Like what you see? The bracelets you see (with the exception of the red braided bracelet) were designed by my friend Jaime to raise money for the International Essential Tremor Foundation and The NYU Movement Disorders Center. Jaime was recently diagnosed with Essential Tremor (ET) and has been living (and struggling with the symptoms of it) for the past several months.
I had never heard of ET before and, being the sucker for fashion that I am, only learned about it when I noticed one of her bracelets in a Facebook post. Also known as familial tremor, benign essential tremor or hereditary tremor, essential tremor (ET) is a progressive neurological condition that causes a rhythmic trembling of the hands, head, voice, legs or trunk. The symptoms of the disease also make it difficult to distinguish from Parkinson’s disease and dystonia. Treatment includes a combination of various medications such as Neurontin and Topamax but from what I have learned is that less than 60% of people are effectively helped by drug therapy. For hard-to-manage tremors, surgical therapy may be effective in the form of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), where an electrode is placed in the thalamus and is connected to a pacemaker implanted near the collarbone; the electrode and the pacemaker help to block brain activity that causes tremors by way of electrical pulses. Either way, a person diagnosed with ET will have their lives altered tremendously. Instead of being defeated by her diagnosis, Jaime has decided to take action and help to raise awareness and money for research to help people with ET achieve the highest quality of life.
These adorable multicolored bracelets signify several things: the International Essential Tremor Foundation (green and black), the NYU Movement Disorders Center (violet and white) and Parkinson’s Disease (silver – studies have suggested that people with ET have a higher chance of developing PD). They are Pura Vida bracelets that are adjustable (with an adorable pink cord) and waterproof so that you can wear them all the time. I stack them with other bracelets as they are so neutral and also part of the trend of creating a personalized arm party of friendship bracelets, hair ties, bangles and charm bracelets. I have only been wearing these strands on my wrist for a day and have already been getting comments on them. They are available for $5 each. For more information you can email me or send me a message and I can provide you with the details of how to order these from Jaime.
All pediatric dentists are trying to do their part for National Children’s Dental Health Month. This year we wanted to do something different, something memorable, and something very New York. So this past Monday me and two of the other pediatric dentists in my office hosted our first ever “Mommy & Me Luncheon” on the Upper East Side of Manhattan not far from our practice. Yes, the Upper East Side – what one blogger describes as: “the home to Gossip Girls and ladies who lunch, tree-lined streets, glorious art galleries and the kind of apartments that have gloved doormen and a line of chauffeurs waiting outside.” Pretty true. However, it is also the home to great mothers who care deeply about their children’s health and are tirelessly involved in the community in which they live. Something I learned first-hand at our event. With the help of one of our friends (and an UES mom herself), we found the perfect location in the basement playroom of a very lovely gloved doorman-building in the upper 70’s. Around 20 moms were in attendance, most with at least one of their children in tow (ranging from infant to pre-school aged). Most of the kids in the group are students at a local school, The Garden House School. It was kind of hard not to recognize this fact since most of the girls were still wearing their adorable school uniforms: a periwinkle blue-and-gray plaid dress with matching hair bow. While our hygienists helped practice brushing on puppets with the kids in different corners of the room, we gave brief informative talks to the mommies on topics such as children’s oral hygiene, fluoride, and teething.
After an easy Q&A and some schmoozing, we sent the moms and tots off with envy-worthy gift bags containing: a Brite Smile bleach pen and electric toothbrush for the moms, an electric kids toothbrush, a mommy-and-me toothbrush, a toddler toothbrush, and an infant finger brush. Not only did I have a great time teaching and playing with the adorable kids but I also enjoyed chatting with some of the moms – some very nice, young, stylish women who remind me of my own best friends.
I also didn’t mind showing off my new JCrew shirt, which I used to spruce up a dull Charcoal gray suit. As expected, the shirt did not go unnoticed with the UES moms. Bravo.
Keep an eye out for word of our next Mommy & Me Luncheon. Who knows, it may soon become THE annual event of the future with the “Ladies-and-Moms who lunch” crowd on the UES 🙂
Here I go again, getting yet another dental post-inspiration while watching an awards show (see my earlier blog post: Em-brace your smile from the 2013 Grammys). This time, it’s about the precocious, talented and adorable Quvenzhané Wallis. If you don’t know who she is, she is the youngest actress to receive a best-actress Oscar nomiation nominated for her lead role of Hushpuppy in Beasts of the Southern Wild. She appeared on the red carpet at tonight’s 2013 Academy Awards wearing a navy dress and wrap combo by Armani, toting a precious puppy purse (apparently one of her signatures). Not only does this girl have a public presence more mature than some of the actresses ten years her senior, but she has an amazing future ahead of her. She has recently been cast to lead in the new Annie, which is being produced by a production dream team that includes Jay-Z, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith and has been slated to debut around Winter 2014. What makes her future truly amazing (in my humble opinion) is her ultimate plan to become a dentist. She has boldly stated her career goals to become a dentist in the past, and affirmed it again tonight during the red-carpet interviews. This amazing and intelligent cutie should be a role model for all children. She and many people around the country have discovered that dentistry is one of the best fields to be in. Dentistry has recently been thwarted into the spotlight, ranking THE best job for 2013 in the US News and World Reports based on several factors such as median income, future job prospects, stress level and quality of work-life balance. Now that’s something I’m definitely smiling about! Good luck, Quvenzhané – tonight and in your dental future!
(Image via WireImage)
As a Pediatric Dentist who needs to wear her hair back on the daily, I have been on the lookout for a hair tie that is not only snag-free and durable but also doesn’t crease my hair when taken down at the end of the day (especially as I usually head out to dinner or other functions straight after work). Bonus points if the hair tie is nice enough to sport on my wrist where it is readily accessible and doesn’t cut off my blood circulation. The solution: stretch ribbon elastic hair ties that have been cropping up everywhere. The original was the Emi-Jay hair tie, started by two teenagers in LA and comes in an array of colors and patterns. Emi-Jay has become a sensation in the media and with celebs such as Hillary Duff.
Images (from left) via: whoorl.com, Facebook, The Fashion Whisperer
As wonderful as Emi-Jay hair ties are they are not cheap, starting at $5.99+ S&H for three of the solid colors (a portion of the proceeds go to Locks of Love). As it’s a very simple concept using elastic ribbon, other companies and people have taken note and developed their own line at a generally more budget-friendly price. Plus, who wants to buy them online when you can purchase them in stores like Anthropologie and Sephora? I didn’t even realize the full potential of these until a 10-year-old patient of mine recently came to her dental appointment wearing three on her wrist as bracelets in a great color combination. I couldn’t help but compliment on her style savviness. Apparently adults can be style-inspired by kids. I’ve already began sporting some of these (mine are from Anthropologie) in different color combinations and as part of my ever expanding arm party.
Arm party photo from top of wrist: Anthropologie multitude hair tie, Alex and Ani paw prints charm bracelet, Tai cross bracelet, Alex and Ani four leaf clover charm bracelet, Loft
The brilliance of this trend is that it’s timeless, ageless, and it’s a form of creative expression. So get some of them and mix and match as you see fit! How do you like to wear yours?
Did anyone catch the Grammys this past Sunday? The musical performances were impressive and I loved Taylor Swift’s dress! How about the amazing example that Faith Hill set for tons of people who are self-conscious about their smiles? The gorgeous country star stepped out on the red carpet and on stage later that night to present an award rocking a full set of braces! And she looked pretty amazing.
This is not the first time that she has been seen in the spotlight showing off her dental work. Committed to improving her smile, she has been in treatment for roughly 8 months. “I didn’t wear my retainer,” Hill said in a radio interview in October, describing why she needed braces again despite having them when she was a child. Good for you, Faith! As a dentist (and a Pediatric Dentist) I must say I am proud. Every time a patient tells me she isn’t wearing her retainer everyday like she should, I now have a comeback: “didn’t you see what happened to Faith Hill?!” But in all seriousness, not only is she a living example of the very common problem of orthodontic relapse, but she is also showing the world (literally) that she’s dedicated to correcting what she doesn’t like about her teeth. Commitment even at 45 years old and even in front of the paparazzi at a major awards show. Braces aren’t just for teenagers anymore; many adults are requesting them and these days orthodontic treatment is being recommended for some kids at a much younger age.
Stay tuned for a follow-up post about the trends in different phases of orthodontics and various types of “braces” available. For now, I’m just taking a moment to celebrate Faith Hill’s little stunt and how great I feel about it. She is getting a ton of positive attention for it in the media now and she sure deserves it! If you’ve always wanted to improve your smile but thought your opportunity had passed, let Faith Hill be your inspiration – and go consult with your dentist about your options!
Image via US Weekly
left: image via Classy Girls Wear Pearls
Besides Nemo, what’s trending now are duck boots. In light of that bit of fluffy white stuff outside right now, I’d like to introduce my newest obsession: Sorel duck boots! Just because it’s cold out doesn’t mean you can’t do it with style. This is what I call functional style at it’s best. They are available in a wide range of women’s, children’s (see below) and men’s styles. You really won’t want to be snowed in when you and your kids are wearing these. Happy frolicking!
Fun sorel styles for kids. Flannel check is so in!
TheTrendySmile 
