BEAUTIFUL SPOT

Julia Lintern is an accomplished structual aerospace engineering, holds a fashion degree from FIT, and is sister to a dear illustrator friend of mine, Tom. I was thrilled to find out that there is another inexhaustably creative Lintern in the family...because as it turns out, in her down time Julia is a visionary fashion designer who just launched her second label. It is my pleasure to Introduce 'Lia Lintern' to the readers of Beautiful Spot...but be warned, this new line includes some of the most heart-stopping coats you’ve ever seen.

Simply put, these coats are works of art; her designs are the embodiment of fine craftsmanship. They are deliciously detailed and as feminine as a rose petal.

Putting the fact that I am an ardent coat enthusiast aside, I'm pretty sure I want them all... and perhaps Santa will deliver one for me this holiday (hint hint, ya'll).

Julia's brother Tom Lintern and I studied Visual Communication Design together at Kent State. Tom is an illustrious illustrator and he’s also the designer whom fashioned Lia Lintern’s soft and elegant website Lia Lintern.com. His most recent illustrations can be seen in the Children's book "The Tooth Fairy Meets El Raton Perez" ...a Random House Publication, written by Rene Colato Lainez.

But perhaps you're familiar with his work already...

*Lia Lintern Fashion photography was done by the talented (& equally handsome and accomplished) Daniel D'Ottavio; Another mouth-watering portfolio!

I've been thinking about buying a new car but, placing my political persuasion aside, Dave Ramsey has come up with a really GREAT NEW WAY to approach this huge investment, eliminating car payments and retiring rich.

This proves to be a much better idea. It’s WELL worth your 5 minutes to check it out.

Richard St. John of the St. John Group on continued success...

8 To Be Great

"[An award for] everyone who strives for justice and dignity."

I'm so proud of the fact that my president just won the Nobel Peace Prize!

My friend, photographer Mary Beth Kratsis of MBK Photography, is in my humble opinion, one of the best portrait and headshot photographers in the city. She captures the essence of a person with simplicity. To me, when I watch her shoot it's as though she's completely connected to the present moment, to her subject and to their common goal. It is With this synchronization of energy that Mary Beth delivers, and delivers, and delivers yet again.

This summer, MBK asked me to join her in photographing the beautiful Jenna. We had such a fun time on this shoot; the time escaped us in the midst of all the beauty and the laughter. I also experienced a "first" as a makeup artist/stylist. I had to roll up my sleeves and clean the Oakland grime off the bottom of the lovely Jenna's feet. We couldn't control the outbursts of laughter - It was hilarious...even in retrospect. What I'll do in the name of beauty... Here is some of Mary Beth's work and some behind the scene candid shots from our shoot that summer day.

Miss Mary Margaret and I first met only 8 hours after our inaugural move onto Kent State's campus our freshman year. From that moment on my life shined a little brighter. Maggie and I have been roommates, party buddies, support systems and therapists for one another... she is the best of friends.

It goes without saying that I was thrilled to play a role in her September wedding. Maggie met Rich five years ago, and in him she’s found her life’s best friend and true love, and Rich has found his life’s gem in her. As individuals, these two people are sensational…but when they are together it's double the pleasure, double the fun! They effortlessly compliment one another.

Mag and Rich chose a marvelous backdrop to celebrate their union and begin their lives together as husband and wife. They married just due north of San Diego atop a mountain ranch house in Pala, CA., It was an awe-inspiring occasion. Maggie is a natural beauty, and without even trying, she always looks like she is lit from within. As a makeup artist, I was so excited to beautify Mags… but as a best friend, I wanted her to have every indulgence! I don't think I gave her the chance to do her own makeup the entire weekend.

To play up her radiant complexion on her wedding day, I used Temptu S/B airbrush makeup, but I applied it with a small synthetic fan brush and Alcone non-latex sponges. I set her foundation with Bare Minerals ‘Mineral Veil’ for a natural dewy finish. For her eyes I used a Chanel Quadra Eye Shadow 'Smokey Eyes' Palette, Sephora Brand waterproof eyeliner in black—so soft and easy to blend. Of course, I added a few flares to the outer lash line for drama and topped it off with black waterproof mascara. I blushed Maggie's cheek with Stila's 'Lilium' cream and set it with Nars 'Orgasm' blush. For a neutral lip I used a Ben Nye ‘Carmel’ pencil and brushed a sheer pink gloss over top for pop.

Viola’, this magnetic, angelic and sexy California bride glowed all night long while gracing her guests with her magnetism and love. Of course it doesn't hurt to have so much beauty radiating from within, as Mrs. Maggie DeAnda always does.

~Maggie, though our friendship is bicoastal, you are always in my heart. I can't imagine my life with out the love and laughter that we have shared with one another the past 13 years.

Congratulations, Maggie and Richie. Here’s to a lifetime of love and happiness!!! My heart is afloat for you every day, forever and always.

By the looks of this beautifully cut trailer, 'New Moon' Director Chris Weitz and Cinematographer Javier Aquirresarobe appear to have hit a visually staggering home run in their adaptation of Stephanie Meyer's sequel to 'Twilight' (Screenplay by Melissa Rosenberg). 

The lighting and makeup for Bella Swan's character is breathtaking. Her flushed lips and brown eyes are magnetic, crisp and clean throughout most of this sequence; a modern day Snow White. Robin Mathews, Kristin Stewerts personal makeup artist, did a fantastic job. And Edward Cullin's character is, well... just succulent. In all I see a much higher quality in production in comparison to 'Twilight' here. Perhaps it has a little something to do with a much larger budget along with new and improved production choices. Just a hunch. 

...but I've learned you can't judge a book by its cover. Time will tell. 'New Moon' rises in theaters 11.20.09

And the whole world has to answer right now, just to tell you once again, who's bad...

R.I.P. M.J.

In 2006, the summer before I went to study and live in New York City, I was first exposed to yoga asanas in a classroom setting - Baron Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga to be exact. I had only rolled my mat out in front of a TV prior to this, but as a novice practitioner (or expert for that matter) the instruction of a physical, palpable teacher is invaluable. So, three years have came and went. In that time I became certified to teach Baptist Power Yoga... & also launched a makeup career. For a while, my yoga mat was collecting dust, but any time my stress levels were on high I ran to class, unrolled my mat and found my center there. The gift of yoga has been vast in my life.

Having explored other forms of yoga including Bikram, Iyengar and an Ashtanga influenced practice, I'm diving into a full throttle Ashtanga workshop this weekend. Doing a little research on the primary series lead me to this video on YouTube. These yogis float through the series like angels; they're phenomenons. I hope to attain these beautiful postures in my lifetime. Please take a minute to enjoy the jaw-dropping fluidity of this Ashtanga Yoga Demo.