Where To Find the Appropriate Work Dress?

Hello Ragers,


This article is actually for you -- we want your feedback about what now appears to be an anachronistic item -- the appropriate work dress.  I know I have written about this before, but I have to revisit this topic because it still sets me into a rage.  While shopping at Nordy's yesterday with my girlfriends, we all noticed and commented on this problem.  The "work dresses" now are very short or have cut outs in the back or slits up the side.  I mean, come on. We're not 23 and in PR in New York City.  Even if I was, I doubt I'd feel comfortable wearing these numbers especially given my propensity to be sexually harassed at work. AND I was looking at the alleged high end work dresses (DVF, Tory Burch,  Marc Jacobs -- all too short!).  Diane Von Fursterberg initially designed her iconic wrap dress for work and then going out after work.  However, it now appears that she totally forgot the work part of the equation. Geez.

Later, I did find some that were length appropriate at J.Crew, but they were so BORING.  The Ann Taylor ones also are so boring totally lacking color or creativity.  So I left empty-handed.  (Ok, I did buy one bottle of Jo Malone perfume, but that was for my mom. It's awesome -- smells like peonies).   Given that I will never wear a suit again because I detest them, the work dress is all I can do this Spring.  So please us know where we can find something that is apropo. (comments welcome below).

P.S. Soon, our favorite guest writer, Ann, returns with an intriguing piece about dating a silver fox.
More soon.

The Best Concealer.

Hello Ragers,

If you are like me you are still raging in your 40s and are waking up with major bags under the eyes.  Plus, our skin is thinner now unfortunately so now the purple really shows up under the eyes.
I just found a great new concealer though which actually not only covers up the purple but also really makes your skin look translucent and clear.  I hate to be such a Laura Mercier product whore, but I must say, yet again, Laura Mercier wins.

Historically, I have been loyal to NARS concealer and tinted moisturizer and the NARS Orgasm blush. I still love the NARS line and swear by their tinted moisturizer for better coverage.  But the NARS concealer just wasn't cutting it anymore so I decided to switch to a higher coverage number.

Try Laura Mercier High Coverage Concealer for Under Eye. (I got color 2.5 -- they have many choices).  It will bust the purple and get your face an overall lift.
About $20 and at most department stores or Sephora.

-Christine

The best new workout tank: T9 Mystique.

Hello again Ragers,

If you are like me and my 40-something girlfriends, you may notice that your chest is looking a bit beat these days.
Sun damage for all of us sun goddesses lathering up with baby oil in our 20s.  Running or hiking outside for years without little to no sunscreen. AND wearing low cut impractical tanks (such as those manufactured by rip off artists like Lu Lu Lemon).  Alas, I'm covering up my chest and may even started lazering off all these bloody sunspots ASAP.  However, we don't want to run in turtlenecks now, do we?

Here comes the solution: my new favorite tank top: Mystique by T9.  It's light, travels easily, covers up the clavicles and is still fashionable.  It runs about $52 dollars and can be found easily online.
Check it out and protect that chest.  You have to. We're older now.   - Christine

The Statement Necklace and Physique 57.

Hello Ragers,

Yesterday while shopping at my favorite boutique I found the best best birthday gift for Heather. I so want it for myself.  Heather will post a picture next week after she opens it Sunday, and you can opine.  Anyway, while shopping for her, I discovered the statement necklace.

"WTF Katie? This looks like a bicycle chain!"

That was my first comment upon viewing this piece.

"It's a statement necklace.  They really look great with a linen dress."

As I started touching them and examining them further, I could see the pale green one being worn with a simple black dress. I started to like the old statement necklace.

See the necklaces below, and send us your comments below.  I also discovered some great statement necklaces on Etsy.com.  Check them out.....

Now! To report on Physique 57.  My preliminary findings with the video (I've done it twice) is that it is challenging  -- but not unbearable.  The barre classes I have taken are much harder, but this really is an all over body workout so they do some arms and lots of abs. You'll have to go to the gym though to do your arms -- not enough on the arms (in my opinion).  The girl is VERY annoying and says dumb annoying things about squeezing out cellulite etc.,  but she does look great.  They all have great abs, I will admit.  In sum, it's basically just a half barre and half pilates class. I'm not sure what all the hype is about in Dubai and the Hamptons where this is allegedly practiced.  However.... maybe it does work and transform the body after 8 sessions.  I will report back when I hit 8 and recommend a buy or no buy.  The good news is you can do it from home, and it's a lot cheaper than a barre class.

More soon.
Christine

Sliding up to the barre (not bar)

Greetings Ragers,

Ok, after years and years of running, Heather and I have decided we have to shake it up and try something new. This running just isn't kicking it, and it's certainly not addressing nor alleviating the the tough spots.

We keep reading over and over that post-40, you have to lift more and build up more lean body muscle mass. In fact, lifting now is supposed to be a lot more important than all that cardio we have been doing.

Recently, I have started taking barre classes at my yoga studio.  I'm sure you have heard of these absolutely hellish classes comprised of plias and releves and attitudes -- think old school ballet class.
Well... I am sticking to it because I honestly can say that I haven't taken a class in years where my legs shake and then literally give out.  I don't think there really is anything harder than this class, but it definitely gets easier as time goes on.

Although I would MUCH prefer to be at the bar, I'm now sliding up to the barre. I have decided to begin at home the Physique 57 program -- 57 minutes of barre with some pilates mat.  I will be reporting my findings online on our blog.  Allegedly, you see results after 8 sessions which means I only have to do this 4 times per week.  In fact, if you already workout in a gym, they say you only have to do it 2 times per week.

Why did I choose this program? Because it is big in NYC and Beverly Hills.  And we all know those people look way better than we do. And Mindy Kaling (my fav) does it.  And it is less then one hour, and I can't work out for more than an hour ever.  And I can do it at home. It's hard to make those barre classes at all these random times.  Finally, 4 times per week doesn't sound un-doable. 5-6 times per week does.  I also travel a lot, and I can order it online and rent it for 2 days and do it in my hotel.

Heather isn't convinced yet. She's going back to heavy lifting 4-5 times/week.  But I think this has to work.  I mean have you ever see a ballerina with a bad body?

Stay tuned. I'll be keeping you updated on results.

Where the f is the bread?

Hi Ragers,

I know. We've been gone for a long time.

I don't know what to say about that.  The publishing industry and agents and their drama has totally burnt me out of writing and resulted in a very strong block. And Heather, well, you know her, she's been vacationing A LOT.

However, recently, while in DC lunching with my girlfriends, I noticed a new phenomenon occurring in U.S. restaurants which set me into a rage.

While at lunch at an overpriced quasi-trendy place in DC known as Founding Farmers, my girlfriend, Ilyse, who by the way ordered a "meal" not an appetizer, asked for some bread.  She was starving, and of course, in America and most other civilized countries, bread usually precedes a meal.  In response to this fairly benign request, the server flatly stated "we don't provide bread anymore."  My friend was shocked and dismayed, and then she started to get rage-y.  She kept pushing him for an explanation, and he just said they stopped providing bread about two years ago because they have soooo many customers now.  He did, however, offer to provide her bread IF she paid $6 for bread as an appetizer on the menu.  WTF?  We are paying over $30 for lunch, and now we have to pay for bread.  Needless to say, this set us into a rage.

I initially thought this was just a problem in DC because DC is weird and conservative and overpriced and laden with expense accounts.  I noted at my favorite Italian restaurant that they also do not give you bread --- however, they did provide it upon request.  We wondered if this was a problem that crossed state lines implicating the Commerce Clause.  Ilyse contended it was a conspiracy in DC and possibly an antitrust violation.  I will say though that later that night, upon ordering a mere bowl of soup in Virginia, bread was served.  I do still think it is safe to go to Virginia if you want free bread.

Although I did think this was a problem only in snobby DC, it isn't. Ohio is no different.  I have been to at least two restaurants as of late whereby meals were ordered, and bread was not provided.  Recently, I took my two nieces to an expensive Italian restaurant for dinner, and they flat out refused to provide bread to my 8-year old niece who was starving.  As such, I was forced to buy a $12 cheese plate to tied them over until their dinner came. Such a racket.  I really think these restaurants are refusing bread, a cheap and customary staple, just to get us to buy appetizers and MORE food.

Given I am always on a diet of some sort or variation, it's not like I eat the bread anyway.  But my thinner friends do, and they always order meals. And my nieces do, and they are always starving as soon as we sit down at the table at a restaurant.

I would like to holler out to all restaurant owners -- lighten up -- let George breathe a little, and give us some fucking bread.  For free.

Christine