Flat Top Kabuki Brush

Daubigny's makeup brushes have over 4,100 stellar customer reviews on Amazon, and the brushes sell for under $10, including the entire eyebrush set👇 below!🎯

The dense bristles of the Daubigny Kabuki brush remind me of my more expensive IT Velvet Luxe brushes once sold at Ulta. I bought my set one brush at a time, not knowing they would soon be discontinued before I got the chance to buy my last brush, the IT Kabuki brush. Daubigny's Flat Top Kabuki Brush, won't ecstatically match my IT Velvet Luxe brushes, but reviewers say it blends makeup in all forms -- liquid, cream, or powder -- perfectly. (It appears the lookalike brushes sold by other sellers for a few dollars less are the same exact brushes, but this cannot be confirmed without purchasing them. You take a slight risk they are of lesser quality.)

Like my 7 IT Velvet Luxe brushes, the bristles of this brush are dense, firm, and soft, precisely what I look for in makeup brushes. Makeup brushes on smoothly and evenly to give you a flawless, poreless non-makeup finish. Vitally important, the bristles do not shed! The reason I invested in IT brushes was I got tired of picking the shedding bristle hairs off of my face after applying blush or powder to my face.

The Flat Top Kabuki brush is a steal! It comes with a durable plastic carrying case with a flap and snap closure to keep both the brush and the inside of your bag clean. Nice!

Temptation calls: I'm getting a 2nd chance to buy a superb Kabuki makeup brush. Should I take a bite of the apple and get it? Yes!

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Active Wear For Home or Play

Since the pandemic forced us to stay at home for 2 years to work and play people are dressing ultra casually when they leave the house. Although I see people wearing questionable sweats, loungewear, and what resembles houseshoes even in Midtown Manhattan, overall casual attire is more good than bad. In fact, I'm a huge fan of a casual smart appearance. When we match colors, stick to neutrals and complementary colors, we can dress in comfort and still look like we care ... like we've made an effort before leaving home.

The following are 5 wardrobe pieces people on Amazon and elsewhere overwhelmingly love. Based on many 5-star reviews each piece is super comfortable to wear at home; to the gym; or to run errands around town including all the way to Midtown Manhattan:

Casual Smart Comfort for Home, Gym, or Running Around Town:

1) Hoka Ora Recovery 3 Slides - Runners began wearing these after long or tough races to support and help their feet recover. They cushion and let your feet breathe.

2) Colorfulkoala leggings and yoga pants - I'm always bookmarking leggings and yoga pants that get rave reviews at a fair price. Colorfulkoalas come in several styles, lengths, and colors, including shorts. With 48,000 Amazon reviews, customers say they are dupes for some of the higher-end more expensive activewear. Personally, I lean towards cotton with a small percentage of spandex leggings, but these are praised as buttery soft with 4-way stretch and sweat-wicking technology. I'd compare them to Uniquo's Airism technology and their cost is far below Lululemon, Athleta, and GAP. For casual work meetings, I'll pair black yoga pants and a cotton t-shirt under a well-fitted wool blazer with ballet flats and nobody is the wiser. The trick is not to dress casually from head to toe but to mix casual pieces with fitted pieces and classic shoes.

3) Filoto Running Belt Fanny Pack - I have never liked the look of fanny packs, but this one is stylish and still holds your phone, cardholder, keys, and cash. So you really can leave your bag at home. The fanny pack is unisex to fit the waists of men or women. IMHO it looks more like a sleek accessory than a fanny pack.

4) Uniqlo Airism tops - for men and women - Wisks away sweat, there are several styles and a wide assortment of colors. Some have built-in bras, and others have a dominant percentage of cotton fibers.

5) Hoka One Sneakers - For running, walking, and playing. They're as popular as Nikes on the streets of Manhattan. Everybody seems to be wearing them.

If you pair the right neutrals and complementary colors you can dress in comfort without needing to change your clothes if you stay home; exercise; or roam away from home.

 

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Cute Summer Old Navy Dresses

When I came to help my mom, who took a fall fracturing her fibula, I packed all winter clothes, including leggings, t-shirts, and two cardigans since I only thought I'd be away for about 4 weeks, but she is undergoing physical and occupational therapy and I'm still here. Spring has arrived and all my spring and summer clothing is at home. I only packed one dress (this one) that I can wear on a chilly, early, spring day, but not on a balmy, global warming-created day.

So in anticipation of 80 degree F days (in fact we had one today), I bought 2 Sub-Knit Short Sleeve Tiered Swing Dresses in hot pink and medium-navy blue from Old Navy, as well as, a black pair of $2 flip flops to wear around the house. Old Navy's flip flops are great, no need to pay more elsewhere, and I'm happy the retailer once again manufactures 100% cotton dresses. Not polyester, not rayon, no blends, all-cotton dresses!!! ON is forever offering deals. Wait for one to get a dress dirt cheap!

Hopefully, between my ballet flats, Nike sneakers, and the new flip flops I won't lack shoes to wear as the weather warms up. The all-weather mocs I also brought with me will soon be retired until early autumn. 

The thought crosses my mind I'll be wearing the same style of dress over and over like a uniform, but I bet real money the majority of people rarely notice what we wear when we encounter them. They sense if we are disheveled and not coordinated, but can't recall our particular outfits. What do you think?

My life as a minimalist-want-to-be is being tested and frankly, I'm enjoying the noble less-is-more experiment. So far, I'm managing!

Moreover, ladies, look at this handsome guy! Hubba, Hubba!! Posting him fits into our spring fashion topic. Colorful shirts in a breezy linen blend have just arrived at L.L. Bean for men. The fabric wicks moisture and dries fast. 

Get ready, Betty ... Freddy for cotton dresses, linen shirts, and shorts season. 

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A Citrine Quartz

Photo: gia.edu

Citrine is a variety of quartz, which is a hard minimal composed of silicon dioxide (silica), whose color ranges from pale yellow to reddish-orange or brown and occasionally to green-yellow due to submicroscopic (too small to be seen by an ordinary light microscope) traces of iron in the crystal. Natural citrine is rare and tends to be pale in color. All of the bright yellow citrine stones on the market are in fact heated amethyst or smoky quartz. While the heat-treated amethysts produce attractive and sellable sunshine yellow stones, natural unheated citrine is rarer and thus has a greater market value.

The rarer natural citrines are the stones on the right. The rest of the citrines are citrine-heated-amethysts.

Citrine was 1st used in jewelry by the ancient Greeks between 300 - 150 BC. The yellow quartz rates a 7 on Mohs hardness scale, the same as tanzanite, zircon, and peridot yet is softer than diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, or topaz. It is suitable to wear as earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and rings with proper care. 

Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge's Citrine ring that she wears to events.

Citrine is November's birthstone. It's mined mainly in Brazil, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar. The sunshine shaded gem is thought to bring the wearer energy, as well as, prosperity. In general, citrine is good value for the money. The supply versus demand keeps the prices of this golden crystal affordable. You can buy a nice-sized translucent rock without paying an arm and a leg!

Effy designed citrine pieces - The necklace sold at Macy's online. In Macy's search box enter ''Citrine'' or ''Effy.''

A yellow stone, whether it is an ultra-expensive yellow diamond or less-expensive yellow quartz, is not my personal favorite hue in a gemstone, however, I like its brightness as part of a bouquet of colors. Just a personal quirk of mine as yellow isn't one of my favorite colors. I like it best as an accent hue, not as a main color -- not in clothing, nor in flowers, nor in jewelry. Everybody is different though, and there's no logic to what we like; they are only matters of personal preferences. Who knows, one day I may change my mind.💛🙂

Photo: Ethan Lazzerini of natural citrine

The Duchess of Cambridge, nee Kate Middleton seems to love her citrine ring and wears it to a number of functions. And hey, she's prosperous. So see it works! Perhaps she knows something I don't.😉

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Dr. Scholl's Ultra Hydrating Foot Mask

At first I thought a foot mask was silly and a waste of money, but my local CVS Pharmacy gave away a sample pack, so I took one. The pack contains one pair of slip-on-booties. So after you figure out how to get the plastic bootie open by pulling hard on the top seam to force it to part and split, producing an opening for you to slide your foot inside, you can decide for yourself. Inside the plastic bootie is a wet mixture of urea, hyaluronic acid, essential oils and a blend of moisturizing (shea butter, macadamia, coconut, olive) oils. Thankfully, there is no perfume, only a slight clean scent. Instructions say to wear the hydrating foot mask for 30 minutes.

Sure, you could blend your own foot mask with essential oils and creams, then slip your feet inside 2 generic plastic bags with the homemade potion -- but isn't it great when you decide not to make something yourself? Once in a while this blend is a lovely treat and not too expensive to soften and repair dry, rough abused feet. It achieves its claims of conditioning and smoothing skin that gets shoved into socks and shoes and sometimes takes a beating. Your toenails and foot cuticles benefit by absorbing some of the soothing formula also.

How are you spending your Friday?

What's more, you can reuse the plastic booties a 2nd time by storing them inside the generic plastic bag you now won't have to use on your foot because you let Dr. Scholl make the foot mask and booties for you. Dr. Scholl's Ultra Hydrating Foot Mask is worth the splurge! I'm not the spa pampering type. Still this very nice!

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8 Shapes Of Feet

Illustration: Library of Congress

Thanks to what pops up on my Facebook feed, I now know what the shape of my foot is called. I have Egyptian shaped feet, the 1st illustration below.

According to science, it means absolutely nothing. Despite the names given to each foot shape, there is no correlation between how your toes align on your feet and your ancestry, or personality traits, therefore I won't bother expounding on them. In fact, people of all ethnic groups, nationalities and personalities have each type of feet. So all we really know is what the name of our own shape of feet is. And it's all in good fun. 

Here are 8 types of feet people throughout the world have:

Using this above illustration going in order: 

1) Egyptian - The toes are tapered going from the longest big toe down to the little toe.

2) Roman -  The 2nd and 3rd toes are longer in length than the big toe. It is the most common of all the foot shapes.

3) Greek - The 2nd toe is the longest toe. The ancient Greeks found this foot shape to be aesthetically appealing and incorporated it into paintings and sculptures. Later artists followed suit. Michelangelo's David and the Statue of Liberty have Greek (also called Morton's) toes.

4) German - The big toe is the longest, followed by toes nearly the same length.

5) Oriental - Looks like the dark foot on the right. The toes are very slightly tapered, more rounded then an Egyptian foot. 

6) Celtic - The foot with a tattoo.

7) Peasant - Also called Giselle, all the toes are nearly the same length.

8) A Very Short Little Toe
👠👞👡

As mentioned, a majority of people have Roman  shaped feet, and because the 2nd and 3rd toes are about the same length, it's thought to be good for balance and may give athletes an advantage in sports. I think after a lifetime of practice all 8 foot shapes work well for balancing a body as people are so adaptable.

Peasant shape feet

In my research I also learned that some people can wiggle their little toes while others can't, but must use a finger to move them. It turns out I can move my little toes unassisted. Now what can I use my newly found talent to accomplish?🙂

The Greek shaped foot - David on the left and The Statue of Liberty on the right.

Have you figured out the shape of your feet yet? Oh, get wild and crazy ... also see if you can wiggle your little toes. We'll start a movement!😊

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Farewell Travers Fine Jewelers on Madison Avenue

These smart phone photos don't do the jewelry justice.

Recently I discovered one of my favorite shops on Madison Avenue, Travers Fine Jewelers, closed it's doors for good. Although much more high end than I can afford, I loved looking at its fine jewelry, and once partner, Sam Travers, let me try on a gorgeous oval stone ring I long admired! It was a Ceylon 12 carat sapphire and 14 solitaire diamond ring ... in fact a stunning replica of Diana, Princess of Wales' engagement ring that her son, Prince William, gave to fiancée, Kate Middleton upon their engagement. As you see, the shop also had the matching lookalike sapphire and diamond necklace and earrings Diana often wore, as well as, many fine diamonds, Burmese rubies, Colombian emeralds, Tahitian South Sea pearls, elegant watches and a variety of other beautiful necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings. Is it any wonder I gawked at the shop's window display every time I passed?

Although the jewelry was beyond my budget (by 6 figures!), it was fun to see what flawless, top-of-the line stones look like.

This is the 12 carat sapphire and diamond ring I tried on. I love it! One of the partners once said he had sold it, but he was joshing!😍

Occasionally, I'd tease the partners by saying: "Oh, you're selling the sapphire and diamond ring I want to buy!!"🙂 At times they'd come to the front door of the shop to promise me a good price, to which I'd reply, "When I get my invitation to the Met Gala, I'll be back!"

Since the shop has closed, it appears I'm not the only person to have no society events where I could wear such lavish and expensive pieces of jewelry. I mean, where can I go? To the grocery store? Up and down Madison Avenue? Down into the subways? I think not!🙁

It's a tough time for brick and mortar stores. Travers Fine Jewelers is the 3rd retailer on the Upper East Side to close recently. Pier 1 shut its doors in late summer; and another of my favorites, Laytners (for home goods) is closing up shop after 31 years. All 3 businesses added to the milieu of my neighborhood, and they will be greatly missed. 

Whenever I walked by Travers, I looked for MY 12 carat sapphire and diamond ring. I always thought, "One day somebody will walk in to buy it. Unfortunately it will be somebody else, not me." :((( Philosphically speaking, I suppose I was spared the pain of losing it. But now the window is bare, the store empty and the glitter is gone.

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Dorothy Perkins Is Top Shop's Stylish Sister

Meet Dorothy Perkins, popular and trendy Top Shop's stylish sister! The sibling line creates affordable fashion pieces that are classic, pretty and feminine. Adorable dresses, tops, bottoms and accessories, which are a tad more conservative than à la mode articles, so they won't soon go out of style.

Cute ladylike florals; animal prints; or solids with flattering details such as a fitted waist, or pleated skirt. And subtle polka dots to boot!

There are timeless shoes and accessories for all occasions, plus you won't need to empty your wallet to buy extras in order to match your dress.

I can envision the Duchess of Cambridge (a/k/a Kate Middleton) wearing these elegant clothes!

An Ombre All Over Lace Dress ... wow ... oo la la ... wunderbar ... love at first sight! At last, understated style for grown-up women ... with a touch of pizzazz!

Well worth browsing the website. Once there, click on the upper left to select your country of origin. Enjoy!


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Royal Engagement Rings: Let's Take A Look

When a royal couple gets engaged, count on seeing a gorgeous ring. Although diamonds are the hardest, most durable stones, there are plenty of diamonds in the world. Sapphires are rarer, which is why royalty often chooses a sapphire engagement ring. For fun, let's look at several famous royal rings: 

Kate Middleton (2011), now Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge - A 12-carat sapphire with 14 diamonds that once belonged to fiancé Prince William's mother, Lady Diana Spencer (1981), is a favorite. The ring was picked from Garrard's catalog by Diana and reportedly was inspired by a sapphire brooch that Queen Victoria received on her wedding day from new husband Prince Albert that today is often worn by her great, great-granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II. I adore blue sapphires, and you don't need to be engaged to a prince to wear a royalty-inspired knockoff. Trust me! (In a window of a Madison Avenue jewelry store near my home sits a 12-carat Ceylon sapphire and diamond ring exactly like the royal engagement ring. I'm going to walk over there, wearing all my cheap imperfect jewelry, to try it on. Heck, yeah!! It's the one, I wanted to buy.😊)

Queen Elizabeth II (1947) - To make his betrothed, Princess Elizabeth of York's engagement ring, Prince Philip's mother, Princess Alice (née of Battenberg) who married Prince Andrew of Greece, gave her son one of her tiaras, a wedding gift she received from Tsar Nicholas II and Tsarina Alexandra (Romanov) of Russia. Princess Alice was Tsarina Alexandra's niece. Diamonds were removed from the tiara and reset into an engagement ring. The ring is a round 3-carat brilliant stone flanked by smaller pavé-set diamonds mounted into platinum.

Queen Victoria (1840) - On the right is the exquisite sapphire brooch that a century later inspired Lady Diana's engagement ring. On the left is Queen Victoria's engagement ring. Both were designed by Queen Victoria's fiancé, soon to be husband, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and presented to her for the wedding. The serpent is an ancient Roman symbol for everlasting love and seems to have been a popular motif for rings during the Victorian era. (It is not for me, I hate snakes!) Set in 18-carat gold, the serpent eyes are rubies, the mouth a line of diamonds and the large center emerald is Queen Victoria's (born May 24, 1819) birthstone. Prince Albert put a lot of thought into the Queen's wedding gifts!

Princess Eugenie of York (2018) - Queen Elizabeth II's granddaughter selected a 3-carat padparadscha pinkish orange glow sapphire, surrounded by diamonds for her engagement ring. It is an ultra rare sapphire. (Not that anybody asks, yet I always prefer blue.) Her own mother, Sarah Ferguson (1986) received a red ruby with diamonds engagement ring commissioned by Prince Andrew as a nod to her red hair. Newspapers wonder if Eugenie is trying to carry on a family color tradition. Only Eugenie knows.

Sarah's ruby and diamond engagement ring

Maghan Markle (2017) - A trio of 3 diamonds, one 2.5 cushion-cut central diamond with two round side diamonds to make 3 carats, set in yellow gold designed by her fiancé, Prince Harry, who used some of the jewelry once belonging to his mother, Diana, later the Princess of Wales.

It's always fun to look, write and gush over jewelry. 

Although sapphires are my favorite gems, I still prefer a traditional round-shaped (called a Tiffany setting) diamond as an engagement ring ... a BIG one, surrounded by smaller diamonds! Do you have a favorite stone.

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