Minty Feet

It’s almost embarrassing to say, but I have an aversion to mint to the point where I still use bubble gum toothpaste! That said, when wearing heels is part of your day-to-day life and summer is fast approaching, it’s definitely time to crank up the heat on your foot-care. Mint seems to be especially effective for foot creams (maybe because of the potent smell!?). I’ve tested out a few and one that seems to work well is Peppermint Foot Therapy The line is dedicated solely to feet products, so I figure they must mean business! (More after the jump!)
I tried their Exfoliating Foot Scrub and the Massaging Foot Butter (all their products come in uber-girly pink packaging), and loved the sandy texture (similar to St. Ives Apricot Scrub, for those who have tried that) and the smell was actually fairly mild and didn’t seep into my fingertips. The Foot Butter also contains Shea Butter which I’ve been obsessed with ever since first trying L’Occitane’s signature hand cream.

The one downside is that the creams are somewhat oily, so you have to rinse your feet once you’ve applied the product.



There’s also a men’s line -- I would suggest the Foot Deodorant stick if the man in your life isn’t as into his beauty regimen as you are – easy and effective!

Note that like all good things pink, a percentage of proceeds from the woman’s line are donated to the HBC Think Pink Program.

The Trouble With TOMS

My boyfriend is slowly becoming a hippie. I don't really mind--who doesn't love Joni Mitchell and recycling?--and since we're Oregonians, I knew it was bound to happen. Sure, it's a bit irksome when we're walking down the street and he cries out with the panicked passion of someone who has just seen Jesus Christ stroll out of Panera Bread, so I say, "What? What??" and he solemnly points to a piece of trash on the sidewalk and then I punch him repeatedly in the shoulder and yell, "I thought you saw Jesus at Panera Bread, damnit!" and he goes, "What are you talking about?" and OK, maybe I do mind a little, but that's beside the point.

The point, right now, is that my hippie boyfriend wants a pair of TOMS shoes. He thinks it's a great company and loves their cause of giving away shoes to kids in need. But he's run into a small problem: TOMS shoes are ugly. Like, this ugly:


I know, I know, hippies aren't supposed to care about ugly (hemp pants, anyone?), and "Own the ugly!" is practically my life motto, but these are just so...psych ward. Seriously, if I ever get fed up with his litter-induced freakouts and decide to have him committed, the state mental hospital would provide him with eerily similar footwear.

On the other hand, a girl in one of my classes last term had a large and colorful collection of TOMS and always looked supercute. They are strangely endearing, like Gary Busey.

So what do you think? Do these shoes scream "colonoscopy patient?" Do you think they're simply adorable? Would you wear shoes made of thumbtacks to help kids in need? Got any alternative suggestions for rad hippie shoes?

en route

My round the world trip starts today. Check back for updates soon...

PS. To see an article (with pictures) about me, Susie Bubble, Diane Pernet and a few other style addicts, flip through the Italian Glamour on newstands now. I tried to upload a scan yesterday, but to no avail. Will try again at the next stop.

PS 2. Japanese flight attendants are, without doubt, the chicest beings I have ever come across (and make me feel like an Amazonian hooligan). Even after a 14 hour shift in a sealed airplane, they could give Audrey a run for her money.

The Perks of a Sunless Tan by Artesia Day Spa

Looks like this is my week of beauty. Yesterday the haircut and now a sunless tan at Artesia. I am good looking!

I stopped by the tough-to-find Artesia Spa & Salon (very end of Fifth Avenue and up the large staircase) to get a sunless tan spray. Now, I have never gotten a fake tan of any sort before, but with the threat of cancer and wrinkles nipping at my heels its time to think a little differently.

Do I want to be tan? Yes. Do I want sun damage and an early death? No. So hello Spray Sun from Artesia.

The spa’s decor is beautiful, both chic and relaxing with large windows in the hair salon and comforting darkness in the relaxation room and private rooms. Candles, paintings, swaths of fabric, incredibly lush furniture and a tame waterfall adorn the place.

It is no wonder then that, there was quite a bustle of clientele there when I arrived this afternoon with San Diegans getting highlights, massages, and haircuts. I also saw that there was an impressive manicure and pedicure room that although empty today, was quite impressive.

Since I was a virgin to this tan process I did not have a clue what to expect. I was lead to the relaxation area while Olga prepped my room. I was then instructed to loose my robe and lie down in a 5-inch deep bath to be rubbed for 15 minutes with exfoliating creams that were rough, but still left my skin feeling soft after it was washed away.

The whole tub event was both relaxing and soothing. I felt like I was being baptized and cleansed or something. It was the décor and tub. They had a spiritual tone. Got to love that.

The actual spray was detailed and effective and I felt very welcome by both women I interacted with. Also, my esthetician made me feel very at ease in general and incredibly comfortable with being nude. A+.

Prescriptives Daily Pop Quiz May 20, 2008

****Congratulations to todays winners, Buffy Ann and Wgs! She is indeed a photographer. Thanks everyone!****

"Stepmom" starring Julia Roberts, Susan Sarandon and Ed Harris is a classic Mom Movie! Julia Roberts plays Isabel, the adorable new wife trying to juggle her job with her new family. What is Isabel's career?



Leave your answer in the comments section, please!

Game Rules Here.

Sponsored by Prescriptives!

Spring is awesome!

We had such great weather this week, it was hard to get any vintage work done. I spent one morning cleaning out the screen-in porch. Took everything out, swept, bleached the floor then we stained and sealed the wood floor (it had never been done before) Now the floor looks nice and dark and shiny and it should be easier to keep clean. This is where I usually eat if it isn't too hot, during the Summer. I like to set out there at sunset too, just looking into the woods, watching the little birds, squirrels and bunnies.
The hummingbirds returned this week, yeah! I'm so glad to see them back. I've seen two boys, Ruby Throated. I have 3 feeders out so far. I also saw the first Skink, he was trapped in a bucket by the hose spicket. I set the bucket on it's side near some bushes so that he could slink out when he was ready.

Then a mini vegetable garden was started. I cleared out a seciton of the garden, just below the screened-in porch. My dad put a little fence around it to keep the bunnies out. Yes, that is a rhododendron in the vegetable garden. We just planted around it. We have tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers and eggplants. We planted the same stuff down the shore that same day, in an even smaller space. Vegetables remind me of my grandpop, who was a farmer, he planted a garden every year.


Bandito! We have a raccoon coming to visit us regularly again. We haven't seen one in about a year, at least not in the daylight hours. This is a super fuzzy photo, because I was zooming with the camera, and it wasn't very bright outside. Bandito sits there and just shovels little pawfuls of corn in it's mouth. I don't know why I call him/her Bandito. When I see it out there, I just think 'Bandito'


In non-Spring news, these two little gals moved in last week. I bought them to fix up their hair and make them some pretty dresses. They are Nancy Ann Storybook Dolls from the 1940s.




Bye for now, Carol

Free-Spirited Fashion

As you may or may not have established from my blog title, I am very much a hippie. Not so much in the political form, but very, very much in the fashion form. (And the tree-hugging, eco-friendly form as well, might I just add.) I frequently search for fashion inspiration from the 60's and 70's, and usually to my dismay, find very little. So I've started a new group via flickr, "Free-Spirited Fashion." It's the place to lump together one's own hippie-inspired ensembles as well as original 60's and 70's photography. So far, I've been tickled pink at all the beautiful photos that have been submitted to the group's pool.



Photos originally submitted by:
ali willowflower, TheVintageSocietyGirl, Bottle Bell Photography, Harald HAEUSLER, Barbara Jambswich, and Annie Butterfly.

Feel free to join the peace, love, and harmony at "Free-Spirited Fashion."

Steal Beyonce’s Steal…

Jacket: Marc Jacobs Cropped Tweed Jacket, $685, www.catwalktocloset.com
Pants: Wide-Leg Cuffed Trousers, $32.50, www.oldnavy.com

Top: Puff Sleeve Drape Top, $9.99, www.wetseal.com
Hat: Space Dyed Beret, $24, www.urbanoutfitters.com
Necklace: Rose Bead Necklace, $7.80, www.forever21.com
Bag: Bow Dacious Large Tote, $99, www.endless.com

I’m guessing most of us can’t afford the $685 Marc Jacob classic cropped jacket (the original cost was $2800!). So in true I Like Her Style! Fashion, I found this Plaid Tailored Blazer for $98, at www.freepeople.com. It’s not tweed but it’ll get the job done. Oh, and don't forget a brooch for your jacket ;)

97 aprons, Wayward Nancy Anns

This week I got 97 vintage aprons! There are some really pretty ones in the lot too. So it looks like I'll be busy with aprons for awhile! I've already got about 70 of them washed and the first batch of 20 have been ironed and photographed, and today I'm typing them up to be added to the website on Monday (along with some dresses that are already finished)
I like aprons, because they are fun little items and they are easy to work with to get ready to sell and they are easy to pack and ship out too.

5 more Gals showed up this week at the 'Home for Wayward Nancy Ann Dolls'. There's another 3 on the way too! I hope this isn't turning into an obsession. I promised them I would do their hair and make them some pretty clothes. No buying anymore until I get these fixed up. They'll be fun Summer projects on the weekends. These gals came with some spare arms, so I think I can figure out how to string the good arms onto these.



I mentioned in my email update that I had set up a shop on etsy - http://dandelionvintage.etsy.com/- So far I only have 20-some items listed there and it's all stuff that's already available on the website, but I may list some different things in the future.

While browsing on etsy, I spotted this sweet necklace with a beach theme, that I just had to buy from Tickle Me Pink Boutique - it came today and I really love it. Check out her website here too - http://www.ticklemepinkboutique.com/index.htm

Duck season? Rabbit season?

Handbag season!
Of all the reader mail I get, hands down, the most common complaint is about the lack of simple, timeless bags that are not dull, boring or old looking.
The Hunting Season City Bag is that bag.

This classically styled satchel in red pebbled leather is a perfect size...big enough for lots of stuff, but not so large that the contents of your bag start to resemble a small Target outpost. Twin buckles add that little bit of style that can't spoil even the simplest of handbags. The shape which is classic, is slightly elongated to set it apart from other bags that have similar silhouettes...unlike those bags, the City Bag does not need someone else's initials or logo covering the bag. A simple little screened label in gold is the only indication of brand.
Best of all, unlike wild game, this is a bag that knows no season. It also looks as good with a suit or work clothes as with a pair of jeans and a tee.
Catch your Hunting Season City Bag at Aloha Rag for $995.

Five Men's Fashion First Impressions

The lovely Pam from Square Old Soul found this $495 Hollywould bag in the May edition of Elle's online shopping guide (in fact, it's listed under the category "What to buy RIGHT NOW"), and had to know what the Five Men thought of it.

I second that emotion, so here we go:

Brother, age 13: Is it a tree or some sort of handbag? It looks like one of those trolls with the crazy hair.

Brother, age 18: I don't know....but it would make a good friend if I was stranded on an island.

Brother, age 21: This is it? This is a purse??? Hmmm... (makes a series of confused grunts and sighs) It's interesting. It looks like that character from the Muppets. It's decent. I like it.

Father: (Laughs) Oh god. It is a self-referential non sequitur and nobody cares.

Boyfriend: I could see the professor from Gilligan's Island making that as a contraption to get in touch with the mainland. (Starts walking away) What is it, by the way?
Me: It's a bag.
Boyfriend: It's a bag?? I thought it was, like, a GMO pineapple.

Dying to hear the men's thoughts (or, more specifically, their confusion/rage) on a particular fashion item? Email me! daddylikeyblog@gmail.com

Judith Neugebauer Jewelry Designer

Judith Neugebauer has worked as a jeweler since 1974. Prior to that, she was trained in classical ballet, having studied extensively with the American Ballet Theater in New York City. She performed professionally in the Ballet Corp at Radio City Music Hall in New York City and with the New Jersey Ballet Company, as well as in musical theater productions throughout the country for ten years.





Daffodil Necklace

Necklace with lines drawn in 23k gold leaf on forged and hollow formed leaves of sterling silver. Accented with a pearl. 16"L fine silver cable. (Click on the pic.)

$400



Judith's jewelry is made of die-formed, brushed sterling silver with an overlay of 23k gold leaf applied in sweeping, calligraphic strokes. Many pieces are enhanced with beautiful freshwater pearls and Australian boulder opals set in 22k gold. Recently, she has made extensive use of oxidized and sandblasted sterling silver to create a rich charcoal-black patina that contrasts even more dramatically with 23k gold lines.





Winterberry Pendant

Pendant with calligraphic lines drawn in 23k gold leaf on two pillows of domed and hollow-formed oxidized sterling silver. Accented with a Tahitian freshwater pearl.

$430



Judith's work is widely exhibited and collected, having been featured in Fine Craft Galleries, Museum Stores, and Juried Exhibitions throughout the US since 1985. Of special note was her selection to participate in the 1999 Smithsonian Craft Show in Washington, DC. She was selected as a Juror for the prestigious American Crafts Council shows in 1996, and has served as Juror for a number of other regional fine craft shows.





Orbit Earrings

Earrings hand-fabricated from sterling silver with 23k gold leaf and pearl accents. 14k gold post backs.

$205



Judith was educated at Farleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey, and studied jewelry making with Austin Goodwin at Kean College in Union, New Jersey. She also studied both jewelry and ceramics at the New Jersey Center for Visual Arts in Summit, New Jersey. She lives and works with her husband, Tom Neugebauer, a nationally known ceramic artist and sculptor.



The many years Judith spent as a dancer have given her an appreciation of form, line, and movement. These influences have inspired her as an artist, and have been translated into her work as a jeweler. Her explorations with clay in the early eighties introduced her to an Oriental aesthetic, that can be seen in the calligraphic use of gold-leaf and colored metal inlay in her jewelry designs.



Artist Statement

A previous career in classical ballet and theater instilled within me a deep awareness and appreciation for movement, line, and balance. These are the classical qualities I have always tried to incorporate into my jewelry designs...and in my life.



My work is individually fabricated using sterling silver with an overlay of 23k gold leaf. Many pieces also incorporate freshwater pearls and Australian boulder opals set in 22k gold. Die-formed hollow elements create visual depth, yet the overall concern with lightness and movement remain central to my approach. A recent development has been the use of oxidized, sandblasted sterling silver with 23k gold leaf to create an even more dramatic surface.

See full article.





Related Entries:

Jewelry Career Resources - 08 August 2006

Jewelry Designer for Princesses - 08 March 2007

Judith Ripka Speaks at WJA Conference - 20 March 2007

Judith Ripka Jewelry Designer - 04 March 2008

Contents of this feed are a property of Creative Weblogging Limited and are protected by copyright laws. Violations will be prosecuted. Please email us if you'd like to use this feed for non-commercial activities at feeds - at - creative-weblogging.com.

Margaret Regan Jewelry Designer

Polymer Clay Art Jewelry

Margaret Regan lives in Helena, Montana with husband Chris and sons, Sam and Max. As a child in Billings, Montana, she played near the sandstone bluffs that encircle the city, turning over rocks to search for bugs and stringing yucca seed necklaces.



Margaret always loved making small-scale things, and spent long summer afternoons constructing fairy stone-and-stick houses. These childhood interests resurface in her polymer clay work, which is playful, detailed, and occasionally insect-inspired.



Here are some examples of Margaret's work:















About Polymer Clay

The term polymer clay is used to describe synthetic clays manufactured by several companies under their individual trade names. Each manufacturer's formula varies in durability, texture, and color, but all are similar in one aspect: They are clays formulated to cure at temperatures far lower than typical kiln-baked clays.



Because of their relatively low firing temperatures, these clays have seen a broadening application in arts and crafts. Their plastic-based composition yields a final product that is much less susceptible to breakage than ordinary clays. Still, it takes a seasoned artist to construct long-lasting sculpture when intricate design and several media are combined.



Margaret says:

"To work in a colored, sculptural medium is a joy. Imagine, saturated color so thick and luscious you can roll it into a ball. The material gives me so much - instant texture, infinite color, all the detail I desire, and the opportunity to write my own text.



"Polymer is very recent in the history of craft media. Its relative newness on the art scene means that there is not an ancient tradition of use. The basic properties and possibilities of polymer are still being discovered. What a thrill to be an explorer!"



Artist Statement

I love the float and drift of dreams, where familiar objects appear in new settings, and our lives are revealed in visual metaphor. The ability to alter context is a gift: known with novel, commonplace with improbable. Scale and weight and location are all up for grabs. In my work, I revel in these open-ended possibilities.



The medium I use for my explorations is polymer clay, a man-made modeling material. After "tuning" the clays for color, strength, and consistency, I puzzle-piece together patterned blocks of clay. My process is similar to the centuries-old Millefiori techniques of glass makers. Stretching the clays lengthwise reduces the pattern, and piece by piece I create intricate designs of brilliant clay.



I additionally use sterling silver and pure gold leaf. My designs are not painted but are a combination of colored polymer clay and precious metal leaf. I am an innovator in this medium and have pioneered techniques that I now teach nationally. I am engaged in all aspects of the work, from initial design to final sanding. Using the sculptural properties of polymer clay allows me to create jewelry rich in color, texture and visual dimension.

See full article.





Related Entries:

Jewelry Career Resources - 08 August 2006

Jewelry Designer for Princesses - 08 March 2007

Designer Jewelry by Rhonda Reagan - 16 January 2008

Donna D'Aquino Jewelry Designer - 25 February 2008

Contents of this feed are a property of Creative Weblogging Limited and are protected by copyright laws. Violations will be prosecuted. Please email us if you'd like to use this feed for non-commercial activities at feeds - at - creative-weblogging.com.

All About Celebrities Blog Carnival: Volume 4

Welcome to the 4th Edition of the All about Celebrities Blog Carnival. This has been a lot of fun for us to host thus far and we plan on continuing it as well. To link to The Customized Girl Blog and any of our editions of the All About Celebrities Blog Carnival use this code

BeThisWay presents Brushes With Fame posted at Are You Going To Be This Way The Rest of The Time I Know You?.

Silveral presents How Celebrities Achieve Their Life’ Goals With Life Coaching posted at Celebrity News, and Gossip.

Jeff Sullivan presents Six - Best New Shows In Branson posted at Branson Travel Attractions.

Fenny presents Fashion & Styles posted at Fenny Lopez.

Jennifer Longe presents People's View N Opinion posted at People's View N Opinion.

Jason DeFuria presents Britney Spears, crazy in a good way? posted at What Planet Is This?.

Rickey Henderson presents Rickey Reviews This “Iron Mensch” Movie That The Kids Seem Rather Keen On… posted at Riding with Rickey.

Michael presents Superstar Attorney Willie Gary Paying $28,000 a Month in Child Support posted at International Law News.

sarah presents Harry Potter's mystery dream girl taken but “keen to meet up” posted at SARAHSPY.

On My Way...To B.A.

It's almost time for me to depart for my trip to Buenos Aires. I'm very excited since I've been looking forward to this trip for several weeks. Based on all of the reading, internet research, and street style blogs that I've seen, I think that Buenos Aires will be an amazing and stylish city. It certainly doesn't hurt that the exchange rate favors the U.S. dollar (to the tune of about 3.16 Argentine pesos to the dollar). As I do my last-minute preparations before leaving, I'm daydreaming about eating savory asado or empanadas in a parrilla, drinking ice cold mojitos, watching tango dancers, and buying locally made crafts. Expect to see plenty of photos and shopping reviews when I return, as I intend to do some good shopping!

Spring Fling

The Fashion of Goodwill spring look book is thisclose to being ready, dear readers, but in the meantime, let me entice you with two snapshots from it, both of which are this week's Goodwill Good Buy of the Week. Oh, and all photos here are courtesy of Luis Aragon. Don't think for a second that I took these!

The first dress, at right, is an absolutely stunning daffodil-yellow vintage wool sleeveless dress with beaded v-neck inset and front self-fabric bow. The top of the dress is fully lined and it fastens in the back with a half-zipper and two hook-and-eye closures at the band around the waist. A front inverted pleat completes the look.

It has only two tags: one states that it was made by the garment union, and the other that it's a size 11. That's a vintage size 11, mind you, and it will fit a small-busted modern size 4/6 best. And as you know, since it was marked an 11, it was originally designed for the juniors department, but anybody with a gusto for color and beading will be able to pull it off. Unfortunately, bag, hat, and shoes are the stylists, own. But let them serve as inspiration for completing your own look with this amazing frock!

The second dress is 60s vintage from France, but it would look equally at home in the most modern of settings. The geometric black-and-white pattern is so fresh and clean. And the matching hat is perfect for sunny days.

The dress is 100% cotton and lined in acetate. The hat is lined in black cotton. The only tag on it says "An Original by A Madame Conti Model." The empire waist and a-line bottom half will flatter a variety of body types; the dress is will best fit a modern size 8.

What looks like variations in the coloring photograph is just the camera picking up variations in the pattern. The dress is crisp white and black with just a bit of discoloration at the edges around the neckline. Quite honestly, you'd never know it's been worn more than once or twice!

So now you've seen a two picture preview of the Spring Look Book. Can you handle the rest?

Ha. I'm sure you can. Remember: you can find the DCGF tomorrow at the DC Green Week festivities on Freedom Plaza. And these outfits and more will be up for auction on Friday on the DC Goodwill eBay store. Does it get any better? I think not. See you tomorrow!



All purchases support Goodwill's job training and employment programs for people with disadvantages or disabilities.

Goodwill’s fashion blog provides detailed knowledge and insight on vintage and contemporary clothing and accessories that are valuable to fashion shoppers. The facts and opinions shared present readers with entertaining, exciting and value based information on vintage and contemporary fashion and shopping trends.

My Picks!

Left to right: Maxi Tube Dresses, $29.50, www.oldnavy.com; Maxi Braided Halter Dress, $39.50, www.alloy.com; Maxi Bra Top dress, $98, www.victoriassecret.com; Janie Maxi Dress, $44.50, www.delias.com

Left to right: Leaf Print Maxi Dress by Matthew Williamson, $1675, www.net-a-porter.com; Gina, $129, www.mangoshop.com; Diane von Furstenberg Long Chiffon Print Dress, $425, www.pinkmascara.com; Diane von Furstenberg Oroiti Long Dress, $425, www.pinkmascara.com

A maxi dress lends itself to so many possibilities – heals or flip flops, belt or scarf, earrings or necklace. The possibilities are endless! I say go for flip flops this season. Also invest in a vintage-inspired leather belt. Next find the perfect accessories including a slouchy bag, big earrings, long pendants and lots of chunky bangles. And don’t forget a cardigan - you’ll need it when the weather gets a little chilly.

Woodrow Wonders...

When I get done chewing on a log, it looks like this:


When Stella McCartney gets done chewing on a log, it looks like this:


She's charging $1500 for hers. How much do you think I could charge for mine?

Cordially,
Woodrow

p.s. Thanks Pam!

Estelle Covers Bleu Magazine…

U.K. singer and rapper Estelle grace the latest cover of Bleu magazine. I knew of Estelle almost 4 years ago when her music was still playing on underground radio stations in London. I’m really happy for her recent explosion into the U.S. market although I’m fascinated to see if her image will help or hinder her. She is after all the antithesis of the light-skinned, long haired beauties that are saturating the market these days. I with her much success!

Bleu magazine is a great publication for “urban” men. Think GQ for the sophisticated black man. I say visit the site, snoop around, then if you like what you see, recommend it to your male friends. This issue hits stands April 29th.

Credit: ConcreteLoop.com for photos.

20 Celebrity Mental Breakdowns

It’s not uncommon that some of our society’s most brilliant and alluring individuals are often plagued with horrific personal and mental issues. In fact, sometimes these very sicknesses are connected to the individual’s shining moments – a genius and panache that come during moments of extreme highs. But unfortunately, what comes up must come down. And many times those people who seem so self-controlled, self-motivated, and self-confident are also the most haunted and self-destructive. Here’s a list of 20 celebrities who know all-too-much about mental illnesses and the terrifying mood swings that accompany a sick mind.

1. Britney Spears: Britney Spears’ struggles with mental illness started to exhibit themselves most obviously after her divorce from Kevin Federline and the birth of her two sons. While Spears has yet to go public with a formal diagnosis from her doctor, she has been committed to a mental hospital, has been caught on camera shaving off her hair in a Los Angeles salon, and has had custody of her children revoked. Currently, Spears is still going through treatment and trying to regain the rights to her children. Her father Jamie Spears has been put in charge of her legal and monetary affairs, and while she seems to be keeping a lower profile these days, it’s unclear whether she is getting better at all.


2. Rosie O’Donnell: With all the attention focused on Britney Spears’ antics these days, Rosie O’Donnell has sought to take some of the heat off the young starlet by speaking out about her own struggles with mental illness, saying she should be the poster child for metal disease. Recently she told a TV talk show host, “I have been on anti-depressants since Columbine.” O’Donnell has said that she believes she is bi-polar, an assumption that might be buffered by her quick temper and recent firing from The View, said to be because of her difficult personality.


3. Marilyn Monroe: This legendary actress grew up in a world of mental illness. Her maternal grandparents and her mother all suffered from insanity. Her grandfather killed himself and her mother spent most of her adult life in a mental institution, where she died in the 1980s. Monroe kept a cheerful appearance in public, but in private she struggled mightily with depression. Her genetics and the fact that Monroe grew up in a series of foster homes didn’t give her much of a fighting chance against mental ills, and in 1962 Monroe was found dead of a supposed prescription drug overdose.


4. Tim Burton: The eccentric filmmaker Tim Burton’s mental health has been under debate for many years, with many people assuming he was autistic. It turns out, however, that Burton suffers from bipolar disorder, an illness that afflicts many celebrities. People with bipolar disorder have violent mood swings characterized by extreme highs and crippling lows. Bipolar is also the correct term to describe what used to be called manic depressive disorder. Bipolar people are often said to be more creative, which may help explain Burton’s wildly imaginative films like Edward Scissorhands, Big Fish, and The Nightmare Before Christmas.


5. Mike Wallace: 60 Minutes newsman Mike Wallace is known for his hard-hitting news stories and his tough exterior. But in 1984, after one of Wallace’s news reports about the Vietnam War resulted in a $120 million lawsuit, Wallace descended into a deep depression that was misdiagnosed and mistreated for several years. Wallace has since gotten much better and is a public advocate for those suffering from depression. He talks about his experience taking a plethora of drugs in an attempt to treat his illness and he even tried to commit suicide once by overdosing on pills. Today Wallace continues to heal and spends much time talking about depression, even testifying before the Senate about the disease.


6. Patty Duke: Patty Duke, the all-American TV star, earned an Oscar at the ripe age of 16 for her portrayal of Hellen Keller. But living in a household where she was sexually abused and allowed to drink from a young age, Duke’s emotional problems began to arise. She began to have violent mood swings – dangerous highs and lows, which she later chronicled in a book and TV movie, both titled “Call Me Anna”. She said her first experience with the disease came at the age of 9 in the form of a panic attack, and she then struggled with depression and anxiety during her adolescence. While acting on her hit series “The Patty Duke Show”, Duke’s illness raged forth in a manner that could no longer be ignored. Her managers and childhood guardians got her medical attention, and she became drugged out on the wrong medicines that were ineffective at treating her bipolar disease. Over the years, Duke experienced many hospitalizations and therapies before finally finding the right combination with Lithium. She now lives a happy life and is in control of her illness.


7. Francis Ford Coppola: Acclaimed movie director Francis Ford Coppola has been the brain behind legendary movies such as “The Godfather” Series and “Apocalypse Now” and he’s the father to another notable director, Sophia Coppola. But despite winning 5 Oscars and earning 36 other award nominations, behind the scenes Coppola also struggles with bipolar disease, which possibly explains why he is thought of as one of Hollywood’s most unpredictable and tempestuous directors. But it’s not uncommon for the disease to afflict such accomplished individuals, such as Coppola. Bipolar disorder is often called The CEO’s Disease because it’s common among many famous and not-so-famous leaders.


8. Brooke Shields: Brooke Shields has been a leading lady in Hollywood since a child and has survived a high-profile marriage to tennis star Andre Agassi. Now on her second marriage, Shields recently wrote a book called “Down Came the Rain”, which chronicled her struggles with post-partum depression after the birth of her child Rowan. Shields describes in her book about how she heard destructive voices in her head, found it impossible to bond with her baby upon returning from the hospital and had no will to care for her daughter. Shields says she thought of suicide and felt like a failure. Shields tried anti-depressants. They worked and brought her to a place where she could bond with her baby. Though she was criticized heavily by her Scientologist friend Tom Cruise over her decision to medicate, Shields credits it with bringing her out of the fog. She now has a second daughter named Grier.


9. Roseanne Barr: Comedienne Rosanne Barr was a TV sensation in the 1990s, starring in her self-named series in which she portrayed a dry, mid-western housewife with ease. But Barr is also one of the more controversial and polarizing figures of her time, as her crassness and blunt way of speaking turned many fans away. Her life has had its fair share of drama: she claims she was sexually abused as a child and her highly-publicized marriage to Tom Arnold ended in bitterness with her claiming domestic abuse. Roseanne also claims that she has multiple personality disorder, also known as dissociative personality disorder. While Barr wrote on her blog that she was relieved of many of the disease’s symptoms while on a trip to Israel, she also previously told Larry King in 2001 that she has been known to “regress” during times of great stress and that the disease makes her do “crazy things that you don’t know you do or want to do.” Barr also has been hospitalized for the disorder in the past.


10. Carrie Fisher: Carrie Fisher is the daughter of Hollywood star Debbie Reynolds and she is best known for playing the role of Princess Leia in “Star Wars”. But despite her privileged pedigree and successful career, Fisher battled depression and bipolar disorder for years. Not knowing what was wrong with her, Fisher turned to drugs and alcohol to self-medicate. Even though a doctor suggested that she was manic and that she try Lithium when she was 24, Fisher didn’t believe him. It was only when she overdosed on drugs at the age of 28 that she began to listen to doctors more intently. Though Fisher says she’s experienced trouble with Lithium and has regressed in treatment, it eventually helped her calm her demons. Fisher wrote “Postcards from the Edge”, a bestselling book about her disease. She has also been recognized by many mental health associations for her work at raising awareness about the disorder.


11. Jim Carrey: Jim Carrey grew up in an eccentric family, where everyone had to pitch in for rent. When his father lost his job, the family sank into poverty and everyone had to work, a situation that forced Carrey to drop out of high school. Now, Carrey is a riotously funny actor who’s made tens of millions of dollars acting crazy in front of the camera. Turns out part of that craziness can be attributed to the fact that he has long suffered from depression and has admittedly taken Prozac during bad spells. During a 60 Minutes interview, Carrey admitted to being on the drug for “a long time” before finding God and abandoning the medication for a strong ritual of spirituality. “I had to get off at some point because I realized everything is OK,” he said. Today, Carrey is dating Jenny McCarthy and together the two of them are raising McCarthy’s autistic son.


12. Sinead O’Connor: Controversial Irish singer Sinead O’Connor made her fortune off her unique voice and buzz-cut hairdo. She also made headlines for ripping up a picture of the pope on a “Saturday Night Live” appearance. But it turned out that there was an explanation for her combative behavior and often-times attitude of anger toward the world – she was suffering from bipolar disorder and depression. O’Connor says that she started having very persistent thoughts about suicide at the age of 23 that clouded everything else in her life. She finally took herself to a hospital for the third time seeking psychiatric treatment. Though her previous therapies and admissions had never brought forth a diagnosis, this time it stuck and O’Connor was revealed to have bipolar disorder. She was prescribed medication, which she said has helped her enormously. She now lives outside Dublin and is the mother to four children.


13. Hugh Laurie: “House” star Hugh Laurie plays a mentally disturbed doctor on TV, but in his real life Laurie has struggled with depression for many years, having received a clinical diagnosis for the disorder. While he continues to receive psychiatric treatment, he also has said that the disorder is not helped by the fact that he has to live in L.A., thousands of miles away from his family in London, while shooting his series. Laurie said that he first realized something was wrong with him while at a demolition derby where he felt “bored” by the exploding cars.


14. Linda Hamilton: Linda Hamilton plays a tough lady in “The Terminator”, but in her private life she suffered anxiety attacks and a crippling depression from bipolar disorder. Hamilton, who says her father had also self-diagnosed himself with bipolar, said she was an overeater as a young woman trying to deal with depression. She drifted from food to drugs and alcohol, saying she was an alcoholic and wild child for some time. When Hamilton found success in Hollywood, her disease worsened and though she has been in some form of treatment since the age of 22 she was prone to frantic moods and wild outbursts. After the birth of her child, she succumbed to an even deeper depression and paranoid thoughts about his safety and suicidal thoughts of her own. Once diagnosed, she tried to treat her illness with diet and exercise, but eventually went on medication and says today she has found some balance.


15. Maurice Benard: Similar to the path that Carrie Fisher took, Benard also suffers from bipolar disorder and also has had several psychotic experiences on his journey through treatment. Benard, who stars as Sonny on the soap opera “General Hospital”, recently went on the Oprah show to discuss his harrowing experience with bipolar disorder. He was diagnosed in his 20s and went on to meet and marry a woman, who knew about the disease. Benard says his lowest moment came during a night when his wife’s nieces were sleeping over and he, in a drunken and manic rage, threatened to kill all of them. Since that night, he says, he’s never stopped taking his medication again. But Benard says there were signs of his depression even before his diagnosis when he used to drink heavily as a teenager. He still works on “General Hospital” and has been recognized by many for coming forward with his story.


16. Jean-Claude Van Damme: Martial arts star Jean-Claude Van Damme is best known for his ripped physique and action-packed movies. But perhaps the catalyst for his obsession with martial arts and physical training came from a depression that has plagued him since he was a child. Van Damme says as a young man he would work out endlessly to combat feelings of depression and self-loathing and that a day away from the gym was a day in the dumps. In 1993, he began using cocaine seriously to self-medicate, but three years later he checked himself into rehab. After a near-suicide attempt, Van Damme sought treatment and was diagnosed as bipolar. He now takes medication, which he says has turned his raging inward storm into a calm “lake.”


17. Ben Stiller: Comedic actor Ben Stiller followed his parents’ footsteps in becoming an actor, but he also followed them in other ways. Both of his parents and Stiller have spoken out about depression. In 2001, Stiller spoke out about his own diagnosis of being bipolar, saying he has not been “the most easygoing guy.” Stiller is being treated for the disorder, and says there is a “rich history” of it in his family.


18. Owen Wilson: Funny man Owen Wilson seemed to be living the life of a high-rolling Hollywood bachelor, starring in the hottest flicks and dating some of the most beautiful women, such as Kate Hudson. But in the summer of 2007, this image came to a screeching halt after it was reported that Wilson tried to commit suicide by slicing his wrists and taking a bunch of pills. The suicide attempt was attributed to many things – like his break-up with Hudson – but sources indicated that the troubles went much deeper. Wilson, who has a history of drug and alcohol abuse and spent time in rehab in 2000, was said to still be using illicit substances regularly and trying to treat a deep depression through self-medication. Friends said he had sunk into a deep depression weeks before the suicide attempt, and he is now said to be taking anti-depressants. He has since rebounded from the ordeal and appears to be doing better.


19. Winona Ryder: Doe-eyed Winona Ryder became a tabloid hit in 2001 when she was caught shoplifting quite a bit of contraband from a Saks Fifth Avenue store. She stood trial for the crime, pleading not guilty. During her arrest, however, Ryder was also caught with many prescription drugs on her person for which she didn’t have prescriptions. Since that incident, Ryder has spoken about her struggles with anxiety attacks and depression, saying that she has tried hospitalizations, medication, and therapy and said she sometimes feels “broken and confused.” Ryder continues treatments, is in a relationship, and has starred in a few movies in the past few years.


20. George Michael: 80s music sensation George Michael has had a glamorous life with some tawdry details. In 1998, Michael, who is gay, was in a public restroom with a cop who later arrested the singer for lewd behavior. In 2006, Michael was arrested for possession of drugs, investigated for driving under the influence, and arrested again for drugs in three separate incidents. He has admitted to problems with drugs and to suffering from depression.