LYRA MAG.

JUST OUT: NEW WATCHES FROM HARD CORE BRAND THAT's WAY BEYOND JUST KEEPING TIME WORDS Judith Ecochard In the Tri World of Training---heart monitors, acronyms for this and that (CAD…EPOC wha?) and data about our efforts on the upload…are a new universe of numerals and charts... WE LOVE the new addition to our gadget stash that goes with the swim, bike, run--- our Suunto T6c watch that gives us feedback on every aspect/nuance of what we train for. It’s more like our scuba dive watches that are really portable computers. No wonder…Suunto is acclaimed for it’s high tech design, quality construction and ACCURACY. Trust us, not true with the competition. And mercifully, SUUNTO HAS excellent customer service with real  and really patient humans picking up the telephone---to walk us through every step…. WHAT’S NEW: The new M-Series watches are snazzy and functional timepieces---  for fitness fans who track their training--- and also for the casual weekend warrior. For the ...

SMALL HAIR/SKINCARE COMPANIES SUMMER FAVORITES: Without the ad campaigns using big time celebrity faces or backed by company conglomerates, it’s hard to make a dent in the competitive beauty/grooming/haircare marketplace. The products have to have a unique angle, be well priced. And work (duh). MENSCIENCE , a cleanly packaged line of skin and body care aimed at the guys, is one of the more successful word of mouth brand, out there…with plenty of pro-athletes using their products and distribution in high end retail stores. The company’s Hairstyling Gel and Pomade are fairly new to the market…and we sampled both, as did our other half. Easy to apply on wet and somewhat drier hair, we dabbed two quarter size squirts of the Gel that’s alcohol free -MAJOR DEAL for dried out frazzled locks - throughout our very long hair, using our fingers…with our guy needing only a dime size on his medium length hair. Both our heads dried cleanly ---and our wavy hair felt like ...

MIDTOWN/BLEEKER STREET NYC Words. Images Judith Ecochard/LYRAMAG We caught an outdoor viewing of Cynthia Rowley’s very wearable Resort Collection outside the Time/Life Building, just off Sixth Avenue…last week. The designer...blends with the models With waiters graciously offering beverages…and the models all lined up and looking lovely--- ---the presentation was a nice way to see the clothes in true daylight without the blaring music played at a lot of runway shows. And given the windy conditions, it wasn’t quite the ocean breeze we bet some of these clothes ‘experience’  ---but it gave us a chance to see how the fabrics gently moved against the body. Particularly helpful---was follow up in the showroom, two days later…as we got to admire the details we saw in the stylish ensembles. The collection as a whole is “ season-less ” we were told…to wear in at least 3 seasons …with different accessories, footwear, perhaps. ...

 – and NATURALLY BASED PRODUCTS THAT CROSS THE FINISH LINE Words, Event Images Judith Ecochard Hillary Rodham Clinton, (and later, Julia Roberts) famously cribbed “…it takes a village…” from an old African proverb…about two very disparate topics (childcare and cleavage). We’re channeling this wisdom as we embrace the ‘Tri’ life. Suffice to say, it’s challenging—the skills sets required ---swimming, biking, running…and finesse at transitions (like the humans who zip their feet out of their bike shoes…leaving the ped coverings still clicked into the pedals)… That insures the speedy finish. But definitely--- it’s the other stuff…the sunscreens that protect, the pain relief topical creams that sooth, the treatments that heal our sensitive skin…that eliminate what could be major impediments to our hoped for, better than last place, finish. WHAT WE USE: We remember exactly our first encounter with  The Body Shop ...  helmed by the late Anita Roddick--- an innovative act...

WHAT WE"RE KICKIN BACK IN... OFF THE BEATEN  TRACK....(OTBT) at Must have Shoes WORDS/Images Judith Ecochard/LYRAMAG Sandals from this Consolidated Shoe baby---just keep getting better... We just previewed Spring 2011...and LOVE.. For now you can get Spring 2010 (pictured)...making our need for pedicures truly  urgent--- with these buttery leather sandals ( above ) and lace-up wedges ----comfy and stylish.

First Look At “ AUTHENTIC INSPIRATION…MODERN INTERPRETATION ” Rockefeller Center, NYC Words/Images Judith Ecochard/LYRAMAG A classic American brand LANDS’ END smoothly sailed with its nautical heritage (since 1963---!) and fresh, breezy updates for F/W 2010. And might we add--- a terrific display of vignettes that attendees could easily meander around and take in… PLUS truly helpful Land’s End employees who know their merchandise. Essentials that we know and wear  ---include---- … a wide assortment of down filled outerwear…that are fashion/ function fused…and durable. And practical----there should be a Lost Sock Club too. (Replacements at half price). We know as our shapely white Chevron jacket---cut for us gals…  has splendidly survived many types of washing. Women’s silhouettes also from this line include the Essential and Luxe. ...