LaNorma Huggins-Hopes of Signature Designs by LaNorma is one of the featured jewelry designers in this design competition.  Her design, “Crystal Rose Romance” embodies the essence of romance in the Renaissance period.  Designed from large faceted emerald-cut Swarovski Crystal Rose stones accented with a decorative chain embellished with Crystal Brandy Baroque drops and golden shadow bicones, the necklace shows the romantic side of Boudoir Beautiful. The top part of the necklace is  a crochet design with Swarovski Crystal Brandy 6mm bicones, freshwater pearls, and Ivory Satin ribbon woven together with Rose gold color wire. The bottom of the necklace is accented with a beautiful Swarovski marquise-shaped Crystal Rose pendant.

You can vote for LaNorma’s design by clicking on the attached link: http://bit.ly/bTaKk2.  View the creative collections entries at http://bit.ly/dggRPj.

Voting ends on July 2010.

The winning entry will design a jewelry piece, fashion accessory, or home design object for the 2010 CREATE YOUR STYLE with CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements Inspirational Workbook.  All winning designs will be showcased in the Swarovski London Showroom and featured on WWW.CREATE-YOUR-STYLE.COM

Savor the Success is a PR Co-Op and a niche social media n

etwork for women entrepreneurs both online and offline. 

Women Entrepreneurs Rock the World (event)

Please visit the Rock the World website for more information.

TIGERLILY FOUNDATION PRESENTS  2nd Annual DIVA Night Out (Divine Inspired Vivicious Aware)
**BREAST CANCER CHARITY FUNDRAISER**

Saturday, May 15, 2010
6PM-10PM
Mandarin Oriental Hotel
1330 Maryland Ave, SW – Washington, DC

Co-Hosted by:

Paul Wharton (CW50 | VH1 | MTV)
Cynné Simpson (ABC7 | WJLA News Anchor)
Angel Elliott (BET Personality | Producer)

Featuring:
VIP Pink Carpet
Cocktails and Light Fares
Fashion Show
Exquisite Designers
Celebrity Pamper Room
Silent Auction
Swag Bag
Shopping
Celebrity Guests

Tickets: $125.00 (General), $200.00 (VIP) – Tax-Deductible
Click Here to purchase limited tickets and event information

Signature Designs by LaNorma is a proud supporter of this event. 

Also Check out our Bold new Washer Rings!

Buzzworthy News

• On March 27, 2010  Signature Designs by LaNorma will be one of the featured jewelry designers at the Fashion event:  The Tux:  Past, Present, and Future  sponsored by Phyres Arts Entertainment.

•  March 23, 2010 - Signature Designs by LaNorma was featured as one of the Contemporary African American Designers from San Francisco to New York in CityFlight Magazine.  http://cityflight.com/?p=757#more-757.

• Signature Designs by LaNorma was a co-sponsor of the V-day Vagina Monologues presented on March 5th at the Theater J in Washington, DC.  Proceeds from this production benefited the Washington DC’s House of Ruth.    The House of Ruth serve women, children and families who are striving to overcome domestic violence, homelessness, mental health disorders and substance abuse.

• March 2, 2010   Signature Designs by LaNorma was featured in “TryHandmade Blog” http://tryhandmade.com/signatures-by-lanorma/

• February 26, 2010   Our Caribbean Crochet Necklace and Colorful Crochet Neckring were featured in “The Flashionista” Utility Report as Bold new accessories for Spring 2010.

• February 10, 2010   Signatures by LaNorma was featured in “The Jewelry report“. http://jewelryreport.com/news/jewelry-interview-signature-designs-lanorma

Designer Accomplishments

Signatures by LaNorma’s “Ocean Blues Choker” was selected as one of the 20 finalists in the “Professional category” for Perles and Co. “Ocean Treasures” contest. It is a European Jewelry Design contest sponsored by Swarovski Create Your Style with Crystallized Swarovski Elements. 

Ciao for now!

LaNorma

Jewelry Designer for Signatures by LaNorma

March 27, 2010

Fashion Event: The Tux: Past, Present, and Future.

Come celebrate the intriguing history of the tuxedo and its influence on fashion at “The Tux- Past, Present, and Future” at Adams Morgan’s District Lounge. This three part event will be begin with a meet and greet networking happy hour where guests, vendors, and artists can mingle and enjoy music, champagne, and appetizers. The next part of the evening will be a fashion show and dance performance centered on how “The Tux” has influenced fashion since its creation. And finally, the night will culminate with an after party with music, dancing, and a cash bar.

Tickets for this special evening are available online for $25 and grant you access to all three events. $125 VIP tickets are also available and include VIP lounge seating, a bottle of liquor, a bottle of champagne, a platter of finger food, table service and the ability to skip the line.

 March 21 – 27, 2010   

NOVA Fashion Week

For Fashion event schedule and ticket information, click here http://www.novafashionweek.com/schedule.html

MARCH Special!

http://signaturesbylanorma.com

             Handcrafted Jewelry for the Unique and Chic! 

            Spring and Easter will be here soon…..Why not treat yourself to one-of-a- kind piece of jewelry to compliment your wardrobe.    Receive $20 off your total purchase of $60.00 or more. To take advantage of this offer you must enter the following discount code at checkout:  MARCH   

 Offer expires March 31, 2010

Coakley Business Class LLC

  www.coakleybags.com

Exclusive Promotion:  Receive special discount of $100 off any   Coakely bag in the line with free shipping  using the PROMO Code: “LANORMA ” at checkout. 

Offer expires March 31st, 2010.

Holland Cox is an  independent handbag label based in the Washington, DC area., that specializes in beautiful  limited edition handmade classics, such handbags, clutches, Obi belts , and more.  I met the designer, Valerie Williams recently at the Crystal Couture event and fall in love with her collection. (www.hollandcox.com)  (photos courtesy of Holland Cox) Read our recent interview below:

Tell us about yourself and your business.

My name is Valerie Williams and I am the designer, owner and everything else behind my one-woman-shop, Holland Cox. Holland Cox is the home of  handcrafted fabric fashion accessories, including seven handbag styles and more than a dozen accessories. My collection of accessories is always growing, and I hope to add more for gentlemen in the coming year.

 What was your inspiration for starting your own business?

I love to sew, and craft, and make things. A few years ago, I was in a frustrating place with my job and my personal life, and I found myself relying more and more on sewing and crafting to keep my spirits up. I decided then that it would be amazing if I could just sew all the time, if it could be my JOB. I took some baby steps back then (2003), started my business officially in 2004, and have been working slowly on it ever since. I started doing Holland Cox full time in March 2009.

Your clutches and belts are beautiful, what is the inspiration behind your designs?

All of my designs come from items that I want for myself, but that I can’t find. The very first handbag I made for myself (the pre-cursor to the “classic” handbag in my current collection) was made because I really wanted a bag with a single strap, that wasn’t too long. I wanted it to sit right underneath my elbow, and be small enough to not overwhelm me, but big enough to carry everything I wanted.   It’s the same with all of my accessories…the obi belts, the headbands, the jewelry rolls…they are all things that I wanted for myself and decided to make exactly to my specifications, rather than hoping to find something mass-produced in a mall somewhere.

What one business tip would you provide to emerging designers, particularly in the retail accessory industry?

The most important thing when starting your own business is to be patient with yourself, and to give yourself permission to make mistakes. There is no way to know everything, and no way to get everything exactly right on the first try. Moreover, there is no NEED! Let yourself experiment, and go slow: it’s not a race.
 

You are a co-sponsor of one of Washington DC’s V-day events, Vagina Monologues, that benefits the House of Ruth (one of the nation’s leading domestic violence centers) Please tell us about the event and how we can help support the cause.

I feel very passionately about the work the V-Day Organization does, and what the House of Ruth does locally. I am really excited to be a part of the Vagina Monologues because I think it is an amazing experience, and conveys a really important message to women, girls, and the men that care about them.

The performance will be Friday, March 5 at Theater J in Dupont Circle.  Proceeds from the performance will benefit DC’s House of Ruth. I would love for everyone reading this to attend the performance or consider donating to the House of Ruth (you can do both here:
http://www.hollandcox.com/vday2010.html).  

If you are a local business owner, I would love to talk to you about co-sponsoring the event!  You can contact me by email: valerie@hollandcox.com

 

      Mardi Gras is in full swing in Mobile and New Orleans with the     sights and sounds of live marching bands, colorful floats, and anxious parade goers.  Elaborate masks and fabulous beads are just some of the accessories making up the festive Mardi Gras Fashion scene. 

 In celebration of the carnival season, Signature Designs by LaNorma has created the “Masks and Crowns” Mardi Gras Jewelry collection. The one of a kind collection features earrings, necklaces, and rings adorned with brass masks and crowns accented with Swarovski crystal flatbacks in the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold.  The Mask and Crowns collection is available under the “Mardi Gras Collection“ showcased at www.signaturesbylanorma.com .  (Model Photo  Credits:  Carla Ligon-Miller, CLMmakeup.com, Makeup & Hair Artist, Massoud Etemadi, Photographer, Jewelry: Signature Designs by LaNorma)   

Transitions Mobile Spa: Yolanda Jordan 

Yolanda Jordan is an Licensed Aesthetician/ Makeup artist serving the Washington DC Metropolitan area including DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland. Yolanda’s Mobile Spa offers the personal touch of beauty and skincare services in the comfort of your home or office.

Tell us about yourself and your business

I am licensed as an Aesthetician and Makeup Artist who operates on a mobile basis bring beauty to your doorstep. 

What is the inspiration for behind your business?

This is a passion that I have had since childhood. I used to have acne growing up and once I was old enough, used makeup to coverup the blemishes. My goal became taking care of my skin so that I didn’t have to wear makeup but I loved the artistry of makeup. I used to look through magazines, dreaming of being a model doing photo shoots.  I also pictured myself being one behind making the woman in picture look beautiful.  

As a Skincare/Makeup professional, what are the two most important things that all women should focus on with skincare?

The two most important things all women (and men) should focus on is 1) cleanse the face twice a day and 2) moisturize. Cleansing the face twice a day is important because you clean all the dirt and bacteria off your face especially at night because you remove all of the day’s pollutants, bacteria as well as makeup which can clog pores  and cause breakouts. You want to give your skin a chance to breathe. Moisturizing is important because it protects. Many people especially those with oily or combination skin skip this step because they think they don’t need it. Everyone needs to moisturize. You just need to choose the right one for your skin type.                                           

Why is it important to have a good skincare regiment?

A good skincare regiment is important because it minimizes breakouts and keeps you looking fresh. 

With Valentine’s Day and Mardi Gras Balls approaching, what makeup tips can you provide to create a glamorous evening look?

Choose foundations that aren’t too oily or too heavy for your skin type.  Make sure your brows are nicely groomed. It makes a huge difference when you apply eyeshadow. If applying more than one eyeshadow, blend, blend, blend.  Blending gives you a nice flawless look.   

What economical makeup brands can you recommend to create glamorous look on a budget?

Some very good brands are:  Black Opal, L’Oreal, Cover Girl and Revlon. They have a great selection and you get them at Target, CVS and Walmart nationwide.

Contact Information for scheduling or inquires:  

Transitions Mobile Spa  Phone: 202-374-2327  Email: skndeep07@yahoo.com

      In the month of February we celebrate African American history and the most loving day of the year, Valentine’s Day. As women, we have come to expect a gift from that special someone in our lives on this day. Red roses, lingerie, jewelry and chocolate are the most common gifts given. We love all these things but I want to educate you on the benefits of dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate.  Now that individuals are more concern with their health and well being, nutrition is a major way that we can control our own destiny. Dark chocolate can help you satisfy your need for sweets and help improve your health and mood.

      I’ll begin with a brief history of dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is made from cocoa, which is a flavonoid. Flavonoids are compounds found in foods that come from plants and they contain antioxidants that protect the cells and organs of the body from the aging process. For a product to be consider true dark chocolate it must be 65% cacao or more.  Most individuals do not like the pungent taste of dark chocolate, but once I tell you the benefits of consuming at least 1 oz., which is the size of a business card, daily it may change your tune. Dark chocolate will benefit you in the following ways: 

            1. Lowers blood pressure and bad cholesterol (LDL) levels

             2. Acts as a skin protectant from the sun (still apply sunscreen)

             3. Relieves symptoms of anxiety

             4. Contains the natural mood-boosting anti-depressant Serotonin

   5.  Upon consumption it stimulants pleasure-inducing endorphin production, which gives you the feeling of satisfaction and enjoyment

             6. Acts as a aphrodisiac for women

      Now that you know the benefits of dark chocolate you can eat without regret. Just remember to tell your special someone it’s a aphrodisiac and I bet you get a box for Valentine’s Day. WHO DAT! LOVE THOSE NOLA SAINTS!

 by Dr. Charmaine D. Huggins, PharmD

Source Articles: 5 Benefits of Dark Chocolate: Facts You Need to Know and The Truth about Chocolate and Your Skin