Fashion Flats

The symbolic ballet slipper congers up images of a young Audrey Hepburn dancing in her skinny black pants in a marketing piece for the Gap. This fashion icon still inspires designer to this day, even years after her passing and, even more years after her last film. Enter the updated fashion flat-heeled shoe. The diverse footwear has been dressed up to wear with skinny pants, pencil skirts and ball gowns or, dressed down to wear with your favorite pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Gone are the stiletto heels of yesterday (hold onto them though as they will make an appearance again in the future) and back in is the idea of comfort and this can also be seen in the chunky-heeled shoes that are seen in boots and dress shoes. You can pay big bucks for these little shoes, but don't be tempted. Look for designer names in outlets like TJ Max or Marshall's or shoe outlets like DSW or MJM. If the prices are still too high for what will probably be a passing fancy, then check out Payless. They've added more designer-inspired brands that are both genuine suede and leather. Most sell for around $25 a pair and if you shop during one of their BOGO promotions, a second pair will be half price.

Buyer Beware

Dermacia, the breatable foundation, can be seen on infomercials all over the television. The gorgeous celebrity spokesperson is Rachel Hunter, former supermodel and former wife of Rod Stewart. Buying make-up and skincare from infomercials is nothing new. The idea began many years ago, but has evolved into a new marketing technique. The draw is that you can try this (and other) products for 30 days, risk-free, usually with an astronomical shipping fee that can range anywhere from $10 to $20 per shipment. If you are not fully satisfied with the product, you can return it and keep some small token of their appreciation. In the case of Dermacia, it's a moisturizing spray. If you do like it, then you will be billed on your credit card every month in a specific amount. In the case of Dermacia, it's $19.99 a month. For that, you will receive a new shipment every three months or you can set up another shipment calendar to better suit your needs. Of course, you can cancel at any time. There are other products on the market that are sold the same way inasmuch as you now belong to their exclusive club (makes you feel wanted, doesn't it?). They (the infomercials) make the products seem so amazing, that you just can't live without it and they ALWAYS have some doctor testify to the formula of the make-up or skincare product with the hook that their star patients pay far more for the very same thing, but now you can have it too. The most incredibly annoying part of these infomercials is that they always have a pretty, but has-been supermodel that you really like pushing the products as well. You can see Cindy Crawford doing the very same thing for a skincare line she's hyping. The deal is the same. Nowhere in the infomercial do you see what you will pay if you keep this stuff. For that you have to go to a website and read the very fine print. Be very leary of these marketing techniques and don't let yourself be drawn in by the hype that you can't live without it. These products don't contain magical ingredients. Also, the shipping charges are a tip-off that they are making money from the shipments as well as the products that probably could never live up to their claims. Products like these that come with many strings attached should be avoided. Look for products that work for you by trying them in the store so you can walk away, risk free, without having to lay out one cent. If you do buy products online or from television, make sure you know the policy up front without having to scour a website to read the fine print. Everyone will always look for ways to part you from your money, which is fine, as long as it's what works for you.

Weddings And Babies, But Not Neccessarily In That Order

Celebrity weddings and babies are always hot news, but not neccessarily in that order. First up is the news that Anna Nicole Smith and her long-time lawyer and good friend, Howard K. Stern have wed on a yacht in Blackbeard's Cay In Nassau. Surrounded by heavy security, the couple tied the knot and then celebrated by having a swim party around the boat. Anna was seen wearing a pink bikini. Anna is said to be relieved that the second autopsy confirmed that Daniel did not commit suicide inasmuch as he didn't have enough of any drug in his system to indicate that it was deliberate on his part, but rather the mix of the drugs was accidental and not intentional. She and Stern agreed to sell photos of Daniel when he first met his baby sister in his mom's hospital room the night before he died. The money from the photos will not be used to pay for his funeral as first reported in a tabliod, but rather, when the money is received it will go into a fund set up in Daniel's name........In other wedding/baby news, Amanda Peet will marry her long-time boyfriend, writer David Benioff, this weekend. She made the announcement on the David Letterman show the other night. She and her future husband are expecting their first baby next year. Peet is now starring in the new and fabulous show, "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" with Matthew Perry...............Apparently, Christina Aguilera, who is known for her sharp tongued remarks about other divas, wishes to mend her broken friendship with fellow mousketeer, Britney Spears. Apparently, she sent a lavish gift basket for Britney's new son, Sutton Pierce, to her home worth $570 with a card that read, "Congratulations on the new addition to your family. Love, Christina and Jordan". Not so long ago, Christina reportedly made a remark that Britney had "let herself go" and didn't see a comeback in the cards for Britney.

Shop, Shop, Shop

Sephora is one of my favorite stores to shop in for all things cosmetic. They have an amazing variety of brands that run in all prices ranges for all ages. They also have a wonderful policy of giving you generous free samples when you shop with them online. They now carry one of my favorite make-up lines by famed make-up artist Laura Geller and, of course, my all time favorites from Bare Escentuals. Change up your look for fall with the newest shades in natural, nude hues for eyes, cheeks and lips. Shop for yourself now before the holiday rush.

Who Cares???

These next few blurbs would have to go under the heading of "who cares". Well, I don't, but you just might. Celebrity news is very hot in blogging and although some of it is interesting, some of it just isn't. Here are some examples from my perspective: Nicole Richie was interviewed recently on Trya Bank's talk show. She says that she doesn't miss Paris at all (who would?). The friendship apparently ended long before it was ever announced and Nicole is happy with her life and her new friends, including galpal, Misha Barton.....Lindsay Lohan and her boyfriend, Harry Morton (dontcha just want to call him Harry Potter???) are taking a break from each other. Frankly, I think he should run as far in the other direction from her as humanly possible. She's a train wreck...........Fromer supermodel (I bet she just hates that), Naomi Campbell failed to show up in court yesterday regarding the case involving the alleged assault on her maid. The judge in the case responded by issuing a bench warrant for her arrest, but then withdrew it after her attorney and the prosecutor advised the judge that they both knew Naomi wouldn't be able to attend. Neither said her absence was work related......again, who cares?

A Deadly Mix

Cyril Wecht, who performed the second autopsy on Anna Nicole Smith's son, Daniel, revealed yesterday that Daniel apparently died of a mixture of drugs. Three drugs found in his system, methadone, Zoloft and Lexapro, all work on the same mechanism in the brain which controls the pulmonary and respiratory system. One drug alone is all the body can normally handle. Even two together would be too much, but all three together is a dealy combination. It is unclear where Daniel got the Zoloft and Methadone from (a drug commonly prescribed to treat heroin addiction, but is also used as a pain killer). Daniel had been treated at one point in the last few months for back pain so several doctors could have prescribed several different medications without knowledge of the others. Daniel complained of being overly tired shortly before he died. However he passed, the loss of a child for any parent seems overwhelming.

Rosie Not So Joyous

TMZ.com reports that while Barbara Walters is away from 'The View' this week, Rosie and Joy have gotten into a pissing match. Apparently, when Rosie announced that she was crowned homecoming queen in her high school, Joy quipped, "Was it based on being pretty...errrr...I thought homecoming queens were more like Jessica Simpson". Rosie became irritated at that remark and said that she missed Star Jones...."I'm feeling the love"...and then did some housecleaning of her own by announcing to the audience, "After the break, we're going to come back without Joy Behar"..............Rapper and TV Reality star from "Rev's House" and his wife Justine, have lost a child at birth. The child, delivered by C-section was born with organs outside the body and died shortly after birth. The MTV camera crew was filming the birth for the newest season of "Rev's House", but it is not known if they were in the delivery room at the time..........Sean Combs, aka "Diddy" will becoming a daddy again, but this time to twin girls. Sean and his long-time girlfriend, Kim Porter, also have a son, Christian who is 8 years old and Sean also has another son, Justin who is now 12 years old. Sean is said to be very thankful for becoming a father to two girls at the same time and his new album, 'Press Play' is due in stores on October 17th.

To Tell The Truth

Howard K. Stern, the long-time attorney and close friend of Anna Nicole Smith, has stepped forward to announce that he and Anna Nicole are in love and that he is the father of the baby girl born shortly before Anna's son's untimely death. Howard, speaking with Larry King, also announced that the baby has been named Dannie Lynn Hope in honor of her deceased brother. They are still in mourning over the loss of Daniel and await an inquest in the Bahamas. In the meantime, the photographer who was Anna Nicole's one-time boyfriend, Larry Burkhead, still claims to be the father of the baby. Both Anna Nicole and Howard are planning on beginning a foundation in the name of Daniel Wayne Smith to honor his memory.

Making 40 The New 25

Janet Jackson appeared on Oprah Winfrey's talk show yesterday to promote her new CD, '20Y.O.', due in stores today. The album is a celebration of the 20th anniversary of her 'Control'. 'Control', when it was originally released, was a celebration of sorts for Jackson, who had just fired her father, Joe Jackson, as her manager. At 40, Jackson looks amazingly youthful and, perhaps, has had some help along the way to help her achieve the status of '40 is the new 25'. She will be touring soon with her dancers and expect to see her perform many of her hits from the 'Control' era along with all the same dance moves. She recently lost 60 pounds (weight she had originally gained for a movie role, which was scrapped), with the help of a nutritionist and trainer. The secret to the weight loss? Nothing drastic. She had to eat about 5-6 small meals a day of lean meat, fish and vegetables and workout 5-6 days a week for at least 30 minutes a day. She discussed the wardrobe malfunction "for the first and last time" that drew ugly press for her after the SuperBowl XXXVIII and felt that she was the brunt of all of it, while Justin Timberlake escaped unscathed by it. Although Jackson says that Justin did reach out to her since that time, she has not yet spoken with him, but will do so in her own time. She feels that they are friends, but as friends, he didn't necessarily have her back (my words, not hers) so she is keeping him at arm's length for the moment. Justin only has spoken about the incident during a recent MTV interview promoting his own new CD by saying that he probably only got 10 percent of the blame for what happened that night and that America is harsher on women and those of different ethnicities. The overall tone of the interview was more upbeat though since Janet has had a long-standing relationship with a man "who has taken her places she's never been before", Jermaine Dupri, a celebrated record producer in his own right. Although there was no mention of marriage for the two (who knows, maybe they are secretly married already), they both expressed an interest in starting a family soon.

31 Ways To Improve Yourself

October brings us falling leaves and pumpkins, but it also reminds all of us that it is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. Here are 31 ways to improve the quality of your life....one tip for each day of the month:
1. Give yourself a self breast examination. The easiest place to do that is in the shower.
2. Add grapefruit to your breakfast. It can lower your cholesterol by as much as 15%.
3. Swap out one cup of coffee a day with a cup of decaffinated tea. Try chamomille or peppermint.
4. Floss your teeth regularly. By flossing 4-6 times a week, you can increase your life expectancy by three years.
5. Add red cherries to your diet. Cherries may help fight heart disease, cancer and arthritis.
6. Listen to music that makes you feel better. Put it on in the car to decrease road rage.
7. Add yogurt to your diet. The active cultures in yogurt are good for your digestion and may also reduce the risk of certain types of digestive cancers.
8. Add red bell peppers to your diet. They have three times the amount of vitamin C and are a great source of beta carotene.
9. Begin to cut your meal portions down in size. Reducing your calorie intake by only 20% has impressive anti-aging benefits.
10. Add garlic to your diet as it too can help lower cholesterol.
11. Keep the skins on some of your fruits and vegetables like apples and green beens as they contain insoluble fiber.
12. Add more lean protein to your diet like fish or skinless chicken and less carbohydrates like potatoes and pasta.
13. By adding more protein to your diet, you can possibly lower your blood pressure.
14. Add almonds to your diet. Almonds (raw only) are a great source of protein, fiber, calcium and iron.
15. Cut down on your coffee consumption, but not all the way. Coffee actually is a great source of anti-oxidants.
16. Start adding short walks to your routine several times a day. Try walking in intervals of 15 minutes each two to three times a day.
17. If you are experiencing hot flashes, try taking a yoga class. The deep breathing and postures may cut down on the number of hot flashes by about 40%.
18. Begin weighing yourself regularly. Do it once or twice a week, first thing in the morning to get your true weight. It's important to keep tabs on significant weight gain or loss.
19. Eat foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, trout or tuna. Adding more omega-3 fatty acids has many benefits, including improving your mood.
20. Cuddling is good for you. It releases the hormone oxytocin which is a feel-good hormone.
21. Try deep breathing several times a day to relieve stress and help you fall asleep faster. Ten to 15 minutes of deep breathing can rebalance your nervous system.
22. Want to improve your memory? Try some lemon balm tea. Steep 3 teaspoons in 3 cups of hot water and sip throughout the day.
23. Take a vacation every year. It improves the quality of your life and will make you feel happier.
24. Turn your bedside clock away from you each night. Seeing the time if you are having trouble sleeping will only make you feel more anxious.
25. Improve your social life. Join a club or volunteer your time. Getting out and helping others will not only make you feel better, you can make some new friends.
26. Try adding a flat foam or silicone support in fromt of your keyboard at work to reduce upper-body and/or wrist pain.
27. To help reverse the effects of skin damage, use four key items on a daily basis: sunscreen, an exfoliant, an antioxidant and retinol.
28. Volunteering will not only improve your social life, but by making you feel better, it may help you live longer.
29. Improve your sex life. Creams containing the amino acid L-arginine may increase your sex drive.
30. Eat a little dark chocolate a day. Recent studies show it's not only good for your heart, contains anti-oxidants, but may improve your dental health as well.
31. Add some strengh training exercise to your routine. Building muscle will help you burn more calories through out the day and will protect your bones too.
For more tips, go to Womens' Health.

Suzanne.Com

For many years now, Suzanne Somers has been trying to sell something. First, it was herself, as the dumb blonde, Chrissy Snow in 'Three's Company'. However, that was just a character that Suzanne herself developed and that image of her catapulted her to stardom, probably beyond her wildest dreams. I'll spare you the details of her life since then. You can easily read about them in the many books she has written about herself and her philosophies including her Somersize series of self-help books for those who want to lose weight as well as the Sexy Years series, helping women overcome the perils of menopause naturally. She is a staple on
Home Shopping and now she is branching out in another direction, inspired by her many, many fans. Enter Suzanne, a direct sales opportunity to share in her philosphies, her products and, ultimately, in her wealth. Now you can join her sales team and give parties right in your own home selling just about everything you see on HSN, including her skincare line, jewelry line, home decor and, of course, her Somersize products. With all this Suzanne has not given up on the entertainment portion of her career. You can still see her perform in Vegas periodically and in other parts of the country.

Surf's Up

Blog Advance, which is a blog surfing site, is offering a 2:1 ratio on blog surfing until midnight tonight. If you want to join, you can click the Blog Advance icon in my sidebar. This is a great way to increase your traffic, read some great blogs and make new blogging friends, while drawing more readers to your blog.

By The Time You Get To Phoenix, You'll Be Smiling

Arizona is one of those areas of the country where more and more people are and will be moving in the years to come. In my part of the country, the cost of living has become so high that people are migrating to different parts of the country where their money can buy a bigger home with a better quality of life. If you ever consider moving to Arizona, whether it's Phoenix, Scottsdale or any of the other beautiful places in Arizona, then make sure you contact a qualified Phoenix real estate agent like The Holm Group to help you make a smooth transition for you and your family.

'Twas The Night Before Christmas

Well, it's hardly the night before Christmas, but with the leaves now turning color, you know that the holiday season is just literally around the corner. The poem known as "The Night Before Christmas" was first introduced in 1823 under the name "A Vist from Nicholas", which was a tribute to St. Nicholas, a figure that dates back as far as the 16th century. St. Nicholas barely survived the early years in Europe, but the common people loved him so that they kept his spirit alive by leaving nuts, apples and sweets in shoes left by a bedside, on windowsills or before the hearth. Eventually, through the years St. Nicholas continued to thrive, especially when people migrated to the New World. He was kept alive by those who loved and believed in him and still do to this day. It's these traditions that we need to remember when we are purchasing Christmas Gifts & Gift Baskets for our friends and loved ones in the months to come. For that reason you may want to have a personalized gift basket for those you love instead of something that is bought just for the sake of having something to give. Making each gift truly personal is one way to keep the spirit of St. Nicholas alive.

No Excuses For Higher Education

Many people wonder how they can return to college to earn their bachelor degree when they have to work full time to pay their rent, mortgage and other bills. The possibility to earn a bachelor degree is more and more accessible to everyone because now you can earn your bachelor degree online. One such place where you can go to do this is Capella University, which was founded in 1993. This is an accredited online university that offers 76 graduate and undergraduate specializations as well as certificate specializations. The online unversity currently serves 16,000 students from 50 states and 63 countries. Now there's really no excuse for not obtaining your goals and have the profession you desire whether you want to pursue a career in information technology, education, human services or psychology. It's all a mouse click away.

Paradise Found

More and more you will read that celebrities are taking their vacations in beautiful Hawaii. Photos will show up in magazines showing these stars lying on gorgeous beaches or frolicking in the ocean off the coast of one of the islands that comprise Hawaii. Also, many stars are purchasing homes or properties there because Hawaii is becoming much more than a place to honeymoon. It is now considered one of the most desirable areas of the world to vacation or live. You definitely don't have to be a famous movie or television star or musician to afford a place of your own in Hawaii. One company, Gebhart Properties is making the dream of vacationing in a Hawaii Condo a dream come true for everyone. Their homes contain all the ameninties any star would want in their homes including spacious living areas, custom furnishings with beautiful artwork. You will also find gorgeous gourmet kitchens with views that overlook the beautiful landscapes you can only find in Hawaii. So, if you want to vacation like a star, this is the best and only way to go when you visit paradise!

More Great Blog Tools

If you are constantly looking for ways to get your blog out there to the millions and millions of people that read blogs every day, here are some more great blogging tools in the form of directories that can help you do just that: Blogarama, We Blog Alot, Feedster, Blog Street. If you are looking for another greating pinging service, then try Pingomatic. There's also a great article about link baiting, a technique to draw more traffic to your blog, on Pro Blogger.

The Biggest Losers Are Winners In The End

Just one day before NBC's 'The Biggest Loser' premiered it's fall season challenge, former biggest losers, Matt Hoover and Suzy Preston, who met last year during the challenge, tied the knot on a beach in Jamaica, while surrounded by family and friends. Matt proposed to Suzy during a 'Today' show segment, in which they were too be highlighted for a fitness program, but Matt dropped to one knee and proposed and Suzy said "Yes!!". The couple served homemade cupcakes to their guests instead of wedding cake and will spend their honyemoon in Jamaica.

How Do You Like That?

It's official! Rachel Ray's brand new talk show is a huge hit with viewers and her fans are thrilled. Rachel's show, which is produced by lots and lots of different people, including Oprah herself and her production company as well as Rachel's own husband, is a wonderful blend of celebrities and how-to segements and, of course, food, food, food! Surprisingly, Rachel is not a trained chef, but she knows how to throw a 30 minute meal together like a pro and is a huge favorite with busy women all over the country. She makes wonderful appetizers and her easy and inexpensive entertaining ideas are really no-brainers. She may not see herself as the anti-Martha Stewart, but she really is the opposite of everything Martha has stood for for so many years. Ironically, they share the same network in my viewing area, but wisely, Rachel hold's the 3PM time slot which has, in my opinion, very little to offer, unless you are a big fan of soap operas or Dr. Phil. She is a breath of fresh air and I hope she's here to stay!

Not So Sexyback

People Magazine is reporting that Cameron Diaz filed a police report charging a photographer with assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly trying to hit her boyfriend, Justin Timberlake (yes, they are still a couple), with his car. This only happened just after midnight on September 19th and the incident allegedly occurred in Hollywood after the couple were seen leaving a friend's home. The photographer was said to be hiding in the bushes and there is now a photograph of both Timberlake and Diaz (with brown hair now) circulating, showing Diaz attempting to hold Justin back from attacking the man taking the photos. A pursuit on foot allegedly happened after that at which point the photographer was said to have gotten into his car and allegedly attempted to hit the couple with his car. The agency which represents the photographer vehemently denies this inasmuch as they say their photographer felt threatened and was only attempting to leave the scene as he feared for his own safety. He is also expected to file a complaint since he alleges that Timberlake was taunting him while he lay on the ground after trying to get away from the couple, who he alleges was chasing him. Reps for the couple deny any of this happened and say they feared for their own safety and any actions they took were merely to defend themselves against two men who jumped out at them after they left a friend's home. In happier news, Justin has scored his first number one solo album since his days with N'Sync.

To Get A Guy, You Gotta Think Like One

So says Ryan Seacrest's sidekick from E!News, Giuliana DePandi. In fact, Giuliana is so convinced of this philosophy, she's written a book about it entitled "Think Like a Guy...How to Get a Guy by Thinking Like One". Giuliana gives 66 ways to get your lover, but some of the tips are stupid like hide all your personal hygiene stuff when he comes over to hang out. If he's rummaging through your medicine cabinet, then he's a loser and not worth pursuing any way. She also tell women not to overaccessorize, but isn't that what's sets us apart from men in the first place? She does give practical tips that every woman should already know, but I guess she's working on the assumption that everyone doesn't have common sense like, for instance, don't look to Paris Hilton as a role model or don't tattoo your boyfriend's name on your butt. If nothing else this book is good for a laugh, but if you really need to read a book to get a guy to date you, then perhaps you need to re-evaluate your priorities. In doing that, then maybe you'll find a soulmate.

A Budding Education

Buying a floral arrangement is much more involved than going to the grocery store and picking one out. It's not unusual to spend a great deal of money on a floral arrangement, only to have it wilt after a few days. If you want to invest in a fresh floral arrangment, there are some things you should know before you go ahead and spend your money. First of all, you can go to a florist and purchase your flowers individually to create your own arrangement. It is very easy to get overcharged for aging blooms. Most flowers should be purchased when they are in the bud stage. The exception to this rule would be gerbera and daisies, which are sold fully grown and open. Also, buying flowers then they are in season will better ensure that they are fresh and cost effective. Tulips, daffodils and hycinths come from bulbs and are readily available between the months of February and May. Peonies can be purchased between April and the beginning of June, while sunflowers, which are native to the USA, are available between July and October. Fall flowers would include dahlias, but roses, lilies, irises, gerbera, daisies and chrysanthemums are available all year round for about the same price. Keep in mind the prices of flowers do increase during certain times of the year like roses for Valentine's Day. Fresh flowers shouldn't just be reserved for special occasions. They dress up any room, any time of the year and knowing what to buy and when can save you money.

What's Your Bag?

Fall is always a great excuse to buy clothing, but even a better excuse to buy accessories. This season offers a wide variety of shoes, boots, belts and hats, but handbags are not only a great accessory, but a necessity for most women. This season's bags are decked out with details that include buckles, studs and chains galore. The best part of this detailing is that you can get away with spending a minimum amount of money for a maximum look. Logo bags will always be in style, but are less important this season than a big (with the emphasis on big) bag with lots of bling. You can walk into any retail department store like Macy's or JC Penney and pick up a great leather-like bag for under $50. Nine West, Liz Claiborne and Bisou Bisou are favorites of mine that are not only fashion forward, but practical and won't cost you the arm you hang your bag from. By the way, here's a little known secret about how much your bag should weigh.....no more than two pounds. If your bag is starting to weigh you down too much, you will start to feel the pain and no doubt will be tilting too much to one side. A bag that's too heavy can throw your gait off and send you running to the nearest chiropractor. Go through your handbag periodically and remove anything that's weighing it down too much (like loose change). Lighten your load and you'll feel much better and no doubt, standing a little straighter.

How To Create The Perfect Face For You

Most women have a really tough time buying foundation. We've all made huge mistakes by purchasing the wrong shade, the wrong texture and have spent way too much money in the process. As a result, I thought it would be great to just review some practical guidelines for purchasing the foundation that just right for you.
1. First, decide the level of coverage you need. There are three types of coverage the first being minium which would include tinted moisturizers. This is what I use for my own face. I have freckles and I happen to like them so I choose not to cover them entirely. My favorite tinted moisturizer is from the Revlon Age Defying line. They not only have the perfect shade for me, but it contains anti-aging properties as well as an SPF, which is a must have for anyone, make-up or no make-up. The cost is under $15 and it is money well spent. You can also purchase a tinted moisturizer from Neutrogena, but only in a few shades (under $10) as well as from Kiss My Face (6 shades for around $10). The upside of using a tinted moisturizer is that because it is translucent, going a shade darker is not a problem at all and I would recommend going a bit darker instead of lighter as it is much more flattering to your skin tone. Medium coverage foundations are primarily liquid. They have more pigment and consistency than tinted moisturizers, but they give more coverage. It's important to blend carefully and match the shade to your skintone as closely as possible. Try to stick to an oil-free formula. Again, you can spend under $15 at most drugstores for a very good liquid foundation from Neutrogena to Cover Girl and Revlon, you have much to choose from. Cream-based formulas offer maximum coverage. These usually come in a stick or pot and have a heavier consistency than the liquid which provides maximum coverage. These are best for women who don't have oily complexions and they also can double as a concealer. One of my favorite stick foundations is from Signature Club A which you can purchase at Home Shopping.
2. You must determine a shade that is best for you. By doing this use the side of your face, near your jawline. We were taught to use the back of our hands, but in order to test the make-up for a compatible shade, use the place where the make-up is going...your face. It's best to test in natural light, but since you'll probably be in a store, that probably won't be possible. Find out the return policy where you plan on purchasing, just in case you want to return your make-up because it's the wrong shade. Also, have a store representative help you choose the right shade if one is available. That's what they get paid to do and a second opinion is always a good thing.
3. Other types of foundations include powdered mineral. My favorite is from Bare Escentuals, but this make-up isn't for everyone. It is all natural and does not contain talc, but it does have Titanium dioxide which can leave your skin looking a bit too shimmery. The trick is using the proper application brush so make sure you purchase the one recommended for that product and keep practicing with it until you get the desired results. I use this brand as well which is especially good for more special occasions where I need a more finished/polished look. Expect to spend around $30 or more, but this make-up will last you a very long time since you only use a small amount. Other types of foundation include mousse which are very light in texture, but provide excellent coverage and are great for oily skin. My daughter uses this kind and her favorites is from Maybelline. Their New York Dream Matte Mousse Foundation sells in most drugstores for around $9 in twelve shades. There are also spray-on foundations that are very much like the spray-on self tanners that are so popular. However, this would be my least favorite choice. They are expensive (anywhere from $30 to $60 a can) and are difficult to apply because of the inability to control the spray which can appear blotchy and leave clothing badly stained. However, if you must use this type of foundation, which really will give you an air-brushed effect if it is applied correctly, try spraying an application sponge first and then applying to your face.
4. Invest in a primer. Not only will a make-up primer give you a smoother application, but it will reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and set your make-up for all-day coverage. My favorites are from Laura Geller and Smashbox and both can be found at either Ulta or Sephora between $20 and $30. Again, a little goes a long way so they will last you a while before you need to go out and replenish.
5. Finally, as in anything else in life, the right tools make all the difference. If you are using any kind of liquid, creme, mousse or spray-on foundation, make-up sponges are a neccesity. They can be purchased in bulk in any drug, discount or specialty store so they are very accessible. Although round sponges are available, wedges are the very best for applying make-up evenly as their unique shape can move easily around all the areas of your face. If you are using a mineral foundation, then purchase the correct brush made just for that foundation. Don't think that the one you have at home will do the trick. The brushes are developed for that foundation to distribute it evenly and flawlessly. Invest in good tools and, if you take care of them, they will last a long time. These tools help you blend, blend, blend around the eyes, ears and jawline so that people don't see a mask, but rather see the real you instead!
I want to thank Problogger for inspiring me to write this post. Thanks!

An Apple A Day

It seems like every month there is a mission to bring us all closer to a better lifestyle and better health in general. September is no exception. This is National 5 A Day Month. The goal is to raise awareness of the importance of getting at least five fruits and vegetables in your diet every single day. The maximum amount is 9, but it is probably more realistic for most of us to reach for a goal of 7 fruits and veggies a day. How can you accomplish this? Have fruit with your breakfast in the form of sliced strawberries, bananas, blueberries or raisins. Have an apple or carrot sticks for a snack. Add a salad to your lunch instead of fries or add sliced tomatoes to your sandwich instead of extra mayo for flavor. Always include vegetables with your dinner no matter what you are eating. Have them stir fried or grilled and definitely in a side salad. You can even add fruit into your salad like pinapple chunks, raisins, cranberries, sliced apples or mandarin oranges. At night, instead of snacking on chips, have some low-fat popcorn and a piece of fruit. Whatever you do, try to stay away from fruit juice which is usually laden with too much sugar. Whole fruit has more fiber and is just a better choice, especially if you are trying to lose some weight.

A Message From Blog Explosion

If you are a member of Blog Explosion then you know it's been awhile since they've sent out an administrative report to their members. This is probably because they have been in the process of selling the site. If you are a member, you will remember that the site was sold a while back, but during the transition, the seller had decided not to go through the it. Once again, they have found a seller whose identity is to be kept a secret for now. The site will be incorporated into other existing sites of the new owner and this promises to be a good thing for members. At the present time Blog Explosion receives two hundred applications a day from prospective new members. Other popular blog surfing sites are Blog Advance and Blog Mad. These blog surfing sites offer bloggers to opportunity to not only increase traffic on their own site, but forge a network with other bloggers. By networking with other bloggers, you can not only learn much more about maximizing the benefits of blogging, but creating links to your own blog which will, in turn, increase your traffice and status in the blogging world. Now, here's a shameless plug for me. If you wish to join any of these blog surfing sites, click on the icons for them located in my sidebar to join. Blog Advance will automatically put 50 credits into your account so you get traffic immediately upon joining. They are all good sites and all offer great benefits.

A Thousand Different Clays

Soon enough it will be holiday season and with it comes a slew of fall releases of new music to give to yourself or someone you love. One of these releases will be by Clay Aiken. "A Thousand Different Ways" is a long-time coming for fans. Clay not only has a new album, but a new look as well. Gone is the spikey, frosted-tipped hair and clean-shaven face. He is now sporting longer, darker locks with that three-day growth always present during interviews. This, unfortunately, is not an album of new songs, but of cover songs (the tiring trend in music these days), but Clay puts his own personal thumbprint on every track. Expect the release of the first single 'Without You' to be a huge, huge hit for him, no doubt putting him high atop the billboard charts. Who is is releasing a new CD this fall? Barry Manilow's 'Greatest Songs of the 60s' follows in the footsteps of his enormously popular 50's CD. If you are a fan of Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons, Burt Bacharach and The Association, then this album will surely make you smile. Hopefully, this too will be as big a hit as the first. Finally, there's my all-time favorite and ageless rocker, Rod Stewart, who is covering songs from the 70's, but this time they are those chart-topping rock songs (think soft rock though, probably to accommodate his present singing style). While there will be many other pop and some hip-hop CDs released, these three artists are adult-contemporary friendly and bring back some great memories of yesterday for all us post baby-boomers.

Music To Work At Home By

Are you a work-at-home mom or dad? The scenario can be both rewarding, challenging and lonley at times. A blogging friend of mine introduced me to this song by Dale Green. I really enjoyed listening to him sing this original piece dedicated to those who choose to work at home and I hope that you will too! Enjoy Work From Home

What Really Happened To Trenton Duckett?

If you watch FOXTVNews or CourtTV, then you are no stranger to "missing persons" stories. Although they are all each unique in their own way as every person is each different, this one in particular stands out above all others. While we were all gripped by the disappearance of Natalee Holloway last year, many of us are now caught up in the story of little Trenton Duckett. He went missing from Lake County, Florida back in August. His mother reported him missing from his crib while she was watching a video in another room with two male friends. Little Trenton is a baby still. Only a little over two years old, so it is not possible that he ran away. Someone took him and so far, he has not turned up anywhere, although police have followed all leads, but to no end. Enter Nancy Grace. On her television show last week, Nancy interviewed Trenton's young mother in her own relentless way. The mom withstood all questioning from Nancy, but evaded many of the direct questions with elusive answers. Sadly, Trenton's mom committed suicide shortly thereafter and was buried yesterday. So, why did Trenton's mom kills herself? That is the $64,000 question inasmuch as she may have taken with her any answers that might actually lead to what really happened to Trenton. As of last night, Trenton's father, who was estranged from his wife, was holding a candlelight vigil in his honor and was still relentlessly searching for his young son. New information puts his estranged and now deceased wife in the area of a park where she was to go target practice shooting, but with Trenton in tow. Needless to say, the park is going to be searched very carefully for any evidence that might lead to Trenton. Like any mother, I wish for his safe return, but I'm also preparing myself for the worst.

Dining In Style

Who doesn't love dining in style every once in a while? Everyone deserves to treat themselves to fine dining and give themselves a break from reading a menu off a wall. Besides going to a great restaurant with superb food, what about ambiance? Isn't it wonderful to go to a place where you not only get great food and service, but have a breathtaking panoramic view? Recently, when we were on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, we treated ourselves to just such a dining experience. We ate dockside during a spectacular sunset and enjoyed excellent service and great seafood. If you are visiting various parts of the country, find out where the best places are to eat and treat yourself to one special night out. A vacation really wouldn't be complete with it. When lookin for La Jolla Restaurants located in beautiful San Diego, you can dine on wonderful Italian food at the Trattoria Acqua while enjoying panoramic views of the Southern California coastline. This is just one example of finding a restaurant in an area of the country where you are visiting. There's nothing more satisifying to make your trip complete!

Stop In The Name Of Sanity

Ongoing stress is very bad for your health. Not doing anything to curtail bad habits born out of stress, can lead to much more dangerous diseases. Some of the warning signs that stress is starting to take a physical and emotional toll on you are free-floating anxiety or sadness or nervousness for no apparent reason, constant fatigue, sleeping too much or not enough, lack of interest or motivation to do anything and lack of energy, headaches, muscular tension, frequent digestive problems, light-headedness or dizziness, a tightness in the chest and inability to catch your breath and a change in sex drive. Any and all of these symptoms can also be an indication of other illnesses like a virus, but you can also be suffering from diabetes, depression, heart disease and even cancer. In most cases though, it is a very bad case of untreated stress-related symptoms which can be alleviated through a healthier lifestyle, therapy and medication if necessary. Talk to your doctor and start taking better care of yourself and gain more control over your life.

Knowing When To Walk Away

There will always be news of divorce in the celebrity world, but the news of Christie Brinkley filing from divorce from her fourth husband, Peter Cook, is good news. Marriage is work and if both parties are honest and have similar priorities, then it's worth saving. However, if one party is dishonest and has no problem lying and can justify cheating, then it's time to say "enough if enough". Christie must think of herself and her kids now. At some point one must give up the idea of a fairy-tale ending. There is no such thing, unless you are a character from a Mother Goose story. Both Christie and Whitney have learned that lesson the hard way. There was a saying that was born out of the womens' movement back in the 70's that goes like this: "A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle". Silly yes, but on some level it's true.

The Buddy System

If you are a woman and a driver, then you know the anxiety that driving alone at night can cause. Now there is a product that has been developed to provide more security to women who are traveling alone. With the flick of a switch, those women will be joined by a male passenger that inflates instantly in the seat beside them. The "Buddy on Demand" was developed by a women's care insurance company called Sheila's Wheels. Now you can be provided with an auto insurance rate whereever you live in all 50 states. By shopping for car insurance online, you can save time and money and have the process completed with proof of insurance in no more than 15 minutes. Save money, save time and do it online!

The Wonders Of The Internet

There is a new web-based drug and health plan website that is free to users. Now clinicians and support staff can access an online version of Healcare Professionals Epocrates Inc. to research information that will best help doctors and other healthcare professionals to best serve their patients. A quick search of Alprazolam shows the user everything they need to know in order to best serve patients when prescribing this or any other medication. One physician who has been interviewed about this service stated that he finds the service indidspensable to his practice. The service is designed to deliver the most clinically useful and relevent information that healthcare professional need in order to maximize the best care for their patients. This is a much faster way to access information which gives doctors more time for their patients and some doctors report saving up to thirty minutes a day using this service. The service also provides the most up to date information about more than 130 healthcare plans and Medicare Part D formularies. The company has built a network that connects nearly 500,000 healthcare professionals and was recently ranked 257 in the 24th Inc. 500 ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in the country.

Be A Trendsetter!

Are you looking for an amazing vacation experience that will literally take your breath away? Consider taking one of many Pacific Northwest Vacations offered by TrendWest Getaways. How about a vacation where you can do anything from wine tasting to riding in a hot air balloon in California's wine country? You can travel to San Francisco, one of the most beautiful cities in the world to Lake Tahoe or Reno for a family vacation, a romantic getaway or just a weekend escape. For as little as $79 you can take a break from your stressful life. Don't give her another piece of jewelry for her birthday. Give her a great vacation she will never forget. With the money you save on the vacation, you can give her a nice piece of jewelry and wonderful memories!

Lindsay's New Ring May Be More Than Just Bling

Lindsay was seen sporting a very large diamond ring recently and friends are speculating that she could have already gotten married to her boyfriend, Harry Morton. She reportedly (according to Star Magazine), called her mom and told her that she and Harry were getting married, but her mother claims that this is just a very sweet gift from Harry (a very sweet and very large diamond). However, things are not all that wonderful. Apparently, Lindsay and Harry attended a party at Clivedon House in London and while Harry mingled, Lindsay was all over the DJ, Sam Young, like a bad rash. All I can say is it sounds like Lindsay is turning out to be her generation's answer to Shannen Dougherty. I see a reality TV show in this girl's future at the rate she's going.

Being Mrs. Bobby Brown No More

Finally, Whitney Houston has decided divorce her husband, Bobby Brown, after 14 long and gossip-filled, years of marriage. Whitney had gone from top fashion model (she was actually with Christie Brinkley the night she first met Billy Joel), to rising super-star with a little help from her good friend, Clive Davis to a woman possessed by a man who dragged her through the dirt. The culmination of all this was the reality show 'Being Bobby Brown'. This was a reality show that showed the true life of this woman who is clearly married to a man with very bad habits (booze, drugs and other women). Her own career has suffered terribly. Now maybe she will be able to return her focus on more important things like herself and her daughter and stop having to bail her husband out of jail and defending him to the media. She only recently was seen on the arm of her former producer, Clive Davis, the other night at the Ella Awards in Los Angeles. Clive stated that Whitney is in the studio and will have a new CD released shortly and maybe, just maybe, she will be back on top where she belongs and free from all her demons.

Jenny From The Block

It's been ages since we've seen Jennifer Lopez with her natural dark brown hair color, but she recently went back to her natural shade of brown, which is very flattering to her. She was seen recently with her husband, Marc Anthony at the Music Video Awards and she and her hubby will be starring in a new big-screen movie in the very near future. She did drop out of one movie not that long ago and the gossip was that she was pregnant. That rumour has been denied by her reps, but who knows. I could venture a guess that a pregnancy might be one of the reasons why she went back to being a brunette, but I won't....unless you want me to!

Britney Gains A Son, While Anna Loses Hers

Britney Spears and her husband, Kevin, welcomed another boy into their family yesterday at 2 A.M. They haven't announced any name for this new child, but reports are that they are both extremely happy to have another son. Hard to believe that the two will only be celebrating their second wedding anniversary on September 18th....and they said it wouldn't last......What should be the happiest time in Anna Nicole Smith's life after she gave birth to a daughter last week in the Bahamas, is now the saddest. Her son Daniel, 20, died suddenly while visiting his mother in the hospital. It is very unclear still as to how he died since information has been conflicting at best and the final outcome of his autopsy will have to wait until the end of this week. One representative of the coroner's office has said that his death was from "unnatural causes", whatever that means. There's nothing ever natural about a child dying before his or her parents. Nicole has already brought both her children back to California.

Dancing With The Stars

So, are you ready to be wowed by a new season of 'Dancing With The Stars'? This new season will give you yet another bunch of people you never heard of dancing with the professionals and competing against each other until someone wins (who won last season? Oh yeah, somebody Lachey). So who will be in this season's show competing you may ask? Tucker Carlson (wait, doesn't he have to do his daily news show on MSNBC?), Jerry Springer (sleazebag), Joe Lawrence (formerly known as Joey Lawrence with hair), Shanna Moakley (going through a very messy divorce right now from that guy with a mohawk and lots of tattoos from a now defunct band), Vivica A. Fox (who is still trying to get that fourth seat on 'The View'), Harry Hamlin (Mr. Lisa Rinna), Emmitt Smith (the token retired jock), Monique Coleman, Sara Evans and Willa Ford (who are these people anyway?). Nevertheless, this show will garner very high ratings and will feature, from time to time, a guest artist singing. Expect to see Tom Jones right out of the gate who is promoting his greatest hits CD 'Tom Jones Reloaded'. It's all good fun and don't we need more of that right about now?

Sept. 11th - Just One Story

On the fifth anniversary of September 11th, I wonder how many people are looking back on this day remembering just one story that personally touched them. As a New Yorker, I don't know anyone who lives in our area who didn't know at least one person who died that day. Many were acquaintances, but most were friends, mothers or fathers, brothers or sisters, husbands or wives, sons or daugthers, employees of the hundreds of companies which housed their offices in the World Trade Center or the restaurant known as Windows on the World, firefighters, police officers, EMT workers and one priest who wasn't afraid to reach out and lend a helping hand that day. My story is not unlike anyone else's who knew people who had loved ones there. At the time I was working for my public school district as a substitute. My day started like any other, getting ready for my assignment. However, the images on the television were like none I had ever seen and are burned in my memories for the rest of my life. I experienced shock and disbelief like everyone else I came in contact with that day. It became personal to me when I received an e-mail from a friend whose husband was among the missing asking for prayers and any support we could give her. The very next day, at a prayer service, I came in contact with another woman who also had a husband among the missing. Neither women knew each other and neither women would have probably never crossed paths, except for what happened on 9/11. Both had husbands who worked for the same company. Both had husbands who worked in the same department of that company. Both had husbands who had met each other, spoken to each other and probably would have become friends had it not been for 9/11. Both women had young children, all girls and both would come to bond with each other through a series of phone calls that began with me when I made the connection that they both had husbands who worked for the same company. Neither would have the good fortune of ever seeing their loved ones again. There would be frantic searches through the internet and even phone calls to any surviving employees, one of which I made to a young woman who wasn't scheduled to go to work that day and, as a result, lost many of her friends and co-workers. Both had memorial services that were both touching and tearful. Both had funerals after police detectives notified them of the discovery of their husbands' remains. Both have gone on to raise their children and to try and go on with their own lives. Both have learned to laugh and smile again and enjoy life on some level, but neither will ever forget and neither should we.

Mothers' Book Bag

If you are a mom at any stage of parenthood and you are looking for support and information about anything and everything regarding motherhood, here is a relatively new blog to meet your needs. Go to Mothers Book Bag and enjoy!

Fall Colors

If you hate shopping for make-up at all those snooty department store make-up counters, then try something that will work for you, like shopping online. Two of my favorite online stores for buying any and all things cosmetic are Sephora and Ulta. Both stores provide you with enough color and choices in brand from very reasonable to expensive so there's something for everyone one. Right now Sephora is featuring their best picks and new product line-up for the fall like new eyeshadow shades from Smashbox and a brand new packaging for Spackle, under-makeup primer from Laura Geller. Ulta offers their club members points for purchasing which will lead to free products for points several times a year. Don't sweat the small stuff! Make your life that much easier and shop online.

Where More Traffic Is A Good Thing

Traffic! How much we hate to sit in it during rush hour and gridlock is the worst. However, when it comes to blogging, more traffic is the goal. So how do those top 100 bloggers listed on Technorati get to that golden circle of bloggers? If you check out their blogs, you will see that they have accumulated hundreds of links. Linking your blog to other blogs is literally opening up more traffic to your blog to hundreds of other readers. If you haven't yet begun trading links with other bloggers, then begin right now. Also, leave comments on those favorite blogs of yours...or, leave comments on some of those top 100 blogs. By leaving a comment, once again you are leaving an invitation for other readers to visit your blog. When someone leaves a comment on your blog, go back and visit that person's blog and do the same. It's not only a gracious thing to do, but you are, once again, promoting your blog. If you haven't already done so, start submitting your blog to blog directories. Every so often, I will post links to these directories and I will do so here at the end of this post. Finally, don't forget to ping! Pinging your blog every time you update will allow all those blog directories that you signed up for, including Technorati, that you've updated your blog so that your blog doesn't become stale. You can ping all at once at this service called Ping Goat. Now, here are some blog directories that you should try: Blog Wise, Blog Catalog, Bloggernity, Blog Lines.

When Life Hands You A Lemon......

Some jilted brides might just go crazy and grab the first thing within reach to get revenge....kinda like Uma Thurman in "Kill Bill", but one jilted bride decided to turn what should be a very bad situation, into something wonderful. The bride, Kyle Paxman, was to be married in six weeks, but a man walked into her office one day and changed everything. This man had proof, through photos, that Kyle's fiance was cheating with this man's girlfriend. When her wedding plans came screeching to a halt, Kyle got together with her parents to decide what to do about the non-refundable reception. Instead of cancelling and sulking alone, she and her parents have decided to go ahead with the party, turning it into a charity event to benefit two non-profit organizations, both of which will aid women and children. Kyle is hoping that people (mostly women) will come to her aid in trying to raise money for these two charities, so that she will still have something wonderful to celebrate. After the party, Kyle will still go on her planned honeymoon, with her mom though. Good for her!

Fashion Rocks!

Fashion Divas, Christina Aguilera (wearing Ellie Saab), Elton John (wearing Yohji Yamamoto) and Fergie (wearing Blumarine)came together to celebrate the opening of Fashion Week in New York, at Radio City Music Hall. Performers included Byoncee, the Scissor Sisters and Rihanna and will air tonight on CBS/2 at 9 P.M.

The Last Word In Skincare

So what do the most cutting edge skincare products contain that others don't? It's peptides! Everything from Strivectin-D, Victoria Principal's Reclaim and Oil Of Olay's Reginerist line contain this one component (or several different versions of this component). Peptides are supposed to actually help the skin rebuild collagen (the one ingredient that helps keeps our skin firm and relatively wrinkle free). Although some experts still believe that anything containing glycolic acid is really the most reliable in anti-aging ingredients, peptides are fast replacing that. First of all, it has proven to work and is not at all harsh for most skin types as compared to glycolic acid which can burn skin. The best products with the cheapest price points are those in the Oil of Olay Regenerist line. They are the easiest to find (look in any discount chain store) and you can get a travel size kit containing the serum, the day cream (with an SPF15) and the night cream, for under $17 in most stores. Strivectin-D on the other hand is still selling for well over a $100 for a tube and they have slowly added other components to their line such as an eye treatment and serum. All are very pricey and not any better than the Oil of Olay line which has a better delivery system, doesn't have any weird odor (like Strivectin) and is much less money (the best part). There is no magic bullet in skincare, but if you eat properly, don't smoke, exercise and have a daily skincare routine, then you have the best defense against aging skin.

Divas Under The Influence

Nightlife Diva, Paris Hilton was arrested early this morning after being stopped by police for driving erratically. She was asked to take a breathalizer test which revealed that she had a .08 blood alcohol level, grounds for a DUI in California. Apparently, she and her best girlfriend, Kimberly Stewart (Rod's daughter) were coming from a club, but had also attended a charity event as well. Paris told reporters after she was released with her mom and boyfriend in tow, that she had no sleep and had not eaten anything because she was working all day shooting a music video for her new CD (which is selling very poorly by the way). Her publicist claims that Paris only had one drink that night (a margarita)and that was shortly before she was stopped by police at a little after one o'clock in the morning........Desperate Housewive's Diva, Marcia Cross, is expecting her first child with new husband, Tom Mahoney. The couple only married in June, but decided to start a family immediately. Marcia is 44 and her husband is 48. Their baby is due in April of 2007. Hmmmmm...I wonder if the writers of Desperate Housewives will write the pregnancy into the script........CBS News Diva, Katie Couric began her stint as evening news anchor for CBS News. Although she received a major portion of the viewers (over 13 million tuned in), she has gotten mixed reviews for her performance of news with the personal touch. Since Katie has not developed her own personal sign-off, she asked viewers if they would suggest something for her to say to end the news. Should be interesting to see what viewers come up with.

Wordless Wednesday Post

Pretty Baby!

Samy Salon Hair Products

Here are salon quality products that you could, until recently, only get at either Samy's salon in Miami, or on Home Shopping. They are now available at Walmart and they are a wonderful value with most products costing around $5 or less. This is much less expensive than some of the other salon products that are also available in discount stores and the quality is equal or better. I especially like his smoothing products. In some of the other lines out there, the smoothing products are made to make the hair feel a bit greasy and weighed down. Not so with the Samy products. The shampoo is not cream based (it's crystal clear) and cleans the hair thoroughly. The conditioner is light weight, but does a great job smoothing the hair during the drying process. The result is smooth hair that's shiny and has body to it, minus the frizz. I got to really test it out yesterday while getting caught in the rain. Althought my hair curled slightly, there was no frizz from the rain whatsoever. The bottles are color coated so you can tell the various lines apart and you get generous sized bottles for the money, unlike other lines. Also, when I purchased the conditioner, I got a travel size bottle of the shampoo from the same line, which is a great marketing idea.

Yes, There Really Is A Baby Named Suri

With so much speculation as to why Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes did not allow any photographs of their baby circulate in the media, people were beginning to wonder if there really is a baby Suri. Well, the question will be answered on the cover of 'Vanity Fair' magazine. If you are a fan of Tom Cruise or the magazine, then you will want to run right out and purchase a copy. The family graces the cover and Suri, who looks strikingly like her mom, is in full view. There is also an interview with Tom and Katie about how it feels to be gossiped about and what it's like to be parents to this little girl and possibly adding to their family in the future......In other gossip, Rosie began her stint on 'The View' yesterday and she made the huge faux pas of stepping all over Barbara Walters' monologue. I think if this show is going to succeed, Barbar will have to hire another co-host and graciously step aside and let them do their thing. She's become a burden rather than a benefit at this point since she strikes fear in anyone who shares the stage with her. I'm not a fan of Rosie's, but she must be allowed to do her own thing and that won't be possible as long as Barbara is sitting next to her pursing her lips while Rosie's speaking. It's enough to make a person cringe!

This Could Get Ugly

Rosie O'Donnell is making her debut as one of the co-hosts of "The View". Although I hardly ever watch this show anymore, I tend to agree with Meredith Viera's opinion that it has become somewhat of a joke in the eyes of the media. The newest chapter in the never-ending saga, has Barbara Walters pissed off at Rosie for blogging about the show. Rosie apparently was really not happy with the promo (the promo photo with her Photoshopped self or the commercial with all of them singing, except Barbara of course). Rosie's last post about it was the one that got to Barbara as Rosie doesn't like to see herself "powerless". It would seem to me that she should be smart enough to know who holds all the cards in this situation and, this time, it isn't her. I'm predicting disaster and the demise of the show. I'm not a fan of Rosie O'Donnell anymore. She is far too needy and angry for me. As Boy George put it after that whole debacle regarding the musical based on his life story backed by Rosie, "She's just another Pottery Barn lesbian". I have no idea what he meant by that, but I thought it was funny!

The Death Of An Icon

Who didn't know who the Crocodile Hunter was? He was probably a household name in many homes, especially those with kids. He was a character that was often times parodied by comics and he was never boring to watch. He often appeared on talk shows (He was a favorite on the Rosie O'Donnell Show), but he could push a few buttons as well, like the time he held his new born child much too close to a crocodile. I suppose that it was his destiny to die doing what he does...tempting fate. He probably expected that of himself at some point. Nevertheless, he will be missed for all the wonders of the world he brought into our home every week.

Congratulations! You Have A New Blog!

I think it was Darren Rowse who posted on his own blog about how a blog is like giving birth to a new baby. That is somewhat true inasmuch as so much planning goes into creating a blog. I personally don't have a new blog, although my goal (at least in terms of blogging) is to begin another one at some point, but for now this one keeps me busy enough. We do, however, have a new blog in our household (we are a two-blogger household now). My husband just started his new blog yesterday called, It's Only Business. Go and pay him a visit and welcome him to this wonderful community which has taught me so much.

The Virtual Weight Loss Motivator

I just found this website which can give you a virtual picture of what you would look like if you were pounds thinner. Try it out and give yourself some motivation to change! Prevention Weight Loss.

Ten Things To Do On A Rainy Day

It seems like half the country is being impacted by Hurricane Ernesto, including the area where I live. In order to keep from being bored out of your mind, here are ten things you can do to keep from going slowly insane:
1) Start your own blog. If you are reading this, then you probably already have one, but why not start another one. You can have double the fun, even if it's double the work, but you already know what to do and what not to do, so give it a shot.
2) How about giving yourself an at-home spa treatment. You don't need to leave the house and buy stuff to do it. Everything you need is right in your home now. Want a quick facial? Take an egg and crack it open, separating the egg white from the yolk. Use the egg white on clean, dry skin (your face, of course) and leave on until it's completely dry. Rinse thoroughly and moisturize. For a moisturizing hair masque, use a little olive oil (for dark hair) and sunflower or safflower oil (for light hair). Massage into scalp and comb through to the ends. Leave on for twenty minutes and wash and condition as usual. For hands, use a teaspoon of sugar with handcream and massage into hands (both sides) then wash and moisturize. If your nail beds and cuticles are very dry, use a little olive oil and massage in for a few minutes, then wash and moisturize.
3) Use your computer to explore the world and beyond at Google Earth
4) Of course, you can always go to the movies. Instead of seeing the one that just opened last night, pick a movie that's been out for a while (shorter lines). See more than one movie and then go out to dinner at a place you've never been to before.
5) Go to a museum. This may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but there are lots of different kinds of museums you've probably never heard of before. Take this opportunity to check them out.
6) Rent some old movies. Rent your favorites. The ones that made you laugh out loud and the ones that made you cry like a baby. Anything from "Animal House" to "The Way We Were".
7) Go through your cookbooks and try a new recipe. Make a great main dish for dinner or how about a dessert?
8) Take all the clothes off your treadmill and use it. By starting an exercise program now, you can worry less about all those holiday dinners. Don't have a treadmill? Go to FitTV and find an exercise program there.
9) Want to make some extra cash? How about starting a seller's account at Ebay? Go through everything in your house you no longer want, take some digital photos and get started. It's fun, easy and profitable. Ebay will give you a tutorial online.
10) Finally, if nothing else appeals to you, there's always the mall. Go spend some money on some new fall clothes and then treat yourself to dinner.
Whatever you do, stay dry and safe!

National Blog Tipping Day

Apparently, it's today. Here are three blog tips....link, link and link. It's the fastest way to get your blog seen and read. As for who I'm tipping my own blog to? The following blogs, get my nod: Essential Keystrokes Scooter Talk Business BlogWire.

You're Fired

Apparently, Carolyn Kephcher was not living up to the standards of the Trump Organization and was relieved of her duties by Donald himself. Carolyn, most recognizable from Donald's reality show, apparently has other ideas about the path of her career which don't exactly jive with the Donald's. From reports by a source close to the situation, but who wishes to remain anonymous (I can't imagine why!), Carolyn was all about self-promotion and not enough about being a team player. The chief operating officer of two of Donald's golf courses, was forging her own career as a celebrity (mostly as a guest speaker and author) so it was time for her to move on. Apparently, the riff had been going on for a while, as Donald began relying more on his children, Ivanka and Don Jr., for the tasks of the show and less on Carolyn. As a result, you will be seeing much more of his kids. Apparently, he has no problem with them promoting themselves....as long as they have the same last name.

The View - The Photoshopped Version

Apparently, another photo has come under scrutiny for photoshopping. This one is a publicity photo for 'The View', which will soon enough be the new home for Rosie O'Donnell. This particular photo shows a much more svelte Rosie with a waist and chin. Rosie herself, after she saw the photo, wrote about it on her own blog rosie.comagrees that the photo was digitally fixed to make her look thinner. Of course, she wrote it in her usual haiku style. The View's representative is in no way denying it. However, I do think it's sad that people need to be made to look thinner than they really are (especially women) in photos. We have enough problem with body image in this country. Photoshopping is a good thing, but too much of a good thing is, well......not good.