anthony Rapp (Kidnapped), Judith Light (Ugly Betty), Paul Colichman (Founder and CEO, here! Networks), Jasmine Guy at the 2007 Ribbon of Hope Celebration

Brad Rowe and Trevor Wright star in here!'s SHELTER

Separated at Birth?

Isla Fisher and Amy Adams