Chanel #29

I am too old to wear dark red lipstick, but I do anyway. By now, readers may have picked up that I have an affinity for all things ballet-related. A few months ago I read of a Chanel Rouge Coco lipstick color called "Ballet Russe." From the moment I saw the title I knew I had to have a tube and I knew I would love it. After all, my first ballet teacher, Ms. Elfrieda, had been with the Ballet Russe. This feeling got stronger and even more compelling when I realized that this color was #29 in the Chanel line-up. My birthday is January 29 and I've always considered 29 as a lucky number for me.

And, yes, it is a dark, dark red. It goes with my coloring but is a bit harsh on me. But I LOVE how it feels on and how it makes me feel to wear it. It's like I'm wearing a magic cloak and only good things will happen to me while I'm wearing it. I have two tubes -- one in my writing desk drawer and one in my purse. I prefer to wear it when no one else is around so as to have no interference with its special, magical powers. My writing seems to come more smoothly, I am less antsy in the chair, I can get all the things done I have in mind. That goes for my "real" lawyering work as well as my creative work.

At times like these I wish I were one of those bloggers who has figured out how to monetize her blog and that the people who run the U.S. arm of Chanel will decide I'm wonderful and ship me a lifetime supply of #29 Ballet Russe. Or, at the very least, I hope I am given warning if they decide to ever discontinue this color.