So far, this summer looks a lot like last year’s when one of our favorite, fashion-forward colleagues asked for some advice on how to weather rainy, hot temperatures. We thought now might be the perfect time to repost our story on where to find the best-looking lightweight raincoats and jackets.
—Janet Kelly
LEFT: Lululemon’s translucent, light-as-air In the Clear Jacket($99) is water-repellent and wind-resistant. In addition to this misty lilac color, it also comes in white and black. RIGHT: Stay dry and chic in J. Crew’s cotton/nylon Perfect Rain Jacket ($72, with code PRIME). Water-resistant fabric, a fishtail hem for splash protection, adjustable elastic bungee at the waist and a practical hood have you covered. Also available in burgundy, moss, navy and black; limited availability in yellow, peony, ivory and sky.
LEFT: Don’t save Hunter Boots’s oversized Refined Waterproof Garden Trench Coat ($263) for a rainy day. A riff on the traditional-style trench with its patch pockets, snap buttons and woven belt, it can see you through to fall and then reappear in time for April showers. RIGHT: The polka-dot print on this Waterproof Lightweight Hooded Packable Poncho ($22.99, Amazon) makes it fun to wear hiking, biking, cycling or just walking to work. Stash it in its matching pouch and keep it handy in your suitcase or tote bag.
LEFT: Nothing beats the look of an old-fashioned slicker with its functional, clean-lined design. This waterproof Rain Jacket ($110, Shopbop) is a good interpretation of the oldie but goodie. It also comes in sage and navy. RIGHT: Joules’s Right as Rain Packable Print Hooded Rain Coat ($74.95, Nordstrom), with polyurethane coating and taped seams to ensure you keep dry in a downpour, comes in a choice of three happy prints.
LEFT: Made with sleek, water-repellant, crinkly metallic nylon, Søsken Studios’ Hara Rain Coat ($208.60, Shopbop) will keep you stylishly dry. Practical elements include a high collar and hood, back bungee cord for adjusting the shape of the coat and oversized pockets for stashing sundry stuff. RIGHT: Herschel Supply’s relaxed-fit Rainwear Fishtail Parka ($119.99) is made from a waterproof-coated polyester stretch fabric. Under-arm air vents keep you cool. Besides teal, it’s available in 11 other colors, including two camo prints and a nautical-looking blue-and-white stripe.
LEFT: To bring home the point that cloudy, rainy days have silver linings, this light beige cotton Rue Blanche Vinterberg Trench Coat really does have one. Unfortunately, this quirky trench, which also has inner backpack-like straps to hang your coat on when you don’t feel like lugging it around on your arm, is out of stock. RIGHT: An adjustable tie fashionably cinches the back of Cole Haan’s water-resistant Signature Back Bow Packable Hooded Raincoat ($129.90, Nordstrom). The lightweight polyester/nylon coat also packs away into its own little pouch for easy transport. Shown above in mist, it’s also available in eight other colors, including pink, champagne, gunmetal and red.
MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com.
TWO DAYS ago I returned home to a label stuck on my door saying that FedEx had “tried to deliver” a package but nobody was home. A check mark was in the box saying they would attempt to deliver it again the next day. There was also a space where you could say you released them of responsibility and they could leave the package at the door. I checked that box and signed it because I knew I would be out much of the following day.
So the next afternoon I returned home and found the same label, with my signature, stuck on the door again. This time the driver had scrawled the message, “Can’t leave package, would be FIRED!!!” It said I could retrieve the package at a location 20 miles away, on the far side of Portland.
I found the whole thing odd because we often get package deliveries from FedEx left at our door, so I called the number of the pick-up location. A nice woman said the sender had requested an in-person drop-off and signature. I said that like many people I know I often leave home and go out to do things, and so could not guarantee anyone would be home to accept it. Armed with this seemingly surprising information, she put me on hold for half an eternity, during which time I repeatedly was told via a recorded message how important my call was to them.
The woman returned and said that if I wanted, the package could be taken to a FedEx facility nearer my home. I said great. It turned out to be 1.3 miles away. (Yeah, better than a 40-mile round-trip to get it.) We agreed that I would hear from them when the package was there. Ten minutes later another woman called and said it would be at the facility by 10:30am today.
But when I went to get it around noon, it wasn’t there. I was told that today’s delivery had already been made. I don’t even want the damn package.
FRENCH BEAUTY products, drugstore and otherwise, get all the love. Although not as well known, cosmetics and skincare lotions and potions from other countries (Italy, Germany, and South Korea, for example) are worth a look. As I probably have mentioned before, I found Weleda’s Skin Food Ultra-Rich Cream in a Berlin drugstore. Given the thumbs-up by my niece (who’s also a fan of the brand’s sea buckthorn hand cream), I have been happily slathering it on for the past few months. Facial masks from South Korea are so popular you can find them on the shelves of Sephora and Ulta. One of the world’s oldest pharmacies, the Officina Profumo —Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella in Florence (with more than 75 branches worldwide) carries products that include a hand moisturizer made of almond paste, an anti-wrinkle eye gel and lotions made of freesia. A couple of these skin care creams (from Weleda and Lumene) are loved for their plant-based formulas and what they don’t or have very little of: chemicals, preservatives and fragrance.
Here are 13 products from all over the map—some I’ve tried, some I haven’t but intend to.
—Janet Kelly
ClOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Israel-based Ahava‘s Mineral Hand Cream (3.4 ounces, $24) uses nutrient-rich Dead Sea water to achieve its soothing and smoothing effects. It’s been a best buddy for my dry hands. Founded by a Swiss scientist in 1921, Weleda‘s mission was to make products from natural ingredients. Its SkinFood Original Ultra-Rich Cream (2.5 ounces, $18.99, Dermstore) moisturizes thirsty skin with vitamin E, organic pansy and calendula flower extract. Hanacure‘s All-in-One-Facial treatment mask from South Korea gets a lot of hype from beauty bloggers and the like for its skin-tightening-and-lifting prowess. I was reluctant to plunk down $110 for a set of four, but the single-use Starter Kit ($29, Violet Grey) has my attention. As does Lumene‘s Nordic C-Glow Boost Essence Serum (1 fluid ounce, $24.99, Target). The Finland-based company sources ingredients like arctic spring water, sea buckthorn, wild cloudberry and lingonberry from the surrounding forests. Anyway, who wouldn’t want to emulate the flawless skin of Finnish women. Santa Maria Novella has been making its refreshing Rose Water (8.4 ounces, $35) for centuries. Calm irritated skin or scent your bath water.
LEFT TO RIGHT: In 1950, a Parisian dermatologist, who specialized in skin diseases, created Lait-Crème Concentré (2.54 ounces, $28, Dermstore). The lightweight cream from Embryolisse gets high marks as a moisturizer and makeup primer. Samantha Banks, owner of D.C.’s Bespoke Studio, introduced me to Leonor Greyl products, using them on my curly but fine hair. Unlike most products, they didn’t make my waves go limp. It’s pricey, but I’m still game to try the brands’s alcohol-and sulfate-free Au Lotus Volumising Mousse (5.1 ounces, $46, Nordstrom). Have you noticed how Hungarian women have such plump, unlined skin? No doubt it’s their genes, but Omorovicza‘s Firming Body Oil ( 3.4 ounces, $75, Neiman Marcus), made from Budapest’s thermal waters, is tempting me as I fight the battle of dry skin. Ingredients like plum almond oil and apricot oil sound much better than Crisco, which some friends have said they used. Covering up bruises, discoloration on legs takes on new urgency in summer. Ireland-based Vita Liberata‘s odorless tanning lotion Instant Body-Blur HD Skin Finish (3.38 ounces,$45, Ulta) is kind of like wearing stockings. It covers imperfections with a natural-looking tint, but it can be washed off. Available in Latte Light for fair-to-medium skin tones; Latte and Mocha for those who want a deeper bronze.
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Ellen Garrity of Chevy Chase, Maryland’s, Sloans & Kenyon auction house swears by British brand’s Boots‘ No. 7 Intense Volume Mascara ($7.99, Target). Although navy is not available stateside, she says, “I buy it when I go to London—or beg friends to pick me up a tube or two when they visit the UK; I’ve been using this for almost 20 years.” Creamy Eye Eyeshadow ($34, Neiman Marcus) from Netherlands-born makeup artist’s eponymous brand Ellis Faas doubles as an eye pencil. Its velvety formula comes in 21 very pretty shades including lilac, teal and mint green. Started in Hong Kong and Shanghai, the La Neige brand is a favorite among Asian women. The label’s leave-on Lip Sleeping Mask ($20, Sephora) reportedly makes your lips look smoother and moisturized overnight. I’ve heard good things about Maifanshi Aqua Foundation from Japanese skin-care line Koh Gen Do, such as it leaves skin glowing and minimizes pores. Can it really do that? Can I get a sample? It’s $70 at Violet Grey.
MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com.
HOW DID I get so much stuff? I’m not rich, yet I have so much stuff. It’s stuff I don’t use or want and it’s weighing me down. I have to dust it. And move it around. Books, furniture, rugs, tables, lamps, chairs, so many that the ones I can’t use are piled high in the basement. The garage handles the overflow. I hate all the stuff. I want it gone. In fact, I want it gone before my death so my son doesn’t curse me out posthumously like many kids do when their parents die. I heard enough of that when I owned a second-hand shop and believe me, it wasn’t pretty.
I have three fine leather belts in my closet and I never wear a belt. I’m not sure how they got there. And the shoes! Imelda Marcos I’m not, but since I pretty much wear either my plastic Crocs or the same pair of boots every day, and sneakers at the gym, who are those other 50 pairs for? And what about the ceramic birdbath and the 40-odd terracotta pots? Why do we have four rakes? How did we get six snow shovels?
One solution would be to burn my house down and start fresh. That sounds glorious, especially the part where all of my husband’s boxes and boxes from grade school, full of love letters and blue ribbons and penmanship exercises, would go up in flames. But arson is against the law, something about insurance fraud. Too bad we don’t live in a flood zone.
So we had a yard sale last fall and maybe 20 people came. I sold next to nothing. Mainers are cheap. How cheap? I had something marked two bucks and a guy offered me one dollar and I said no and he walked away. That’s how cheap. And besides, they all have their own stuff.
Good news! Our landscape guy just came by to drop off some plants for the yard (more stuff), and I was able to give him the bird bath. He said his wife has been wanting one. It cost $80 originally, but I said he should just take it as a gift. We quibbled, but I persisted. I feel lighter already.
NO ONE DOES hot-weather dressing better than actor Tilda Swinton did in Fox Searchlight’s 2018 film, “A Bigger Splash” (see photos above). Swinton played a famous rock star recovering from throat surgery in a remote villa on the Italian island of Pantelleria. Her impeccable wardrobe was courtesy of Christian Dior. I only remember one scene where she wore a bathing suit. The rest of the time she covered up—in a white jumpsuit for a stroll in town, a kimono-sleeved robe at breakfast and a simple shirt dress for a hike.
Inspired by Swinton, we searched for ways we could emulate her cool looks be it in an exotic hot, beachy clime or at our local pool or nearby swath of sand. Happily (and I can’t account for why), this summer the number and variety of swim coverups has dramatically increased. A search on Saks Fifth Avenue yielded more than 500 offerings, including jumpsuits, caftans, oversize shirts, beach pants, sarongs and shorts. Just last summer I was lucky to find even half that number. Neiman Marcus also had an abundance of choices, as did Nordstrom’s and Shopbop (an online destination featuring popular contemporary designers).
Whether you want to cover up a lot, a little or in between, 12 suggestions:
—Janet Kelly
LEFT: Lingerie/ swimwear company Araks even named its oversized Tilda Cotton Caftan after the actress to evoke Swinton’s stylish simplicity. It’s made of sheer cotton chiffon with delicate tulle trim at the neckline, sleeves and hem ($162.99, Need Supply). CENTER: Layer the airy cotton French 75 Palm Kaftan ($147, Moda Operandi) over a swim suit or wear it on its own during sweltering afternoons. Either way, a “bella figura.” RIGHT: Beachy and boho at the same time, Roller Rabbit’s Sag Harbor Jadu Long Kurta ($168) is an ideal coverup for seaside occasions. Three-quarter sleeves and the mid-calf length offer some sun protection while the fun tassels and white pom poms nod to the season’s carefree vibe.
LEFT: Just looking at this seafoam Playa Vee Linen Coverup Shirt ($120, Neiman Marcus) makes my temperature go down. Slip it over a bathing suit or over a camisole and a pair of white jeans. CENTER: Choose the way you want to wear Stella McCartney’s Polka Dot Silk-Cotton Sarong ($325, Neiman Marcus) —insouciantly tied around your waist as a skirt, around your neck as a halter-style dress or even as an oversize wrap to cover your shoulders when the sun goes down. RIGHT: Lilly Pulitzer’s Gala Cotton Eyelet Shirtdress Cover-Up lets the ocean breezes in through the eyelet pattern and the bell sleeves, which push the refresh button on a classic summer look ($148, Nordstrom).
LEFT: I love the idea of beach pants, especially gingham ones like Tavik Swimwear’s Garrett Pant ($65, Revolve). Think how easy it would be to pull this pant on (it has an elastic back) over the black one-piece swimsuit we all have. CENTER: Sporty girls, no need to mourn the loss of the T-shirt dress. Toss Lands’ End’s cotton jersey Sleeveless Swim Cover-up Dress Print ($34.95) over your suit for a trip to the snack bar, a stroll on the beach, to lunch or a stop at the store. RIGHT: With its deck-chair stripes, Tory Burch’s wide-leg Kellen Tie-Front Beach Pants ($248, Neiman Marcus) belong on a sandy shore. The lightweight linen fabric helps you keep your cool on scorching days.
LEFT: I think I’d save Katy’s Peacock Caftan Blue($245, Frances Valentine) for après beach/pool. Part of Frances Valentine’s Love, the Katy collection is inspired by a personal closet favorite of the deceased, much-missed designer Kate Spade, who found it while traveling to Cabo San Lucas. CENTER: Made by a small group of artisans who specialize in hand print and dye techniques, the lightweight, slightly sheer Francina Caftan ($178, Tuckernuck) has a hidden interior waist tie for a fitted look. For those who don’t like a billowy silhouette. RIGHT: Wherever I happened to be, the cobalt embroidery and the crinkled gauze fabric on this Lillie Dress($310, Shopbop) from swimwear designer Melissa Obadash would make me think of the mesmerizing blue ocean and white buildings on the Greek island of Santorini.
MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com.
The incidence of Lyme disease is increasing, so we thought it timely to rerun—with a few updates—Mary Carpenter’s post from last July about how to protect yourself.
IN THE LAST year, Lyme disease has moved into all 50 states, and reported incidence of all tickborne diseases has increased to around 40,000 cases, although, based on estimates of 10 undiagnosed cases for every one reported, the nationwide total for 2017 came closer to 400,000, almost 20% more than that reported in 2016.
2017 Reported cases of Lyme disease in the United States. One dot placed randomly within county of residence for each confirmed case. / CDC
Data from New Jersey-based Quest Dynamics show “positive results for Lyme are both increasing in number and occurring in geographic areas not historically associated with the disease,” according to CBS news. Quest researchers wrote: “We hypothesize that these significant rates of increase may reinforce other research suggesting changing climate conditions that allow ticks to live longer and in more regions may factor into disease risk.”
To reiterate our advice, it’s time to ratchet up anti-tick measures. Wear light-colored clothing to make ticks easier to spot—and long pants tucked into socks.
Spray the insecticide (as opposed to insect repellent) permethrin on clothing and repeat after every one or two washes. A local tree expert gives Repel to his crew but warns that “a little does not go a long way”—so spray heavily. What might be easier over time is purchasing pants pre-treated with permethrin, on which effects last through dozens of washings.
In conjunction with insecticides, apply insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin and lemon eucalyptus oil directly on the body. After walking in grass or any vegetation not closely trimmed, take a hot shower within two hours of being outdoors. Check your clothes and body—ticks love warm, moist areas like armpits, hair and especially groin areas—although the nymph or juvenile tick that most often transmits Lyme disease can be hard to spot, “with bodies as small as a freckle or the tip of a pencil.” Wash clothes in hot water; before or instead of washing, dry for 10 minutes in a hot dryer.
And protect predators of the white-footed mice, crucial to the larval stage of the life cycle of Lyme-carrying ticks and considered primary vectors of Lyme disease. As many as 90% of white-footed mice carry the Lyme bacterium, and an individual mouse can carry up to 100 ticks at a time. If you see a mouse or signs of mice indoors, take immediate action. At the next stage, the nymphs are most dangerous to humans, and adult ticks live and mate on deer, which are responsible for spreading the larvae.
Be especially kind to neighborhood foxes. When predatory animals such as red foxes proliferate, prey animals like mice show decreased movement and increased hiding behavior: “The mice are too busy hiding from foxes to end up as tick food,” according to Arlington Patch.
If you find a tick attached to your skin, remove it as soon as possible—within 24 to 36 hours, before the tick has the time to inject the Lyme bacteria—and save the tick. If you experience Lyme symptoms, such as fever and muscles aches, without the characteristic bull’s-eye shaped rash—which occurs in only around half of Lyme cases—showing the tick to medical professionals can help persuade them to begin antibiotic treatment.
Because blood tests to detect Lyme disease rely on the development of a measurable immune response, it can take 10 to 30 days before tests show a positive response. But sometimes symptoms alone are clear—and often severe—enough that doctors will begin treating right away.
Because some doctors underestimate Lyme risks and dismiss reports of symptoms, a physician familiar with tick-borne diseases may provide the best treatment, advises Kris Newby, producer of the Lyme disease documentary Under Our Skin. “Don’t waste valuable treatment time trying to convince an inexperienced physician that you’re really sick.”
Newby advises contacting the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society for a list of local practitioners. Locally, the Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Center is a resource for treatment of Lyme, in particular “Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome” – persistent symptoms that affect a subset of patients with Lyme disease, especially those who experienced a delay in the initial diagnosis.
—Mary Carpenter
Every Tuesday, well-being editor Mary Carpenter reports on health news you can use.
THE REASON I often use this space to complain about something is because there’s just so much to complain about. And anything that’s not a complaint, like if something good actually happened to me or my family, would likely be seen as my being boastful. Admit it: there’s always someone around to find fault with anything.
For example, I recently wrote a blog post critical of the practice among betrothed young people of posting wedding gift registries online, wherein they ask for the moon, stars and in particular a dish drainer with teak handles for $70. One crabby lady, possibly a relative of the bride or groom, left the following comment: “Didn’t your mother ever teach you that if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all?”
First of all, no. Next, that’s ridiculous! What if that policy were followed by members of the media? Goodbye CNN, MSNBC, Fox News and the editorial pages of every newspaper in America. The ladies of “The View”would be left speechless. Don Rickles and Joan Rivers would never have become famous. There would be no late-night TV, and the writers at “Saturday Night Live” would be left high and dry. Ditto Larry David, Jerry Seinfeld and just about every comedian who ever told a joke. In fact, there would be no jokes.
MAYBE YOU’RE invited to spend a summer weekend at a beach house in Cape Cod or Amagansett, or you’re going sailing on a pal’s boat in the Chesapeake or have been asked to spend a few days on a gorgeous farm in the West Virginia panhandle. Wherever you’re going, lucky you, sounds like great fun. If you’re like me, you’re planning your wardrobe. But more importantly, give some thought to an appropriate gift to show your appreciation for your friends’ efforts to house, feed and fete you.
Ask yourself: Do your friends have a pool, a house on the beach, like to solve puzzles, play games; are they boaters, foodies, art lovers? We’ve come up with some suggestions we think will fit most situations. We hope they earn you a return invite.
—Janet Kelly
LEFT: Delight your coffee-loving hosts with Nespresso’s Aeroccino4, which can whip up frothy milk for lattes, hot chocolate or cold macchiatos to the drinking and viewing delight of all concerned. Bloomingdale’s, $119.99. CENTER: When guests are coming over for a cookout, who couldn’t use a light but sturdy tray—in dishwasher-safe melamine? Especially one as attractive as Lenox’s new Rectangular Platter ($24) in this jolly blue geometric pattern. RIGHT: If you were visiting me, I would be happy to receive a package of Trofie Al Pesto Genovese (trofie pasta [17.6 ounces] and basil pesto. They remind me of the Ligurian region of Italy where I have spent many happy days among the olive trees and the sea. Eataly, $22.90.
LEFT: A lazy summer afternoon calls for a little sporting activity. Nothing too strenuous, mind you, but something to distract the guests while the hosts are cooking or taking a nap. A bocce set (bocce is to Italy like pétanque is to France) with eight painted, 3-inch wooden balls, one jack and a bag to store them comes to mind. $150, Fredericks & Mae. RIGHT: When visiting LittleBird Nancy in her new digs in Manhattan, you couldn’t go wrong bearing a gift like the John Derian Picture Book with Eye Tote ($100). It’s a compilation of 300 of the artist’s favorite 18th- and 19th-century images from his archive.
LEFT: Write your hosts an “open-now” note for this gift so they can immediately start capturing fun summer moments—on film. How retro. The candy-colored Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera ($59, Urban Outfitters) produces good-quality, credit card-sized prints. It’s a snap to use and has a lens for close-ups and a mirror for selfies. RIGHT: Bet your friends at the beach don’t have a Brisker. If you bring them one, you’ll likely be their favorite guest. The Brisker Elite Electric Crisper ($179.99 Fante’s Kitchen Shop) is a food-storage appliance that keeps crackers, chips, nuts, cereals and cookies crisp, stuff that otherwise suffers in humidity.
LEFT: You can’t have too many good-looking beach/pool towels. This fresh-lemon Colloquial Beach Towel is part of a limited collection of prints that includes floral bouquets and rotary phones. $58, Anthropologie. RIGHT: Small boat refrigerators don’t have a lot of capacity. When guests arrive, Scout Bags’ large (14.25″W x 12.5″H x 9.25″D) cooler, The Stiff One, with its hard, reinforced bottom, can come to the rescue with room for a 24-pack of beer, plus ice. A bottle opener and utensils fit into the exterior pockets. $49.50.
LEFT: Fresh flowers are always a treat, but think how easy it would be to pop a MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check Rose ($14 each, Neiman Marcus) or three or more into a vase. No worries about wilting. RIGHT: When it’s hot outside, warm drinks don’t cut it. Vinglacé’s double-walled Wine Bottle Chiller ($90, Food52), which can keep a bottle of wine, water or champagne cold for about four hours, will keep both hosts and guests happy.
LEFT: Your friends who have pools have lounger floats, but do they possess a Parrot Pool Float ($59, Urban Outfitters)? It’s summertime; be playful.
RIGHT: Speaking of playful, the Casey Faux Boxwood Garden Dog (Grandin Road, $169) couldn’t be easier to maintain or fetch some smiles. Wherever it lands in the landscape, it’s a gift that will last for many seasons. No pruning involved.
This handsome Solid Brass Set of 4 Coasters will always come in handy. Backed with cork, they protect precious surfaces from unsightly rings. Plus, with use and age, an antique-looking patina will develop. $45, Goop.
It’s simply not summer without a margarita. This set of six colorful Margarita Glasses ($71.96 at Williams-Sonoma), made of food-grade, BPA-free plastic, makes sipping even more enjoyable because after the night is over, they can go straight into the dishwasher. Furthermore, they won’t crack, shatter, cloud or discolor.
MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com.
OH, MASCARA. There are as many possibilities out there as there are remedies for intestinal gas (have you noticed that there are entire drugstore aisles stocked with pills and liquids that promise to de-bloat and flatten, forestall or cure? This is neither here nor there but interesting, I think).
Returning to the subject at hand, mascara: There are lengtheners, thickeners, the ones with little tubes that embrace each lash, primers, and different colors to enhance the eyeballs. The brushes go from teeny tiny for the bottom lashes only to big fat rollers that could coat a wall with paint when you’re done.
No matter how wondrous the claims, the magazine ads always have in squint-or-you’ll-miss-it type: Simulation of actual product results on lashes enhanced with inserts.
Or words to that effect. A tad dishonest, don’t you think?
Between us (and you’re included), we’ve probably tried them all, and yet we keep searching and buying and trying and spending pots of money in the process.
Shauné Hayes has done makeup for celebrities like Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks, Natasha Lyonne and chef Carla Hall, plus a scrolling finger-numbing list of public figures, as well as for events, and publications including Ebony, Vogue Italia, and what MUST be every bridal magazine and website on the face of the planet.
Her favorite? Lancôme’s Définicils ($27.50, Ulta), because I love the shape of the brush,” she says. “Mascara application has to do with the brush, and this one defines the lashes, it doesn’t clump.”
A less pricey favorite is L’Oréal’s Voluminous ($8.99, Ulta), but a thumbs down goes to that frequently mentioned favorite of models, Maybelline’s Great Lash. “That’s one of the ones that gets a lot of hype but doesn’t do anything for me. I’ve never understood its popularity,” she says.
Drat that clumping. MyLittleBird’s art director, Kathy Legg, had a favorite from Dior that she can’t seem to find anymore – it’s no longer on the Dior site— and doesn’t recall the name. “I liked it because it had a teeny, tiny brush that allowed you to get to those really small lashes in the inside corner of the eye. And it didn’t glob up like so many brushes do. That’s the problem with mascara in general. Globs.
“It isn’t until the mascara starts getting old and dried out that I can manage to get most of it on my lashes instead of everywhere else on my face.”
Tsk, says MyLittleBird editor Janet Kelly, “Of course you know that you’re supposed to replace mascara every few months.”
But Kathy’s right, isn’t she? That last little bit in the tube is just great.
From left to right: Chanel’s Inimitable Mascara and Too Faced’s Better Than Sex.
Not a loyalist, Janet likes Chanel’s Inimitable Mascara ($32, Nordstrom), “the one that says it lengthens and curls. But she’s currently enamored with Too Faced’s Better Than Sex ($24, Ulta). “Its claim to fame is the hourglass brush silhouette, which for whatever reason succeeds in coating my lashes, which desperately need volume. Just this morning I happened to notice how much better my eyes looked with it on than they did in their naked state. Depending on the occasion, one application of the inky black formula is all I need. It’s not perfect,” she adds a caution, “ it does flake a little.”
Nancy McKeon, MyLittleBird’s managing editor, says “for a long while I was using Lancôme’s Immencils [which appears to have disappeared from the line]. It was fine. Recently I’m trying Badgal Bang! just because I was in a Sephora store.” ($25, Sephora).
You know how that goes…I was in Sephora, worrying about the Middle East and…
“It says it’s ‘volumizing,’ I don’t know about that,” she says, noting that she also uses “Lancôme’s Hypnose ($27.50, Ulta)—nicer brush (more expensive).”
As I said, buying, buying, testing, testing. Nancy brought up another point. “I like the sample sizes that come as gifts-with-purchase because they force me to buy new.”
Oh! Target hit! I’ve always noticed—haven’t you?—that the samples tend to have a better consistency than the full tubes. I wonder why.
I also wonder where mascara disappears to. One puts it on and a few hours later it’s dissolved into the ether. I suppose there’s no answer to this either.
Then there’s old lady eye(lash) angst.
“I’ve read women of our age shouldn’t wear mascara,” says Kathy, who just coats the lash tips for definition. “But I do it anyway. Damn them!”
Nancy adds: “I think maybe I don’t want anything dramatic from my mascara. I certainly don’t want Kewpie doll eyes. I have long-ish lashes and it’s enough that the mascara darkens them.”
Shauné says, “Older women can definitely still wear mascara—it opens the eyes, bringing attention to them. As we get older the key is not putting on too much, just to enhance.
“If black is too much, try dark brown,” she adds. “Black can be too harsh—or try medium brown. Both Lancôme’s Définicils and L’Oreal’s Voluminous come in brown.
“Just make sure it’s not clumpy and heavy.”
Batter up!
—Stephanie Cavanaugh
LittleBird “Stephanie Gardens” also likes to get her hands dirty messing with makeup.
MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com.
FOR THE PAST few hours I have been a witness to a murder occurring across the street from my house. There are many people involved, so in that sense it’s a mass murder: at least eight people have a hand in it, not counting the two masterminds, Bruce and Brenda, who took out the contract on the innocent tree but are nowhere to be seen. I guess they simply couldn’t watch. But I did. (Somebody had to.)
A tall, proud pine sprouting copious new growth at the top to herald the return of Spring, it had no idea that today would be its last. No more drinking in carbon dioxide along with the sun’s rays and contributing to the health of our environment by improving air quality, conserving water, preserving soil and supporting wildlife, not to mention producing the oxygen we all need to stay alive.
No more impish squirrels running up and down its trunk, playing hide and seek among the branches. No more birds building nests up high to house a new family. No more hosting flying lessons for the fledglings. That’s all over now, mere memories being fed into the wood chipper.
Why? Seems that the tree was “starting to lean a little,” and the property owners didn’t like it. They worried it might fall over in a storm —just like any other tree, leaning or not. Then too, it blocked the sun from their living room for part of the afternoon. It simply had to go. One of the young men on the murder squad admitted to me that it was a healthy tree now but that “some day” it wouldn’t be.
I WAS in my dermatologist’s office last week discussing Consumer Reports‘ 2019 Sunscreen Buying Guide. Although my La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Sunscreen Milk SPF 60 got the top rating, Coppertone’s Ultra Guard Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 also ranked high, as my savvy skin doctor pointed out. The difference: La Roche-Posay’s is $36; Coppertone’s is $11. Which got me to thinking I was also paying a lot more for other summer essentials—sunglasses, hats, sandals. The challenge, I decided, was to find wallet-friendly alternatives that I liked as much as the high-price brands.
—Janet Kelly
LEFT: You can easily spend hundreds of dollars for sunglasses, but you don’t have to. These oversized, square-shaped Clique Sunglasses from Privé Revaux come with polarized lenses and provide 100% UV protection. Available in mustard, burgundy, and black with both grey gradient and black lenses for a budget-loving $29.95. RIGHT: Wear J. Crew’s floaty Button-front tie-waist midi dress from seaside to sidewalk. A boho alternative to Ulla Johnson’s far pricier ones. $118 (take 30 percent off with discount code).
LEFT: The sun hasn’t shined a lot lately, but when it does, be prepared. The Sara Raw Edge Denim Bucket Hat from Genie by Eugenia Kim has a wide-ish brim (3 inches) to keep the sun out of your eyes and protect your face from wrinkle-making rays. $68, Lord & Taylor. RIGHT: The wide, 4-inch brim on Wallaroo’s crushable Seaside hat ($50) with UPF 50+ fabric that blocks 97.5% of ultraviolet rays features a mesh layer that lets in air to cool your crown.
LEFT: Fibers like raffia and bamboo are always in for warm weather, but they’re enjoying an especially big moment this season. This soon-to-be-in-stock Bamboo Basket bag with cotton lining gets the cuteness nod. A reasonable $69.99 from Mango. CENTER: Remember when Havaianas cost $10 or so? Forget those days. Although they’re on the spendy side, these You Saint Tropez Sandalsappeal because of the fun, tropical fabric instead of the expected plastic strap. $40, Zappos. RIGHT: I love my old K Jacques sandals with their minimal vibe. But for pool or beachside occasions, I’d choose label Tkees, which has tweaked the old thong with their leather Riley flip flop. Priced between $39.99 and $50, depending on color, at Zappos.
LEFT: In response to a post on linen shirts, one reader wrote this in the comments: “Uniqlo’s is my linen shirt of choice — they last for years and at $29.90, you cannot beat the price. Fit is nice and length not too long.” The mass retailer’s Premium Linen Long-Sleeve Shirt, available in 10 summery colors, is currently on sale for $19.90. Psst: you could also throw it over a bathing suit. RIGHT: Australian brand Le Specs is known for setting trends reinventing classic shapes. These Eureka 56mm Cat Eye Sunglassesare just the sunnies you need to show off your cheekbones $59, Nordstrom.
LEFT: The Environmental Working Group’s 2019 Guide to Sunscreens” ranks mineral-based Coppertone’s Pure and Simple Sunscreen Lotion (6 ounces) a top choice for excellent UVA protection and a good balance of UVA protection in relation to SPF. $9.99, Target. CENTER: Coppertone’s Ultra Guard Sunscreen Lotion, (8 ounces for $11.49 at Walgreens) got an overall score of 94 and is one of Consumer Reports’ recommended sunscreen lotions (formulas that scored 81 or higher and received excellent or very good scores for UVA and UVB protection, got the stamp of approval). RIGHT: The Diana Slouchy Tote Bag, made of raffia and polyurethane, is available in white and black. Have you heard? Black is on trend for summer. $88, Anthropologie.
MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com.
THE OTHER day I was at Bow Street Market in Freeport, which is basically my second home. It’s a great little store, far superior to those giant supermarket chains with their fluorescent lighting and too much stuff. Bow Street sells fabulous farm-raised meats, fresh fish from local waters and veggies from the small farms dotting Maine’s countryside. It simply can’t be beat.
So I was shocked when I had this exchange at the deli counter with one of their new employees:
Me: “I’d like a medium-sized cole slaw, please.” (Points to the desired item.)
Her: “We have regular cole slaw and blue cheese cole slaw. Which do you want?”
Me: “I want the plain cole slaw.” (Speaks louder and again points to the desired item, which was on a different shelf and not near the other one mentioned.)
Her: “Are you sure you don’t want the blue cheese cole slaw?” (Spoken plaintively.)
Me: “Yes, I am very sure.” (Getting annoyed.)
Her: “Do you want to try it?”
Me: “No, just give me the PLAIN cole slaw, thanks.” (Full-blown angry, muttering things like if I wanted it I’d have asked for it, etc.)
I watched her bend down to the lower shelf and approach the pan of cole slaw, then turned away to get a few other items nearby while she finished packing up my order. Turning back and taking the container, which bore a label clearly marked COLE SLAW, not BLUE CHEESE COLE SLAW, I thanked her and walked away.
That night at dinner Mitch and I enjoyed a great piece of grilled swordfish. Along with it we had some mixed vegetables and a side of slaw. My husband ate some first and said, “Hmmmm, this is different. What is it?” I quickly took a taste and discovered, to my horror, veritable chunks of blue cheese in the cole slaw!
Explaining to Mitch what I had endured at the deli counter that afternoon, I said, “What if I were allergic to blue cheese? I could be dead by now!” I suggested he kill me on the spot, somehow making it look like an allergic reaction to blue cheese. Then he could sue the market for millions and go out and get himself a new wife, a boat and a motorcycle. He pointed out that he would be in jail and thus not able to enjoy those things (except maybe a conjugal visit every so often). Instead I wrote this post and I’m sending it to the store manager. That deli lady must be stopped.
FEET MUST feel so grateful when late spring and summer come ’round. They can finally escape their cramped winter prison in closed-toe shoes and come out of hiding to breathe, stretch and wiggle. Favor these hard-working tootsies with an exfoliating pedicure to slough off dead skin and shape squished nails; apply lots of lotion to smooth rough patches and add a pop of scrumptious-colored nail polish to celebrate. You’re probably already on board with the care and feeding of your feet, but if you haven’t bought a new pair of sandals, you’ll find some surprises out there.
As the fashion world continues to embrace the sports world, Tevas (created by a Grand Canyon river rafting guide), yes, Tevas, have made a cute comeback with their velcro straps now in mismatched color blocks or covered in vintage fabric. Likewise, for Birkenstocks, once prescribed for foot pain. Now you can get a pair in trendy metallic leather. We surmise that as comfort becomes ever more appealing, fashion’s fondness for these utilitarian sandals is the continuation of its infatuation for the “ugly dad” sneaker.
On the other hand, from the likes of K Jacques, Bernardo and Need Supply, sexy, barely-there sandals with just a suggestion of straps holding down the foot also have their fans. In addition, traditional summer fabrics like raffia and straw, mostly just for handbags, are making their debut on sandals. And as for espadrilles, they’re now baring their toes.
Some suggestions for baring yours:
—Janet Kelly
ABOVE: At a popular neighborhood bar and restaurant, I noticed a woman wearing these Arizona Soft Footbed Birkenstock sandals ($134.95, Zappos) with her white jeans. Shoes that I always thought were strictly for hikers, backpackers and crunchy granola types looked surprisingly chic. And comfortable. BELOW: Part of Clarks’ Cloudsteppers™ Collection, the sporty-looking Arla Glison Flip Flop, ($64.95, Nordstrom) has two layers of cushion, making you feel like you’re walking on air. And the red-and-white-stripe fabric couldn’t be more cheery.
LEFT: Ready for the lazy days of summer? Get into the vacation spirit by slipping into Zara’s leather animal print slides ($45.90), also available in black and white. RIGHT: These Trekky Sandals wrapped in vintage cotton bandanas upend the notion that rugged can’t be fashionable. $185, Matches Fashion.
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Chloé’s “Woody” Logo Slide Sandal with a bit of a heel is made from layers of white canvas overlapped and printed with the brand’s label in bold black letters. A rubber outsole is a welcome nod to practicality. $350, Nordstrom. Counter the casual by wearing with a floaty skirt. Credit a Grand Canyon river guide who created Teva’s Original Universal Sandal almost 30 years ago. By adding two Velcro watchbands to an old pair of flip-flops, he made a shoe that wouldn’t float away. $49.95, Nordstrom. Jackie Kennedy favored Bernardos to wear with her black T-shirts and white pants. If it’s good enough for Jackie, well, then, what’s to argue? Lily Flat Thong, $98, Neiman Marcus.
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT: Schutz’s Evenise Kitten-Heel Sandal with ultra-slim leather straps is sold out in honey beige, but it’s available and on sale for 50 percent off in neon pink or neon yellow or in metallic silver and gold for $80. Saint Tropez-based K Jacques is known for clean lines and understated design as in this soft pink Actium Metallic Suede Sandal, $282, Barneys. The straps on the ethereal Esmi Sandalcan be moved around to suit your foot and style. The low heel’s functional rubber grip ensures you don’t slip-slide around. $180, Need Supply. Handmade in Morocco, these vacation-ready raffia Salah 30mm sandals easily slip on and off. $395, Farfetch.
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: For those who like a little lift, elevate with Talbot’s Daisy Gladiator Microwedge Sandal ($89.50), which is also available in black, navy and sage green. Multiple straps keep your foot in place, which should please those with narrow feet. These leather Tenison Sandals from Vince offer a good middle-of-the-road solution for those wary of going whole hog with Tevas or Birkenstocks. Nice touch: a rubber sole sits under a jute midsole for extra cushioning. $195, Shopbop. Amalfi Platform Espadrilles from Soludos take a classic espadrille to new heights with a chunky platform and crisscross straps. And, they’re reduced to $93 from $155 at Shopbop.
MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com.
I HAVEN’T written a post in six days, so I’m considering changing the name of my blog to The Whenever Droid. But that doesn’t quite roll off the tongue the same way, so I’m stumped. Some possible names I am playing with:
Occasional Musings of Nobody Special The Not-Daily Droid A Quiet Week in Lake Wobegone
I like the last one best but think it could get me into trouble, legally speaking. So for now I will leave it alone and invite my few die-hard readers to send me suggestions.
Legal issues aside, it’s been a quiet week in Freeport, Maine. One positive development was the return of the belted cows to the pasture on South Freeport Road, an event we all cheer each year about now. But the true highlight was my birthday mid-week. As is the custom I was supposed to celebrate getting a year closer to my death, but I found little joy in turning 73. One person I ran into said, “Consider the alternative,” which I did and decided I like being alive more than being dead, although I have no way of knowing for sure which state is better.
As for birthday greetings, I got only one of note: My dear friend Diana Bond called from Denver to wish me a happy birthday. This was the best (and basically only) gift I got that day. Diana and I have not spoken in a long time, yet she went the extra mile to call. We had a grand time catching up, and once again I understood the truth of the saying that old friends are the best!
Naturally my husband remembered because he lives with me, and took the day off from work to watch me age. Our son completely forgot, but later on came through with a wonderful card and joined us for a delectable sushi feast in Portland, his lively girlfriend adding much to the festivities.
Other than that, the scary highs and lows of my zany blood pressure kept me on the phone with doctors (mostly on hold) and necessitated a blood test to make sure my inner workings were in order. (It was the nurse who drew my blood who said I should consider the alternative.) All results came back as normal, but yet another drug was added to the bunch I already swallow each morning.
So that’s why I haven’t written a blog post all week.
YOU HAVEN’T heard of Glyderm? That’s no surprise. While the company has been around for 20 years, it has never advertised, though it has been featured in articles and on talk shows. Until recently the line, developed by a doctor for his patients, has only been distributed through dermatologists and skin care professionals.
When Glyderm approached MyLittleBird editor Janet Kelly about giving the products a try, she agreed. “I was interested in what the fuss was about glycolic acid,” she said. But in her short trial, she found them too irritating for her skin.
So the experiment was turned over to me, the gardening columnist. Having skin in the game, and a bathroom full of serums and creams, I was curious to see how just three products could handle my aging skin issues: dryness, uneven tone, a corrugated forehead, minor sprays of wrinkles around the eyes and that blasted sag at the chin line.
For my skin concerns, I was assigned a trio of Glyderm products: Gentle Face Cleanser, a soap-free cleanser with .2% glycolic acid ($28, Dermstore); Cream 5, a night cream that contains 5% glycolic acid ($37, Dermstore); and Hydrotone, a moisturizer for dry to normal skin ($39, Dermstore).
Three weeks in and my daughter, who hadn’t seen me in a month, noticed my skin looked different, “hydrated,” she said. The wrinkles were still there, but I had a glow.
My husband also noticed, and he doesn’t notice much. In just a week he said, “Why do you look so cute?” The idea that I look cute makes my skin crawl, but I share it in the interest of honest reporting.
It has now been close to six weeks and I’ve noticed a few stubborn dark spots have completely faded and my pores appear smaller. Also, my face is very clean—with zero blackheads, a frequent problem given that I rest my fingers on my cheekbones when mulling, and mulling constitutes a large part of my day.
I’m also pleased that none of the products has a scent. None. And despite the size of the 1.5 ounce, pots of cream (which run close to $40 each on Amazon), they last a long time. I still have half of each of the creams and have only used a quarter of the bottle of cleanser.
Unfortunately, there’s no diminishment of the wrinkles or sag.
“In time you will get firmer,” said Mary Nelson, senior business manager of Mission Pharmacal, the company that produces Glyderm products. Plumpness and firmness come from stimulating collagen and elastin under the surface, which is what glycolic acid does.
“What you’re really going to see is a change in tone and texture, that healthy glow. Some patients with rather sallow skin tone lack luster; the glycolic acid will expose a brighter healthier skin tone.”
The 5% cream I’ve been using is the baby step. My face took to it with no problem, though others—like Janet—might need to work up to it, Nelson said, starting with once a week and building to nightly use.
As the skin becomes acclimated, I could graduate to a 10% or 12% version of the night cream, which would accelerate results, making my skin more receptive to additional treatments and serums.
For instance, you can use it with Retin A, which is still considered the gold standard for wrinkle repair creams. “The two are the dynamic duo,” she said, “but you cannot layer the products.”
“They must be used 12 hours apart, one in the evening the other in the morning, or used on alternate days.”
“But,” said I, “aren’t you supposed to use Retin-A only at night?”
“Slather on the sun screen and wear a hat, which you should be doing anyway,” she said. “There shouldn’t be a problem.”
Glyderm also has a professional peel series (ranging in strength from 20 to 70 percent glycolic acid) “that’s amazing,” said Nelson. “The peels quickly address fine lines, pigmentation problems and that lackluster skin. They’re also great for acne.”
Touted by celebrity dermatologic surgeon Dr. Patricia Wexler on CBS in a segment called “Skin Secrets of the Stars: How to Get That Red Carpet Glow,” the powerful, 70% glycolic acid peel, is not available for home use, but should you suddenly be up for an Emmy Award, it will get you looking fabulous fast.
—Stephanie Cavanaugh
In addition to being our garden guru, LittleBird Stephanie is always game to try new beauty products.
MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com.
LET’S HEAR it for fathers. The ones I know (and have known) step up to solve home emergencies, be it a leaky bathtub faucet or a raccoon in the attic. They take the kids grocery shopping (so Mom doesn’t have to) and reward them afterwards with Dunkin’ Donuts munchkins. They help them with homework (even baffling math), cook their favorite meals (ranging from simple buttered noodles to chicken Milanese), pick them up from soccer and/or ballet, listen to them practicing the flute, teach them how to ski, sit patiently through their tennis matches and are always available to kiss or dress a wound, physical or emotional. Not all that different from moms.
What to get them for Father’s Day, that is the question. Of course, there are the usual suspects—golf balls and grilling paraphernalia and such (nothing wrong with going with the tried and true). But based on the knowledge of what our own guys would like, we’ve come up with a personal list of suggestions. With any luck, some of these might be exactly what you’re looking for.
—Janet Kelly
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Socks with eye-catching colors and quirky patterns come courtesy of Wales-based company Corgi, which started out as a sock maker for local miners. Today it supplies the Prince of Wales with luxe socks, along with other knitted goods. Make your guy feel princely with a pair of the British brand’s cotton and nylon Dog Motif Stretch-Cotton Mid-Calf Socks. $35, Barneys.
Author of bestseller A Man Called Ove, Fredrik Backman’s first nonfiction book, Things My Son Needs to Know About the World, is full of belly laughs about the perils of fatherhood/parenthood that anyone with or without children can relate to. $24, Barnes & Noble.
The next best thing to a barber shop shave with a hot towel: Gillette Labs’ Heated Razor. It distributes heat quickly and evenly through a stainless-steel warming bar. And he can sing in the shower while shaving. It’s waterproof. $200.
Bang & Olufsen’s Beoplay E8 2.0 Truly Wireless earbuds (.9 -by-.78 -by-.98 inches) bring the gift of music on the go. Tap on the earpiece to start/stop, change tracks and more. The wireless compact charging case holds three full charges to make sure the beat goes on. And for the best fit, five different ear tips are included. Available in black, natural, indigo blue, limestone and pink. $350.
Handmade in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, in a variety of widths, Maximum Henry belts ($105-$135) come in as many as 20 yummy colors. Who couldn’t use a new belt, especially one that’s this good looking?
Delight your favorite Sunday morning chef with this Cuisinart Round Classic Waffle Maker. It makes one large waffle on its nonstick baking surface (3.31 inches high x 9.69 inches wide x 7.88 inches deep). The five-setting browning control lets him regulate the crispness factor. $29.99.
The small works of art from Boulder, Colorado-based puzzle maker extraordinaire Liberty are a joy for the puzzle lover. The 486-piece, 12.75-by-16.75-inch Boats by Lindsey (left, $95) was conceived by a contemporary Indianapolis artist. Every Liberty puzzle contains dozens of hand-drawn, 1/4-inch plywood pieces (right), intricately cut into the shapes of characters, animals and geometric designs.
Japanese glass blower Kazumi Tsuji founded her own glass studio—factory zoomer—where she creates these patterned bowls using a technique called fire polishing. An artful gift that will come in handy for serving sake, whisky or ice cream. $90 each.
Tell him Orlebar Brown’s Dr. No 007 Riviera Towelling Polo was inspired by one James Bond wore in “Dr. No” (1962) when he meets Honey Ryder on the beach in Jamaica. How’s that for irresistible? $245.
LEFT: Yes, Tivoli Audio’s PAL BT is an adorable-looking radio, but in addition to listening to his favorite radio stations on its AM/FM tuner, the Bluetooth technology-enabled device also lets him hear his preferred tunes. Available in black, blue, white and red (shown above). $179. RIGHT: Does he hate cold coffee and lukewarm water? The double-wall vacuum insulation of the Yeti 30 oz. Rambler Tumbler with MagSlider Lid keeps cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot. And it fits comfortably in his car, boat or truck cup holder. The smooth-sliding lid protects from splashes when driving on bumpy roads or waters. Available in eight other colors, $34.99, Dick’s Sporting Goods.
If that guy you want to gift is particular about how his eggs and bacon are cooked, he’ll be ecstatic with the results from this Zwilling Carrara Nonstick Ceramic Fry Pan. Moreover, the coating is environmentally friendly, the pan needs only a touch of oil for searing and browning, cooks evenly and is easy to clean. And the handle stays cool. A 10-incher is $59. A set of 8-, 10- and 11-inch pans is reduced to $107 from $142 at Food52.
MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale, whether through a retailer, an online store or Amazon.com.
A FEW MONTHS ago, when it was still snowing outside, I purchased a new pair of bedroom slippers to replace the old pair that had a hole in it. I loved them and wore them often around the house. Soon after I got them I had a severe “toe-stubbing” accident which caused a tiny hole in the toe of the right slipper that was just like the one in the old pair, owing to the fact that the big toe on my right foot is, well, a big toe, bigger than one might like, and presses more insistently into the fabric of the slipper.
Anyway, that tiny hole slowly morphed into a bigger hole, but since the slippers were almost new I kept wearing them. But, planning ahead, I ordered another pair for that day in the future when they would become unwearable. The new ones arrived the next day (thank you, Zappos!) and I looked at them lovingly before stowing them in the back of my closet.
Meanwhile, I hated my slippers with the hole in the toe but still kept wearing them because they were in great shape, except for the, well, you know. Then this morning I spoke with a friend who recounted a sad story involving the unexpected, out-of-the-blue death of one of her oldest and dearest friends, just about a week ago. Sad for her loss, I commiserated as best I could.
I had met the newly deceased woman while visiting my friend a few months ago, and had enjoyed her vibrant company at a group dinner. When we parted, I said I’d surely see her again in the fall when my husband and I would again be visiting. Only now I won’t, because she’s gone. Just like that. It was quick, a heart attack perhaps. No drama, no 911 call, Dolores just went upstairs to do something and when her husband went looking for her, there she was. Dead.
So today I got out those new slippers from the back of my closet and put them on, and packed away the old slippers with the hole in the toe. I figured, why wait?
It’s simply not summer without a margarita. This set of six colorful 
So the experiment was turned over to me, the gardening columnist. Having skin in the game, and a bathroom full of serums and creams, I was curious to see how just three products could handle my aging skin issues: dryness, uneven tone, a corrugated forehead, minor sprays of wrinkles around the eyes and that blasted sag at the chin line.
