Maxi pad giant, Always, has made a “historical advertising move” by utilizing the first ever marketing campaign to show “blood”. Yes it’s true. Once a month, actual BLOOD comes out of a girl’s vagina and contrary to years of false advertising, it’s not BLUE. I was just telling someone the other day how annoying feminine hygiene commercials are. All pretty and poised, with subtle verbiage and bogus taglines: “Have A Happy Period“… for real? Yes I’m happy that it ARRIVED this month, but that’s about it. So here it is, menstruation’s moment of truth: One miniscule, red dot. Wow, don’t be too generous with that forward thinking, Always. Oh well it’s a start. How do YOU feel about marketing towards women? Does it make you feel awful about being a girl sometimes like it does ME?? Share.
*Via Huffington Post

In the words of Ilona Royce Smithkin, “I have to be up because it’s difficult enough to deal with the fact that you only have a matter of time and you learn to expect that and make the most out of life.” The 91 years young singer, dancer, and painter tiptoed across my computer screen via personal style site, StyleLikeU and I fell in love. With everyone transfixed on 20 something’s, with their injectables and flawless facades, it’s always nice to look at a bigger, more interesting picture. Youth may be king, but whether you’re Kreayshawn or a Kardashian, it all boils down to THIS. IF you’re lucky.

It’s no secret that I’m an animal rescue advocate. Living in Phoenix (where temperatures reach over 120 degrees), you can go from compassionate to crazed crusader with just ONE incident. That was me yesterday (the latter), when La called me to see what she could do about a dog that had been left in a car, unattended, on a day that reached 92 degrees. Because cars trap heat sort of like a greenhouse, the dog was actually enduring 113 degrees of sweltering heat and direct sunlight. Thankfully the owner got to the car in time, but I’m sure it’ll happen again. And again. I have no clue why people in our communities are still so oblivious when it comes to caring for their pets. Whether it be ignorance or indifference, we continue to hear the same stories every year. Luckily, there are people out there willing to be the voice. The United Animal Nation’s My Dog Is Cool Campaign urges people to be aware of how deadly a hot car can be. The website provides information on keeping pets safe and also allows you to print fliers to share with your community. NEVER LEAVE YOUR DOG IN A CAR! Not even on a day with a high of 70. Here are a few other things to keep in mind this summer:

• It only takes 10 minutes for a dog to overheat in a vehicle. This is because the only way a dog can cool down is by panting and through the pads of the feet. Pay attention to heat advisory warnings and leave your dog at home on those days. If you’re taking your dog to a vet appointment, road trip, etc., make sure to thoroughly cool the car down prior to your trip. Carry a travel water dish with you like the Road Refresher and fill it with ice and cold water. If you use a crate for travel, make sure there is plenty of air flow and no direct sunlight hitting the crate.
• Walk your dog before 10 a.m. or after 5 p.m. in a grassy area. Avoid walking on asphalt or concrete.  During summer, I carry both of my dogs from my condo to the dog run in back of the building, so their feet won’t touch the ground. Don’t let anyone convince you that a dog’s foot pads were “made” to endure rough or hot surfaces. Remember, AZ is on a whole other level of “hot”.
• People with Brachycephalic dogs (Pugs, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers) should take extra precaution. Walks/exercise should only be during early a.m. or late at night-and in MY opinion, limited to only 5-7 minutes. Don’t let them sunbathe either. Even without movement, they’re still likely to overheat. These dogs have a hard time breathing as is, let alone in extreme temperatures.
• If you keep your dog outside, you should really reconsider being a pet owner in the first place. In the meantime, BE KIND. Allow the dog to come inside during the hottest time of the year (June through September). There are no laws in Arizona protecting dogs from extreme weather. Technically, the animal must be provided with adequate shade and water, but that’s it. Someone forgot that it’s over 100 degrees IN THE SHADE, so it’s up to YOU to do the right thing.
• Recognize the signs of heat stroke: Heavy panting, dark red and dry gums, thick saliva, vomiting, dizziness/disorientation.

What To Do In Case Of Heat Stroke

Before taking your dog to see a vet, there’s a few things to do that are crucial in saving his life.

• Remove the dog from the hot area and begin to wet him down with cool water. You can use cold compresses, immerse him in a tub, or use a garden hose. Pay extra attention to cooling the feet and chest. Once his temperature has reached 103 degrees (use a rectal thermometer if possible), STOP COOLING. Hypothermia may occur if over cooled.
• DO NOT USE ICE OR ICE COLD WATER. A dramatic change in temperature may cause shock and other life threatening conditions.
• Offer the dog water to drink, but do not force it into his mouth.
• Even if your dog seems fine after cooling, veterinary assistance is MANDATORY to ensure no damage has been done to internal organs.

If you see a dog trapped in a car, don’t wait-DO SOMETHING.

Write down the make, model, and license plate of the vehicle and call police. It’s a good idea to have the owner paged if you’re in a shopping center, but remember every second matters. Per PETA:  If police are unresponsive or too slow and the dog’s life appears to be in imminent danger, find a witness (or several) who will back your assessment, take steps to remove the suffering animal, and then wait for authorities to arrive. That means you’re going to have to put your big girl panties on, bust out some windows, and illegally break into someone’s car… DO IT. You’re saving a life.

*Animal Cruelty Hotline: 602-876-1681

We gave you a little teaser back in February and now it’s finally here! The opening of Scottsdale’s most anticipated hair “experience” is TOMORROW at the Scottsdale Quarter! For a flat fee of $35 (a steal compared to the $45-$60 full service salons charge), you’re able to hang out in a gorgeous atmosphere while a blow out specialist tames your tresses! The FIENDS and I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of this awesome concept salon, and jumped at the chance to catch up with Dry Bar’s founder, Alli Webb.

What inspired Drybar?

Personal necessity! As a curly-haired girl I was always struggling to find a great affordable blowout. I got tired of either overpaying at my regular salon or enduring a not-so-great experience at a discount chain. I knew that if someone were to create a beautiful, fun, hip place where I could get a great price and a great blowout, I personally would go all the time. But nobody was doing it, so we decided to go for it!

In addition to the signature looks that are offered, does Drybar also do updo’s, curled styles, and flat ironing?

We do it all. All of our signature blowout styles include curling, flat ironing or any other styling to leave you with fabulous hair. That’s part of what sets Drybar apart from the rest – each blowout is $35 flat fee – we don’t up-charge based on your hair type or requested style like most salons. It’s $35 no matter what! We also do Uptin’s aka Updos for special events, weddings, red carpets, prom – you name it!

Are there any future plans for other “on-the-go” concept salons? For example: Nailbar, Waxbar?

“Nope! We believe strongly in sticking to what we know best, and that’s blowouts. We’ll let someone else focus on the other stuff, we have 100+ Drybars to plan and bring to life!”

What other locations are in the works? Any airport locations we can look forward to?

We have locations opening soon in San Francisco, San Diego, Atlanta and New York and have quite a few other cities in our sights. We’ll keep you posted

To book YOUR appointment, visit Dry Bar on the web! www.thedrybar.com

Our favorite red head Patricia Field has teamed up with Kotex for a contest titled Ban The Bland. Due to the boring aesthetic of feminine hygiene, Ms. Field will offer the chance to design a maxi pad, carrying tin, and inspiration board. The winner will receive the opportunity to work with Field herself, to create a new line of feminine care products. I can’t help but wonder how many “True Blood” themes will be entered. Put some pizazz in your period and start designing HERE

We will be joining in on a day of silence tomorrow, March 18th, to honor For Japan With Love, a relief effort which will go DIRECTLY towards emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies. To find out ways you can help, visit www.forjapanwithlove.com.

I’ve recently become obsessed with honey infused ANYTHING. In addition to overdosing on Toblerone chocolates, I’ve stocked up on a few of these goodies. I don’t know what it is about this bee barf that makes me swoon.

• Lush Honey Farm gift set (includes Honey I Washed The Kids soap, chocolate and honey scented Ma Bar bubble bar, and honey and jasmine Flying Fox shower gel. -$35.95
• L’Occitane Honey and Lemon Scented Candle- $39.99 (through Amazon)
• Lush Mange Too Massage Bar- This edible blend of bananas, honey, and peppermint oil is borderline orgasmic. Not only used for sensual massage, the bar is great for everyday moisturizing as well. *Also try Honey Trap lip balm, it shares the same scent – $9.95
• Tokyo Milk Honey & The Moon No. 10 Parfum (a sexy blend of honey and sandalwood. I get compliments all the time when I wear this.)- $28
• Burt’s Bees Honey Lip Balm- $3 (contains coconut and sunflower oils to keep lips healthy and supple)

For those of us who grew up in Arizona, summertime pretty much means throwing on a bikini and heading out of town as often as possible. Often times we actually look forward to the heat approaching- who can resist the smell of coconut suntan lotion and an ice cold Corona? Sounds picturesque doesn’t it? Swimming pools and air conditioning aren’t just luxuries around here. They’ve become means of SURVIVAL. Now try and imagine 120 degree weather without those means of survival. Sucks right? Now imagine 120 degrees- but this time with no shelter or water in sight. No one else around you besides scorpions, snakes, and coyotes. The bottoms of your feet are burned and blistered. Your heart rate rapidly increases as you start to panic. You start drooling and vomiting, while your gums turn blue from lack of oxygen. As you stagger around gasping, your body shuts down, causing you to seize uncontrollably until your very last breath. In case you do actually get rescued, you’ll be left with potential kidney, liver, and heart damage, as well as brain swelling. It may sound extreme, but that’s what an animal actually suffers through when it is tossed away in the Arizona desert. The thought of a person actually dumping a helpless animal off to die like that is so incredibly heinous, I never stopped to think about it. That is, until I came across an organization that introduced me to the ugly reality. Shelley Stolts and her team of only 4 women discovered this gruesome epidemic back in October, and joined forces to create the Arizona Desert Dogs Rescue. Starting with over 100 discarded dogs, the ladies set up a makeshift camp, and made it their mission to save these animals and raise awareness.

How did the Arizona Desert Dogs Rescue organization get started?

A group of women formed to help dogs who are dumped in the desert by owners who don’t want them anymore. See our website (and all adoptable dogs)  www.arizonadesertdogs.com

Where are the dogs located? Explain to our readers just how extreme the temperatures get to be in the desert.

(*Due to safety concerns for the dogs, the exact location can not be publicly disclosed.) In the desert, the weather can be extreme. In the summer it can be over 120 degrees. In the winter it can reach freezing on many nights. The wind is very strong in the desert, as there is no protection out there. There is no shelter from the elements. A danger can also be the wild life. In the desert you must be able to protect yourself from bobcats, mountain lions, snakes, javelinas, coyotes and more.

How many volunteers do you currently have?

We currently have about 5 women that regularly go to the desert each weekend to feed, water and clean the kennels. We have another group of volunteers (about 6 ) that do adoption events on the weekends.

What is your organization currently in need of the most?

We are in need of monetary donations to help bring the dogs in to boarding kennels so they can be there to get socialized and adopted.

What is your advice to someone who is thinking of starting a rescue organization?

There are lots of things to prepare for before opening a rescue. You should get a nonprofit status. Having a good support system helps as this is stressful but rewarding work. You have to plan on medical care, boarding , foster homes, adoption events, fund raisers and there are always emergencies. Having committed volunteers is a great help also.

How YOU can help:

• Arizona Desert Dogs Rescue is looking for 2 people to visit the site every Sunday. Hours are from 9 am to 3 pm and involve feeding, watering, and spending time with the dogs. For more info, email ShelleyStolts@yahoo.com
• DONATE FUNDS. Through PAC911, you’ll be able to make a tax deductible donation, which will help pay for food, medical expenses, and adoption events.
• Foster and adopt. Open your heart and your doors to these dogs. As we all know, June through September are the worst months here. Spread the word and get these animals out of the heat!
• Join me at Pasta For Pooches on March 31st! The goal is to reach $5000 which will go towards vaccinations and altering. The group is still in need of silent auction and raffle items. Industry people, now is your time to donate your services!!

“I’ve been calling it ‘noble naivity’ – it’s taking the soft, sculpted, shaded beauty of an 18th century painting then giving it a whimsical, light sense of humour, as if a child has graffiti’d all over it.” Said Alex Box of MAC Cosmetics, who created this fiasco for Vivienne Westwood Red Label Fall 2011. What do you guys think? Fashion, funny, or straight FUGLY?

It’s warming up around these parts, so what better way to brace yourself than with this cute little number from Hellz Bellz. Inspired by the emotional thriller and theater blockbuster – Black Swan, HELLZ is pre-releasing one of S/S 2011’s most popular styles for a bone chillingly flawless kick-start to Spring. The ‘Bed Time Stories’ dress has been hand picked by clothing brand designer, Lanie Alabanza-Barcena directly to give all fashion insiders the opportunity to be the first to own this limited edition style. With geometric strap detail along with a feminine tu-tu like silhouette, the ‘Bed Time Stories’dress will make any good girl want to go bad. Available in small, medium, and large, the dress is said to run on the smaller side- perfect for teeny tinies. If you’re shy about showing that much skin (as I am), a pair of fishnets and a cropped cardigan will put you at ease. Hurry up, Bed Time Stories is only available until February 28th and once they’re gone, they’re GONE. Shop HERE