Solving the world's problems, one coat at a time.

I have a pet peeve.  For those of you who don't live in Seattle or Portland, this will seem outlandish.  But if you live in the Great Northwest you will understand completely.

Your jacket must coordinate with your clothes.  It is a part of your outfit.

There, I said it.

So many people in Seattle seem to think it's ok to don a Patagonia fleece with a nice dress.  Or an LL Bean rain jacket with slacks.  It's not ok.  Just so you know.

Your jacket should be at the same level of dress-i-ness as your outfit.  You should look just as good with a coat on as with a coat off.  Make it work.  Here are a few suggestions for getting started, in case you haven't made it past the Patagonia/ Northface aisle.

There is a time and a place for the fleece - at our house, it's every other time than a 'dress occasion.'

blue blazer :: denim jacket :: green trench :: orange toggle :: gold short sleeve jacket ::  stripes :: rabbit fur :: sparkly gold jacket

why did I choose affordable options?  because I want you to buy some new coats - stat.

Getting Beautiful :: Intraceuticals Facial

I was lucky enough to get a facial from the Intraceuticals team two weeks ago.  I haven' thad a facial in ages - since I had babies and stopped having "extra" money.  So this was a treat.

The concept is that it's not a traditional facial where they 'extract' (read pick your face), cleanse, etc.  But this facial uses a patented machine that uses oxygen to push vitamins and acids into your pores to create a smoother skin surface and a youthful appearance.

They warn you ahead of time that one treatment isn't going to provide a complete turnaround.  But they sent me home with a series of products designed to compliment the regime at home.  I was skeptical.  I still am, quite frankly.

But I have been shocked at the compliments I have received in the last week on my skin and how refreshed I look.  In case I need to remind you, I have three children.  Who have decided not to sleep in their own beds recently.  Who test my patience regularly.  Who cause me to not sleep more than four to five hours a night.

And I have had more people tell my that I look really well rested.  I'm not well rested.  Not even kind of.

Maybe this stuff really does work.

Their spokesperson, Gina Brooks, swears by it.  She uses the treatment as a way to prep the skin of celebrities she works with - like J.Lo, Madonna, and the case of many TV shows - like the Mentalist.  I got to meet her and chat about the products.  She's lovely - and a mother herself so she understands the stress your skin deals with on a regular basis.

I wanted a picture with her, but should have remembered that I had no make up on.  None.  Not even mascara.  Really bad move.  Oh well.

I'll be back for another facial soon because they are available at Nordstrom Spa locations - including my favorite spa downtown.  You can get the facial and pick up the products there.  I got the 'rejuvinate' facial but they have a variety of options including 'clarity' which helps with acne.  Try it for yourself.  Especially if you have a big event coming up.  Make-up really does go on better.

Five minutes with... Diane Von Furstenberg

photo courtesy of Duell Fisher & Team Photogenic

Can you believe it?  Last night I was in the presence of greatness.  I got to meet Ms. Diane Von Furstenberg.

There are a handful of people that I have wanted to be like when I grow up - Ms. Von Furstenberg is one of those people.  She was gracious and genuine - truly very comfortable, not only in her own skin, but in general.  I found myself flustered for words a little bit when she said "well, you don't want to be me."  And I thought, "Yes.  Yes, I do."

The tagline for the fragrance is "Be the woman you want to be."  Diane says that, growing up, she didn't know what she wanted to be, but she knew who she wanted to be.  So she spent her effort becoming that woman and discovered what she wanted to do along the way.  I think the woman I want to be could be Ms. Von Furstenberg.

My five minutes with her weren't really five minutes.  As she is - obviously - incredibly popular and busy, I only asked one question.  Lauren (seen above) asked lots of really good questions with answers that will appear in 425 Magazine soon.

Is there something you are known for cooking?
Oh, yes, Saturday Night Chicken.  


What is Saturday Night Chicken?
Saturday Night Chicken is my chicken.  What I do is put a lot of sage and a lot of mustard inside the chicken and I cook it very hot and it's very good.  

I left the interview feeling so inspired.  And really thoughtful.  Who do you want to be?  Are you working to be that person?

I also really want to make Saturday Night Chicken.

Winter Blahs :: for the skin

About two weeks ago I looked in the mirror and thought, "yep, it's winter."  My skin has taken on that pleasant dull matte effect that the winter months seem to bring.  As I was looking in the mirror I remembered that there had been an awesome exfoliant that I had been using for a while and then ran out of.  And then forgot the name of.  Bummer.

I wracked my brain. Nothing.  That's the problem with two kids, I can sing the theme song to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and recite entire Dr. Seuss books by heart but I can't remember the name of that amazing exfoliant that made my skin radiant and lovely.

I spent an entire week trying to remember it.  I remembered a few details:

:: it was green
:: your rubbed it in then let it sit - combo of exfoliating beads and acids
:: it was sent to me from a PR company

Unfortunately those clues didn't help much.  So I stopped thinking about it.  Then, like a flash of lightening, it came to me!!

KATE SOMMERVILLE EXFOLI-KATE

Miracle of miracles I was right.  If you haven't tried Exfoli-Kate you are missing out.  Missing out on amazing skin that is.  I use a lot of products.  Seriously, a lot.  I hate to wear make-up and the only way I can handle not wearing make-up is if my skin looks lovely without it.  That translates into a ton of money is lotions, creams, exfoliants, washes, etc.  Once a few PR people found out about my obsession then boxes would arrive with product for my "review."  I have to say only a few products have ever stood out - and never have I actually missed a product.  I missed Exfoli-Kate.  I wanted more, I needed to find it.

Luckily, I found the press materials and where it's sold.  It's at Nordstrom Downtown Seattle.  Phew.

If your skin is also suffering the winter blahs, I can't recommend enough the Kate Sommerville Exfoli-Kate.  It works wonders.   Actually, everything I tried from the Kate Sommerville line was pretty great - but right now I am in dire need of a good scrub.