The Health and Wellness Issue
From April 2009

April had us searching for 26 ways to live well and tasting a few Pinot Noirs. Follow our footsteps through the wildflowers in April.

PLUS
Read a little about the clothing designer Melanie Renee and tips from makeup artist Krista McAllister below.

ON THE COVER
Spring has sprung! Model Cecelia Kovalcheck of San Luis Obispo gallivants among the wildflowers wearing a fun and flirty top by local fashion designer Melanie Renee. The casual look can be dressed down with bohemian-style accessories (as shown) or “belted with draping jewelry or tucked into a high-wasted pencil skirt,” as Renee suggests. Gold and Peruvian opal earrings by local jewelry designer Shannon Len provide the final accents to this summer-ready look.

ON CECELIA
Sunshine top in “Burnt Orange” from Melanie Renee Design available at www.melaniereneedesign.com or Uptown Jean Co. in San Luis Obispo.

Gold and Peruvian opal earrings by Shannon Len available through her website, www.lendesignsjewelry.com, or Hands Gallery in San Luis Obispo

HAIR/MAKEUP STYLING:
Krista McAllister, Roxy Salon and Day Spa, San Luis Obispo
(805) 545-9069; www.roxysalondayspa.com

ABOUT MELANIE RENEE DEISGNS:
CCM®: What type of woman wears Melanie Renee Designs? And specifically the sunshine top?
MR: A young lady that's flirty and not afraid to wear color. The sunshine top was made to be dressed up or casual. It can be accessorized with jewelry or made shapely with a belt. Ladies can wear this top to dinner, the office, and even just to the park.

CCM®: Does your spring 2009 line define Central Coast style, if not what does it define? And what does Central Coast style mean to you?
MR: The colors in my Spring line boasts the Central Coast. There is color all around me so I use that in my designs. Color makes me happy. Some of my pieces are very retro and there is a large retro fallowing in the central coast. The Mamba dress I made for a beach wedding and it ended up being my signature piece. It can be worn to a wedding, to the beach, to a bar, with jeans I try to make my peices versitle so that they can have many different looks from one dress/top.
The Central coast is my home. I was born and raised here so I loooooovvve it! I never really wanted to leave except to travel. I grew up surfing at Pismo Beach, eating snow cones and hotdogs at Avila, reading books at the library, and strolling thru Farmers Market. The Central Coast is all about eating outdoors, socializing with friendly people, and shopping. All of which help inspire my creations.

CCM®: What are some alternative ways to style the Sunshine top?
MR: The Sunshine top can be belted, draped with jewelry or stuffed in a high waisted pencil skirt. It can be dressed casually with skinny jeans or it can be paired with wide leg pants for work.

TIPS FROM KRISTA MCCALLISTER:
CCM®: What's your secret for getting such beautiful curls?
KM: I used an Enzo Milano curling iron to create tight curls flowing away from Cecilia’s face and applied Redken Quick Dry Hairspray. After letting it sit while I did the make-up, I picked the curls out with a pick comb. It's a very simple way to make long flowing natural curls and can honestly be done with any curling iron.

CCM®: What's your favorite mascara?
KM: I used Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara to create the long, full natural lashes.

CCM®: How did you acheive the warm glow on model Cecelia for the cover?
KM: Try Bobbi Brown's Copper Diamond Shimmer Brick Compact. It's an affordable alternative to spray-tanning for a sun-kissed look that's casual enough for the Central Coast.

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