Monday, October 29, 2012

Jazzy #Halloween playlist

hip hip gin gin  @HipHipGinGin put together a great playlist with Halloween themes that I put on Spotify:


Enjoy, and Happy Spookin' Halloween!

Monday, October 22, 2012

I love Dinah Washington playlist #MusicMonday

The Holy Trinity of female jazz vocalists: Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Dinah Washington:

Dinah Washington (1925-1963)
You will need to download and install the Spotify player to enjoy the Dinah Washington playlist. Remember - Spotify inserts commercials, which can be irritating.


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Argania 1640 100% pure argan oil

Argan oil is all the rage now. Think Moroccan Oil and Josie Maran’s argan-oil infused cosmetics line. Moroccan Oil, in actuality, is mostly silicones.

Argan oil is an organic oil pressed from the seeds of the Argan tree (Argania Spinosa), which grows only in southwestern Morocco. Argania 1640 works directly with Cooperative Agricole Argan Mogador in Had Draa, Morocco to support female artisans who grind the seeds and press the oil by hand.

The argan nuts are cracked to release the seeds
Argan oil is pressed from the seeds


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I was delighted to receive a 15-ml bottle of Argania 1640 100% pure argan oil from the company. With my package, I received a note that the argan oil was hand-pressed only weeks earlier. The bottle is made of brown glass with a dropper in the cap.
Argania 1640 100% pure argan oil
I use Argania 1640 100% pure argan oil to smoothe and add shine to my hair, treat dry patches, and moisturize my dry, ratty cuticles. In my experience, plant oils are the best for moisturizing cuticles. Argania 1640’s web site describes other ways to use argan oil. I want to try the recipe for strengthening nails.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Nancy Sinatra - These Boots Are Made for Walkin' #MusicMonday

Time to bring out the go-go boots!


You keep lyin' when you oughta be truthin'
You keep losing when you oughta not bet
You keep samin' when you oughta be a'changin'

Tuesday, October 09, 2012

Lola Naughty/Nice limited edition two tone lipstick

Lola is the retail line founded by infomercial pioneer Victoria Jackson.  It disappeared from the shelves of Victoria's Secret and Ulta.  However, it's still available online at www.lolacosmetics.com.  It's not clear what involvement Victoria Jackson still has with Lola.  Some Lola products are available on the Victoria Jackson Cosmetics website.

The Lola Naughty/Nice limited edition two tone lipstick caught my eye, as it brought back fond memories of Helena Rubinstein's Splitsticks. OK, the Splitsticks were beige and white and had the sixties written all over them, while the Lola Naughty/Nice limited edition two tone lipstick features coral pink and siren red:

Lola Naughty/Nice LE two tone lipstick
Lola Naughty/Nice LE two tone lipstick swatches
The coral pink is for Brigitte Bardot, while the siren red is for Rita Hayworth.  Sex symbols from two different eras.  Naughty or nice?


I can't say that I'm smitten with this product.  The coral pink takes away lip color, while the siren red has shimmer (I can actually see the sparkles).  For me, red should not have shimmer and the finish should be demi-matte.   This feels more like a stick gloss.



However, I'm a nut for great packaging.  Unclasp the lid from the tube, and a mirror pops up!  How cute is that??!!
Lola Naughty/Nice two tone lipstick tube

Monday, October 08, 2012

Andy Williams #MusicMonday

Lately, it's seemed the death of music.  Composer Marvin Hamlisch died August 6; Burt Bacharach's lyricist Hal David died September 1; and smooth crooner Andy Williams died September 25.

Here's Andy singing his signature song Moon River, on his television show:


You will recognize Moon River as the song that Audrey Hepburn sang in Breakfast at Tiffany's.

And here is Andy singing in a very special duet: