Rave: Origins Ginger Essence

"Ancient Chinese tradition holds that where there's yin, there must be yang. And so the fragrant fire of spicy Ginger is balanced by the refreshing zeal of Bergamot, Lemon and Lime to create a sensuous synergy between warm and cool, energy and calm, tempest and tranquility. Skin is surrounded in an enticing aroma that's impossible to resist."

I love LOVE LOVE Origins Ginger Essence ($37 for 5omL). It smells wonderfully feminine without being flowery and a little earthy and spicy without any musk tones. The rollerball version is cheap ($12.50), won’t leak during travel and is easy to pop in your bag (plus men seem to love it!)

True Confessions: Home Shopping Edition

Embarrassing confession: sometimes when I can't sleep I put on one of the home shopping networks - just the constant upbeat tone of their voices is very soothing. But anyway, the other night they were "presenting" a soft brown wrap cardigan ($69.50) that was actually quite cute. I imagined my way into an easy but glamorous summer outfit... the only problem would be keeping the pants clean!

The Higher the Hair, The Closer to God

Maybe it is hair envy, but I have been drooling over these fun Big Hairdos.

Alyssa Milano in "My Name is Earl"

Dina Lohan in some magazine.

Rant: 80s glasses

I have limited tolerance for 80s nostalgia. I feel no sentimentality for Thundercat or John Hughes movies. I think Thriller is okay, just okay.

And the 80s fashion redux of late: I sloowwwwwly came around to leggings. Skinny jeans have not been my favorite fashion trend of all times. And acid-washed tapered jeans, umm.

But the sunglasses, oh dear god the sunglasses:

Sierra Miller and her red Ray bans ...

....and Drew with her white Wayfarers.

Mary Kate and friends step out in white sunglasses. Source: olsenfan.net

The Cobrasnake. Panty Sale photo #9674:

....oh, and Kanye.
ohh Kanye...

Wake up!
These. Do. Not. Look. Good.
In fact, they look horrible.
This trend must die.
/rant

Sak Handbags

When I was in high school, I worked at Filenes, a department store. I remember stocking the Sak handbags and thinking, "How horrendously ugly." It was a variety of things: the fact that they were only available in shades of beige and gray (with maybe a muddy blue thrown in here in there), the weird crochet that looked like it would get dirty immediately, the clumsy-looking shapes, the name.

Well, friends, I have come around. They have some very nice leather bags at quite reasonable prices and I am considering the "Ashbury" linen bag as a pretty, go-with-everything (slightly impractical) summer handbag.

Silverlake Leather Convertible Satchel ($199)

Ashbury Linen Shopper ($99)

More Fashion & Cancer

Fashion & Cancer

I am currently undergoing treatment for lymphoma and although fashion might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of cancer, I find that it is a fun diversion (thus this blog!) For better or for worse, women have a lot wrapped up in personal appearance and chemo's side effects' impact on physical appearance - hair loss (including eyelashes and eyebrows), strange skin, scars - can be especially hard for that reason. In the midst of all that, putting a little effort into fashion can cheer you up.

My stomach bothers me constantly so I never want to wear anything tight around my middle. As a result I have developed a uniform of cozy layers. I think of it as kind of a Bohemian look.
1) Tunic sweaters and long cardigans- being at home so much is fueling my eBay cashmere obsession
2) Leggings, yoga pants, wide-legged pants and soft jeans.
3) Flats and equestrian- style flat boots (I've always been a heels girl but cancer changes everything...).
4) I don't mind my wig, since it actually looks better than my real hair did, but sometimes I'm just not in the mood, so I trade off between it and some pretty Russian-ish scarves.
5) Great cheap A-line coat from H&M - I can squash all of the layers underneath and still look semi-chic.