‘Hollywood’s latest obsession’
Dear Answer Angel Ellen:
This just in: I read somewhere that the vanilla French manicure is “Hollywood’s latest obsession.” Has it come to that? Hollywood is obsessed by a manicure? By the way, what is a vanilla French?
— Ava M.
Dear Ava: My first reaction to this question was what? Even the vapidity of Hollywood couldn’t extend to a manicure obsession, could it? It didn’t take much investigative reporting to learn this is the successor to an earlier Hollywood obsession, the “glazed doughnut manicure,” popularized by celebrity Hailey Bieber. I can’t tell the difference, and both seem to look like the classic French manicure: clear polish with a slightly lighter tip.
Vogue describes it thusly: “Similar to the American French manicure but with a twist. The tip is slightly hazed out to create a softer, peachier look.” Got that? The internet is your resource for the approved polishes: Essie’s Not Just a Pretty Face (walgreens.com, $10), OPI’s Funny Bunny (opi. com, $11.49) and many others.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen:
As I recall, you’re as obsessed as I am about bedsheets that feel as if they were dried outside on the clothesline? Crisp! Could you do an update on the best crisp sheets?
— Renee M.
You recall right! But when I went online to buy my favorites, Amazon’s house brand Pinzon sheets, it
Dear Renee:
was a huge letdown. The low thread-count ones I loved are there no more. Like you, I’m now on the hunt for a new crisp sheet favorite — like the ones I so fondly remember at my grandma’s house.
I’m starting my hunt at the place I have sent readers to: grandmothers home.blogspot.com. Click on the “Buy Crisp Sheets” page and go from there.
If I find a good substitute there I will let you know, but in the meantime, readers, please come through for us crisp sheet lovers everywhere. Send me your recommendations and include any specifics.
And, after a lot of research and testing on my own, here are some tips on what to look for.
100% cotton only. Lowest thread count available.
White (colors and prints can make them too soft). Sateen is a firm NO.
Stay away from labels that say “easy care” and “wrinkle-resistant.”
Try thrift stores where you can feel the fabric and get lucky with discontinued favorites at amazingly low prices.
Angelic Readers 1
From Sheila H.: “I laughed when I read the question from a reader who was ticked off about the bride’s request that everyone attending her wedding wear ‘earth tones’ clothing. Dirt is part of
the earth, so even though it used to be bad form to wear black to a wedding, I would wear black to an earth tone-requested wedding. And even though clouds appear to be white, I think it is still considered bad form to wear white to a wedding unless you are the bride.” (From Ellen: Many weddings encourage guests to wear black or white, and they’re no longer strictly taboo.)
Angelic Readers 2
Kathie D.’s solution for toe blisters: “I saw your comments recommending socks that are constructed like gloves to prevent blisters between runners’ toes. What has been a blessing to me is RunGoo by Foot Kinetics (amazon.com, $19.99). And while I don’t run, I do walk daily and hike often as well. That caused my feet to become sore to the point where I needed help from a podiatrist, but he didn’t completely solve my problem. However, once I discovered RunGoo, my feet are doing much better. I don’t need to use the applicator top, but just add a little dab between all my toes each morning. It’s been such a terrific help for me.”