Category Archives: Fun

Fashion Camp LV

24 Monday Jun 2013

Posted by in Fun

≈ 2 Comments

Love my daughter. Love how her little mind is constantly working and looking for new and challenging ways to be creative. I do not ever want to impede her from her brilliance, yet, the mess and clean up is a bit much for me to take at times. Admittedly, I have to work at being more laid back about these things. Over the years, I have allowed her to make her own fashion choices, choosing my arguments wisely. I overlook the puddles of glue, the shreds of fabric and the remastering of a tote or backpack. I have even played DJ for the many fashions shows my son and I have been willing audience participants. However, once summer has set in and boredom has become full blown, I can only handle so much. After researching an article for the Desert Companion (One Campy Summer) about Las Vegas summer camps, I came across this fascinating opportunity for my daughter- Fashion Camp LV.

fashioncamplv

Fashion Camp The Original is our most popular camp.  Fashion Camp “The Original” focuses on the process of fashion design – from sketching to draping, designing and creating. The students will learn to hand sew, sketch fashion croquis, create accessories and participate in several design challenges, plus complete a project on the sewing machine. Our camp week wraps up with our big Fashion Show for parents and guests. There is no experience necessary for the camp, as we will teach the students all that they need to know!  
stella_style_collage
No experience necessary, all materials included, and all instructors have experience in the fashion industry. This sounded like a summer camp too good to be true for my little fashionista. I contacted Erin Bianchi, founder of both FashionCamp OC and FashionCamp LV, for more detailed information. Here is what Erin shared with me about the Summer Camps:
In our “Fashion Camp – The Original”, our most popular camp, we take kids through the design process.  We start with Inspiration Boards, to Sketching and Draping on 1/2 scale dress forms.  From there, we teach them to hand sew, sew on buttons, and basic stitching techniques.  We also give the participants the opportunity to sew a project on a sewing machines.  All along the way, participants are applying these skills through projects – in this particular camp, kids will go home with an Inspiration Board, Fashion Croquis/Sketches, an embellished totebag, a bracelet, a re-designed t-shirt, a belt and a hair accessory.

fashion camp las vegas

Erin, herself, is a 15-year veteran of the Fashion Industry with experience from Fashion PR Agencies, to Clothing Manufacturers to Retailers, and shared with me her impressive resume:

Erin began her career dressing and styling fashion shows.  She then worked at LA’s StylePR before heading to San Francisco to head up marketing for Karen Neuburger Ltd. – a $60 million sleepwear company, made famous by its multiple Oprah Winfrey Show appearances.  Her PR efforts led to appearances by the designer/company namesake on The View and Good Morning America as well as product appearances on TV and Film.  In 2002, Erin joined Bloomingdale’s as Public Relations Manager.  In her 9-year tenure there,  she executed 200+ events per year, including charity functions, fashion shows and designer personal appearances.  Today Erin is a partner in A+B Group, a PR & Event Planning Firm specializing in Fashion, Retail & Lifestyle.  Additionally, Erin teaches two courses in Fashion at Orange Coast College, and has developed Lady Mardo’s Fashion Trivia, an iPhone application which sold over 1,000 copies in it’s first year.

I just found it so remarkable that something like this was within the city limits of Las Vegas. A very cool, unique opportunity for those with a panache for style and a flair for fashion. Erin has offered Stella the chance to partake in a week of Summer Camp at Fashion Camp Las Vegas in exchange for a review on the classes. I am looking forward to sharing mine and Stella’s thoughts on the experience!

Learn more about FashionCampLV on their website or follow FashionCampLV on Facebook.
FTC DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT RockStarMom Las Vegas aims to provide unbiased editorials. However, I wish to disclose that from time to time I may receive free products or other compensation from companies for blogger reviews.

Cascade Platinum

16 Sunday Jun 2013

Posted by in Archive It, Fun

≈ 1 Comment

This is an advertorial/sponsored post: “I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Cascade. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.” 

How many times have you heard someone say, “Scrub those dishes before putting them in the dishwasher! Do you think there is a little man inside who gets them clean?”.  I never really understood why it was necessary to wash the dishes before you wash the dishes. Isn’t that the point of owning and using a dishwasher?

Fast forward to a being a newlywed with my first house and wifey duties. For the first time, I am making the buying decisions on household items. Of course, as I am wandering through the dish washing detergent aisle, I automatically reach for Cascade. It is the only product I have ever seen my mother and grandmother use their own dishwashers, and therefore, it is the brand I purchase on my own.

A few more years down the road, and a new and improved Cascade product, Cascade Complete is introduced on the market. It promises to clan dishes without washing them first. My ears perk up and I head out immediately to Target to buy Cascade Compete, with the full intention of proving my husband wrong. There is a little man inside the dishwasher that gets those caked on, greasy dishes spotless. His name is Cascade Complete! And, let me tell you how good it felt to say that! For once in my life, I didn’t have to wash the dishes before washing the dishes.

#MyPlatinum Cascade Platinum

Now, with my little entourage of 4, I barely have time to load the dishwasher anymore, let alone worry about if they are all rinsed and stacked properly inside. Now my biggest task is trying to get rid of those nasty hard water spots the Las Vegas water supply creates on my glasses, and the nasty residue it leaves on the inside of my dishwasher. Before, when I was using Cascade Complete, I would complement its use with another product meant specifically for that purpose. However, newly introduced Cascade Platinum takes care of all my concerns in one small pouch. I just toss it in the dishwasher soap dispenser. Voila! Easy Peasy and no icky dishes.

#MyPlatinum Cascade Platinum

This is great news because as you know, I like to take lots of pictures of food and share them with you all. Imagine how grossed out you would be if my wine glasses were streaky and my plating dish filmy. I wouldn’t even eat or drink out of either of those, let alone, share them in a photo. Ew. With that in mind, Top Chef judge  and Food +Wine editor, Gail Simmons, has partnered with Cascade to discuss why presentation is just as important as preparation. The Cascade “My Platinum” contest is a four week Instagram contest encouraging fans to upload photos related to the weekly contest themes. Show off how sparkly Cascade makes all your pots, pan and plates! This week’s theme (6/17-6/23) is My Platinum Clink: Show off how you serve up creative concoctions in sparkly glasses! Cheers! 

#MyPlatinum Cascade Platinum

Visit the contest landing page (http://tinyurl.com/PlatBlog) for information on how to enter and submit images: Each week, two contestants will be selected to receive a brand new Whirlpool dishwasher. Additionally, one lucky grand prize winner will receive a Platinum kitchen! Be sure to use #MyPlatinum and tag @MyPlatinum when you post an image on Instagram. Awesome, right? I know how much you all love to show off your Happy Hour cocktail, so take advantage of this opportunity!

Learn more about Cascade Platinum on their Facebook page.

FTC DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT RockStarMom Las Vegas aims to provide unbiased editorials. However, I wish to disclose that from time to time I may receive free products or other compensation from companies for blogger reviews.

 

Las Vegas Sunset at PRESS Four Seasons Las Vegas

05 Wednesday Jun 2013

Posted by in Fun

≈ 1 Comment

One of the greatest things about being a local in Las Vegas is knowing about the hidden gems both on and off the Strip. Four Seasons Las Vegas is one of those spots for me. Hidden away behind the massiveness of the Mandalay Bay is a luxurious escape from the common scenes in Vegas. Always one of my favorite hotels, the Four Seasons Las Vegas has been undergoing a series of renovations starting with the hotel suites and Verandah restaurant, and rounding it off with the newly opened PRESS. They are still not finished as more beautification is set to take place over the next year.

For me, the best time of year in Las Vegas is summer, especially once the heat from the day simmers down and the sun begins to float behind the mountains and radiate those glorious colors only a desert sunset can create. The temperature is perfect for lounging outdoors with great music, great friends and a great cocktail. The new PRESS at Four Seasons Las Vegas provides all of that, and a bit more.

PRESS offers a chic outdoor ambiance overlooking the Four Season’s private pool. Once the sun goes down, misters remain cooling the trellised area lit by simply strung garden lights, while the two fire pits and plenty of comfortable couch seating add to the spirited environment. It’s a perfect place to gather with friends, an intimate quiet night with your date or lovely happy hour with the little entourage. PRESS provides a seasonal menu offering 20 American cuisine inspired small plates. Another attribute definitely worth mentioning is the cocktail program, also currated by PRESS Manager, Sanjiv Gupta.

Take, for example, the 100-Mile Cocktail, which is a company wide competition for the tastiest concoction and best use of local ingredients within 100 miles of said Four Season property. On the list this year for PRESS Four Seasons is the Las Vegas Sunset. Perfectly blended, the final product emmulates one of those amazing Las Vegas Sunsets, whose colors are so rich, they should be named in a Crayola Crayon box. This season’s cocktail includes local ingredients within 100-miles of the Las Vegas area including: Rumsky from Las Vegas Distillery, Southern Nevada’s premiere artisan manufacturer. Fresh, seasonal ingredients such as the clementines, lemons, rhubarb and rosemary are purchased at local farmer’s markets while the honey is also locally produced.

Are your creative juices flowing? Here is the recipe for Las Vegas Sunset, sweet and sassy with a bit of a kick, to try out at home:

Las Vegas Sunset: Available at PRESS

Las Vegas Sunset PRESS FSLV

Ingredients:

  • 2 ounces (60 ml) Las Vegas Distillery Rumsky
  • 2 ounces (60 ml) fresh squeezed Clementine juice
  • .5 ounces (15 ml) local honey
  • Hand crushed ice
  • Jalapeno slices
  • 1 ounce (30 ml) rhubarb and strawberry shrub (a flavoured drinking vinegar)

Method:

Combine first three ingredients and pour over ice. Garnish with jalapeno slices to taste, and top with rhubarb and strawberry shrub.

Enjoy! Cheers!