ANDY, YOU WERE ALWAYS A LITTLE SKETCHY

The new exhibit for a show featuring Andy Warhol, at the Hearst Building in NYC is fantastic. It's Warhol's work done when he was an illustrator, for Harper's Bazaar, before he became the Pop icon he remains today. The sketches are so lively, so whimsical and so charming, and not surprisingly they still look totally cool today. It's all about beauty and shoes, many a girl's favorite concerns, so it's definitely worth a look see if you are in New York. Address is the Hearst Tower, inside gallery at 8th Avenue and 57th Street. The building is an all "green" office building, to boot.

WHAT ARE YOU NOT WEARING?

I found this new line called Stript at my local Ricky's, the cosmetic junkies home away from home. It is 100 % paraben free, fragrance free, talc free, plus it's vegan....jeez. But best of all, the colors are really, really nice. They have foundations, shadows, pencils, eyeliners and concealers, and brushes, too. Check out their site at www.striptmakeup.com.

Glee-ful

I saw the preview of Bye Bye Birdie, the hit musical from the 60's...Mad Men viewers who can't get enough of this period, will get a kick out of this one as well. Costumes were great, John Stamos and Gina Gershon looked good, but overall the show wasn't amazing. Needs work, as they say in real estate. Seems kids breaking into song at the drop of a hat is good TV as well. With the hit show Glee, my old friend and creator of the show, Ryan Murphy, is happy, because Glee is a total smash!

YOU'RE TOAST!

I have been reading about something delicious called a Toasted Marshmallow Milkshake at the Stand restaurant, here in NYC. So I popped in yesterday and ordered myself a little bit o' heaven.
Here's the recipe...absolutely delicious! http://tinyurl.com/cbtkkm

VERY GLASSY!

I just love this work in hand-blown glass by Anthony Gelpi. The ancient skill of glass blowing has been updated with fabulous colors, textures and unbelievable shapes. Check out his gallery of gorgeous glass at www.anthonygelpi.com.

TATTOO YOU

Yes, those old Rolling Stones had it right...tats are all over the place now, I even saw an old granny sporting one the other day. But, if you want to experiment just to see how fierce you'd look with one, what to do? There's no going back at a regular tattoo parlour. But now, with Jaqua from Earth Henna, all you DIY fans can get the look of a real tattoo, but with no pain, and it's safe, natural (from a fruit in the Amazon) and it washes off in two weeks. Genius!http://www.earthhenna.com/Jagua-Tattoo-Images-Gallery-8-c117.html

THE LAST PICTURE SHOW

Richard Avedon is one of the all time greats. His fashion photographs, meticulously recreated to seem spontaneous, are little jewels. The International Center of Photography has mounted a fantastic show with all the photo gems from the 50s and 60s...and all the superstars are there...Veruschka, Twiggy, Penelope Tree, frozen in black and white.

Until September 6th, there are over 200 works on display. http://tinyurl.com/yanxb3

DON'T BREAK DOWN AFTER YOUR BREAK UP

If you're having relationship drama, and need help surviving a break up, my friend Lisa Steadman wrote the book it on it! Yes, her "21 DAY ACTION PLAN TO PLOT YOUR REVENGE, SPOIL YOURSELF, AND FIND OUT HOW GOOD LIFE IS WITHOUT HIM" will whip you into shape. Plus there are tremendous bonuses when you visit her site within 24 hours of reading this. Really, really helpful stuff, worth more than 100 times the investment. Check it all out here http://www.itsabreakupnotabreakdownworkbook.com/

DONT FORGET MOTHER'S DAY

Yes, it's next Sunday, so don't forget. Instead get Mom this fantastic read about successful Hollywood agent Sam Haskell's mom and what she taught him about life. He was able to survive in the L.A. shark tank by being a nice guy. You can't make this stuff up. http://tinyurl.com/dbjxvt

BODY TALK

Yes, I love all things sparkly, especially diamonds, so I did a double take at this from the cosmetic gurus at LA MER. They make the richest and best moisturizers on the market, albeit very pricey -- and this one has pure diamond dust in it. The Body Refiner is $110 but if you've got the body for it, and the wallet, I'm sure your skin will thank you. (And whoever else is touching you!)

TO ILLUSTRATE A POINT

The Society of Illustrators in NYC just opened an exhibit by some of the world's leading fashion illustrators. Once a thriving career category for many fashion obsessed design students, it's diminished thanks to photography, and the declining status of department stores as trend leaders. These talented people were not just sketchers, but now are receiving their due as true artists in their own right. Through May 2nd. This illustration is by Antonio -- I even owned a few posters signed to me personally by him at one time. www.societyillustrators.org.

BUY A BAGFUL OF PENNY CANDY

Yes, we know penny candy is a victim of inflation. But pop for a half a pound and mix and match all the favorites you had when you were a kid…sweets, sours, gummis, licorice, chocolates – go for your personal spin around the sugar shack. Then, share some with the next kid you see, and watch their eyes light up.

PIG OUT!

Yes, we New Yorkers are a pretty trend savvy and tasty bunch. The latest craze here in the Apple, is bacon. Witness, bacon candy, dark or milk...Other tasty treats include bacon donuts, bacon popcorn, bacon peanuts, and a whole host of pig outs available here. Most likely, coming to a town near you, too.

HEY BABY...

OK, it's a lame pick up line, but here's a new spin on it. HEY BABY WHAT'S YOUR SIGN is a new company that takes a fun approach to Astrology. Whether it's a onesie for a baby, a mug, or a tote bag, their adorable illustrations are sure to get a laugh. Check them out at www.heybabywhatsyoursign.com.

THE POWDER AND THE GLORY

Two women, the creators of the modern beauty industry, Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein, are profiled in this PBS documentary, The Powder and The Glory. They are credited with developing the $150 billion dollar global beauty business. These remarkable businesswomen were arch rivals, who were always one-upping each other, and who lived in New York City blocks from each other, but never wanted to meet. (Crazy they never bumped into each other at a party, either!)

This runs on your local PBS stations on March 23. Log onto PBS.ORG for the time in your area, or purchase the DVD, and read more about them at http://www.pbs.org/thepowderandtheglory/index.html

HEY, TODAY IS NOT JUST ANOTHER DAY...

Today IS special...to someone!

Take a look at this adorable chain link toggle bracelet and charm, for example. You pick the date on the cool calendar charm that's meaningful, and then you mark it with a gemstone of your choice and color.

Visit www.notjustanyoldday.com. and pick from a selection of items that will make memories for years. This bracelet in sterling is $166.00. Think about it for Mother's Day, Birthday, First Communion, Bat Mitzvah, etc.

SKIN SAVVY SOLUTION TO WINTER DRYNESS

I was just in Los Angeles, where it was 80 degrees...then back to freezing cold New York City where it topped out at 20 degrees last week. A friend told me about Kate Somerville, a skin salon, and I hopped over there, her spot is on Melrose Place. It was astoundingly beautiful, lots of celebrities go there, and the products are packaged beautifully, so I tried something called Quench.

I swear my skin felt amazing for the entire day. It's kind of an extra dose of moisture. Check out her site and look around. www.katesomerville.com. I saw her on QVC today as well, offering it for a discount. I am always on the lookout for products that work, and this one seems really good.

PUT YOUR STAMP ON IT!

This cool initial monogram was created by illustrator Elaine Biss. When you purchase her custom stationery for (the great price of ) $16.99 you'll receive 6 cards and 6 matching envelopes, plus 8 stickers. What a great gift for Mom, sister, grandmother, or any girlfriend for a birthday or other celebration.

It's the perfect Valentine's Day gift for yourself as well. Here's to bringing back the written word in style. Forget texting! Get them here. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19879319