Don't Be Mean, Go Green

You probably don't know that it's illegal to throw your old laptop or that outdated computer in the trash if you live in the state of California.  If you're sick of being wasteful and increasing your global footprint, then stop being a pack rat with junk you don't use, and do something good with it. 

About 85-90% of all electronic items are illegally disposed. That's why 70% of heavy metals and 40% of lead contents found in landmills are all from e-waste.

The Los Cerritos Center and Greenview Resource Management, Inc. is hosting an e-waste recycling event where local communities have the opportunity to properly dispose all unwanted/broken electronic items. 

Best of all? It's free.

E-waste consists of all electronic items, such as PC systems, printers, computer monitors, home entertainment systems, fax machines, and copiers. To find more e-waste products, visit www.ShopLosCerritos.com. 

You can recycle your used electronic items at the Los Cerritos Center on April 10 & 11, and if the items are too heavy there will be staff available to help unload all items. 

Drop off your goods at Southeast parking lot off of Gridley Road near Allen Tire at the Center.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

The Best Hair Styles for Every Face Shape

>>Round Face

You're face is round if it's as long as it is wide. If you have a round face, you're goal should be to elongate it as much as possible by adding volume and layers to your hair. Try bangs that are feathered, or side-swept, which will soften your face shape and make it appear more elongated. Going for gentle waves is also another style that works well.

>>Heart Face

Heart shaped faces have narrow chins and wider cheekbones. Go for curly and soft hairstyles, ones that cut right at the chin and give off the appearance of everything being symmetrical. Never slick your hair back for this look--don't do anything that overemphasizes the upper portion of your face. If your really want to go for the bangs, wispy ones will do the trick to make your face shape look flattering.

>>Oval Face

A rounded hairline with a narrower jaw line than the temples. Consider yourself blessed if you were born with an oval face. You're one of the only face shapes that can wear almost any hairstyle and still look great. Avoid heavy bangs, which can hide your face and make it appear smaller. Your best option to having bangs is to opt for blunt ones.

>>Square Face

A square jaw line and hairline. Those with square face shapes have a little more freedom with hairstyles. They can go for longer lengths with sided parts and layers or waves. Avoid bobs and parting your hair down the middle, but opt for bangs that are side-swept and sexy.

>>Oblong Face

Your face is longer than it is wide, with a rounded hairline and jaw line. Go for longer hairstyles that add height and width at the temples and cheekbones. Make sure there's volume around the neck and play with wispy bangs if your forehead is high. Don't get short hair, and avoid parting your hair in the middle. If you opt for long hair, make sure it has some layers to soften your face shape.

>>Diamond Face

A mix between oval and heart shape, with the cheekbones the widest. Bobs look good on a few people, and those with a diamond face look great with short, edgy styles. Those with diamond face shapes should always have some sort of bangs that shorten their foreheads and round their face more. You're also one of the few who can part their hair down the middle and still look great.

>>Triangular Shape

This one has a strong jaw line and narrow cheekbones. Shorter hairstyles work best for those with a triangular face shape. Most people with triangular shapes have prominent jaw lines, so layers at a short length will compliment your face the best. Avoid longer hairstyles, which will only add width to your jaw line. 

Katie Cervantes

Live OC

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

7 Items Every Woman Must Have

1. Stilettos

Let's face it. Stilettos never go out of style. As long as they're basic and of good quality then they'll last you a lifetime as they take you on a night out or to a fancy affair. Try a basic black suede stiletto or a hot pink one to spice up your wardrobe. You can even pair them with a dark jean when going out to dinner so you can look great without getting too dolled up.

2. Chunky Brown Belt

Chunky brown belts go with everything--a loose tee that needs something more, or a casual dress that's missing some personality. It's great for office attire or just to slip on when going shopping with the gal pals. You can find plenty of authentic leather belts at flea markets (I just picked up an $8 Ralph Lauren one at the Rose Bowl Flea Market), and hey, they'll even flatter your curves.

3. Bangles

Bare wrists are a no-no. An outfit sans the jewelry is too bare when bangles can dress up just about any ol' outfit. They fit just about any style and have remained in the fashion scene in almost every decade. Avoid wearing too many rings--you don't want everything to clash--and remember that it's hard to have too many bangles on.

4. Binglin' Watch

If you haven't checked the LA scene lately, high-end watches have been on the rise. They're a great investment (at around $100 for a basic one) and are appropriate for almost all occasions. You'll look responsible with one in the office and sexy when pairing it with casual-wear. 

5. Strapless Bra

We all know it should be a crime to let your intimates show. Trashy straps will ruin any outfit and will make you look anything but classy. Ditch your typical bra and opt for a strapless one that will be great with halter tops in the summer, or that fabulous mini dress you'll be wearing to your friend's wedding. Either way, a strapless bra is an essential item to being female--especially a fashionable one.

6. Little Black Dress

The little black dress has been around since Audrey Hepburn paired her infamous shades with it in Breakfast at Tiffany's. It's a great way to wear that strapless bra we just mentioned and to look sophisticated and sexy. It's perfect for dinner parties, or to even go shopping on Rodeo Drive. Find something simple that can be paired with different accessories so when your style changes from time to time, your dress won't have to. 

7. Diamond Earrings

Diamond earrings never go out of style--go faux in case you lose one of them. They add femininity to your face and look great in anything casual or extremely fancy pants. My favorite are Betsey Johnson--they're modern yet still classy. 

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

Crash the Bash

The Inaugural Off Center Bash, "Come Together" is days away on Saturday, March 27 in congruent with Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles on March 23-28. There will be a VIP Celebration in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall with an After Party in the concert hall. The bash will also feature a Beatles music video contest in partnership with media sponsor of Coast magazine. 

The event is co-chaired by Cindi Morales and Linda Young with tickets ranging from $50-$1000. All proceeds supporting the Center's Off Center and Free for All Series. In addition, there will be the student rush discount ticket program that introduces the arts to new audiences and the next generation of the Center family. 

For more info, visit www.ocpac.org/offcenterbash. 

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

Movie Review: Valentine' s Day ♥

With a handful of award-winning actors leading Valentine's Day, it's no wonder that it broke records Valentine's Day weekend by raking in 52 million dollars. Although the film got well-deserved mixed reviews, it was still a hit film that will be sure to invite itself back every Valentine's Day.

Love Actually is a romantic-comedy that broke tradition by having multiple love stories within one film. Valentine's Day steals this concept, but sets the scene in Los Angeles and has some twists, some cheese, and a little bit of prediction. However, it's still worth seeing, because the feel-good feeling is worth some bad acting and accurate guessing of the ending.

Taylor Swift made her acting debut in this film as a high school teenager caught up in puppy love, with her real-life beau at the time, Taylor Lautner. Although it may have been a cute idea to cast the all American girl, it was a mistake with her lack of acting credibility. Although she was supposed to play a ditz, her acting made the character even worse and so annoying that it was hard not to cringe. The scenario for the two young love birds didn't add any substance to the film, but simply took a few minutes off my life. 

Other actors were more charming, like Ashton Kutcher, who plays a hopeless romantic and owns a flower business. Although he purposes to his girlfriend (Jessica Alba), the direction of their relationship is predictable right from the opening credits. 

Topher Grace and Anne Hathaway play a couple in a new-ish relationship that gets off to a rocky start from a little secret Hathway's character has. Out of all the love stories, this one's the most endearing and makes you root for them the most throughout the film.

Other notable names in the film include Kathy Bates, Julia Roberts, Bradley Cooper (he finally plays a nice guy), Hector Elizondo, Eric Dane (still looks McSteamy in the film), Jamie Foxx, Topher Grace, Queen Latifa, and Emma Roberts. 

For those of us who hate Valentine's Day, there's always Jessica Biel's character to relate to--she works in PR and hates celebrating love, marking the holiday by having an annual party that bashes Valentine's Day. She's neurotic and has enough pity for herself to make you feel annoyed at times, but her acting helps add to the film where Taylor Swift lacked. Besides, where else can you see a Valentine's Day heart pinata get bashed?

Garry Marshall was clearly trying to make Valentine's Day a lighthearted comedy that had a bit of fun, with some twists involved. The surprises keep the story moving at a perfect pace and help make it a movie you can take seriously, even with a few mishaps involved. 

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

//The Best Day Trips in Southern California


+Julian

Go apple picking in the orchards of Julian, or have the best apple pie that your mama never made. This little town hidden in the mountains of San Diego County looks like it's right out of a movie with their old fashioned hardware store and corner candy shop. You can ride in a carriage around the town, or go vintage shopping for some serious treasures.

Wine tasting is off the walls here with vineyards that include Ofilia Vineyards, Menghini Winery, Shadow Mountain Winery, and J. Jenkins Winery.

+Big Bear

Only in Southern California can you head to snowboarding in the mountains after a good few hours of surfing. Big Bear is one of the best retreats in the mountains, and it's only a few hours of a drive from Orange County. There are a handful of mountains to hit the snow in this community and in the summer there's plenty of fishing, wake boarding, and jet skiing to do on the lake.

For a romantic weekend, rent a cabin for a few hundred dollars, and visit some of the best candy shops in their town. There's always events going on each month, like Oktoberfest and Troutfest.

+San Diego

The things you can do in San Diego is limitless. You can ditch your car for the day and ride the trolley around town, stopping at the famous Balboa Park where there's art museums, performers, and historic scenery. Bring your camera for the botanical gardens and walk just a few blocks to hit up the downtown area where there's plenty of shopping. You'll be impressed with Horton Plaza, the city's five-story mall.

If it's baseball season you can see a Padres game and get wine or a cigar after at one of the local shops. In the summer there's Ocean Beach, a hippie town with plenty of interesting people and flavors. There's also Pacific Beach, which has better surf and some of the best places to shop and eat. If you're looking for something more upscale, visit La Jolla Shores where you'll find everything ritzy and coffee shops/fondue right on the water.

If that's not enough, visit Coronado Island to ride on beach cruisers, or to take a look around the famous Hotel Del on the beach.

+Hollywood

Walk on the stars (on Hollywood Blvd.) or visit Rodeo Drive for the best shopping the city has to offer. There's the famous Kodak Theatre, and Grauman's Chinese Theatre, one of the most famous movie theaters in the country. Walk down the street and visit Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum, and take a look inside Hotel Roosevelt, where famous starlets have stayed.

If you want to get out of the limelight, spend the day at Universal Studios where you can still get a taste of Hollywood by taking a tour on famous sets. If you still want more tours in the city, be cheesy and pay to see famous Hollywood residences.

If you're feeling like taking your clothes off, then hit Venice Beach where there's miles of hippie shops and interesting performers.

+Catalina Island

Put on your nautical outerwear and take a ferry over to Catalina Island for the day. You can rent bikes to travel around the island, and stop by the Catalina Island Conservatory. From there you can take a few tours to explore the island by getting adventurous views that will make you feel like Indiana Jones. There's the Glass Bottom Boat tour, Flying Fish Boat Trip, Cape Canyon Tour, and even the GPS Walking Tour. 

Just because you're stranded on an island (well, not really) doesn't mean there isn't shopping. You can find quaint little stores that hold artwork, handmade islands, and clothing, all right on the waterfront.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

FASHION HITS & MISSES at The Oscars

HITS

Kristen Stewart worked the Red Carpet with this stunning gothic-chic gown that accentuated her curves and complimented her skin (she finally found something that worked!). The lines made the dress interesting and dramatic. 

Robert Downey Jr. stood out from the other men, and made the fashion police report (few men do) by making his outfit interesting with a powder blue bowtie and sneakers. He loved it so much he wore it on the Jimmy Kimmel Show, and we loved it.

The number one gown of the evening went to Rachel McAdams, hands down. She impressed viewers and fellow stars by wearing Ellie Saab in a watercolor pattern that stood out from the other dresses. She dressed it up with gorgeous earrings and simply looked elegant. 

Zac Efron sported a straight-lined tie, definitely retro (and it worked!), with an all black suit. It was clean and classy, with his hair jelled just right.

Although Miley Cyrus had some haters out there for this one, we loved it. It was age-appropriate and pretty with enough glam and vintage lace to fit the event. Her jewelry was just enough and didn't take away from the dress.

MISSES

This one was a little bland, even for someone older like Meryl Streep. We expected a little more color, or maybe a surprise train, but were left disappointed. Her hair was also nothing to talk about, with a little wave to her bangs, but that's about it.

Although Zoe Saldana made the effort here, it's unfortunate that she was one of the worst dressed stars of the evening. We're not sure if the dress was already paired with the top, or if that was Zoe's idea, but either way it didn't match. We love the flow and the curves, but it was too much of a miss to look past the flaws.

Charlize Theron is known for her elegance in designer dresses, but this time she was a little too daring, and we're afraid this one will be brought up for a while. Although the fabric was beautiful and there were many dimensions, the roses seemed too silly and made it hard to take her seriously.

Sarah Jessica Parker frequents the miss list in most fashion police reports, and she did it again this year. She looked like she was wearing a potato sack with the shape, and then there was the surprise on the neck. The back was even worse, but we tried not to post a photo of that just to give her a break.

Drew Barrymore almost got it right. The dress looked beautiful on her and complimented every curve (from the right). But then what's that sneaking out on the left? We're not sure, either. It was daring, but didn't work.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com