55 Secret Street

55 Summer Favorites

 


Beauty

55.  Nyakio Travel Set  - I've heard about Nyakio for a while now, but it was only recently that I was able to try her products.   So far, I'm loving the Kenyan Coffee & Sugar Scrub, but I think the travel set is a nice way to try the scrub and a few more things.

54.  Sephora Summer Blockbuster Palette  - You can never go wrong with a palette - and since this one is only thirty-six bucks it is absolutely irresistable. 

53. Natura Bisse Honey Body Refiner - I have been intrigued with this since I spotted it on the Beauty Snob the other week. 

52.  Cartier Delices de Cartier Eau Fruitee Eau de Toilette Spray - I'm still wearing my Donna Karan Gold from my 55 Spring Favorites list, but this Cartier caught my attention during one of my infrequent pit stops into Sephora.

51. Ellin LaVar Textures Reconstruct Masque  and Penetrating Balm Leave-in Treatment - Has anyone else tried products from Ellin Lavar's new line?  I've heard very good things about the Reconstruct Masque and I can't wait to use it when I take my braids out in a few weeks. 

50.  Cetaphil Fragrance Free Daily Facial Moisturizer, SPF 15 - Nerd Girl asked me about  my favorite moisturizer with sunscreen and here it its.  Cetaphil goes on smooth, there is no white caste and it's fragrance free.

49.  Dr. Hauschka Skin Care Lavender Bath - Dr. Hauschka is a long time favorite for me.  I love this lavender bath because the scent fills my entire apartment.  Lovely - and soothing.

48.  Three-in-one Body Wash by Bath & Body Works in Sunset Mango and Beyond Berry - The multi-tasker in me could NOT resist these!

47.   Prescriptives Virtually Fresh Skin Refining Makeup SPF 15 in Naturally Cocoa - I'm a little perturbed with Prescriptives for discontinuing my Warm Ginger Foundation Stick.  It was an exact match to my skin!  However, they have redeemed themselves with their new Virtually Fresh line.  The Naturally Cocoa is not as exact as the Warm Ginger - but it's definitely a good match.

46.  Bliss Beachy Clean Summer Getaway Set - Here is another great travel set.  I like it because it contains some of my favorite products - especially the Steep Clean Cleansing Milk and Toner Pads.

Nars, Nars, Nars!  45.  NARS Body Glow - Although I love to try new products, I tend to be very loyal when I find things that work.  And if there is one brand of makeup that consistently works for me, It's NARS.  There is nothing - nothing! - NARS Body Glow on my arms, back and legs in the summer.  And the 44.  Nars Blush/Bronzer Duo Sin/ Casino is another favorite.  The Casino tends to go first, but I still love the mix. 

44.  As far as NARS gloss, I tend to stick with Cabiria, but every now and then I'll switch so I don't get into a rut and NARS Lip Lacquer in Eros fits the bill.

43.  NARS Color Wash For Lips and Cheeks in Modesty- Speaking of getting out of a rut, I decided to try a product from NARS that I - miracle of miracles - haven't tried.  And what do you know - a new favorite.

55 Summer Favorites

Fashion

Please forgive my tardiness.  My laptop is still quite dead and I'm still on borrowed computer time.

Moving on...

 

42.  FitFlops -  I guess the rest of the world spotted these in the Sunday New York Times like I did because they are already sold out online Bath & Body Works.  Good thing they are also available at BlissWorld.

41.  Reef Stash Sandals - I spotted them on the ThisNext blog first - and then I saw them everywhere.  Quick! Run out and get Dad a pair for Father's Day!  And get a pair for yourself of course.

40.  Good in a Nutshell Bracelet -  I've been wearing this bracelet, made of tagua, a sustainably harvested rainforest nut, quite a bit since it arrived last week.  It is fair trade, handcrafted in Colombia and distributed by Tierra Santa Café, a group helping artisans get fair compensation while pursuing higher education.  I always love great fashion for a great cause.

39. Saltflower Tote by Anthropologie  - I like this because it's a nice, colorful break from the typical summer straw bag.  Not that there is anything wrong with straw bags (see below).

Simple, easy, classic chic 38. Navy Striped Cotton Beach Shift Dress and 37. Classic Straw Hat and 36. Leather Capri Sandals  and 35. Medium Rustic Straw Bag by J.Crew.  34. (Opener) Ralph Lauren Bikini and Skirted Hipster.

'Don't Bug Me' Oversize Shades  33.  Tom Ford Samantha Sunglasses.   32.  Gucci Gold Horsebit Dragonfly Shield Sunglasses. 31.  Fendi Cube Large Sunglasses. 30.  Roberto Cavalli Assarraco Sunglasses.

    

Sexy Summer Cocktail Dresses 29.  Julie Haus Luau Dress.   28. Foley for Foley + Corinna Jersey Cocktail Dress in Candy Purple.  27.  T. Bags Solid V-Neck Short Sleeve Dress.  26.  Susana Monaco Hudson Peg Dress.

55 Summer Favorites

     

Home & Design

25.  Daisy Plates by Crate & Barrel - How pretty is this plate?  It comes in a set of six and I can absolutely see it making appearances at bridal showers and even book club teas this season, but I would break them out on ordinary occasions as well.

24.  Luau Wine Glass Covers - I'm telling you, Plum Party has the best party items!  I think these Luau Wine Glass Covers would be a big hit at any outdoor party and these  23. Red Etch It' Cups (a set of 32 is $10.00) will definitely help avoid a lot of unecessary drunken family barbecue arguments!  I think they will be my contribution to my family reunion later this summer!

22.  Coral Garden Dessert Plates by Anthropologie (top) You didn't really think I'd get through this whole list without mentioning Anthropologie did you? Ha!

21.  Kaiku Shower Curtain (top) Very pretty and summery, right?  All of my shower curtains are dark and mysterious (jewel tones and the like) so I need to lighten things up a bit.  And it gives me a great excuse to get new towels and washcloths too.

20.  Isaac Mizrahi Pop Flower Bedding Collection - You don't understand how long I've wanted this set.  I have a large studio and these sheets would brighten things up quite nicely.  Believe it or not, I actually forgot about them (I think I was waiting for it to go on sale or something) but I'm going to snap it up before Isaac and Target get any big ideas about ever discontinuing it.

19.  Mod Cocktail Set by Jill Rosenwald (top) I found this cute set at the online store of one of my local favorites, Semplice.  They carry all sorts of adorable things from furniture to stationery and beauty products.  I also like these pretty 18.  Palm Leaf Bowls which would be a great excuse to keep candy around.  For guests of course...

17.  Voluspa Seasons Candle Tins - I featured Voluspa candles in my 55 Fall Favorites last year, but I had to show them again because they have new scents!  Deep Lilac Muget, Yuzu Rose Bubble Bath, Limon Frosted Biscotti and Fleurs de Fete all smell as good as they sound.

55 Summer Favorites

       

Food & Wine

16.  The Recipe Box - This is a great new site from one of my favorite blogs The Hostess with the Mostess (click at your own risk - you'll be hooked!)  Billed as a place to "share and find fabulous recipes" that is exactly what I've been doing, starting with these delicious Black Pepper and Garlic Chicken Wings, which would pair nicely with the See-Through Sangria shown above.

15.  Lindemans Bin 65 Chardonnay - I have to confess that this has been one of my favorites all year.  It's just right for me - light, fresh, reasonably priced and a tad sweet, so it's no surprise to me that it's from one of my favorite wine-producing countries, Australia.  I'm also a big fan of Lindeman's Shiraz.

14. Guacamole and Tortilla Chips - I think it's safe to call this an addiction for me.  I must have this at regular intervals all summer long.

13. Monogrammed Stainless Steel Beverage Bucket (top) I think this is a great housewarming or even a wedding gift that would see many summers.

12. Red Velvet Cupcakes - I know, I know - cupcakes are everywhere now.  Last January, my cousin  ordered a set of red velvet cupcakes from Make My Cake and they were SO delicious.  I'm not sure if Make My Cake is still there (I've got to get up to Harlem this week!) but believe me when I tell you, I will get my red velvet cupcakes from somebody, somewhere - and very soon.  By the way, I copped the cupcake picture from Cupcakes Take The Cake, which is done by my same name blog bud Nichelle and her two pals Rachel and Alizinha.

11. Good Enough to Eat - I don't list restaurants in my sidebar for nothing.  The food at Good Enough to Eat is so, so good, that lines regularly form outside of their tiny space on 83rd and Columbus.  That's why it's too cold for me to go in the winter!  The first time I went, I made the mistake of going after a snowstorm - and we all stood outside and froze before we were seated.  So, Good Enough to Eat is a summertime favorite for me.  I alternate between the Bacon Waffles or one of their omelettes when I'm not getting a special (I had Grand Marnier Waffles there once - delicious!) 

10. Cafe Lalo As for Cafe Lalo, it's been one of my favorites for several years now.  I love it so much, I take everyone (and I do mean everyone) I know to eat there at least once.  The desserts are worth the devotion - especially the Brownie Chocolate Chunk cheesecake.  And the cappuccino's not bad either. 

9.   Oprah's Frozen TangOrita -  I am a die-hard, un-abashed and unashamed Oprah-holic.  Hate on her haters, now or later, but she's still the Queen!  Oprah had a summer favorites show recently and she revealed yet another one of her drink creations.  I'm sure the haters were thrilled to hear that she squeezed the fresh tangerine juice from tangerines grown on the grounds of her uber-fabulous Santa Barbara estate. 

Aw, don't sweat it - just think of it as HateOrade and drink up!

Oprah's Frozen TangOrita

• 4 ounces tangerine juice
• 2 ounces tequila, Patron Silver
• 1/3 ounce (or "hint") of triple sec
• Crushed ice
• Floating mint leaf
• Colored salt and sugar mix on rim
• Garnish with tangerine slice

Squeeze four ounces of fresh tangerine juice. Add two ounces of tequila and a hint of triple sec. Blend with crushed ice, and add a mint leaf. Garnish with a slice of tangerine and a mix of salt and sugar around the rim of your glass.

55 Summer Favorites

To mark the 1st anniversary  of 55 Secret Street (tomorrow!) and the beginning of summer, I thought that I would start my list of 55 Summer Favorites, beginning with my heart and soul.

Books & Music

8.  Summertime by DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince  - I have a special affinity for folks from Philly because I am from South Jersey.  Believe it or not folks, the great state of New Jersey does not have it's own statewide affiliates for major television and radio channels like ABC, CBS or NBC so, I grew up listening to Philadelphia television and radio.  People raised in North Jersey rely on New York television and radio.   It makes it very interesting when it comes to politics because candidates running for senator or governor must run ads on Philadelphia or New York television to reach New Jersey voters - if they can afford it.  But I digress...

Back to one of my original summertime anthems.  It just isn't summer to me until I hear this song!  I am sure that is true for anyone that was a teenager like me in the late eighties.  I swear, I'll be 90 years old telling my grandkids, "You don't know nothin' bout that!'   But, of course, when Summertime came out, we all knew that it sampled the eternal jam Summer Madness by Kool & the Gang because we grew up hearing it blasting from our parents stereos.  Do the chirrens today know the original songs that are sampled in todays hits?  Chile please...

7.  Hate on Me by Jill Scott - Speaking of anthems, here is my anthem for the Summer of 2007 and, please - the rest of my life!  Miss Jill Scott from Philly y'all has done it again.  Her new album, The Real Thing, isn't due until the fall, but you can blast Hate on Me (Go 'head and hate on me hater, I'm not afraid of, what I got I paid for, you can hate one me) right now from your car, play it on the way to work in the morning on the train or as you sweat away on the treadmill.   Guaranteed motivator.

6.  Beautiful Flower by India.Arie -  India was inspired to write this  pretty song by the students at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa.   She even let the girls give the song it's name and 100% of the sales price will go to their school.

5.  Lovely Standards by Amel Larriuex (top)  Amel Larrieux seems to specialize in anthems.  Her previous  single "Weary" is one of my favorites  (If I could trust someone, to have my back and never do me wrong, then I would give my love up, just like that, stop singing this soldier song) and the same goes for an even earlier jam, Get Up  (Six a.m., getting out of bed again, can't get back in, cause sleep ain't gonna pay the rent) and I am always looking forward to anything new by her.  I had the great fortune to see her perform live two or three years ago on New Year's Eve and believe me when I tell you, she's the real deal in person, not just in the studio or the video.  Another great thing about Amel is that she is a wonderful example of substance and style.  She writes to fans on her message board and even lists some of her favorite designers (Jil Sander, Yohji Yamamoto, Daryl K, R by 45 Rpm, Rei Kawakubo and Miguel Adrover) among others.

4.  Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee -  This is the big 'leave-me-alone' book that you want to bring to the beach (as Amel, Jill and India play in your headphones).  It's an expansive story that follows Korean-American Casey Han, a recent Princeton grad with "refined diction, an enviable golf handicap, wealthy friends, a popular white boyfriend, an agnostic's closeted passion for reading the Bible, and a magna cum laude degree in economics" - but "no job and a number of bad habits."   And that is only the beginning.  Here is an extended excerpt from Narrative Magazine.

3.  Summer at Tiffany by Marjorie Hart - This is a charming and very interesting memoir written by an eightysomething professional cellist on the memorable summer of 1945 she spent working at Tiffany's on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.  A very nice read for the beach or an outdoor cafe.

2.  Rise and Shine by Anna Quindlen -  I couldn't resist picking this up a few weeks ago when it was newly released in paperback and I read it within a few days on the subway.  If you don't know a thing about New York, this would be an excellent book to read because it gives you a great insider's view of the city.  The story is pretty interesting too:  it follows the relationship between two sisters, Meghan,  a household name and morning talk show host and Bridget, a Bronx social worker, in the aftermath of an on-air gaffe that marks a major shift in Meghan's career - and life.

1.  The Harlem Book Fair - July 20-22 are the dates and I'll be there with bells on!