Beauty Break: Silky Smooth Hair

Publicists send me a fair number of beauty products. A lot of them I simply have no use for, like sparkly blue nail polish (though Coraline did tickle my fancy), lavender foot balm (who has time?), pink floral flip flops (if I lived in Florida), and thong tape (don’t ask). Sometimes I make a good go of it, slathering on the moisturizers and lip plumpers with high hopes. Once in a while I happen upon a treasure; a product I keep in my well-edited cabinet.

My most recent discovery is Redken Real Control Mineral Elixir, touted as dazzling smoothing oil for dense/dry/senstitized hair. I love it! It’s a fine mist of oil that’s perfect for smoothing flyaway hair and making it shine. It’s for dry hair only (I use Kérastase Oleo-Relax on my just washed hair), so I don’t need the Mineral Elixir  every day, but I did this morning and it worked miracles. It’s 3pm, and my tresses are still looking lovely.

150x250_RCMineralEx

Available in salons.

Art Event: Fort Point Open Studios

This weekend is Fort Point Open Studios in Fort Point Channel, Boston. Some of the artists I’ve blogged about, plus plenty of others, will be opening up their studios for visits and sales. Here’s a preview. Hope to see you there!

Saturday, October 17th and Sunday, October 18th, 11am to 6pm

Liliana Folta painting and contemporary ceramics

Liliana Folta-After Caos, 8Hx11.5Wx6D inAfter Caos

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Christine Vaillancourt painting and works on paper

pink_dottaPink Dotta

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Robert Souther photography

Axis of Evil girlsAxis of Evil

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Jennifer Mumford encaustic, painting and drawing

Picture 1Tree of Life

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Jill Rosenwald Studio ceramics

meltbowl1Click here to read my interview with Jill Rosenwald

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Stephen Sheffield photography, mixed media

ssClick here to see my ARTmonday post on Stephen Sheffield

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Jennifer Chin precious metal jewelry

honey_combHoneycomb Jewelry

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Front / Bob’s Your Uncle gifts, paper products

In-OutTrays-7In and Out Trays

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Get the Look: 24 X-Stools

If you’re in the market for an extra spot to sit, put up your feet, or set down a drink, consider an X-stool. Actually, consider two – they look great in pairs. You can tuck them under the console table in the entry or under your sofa table to keep them out of the way if need be. They’re also great for a dressing table or vanity, if you have such a thing.

I’ve sourced two dozen X-stools (or X-benches if you prefer) from StyleCarrot partner sites. Try a tailored leather x-stool from Williams-Sonoma in the library, a rattan x-stool from Serena & Lily in your bohemian bedroom, or a Mies van der Rohe leather and chrome Barcelona stool pretty much anywhere.

If you prefer upholstered pieces, Jonathan Adler has sexy velvet x-benches. And check out The Inside and Ballard Designs for custom upholstered x-stools in solids and prints.

X Bench X Stool Footstool Ottoman

X Bench X Stool Footstool Ottoman

X Bench X Stool Footstool Ottoman

Shop  x-stools from StyleCarrot partners:

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5678 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 24

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Shop Cali coastal furnishings at Serena & Lily >Serena & Lily Coastal Calif Furnishings

ARTmonday: Lauren Nelson

The other day I received a nice note from interior designer/stylist/artist Lauren Nelson. She’s recently relocated to Boston from the West Coast. I plan to profile her interior work after we chat, but in the meantime, I thought I’d show you her strong, colorful works of art.

Oaxacan AlleyOaxacan Alley,  screen print on paper, 27″x19″

Muni StopMuni Stop 43, 6,  mixed media on canvas, 24″ x 36″

Alameda Sunday, version 1Alameda Sunday, version 1, screen print on paper, 16″ x 20″

Sunrise Desert RideSunrise Desert Ride, , screen print on paper,  9″ x 12″

Thought You KnewThought You Knew, mixed media on canvas, 25″ x 12″

Intro Series 2Intro Series 2, acrylic on paper, 8″ x 10″ (sold)

Intro Series 3Intro Series 3, acrylic on paper, 8″ x 10″ (sold)

Nude 1Nude 1, charcoal on paper, 18″x24″