Beauty, Blondes and Becas - a
Formidable Combination
len - PVNN
Is it just me or am I
the only one in complete amazement at the weather recently? For our
Canadian friends, I am sure that this is still a balmy winter. But after
the sun goes down, it sure gets chilly for someone who lives here all
year round.
Granted, chilly to me is anything below 70 degrees F, so I suppose it's
just me. Having a blanket on the bed and staying warm with my sweetie is
a lovely way to spend an evening. Now we will move onto more important
issues.
"Blondes have had some bad press through the ages, but only when we have
been misunderstood - normally by a brunette." Donatella Versace
Beauty, as we all know, is in the eye of its beholder. Beauty is a
tangible and truly powerful thing, and how we deal with and handle it is
crucial. Looking back through all of my musings over the years, I have
always stood by one simple credo: Beauty starts on the inside and works
its way outward ... but ... some things, like Crocs, are still
unbeautiful. Simple, right?
I was struck this past week by the number of blondes coming through the
salon. Usually I have no time to pay attention to anyone except the
client in my chair, but right around the middle of the week, I noticed
all the different blonde color bowls in our sink. I began to wonder if
blonde was about to make a big comeback.
What is true is this: the blondes never went anywhere. They just
retreated into a quiet holding pattern. David Hockney once said "If
you've only [got] one life, live it as a blonde." Later he became famous
for the phrase "blondes have more fun." It looks and to me like more and
more of you are beginning to heed and really believe the words of Mr.
Hockney. At least you're listening to someone!
Living on or near the beach as a blonde brings with it all sorts of
responsibilities. Yes, I said responsibilities. Regular pool devotees
will find their hair turning green, thanks to the mineral chlorine and
chemical build up on the hair shaft.
Chlorine is as much of a permanent danger as straight bleach. It can
really eat up your hair, even virgin hair, meaning hair without
artificial color applied. If an after-poolside rinse is not something
you are used to doing, well, get used to it. The only thing short of
stripping out the green with even harsher chemicals than the chlorine
that created it in the first place is for me to take the scissors to it.
I know how you'll just love that.
Here are a couple of tips on staying smarter than the average blonde.
Your shampoo and conditioner are your key to safety in our salty
climate. Look for words like chelatin or chelating and panthenol on all
conditioning shampoos. Chelatin helps the conditioner penetrate the hair
and treat from the inside of each shaft. Panthanol will help strengthen
and protect the hair shaft. Most shampoos have some conditioner in them,
but don't confuse the good ones with the cheaper and ever-popular
combination shampoo/conditioning shampoos on the market. Notice the
subtle differences. Compare the ingredients.
Of course, wearing a hat with plenty of ventilation while out in the sun
and on the golf course is another easy and simple way to protect your
fairytale blonde locks. Fashionable hats are available everywhere in our
designer haven-by-the-sea. One of my favorites is the Viva Girl hat.
While not all that practical for the golf course, it should be a staple
in your swim and wrap collection. Remember the beginning of this column:
becoming a blonde brings entails certain responsibilities.
As the blonde icon of the 1980s, Madonna would undoubtedly garner
accolades for redefining the myth of "being blonde." Creating the
in-your-face-image for the era, which was extremely provocative,
ridiculously sexual and in no way dizzy, she captured the world's
imagination. Her stylist and Hair God was the master-in-charge during
this time, and what he said about becoming a blonde still rings true:
"What's great about going blonde is that with so little you can change
yourself so much." Orlando Pita
So where does Becas - namely Becas Vallarta A.C. - play into all of
this? I'm glad you asked. Yours truly was asked the other day what was I
doing the evening of March 5, 2009, and would I be the emcee and live
auctioneer at this year's Becas Ball.
In 2009, it's name is The Crystal Ball, and it will be a truly
spectacular night under the stars with special tributes to long-time
supporter of Becas, the late Peter Gray. As I said earlier, I am honored
and humbled at my task ahead. I cannot wait to put my "Streisand Concert
Tux" on again.
You know how much I love everything pretty, Ladies, (or handsome, for
You Guys), so I want you to dress up when you come out to drink, dine
and dance on March 5. I'd hate to have to write another "worst of"
column with you in it!
I can only imagine what you must be saying to yourselves: "What were
they thinking, giving len an open mike?" While I admit to sometimes
speaking before I think, I'm seldom wrong. Witty? Yes. Outrageous?
Maybe. Fun? Definitely.
Ladies and Gentleman, The Crystal Ball is upon us, and I look forward to
seeing a Hollywood-style level of glamour descend upon the beautiful
Westin Regina Hotel. And I'm hoping that oodles of money - I'm talking a
truck load here - will be raised for scholarships for the brilliant
young people all around us who just need the resources necessary to get
the education that will create the new Mexico.
In closing, let me say this: be fun, be happy, be gorgeous and - above
all - be blonde (or your close variation of beautiful). I'll behave with
a microphone, but you never know what I'll "say" in print, right here,
online for the whole world to read, in len's life! Hee hee hee.
Given
that Len's very first word was "more," and the second one was "pretty"
it is no wonder that he now is the Stylist Manager in the #1 salon and
spa in Puerto Vallarta,
blu, but also writes an entertaining and informative beauty column,
"len's life." Whatever you hair may or may not need, Len will know
exactly what to do or where to go to find the answer - just send him an
email at len(at)blubylen.com.
Click HERE for more articles by Len.
Juan and Mimi at Matejas
Top Ten Facts about Mexico Real Estate
Puerto Vallarta - Mexico Alive, a Puerto
Vallarta-based real estate development company, has been hosting
educational real estate seminars in various cities throughout Mexico for
more than a year. These events are called Discovery Weekends and average
about 40 attendees and $3.5 million in sales per event.
During the four-day, three-night events Mexico Alive representatives and
third-party sources educate attendees about the vast investment,
recreational and retirement opportunities awaiting real estate buyers in
Mexico, discussing topics such as lending, insurance, local culture,
health care, property value and appreciation.
Mexico Alive has found that Discovery Weekend attendees consistently ask
the same questions, most of which are fueled by the current housing and
economic crisis plaguing the U.S. In an effort to educate more people
about the facts surrounding Mexican real estate purchases, Mexico Alive
has decided to share the "ten things people don't know about Mexico real
estate" — and didn’t think to ask until the recent housing and financial
crisis.
1. Property in Mexico can be purchased with a self-directed IRA
(Individual Retirement Account) with no penalty, because buying foreign
real estate is the same as buying a stock or bond. The only catch is the
property must be treated as an investment.
2. Property values in some Mexican markets have doubled in the last five
years—and continue to appreciate. Even markets experiencing a slower
appreciation are still steadily rising. For example, properties in
Mazatlan, Mexico, have appreciated an average of ten percent per year
for the past ten years.
3. Of the 4.1 million Americans who reside in other countries,
approximately one million reside in Mexico.
4. Some of the larger groups of Americans and Canadians can be found in
Mazatlan, San Miguel de Allende, Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara-Lake
Chapala and Los Cabos.
5. The top ten fly-in destinations in Mexico are: La Paz, Mazatlan,
Manzanillo, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Cancun-Riviera Maya, Acapulco, Mexico
City, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta.
6. Banking institutions like Wachovia (NYSE: WB) and Deutsche Bank
(NYSE: DB) offer fixed-rate mortgages for properties in Mexico.
7. Mexican property can now be insured by US-based title companies, such
as Stewart Title (NYSE: STC) and First American (NYSE: FAF). The cost
for title insurance is estimated at about $5 per $1,000.
8. Non-nationals can now securely own Mexican real estate on or near a
coastline or border with another country. The property is purchased
through a bank trust (fideicomiso) or a Mexican corporation for foreign
purchasers.
9. Properties in Mexico can be purchased with a reverse mortgage.
10. For a $140,000 investment, a buyer can own a view lot with a 900
square-foot home, a 1,200 square-foot patio and all household
necessities (i.e. furniture, kitchen fixtures, etc.)
Mexico Alive’s Discovery Weekend events are offered in various cities
throughout Mexico, including Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan. In Mazatlan,
the Discovery Weekends are hosted by the El Cid Resort and are
all-inclusive affairs, featuring a tour of the historic city, visits to
a variety of properties, sunset cruise, authentic Mexican fiesta and all
food and beverages. The event costs $185 per individual or $250 per
couple. Mexico Alive plans to expand its unique, educational concept of
Discovery Weekends to a dozen Mexican destinations.
Visit
Eric Nice Plays every Thursday at Mateja's
