The holidays seem to start earlier every year. It’s no longer a surprise to see bulbs twinkling on department store Christmas trees in August. So by the time the festivities actually start, I’m exhausted from shopping all the early, door…
Wicked Beauty by Phyllis Bourne: Product Review – Clinique Cheek Pop ™
You don’t get to spend over 50-years on the planet without turning into a bit of a….well, a know it all. It’s an obnoxious quality, but like wrinkles, hot flashes and errant hairs sprouting from your chin, it comes with…
A Life, Replotted: On Renewal
It’s been twenty years since I’ve reported to a classroom on the Tuesday after Labor Day in an outfit carefully chosen ahead of time, but I still associate September with renewal. New classes. New clothes. New pens. New notebooks. And…
Product Review: Urban Decay Ultimate Ozone Multipurpose Primer Lip Pencil
“If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only have one item, what would it be?” At least once a week, folks who are bored at work will ask this annoying question on Facebook. I work at home,…
Fashion Undressed | Eyes Wide Open: The Reality of a Fashion Spread
Growing up, I devoured Seventeen, Young Miss/YM, and dabbled in the occasional Vogue. I trusted them to show me – a middle schooler in southeastern Pennsylvania, where, even 45 minutes outside of Philadelphia, we still had 2 days off of…
A Life, Replotted: On Tearing Down Walls
A few weeks ago, my introverted 11-year old announced with great pride, “Mom, yesterday I really pushed myself outside my comfort zone.” “Really?” I responded, shocked as much by his announcement as his semantics. (We don’t use phrases like comfort…
Fashion Undressed | A Womanly Figure: Considering the Dress Form
This morning I pulled out a favorite dress for the first time in ages. It’s a loose, straight piece, nearly “shapeless.” To render it office-appropriate and add definition mimicking my body shape, I belted it. As I saw my now…
A Life, Replotted: Owning the O
“You gonna come for me?” my date said more than asked, too matter-of-factly as he unceremoniously slid his hand inside my jeans. “No,” I blurted out, not giving my mind time to volley between honesty and charades. “I’m not.” As…
Wicked Beauty: Boscia’s Super Cool De-Puffing Eye Balm Review
When I walk into McDonald’s, I want fries. I already know a salad is the choice that would better help me achieve my diet goals. Ah, but those fries. They just smell and taste so good. This post, I’m going…
Fashion Undressed: Plagiarism as Design Inspiration?
“It’s been done before.” If you’ve watched any of the ubiquitous fashion design shows, you’ve heard coaches, mentors, and judges critique rising courtiers, telling them that their designs aren’t new. “What goes around, comes around.” Not just life advice, those…
Wicked Beauty: Nivea In-Shower Smoothing Body Lotion Review
I thought I was exempt from having those kinds of mornings. You know, a morning when you anticipate getting slammed at work and need to be showered, dressed and properly caffeinated, lickety-split. Unfortunately, no one gets a pass. Not even…
A Life, Replotted: Divorcing Facebook
Two months ago, I got angry at the Facebook app, which for three days straight refused to reload updates. Instead it gave me the spinning wheel of death and ate up my time and precious battery power. “Take that,” I…
