Friday Night Snack Shoes

hats, flip-flops and socks on display amidst the wine selection

Stadiapa Steps Out in Nikeys

My Dad wanted to head out to dinner to “The Steakhouse” on Woodville Road. The eatery sets across the street from an oil refinery and adjacent to an old, no longer existent Kroger store he used to service.

He forgot his shoes.

We ordered and on the way out I surveyed the dining room after washing my hands.

“That’s ok Dad,” I said. (I wore my Nikeys out, too). “One table of guys was seated with their ballcaps on. At the table next to them was a woman wearing her flip-flops with socks.”

I had the salmon with lemon butter sauce.

Backyard Style

Photos by Erik Tyger

There is a new category of fashion: when we’re outside with our puppies.

Lifestyle truth beats “when it bleeds it leads” every time.

There’s Bosco @LakeEriesLabPup. Owning this one hundred pound Cup of Christmas Cocoa Requires an additional wardrobe.

Some of my colleagues choose North Face for playtime. I’ve been all about the Ugg Loungewear since the brand expanded. Last winter you saw me show off the Poncho and Fur Cuffed Boots paired with the Seam Jersey Leggings.

This season I grabbed the Fluffy Sweater Knit Lounge Cardigan.

This item is the perfect way to wrap in warmth when — for the one hundredth thousandth time — the pleading and reminding are taking place, “Can you go potty. Please potty. Can you potty for mommy? Just go tinkle in the grass…”

For less than one hundred dollars any gift recipient would be happy to unwrap this lifestyle piece. My colleagues bought them for themselves, their daughters and daughter-in-laws.

I compliment the cardigan with the Classic Tall Boot.

All of the pieces are as cuddly as a clean, well-fed puppy at Christmas.

Bye Bye Blue

Photos by Erik Tyger

My eyesight is not the best. I am nearsighted and have a astigmatism in one of my eyes. So, I always wore my Fendis to work at a computer. Which is a hassle because I either have to take my contacts out and put them back in or just always work in the morning before I bother to dress.

The glare and inability to determine a typo is exacerbated under fluorescent lights when wearing contacts.

Until now.

There is a new accessory designed to absorb blue light and glare. I am the owner of a pair of clear Corin Rectangle glasses by Marvy.

This pair is designed to make sure one reigns with the Chief Nerd title. These Marvys not only make a fashion statement but wave “bye bye blue” every time one uses a computer, cell phone, or tablet. They’re also available in black. For less than fifty dollars they are a stylish stocking stuffer for any lady or man on the list who spends their time grinding away in front of a screen.


Designer Chocolates

Photos by Erik Tyger

My holiday hit early. One of my customers, whose makeup I have applied over the years for her various grandchildren’s weddings, exclaimed to me, “I wish I could give you a box of chocolates.”

My reply, “oh, you can!”

Michigan born Tobi Tobin has traveled the world as a model and designed spaces for famous names in Hollywood. She recently expanded her L.A. based brand to include unisex fragrances, candles and luxury chocolates.

Her concept is affordable clean luxury.

A six piece, or “Petite” box of chocolates with or without nuts, is $48. Making this an ideal detail to deck the halls with or gift to indulge a hostess with. Shop the candles and fragrances here.

I paired with a glass of Malbec barreled in the Lone Star State another customer gifted me.

How sweet the season is.

Winter Blast: Boots to Wear

shoe statement in the snow

All pics: Steven Drescher

Some cold weather dernier cri can create as much drool from the mouths of aficionados of the arctic element fashion world as an icicle dripping from their home’s rain gutter.

That would be me when I laid eyes on the Ugg Valberg Fur-Cuffed Boots in the Dillard’s showroom.

I even picked up the phone, called, The Sole Man, John Brandolino on Duval Street in Key West, and told him, “I have to have these boots. I need a favor.”

So swankey, yet designed for the snow. Two pairs of heavy wool socks fit nicely inside the design.

Here is why:

  • Rich suede uppers with a plush Toscana sheepskin cuff at top
  • Features a fixed strap with hardware at top rear
  • Partial medial side zipper for an easy on-and-off
  • Soft and breathable leather linings
  • Soft and breathable, leather-lined PORON® and foam cushioned footbed for all-day comfort
  • Durable crepe-like rubber wedge and outsole

If one is going to live near the Great Lakes, one needs great outfits to take on the outdoors. Plus, there’s the matching gear to sharpen the style of this formidable and oh-so fashionable snow shoe.

Killer Kimono

Ladies love luxury loungewear.

Silk, satin, and spandex are materials designed to relax and recharge in because of the soft composition.

I own one pair of sweatpants. The kind all blogs warn against, the frumpy, old school kind with a drawstring tie at the top and elastic bands at the ankles.

They read “Guard” down the side in white atop of old red fabric.

Though vintage fashion at this juncture, unfit for consumption.

Even though a North Coast Winter was settling in and the Dillard’s loungewear department is loaded with the brand new Ugg Robes, blankets, socks, loungewear and leggings; my soul lies somewhere and anywhere South of Palm Beach.

I went straight for the skily, smooth texture and delicious feel of spandex and choose several of the kimonos by In Bloom by Jonquil.

I wear this one all of the time and was drawn to the black and white design so sleek for time in the city.

The sophisticated layout of the pattern puts me into work mode and the breathability of the fabric is on point for those ten to thirty minutes any woman spends with her hairdryer.


GLAMGLOW’s Galactic Jelly a celestial cleanse with charcoal

I have a new face cleanser in my stash of beauty essentials that leaves my skin as shiny and bright as all of the stars and moons on a dark, fall northcoast night.

Hollywood, California’s GLAMGLOW GALACTIC CLEANSE. 

This hydrating jelly balm cleanser,  brought to us by Estee Lauder Cos., melts away face makeup and deeply cleanses.

The true test for me is whether or not a makeup remover cleanser works is:

“Does take off my eye lash primer and three to four coats of Estee Lauder’s Sumptuous Extreme mascara?”

This cleanser does. Rub, add water, rinse and shine like the stars above.

My other two go-to face cleansers that remove long-wearing makeup and mascara:

  1. Advanced Night Micro Cleanser Balm
  2. Perfectly Clean Triple-Action Cleanser/Toner/Makeup Remover

Click here for the pre-holiday stock-up event at my favorite luxury department store, Dillard’s, for details on how to score more when you buy.

Robe my own. But – Dillard’s did just gift me a new cozy wardrobe, including a poncho, and robe from the new Ugg loungewear collection. Plush features this month as I’m at home cozying up with @lakerrieslabpup planning — and prepping — for an unforgettable Holiday 2018. Which leads me to one last, quick point: All I want in my stocking are VIP Tickets to Kid Rock for Bash on the Bay and… the #glittermask Gravity Mud for a firmed up face via Marshmallow Leaf.

Scentsational Fall 2018 a sensational beauty event

There is glam and then there is Hollywood Glam. The theme of this year’s Dillard’s cosmetics department’s Fall 2018 Scentsational VIP event is Hollywood. The red carpet will be rolled out for makeup artists representing the top names in global beauty and over five thousand dollars of luxury skincare, makeup, fragrance and accessories will be raffled off as prizes for those who qualify.

* Each one hundred dollar purchase qualifies for one entry. In addition, that customer will be given twenty dollars in Dillard’s Beauty Rewards.

Plus, each customer who buys or reserves items anytime between now and November 17, 2018, the event date, will be given a free holiday cosmetics case filled with product.

The Estee Lauder case will contain:

? Full Size Sumptuous Extreme Mascara

? Deluxe Sample Reviltalizing Supreme Moisturizer

? Deluxe Sample Advanced Night Repair

The lips can be removed and placed strategically to another part of the case and the zipper is adorned with a lipstick and fragrance bottle. The color scheme, texture, sequins and design will carry any woman of any age over into Valentine’s Day 2019.

Only at Dillard’s Franklin Park Mall.

To see this year’s number one “Gifts of Wonder” click here. To view the Estee Lauder raffle basket and contents, including two Kate Spade gold plated champagne flutes, click here. To read the Estee Lauder #LoveBreaksAllRules campaign go here.

Gifts of Wonder Blockbuster in stores

The most talked about and sought-after beauty buy of the year is in luxury department stores. Estee Lauder’s annual Holiday Blockbuster. This year’s “Gifts of Wonder” features A ultra-stylish and festive, red makeup traincase.

The scalloped handle is set off with a commemorative, faux, gold coin tassle embossed with a carousel. Here are this year’s contents.

The warm, earthy tones feature the Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lip Glosses in Seductive Honey and Flirtatious Magenta. The lipsticks are:

? Intense Nude

? Envious

? Complex

The Eye and Cheek Palettes coordinate.

The only item given this holiday more glamourous, limited and exclusive is a trip to the Seychelles. This cosmetic wonder is just the correct carry-on for an unforgettable Holiday 2018.

Call me to order.

419-862-7143 Northcoast

305-395-8890 South Florida

BONUS: The Estee Lauder “Gifts of Wonder” can be set aside for the pre-holiday VIP Beauty Invite of the year, Scentsational, only at Dillard’s. Click here for this beauty world blog.

A preview of the Estee Lauder raffle prize:

Truly is the season to be merry and surrounded by the finest life has to offer.

The time to Get Gorgeous is now.

Polarized a new pair of shades

The latest piece of fashion I scored, I knew nothing about prior to them becoming mine — pair of tortoise shell Zoey sunglasses polarized with black and pink lenses.

I wanted new sunglasses, something snazzy, so this summer I began recycling, giving away and selling shades to make way.

When a store manager walked by and asked if there was anything I wanted from cosmetics or accessories I had just set the pair out to purchase that day.

Which just goes to show – the Spirit is always at work.

Score a pair at any Dillards on the mainland.

Dress Key West Duval Street, sandals – Kinos Key West and all photos by Steven Drescher.