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.

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.

Bon Islander by boat, by ferry or cute little pudde jumper

My island client met me at 8 am at his waterfront condos and told me if I wanted to leave the island I needed to find “Bill” and go by jet ski — or take the plane.

I was onboard the “Bon Islander” by 9:30 am.

A vacation to the Lake Erie Islands, especially Middle Bass Island, is called, marketed and deemed as an “Adventure Vacation”.

419-285-6121 to book a reservation. This 21-acre Caribbean-style resort does not resemble Sandals.

Call 419-734-5400 to come by plane.

 

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.

 

 

Champagne, Cake & Sperrys summer gifts

Of course I gave the BAE Neoprene Sperrys for his birthday. How else is he going to navigate two sets of island chains but with shoes built for the boat — designed to get wet.

That was a sweet two days of cake, candles champagne and celebrating.

The Lake Erie Islands, showcasing South Bass, Middle Bass and the famed boardwalk of put-in-Bay are the only place to be when the calender reads “summer.”

Get a Grip Sperry Shoe Summer 2018 Edition

Photos by Bo, Miller Boatline

The brand Sperry embodies a summer spent on, near and around the water. Even more importantly, Sperry is all about being and looking fuss-free while all the while fashionable onboard the boat.

The construction even makes muah — yes me ladies and gentlemen, look practical.

When the store manager at Dillards gave me access, well to the entire store and a fifty dollar spending limit, my soul sniffed out a Lake Erie lifestyle essential I knew I’d be living in all summer long, a pair of Sperry Haven Chambray Lace Ups.

Deliciously designed with string rawhide laces and a non-marking rubber outsole with (trademark) Razor-cut Wave-Siping to disperse water for the ultimate wet/dry traction, I did not have to search far for why Sperry shoes make the statement “I can navigate an island chain and I’m going to accomplish this via boat.”

Resort owner and developer of the most Lake Erie Island vacation rentals Ed Gudenas put his best foot — and shoe —  forward and was wearing a pair along with his logo gear while hosting the ladies from Lake Erie Shores and Islands.

The ladies themselves, took in the Caribbean-style 21-acre resort and lakefront property outfit comfortably in this decadent deck shoe. 

The day we boarded the Miller Boatline with Lake Erie’s Lab Pup, stowaway Don Massey had his peds crammed into a pair of Columbia’s…cuz he was only mixing up his footwear. The day before he had on his favorite pair of blue Sperrys and had this to say.

“They fit so nice and they’re comfortable and they got enough arch where my feet don’t get tired after ten hours on this boat with these guys,” Massey made it clear the shoe appeals to all age groups, the guys and the gals,  and with that — went in for some affection from our four-legged travel companion.

You’ve seen the pup showin’ off Sperrys before in 2016.

In 2017 we unleashed the low-down on the ferry ridin’ footwear at the edge of Ohio’s Mainland where all vacationers board the Miller Boatline.

#rockmyboat fashion now comes in the oh-so trendy shade of Rose.

This is a collaboration between thre real estate and lifestyle television show and accompanying blog Josie in Paradise, JK PR Sales and Design, the Miller Boatline, Dillards, Estee Lauder, and St Hazards Waterfront Resort and Brewery.

Want the correct makeup for the islands … simply save the contouring for the city — Rock Everyone’s Boat with the Global Cult Favorite Estee Lauder’s Goddess Collection.

Josie has access to the two hundred style count Sperry Shoe collection at Dillards, the Estee Lauder vault of lux skincare and cosmetics, the two bars of exotic rum on MBI and the island vaction rentals. Call 419-862-7143 on the North Coast to buy and for more information. The South Florida number is 305-395-8890.

 

Formulated for a Goddess coconut milk with a twist of lime

Besides all of the makeup and skincare I can’t live without, my 2018 Estee Lauder Beauty Week promo Easter Basket is sans the chocolate and stocked with sunshine. I popped the entire line of Bronze Goddess into the crate of cosmetics I crave day in and day out.

The comments roll in non-stop.

“You smell like coconuts.”

“You smell like the beach.”

“You smell like suntan lotion.”

“You smell like an island.”

“Yum. What smells so delicious?”

I have Estee Lauder’s Bronze Goddess whipped Body Cream wiped across my wrists and up my arms, around my neck and up into my hairline.

The aroma of coconut milk juicy mandarin, lemon, Italian Bergamot and a sun-drenched blend of tropical flowers emanates from my abdomen.

 I had to think after the photos were taken of me in a department store what exactly am I selling?

I can sell you the smell of coconuts. Brands, labels, scents and logos are all about the essence one embodies.

My essence engulfs a life where my business contacts suited me up, backed me up and bankrolled me to take on the Florida Keys Wreck Trek. Being bronzed by the blazing tropical sun isn’t optional. We all love cocktail conversation of an underwater adventure.

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A life where I learned to hunt dinner in the clear blue sea.

Of late night parties with friends barefoot on the beach.

I could blog all day about sun, salt and business and a lifestyle where the most important accessory is a sun-kissed glow.

Of course, I smell like coconut and lime. I know how to muddle a Mojito, blend a homemade Pina Colada and prep a spiny tail for dinner. I’ve run an island resort from my high school bedroom with an envelope of blank checks.

Bronze Goddess is for the ultimate sun-kissed glow.

After a winter on the North Coast, what we’re all craving…correct? For those south of the Mason Dixon County line what we all align with — shots of endless sunshine!

From the makers: A cult classic, this adored collection features summer-perfect essentials—such as Bronze Goddess Illuminating Powder Gelée and the new Bronze Goddess Blooming Lip Balm.

 

Beauty Week 2018 kicks off this Friday, March 23 with Estee Lauder Companies. and Dillards, your favorite spot to score luxury goods. All cosmetics excluding Chanel will be BOGO 50% off through March 29.

 

 

 

Stuffed my Twinkle Bag with Estee Lauder spilling the contents with Dillards

This summer I was deemed via a producer and editor as Rough Around the Edges. Island life meant little make-up. I had narrowed down my routine to lip balm, mascara, light eyeliner and shaped eyebrows.

Fine for my role as a Dive Reporter and Key West Bureau Chief working in a tropical climate. Apparently, not so fitting for a show host. I just shot five hour long television shows and a slew of domestic abuse awareness public service announcements with barely any makeup on.

Time to partner up. I’m executing this business element with the most prestigious name in beauty, Estee Lauder. This past month I started collecting my favorites from the Estee Lauder counter at Dillards. Here is a basic break down of what I’ll be wearing for Holiday 2017.

Remember, beauty radiates from the inside out. But, the Perfect Lip Envy Lip Gloss in Flirtatious Magenta helps. I smeared this on top of an Estee Lauder Co. MAC Lipstick in Party Line.

I DO truly love these products and in time I am going to dish as much as I have time to in the arena of health, fitness, beauty and lifestyle.

Here’s a quick rundown of a basic on camera routine. With 2018 looming, and social media being the name of the business game, we are all on camera all of the time. Whether the industry is one’s true profession or not, every woman has to shine for those selfies.

Start with the number one selling serum in the world, the fragrance-free Advanced Night Repair chock full of Hyluronic Acid to boost hyrdration one-thousand times.

Reduce any puffiness with the Global Anti-Aging Cell Power Eye Gelee.

Once this fifty-five dollar product absorbs I go lux with the Re-Nutriv Ultimate Youth Regenerating Eye Cream. $160 to baby those baby blues. I trust the SPF 35 BB Cream that moisturizes, protects and perfect for under fifty dollars and also rely on this balm to act as a glue for the the Double Wear Matte Pressed powder. Seeking flawless. This is the route.  Around my eyes, I ditched my regular concealer for the Brush-On Glow BB Highlighter and have already convinced three dozen women to do the same. With light-reflecting elements there isn’t any need to photoshop lines around the eyes. This is one concealer with ooompf which can be used for many other highlights.

Real quickly, I pulled eye colors from the Holiday 2017 Glamour Collection Purchase. The Full-size Magic Smoky Powder Shadow Stick in Burnt Black makes the $39,50 purchase worth every penny. The beauty queen has also thrown in a full-size sumptuous mascara which you are all going to be seeing me living in three layers for all of 2018.

My nails I lacquered in Le Smoking. Can’t get enough of these holiday reds! To keep my cuticles in tip top shape as I ready the north coast hideaway I am coating the cuticles three times per day with the $220 Re-Nutriv Ultimate Lift Restorative Balm. Worth. Every hard-earned nickle.

Always finish with Modern Muse. The scent of jasmine and sleek woods working to emulate that a modern woman is successful and sophisticated.

Want more! I’ll be at Dillards Franklin Park tomorrow, Sunday December 3,  from 6:30 p -9:30 for the store’s VIP Shopping event to share secrets and tell you all about what’s in my Holiday 2017 Twinkle Bag. All cosmetics will be discounted 15% and then during these hours only, we’re giving the gift of an additional 10% so women can wow even the reindeer with my secrets and Estee Lauder.