I am hesitant to write this review … I don’t know if I’m ready to share my discovery. But, alas, such is my solemn vocation.

Last night, I experienced the best pedicure of my life.

The Mineral Elements Healing Pedicure is the newest in the line of luxurious gifts to your toes available at Dashing Diva nail spas.

This pedicure is mineral-rich and organic, perfect for introducing your toes and legs to summer exposure (no one wants to see you in flip flops if you aren’t groomed!). From the soak in Dead Sea minerals salts and amazing foot massage, to crystal exfoliation and thermal mud masque, I am in love.

The pedicure is topped off with a relaxing hot stone massage (my first ever experience with hot stones…they are an odd sort of “good” burn that was surprisingly relaxing) and a soothing sea spray.

My pretty pink toes will be singing Dashing Diva praises for weeks. Until I go back and do it again.

Dashing Diva also has a hot pink lounge that on Thursday and Friday nights hosts girls nights out — free cosmopolitans are flowing and you can have a “girl date” while sipping and buffing. Happy Hour in a a whole new style.

My skin will not tan.

A few years ago, I went on a cruise to Cozumel. All around me, revelers lounged with margaritas as their skin grew warm and toasty.

My poor cocktail remained in ashen white hands.

As I’ve grown older and wiser, I’ve grown accustomed to my sad fate. I will not tan. I cannot tan. However, no one has to know that.

My hope is renewed by Hampton Sun’s Sunless Tanning Gel, which creates a natural looking streak-free tan without actual sun involvement. (Or gross orange skin as other tanners have subjected me to.)  Plus, it contains stuff like walnut oil, aloe, and vitamins A through E, which will keep skin soft and smooth too.

If you insist on actual sun exposure though, their SPF Sun Tanning Lotion includes a lot of the same moisturizing agents as the sunless tanning gel, but protects your flesh from being scorched as you bake.

Available at www.hamptonsuncare.com

Earth Day is a relatively new celebration, but it has already become an intrinsic element of our pursuit to have a healthier planet to call home. Celebrated annually on April 22nd, it not only celebrates our mother planet, but the birthday of Julius Sterling Morton (founder of Arbor Day) and the growing trend of eco-activism.

So, in the words of Dramarama, who actually recorded a song about Earth Day, “What Are We Gonna Do?”

In my experience, the best way to celebrate a birthday is with presents. If you concur, a few goodies to give your co-celebrants on this special day:

Printed on 100% organic cotton using eco-friendly water based inks, Local Celebrity’s “Respect Your Mother” tee is the perfect way to honor Mother Nature *and* look cool. Proceeds from the RYM shirts will be donated to Global Green USA in an effort to help fight global warming.

Babeland’s Eco-Sexy Kit is a great gift to anyone (or yourself) this Earth Day. This racy kit includes the popular Laya Spot vibrator and a selection of all-natural spa products. Laya Spot is made of Elastomer, a new latex-free and phthalate-free material while the Babeland massage candle is made of skin-safe soy that becomes a warm massage oil as it heats up. Emerita Natural Lube is, as the name implies, all natural, the kit also includes Swedish Mamba Condoms.

So, how do you plan on celebrating your Earth Day?

In the1930s, Betty Boop’s launch represented such overt sexuality that it had to be toned down as to not offend the moralities of the conservative audiences of the day.

One of the first sex symbols, and the very first cartoon flapper, Betty remains a bit of a pop culture icon to this day. And with the current spring trend of vintage pin-up tees, she’s set to be more in style than ever.

My obsession of the day: The Betty Boop store.

Healthy-looking skin at a time when it’s so humid you can fry an egg on the sidewalk isn’t easy. To be ready for this season o’ frizz and frazzle, it’s extra important to maintain a daily skincare regime.

I’ve developed a special relationship with the new spring Shiseido: The Skincare Day Moisturizer Protection and Nigh Moisture Recharge. Created with Yuzu Seed Extract, it literally helping skin create its own moisture — which a great asset if you don’t have all that much to start out with.

Available at sephora.com

When it comes time for light and flirty summer clothes, the last thing you want to do is to have enough gunk on your face that you are mistaken for Krusty.

As the temps go up at the beach, so does your internal thermometer. Be ready to reflect this not only in your hot new summer styles, but also in what you smear on your face. I have super sensitive skin and it’s hard for me to find cosmetics that will do the job and not get my flesh all cranky — especially as the humidity increases, and happy, healthy, skin becomes a bit more challenging.

Take 5 Cosmetics’ Tinted Moisturizer though has been a fast new friend.

This is a moisturizer/foundation in one - meaning it’s sort of like getting a gift with purchase, which always makes me giddy. More importantly, it provides a touch of coverage, but also possesses SPF 15 to shield you from the sun (which, as much as it lies to you, is no friend), as well as antioxidants and minerals to hydrate and protect the skin.

i.e. It makes me look pretty, I like it.

Friends,

My good friend Allie and I have teamed up with our gracious host, Cocoa Bar, to present you with another ELK-RAGEOUS event!

If you come join us on Thursday, May 10th, your $25 contribution will provide you with a delightful evening in Cocoa Bar’s beautiful candle-lit patio. You will enjoy great company, and a special Elks Team menu that will include luscious libations (your choice from two kinds of wine or three kinds of homemade hot chocolate) and your choice of a scrumptious slice of cake. (Aly and Allie have had the tireless task of tasting for your benefit, and we promise you will not leave disappointed!)

Following in our great tradition, there will be giveaways and raffle prizes!

This event will benefit our Elks Relay For Life Team. Your enjoyment of dessert will actually help the American Cancer Society’s fourfold mission of education, advocacy, research, and patient services! Come have fun for a great cause.

PLEASE RSVP by May 1st if possible — we need to provide a final head-count! Tickets can be purchased in advance from Aly (alywalansky@gmail.com) or Allie (gypsyallie@gmail.com), OR you may RSVP now and pay at the door. Thank you!
Click on the Elk to RSVP and get more info!

Or, if you can’t make it and want to donate anyway, you can too through that link.

1. Mineral Oil
A key ingredient in some hair shine and frizz control products, mineral oil is the worst for oily or problematic skin. When it sits on the face for a long period of time it acts like a plastic wrap, cutting off precious oxygen and preventing toxins from escaping the skin which can cause acne.

2. DEA, MEA or TEA
DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (monoethanolamine) and TEA (triethanolamine) are hormone-disrupting chemicals found in many shampoos. They’re thought to cause cancer so stay away.

3. Imidazolidinyl Urea & DMDM Hydantoin
These are preservatives in many hair creams and gels that release formaldehyde, triggering skin irritations and even heart palpitations.

4. Fragrance
If you see the word “fragrance” on the ingredient list of your hair product take into consideration that it can sometimes mean up to 400 separate and maybe synthetic ingredients that can cause allergic reactions.

5. Alcohol
Alcohol dries out hair and skin so if you tend to have dry skin, avoid most hairsprays and volumizers, which contain tons of alcohol.

(Thanks so much to my friend Brigitta for passing this along!)

You know how it goes…

You spend a night out with your favorite guy and end up staying over. The next morning, you have work, and you don’t want to do the walk of shame, appearing in the same outfit once again. Everyone will notice and snicker about you. God knows you do when it happens to them.
What to do? The mall ain’t open at this pre-Starbucks hour, and you have a train to catch.

Give your outfit a new spin!

Check this out.

The black dress is available at www.forplaycatalog.com, the yellow, which I have in a sexy red, at www.yogaarmy.com.

One hot dress with many different styles…meaning your deceit could last you all week. We advise showering in between.

We’re working on a big feature at She Knows on navigating the new stockings trends taking over the runways. To get us up to speed, hosiery expert Joyce Michel offered us some tips of the trade.

1 Know yourself. Is your personal style sporty, classic, embellished, mod, etc.? Does the legwear enhance what you currently own? Will it update old tired basics? Could a splash or color, bright coral thigh highs under a pair of pants with a coordinated top be just the thing to update those pants from last season? Legwear can be one of the most cost-effective ways to renew an older garment. A great pair of lacy pantyhose or socks can really make an old skirt come alive with a complimentary lacy top.

2 Will a particular “look” be age appropriate for you, i.e., layered thigh highs and a mini are great for a teen-twenty something but may look silly on a 50 year old.

3 Does the legwear add to your look or compete with it? It should be complimentary.

4 Study the magazines. See what is being shown and if you like a look find the legwear and duplicate the look with pieces you currently own.

Remember, to have fun with you legwear, whether pantyhose, thigh highs, knee highs or socks. Mix them up and weather permitting layer them, lacy over color, fishnets over colored socks, etc., etc. Merchandise them as you would your closet when dressing.