The Clock Stops Here...

Friday, May 29, 2009

Rainy Days (and High Humidity), Always Get Me Down

















100% Humidity...I don't care who you are, you are going to have a bad hair day and if that includes an event of any importance, strategy, worthy of a Camp David retreat.

Thursday night, was the annual Mets Foundation benefit at Richards in Greenwich Ct. Those in attendance, have the opportunity to meet and mingle with their favorite players and bid on unique live auction items...you throw out the first pitch, I have five minutes to gather up all I can at Harry Winston. You say tomato, I say tomahto...

Suffice to say, there wasn't one man in the room, including those with casaba domes, who listened to the forecast and altered their plans an iota. I on the other hand, had major decisions to make...Before the apocalypse, I had planned to wash my hair and use new products from the Sebastian Flaunt Collection , but with the humidity index at 100%, flaunt might have turned into fluff and I was taking no chances...

What to do about my lank locks??? I took a two prong approach. First I sectioned out long bangs and washed and conditioned them in the sink and blew them dry. Then I scoured under my vanity, in search of talcum powder, which I located next to a set of hot rollers, last used in the late 80's. Next, having recently read about saving oodles on pricey high end Dry Shampoo's I instead, massaged talcum powder into my roots, to absorb oil and add lift. Remarkably, my hair looked terrific.

This morning, I woke up to a similar forecast and hair that was not getting another reprieve. Perfect time to try out Sebastian's Liquid Gloss, tiny drops of a silicone infused shield, formulated to resist humidity, and boost gloss and shine. As well as, Trilliant, a spray that delivers thermal protection against heat styling, styling polymers for volume, glycerin for anti-frizz and mica glitter for added sparkle. My hair dried quickly, delivering smooth, full locks, that were shiny and smooth to the touch...despite the rain, it was a great hair day, all day.

So now I know, if you've got it, flaunt it...and now you know too. For the record, I could have worn a beekeeper's veil and no one would have noticed---all eyes where on the guys with the baseball caps... Maybe they were having a bad hair day, after all...

xox,
Dd

Sunday, May 24, 2009

The Times, They Are A Changin


When I got home from Florida, last Sunday night, my husband tried to slip in a casual remark. "Oh, by the way, I never gave the Times our new credit card number, so they stopped our subscription". "What"??? I gasped in horror. "I won't be able to function in the morning. What will I do, while I am having my coffee"?, I wailed. "You will read it, online, on the computer, like the rest of America".

Hmmmm...Maybe he is on to something...These days, my N.Y. Times does weigh less than my local Pennysaver. "Just think, when your lap top arrives, you will be able to read the times in bed, with your coffee". Hmmmm...another valid point---no risk of schmutzing up my bedding with news print. "You'll adapt, I promise".

Naturally, I was skeptical. I am a creature of certain twenty year habits, aren't you??? Monday I fantasized about my revenge..."Oh by the way Dear, I replaced your Schick Quatro with a straight edge and I bought you a shaving mug". Probably wouldn't go over too well---agreed?

But, as the week wore on, I did begrudgingly adapt. I held my ground with the Sunday Edition and gratefully accepted his offer to make coffee and run out and buy it. What I didn't realize, until I saw it resting on my place mat, was that I had already seen, the Sunday Style section...I read it online. On Saturday.

Will I tell him he is on to something??? Not likely. (C'mon, am I the only one who would rather stick knitting needles up their nose, then admit their spouse is right)? I will mention it via Blog, Facebook and yes, Twitter...The Times, they are a changing and so am I.

If he wants to know how I am adjusting, he will have to, "read it, online, on the computer, like rest of America". After all, what's good for the goose...

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

High Spirits


Well I finally got my day(s) in the sun---you know I have been whining endlessly about the demise of Spring, in the Northeast. After my Blog about my misadventures in a spray tanning booth, my darling pal Mayde took pity on me, texting two words, "book now", and so it was done...I was Boca bound and we did some "wining" of a different sort.

Mayde, is a N.Y., transplant, via marriage. Thankfully, it hasn't hampered her cutting edge style an iota. I can always count on her to enlighten me about something new and I try to do the same in kind. We dined and shopped in Del Ray and Boca, (where no signs of recession is in evidence) and new boobs and Botox, are worn like pave diamond, merit badges.

We lunched with her adorable daughter Phoebe, and got manicures, at Tipsy a combination nail salon and wine bar. Hehlooooooouu...., is this not genius??? Don't you want one too??? Spotless, relaxing, good music, great technicians, late hours and wine. There is nothing wrong with this equation...except, that they are not yet dotting the landscape like Dunkin Donuts. I chatted with the elegant owner, who graduated medical school, but opted instead, to open Tipsy, (which has two other Florida locations), with her three siblings. She is seriously, looking for investors to franchise, so if you are interested, call Beth Nyguen at 561-338-1095 and don't forget to tell her who sent you...

On Friday night, Mayde's son Morley, was playing in a championship Little League game, for the Del Ray Padre's. Having spent, at least, a quarter of my life in bleachers, I had no problem going to root them on. Let's start by saying, it's a lot more fun watching baseball, in shorts and flip flops, then a fur lined parka. Maybe it's the weather that is feeding the party spirit, but boy, those Boca Babes have us beat...We arrived to a full spread of charcuterie, fine cheeses, stuffed grape leaves, breads, and spreads. Too bad all that was missing was some wine to accompany it---or not...

Mayde, came equipped with, "The Wine Cube", available exclusively at Target. The Wine Cube, is an innovation that will earn its place, alongside all the biggies: electricity, the Constitution, cell phones and Google. We will scratch our collective heads and wonder, "how did we ever live with out it"??? What exactly is it? Portable, potable, perfection...wine, in a box. No, not of the 64 oz. Thunder bird variety, think Pinot Grigio in a resealable juice box. Also available in 8 packs: Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz. Let me assure you, The Wine Cube, brought a whole new meaning to cheering in the stands.

Believe me, when they add the sippy straws and reverse those old fashioned Blue Laws, in N.Y., I am all over this and the first round is on me. N.Y. we have got a lot of catching up to do...

xox,
Dd

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

The Cutting Edge


How is it possible, that one day after having a great hair day, you will inevitably, wake up sprouting some mean spirited cowlicks??? This is always when I get the itch, to do a little D-I-Y trimming. It is of little consequence if the sharpest object within reach is a callous razor or a poultry shear, the horse has already left the barn.

Racked with guilt, I always 'fess up my transgressions to Billy, my Hairstylist. Pro that he is, he smiles, nods and says, "not too bad", though I know he is wondering if I also take matters into my own hands, when I get a cavity...

Bangs continue to rage on this summer, so I was delighted when I received an email from one of my P.R. contacts, with tips from Celebrity stylist, and Nexxus Creative Director, Kevin Mancuso, on bang maintenance.

Here are Kevin's tips, for getting a great "bang" for your buck:

Prep Hair:
* Wet hair shrinks, so only trim completely dry hair
* Use the fine-toothed end of a styling comb to separate the section you want to
trim and pull it to a point in the center of your face. Clip excess hair aside.
* Twist the gathered hair 3-4times (the twisting hides imperfections)

Trim Locks:
* Use a pair of sharp thinning shears, with a squared-off tip. Holding scissors
at an angle, "point trim" small amounts of tips, until you reach the desired
length.

Style Locks:
* Apply a heat styler, like Nexxus Heat Protexx, to protect locks
from excess damage and blow-dry bangs with a large round brush.

* For wispy bangs, apply a small amount of a medium-hold texture
lotion, like Nexxus VerasStyler, to palms of hands. Gently rub
palms together and run fingers through bangs, for added definition.

* For blunt bangs, apply a smoothing creme like Nexxus Sleek Style. Use a flat iron on fringe, to enhance sleekness to the style.

* Finish either style, with a misting of Nexxus Comb Thru, to
prevent fly-aways and static.

Thanks Kevin!!!, You took the guess work, out of the guess work and provided some great tips, to stretch the time between appointments and maintain healthy hair.

I for one, will be pasting these instructions to the inside of my medicine cabinet. Oh, and Billy thanks you too...

xox,
Dd

Sunday, May 10, 2009

The Ugly Truth

Miss June/Naki

Whoa Boy! Though you might be skeptical, my, "Mean Girl", phase, didn't last much past the 7th grade. That is why I feel squeamish, writing about a Max Factor Total Beauty, "Sneak Peak", that I hated. Bear in mind, mine is just one opinion and my Matthew Fox may not be your Brad Pitt and vice verse.

I was looking forward to trying some Max Factor products for two reasons: It is not sold at CVS, so I have never bumped into it in my travels and the legendary, Pat McGrath, has a creative role at Max Factor. Pat McGrath, is responsible for collaborating on dozens of fashion shows, during each season. She is amazingly innovative and internationally respected, so my expectations were high.

I knew I was in trouble immediately, when I opened my tube of 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper and pulled out a wand as fat as a turkey drumstick, much like Cover Girl's Lash Blast, in fact, they looked so much alike, I did a double take. Too bad, neither of them doubled my lashes...

Next up, was Vivid Impact Lipcolor in Pin-up Pink.. I can't remember if it was Joan Crawford or Bette Davis, in, "Whatever Happened to Sweet Baby Jane", who favored opaque, cotton candy lipstick, but let's just say, I wasn't, "Pretty in Pink".

Maybe this color was not meant for a brunette and would fare better on a blond. I brought Pin-up Pink to work and persuaded my porcelain skinned, blue eyed pal, Krista, to give it a whirl...Equally scary, we looked at each other in wide eyed horror. Swab, swab and onto my friend Naki, another blond, but with olive skin and amber eyes. Naki is the only girl I know, who would look adorable, dressed as a Playboy Bunny on Halloween, except without Pin-up Pink lipstick. Who can, where this shade??? I'm still working on it---but at least, I've got it narrowed down to the right occasion...

xox,
Dd

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

That's Entertainment


9:00 a.m.- Heard around the water cooler...Soooo??? What did you think??? "A train wreck", "I loved it", "definitely the best season yet". Do you think it lived up to the hype??? "I wasn't disappointed", "A little flat at first, but than the fur started flying". Could you believe those pants??? "Sure covered a lot of turf", "Gives a wbole new definition to scaredy pants". Soooo, who do you think is getting the boot???. "Probably Allyson, though its been a great ride"...HUH??? Jill, Bethanny, The Countess, Ramona, Kelly, Alex and Simon...Who is Allyson???

And then it dawns on me---same buzz, different hives. One group was humming about American Idol, the other, the season finale of The Real Housewives of N.Y.C...no wonder my head was spinning.

Well, I can't venture a guess about who will be the next one leaving "Idol", but I will wager, this may be the last season we will be seeing Kelly. And maybe, if Adam continues to dazzle us with his Idol performances, Simon, will lend him his skinny, red patent leather pants, for their season finale. Hey, if the second skin fits...

Who says there's nothing to watch on T.V. anymore???

xox,
Dd

Sunday, May 3, 2009

The Home Stretch (Part 2)


I sometimes visit my clients homes, to help them edit their closets. I think it can be helpful, to have someone else tell you, "its gotta go", rather than swearing to yourself, even though you didn't wear them this year, next year, you are all about those gaucho pants.

Here's how to shop in your own closet:

1) At minimum, twice a year, when the seasons change, you must ruthlessly edit your closet. If you haven't put it on in three seasons, give it away. (You will not miss it, I swear).

2) Do you own a recently purchased, expensive mistake? If it is in perfect condition, take it to the best consignment store in your area. You may only receive a fraction of what you paid, but something is better than nothing. Do it sooner than later. The best consignment stores prefer the most current finds.

3) Donate whatever is tired, faded and pilled to Goodwill...if you do choose to wear it, it will look tired, faded and pilled. Basta!!!

4) Be creative. Chances are, your closet is filled with your best colors, so think out of the "outfit" box. Pull them apart and combine things differently... If I had a dollar for every time a client said, "Wow"!!! "I never even thought of putting that together", I wouldn't be writing this Blog.

Yup, accessorize!!! What is hanging there now, that can be revived with a chunky high heeled strappy sandal, a t-strap flat, a great cuff, a belt and a bold turquoise necklace??? That pencil skirt, with a crisp white blouse. The A-line printed skirt from last year with a v-neck tee shirt. Belt a cardigan over a sheath dress or layer it over a collared shirt and wear it with wide leg pants. Wear your favorite, best fitting white jeans and shorts, with last years tunics, a polka dot tee shirt with a flutter sleeve, a ruffled bright pink tank top, or a sexy, black one shouldered sweater, that will segue nicely into fall. Learn new ways to use that pile of Hermes scarves...I love to wear them as halters under jackets and cardigans.

That and a little attitude, is all you need...It worked for Jackie. Don't fret---Labor Day, will be here in a blink. With all that money we are saving, think about all those goodies, we can buy in the Fall...just sayin'.

xox,
Dd

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