Crystal and world’s most expensive perfumes

Crystal house Maison Baccarat is a place offering one of the world’s most expensive perfumes – Les Larmes Sacrées de Thebes. Limited to only ten 500 ml bottles a year, the parfume comes in crystal-encursted bottles with 18 carat gold collar and sells for €5000 per piece!
Philippe Starck, the famous French designer, showed his brain and muscles in this super deluxe store, being the one to transform the former Paris mansion of the French aristocrat Marie-Laure de Noailles into the Bacarrat’s headquarters and luxurious crystal store, an adjacent museum with more than just an impressive collection of crystal, and finally – an extravagant Starck-style decor restaurant with dining room infused with hand-made glass chandeliers.
To see it for yourselves, look for historical building at 11 Place des États-Unis (approx. 500 meters from the Triumphal Arch).

 

Beautiful You

A touch of color to the cheeks, a little lipstick, maybe some eye shadow and mascara -- makeup seems harmless enough. But check out the labels on department store cosmetics, and you'll see a list of tongue-twisting chemicals that could be hazardous to your health. But don't despair -- makeup doesn't have to become yet another item added to your "don't" list. Many natural cosmetics now rival department store offerings in quality -- and they're toxic-free.
Makeup's Ugly Side
As surprising as it may sound, the majority of cosmetic ingredients are not tested for safety, according to a study released by the nonprofit Environmental Working Group. Because the government does not monitor cosmetic companies, questionable ingredients creep into most makeup products.
Although most cosmetics ingredients appear safe for use in the short term, long-term use could be deadly, says Kim Erickson, author of Drop-Dead Gorgeous (Contemporary Books, 2002). "Some cosmetic chemicals accumulate in the body's fatty tissues, where they can remain for years and damage your cells," she says. As an example, a study reported in the January 2004 edition of the Journal of Applied Toxicology found parabens, the most common cosmetic preservative, present in significant amounts in 18 out of 20 breast cancer tumors.

The number of chemicals in a simple lipstick is astounding. In addition to phthalates (which can cause kidney and liver damage and harm a developing fetus), lipstick may contain the possible human carcinogens butylated hydroxytoluene, polyethylene, dimethicone and a slew of artificial colors derived from coal tar. And if you wear lipstick every day, you'll ingest at least 4 pounds of it over your lifetime.

Pretty and Chemical-Free
OK, so you're ready to try natural makeup. Fortunately, you're no longer stuck with blue eye shadow and orange foundation. Natural products manufacturers are turning out new cosmetics to meet a savvy shopper's needs. "The offerings are a lot better, and there are a lot more shades for a lot more skin tones. You're seeing stuff you would see at the MAC or Estee Lauder counters," says Patrick McRae, marketing associate for Zia Natural Skincare.

Shoppers will see breakthrough technology in natural makeup that rivals the big brands. For example, the foundations from Borlind of Germany are made with tiny lecithin liposomes (pouches) that melt over time, so the foundation maintains a dewy look. "Some natural foundations tended to look gritty over time," says Linda Upton, Borlind's vice president of education and training. "This technology has changed that."

Some companies are also taking cues from brands such as L'Oreal and changing their color schemes with seasonal fashion changes. Borlind now offers more than 20 eye shadow shades and 16 lipstick tints. And to stay on the cutting edge, Borlind has its classic mainstay colors but also fashion hues that change with the times.

The Safe Side
Of course the best part about natural makeup is that it's safe. Most natural makeup bases use products such as jojoba oil and candelilla wax instead of petrochemicals such as mineral oil (a gasoline production by-product), says Upton. And colors are derived from naturally occurring earth pigments in lieu of artificial colors.

Some manufacturers are finding new ways to avoid using synthetic preservatives such as parabens. At Logona USA, the makeup packaging is designed so that fingers don't make contact with the product -- possibly introducing bacteria, says Michael Wrightson, president of Logona USA. And the products are preserved with essential oils, tocopherols -- even salt.

An added bonus with natural cosmetics is that many work double duty, McRae says. Companies are adding ingredients such as aloe, cucumber, green tea and ginkgo so the product "works as a makeup but also soothes and is an anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant," he says.

So the next time you need some new lip gloss or eye shadow, forget the department store and head to the natural products store -- you may be surprised with what you find and with how you look wearing makeup that's good for you.

Telluride Bluegrass Festival

A pickin' pilgrimage for Utahns

There are 367 miles separating Telluride, Colo., from Salt Lake City—a scant distance for those faithful Utahns who make the pilgrimage every summer solstice. For devotees of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, it is the end of the road—literally and metaphorically.
Situated in a box canyon with 13,000-foot peaks towering overhead in every direction, the festival’s majestic scenery alone is worth the trek. Then, of course, there’s the entertainment-packed weekend with an illustrious 38-year history.
Again and again, it beckons some Utahns—many for more than two decades now—for reasons that go beyond the music.
First, there’s the initiation, so to speak. You don’t find Telluride, it finds you.
Salt Lake City resident Jim Wilcox has introduced a handful of folks to the festival over the years, and he testifies that he himself was converted.
“My first year, a friend called me up and said there’s this bluegrass thingy we ought to, maybe, check out. At the time, I could take or leave bluegrass music—I wasn’t a true fan,” Wilcox says.
That was 1986. Did he enjoy himself? He’s been 23 times now—21 times in a row this year.
New Grass Revival straightened him right up. That old school, boundary-pushing, path-paving conglomerate comprised of Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, John Cowan and Pat Flynn was a festival mainstay in the early years.
“I was blown away. I mean, I was like, ‘Damn. How do they do that?’” Wilcox says. “Now, I absolutely love bluegrass.”
Yet the grandaddy of Western festivals isn’t solely focused on bluegrass, despite the name—new genres and bands are presented each year. Weirder still: The diehards’ irrevocable love doesn’t exist solely around music, either. The festival is truly greater than the sum of its parts.
During an hour-long interview, Wilcox barely mentions music again; rather, he focuses on the community’s many facets.
This “experience” includes memorable Dutch oven lasagna he makes yearly at his camp—called O’Kellyville—or the Thursday-night home-brew party in the Town Park campground. He laughs over the wild costumes at the Free Box Fashion Show—where every article modeled must come from the famous Free Box at North Pine and Colorado Avenue. Then there’s the liquor-soaked fruit pieces, called rum balls, that are dished out liberally.
But mostly it’s about the people. “It’s like a bunch of old brothers and sisters seeing each other, really. It’s all bear hugs and high-fives,” says Wilcox, adding that this tight-knit family usually only sees one another once a year at the festival.

Many of his friends are Country Store concessionaires. Wilcox has sold CDs and artist schwag for 15 years and, more than likely, has met UVU philosophy professor David R. Keller there.
Keller’s CD collection is largely composed of Telluride finds. “My wife and I love to buy CDs there,” he says. “It’s bands that we wouldn’t have known about outside of the festival.” Keller beams over this “element of surprise.”
Stating he’s too old to camp, he stays at a friend’s Telluride home. So, for Keller, the festival is all about the music.
“There’s actually too much. You have to pace yourself and have a plan,” Keller says. “There’s more good music than any one person could possibly enjoy.”
However, this year, for the first time in two decades, Keller laments that he won’t enjoy the music; it sold out earlier than he expected. “It could be a sign that Telluride is becoming too popular,” he says.
“I’d still recommend that anyone interested in folk music go once in their life, like every Muslim should go to Mecca.”
The 2011 lineup includes bluegrass stalwarts and annual performers Jerry Douglas, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Darrell Scott and Edgar Meyer, among others. The boundary-pushing bands from beyond the bluegrass realm for this year include Mumford & Sons, The Decemberists and Robert Plant & The Band of Joy.
And the pickin’ and grinnin’ continues at organic upshoots at many campsites, after the music on stage ends around midnight. “It’s heaven for them. The campground music goes all night until dawn and jam sessions blossom all over the place,” Keller says. “It’s totally spontaneous, and there’s no record of it once it ends. That’s what’s so neat about the whole experience.”

The Suicycles

New full-length CD out Friday

 The Suicycles

  For many local musicians, releasing a single EP would be viewed as a huge accomplishment.

Not so for The Suicycles. Beyond their two EP releases earlier this year, the group made a video to an unreleased song, started a radio show and have a full-length album, Sex, Drugs and Death, out June 17.

The Suicycles were created in 2010 when frontman Camden Chamberlain and drummer Van Christensen shifted their attention to new music not meant for their main project, Cavedoll, and created a two-piece band with other instrumentation coming off a laptop. It was a questionable move, since Cavedoll had recently been revitalized and released a new album.

They recruited Robert Roake on guitar, Chris Cole on bass and Kellie Penman on keyboard to complete the initial Suicycles, which gradually made it easier for Cavedoll to fade away.

“They both co-existed for a time, but eventually it became clear that The Suicycles had become my focus,” says Chamberlain. “Cavedoll had lived a good life, so the time felt right.”

The Suicycles hit the studio in late 2010, writing more than 30 songs while bringing in each new member to add to the recordings and, eventually, move into the Suicycles house/home studio.

During this time, both Chamberlain and Roake had become inspired by Teresa Flowers’ program on UtahFM.org and decided to launch their own show on the Internet radio station. Waiting for the Rapture With the Suicycles gave the duo a chance to promote their latest works while bringing in guests and conversing about whatever topics they saw fit.

Roake said the show’s “been going very well. We have had some great guests and been able to promote some cool new local music. After several months, we can almost work the CD player at the station, so that is going to be great soon, too.”

Since the start of 2011, the band has been “blitz-attacking” the music scene, first with random tracks leaked in January, then with the EP 4 Psychotic Car Rides in February, the video for “SL,UT” released in March, several concert appearances in April and then their second EP, Experiments in Being Awake, in May. Now, the group looks to cap off their musical exploits with the release of the full-length album Sex, Drugs and Death.

The album sounds nothing like Cavedoll and barely resembles what’s been released so far by The Suicycles, showcasing every member’s unique talents in the dirtiest electronica-rock they could muster. It’s as if they are saying to the listener, “You’ll hate us in public, but love us in private.” The album probably will be a secret favorite of many. 

Beauty Tips for Your Smile

1. Start with a professional cleaning and keep on a regular schedule. Stains from coffee, tea, tobacco, and plaque can dull an otherwise pretty smile.

2. Floss daily: not only will daily flossing keep your teeth and gums healthy, flossing will remove minute plaque and stain that sometimes only show up in very bright light. Great tip for models and beach-goers alike.

3. Watch that shade: some lipstick colors can actually make your teeth appear more yellow. Some shades of orange and blue are the culprits. Be sure to try them on in all types of lighting.

4. Use toothpaste with baking soda and/or peroxide: These ADA accepted products can help teeth looking bright.
Have your teeth bleached: for their whitest shine. A dental professional can recommend a method that is right for you.

5. Dont wear white: if your teeth are a yellowish shade. Wearing white earrings or a white turtle neck will show too much contrast.

Is "natural" really natural?

 

Times are changing, but everyone still wants to be beautiful. Every woman wants to look young and striking. Men just like women are also taking care of themselves. That’s why everyone is buying cosmetics. All of us are using more or less make-up and body care products.
So, it’s the right time to have discussion about natural cosmetics. Word “cosmetics” includes skin, hair, nails and teeth care products. Nowadays cosmetics industry is using term “natural”, but is this “natural” really natural, safe and useful for us?
Let’s make one simple experiment. Take some of your cosmetics which are called “natural” and read place where ingredients are declared. Most likely you will find a lot of interesting and mysterious chemical words. How can it be so if product is natural?
This aspect shows that word “natural” not always means truly natural and is only nice advertisement for manufacturing company. In fact they also include a multitude of synthetic ingredients. We must always check our cosmetic products if they don’t contain any of carcinogens,cancer-causing agents,toxins, irritants, contaminants or potentially harmful ingredients.
In our daily life there are tens of thousands of synthetic chemicals. Here is list of some mostly used ingredient:

1,4-dioxane
2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (Bronopol)
Alcohol, Isopropyl (SD-40)
Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES)
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS)
Anionic Surfactants
Benzalkonium Chloride
Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)
Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)
Cationic surfactants
Cetalkonium chloride
Cetrimonium chloride
Chloromethylisothiazolinone
Isothiazolinone
Cocoamidopropyl Betaine
Cocoyl Sarcosine
Cyclomethicone
DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), & TEA (triethanolamine)
Diazolidinyl urea
Dimethicone
Dimethicone Copolyol
Disodium Dioctyl Sulfosuccinate
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
Disodium Oleamide Sulfosuccinate
DMDM Hydantoin
Ethoxylated surfactants
FD&C Colour Pigments
Formaldehyde
Fragrance
Hydrolysed Animal Protein
Imidazolidinyl urea
Imidazolidinyl Urea
Isopropyl Palmitate
Lanolin
Lauryl dimonium hydrolysed collagen
Lauryl or Cocoyl Sarcosine
Lauryl Sarcosine
Liquidum Paraffinum
MEA compounds
Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Mineral Oil
Nitrosating Agents
Paraben preservatives (methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl)
Paraffin wax/oil
Phthalates
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) compounds
Potassium Coco Hydrolysed Collagen
Propylene/Butylene Glycol
PVP/VA Copolymer
Quaternium-7, 15, 31, 60, etc
Rancid Natural Emollients
Silicone derived emollients
Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate
Sodium Hydroxide
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES)
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS)
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Stearalkonium Chloride
Talc
TEA (Triethanolamine) Laureth Sulfate
TEA compounds
Toluene


We are living in a very polluted atmosphere and yet we are still empoisoning our bodies with cosmetics. As we all know our body absorbs what we put on our skin.  There you will find the true nature of your “natural” cosmetics product.
There are some ways of recognizing if cosmetics are really natural. First thing what you can do before buying a product is reading ingredients list on cover and checking amount of chemical ingredients. If the list is somewhat long it’s up to you to decide whether to buy it or try and find something not so synthetic.

Some companies are trying to tell you that they don’t test their products on animals, thus their products are natural. But be careful! It can be just a smart disguise. Perhaps they didn’t make any direct tests with animals, but you should be aware, that all synthetic chemicals (which are used as ingredients) were most likely tested on animals. And some more food for thought – about 50% of them have died…
One more tip how to recognize natural product is expiration date. Natural products without chemical ingredients have shorter expiration time, lasting about 6 months. Natural products usually must be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
If you want to buy really natural cosmetics, check products characteristics which show real nature of product: plant-derived ingredients; no alcohol; no artificial dyes; no thickeners; not animal tested; no petroleum products; no cheap filler ingredients; no synthetic fragrances.
Natural cosmetic are using essential and fragrance oils, oils from fruits and nuts, aloe vera and tea tree oil, extracts and juice, seed oils, seafood, amino acids, phospholipids.
Materials are natural and no chemical processing is used on them. Since cold purification process is used, materials avoid any thermal processing thus keeping all valuable characteristics.

Ryan Tanner & the Perfect Song

Local troubadour wins songwriting contest

When Ryan Tanner won American Songwriter magazine’s annual lyric contest for his tune “I Never Did My Best,” he didn’t exactly celebrate with champagne and caviar.
For one thing, such an audacious display isn’t fitting for the mild-mannered troubadour who deals in exquisite melancholia in much of his music. For another, he’d sort of been down this path before, when his former band Atherton landed a song on the soundtrack to the MTV series Laguna Beach.
For many bands, having a song featured on national TV would be a “big break.” For Atherton, it was another signpost on the road to breaking up. As Tanner puts it, the group basically ran out of gas after recording its excellent album Skyline Motel. “We never recovered from making the record,” Tanner says.
<p> </p> Ryan Tanner performs "Peaceful Mind" at City Weekly's downtown office. Filmed and produced by Erik Daenitz
Now solo, Tanner might just find the American Songwriter honor offers a bit more of a push in the direction he wants to go. Not only did he beat out nearly 9,000 songwriters, but winning meant he got to travel to Nashville for a songwriting session with one of his heroes, Americana artist Jim Lauderdale. They ended up writing a song together called “Learning to Listen,” recorded it, and Lauderdale set up meetings for Tanner at several publishing houses, including BMI and Bug Music, where Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy and Alison Krauss do their publishing.
For a guy who sometimes questions his career choice, the experience was a much-welcomed shot of confidence that he’s on the right path.
“It was really encouraging to me as a songwriter,” the 36-year-old Tanner says. “I think about making music here in Utah, and I’m really glad I stuck with it while a lot of my friends have just moved on. Now I’ve realized my thing is just going after a song. I’m after a song. The song is everything. I’m not the hip guy. I’m not cool. I’m after writing a good song. I feel pretty fortunate that I’ve been able to stick with it long enough that I feel like I’m getting closer.”
The next step is capturing some of those songs on a new record, which Tanner hopes to record this summer. And though he’ll play those songs with a band when he can, he wants to be able to play them solo on tour. While Utah has fine musicians working in all genres, it’s not exactly a hotbed for roots music, especially compared to what Tanner experienced in Nashville, where “music is part of the everyday framework of life.”
Now, Tanner is trying to figure out how to make music and songwriting an everyday part of his life.
“I want to write songs, and I want to play songs for people,” Tanner says. “I don’t want to be a rock star, but I want to be a working songwriter. I realize it’s an uphill battle, but I also realize there are people who do it.
“I need to make a record. I have to have a record to go on the road, and I feel like I have a really good record in me.”