Get it on my toes in time…

In the midst of what I can only classify as one of the most UNCOMFORTABLE visits to the nail place today, I discovered my new favorite polish for the season…something GOOD had to come of it.

As my Vietnamese nail technician, Phuong ,  dodged bleeding bullets from her co-worker (a feathered haired man who looked much like the long lost love child between Iggy Pop and Dustin Nguyen- remember him from 21 Jump Street?!?), she introduced me to a color that she could neither pronounce, nor describe, but insisted I try.

Shifting in a big rolling, pleather chair, I listened to the feud continue clear across the salon – as the owner of the place tossed out a mix of Vietnamese banter, sprinkled with English exclamations like “GET ALONG”, “STOP FIGHTING” and “NO…YOU SHUT UP”. My girl was losing the battle and though clearly dejected from this arguement that had escalated to such a level that the place cleared out, she continued to paint my fingers in the most refreshing shade I have seen in quite some time. And I let her

Being an Essie girl – ALL THE WAY…I have morphed from a lover of Ballet Slipper – to Ador-a-Ball – to Sugar Daddy. Today, I went into a bit of a “WTF” moment, when I saw the “yuck” factor of OPI decorating the walls. Not a ‘lil white bottle in sight DAMN IT! Phuong (though probably unemployed now) came to the rescue with OPI “Get me to the Taj on Time”…

Though I still don’t get the name (though it is part of their Spring/Summer India Collection)…this nail lacquer is not something you would ever pick out for  yourself. A color that I can only describe in the bottle as “I was in a cold pool for too long and now my lips turned blue” hue…in short – a “corpsey” purply pink…once applied – resuscitates iteself into a stunning neutral blue based pink that is to die for (no pun intended). 

My toes are rejoincing in their Havaianas! Yipppeee! Phuong – if you are reading this – THANK YOU!

Check out GET ME TO THE TAJ ON TIME at your local salon or at the OPI website: http://www.opi.com/india.asp

All the finer things in life start with “C”

Cookies…Chanel…California…Corvette…Cavalli…Choo…CLOONEY and of course Christabelle. But “C” is NOW also for my newest lip locking love…Ceci Cela Lip Balm in ALMOND ($10).

Those that know me, know I am a sucker for anything remotely almond flavored or scented. But this one takes the cake! The alluring scent of almond lingers deliciously (not overpowering) for hours, while the lightweight texture smooths and soothes my pucker. Unlike competitve brands, this one IS NOT waxy and does not leave an aftertaste in my mouth (tsk-tsk to those that do!).  With SPF 15, this power balm will be a permanent fixture in my beach tote this summer, will carry over to my ski gear in the winter and is already occupying space in my bedside table and handbag. Yes…I bought multiples like a psycho at a recent visit to Gurney’s Inn (out in the Montauk, NY) bc I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to find it elsewhere (don’t panic – I discovered the good folks at on-line beauty shops FRED SEGAL, PAUL LABRECQUE and WESTGLOW are wise enough to keep stock on-line to satiate our need for moisturized lips).

WHY OH WHY is Ceci Cela not in more locations! I am going on a pilgrimage to all of my favorite apothocaries and spas and demanding they carry this almond flavored delight – I suggest you do the same. It smells like a cross between those YUM horseshoe cookies you find in Greek diner’s and marzipan. Pure heaven…

Want to be a self-declared kissing bandit with smooch-back appeal like me? Check out their website and locate a balm of your own cause I AIN’T SHARING MINE: http://www.cecicelaessentials.com

Everyone is a KRITIK…

I like to live a Juicy life…love my velour and terry track suits just like everyone else in NYC. The little “J’ dangles at my chest…the word”JUICY” reads across my bum (to my mother’s dismay). It is iconic…hell…I am living in the “Glamourous USA”.  Walking proudly in comfy couture…

But what happens when the juice runs dry and you are longing for cozy threads that perhaps don’t match every gal on the planet…ENTER KRITIK. I am beyond obsessed.

With clean lines, flattering cuts and ADORABLE color palettes – I quickly found my obsession growing with each click of my mouse.  It has taken lounge wear to A WHOLE ‘NOTHA LEVEL and I am counting the days until I can bust on the scene in my new ensemble – in particular the KRITIK Stella hooded pullover and short set (see left). A throwback to my mom in the 70’s…this chic set can walk me from the beach to the bistro with ease and with a bit of Lia Sophia jewlery as frosting and a hot pair of wedge slip ons…I plan to make quite the fashion statement out on the town and into the twilight.

Kudos to designer and ex-publicist Jonathan Cheban (who consequently hails from Bergen County – like myself)! He has inspired us to all live in chic comfort and class with a dash of Kritik on top (or bottom – or both!). Out with the “J” and in with the “K”…

Super sexy and the oh-so-fashionable Kardashian sisters are HUGE fans of the brand – as are the Duff sisters, La Lohan, reality tv villain Heidi Montag and Princess Paris…to name a few. But quite frankly, seeing ME romp in my Stella Pullover in Montauk this summer should be enough validation for you all!

Check HERE to visit Kritik’s myspace page for more info…

I really LOVE NEW YORK!

From time and again, I like to play on the sensitive strings of my MASS (otherwise known as a Mass-hole) born and bred BFF from college. We feud over baseball (Yankees vs. Red Sox) – ice hockey back in the day (Rangers vs. Bruins) – and just the general lifestyle choices between New England and New York City. She had a baby – I sent an “I LOVE NY” onesie as a gift. I call her answering machine and leave the city sounds of car horns and fire engines. I have cabbies call her from my cell phone…I have fun – to say the least.

Well, now she has moved into a new home in Maine and I found the perfect housewarming gift for her from Fill-R-Up here on the Upper East Side.  A BASKET FULL OF NEW YORK CITY THEMED GIFTS

From the largest coffee mug I have ever seen (I think my face fits in it!) that bears our famous city logo, to I love NY key chains for her new set of house keys …she will not doubt be bittersweet about this delivery! Have I gotten the last word on our ongoing battle…we shall see what she comes up with to zing me back.

You want to send your BFF a very creative gift basket (NYC themed or not)?  Check out the brainchild of Amanda Poses, Fill-R-Up,  on the Upper East Side of NYC. Don’t live in NYC? Don’t fret! You can also shop via their website: www.fill-r-up.com 

 

 

ASTAXANTHIN – I can’t pronounce it, but I wear it!

Though my background would lead you to believe I am a golden sun goddess (1/2 Greek and 1/2 Italian) – I am actually more from the school of skim milk (1/2 translucent and 1/2 blue). With that said, I am exceptionally psychotic about my skin and my skincare regime.

Having been a publicist for luxury beauty companies for what seems like 100 years, I have grown great disdain for the “claims” new products are always exclaiming off their ads, boxes and editorial blurbs…action words like “revolutionary”, “first on the market”, “groundbreaking”, and “breakthrough technology” to me, are just that – ACTION WORDS. A bit of fluff to help spice up a press release with little active results.

Until this past January, when I learned about a little thing called ASTAXANTHIN (courtesy of the “it” surgical dermatologist, Dr. Kenneth Mark). A bit of a skeptic, I listened to what the good doctor said about this ingredient he uncovered and blended into an award winning cream (KMMD Antioxidant Hydrating Cream with Astaxanthin). 1000 times more potent that Vitamin E -200 times more potent than Vitamin C….hmmmm…my wheels started to spin indeed. I mean, Dr. Mark is 1 of 800 fellowship-trained  Mohs’ Skin Cancer Surgeons in the world. He certainly has the credentials to make a non-believer TRULY back that this product has the power it boasts. Not to mention I came across a quote in Shape and New Beauty Magazine from him, so my beauty editor friends back him as well – now it was my turn.  

So my trial began. Instantly, I adored this cream – just for the color that appeared from the pump – PINK! Yes, perhaps it is a bit childish, but just the way a red inner heel of a stiletto screams out to me and makes me love the shoe just a bit more – I feel the same way about my beauty products. I digress…so out comes this wonderfully soft pink cream – no scent (another plus). The texture was creamy, without being heavy and seemed to instantly hydrate my skin (though not greasy – I have some major issues with excess…ummm…sebum as we call it in the PR world…OILY SKIN in layman’s terms).

I followed Dr. Mark’s instructions – apply after my shower and before bed. I committed myself to two weeks…I just want to see some difference in my skin in two week (which is what most good skin creams claim). Well, IT JUST DIDN’T HAPPEN! Now, don’t go blog bashing Dr. Mark…it was actually quite the contrary. It happened in just two days!  Ok, so I don’t look 18 again, but my skin felt instantly like a baby’s bum, my rosacea hit the road and a blemish that looked as though it was going to erupt at any given moment seemed to retreat back to the depths of hell where it formulated.  Could it be that THIS cream really works?

Well, all I have to say is this…it worked (and continues to work) for me! I cleaned out my other skin creams and passed them out at my last girls night to my friends in what I call my bi-annual “Beauty Pinata” night. All but one – Dr. Kenneth Mark Antioxidant Hydrating Cream with Astaxanthin (perhaps a mouthful, but worth memorizing, I promise!). I think I am having a bit of a love affair with this new cream…please don’t tell my boyfriend. 

Available for $95.00 at kennethmarkmd.com - so is the little guy in the photo above (it is his newest product Tighten and Lighten Eye Cream with Peptides  - I got carded last night…could it be this cream working her magic!? I think YES!)

If you are lucky enough to live in the super fabulous Hampton’s this summer - you can not only get your hands on his products in person (and skip having to get them shipped to you via their website) but you can get this “it” doc to work on your skin from a menu of dermatological services…and then hop on over to Saks Fifth Avenue on Main Street and do a little shopping

Dr. Kenneth Mark – Southampton Office
365 County Road 39A, Suite 14
Southampton, NY 11968
Phone: 631.283.0002
Fax: 631.283.1932