One entry per person, please.
Contest Ends Sept. 14, 2008

Special thanks to our friends at Oral-B for making this contest possible.

Rachel Papo is a Brooklyn based, American-born photographer, raised in Israel, who served mandatory duty in the Israeli army. Rachel has done a stunning photo essay on the young females on the Israeli army, Serial No. 3817131, which was her military-assigned ID number.

A quote from Rachel’s website:

At an age when social, sexual, and educational explorations are at their highest point, the life of an eighteen-year-old Israeli girl is interrupted. She is plucked from her home surroundings and placed in a rigorous institution where her individuality is temporarily forced aside in the name of nationalism. During the next two years, immersed in a regimented and masculine environment, she will be transformed from a girl to a woman, within the framework of an army that is engaged in daily war and conflict. She is now a soldier serving her country, in a military camp amidst hundreds like her, yet beneath the uniform there is someone wishing to be noticed, listened to, and understood.

from boingboing.net

I found them a little too slippery to hold my silky hair in place, but when used in conjunction with a clear plastic ponytail holder, you can achieve some really funky looks.

There is a new lip gloss on the market and it’s designed for the everyday woman. New everyday Lip gloss is priced right, has natural ingredients and part of the proceeds go to breast cancer research.

Experience an all natural gloss that comforts and moisturizes your lips while providing a brilliant shine and shimmer.

Crafted from the finest natural ingredients, this lip gloss will seal in moisture without making your lips feel sticky.

Choose from eight beautiful colors that are designed to wear alone or over your favorite lip stick.

Our no-mess application is designed for everyday use.

.15 oz. Tube - $5.00

Opportunities exist to sell everyday Lip Gloss. Click here for wholesale information.

We will be giving this new lip gloss a full review on an upcoming episode of Lip Gloss and Laptops.

1. L’Occitane Aromachologie Discipline Mist:

A delicate hair mist, to tame the hair with the lightest touch.
A natural complex of 5 essential oils - Angelica, Lavender, Geranium, Ylang-ylang and Patchouli - plus honey and corn extracts. This leave-on mist helps control hair. It softly holds hair in place, leaving it feeling supple and light. This non-sticky texture preserves the shine of hair and protects against the damaging effects of environmental stresses. Product plus: spray on hair to remove unpleasant odors (cigarette smoke, cooking odors…). (link)

I love this product. The price point is high at $20, but the scent and product is fabulous.

2. REN Clean Skincare Line from London available online or at Barneys New York

3. By TERRY cosmetics from France available to purchase (in stores and online) at Barney’s New York

Kerry Anne’s Reviews

1. Oral B Pulsonic Toothbrush

The rechargeable Oral-B Pulsonic has 27,000 gentle sonic vibrations per minute, super thin bristles for precision cleaning and gentle whitening. It also has two “speeds”; clean, and sensitive.

The product will become available in September and can be pre-ordered until then on Drugstore.com and Amazon.com.

2. Secret Flawless Anti-Perspirant

It’s a good product, and claims that it has “Five Facets” of flawless performance: goes on clear, strong wetness and odor protection, skin-nourishing conditioners (also available in an Olay formula), smooth, lightweight formula, and self-renewing fragrances. I actually think it’s a better product than the Secret Clinical. The downside, apparently it has such an annoying commercial that women are being turned off the product.

Links:

Daiso
Gnomedex Conference
Wine Bra. Thanks to Arieanna of Cooking Gadgets (just one of her blogs) for the link

Blush: The Search for America’s Greatest Makeup Artist
Isis Tsunami of America’s Next Top Model

Reality Check:

Miss Sister 2008 Canceled!

Song of the Week:

“Never Got Her Number” by Alistair Christl from the Podsafe Music Network.

MAC Cosmetics has officially released their Cult of Cherry line, which has a cherries and chocolate colour scheme. The colours are bold and rich and dramatic; perfect for Fall.
From the MAC site:

The new forbidden fruit. Deep, dark, dramatic. Lips ripened with juicy cerises and intoxicating kirsches while eyes smoulder in luscious spiced chocolate. With its sense of way-to-go dark, this is how we separate the bitter from the sweet…Fall drama just got more delicious.

I tried the Illegal Purple Nail Laquer and Bing Mattene Lipstick, and they are opaque and super dark. New shades of Lipstick, Lipglass, Powder Blush, and Eyeshadow are also featured in the collection. Check out Cult of Cherry online, or at your local MAC store.

MAC has been releasing promotional videos to accompany some of their new lines. The Cult of Cherry movie stars, and is directed by, Floria Sigismondi, a Canadian photographer/director who has worked with the likes of Interpol, Christina Aguilera, David Bowie, The Raconteurs, and Marilyn Manson.

MAC Cult of Cherry

Maggie Ruggiero, food editor and stylist for Gourmet magazine was asked to be a part of the making of the Cult of Cherry video, (she’s what I’ve deemed the “cherry whisperer” toward the end) and gives us a glimpse behind the scenes.
Inside the Cherry Cult

2.
I found a fan of Lip Gloss and Laptops at Nordstrom Rack. She recognized me and made me feel like Angelina Jolie; internetfamous! She is a huge fan of the podcast, but has never left a comment. It was great to meet her!

3. Daiso! w00t!

We are packing up and heading home now. It was a great trip. I love Seattle. I wish I could stay another week, but alas, reality calls.

Book

In the Skin of a Lion by Michael Ondaatje.
I’ve lived on the West Coast for fourteen years now, but I still get homesick for Toronto. (I can hear the collective groans of my Vancouver friends now). It’s a love story that precedes another of Ondaatje’s famous novels, later made into a film, The English Patient. In the Skin of a Lion depicts the building of some of Toronto’s most notable structures, including the Prince Edward Viaduct, and the **R.C. Harris Water Filtration Plant, in my old neighbourhood, the Beaches. It also weaves in the untold story of new Canadian immigrants in Toronto, and the integral, yet unrecognized role they played in building that city’s history.

**A little know fact about the R.C. Harris Water Filtration Plant is that it served as the Melonville Maximum Security Prison in an episode of SCTV where they visit the prison on Mrs. Falbo’s Tiny Town.

Drink

Strongbow Cider - Sweet Jesus, this stuff is good. Not all sweet and fruity. It’s crisp, and the perfect beverage for a hot summer afternoon. Drink it cold.

Getaway - The Sunshine Coast, BC

Fun Website

Style Rookie. Now I’m not much of fashionista, but twelve-year-old Tavi sure makes looking at fashion fun. She’s got an interesting site, and I get to see what the kids are wearing these days, plus she makes me feel nostalgic for my childhood because she reminds me of my old friend, Chase. When we were twelve, we’d dress up all crazy, put on the Rocky Horror Picture Show, and let loose. Where were our parents when we were proclaiming that we were “Sweet Transvestites from Transexual, Translyvania“? Anyways, Tavi is an original. She’s quirky and fun, and has taken the fashion blogging world by storm, though not without controversy. Some doubt that she’s doing her site on her own. Indeed, her sharp wit, and writing style may seem wise beyond her years, but really, people, lay off. She’s twelve.

Music

In Rainbows by Radiohead. If you ever get a chance to see them, go for it. If I was 20 years younger and devoid of responsibility, I might drop everything and follow them around a bit. Not like a stalker, like a Deadhead, but I’d be a Radioheadhead.

House of Cards by Radiohead

Actor

Robert Downey Jr. Le sigh. Great in Iron Man and Tropic Thunder.

I’m spending this afternoon watching the conference via USTREAMtv, and am extremely impressesed with two of the presenters I’ve seen.

1. Beth Kanter:

Beth Kanter has a great story about tapping her social network in service of a good cause. At Gnomedex 8.0, she’ll tell us how she poked, prodded, tweeted, blogged and mobilized a networked army of supporters to rally their friends and personal networks and raise over $90,000 for Cambodian Orphans, winning the #1 spot for Global Causes for America’s Giving Challenge in January 2008. Come hear the story and the learn the secrets of success for socially-networked, person-to-person fundraising. Hopefully, you will leave the room inspired and ready to use social media for good!

(source)

Beth spoke passionately about her cause. I am inspired by her because she holds so much hope for the future of fund-raising and helping others. We all know what it feels like to suffer from “donor burn-out” (too many causes to donate to, all the while keeping the kids in piano lessons and mom in designer jeans, you know?) and Beth loses sleep over it. She remains positive and makes me think that the next big idea could be just around the corner, in my mind or someone else’s. For example, during her 30 minute talk she inspired the audience and viewers online to raise money for one of her causes. It was amazing. And yes, it did make me re-think how many pairs of jeans I really need; but also made me want to write this blogpost and share her enthusiasm with you –my friends, readers and podcast audience. Do you have an idea, inspiration, concept for raising money for a particular cause that is outside-the-box, different, new? Look at how Beth uses social media to attain her fund-raising goals, and perhaps take a lesson from her in order to attain your goal. Simple. Uncomplicated.

2. Amanda Koster

Amanda is an internationally acclaimed photographer who has made it her mission to raise awareness by documenting some of the world’s more compelling issues. For over a decade she has combined her anthropology background with photographic and media-making skills to create inspiring media content as a means for powerful communication, storytelling and learning.

Her project is called Salaam Garage. Please check it out here.

Chris Pirillo, Gnomedex’s organizer, has told me that he will put all the Gnomedex08 presentation up on YouTube. This may take a few weeks, but when they do become available, try to view Amanda’s presentation.

________________________________

While Beth and Amanda are trying to raise awareness of issues in the Third World, Vancouver blogger Tanya (aka NetChick) is trying to raise money for Diabetes research. I had a chance to talk at length with her at the Gnomedex pre-registration party last night. She needs to raise $4500 in pledges, and will be running a half-marathon as part of Buzz Bishop & 95Crave’s Team Diabetes. Hoping for a viral promotion, she is offering entries into a $500 draw in exchange for blogging about her efforts, and one entry for each $25 donation. Check out her post about the draw. $500 can buy a lot of jeans. Or would make a great donation to a different charity.

I’m sitting here in the bar at the Red Lion, drinking margaritas, watching Gnomedex, trying to write to inspire you all to feel as excited about life as I feel right now. But I’m not sure it it’s working? Are you inspired yet? If not, maybe you should have a margarita and re-read the post.
Or plan to go to Gnomedex next year, or just watch it live at home.

We had a great shopping day yesterday, and a great party last night.
Today I’m hitting the SAM to see the Impressionists show.

L’Occitane has a new Hair Care line. Each product in the collection contains five essential oils designed to strengthen, repair, regenerate, and soften the hair: Angelica, Lavender, Geranium, Ylang-ylang and Patchouli. I’m thinking of buying the Aromachologie Discipline Mist ($20). I tried it out yesterday, and while it did not leave my hair smelling as good as I’d hoped, it did do a great job to re-invigorate my curls after the long drive from Vancouver to Lynwood, where I went shopping at Alderwood Mall.

Today we are going to head-up to one of my favourite Seattle neighbourhoods: Capitol Hill. Home of my first taste of Urban Outfitters, Capitol Hill (aka “Broadway”) is also the colourful gay district, and it has loads of great shops and restaurants.

To change the topic, have you seen the site YearbookYourself yet? You can take a picture of your face and morph it into a yearbook-style photo. The best part is that you can pick dates starting from 1950! The photo below is me, circa 1952. (Thanks to Mace for the idea.)

And here’s Kerry Anne, also 1952.

Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics Dream Tint

(Big) Sexy Hair Root Pump Voluminizing Spray Mousse

Tarte provocateur pressed mineral powder (spf 8)

Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew anti-sun-damage daily moisture lotion

Pureology DryShine Styler

Books

Airdrie recommends:

“Nights In Rodanthe” by Nicholas Sparks. Soon to be a movie with Richard Gere and Diane Lane.
trailer:

Kerry Anne recommends:

The Gum Thief by Douglas Coupland

Movies

Airdrie recommends: “The Other Boleyn Girl”
trailer:

Links

Pin Up hair how-to’s on YouTube

America the Beautiful
Booty Boosters at LoveMyBubbles.com (via Styledash)
Brad Pitt hooks up with Kiehl’s for an ecofriendly aloe bodywash
Russell Brand and his podcast

We all know that Air has been quite the activist for the Original Tampax, but KA has been using o.b. for years, so was totally on board when we were contacted by the people at Matchstick, sent a free trial kit, and asked to spread the word about them.
Not only are o.b. tampons tiny and discreet, but they’re better for the environment than other brands. Did you know that o.b. tampons create 58% less waste than brands with applicators?

Get your own free trial case of o.b. mighty.small. tampons, and if you’ve got a couple minutes, fill out the Blog Reader Survey.

Song

Granfaloon Bus
“Petty” (mp3)
from “Exploded View”
(reapandsow, Inc.)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Puretracks
Buy at GroupieTunes
Buy at mTraks
More On This Album

You don’t have to listen to my podcast to enjoy this blog. Just wait and see!

You will notice my friend Kerry Anne will also be blogging here. Look under the title of the post for her name or my name so you know wrote it.

Today’s tip is a great free e-card service called Someecards.com. I absolutely love them.

I did not live-blog the event, but the lovely ladies over at the Full-Bodied wine blog did. Check them out for a full report of all the wine stuff we experienced. My favourite talk was on wine glasses by the people at Riedel. We each got a Riedel wine glass to take home as a gift. I also enjoyed a talk by Chef Bal Arneson on healthy Indian cooking for the modern woman!

Great photos of the event were taken by Megan Cole, available on Flickr.

Extra special thanks to my husband for driving me too and from the event, which was held at the UBC Botanical Gardens.

Listener Picks:

Jessicurl An independent line for curly hair exclusively.
NaturallyCurly.com A website devoted to everything curly! Discover what “curl-type” you are.
DevaCurl “One Condition”
Bumble and Bumble Tonic
PureOlogy Nanoworks Luxury Hair Mask
Biolage Gelee hair gel
Infusium Repairologie Shampoo & Conditioner
Mixed Chicks product line for curly hair

Airdrie’s Product Picks:
Kerastase Elasto Curl ($30)

Pantene Style Curl Shaper aka Curls Anti-frizz Creme (< $10)

Sebastian Whipped Creme Light Conditioning Style Whip ($18)

Aveda Confixor Liquid Gel
Joico K-PAK Protect & Shine Serum
Pantene Style Always Smooth Anti-Frizz Serum

MAC Lustre Twins

MAC has released nine shades of Longwear Lustre Lipcolour. The double sided tube features a rich lip colour, and a sheerly shaded topcoat. Airdrie tried it in Pink Air/White Top and found it long-wearing and still comfortable. Also in the collection are three nailpolishes.

Links

Urbanella specializes products for curly, kinky and wavy hair Calvin Klein’s Secret Obsession Perfume ad, starring the very hot Eva Mendes, garners the product way more publicity for not being shown on TV. Check it out at Superficial Diva.

Song

It’s “Falling Down” by Duran Duran, baby!

Podcast Puppy via Air’s Flickr

Murad Age Reform Intensives with Durian Cell Reform

Rimmel Wear Maxx Nail Polish

Sunsilk Waves of Envy Sea Mist

Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara
Matrix Sleek.Look Shampoo and Conditioner

Links

Free Stuff at Allure mag!
Feist
J Brand Jeans is making jeans for curvy women under their new Blue Label. Skinny jeans and regular jeans that have more thigh room and they won’t gape at the waist. Hallelujah! Now if I could only justify spending $160 on jeans instead of groceries.
Harvey’s Original Seatbelt Bags at Hipundies

Apple Bottoms Jeans

Broken Social Scene
“Love And Mathematics” (mp3)
from “Noise Factory Sampler Vol. 02″
(Noise Factory)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon
Buy at GroupieTunes
Buy at mTraks Download
More On This Album

MAC Sonic Chic Mineralize Blush

MAC New View Mineralize SkinFinish Duo

Heidi Klum’s In An Instant


Aussie “Opposites Attract” line of hair-care products.

CoverGirl “Eye Enhancers” - This new shade collection from CoverGirl was designed by P&G Creative Director and world-famous make-up maven, Pat McGrath. It includes bright, bold, trendy colours called “Blast” colours and pairs these with sheer layerable “Enhance” colours. Available in 1, 3, and 4-colour kits, these products are priced-right for those wanting a runway look at a drugstore price.

Pacifica “Nerola Orange Blossom” Perfume

Links

Eat Pray Love
The Secret Life of a Slummy Mummy
Last Comic Standing
Sean Cullen
Britain’s Missing Top Model
e-mancipate (a project to accelerate the acceptance of male pantyhose as a regular clothing item)

Reality Check

You’d think it’d be enough to have to sport an ugly bridesmaids dress. Nuh-uh. Some demanding brides are asking their maids of honour enhance their appearance with spray-on tans, teeth whitening, botox and breast augmentation. (hat tips to BoingBoing and The New York Times)

Tommy Tutone
“867-5309/Jenny” (mp3)
from “The Singles”
(Spectra Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Pure Tracks
Buy at Amazon
Buy at GroupieTunes
Buy at mTraks Download
More On This Album

on10 Schweppes Sparkling Pink Grapefruit Lip Balm SPF 15

Pin Up Lip Balms

Lush Bath Bombs in Sex Bomb and Geo Fizz

ElizabethW Bath Fizz

Not Martha tells us how to make Bath Bombs at home!

Olay Clarify and Cleanse Pore Refining Mousse Cleanser

Links

TINte Cosmetics Flavored Lip Color

Hey, remember the 80s? And the Vintage Village Lip Lickers?

Reality Check: tanning beds are to be avoided

The skin cancer rates in women are climbing yearly. Why not tan the safe way: self-tanners. They can look real and are a great partner for holiday sun-tanning. We recommend the
Tan Towel.

Reviews:
The Balm Balms Away

Benefit PosieTint

Benefit erase paste

Revlon COLORSTAY Mineral Eye Shadow

Artemis Woman Personal Groomer

Links

Camel Toe Undies
Roc Minesol Protect Suncare

Reality Check

A new social networking site for good looking people only. Warning: skank-alert.

Beautiful People
National Post “An Open Letter to Beautiful People.net”
Mike’s Bloggity Blog Blob

Song of the Week: “Apologies” by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

We have some exciting reviews and more crazy internet finds coming your way next week.

Reviews

Dry Oil

While dry oils generally aren’t as moisturizing as cream moisturizers or standard body oils, they do have their merits. Dry oils absorb into the skin more quickly, and feel lighter on the skin. They’re nice for summer because they’re not greasy or sticky, are lightly fragranced, and leave the skin with a nice sheen (beware, some are rather sparkly).

Fresh Rice Dry Oil

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse

Lise Watier Havana Dry Oil Body Glow

The Body Shop Olive Dry Oil Mist
Kiehl’s Superbly Restorative Body Oil

Brushes

MAC Cosmetic Brushes
Bobbi Brown Cosmetic Brushes

Links

Blue Jeans Perfume Ad from Stuck in the ’70s

Facts of Life “I don’t like to look a giftbong in the mouth” clip (from Cityrag)
In-N-Out Burger

Reality Check

We talk about internet privacy, backyard Googling via satellite images, and the personal information people release about themselves on the internet. How much is too much, and will they eventually regret it?

mc chris
“nrrrd grrrl” (mp3)
from “mc chris is dead”
(Whoa Oh Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at GroupieTunes
Buy at mTraks Download
More On This Album

Envirosax reusable shopping bags

Check out the Breast Cancer Awareness limited edition pink Envirosax fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society.

Links

Bio-Oil
Estee Lauder’s TurboLash All Effects Motion Mascara vibrates (via Styledash)
Air is Rollin’
Budget Beauty Love Blog check it out!

Reality Check

One of our listeners, Flor, a Mexican citizen currently living in the UK, writes us to take issue with the fact that the Sex and the City movie majorly disses Mexico.

Cake
“Rock ‘n’ Roll Lifestyle” (mp3)
from “Motorcade of Generosity”
(Upbeat Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Pure Tracks
Buy at GroupieTunes
Buy at mTraks Download
More On This Album

Jo Malone Vitamin E Body Treatment Scrub

tarte enbrightenmint: BriteSmile® whitener & tarte lipgloss


New MAC lines for Spring/Summer 2008

Tendertones


Naughty Nauticals
Neo Sci-Fi
Solar Field
Cool Heat
Skinsheen

Links

Married couple have sex 101 days straight (and somehow find the time to write a book about it)
Hydrogen Peroxide as a mouthwash
We’re going to have to go ahead and pass on both the CString and the Strapless G String.

Celebrity Crush News: Vicky B., a faithful listener from Detroit, got to meet her celebrity crush, actor and musician Jemaine Clement from Flight of the Conchords. Talk about two minutes in Heaven! Here is a photo she sent us of the two of them together.

Flight of the Conchords sing Business Time

Reality Check

Are there any benefits to detox diets? One doctor speaks out against the onslaught of celebrity-endorsed detoxes. Are they really beneficial? Or, are they simply a quick fix for those who want to lose a few inches? (via New York Daily News)

Song of the Week:
The Homemade Jamz Blues Band
“Penny Waiting On Change” (mp3)
from “Pay Me No Mind”
(Northern Blues)

Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

Tarte Natural Cheekstain

Prescriptives Colorscope Lip Gloss

MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator (Love it!)

“Big Toes” Artificial toe-nails for bruised or missing big toenails. These artificial nails have a natural look, without polish or shine. Derek’s before and after pictures (below) do not do them justice. From a few feet away they really do look like real toenails. We think these would be great for men or women who have a special event, but don’t want to wear a coloured or French polished nail.
Derek lost his big toe years ago. He had surgery to remove the nail bed, and has a lot of scar tissue there.The artificial nail looks better in real life, and if it were me I would put one on the healthy big toe to make them match.
(Store Locator for this product by Kiss USA)

Links:
Crocs introduces a high-heel sandal called Cyprus

Heelarious: Her first high heels (for babies 0-6 months old, wtf?)

Reality Check: We discuss the British TV show called “Look Good Naked.” Also, re-branded as “life-style wear”, some maternity clothes look good at any stage of life. It’s OK ladies, just tell the saleslady that you had surgery recently, and go to town at the maternity store. We’ll tell you how to wear it right.
Look Good Naked
Hazel and Co.
Darren Barefoot
Cassette From My Ex
Hidden Pleasures

Song of the Week: “How To Find a Decent Sushi Bar” by Brainpool.