Hollywood’s Frederic Fekkai Salon and Spa in late August played host to dozens of fashion and style companies, as well as more than 70 film and TV elite, who celebrated emerging couture and trends at the Style 2006 Garden Party.

Natalie Martin

(Written by Natalie Martin)

I’ve found people who think they’re being pro-Bush actually disagreeing with what he and his cabinet members say, because they are so quick to distrust their own eyes and ears in favor of a transitory statement from this country’s leaders. Perhaps it’s because of our own inherent inability to admit fault. Read (or “troll”) the Yahoo! message boards and you’ll find many pro-Bush people saying that al Qaeda and Hussein and al-whoever all sat down for kabobs while plotting to destroy America–and these message posters think they’re defending the administration.

Often in life we serve others and for that service we expect returns. We give to our children and we expect from them obedience and respect. We expect them to love and appreciate us. We give to our lovers and we expect them not to disappoint us. We expect life to reward us with favor, especially when we have been just and fair. Things don’t always go as planned

(Written By Lisa A. Trimarchi)

Journalist Judy King’s work offers common sense solutions to the everyday challenges faced by the 211,000 women and men diagnosed with breast cancer each year. Her personal experience and subsequent research uncovered a surprising difficulty in finding information addressing common quality-of-life issues that arise during and after treatment
(Press Release)

“Dr. William Hablitzel, a practicing physician and medical educator, shares stories of inspiration from his patients’ lives. He balances details of the medical world with more humanistic elements–the importance of friends and family, staying in the moment, and giving of one’s self.”

(Reviewed By Lee Lemon Peopl

On numerous occasions, my clothing, shoes, or accessories become the topic of discussion. And don’t get me wrong, I definitely enjoy the confidence booster when a word like “sassy” is thrown at me. But because my emotions are the sole force that drive me to put on certain pieces, I’m usually oblivious to other people’s perception of what I’m workin’ with. When a compliment is thrown my way, I actually have to look at or touch the specific item to regain my reasoning for wearing it.

(Written by Elana Pruitt)

In honor of breast cancer awareness month, I am dedicating this issue of Agenda Magazine to my dear friend Susan Cody Tosches–who encompasses the strength that women need to fight against breast cancer and win. Susan has fought so much adversity in her own life, yet still manages to put a smile on our faces. She has worked hard to stay alive and has beaten the odds countless times. And now, she might be facing another battle.

(Written by Kaylene Peoples)

Almost 50 years have passed, and Barbie has played a big part in setting fashion trends. This quest to be fashionable started with the original founder of Mattel, Ruth Handler, the mother of the original Barbie. Mattel Corporation told her that the doll would never have mass appeal and would be too expensive to manufacture. But after exhausting her efforts to design a doll, and even getting designers to create her clothes, Mattel finally conceded and made the first Barbie®doll in 1959. That first year, Barbie sold at $3.00 a doll and was a huge success. If you think about inflation and the cost of living, the increase in housing, transportation and travel, the Barbie®doll really hasn’t increased in price that significantly. The average doll only sells for as low as $7.00 and still appeals to the same demographic.

(Written by Natalie Martin)

I’ve found people who think they’re being pro-Bush actually disagreeing with what he and his cabinet members say, because they are so quick to distrust their own eyes and ears in favor of a transitory statement from this country’s leaders. Perhaps it’s because of our own inherent inability to admit fault. Read (or “troll”) the Yahoo! message boards and you’ll find many pro-Bush people saying that al Qaeda and Hussein and al-whoever all sat down for kabobs while plotting to destroy America–and these message posters think they’re defending the administration.

I always thought my first visit to a plastic surgeon would include leaflets of models whose noses I wanted, or pictures of celebrities with the perfect profile. After all, I do live in Los Angeles, aka tinsel town, aka Hollywood fabulous–the land where everybody is a size 2, has a perfect nose, full lips, no character lines, and a 6-pack. I guess I could have scheduled a lipo-suction appointment, or a breast augmentation procedure, or maybe even a butt lift. But instead I found myself visiting probably the only plastic surgeon on the west side with a moral conscience.