Your Swanky Hollywood Parting Gifts

Last year's swag bags were quite well received and blogged about, and not to toot our own horn, but we think this year's gift bags are the bees knees!

Every attendee will get one reusable canvas gift tote from Disney Store (on right) with vintage 1930s comic book images of Hollywood's most beloved mouse from our prom's era and today. Twitter: @DisneyStore

We'll then be filling these nostalgic totes with the following goodies, totaling over $300 in value:

$100 gift certificates to LuxLash Beverly Hills, the nations first specialty spa focusing on lash extensions and all services and products focusing on Eye, Lash and Brow beauty. Now you can make your lashes lush and your brows just the way you like 'em. Twitter: @LuxLash

The GRAMMY Museum at L.A. LIVE is giving all of us free admission tickets to explore their four floors of cutting edge exhibits, interactive experiences and films to feel the power of music. Twitter: @TheGrammyMuseum

Want more cool tickets to LA happenings? The American Cinematheque at the Aero and Egyptian Theatre has provided everyone with free passes to see the film of your choice at one of their historic movie theatres. Each night there is a different movie - from the classics of Hollywood and International Cinema to new documentaries, shorts and independent films to Sneak Previews, Premieres, Pop Culture Gems and even he hottest new websisodes, the Cinematheque's screenings often feature the filmmakers in person for discussion following the film. Oh and did you know that The Egyptian was the home of the very first Hollywood movie premiere in 1922?

Pinkberry is offering $5 gift cards good for their yogurt goodness, now available in Watermelon and Mango flavors. Pinkberry caused a pop-culture bang and lots of lines when it launched in West Hollywood in 2005 and we're excited this popular LA dessert will be a part of our Hollywood Confidential prom. Pinkberry is certified by the National Yogurt Association and carries the Live & Active Cultures Seal. Twitter: @pinkberryswirl

Relax post prom with a free 20-minute microZone® facial treatment certificate from Dermalogica Spa in Santa Monica on Montana Ave. This quick treatment gives your skin a glowing pick-me-up, removing congestion and leaving your face healthy and bright. Besides the free facial they will also be providing their skincare product samples developed by The International Dermal Institute. Twitter: @dermalogica

Also, expect one full-sized Degree® Women Natureffects deodorant and body mist, which infuse Degree’s top odor and wetness protection formula with fragrances inspired by natural ingredients. Available in Honeysuckle & Tea Tree Oil, Olive Leaf & Pink Pepper and Orange Flower & Cranberry. Twitter: @DegreeWomen

It's getting hot in here talking about all this great swag, which is why we're also adding Proactiv (R) Solution Oil Blotter Sheets to the frey, a $16.50 value. Proactiv's Blotter Sheet Duo instantly and easily absorbs excess oil on the face. It controls shine without using powder and leaves skin fresh and clean. Each sheet is made from natural fiber paper without artificial ingredients. It is conveniently packaged in a pouch with dispenser top.

Thirsty? Try O.N.E. Coconut Water, the 100% natural Brazil coconut water, which will be in each bag. Also, you might want to go ahead and sip this drink after prom as it's supposedly a hangover cure. Twitter: @onecoconut

If you're looking for some hair of the dog, we'll have tiny bottles of Pinky Vodka in the totes too. Pinky Vodka will once again be one of the ingrediants in Natali's signature cocktails that we'll have brewing during prom. Pinky Vodka also supported last year's blogger prom, so cheers to that! Created by champion wine tasters in Sweden, Pinky Vodka is the world's most beautiful vodka that makes any drink taste better. Twitter: @pinkyvodka

Hungry? Border Grill is once again supporting Blogger Prom, this time with $20 dining certificates for their new downtown LA location opening in October as well as $10 Border Grill Truck dining certificates. With a menu of dishes based on the home cooking of Oaxaca and the Yucatan, Border Grill takes Mexican food to a whole new level! Twitter: @BorderGrillDTLA

A restaurant that lasts 30 years is as rare as a long lasting Hollywood marriage, not even ones from back in the golden age. Hugo's Restaurant in WeHo, the home of the Power Breakfast, vegan cuisine and a mainstay on the Southern California food scene, is providing us with free drink coupons with the purchase of any meal there. Do try their Pasta Mama, which has appeared on the Food Network. Twitter: @HugosRestaurant

No meal is complete without a cupcake though, right? Well, we have cupcakes gallore. Sprinkles, LA's first cupcakery, will be donating free cupcake coupons tot. Twitter: @Sprinkles

Also, L.A.'s first Filipino Food Truck, The Manila Machine, will be providing free coupons for their Ube Cupcakes with a coconut buttercream. Twitter: @ManilaMachine

Can't get enough sweets? Well, you're in luck, as we'll also have Cost Plus World Market chocolate bars. Whether you want high cocoa content, flavor infusions or sweet and savory fillings like Caramel Sea Salt, Peanut Butter, Orange or Raspberry, you'll find a mouth-watering bar made from the finest quality ingredients for every kind of craving. Twitter: @worldmarket

We'll all have a free coupon and grocery list notepad from Arnold/Oroweat Sandwich Thins. The flavor you crave. The whole grains you want. Eating healthy has never tasted so good. Be sure and say hi to them over on Facebook www.facebook.com/SandwichThins

That's not all! Product samples from UNITE Hair Care - an all natural, nutrient rich, premium, boutique line proudly free of: parabens, sulfate, gluten, dea & mea ingredients will be adding their glamorous product to our bags. All of their 30 cleansing, conditioning, styling, and finishing items are made with uncompromising quality to keep hair beautiful, natural, and healthy. The line already has a list of celebrity devotees such as: Heidi Klum, Eva Longoria, Hilary Duff, Jennifer Hudson, Matthew Fox, and many more.

Plus, $1.00 off coupons for Lovin' Scoopful Gourmet Light Ice Cream – 13 rich and creamy flavors with 1/2 the fat and fewer calories than premium ice cream. Plus 25% of profits are shared with Special Olympics and other causes. So go ahead – get a little Lovin', give a little lovin'. Twitter: @lovinscoopful

America’s favorite convenience store, 7Eleven, will be providing goodie bags with free glazed doughnut and coffee coupons good at their many SoCal locations. Twitter: @7ElevenSoCal

Last but not least, we'll be receiving Goodberrymint mintwater, an all-natural combination of pure water, 100% real mint and berry essences, including acai berries, pomegranates, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. It’s the latest variety from the line of all natural Metromint, pioneer of the mintwater category. Along with refreshing hydration, the beverage offers a unique cooling sensation and the natural benefits of mint. Named “Good”berrymint due to Project Goodberry, in which 10% of sales profits are donated to local non profits. No sweeteners, no artificial flavors, and no calories.

BLOGGER PROM COMMITTEE NOTE:
Please be sure and follow our awesome sponsors on twitter. Also, do try and thank them for their participation and support of this year's prom in any blog posts or tweets that you might do about Blogger Prom. After all, they help make all of this possible.

Thank you!

Getting the Hollywood Confidential look . . .

The prom is only two weeks away, yowza! (The BloggerProm Committee can't believe how fast time flies too!) Still having trouble getting that theme-appropriate look? Here's some pointers to get your Hollywood Confidential glam on for both fellas & dames, from our salon sponsor Studio DNA.

Women’s Hair Styles

1. No matter the length, to achieve any style from the era, you will need to preset your hair in pincurls. For more specific instructions on how to achieve a pincurl, click here.
2. Setting your hair is best done the night before but you can use hot rollers or a curling iron to help set your curls a few hours prior to the event. Spraying your curls with a hairspray that is malleable but has memory is best.
3. If you want tight curls, then set your hair when it is damp. If you want loose curls, then set your hair when it is dry.
4. Heat application can help hasten the process, but don’t get impatient.
5. Once your hair has set, release the curls by removing the pins. Now you can style. Be sure to use a fine comb or a rat tail comb to help smooth out sections. Remember to spray to set your style.

Women’s Make Up

1. Dark eyeliner contouring the eye and accenting the outside points help frame the eyes so they stand out.
2. Accentuate the top lashes over the bottom lashes. False eyelashes add extra glamour.
3. Women typically managed their own eyebrows by tweezing. As a result, you will notice most women had to fill in their brows to ensure the perfect arch. Eyebrows were very feminine though very strong.
4. Red full lips. Be sure to contour the lip with a color that matches the lipstick. Women didn’t typically have multiple colors in their make up kits so your lip color should be flat.
5. If you are feeling particularly exotic, add a beauty mark. They were all the rage thanks to Marilyn Monroe.
6. Remember, make up was expensive for most women and powder was often the way they accomplished their finished looks. The powder was more often, lighter than a woman’s natural complexion.
   

Men’s Hair

1. Watch an episode of Mad Men to see the many variations on the exact same shape.
2. With your hair still damp, apply gel liberally to the front of your hair from root to shaft. Then apply some gel to the back.
3. With a fine toothed comb, slick the hair straight back. Let the hair rest so you can start to see the natural part.
4. From the natural part, begin to separate the hair, slicking the top to the side and then back. The sides should be combed tightle back.
5. Once your hair is in place, take your hands and run the along the side. You can gently lift the cowlicks to give some dimpling. (Click here for additional ideas on video.)
6. If you have short hair, just be sure that it is tailored and tight. It wasn’t until the mid-sixties that we let our hair down (literally).

For more about the history of the Hollywood Confidential styles and how celebrities, then and now, are rocking them out, read the rest of Studio DNA blogpost here (it's also got additional videos with nice DIY style tricks). We look forward seeing you all in your fabulous 'dos and glamorous get-ups very soon!

One Week Countdown: E-vites & RSVPs

Wow, did time fly by that quickly? BloggerProm is less than seven days away! If I had two extra fingers I can count them on one hand.

Anyways, see below for the e-vites with the basic event info (click to enlarge) of course, keep an eye on this blog for additional details, last-minute updates and other juicy gossip.


Needless to say, much thanks to all our sponsors for making this happen!

And one final note for RSVPs: if for some far-fetched, outlandish reason you or your plus one cannot make the event after your replied 'yes' or 'maybe' to our Pingg e-vite site, please change your RSVP so that we can bump up the bloggers-in-waiting on our waitlist. Thanks!

~H.C.

A Holler on Twitter for #BloggerProm!

tweet tweet . . . what's #FollowFriday?

Hey, H.C. here and wanting to let you peeps know (as if you didn't already) that we of the BloggerProm Committee are not only prolific bloggers, we are some crazy tweeting fools as well! Should you care to find out more #BloggerProm gossip in-between our posts, not to mention all the exciting going-ons we have in our individual lives, check us out at:

Caroline @CarolineonCrack
Esther @estarla
Marni @happygomarni
yours truly @LAOCFoodie
Maya @shopeatsleep
Lindsay @SquashBlossom
Natalie @TheLiquidMuse
Tara @tarametblog

And of course, there are our sponsors who are making some pretty kickin' donations*, from the venue to hold the event, to the alchy and food to keep us happy and full, to plenty of schwag to give out (more details on that in upcoming posts.) So a big THANKS to:

Andaz WeHo (the "Riot Hyatt") @andazweho
Martin Miller's Gin @MillersGin

Pinky Vodka @pinkyvodka
Fresh & Easy @fresh_and_easy
The Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa @LanghamPasadena
Threadless @threadless
The Lek @thelek
Lago Santa Monica @LagoSantaMonica
Goldstar @goldstar & @goldstarla
Kiss My Bundt Bakery @kissmybundt
ArcLight Cinemas @ArcLightCinemas

CKE Restaurants @HappyStar & @CarlsJr

Also, to hear every twitterer's hullabaloo about this enchanting event, do a #BloggerProm search. Got your own #FollowFriday twitterers to share? Drop a line in the comments.

All right, over, out and tweeting! Let's make #bloggerprom a top twitter trending topic on July 22!

*P.S. It's not too late to get into the sponsoring game and reach out to many of the top bloggers (and twitterers) in the Greater Los Angeles Area; for more information, feel free to contact me or the others on the BloggerProm committee.