Goop All About It

They pack their own trunk.

I have a confession to make. I love trashy magazines, like US Weekly and OK! My husband is quick to indulge this habit by signing me up for subscriptions because he secretly loves them too! I particularly love the "Stars Are Just Like Us" section, picturing stars doing mundane things such as picking up their dry cleaning, wiping their kids snotty nose, buying their own groceries, and packing their own trunk. The fine writing in this segment really does allow me to connect with the stars at a very basic human level. (Yeah, uh huh.)

It turns out that stars really do things that you and I do (gasp!): eat, sleep, take care of their own children, and of course, blog. Lately, I've been fascinated with Gwynie's blog called Goop (awful name, I know) or more appropriately, the "lifestyle newsletter." It's Gywneth Paltrow's way of sharing her secrets on style, food, self improvement, travel, and fitness; all the information and secrets her fame and fortune have afforded her that she is willing to share with the rest of us. So really, everyone can live like a star!

I admit that Gwynie's continual name dropping and ideas for shopping for $1000+ Chanel and Tod's boots and $800 a night hotel rooms may sound a bit haughty and pretentious, but you have to understand that she is a star, people. She makes lots of money and this is her circle of friends. Sweet Gwynie and I are so much alike really; I can't help but mention Francesca and Kacey wherever I go. It's not my fault I have such beautiful, fabulous, and talented friends?!

Seriously though, Gwynie is just like the rest of us in that she puts the health and happiness of her family above all else. Her recipes for turkey ragu and steamed peas are homey and delicious. And of course, she also shares a bit of the workout video her trainer, Tracy Anderson, sent her about working her butt. Now, you too can sweat like the star. (Try not to gag over Tracy's excessive fawning over Gwynie's "cooking talent.")

Check out Goop and nourish your inner aspect (whatever the heck that granola mantra means; I have yet to figure out.) Live your life like the star that I know you are.

-Thuy

Kacey, Francesca, Kacey, Francesca...Okay, is my name dropping not so subtle? Alright, I'll stop.

I'm A Star

I am getting my hair cut and colored this week. Friday to be exact. I booked the appointment last night. In order for me to accomplish this small personal care miracle, many things had to come together, such as a babysitter, an 8:00 AM opening with my stylist, and healthy kids. In short, the planets needed to be in perfect alignment.

It has been quite a while since my last cut. If I were to guesstimate, I'd say its been somewhere in the neighborhood of one year, two months, and a day, or in other words, since before my daughter, Lucia, was born. If you envision Cousin It from the Adams Family, you’ll have a pretty good idea of my current look.

I am feeling excited. Good-bye gray, shapeless hair, hello fun and flirty fabulousness. I’ll undoubtedly end up looking practically identical to any number of celebrities…

Even though I am planning on obtaining hair perfection, I am worried that my new look may go unnoticed. What if I go about my daily routine and people do not stop and openly stare at me wherever I go? I just don’t think I could take that type of rejection.

What to do? What to do? Is there a way for me to ensure that I turn heads and people say, "Wow, there goes one great head of hair?"

Celeb*4*A*Day, a company that allows you to hire your own temporary entourage, including photographers, publicists and bodyguards, may be just what I am looking for. For $750, I could be a MegaStar and hire a group of people to call out questions about me and my hair whenever I go, just like the paparazzi does with Julia, Brad, and Britney!

Friday looks like it is going to be busy for me. I’m thinking it should be a great day to have my entourage in tow...

8:00 – Undergo color and cut that brings me instantaneous fabulousness and superstar status.

11:00 – Hit the grocery store and post office. Maybe with my personal paparazzi, people will be less likely to notice my crying or arguing children or feel compelled to tell me how difficult motherhood can be. I will instead stun them into blessed silence!

12:00 – Pick up Giancarlo from pre-school. Super! Those made-up Mommies who always achieve the perfect tri-fecta of clothing, make-up, and a rested appearance, will embrace my new look and welcome me with open arms into their inner circle.

1:00 – OB appointment. This one could be a little tricky, but why not? The photos in US Weekly are continually capturing stars going about their everyday routine, grocery shopping, pumping gas, walking their dog. Why not add this one to the list? It shouldn't be too weird to have my entourage by my side. (I mean, weird would be something like taking your family with you to your OB appointment.)

All in all, I think it will be money well spent. $750 will even buy me a high-gloss print of me on the cover of Celeb*4*A*Day Magazine and a CD containing 5 high-resolution photographs from my experience.

What more do I need?

-Francesca