May
23
2011

Stuff I Love

Face Cream with SPF!

by: Erica Ehm

Stuff I Love

For some reason, I've been doing a lot of shopping and trying out new products. Spring does that to me. Makes me want to freshen up my look. So all this week, I'm going to share some of my favourite finds with you.

Today's find was actually sent to me by a PR agency, who for some reason, is convinced I should be using Oil of Olay. They sent me a few products like the Regenerist Regenerating Serum and Regenerist Eye Lifting Serum. Neither worked for me.

Then they sent me the Professional Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System, which is about "taking your cleansing routine to the next level." It's a battery powered little machine with a rotating head (don't go there...) that is supposed to scrub and exfoliate your skin almost as well as an esthetician would. So I'm using it. It's a fun shower toy (don't go there either...), but does it really work? The verdict is - I can't tell. I'm glad they sent it, but I wouldn't buy it.

But, I'm surprised to say there is one product I am definitely enjoying. Olay Regenerist SuperStructure Cream is working for me. As I continue to celebrate birthdays, I can feel my skin drying out. I prefer rich creams to make my skin glow.  I may sound like a commercial here, but it does feel like my skin is being nourished and hydrated.

Plus, it has a Broad Spectrum SPF 25 UVA/UVB sunscreen, which is a nice added perk. Keep in mind - I'm not an expert on skin cream like Dan Thompson is. He could look at the list of ingredients and explain the science behind the cream. But, in the end, for me it feels good. I like it. So there. MSRP is approximately $38 - which isn't bad at all!

Tomorrow - I'll show you a dress I just bought for $15!

"
May
14
2011

Ivanka Trump Up Close

Ice Cream and Blue Dresses

by: Erica Ehm

Ivanka Trump Up Close

My invitation to the Magnum Ice Cream red-carpet launch party came with an added perk - a one-on-one interview with Ivanka Trump, one of wealthiest women in the world. As the ambassador of this Belgian ice cream company, Ivanka was chosen to embody this premium luxury ice cream on a stick.

The affair was lavish. Held in a Toronto mansion, the decor dripped with gold accessories and beautiful people. Valet parking, free flowing champagne and a decadent oyster bar kept the crowds busy until the main event arrived.

When Ivanka entered, the energy in the room changed. We crowded into the Great Room to catch a glimpse of the statuesque beauty. Almost 30 years old, the blonde haired heiress dripped elegance, sophistication and education, seducing us with her precise and poetic words. She shared her love of Magnum Ice Cream bars discovered while on her European jaunts. She joked about her new-found passion for the product since becoming pregnant. And she invited all of us to enter to win the Magnum Heir contest, in which one lucky winner would "inherit" a small fortune of cash and prizes worth $250,000.

She regally stepped down from the podium and was immediately surrounded by a scrum of journalists, party go-ers and ice cream lovers, most of whom she towered over. Did I mention she's tall? Over 6 feet with her expensive heels.

And then it was my turn to interview her. I elbowed my way through the crowd, pulling Evan my cameraman behind me and yelling over my shoulder to him "Start rolling now". It's an old trick I learned from my Citytv days. You never know what your celebrity guest may say, so best be prepared. And I was right...

As soon as I was introduced to Ms. Trump, this little chat happened...

Her:  Hey, I have the same dress as you!

Me:  (shocked but pretending to be cool) Oh ya? Anthropologie?

Her:  Ya! Except I wear mine as a maternity dress. There's a lot of extra fabric in the tummy so it's perfect for maternity.

Me: (Smiling, but not knowing how to respond to the fact that my dress which fits me well in the tummy fits her pregnant belly)

*Pregnant Pause*

I turn to Evan, and confirm that he did indeed get that fashion banter on camera. He shakes his head. I'm SOL. No one will ever believe Ivanka and I have the same taste in clothes. But you will, won't you Dear Reader?

What happened next was caught on video. I'm the short one dressed in the awesome blue dress. She's the tall one wearing the perfect LBD that nicely cupped her perfect eight month bump.

In the midst of the chaos and jostling of the room, Ivanka and I had a perfectly lovely five minute uninterrupted chat on camera. Although I have to admit it was hard to concentrate on what she was saying, totally distracted by her porcelain skin and perfect makeup.

She dished about her daddy Donald, her baby and the extravagance of motherhood. I'll post the full interview next week so you can see for yourself (how awesome my blue dress looked).

After my "work" was done, it was time to party.

After loosening up with some Magnum Ice Cream cocktails with friends like Carrie Ann, newly queened partner in EverythingMom.com, I start chatting with a group of extravagantly adorned models who were part of the evening's entertainment.

Wearing a risque outfit of sparkly bustiers and panties draped with sheer brown fabric, the women were quite the sight. So I asked them about their freaky fashion statement. When they divulged that their bustiers were actually body paint, and their perfectly perky chests were defying gravity naturally, I requested photographic proof. Clearly these women never had kids.

And so ended my night of dairy decadence.

"