Fashion: 5 Packing Rules to Live By

Written on February 9, 2010 at 1:13 pm, by Sue Erneta

My husband calls me a master packer. I think he means that I have a knack for stuffing more into a suitcase than is humanly possible. But I like to think that after many years of traveling for business and pleasure, I’ve gotten it down to a science. I just got back from a beach vacation and I was very pleased with my packing results. Here are my tips:

1. Wear chunky stuff on the plane. Those sneakers for the gym or the cardigan that you might need in an air conditioned restaurant should not be taking up space in your suitcase.

2. Carry on the essentials. I like to check luggage but I always make sure that I have a pair of sandals, a bathing suit, and a dress that can double as a cover-up and out-to-dinner-wear in my carry-on. And that brings us to…

3. Dresses. Period. Other than gym clothes and some pjs, I packed all dresses. They work day and night. Who needs dorky shorts when you can throw a cute jersey dress over your bathing suit?

4. Don’t forget about accessories. I always throw in a few fun belts and some jewelry so I can feel pretty out at night. That jersey dress you wore to the beach looks great for dinner with earrings, a metallic belt, and heels. Which brings us to…

5. Don’t pack too many shoes. They’re heavy and they take up a lot of space. I opted for Havaianas for day and one pair of taupe high heel sandals for evening. Keep with one basic color so they’ll go with everything.

Bon voyage!

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Space Exploration Still Matters

Written on February 8, 2010 at 11:46 am, by Julie Bain

The space shuttle Endeavour blasted off early this morning (above, NASA photo by Jim Grossman), with my friend Nicholas Patrick on board. This is his second launch and I’m sure it feels bittersweet, as it’s one of the final space shuttle missions of the program. My brother and his wife were there for the launch, with their two babies, to show their support. I got to attend Nick’s first launch, also at night, and I’ll never forgot the awe-inspiring feeling of power, noise, light, vibration—and the eagles that flew out of a nearby tree as the rocket lit up the sky like day.

The crew is carrying up the last major pieces of the International Space Station, including an observation deck with a big window. The shuttle will dock with the station on Wednesday, and Nick will suit up and go outside to help finish the construction. Can you imagine being tethered by a thin cord as you look down on Earth while orbiting at around 17,500 mph? Cool!

While the future of the manned space program is very much in doubt right now, it’s important to remember all we’ve learned about science, health and our own planet (not to mention international cooperation!) from these missions. We must continue to explore space, not just because it’s there, not because it’s “hard” (as JFK defined it), but because it could mean our survival and salvation in the future.

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A Healthy Way to Start Monday

Written on February 8, 2010 at 10:46 am, by jbrown

If you haven’t done so already, head to Kashi’s Web site and request a free sample of one their filling, good-for-you products. You can choose from Go Lean Crisp Toasted Berry Crumble cereal, TLC Dark Chocolate Coconut Fruit & Grain bar (I’ve tried it and it’s sinfully delicious—no lie) or Go Lean Crunch Honey Almond Flax cereal. Click here and take your pick! The offer ends on Sunday.

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The Dazzling and Delightful Drew Barrymore

Written on February 5, 2010 at 3:46 pm, by Lisa M. Gerry

If Drew Barrymore were a drink, she would be champagne. She is bubbly, sparkling, girly and fun. I have been a fan of hers for as long as I can remember. In high school, my girlfriends and I would watch (and rewatch) her movies like The Wedding Singer, Never Been Kissed (“I love baseball!”) and Charlie’s Angels (who we may or may not have taped ourselves impersonating while dancing to Destiny’s Child). And as I’ve grown up, I continue to be more and more inspired by who she is and the work she creates.

Recently, I got the chance to speak to Drew about her film directorial debut, Whip It, which was just released on DVD. The film  (which she also starred in) is about a girl (Ellen Page) whose spirit-suffocating small-town life is transformed when she discovers the rough and raucous world of roller derby. “The themes in this movie were really close to my heart,” Drew said. “I believe in having fun, laughing, enjoying life and rocking out with your friends. And I also believe in trying to find what you want to do in the world and who you want to be.” Seriously, what’s not  to love?

The last year was a big one for you. Grey Gardens was quite a departure from anything you’ve done before and you directed your first film.

Thank you. I wanted to demand more of myself and face my fears. I didn’t really know if I could pull these things off, but I think the best way to figure it out is to try it. I kind of gave up my whole life so I could give a thousand percent of dedication and focus to both projects.

What about Whip It made you want to direct it?

My whole life I’ve wanted to direct a film—it’s been my dream since I was 7 years old. But I wanted to be patient, produce a lot of movies and work with more film directors to figure out what kind of director I wanted to be. Directing a film is a massive undertaking and if you care about every little detail, it’s a 6-7 day a week job, for a minimum of 2-3 years—so I wanted the film I chose to be compelling and personal.

Read more

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Party Animal! A Playlist for your Pets

Written on February 5, 2010 at 1:42 pm, by Rachel Shippy

Throwing a birthday party for your pet might give some people pause (paws?), but I’m not one of them!  That’s why I’ve taken the liberty of compiling a pet playlist — a “mix tape” celebrating our four-legged pals that can also double as the soundtrack to your pet’s next party!

1. Cat Scratch Fever: Ted Nugent
2. Who Let The Dogs Out: Baha Men
3. Three Little Birds: Bob Marley
4. Another Saturday Night: Cat Stevens
5. Puppy Love: Paul Anka
6. I’m Like A Bird: Nelly Furtado
7. Three Cool Cats: The Beatles
8. Hound Dog: Elvis Presley
9. Free Bird: Lynard Skynard
10. Honky Cat: Elton John
11. Beautiful: Snoop Dogg
12. Hummingbird: Wilco
13. Float On: Modest Mouse
14. Black Dog: Led Zeppelin
15. Free As A Bird: The Beatles

What would YOUR pets listen to?

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Beauty Coach: How to apply gel eye liner

Written on February 5, 2010 at 10:46 am, by Erica Metzger

Step 1. Get your hands on a pot of gel liner. My go-to is Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Liner in Espresso Ink. It glides right on and won’t budge once it dries. I also like Maybelline’s new Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner, a budget-friendly option that also comes with a little brush. It’s the formula I’m wearing in the photos below.

Step 2. Pick your brush. I like to use a square tip eye liner brush like the classic Trish McEvoy Brush #11 or an angled brush like M.A.C.’s #263. Dip it into your gel and scrape it on the sides of the pot a couple times. It’s always easier to work with a small amount and then add more later.

Step 3. Close your eye and gently pull your lid taut with your finger. Place your brush right on top of the roots of your lashes. I like to start in the middle of the eye and then move the brush to the outer corner. Go back and line the inner corner of the eye last. Remember, the closer you keep your brush to the lash line, the more natural it will look.

Step 4. If you want a little more intensity, lift your lid and press your brush very gently under the roots of your lashes. This may look a little scary, but it’s really easy. I do it all the time and haven’t poked myself in the eye yet!

Repeat on your other eye and you’re done!

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Dr. Lisa Checks In

Written on February 4, 2010 at 8:00 am, by Julie Bain

Lisa M. Masterson, M.D., stopped by our office yesterday (that’s her in the middle with me and Emily Chau, my fellow LHJ Health Lady) to fill us in on some of her latest adventures and causes. She was just back from Haiti, where she and her fellow physicians from the TV show The Doctors arrived with 7,000 pounds of much-needed supplies—and treated a number of victims. A specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, Dr. Masterson helped a pregnant woman with a leg injury find the care she needed. See clips from that episode here.

Dr. Masterson, who’s based in L.A., was in New York for an event promoting screening for human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer. She says that for women over 30, combining a pap test with an HPV test is the best way to prevent this cancer, which still kills some 4,000 women every year.

The good doc also got on her soapbox about the recent changes in screening guidelines for breast cancer. She’s afraid that many women will stop getting mammograms, especially if their insurance won’t pay for them to be done annually. She also wants to encourage women to continue to do self-exams, or at least “get to know their own breasts,” she says. “I’m seeing breast cancer more in younger women.” Feeling something and having it checked out by your doctor could save your life.

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