So on Thanksgiving I’m talking to my fabulous niece Cristina and I remark how her hair looks good and then I ask her if she used the gel I gave her. And she says that she has but has not been able to find it anywhere. So I said I’d give it to her for Christmas.
You see, Cris and I share a similar characteristic: Curly hair. Dry curly hair. And after many years of experimenting with various products throughout high school (including mayonnaise which I would never recommend) I found Queen Helene’s Cholesterol gel and have used it ever since. Rob once joked that I would be a wonderful salesperson for that gel.
Anyhow that conversation made me jump online to purchase the ubiquitous gel which is very hard to find as is. And what did I end up finding out. It’s been discontinued. My heart bleeds at this news. I tell my friend who immediately laughs and says, you sound like Elaine from Seinfeld in the Sponge episode and you know why? Right now I am the owner of 56 bottles of the gel that will be shipped to me from 3 different online retailers (one of which is blackhairspray.com which has the MOST AMAZING CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER! I’m on the ‘list’ of 2 different beauty supply retailers to call when and if the gel should come into their warehouse, have calls out to 3 other retailers and need to contact another 4 that seem to have some sort of inventory.
Yes I’ve turned into Elaine, hording my gel as she did her sponges. So I put it out there if you come across Queen Helene Cholesterol Gel, think of me and send me an e-mail and I’ll let you know my address where to send it and how I will gratefully pay you back because, yes, it is that important to me. Call me crazy but a girl, especially a curly haired girl, who finds a product that works amazingly in her hair will do whatever she could to not part with it.
Oh and look. Just got another call. Another 50 available! Rob is going to simultaneously laugh at me and kill me.
I have walked out my door 2 days in a row to the smell and early chill of autumn air. My absolute favorite time of the year. Pack up the tank tops and the shorts and start bringing out the fall gear.
So what are the trends I see and LOVE and what can I live without?
Things that make me happy: 1. LONG HAIR!!! Finally. Although the cropped straight bob is still acceptable, the over done obnoxious rhianna-esque asymmetrical monstrosity is DEAD. Give it up. Super short butch-esque hair is passe. Bring on the femininity of long or medium hair with straight or natural waves. Hallelujah.
2. The return of blue as a fall color. That purple and teal phase just about killed me. Actually it kept me from shopping all together so I guess that's a good thing. I'm so excited to have blue again.
3. Draped clothing, tunics, erc.. I love long draped cardigans, understated tunics, simple forms. Clothes that dangle and hugs only when you are moving. Understated sexuality.
4. Booties. Still popular. I think this is the year everyone just gives into them. I do really like them but my terrible luck of having the skinniest calves make them impossible to wear with anything but pants. :(
5. Heavy lined eyes. Bring back eyeliner! Yes. I love eyeliner. Done right though.
6. Bright color on lips. As much as natural and MAC Glass was fabulous, I long for red lips. So lips with color is something that just thrills me.
7. Platform pumps. Platforms. I L.O.V.E. Platforms.
8. Trench coat/40’s French style. This is the odd man out this year. Its that classic style in the midst of all this 80's revisited that's going on. I'm not the biggest fan of 80's style.
9. Capes. This extends from no. 8. I love capes. Draped over pencil skirts or tailored dresses. Slick starched and pressed boot cut pants.
10. Long cardigans. I never gave up my long cardigans. I just wish they made them a bit less thick and chunky. I have my favorite, all pilled in fabric that I absolutely adore and wear everyday at work since this office is so damn cold year round. It's a thin cardigan that brushes the top of my knees and flows like water. I adore it. Did I mention that. And where did I get it. Conway. SHHHH. Over 12 years ago.
12. Leather jacket – moto jackets. Nice on some people. I doubt I can pull it off though.
13. Tights. Take me back to my catholic school days where accessories were your only items you could wear to be expressive. Tights are great. I love the monotone of some outfits with tights being the punch of color.
14. Massive accessories. Large necklaces, huge earrings and enormous rings. The bigger, the boulder the better (not necessarily worn all together)
Things that could just pass me by 1. Shoulder pads/boyfriend jackets, structured shoulders. eww. just eww.
2. Cropped shorts with tummy bearing tops. I have pictures of me wearing just that in elementary school/high school. I had a flat stomach. crop tops and my current state of affairs are not gonna work and at my age I shouldn't be wearing it anyhow.
3. Denim. I have issues with denim that is put in any form except pants. Denim vests, denim dresses, even denim jackets (yes I said denim jackets. You might love your 10 year old gap jacket and think it goes with everything but it really does not.) What's worse is when denim is worn with other denim items. Double denim. Just say no. It's impossible to Match denims. Lets all pray the denim button down shirt does not return.
4. Paisley. I hate the amoeba looking design. I saw a woman at the last wedding wearing a totally paisley dress and couldn't help thinking i was staring in the microscope in biology class. YUCK.
5. Leather pants. I do not have the body for leather pants. Nor does 95% of the woman of this world.
6. Loose vests. This falls in line with the boyfriend sweater. Totally unflattering.
7. Fringe.
8. Over the knee boot. Really? Not only do some appear hookerish but if you really think of it, they're totally uncomfortable. They are not meant to sit with.
9. Sequin & studded items
10. The chain bag. My mom still has chain bags. They scream old lady to me.
11. Rolled up jeans.
12. 80’s disco diva style. Those shinny bright skin tight tights. (think the house party scene in the movie Trading Places with Eddie Murphy - do you wanna funk...won't you tell me now...if you wanna dance let me show you how. do you wanna funk with me....) Video is not suitable for minors as it is NOT the tv adaptation of the movie.
And since I am talking style I leave you with this. I am officially in love. Giuseppe Zanotti Tan Leather Knee-High Boots $1325 (gosh if I were rich.) I am drooling over their beauty.
They even have them lower. For $950 Zip Flap Low Boots by Giuseppe Zanotti
