A Betsey Johnson model flaunts it in Essie Aruba Blue

I’m just going to say it; I hate polishing my nails. Usually, I do a good job on my toenails, but if I attempt to do my fingernails, it looks like a child painted them. I’m just no good at it. While I love to get mani’s and pedi’s, the fact of the mattter is, I just can’t afford to keep up with it. So I’m going to have to learn the right way to do it!

The first step is getting a good quality nail polish. I’ve always liked Essie because it’s salon quality at a reasonable price. They always have the best up-to-the-minute colors that you can’t find at any old pharmacy and last a super long time. Check out their new holiday color collections like “Bold and Beautiful” (a deep vampy red) or “It’s Genius” (a metallic purple).

Bold and Beautiful, $8

Lately I’ve been shaping my nails with a buffer, so I’ll file my nails first and then brave the polishing process. After I clean them up with some nail polish remover, (and once they are completely dry, a step I usually fail to commit to), I’ll follow up with a moisturizer. Essie has a great line of “Smoothies” in exotic “flavors” like Pomegranate and Mango, Coconut and Pineapple and Blueberry and Banana. Pomegranate and Mango are my favorite, but these hand and body lotions are a great way to help get you out of a winter funk, and are super hydrating too.

Pomegranate Mango Smoothie, $5

So if you are looking for a new hue to compliment your holiday party ensembles, or just want a few fun stocking stuffers for your roomate or BFF, then check out these goodies from Essie. Your hands and feet will thank you!

Here are some tips to help get you through the holiday season:

Heart Healthy Holiday Eating Tips:
1) Do not go to holiday parties hungry to avoid overeating at the party. Eat regular meals before the party and do not skip meals. Drink plenty of water before you go.
2) Avoid talking and socializing around the buffet or in the kitchen.
3) Watch your portion sizes. Moderation is key.
4) Eat slowly! Put your fork down between bites. Eating slower allows you to feel full when you have eaten enough.
5) Avoid high fat items. Fill your plate with healthy choices like fruits and vegetables.
6) Bring a healthy meal or snack to a potluck dinner.
7) Take healthy snacks with you when you go food shopping. NEVER go food shopping when you are hungry.
8) If you are the cook, select healthy dishes prepared in a healthy manner.
a. Try to bake, broil or grill food. Avoid fried foods.
b. Use low fat sour cream and sauces. Avoid cream sauces.
c. When baking, try to use fat free sprays or lower fat ingredients.
d. Try to add beans to salads, casseroles and appetizers. Beans add fiber to the meal and helps you feel fuller.
e. Select whole wheat and whole grain products like crackers, bread and pasta. Avoid white flour.
f. Serve fresh fruit and vegetables. Include fresh fruit in dessert options with low fat cool whip or dark chocolate.
g. Offer bite-sized desserts that are low fat.
h. User smaller plates to encourage people to take smaller portions.
i. Serve fruit and vegetables as the main dish and meat as a side dish.

Heart Healthy Drinking Tips:
1) Limit alcoholic beverages to one or two servings per day.
2) Drink a glass of water in between alcoholic beverages.
3) Eat food prior to and while drinking alcoholic beverages.
4) Do not drink and drive.
5) Choose lighter options to cut back on extra calories. Try spritzers, lite beer or low calorie mixers. Avoid drinks mixed with cream and frozen drinks.)

Heart Healthy Activity Tips:
1) Participate in outings that involve physical activity like skiing, sleigh riding, ice skating and walking.
2) At the shopping malls park in the furthest spot from the store to increase your walking.
3) Go window shopping and enjoy the holiday decorations. Take your pedometer with you and count your steps. Aim for 10,000 steps per day!
4) Dance at holiday parties.
5) Schedule exercise/physical activity into you routine. Exercise increases your energy level.
6) Take the dog for a walk and enjoy the holiday decorations in the neighborhood.
7) Go Christmas caroling.
8) Cut down your own Christmas tree.
9) Take the stairs whenever possible instead of elevators and escalators.

Tips for Managing Holiday Stress:
1) Schedule some down time for yourself to relax and de-stress
2) Learn some relaxation techniques and use them throughout your stressful days. Yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises can be very relaxing.
3) Include a chair massage for yourself during holiday shopping trips.
4) Remember to have fun each and every day. Find some humor in every day life. Laughter is a great way to relieve stress.
5) Try to always keep a positive attitude and surround yourself with happy people.
6) Try not to focus on money issues every day. If you have made financial mistakes in the past, use it as a learning experience and avoid similar mistakes in the future.

Heart Healthy Holiday Gifts Ideas:
1) Exercise items like pedometers; resistance bands; exercise mats; exercise balls; jump ropes; heart rate monitors; exercise tapes, videos and DVDs; sneakers, exercise outfits and hand weights, all make great gift ideas.
2) Heart healthy cookbooks, juicers, and popcorn machines.
3) Healthy foods: fruit baskets, fruit of the month clubs, assorted unsalted nuts, flavor-infused olive oils, red wines, herbal or green teas, dark chocolates and high fiber baked goods.
4) Stress relievers: gift certificates for massage or health clubs, aromatherapy candles, pillows, bath salts, Yoga or Tai Chi videos, tapes and books.
5) Give the gift of your time. Spend time with an elderly relative, neighbor or friend. Offer a ride to the store, pharmacy or doctor’s office to those needing assistance.
6) Offer to be an exercise buddy to someone starting a new exercise program. It is more fun to work out with a friend and it will benefit both of you!

For additional heart healthy information visit us at
www.heart-strong.com.

HAVE A HEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON!!!!!

Here are some tips to help get you through the holiday season:

Heart Healthy Holiday Eating Tips:
1) Do not go to holiday parties hungry to avoid overeating at the party. Eat regular meals before the party and do not skip meals. Drink plenty of water before you go.
2) Avoid talking and socializing around the buffet or in the kitchen.
3) Watch your portion sizes. Moderation is key.
4) Eat slowly! Put your fork down between bites. Eating slower allows you to feel full when you have eaten enough.
5) Avoid high fat items. Fill your plate with healthy choices like fruits and vegetables.
6) Bring a healthy meal or snack to a potluck dinner.
7) Take healthy snacks with you when you go food shopping. NEVER go food shopping when you are hungry.
8) If you are the cook, select healthy dishes prepared in a healthy manner.
a. Try to bake, broil or grill food. Avoid fried foods.
b. Use low fat sour cream and sauces. Avoid cream sauces.
c. When baking, try to use fat free sprays or lower fat ingredients.
d. Try to add beans to salads, casseroles and appetizers. Beans add fiber to the meal and helps you feel fuller.
e. Select whole wheat and whole grain products like crackers, bread and pasta. Avoid white flour.
f. Serve fresh fruit and vegetables. Include fresh fruit in dessert options with low fat cool whip or dark chocolate.
g. Offer bite-sized desserts that are low fat.
h. User smaller plates to encourage people to take smaller portions.
i. Serve fruit and vegetables as the main dish and meat as a side dish.

Heart Healthy Drinking Tips:
1) Limit alcoholic beverages to one or two servings per day.
2) Drink a glass of water in between alcoholic beverages.
3) Eat food prior to and while drinking alcoholic beverages.
4) Do not drink and drive.
5) Choose lighter options to cut back on extra calories. Try spritzers, lite beer or low calorie mixers. Avoid drinks mixed with cream and frozen drinks.)

Heart Healthy Activity Tips:
1) Participate in outings that involve physical activity like skiing, sleigh riding, ice skating and walking.
2) At the shopping malls park in the furthest spot from the store to increase your walking.
3) Go window shopping and enjoy the holiday decorations. Take your pedometer with you and count your steps. Aim for 10,000 steps per day!
4) Dance at holiday parties.
5) Schedule exercise/physical activity into you routine. Exercise increases your energy level.
6) Take the dog for a walk and enjoy the holiday decorations in the neighborhood.
7) Go Christmas caroling.
8) Cut down your own Christmas tree.
9) Take the stairs whenever possible instead of elevators and escalators.

Tips for Managing Holiday Stress:
1) Schedule some down time for yourself to relax and de-stress
2) Learn some relaxation techniques and use them throughout your stressful days. Yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises can be very relaxing.
3) Include a chair massage for yourself during holiday shopping trips.
4) Remember to have fun each and every day. Find some humor in every day life. Laughter is a great way to relieve stress.
5) Try to always keep a positive attitude and surround yourself with happy people.
6) Try not to focus on money issues every day. If you have made financial mistakes in the past, use it as a learning experience and avoid similar mistakes in the future.

Heart Healthy Holiday Gifts Ideas:
1) Exercise items like pedometers; resistance bands; exercise mats; exercise balls; jump ropes; heart rate monitors; exercise tapes, videos and DVDs; sneakers, exercise outfits and hand weights, all make great gift ideas.
2) Heart healthy cookbooks, juicers, and popcorn machines.
3) Healthy foods: fruit baskets, fruit of the month clubs, assorted unsalted nuts, flavor-infused olive oils, red wines, herbal or green teas, dark chocolates and high fiber baked goods.
4) Stress relievers: gift certificates for massage or health clubs, aromatherapy candles, pillows, bath salts, Yoga or Tai Chi videos, tapes and books.
5) Give the gift of your time. Spend time with an elderly relative, neighbor or friend. Offer a ride to the store, pharmacy or doctor’s office to those needing assistance.
6) Offer to be an exercise buddy to someone starting a new exercise program. It is more fun to work out with a friend and it will benefit both of you!

For additional heart healthy information visit us at www.heart-strong.com.

HAVE A HEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON!!!!!

Enjoying a relaxing Sunday afternoon (November 23), Selena Gomez was spotted out and about in Studio City, California with her mother Mandy yesterday (November 23).

The “Wizards of Waverly Place” actress chatted on her mobile phone as she walked through the mall before stopping for sushi and hitting up a nearby CVS pharmacy.

Borrowing a page out of “Hannah Montana” hottie Miley Cyrus’ fashion book, Kelly Osbourne was spotted doing some shopping at her local Rite Aid pharmacy earlier this week (November 19).

The “Meet the Osbournes” starlet was sporting the same Theory grey and red dress that the “7 Things” songstress wore to her premiere of “Bolt,” only Kelly added her own flair with a black studded belt.

I kid because she is ok. I myself don’t do Xanax but I can understand someone who is scared of flying doing it. I’m also immensely proud of Winona because this time, unlike when she was arrested in 2001, I think she had a valid prescription and not some form she printed off the internet and then filled at her pharmacy. I’m guessing it was valid or else we would have been talking about her arrest and not her release from the hospital. Winona apparently passed out twice while en route to London. She woke up, saw what they were passing off as a meal, and then took another Xanax and passed out again.

I’m glad she’s doing ok.

(source)

Back in the States following a lengthy stay overseas in London, Paris Hilton was spotted all over town on what was a cold and rainy day in Los Angeles on Saturday (November 1).

After grabbing a bite to eat in the deli at Beverly Glen, Paris made a pharmacy stop as well as popping into a nearby store to do a little shopping.

Celebs Beyonce and Fergie think pink (source)

Couture in the City reader Shara asks:

Q:  Will hot pink lips be trendy for spring/summer of 2009?

A: Hmmm…that’s a tough one Shara. Hot pink lips were trendy in the spring of ‘07, and are making huge waves now (Rihanna is always softening her edgy look with hot pink lips), so it’s hard to say. If you are itching to try a hot pink trend, I would do it now, at the tail end of summer and before winter sets in. Check out your local pharmacy and grab a few different hot pink shades to see what works best with your skin tone. You can work a hot pink lip right now in a very fierce way with a smoky eye and a sleek but chic ensemble.

My most favorite hot pink lip gloss is no longer available (the MAC Fafi edition…so perfectly punk), but you can still snap up some great pink shades from MAC. For a very high fashion look, go for a paler hot pink like Wonderstruck or Ensign from MAC:

MAC Lustreglass, $14.00

The lighter shades of hot pink that were seen on the runway are the perfect compliment to winter florals, grays and muted shades of plum and navy. For a softer fall hot pink look, keep the rest of your color palette muted and make your lips the focal point.

My makeup trend forecast for fall calls for peachy lip glosses (just call it a hunch) so enjoy your pink lips now!

Got an insider tip on your favorite hot pink lip glosses? Leave a comment and let us know which is your favorite and why (not sticky, long lasting, tastes like strawberries, whatever…). Happy glossing!