Beauty, Charm & Style

I like art. I like to make art, to look at art, to learn art and to collect art.  But I am also poor.  Well, young 20s, with student loans, eating Ramen and heading back to graduate school. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to have great art decorating the walls of my house.

Birthe Piontek's "Untitled"

I certainly can’t afford to go to Christie’s Auction House and collect the fines pieces of art from around the globe, or even signed prints from the downtown galleries.  And with the economy is a state of emergency; I don’t have bundles of cash to throw around artists commissioning works of art and portraits of me riding a horse. This is why the Internet is so great, and why I love 20×200.

Run by NY gallery owner and art aficionado, Jen Beckman, 20×200 is an online gallery that sells limited edition prints and supports emerging artists and collectors. 20×200 makes art available for everyone offering 200 small, 20 medium and 2 large sized editions, ready to purchase online. Every single print is delivered with a certificate of authenticity numbered by the artist. Its art is legit.

Marcie Paper's Unititled #76

Having been a subscriber to the site for almost a year, I have only bought two prints, and I love them both.  Professionally framing each print, the two hang up in my house next the other bits of art I have collected over the years.  It’s a nice feeling to know I own art, as well as know I’m supporting a generation of young artists that will be greatly effected the economic crunch.

Some top economic theorists in our country, are claiming that we, along with some other powerful countries across the globe are either on the verge of, or rather, in the midst of a recession.  Now, I’m not talking about a dust bowl, soup kitchen, 1920’s style depression – just an old recession.

According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, a recession is a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in real GDP, real income, employment, industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales. A recession begins just after the economy reaches a peak of activity and ends as the economy reaches its trough.

Whoa!  That is boring.  What a recession really means is pocketbooks get tighter, more Ramen is consumed and beauty product purchases dwindle to necessities only, no vanity impulse buys. This may make a glamor girl sad, but let it be known, a recession proof, smart buy to get a gal through these tough times is Pond’s Cold Cream Deep Cleaners.

Pond’s Cold Cream

Cold cream is a woman’s best friend. Movie stars of the 20s, 30s and 40s swore by it and in my opinion is truly the best thing for removing makeup and softening the skin.

The rich, creamy special blend of cleansing ingredients and natural emollients softens the skin as it deep cleans, leaving my face smooth and soft.  Best part is, it cleans without stripping my skin of natural its oils.  My face doesn’t end up tight and dry.

Simply smooth this cool cream over the face and the eyes, and the hidden dirt and makeup is quickly removed when I wipe away using a cool, damp cloth.  Finish up a face washing with some moisturizing night cream and I’m set to go to bed.

A real investment, cold cream lasts a long time and goes a long way so I never worry about running out at an inopportune time.  And since it is so reasonably priced, I can spend my money on other presents, like new shoes or that new purse I’ve had my eye on all week.

The Breakdown:

• Been around for over 150 years
• Hypo-allergenic, dermatologist tested and non-comedegenic
• Available in 9.5 oz. 6.1 oz or 3.5 oz jars
• $7.99 – $3.99 each