Product Reviews

Stronger Faster Healthier
Omega-3 Oils & Whey Protein
sfh.com
As a marathon runner in training, I’m willing to try all the wheatgrass, fish oil, protein pack, electrolyte-infused products I can get my hands on, especially when the company is called Stronger Faster Healthier. This product line also came recommended to me by two trusted female friends, a triathlete and a cross fit maven, so I knew I was in for the hard core. Unfortunately hard core is sometimes hard to swallow. The SO3 Super Concentrate Omega-3 in either Tangerine or Chocolate was still essentially slimy fish oil, and would be better served as a gel capsule. In my best Bill and Ted voice I must say, “Whey? No whey!” Whey protein is amazing for recovering from intense workouts and long runs, but, as you would expect, it’s got that protein shake taste even if it’s masked in chocolate. While I did enjoy the taste of the Vanilla Recovery Whey, I’m not convinced it made me stronger or faster. Based on the price point, I’d expect dramatic results and better taste, so for now I’ll stick with the Muscle Milk I can pick up at the local grocery store. –Mariah Mann-Mellus

Tarina Tarantino
Various sparkling Items from her recent collections
tarinatarantino.com
Fuchsia-haired, Hollywood jewelry designer Tarina Tarantino launched her contemporary costume jewelry line in 1995. Since then, she has made a name for herself in the fashion accessory world, glamorizing divas like Lindsay Lohan, Katy Perry and Pink. Tarantino’s work is handmade and hand-assembled in the USA—a socially conscious business practice that most jewelry designers can’t brag about. I discovered her work in 2005 and have become a diehard fan, collecting her pieces ever since. This year, I scored a purple necklace from her Modern Mollie line, a black Lucite cameo ring, her infamous “I Hate You” ring (now the second one in my collection), a Tilt-A-Whirl necklace with carved Lucite skull, rose, cameo beads and Swarovski crystals—including matching bracelet—and my personal favorite, the Electric Aztec “Tooth” bead necklace with matching bracelet. Tarantino has two boutique stores in Milan and Los Angeles with a third due to open in NYC this year. Her designs—ranging from colorful crystal hair clips to over-the-top sparkling necklaces—are available at tarinatarantino.com. –Martha Bowker