Snap, CRACKLE, Pop! A Nail Tale...

I get a manicure every week. Though this can be seen as a lavish indulgence, I digress; years ago, I was a horrendous nail biter. Down to the quick, cuticles, you name it. But after years of painstakingly trying every method of curbing this horrible habit, I realized as long as my nails were kept in neat and polished order, I would no longer be tempted to bite them.

Fast forward to today after work, when ever the adventurous client, I opted to try the new O.P.I. Crackle Nail Polish. A few friends at a Memorial Day party had been sporting this look, which I really liked. I had heard they weren't charged any more for this mani, but had to pay an extra SIX DOLLARS. Definitely a one time in-salon extravagance, I decided to just go for it.

In the future, I will simply buy the desired nail color from Sephora and bring it with me. They painted on the royal blue base coat I chose, dried my nails, then applied the seemingly black top coat, which shattered and cracked upon being brushed onto my nails. I liked the overall effect, but wouldn't settle for every week. The manicurist then told me I should have chosen a brighter base coat, as you couldn't really see the color difference (refer to the photo on the far left).

Thanks, lady, but it's a bit late for that. I wish I had chosen a neon shade, either yellow or pink, which would have created a real '80's feeling. The verdict? While a tempting new textured trend, make sure there is no extra cost up front and chose very contrasting colors. Also, opt for a different Crackle color other than black. Wasn't really feeling that as a top layer.

La Fête Nationale or Bastille Day at Flute Champagne Lounge

I discovered quite a treasure this past weekend, while attempting a night out (only lasted till about one, definitely need to work on staying-out tolerance). Flute Bar is a wonderful little haven with old school charm and a wonderful, quiet and sophisticated ambiance

With three locations in Gramercy (the one I went to is located at 40 East 20th Street), another in Midtown and a third in Paris, this Champagne bar and lounge offers a wonderful and affordable selection of champagnes and mixed drinks.

I sampled two Kir Royals, one with a traditional Cassis liqueur added, and another more contemporary take on this drink, with Cherry liqueur. Both were tasty, gave me a slice of a European feel and were price friendly for $11.00 a piece. Tucked away in a little corner, I sat in a wonderfully comfy chair, complete with candlelight and a single rose placed in a glass vase.

Apparently this venue has been around for quite a few years, but I just discovered it. I love how while meandering around the streets of New York, I manage to discover delightful surprises routinely. It's one of my favorite things about this city. Flute is having what promises to be a Bastille Day celebration on Thursday, July 14th, which is the French Independence Day. Perks include live free music (I believe in the jazz family), very affordable and delectable champagne drinks, as well as experiencing an awesome locale with a speakeasy feel. Any takers want to join me?

From Vixen to Victim

I rarely am without a book, and consider myself to be approaching the title of Maven-in-Training, when it comes to literature knowledge and choices. People often ask for book suggestions, and I always have a telltale list of books ready to fire off : Geek Love (Come on, it involves a family breeding their own sideshow and begins with an Albino Dwarf), Lady Chatterly's Lover (Notates person is somewhat cultured and can relay the story of how this novel's debaucherous content caused societal upheaval), Speak Memory by Nabokov (I seriously don't know how that man wrote a single line so impeccably. He renders me speechless, a heart feat).

There are a plethora of other suggestions I may throw out, BUT stop right there. I think a true literary connoisseur reads a fine balance of new/old classics, preferred genres and Young Adult fiction. During my time working as an Assistance Manager of Books of Wonder, I had the luck and good fortune of meeting and networking with many of the top teen and children's writers in the country. Mainly of whom are insanely good looking.

So when I was flipping through my copy of Entertainment Weekly and saw that Libba Bray's new novel, "Beauty Queens," was listed in the top ten things this week, I had to buy it. Unsure of what to expect (EW just gives a four word description of why their top ten items are so fantastic), I ran to Barnes and Noble and purchased it. About 1/3 of the way in, I can tell you, this book does not disappoint.

Chronicling the beyond absurd tale of a group of teen beauty queens struggling to survive after being stranded on a tropical island due to a plane crash, this book makes fun of all that has been done before. No matter how niave, religious or just plain stupid the characters are, you become emotionally invested in their rescue and well being. Along the way, several noteworthy secrets are revealed (Transgendered beauty queens, maybe-lesbians and a whole slew of Pageant no-nos are brought into play by the surviving girls).

So grab a copy and read the tale of how these Virginal and Voluptuous queens go from Vixens to Victims.