Coats

I am in need of a new winter jacket/coat. After 8+ years, my two "old faithfuls" have just about run their course. They are both mid-thigh, sleek black numbers. One is an Andrew Marc Nylon/Microfiber job with a detachable faux fur collar and the other is a leather Bebe coat.

I love these two coats dearly, but it is time to move on. My only question is, to what?

And I thought finding the perfect shoe was hard...

Ciao bello*

*Or rather Ciao Bella! I have a new hair salon and new stylist. My new salon has a restaurant inside with chair delivery service! My new salon has great receptionists, a lovely seating area, infrared dryers, a world-class spa, and lots and lots of products to choose from.

I have a stylist who has an assistant. He has already taken the time to teach me new techniques for styling my hair and using different tools. I've had two luxurious scalp massages. I'm in love with this place!

For the past month, I've been taking vitamins that are supposed to support healthy hair growth (Hair, Skin, and Nails multivitamin, plus MSM to promote fast hair growth). I've also been using the following two products:

Joico K-Pak reconstructor once a week (more than once a week will actually reverse the positive effects)
Sudzz FX Enhance Sustain Conditioner** the rest of the week

I had my first appointment for color last Wednesday and I absolutely love it! There were two deep conditioning treatments (before and after) plus a protein treatment pre-color. He used a low-volume peroxide developer and used very little color. Surprisingly, I'm just as blonde as before, only my color isn't nearly as harsh.

I've run out of the Enhance conditioner and per my hairdresser's instructions, I'm now using the following products on my hair:

Joico K-Pak
Sebastian Penetraitt shampoo and conditioner**
Framesi Options Soothe leave-in conditioner***
Sudzz FX Zenyth Frizz Eliminator shine product

Not only can I see a difference in my hair, I can FEEL it. I have been so abusive to my hair over the past several years, that it will take a while to get it back to where it was. I've given up my flattening iron and my curling iron. I am using better brushes. And the 50-70% of my hair thickness that has been lost due to breakage and damage should be recovered within 6 months to a year.

Here's hoping miracles do happen and I can have healthy, BLONDE hair.

**So I've been having some image loading problems. I've given you the complete names of the products, though, so if you want to give 'em a try, go ahead and google them. I did.

***Wow. During my search for a picture to upload, I see that this product has been discontinued. Now the hunt is on for a new leave-in conditioner. Oh well.

Reading and then More Reading

While on my recent vacation in Mexico, I treated myself to some completely uninterrupted reading time. I was able to blow through several books and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed each one for varying reasons.

Book #1 was Bright Lights, Big Ass by Jen Lancaster.

This is her second memoir and a follow-up to her first memoir, Bitter is the New Black.

I laughed out loud more times than I could count. I love her wit and her ability to poke fun about everything around her, including herself.

After finishing Jen's book, I turned to a book that had lived on my bedside table for about six months, Whose Wedding is it Anyway? by Melissa Senate.

This is classic chick-lit. It was an easy read and had my favorite kind of ending for such a book... A happy one. I hope that doesn't spoil the book for you, but if you are purchasing books published by Red Dress Ink and NOT expecting a happy ending where the good people win and the bad ones lose, then you are delusional. Sorry.

I enjoyed it and it was a great beach read!

Moving right along, I picked up the book that was edited by Dooce, Things I Learned About My Dad (in therapy).

This was a collection of essays by multiple bloggers on fatherhood (being a dad, their dads, their relationships with their dads, etc.). I mostly enjoyed it, but I confess I'm not quite finished with it yet. I only have a couple of essays to go. It still hasn't pulled me all the way in, but since it is a collection of essays, I am only making a few-page commitment each time I open the book.

Finally, we get to the exciting one! Janet Evanovich, my favorite author, just released her 14th in the Stephanie Plum series, Fearless Fourteen. Appropriately titled, no?

Yesterday, I had to report for Jury Duty for the very first time in my life. I came prepared with my book and a magazine. While the jury duty experience is one for a different blog, let me just say this... Janet hits a home run once again with her series.

I started and finished this book yesterday. The pages practically turned themselves and I was on the edge of my seat, ignoring everything around me the entire time.

For those of you who don't know, this series centers around Stephanie Plum, a bounty hunter in Trenton, New Jersey. She's Lucille Ball-ish in her antics and the cast of characters are written so vividly that when I read the books, I can almost see the characters acting out the story for me.

This is one series that I hope never gets put on the Big Screen. Hollywood could never do justice to the movie that plays in my head each time I open one of these books.

You may not like action/comedy/suspense/romantic adventure stories. If you don't, though, you are missing out on one Hell of a genre.

Go forth and buy the Stephanie Plum series. You will NOT be disappointed!

Finally! I've done some reading!

I ended up doing a fair amount of reading on my last vacation and finished two books and nearly finished a third. I have purchased the new Janet Evonovich and cannot wait to tear into it, either. I suppose since I have Jury Duty tomorrow, I may have ample time to get some good reading in...

New Shades

I ordered some new sunglasses last week via Ebay. They arrived Friday. The D&G 8041B's.

They have the perfect amount of sparkle! Love them!

I think I may have a sunglasses obsession. I tend to go gaga over a new pair every year. But to me, purchasing a new pair of sunglasses or a new accessory like a purse or pair of shoes is a great way to update a look without spending a fortune on clothes. Since my look tends toward simple and classic, most of the "sparkle" comes with the details.

Working on a New Page Element

Since half of this blog is supposed to be dedicated to books, I thought I'd keep a running list of the books I've been reading.

Unfortunately, that list is relatively short. The reason? I just haven't been feelin' it lately. There is simply so much other stuff going on that I don't have the attention span to sit down and actually read.

But I am really excited about some of the books on my nightstand, namely the Maximum Ride Series by James Patterson. There are four of these books currently taking up residence on my nightstand.

I have four books that I've started to read, but have yet to finish...

1) The book in the above link. It's fascinating and the beginning grabs me, but I cannot sit still enough to read.
2) French Women Don't Get Fat. This is a great book with some fabulous recipes, but I just stopped reading it.
3) Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister. At this point I'll just have to start over with it. I loved Wicked and I want to read the sequel to it, too (Son of a Witch).
4) The Nymphos of Rocky Flats. This is a cool book. It's about vampires. And crazy shit. And I really want to finish it!

And then, of course, there is the remainder of the stack of books sitting on my nightstand... Untouched...

Let's Talk Foundation for a Minute

I have made it no secret that I adore Lancome foundation. Love the coverage, weight, and longevity. But when I started to read a book about skin in February, I began to look at my choices and try a few of the suggestions listed in the book.

That led me to Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Foundation. The dermatologist recommended it by name, so I picked some up.

Love It. It is light, airy, provides full coverage (I apply it with a large powder brush), and has lasting power. Best of all, it's good for my skin and inexpensive! Can't beat that. I've been using it since about mid-February and have zero complaints. I still love my Lancome, but I think I'll put it aside for a while.

More From the Easter Shopping With Mom...

While visiting my family and on that shopping trip with my mother, I picked up this little number at Old Navy. I love it so much, I think I'll get it in a solid color, too.



I'm not one to wear many strapless tops or halter tops, but that is mainly because I cannot find one that is comfortable to me. That ended when I tried on this top.



FYI, Old Navy also has a great selection of white jeans and capris this year. Go. Get them.

Easter Shopping Trip with Mom

I've been coveting a pair of white jeans for quite the little while. I'm not sure why, maybe it's because they are bright and spring-like. Whatever the reason, while I was visiting my family over the Easter weekend, and while my husband and dad were golfing, my mom and I went on a little shopping excursion.



We went to the usual places, hit up a sale at the local Dillard's (hello BCBG for 75% off!) and Old Navy. All told, I ended up with about 8 new tops, including an adorable Old Navy strapless number that would go great with a pair of white jeans!



We decided to make one last trip out to a local botique, which is just about the only place in a 120-mile-radius to get brands such as 7 for all mankind, peace love mom, etc.



We found these white jeans and I fell in love:



You can find them online here: The 7 Website



They were a bit pricier than I was comfortable with, but thanks to Mom (who was also a bit appalled at the tag), I walked out of the store with them in a bag.



Last Thursday, my mom called me and was very excited to let me know that Oprah had just mentioned white jeans as one of spring's "must have" items.

Now she's on her own mission to get a pair.

More New Shoes!

These are my anniversary gift from Dr Pop.

Pretty friggin' sweet, no?

BCBGirls Saraff Slingback sandals. They have an unbelievably high heel, but are amazingly comfortable. The upper is fabric and the heel and platform are patent leather.

I cannot wait to wear these. Soon!

So Sad

I was at Neiman Marcus Last Call Clearance Center (side note: There used to be only two of these in the US. The original two were in Austin, Texas and somewhere in New York) in Austin not too long ago.



I always peruse the shoes there as you never know when you can get acid green Manolos for $70 or Gucci stilletto sandals for under $100...



Typically, shoes for me are few and far between. Let's face it, shoes usually don't make it to a clearance center anywhere if they are popular and fit well. Lo and behold, there were multiple pairs of Christian Louboutin shoes in a variety of classic and fun styles in my size!!! I gingerly pulled the shoes out of their spot on the rack and headed over to try them on. I was so excited!!!



Um. Yeah. I don't know if was just these particular pairs or if it is all Louboutins, but... I could not for the life of me squeeze my wicked stepsister foot into a reasonably and correctly sized pair!



Poor me. But yay for my savings account!

NEW SHOES!!!

I have a new source for fashion.

The Better Bag Lady

I purchased the above from her late on Wednesday. They were waiting for me today in my mail.

So. Great value and excellent service. I really could not ask for more!

And she also carries great brands. Stylish and fashionable brands. My two favorite adjectives for clothing and accessories...

Highwaters

Two posts in two minutes! Wow!

I have to get this off my chest... Unless you are wearing capri pants, the pant leg needs to break across the arch of your foot.

This means that if you are wearing pants that hit at the ankle, you need to go buy new pants!!! The exception, of course, are the horrors known as "ankle-length" pants. In this case, please only wear with flats. PLEASE!

To the woman who walked into my building in front of me today (in 37-degree weather, mind you): Your platform sandals are simply adorable! I covet them. I should not have seen much beyond the toe, though. Sadly, your pants ended a good inch above your ankle. This means that no matter how well they fit you in the waist, rear, hips, and thighs, THESE PANTS DO NOT FIT YOU PROPERLY!

Why is it so hard to get the leg length correct? When in doubt, go longer not shorter.

This public service announcement brought to you by Mrs. Pop.

Skincare Book

I posted about THIS BOOK on my workout blog because it has some diet tips for better overall health. Namely, the Green Sludge Cocktail that I'm going to be drinking for the next two weeks at least.

I feel it is appropriate to post about it here, too, because it has all kinds of skincare product tips and tricks and is written by a successful dermatologist.

In my world, anything is worth a try...

Awesome Moisturizer!

I've been a huge fan of Philosophy (www.philosophy.com) skincare products for a while. I spoke earlier about the "Makeup Optional" kit for congested skin. In it, there was "hope in a bottle" which I loved (and still do love).

Over Christmas, my brother got me another Philosophy collection that included their microdermabrasion product and "hope in a jar."

This stuff is A-MAZING! It's perfect for the drier winter weather and keeps my skin hyrated, makes the fine lines less visible, and doesn't break me out.

I've been using it since Christmas morning. Go get this stuff!

First Book Review of 2008!

Yes, the first book I read in 2008 was a fantasy-type semi-trashy romance. Sucker Bet is book four of Erin McCarthy's Vegas Vampire series.

If you are a Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan, then you will enjoy these books.

Sucker Bet revolves around a 900-year-old vampire named Gwenna and a present day police detective. They are trying to solve a series of murders and, you guessed it, end up falling in love.

It's a fast read and helped get me over my non-reading hump. I still have the huge stack of books on my nightstand that have only been touched for dusting purposes, but I think I am finally ready to start attacking those.

New Posts Coming Soon...

Lots of loot to post, plus a book review!!!