HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM HCZ!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, HIP CHICKS!

XOXO, Joanna Tanger... or Joan Jett for the next 24 hours ;)
(Editor of HipChickZine.net)

BOOK WE LOVE: Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights

Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights: Recipes for Every Season, Mood, and Appetite by Sophie Dahl (HarperCollins Books)

You may recognize Sophie Dahl's smiling face on the cover of her book. She is known for her big smile and sexy curves as a world-class model. What you may not be aware of is that this London-based model is a wonderful food writer (oxymoron no more!). The 276-page hardcover is part cookbook, part memoir, with gorgeous, full-color photography sprinkled throughout. Divided by season, the recipes are further categorized by meal, and brief anecdotes introduce each chapter. Dahl's recipes are generally simple and delicious, encouraging readers to use local seasonal produce as their stars. Begin an autumn day with "Poached Eggs on Portobello Mushrooms with Goat's Cheese," and finish with a "Flourless Chocolate Cake." Savor "Linguine with Tomatoes, Lemon, Chile and Crab" in the summer, and "Grilled Figs with Ricotta and Thyme Honey" in the spring. Some of the recipes sound indulgent, but all feature wholesome ingredients that can easily be found at your local farmers' market or supermarket. All in all, the stylish model makes one sensual cook!

BOOK WE LOVE: The Girl's Guide to the Big Bold Moves for Career Success

The Girl's Guide to the Big Bold Moves for Career Success by Caitlin Friedman & Kimberley Yorio (Broadway Books).

Are you ready to find your dream job? Want to get that raise even in this economy? Caitlin Friedman and Kimberley Yorio have watched numerous women miss out on promotions and sit quietly hoping their boss will notice. Open the pages of their book, and learn how to ask for what you want at work and in life. Friedman and Yorio will teach you how to conquer fear, network, sell yourself, and ask for the raise. As they write, "Women are socialized to be humble about their accomplishments. You're taught that if you're a good girl and do good work, people will notice and you'll be rewarded. Wouldn't it be great if that were true?" The authors discuss the fact that men often get promotions not because they deserve them more than their female co-workers, but because they have been taught to ask for what they want. Women are concerned with the whole team and we don't want to seem demanding or 'bitchy,' so we do not ask for what we deserve. The Girl's Guide to the Big Bold Moves for Career Success has excellent interviews with inspiring and high-powered women and tips on ways to fight the stereotypes that keep women from moving up. This 231-page read is one of the best work-related books I've read and it includes lists of resources and ideas to help you reach your potential.

Jewelry We Love: Asta International

I love culture and anthropology, but I also adore jewelry, so you can imagine how delighted I was to discover Asta International! These beautifully crafted pieces from South America are truly wearable pieces of art (not to mention conversation-starters!). Inspired by a trip to Colombia, Asta Rockwood, who is originally from Lithuania but now resides in Boston, decided she wanted to bring the jewelry to an even larger market. Asta makes sure that the crafters receive fair wages to help support their families. In addition, 100% of every Jewel of the Month purchase, and ten percent of every web purchase goes towards the non-profit Asta International Fund, which helps to provide low income families in Asta's native Lithuania with educational scholarships. Asta says, "I chose this idea due to my personal experience years ago that made me make my drastic decision to move out of my home, and away from my family to pursue a better life, an education [in the US]. I believe that hard work and perhaps a little help from Asta International, all determined students can achieve their life's dream as I have." Yes, each piece is more than just a jewel...

Pictured: Some of Asta's personal favorites.
Visit the Asta International Website

From the HCZ Events Calendar: Flutterbydaisy Fashion Show

Flutterbydaisy Fashion Show


Featuring music performances from

The Dogbones * David Ryder Prangley * Maleficent
Esther Dee * Nuala Merne *
Thursday 4th March 2010

7:00pm – 2:00am

The Dome (Above The Boston Arms)
178 Junction Road
Tufnell Park
London
N19 5QQ

Tickets £8 in advance from http://www.etickets.to/buy/?e=4058

Flutterbydaisy presents a night showcasing a new line of Flutterbydaisy dresses, inspired by Childhood, Victorian rag dolls, Lolita-mania and 19th Century couture.

The show will feature an array of fresh new models, chosen especially for their lack of catwalk experience and fairylike quality, with goth-pop-actress-singer-poster-girl Betty Curse the highlight of the runway. Mac make-up artist, Luna Viola, and hairdresser Valentine Capa Preta will also be involved in the show with documentary film maker Donato Cinicolo filming throughout the evening.

The catwalk show will be punctuated by five bands / solo perfomers - pretty singer/songwriter Nuala Merne, Mediaeval Baebe Esther Dee, David Ryder Prangley of Rachel Stamp, Gothic ballerina fronted Maleficent and headliners, The Dogbones.

natanyaNatanya L Waybourne created Flutterbydaisy two years ago. Preferring the teachings of her dressmaker Nana she skipped art/fashion school and now works from home in her fairy cave collecting ‘Flutterbydaisies’ along the way. She blogs about it regularly at www.whatnatanyadid.blogspot.com

Natanya’s dresses have been seen on Stephanie Dosen, America’s Top Model finalist Alison Harvard, Maleficent Martini, Mediaeval Baebe Esther Dee, Esther O’Connor and Lady Solo to name a few…

When she’s not sewing dresses she is dancing, writing poetry, taking photos, drawing, making spoken word CDs, reading ‘Alice in Wonderland’, keeping her website up to date… and she has recently branched out into film making. Natanya is also currently writing a novel inspired by time.

Flutterbydaisy “…dresses for broken dolls, butterflies and fairy ballerinas…”