Rima Suqi

Although I write for a spa magazine and often test skincare products I am not a girl who grew up with any sort of skincare regime. Probably because my mother, whose skin is still unbelievably gorgeous at almost 78, didn’t have one either. I was never told I had to wash my face before I went to bed, so I never have (unless I have to test facial cleansers).

That said, I have developed an addiction to (alcohol-free) toners. I just like the way they make my skin feel, and that they seem to act as cleanser and make-up remover all in one (not that I wear a ton of make-up).  I have a few favorites but my #1, by far, are the Triad Cranberry toner pads by Arcona (you can buy it in normal, pump bottle form as well) and especially now that we’re headed into the hot, humid summer season.  This is a light, refreshing, slightly scented product that makes my skin feel fresh and clean.

Not cheap but so worth it, and great for travel.

The nitty gritty on ingredients:

Cranberry, Vitamin E, Omegas 3, 6 and 9 and rice milk.

And if you’re in LA, check out their Studio in Santa Monica.

Of course I’ve forgotten which Hamptons gallery had this “PUTA” in the window – but some digging revealed it is by Aldo Chaparro

Part of the problem with the platform shoe trend is figuring out how to look current without simultaneously looking like a hooker. It’s a dilemma. Earlier today I found what I believe to be the perfect on-trend platform wedge that will not solicit anything but jealous stares from other girls. The Corde Wedge spotted at Calypso. Absolutely gorgeous. Perfect neutral. Cost-per-wear gets the $450 price tag down to pennies.

They’re made of coated canvas and available in two sizes, with all sorts of internal pockets for the anal organizer in you (read: me). This is the Duchess, she’s $178.

Here are some examples of the Countess; she is $198:

An example of interior details:

See the full range here.

The Elegance of the Hedghog, recommended by Paige Novick:

New York Times review is here and describes it best. I don’t read a lot of fiction but am loving this book – its super smart and wry and very funny in a quiet way.

I was recently invited to a birthday party for a good friend whose husband is a chef.  Followed by the agita over what to bring to dinner/a party at a chef’s house. Said chef and I had bonded over brown liquors in the past, so a friend came along and brought a bottle of Corner Creek bourbon. At first I was confused because the bottle looks like a wine bottle, not anything I’ve ever seen hold bourbon. Who cares? This 88-proof, Bardstown, Kentucky-produced liquid is gorgeous. Smooth, just sweet enough, and best yet, only around $20.

Taken at Harry Allen’s studio last night for the opening of his “Black River Fever” show of  his and others new designs, in collaboration with a couple Brazilian companies. Here are the results (first two pictures not Harry’s work, the rest are).

This cabinet is by Brunno Jahara, but the lamp is Harry’s

Harry’s new pieces:

these are just screaming for a retail space -

and a wall of the now iconic pigs -

New from Eno (Editions Nouveau Objets) in Paris. Love it.  Having a bit of a Kartell Componibili flash with it, but I think the inspiration is just that – inspiration. The only bummer: price. Small  349 €, medium , 399 €, large  469 €.

I love what some people do to see if we’re paying attention. Like the copy that’s on the Moss website right now under the “gifts” section:

Sure looks like them, but they’re not Lego. They’re cute new lamps from Luxit (a Leucos brand that I predict will be hearing from Lego’s legal team sometime in the near future) called Top Four, designed by  Alberto Basaglia and Natalia Rota Nodari. Available as a desktop, floor, ceiling or wall models. The desklamp retails for $240 (but Y Lighting has it for $195).