Michelle and Barack barrettes at One Plaid Aunt's shop on Etsy.  Something tells me Malia and Sasha won't be rocking these but I hear you One Plaid Aunt!

Found via Afrobella on Twitter.

Ted Gibson turned me on to this straightening iron which is aptly called Root Control.  It has a double comb on the ceramic barrel which is designed to keep the heat away from the scalp as you straighten the hairline and roots in between relaxer touch ups or if you're in the mood to blow out your natural once in a while.  It is also helpful with smoothing edges when you're wearing a weave as demonstrated in this instructional video on the site by its manufacturer, Rsession Tools. 

Root Control straightening iron $179.00.

Michelle Obama has been getting mixed reviews from some of her most ardent fans on the floral print Thakoon Panichgul dresses she has been wearing lately.  Although I am thrilled with the boost Thakoon is getting, this ardent fan is not too thrilled with the prints on Michelle even though I do like the shape of the dresses.  All a matter of taste of course, but since this ardent fan also runs a fashion and beauty blog, she could not resist the urge to pick out a few things for her BFF in her head to wear on the on the campaign trail and beyond - from luncheons and fundraisers to forums and speeches at colleges and talk show appearances.

I've heard it said, She doesn't need a stylist. She has her own style.  Well, don't we all!  It's not as if the notion of a stylist is insulting.  It is only problematic if a person is styled within an inch of their life and not able to open their closet without calling for help and making decisions on their own.  I don't think it has to be that extreme and I don't agree with the notion that Michelle Obama or any of us don't "need" any help.  For instance, Michelle's long-time friend (and trusted Obama campaign senior advisor) Valerie Jarrett is featured in the October 2008 issue of Vogue.  Valerie Jarrett is a nice-looking woman who told Vogue that she tends to go with "conservative" looks by Valentino and Calvin Klein, but her law student daughter helped her pick out the gorgeous silk wool floral jacquard Oscar de la Renta dress that she is wearing in the article.

Now, I am not a fashion stylist.  That is not the spirit of this article.  I'm thinking in terms of shopping with a girlfriend, not unlike I do with my buddy Nicole (Girl, You Can Wear It With Jeans!)   Heck, I have a cosmetology license and I have been writing beauty and fashion articles for years - and I can use all the help I can get!  That is part of the reason I write my blogs and interview experts in various fields.  My goal is to help you as I help myself.

Feel free to chime in of course with your own friendly fashion suggestions for Michelle.  Not that I had to ask, right?

Tracy Reese 2-Tone Evening Frock $465.00.

Tory Burch Intarsia Knit Dress $395.00.  Rachel Roy Sioux Dress $1095.00 (I met Rachel Roy briefly just after New York Fashion Week and she seems really nice - and she's an Obama supporter.  Mabye she can just give Michelle this dress if she hasn't already!)

Old Navy Twisted Mock-Neck Dress in Bordeaux $29.50.

Nanette Lepore Rose Garden Top $320.00.  Chloe Silk Landscape Blouse $395.00 (belted with a skirt, not jeans like the model.)

J.Crew French Serge Day Coat $350.00 (spotted minutes ago at Oh Joy!)

J. Crew Jacinda Jacket in Honey Glaze $148.00.  J.Crew Dream Silvie Dress $138.00.  J. Crew Perfect-Fit Long Sleeved Crewneck Tee $24.50 and Sparkle Plaid Tweed Pencil Skirt $175.00. J. Crew Cashmere Audrey Dress $248.00.

J. Crew Metallic Rose Laura Shift in Shimmer Gold $550.00.

You may be able to tell by now that I lurve Ted Gibson! 

Ted, along with his partner Jason Backe, a hair colorist, owns the Ted Gibson Salon in Manhattan's Flatiron district and one of the best - and the busiest - celebrity hairstylists in the business.   Born in Texas and raised in a military family, Ted has styled Angelina Jolie, Demi Moore, Meagan Good and Anne Hathaway to name a few and he has also worked his magic for runway shows for Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana along with countless magazine covers and editorial spreads. He is also a product developing genius, and not at all in the sense of merely placing his name on a product.   Prior to opening his own salon, Ted spent seven years as Creative Director for Aveda in New York.  He was asked to take on this position after he developed several amazing products for Aveda that you probably use today like the Self-Control Styling Stick, Phomollient and the Brilliant Line.  Nowadays, he has his own incredible products for the hair and body, Ted Gibson Beauty. 

I had the pleasure of meeting him along with several of my beauty blogger pals during New York Fashion Week and we hit it off immediately.  When I saw him again during the "cut-a-thon" his salon held for Carbon Zero, he was raving about this new necklace they he got from Mantra Jewelry, designed by his friend Jessica Robinson that I wanted to make sure that you saw it.  He's wearing it in the opening photo.

Nichelle Gainer: Can you give some advice for avoiding hair breakage and achieving growth?  At times, there is different advice on how often you need trims and which products to use to moisturize and protect different hair textures (relaxed, texturized, natural).

Ted Gibson: I think it is important to have a trim every 6-8 weeks even if you are growing your hair out. You will notice a difference in a matter of 4 months if you do this. I think African American hair relaxed, natural or texturized needs moisture and protein. Ted Gibson products are about turning frustrations into freedom and providing products that are simple to use.

Nichelle:  Tell me about how you select the ingredients for your products - like the Merlot Complex and the Wild Orchid Extract present in all of your products?

Ted: I do a lot of research on what ingredients are going to be great for what I want the hair to achieve. Merlot is because there has been so much talk about red wine and how great it is for the body why wouldnt it be great for the hair.

Nichelle:  When I told you I didn't think I could use your products because my hair is mostly natural (growing out a texturizer) you had a good laugh.   There has a been a big product push in this category with a few "ground rules" like avoid sodium laurel sulfate and mineral oil and always a fervent push for products that moisturize.  Which of your products would work well on natural or texturized hair?

Ted: It depends on what you want to achieve. For styling, Fix It combined with Tame It Shine Lotion will give light weight and shine control.  For deep conditioning, Goodnite Replenish Hair Repair Serum and for temporary color, you can pick the appropriate shade of our individual color shampoos and conditioners. 

Nichelle: How about wearing weaves?  What should a woman with a weave do to maintain it well and which products should she use or avoid?

Ted: Make sure to see your stylist on a regular basis to maintain and condition your own hair and to maintain the weaved hair. If you want more information I can refer you to my weave special Nancy at my salon. She is MAJOR!!!

Nichelle:  You are also famous for your Hair Sheets. The directions for the treatment and the styling sheets say to use on dry hair, but I remember you saying one (or both?) could be used as a blowdrying tool.

Ted: Yes, we use them all the time in the salon as blowdrying agents. Depending on what the hair needs.  For light weight shine and UV protection use the Styling hair sheet and the Treatment hair sheet for deep conditioning.

Nichelle: What are some of your fall favorites, i.e., things you are looking forward to this fall (books, music, fashion, beauty, food & drink - anything!)

Ted: Designing my new salon locations, shopping at my favorite places, traveling to Texas, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and Thanksgiving most definitely.

Nichelle: What do you do when you're not styling hair?

Ted:  Meditation, working out, watching TV, reading, listening to music, shopping. Weekend drives in the country.

Did you know that vanilla came from orchids?

As a champagne and chardonnay enthusiast, I had no idea and I had not heard of NAVAN before last week but, as the saying goes - now I know.  NAVAN is made by the House of Grand Marnier and, although it stands for "natural vanilla", it is blended using the select vanilla that is found is the village of Navana in Madagascar.

The NAVAN Orchid Studio was a presentation designed to showcase NAVAN Vanilla Liqueur in various incarnations - spice, floral, mixology and culinary.  I didn't have a chance to chat with the floral expert, but I did speak with the experts for "Spice", Brett Breach; the "Mixologist" Aisha Sharpe (below right)  Think of her as sort of a sommelier for mixed drinks. I'm a witness!  I had my share of the "Navan Orchid" martinis she's holding in the picture.  Culinary expert,  Jacqueline Lombard (bottom photo, far left) a chef who created a number the fabulous hors d'oeuvres in the opening photos utilizing the unique taste of NAVAN including an amazing Late Summer Corn Risotto (recipe below!)   


The event was held at Ramscale Studio, a beautiful and popular event space in Greenwich Village.  For whatever reason, it has taken several visits for me to realize why Ramscale has always felt so familiar to me.  Remember the movie Boomerang?  Of course you do!  Now, do you remember the incredible apartment where Eddie Murphy's Marcus character lived?   That is Ramscale!

 

Is "Love Should Have Brought You Home Last Night" going through your head yet? Small world, isn't it?  I touched on Navan on the night of the event, but I could not let the Boomerang connection go!

Jacqueline Lombard, the chef behind the amazing culinary creations made with Navan, was kind enough to send over the recipe for her delicious Late Summer Corn Risotto.  I actually stood beside her by the stove as she made it and I had about three or four of these things...

Jacqueline Lombard's Late Summer Corn Risotto

2 sticks/1/2 # unsalted butter

6 medium shallots, minced

6-8 Ears fresh local Corn, shucked and kernels cut from cob

1 box/32 oz./2#  Vialone de Nano Rice

1 cup NAVAN (or dry white wine such as DRY white vermouth)

3 quarts vegetable stock (Imagine Organic Veggie Stock works great)

1 container/8oz. Crme Fraiche

1 bunch Scallions, sliced thinly on the bias, green parts only

Salt

Pepper

Procedure:

Melt butter over medium heat in a wide, shallow potthe wider and shallower, the better.

Add shallots and cook for about 5 minutes, until they become clear but do not take on any color.

Add corn, stir well and cook for 10 minutes, until the kernels have become bright yellow in color and are occasionally popping.

Add rice, stir well to coat each kernel in butter, and increase heat to medium high.

Stirring constantly, add the wine.  The pan should sizzle.  Stir well to make sure that nothing is sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Add 2 cups of stock and stir slowly but constantly until all the liquid is absorbed and the pan is almost (but not quite) dry.

Repeat until you have used up just about all of your stock and the rice has become al dente.

Stir in Crme Fraiche and continue to cook for another 5 minutes, until rice is cooked all the way through.

Season with Salt & Pepper.

Check risotto for consistencyyou want it to be almost soupy, not dry or gummy.  Add a little more wine or vegetable stock to achieve consistency if needed.

Ladle into soup bowls, garnish with Scallions and another sprinkle of salt & pepper, and serve immediately.

Enjoy!!