I said yes to carrots

I've been walking by the Yes to Carrots display at Walgreen's for awhile now and wondering what these orange-label, carrot-related products do exactly. Last week I finally bought their C the Body Carrot Rich Moisturizing Body Scrub.

It is fantastic. Made with organic carrot juice and Dead Sea mud, this is the first body exfoliator I can remember leaving my skin so very moisturized that I didn't need lotion (even after shaving my legs).

Beware: It's so moisturizing that it leaves a bit of residue around the tub. Luckily it comes off easily.

It's an easy product to use and has a pleasant smell. Just scrub for 3 minutes, three times a week with this stuff.

It looks like a great exfoliator for my pre-self-tanning ritual. I have yet to try out this theory. I'll keep you posted when I do. Until then, if you're looking for a good way to slough off that dead skin and not feel parched, say yes to carrots.

In the pursuit of big(ger) hair

The summer months can be trying for a woman (like me) who digs some big hair. I use volumizing shampoo and conditioner, I blow out my hair each day using a thickening spray and then I spray the crap out of it with Big Sexy hair spray.

But, there are times when I just can't get enough texture (without a painful amount of back comb action) and I find that a lot of products that give me that texture weight my hair down. I was thrilled to discover a texture spray at Jody's Salon in Lafayette that was totally news to me – White Sands Liquid Texture.

Bonus: It also smoothes those fly away hairs that tend to crop up at the worst times.

It's also a humidity fighter and unlike most spray-on products, it leaves your hair soft and not crunchy. Hair that's big and soft? Maybe I'll give my teasing comb a vacation – or at least a few days off.

Polish for the nonpolisher

Nail upkeep is kind of the bane of my existence. I have to admit that I do naturally have some hearty fingernails that grow quite well.

Keeping them filed and polished can be a bit of a job. And then there are the toe nails. I hate giving myself a pedicure and with the excessively pointed, high heels shoes I often wear paint tends to chip away all too quickly. At this point you may be wondering why I don't just get a manicure or pedicure. I am my mother's daughter in this area – why pay for someone else to do it when I can do it myself.

And so, here I am with often half-painted nails. All of that is to say that I have discovered a new polish that makes painting my nails a bit easier, especially the toe nails.

Nicole by OPI makes a new product called Nic's Sticks. Pump, paint and go. They dry quickly, are easy to apply and more importantly make it impossible for me to knock over a bottle of polish.

Bonus: The OPI website has an interactive tool that let's you choose a polish color using your skin tone and nail length.
The shade I've been using Are We There Yet? is a sheer pink color that remains neutral and has just enough color for the summer months.

Royal indeed

Sarah Berthelot, Lady of the Year, and Melanie Martin, Woman of the Year, show off their roaring looks at the Queen's Gala.

Saturday night was the Queen's Gala to benefit Faith House, of which FACE was a sponsor, and I have to ask could there be a better cause?

Don't answer that. I know in Lafayette there truly are numerous very worthy causes, which explains the crazy long list of causes that the Woman of the Year – Melanie Martin – and Lady of the Year – Sarah Berthelot – are involved in across Acadiana.

Saturday night's event included a silent auction. (Why, oh why, didn't I bid on that splendid Marilyn Monroe painting?) And some fabulous flapper attire in line with this year's 1920's theme.

Sarah's dress, which was converted from a not-so-roaring-20's-frock, to something straight from a speak easy included a matching hat with feathers. I am firm believer that it's hard to go wrong with feathers.

Melanie donned a 20's inspired ensemble as well, the highlight of which (in my opinion) was a vintage hat.

A worthwhile cause + costumes = a fabulous time.

Tan in a pinch

Per my previous post, you may already know that I am on a constant quest for products that will disguise my God-given fair skin.

I love self-tanners, bronzers and the like. To that end, I have to share a new discovery in the world of bronzers - Glominerals all over Body Bronzer.

I was at Ashero Spa recently where a friendly employee slathered a bit of the fluid on my left arm. It dried in an instant and left a rosy tan with a beautiful shimmer. (For those who want more shimmer and less color they have a lighter shade as well.)

Flash to later that night and the bronzer – which requires soap and water for removal – was still going strong despite a humid day that included a bit of sweating. If you've ever used a body bronzer that comes off with water, you know that one bead of sweat, one little rain drop can leave your legs in a state of frightening leopard spots. 

There are few things less sexy than a woman with polka dot legs.

Travel proof hats

A travel worthy Eric Javits hat. Add beautiful sunglasses and hit the sand.

At a recent fashion show in Lafayette models in swimsuits donned floppy hats with their bikinis for a look that was quite refined for swimwear. It was a great reminder of how a simple accessory can take a look from average to chic in an instant.

I headed home that evening to find my wide brim straw hat. To my dismay, it was as crumpled as it was last August when I unpacked it from a trip to Tahiti. I was sure that my sad, disfigured hat would have taken shape again after months on a shelf. I was wrong.

You can imagine my delight then when on a recent trip to La Mode Shoes, I learned of a travel proof hat. The Eric Javits hats (and handbags) are made of a material called Squishee, which is basically crush proof. And while these woven items have the essence of straw they are far more durable. If I can survive three connecting flights and 24 hours of travel time, I expect my hat to do the same.

FACE it Lafayette

A group of ladies at the FACE launch party in the night's most popular pattern – polka dots.

We have arrived. The first issue of FACE hits the stands tomorrow. Tonight was the launch party for the inaugural issue of FACE. 

We had a great turnout and a bevy of women looking fabulous. The standout look of the night was black and white polka dots with women wearing them in every size of dot. 

All about town Wednesday you should be able to find the first ever FACE. In our pages, you will see women like you, women we can all hope to be and some fabulous products and advice that you can find here in Lafayette. The full magazine will be online on our website and the print copies will be at your favorite hangouts.

Have a seat ladies, enjoy a great read and keep watching because the face of Lafayette is about to change.