If this is your first visit here, please go to my blog's new home, here. You will find more updated posts and if you are lucky, I might just be running a giveaway :-)
If you have been here before, welcome back! I have moved to self-hosted Wordpress, so now you can find me by just typing www.theunlikelyhousewife.com in your browser. I hope to see you there!
XO, Elisa
P.S. This blog's comment are now closed. One more reason to visit me on WP ;-)
If you want to blame someone, blame Julie, who is the one who tagged me – I dare you to get mad at her, she's a sweetie :-)
The Rules: 1. Copy/paste the questions 2. Type in your answers 3. Tag four people in your list 4. Don’t forget to change my answers to the questions with that of yours.
4 places I go over and over: Whole Foods, Stabucks, the library, Target.
4 people who email me regularly:Kristina, Jax, PJ, Dajiela. 4 of my favorite places to eat: Whole Foods, Outback, Grafton Street, Manora in Zurich
4 places you’d rather be: geez, 4? I can only think of one place at a time! And right now that place is definitely... in bed. Sleeping. (Stella has been waking up at 5am)
4 TV shows I could watch over and over: Gilmore Girls, Friends, Ally McBeal... I'm out.
4 people I think will respond (let them know you tagged them): well, hopefully ;-) I'm picking some new Twitter friends:
Today was a lovely day. And if that sounds sappy, please consider that my Saturdays are usually spent running errands and cleaning. Instead, let's revisit what happened today:
Good stuff: - I went to the movies with my daughter Sarah. - I bought a cute pair of boots on sale. - We went to see the Holiday Boat Parade at Stamford Harbor. - I got a great adjustment at my weekly chiro visit, which got rid of my backache.
Not-so-good stuff: After the great adjustment I found out that the stupid insurance company kept my lovely chiro waiting for 5 months before ultimately declining coverage for the last 5 months of treatment. If it wasn't for the fact that I try to keep this blog PG13, I would share a few colorful adjectives that go with said insurance company in my head.
Still, you can't make one thing ruin your entire day, so I choose to look more closely at the first list (which is longer, anyway).
My favorite part of the day was definitely spending time with Sarah. We never get to do stuff, just the two of us. Today Stella stayed home with daddy so Sarah and I could enjoy some time together, and we went to see Madagascar 2. We are huge fans of Madagascar, so I was just as excited as she was – in fact, I even attached some Madagascar character dog tags to my bag, while Sarah refused to go out wearing them, concerned that she might look ridiculous. I obviously had no such concerns.
We loved the movie – it reminded me a bit of Shrek, the way the humor appealed sometimes to the kids, other times to adults, and most often to both. Sarah of course had a better idea than I did about the movie before we even entered the theater, since she has seen the preview and played the game several times already.
Yes, she played the game before watching the movie. Originally I had planned on going to the movies first and giving her the game after, but she had a stellar couple of weeks at school, getting three good grades in a row; and then, the day before Thanksgiving, she went through her very messy room and re-organized and worked until it was perfectly tidy. So come on, she deserved a reward – hence the Madagascar 2: Return to Africa Wii game! And she really loves it. All weekend she has used her TV time/PC time to play the game, and is still super-excited about it. I think it's perfect for her age. It consists mostly of mini-games, which I think are better to keep children interested; and of course being a Wii game, it isn't exactly stationary :-)
It contains lots of action but no violence, and because it revolves around cartoon characters it keeps those watching entertained as well – Stella seems to think so at least! She just sits and watches her sister play, and laughs and laughs. I tell you, I don't know many things that can keep them BOTH entertained for a while, and anything that accomplishes that is a plus in my book ;-)
If you got this far despite not knowing what the heck I am talking about because you have never seen Madagascar, I gotta tell you, I am truly flattered that you find me this interesting, but really – you need to get off the pc and go rent Madagascar. Go on. Especially if you are a New Yorker. Just go. I know very well it's a cartoon, thank you very much – but don't let that stop you. Otherwise I'll send Gloria to sit on you.
And if you don't get that, it's because you haven't seen the movie yet ;-)
With the holidays approaching, it is only fitting that I dedicate the cool finds of the month to stuff that can make this lovely season more bearable ;-) No, seriously, with the shopping, the cooking, the planning, the spending, by the time we get to the part where we are supposed to let go and have fun, we don't want to be too tired to enjoy it, do we?
So this first installment of the Holiday Edition will focus on gift-giving and other holiday-related activities – I hope you find it helpful.
Multitaskers tend to get lots done but we also have the highest stress levels, and the holiday season is stressful enough as it is! If you are trying to cramp a whole lot of stuff into your lunch break, and you find yourself trying to catch up on unreplied text messages while out shopping, here's something to make things easier: install Vlingo on your Blackberry and you'll have your very own text-messaging assistant. Just say what you want to send and Vlingo will convert it into a text message. It's easy to use and it's a free service!
If you, like me, are expecting house guests for the holidays, and are getting everything ready for them, here's my tip: give THEM your pillow and get yourself a customized pillow from Sleep Number! Their Create Your Perfect Pillow program allows you to personalize the exact outer comfort, inner support and pillow protector materials in their pillow. I recently upgraded to one of these pillows, and I was very surprised to see what a difference something so small makes in the quality of my sleep. Pillow prices start at $90, and gift cards are also available for purchase – check it out at any of the Sleep Number stores nationwide or online.
How gorgeous are Nancy Gonzales handbags? But who can afford them? Well, maybe you don't have to. Enter the Sweepstakes (hosted by Neiman Marcus) for your chance to win a $3000 Nancy Gonzales shopping spree!
Going on a trip for the holidays? Taking your little one with you? If you are staying at a Hyatt hotel, you can travel a lot lighter by using the Hyatt Travel Lite service, which allows you to order anything you might need, from formula and baby food to strollers and carriers, and have it delivered it to your Hyatt destination.
Need to get your home ready for the holiday parties you'll be throwing? Check out Amazon's Home and Garden Holiday Markdowns, to score kitchen equipment, cookware, table linens and tableware at 30-50% discount. Also save on decorations on Amazon's Get Ready for the Holidays section.
If you think your sister or best friend would love to find something cute from Bebe under the tree, make sure you use coupon codes to get it for them: through November 30th, get $20 off your purchase of $125 or more with coupon code BBSAVE20 – heck, get something for yourself too, and get $100 (!) off your purchase of $300 or more with coupon code BBGET100.
If your favorite jewelry is feminine but edgy, you'll love Meredith Kahn's Made Her Think line. And you'll love even more that she has a lot of fantastic pieces on sale, up to 60% off! Perfect time to get a present... especially if it's for you ;-)
Women are so easy to shop for! Another example: makeup. Clinique is, in my experience, the brand with the best "gift with purchase" offers. This year Clinique has teamed up with leading designer Trina Turk and has a great offer at one of my favorite stores, Nordstrom. You will receive Trina Turk’s first-ever cosmetics bag, filled with 6 beauty essentials, plus a mirrored lipstick case, FREE with any Clinique purchase of $25 or more — exclusively at Nordstrom, until supplies last. Or – if you already have too many make-up bags – you can shop at Clinique online get a free tote with your purchase of $50 or more.
This year, Drugstore.com is giving Clinique a run for their money! Their Kooba Beauty Bag is filled with goodies from Stila, Boscia, Sue Devitt, Oscar Blandi, and many more - a $200 value for just $85. The products sound lovely, but the Kooba wristlet is the real catch!
Another great, "no-brainer" gift is pre-packaged gift sets with products already paired up, where you can pick the type of product and/or the scent and get several items already in a lovely gift box. Origins is definitely my favorite place to get gift sets, because they products look and smell lovely, and the gift packages are always so pretty (in fact, I think some of them also make great hostess gifts) – check out this year's Holiday Sets! Bliss is another popular brand, especially here in the NYC area; and their gift sets are very affordable, like The Big Orange set, which includes two products and a tote. If you prefer natural and organic makeup and beauty products, you'll be excited to know that Lavera, one of the top natural brands in the world, is now running a Clearance Sale on their website where you can save up to 90%! There is also an Anniversary Sale going on, with newly released products at 15% off. Personally, I think their lipgloss is one of the best I've ever used, and that includes both natural and not-so-much ones ;-)
Send a positive message by gifting your favorite tot with a lovely organic slogan tee by Eco Ike, and enjoy free shipping on any order of $50 or more, and free holiday packaging (including a card) on all orders. My favorite is the "bee green" tee!
And for the mom of the eco-tot, you can't do better than a gift from NIMLI, which is possibly the most fabulous eco-friendly fashion online store! Right now you can enjoy the extensive selection in the fall sale (check out the pashminas!) as well as 20% off your order with coupon code FALL08, and free shipping on all orders over $100. I don't know about you, but I usually do most of my holiday shopping online. You get great deals, can find coupons to apply (like those at RetailMeNot and CouponNerds) and you can even get money back when you purchase through Ebates. And on top of that, you don't need to go out with the baby in the stroller and fight the madness of the holiday crowds. There is one problem though: some items you really want to see before you buy them. I found a solution, at least as far as toys are concerned: Amazon's Holiday Toy List lets you narrow your choices by age or by price, and then actually see the toys in action! Check it out here.
Get your little ones gorgeous wooden toys and playroom furniture for Christmas and save by shopping the Pottery Barn Kids online sale, with items up to 65% off.
One for the men: girls like jewelery. But we don't necessarily like the classic stuff, maybe we like more interesting pieces, pieces that will still be lovely years from now, but never boring. You can't go wrong with pieces from Melissa Joy Manning – and you can get 15% off any purchase by using coupon code ARTISAN.
You know what else girls like: bags. Luna Boston is having a great handbag sale on designer handbags! Foley + Corinna, Hayden Harnett, Botkier, Gryson and more - great chance to snag a designer bag at a discounted price. LunaBoston.com also ships offers free same day shipping on all orders over $100, and free returns – can't go wrong. But if your budget doesn't allow you to splurge on a designer bag, check out the wide selection of designer-inspired handbags at Baghaus. Through December 1, take $10 off purchases of $50 or more with coupon code TENOFF.
If you'd like more tailored recommendations, you cannot go wrong with GiftGirl. Provide some details about the recipient, and Jean will recommend several fantastic gifts. Whether you choose the 24-hour access option for $5, year-round access ($20) or a personal consultation with Jean ($200), you will get tailored, honest, unbiased suggestions (no paid endorsements!). Here's a little freebie from Jean:
Forget the flu, and forget the fact that last night, for the first time in a week, I actually slept (like a stone, thanks to Nyquil – which is also to thank for my current hangover), but haven't quite made up for the rest of the week. Forget the fact that I'll be taking Sarah to dance class this afternoon, and that I still have to workout how to get her home from her afternoon classes on Tuesdays, and have to finalize the Thanksgiving menu so I can make the weekly shopping list, and have to finish my "Cool Finds of the Month" post and decide exactly what to get for my dad for Christmas so I don't have to brave the holiday madness that takes over every online and real-world store after Thanksgiving.
Yes, forget all that. Because today I am starting my home makeover. No, I don't mean that I will be re-decorating every room and picking new fabrics and so on (although that would be fabulous, I love interior decorating) – no, I mean I plan on changing my home into a place where anyone can show up, any day, any time, and I can let them in without melting in shame at the sight of the mess everywhere, until I am reduced to a little puddle on the floor like the wicked witch in The Wizard of Oz.
Of course I've already made one fatal mistake, the same I make when starting a new diet: unrealistic expectations. But isn't is the dream of every organizing freak to have a house like that? A house where everything has its place and can be found immediately when needed, rather than having to be tracked down? A house where you can have unexpected guests at any time, and give them a tour of the house if the ask (or even if they don't ask but expect it, like in Switzerland) without having to lock and bolt the doors of the rooms where you stashed all the mess you took away from the rooms that are now somewhat presentable? No? Just me then?
Ok, fine. But still. I don't need the house to be magazine-worthy, but I would like the unexpected-guest thing. So instead of chosing one of the very very many self-help books for failed housewives available on Amazon, I chose to use the guide Simple Mom wrote. Afterall, "Spring Cleaning for Normal People" sounds like the right thing. I'm pretty sure I fall in the category of "normal people" despite my being kind of neurotic (yeah, I do know I said 'kind of'). And Simple Mom, like me, has experienced moving overseas with the family. (Yeah, I know I was messy before that. I'm just milking it. Try to keep up.)
So today I am starting with her guide. Ideally, I'd have a presentable house by Thanksgiving without having to kill myself doing the marathon-cleaning thing.
Yes, I am starting. Soon. Just as soon as I've checked my e-mail. And maybe had a cup of tea and watched Will & Grace. No, I am not procrastinating again! And if I am, it's just because typing this, trying to be all reasonable... it's actually killed my buzz. I know I can spark it up again if I make myself a cup of tea and start reading SCFNP again. Yes. That's what I'll do. And I promise to keep you posted on my progress. But I'm going to make tea now, so don't hold your breath. I live in Westchester, you know, I don't have to do things in a New York minute.
I don't know about you, but after having my second child and turning 30, I started seeing a change in my skin – and not for the better! So I started looking into anti-aging skincare without toxic ingredients, and eventually found the right one for me.
During my little experiment, I realized that trying things out until you find the right one can end up being not only annoying and time consuming, but also expensive. So in light of the fact that: a. the Holidays are upon us b. they are the most stressful season of the year (not to mention the most expensive!) c. and stress contributes to aging... I decided to treat you to a little pre-Holiday gift and hold my very first beauty giveaway, with anti-aging products by Elizabeth Grant. I am currently using the Vitamin C Body Scrub and I really like it!
So what do you say? Would you like to feel pampered? Here's how you can earn multiple entries for this giveaway: - Tweet about this giveaway (1 entry) - Blog about this giveaway (2 entries) - Place the giveaway graphic on your sidebar (2 entries)
Then come back here and let me know. Please include links to your tweets/posts. Contest entries will be accepted through November 30th. Contest is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only (sorry Sherry!)
Boy, was I crabby yesterday. Not totally over it, gotta say. Hey, it happens. Today of course the flu came back, and of course despite it being Sunday I couldn't stay home and sleep it off, instead I went to run some errands in the morning and then to a birthday party in the afternoon. It was lovely. Except for the screaming children and the annoying music. The cake did make it much more bearable, though. I tell you, chocolate cake cures all ills (especially the bad mood variety). __________________________________________________
Just finished Julie & Julia. Didn't really like it. But maybe you will. Come get it before I leave it on a park bench ;-) __________________________________________________
Read an interview on Entertainment Weekly with Robert Pattinson, the actor cast to play Edward in the much-anticipated Twilightmovie. Apparently when the choice was first made public, there was an uproar from fans, who complained he wasn't good-looking enough or something. I though he was cute already in the Harry Potter movie, so I don't really get the problem – but then again, I haven't read the books. Anyway... I thought the interview made him sound like a bit of a twit. I wonder if that was the goal of the interviewer/EW correspondent or whatever, or if he really is like that. But then again, he is 17. Been there, seen (and dated) that. 90% of 17 years old boys are stupid at least some of the time, so we shoulnd't expect famous ones to be any different, right? It would be de facto discrimination, politically incorrect and all kinds of other bad stuff ;-) __________________________________________________
I haven't been doing so well on my 100-Day Challenge Goals. I think I need a buddy. Or a coach. Someone to boss me around and tell me to get off my butt and get cranking on my goals. Because really, I can still make progress, even though the 100 days are now down to 45. Hey, 6 weeks is the perfect length of time for a makeover! And the makeover shows, they concentrate on houses and appearance, right? Well, actually I am ok with my general appearance, I would just like it to be less... round, I guess :-) The period approaching the Holiday Season is probably not the best time to start a new fitness/weight loss plan, but hey, there's no time like the present right? So... would you like to be the one bossing me around? __________________________________________________
I have been thinking of changing my blog template and layout. I'd hire someone, except: a. I am a control freak and I may just drive that someone crazy; b. the best designers charge hefty sums for their work; c. I get bored fairly quickly and I'd hate to get bored quickly of something I was charged a hefty sum for. Much better to get bored of something I wen totally batty to make myself.
Tips? Input? All welcome (though I can't promise I'll listen). In fact, would you do me a favor and vote in the following poll? I know, I am a loser, posting polls about this stuff. My excuse if that I am feverish (barely) and out of it (often). Just vote, will ya? Come on, who doesn't like to tell people what to do? And now I am actually asking for it. You know you want to :-)
For those of you who didn't know it, today was National Clean Your Fridge Day – which, I am sorry, but comes up with these things? And when are they going to come up with a Global "Your House Is A Mess So Get Off The PC" Day? Because that I could actually get on board with. But anyway – do you think I cleaned my fridge today? No, of course not. What I did was spend 5 hours in a room with about 30 other people, for my Defensive Driving Course, or whatever it's called. It was actually not that bad, except I had no coffee. No. Coffee.
"Why, Elisa? Why would you go to a 5-hour class without coffee?" You may ask. (Or at least, the few of you who care may ask.) Ooooh, don't get me started. Or actually do. Because I am just dying to tell you about how I planned the whole morning perfectly so that I would have time to go to the Chiro, drop by Trader Joe's to get a sandwich and a smoothie to take with me for lunch, and then swing by Stabucks for a Grande Soy Vanilla Latte with an extra shot, and then arrive to the driving school 15 minutes before the class, and all without breaking a sweat. To accomplish that, I moved our Saturday Chiro appointment from 9.20am to 8.30am, and got up early despite the fact that Stella woke me up at 4.30 again and didn't fall back asleep for over an hour, and that's only after I brought her into my bed and she twirled and pulled my hair for what felt like an eternity before falling asleep and almost pushing me off the side of the bed.
(Ooh, boo-hoo. Worse night have happened and people still got up. Yes. But ready to face a 5-hour class without coffee? Don't think so.)
So. Despite that, I got up, got ready, did my makeup and straightened my hair, got dressed and was out the door and at the chiro on time with the family. And miraculously, we were out of there at 9.30 and had plenty of time to go to Trader Joe's and do our stuff. We were out of there before 10 (!!) and getting ready to get our Starbucks drinks and maybe even drop by the house to pick up my cell, because we had plenty of time. THAT'S when my husband realized he had, once again, left the keys in the car. We were locked out. And THAT'S when the light drizzle changed into pouring rain, so I coulnd't even follow my first instinct, which was to walk to Starbucks with the girls and wait there, peacefully enjoying a lovely hot coffee drink, while my (obviously mommybrained) husband waited for the road assistance guy.
So instead of doing all the stuff I would have had time to do thanks to my planning ahead, I had to sit in Trader Joe's like a bag lady (with actual shopping bags! albeit reusable ones) waiting for the guy to show up, and then rush to the class. Without coffee. And once there, I sat down and watched as people trickled in, while the teacher explained that he was allowing late arrivals until 11.15 because of the weather. Ha. I could have gotten my bloody coffee after all. That's what you get for being polite.
On Friday, as planned, I met my friend PJ and we made our way to Lucky Shops. Contrary to what you might expect however, I didn't show up really early, bracing myself for several hours of marathon shopping. After being warned by a friend who had attended last year's event that most of the merchandise would be "cheaper than usual, but still pretty expensive" I had decided to follow my organizing-freak instinct and had already planned (almost scheduled) my purchases for the approaching holiday season; so I was going mainly in an investigative capacity, so to speak, and using the fact that I had won the tickets as excuse to have a girl's night out. Of course I am only human, and I'm a girl, so I left ample room for the possibility that I'd find something I simply must have (and could afford), and I took a credit card with me anyway.
We showed up a little before 5 p.m. (closing time was 7 p.m.) and started making our rounds. Here's a summary.
Lines & crowds: Doors opened at 10 a.m., but as I said we didn't show up until a little before 5 p.m., so I can't testify to the lines and crowds before then. But I can tell you that I was VERY impressed with the venue (Metropolitan Pavillion, in Chelsea) - it was airy, well-organized; the bar, the ottomans, everything perfectly placed so as to be easily accessible but not in the way, not to disturb the flow of shoppers. Impressive.
Cocktails/drinks and food: Beer, cocktails - including a delicious one with tangerine juice - bottles of Coke and Diet Coke free for the taking, as well as the newest iced coffee drinks by POM. Miniature Larabar fruit-nut bars, 100-Calorie Packs of Ritz crackers and Cheese Nips.
Gift bags: No giftbags, really - unless you count the miniature shopping tote from Shop Rock & Roll containing a Chevy notebook and a sample of Benefit "That Gal", which you got after taking a survey at the Chevy Maliboutique. Other freebies: - full-size Garnier Nutritioniste products (Skin Renew face moisturizer and Nutri-Pure Gel Cleanser), and skin consultation at the Garnier Nutritioniste booth; - a sample of Benefit You Rebel tinted moisturizer and free shipping on the next purchase at the Benefit online store (use code LUCKYYOU) valid through tomorrow, November 11; - a 25% online discount from Lizzie Scheck Jewelry using code LSJ25; - a free silver Nintendo DS pocker mirror, exactly like the pink one I got at Shecky's Girls Night Out; - free consultation with stylist Danna Weiss.
Merchandise and discounts: lovely clothes, jewellery and shoes, for the most part. Mostly designer. Prices were discounted, some even affordable, but not cheap. Example: - Foley + Corinna city clutch, $220 (retail price $440) - Chloe suede wedge boots originally priced at $1,150, 50% off at LuckyShops - MINT by Jodi Arnold top, $138 (retail price $308) - And these gorgeous Kate Spade peep-toe pumps, $135 (retail price $328), which I definitely would have bought if it wasn't for the fact that I have 3 brand-new pairs of peep-toe pumps that I have yet to wear, just sitting prettily in my dresser.
A few highlights: - Shoes, bags and accessories from (as in: worn on) Project Runway.
- Conscious Jewelry by Danna Weiss: gorgeous necklaces. Thick gold-plated chains with perfectly shaped and polished crystals and gems, each related to a specific chakra. Designer Dana Weiss describes her line as "metaphisically designed and eco-conscious" and recommends choosing your pieces carefully, based on what you are drawn to the most, because that is the stone covering the area where you need to restore balance. This may sound ridiculous, but after following the instructions and putting on the chosen stone, I believe there is something to this.
- The Denim Bar was definitely brilliant. Several brands, all priced under $100 (discounted) and a Singer station where you could get your newly purchased denims hemmed for free. Smart thinking, Lucky!
- The Botkier booth was a thing of beauty. Lots of gorgeous bags and shoes in different sizes, models, colors and materials. When even a nylon bag feels and looks so rich and luxurious and you find yourself preferring it to more expensive leather handbags, you know that's a label to go for.
As closing time approached, the deals started popping up. A few we noticed: - Siegerson Morrison flats for $30 - Rafe New York peep-toe flats for $30 - Gucci sunglasses for $90 - knee-high Dr.Martens patent combat boots for $60
That, of course meant that just as we were trying on shoes, the event ended and we were left to watch the booth attendants add more styles to the shelves for those same low prices, in preparation for Saturday's "Shop-a-thon" (Lucky's words, not mine).
Which is pretty smart when you think about it, because PJ and I were actually tempted to purchase a Saturday ticket and return the day after, to do some actual shopping. But since we were exhausted after only 2 hours and we had taken it pretty easy, we figured we woulnd't enjoy the "last man standing"-like atmosphere that was probably going to characterize the Saturday Shop-a-thon, so we decided to let it go - PJ had scored a lovely pair of leather pumps
A word of caution: if you ever plan on attending any such events and do a day of marathon-shopping, don't stop until you get home. Don't even sit. If you do, you might end up falling asleep, surrounded by your shopping bags, in an inappropriate place where you might be filmed and/or photographed. Don't believe me? Scroll down.
Told you ;-)
P.S. Didn't make it to LuckyShops? Don't be sad. Bluefly is now making the fabulous clothes and accessories from LuckyShops availalble online!
Ever since my agenda went missing this past weekend (long story), I have been scrambling to rebuild my appointments for the next few weeks. And I knew that something was going to fall between the cracks, I just hoped it wasn't something important, especially something school-related. You know what it ended up being? Of course you do, because I've received a couple of nudges on this already: the announcement of the giveaway winner!
I was on the train yesterday, on my way home from a lovely brunch with Jax and PJ, and there was a girl in front of me who was having a fairly loud conversation on her cell phone. Among other things she shared with her friend (and many other people on the train) was how she visited the M&M store for the very first time. "I thought I had died and gone to heaven" she said. Hmmm. I have been there (the M&Ms store, not heaven) and... really? Heaven? Don't get me wrong, I get the feeling, and I get that there are triggers for that feeling, even when expressed by using such trite choice of words. A fabulous shoe sale? Yes. A peaceful couple of hours to do yoga, read a book, sip a cup of tea and chill? Yes. The heavenly chocolate-chocolate mousse cake with vanilla icing we got for Sarah's birthday? Most definitely YES. The M&M store? No. Really not. Of course it's a matter of taste, I realize that. Which made me think of what "heaven"* would mean to different people.
Now, of course the idea of heaven is highly subjective. For some it's naked maidens and rivers of honey and milk. For some it's viking warriors. For some it's choirs of angels. There's tons of ideas and opinions about heaven. Wouldn't it be great to create your own custom-made heaven experience?
My heaven would be half-Sephora, half Whole Foods – there would be luscious makeup AND luscious food everywhere. There would be lots of music, all fitting my mood and taste – which of course would mean that there'd be no country whatsoever (except maybe some vintage Jewel), no jazz and positively no Christian rock – sort of like a virtual iPod. There would be chocolate-covered clouds – but not everywhere, because you wouldn't want to get your clothes dirty (although unlike other places, my heaven wouldn't have an all-white dress code). And there would be no cars, everyone would walk everywhere. And it would always be late spring, sunny but not too hot. Also, I would be naturally thin in heaven – despite the chocolate-covered clouds.
So now, unless you are afraid of joining me in the "those who will soon be struck down by a lightening bolt" club, feel free to share your idea of heaven.
* only as it applies to the above trite expression, not literally.
Note: this post is not meant to offend or trivialize anyone's religious beliefs. It's all in jest :-)
Ah, you lucky West-Coasters... especially if you live in L.A. (I miss sunny L.A.!) Here's another fabulous event organized by EcoStiletto!
About the event: A free fundraiser for Dress For Success Presented by The Healing Seed and Perfect Organics Host committee includes Anna Getty, Josie Maran and Kelly Rutherford
Bring gently-used, career-appropriate jewelry, scarves, belts and handbags to donate to Dress for Success; Intuition will donate 10% of sales. An additional 5% off will be deducted if you bring your own shopping bag!
What you'll be able to enjoy at this event: - free lip and cheek touch ups from Perfect Organics - virgin organic hempseed oil hand treatments by The Healing Seed - appetizers by FOOD - signature cocktails
Sustainable designers will be showcased at the party. They will include: Larsen Gray, ecoSkin, Doie, Del Forte Organic Denim, Elodie, Heather Heron, California Rising and Erica Weiner. (Note: Rachel from EcoStiletto will be guest editing INTUITION's new eco-friendly clothing section, which will include the above designers and some others.)
Where and when: INTUITION, 10581 West Pico Boulevard in Los Angeles on Tuesday, November 11th from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
This event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP to events@ecostiletto.com
Living green is getting more and more fabulous, I tell ya ;-)
lets you narrow your choices by age or by price, and then actually see the toys in action! Check it out 
