A Word or Two About Hair Removal

Here's a thing that I thought I might not talk about but many of us (if not all) have hair in unwanted places and myself, being an I-talian girl, have had more than my share.

I have tweezed, shaved, bleached, gotten electrolysis, laser treatments, waxed and cried. I will tell you the few things that work and hopefully this will help some of you who have had this same struggle.

I will start with waxing. Most of us have heard about the Brazilian wax and perhaps you remember Samantha from Sex & The City talking about it so openly. What does Brazilian wax mean? Going completely bare and hairless? No, actually it means wax from Brazil. The amount of hair you want to remove is up to you. Brazilian women are notoriously hairy and their culture is also beauty-obsessed. These two things do not coincide so they have developed a formula for wax that is...get this...virtually painless! I heart my woman at Sonia's Waxing Plus and wouldn't trade her for anything. Check out www.waxingplus.com to see the three locations. If one is not near you, look for a salon that imports wax from Brazil. You will save a lot of time as this wax works more quickly than most and more importantly, you will save a TON of tears. If you don't shave in between appointments you will have less discomfort each time you go to the point that it you will barely feel it at all. Oh, if I had only known about this years ago!

Laser hair removal also works wonders. I had 3 treatments in 2003 and those areas remain completely smooth and hairless today. The trick is not to go to a laser center but to go to a dermatologist. Individual treatments may be more expensive than ones at a laser center but you will not need as many treatments so in the long run you save precious time as well as a ton of money. (Dermatologists have much more powerful lasers than the cosmetic spas because the high-powered lasers require that a physician operate them).

Shaving. Oy, Gillette. I hesitate to say this because the blades are just so expensive but Gillette's Mach III Turbo razors seem to work the best. The head pivots and you get a really close shave. Try picking up blades at your local wholesale club or here at Amazon to save a lot of dough.













Electrolysis is incredibly painful and it doesn't work. I repeat, it does not work. Go high tech. Laser is the only way to go for permanent hair removal. Plus, if you go to a dermatologist they can give you numbing cream before your treatment so you won't feel a thing!

Do-It-Yourself Hair Removal
I have mentioned this before but I will say it again, the best tweezer on the market comes from Switzerland and is called Rubis Slant Tweezer. Mine is now 10 years old, still going strong and I have never had to sharpen it. Very well-worth the money. It gets teeny little stubble like no other tweezer can.















For areas like upper lip and eyebrows, hands, feet, places you can see and reach easily, this at-home wax works wonders. It doesn't hurt and melts quickly in the microwave. Keep this on hand for in between professional appointments or do it yourself all the time. It's easy and pretty fool-proof. The best thing is, you can melt it over and over again and save a lot of money. For the cost of one waxing you can do your upper lip for months with the 4 oz. size.














Still not ready to remove your hair? Why not lighten it a bit? This bleaching "creme" has been around forever and works great. Women, use this on your face once a month or so. The bleach actually cleans your skin so it helps with blemishes and leaves you with a nice glow. Marilyn Monroe used to bleach the hair on her face to give herself an ethereal look. It helps to lighten the skin also and decreases the look of dark spots. Be careful, though. Follow the directions carefully and if you feel any more than a tingle, wipe it off and start over because it means you didn't mix the formula properly.

My Favorite 15 Minute Healthy Meal- Chicken or Vegetarian

     It's dinner time and you've nothing to eat. Before you order a pizza, you may have everything you need for a quick and healthy dinner. If you don't typically stock these things in your pantry or freezer, stock up! My favorite part about this recipe is how versatile it is. It can be made with meat or completely vegetarian and it can be made with a variety of ingredients, either fresh or frozen!


I got this basic recipe from my mom and I constantly play around with it. It always tastes good, every time. Prep time is about 10 minutes. Cooking time- 3 minutes! Try it with what you have lying around. I affectionately call it:

Kitchen Sink Soup!

Serves 4 (and this recipe can be doubled, tripled or what have you)

The ingredients for the broth are the only two things that you need. The rest can change according to your taste and what you have on hand.

Broth
-1 Box Pacific Naturals Organic Chicken Broth (Use Pacific Naturals Veggie Broth for veggie version)
-1 Glass Jar or can of cooked, pureed tomatoes (tomato "sauce")


Protein
-1 package of boneless chicken breasts (organic; fresh or frozen)  
-Substitute chicken with your favorite beans for veggie soup



*Veggies
A few handfuls of chopped fresh or frozen veggies (buy organic!) I like to add things like broccoli, spinach, carrots, cauliflower or zucchini but any veggies your family will eat will work. 



**Healthy Carbs
1 box of whole grain pasta (fiber content of 4g per serving or higher)

Directions

Boil water for pasta and follow the directions on the package. 

Combine broth and tomato sauce in a soup pot and using a high flame, bring to a boil. Add salt and pepper.



While those are heating up, (defrost if you need and) chop up one package of boneless chicken breasts 


Wash and chop fresh veggies or ready your bags of pre-chopped frozen veggies (you can even mix fresh and frozen)


When your pasta is cooked, drain and keep it aside.


When the broth comes to a boil, add all of your chopped ingredients and boil for 3 minutes.


Soup's on!


Place a small amount of pasta at the bottom of each bowl and using a ladle, pour soup on top. Sprinkle each bowl of soup with grated Parmesan or Romano cheese and add hot pepper flakes or hot sauce if you want a little kick. 


*HINT: If your children won't eat their veggies, remove them after they are cooked, place them in the blender and make a puree. It will seem like pasta and chicken with a thick sauce. They will never know! ;)


** If time allows, you can substitute whole grain pasta for brown rice. 

Dating Horror Story #7

I used to work at an upscale gym on the South Shore of Long Island. I worked at the front desk; not the most glamorous of positions but it gave me the opportunity to exercise for free and to meet cute boys...so, not such a bad deal. Perks, baby. It's all about the perks.

I often gazed at the male members (of the gym) and wondered which one would be my husband. Checking people in, swiping cards and handing out locks gives one lots of free time for daydreaming. One day this man walked in and handed me his card to swipe. His name was Vincent. He was about 6'2" tall, blonde and an absolute Addonis. His body could have been on the cover of any fitness magazine and he certainly could have been on a Calvin Klein billboard if he had wished to pursue that line of work. I used to stare/drool almost instantaneously every time he walked in the door. A Pavlovian response, for sure. Many members of the gym stopped by to chat for a few either before or after their workouts as many people perceive me to be some sort of therapist. I should have been a bartender. ;) Vincent though, was fairly quiet, only saying "hey" as he breezed passed me on his way to keep his taught body in shape, which made him seem all the more mysterious. I would all but undress him with my eyes with every glance (as soon as he turned around, of course- didn't want to give it away).

One day he and I happened to be working out at the same time. I was sitting upright on a weight bench doing curls and he was doing a handstand against the wall doing push-ups. Yes, that's what I said. Ha! It was so impressive and I took that as an opening for dialogue. I asked him what he was doing and he said he only used gravity and his own weight to work his muscles- no machines, no free weights. I expressed my deepest respect for his methodology and our conversation continued. We exchanged phone numbers and went on our merry ways.

He called me later that night and we had a nice talk. He was a little rough around the edges but very sweet and endearing. We made plans to go to dinner that coming Saturday night. He picked me up and we drove to Brooklyn, to a mob-run Italian joint. This was in the days when Gotti still ruled. Dinner was delicious. I had the ravioli al forno- don't ask me why I remember that. I don't even remember what I had for dinner last night. We had a great time. I actually can't remember a word that he said but I think it didn't matter so much. Just staring at him was enough to fill the few hours we had spent together.

Vincent and I continued to date a few more times and each time we enjoyed ourselves very much. After about a month of dating he invited me over his house to go swimming. He lived with his mom and step-father. He had told me that his mother had gotten remarried to a wealthy Jewish man, though Vincent and his mom were both full-blooded Italian and were from a not-so-hot area of Brooklyn. Well, I pulled up to this unbelievably beautiful stucco colonial home built circa 1928. It was just stunning and the pool was lovely as well. It was a gorgeous day, the sun was shining, the birds were singing, you get it. We swam and giggled, made out and flirted. It was truly a dreamy day. Then...his mother came home from work. We knew she was home because she immediately began screaming in our direction from inside the house. She said, "Vincent?!?!?!?! Who is that whore in the pool with you?!" Um, I was flabbergasted. Me? I am probably the nicest girl Vincent had ever dated because I think he even mentioned that. I was shocked and horrified and embarrassed for him as well.

Vincent jumped out of the pool and ran into the house. His mom screamed, "Vincent, tell that whore to get out of my house!" Vincent yelled something indiscernible back and then I heard this sound...THWACK! I stopped breathing for a second and there was a moment of silence. The silence was broken by a sound of sobbing. His mom began crying and then screaming, saying that Vincent shouldn't have hit her and she was going to call the cops. OMG!!! He hit his mom?! Really? Yes, really! Holy crap! I jumped out of the pool using that adrenaline-powered super-human strength , grabbed my purse and shoes and ran to my car as fast as I could. I think I left my clothes there. I sped away, never to return again. Vincent's phone calls went unanswered and I quit my job at the gym soon afterward.

The Truth About Skin: What Pharmaceutical Companies Don't Want You To Know

Please read this in its entirety. Say no to drug companies and improve your health while looking younger and feeling better in the process!

I have posted a few things here and on facebook touching upon this topic but I decided to put everything together here in one concise, easy-to-find place.

I don't have a complicated skin care regimen and I don't spend a ton of money either. I don't buy into hype or marketing ploys. These are things that I do, principles and products that I believe in and these tips are for men and women alike.

FREE ANTI-WRINKLE TREATMENT

We spend about 1/3 of our lives in bed, right? Imagine for all of that time your face is squished, contorted or hanging to one side. What does that do to your face? Wrinkles and sags are created as we sleep. Try sleeping on your back if you can. Your face will look much younger and less puffy if you do.

THE MYTH ABOUT DRY SKIN
"Dry" skin is DEAD skin. YOU CAN'T HEAL DRY SKIN! It is a myth created by large pharmaceutical companies to get you to buy their products!!! You must remove dry skin. No matter how much moisturizer you apply you will never make any headway. You must rid yourself of dry, scaly skin and make room for new, healthy skin underneath. Think about what happens to your skin after a day at the beach. The salt, sand and seaweed slough and then "heal" your skin. Look to products that give you this result all year long.


EXFOLIATION
Why is it that men tend to look younger than women? Exfoliation! Men, though completely unaware, are constantly exfoliating their faces each and every time they shave. Women, please don't take a razor to your faces but do exfoliate once or twice a week. Sloughing your skin helps your body create new, healthy skin; it aids in the regeneration process. It also stimulates the production of collagen which helps to firm your skin and fill in lines and wrinkles. Massaging your skin during exfoliation also stimulates your blood cells and helps release toxins.

The cheapie St. Ives Apricot Scrub is great and very effective. No need to spend a lot of money on fancy packaging, marketing ploys or high end fragrances. You just need abrasion. Make sure you dampen your skin with warm water, use a small amount of scrub and massage yourself in a circular motion for about 1 minute. Gently wipe off the scrub with a washcloth soaked in warm water and then immediately apply a moisturizer. And don't forget your neck! You will instantly feel cleaner and you will look younger.

Another way to help get rid of dead skin is to take a bath for 15-20 minutes in warm water mixed with Epsom salts. After you soak, take your fingernail and gently scratch your leg. You should see the skin come right off. Using a washcloth, vigorously rub your entire body, drain your tub and then rinse off in the shower. Immediately apply a moisturizer such as a natural oil. Jason's Vitamin E Oil is amazing and also helps to heal cuts. With any oil, apply to towel-dried skin and allow 10 minutes for the oil to be absorbed by your skin before getting dressed.

CHAPPED LIPS

Chap Stick had wonderful commercials when we were growing up and we all bought into it at some point. However, Chap Stick does not help chapped lips! It's waxy texture can protect lips from the elements but once you're chapped, you're done. The next time you brush your teeth try running your toothbrush under warm water, then gently brush your lips using a circular motion. If you do this once or twice a week you will prevent dead skin buildup. Your lips will appear larger and will have a healthier color. Moisturize your lips with a dab of Vitamin E Oil after you exfoliate. Keep Kiehl's Lip Balm in your car. You can also use this balm to massage dry cuticles while you're at a red light.

DRY HANDS


Getting a really great manicure with a paraffin wax treatment tremendously improves the look of dry hands but if you are like me and you don't have the time try the Apricot Scrub in the shower. If that isn't enough to do the trick, wait until your skin is completely dry and using a nail file, literally file your skin but only in one direction. Pick a direction and stick to it! Then wash your hands with warm water and apply moisturizer.

CRACKED FEET


Again, dry skin is dead skin. I must say this again. You must remove the dead skin on your feet to reveal healthy skin underneath. I keep an antibacterial foot file in the shower which is great. And remember, as always, when filing anything, only file in one direction. DO NOT go back and forth. This goes for skin, nails, sharpening knives, etc. Stridex pads work well also because they are soaked in salicylic acid which helps break down dead skin. They also work great for cleaning underneath your nails. Apply moisturizer to your heels after your shower. You can also try applying Vitamin E Oil to your feet at night. Sleep with white cotton socks. Wake up in the morning to new feet!

MOISTURIZER
I LOVE me some Creme De La Mer. I recommend this to everyone. It moisturizes and improves texture. Nope, it's not cheap my friends, it's over 100 bucks but it lasts over a year. There's a link below. Check it out. I got it from J. Lo, though she buys the industrial size at $1,000 per pop. Ouch!

Read your ingredient labels!!! If your "moisturizer" contains anything at all ending in "ol" like: alcohol, ethyl, glycol, methanol, benzene or isopropyl alcohol...guess what? It is drying out your skin!!! THROW IT AWAY AND NEVER LOOK BACK! If your moisturizer is drying out your skin, what will you need to do? BUY MORE MOISTURIZER! Don't fall for it. Take a stand. Some moisturizers with very high alcohol contents even say, "Dermatologist Approved" on the labels! Guess what? Those dermatologists are paid by drug companies to approve those products. 


Also look for formaldehyde, aluminum, animal fats (tallowate sodium), sodium laurel sulfate, bentonite, butane, collagen, DEA, MEA, tea, dioxins, hydrocarbons and glycerin. These chemicals are harmful to you and your body. 


Try natural products, especially those made of food-grade ingredients like oils made from olives, coconuts, cocoa butter or almonds. Support small businesses by purchasing lesser known moisturizers. Johnson & Johnson doesn't need your money. By the way, Johnson & Johnson's Baby Lotion? POISON! Filled with alcohol, parabens, silicone, cheap fragrance and loads of chemicals. Know what you are putting on your skin and your children's skin. If you can't eat it, don't use it. Your skin absorbs what you put on it; it eats it. Think about it and make a change for the better. 


SPA AT HOME


No time or money for a professional facial? Bliss Spa in NYC has created a line of at-home facial masks that work amazingly well. I have one listed below that is one of my faves. Just follow the simple directions and see an instant improvement in the way your skin looks and feels. I heart Bliss products. Santa, are you listening? 


Using these basic principals will help you to look and feel better about yourself. Here's to you!


WHERE TO BUY:

Organic Nail Polish!

Nail polish is typically an extremely toxic substance filled with nasty chemicals and formaldehyde. Any product that pregnant women are banned from...um, we should stay away from all the time, don't ya think?

If your nail salon doesn't offer any natural nail products, bring your own! Paint your nails and don't worry because these have low or no VOCs, they are non-toxic, have no smell and are totally safe. Here are some great colors to choose from as well as a quick-dry top coat and non-toxic polish remover.

Nail polishes and removers seep into the skin through your cuticles so your body is actually ingesting formaldehyde and other harsh with every manicure you get. Why not switch to a healthier product?

These polishes also make great gifts for pregnant or nursing women as well as your favorite little girl.

OMG- It's a Miracle! Organic Noodles with so much fiber that they have no calories!!!!

Read about the health benefits of these Japanese noodles. Then Pick some up and try them in soups or with your favorite sauce! No calories, tons of fiber that keeps you full for hours and helps your digestion products. These are the only noodles considered to be safe for diabetic patients. Noodles that help you lose weight?! YES!!!!!!!

Why Is The Miracle Noodle So Healthy?

The answer to this questions lies in understanding the role of fiber in our diets. Our noodle is made mainly of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber acts to slow digestion. By doing this, it allows for the slower absorption of glucose and is the reason behind its beneficial effects in diabetes.

The soluble fiber found in the Miracle Noodle slows digestion and prolongs the sensation of fullness and is an essential part of any weight loss program. You also absorb more nutrients in the foods you eat with The Miracle Noodle due to the slowing of digestion. 

How Can The Miracle Noodle Help Me In My Weight Loss Goal?

Just by replacing one meal per day with our noodles will significantly raise your needed fiber intake and dramatically lower your total calorie intake. In combination with raising your metabolic rate with moderate exercise, you have just found the tasty weight loss plan you have been looking for. 

Can the soluble fiber in The Miracle Noodle help my cholesterol? 

Yes! Soluble fiber binds bile acids that are secreted from the gall bladder. These bile acids have cholesterol in them and are bound up by the soluble fiber in the Miracle Noodle and then excreted. See the 3rd study on the left for specific documentation.

How does The Miracle Noodle help Type II Diabetes?

By slowing the digestive process, there is a slower absorption of glucose which then requires a slower release of insulin from the pancreas which aids in the normalization of blood glucose after eating a meal.

The Best Vacuum on the Market

I got married in 1997. Since that year I have purchased a new vacuum cleaner just about once a year. I've tried Hoover, Dyson, Eureka and everything else you could imagine. They always broke and sometimes just after a few months. I decided to stop the madness and go to a real vacuum store, very old-fashioned- what wonderful service and advice you get. The owner told me that a Miele vacuum would not only pick up everything on the first pass (now that's a novel idea!) but it would last me 10-20 years or more. WOW!

I have owned this vacuum now for 5 years and it is absolutely wonderful! It works and works well. It rolls easily and follows me where I need to go without having to pick it up. It is fairly lightweight when I do need to carry it. The head swivels for tough-to-reach places and it works well on carpet, tile and hardwood floors. This vacuum makes housework go much faster and is a very powerful machine. I can't recommend this enough. If I had bought this 14 years ago I would have about $1,000 more dollars in the bank!

Designer Furnishings by Norwalk Furniture

We all want high quality, affordable furniture but that doesn't seem to exist in today's market. Everything affordable seems to be made overseas and is filled with screws, pressboard and not-so-sturdy joints.

Instead of buying "disposable" furniture from Target, IKEA and the like, why not buy something that will last you through years of use and enjoyment?

Norwalk Furniture has been crafting quality, handmade pieces for over 100 years, right here in the U.S. Their line includes traditional and contemporary selections and their customizable options will fit into almost any decor. 

Visit their website at www.norwalkfurniture.com and see what each upholstered piece will look like in over 800 fabrics so there is no guesswork. You can choose from sofas, chairs, ottomans, benches, daybeds and headboards. 

Choose your color or pattern, wood color for the leg, throw pillows and you are done. Completely custom furniture, made for you, made to last with a turnaround time of 35 days! See how the look changes with different fabric choices:

Discounts are available through my company, ReDesign for a Dime. I buy directly from the factory and pass the savings along to you. Get the insider pricing on your quality home furnishings today.

Visit my website www.redesignforadime.com and contact me for a price quote on your favorite item. Happy shopping!!

Lifestyle Tip: Italian Cooking

The thought of Italy...ah. My heritage is Italian, Irish and Native American though I identify with the Italian culture very strongly. I have been to Italy several times and each time I go I dream of never returning. I love the people, the architecture, the history and most of all, the food.

When I have Italian food in the U.S. I am often disappointed and I have discovered why- the GARLIC!!! Italians are lovers. They love romance, passion and kisses. They do not (for the most part) eat garlic! Rather, their cuisine is flavored with garlic. Much different!

When cooking Italian food, cut your garlic cloves in half, gently saute them in olive oil over a low heat. As soon as your garlic begins to sizzle (don't let it turn even the slightest shade of brown, throw it out. Yes, toss your garlic in the garbage. You will be left with a flavorful oil that won't compromise your breath. That's Italian. ;)

Dating Horror Story #6: The Story of The Dimes

I believe in fate, destiny, hope, true love, romance and I often dream of being rescued from a tower by a man on a white horse, though I know I would be able to get myself out because I am somewhat of a female MacGyver or as I have been affectionately nicknamed, Martha Villa, (the biological product of Martha Stewart and Bob Villa). Just give me a bedsheet or some chewing gum and a popsicle stick and I will figure it out. But yet, I still dream. To dream is to live. And to visualize that dream makes it become reality.

So when I set out to meet someone I sat down and made a list of things I was looking for and then I visualized that list taking the form of a real-life man. He should be: tall, handsome, good-hearted, generous, fun, divorced with children so he would be able to understand my priorities and time constraints, he should be handy as all heck so we could build a life together emotionally as well as physically (always dreamed of renovating an old farmhouse) and he should live in Manhattan so he is cultured and aware. And if he is on the east side that would be great so my commute would be easier. Hey, you have to be practical sometimes, even in dreams. ;)

I closed my eyes and made a wish on my birthday. I saw this man clearly. I blew out my candles, opened my eyes, smiled and then just waited for him to come walking into my life.

Three days after my birthday I got a phone call from this man, though I didn't know it at the time. We began speaking and we found out that we had much in common. Our families are from the same two towns in Italy, we both have one young child, we are on the same visitation schedule, he is handsome, tall, doesn't drink very often (added bonus), handy as all heck as he renovated a 6,000 square foot home on his own and he lives in Manhattan on the east side! We had such an easy time talking to one another that we stayed on the phone for 6 1/2 hours! Really? I haven't been on the phone with anyone ever for 6 1/2 hours. Wow!!

Every year for my birthday I am given the same gift, no matter what I ask for. It always comes from different people but it never waivers. This "gift" is called Bronchitis. I get a cold and then an annoying dry cough. During the course of the conversation, I coughed many times and apologized for sounding gross but I knew I was at the tail end of this sickness and this nastiness would soon disappear.

As we were talking, the name of my business came up, ReDesign for a Dime. He gasped but I kind of ignored it. He said he had something to tell me but he didn't want to freak me out so he would tell me after we got to know each other. I pressed him (I can be good at that) and he divulged. He had been to a psychic 3 years ago who told him that he wouldn't meet the girl of his dreams for a few years but he would know when he was about to meet her because he would start seeing dimes everywhere; no other coins, just dimes. He had seen dimes on the street, on elevators, on the ground at random places and times that same week we were speaking. The name of my business has the word dime in it. I thought it was strange but I dismissed it until...I walked outside to get some air on my patio, sat down at my table and what was there, sitting right in front of me? One lone dime! A dime on my table and nothing else. I don't leave change anywhere. I am a neat freak and I put everything away. How did this dime get there? Holy crapola, Batman! I told this man about the dime and I actually began crying. It was so moving and yet so bizarre. We were both kind of freaked out but we had such a nice conversation and both wanted to continue so we decided to have dinner two days later and see if this dime theory held any water.

He picked me up and my, he was handsome, tall and also well-dressed. My dogs loved him (just another added bonus) and he was not bothered by my little monster Shih-tzsu Fergie who likes to jump all over the ones she likes.

We got to the restaurant he had chosen and he decided it was too bright and not romantic enough. I recommended a restaurant I had found online, got directions and off we went. We were driving around in circles because it turned out the restaurant I had found had gone out of business. We were lost and starving but things like that don't upset me and he didn't seem upset either. That was great because I have a hard time dealing with people who can't go with the flow and can't sweat the small stuff. Yet another check on my list.

I suggested a restaurant nearby so we could eat right away. Everything felt right. We had a nice dinner and a good time together, though my cough was pretty persistent. I had two glasses of wine which is a lot for me these days so I was a little more "open" than I normally would be and the wine only further dried out my throat and made my hacking worse. He dropped me off at home and I practically asked him to kiss me good night. I had to know right then and there if this chemistry was right. He seemed hesitant and I'm not sure he felt the same way I did but some people are shy at first so I overlooked that. I said good night, thanked him for dinner and went inside.

The next day I didn't hear from him and sent him a text message saying that I had a nice time and I asked him what he thought about the whole thing. He said, "You are a lovely woman and a wonderful person and we should try to get together soon." Ah, the kiss of death! You tell 900 lb. women that they are wonderful people. And with a "compliment" like that there is always an implied "but" afterward. And we should "try" to get together soon? With our children on the same schedule and with living 30 minutes from each other would it be that much of an effort?

I knew right then and there this was doomed. He didn't feel it. After the 6 1/2 hour talk, the whole dime thing, the nice evening together, something was missing for him and I would never know what it was. Was it was my cough? That is temporary so probably not? Perhaps the dimes and the commonalities, fate and destiny were all too much for him? Maybe it's the old saying, "If it seems too good to be true...?" I will never know.

I believe in too good to be true. I believe in romance and I want the happy ending, the white horse, the magic. I think it's there if you find the right person. And I still believe in destiny even though I also believe that we can alter our destinies with even the simplest of decisions. Think about the film Sliding Doors...I only wonder what would have been...

New Design Trend 2010: Man Caves vs. Mom Caves

We have all heard of the man cave and most of us can get a clear get a visual on that one. We imagine black leather furniture, sleek, chrome, glass and lots of electronics, gizmos and games. When men want to escape to their lairs they are looking for stimuli to take their mind off their woes. Women, on the other hand, look for a quiet retreat; a small nook or corner they can call their own; one where they can read, knit or create some handicrafts. Women tend to seek a place of reflection; of introspection. Women want to be alone with their thoughts while men want to have room for all of the guys to hang out with them and watch the game on their 1,000" TV or to play foosball.

With so many women working out of the home making as much or more than their partners, women are feeling empowered and deserving of a spot in the home they can call their own, away from the hustle and bustle of the kitchen and shared family spaces.

Read the full article here: http://demodirt.com/index.php/women-trends/consumer-spending/448-solutions-for-the-modern-cavewoman

Dating Horror Story #5

      I met this guy several months ago. He was handsome, very tall, well-dressed and well-spoken. He had this great energy and was really fun; like a kid in a candy store all day, every day, no matter where he went. He asked me to lunch and I said yes. I am always attracted to good energy.

We were just walking around NYC without a plan and walked right into one of the fanciest lunch spots I could have imagined. It was lovely, though I felt a bit out of place. I was wearing jeans and a T-shirt compared to the ladies-who-lunch who were donning Chanel suits. My date didn't seem to care. He was too much of a free spirit. Our bill was in the $150 range for two lunches and a couple of diet cokes; a little steep for me but he paid and was happy to do so. I could get used to this!

I knew he was from Maine but then I found out that he lives there full-time. Oh, no! I am in New York and I have established roots here. I can't just pick up and go. How could this work out down the road if we really hit it off and wanted to see each other again, I asked myself? I have a child, my own business and 5 pets. My dream was fading fast. I voiced my concern. He said, "Don't worry about it. I have it all figured out. I'll tell you later." That seemed a little strange to me but we were having a good time so I just let that comment go.

As we got to talking I came to discover that this man retired a few years prior. Retired? "How?" I asked. He had purchased a business while in his early 20's and grew it to the point that he was a multi-millionaire several times over and never had to work again. "Oh, my." I said. Very impressive!

We had a wonderful time together and I walked him to his hotel. It was very fancy. The doorman knew him by name. A few days later my date, still in town, asked me out again. I of course said yes. This time we had dinner which was a little sexier.

A few hours passed like minutes. The conversation was easy and fun. We got along very well and were each excited by the prospect of spending even more time together, though I had no idea how. When my date felt comfortable, he finally began telling me how things could work out between us with our long-distance issue. He told me how the rest of my life would play out. Wait...the rest of my life? Was he serious? I knew him for a few hours and he was telling me what to do? I really liked him and I was so curious that I gave him the benefit of the doubt, shut my mouth and listened anyway.

He said I would move to Maine with my daughter and pets and he would take care of me. Maine? Really? Maine is cold and there is nothing to do there. I let him go on. I would abandon my business, he said,  so I would be free to travel with him wherever he would like to go. Ok, I love traveling but give up my business?!  And what about where I want to go? We would have live-in help to take care of the house, animals and my daughter. Um...I want to raise my daughter and she also has a father who she sees several times per week. My daughter's father and my family all live in NY. He went on to say that I could fly back to NY whenever I wanted to as money was no object so my daughter could see her family here. However, every other week we would spend at his second home in Costa Rica and my daughter could come when she is on vacation from school. We could also travel other places, he said. How gracious of him. This is not...he interrupted my thoughts. He said, "Listen, this is my dream. I can give you an extraordinary life. If you don't want it just tell me. I am looking for a woman to fit into my dream. " I want, I need, I see, I think, I have to, I, I, I...

...I said, "No, thank you."

Real Life Ghost Story

This is a strange story but it is 100% true. And it was the most bizarre experience of my entire life.


The year was 2007. We had just moved into our home. It was a beautiful manor by the sea, built in 1906. It is the kind of house that takes your breath away; a stately white Victorian with a 75' long front porch. The previous owners had told us the house was haunted (after we bought it) but we didn't believe it. They seemed a little odd for saying that. But they did say that the spirits were respectful. We giggled and moved on.

The house had been neglected for quite some time and so with my redesign skills and an itch to create something beautiful I immediately got to work.


The house had a small staircase to the third floor that led to a very odd, small door marking the entrance. You would imagine opening the door to find a cramped attic space but there was actually an enormous room up there; an entire third story.

The room was dark and dank with dated paneling that had been applied to the walls circa 1950 and a green linoleum floor that was cracked and well, a not so pleasing shade of avocado. There were remnants of an old billiards table (stains and dents on the floor) and some creepy dangling fluorescent light fixtures, a giant cast iron radiator and a steel storage closet. We were thinking of turning the space into a playroom for our daughter. To go from creepy to cheerful would take some effort. This was going to be a project!



The first step was getting heat up there. The old clunker of a radiator didn't work anymore. We opted for a gas fireplace to supply heat which then led us to creating a theater area with a retractable movie screen over the fireplace.

The previous owners didn't touch the house in the 17 years they were living there. Everything was left exactly the same as the way they found it. We, on the other hand, wanted to update the house a bit and make it more functional, not knowing, of course, what was in store.

The steel storage closet had to be removed in order to fit the new bathroom, wet bar and office area. Once the closet was gone, we realized that the ceiling could be vaulted. When the ceiling was removed, a 15' high roofline was revealed and evidence of a previous fire was obvious with burnt shingles and missing and damaged support beams. My uncle, a master plumber, also uncovered an old abandoned gas pipe that had been coming up from the floor. It had been cut for some reason.

One day, shortly after the renovation was completed, my daughter, who was 2 years old at the time, was on the third floor playing with her dad. She suddenly screamed and became terribly frightened of something. Her dad asked her what was wrong and she said, "I'm scared of the light!" She saw a light in the corner of the room and she had to leave immediately. She was so scared she couldn't even be in the room. Kind of strange but not a huge deal.

The next time they were up there she said that she saw a little girl in the room and the girl was telling her that she wasn't allowed to play there. The girl said, "This was my pretty play closet and now it's your bathroom and I don't like it! You can't play up here. LEAVE!" Now, my daughter was 18 months old when that closet was there and now she was two. Could she really be making this stuff up? I didn't believe it so I ignored it.

My daughter continued to be scared of the third floor. She would wake up every morning at exactly 3:30 AM on the dot (Did I say "on the dot?" So creepy!) and she would be screaming that someone was in her room being mean to her and scaring her. She also heard children running and playing upstairs very frequently when no one else was in the house. It became worse and worse to the point that none of us could function on a healthy level but I didn't know what to do.

A few months had gone by and out of desperation we sought the help and advice of a Ghost Hunter. Really? I couldn't even believe what we were doing but we had to do something to help our child or go to an asylum. The ghost hunter, a lovely medium named Joe Giaquinto, came over with a team of investigators and they took pictures, videos and audio recordings. It was to no avail. There was no concrete evidence. They held a seance and asked the spirit of the house to leave.

The next day stranger things started happening. And over the course of the next couple of months we experienced unexplained noises, countless things in the house were breaking, power outages, electrical problems, floods, sparks, you name it. And my daughter was getting worse. She was now seeing a little girl AND a little boy. Their names were Kimberly and Aidan and they apparently had been burned because she told me that their faces were black and looked melted. Oh, my! We had evidence of a fire and an abandoned gas pipe and here my almost 3 year old is telling me that two little burned children are living up there and are angry that we changed the room. I called Joe back. Joe explained to me that sometimes things get worse after a medium speaks to the spirits and he should come back for a second seance so we scheduled it immediately.

This time a woman named Mary joined Joe and his team. Mary is also a medium and she acted as the team leader that day. Fourteen of us gathered around the dining room table and held hands as Mary spoke to the spirit. Mary asked the spirit to use the chandelier above us as a form of communication. "Blink the lights twice for yes and once for no," she said. And fourteen of us sat back and watched in amazement as Mary asked the spirits of the house questions and they "answered" us with blinking the chandelier. The spirit who came forth was Aidan, the little boy. He said he lived in the house a long time ago and he was angry that we were there and made changes to the house. Mary told Aidan that he didn't have to leave but he had to respect that my daughter was frightened of him and this house was now her physical home so, "Aidan?" She asked. "Please do not show yourself to the family who lives in this house. Let them dwell here in peace." And from that day on nothing strange ever happened in that house ever again.

One Great Reason to Hire a Designer

Did you know that interior designers get insider pricing on things like furniture and accessories, tile, flooring, kitchen and bath cabinetry and fixtures, wallpaper, fabric and more?

A good designer will have accounts set up with many manufacturers of luxury and everyday items and will very often pass the savings along to their clients. Even with paying an hourly rate to your designer for shopping services you will save a ton of money, and if you need to furnish an entire room or a whole house you will save thousands of dollars!

And with so much business being done over the internet your designer doesn't even have to live in your area. Most manufacturers will accept the order from your designer and will ship directly to you. If there is something you are interested in buying, it's worth a quick call to a designer to see if they can save you some money by purchasing it for you.

Check out this example:
This unbelievably gorgeous chandelier retails for $6500.

Online "discount" retailers sell it for $5720. I was able to obtain it for my client for $3700.


That's a savings of $2,000 on just one item!!!

Here are just a few of the manufacturers with whom I work:

Wallpaper: thibautdesign.com
Home Furnishings: duralee.com     http://www.sofastyler.com/default.asp?strBrand=10 curreyandcompany.com
Lighting: www.curreyandcompany.com  cyandesign.biz  www.elementsathome.com
Tile: www.cancos.com

Many designer manufacturers have password encoded websites that are only available to those in the business so if there is something you need for your home ask your designer to do some research, send you photos and happy shopping!

Ballard Designs Discount Furnishings and Accessories

Choose anything from Ballard Designs and enjoy a 10% discount by placing your order through me at ReDesign for a Dime.

www.ballarddesigns.com

Contact info available on my website www.redesignforadime.com

Cheap and Chic Chair Makeover

We all get tired of our decor from time to time and wish we had the money to update our spaces. One thing I love to do is to take items homeowners already have and repurpose or rework them.

Here is a tired, dated chair. The fabric is ripped and worn and the legs are all scratched up. The frame is in good condition and the chair is very comfortable. No need to toss it into the trash. Let's get creative!

I found an inexpensive designer throw (blanket) at an outlet store. I tossed the throw over the chair and tucked it in. I then added a fabulous ruffled pillow for color and added texture and voila!

A new look! Here it is in the space which was formerly an empty corner:

Kids and Their Chicken Fingers

I hear it all the time, "I can't get my kid to eat anything but chicken fingers, hot dogs or pizza." And you can substitute those for cheeseburgers, Trix, Goldfish or whatever junk food you can think of.

First off, is your child working, making the money required to buy his/her own food? Is your child driving to the store or restaurant himself/herself? I tend to think the answer is no to both of those questions. Now that we have that settled, please admit that your child is eating what you are offering. How about not offering unhealthy choices? Now that is a concept. If your child never had a chicken finger or a hot dog maybe he/she wouldn't know the difference.

Now, I am not a drill sergeant so I do give my daughter treats but they are truly treats. I tell my daughter that she will not grow if she doesn't eat healthy foods. We make fun of people eating unhealthy foods saying that they will soon be sick. It is a subtle brainwashing but it works. And I also eat healthy foods in front of her (as well as behind her back) because learning by example is the best way to get through.

I have a lot to say on this topic but I will just share one little tip right now I learned from my mom. Thanks, Mom! Most of us aren't ready for a complete lifestyle overhaul so, baby steps...

Most kids are afraid to try new foods, especially veggies. One thing I found that really works: pick a healthy vegetable, whether it be broccoli, spinach, cauliflower or whatever you like. Make some pasta and throw some of this vegetable in the boiling pasta water about 3 minutes before the pasta is done. Drain as usual. Throw the veggies in the blender and then add them to your sauce, saving one or two whole pieces per person. The pureed veggies will be so well hidden that your child will probably not notice them. Then take your whole pieces of this vegetable and place a couple on everyone's plate. Your child will most likely not take a bite if they are not a good veggie eater and no need to fight about it. You eat it off your child's plate and tell them how it's so delicious and they are really missing out. By seeing this vegetable and noting your reaction, by them eating it without knowing it; by it becoming not so foreign, weird, gross, your child will eventually at least taste it. I swear. And that is a good start!

Try these healthy whole grain pastas. Much more fiber and nutrition than your overly processed white flour varieties. Baby steps!

The Cheap Cure for Flat Hair and The Best Hair Brush on the Market

Hair is dead. Let's face it. Nothing you do will truly revive your hair. There are no expensive salon products that will give you "healthy hair." The good news is there are a few things you can do to make your thin or tired hair look better and you don't have to spend a ton of money. Most products are about packaging, marketing and fragrance over quality or active ingredients so go for the cheap stuff. I have some recommendations below that really work and won't hurt your pocketbook.

One thing to try- give your colorist and you hair a break and go natural. It might take an appointment or two to get back to your birth color but every once in while your hair needs a rest and you will actually look younger. Save money, look younger, all good!

I digress...Flat hair is usually caused by the natural oils produced by the scalp and the products we use might even be making it worse. so let's get that scalp super-clean.

Shampoo

For a deep clean, try Pantene's clarifying shampoo. Use it about once a week. This will get rid of oils or product residue and deeply cleanses your scalp. While shampooing, concentrate more on your scalp than your hair- really scrub it to get rid of any dry or dead skin. Dead cells clog pores which inhibits hair growth.

Conditioner 

should only be applied to the ends of your hair. It is really only for detangling. If you have no tangles, try going sans conditioner which might give you enough volume so you don't need volumizer- no need to spend extra bucks. 

This conditioner by Suave is very economical at $2.00, gets out all the tangles and smells great: 

The Best and Last Hairbrush You Will Ever Buy

This brush by Mason Pearson has been around since the 1860's and there's a reason. It works. It gets the knots out painlessly and it lasts forever, literally. Mine is 9 years old and still looks brand new. Every good hair stylist owns this brush. 

Kids have tangles? 

Avoid fights by brushing the bottom of the hair first. Think about a rope with a knot in it. You wouldn't start from the top and rip downward. That's what we're doing if we're brushing hair from the top down. Starting at the bottom and working your way up in sections is much less ouchy. This product from Suave works great on kids and helps with the knots. It is a shampoo, conditioner and body wash all in one so a real cash-saver! If you should need extra conditioner for big knots, use the Suave Naturals I mentioned above and only apply to the ends.