Not ALL Islands Are Created EquaL.

So I decided to grace the Cyclades Islands with my presence. Well actually, I was flown to Mykonos to beautify a beautiful young lady, a devoted client of mine, in preparation for her Mediterranean wedding.

I am thrilled to be in Greece. Too bad my assistant decided not to come! Hmmmpphh! She wants to spend every moment with this new man in her life, whom I STILL haven’t met and given the Takahatchi seal of approval. Who in their right mind would pass up overtime pay and a FREE opportunity to accompany their amazing boss while indulging in the breathtaking sights and plate breaking sounds of this exotic destination? Her loss.

I guess that’s what true love does. I understand. Because that’s exactly how I feel about my Korres Ultimate Men’s Tool Kit. With roots in the oldest homeopathic pharmacy in Athens, Greece, Korres Natural Products’ approach to skincare is “based on the guiding principles of Homeopathy, and draws on natural ingredients blended with science for gentle, skin-friendly methods and true results.”

I thank Korres, for treating my body ever so kindly. And I thank Ouzo, for allowing me to forgive my love-struck Lotus Blossom. OPAHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Is it February yet?

Because love is in the air. And I’m not referring to Cleo and Kip. I couldn’t care less. Wait, let me rephrase that, before I stir up conflict… which is not the way The Takahatchi likes to stir. I couldn’t care more, because I’m already dealing with my assistant’s throbbing heart (cue the romantic music).

It all started Friday morning when I asked my darling Lotus Blossom to accompany me to dinner with a client, and she declined the invitation (very unlikely of her). Her reason being… she needed to prepare an outfit for a date! Really!?!

This news was a bit shocking, yet intriguing. And Intrigue is one of my middle names.

Being the brilliant, thoughtful and exquisite man that I am, I decided it would be fun to role play as Henry Higgins and make her my Eliza Doolittle. And so I did.

I rescheduled my dinner, invited her to my humble abode, prepared a gourmet feast with my Paella Kit, and got to work on www.VivaSwag.com.

We decided that the Adrianna Papell Floral Silk Halter Dress, Gordon’s Jewelers Hello Kitty Garnet Heart Pendant, Marc Jacobs Posh Turnlock Solid Flap Clutch, and the L.A.M.B. Tansy Pump would be the PERFECT outfit.

Thanks to the lovely picks of Farrah, Cleo, Meadow, Fredrica, and myself… and the joys of overnight shipping, my darling Eliza was all set to meet her suitor….

To be happily continued…

One for One...

... is much classier than "an eye for an eye." And I, Takahatchi, being the classiest of them all, would like to thank Mr. Blake Mycoskie, the founder of TOMS Shoes (also a classy gentleman) , for beginning the One for One Movement: For every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of shoes to a child in need.

And believe me, there's more children in need than adults.

Trust me, I know some adults who have a pair of shoes for every day of the year... for the next 10 years. Take for example, Mz. Farrah Sterling.

I give myself credit for introducing her to TOMS, but I would like to thank her assistant, Ronna, for posting TOMS Shoes on the Viva Swag Accessory page. Taking this into consideration, I have purchased several pairs for myself (because I do have the ability to empathize), and one pair for my little lotus blossom, my assistant, Christine, because I want to bring joy and happiness to her lovely feet.

I also want to bring joy and happiness to YOU and Mz. Sterling by introducing NVEY ECO's Organic Lip Plumper. Take it from me, it's a $40 chemical-free miracle, and it will save you a trip to the cosmetic surgeon's office.

Much Respect. To you. Your feet. Your lips.

The transformation has begun!

And what is this transformation you ask?

It is the beginning of what is to become. The river is flowing, the stars are shooting, and Viva Swag is blossoming into the ultimate personal shopping experience! I have found myself a brand new assistant, and she is rather blessed to have me as a mentor. In fact, you are all blessed. It is I, who will assist each and every one of you on your path to beauty.

Outer beauty that is. I can't do anything about your inner beauty.

But it is I, Takahatchi...who has advised, criticized, and inspired dozens of A-D Listers into finally realizing that beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder. And I, my friends, have 20/20 vision.

To quote the great Dalai Lama ~ "With realization of one's own potential and self-confidence in one's ability, one can build a better world"

A world where my little lotus blossom and I can spoon feed you the latest scoop on beauty trends, chemical-free beauty products and words of wisdom.....

Lesson two: Invest in a good sunscreen, preferably one that smells like watermelon, and is brought to you by KORRES.

Now go flutter away and enjoy that Strawberry daquiri.