Your Legs Need a New Home

If your jeans are so worn (and not in the $300 kind of way) that you have a baggy butt and rips that look more trashy than trendy, then it's time to get a new pair of jeans. There are plenty of styles available that are great for whatever kind of shoes you feel like wearing.

Nothing is better than skinny jeans.

4 When you put on your skinny jeans there's some sassiness that comes out that you wouldn't have with other types of jeans. They look great with boots, sandals, heels (especially heels) and they dress up any type of outfit you're going for. Try wearing them with chunky belts to balance it out with your top and go to H&M or Express for the best quality.

The 70's aren't back, but wide legged jeans are.
4 Sometime last year wide legged jeans came in style, and they're here to stay. They look great for the office, for a day out shopping, or for a night out on the town. Make sure they fit well and wear them with high heels if you have a shorter figure to make your legs look longer.

Now you can say you didn't steal your boyfriend's jeans.

4 Boyfriend jeans are the latest style to hit Hollywood. Halle Berry and Jennifer Garner have been spotted wearing them with casual T's and old shoes. Leave the high heels at home and allow yourself to be comfortable. Look for ones that are more worn or are rolled up. Try not to look too homely in these by adding jewelry and wearing your hair down to add some femininity. (And say no when your boyfriend asks to borrow them.)

They're better than mom jeans--they're high-waisted jeans.

4 Although Jessica Simpson didn't rock these jeans the best, they've worked well on other celebrities. If you've been disciplined on doing your crunches and have the confidence to wear this style, then go with the high-waisted jeans. They're great with pumps and dress up any type of shirt.

Khaki is back, just not how you're used to seeing them.

4 Although jeans come in different colors, and even patterns at times, jeans in a khaki color are all the rave with men. They're great for going out on a date and wanting to look casual, but are still dressy. This color goes great with almost anything and works great with sandals or boots.

Only your jeans should be washed out.

4 Worn, torn, and adorned. Washed out jeans still look great and give off the feel that you don't care that much about what you wear. Although they're not ideal when going out at night or anything fancy, they still add texture and personality to the jeans you're wearing. They're not too over-the-top like Ed Hardy jeans, yet not boring like a pair of boot cut blue jean.

It doesn't have to be a rainy day for your jeans to be rolled up.

4 Although you can buy jeans that are pre-rolled, this is obviously simple and easy for any pair of jeans you already have. It won't work so well on baggier jeans, more like boot cut, but it adds a lot to any pair you're wearing. Try doing this on a pair that has a darker dye so the roll stands out on the jeans.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

Review- Black Eyed Peas, “Meet Me Halfway” Music VideoWhen I first heard the song, “Meet Me Halfway” on KIIS FM I thought it sounded like a 90’s song that would come on in a club on a Thursday night. Don’t get me wrong, it’s catchy, but most songs already are and I don’t want to like a song just because it has a good beat—anyone can do that. I thought maybe the band was someone unknown and only semi-popular; maybe someone at KIIS FM had found it in an old folder on their computer and put it on air.

After I continued to hear the song on the radio and it began to play in my head I finally looked it up online and realized that the Black Eyed Peas sang it. I was kind of surprised considering their latest song, “I Gotta Feeling,” sounds so different and every time I hear I feel in a better mood. I like a lot of The Black Eyed Peas songs, I don’t own any of them, but I’ll sit through the popular ones and enjoy it.

I think my problem with “Meet Me Halfway” is that it has mediocre lyrics and when Will.i.am raps he sounds like he’s tired or too lazy to get all of his words out. The music video isn’t much better—Fergie lies in a garden the whole time just looking sexy as Will.i.am is on Jupiter riding an elephant. This goes on for three minutes until both Fergie and the other guy in the group, Apl.de.ap, jump into a floating cube and pyramid (don’t ask me what that’s all about) and are finally reconnected. The futuristic Romeo and Juliet story ends with the two of them becoming shooting stars across the night’s sky. Somewhere in this music video is one of the other guys in the Black Eyed Peas group and the only thing he does is act like an astronaut who tries to get close to the sun--maybe they felt bad if they left him out of the video.

It takes a lot of money to make a song, so it makes me wonder if so much money is being spent, then why are the lyrics so bland and boring? After all, Will.i.am raps, 'Cuz girl, I want you right now. I travel uptown, I travel downtown. Wanna have you around, like every single day. If even more money was spent on the music video then how did the director, Ben Mor, convince everyone that this outer space idea was so amazing? Maybe it’s because that’s what the public wants. Maybe we’re not setting our standards high enough. Maybe the Black Eyed Peas know what makes us happy and so they’re lowering their artistic abilities to make us content and to sell more records. After hearing this song and watching the video, I sure hope that’s the reason.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

Five Ways to Tan in the Fall

1. Spray Tan

Although going to a tanning salon every week can get expensive, spray tanning is a great way to maintain your tan and keep yourself looking hydrated and healthy. In the summer, it's ideal to spray tan once a week, but in the fall and winter you only need to visit the salon every 10 to 12 days. It's OK, and actually preferable, to have a lighter tan after summer, so that your light tint is believable and still keeps you looking like you live in California.


Cost: $30 per visit

Apply: Every 10-12 days

Where to go: Any tanning salon.


2. Bronzers

Let's face it: make-up works. Although it's only temporary for a day, make-up is great as a great way to fake a tan and is an immediate solution. Buy a bronzer from any convenience store and apply it over your make-up. Lightly sweep it over your face, neck, chest, and arms--depending on how much skin you're bearing. Men should use this sparingly and find a bronzer that doesn't come with shimmer in it.

St. Tropez bronzing mousse is great for your face and your body--it should work perfectly if it's a warmer day and you're bearing your legs and arms. This brand is highly recommended by many make-up artists.

Milani Bronzer XL is a great powder to use mainly on your face, but will also work on your body.

Cost: St. Tropez Bronzing Mouse $30, Milani Bronzer XL $10

Apply: Once or twice a day.

Where to buy: StTropezTan.com, Target for Milani Bronzer XL

3. Tanning Lotions

Although tanning lotions aren't ideal for summer, they're a great fit for colder seasons. They come in different shades and usually build your tan up with each use. Be picky with the type you use and don't just go off of the price. The best products are L'Oreal's Sublime Bronze and Bobbi Brown's Sunless Tanning Gel--they don't leave you walking out of the house streaky and orange.

Cost: L'Oreal's Sublime Bronze $10, Bobby Brown $30

Apply: Once a week.

Where to buy: Any local drugstore.

4. Go Outside

It seems like a no-brainer, but most of us forget that if we just exercise outside or get some sun during the fall and winter, we'll get tan. It doesn't get too cold in California and for a place that is sunny on Christmas day you can avoid getting pale by going on runs outside or just laying in your backyard. Always apply SPF-15 and try getting some sun once or twice a week to see a difference in your skin color and to get your Vitamin D.

5. Tanning Beds

Although we really hate suggesting this, it will work as a last resort. If lotions, spray tans, and going outside all aren't working for you then go to a tanning bed, but try to limit how much you go. Besides tanning beds being unhealthy and terrible for your skin, they are a good way to maintain your tan. Try to not do this during the summer since you do live in "the sunshine capital of the world," but if you really must, then the tanning beds are always there for fall.

Cost: $40-$60/month

Use: Once or twice a week.

Where: Look online for local tanning salons.

Katie Cervantes 

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

Best Vegan Restaurants to Visit

LOS ANGELES

Pure Luck Restaurant

707 N. Heliotrope Dr. 

Los Angeles, CA 90029

(323) 660-5993

Times: Mon.-Sat.11AM-Midnight, Closed Sundays

Menu includes: Tofu sandwiches and burgers, colorful salads, fried soy-protein nugget wraps, organic soy pasta, smoothies and shakes.

Best thing on the menu: Deep-fried sweet potato slices, served with a tangy dipping sauce.

Price Range: About $8-$10

Pure Luck restaurant is a quirky, fun restaurant where customers feel comfortable in the relaxed environment. They also promise a great selection of micro brews. 

Flore Vegan Cuisine

3818 W. Sunset Blvd. 

Silverlake, CA 90026

(323) 953-0611

Times: Mon.11AM-4PM, Tues.-Fri.11AM-10PM, Sat.-Sun. 10AM-1PM

Menu includes: Vegan dishes, but with a focus on Mexican food. They serve salads, sandwiches, burgers, but no desserts. 

Best thing on the menu: Baja tacos with veggie fish.

Price Range: About $10

The restaurant even has a pub and customers who are die-hard carnivores still rave about the flavors going on in this restaurant. 

California Vegan Restaurant

7300 W. Sunset Blvd. #A

Los Angeles, CA 90046

(323) 874-9079

Times: Mon.-Sat. 11AM-10:30PM

Menu includes: Family recipes with Thai roots and homemade sauces, dressings, and meats. The menu includes some unique items for a vegan menu such as pancakes, quesadillas, soups, and plenty of desserts.

Best thing on the menu: Mango and sticky rice.

Price Range: About $8

California Vegan is unique because they offer a wider variety on their menu for vegans and seem to have more creativity and fun with what they make.

Casa De Tree

3741 Motor Ave. 

Los Angeles, CA 90034

(310) 559-8138

Times: Tues.-Fri. 10AM-9PM

Menu includes: 100% Vegan dishes, sushi, pasta, baked goods, deli/bento, rice/curry, sandwiches and burgers, sweets, and drinks. 

Best thing on the menu: Go-go Croquette!! Burger (Fried potato croquette, onion, tempeh, on a bed of cabbage with special sauce).

Price Range: About $10
They offer Japanese and French recipes with sea salt and fresh herbs for spices. They also carry many wheat-free dishes and are 100% organic.

ORANGE COUNTY

Green's Cafe

15435 Jeffrey Rd.

Irvine, CA

(949) 653-1241                                                                           

Times: Tues.-Sat. 11AM-9PM, Sun 11:30AM-8PM

Menu includes: Tofu sandwiches and burgers, colorful salads, fried soy-protein nugget wraps, organic soy pasta, smoothies and shakes.

Best thing on the menu: Deep-fried sweet potato slices, served with a tangy dipping sauce.

Price Range: About $8-$10

Avanti Cafe

259 E. 17th St.

Costa Mesa, CA 92672

(949) 548-2224                                                                 

Times: Mon.-Fri. 11AM-10PM, Sat. 10:30AM-10PM, Sun. 10:30AM-8PM

Menu includes: Pizza, pasta, sandwiches, sandwiches, desserts. 

Best thing on the menu: Pizza Bianca (Avanti cheese blend, ricotta, garlic & shallot, greens, olives, pine nuts, and rosemary sea salt).

Price Range: About $10

Although the restaurant isn't completely vegan, it has a comfortable menu for both vegetarians and vegans. It's small place to eat that's run by two chefs who founded the restaurant in 2004 and now change the menu every three months. 

LONG BEACH

Zephyr Vegetarian Cafe

340 E. 4th St. 

Long Beach, CA 90802

(562) 435-7113                                                                

Times: Sun.-Thur. 11AM-4PM, Fri-Sat. 11AM-9PM, Closed Sundays

Menu includes: Burgers, sandwiches, drinks, and plenty of salads.

Best thing on the menu: Flame broiled tofu steak burger

Price Range: $8-$10

Zephyr's is an artistic cafe where a lot of musicians play and local art hangs on the walls. It replaced Papa John's four years ago and let's just say no one is complaining. 

House of Vege

2439 Pacific Coast Hwy.

Lomita, CA 90717

(310) 530-1180

Times: Mon.-Thur. 11AM-3PM, 5PM-9PM, Sat. 11AM-9:30PM, Sun. 11AM-9PM

Menu includes: Ovo, chinese, buffet, beer and wine. It consists of an All-You-Can-Eat menu. 

Best thing on the menu: Veggie chicken made from soy protein and deep-fried seaweed rool with taro. 

Price Range: About $11, $16 for All-You-Can-Eat

Although this restaurant is often ignored by people passing by because of it's outer appearance, those that have tried the restaurant swear by it's authenticity and continue frequenting the place.  

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

Where the Wild Things Are Movie Review

With Urban Outfitters selling Where the Wild Things Are apparel and Arcade Fire remaking one of their songs for the movie trailer, it's no wonder that the movie topped the box office the opening weekend with $32 million in revenue. For most young adults, the film is a glimpse back at childhood when our mothers used to read us Where the Wild Things Are before leaving us to dream of creatures and imaginary deeds. Both the film and the book are popular because the story awakens the part in us that still believes in adventures yet to come.


Although this film is one of the better ones to come out this year, it was hard to ignore the disappointing feeling after leaving the theatre. (When hype doesn't live up to expectations, the movie- goer feels cheated.)

Where the Wild Things Are was beautiful and had an art with it's cinematography with the scenes and metaphors. It was definitely original, unique, and a wild ride. What was disappointing is that it seemed to promise a warm good feeling after watching it, of the sweet things of childhood, of what the book always provides. Instead, the movie had a depressed and lonely theme. The young boy, Max, seemed to always be distressed and a little on the bi-polar side. One minute he'd run away from home distraught, only to return completely happy and smiling. He seemed alone, sad, and kind of left to be on his own with his imagination throughout the film.


Let's not forget that Spike Jonze is an incredible filmmaker and is easily compared to Tim Burton or Wes Anderson, but when high standards are set for a film of one of the most memorable childhood books, people often expect the same emotion and theme to come alive in the film. There's enough sadness in life so when we watch a movie that has a lot of significance to most young adults it can be hard feeling more sad than when we walked into the theater. 


Katie Cervantes
Live OC Magazine
www.LIVEOCMAG.com

Fall in love with fashion

SHOES

Don't resort back to your old Uggs that you bought in the eighth grade. It's time to dress it up a little more, snow or not, and keep your toes warm in some booties. These things are all over the place, between Urban Outfitters and Bakers you're sure to find yourself a pair. Also, try some moccasins because they're warm and come in great colors like browns and mustards. Minnetonka moccasins are great because they're more authentic and last forever. For men, old construction boots look great with a dark pair of jeans.

COATS/JACKETS

Leather jackets are all the rave right now. Weather pleather or the real thing, you can dress up any outfit by wearing it over plaid button-ups or long sleeves. Blazers area also hitting the runways, including jean jackets. There are a variety of options for jackets so please don't resort to drowning yourself in an over sized coat, unless you get a form-fitting peacoat.

SKIRTS

Don't ditch your skirts just because the holiday season is coming around. Zip-up jean and leather skirts are great to pair with tights (like we mention below) and go great with chunky gold, eighties-inspired jewelry. Plus, you can always re-wear them during any season for the nightlife.

VESTS

Just because they don't keep you cozy doesn't mean you need to put them away. Vests are great to wear over hoodies and sweaters. If anything, they'll be an extra layer--even if it's a light one.

SCARVES

Trends come and go, but scarves don't. They've been hanging in there and even in the summer people wear them. This Fall Eternity scarves are really popular, and at Anthropologie you can find worn looking ones.

TIGHTS

If you're not ready to toss out your shorts or skirts, wear tights under your basic summer attire. Anthropologie, Forever 21, and Nordstrom all carry lovely floral tights and designs that will keep you both fashionable and warm.

Katie Cervantes
Live OC Magazine
www.LIVEOCMAG.com

Haunted Attractions in Southern California

Southern California has some of the best haunted houses and attractions to hit up for Halloween this year. Although going to Knott's Scary Farm in Buena Park, CA is a given, there's plenty of Michael Myers and Chuckies in other places that are waiting for you to arrive.

You can definitely get picky when choosing what haunted house or tour you want to see. If you're into more blood and guts then go for something that has a lot of costumes and characters, but if you're into the paranormal then visit a site that is already considered a haunted landmark and is a bit creepier.

Orange County

The Empty Grave

Cost: $13 per person, $20 for two tickets, $20 per person Fast Pass

Where:  321 West Katella Ave. Anaheim, CA 92802

When: Oct. 23-25, Oct. 28-Nov.1, 6:30 PM-12 AM Fridays and Saturdays, 6:30 PM-10 PM on weeknights.

Contact:  (714) 496-0744

Details: 50,000 square feet of terror and redesigned for 2009, the website has pictures of grown men screaming in the maze.

Boot Hill

Cost: Free, donations accepted for CHOC

Where: 16 Goldenrod Irvine, CA 92602

When: Oct. 23-25, Oct. 28-30, 7 PM-1O PM

Contact: (818) 633-0300

Details: A haunted house that includes graveyards, gunshots, and the legend of Jedediah Smith, who was killed and now haunts the building. The house looks something you'd find at Knott's Scary Farm, but not bad for free admission.

Sinister Pointe Haunted Attractions

Cost: $13 for a single maze or $20 for both mazes, $20-$20 Fast Pass

Where: 453 S. Associated Rd., Brea, CA 92821

When: Daily, from Oct. 22-31 7 PM-10 PM Weekdays, 7 PM-12 AM weekends.

Contact:  (866) 95-SCREAM

Details: Sinister Pointe offers two new mazes in an old Edwards movie theatre and is from the creators of the original SAW.  The first maze, Silent Hill, is based off of Davis Films Major Motion Picture and video games. The second maze, Fear, is fully interactive and "mind-bending."

Los Angeles

Los Angeles Haunted Hayride 

Cost: Sun.-Wed. $20 for hayride, Thur.-Sat. $25 for hayride, $35 for hayride and ghost stories, $50 Fast Pass for hayride. Group rates are available, including getting a private wagon for the hayride for $1,000.

Where: King Gillette Ranch, 26800 W. Mullholland Highway Calabasas, CA 91302

When: Oct. 22-31, 6:30 PM-10:30 PM from Oct. 25-28, 6:30 PM-12 AM all other nights.

Contact: (877) 342-6618

Details: It's hard to compete with going on a hayride in a wagon in 500 acres of woods on an old ranch. There's a story behind the hayride of patients escaping from an insane asylum and invading the ranch in the 1920s.

Old Town Haunt 

Cost: $13.50 General Admission, $18.50 VIP Admission (includes free shirt). Cost increases to $15 for General Admission on the eve of Halloween and Halloween night.

Where: 20 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103

When: Oct. 22-25, Oct. 28-Nov. 1, 7 PM to 12 AM

Contact: (626) 248-7652

Details: This is an award-winning attraction and is held in the oldest building in Pasadena. An apparent bank robbery occurred at the building where old catacombs were blown open after dynamite exploded. The maze promises to be bigger and longer than ever!

Vampyr Inn's: Bloody Ball

Cost: $16 General Admission, $21 Fast Pass

Where: The Haunting Factory, 8757 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069

When: Oct. 29 7 PM-12 AM, Oct. 30 7 PM-2 AM, Oct. 31-6 PM-2 AM, Nov. 1 7 PM-12 AM

Contact: cn@hauntingfactory.com

Details: The creators of this tour are award-winning producers and designers of Broadway plays, so the haunt is likely to be more established and realistic. The inn is rumored to have held the meetings of a secret society that supposedly never ended since it's members' ghosts still occupy the inn.

Long Beach

The Queen Mary, Shipwreck

Cost: $29 General Admission, $40 Fast Pass, Overnight Package $225

Where: 1126 Queens Highway Long Beach, CA 90802

When: Oct. 22-24, Oct. 27-31, 7 PM-12 AM

Contact: (562) 435-3511

Details: The Queen Mary offers seven different attractions such as Club Dead, Psychedelic Krazy Klown Maze, Paranoia House of Horrors, Pirate Maze, Isolation Ward, Graveyard, and Vampire Village. It even has an overnight stay for two that includes breakfast and Shipwreck tickets. The Queen Mary is a little more bang for your buck.

The Ghosts of Muckenthaler

Cost: $5 for members, $10 for non-members

Where: Muckenthaler Cultural Center , 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton, CA 92831

When: Oct. 21-Nov. 1, 6 PM

Contact:  (714) 738-6595

Details: The Muckenthaler Mansion has a historical tour through the house as they'll tell you of the darker side of Muckenthaler and the ghosts that have "overstayed their welcome."

Katie Cervantes
Live OC
www.LIVEOCMAG.com