As theatre goers prepare for the onslaught of Marie Antoinette-itude this fall (if I could Fandango my movie tickets now, trust me, I would), I can’t help but chuckle at the great lengths we often go to to be fashionable. From the sublime to the ridiculous, we waver between the extremes of “too much is just enough” and “too little is too much”. I am almost too embarrassed to admit that even as I write, my favorite accessory, a huge chunky gold necklace, is slowly and awkwardly dragging my neck downward. Clearly, even I have no qualms embracing gaudy as the new chic, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t appreciate the simple pleasures of life either.

Take for instance, Alex Woo’s effortlessly beautiful jewelry collection. Don’t let the simplicity of the pieces fool you, however. The delicate designs are the product of as much skill and craftsmanship as an 18th century coiffure, plus you get to keep your head. Good news all around!

Everyone from Eva Longoria to Kelly Ripa and of course, our own modern day Mz. Antoinette, Paris Hilton, are scooping up the pretty pieces. Necklaces of simple music notes in gold, silver and (oooh…ahhh) diamonds; a Vegas inspired collection of spades, hearts, clubs and (again, oooh…ahhh) diamonds, and the “Little Numbers” line have become the ultimate personal calling card. Lucy Liu wears the number “2″ for her birthday while Julia Roberts wears the same number to remind her of her twins. Drew Barrymore’s good luck charm is the number “7″ worn with a Vegas spade. The beauty of these pieces is that they can be meaningful and personal to everybody.

You can find Alex Woo’s entire line of elegant jewelry online or in the New York area, at your friendly neighborhood Henri Bendel or W Hotel gift shop (check online for full list of locations). The organic and gem-spotted earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings are the kind of jewelry that speaks of the wearer, rather than for her. Perfect for you, maybe a tad to classic for Marie Antoinette.

Oh, and what exactly did Paris pick out for herself? Three number “1″s, of course. Would you expect anything less?

www.alexwoo.com

I fondly the Pepto-Bismol pink plastic headband I used to wear in 3rd grade. I also remember the devastation I felt when, in an attempt to make it smaller (to fit my small head, I suppose), it snapped into pieces. Lamentable. Well, my friends, headbands are back and they’re all grown up. From the understated to the outlandish, you can find all colours, prints, shapes and sizes. Pucci print or embellished by Swarovski, you’re going to love rockin’ this look.

I went in search of some of the hottest headband trends and found myself gaping, starry-eyed at the Henri Bendel’s hair accessory counter. They have amazing elasticized headbands with chain links ala Chanel, they have “sexy babushka” scarves that you just slip around your head, and they have amazing bandeau style headbands with exotic prints and outrageous colours.

My favourites, one a feather-covered wide headband and the other an intricately crystal beaded piece, were both more ‘traditional headbands’…meaning you just push them on. But I also tried one of the elasticized chain-link “call me CoCo” pieces because when the girl at the counter showed me how to wear it with a ponytail and big sunglasses, I suddenly saw my inner Jackie O.

Basically, whatever your style, hair length or occasion, Henri Bendel’s has a headband for you. Check out their counter on the main floor…all the way to the back, past cosmetics.

Ever since Beauty News learned that one of our favorite clothing lines is pulling out of the U.S. market, we’ve been haunted. GHOST has been featured several times in our publication, always lauded for their ‘no dry clean necessary’ crepe-like material, fabulous colours and flattering designs. The company, recently mentioned in the NY Post for their sold out-wait-listed high waisted jeans, boasts celebrity clientele such as Julia Roberts, Liv Tyler and Brooke Sheilds.

Beauty News learned exclusively last week that, in “an effort to simplify (their) business model, the company has issued orders to close their LA store (late Nov.)and will be utilizing their NYC location as a clearance center for the next several months, eventually closing in January 07. Company insiders spoke with BN, stating that “(GHOST) has decided to pull out of the US market by the end of this year, and discontinue their wholesale trade internationally.”

Launched in 1984, the line’s originator, Tanya Sarne (who some say was the inspiration for Ab Fab’s Edina Monsoon) sold a portion of her company to Kevin Stanford, the retail entrepreneur, and a group of Icelandic investors. At the time of the sale, Tanya and her business partner, Ris Fatah, retained about 40% of the company. During the early months of this year, we’re told the company moved its manufacturing operation to China.

Ladies, Ladies…

I promised to sound the alarm for the next installment of the Billion Dollar Babes event, and here it is. Since the sale, I’ve gotten oodles of compliments for my Geren Ford frocks and have been preaching the gospel of her light and sexy pieces ever since. Now that Billion Dollar Babes is back in town, it’s the perfect time to restock.

This Saturday, more designers than you can stand will be going for less than you would believe. Sass and Bide, Vivienne Westwood, Tocca, Petro Zillia. What’s a girl got to do to get a point across! Mark this event in ink!

Saturday, August 28
9am-5pm
The Altman Building8
135 West 18th Street (between 6th and 7th Aves)
RSVP required

www.billiondollarbabes.com

Colour Me Happy!
By Tallulah Dumonde

Do you ever think about the colour choices you make? I mean, NYers are famous for their dramatic ‘all black’ uniform, then there’s the red ‘power tie’ and the purity of white (ahem…yeah, I know you went there) on your wedding day; but have you ever really thought about the colours you choose and how they might effect your mood? Have you ever wondered how certain colours got their…reputation?

Often called ‘new age’ and referred to as colour therapy, or chakras, the practice of utilizing colour to express or influence ones emotions is actually a time honoured practice. Its actually pretty scientific. Light beaks apart, as we all know, when it passes through a prism, because each colour is on a different wave, with its own energy. Since we are, ourselves, made up of energy, each bit of energy around us has an effect on our energy. So the colours you choose work with (or against) you to convey your state of being. That’s my not-so-scientific scientific explanation. You’re smart…you feel me, don’t you?

So you’re wondering why I’m rambling on like some half-baked science dept TA…right? Well, I wanted to give you a little background in to the science-meets-art (and jewelry) of ROCKRAS. Rocks-for-your-chakras (and if you don’t buy into the chakra bit…they’re just freakin’ gorgeous pieces of jewelry that will have your friends salivating with envy). Designed to tend to your inner beauty as well as the outward aesthetic, this line is simply to die for.

Check it out:

Pink, known as the universal colour of love and femininity…is actually a primary colour in the heart-chakra of the body. Pink stones, such as this stunning pink tourmaline, are said to bring love and romance. Surround them with some diamonds and set it all in 18k white gold and you have yourself a ring fit for a princess.

Or how about taking positive energy to a whole new level by wearing some around your neck?

Bright, sunny lemon citrine is a real confidence booster. Surround it with some bling and you’re going to be getting plenty of attention.

The collection includes pieces made from precious and semi-precious stones. Each individual piece is made here in NYC, by one of the leading fine jewelry makers in the industry (he has created fabulous pieces for Vera Wang’s collection, Angela Pentaldi, Lorraine Schwartz and others). Line designer and creator Kimberly McDonald works to hand-select every stone used, giving each piece a special, individualized and personal touch. The line has been featured in Fashion Week Daily, InStyle Weddings and NY Woman, just to name a few.

To see more of the line, log on to www.ROCKRAS.com and you’re sure to find a way to merge your inner peace with your outer fashionista.

Top Five Fresh Items:

#1:
Pick-your-Palette: Eye Shadow Palettes are offered in an assortment of color combinations that contains six brilliantly paired Fresh colors. The intensely pigmented and moist formula is enhanced with crushed Polynesian pearl and antioxidant green tea extract.
Sale Price: $20
Retail Value: $65

#2:
Lip Shine: Lip Shine is an ultra-emollient formula that glides on for a smooth and shiny finish. Available in popular colors including: Chocolate, Crossfire, Cranberry and Lido.
Sale Price: $5
Retail Value: $20

#3:
Candles-to-Go: Our famous Fresh candles boast a unique blend of waxes and clean flame of a lead-free wick. Offering our best-selling scents: Sake, Sugar and Grenadine.
Sale Price: $9
Retail Value: $22

#4:
Index Fragrances: Each Fresh fragrance is created according to its inspiration and utilizes methods both time honored and unconventional. EXCLUSIVE to this sale, Fresh is offering Fragrance Discovery Kits containing Five 5ml Index Fragrances packaged in a Fresh discovery bag and grouped by its’ fragrance classification, such as:

Sale Price: $20

#5:
Fresh Body: Celebrated items from the Milk, Soy, Sugar, Umbrian Clay and Original collections are being offered at amazing prices, such as:
Jasmine Milk Body Lotion, Sale: $9 Retail Value: $28
Wisteria Body Balsam, Sale: $9, Retail Value: $34
Sugar Shower Gel Lily, Sale: $8 Retail Value: $28

Get Lifted
By Lauren Baccus

Having paid my obligatory retail penance at Victora’s Secret during college, I inwardly cringe whenever I notice a woman wearing an obviously ill-fitting bra. It’s an act of sheer will power not to rush in, tape measure in hand, and stage a guerilla-style bra intervention on the mammary misfit. Apparently, scores of women schlep into their local VS and snatch up their “size” with the machination of a toll booth attendant on the Jersey Turnpike. If you’re like most girls-on-the-go, you’re probably assuming you’re the same bra size year after year (apparently 85% of women are walking around wearing the wrong bra size). Hell, if you’re like some, you’re still buying the size you wore in college. The thing is, grown up girls get their bras Professionally Fitted. Yes, Professionally fitted.

Stop blushing…you didn’t act to shy when you were on the bar at Hogs N Heifers last weekend whipping off that 34B that was cutting into your sides. You should have NO problem with a trained professional measuring you for a bra that actually fits!

True to their theatrical roots, Bra*Tenders, led by husband and wife team Alan and Lori Kaplan, make their Broadway customers top priority but never fail to lend their top rated customer service to more casual clients as well, specializing specifically in large sizes and bridal wear. The vast assortment of bra styles and sizes may be intimidating at first but there is more than enough expert advice on hand to guide you to your ideal fit and style. In fact, they are so committed to properly-fitting brassieres that for the month of August they are offering free Bra fittings ($75 value). And, for a truly uplifting experience, all bras (Cosabella, Chantelle, Wacoal, Aubade) are 20% off. Is it cold in here or did I just feel the flush of excitement that can only come from a personalized service that includes the probability of SHOPPING!?

Bra*Tenders is located at 630 9th avenue at 45th street, room 601. All fittings are by appointment only, no walk-ins. For more information, or to book your appointment, call 212-957-7000. Sale runs through the end of August, and Beyond bras, Bra*Tenders also offers an extensive collection of hosery, shapewear and all the accessories fit for a Tony worthy couture creation…or maybe just a hot date.

A few tips from our experts on how to take special care of your breast area:

For information on Breast Cancer Awareness, log on to www.komen.org

By Lauren Baccus

As wonderfully appealing as Jamie Fox’s butt shot may have been, and as deliciously naughty as Colin Farrell’s handle bar mustache was, seeing Miami Vice for the third (yes, third) time this weekend was just not an option. Running down the list of movie offerings this past Sunday, something caught my eye.

I had heard about Little Miss Sunshine from a friend who had read the original screenplay. She remembered it as “interesting”. “Interesting” is usually a death toll review but Little Miss Sunshine really was just that. It was also funny, fresh and beautiful.

The story focuses on your typical American family in all its dysfunctional glory including a son who has taken a vow of silence, an uncle fresh from a failed suicide attempt (played to perfection by Steve Carell), and Greg Kinnear as the perfectionist, yet completely flawed, father. As a total Toni Collette groupie, I was also thrilled to see her in this movie as well, rounding out what seemed like an unlikely but well assembled cast.

As the family races across state lines in a barely functioning VW bus to enter their not-so-typical beauty queen daughter into the Little Miss Sunshine pageant, it seems that the family’s lives are slowly dismantled. What everyone ends up clinging to is the little girl, their Little Miss Sunshine, and her dreams of beauty-queendom. There are no glistening glutes, no pseudo Village people facial hair; just a family on a road trip dealing with life; Sometimes running out of answers but never forgetting their humor. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Central Park Conservatory Garden: An Oasis in the Sweltering City
By Lauren Baccus

As a recent transplant to New York, I was always ambivalent about the mass of people that rolled in, and out, and through the city. Despite the obvious perks that come with anonymity, the problem with falling into this sea of characters is that, well, you become anonymous. Sooner or later, however, the currents of daily life guide you over and over again to a set of familiar faces, places and scenes. Over time, the city becomes significantly smaller and the appeal of true anonymity, greater. In what becomes a better accessorized version of an Appalachian family tree (no disrespect to my Appalachian peoples, of course), even the architecture is up for a game of “Six degrees of Separation”.

For instance, any fashionista worth her weight in vintage Chanel should know that the property upon which Bergdorff Goodman now sits was actually once the location of the Vanderbilt Mansion at Fifth Ave and 58th Street. One of the highlights of the home was its beautiful black iron gate, originally from Paris and constructed in 1894. While the humble Vanderbilt abode may have made way for the north star of New York fashion, the gates have lived on to serve as the entrance to the Central Park’s Conservatory Garden, which is under the stewardship of the Arthur Ross foundation, at whose annual awards dinner Kitty Carlisle Hart wore a suit purchased at, you guessed it, Bergdorff Goodman.

Kevin Bacon, eat your heart out (actually, I have no idea whether Kitty actually shopped at Bergdorff for her outfit but you got to admit that it sure makes for a good story).

The conservatory itself is a collection of three expertly coifed gardens cut by shaded alleys of crab apple trees and climbing vines. Immediately in front of the old gates, the Central Italian garden rolls out to a picturesque fountain and Wisteria-covered trellis . To the left and right lay the English and French gardens respectively. As a woman who’s green thumb extends only as far as her neighborhood deli/flower mart, I was actually fascinated by the different techniques and species used in each. The flowers and plants in the conservatory come from South Africa, Mexico, Peru, China and Japan; almost like a botanical microcosm of the city.

As a Central Park designated “Quiet Zone” the Conservatory is the ideal spot to rest, recover and recuperate, if only for a few moments. In what becomes a continuous swell of faces, places, and things, it’s always important to take the opportunity to loose oneself and find onself all at once – without having to hire a mover, of course.

Lunch time tours are available on Wednesdays or every Saturday at 11pm. The park is also open to visitors from 8am till dusk.

Central Park Conservatory
Fifth Avenue between 105th Street and 106th St.

I'm one of those people who think they can do anything. I've always figured that with the right attitude, the drive to succeed, and a little perseverance, there's basically nothing I can't accomplish. So when I heard about an opportunity to take Stacy's boot camp, I jumped on it. I guess the name should have been the dead give-away. Boot camp. As in the rigorous, physically intensive training that really tough army guys must go through. Except, I thought, this is New York, plus, there's a girl's name in the title. C'mon, how bad could it possibly be? I had no idea.

For those who may be unfamiliar with Stacy's boot camp, it's a 3-week course held in public parks throughout the city. The idea is a back-to-basics approach to fitness that utilizes the natural environment and your own body. Believe it or not, the class meets year round, even in the dead of winter. The class meets 3 times a week, with each day getting progressively tougher. And by the end, although there's no promises, it's pretty much a given that you'll be a lean, mean, boot camp machine.

Do I hear a "Yes, sir…umm…ma'am?"
Looking back, I realize quite clearly what my first problem was, in relation to this whole boot camp scenario. Other than being out-of-shape, that is. I should have started taking the class at the beginning of the session. Duh. But I had a lovely Palm Beach vacation planned, and I got special clearance from Stacy to start when I got back, and so I'd miss the first few classes…big deal, right? Wrong. If you're going to take this class, or any class, I highly suggest starting along with the rest of the group. There are some things in life that fashionably late just won't work for. And get there on time, 'cause this is one fast moving group. Don't expect them to wait for you. I actually did get there on time, a minute early even. The meeting place was at one of the entrances to Central Park, and when I arrived there were already a few people gathered, dressed in T-shirts and shorts mostly, lacking the requisite gym accessories of iPods and fashionable sneakers. Uh-oh. The must-have accessory actually appeared to be a gallon-size container of water.

Everyone in the group was also outfitted with a backpack. And inside of their backpacks, each person had a garbage bag. Except for me, who had left the garbage bag, any size bottle of water, and any ounce of physical strength and ability back at home. You're probably wondering about the garbage bag. Get this, the intent was to run over to the volleyball court, fill the bag up with sand and then run around Central Park like a complete hooligan with a sand-weighted backpack. Sounds like fun.

Not. Well, I never made it that far. I started out with the rest of the group, breaking out into a run toward said volleyball court. While we ran along, I even chatted amiably with some of my fellow boot campers, finding out the scoop. Turns out many were long-devoted Stacy's returnees. One woman even told me that she found the class addictive and was doing her third session of the summer. More power to her, I guess.

I probably lasted about 10 more minutes. Where were these darn courts anyway? I am not a runner and it was starting to hurt. I've never even run with a backpack on before. Between the heat, lack of water, the sensation of my backpack chafing into my shoulder blades, my out-of-shape physique, and the impending doom of the  and bags, I was starting to feel ill. Huffing and puffing, I decided to slow down a bit. One group member even slowed down for a second and gave me some words of encouragement. She said, "Just keep going. You can do it."  It was so Nike-esque.

But I knew the truth, I knew right then and there that I couldn't do it. So I slowed down some more, feeling the entire time like my heart was going to beat right out of my chest, cartoon-style. And then the last member of the group ran out of sight. I kept hobbling along, hoping I would see a familiar face. But they were gone, and I knew that by the time I got to the volleyball courts, they would be on to something else. So I wiped the sweat off my brow, took my last shred of dignity and gave up,feeling like one of my fellow boot-campers had dropped their Hefty Bag of sand square on top of me.

I have never been more pissed off at myself. Here I was, ready to plunge head first into a new adventure and I couldn't even get to the starting point. I am, young, full of energy, in what is probably the best shape of my life, and I couldn't even run a few miles. And then I think I had an epiphany. It's just like Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet: To thine own self be true. The bottom line was that I just wasn't cut out for a boot camp class. I'm a popcorn and movies kind of girl, someone who considers shopping for shoes a sport; a self-assertive, independent woman, an old-soul with a child-like spirit, and most importantly, someone who loves herself and can accept her imperfections and failures along with the accomplishments and success.

I realized that "For All Fitness Levels" was a noble idea, but just as "one size fits all" doesn't always apply, I questioned the wisdom of calling this class "for all levels". And after all of my 'hard work,' I suddenly realized I was absolutely ravenous. So I called the best gal-pal a girl could ever have, my favorite poof, Dickie, and together we embarked on an evening of pastrami reubens, half-sour pickles, and chocolate milkshakes. He never judged me for failing at the boot camp, although he did give my sweaty work-out gear a harsh once-over. When I told him of my plight, he simply laughed, as if he had known all along, and then he said those 4 magic words that never fail to bring a smile to my face:

"Honey, you're still fabulous."

For you brave souls who want to see for yourself, check out the class online at http://www.stacysbootcamp.com/ and you can even take an online fitness quiz to find out just how fit you are.

Good luck!

Oh, ode to the glories of rising at 6am to make it to boot camp on time. Not! Yah, indeed what was I thinking when I signed up for this torture chamber? Well I'll tell ‘ya, probably what every other poor soul was likewise thinking… that I needed to do something extreme to kick my metabolism back into action, to coach my chi back into flow, to get myself up and at ‘em, and give me some inspiration to work that body! And true enough STACY'S BOOT CAMP certainly did all that and more. Actually a lot more. It got me riding my bike so I could get to the torture dungeon on time, got me appreciating the beauty of Central Park, especially o-so early in the morn, got me to admire the other women (and a few men) who were likewise as dedicated to whipping themselves into shape as I, but most importantly, it reminded me of what I can do when I set my goals high.

And for three weeks, whip us Stacy did. There were times when I wanted to kick her, hang her from the nearest tree, so she could feel my pain. But one look at her perfectly sculpted body told me that she already knew all about pain and commitment, and her fabulous physique inspired me to do more. I mean damn, to have those arms, she certainly knows a thing or two about fitness. And indeed, Stacy Berman has been in professional fitness for about 13 years now, and running the boot camp like a drill sergeant (year round, I might add) for the last four. And the groovy thing about boot camp is that as an outdoor fitness camp, it doesn't use any weights or gym equipment. Just your ‘lil ole bod, and a few odds and ends along the way. Of course, I was extra curious when she told us to show up with a gallon jug of water in a backpack. What on earth could this be for? But then I realized the all too obvious, as added weight while we run… and run. And the black garbage bags, hu? Why to fill with sand, for… you guessed it, more added weight.  As if running laps around The Great Lawn wasn't difficult enough dragging solely the weight of my own body.

So show a little spunk. Try something different. Drag your lazy ass out of bed at the crack of dawn (or after work, there are many schedules to choose from) and do something hardcore. I'm certainly glad I did. August 21^st marks the date that the next three week camps start, with offerings in Central, Battery, Prospect and Washington Square Parks, so you have plenty of mental lead-time to psyche yourself up. And Hans, yes Franz, pump you up!

No time for the spa? No problem. Step into the world of Akhassa, the DIY home spa collections easy enough for any novice, fast enough for any go-getter and relaxing enough for even the most stressed out (trust me!).

Out of the four home spas – Ignite, Retreat, Define and Nurture – I grabbed up Ignite, hoping to perk up my drooping energy levels without a shot of caffeine. Created by two sisters, Lisa and Roslyn Gillespie with an Asian background, Akhassa is a beauty care line based on natural remedies and traditional Asian holistic therapies.

Immediately, I could tell the body oil, bath oil, lotion, cream, body scrub and bath tea and soap were natural. I felt like I was walking into an apothecary’s shop. The lotion and cream smelled sweet, like licorice without being overpowering – the perfect combination. Even the spa box had a spicy aroma, like something you would use for cooking.

I started with the Sweet Orange Body Oil. Normally, I hate body oil, not wanting to feel greased up. But this light lotion immediately soaked into my skin leaving it glowing instead of greasy. I enjoyed the smell also, a little bit tart thanks to the added lime. And with plenty of vitamins (C, B1, B2, B6 and more) I not only look good but am fortifying my skin as well.

It’s the summer and I would lie if I said my skin is perpetually smooth. Instead it’s scaly and dry. (But it’s like that in the winter also). This is why I am madly, deeply in love with body lotions. The Tangerine Leaf Body Lotion reminded me of my dad and his love of black licorice. Even just the smell perked me up – spicy and a little bit peppery. Apparently tangerines are good for your circulation and fluid retention so I applied the lotion to my scaly parts and pretty much everywhere else I could reach. The light lotion left me feeling moisturized and smelling delicious.

Next I hopped into the shower to check out the Holy Basil Shower Cream, which smelled exactly like the perfect Thai dish. I don’t cook but if I did, I would season everything with basil because it smells so fresh. The shower cream is perfect to help you wake up on those I-can’t-open-my-eyes mornings. And for the stressed out in this group, sweet basil relieves anxiety, stress and depression – the trifecta!

Finally and since there isn’t a water shortage in New York, I scrubbed down with the Galangal Body Scrub. I had no idea what galangal is (and if you do, well done) but it’s a member of the ginger family and is excellent at stimulating circulation. Again, I felt my eyes open a little wider (and my sinuses clear) at the exotic smell. But at the end of the shower my skin felt smoother and softer.

Since I live in a New York City apartment with a New York City bathtub, I didn’t get a chance to use the bath oil or bath tea but both smelled amazing. The bath tea especially reminded exotic places with dried lemongrass and ginger powder. Plus, it relieves tissue problems and stress-related problems as well.

For a chance to enjoy your own DIY spa experience go to www.akhassausa.com

This generation isn’t your father’s or grandfather’s generation! If you’re an “I Love Lucy” fan, one of the CBS series iconoclastic and funniest episodes aired on May 1st 1952. Lucy Ricardo was due to deliver the couple’s first child, Little Ricky (Lucille Ball had been pregnant with her son, Desi Jr. at the time and this was her second pregnancy; this pregnancy was written into the show). Papa Ricky, along with the Ricardos’ landlords/best friends/godparents, Fred & Ethel Mertz, waited anxiously in the waiting room for the blessed event-and to Daddy Ricky in his nightclub act’s voodoo mask-carried in by a baby nurse, to appear in the nursery room window and say hello to the world with a great big yawn.

Ordinarily, this portal is dedicated to the mamas, expecting mamas and the babies to first graders. This time, daddies get an article all their own, since for the most part, indirectly or at the scene of the conception time, they were there for the beginnings of new life. Thanks to Dad Labs, found at www.dadlabs.com, those days are gone! The first company providing products, services and a complete information resource targeting the fatherhood community, Dad Labs proudly announces the nationwide birth and delivery of its educational DVD, “Due Dads: The Man’s Survival Guide to Pregnancy.” The DVD, a first in a series on fatherhood related topics, provides expecting fathers with a better understanding of the pregnancy process and advice on how to best be involved from conception to birth to raising their child.

“One of the most common reactions men have when they find out they’re going to be a father for the first time is sheer panic,” says Brad Powell, CEO and co-founder of Dad Labs. “Images of delivery rooms and dirty diapers consume their minds simply because they’re not sure what to expect and don’t know where they can go for information. The Due Dad DVD series is intended to help alleviate the anxiety soon to be fathers experience by explaining the pregnancy, labor and delivery, and child raising processes using a guy’s vernacular.”

The father’s role in the parenting process has evolved, as the next-generation of dads are looking to become more involved in the lives of their children. However, the overwhelming majority of products, services and resources related to the parenting market target mothers, leaving men void of important information on how to become an effective father.

Based in Austin Texas and founded in 2004. Dad Labs is an information and entertainment company that fosters the father/child relationship through media, instructional and retail products. The company provides resources to expecting, new and veteran fathers that will launch them into a more active and creative role in the lives of their children.

“Due Dads: The Man’s Survival Guide to Pregnancy” is a 90-minute DVD split into three 30-minute “trimesters” with each one providing tips and tricks on being a supportive husband during the pregnancy process. The DVD includes descriptions of the expecting mom’s symptoms and of the changes in the developing baby.

“Even though expecting a baby has nothing to do with football playoffs, grilling steaks or cold beer, this DVD is an item every father to be should have,” says Clay Nichols, chief creative director and co-founder of Dad Labs. “It will teach those men who don’t have a clue about how to be a father the skills needed to safely and happily get to the big 0th birthday.”

The film is being distributed by Monterey Media and can be purchased at www.dadlabs.com, www.montereymedia.com, Amazon.com and major retail outlets nationwide. The second installment in the DVD series, “Due Dads: The Man’s Survival Guide to Labor and Delivery” will be available for purchase later this year. Additional information regarding Dad Labs and its fatherhood products can be found at www.dadlabs.com.