Temple of Glam

I made myself a little promise this year. Every Sunday, I'll give myself a facial. Sounds like something that I'd love to do, but facials, like laundry, require me to get off my sofa and do like, things. The most I tend to do on a Sunday is: roll over during afternoon naps (yup, plural), pick up and put down the remote, and walk to the kitchen for some eats.

So, exfoliating, cleansing, steaming, "masking", and moisturizing are five actions too many. Cue the chocolate incentive.

Bag of honey-wheat pretzels? Check. PHILADELPHIA INDULGENCE*? Check. Immediately, I am ready to give myself a fantastic facial and maybe even do *gulp* laundry. Oh yes, this creamy milk chocolate spread is a miracle maker.

In fact, I even have a little plan: Dip the pretzel. Crunch. Apply face product. Repeat. Seriously, if I was the lick-the-bowl, eat-it-out-the-container-kinda' chick, I'd certainly do so. But I'm not; so I don't.

So true. I haven't actually given myself a PHILADELPHIA INDULGENCE chocolate facial, but it is quite possibly the most delicious motivator to get off my butt and do something...or not. For the record, it also happens to be a perfect pre-nap snack. Don't judge me.

*Real chocolate blended with rich, creamy PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese Spread

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Kraft via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Kraft.

I'll never forget walking down the street with my mom one day. I was like 5. There was something on my mind that I had to ask her.

Baby Breezy: Mommy, do I have a big butt?

Mommy: (Sarcastically) Yeah...we're the butt sisters.

Now, let's just say you didn't "get it from your mama". Enter Not Your Daughter's Jeans ($88- $130). NYDJ can make you look a full size smaller, flatten your stomach, and boost your booty. How? So glad you asked. The criss-cross paneling flattens the stomach, the high-rise design prevents muffin top, and the higher back pockets visibly lift the bum.

The spring 2012 collection is chock full of Razzles-hued jeans AND denim skirts (yup, they're back)! Plus, they have amazing animal-print denim that I went wild for (sorry). If you're more of a classic girl, there are new silhouettes (cropped and boyfriend) to accompany their beloved styles.

Denim Skirts...In Living Color!

Anwhoo, I stopped by the showroom to check out the wares and walked out with these sensational snakeskin-print jeans. At first I admonished myself for wearing an oversized dress (knowing I'd be photographed in the jeans I chose), but then I realized I made the right decision.

Check out my 2012 take on '90s grunge. I'm calling it CBGB chic...Boom.

Here's a close-up of the sssssnakeskin print...

And for some musical inspiration...

I was never the hardcore go out-and-play kinda' kid. But one all-too-vivid park memory involves me at age 7 on the see-saw...alone. Yeah, it gets worse.

As I pondered what past life to blame for my grounded position, a boy (about 9 or 10) hopped on the other side and we see-sawed our little hearts out. Until. He jumped off and ran to play somewhere else. As I crashed back down to reality, I was back to my introspective state with a sore butt. I'm fighting to not make this memory a metaphor for my childhood.

Moving on...last week I stopped by Hilary Park's jewelry store. I was super stoked to see how she incorporates astrological-isms in her hand-crafted silver and gold pieces. You know I was interested if I traveled to Brooklyn to  see her earrings, necklaces, and bracelets (starting at $80).

Oh, the pieces she showed: industrial, but undeniably influenced by nature. In short, they're striking.

From the tough girl, leather-woven Whip Stitch Cuff ($475) to the Winding Path Cuff ($1500), I was in awe of the stunning workmanship and the passion Hilary (understandably) has for her designs. And then as I fawned over the Frida Kahlo pendant, she mentioned she created a similar one in Basquiat's image...crowns and all. She was also nice enough to give me a customized citrine (prosperity) pendant on her signature leather cord. Prosperity? Bring it.

Yo Diary,

I've had some inner turmoil going on. You see, I have this friend. No, not like I'm talking about myself "friend"; "one-of-my-closest-friends-in-the-world" friend. Anywhoo, we have a couple of tacit agreements:

#1 We will be roommates in hell.

#2 We will never cross over to the "other side" (unless that "other side" is hell, which of course, we will do hand-in-hand).

In short, we're both on "that stuff"...the creamy crack. But like any good addict, I've been keeping a big secret from her. And if she's reading this, I'm sure she's shaking her silky-haired head.

For the past year, I've been stretching out my relaxers (I average about 10-11 weeks). As I've taken a glimpse at my natural texture, I've kinda' been rocking with my locks. BUT by the last week of my stretch, when the shedding gets unbearable, I ask myself "so what are we going to do?".

I contemplate just cutting it all the hell off because as India says, "I am not my hair...I am not your expectations...no". Then I remember the good times I've had with my signature bob. India chimes in again. Then I switch over to Jim Jones because all of that thinking is draining. I also schedule a relaxer appointment.

Once again, I find myself walking down a dusty road contemplating my next move...like good ol' "Bruce Banner". Cue the saddest television theme song ever made.

OK, OK. The Sulwhasoo facial I had last week lasted for much longer than seven minutes. And yes, my only experience with the ever-popular "7 minutes in heaven" game was watching, "Highway to Heaven". I'm not being funny; there was an episode where these cruel teenagers tricked the unpopular girl to go into a closet with some cute guy just so he could run out in horror seconds later. Bastards.

Anywhoo...Sulwhasoo time. I did a little research beforehand and was like, "whoa mama...$100 for an eye cream?!".  When I came to, I found myself in the facial room at Bergdorf Goodman getting prepped for my experience. I was pretty impressed by the concept of incorporating traditional Korean medicine to promote skin balance and harmony, as well as within the body.

The facial consisted of seven steps (including cleanser, serum, toner, and customized treatments):

Cleansing foam ($36)

First Care Serum ($80)

Balancing Water ($55)

Overnight Vitalizing Treatment ($50)

After all seven steps were completed, I emerged relaxed, revived and glowy-glowy-glowy. And if you spend $150 at Bergdorf Goodman, you will get a free facial.