Welcome to the first edition of “Brenda Coffee’s Favorite Things.” With everything that’s happening in the world, I decided we could use a little diversion. In addition to suggesting books, music, movies, and the occasional recipe, each month I’ll give you links to other things you might enjoy like great hotels and getaway places, plus some of my favorite products.
Here’s what I’m loving this month.
Beauty Products
The more I get to know Nikol Johnson-Sanchez—click here for a link to my Ageless Style interview with Nikol—the more I like and respect her. Nikol’s had a lot of things on her plate, beginning with living in an apartment for the past two years, with her things packed away in storage, while she and her husband renovated their home and built a new office and filming space for her popular YouTube makeup videos for women over 50. At the same time, she redesigned her makeup line and launched her new holiday products. Whew! I don’t know how she does it.
This week, Nikol sent me a gift I think you’re going to love: Her Limited Edition Holiday Lipstick Collection. But if you want one for yourself and maybe one for a holiday gift, you might want to hurry because I predict they’ll sell out fast. They’re creamy, sexy, beautiful, and elegant.
Books
Recently I was asked to interview model, actress, and author, Paulina Porizkova, at an event in Dallas where we talked about her memoir, No Filter. We laughed… a lot… and discovered that in addition to several mutual friends, we have something else in common: husbands who left us in debt when they died of cancer. For 30 years, Paulina was married to Ric Ocasek, lead singer of The Cars, and after his death, she learned he’d cut her out of his will, claiming she’d abandoned him. Yes, they were separated, but they were good friends who were living in the same house, and parenting their two sons. Paulina’s a wonderful writer, and her story is one of disbelief, heartbreak, loss, and grief, things that all resonate with me and I imagine will with you as well.
Another book I’ve enjoyed is Motel Chronicles by the late Academy Award-nominated actor, Sam Shepard. It was published in 2001, but if you’re like me, you may have missed it.
After recently enjoying him in the film, Mud, starring Matthew McConaughey, I remembered Shepard was also one of America’s greatest and most prolific Pulitzer Prize-winning playwrights, as well as a screenwriter, director, and author of two novels and 10 collections of short stories and autobiographical musings like Motel Chronicles. Whether he’s writing about growing up, thinking about the cars of his youth, traveling across the western United States or caring for a mother who had a brain aneurysm, get ready to fall in love all over again with Sam Shepard.
Music
For those of you who know how much I love the Rolling Stones, I promise I’m not a one-trick pony, but if you thought I could talk about music without mentioning the Stones’ new album, Hackney Diamonds, think again. Mick Jagger describes the term, hackney diamonds, as “when you get your windscreen broken on Saturday night, and all the bits go on the street.” Hackney Diamonds has outsold the rest of the Top Five albums combined and is Number One in 12 countries. Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Lady Gaga, and Bill Wyman, former Stones bassist, have each joined the band on a different cut. Some of the songs were co-written by the late Charlie Watts and recorded while he was still living, so in essence, the band is still together on this one.
A couple of weeks ago, on October 20, the Stones introduced their new album at a hush-hush, invitation-only concert at the Racket Club, an intimate venue in NYC. Two of my friends, iconic makeup artist, Sandy Linter, and the favorite hairstylist to all the supermodels, the fabulous Harry King, were invited by Keith Richards and his wife, Patti Hansen, a supermodel herself. As Sandy Linter said, “Best night ever!”
My favorite cut from the album is “Sweet Sounds of Heaven” with Mick and Lady Gaga on vocals, and the sound is oh-so sweet. Spine tingling! Check out this video of the two of them, performing it at the surprise concert, and three-quarters of the way through, when you think they’re finished, keep watching. They’re off-the-chart amazing! And if you’re interested, here’s the music video of another great cut from the album, “Don’t Get Angry With Me.” It’s one of the most exciting jump-off-the-screen examples of AI at its best.
Food
Since the holiday season is upon us, a time when we often have a houseful of guests who need feeding, I’m going to wrap up this month’s favorites with an easy, do-ahead breakfast dish. Chile Relleno Casserole. Until next month, adios my sweet friends.
Please let me know how you liked the first edition of “Brenda Coffee’s Favorite Things.” Stay well, be safe, and try and love your neighbor.
47 Comments
I love it! Very interesting and versatile.
Looking forward to more in the future.
Have a nice day!
Wonderful! Thanks for letting me know, Edie! xoxox, Brenda
How fun and we need something fun these days.
I know! Thank you!! xoxox, Brenda
Even your suggestions for your favorite things have stories behind them, not just a cold review, so I like these!
Alright! Love hearing this, Connie, so thank you! xoxox, Brenda
LOVE LOVE LOVE!
YES, keep ‘um com’n’
Terrific! Thanks for letting me know, Sherry! xoxox, Brenda
What a great idea Brenda! I particular like the way you present each element but then I wouldn’t expect anything less from you! 🙂 I read Paulina’s book but like you not Sam Shepard. Looking forward to more.
Oh, good, Jeannette! No, I can’t just give you a list of things and be done with it. xoxox, Brenda
I love this list and concept Brenda! I really hope you continue them!
Thanks for reading them and letting me know. I already have ideas for the next one. xoxox, Brenda
GOOD MORNING BRENDA!
HOW EXCITING TO HAVE NEW LIPSTICKS TO TRY FOR THE HOLIDAYS!SANDRA SENT ME A FEW RECENTLY WHICH WERE TOO DARK FOR HER AND I HAVE BEEN PLAYING DRESS UP!I JUST RECEIVED BARBRA STREISANDS BOOK WHICH IS A TOME AND AFTER THAT I WILL DIVE INTO YOUR BUDDY PAULINA’S BOOK!YOU KNOW I LOVE HER MAKE UP!
I HAVE A HOUSE FOR SALE UP ON THE BLOG IN ITALY WHICH I KNOW WILL NOT ENTICE YOU!
I AM SO HAPPY YOU ARE FEELING BETTER AND HAVE GOTTEN OVER ALL OF THAT!
XOXO
Elizabeth, Barbara Streisand’s book is very thick. I have trouble finding time to make it through most of those. A house for sale in Italy? Yes? I’ll go take a look! xoxox, Brenda
Fantastic, Brenda! Surprised you haven’t done ‘favorite things’ before now. You are a wealth of information and insight. Can’t wait for more of them!
LOL! It never occurred to me before now, Janelle, and I think it will be fun because I have a place to “put” all the things I look up online. Happy you like them. xoxox, Brenda
Love love love this, and you! Thanks, Brenda! Looking forward to the next edition!
How is the book journey going?
Love,
Beckye
Hi Sweet Lady! I’ve been wondering how your mom and your family are doing. The book journey is still in progress. Who ever thought it could be this complicated, but thanks for asking. More when I can tell you more. Love, Brenda
This is an excellent “diversion”. We are all pretty much hammered everyday with horrific news and political chaos. I like the different sections you wrote about, a good taste of things in which we all have some interest. Keep it up girlfriend!
Hammered! You got that right, Orinda! Heaven help the world right now! Thanks for the encouraging words. xoxox, Brenda
Hi Brenda – Love this. More please.
Your every wish is my command, Colleen! Thank you! ❤️ Brenda
Love this! Please do more.
Hello Judy, Have you left me a message before? I don’t recognize your last name, but I’m thrilled your here. See you again soon! Brenda
Yes love it. I have started doing a round up once a month of events I attend..books I read…etc. xxx
Great minds think alike, Hilda. I’ll stop by and see what you’re doing. Thanks, Brenda
What a great start to my day ☕️ …listening to Mick Jagger and Lady Gaga , then followed by an excellent tutorial with Nikol doing her Mother’s makeup . Being 73 and feeling beige too, I can use all of these tips. I feel like my eyes are getting smaller ! I use the Jane Iredale line, but can transfer Nikon’s suggestions. Her finished eyes are beautiful!
I totally agree with Orinda… an excellent diversion and I look forward to more.
Oh, thank you, Cath! Don’t you love Gaga and Mick together? Two powerful performers together. I know what you mean about feeling beige with eyes that are shrinking. Stay tuned because I’ll have some ideas for us about that in the near future. Some fun things I’ll post about. xoxox, Brenda
Love this, ordered Paulina’s book and sent music video to everyone!
Okay, Gayle! Home run for you! Thanks for letting me know. xoxox, Brenda
Dear Brenda,
You are always thinking. Excellent idea.
I’m a fan of Lady Ga Ga, she is an outstanding performer with a great voice. I have heard her in interviews and I think she has a good heart.
Thank you for your efforts.
Hi Katherine, I agree with you. At the beginning of her career, I didn’t click with her, but I think she’s fabulous, inside and out. I’d love to see her in concert. Wow! I’m happy you enjoyed my “favorite things.” xoxox, Brenda
Very cool Brenda! You’re a natural to do this. You know so many people and have great taste! Sign me up! I’ll be here every month. Xo, Barb
I love your comment, Barb! Thanks so much! xoxox, Brenda
Loved it! Please keep them coming.
I will. Thanks so much, Judy! xoxox, Brenda
Hello,
I really enjoyed this. I’m always a fan of ‘favorite lists’! I’ve saved the recipe to make and am an enormous fan of The Stones. I follow Paulina and will get to the book soon. Anyway, we have similar likes.
Thank you,
Candace Culp
Way to go, Candace! I’m glad you liked my favorites!!! xoxox, Brenda
Brenda – These are all wonderful, and not your typical favorite things list. I’m making the recipe this weekend and ordering the Rolling Stones album – first album to be played on new turn table and speakers to break in my new house. I’ll be watching for next month’s.
Thank you!
Donna Robinson
How exciting, Donna! New house, new turn table and speakers!!! Too cool. Blessings to you in your new place. I hope it’s everything you wanted. xoxox, Brenda
Great idea. I really enjoyed it. Keep it up
Thanks Sandy! xoxox
Loving it! Keep sharing and thank you! You always make my day with your wonderful blog❤
I love you for that Yvonne. Thank you so much. Brenda
I enjoyed this very much, although my heart sank when you mentioned husbands dying of cancer leaving debt to their wives. Having experienced financial loss in our marriage has been difficult. My husband who was diagnosed with cancer three years ago is now in remission. I know he struggles with past decisions that were made but I do trust that we are in this together. We never know where life is going to take us however we do find our strength in adversities.
Even though we wish it wasn’t true, you’re right about adversities building strength, Nancy. Most of us go through times where we’re not sure we’ll make it to the other side but we do. You and your husband have been in one of these seasons. Take a deep breath and know that you are strong and resilient. Brenda
Great read, Brenda. Keep it up!
All the best & feel better soon!!
Robin