The Beauty Mommy

My Long List of Beauty Complaints

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Insider) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 01:33:00 +0000

With a 20-year high school reunion rapidly approaching in January, I've been motivated to make myself over. I have a long list of things I want to fix, but unfortunately only a few of them can be solved by reunion time. Here's the whole list:
1. Address skincare issues, including dullness, some discoloration, and little bit of scarring on my right cheek.
2. Get rid of nasolabial folds with Juvederm.
3. Have my friend Kari, the micropigmentation queen, treat some white spots from hypopigmentation on my leg.
4. Zap appendectomy scars with IPL.
5. Do laser hair removal on legs, arms, and bikini area.
6. Flatten my tummy through exercise, or do tummy tuck.
7. Have reconstructive surgery on my belly button. Since pregnancy, it looks strange and hooded.
8. Get a boob job, unless my breasts miraculously perk up on their own.
9. Smooth my feet, which have gotten super dry since Eva was born. I'm going to try Paula Begoun's trick from the Oprah show (swipe on Stridex maximum strength pads, apply a really thick cream or Vaseline, and then socks, every night for a week)
10. Start giving myself manicures and try to schedule a manicure once a month
11. Try usin ga hand treatment on my hands, which are getting veiny and crepey
12. Highlight my hair or otherwise dramatically change it, because I am so bored!
13. Use tummy and bust products on tummy and bust to improve skin tone

Brazilian Simply Straight Keratin Treatment

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Insider) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 01:01:00 +0000

Well, I finally went in for that hot Brazilian Keratin hair treatment. It's quite an involved process. It began with my hair being shampooed 3 times with a special shampoo. Then, Nicki saturated my hair with the treatment and left it in for 20 minutes. She then smoothed it with a flatiron, using the smallest sections imaginable. With the amount of hair I have, the entire process took just oer 4 hours. After you leave the salon, you are not to wet your hair or use any hair accessories to put it up for 4 days. This is a lot harder than it sounds! I forgot and put it up for a few minutes on Saturday afternoon before my sister spotted it and reminded me. When I returned this morning, my hair was shampooed again and I applied my usual styling products, leaving it curly. Even though this treatment is called Simply Straight, it doesn't straighten your hair. It is supposed to eliminate frizz, remove bulk and generally improve your hair texture. And, after 4 hours and $400 (almost $500 if you count the tip), I certainly hope it works. I am going to give it a week, and wash it and work with it myself, to see, and then I'll let you know. My initial impression is that my hair does feel super soft and silky, and much healthier. More later!

Making an Effort

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Insider) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:22:00 +0000

Recently, my friend Kari stopped by. Eventually, talk turned to fashion, as it inevitably does, and Kari's need to sift through her closet before she moves her clothes back into her newly renovated home. She commented on how "beautiful" I looked at a meeting the previous week. Now Kari is a dear friend, and so I think her opinion of my looks is colored by her feelings for me, but I was flattered nonetheless. I remember that night so well, because it was more hectic than usual. I threw on a pair of William Rast "Rachel" jeans and a silvery Miss Sixty sweater with flowy, pleated sleeves, and an ancient pair of silver Dolce & Gabbana mules. I pulled my hair back and applied a little bit of makeup (Nars Orgasm blush, MAC "Legendary" Pro Longwear lipstick, Diorshow Blackout Mascara) in the car, and never even checked my reflection. She compared me to a mutual friend, Michelle. Michelle is slim and gorgeous. Her hair and makeup are always perfect, and her clothes are flawless. She is the only person I know whose wardrobe I would gladly switch with, sight unseen. Her amazing outfits are always accessorized with the perfect jewelry, Gucci shoes and a Gucci bag. I have never once seen her without makeup or wearing sweats. As Kari and I discussed her enviable style, she said that, in her opinion, Michele and I are both glamorous, but it's obvious that she takes time to care for her appearance, whereas I look like it comes naturally to me. In other words, one of us makes an effort, and the other (me) is a little more haphazard.

I used to be Michelle. My outfits were always immaculate, my hair and makeup done (even at 1 a.m., studying for finals in the sorority house), my accesories always well-chosen. And then I had babies. These days, if I manage to make it look effortless, it's not. It's a small miracle when I manage to leave the house with my teeth brushed and my hair washed. My husband was recently shocked to learn that I managed to make it upstairs, wash my hair, apply my skin care products, brush my teeth, get dressed and come downstairs in 12 minutes. What happened to the woman who used to take 40 minute showers? Who used to have separate creams for her elbows, her cuticles, and her tummy? Who used to spend hours as a spa, indulging in wraps and scrubs and massages? She is gone. She has been replaced by a woman who sometimes has to choose between applying makeup and going to the bathroom. Who falls into bed at night without remembering to use her bleaching trays or her face mask. Who hasn't had a manicure since before her last child was born.

I love that my friend Kari things I make looking good seem effortless. But I'll love it even more when I have time to make an effort! : )

Top Heavy

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Insider) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 03:15:00 +0000

I have just started the long arduous task of sifting through the contents of my closet. I've decided to throw out the "toss it if you haven't worn it in a year" rule. For the last 3 years, I have been either pregnant or nursing, and both of these have really limited what I could wear. Now, I'm trying to piece together a workable wardrobe of tunics and tees, leggings and jeans, that looks hip and pulled together while still being practical for my crazy-busy days with a baby and a toddler. I'll be dissecting the process here over the next few days. Tonight I barely made a dent in the project, but I already have one observation: My wardrobe is top-heavy. Tops, tees, sweaters, etc are so much easier to buy, online or on a whim, than bottoms are, and so now I have tons of tops and nothing to wear with them. I've decided to take a self-imposed hiatus from shopping until I decide what I need to round out my wardrobe. I'm tired of spending money and having a wardrobe that's still not working for me, so it's time I actually put some thought into what I buy and what I wear, for the first time in years. I'm going to plan before I shop.

I'll keep you posted.

Tummy Time

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Insider) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:14:00 +0000

Even though it's holiday season, and I've never been busier, I've decided it's tummy time. I am so tempted to get a tummy tuck, but I've promised my husband to work on my abs the old-fashioned way first. So, starting Monday, I am going to commit to working out 2-3 times a week, during the girls nap times. I will do 10-15 minutes of cardio (I don't want to lose any weight - just fat) followed by crunches, etc. And I will document my progress here. Right now, I look like I'm a few weeks pregnant, with my 12th child.
I will also be using my tummy toning cream morning and night, as directed. Wish me luck!

Like Mother, Like Daughter

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Insider) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 00:36:00 +0000

Today, my husband and I took the girls to a children's shoe store for the first time. Usually, I buy their shoes without having them try them on, or on the internet. Today, they were going to be trying shoes on for the first time. I was frustrated with the fact that all of Lola's closed-toe shoes seemed tight on her and bothered her, and that I couldn't get Eva's feet into a single pair of shoes. They both seemed to be in between sizes. I had heard that the fit specialist at this store was excellent. Lola kicked her size 7 Pedipeds off in the car, the adorable brown ones with the polka dots that I've always loved. Apparently, they hurt. Eva was shoeless as always. We started by measuring Lola's feet. 8 to 8 and a half, the nice woman announced. I was shocked. When did this happen? How did she go from a size six a couple of months ago to a size eight? And no wonder she had blisters on her poor little feet. Their stock was low, but we did manage to find an adorable pair of brown Stride Rites with a pink flower accent. link

Eva turned out to be a little bigger than a 3. "We'd put her in a 4 to give her some growing room." Ouch! How could my baby have outgrown crib shoes??? We also concluded that her feet weren't wide, which was something of a relief, but that her tendency to curl her toes made it difficult to put her shoes on. (The trick? If you let her stand, she'll flatten out her feet!) I sidestepped the size issue by choosing an adorable pair of black Pedipeds in a 6-12 month size that fit her perfectly. (She has 3-4 other Pedipeds at home in the same size, so at least now I know she's wearing the right shoe!) I love them! link

All I could think of were the cute gold holiday shoes en route to me from Janie and Jack. Lola's are a too-small 7 and Eva's a questionable 3. Check out Lola's link and Eva's link.

As soon as I got home, I ordered Lola's in the next size up. I'll wait and see on Eva's, since that is the largest in the crib shoe style and I think it's too cute!

So the conclusion is, of course, that the Manley women have big feet. Lola and I both wear an 8-8.5 - the same shoe size! Hopefully, unlike their mother, they'll have the height to match.

Simply Straight Brazilian Keratin Treatment

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Insider) — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 00:10:00 +0000

While getting my hair colored last week, I told my stylist that I wanted Sarah Jessica Parker's hair in Sex and the City, after she colored it to go incognito. Long loose waves in a shimmery reddish-brown. I was tired of my boring brown and the too-tight curl pattern that I have. I have always wanted to try the Japanese Hair Treatments, but initially they weren't compatible with hair color, and I have to color my hair to cover the gray. I was reluctant to try a perm to change the curl (you can actually perm your hair with big curlers to create looser curls), but Susie suggested the Simply Straight Keratin Treatment. So I booked it! According to Pam, who will be doing the treatment, it doesn't straighten your hair, but it makes it less frizzy, shinier, and makes the curls a little looser. Here's a description of the product from the internet: "Formaldehyde Free. High Quality, Purest Keratin. Natural, Healthy Smoothing Process. Restructures & Reconditions Hair Fibers. Creates Incredible Shine. Haircolor Safe."

I'm scheduled to have this long (3 hours plus for my hair) treatment on Thursday. I'll let you know how it goes!

Tummy Tuck Time

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Insider) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 01:24:00 +0000

Sorry that it's been weeks since I've blogged. The whole family has been sick, on and off, and I've just been wiped out. These days it's all I can do to wash my hair and brush my teeth, so the Beauty Mommy hasn't been all that glamorous lately. But that doesn't mean I haven't been thinking about future glamour, and how my belly stands in the way of that. Eva is now 10 months old, and she is a delightful, darling little firecracker. She has given me so much, but the one thing I wish she hadn't given me is a perpetual potbelly. After Lola was born, I lost the baby weight and the belly. With Eva, the weight went but the belly remained, an unwelcome reminder that having two babies after the age of 35 wreaks havoc on your body. I can't lose weight, because I am already lower than I want to be. But no matter how thin I am, I can't seem to lose the gut. I now my husband will tell me that the key to flatter abs is exercise, and I'm sure he is right, but I don't think my stomach is solely the result of lax muscles. I think there's some extra skin contributing to the problem. Plus, my belly button needs a makeover to restore it to its former, normal innie. It now looks sad and kind of hooded. But before I resort to surgery, I am going to have to give exercise a try. So my goal, by next swimsuit season, is to flatten my belly as much as possible by exercising regularly. But, if I haven't lost my belly by May, it's tummy tuck time!

My Mini Escape

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Insider) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:32:00 +0000

These days, I don't get much time to get away, so I seize the opportunity for a break whenever I can. When I don't have time for a bath, one of my favorite "getaways" is to slip into my husband's shower (our house has his and her's baths, and my bathroom only has a bathtub), with the lights off, and take a shower in the dark. I know it sounds strange, but it is so supremely soothing to stand under the jets with no pressure to shave, do my hair, or multitask in any way. All I do is relax and get clean with a fabulous smelling body wash. Don't believe this is the quickest and easiest way to relax. Pass the baby to your husband and try it for yourself!

Product Reviews: Clarins Smoothing Body Scrub and Delicious Self Tanning Cream

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Insider) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:27:00 +0000

These reviews are from my friend Nicole, a glamorous 27-year-old mom of two babies. Nicole is one of those moms whose hair and makeup always look perfect, even though she has a 2 year old and a 9 month old.

Clarins - Gommage Exfoliant, Smoothing Body Scrub

I used this while damp in the shower. The exfoliant "beads" were the perfect roughness. I really like a tough exfoliant and this product gave me the hard scrub I desire, although it was gentle enough for all the delicate areas of the anatomy. The product was nice and thick and stayed were I was rubbing really well. The exfoliant rinsed off my body nicely and I immediately felt smoother. I have clogged pores on my arms which result in little bumps. The next morning the skin on my arms were noticeably smoother which made me very happy :) My only complaint was the smell. I wish it were a tad bit fresher smelling.

Clarins - Delicious Self Tanning Cream

I used the self tanner immediately after the exfoliant. Upon opening the jar I was excited by the color - it was a beautiful bronzey cream. Some self tanners are white and you have to imagine what the color will develop into. Clarins gave me a confidence booster right away which I loved. The smell was typical of a self tanner although not as offensive as some drugstore brands. The texture of the cream was my favorite part of the whole experience. It was truly delicious - just as the bottle suggested! I wish I had an everyday moisturizer with such a great consistency, because I would love to smooth something of this texture on my body in great volume everyday!!!!! The tanning cream absorbed very nicely into my skin without leaving a heavy or greasy feeling. I felt comfortable getting dressed shortly after the application. The next morning I woke up to a pleasant bronzy glow without feeling orange. I was very pleased that I had no streaks or dark spots anywhere, yippee! I have never had a good experience with a self-tanner, but this one has changed my way of thinking. I will definitely use this product again.

Botox Works!

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Insider) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 01:10:00 +0000

Okay, I know this isn't news to anyone, but until you try something for yourself, you just never know. I knew it would have an effect, of course. I just wasn't sure it would be a desirable one. I went to a local, very respected doctor, Dr. Curtis Schalit, who is very experienced with Botox. He is known for his subtlety with the procedure - no frozen faces here. Now the two week waiting period has passed and I am thrilled with the results. Nobody, not even my mom or sister, know that anything has happened, but the crow's feet are gone. I still smile, I am still expressive, and other expression lines still show up on my face, but I am literally unable to wrinkle my eyes in a way that generates crow's feet. How fabulous is that.

After seeing the results, even my husband is considering it! I'll post pictures soon, but it seems that the Mommy Makeover is underway after all!

Craving a Kid's Necklace

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Insider) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:54:00 +0000

I was at the pediatrician's office today for Eva's 9 month visit, when I spotted the most amazing ensemble on the cover of Parenting. And it wasn't on the mama. It was on the toddler girl. A cozy cream sweaterdress accessoried with a long necklace made of colorful crochet beads. Love. Turns out they are both by Ouef. I went straight to the website and bought the necklace. Now the only question is - do I keep it for myself or give it to Lola? LINK

If I only had a boy...

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Insider) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:47:00 +0000

For about 8 weeks during my first pregnancy, I thought that Lola was going to be Luke. I took the challenge of having the best dressed boy on the block very seriously, even though he hadn't even been born. I picked up tiny polos and khaki pants, cozy sweaters, precious little linen one-piece ensembles. Friends gave me boy gifts, including an adorable blanket with a car motif by Coccoli from my cousin Lois, a favorite item I've yet to pass on. On a trip to Italy, I chose boy outfits, including tiny crocheted booties in boyish colors and a little grey flannel shorts outfit with suspenders over a white shirt. But even as I shopped, I bemoaned the relative lack of adorable boy clothes. Fortunately, that's changing every day. These days, the baby boy of my dreams is undergoing a fashion crisis. Is he cute and clean-cut preppy boy, in his john-johns and polo shirts? Or is he colorful, and slightly hipper (but not overly so - no rock star tees for me) Euro boy? As with my girls wardrobes, I can't make up my mind, so I buy what I love and leave it at that. Here, some cool clothes that might make the cut for the little lad in your life.

Best & Co Cashmere Sweater: LINK

Hip onesies: Love the bold, graphic print from Kit & Lili LINK.

Amazing gorgeous silkscreened designs at Lucky Fish LINK,

Fab printed tees and cool wide-leg pants from Nonchalant Mom: LINK

Love the bold colors and great prints at Plastisock, and that the pieces are so versatile and can be mixed and matched. And I think the $28 bodysuits make great, inexpensive gifts! LINK

Love this hoodie and striped top combo! LINK

I think personalization makes kids feel special, and this sweater is so preppy and cute. LINK

I'm obsessed with sweater knits for babies (and mommies), and Eye Spy makes the most amazing, colorful knits for girls and boys. This jumpsuit is adorable! LINK

TEA collection offers very hip, worldly clothes inspired by other cultures. This Dragon Camo one piece has to be the coolest onesie ever. LINK

Pepper Toes makes the coolest baby boy sweaters ever. With the matching pants, they're a perfect gift! I can't decide which is my favorite, but for this season, I'll pick the pumpkin. LINK

I love this striped, long sleeved polo. It's so classic and perfect, and Ralph Lauren baby clothes are always the best quality. LINK

I love little one piece shorts outfits for little boys. My friend Paige, who has one of the best dressed toddlers I've seen, calls them john-johns, and they have that crisp, classic, just-in-from-Nantucket look. This one is adorable, and very reasonably priced. LINK

This kimono set is chic yet comfy - a perfect combo for a baby. LINK

Love the appliques on these tees from 2 Lulas! LINK

Cool shoes are essential! LINK

Love this updated take on the popular sailor motif for little boys. Wish they had this for girls! LINK

This is reminiscent of the adorable ensemble I bought in Italy.

Classic and flawless. Love this little corduroy romper. LINK

Anavini is a codeword for classic in babywear, and these shortalls are no exception. LINK

These Burberry baby shoes just kill me. I almost bought a pair for "Luke" at Harrod's, but my husband talked me out of it. I still want them. LINK

I think Trumpette baby socks are an everday essential, and these are just too cute! LINK

Botox - at last

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Insider) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 23:52:00 +0000

I've been wanting to do Botox for years, since my early 30s when considering it seemed cute and kind of precocious. Now I'm 38, and it's not cute anymore. It's essential.
I went in on Thursday, the first thing I did was indulge in a facial, my first since Eva was born. It began with a thorough cleansing, extractions (I had developed a couple of milia due to using moisturizers that were simply too heavy for my skin - an occupational hazard as I'm always testing products), and then concluded with microdermabrasion and a lactic acid peel. This peel was unlike any other I've tried. It is designed to be left on. For about an hour, your skin feels tacky, but after that your face looks glowy and feels amazingly soft. As with most peels, the second day your skin starts to feel a little dry as it prepares to shed those unsightly dead layers, and today the shedding began in earnest. Most people dread this part, but I find it encouraging, because I know the healthier, fresher skin is underneath, waiting to emerge.

After my facial, I stepped into the doctor's office, where my dear friend and Botox veteran Kari Boatner held my hand through my first-ever procedure. Since I was doing only a small area - around my eyes - the doctor administered 3 shots on either side of my eyes - 6 total. I'm told it feels like a bee sting, and although I've never been stung, I'd say that sounds right. It stung, but only for a second. One one side, you couldn't see that anything had happened, but on the other side, it bruised very very slightly. It's almost imperceptible. I've seen my mom and my sister a few times since then and they never even noticed it. So, I was told that it takes 3 days to begin to see results, and the full effect sets in at 2 weeks. Tomorrow it will be the third day since the procedure, and I can't wait to see the results. I will be posting pictures, so check back soon!

Loving Lingerie...

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Insider) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 01:51:00 +0000

I'm always been obsessed with lingerie. At one point, I had 25 pink bras. PINK BRAS. But now that my breast size fluctuates acording to how much Eva has eaten that day, I am holding off on my La Perla purchases until my boobs decide which size they're going to be. Or until I decide to get surgery. Instead, I'm focusing on cute underwear, loungewear, and nightgowns. And, since my babies see me in my sleepwear every morning, they can't be too sexy. Cute, comfy, and girly. That's my lingerie style these days. These are my current obsessions:

Undrest: When we were in Chicago this summer, I discovered this line at Anthropologie. SO femme, with sweet unexpected touches, and all in cotton. LOVE. www.undrest.com

PJ Salvage Wild Dream Tank and Lounge Pants: Love the print, and the fabric feels amazing. LINK

Honeydew knickers: In my quest for a nice word to call underwear, I've settled on the British knickers. No, I'm not being pretentious. I just hate the word "panty." Doesn't everyone? Love these mesh ones. They are sexy and flattering and comfy. They really enhance the bottom, and the ruffled mesh knickers are the cutest! LINK

Anne Pinkerton lingerie at Anthropologie: So cute and so girly, like everything at one of my favorite stores. I've never gotten excited about silk pajama pants before, but these have me dreaming of long, lazy weekend mornings. Not that I have those anymore. Love the fabric, print, and smocked waist! LINK

Cosabella makes my favorite knickers ever, and their sleepwear is also amazing. The fabrics are so soft and yummy, and the quality is unbeatable. Love this cute babydoll nightgown. LINK

Running on Empty

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Insider) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 23:50:00 +0000

Today, at a pool party, I was chatting with a group of girlfriends when the subject of running came up. The group included my sister Nelly, the mother of three, and my friends Barb and Ashley, who have two kids each. And they all run. And by running, I don't mean running after the kids. I mean running on purpose. For exercise. Ashley, who has a 2 year old and a 7 month old, runs on the treadmill in her condo gym a couple of times a week. Maybe that's why she was wearing a bikini today, when I didn't dare don a bathing suit of any description. And Barb and Nelly were discussing the best times to run outside. Too early, and it's scary dark, but just a couple of hours later and the Florida sun could kill you.
I stood by silently. I had nothing to contribute to the conversation. Which got me thinking, again, about exercise. Not that I would ever run. I would rather have my another c-section without the benefit of a baby than run. I absolutely despise it. But I do like yoga, and dancing, and swimming, and I think I would enjoy tennis, although that requires too much time and planning right now. But somehow, I need to find a way to work it into my routine, even in very small weekly doses. Maybe we can take the girls for the walk we keep talking about, before dinner. That's my goal. I also just checked the schedule at my local yoga studio, and I discovered that they have added a new class at a much better time for me: Monday and Friday at 4 they have beginner's hot yoga. So, my goal, starting this week, is to go to one class a week, and work my way up to two classes a week. That's a doable goal for now, and it's something, anyway. Wish me luck!

Shopping!

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Insider) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:20:00 +0000

This week, I've just finished shooting and writing my fall column, which always puts me in the mood to get back out there and start shopping! So that's exactly what I did. I broke from my usual morning routine and took Lola to the mall Wednesday morning, where I met my mom, sister and her 2 year old Alexandra. While Lola and Alex checked themselves out in the mirror and ducked in and out of clothes racks, Nelly and I hit the summer sales for transitional items. Here's what I picked up:
Sheer silvery lurex sweater with boatneck and pleated bell sleeves from Miss Sixty
Cropped silvery linen jacket from Kensie
Black shirtdress in a treated cotton that almost looks like patent leather, from Miss Sixty
Grey jersey sleeveless empire dress with leather belt detail at waist from Jagger. This can double as a jumper over a long-sleeved black tee for winter

Online, I bought:
An amazing pair of wide-legged jersey sailor pants from Rachel Pally
A fabulous pair of silver heels from an Italian line I've never heard of, which I need to exchange for a larger size
A pair of white leather eyelet cork soled platform sandals from Michael Kors
J. Crew's Martinique jacket

Tomorrow night, I hit the stores again, this time without the babies, so I can do some serious shopping... It's definitely sale time in Daytona, and since it's going to be warm for a couple of more months, it pays to buy transitional items right now, and summer items for next summer!

The Mommy Diet

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Insider) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:19:00 +0000

I'll admit it - I'm one of the lucky ones. I lost my baby weight very quickly after both of my pregnancies. What's my secret? Well, I nursed, seemingly constantly, for as long as I could. I'm stil nursing Eva, my 8-month-old, and will continue to do so for as long as she wants to. But that's not my only secret... In order to really effectively shed post-baby pounds, every mom needs a Lola (my 2 year old) and an Eva (my 8 month old). Here, a day in the life:

6 a.m. Wake up. Nurse Eva.
8:23 a.m. I have been awake for 2 hours. Both of my girls are fed, dressed, sunscreened, hair done, etc. I toast a bagel.
8:25 a.m. "I want bread, mommy," Lola says, swiping half of my bagel. I sit her down at the table. She requests more butter. She gets it (or, rather, an all natural low cal butter spread instead).
8:35 a.m.: "Up, mommy, up" Lola says, extending her arms for me to pick her up. Eva starts trying to climb up my leg.
10:05 a.m. Discover bagel half, now dry and hard, still sitting on counter. Take one bite. Discard rest.
10:15 a.m. Nurse Eva.
1:05 p.m. Sneak one Hershey chocolate nugget with toffee while Lola is watching Muzzy.
1:35 p.m. Realize I'm starved. Stick healthy frozen wrap into microwave.
1:40 p.m.: Sit at kitchen table, feeding wrap to Lola. She decides she doesn't like it and starts spitting it out.
2:22 p.m. Nurse Eva.
2:45 p.m. Sneak one more Hershey nugget.
4:15 p.m. Nurse Eva.
5:37 p.m. Manage to eat two bites of dinner between dispensing spoonfuls of baby food
to Eva. Every time I stop and attempt to take a bite, she starts hitting the highchair tray and "shouting" at me. These days, I can't feed her fast enough. Too cute.
6:37 p.m. Nurse Eva.
7:23 p.m. Both babies are asleep. I head downstairs, where I find my dinner, cold and unappetizing, waiting for me. I fix a cup of tea, grab a cookie, and hit the couch. I am too tired to fix a snack.

There it is - a very glamorous day in the life, and a quick path to weight loss. : ))

Identity Crisis

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Insider) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:40:00 +0000

According to my 2 year old daugher, Lola, "mama" is famous, and she's everywhere. I am Jessica Seinfeld on the cover of her book "Deceptively Delicious." Mama, she will say, pointing at the picture. I am the curly haired mom in her "I'm a Big Sister" book. I am Jessica Alba and Jennifer Love Hewitt and Britney Spears in a "before" pic, tummy hanging out above the waistband of a too-tight bikini. It's enough to give a girl an identity crisis. A few days ago, she spotted Rihanna on the back cover of a magazine, in a Cover Girl ad. "Mama..." she says tenderly, stroking the picture. "Oh, mama... I love you, Mama."
So what if her affections were a little misdirected. I got the message. I love you too, Lola.

Fall Fashion for Chic Mamas

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Insider) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:43:00 +0000

I recently received an email from Lana, my chic, thirty-something cousin. Lana recently had a beautiful baby girl (she already has a tiny hearthrob of a son) and found that she was struggling to reclaim her pre-baby style. Of course, this is a dilemma I'm all too familiar with, so when she turned to me for fashion advice, she got a little more than she bargained for. Here's my take on hip mommy style, circa fall 2008. Keep in mind that all of these items can be found in any price range, from high-high to super low. These are just my personal faves!

I think the key is to find clothes that are practical but chic. This summer, I lived in some really fabulous dressier Bermuda shorts from Tory Burch, Catherine Malandrino and TIBI, paired with tops from Anthropologie. The tops were a little blousy, to hide the bulges that are still there, and they were basically nicer takes on a t-shirt, with cute prints and details like trim, belts, etc.
I love J. Crew right now. This summer, I bought the beige linen cuffed shorts with gold glitter polka dots, the Martinique jacket with raffia trim at the neckline, and a great orange cardigan jacket with gold buttons. They also have amazing jewelry.
I’ve also always been a big fan of BCBG. They have great classic separates with a twist, and their dresses are amazing.
I think the easiest way to go is to stock up on jersey dresses and separates from designers like Ella Moss, Rachel Pally, BCBG and even Juicy Couture. I love the cute jersey dresses they make. They wash well, don’t wrinkle, look great and are super comfortable – like wearing PJ’s. And depending on the style you buy, they are also figure-flattering. In the winter, pair a jersey dress with tights and a cute cardigan from Anthropologie, which has the best sweaters. Another favorite look of mine is snug sweaters with lots of pretty details worn with a great pair of easy pants. I just bought wide-leg sailor pants from Rachel Pally on sale at Shopbop. They’re a really comfy cotton knit – like an upgrade on the yoga pant. Wide leg or trouser style jeans with some stretch in them for comfort are also fabulous, as are corduroys, which are huge for fall. Around the house, I also like to wear really cute loungewear, including pieces from Lilly Pulitzer, Juicy, and Anthropologie. I just bought a gorgeous robe from Anthropologie that I plan to wear as a dress with my skinny, grayish jeans from Paige Premium Denim. Check out the robe:
LINK

Essential pieces:

1. A chic hoodie. Yes, they do exist, and most of them are not velour. My favorites are yummy knits or cashmere. I just bought a hoodie very similar to this one, also at Anthroplogie. LINK
And I love this one: LINK

2. A great knit top, either short sleeved or long sleeved depending on the weather. I love knits because they are so easy. Just wash and wear. They don’t wrinkle easily and are very comfortable. The best basic tees are from Michael Stars, James Perse, Rebecca Beeson and Three Dots. For funkier or more memorable looks, check out my favorite place, Anthropologie. Love this one from Ella Moss: LINK

3. Wide leg cords, jeans or pants. There’s even a pair of decadent two layer cashmere pants on ShopBop right now from Brochu Walker. Very chic this season, and easy to wear. If you are still struggling with the horrors that pregnancy inflicts on your body (hee hee), wear these with a long tee or tunic and shorter jacket or hoodie. Love this look. It’s easy but pulled together.
These are the Rachel Pally ones that I just bought: LINK

Next I’m going to buy these cords from Notify. They are fabulous and will go with everything this fall. LINK

4. Skinny jeans, cords or leggings. If you’re comfortable with your legs, these are cute and really comfortable. I love them with tunics, and I love combining skinny jeans with a long sleeved, elongated tee and a short snug jacket. My favorite leggings are by Three Dots and my favorite skinny jeans are the Blue Heights cut from Paige Premium Denim. I get compliments every time I wear them! LINK

5. The jersey dress: Like I said, these are a must! Look for Ella Moss, James Perse, Rachel Pally… They are comfortable, versatile and very chic. This style from Rachel Pally is great:LINK

And this one from Ella Moss is very typical of her cute and comfy aesthetic:
LINK

6. A fabulous cardigan. These are perfect for winter thrown on over whatever you’re wearing. This car coat from Vince even doubles as a sweater dress, and doesn’t pack on too much extra bulk: LINK

Like I said earlier, my favorite cardigans are from Anthropologie. I also love Moschino and Blumarine for the most gorgeous sweaters, but most of them are a little dressier. These are the ones I will be wearing this fall:
This one is gorgeous, and surprisingly versatile: LINK

And this one can be dressed up or down:
LINK

For a dressier look, I'm obsessed with this one:
LINK

7. Ballet flats. Most days, I trade in my trademark stilettos for a chic yet comfy pair of ballet flats. Flat boots are also hot for fall, and can be very versatile if you pick a great neutral style. A metallic shade goes with everything, so it’s a no-brainer. My favorite ballets are from Repetto (the French company that makes authentic dance shoes) and Tory Burch. Repettos are handmade so it’s hard to find a good selection, but in Canada (where Lana lives) Gravity Pope carries tons of them. I love the Demeter flats: LINK

And these from Tory Burch: LINK

8. A great wedge shoe is stylish and practical, since it offers a little more stability and comfort than most heels. Love this versatile style from Charles David:
LINK

Makeover Postponed : ((

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Insider) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:12:00 +0000

This morning, during a typically wacky breakfast with my two girls, the phone rings. It's the doctor's office, rescheduling my facial peel/Botox appointment that I had finally made after years of procrastination. Fortunately, it's postponed until September 4, so at least it is still definitely on my calendar. Too bad I have to wait two weeks to see the results...!
Meanwhile, I need this more than ever, because just a couple of weeks ago, I was talking to a couple of girlfriends about what I will forever call the 40 incident (the young guy who guessed that I was 40 at a cocktail party), and one of these friends, who I will call Missy, is the same age that I am - 38. She is gorgeous and stylish and slim and she told me that she was buying wine and jokingly asked the guy if he needed to see some ID. He said: "No, you're like 45." She SOOOOO does not look 45. She doesn't even look 35. What a jerk! And, while she was dating a younger man, his friend came up to her and said: "So, you're that old girl he's dating." So maybe that guy's comment had less to do with me than it did with him... Whatever. I'm still getting Botox!

Drugstore Discoveries

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Insider) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 00:34:00 +0000

A few nights ago, after being cooped all day with a sick Eva (: (( )my fun outing for the day was a trip to Walgreen's. I really felt the need for some new beauty products, and didn't have time to get to the mall. Fortunately, the local drugstore has come a long way in the last couple of years. Here's what I found:

Sally Hershberger's new line of hair products: Hollywood's hottest stylist has her own line now, of course. Love the glamorous packaging. I bought the conditioner, the shine spray, and something called a primer, which is designed to be used as a base for other styling products - all for wavy hair. I'll test them and let you know what I think!

Marc Anthony's conditioner and gel for curly hair: Again, I will review these after I test them

Neutrogena Healthy Skin: A classic. I picked up the Intensive Night Cream, the day cream with SPF20, and the eye cream. These will tide me over until I decide which products to pick up at the dermatologist's office.

Weleda Creamy Rose Body Wash: Love Weleda. Who knew this staple of health food stores and beauty boutiques was now available at a drugstore?

Yes to Cucumbers Body Wash: This is one of the new natural lines being sold at drugstores these days. I'm a big fan of anything cucumber-scented, so I decided to give this a try.

Other surprises: Besides Weleda and Burt's Bees, I was surprised at how many natural, organic lines are now being sold through drugstores. They definitely offer more options for consumers who want to try out this trend without spending a bundle.

Mineral Makeup: Not that this is a new trend, by any stretch, but every single line has a mineral product now. If only they were easier to test and choose!

High End Hair Lines: I thought this was still illegal! I'll have to look into it. I was SHOCKED to see Frederic Fekkai hair products at my local Walgreen's, along with every other line imaginable, from Redken to Pureology to TIGI. Can't beat the convenience!

The Flat Belly Diet Diaries: Nelly

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Insider) — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 16:57:00 +0000

My sister, trouper that she is, stuck with the 4 Day Anti-Bloat Kick Off part of the Flat Belly Diet for the duration. Here, a few notes on her experience, and her results:

She hated the Sassy water (fresh mint, lemon, ginger and cucumber slices steeped in water) and would have preferred plain H20.

She hated the watery smoothies, made with frozen fruit and skim milk.

Her biggest hurdle was giving up her 2-3 cappuccino a day habit. Diary entries include: "Should I give up now? Coffee..." "Coffee!" "Nervous about no coffee." "Not looking forward to an evening without my cappuccino." You get the idea...

On the FBD hunger scale, with -5 being "starving" and 7 being a little too full, Nelly usually hovered at around 0 or -3. She even expanded the scale to include -7: At Death's Door. : ( Comments about hunger include: "...Starved." "Tired, cranky, with a headache." "I hate waking up this hungry." "Feeling good about diet but very hungry." "Don't know if I can go to a party and not eat a thing." (She did). "Don't like being this hungry, and not eating with my family." "Can't believe I'm finally not starved for a change (on afternoon of day 3)." On afternoon of final day: "Hunger does seem to be diminishing." then later... "I feel pretty good. And starved!"

Notes on her results:
Morning of 2nd Day: "I lost one pound, so that's motivating."
Day 4: Very encouraged by how loose my dress feels!"

Results:
Pounds lost: 4
Inches lost from waist: 2 1/4
Inches lost from thighs: 2/8

Verdict: The first 4 days are a challenge, but if you stick with it, it does work! Now we are all doing modified versions of the regular part of the diet, so we'll keep you posted!

Indulgent Afternoon

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Insider) — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 02:03:00 +0000

Yesterday afternoon, I took more time for myself than I have in a very long time, and I felt so guilty about it! It started with leaving the house at noon for a 12:30 waxing appointment, right after Lola and Eva both went down for naps. Then I stopped at a health food store before heading to a 2pm appointment with my friend Kari Boatner. Kari permed and tinted my lashes, waxed my brows and gave me a consultation on my permanent makeup options. I didn't get home until 4:30!!!! I rushed home in a panic, certain that the world had fallen apart without me. Much to my relief (and dismay?) things had gone very smoothly in my absence, and Lola greeted me very casually. She's shown more excitement when I've returned from a trip to the bathroom! But the results of my outing may have been worth the absence! Every time I look in the mirror, I do a double take. My dark, curled lashes have given my eyes a noticeable lift. I look fresher, brighter, more rested. Like I'm always a very natural looking mascara - maybe one of those clear ones that makes your lashes a bit darker and a bit longer and a lot curlier. LOVE IT! My newly shaped brows further open my eyes.
Kari also recommended IPL to lighten the tummy scars from my appendectomy. Genius. Don't know why I didn't think of that!
Next up: An appointment for a peel, a microdermabrasion, and BOTOX on the 21st.
Tomorrow: My sister Nelly's Flat Belly Diet Diaries...

On my way...

noreply@blogger.com (The Beauty Insider) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:32:00 +0000

Yesterday, I called my friend Kari Boatner. Kari is one of the top micropigmentation specialists in the country, and she was featured in my first book. Her permanent makeup skills have been touted in magazines such as Elle, and she is so talented that she invents her own tools and trains other women. Anyway, Kari runs her business from a doctor's office that specializes in skin treatments, plastic surgery, Botox, etc. She immediately hooked me up for a permanent makeup consult, as well as a lash perm and tint. (Lash perming changed my life. I have long, dark naturally curly lashes, and I never thought of this as something that I need, but after Kari talked me into it once, I've never looked back. It opened my eyes and made them look fresh and youthful, and made my lashes seem longer and darker.) She also scheduled me for microdermabrasion, a skin peel, and, at long last, BOTOX. I am very interested in having it done to prevent and eliminate crows feet around my eyes. I also want to discuss Restylane for my nasolabial lines. They're not bad yet, but they're getting there...
So take that, mean guy who said I was 40. Next time he sees me, I'll look so young, he'll think I'm my daughter. You know what I mean. And all without surgery... I'll post before and after photos!