Tag Archives: beauty

Seeing red

Posted on July 13, 2011 | 2 Comments

I’ve seen a lot of articles online of late listing what’s hot and what’s not in the world of summer fashion.  Nothing too shocking, really — white, crochet and color blocking are all the rage.

Can I add my own entry to the ‘what’s not’ list?

SUNBURNS

Especially since the July 4th holiday weekend, I have seen more folks walking around my neighborhood burnt to a crisp.

And I’m sorry — there’s just no excuse for it.

In this day and age where there is a different sunscreen and sunblock lotion or cream for every skin type, time of day, and SPF imaginable, that kind of blood-red, all-over burn is unacceptable.

Sure, we’ve all gotten burnt ‘around the edges’ where we’ve missed rubbing in the lotion from time to time.  But not putting on any protection…when you’re out in the sun at the beach or on the boat all day?

That’s just stupid.

And don’t give me the ol’ song-and-dance about you doing this ‘all the time,’ or that ‘it fades into a tan.’

I’ll have to smack you in the sunburn.

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Posted in Beauty, Commentary, Fashion, Health, Humor, Life, Summer, Travel, Vacation

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Perfect pairs

Posted on June 11, 2011 | 3 Comments

I went to see X-Men: First Class Thursday at the matinee.

Not only did I discover I like X-Men films — it was my first and is seriously fun — but I realize the movie gods have officially created a new ‘hot guy duo.’

In my moviegoing lifetime, Robert Redford and Paul Newman were the original dynamic duo.  Just look at the two of ‘em in this still from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid…

Sorry.  Lost my train of thought.

George Clooney and Brad Pitt were the next duo worthy of official status.  Seen here in a scene from Oceans 11,  they both have the same classic good looks…and the good sense not to take those looks or their celebrity too seriously.

Oops.  Drifted off again.

James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender in X-Men are the newest breed of hot guy duo, and possibly the best actors to achieve this honor to date.  They may not as be as classically handsome as their predecessors, but the camera loves them.

I do, too.

If you’re not typically a fan of the X-Men franchise or even this movie genre, I encourage you to give this one a look-see.

You’ll be carrying a torch for these two long before the final frame of film has unfurled.

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Posted in Academy Awards, Celebrities, Entertainment, Humor, Life, Love, Movies, Summer

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Smile!

Posted on May 8, 2011 | 1 Comment

A good friend’s son recently announced on Facebook that he was getting braces.

His status updates on the big event were a countdown of sorts, beginning the day before, then that morning.  After the orthodontist had done the deed, he posted, “Four hours down, 21 months to go.”

Oh, how I know that feeling.

I had braces, too.  In fact, my mother had three kids in braces (and would have had four if my oldest brother hadn’t conveniently knocked out his front teeth in a bicycle accident and required more drastic measures).

Of all the gifts my mother gave me in life — and there were too many to list here — I look back on those two years in braces with much love and gratitude.  I know they were costly, especially multiplied by three.  But what an investment they were for our future health and happiness.

Plus, since the orthodontist was in Paducah, Kentucky — a 30-minute drive from my hometown — the monthly check-ups meant missing a half-day of school.  Oh, how I loved those trips with Mom!  We’d get the dental appointment out of the way, then go shopping or eat.

And she’d always made sure there was a treat I could eat (since so much was nixed by my mouth full of metal).

So, I hope my friend can appreciate his time ‘under the wire.’  Thanks to my mom, it put the smile on my face.

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Posted in Beauty, Children, Commentary, Family, Fashion, Health, Holiday, Humor, Life, Relationships

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The beaten path

Posted on May 4, 2011 | Leave a comment

I could stare at this all day.

I took the photo myself — yesterday morning in fact — while I was walking Rory in the park surrounding the American Museum of Natural History.

(The one with the dinosaurs?  Yeah, that one.)

The tulips in their border gardens are amazing this year.  I’ve taken dozens of pics during our daily strolls. I especially like this shot because, in that particular flower bed, one lone lavender tulip has braved the red masses on the edge of the green.

Hey, it ain’t easy being lavender.

Of course, the color makes it stand out all the more, so he’s the one you notice out of all those flowers.  Bet he never guessed that would happen when he was just a bulb….back when the red tulips wouldn’t  let him play their “raindrop games.”

God, I’m a goof.

But it’s funny how a simple flower can evoke such memories of childhood.  Being different — by choice or by design — and staying the course regardless of peer pressure or outside influences. And sometimes it’s nothing more than where you were planted in the first place.  (I’m kinda liking this whole floral metaphor…)

So, let’s get out there today, and get our bloom on!

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Posted in Beauty, Blog, Blogging, Blogs, Commentary, Dogs, Environment, Humor, Life, Love, Museums, Philosophy, Relationships, Walking, Writing

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High cheese

Posted on April 18, 2011 | Leave a comment

I love grilled cheese sandwiches.  As I’ve mentioned here before, I have eaten them at pretty much every restaurant I’ve visited that offers one.

But would I want to walk a million miles on that same grilled cheese?  Not so much.

Well…maybe if it looked like this.


A fashion student from Bath Spa University in London designed these cheesy platforms in a competition sponsored by Pilgrim’s Choice to promote dairy farming in the region.

Lisa Dillon used West Country Cheddar and stale ‘heels’ of bread to sculpt the festive footwear, which will be on display at the Royal Bath and West Show, a county fair of sorts.

I personally hope that restaurants take note of Dillon’s creation.  Wouldn’t you love to order a grilled cheese or tuna melt or chicken salad, even..and see a sculpted sandwich like that arrive on your plate?

They could charge a whole lot more..and folks would pay, too.

Fancy sandwiches indeed!

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Posted in Art, Beauty, Cooking, Design, Fashion, Food, Foods, Humor, Life, Restaurants

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No skin off me

Posted on April 15, 2011 | Leave a comment

It ain’t easy being pale. That’s why, some 11 years ago, I founded the PPA.

Pasty People of America

I’m not only the president, I’m a member…the pastiest member by far. You know that pale skin that kinda has a bluish glow?

That’s me.

A friend in Kansas City — also pale, also self-deprecating — inspired me to use the word ‘pasty.’  He too is a member for life.  (No choice, really.)  Today I am inspired by people who have a choice and stay pale, even at prom time.

The Melanoma Foundation of New England asked teens to sign a ‘no-tan pledge’ — a promise not to intentionally tan or visit a tanning salon before prom.  There was a similar pledge for college students before spring break.

The pledge reads:  “I realize that by getting a tan I am sharply increasing my chances of developing melanoma, which can be fatal if not caught in time. I have read the “Facts of Tanning” and understand the dangers of tanning beds and lying out in the sun.”

It was a contest, of course.  The winning school — the pastiest party-goers come prom time –  won $1,000 for their class.

This year’s winner was Waltham High School in Waltham, Massachusetts. 

Hey — I think I recognize that one student.

Cheaters.

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Posted in Beauty, College, Commentary, Education, Family, Health, Humor, Life, News, Summer, Weather

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What the?

Posted on April 12, 2011 | 2 Comments

Look, up in the sky! 

It‘s a bird!

It‘s a plane!

It’s one of the cast members of Spiderman: Turn on the Dark crashing to earth!!!!  (Sorry…I couldn’t resist.)

Happy ‘Look Up in the Sky’ Day everyone!

Stand on a street corner and look up into the sky in awe.  See how many people you can get to look up, too.

It’s fun for the entire family.

(Bonus points if it’s raining.)

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Posted in Beauty, Broadway, Entertainment, Family, Holiday, Humor, Life, Movies, Walking

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Color commentary

Posted on April 3, 2011 | 4 Comments

Did you know beeswax yellow was the “Color of the Week?”

Neither did I!

And here is it Sunday.  Who knows what grievous fashion faux pas I may have committed due to my ignorance of this exciting new color trend.

Thank you, Stylelist.com, for letting me know in the nick of time.

Thank you for sharing this specific shade of yellow in a variety of clothing, accessories and packaging formats…so I can be sure to use the right yellow (and not commit yet another possible fashion don’t).

In case you are curious, here’s what a real chunk of yellow beeswax looks like.

Way to go nature!

Now I can see why designers have been inspired to recreate this color, which is — according to Stylelist.com — taking over spring runways.

Did you write that down?  Did you note the particular shade?  We almost missed it, people!

Beeswax yellow is the “Color of the Week!!!!”

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Posted in Advertising, Beauty, Blogs, Comedy, Commentary, Design, Fashion, Humor, Internet, Life, Photography, Shopping

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In the bag

Posted on March 13, 2011 | 1 Comment

When I moved to New York City five years ago, one of my first purchases was a really big leather bag.

It was an over-sized, brown shoulder bag by Hayden-Harnett of Brooklyn, with lots of zippers and straps similar in style to the one pictured here.  That purse cost three times more than I had ever spent on a bag in the past, and in many ways, represented the City of Manhattan.

Bigger.

Better.

Pricier.

To this day, I love everything about my Hayden-Harnett…except carrying it.

It’s not that bag in particular — I don’t wanna lug around any purse, large or small.  When I’m walking around the city, running errands or going to a show, I just don’t want to be bothered with a purse.

If I make any purchases along the way, a handbag adds weight to my load.  If I go to dinner or a movie, it’s just another thing to forget in the seat or on the table.  In fact, I have pared down my ‘must-haves’ to items that fit in the pockets of my coat.

And I may be healthier for it.

Research conducted by the British Chiropractic Association found an increase in neck and upper back pain in people who frequently carry heavy purses.   Neck strains, shoulder spasms, and nerve irritation in the arms as well as wear and tear in the knees and joints are also associated with the purse-y practice.

Doctors suggest distributing the weight between two bags or using wheeled luggage to ease your burden.

How gauche.

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Posted in Beauty, Commentary, Design, Fashion, Health, Humor, Life, News, Shopping

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Split hairs

Posted on February 23, 2011 | 2 Comments

Regimes falling in the Middle East.  Floods and earthquakes down under.

What’s the reason behind all the unrest?  The Sticky Egg knows.  It all comes down — predictably enough — to a four-letter word.

HAIR

Justin Bieber cut his famous locks earlier this week.  Kept the bangs, ladies — so don’t hyperventilate or anything — but it’s a bit shorter on the sides.

(I don’t see a big difference, but the world press is gasping.  I’m sure all the Beliebers are, too.)

Days later, Jennifer Aniston premiered a new ‘do as well while doing press for her new movie with Adam Sandler,  Just Go With It.

It’s not the old Rachel, but it’s quite a bit shorter than the long locks she’s been sporting for quite some time.

(I like it better long…not that she asked me.)

Two signature hairdo’s — reconfigured and relaunched — in the same week.

Did Hollywood really think the world could handle a change of this magnitude without some serious side effects?  You’d think Justin and Jennifer’s people could have gotten together and discussed this — maybe spaced out the haircuts throughout the year — so the damage could have been avoided or, at the very least, reduced.

Celebrities have to remember:

With great power comes great responsibility.

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Posted in Beauty, Celebrities, Commentary, Entertainment, Fashion, Humor, Life, Movies, Music, News, Politics, Television

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