Good Things Come in Big Packages

Now this is getting fun! Yesterday, I came home to an unexpected UPS package...insanely, even if I have paid for it, it always feels like a present has been left at the door. I was relieved that it was not, another shipment of the Cindy Crawford skin regimen I cancelled...so what gives?

Too my delight, the package was sent to me from Loreal, via Totalbeauty, one of the beauty media companies that publishes my Blog... Christmas in July. It was my understanding that I would receive product to review, but products??? Oh joy!!!

My Loreal Bounty included: shampoo, conditioner and deep conditioners from the new Vive Pro Nutri Gloss line for regular and color treated hair, hairspray and hair gloss, plus a DVD, which I will watch, out of curiosity. I immediately used the hair gloss, since my hair looked parched and frizzy. My two year old Fekkai gloss still boasts a half full tube, but I noticed it is starting to separate, like salad dressing, in my palm...Time to toss...Ya think??? The Loreal hair gloss, had a nice, clean texture, which was absorbed instantaneously. On a particularly bad hair day, it now looked better, so I am looking forward to trying it again, when the hair playing field is level. I will keep you posted as I work through the rest of it...I am particularly excited about the Nutri Gloss shampoo and conditioner. It has already received good reviews, and Penelope Cruz, (or is it Selma Hayak, I can't tell them apart, and neither can you), looks blonder, but luscious in their new ads.

I am not completely sure how this works...is it someones job to scour all the Beauty Blogs, to see who we are writing about? On the mass level, I have blogged about Garnier Nutrisse and Neutrogena hair products...Is it a coincidence that I received Loreal's new Vive Pro hair care offerings? I have a lot to learn...but in the meanwhile, did I mention how much I am loving my new tub of Creme de la Mer???

xox,
Dd

Venis Envy

I had an epiphany today...Tomorrow's forecast is a good one, sunny and warm. We have had a spate of rainy east coast weekends this summer, so that is welcome news. Too bad I will be held hostage at the hair salon tomorrow. From robe change to check out, I will be clocking in close to 3 hours. It got me thinking...how many hours do I spend a year showering, shaving, exfoliating, waxing, tweezing, pumicing, moisturizing, toning, shampooing, conditioning, deep conditioning, blow drying, applying make up, removing make up, getting manicures, pedicures and getting my hair cut and colored??? Holy crap!!! Safe guestimate??? 800 hours.

Here's where the epiphany kicks in... Universally, life expectancy for men is shorter than for women. In the U.S., it is approximately 5.8 years less. The truth??? It is more or less equal. When I calculate the number of hours I have spent grooming from 15 to the average American female life span of almost 80 years, it will equal 5.9 years!!! In reality, there is no discrepancy, just a difference in how the time is spent.

While we, are having hot wax poured on private areas and having hair ripped out by the follicle, (with strips of cheesecloth), men, are out golfing. While we, are sitting naked and freezing in the shower, waiting for our deep conditioner to take root, men, are munching on a little snack, surfing between the History and Discovery channels. While we, are painted with dye and swaddled in tinsel, men, are checking their portfolios, on the Internet. Did you ever notice, that whether a man is going to the Post Office or a black tie gala, he needs the exact same 15 minutes to get ready?

We are off to a cocktail party, so I am signing off, right after I go fix my face...In my next life, maybe I'll come back with a penis, instead of a venis, and it will all equal out.

xox,
Dd

Marge Schwager 1918-2008

My paternal aunt, "Aunt Margie", died this week at age 90, from a recurrence of ovarian cancer. She was a two time breast cancer survivor, and lived for 8 years after her ovarian cancer diagnosis. Since my own familial breast cancer is indelibly linked to hers, I am grateful for her remarkable longevity and spirit.

Growing up, we knew about the, "cancer curse" that felled so many on my Dad's side. We breathed, whispered, gasps of relief, that this would not be our legacy...Daddy's side...we were safe. Little did we know, it was an even darker history than we knew, since it was never openly talked about.

My aunt was unusual, for her time. A college graduate, who majored in Biology, she left her younger siblings and parents, to marry and raise her own family out of state. Despite sadness and tragedy that included losing her mother in her 60's, her 19 year old son, (in a freak accident) her brother (my Dad) and sister within 6 months of each other,in their forties, and her husband to cancer, she more than persevered.

My aunt and uncle raised two brilliant children, who went on to have successful careers and families of their own. They travelled extensively. Aunt Margie continued to do so, even after my uncle passed. She loved to dance and was a group joiner. She weathered her own diagnosis', surgeries and treatments like a trooper. Her life was far from charmed, but she made it joyous and happy.

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 37, we thought it was simply, lousy luck. Not genetics. At the time, even my Dr.'s agreed...no correlation, since the breast cancer was on my Dad's side. 4 years later, when Aunt Margie was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, I wanted to hear the full account of the true history. Devastated by the truth, I knew I wanted to be genetically tested...this was no mere coincidence, I thought, as it turns out, correctly.

I harbored a lot of anger toward her over the years. Had I known the full extent of what is, in fact, my legacy, I would have made some different choices and felt that Aunt Margie, as the steward of this information, should have been more forthcoming. I know that much of this was mired in the thinking of her generation, that the "C" word was not openly discussed. Her intentions, could not have been deliberately hurtful.

I am grateful that we live in more open, enlightened times and that the work of dedicated researchers has brought us genetic testing. I am grateful to Sue Friedman, who founded FORCE, an amazing Internet support group for women (and men), at high risk for familial breast and ovarian cancer (www.facingourrisk.org). And lastly, I am grateful to Aunt Margie, because her full life of 90 years, gives me hope and is cause to celebrate.

Rock on, Aunt Margie. Rest in Peace.

xox,
Dd

Ole Olay (Part 1)

I am happy to report, that Divadebbi, was recently picked up by two Internet media companies, Glam Media and Totalbeauty.com. Both sites have tons of interesting articles and Fashion and Beauty blogs, which I enjoy trolling (links to both are on the right side under the "fold", my new lingo). Check 'em out, when you have a free nanosecond...

One of the things I like best about Totalbeauty, is that by category, every nook and cranny that has a product devoted to it, is reviewed by Blogger's like me and reader's like you. I now use it as a regular resource, to check on products, "scores" and reviews, before purchasing them.

Totalbeauty's raves for Olay's Firming and Sculpting, Regenerist, was the final push I needed to go out and buy it. I loved it so much, I recently blogged about it. The next step, was to check out how Olay Regenerist's, Daily Rejuvenating Serum fared, since fellow reviewers also lavished it with praise and a "9" out of 10 stars. Mid aisle, I hit a mental roadblock...right above the Olay offerings, were the CVS cousins, promising the same ingredients and effectiveness for $5 bucks less. I already feel like I am slumming it a bit, buying my skin care regimen in the same place you can purchase bowel cleanser... Am I penny pinching, to the point, where I am buying generic mass beauty products???... Apparently. After checking the ingredients, and finding they were not only identical, but listed in identical order, I figured, why not? I took it as a heads-up, that they were offering a "fragrance free" version, and went ahead and bought it.

Now, if this stuff, which smells hard boiled eggs and cyanide, is the "fragrance free" version, I can't imagine what kind of olfactory bullet I've dodged. Coupled with the slightly, greasy texture, I am hitting the remorse button, and trolling the trash for my receipt. Lo and behold, it is settling in nicely and I am on the verge of glow. I am gonna keep it, but next time I will splurge for the "good stuff".

xox,
Dd

The Hoo Ha Spa

I still can't quite believe the article I read in today's N.Y. Time's, Thursday's Style section. Normally, the second page is devoted to a column they call "Skin Deep", covering all the latest news in creams, lasers and treatments, for the face and body, (apparently, every inch of it). It is well written and informative, so I always look forward to see what they are reporting on.

To my amazement, Dr. Laura Romanazi, an Associate Clinical Professor, at N.Y. Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Hospital, is opening a fitness spa for your vagina, on East 58th St. EXCUSE ME??? "Phit" is an acronym for, "Pelvic Health Integrated Techniques". Dr. Romanazi, will determine your hoo ha's fitness, and then, in her role as, "personal trainer", coach you, on Kegel strengthening exercises. In addition, the "post menopausal" set, can avail themselves to skin tightening vulva treatments, (Botox and Restylane can't be far behind). Why not hire one of the "J" sisters to set up a Brazilian outpost, so Phit can be truly full service???

I know I am a little behind the times...On a girls trip to the Bahama's two years ago, I was shocked to find out from my gal pals (all of whom were girl Mom's), that it is quite common, amongst the teen set, to wax or shave, so they looked like their former pre pubescent selves. I immediately needed my sister Loren's input on the subject, and placed a stateside call at midnight...Was this a suburban thing, or were the City girls up to the same tricks, and by the way, where did my niece weigh in on this trend??? To my disappointment, she would neither wake her up to ask or go take a sneak peek...

"Phit" seems more like an L.A. thing to me, but maybe I have got it all wrong...this could be the next big thing...In the meanwhile, I can't wait to see who shows up for the opening night party, Keep your ears perked...or something.

xox,
Dd

MenSwear

Is Men's Fashion and oxymoron? I think so...Really, does anyone give a rat's patootie whether George Clooney is wearing a tux, from Kiton of Napoli or the Men's Wearhouse, to the Oscars???...Can we tell the difference anyway??? If I had my druthers, men would be recused from presenting duties at all awards shows. Their presence, is a frustrating distraction from my job of seeing whose stylist, will have a job , in the morning.

Today's N.Y. Times, included fashion coverage of the Men's shows in Milan. It occurred to me, that I would rather stick pins in my eyes, than read about it...never have never will. It is not that I don't appreciate a stylish, expensively dressed man. Believe me, I worship him...It's just that men's styles change not by seasons, but by decades. I think this is a bit unfair business, considering we are required to study, pre season, just so we don't look hopelessly dated after 6 months.

With the exception of evening wear, most women's clothes do not have a 5 year shelf life. Whatever style you think will come back, may come back, but with enough differences to render your relic hopelessly dated...not so for the boys. (If you need further proof, look at this 1968 photo of Faye Dunaway and Steve McQueen, from one of my favorite films, the original Thomas Crown Affair). It has taken 40 years for men's suits to evolve to their current trim incarnation. On this timeline, we wont be seeing the return of vent less, broad shouldered, full pant, "Armani" style suits, until 2050. On top of that, it will be priced exactly as it was, while we girls will pay our usual double, plus inflation...but that's a whole other rant. Don't get me started...

xox,
Dd

Reader Reacts

Over the years, I have edited down my magazine subscriptions. At my peak, I was getting 6 per month. Rather than being elated at their arrival, I started feeling dread...one more thing to do, one more thing to recycle, one more article, I would, "read later", and never did.

What would really make me happy is one, perfect book, that incorporated all the things that interest me...and none of the things that don't. There are whole chunks of magazines that do not resonate with me...I love, W's Beauty, Social and Hollywood coverage, but abhor their passion for bondage and nipples in their Fashion pages. I love hearing from Allure's charming Linda Wells each month, but have no interest in the progress of their editorial assistants, who have trimmed down from 234 lbs. to 186 lbs, and counting. I admire Glenda Bailey of Harper's Bazaar, for her success. An import from the U.K., Glenda is mostly kept under wraps, no glossy head shop to accompany her take on the month's events. Suffice to say, Glenda might look more at home editing the Old Farmers Almanac, (see photo at left). I like their Fashion and Beauty coverage, but am driven batty by their, "Fabulous At Any Age" column, which features "age appropriate" clothes on women, by decade. The mature muses rotate between Barbara Walters and Carolina Herrera, (can't they find anybody else over 70, who still cuts and attractive figure)? I have never figured out if this is meant to be taken literally, since there is stuff from every decade, 20's to 70's, that I will purchase in a nano second, after my next Lotto win. I love how Pamela Fiori, has reinvigorated Town and Country. Their Beauty reporting is always a must read. Their Fashion spreads are just how I like 'em...Straight up, beautiful clothes on beautiful models. Whether or not any of it is affordable, is besides the point. If you could, you would. Their Society photos and articles on modern Etiquette and Travel are timely and elegant. If they, "Just Said No", to the dozens of hideous jewelry advertisers, who take up a lot of space and feel substandard, I'd have zero complaints.

All of this brings me to the big Kahuna, Vogue. Now let's be clear here. I haven't missed a September Vogue since I was 15. First of all, it symbolically marks the end of summer, my favorite season. Eyes blurry with tears, I purchase it and hoist this 6 lb. tome with me, everywhere, on vacation, for the next 10 days. It's advertising growth each year, is the yard stick by which all other fashion publications are measured. It is magnificent. Fashion, Beauty, Culture, plus Fashion and Beauty...what more could I want??? Well, maybe a little love.

I have never been intimidated, by people in position of power. I am not sure why that is, but I feel confident that I could hold my own, at least for a few minutes, with anyone... Anyone except Anna Wintour. Her power, intelligence, impeccable taste could never be questioned. She is, all that and more, but the one thing she is not, is approachable. And I sense that, in her Editor's letter to her readers each month. It's kind of like a party...would you really want to be there if your hostesses invitation was half hearted? Am I missing out on my dream magazine because I am looking for a little warm and fuzzy with my Balenciaga?

You tell me girls...my Vogue subscription is just a click away.

xox,
Dd

Eggs Over Easy

Linen 'n Things, has never been one of my, "go to" stores...it has a slightly, downtrodden, feel to it. If it was a sweater, it would be lint color, with suede elbow patches (I was sorry to hear about their Chapter 11 filing, but not surprised).

With 16 minutes of spare time and consumer confidence at a 16 year low, I thought I might find, very high thread count sheets at 1992 prices...no such luck. I moved on to household cleaning products and proceeded to the check out area, which is merchandised to set your impulse neurons, afire. And there, I spotted it, the Jewel in the Crown. "The Ped Egg", as, "Advertised on T.V.". There has been a ripple of buzz surrounding this puppy, have you heard about it? A razor sharp, cheese grater is nestled in a palm sized egg, which, when rubbed on the bottom of your feet, "eliminates calluses and dry skin". The beauty of the design, is that all the nasty, pulverized, dermis, gets neatly collected, in the bottom of the egg. You don't think I could possibly take a pass on this, do you?

Though I manage to drive all the way home without using it, it occurs to me, that I don't even know, if I have calluses or dry feet. I detest dirt, so I am rarely barefoot, I am a uber regular on the summer pedicure circuit and I regularly, slather my feet in moisturizer. I honestly didn't know what I would find down there. How would they stack up, to say a waitress or a traffic cop??? I haven't a clue, but I am game. I ramp up my egg for duty and get to work...Though the instructions call for firm, but gentle pressure, I am approaching this more tentatively. This is after all, me, I am mutilating. Now I better understand the facial expression on the cartoon muse on the package. Wrapped in a terry turban and towel, she looks like a raven haired Ann Boleyn, morning of.

There is some excitement to be had...I am as eager to see what is inside that egg, as I would be unwrapping a perfectly bowed gift from Hermes or Tiffany. Hmmmmm...that's it??? Oh, well. I follow through to the next step, attaching an emery board to the bottom of the egg for, "further smoothing and maintenance". This I do with a little more zeal, as the emery portion will probably not sever an artery. Next I finished with my own home spun routine; soap, water, a washcloth, some Bliss foot balm and a pair of fluffy cotton socks.

After all of that, I think my old fashioned unfancy footwork, was just as effective...Sometimes there's no place like home, Auntie Em. You go looking for your foot's desire and end up just as happy in a pair of tube socks...go figure.

xox,
Dd

Loving Laura

I have been holding out on you... On one of my many pilgrimages to Sephora, I noticed a tidy display of pretty, neutral, products by "Laura Geller". I remembered reading that her "Crease-less" under eye concealer, was grabbing accolades for its glide on texture and light weight coverage. I also heard about "Spackle", a gel primer that is supposed to keep your make up flawless, even under the most trying weather conditions, (how trying? Weekend in the Rain Forest trying)? I felt the vortex of curiosity sucking me in like a Dyson...I liked her catchy product names and wondered what else could be on the horizon, Brown Bag? Pasty? Help!?...we'll see. The other thing I appreciated, was that the collection was tightly edited. Though I can hone in on my best one or two lip shades, like a turkey vulture, I am happiest selecting from 8 offerings, not 80...Too many choices and I simply shut down, control, alt, delete, parking lot.

So what have I tried??? The "Spackle", of course. It came perfectly packaged, with a bonus flip top, that contains a lip and eye primer. All three are terrific and held my face on through our recent heatwave. "Tint Hint", a liquid lip and cheek stain that dries to a natural, rosy, flush, minus the toxic taste and smell of some other stains I have tried, (Stila, Benefit). "Phenomenal Foundation", a lightweight silicone infused foundation, that I blend with bronzing gel, for a little more color and depth. "Creaseless", which is two notches up from my recent Maybelline "Rewind" find, and requires a needle's eye amount of product...I may go into a nursing home, with this one in my cosmetic bag. I am also loving the Pink Grapefruit blush from her "baked" collection, which combines several tones on one palette and finally her cream lipstick in Wild Rose, lovely, even coverage, in a lovely shade.

I had lamented awhile back, that there seemed to be a dearth of cosmetics in the "Tory Burch" price point,...meaning a really good product, of fair value. Is it really necessary to spend over $60.00 to get a quality foundation? I don't think so. For now and for the foreseeable future, I am sticking with my girl crush... Laura Geller may not look like your typical Beauty owner, but she is an incredible talent, which is absolutely beautiful.

xox,
Dd

Tant Pis (What a Shame)

I am nearing the end of my 30 day free trial of Cindy Crawford's, "Meaningful Beauty" skin care. I was cheating by the third day...2 of the products, the neck and decollete creme and the beauty serum were activating my gag reflex, literally. The "story" behind the science is a French melon extract, , that took 10 year to stabilize for distribution. That should have been my first clue, as the products have a rancid smell. That being said, if they stabilized botox for topical use, I would be using it, even if it smelled like manure.

The cleanser was effective, but average. The day creme, left a zinc like film on my face. The only product that had a nice texture and inoffensive smell, was the night creme, so I gave it a test drive on my knees and elbows, (perhaps a slight improvement)?

All in all, disappointing, to say the least...so much for french fruit. I'm a softie for a little old fashioned, chemical zing, anyway. Still, I better hurry and send my "no where near" the bottom of the jars, back...I'm not sure if I will get an actual refund, or if this just releases me from a Faustian pact with Guthy Renker, to ding my credit card each month.

For the moment, no more kits... I like my hodge podge approach. I would prefer not to live without Olays Daily Cleansing Cloths, which remove, nearly every spec, of make up, Dr. Denese's Glycolic Pads, Nutrimin C's daily moisturizer and Dove Pro-Age Beauty Serum for Neck and Chest (which I use on my face). By the way, I hate the "Pro-Age" assumption. I am not "Pro-Age", I am, "Have No Choice" and "It Beats the Alternative" about aging, thank you. I think that Dove may be phasing this product line out, but using the formulas in newly repackaged items, like their "new" creme oil body lotion, which feels like the "old" Pro-Age one to me. Good move. I am also using something new... Olay's Regenerist Micro Sculpting Creme. It has won several beauty editor awards and I actually needed a night creme. I am only at the three day mark, but so far, I'm loving it and if I change my mind and decide to return it, at least it won't require a trip to the Post Office.

xox,
Dd