Super Serious PSA: DO NOT USE CREST PRO HEALTH UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!!!!

While I prefer to use this space to blog about beautiful, interesting, funny, and delicious things, we have a serious situation on our hands that needs to be publicized. 

A few months ago, I began to notice that despite my neurotically hygienic dental routine, my teeth were starting to yellow. Actually let me rephrase that–other people were beginning to notice it.

Horrified, I did what any vain New Yorker would–ran to Duane Reade and restocked up on the most seemingly advanced lineup of whitening products on the shelves including Crest Pro-Health Whitening Toothpaste, Crest Pro-Health Clinical Mouthwash, and Crest Whitestrips.

But the problem just kept getting worse.

Finally last week, I went to my dentist, planning to pay whatever I had to for a professional whitening, figuring that  my discolored chompers were an unfortunate result of aging or genetics.

NOPE.

After some quick troubleshooting, my dentist figured out that the Crest Pro-Health line of products was fully to blame. Apparently despite their whitening promises, they all contain some chemical (with a very long name) that has the teeny-print side effect of browning teeth. The "stains" on my teeth were actually a grimy film from the products that THANK GOODNESS my dentist was able to "sandblast" off. 

I walked out of the office with pearly teeth, went home, and immediately Googled this Crest Pro-Health nightmare. Sure enough, there are countless victims like me out there. 

I have already contacted Crest directly about taking these products off the market. I hope that this post will keep others from suffering through an inexplicably murky and completely embarrassing teeth color change.

Please share this post if you're all for white smiles and honest consumer practices!!!!!
 

The Product All Air Dryers Need to Know About

If you've seen me around recently, you might've noticed that my hair is either wet or wavy. That's because when temperatures rise above freezing, I prefer to just shower and go, rather than spend the time and effort to straighten my hair. 

After experimenting with a laundry list of sprays, lotions, and oils made by Oribe, Kenra, Sally Hershberger, and everyone in between, I found this near perfect air drying creme. Bumble and Bumble Don't Blow It is apparently the humidity-friendly version of the brand's Grooming Creme that's sole purpose in life is to allow your strands to go from sopping to stellar with zero effort–in any weather.

In other words, a true lazy girl's dream.
 

The Perfume Store I Can't Get Enough Of

Is it weird that I've spent my past week of lunch hours literally running to the Ace Hotel to hang out in Le Labo???

The answer is NO. Because the unisex industrial French perfumerie has some of the most gorgeous scents–and loveliest staff–I've come across in a long, long time. 

I originally popped by to sniff out Santal 33, a fragrance that's developed a cult following for its true California girl essence. But of course, my beauty A.D.D. quickly kicked in, leading me to spritz, well, every single blend in the store. In short, each one is so beautifully and insanely transportive that it's proven nearly impossible to decide on one to try on my skin. 

Jasmin 17 is uniquely seductive and subtly spicy... Fleur D'Oranger 27 captures the exact moment that a bee strikes a honeysuckle... Lys 41 is a heavenly cloud of white blossoms... And the list goes on.

Without fail, I end up walking out of the store with my nose glued to my wrist like a crazy person. 

But hey–that's what a $160 bottle will do to you. 



 

The Best Coffee In NYC Is....

Maybe it started when my bells decided it could no longer handle cow's milk. Or possibly when I realized that subjecting yourself to the environment of a Dunkin' Donuts or Starbucks first thing in the morning is a form of cruel and unusual self-punishment. Regardless, my old age has turned me into a bit of a coffee shop snob. 

After spending way too much money on artisanal brews with a splash of steamed almond milk (for which I'm always charged a latte... ugh) throughout the city, I've got to say–while Oren's beans definitely deliver on flavor (Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, yahhh), Joe's on creaminess, and Plowshares' on caffeine, there's nothing that ranks higher on my list than...... Oslo!!!!

At their three cool, minimalist locations (two in Williamsburg; one unlikely–but so welcome–in the Upper East Side), Oslo consistently serves up what's by far the smoothest, easiest, most well-balanced cuppa hot or iced I've ever had.  

And MAJOR BONUS: without fail, the uptown spot displays New York Post horoscopes right on the register daily.

Now that's killing two birds with one stone. 

 

A Brief S.A.T. (Style Aptitude Test) Question

Supreme was to skaters like NOAH is to _____________________.

Several of my college-aged Manhattan jaunts entailed heading directly to Supreme in hopes of scoring a pair of limited edition Nike Dunks. So when I heard that Brendon Babenzien, the former creative director of the cult streetwear/ skating label Supreme is just about to re-launch his NOAH brand, I was instantly intrigued. That's especially considering that Babenzien is billing the line as "clothes built to last."

So far, glimpses of new styles floating around online including corduroy running shorts, a double breasted suit jacket, and a water resistant tee (pictured above)–quite the match to the brand's ark-inspired name.

Word is that everything will also be sold in sets of twos. 
 

Only kidding.

 

The Sunglass Struggle Is Real

Apparently I have the most awkward-sized face in the world. Because I SIMPLY CANNOT FIND SUNGLASSES THAT LOOK NORMAL.

The pics above barely do a justice to the amount of sunnies I've tried. From SEE on the Upper West Side to Barneys to Alter Greenpoint to consignment stores to Warby Parker and (crazily enough) beyond, the search has so far proven to be a complete and utter failure.

But before you lose sleep over this terrible situation dear readers, please know: I WILL NOT QUIT*.

Stay tuned as this intrepid journey powers on.

 

*Even if that means going into the kids section. 



 

Finding Artists at... Barney's?!

Ok–I'm a little embarrassed to be learning about the elegance, simplicity, and coolness of 87 year old artist Alex Katz's work from Barneys , but such is life. 

Anyhoo, I'm feeling totally and completely mesmerized by the way sometimes as few as two colors can result in such an easygoing masterpiece. Bravo Mr. Katz!