And Now, A Love Letter

Well, love, it's been almost a year since you came into my life. I can hardly believe how fast the time has flown. I remember well the day my mother introduced us. I was ragged from endless weeks of filming, quickly approaching thirty, and really just trying to hang on to what shred of vitality I had left. I was a mess, and there you were, gorgeous, shining with the optimism that only youth can afford, and exactly what I needed to help recapture some of my precious vivaciousness.

Of course, I couldn't admit to myself that I needed you, right away. I kept you at a distance, boxed in, knowing you were there--would always be there--but the timing was never right. The movie had me constantly running in ten different directions. My husband and I moved, which tied my hands for weeks, and made it impossible to let you into my life. Plus, there was also the guilt factor. You were just for me. My husband and I had shared everything up until this point. I was sure that, in time, he would understand, but there was still this twinge I felt thinking of you. But then again, there was also a rush of excitement that I couldn't--and didn't want to--resist. The thought of waking up to you in the mornings; the pretty things I could buy for you; the knowledge that you could get me through the bad days, comfort me, and even lull me to sleep. Finally, it all became too much to bear. I had to succumb, and allow you to enter my world and change it for the better.

It hasn't all been wine and roses, though. I've neglected you at times. We both know I haven't always been faithful--sometimes, honestly, it was just easier to pay for it. And while my husband recognizes your place and purpose in my life, and has accepted that things are the way they are, you will never mean to him what you mean to me. How could you? Through it all, though, you have remained constant, and it's mornings like today's that remind me just how lucky I am to have you in my life. Without your help, I probably couldn't have even gotten out of bed.

So, thank you, dear Keurig. We've had our ups and downs, but all in all, I'd say it's been a great first year together. Here's to many more lovely mornings together!

Photo Credit: PriceGrabber

P.S. I promise to get something other than cinnamon bun flavored coffee next time I'm at Bed Bath & Beyond. Maybe some of that nice chocolate donut we like?

P.P.S. Readers: Get you minds out of the gutter! Really!

Zegen--wait for it--dary!

Photo Credit: Zegend of Lelda

If any of you guys are going to be in the New York area June 8-12 and have an extra $18 lying around, you might want to check out The Zegend of Lelda: A New Musical Presented in 8 Bits. It's from the creators of Oedipus for Kids, which I know nothing about, but I feel the title probably says it all. To me, it sounds like a can't miss.

Zegend is actually a fifteen-minute excerpt from the full musical, and is running as part of the 2011 West Village Musical Theatre Festival. From Broadway World:

Who can forget the first time they grabbed their pixelated sword, clutching a wooden shield while fighting off nightmarish monsters in order to collect some weird triangles and save the princess? Or the blinding glow of that golden video game cartridge as you screamed over the eight-bit soundtrack that you'd be down for dinner in just a minute, which easily turned into four hours? Now, one of the most epic and enduring video game series of all time is presented as it was meant to be: as a musical, on stage, and in a fully non-copyright-infringing manner. Join us for this Zegendary adventure, and all attendees who come in costume will receive a free feeling of satisfaction from dressing up in costume in a public place.


With music and book by Robert J. Saferstein and lyrics and book by Gil Varod, THE ZEGEND OF LELDA is a hysterical journey through the video game world in search of bored fairies, questionable power ups, and a chorus of singing deformed villains. Watch as the hero Zink (Ronen Bay) and his trusted friends Boomy (Zack Moody), Sierra Myst (Zoe Farmingdale), and Old Man (Sean Ward) fight to save Princess Lelda (Susanne Nancy Kobb) and the kingdom of Tall-rule from the evil Dannon (Steve Copps) and his Shmoblins (Steve Walker and Amy Van Deusen). Direction is by Ron Grimshaw. Piano and Musical Direction are by Brenna Sage. Featuring vocal arrangements by Scott Stein and guitar by Natalia Garrido Rosa.

Honestly, if I were going to be back in NY, I'd find the eighteen bucks. This is a great chance to see some up-and-coming talent performing new musicals with a variety of styles and subject matter, from some amazing new playwrites and composers. I checked out the line-up, and there is definitely something for everyone, and worst case scenario, the whole thing will be over in an hour and a half. I'm just going to hold my breath and hope there's a cast recording someday.

Instant Island Goddess: VS Beach Sexy Flawless Airbrush Instant Bronze Body Spray

Tonight (well, okay, last night, technically, since I'm writing this a day before it posts. It's all timey-wimey and confusing...anyhoo, tonight...) is my choir's annual dinner. It's nothing fancy. We meet at one of the nice, but mostly casual restaurants in the Downtown area for a few drinks (we're Catholic) and good meal. We try to hold the dinner at a local eatery each year, and this year, the pick is my absolute favorite: La Pizzeria.

Yeah, I know, it sounds like a pizza joint. I assure you, it's not.

La Pizzeria is a beautiful little Italian place. The food is amazing, the atmosphere is beautiful, and they even have an adorable little cottage in the back for private parties. This is the main reason for my excitement. We'll be in the little cottage tonight. I've only been back there once before, and that was the night Thomas proposed. It is now my favorite little place on this Earth.

(For those of you who don't know the story, Thomas rented the little cottage, took off from work, filled it with candles, rose petals, flowers, and a tuxedo-clad teddy bear. I didn't realize the cottage was a separate building, and it wasn't till I walked in and saw it only held one table that I caught on to his plan. He got down on one knee, asked if I might want to marry him, then promptly lost his balance and fell over. Best night of my life. Moving on...)

Because this is a special place, and I'm going with a special person, and it's one of those rare special nights that I get to dress a little snazzier, I pulled a precious kelly green vintage-inspired sundress out of the closet...and immediately realized that I was too day-glo white to wear it. I mean, I looked like Casper the Friendly Ghost's identical cousin. I didn't have time for a gradual tanning lotion, and my usual sunless tanner reeks. What's a girl to do?

Thank God for Victoria's Secret Beach Sexy Flawless Airbrush Instant Bronze Body Spray (that's a mouthful)! I picked some of this up a couple of weeks ago, because I have to wear a pale turquoise strapless dress tomorrow night (tonight? Oh, I give up!!) at my voice recital. Since it was in the house and I was a little bit desperate, I thought I'd give it a shot a day early.

Please note: this is not a self-tanner. This is body makeup. It will wash off with soap and water, but will not transfer onto your clothes. This stuff is awesome. The product comes in a spray applicator, very similar to spray sunscreen. You spray a body part, rub in, then move onto the next section. After about a minute's drying time, you can get dressed and show off your gorgeous, healthy, natural glow. Seriously, it's really that easy! I'm tanned, but not tangerine, and the best part is that there's no tanner smell! Instead, there's a very pleasant, Summery fragrance that I'm quite enjoying.

I have never used a spray bronzer or tanner before, so I really took my time. Even so, the whole application took about ten minutes. I used a good moisturizer first, to aid in blending, then stood in the shower to apply the spray to my feet and legs, just to make sure I wouldn't bronze my bathroom along with my body. It was an unnecessary precaution, turns out. The spray works best if you hold the can at least 6 inches away from your body and spray lightly. You can always apply more coats, but spraying too close can cause splotches. They blend easily, but it adds to the application time. One really cool thing about the airbrush applicator: you can use it to sculpt your abs and thighs, too, for at least the illusion of being a little more cut.

Right now, I am glowing from my head to my toes, and it's absolutely beautiful. I'll definitely want to get a "real" tanner before I go on vacation, but this is perfect for those days when you need your natural coloring needs a quick perking up.

Final Verdict: 9 out of 10. This is quickly earning its place on my counter.

Tossing Sequins In Our Eyes: Burlesque Movie Review

Wow.

I almost made it through Burlesque last night. Almost. A little over an hour in, I caved. Now, I'm a musical kind of girl. My DVD shelves are littered with Camelot, How To Succeed in Business, Phantom of the Opera, Oklahoma (two versions--one with Hugh Jackman!), Rent, Chicago, Thoroughly Modern Millie, tons of Sondheim shows, and I want to say three copies of The Sound of Music. That's barely putting a dent in the collection. Some are good, some are bad, and some are so bad they're good. This one was just so bad it was hilarious, and I made it through Nine, for crying out loud!

I wasn't planning to do a full-on movie review, but why not? I've gotten this far. Let's see...the plot was cliche and totally predictable. A small town innocent packs up her dreams and moves to L.A. with nothing but a handfull of dollar bills and a photo of her dead mother (who will be shoved down our throats anytime there's a need for us to feel any sort of emotion toward said small town innocent). Ali (short for Alice) is somehow cosmically drawn to the seedy, but exceptionally well-choreographed Wonderland (yes, they went there) of the Burlesque Lounge, where she forces her way into a waitressing job, then ultimately onto the stage, where she is realized for the talent she is, and becomes the star of the show. Yay for Ali. Meanwhile, there's a boozy, witchy diva to outshine, and a love triangle between Ali, her best guy friend, and the handsome villain. Oh, lest I forget, they've also got to raise enough money to keep the Burlesque Lounge out of foreclosure. I couldn't tell you if they beat the bank, since I never made it that far, but I'd bet money those plucky dancers saved the day, and probably at the very last second.

It's a train wreck, but Lordy, it's a fun train wreck. The choreography is fantastic, the numbers are hysterical (in a good way) and down-right hot. I don't personally care for Christina Aguilera's style of singing, but you can't argue that the girl's got pipes. Cher sounds amazing, and her heartfelt solo, "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me", would be absolutely wrenching in any other less ridiculous context. I also admired the placement of the musical numbers. So many movie musicals have people inexplicably bursting into song. Here, all numbers were confined to the stage, and had dramatic purpose. If only this could have been an all-star Burlesque show! How awesome would that have been?!

Since they did make it a movie, with actors and dialogue and all that jazz, at least they got Stanley Tucci. I swear, that man makes everything better. Poor Peter Gallagher and Alan Cumming were completely underused. I kept hoping and praying they'd let Alan Cumming do something onstage; then they did, and I remembered to be careful what I wish for. Eric Dane makes for a charmingly sleezy bad guy, and Cam Gigandet, as love-interest, Jack, is ruggedly vulnerable, and looks very nice without a shirt. Christina Aguilera is not an actress, but you could tell she really put some effort into her acting, and I have to give her credit for that. Honestly, the writing didn't do anyone any favors. Not to post spoilers, but when all the "good guys" in the movie have sufficiently creeped you out, it's time to turn off the DVD and see what's streaming on Netflix.

This is a movie to laugh at, not with. I don't say that to be mean, either. This is the kind of movie that I can see people giving the Rocky Horror treatment. There are dozens of fabulous, glittery ensembles for cosplay, catchy songs for sing-alongs, and laughably fun lines to yell back at the screen. Case in point, my favorite of the movie: "If you fall off the stage, legs extended, boobs up!" Really, I think that pretty much sums up the whole film. It may be short on substance and long on style, but it plays that style to the gaudy, glamorous, rhinestone encrusted hilt.

Final Verdict: 2 out of 10. Make it a group night, pile on some glitter, and fast forward to the numbers.

Now, for the real reason for this post. Ali wears some excruciating gorgeous Louboutin's in the film:

Photo Credit: Third Avenue Princess

They don't exist in the real world (custom made for the movie, sad to say), but I found two great sites for seriously discounted real Louboutin's. Click here or here to get a pair for as little as $107 (still too rich for my blood, but definitely affordable by comparison). Here's the pair I'm dying for:

Photo Credit: The Best Christian Louboutin Outlet

A Rootin', Tootin' Round-Up

This just made me smile, and I hope it makes your day, too.

Melanie Edgar and Andrew Higgins of Barry, Wales, got married. That, right there, is sweet enough, but I love how they tied the lasso--I mean, knot.

You see, Melanie is not your traditional bride. She wasn't in to the whole "white wedding and tails" kind of ceremony. She wanted to do something unique, and also something that would appeal to the couple's three young children. So, when the stretch limo pulled up to the Civic Registry Office, Melanie stepped out in full cowgirl gear--but not just any cowgirl, mind you. The bride was dressed as Jessie from the Toy Story franchise, and her dashing groom was none other than Sherriff Woody!

It should come as no surprise that Buzz took the role of Best Man. Barrie Edgar, the bride's brother (and Mr. Potatohead) told reporters, “It was no surprise when she wanted a cartoon wedding because she’s certainly not a traditionalist and always aims to stand out from the crowd. Everyone got into the mood and we had an absolutely brilliant time – it was a dream wedding for the kids who couldn’t wait for the day to come so they could get into their costumes."

Here's a picture, courtesy of WalesOnline, of the happy couple and their colorful cast of characters. There are more darling photos on that site (linked above). I wish them the best of luck. Congratulations to the entire Higgins Family!



Melanie and Andrew are center in the cowboy hats. Good luck finding Waldo (yes, he was in attendance).

New Kid In Town: Benefit Coralista Blush

By now, I'm sure you've picked up that I'm a huge fan of NARS Orgasm (sorry, Mom--I didn't name it) blush. It's my go-to, all-occasion, keep-it-in-my-freaking-purse staple. As long as they make it, I will use it, and that's that. Because of this, I very rarely even glance at another blush. I have some true pinks and blueish-pinks I occasionally dabble with, but even that's not very often, since I'm rarely happy with the results. Through some combinations sets and palettes, I've acquired some NARS "clones" that were similar, but never quite the same, and definitely never better. Basically, nothing in recent years has come along to make me think that I could ever get along without my NARS. If that doesn't fully convey my love of this blush, maybe this will: I replaced the travel blush in my UNII palette with the NARS. The mere thought of taking anything else with me when I traveled upset me so much that I depotted my precious NARS and put it in the palette so that I could have it at all times. Honestly, that's probably certifiable behavior, right there, and I should be ashamed. I assure you, I am. But I'm also blogging about it because it's just that good.

But this isn't a review of NARS Orgasm (sorry) blush. So why does this matter?

It matters because, Johnny come lately, there's a new kid in town. Benefit Coralista Blush* ($28, Sephora) has kind of turned my head a bit--and not because of it's similar to NARS, but because of how it's different.

Since I haven't been actively looking for a new, fancy blush, I didn't purchase this. This came as a deluxe sample with my latest Sephora shipment (I have a problem. I know. I'd go to a support group, but then I'd need a new lipgloss to wear to the meetings), which means that I can't tell you about the packaging or enclosed brush that one would get with a full-sized product. I can tell you, though, that the "sample" is huge. It's .1 oz, which is about a third of the full-sized blush (.28). It's also about two-thirds the size of my over-a-year-old-and-going-strong NARS (.16). In other words, you get a lot of product for $28, and this sample should last me for months. Maybe longer.

I really can't say enough good things about this blush. Coralista is a bronzed peachy-pink that's sheer, but easily buildable. There's no sparkle or glitter, but instead, a beautiful luminosity that makes you glow without looking like a pixie threw-up on your face (lovely). The texture is so silky that it almost feels like a cream, and the color practically jumped onto my brush. Best of all, when you put it on, you don't look like you're wearing blush. You just look healthy, with a subtle glow. Right now, I am dying to see how this looks with a sunless tan. I paired this with a slightly shimmery neutral eye and a sheer, glossy red lip for an "I've been at the pool eating cherry popsicles all day" look. While my NARS is a flattering, natural flush, it's also darker and a little sparkly. You look like you, only polished, but there's no question as to if you're wearing makeup--which I don't mind. There's normally not any question of it, anyway. I'm 30 years-old; of course, I'm wearing makeup. The Coralista, however, could cause some major head scratching.

My NARS isn't going anywhere, but it should be jealous. It's great for those days when I pull out the curling iron or straightener (which is most days, if I'm honest). The Coralista is a breath of fresh air. It's going into my arsenal for those mornings when natural waves and flip flops reign supreme.

Final Verdict: 10 out of 10. This is Summer in a box. Snap it up while you still can.

*Photo Credit: Sephora (Blogger's being difficult and wouldn't let me add a caption, darnit!)

Like I Blister In the Sun: Supergoop! AcaiFusion Lip Balm SPF 30

Photo Credit: Sephora

My awesome mom is taking the family to Disney World! I'm completely excited for the trip; partly, because I'm a Disney nut, but mostly, because I get to go with my kid brother, who's thirteen, and officially the coolest age to tour the parks. He hasn't been umpteen-thousand times, so this is still a somewhat new experience for him, plus, he's finally tall enough to go on all the rides. And to pat me on the top of the head. I'm not sure how I feel about that, frankly...

Anyhoo, we're going in July. I KNOW!!! It's going to be hotter'n Hades (I'm Southern, so I'm allowed to make up my own conjunctions), but that was the best time for us all to go, so we're just going to deal with it. I, for one, have started dieting like crazy so I can get by with tank tops and shorts, and have gone on an absolute sunscreen binge. I have a heavyweight lotion for heading to the parks, an oil-free dry lotion for my face, a lightweight spray for touch-ups throughout the day, and need a high SPF lip gloss to keep my lips from blistering. Look, I'm a beach baby. I grew up in a town not 45 minutes from sugar sand. This little blogger has had many a horrid sunburn, and I'm not spending my vacation slathered in aloe vera gel, watching fireworks from the hotel window. Nosirreebob!

Okay, back to that search for a high SPF lip gloss. Years ago, I bore witness to a severe lip sunburn. Just trust me on this: it's not pretty. I swore I'd never go through that. Now, laying out by the pool, it's easy to either apply sunscreen directly to the lips, or keep a lip gloss/balm with SPF handy, or even layer. It's not as easy to do that at the Magic Kingdom. I don't know about you, but I'm normally too busy trying to figure out lines and schedules to even think about reapplying my lipstick, much less about making sure there's sunscreen layered under it or mixed in with it. Plus, there's only so much space in a totebag. I need an all in one, y'all.

Enter Supergoop! SPF 30 AcaiFusion Lip Balm ($8.50, Sephora). According to Sephora:

This three-in-one balm adds a sheer pink tint while moisturizing and protecting the lips. Shea butter provides long-lasting hydration while powerful antioxidant ingredients, including the fruit of the açaì palm, help to repair oxidation damage. Multiple sunscreen ingredients protect the lips from sunburn and photoaging.

According to me: It's clear and drying. It does protect the lips, though.

Let me back up. The balm comes in a squeeze tube with slanted applicator, and does have a sheer pink tint. If your lips have any color, whatsoever, the gloss will just look clear. It smells wonderful, though--like sunscreen mixed with berries. When I put it on, I immediately have a lovely sense memory of hanging out by the pool, and, for a few minutes, my lips feel really good and hydrated.

Then the balm dries, and brings your lips along for the ride. An optimist would say that that's just a good reminder to reapply. I'm not an optimist. I just say, "ouch", and keep on my merry little way. If I reapplied every time my lips felt dry, I'd be through the tube in a week.

As of now, it's going on the trip. I'll keep it in my pocket and apply it as often as I can, but I'll also carry another lip product with some color to it, for right before photo ops. Apparently, layering is still the name of the game.

Now, for the hard part: would I recommend this? Well, yes and no. Yes, because it does provide excellent sun protection. If you are susceptible to sunburns, or are planning a fun in the sun vacay, then yes, this should be in your arsenal. It's inexpensive and fights pre-mature sun aging. However, if you're looking for good, everyday sun protection for your lips, you really don't need SPF 30, and there much better feeling and more colorful options available. I'd go with one of those.

Final Verdict: 5 out of 10. Good protection, but that's about it.

Gift Guide: The Geek Chic Couple

Yay! It's my favorite season of the year!! What season is that, you ask? Summer? Baseball? Rabbit (or, perhaps, Duck)? Why, no, silly! It's WEDDING SEASON!!!

And I'm not invited to a single one. Thank God.

I do, however, have a ton and a half that I'm scheduled to sing, starting with one this weekend. That's why Wedding Season is the true "most wonderful time" of the entire year. That's the time of year when Erin has a lot of opportunities to pick up a little extra cash.

That also means that it's time for some of you to start figuring out gifts. Me, I'm a pillow-giver. Pillows are on everyone's registries, yet, no one seems to remember to pick them up. In the event that pillows aren't on the registry, I go in for what will surely be the next most overlooked item, like glasses, casual dining, or kitchenware. I remember the day after Thomas and I got married. We went over to my grandparents to open up the gifts that were left at the wedding, and were absolutely touched by all of the beautiful, sentimental, heirloom quality items we received. I was, literally, in tears over how obviously loved we were. Then we hopped in the car and ran to Target to buy sheets, pillows (see!), and forks so we could sleep and eat that night. Luckily, gift cards were in the pile, too.

So, now that I've convinced all of you to purchase lovely, practical gifts for your friends and family, here are some completely impractical, totally geeky, frivolous wedding gift ideas. Because I'm fickle. Deal with it.

Photo Credit: WB Shop

Okay, so this isn't totally useless. It's a Lord of the Rings inspired jewelry chest. The chest stands thirteen inches tall, and is constructed of hardwood with metal detailing. I love the teeny ring box in the center. Thomas gave me a very sweet gold ring before we got engaged. I don't wear it very often now (clashes with the white gold wedding jewelry), but that little box would the perfect place to properly keep and display it. I'm sure I'm not the only old married lady out there with a similar problem. I also like how the decoration, while ornate, isn't feminine. This is a great unisex piece that both bride and groom could use. The space under the lid would be a wonderful place for cufflinks and loose change. Now, I warn you, this chest doesn't come cheap, but for a close relative, this could be a very appropriate and cherished gift. $174.95, WB Shop.



Photo Credit: WB Shop



Now, this one's just silly, but at the same time, a little romantic. If you know some Harry Potter-heads (like myself), a pretty display case for their favorite wands (mine's Hermione's, thank you) could be a very romantic gift. Even better, the case holds four, so as their family grows, the collection can grow along with it. The little hanging plaques are a nice touch, don't you think? $44.95, WB Shop.

 

Photo Credit: Amazon

If you look to the left, you'll see something that's actually quite useful. When two people really love each other and commit to being together for the rest of their lives, something very magical happens: somehow, they manage to fit all of their stuff into one shared living space. And by 'all', I mean 'some'. And by 'magical', I mean 'with a great deal of anguish, screaming, name-calling, and possibly blood-shed'. By giving the gift of the USB hub, you're not only giving a gift that says, "Congrats!",  you're giving a gift that says, "Hey, I love you guys and want you to not end up divorced or in prison because one of you needs to charge their iPod, and the other needs the printer. Mazel Tov!" $53.14, Amazon.

I also love this idea because it's the very embodiment of the old saying: "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, and Something Blue." If you don't believe me, read this...

From Doctor Who, courtesy TV.com: "When you wake up, you'll have a mom and dad. And you won't even remember me. Well, you'll remember me a little. I'll be a story in your head. That's okay. We're all stories in the end. Just make it a good one, eh? Because it was, you know. It was the best. A daft old man who stole a magic box. Anyway, did I ever tell you that i stole it. Well, I borrowed it, I was always going to take it back. Oh, that box. Amy... you'll dream about that box. It'll never leave you. Big and little at the same time. Brand new and ancient and the bluest blue ever."

...then watch this:

Okay, enough geeking out for one day. A big, brown box from Sephora landed on my doorstep today. Here's hoping it's bigger on the inside, and I have some lovely product reviews in the near future. Toodles!

Creepy, Kooky Cuties

This past Saturday night's episode of Doctor Who was written by none other than the uber-talented Neil Gaiman. I was already a fan of his without even knowing it--I have a Coraline doll on my shelf. Never thought to ask who created her--but after the perfection that was this episode, I'm going to have to look up all of his work.

One thing I have noticed about his style, just in the little bit I've consciously taken in, is that he finds beauty in the odd and creepy. The entire episode was very dark and eerie, but also a visual candy store. There's very little I can say without spoilers, but this had to have been a treat for the costume and art departments.

With the thought of finding beauty in the creepy, I took a little trip to one of my favorite online stores, Plasticland, to do a little quirky hunting.

Photo Credit (this and all): Plasticland

I'm not a big fan of skulls. Yeah, I know, I just made a movie with a talking skeleton (who now resides in my closet. How apropos?), but I've never been a big fan of them...until this came along. The flowers for eyes, the subdued cobweb detailing...I kind of want one. Granted, it's ridiculously expensive for a vinyl wallet, but it could be a fun splurge if we ever sell this blasted film. $32, Plasticland.

How could I not mention the matching purse? This 13"x9"x6" satchel is made from vegan-friendly, pebble-textured vinyl. How precious are the little hearts inside the crossbones?! The rose motif adds a celebratory Dia de los Muertos vibe. This is currently out of stock, but more should be in around mid-June. $59, Plasticland.

There are tons more creepy, adorable, funny, and retro-fabulous items on the site. If you're feeling a little down, take a trip over there. It's a guaranteed pick me up.

Do I Send Flowers or Mushrooms?

I am officially going to Hell. I actually considered snapping a picture with my phone, but that would have been crass. Instead, I'm blogging about it, for all the Internet to see. 'Cause that's so much classier.

I had to run by the mall this morning, and there in the parking lot, in all its shoe-polished glory, was a sedan proclaiming, "RIP MARIO". Now, I know that this is a memorial for someone's lost loved one, but I couldn't help it. I laughed. A lot. All I could think of was an itty bitty Super Mario brother falling off the television screen. Then I texted Thomas, who also laughed. A lot. We are horrible, horrible people.

So, as an atonement, I have cute Mario things to show you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go pick out the trimmings for my handbasket.

Photo Credit: Destructoid

This July, Converse and Nintendo are teaming up to bring you some celebratory Chucks. In honor of Super Mario Bros. 25th anniversary, Converse Chuck Taylor shoes are getting a makeover, complete with itty bitty Marios, the game logo on the tongue, and an invincibility star in place of the Converse All-Star marking. Also available in black. No word on price at time of publication.

Okay, if that's not cute enough for you, how's this: A Super Mario proposal?! Watch for the fireworks. Squee!

Gone Hunting. Be Back Soon.

Okay folks, here's the deal. This weekend, Thomas and I announced that our movie, The Night Shift, will screen in our hometown next month. Since that announcement, I've been...let's say, inundated...with emails, texts, phone calls--you name it--all seeking info and tickets. While that's fantastic, and I'm not complaining, it has made searching the Interwebs for goodies a little bit difficult. So, for today, the best I could come up with (I'm pathetic, I know) is news of a sale at Threadless. Any tee you want, twelve bucks. I've got my eye on this Doctor Who-inspired cutie:



Photo Credit: Threadless
Doctor Hoo

 For those less Sci-Fi inclined, might I suggest this stunner, which also comes in a beautiful boat-neck style:


Photo Credit: Threadless
The Guardian Samurai of Beauty

Happy Shopping! See you tomorrow!

Why Has the Rum--I Mean, Post--Gone?

Hey guys and gals,

Blogger ran into a teeny-tiny little glitch while doing some maintenance, and a few posts have temporarily disappeared, including the one I wrote for today. Oops. They assure me that everything will be back in place very soon, though, so no need to panic. Just thought I'd fill you in on why a couple of posts had vanished, and why nothing was up this morning.

Hugs and Kisses,
Erin

I Can Already Hear "Stairway To Heaven"

Photo Credit: Mom Prom

IT'S PROM SEASON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah, I know. I, and most of you reading this, are too old to go to Prom. Well, at least in the non-chaperoning sense. Or so we thought...

Introducing the Mom Prom! (So what if I'm not a mom? I can still go!) According to their site:

Mom Prom was created in Canton, MI in 2006 at St. Thomas a'Becket Catholic Church. It is a ladies night out for charity in which women wear their old prom gowns, bridesmaids dresses, or wedding gowns. It is a real prom with a DJ, karaoke, a tackiest dress contest, and a game to crown the new queen. This is a wonderful, hilarious night in which women can dance the night away, have fun with friends, and help a worthy cause.We hope to have ladies groups from across the country create their own proms, raising money for charities that are close to their hearts. So look for that old gown in the back of your closet and get ready to dance, dance, dance while helping those in need.

So far, there have already been thirty Mom Proms in 2011, with another ten planned throughout the Summer. Anyone can sponsor one, as well, and for any charity. They even suggest that, if you can't hold an actual Prom, you get a group of friends together for a fun night out, and send a donation matching what you spent on yourselves to your favorite charity. Basically, this is a really laid-back, fun, goofy way to have a blast with your gal pals and help out the less fortunate. Plus, how much more motivation to hit the gym do you need, than knowing you have to squeeze back into your high school Prom dress? Yikes!

Another fun way to get back that old high school spirit (or not, depending on how that whole experience went for you), is to kick back, drink something that would have gotten you suspended, and enjoy one of these Prom-tastic classics (in no particular order):

She's All That: My Fair Lady for the teenage set. This makes the list because it's intelligent, funny, and because no Prom is complete without a spontaneous, choreographed dance number, right?

Ten Things I Hate About You: The Shrew needs a Prom date in this update on the Bard. Plus, it's neat to see Heath Ledger before he was Heath Ledger!!

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The classic Boy meets Girl, Girl kicks Vampire butt story.  Stake wielding cheerleaders, Luke Perry, Pee-Wee, and a few explosions make for a darn good time.

Pretty In Pink: What Prom movie list would be complete without cutie-pie Molly Ringwald finding the dress of her dreams, and the boy to go with it?

Carrie: Again, it would be a crime to leave this off. Sure, the prom sucked, but her dress sure was pretty...yeesh...

Grease: Born To Hand Jive, Baby!!! This is also the only movie on this list that doesn't end with the Prom. It's just a milestone along the way, and really, isn't that the case in real life?

I know I've missed loads. If you have a fave that's not on the list, please share it in the comments.

The Price of Convenience: Philosophy Hope In a Tinted Moisturizer

Photo Credit: Sephora

I did not want to like this. Not at all. Thirty-eight dollars for tinted moisturizer is highway robbery, no matter how fabulous it claims to be. And it is fabulous, no question about it. Oh, I really did not want to like this, and now I am in a quandary.

You see, when I placed my Sephora order for Mom's Mother's Day gift (I got her one of those sunscreen kits, since she would live by the pool, if it were possible), I had the option to try a deluxe sample of Philosophy Hope In a Tinted Moisturizer. I've been on the hunt for a good tinted moisturizer to get me through the Summer, so I figured, "why not?" I've all but replaced my Benefit Some Kinda Gorgeous with CoverGirl NatureLuxe (I know! It's drugstore! How could it be better than Benefit?! It just is, and I love it), but it's still a little heavy for 90+ degree, humidity-laden days, especially if you put it on over an anti-aging moisturizer and a primer--even a light one (SPF is built in, thank God. One more layer might kill me). I used to be a Stila tinted moisturizer devotee, but they changed the formula and I haven't had a chance to try the new product. So, basically, I'm at square one. I've used Hope in a Jar before, and had great success with it after a long, drying, cross-country flight. I also knew that I could use this in place of my normal anti-aging moisturizer without losing any benefits. I just had no idea the Philosophy was thirty-eight freaking dollars. Oh, how I wish I'd known...

Anyhoo, the Light to Medium sample came in, and I was able to give it a good go yesterday. I had errands, then work, then I went power walking for a couple of miles outside in the unforgiving heat and humidity. Just for extra fun, I left off all primers, too. I'm evil like that.

First off, I cringed when I first saw some of the actual product. It looked orange! I actually started humming "Oompa-Loompa Doopity Doo". Adventurer that I am, though, I patted the moisturizer on. I patted because this is a fairly dry moisturizer, and if you try to smooth it on, you end up pulling your skin. This does not mean it isn't hydrating! It just means that you won't end up with a greasy face, which is good. Amazingly, the orange disappeared, and the color blended perfectly with my skin tone. Aside from an even complexion, I couldn't tell I had anything on. This is also good. If I had to complain about anything, my skin looked a little dull. More on that later.

I applied the rest of my makeup as usual, and went about my day. I did notice, about mid-day, that my eyeshadow creased a tad, but was easily smoothed out. After my walk, I fully expected to have no makeup left (at best) or look like Tammy Faye Bakker (at worst), but was delighted to note that my makeup looked okay. It wasn't fresh as a daisy, but it had stayed put.

This morning, I did the same thing, but went ahead and used eyeshadow primer. I also took a very small amount of my Benefit That Gal Brightening Primer and patted it on top of my moisturizer. This added a lovely glow that took care of the dullness, without smearing an entire layer of goop on my face.

So, in a nutshell, you can skip the sunscreen and anti-aging moisturizer and still reap the benefits. I had luck without primer, so you may be able to skip that, too. This product works to make your skin better than it was before you put it on. Technically, it's the same price as a slightly larger tub of Hope In a Jar with SPF 25, but I still think the price is excessive.

Final Verdict: 8 out of 10. It's a great product that definitely saves you steps in the morning. It's just too darn expensive.   

Cheap Tricks: Recession-Era Retail Therapy

The economy sucks. Blows. Is in the proverbial toilet. Is not my friend. However, rather than invite a political rant into my comments section, I have decided to go with the flow, embrace the present, and look for an inexpensive way to support my shopping habit. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the World's Sexiest Wholesaler!!!

(Seriously. That's what they call themselves. I wish I were making that up.)

I googled "lipgloss refills", and somehow ended up here. Not that I'm complaining. The site's a hoot. Yes, there are tons of makeup brands to choose from, ranging from LipSmackers and NYC on up to MAC and Estee Lauder, but there are also some seriously upscale clothes and accessories. Like Betsey Johnson? BCBG? Michael Kors? Juicy Couture? Nautica? Nordstrom? Calvin Klein? DKNY? Mudd? They're there, and they've brought along a lot of friends. I don't mean that there are one or two items from each brand, either. There are one thousand (1,000) items from Victoria's Secret alone. Oh, and the prices border on theft. Fifty percent off retail seems about standard.

Another cool thing about the site is that most of the items are things that aren't available in stores anymore? Miss out on that cute PINK bag? Short on cash when the MAC Disney Villains Collection debuted? Well, you just might be able to find what you're looking for here.

The site isn't fancy. Don't expect to find sizing charts, clear descriptions, or even high quality photography. This is the online equivalent of the salvage mart, but it's a fun way to kill an hour or so, and your wallet won't be too much lighter for the experience.

Another, slicker site is BeautyTicket.com. There's not as much of a variety to choose from (don't expect shoes and purses), but site is easier to navigate, and there are some how-to videos that accompany pre-packaged sets, which is nice. Here again, there are great brands (Smashbox, anyone?) at super steep discounts. You can also sign up for email alerts about sales, new arrivals, and exclusives.

Happy shopping! If you find anything cool, let us all know in the comments section.

Summer Lovin': Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar Body Butter

Photo Credit: Sephora

Um...I think I may possibly have found the quintessential Summer scent.

You're welcome.

The last time I placed a Sephora order, a little impulse buy popped up on the checkout screen. For five bucks, I could try a 2.5 oz tube of Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar Body Butter. Now, lately I've been a Jergen's girl with Victoria's Secret dabblings. However, it's practically Summer (heck, we're already hitting 90s down here. It is Summer), and nothing screams beach-chic like coconut. Considering how much I was already spending, I figured, why not?

I have not been disappointed.

Here's what Sephora has to say about it:

Pacifica's Indian Coconut Nectar is full of good-for-you organic ingredients and natural essential oils. Inspired by travels to faraway destinations, this warm fragrance is at once sensuous and fresh. It blends coconut, delicate vanilla, and creamy vetiver with exotic floral accords of ambrosia to leave skin beautifully scented.

*Fun fact: Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar products are 100% vegan.

Now, for my take:

Let's start with the packaging, first. The tube is really pretty. It's decorated in gold, turquoise, and an orangey-red, in a style that, while I'm sure they were going for Indian-inspired, really just makes me think of "It's a Small World" at Disney World. Not that that's a bad thing. I happen to like the ride. The design is very sweet, and adds a little bit of exotic spice to my dresser. I'm still not a big fan of tube dispensers for lotion, but if I'm stuck with one, at least it's cute.

The lightweight lotion goes on very dry, but a little bit covers a lot of real estate. You don't need a handful of lotion to cover a thigh. Really, the equivalent of about two fingertips takes care of mine. Also, don't let the dryness of the lotion fool you into thinking it isn't moisturizing. It is. Trust me. My arms and legs feel like satin, and I didn't have to wait forever before getting dressed. I also haven't worried about it sweating or sliding off in the crazy heat and humidity. In this case, the dryness is a plus.

I adore this lotion's scent. It's really more of a spicy vanilla than coconut, but there's enough coconut to give off a sexy, tropical vibe. Thomas said he really liked it, and that I smelled like cookies. I'm guessing coconut macaroons. The scent is not overpowering, but it is noticeable, and lasts for hours. I'd suggest tossing it in a beach bag for after your post-swim shower. That way, after the suntan lotion is gone, you can have a similar, slightly more sophisticated scent for the rest of the day.

Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar also comes in solid, roll-on, and spray perfume forms, as well as an 8 oz. tube of body butter. $5-$22, Sephora.

Ah, the magic bag o' samples! How I thought I missed you. Turns out, not so much. You see, while most samples are either lovely or simply ineffective, a few have turned out to be truly awful. Today, I experienced such a...treat...

I pulled Fresh Soy Face Serum out of the magic bag. I now hate the magic bag. Here's what Sephora has to say about the serum:

This fast-absorbing formula is packed with amino-acid-rich soy proteins, which retain moisture, stimulate collagen synthesis, and encourage cell turnover to encourage smoother, firmer, more radiant skin. It is further enriched with hibiscus peptides to soften expression lines, anise fruit extract to smooth the skin, and cucumber extract to calm and soothe. Soy Face Serum is clinically proven to immediately reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and provide long-term firming, hydrating, smoothing, and brightening effects.

Here's what I have to say:

I have no idea if this stuff works. It could be the freaking Fountain of Youth, and I'd never know because it smells too bad to use regularly. I opened the little foil packet, fully intending to only use a small amount so I could experiment over the course of a few days. As soon as I tore open the package, I was hit with the smell. I can't properly describe this smell with words. It wasn't chemical. This was a rotting, rancid, completely organic smell. Think of an old salad that's been in the trash can too long. I smeared some on my face, started to put the rest of the serum away, and just said, "to heck with it," and threw it out. It was too disgusting to keep. I will say that the serum absorbed quickly, as I was able to immediately coat my face down with moisturizer in an attempt to mask the odor. Maybe it works; maybe it doesn't. I'm not spending my money on rotten salad juice to find out. $45, Sephora.

You Don't Even Need a Helmet: Tokidoki Prisma Lipgloss in Rocketeer

Photo Credit: Sephora

As promised, I now have a review of Tokidoki Prisma Lipgloss ($15, Sephora--currently on sale for $7). Seems the UPS guy finally took pity on me and delivered my order, so there may be even more reviews coming soon. Or not. I'm fickle that way.

So, a little backstory on this particular purchase: in addition to being a lipgloss junkie and slave to all things cutesy, I'm also a sentimental fool. When Thomas asked me out for our first date, he did it with flowers. That's right, folks. My sweet husband found out what kind of flowers I liked (daisies--they don't make me sneeze) and had them delivered to my house. When he picked me up, there was my favorite Starbucks drink (decaf, non-fat caramel macchiatto, for those keeping score) waiting for me in the car. We ate dinner in a charming little Italian place (*cough* that's currently condemned for too many health violations *cough* but was really nice at the time *cough, cough*), then got ice cream and ended up at his apartment, where we watched The Rocketeer. Seriously, how much more wholesome can you get than a Walt Disney movie? We were good children. Anyway, by the end of that date--heck, by the middle--I'd decided I'd like to keep him around.

With that in mind, how could I pass up a lipgloss with an itty-bitty Rocketeer encased in the cap? How? I couldn't. There was no way.

What Sephora has to say:

These non-sticky glosses offer a sheer touch of color and a yummy blueberry flavor, plus protective kudzu and marine extracts. Each gloss cap holds a criminally cute tokidoki character inside a snow globe, so you can take the playful tokidoki spirit wherever you go. The clear silicone paddle applies gloss smoothly and evenly. These products are not tested on animals.

They're also paraben-free, if you're into that. I am.

What I have to say:

OMGLOLROFLMAOIDKABCXYZBBQ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay, so I have no idea what that even means, but I feel the need to type in tween text speak, now. This packaging is too freaking cute for words! First off, it comes in a clear plastic box, littered with little Sanrio-on-crack-esque characters. The tube, itself, is brilliant in its simplicity. You get a generously-sized square tube. I emphasize the square because, really, it just makes sense. My makeup train case has squared-off compartments and a flat bottom. Squared objects fit better than rounded ones. Likewise, my makeup tray is completely squared-off. Even the individual comparments for lipsticks and glosses are squared, even though most lipstick and gloss tubes are round. That has never made sense to me. Plus, the square shape makes this easy for me to blindly locate in the bottom of my gaping voi--um...purse. Yeah, that's what I meant. Purse. Moving on.

As I said, this is a very simple tube. Clear plastic displays the gloss inside. A black band separates the cap from the tube, and the minimalistic Tokidoki logo is printed in black down one side. Left as is, this would be a grown-up, sophisticated piece of packaging. But it's not. Not by a longshot. See, the cap is clear, large, and hollow. That emptiness is filled by a teensy little Rocketeer, and about a zillion pieces of magenta and silver heart and crossbones confetti. It kind of jingles when you shake it.

It makes me happy.

At this point, I'm already squeeing myself into a little puddle of tween-ish delight, without ever opening the tube. However, the gloss, itself, is the most important part of this review. Onward!

When you open the tube, the first thing you notice is the fragrance. "Blueberry Muffins" is the only way I can describe it. Well, "yummy" is another description, I guess. The second thing that'll catch your eye is the applicator. It's not a brush, nor is it one of those little fuzzy wand thingies. This is a clear, flat, flexible, plastic paddle. It's ingenious. The paddle is comforable, distributes well, lines beautifully, and best of all, never gets gummed up with product. Also, if you apply this over a lipstick, you don't have to worry about the lipstick sticking to the applicator and getting mixed with the gloss in the tube. How has this just been thought of?

The gloss is amazing. It's not completely non-sticky--you might get your hair caught in it on a windy day--but it's not goopy, and it won't make your significant other miserable if they kiss you, or worse, you kiss them on the cheek. Ever try to get goopy gloss out of stubble? No worries with this. I also feel like my lips are well-moisturized with this gloss.

The color, in the case of Rocketeer, is a scary black-ish purple. When you pull the applicator out of the tube, though, the color has diluted to something more akin to blueberry pie filling (appropriate, I suppose). Then, when you apply it to your lips, the gloss goes on so sheerly that you end up with a very flattering, high-shine, berry flush. It's really pretty, and great for a naturally glowing Summer look. I paired it with shimmering neutral eyeshadows, bronzed cheeks, and beachy waves for a care-free but polished Cali-girl look.

Tokidoki Prisma sale glosses also come in Burger (sheer orange), Bullets (sheer berry), and Sandy (sheer apple green, but I hear it's actually pretty colorless). Other colors can be found here for $15 each.

Gripes: Not terribly long-lasting. Non-plumping.

Final Verdict: 9 out of 10. As long as I keep it around for touch-ups, this is a cutie-patootie keeper.

Southern Fried Ringlets and Sticky Buns: Garnier Anti-Humidity Hairspray

Photo Credit: CVS

So...I'd planned to review Sephora's new-ish Tokidoki lipgloss today. It's funny how we make plans and God laughs. Well, more like: we make plans and the UPS guy decides he doesn't feel like delivering your package, even though nowhere on the shipping agreement does it state I have to be home to sign for the package, and he's left them countless times before, including during thunderstorms. Then he laughs.

So...instead, here are my thoughts on Garnier Fructis Style Volumizing Anti-Humidity Hairspray ($4.49, CVS).

I'm a fan of Pantene Classic Hairspray. I've been using it for ages; ever since my friend, Danna, introduced it to me backstage at our University Opera Theatre. For some reason, twittery little sopranos (such as myself) tend to be cast in roles that require ringlets. Maybe it's because they shake when we hit high notes? I don't know...anyway, it held the curls without making my hair crunchy, and I became a devotee.

And now I can't find it. Blast!

So...I grabbed a bottle of the Garnier, after noting that it touted flexibility and--the Holy Grail of Southern Belle hairdressing--protection from humidity. Here's what CVS has to say about the spray:

All-day humidity resistance. With bamboo extract. Provides bounce-back hold. Extra Strong: 3. Garnier Fructis Style Hairspray Collection: Introducing our first ever hairspray with bamboo extract and anti-humidity protection for long-lasting hold and natural, healthy-looking movement. Why bamboo? Selected with its strength, suppleness and resilience, bamboo bends but never breaks. What is volumizing hairspray? This volumizing hairspray lifts from root to tip to boost flat, tired hair with body, fullness and an extra strong hold - even with moisture in the air - all day, every day. Meets all state and federal clean air standards. Made in Canada.

Alrighty, folks. Yesterday, I did a bad, bad thing to my hair. I put it in pincurls to try to make waves. I did this poorly. Hilarity ensued. Honestly, I looked like a cross between Carrot Top and...actually, there is no cross. I just looked like Carrot Top. *shudder*

Carrot Top
Photo Credit: BestofVegas.com

To fix this...let's call it an issue, I embraced the messiness, teased the crown a bit, and pulled the rest into a purposely disheveled bun. I even threw in a hair flower, so as to scream, "I MEANT TO DO THAT!!!" at passersby. I sprayed the abomination with the Garnier to fix some of the flyaways, and to try to keep the height.

It worked fairly well. The teasing deflated some over the course of the day, but not completely. The flyaways were also kept to a minimum. My only real complaint was that the spray felt sticky, but with this particular style, that's kind of a non-issue. No one's going to run their fingers through your bun.

Today, however, posed more of a challenge. I had to sing at a funeral this morning (totally business. I didn't know the deceased, so no need to panic over who died), so I needed to look a little more professional than usual. I decided to do a nice blowout, then set my hair with jumbo velcro rollers, heat with the hair dryer, then pull out the rollers for a sleek, polished, slightly curled under, voluminous straight style. In other words, newscaster/pageant queen hair. And it was GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!! Oh, my God, I was so excited. Then I sprayed it.

It was like spraying gel into my hair. My beautiful style suddenly felt gummy, and the sleek, polished look gave way for a beachy texture! I was not happy. However, as soon as I ran a brush through the gunk, things started to look a little more like they were supposed to. Not exactly like it had been, but fairly close. My hair looked good.

I had to park three blocks from the church and walk in Southern humidity and wind. A quick brushing once I got inside the building, and I was good to go. Then, after Mass, I had to walk back to the car, drive to work, arrive almost late, run into the building, then run to my booth. Again, a quick brushing, and I looked just fine. After a couple of hours, I went to the restroom and noticed that my hair, while not as perfect as when the rollers came out, still had volume, movement, and very few frizzies. I won't say that the humidity didn't get to it at all, but my hair looked nowhere near as bad as it should for the amount of wind and weather it had been through.

Final Verdict: 7 out of 10. It's a good finishing spray for updos and less-than-perfect loose styles. I wouldn't suggest it for your wedding, though, or any style that you want to keep "just so".

How About a Burrito Shaped Like a Light Saber?

May the Fifth be with you? Does that work? Depends on how you look at it, I guess. Anyway, I hope everyone drinks tons of margaritas (responsibly, and with a designated driver) and eats too much Mexican food today.

Turns out, yesterday (or today, since I write this stuff a day in advance, and sometimes things get all timey-wimey on me) was Star Wars Day. Each year, on May 4th, geeks like me are supposed to exclaim, "May the Fourth be with you!" to each other. Yeah, it's a little goofy. Frankly, I totally forgot about it until I sat down to write this blog. Oops.

So, in honor of Star Wars Day, I bring you a sneak peek at the new Disney Hollywood Studios Star Tours refurb. Enjoy!

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

For an indepth look at...well, a closed ride, check out this blog. There are a ton of pics, including one of a rather intimidating chair. Say what you will; I wouldn't mess with it.

Lastly, if there's anyone out there still unfamiliar with the plot of the original Star Wars movie, here's a fantastic YouTube recap--as told by a precious (and astoundingly eloquent) three year-old fangirl. Trust me, you don't want to miss this. Ole!

Younger Than Springtime, Am I? PTR Instant FIRMx, Part the Second



Photo Credit: Sephora

 To recap, I had an audition on Monday. I found a wrinkle the Friday before. Hilarity ensued.

I bought a bottle of Peter Thomas Roth's Instant FIRMx on the recommendation of the Sephora associates. Then, I spent the next several days trying to figure out how in the heck to use the stuff. The audition came and went (for those interested, it went well, and I have no reason to blame myself should I not get the part. I'll know something in a couple of weeks, either way. Moving on), with me still trying to make this gel work. You're all caught up, now. Let's continue.

Tuesday morning, I decided to take no chances. I washed and dried my face. Then, I applied the gel and waited forever for it to dry. I gave it about ten minutes, as opposed to the 3-7 minutes the directions suggested. I waited for white residue, and never saw any. So far, so good.

The next directed step was to splash some water on my face and pat dry with a towel. Supposedly, as my face finished air-drying, I would feel a tightness to let me know the gel was working. Yeah, okay, I'll give it that. I felt a very slight tightening. Honestly, I can't fully say I didn't imagine it. This step took another ten minutes. We're up to twenty, for those of you keeping score, and I haven't put on a single drop of makeup, yet. Goodie.

At this point, I get out my handy dandy brush and, very lightly, sweep on some liquid foundation, taking extra care on the forehead and around my eyes. I followed that up by applying moisturizer in the same way (with the same brush, actually). After all that care, time, and attention, guess what: I still had lines on my forehead and around my eyes! Granted, they're not horrible, but they weren't bad to begin with, so, effectively, there's no change! I applied the rest of my makeup as usual and called it a day. The product does work as a fairly decent primer, but my skin feels like it's suffocating. I'm not exactly a happy camper.

So, here's what I'm taking away from this: I'm not wrinkly enough for this stuff to work. I'm not saying it doesn't work. In fact, there are loads of Golden Girls on the Sephora website who rave over this product. What I am saying is that I think you have to be in much worse shape than I am currently to experience dramatic results. I'm hanging onto this bottle, though, for a little extra insurance on special occasions, or to perk me up after a late night.

Final Verdict: If you don't qualify for cheap coffee at McDonald's or discount movie tickets, you can probably skip this. 3 out of 10.

If I Could Save Time In a Bottle

The fun part about auditioning (well, one the many "fun" parts) is hiding your flaws. Chances are, should you get the part, once you get on set there'll be a makeup artist whose sole purpose in life is making you pretty. Darn shame they don't come to auditions. Now, admittedly, I don't look my age. In fact, I haven't changed my age range on my resume, yet. It still says, "Young Adult, 18-29." I'll be 31 in four and a half weeks, and still get carded. Someone, recently, saw my wedding ring and asked how long I'd been married. I told them three years, and their jaw dropped. I just laughed and joked that I was a child bride (I was 27!), and they told me it was just wonderful that I found love at such an early age. But I digress. Point is, I look young.

But not that young. Friday morning, as I got ready for work, I noticed...a wrinkle. Well, more like a line. Actually, upon reflection, it might have just been a shadow. In any case, it freaked me out but good, and I hit Sephora running. I had to fix this, and quick!

The very sweet and knowledgeable associates suggested Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx ($48, Sephora). That's a little more than I would normally go for a product without either trying a sample or reading a ton of reviews, but time was short and I was desperate. I paid for it and headed on to work.

Here's what Sephora has to say about the product:

A fast acting formula, this prodcut instantly tightens, firms, and smoothes the appearance of fine lines and deep wrinkles so skin looks years younger, all day long. Its remarkable formula effortlessly erases skin creases, including on the forehead, crow's feet, and laugh lines. Active firming agents remain on the skin, virtually rewinding the clock as they temporarily tighten problem areas.

-Shake well. Sparingly apply a thin (mask-like) layer onto freshly cleansed, dry skin.


-Remain expressionless. Product will dry within three to seven minutes.

-When face feels pulled and tight, look in the mirror. At this moment, you'll look years younger.

-Splash skin with water until product is no longer visible. If any residue remains, use wet fingertips to gently remove.

-Using a towel, gently pat skin dry but do not rub. As skin dries, you will feel a subtle firming that will last all day.

-Continue with your usual skin care routine. Instant FIRMx can be used before treatments, moisturizers and makeup, or alone.

In other words, this is a quick fix, and is not intended to prevent or repair signs of aging. When it's on, you look younger. When you wash it off, you look as nature intended.

Photo Credit: Sephora (read: this is not me!!!!)

So, the next morning, I read the directions, and tried to apply the product. And failed. Miserably. See, I'd already put on some moisturizer, so when I tried to smooth on this gel, it simply balled up on my skin. Okay, no problem. User Error. I washed my face, dried it, and started over.

This time, there was no problem. I smoothed on the gel and remained emotionless for about five minutes, to give it time to dry. I didn't notice any white residue (and I was about to put makeup over it, anyway) so I didn't splash my face with water. My skin looked amazing. Even my forehead wrinkles were gone. I couldn't have been more thrilled...until I applied my foundation and all my wrinkles showed right back up.

Yep. They're ba-ack! I went ahead and finished my makeup, then applied a little bit more of the gel to my forehead wrinkles and around my eyes. There! I fixed it!

I then spent the rest of the day trying to get rid of white residue. Awesome. But, the wrinkles were better, so I guess it's a trade-off.

Then, Sunday, I gave it another shot. This time, I remembered to rinse before applying my foundation...and it all came off. I finished my makeup, added a little on top of it, and spent the rest of the day getting rid of residue, and getting slightly more perturbed.

So, Monday--the day of my freaking audition--I took another reviewer's advice, and mixed it with my makeup in equal parts, and that seemed to work better. Of course, I still had to put a little more on top, because it's downright impossible to apply eyemakeup without raising your eyebrows and wrinkling your forehead. I wet my fingers and tapped around my forehead to try to ward off residue. It helped, but I made sure I went a little heavy on the bronzer in that area.

I don't want to give up on this, because I really think it could work. My next attempt will involve doing my eye makeup first, then applying the gel/foundation mixture, or possibly using an inexpensive airbrush formula from the drugstore. I'll keep you posted.

Final Verdict: The jury's still out.

Solace

There won't be a normal post today. There is nothing normal about today. There won't be frivolous rantings about superficial beauty products or goofy pop-culture references, because today is not a day for frivolous, goofy superficiality. Today is day for reflection.

Almost ten years ago, on a day not unlike today, the world changed. I remember that day vividly. I was twenty-one, and had recently buried my dad. The sting of that loss was not only still very sharp, but that morning, it was like someone squeezed a lemon right into my ripped open heart. Mom and I had to go to the lawyer's office to decide who would get custody of my brother if she died. Yeah, it was going to be a fantastic day.

So, there I sat in my room, putting on my makeup. Theatre buff that I am, one entire wall of my bedroom was papered with a mural of the New York skyline. Across from that wall was my mirror. To my right, on a third wall, was a television. My mom came tearing into my room, yelling for me to turn the TV on; that some moron had crashed his plane into the World Trade Center. At that time, we didn't know what was going on, and assumed it was a small private plane that had accidentally veered off course. We were wrong.

A few minutes later, the second plane hit, and we knew instantly that this was no accident. I looked in the mirror and realized that behind me, plastered onto my wall, was the World Trade Center. In front of me, in the reflection, the World Trade Center. Beside me, on the television, a twisted pile of flaming metal and glass, and desperate souls leaping from the wreckage. Surreal took on new meaning that day.

The rest of the morning's events are a bit of a blur. The ride to the law office was like a scene out of War of the Worlds, with Mom and I glued to the radio, listening to reports of the attack on the Pentagon and the downing of Flight 93. Our poor lawyer had a foster daughter working in the Pentagon, and was frantically trying to find out where she was and if she was okay. When we got home, I immediately started calling my friends in the DC area, and was on the line while one friend nervously explained that there were helicopters overhead...but no one was supposed to be flying.

We were lucky. We were all safe. I went to school.

My ballet teacher said she understood if no one felt like dancing and canceled class. The music department was scheduled to have a picnic that day, and went ahead and held it in an attempt to keep some sense of normalcy. We moved it indoors, though, and the entire cookout felt less like a party and more like a wake with better food. One of the voice teachers, a former Metropolitan Opera leading lady, sang the National Anthem. I still tear up when I think about it.

We were lucky. We were all safe. Not everyone was so lucky.

In the days to come, we'd learn of fallen comrades. Some were friends, others friends of friends. Some were strangers, but in learning about them, we felt we knew them. Some were children we'd never know. We'd learn of the heroes and guardian angels. We'd wave flags and sing anthems. The country was as united as it had ever been.

Times have changed. Nearly a decade has passed, and the unity has splintered. 9/11 has become a campaign platform. For the families of victims, though, nothing has changed. They're still waiting for loved ones who will never come home. There are still empty chairs.

I am not writing this to celebrate a death. I am writing this because I hope, from the bottom of my heart, that last night's announcement will bring some semblance of peace to these affected families. There's no such as thing as closure for something like this. It's silly to think there ever could be. All we can say to them is that the bad man can't hurt them anymore.

There will still be fighting. There will still be wars and hatred. I fear for the retalliation that might come. But for today, if only for today, at least we know that the bad man can't hurt us anymore. For today, there is solace.

God bless you, and God bless America.