Friday, December 12, 2008

S: Is for Skin so Soft

Winter is the season for dry skin and cracked hands. Gift #12 and 13 are from the dead sea. Not only will it make your skin soft but ladies, according to Cosmopolitan will make us more desirable to our mates. That to me, makes this two gifts in one.

Gift #12 and #13: NIO-Made to Love: The Dead Sea is a geological phenomenon located in Israel, its waters are known for being a Fountain of Youth. At 400 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea is not only the world’s lowest natural body, but is one of the saltiest. Being 8.6 times saltier than the ocean, the Dead Sea contains the highest levels of silica, magnesium, calcium, sodium, and potassium of any body of water in the world. These high concentrations of nutrients and minerals are increasingly being tapped by skin care companies to deliver products that can enhance the health and condition of the skin.

The combination of highly concentrated minerals makes the Dead Sea Salts excellent at detoxifying and exfoliating the skin, along with deeply cleansing the pores. These salts also strengthen and firm skin tissue, while stimulating blood circulation. Dead Sea Salts essentially peel off dead skin cells to stimulate collagen renewal. In addition, they provide balance to your skin, and sustain balanced water and moisture levels.

Today, several dead sea salts skin care brands have channeled the healing powers of the Dead Sea into skin care products. but Nio Dead Sea Body Scrub made my hands soft as a babies butt.. The Nio scrub combines the Dead Sea’s healing abilities with common nourishing oils, such as jojoba oil, wheat germ oil, olive oil, sesame oil, and avocado oil. These oils interact well with the Dead Sea Salts, as they provide additional wrinkle-reducing, pH-balancing anti-aging properties.

The NIO serum is perfect for revitalizing aging skin with the same results as the scrub. Soft, kissable, caressable skin of our youth.

To try and buy this go to the Christmas Mart at Columbus Circle booth C26 and at Union Square booth C24. You can also log onto www.NIO-madewithlove.com. Once you try this you to will be singing its praises and that is a F.A.C.T.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

T: Is for brilliance in the theatre

There is nothing like a live performance. Seeing brilliance illuminated on stage is breath taking. Gift #11 is the gift of theatre.

#9: The Seagull: Kristin Scott Thomas's performance is a Tony Award wining performance. She is my prediction for the 2009 Best Actress in a play. She has already won the Oliver in London. The Royal Court Theatre production at the Walter Kerr Theatre is... exquisite. This all-too-limited run leaves Dec. 21. If you're near Manhattan between now and then, beg, borrow, or steal tickets. In this production it is the actresses, which eclipse the men’s performances and lead us down a vivid path of psychological study. Under the direction of Ian Rickson, nothing is rushed so the emotions that lead up to the second act are thoroughly set-up. Kristen Scott Thomas, as the actress Arkadina, gives this self-involved diva the selfishness that demands applause. Pacing like a cheetah she is ready to rip apart anyone who doesn’t cater to her narcism. In Thomas’s performance we see the anger, the guilt and the actress afraid to lose her place at the top, no matter what it costs.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

C: Is for Cosmetic Stocking Stuffers

The stocking were hung by the chimney with care and dumped on to the floor in hope of some flare. Gift # 9 satisfies and truly deliver. There are 6 in all and each one is effective if not down right essential.

Gift # 9: GENIE MAKE-Up. Instant Line Smoother ($30), combines powerful ingredients like Aloe, collagen, peptides, antioxidants and an exclusive T-One complex to help reduce the signs of aging and restore one's natural beauty.

GENIE Line Smoothing Foundation ($40), contains light-refracting particles that help deflect light away from fine lines and wrinkles, which adds to a noticeably younger appearance.

GENIE Vibrant Eyes Concealer Pen($30) reduces dark circles by 28%!

Make Me Blush ($20), only comes in one color. The mineral-based formula does not contain shimmer, glitter or gloss so it really is a multi-purpose make-up great for your purse for this emergency touch-ups.

TLC mascara ($20), is a dual-ended mascara designed to add volume, thickness and length to your top lashes with a smaller brush to give color and definition to the lower lashes.

I have saved GENIE's Cashmere Powder ($38) for last, as it is my favorite product. This radiant powder goes on silky and feels sooooo good on. With a slight shimmer it adds a subtle luminescent, that has you looking radiant. I had several people ask me this week if I was in love. The answer is NO! but if people are asking I know this product is working.

They say beauty is skin deep which is true, but isn't it nice to know it can also be up-front and a F.A.C.T. and with Genie it is.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

A: Is for the gift that keeps on giving

Art is great gift idea for many reasons. It never loses it's value, it gives joy everyday and it connects us to another's vision.

Gift #9: Is the art of Sherry Mills. Sherry is a renaissance artist. She began her foundation in drawing and oil painting. A year in Europe found her with a master marble sculptor in Pietrasanta, Italy, which she followed with a six-month apprenticeship with a renowned Venetian leather mask maker, who was one of the last true Commedia dell’Arte street performers. His unique trade became her daily life as she joined him in taking Carnivale by storm. Her work in clay sculpture together with leather originated a leather sculpture bag. Since moving to New York 1999, her studies have taken the form of improvisational theatre, Bel Canto voice, and a unique form of dance performed in the basement of St. John’s cathedral. It has been her passion for capturing “street paintings” with the camera that has dominated her focus. Now integrating this work with her poetry, she’s formulated a species of performance that brings the photography to life in time with an intensely visual sung dialogue. Performing in venues throughout the city this year, Sherry is someone to watch and watch closely. To see more of her art log onto www.sherrymills.com. All her photographs are unadulterated moments of the splatters and mishaps that breathe like paintings from the street. Our world is only as wondrous if we choose it to be and that is a wondrous F.A.C.T.

Monday, December 8, 2008

F: Is for Guilty Pleasures

With all that shopping and stress that comes with the holidays, gift number 8 caters to soothing you from the inside out. It also combines one of my guilty pleasure, Top Chef.

#8: 24 Prince Street is nestled between Mott & Elizabeth in NoLita and oozes comfort from the moment you open the door. Managed by Brad Grossman, Chris Heller and one of the next contestants of Top Chef Chicago Chef Nikki Cascone. On the menu is macaroni and cheese. I can not say enough about the Mac and Cheese. I became ruined for life the day I tasted this version. I seriously wanted to pick the bowl up and lick. Decadent with Orecchiette pasta which is perfect for holding the sauce which is done to perfection. If that wasn't reason enough try the coconut creme brulee, sugar coated to perfection. I know, I know tis the season for calories, but these babies are worth it. Check out the rest of the menu at www.24prince.com This is a restaurant you definitely should check out for lunch, brunch and dinner. You will not be disappointed and that is a F.A.C.T.