"Les Psychologies" of Beauty Part I

          One of my favorite passtimes is perusing the shelves and shelves of French magazines in the librairie in the town near us. I am constantly amazed that a country slightly smaller than Texas with a population of some 65 million (approximately 31.8 million men and 33.8 million women) manages to publish -- and I can only assume sell -- literally hundreds of magazines.

Charleze Theron and the magic mirror in Snow White and the Huntsman.

       Every week I receive my fashion fodder by the post, but often I'm attracted to other magazines because of the articles touted on the cover as opposed to what their stated objective and target audience might be. Such was the case with a recent issue of Psychologies with Audrey Tautou on the cover. I was drawn to the article, SPECIAL BEAUTE: Ce que revele notre miroir, or "that which is revealed in our mirror."

        (Ed. Note: I haven't yet found the accent marks on my new computer, so please forgive me. I'm working on it.)

        As I was saying. . . I think, from a psychological point of view what we see in our mirrors or rather in our mind's eye, which may not be what is truly reflected, is quite fascinating. The stated intent of the piece is: ". . . understand what unconsciously plays into what we see in our mirrors and finally be able to look at ourselves with pleasure and thus find ourselves beautiful. . ."

       The verb "mirror" is from Latin "to admire" -- I either never knew that or I forgot one of my lessons from my six years of Latin classes.

       Experts, as they are wont to do, pose questions about one's satisfaction with one's reflection. According to one study 61 percent of Frenchwomen consider their body an "important part of their identity." However, only 41percent are pleased with what they see and 21 percent are anything but.

      Our French sisters feel as frustrated by the notions of "ideals" of exterior beauty blatantly and subliminally foisted on us as we do. But, how about this? In 1930 the ideals of perfection were considerably more severe. The size of one's waist was supposed to be double the size of one's neck and thighs twice the length of one's head. Bizarre nest-ce pas?

Psyche by John William Waterhouse circa 1905.

        Somehow too, we apparently feel as if we are responsible for the "degradation" of our bodies which by extension means the normal signs of age and horror of horrors any laissez-aller in weight gain.

        In other words, women are sometimes cruelly judgemental of their faces and bodies and unlike Psyche we cannot see in our reflected image beyond and beneath the surface.

May the heavens bless Renoir. In 1910 he painted a more voluptuous version of the goddess.

        Psyche you may recall was the goddess of the soul and wife of Eros, the god of love. (She was also exquisitely beautiful, but apparently that is simply a detail to make those intriguing stories of the gods and their problems even more interesting. . .)

Hands-On Interactivity -- Literally. . .

The most intelligent interior design investment anyone can make. This professional "binder"--  by Betty Lou Phillips -- is full of invaluable decorating advice that is not only fun to read, but also easy to understand and most important, easy to implement when creating our dream spaces.

      As Betty Lou Phillips adroitly points out in her latest oeuvre, Interiors by Design*:

". . . at the click of a mouse, interior design has become undeniably egalitarian as many fledgling decorators create striking settings on their own. Yet with abundant access to resources -- from social networking boards and blogs to digital magazines and virtual retailers -- the possible pitfalls are boundless. . ."

        Phillips, the renowned interior designer and best-selling, award winning author, excels at capturing the allure, style and refinement of French and Italian design in not only her decorating projects, but also in her gorgeous, display-worthy books.

         Her current adventure charters new territory and, I must admit, I'm completely enthralled by her latest foray. In another stroke of genius on her part, she has created a hands-on interactive how-to guide (I hesitate to use that expression because what she has accomplished is so much more) in the form of a glossy full-color binder.

A space of one's own. . . it need not be sumptuous or large. A space of one's own can be carved out of a small corner in a kitchen, a bedroom, or any little nook or cranny that can be found in a home.

       Apart from the fact her wise counsel will help us avoid those dreaded pitfalls she mentions, like "rugs that sprawl hazardously into the traffic lane, a sofa that sits much too low, chairs impossible to get out of, lamps that top at different heights," she also has divided her binder into concise, logical chapters with advice on everything we potential interior designers have wanted to know but didn't know who to ask.

        Plus, it's all so much fun. Because the format is a binder, one can add one's own ideas as well as pages torn from magazines, then, with the advice from Phillips dreams become reality.
     
        Her chapters include:

Every design project needs a Grand Plan.     

        A Grand Plan
        Power of Color and Texture
        Fabrics
        Furniture
        Area Rugs and Carpets
        Window Dressing
         The Fine Art of Exhibiting Art
         Table Matters
         A Space of One's Own
         Bed, Bath and More
         Let There Be Light
         Details, Details, Details
         Outside Interests
       
         You see what I mean? Irresistible.

What fun to play with the pieces. By photocopying this page one can decorate, arrange, re-arrange and arrange again an infinite number of design configurations.

         In her chapter on fabrics Phillips notes: "In our material world, fabrics, furniture, floor coverings and finds of artistic merit from faraway places vie with one another for the pleasure of introducing color to a room. But, it is most often compelling fabrics that set the mood in a space by layering comfort, warmth and style."

        She emphasises the importance of personal spaces and how and where to create them, even when it seems there is no space. "Behavioral psychologists say we each need a personal space to do what we love or what needs to be done," she tells us.

A primer on color and later in the book, choosing light to enhance color, textures and more.

        Lighting is a complex challenge and she leads us through the labyrinth of options to consider -- rough surfaces, shiny surfaces, brushed or burnished, the reflective or absorbing features of colors and textures -- before choosing the most beautifully appropriate light sources. She explains ambient light, task lighting, accent lighting and atmospheric lighting.

It's always, all about the details n'est-ce pas?

        Her chapter on details is one of my favorites because it is here, in decorating as in dressing, that one expresses personal style in bold or subtle statements. As Betty Lou Phillips says: ". . . attention to minutiae has the potential of making the ordinary extraordinary."

In her final words, Phillips tells us how to choose contractors and suppliers and even the best way to pay.

        Indeed.
* Gibbs Smith $35.

An Expanded Definition of "Vintage"

       

The concept of vintage makes sense in this case. The old radio has a delightful charm.

          An explanation and an apology are in order: Late Thursday evening my computer passed on into the ether where I suppose all good computers go to rest in peace. The sole problem, unfortunately, is that it probably took my hard drive to its final repose. (We're in the midst of an autopsy, but hope is fragile.)

          Now that the book is finished, I know I promised to resume my regular posting schedule. And now that I have my sexy new computer, it looks as if we're back in business. The sole problem with this one, which is sleek, chic and fast, is that the keyboard is about half the length of the other one and I keep hitting "keys" that are actually the top of my desk, if you see what I mean. Theoretically the "a" for example should be three inches to the left whereas now the distance in that direction is the top of my desk. (Are you bored yet?)

My "vintage" computer -- it was great while it lasted. 

         Final detail. . . I took my late, great computer into the Apple store to see if it could be repaired. The Apple person gasped when he saw it and proclaimed it "vintage" and announced that no one is allowed to touch a vintage computer.  That's when he plugged the 110 volt plug into a 220 volt whatsit and that was all they wrote. I offered my transformer plug, but he was too fast for me. Before arriving chez Apple the computer at least responded to electricity; it now ceases to do anything except pose a burial problem -- after the professional autopsy of course.

          I also signed up for one year of lessons to learn new and exciting functions of this little marvel. Many of my friends will be quite amazed at my audacity. We may have some exciting blog posts in the future, assuming I still have the brain cells to assimilate new information. First trick to learn: stay on the keyboard while typing.

         So, that's my story.

         A demain mes tres, tres, très chers amis.

The Fountain of Youth. . .?

            My dermatologist, Valerie Gallais, loves Filorga products, as you know she is also partial to Avène and Eucerin and continues to be a loyal advocate for both brands.

          However -- well, you know me so well by now -- every time I see her, my first question is always, "What's new?"

          "Time-Filler by Filorga," she said.

          At her recommendation, the minute I left her office I dashed into the parapharmacy corner of Monoprix to buy my Time-Filler cream.  It's rather expensive, about $85, but we can divide that by two because it works as a day and a night cream.      

          My ex-husband never failed to tell me how continually amazed he was at the amount of money I could spend to save money. No matter how many times I tried to explain, he refused to absorb the higher math concept of markdowns and promotional prices.

Here we have a complete non sequitur.  While looking for my Filorga Time-Filler I noticed a promotion on Eucerin gommage. Since I'm a Eucerin addict -- and I loved the green color -- I snapped it up (spending money to save money?). So, inadvertently I have found another little bijou. I highly recommend it. It's particularly effectively when removed, ever so gently, with our Clarisonic brush. 

         As I was saying, the cream. . . I've been using it for about two weeks now -- I wanted to test it before telling you about it. And, it is brilliant. It truly is. Although I never really trust the promises on the "literature" inside the boxes of products, I'll share with you what the company says. As you can see I've just pasted it below, you probably won't want to read every word (I did of course, research, research, research. . .), but if even half of the hype is true, we may have found the closest thing to youth without intervention by sharp, shiny objects in the hands of professionals with lots of medical degrees.

	FILORGA HYDRA FILLER is all of Filorga's expertise in anti-ageing aesthetic medicine in a highly concentrated elixir that corrects all types of wrinkles. Contraction wrinkles: a botox-like tripeptide limits muscular contractions and relaxes the skin for a younger-looking face. Wrinkles caused by sagging: a powerful peptide combined with NCTF® - our mesotherapy complex – stimulates the synthesis of the 6 major tissue components. Simultaneously, a peeling-like active ingredient smoothes micro-reliefs. Dryness wrinkles: hyaluronic acid, a reference compound used in injections, is encapsulated for deeper diffusion and a visible filler effect. AFTER JUST 3 DAYS, THE APPEARANCE OF FROWN LINES IS REDUCED BY 19%*. AFTER 28 DAYS, ALL TYPES OF WRINKLES ARE DRAMATICALLY REDUCED: CROW’S FEET -37%** FROWN LINES -39%** FOREHEAD CREASES -30%**  *Average instrumental measurement using 3D imagery - 40 women - morning and evening use. **Clinical studies - self-assessment undertaken in 40 women between the ages of 35 and 60 years -2 daily applications for 28 days. After 3 days, the results are visible on the face – After 56 days, the results are spectacular! PROVEN EFFICIENCY The first cosmetics directly inspired by aesthetic medicine MEDI-COSMETIQUE® DIRECTLY INSPIRED BY AESTHETIC MEDICINE Born from the coming-together of two worlds: cosmetics and aesthetic medicine, MEDI-COSMETIQUE FILORGA® combines the radical efficiency of aesthetic techniques with the pleasure of a beauty treatment. FILORGA offers cosmetic solutions inspired by active ingredients (hyaluronic acid, NCTF® ...) and techniques used in medical practices (peeling, injections, mesotherapy …). All our anti-aging creams contain active ingredients identical to those used in medical practices: - Hyaluronic acid, typically present in our injectables - NCTF® , our exclusive formula identical to the one injected in mesotherapy This exclusive core formula is encapsulated inside Chronospheres, microscopic vectors, which are the fruit of a discovery patented by the CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research). Chronospheres ensure optimum impregnation of different skin layers and high diffusion capacity, including in the dermis. FILORGA HYALURONIC ACID Commonly used to fill wrinkles in cosmetic medical practices, hyaluronic acid is a natural component of the skin that plays a major role in the aging process and in maintaining skin hydration. Our cosmetic hyaluronic acid has a molecular weight comparable to the one injected (1.4 million daltons). With very low protein, endotoxin and heavy metal residual content, it is as pure as the injectable hyaluronic acid to guarantee: - Optimal absorption and bioavailability. - Excellent affinity and very good skin tolerance. Your skin can therefore benefit from its exceptional moisturising, healing and re-plumping properties, with fast and long lasting results. Result: our treatments allow us to fight effectively against endogenous hyaluronic acid deficiency due to skin aging (- 6% every 10 years). FILORGA NCTF In the injectable form, the components of this exclusive poly-revitalising solution work in synergy for a genuine restructuring of the skin tissue, by targeting all parameters of skin aging. Its formula designed to boost the various reactions of the extracellular matrix combine: 12 vitamins: stimulate the vital functions of cells 23 amino acids: encourage the production of elastin and collagen 6 coenzymes: catalyse tissue biochemical reactions 5 nucleic bases: stimulate cellular communication 6 minerals: compensate for skin deficiencies 1 antioxidant: reduces the synthesis of free radicals Result: NCTF® optimises all cutaneous biochemical mechanisms.  Tested in vitro and in vivo in its injectable form, NCTF has demonstrated its poly-revitalising effectiveness and is used by worldwide mesotherapy leading experts: cell stimulation (fibroblasts) +147%* protection against free radicals +90%* collagen redensification +256% * reduced tissue stiffening +366% * *series of studies conducted by an independent laboratory in molecular and cellular pharmacology research

          In case you have neither the time nor the inclination to read everything, let me simply assure you that we appear to be covered on the free-radical front, have more vitamins externally than most of us absorb internally and then, the best news, we've got our requisite supply of the magic hyaluronic acid. I don't know why it's so great, but I know it is. Dr. Gallais told me so.

It Was Magic. . .

The discreet entrance to Galerie Huit. 

          Yes, finally, I'm back. Andrea flew home -- I hate to say "home" when she's heading in the opposite direction, but it's true -- to Chicago. I like to assume she has two homes and I think she agrees.

          As I said several days ago, as a gift for my birthday in late April, she gave me a four day trip to Provence -- just the two of us. She found an exquisite B&B in Arles. Curiously perhaps, I have never stayed in a B&B and I suspect this one, Galerie Huit, a 17th century maison particulière in the heart of the city, is a rare, exquisite gem among its peers.

The sitting area in our suite.

The bed was divided into twin beds for Andrea and me. Behind those armoire doors is the toilet.

Another view of our room. Behind those doors is the bathroom with a luxurious shower

The bathroom. Note the size of the shower head.

          The châtelaine, Julia de Bierre, English, stunning, exotic, cultured, generous, fascinating. . . I could go on, but you get the idea. . . is more of a hostess welcoming guests into her home than the proprietress of a B&B.  She shared breakfast with us, more of a brunch really, and every evening a perfectly chilled rosé and lovely crystal glasses were set out on a tray for cocktails in the salon.

The salon where we had cocktails the first night.

        Her home, completely renovated, decorated and "modernized" as in all the accommodations one would expect are not only perfect, but also beautiful, is another testimony to her creative aesthetic. The main raison d'etre of Galerie Huit is, as the name implies, her gallery and often she has an artist in residence. When we were there a sculptor and his assistant were staying with her.

A view of the kitchen.

         Once again, this experience reminded me why I so love living in France. One evening Julia threw a small cocktail party. We were about 12, all seated around the large table in her kitchen sipping rosé, nibbling on tapenade, olives and various other delights when Drea and I realized we were being swept up into one of those marvelous evenings when the conversation seems to emanate from some splendid Henry James or Edith Wharton novel.

         Among the guests were a lawyer, the above mentioned sculptor and his assistant, a painter, the director of a major museum, and two women visiting from Paris. The conversation featured observations on the latest expositions, we were told we were "required" to see the Rodin exposition in Arles (we did), the discovery of a yet to be authenticated bust of Caesar found in the Rhone, but undoubtedly sculpted somewhere around 46 B.C., two years before his assassination, French archeologists believe. We saw his handsome head in the museum that housed the Rodin show.

         From there we talked about books, films, designers, travel and, since we're in France, politics -- mainly about the disgraced budget minister who lied about the millions of Euros he had stashed in a Swiss bank.  No one really cared, neither about the money nor the lie. As the lawyer pointed out, "all politicians lie. If they told the truth instead of what people want to hear they'd never get elected."

         Another major highlight of our trip was meeting the lovely Heather Robinson, brilliant creator of the Lost in Arles blog. Heather insisted we rent a car and drive through the countryside and when she sent recommendations for B&Bs, Galerie Huit was at the top of her list. She and Julia are friends. She was right about everything. I'm hoping this will be the beginning of a lasting friendship.

       Et voila.          

And, We're Off. . .

A field of flowers near Arles by Vincent van Gogh.

          Andrea and I are leaving for Provence this morning. Because I want to spend every second with her, I'm taking a little break from blogging.

          I'll be back on my regular schedule next week.

          Will be thinking about you and, of course, taking pictures and finding things to share with you.  

Happy, Happy May Day

        
           Miserable, cold, rainy day, but here's wishing you a happy May day. The Lilly of the Valley is  the traditional gift one exchanges today and they are meant to bring good luck.

          So, here is my bouquet to you. I hope it brings you good luck and more.