Source: Gothamist.com

My favorite way to start a brunch here is an order of the delicious churros with Mexican hot chocolate-warm, sweet and most importantly, fried. What else could a girl ask for? Then, a hearty dish of egg rancheros, layers of corn tortillas, eggs, salsa verde, pico de gallo and cheese. All baked to perfection and topped off with some crispy tortilla strips.

Filled to capacity every weekend with hungry, hung over New Yorkers, the wait may have you questioning whether it’s worth it. Don’t hesitate- have a cup of coffee (or head straight to a mimosa like myself) at the bar and enjoy a five star brunch at Five Points. There’s definitely no secret to share with your friends…just great food and great times.

Call ahead for reservations to secure a spot.

Five Points
31 Great Jones St. (between Lafayette & Bowery)
212.253.2700
www.fivepointsrestaurant.com

Starting at 10:30am on October 2nd, the popular online movie rental service will host the competition with the goal of breaking the Guinness World Record for consecutive hours spent watching movies.

Eight contestants will be seated in the Netflix Movie Watching Arena – a plexi-glass living room in the center of Times Square – where a slate of 56 pre-chosen movies will await their eager eyeballs. The current world record holder - Ashish Sharma of Mathura, India - will be on hand to defend his existing world record of 120 hours, 23 minutes.

And if the idea of a fishbowl-eye view into the battle isn’t enough to rouse your curiosity, get this: Guinness World Records rules require the participants to watch films non-stop without taking their eyes off the screen. In fact, medical professionals will monitor them during the event to make sure they’re truly watching the films, and aren’t just zoning out in front of the screen.

The prizes (aside from World-Record-holding notoriety) include $10,000 in cash, a lifetime subscription to Netflix and an official Popcorn Bowl trophy.

An epic battle between not only the competitors, but also onlookers (the mind reels with all the possible ways gawkers will attempt to divert eyes from screens) – now that’s worth the price of admission.

Simply visit this link, scroll down to YOU VOTE: Tuesday’s Million Dollar Ideas and cast your vote for you know who. Then, tell all of your friends to do the same.

Swirl Founder & CEO, Anu Karwa (only hands pictured) fills one of her “student’s” glass.

You certainly don’t have to know anything about wine to enjoy the experience. Swirl provides a cheat sheet on different flavors to look for in different types of wine, as well as wine words that will impress any oenophile. Guests are free to chat amongst themselves and taste wine at their own pace.

Choose from the various packages, including Savvy in the City, which focuses on favorite wines less than $15; Eco-Chic, which features a selection of wines for “green” lifestyles; and Because I’m Worth It, all about “decadent wines that pamper and impress.”

Ultimately, Swirl will create a fun and bubbly atmosphere for all your guests, who can learn something new while they savor delicious wine and delectable treats.

Soypure

For all of you edamame fans out there, check out Soypure. Their products contain soybeans –a legumous vegetable– with a minimum of 5% and a maximum of 95%, and are complemented by only natural, plant ingredients such as cocoa butter, aloe vera and shea butter — no parabens or artificial ingredients. The Soypure Pedipure Exfoliating Foot Scrub exfoliates, reduces swelling and moisturizes with organic soy flour, tea-tree oil and soybean oil. Use on its own or pair it with the pure Detoxifying Foot Soak. The Soypure Stress Relief Aromatherapy Candle is made with pure, unprocessed, naturally occurring palm and soy wax and delivers a refreshing and energizing cucumbery scent. Visit www.soypure.com to purchase these and other environmentally packaged soy-based skincare, body care and aromatherapy products.

Lamas Beauty

Is a pumpkin a fruit or a vegetable? Either way, the month of October couldn’t go by without indulging your skin with the beautifying benefits of this wonder-food. Lamas Beauty’s Pumpkin Spice Polish 3-in-1 Instant Facial let’s you get your spa on at home by cleansing, scrubbing and exfoliating your skin to perfection. The pumpkin enzymes combined with apricot grains and nut acids give the polish a sweet and buttery scent and the ingredients are gentle enough for all skin types. Visit www.lamasbeauty.com to purchase products from a full line of bath, body, skin, hair and beauty products. Oh and fyi, it’s a fruit!

Jason – Pure, Natural & Organic

Satisfy your Thanksgiving cravings early this year with Jason’s Cranberry Rejuvenating Body Scrub. Ginkgo and ginseng help fight free-radical damage to the skin, while cranberry and orange reinvigorate the body. This super-fragrant scrub will buff your skin to a radiant glow – and the 6oz bottle is only $8. Visit www.jason-natural.com or your local health and natural food store (including Whole Foods) to purchase from Jason’s extensive line of paraben-free organic products.

Arcona

The Arcona Studio was created in Los Angeles in 1989 as an alternative to cosmetic surgery and other harsh treatments to forestall the effects of aging. This holistic skincare line includes products for the face, body and hair. One of our vegetarian favorites is the Kiwi Cream Bar, made with kiwifruit, which cleanses and replenishes dehydrated and depleted skin as it minimizes pores. Kiwifruit extract’s concentrated Epidermal Growth Factor nourishes while coconut milk and black currant oil, rich in omega 3 and 6, moisturizes the complexion. Visit www.arcona.com for more details and to purchase products.

Zia

An October afternoon spent apple picking will definitely put a smile on your face. But why not go one step further and complement that smile with a radiant glow? Zia’s Apple Refining Mask uses organic apple juice, plantain and firming pectin to help heal sun-damaged skin and clogged pores. The fruit acids, along with green tea, help eliminate toxins and impurities, while minimizing the appearance of pores, improving skin coloration and texture, and triggering new cell production. Visit www.zianaturalskincare.com for their full line of natural spa products.

There’s no doubt that fruits and vegetables are an essential part of a nutritious diet – with these vegetarian-inspired spa products, you’ll achieve balance inside and out!

It became my ritual to take a bath at the end of each day, before a night on the town, and on lazy weekend mornings. As I launched two consecutive careers and moved around the U.S., Europe and Africa, my bath habit went with me. From huge tubs in tiny cities to tiny tubs in huge cities, the daily bath was my constant companion throughout two-plus decades of success as a multi-unit store retailer and interior designer for five-star international hotels.

Karen Kogut

In 2003, I started dreaming for a new career that would adapt to my lifestyle for the rest of my life. That would provide balance and challenge. That I could create, implement, and manage on my own and that would utilize all of my skill sets.

One morning, I woke up with a full-circle epiphany: I love to take baths and I love to buy bath products. Why not turn my passion into a business?

I ‘soaked up’ information from bookstores, internet conferences, small business consultants, and the internet; contacted accountants, attorneys, a financial planner and e-tailing experts; created a business plan, organized a loan, and hired a webmaster; researched demographics and potential competition; custom-designed my own stationery, shipping boxes and gift wrap; and – here’s the most fun part – researched and purchased quality bath products. After nine months, I retained a PR agency, and www.BathSplendor.com was born.

BathSplendor.com speaks to the 25-to-59-year-old woman who equates a relaxing spa experience with wellness, who appreciates and understands the benefits of natural and/or organic products, and who prefers products that are pretty, feminine, have beautiful packaging and are not too “earthy”-looking. These are busy women who want an easy and convenient shopping experience that’s also personal and human.

Wine Bath: for when I feel like I can get drunk…without tomorrow’s hangover. The antioxidant benefits in this bath oil soothe my skin.

More than 80% of BathSplendor.com products are natural and/or organic. The other 20% contain safe, high-quality cosmetic preservatives. All products are made in the USA, and none are animal-tested.

MiniME! Bath Ice Cream Gift Set: for when I feel like a sundae treat…without the calories.

Everyone has their personal bath preferences; I’d like to share mine with you:
• Use a bath additive every time you take a bath to keep your skin hydrated.
• Soak 10-20 minutes in warm-hot water.
• Turn off the bathroom lights and light a candle or two.
• Listen to Zen-like music or catch up on non-essential reading.
• When your skin feels dry, add bath oil or a bath bomb. Both are very moisturizing, contain essential oils, and feel and smell great.
• When your skin feels normal, use natural bubble bath. Add a bath tea when you’re achy, tired or stressed. The anti-oxidants will help relax your muscles.
• When you feel romantic, create a bath for two!

Bath Splendor
www.BathSplendor.com
Phone: 760-603-9400
Fax: 760-603-9199

From the bustling city streets, guests will enter into the LATHER retail store, a soothing oasis offering luxurious body scrubs, hydrating lotions, facial care, aromatherapy candles, and hair care products. Founded by beauty entrepreneur Emilie Davidson Hoyt in 1999, Lather’s mission is to develop beauty and spa products made from the finest plant and food based ingredients. As with their stores in Pasadena, San Jose, and Scottsdale, LATHER New York will also feature a Custom Blending Bar, a selection of over 20 pure essential oils from which guests may custom blend their own bath and shower products to be used during spa treatments and at home.

Beyond the doors of the retail area, guests will find the LATHER Spa. Oh so comfy in the robe and pair of Crocs the locker room attendant gave me, I took a few moments before my treatment to indulge in some fruit and cheese in the lounge area. This sanctuary-esque waiting area features a gallery of modern art and a unique Living Wall, a vertical air-purifying garden consisting of over 200 square feet of plants, flowers and foliage – a rare find in midtown Manhattan to say the least! As I was led passed the bamboo pedicure stations to the treatment rooms on the second floor, I made a note of the types of scented candles and room sprays I was inhaling. That way, I could purchase the same in the retail store and recreate the LATHER Spa ambiance in my own home.

Eight months pregnant, I opted for a much needed prenatal massage. My therapist, Tammy, was exceedingly knowledgeable on the do’s and don’ts of prenatal spa services; and with total confidence in her expertise, I was able to truly relax. She kept me informed of what she was doing (without being annoyingly talkative) and checked in regularly to make sure I was in a comfy position (at one point, she adjusted her technique so I could lay more comfortably on my side). When the hour was inevitably up, I decided to prolong the pampering by taking a therapeutic shower. Not your ordinary shower, I ‘lathered’ up using the spa’s signature products under an enormous rain showerhead. Feeling refreshed, energized and yet, totally relaxed, I made my way back to the changing area…though on the way, I couldn’t resist snagging a few more fruit skewers in the lounge.

Doing their part for charity, LATHER and celebrated soap opera actress Andrea Evans (“One Life to Live”) have teamed up to create Sandalwood Rose Soap, an all-natural, olive oil based soap and a Soap for Hope Gift Set, which includes two bars of Sandalwood Rose soap and a natural wood soap dish. $5 from the sale of each Sandalwood Rose Soap ($8) and $12 from the sale of each Soap for Hope Gift Set ($20) will benefit the breast cancer programs at City of Hope, a leading biomedical research and treatment institution for cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

LATHER Spa New York is a (fairly) new addition to the Manhattan spa community and with a full range of staple and unique spa treatments, spa packages and products, I have no doubt it is the perfect destination for any spa-going guy or gal.

The Sandalwood Rose Soap and gift set, as well as all LATHER products, are available for purchase at LATHER stores, online at www.lather.com and through the toll-free number, 1-877-6-LATHER.

Lather Spa New York
127 East 57th Street (btw. Park and Lex)
New York, NY
212-644-4449
www.latherspa.com

Autumn is the season for dramatic transformations, as well as a great excuse for your whole family to flaunt their creative colors! Year after year, I remember my mom dragging home the perfect boxes for whatever costume she’d brainstormed to life with my sister and me (rubix cube, TV, head-on-a-platter…). We would fiendishly work on them, before moving on to carve our “better than yours!” jack-o-lanterns and assembling the “ours is the bestest-bestest!” scarecrow we’d enter into hay-brained beauty contests.

This fall, thanks to the folks at CITYarts, your family can strut their collective creativity on a public scale, costuming the city with mosaics and murals.

Their mission is clear on their website at www.cityarts.org: “Since its founding in 1968, CITYarts has engaged nearly 100,000 New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds with over 500 professional artists in the process of designing and creating more than 260 murals, mosaics and sculptures. Special emphasis is given to neighborhoods where access to and participation in the arts is limited.”

Stave off the October chills by volunteering your painting prowess to the Global HeART Warming mural project in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn—inspired by the artwork of local school children. This project (as well as other great ongoing and completed projects) is still seeking charitable donations to fund its creation, so consider donating a portion of that trick-or-treats fund to the cause, and help make New York City a stunning work of heart!

What could be scarier for Halloween than a mind-blowing roller coaster with gut-wrenching twists and a succession of hair-raising drops? The Dark Knight coaster, Great American Scream Machine, Medusa, Rolling Thunder, Kingda Ka, Skull Mountain and Daredevil Dive provide enough record-breaking chills to sate the hardiest of thrill-seeking kids. Let yours soar over the park like Batman with nothing beneath them but air on the Dark Knight coaster for a day they’ll never forget.

Located an hour and a half from downtown Manhattan in NJ, Six Flags Great Adventure offers an array of delights to please everyone. The array of fresh food and restaurants is sure to sate any discerning group, and the park’s 350-acre wildlife preserve safari is the largest outside of Africa, featuring Bengal tigers, bears and frisky red-bottomed baboons. The 4.5 auto safari trail permits families to view some of the 1,200 animals that live on the preserve – many of which are curious enough to approach cars in order to gape back at the human animals within.

Live entertainment and theme characters round out the Six Flags experience, and if you visit on Halloween, you’ll see hundreds of inventive costumes on parade. When the sun sets on Halloween evening, the park turns ghoulish and festive, and frightful sights abound. Take your cameras and your garlic to ward off vampires, and don’t forget the souvenirs. Visit www.sixflags.com for more information and to view an events calendar.

If you’re looking for a distinctive “only-in-New York” baby boutique, stroll through the meatpacking district to YoYa on Hudson Street and YoYamart on Gansevoort, which carry high quality toy, furniture, book, baby skin care and clothing imports. YoYa and YoYamart aren’t your average baby stores, but then, no baby is average either.

Find the Erbaviva line for baby’s tender skin at YoYa, along with adorable Petit Bateau and Tocca products, a Fresco high chair, and cashmere sweaters for little princesses. If you want to furnish your nursery in style, YoYa also carries the Netto collection of white lacquer and cheery wood furniture, which infuses baby’s personal space with style. Kids will love the Offi chalkboard tables, 3-D dinosaur books and encyclopedias, and moms will swoon over Moroccan mini-poofs by Zid Zid Kids.

You can also find bedding, linens, changing tables, music, dvds, and all things exquisite for babies. Both YoYa and YoYamart are owned by couples Cristina and J.S. Boujnah and Stephane and Gena Gerbier, who have parenting experience themselves. If you can’t make it to the west village, or if you’d rather shop from home, visit www.yoyashop.com.

Yoya is located at 636 Hudson Street (at the SE corner of Hudson and Horatio Street), New York, NY 10014; telephone 646-336-6844.

Yoya Mart is located at 5 Gansevoort Street (between 13th and 4th Street), New York, NY 10014; telephone 212-242-5511

Perhaps Pando Music (www.pandomusic.net) for dogs and cats may be the better answer. This series of CDs uses instruments that produce sounds at certain frequencies that are apparently appealing to your pet, putting them at ease with a positive effect on their emotions.

Each of the melodies are versions of popular classical music from Beethhoven, Chopin and Mozart, produced using distinctive frequencies, many of them undetectable to the human ear, that are both pleasing and comforting to animals. The music also incorporates special sound effect that create the illusion for your pet that others are also at home, helping alleviate any sense of loneliness.

The Chopin For Dogs CD has Prelude in E Major, Opus 28, #4, with soft bird singing embedded in the melody. Beethoven For Cats boasts Pathetique, Sonata #8 in C Major, 2nd Movement, complete with cat purring. I don’t know if these animal sounds are soothing to the average pet. Check out twelve samples of Pando’s music to find out for yourself at the link -

www.pandomusic.net/?page=products&model=cd

And if your pooch or kitty responds well, you can pick up the CDs at www.PandoMusic.net.

Your pooch can munch away on a yummy Republican Elephant or a scrumptious Democrat Donkey cookie. Either way, I’m sure she’ll vote that you stock up on these. Pick them up at The New York Dog Shop at 46 West 73rd Street, New York, NY

Isn’t everyone’s pooch tried and true red, white and blue? If there’s any doubt of your dog’s pledge of allegiance, get her one of these cute shirts. She’ll declare she’s proud to be American. Pick them up at Trixie + Peanut Pet Emporium, 23rd East 20th Street, New York, NY

Catnip for political kitties can come in small packages shaped like AH-nuld or an exiting president. The Political Animal series of cat toys can be pawed at www.FatCatinc.com

Your all-American baby will proudly display a patriotic spirit with the adorable red, white, and blue Patriotic Pearls. Swarovski pearls with alternating red and blue crystal rondelles, with an all-American star pendant in sterling silver and pave-set cubic zirconium are sure to make any pet look star spangled. Available at www.OscarNwman.com and Precious Pets, 895 First Avenue, New York, NY

After listening to political debates and verbose pundits, let your dog rest her weary head on a red, white and blue quilted bed from Plow & Hearth. What could be more apple-pie than this 100% tribute to comfort? Check it out at www.PlowHearth.com.

Don’t forget – Register to vote!

Costumes from BrandsOnSale.com

Friends Of First Run (www.dogster.org) will host the 18th Annual Tompkins Square Halloween Parade on October 25th — it’s touted to be the largest non-competitive gathering of dog owners in the country. At Tompkins Square Park Dog Run (East 9th Street, between Avenue A and Avenue B) starting at Noon. There will be prizes in the following categories: “Best In Show,” “Best Costume - large & small breed,” “Best Dog with Kid,” “Best Dog Team Costume,” “Best Trick” and “Best Dog & Owner Combo.” Dressing up, make-up and a runway – what else does a fashion diva need?

KittyKind / The Broadway Comedy Club: A Night Fur Laughter

KittyKind is hosting a comedy show fundraiser to raise money for and awareness of the cat rescue group. All proceeds raised from ticket sales will go to KittyKind. Get into the giggling mood at the small reception at 8:30pm in the ground floor café. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. For more information or to reserve tickets, contact Ann Simkins at kittykind_events@yahoo.com, or visit www.KittyKind.org.
Thursday, October 2nd 8:30 pm–10:00 pm
Broadway Comedy Club, 318 West 53rd Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues)

The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine: St. Francis Day Fair Blessing of the Animals

Join Animal Care & Control, Bideawee, and rescue groups at the annual St. Francis Day Fair Blessing of the Animals, where thousands of New Yorkers and their animal friends guests gather to honor St. Francis. In addition to a blessing of the animals on the Cathedral green, enjoy artists and performers, as well as exhibitors including animal advocacy groups, pet adoption agencies, and social service organizations. Event is free. For information, visit the Bideawee web site or Animal Care & Control (www.nycacc.org)
Sunday, October 5th 11:00am – 4:00pm

The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Avenue (between West 111th and West 112th Streets)

Rational Animal: GIMME SHELTER: Rock & Rescue NYC 2008

This NYC charity rock concert is a memorable night in conjunction with World Animal Day. This year’s event will also include a silent auction of collectables donated by the Beastie Boys, Debbie Harry, The Black Crowes, Cyndi Lauper, Pink, and Joan Jett. Co-hosts are the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (www.ASPCA.org) and Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals www.animalalliancenyc.org. For General, VIP, and table ticket prices, and more information contact Susan Brandt at sbrandt@rational-animal.org or (917) 239-9229, or visit www.rational-animal.org
Monday, October 6th
Hiro Ballroom at the Maritime Hotel, 363 West 16th Street (at 9th Avenue)

Adopt-A-Cat at CFA-Iams Cat Championship

Saturday, October 18th 10:00 am– 6:00 pm
Sunday, October 19th 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Madison Square Garden (Garden Terrace)
Come out to Madison Square Garden and meet your new feline love! Cats and kittens of all kinds, sizes, colors, and breeds will be available for adoption from more than a dozen shelters and rescue groups. And this year, the cat show’s agility competition will be open to the feline public (pre-registered) and adoptable rescue cats! For more information, contact the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals at (212) 252-2350 or info@AnimalAllianceNYC.org.

Here are some products that we’re pretty psyched about that cater to a diverse range of skin types and lifestyles. So get ready to slather away!

If you’ve got blotchy, stressed, sensitive skin or have just treated yourself to microdermabrasion, a glycolic acid peel, or laser procedure, Exuviance Vespera Bionic Serum could be a smart investment. From the company who first discovered AHAs, this serum is an intensive treatment that delivers results without the sting. Not only does it have Alpha Hydroxy acids, but it also packs in Polyhydroxy acids (they protect and rebuild the skin’s natural barrier), Pro-Vitamins A, C, and E plus antioxidants that help to clarify and smooth the skin, improve fine lines and wrinkles, and act as a shield to environmental pollutants in the air. www.exuviance.com

We ladies like to feel luxurious—naturally, right? Well, Shē Facial Serum gives you that one-two punch. Created by two board certified Chinese herbalists, the serum, (pronounced ‘shay’), is the Chinese word for ‘luxury’ and is made up of the highest grade natural and organic ingredients inspired by the beauty regimes of the ancient Chinese empresses. This sumptuous product drenches and rejuvenates dry, tired skin with essential fatty acids, minerals, rich oils, vitamins, and Chinese pearl. Held in a one-ounce pump bottle, Shē Facial Serum spritzes what looks like and feels like liquid gold. Your face will feel like a million bucks! www.sheessentialbeauty.com

Even with the weather cooling down, there are some of us who have die-hard oily skin. So if you’re one of those tried-and-true city slickers, we’d like to introduce you to Chellà Skin Firming Serum. Confronting the issue of both deep wrinkles and fine lines, Chellà is distinguished for two main ingredients. The first is its Hyalo Hydration Complex, which is a blend of normal sized Hyaluronic Acid with nano sized Hyaluronic Acid. (The former addresses the surface of your skin while the latter travels into the deeper layers, providing the lipid barrier double the protection.) And if you’re a peptide fanatic, these guys also got you covered. Its Tri Amino Complex is said to enhance collagen growth, renew cells, and give you a seriously firm visage. (And believe us—upon application, this stuff makes your skin feel as firm as J-Lo in skinny jeans!) www.chella.com

If you’re looking for a simple, natural, and affordable serum that gives your face complete moisturization (and an angelic glow!), then pamper your skin with John Masters’ Green Tea & Rose Hydrating Serum. Packed with green tea extract, vitamins, oat beta glucan for procollagen production and cell renewal, and super-oxide dismutase that fights free radicals; this award- winning organic option packs in the good stuff using natural ingredients and manages to smell pretty yummy, too. www.johnmasters.com

So don’t settle for the same ol’ skin routine—let serumdipity hit you right in the face!

Note that that none of the items exceed the 3-ounce airport requirement, making it a snap to zip through security. Plus, at a time when most airlines charge for extra luggage, you want to save suitcase space for an extra pair of stilettos, not a jar of eye cream.

Pretend you’re a painter when using Cosmedicine Instant Wrinkle Write Off Line Filler to contour any fine lines and wrinkles. Like a magic marker, this pen smoothes out the creases with its lightweight, matte formula. It even diminishes the appearance of pores for an overall smooth complexion. The antioxidant, oat kernel extract, absorbs oil and reduces redness – making it a perfect tool for those with sensitive skin.

Available at Sephora stores nationwide and www.cosmedicine.com

When it comes to sexy, a pouty-looking mouth is at the top of the list. Enhance yours with a dermatologist developed TNS LipPlump System. Start of with Lip Renewal to re-hydrate the tissue, improving texture. Then polish off the look with the Lip Plumper - packed with tingling (not stinging) niacin, which flushes the skin by increasing microcirculation and enhancing the lips’ natural color. Soybean oil leaves lips looking smooth and polished. Mwah!

Available at www.skinmedica.com

Give yourself a quick mani-treatment with The Body Shop Almond Oil & Cuticle Treatment. First, use the almond-oil-infused brush tip to soften cuticles with its army of fatty acids that restore moisture. The formula also contains community trade organic olive oil from Italy that will protect your nails and the environment. Take care of the nail beds with the rubbery cuticle pusher on the lid — you’ll never go back to pesky wooden sticks again.

Available at www.thebodyshop.com

If you suspect a sweaty situation is around the corner (think the 6 train at rush-hour) make sure that boscia Willow Bark To-Go Breakout Treatment is in your purse. This blemish-blasting gel treatment cleanses and purifies pores on the spot with willow bark (obviously), which is a natural skin exfoliate, and soapberry peel known to control the growth of bacteria that feeds on sebum. It only takes a few clicks to shield your complexion from breakouts.

Available at www.tk.com

Looking for a quick way to brighten your face? Then plan on using Ramy Eye Lift Brows as part of your beauty routine. The mascara-like brush grooms eyebrows with GABA-enriched formula that softens lines, while centella extract stimulates collagen. A disheveled eyebrow is one facial feature that will not go unnoticed. So, make sure that yours don’t raise one.

Available at www.ramy.com

Roll out of bed then roll the Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller under eyes to diminish dark circles and minimize puffiness. Fused with caffeine and a unique “Skin-Nutrient Complex” the applicator massages the undereye area, stimulating microcirculation and hydrating the delicate skin with Pro Vitamin B5 and Glycerin. Don’t be surprised when fine lines just roll away.

Available national drugstores and www.walgreens.com

Air plane travel is a misery these days, though we can’t blame all the new no-frills policy’s on what that recycled air does to our skin. Dehydration has always been the byproduct of hurling through the skies for hours in an aluminum tube, even if you’re sitting up front in the big comfy seats. Add in the chronobiological stress – which means, your brain is in New York, your body is in London, your stomach is somewhere over Reykjavik, and your skin is crying out for help. Anti-Jet Lag Relief Emergency Booster from My Blend is a first class solution. Select one of the eight Essential Blend formulas’ that’s right for your skin, then mix in the Emergency Booster. This gives you a two week supply of mega concentrated actives, such as double hyaluronic acids, green coffee extract with tons of anti-oxidants that stimulates skin and reduces under-eye puffiness, as well as other botanicals to calm stressed out skin. My Blend can’t guarantee an on-time arrival, but you can rest assure that your face won’t look as worn out as your luggage.

Available: Saks 5th Ave, www.saks.com

Three new cleansers from Chanel take it all off with style! Developed using Tulip Tree Wax, exclusive to Chanel, it acts as a natural depollutant on the skin. My skin tends to be a bit dry and so the Lait Confort – Creamy Cleansing Milk, is my personal favorite. It has a wonderful creamy texture and a delightful scent, and only a very small amount is needed for my whole face. Lait Confort instantly melts my makeup off, including all my eye makeup, without irritation. That’s a big plus, as I hate to use two products when one will do!

Available: Fine Department Stores, www.chanel.com

The innovation never stops at venerable French skin care brand, Orlane. Their latest weapon in the battle against aging skin is their Thermo Active Firming Serum. The serum, which is really more like a light cream in texture, is rich in tetrapeptides that have properties for restoring skin density, tourmaline to help redefine facial contours, rye extract for toning as well as ingredients that brighten and make skin radiant. It glides on smoothly and foundation can be applied immediately afterwards.

Available: Saks 5th Ave, www.neimanmarcus.com

I’ve been taking vitamins for my skin for years…..or really I should say, I take them every so often. I know, I know, I should take daily, but swallowing pills is just not easy for me. They get stuck in my throat, I cough half of them up and then need a quart of liquid to swallow them. And the Flinstone chewables just haven’t come out with an adult formula yet. Enter Glowelle, the new beauty drink dietary supplement created by Nestle. Glowelle comes in two flavors, Pomegranate Lychee and Raspberry Jasmine, and in either ready-to-drink bottles or powder packs that can be mixed with water. Personally, the pre-mixed is a little bit too sweet for my tastes, so I’m enjoying mixing the powder packs into my plain yogurt or using it in smoothies. Ingredients include green tea extract, vitamins A, C & E, lutein, selenium, and antioxidants lycopene, pomegranate extract, grape seed extract, and beta carotene. So get glowing and drink up!

Available: Bergdorf Goodman and www.bergdorfgoodman.com

You’re religious about slathering on the SPF60 and never see the light of day….You’re the diva of exfoliation….You keep your peptide cream in your nightstand so you never go to bed without it. But what do you do when your skin care stops working for you? See a doctor.

The jump from creams to needles is a rite of passage for many of us. You can make small, subtle changes to stay on top of the ageing process, and save the surgery for when your sagging is out of control. Even in a turbulent economy, we still manage to get to the dermatologist or plastic surgeon every four, six or twelve months for a touch up injection. It’s little like coloring your hair; even when the market is in a slump and the value of your coop takes a dip, you are not about to give up your gorgeous highlights or stop covering your gray. A girl needs to look good no matter what.

But if someone says, “You look great. Who does your Botox®?” – You’re busted! When your lineless forehead looks 30, and your lower face looks 50, everyone in the know will just assume you’ve been botoxed. Look at your whole face, rather than just the parts that have the most lines and wrinkles. By over treating one area while ignoring another part of your face, you run the risk of looking like a Picasso portrait. Think pan facial rejuvenation!

Neurotoxins and dermal fillers are the dynamic duo of cosmetic beauty, and combination treatments rule. And their benefits no longer stop where your chin meets your neck. If it moves, you can have it frozen; if it deflates, it can be plumped up; if it droops, you can lift it. Injectables can be artfully used to add volume to lift the midface and jawline, beautify features, and camouflage flaws.
Here are 6 of the hottest new crop of beauty shots – including a few eagerly anticipated launches coming soon to a clinic near you.

Evolence® (OrthoNeutrogena) – This porcine collagen filler restores structure and resiliency to skin as it plumps and fills wrinkles and lines. It has been shown to last about a year. The extra benefit is that due to the minimal swelling, redness and bruising, natural looking results are instantly achieved and Evolence® is truly a wash and wear treatment. The softer variation for luscious lips, Evolence® Breeze, is available only outside of the US so far, but expected down the road too. www.evolence.com

Prevelle® Silk (Mentor Corp.) - Prevelle® marks the first of the next generation of painless fillers that contain lidocaine – which takes away some of the sting from the needle sticks. This hyaluronic acid light is priced nicely and known to be short lasting which makes it good for first timers or special events. www.prevelle.com

Elevess® (Artes Medical) – Another hyaluronic acid filler with the added bonus of numbing lidocaine, Elevess® was recently picked up by the people that market ArteFill®, which is the first permanent wrinkle to gain FDA approval in the US. It is touted as an “affordable” filler – just in time for the credit crunch. www.myelevess.com

Juvederm® Ultra (Allergan) - Juvederm® has been taking the US by storm since its introduction, and lasts up to a year. The newest variation contains lidocaine too and hopefully it will be coming over from Europe in the not too distant future. Another one to watch will be Voluma®, a deep plumping agent from France that keeps Parisiennes looking youthful and radiant. www.juvederm.com

Perlane® (Medicis) – A thicker high intensity member of the Restylane® family, Perlane® gets injected deeper to add cheek, chin and jawline contours you wish you were born with, and long lasting fullness to lips and temples. Macrolane®, a breast and body filler from Q-Med the Restylane® company, was launched in Europe this year. Macrolane® is the first injectable breast augmentation - and can add about a cup size without surgery, scars or implants, which may signal the end to padded bras for lots of A and B cup gals . www.perlaneusa.com

Reloxin® (Medicis) – Considered to be the first of several new botulinum toxins to hit US shores, and headed for FDA approval hopefully by the end of this year, Reloxin® has been available in Europe under a the Dysport® brand name with great success. The advantages are that it may last longer and work faster. Stay tuned. www.medicis.com

Wendy Lewis, dubbed “The Knife Coach” is the author of ten consumer books including Plastic Makes Perfect, the Complete Cosmetic Beauty Guide, America’s Cosmetic Doctors & Dentists. Her expertise is in guiding her clients in all forms of cosmetic enhancements. Wendy’s international consultancy specializes in all facets of aesthetic medicine, cosmeceuticals, injectables and medical devices. Read more about Wendy and the fascinating things she has to say on her company’s website, www.wlbeauty.com, and her newest blog, a joint venture with her teenaged daughter, www.beautyinthebag.com

In many ancient cultures, the word Om represents the sound made when the universe was created; and its powerful, yet soothing and calming chant is the inspiration behind the new Ajne fragrance Om, created by Jane Hendler. Ajne uses only 100% natural fragrances and precious oils in their products and Om is an intense blend of smokey sandalwood, Himalayan cedarwood and oakmoss. This wonderful scent begins with a woody, but not too masculine opening and finishes with a lingering sweet note that is sensuously smooth and creates a scents of tranquility.

Available: Bergdorf Goodman

I’m always excited by a new launch from L’Artisan Perfumeur and their latest, Fleur de Liane doesn’t disappoint. Fleur de Liane, an imaginary flower created by perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour was inspired by his visit to Bahia Hondu Island in Panama and recalls an extraordinary visit filled with tropical rain in a deep forest, the odor of leaves, sweet sap, and earthy bark mixed with light floral blossoms. Though my personal preferences lean towards oriental’s and gourmand scents, rather than green and woody ones, the soft and feminine notes of this rich, yet light, perfume exudes a harmonious blend of greens, florals, and moss, that captivates my senses.

Available: www.artisanperfumeur.us/store, L’Artisan Boutiques and Barneys, NY

Those of us who love Angel, know that there can’t be too much of a good thing. New from the Thierry Mugler perfumers is an array of complementary body products that will surround us from head to toe in pure Angel heaven. My favorite, Les Parfums Corps, the body cream, is formulated with a new patented IDS delivery (intense diffusion system) which slows down the evaporation process by encapsulating the fragrance thus pleasuring our senses throughout the day with hints of fragrance. Other products include body lotion, shower gel, hand cream, body oil and even a hair mist. Angel lovers, rejoice!

Available: Saks, Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus, www.saks.com

A visit to Paris wouldn’t be complete without a stroll down Avenue Montaigne, one of its elegant shopping streets that is home to the most prestigious couture names in the world. From the perfume house of Caron, and their perfumer Richard Fraysse, comes Montaigne; a feminine floriental essence with notes of golden mimosa flowers that mingles with sweet jasmine and then deepens with woody undertones of sandalwood and a hint of vanilla. The sophisticated fragrance is housed in Caron’s signature tapered flacon, and is their first fragrance to be modernized with a spray atomizer.

Available: Caron Btq at Phyto Universe, 715 Lexington Ave, Saks 5th Ave, Bergdorf Goodman www.parfumscaron.com

Hoorah! The magic of the market has brought us organic fragrances. Organic fragrances have none of the synthetics or chemicals that cause some people worry about what is being absorbed by their body. They are a solace for people sensitive or allergic to synthetics common in many fragrances and beauty products. Conscientious shoppers buy organic because they want support companies that are proactive with the environment. Some people simply want to wear pure essences. This is all great, but what does an organic label mean and why is it different from natural?

The term organic refers to the way the ingredients are grown and processed. “Organic” is regulated by the USDA so we know exactly what companies mean when they use the word or slap the organic logo on the package. The term “organic” differs from “natural”, “eco” and other terms which are not regulated by the FDA and have no real definition. They require further investigation on the consumer’s part to figure out what they mean. More on these at a later time. There are four classifications of “Organic” labeling of products:

• “100% Certified Organic” labels products with 100% certified organic ingredients and can use the organic logo.

• “Certified Organic” labels products with at least 95% organic ingredients (the other 5% is also regulated). These products can use the organic logo.

• “Made with Organic Ingredients” graces the package of products containing between 70% and 94% organic ingredients. The other ingredients are limited.

• A product containing less than 70% organic ingredients can specify which ingredients are organic, but the product can’t be labeled organic. The other ingredients are limited.

Now for the good stuff…

Red Flower launched three 100% Organic fragrances this summer. This delightful trio is created only from flower, leaf and bark distillations and Certified Organic grain alcohol. First there is Champa. A blend of eight flower essences, the most prominent scent is the Champa flower. Long sacred in India, the Champa tree is grown near the gates of temples and women tuck the buds into their hair. The second organic fragrance, Ambrette, is a light, spicy, rosey floral carried on frankincense, patchouli and the musky hibiscus seed called Ambrette. Guiac, my favorite of the three organic perfumes, immediately transported me to Spain. Memories flowed of ancient Andalucian courtyards filled with orange trees, roses, hand-hewn timbers and spiced night air. At first, Guiac has a strong bright grapefruit note is supported by the slightest Damask rose, followed quickly with a hit of pine-like resin. A long woodsy finish trails off into the forest, warmed with the scent of tobacco and a suggestion of clove. Guiac is unusual, complex, warm and perfect for fall. All are available in a 15 ML concentrate or a 10 ML travel roll-on. The box is 80% recycled paper produced and printed at a100% wind-powered plant in USA. www.redflower.com

Aubrey Organics has been making organic personal care products since 1967. Always at the forefront of organics, in 1994, they were the first cosmetic manufacturer to become a Certified Organic processor. Their line of Certified Organic (95% Organic) fragrances launched in 2006. You won’t find any animal extracts or synthetics in their Eau de Parfums made only from Certified Organic alcohol and organic essential oils. Take your pick from a range of six different scents: Spring Floral, Light Citrus Floral, Ocean Waters, Musk, Angelica, and Jade Spice. My favorite, Jade Spice, is earthy and spicy and has a woody warmth that comes through on a base of cedarwood. Spicy middle notes of black pepper, cardamom, and cinnamon then bring us to a light basil mandarin finish. This scent mingles well with falling leaves. www.aubrey-organics.com

Tsi-La Organics makes six organic Eau de Parfums produced in small batches. The clear glass bottles bear the dancing silhouettes of herbs and flowers. Owners Annie Morton and Natalie Szapowalo, concerned about the easily absorbed chemicals present in traditional cosmetics and fragrances, created Tsi-la. The scents are created from 100% USDA Certified Organic alcohol, fine essential oils and botanical distillations. There are no synthetic fragrances or artificial colors. My favorite is the luscious Fiori d’Arancio, which has sweet bright notes of orange blossoms, tangerine, and neroli flowers in a caramelized base of vanilla orchids and honey. It’s fresh, tempting and seductive. Tsi-la’s fragrances are available in a full size 50 ML or in a 4 ML minis so why not try a few? The Eau de Parfum Collection has four 4 ML bottles: Fleur Savage, Kesu, Llang Llang and Kizes. The perfumes come in a sophisticated black box, Tsi-La’s signature packaging. www.tsilaorganics.com

Are you on the lookout for new organic fragrances? Keep an eye on Vert, an Eco-Chic Beauty Boutique in Los Angeles. Former celebrity make-up artist Renata Helfaman created the boutique to be a one-stop shop for natural and organic beauty products. When she decided to only use natural and organic products herself, she found them spread out at different retailers. “I couldn’t believe that there were these amazing products but there was no home for them!” So, in October 2007, Vert was born to be a home for the best luxury organic and natural beauty products. Renata says, “I really know a fragrance is natural when we’re in the store all day and we never get a headache.” Vert’s website will have online shopping in November, 2008. www.vertlosangeles.com

Housed in a gift box that is as beautiful as the contents, the Panpuri Soul Temple Oil Burner is a joy to look at, as well as lovely to own and use. Sitting on dark wood base is a brass oil burner, handcrafted by Thai brass smiths, which holds both a heating candle and a saucer that gets filled with water and drops of the essential oil. As the liquid heats, it scents the air with one of four oils. Oil #4 is a blend of rosewood, eucalyptus and grapefruit which truly creates a journey of the senses and will put your in a Zen state of mind.

Available: Origins Stores, and www.panpuri.com

Candle candle burning bright…

Sure, there are lots of candles around, but finding ones that are as pretty as they are fragrant is what delights the senses the most. Le Cherche Midi, named after one of my favorite streets in Paris, and their Fragrance 09 tells the story of exotic travels filled with silk robes, cashmere throws and cognac under a blanket of amber light. The sweetness of this scent is perfect for fall. It starts out with a zesty lemon meringue and lily of the valley, which moves on to whipped lavender cream and patchouli, but it’s the final notes of soft amber, sandalwood and vanilla absolute that linger and make you happy that fall is here. To intensify the scent, the company also sells a companion fragrance spray that you can tease the air with first. The two together make you long for romantic nights filled with sensual pleasures. www.lecherchemidi.com

The intoxicating scent of night blooming jasmine, Persian lilac and Asian bamboo drifts through the air near me as I write this piece and the candle isn’t even lit! That’s how intense the fragrance is imbued into the Altru Integrity Candle. Once the wick is lit, of course, the scent fills the room. Altru soy blend wax candles are in hammered copper vessels with a gold lining that look beautiful in any room. Altru comes from the word altruism and the company is not only dedicated to creating luxury home fragrances, but also supports the In A Perfect World charity.. www.gamillahboutique.com

Candles available: Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus

Scent your home without fire…

If you’ve got kiddies jumping on the furniture, or kitties jumping over it, you might want the fragrance without the flame. No worries, there are some lovely choices that are also elegant. From Chesapeake Bay Candle are two excellent options. The fragrance ball is a white porcelain sphere filled with scented beads which look pretty as a cluster in a bowl, or can be stashed away in a closet. Perfect for fall is the tonka bean fig which has warm, woody notes of cedar and sandalwood, along with delicate hints of tonka bean paired with a touch of birch.

And for you gem lovers are the scent crystals – pretty stones infused with a variety of fragrances. I like the color and the vibrant scent of the lily orange blossom interwoven with hints of sparkling mandarin, ylang ylang, white jasmine and a touch of musk to keep them all in harmony. Customize you scent by mixing different variety’s of the pretty stones in an elegant bowl.

Available: Target and www.chesapeakebaycandle.com

Sometimes it’s all about what we don’t smell…

Mix together a clever name for an embarrassing problem then come up with a real solution and you’ve got Poo~Pourri, the new air freshener for the bathroom. As opposed to typical spray air fresheners which are designed to mask odors, Poo~Pourri’s motto is “Spray the bowl before you go and no one else will ever know.” The all natural essential oils create a barrier which traps bathroom odors. Flushing then releases a neutralizing formula into the air leaving the bathroom citrus fresh. Packaged in cheeky bottles, some even adorned with “jewelry”, you’ll feel free to keep them out in the open for all to use. Along with the Original scent, which is comprised of lemon-grass, bergamot and grapefruit, there is the Royal Flush with eucalyptus and spearmint, and No.2 with mandarin, bergamot, orange, peach and berries. I love it when wit and wisdom collide!

Go to www.poopourri.net for a store near you.