Rubs me the Right Way

I am a self-proclaimed “massage-aholic”.  Truly love them.  I’m embarrassed to say how often I’ve indulged.  Plus, Kevin’s hotel has a fabulous spa, so I partake whenever we are in San Fran as well… but, with anything good in life,  comes the, well…not so terrific.  Let’s just say I’ve had my fair share of odd massage incidents, including, but not limited to:

1.  The woman who continually passed gas while massaging me.  She kept spraying Febreeze, which got my feet and legs wet.  It was anything , but relaxing.  My friend Tom said I should have disputed the charge, saying the “masseuse, ran out of gas”. 

2.   The male masseur, who started the massage, fully clothed ( which clues you in that it go weird), and ended it in jeans only…took off shoes, socks, sweatshirt and t-shirt during the massage.  ”kneadless” to say, I never went back…oh, and pun intended.

3.  The masseuse who spun my legs around in the air, while not keeping the “modesty sheet” in tact.  That was awkward, and was the first time in a 90-minute massage, that I asked to be “paroled” at around 65 minutes…and not a minute too soon.

4.  The small, female masseuse, who climbed onto my back…yes, Onto my back.   She stayed there for about 15 minutes kneading my back.  Not sure what else to say.

And there are many more, and I can go on for days about the shenanigans surrounding my massages…however, I’d rather focus, instead on my newfound obsession:

Foot Finesse… a $28 hour-long foot, back, neck, arms and leg massage… you lay in a lazy boy chair, facing up first, and have your neck and shoulders done, then about 20 minutes on the feet.  You flip over, in the chair, and they concentrate on your back, neck and back of legs (and gluts)…  You are fully clothes, except for shoes and socks…and for $28, you Cannot beat it…The one I go to is in Schaumburg, and I will be a return visitor.  Many times.   They don’t have a website (which in this day and age, isn’t the best business practice, but I will forgive them, because they are fabulous), but google and see if they have one in your area, because they have franchises all over.  And Enjoy!!

I used to be a card-carrying member of Massage Envy for 4 years.  I paid a $59 per month membership fee, and received these benefits:

• One pre-paid massage per month (rolls over to next month if not used)
• Additional massages at a discounted rate – $39 for a 50-minute, after your $59 in the month
• Reduced monthly rates for family members – though not for Meredith, which is where my happiness level quickly diminished.
• Guest passes – won’t be using those anymore!

Unfortunately, when I brought Meredith with me, they charged me $79 for her 50-minute massage.  I found that to be in very poor form, seeing as she is a family member.  I brought it to their attention, and they said, “that’s the price”, so I  have now cancelled that membership – and can go twice to Foot Finesse, for the price of one massage at  Massage Envy.  I’ve had fantastic massages at Massage Envy, but this just goes to show you, that even the most loyal customers can leave.  They had sent a survey, via email, right after Meredith and I went for massages, and I promptly filled it out, and indicated that I was unhappy being charged $79 for my teenage daughter, and indicated I may drop my membership…and NEVER heard back.  That is extremely poor customer service and follow up…hence, they lost this loyal customer. 

But Oh Happy Day…Hello Foot Finesse…you now have a new, loyal customer.

xoxo,

T.

Spring Forward…fashion trends for the season

With new seasons come new styles…but what to wear, what to wear?  Etcetera has made it easy, so thought I’d share their take on the new trends.  Because it’s not always easy to understand “fahionese”, even for this gal, I’ve included some photo accompaniments.

“Get ready to fall in love with how you’ll look this spring. We’re mad for the minimal, the nautical, the asymmetrical; sheaths, short-shorts, zippers; grooving on the 70s.”

1.  trend: Minimalism

One of the biggest trends to walk the runways. Clean lines.  Pure perfection. Little black dress, trendy pants, killer Capris and the best boyfriend jacket ever.

2.  trend: White Now

Nothing comes close to the whites of spring. Ultra-hip with ruching, rivets, metallic fabrics, corseted waists, rows of boxy pleats, tiers of crepey ruffles and exposed zips where you least expect them

3.  trend: In Neutral

Colors are strictly au naturale. Sands, creams, brimstone mochas, bitter chocolates. Here is a multitude of pieces that melt through your wardrobe with fresh, crisp, witty, feminine, fashion-forward style.

4.  trend: Asymmetry

Modern as it gets. It’s about bare, sexy shoulders, off-center draping, asymmetrical closures, angled tiers, overlapping folds and a little black dress with a little of everything.

5. trend: Zip It

It’s open season on zippers. Definitely edgy but less hardcore. Exposed at pockets, cuffs, shoulders, asymmetrical closures; on a motorcycle jacket, at the ruffles of a trench, tied into a bow at the scoop of a tee.

6.   trend: The Sheath

Long stemmed beauties. Sexy, iconic, an absolute must. The sleekest silo since the 60s. The overwhelming WOW of it all found in luxe fabrics, flawless style and a fit that’s beyond your wildest dreams.

7.   trend: On Deck

Go nautical. Slip into something see-worthy. Find boatloads of ribby, stretchy, spiffy stripes, mad plaids, dress whites. Seaside classics with a whole new attitude. Bye-bye, preppy. Ahoy there, pizzazz.

8.   trend: Short-shorts

The next big thing done in a killer metallic, a white bermuda, a bevy of mini-pleats; a slim-leg cut to here, wide-legs cut to there. Top with a jacket, cardie, floral blouse, one-shoulder tee and voilá! a fashion superstar is born.

9.   trend: Bold & Beautiful

You’ve gotta stock-up on the boldest pinks, greens, oranges, purples and blues. To wear solo or mixed into the most beautiful tapestries, abstracts, colorblocks, botanic and groovy 70s prints.

10.   trend: Seventies

The decade’s back. Big time. More hip than hippie. Retro silos. Fluid fabrics. Vibrant colors. Batiks, mosaics, ikats, florets, animal abstracts; ruffles, sequins, studs. Pick-up something glam to go-with.

And Color:

Look out for extreme color plays. White a must. Natural the new neutral. Bold the best of the rest.

The standouts:

*brimstone iced mocha.

*bitter chocolate bittersweet.

*sandbox cream of the crop.

*wild rose cracker jack fuchsia.

*apricot a pop of pink-orange.

*red where’s the fire.

*asparagus sunny Chartreuse.

*pacific warm turquoise blue.

*daffodil mellow yellow.

*black ready, jet-set, go.

Source:  Etcetera (of course).

And from Nordstrom (courtesy of my fellow fashionista friend Donna), here are their “trends”, with “Terry’s-take” on each.

1. PALE NEUTRALS - what about my standard Black?  Black is the new frugal (for You Cinda)
2. THE FIT-AND-FLARE DRESS – hides what should be hidden.  A girl’s best friend…a flare dress.
3. THE KITTEN HEEL – please don’t.  Not a fan, but the cheetah number below is kinda cute
4. THE ROMANTIC BLOUSE – Love it.  I have several.  You should too.
5. THE FRAMED SATCHEL – like my Glenda Gies favorite handbags!!
6. FLARED- & WIDE-LEG PANTS – love wide leg pants for my wide legs.
7. MAXI DRESSES & SKIRTS  – the Terry jury is still out on these
8. STATEMENT RINGS – look for a future blog on Lord of the Rings (and Kevin is the Lord)
9. THE MINIMAL JACKET – nothing like a minimal jacket to maximize your look
10. MODERN OXFORDS – this, is Not a shirt, but those shoes, that look like bowling or golf shoes.

xoxo,

T.

Because this blog is more “informational” than normal, I thought I’d try to delight my followers with extra Someecard and Bluntcards. 

Enjoy!

And this one has No Fashion correlation, but I find it really funny…and timely as far as cold and season goes…and I do hate when anyone or anything robs me of attention.

Loves me…Loves me not

You know you’re in love when you don’t want to fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.  ~Dr. Seuss

If you are aspiring for an exquisite Valentine’s Day here are a few  ideas or tips to help make it a Valentine’s Day to remember.   And call me a total Dork, but I absolutely Love Conversation Hearts! 

A simple ‘I Love You’ with a kiss can set an awesome mood for a Valentine’s Day.  And if you want to take it a step further, here are some other options:

• Decorate his/her house with hearts, bows and ribbons.
• Make arrangements for surprise flower bouquets.
• Cook a dinner for two and decorate the room with heart-shaped candles.
• A romantic note asking him/her to be your valentine.
• Send sweet love quotes.
• Make your own Valentine’s Day card which expresses your feelings.
• Create a scrapbook ‘recollection collection’ and fill it with love letters, photographs, cherished mementos, etc.
• A CD of his/her favorite songs.  Don’t forget to include Build me up Buttercup!
• Jewelry is always wonderful.  A sweet heart bracelet or locket.  Casual watch for a guy.
• Plan a special dinner for him/her either in a garden or a boat. A candle light dinner is just unforgettable.
• Pamper your sweetheart by gifting her a spa session.
• Pot a plant that will grow and loom for her.
• Spend loads of quality time with him/her and “clandestine “visits to romantic gateways.
• Gift him/her a nice cell phone for keeping endless communication.
• Gift her a beautiful evening gown or apparel.
• Dance with your valentine to his/her favorite song – mine is In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel
• Include a chocolate dessert in your romantic dinner.
• Create a love song CD full of Valentine’s Day songs.  My friend Monica posted on Facebook, this classic,

              More Today than Yesterday, by Spiral Starecase.  Love it! 

              http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlhQ_axQYTE

          *For you see, each day I love you more
           Today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow.
          ~Rosemonde Gerard

• Send flowers at workplace or home to him/her.
• If he/she loves gadgets then gift a digital camera.

and, my personal favorite would be Veuve Clicquot and Cupcakes with Peter Gabriel’s In Your Eyes playing in the background.

xoxo,

T.

*Anyone can catch your eye, but it takes someone special to catch your heart.

*The simple lack of her is more to me than others’ presence.

T’s Tips on Ties

First Monday of the Month…MANic Monday!

If men can run the world, why can’t they stop wearing neckties?  How intelligent is it to start the day by tying a little noose around your neck?  ~Linda Ellerbee

Here’s a simple tip to remember when pairing ties and shirts:

Tie complements the coat, the shirt complements the tie

• When wearing a patterned shirt the tie can be bold if the shirt is subtle or vice versa. However, with a little work, both can be bold which is a personal favorite.

• When deciding what colors go together, think of combinations of colors that create new colors such as blue and yellow make green. Most anything in those color combinations should work.

This above look is my all-time favorite!  Bar None!

• Bold contrasts such as grey on blue is a great idea but normally works best when either the shirt or tie are solid. 

Coming Friday, Valentine’s Day  ideas!

xoxo

T.

CARY GRANT : All it takes are a few simple outfits. And there’s one secret – The Simpler The Better.

Fashionally Fabulous… at Any Age

Dressing Your Age:  Fashion rules for every decade

  

No doubt these thoughts have gone through your mind when you’ve stood in front of the mirror: Am I dressing like my mother? Do I look like I’m wearing my daughter’s clothes? Am I dressing age appropriately?   With all the boundary breaking in fashion today, it is not always clear who should wear what.

First and foremost, style is about inner confidence. If you are 50 and dare to wear a mini, more power to you. (However, be prepared for heads to turn and eyebrows to raise if you don’t get it right.) If you tend to err on the safe side but still like to be in the fashion game, there are plenty of interesting and chic options out there for you, no matter what your age. Find out what’s best for you and you’ll always look and feel poised in your clothes.

What to consider when dressing for your age:

20s: There are no boundaries for twenty-somethings when it comes to fashion. It’s about personal style and adding whimsical touches you can get away with only when you’re younger, whether that means playing with color, mixing and matching, or wearing high heels and high hemlines.  

30s: More pulled-together, serious looks are what your 30s are about, but you don’t have to be a total square. The trick is to experiment with fashion-forward styles while maintaining a level of polish.

 

40s: Classic silhouettes and colors may start to dominate your wardrobe, but each piece should be full of personality. Think interesting embellishment, feminine volume, and bursts of rich color and pattern.

50s: Refined, tasteful choices are the foundations of age-appropriate dressing. Tailoring and structure are key, as are clean lines and fuss-free pieces in a simple palette.

 

60s: Elegance is the idea, and so timeless, traditional pieces are the mainstays. Tweed suits, trousers, and coatdresses dominate the closet. Contrasting hues — black, white, and red — are the most chic.

70+: Looking dignified and distinguished is of the utmost importance — and that means splurging on a little luxury. Fabrics should be of the highest quality, and tailoring should be precise.

And always with Do’s, come Don’ts.  and let’s allow our pictures to be worth a 1000 words:

Heidi Klum is beautiful, and it appears she is deserving of her nickname “the Bod”, however, this skirt is really way, way too short.  And I’m sure there are many men out there who will beg to disagree with me.    And I wonder what she looks like sitting…or just she just pose on the red carpet all night long?

xoxo

T.