More of my favorite things

I'm really digging the TWILIGHT SOUNDTRACK right now. Track 1 (Supermassive Black Hole by Muse--my new ringtone!); Track 2 (Decode by Paramore); Track 3 (Full Moon by The Black Ghosts); Track 6 (Go All the Way (Into the Twilight) by Perry Farrell--Awesome!!!); these are my favorites but the whole thing is really really good.

I am also enjoying SEAL's new one and DIDO's new one. (I would call them albums but that would date me.) I usually love anything by SEAL (his last one, not so much); this one is all covers of older R&B songs; I could listen to him sing the phone book and be happy so I'm glad to hear him again. I still love his older stuff though. "Waiting for You" is one of his best songs, ever. Oh, and "Crazy." DIDO has a pretty voice--not great but good--she was a musical child prodigy (most people don't know that) and can play multiple instruments and writes all her own music and lyrics. That I think is cool.

I am also really into soft and cozy (Lukey's word) fabrics for our clothes and I have found that Nordstrom Rack carries SPLENDID and ELLA MOSS for women for really bargain prices. I just picked up two Ella Moss tops for $30 each (normally $85-$120 each) and a Splendid long-sleeved tee for just $20 (reg. price $65). I also got a great JUICY COUTURE sweater for $60 that is usually $148. Anya got a JUICY sweater also (of course) for $40 (reg. $100). Still pricey for a kid sweater, but hey, it's JUICY! And it looked so cute on, with room to grow. I know, I know, rationalization city. Better quality than Loehman's in my opinion; so to see if there's one in your area go to http://www.nordstromrack.com/ and click on store locations. No, you can't buy online from them. They also carry shoes, handbags, and plus sizes.

I am loving one particular shade of eye shadow by BOBBI BROWN called Velvet Plum. The ladies at Bloomingdale's told me they can't keep it in stock. Actually they were out of it when I went to buy an extra one (I actually never shop there but we were at Fashion Island over the holidays and I happened to be in there). Anyway, JP got me a beautiful palate at Saks for xmas that has that Velvet Plum in it, along with three other usable colors. If you are like me or my niece Sarah, you will wear it all over your lid. If you are less brave, put it in your crease or as liner. Any way you wear it, you will look beautiful and you will thank me. Or if you like to shop online, go to http://www.bobbibrown.com/ and buy it there. Totally worth it.

I found a lip plumper that I really really like. It's by APOTEK and I like that it's a total lip conditioner as well as plumper. You can use it by itself, as a primer before lipstick or gloss, or even over your lipstick or gloss. It's not too sting-y, it smells yummy but not too sweet, and it's not gunky at all. Plus it comes in a tube with a wand, so you don't get your finger all gummy. Go to Apotek Total Lip Treatment to purchase. If you do decide to purchase, remember to use my coupon code on the home page for extra savings! Or click and paste right here: 15PNWS01--save $15 on a $50 order. They have lots of cool stuff at the site (askderm.com) that I've mentioned in previous blogs.

Everyone always asks what color I wear on my lips and how does it stay on so well! So here's my secret: I wear Chanel Rouge Double Intensite Ultra Wear Lip Color in Sandstone. It's the only long-wearing lip color I've found that doesn't dry my lips out at all. What's weird is that the other colors do dry my lips out and don't wear as well. So what do you know. Only this one particular color works for me and my, what, lip chemistry? Whatever, it works.

Finally (!) my fragrance. I am literally stopped (stopped!) on the street and asked by both men and women alike what I am wearing. I wear Jo Malone Lime, Basil, Mandarin spray perfume. I love it because it's light and citrus-y, and not at all musky or heavy, yet still feminine. My older sister tried it and hated it on herself so you never know. Jo Malone makes a ton of other fragrances though, and she likes the Orange Blossom (I think?). I also like the Grapefruit and a few others...they encourage you to mix and match. Go to http://www.jomalone.com/ or http://www.saks.com/ to check out the line. I love it!

So I think that's it for today. Go forth and enjoy!

OH YEA: Eyelash update: my eyelashes are doing amazing, thanks for asking! I am loving my Revitalash. If you want to purchase your own, go to RevitaLash and again, NOW WOULD BE THE TIME TO USE THE COUPON CODE, FOR SURE! (If they let you, I'm not sure.) But it's totally worth it, in my opinion. Combined with the DiorShow Mascara, wow.


Tip for the day: When brushing your teeth, swipe your toothbrush over your lips to remove any dead skin. Then apply a bit of lip conditioner or above mentioned Apotek plumper. This will create a much smoother surface for you to apply your pigment. Follow with favorite lipstick or gloss.

Same concept applies when you exfoliate: don't forget your lips! :)

TV bye bye

Shows that I have given up on in 2009:

1) So I've given up completely on LOST. LOST has lost me. I've gotten so lost, that I just can't get lost in LOST anymore. OK, I'm done.

See, it started out so SOOO great--what a concept! I won't even try to explain it here because it seemed so simple and became so convoluted that it makes me wonder if the creators of the show even knew where they were going with it. Reminds me of the X-Files--another great show that was just plundered into nothingness by the writers/producers--sad sad sad. This is a huge one for me too, but it just feels like a huge waste of time--a true sign to end it. Like a break-up.

2) I've also stopped watching Showtime's THE L WORD. I enjoyed the show the past 2 seasons (I had never watched before) because I was usually up late w/ the baby and it came on when everyone had gone to bed. I am clearly a straight girl but fascinated that a whole les-girl culture exists right here in LA (really they film in Vancouver but ya know) and I love all the clothes and hair and make-up--it's all so girly. Also I love how accepting they are of women's bodies--they just love women, all shapes and sizes.

I didn't even mind the girl-on-girl stuff so much--mostly it was pretty tame. However, when Alan Cumming (was the last name just a coincidence, hmmm?) guest starred as a gay man who fell for a girl transitioning to a guy and they had sex, my head just exploded. Who was putting what where? How were they doin it exactly? Did I need to watch upside-down? That was when I decided maybe I wasn't as sophisticated as I thought I was. This was just TMI, you know? (I still supported No on Prop 8 and all that.) I think I'll just stick with regular vanilla TV for awhile.

3) I also stopped watching THE BIGGEST LOSER. I never really watched it watched it, but Anya liked to turn it on so I would tune in occasionally. These poor people are working so hard to lose weight, and I certainly would feel for them when Jillian and Bob pushed them to their limits. And oh, I loved getting in a good cry at weigh in--I mean, who doesn't? But mostly I just felt guilty for not working out--so I decided I could do without even more guilt and just shut it off. I'm already Jewish--enough with the guilt.

4) HEROES: we hardly knew ya--because the writers sucked! The first season was so great, and then it just stank like poo. I completely gave up. Though I am looking forward to seeing the guy that plays that baddie Sylar as Spock in the upcoming Star Trek movie. Insert tepid golf clap here.

5) And finally, I stopped half-watching THE SIMPSONS with JP when he turns it on. Could they just stop with this show already? Really, it's become embarassing. Does anyone really know or care if they are watching new or repeats at this point? Seriously. Give it up, guys. Go home. It does still make me laugh though. (However, JP's Bart slippers have to go.)

I miss FRIENDS. They were always there for me. (Get it? Go ahead--sing the song. I crack myself up.)

So apparently I'm an idiot...

Lukey asked me to put together one of his transformers yesterday--you know, the ones that are for ages 5-8 years old, that he flips together in a nanosecond. And remember, he's only 3 years old, right? So, I say, okay baby, no problem. I usually feel like my head is going to explode trying to put these damn things together (you laugh! But ha--they are made in Japan, or China and A does not go with B. Not. Easy.Head. Hurts.). But I am a strong capable woman--I can do it! I went to college!

Anyway, 5 minutes pass and he comes back to check on me. "Are you done with that yet mama?" he asks all wide-eyed and sweet. Uh no kid, come back later. Mommy is still pulling her hair out with this thing. And then, I KID YOU NOT, he rolls his eyes, hands splayed at his sides, he says "Come on, mom, don't be an idiot! It's so easy!" And he takes the transformer from my shocked self, and flip flip flip--puts the dang thing together all by himself.

So, apparently, he's right--I am an idiot. And I have to start monitoring his shows more closely.

Country music out, hip hop in!

What an amazing day--I have never been so excited to use that old, tired phrase "Out with the old, in with the new" than today. I was really a Hillary fan, but when I saw that wasn't going to happen, I voted for Barack. There are many many reasons I have disliked Bush--too many to list here. I won't bore you with that. This month's Vanity Fair with Cate Blanchett on the cover (go to http://www.vanityfair.com/) has several great articles on what an idiot he and his henchmen (Cheney is Satan, I truly believe, and seeing him in a wheelchair today--was that how he wanted to be remembered or is it a plea for sympathy? Hmmm.) are and the havoc they wrought.

No, I think what Bush said in his People interview last week sums it up best. When asked what his most anxiety producing moment was in his entire 8 years, he didn't choose 9/11, looking for WMDs--weapons of mass destruction (or lack thereof) to justify his personal wars, all the American lives lost, his Hurricane Katrina response (or lack thereof), the state of economy...NOOOO, he chose throwing out the first pitch at the 2001 World Series as his most anxious moment. That. Is. Really. Scary. (I did crib this from People's Letters section--it so totally hit the nail on the head though and I was thinking exactly this as I was forcing myself to read that article. Wow.)

Let's just ponder that as we welcome our new president to our country's capitol. Hello President Obama. Farewell Mr. Bush and don't let the door hit your noggin on the way out. And please do us all a favor and don't go on a speaking tour--oy gavult, just live in peace in Texas with the good ole boys and sweet Laura and keep your mouth shut.

NOTE: Answer to book question from last blog: "We're going on a bear hunt" by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury. Lukey LOVES that book and knows it by heart. Go to http://www.amazon.com/ and type in the title. It's a small board book for preschoolers but even my 9-yr old enjoys it!

Skeletons in the closet

My 9-yr old daughter is a funny little girl. She will not sleep in her room. Like ever. She will however sleep anywhere else. On a plane. In a car. (In the rain, going far. Am I the new Dr. Seuss? Uh, no). On our sofa. Last night she slept on our breakfast nook booth. Sometimes the floor of our playroom. (Rarely in our bed, thank God. We broke her of that habit long ago.) She will come in for a snuggle or a nightmare, like any normal kid, I guess. But what is up with the sleeping thing?

So I ask her, hey Anya, what is up with the sleeping thing? So she says, as only a 9-yr old can, that her room is like a cave (our bedrooms are downstairs, living areas upstairs) and she's afraid skeletons will come up through the ground, like in the "Haunted Mansion" movie from Disney (another Eddie Murphy movie that you probably passed on, albeit smartly). Ah, those Disney folks, gotta luv em. Creators of joy and dreams throughout the world. So we had discussions about reality vs. fantasy, movies vs. life, etc. She says she gets all that, but don't we bury people when they die, like, in the ground? Yes, dear, but not under our house. Oh, well, it still freaks me out. And in "Monsters, Inc.," they came out of the closet and under the bed, so I'm afraid of that, too. Yes, darling, I say, but that's a cartoon, borne out of some Disney animators' creative minds, for little kids to laugh and see that really it is just silly, monsters aren't real. Yea I get all that, I AM nine--but mom, she says, the closet! The bed!

Oh Jesus, I f-in give up. Sleep wherever you want, kid, just don't bug me. I'm 45, I need my rest.

As my mom always reminds me, everything is "just a phase." At least she (my daughter, not my mom) doesn't wet the bed or use her pacifier anymore. I never thought she'd give that up either, so maybe there is hope. And my 3-year old sleeps in his bed (usually)--like a log, in a fog, without clogs (stop me, please!), just in time to write my blog! Dr. Seuss, out!

I've been found out!

I was recently contacted by a very nice guy at a very cool site called www.AskDerm.com and they asked if I wanted to be affiliated with their site. Well, gosh golly gee and call me a bunny--who knew anyone but my mom and sisters even read this blog? So I checked out their site and since they carry all the cool skincare products that I already use and like, I added them to my site for you, dear readers, to benefit from. How you ask? Simple. Just click on any of the product or site links I have provided (or will continue to provide) for any of the skin care goodies I mention that I can't live without. Most importantly though is that to save $$$ you need to put in the code you see on the bottom right of the first page of my blog, right above the www.AskDerm.com logo at checkout! You can save 15% on a $50 order--that's really good! And it just goes up from there...you can click on their coupons or daily specials once you get to their site for even more deals. They have wonderful high-end products at great prices, plus live people to chat with if you need help.

You can also click right to http://www.amazon.com/ straight from my site. (Also see link bottom right.) When I get to my book list (still ruminating), you will be able to go right to the books. I'm just not that ambitious just yet.

I suppose now I'm gonna have to watch my language mo better and not say the f-word anymore, right?

Chapped lips Tip for the day: I love love love Zim's Crack Creme. It's cheap ($3.99 for two tubes); it tastes like cherry not medicine; it works amazingly well and FAST; and you can find it at any Longs, CVS, or online at http://www.crackcreme.com/. Plus the name just (wait for it) CRACKS me up! Ha ha ha ha ha.

They also make other products for hands, feet (superb heel creme, like nothin else I've tried for those dry cracked heels, seriously), boob creme for nursing moms, too. Check it out, you'll thank me. Bye!

These are a few of my Favorite Things--skin stuff!

Vivite' Skin Care by Allergan: in a word, AMAZING. I actually got this at my neurologist's office of all places! Since I started using this regimen (not complicated, really) my skin is clear and it glows. It's really kind of freaking me out actually. I'm actually going out without wearing concealer or foundation, which I haven't done since, gosh, I was like Anya's age. Not you know, out OUT, but like to Starbuck's and stuff.


Anyway, it's loaded with glycolic acid, salicylic acid, anti-oxidants, and a bunch of natural ingredients like green tea, aloe, chamomile, olive leaf extract, chamomile, pomegranate, caffeine, etc. Check out their website at http://www.viviteskincare.com/. I use the exfoliating cleanser, exfoliating scrub, serum, and I'm just now trying their Vibrance therapy for fading spots. I received a free trial regimen from my doc; it included an eye cream and night cream which I still use; however, I purchased the full sized products from http://www.livelyskin.com/ at a discounted price with two-day shipping. However, if you want to learn more before buying, go to and click on AskDerm.com and type in Vivite and the experts (aka live people, imagine that!) there will talk with you first about all the details about how it works.


Revale' Night Cream with CoffeeBerry Extract: This anti-aging treatment contains the most potent concentration of the super-antioxidant CoffeeBerry at 1.5 percent. This formulation contains other natural antioxidants as well to enhance skin restoration and protect the skin from free radicals and was named one of Allure's top products the past 2 years running. All I know is it helps my fine lines. Go to Night Cream from Revaleskin and order it. Fast. It's soft and creamy and totally non-irritating. You need this cream.


Ziana (Topical Vitamin A): (Rx only) or Renova or Retina-A, etc.: if you aren't using these products, you are either crazy or a woman of childbearing age ( or one and the same? Couldn't resist that joke, sorry). These are one of the greatest discoveries in skincare in the past 20 years, simply because they work. I've found Ziana to be the least peely, for me. And I exfoliate, a lot. A lot a lot. Ask your derm to write it for acne and it will be totally covered by insurance.

B. Kamins Chemist Sunbar Sunscreen SPF 30: This is the one sunscreen for your face and body that has it all. Check this out: It's oil free, fragrance free, paba free, non-greasy, water resistant, has an antioxidant formula, may be reapplied over makeup, broad spectrum protection UVA/UVB, for face and body. Has a nice nude color that dissolves quickly and easily. Safe for babies over 6 months of age. Their products are all "maple" based. Whatever that means. I just like it. Go to B.Kamins for that.

CHANEL Sublimage eye cream: pricey, smells good, pretty jar on your counter (or in my case, in my medicine chest, away from Lukey's potion-making hands). Who knows if it does all it says, every girl deserves some Chanel, right? That's what my friend Judy says, so I'm going with that. But my make-up goes on smoother, so there. Go to http://www.chanel.com/ and have fun.

So that's it for now. Many more fun things to come. Compiling book list. Bye!

I'm finally acne free--it's a miracle!

I just turned 45 years old and have suffered from painful and just yucky acne since I was about 10 years old. It sucked. It hurt. I HATED it. I tried everything. From the fairly innocuous benzyl peroxide to the OMG do not get pregnant Accutane--nothing worked. And now--not a zit in site. How have I achieved this amazing state of clear skin-ness you ask? Well, it's complicated.

First off, about a year ago, I realized I had to find out why I was feeling so god damned tired all the time. Even after a somewhat decent night's sleep, I'd still be dragging. My GP was not a whole hell of a lot of help (and he's pretty good). So I talked with a fellow pharma rep friend who recommended I go to an endocrinologist, aka hormone doc. I was skeptical--I had seen all kinds of docs for my migraines over the years, had even seen an endo years back, and gotten no real help or relief from the headaches. Why see one now for my fatigue? Well, she said, there is a disease called PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) that can headaches, anemia, cause ACNE!? yadayadayada. Well, I was hooked. I went online, looked up PCOS on this doc's website, found me in the description totally and completely and called for an appointment. Of course, since she's a specialist, it took 3-4 months to get in, but hey, wow, life changing.



Dr Jannet Huang, in Irvine, CA, did the most extensive bloodwork on me that's EVER been done--even more than when I was pregnant. She suspected that I was probably insulin resistant and that my thyroid was off--probably low. She also figured that my hormones were out of whack (honestly she said it much more scientifically, and usually I'm quite up on top of the lingo, but believe me when I say it really is quite complicated. Ratios of this to that, and that to this--my head is exploding just trying to get it to my fingertips-ouch. Head. Hurting.)


So I fasted one morning and off I went to the lab. For three hours. I drank a disgusting bottle of this lovely orange goop (blech) and every hour they woke me up to take more blood. I literally passed out. All that sugar just did me in. Two weeks later the verdict was this:



1. Insulin resistant (pre-diabetic, or type 2 (no needles, can be controlled w/ diet and meds). Now I take Glucophage and TRY not to eat any processed sugar. Which is really hard because I love gumballs. :(


2. Hashimoto's disease: Now this was a trip! Not only were my thyroid numbers low (T3, T4, TSH) but I had Hashimoto's, which is an autoimmune disorder in which your immune system inappropriately attacks your thyroid gland, causing damage to your thyroid cells and upsetting the balance of chemical reactions in your body. The inflammation caused by Hashimoto's disease often leads to an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). It is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the US. Now I take Synthroid and I don't feel as tired. Plus I've lost about 10 pounds. Which is cool.



3. Iron Deficiency: I'm not anemic yet, but the Hashimoto's can cause low iron. Now I take Repliva, a prescription iron that doesn't cause constipation or stomach upset.



4. Hormones: Part of the acne issue was how off my progesterone:estrogen levels were; also my circulating testosterone. Now I take Aldactone (generic name: spirinolactone) which is a miracle drug for clearing up acne. However, if you are planning to have kids anytime soon, it's not for you. But if you are a man, a teen on BC pills, or a woman my age, you are a perfect candidate.



I also put a Climara estrogen patch on my tush once per week. This helps regulate my hormone levels much better and it's a VERY low dose because it's a menopausal dose (0.025mg); it also has the added benefit of helping control my migraines--which has been an amazing side effect!



5. Cholesterol: My total number is under 200, in the 180s, but we'd like it lower. Plus my LDLs need to be lower and my HDLs need to be higher. Dr Huang also ran a very sophisticated cholesterol test called The Berkeley Heart Lab. It offers a panel of tests that can detect inherited abnormalities that are beyond the reach of conventional HDL and LDL analysis. For the first time, they can isolate, for example, if you are in the population most at risk to get Alzheimer's based on this test--and start treating you NOW. Fortunately, I'm not. Phew. I'm also putting cinnamon in my coffee everyday which has been shown to help naturally lower LDLs. Also fish oil caps and CoQ10 which helps with inflammation throughout the body's cells.

6. Other stuff: I added calcium and vitamin D (Caltrate) which I also tested on the low side for and started drinking at least one cup of green tea per day.

7. Had to change my diet: in that I don't diet, per say. I just have to not eat anything w/ high fructose corn syrup (which is practically anything processed), nothing white (pasta, breads, cereals), and nothing over 6 grams of natural sugar (which is practically impossible). Start looking at labels--one Yoplait yogurt has 27 grams of sugar!

And I have to combine my foods: an apple with nuts, for example. And I can't skip meals or I get too shaky. And weird stuff, like no corn, but popcorn is okay.

And finally, all that stuff above combines to make a diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS, even though I don't actually have cystic ovaries. Go figure. It really is just a fancy name for a metabolic syndrome--kind of a catchall phrase I guess.

So that's my story and I'm sticking to it. In my follow up, all my blood levels have evened out, and I feel so much better. As for my skin, it's clear and smooth, unbelievable. I'm so happy, I really just can't believe it. It has taken about three months of being on the Aldactone, but it has finally happened--clear beautiful skin.

So, if you or someone you know is having problems with losing weight (yo-yo dieting), or fatigue, or if they fall asleep all the time especially after they eat, you might want to get checked for insulin resistance or thyroid problems. Check with your own family history too--my mom has been on thyroid meds forever, though she doesn't have Hashimoto's.

If you want to check out Dr. Huang's website, go to http://www.centerforoptimalhealth.meta-ehealth.com/ for lots of cool info and you can also order supplements and aromatherapy and other stuff. If you are local and want to go see her, I highly recommend it. She's amazing and well worth the wait.

The Sweetie Effect

Well, congrats to my folks for pulling off a wonderful anniversary weekend. Wow was it fun! Not much to say here except "Good one Dad for getting down on one knee--who knew you could still do that? and giving Mom a brand new diamond ring!" And kudos to Mom for making their house so warm and inviting, as always, to everyone who wanted to join in and celebrate this happy occasion.

Mom's best friend Marian mentioned in her speech that in spending a weekend with them, she had never heard two people call each other "sweetie" as often as my parents do. Sometimes it was a simple "Thanks for passing the cereal, sweetie" and other times it was a "You passed the turn for the fourth time, SWEETIE!" Yet it was always said with love.

My parents have always taught my sisters Caren, Leslie and I nothing but love, hugs and kisees; say what's on your mind but with kindness; treat others with respect. Oh, and eat your vegetables.

Here are just a few of the happy pix: