Glamour Cow: Live a Glam Life, NY Style. Fashion, Beauty, Food, Dating, Travel, Events, News, Bargains & Opinions.

Sexy Time: Get Your Dom On

2010-03-11T20:11:34Z

Leather. Corsets. Collars. Studded Bras. Titillating.

Whether you're doing the spanking in bed or assuming the position, both doms and subs alike can certainly agree there's nothing like the allure of skin-tight leather to spark some of our naughtier fantasies. (You know which ones I'm talking about...)

So whip out your...whip, polish your handcuffs, get a paddlin' and practice your safe words (my personal fave - Brunhilda, brunhilda, brunhilda!), because it's time to Obey My Demand.

Strap yourself into this new line's femme fatale-meets-Chinatown dungeon corsets, bodysuits, bustiers, bras, thongs and more in dom-worthy, studded leather. He'll be putty in your hands...or whatever else you ~~tell~~ demand him to be.

Child's play? For the true dom (or sub) veteran, channel your inner Secretary with one of these creations from Antiseptic Fashion and get ready for a spanking - James Spader style.

Assume the position. You naughty, naughty girl.

What are you waiting for? Crack that whip and get your dom on.

Why?

Because I said so.

Who Loves Free Shit? Free Manis!

2010-03-11T17:21:29Z

Kirstie Alley's new show, Big Life, are giving free manicures at select salons in NYC & LA. So, if you're around this weekend, go get your nails did, Gurlfren'.

The deal: Walk into any of the below salons on Sat., March 13 or Sun., March 14th; request the exclusive Essie color "Life. Lick it." And bam! Free mani.

*First come, first serve! Remember to ask for the exclusive Essie color "Life. Lick it."*

(LA Bitches, please see the website.)

Dashing Diva
590 Columbus Ave
(SW Corner of 89th St)
Sat 9:30am-9pm
Sun 10am-8pm

Dashing Diva
149 3rd Ave
(btwn 15th & 16th)
Sat 10am-9pm
Sun 10am-8pm

Rehoboth Spa
126 University Place
(btwn 13th & 14th)
Sat 10:30am-8:30pm
Sun 10:30am-7pm

Spa Belles
301 6th Ave
(at Carmine St)
Sat 10am-8pm
Sun 10am-7pm

Beauty Bargain: Facial @ Cloud 9 Skin Spa

2010-03-11T16:43:55Z

Remember that facial I told you about? Well, that same place is having an absolute steal going on: 1 hour facial for $45 bux. (reg. price $110)

Want in? Click here.

(PS: Claudia @ Cloud 9 does my laser too, sooo good.)

Ad Of The Week: Smarties Candy, Circa 1950's

2010-03-11T16:05:11Z

Meet Me Half Way

2010-03-10T21:50:17Z

I'm at the mid-way point to Easter, am still diet coke-less; and, I haven't bought any shoes in two weeks, although I did have a wild try-on spree in a swanky department store recently. (Insert mini British Queen clap here.)

I'm feeling a lil' melancholy, with the nonsense called Oscar fashion and the death of Mr. McQueen.

This Nick Alan tee sums up how I feel.

It screams Anti-Fashionista and is made in America, but not in slave chola LA camps, like American Apparel.

Mine is being shipped as I type!

You feelin' this, Boo?

If You're A Schelppy Traveler Like Me...

2010-03-10T16:26:19Z

Preface: When I travel, I pack like a barbarian --- sort of like Kelly Cutrone (and no offense Kelly, I idolize you). I throw all my shit in a bag & forget tons of stuff. It's also crucial to mention, (particularly regarding work travel), I pack everything black & the last thing that's on my mind is minor beauty products.

So when I heard a whisper that a certain NY hotel is offering complementary clear makeup cases full of beauty emergency items to all guests. I took a deeper whiff & got word on the promo:

Launched on March 1st, All NYC locations of Affinia hotels will provide guests with *free* e.l.f emergency beauty kits (the kit contains - you guessed it - emergency items you probably forgot to pack).

]]> Nail polish remover Pads (Chipage with dk nails? Grozz.)
Slanted tweezer (If you have a loose brow, or for me, this would be for one of bikini hairs i always miss)
Clear Nail Polish (Clutch for runs in tights)
Regular & Waterproof Mascara Duo (To go from a rooftop swim to bar without looking like a coon)
Super Glossy Lip Shine SPF 15 in Pink Kiss (Any extra gloss is considered a plus)
Eye Makeup Remover Pads (Yes.)
Travel Hand Sanitizer (So you can ride the subway then smoke a cig without being skeeved)

(And for those of you who never heard of Affinia? It's the hotel that does the SATC packages (tour included!) (So cheese. And why do I feel like this is a favorite among British ~~shemales~~ females?))

This promo is noteworthy, more b/c e.l.f. has managed to package up mini versions of 911 prods; but, do I think this promo will make people stay at this hotel?

Definitely not.

Do I wish Elf made this & sold it in my local drugstore?

Yes.

Anywho, we're not sure who thought of this genius kit up; e.l.f. or Affinia; but, we do sure know this kit SURE WOULD COME IN F*ING HANDY if we can buy it in the drugstore.

(Hint, hint.)

Absolutely brilliant. Well done guys, love this.

I Know You All Take Sex Showers; But Doing The Drive And Shave?

2010-03-09T18:05:35Z

There is a time in every woman's life where she makes the decision if she is having sex that night (yes boys 99.5% of the time we know in advance if sex is on the menu and we make the call don't get it twisted).

She then begins a process called the "sex shower".

Some women do it in anticipation that they might have sex, and some women do it only when they know it's a sure thing. It really is just an extra long shower in which we make sure we are as smooth, clean, and sweet smelling as humanly possible. An old tranny- esque roommate used to scream at me "Toni, get out of the shower you are f*cking up your skin."

Anywho, I needed to bring this up because I just read that a woman near Key West (Pirateville) just crashed her car because she was shaving while driving. I have some thoughts on this:

Shaving your cookie is hard enough. Is shaving and driving the new texting/driving?

She was in route to see her boyfriend. What there are no bathrooms where you were coming from or going to?

Her ex-husband was in the passenger seat. Even the best ex/friend situation would still feel some type of way about this?

Did she have a Venus? Did she Bic it? Shave gel? Was the bitch doing it dry? Grizzle.

Breathing New Life Into Fragrance

2010-03-09T16:48:11Z

How often to do you buy a new bottle of perfume only to find out that it either the smell doesn't last or is just too weak to start off with?

Alot.

Which sort of translates into: You've-just-wasted-upwards-of-$80-on-overpriced-flower-water.

I just got the scoop on a new line called Atelier Cologne from Founder, Sylvie Ganter, (of FRESH and Hermes fame). Sylvie told me, all of their fragrances are consider "cologne absolue" which means it is 12-20% concentration of the scent.

]]> I had the opportunity to preview the 5 scents in the collection and I made some immediate favorties:

Orange Sanguine, which has top notes of blood orange and bitter orange.
Oolang Infini, with top notes of bergamot and tunisian.
Grand Neroli, most popular of the masses, was nice as well, with a scent is light enough for everyday. (The antithesis scent to for people, who are like me, and can't stand being in the same room as someone who bathed in Chanel No. 5.)

A nifty fact about the term 'cologne' - The term cologne refers back to the original eau de cologne that was created 300 yrs ago by an Italian perfumer who was established in Cologne, Germany. His blend of fresh citrus oils was inspired by memories of his hometown and offered alternatives to the heavy scents that were popular at the time and gave a people a new way to wear personal fragrances! Cool, eh?

Vancouver: It's Almost Time For The Paralympics

2010-03-09T15:24:20Z

After paying our rent, cabs & cocktails, sometimes us New Yorkers, just don't have any extra sheckles to spare to go off traveling with. This week at Glamour Cow, we partnered up with our friends @ Good Life Review, who will be sharing some of their most recent wanderlusty tidbits.

Today's piece: Vancouver.

Even if you hadn't heard about this city before the Olympic debut, you've certainly heard about it now: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It's a coastal city about as far west and south as you can be in Canada; the Olympic Center is less than 40 minutes on Highway 99 N from the border of Washington, USA.

The 2010 Winter Olympics came and went and, starting on March 12 to March 21, Vancouver will also be hosting the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. You can bet that the city is bustling with many people, specifically near the Olympic Center, but really, it was bustling even before the Winter Olympics came to the city. Vancouver is home to over 500,000 people, and its metropolitan area ranks as the third highest in the country.

]]> Unlike many other large cities, Vancouver isn't widely known for its skyline (though it's Hotel Vancouver, a massive hotel, is hard to miss, and the snow-capped mountains in the background have a nice visual effect), rather, its inhabitants.

The people are linguistically diverse, with just about half of them having learned a first language other than English. It is known as a "city of neighborhoods," with many downtown areas of distinct ethnic groups (Punjabi Market, Little Italy, Greektown, and Japantown, among others). The highest visible minority is by far Chinese, which accounts for nearly 30% of Vancouverites. Overall, the people of Vancouver are very friendly and courteous.

Though not too far from Seattle, the city known for heavy rainfall all year long, Vancouver often experiences a dry summer that sometimes results in moderate drought conditions. For over 10% of the year, the daily minimum temperature drops below freezing, and the city has never seen a higher temperature than the 94 degrees Fahrenheit in July of last year.

I wish I could be in Vancouver right now, experiencing its atmosphere, a newly-born city teeming with the 2010 Winter Olympic athletes and spectators. Those of us who didn't get a chance to go will have to see Vancouver in its post-Olympic aftermath, but I'm sure it will be a gem of a city nonetheless. oup

-Louise @ Good Life Review

Oscar Fashion Polizia 2010

2010-03-08T20:30:17Z

The opinions expressed in this article belong to T-bonz (and some random quips from Elyse). These shouldn't be reflected on the entire Glamour Cow famiglia!

Most improved from Golden Globes: Cameron Diaz (Elyse: Did you see those crow's feet?)

Best animated character to real person crossover: Zoe Saldana (Elyse: Orgasm. Loved this.)

Worst dressed person (who knew they had a good chance to win): Sandy Bullock (Elyse: Really? I loved her dress...)

Worst double vision: J Lo and Amanda Seyfried , someone at Armani Prive needs to check their email and not put bitches in what looked like the same prom dress (Elyse: JLO needs to get back on the 6 train with that dress; looks like a cross between BAPS and Candy Land board game piece. Amanda looks she's wrapped in cheap, gauzy fabric from Michael's Craft Store.)

Worst tattoo: George Clooney's Italian Bitch needs some stage makeup to cover up that tribal tattoo. I can't believe he even talks to women that have them! (Elyse: Is. That. A. Tribal. Band.)

Best sucking on the nipple of youth: Demi Moore (Elyse: Agreed.)

]]> Most tired ball gown look: Penelope Cruz. Someone get her a dress from Mango pllsss! (Elyse: I'm having flashbacks of my Italian mothers taffeta curtains in our dining room.)

Best crack head cleanup: Kristen Stewart (Elyse: Girlfren needs some bronzer.)

Serious WTF’s: SJP, Diane Kruger, and Nicole Richie I was soo disappointed no words. (Elyse: SJP = Horrible fit. Who was your stylist, BooBoo? However, loved the glittery eyeliner, who makes that? Diane = Reminds me of a fully-clothed Agent Provocateur window mannequin number. Miss Ritchie = Looks like Reem Acra stole a Missioni design & slapped it on your body.)

Worst hair trend: Sweaty frizz ponytail from the gym. Guilty: JLo, SJP,Maggie Gyllenhall)

Worst use of kindergarten paints as a dress: Rachel McAdams (Elyse: Looks like Georgia O'Keefe vom'd all over her gown.)

Boys who I wouldn’t kick of bed (tux included): Ryan Reynolds, Zack , Bradley Cooper

Best dressed man: Robert Downey Jr (Elyse: Obsessed with the glasses.)

Best dressed woman: Maggie Gyllenhall or Meryl Streep (Elyse: Meryl = classic.)

A New Product That's Here To Stay

2010-03-08T14:54:23Z

Remember when Farouk came out with Biosilk?

It was madness. Most salons & beauty supply stores couldn't stock it fast enough.

If the word gets out about Redken's new Wool Shake 08; I think we can be repeating Biosilk history.

Wool Shake 08 is a spray gel shake for your hair that promises "top volume and texture."

When I saw it; I loved the chunky bottle and the label (just teetering on the edge of tacky-salon-product-meets-edgy-cool).

When I tried it; I was sold. Maybe for life...

]]> I blew out my mop to a voluminous Brigette Bardot-like coif. I went outside, ran a few errands, came back to the nest, checked the mirror & found what usually happens when you run around in 20 degree weather, with a fresh blow out: the icyness of the cold air, had sealed & flattened my hair - leaving it: asian-invasion-pin-straight.

This was a good time to test Wool Shake.

The directions say shake & spray on dry hair.

With a few fingers, I lifted up the top layer of hair on my crown, spritz'd & instantly the product bunched & slightly hardened.

I ran my fingers through the hair that was sprayed, gave it rough rub & my hair had lifted from the root about 1 inch.

It created a high volume; a messy web of hair.

I also sprayed the top back of my hair (to get a bump effect) and same outcome there.

The products gives you the same effect as if you flipped your head over, teased with a metal comb & sprayed with aqua net.

Unadulterated, not-really-trying, glam.

I highly highly recommend.

(And btw: I'd be curious to know this works on very fine, thin, limp hair, as I have a thick beast-like maine, I'm 99% sure there would be similiar effects.)

(PPS: There is a downside: You can only buy this product in salons. Ugh, hate that.)

Aruba, Jamaica, Ooh I Wanna Take Her...Some Sweet Vaca Deals...

2010-03-05T21:20:05Z

Current weather for NYC: absolute crap. Sleet, hurricane-force winds, and I think I may have seen the Abominable Snowman trolling around the boroughs.

It's March, that tricky month when you're jumping to put your heavy-duty winter things into storage after months of cold, but can't because the National Weather Service just issued yet another blizzard to slam the Tri-state area.

So much for spring...

Luckily, not all parts of the globe are stuck in the same succession of hat-hair, dry skin and extra layers that we're in. In some places (dare we dream) it's summer. If you've momentarily forgotten that wonderful season, just envision being in a Corona commercial.

In honor of the lovely weather we've been having, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts is easing up their prices for stays in almost-equatorial Curacao and Aruba.

The deals go until April 8--when the average temperatures range from a low of 77 to a high of 88, and the precipitation is at its annual low (sigh).
]]> Curacao

Curacao is located in Netherlands Antilles, which is north of Venezuela in the southern Caribbean Sea.

The Renaissance Curacao Resort & Casino is located near the historical capital of Willemstad, and also near ideal scuba sites and calm beaches. Curacao is renowned for its diving. The sea floor, or the “blue edge,” drops off within a few hundred feet of the shore, which is perfect for experienced divers. The southern coasts are home to calm seas and lively coral reefs, where nearly anyone can strap on a snorkel and explore. If you get a little waterlogged, try hiking in the northwestern part of the island. Curaçao Christoffelpark is the reserved wildlife park where you can explore on foot, by bike or by car. Mount Christoffel, the highest point on the island that climbs to more than 1,000 feet, is also located here.

Right now, the Renaissance is offering up to 50 percent off their regular rates, so you can feel less guilty about all the extra vacation spending.

Aruba

Here is where you can “get away from it all” while actually getting away from it all.

The resort here rests on private Renaissance Island, a 40-acre atoll off the coast of Aruba, which, like Caracao, is off the coast of Venezuela.

This resort also separates their family and adult sections, making sure to cater to each traveler. For now, they’re offering up to 35 percent off their regular rates, so start packing. If you’ve begun to feel like Gilligan on Renaissance Island, take the free water taxi to the “mainland.” The southern and western coasts have ideal white-sand, calm-sea beaches while the northern and eastern coasts are rugged, wild and pretty untouched by tourism. If you want to learn a little about the island’s culture, come for Aruba’s National Anthem and Flag Day on March 18.

You're welcome!

We Love Free Shit: Cleaning & Whitening

2010-03-05T20:50:55Z

Everyone always asks me for referrals for teeth whitening. To be 100% honest, I've never had my teeth whitened (although I've been meaning to). Here's a referral + a deal...

PS: Yes, if you have good dental insurance, you probably get your cleaning for free. So look @ this as getting a good deal on whitening and your cleaning gratis.

Book It! 51 Things You Should Know Before Getting Engaged

2010-03-05T17:52:15Z

If any of you have been reading my posts lately, you know that I'm a LONG way out from getting engaged.

But, when given the opportunity to review this book, I thought, what the hell.

If I can get over my alcoholism long enough to survive a first date, let alone a relationship, maybe, just maybe, I will be engaged in my lifetime.

At which point I will be able to say to myself, "Good thing I read Michael Batsaw's, 51 Things You Should Know Before Getting Engaged."

The book is a quick, easy, practical read, a perfect coffee table addition at just 5" x 5" in every soon-to-be engaged girl's fave - Tiffany's blue.

]]> Written by New York City psychotherapist, Michael Batshaw, 51 Things offers an insightful, expert look into the elements making up a successful marriage – from someone truly in the trenches.

As the name would suggest, the book is broken into 51 chapters, each one a quick, short read covering a different element critical to a successful relationship, engagement or marriage. The chapters addresses the element, offers up advice, insight and techniques, and ends with a thought provoking question relating this element to your own relationship.

The 51 Things may seem like “things” you already know, but compiled here in a smart, intuitive read, you are forced to address, not just think about, each one as it applies to your relationship.

Here’s a preview of what you can expect:

Hollywood Gets It Wrong. (Does it ever!)

Beware the person of your dreams. (Uh-oh. Maybe I should be looking elsewhere besides over 6 foot tall foreigners.)

If you find yourself on a pedestal, get off. (Yeah, wouldn’t want to encourage any Stalker-like behavior…)

Mediocre sex can become great sex with patience and determination. (As I like to say, if at first you don’t succeed, try ~~try~~ fuck again.)

How do you feel about family and children? (Um. The thought of popping a child out between my legs quite frankly freaks me out.)

Religion is not unimportant. (Contributed to the demise of my past 4 year relationship. Yeah, I’d say it’s important.)

Talk about the little issues or they will grow into big issues. (SO true.)

Couples who do everything together cannot survive. (Thank you! I hate those couples anyway.)

The Golden Rule: Do unto those as you would have done unto you. (Kind of a “duh,” but how often do we actually think about this?)

Not just for the engaged, Batshaw’s 51 Things offers up practical advice that can be applied to just about any relationship – from date 1 to marriage.

You might just find 1 thing in 51 Things that will make you think again.

Mazal Tov!

Edamame Guacamole

2010-03-04T14:34:00Z

Most of us love guacamole; yet, while course avocado is a "good fat" -- it is still a fat, so we need to eat sparingly. That's why I crafted this amazing recipe, which we can eat a huge, heaping serving with less than half the fat of the original; and, still be happily satisfied with the taste!

I served this with pita chips and it was deelish! Love it!

If you want traditional guacamole, add cilantro. (I'm not a cilantro fan, so I didn't add it.)

I am sure this will be a big hit at your next party or just to enjoy on your own.

Recipe after the jump.

]]> Edamame Guacamole
Serves 6

1/2 cup shelled edamame
1/2 cup broccoli stalks, peeled
1 avocado
1 scallion, minced
1/2 red onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 jalapeno, minced
juice of 1/2 lime
1 tomato, diced
salt to taste

cilantro – optional

Bring 4 cups of water to boil. Add edamame and broccoli to boiling water for 4 minutes till softened. Drain and puree in a food processor. With a fork or a whisk mash the puree with the avocado. Add in the avocado, scallion, red onion, garlic, jalapeno, lime, tomato and the optional cilantro. Salt to taste and enjoy

Per serving: 66 calories, 4 g fat, .5 g saturated fat, 0 g cholesterol, 10 sodium, 2.5 g protein, 6 g carbohydrates, 1 g sugar, 3 g fiber