the new j crew

Satin and Jute Avignon Clutch by J. Crew, $98

I'm a convert. I haven't been excited by this many J. Crew items in years. I finally followed the buzz from some of my favorite blogs to take a look at the new arrivals at J. Crew. There are dozens of items on that page that I'm coveting. Even more out of my price range than before, but pretty impressive for the mall ...

thank god for hef

Courtesy The Age; article here

Hugh Hefner has announced a triple-whammy of Anna Nicole Smith tributes: in the May issue of Playboy, on Playboy TV, and at playboy.com.

I love it! A return to Anna Nicole's glory days! Anna Nicole, '93 Playmate of the Year! This is the way she ought to be remembered.

(via bunnyshop; post here)

missing the old britney

A friend recently reminded me of the 2001 MTV VMAs, in which Britney performed "I'm a Slave 4 U" with the lion and snake. And watching it again ... what happened? Remember when Britney was the standard by which to measure all fabulous, extravagant, professional performers? Look at her strutting around and carrying the whole damn show by herself. You can't take your eyes off her. We don't have anyone who pushes the envelope like that anymore, especially now that Xtina is all '40s glam. Probably no one can ever live up to the Britney of '01, not even Britney herself.

(thx, liza)

the rapture has arrived

Kiehls is at Target!

However, it is still prohibitively expensive (not that that has ever stopped me before) ...

www.kiehls.com

tips from the pros

amazon.com

I recently bought the best book ever. Confessions of a Beauty Editor is written by Linda Wells, the founding editor in chief of Allure. Great tips and the best part? No hidden agenda. Meaning Ms. Wells does not try and hawk products for the reader to buy.

Curious? Intrigued? Well, here is something to wet your palette:
(Adapted from Confessions of a Beauty Editor, page 23)

Anti-aging tips:

20s: Prevention
To prevent premature aging, start using sunscreen and antioxidants. If you have had a lot of sun exposure, you may want to try using an over-the-counter retinol cream at night.

30s: Exfoliation
As you age, the skin starts to thin. Not only should you be using sunscreen and antioxidants but you should also use a night cream that contains retinoids and alpha hydrox acids. Also, once a month do a glycolic peel or at-home microdermabrasion at least once a month.

40s: Stimulation
Turning 40 usually means fine lines and sagginess. MDs can offer stronger prescription retinoids and skin lightening formulas (to remove age spots). Home peels and/or microdermabrasion should be applied on a weekly basis.

50+: Firming
Sagging and wrinkles are now a fact of life. Dermatologists recommend applying a copper peptide cream, which can help the slow the "fall" of skin every night. Retinoids are probably becoming drying; moisturizers with petrolatum and hyaluronic acid will help. Treatments such a microdermabrasion are usually best left up the the pros.

And now for my tip:
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF SUNSCREEN. EVERYDAY. NO MATTER CLOUDY IT IS.

good deed for the day

When was the last time you wondered if the women's shelters in your state were getting enough feminine hygiene products to meet the need? Fortunately, Seventh Generation, a green paper products and cleaning products company, actually thinks about this stuff and will donate a box of sanitary products to a women's shelter in your chosen state – just for going to the link above, choosing a state and dragging a heart into a little house. Now how fun is that?

rain drops on roses and whiskers on kittens...

....These are a few of my favorite things (insert Julie Andrews making dresses out of curtains here).

I was up late one night, watching Cheaters (thanks Joey Greco, for teaching me to love again) and eating chips and cheese, when an infomerical for Sheer Cover came on. Sheer Cover is a mineral-based makeup from Leeza Gibbons.

She has been called a social entrepreneur, but if you ask Leeza Gibbons what she does, she'll simply answer "I'm a storyteller."

I watched, in rapt attention, as Melissa Gilbert (from Little House on The Prairie. Michael Landon was her TV father; everything she says must be true!) showed me how Sheer Cover covered her fine lines and wrinkles.

(Side note: How did the business relationship between Leeza Gibbons and Melissa Gilbert come to fruition?)

After watching for about an hour, I had to order it. It came about 2 weeks later and I must say I am impressed! It does cover pores and pimples without making you look like a mannequin. It is also very light and blends well.

Laura Ingalls Wilder, you've done it again!

practice makes purr-fect

Meet Nora, the most talented feline pianist in the world. It's your duty as a member of the Internet age to watch this. More than 1.5 million people have, and over 1,000 blogs link to it. Don't be the last to know!

another youtube find

I know I'm a little--a lot--behind on this one, but I've been watching Regina Spektor's videos on YouTube and I'm loving "Fidelity."

favorite things

I am a great believer in blush. I think every woman should wear it. However, it is hard to find a good color... especially one that doesn't scream "clown!". I am in LOVE with O-Glow by Smashbox. It starts out clear and once it hits your skin it turns the color you naturally blush. Brilliant.

Sephora.com