Even More “My Awesome Things.” Stop It Some More!

Shhhh. I’m not supposed to be here. I have reports to edit and copy to write and miles to go before I sleep, miles to go before I sleep. But it’s time for a new Awesome Things installment, and so away we go.

This list comes courtesy of my friend, Cocktail Maven. She has red hair, too, which gives me pause. Are redheads style setters? Does their hot-bloodedness lend itself to coolness? Does any of this make sense? Should I stop pondering? (Because we all know what happens when I ponder. I’ve been thinking of creating a bumper sticker for myself with “PONDER” written in block letters and a big freaking
red “X” through it.)

So Cocktail Maven. Over a year ago, she started this awesome “Meet-Up” group called “Cocktails in Historic Places,” which I attend often. At our first meeting, I became enamored with Cocktail Maven because she dressed vintagey, talked intellectually, and conversed bookishly. See, she liked to read and she told me she also loved one of my favorite books. At that point, I glommed onto her like boogers on fingers. I wanted to talk to her more often, be her friend, and invite her over for canapés.

And so at the very next meet-up, I stalked her and the second she looked my way, blurted out that I wished she’d join my book club. Graciously, she accepted, despite my overt and weird adoration, and so here we are today. Oh! And when she cooks, Cocktail Maven wears this retro apron with red cherries on it. I mean, come on! You’d totally puppy-dog her too.

Here’s her list:

• Venus Rich Body Crème

  On my last visit to Germany, my cousin, the aesthetician, gave me a facial and some product samples from her work. One of these “samples” was an ENORMOUS jar of my new fave body lotion. It . . .is . . . exquisite. It contains aloe vera, vitamin E, olive oil, and just a touch of the most heavenly, soothing scent I have ever sniffed in a body lotion. With a texture like liquefied silk, it’s the kind of thing that actually makes me take time to use it. Ready for the bad news? The only place I am aware of it being available is at a European cosmetics company called Douglas. The closest one to me is on the opposite coast of the U.S.

 



 

• Kate Ross

  Snazzy little neighborhood boutique that I simply love for accessories. There are always adorably funky shoes and sassy handbags to covet (and occasionally buy, when I’m feeling spendy). My favorite things there are the hanging glass orb terrariums with tiny succulents flourishing inside, and the rings carved out of hunks of granite and other non or semiprecious stones. Ask San Diego Momma to show you the one she got for her birthday.

 



 

• Supporting Local San Diego Artists

  I know. It sounds really magnanimous, doesn’t it? It’s totally not. It’s just selfish, really. My husband and I purchase pieces (mostly paintings) we love from amazingly talented people. Then we stash them away in our own house for our own viewing pleasure, thereby depriving the world of the chance to see the paintings hanging on the walls of prestigious museums where I know they rightfully belong. Most recently we’ve squirreled away pieces by the artists below . . . pieces to be seen only by a select few for the rest of my natural life. Nope. Not the least bit magnanimous.

   

  Some of my favorite local artists are:

  Stephanie West

  Jori Owens

   

  Watch out, ladies. I’ve got my eye on you two next:

  Kelly Vivanco

  Marjorie Taylor

 



 

• Nine West Pointy-Toed Faux Crocodile Pumps

  Honestly, if I weren’t such a shoe junkie and had a little self control, I could buy just two pairs of these shoes (one brown, one black) a pair of sneakers and be perfectly set. They go with EVERYTHING. I wear them with my sexiest dresses, my most powerful suits and that perfect pair of jeans that makes my butt look smaller. Normally I’d be wary of a tall, narrow heel because of a weak ankle, but the arch is in just the right place for my foot so I feel very stable in these shoes. Watch for them at Nine West stores the beginning of EVERY season. They know they’ve got a winner and bring them back every few months.

• Japanese-made Straightening Iron

  My Christmas splurge this year. I’ve seen these for sale for as much as $300. Shop around, no need to pay that, even though it’s almost worth it. Mine is a Sensu 2″ digital flat iron. This never burns my hair, I can use it when my hair is damp, AND it is designed in such a way that it can actually be used to CURL your hair while smoothing it. My old hair appliances are now very, very lonely.

 



 

• My Blankie

  My wonderful mother bought this for us for Christmas in a rich, chocolate brown. It is hands-down the softest, coziest blanket I have ever felt. The “Ultimate Plush” by Chris Madden for JC Penney. Watch for the sales and SNAP ONE UP!!! I guarantee you will love it as much as I do.

• My “Fight Club” Bathrobe

  Old-school style chenille bathrobe by Canyon Group in a pale lavender. The design is called “Coffee Talk.” Sometimes looking forward to wearing its oversized fuzziness is the only thing that gets me out of bed in the morning. Oh, and, did I mention that my bathrobe is famous? You may have seen it on Tyler Durden . . . but we don’t talk about Tyler Durden.