Posts by Dara

Tinsel-Teeth

imageAlthough I’m only half American (the other half, Canadian), I can identify with this country’s obsession for bodily perfection and quick service. After all, America’s two most famous exports are Hollywood and fast food. From do-it-yourself teeth-whitening kits to cosmetic fillers, everyone’s consumed with perfecting their self image… instantly. The latest addition to this list is Snap-On-Smile, a quick fix for sporting a movie-star mouth.

Since most of us weren’t blessed with a gorgeous Julia Roberts grin (or bank account), Dr. Mark Liechtung, a Manhattan-based dentist created Snap-On-Smile, a less pricey, pain-free and quicker alternative to traditional and non-reversible techniques such as veneers and caps. Ideal for dental phobes who cringe at the thought of needles and drilling, Snap-On-Smile is a surprisingly natural-looking and non-invasive cosmetic alternative. Whether you’re suffering from Lauren Hutton gaps, tobacco stains or missing teeth, there’s a Snap-On-Smile solution for every problem. Not just for weddings or job interviews, this dental breakthrough promises a picture perfect grin every day of the year.

Sounds too good to be true? Just call your local practitioner for a Snap-On-Smile consultation. Choose from 23 shades and 18 designs, custom made from flexible resin arches that fit snugly over your upper and lower teeth. And since Snap-On-Smile’s arches resemble the real thing, no one will even know you’re wearing ‘em but you! Plus, they’re super thin, lightweight and stain resistant, so you can eat and drink without removing them. Buyers beware: perfection doesn’t come without a price (up to $1600 for a set). And be sure to brush your mouth pieces regularly to prevent hellacious halitosis.

  • Snap-On-Smile
  • 877-7-SNAPON
  • snaponsmile.com
  • $900-$1600 for a set
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Filed: Beauti-Fixation

Word Of Mouse

imageHaving choices is great. Having too many options can be overwhelming – especially in a city like New York.

That’s why WordOfMouse only recommends the best of NYC, including restaurants, shops, gifts, and ideas for how to spend a free weekend. Recommendations come from a panel of experts on topics like food, fashion, nightlife, fitness, and travel.

Sign up for the free WordOfMouse.com newsletter, and you’ll get a great, brief tip from a trusted expert every Tuesday and Thursday. Because sometimes less really is more.

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Filed: Beauti-Fixation

Spec-tacular

imageEvery summer I grapple with the same sunglass conundrum. Going from outdoors to indoors, I’m constantly taking my shades on and off and placing them back in their case. Wearing them on my head doesn’t work because the arms get warped and I get a throbbing headache. Hanging them from my blouse inevitably results in scratched or broken frames from bending over. The only feasible alternative to protecting my specs has been Croakies, those fluorescent, neoprene contraptions geared for the extreme sports crowd. But that “look” doesn’t exactly complement my summer supply of flirty halter dresses. To make matters worse, with over-sized Jackie-O shades becoming the norm, I’m forced to forsake my clutch in favor of a bulky carryall just to accommodate my cumbersome eyeglass case.

That was before I laid my eyes on La Loop, a fashionable and functional accoutrement for eyewear that defies the laws of gravity. Finally, I can dangle my specs hands-free right beneath my bosom without fear. Founded by Debbie Zoullas, who was tired of rummaging through her bag in search of her sunglasses, La Loop was designed with a rotating hinge attached to the base of a necklace, ensuring your shades stay still no matter which way you move. Perfect for adding pizzazz to any outfit, La Loop is constructed from a variety of luxe materials including leather, sterling silver chains, freshwater pearls, vintage brass beads, coral, gold hoops, gemstones and even pave diamonds. These functional jewels have been spotted hanging around slews of famous necks such as Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon. Heidi Klum even prefers to layer hers with other necklaces, creating a chain reaction. In fact, La Loop is so luxurious you don’t even need sunglasses to sport ‘em.

  • La Loop
  • 877-505-1500
  • laloop.com
  • $85-$600
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Filed: Clothes Encounters

Lofty Ambitions

imageJust because I’m a shopaholic doesn’t mean I’m as culturally deprived as you might think. I can appreciate a Matisse just as much as a pair of Manolos. After all, fashion has always imitated art. Or is it the other way around? Whatever the case, with Travessia – a new Lower East Side boutique-cum-gallery space, I no longer need to brave the lines at the recently renovated MoMA to view some real works of art.

The brainchild of Hiroko Rodriguez, who also moonlights as a video artist, Travessia was created as an interactive store designed to stimulate the mind as well as the body. An open and airy industrial loft flooded with sunlight, Travessia is filled with a fusion of avant-garde fashion and art not often found under one roof. Stop by for regularly rotating exhibits from pottery to photography (Hatumi Ori’s visual installation, “I Am Here,” runs until September 2nd) set alongside sculptural silhouettes culled from Europe and Japan. Unbelievably clean and uncluttered, Travessia’s racks are filled with a bevy of underground, hard-to-find brands. Some of the showstoppers include sophisticated silk dresses with bird motifs by Custommade, lightweight tanks and tees by Klasica and ruched print shirts by Margarita Saplala. Picture an equally edgy assortment of accessories ranging from eco-friendly bags fashioned from recycled sail masts (by Seabags), jaw-dropping vintage-inspired jewelry by Klasica (key chains with giant tusks and bizarre insect rings) displayed on antique letterpress trays.

With a revolving selection of designs and décor, Travessia will keep you coming back for more. Who knows… you may even find a painting to perfectly complement that nouveau party dress.

  • Travessia
  • 176 Stanton Street (between Clinton & Attorney)
  • 212-477-7771
  • Tues.-Sat. 2-8pm; Sun. 12-6pm. Closed Mondays.
  • travessia-nyc.com
  • $28-$400
  • final sale on all items
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Filed: Shop Talk

Cutting Edge

imageWhen it comes to shaving my legs and armpits, women’s razors just don’t cut it. It’s not because I’m Chewbacca, it’s just that those mass-produced drug store brands have never given me a buttery-smooth finish. But now, with the new The Art of Shaving for Women, I no longer need to steal from my hubby’s shaving kit.

With the cult following garnered from the original The Art of Shaving line for gents, co-founders Myriam Zaoui and Eric Malka decided to create another cutting edge concoction, but created for females with sensitive skin. A femme-tastic range of pastel pink “gardening tools” geared specifically for gals, this state-of-the-art shaving system will prettify your medicine cabinet as well as your skin. The luxe, 5-piece line includes pre-shave oil, shaving cream, a shaving brush, after-shave body milk and ingrown hair night cream (who knew?) – all the fixins you’ll need for a first class shave. No funky fragrances or irritating alcohol formulas, these oils and lotions are packed with premium, all natural rose-infused ingredients that soothe, calm and hydrate the skin. Buyers beware: gorgeous gams don’t come cheap ($60 alone for the shaving brush made of pure badger hair). But, since everything in The Art of Shaving for Women line is sold separately, you needn’t feel pressured to splurge on the whole kit and caboodle.

More than just a swanky shaving system, The Art of Shaving for Women even includes an online tutorial with expert tips to avoid those nicks. At least being hairy is now a hell of a lot more fun.

  • The Art of Shaving for Women
  • 800-493-2212
  • artofshaving.com
  • $18-$60 (all items are sold seperately)
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Filed: Beauti-Fixation