All About The Pretty

Om Pretty: Yoga Journal's May Cover Model - Faith Hunter of Shakti Mind Body Studio

I want to give a big MWAH of congratulations and praises to Faith Hunter of Shakti Mind Body Studio.  Faith is Yoga Journal's May 2010 cover model.  As an avid yogi it is rare when you see an African American person on the cover of this major main stream yoga magazine.  I can't help get goose bumps with excitement every time I look at the cover.  I subscribe to the magazine, but I made a special point to purchase a copy to let Yoga Journal know that it's great to see some diversity on their cover.  I've been to Shakti to practice and I can say the studio has amazing teachers.  Faith is a dynamic teacher and I faithfully use her podcasts when I travel because I can get my Om Pretty on anywhere.  She is a beautiful person inside and out.  If you are in DC I highly recommend paying Shakti a visit for your yoga practice. Faith, congrats doll! You make me proud to spell my name - Y-O-G-I. 

Om Pretty: Yoga + Wine Workshop with Angela Gargano of Bliss Flow Yoga and Liquid Bliss

The past few months have been so hectic.  Not only for me, but for so many people.  It seems as if 2010 is flying past me and I'm trying to catch up with it.  The minute I try to plan some "me" time I always get thrown for a loop.  But, I was able to stay steadfast to my commitment for the two-day Yoga + Wine Workshop at Tranquil Space with Wine Expert and Yoga Instructor Angela Gargano of Bliss Flow Yoga and Liquid Bliss.  This workshop merged yoga and wine in such a seamless way.  It's amazing how yoga and wine really do have a lot in common.  The first day consisted of Awakening the Senses.  Yoga helps me to find my true center and after a 75 minute practice we delved into tasting the wine and food pairings.  I could say that it was all bliss, but by the 8th sun salutation my body was like "you need to spend more time on the mat darling." As I laid in the most splendid Savasana, I couldn't help feeling grateful.  Despite my hectic schedule I'm still able to get to the mat - to replenish and regroup. 

After the invigorating class we started our yoga and wine journey.  Angela gave a summary of her background in wine and ultimately yoga.  She then walked us through a wine tasting in which we used our already heightened post yoga glow senses to appreciate the beauty of wine and food. My favorite obsession is the blue cheese and red wine combination.  That has been a must for the past week.  Thank goodness for Cowgirl Creamery. I've plowed through Angela's blog and taken away a ton of gems on books, winemakers, food, and life.  I can't wait until Angela's next retreat in Italy.   

Here's the list of wines we sampled. Hopefully you can see, swirl, and sip your way to Liquid Bliss.  Namaste and Om Pretty.

Friday, March 19th

2007, Pinot D'Alsasce, Zind-Humbrecht, Alsace, France

2007, Pinot Noir, Meinklang, Burgenland, Austria

NV, 'Arzimo', La Cappucina, Veneto, Italy

Saturday, March 20th

2008, Sauvignon Blanc, Frog's Leap Winery, Na

2008, 'Baux de Provence', Mas de Gourgonnier,  France

NV, 'Arzimo', La Cappucina, Veneto, Italy

Bonne Anniversaire to the Potion Lady

There will never be another day like today.  Today is my mother's - the original potion lady's 70th birthday.  Yes, 70.  She's still teaching English, playing Granny basketball, and living life to the fullest. I wanted to write a special note to the woman who inspires me, teaches me, loves me, counsels me, and prays for me every single day.  I will not take credit for the nickname "potion lady."  That belongs to my friend Audra.  She gave my mother this name at the time I started this site - whose birthday is next week as well.  

I will say my mother is THE best mother a person could have.  I can tell my mother anything.  I don't mean I think I can tell her, I know I can tell her because I can.  I remember when I first told her about The Don - she listened and then said follow your heart, it won't lead you wrong.  I did and I'm so happy.  When I decided to move to DC five years ago she didn't stop me.  Her only request was that she help me drive and do the road trip because my dad would want her to come along for the ride.  After he passed in 1999 my mother became father and mother to me.  Her guidance has been invaluable.  There were times that I've called her in the middle of the night, crying over some worthless cad, and she would say "yes, this too shall pass, but you won't ever know happiness until you get to the other side of this."  Amazing advice.  Then there were tears of happiness when I told I found "the one." The one who adds to my already fabulous happiness. Her response, "relationships should enhance the already fabulous person you are.  No one completes you, but you."  

Sunday, I was in the department store and for the very first time in my life I wanted to smell like my mother.  Not the oodles of scent that I always wear. But her essence.  To me, her essence is Estee Lauder's Private Collection.  The fragrance was introduced in 1973 one year after my arrival on this earth (you can do the math).  Back then she would only wear the pure eau de parfum. I would watch her at her vanity and with each dab wanted to be her.  I wanted to dab it on all my pulse points and I wanted to embrace that tiny bottle full of all that she represented. 

She is strong, smart, loving, kind, sports loving mom, a girl could have. There is not one day that I don't think of my mother when I smell this glorious, divine, and luscious scent of jasmine and honeysuckle.  As I paid for the scent the only thought that came to my mind was "I have become my mother and I like it."

To the potion lady, you are the best friend and mother a girl could have.  Thank you for naming me after your mother.  I hope I do you proud.  Always and forever.  I love you. 

Pretty Script:  Queue the tears.  I couldn't help it after writing this small ode to the best mommy in the world. 

Beauty News: Pretty Powerful Campaign with Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Ends Today

Bobbi's Brown Pretty Powerful Campaign ends tonight.  Have you submitted your video?

This is what I received from the company.  "For years, women have been reaching out to Bobbi Brown to provide them with beauty solutions, application tips and product suggestions. All of these women have ultimately inspired Bobbi in her daily life and work. That said, Bobbi finally brought many of these women together—including her friends, and those of her staff—for a 3-day shoot where she transformed women from “Pretty” to “Powerful.”

Pretty Powerful symbolizes Bobbi’s belief that all women possess natural beauty, and with the right tools, are empowered to a higher level of pretty… Pretty Powerful, Pretty Amazing, Pretty Gorgeous, etc. Bobbi Brown Cosmetics has captured their before/after photos, videos and testimonials as the centerpiece content of the campaign.

The content will live on BobbiBrownCosmetics.com/prettypowerful, but will be infused throughout the season to include on counter collateral, in-store light boxes, postcards, and direct mail pieces all featuring “Friends of Bobbi.” Additionally, four Pretty Powerful in-store events with the Bobbi Brown Beauty Team are scheduled at various major department stores.  On the dedicated website, each “Friend of Bobbi” will be featured, accompanied by their profiles, testimonials, video portraits, face chart, application tips and behind the scenes footage of the shoot with Bobbi.

Videos and photos will emphasize transformation and link back to the beauty problem the collection/product launch will solve - Cautious about Corals? Frightened by Foundation? 

BobbiBrownCosmetics.com/prettypowerful will also serve as an anchor for online PR outreach and activities. The strategy is targeted towards online/viral marketing and will include an online contest that will invite consumers to participate and submit video tutorials of how Bobbi Brown Cosmetics transforms them from Pretty to Pretty Powerful. Consumers will vote on their favorite submissions and help Bobbi choose the final three winners. For every vote, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics will donate $1 to Dress for Success, an organization close to Bobbi’s heart that provides underprivileged women with interview suits and career development advice."

CityShopGirl and Skincando Partner for a Washington, D.C. Scavenger Hunt

CityShopGirl and Skincando Partner for a Washington, D.C. Scavenger Hunt Supporting Area Retailers, Restaurants and Spas, Clues Available on Twitter.

Two dozen DC area restaurants, spas and boutiques are participating, grand prize worth over $2500

What: Scavenger Hunt DC with CityShopGirl and Skincando

When: runs October 5-October 17, 2009

Cocktail Party: October 17, 2009 6-9 pm

Where: Area restaurants, boutiques and spas

Cocktail Party: Lotus Lounge, 1420 K Street, Washington, D.C.

September 22, 2009 (Washington, D.C.) – CityShopGirl, D.C.‘s free subscription email delivering daily discounts and promotions to area retailers, restaurants, spas and specialty stores, and Skincando, a D.C. based organic skin care company whose products include Combat Ready Balm and Lip Balm, have joined forces to host a city wide scavenger hunt.

The hunt begins on Monday, October 5 with daily clues appearing in CityShopGirl’s daily email publication and on twitter handles Twitter.com/CityShopGirl and Twitter.com/Skincando.

Georgia NY Boutique is On My Mind

A few weeks ago while in New York I explored a new beauty boutique wonderland on the recommendation of Mischo Beauty.  I don't mean just another beauty boutique.  This is the beauty boutique that I would create if I opened a boutique.  As a shopper I always shop high and low.  I go from Bergdorf, Neimans, and Saks to Duane Reade, CVS, Right Aid and Walgreens.  Georgia NY Boutique encompasses them all.  The store carries Davines, Jane Carter Hair Solution,Tocca (in love with all their candles), Mane & Tail, Mizani and many more. 

They also carry another favorite item - beautiful and exquisite lingerie which adds to making me feel like a lady.  It was created by two lovely women and how they wanted to shop.  Now, Georgia is bringing their concept to the masses.  Georgia might carry other lines, but it's there in house line that is surely not to be missed.  A wonderful grapefruit body wash is just the summer pickup me up after a challenging morning yoga practice, but it's the Luxury Skin Cream that takes me beyond.  The store also has a salon so you can get a blowout and a new beauty treat.

The in store shampoo bowl in a heart shape is this beauty junkie's idea of love.

The inspiration wall of women who create and maintain the pretty was inspired by their family.

Every time I think of Georgia NY, I think of Mr. Ray Charles.  It's only fitting. 

Georgia, Georgia,
The whole day through
Just an old sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind.

Lorain's Touch Gardenia Soy Candle

If April showers, bring May flowers the delivery has to come in the form of a candle.  Lorain's Touch Gardenia Soy Candle is the perfect spring accessory for my home.  Spring and summer for me are definitely about flowers.  I'm not a plant girl at all.  But, flowers are my thing.  I love lilies, roses, tulips, peonies, and especially gardenia.  My mother is a gardenia kind of lady and growing up in a house with fresh gardenias made me love them more.  Lorain's Gardenia candle does not have that cloying-sickeningly-sweet scent that a lot of gardenia candles can have.  It's the perfect accompaniment on top of my buffet when you walk in the house.  Here's to more May flowers without the showers.

Happy Birthday Potion Lady!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY WONDERFUL MOTHER - A/K/A "THE POTION LADY."  I hope your birthday is filled with love, laughter, and joy.  You are my best friend.  You are my road dog, my ace, the one who I have smiled, laughed, cried, shopped with, read books with, and learned so much from.  Except cooking - I learned that from pops.  :)  You are a virtuous woman of God and because of you I spell my name W-O-M-A-N.  Without you I wouldn't be the woman I am.  You are the best and I am so fortunate to be your daughter. 

I wish everyone had such an understanding, down to earth, and fun mother that I literally can tell anything to.  I mean anything and I do.   I owe you me.  I can't wait for you to come up here this spring so we can really do some "product damage" shopping at the trinity (Bergdorf, Bendel's & Barney's).  I learned from the best.  I learned from you.  You are the wind beneath my wings.  Kick butt at your Granny basketball game today.  Put "some knowledge" on that ball and show who's bad.

Pretty Script:  I'm headed to yoga class.  At the start of each class we set an intention for the class.  It could be for yourself or someone else.  My intention today is to be thankful that I was blessed to have been raised by such a wonderful and remarkable woman.  My intention is to make my mama proud!

Lancome + Temple St. Clair: A Beautimous Production

I am in awe and amazement how cosmetic companies are expanding their collaborations in beauty and other arenas.  Lancome started it with the Goyard Beauty Case, making me drool all over my computer screen, and now they are adding to their fabulous quotient.  They have expanded into a domain of pure enjoyment for me.  The necklace created by jewelry maker Temple St. Clair Carr.  Her designs are chic, elegant, timeless and have a certain aspect of modernity.  This makes her a perfect artist to collaborate with Lancôme on a special holiday project.

Lancôme asked Temple if she would create a piece of jewelry inspired by the lushly romantic Mille & Une Roses fragrance, which is part of the La Collection series of reissued cult fragrances.  She agreed and the result is an 18k yellow gold, rock crystal pendant accented with 32 diamonds and suspended from an 18k yellow gold chain.  Only 20 of the Temple St. Clair necklaces have been created. The limited-edition design is housed in an elegant blue leather jewelry box (with lock and key) along with a bottle of Mille & Une Roses Eau de Parfum. Each set is numbered with a signed card from Temple.  The price is $3,950. The set is available exclusively at the Lancôme boutiques on Manhattan’s Upper West Side (212-362-4858) and in The Mall in Short Hills, N.J. (973-258-0790).

I would love for Santa to put the pendant in my stocking.  Love is a beautiful thing.  So is dreaming.   As Robin Leach would say "champagne wishes and caviar dreams."

Au Revoir