Alabama Gulf Coast Convention Joins Food Sport

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Alabama Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau, known across the country as Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism (www.orangebeach.com), has signed as the 2016 title sponsor of the World Food Championships (www.WorldFoodChampionships.com), making Orange Beach, Alabama the Official Host Site of this year’s ultimate food fight.

The arrangement ensures the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach area capitalizes on the energy, excitement and economic impact of an anticipated 1,200 chefs, home cooks and competition teams who will compete for World Food Championships’ $350,000 prize purse and its industry-leading $100,000 grand prize.

The event, which last year attracted competitors from 45 states and 17 countries, will take place Nov. 9-15 at The Wharf (www.alwharf.com), a resort destination with a full-service marina, retail, dining and entertainment options anchored by a multi-use event center and a 10,000-seat amphitheater.

“Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism and our Sports Commission are excited to step into the arena of competitive food sport with the World Food Championships coming to our beach destination,” says Vice President of Sales Beth Gendler. “Sports has truly diversified our destination, and this event helps us diversify even further.

“One of the focuses of the sports commission is to build shoulder season business, and the World Food Championships will be a very impactful event in both room nights and number of people visiting our community during the fall shoulder season,” Gendler said. “It is our pleasure to welcome these national and international food competitors to the Alabama Gulf Coast this November.”

All told, World Food Championships is expected to bring an estimated $2 million in direct local spending as it draws thousands of foodies and Food Sport enthusiasts to the Alabama Gulf coast, elevating hotel and vacation rental bookings, restaurant spending and other community revenue metrics that come with such signature events.

The deal also connects Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism with World Food Championships’ universe of marketing assets, including national media exposure which eclipsed 794 million impressions last year, as reported by independent media monitoring service BurrellesLuce.

The World Food Championships has experienced rapid growth since its creation in 2012 as the richest and largest Food Sport competition in the world. From a 30% annualized growth in competitors, to its second TV series scheduled to air summer 2016 on Destination America, the WFC has evolved into a year-long quest for thousands of competitors and foodies, as well as a marketing platform for innovative companies.

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism welcomes more than 5.7 million individuals to the Alabama Gulf Coast each year for family reunions, vacations, meetings and sporting events. Marked by its sugar-white sand beaches, deep-sea fishing and countless family attractions, the Orange Beach and Gulf Shores area is one of the world’s leading beach destinations, annually attracting more than 5 million visitors. Centrally located along the Gulf Coast, and a short drive from airports in Pensacola, Fla. and Mobile, Ala., Orange Beach’s lodging properties are ideal for beach-side access or inland retreats that are both convenient and affordable. A spectrum of local dining, upscale shopping, fishing, golf, nature and adventure-based excursions also contribute to a spectacular vacation, holiday or leisure experience.

The bulk of these Orange Beach-based food fights will occur in Kenmore Kitchen Arena, the largest outdoor kitchen in the world, measuring a full city block at 7,800-square feet. The competition space features $250,000 worth of Kenmore branded stoves, cooktops, countertops and cookware – enough for 50 chefs to cook simultaneously. An additional $100,000 worth of professional grills from Bull Outdoor Products affords open-flame grilling.

To learn more about the WFC and its qualifying events, tournament-style process or consumer experiences, visit www.worldfoodchampionships.com.

To learn more about Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, visit www.orangebeach.com

To learn more about The Wharf, visit www.alwharf.com.

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About the World Food Championships:
The World Food Championships (www.WorldFoodChampionships.com) features hundreds of competitors seeking food fame and fortune. The fifth annual event, scheduled for Nov. 9-15, 2016 at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama, invites the champions from the biggest and best food competitions around the world into a single highstakes culinary showdown for hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and prizes. Follow World Food Championships on Twitter (@WorldFoodChamp), and Facebook and Instagram (@WorldFoodChampionships).

About Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism:
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism serves as the official destination marketing organization for the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in addition to the unincorporated area of Fort Morgan. To learn more about the whole different state of discovery on Alabama’s 32 miles of white-sand beaches, visit either www.GulfShores.com or www.OrangeBeach.com. This convention and visitors bureau is an accredited Destination Marketing Organization (2012-2016). Follow Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism on Twitter (@AlabamaBeaches), Instagram (@GulfShoresOrangeBeach) and Facebook (@AlabamaGulfCoast).

Glow Bio Cleanse – Healthier Lifestyle

Introduce yourself to fruits and veggies you never knew existed with the bountiful menu at Glow Bio! From Acai to Goji and everything in between, Glow Bio offers a lineup of beauty food rich smoothies and juices that will keep you satisfied AND taste good – all carefully curated by nutritionist and New York Times bestselling author, Kimberly Snyder!

For an added bonus, many of your favorite smoothies are found in a number of the Glow Bio Cleanses. These help rebuild your digestive system and help you achieve sustainable results by getting on track to a healthier lifestyle! With three options to select, durations ranging from 1 to 5 days, each cleanse consists of four unique components:

1) The world famous and fiber-filled Glowing Green Smoothie to start and end your day with.

2) Cold-Pressed Juices enhanced with probiotics to aid digestion.

3) Powerful benefit-driven boosters.

4) A specific order of consumption to maximize the nutritional benefits and get your body back to harmony.

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All of which help to achieve renewed energy, a more svelte and toned physique and glowing, radiant skin!

Spring Break Beauty Survival Kit

Spring Break plans right around the corner? Pack up your bags and get ready to head out with the ultimate beauty survival kit! We’ve got you covered from head to toe (and everything in between) with the warm weather essentials you need for skin that’s soft, smooth and glowing all vacation long.

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1) KORRES Yoghurt Nourishing Fluid Veil Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30: Have fun in the sun with this ultra-sheer yet nourishing fluid that provides daily broad-spectrum UV coverage while wearing beautifully under makeup. This ultra-lightweight fluid instantly disappears into skin providing broad-spectrum UV protection and deep nourishment. Yogurt, rich in skin-repairing proteins, helps keep skin nourished and protected from the sun’s harmful rays while a blend of rice and camapu extract offers deep hydration and calming properties to soothe skin during sun exposure. Provitamin B5 helps reduce inflammation and supports natural cell regeneration while jojoba oil seals in moisture—leaving skin soft and smooth. ($35; Sephora.com)

2) Lavanila Laboratories The Healthy Roller-Ball Fragrance Collection: Travel Friendly. Purse Friendly. Skin Friendly. This is the perfect for fragrance on the go. Their collection of all-natural fragrances is luxurious and addictive. Each fragrance starts with a warm base of Madagascar vanilla and layers on a unique blend of pure essential oils for an exquisite expression of nature that capture a mood, a memory or a moment in time. Hailed as the World’s First Healthy Fragrance, organic sugar cane alcohol is infused with skin saving antioxidants for a modern twist on the classic art of perfumery. ($19; Lavanila.com)

3) PediSpa by Look Beauty Gentle Exfoliating Foot Mask: Show off sandal ready feet thanks to this non-traditional masque that contains a foot exfoliate plus treatment filled in a pair of wearable socks. Key ingredients like chamomile and natural botanical fruit extracts help control callus build-up for visibly smooth feet within two weeks. ($9.99 for one complete pair; Exclusively at Target Stores in the Foot Care Aisle and Target.com)

4) Bioré Baking Soda Pore Cleanser: Wash you face day and night for a complexion that glows all vacation long with this daily liquid cleanser that gives you a deep exfoliating clean without being rough on dry spots. Ideal for combination skin, this oil-free formula contains cleansing ingredients that excavate grime and oil from pores. At the same time, the formula gently smooths away dead cells. You end up with skin that’s fresh, silky-soft and luminous. ($7.99; Drug and mass merchants)

5) Ban Roll-On Deodorant: Don’t worry about embarrassing sweat while you’re in the sun! Traditional antiperspirant/deodorants merely mask odors and reduce odor-causing sweat in general, while Ban’s breakthrough technology specifically targets and virtually eliminates odor that other antiperspirant/deodorants may leave behind. Ban Roll-On Deodorant glides on easily with a formula that provides an outstanding 24 hours of invisible protection against odor wetness. ($4.99, Drug and Mass Retailers)

6) Curél Itch Defense Instant Soothing Moisturizing Spray: Instantly relieve dry, irritated skin with this non-medicated, moisturizing spray with cooling hydration. Uniquely soothing, this formula delivers a mix of light yet potent hydrators — including a proprietary ceramide complex, allantoin and panthenol — to ease parched, itchy skin right where you need it. The Proprietary Cooling Complex feels soothing like a cold compress, lending you instant relief. ($8.99; Drug and mass merchants)

Inspired Luxe – Handcrafted Chic Pieces

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This season, the handcrafted pieces from InspiredLuxe.com, an e-commerce site that houses sustainable and one-of-a-kind jewelry from artisans throughout the globe, brings you a collection of statement pieces that will be the perfect touch for an effortlessly chic summer look.

Utilizing exotic stones, beads, rocks, leather, metals, along with other materials (many repurposed)— the collections offer a unique twist on the modern bohemian trend. By adding these eccentric pieces to anyone’s wardrobe, it will be easy to create a sense of relaxed luxury.

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H&M Expands in Maryland – Francis Scott Key Mall

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H & M, Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M), one of the world’s largest fashion retailers famous for offering fashion-forward apparel at affordable prices in a sustainable way, is thrilled to announce a new location in Frederick, Maryland. Measuring approximately 20,000 square feet, the new location at Francis Scott Key Mall is set to open in the fall of 2016. H&M is especially excited to expand its reach in Maryland, a growing market for the retailer, and add to the ten locations currently open in the state.

The new H&M location will offer Frederick residents a one-stop shopping destination for quality clothing for the whole family, with collections for ladies and men, as well as separate “store within a store” sections for accessories, maternity and its plus sized line, H&M+. The Francis Scott Key Mall location will also carry H&M’s children’s collection for newborns to fourteen year olds. The breadth and variety of H&M collections make it easier for any consumer to find fashionable products, no matter their personal style. With an emphasis on design, quality, and sustainability, H&M offers inspiring, high fashion at an unbeatable value.

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H&M prides itself on its support of local economies by adding jobs with each new location. As a continuously expanding brand, H&M constantly searches for new talent to grow within the company. With the opening of the Francis Scott Key Mall location, H&M is proud to add to the current, ever-expanding total of approximately 16,000 U.S. employees. The brand continues to grow in both new and existing markets while remaining focused on quality, high profitability, and sustainability. In 2015, H&M was ranked number 21 on Interbrand’s list of 100 Best Global Brands and was selected by Great Place to Work as a top 25 Best Multinational Workplace. For available job opportunities, please visit career.hm.com.

Sustainability is an integral part of H&M. The brand is growing and making significant long-term investments for sustainable development. In 2013, H&M launched Garment Collecting, an in-store clothing recycling project and was the first global fashion company to implement such a program. Since 2013, approximately 53.6 million lbs. of garments have been collected globally. H&M was also selected in 2015 as a U.S. EPA Green Power Leadership Award winner. The company has committed to sourcing renewable energy wherever possible in order to reduce indirect emissions stemming from the company’s purchased electricity use.

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Since H&M opened the doors to its first U.S. store on New York’s Fifth Avenue fifteen years ago, the U.S. has been one of the retailer’s most successful markets. H&M is proud to offer U.S. consumers quality fashion at competitive prices at its four hundred and sixteen locations across the country, and looks forward to continued expansion at the best properties worldwide.

Sally Hansen at Stella McCartney – Paris Fashion Week

SALLY HANSEN PERFECTING THE NATURAL NAIL AT STELLA MCCARTNEY’S
WINTER 2016 FASHION SHOW

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Sally Hansen, the exclusive nail sponsor of Stella McCartney Collections in 2016, added the finishing touch to the Stella McCartney Winter 2016 Fashion show with a flawless and always on trend nude nail look. S Adding to the elegant and polished silhouettes, Sally Hansen’s Global Color Ambassador Madeline Poole elevated the natural nail look by using a warm beige tinted shade giving nails a deeper nude undertone perfect for the runway.

Madeline Poole used two coats of Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in “Au Nature-al”, a fresh clean shade that reveals unexpected added coverage while still maintaining the neutral aesthetic. The warm shade matches precisely with skin tone and delivers the perfect amount of color for a flawless finish.

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“This season we wanted to celebrate the signature Stella look. Luxurious and effortless, sensual with a sense of humour and a tomboy side” – says Stella McCartney
“This year at Stella McCartney we are using a very classic shade. “Au Nature-al” is an amazing shade from Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in a sheer mid tone beige. With built in base and top coat the models are getting a quick and thorough high shine manicure that’s perfect for every day, every scenario, and every outfit change”– says Madeline Poole, Sally Hansen Global Color Ambassador

THE SHADE

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Au Nature-al

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Sally Hansen’s award-winning Complete Salon Manicure collection infuses trend-setting shades with an expert quality formula to deliver salon-caliber results. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure delivers seven salon manicure steps in one bottle. Chip resistant strength joins gel-quality shine. Must-have color meets nourishing benefits. Plus, a built-in base and top coat, it’s everything you need to achieve a professional manicure at home.

THE STELLA MCCARTNEY WINTER 2016 COLLECTION

Winter 2016

Celebrating signature Stella. Luxurious and effortless. Sensual with a sense of humour and a tomboy side.Urban puffa jackets in imposing dimensions with feather free wadding. Mock turtlenecks and fluid knits with ruffle detailing in shades of bright pink, scarlet, caramel, and black. Cropped ‘Skin Free Skin’ bomber jackets and quilted black shorts.Denim adopts a sporty mood in a bold tie-dye finish and elasticated cords looping through dresses.

A swan print motif glides effortlessly on loose jacquard pieces and silk garments. Contrast fringing on pyjama legs, shorts and shirts introduces a fuzzy and playful feeling.Softly structured silhouettes in speckled grey and black tweeds play on volume with high waisted trousers and tops buttoning at the cuff. Nipped waists and handcrafted detailing create a sense of form and fabrication with an elegantly unpolished and light-hearted attitude. Raw edges and visible topstitching toughen up outerwear. Felted and fluid flecked knitwear wraps around the body.Tailoring plays with suspended sheer tulle with velvet tuxedo jackets seemingly floating off the shoulders.Delicate lace cocktail dresses are fully foiled with sunken Swiss lace collars and kilt-like pleating. A sense of romance is heightened in plush tones of rose, forest green, teal, pastel yellow and peach combined with silver, gold and copper metallics. Shoes are minimal with a sporty sensibility in velvet, denim and eco alter nappa finishes. Pointed-toe styles, mules and pumps have a triangular wedge, while sustainably made flats have zip detailing on the front. Bags are hand-held with a cartridge pleated carry-all and smooth rounded metal handle and furry balls or with a marble finish and gold edging. Enamel jewellery in crescent, cylindrical and artistic shapes that hang from ears and necks on curves of precious metals.

THE MANICURIST
Sally Hansen Global Color Ambassador Madeline Poole is a nail expert working in New York and LA. Trained as a painter, Madeline worked odd jobs like vintage poster restoration as an art student in Baltimore. Her unique talent in crafting innovative designs, emphasis on skin care and attention to the hand as a whole makes her one of the most sought after names in the beauty industry. As part of the collaboration with Sally Hansen, Madeline helps setting the artistic direction for a new generation of modern nail looks and collections with her fashion-forward vision on a worldwide basis.

HARBOR EAST #FAREWELLWINTER SIDEWALK SALE

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WHAT: Bid adieu to winter with amazing savings from Harbor East shops! Join us for the #FarewellWinter Sidewalk Sale and take advantage of fabulous sales, specials and events at neighborhood retailers as they say hello to spring. Also enjoy music, complimentary mini Diablo Doughnuts & hot cider, fun giveaways and a street-side photo booth.

WHEN: Sunday, March 20th, 12-4PM

WHERE: Harbor East Retailers. Sweets, giveaways and photo booth will be located outside of Arhaus Furniture on Aliceanna Street.

DETAILS: Enjoy sales, specials & events at the following Harbor East shops:

  •   Amaryllis – Featuring an extra 10% off all 50% off items. Additional select appareland accessories are 25-60% off. Plus receive a bonus 20% off coupon with anypurchase (redeemable March 28-April 11, 2016).
  •   Anthropologie – Enjoy complimentary drinks & treats while you shop.
  •   Blanca Flor Silver Jewelry – 10% off everything in the store, with select cases up to50% off. Enjoy complimentary light refreshments.
  •   Brooks Brothers – Featuring $25 off your purchase of $100 or more.
  •   Curiosity – Offering an extra 30% off all sale items.
  •   Handbags in the City – The “March Madness Sale” continues with 50% offmarkdowns and 20% off regular priced items.
  •   lululemon athletica – Featuring special markdowns on both men’s and women’smerchandise plus preview hot new spring products.
  •   Lush Cosmetics – Enjoy on-site demos from the Lush staff as well as limited editionin-store products available for one day only at Harbor East.
  •   Madewell – All sale items are an additional 30% off.
  •   Sassanova – All winter merchandise is on sale up to 90% off. Plus select springstyles priced at 25% off.
  •   South Moon Under – Featuring an additional 30% off sale merchandise.
  •   White House/Black Market – All sale merchandise is an additional 10% off.

    For more information visit: http://www.harboreast.com/events/winter-sidewalk-sale-2016/

    About Harbor East
    Harbor East is home to some of Baltimore’s best shopping, dining, entertainment, hotels and residences. Among its many eclectic attractions are fine dining restaurants, vibrant and unique shops, a world-class fitness center, seven-screen art house theatre, and the luxury Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore. Harbor East is also an inspiring place for business, providing a contemporary setting for world-class offices. Welcome to Harbor East – 12 square blocks of restaurants, boutiques, hotels, and harbor-side amazing www.harboreast.com

HE Sidewalk Sale 3-20-16

Transitional Sweaters – Dryel Home Care Tips

When it comes to fashion, the laundry does not stop!  One discovers (very quickly) the proper care and treatment of garments is vitally important.  Each article of clothing has its own label that includes the fabric percentage, content and suggested laundry needs.

I have a few sweaters that I’ve started wearing to help with the transition of seasons.  In this region, the weather fluctuates; one day it’s cold enough to wear a cashmere tunic and the next day I’m searching for an open-front cardigan.

Dryel is such an important product (for your wardrobe) because it’s easy to use, inexpensive, and less damaging to your clothing.  The product contains 6 cloths and for hard to clean stains, the company provides a booster spray.

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From my personal experience, the kit was simple and resulted in my sweaters smelling great.  I opened the Dryel ultra cleaning cloth and placed inside of the bag (with my sweaters.)  After tumbling in the dryer for 30 minutes, I removed the sweaters and put them on a satin hanger.   This was an easy laundry process for a lady on the go!

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Check back with the site (over the next few months) and I will share additional tips from Dryel At-Home Cleaner. 

 

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LALA ANTHONY, NATURI NAUGHTON, AND LELA LOREN – THE BEAUTY OF POWER EVENT

LALA ANTHONY, NATURI NAUGHTON, AND LELA LOREN LOOK STUNNING AT THE “BEAUTY OF POWER” EVENT
PRESENTED BY STARZ AT THE CROSBY HOTEL

On Friday, the cast of STARZ’s #1 show “Power” came together to discuss everything beauty related

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LaLa Anthony

Dress: Rachel Zoe
Shoes: Christina Louboutin

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Naturi Naughton

Dress: Tiger of Sweden
Shoes: Tamar Collection

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Lela Loren

Dress: Tory Burch

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From L to R: Naturi Naughton, Lela Loren, LaLa Anthony

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From L to R: LaLa Anthony, Naturi Naughton, Omari Hardwick, Lela Loren