I liked my black Hot Mama dress so much that I decided to get one in a more summery color — green.

I found this one on ebay for 1/3 the price of my black dress.

But I love them both.

I’m looking forward to digging into the latest book from the lovely and talented Phyllis Bourne.

I just got it in the mail and want to curl up with a glass of wine and read it in bed tonight.

Thank you for all the kind words. I am sticking with the red dress. There are so many shades of red and this is the one that works for my coloring. I’m trying out another red dress today …. same shade different dress.

Lulu is having a summer sale: Purchase La Bella Figura 15% off with coupon code BEACHREAD305 until 8/15/10

I picked up this Gap dress at the thrift store this week for $7, along with another $7 red dress.

I was wearing it at the pool and another mother stopped me:

“Excuse me, I just have to tell you that dress is gorgeous on you.”

How sweet.

I’m just going to apologize right off the bat for this post. My book situation is out of control. Pure chaos. Overflowing with library books, books I’ve bought and books I’ve borrowed. For some bizarre reason, all of the books on my waiting lists at the library all decided to come in at once. Several are in the exact same genre of the novel I am writing: girl crime reporter, so they are really considered research.

I have included pictures of them all (see the second to last picture for an idea of the chaos), but I will briefly give a summary of those that I have already read. I  read and loved Foreign Tongue by Vanina Marsot. I recommend it to all Francophiles.

Am currently reading Villa Mirabella from one of my favorite authors in the Italian-American fiction genre, Peter Pezzelli. For some reason, possibly that the main character is a man in his 30s, I keep losing interest in this one.

The one that has me completely caught up in the character’s world is Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum. One of my bookclubs chose this and I borrowed it, so I am making it priority one so I can return it and let someone else in bookclub borrow it. (My second bookclub meets this week and I will have a new book from them, as well, just to add to the madness!)

I also finished “Which Brings Me to You” By Steve Almond and Julianna Baggott. I must say the whole concept of a book based entirely on correspondence was intially a complete turnoff, but the writing is so wonderful I ended up completely engrossed and loved the book. I can’t wait to read more by Baggott.

I also read Becoming A Writer (Dorothea Brande) and On Becoming a Novelist (John Gardner). Both were so-so, I guess. I also read Mark Bittman’s Quick & Easy Recipes and copied down a few of them. Behind that book in the picture you can see some photocopies I made of recipes from the French Women Don’t Get Fat Cookbook. I think I copied about 5 of them for future reference before turning the book back into the library.

The other books on my nightstand (Cheri and The Things They Carried and the New Yorker anthology) are all books I bought, so I may not get to them for quite some time since I have to read the library books which have due dates first!

for my absence. I have a book post I want to run, but I had the bad luck to spill an entire cup of coffe on my laptop the day after I was given a giant freelance project with a tight deadline … I’m underwater right now scrambling to finish the project with borrowed equipment … but hope to post again next week …

K

Yesterday I was killing time at the bookstore with my daughter. We started across the way at a shoe store and I tried on these:

which were on sale for an incredibly great price.

I loved the way they added some punch to my all black ensemble and asked the clerk to hold them for an hour while I thought about it.

Then my daughter and I went to the bookstore. I found two books in the used book section that I have wanted for a while (Cheri by Collette) and a writing book by John Gardener. (I’m doing a book post later today)

But anyway, we went to the counter to pay and then started toward the car.

My daughter asked: “But mama, what about the shoes?”

and I said: “Honey, I’d rather buy books than shoes.”

The less I spend on shoes, the more I can eventually spend on books and other things that continue to inspire me artistically and spiritually.

That pretty much sums it up for me.

I don’t know if it is my nature or my training as a journalist, but I tend to cast a critical eye on most advertising claims. And yet, I found myself sucked in by an Avon commercial for a night cream. Then when my neighbor left her Avon catalog package on my doorstep, I took another look at it.

But then I started researching reviews online and decided — not that it didn’t work or was terrible — but that it didn’t fit with my current skin care routine, which works 99 percent of the time.

I use the three-step Proactiv system. I don’t care for any of the other Proactiv products. Probably the most valuable of the three is the renewing lotion — the third step that fights the acne and is not just part of the cleansing routine. I realized this when I tried to do without that third step this spring and had constant breakouts that went deep and were painful! Once I reintroduced the third component — my skin was back to normal.

I only use Proactiv at night. (In the morning I just wash my face with water and a washcloth andthen  lather it in Neutrogena sunscreen). At night, before the Proactiv, I use a generic version of Cetaphil to remove my eye makeup.

At night, after I use the Proactiv, I apply my most valuable skin care product — a prescription Trentinoin cream.

While I was searching around about Avon, I came across this Mayo Clinic article which explains why my skin care routine works for me and might provide some information to help you decide what products to buy if you are looking:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/wrinkle-creams/SN00010

Wrinkle creams: Your guide to younger looking skin

Do over-the-counter wrinkle creams really reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles? The answer depends on many factors.

By Mayo Clinic staff

Many wrinkle creams and lotions sold in department stores, in drugstores and on the Internet promise to reduce wrinkles and prevent or reverse damage caused by the sun.

Do they work? Research suggests that some wrinkle creams contain ingredients that may improve wrinkles. But many of these ingredients haven’t undergone scientific research to prove this benefit.

If you’re looking for a face-lift in a bottle, you probably won’t find it in over-the-counter (nonprescription) wrinkle creams. But they may slightly improve the appearance of your skin, depending on how long you use the product and the amount and type of the active ingredient in the wrinkle cream.

Common ingredients in anti-wrinkle creams

The effectiveness of anti-wrinkle creams depends in part on the active ingredient or ingredients. Here are some common ingredients that may result in slight to modest improvements in wrinkles.

• Retinol. Retinol is a vitamin A compound and is the first antioxidant to be widely used in nonprescription wrinkle creams. Antioxidants are substances that neutralize free radicals — unstable oxygen molecules that break down skin cells and cause wrinkles. Retinol is less potent than the vitamin A derivative tretinoin, a topical treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating wrinkles. Tretinoin is available only by prescription. Avoid vitamin A derivatives if you are pregnant or may become pregnant because they increase the risk of birth defects.
• Hydroxy acids. Alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids and poly hydroxy acids are all synthetic versions of acids derived from sugar-containing fruits. These acids are exfoliants — substances that remove the upper layer of old, dead skin and stimulate the growth of smooth, evenly pigmented new skin. Because hydroxy acids increase your susceptibility to sun damage, always wear sunscreen during use and for at least one week afterward.
• Coenzyme Q10. Coenzyme Q10 is a nutrient that helps regulate energy production in cells. Some studies have shown reduction in fine wrinkles around the eyes with no side effects. Other studies show that application before sun exposure protects against sun damage.
• Copper peptides. Copper is a trace element found in every cell. In products applied to the skin, it’s combined with small protein fragments called peptides. Copper peptides enhance wound healing. They also stimulate production of collagen and may enhance the action of antioxidants.
• Kinetin. A plant growth factor, kinetin may improve wrinkles and uneven pigmentation with minimal irritation. It’s unclear how it works, but it may help reduce wrinkles by helping skin retain moisture and by stimulating the production of collagen. It may also be a potent antioxidant.
• Tea extracts. Green, black and oolong tea contain compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Green tea extracts are the ones most commonly found in wrinkle creams.

continued:

The FDA classifies creams and lotions as cosmetics, which are defined as having no medical value. So the FDA regulates them less strictly than it does drugs. This means that products don’t need to undergo rigorous testing for safety and effectiveness before approval to go on the market.

The FDA does step in, however, when advertisements portray cosmetics as drugs or when cosmetics contain ingredients that may pose a potential health hazard to consumers. For example, in 2002, the FDA ordered manufacturers of products containing alpha hydroxy acids to include a warning label stating that the acids may increase the risk of sunburn.

Because the FDA doesn’t evaluate cosmetic products for effectiveness, there’s no guarantee that any over-the-counter product will reduce your wrinkles.

Consider these points when judging the merits of using a wrinkle cream:

• Lower doses. Nonprescription wrinkle creams contain lower concentrations of active ingredients than do prescription creams. So results, if any, are limited and usually short-lived.
• Latest research. Research suggests that certain ingredients may improve wrinkles. However, most anti-wrinkle creams haven’t been subjected to the comprehensive, objective research required to prove this benefit.
• Cost. Cost has no relationship to effectiveness. Just because a wrinkle cream is more costly, may not mean that it’s more effective than a less-costly product.
• Daily use. You’ll likely need to use the wrinkle cream once or twice a day for many weeks before noticing any improvements. And once you discontinue using the product, your skin may return to its original appearance.
• Side effects. Some products may cause skin irritation, rashes, burning or redness. Be sure to read and follow the product instructions to limit possible side effects.

Your anti-wrinkle regimen

An anti-wrinkle cream may lessen the appearance of your wrinkles, depending on how often you use it, the type and amount of active ingredient in the wrinkle cream, and the extent of the wrinkles you want to treat.

But if you want to take the guesswork out of your skin-care regimen, try these more reliable ways to improve and maintain your skin’s youthful appearance.

• Protect your skin from the sun. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light speeds up the natural aging process of your skin, causing wrinkles and rough, blotchy skin. In fact, sun exposure is the No. 1 reason for aging signs in the skin, including uneven pigmentation. Protect your skin — and prevent future wrinkles — by limiting the time you spend in the sun and always wearing protective clothing and hats. Also, use sunscreen when outdoors, even in winter.
• Choose products with built-in sunscreen. When selecting skin-care products, choose those with a built-in sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Also, be sure to select products that block both UVA and UVB rays.
• Use moisturizers. Dry skin turns plump skin cells into shriveled ones, creating fine lines and wrinkles long before you’re due. Though moisturizers can’t prevent wrinkles, they can temporarily mask tiny lines and creases.
• Don’t smoke. Smoking causes narrowing of the blood vessels in the outermost layers of your skin. It also damages collagen and elastin — fibers that give your skin its strength and elasticity. As a result, skin begins to sag and wrinkle prematurely.

If you’re concerned about the appearance of your skin, see your dermatologist. He or she can help you create a personalized skin-care plan by assessing your skin type, evaluating your skin’s condition and recommending products likely to be effective. If you’re looking for more dramatic results, a dermatologist can recommend medical treatments for wrinkles, including prescription creams, botulinum toxin (Botox) injections or skin resurfacing techniques.

* Note:I know Isabella is smoking which goes against this advice and I dont’ smoke (anymore) but I had to use this picture because she is just so incredibly beautiful.