Save Your Skin

As I've mentioned (confessed, really) before, I have worn the same makeup types and brands for so many years, it's amazing that most of them are still in production.  I recently had to stock up on some discontinued lipgloss on eBay- a pretty gross thought, really, but desperate times call for, well, pre-owned lipgloss. However, I recently was looking through photos of myself on Facebook (oh, come on, you do it, too) and I noticed something disturbing- I have a tendency to get shiny a few hours after I get made up. And not in that pretty-fresh-dewy-glow way (more in a I-just-rubbed-a-slice-of-pizza-on-my-forehead way). I first noticed this issue in a series of photos from my friend's wedding last summer (witness the horror at below right), but I consoled myself that it was a warm summer day, and I was probably just a little overheated. But my distress increased as I flipped further and further back in time, and realized this has been a bit of a chronic problem. Like, since forever. How did I not know this about myself, you ask? I'll tell you how- denial. It's powerful stuff, people.
And as if that wasn't enough, this discovery coincided with another unpleasantness, which was the arrival of my first legitimate facial wrinkles. Pretty much the same day that I stopped getting zits with regularity, my skin decided to inflict a different kind of punishment on me, in the form of smile lines and crow's feet (which can also be spotted in the photo at right). Ugh. It became clear to me that I needed to add a new weapon to my grossness-fighting arsenal. Luckily, my friend T, whose make-up skills have evolved since college, showed up just in the nick of time with exactly what I never knew I needed: BareMinerals powder foundation ($25, from Sephora.com). It's a super-light and natural looking powder that looks and feels way better than a liquid foundation; it just gently masks the flaws and leaves you looking like you. And it's SPF 15, too, so it actually prevents more wrinkles! Plus, it's made entirely out of natural minerals that won't poison you or clog your pores, and cause the acne to show up to the party, too, when you fall asleep with your make-up on (which I never do, particularly not after friends' weddings). My only suggestion would be to try to get to a Sephora store, or a make-up counter that carries BareMinerals to make sure you pick the exact right shade for you (there are 20 to choose from)- the only thing worse than a wrinkly oil-slick is the Kabuki mask of wrong-color foundation.

Friday Styles: A New Spin On Things

There aren't many things in life that I like as much now as I did when I was twelve. For instance, I no longer listen to the Backstreet Boys on repeat, I don't have a crush on any of my older brother's friends (unless you consider my husband his friend), I doubt I would watch TRL, Dawson's Creek or Party of Five, anymore, even if they were still on the air, and I've finally accepted that I am not someone who should have bangs. But if I had to hang out with my twelve-year-old self for an afternoon, I know exactly what we could do that we would both enjoy: a drug store shopping spree. Ever since I started getting an allowance, I have taken a tremendous, unexplainable pleasure in shopping at the pharmacy. I love the cosmetics aisle, I love the non-perishable food aisle (pretzel buckets!), I love the home-improvement section, the greeting cards and magazines, the school supplies... I could honestly spend hours browsing the aisles of the drug store. And, while I occasionally have rung up some whopper bills, I usually escape for under $30- try to have that much fun for $30 at the mall!  I couldn't even take my tweener alter-ego to see the Justin Bieber movie for that.
One of my favorite things about the drug store is how often to find something wonderful that you didn't know you needed, nay, didn't even know existed, until you spot it on the shelf. On a recent cold Sunday, I ducked into my local Duane Reade to pick up some necessity I had run out of, and found myself in that familiar happy place, wandering up the aisles checking out mustache trimmers and denture cream (neither of which I needed, thank you very much). I landed in the hair-care section, and that is when I discovered something that has become one of my favorite new products- the Goody Spin Pin, $5.99 for 2, from Amazon.com, or most major drug stores). I am (obviously) a sucker for anything that promises to make my life easier, and I was actually amazed at how well these things work (Goody claims they take the place of 20 bobby pins, and I believe it). All you do is form your hair into a knot or bun and twist the pins in, and miraculously they hold it. I have thick slippery hair that's cut in multiple layers and, if they work for me, they would work for anybody.  I feel like these are one of those things, like the Internet, or cell phones, or running water, that once you have, it would be hard to go back to your life before them. Which is why I would buy several sets for Preteen Lily.

Unfortunately, as miraculous as these things are, though, there isn't anything they can do about those terrible bangs.

The End of Static (and Stasis)

I know I've been gone for a while, lovers. Have you missed me as much as I've missed you?  I've been making excuses about being really busy lately, but, truthfully, I've always been busy, and somehow managed to pump out some marginally interesting posts on a fairly regular basis, anyway. So, now the real truth can be told - I've been taking a little bit of a mental break from the blog because I was suffering from a wicked case of writer's block. That fickle wench Creative Inspiration disappeared, leaving me alone and bereft staring at a blank computer screen. So I buried myself in other projects (so much to tell you about!) and let the old blogerooni simmer for a while, and finally my blogging mojo seems to have sidled it's way back to me. So consider this a bit of a renaissance, if you will.

Now, after that dramatic and confessional intro, you might be expecting a real doozy of a post, that will revolutionize bathroom cleaning, or something, and change your perspective and the whole way you think about things and stuff. That's not going to happen. We're going to start the renaissance with just a little tip- a tiplet, if you will - and ease our way back in. After all, we don't want to scare the muses away, again. So, to thank you for sticking with me, and to apologize for all those times you checked in only to see that "Move It" post was still up, for, like, the the twenty-seventh day in a row, I am going to solve one of life's little annoyances- static cling in your clothes- here and now. Maybe you already know these tips, and this will be super-anti-climactic after weeks of waiting for my (triumphant?) return, but, hey, at least you got a new picture to look at.


How to Get Rid of Static Cling

You know how sometimes, as you go through your work day, your clothes seem to take on a life of their own, and be drawn like magnets to each other and your body? And then your hair starts sort of sticking up on end, and you get that unpleasant electrical-charge feeling all over your body (this especially tends to happen when you are wearing tights or clothes made out of synthetic material)? If you don't know what I'm talking about, congratulations on avoiding this common problem, but you should probably go to a doctor to get checked out because there's a good chance you are an alien.

There are three no-fail methods that will cure you of the cling:

Method #1: Dryer Sheets
Not to put in your dryer, silly (although that might help with the cling, it also leaves a residue on all your clothes and prevents your towels from absorbing as much). Instead, keep a box of dryer sheets handy in your desk at work (or one or two in a Ziplock in your purse), and if the cling attacks, simply rub one of the sheets over your clothes and hair. I don't know why, but it works. I'm pretty sure this is one of those mysteries that science hasn't figured out yet, like what's smaller than a quark or the Loch Ness Monster (that was poorly phrased- most things are smaller than the Loch Ness Monster, probably, but you know what I mean).

 Method #2: Hand Lotion
If you don't happen to have a dryer sheet handy, there's a decent chance you'll at least be able to find some hand lotion. Pour a tiny bit into your hand and work it into your skin underneath where the clothes are clinging. Be very careful not to get it on your clothes in the process, as lotion will leave greasy marks on some fabrics. But for some reason, the lotion will kill the static, and your clothes will start to behave again. Once you have rubbed in all the lotion, gently run your hands over your hair to tame the wildness without looking like you haven't showered in a few days.

Method #3: Hairspray
In a real pinch, you can spray hairspray on your legs or skin to keep the clothes from clinging. But what's worse- static cling, or hairspray on your skin?



photo credit: via jbcurio on flickr

I Like To Move It, Move It

To answer your question ("Where ARE you?"), I'm back in California this week. The purpose of this trip is multi-fold: I'm visiting my parents before the holidays (as we will be spending both Thanksgiving and Christmas with JM's family this year), I attended a family milestone birthday party, I'm checking up on my baby brother-in-law who recently moved to L.A., and I'm running a half-marathon on Saturday. Here's the thing: Whenever I'm out here, I am struck by how active my days are. And without my even trying (half-marathon aside, of course)! It seems like all the fun things I do- swimming in the pool, going to the beach, playing croquet, volleyball or Frisbee (if you can, in fact, call my efforts "playing Frisbee"- I might be the only person in the universe incapable of putting spin on a Frisbee), hiking, yoga, chasing after my friend's baby- are all inherently active and athletic pursuits. In fact, the only thing I do that isn't exercise is sun-bathing, and even then, I break a serious sweat. It's like the exercise just happens without my even thinking about it.
Which, now that I think about it, is probably why my parents, who are senior citizens, actually look more like seniors in college (okay, that may be a slight exaggeration, but you get the idea). It seems like instead of allocating an hour at the gym every day, you can achieve similar, or better, health results just by keeping moving all the time. So my new motto for life (I have a few of them), is "Just Keep Moving".
Here are just a few healthy habits for things you can do in your real life to keep your body in shape, without setting foot in a gym. Admittedly, these aren't as much fun as beach volleyball, but they sure beat the treadmill.


-Walk It: Instead of taking the car, walk your errands (or even better, run them). Carry your laundry to the cleaners and pick up your dinner as take-out, instead of having it delivered. Take the stairs instead of the elevator (or better yet, move into a 5th-floor walk-up, like us). If you have to drive, park on the far side of the parking lot and walk across, like my dad does.

-Bike It: Put the new bike lanes in New York City to use, and bike to work and around the city. Just please wear a helmet- if the pedaling doesn't get your heart pounding, near accidents with taxis certainly will. It's just like Spinning class, but without that hamster-on-a-wheel feeling.

-Carry It: Instead of getting a cart at the grocery store, grab a basket. You'll work your biceps carrying it around, and you'll be less likely to buy junk you don't need. And while you're at it, bring your own bags to the store and carry your groceries home yourself (this is especially good exercise if you live in a walk-up, see?)

-Build It: Earlier this week, I assembled my parents' new grill. At one point, I was in a crunch position for about ten minutes attaching two parts, and I realized that even that is pretty decent exercise. So next time you make a run to Ikea, load the car and assemble it yourself. And since you'll have to deal with sorting out all those screws and washers and deciphering those directions, this one will be a good exercise for your brain, too.

-Fix It: Anyone who has ever tried to move a toilet, or held a 50-lb lighting fixture while someone else screwed it in to the ceiling, knows that DIY is as good for your bod as it is for your house. And it's so rewarding!

-Clean It: Next time you have to clean your place, put on your workout gear and some pump-up tunes (I recommend Sean Paul), and treat it like it's exercise. It'll be a better workout than a jazzercise tape, and you'll get so much more done.

-Grow It: If you have the space (and green thumb) for it, start a garden. Shoveling, weeding, mowing, hoeing, mulching and watering are all great exercise, and you'll have pretty flowers or tasty veggies to show for it (in addition to your rock-hard abs).

Here's hoping this moves you!

Save Your Soles

I'll admit it: I'm hard on my clothes. In order to claim a spot in my wardrobe, an item has to stand up to dog hair, cooking splatters, weird cleaning concoctions, and very cramped conditions in my tiny NYC-sized closet. And, arguably, my shoes get it twice as bad (since they have to deal with all that, plus being walked on).
It's that time of year where I'm putting away my sandals until spring (so long, my darlings!), and pulling out my boots and winter heels.  In fact, in my misspent youth, I used to just buy cheap shoes, wear them until they were destroyed, and throw them in the garbage at the end of the season.  But ever since I met JM, I'm rethinking this strategy. My dapper husband only buys about one high-quality pair of shoes per year. He keeps them carefully shined and taken care of, and has them resoled from time to time. It turns out that cobblers are nothing short of footwear miracle-workers. I swear to you, my husband has eight-year-old pairs of shoes that look brand new (meanwhile, I have eight-month-old pairs that don't even look like shoes anymore).

Before you rush out to buy a whole new fall shoe wardrobe, take another look at those kicked-around shoes in the back of your closet. Here's just some of the things a good cobbler can do for you.  No sole-searching required.

Stretching: If your shoes are too tight, you can have them stretched (up to a full size) for short money. No more pinched toes!

Leather Repair: A quality tailor can fix cracks, tears, scuffs, and scratches in leather to make them almost invisible. And they can clean and revive battered suede.

Resoling: If you find yourself with a Charlie Chaplin-style hole in your shoe, it's probably because you love those shoes. Fear not- a cobbler can replace the whole sole for a fraction of the cost of a new pair.

Reheeling: If you just can't stop yourself from wearing stilettos to a garden wedding (I've been there, sister), you probably have torn and grass-stained heels. A good shoe repairman can totally clean and patch those heels. So you can wear them to another garden wedding.

Dyeing: If you have a pair of white pumps leftover from a wedding (or the '80s), but you still like the shape, you can have a cobbler dye them any color you want, whether they are fabric or leather.

So give those shoes a new lease on life.

Oh, Yes!

It's been a while since I have done a post about a new beauty product, because, frankly, I haven't used a new beauty product in a while. I'm a creature of habit, and once I find a product I love, I tend to stick with it with an almost religious ferocity. I've used the same brand and color of eyeshadow (this one, Nosy McGee) every day for eight years, and if (horror of horrors) it were to be discontinued, I wouldn't be surprised to find myself outside the factory with a ski mask and a grappling hook, planning a raid to gather the remaining shimmery tubs. So, it was not without a certain amount of trepidation and skepticism that I even tried the new(ish) line of hair products from Yes to Carrots. But! They are amazing!

There is very little not to love about this shampoo and conditioner ($7.99 each from Amazon.com, or major drug stores). For one thing, they are made with (almost) all natural ingredients, and have none of the toxic carcinogenic parabens, phthalates, or SLS that is frequently found in shampoos and conditioners. I mean, I like having shiny, pretty hair, as much as the next girl, but I'd rather not have to die for it. And shiny, pretty hair I have, indeed, with these products. I swear, you'll like what it does for your 'do so much, you'll find yourself flirtatiously tossing your hair around like Ariel from The Little Mermaid. Even if you're a guy. And, as if that wasn't enough, the products also have a lovely light, clean scent that will make you irresistible to members of the opposite sex. Okay, that last part isn't true- if you have an unpleasant personality and a face like a pit bull, no shampoo is going to turn you into a femme fatale.  But these products do really smell delicious, in a way that's not too fruity or perfume-y, so your fella can use them without feeling creepy about it.

 Yes to Carrots also has a skin-care line, which I am gathering the courage to try, but I'll bet is pretty great, and new lines called Yes to Tomatoes, Yes to Cucumbers, and Yes to Blueberries, which you might like even better. As for me and trying new things, all I can say is "yes, yes, yes!"

Note: You may have noticed that after I posted this, Google Adsense (in it's infinite wisdom) started running an ad for Yes to Carrots on my sidebar. That's because they use some smarty-pants algorithm that attaches appropriate ads to related content, not because I wrote a post endorsing an advertiser. All opinions and endorsements on my blog are my own, and I have never been paid or compensated to say something nice about a product, person, place, or thing. Unless you count not complaining too much about my husband, since he goes to work every day and lets me stay home and write a blog as "compensation".

The Fabulizer

When I packed up and moved into my college Freshman dorm room in the fall of 1999, I arrived armed with the essentials- a green original iMac, phone cards to call home, and a hugely padded black lace bra that my roommates immediately dubbed "The Fabulizer." I have, in my life, been blessed with many gifts (namely: naturally blond hair I don't have to color, a fairly sunny disposition, and a better-than-average ability to solve crossword puzzles), but I was not bestowed with what you might call "an ample bosom." Hence, The Fabulizer, which immediately added at least three cup sizes to anyone (to prove this, I once tacked it up on the flat wall, and, voila, "Wally Parton").  However,  while it was, well, fabulous, The Fabulizer had several blatant drawbacks. The black lace and thick straps hardly made for an inconspicuous combo, so it made it's presence known by showing though or sticking out of almost any outfit (luckily it was the late 90s and underwear-as-outerwear was in). To totally hide this monster of a bra, in fact, an outfit would have to be so modest as to be completely beside the point.  Also, because I didn't wear it at all times, it was unlikely I fooled anyone into thinking a rack like that had just sprouted overnight. Still, I managed to get quite a bit of wear out of that sucker over the course of the next four extremely educational and enriching years, until I finally outgrew it (emotionally, not physically, sadly).
In my adult life, which could frequently use a little fabulizing, I have often reminisced about the enhancing properties of that brassiere, and wished I had something with similar capabilities which would fit my lifestyle now. It seemed an impossible dream until, like a miracle, I found it: The Fabulizer 2.0.
The Plunge Multi-way Bra with Gel-Curve, $37.50 from Victoria's Secret is the Fabulizer for the new millennium (give or take 10 years). Seriously. I bought it in nude to wear under a dress to a wedding last September, and I have worn it almost every day since (sorry to disappoint you, People I Have Met Since September, but my cleavage isn't the real deal). This bra is actually comfortable, smooth enough to wear under anything without showing, and, unlike any other strapless bra I have ever owned, it stays up on it's own. And the patented Gel-Curve stuff looks and feels way more like real boob than the mattress foam that was stuffed into the original Fabulizer (not that I intend to test that by getting groped).
So, if you happen to be similarly mosquito-bitten, or just want to enhance your natural assets, I suggest you head to Vicky's and try this lovely thing on immediately. And if you spend more than $100 (by buying this bra in every color), get free shipping through July13 using the promo code: SHIPVS10. Fabulous.

Try Dry

Hi gang. Yes, I'm still alive, and I'm sorry I've been sort of MIA these past two weeks. I've had a lot on my plate, and I've been a busy little bee, between hosting a wedding shower and bachelorette party last weekend, work projects, apartment projects, babysitting my niece, and helping out two friends with their upcoming nuptials. I've been so busy, in fact, that the blog isn't the only thing I've been neglecting. No, I haven't forgotten to feed my dog (or my husband), but I haven't been for a run since May, and I'll admit I've skipped a shower here and there as well. But don't worry, I have Spanx to hide the telltale extra jiggle in my thighs until I can find my way back to the gym.

And I recently also discovered a cheater way to "wash" my hair instantly. On those days when I'm running late somewhere I have to look presentable (which is pretty much everyday), and don't have time to wash and dry my hair, I simply spray in some of my new secret weapon, Klorane Dry Shampoo ($13 from Amazon.com). You just spray it lightly around your roots- a little goes a long way (peeps with dark hair should be especially conservative), rub your head with a towel, and then run a brush through your locks. I've got the whole process down to under a minute (which beats my notorious marathon showers).

It basically absorbs and hides the greasiness from your 'do, leaving it looking and smelling fresh and clean, and easy to style (although I usually don't have time for that, either).  It's a miracle in a can, but it does have limitations- what you do about those stubbly legs and fragrant armpits is up to you.

Friday Styles: In the Nude

Most of the time, writing this blog is one of the high points of my day. It is my hobby and my great escape. But, for some reason, all the pleasure and joy I take in blogging goes out the window on Fridays, like a miracle in reverse. So my latest solution to this problem is to start a new feature: Friday Styles. These posts will feature something that I own that I think is awesome, and that I think you should probably buy, too. Hopefully, this will also help me rediscover all the great stuff I have stashed away in my place, and remember to be grateful for it. I hope you enjoy.

 Have you ever found something, out of the blue, that turned out to be just exactly the thing you needed, without your even having realized that you needed it? That was the case for me when I found these nude crocodile heels from Kate Spade on ridiculous super-sale at TJ Maxx a few weeks ago. Frankly, when I first spotted them on the rack, I didn't think they were much to look at- in a sea of wildly colored and patterned shoes, who would be drawn to boring old tan? But put the right nude shoe on your foot, and suddenly you'll feel like Cinderella. Or, rather, suddenly you'll feel like Cinderella's tall, leggy, stepsister. Something about a nude shoe makes your legs look a million miles long, even if your physical build is naturally less than statuesque. Seriously- you'll look like you could kick the moon, if you were so inclined. And, because they are so neutral, they look good with everything, from a flowy floral dress to a power suit.
But keep in mind that you have to find the right nude shoe. The color of the shoe should be close to your skin tone, but not an exact match (which could make you look like you have mutant club feet, instead of never-ending gams), so your right "nude" shoe might actually be beige or chocolate brown. And a little platform adds comfort, which is key because, trust me, you are going to be wearing these babies a lot. Here are some of my picks for great nude shoes available right now (sadly, my lovelies are no longer available in non-discount stores).

 1. "Pompadour" by Charles by Charles David, $100, from Zappos.com; 2. "Maddielyn" by Type Z, $74, from Zappos.com; 3. "Peekpump" by Stuart Weitzman, $325, from Zappos.com; 4. "Jocelyn" by Charles David, $250, from Piperlime.com; 5. "Carmen" by Kate Spade, $295, from Piperlime.com; 6."Jacey" by Gabriella Rocha, $54, from Zappo.com; 7. "Napoli" by Franco Sarto, $89, from Piperlime.com; 8. "Karolina" by Kate Spade, $298, from Zappos.com

P.S. Don't forget to enter my Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Giveaway by Monday night at Midnight (EST)!!

Fancy Footwork (5 Essential Shoes for Summer)

In my apartment the biggest closet is my shoe and tool closet.  A shoe rack as tall as I am covers one wall, filled with my massive footwear collection, and the other corner houses a cabinet which contains my (equally loved) power saw, drill, and hand tools. That just about sums me up, I think.

But just like I don't use every tool all the time (it's been a while since I reached for my awl, for example), I don't actually wear most of those shoes very often. In fact, I was thinking about it, and I think I could easily get through the whole spring and summer with just 5 pairs of shoes.  Granted, I don't have a working-girl life with the pumps and the power suits and whatnot, so if you're some kind of fancy exec, you might need to add a pair or two of corporate-ladder-climbing shoes to the list, but for those in more casual workplaces, I think I've got you covered. So without further ado, here are my

Five Essential Pairs of Shoes Every Gal Should Have This Summer

1. Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star Slim, $50; 2. Seychelles Araxi II snakeskin sandals, $75; 3. Kate Spade Frenchie flats, $156; 4. Elie Tahari Cassandra heels, $398; 5. Kate Spade Blooming Espadrilles, $225.

1. Cute Sneakers: There's something so very Audrey Hepburn about wearing cute simple sneakers in the summer time. I wear mine with shorts, linen pants, skinny jeans, and even short dresses. My mom has been wearing simple white Keds with everything for years, and she always looks adorable. I should have listened to her sooner.
2. Flat Sandals:  Cute flat sandals can make any outfit stylish. I wear mine all year, with everything. They are particularly lovely with maxi dresses, or short shorts (and tan legs).
3. Comfy Flats: These aren't just my summer go-to shoes, but my anytime-there-isn't-snow-on-the-ground go-to shoes. Flats are pretty, feminine, stylish and put together looking, and they're appropriate for any activity: work, play, or dinner out. You cannot go wrong- I walk all over Manhattan in mine. And they are a must-have for flying- they slip right off for security, but keep your toes warm in-flight. Perfection.
4. Killer Heels: Every girl needs at least one pair of great, sexy heels. I think a metallic (like gold or silver) is more versatile than black, and will look great with your power suit at after-work drinks, or any bridesmaid dress you have to don this year (at least your feet will look great).
5. Fun Wedges: These are the shoes you switch into from the flat sandals or sneakers once the sun goes down. They make any outfit- dresses, shorts, jeans, more dressy and fun. I love a modern take on espadrilles like these.


Now just don't make me choose between my tools.

Monday Bunday!

Not that I pay that much attention to fashion shows (until someone does one featuring sweatpants, in which case they should put me in the front row next to Anna Wintour), but I couldn't help but notice that a lot of the runway shows during recent fashion weeks have featured models sporting messy buns in their hair. I must be ahead of my time, this has been one of my "signature looks" ever since I took ballet when  I was nine and could never figure out how to get the straggly bits to stay put (sadly, my jetés and pliés were just as sloppy, but that's a story for another day). I've worked on my technique since then, and I'm pretty sure I've mastered the art of creating a bun that looks pulled together, but not too polished, with just the right dash of laissez-faire attitude. It's equally appropriate for a night on the town or a night spent polishing your floors. And it goes particularly well with sweatpants.

Here are my step-by-step instructions for creating a loose bun that looks like you just threw it together (which, in fact, is kind of how you do it). I couldn't bring myself to force a friend to pose for these pictures, so please excuse the weird faces I apparently make when bunning myself. Good thing ballet prepared me to be comfortable with public humiliation.

Step 1: Figure out where you want your bun to be, and pull your hair back into a ponytail, and secure with a rubber band. I generally try to make my hair as smooth as possible during this step, and then mess it up later.








Step 2: Twist the ponytail from the base to the top, and coil the hair around the base of the ponytail. Don't worry if a lot of the hair is sticking out of the twist (like mine)- that's what makes the bun look so easy and breezy, and whatnot.








Step 3: Use large bobby pins to secure the bun in place. It helps make it hold if you are able to slide one side of the pin under part of the rubber band. You can use smaller pins or hairspray to tuck in stray hair pieces. Then, if you want loose strands at the back of your neck, or in front of your ears, pull them out. Tada!









Try a high bun, a low side bun, or add a headband for a Brigitte Bardot look while you are washing your dog or doing the dishes.

top photo credit: via Bella Sugar

Razor Sharp

If I had my druthers, I would get laser treatment on all my stray hairs - be they on my legs, armpits, or eyebrows, and be done with the whole unpleasantness once and for all. But, this is one case where, contrary to type, blonds have less fun, as those treatments only work on dark-colored hairs. So, until someone comes out with a new process that works on the light wispys (and how about you make it painless, while you're at it?), I am stuck with shaving.
For those of you in the same boat, I recently was the recipient of a bit of wisdom from a surprising source: the checkout lady at the Duane Reade pharmacy up the street. Normally, the girls there are experts at expressing their disdain for customers through their eyes and gum-snapping. But, in the market for the new razor (has anyone come out with one with ten blades, yet?), I asked this which she thought was best. Noticing my wedding ring, she answered my question with another question: "What kind does your husband use?" She said that all of the major razor brands have a specific style of replacement blade that is universal across their models, and therefore are interchangeable. So, if your significant other (or generous roommate) uses a Shick, you should, too. That way, when one of you runs out of sharp blades, you can borrow one from the other, without venturing into actual razor-sharing (which is gross).
As a loyal Bostonian, JM is a devotee of the Gillette Fusion, so I opted for the Gillette Venus Divine, and I've never looked back. Goes to show, sometimes the sharpest ideas come from the most unexpected places.

Saving Face

Turning up the thermostat to accommodate the change in the seasons. Halloween makeup. A few too many cocktails. Sweaty long runs. Baking in the sun during last weekend's trip to Vegas. These are all crimes I have recently committed against my skin, and it's beginning to show. It's definitely time I do something nice for my face, but I'd like to do it without simultaneously doing something mean to my wallet. What I'm saying is, I think it's time for an at-home facial, people. While a DIY facial can't compare to the spa version in terms of pampering, it CAN have the same aesthetic benefits, for a lot less cash. So put on your robe, turn on some whale-sounds music, and dim the lights. It may not be a real spa experience, but it definitely beats an acne attack.

Here's what you need:
Your favorite cleanser
Exfoliating scrub
A toner
Warm water and a washcloth
Clay-based or cream facial mask (based on skin type)
Basic moisturizer

Here's what you do:
1. Cleanse: Use a headband or wrap a towel around your head to keep your hair pushed away from your face. To get started, use your favorite facial cleanser to remove any grease or dirt from the surface of your face (see below for my picks). In case you have never seen a Clean N' Clear commercial, the proper way to wash your face is to first dampen it with warm water. Then rub a nickel-size dollop on cleanser between your fingers, and massage it into your face. To rinse it off, splash your face with warm water until all of the soap is removed. Pat dry with a clean towel.
2. Exfoliate: The next step is to remove and dead, dull skin cells. Dampen your face again, and massage a gentle exfoliator into your skin. Make sure you focus on the areas where you are prone to break-outs and blackheads (like your jawline, forehead and nose). Rinse and pat dry.
3. Tone: Toner is an oft-overlooked, but important facial product. The toner removes any cleanser residue, and really freshens the skin. You can use good old witch hazel, or one of my suggestions below. Pour the toner onto a clean cotton swab and rub over your face.
4. Steam: This is where you really sock it to any gunk that might be built up in your pores. Boil a pot of water over the stove. Add chamomile tea bags, if you like, and place your face over the pot, tenting with a towel, for about five minutes. Pat dry.
5. Mask: A clay-based mask will literally suck the dirt and grease out of your face. Apply liberally to the skin on your face and neck, but avoid your eye area. Try one of my faves below, or you can mix up a gentle mask in your kitchen using 3 tablespoons oatmeal, 1 egg white, and 1 tablespoon baking soda. Leave on for 10-20 minutes (you can put cucumber slices over your eyes and take a nap, if you want), then rinse thoroughly, and pat dry.
6. Moisturize: The last, but arguably most important step, is to apply your favorite moisturizer to your face and neck. Ahhh. You glow, girl.

My picks: Top row: Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, $38; Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, $11; St. Ives Apricot Scrub, $4; Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub, $6; Burt's Bee's Garden Tomato Toner, $11; Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner, $8.
Bottom Row: Lush Mask of Magnaminty, $11; Freeman's Purifying Facial Clay Masque, $4; Olay Total Effects moisturizer, $18; La Roche-Posay Toleriane moisturizer, $20.

Playing Dress Up

I'm a big fan of the interweb, and the various gifts it has bestowed upon us: Twitter, Youtube, Facebook, Seamless Web, online shopping, Wikipedia, and (ahem) blogs, among them. But one way my quality of life has deteriorated since the advent of Al Gore's brainchild is that, with pictures of every wedding and event I attend showing up on Facebook, I find that I can't wear the same dress more than a couple times until it seems like everyone has seen me in it. And with eight weddings this summer, all those new dresses can really add up.
Luckily, thanks to the lovely ladies at Rent the Runway (including my friend, Jenn), the internet is about to resolve this particular problem, too. Rent the Runway has dresses from designers like Lela Rose, Proenza Schouler, Tibi, and Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti (as well as many others) available to rent for a fraction of what it would cost you to buy them. And if the only designer things your budget allows are the Target and H&M versions, here's your chance to try the real thing and live like a celeb for a weekend. Just choose the dress you want to wear and it's yours for your choice of four or eight days. Rent the Runway sends you two sizes to ensure you always get the perfect fit. And each dress comes with a pre-paid return envelope, so once you've worn the dress, you can just drop it in the mailbox to send it back. Genius.
Here I am in a Yigel Azrouel number at an event in Las Vegas this weekend. While I would never splurge on something this daring, and, well, red, in real life, I loved getting to wear it for one night. And now it's on it's way back, and I'm back on the site, choosing what I'll be wearing next!

The full site launches November 1, but sign up for membership now at www.renttherunway.com, and check out a preview of just some of their dresses now at www.renttherunway.com/prelaunch.

That's Dogwash

Our beagle, Skipper, has a lot of things going for her: she's smart, super cute, very friendly, quiet, and funny. But she does have a couple of faults over which she has no control: She sheds, and sometimes she smells like a hound. To keep this unpleasantness in check, Skipper gets daily brushings and weekly baths, and I have worked hard to find the right tools for the job. If you, too, have a malodorous or hirsute pooch or kitty leaving a trail of fur or funk wherever she goes, read on to find the best products to keep the yuck to a minimum.







I use two brushes on Skip's coat one for removing loose overcoat hairs, and the other for pulling out the loose undercoat. In combination they work like a charm, and you will be shocked at the amount of hair that comes off your pet. As a bonus, Skipper loves getting brushed and can't get enough of it.
For the outercoat, I use the Kong ZoomGroom brush, $8, available from Petco. It is made out of rubber and attracts the hairs like a magnet.









For the undercoat, I use the Furminator deshedding tool, $30, also available from Petco. This thing works so well you might be grossed out by the amount of hair that comes off your pet.









For her bath, I use Perfect Coat Natural Oatmeal shampoo, $7, also from Petco. I have tried more expensive brands, and this one seems to work the best: It moisturizes her skin, makes her coat super shiny, and smells great.




Lastly, she gets a rinse of Furminator deShedding Solution, $13, from Petco. It makes whatever is left of her loose undercoat come out and leaves her clean, shiny, sweet-smelling and shed-free.

At least for a few days.

Crack the Code

I'm in California this week to help my friend, Lea, make the final preparations for her wedding this weekend. In honor of this auspicious occasion, and because this is our last wedding of the season, I have decided to make this "Wedding Week" on the blog. Don't worry if you aren't a bride- or groom-to-be, however -- I'll try to make this week's post applicable to the soon-to-be-hitched, already-wed, and don't-believe-in-the-institution-of-marriage, alike. Today's topic: what to wear almost anywhere.

If you've ever been the gal at the party wearing jeans when everyone else is in a dress, the dork in the jacket and tie at the pool party, or the chick whose 5-inch heels keep sinking in to the dirt at the backyard barbecue, you know the shame and discomfort of being inappropriately dressed for an occasion. Even if you're one of those disdainful-of-fashion-and-propriety types (in which case, what are you doing reading this blog - are you lost or something?), you have to admit that sometimes the right outfit can be a major boost to your confidence and ease, and the wrong one can pretty much ruin your night. All of this is made more complicated by the cryptic and inscrutable dress codes some people choose to assign to their events (what the heck is 'Dressy Casual'?) The only thing worse being when they don't assign one at all and you are left to guess. Happily, my friend and yours, Emily Post, has gone to the trouble of clearly identifying all of the different dress codes that might be ascribed to a party, and outlining precisely what you should wear (and I have taken the liberty of unlawfully copying her work below). I don't agree with everything she says (I tend to think "holiday-themed ties" are a "no" in every circumstance. But first let's address what you should (and should not) wear if no dress code is mentioned.

To A Wedding:
-In the Daytime: Ladies: a short, colorful dress or suit is appropriate. Don't wear black, or flashy sequins or beads. And consider the location; if the wedding is to be outdoors in a garden or on a lawn, you will be happier in flat footwear or wedges than in stilettos. Guys: Dress shirt and pants, with a sports jacket. Tie is optional.
-In the Evening: Ladies: Cocktail dress. Black is fine, white is not. Nothing too flashy or revealing, please. You don't want to draw attention to yourself in a negative way (if you have to ask if it's appropriate, it probably isn't). Guys: Suit or dress pants and jacket. I strongly suggest a tie. Don't wear a tuxedo unless "black tie" is specified.

To A Cocktail Party:
-Outdoors in the Spring or Summer: Ladies: A summery dress and sandals. Guys: Khaki pants and a polo shirt or light cotton dress shirt. Unless you're on Bermuda, stay away from shorts.
-In the Evening in the Fall or Winter: Ladies: A short cocktail dress (duh), with dressy shoes. Guys: A jacket and tie, unless the host or hostess specifically mentions the word "casual".

And Now For the Plagiarized Portion of this Post (Thanks, Emily!):

White Tie
For Men:
Black tailcoat
matching trousers with a single stripe of satin or braid in the US; two stripes in Europe or the UK
white piqué wing-collared shirt with stiff front
white vest
white bow tie
white or gray gloves
black patent shoes and black dress socks

For Women:
Formal (floor length) evening gown

Black Tie

For Men:
Black tuxedo jacket and matching trousers
formal (piqué or pleated front) white shirt
black bow tie (silk, shiny satin or twill)
black cummerbund to match tie, or a vest
dressy suspenders to ensure a good fit
black patent shoes and black dress socks
no gloves.
In summer or on a cruise:
white dinner jacket
black tuxedo trousers plus other black tie wardrobe.

For Women:
Formal (floor length) evening gown or short, dressy cocktail dress

Black Tie Optional
For Men:
Either a tuxedo (see 'Black Tie' above) or dark suit, white shirt and conservative tie

For Women:
Formal (floor length) evening gown or short, dressy cocktail dress or dressy separates

Creative Black Tie
For Men:
Tuxedo combined with trendy or whimsical items, such as a black shirt or a matching colored or patterned bow tie and cummerbund
black shiny patent or dressy black leather shoes and black socks

For Women:
Formal (floor length) evening gown or short, dressy cocktail dress or dressy separates or any of the above accessorized with such items as a feather boa, colorful shawl or colorful jewelry

Semiformal
For Men:
Dark, business suit (usually worsted wool)
matching vest
white shirt
conservative tie
dressy leather shoes and dress (dark)socks

For Women:
Short afternoon or cocktail dress or long dressy skirt and top

Festive Attire
For Men:
Seasonal sport coat or blazer in color of choice and slack
open-collar shirt or shirt and "festive" or holiday-themed tie

For Women:
cocktail dress or long dressy skirt and top or dressy pants outfit

Dressy Casual
For Men:
Seasonal sport coat or blazer and slacks
open-collar shirt

For Women:
Street length dress or skirt and dressy top or dressy pants outfit

Business Casual
For Men:
Seasonal sport coat or blazer with slacks or khakis
open-collar shirt

For Women:
Skirt, khakis or slacks
open-collar shirt, knit shirt or sweater (no spaghetti straps or decolleté)

Sport Casual
For Men:
Khakis or clean, pressed jeans
plain tee shirt (no slogans), polo shirt or casual button-down shirt

For Women:
Khakis or clean, pressed jeans
plain tee shirt (no slogans), polo shirt or casual button-down shirt

Beach Casual
For Men:
Khakis or shorts (cargo or Bermuda)
knit or polo shirt
sport jacket (optional) or sweater

For Women:
Sundress, khakis or shorts (cargo or Bermuda)
open-collar, knit, or polo shirt
lightweight jacket or sweater

Holiday Casual
Clothing is the same as for 'Business Casual' with some holiday colors or designs.

It's a Tie!

I'm headed to California today to help my friend, Lea, make the final preparations for her wedding next weekend. In honor of this auspicious occasion, and because this is our last wedding of the season, I have decided to make this "Wedding Week" on the blog. Don't worry if you aren't a bride- or groom-to-be, however -- I'll try to make this week's post applicable to the soon-to-be-hitched, already-wed, and don't-believe-in-the-institution-of-marriage, alike. Read on, lovers.

Because I always enjoy those special moments in the movies when the young woman shares a touching exchange with her father (or grandfather ... or Crocodile Dundee) while helping him to tie his necktie, I made a point of learning the skill myself. Disappointingly for me, however, my father, brother, and husband are all perfectly capable of tying their own ties (prefer to do so) and, in fact, have never once enlisted my help.
In the meantime, I still think it's a talent worth having in your arsenal, because you never know when you are going to encounter a pack of bewildered groomsmen or just happen to bump into Matthew McConaughey on his way to collect an Oscar, bow tie in hand. Okay, you're right, Matthew McConaughey is never going to win an Oscar, but you know what I mean. And should you encounter a well-tanned Aussie with leather vest and machete wandering around helpless with a cravat, let me know. Read on, and you'll soon find yourself fit to be tied ...or fit to do the tying. One of those.
Step 1: Start with the tie around your (or the person you are sharing an intimate made-for-TV moment with's) neck, with the wide end hanging about 10-12 inches longer than the skinny end. Cross the wide end in front of the skinny end.
Step 2: Wrap the wide end around the back of the skinny end, folding it, so the back side of the wide end is exposed.
Step 3: Wrap the wide end around the front of the skinny end again, folding it so that the front side of the wide end is exposed again.
Step 4: Pull the wide end up and through the part that goes around the neck.
Step 5: Bring the wide end down and through the small loop that is front and center (under the Adam's apple).
Step 6: Pull the skinny end downward to tighten, and shape the knot gently with your fingers. Perfecto.


Step 1: Start with the tie around the neck, with one end hanging 1 - 1 1/2 inches longer than the other.
Step 2: Cross the long end in front of the short end, and pull up through the loop that is around the neck.
Step 3: Fold the short end in half (forming one half of the bow), and tuck it up horizontally by the shirt collar.
Step 4: Bring the long end down in front of the (folded) short end, and (like tying a shoelace) tuck it in half back behind the loop formed by the short end, forming a bow.
Step 5: Slip one index finger inside each loop, grab onto the tie ends, and pull to tighten and straighten.
Step 6: Enjoy the ball, Cinderella (or Cinderello, I guess).

photo credit: stolen from getty images
illustrations credit: Hardscrabble Farm

The Weather Report

Today's Weather Report: Cloudy with a 100% chance of you looking super cute. Look, no one really likes a rainy day: the cold, wet toes, bad hair days, and musty-smelling sweaters are enough to put anyone in a bad mood - even Gene Kelly probably didn't twirl around streetlamps every time the barometer took a dip. But it's much easier to weather the storm in style when you have the proper gear to get you through. Waterproof rubber boots will have you bidding farewell to those soaked socks (and just might have you jumping in puddles). And who wouldn't be happy looking through a rainbow-polka-dotted umbrella? So, when the dark clouds roll in, just gear up in some of this cuteness, and, who knows? You just might even find yourself singing in the rain.


1. Bella Pagoda-style umbrella, $96, from Umbrellas.net; 2. Khaki rain jacket, $266, Cole Haan from Bluefly.com; 3. Riding-style galoshes, $80, from J. Crew; 4. Cloud-pattern umbrella, $65, from Pare; 5. Polka-dotted clear umbrella, $22, from Totes; 6. Classic red Hunter rainboots, $114, from 6pm.com; 7. Rubber-and-leather duck boots, $84, from L.L.Bean; 8. Striped pocket umbrella, £25, from Lulu Guinness; 9. Green mackintosh rain jacket, $70, from L.L.Bean.

10. Brown-and-blue patterned umbrella, $40, from Merimekko; 11. Red bird-silhouette folding umbrella, $45, from Tray 6; 12. Silver short rain boots, $64, by Tretorn, from Zappos.com; 13. Floral-print Urban Mac rain jacket, $138, from Boden USA, 14. Hot-pink heeled Randi rainboots, $125, from Kate Spade; 15. Plaid-print galoshes, $40, by Tommy Hilfiger, from DSW; 16. Floral-print folding umbrella, $22, from Totes; 17. Flowery galoshes, $25, from Target.com; 18. Green rain jacket, $99, by Spiewak, from Bluefly.com; 19. Peacock-feather print umbrella, $26, from Umbrellastand.com.

Shoe, Meet Arm (& Hammer)

There are plenty of wonderful things about being married to a preppy guy: He can take you sailing. He knows how to tie his own bow tie. He looks good in pink... However, there is one big negative that arises every summer- the dreaded smell of boat shoes worn sans socks. Sure, they look cute, with their ankle-grazing khakis and popped collars, but the second that one preppy foot slides out of that one preppy shoe, flowers wilt for miles around, and bloodhounds start jumping off of bridges.

But one need not suffer in pearl-bedecked silence. There is a miraculous solution that works for all smelly shoes- be they running shoes, pumps, high-tops, over-the-knee stripper boots, snorkeling flippers or Rollerblades. Allow me to reacquaint you to a product that needs no introduction, your friend and mine: Baking Soda. Simply pour half a cup of the white powder directly onto the insoles of each of the shoes (you may need to wear a clothespin on your nose to get that close), and let sit overnight. In the morning, pour the baking soda out and wipe the inside of the shoe with a paper towel. Like some kind of miracle, the baking soda will have absorbed all of the odor - kind of like it does in your fridge, only more... footy.

Can't Live Without...Sunscreen

Today I am headed west to California for the week to visit my family and friends, and to escape the rainiest June in New York history (and hopefully to pan for some gold- or rather tan for golden sun-kissed skin. Okay, even I know that was a really bad pun- looks like we both need to up our Pun Protection Factor!) While my illicit love affair with tanning has been well documented on this blog, I have been resistant to offering actual tanning advice, lest I become a bad influence on you people (artery-clogging burgers not withstanding). However, as bad as my bronzing habit can be, even I wear sunscreen when I am at the beach or by a pool. I admit that it's typically SPF 4, but still. In a case of do-as-I-say-not-as-I-tan, I am going to recommend my favorite sunscreen (and over the years I have tried them all)- good old Coppertone. Not the spray kind, or the Sport kind, or the pink kind for kids- the classic that comes in the white or brown bottle ($10, available from any drugstore or drugstore.com). It's light on your skin and rubs in like a really nice moisturizer, not too thick or sticky. And it's not greasy at all, but it's waterproof and will last all day (although you should reapply anyway, she said hypocritically). But the best part of all is the heavenly smell- it doesn't smell like fake bananas or coconut- it just smells exactly like summer. I would bottle it and wear it as perfume, I love it so much. Now, if only it came in SPF 2...