Thanks for visiting Naked Lunch. Last week's chat was on Mother's Day gifts and you will find gift ideas from fashion editor Bernadette Morra and stylist Derick Chetty below. This week's chat will be about Governor General Michaelle Jean's style. Bernadette feels the Governor General is struggling sartorially and needs help, especially after her appearance in a hat that looked like a '50s swimming cap last weekend in Haiti. Do you agree? Submit your questions or comments to nakedlunch@thestar.ca and join Bernadette at noon on Thursday for a live chat.
The May 25th chat will be about knock-off beauty products. Our beauty writer Daphne Gordon will be on hand to discuss this growing trend and to hear whether you are annoyed, or happy, when cheaper beauty lines copy the products and packaging of more expensive brands. Send questions now to nakedlunch@thestar.ca.
My wife recently had a baby and I'm wondering what to get her for Mother's Day. She claims that she will not be doing any fashion shopping until she gets back into shape. So I'm taking that as a hint! Any suggestions on what to get her?
Assuming that you have already bought her a special piece of jewellery to mark the birth, why don't you treat her to a relaxing and rejuvenating day at a spa? Make arrangements for someone or yourself to look after the baby for the day and let her have the entire day to pamper herself. You might want to consider the luxurious Stillwater Spa in the Park Hyatt Hotel. It's pricey, but she's worth it! She will especially love the private cabans where she can lie down, draw the curtain, watch her own TV and nap while her toes dry. See www.hyatt.com.
The historic Elmwood Spa which recently underwent a renovation and facelift would be another choice. See www.elmwoodspa.com.
Can you recommend any new spas?
Yes! A women’s bathhouse called Body Blitz has opened on Adelaide St. W. near Bathurst St. It is based on the ancient ritual of “taking the waters.” Owner Laura Polley visited bathhouses all over the world including Italy, France, L.A. and New York. Body Blitz has a full-sized warm salt water pool, a hot green tea pool (to detoxify), a cold plunge pool and an infra-red sauna and aromatherapeutic steam room.
There are also mud treatments, massages and scrubs. Call 416-364-0400 or see www.bodyblitzspa.com.
You may also want to look into the new Hammam spa at 602 King St. W. It includes a traditional Turkish steam bath infused with aromatherapeutic oils. Call 416-366-4772 or see www.hammamspa.ca.
My mother has searched all over town for elastic waist pants and says she can’t find them anywhere. I would love to get her some. Please help.
Kumari’s at 94 Cumberland St. and now in Bloor West Village has elastic waist pants in about a dozen colours from size 2 and up for around $100. Best of all, Kumari’s pants are cut wider than most at the waist so they lay flat on the hips, avoiding any bunching over the tummy area, which elastic waist pants can sometimes do.
The best thing about this gem of a store is that styles can be ordered in any size and colour available up to XXXXL.
Kumari also has the best selection of pashminas in town. She travels regularly to her native Nepal for embroidered shawls, silk shirts and beaded purses. The raw silk artist-style shirts and cashmere T’s (both $95) come in an amazing array of 75 colours. Jackets are offered in short or 3/4 length for women who prefer to cover their hips and are fitted from shoulder to bust with a gentle flare to the hem.
I have to get my mother-in-law a gift for Mother's Day. The thing is I really don't like the way she dresses. Should I give her a hint by buying her stylish gift? Any suggestions on what I should get her?
This is probably not the occasion to try to give her fashion tips. It might not go over well. It is her day after all. Why don't you get her something neutral - like flowers. What person wouldn't enjoy flowers? Or you can get her a gift certificate for a store she shops at. Look at it this way, at least this way she will find your gift thoughtful and useful. It's a shame for both parties when a gift goes unused.
My mother is ill and in hospital and likely will be for some time. I haven’t a clue what to get her. Any suggestions?
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Hospital air is so drying that hands and lips can easily become parched. Add to that the diurectics that many chronically ill patients are given to prevent water build-up in their lungs, and you have a perfect recipe for itchy, flaking skin. Nivea’s new Hand Intensive Nourishing Care promises a good dose of moisture with every application. It features a quickly absorbed combination of natural minerals, Pro-Vitamin B5 and Vitamin F and macadamia nut oil to provide hands and nails with long-lasting benefits. The suggested retail price is $5.34 for 100mL tube and it can be found at major drug and food stores and mass merchandisers.
We consulted our beauty writer Daphne Gordon on this one, too. She says the best lip balm she has ever used is Blistex Moisture Care. It’s in a blue twist tube and sells for about $4 at Shoppers Drug Mart.
And she says her doctor told her that the best hand cream from a medical point of view is eucerin, with 5 per cent urea, which is ultra moisturizing. It’s also available at Shoppers Drug Mart. See http://www.shoppersdrugmart.ca/english/beauty/products/hand_foot/eucerin/index.html.
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If you are looking for something a little more luxe, Daphne recommends L’Occitane. The fragranced hand creams are beautiful but the shea butter hand cream is the most moisturizing. A 150mL tube is $28. They also make shea butter lip balms which are excellent, Daphne says. The pure shea butter lip balm is $10, and there are tinted ones, too, for $14. L’Occitane has boutiques at 150 Bloor St. W., 2589 Yonge St., and at Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood. Another is set to open at Sherway Gardens in June. See www.loccitane.ca for more gift ideas.
My mother just started playing golf. I would like to get her something stylish to wear. Does such a thing exist?
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| A spring 2006 golf outfit by Lacoste, shown on the New York runway. |
Golf is no longer just about plaid pants and argyle sweaters although there is something groovy about those retro patterns on a young person. But for mom, we would suggest a Lacoste polo. That’s what golfer Cristie Kerr wears, as well as a number of other pro’s sponsored by the brand. Lacoste polos are comfortable, well made and come in a range of snappy colours. The average price of a Lacoste polo is $125. See www.lacoste.com or visit their boutiques at 131 Bloor St. W. or Sherway Gardens.
If you are looking for a bargain polo, nothing beats Joe Fresh Style. Their stretch cotton pique tops come in 12 colours and are priced at $12 each. There is also a looser, more drapey style in rayon jersey for $14. Joe Fresh Style is available at Real Canadian Superstores.
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