Surfgirl Swimsuits by Squalo

Finding a swimsuit to fit me has always been a hair pulling shopping experience ... most brands have bottoms that seem to sag in the bum or the store is out of my size in Rip Curl, the one brand that fits. Then while in Playa del Carmen, Mexico ... miracles of miracles ... I found a brand, Surfgirl by Squalo, made in Mexico, that fits absolutely perfect! Even better, they have a HUGE selection (what a luxury!) ... I clap and clap and clap!

Unfortunately, I haven't a clue where to buy them in the good ole US of A and the Squalo website doesn't showcase any women's bathing suits, but do check out their cute tops, trunks, and rashguards. According to the clothing label, a company with the combined names of two friends (ha!), Jennifer Kay Inc., based in Los Angeles, imports the brand into the United States. Sadly, I couldn't track down any other bits o' information.

P.S. Has anyone ever seen or heard of this brand in US stores? I would love to find out more ... Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

Lush's Reincarnate Solid Shampoo

I have a confession to make: I've been disloyal to my usual Creme de Coco shampoo as of late...

I recently got turned onto Lush's solid shampoos by my friend, Alia. Wow -- this stuff is cool!

I've been using their "Reincarnate" shampoo which contains henna that gives dark hair natural highlights. The shampoo works really well and makes my hair smooth and glossy. It's a mind-trip because every morning, I'm rubbing my hair with shampoo that looks like a brown hunk of rock. The weirdest part is that it lathers up really well. As an extra perk, the scent sends me on a journey to Morocco...

Here's a description from Lush's web site:

"Conditioning shampoo for darker hair Reincarnate is an amazing reappearance of two of our earlier shampoos; we have taken the strongest points from both and reincarnated them as a single, better bar. It has rhassoul mud from the Atlas mountains for healthy scalp condition, Persian henna for red glints, sedra herb for condition and shine and a gorgeous, Eastern spice market fragrance of vanilla, orange frankincense and labdanum. It cleans without much lather so it is ideal for soft water areas ? but don?t let us stop you if you want shiny red hair in a hard water area! Works well with Henna treated hair."

The Five People You Meet In Heaven

A short and simple, yet deeply poignant fable, Mitch Albom's The Five People You Meet in Heaven, will change the way you think of life after death, as well the meaning of life here on earth. Easily one of my favorite books of all times.

Old Navy Fold-Over Gaucho Capris

I wore the skort way back when, though I honestly never understood why it was promoted as a half skirt, half pants, because it was really just shorts with an identity crisis. So when the trend died, I was happy to see it fall away. Happy to be back to an article of clothing who knew who it was.

Then about a year ago, the half skirt, half pants was reinvented under the new name, gaucho. I couldn’t help but point and cackle at the new half cute, half goofy look, swearing up and down I would never follow the herd.

Yet like so many other things with “stickiness” in our culture, the gaucho virus began taking hold and I began to wonder what I was missing.

So a few weeks ago when I spotted a pair at Old Navy, I tried them on. The bug bit hard. I, Amy Mew, which probably will come to no surprise to you, was instantly sold. They looked great and more importantly were incredibly comfortable. At $14.50 each, I ended up walking out with two.

Like anything viral, my clothing focus is purely gaucho, preventing me from seeing any other pants in my ginormous sea of clothes. Gauchos to the beach, to gym, as a response to the 90 degree LA temps and even to dress up for work.

I’m actually currently sitting here wearing my “dressed up"’ gauchos, hoping to pass the infection to you. So if you aren’t already part of the herd, hop on broad, I promise you won’t be disappointed. Just be forewarned that I may heckle you, as well as myself, when the rose glasses vanish.



Where to Find:
$14.50 at Old Navy. Available in Brown Earth, Artichoke, and Grey.

Product Features:
• Sits low on waist
• Leg hits mid-calf
• 47% rayon, 47% polyester, 6% spandex. Machine wash. Imported.

Korres Natural Body Butter - Guava

I received this lotion last December as a holiday gift from the lovely N.du.Kay. On a sniff test alone, this lotion is worth a try as its delicious aroma is heavenly, but not in the over powering stink-up-the-elevator way.

I am so paranoid about trying new body care products, especially of the fragrance variety as my skin often reacts with redness, rashes, and skin irritations. Yuck! I was delightfully surprised to find that Korres Natural Body Butter did not cause any allergic reactions.

The effect was quite the opposite. My legs, elbows, and heels are so baby soft that this daily lotion addict has been converted into a every other day gal. Sound too good to be true? Give it a go yourself.



Where to Find It:
$19.50 at Sephora and Amazon. Also available in Quince and Yogurt.

Ingredients:
Guava, Shea butter, Sunflower oil, Almond oil, Avocado oil, Quince extract, Red Vine polyphenols, glycerine.

Learn more about the Greek based company on the Korres website.

L'Occitane Rose Body Milk

I'm gonna go crazy here and post another favorite of mine...

I love this lotion because it's light and absorbs quickly. I'm picky about my body lotion because it drives me nuts when the lotion feels heavy and makes my clothes stick to my body. I also suffer from extremely dry skin, so without lotion, my skin itches badly.

L'Occitane's Rose Body Milk smells the way a fresh bouquet of roses actually smells. The perfume is very subtle and lingers all day. My clothes and sheets end up smelling like real roses. Very lovely indeed! As an extra perk for all of us girlies, the bottle has a beautiful Art Deco look that just sits beautifully on bathroom counters.


If you're feeling super indulgent, try the Rose Velvet Body Cream.

Bumble and Bumble's Creme de Coco Shampoo

This shampoo not only smells divine, it actually works miracles on dry, lifeless hair. I've never been loyal to any one shampoo until I tried this one out. It contains coconut oil, murumuru butter, milk thistle and other exotic ingredients. If you've got coarse hair like me, you'll love this shampoo!

You can buy it from amazon.com or select hair salons.

Visit the Bumble and bumble web site for more product details...

Mohop Wooden Sandals

I found Annie's site through my usual "I need to avoid real work so why don't I surf links pages?" time online. She's an amazing architect turned environmentally-friendly-and-decidedly-very-cool shoe designer in Chicago.

I swindled myself a pair and promptly crocheted myself some ties. Whah? That's right. Her patent-pending strapping system allows, nay encourages, you to use any pretty set of ribbons, straps, cords and yes, crocheted ties, you want. It's like a million pairs in one! (Quite literally)



I wrote about my Mohop experience on my blog: The Fabled Needle.

Mohop's got a collection of cool shapes, hand-screened images and recycled rubber soles that will make your eyes drool and mouth bulge.

Please go to mohop.com to learn more and yes, buy a pair!

Dr. Hauschka Neem Hair Oil

My hair ends were becoming dry and brittle from all my time spent in the sun and surf. I thought I would have to cut it, but Dr. Hauschka Neem Hair Oil saved my distressed tresses. The intensive hair and scalp treatment repairs damaged hair and restores its natural softness and managability. It works so well that you won't be able to stop petting your own locks.

Special Tip: Turn the Beach Into a Spa
Massage a few drops into scalp and ends and pull hair into an updo. Head down to the beach and sit in the sun and let the oil work its magic all day.



Where to Find It:
$29.95 at Whole Foods or through the Dr. Hauschka's Web Site.

Product Features:
For normal to dry or damaged hair
An intensive hair and scalp treatment. Repairs damaged hair and restore healthy sheen and manageability.

• Neem leaf and chamomile extracts calm itchy, irritated conditions
• Rosemary essential oil stimulates scalp circulation
• Encourages healthy new hair growth
• Restores natural shine and manageability to hair