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Summer beauty tips

July 15, 2010April 27, 2018All, BeautyLeave a Comment

Last night, in our Georgetown showroom, we hosted lovely group of people from the Harvard Club of DC – all alumni of my alma mater who live in the DC region. The goal: networking, enjoying delicious wine and treats, and to discuss summer beauty tips.

Summer… = sun, heat, humidity, “smaller” clothes…

So here goes:

Remember your body. Aging doesn’t stop at the jaw line – indeed, my father (before Norah Ephron in I feel bad about my neck) always told me to look at a woman’s neck and décolleté to determine her age. Our faces lie… our necks tell the truth! Extend that to arms, legs, and feet. Think of our Alexandrite gel for neck and bust, and our Q-switch body contouring gel.

Continue reading ➞ Summer beauty tips

Magical moments in Greece

July 12, 2010April 27, 2018All, TravelLeave a Comment

I am back in Georgetown after two weeks abroad, but this morning, in spirit, I am still in Greece, remembering the magical moments spent on Tinos.

When I was a little girl, my family and I used to go to Tinos often. My maternal grandfather, a Greek philosophy professor, decided to take a sabbatical there when my mother was 16, and moved the family to the island for two years, in a gorgeous, simple, very old stone house. The last time I was there, I was 14. Why I haven’t gone in so long, I don’t know.

Continue reading ➞ Magical moments in Greece

My summer reading list

July 5, 2010April 27, 2018All, My lifeLeave a Comment

A few years ago, I came across the book The Georgetown Ladies’ Social Club, by C. David Heymann. I had just graduated from Georgetown McDonough School of Business, and it seemed like an interesting book given that I lived in DC (well, technically, in Arlington, VA). I started it, but could never get into it.

Fast forward 6 years, to a month or so ago. I have since moved my home and my business to Georgetown, and have become fascinated with all things having to do with this neighborhood. I can’t start my day without reading The Georgetown Dish. Finding The Georgetowner in my mailbox makes me feel special. I guess you could call me a Georgetown groupie.

Looking through my bookcase a few weeks ago (reading more is one of my 2010 New Year’s resolutions), I found The Georgetown Ladies’ Social Club once again, and a project formed in my mind. I decided this book would be the starting point of my summer reading list, which would focus on all things Georgetown, or at least all things DC.

I shared my summer project with my friend Stephanie Greene; somehow I knew she would have the best book recommendations. Not only was she excited about my project and eager to share her recommendations, she showed up at my office with a bag full of books for me to take on my week-long summer vacation in Greece (where I am writing from; more on that later).

So here is the beginning of my summer reading list (June-July), in the order in which I am reading them. Somehow I get the feeling that this project will last into the fall, possibly the winter, so please suggest additional titles that you would recommend.

The Georgetown Ladies’ Social Club, by C. David Heymann

All The President’s Men, by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward

The Washingtonienne, by Jessica Cutler

Farewell Jackie, by Edward Klein

The Other Man, by Michael Bergin

The Other Mrs. Kennedy, by Jerry Oppenheimer

Personal History, by Katharine Graham

I could go on, but I must sign off. Books await me…

One burger, two presidents

June 24, 2010April 27, 2018All, My life18 Comments

A few hours ago, just after finishing a fabulous burger with brie at Ray’s Hell Burger in Arlington, I shook the hands of President Obama and President Medvedev. I don’t get star struck (well, unless I get to brush up against amazing beauty CEOs such as Leslie Blodgett of Bare Escentuals). But I still have goose bumps about it.

About halfway through our burgers, my friend Michael Ortner, Founder and CEO of Capterra and I (and the rest of the restaurant) are told by a very serious looking Secret Service agent that the President is on his way, and that we have to be “wanded” and our belongings checked. Unless of course we prefer to leave. Yeah right. We aren’t done eating!

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Men and what makes them beautiful

June 18, 2010April 27, 2018Alchimie Forever, All, BeautyLeave a Comment

In three days, it is Father’s day. I think about men’s grooming habits and skin care regimens a lot, but Father’s Day as well as two events last week have put male beauty top of mind. I have been training various clients as to why the need for men’s skin care (men have oilier skin, prefer lighter, oil-free textures; men like “manly” aromas as opposed to girlie sweet scents; men like to feel like their skin care products have been created just for them), and two of our products just arrived in the office repackaged in sleek and sexy tubes (apparently men are not fond of jars).

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Why I love being an entrepreneur

June 13, 2010April 27, 2018All, BusinessLeave a Comment

In case I was about to forget why I love being an entrepreneur, three events this week reminded me why I would never, could never, do anything else in life but spend my time, energy, and money, building a business.

On Wednesday morning, the group Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NEW), which I founded in 2004, had its quarterly Breakfast Brainstorm. I founded the group when I was just starting Alchimie, and needed to speak to trusted friends who knew what I was going through – other women launching and growing their own businesses. We meet quarterly to hear speakers (this Wednesday the author and freelance writer Cathy Alter), network, share concerns and resources, and more. I leave every NEW event with a renewed sense of inspiration, dedication to my business, and sense of family and friendship.

Continue reading ➞ Why I love being an entrepreneur