"The Gates" premieres tonight on ABC.

Just ’cause it’s summer doesn’t mean there’s nothing to watch on TV. We told you about the shows with AA stars that premiered a few weeks ago, including the new Pretty Little Liars and the return of Drop Dead Diva, as well as all the reality show competitions like The Next Food Network Star, Top Chef and Work of Art: The Next Great Artist.

Well, tonight, a highly anticipated new series premieres, one that delves into the whole vampire craze we’re still mired in. The Gates follows the oh-so perfect lives of the residents of the exclusive suburban community The Gates. Now, if you’ve watched the trailers, you know that some of those perfect residents are actually vampires. And yes, I’m a Twilight fan, but that’s not the main reason I’ll be watching the show. There are two good reasons for anyone to watch this blood-fest: two Asian American actresses represent on The Gates tonight, premiering on ABC at 9 pm.

Rhona Mitra, who is of Indian-English-Irish descent, plays Claire Radcliff, the perfect Gates housewife and mother. She has a beautiful home, a handsome husband, and a daughter she loves dearly. But beneath the flawless exterior, Claire is struggling with a unique addiction — one that has the power to destroy her family and everything she holds dear if she fails to keep her urges in check. (Guess we know who one of the vampires are!)

Rhona Mitra plays perfect housewife -- or is she? -- Claire Radcliff in The Gates.

Another AA actress in the series is Janina Gavankar, who plays Deputy Leigh Turner. Always ready with a witty retort and a sharp observation, Leigh is an intimidating addition to The Gates police force. But there’s more to Leigh than the tough exterior, and when it comes to love, she’s got a bad streak going.

Janina Gavankar is cool and confident as Deputy Leigh Turner in The Gates.

Gavankar, who is of Indian and Dutch descent, is best known for her role as the promiscuous Papi in The L Word. Other television credits include Stargate Atlantis, Grey’s Anatomy, The Cleaner, Dollhouse, NCIS and Three Rivers. She’s a native of Joliet, Ill., and is an accomplished pianist, vocalist and orchestral percussionist. Once a member of the girl group Endera, she has had several of her songs licensed for various films and television series.

I’ll be watching The Gates, just because of Gavankar and Mitra. Well, that and morbid curiosity. Will you?

Photos courtesy of ABC.

Althea Harper native print leggings.

I didn’t quite understand the enthusiasm for leggings when they first started to gain popularity, but I have grown to like them very much and appreciate them. It’s no secret that the weather in my hometown of Chicago is unpredictable and it can go from being 40 degrees and snowing one day to being 70 degrees and sunny the next. Planning one’s outfits for the week can be a bit stressful in the Windy City.

Leggings are the perfect solution when you have a cute dress or mini-skirt on and you don’t want to sacrifice fashion for keeping your legs warm. The Althea Harper native print leggings are 100 percent cotton stretch fabric with a flat, elastic waistband and are sure to flatter any woman’s shape.

The bold print of these leggings make it super trendy and flirty; you’ll probably opt to wear them even if the weather is warm. What’s another great thing about these sexy leggings? You won’t just have to settle for one outfit with them because the various colors can go with just about anything in your wardrobe.

Lily, played by actress Foo Fei-ling

Much of this movie happens in a language that will scare a whole lot of good ‘ol Americans. I don’t mean Chinese. It’s the language of silence. The setting takes place in a tiny fishing village in Malaysia. There are smoke stacks beyond the trees and garbage collects on the shore, but the village itself is trapped in time, its residents occupied by the day-to-day tasks of catching, gutting and drying fish.

In this quiet, structured setting, the simplest dialog can cast deep foreboding. In its first scene, a young man, Ah Fei (Ernest Chong), is with his father, Ah Kau (Chung Kok-keong). Ah Fei asks his father if the old man will die soon. Ah Kau’s response is simple: yes, he will die soon.

Director Woo Ming-jin (Monday Morning Glory, The Elephant and the Sea) here deserves credit for giving his characters time to reveal themselves. One of the movie’s funniest scenes comes when Ah Kau visits the woman he has loved for decades, Ai Ling . What starts off as an honest confession of unrequited love turns abruptly when we find out that Ai Ling is still married to another man. The two then turn to discuss whether Ah Kau will outlive Ai Ling’s husband.

Ah Fei (Ernest Chong) and Lily (Foo Fei-ling) have a quiet relationship

Still, for its careful pacing and simple-yet-beautiful style, this movie will not turn a box-office hit. This was never more apparent then when, after watching Woman on Fire at the Los Angeles Film Festival, I walked into my next screening: Cane Toads: The Conquest in 3D. I’m not making a judgement about either movie–simply commenting on the things people tend to spend their money on. On a related note, I’d like to point out that Woman on Fire contains the more graphic depiction of a decapitated frog.

That’s too bad (about the movie’s commercial success, not the dead frog). Woman on Fire Looks for Water can be riveting, especially in its depiction of young love between Ah Fei and Lily (Foo Fei-ling). Their interaction manages to be both charming and uncomfortable, always pure, but with the implication that such love rarely stands still. Woo Ming-jin said in an early interview that his film is primarily about longing. With longing comes regret, and at the core of this movie is the tragedy that Ah Fei might be on his way to becoming just like his father.

If you live in Los Angeles, you have a chance to watch Woman on Fire Looks for Water on Sunday, 1:45pm at the LA Film Festival. I recommend it, but just make sure to go with the right expectations, which can be summed up as such: Jerrica Lai gives a great performance as a character that is the exact opposite of her last major role.

And let us know how you liked it!

My book recommendation -- it's heavy stuff, but wow, what a writer.

It’s summertime and that means some serious summer reading. I’ve been obsessed with Jean Kwok’s Girl in Translation, Toni Morrison’s A Mercy, and Chang-Rae Lee’s The Surrendered. (Read our book review and interview with Lee in our Summer issue.) But I also want to check out some guilty pleasure reading like The Carrie Diaries and the new Twilight graphic novel illustrated by Korean artist Young Kim. Oh, what to do.

Thankfully, some really ingenious people have picked up on the success of Netflix to bring you all the books you could want to your doorstep. It’s like having a Border’s at your fingertips.

Get Jean Kwok's "Girl in Translation" delivered to your door, courtesy of BookSwim.

BookSwim

I remember the days when I used to run to my local Blockbuster to get my video return in on time. Never again. Honestly, I don’t know how we as a society survived thus far without the Internet, computers and Netflix.

Well, now there’s BookSwim, the Netflix for books. Which is completely genius because while I cherish the written word and love my old-fashioned books, I simply don’t have room in my apartment to house every single book I’ve ever read. I’m a bit of a snob that way. I only want the really good, quality books displayed on my bookcase.

And yet, I do like an easy, lighthearted read. That’s why BookSwim is perfect for people like me (and apparently Pakistani American co-founder Shamoon Siddiqui as well). I can fly through The Carrie Diaries or skim Eat, Pray, Love before it hits theaters. Ideal if you’re a James Patterson or Nora Roberts junkie (one could go broke buying up every single one of these prolific author’s new books). And when you’re done, pop it into the envelope they give you and wait for your next shipment. It ships directly to your mailbox and you can keep the books for as long as you want. No shipping fees, no late fees.

"The Carrie Diaries" available at BookSwim.

Now granted, they’re not as fast as Netflix (a hard cover book is a lot more unwieldy than a DVD), especially because you are generally encouraged to return two books at a time, but if you like to take time with your books, the three-at-a-time plan works perfectly. Read a couple, return, and wait for your next shipment as you read your third.

Wanna try it out? Enter code READINGINSTYLE at checkout and receive one month free on a three month subscription (plans start from $23.95). Good through August  31, 2010.

Simply Audio Books

Now, as much as I enjoy reading, I think there are certain books that require you to esconce yourself in a cozy chair and really lose yourself. Then there are books that are light and fun and don’t require so much brain time. That’s when audio books come in handy.

Love chick lit? Listen to your heart's content with Simply Audio Books.

Simply Audio Books borrows the Netflix concept, but with books on disc narrated by actors and others. There’s something to be said about listening to the latest Lauren Weisberger chick lit narrated by the scratchy voiced actress Eliza Dushku.

Simply Audio Books has 22,000 books on disc in 33 categories with no due dates, shipping costs or late fees to worry about. The plans start at about $15 a month and I find the turnaround time to be fairly quick, which is a huge plus. Whether you have a long commute, a cross-country road trip, or just need to find time to squeeze in some books, for a multi-tasker like me, it’s a pretty genius concept.

StoryChimes

I don’t have kids, but I have toddler nieces. And I know that no matter how perfectly you want to raise your children with esteem-building words, psychologically sound discipline and positive artistic stimulation, sometimes you just have to distract them with the TV or a DVD. Sorry, that’s just reality.

I’ve done more than my share of television babysitting with my nieces, I’ll admit. And when little Chloe gets antsy at the restaurant, I’m the first one to say, “Hey, where’s your iPhone?”

Thank goodness StoryChimes has actual books you can download onto your iPhone. With classic stories from Hans Christian Anderson (The Frog Prince) and the Brothers Grimm (Rumpelstiltskin), as well as newer stories involving Jasper the dog, the stories are interactive and lively, with chimes to let kids know to “turn the page.” (Ever notice how a 2-year-olds’ fingers are so much better equipped for the iPhone than our grownup ones?) Just download as many stories as you want for 99 cents from the website. And they’ve even got bilingual stories, too! (You can’t argue with a Spanish lesson on the way to grandma’s.)

A scene from "Rumpelstiltskin" from StoryChimes.

“Cinderella” from StoryChimes.

John S. Brana green patinated earrings.

I believe that the second best thing about having ears is being able to wear cute earrings (first, of course, is having the ability to hear). So go ahead and treat your ears to the nature-inspired John S. Brana green patinated earrings. These earrings are in a classic shape and will add a strikingly beautiful accent to just about any outfit. No two earrings are alike which will make these a truly unique addition to your jewelry collection.

John S. Brana is known for his one-of-a-kind pieces that he carefully handcrafts in his San Francisco studio using top quality materials. His jewelry is made to make you stand out in the crowd so if you love attention and enjoy receiving compliments these earrings are perfect for you!

I love food delivery. I think everything should be delivered. And on those days when I’m working late at the office, glued to my computer screen, I keep reminding myself that someone out there — somewhere — you need to start a cocktail delivery service!

And if not cocktails, why not beauty at your doorstep?

You’ve all heard of Minx™ nails by now, haven’t you? It’s the super chic molten metal look for your fingernails, sported by all the trendiest stars. Essentially what it is is a solid film with an adhesive back that is heat activated. The result is a stand-out, “wow” manicure.

The red-hot Minx pedicure.

And now Manicures R Mobile™ brings it to your home or office. No more waiting, no more lines. Manicures R Mobile™ brings the luxury, professionalism and pampering of a spa straight to you.

Minx Toes by Loris Guzzetta.

And they don’t do just nails (though it’s worth mentioning that they use polishes that are non-toxic and free from DBP, formaldehyde and tuolene). Indulge in a massage, a makeover, waxing, spray tanning, even wig styling! The treatments are performed by a team of renowned celebrity nail, makeup, hair and body artists who work on and off the red carpet for socialites, stay-at-home moms and working professionals. Manicures R Mobile™ does party packages, too (it is bachelorette party season …).

So for one very, very lucky Audrey reader, we are going to hook you up with a Minx™ manicure and pedicure from Manicures R Mobile™. The only catch? You have to be in the Los Angeles area to win. (Sorry East Coasters!) Manicures R Mobile™ are solely L.A.-based for now, but I have a feeling it’s a trend that catching on (think taco trucks).

So get commenting below! You have until Wednesday, June 23, 11:59 pm to enter!

For more information, click here Manicures R Mobile™, or call 310.859.7379. For a list of cities, keep reading after the jump. Continue Reading »

Rachel Park multi print silk scarf with fringe.

A scarf can add a touch of sophistication to just about any outfit. Whether you’re rocking jeans and a T-shirt or a little black dress, a scarf is the best accessory to make an outfit stand out in the crowd without being over the top.

Like every one of Rachel Park’s scarves, the multi print silk scarf with fringe is uniquely designed with vibrant colors and a lively pattern. The great thing about any Rachel Park scarf is its versatility. You can wear it as a belt, a headband, or (the good old fashioned way) around the neck.

The silky texture of this scarf makes it a very classic piece and has a place in any fashionista’s wardrobe.

We may have Brangelina, but India’s got Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Bollywood’s reigning acting king and queen. And now the world-famous, real-life couple team up once again with director Mani Ratnam and Oscar and Grammy winning composer A.R. Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire, Guru) in the highly anticipated new feature film Raavan.

Real-life husband and wife team Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan in Raavan.

Described as a modern day version and loose adaptation of the Indian epic Ramayana, Raavan follows Rai Bachchan as Ragini, a classical dancer, who falls in love and marries police officer Dev (played by Tamil actor and playback singer, Vikram). This classic tale of good versus evil pits Dev against Beera Munda (Bachchan), the unlawful tribal leader who is wreaking havoc on Lal Maati, a remote town in Northern India.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Raavan.

Abhishek Bachchan in "Raavan."

Dev, knowing that if he wants to bring order to Lal Maati he must conquer Beera, sets off a chain of events that will ultimately claim lives and change fortunes. Dev, Beera and Ragini come face-to-face in a terrifying jungle where they must also confront their own truths. They embark on a journey that tests their beliefs, convictions and emotions.

A scene from "Raavan."

Check out the trailer here:

Raavan opens worldwide on Friday, June 18.

More photos after the jump, plus photos of the stars at the Cannes Film Festival. Continue Reading »

Who says big handbags are out of style? Certainly not me! Nowadays women (myself included) love to carry their entire lives in their bags and there’s nothing wrong with that. If you’re a woman on the go who likes to squeeze in a workout or two during the week, the Nicole Lee “Bowling” bag in red is a chic way of carrying your workout clothes and shoes along with your pocketbook and whatever else. For Pete’s sake, the word “chic” is on the bag itself!

This bag is, of course, very casual, but also fun and trendy. Whether you use it to carry around your workout gear or as a mini travel bag, you’re sure to catch some envious stares.

Nicole Lee red bowling ball bag.

A practically deserted Lagoon 2, one of four at Ko Olina Resort.

It’s no secret I love traveling. But I have to admit, sometimes rather than traveling, you just want a vacation — you know, the kind involving lots of lounging around, colorful sunset-hued drinks, a tropical melody wafting in the background interrupted only by the rhythmic lapping of waves on creamy golden sand …

Such is the Ko Olina Resort & Marina in Oahu, Hawaii. (We highlighted the resort in our Summer issue, available now.)

Now, I know what you may be thinking. Oahu? We’ve done Oahu! Besides, Waikiki is too touristy.

Ah, but you’ve never done Oahu Ko Olina-style. That’s because Ko Olina is located on the leeward, or west, side of the island, the complete opposite side of Waikiki. And not only is Ko Olina about an hour away from Waikiki, it feels like a world away when you’re there.

Lagoon 2, arguably the most beautiful of the Ko Olina Lagoons.

Now if you’re worried that you’ll be far away from the food, drink and fun at Waikiki — don’t. Ko Olina is 642 acres of varied attractions and amenities (the same size as Waikiki, but with one-third the density). On one end you have the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa. Rooms are extra big here and my room had two lanais. Saltwater pools span the property, complete with a resident stingray and a few baby hammerhead sharks. (They release the sharks into the ocean once they’re full grown.)

The Ihilani is also known for their award-winning Ihilani Spa. Try the Deluxe Thalasso Therapy, which incorporates light, color, water jets and Hawaiian seawater for a particularly luxurious experience, or the traditional Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage.

The serene architecture of the JW Marriott Ihilani provides a stunning contrast to the surrounding natural beauty, and its angular layout allows expansive ocean views from 85% of the rooms. (This photo was taken from one of the two huge lanais in my room.)

Lagoon 1, one of four at Ko Olina Resort. This lagoon fronts the JW Ihilani. In the distance, on Lagoon 2, you see the Ko Olina Beach Villas Resort.

The Ko Olina Marina, first built in 2000, is a world-class facility complete with state-of-the-art Bellingham floating docks.

At the other end, Hawaii’s only luxury marina. (They’re shooting the newest installment of the Pirates of the Carribbean movies nearby and you can see the Black Pearl pirate ship they built for the film.) Housing 344 wet slips with watercraft ranging from 30-footers to 240-foot luxury yachts, the Ko Olina Marina accommodates an international clientele from British to Japanese to mainland American. Sign up for all manner of water sports at the Marina Shop — everything from helicopter tours to deep sea fishing to swimming with dolphins.

And esconced in between is the luxurious Ko Olina Beach Villas Resort, complete with Roy Yamaguchi-designed gourmet kitchens and special touches like the floating lily pad lounge chaises in the pool. With two to three bedrooms going for half a mill and up, you can expect a lot of amenities like pocketed sliding glass doors that open fully to the lanai and lei-making classes with a former Miss Hawaii. (You can also rent out villas; rack rates start at $695/night.)

If your taste runs a little more family-friendly, there’s always the tropical water park-like Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club timeshares, with a relatively hopping bar area, a pitch black water tube slide, and plenty of kids running around. And coming in 2011 is Aulani, Disney’s first resort outside of its theme parks.

Ko Olina Beach Villas Resort.

Lily pad chaises blend in beautifully with the elegance of Ko Olina Beach Villas.

Of course, there are plenty of restaurants, from the island’s only other Roy’s at the 18-hole championship Ko Olina Golf Club to the Ihilani’s culinary adventure that is Azul to the more casual live-music venue Kolohe’s at the Marriott Beach Club. There’s even the Ko Olina Station with Mexican fast food, ice cream and other retail outlets And don’t worry about getting around. All the lagoons and different properties are connected via a very pleasant oceanfront path, so getting from hotel to lagoon to restaurant is not a problem. If you have to get to places more inland, like the Golf Club or the Station, just hop on the old-fashioned red trolley that circles the resort. It comes around every half hour.

A leisurely walk on the oceanside path takes you to all the lagoons and beachfront restaurants at Ko Olina.

You're spoiled for choice. One of the gorgeous four lagoons at Ko Olina.

A limestone kiln dating back to the 1800s was found on the property. Today this special space is used for private parties and events.

The Ko Olina wedding chapel, one of the sites as you stroll the oceanside path.

If you get tired on your oceanside stroll, no worries. Just take a quick dip in the pristine lagoon.

But by far my favorite part of Ko Olina is the natural lagoon nestled against Lanikuhonua, the private estate of the Campbell Estate Family Trust (James Campbell settled in Hawaii in the 1800s). The lagoon served as the original inspiration for the four other man-made lagoons of Ko Olina. Indeed, it’s what people think Old Hawaii would look like, says Mike Nelson, executive vice president of the resort.

Hidden treasure: The tide pools tucked away behind the JW Ihilani at Ko Olina.

And it is heavenly. Go early in the day, when the tide is low and the waves less boisterous. Hop from boulder to boulder, scouring the glass-like tide pools along the way for curious black jumping crabs or yellow and black striped fish. Take in the stunning view of the Waianae mountain range. Relax in the shade on one of the flatter boulders, the soothing melody of traditional Hawaiian songs drifting from Lanikuhonua (Auntie Nettie teaches folk music there to locals on occasion), the thunder of crashing waves safely set back 100 feet or so by the intimidating boulder wall. Most likely, you’ll be the only human being on the rocks.

Explore the tide pools for exotic fish and sealife. You'll likely be alone in your adventure.

If you’re lucky, you may be able to get a glimpse of the private grounds of Lanikuhonua. Auntie Nettie is the official caretaker of the land and is a “kahu,” or spiritual advisor, a title she inherited from her mother, the original kahu. (She goes to every groundbreaking at Ko Olina, including the most recent one for the Aulani, the first Disney resort outside of its theme parks.) Lost shot many a scene on the sacred property, which is dedicated to preserving, displaying and promoting the cultural traditions of Hawaii. Legends and history abound on the grounds, as evidenced by the smattering of sacred boulders and rocks carried in from other parts of the island.

The original unspoiled lagoon of Lanikuhonua, after which Ko Olina's four lagoons were modeled.

Sacred rocks and sculptures on the grounds of Lanikuhonua.

The sacred Hina rock, believed to be the goddess of the moon.

Chase the sun on a catamaran.

One thing you have to do before you leave is take advantage of Ko Olina’s location on the leeward side of the island. Unlike Waikiki, this side of the island gets one helluva sunset every evening.

You can enjoy it from your hotel lanai, but the best way to enjoy it is via catamaran (sign up at the Marina Shop.) Enjoy appetizers and an all-you-can-drink bar (their specialty is the Cata-tonic), and then kick back on deck as you sail to what seems like the end of the earth, chasing the sun as it lazes lower and lower, leaving an ever-changing kaleidoscope of light and color in the clear backdrop of sky.

Oceanview sunsets are a rare treat on Oahu. This one is seen from the lanai in my hotel room at the Ihilani. In a word, breathtaking.

Photos by Anna M. Park.