Kendra Scott Gives Back to Ryan House

Cindy Mero of Ryan House

What are two of my most favorite things to do…jewelry and shopping! So you know I was super excited to go to the Kendra Scott charity event raising money for Ryan House located in Central Phoenix.

Kendra Scott, located in the Scottsdale Quarter, is fun and uniquely designed jewelry. I love big chunky jewels that bling. This no-frills let’s-get-down-to-business kind of

jewelry store provides women (and those gift-buying husbands) affordable upscale jewelry. What ever the occasion may be, Kendra Scott will have a bauble or two to compliment your special look.

The staff was very welcoming and helpful when it came to choosing that right piece. I love their motto of try it on! We all felt quite girly trying on rings and necklaces and such. I already saw the cuff I’m going back to snag. They have a customized Color Bar

 

where you can pick the perfect color to go with whichever piece of jewelry you choose. I’ve never seen anything like it. You just tap away on the biggest flat

Color Bar TV

screen ever and design your own unique style. I had a blast! This concept is perfect for a bride and her special day. Having all of her bridal party matching with their customized Kendra Scott design would make any ensemble beautiful. Kendra Scott, based in Austin TX has over 15 locations throughout the Southwest and continues to grow. 

I spoke with Event Coordinator Alissa Dunn who shared the passion Kendra Scott has for giving back to the community. Organizations supporting women and

children are the core values that drive Kendra Scott to be a very philanthropic company. A Kendra Scott charity event gives back 20% of its proceeds. That's awesome for Ryan House. 

Director of Special Events and Marketing for Ryan House Cindy Mero chose to work with the retailer because of their giving nature. It's her passion for helping others in the community that draws non-profits to Kendra Scott.

I had the absolute pleasure in speaking with Ryan's mother,Holly Cottor. What a wonderful woman with a 
Grand Canyon-sized heart. 

In 2001, Ryan was formally diagnosed at 9 months with a degenerative neurological disorder. At the time, the Cottor family was living in London where they struggled to find appropriate care for their son. 

Holly Cottor

Around 16 months old, they found Helen House where Ryan and his family, including his brother, received family-focused respite care and support. Helen House was the first palliative care facility focused on caring for children with life-altering diagnosis. Once able to return to the States, Holly and Jonathan Cottor became committed to providing the same level of care and concern for Arizona families in need. 

The non-profit organization Ryan House was established in 2004. They also have partnered with Hospice of the Valley to increase the level of crucial support for all families. Ryan House strives to "provide respite and palliative care to children with life-threatening conditions and , as needed, end-of-life care". Holly Cottor takes the approach in palliative care as a "lifeline of hope". The team of professionals at Ryan House are always set in place to administer emotional, social, respite, and palliative care for their families. 

What a fun event for an even better cause. Please take a minute to check out the Ryan House website. Any help can and will make a difference.

Toy Taylor

LiFF Does It Again!!! A Film Festival that Rocks!!!!

Just finished attending the 2014 Laughlin International Film Festival (LiFF) this weekend and was blown away for the second year in a row by an outstanding overall film festival production for the four days (October 16 – 19^th).    

Erik Karsen Puhm, Mara Karsen Puhm, and Dave Davidson Co-Founders of the Laughlin International Film Festival have outdone themselves again by continuing the annual tradition of honoring and recognizing filmmakers from all over the world that participate and submit to the festival.  They are building a community that is becoming family and many are already planning on next year’s “Filmmaker Family Reunion” and looking forward to all the new additions to the extended family.  

The host city of Laughlin, NV along with the Tropicana Express (main Host location), Riverside Casino, the Acquarius and the Laughlin Outlets Mall –Stadium 9 Cinemas (viewing home of the films that made it into the festival) again proved to provide the perfect mix of location and environment to welcome filmmakers from all over as well as offer a close-knit set-up that enabled viewings, red-carpet photos and interviews (provided by Gianna Nicole Inc.), workshops, and of course all the parties.  The support from the community is clearly evident and it was nice to have so many visitors asking about the buzz and what was going on with all the festival attendees.  The word is getting out about this festival and the only direction for this event is UP and future growth is without any doubt going to happen. 

So here’s the quick run-down on the Film Awards presented at the widely appreciated and spectacular Awards Banquet (that included the opening emcee, Owen Dara, known and loved for his acting, comedy, filmmaking and great personality) that really exceeds expectations of all in attendance . (Disclaimer: This listing is a quick recap – in case any misspellings or errors - updates will be made accordingly as this information was captured at the event and the formal listing from LiFF will be published on their website)

Best Short Documentary – Jesse and the Fountain of Youth - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jesse-and-The-Fountain-of-Youth/622534844497164 - Trailer - http://youtu.be/mOvHwsBrUck

Best Web Series – Royals the Series - https://www.facebook.com/royalstheseries - Meet the cast - http://vimeo.com/user24343951/videos

Best Soundtrack/Score – Moustache - https://www.facebook.com/moustachethefilm - Website - http://moustachethefilm.com/

Best Experimental Work – Only in LA – Twitter - https://twitter.com/OnlyinLA1 - Website - http://chroniclesfilm.com/

Best Animation Video – I Need My Monster – Video - http://vimeo.com/94518791

Best Music Video – Look Away (by Eliza) – Video - http://youtu.be/g1qzee0r1S0

Best Local Film – Verdict (by Rebel In a Box Productions) - https://www.facebook.com/rebelfilms.net - Twitter - https://twitter.com/rebelboxfilms

Outstanding Production Value – What Future - https://www.facebook.com/whatfuture11

Best Cinematic Film – Our Father – Website - http://www.ourfatherproductions.com/ - https://www.facebook.com/OurFatherMovie

Best Storytelling – Wolfgang Bodison – The Long Wait - https://www.facebook.com/thelongwaitfilm - website - http://thelongwaitfilm.com

Best Ensemble Cast – Goin’ Guerilla - https://www.facebook.com/goinguerrilla - website - http://www.twitchydolphin.com

Best Thriller Horror – Antisocial Behavior – Trailer - http://youtu.be/LyKYXxgslZY - Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AntisocialBehavior

Humanitarian Award – One in a Million - https://www.facebook.com/CjdDocumentary - Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/@cjddocumentary

Best Lead Actress –  Christina Harding (in Moustache)

Best Lead Actor – Michael Gross (in Our Father)

Best Comedy Film – The Backseat - https://www.facebook.com/thebackseatmovie - IMDB - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2184956/

Best Drama Film – The Badger Game - https://www.facebook.com/thebadgergamemovie - website - ttp://www.thebadgergame.com

Bud Holland Award - Victim: The Terrifying Story of Sunny Coleman by Andrea Zindel Smith

Best University Film – A Plush Life - https://www.facebook.com/aplushlife - website - http://www.brynscotthubbard.com

Tropicana Award – Best University Film – Into the Silent Sea - https://www.facebook.com/IntoTheSilentSea - website - http://intothesilentsea.com

Best International Short Film – Remembering the Fallen - https://www.facebook.com/rememberingthefallen

Best International Documentary – Shunned - https://www.facebook.com/Shunned - website - http://www.silentvoicesproductions.com

Best International Narrative Film – Blackbird - https://www.facebook.com/blackbirdthemovie - website - http://www.deerstalkerfilms.com

2014 LiFF Pick Award – Deuce of Spades - https://www.facebook.com/deuceofspades - website - http://www.deuceofspadesmovie.com

LiFF Director Award – Penance - https://www.facebook.com/penancemovie - website - http://www.penancemovie.com/

Best US Short Film – Premium Harmony - https://www.facebook.com/PremiumHarmony - website - http://www.premiumharmonymovie.com

Best US Narrative Feature – Three Holes, 2 Brads and a Smoking Gun -https://www.facebook.com/Threeholes  – Trailer - http://youtu.be/G1bj3JHk-AA

Best US Documentary – Music City USA - https://www.facebook.com/musiccitymovie - website - http://www.MusicCityMovie.com

Liff 2014 Grand Jury Award - Moustache - https://www.facebook.com/moustachethefilm - Website - http://moustachethefilm.com/

Stay tuned for more updates and information and if you have films, shorts, music videos, or any other film production, YOU MUST SUBMIT to this festival because you have no idea what you are missing until you attend and participate.  This is going to be on our calendar for as long as this festival will exist.  Hopefully that will be forever!!!

To find out what you missed and to get involved with the awesome Laughlin International Film Festival for next year 2015, go to their sponsor page or send a direct email to info@laughlinfilmfestival.com, submissions@laughlinfilmfestival.com, finance@laughlinfilmfestival.com .

The Finale at Phoenix Fashion Week

by Toy Taylor - [RECAP] Ok, here we go! The final night of Phoenix Fashion Week is done. I won't bore you with silly talk so here's how the night went. And it started beautifully... 

Saba! Saba! Saba! Ornate. Intricately detailed. Comfort. These were my thoughts when I watched Adoire by Saba gracefully take the

catwalk. Even the sleek form fitted designs looked comfortable and breathable. 

Every woman knows the pleasure in wearing an evening gown that's fitted yet comfy in all the right places. Saba's brand, paired with Olga M Designs, is glamorous for any evening out. What a breathtaking collection.

Up next is a designer I've been waiting for....Hues of Ego. Can I just tell you that Natasha's Hues of Ego line is so fierce and relentless. If Hues of Ego envisioned a powerful statement to make the crowd's jaw drop, she succeeded.

 The music set the 

tone for the first 

piece to make a 

dramatic entrance 

and...WOW...you got

it! The white fluffy 

do and bedazzled

Designer Natasha

 mask made you catch your breath.

This is what runway is all about. Each piece held its own merit and demanded a double take. Day wear to evening wear matched perfectly with Clutch Jewelry and Tom Horn Collection. Hues of Ego shut it down!

Jacqueline Nicole also had a fun and playful line. I believe her

                                                                                              collection reflects her spirit. Love the pink sequin skirt. That could be a staple in any woman's closet.

Designer Jacqueline Nicole

My fave was the white crotchet maxi dress. Super comfy. I wanted to buy it right off the runway.  Collaborations were made with Possibility Accessories and Tom Horn Collection.

Lillienne Lang collection was just brilliant. The soft demure colors were perfect in not overpowering the detailed style of each piece. Lillienne pays close attention to geometric lines and placement from shoulders to ankles.

From the previous 
sneek peek it shows how this collection has been fine tuned and brought up to the next level.  

Designer Lillienne Lang

Lillienne Lang clothing boasts a strong European feel earning an avant-garde look that makes her brand a recognizable clothing line. Possibility Accessories and Tom Horn Collection partnered with Lillienne Lang.

Nadia and Nora are the amazing sisters of Rayan. I can't even pick a  

favorite design because they are ALL fantastic. Rayan's long sleeved 

evening gowns are simply exquisite.

Check out the deep purple dress with the 

built in cape. Oh! I want it! I can say no 

more...Rayan is flawlessly superb.

Designer Nora

After a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication, Phoenix Fashion Week named the Designer of the Year and the Top Model of the Year. And the results are...

Models of the Year Nick Koester and Bianca Mead

Designer of the Year Misha Mendicino

ESTABLISHED DESIGNERS


Kenneth Harion Couture 

brouht mega glitz and 

glam to Phoenix 

Fashion Week. Ornate 

fashion at its finest. 

Just gorgeous!

Couture by Yen was blissfully elegant. Color choices for the runway

were

fabulous.I 

especially 

love the 

of fabric choices. 

See thru cutouts add a nice touch of sex appeal to this collection.

The final performance (yes I said performance because that is what he does...ENTERTAIN) to hit the runway is the fashion guru of haute couture Rocky Gathercole. 

Each magical creation rises to a level of authenticity like I have never seen before. I mean really? Who can create Hello Kitty couture and make it fabulous on the runway? Rocky can! 

Check out the

Maleficent-inspired masterpiece. 

Speechless! Another fascinating 

collection from Rocky Gathercole. Be 

sure to check out my live interview 

with Rocky at Talking 

The Five 

Talk 

Show.

Being able to follow the emerging designers through the past 6 months has been a rewarding journey for myself. I love to see the growth in spirit and talent in all the designers. Big hand clap to all the emerging designers and accessory designers. Here at Chronic Behavior we wish all of you the best in your future endeavors.

And big kudos to Phoenix Fashion Week for another successful year in wearable fashion and haute couture. Now Brian Hill and his fabulous team can hopefully take a well deserved break. We will be looking forward to the new 2015 fashionistas!

Presented by www.chronicbehavior.com/     @chronicbehavior www.facebook.com/FilmFashionFutures.com

Thanks to the Chronic Behavior team for their excellent coverage of the event. They are the team helping to support and promote the brand. We appreciate you for your continued support.