The BEST 6 New Obsessions: From Lip Tar to Hoes
By Nora Zelevansky / February 14th, 2013
It’s been ages — ages I tell you! — since I last posted simply about my latest obsessions. It’s about time, I say! (Why am I talking weird and old timey?)
I know I actually neglected to post about The Bachelor this week too, but — you know — what was there to say besides Tierra is a pyschopath, who treats others terribly and then somehow manages to feel like a victim, Lesley and Catherine should get a room and Des’ hometown date looks potentially psychotic. (The operative word is potentially, since the possible confrontation they teased may well have been a red herring, since she seems like the most likely final choice.)
SO! Moving onto “real” life, here in Park Slope, Brooklyn and the my wee day-to-day pleasures:
1. LIP TAR from Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (*pictured above)
I’m not much of a bright lipstick girl because I don’t really have the massive lips to support it. However, I’m so damn pale from NYC winter that a burst of color seemed like the only solution, so — the other day — I channeled my inner Zooey Deschanel (or okay Jess) slathered on this neon pink stuff and discovered that it’s brilliant. It’s so opaque and bright that it’s like painting your lips, but it goes on thin and shiny like lip gloss. I may be walking around looking like a fool — who knows? — but I am loving this stuff because it’s unlike any other lip sitch I’ve tried before. And at least I don’t look as much like a zombie.
PS Also, I’ve been known to like natural products. I’ve also been known to like chemicals and lasers. However, I was happy to learn that this company is totally cruelty-free & vegan. Now I feel even more virtuous wearing the stuff! Their store is LES, but their products are sold all over.
2. LA ROSE DANCE WEAR & HOSIERY
Generally, I stick with Spanx tights/stockings. Actually, that’s a lie: Generally, I stick with the random and sad assortment of stockings that have someone landed in my closet over the years. Stolen from my mom? Left by my sister? Borrowed from a friend? Gifted at some party? (That last one refers to a pair of neon green fishnets that blend into my skin and make me look like I have scales from far away.)
But I digress: Yesterday, I picked out a dress for the next day’s Nanette Lepore Fashion Week show and then realized that I had no intact, hole-less stockings left. It was already evening and I was late for The Gin Lovers book party, where I was meeting my editor and another author. What to do? On the advice of one very generous salesperson at a store down the street, I stopped into this old school Park Slope dance shop on 5th Avenue. It’s really no frills, but the owner was there and let me in, despite the late hour. She explained to me that I was looking at the wrong size for my proportions (she says the size chart is useless). And she sold me two pairs of tights. That are amazing. And fit perfectly. And feel like they won’t run. For $8 each. I am never spending $40 on stockings again. The End. Try a dance store near you!
Locals will mostly know, but Drewser and I just happened upon this “pop up” spot that serves only soup and bread. The menu is revolving — the man there said there are about 200 options — and range from Lobster Sweet Potato Bisque to Sausage & Eggplant (like red checkered tablecloth Italian food, as soup). Bacon & Lima Bean soup AND Turkey Bacon & Vegetable have both been highlights for me. The people who work there are lovely and you can sample any soups you choose — it’s so cozy and delicious during the cold winter.
Anyway, I am totally obsessed and I’m going as much as possible because they close, most likely, by March 1. Then, they go back to being an Uncle Louie G. Italian Ices spot. Which I sort of can’t complain about because I love that too. Only, couldn’t we have both? Couldn’t we? Actually, I think it’s a totally brilliant idea; people should always split their shops by seasonal offerings. Genius!
*They list what they have for the day on their site, but you should get their early if you have specific desires because they do run out of various kinds, especially if it’s snowy and cold!
It’s cheap. It’s super cozy. It’s thicker and more substantial than you expect. In need to buy three more pairs. Need I say more? Also, have you tried the FLUFFY SOCKS? OMG. Don’t get me started. Let’s just say, it’s surprising that I leave my house. (And I often do — with them inside my rain boots! What? Yup. Blow. Your. Mind.)
I have never been so thrilled (well, maybe at some point) than when I discovered that one of my favorite Nolita boutiques, Poppy, was opening up shop just blocks from my house. I love their stuff, they have great sales. It’s just reliable and good. Anywaaay, actually the Manhattan store this week, I happened upon a Fine Collection sweater that was on sale — the price point is reasonable anyway — and just seemed like that item I’d been looking for all fall and winter without success. It’s a completely simple, long-sleeves, non-itchy, over-sized but not without shape sweater in a color that sometimes looks slate and sometimes looks green. It’s amazing. And now I am super curious about the collection in general. Eyes out!
6. RENOUVE
I honestly can’t say enough about this product. I am completely obsessed. This is brilliant: A hand sanitizer that’s the consistency of a serum and acts both as an anti-bacterial agent AND an anti-aging product. I mean. If you aren’t intrigued in this flu season, with harsh colder weather, you’ve lost it! Lost it, I tell you. Anyway, I am a fan 4-EVA because it doesn’t smell like alcohol or strip your hands of moisture and it dries super quickly. That’s it!
Anyway … That’s all for now! More later, as I explore the challenging world of … I dunno. Not bare midriffs.
xo – N.