944

Show off your stars and stripes spirit this Independence Day in this super soft, oversized American Flag Tee from LA-based knitwear brand, Wildfox Couture.

$78 | wildfoxcouture.com Written by: Kira Coplin

"Dominick Dunne with Elizabeth Taylor on the set of 'Ash Wednesday.'
Italy | 1973 Written by: Kira Coplin

With June 21st marking the first official day of summer, our countdown has begun! Each week we're highlighting some of our favorite suits that won't break the bank. This week's pick? Billabong's Goin Strekin Womens Swimsuit Set.

The Details:
Contrast trim and strings on both bottom and top: triangle bikini top has multiple strings that cross at back while bikini bottoms feature multiple strings at waist sides.

$87.99 | tillys.com Written by: Kira Coplin

"Street Life on the Sunset Strip"
Hollywood, Calif. | April 1968

Written by: Kira Coplin

With June 21st marking the first official day of summer, our countdown has begun! Each week we're highlighting some of our favorite suits that won't break the bank. This week's pick? Tavik Swimwear's The Tate Swimsuit.

The Details:
Strapless one piece swimsuit with asymmetrical shoulder strap and sheer lace paneling on bodice.

$128 | karmaloop.com Written by: Kira Coplin

"Joni Mitchell plays a song in Cass Elliot's backyard while David Crosby and Eric Clapton listen."
Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles | 1968
Written by: Kira Coplin

“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly…”

Summer is the season that probably has the greatest impact on me. It's when I think about who I am, what I’m doing and whose lives I have had an impact on.

The world didn’t end recently, but if it did would you be able to look back and be proud of what you have accomplished? What would you do differently? Would you have spent more time with your family, married that girl when you were younger, visited a sick grandparent in the hospital more or had a few less shots of tequila that night?

So I looked back on my past 10 years since I completed college and made a list of what I did and the things I wish I didn’t. It's an ongoing list I am adding to each time I remember more, but thus far I have come to the realization I am incredibly blessed. I have an incredible family that is always there for me, I have great friends I can truly call friends and I have experienced more “once in a lifetime” opportunities than one person should. I probably take for granted the access to the world I live in, but when it's all said and done it's not reality. It's fun and great, but true happiness doesn’t come in the form of hanging with celebrities and being backstage. Sure, I have done some dumb things — really dumb. But those dumb things have helped me to grow into the person I am today and I have learned so much from my mistakes. Mistakes are beautiful if you truly understand why it was a mistake and act differently the second time when given the opportunity. Conversely, a mistake is tragic if you keep repeating it.

My last 10 years, I started a company out of a dollar and a dream. Literally, it was really a dollar — I had to find coins in the bottom of old couches. I had no clue where it would go or what it would be but I had a burning desire to be successful and I was incredibly passionate about the concept. It could’ve been a bag of dirt and it would have been amazing. The team around me had just as much belief and determination, which made us an an unstoppable force. That company then grew exponentially year over year, affording a lot of people to be a part of a once-in-a-lifetime experience as well as giving a platform to a special demographic that has had an influence on many businesses, places, people and talent. Many notable talents, whether they're musicians or actors, got their first feature or break in 944.

I even look back on how this crazy lady came to pitch us on how she was going to be a big star and wanted to use our office on Sunset Boulevard at the time to do a small concert. That night they used my office as her dressing room and I remember having an OCD attack about all the glitter and makeup all over my desk. She went out there and put on a really unusual concert in this crazy costume where everyone in the room was wondering and giving me those looks on why I produced this concert for a whack job and invited them. Honestly I even thought to myself that night, “WTF Marc, why do you always have to trust your intuition?” All she had was a dream, she was unproven and no one ever heard of her — but then I caught a glimpse of her eyes and I saw she wasn’t going to let anyone stop her from her dream. Those eyes belong to who we know now as Lady Gaga. There are hundreds of stories like these, some just as big and some not as public but with as much of an impact socially and on helping make the world a better place. These stories are memories for those involved and they can never be taken away (you all know who you are). So following the traditional Hollywood style, these memories and stories are getting pen to paper for a book about the life of 944. And since our memories sometimes leave out things, send us a tweet @marclotenberg to remind us how 944 has had an impact on your life — Whether being featured, inspired or how you met your sweetheart at one of our events.

Everyone always thought 944 was just one big party, but the true insiders knew it was an incredibly powerful brand that brought people's dreams to life and I am glad that over the last 10 years I have been able to be a facilitator of these dreams coming to fruition. Whether you’re a little monster or a little dreamer, never let anyone hold you back from following what you believe in.

Marc Lotenberg
Visionary/Fighter/Lover
teammarc@944.com
twitter.com/MarcLotenberg
facebook.com/MarcLotenberg Written by: Marc Lotenberg

With June 21st marking the first official day of summer, our countdown has begun! Each week we're highlighting some of our favorite suits that won't break the bank. This week's pick? Red Carter's Crocheted Peridot Bikini.

The Details:
An olivine under layer peeks though creamy needlework. Lettuce-leaf ruffles trim the edges on both top and bottom. The banded-bottom halter with molded cups has tie/clasp at back and are paired with lined hipster bottoms.

$78 | redcarter.com Written by: Kira Coplin

"Faye Dunaway at breakfast, the morning after winning an Oscar for 'Network'."
Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills | March 29, 1977
Written by: Kira Coplin

With June 21st marking the first official day of summer, our countdown has begun! Each week we're highlighting some of our favorite suits that won't break the bank. This week's pick? Tori Praver's Floral Rush Bikini.

Details:
An entirely reversible pairing with itty-bitty buds on one side and petal-pink smocking on the other. Top has removable halter strap and pullover styling.

$98 | anthropologie.com Written by: Kira Coplin

"Poolside Gossip"
Desert House designed by Richard Neutra for Edgar Kaufman, Palm Springs | 1970
Written by: Kira Coplin

The newest member to the Gilt family, Gilt Taste launched today, much to the excitement of foodies across the nation. Gilt Taste offers members the opportunity to purchase the highest quality products along with providing authentic recipes (like spiced Porchini mushroom salt) and videos by chefs, artisans and farmers that will have even the most diehard anti-foodie's mouth watering.



www.gilttaste.com Written by: Erica Henderson

The e-tail geniuses over at Gilt have done it again - this Friday, the online fashion flash sale giant is holding a Lady Gaga inspired sale, curated in part by Gaga fashion director (and personal hero) Nicola Formichetti. Offerings include pre-orders of the superstar's latest album, Born This Way, two Formichetti curated fashion sales, a one-of-a-kind Mugler dress worn by Gaga with proceeds benefiting the Robin Hood Foundation, and VIP access to special events including dance classes at Broadway Dance Theater and Gaga listening parties. The sale starts at noon on Friday and is sure to draw tons of traffic, so little monsters will want to make sure to register at www.gilt.com/ladygaga asap.

Watch a video of Nicola Formichetti at the shoot for the Gilt sale here:

Written by: Rebecca Voigt

Roni Kosmal A.K.A. Nurse Roni explores the question: Can women get better with age? (And if so, how?)

Unfortunate circumstances recently reunited me with some friends from high school I had not seen in some 15 plus years. The untimely death of a classmate brought old faces together to talk, console, catch up, share in fond memories and update one another on marriages, jobs, children, etc... Reunions like these, although preferably under not-as-bleak premises, are always fascinating to me, as I have a particular interest in re-uniting with women I have not seen for long stretches of time. Due to the nature of my work (an aesthetic RN) I sometimes get buried in the false reality that every woman is fighting alongside me in the struggle against “premature aging”, and I forget that some women are truly embracing the idea of aging “gracefully” and “naturally”. Although seemingly petty at tragic times like this, when one should be soul searching about the blessings of a life un-cut, I can’t help but take stock and analyze the faces around me....an occupational hazard.

As I glance around the room, studying my former school mates, I take curious note, not in judgment, but simply as an observer, as to how age (in this case a mere 15 years) has treated the women around me. Some of my former classmates look distinctively “improved” from their high school years, the awkwardness of silly teenage trends far behind them, they are settled into their unique appearances as women. I find myself basking in the deep satisfaction I know they must feel having the ability to walk into a room filled with former boyfriends, “frenemies” and catty classmates knowing they have clearly captured the “last laugh”. These women display the confidence of an individual who has grown into her physique, mature sexuality and womanhood in a way that eludes the girls who had it handed to them easily as young teenagers. I find myself unable to take my eyes off of them, riding on the wave of pure satisfaction I know they must feel in possessing the secret as to why some of us truly get better with age.

And then there are the others...the ones whose shining moments as stand-out beauties clearly deserted them over a decade ago. The ones that I have to consciously tell myself not to appear shocked as I hug them “hello”, as their faces show weathering, tiredness and stress way beyond our 30-some years of age. “What happened to them?”, I find myself wondering. What happened to all of us? What is the deciding factor which determines whether we get better with age or not? Is it luck or conscience effort? Is it life circumstances or genetics? Do women have the potential to constantly and consistently improve with age, like wine? Or do we have an expiration date, like milk, that once passed, is irreversibly spoiled forever?

I have recently begun grappling with the phrase “aging gracefully”, trying desperately to understand what most women envision when stating their intent to do just this... I was recently stumped by a quote from actress Sarah Jessica Parker, a vocal critic of botox and plastic surgery, who said “I believe in aging gracefully - and of course, buying as many anti-aging creams as possible.” Huh? So, does SJP interpret “graceful” aging as purchasing anti-wrinkle creams that clearly aren’t delivering on their promise? Is this her knee-jerk, self-sacrificing protest to the over-done faces she sees around her? (To me, that makes as much sense as allowing oneself to become obese as a protest to the anorexic trend of body types in Hollywood.) When did “aging gracefully” come to mean a total and complete rejection of any methods of slowing the aging process, outside of over-priced, over-promising skin creams???

I guess my question is, “Where do we draw the line?” Is it possible for women to “age gracefully” with the aid of good, subtly executed cosmetic surgery? Or how about laser therapies, botox or chemical peels? I mean, if “aging gracefully” truly means embracing every last wrinkle, age spot and sagging jowl, then why even spend the money on ANY anti-aging products at all? Celebrate your wrinkles, like the rings on a great oak tree that tell the story of it’s owners life and years on the planet, right? And while we are at it, let’s celebrate the gray as well! Embrace your inner wise-woman and let the years of life shine through!!!

Not convinced yet? How ‘bout this...take a look at the recent pictures below of two former, world-famous screen sirens; Brigitte Bardot and Raquel Welch. Can you guess their age difference? No, they are not 20 years apart, as appearances would suggest...not even 10. Ms. Bardot (born in 1934) is a mere 6 years older then Ms. Welch (born in 1940). Now, which actress would you say is aging more “gracefully”???

I think what women are trying to imply when they talk about “aging gracefully” is actually a state-of-mind, rather then a physical reality (i.e. whether or not one accepts a little help from the medical community when it comes to staying youthful-looking.) The point of doing anything “gracefully”, aging or otherwise, is the WAY the act is carried out; subtly, delicately, without force or exaggeration. I believe that women who aspire to the ideal of “aging gracefully” embody the concept of compromise...receiving some subtle, expertly performed assistance from your doctor (or nurse!) when the time is right, with a chuckle of self-acceptance that you can’t put it all back to where it used to be when you were 21 (and who wants to anyway?) is a truer representation of graceful aging, then letting it all go without a fight, with the internal resignation that somehow “natural” = “superior”. Aging with grace and self-acceptance is a middle-of-the-road pathway that defines the mature, beautiful, sensual woman who has come into her own in her later years....She is done trying to be something she is not. She does it for herself, and no one else. She makes the best of what she has to work with, and that’s good enough for her. And because of it, all eyes are on her, and she knows it...in a good way.

The time we have on this planet is too short to beat ourselves up about whether or not we have approval or permission to do the things that help us feel better about ourselves. Human nature dictates our desire to appear aesthetically pleasing to those around us, and we shouldn’t be ashamed or embarrassed to pursue these needs in a careful and reasonable way. Enjoy what you have, laugh off what you don’t, and change what you are able to....gracefully.

Nurse Roni, RN, BSN
TheBadGirlofBotox.com
Pretty Girlz Med Spa, Beverly Hills

With June 21st marking the first official day of summer, our countdown has begun! Each week we're highlighting some of our favorite suits that won't break the bank. This week's pick? Billabong's Allie One-Piece.

The Details:
An itsy ditsy monkini in a pretty floral print. Swimsuit features an underwire bodice and removable strap.

$59.50 | swell.com Written by: Kira Coplin