*I don’t get paid for my opinions in any way; this is just me sharing stuff that I like and I think you will too.

During my recent trip to Manhattan for Blogher 2010, I didn’t have much time to explore my favorite city, so I had to prioritize.   Out of all the things that I love to see and do in Manhattan, these 3 things are at the top of the list: visit a museum (the Matisse exhibit at the MoMA was fantastic), hang out in Central Park, and browse (okay, shop) at Henri Bendel.

Bendel and I are old friends; we go way back.  While living in New Jersey for several years, I often visited Bendel’s after having afternoon tea at the St. Regis or Plaza hotels.  It’s been a few years since I’ve been there and I practically wept tears of joy as I opened the door.  Pausing outside and snapping this photo, I tweeted: “Somebody save me from myself!”

The first floor is always buzzing with the latest and most fashionable make-up and accessories.  More than 10 years ago I bought a supercool necklace at Bendel’s that spells “Superstar”; I still wear it practically everyday.  I always expect to find something fun and new and this time was no exception.

I am a watch person; I have six watches and I am not ashamed to buy more.  I think of them as bracelets that tell time.   So when I walked into Bendel’s, the TKO Watch display–bright, funki watches–really caught my eye.   So cute!

The watches I loved, the Slappers, were more than cute, they were also fun to wear–you slap them on your wrist like the slap bracelets back in the day.  But you haven’t even heard the best part yet:  the watch, strap and capsule around the watch are interchangeable.  How cool is THAT?  I was sold.  Kevin, the art director for TKO Watches who was manning the display that day, and I had fun putting together a watch especially for my Funkidivagirl style.  You know that I had to get some pink in there somewhere!

Turns out that TKO Watches were on Oprah’s O List in O Magazine. I’ve always liked her; she’s got good taste.  I bet she likes Bendel’s too!

I love my watch.  Everyone at the Blogher conference loved my watch.  Everyone back here in Atlanta loves my watch.  My daughter can’t stop slapping it on my wrist and we are already planning to buy an accessory pack so that we can mix and mingle the parts into a few more watches.

So, that’s two things I like: TKO Watches and Henri Bendel.  I would say that was time well spent.

*I don’t get paid for my opinions in any way; this is just me sharing stuff that I like and I think you will too.

Maybe it’s because the more I exercise, the more I want to show my legs.  Or because I like being taller than my son, who is officially now taller than me.  Or I refuse to get older and wear “sensible shoes”.

Whatever the reason, I have now taken to wearing high heels.  Like 5 inch heels.  From 5’4″ to 5’9″ is not quite an Amazon Woman, but I’m claiming it.  Here’s a couple of pairs that I bought recently:

Nine West ‘Tadie’ exclusively sold at Nordstrom

Sam Edelman ‘Kasi’

I feel big and powerful and lady warrior-like in my high heels.  But that would last for only 10 minutes if I didn’t have these:

My friend Luxetips, who favors high heels herself, turned me on to Foot Petals and I tell you, it’s the ONLY way that I am able to wear high heels confidently and comfortably.   Coming from a woman whose previous favorite shoes were Converse and Havaiana flip-flops, this is saying a lot!  Recently I wore a brand new pair of high heels–with Foot Petals Tip Toes–to my husband’s birthday party and I didn’t sit down for 4 hours.  I danced and mingled and, Hallelujah, I could still walk the next day!

From the Foot Petals website about Tip Toes:

Stop feet from sliding forward!
Stop ugly overhang & toe scrunch!

Step in style with these flower-shaped ball-of-foot cushions and go from working all day to dancing the night away! Virtually invisible in all of your shoes, Tip Toes help prevent calluses from forming, protect bones and tissue, and cushion the sensitive ball-of-foot area. Try them with your hosiery to stop runs and prevent slipping and sliding.

Besides Tip Toes, they have many different kinds of cushions for your shoe-wearing woes.  I buy them from my local Atlanta shoe boutique, Sole, or from my favorite department store, Nordstrom.  I bought some for every pair of high heels that I own.  If they don’t sell Foot Petals near you, you can always buy them on the Foot Petals website.

Foot Petals are an Amazon Woman’s best friend.  That, and a pair of flip-flops stashed in her purse.

My family and I were very cultured this weekend (*said in a hoity-toity accent*).

On Saturday we went to see a production of Oklahoma at Emory University.  It was excellent and I had to stop myself from singing along; I performed in my 8th grade production and have loved the songs ever since.  I did pump my fist during this part:

“And when we say
Yeeow! Aye-yip-aye-yo-ee-ay!  *fist pump here*
We’re only sayin’
You’re doin’ fine, Oklahoma!
Oklahoma O.K.!”

It was the finale…I thought everyone was doing it.  I was wrong.

And on Sunday we went to the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.  We are members of the High and go a few times a year; they always have great exhibits and fun family programs.  Sunday was a Family Fun Day so in addition to the museum exhibits, there were several art projects, a few family lectures and fun in the plaza: a kiddie DJ, hoopla hooping and a bubble machine.   The museum cafe was grilling hamburgers and hotdogs as well and we enjoyed lunch on the plaza; it was a beautiful day outside.

My family always enjoys going to the museum, but I knew that “the boys” would particularly like the newest exhibit, The Allure of the Automobile.   Although I don’t usually appreciate cars as much as my husband and son, this exhibit had some sweet rides; their beauty were truly works of art.   My daughter had fun listening to the kid’s audio companion while the boys listened to the adult version.   I fell in love with many of the cars and although I didn’t come prepared to take photos with my camera, I had to capture some images for you with my iPhone.  So please excuse the poor quality, but you can get an idea of the exhibit and see that you must go experience it for yourself.

1935 Duesenberg JN Roadster, formerly owned by Clark Gable

1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow

1934 Packard Twelve Runabout Speedster, formerly owned by Clark Gable

I loved the details on this car.

1937 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Special Roadster

This was one of my favorites; swa-eet!

1938 Alfa Romeo 8C2900B Touring Berlinetta

1937 Hispano-Suiza H-6C “Xenia” Coupe

This is the back…it looks like Batman’s car.

1937 Delage D8-120S, Surbaisse, formerly owned by Louis Delage

1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante Coupe

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SLR (W 196-S)

1954 Dodge Firearrow III Concept Coupe

I loved the color of this car.  And the interior.

1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham

1959 Chevrolet Corvette “Bill Mitchell” Stingray Prototype

The Allure of the Automobile will be at the High Museum until June 20, 2010.  Go see it.

*I don’t get paid for my opinions in any way; this is just me sharing stuff that I like and I think you will too.

You know those people who walk around with bluetooth earpieces in their ear? Like they are all pod-people and part of some alien nation? I hate that look. I understand that it is a convenient way to talk on the phone, but if you aren’t on the phone, TAKE IT OFF. Believe me, a bulbous ear attachment does nothing for your cool points.

As you can see, I am not a fan of bluetooth ear devices. But I had to admit that they seemed like a good idea when they first came out and I tried several brands to no advil; they just didn’t fit my ear properly and really I felt like a fool wearing one.  Style counts in my book.  Several years passed as I used my wired headphones to talk on my cell phone. The wires often got in my way and the quality wasn’t very good, but since I was anti-earpiece, that was my only choice.

Recently I got hipped to the Jawbone Icon Headset and although I was very skeptical that I would like it, I decided to give it a try.  First of all, the design is very appealing; gone is the pod people-like bulb.  The Icon is small, slick, shiny and blinging….I like bling.   This is my model, The Thinker:

Alright, so I figured that at least I wouldn’t look stupid wearing it.  Encouraged, I put it in my ear and I was pleasantly surprised to find that by trying different earbuds and earloops, I found a perfect fit for my ear.  The headset was comfortable, lightweight and didn’t feel like it was going to fall out of my ear (a problem with past headsets).   Already two of my biggest concerns (style and fit) were addressed.

Since I don’t talk on the phone while driving (and neither should you–take Oprah’s No Phone Zone Pledge), I wasn’t sure if I would actually get much use out of the headset, but then I took my dog for a walk.  I don’t have much free time to talk to my friends, so I frequently call them when I am walking my dog.  In the past they have complained that my wired headphones didn’t work well when I was walking, so instead I held the phone to my ear.  That’s not a good way to walk my dog; one jerk from him and my phone is on the ground.   The Jawbone Icon Headset works perfectly while walking my dog.  It was very windy the other day, but while walking Chili Dawg I could still be heard and hear with my headset on with no problem.   In fact it started to rain and I jogged the last block home–still on the phone–and my friend didn’t even know it.  I guess that’s the “NoiseAssassin” in action that Jawbone says is one of it’s best features.  Believe me; it works.

The headset is very easy to use with my iPhone; I flip the switch on the headset, set my phone to “bluetooth” in Settings and then they’re connected.  It’s that simple.  There is even a battery meter on my iPhone’s status bar that tells how much battery I have left on my headset.   If my phone rings while wearing the Icon, it talks in my ear and says the number of the person calling.  It freaked me out the first time it happened, but now that I’m used to it, it’s cool.

I really like the Jawbone Icon Headset and will use it whenever I talk on my cell phone (but I will take it off if I’m not on the phone. And if you ever see me just wearing it as ear jewelry, feel free to stop me and tell me about myself).  Whether walking my dog, folding laundry or strolling around Target, with the Jawbone Icon Headset I can talk hands-free, be heard clearly and not look like an idiot.

*Disclosure: My husband was sent several Jawbone headsets and I took one to use for myself because I’m his wife and I can do that.  The headset was not sent to me personally, nor was I asked to write this review.  My opinions are my own.

*I don’t get paid for my opinions in any way; this is just me sharing stuff that I like and I think you will too.

Every year around the Christmas holidays Paddywax Candles has an open house at their factory store here in Atlanta and every year my family attends.  We eat cookies, drink cider and stock up candles.  We give some candles as gifts, but most we keep for ourselves to burn throughout the year.   We always stay at the open house far too long because not only does Paddywax sell great candles and it’s hard to shop quickly, but the company is also run by a fantastic couple, David Duncan and Gretchen Hollingsworth.  My family knows David and Gretchen socially, so we end up chatting with them forever.  I am always amazed by how they manage to run such a successful business and a successful household.  The success of the company takes extremely hard work, but on any given day I see either David or Gretchen picking their daughters up from school with one of their three dogs in tow.  The Paddywax office and factory has a busy, yet relaxed vibe–just like David and Gretchen themselves–and because their girls are often underfoot, there is always plenty of laughter and whimsy as well.  It seems like the ideal way to run a company–and a family.

During our last visit to the open house, our daughter disappeared with David and Gretchen’s girls back into the factory; with little cloth bags in hand, they were on a mission to find bits of hardened candle wax.    David took my husband and I into the factory to retrieve our daughter and show us how Paddywax Candles are made.   As David gave us a tour, he explained that Paddywax Candles is a boutique operation; the candles are made in small batches, hand-poured and hand-dyed.  I was a fan before the factory tour, but now that I have seen first-hand the detail and quality control that goes into each candle, I am even more impressed.

These are beautiful, high-quality, great-smelling candles.  If you love candles like I do, then you will love Paddywax Candles.  You can buy them online or in retail stores across the country.  If you want to know when they have the open house or other special events and deals, you can fan them on Facebook and follow @paddywaxcandles and @thecandlemaker on Twitter.