I cannot believe it's already October! So much has happened in such a short period of time. The great news, the fabulous fall season has arrived with so many things to give your beauty biz a major boost!

• Artistry essentials are making a scene! Sorry for not being able to provide the full 411 earlier. The essentials line is really exciting with two totally new skin care systems, three supplemental skin care products, and the most amazing makeup kits. I'm seriously crazy about the makeup kits. So smart, a serious value, and finally the mineral foundation some of you have been asking for. The most exciting thing ... essentials mineral foundation already has a few fans because it was used on the set of Major Movie Star! I need to back up and give you the behind-the-scenes info about being on set for the movie, but it's going to have to wait for right now.
• You've been asking how to introduce Artistry products to others and the Artistry Skin Care Sales Kit has the answers. Check it out for three easy sales techniques that will make sharing all the amazing Artistry products as easy as 1-2-3.
• Go ahead and give your skin a lift! New 3D Lifting Serum uses the lasted technology to give your skin a virtual lift with instant and longterm results. While I haven't tested this product out much on myself I'm already a firm believer. Why? Because the first to truly covet this product was my mom! She offered to test out the product and was absolutely in awe of the results. Hey, my dad even commented and that's proof positive for me that if you're looking for a lift this new Time Defiance product will deliver.

Check out the latest and greatest and let me know what you think. As for me, I'm totally tipsy about everything that has been accomplished and the fact that fall seems to be promising such a beautiful future.

Cheers,

t   

Nah, not even close, but now I can add a movie credit to my work experience! Yep, it was seriously a last minute decision, but I was placed as an extra in the red carpet scene of Major Movie Star. The footage may not make it to the big screen, but I think there's a good chance that it just might.

On Thursday night we were shooting a mock premiere event and Rose Librizzi, the key makeup artist and my emmy-nominated makeup instructor, told me to head back to wardrobe to see if I had a dress that would check out for the big red carpet scene - SCANDAL! I really thought there wasn't a chance because every extra in sight was dressed in head-to-toe black and I didn't have anything that fit that bill. But after a quick meeting with Alix Hester, the costume designer behind Wedding Crashers, Bewitched, and The Terminal to name a few, she decided it might be fine for me to slip into a trendy leopard-print frock, but she'd have to see it one me. When I mentioned the obvious, that the dress wasn't solid black, I absolutely loved her response, "Well, it wouldn't hurt if you stood out just a little bit." This was huge, because the only other person not in solid black was Ms. Jessica Simpson. Not like I would have taken any attention away from her even if I was wearing bright white. She's absolutely gorgeous! Anyway, dressed in leopard I headed to set where Alix quickly placed me on the red carpet! I thought I was going to be on the side maybe but never actually on the carpet. Then all of a sudden I freaked out - of all the things I was on the red carpet and there hadn't been any time for hair or makeup and I had my stupid cell phone and camera in my hand!

So, I quickly dialed Rose who said, "Where in the world are you? You're going to miss the big scene." When I said I was standing on the red carpet it was a little unexpected for both of us. So as quickly as she could she rushed out and tried to touch up my makeup and Jacqueline Hunter rushed in to tame my frizz before they called - action. Keep in mind it was 103 every day that I was there so as much as I tried to will my hair into behaving, it really just had a mind of its own. Rose, Jacqueline, and others swore that my hair didn't look that bad, but I felt like maybe I was sporting a semi-mullet-looking-do. Then again, they are the professionals, so I should take their word for it. All I could think was that I sat in the makeup trailer with Adruitha Lee (Drew), the hair maven who styled Angelina Jolie's locks for The Good Shephard and the Golden Globes, and we hadn't done my hair because I wasn't sure if I was going to be in the shot or not. I'll promise y'all one thing - I'll never miss out on an opportunity like that again. And Drew if you happen to read this, I'll come to any set, anywhere if you'll do my hair! ;)

Okay, so I have a complex about the hair, but c'est la vie. The funniest part was watching the other extras try and figure out who in the world I was - some girl rushed onto the red carpet then given the attention of hair and makeup, not to mention many photographs. It was acutally pretty entertaining when someone came around to take continuity shots and the gorgeous models in front of me said, "Are they taking your picture again?" Little did they know that the entire experience was one big blur to me. Anyway, Kimberly Amacker vamped up my makeup a bit at our first reprieve in the auditorium and the next thing you know I ended up in a feature shot. I guess it just goes to show that you can never tell what will happen when beauty tipsy is sent on location! I'm just thankfull I got to grace the red carpet and didn't have to try and sport Army Fatigues!

 Cheers,

t

Has anyone heard that the hot new pet to own is a chicken??? Honestly! My friend Jeannie said she's been worry about me after losing Big Papa last month and she thought I should get a chicken?!? I thought she was kidding until I looked at her face - totally serious. So, what in the world, I guess I'm behind on the hottest trend for Fall? Apparently there was some radio show talking about how chickens are all the rage amongst the trendiest of trendy. Anyone else on board with that? Just checking cuz she asks me everyday if I've gotten a chicken yet. Today I new she was being legit about the whole thing when she sent me to mypetchicken.com. Please tell me I'm not that far out of the loop..

cheers,

t

It's been a little over a week since I started my cross-country travels, and I'm happy to be back home safe and sound. Here's the quick list of cities and activities along the way:

• 7/20 Detroit for my niece Katie's solo in Kid's on Broadway.
• 7/21-23 San Diego, boating and visiting with family in the most perfect city ever!
• 7/23-26 Minneapolis to plan an upcoming Artistry Video shoot and finish up with a No-Tox Video.
• 7/27 Detroit for my other niece, Keely, who had a showing at Cranbrook for her Fashion Accessory Course.

While there's plenty to share about all of my stops, I need to post an immediate apology or perhaps correction is more appropriate. In my post titled When the going gets tough... I commented that I didn't understand why hotels try to charge for wireless connections in guest rooms. Now I know!

On my stop in Minneapolis I was so excited to find that my room was ready to go with "free" wireless connectivity. I followed the instructions and was connected in no time, but I was a bit weary that the wireless network was classified as "unsecure." I figured it had to be okay since it was the network that the hotel was telling guests to connect to but I probably should have trusted my gut. You'd think after the past few months I'd know that!

Anyway, after logging on the first time, I wasn't able to send any email out ... odd. The second time I logged on, I wasn't going to be doing anything. I started getting error messages about strange files and websites, etc. Then my computer was trying to add new software!!! I was freaking out and shutting things down as quickly as I could. Needless to say I didn't use the free wireless hook up for the remainder of the trip and was quite certain that I probably lost everything on my laptop. I'm glad I was wrong about that. Back at home with my "secure" wireless, things seem to be okay on the surface, but I'll certainly be checking in with IT tomorrow. The moral of the story, I would have been happy to pay the extra $10 a day to know that I was signing in with a password to a network that was actually secure... Live and learn I suppose.   

K guys, I'm so sorry to just leave ya hangin on the skin care scene. Hopefully you've all had plenty of time to purchase some man-sturizer and are lathering on the sun protection! Baby steps, right? ;) Since some time has passed I'll just jump straight to the mack-daddy of all my "men's must-have products":

Must-Have #2 - Time Defiance Intensive Repair Serum. Why do I covet this product as much as my growing shoe collection? Because it's going to keep you looking fab even on the worst of days. And since I'm guessing that many of you haven't made skin care a top priority - until now - this product actually helps to reverse the signs of aging!

It's honestly the most amazing product I think I've ever tried. I remember being a skeptic until I had an opportunity to smooth it on my skin. WOW! I had only used a few of the product vials when a co-worker and I went out to some of the cosmetic counters at a mall in Vegas. I was stopped by people at five different counters who asked what I was using on my skin. I swear it's the glow that your skin gets. And of course I loved that Achievers attendees guessed my age to be somewhere between 23 and 25! But enough about me ... You'll have to try it for yourself and tell me what you think. And if you're looking for the claims to back this product up:

• 261% improvement in clarity (that's the glow I was talking about).  
• 99% reduction in fine lines.
• 83% improvement in skin smoothness. You'll just have to trust me that we like your skin smooth.;)

I'm almost 100% certain that this will be the most expensive skin care product you've ever purchased, but it's well worth every last cent, especially if you've avoided giving your skin the TLC it deserves. And this is a product that you only use four times a year - not daily. It packs such a punch that you don't need it every day. You just use it for 14 nights in a row and then sit back and enjoy the results. Maybe timing your use around major sporting events would make it easier to remember. Here's one possible plan of attack:

• Round One - March Madness: You're three months into the new year and should definitely want to look good whether you're catching the game courtside or other.
• Round Two - U.S. Open Golf Championship and Wimbledon: By this time I'm sure you will have spent plenty of time in the sun. Your skin will appreciate the extra care to reverse the damage you've done while teeing or serving up your best game.
• Round Three - Monday Night Football: It's time to retreat to the telly and take in some major football (my favorite sport next to hockey). When the games begin it's a signal to get your skin ready for chillier temps that are just around the corner.
• Round Four - NCAA Soccer Championships, the "Bowl" Games, and the International AcapulcoCliff Diving Competition (just in case you're a fan): While all of these events are important, perhaps the most important sport of this season is shopping and holiday merriment! And I'm sure by now you know that having fabulous skin is one of the best gifts you could ever receive.  

I hope everyone had a wonderfully relaxing Father's Day and took some time to truly enjoy family and friends. After spending a long week in Minneapolis shooting an Artistry video, I couldn't wait to retreat to the lake for some time with my favorite guys - my dad, bro, bro-in-law, and two nephews. And what a weekend it was - filled with boating, bonfires, and too much fun in the sun! 

It finally felt like summer had arrived. And today the dads reigned, dubbing themselves as "king for a day." My brother-in-law perched in the middle of the lake on the portable Cabana he bought. My dad was happy manning the boat and watching over his entire family. And my brother was actually giddy giving everyone rides in his new orange Lotus Elise. It was pure dad's day bliss!

And since I think all the men out there (dads or not) deserve to be treated like kings, I'm dedicating this week to men's grooming. From man-sturizers to manis and pedis, I'll try to give you some tipsy on looking dapper from head-to-toe.

cheers,

t   

...The tough go shopping! I think that's the saying but I may be exercising my editorial rights a bit. Regardless, it was the toughest of weeks and I felt a "little" indulgence was in order. It was also a week of shopping firsts - VINYL, Colorfill, and an attorney.

I'll start with the good stuff! I can't say that I was ever a huge fan of Bath & Body Works until I stumbled across The Tahitian Vanilla Candle in the Vanilla Sandalwood scent. It's so mmmmmmmmm! I was thrilled to find that they just came out with the Wallflower version of this scent and I stumbled across a few other items of intrigue. I've been a fan of Deborah Lippman nail color for awhile. In fact, Diamonds & Pearls is on my fave list and Lippman Hit Me With Your Best Shot is a second only to Chanel Black Satin. It seems that Ms. Lippman expanded her brand with a new collection of nail color called VINYL. So, I decided it was time to let my Black Satin take a rest and try a few new shades. I'm in love, love, love with Satisfaction - a perfect peachy, pink creamy matte color. And I had to try Money, a lacquer that resembles my other fave Essie Mademoiselle. She always names her shades after songs but I thought that somehow if I stretched my imagination maybe Money was made for me (t$). ;) 

I also found a few items by Colorfill that were too tempting to leave behind - Super Brightening Undereye Concealer and Extreme Plump Tinted Lip Gloss. Here's my review:

• Super Brightening Undereye Concealer says it's a special formulation designed to hide and treat chronic dark circles. I know it's necessary to give cosmetics and skin care some time to work but I'm just not seeing it. Chronic or just temporarily stress-enhanced, my dark circles are standing their ground. I was truly hoping for a quick fix but I guess it's back to the makeup kit.
• On the other hand, Extreme Plump Tinted Lip Gloss is crazy! And I'm not sure how I mean that. I'm not really a girl in need of "lip plumping" but I think it's my duty to try these products out. Most plumpers use cinnamon to swell the lips temporarily and I truly can't say that I've seen much of a difference when I've used them. This Extreme Plump is serious stuff! It says that it packs hyaluronic acid and collagen "Superfill 10x Swelling Spheres" for fuller-looking lips. While I wasn't really buying the collagen bit, I know that hyaluronic acid is a magnet for moisture so I thought it might be legit. K, it took a few minutes for the "filling sensation" to set in, but when it did it was wild and my lips were truly plumped. It was a strange feeling somewhere between the tingling you get when your foot, hand, etc. falls asleep and almost like a fizzing. Strange or not, I'm temporarily addicted.

Now for the not so good. I was hoping to be free of inhalers, antibiotics, and all other assisted-living type items by now, but my doctor disagreed. Rather, I left with what felt like a full Rx Pad of meds, a referral to a Pulmonologist, and instructions to move out of my home until the "natural disaster" situation has been completely resolved. Throw in the suggestion that I may want to pack up any items of personal value on the off chance that they uncover something seriously bad in my basement walls and "short of breath" suddenly sounds like a dream vacation. Enter my attorney - who deserves to be on the "good stuff" list. While he works to expedite the resolution process, I find myself in the most unreal situation - trying to decide which items I think are worth saving and which items I have to be okay leaving behind. Best case scenario - I'll be bunking in a hotel for a few nights while they take my basement down to the bare bones. Assuming nothing unliveable is discovered, Big Papa and I will be back in the villa next weekend. Worst case - they uncover the "X Factor" and I get a call that I can't come home until who knows when. Taking all of that into consideration, I'm praying for the best and planning for the worst. With my toes glossed in Satisfaction, two coats of Money on my nails, and the new Maroon 5 album rocking my iPod, I'm embarking on the daunting job of taking inventory of each and every item I own and packing those that I couldn't possibly part with.