panties + vodka

For 6 years, I've been going to my Chinatown man Peter for those amazing massages. It may sit underground, but it isn't one of those sketchy body work places. It was recently written up in New York magazine and that pissed me off because i didn't want random people taking up my precious Peter's time that he should be spending with me.

Till now, I've underestimated the foot massage. I'm not just talking about a foot rub, but a real foot massage. we tried to hit up this place on mott street that specializes in feet. there's a photo montage in the front of unruly feet getting massaged and a looping video showing the same. any way, thought we'd give it a try but were turned away with a curt "no reservation? wait one hour." we decided to try a similar place next door but it wasn't as clean-looking. they did a pretty good job alright. or so i'd thought.. these ladies' hands were child's play compared to what i got yesterday.

and yesterday's place was that first place we tried to go to. no reservations again, but they were able to take us. one of the nicest chinatown massage places i've ever seen: 3 flat screen TVs and some big comfy leather chairs with ottomans. First, they dunk your feet in some hot brown water. At first i thought it was clay or mud, but the smell was undeniably Chinese herbs traditionally used in medicine. While your feet are warming up, they give you a 30 minute upper body massage. Not unlike the ones you may get at your local manicure salon.

Then they start working on your feet. Only the brave will make it here. Don't be fooled by some dude reading the Post while getting his massage, like I did. he got me all excited about getting a nice foot rub and relaxing. i've got a freakishly high tolerance for pain, but i felt like crying the entire time.

but would i go again? i might. i'll see how i feel. you know how they say the feet are connected to all of your inner organs? i think i'm feeling pretty fresh and anew today.

oh, did i mention the massage was a measly $30.00 for an hour?

the place is on mott street. i'll give you the name and exact address next time i go.

Posted by cindy at 11:36 AM | Permalink

just got back from another excursion to chinatown...

besides going there for the occasional massage (not the happy ending kind!) and the food,

i now go there for my facials and grocery shopping.

basically, i hadn't been to get a facial since my wedding in april. i show up and my girl's all pissed i haven't been there. i walk in, she gives me a curt "i haven't seen you long time" and so begins my uncomfortable facial. i'm sitting there with apologies abounding. before wedding prep, i never used to get facials on a regular basis. my skin had gotten better, i guessed, but i just stopped going. truth is, it hurts like a mofo. chinatown gives no mercy when it comes to extractions: there are involuntary leg shoot-ups, teeth grinding, and tears. yesterday i decided to pinch myself whenever it hurt so that i'd draw attention elsewhere than the excruciating pain i was feeling on my forehead.

plus i'm too scared to look at the products that they use after i realized one time that i had something very familiar-smelling on my face. my eyes were closed, but it was undeniably Vaseline.

but you know what? my face today is glowing and feels like a baby's butt. so maybe no pain, no gain. and i think my girl was being nice to me again after she hurt me so.

Posted by cindy at 10:14 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (1)

i indulge incessantly in celebrity gossip magazines. who doesn't? it's silly yet addicting. 

and working in fashion, you can't afford not to know what the hottest new thing is.

but i rarely (never is prob more accurate) cut out a celeb's photo and think that's how i want to look or dress. yet this picture of michelle williams inspired me to chop off my hair.

from here:

to here:

Not quite the same.

Fortunately, my stylist knows that my hair is not soft enough to pull off that hair style - it would stick up like a boy's. so i guess i'll have to stick with this until i'm ready to dye it or perm it so my hair "weakens" so i can look more like heath's girlfriend. oh, well.

Posted by cindy at 09:01 AM | Permalink

The Grammys were glowing and so were the ladies.  The popular look was soft skin, pale lips and lots of lashes.  You can be sure each entertainer had a visit from a makeup artist hours before they hit the red carpet.  But you don’t have to employ other hands to emulate their glamour.  Here is a quick and simple way to be your own artist.

1. Apply a deep toned cream eye shadow with an eye shadow brush from the eye line to the crease, blending thoroughly.  Top it with translucent powder.  Paint over the lid with a powder shimmer eye shadow that matches the cream color.  NARS makes lovely cream color shadows in sultry shades.  BOURJOIS makes a waterproof formula that will last all evening.  After shadow, use and eyeliner brush and a black powder eye shadow to draw a line along the entire upper lash line. Finish with two illustrious coats of very black mascara to top and bottom lashes.  
2. Cheeks get a wash of color and shine using two blushes. The first layer should be a neutral tone only one or two shades deeper than your natural skin tone.  Using a deeper color pressed powder is a great way to maintain a natural look.  Then dust over that with a pink shimmer blush.  I love BOBBI BROWN PEONY SHIMMERBRICK
3. Lips are quick and simple. Line and fill in lips COMPLETELY with a lip liner one shade paler than your natural lip color.  Skip the lipstick and go straight for a matching color gloss such as ESTEE LAUDER PURE GLOSS or URBAN DECAY ULTRAGLIDE LIP GLOSS.

Spray on your signature scent and you’re ready to rock!  

Check out leslie's site, updated weekly at www.beautydean.com

Posted by leslie at 05:00 PM | Permalink