The recent inclement weather brought to light a simply horrid fashion issue: pants on the ground! No, not that infamous “pants worn way below the belt-line” look that often plagues questionable young men. No, this is “pants on the ground” for women!

The culprits of this unfortunate trend are normally 20-something girls, wearing too-long trousers with very high heels (thereby keeping their pants off the ground). Unfortunately, those very high heels are not weather-proof! For example, on Friday, as I was walking home from the train in the midst of the impending blizzard, I noticed a young woman walking in front of me. I first noticed her adorable matching scarf, hat and gloves combo! (Which, I must say, really worked for her, in that “cable knit/I just graduated from college” kind of way, you know?) Then I looked down. Her pants were dragging the ground! Not only were they dragging the ground, they were carrying excess snow and mud with them! This is not the first time I’ve seen a young woman in pants that were literally picking up mud as she walked! What’s up with that? Far be it for me to play fashion police, but if you can gauge the weather by the goop on your pants . . . I mean, really?

Ladies, please, purchase pants in the correct length or, in the alternative, hem your pants! (For those of you raised by wolves: note that most dry cleaners in the northern hemisphere will hem pants for a small fee.)

That's my Miata convertible: buried!

At the request of my gorgeous and super-awesome cousin, Tricia, I am finally sitting down to blog a bit!  Something about the current “state of emergency” in the DC area has left me without inspiration as of late.  What “state of emergency”,  my lucky out-of-state readers might ask?  It’s a blizzard!  It’s been a true blizzard since Friday, February 5, 2010 (when government hacks like myself were urged to “go home ASAP”)!  Scary, right?  Now–five days later–the National Guard is here!  (Note to Tricia:  the National Guard is here!  The strong, capable, lonely National Guardsmen!  Oh my!)

Particularly disconcerting was the trip my husband and I made to the closest grocery store (Whole Foods–two blocks away).  Knowing that neither of our cars were capable of making it very far, we felt lucky to have a grocery store within walking distance.  As we left the house, I couldn’t help but notice that “other-worldly” feeling– like in “War of the Worlds”, when Tom Cruise ventures out into town after the alien invasion!  Instead of aliens, we were greeted by a large number of nervous yuppies, grabbing for organic vegetables, Kashi and soy milk!  There was panic in the air!  Well, sort of . . .

I have been especially thankful for twitter during all this!  Besides providing constant entertainment, with hash tags such as #Snowmageddon, #Snowbama, #SnOMG, and (the latest): #Snow-mas, twitter was also “the place to be” for government closings!  Believe it or not, I received the best information about closings, delays, etc. from the “twitterverse”!

Here are some of my favorite blizzard pics thus far.  Oh, did I mention that we’re in the midst of yet another blizzard/huge snowfall as I write this?  More to come!

My husband, Steve, and our "dog daughter", Hokie!

Our other "dog daughter", Donatella Versace--still fabulous in a blizzard!

My greatest loves from the Cargo line are the LashActivator and the blu ray High Definition Mattifier.  I also tried and enjoyed the Botanical Lipstick.  All three of these products are currently 50% off on http://www.sephora.com! 

The LashActivator (which actually lives up to the “cool factor” of combining the words “lash” and “activator” into one word for the product name) really surprised me!  According to Cargo, in clinical trials, this product was shown to have a 169% improvement over the natural rate at which lashes grow.  They promised results in 30 days.  My experience?  I’m not sure I noticed a 169% increse in lash growth (admittedly, I wasn’t really measuring my “lash growth rate”), but I will say that I noticed a difference.  My lashes appeared thicker and longer after using this product for several weeks.  Especially interesting is the “flexible rubber wand” applicator.  It looks like a regular applicator, but is easily bendable (like a straw)!  The wand is great to build the product with a few applications, while maintaining seriously separated lashes!  Originally $35, now only $17.50 at Sephora.

The blu ray High Definition Mattifer is a silky liquid that can be worn under or over makeup.  I prefer to use it under my foundation.  As promised, this product refines pores, minimizes lines, and conditions skin, resulting in a polished appearance.  Originally $26, you can pick it up now for $13 at Sephora.

Last, but certainly not least, you should definitely consider Cargo’s Botanical Lipstick.  Cargo is donating two dollars from the sale of every shade to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital!  I tried “Evangeline” and enjoyed the sheer color and the scent of cocoa butter!  Definitely smooth and silky!  Originally $20, it is now $10 at Sephora.

What’s in a name?  Quite a lot, if you want to stand out in a crowd.  Just ask “Huge Lips Skinny Hips”, the new lip gloss from PurpleLab! 

Almost as interesting as the product’s name is the company’s reliance on social networking sites, such as Twitter and Facebook, to market “Huge Lips Skinny Hips”. After reading a tweet or two about this product  on Twitter, I had to find out more about it!  After all, what woman doesn’t want more information on huge lips and skinny hips?  A quick google led to the parent company’s website:   www.purplelabnyc.com.

I must admit, I was immediately intrigued.  A lip gloss that plumps and contains hoodia (an appetite suppressant)?  What a great idea!  I ordered “Red Sole” (a glossy red with a sheer texture).  Like all the glosses in this line, mine arrived  packaged in a very àpropos purple, hourglass shaped box!  Also included was a product card, explaining what I already suspected:  that the color name, “Red Sole”, is an homage to none other than those irresistible red soles found on Christian Louboutin designer shoes!  Ohh la la!  (At this point, my husband might ask, “Does the purple box and the mention of ‘that shoe guy’ make the product better?”  As I am sure most of my readers would agree:  Yes, it truly does!  So Bravo, Purplelab!  Rock on with your hoodie and your hourglass-shaped purple box and your Louboutin’s!  Muah!)

Be warned:  ordering at http://www.lecherchemidi.com will change your entire outlook on candles, as well as the experience of fragrances for the home and body.  This company specializes in amazing concoctions for that part of yourself that yearns to be truly fabulous (and smell divine)!  The fragrances of Le Cherche Midi are sold as eau de toilettes for the body, as well as scented candles (both travel size and a 7.2 oz. larger size) and in the form of an innovative fragrance cube (the sophisticated answer to reed diffusers–without the reeds)! 

I originally ordered the fragrance sample set from Le Cherche Midi.  This sampler of all six “mainline” fragrances (they also create a “No. 57″ fragrance, exclusive to Bergdorf Goodman) is the best way to sample all the fragrances and choose a favorite!  The tiny glass sampler bottles are also elegant (no cheap plastic atomizers here)!   I was (very!) fortunate to sample a candle in the No. 9 fragrance, a travel candle in No. 14, and a fragrance cube in No. 20!  No. 9 stands out as a favorite for me (I burnt my candle to the quick–and it lasted many weeks!), but I also adore the fresh No. 14 and the warm, woodsy No. 20.  Check out the beautiful website at http://www.lecherchemidi.com to read more about the various fragrance notes.  Named only by number and a corresponding color, these fragrances allow each person to have an individual experience. 

The bottom line:  I will be back for more Le Cherche Midi!  Now that I’ve exhausted my treasured candle No. 9, I absolutely yearn for more!

What’s that? Your coat has a vent, but your vent is sewn shut–just at the bottom–by a cute little “X” stitch?  Hmmm, yes . . . I see.  Well, I’ve got good news and bad news for you! The good news is that this article was written especially for you.  The bad news?  Well, I hate to be critical, but it’s just that . . . you sort of look like a tool!  See, you were supposed to cut that little “X” stitch and open the vent before wearing the coat!  (The “X” stitch is just for shipping and displaying the coat.  No one thought you were going to wear it around like that.  Seriously.)

I am literally amazed at how many “sewn vents” I witness in the DC metro area every day!  (Isn’t your coat a little tight “down there”?  Really?)  Ah well, no worries DC!  I’ve got you covered (err, vented)!
PS:  These instructions also apply to suit jackets, as well as those labels sewn to the forearm, listing the fabric content.   (Yikes!)

Interested in finding out more?  Dr. Alan Hirsch has written a book about Sensa called The Sensa Weight-Loss System.  This book is available for a discounted price through Amazon at the link below.
http://www.amazon.com/Sensa-Diet-Hunger-Weight-System/dp/0981538185/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254515919&sr=8-1.
 
For a special, fabulous offer, Check out:
http://trysensa.com/dmg/7B1720?pcode=rocketxl&plabel=blog&ccode=hollygofabulously&clabel=sensa.  This link provides access to a Sensa Trial Kit FREE for 30 days!  You will receive a 60-day supply of Sensa AND a $25 discount card for use at www.glow.com!  Glow.com is the next generation beauty e-tailer.  It’s where shopping, socializing and beauty addictions come together with access to over 170 brands offering the best in skincare, makeup, hair care, bath & body, fragrance and more!  You pay only the shipping and handling fee of $4.95, and have 30 days to try the product, free of charge.  If you like it, do nothing!  You will be billed for the 60 day supply.  If you decide Sensa is not for you, just return it within the 30-day trial period, and pay nothing but shipping.

Not interested in the trial offer, but still wanting to give Sensa a try?  Check out www.trysensa.com.  Should you decide to place an order, use code RXL7 at checkout for 15% off!  Regardless of your preferred method of obtaining a trail of Sensa, I definitely recommend that you do so.  It just might save you from that “return trip” to the holiday buffet table!

The result of over 20 years of clinical experience in dermatology and biomedical research on antioxidants and the aging process, Alchimie Forever products are hypo-allergenic and cruelty-free.  The antioxidants in these products are extracted from herbs (rosemary, basil), plants (green tea, watercress, turmeric), and fruits and vegetables (blueberries, grape seeds, tomatoes), which are combined to strengthen, protect, and promote healthier, more youthful-looking skin.

I recently had the pleasure of sampling two Alchimie Forever products that I thoroughly enjoyed:  Kantic Lights Off Calming Evening Cream and Kantic Brightening Moisture Mask.  The Kantic evening cream is made from blueberries , jojoba , grape seeds, and vitamin E.  Described as a “mid-weight evening cream” on the Alchimie Forever website, I actually found it to be more “light”, in that it felt weightless on my skin and absorbed beautifully.  I definitely smelled a bit of the company’s signature blueberry when using this product.  As promised, it was nourishing and did not have any negative effects on my combination (read: breakout prone!) complexion.  I continue to use this evening cream with confidence.  Bravo, Alchimie Forever!

 The Kantic Brightening Moisture Mask, derived from blueberries, wild pansies, oats, grapes, and vitamin E, was equally soothing and softening on my skin.  Unlike many masks, this creamy formula does not harden.  Simply apply, leave on for 15-20 minutes, and rinse!  I loved following this mask with the Calming Evening Cream.  Heavenly!

Looking for a fabulous gift for a BFF, or yourself?  (After all, is there any form of self-love higher than that of skin care?  I think not, dear readers!)  Why not indulge in an Alchimie Forever gift set?  (Yay, gift sets!  Woohoo!)  Choose from the adorable Holiday Toes Gift Set (making purple toe polish look posh!), the luxurious Spa Facial at Home Gift Set (featuring my favorite Kantic mask), or get gifty with your favorite District Metro-sexual and pick up a Metro Man Gift Set (Hello? Vibrating razor in this one!  Write your own punchlines, people!)!  

Whatever your skin care needs, Alchimie Forever is definitely a fabulous choice this holiday season!  Support a locally-based company and check it out!

1970's Springfield, Virginia: Super Dave Myers (top row, far left), my husband Steve Denslow (top row, second from right) and my brother-in-law Scott Denslow (top row, far right)

I count myself lucky to have met and spent some time chatting with Dave Myers (“Super Dave” or “Supe”, as he is known to the many friends who loved him during his brief, but always exciting, 39 years in this life). Supe and my husband, Steve, grew up together, lived together when they were in their 20’s, and shared the company of an amazing group of friends. Obviously, I came into this story late, having just married my husband this past March. I met Supe for the first time when he moved back to Virginia this past year (but his presence was preceeding by an abundance of hysterical stories and photos)! He had already been diagnosed with cancer when we met. Every time I saw him–never fail–he was smiling. Polite, fun–strong and brave to the end.

As I waded through the crowd (and it was a crowd!) at the celebration of Supe’s life this afternoon, I knew that I was blessed to have met him and also blessed to meet his friends and family. The moment was not lost on me. As I so often do these days, I stopped and thanked God/Buddha/the Kabbalah/My lucky stars, or whatever greater power there is in this life–that I am right here, right now, finally deeply in love with the greatest man I’ve ever known. (I love you, Steve!) Really–what else is there?

Take a moment to smile, celebrate life, and enjoy this beautiful video tribute to Supe. The video was created by Josh Dietrich (a very dear friend of my husband’s from “back in the day”), and the music is an original song, titled “Daredevil”, written and performed by Brian McGinty (a high school friend of Supe and my husband). Check out Brian McGinty’s website and other music. This guy is going to be a big star, for sure!

For those who may be adverse to my love of web links, the actual web address to access the video on Youtube is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aJd8QD8F_E&feature=youtube_gdata