Answer Angel: Hollywood’s latest obsession

Love Answer Angel Ellen: That just in: I read somewhere that the vanilla French manicure is “Hollywood’s newest obsession.” Has it come to this? Hollywood obsessed with a manicure? By the way, what is a vanilla French?

— Ava M.

Dear Ava: My first reaction to this question was WHAT? Even Hollywood nothingness couldn’t extend to a manicure obsession, could it? Forget the important philosophical rumination. It didn’t take much investigative reporting to learn that this is the follow-up to a previous Hollywood obsession, the “glazed donut manicure,” popularized by celebrity Hailey Bieber. I can’t tell any difference and they both look like the classic French manicure: clear coat with a slightly lighter tip.

Vogue describes it this way: “Similar to the American French manicure but with a twist. The lace is slightly veiled to create a softer, peachy look.” Got it? The Internet is your source for approved polishes: Essie’s Not Just a Pretty Face (walgreens.com, $10), OPI’s Funny Bunny (opi.com, $11.49), and many others.

Love Answer Angel Ellen: From what I remember, are you as obsessed as I am with linens that feel like they’ve been line dried outside? Crisp!!! Could you do an update on the best crisp sheets?

— Renee M.

Dear Renee: You remember correctly! But when I went online to buy my favorites, Amazon’s house brand Pinzon bed linen, I was hugely disappointed. The low thread counts I love are gone. Like you, I’m now looking for a new favorite crispy leaf – like the ones I remember so fondly at my grandmother’s house.

I start my hunt from the place I sent readers to: grandmothershome.blogspot.com. Click on the Buy Crisp Sheets page and proceed from there. If I find a good substitute there I’ll let you know, but in the meantime readers please stop by for us cling film lovers everywhere. Send me your recommendations and provide all the details that will help us find them in stores or online.

And after much research and testing of my own (and many disappointments over the years), here are some tips to look out for:

— 100% cotton only, no exceptions

— Lowest thread count available

— White (colors and prints can make them too soft)

— Satin is a firm NO

— Stay away from “easy-care” and “crease-resistant”

— Try thrift stores where you can feel the fabric and get lucky with listed favorites at amazingly low prices

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From Sheila H.: “I laughed when I read the question from a reader who was upset by the bride’s desire for everyone to come to her wedding to wear ‘earth tones’ attire. Dirt is part of the earth, so while it used to be bad style to wear black to a wedding, I would wear black to an earth toned wedding. And although clouds appear to be white, I think it’s still considered bad style to wear white to a wedding unless you’re the bride.” (From Ellen: Many weddings encourage guests to wear black or wear white, and they are no longer strictly taboo.)

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Kathie D’s solution to toe blisters: “I read your comments recommending socks constructed like gloves to prevent blisters between runners’ toes. What has been a blessing for me is RunGoo by Foot Kinetics (amazon.com, $19.99). And although I don’t run, I walk every day and hike often. This caused my feet to get so sore that I needed help from a podiatrist, but he didn’t completely solve my problem. However, when I discovered RunGoo, my feet are much better. I don’t need to use the applicator top, I just apply a small dab between all my toes every morning. It was a great help for me.”

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