If you don’t remember this, it’s simply because you weren’t born yet.  The rest of us will never forget this brilliant line from a famous television commercial back in the early 1970’s.  The incredibly talented Ella Fitzgerald sang a high note while being recorded on a Memorex audio cassette and it actually caused a pane of glass to shatter.  When the tape was played back, the glass shattered again followed by a voice that said “Is it live, or is it Memorex?”

So was it real?  My answer would be yes because back in the 70’s, most things were real.  If you read something in the newspaper, it was a fact.  Models on the covers of magazines actually looked like themselves—not furiously airbrushed and retouched women. 

Fast forward to today.  For over 20 years, I was a huge fan of Self Magazine.  I always thought they wanted women to feel comfortable in their own skin…until I saw the cover with Kelly Clarkson.  I won’t re-hash the story (because you couldn’t help but hear it) but it seems like if we can’t trust Self Magazine to accept their cover models’ bodies then who can we trust?  Redbook? 

Well, I guess Redbook is no different than all the others.  Take a look at these retouched photos of Faith Hill on the cover of Redbook. 

I think she’s gorgeous just the way she is–but if you look closely at both photos you will see that they turned her normal-looking arm into a skinny stick, they removed the bags under her eyes, shaved the top of her back off, changed her hair color and added a bunch of make-up. 

Magazine editors defend retouching by saying that they do it to everyone and it helps sell magazines.  Well, I’m sure that’s true but at the same time these ads are wreaking havoc on the confidence of many young girls and women.  According to “The New Normal:  What Girls Say About Healthy Living” (Girl Scout Institute, 2006), 49% of girls 8-10 years old and 59% of girls 11-12 are concerned about being fat or overweight.  Is this how we want our daughters to grow up?

I recently became a registered facilitator for the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty.  They have put together an amazing learning experience for girls ages 8-12 years old.  These fabulous workshops teach girls at an early age to recognize and appreciated their own beauty.  The girls also learn that what they see in magazines and advertisements does NOT represent real beauty–because it’s simply not real.

Please take a moment to watch these fabulous videos put together by the visioinaries at Dove.  If you have about 10 minutes, please watch them all.  If you only have 1 spare minute, watch the film called “Evolution”.

After you watch them, please post a comment and let me know what you think.   http://www.dove.us/#/makeadifference/video.aspx/

Smile and be confident….and HAPPY ST. PATTY’S DAY!!!

Molly

Since you know I’m not THE fashion expert, I decided to go straight to the professionals—Andrea Chila, owner of Pileggi Boutique in Philadelphia and her awesome manager, Kellen Kredatus to find out what’s hot for spring. Not only do they help teach my clients how to find clothes that work best for their bodies, they also encourage ME to get out of my box. Let me translate that into English—they actually get me to try on (and sometimes BUY) DRESSES!

For spring, there are some definite looks you’ll want to incorporate into your wardrobe. Some of these looks definitely will be “throw-backs” to many of my friends. There are some dynamic combinations that may raise your eyebrows – but don’t be too quick to judge.

Pattern Play

Pattern Play:

It’s time to let your inner artist out! Go for some cool combinations—ones I’ve never thought of before. Try mixing a bold pattern print with a striped jacket! Sounds odd, but it works…really!

 Or try this beautiful floral top, cinched at the waste, with a gorgeous pink jacket to top it off.

Clean Energy:

I love this look (and the name). It’s sleek and has simple lines—with a feminine take on tailoring. Think Jackie O. Try a crisp white blazer like this one.

Clean Energy

Notice that it doesn’t look like your typical white blazer—this one definitely says I’m a woman and I look great! The beautiful gold buttons gives it a bit of a nautical look (yes, nautical is back).

Game Theory:

Designers have been getting some great tips from sports. Active wear has had a HUGE influence on the clothes this spring. They’ve taken cool materials (such as vinyl and tech) and created outstanding pieces—like this sexy evening trench made of tech.

Game Theory

This material is awesome (I have a couple pieces).

It packs well, it’s pretty much stain-resistant and the BEST part for me is that dog hairs don’t stick to it. Not a one!

Boots No. 7 Moisturizing Face Mask

For so many years, I truly wanted to find THE skin care product that would completely WOW me and turn me into a customer for life. I have tried so many different brands—and have shelled out some hefty bucks over the years. Since I don’t get Botox injections or any of that other stuff, I figure I can justify the expense (ha! I can justify just about anything!).

One place I always run into trouble is the cosmetic counters at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York. They must see the word SUCKER written on my forehead when I walk in! I have some good smile lines (okay, let’s call them crow’s feet) so I’m always looking for the perfect cream to make them disappear. Well, I haven’t found that cream yet but I did get talked into purchasing a very expensive eye cream (Sisley) which, as the make-up artist told me, would greatly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. After buying that, I did have buyer’s regret but was determined to see my wrinkles slowly vanish. Well, I did get to use it for about 5 days and didn’t notice any difference (go figure). On the 6th day, I flung the stupid little jar off my vanity and the precious cream was splattered all over the floor. I decided the 5 second rule should apply and tried to scoop up as much as I could, but realized it may not work as well with dog hairs in it.

During another visit to my favorites Saks in New York, my mom and I got the DOUBLE SUCKER stamp and a cute French guy stopped us to show us our “laugh lines” in a mirror. He then carefully applied a cream (Freeze 24-7) which was more like the paste we used in 2nd grade. VOILA, the wrinkles disappeared! Or so he said. We really couldn’t see a difference in the mirror but he told us how much younger we looked and we bought it—hook, line and sinker. And of course we could justify the price since we don’t spend any money on Botox! (The side note on this is that mom bought some for both of us. She never used hers and gave it to me. I tried it many times but never saw a difference. I recently found it all dried up in the back of my medicine cabinet).

Since mom is here visiting us in Philly, I thought I would use her as a guinea pig on a new moisture mask I bought at Target (not Saks this time). It’s called Boots No. 7 Intensive Moisture Face Mask (http://www.us.boots.com/). You may have heard of Boots because they are the UK’s best selling cosmetics and skin care line. 2009 marked the 160th Anniversary of when John Boot, the herbalist, opened his first store in Goose Gate, Nottingham.

We washed our faces and used a toner (just like the instructions said) and gave the mask a go. Mom’s mask was immediately sucked into her face—it literally disappeared. She said after the mask, her face felt fuller, her skin felt smoother and for the first time in a while, it felt really hydrated. I even noticed a difference in those laugh lines—they got plumped up and my skin felt very soft. I loved it.
I also loved the way it looked. It’s a lightly whipped get-cream that’s packed with vitamins A, C and E. It also includes apple extract to help brighten your skin. For $19.99, you can purchase this little gem at Target. And lucky for me, when I bought it they were giving a free lip balm with it. Boots No. 7 Deeply Moisturizing Lipcare has been a godsend to me this winter since I keep it right next to the dog leashes and put some on before every walk with Stella and Jessie. Maybe that’s why I haven’t experienced chapped lips this winter.

So give it a try. You don’t even have to shell out big bucks or have a cute French guy point out your wrinkles! Let me know what you think.