S: Is for Simple

If you are a girl you want great looking nails. Ask a girl her version of heaven and I can guarantee you she will say a manny/peddy. But what do you do if your nails are brittle and break? If the job you have is detrimental to your nails survival? What do you do if you don't have the money for that moment of bliss? Enter KISS. KISS is a new revolutionary answer. Most of us have heard of Lee's Press on Nails and shudder. They looked fake, were fake and worse they popped off at the most inconvenient time. I once baked one into a cookie that was a Valentine's present for a boyfriend. Imagine my horror as he found what I had try for hours to locate. So when I was invited to a KISS party, I was hesitant. The girl next to me had beautiful nails, mine were in shambles. I had to attend Fashion Week and I had NO time. When she told me they were the KISS product, I was suddenly game. I had them put on..suddenly my hands transformed. Better yet, it took less than 5 minutes. I couldn't wait to try them out. I was headed to an event, when I got there my friend Stacy was there. Stacy is a celebrity hairstylist and can spot a fake anything in a glance. I showed him my new nails. His exact reaction was "how did you grow nails?" He was totally fooled. You see my nails are brittle, at the slightest sign of looking good, they brake to the quick. Miserably, I have to start all over. They lasted the entire week. No chips, no breaks, lots of compliments and I felt good. I used the kiss nail remover to take them off, as they should only stay a week. Underneath a miracle occurred, strong, healthy, long nails. I have had them off a week and they are still strong and long. The price for all this...$6.99 and manicure $20 and my nails would of been chipped and broken. I have tried every product on the market, including Sally Hanson's strong as nails. http://www.kissusa.com/

This is the first product that I can recommend and that is a roof raising F.A.C.T.

T: Is for Talks

Last night President Obama spoke to the country. I wish I could feel the hope, the news is reporting most people are feeling. I do not. Though I voted for President Obama and definitely think he is a better choice than McCain or Ms. Palin, his choices for cabinet members and now his speech leave me wary. By the way what was with all the applause? A way to drag something out even longer? As the news is reporting President Obama stated: "I believe the nation that invented the automobile cannot walk away from it." Hmmm, even without looking it up I know that's wrong. So I looked it up. In 1985 Karl Benz from Germany, built the first car, Henry Ford didn't even start his auto assembly line and the Model T until 1908. Next President Obama announced he's going to cut back and in the same breath he proposed additional spending for a cure for cancer in our lifetime, national health care reform, overhauling Social Security and a tax-free universal savings account for everyone. What in the world does that mean? A savings account for everybody? Isn't that what we work for? College for everyone? But college isn't for everyone. Another statement "this time, CEOs won't be able to use taxpayer money to pad their paychecks or buy fancy drapes or disappear on a private jet. Those days are over." What politicians? Sen. Dianne Feinstein flies cross-country on her husband's private jet at $20,000 each way. President Obama is getting a fleet of two dozen new helicopters: total taxpayer cost of $11.2 billion. A little hypocritical? And what about his statements about ending earmarks? $2 billion batteries, $800 million for carbon capture projects and more than $3 million for new uniforms for the Transportation Security Administration. $200,000 for a "tattoo removal violence prevention outreach program."Can anyone say recession? Obviously not our President.

C: Is for celebrities and fashion combining

My three favorite collections were also The Gossip Girl's. At Anna Sui's Jessica Szozhr, Taylor Momsen rubbed elbows with Harry Potter and Equus star Danial Radcliff and Peaches Gandolf. Supermodel Agyness Deyn made her first NY Fashion Week appearance, opening and closing the show. Anna Sui’s classic floral prints had the look of a 30's and 60's relationship, creating a love child whose style was Victorian. Floaty frocks in blues, pinks, purples and orange, were the stuff of any bohemian fantasy. From the black velvet jackets, tail and frock-coats, lavished with black lace, ribbons to adorned floral rosebud dresses, details like beaded fringe bounced along with the joy that Sui collection brought.


The next collection touched my heart in a variety of ways. First I met Kevin a ten-year-old child who had a form of brain cancer. This was his first fashion show even though he wants to be a farmer. He did not have a seat and I ended up giving him mine and then a spirit of generosity hit and I ended up sitting next to Kevin for the rest of Ports 1961. And what a show! First a live performance by a dhol and bass band then designer Tia Cibani took us on a magic carpet ride to through India. Dusty desert hues gave way to jewel tones. For those in love with Slumdog Millionaire, Ports 1961 gives us the best of that world.



Last but not least Mara Hoffman's spectacular presentation, which emulated a collective sighs from Miss Universe, the adorable Jennifer Love Hewitt and the rest of the audience. This was a love feast between designer and women. She knows what we want. Tiffanyesq material gave way to leggings and matching shirts with long sweaters that added elegance as well as a comfortability level. Exciting pieces strutted the cat walk, including gold metal-tipped leather gloves, colorful maxi dresses paired up with studded knit vests and a black Sergeant coat with a detachable skirt Pocahontas would of been in heaven, I know I was.

A: Is for Art that reveals and makes us think

It was raining, I was tired and wanted to stay in bed, but I had promised to review “Christine Jorgensen Reveals.” Never, have I been happier that I was forced to see something. This production is a return engagement and winner of several awards including the Drama Desk for good reason; this is not your average play. Beginning with a short documentary, it combines an hour-long recording between Ms Jorgensen and Nipsey Russell from 1958, transferred into a television screen and answered on stage by Bradford Louryk as Ms Jorgensen. After you get over the perfectly done lip-syncing done by Mr Louryk and Rob Grace, you sink in to this fascinating journey back in time. For those who don’t know who Christine Jorgensen was she started life out as a man. In 1952, entering a Copenhagen hospital she had the first sex-change operation. The Daily News broke the story: "Ex-G.I. Becomes Blonde Bombshell," launching her into one of the most famous women in the world for a brief time. What you learn from this play is how articulate, intelligent and how down to earth she was. Discussing the most personal aspects of her life. She was a person well ahead of her time, radical and conservative in the same breath. She is something we all emulate to be, secure in her own being. I actually met Christine when I was younger and I wish I had known then, what I know now, that she was a courageous and insightful human. Mr. Louryk, also created the show. It is directed flawlessly by Josh Hecht. "Christine Jorgensen Reveals leaves us wanting to know more about her and ourselves. You will leave the theatre completely fulfilled and that is a F.A.C.T.

"Christine Jorgensen Reveals" continues through April 1 at Studio Theater on Theater Row, 410 42nd Street, (212) 279-4200.

F: Is for Fashion that attracts

Julia Roberts , Ashley Tisdale, Britney Spears, Heather Graham, Hayden Panettiere, Serena Williams and Kristen Bell all wear Vivienne Tam. Her 2009 Fall collection was shown at her flagship store at 40 Mercer, as models perched on cubes, displayed Tam's, out look. Michele Williams of Destiny’s Child, host of NBC’s Today Show Ann Curry, Broadway star Bebe Neuwirth, Lorenzo Borghese of The Bachelor, America’s Next Top Model Whitney Thompson and socialites galore, all sipped champagne together. Concerned with the economy, Tam created a line filled with easy to wear, detailed, structured pieces. Splashed with bright pinks, reds, and purples with teals, dark hunter green and black, she presented a clean silhouette that's slimming. Inspired by master calligrapher Dough Yangzi, Tam used the Chinese character for nothingness, throughout the collection in different motifs. The Wu symbol appeared as well, symbolizing, that from turmoil comes the chance to renew our lives. Tweed, herringbone, quilted materials blended with satins, charmeuse and chiffon cutout appliqués. Makeup was at a minimal. Lips, lids and cheeks were kept pale and nude, while the eye was lined above and below the natural line.  On the other side of the room, Tam’s partnership with HP was featured, as well as celebrating her new laptop. The HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Designer Edition Netbook has the same bits and pieces inside that the regular Black Mini has, but this one is like a little Red sports car for girls. It’s shiny and it has flowers on it! What’s not to love? The keyboard on this netbook is fantastic and has a great layout, which is comfortable to type on. You will pay $245 more than the black making the price $699, but how chic and that is a F.A.C.T.

Don't forget to enter the Barbie giveaway. You have until April 1st to send me your Barbie design and a brief letter as to why you want to win. E-mail me at suzanna@xplorefacts.com. The contest is open to ages 6-20. Prize will be awarded in time for Easter.