POCKET LINT.

Good News & Bad News & Shameless Self-Promotion

Okay, so the bad news is that I'm a day late with The Bachelor recap.  Sadly, I was out last night and never got to watch the show.  Booo hisss.  But I'll watch later tonight and then write about it.  Promise.  Crossies don't count.

The GOOD news is that I have a bunch of stories to share, including my first Newsweek/Daily Beast story about "Janupause" or the abstinence from drinking for the month of January.

What else?  I spent much of the last week of December writing stories for elle.com about Kate Somerville's new Dermal Quench Liquid Lift, Dionne Phillips' at home eyelash extension kit, touchscreen gloves (for using your iPod in the cold weather), a new line from Burt's Bees, NYE romance tips from author Harlan Cohen and, mostly recently, a DIY (at home!) gel manicure kit.

I also interviewed a YA novelist and all around cool guy Paul Griffin about his new book, Stay With Me.  He's a dog trainer too, so there's a pit bull integrated into the story line.

That's sorta all for now.  I promise to watch The Bachelor and report back, although the inside scoop from another loyal watcher is that this episode was snoozeville.  Only time will tell!  Anyway, boring Bachelor is still better than most things.  Sad, sad statement.

Oh!  And, based on the advice of the social media person at St. Martin's, I created my own Facebook Author page for my book SEMI-CHARMED LIFE that's coming out in July.  If you "LIKE" it, you can get updates on readings and stuff like that.  Also, if you LIKE it, I will LIKE you.  And what could be better than that?

xo - N.

NYC (& BEYOND): The Best Things To Pine Over As 2011 Comes To a Close

I know that right now I should be waxing poetic about a holiday season in the city.  And, since I relocated back to NYC about a month ago, I have been romanced by the crisp weather, the smell of pine wafting from Christmas trees for sale in bushels on the sidewalk, meandering walks with hot apple cider through Prospect Park and a close proximity to Bergen Bagels.  But here's what I'm really obsessed with: boots!

What??  You can take the girl out of LA or NY, but you can't take LA, NYC and 30+ years of fashion grooming out of the girl!

Here are the boots I want badly right now and yet may have to forgo in exchange for ... a couch:

These Isabel Marant Dicker Boots (above!) are AMAZING and the taller version is beautiful too.  My pal Z. says they're comfy too.  So comfy I could slip them off her feet and steal them maybe?  I wonder.  But she's kind of quick.

These Rag & Bone Newbury mofos are must-have (only for me they're S.O.L.) and I know they'll still be perfect come springtime.  And there are even versions on sale right now.  Boo hoo.  Where is Santa when you need him and you're a JEW?  I could steal them off the tootsies of my friend C.C.R., but we don't wear the same size.

But, hey.  I'm an artist (ahem), right?  My suffering sans these boots is only fodder for my deeply introspective writing about ... more boots.  And beauty products.

Still, I can at least drown my sorrows in vegan brownies from 'sNice nearby and the adorable monogrammed Lucky Bee cards by sent to me (sweetly) by one of my editors for the holidays, pictured above.  You know how you're supposed to write letters to people you're upset with and then never send them?  Maybe I should use my new cards to write notes to the boots about how I feel abandoned.

Dear boots. How could you?  Sigh.

Anyhoo, happy holidays!  May you get all the boots (and love and other truly good stuff!) that your heart desires.  And may you then send them to me.

xo - N.

BROOKLYN (& BEYOND): Shameless Self-Promotion & a New Type of Sushi Roll

This is very exciting for me.  This isn't just some regular old shamless self-promotion.  This is my book ... on Amazon and Barnes & Nobles!  And the cover above!  SEMI-CHARMED LIFE actually doesn't come out until this summer when I'll be doing all sorts of readings and such (July!), but it's available for pre-order as of last week.

Also, I learned via a Google Alert yesterday that it's up on Good Reads too!  I have no clue at all how that happens, which is the case for me with most of what goes on in publishing, but I'm totally pysched.  This might seem silly, all these small details, but each public announcement or step makes the whole thing seem a little more real.

Anywaaaay, what else is happening?

Well, during my first month back in NYC (Park Slope to be exact), I've discovered a new ingenius sushi roll invention: The Tempura Sweet Potato Roll.  Yup.  It's become a regular thing for me.  Well, as regular as something can be after 28 days.  Or, actually, more like 21.  Time flies when you're  ... unpacking boxes.  Whatever.  The roll is amazing.  What else can I say?

Also, I went without TV for four weeks and then wrote a story about it called "In Defense of The Boob Tube" for Huffington Post's new HuffPost TV section.  If you love TV like I do (and you all know I do), then I think you'll be nodding along with this one.

Some other highlights over the last few weeks?  An interview with my favorite pair of designer sisters from ELKIN on elle.com and a write-up of new antioxidant-rich line of beauty products, Radical Skincare, for Vital Juice.

Otherwise, I've mostly been on the road and all that implies (a.k.a. slightly broken out skin and a few extra fast food pounds).  Oh, and also the freedom of the open road.  That too.

Happy happy holidays to you all!  May the New Year bring you happiness, health, money and YES! a new season of THE BACHELOR.  It's baaaaaaaaack.

xo - N.

THE BEST TIME FOR A BIG UPDATE (& Shameless Self-Promotion)

Well, the rumors are true.  Oh.  Wait.  You haven't heard buzz in the press about my move to NYC?  (And by "press" I mean on my Facebook page.)

The Drewser & I are headed back to the east coast, where an NYC apartment already awaits.

In the meantime, it's been fashion and beauty central online for me, hitting events and launches all over the place.

Also, I'm not sure if I've even mentioned this on PL before, but I have a novel coming out in the spring!  It's a very big deal for me, so I can't even pretend to be cool about it.  The book is called "SEMI-CHARMED LIFE" and I'm sure you'll be hearing more about that from me in the coming months.

That's monopolized a lot of fun time too (in a great way), along with my good old "Fit Like Us" self.com blog (which, considering my lack of exercise lately, should really be called "Fit Like Anyone Else").

Anyway -- a few highlights from the last few eons for your reading pleasure (one hopes):

Geren Ford's new multi-purpose space with boutique The Annex, showroom and event area opened this weekend (pictured above).  elle.com

Warren Tricomi Salon's west coast partner Kaz Amor just launched a new haircare line (mostly au natural) called VoCe.  It's all about the Surf Mist. elle.com

Beckley Boutique (on LA's Melrose) owner Melissa Akkaway launches her inaugural clothing line, Beckley By Melissa.  elle.com

Veuve Clicquot & Rachel Zoe got together for some polo and some charity fundraising at Will Rogers State Park in the Pacific Palisades. Style.com

Dior Launches Scented Nail Polish (like roses!) and a whole new "Garden Party" cosmetic color palette during a luncheon at The Chateau. Style.com

Beauty happenings in LA: Natura Bisse teamed up with The Beverly Wilshire for a spa dinner fit for The Hunger Games' Capital; The Nail Bar opens at The Beverly Wilshire & Rossano Ferretti opens in Beverly Hills. Style.com

Vosges Chocolate lands in Beverly Hills with some exotic takes on chocolate from curried versions to vegan. Daily Candy

Whetherly t-shirt company launches with an ideal cut and color from a sports wear expert.  Daily Candy

That's all for now.

xo - N.

 

NYC (& BEYOND): Jasmine(!) Lip Glaze You Can't Live Without

Okay, okay, this time I've been so horribly remiss in posting that I can't even apologize.  How many times can I abuse you poor LINTERS and then try to offer you flowers?  (Metaphorically speaking, of course.  I don't actually HAVE any flowers for any of you.)

That said, I got too obsessed with the above Korres Lip Butter Glaze not to spread the good word.  First of all, who the heck ever heard of a "Jasmine" flavored lip glaze?  Yes, please!  (It does come in other tints/scents, but why would you want that?)

Second, two words: LIP BUTTER.  I mean, you know how I feel about body butter, people, and lipgloss.  Just think of the the level of euphoria!  It goes on like silk, it STAYS on like heaven and it smells divine.  AND -- in these po' ass times -- it only costs $14, so you can buy it without guilt.

Which is good.  Because with guilt comes flowers.  And that's just an added expense.

xo - N.

EVERYWHERE: THE BEST SALE!!!!

Since I'm a HUGE Vince fan and I recommended the Natalie bathing suit from Anthropologie and it was (gasp!) all sold out (boo hissssss!), I needed to tell you guys about this HUGE Vince summer sale for BOYS and GIRLS that's happening.

It's crazy!  You can get this leather jacket for $300-ish instead of $800-ish:

Shut up.  Shut up.

xo - N.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF TUESDAY [THE BEST BATHING SUIT]

Okay, I'm truly sorry not to be posting a Bachelorette recap today, but I'm off on a trip - first to San Diego and then to Vancouver and Victoria - and will be watching it late.

I'll report back on all that when I return, BUT, in the meantime, I thought I at least owed you some kind of nugget.  Above, behold the Natalie One-Piece from Anthropologie, which I KID YOU NOT is the best fitting, most flattering bathing suit that I have ever encountered in my entire life.

Seriously.

It comes in multiple colors (I have the polkadots!) and it's all old Hollywood and stuff, but best of all, it seems to be on sale right now.  I feel like I should buy 10 to wear over the next decade.  That's how good this thing looks on.

I'm sure you'll get on swimmingly! (Couldn't resist.)

xo - N.

BROOKLYN (RED HOOK): GETTING BAKED [VANILLA AND CHOCOLATE MARSHMALLOWS BY BAKED]

I probably shouldn't even admit this, but last night I watched First Daughter, which is that fiasco where Katie Holmes plays the President's daughter and the Commander in Chief is Beetlejuice.

Personally, I recommend you spare yourself that experience.  Don't even get me started on Katie Holmes' weird mouth. Yup.  I took one for the team and, I should mention, that it was only because of the above marshmallows.  My friend S. sends me yummy food baskets for every birthday and this year's included brownies and marshmallows (yup, chocolate flavored ones too!) made by a company out of Red Hook called Baked.

The Drewser and I have been roasting them on chopsticks over our old school gas stove, which is - I realize - a little college dorm room and a little low-end, but SO YUUUUUUMMMMY!

Just take a gander for yourself:

They're good.  So good, in fact, that I watched all of First Daughter in a contented stupor.  Isn't life grand?  Sad sad state of affairs.

xo - N.

CRUMPLED TWENTY: THE BEST WAY TO WIN **3** BAGS [REBECCA MINKOFF]

The Best Link Today:

Hi Guys.  So, I feel like this really doesn't require a lot of fanfare or explanation: Go onto Refinery 29 and you can enter to win 3(!) Rebecca Minkoff bags.  I mean, are you KIDDING me?  Like, sign me up times twelve!

If any LINTERS happen to win, do let us know so we can live vicariously!!

xoxo - N.

NYC (PARK SLOPE): THE BEST CRISPY FRIED STRING BEANS W/ GARLIC AIOLI

Newsflash!  You may want to sit down for this one.  Okay, ready?  Here goes: I like fried food.

Yes, I know.  This is enormously surprising, considering my weekly love poems to mozzarella sticks and all.

So, when I went to Park Slope's new Fornino destination, I went with the above string beans foremost in my mind instead of the signature grilled pizza.  And, I'm not gonna lie, the string beans were really really good.

Fortunately, so were the pizzas!  I was with a big group (Andre, his fam and C.), so we got to try several different pizzas and they were all good.  For lactards, the Margherita Classica (below) is made with buffalo mozzarella.

So, this is one of those situations, where I was really hungry and sort of inhaled the food before I took pics (oooopsies).  But the pizzas: Napoletana (no cheese), Vongole (recommended by friends), Monzese (fennel sausage) were all pretty much delicious.  I recommend!

Pizza, pizza!  Newsflash!  What am I talking about???

xo - N.