Life In Style

It's Been Too Long

Augh!  It's been so long since I posted that my blog engine has gone and completely revamped itself.  I don't even recognize the dashboard.  THAT is a sad state of affairs...

A few things that I've been eying these days - with no real rhyme or reason.

     

   

Love the Serena & Lily Sausalito Basket and this little dress from Anthropologie.  The gallery of clipboards appeals to my sense of order and unending love for office supplies.  And I'm eagerly awaiting the print run for Erin Jang's poster that I have completely fallen in love with.     
 
 
 

Everything Nice

                      

Everything Nice, the second novel by favorite author, Ellen Shanman, has arrived as the perfect book to get your brain out of summer beach mode and back to the real reading of the Must Have fall short list. 

Smart, textured, and poignantly stinging - the novel is right on point to bring about the next evolution in sophisticated romantic comedy fiction with really good female driven storytelling. More so- the story seems ripe for movie plucking.  Somewhere between Sex and the City and the forthcoming The Women, Everything Nice is exactly what people who hate the words "chick lit" and "chick flick" are looking for.  If you haven't picked it up yet - go get it.  Or order it here.  Must Haves 

   

Must Have Books for February

All we really need is a roof overhead, food on the table and the clothes on our backs...right?

           

                     

   One girls version of those things...all available at Amazon. 

                                   Must Haves 

Now Hear This

   

Currently listening to and loving the new album by singer/songwriter Todd Alsup.  He's getting raves on the New York music scene and air time on Sirius with his debut CD, facts and figures.  Accurately described as "old school soul with piano-man sensibilities", Alsup has happily found a home on our most played ipod list.  Not to be missed and soon to everywhere. 

Check it out here.  Must Haves

   

January Must Haves

Must Haves for January...

Coppola's 2005 Director's Cut Red Zinfandel:  an outstanding bottle of red wine that can be had for under $20.00...your best bet to keep the January blah's at bay.

Bobbi Brown's Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks:  a brilliant cream blush that actually delivers the rosy glow of just coming in from the cold.  Goodbye powder.

ReVive Moisturizing Renewal Cream:  if you buy one new product this year, let it be this one.  A 2008 miracle.

Moleskine's 2008 Calendar Notebook: plan for an excellent year, remember your friend's birthdays, and book a vacation.  Must Haves

Renew My Subscription To...

Out with the old.  In with the new.  Time to re-up for the really good monthly reads and welcome a few new ones into your mailbox.  For the well-lived life, in style, here are the Top Ten Magazines for 2008.

1.  Fast Company

2.  The New York Times

3.  Vogue

4.  House Beautiful

5.  Martha Stewart's Living

6.  Food and Wine 

7.  Domino

8.  Cook's Illustrated

9. The Wall Street Journal Online

10.  Wired

Must Haves

Love Olive

Currently loving all things olive...pure, authentic, and naturally lovely.  Definite must have products for November.

Check out L'Occitane and Anthropologie for more lovely things.  Must Haves

A Whole New Mind

I f there is any doubt left to the rise of the forward thinking creative class that is slowly gaining momentum in our country, check out Dan Pink's inspiring book A Whole New Mind.  The next era of big business will be led by those right brained creatives who can integrate design, empathy, meaning, and 360 degree thinking into strategic solutions.  Also it doesn't hurt that the author is decidedly Jon Stewart - like and a very dynamic speaker.  An inspiring read ...  Must Haves

Personal Papers

We can't get enough of this talented designer's custom papers.  With a book due in stores this fall and a line of stationery on the way, Cheree Berry is a rare find along the paper trail.  Her elegant, clever designs are a breath of fresh air for those of you looking for something noteworthy outside the Mrs. John L Strong establishment.  It might be time to invest in your correspondence wardrobe.  Clearly, the August Shop Stop does not apply here.

For Save the Dates, Wedding, Baby, and Personal Stationery - check out www.chereeberry.com.  Must Haves

Wake Up Call

          

The Monday morning wake-up call is something we never look forward to.  Ever.  The most restful, splendid weekend instantly vanishes when your ancient little alarm clock starts demanding that you get into the shower.  But you can do something about that.  The Must Have headliner of July is the ipod alarm clock.   There are several versions out there with varying bells and whistles at different price points, but for the most part this product has been a sleeper on the market for sometime now- all the more reason to bring this very reasonably priced everyday luxury item into your world. The iPod Alarm Clock will ensure that you start every day with your own soundtrack for living.  And anyone with a sense of humor will surely find ways to wake up smiling.  Tomorrow's pick: Jump by the Pointer Sisters.

Many, many thanks to B&R  for helping us start each day with joy.  Before next Monday morning- check out www.store.apple.com.  Must Haves

Get On Board

Isn't it right about this time of year when the last place you want to be is the gym?  The sun is shining, the days are inviting, and so the workout gets the boot.  If your routine is stalled in the station and you can't afford the personal trainer or Pilate's coach you need to get back on track, there is iTrain.  Much like iTunes, you can download trainer guided workouts directly to your iPod.  They have treadmill, weight training, yoga, Pilate's, cycling, ballet...all in a variety of proficiency levels.  And if you like a little star quality in your workout- get an hour with the celebrity trainers who sculpt for Hollywood.  Opt for a monthly or annual membership, or go a la carte and download 3 custom workouts for $25.00.  Just what we need to get the caboose in gear.

All aboard www.itrain.com.  Must Haves

Make Way For May

                   

It's safe to call it: the sun will definitely come out tomorrow.  We've finally got some consistent summer weather out there and if you can believe it - it's nearly Memorial Day.  Do a merciless excavation of your medicine cabinet, makeup bag, and shower shelf.  Toss anything suspicious and don't take a moment's pause letting go of anything that feels less than tra-la-la bright and shiny. Here are the top product picks for May...

Poppy orangey-red on your toes: O.P.I.Tasmanian Devil Made Me Do It. ($7)

Full body slough and polish with the longstanding best of the best: Origins Ginger Body Scrub ($25)

Serious leave-in/mask for overworked hair: Phytojoba Intense Hydrating Mask ($36)

Powder blush be gone...the big buzz product of the summer: Smashbox O-Glow blush. ($26)

Must Haves.

Right On Target

   

Target just keeps getting better.  The campaign to mix high end style with affordable practicality keeps us in a state of wonder as we meander through each department and come upon quirky surprise items that we simply cannot live without.  Often you leave thinking that your new latte bowls or serving platters are every bit as good as the one you saw at Crate and Barrel, and it turns out you are are 100% right. They are the same.  Target sources many of its products from the same distributors that stock the shelves of high end specialty stores- but for half the price.  Shocking news.  That is the same apothecary jar!  Those are the same lamps!  In fact, a number of leading companies have developed cost-effective lines for Target without sacrificing quality.  Riedel has a complete line of stemware that retails for 75% less than its luxury line.  Spanx (savior to women everywhere) has a sister brand called Assets that is $10.00 vs the $29.00 department store price tag.  Isaac Mizrahi, Proenza Schouler, Cynthia Rowley- the list goes on and on. No one can resist a real deal- which is why every socialite, CEO, soccer mom, and student swears by Target.  Value is definitely an everyday luxury...bullseye.    

All items available at www.target.com.  Must Haves.

On the nightstand...

My nightstand has been filled with magazines for the past couple weeks.  Good for the imagination, but bad for my well-rounded being.  I am on my way to the bookstore for these two titles.  Jane Smiley is my all time favorite writer and if you have not had the opportunity to delve into her phenomenal storytelling- get yourself to the Borders for A Thousand Acres (Pulitzer Prize) or Moo.  Ten Days In The Hills is her latest and I hope, her greatest. 

The Feminine Mistake is being discussed everywhere I turn, so I feel I must partake in the dialogue about the possible effects for women who elect not to work and choose to be financially dependent on their husbands.  It's probably not for everyone, so I volunteer to read and report back.

I'm taking recommendations.  What's on your nightstand these days? 

Both novels available on www.amazon.com.  Images courtesy of Amazon.  Must Haves

Smart Girl Strippers

If I log one more mile on the treadmill, my knees are going to go on strike from the pounding and my eyes will fall out from the intense clock watching.  And while yoga fills me with lavender-ish zen thoughtfulness, it does nothing for the butt. 

Open your mind to this:  pole dancing.  We first got word of this trend from the S-Factor studio in L.A and similar places in New York. Since then, it's slowly been making its way across the country and now even my mom is doing the "spanky spanky" in Kansas.  The pole work is amazing for arm strength and surprisingly elegant when you take it out of the strip club setting.  But the real miracle is in the 1,000 squats and plies disguised as sexy, snappy choreography.  The effect on the old thighs and derriere give me hope for the new mini- hemlines that seem to be here for the summer. It's full body conditioning, low impact, and a high voltage blast in the self confidence department.

One word of caution: a high heel is the recommended shoe for class. Me, I opt for sneakers.  Though Manolos certainly look better snaking around a pole, it's treacherous for knees and ankles.  Strip at will.

Must haves.

Bye Bye UVA

The spring lines are rolling out in stores and the windows are full of crisp whites, seersuckers, and soft cottons.  As you are making your shopping list for summer, here is the most important item to include: Anthelios.  The FDA finally approved this smart & effective new sunscreen that until now has only been available in Europe and Canada.  What most people don't know is that most sunscreens block UVB rays which cause sunburn, but the larger danger is the deeper penetrating UVA rays.  UVAs are the main culprit for skin cancers and sun related skin aging.  Others will follow, but Anthelios is the first of its kind available to us pasty Americans.  Order it now before the summer sun really gets cooking.

Super sunscreen available online at www.anthelios.com.  aha!

March Must Haves

              

In my efforts to test drive new skin care and cosmetics I have recently come upon a couple of outstanding products that deserve a shout out.  They meet all my criteria for a must-have: they are effective, affordable, and simple.  Here are my March must haves in the beauty department:

1.  Kiehl's Powerful Line Reducing Concentrate- developed by Harvard scientists and delivering over 10.5% Vitamin C.  The results are shocking.  Shocking.

2.  Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream- the next evolution of their bestselling moisturizer.  It was created for hard core mountain climbers in extreme temperatures and gets my vote for seeing me through three plane rides, the desert, and smoky Vegas all in one week.  Also the $22.50 price tag is an amazing value.  Saks was sold out the last time I checked.

3.  Tan Towels- the most realistic and subtle fake tan on the market.  It it odorless, dries quickly, and gives even the palest of us sun shy girls a healthy glow. Note to the fair skinned: avoid the deeper/dark version and opt for the medium.  It's much more believable.

4.  Lancome Definicils Mascara- I admit that I strayed from this tried and true winner.  I tried Dior Show, pink and green Maybelline, and L'extreme.  But I'm back and much wiser.  This is the best mascara in the world- hands down.

Images courtesy of the Kiehl's, Tan Towel, and Sephora websites.  aha!