Recommended Reading-"Pure Skin"

"Pure Skin -Organic Beauty Basics" by Barbara Close, is a beauty text book worth reading and keeping around for later reference. Ms. Close authored two other books and is the founder and president of a holistic spa in East Hampton, NY. If she's good enough for East Hampton, she's good enough for me. Who am I kidding? I would take advice from the stylish gamines who live above me. I digress. "Pure Skin" has a wealth of information for all skin types and is presented in simple, easy to understand categories. The essential oil information is especially interesting and informative. Thankfully there are some magic potions for all of us amateur scientists out there (more like habitual guinea pigs). You'll find recipes for body scrubs, hair conditioning treatments, facial toners and several other inspiring ideas for spending an otherwise wasted Saturday afternoon. I was also pleased with the accessibility of the suggested ingredients. Many times organic beauty supplies either cost more than rent or require a scavenger hunt through a crowded health store. I have found myself being forced to ask an all too natural sales lady for ingredients I can't pronounce. As she looks me up and down, notices my product saturated hair and freshly shaved legs, I get the sense that she doesn't want to help me, as I am clearly not the ideal candidate for non-refined wheat germ oil. On the contrary, these ingredients are all fairly recognizable and easy to find. Though steamy bubble bath literature it is not, this book is practical and may help with some of those pesky skin issues we all have.

Oktoberfest not Festive

As I am somewhat of a festival junkie, I was looking forward to this year's Oktoberfest. I had visions of German costumes, booths filled with quaint little things, and of course the "bier". I was annoyed as my better half immediately expressed disappointment with the event. He rarely waits 5 minutes before offering "constructive criticism". I, however, try to see the fun in any event. Sadly, I was forced to concede to the better half within 5 minutes. This is precisely how long it took us to tour the entire event with two stages at each end. One stage, a small band was performing polka (cool), the other was hosting some sort of chicken dance competition (not so cool). As I searched for a destination, my fantasy bubble was rapidly deflating. To be exact, I saw 2 stages, 2 bier tents, 1 jaggermeister tent, 1 brat tent, 1 blow-up ultimate fighting thing, and 1 "quaint little things" vendor. Hoping the entire afternoon would not be a flop, I sent better half to get bier, so I could survey our options and find something fun to do. Long story made short, this event is kid-friendly only if yours will stay in a stroller while you sit on a bench and throw back bier. In order to ensure a good time, you will need good friends and a sitter. This is a great venue to bring some buddies, sit outside and shoot the breeze while you shoot Jaggermeister and bier. If you like the community pub feel, bring close friends and leave the kiddos at home. I'll be there next year, minus the underage Larson. See you there!

Long After I Am Gone

The past year of my life has been spent reflecting on the past and embarking on a journey of self discovery and self care. I am inviting new things into my life and expelling things that are no longer useful. Perhaps we become more graceful as we embrace the fluidity of life- it's ebb and flow. Our hearts grow larger as we forgive ourselves for past choices and make room for new ones. As we remove our bandages from pains endured, we experience the newness birthed beneath the gauze- skin that is beautiful, strong and less sensitive than before. As I spend moments during the day caring for myself, accusatory thoughts assault me, as they do every mother. Nevertheless, I continue on this road and choose to banish those thoughts. I believe what now appear to be fleeting moments of extravagance, will result in lasting memories for my daughter. Memories of the overwhelming fragrance of rosemary that lingers in the air while she produces art work and I bathe, will leave a stamp on her heart. My hope is that she will indulge herself in the beauty surrounding her. Embossed on her soul, will be hugs accompanied by the scent of my Lily of the Valley perfume, on which our money could have been more wisely spent. Perhaps she will be inspired when she smells rosemary and comforted by the breeze of a Lilly bouquet long after I am gone.

Gotta Read- "All You Need To Be Impossibly French" by Helena Frith Powell

"All You Need To Be Impossibly French" by Helena Frith Powell is lighthearted and entertaining. The author interviews French women and men to articulate what it is that is so special about French women that gives them their signature confidence and sex appeal. Her discoveries are amusing and inspirational, dishing on everything from lingerie to politics with charm and whimsy. I hate to admit it, but since reading this book, I have had a secret desire to spend $50 on a truly great lipstick, and $300 on silk nightgown. Although the overpriced lipstick and extravagant sleepwear will have to wait, I feel just a little more feminine (I have indulged in parfume, lingerie, and $8 lipstick, however). A light and easy read, Impossibly French should not be missed and is worth it's weight in gold. This is frivolity that needs to be passed along.

Bar Review- Jing/ Greenwood Village

I met some old friends at Jing on a Friday night. As the 10pm happy hour approached, the bar area was jam packed and hoppin'. Jing's first impression was glamorous and up scale with a beautifully decorated bar and crystal chandeliers. Lackluster service, however, soured me completely on what could have been a great evening. We waited 15 minutes for each round of drinks! The loud music definetely gave it a club feel, yet the seating was far too nuclear and was not conducive to meeting new people or conversation with the gals. If you're in the mood to sit alone and people watch, this might be the place for you, but be prepared to not speak to a single soul, not even the waitstaff! Jing is located in the Tech Center if you want to try your luck, but if you've been wanting a fun night out with some atmosphere, I'd look elswhere.

Emmy Fashion Woes

I've simply got to weigh in on the many fashion woes and very few wows at this year's Emmy Awards. The parade of boring prom dresses was occasionally interrupted by something noteworthy. The so called "fashion police" would have been well advised to arrest Stacy Haiduk for bringing a prop cat along with her and carrying it like a purse. Huh? This was by far more bizarre than Bjork's controversial swan getup. Rachael Ray, apparently dresses for the red carpet with about as much spice as mac & cheese. I was literally frightened by Olivia Wilde and Brenda Dickson. Definitely, though, the most disastrous dress was a tie between Rachel Zeskind and Ashley Jones. Nevertheless, there were a few who dressed appropriately and rocked it. Karla Mosley, Sharon Case, Christina Perez, Julie Pinson and Victoria Rowell were among the best of the "daytime divas". Last but not least, between the two noteable pregnant beauties in attendance, Heidi Klum and Marcy Rylan, Marcy takes the cake. While I love Heidi, I hated being pregnant. Seeing the exact size and shape of her belly, brought it all back. Marcy, however was feminine, sexy and tasteful, while not making me afraid she would give birth on the red carpet. Am I wrong for not loving the torpedo belly?

Resturaunt Review- hapa sushi grill

I enjoyed an early Saurday dinner at 'hapa" in Greenwood Village. I was immediately pleased with the service by both the hostess and the server. I was of course happy to discover "hapa" offers happy hour on Saturdays! The discounted happy hour menu is extensive and offers something for everyone-even vegetarian. This is a great place for friends to gather as it is conducive to conversation and it's easy to order several different menu items in small quantities. The food is delicious and the atmosphere is modern and sleek, yet warm and inviting. For locations and more info, visit www.hapasushi.com.

It's always better to look good than to follow the trends. Usually we can take parts of a trend and make it flattering. For example, the trend on the street is skinny jeans, a tunic stretched down to the bum, and ballet flats. Unless you are blessed enough to be long and lean, this is not a good look for you- I know I wouldn't try it. A tunic style shirt pulled down to the bum simply elongates the torso and shortens the leg. Legs are equally unflattered by flats. This is double duty bad news for your sillouette. Tunics pulled down too far also widen the hips. Although we want to accentuate our curves, we do not want to make them bigger! If you have fallen victim to tunics, flats and skinny jeans, there are ways to salvage your purcheses. Reserve your flats for casual shifts and tights. Pair the tunics with strait leg jeans or trousers and arrange the hem to fall a few inches from your natural waist. Rock those skinny jeans with stilettos or boots paired with a short-waisted jacket.