Wine With Wanda

Celebrity Hair, Everyday Prices: Sally Hershberger Hair Care

Whether you are sunbathing on the beach or window shopping down city streets, the summer heat can really take a toll on your hair. Moisture rich sprays make it easy to keep your tresses healthy and hydrated at home and on the road. 

Sally Hershberger Hyper Hydration Spray
$12.50
Does the name Sally Hershberger sound familiar to you? Not only is she the iconic stylist that gave Meg Ryan her much copied messy chic shag, Hershberger was the first New York City stylist to charge $600 for a haircut! Thank goodness, you can get some of Sally's magic without breaking the bank - her eponymous line of affordable haircare products are available at drugstores and beauty supply stores around the country.

I was given a sample of the Sally Hershberger Hyper Hydration Spray and love the versatilty of this product. Spritz it on wet hair after washing or use it on dry hair for instant moisture. It also offers protection from heat styling on those days when you just can't say no to your flat iron. It also tames frizz and flyaways. Loaded with keratin and silk, it is a perfect option for dry, damaged and color-treated hair. This product really works on all hair types. Sally calls Hyper Hydration "rehab for stressed out locks." Love it! 

Happy 100th Birthday NIVEA!

Does it seem like NIVEA has been around forever? Well, at 100 years old, this world famous skin cream in the elegant blue tin is aging gracefully. Classic but always evolving, today the NIVEA portfolio has greatly expanded and includes bath, body and lip care for men and women. (I'm a big fan of their body washes - they smell delicious and are so moisturizing.)

I was recently invited to help NIVEA celebrate their centennial at a special pop-up 100 Year House in New York's City Grand Central Station. Celebrity spokesperson Giuliana Rancic was in attendance and shared her memories of growing up as a little girl in Naples and watching her mom care for her skin with NIVEA. It was great to hear from a celebrity who actually has a history with the product they were promoting! And, Giuliana shared a surprising beauty tip - pat a little NIVEA under your eyes for a great eye cream.




Giuliana Rancic

If you are in NYC and passing through Grand Central, take a few moments to visit the NIVEA 100 Year House and get pampered with a complimentary hand massage, pop by the Skin Education Station for a skin analysis, and enjoy some free samples. You can even enter a contest to win some tickets to see Rihanna in concert.  The NIVEA 100 Year House will be open until July 29th from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM and is a perfect little time out from the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple.

The Perfect At-Home Pedicure: Emjoi MicroPedi & Dr.'s Remedy Enriched Nail Polish

Confession:I detest, loath, and downright dislike going to the salon for pedicures. Call me crazy, but I find it nearly impossible to relax while a total stranger is doing all manner of things to my feet in exchange for money. The harder they scrub at my calloused heels, the worst I feel and I find myself clumsily apologizing for the sorry state of my feet and leaving an obscenely large tip to make up for my tough tootsies! No darlings, no salon pedicures for me if I can help it. Who needs the stress?

But I do love to pamper my feet at home, preferably while sipping a nice glass of wine and listening to some Bossa Nova, and I am always on the lookout for products that deliver great results. The Emjoi MicroPedi and Dr.'s Remedy Enriched Nail Polish are two wonderful new products that I was invited to review.

The battery-operated Emjoi MicroPedi is really fun to use and does a stellar job of quickly and painlessly removing calloused skin. Completely portable, just insert two AA batteries (not included) into the Emjoi MicroPedi, switch it on, glide the roller across your soles and heels, and voila, within seconds dry hard skin is buffed away into a fine powder and your feet are left silky smooth. The Emjoi MicroPedi includes two different rollers (blue for extra-coarse skin and magenta for coarse) that spin 360 degrees at a speedy 30 times a second so it does a much better and faster job than pumice stones that require you to scrub your heart out. Thanks to Emjoi, I will finally toss out that awful metal scraper that I've been using. You can order the Emjoi MicroPedi on their website for $39.95 and starting in September it will be available in retail stores across the country, including ULTA and Sally Beauty. Apparently, this product has been a huge hit in the UK - 10,000 Emjoi MicroPedi units were sold-out on QVC in less than 24 hours.

Now that my feet are all smooth, my toenails are just begging for color. Dr.'s Remedy Enriched Nail Polish sent over their collection of 5 new summer shades and I am having a blast experimenting with all of the gorgeous colors. Developed by 2 New York based podiatrists, Dr.'s Remedy doesn't just make your nails look pretty but keeps them healthy - the polish has none of the bad ingredients that can leave your nails brittle and discolored. The first-ever nail polish on the market approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association, Dr.'s Remedy Enriched Nail Polish is free of harsh toxins and enriched with naturally occurring antifungal ingredients like tea tree oil. garlic bulb extract, vitamins C & E, and wheat protein. In addition to the sizzling hot summer shades, Dr.'s Remedy has a great collection of rich and long-lasting colors. You can purchase Dr.'s Remedy Enriched Nail Polish for $17 each on their website.

So, please take a peek at my feet if you see me around town this week - they are baby smooth and my toes are painted in GLEE Gold! Thanks Emjoi and Dr.'s Remedy.

In the Bag: SAACHI Accessories Inspired by India

As seen in O the Oprah Magazine and Vogue India, SAACHI by In Things fashionably fuses Indian art with western style. Their colorful and chic collection of tunics, scarves, shoes and jewelry are a much needed antidote to all of those boring items that fill so many stores.

I'm always looking for travel-friendly accessories to add some panache to my little black dresses and SAACHI has a great collection. Truly, if you pack the right combination of accessories you can create an endless array of fashionable looks that will take you from daytime sightseeing to a night on the town. In addition to the gorgeous green scarf with gold embroidery pictured at left, here are a few other goodies from SAACHI that caught my eye. 

 

 

Oggi Waves Tunic ($149)

A classic silhouette with a bold pattern and a pop of color, this timeless tunic melds elegance and comfort. This is absolutely a day to night garment. If you are on the shorter side, like me, this could work as a mini-dress, if you dare! Also, pairs great with leggings or jeans or to lounge by the pool.

 


Princess Slide $145

Contrary to popular belief, flip flops are NOT appropriate for every situation. Really, do you want to make your grand entrance into an elegant restaurant in a pair of rubber sandals? No way, darlings! Pack a pair of these embroidered silk slip-ons for those moments when you don't want to sacrifice style for comfort.

Cleo Bracelet ($73)

A statement piece of jewelry can take the simplest ensemble from blah to ooh la la. The almost art deco look of this SAACHI bold bangle will never go out of style.

Get Smooth Summer Skin with Brazilian Peel Clear

Ah, these sultry summer rays lift our spirits but they can also increase our skin's oil production and leave us with pesky pimples. If you are looking for a grown-up and gentle yet effective way to treat summer breakouts, you may want to consider Brazilian Peel Clear ($60 at Sephora.) The 2-step treatment gets the gunk out of your pores with 35% glycolic acid, natural Brazilian acai berry essence, and salicylic acid. The $60 may seem pricey but this kit will last you 30 days - use the peel once a week and the booster pads daily.

If pimples aren't an issue for you, give the original Brazilian Peel ($78) a try for instant brightening, smoothing and firming. Praised by Allure, Latina, InStyle and other fashion mags, it is the first professional strength, self-neutralizing glycolic peel that is proven clinically safe for at-home use.

Easy breezy Brazilian beauty!

A Sip of Spain: Martin Codax Albariño Wine is Muy Delicioso!

The hot summer days just beckon you to sit back and relax with a glass of cool white wine. I was recently sent a lovely bottle of Martin Codax Albariño to savor - tough job but I'm up to the task, dear readers.

Martin Codax, from the region of Rias Baixas, is one of Spain's most respected winemakers and the most widely available Albariño in the United States. Their newly released 2010 vintage retails for a very affordable $15 and has earned a place on my list of perfect summer sips - it is crisp and appropriately fruity. I detected lovely notes of citrus, peach and melon. Martin Codax Albariño would pair perfectly with seafood, mild cheeses, and light pasta dishes. I would love to sip a glass while dining on a generous serving of garlicky gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp). Delicioso!

And, who is Martin Codax? He was a 13th century Galician troubadour, whose romantic works are still sung and played in the Northwest of Spain. Albariño is known as “The Wine of the Seas,” because of the ocean’s impact on the climate of vineyards and because the wine so perfectly accompanies the seafood dishes prevalent in Galicia.

When you buy your bottle of Albariño, live for the moment and drink it now- it is generally intended to be enjoyed young, within a year or two after harvest, to fully capture the vibrant flavors and aromas. Salud!

 

Gorgeous on the Go: Beauty Products Worth Packing

Finally, I am getting to escape the Big Apple for a few days - I am heading on a jaunt to Boston next week for a little business and mucho pleasure! In addition to planning out my itinerary (museums, meals, and music) and selecting some pretty frocks, I am paying careful attention to what beauty products to bring. Here are a few of my at-home favorites that are definitely worth packing. Give them a try!

ProSilk Hair Smoothing Shine Enhancer with Silk Serums
$19.95
ProSilk Serum is nothing less than fantastic. When I received a sample, I honestly did not have high expectations - I figured it was just another sticky serum that would weigh my my hair down and leave it way too shiny. Au contraire - I have tried just about every serum on the market and ProSilk has quickly moved up the list as my new favorite.

The texture is lightweight, silky, and imparts a subtle shine. Somehow, it manages to smooth your hair without weighing it down - your hair will still move. And, ProSilk works well on ALL hair types - and it is really good on hair extensions. Beyond making your tresses look great, ProSilk helps fill in the voids on the cuticle layer by strengthening and bonding hair inside and outside. If you use a flat iron or other heat appliances, ProSilk will protect your tresses from the heat. It also has UV protection. You can even use ProSilk on your body. The scent is great too - ProSilk Silk Serum has a subtle aroma of fresh melon.


Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
$50
I received a sample size of Dermalogica Daily Microfolient in a gift bag a few weeks ago. Did I like it? Well, yesterday I made a trip to their store in Soho (NYC) to shell out 50 bucks to buy my own! Yes, it is a little pricey but the results are worth it. And, this bottle should last about a year - a great return on investment!

Unlike most scrubs, Dermalogica Microfolient does not feel at all harsh - you won't feel any little beads rubbing against your skin. It is a very fine powder that you shake into your wet hands and it turns into a creamy paste. Massage it into your face for a minute and voila - smooth, soft skin. It is gentle enough to use daily after your regular cleanser. The powder may look simple but it is packed full of powerful ingredients like, Salicylic Acid, Rice Enzymes, Green Tea and Licorice Root Extract, that calm the skin and balance out uneven pigmentation.

Cover FX Powder FX Pressed Mineral Powder Foundation SPF 10
$35
About 2 months ago, I stormed into Sephora seeking the perfect powder foundation. Just a few days prior, I had shelled out $45 on a well-known brand that did not deliver - no coverage, chalky, and no oil control. When the salesperson pointed me towards Cover FX, I balked. I had never heard of it and it just didn't sound chic or sexy. Well, it may not be stylish but this Powder FX delivers. If you have oily and sensitive skin like mine, Cover FX provides natural coverage, absorbs oil, and protects skin with SPF 10. They have a shade to match virtually every skin tone. A little bit goes a long way and the pressed powder format is perfect for travel.

Save the Date: The Jekyll Island Wild Georgia Shrimp & Grits Festival

Yes, you can wear a little black dress and still indulge in grits! Growing up with two Southern parents, a hot side of creamy butter drenched grits were a regular part of breakfast. Now, I always have a box of old-fashioned (NEVER Quick) grits in the cupboard. Each forkful is like a taste of my childhood and my heritage. (And, grits aren't just for breakfast - add some fresh parmesan for an amazing savory side.)

Shrimp & grits go together like biscuits & butter and you can indulge in this oh-so-very Southern dish at the Jekyll Island Wild Georgia Shrimp and Grits Festival - just off the coast of Georgia midway between Savannah, GA and Jacksonville, Florida. This weekend festival is scheduled for September 16-18 and features amazing food, live music, fine arts & crafts, and a variety of entertainment.

 

 

The Jekyll Island Club Hotel

The main event of the Shrimp & Grits Festival takes place right in front of the Jekyll Island Club Hotel and they are offering a great package for festival attendees. For $255 per night (double occupancy, two night minimum, taxes and resort fee extra) you get clubhouse or traditional accommodations, breakfast buffet each morning, festival t-shirts and official poster, and, of course, some yummy shrimp and grits! For an extra $35 per person, guests can participate in a Chef's Demonstration that includes generous tasting portions and a glass of wine.

Even if you are not a fan of grits (I'll try not to hold that against you), you should consider a getaway to the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. Rated among the top 500 resorts in the world by Travel & Leisure, it is Jekyll Island’s only four star resort and National Historic Landmark. Welcoming guests since 1888, Jekyll Island Club Hotel was created as an exclusive hunting retreat for J.P. Morgan, William Rockefeller, Joseph Pulitzer and their hoity toity friends.  Now you and your fabulous friends can enjoy their casual and fine dining, nine miles of beach, bicycling, 63 holes of golf, tennis, historic tours, horseback riding, and much more. They offer a wide variety of affordable packages, including the Romantic Fantasy Package, Girlfriends Getaway, Cooking at the Club and many more!

 

Just Go Girl: Traveling Alone Doesn't Have to Be Lonely, Dangerous or Expensive

9 million American women travel abroad alone each year, according to Budget Travel - one of my favorite travel magazines. I love the freedom of traveling alone with a bag full of little black dresses. On solo trips spontaneity reigns supreme. Do you feel like skipping the museum and prefer to lounge around your hotel room wearing a plush robe and eating a fancy room-service breakfast? Go for it - no traveling companion, no explaining, no guilt.

And, when you feel like socializing, in most places, it is incredibly easy for a woman traveling alone to meet people. Go places that maximize your mingling opportunities - have your meals at the bar so that you can chat with the bartender, sign up for a walking tour, wine tasting or cooking class, or attend a lecture or recital where you can chat about the event with fellow attendees.

However, successful solo travel does require a certain amount of planning. Safety should always be a priority, but don't let Hollywood movies like TAKEN completely frighten you from talking to strangers. Just be careful not to reveal too much to a complete stranger, including where you are staying or even the fact that you are alone. If pressed by someone creepy, I have fibbed and said that I am traveling with a group and just decided to take a little break. Follow your intuition - if it doesn't feel safe, don't do it! Some experts even suggest that single women wear a simple gold wedding band. Also, make sure that someone back home knows your itinerary and update them with any major changes.

A financial downside of traveling alone has been those ridiculous single supplement charges. According to Budget Travel, "solo travelers are effectively charged twice as much in hotels because most places automatically base their room rates on double occupancy. One way around this surcharge, called a single-supplement fee, is to simply ask for a discount: Point out that you're the only person staying in the room and that you'll be using less electricity and water and eating less breakfast than two guests."

However some smart companies are catering to single travelers by offering reduced rates - no need to haggle. Good resources include Solo Cruise Resource and Connecting: Solo Travel Network. For more great tips on traveling alone, read the Budget Travel article 6 Most Common Solo Travel Questions - Answered.

image: Theresa Tibbetts/iStock