Bring in the New Year

It has been one crazy year. So much filled the time marked from last December 31 to today and there is already so much set for 2012. Including a move to NYC. More on that later.

For now, I am taking a break after a long semester. I'm spending my time arranging the little apartment we moved into, watching French films, and drinking lots of tea and coffee.

I've seen many bloggers make lists of things that occurred in 2011. It seems to have been a very busy year for everyone. Since I tend to always think in terms of what lies ahead, here is a list of the top 5 things I want to happen in 2012.

1. Paris
2. Palm Springs
3. Finding a cute space in NYC
4. Finally put a song up on YouTube.
5. Grow my hair long again (I just got it bobbed)


What are you hoping for in 2012?

The Korakia

Sometimes a place just inspires you. Last year on our trip to Palm Springs (which I've decided should be an annual trip every February) we came across the Korakia Pensione. We were just down the street at an amazing Mid- century hotel. I packed up retro-atomic prints and 60's garb to wear to the poolside happy hours- but with just one look at the Korakia I was longing to wear slinky dresses and bob my hair. I am hoping that we get to make that day-dream possible this winter.

Just look at this place! And they show old movies at night in their courtyard. I want to wander around in it and pretend to be a silent film star...I mean a Candlelit orchard? That's the stuff of dreams.












Now to start planning the perfect things to pack...

TEETH

Have you noticed how homogeneous teeth have become? I mean all across the board in Hollywood on TV etc. Impossibly white Chic-let teeth prevail. I happen to think it's boring and well, unrealistic.

In October my dentist told me that I would need braces. I have one tooth that's ever so slightly snaggled. It never bothered me until people started pointing it out. I actually had one bold *dude* tell me that I would have such a pretty smile if it wasn't for my snaggle. I have endured family telling me to smile with my mouth closed. Really? Because of all this I have become so self-conscious about my smile. And, I'm not so sure about the prospect of dropping thousands on teeth straighteners.

I understand that for some there are jaw and bite issues/reasons for braces. But, it seems to me that more and more dentists are pushing cosmetic dentistry these days. Don't get me wrong I actually LOVE my dentist. But I'm talking about dentistry in general. Everywhere you go there are billboards for whitening procedures and bonding procedures - and more and more dentists are taking out healthy (albeit a bit crooked teeth) and replacing them with implants.

Here is some info. on tooth whitening procedures from Topdentists.com

Teeth whitening procedures are performed to reduce the discoloration and staining of teeth and have become the most popular cosmetic dental procedures today according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD).

The demand for teeth whitening products has increased by more than 300% over the past 5 years. Women are more likely to have a teeth whitening procedure, but men are quickly realizing the advantages of seeking a brighter smile. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, between 1/4 to 1/3 of teeth whitening patients are men.

Teeth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dental procedure among patients between the ages of 20-50. This age group represents a majority of the American workforce. People in this age group have become increasingly interested not only in looking and feeling better, but also in using cosmetic procedures to enhance their careers by presenting a more attractive image.

What really frightens me is not so much the whitening, but that dental implants are being marketed as being cosmetic. And it is a pretty painful procedure. You can read about what it involves at the Dental Implant Procedure Site here.

While I was in Southern California this past Thanksgiving holiday - I noticed how many young women I saw had uber white perfectly straight Stepford-smile teeth. (Yes I am referring to the Stepford Wives). It's a bit creepy to be bombarded with homogenized smiles.

So, I really want to celebrate women and men in show biz that have kept their unique and interesting smiles. After all, boring is not beautiful.









There are other out there. I'd love to know what you think about this type of über-cosmetic care. I shudder thinking about chic-let teeth, and don't get me started on fake-tans...