Tuesday, May 31, 2011

The Search for a Tanner Posture and Beach Hair


You can never be too rich, thin, blonde or tan. Ok, the last three are obviously tongue in cheekly written because YES YOU CAN look malnourished with bleachy fried locks sporting overly charred flesh. Hello.."Magda" in Something About Mary is a testament to those South Florida sins. Embarking on my eleventh month of being a mother, I have very little no time time to bask in the warm sun, bronzing my limbs as I read a magazine. Nope. My life plays itself out in two hour increments every day. Whatever I decide to do, wherever I need to go, I can really only do it in a two hour span. I am on baby time now. 

So that is my segue into self tanners and beach hair. The latter I'll get to in a sec... Let's begin with an oldie from back in the day (pre-college I think) which is Toma's Tan Perfect! I saw an infomercial and was hooked. I would schmear this cream all over my face religiously as if it was my moisturizer. Loved you, Toma!
But I grew up... And then I fell in love with Donatella Versace (read: blonde hair, tan face) and hence, Versace bronzer. Oh did I have an infatuation with this bronzer! I still yearn for this. But now I have a replacement since this has been discontinued for a loooong time. I found me some Nars Laguna and Casino. But I'm not done....
This Chanel self-tanner was again, another all-time favorite. Great color output. I think they reformulated this because my old bottle didn't look exactly like this. Anyways ~
Alright - if you're feeling rich or stupid one day, then buy this Sisley gel. It's organic, smells delightful, gives you a decent tan and is just that. Decent. For the money, I wouldn't replenish. I still have this and use it from time to time. 

I used St. Tropez tanning cream (now I use mousse) many moons ago. I didn't care for it then and I am trying to care for it now. I like the mousse for my face because it dries in a snap. Beware it stains your hands like the dickens! So even after you wash/scrub it off your hands, there is still evidence lingering in your palm and fingertips. Goes away in about a day. I find two daily applications gives me noticeable color. My husband actually commented one day that my face looked tan. So I guess I'll keep this product. 

I had a weak (read: impulsive) moment online shopping for a "beach hair" product when I saw this gel bronzer and thought "Bonne Bell" (gasp, haven't heard that name in a while), I can throw that cheapie in the basket and give it a whirl. Good thing it costed a nickel. It does nothing much in the realm of tanning one's face. Eh. Oh well. 
Another Old Faithful: Clarins.
How could I forget Lancome Flash Bronzer. Weren't you always so excited to get a free tube of this in your Gift With Purchase bag? 


Moving on to my obsession with beach hair. I call these the real Locks for Love. As a primer - I have poker straight hair. My hair would give Annie Duke a run for her money (oooh, good one Bran). Anyways, my strands are thin, fine, and never grow longer than my bra strap on my back. The kind of hair that needs to be dirty to curl. The kind of hair that clip in extensions were MADE for (if you have any hair to clip them into and not show the clips)! But to this day, I am still that girl that thinks, "this is the year I will have beach hair!" I will make it happen! The products say so, right?! I will just say that no matter what I do ~ my hair never turns out like this:
Ok, her hair isn't the only thing that is perfect.


Stay focused on the hair, people! 
(gag)




According to Oprah.com...

For fine to medium texture hair that is straight to loosely wavy:
  • Shampoo and condition your hair before bed and towel dry.
  • Evenly distribute a conditioning mousse (with hold) in sections throughout your entire head, when finished comb through.
  • Scrunch your hair and get a good night sleep! You'll wake up the next morning with bed head with texture and volume! From here you'll only need 10-15 minutes to refine this look.
  • Begin at your nape, twisting and curling your hair around a medium size curling iron from the midshaft to the ends. Once you reach your crown twist and curl your hair from the roots to the ends. (Working on hair that is "dirty" helps your style to last longer).
  • Allow your hair to cool and then soften your waves by finger styling your hair with a greaseless lightweight shine serum.

As for the above- I've been there, done that. Who has that kind of time to fuss with all those steps?

This was the first product I ever used for my beach hair. What a waste. 


This was my impulsive purchase. I "scrunched"this product into my hair before going to bed. Smells amazing. I woke up with dry, crunchy, voluminous (yes! for real) hair. If I twisted my hair around a curling iron, I'd for sure have beach hair!

Remember this beaut of a photo? What color was I here, you ask? Lit-erally the crayola color "indian red" -something NOT found in a bottle. The hair remains straight on the daily :?



Sunday, May 29, 2011

Friday, May 27, 2011

India-my visual Delhi sandwich

My relatively new "India" Cookbook that is so daunting to read. I have made one thing: Chicken Curry III

Long before Elizabeth Gilbert set out to find a guru ("Eat, Pray Love") or Slumdog Millionaire opened our eyes, there was a girl (me) who always dreamed of going to India. Maybe it started back when I was a small child and had an Indian babysitter... perhaps I got used to the household smell of fenugreek seeds, coriander and curry that permeated the atmosphere, but was strongest through her saris upon which I would sniff when I was sitting on her lap. Or maybe it was the eclectic home decor, vibrant colors and religious symbols scattered about carefully. Babysitter's name can't be spelled out...it's a traditional Indian name. To sound it out would be absurd. I don't event think I know how to say it properly. Regardless of my past influence of a culture so foreign to me, it is ironic that I, now, have such a preoccupation and fondness for all things Indian. 
While this post isn't trying to sell anyone on travel, food, cookbooks, history, or anything really "intelligent" sounding... (because I am still doing research)...it's purely a visual into what I see when I think of India. Yes, there is grit and poverty and violence. Let's not discount the obvious when we envision the country. We have that a few blocks away from where we live, too, if you think about it. (Yikes, did I just end a sentence in a preposition? I said nothing "intelligent" today!) This is my visual dream.  A colorful, cultural, beautiful, delicious, energetic, loyal, worshipping, respectful dream. 
Delhi's Khan Market
Rush hour in Ahmedabad 
Fierce No Parking sign
Gates to a residence in Bandra 
above photos from Wallpaper Magazine
Dyes
Truck of pots...can you imagine?

The splendors of a wedding!!!

Arthur Elgort photo (also seen in my elephant post)
Devi Ratn, Jaipur
Frederic Lagrange -Lakshadweep, India
Mary Ellen Mark
Frederic Lagrange-Vengunad, India

And......don't we just all love this funny guy from Parks and Rec? I find Aziz Ansari to be HI-larious!

photo by Paola Kudacki (trunkarchive.com)

Photos below from Wallpaper Magazine...kind of like the Sartorialist on the streets...
Thotreichan Sasa, 24. Photographer
Left: Unsolicited street photo, Versova, Bombay,Right: Syed Ali Arif, 35. Artist
Sasha, 26. Entrepreneur

Below... from my magazine. In case you're interested in flavoring up your foods with curry or chutney. 

I will get to India one day.. It's on our list of places to travel. I was invited by a dear friend to go this September, so we'll see. I hope you find passion in a culture or activity to keep you inspired as travel, design, food and other cultures continue to inspire me. Writing this occasionally breaks up my monotony of listening to Fisher Price music/animal sounds and doing laundry:). So glam....yes I know. 
XXOO

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Mental Case

We are packing up and leaving for our European vacation a week from tomorrow. I am going insane. I have been planning the packing essentials for over a month now. Here is a taste of what is going through my brain...in terms of packing for the baby, that is... For  2 adults, 1 infant - there are 5 suitcases, 2 wheelie carryons, 1 tote bag, and 1 duffle (maybe). But a solid 8 pieces for 18 days. No more traveling light!

To be continued...

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Dinner for 5

Last night I had four adults/ one 9 year old, a 10 month old and a 4 month old adding to the liveliness and spirit of my home on which would normally be a quiet, dull Tuesday night for me. Dinner last night proved to be the furthest thing from dull and nothing short of spectacular. One need not go to great extremes to plan a nice little dinner. I figured it was Tuesday after all and I needn't stress about preparing things like beggar's purses or beef wellington (? I had to think of something).
Anyhow, no food photos - sorry... but here is the tablescape, flowers and menu!
Table set for five 
Supermarket flowers...again! Love my grocery blooms! Tip: Stick with one color, vary the textures and be creative. I bought four different types of flowers, doubled up on each (because I like compact arrangements) and went to work snipping and sorting and arranging. 

MENU

Hello...
Grapefruit Margaritas
Marcona almonds
Olives
Hummous & Tabouli
Mixed vegetables and various pita and cracker bread

Storytime...
Marinated beef tenderloin-grilled,sliced atop a
Mixed greens salad with tangerines,feta,onion,pecans,and green beans
Bruschetta
Beautiful red wine- the name escapes me

Goodbye...
Peach cake (homemade- guest brought)
Minted brownies (from same guest :))

Still feeling the effects of these puppies today...Happy Wednesday! xo

Monday, May 16, 2011

In the navy...

What's there not to love about blue and white? I am literally infatuated with navy and white. I wear it quite often because it's easy, smart, looks polished and put together and classic. Sounds typical and boring of a reason, I know, but it's true. I love nothing more than a navy sweater, white pants, belt, bold necklace and wedges! To me - that is effortless dressing no matter what. Here are some inspiring layouts from Bazaar magazine as well as some of my blue and white picks! Happy Summer Shopping! xo


My latest acquisition -this dipped tote which serves the following purposes: Diaper bag, day bag, magazines, ipad storage, water bottle, snacks. The best tote ever! Love this for my summer travels!
Gorgeous little wedge...navy and cream by Tory Burch.

Just got these soludos blue and white seersucker shoes. HOTTEST summer shoe. And inexpensive! So if they hurt or fall apart, your heart or your wallet won't!

Tie dye halter dress from Banana Republic looks just right for summer fun!

Casual cool navy and white striped sweatshirt from J.Crew

A great pair of white jeans never fails. I have several. They are a staple. Straight leg, wide leg, flair, ones to wear w/heels, ones to wear with flats... You get the idea.

I adore these earrings. I have them in green. Love like this can be found here.
Silver and Gold bangles add a little effortlessness to any look
Love this one piece suit with the lace tie in front. 
Baby's gotta look chic too in the summer sun...Dying over this dress!
My minor obsession with blue and white stripes. Top left, bottom left = pregnant pics. Gutsy to wear horizontal stripes!!! Not thinking clearly!