The Daily Office

Not just any Yoga, but Yoga Sculpt!

Cindy Deuser — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 05:09:24 +0000

My new found obsession is Yoga Scuplt! Without ever taking a normal yoga class in my life, I now take Yoga Sculpt four times a week. I belong to Anytime Fitness and finally one opened close enough to my house where I can bike and they offer great classes for everyone. My new obsession is Yoga Sculpt. Seriously, I have lost twenty pounds since February 1^st when I started the classes. They are life-changing! It is the one hour a day that I can resist any “work” thought seeping into my brain. It lets me – LET GO!!! Follow my blog for “what not to wear” in Yoga Sculpt and other fun facts about this new wacky wellness journey of mine!

Nail Lacquer Put to the Test – OMG, save your money!

Cindy Deuser — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 04:19:59 +0000

I have tried just about every line of nail polish there is. A few years ago, I even was naive enough to think that a $15 bottle of nail lacquer will stay on 15x longer than the $6.00 bottle?! This is one time in life that “you don’t get what you pay for!” Although Tom Ford is one of my favorite designers, he sells nail lacquer for $30.00 at Neiman Marcus. (OMG – who does that?!) So here is another little secret! We came across a line of nail polish at Lillians that is UBER affordable. $3.00!!! (Isn’t that the cost of your latte, girls?) And the great thing is – it stays on LONGER than any brand I have tried in my life! Go to any Lillians and take the Pedi test! I wear Red Alert on my toes and it goes with everything!

Lillians Nail Polish in Red Alert – $3.00

Tom Ford Nail Lacquer in Rouge – $30.00

I Really Love My Patchouli!

Cindy Deuser — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 03:50:32 +0000

During all of my travels over the years with Lillians from the East Coast to the West Coast, I have found these certain little secret places that carry products not found in the Midwest. And they have changed my life. Gals, stop spending boo-coo bucks on women’s fragrances. Start investing in oils! OMG (I say that a lot) the oils are one-fourth the cost of great fragrances and last just as long. And here is the real kicker…..they contain ZERO alcohol or water. (hello!!!) Here is your proof: Go (right now!) and read the label on your expensive bottle of fragrance. Water?? Alcohol?? Ripped off?? You got it!

I promised myself that I would never share this secret, but changing women’s lives is what I do, so here goes! I have attached the photo of what is in my handbag, in every bathroom at home, and in my car. It is everywhere I am – at all times! You never know when you need just a “roll.” I wear Patchouli and no matter where I go, I get asked by women AND men….”what are you wearing?” When I tell them it is patchouli oil, they are intrigued. One woman said, “hey that is what the hippies wore!” It sure is! But let’s fast forward to 2012.

Patchouli scents have come a long way since then and so have the blends of real oils. The brand of my patchouli is by Lakshmi. (his most AWESOME brand ever!) For example, to achieve notes of “musk” in their oils, they do not use real musk, as it comes from animals and they use ZERO animal products. I have attached the photo of my patchouli. It is this compact roll-on that lasts for months and months. I could sell these things out of my handbag because women are CRAZY about how it smells. You better sit now – it’s time to reveal the price. $28.00!! RING THE BELLS!!! Who does that?

In trade for my little secret, you have to promise to buy it directly from Scent Elate. Scent Elate is a specialty boutique located in the heart of New York City, Mid Town Manhattan. The owners name is Mo. When I first went inside, he looked at me as I was laughing hysterically with my sister about something and he said, “you need to wear patchouli!” It is the goddess of abundance and embodies love, grace and charm! Mo had me pegged the moment I met him and I have bought my patchouli from him for almost seven years. It is the best known secret on the “fragrance” planet!

Go to www.scentelate.com.
Click on SHOP
Click on OILS AND SCENTS
Click on GODDESS SCENTS

WA-LA! There it is!

If you really want service, you can call their phone number and just order it with them. That is what I do. It feels more special. Their phone number is 212.258.3043. And if you are lucky enough to hit the Big Apple, please go into Scent Elate and tell Mo I sent you! Their address is:

Scent Elate
313 West 48^th Street
New York, NY 10036

Follow my blog for more Patchouli news!

The DOVE® Hair Nourishing Oil Care Collection

Cindy Deuser — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 00:45:18 +0000

This line transforms dry, rough and frizzy hair into beautifully smooth hair that’s easier to manage and style. I kid you not – this bottle is like gold for your hair. (and the content is actually gold looking!) This is actually nourishing spray that detangles so you spritz it all over your head AFTER your shampoo and BEFORE you style. It acts like a gentle “leave-in” conditioner. What I love about it is that it is weightless and enriched with Argon Oil which is great for shine. Here is the kicker……
• $4.97 at Wal-Mart
• $4.99 at Target
It looks exactly like the photo below and the top will be clear and bottom gold, so you have to shake it up a bit before each spritz! I am a huge fan. I use to use the expensive Aveda detangler, but no more. I researched the ingredients of both and the Argon Oil sold me. Not to mention a savings of $12.00 compared to Aveda’s $16.00 detangler. (three bottles for the price of one…..hmmm!)

My hair journey has been about as interesting as my Lillians journey, but then again – everything about yourself is really your life story. My hair has run the gamut and no stone has been left unturned. I cannot wait to tell you about the amazing Keratase, Moroccanoil, Pureology and a “thumbs down” of a brush that you do NOT want to purchase!

Free Sunglasses in June – yes FREE!

Cindy Deuser — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 00:07:52 +0000

To kick off the start of our endless summer months, we always give away free sunglasses at Lillians when you spend $50.00 the entire month of June. Spend $100 and get two pair FREE! It is all about celebrating summer in style! So get your “shades” on and collect a few pair during the month of June!

For hours and locations of this hot and spicy deal, go to www.lillians.com.

A New Head Of Hair! (it really happened!)

Cindy Deuser — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 20:42:57 +0000

I am a “forever” blonde. I was born blonde and will zip out of this world blonde. My salon artist that I have had for the past five years treats my hair like her “monthly project” and she seriously has transformed my hair. I was told once that because they use such a “high level” of blonde to get me to that “bright- beachy color” that I could not have long hair. I would always have to wear it short. (who tells their client that?!) And I am a “pony-tail-wear it back” girl. So I switched over to a salon artist who knew her blondes! And WA-LA! I have a long hair and a whole bunch of ideas and suggestions for you in this blog that will save you time, money……and most of all, your hair!

I’m a Frock Freak!

Cindy Deuser — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 11:42:26 +0000

Seriously, I own two pairs of denim and closets of dresses. It is just my mantra. You can do so much more with your style when you own a dress. A dress in this decade is about as interesting as our grandmothers high heels. They are stylin!! They are fit for any body type and they can transform your attitude! So I am going to take you a dress journey with each post over the next several weeks and you will love what you see. I will give you hints of where to go, what to buy and what accessories you should use for each style. Within a month or so, your closet should start to transform into a colorful dress parade! And the great thing is, they are all affordable, flattering and fun! And my style suggestions for dresses will fit all women out there – whether you have a killer career, are a suburban housewife or headed off to college, tune in because this is the summer to “find a frock” and then build on it! Here is your first assignment:

Frock: Take 1

Find a white summer dress that has a polished look to it.

Let’s break it down!

Brooklyn Decker (married to tennis play, Andy Roddick) is wearing the perfect combo of cute, yet casual with this feminine white eyelet dress (which screams Audrey Hepburn!) She incorporated a military-inspired vest which creates a great contrast with a sweet frock. Then – bring interest to this simple statement with some unexpected accessories, like turquoise earrings and a leopard print bag! Who couldn’t wear this? I am 54 years old and this look is on my list. Easy Peasy! Print this out for assignment #1.

Frock – Take 2

Find a wrap dress that really doesn’t wrap!

Let’s break it down!

This dress is amazing to say the least. It is sewn as one dress and so you always look put together and don’t have to fuss with making sure it stays wrapped! The fabric is great and has just enough spandex in it to keep its shape, so you literally can roll this up in a ball and it doesn’t wrinkle! And I always look at the hemline before making a solid “buying” decision. This hemline length is perfect! It is great for travel and every female “on the go!” And it comes in great colors. The above color is called Blue Bell and it also comes in magenta, morado (a great purple), caribbean sea (turquoise), navy, silver, toffee and black. I wore the morado color to an event last week and I literally could have sold five of them! And they retail for $62. I promise you from the bottom of my blue “heart,” you will want one in black and at least one other color! They come in size small through extra-large! The only problem is that you will get so attached to this dress; you will wear it TOO much! Email me if you have any questions regarding this great wrap dress from Lillians. I will help you accessorize as well!

Why Lillians Started in the First Place!

Cindy Deuser — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 11:25:00 +0000

My sister Sue and I were empty-nesters and complacent in our ‘Corporate uniforms’. I am the kite (I fly!) and Sue is the string. (She’s sensible) I take risks (Sue is sensible). I go for the gusto. (Sue is still sensible) At the end of the day, we pulled together a few bucks and in August of 2005, Buffalo Minnesota would become the back-drop to our first whacky, wild, and whimsical dream called, Lillians!

We didn’t know what to expect – in fact, we even did our own ribbon-cutting for our Grand Opening. (we didn’t know we were supposed to invite the Mayor!) We didn’t know if we would have one guest or one hundred guests. Let’s just put it this way – we SOLD OUT! Even the most uninteresting, ugliest handbag and piece jewelry sold out! We had a constant line to the back of the store all four days! Now what? Where do we go? What do we do? We still had our corporate jobs! HELP!!! It wasn’t supposed to turn out like this – but are we forever grateful it did! Seven years later, we franchised our extraordinary business and have over thirty stores in eight different states. Chapter One is in the books! Stay tuned for Chapter Two by following this blog!