Make your Spring Cleaning FIERCE!

Ever since my first taste of independence in college, I have always been fascinated with styling my home.  Novelty items like vintage toasters and Warhol soup cans line my kitchen, and a mix of photography and pop art litter my walls.  No stranger to styling, Project Runway winner Christian Siriano shares my views on living fashionably.

Like fellow designers Isaac Mizrahi, Diane Von Furstenburg, and Cynthia Rowley, Siriano has brought his knack for design into the home.  His new line of O-Cel-O sponges has the ultimate appeal to neat freaks and fashionistas alike.  “The African, Indian and Asian influences of my 2011 Spring collection served as the inspiration for my sponge designs,” said Christian Siriano. "Both patterns are meant to captivate the consumer's eye through the simplicity of a sponge mixed with great style." ShelterPop recently interviewed the famed designer on his move toward household fashions, check out what he had to say:

ShelterPop: So tell us. Why sponges?

Christian Siriano: I'm really into home, and I love this moment of fashion in your kitchen. I figured, sponges could look a little bit cuter... and not so grimy. It's a different type of project -- more of a graphic design experiment for me. Something not so serious!

ShelterPop: How do you make housework fun?

Christian Siriano: Like I said, I'm a clean freak. I get really into it. All I need is good music. 

ShelterPop: Whats on your cleaning playlist? 

Christian Siriano: Ohmigod, it could be anything. Anything from Britney and Christina to old Toni Braxton. And my boyfriend loves Tori Amos so sometimes it can be a little intense. Oh! And we'll even have a bit of classical depending on what's going on.

Whether it's daily dishes or shower scrubbing, I can definitely get down with these fierce sponges!  Check out the O-Cel-O website to gets your gloves on some of your own :)

Kanye Causes Seizures?

In my quest for inducing Coachella flashbacks at work this week, artists like Chromeo, The Strokes and Kanye West have been in heavy rotation on my headphones.  Wanting to get a bit of visual action, I have also - in general - been searching more music videos (since MTV no longer airs MusicTeleVision...) and stumbled across one of my fave songs from the weekend, "All of the Lights".

This song already is a fave of mine because it reminds me of Vegas, festivals, basically all the great things in life.  Seeing it performed live among a sea of 80,000 made it even more special.  Not to be outdone, this video is really the cherry on top.  In addition to it being laden with heavy beats and bright lights, I found it very peculiar/comical/sketchy that the video is preluded with a Warning to people with Epilepsy that states:

WARNING

This video has been identified

by Epilepsy Action to potentially

trigger seizures for people with

Photosensitive Epilepsy.

Viewer discretion is advised.

I knew digesting Kanye could cause symptoms such as cockiness, nausea and swag-itis, but seizures?  Jesus!  Maybe its all that Rhianna cleavage stopping hearts - go girl!

Calling all Detectives! DKNY Easter Egg Hunt Yields $1000 Shopping Spree Prize!

Since my last article on the digital efforts of fashion brands, many designer labels and national retailers have been using social media and cutting edge coupon sites to create hot deals and generate buzz.  With spring in the air and the turn of the seasons prompting lots of sales, DKNY has come up with a festive way to increase their social media presence as well as encourage consumers to get a head start on their summer shopping.


The single day promotion will take place in both the company's New York and London stores, with two prizes each for $1000 shopping sprees.  "The company is tweeting clues to help followers find chocolate Easter eggs and other treats hidden throughout the store" states Mashable's article on the scavenger hunt promo.  DKNY has been posting clues on their Twitter account, prompting users to visit both stores and upload photos via twitter @dkny once they discover the candy coated goodies.  One clue, “I’m a kitten but I don’t purr,” led one shopper to a chocolate bunny rabbit resting on a pair of black kitten heels in DKNY’s London store.  


Although the promotion is only good today, don't be discouraged if you can't fly to New York or London by the seat of your pants.  Those who can’t participate on the ground are invited to guess where the eggs might be located based on the tweeted clues.  So get out your investigative skills my little detectives because you could be the lucky winner of a fat shopping spree today!

Goodbye Blue Box, Hello Pinc Box

For decades, the coveted little blue box from Tiffany & Co. has been a symbol of generosity and love.  Yes, sterling silver, 14k gold and diamonds are all lavish ways to say you care, but for those with more sensitive scenario's, high end jewelry isn't always a girls best friend.  Well Tiffany, step aside because there's a new box in town! 

Pinc Box was launched a few years back by two women based out of New York after learning that one of their friends was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  Although there are many beauty, household and fashion items on the market who donate a portion of proceeds to breast cancer programs or charities, what was missing was a gift that you could buy solely for the purpose of comforting and soothing the soul of someone diagnosed with cancer.  After taking account of the needs and limitations of a patient or survivor, Pinc Box was born!

The Pinc Box is a thoughtful, elegant gift set which includes custom made products to suit the needs of those affected by cancer.  I don't simply mean pink packaging and glitter and unicorns, I am talking about details typically overlooked.  For instance, instead of filling the Pinc Box with a shimmering pink rose scented lotion - what one would think would be a fitting gift - the founders of Pinc Box have created a custom fragrance free hand and body lotion to moisturize and sooth the skin without irritating it with busy dyes and scents.  Breast cancer patients that have gone through chemotherapy are extremely sensitive to smell, making it hard for those who have been through chemo to enjoy sweet, floral or oriental frangrances (citrus is one exception, hence the Citrus Scented Aromatherpy candle also included in the gift set).  This product, along with the rest that comprise the Pinc Box, are all made with lots of love and thoughtfulness, with only the recipient in mind.  The similarities shared by both the blue box and the pinc box are meant to reflect quality and luxury, and to provide a sense of love and consideration.  The difference between the two boxes is, the Pinc Box caters to the specific needs of a patient or survivor, unlike a majority of products that benefit the fight against breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a vicious disease that just so happens to run in my family, so a gift like this means a lot to me and my loved ones.  Being able to give a gift to someone in need of comfort and care is priceless.  And on top of all the benefits of what comes inside the box, 10% of proceeds of the Pinc Box go towards Breast cancer charity, so it is truly a win/win for both the maker and the recipient.

If you are looking for a unique gift like this for someone you love, skip Tiffany's old school silver ribbon necklace in a blue box and go for the one-of-a-kind, unforgettable gift of a Pinc Box!

Death Cab on the Moon

Tonight, for the first time in music video history, a band has performed their video live in one single shot.  At 7pm EST- only 6 hours ago -Death Cab for Cutie streamed their performance of and concept behind their new single "You Are A Tourist” as it was happening.  The song is the new single off of its seventh album Code and Keys, due out May 31 on Atlantic Records.


When asked about the production of this epic video, frontman Ben Gibbard said, "It'd be like trying ask a 5-year-old kid to explain their trip to Disneyland. It's sensory overload."  


All this exciting stuff comes right after the band announced their new tour, kicking off in Toronto on May 18th.  The Codes and Keys tour includes a few nights performing with Coachella headliner Bright Eyes for three dates in the Pacific Northwest.

Lego my Fergie

I don't usually watch the Kids Choice Awards, but if more celebrities had as much fun dressing up as Fergie, maybe I would consider it.  This week at the Nickelodeon red carpet awards ceremony, the front woman for the Black Eyed Peas rocked a skin-tight, candy-colored Dolce&Gabbana dress that looked so good you could eat it (same goes for the cotton candy pumps).  And not to be outdone by a Katy Perry outfit or a GaGa masterpiece, the Duchess followed up her red carpet look with a dress made COMPLETELY OUT OF LEGOS during the BEP performance!  Yes, all legos.  Although it sounds like a disaster, like her "evening gown", the color arrangements and patterns really worked well and carried the perfect playful prettiness fit for the Kids Choice Awards.  Fergalicious!