Favorite Things

It isn't just Oprah that has a list of favourite things you know. This week I thought I'd share some of mine with you. Where to begin? Well at the bottom. High heels have always been one of my favourite things. When I was a little girl I couldn't wait to be old enough to wear heels, the higher the better. Unlike many childhood ambitions - to be a surgeon (Gods sake I can't bear the meat counter at the deli, never mind actual living organs); to be a movie star (shaddup, there's still time) or to become a famous explorer and discover a new country/planet, (least said about that the better), as soon as I had money of my own I was straight to the shoe shop. No heel was too high, and God knows there were some that should have come with a safety parachute. They weren't just show heels either. I wore heels all day, every day. I walked the length and breadth of Manhattan in shoes that could stand tall amid the skyscrapers. It was a love affair that lasted and lasted. Me and the heels - true love forever.

Oh yes, like the most passionate of affairs it couldn't continue. Out of nowhere I was getting foot pain, I couldn't walk long distances, and then I could hardly walk any distance at all. All too soon heels were being relegated to night time and even then it was proving to be a struggle. I had rows and rows of beautiful shoes that rarely if ever saw the light of day.

I went through all the stages of grief - denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. First I tried, despite the evidence to continue to wear heels as I had always worn them. Result. Vast podiatry bills. Then the anger came fuelled in part by the enormous sums of money being spent on the vast podiatry bills and having no alternative but to wear 'librarian' shoes. Result. Ugly footwear and being avoided by most of my friends because nobody wants to hang around with the very very angry.

Bargaining was next and not the type involved in getting a discount. No I was in talks with the Almighty regarding shoes. Seriously, important and all as footwear is to me I don't think its high on God's agenda, hasn't he wars, famines and politicians to deal with. Result. Imperilling immortal soul. Depression was next and no wonder I was crippled both physically and financially by my insistence on wearing shoes that hurt. My friends were avoiding me and I was in danger of spending eternity down below. Result. Massive ice cream consumption. Finally came acceptance. Barring a foot transplant I would never be able to wear heels on a daily basis ever again. Luckily the acceptance phase arrived around the same time that I got pregnant because from the second trimester the only footwear I could wear outdoors were sneakers - sneakers I had to get someone else to tie for me.

So having finally come to the realization that my heel wearing days were a thing of the past I discovered Aerosoles. Now I know it was there all along but somehow it had escaped my notice. I think I assumed that comfort equalled librarian shoes, so I never bothered even looking. My Mom has no such qualms and a couple of months ago dragged me into a branch of Aerosoles.

She left empty handed and I left with two pairs of high heeled mules that are so comfortable that I can wear them on a daily basis. All day every day. It's like the good old days (only with a baby). I loved one pair of mules so much that I went back and bought another pair in a different color. Not only are my Aerosoles shoes comfortable but they're sexy too.

I have my mother to thank for another entry on the list also. Again I was dragged unwillingly into an establishment I had preconceived notions about. On this occasion it was the Brooklyn Diner on 57th Street. When I first moved to New York I used to pass the Brooklyn Diner every day going to work. Because of its proximity to Carnegie Hall and the Hard Rock Café I assumed it was an overpriced tourist trap and never darkened its door. So it was with great reluctance that I accompanied my mother there. "We'll be swizzed," I hissed as we were seated at a distinctly un-diner like table with a fresh white linen tablecloth. I decided I would order the cheapest thing on the menu which was unfortunately for me, a vegetarian, cheeseburger and fries. But such is my bloody-mindedness that even though I don't eat meat any more I went ahead and ordered it anyway.

Now, its not that I'm a fussy eater, well OK I am, but because I don't drink and had to give up the cigs because of the baba, I set a lot of store by nice food. Well, I can't speak for the rest of the menu at the Brooklyn Diner but the cheeseburger was the nicest I've ever had (apart from my mother's home made).

My mother, an unapologetic carnivore, agreed that it was the best burger she'd ever tasted. The fries were pretty good too and they certainly didn't stint on the portion sizes. Despite the fact that our food was so delicious we couldn't finish what was on our plates and that was without having a starter. If you are a burger aficionado or if you just want somewhere to bring the rellies when they're in town - this is the place to go.

"You don't know what you've got till it's gone" is an old cliché and like a lot of clichés is actually true. I found this out recently when I ran out of Too Faced First Base Iridescent Shimmer ($15). This is a brilliant eye shadow primer and it keeps your eye make up fresh all day long - none of that awful creasing. This is a makeup bag must have. If you don't fancy the shimmer Second Base ($15) is a lemon matte color that will even out skin tones and give you the perfect start for your eye make up application.

I'm not the only one with a list of favourite things. Over the summer I had a look at products to keep your feet nice, to keep the appearance of cellulite at a minimum, to fight breakouts and acne and to protect you from the sun's glow. A couple of readers have written in demanding why I haven't included their favourite products. Now as I'm sure you're well aware I'm only human and I can't get to every make up counter in the shop. But I have followed up on some of your suggestions and want to share them with the rest of our readers.

If you have problems with cellulite check out Caudalie Vinotherapie Contouring Concentrate Anti-Cellulite ($35) which is made up of natural ingredients and will help not only with reducing the appearance of cellulite but with shaping up your thighs as well.

Sonya Dakar have two products that will keep your skin looking good. 365 SPF 30 ($39) is a sunscreen designed for daily use. Apart from protecting your skin from damaging UV rays it has ingredients that will calm irritated and sensitive skin, soothes dry skin and has antiseptic and antibacterial properties. This is also a good sunscreen to use if you have oily or problem skin as it contains lavender extract which removes excess oil from skin and helps unclog pores. If prevention doesn't help and you need a cure for spots then try Acne Fighter ($22). This product contains sulphur and benozoyl peroxide both proven acne fighters, as well as aloe vera to soothe affected skin. Unlike some zip treatments this one dries clear so it can be easily worn under make up. Murad have a range of acne fighting products including Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel ($53) and Blemish Cover Gel ($17) the former will help reduce pore-clogging bacteria and advance healing; the latter is a targeted treatment for use on individual spots and blemishes.

I'm always on the lookout for good foot care because as you can see from the above my feet are a constant source of angst. Monuspa Reviving Foot Mask (GBP£14.50) is just the kind of thing I like. This product works on a number of levels, cleansing, soothing and reviving. It's just the thing for tired feet. Make life easier for your poor feet with ProFOOT Slik Stik ($4.99) an anti-friction stick designed to prevent rubbing from sandal straps and shoe heels that leads to blisters and corns. And, unlike plasters, it's invisible. Toe clenching is another way to create calluses and corns. ProFOOT Toe Beds ($4.99) provide the toes with a grip and reduce the need to clench hence reducing those painful calluses and hard skin.

You can buy the most expensive shoes and pay top dollar for a pretty pedicure but if your heels are cracked you may as well go out in dirty sneakers with chipped nail polish. ProFOOT Heel Rescue Intensive Overnight Foot Repair ($11.99) is an intensive over night cream which comes with booties so you put it on before you go to bed and it works while you sleep. Wonderful.