Castelar at the Movies: Transformers: Dark of the Moon

It has been awhile since the last Transformers sequel and rest assured that unlike Transformers 2, this sequel is not a bad movie. This sequel has a better storyline and many spectacular special effects that kept me entertained the entire time.

In this latest chapter of the Transformers saga, the Autobots have learned their old leader Sentinel Prime, which is voiced by Leonard Nimoy, had crash landed on the Moon and the American Government had known about his whereabouts the entire time. This leads Optimus Prime and his robotic troops to find their old friend and bring him to Earth.

Meanwhile Sam Witwicky, who is portrayed by Shia LaBeouf, is trying to find a job and he finds his way back into the danger zone as he has to face more mayhem and destruction which puts his life in danger once again. Eventually, Sam contacts Seymour Simmons, who is portrayed once again by John Turturro, and they both decide to figure out what their old enemies are up to.

During this time, the Decepticons along with their ruthless leader Megatron, have returned to defeat the Autobots using their cunning nature . This leads to many surprises throughout the film. These vicious robots are determined to defeat their old foes while causing an all out war against the human race. It is no secret that the Decepticons cannot be trusted because they seek power through intimidation and fear.

This time around anything goes as loyalties will be trusted and allies will turn into foes. Honestly, this sequel has so many thrilling and exhilarating moments that I am really glad that it wasn’t a bad Transformers movie. This is an epic science fiction action movie that doesn’t disappoint by creating memorable characters and putting them in some dangerous situations which are truly stunning to watch.

Castelar

Shop Till You Drop

I love the phrase shop till you drop. If you want to literally do this you must attend The Shop at Puerto Rico High Fashion Week. The Shop was created for designers to have a space where they can showcase and sell their collections. It's where the public can appreciate the wonders around the designer's designs and retailers can also meet personally with the designers and have direct contact with them.

Tirzha and Pitango, a ring designer from Israel at The Shop 2010

I was talking the other day to Tirzha Alcaide, she is the lovely lady who is in charge of The Shop. This lady has an amazing story. While being in charge of The Shop, she is also competing in a reality show named In Search of the New Diva Puerto Rico. You can be sure I will blog about her very soon to tell you all about the show and her experience.

PRHFW President Caridad Fernández visiting The Shop 2010

Tirzha was telling me they will have fashion shows, lot’s of great booths with beautiful merchandise and a bar area for the customers. They are expecting more than 12,000 people! It will be held at The Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan from September 28 to October 1, 2011.

Designer Reynaldo José with one of his creations

If you are in town be sure to check it out because if you love to shop till you drop, this is the place to go! Hope to see you there!

Entertainment at The Shop

Blessings to all,

Marta

Reynaldo José: Featured at Puerto Rico High Fashion Week

The life of a designer is intimately linked to tastes and sensibilities that change at a moment’s notice. He or she must be able to capitalize on or - even better - influence those opinions. Designers reflect society’s sensibilities through clothing design.

Puerto Rico High Fashion Week is just around the corner and I am going to blog about an amazing young designer from Puerto Rico. His name is Reynaldo José and he will be participating at this event that promises to be spectacular. I contacted him and asked him if I could blog about him. He was so nice and graciously accepted immediately.

Reynaldo José with one of his models

Reynaldo José was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, on December 15, 1986. His artistic inclinations started from a very young age. When he was just twelve years old, he won the award “Fashion Designers of the New Millennium”. I find this to be amazing! He received a scholarship to study at the renowned school of Lisa Thon and graduated in 2001 with high honors. With ten years of experience in the fashion industry, he has participated in numerous local and international events like Novel Design Group, Flashes of Fashion, Red Carpet Fashion International Convention, Miss Bahamas World, Plazarela, and the most important fashion event: Puerto Rico High Fashion Week.

Reynaldo José with one of his models

José has been honored with many awards throughout his career. Recently, he's been nominated to receive the Manuela Toro Morice Award, by the Chamber of Representatives of Puerto Rico, as a young distinguished person from the Municipality of Caguas.

He has a BA in Communications, with a concentration in Visual Arts, from the Sagrado Corazón University and he is pursuing his Master’s Degree in Communications. Among his immediate plans, he hopes to continue the fascinating world of fashion and communications.

Reynaldo José with Oscar De La Renta

I am so proud to say he's from the beautiful Island of Puerto Rico. José is so talented and yet so humble and I can’t wait to meet him at PRHFW!! Reynaldo José, I wish you all the luck in the world, the sky is the limit!

Blessings to all,

Marta

Castelar at the Movies: Bad Teacher & Super 8

Bad Teacher

In this film, Cameron Diaz portrays a horrible teacher named Elizabeth Halsey. This character convincingly manner displays her hate for her job and she is looking for a rich guy to take care of her. Honestly I must admit, Diaz surprised me in this film as she believably portrays a vain and selfish educator who will do anything to get ahead in life. She is a woman who doesn’t care about anyone else except herself. Elizabeth doesn’t care about her students and their problems as she constantly avoids them as much as possible throughout the film. Elizabeth doesn’t want to get to know any of her colleagues as she avoids any sort of interaction with them as well.

The school’s gym teacher, Russell Gettis, is portrayed by Jason Segel. Gettis is interested in going out with Elizabeth as he wants to form a stable relationship with her. She turns him down every time, but throughout the film he becomes someone Elizabeth can relate to in various ways.

 Justin Timberlake portrays the new substitute teacher Scott Delacorte; Elizabeth wants to have all to herself because he comes from a wealthy family.

The biggest surprise of the film comes from Lucy Punch, who portrays Elizabeth’s nemesis Amy Squirrel. Amy is a teacher who cares about her students. Unfortunately, she is a very demanding person who expects a lot out of her colleagues and she doesn’t know how to address certain problems which Elizabeth causes to those who are in charge.

If you want to see a wild and uncaring teacher in a film which has many memorable moments then you should go and see this film.

Super 8

This movie is a tribute to all the great movie classics Steven Spielberg and other directors have made in an era where the story and the performances from the actors were the most important elements of the film.

  J.J. Abrams created a film that is a mixture of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Monster Squad and The Goonies. Surprisingly, the movie is anchored by strong and comedic performances from the entire cast. The best performances were by Joel Courtney who portrayed Joe Lamb and Elle Fanning who portrayed Joe's romantic interest, Alice Dainard.

Joe Lamb is a young boy who lost someone whom he deeply cherished in his life. With los,s his hope of having a normal family life has been shattered to a certain extent. Meanwhile, Alice Dainard lives with a drunken father who is miserable with his own existence. Together these two characters find solace in each other as they escape their own personal struggles by being around other kids.

Joe has a group of friends who are shooting a zombie film. He likes to be around the friends because it makes him forget about how miserable things are back home. His friends are a bunch of likeable characters that seem to play their roles with much joy and enthusiasm.

When they sneak at night to film some scenes of the movie, they witness a horrific train accident which nearly cost them their lives. They discover someone they know caused the accident. When the kids flee the scene, they agree to never speak of that incident again because they would get in trouble if anyone found out. Unfortunately, the U.S. Air Force arrives to do an investigation and strange things start to happen in their hometown. Afterwards, these kids decide to find out what is going on and what they find is something which is truly spectacular.

If you want to see a movie with great acting and with some truly unique special effects then go see this wild science fiction film that the whole family can enjoy.

Castelar

Puerto Rico High Fashion Week 2011

If you live just for fashion, navigating in the fashion world or rarely seen outside of it, where is the one place you would love to go? The Puerto Rico High Fashion Week of course!

 Puerto Rico High Fashion Week, founded in 2005, is the pinnacle event of the fashion of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. The event presents important fashion designers, including the most promising young talent and outstanding designers. It is estimated over 100,000 people have attended this world class event, in which 300 people work directly or indirectly. This event will inject about $2 million into Puerto Rico's economy.

Omar Hasbún, Custo Dalmau, Caridad Fernández (PRHFW President), Tita Hasbún and Billy Hasbún in Dominican Republic.

There has been a strategic alliance between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico in order to strengthen the fashion industry in the Caribbean. Puerto Rico High Fashion Week (PRHFW) is described by the Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association as the most important fashion event held on the island; it combines the best of local and international fashion, and it was just announced that its next edition comes with international air.

Isabel Toledo

PRHFW officially opens its second season of 2011 from September 28 to October 1 with the unique show of Isabel Toledo, the celebrated Cuban Fashion Designer based in the United States and who celebrates 27 years in the industry. Toledo achieved global recognition from Michelle Obama being elected to design the outfit she wore during the inauguration of her husband. This unique Fashion Show will benefit the Art Museum of Puerto Rico. I will be blogging about the designers and so many more things that PRHFW has to offer during my next blogs so stay tuned!

Michelle Obama wearing Isabel Toledo dress

Blessings to all,

Marta

Ladies...To The Clearance Racks!

Right now is the BEST time to save money in the fashion world. End of the season clothes are moving to the clearance racks! Start early and create a new wardrobe for next spring/summer for the whole family.

 Getting one size bigger for kids is a smart way to go since they're still growing. Ladies swimwear is expensive, you already know you going to the pool or beach next summer, so stock up on a few suits.

Shopping online you can save more, but I like going into the store and checking out deals. This is a great way to shop for future events, gifts for birthdays, graduations, mother/father days, or planning a family trip.

Online stores with killer clearance deals:

Torrid

Lane Bryant

Yours Clothing UK

Fashion to Figure

Domino Dollhouse

SWAK Designs

Happy Shopping!!

Takia

A Strong Person Gets Help

This weekend has been an unbelievable weekend for myself and my family. I don't want to go into any details just yet (it's still a touchy topic), but I learned a lot about someone close to me and how strong this person can be.

As women, we carry everything on our shoulders and wear our hearts on our sleeves. Some of us our prideful creatures and we're afraid to ask for help; and asking for mental health help sometimes is seen as a sign of weakness. Don't carry more than you can handle and ALWAYS ASK FOR HELP.

Don't hurt yourself or the people around you any longer! I just wanted to just touch on this a little. Maybe it will help someone in their time of need.

For more information on mental health look on these websites:

National Institute for Mental Health

Mental Health America

For Indianapolis: Mental Health America

For Puerto Rico: Inspira Mental Health

Janelle