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About the Characters (Gabby, Shannon, Liv, Raqui, Trevor, James, Grapevine, Webisodes) Gabby Hi, I’m Gabrielle Prescott and this is my Website (mine and my friends, Shannon and Olivia, actually) and I hope that you will come to think of it as your Website as well.  We, Shannon, Liv, and I, came up with the idea while sitting around one evening solving all the important problems i... Grapevine Cafe The Grapevine Café has the best food, the finest wine, great coffee, yummy treats (if I do say so myself) and is Liv, Shannon, Raqui and Gabby’s favorite place to get together.   They have had so many great times here that they asked if they could call their website, Grapevine.com, af... Liv Now that you’ve met my two friends, Gabby and Shannon, let me introduce myself, I’m Olivia Montgomery.  Shannon calls me “the stabilizer.”  I hope I’m not that boring.  I am the first African American Exec. Vice President of the large Chicago bank for which I work…I can hear you alrea... Raqui Raquel Hi, I’m Raquel, Raqui (Rocky) to most everyone who knows me.  I just moved into the apartment across from Gabby here in Chicago. You can usually find me working on one of the television sets in the city as a make-up artist for different projects. I love my job, and I enjoy making peop... Shannon Hi, I’m Shannon Welles, Gabby and Liv’s partner at Grapevine. I’ve known Gabby most of my life…we went to grade school together in Merrillville.  My parents split when I was in high school and mom and I moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico so mom could find herself in her art.  What mom found ... Trevor Trevor Hello, hello, Trevor here.  Though the girls haven’t formally introduced me, I am a very important person in their lives.  These women pick up and go at the drop of a beaded glove and I arrange all of those fabulous trips through my agency “Travels with Trevor.” I’m single at the ... Current Webisode ()  Webisode #100 Gabby: I can’t wait until this stupid event is over. No offense. Bradley: None taken. I can’t wait until November and this stupid election is over. Gabby: I’m sure it gets old. Bradley: Well, it especially gets old if you’re a speechwriter. Gabby: What do you mean? Bradley: I’m... Webisode #101  Liv: I’m afraid to ask, but where and how did the two of you get these pictures. Shannon: Raqui went into the bank the other day on some pretext and met Abrianna. She just didn’t like the woman, so she decided we should learn a little more about her. We waited for her to come out of the bank, ... Webisode #102  Liv: Dr. Gardner, you have to get me out of this cast! I’m going crazy here. I’m about to cut the damned thing off myself. Gardner: Well, I have good news Liv. This is going to be my last house call. Have Damon bring you into the office on Thursday and we’ll get that cast off. Liv: Really,... Webisode #103 Damon: It’s great to see you again. How have you been? Abrianna: Good, good. Things at the office are a mess, but I’m sure you’d know that. Your mom’s absence has been hard on everyone there. Damon: I bet. I hear she runs a tight ship. Abrianna: It’s intimidating at times. She is a sti... Webisode #104 Herman: Are you Shannon? Shannon: Yes, that’s right. Can I help you? Herman: I’m Herman, the guy you matched on-line. You remember my profile; 32, 6’1”, dark piercing eyes, and soulful glances. Strong chin, looking for life partner? Shannon: You are? I mean, I remember the profil... Webisode #105 Shannon: It’s so nice to have a drink with a man who hasn’t lied on a profile. Men are so lucky. They don’t have to deal with all that. James: All what? Shannon: You know, trying to find the right man. A nice looking guy like you can just sit back and wait for the girls to come running. Yo... Webisode #93  Raqui: Hello. How was your trip? Shannon: We should ask you the same thing. We haven’t seen you in a week. Raqui: Stop exaggerating. I’ve been around all week. I just had a few side visits scheduled for my journey. Shannon: Well, it certainly was the love boat for some of us. Raqui... Webisode #94  Liv: Damon. Damon! Where are you? Damon: Right here, Mom. What’s the matter? Are you ok? Liv: I won’t be, if I can’t find those papers. Damon: What papers are you talking about? Liv: I had a folder of some sub-prime mortgages that I was recommending that we purchase from one of our... Webisode #95 Abrianna: I’m sorry to have to tell you this, Mr. Harris, but it appears that our competitors have our data on the sub-prime mortgage loans we were interested in buying. Mr. Harris: What? All of them? Abrianna: Every last one. The entire list was purchased by our competitor two days ago. ... Webisode #96 Shannon: Hello, all. Have you recovered from the trip yet? Gabby: I’m starting to. You seem awfully chipper today. Shannon: I should. I have a date. Gabby: That was fast. On the cruise, you were complaining that you didn’t know any single men to date, and now you’ve found one. I hope he’s be... Webisode #97 Gabby: I bet you’ll be glad to go back to work next week. Liv: If I have a job. Gabby: Come on. I’m sure they need you back in the worst way by now. You always say how hard you work and how much you do. Liv: I do, but it’s not that. Something happened. Gabby: What happened? You know ... Webisode #98 Shannon: Wait, can’t we look at those shoes? They’re cute. Raqui: Not if we’re going to help Liv. Focus, Shannon, focus. Shannon: I am focusing, just on these Jimmy Choos. Business has been good lately. I can afford a couple of pairs if I want. Raqui: I’m glad to hear that, but we need... Webisode #99  Liv: Damon, can you help me? Damon: (coming into the room) What’s up? Liv: Can you give me a hand? I want to try to come downstairs and look up something on the computer. Damon: Can’t I bring you the laptop? Liv: No, I want to talk to William too. We have things to discuss ... Webisode  #92  Raqui: We’re here. What a view from the room, and what a view in Miami. I love being able to see all these Hispanic men. You don’t find that in Chicago. Shannon: I know. I can’t believe it. I thought this trip would never get here. Yesterday I was trying to deal with Mrs. Young and her ever-... Daily Dish (Blog, Advice, Discussion, Gabby)  WORK ETHIC  I don’t usually “dish,” but today I just couldn’t help myself.  I directly supervise a staff of 15 here at the bank.  A bank mind you where accuracy and timeliness should be inherent, customer service a given, and yet I am continually banging my head against the wall relaying  these b... 2007 Emmy Awards Everything about last night’s Emmy Award Ceremony was simplistic. From the Star’s attire to the set made from recycled parts; the show was minimalistic yet classy. I did however miss seeing some of the usual outrageous looks that usually make it onto the worst dressed list. Many of the w... 2008 Election Day Eve  It’s finally here, November 3rd. The final day before our presidential election. I for one am very excited for the campaigns to be over. I can’t wait to find out who our next president will be and to begin on the path of healing the divide between Republicans and Democrats. I’ve said all along t... 27 Dresses and Not One She'll Wear Again  There is a new movie playing in theatres this week “27 Dresses,” I haven’t seen it yet and don’t know if I will, but presumably it is about a woman who has been as bridesmaid 27 TIMES! Without even seeing the movie, I can tell you there is something wrong with that woman. No one has 27 friends t... 33 and Single  I am almost 33 years old and unmarried, not for lack of trying, mind you, but I just can’t seem to find the person I want to spend the next 40 or so years with.  You would think I would get less picky as years go by and the pack starts to “thin out,” and yet either I am getting more discriminat... 5 Things That Made My Holidays Bright Looking back at the Holiday season, I always stress about all the little things that have to do with this time of year. Everyone, no matter what holiday they celebrate, tends to have a little added responsibility and that can make us all a little cranky in line at the store or on the phone with cust... A Dozen Roses  I spoke with Shannon this morning while getting ready for work and she has some news for us.  Remember the story about the selfish man?  Well apparently there is a new development.Shannon proceeded with telling him that she didn't want to see him anymore and told him the reasons.  A... A Laughing Matter  There has been a lot of talk lately about the benefits of laughter in the workplace.  I don’t mean falling down on the floor belly laughs, but an atmosphere where people feel free to enjoy themselves and share funny experiences with their co-workers. Prior to coming to work at the bank many ye... A Miserable Summer Cold I have a cold today, a lousy summer cold.  Stuffed head, watery eyes, you know, the whole bit.  I am now one of those annoying people that always seems to stand next to you on the elevator and sneezes or coughs for the whole trip and you just know that all those lovely germs are landing on... A Tale of Two Sara(h)'s My neighbor, Jack sent me two articles from the New York Times the other day.  The first showed women standing in line outside of Hermes’ in New York, waiting hours to spend an exorbitant amount of money at a sample sale and the other article about Sarah Palin, who while Mayor of Wasilla appare... A Third Grade Plot  Did you hear the news about the third graders in Georgia who hatched a plot to “hurt” their teacher because she had disciplined one of them for standing on a chair?  This was apparently a very bright and very organized group of children.  They had assembled a box of tools including handc... A World in Turmoil While I was lollygagging in Paris last week, disasters seemed to be hitting everywhere around the world.  The pictures on the television and in the newspapers have been heartbreaking.  Injured children taking refuge in ramshackle huts along the rain-swollen deltas in Myanmar and mothers we... A Young Woman On Politics I am no political science master, or pundit... neither is my son Damon.  But we're both very well read on political issues of the day and often enjoy having a spirited dialogue about the candidate and the issues, at the dinner table.  I'm proud of Damon and his interest in the political wo... Administrative Professional's Week  This week is Administrative Professional’s Week.  True, it is another one of those days created by Hallmark and encouraged by FTD, but I do think it gives us an opportunity to thank some people who, like many others, make our days a little easier. I have been on both ends of this celebration, ... Adventures in France  I promised to keep you up to date on our adventures in France and I’ve been having such a good time, I haven’t had a chance to tell you about it.  The weather has been great, sunny and warm every day.  We arrived at our time-share, which is terrific though a little far from town.&nb... America's Got Talent  I have to admit to one of those guilty little television watching secrets.  I watch America’s Got Talent.  I don’t know why, but I do.  At first I watched it with Shannon, but now I find myself turning it on myself when I am home alone.  I’m not sure America’s got talent, but i... And The Winner Is...  Have you heard?  Burlington Vermont has just been named the healthiest city in the United States by the CDC.  92% of residents say that they’re in good or great health.  I’ve been to Burlington, it’s a great town!  IBM has a large presence there, as well as other tech companies... Another Job Casuality I just heard from a dear friend of mine last night who lives in New York City.  Apparently the failing economy has finally caught up to him and his job.  Yesterday when he arrived to work his supervisors called a meeting.  What was it about?  To tell him that he no longer had a j... Awaiting Halloween Fall weather is finally here!  Outside the air is cool, crisp, and comfortable.  All of this fall weather has me thinking about my yearly fall traditions. The first and most important:  Sweater and Jeans shopping.  This is one of my absolute favorite things about fall.  I ... Awaiting The Storm  Certain Death. Two words that aren’t used often to categorize storms.  But that phrase is exactly what officials are saying is possible in the wake of Hurricane Ike.  As of 12 p.m. eastern time, Ike has already sent flood waters blocks inland on Galveston Island, and isn’t expected to make... Be Quiet! Why is it some people just can't exit out of a conversation? I feel sorry for this rare breed who insists on following you or talking after you just so the conversation will keep going. Yesterday I was walking to my office, and a co-worker of mine started telling me about her weekend. Ok, fine, but ... Beach House Well, I have discovered why my ex-husband finally remembered our anniversary.  I called to thank him for that beautiful Marco Bicego necklace that he sent me, still not sure whether I should keep it or not. After graciously accepting my thanks, he had a “small” favor to ask.  ... Being The Boss You probably all know by now that Grapevine is my own business and I am “the boss.” Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? But this is the first time I have been “the boss,” and it’s one of the hardest things I have ever done. I have a terrific staff and they all work hard, but they are human beings and ... Beyonce Vs. Versace  Last week, the Destiny’s Child songstress, turned solo artist, turned actress, turned DIVA attended the Versace men’s collection runway show in Milan with her boyfriend Jay-z and her bodyguard. This is typical as celebrities quite often attend high profile runway shows. This time, Beyonce and c... BLESSINGS I know this is the spot where Gabby, Liv and I air our gripes and complaints, but those seem petty this morning in light of the further developments in that mine disaster in Huntington, Utah.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the dead and injured and those still trapped in the... blogs Aren’t blogs great.  I never thought I would have this much interest in what perfect strangers are thinking, but I find it both addictive and fascinating.  The anonymity of the Internet seems to free people’s inhibitions to share things that they might not share with even the... Branjelina I just read on-line that People Magazine and OK Magazine are engaged in a bidding war for exclusive pictures of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s unborn twins.  The bid is apparently up to $15 million.  Are these people nuts? Now I admit to a passing interest in seeing pictures of the babies... Breaking News From Hollywood This morning our favorite little Misery, Kathy Bates, announced the nominees for the 2008 Oscars. And The Nominees are… Best Picture:  No Country for Old Men, Atonement, Juno, Michael Clayton, and There Will Be Blood. Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood, Geor... Bye Bye Did anyone happen to see “Viva, Laughlin”, the new show on CBS with Hugh Jackman? Well, if not, you’ve missed your chance. It seems it was the first show of the season to be cancelled, and quite frankly, it seems like a mercy to me. I can’t say a whole lot about it, but I did tune in for the first e... Casting Your Vote The end is near!  The end of the voting season that is.  We’re a week away from the election and you can be certain that I’ll be writing a lot about that next week. But I’m wondering, with a week away… who are you leaning towards? Most of my friends have made up their mind.  Shannon ... Celebrity Hangers-On I just can’t understand why celebrity hangers-on are getting afforded celebrity status these days. I’ve watched a few of the gossip shows lately, and several times, I’ve had to call and ask Shannon who they are talking about. It seems like anyone who dates or sleeps with a star is suddenly famous as... Cellphones I know everyone complains about this, but I just had to put my two cents in.  The complaint of the day is cell phones.  I was waiting for an elevator from the garage this morning when a woman in her early 30’s joined me.  She smiled and I smiled back and then she started... Check Your Spoons I heard a story on the local news last night about a man who has seen an image of Jesus on a spoon.  Apparently when the man took the spoon out of the dishwasher he saw something that to him looked like the face of Jesus and took that as a sign that Jesus was appearing to him. People have been... Chick-Lit I love curling up with a good book on those cold evenings when I’m at home by myself, but I’m not wild about some of the recent things they’ve been doing in publishing. What is "chick-lit" anyway?  Granted I didn’t mind a few of the first entries.  Bridget Jones was amusing, and some o... Children's Birthday Parties What is it about children’s parties nowadays? Does it seem to you that they’re getting out of control? Mothers talk about having a party for their child’s birthday (especially girls, it seems), and it’s something you have to plan for a year in advance. It’s not just ice cream and a decorated cake ... Children's Easter Couture I am 32 years old and my mom still makes me an Easter Basket (at least she doesn’t hide it). As much as I complain and tell her its silly, I have to admit that I would be disappointed if one year she stopped this annual tradition.  For a couple of hours, I’m a little girl again, searching for t... Chinese New Year Party! I want to throw a dinner party.  This Chicago weather has given me the blues so I'm in the mood for a creative celebration.  I called Trevor and he suggested a Chinese New Year Party!  Instead of having the typical wine and cheesy hors d'oeurves ,we are going to spend this Sunday... Chivalry Is Not Dead I take the train in to work nearly every day. It is fast, convenient and best of all, I don’t have to look for an over-priced parking spot. Most days I have no problem getting a seat, but yesterday for some reason, the train going back home was particularly crowded. I know people are shopping for th... Chocolate I know I’m not alone here, but I love chocolate…any kind of chocolate, white, milk, dark.  Dark chocolate is my least favorite.  Doesn’t that figure.  It’s the one that is supposed to be the best health-wise.  When I’m having a bad day with a difficult client, I feel so much be... Choices  According to a new Census Bureau report more and more women are choosing not to have children.  Twenty percent of women aged 40-44 have no children and those who do have children have fewer children than they did 30 years ago.  I’m not sure what that says, but it is interesting.  Wo... Christmas Eve Well they made it!  My sister and her family have come home for the holidays!  I’m so excited I can hardly stand it.  Their plane arrived late last night, 12/23, and we were able to have a great dinner together.  Today we plan on playing holiday games, and singing Christmas songs... Christmas Eve is Finally Here What a night!  I made two trips to the airport in this crazy weather.  I’m exhausted.  Maddie and the kids are in for Christmas and I had to pick them up last night.  Their flight was to arrive at 4pm, but because of all of the delays they didn’t even land until 11pm.  I’m j... Christmas In The Big Apple Shannon and I just spent the past weekend in New York for our annual pilgrimage to the Center of the Shopping Universe.  It was a cold weekend and Sunday was not only cold but it also rained all day.  Did that stop us?  NO, it barely even slowed us down.  If you are from out of t... Christmas Morning I don’t have much to say this morning as I’m getting ready to celebrate Christmas with my family. Maddie is home with her kids, so I get to play Auntie all day.   I also have to get downstairs to see what Santa Claus Left them! The kids are going to absolutely love what I got them for Chr... Christmas Traditions in the Office How to celebrate Christmas at work is always a tricky question.  Christmas gift giving can be a problem.  People have different pulls on their time and resources and can’t always afford to give a gift at the office.  Last year while we were just beginning to pull Grapevine together, w... Clinton & Obama Here we are, May  6th... another primary voting day!  This time for North Carolina and Indiana.  Who will win?  Give us some feedback in the comment section below about what you think the results will be?  I'm a big fan of Senator Clinton, Gabby adores Senator Obama, Raq... Cole Haan It seems like I am always using this section to complain, but when I have a good experience, I would like to share that and I hope you will the same.  A few months ago I bought a great pair of Cole Haan strappy sandals at a local department store.  Unfortunately one of the straps broke ... Coming Home On our way back from Paris on Sunday, Shannon and I were “lucky” enough to snag the “exit row,” at least I thought we were lucky.  One thing you have to remember about the exit row is that not only do you get more leg room, but it is also one of the coldest areas on the plane, particularly th... Cookie Monster I never thought I’d say this but… I’m so tired of cookies!  Over the past 3 weeks I’ve consumed enough of the tasty treats to last me a life time.  I can honestly say I’ve gained 5 pounds of snicker doodle and it’s high time I hit the gym to lose it.  I’m so glad the new year is her... Coupon Fanatic I'm a coupon fanatic. I don’t think I ever buy anything unless I have a coupon or there is a special offer, like buy one, get the second half off or some other promotion. I am the perfect victim for these promotions. It’s like I’m missing a great opportunity if I don’t take them up on the offer. B... Dating If you’ve read our series on Grapevine TV, you know that I am divorced and am starting to date again.  I was married just out of high school to my high school sweetheart and have not “dated” for over 10 ten years and, frankly, I’m not getting the hang of it.  I know this is a complaint tha... Day 2 and 3  Sunshine at last!  We are really getting into our French adventure.  We visited the Abbey at Mt. St. Michel yesterday and today we are in the Loire Valley visiting the Chateaux.  Two new hotels and still no shower curtain and no wash cloths.  We are getting used to the wet f... Decide Already! Gabby is not the only one who gets to dish.  Shannon, Raqui and I also need to air our grievances.  This is a small one, but it happened again today at lunch.  What is with people in a fast food restaurant…you go to Kentucky Fried Chicken for instance.  There is not a big selecti... Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters Raqui, Liv, Shannon and I met at my place for dinner and our Sunday night fix of Desperate, followed by the life and times of the Walker family in Brothers & Sisters. First up, Desperate Housewives.  All of the ladies of Wisteria Lane have gone through some major changes, and why not? ... Desperate to Know Even though I’m aware that its one of the trashiest shows on television, I’m still obsessed with Desperate Housewives.  This last episode has left me with one big question.  Is the housewife we all love to hate… Edie (Nicollette Sheridan), really gone for good?! Sunday night we all watche... Divorce Though it was not quite as eventful as the Christie Brinkley/Peter Cook divorce, my friend Joyce, got her final divorce decree today.  We are going out to celebrate tonight.  I remember that first rush of happiness when the judge first tells you that your divorce is final.  Joyce’s ... Do You Really Need That Latte EVERY Morning? As an interior designer my business is one that doesn’t do so well during an economic downturn and boy I sure am feeling the pain!  I’ve had to cut back on a few of my spending habits and thought I’d share them with you. Did you know that your “Morning Latte Ritual” is costing you hundreds of ... Do-It Yourself I bet you all watch Do-It-Yourself shows on basic cable, the same as I do. I know, basic is the word to describe them. I propose a new network for cable called HIO or Hire-It-Out. It can get expensive, but I consider it a small price to pay to save a day of frustration. Unlike my male friends, I don... Done With Reality TV  Has anyone else had enough of reality TV? What happened to TV providing an escape? Life is full of enough reality, when I turn on the TV I’d like a little bit of fantasy. But most of all, I am tired of hearing about celebrities’ relationships, trips to rehab, broken childhoods, or rich brats’ overly... Doubletree I had a great experience with a hotel last weekend when I went to visit my friend in Washington DC. I was on a budget, and didn’t expect anything great, but when I got to the Doubletree in Bethesda MD (which I had booked at Orbitz I had a feeling I was going to be treated right. First of al... Dr. Phil Exploiting Spears? What is going on with Dr. Phil? I guess you have all heard the latest. Dr. Phil visited Britney Spears in the hospital, at the request of her mother, and told the press that she is a very troubled girl. Like this is something we haven’t all figured out already. Britney’s mother is now complainin... Dreams  I was asking Gabby for advice this morning and she gave me an assignment… to write a daily dish about it: Do you ever wonder what your dreams mean… or if they have any meaning at all?  I sure do… I’ve been having tons of strange dreams lately.  Last night it was about a recent ex of mine.... Drew Peterson Did you happen to see Matt Lauer’s interview with Drew Peterson this morning. Mr. Peterson is the Bolingbrooke, Illinois man who is a suspect in the disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy, and perhaps now in the “accidental” death of his third wife, whose body is being exhumed today. I have no ide... Driving Safely  You may have missed my timeless prose for the past several days (well maybe not), but I have been incapacitated due to an automobile accident.   The car is a total loss, but my passenger and I managed to escape with relatively minor injuries.  I thank whoever it is that is looking out... E-mail Being a “techie” myself, I think e-mail is terrific. It is time-saving, convenient and helps us stay in touch with friends, family, business associates, etc. But it can have its drawbacks. For some reason, e-mails can have a “tone,” and often recipients react with a “tone” of their own, unt... Earthquake Did you hear about the earthquake in southeastern Illinois last Friday.  We are over 100 miles away in Chicago, but it shook me awake and had me jumping out of my 23rd floor bedroom.  By the time I figured out what was going on, I’m not at my best at 4:40 a.m., it was all over.  It ... Elaine Viets On Couture and Crime I couldn’t wait to sit down with Elaine Viets and find out all about her shopping mystery series with Josie Marcus. As we sat in the GrapeVine Café, this is what she had to say: Gabby:  I love your new book so much that I did a book review for Grapevine.  How did you come up with the i... Election Woes I’ve heard a lot of complaining around my office today about the results of the primary in our neighboring state of Ohio this week.  All of the Obama supporters claim that only women are voting for Hillary Clinton and are simply doing so because she’s a woman.  As if!  While we migh... Ellen DeGeneres and Iggy Did you hear about the Ellen DeGeneres/dog adopting story? I guess most everybody has, unless you’ve been living in a cave somewhere. To recap, from what I understand, Ellen adopted a dog (Iggy) from an L.A.-based group, Mutts & Moms. She and her partner, Portia de Rossi, already had cats in the... Embarrassing Moment As you know, I have some VERY funny, but VERY crazy friends... the other evening at The Grapevine Cafe Shannon told a story that had us rolling on the floor laughing. I thought it was so funny that I asked her to post it here in the Daily Dish to share with all of you. Please read the following and ... Employment Numbers Plummet  It’s official… the U.S employment rate is the worst in 5 years! This morning as I was getting ready for work, I was watching CNN. Their grim report stated that 159,000 jobs have been lost this month… for a 2008 total of 760,000! Apparently job losses are hitting every major employment sector, but th... Enough With The Cell Phones! Cell phones are wonderful tools that help us communicate and stay connected.  They can also be a burden for the exact same reasons.  How many times have you tried to relax in bed, and someone calls or texts you?  How many times have you gone to the movies and are fully engrossed in an... Equal pay Well ladies, it’s 2008 and try as we might, we still haven’t attained payroll equality with our male counterparts. According to a recent report, fewer women are entering the workforce these days with 59.2 percent of women in the labor pool in comparison to 71.8 percent of the less-fair sex, m... Escape From Cold Weather  It’s snowing again.  What a miserable winter this has been.  The time changed this weekend and for once I didn’t mind losing an hour of sleep.  Anything that shortens this winter, even if it’s only for an hour is okay with me.  But what you do on a snowy day when you are stuck ... Expectations Do you ever feel like nothing seems to meet your expectations? The restaurant your friend recommended to you was a huge disappointment, the vacation you just took wasn't as fun as you imagined it would be and the book you're reading isn't the page-turner everyone said it was going to be. Talk about ... Fall Is Near It’s September 8th and we’re getting closer and closer to autumn.  I’m very excited about this!  Fall is my favorite time of year.  The leaves turn to brilliant colors, the air is cool, comfortable, and crisp, and we get to prepare for my favorite celebration of the year, Halloween! ... Father's Day As it does every year, this past weekend brought back memories of my own father who passed away on Father’s Day in 1996.  This year, the occasion seemed especially poignant with the death of political journalist and moderator of Meet the Press, Tim Russert.  I can recall watching Meet Th... February Celebrations Well, my least favorite month, February, is here. I do not like cold weather. In fact, almost any summer day is a “day at the beach” to me compared with snow and ice and freezing temperatures. I’m actually good up until the first of the year. I love fall, and look forward to the Christmas and De... Female Boss  I’m sure many of you out there who work outside the home have the daunting task of supervising men.  Because I am in the Internet business and many of the tech geeks are male, I face this challenge on a daily basis.  In many ways men are much easier to supervise than women, but they also p... Finding Jeans for Your Man This Christmas Jeans are one of the most versatile articles of clothing a man can have in his closet, but only if they’re the right ones.  Finding Jeans that will withstand the changing styles and seasons can be tough, but we’ve found just the right ones to buy for the man in your life this holiday season. ... Finding My Way to the Gym I joined a gym last week.  Now, how do I get there? I don't need directions - it's in my neighborhood.  The promotions sounded great; no enrollment fee, low monthly payments, and no binding contracts forcing my membership until the age of 100. I'm really not looking or feeling ... Finding The Perfect Gift My UPS man must think I am running some kind of retail business on the side.  Every day he drops off more packages at my door.  I am a shop-early Christmas shopper.  Now there is good news and bad news here.  The good news is that I have my shopping done early, I get the things... Fire In The Hole! Did you happen to see the segment on the Today Show recently about the teens in Florida who pulled a “Fire in the Hole” prank and put it up on YouTube?  It seems that the object of this stunt is to go through a restaurant drive thru, order a drink and when the clerk hands it to you, you yell “F... Fire up that TIVO! I hate to admit that my life isn’t a series of exciting adventures, but…I'm very excited about the new season of television that is beginning this week and next. Thats why Over the next week or so Shannon, Raqui, Liv, and I will be writing reviews of each Television viewing night of the week. Stay t... First Day in Paris Well, Shannon and I made it to Paris.  The plane trip was fairly uneventful.  The ride from the airport to our hotel went exactly as planned, could things have gone any smoother.  We were in Paris, we were on our way to the hotel, everything was great…ah the hotel, not so great. ... Former Governor Spitzer  If you have watched any news show at all for the last several days, you can’t have missed the story about Governor (now former governor) Spitzer of New York.  What a terrible embarrassment for his wife and family.  Sorry, but I can’t waste any time feeling sorry for the Governor.  He ... Four Days Until Christmas Oh no!  There are only 4 shopping days until Christmas. Please tell me that you have at least started your shopping! If not, its time to get motivated! Get out there and get those gifts for your loved ones. If you have absolutely no idea what to get, then shop around on Grapevine for ideas. Cha... Friday Night Lineup Hi! I’m Raqui, kind of new to the Grapevine group. Gabby’s been so sweet to me since I moved into her building this summer, that when I heard she was starting this women’s website, I wanted to be a part of it. She told me that she, Liv and Shannon were taking turns to, sort of, “review” the new fall... Gadgets I’m as bad as a man for liking the latest in technology. There’s nothing more fun than going to a technology show or buying the latest gadget from the electronics store. I have so many remote controls that I have to put labels on them just to remember which machine they operate!  The thing that... Gardening Bliss Are you a gardening person?  Living as I do in a 23rd floor condominium, I don’t have much opportunity to exercise my green thumb, so it has become a little pale and sickly, besides I hate worms so most of my gardening is kept to potted plants on my balcony and one lone tomato plant.  Trie... Germophobic I know that some people are really conscious about germs. Washing their hands repeatedly, using antibacterial gels, opening the bathroom door using a paper towel, etc, but this woman who works for me (and I won’t mention any names) takes the phrase, "germaphobe" to a new level! First of all, let me... Going Up...  There is a very simple contraption, one that has been around as long as I can remember and yet people can’t quite seem to get the concept…the escalator…it is a “moving” stairway!  Constantly moving, people keep coming down or going up.  Yet, people don’t seem to understand that they are ... Green Guilt  I am probably an environmentalist’s nightmare.  I am constantly leaving every light in my condo burning, I have a television on in every room and I am guilty of hopping in my car to take a short ride down to the gym to work out.  So this year, for some reason, the GREEN GUILT  has g... Gun Control  The Supreme Court recently ruled that an individual has a right to own a gun for personal use and to keep a loaded handgun at home for self-defense.  This is a hot-button issue with vociferous proponents on each side of the issue.  I have never owned a gun and probably never will.  A ... Halloween Halloween, one of my favorite holidays, is quickly approaching. I remember when I was a kid, a bunch of my girlfriends and I used to go out Trick or Treating together. We would leave at dusk, and wouldn’t get back until 9 or 10 P.M. with gobs of candy and coins (and an occasional apple or two) in ou... Halloween At Grapevine Happy Halloween! This is quite possibly one of my favorite times of the year. We're given an excuse to dress up and be someone we're not, and thats fun every once in a while! Today at Grapevine we're all dressed up! Walking through the office this morningI think i saw a Pirate, a mouseketeer, warloc... Happy 4th of July!  Independence Day has always been one of my very favorite holidays.  I love the hot weather, the fireworks, the picnics and parades, just about everything associated with the day. I come from a very large extended family and have many happy memories of 4th of July picnics.  Running and pla... Happy Springtime  Even though it’s only 39 degrees this morning, and feels colder, I can feel spring in the air.  The buttercups are popping up out of the ground, the sun is shining and the forsythia are in bloom.   There is nothing like a few warm, sunny days to lighten your spirits and put a little s... Health Care I had to have some minor surgery last week.  No big deal for a normal person, but I am a profound coward.  Just the thought of getting stuck with a needle makes me nervous and I can never look when I have blood drawn.  Aren’t you glad that I went into computers instead of medicine?&nb... Heath Ledger And The Media Frenzy I am shocked and saddened with the way that the media is handling the death of Heath Ledger. This is a sad occasion and instead of remembering him for the great actor and father that he was, the media would rather spend their time on speculation. Since the minute we learned of his death, we... Heather Mills Speaks Out I haven’t really been following the story of Heather Mills and Paul McCartney’s divorce, but Ms. Mills was on the Today Show this week with her story about how she is portrayed and harassed in the press. She says she has asked Paul McCartney to state that the breakup of their marriage was most... Hershey's Changes Chocolate Recipe Can you believe Hershey’s has changed their 100 year old chocolate recipe!  Forget the problems in the housing market, the misery in the banking industry, the high price of gasoline, this is important stuff.  Apparently Hershey’s has changed its chocolate formula in some of its candies a... Hobo or Bag Lady? I have a question for all of you women out there who are finding it almost painful to carry around our big hobo bags and totes while shopping or running errands. I set out yesterday to get some errands done: grocery shopping, fabric store, lamp shopping, post office; and by the time I got to errand ... Hoda Kotbe & Breast Cancer Did everyone see Hoda Kotbe on the Today Show a few weeks ago?Hoda recently underwent a mastectomy and she told about her experience from the day when she first learned that she had breast cancer. Hoda had never had a mammogram. Her gynecologist found a lump and recommended tests. She said that on... Hold Time I hate being on hold-I was holding with my insurance company last night for half an hour! Why do these companies insist on giving you some complicated menu to navigate through, and then when an actual person answers, they ask you for the exact same information you just punched in on the telephone? A... Holiday Attitude It’s almost time for that holiday shopping blitz.  The pressure will be on to try to make everyone’s Christmas just as merry as it has always been despite the economic turndown.  It’s hard to make kids understand that Santa is having a bad year.  Maybe it’s a good time to stand back... Honoring Those Who Serve In Our Military  Veterans Day… It’s a day that we often don’t think about too much throughout the year.  But when this very special day does arrive, we’re always reminded of the men and women who have fought for our freedom.  We fly flags, listen to stories, and hold ceremonies honoring those who have serv... Hotel Rooms  The bank had a team building meeting in Madison, Wisconsin this past week and put us up at a hotel near the conference facility.  All of us had to share a room, in my case it was with a female colleague, and it brought to mind one of my pet peeves about hotel rooms….why are there never enough e... How Do You Know What To Believe? Everyday, everywhere we look we see headlines, articles and advice columns, but how do you know what to believe? I remember back about a month ago, I watched a story during which the reporter spoke with experts on ways women can reduce their risk of breast cancer. I vividly remember one of the exper... How Super Is The Superstore? Living along the lakefront in Chicago, I don’t get many chances to shop at Super Stores.  You know those places that sell everything from chewing gum to bedroom sets.  I got my first real look at one of these places when I went home for Thanksgiving and I have to tell you I was intimidated... I Love Sweets! I love sweets!  This weakness has been the bane of my existence for many years.  There is nothing like a chocolate donut to give you comfort when you have been “dumped”, or a Hostess HoHo to make you feel better when you have had a bad day at work. And if I could stop at one HoHo or one E... I Can't Wait for Spring!  Ok, it’s spring now and I’m tired already of the snow and cold.  Yes, it snowed in Chicago on Easter weekend!  All those little girls in their straw hats and white patent leather shoes were shivering during church services yesterday and today it’s back to sweaters and mittens.  The fo... I'm Jealous! Poor Gabby and Shannon… Stuck all the way over France at Euro Disney, while I get to enjoy our beautiful hometown of Chicago… Can you sense my sarcasm?  Anyway, i've taken over the duties of posting a daily dish until Gabby returns, and am using this as my tool to express my jealousy :) In all... Ironing  One of my least favorite and yet somehow, most relaxing, chores is IRONING.  There is something about putting up that ironing board that is so easy to put off.  Many of my friends say “I never iron, if you take things out of the dryer right away and put them on, they look good enough.”&nbs... Irresponsible Cell Phone Users I'm off on cell phone users again. If you can believe it, I was in an accident the other day where the other driver was on their cell phone. No need for insurance. It was in the grocery store of all places. I’d gone to pick up the prosciutto for my melon balls (and by the way, don’t forget to ch... It's In The Bag  I am sitting here at my desk, looking at my big, beautiful pear-green Coach bag for which I paid close to $400, just last year (actually, now that I think of it) I had a coupon for 25% off, so it was only $300).  Anyway, it was a lot of money.  The color is great and I can wear it with eve... Jennifer Lopez Gives Birth Jennifer Lopez has finally given birth to twins!  The twins were born this morning at 12:12 am in Long Island, NY. A 5 lbs. 7oz baby girls was first, followed 11 minutes later by her 6lbs. brother!  Lopez’s manager told People that “Jennifer and Marc are delighted, thrilled and over the ... John Edwards Resurfacing  John Edwards has apparently resurfaced after months out of the public eye.  After his admission to having an extramarital affair, his political career was thought to be sinking.  I honestly never thought I’d see much from Edwards again.  After all, he was the candidate who was running... John Edwards   I know we have all heard about the John Edwards sex scandal ad nauseum so I don’t want to spend too much time on it.  All you hear on TV and the Internet is what will happen to his political career.  Who Cares?  This is supposed to be a smart man, did he really think he was neve... Junk Mail I just went downstairs to pick up my mail.  Although I have an armful of envelopes, with the exception of my phone bill and my American Express bill, there is nothing in the stack that is even worth opening. We are now protected against unwanted phone solicitations, and our e-mail is filtered ... Locks of Laughs So I know at times I can be very scatterbrained and yes even ditzy, but this certainly was not the case last Monday morning. As usual, after hitting the SNOOZE button one too many times, I rolled out of bed and got ready for work. Surprisingly, I actually managed to finish my morning routine on time... Lookin' Good, for Whom? We all strive to look good. A nice outfit, make-up, even a new accessory can make me feel like a million bucks.  So why is it, that when I feel I'm looking my best, do I also feel self-conscious?  Sure, it’s flattering to be whistled at or get a compliment from a stranger, but it always ma... Looking Good Without Makeup How is it that movie stars look so good on screen? Two words: makeup and lighting. I wish that I didn’t feel like I had to live up to this, but it’s hard to feel glamorous when I look in the mirror and I’m nowhere near what those leading ladies look like. If I could look half that good I would be ha... Losing the "B" Word During a staff meeting yesterday, one of my colleagues asked if anyone was going to watch Super Tuesday.  A lively discussion ensued; everyone had an opinion on who was going to come out on top.  The subject sooned turned to Hillary.  Was she looking a little 'crazed' lately?  We... Loving the 2008 Grammys I LOVED the Grammys this year.  There were plenty of goosebumpy moments- from Frank Sinatra's vintage clip opening the show, to the gospel-inspired delivery of "Let it Be", to Kanye West's tear-jerking tribute to his late mother. Perhaps its a sign of the times, but I thought I saw much more r... Lunch Out I took my lunch today 1:00-2:00, as always.  Well, every day it is nice out I go and sit in the public square.  It’s nice; I can eat, watch people (usually there are tons of kids playing in the fountains, it’s really cute), and relax in the sun.  Well, today was not a day like I usual... Make A Memory It’s Memorial Day, a day dedicated to remembering all of those who have given so much for our country.  Many of us also take a few minutes out of our day to visit the cemetery and lay flowers on the graves of family and friends who have passed through our lives.    It’s important t... Make Ourtown, Your town.  Many of you may not know this, but years ago in college I worked for the campus newspaper.  Journalism is my second love, I would have pursued that, had I not moved up the ladder so quickly at the bank.  Don't get me wrong, I love working in banking, but there is just something special a... Margaret Truman Daniel Margaret Truman Daniel died this past week at the age of 83. For those of you who don’t immediately recognize the name, Mrs. Daniel was the only daughter of our 33rd President, Harry S. Truman. Since Mrs. Daniel was a contemporary of my grandmother rather than mine, I have to admit I was not... Markets Open Higher Is this a sign of things to come? Here in the USA We’re up 4% within the first minute of trading today on Wall Street. Let’s hope that this trend continues all day and that everything balances out this week. China closed their market earlier today up 10%, I hope this is an indication of what will ha... Marriage Law Nothing says nostalgia like a good old-fashioned marriage law. A romp between the sheets is a felony in the state of Michigan.A first degree criminal sexual conduct act to be precise, and the crime is punishable by up to a life sentencein prison. It doesn’t even have to be a real “affai... Matt Damon...The Sexiest? With the news that Matt Damon is now considered the Sexiest Man Alive, joining past winners and good friends, Brad Pitt and George Clooney, People Magazine has now made it official. Gorgeous guys just seem to hang together. I had never exactly thought of Matt Damon as particularly sexy. I like hi... Men and Procrastination Want to know what bugs me most about men?  So do I, actually.  It changes from day to day.   But today’s complaint is that they are procrastinators.  They put things off, can’t get to it,  or want time to think it through.  I’m not against thinking of course, but h... Men And Their Pick Up Lines Men seem to have the most creative minds when it comes to hitting on women. Have you ever seen that beer mug that has bad pick-up lines written all over it? Sometimes I feel like men actually think that those will work! I’m sorry, but if I heard “Hey baby, are you a parking ticket? Cuz’ you got FINE... Michelle Obama & The Dress  Did you ever hear such a fuss about a dress as you have heard about the Black and White one that Michelle Obama wore on the view.  Not since Marilyn Monroe stood over the sewer grate in that halter dress in the 50’s, or Julia Roberts wore the brown and white polka dot dress to the races in Pret... Miley Cyrus Too Sexy?  As a mother of twin 8 year old girls, I was as distressed as the Disney company to see those Vanity Fair photos of Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana) on Entertainment Tonight.  While the photos were beautiful, Miley would have looked just as beautiful with all of her clothes on.  She’s 15 for cr... Misadventures With Christmas Cookies I love Christmas.  I love buying and wrapping gifts, I love trimming the tree and decorating the house, I even love the endless Christmas music that begins even before Thanksgiving.  But, we are getting close to that one Christmas symbol that strikes terror in my heart…THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE... Monday Night Television This is the first review of the fall TV season that each of us girls are collaborating on. We are very excited about telling you whats hot and whats not. I have to warn you that we don’t watch what we don’t like, so if your tastes are different than ours, you’ll have to let us know what good stuff y... Montel "Blows Up" Montel Williams has reportedly threatened to “blow up” a teenager!  While on tour promoting his program that helps low income citizens afford their prescriptions, Williams was asked a question by a high school intern that apparently infuriated him.  Savannah Morning-News intern, Courtney... Morning Rush Hour I’ve got to admit… I never exactly start my days off right.   I’m not organized, I don’t know where everything is when I need it, I snooze until the last possible moment, and more importantly I run around like a mad woman trying to find the exact item I need.  I decided this week th... My Black Friday  Black Friday has come and gone, and I’m happy to say that I made it out unscathed.  Although, my wallet wasn’t quite so lucky.  All in all I got some spectacular deals.  The evening started with the traditional Wal-Mart trip.  My friend Lyndsay and I always make sure we’re one of... My New Car  I just leased a new car, a Toyota Solara Convertible.  I know it’s a little impractical for someone living in Chicago, but I couldn’t resist.  It is Pearlized White with a black roof and I love it.  If it ever stops raining here, I am going to zip up my hoodie, put the top down and le... My Post Workout Trauma I am miserable and it’s all Raqui’s fault!  Everyone knows that I’m not a big fan of fitness or going to the gym, but Raqui has recently talked me into starting a new workout routine with her.  I never realized how out of shape, I really am until today… the dreaded day after.  Yeste... My Shopping Experience Whew! Thanksgiving is over. The shopping was both terrific and terrible. Mom, Maddie and I had a lot of fun on our annual Christmas shopping trip on Friday, but selections were not very good and the all the hype about great shopping bargains was just that, hype. We didn’t notice too many great deals... Natalee Holloway The sad story of Natalee Holloway seems to have just taken another strange turn. Joran Van Der Sloot, one of the original suspects in her disappearance, has been extradited from The Netherlands where he was studying, to Aruba to be held in custody along with two other suspects, Deepak, and Satish Ka... New Cell Phone I got a new cell phone this week, one with all the bells and whistles and I’m having a tough time with it.  Somehow I think you have to be under 30 to appreciate one of these things.  For me, I just want it to ring when someone is trying to call me and I want to be able to call someone wit... New Diet Technique? So it seems now that I can’t check my e-mail without getting an advertisement for colon cleansing products that promise miracle weight loss.  And as always, a slim and trim woman is pictured beside her less than appealing “before” photo.  As if I needed that image to add to the guilt of my... New Gift For My Nieces My 8 year old nieces, Emma and Lindsay called me yesterday to let me know how they did in their school’s Halloween Extravaganza, “Nightmare in Walnut Creek.” I wish I could have been there to see it, but even I am not crazy enough to fly cross country to attend a third grade play. They are coming ho... Not Soap, Radio  Last month I had the opportunity to go to Los Angeles for a business trip.  I was lucky enough to have a couple of days to go shopping as well.  I had heard about this lovely little beauty boutique called,‘Not Soap,Radio’ and knew that I just had to check it out. This place has even b... Now I Know Well, I have discovered why my ex-husband finally remembered our anniversary. After graciously accepting my thanks, he had a “small” favor to ask.  During the last year of our marriage, Eric and I bought a beach house on the Cape.  At the time of the divorce, he wasn’t... Nursing Homes & Theft I heard a story on the news the other day that I found particularly disturbing.  An elderly hospitalized woman was being moved to a rest home for further care.  Somewhere between the hospital and the rest home her wedding rings disappeared.  While the rings were not of great monetar... O.J. Simpson  This weekend the girls and I spent our Sunday shopping and then relaxed at The Grapevine Café. It was lovely of course and we were able to catch up with each other. We spent the rest of the day chatting about current events. The economy, the new season of television, the latest trends in fashion, ... Obama Cell Phone Records Breached I watched a report last night on the news that Barack Obama’s cell phone records have been breached by Verizon employees.  I find this absolutely amazing.  I’ve been wondering, how on earth our government didn’t set up a system in which to protect the candidates who were running for presid... Obsessed With Chocolate?  You’ll never guess who else is though. As it turns out, the guys are getting in on our sweet obsession too. I was browsing through a little gourmet store the other day, and past all the preserves and fancy pasta sauces, there was a whole section devoted to strange chocolates. The store owner told me... Online Dating I wanted to chime in and say a word about dating sites. Who came up with these things? They seem a little ridiculous to me. While I am not too proud to say that I’ve looked at them myself from time to time…I still feel a little sleazy looking around at people I can’t meet face to face. Who knows if ... Opening Doors Have you ever held the door open for someone and the individual decides to walk in without a simple "thank you" or even the slightest glance in your direction? How about holding the door open and a line of people walk in while you're stuck playing, "doorwoman". It amazes me that so many people can b... Oprah's Power I love Oprah. I think she is a very intelligent woman, she has a good heart and she uses her money and fame to do good things. I think her show is interesting and I enjoy watching it when I can, and I'm not going to lie, I usually like the things she puts on her famous "Favorite Things List" but let... Opting For Public Transit My commute to work today was absolutely miserable!  You would think that with the soaring gas prices more people would be opting for public transit.  It seemed today as if there were more cars on the road than I’ve ever noticed before. Personally I’m starting to notice the cost to fi... Our Failing Financial Institutions  Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke are petitioning the Senate today for a $700 Billion helping hand to lend to the financial systems in our country.  Wow… how generous of our officials to hand over billions of our dollars to companies that made some st... Our New President Today it’s clear, we’re living in a different America.  With the election of Barack Obama we’ve seen our country turn a new page in its history book.  The crowd that swarmed Chicago and the lake front was something I had never seen, and the level of excitement was amazing.  I’m happ... Our Patriotic Duty to Spend  Alan Greenspan has said today that the country is in a recession.  Now, we can all officially worry.  Though he is no longer head of the Fed, I think we can trust that he knows what he is talking about.  The people who are out of work, or losing their homes, paying ridiculous prices f... Pampered Pooch  While I’m not a dog owner myself, I do love dogs.  Liv is always urging me to adopt a dog, but I am away from home so much that I don’t think I would be able to give it the time and attention that it deserves. I also have so many fabric samples and sample books lying around that my apartme... Paparazzi & McConaughey  What do you think about the paparazzi who insist on getting the perfect candid shot? I just read an article about Matthew Mcconaughey and how some local surfers in Malibu protected him from photographers. And when I say “protected” I mean they started fighting these guys when they wouldn’t leave. ... Paris I am so excited.  I leave for Paris on Wednesday night.  This is an unexpected trip.  A friend is lending me his time share at EuroDisney for a week and it is an opportunity just too good to pass up.  So I traded in my Frequent Flyer miles for a round-trip ticket.  This ma... Passion or Obligation I often wonder how many people go to work everyday and absolutely hate their jobs. What makes people stay in a job that they hate? If those people in the “less desirable” jobs all of a sudden refused to settle for them...What would happen then? Although I am extremely happy with my career, I go to... Passwords Today was one of those days.  You know what I’m talking about.  Those days when nothing seems to go right.  What was my main source of frustration today?  Passwords.  It seems as if I have to have a password now for everything I do!  From disarming the security alarm,... Pearl Harbor Day I read an article in the New York Times a couple of weeks’ ago, about the last living veteran of World War I. I believe he was 106 and still going strong, well at least as strong as anyone can go at 106. On this day, December 7, Pearl Harbor Day, in the midst of all the holiday hustle and bust... Pet Peeves  I’m sure that what I am about to say is going to make me unpopular with some pet lovers.  Let me preface it by saying that I love animals, puppies, kittens, gerbils, fish, just about any kind of pet you can mention (except maybe snakes), I just can’t handle snakes.  I have chosen not to ... Phone Survey There is nothing more annoying than the phone survey.  First, for some reason, they seem to always call you at meal time.  You have just taken your Lean Cuisine out of the microwave (now you know what a great chef I am) and the phone rings.  “Just a few brief questions, it won’t tak... Pleo I found this cute little gadget on the Internet the other day.  It’s called a Pleo.  It is a robotic dinosaur that is equipped with artificial intelligence, shows emotions, makes sounds, plays with you and is a trouble free “pet.”    I cannot vouch for the Pleo as I have never... Politics & Our Crazy World What is going on in the world…prices are rising, my investments are losing value daily, the weather is crazy.  Politicians offer a lot of rhetoric, but no one seems to have any answers. I know there is no silver bullet.  No one is going to come up with an idea that is magically going to s... Pool Safety  I heard a story on the Today Show the other day that really shocked me.  It was about the number of children who are injured or killed in swimming pool accidents each year, not from simply from drowning, but from accidents involving the swimming pool or spa drain. I know many of you probably h... Post-Holiday Let-Down Are you feeling a little of that post-holiday let-down?  The decorations have all come down, the gifts are all put away and you’ve eaten more Christmas cookies than any one human being should be able to consume…then it’s time to get your rear in gear and start 2008 off with a bang. There are s... Presidential Candidates It’s only June and already I’m tired of this presidential election….and we have 5 more long, hot months to go.  When the first primaries were held this past February, I was excited.  We had some  interesting faces on the political scene.  People who really wanted to lead our coun... Rain Rain, Go Away The weatherman is predicting a week of rain and cloudy skies. I guess I shouldn’t complain, my sister Maddie, who is on the West Coast, is having horrible weather. Schools have been cancelled and the girls have been underfoot and are driving her crazy. When I talked to her this weekend, her on... Random Act of Kindness  I was having a “down day"  last week.  Nothing big, just a lot of little things that I won’t bore you with, and besides, it was raining.  I know that I am blessed with many good things in life so I’m never down for long, but I was looking for a little pick-me-up.  That one random... Reality TV I was channel surfing the other day, desperately looking for something to watch while I was doing my ironing, when I landed on the TV Guide Channel.  There was a very strange show on the top half of the screen.  A naked woman and a man were running down the beach toward the ocean.  Th... Rejoice In The Rain  It was hard to write this column today.  I have nothing particular to get excited about, nothing to complain about.  It’s just a day, kinda dreary it’s true, but just another day spent waiting for the rain to stop.  I guess I’m pretty lucky…I haven’t won the lottery, but I have en... Remembering 9/11 While my daily dish isn't often of serious subject matter, today it would be impossible to dish about anything other than that. It is the 6th anniversary of September 11th. I can't believe that it has already been six years since that awful day. I think all of us as citizens of The United States rem... Remembering The Life of Paul Newman I asked Gabby to let me write the Daily Dish today and it isn’t really a “dish”, but a tribute.    I woke up this Sunday morning to find that Paul Newman had died.  Part of me was relieved to hear that he will no longer have to suffer from the cancer that afflicted him, but there w... Remembering The Reason  Remembering the true meaning of the Holidays can be tough when we’re all focused on this failing economy.  Worrying about making payments on our bills, affording the simple necessities in life, and the daily costs of living can cause gift giving and holiday cheer to take the backseat.  I’v... Repair People  Why is it that your air conditioner always goes out on the hottest day of the summer?  I know the air conditioning repair man will try to tell you that it’s because on that day, your air conditioner is working its hardest.  That might make sense, but I choose not to believe it.  As ... Resolving To Find Bargains As we all know, Holiday cheer is slowly spreading across the country.  Not quite as quickly as usual this year, due to a failing economy.  It seems most people are pinching pennies and trying to find the best bargains possible.  Reluctant shoppers turned out en masse on Black Friday t... Road Rage As you all know our friend, Shannon, is quite a character. She is such a character that sometimes I have her write material for the daily dish. This article is something she was ranting about on the phone the other day. I was literally rolling on the floor laughing, I asked her to put it down into w... Rock The Vote! Ok, everyone – unless you’ve been hiding in a cave somewhere, I’m sure you know we have a major election coming up. For all you out there who haven’t registered yet, this Dish is for you! I realize we all have crowded to-do lists, but if you are out of town and need to fill out an absentee ballot, o... Rude Travelers Is it just me, or do you feel that airline passengers feel they’re entitled to being rude when traveling?  It never fails, every time I step foot in an airport I meet (and sometimes unfortunately bump into) the most miserable and mean spirited people.  Is it the stress of traveling? Or d... Save Gas & Look Great!  With gas prices rising, we dedicated shoppers need to do our part by making fewer trips to the mall.  Now, I’m not saying we should give up our mall shopping experience all together, but everyday it becomes easier to shop on-line.  The selection is getting much better and the return polici... Say Aloha, And Get Outta Town!! You know... sometimes you just need a break. When life at times seems like work, work, work, and no play; the phrase, “I need a vacation” is an understatement. I’ve found myself feeling this way lately, but where to go? I am in need of some serious R&R and pampering. This feeling can’t be subd... Scams On T.V. Last night I couldn’t sleep, and so I turned on the TV to see if there was anything that could turn off my brain for awhile. Boy was there ever! All these infomercials for weight loss and stock market software-what gives? I was hoping for something with an actual story. When will stations realize th... Sewing Mishap I am not a seamstress.  Lord knows I try.  My mom tried valiantly to teach my how to make a very simple dress when I was a teenager.  It seemed to go pretty well until I got to the zipper, then everything went haywire.  I kept cutting the zipper out and the waist kept getting sma... Sex and the City Chicago is not exactly New York (maybe that’s good) and Raqui, Shannon, Liv and I are not exactly Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte, but we all really enjoyed and identified with the characters in “Sex and the City,” the movie. As you might expect if you watched the series on HBO, there are s... Sex Study I love science (well, except for the scientist who created polyester – there’s no excuse for that!) Yet, I really do hate to see people waste money on silly research. Now, we’ve got people telling us that we like to have sex. Why don’t they just tell us that we have a moon or stars outside? If you ... Sheets Made From The Belly Hair of a Goat? I came across this, in the Washington Post recently. And for all of you who are incredibly wealthy and have nothing better to do with your money, you will probably want to jump on this. Cashmere sheets for the amazing starting price of only $5,200.00. That’s right; I didn’t stick an extra zero in th... Shopping With Kids  Before all you mothers out there, gang up to beat me to death, let me first say that I love little children.  I love their sticky fingers, their pesky questions, their cute little ways.  I even love them when they are pests, which they ofen are.  After all, they’re kids, they are supp... Short Men Do you date a lot of short men?  I do.  I’m not sure if there are just more short men out there than those of average or tall men, or maybe its just me.  I’m not particularly tall at 5’6”, but I can remember either towering over my high school boyfriends, or at least looking them st... Single Majority Older women are more likely to stay single after widowhood; if divorced, they are taking more time before marrying again. I find that to be true for me. I’m enjoying my little oasis of freedom between serious relationships. I can focus on me for a change. The Times said that younger women are wa... Snowy Weather  You all know I’ve lived in Chicago for quite some time now.  I did NYC while in college and during my first marriage and it was great.  But at the end of my divorce I needed a change.  I had to find something as big and as lively as the big apple, I wanted something closer to my mothe... Soaring Gas Prices I am not as directly affected as many of you by the ridiculous price of gasoline.  I live in a urban area and can walk to my office, the shops and restaurants.  There are many times when I don’t even take my car out of the garage during the week.  I can only imagine what it does ... Some First Date Ideas 1)      The obvious one!  Dinner.  You can go out, or if it’s a second date, cook in. Either is a great time, it just depends on your preference. Are you the type who thinks people are watching you chew your food in public?  Opt for cooking in.  Or are yo... Stacy Peterson Update Have you been following the story of Drew Petersen and his missing wife, Stacy? It seems that Mr. Petersen not only had four wives, one missing and one dead under mysterious circumstances, but he had another fiancée as well. (See our earlier article). She appeared on the Today Show recently and sai... Stranded in the Cold I don’t ordinarily take on Big Business, particularly in these hard times, (they have their own problems), but I just had to share this with you. I have a major credit card, with a major financial company.  I have been with this company for many years and they have received more than their sha... Stuck in a Rut? I’ve never been the best person to dish out advice; I typically leave that up to Gabby.  However, I have a friend that needs a bit of help right now, and I’m finding it quite difficult to figure out the right thing to tell her. Sarah is 23, a very smart and beautiful young woman.  She has... Stupid Criminal Today as I was driving into work,  I heard a great “stupid criminal” story!  Apparently a young man in England spotted a nice shiny car with a brand new GPS system mounted on the dash.  The 21 year old decided that since no one was around the protect the vehicle, he would just sneak i... Sugar Mama Ever had the topic of money come up on a first date? Not that the guy directly came out and asked me how much money I make, but a large portion of his questions were all leading to him trying to figure it out. What kind of car do you drive? How long have you been working for that company? Oh, you’... Summer Work Fashion  Summer is almost here.  Pretty soon, we will be packing away those sweaters and pulling out our shorts, tees, and halter tops. I love those summer clothes as much as anyone and can’t wait to get back in bright colors and cotton fabrics, but I also remember last summer and some of the disastero... Sunday Night Lineup Hail, hail, the gang’s all here, and we are ready for some (no, not football) good, old-fashioned girly T.V. I broke out the wine and cheese, Raqui kicked in with her famous chips and salsa, Shannon made those break-apart refrigerator dough chocolate chip cookies, and Liv chipped in with two reinfo... Sunday, Super Sunday! It is a well known fact that women are making up more and more of the NFL's most ardent fans.  Despite sagging ratings and ridiculous off-the-field player behavior ( better left alone for this article); we ladies are no longer taking a back seat to the guys for Sunday entertainment!  I mys... SUV Or Hybrid  Hello all you fellow mini-van and SUV owners!  I guess like me you are all dieting now, or giving up those little luxuries in life like a banana on your cereal, popcorn at the movies, shoes for the kids, etc. just to be able to fill up your gas tank. The government is so quick to offer suggest... SWAT Team Raid Gone Wrong Last night the girls and I were at the Grapevine Cafe talking politics, men, and other important matters when Shannon told us about a very sad news story she had watched on youtube.  I asked her to share this with you. -Gabby I stumbled across a youtube video and ... Swimsuit Season The sky brightened temporarily here in Chicago this past weekend and temperatures finally got above freezing for a day or two.  So like the eternal optimist that I am, my thoughts turned to summer.  I love summer in Chicago.  Riding my bike along the beach, strolling along Navy P... Taking The Train I made the mistake of driving in to work today.  Now I remember why I usually take the train.  But this morning I was running late.  I caught my heel in the hem of my skirt when I was getting up from filling the doggy bowl and had to stop to make a quick repair. Well anyway, I got to... Talk To Us!  I use this space every day to talk about something thats on my mind… things that make me happy, or mad, frustrated or sad.  I’ve shared with you my opinions (whether you want them or not) on any number of subjects. Now it’s your turn.  Everybody has something to say and just wants so... Teen Girls & Violence Did you see the story in the news about the teenage girls in Florida who beat up one of their girlfriends because she had allegedly said something about them that they didn’t like on MYSPACE?   The girls taped the beating so that they could display it on the Internet.  They actually s... The Academy Awards Did you see the Academy Awards last night?  For anyone who has any interest at all in fashion, it is an event not to be missed.  And for once everyone was not dressed in black.  Jessica Alba was beautifully pregnant in a burgundy Marchesa gown.  Ann Hathaway  and Katherine H... The Airplane Lavatory I’ve been traveling a lot lately and could write a book on my pet peeves about public restrooms. Top on my list is, of course, the airplane lavatory. It’s not the cramped quarters, the waiting in line, or even the whoosh when you flush that you think is going to suck you right out of the plane, that... The Big 4-0  I’m turning 40 this year!  Well in 6 weeks to be exact.  I will no longer legitimately be able to say I’m in my 30’s and let people try to guess whether its middle or late.  I have a 19 year old son and I’m old enough to be a grandmother.  Ohmigod, when did this all happen?&nbs... The Conventions Did you watch the Democratic Convention?  If so, hopefully you didn't miss  some of the stirring speeches, Ted Kennedy, looking vigorous as ever despite his brain cancer.  Michele Obama’s speech in support of her husband and their two little girls stealing the stage from dad, top... The Crying Candidate I start off my day with The New York Times but have found that this week even they have been spending an inordinate amount of time talking about Hillary Clinton’s tears. Were those tears calculated to win sympathy after her thrashing in Iowa, were they spontaneously brought on by exhaustion? Who... The Delicious Dozen Last night Gabby, Liv, Raqui and I all met for one of our regular get-togethers at Grapevine Café.  After the first glass of wine, we got down to one of our favorite subjects...MEN, of course.  Too bad none of us except Liv, have one who has actually stuck around. That got us into the nex... The Dress Ah... the Dress William and I have been married for almost 15 years now. We were both broke when we got married and had a very simple ceremony. I have never regretted it and I treasure the day, but I do have to admit to one tiny little, secret obsession…the dress. I know this sounds ridiculo... The Election is Quickly Approaching  So what did you think about the debate? Shannon and I were both very excited to watch, so I went to her place and we had a little debate slumber party. Everyone here already knows that I’m in favor of the democrat, but our friend Shannon still hasn’t made up her mind. Shannon is typically disguste... The Gender Gap and Shopping I read an article in the Wall Street Journal the other day, about how retailers are addressing the gender gap.  It seems researchers have discovered that men spend less time shopping, even online, than women, but are actually spending more than women.  Duh, like they had to do research to ... The Girls Gone Wild of Hollywood Ahhh….the celebrity starlets of Hollywood…what outstanding role models! (Catch my little hint of sarcasm?) It seems that lately I’ve become completely inundated with news of the latest antics from the Lohan-Spears-Hilton’s of the Hollywood scene. These ladies are out of control and by featuring them... The Hunky Olympic Swimmer  Gabby is taking the day off and asked me to write the “Dish” of the Day.  So I chose Aaron Peirsol.  You know the Olympic Swimmer.  Now I know this is probably not exactly what Gabby had in mind, but she has her idea of a “dish” and I have mine.  Besides she won’t know until she ... The Iraq War I was visiting my dad in Cincinnati this weekend.  I came down for the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day Parade and Game.   There is a lot of excitement in the city today, but some sadness too. The body of a local soldier, Matt Maupin, who has been missing in action since 2004, was discove... The Little Elevator That Couldn't  I couldn’t help but laugh at myself this morning.  I woke up this morning, had everything packed and placed by the door because I needed to make it to the office a little early today.  Typically I play scavenger hunt for 20 minutes every morning before I can finally leave my condo.  B... The Long Drive Holiday Commutes can be stressful. We have all heard those horror stories about delays at airports, cancelled flights and holidays missed entirely. It’s a little too late at this point to be giving you pointers about leaving early (that doesn’t really work either, since now everyone leaves early any... The Morning After It’s 4:30 a.m. on the day after Thanksgiving and I am sitting at my old desk in my mom’s house in Merrillville, Indiana. Maddie is checking on the kids, mom is giving Maddie’s husband Brad last minute instructions on taking care of dad for the day. We are about to embark on our annual shopping adven... The Olympics  Have you all been watching the Olympics?  It’s hard not to if you turn on your television at all.  The summer Olympics are particularly exciting since they include sports at which Americans excel and we actually win a lot of medals.  I have found myself screaming at the television s... The Post Election Blues Do you have the post election blues?  Poor Shannon sure does!  She has spent the past year engrossed everyday in the latest political news.  Now that the election is over, she can’t find enough material to keep her happy.  Last night was our girls TV night and we were all discu... The Power of the Pack I know you've all experienced this: You're walking down the street, and see a group of people all staring in the direction of...something. So you tilt your head and look upwards so you too can experience this incredible vision that has everyone around you so captivated, but, of course, the only thin... The Safe Haven Law What do you all think of the problem that cropped up in Nebraska with their "safe haven" law? Many states have adopted "safe haven" laws in the last few years. They were meant to protect young mothers and their infants in the event that a young, unmarried mother could not take care of her child... The Scarf My ex-husband thought he understood me so well.  He thought he could forecast exactly what my next move would be.  There is nothing so irritating as a man that thinks he understands you and yet doesn’t really have a clue and the really maddening part is that they don’t have a clue just how... The Self Centered Man  One of the absolutely most miserable characteristic traits I've ever discovered would have to be, "selfishness."  Shannon and I had a long conversation last night about the latest man she has been seeing.  It is most certainly not working out the way she had hoped. When I first hear... The SI 2008 Swimsuit Issue The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue arrives on stands today.  Every year I hate this day.  Not to the point of wanting to stay in bed with the covers pulled over my head, but this day brings out old neurotic thoughts.  And actions. I honestly didn't know today was THE DAY until I w... The Strike I have a feeling that as the writers’ strike continues, we’re going to be subjected to a growing number of game shows and reality shows. I don’t mind some of the reality shows out there. I admit that I’m addicted to Project Runway, and I can watch a few episodes of Dancing with the Stars, but that’s... The Strike is Over! The writers' strike is over.  To the Guild, winning a piece of digital revenues is a major victory.  Moreover, writers and directors now feel they are in a new position with the studios when it comes to bargaining; that they now come across as a very unified group with which ... The Vice Presidential Debate Let’s get ready to rumble!  Tonight is the Vice Presidential debate, and I for one can’t wait!  I’m sure by now, everyone knows who I favor and I’m ready to hear some real answers from both sides.  Both Joe Biden and Sarah Palin have been in debate camp all week, and I’m quite inter... The World Is Watching... I typically follow politics very closely, but have to admit that while I've been in France for the past week, I've not paid very close attention.  I can say with certainty that Europe and the rest of the world are just as interested as we are.  The morning after the most recent prim... These Bags Are To Die For! Brian and I took the kids to Florida last week.  We started in Orlando, can’t go to Florida with kids and not visit Disney World and Universal, and then visited my cousin, Joan in Punta Gorda.  It was a great trip, but more about that later. While in Punta Gorda, we visited St Armand’s Sq... Think Tall  I just came back from a shopping trip to a local mall and I have one question…why do stores feel its necessary to hang the merchandise so high on the wall that you have to stand on a step ladder to reach it.  There I am in the petite department, mind you, reaching for a blouse that is hung fr... Thursday Night Lineup Gabby here, reporting for duty! Due to Shannon’s change of plans, I lucked out and got to report on Thursday night, which is probably my favorite evening for lazing around and devouring what’s on the tube. Thursday is the night for some of our most well-established hits, so there are not a lot of ... Time To Say Goodbye What do you make of all of this drama surrounding Illinois Governor Blagojevich?  I can tell you, that as a Chicago resident I’m stunned!  Everyone I know who lives here seems to share the same sentiment… that Blagojevich should go. None of us who live here in Illinois can see how Blagoje... Tips For Slimming Down  Most women when asked if they want to lose weight, will say yes. There are so many diet plans out there, how can the average woman chose? The answer is, you might not have to. Here are some of the best things that tend to work for everyone, regardless of shape or metabolism. Commit to these thi... Tom Cruise and Scientology My friend Sarah recently moved to L.A.  She has been discovering all kinds of cool things, but recently she discovered something a bit odd.  The Church of Scientology!  She used to be a HUGE Tom Cruise fan, so its no surprise to me that she would want to investigate a bit more about h... Trump vs. Clooney The feud between Donald Trump and Rosie O’Donnell was ridiculous, but they both gave as good (or bad) as they got. He has verbally sparred with Mark Cuban (Dancing with the Stars), Barbara Walters and the family of Lindsay Lohan, among others. I think it’s ridiculous that these things get so out o... Tuesday Night Lineup Hi, Shannon here. Well, Tuesday was my night to check out the new T.V. shows and, what can I say, I failed you. I had good intentions, but I scanned the schedule of T.V. events for Tuesday night, and I only saw one new show, Cane, with Jimmy Smits. And while I think Jimmy is pretty hot, the previews... TV Land Pharmaceuticals What’s with all of these commercials lately for different kinds of prescription drugs and all kinds of knee replacements? I thought the reason we went to a doctor was so that he or she could tell us what drugs we should be taking, or what kind of medical procedures would be best for us. What does yo... Twilight Last night was the premiere of Twilight in Los Angeles, and apparently the town turned into a madhouse!  After watching entertainment tonight, I now understand the fuss Shannon has been in over the debut of this movie.  Hundreds of screaming and crying fans lined the streets to catch a gli... Tyra And The Stalker Have you ever had a stalker?  I’m not talking about a scorned ex lover who just wouldn’t give up.  I’m talking about the kind that shows up in the middle of the night, sends you strange gifts, and in general is just scary!  I know that I haven’t, Gabby had some crazy guy that just wou... Underwear Causes Eye Injury  Did any of you happen to see the story about the woman who is suing Victoria’s Secret because she suffered an eye injury while putting on her thong underwear?  This story would almost be funny if it wasn’t so ridiculous.  Apparently the woman was pulling on the thong when a little charm ... Universal Health Care There has been a lot of talk in this year’s election campaign about universal health care.  Both Democratic candidates claim to have a plan, but I have found it difficult to understand any of those plans and how they will really work.  I’ve heard the pros and cons, horror stories about p... Up to 50 Students Allegedly Exposed to HIV Have you heard about the HIV scare at Normandy High School near St. Louis?  This morning I read a report on cnn.com that suggests an infected individual confided in health officials that he or she believes at least 50 students could have been exposed to the HIV virus. Officials have not relea... Valentine's Day Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and I’m feeling a little sorry for the men in our lives who are wandering around out there at the last minute trying to come up with a gift that will truly please us this year.  Let’s face it girls we are just not that easy to please in the gift departme... Voting Day  I just spoke to each of the girls and we've all voted!  We're going to gather tonight at my place for a small election party.  I really can't wait until the polls start rolling in.  No matter which way you view the candidates we can all agree that this is an exercise of the greatnes... Waiting In Line? I find that the older I get the less patience I have.  I thought people were supposed to mellow when they got older, but now that I am approaching the advanced age of 33, I find that I have absolutely no patience for things that waste my time. For instance, restaurants here in Chicago are alw... Waiting on the Financial Band-Aid I read a report on CNNMoney.com that many believe the economy will begin to recover by 2010.  I’m not sure if anyone remembers, but last year "experts" (notice the italics and quotations) said the same thing would happen by 2009.  It certainly isn’t looking very promisi... Warmp It Up! Fall is coming. With Halloween and Thanksgiving right around the corner, the crisp breezes and pumpkin pies beckon to us as the season changes. The soothing autumn colors warm our spirits. It is time to indulge in the spirit of the season. Fall for fall! What is your favorite fall indulgence? My ... We Will Never Forget...  It’s easy to fall into the trap of complaining about our lives… but today I would like us to all remember how truly blessed we are.  On this 7th anniversary of 9/11 we all pause to remember those we lost on that dreadful day, and to remember how much we truly love our country. On this day of... Weather Or Not I know my friends in retail will hate me for this, but one of the fashion trends for summer that I dislike the most is leggings.   Women who claim they will never wear pantyhose because they are just “too hot” are running around in black leggings under their cotton mini-dress... Wednesday Night Lineup Well, I am happy I had a chance to go out on Tuesday night becuase Wednesday i was glued to the T.V. I know what your thinking..."That's real healthy..." Anyway, I am a huge fan of Grey's Anatomy so when Addison's new spin-off show Private Practice premiered this week, I had to check it out. I think... Weight Loss I just returned from Fashion Week in New York and it was wonderful as always. (I’m doing some technology consulting for a design house).   I ended up sending home boxes full of new accessories and evening wear, all of which you’ll hear about later. I know a girl has to f... What a Beautiful Day! Looks like I have absolutely nothing to complain about today. It is sunny and in the 60’s here in Chicago today. A terrific late summer day. A day to appreciate by taking a walk in the sunshine. I think I’ll ditch the office this morning and take a walk along the lake and have lunch at... What Are You Thankful For? It’s Thanksgiving and all over the various forms of media, the question is being asked, “What are you thankful for?” That’s a tough question to answer. On different days I am thankful for different things. I called Maddie this week to ask her what she is thankful for. Apparently it was not a good... What Do You Think of Joe the Plumber?  What did you think about Joe the plumber?  Last night during the final presidential debate, McCain and Obama referred to Joe Wurzelbacher a collective 26 times.  Wurzelbacher is a plumber from Northwestern Ohio who asked tough questions of Senator Obama earlier in the week.  Evoking... What Makes The Perfect Gift? We all give and receive many gifts during the holiday season.   Some are just on the mark and others cause us to wonder “What were they thinking?” The best gifts are not necessarily the ones that cost the most…they are the ones that demonstrate that your friend or loved one knows you well... Why are people so negative? Why do people always assume that you’re out to get them?  The other day I was walking my dog and I saw a twenty dollar bill lying on the ground. I picked it up and started looking around to see if anyone had dropped it. Almost immediately, this man who was jogging came up to me and started... Why Do Men Always Do That? If Eric and I had still been married, it would have been our tenth anniversary this week.  I admit to feeling a little nostalgic, but by and large, I am over him.  Just when I had convinced myself that divorcing him was the best thing I ever did, the doorbell rings and a very cute UPS man ... Will The Real Sarah Palin Please Stand Up?  Sarah Palin finally appeared on Saturday Night Live this past weekend, along side look alike, Tina Fey.  I thought this was a brilliant move by the VP candidate, and that she did a great job.  The skit featured Fey reprising her role as Sarah Palin, at a press conference where she was do... Winning The Lottery Did you see the couple from Georgia who won that $270 million Mega Millions jackpot recently?  They looked a little shell-shocked when they were interviewed on the Today Show and who could blame them.  You go overnight from wondering how you are going to pay the electric bill to having an ... Women & T.V.  I was reading an article on the web this morning about how NBC is revamping its Oxygen Channel to appeal to a younger female demographic—18-34 years old.  Apparently, at 32 I am almost over the hill from an advertiser’s standpoint.  They don’t appear to think that I buy anything or influen... Women and Math Well, I have just endured another condescending remark from my ex-husband about my math skills and I am tired of it. I seem to have been able to count how many times he missed my birthday.  I’m tired of the cliché that women can’t perform as well as men in math and science. I’m proof that they... Women At Work... I’ve been operating my own business for some time now.  I’ve heard all the stories about women being bitches to work for, women being too emotional, either not being strong enough or forceful enough or being too strong and too aggressive. I have to admit that it is difficult for a woman to str... Women Engineers It’s so hard to get on the soapbox wearing heels, but I’m here again. If you can believe it readers, the number of women entering the field of engineering has stayed put for the last decade. While women are the majority at many places of higher education, engineering programs remain the realm of the... Women Power Well, I have just endured another condescending remark from my ex-husband about my math skills and I am tired of it!  I seem to have been able to count how many times he missed my birthday.   So, I’m going to stand tall on my Louis Vuitton shoeboxes for a moment (soapboxes are s... You've Made Your Bed, Now Lie In It This is one of those little things in life that bugs me.  Last week I bought a new bedding set for my guest bedroom.  You know, one of those sets that include the bedskirt, comforter, pillow shams and even the sheets and pillow cases.  I am very pleased with the quality of the fabri... Dear Gabby (Advice, Gabby, Suggestion, Guidance, Opinion, Council) A Rose By Any Other Dear Gabby: I’m getting married in three months, and I have a dilemma. I’m not sure if I should take my husband’s name or not. Growing up, I always dreamed of being famous, and my dreams always had me using my maiden name, even if I got married. I told my fiancée (then boy... Becoming Organized Dear Gabby:I can’t seem to keep everything organized! I feel like such a mess. I’m a teacher and today I was late for an orientation with some new students, and I was mortified.  I’ve got to find a way to keep my schedule on track. Do you have any kind words of advice?-Lost Teacher   ... Best Friend or Boy Friend Dear Gabby:I have a gorgeous male friend who absolutely makes me light up. In fact, I’d go as far as to say he is my best friend. We do everything together from shopping to camping trips. He calls me everyday to see how my day is going, and genuinely cares for me. This is all great, except for one s... Boring In Boston Dear Gabby:  I'm a 28 year old woman with a good-paying job, a graduate degree and good relationships with my family and many friends. Yet, I don't have a boyfriend or significant other. The problem? I can't speak to strangers. Every time I'm in a situation with people I don't know, I get ton... Buy The Cow When You Get The Milk For Free? Dear Gabby:My fiancé and I have been dating for three years. It' s a very casual engagement. We haven't talked about any of the details for the wedding, though we've said that we'd like to be married by the time we're 30 (3 years from now.)Recently, we've talked about getting a house together. We ea... Dating two men at once Dear Gabby: Neither of these men are serious or sexual as of yet. I don’t believe that either will become something more than dating. However, my problem is that after so many years of marriage, I feel a bit like I’m cheating by not telling each about the other. Do I owe them an expla... Embarrassed Offspring Dear Gabby,I love my father dearly, he works just a few blocks away and it’s always good to see him, but I’ve been running into a small problem. Whenever I meet up with him for lunch or coffee, he is always asking me to pay--even though he's the one who asked me to come out! It wouldn't be a bi... Feeling Leftout Dear Gabby:Oh my gosh.  I just got back from a party at the home of one of my boyfriend’s co-workers.  The place was gorgeous; the food was wonderful; and everything was fine except for this weird vibe I got from some of the guests there.  I mean, I knew going into it that I woul... Hair today...gone tomorrow Dear Gabby:I've been dating a wonderful man for two years now. He's everything I could ask for, smart, funny, creative and good in bed. I do believe that we'll spend the rest of our lives together. However, recently he's begun to lose his hair. Not just small, male-patterned baldness, it is coming o... Happy About Being Happy Dear Gabby:I feel weird writing for advice, but my problem is that I don't have any problems. It's not that I gloss over them; it's just that life seems pretty wonderful. I'm almost 30. I'm married to the man I was meant to be with. We're the parents of a 1 year old, who is happy and healthy. Both o... Happy Alone Dear Gabby: I’m a 38 year old woman who lives alone with my dog. Frankly, I don’t have a problem with it. I have plenty of friends and an active social life, but no husband, boyfriend or partner. My friends have an issue with this. They are forever trying to fix me up with some man or another. They ... Home Parties Dear Gabby: My problem is simple. I keep getting invited to these home parties. It used to just be Tupperware, but then it became Pampered Chef and lingerie and now it’s sex toys and every other thing you can think of. My husband and I have lots of disposable income, but I don’t think it fair to inv... How to Date a Med Student Dear Gabby, I've been seeing my boyfriend since we were in college. He recently got into Med school and things have changed so much. I know I still love him, and the he still loves me... but does he love me more than his PDR or stethoscope? How do i deal with this? Signed, -I need 2cc's of relati... Internet Boyfriend  Dear Gabby,I've met the greatest man!  We talk for hours, have so much in common, plus he's a hottie!  He seems like the perfect man for me.  There is only one problem... He's a cyber man!  We haven't actually met in person.  We've been talking for several months and now&nbs... Intrusive Boss Dear Gabby: I work in a wonderful office. I have plenty of friends there, and I like the type of work I do (it's charitable in nature.) I only have one problem with my job…my boss! For the most part, she's an okay boss. She's fair and tries to make work as easy as possible. However, lately she's bee... Living In A Soap Dear Gabby: I recently learned that my best friend, who I’ve known since fourth grade, is dating my brother. I’d suspected that something was up with her. She’s been distant lately, always finding reasons to not have lunch or go shopping. I just chalked it up to a new boyfriend, and she tends to get... My Friend Is Dating A Jerk Dear Gabby:My friend is dating a jerk. I try to be nice to him, but it's difficult. I wrote her several emails about this matter, and I was as blunt as I'm being now about my distaste for the man. We corresponded back and forth for about a week on this matter, and she began to see my point. In the... Myspaced Out! Dear Gabby:I'm incredibly upset at the moment. I have a friend who I have known since we were both in grade school. We were constant friends and we talked for endless hours about who we would marry and what our dresses would look like and such. I recently found out that my friend became engaged. I... Nancy Drew Dear Gabby: Recently my friend started dating a new man. He seemed like a nice man, and I was glad that she found someone who made her happy. Unfortunately, we live in a small community of a larger town, and the crimes are still published in the local weekly paper. I always find myself reading... Non-Profit Dating Dear Gabby,I'm very active in social causes, and spend most of my free time working for issues like animal rights and the environment. I'm very dedicated to what I believe in, and I want to make a difference through my life. Having said that, I've met a wonderful man. He started volunteering at ... Not Just Eating The Turkeys Dear Gabby: I hate my in-laws. Every year, we go to a big family gathering at my husband’s parents’ house. It’s one of the few times I see them all together, but once is enough in my book. My father-in-law drinks too much. He’s rather quiet about it, but by the end of the evening, he’s sloppy drunk.... Obsessed With The Ex Dear Gabby: I dated the same man for 10 years. He was 35 and I was 40. We broke up about 1 year ago, and we were both fine with the decision. The relationship was not going anywhere, and it was a mutual decision. I recently learned that he's dating someone who is 22 and for some reason, it is driv... Once Bitten Dear Gabby: I feel terrible. I was recently at my best friend’s home. She has a three year old son, who is known as a biter. He ran up to me and bit me on the arm hard enough to break the skin and draw blood. I shrieked in pain, and snapped my arm away. The motion caused him to hit his head on the c... Ring Around The Bride Dear Gabby: My friend just got engaged to a wonderful man. He’s kind, caring, and supportive. My friend is excited to be marrying him. This friend was engaged once before, and since her new fiancée is still in graduate school, she wants to use part of her previous ring in this current engagement rin... Still Seeing The One  Dear Gabby: I thought I’d met the love of my life. We’ve dated steady for almost three years. About a month ago, he called to say that he wanted to have a serious talk with me. I was expecting a ring, to be honest. Instead, he told me that he wanted to see other people. He still wants to see me, and... Teen Spirit  Dear Gabby: I’ve recently moved in with my boyfriend. We’re very happy together and the problem really isn’t about our relationship. During our move, I realized that I still had all my diaries from my teenage years (I’m now 28) and as I read through them, I grew more certain that this would not be s... The Grinch Who Stole Grandma's Christmas Dear Gabby:Every year my Grandma gets me some of the craziest most useless items!  Most of what she gives me ends up in the basement unopened or being tossed into a Salvation Army drop box.  It's not that I’m expecting a great gift from her, but I don’t want her to waste her money on me an... Three Little Words Dear Gabby: I’ve been dating an awesome guy for the past year. He’s 24, and I’m 22. After nine months, I told him that I loved him. He said that he couldn’t say that yet. It was rather hurtful, but at the same time, he indicated that he cared for me and saw us together long-term. In the past three m... Wedding Woes Dear Gabby: I am getting married in a year’s time. My fiancé and I are paying for our wedding. My parents are divorced, and I haven’t seen my father except for a few holidays in the intervening years. He has remarried and lives out of state. He learned of the wedding recently and called me to tell m... Where There's A Will... Dear Gabby: I have an awkward situation with my family at the moment. My great aunt recently passed away.  I had long been one of her favorites, and about six months ago she took me aside at a family event at her home and showed me several pieces that she wanted me to have at her death.  S... White In Winter, The New Rules Dear Gabby:I have a friend who is beautiful and typically has great style.  She shops in all of the mosty trendy stores, her closets are fully stocked with the latest from Armani to Zac Posen. There is only one problem.   She continues to wear white after Labor Day!  ... Windows Don't Make Good Neighbors  Dear Gabby: I live in a condo complex with 80-some other families. Recently, I politely asked an older resident here not to park in my spot. She has her family over every Saturday, and it can be guaranteed that a member of her family will park in my spot if I go out. That means that I have... Drafts () Breast Cancer Charities Although it seems Breast Cancer receives the most attention in October, due to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the charities that support this cause work year round to help prevention, treatment, and cure of this devastating disease. Throughout the year charities, like the Susan G Komen, Dana-Farbe... Draft - 3/4/2008 3:26:22 PM Hi, it’s us again—Liv and Tamika! We’ve talked about it, and we’ve decided we’re going to start off with tips for girls who are just starting in at a job in an office or a bank or store, or somewhere where there is some type of conventional, professional dress required. Lots of you have probably... Entertainment Reviews () "Potshot" The Start Of A Great Series I had heard of Robert B. Parker and his mystery novels, however, I had never gotten around to reading any of them.  Then, a week or so ago, one of the guys at the office mentioned he had gotten a selection of them as a gift, and asked if I’d like to borrow them as he finished each one. As I’...  Something Borrowed When I was over at Gabby’s place a week or so ago, I noticed a book titled Something Borrowed on her bookshelf.  I thought maybe it was something on wedding planning, so I went over to leaf through it, since I want to know everything there is on the subject of weddings.  (You never know ...  The Simple Truth I just finished a David Baldacci thriller, The Simple Truth, and wanted to share it with you! First, if you haven’t read Baldacci, his writing style reminds me very much of Dan Brown or Robert Ludlum. I think he’s a little easier to follow than Ludlum, but they are rather detailedauthors who often... 2007 Emmy Awards! While this is typically an area for movie reviews, i just couldn't resist reviewing the most important television event of the month...the 2007 Emmys!I have a love/hate relationship with the Hollywood awards shows. The commercials announce an award show two or three weeks prior to its’ airing, and I... 27 Dresses Jane (Katherine Heigl) is every girl’s dream of the perfect bridesmaid. In fact, so perfect she’s been nominated for the role 27 different times! Jane has been dreaming of the perfect wedding since she was a little girl. Her idea of perfect? A replica of her Mom and Dads wedding in Centra... A Flaw in the Blood Stephanie Barron, who writes the charming mysteries featuring Jane Austen, turns her attention to another English family, the royal family of Queen Victoria. Set in the days after Prince Albert’s death and Victoria’s descent into grief, the story is set around barrister Patrick Fitzgerald, a man w... A Flaw In The Blood  Barron, who writes the charming mysteries featuring Jane Austen, turns her attention to another English family, the royal family of Queen Victoria. Set in the days after Prince Albert’s death and Victoria’s descent into grief, the story is set around barrister Patrick Fitzgerald, a man who had def... A Wedding in December  Love soap operas? Enjoy reading Home and Garden? Fantasize about an ex-lover coming back into your life? Then this is the book for you! Anita Shreve has managed to write an intelligent and descriptive book about friends who reunite for a wedding. The book isn’t a work of art, but it’s entertaining... Accessory To Murder There hasn’t been a time when two of my favorites have been put together like this since chocolate and martinis! Elaine Viets has come up with a mystery series that features Josie Marcus, a mystery shopper. Shopping and mysteries, what could be better! For those of you who don’t know, mystery shop... Angela's Ashes  Angela’s Ashes – A Memoir, by Frank McCourt, was a book I had heard of, but had never made the effort to read before.  I usually go for mysteries or the occasional romance, but rarely pick up a “real-life” story. A friend recently gave me the book, and told me it was the best story he h... Another Thing To Fall  This is the 10th of the Tess Monaghan series written by Laura Lippman, and unfortunately one of the weaker entries in the series. Tess seems to be overwhelmed by Hollywood and her surroundings, much like the fluffy robe analogy in the beginning of the book. The normally wry and level-headed PI see... August Rush I don’t know what I can say about “August Rush” except that it was a beautiful movie.  Certainly not a big blockbuster, this lovely little story is the tale of Lyla Novacek (Keri Russell) and Louis Connelly (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), two musically talented young people with very different backgrou... Australia Do you have three hours to waste?  In the mood for a sweeping epic?  Have a craving for Hugh Jackman and his muscles?  If you answered yes, then we have just the movie for you, Australia.  Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman star in this action packed film set in World War 2 era Aus... Baby Mama I think Tina Fey may just be my new favorite female actress.  I just saw her most recent film, Baby Mama, and thought it was a hoot.  She’s cute, funny, smart and is a natural comedic talent as SNL and 20 Rock fans can tell you.  Add to that the abilities of her zany but likeable co... Basic Black Makes Basic Sense By Cathie Black,President of Hearst Magazines. I have to admit, I was not enthusiastic about reading and reviewing Basic Black. After all, when you are working 70 hours a week to make your business a success, you feel like you don’t have time to read about how to make your business a success. But, a... Beach Road I Just read a new thriller by one of my favorite authors, James Patterson, who was writing with co-author Peter de Jonge. These two also collaborated on an earlier book , The Beach House,which I enjoyed, so I began with much anticipation. Although the two have similar titles, they are unrelated, so ... Becoming Jane A good movie for romantic types, Becoming Jane is the story of Jane Austen and how she became a writer. In the movie, her story mirrors that of the book, Pride and Prejudice. Anne Hathaway, who plays Jane, offers a modern day audience something to cheer for in her independent spirit and feminist a... Breaking Dawn I was watching the VMA's last week and the presenters included the cast of the upcoming Twilight Movie based on the extremely cult-ish, Stephenie Meyer Twilight Series, release date: November 21. Gabby, Raqui, Liv, and I have already booked a hotel suite in Los Angeles, and are waiting for ti... Bride Wars I had read several reviews about “Bride Wars” in the first week it was released, and none of them were very flattering.  Because I like to make up my own mind, and because I love both Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson, I decided to see the film anyway.  (I knew there would be gorgeous clot... Carrot Cake Murder The 10th entry in this series, Carrot Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke revisits Lake Eden, Minnesota, where Uncle Gus, Marge Beeseman’s long lost relative, has come home after an unexplained 30 year absence. When Hannah looks for Gus for a group family photo, she finds him – dead next to two slice... Changeling One evening last week, I talked Damon into taking his old Mom to a movie.  We hadn’t been out together in ages, and I’m trying to build on the compatibility we’ve been sharing recently, so I thought I’d take a shot.  He said anything would be better than watching the results show of “Dan... Charlie Wilson's War This movie was a pleasant surprise for a number of reasons.  I had never heard of Charlie Wilson’s War before a friend suggested we see it, and neither had the multiple people that I recommended it to after I had seen it!  I shouldn’t have been surprised at how much I liked it, with a ca... Cross For all those readers of the numerous Alex Cross novels that have come before, Cross finally lets us meet the woman who made Alex what he is today.  Part 1 of the book goes back to the early days of Alex and Maria Cross’s marriage, when Alex was a homicide cop and Maria a social worker.&nbs... Dan In Real Life The last few times I’d gone to the movies, there had been previews of Dan in Real Life, and I had really been looking forward to seeing it. It looked like it would be a funny, romantic-type movie, that would be just good entertainment. Finally last Saturday evening I went to see Dan with a frien... Deception Point When preparing for our recent trip to Europe, I asked Liv if she had any good paperbacks I could borrow to kill time on the plane ride over.  I’m generally a romance reader (give me a good Harlequin or something similar, and I’m happy as a clam), but I can read through those in an hour or so,... Definitely, Maybe? ...Maybe Not. Definitely, Maybe opens with Will Hayes (Ryan Reynolds), a very cute but unhappy guy, perusing his recently-delivered divorce papers while at his office.  As he leaves the office, Will tells us through a voice-over, that his best times are the two days a week he gets to pick up... Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood By Rebecca Wells My mother sent me a copy of this book for my birthday-she said it was to remind me of how special my friendships are. How sweet is that? I think she really misses me. I just finished the book last night, and I was surprised how attached to the characters I had become. Vivi, T... Does "The Women" Work?  Last Friday after work I met with six of my friends for an early pizza and salad dinner, followed by an evening at the movies to see The Women.  Let me make it clear from the first, that all of us are working women, some married, some in a relationship, some, like me, still looking for Mr. Ri... Dream When You're Feeling Blue Elizabeth Berg doesn’t mind being called a “women’s writer”. I could sense this when I read this sentimental and lovely story of a family during World War II. She has a knack for making language that sounds corny, come off as real and inviting. When I picked this book up, I was attracted to the co... Dress Like a Celebrity When the season changes, the whole wardrobe changes.  We also just recently had the Emmy Awards, the greatest wardrobe trend setting change for Fall. I remember growing up and watching the Emmy's and wondering how exactly I could look just like a celebrity. With the internet and all the copy-... Eastern Promises I went on a date last night and we decided to do the traditional dinner and a movie. There wasn’t really anything playing that I was dying to see and my date really wanted to see Eastern Promises with Viggo Mortensen and Naomi Watts, so I complied. This is not a movie I would typically see in a loca... Eat, Pray, Love This book by Elizabeth Gilbert was the best non-fiction, personal account I’ve ever read. When I picked it up, I had no idea it was on the best seller list, but now I’m seeing it pop up everywhere; even Oprah is doing a piece on it!Eat Pray Love is one woman’s true story of her journey across... Enchanting, "Enchanted"   I don’t know about you, but I’m a sucker for Disney movies, so when I saw the previews for “Enchanted” I knew had to see it.  I had planned on taking my two little sisters when they next came to town, but I couldn’t wait, and hey, you can always see a Disney Movie at least t... Fools Gold Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson team up again in Fool’s Gold, a combo romance/adventure/action/comedy film.  If you liked How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, you’ll probably like this one, too. Ben “Finn” Finnegan (McConaughey) is a treasure-hunter who will do just about anything it takes to f... Forgetting Sarah Marshall This is one of those movies that surprised me. What I thought was going to be a fun but not especially thoughtful film, actually turned out to be relevant and well, let’s face it, hilarious! So many of the situations in Forgetting Sarah Marshall were the kind that everyone in the audience can rela... Gone, Baby Gone Casey Affleck and Michelle Monaghan star in the new crime thriller, Gone Baby Gone, as Patrick Kenzie, private eye, and his business partner/lover, Angela Gennaro. Set in a working-class neighborhood of Boston, the story opens as a little girl, Amanda, is missing from her home. Helene, the mother,... Hairspray “Where were you in ’62?”  Tracy Turnblad was a teenager in Baltimore, dying to get a chance to perform on the Corny Collins’ TV dance party show.  Although a little, shall we say chunky, and on the short side, Tracy (played by newcomer Nikki Blonsky) is a feisty and fun-loving teen who liv... Hancock  Will Smith makes a great off beat super-hero! While you might think of this as an action film, I was more interested in Will Smith’s character rather than the special effects. What makes this movie stand out from the rest of the super-hero flicks is that it doesn’t follow the normal formula. Wil... High School The Musical 2 Remember Frankie and DeeDee (Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello) in all of those old Beach Party movies that used to play over and over on the T.V.? Well, I felt like I’d been to the Beach once more when I recently watched High School Musical 2 with my two little sisters, Tori, 13 and Ashley, 11... High School Musical 3, Senior Year  Usually I catch the High School Musical films with my little sisters during a sleep over or after a shopping trip.  This time, however, since High School Musical 3: Senior Year was debuting on the big screen, the girls made a night of it with their school friends.  Should I just skip it,... Husbandry Did you see the author of that new book Husbandry on the Today Show last week? I haven’t read the book, but it seems that it is another man’s view on the differences between men and women. I think we all pretty much realize by now that men and women are very different and probably don’t need a book ... I Heard That Song Before I recently finished a Mary Higgins Clark suspense novel, I Heard That Song Before.  Ms. Clark is one of my favorite authors, and I couldn’t wait to start the book.  This is the story of Kay Lansing who, as a child, was peripherally involved in the disappearance of 18-year old Susan Alt... Ironman  Ironman finally came out, and I loved it! Adventure, special effects, and best of all, a plot that didn’t only appeal to comic book lovers. From what I’ve heard, fans of the original comic book also won’t be disappointed. I was in California working and got the chance to see Ironman at the A... Izzy Spellman... Private Eye Since Age 12 One of the most original voices to come out of mystery and chick lit this year, belongs to Isabella "Izzy" Spellman, courtesy of author Lisa Lutz. Lutz is the author of the mob farce movie Plan B, which she spent a decade rewriting, before starting on The Spellman Files. Izzy is a 28 year old priv... Jersey Boys  While I was in Cincinnati a couple of weeks ago, I had the chance to see a performance of Jersey Boys by the Broadway Across America Touring Company at the beautiful Aronoff Theatre. This was a show I’d been wanting to catch in Chicago, but just hadn’t gotten around toit. The opportunity came abou... Judge & Jury  James Patterson, collaborating again with Andrew Gross, presents us with another heart-stopping, page-turning thriller in Judge & Jury.  When the jury ,including aspiring actress Andie DeGrasse,  discovers that they are overseeing the trial of the infamous Mafia boss Dominic C... Juno Last weekend I went with some friends to see the film, Juno.  This movie has been getting such wonderful reviews in all the papers and mags, so I wanted to see what all the hype was about. As the movie begins, we meet Juno, a rather odd teenage girl who suspects she is pregnant as a result o... Kiss The Girls Kiss the Girls is my latest read from one of my favorites, James Patterson. Although the book was written in 1995, I had never had the opportunity to read it before. The story is the second that features Dr. Alex Cross, a Washington, D.C.-based police detective/psychologist. While relaxing after... Leatherheads I had been looking forward to seeing Leatherheads since I first heard about this new George Clooney venture.  George is one of my personal favorites, and while I enjoy the serious and thought-provoking projects he has recently been involved with (Michael Clayton and Syriana to name a few), I ... Legally Poppins In New York City We typically bring you a brand new movie review every week, but if you're like most of us you're sick of movies this time of year!  Christmas blockbuster season is upon us and we've gone to New York City in search of other entertainment!  So I've commissioned Shannon to tell you abo... Lions For Lambs It seems I was one of the few people to see the new Robert Redford/Meryl Streep/Tom Cruise film, Lions for Lambs this weekend. It used to be that almost anything that these stars were in was an instant money maker, but that doesn’t seem to be the case these days. I hadn’t seen a whole lot of pub... Lisa See Crafts A Masterpiece I was shopping in Chinatown when I discovered this book. A little antique/gift shop called Fongs has been there for ages, and it turns out, the author’ great grandfather had started the place. So, of course, her book was on display, and every copy had been autographed on the inside cover. I was so f... Loves Music, Loves To Dance Loves Music, Loves To Dance.  Sounds like the tag line of an intriguing personal ad—an ad for someone who might be too good to be true. That’s what Erin Kelley discovers in this Mary Higgins Clark page-turner when she answers a classified.  She isn’t necessarily looking for love though,... Made of Honor  Patrick Dempsey’s latest big-screen venture is Made of Honor, which I saw last week with a friend.  This time, McDreamy plays Tom, a nice guy who leads a good life thanks to a rather trivial idea he had that made it big.   He knows he was lucky, and so does everyone else.  Anyw... Mama Mia  You all knew I’d have to see it. Well, you were right.  Last weekend Gabby, Liv, Raqui and I all went together to see Mamma Mia.  I was really looking forward to this movie, as it has everything I like—attractive people, lots of music and dancing, comedy, romance, beautiful scenery and a... Michael Clayton, Attorney At Law Over the weekend, three friends and I decided to hit the new George Clooney film, Michael Clayton. The tag line for the film is “The Truth Can Be Adjusted”. An attorney with a large Manhattan firm, Michael Clayton (Clooney) is no longer assigned trial cases. He has become the firm’s “fixer” or “... Michael Meyers Scares Us For Halloween I absolutely LOVE Halloween! So in preparation for my favorite time of year I decided to get all of the girls together to go see a scary movie. We all agreed that we had to watch the remake of "Halloween", the same film that terrorized us as children. Rob Zombie remade this film so I knew it wou... Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day    Friday evening Liv, Raqui and I went to see Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day.  Shannon had a date, so she was not able to come with us.  I hope she had a great time, because she missed a really fun night out with the girls and a super movie. The setting is pre-WWII London,... Monster in Law I missed this one when it was in the theatre so I rented it last night , and I loved it!  Some people were calling it trash, but I thought it was hilarious. It’s not meant to be anything deep, and that’s why it works. The cast plays off of each other so well-they are a great triangle. I lov... Movies to Ring in the Holidays  One of my favorite things to do with my family at Christmas is going to the movies. All the releases tend to be sweeping epics or heartwarming family films, and this year doesn't dissappoint. Here are my picks to ring in the holiday season: (There's also a rental in there too! ) Four Christma... Murder Unfolds Murder Unfolds  by Sharon Short, is the latest Josie Toadfern mystery, and one that finds Josie at a crossroads. Coming up on 30, she is trying to re-evaluate her life while her friends are trying to get her to have a good time. Josie, Cherry, and Sally head to Port Clinton’s great Walleye Dr... Nancy Drew Nancy Drew really caught the eyes of young viewers. The Suspense from certain scenes really kept the audience on the edge of their seats! The movie had a modern touch to the classic Nancy Drew. Emma Roberts is an inspiring star and is admired through other shows such as the hit sitcom "Unfabulous" o... New Season of SURVIVOR and GREY'S Last night I satisfied two of my guilty T.V. viewing pleasures.  I started the evening off with Survivor Gabon while tackling the massive stack of ironing that is threatening to take over my laundry room.  We have the usual cast of characters, a couple of older people, the woman a nurse,... Nights In Rodanthe If you’re familiar with author Nicholas Sparks (Message In a Bottle, The Notebook), you know an adaptation of one of his novels is going to be more character-driven than action-packed. You also know that you should come to the theatre equipped with a couple of tissues in your pocket for the surrep... No Reservations The latest Catherine Zeta-Jones movie, No Reservations, is an entertaining film for a fun evening with the girls, or maybe a lighthearted date (if you can talk your significant other into it), but it’s one of those flicks that will be “here today, gone tomorrow” in my opinion. Catherine’s character... Once Upon A Time...   Looking for a love story that doesn’t fit the normal Hollywood mode?  Once is one of those movies that remind you that the re-discovery of hope is one of the most important moments in our lives.  While it never really made it into the mainstream, it sweeps into the hearts of those ... Pastime  Pastime is another in Robert B. Parker’s series of mystery novels featuring his likable, Boston-based private eye, Spenser.  You might remember this character from the 1980’s T.V. show, in which Robert Urich played Spenser. Anyway, Spenser is back again, this time revealing some bare bones i... Quantum of Solace  Before I begin, I’ll tell you that I have read several reviews of the newest James Bond film, Quantum of Solace, and the best were rather lukewarm in their reception of the flick.  When a guy I met at a party recently asked me if I’d like to see this most recent Bond, I went more for the ch... Shoe Addicts Anonymous As you might have guessed from the drawing on the front page, I am a book lover. I don’t need a snowy night and a roaring fire to curl up with a good book. I just love to read. This little spot on Grapevine will be devoted to books, the good, the bad, my favorites and I hope yours as wel... Shoot Him If He Runs My friend from work has been giving me books again, so I have a whole array of new authors to try.  He likes mysteries, same as me, but his are generally of a more masculine bent. My first pick was Shoot Him If He Runs, by Stuart Woods.  Mr. Woods apparently has a recurring character na... Silk Road  I love to go to used book stores and browse through the aisles. Mostly, I enjoy knowing that I don't pay a lot for any books purchased here. I found several this time and my first pick was,  Silk Road by Jeanne Larsen. The beautiful cover of Silk Road caught my eye with its Chinese... Sisters, By Danielle Steel  Several friends recommended Sisters to me as a good “lounging by the pool” reading choice, so when we decided to make our Labor Day trip to Las Vegas, I went out and got the book at the second-hand bookstore. I started to read the book on the plane ride, and had to stop when I began to get tears ... Smart People  Last weekend I went with two friends to see Smart People, the new Dennis Quaid/Sarah Jessica Parker film.  I was looking forward to the movie, as I like both stars, and thought with would be an amusing romantic/comedy. What a disappointment this dull-as-dishwater attempt at filmmaking was!Wh... Some Like it Hot-Buttered  This book by Jeffrey Cohen,  is one of the funniest mysteries of 2007. Elliot Freed owns a small movie theater in New Jersey that only shows comedies. One of his customers is found dead following a showing of Young Frankenstein, and the police begin to investigate. It turns out that the man w... Something Borrowed By Emily GiffenThey’ve been best friends since grade school, but Rachel and Darcy are now in love with the same man.  Rachel knew him first and was convinced that she wasn’t good enough for him so she introduces him to Darcy.   Darcy has always been the pretty one, the one who ge... Step on a Crack I Just finished another James Patterson mystery, Step on a Crack This one was written with Michael Ledwidge, and introduced a new character, Mike Bennett. Mike is a NYPD police detective—with a twist. He’s the father of ten, that’s right, ten young children, all adopted, and of all different rac... Still Waters Don't Necessarily Run Deep I just finished Still Waters, a romance/mystery by Tami Hoag, who has authored more than a dozen novels in this genre. I had heard the name, but she was a new author for me to read. My book of choice is generally something that is a light, fast-paced read, as most of my reading is done while worki... Stone Cold Is a Hot Read! In David Baldacci’s Stone Cold, Oliver Stone is leader of The Camel Club, a group of inconspicuous and unlikely gentlemen keeping track of the secret workings of the U.S. government in a low-key manner.  Oliver’s rather murky background hints at secret agents and espionage, but his current li... The Almost Moon This book surprised me. Maybe it won’t surprise those of you who have read The Lovely Bones by the same author, but it sure made an impact on me. If you have any dark thoughts that you would rather not bring up, i.e abandonment issues, alcoholism, rage, or perhaps killing your mother, this may not... The Almost Moon  I just finished reading the latest novel by Alice Sebold, and if you have read her other books (Lucky and the best-selling The Lovely Bones) you will know that nothing she writes ends up being what you thought it was going to be when you started readingit. Her Latest,  The Almo... The Best Life Diet This is the time of year that we swear we're going on diets, and that we're going to look our best by spring.  Most of us fail...miserably.  In keeping with the tradition of New Years Resolutions, my book review for the week is on one of my favorite self help books. The Best Life Diet&... The Books of Christmas Past Instead of writing a book review, I’ve decided to do something a bit different.  I’m going to outline a plan to help you rediscover your Holiday spirit.  Listen up, this is a fun task!  Remember when you were a kid?  I know, I can’t remember that far back either, so… lets prete... The Bourne Ultimatum Once again, in The Bourne Ultimatum, CIA assassin Jason Bourne seeks to find his real name and true self, a quest beginning with The Bourne Identity and continuing in The Bourne Supremacy. Through a series of flashbacks, Matt Damon, reprising his role as Jason, begins to recall how a CIA experiment... The Bucket List The Bucket List is a film I thought I’d probably see sooner or later. A few of my friends had been talking it up, but frankly, I couldn’t have cared less about it. It seemed like it would be a real “downer”, a tale of two cancer patients who made a  list of things they wanted to do befor... The Darkest Evening of the Year  I recently read a novel by a well-known author, Dean Koontz, but it was the first time I had actually read any of his work.  Again, a friend lent me The Darkest Evening of the Year, and upon reading the flap, I was not particularly anxious to begin, as the main character, Amy Redwing, was des... The Happening  M. Night Shyamalan has directed many movies that fans and critics alike have all buzzed about:  Signs, The Sixth Sense, The Village, and now  The Happening.  My friends convinced me to go watch this movie, as I had seen the trailer and thought it seemed much too creepy for me. ... The House Bunny I am a fan of the E channels, Girls Next Door Series; so when they went on hiatus for the summer, as did everything else, I was bored with my viewing options. Then came the previews for a new movie called The House Bunny starring Shelly, actress Anna Faris (My Super Ex-Girlfriend, Scary Movie 4, J... The Innocent Man I recently read The Innocent Man – Murder and Injustice in a Small Town, by John Grisham. Although you may recognize Mr. Grisham’s name from his many best-selling fictional thrillers (The Firm, The Pelican Brief, A Time to Kill, etc.), I believe this is his first work of non-fiction. In somewhat... The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull I am a big Indiana Jones fan, and was eagerly awaiting the new Indy film, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.  So, as you might expect, I took advantage of the long holiday weekend to catch the flick. Having just watched the earlier Temple of Doom installment on T.V. a week o... The Kommandants Girl Set in WWll era, a young, newly married, Jewish girl, Emma, with the help of false papers provided by the Jewish underground, assumes a gentile identity and works for a high ranking Nazi Official.  Her life is changed immeasurably the evening the Nazis invade Krakow, Poland. Her husband becom... The Last Victim In Glen Ross A young woman is found in a graveyard in this first mystery by M.G. Kincaid, which is set in Scotland. Though the woman doesn’t seem to have ties to the community, it quickly becomes apparent that her death is related to a suspicious death in the village’s past. The book is a good read with lots of... The Nanny Diaries I have a couple of girlfriends from college who live in town.We keep in touch and meet for dinner or drinks a few times a year. One is engaged, and going to be married next year. The other is happily married with one baby. While we don’t have a lot in common anymore, and we’re not BFF’s or anything,... The Odd Thomas Series I definitely do not like to read thrillers or even watch scary movies. I like my beautiful manicured finger nails too much. So,reading something from Dean Koontz was a little out of the norm for me. I like to be entertained, love to laugh, and am the queen of escapism by imagining what the writer is... The Scent of Murder I just read a great chick-lit mystery this weekend, and of all things, it was written by a man. Jeffrey Marks' novel, The Scent of Murder, was recently re-released by Delphi Books with a bright new cover, but the same humorous main character and funny situations. Marissa Scott is the department he... The Second Time Around Mary Higgins Clark’s mystery, The Second Time Around, is the story of Nicholas Spencer, founder of Gen-stone Corporation, who has gone missing.  Everyone loved and respected Nick, until they found out that millions of dollars of shareholder money disappeared along with him.  And what was... The Year of Magical Thinking A personal memoir from an extraordinary writer,The Year of Magical Thinking is not for the squeamish. Joan Didion lived through great personal tragedy, involving both her daughter and husband. In her effort to deal with these two occurrences, she fell into a stage she named “magical thinking” wher... There Will Be Blood Do not see this movie if you hate the sight of gore, because as the title suggests, there’s plenty of it. I sat in the front row, and more than a few times I had to cover my eyes, although it was done to further the storytelling, so I can appreciate director P.T. Anderson’s choice of images. ... Top 5 Fall TV Shows For Women Thank heavens for fall. The leaves are changing colors, the weather is getting cooler, and the Fall TV show line-up is back in session! We have been waiting almost an entire year (remember the writers' strike and the dry spell of only reality TV shows?) for these shows to come back, and they have ... Top Ten Christmas Movies This time of year we’re typically bombarded with new Hollywood blockbusters.  I don’t know about you, but the ones that have been released this year don't exactly put me in the Holiday spirit.  I’ve decided to do something a little bit different this year.  Instead of going to the&nbs... Trouble in Bloom Trouble in Bloom is the fourth book in the Nina Quinn mystery series by author Heather Webber. Nina is the owner of Taken by Surprise, a landscaping firm that specializes in one-day surprise makeovers for the yard. Something like Trading Places for the outside of the house. The books, set in Cinci... Vantage Point Imagine that the President of the United States is in Spain for an international Summit on terrorism.  As he is making his initial appearance, in a square crowded with thousands of spectators, shots suddenly ring out, and the President falls.  This is the setting for Vantage Point, the... WICKED Wickedly Entertaining!!! While we don’t have a place on the site strictly for theatre reviews, I just had to tell you about my new favorite musical of all time! The story of the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda The Good Witch, before Dorothy and Toto blew into Oz is an imaginative and highly e... Willful Creatures  Usually I’m not a fan of short stories. Then I picked up a copy of Aimee Bender’s book and fell in love with her way of writing. Unlike other collections, I felt each story was complete, and also contributed to making the book connect as a whole. You will love being able to read each story in a s... Fashion (Style, Clothes, Apparel, Shopping, Fashion, Designer, Coats, Dresses, Purses, Bags, Shoes, Heels, Pumps, Winter, Fall, Spring, Summer, Runway, Model, Macy’s, Saks, Gap)  Green, It's the new black!  Is your New Year’s Resolution to be more Eco Friendly in 2008?  Then check out this sexy "Green" couture.  A lot of us are making changes in our daily lives including recycling, carpooling and using public transportation, using energy efficient products in our households and even making c...  March Matrimony Madness Article 1 of a 5 Part Series Statistics show that December is the most popular month for men to take a knee, propose their love, and offer a small velvety box filled with every woman’s dream. Combine that with the magic of Cupid’s arrow, and there are sure to be many happy and glowing young l... ...And Some That Should Die On The Runway I in no way call myself a fashion expert, but my friends sometimes say I am obsessed. So you can imagine how excited I was to view the designers collections from this year’s Fashion Week in New York. I don’t know about you, but when I watch fashion shows and see pictures of runway models, there ar... 2009 Inauguration Delights & Disasters  I was on the WWD site last week just catching up on the latest fashion trends and gossip, when I came across an article discussing Michelle Obama’s style and possible wardrobe for the events of the 2009 Inauguration. Apparently, there is a big debate about what our future First Lady will wear to the... 40+ Fashion  I’ll be the first to admit that getting older isn’t easy. Looking back, I remember how I would wish to be older, first 16, then 21, then 25; funny how after 25 I wanted to start counting backwards in an attempt to never reach 30. Needless to say that wasn’t a realistic option, and the beginning stag... 5 Fall Trends To Update Your Wardrobe Now that the fall season is underway, it’s time to start sorting through the new trends to find what works for you. To make your quest a bit easier, we’ve put together a list of our Top 5 Trends to update your wardrobe in an instant. 1. Buy Something Menswear-InspiredWhether you opt for a shrunk... After Christmas Shopping Christmas is long gone! Are those gift cards burning a hole in your pocket yet? Well, don’t just sit there. You must have the computer fired up or you wouldn’t be reading this. Let’s start shopping! No need to get tangled up in that traffic at the mall. You can sit in your own home and shop to y... All Sorts of Shorts  It’s just not summer without shorts.  This season offers shorts that range in length, trendiness, and sophistication.  So you’re sure to find a flattering style to keep you looking your best on those hot summer days. Short “Short” shorts are any design that hits above mid-leg.  Thes... Beauty and the Beach It's not too late to be thinking of the beach. With the hot weather around the country this year, we should have some extended beach time, or you may be lucky enough to already be planning for that winter vacation at the beach.For those of you who have looked at your beach bag and thought, why am I ... Bitter Bridesmaids I was in Cincinnati last week visiting my dad and picked up a copy of the local weekly,The Downtowner, and got a laugh out of the photo on the front page. A local charity is having a fundraiser called “Bitter Bridesmaids.” It is actually a pub-crawl and you are to wear an “old bridesmaids” dress whi... Business Travel - How to Guide These days, more women are traveling for business, and since we StyleBakery girls are always on the go, we thought we’d share some hard-earned tips for fellow female travelers. The essential goal is to travel with ease while trying to make life away from home more comfortable. It all starts with a... Celeb Style Snapshot  Starting her film career at the age of nine months in the shared role of Michelle Tanner on the hit television series Full House, Ashley Olsen has been in the public limelight all her life. Using her (and Mary-Kate’s) influence, she first expanded her talents into the fashion industry with clothing ... Coature  Grapevine will show you how coats become more than simply outerwear this season in Thursday's Get This Look. Trend Resources: Doneger Group Autumn/Winter 2008/2009 Image Resources: Style.com; neimanmarcus.com; vintagesewing.info ... Cold Weather Accessories If you’re anything like me you love the fall, watching the leaves change and enjoying the cooler weather that’s perfect for roasting smores around a bonfire. With that said, we all know what comes after fall…WINTER, the below freezing temperatures, the scraping the frost off your car in the mornings... Dress to Impress Article 5 of a 5 part series Whether it’s a close friend, family member, or you’re someone’s date, weddings are the perfect combination of love and entertainment.  However, this excitement can take the back seat to unnerving thoughts of being over or under-dressed.  And whether you want t... Energized Earth  Experience all the hues of mother nature at her best this Autumn.  Deep gem tones mixed with the shades  of changing leaves.  Grapevine will show you how to keep your style in tune with nature in Thursday's Get This look. Trend Resou... Eyes For 2009 I just stopped by the pharmacy and picked up a great new product from Almay www.almay.com -it’s a line of eye makeup for different eye colors, including brown eyes, which happen to be my color! You can choose to play up or bring out the eye color, and the line includes mascaras, eye liners and eye s... Fall Trench Coats A trench coat can keep you warm & sexy, read our how-to guide. We love the trench coat- it’s timeless, chic, and comes in a million varieties. We got together at Grapevine last night and decided it would be fun to round up our favorites to share with you. If you want a great and easy to wear sty... Fashion & Appearance  In 2006 the Association of Fashion Designers of Spain set weight standards for models in an effort to improve the image the fashion industry portrayed along with the models’ health. The banning of models from the runways with an unhealthy BMI struck the fashion industry by surprise, and put a spotli... Fashion Alert: Unique Vintage  I’ll admit I’m addicted to the red carpet; I had my DVR set a week in advance to record the Golden Globes. I’m not really interested in all the celebrity gossip and who’s dating who this week, but when it comes to celebrity fashion, I’m a fellow fashionista that can’t seem to get enough. As th... Fashion Do's & Don'ts We’ve all been there before; caught in the middle of a fad gone wrong. With all the emerging trends and fashions available today, it is hard to choose the right ones to follow (and follow them correctly). Below are some examples, good and bad, of what I have observed this season. I’ve made my opinio... Fashion For Women With Curves  Almost every woman enjoys shopping, but we all have our moments of frustration. Whether we have a particular style in mind and can’t find it in any of the stores, or one of my personal favorites, we find the perfect outfit, but the department never seems to have the correct size, or everything we tr... Fashion From The White House Regardless of one’s political stance and thoughts about the upcoming election, we can all agree when it comes to sophisticated fashion. Michelle Obama has had her share of the limelight throughout her husband’s presidential campaign during the past six months. As a potential future First Lady, she... Find Your Fabrics & Pick Your Prints Tired of thumbing through your closet seeing the same bland prints, colors, and fabrics?  Need a break from the ordinary?  Well, these spring and summer trends for 2008 are sure to add a little pizzazz to anyone’s wardrobe. I know what you’re thinking, “I’m not wild about being covered h... Fun and Impressive With the help of Liv, this week I've put together a look that is sophisticated, yet unique and trendy. Our inspiration was to find an outfit that could look professional at work, was affordable for those of us on a budget,and was something we could easily accesorize. I started with a simple jacket a... Get Outfitted For Summer To many, women and shopping go hand in hand.  Although many women may enjoy shopping, and putting together stylish looks may come as second nature; for some ladies it’s hard to know where to begin.  So this article will focus on the key elements of an ensemble:  bottoms, tops, shoes, ... Girl On The Go By StyleBakery.com Your holiday weekend getaway is just a few days away and you can’t wait to let your diet lapse, eat good food, sleep late, shop ‘til you drop and perhaps catch some rays. But suddenly you feel nervous. Why? Because you’re unsure what to pack. Packing doesn’t me... Give What You Would Love To Get Are you are stumped on what to get your honey for the Holidays? You can never go wrong with Cashmere. Cashmere sweaters, scarves, gloves and wraps are great gifts for anyone on your list. I did some early shopping this year and picked out some warm and cozy cashmere items for some of the special peo... Go Couture Yourself! This Couture Is Juicy! Juicy Couture, sold in upscale department stores like Nordstrom.com and Saks Fifth Avenue, is a contemporary line of casual clothing that is sexy, luxurious and fun. The line was started in 1997 by two women from Pacoima, California. What started out as a t-shi... Go Wide By StyleBakery.com It still may be hot outside but fall fashion is officially here and the girls at StyleBakery.com could not be more excited. With many trends to choose from, we’re deciding what we will and will not be wearing (there’s always at least one trend we steer clear of). Denim is al... Handbags Are you having trouble finding the perfect handbag?  There are so many choices, but a really good handbag is expensive and an investment purchase. The big bags are in style this year and while they are terrific, they are not for every one.  I’m 5’5” and have a relatively small frame &nb... His Christmas List  When it comes to buying for the men in your life, whether it’s a brother, father, boyfriend, husband, or other male relative on your seemingly never-ending list, if you don’t even know where to start, Grapevine has some advice. Stick to three categories: toiletries, clothing, and toys. He is bound t... Holiday Parties  Once the holidays roll around it seems there are endless invites to parties and work functions accompanied by the million dollar question of what to wear? I personally feel that deciding on an outfit for business gatherings is the hardest; you want to dress appropriately for your position while look... Infatuation Come back Thursday & get the dish on how you can be pretty in pink in Grapevine's Get This Look section.  Trend Resources: Doneger Group Autumn/Winter 2008/2009 Image Resources: Style.com; romantic-tips.com; flickr.com; fyi.gmblogs.com; don... Kiss Winter Dryness Goodbye  Winter’s breezy and cold conditions leave skin feeling rough, itchy, and the most annoying, flaky. How is a girl supposed to look and feel sexy with flaky, dry skin? Don’t worry, with Grapevine’s help your skin will stay smooth and sensual all winter; just use these ultra-moisturizing tips and produ... La Femme  La Femme clothing will be featured in Grapevine's Get This Look article on Thursday!   Trend Resources: Doneger Group Autumn/Winter 2008/2009 Image Resources: Style.com; Fashion.about.com; wedding.blogdig.net... Lisa Kline on Celebrities, Style, & More   What do I love more than Chocolate or Jimmy Choo’s?  Boutiques!  One of my FAVORITE boutiques is Lisa Kline, based in L.A..  Apparently I’m not the only one who loves Lisa Kline because the store has a HUGE celebrity following. Some of her famous clientelle are stars like... Look Great in '08 Spring & Summer Styles to Heat Up Your ClosetWith the first month of the new year behind you and the cold weather lingering, what better way to warm things up, than to focus on spring and summer trends?  The popular fashions for 2008 offer a variety of looks that are sure to fit every woman... Maids & Mothers Article 3 of a 5 Part Series  So now that you’ve got some tips for finding your gown for your special day, it’s time to make the lovely ladies that will be standing by you look beautiful.  First, we will address the common myths of choosing bride’s maidsattire. BRIDE’S MAIDS MYTHS •&nb... Make Mother's Day Special  With Mother’s Day approaching, the task of selecting a gift that’s perfect for mom begins.  In my opinion, a great Mother’s Day gift should be something that rewards her for all her work, understanding, and love.  It should be an item or items that she would consider a “splurge.”  If ... May Flowers  As the saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers.”  This is the month where beautiful blooms begin to show intermixed with the lush greenery, so let’s rejoice in all the vibrant colors and floral prints for summer.  Floral motifs are great due to their versatility; they can be abstract... Mod Pop  If you're a fan of Pop art then you'll love this color scheme for autumn. Thursday Grapevine will show you how to add artistic expression to your wardrobe in the Get This Look section.   Trend Resources: Doneger Group Autumn/Winter 2... Model.Live Vogue magazine and IMG have decided to jump on the reality TV ban-wagon. Like its fashion series predecessors, Project Runway and America’s Next Top Model, Vogue and the fashion and media departments of IMG have partnered to create a reality series about the fashion industry, Model.Live. Three Vogue... Morrison & Me I have to admit I like shopping, but I love shoe shopping.  There is nothing better than spotting the perfect shoes through a store window and deciding to treat yourself.  Whether my taste that day favors ballet flats, wedges, or pumps, I enjoy the routine of trying on a bunch of styles an... Perfect Perfumes Personalized fragrance is a great idea that I love. If you haven’t heard about it, it’s a fun experience where you can mix and match different essences to create your own perfume. There are places to visit where you can create your own body wash, lotions, and any number of products. I like to stic... Refined Simplicity Simple is no longer boring.  Let Grapevine show you how subtle is chic this season in Thursday's Get This Look. Trend Resources: Doneger Group Autumn/Winter 2008/2009 Image Resources: Style.com;  Composition in Red, Blue, and Yellow 1937-42 ... Ring In The New Year In Style Are you ready to leave 2008 behind and start fresh in the New Year? Well wherever you’re celebrating make sure you look your best. Liv, Shannon, Raqui, and I are spending the remaining hours of 2008 at the New Year's Eve gala at The Drake. The night will be filled with dinner, dancing, and celebrati... Sexy Swimwear It’s just not summer without laying on a chase lounge beside the pool soaking up the sun, or taking a quick dip in the cool refreshing water after a long week at work. And as with anything else, you want to look your best and show off your style. This summer you can find the perfect suit to flatter ... Shoes For Every Occasion There are so many different styles of shoes on the market, so not surprisingly each style caters to a different function.  Believe it 0r not, there are many more decisions to make besides heel height and color.  Find out now in our Shoe guide.  Some people may feel that shoes are a wo... Shoes That Give You a Boost I read an article in the New York Times a couple of weeks ago about “The Power of the Stiletto.” However since I work from home, I am usually wearing a flat or wedge heel. I did notice that when I go to a business meeting, I do usually wear a higher, thinner heel. For some reason, it makes me feel m... Shoes, Shoes, Shoes... If your shoe closet looks like this, then you will most definitely understand where I'm coming from!Have you ever had one of those shopping days when absolutely nothing works? Raqui and I hit the Magnificent Mile here in Chicago yesterday and it just wasn’t my day. The mini-dresses were “too mini”, ... Shopping Smart Take advantage of all these winter sales! While shopping at the Gap.com may not be all that adventurous, you can find some nice outfits that are easy to piece together and will look classic. Of course, we all know NOT to go with the outfit that is on the mannequin! You can be a little more im... Sole Searching How can you make your old favorites look new again? A new pair of shoes, of course – and a girl can never have too many. This fall, there are so many trends to choose from which makes stepping out in style easier than ever. Top trends include: MARY JANE: This classic school girl style is updated wit... Suit Yourself! For fall and winter the suit is back and is as powerful as ever! This time with a little curve appeal. Designers have taken the typically boring women’s suit and spiced it up a bit with 40’s inspired designs. Forget about all of those boxy, unflattering suit jackets and pick something with a bit ... Summer Sale Shopping What girl doesn’t love a bargain? We love getting a good deal and telling anyone who will listen about our “bonus.” Dinners, lunches, and party conversations are regular folly for a game of wardrobe compliments and, “You won’t believe I only spent…” But before you get overexcited with end ... THE DRESS Article 2 of a 5 Part Series   When looking for your wedding gown there is one rule to remember; there are no rules! Your wedding day is the one event where you can choose to portray yourself however you wish. You can be the fairy tale princess, tiara and all, the glamorous and chic bride i... The Holiday Party Style Guide Caution! Do Not Stand Directly Under Mistletoe! Dressing Like This, Will Surely Get You Kissed! We've searched high and low to pull together the best Holiday party looks of the season.  We're covering the big Three: Office Parties, Family Parties, & The Casual Holiday Party with Friends. ... The Juicy Couture Lover's Wish List  Christmas is rapidly approaching; do you have your Christmas shopping done? Have no fear, Grapevine is here to help. This holiday season it seems like everyone is trying to have a great Christmas with less cash, and you’re in luck, great deals on holiday gifts are hiding in the Grapevine Mall. Che... The New Luxury Luxury goods often come with a high price tag and convey a sense of scarcity and status; hence their title. Luxury has taken on many different roles over the past few decades. There was the BMW and Mercedes, the Rolex, Louis Vuitton luggage, Manolo Blahnik stilettos, Coach and Dooney & Bourke ha... The Plaid Fad We're Going Mad For Plaid!Here at grapevine we do our best to keep you updated on the latest style tips and what’s hot in the fashion world. This time around we’re featuring PLAID! Plaid, is one fad (we’re sorry, we’re poets and we know it!) that we hope sticks around for a while. We all remember... These Boots Are Made For Walking How many Grapevine readers are like me; once winter arrives my feet are ALWAYS cold! I’m sure I can’t be the only woman that dreads having to put away her cute pumps and wedges when the cold weather appears. I mean it’s not a matter of “Oh it’s winter, I can’t wear a peep-toe or strappy pump now (be... Thrifty Shopping  If you’re like me, and love shopping, the state of the economy recently has put a damper on my “shopping splurges.” Now my shopping habits have been reduced to more “window shopping” than anything else. But that gets a little depressing sometimes too, because I’ll find the perfect outfit, but when I... Tiffany & Co. vs. EBay Tiffany & Co., a luxury retailer known for their extravagant jewelry in the coveted little blue box, filed suit against EBay concerning the sale of unauthentic merchandise under the Tiffany label. Tiffany & Co. blamed EBay for the posting and second-hand retail of goods that were alleged Tif... Treat Dad Right Need some gift-giving ideas for Dad’s upcoming day? Our variety of affiliates offer a wide range of clothing, fashion accessories, and other merchandise to fit the bill. With whatever you choose, give dad style and accent his personality this Father’s Day. Brooks Brothers Give Dad a casual c... Trend Watch There are a few general characteristics of summer-wear. For example, a typical fabric for the summer season is cotton. Cotton and other natural fibers allow the garment to “breathe,” which is especially important in the mist of hot, humid temperatures. Another basic is lightweight fabrics. These mat... Vera Bradley Summer Essentials You can’t walk down the street and see a quilted handbag in a colorful print without thinking, “Is that a Vera Bradley Bag?” Known for their functionality, quality, and exclusive designs, Vera Bradley has become a benchmark in the handbag and accessories market. From their varying styles, sizes, and... Violet Veil Over the next 8 weeks Grapevine will bring you the chic fashion trends for this Autumn & Winter. Be sure to check the Get This Look column every Thursday, which will feature styles available at the Grapevine Mall to create all your fashionable looks for fall. ... Warmth You Can't Resist Have you read Tamika’s tips on buying a coat for this winter? She found some really cute styles at very affordable prices. She also inspired me to take a look at my own coat wardrobe and it definitely needs a little freshening up. I love this red Charles Nolan. It reminds me of something Audrey ... Wedding Accessories Article 4 of a 5 Part Series  As it seems the “To Do” list is slowly diminishing, let’s move on to the reception and last minute tips and trends. Let’s Eat – There are many choices when it comes to catering your reception.  You may choose to have a sit-down dinner, buffet, or array of a... What To Get Your Man Now everyone knows teddy bears, candy, and lingerie are usual gifts a woman might receive for Valentine’s Day, easy right? But the trickier task is picking the right gifts for the man in your life on this Sweethearts’ holiday. I’m not saying that he doesn’t like chocolate and he isn’t going to think... What's Your Tee Say About You? When you look in your closet, what do you see?  I think for most of us jeans, hoodies, and T-Shirts probably dominate our casual wardrobe.  What started as standard underwear for American soldiers during WWI, the T-Shirt, has transitioned throughout history from risqué outerwear, to a symb... Which Boot Are You?  Grapevine Fashion Consultant Leanne Raye Cook... White Woes When summer hits the urge to lighten and brighten your wardrobe often follows shortly after. If you’re like me, you find yourself looking for the quintessential pants or capris that announce summer’s arrival, emphasize your lightly bronzed skin, and look chic with your peasant tops, floral button-do... Winter Work Wear The colder weather makes most of us want to put on a comfortable pair of jeans and a soft sweater or large hoody, and curl up on the couch with a good book or watch a Lifetime movie marathon. Unfortunately, that is a luxury confined to the weekends, because during the week we all have to work and ou... WoMEN's World Thursday Grapevine will show you how to add a touch of menswear to your closet.  Read Get This Look for the scoop on trendy tailored suits and men's inspired styles for fall. Trend Resources: Doneger Group Autumn/Winter 2008/2009 Image... Get This Look (Fashion, Clothes, Style, Cheap, Work, Business, Shopping) 10 Hot Items for Winter Under $100 Here are 10 great must have items for this Winter. Click on an image to shop all these items under $100! 1. For a versatile, black winter dress that can be dressed up or down for work or for holiday parties, check out this Lily off Shoulder Jersey Sheath Dress from Nordstrom. 2. To stay warm a... 2008 Grammy Looks You Can Have We loved these looks from the Grammys!  Now you can look like a star with our own picks!                                      ... 5 Tips for a Chic New Look You know the moment. You shell out good money for a haircut, only to look in the mirror and see something that is the opposite of what you wanted. My poor friend was just telling me she spent $150, and got talked into a hairstyle which can only be described as the dreaded “femullet” (a mullet for wo... A Very Juicy Valentines Day Tired of the same old flowers and chocolate? Don't want your sweetie to shower you with useless gifts?  Then tell him exactly what you want!  Here are a few of the juiciest items we've found for Valentines Day.   I love this double breasted patent leather trench. It loo... Accessorize Your Workspace Even though I love my job, the usual nine to five routine does get old from time to time, especially when I’m in between projects. Don’t get me wrong, running Grapevine is my pride and joy and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. But sometimes sitting in my office I feel so blah, and now that winter a... Accessorize Yourself The past few months have been quite different than what most of us are accustomed to. With unemployment rising and stock market stats looking more like an unstable roller coater as the weeks pass by, many of our habits have been altered. Six months ago you might have gone to the mall or visited your... Affordable Fall Trends Alright girls, so how did we do last week? Were we all able to pull together something to impress the superiors? Last week’s look was good for making a first-class impression on the boss. This week I want us to try and find something that is still office appropriate, but also young and trendy.... All In One Make-up Kits For Busy Women I love new products that make my routine in the morning a little easier. I keep all my make-up in a drawer at home, and most mornings I have time to put on a little concealer, mascara, and lip gloss. Sometimes though it just happens that there is no time for anything, and doing my make-up is the las... April Showers April showers bring May flowers.  But until then, why not look fashionable while trying to stay dry.  With these key accessories you’re sure to stylishly splash through the puddles. RAIN COATSStay dry and loking your best with trendy trench coats from Macy’s and The Gap.  Price rang... Armani Exchange Get cooler looks for summer from Armani Exchange. During their great sale, try bright colors, metallics, and unique materials. GO BOLD Get this sassy coral bubble dress. Its soft and drapable silk, makes this piece luxurious. The contrasting silk belt is detachable, but I suggest wearing it to t... Aromatherapy Many beauty products have some scent that makes them unique, and many claim that their scents will “energize” “calm” or “rejuvenate”, among others. I personally am a huge fan of what my ex-boyfriend called “smelly stuff” that goes on my skin. The one that makes me feel the best is a Lavender Body ... Bare It All With temperatures rising (along with humidity), this summer is going to be hot, hot, hot. Keep your cool with styles that show off your sexy shoulders, shapely legs, and that gorgeous tan you’ve been working on.   Focus on tops that accent your shoulders. These shirts are great becau... Be My Valentine It’s February and everyone knows what that means…..Valentine’s Day is coming. Maybe you’re a guy who thinks the day only exists to make you spend money on cheesy displays of your affection, or you’re a man that understands Valentine’s Day is a day to show your significant other they’re not taken for... Be the Star of your Holiday Party Do you know what my favorite part of the Holidays is? It's the parties! I love getting all dressed up and agonizing over finding the perfect dress and shoes to match. Spending hours getting ready to go out and mingle with friends, family and co-workers sipping on Champagne and egg-nog. I am getting ... Beautiful Nails Trend Alert! Trend alert! There is a dazzling new display of new nail polish colors, ridding us of the days of black and matte colors which were trendy with celebs lately. To go along with warmer weather, make a trip to the nail salon to get a manicure and pedicure with these new fun and stylish colors:   ... Bluefly Bags Visit Bluefly and catch their great designer handbag sale! A large variety of totes, hobos, and wristlets are 40%-50% off. Choose high-quality leather styles in trendy shapes to kick-off your fall fashions.               Some of my favorite bra... Chic Fall Fashions Click on an item to shop this "Look of the Week" Alfani Modern Tweed Jacket from Macy's Cha Cha Vente Puff-Sleeve Scoop-Neck Top from Macys Wardrobe Stretch Denim Trousers from Nordstrom Betsey Johnson 'Charm School' Black Heart Earrings from Nordstrom Franco Sarto 'Fresca' Pump ... Coature Coats! Looking for a trendy way to keep warm in the upcoming chilly months? Check out the Grapevine Girls' styles. If you love the way your trench fits you, try a belted or double-breasted shirtdress style.   Key Fabrics:  Plaid, leather, and houndstooth. Key Looks:  double-breas... Create A Look With Less One of my mottos in fashion (and life) is to always get more for less. And you’d better believe with the current economy I’m sticking to that rule more each day. But I’m still stylish, and you can be too. With a few simple tips you can create a variety of looks with just seven components. o Pick... Defining Femininity  Let your feminine side shine this season. Be the girly girl in ruffles, ribbons, and bows,  looking chic and refined.   This autumn/winter find the latest trends at Nordstrom.com!  Admire the styles of Gabby, Liv, Shannon, and Raqui, and make them your ... Different Climates, Different Products  When I travel somewhere with a totally different climate, sometimes the beauty routine I’m used to just won’t cut it. I went to Miami a few weeks ago, and my poor pale skin didn’t quite know what to do with all that sunshine! Here, I came up with a few tips to get you through a major climate change,... Do it Yourself Beauty Treatments Bored on a rainy Saturday? Take a look in your fridge, pantry, and medicine cabinet to create some pampering skin care products. I decided last weekend to make a mask out of some frozen strawberries and honey, which made my skin clear and smooth. Here is the recipe, and also a few other natural idea... Environmentally Friendly Beauty You’ve changed your light bulbs, you use recycled paper towels, maybe you even walk more rather than driving everywhere. But have you considered going green when it comes to your hair and skincare? There are really some great hair and skincare lines out there that are organic and environmentally fri... Eyebrows 101  If you’ve looked in the mirror and noticed that your eyebrows are looking less than fantastic, let me tell you a few tips for making them look groomed and gorgeous. Waxing your eyebrows can be painful, but it’s usually the most popular way to have it done. Also, a professional will usually be bette... Fall Coat Guide Hi, it's me Tamika and I am back. Sorry, last week was a little hectic at work. I had a new trainee at the Bank. Anyway, the weather is turning cold and I am loving it! I absolutely love the fall and I am especially excited about the fall coats this year. Coats can sometimes be the most difficult pa... Fashion Watch:  Lafayette 148 One thing that always lifts my spirits is going shopping. It’s funny, but I don’t even have to buy anything; just browsing the racks looking for new styles seems to alleviate my stress from work, relationships, and life in general. Last week while I was passing through Saks on one of my stress-relie... Fight The Frizz & Win  Of course you can’t tell from my illustration on the website, but I don’t have the greatest hair. I have lots of hair, but it is very fine and has some damage from the many color changes I have tried over the years. Lately I have noticed that it seems a little frizzy on the ends and that it doesn’... Four Scents For The Holiday Season The other night I was getting ready to go out for some drinks with Gabby. I had my hair and make-up fixed, and just finished adding some jewelry to my skirt and blouse ensemble. I reached into my vanity drawer to grab some perfume, and with a few quick sprays I would be ready to go. Except I had for... G By Guess Now that it is officially summer and the warm weather seems to be here to stay, it’s time to slip into some spaghetti strap tops and sandals. This summer wear white it will enhance your skin tone; whether you have a slight summer glow or a Bahama bronzed body. Your summer look can be creat... Get Comfy With Chadwick's  Depending on where you live, your summer can range from hot and sticky, to muggy and miserable, to just the right amount of sunshine and a warm breeze. If you’re lucky you get to enjoy more of the latter, but in all varying degrees of summer one important factor is comfort. For a relaxed and sporty ... Get Punk'd Punk fashion started in the 1970’s as a rebellious and confrontational style that protested various stereotypical ideals of the era. This genre of fashion was highly influenced by British music and the designs of Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren. From anarchy symbols and deliberately offense gr... Gift-giving Made Easy One of the biggest dilemmas at Christmas is not only what to buy, but who to include on your Christmas shopping list. The obvious recipients are family and close friends, but what about co-workers, clients, or a new acquaintance? Once you finalize who will be receiving your generosity this season, y... Glamorous Hair          Still trying to decide what to do with your hair for that black tie New Years Eve event?  Well Sit Back and Search no more, we've found the perfect look for any formal celebration, from New Years Eve and beyond!  ... Gossip Girl Since its debut in 2007, Gossip Girl has been setting trends for young women. The series is centered on the drama and extravagance of very wealthy teenagers. To many the sitcom might not seem much different from its predecessors 90210 and Clueless. However, the impact the series has had on retail ... Hoist The Colors High I’m sure most people are like me and don red, white, and blue in the spirit of Independence Day. Well this year is another to follow the tradition of proudly sporting the American colors. Whether you wear one color or all three, the important thing is that you enjoy your holiday (in style). Tops ... Holiday Hair & Makeup Your new dress, pumps, and jewelry that you ordered from Grapevine.com have just arrived. You try everything on and it all fits and looks perfect…BUT there is something missing. Your hair and makeup! Our partners  bluefly.com and beauty.com are here to provide us with ... Hoodies It’s always hard to dress for the weather that comes at the end of summer and before autumn. Mostly I think my problem is not wanting to give up my capris and tank tops for corduroys and sweaters. Another dilemma is trying to decipher the weather; is it hot, warm, chilly, and what do you do if the d... Hot Holiday Accessories - Trendy and Thrifty With all of the Holiday spending that goes on this time of year, who ever has anything leftover to buy a few things for yourself in order to keep up with Winter Trends? Well, the way we see it, you can do one of two things. 1) You can add a few trendy winter accessory must haves to your Holiday ... Jeans Looking through my closet I probably have at least 10 pairs of jeans (not including the pairs in the laundry). Jeans have become a staple in every woman’s wardrobe. They’re the perfect match for bumming days in a T-shirt and tennis shoes, outings with the girls paired with a tank top and flip flops,... Kohls Need a few trendy outfits for summer? Check out Kohls, they offer clothing and shoe designs by apt. 9, axcess, Croft & Barrow and Vera Wang. These design labels have styles that transition well from a casual day with friends, to work, to a night out. This summer choose shades of brown and c... Lafayette 148 A few months ago while in Cincinnati, OH on a business trip for the bank, I attended a Lafayette 148 fashion show at Saks Fifth Avenue. It was quite a pleasure to escape from the business world and into the realm of fashion for a few hours. Lafayette 148 is one of my favorite brands, and any opportu... Last Minute Valentines Gifts! Oscar-winning director, writer and producer, Francis Ford Coppola, loves creating. Not only are the wines produced under his direction, but as an avid cook, he has created "Mammarella," a line of authentic organic pastas and sauces honoring his mother, Italia Pennino Coppola. Included in this packag... Liz Claiborne Sometimes the best time to shop and find great new looks is during a sale. Liz Claiborne is having an amazing clearance event with up to 75% off selected styles. Check out LizClaiborne.com for great sale and everyday deals on fashion favorites for summer! Printed Empire Tee $35.00 This ... Looking Fab in your Winter Layers   There are many things that I love about the winter, but picking out an outfit, is not one of them. It is really difficult to feel sexy in the winter. The lack of sunlight and warmth may be bringing down our moods, but so are the often unflattering winter clothes that we are forced to wea... Lounge Around I’m sure for most of us that looking fashionable at work and when we go out is important. But what about looking good while you sleep? Most likely style takes a backseat to comfort, as you don an old T-shirt and a pair of gym shorts before catching your nightly zzzz. But why not look great wh... Madonna Madonna’s high success in the music industry made her a cultural icon of the 1980s and early 90s.  From her roles in movies, to her music videos; her style greatly affected fashion trends then and still has a presence today. Accessories • Bangle braceletts• Long necklaces with cros... Make It Pop With Color  I'm sure not many of us want to look like we have walked out of a Warhol painting, or that we are trying to bring the neon 80's fashions back into style. However, it's ok to be bright this fall, and Grapevine is going to show you how. Tip #1:  Choose a brightly colored handbag. Often, a l... Make Her Holidays Sparkle The old saying goes, “diamonds are a girl’s best friend,” but with the current economy it’s probably hard to fill your special lady’s stocking with a diamond chocker or ring. Don’t worry; your gift doesn’t have to be diamond encrusted to show her you care. In fact, you can find great deals on neckla... Make-up Tips 1. Unconventional Moisturizer If you can never remember to buy moisturizer, or put it on in the morning before your make-up routine, use conditioner. Most conditioners are designed to moisturize your hair and scalp, so why not your face? Rub a small amount on your skin and rinse; you’re not stuck w... Masculine vs. Feminine Go for a more masculine look this fall. Pair slim trousers with vests, cardigans, and tailored blazers. Keep a hint of femininity with soft blouses, neck accents, and pink accessories.Buy Shannon's style with just a click of your mouse, or mix and match the pieces to create your ... Must Have Accessories for Summer Start your summer off right with trendy accessories that showcase your style.  This summer, your shoes, purses, and shades are key items that can make your look HOT HOT HOT! Wedges & Platforms- Strut your stuff in simple canvas wedges paired with a jean skirt, or patent or plaid sling-bac... Nature's Best Now that Fall is here, the time has come to put away the summer tees and shorts, and start dressing for the autumn weather. Embrace the hues of the changing foliage, and add emeralds, chocolates, and burnt reds and oranges to your wardrobe. Gabby’s Look -Coat: This cotton twill coat is machine w... Nordstrom Winter Necessities Cooler weather is here to stay and dreary winter temperatures are right around the corner. Over the weekend I was not pleased when I dug out my “winter” clothes to do my seasonal reorganizing. I have a good assortment of winter weight dress pants and a few basic skirts for work and my weekends, but ... Old Navy; New Styles Classic Don’ts: What’s wrong with this picture? Half the battle in shopping is finding garments that will look flattering on your figure. However, sometimes identifying the looks that are not flattering is just as helpful. If you can make a mental list of certain proportions or styles to avoid, yo... Our Favorite Trends It is the first month of a new year and the first month of a whole new you…right? Well maybe not a whole new you, but you can change your look to feel new. Not quite ready to try a new hairstyle or makeup application? Then venture beyond your comfort zone this year and try some new fashion choices. ... Pamper Yourself This Weekend  Long weekend?  Going to be bored?  Why not papmer yourself!  Try these easy to use, at home products.  You'll be silky, sexy, and smooth before Easter weekend is over!   The bliss six pack.  This is the same stuff thats hoarded by guests at the famed W Hotel. Ou... Pick Your Passion  Whether it's a pink shirt to add to your favorite black suit, a sexy red dress and stilettos, or a pink plaid blazer for the office, you can find what you're looking for at the Grapevine Mall and our Favorite Places. This week's Get This Look features the latest Infatuation favorites... Raqui's Face Favorites - Eyes As a makeup artist, I am constantly BOMBARDED with clients begging me for my secrets.  They plead, "Raqui, you make me look SO good, what do I do when you aren't around?"  Having been around the 'beauty' block a time or two, it seems as though I've tried, or at least heard about, thousands... Roberto Cavalli Look Want to get a designer look at a fraction of the price? Not all of us can afford Zac Posen or Blumarine on a daily basis. Or how about this Roberto Cavalli 'Chine' Printed Flutter Sleeve Top for $985.00 and this Roberto Cavalli Stretch Cotton Skirt with Belt for $990.00? It is a gorgeous outfit an... Sending Undereye Bags Packing I was sampling products yesterday at a Body Shop in the mall, when I noticed a woman who was trying out some of their eye treatments. I have never used anything under my eyes except for a daily moisturizer, so I wandered over to see if there was anything I might like. What I found was a huge selecti... Sephora Specials  I was going through my planner a few days ago and realized not only is Christmas less than two months away and I have yet to start my shopping, but I have three birthdays to buy for in November! Luckily two are girls I work with and the third is a friend that lives in my apartment, all of which love... Sexy Summer Dresses This summer stop ‘em in their tracks with fashionable sundresses from Nordstrom.  Choose from a variety of designer styles that will take your look from dated to delightful.  Key details for summer are:  bold colors, eyelet fabrics, belted designs, and shirtdresses.  Check out my... Sexy Summer Hair You’re in your villa… getting ready for a day in the sun on the beach, you’re wearing a sexy Armani swimsuit, you’ve applied an even layer of sunblock,  put on your hot little D&G shades, have a pitcher of Sangria, and a beautiful umbrella to block those dreadful rays.  You’re all read... Shine Like a Star! So...you want to capitalize on the metallic trend without looking over the top?  Then let us help.  1) Less Is More-  Don't try to wear all of your metallic items at once!  Accessorize with a bag, scarf, or jewelry. 2) Shoes- A shiny pair of shoes will spice up any boring ... Shop Like The Grapevine Girls This fall go causal chic with apparel from Gap. Sweater dresses, cardigans, scarves, and tights are popular items that can be combined with basic pieces to add modern flair to any winter wardrobe. Check out Gabby, Liv, Shannon, and Raqui’s fashions for the autumn season. GABBY This ensemble is a... Spa & Salon Wish Grapevine would like to welcome Spa & Salon Wish to our team of affiliates. Spa & Salon Wish offers services and merchandise that make perfect gifts for friends, family, and even yourself (because we all need a little pampering). My top choices are shown below and are great for the occasions... Spa Treatments For the ultimate in relaxation, every woman knows you just can’t beat a massage. The staff at a day-spa or a destination spa can provide just about any type of service you want, from a Swedish massage to deep-tissue to stone massage. Spa-treatments have been on the rise in the last few years, and y... SPF Protection for Summer  Summer is here, plants have all started coming back to life, little creatures everywhere are waking up in time to enjoy the beautiful weather.  The sun is shining brighter and hotter every day.  It's now time to throw on that bikini and head the nearest beach or pool to get your tan on. W... Sweaters for Every Occasion This year it’s all about knits. Knit dresses, knit tights, knit tops, knit sweaters, they are all out there to keep us warm and cozy this fall. The sweaters this year are wraps, chunky and warm. When it is cold outside I love to cuddle up on the couch with a big cozy sweater and a good book, o... Tailored Chic Gabby, Shannon, Liv, and Raqui show us how simple does not have to mean boring. Choosing styles that have clean lines not only creates a flattering appearance, but also allows the wearer and their beauty to be the focus; uninhibited by any distractions. Here are a few tips to create this ... The 'Little Black Dress' Goes Black and White As long as I can remember, I have always loved 'little black dresses'.  I slip one on and immediately feel great.  Not much in my wardrobe is easier.  There is no 'piecing together' a skirt and top, no belt to add; and pulling accessories is always a cinch.  There has been a 'lit... The Makeup Show!  Sephora brings us an amazing little (BIG!) makeup palette that features the latest and greatest in this season's shades.  If it's been a while since you last bought new makeup in the latest shades, I suggest investing in this great all-in-one set.  You'll be able to create... The Ultimate Jeans Guide Hi, Tamika here. It was such a beautiful fall weekend that I decided to spend some time walking outside. On my walk, I noticed that the top pick for the casual Saturday morning attire was of course, denim jeans. I also noticed that sooo many women (younger women particularly) were silently screaming... The Von Furstenberg Look For Less Diane Von Furstenberg has done it again.  This time she has introduced a great 'Safari Chic' look, adding bold colors and brilliant designs.  But what else comes along with the new DVF line?  High Prices!  Not everyone can afford to spend $400 on a trend item that may not be ar... Timeless Style A watch is a necessity, and if you’re like me, forgetting it in the morning leaves you feeling off all day. But watches are also an accessory that is often underestimated and forgotten when it comes to style. Rather than being just a time-telling band on your wrist, a watch can convey your sens... Tory Burch If you’re looking for effortless elegance and a touch of the islands, then the Tory Burch Resort Collection is just what the doctor ordered. Inspired by Polynesia and easy island dressing, you won’t have to take a vacation to enjoy this collection. Timeless pieces like frayed jean shorts and silk su... Valentino for Valentine's Day Do you have a special evening planned for Valentine's Day and want to dress to impress? A romantic evening out for a special occasion is an excuse for a new dress if you ask me. This hot look by Roberto Cavalli will surely grab you some extra special attention. How... Violet Veil Varieties  This season fashion is saturated with lavender, plum, and super-charged violet. Purple tones are blended with hues of red giving a bolder than usual appearance, making your clothing, accessories, and yourself stand out. This shade exudes confidence, prestige, and elegance. Choose a variety of piec... Grapevine Exclusives (Sale, Discount, Grapevine, Deal) Cyber Monday   20% OFF CYBER MONDAY @ LUGGAGEONLINE.COM 1 Day Only! 25% off Absolutely EVERYTHING at Soma.com! Use code 7123 at checkout. Offer valid 12.01.08. Offer Valid Online Only.  Free Basic Shipping on All Orders at Soma.com. Offer Ends 12.01.08.  Get 40% Off at Lucky Brand Jeans o... Deals of this Week    ... Exclusive Offers Here are a few of the latest and greatest deals from our affiliates at Grapevine.com.  Not only will you save money from not driving to the mall, but you'll also get some great deals through our Grapevine Exclusives program. Shop Away!-Gabby, Shannon, Liv & Raqui ... Hot Deals ONE WEEK ONLY! Get FREE Shipping @ Sephora on orders of $35 or more! Enter code SHIP35 at checkout! Ends 2/20 ... Huge Savings at the Macy's White Sale  Hurry and shop now, the White Sale ends 1/13.    ... Special Promotions Hurry and catch these great offers!!  Save time, gas, and money; shop online at our Favorite Places and the Grapevine Mall. Shop Away!-Gabby, Shannon, Liv & Raqui IRV'S LUGGAGE Receive up to $100 Rebate Back on your Purchase of Andiamo Valoroso or Bravo Luggage! Also on Sale! Shop b... Warm Up With Hot Deals From Lisa Kline! 20% off all purchases at lisakline.com Hollywood celebs like Eva Longoria, Jessica Biel, and Tori Spelling flock to Lisa Kline for the latest and greatest in fashion from hot designers like Rory Beca, Splendid, Primp, and More!  From now until March 31st use promo code INSTYLE08 to reciev... Win Holiday Cash! Congratulations to Stacey from East Chicago as she is the first winner of the Grapevine Holiday harvest. No to worry, THERE IS STILL ANOTHER CHANCE TO WIN!!!!! We will be picking another winner on November 30th. Make sure to tell your friends to sign up because if we reach our goal of 1,000 new u... Home () Gabby Gets Organized The weather has been so warm here in the Midwest this year that I am a little behind in moving from my summer to my winter wardrobe. Although many clothes are now trans-seasonal, you still have to store those sandals and sundresses and get out the boots and sweaters, particularly here in Chicago. ... Test Article Test Article Text... Interior Design (Design, Decorate, House, Furniture, Paint, Decorations, Home) [Article Title] What to do with that extra room. Do you have a room in your house and you just can’t figure out what to do with it? Most likely it is functioning as a storage room for furniture your also not sure what to do with. When I was growing up my parents had this room in the front of the house which was the... art video ... Jack & Gabby () As Stubborn As A Mule  Thanks Gabs, Sara Pallin is a bad joke on competent women... she’s the girl that real women could learn to hate, always skating by on thin credentials, double-talk and that little coy, come hither manner. I don’t have to attack her husband... they will both implode in the next 7 weeks.&nbs... Jack & Gabby On The Economy So Jack, If you are into investments, I guess current market conditions have you a little “frazzled.”  Not to worry though, John McCain says the fundamentals of the economy are sound.  I guess his money is safe.  Can you offer any advice to the rest of us poor benighted folks who do... Jack & Gabby  Jack, No one can ever say you don’t have an opinion.  Why don’t you tell me how you really feel.  I, of course, have some comments, but first, there is no “me and the girls,”  I would be happy to introduce you to some of my friends.  They are bright, intelligent women with... Jack's Back...  Gabriella,I was pleased, but not surprised, to get your note.  I’d be happy to help you out.  You obviously don’t have a lot of “male influence” in your life and I’d be happy to provide it.  Just a few general observations:  I think Grapevine shows some promise, but I have some... My New Neighbor Did I mention that I have a new neighbor?  His name is Jack Kellogg and thankfully he does not live on my floor. Actually he is only two floors down and he seems to know exactly when I will be riding the elevator because I am always running into him.  Jack seems to have an opinion o... Putting Him In His Place  Jack, So what “all male” ticket do you like? Is there any woman who could meet your criteria as leader of our country?   I’m sure you do eat 7 nights a week… alone probably. I’ll tell you what, if you ever find yourself with some leftover pasta and want to discuss business, give ... Reaching Out To A Pig Jack,Ouch!  Guess you’re not a fan of Governor Palin.  You not only dislike her, but are now attacking her husband.  What has he done to you?  I’m not actually a fan either, but I dislike her politics, rather than the woman herself.  Surely you won’t be down on the... The Latest From Jack  Sweetie, Your husband must have been a patient Saint ! You’re so  angry!  What happened, did he run off with somebody else ? What do you do, exactly? Is Grapevine a college hobby or something you do to fill your days ? Did you ever work ? As to your current Brad-Boy, I’m not intere... The Misogynist Pig Jack, I would say you have a lot of nerve, “sweetie,” but I really don’t know you well enough to know if you are just rude or if you are truly a misogynist pig in wolf’s clothing. Yes, I was married, for ten long years, to another of “your kind.”   My friends and I don’t feel the need to... The War of the Sexes Sorry Gabs, I call everyone “Sweetie”….and I should have recognized that a woman of your high quality comes with a Maintenance Manual….and I really should have read it thoroughly. I will be more careful about these really important issues in the future.And, I’m sorry to have touched the Prickly Pear... Lifestyle () 'Whittle the Middle' with Whole Grains  I don't like my midsection.  If I put on five pounds that's where it goes.  If I lose five pounds it comes off my already too minimal butt!  I work out pretty regularly and do alot of situps - but I also have too much sugar in my diet.  I don't have a real sweet tooth but I recen... 3 Things Every Woman Should Know Last week I started working out with a Trainer at the gym. I usually like doing my physical activities outdoors but the weather is turning cold so I will have to get my exercise inside. Because I usually walk around the gym clueless, I thought it best to sign up with a trainer so I could get a worko... 7 Mindless Ways To Burn Calories We busy women don't always have the time, energy or desire to hit the gym after (or before, or in the middle of) work. Between managing families, careers, personal lives and social calendars, getting in workouts can feel like an impossible feat. Not to mention, sweating off the pounds is often the l... A Christmas Tradition We have a Christmas tradition at our house. When the kids are getting ready for that load of new toys that will be coming from Santa, their grandparents, aunts and uncles and others who realize just how adorable my kids are, they have to take some time to get gifts ready for others as well. Ever... A Hauntingly Healthy Halloween When I went to the eye doctor today, there was a big Halloween bowl with tons of candy. I was hungry and they had both of my favorite kinds. I then went to the bank and they also had that cool Halloween bowl that says “Have a piece” in a scary voice. I was having trouble resisting. With Halloween ... A New You, Naturally Does spring give you “fever?” It’s just so natural.And it’s also a scientific fact:  energy levels surge in us when spring arrives. The eyes are where it starts,  naturally reacting to the lengthening daylight, and triggering hormonal urges.So while guys’ fantasies are turning to love, cha... A Pill A Day  An estimated 33 million adults and children worldwide were living with AIDS or H.I.V. in 2007. With approximately 2.7 million new infections and 2 million deaths annually it is clear that the AIDS and H.I.V. epidemic is not a factor of the past, but a very prominent issue of the present. Recent st... A Plateful of Chemicals One of the fastest growing trends in food these days is the organic foods market. There are whole stores dedicated to organic foods, and even Walmart is going green by providing foods that have been grown without chemicals. It's a rather daunting task to remove all the chemicals from your food and... A question for Gabby Dear Gabby: My mom is getting older, and I went back to visit her during the holidays. Usually mom is an immaculate housekeeper, but her house was nothing like it used to be. Dirty dishes were everywhere, and the place was filthy. Not just a bit dirty, but “hadn’t been cleaned in months “dirty.... A Stressful Work Environment  One of the hardest parts of life is dealing with stress in the working environment. It is something we feel we just don't have control over, making the anxiety even worse! While technology has made aspects of many jobs easier, it has also added to the concerns of office-life through information over... Adopting a Pet When I volunteer at the animal shelter, one of the most exciting times is when one of our pets is adopted into a good home. I love seeing a well matched pet and family. A lot of times, people will come in and not have a clear idea of exactly what they want in a pet. That’s where we come in. There... Back to School Hey Gabby, this one is on time (almost)!  It is hard to believe that school starts in a little over a week! The girls found out their class lists today. Lindsay is so happy that her BFF is in her class and has heard great things about her teacher.   Emma on the other hand is not so... Beautiful Bunny Baskets  Easter and spring break… Two fun times for children, but one hectic week for adults.  Are you having trouble keeping your kids occupied?  Have you tried everything that you can think of to get them away from the TV and video games?  Well we have the solution for you. It’s bunny basket... Beautiful Skin In The Winter  I love my skin in the spring; loathe it in the winter. As it turns colder, I have been noticing my skin starting to change in its usual way, so this season, I’m going to try a few things that will hopefully help. If you have skin like mine that gets washed out, dry, and pale in the winter, here are ... Big Boy Bed Maddie e-mailed me today with the news that her “baby,” Nick is moving into his “Big Boy Bed.” Nick is 2 ½ and his e-mailing skills need a little honing, but with his mom’s help, he managed to send me a picture of his new bed and his sports bedspread. Nick loves baseball. He has since he was six ... Black Friday Soon Thanksgiving will be over and you'll have enjoyed turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, and a delicious assortment of pies and pastries; what to do then? Walk it off and finish (or start) your Christmas shopping. Get up early for a full day of bargain hunting on Black F... Brainiacs Is there such a thing as brain food? Can pills make you smarter or is it like Cher used to say "If it was a pill, everyone would do it."? Here are a few supplements and recent findings on their impact on brain function and memory. • Aspirin: Maybe, for women taking 162 mg a day, arterial aging... Breast Cancer Awareness Month This month I felt that it was important to write an article about what women should know about breast cancer. Why we should be aware of it, preventative actions we can take to protect ourselves, signs and symptoms to look for and different organizations that we can turn to. I found it absolutely d... Breast Cancer Charities Although it seems Breast Cancer receives the most attention in October, due to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the charities that support this cause work year round to help prevention, treatment, and cure of this devastating disease. Throughout the year charities, like the Susan G Komen, Dana-Farbe... Career Guide For WAHMs I was reading a recent post on twitter, which said "a SAHM wants to be a WAHM." I thought those were the strangest acronyms, and quickly goggled them to see what they meant. SAHM means Stay at Home Mom and WAHM is Work at Home Mom. So who are the WAHMs? The most famous has to be Angelina Jolie, an... Cervical Cancer My friend from work just came back from getting her yearly check-up at the gynecologist and they told her she had to have a small cyst removed. I hope she'll be all right. I really wanted to write this and remind all of you women out there to have a yearly exam regardless of whether or not you have ... Change Your Body NOW! Getting in shape is much like walking down the street in a sexy pair of stilettos: It might be a bit uncomfortable, you may stumble a few times, but in the end you’ll look amazing and feel great about yourself. I've discovered an idiot proof method to getting in shape without sacrificing all... Choosing Wedding Wines My wife’s cousin is getting married soon, and she asked me to help her plan the wines for the reception. She mumbled something to the effect that she didn’t want to be too embarrassed to make eye contact with me if the wines weren’t good, so would I please pick them? Naturally, I said I would, but h... Clean or Carcinogenic  I was recently surfing the Web for interesting health and fashion topics for Grapevine when I came across a very interesting article. Have you ever thought that the clothing you wear could be harmful to your health? When I’m thumbing through my closet trying to decide what I’m in the mood to put on ... Dance Your Way to a Smaller Size... If you’re bored with your current workout routine, I want to recommend something to you that I love. I’ve studied dance whenever and wherever I can, and tend to use dance as my workout. Jazz is my favorite form, but I also enjoy ballroom and salsa dancing. Even dancing at the clubs can help you burn... Decorating for Halloween I’m not one for over decorating on the holidays. However, I think setting out a few inconspicuous festive pieces is fun and will help you get into a hauntingly good mood. I got a little tired of using my traditional pumpkin candle holders and fall colored leaf wreaths; so I gave them to Raqui for he... Diet & Diabetes In earlier articles I told you all about my recent diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes.  Until I was diagnosed, I was blissfully unaware of how many people are afflicted and how they manage the disease.  It’s definitely not good news to find out that you are diabetic, but it’s not earth-sh... Do More with this Christmas Decor  Tired of your traditional Holiday Decorations? Here are 5 ways to spice it up a little bit making those old decorations feel like new! 1. Christmas Ornaments – Not just for hanging on the Tree. No doubt you have way more Ornaments than your tree really needs. Rather than overstuff your tree, use... Dogs In Danger I am an animal lover and a complete advocate for adopting animals from shelters. We all know animals that are being held in shelters all have an expiration date so to speak. Meaning, they only hold them there for so long before they put them down. This is a real issue because there are too many anim... Dont Only Appluad The Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon gets more adulation than it ought. I’m not suggesting that it is overrated. It is the most dependable red wine grape when it comes to producing great wine, and it can produce great wine in a wide range of climates and in a wide swath of real estate, but it is ubiquitous. Its paren... Eating Healthier For the record, technically, negative calorie foods do not exist.  Just think how weird our nutritional facts would look with a (-) sign before the contents.  However, there are a lot of very healthy food choices that are ultra low in calories.  Often times, the calorie absorption for... Eating Healthy Shannon: I have found with my busy and often sporadic schedule, it is difficult to have the balanced diet you read about in all the magazines. I bring this up, because today, I was at my doctor's office, and happened to be thumbing through an old Cosmo. It had a little quiz on how good your diet is... Eating Together What were your family meals like when you were a child?  Did you have the idyllic “family meal” where you all sat around the table and told each other about your day? Did you argue about whether you ate enough to have dessert? Sit as a sullen teenager because you had to spend time wit... Extra room?  Make it Livable! Do you have a room in your house and you just can’t figure out what to do with it? Most likely it is functioning as a storage room for furniture you're also not sure what to do with. Here are some ideas of how to make that extra room functional. 1. Give the kids some space to play with this kid fr... Fall & Family Fun The fall is here and with the colder weather it doesn't mean the fun has to stop! Parents need to get creative and find activities that can entertain the entire family. Fun activities for the whole family can be found in any location and for any age. It is key to find "kid friendly" anytime options.... Fall Harvest Centerpieces  Autumn decorating has been a tradition for years.  Personally it is one of my favorite times to use natural items in decorating.  Just a simple walk in the woods with a basket will typically yield plenty of items to use in your latest decorations or projects (grapevine,gourds,berries,leave... Fashion Fights AIDS   Trends in the world are not always positive.  Case in point, the HIV/AIDS epidemic that started in the early 80’s, although seemingly controlled in the United States, is still plaguing our culture with an estimated 40,000 new infections every year.  Even more disturbing, 50% of the n... Fighting Colds Without Hitting The Drug Store You know the moment - you feel the back of your throat start to scratch, your nose feels stuffy, and your sinuses are begging for some attention. Here it comes. The weather changes and some germ has gotten the best of you. You may be feeling the beginning stages of a cold, but don't rush off to the ... Florals to the Rescue! The weather has been very cold and very wet in Chicago this year and I’m afraid I’ve got a bit of cabin fever! This used to drive Eric crazy when we were married and I have to say I don’t blame him, but I just can’t seem to help myself. When it is gray and gloomy outside, everything inside ... Flu Shot Or Not? It's about the time for the yearly flu shot marketing blitz. You'll hear that everyone should get a shot from the very young to the very old. However, a number of recent studies have shown that most healthy adults don't need to get a flu shot. People over the age of 65 should get one, as the risk of... Fun Family Activities for Summer Summer is creeping up on us and will be here before you know it.  For those of you with kids, the idea of being able to get them outside again without having to dress them in layers of clothing is a welcome thought. Why not start thinking about fun summer activities now, before summer... Gastric Bypass and the Consequences  In one of those stories that just proves that if it's easy, it must have a catch. Now doctors are saying that patients who undergo weight-loss stomach surgery have a higher death rate than the rest of us. The problems don't stem from the surgery itself, but rather from health problems that come with... Gayle's Picks I was looking through the Grapevine mall today to get some ideas to update my winter wardrobe. The clothing selections are gorgeous, but many don’t really work for someone past the first blush of youth or whose dress size is into double digits. So, I asked Gabby if I could search out some fashion id... Get Your Walk On The biggest misconception about exercising, striving to be healthier, and losing weight, is that you need expensive fitness equipment and miracle diet plans.  Yes, for some these options may fit your lifestyle and budget.  However, for me, two words stand true, simple and inexpensive. ... Getting Back Into The Swing of Things Hi Gabby! It's hard to believe that I finally had the time to sit down and write to everyone. The girls are at school and Nick is taking a nap! AHH finally, peace and quiet. The first week of school was great. Thank you to all who wrote in with suggestions on what to do about Emma’s class assi... Going Veggie  Some of my friends follow vegetarian diets, and I’ve always wondered if it would be difficult, or what exactly the nutritional benefits are behind it. I got together with my friend at work to talk to her about “going veggie.”We discussed the pros and cons of it, and also the misconceptions about bei... Good Night, Sleep Tight  In our fast paced society and daily lives, it seems like there are never enough hours in a day.  So it’s no surprise that sleep is often sacrificed along with healthy eating habits, and replaced with energy drinks and fast food.  At the time, irregular sleep patterns and a double espresso ... Half Full or Half Empty? If you’re like most people, you have probably been in the bookstore and noticed the abundance of positive thinking books. I picked one up yesterday, Norman Vincent Peales’, The Power of Positive Thinking and it peaked my interest about the subject. I have always been wary of people who are... Halloween Traditions Now that October is well on its way, and Halloween is just a few weeks away; do you ever wonder why we celebrate Halloween the way we do? Why is the holiday characterized by ghosts, witches, pumpkins, and best of all candy? Well this Halloween I decided to get the scoop on the costumes, trick or tre... Have The Power To Save The World  I am sure you have heard Kermit the Frog sing, "It's not easy being Green," and I have to admit, it is not. There is usually one time a year, April 22 or Earth Day, that I set my resolution to maintain and upkeep my part in going green everyday. It is now September and my color is far from even a sl... Have Yourself A Healhty Little Holiday... We all know that December is more than just Chanukah or Christmas.  There is shopping for presents, looking for decorations, work parties, fun parties, getting a tree, writing holiday cards, getting a holiday picture taken etc... With so much to do, it is easy to forget about exercise or even... Healthy Dogs For many of us, pets are a big part of the family.  Most pets are nurtured and adored as if they were little furry people. Just like their human owners, dogs are eating better and living longer. As a result, these older pets sometimes have the same aches and pains that humans do. One of ... Healthy H2O There has been a major turn toward healthier living in the past five to ten years. Following this trend many beverage and food companies have produced products to promote a healthier lifestyle. We’ve all seen these products in the aisles at the grocery store: low calorie snacks, foods with 0 grams T... High Priced Health Foods I’m sure many of us have heard about the obesity epidemic plaguing America.  According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 66.3% of Americans 20 years of age and older are considered overweight or obese.  36% of children ages 6-19 fall into the overweight category as well. &... Holiday Gift Guide Who is the hardest person on your list to buy for? Every Holiday Season many of us run into the same issue, what to buy for the men in our lives who already have everything! For me, it’s my father. If he wants something, he will go out and buy it himself. And if he doesn’t have it, he doesn’t want i... Holiday Time Management The holiday season tends to be stressful for most people. If you’re like me, I have to plan and organize the meal, location, and meeting time for my side of the family, mail my Christmas cards, determine an itinerary for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas that accomplishes visiting all the r... Homemade Holiday Gifts If you are anything like me, time is short, money is tight and the extended family has almost doubled in size from last year! Homemade gifts are perfect and you cannot go wrong with a food gift. A really fun idea is to make presents and cards into one by making them in the shape of gingerbread man c... Hot Drinks For Fall  Baby It's Cold Outside! That's right, the weather has definitely shifted from the hot summer nights to the cold winter days! Let's surprise your taste buds with the most delicious and soothing warm winter drinks for the season. For those that feel naughty go to these traveling hot spots to warm ... How To Live Healthier With Acai Berries  On the heels of The Today Show, The CBS Early Show and Oprah's confession of her love of drinking the Pure Acai Berries, Grapevine has decided to investigate this berry, and why it is all the rage in the news. So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let's start this Berry Juice information from the t... Immortality In A Bottle It seems anymore you can’t turn on the TV or flip through the pages of your favorite magazine without reading about some age defying, life prolonging concoction.  Whether it’s a face cream, strict diet regime, or the latest pill, we seem to be obsessed with the endless search for youth.  O... Inspiration For All  With the New Year beginning, everyone has set their resolutions, and considering it’s still early on in the month, I’m sure we’re all keeping them.  But as time rolls on, I know from personal experience, my resolutions often get tossed aside; how about yours?  Have you ever thought about h... Internet Safety Day In honor of Internet Safety Day this coming Sunday, I contacted the creator, Brian Rice, and asked him to give us hardworking, busy parents a  few tips on how to keep our children safe online. -Liv Okay Mom – between balancing the needs of your family and life, you probably haven’t taken the ... It's the Most Dreadful Time Of The Year...  Oh, the holidays - the most wonderful time of the year. We're  surrounded by loved ones, holiday spirit is everywhere and the  seasonal joy we're all feeling is enough to last us through St. Patrick's Day.  Or is it?  For some, the holiday season isn't so happy and wa... Keep Your Ticker Ticking Want to keep your heart healthy? Be aware of your eating habits. A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that those who are NOT 'eating competent' or knowledgeable about how their hunger, appetite, and eating habits work with the body's natural ability to prese... Keeping Off The Holiday Weight  The biggest holidays of the year are just around the corner so don't ruin the holiday cheer by worrying about your weight and what you eat. I have to say I have that extra 5 lbs from the last few holidays still weighing me down. This year I am destined to gain another 5, that is, if I don't stick wi... Kiss Me Deadly Why does looking good always seem to be bad for you? Now some cosmetics safety groups are saying that lipstick can be dangerous for your health. They claim that certain shades and brands of lipstick contain potentially dangerous levels of lead, a metal tied to a number of nervous and brain disorders... Little Indulgences I know that being a banker may not sound like an exciting or stressful job, but believe me, we have our moments.  We have just completed a merger with another bank and I was feeling completely overwhelmed.  I mentioned my problem to my long-time friend Veronica and she gave me some helpful... Living The Green Life  One of my New Year’s resolutions this year was to make an effort to live a more environmentally conscious life.  Not only is it good for our planet, it is now cool to be green!  Since I have been doing some reading on how to incorporate more green into my own life, I thought I would share ... Losing Weight With Water  Whether your weight strategy is carbs and no fat, or protein with few carbs, there is one thing you must plan with every meal… water! Don't roll your eyes at this, but in order to lose weight you have to drink water. From Weight Watchers to the Atkins diet (and all other diets in between) drinking t... Martial Arts To most people, these terms sound like they could be appetizers on your local Asian restaurant menu. But, to a growing number, these are just a few of the instantly recognizable and increasingly popular selections in the cast array of martial arts; they are the methods of self-defense, of mental a... Mediocre Breast Cancer Detection   As women we have all endured the annual visits to the OBGYN that entail less than comfortable equipment and procedures, but it has to be done. Although I am only in my mid twenties, I still try to be aware of my health risks for various feminine diseases and cancers. I don’t know if I didn’t pay as ... Memories in Music I drove home to see my mom and dad over the weekend. Thankfully, dad was having a good day (he has Alzheimer’s), but last weekend was almost like old times. He was sitting in a chair on the porch humming a tune as I walked up on to the house. What’s that song, dad? I asked. It sounds familiar.... Missing Great Friends Hi Gabby, I sometimes envy you and your friends. Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful to have such a wonderful family but I miss great friends like yours. It seems that when you have parent friends your relationships are always at least a little mired by your children. When you are friends with co-w... My Christmas Tree Have you put your Christmas Tree up yet? Are you one of those people who puts your tree up early and takes it down right after the holidays or are you still hanging the tinsel on Christmas Eve? Do you decorate a live tree or an artificial one? Whether it’s real or fake, they all have one thing in co... My life with kids Hi, I’m Maddie, Gabby’s big sister.  I live in California and have 3 kids, Lindsay and Emma, 8 year old twin girls and Nick who is 2.  Gabby thinks that my past experience as a Montessori School teacher and school principal give me some great insight into how to deal with children.  I... Natural Remedies A study of 21 women in Isparta, Turkey, found drinking two cups of mint tea a day reduced the hormone’s impact and lessened hair growth. The study was instituted after finding that many men who drank spearmint tea lost their libidos, something to remember for those more persistent suitors. Perso... New Mommy Slim-down So the nine months of swollen ankles, an aching back, and not being able to see your toes have passed; what about those lingering pounds that didn’t disappear in the delivery room.  As a new mother you are faced with the predicament of choosing exercises you are healthy enough to perform, and f... Over Scheduling As a volunteer for Reading to Kids, I get to talk with a lot of parents about what their kids are up to. It seems as if everyone is overscheduled these days, including our kids. Of course, we want them to have every opportunity, and I think that it’s admirable to want that. Although I wonder how a c... Pajama Day We are having a great fall. I love my cooking class and have found some really wonderful new dishes that even Nick will eat. The girls are getting used to school and are really starting to excel... Nick loves the library story hour and swim class. Today is PJ day at school for the girls. I ha... Pink October October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and although none of us wants to think about it, it is probably in the back of the minds of all women most of the time. Most of us know someone who has had breast cancer. Many of those women we know are survivors, but unfortunately, we also know ma... Planning for Halloween Hi Gabby- I have to confess I still love Halloween! I think about you and remember how much fun we always had trick-or-treating! I got the kids pictures taken in their Halloween costumes today. I love how cute they look in their costumes. It is also nice to avoid the December rush by getting t... Recycling It seems we have been hearing about the green house effect, green house gases, the depleting ozone, smog, and pollution a lot over the past ten years. I’ve never really been one to pay much attention to all the talk. It’s not that I didn’t see any truth in it, I just didn’t realize how much of a dif... Regional Wines Compete With Best I have gotten to know many winemakers over the past 14 years that I have been in wine, and they comprise a fascinating fraternity of men and women whose agency it is to turn a process that any eighth grader could choose as a science project into something majestic that can hold the attention of mill... Relax A Little 1.  Listen to Music When you feel anxious and stressed listening to your favorite CD helps.  We all have that one artist or album that puts it all into perspective.  Many of us even have specific CDs for certain moods.  Figure out what mood you’re in, pop in the correspondin... Resolving Not To Resolve What is often never kept, there is usually a new one every year, and is generally something we develop to better ourselves? Yep, you guessed it…the never completed, often duplicated New Year Resolution. The following is the official transcript from my last New Year Resolution (and the way I suspect... Smile Pretty! Hi, it’s Gayle, Gabby’s mom again. I don’t usually write in this space, but my daughter wanted to relate this story to you and she is laughing so hard at my expense that she can’t seem to type. You would think that a woman with a daughter who is a technical wizard would pick up a little technical ... Smoking  Nowadays, it seems like you can’t turn on the TV or flip through the newspaper without being confronted by a new sickness, disease diagnosis, or yet another food, habit, or environmental hazard that causes cancer. It is discouraging to say the least when one is left feeling so many factors are out o... Spring Into Outdoor Entertainment We are pretty much into the heart of winter now and all I can think about are the patio parties we are going to be able to have once the weather starts to get warmer. Getting a little tired of being cooped up inside made me want to write about what I most look forward to in the Spring, Outdoor Enter... Spring Planning For Summer Vacations  We all know the old cliché,”the early bird gets the worm”.  In this case, if you are traveling with children, it rings true!  While summer may seem ages away, it won’t be long before you are putting away the winter coats and sweaters. If you start planning now, there are many ways that you... Start Now To Save Your Sanity Where has this year gone? I can’t believe it is already the beginning of October. Believe it or not, the Holiday Season is approaching quickly. I thought I would give a little advice to those who are busy around the Holiday Season (i.e. Everyone!). It may seem a little early for this but the one thi... Starter Pets As we all know, children love pets! The first animal they usually ask for is a dog or a cat. Unfortunately, not all children are ready for the responsibility that those animals require (some adults aren’t even ready for that much responsibility but that’s another issue!). Puppies and Kittens require... Stay Positive  Some people can look at obvious symptoms of depression or other mental illnesses and gloss it over or chalk it up to "having a bad day". Still other people can look at a situation and name themselves "depressed", when in fact there may be small changes that could solve the problem. So when is the ti... Sticking to the Plan It’s a time tested tradition… the new year resolution.  We all do it, we’ve all got them, and we’ve all failed miserably.  But it is the perfect time of year to start fresh and try again.  The old saying goes, “if you fall of the horse, get right back on.”  Making a new years r... The Busy Life Of A Mother How did life get so busy? Mornings seem like a big game of beat the clock to get the girls on the bus and make sure that they eat at least a little breakfast. Emma started cheerleading and Lindsey started basketball. They are both doing Girl Scouts and Nick just started taking swim lessons. So t... The Kitchen Battle Gabby and Raqui have been squabbling over who has the prettiest new kitchen. Since I did both designs, I don’t care who wins, I love them both. Gabby has the traditional Tuscan kitchen that I told you about a few days ago, while Raqui’s is more Spanish rustic, with darker wood, copper pots, curv... Three Letters That Could Save A Life STROKE: Remember The 1st Three Letters... S.T.R. My friend sent this to me and encouraged me to post it and spread the word. I agree. If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some folks. STROKE IDENTIFICATION: During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assu... Too Many Parties, Too Many Pounds There are so many calories just floating around this time of year, but that’s no reason for you to look as round as an ornament before 2008 begins. If you’re going to a party, try to: •Drink a large glass of water before going. •Limit yourself to two glasses of wine. •Don’t load up on appetizers. Pu... Top 5 Wines of the Year Many of you have been asking me to name my wines of the year, since the Wine Spectator released its list this month. I have resisted this temptation because it would be all too easy to choose the most fascinating or bizarre wines I’ve had this year, and if I were feeling particularly vacuous, I woul... Total Health Remember when you were younger and could eat what you wanted, when you wanted, with no personal or physical side effects? It seems that day is long gone, and by even looking at a Hostess Twinkie, I gain weight and my cholesterol starts to rise! I decided it was time to start rethinking my personal s... Trends in Childbirth I read an article in Time yesterday that really took me by surprise. It was about women who elect to have a C-section instead of a traditional delivery. In it, the mom that they focused on opted to forgo a traditional birth, because of her mother’s health history and because of the difficult births ... Turning A Resolution Into A Plan  Happy 2008 from Grapevine! We here at Grapevine have been talking about our New Year’s Resolutions. Where did this tradition come from anyway? My feeling is that it came from a lot of guilty feeling people who consumed too much sugar at too many parties. While most people have good intentio... Vitamin D New results show that the absence of sufficient vitamin D can increase one’s risk of death by 26%. Your skin produces vitamin D when it is exposed to sunlight. This natural process has the power to create between 200-400 international units (IU) of Vitamin D (the recommended amount by the U.S. Insti... Wanna Be A Hero? I think it is a common misconception that to be a hero one must commit a deed that is grand and most likely difficult.  I disagree; I think that there are many ways for ordinary people to be a hero in everyday life.  Most would agree that the act of saving someone’s life makes one a hero.&... Want A Healthy Life? I believe that there is more to healthy living than just trying to eat right and exercise. It’s more than one’s physical condition and the pursuit of longevity. I propose that living a healthy life also has to do with one’s contributions to others and society as a whole. I believe since one’s action... Warming Wines for Cold Days The quiet that steals over the world when it snows is peaceful and delightfully introverted, yet I also find it a bit doleful. What a marvelous time for a glass of wine! I have done a thoroughly unscientific study of wines to drink when it snows. The sample size of participants was very small — one ... Women's Self Defense If you’ve ever lived in a big city, or have traveled alone, you know that sometimes it can be a little intimidating to be a woman walking on the street by herself. Even in smaller cities, we hear news reports of women being attacked at their cars, robbed, or worse. I just took a great self-defense... YOR Health  While I was on my lunch break in the public square a few weeks ago, I met two young ladies who are distributors for YOR, a health supplement company. As it turns out, my Lean Cuisine and bag of Fritos sparked a conversation about healthy eating and the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle. Seeing ... Zumba  In the 1990’s when he forgot his usual music and had to substitute salsa tapes during his aerobics class; I doubt Beto Perez knew he was creating a revolutionary addition to the aerobics world. Zumba became popular in America in 1999; its fusion of Latin/International music with aerobic and dance mo... Recipe Book (Food, Recipes, Healthy, Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch, Dessert, Book) Almond Roca Almond Roca   A quick treat for an evening at home with the girls. Nothing says gab fest like chocolate and nuts. Makes enough to keep us fed until the gossip starts to run dry.     1 tbsp corn syrup 11/4 cups white sugar 1 cup butter 1/4 cup water ... Fela- Stuffed Grape Leaves Fela (Stuffed grape leaves) 1 # ground beef ¼ cup butter or margarine 1 cup canned tomatoes ½ cup uncooked rice (long grain) 1 onion chopped 2 Tblsp crushed mint leaves or chopped parsley Canned grape leaves or cooked cabbage leaves 1  ½ cups hot water S... Pasta with No-Cook Sauce Pasta with No-Cook Tomato and Bocconcini Sauce If it’s too hot to heat up a pot of boiling marinara, this dish still gives you a lovely dish of pasta. Ingredients: 2 pints cherry tomatoes, each cut in half 1/2 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped ... Salmon Dip Red Salmon Dip Fish is supposed to be a brain food, and I pull out this recipe when I feel that a soiree needs an additional boost in gray matter. ·          1 can of red salmon (7-3/4 oz.) ·      &n... Sugared Pecans Sugared Pecans Toast 3 cups nutmeat in 350 degree over for 8 minutes. Cook to soft-ball stage: 1 cup white sugar 5 Tblsp. Water 1 scant tsp cinnamon ¼ tsp. vanilla (optional) Have the toasted nuts in a large bowl and quickly pour and stir syrup over nuts. Sprea... Upscale Mac and Cheese UPSCALE MAC AND CHEESE   This is perfect for those Americana moments, like your Fourth of July party. Still old classics don’t have to come in a box to be delicious.   1 pound orecchiette or other shaped pasta, uncooked 1 cup sour cream 1 tablespoon olive oil 6 tablespoons ... Social Grace () Holiday Etiquette The holidays are quickly approaching and they offer a plethora of opportunities for social gaffes. One of the most worrisome for many people that I have spoken with is what do I do if someone gives me a gift and I don’t have anything for them. Don’t you hate when that happens? Well, there is a... How To Get The Job  Unemployment is on the rise, costs are skyrocketing, and many of you are back on the job market. Maybe you have been “downsized” at your current job, or maybe you’re a mom who has decided to take a job outside the home to help make ends meet. If you haven’t been out looking for a job for some time, ... How Warm Is Your House? I recently ran into a casual acquaintance who told me that she had received an invitation to a housewarming party. At the bottom of the invitation there was a note that said, “we are registered at Bed, Bath and Beyond.” My acquaintance wanted to know if they were expected to purchase a gift from the... Keeping A Social Life During these difficult financial times, it is not always easy to maintain an active social life. While a year ago, you might have met friends for dinner and drinks, if you are watching your pennies and your figure, this year it might not be a viable option. Don’t be embarrassed if you have to tell y... Social Grace I attended a wedding of a co-worker this past weekend and was reminded, as we all need to be at some time, of a few of the do’s and don’ts that make us a good wedding guest, if not a perfect one. 1) RSVP…it is an acronym for a French phrase, but what it means is “please do me the courtesy of l... The Perfect Dinner Party? The holidays are coming and you’ll probably be doing a lot of entertaining. Don’t let the holidays stress you out any more than necessary. The perfect dinner party is one where your guests feel welcome, you have time to chat and mingle with them and everyone gets back home safely. So, keep it ... Top 10 Don'ts Everyone has their list of annoying things that others do. We, of course, are never guilty of these transgressions ourselves. I have my list as well. I’ll share mine with you if you will share yours with me. That way I can make sure that I won’t annoy you if we ever have the opportunity to meet. ... This Week's Recipe (Food, Recipes, Healthy, Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch, Dessert)  Raspberry Coconut Bars If you have ever been to Cincinnati, Ohio, you may have been lucky enough to eat at the Maisonnett Restaurant. It was the only five star restaurant in the area for over 30 years. The former owner, Nat Comisar has generously shared one of his favorite recipes with us. Ingredients 2 cups graham ... A Tasty Treat for Labor Day Weekend  Having a get together this labor day weekend?  We've got the perfect tasty treat to keep your guests cool and refreshed during the festivities, Watermelon Lemonade!  INGREDIENTS2 cups water 3/4 cup white sugar 2 cups lemon juice 12 cups cubed seeded watermelon 8 cups ice cubes DIRECTION... Acai Powder Snacks Tropical Acai Smoothie 7 ounces pineapple, orange, or other juice ½ cup soy milk or vanilla yogurt one whole banana one tablespoon of pure acai powder Blend all ingredients together until smooth. Garnish with fruit if desired. Low-fat Acai Pop You will need Popsicle molds f... Apple Cider   Hot Buttered Cider Servings: 10 Ingredients: 7 cups Apple cider OR apple juice 1/3 cup Brown sugar, packed 4 stick cinnamon 1 teaspoon Whole allspice 1 teaspoon Whole cloves 1 Lemon peel, cut into strips 1 1/2 cups Rum Butter or margarine Thin apple slices Directions: Comb... Basic Sangria   The beauty of the basic Sangria recipe is that it is as delicious as it is easy, and it only gets better as you spice it up with your own additions! Really, it is hard to add the "wrong" ingredient here, think favorite fruits, spice and liquors. Chill and enjoy! INGREDIENTS: 1 Bottle of ... Beef Tenderloin Wrapped in Bacon   Ingredients20 oz of beef tenderloin12 slices of bacon strips1 cup of pinot noir½ cup of beef stock3 red onions12 oz of dark grapes12 oz of shiitake mushrooms3 carrots1 oz of ginger1 bunch of parsley6 shallots4 tablespoons of malt vinegarthyme-rosemarybutter, olive oil, salt, pepper, and su... Bourbon Pumpkin Pie Serves 8-9IngredientsTopping5 tbl butter2/3 C brown sugar2 C pecans2 tbl bourbonSweet Dough 3 oz butter 3 oz sugar 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1 egg 16 oz flour Pinch baking powder Filling1 large egg 8 oz pumpkin puree 1/2 C brown sugar 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp ginger1/8 tsp bourbon 1/2 C half and half ... Braised Roast With Potatoes  Ingredients: 1 boneless beef chuck roast, 3 to 4 pounds 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning Salt and pepper 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 medium onions, halved, sliced 8 ounces small whole mushrooms or thickly sliced mushrooms 2 medium bell peppers, red or combination of red and green or other co... Bread Pudding Nothing makes a better dessert on a cold Chicago evening than Bread Pudding, a personal favorite. Just the dish to dish over. INDREDIENTS:*2 large eggs, beaten*1 cup milk*1/2 cup heavy cream*1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed*1/4 cup molasses*1 teaspoon cinnamon*1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract*1/4 ... Cajun Salmon Sandwich One of Trevor’s favorites. I think it’s just his way of getting people to book trips to New Orleans. INGREDIENTS 4 (4 ounce) fillets salmon 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning 1 small avocado, pitted 2 tablespoons reduced-fat mayonnaise 4 whole-wheat hoagie rolls, split and toast... Caramel Pie I love this recipe for what it’s not, time-consuming.   You look like a genius and it took only minutes. 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk 1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker or oreo crust 1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed In ... Cardamon Mulled Wine When you're finished with that Christmas celebration and are looking for the perfect way to relax, pull out that red wine and make the perfect cold weather beverage. Cardamon Mulled WineIngredients• 2 Tbsp brown sugar • 1 orange • 1 cinnamon stick • 2 cloves • 5 cracked c... Carrot Soup Ingredients1-2 T. Butter1 lb. Carrots chopped1 Onion chopped1 Potato dicedChicken Stock-enough to cover-about 4 cupsSalt & Pepper1 T. chopped Parsley1/2-1 t. sugar to tasteDirectionsMelt butter, add vegetables, cover and cook for about five minutes. Pour stock over vegetables and bring to a bo... Cashew Chicken  Ingredients: ½ tsp. sugar1 can (8 oz.) bamboo shoots,diced1 tsp. cornstarch1 pkgs. (6 oz.) frozen Chinese pea pods, thawed½ c. chicken broth1 can (4 oz.) button mushrooms, quartered1 T. soy sauce 1 lb. boneless chickenbreast,diced1 c. roasted cashews, salted4 T. peanut oil 1 stalk celery, thi... Chicken Grand-Mére Serves 4 people Ingredients3 tablespoons Olive oil3 pounds Chicken cut in 8 pieces2 tablespoons Unsalted butter15 each Pearl onions, peeled and trimmed4 each Shallots, peeled and trimmed2 each Cloves of garlic3 each Sprig of thyme4 each Small Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-½ inch chunks... Chicken Turnovers  INGREDIENTS • 3 tablespoons chopped onion• 3 tablespoons butter• 1 3/4 cups cooked chicken meat• 3 tablespoons chicken stock • 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt • 1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper• 3 ounces cream c... Chicken with Chili Sauce When the cool weather keeps you indoors, warm up with this spicy recipe!  INGREDIENTS: 3/4 cup lemon juice 3/4 cup dry white wine 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 4 1/2 tablespoons red chili powder 9 cloves of garlic, chopped 3 shallots, chopped 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy ... Chill Out With This Recipe With all this warm weather we've had lately, its time for a cool treat!   1 can of Sweetened Condensed milk(optional) lime rind ½ cup key lime juice (really, it’s yellow, not green) ¼ tsp salt 2 slightly beaten egg yolks Separate the egg yolks from the whites. Set whites aside to use for... Cinnamon French Toast With Red Berry Sauce Servings: 4 Prep Time:  15 minutes Cook Time:  15 minutes Ingredients Red Berry Sauce: 1 6-ounce package fresh blueberries 1 6-ounce package fresh raspberries 1 4.4-ounce package fresh blackberries 3/4 cup sugar French Toast: 6 large eggs 4 1/2-inch-thick slices brioche ... Cinnamon Nut Chocolate Spirals               YIELD: about 2 dozen cookies INGREDIENTS: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup sugar, divided 1/3 cup butter, softened 1 egg 1 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips 1 cup very finely chopped walnu... Cooking For Your Date STARTER Have soup (seriously, how many men like salad?) Tomato Basil Bisque Ingredients: Tomato Basil Bisque 4 TBS butter 1 large Spanish onion, diced 6 large celery ribs, diced 1 medium red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1/4"-inch julienne 1 TBS tomato past... Crunchy Green Bean Salad 1 ½ tablespoon kosher salt1 ½ pound fresh green beans1 small red onion, sliced thin6 thin slices proscuitto cut into strips1/3 cup good quality olive oilJuice of one lemon1 ½ teaspoon chopped fresh rosemarySalt and pepper Trim green beans and cook in a large pot of boiling, salted water and blanch... Gabby's Gingerbread House Gingerbread Recipe: 1 cup butter or vegan alternative, room temperature 6 cups flour 1 1/2 cups brown sugar 1 cup molasses 2 eggs or equivalent egg replacer 2 teaspoons baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1 tablespoon ground ginger 1 tablespoon ground cinnam... Garlic Chicken Adobo A good recipe for staying healthy and a delicious treat for friends! INGREDIENTS: •4 pounds chicken breast •12 cloves of garlic, peeled and sliced in half •1/3 cup olive oil. •½ cup vinegar •½ cup soy sauce •½ cup water •Coarse... Goat Cheese Asparagus With Truffle & Hazelnut Ingredients•3 large Asparagus•5oz of Goat Cheese•1/4 oz of Black Truffle (optional)•2oz of Hazelnut•1oz of Dried Figs•½oz of Butter•12 Slices of French Baguette•Hazelnut Oil, Salt and Pepper Preparation• Season asparagus, add hazelnut oil and grill themuntil cooked al dente.• Keep aside.• Roast h... Grandma Gayle's Apple Pie    PREP TIME: 45 Min COOK TIME: 1 Hr YIELDS: ONE 9-inch pie       PIE CRUST INGREDIENTS 4 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups butter flavored shortening 1 tablespoon white sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup ice water 1 egg 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar PIE ... Green Chili Chicken Casserole From Albuquerque If you’re in the mood for a little south of the border flavor I found this recipe in a sweet little dinner in Albuquerque. For those a little hesitant about spicy stuff, let me reassure you that the green chili's are not hot. Add the sour cream and cheese and it’s a sum... Grilled Eggplant Caponata Salad Craving a little bit of a summer in the middle of this long and cold winter?  Try our Grilled Eggplant Caponata Salad it's quick to make and still stylish enough for a dinner party.   If you're missing Summer, go ahead and add a few out of season veggies to your diet! INGR... Halloween Treats This fall get the kids excited about Halloween by making Halloween Spice Cookies and decorating them. These are perfect treats for a Halloween party or just an extra sweet snack for the season. Yield: 6 1/2 dozen cookies Ingredients: 4 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons baking s... Haystacks & Monster Pops   Haystacks Yield: 1 ½ dozen haystacks Ingredients: 1 cup butterscotch chips ½ cup light corn syrup ½ cup creamy peanut butter 1/3 cup sugar 2 ½ cups chow mein noodles 2 cups corn flakes, slightly crushed Directions: Combine butterscotch chips, corn syrup, peanut butter, ... Hazelnut Cookies Ingredients7 oz. Butter4½ oz. Powdered sugarPinch of salt2 oz. Hazelnuts1 Egg9 oz. Flour1 tsp. Granulated sugar Preparation1. Roast the hazelnuts until lightly browned.2. When the nuts have cooled, chop them and mix them with the powdered sugar and the salt. (This works best with a food processor... Holiday Cookies With less than a month until Christmas, its time to start thinking about the cookies you will bake for all of those holiday parties. We wanted to give you a head start and offer a few of our favorite recipes. Enjoy! Let us know how they turn out! HOLLY WREATH COOKIES *½ cup butter *&frac1... Liv’s Eggplant Parmigiano Liv’s Eggplant Parmigiano  A good hostess respects the desires of her guests. Many of my friends are vegetarians, and this is a nice dish for entertaining with the animal rescue crowd and the carnivores like it as well.   ·       ... Lobster Salad (For four people) IngredientsDRESSING2 each - Lemons Juiced1 cup - Extra Virgin Olive OilSalt and PepperGELÉE3 each - Green Apple 2 each - Stalk of Celery1 tsp. - Vitamin C Powder2 each - Gelatin sheetOTHER4 each - Lobster (about 1pound each)8 ounces - Heart of Palm PREPARATIONWhisk together all... Meatball Lasagna SERVINGS: 10 INGREDIENTS: 2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce 1 cup water 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste 1 medium onion, chopped 1 garlic clove, minced 1 tablespoon dried basil 4 teaspoons dried parsley flakes 2 teaspoons sugar garlic salt t... Mini Gingerbread Houses   Ingredients• Graham Crackers• Assorted small candies for decorating • 1/2 pound powdered sugar • 3 tbs. butter/margarine • 1/2 tsp. vanilla • 1 1/2 - 2 tbs. milk Directions1. Mix sugar, butter, vanilla and milk together until smooth and easy to spread... Mixed-Berry and Peach Crisp *6 ounces blueberries*6 ounces raspberries*6 ounces blackberries*2 large ripe peaches, peeled, pitted and chopped*½ cup sugar*2 Tablespoons flour Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8 X 8 X 2 ½ inch casserole dish. Toss all ingredients and pour into dish. Bake about 40 minutes, until fruit begin... Pasta with Crab Meat and Asparagus  Pasta with Crab Meat and Asparagus Recipe For those occasions when I can’t get out of cooking for a group, I usually come up with a pasta dish like this one. Most of the ingredients with the exception of the crab and asparagus should already be in your kitchen. · &nbs... Pear and Spinach Salad Salad 1 ½ cup baby spinach 1 ½ cup romaine, in bite sized pieces 3 medium ripe pears, cored and cut into slices 2 Tablespoons crumbled blue cheese ¼ cup chopped and toasted walnuts Dressing 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar 3 Tablespoons good quality olive oil 3 Tables... Philly Oreo Cheesecake Servings:  12  Ingredients: 24 OREO Cookies, divided* 3 tablespoons butter, melted 3 (250 g) packages Philadelphia Brick Cream Cheese, softened 3/4 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 3 eggs Directions: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Place 16 of the cookies in resealable plastic b... Prosciutto Wrapped Melon balls Another last minute finger food with only a few ingredients. A quick trip to the kitchen under the guise of refreshing your drink, and you can be serving in five minutes or less. INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup lime juice 1 honeydew melon, fruit removed with a melon baller 9 ounces thinly sliced ... Puff Pastry Pizzas The perfect finger food for Super Bowl parties, March Madness affairs and all those other sporting events, including the Oscars. INGREDIENTS 1 (17.25 ounce) package frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 3 green onion, thinly sliced 1 tablespoon diced onion 1 clove ... Quick And Easy Holiday Treats In need of a quick recipe for a Holiday party?  Don't worry, we've got you covered with three of our favorites.  Take your pick! HEATH COOKIES48 Graham Crackers1 stick butter1 stick margarine½ cup sugar Line cookie sheet with Graham Crackers.  Put sugar, butter, & margarine in s... Raspberry Coconut Bars Ingredients2 cups graham cracker crumbs¼ cup granulated sugar¼ cup of butter (half stick), melted1 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk2 cups of coconut1-¼ cups raspberry filling (preserves)1 to 1-¼ cups of white chocolatePreheat oven to 325 degreesCrustCombine graham crackers, sugar and melted b... Recipes To Be Thankful For! We love to give you new and innovative recipes to try at home. This week I've asked the best cooks I know to share their favorite Turkey Day recipes with us. Here they are! Enjoy! -Gabby Turkey Cubana Raqui's own recipe that brings a little bit of a Hispanic flavor to an American tradition. I... Red Salmon Dip Fish is supposed to be a brain food, and I pull out this recipe when I feel that a soiree needs an additional boost in gray matter. · 1 can of red salmon (7-3/4 oz.) · 8 oz. cream cheese, softened · 1/4 C. very finely chopped onion · 2 T. finely chopped parsley · 1 ... Roasted Monkfish & Lobster Tail With Bacon For 4 peopleIngredients4 each Lobster Tails, shelled4 each Monkfish Loin about 6 oz each24 each Thinly Sliced Bacon2 cup Green Lentils, cooked1 cup Butter½ cup White Wine2 tbsp Black Truffle Oil1-cup Heavy Cream Preparation• Butterfly each monkfish loin so it lays out flat, then place(1) lobster ta... Rum Spiced Cider We've got the perfect recipe to warm you up on those chilly nights and to spice up a boring evening! 2 qts. apple cider, preferably fresh and unfiltered 1/3 c. packed light brown sugar 2 pieces (2 inches each) cinnamon stick 12 whole cloves 12 allspice berries 2 c. dark rum 1/2 stick... Shrimp & Cracker Salad When you're in a hurry and need a fast lunch, who says it has to be unhealthy?  Try this quick recipe and you'll be on-the-go before you can say "I'll have a #2 value meal." INGREDIENTS 4 ounces saltine crackers1 large tomato seeded and finely chopped3 green onions finely chopped1 hard boiled... Simple Pumpkin Pie Want a quick and easy pumpkin pie recipe that will make you look like The Iron Chef in front of your friends this Holiday season? Coming right up, our ol' faithful, Bisquick Pumpkin Pie! 1 cup canned pumpkin (do not use pumpkin pie mix) 1/2 cup Original Bisquick® mix 1/2 cup sugar 1 c... Simple Summer Pasta 5 cloves garlic, finely chopped1/2 cup good quality olive oil12 basil leaves6 large tomatoesSalt 1 pound dried rigatoni1 pound fresh mozzarella Early in the day, put chopped garlic and olive oil in a very large bowl. Snip basil leaves into shreds and add to oil and garlic. About 2 hours before ser... Starbucks Grapevine would like to welcome StarbucksStore.com to our team of affiliates. StarbucksStore.com offers the brand’s delicious blends of coffee and teas. You can also purchase equipment and a variety of mugs and cups from the site. StarbucksStore.com’s assortment of merchandise is the perfect gift fo... Summer Gazpacho  Ingredients•1/3 Cantaloupe – peeled, seeded•1/3 Bulb Fennel•1 Tomato•1 Red Pepper – seeded•1 Green Pepper – seeded•1/2 Ribs Celery•1/3 Onion•12oz. Watermelon – peeled, seeded•1/4 Cucumber – peeled, seeded•3 ½ Slices Bread – no crust•¼ T Tobasco•1 ½ oz. Lemon Juice•8oz. (or more) Tomato Juice•Salt ... The Christmas Cheese Ball Christmas Cheese Ball Almost as ubiquitous as fruitcake, but much more tasty is the cheese ball. This is an easy recipe to make for your next party.  INGREDIENTS 24 ounces cream cheese, softened 1 cup green onions, finely chopped 8 ounces dried beef, chopped 1 cup chopped pe... Tuna Tartar Spoons  IngredientsAhi TunaFirst Group:French Green Beans – cooked3 Color PeppersNicoise OliveTomatoes – blanched and skinnedRed Potatoes – cookedXV Olive OilSecond Group:(Anchovy Dressing):Red Onion – dicedAnchovies – choppedParsley – choppedBoiled Egg - choppedVinaigrette Preparation1. Dice tuna. Keep ... White Chocolate Mousse Ingredients3 cups White Chocolate Chips12 oz. Light Karo Syrup1 cup Egg Whites¼ cup Granulated Sugar1 qt. Whipping Cream Step 1Melt the chocolate slowly and completely. Use a microwave or double boiler, but do not melt the chocolate directly on the stove. Add the syrup, mix until smooth.Step 2Bea... Travel (Travel, Vacation, Reviews) 5 Great Places to See the View For inspiration, there’s no better place to be than high above the ground looking down at the scenery below. I always feel like it puts things into perspective when I can see the view from above. Here are 5 great places that I’ve been where you can do just that-take a camera, and even better, a jour... A Quick Weekend Vacation Baltimore, the name used to have a dirty little stigma attached… But not anymore! Gone are the days of abandoned buildings, high crime and drug trafficking.  Over the past several years, Baltimore has gone through a much deserved Renaissance.   The famed inner harbor is now sparkling ... Air Travel Tips  With the increased in oil prices affecting the bottom line for airlines, they are using every excuse to add extra fees to our airline tickets.  One of the most annoying is the one for overweight baggage.  Traveling for a weekend is not a problem, we throw a few things in a bag and we’re of... Alaska A couple of years ago, when Willilam was stationed out of the country again, two friends and I took a cruise on Celebrity to Alaska. It took some talking to convince my friends to take this trip. Vacation was for warm weather, not shivering in Alaska! Without even thinking about our destination, I... Are You Ready For A Singles Cruise?  Being single can be hard any holiday season, but especially when vacation time comes around and everyone begins to plan their couples romantic get-away. I just want to say "Hey, what about those of us that are single?" We like to vacation too, but might not have the time to date to find ... Books To Read & Then Travel Have you ever sat in your pajamas, on a Saturday night with the wind blowing outside, a cup of coffee in one hand, and a good book in your lap? While you are sitting there quietly reading, scenes of the waves on the sunny sand beaches of Cabo San Lucas pop into your thoughts. Why are you not traveli... Cincinnati Lights  About this time of year I take a week’s vacation and travel to Cincinnati, OH to stay with my father. I love Chicago and Gabby, Liv, and Raqui, but it’s nice to be around family and “home” for the holidays. The beginning of winter is one of my favorite parts of the season, and I especially love the ... Cincinnati, Ohio  Last weekend I traveled down to my Dad’s home in Cincinnati, OH, for a visit.  My little sister (half-sister, actually), Tori, was graduating from the eighth grade.  Tori called to invite me herself, which really meant a lot to me, as we have just begun to really bond in the last couple of... Denver, Colorado Hi everyone – I’m planning a trip to Denver with four of my girl friends from college and have been doing some looking around for the best places to visit while we’re there. I’ve always wanted to try skiing, and everyone else is really excited to go again. It will be my first time but Liv promised s... Destination: Movie Location Are you a Billionaire? Have you traveled to all of the worlds top vacation destinations? Are you bored with South Beach, Paris, Thailand? Well chances are you answered No to all of these questions… But if you’re one of the 10% that you answered yes… We’ve got the perfect vacation guide for you! Have... Disneyland Paris It seems I’ve been back forever, so I’ll try to rekindle the memories of my wonderful vacation in France as I share them with you.  When we last left off, we had just arrived back from our three-day tour of Mont St. Michel and the chateaux of the Loire Valley.  We got stuck in a huge traff... Dream Vacations Exotic tropical island vacations, luxury and adventure cruises, romantic getaways, safaris, and European tours. You need a vacation; then why not make it a dream vacation? Yes, you can have your dream vacation. Whatever your budget and whatever your dream, with careful planning and a few tips that d... Dubai, A Dream Vacation Last year Liv, Shannon, and I decided that we wanted to take a vacation to a unique, exotic location. We discussed this with our travel agent friend Trevor. He Asked each of us what activities we liked to do while on vacation. Shannon wanted a place with great and exciting architecture. Liv wanted t... Ecotourism In The Great Smokies  Bring the ecotourism attitude down home in The Great Smoky Mountain National Park of Tennessee and North Carolina. An International Biosphere and World Heritage Site, the park offers a reconnection with Ms. Mother Nature on an extended day hike or an overnight backpack. The trail system ... Escape to the San Juan Islands  Looking for a quaint vacation experience with an outdoorsy feel?  How about a trip to the Northwest?  The San Juan Islands are located between Washington state and Vancouver, and are a great place to visit, whether you are a couple looking for a quiet getaway or a family with kids. &n... Florida Family Vacation Hi!  Maddie here.  I was telling Gabby about our trip to Florida last week, and she suggested that I share a few of the highlights with the Grapevine gang, so here goes. Brian, my husband, had to go down to Orlando for a seminar for a few days.  During a phone conversation with my ... Gas Prices Got You Down? Are the high prices of fuel putting a cramp on your summer vacations and road trips?  More than likely the answer is yes!  We’ve compiled a list of a few alternatives if you can’t seem to scrape up enough money to drive to the shore, or fly to the islands this year.  Enjoy the Great... Great Places for Fall Drives  Fall is one of the most fascinating times of the year for me. I grew up in Puerto Rico so I didn’t quite get to experience the seasons changing. Ever since I’ve lived in the states I’ve always loved to watch the seasons come and the seasons go. The brilliant colors of fall leaves are one of the mo... Have A Feliz Navidad This Year!   Tired of all of this snow and cold weather?  Fed up with battling shoppers in malls?  Looking for a gift that you can give your entire family?  Well, do we have the answer for you!  A Christmas Family Vacation! This year pack up the entire gang and instead of having... Hawaii If you are looking for a great get-away in the early fall, try Maui in September.  The kids are back in school so it’s not so crowded on the beaches, but the weather is terrific.  Gabby was there in May and stayed at the Grand Wailea and had only good things to say about it. You have a... Horse Racing in Kentucky An old friend who lives outside Lexington, Kentucky recently invited me down to visit and enjoy a day of live ho rse racing at the beautiful Keeneland Race Course.  As her home is only about five and a half hours’ drive from Chicago, I left early Saturday morning, and arrived after lunch. The... Hot Spots For The Fall For those with school-aged children, they take the usual annual vacation in the summer, most likely from May-August. So why not plan for an Autumn adventure? Did you know the best time to travel is actually in the Fall because of the lighter crowds and lower prices. One Fall tr... LaGrenouille  I read an article online the other day at Vanityfair.com about one of my favorite restaurants, LaGrenouille.  While I don’t eat there frequently, I do try to make sure that I stop there on my annual Christmas trip to New York.  As the article says, this is a truly great dining ex... Las Vegas A few weeks ago, I talked Liv and Gabby into going to Las Vegas with me for a long weekend. I love to travel, as you may know by now, but it seems like I’m always short on time and money. I tend to take shorter, more spur-of-the-moment trips, as opposed to Gabby, who is always very organized and has... Las Vegas Weekend  I wanted to tell all of you about the fabulous mini vacation we had several weeks ago over the long Labor Day weekend.  Gabby, Raqui and I decided, kind of spur-of-the-moment, to go to Vegas!  Gabby and I did this last year, and had such a great time, we wanted to go back.  Unf... Less Stress At The Airport I was just reading a story on cnn.com about the FAA having computer problems, and it is causing every major airport in the nation to have flight delays.  This typically would be an interesting and entertaining story for me… but not today.  I am leaving on a flight tomorrow morning! ... Let's see... Where Did I Leave My Heart? Last month I had a chance to go to San Francisco for work. My boss told me the bank wanted to send a representative to attend the Grand Opening of a new mega-office development for which we had done the financing. My feelings were mixed. It was a great opportunity for me to meet some important and i... Los Angeles It's Ladies Night, the feeling’s right and you’re in Los Angeles. Once in a while you've just gotta leave the boys at home. So grab your girls (and some gloss), and get ready to raise a glass at L.A.'s best spots for a girls’ night out. The Rooftop Bar at the Standard   550 South Flower at ... Los Angeles, A Shopping Mecca... The City of Angels can be a fun place to visit if you’re looking to kick up the excitement in your life. With its major attractions and celebrity worthy shopping and dining, LA is the place to go for style and adventure.First stop-the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Walk down the street to find your favorit... Messin' With Texas  Any city that boasts both the Capital of Texas and Willy Nelson is worth looking into. Named Best Big City in the US by Money Magazine in 2006, the city is also known as the Live Music Center of the country. The city has a liberal reputation in a conservative Southern state and boasts the U.S.’s hig... Munich, Germany Ahhhh, Munich! Home of such fabulous traditions as Oktoberfest, the best excuse to sample all the best beers in Germany. I just returned from a week in this amazing city, and I can tell you that it is quite possibly one of the most enjoyable places to be when it comes to tradition and hospitality.&n... New York City I recently took my two little sisters on their first adventure into New York City. And what was even better, Dad treated us all to the airfare and hotel for our birthdays. As you know, Ashley and Tori are my half sisters (same Dad, different Moms), and until a few years ago, we were all but strang... Our Holiday Shopping Trip Tradition We all love to be with our friends and family on Thanksgiving Day, and that’s exactly where I was, but all bets are off for the weekend after Turkey Day.  Early Friday morning, Gabby, Liv, Raqui and I set off for the Big Apple, NYC, for our annual Christmas shopping bash. The weather was great ... Pittsburgh, PA  Pittsburgh, PA is an unlikely town for tourists, but if you are ever there for business, or decide that you want something a little more hometown feeling, Pittsburgh is an inviting place. Here you will feel like family.Pittsburgh has a lot of Polish heritage, and a very blue-collar feel. You can s... Relax In Saugatuck  During the summer months I try to go on as many little trips and vacations as possible.  This year I plan on revisiting one of my favorite weekend vacations… Saugatuck, Michigan. The drive from Chicago to Saugatuck is just over two and a half hours, and it’s well worth it!  From the minut... Rome Hi, it's Gabby again.  Shannon and I were talking about places we want to visit  She loves amusement parks and wants to visit Euro Disney on her next trip to Paris.  For me, the happiest place on earth is not Disney World, (although I love it, too), but the Eternal City of Rome. ... Sante Fe, New Mexico Sante Fe, New Mexico is a city like no other. Full of artwork, unique architecture, and amazing restaurants and stores, walking down the narrow streets of Sante Fe will put a smile on your face. While visiting my mom, one of her guests asked me to give her an idea of my perfect afternoon in Sante Fe... Ski Season We love skiing and want to share our two favorite winter ski spots in North America with you! We’ve picked one from the East and one from the West, and hopefully wherever you are, you will be able to hit one or the other before the spring sunshine comes! Notably absent from our list this year are th... Spontaneous Holiday Getaways In the past it would be two days before Thanksgiving and I would think about how great it would be to just drop everything, skip the holiday hoopla, pile the kids in the car, and travel... seems a bit last minute doesn’t it? Well, that is one of my biggest problems, I am always racing against t... St. Louis The Arch, toasted ravioli, and the Cardinals. Known as the Gateway to the West, St Louis is a fun and all American place to be. I was there on a business trip this week, and fortunately the people at the company we met with were fun and gracious hosts. Since I had never been there, of course I was... St. Thomas Don’t get me wrong -  I absolutely love Chicago and my life here.  I love the shopping, the “big city” feel with the small town friendliness, and all of the great venues.  It’s a great place to live!  But the weather in winter—not so much. So, when I had a chance to go to S... Thanksgiving Travel Guide Really, forget about Christmas, Thanksgiving can be one of the most stressful times of year. With high gas prices, weight gain, drinking too much, and having to rekindle all the family feuds, maybe you should just take those 4 days and vacation! Fortunately, there are tons of great travel spots to c... The Best Winter Landscapes   Snow! If you happen to be on the West Coast like my cousin, you are probably craving seeing some of that white stuff.  Even we East-coasters love the sight of a fresh snow-fall, even if it means continuous driveway clearing. There’s something magical about the wintertime, and traveling ... The Loire Valley, France           Bonjour, mes amis! (that’s hello, my friends, and about the limit of my French vocabulary, even after ten days in the beautiful French countryside and the City of Lights, Paris. Gabby asked me if I’d share a little of our recent trip, and, of course, I’m ... The Other Side of D.C. For most of us, a trip to our nations Capital involves endless traversing of monuments, parks, and gardens.  In the hot summer months, this can all become a bit unbearable and uncomfortable especially when standing in the line for hours to get to the top of the Washington Monument or any othe... Traveling With Your Pet If you’re planning a trip and want to take your pet along, you should make sure that your animal friend will be happy during the journey. Many owners take their dogs or cats along with them whenever they go to visit family, or even when they go on a vacation. Remember that a few simple steps may s... Vacation Hot Spot: San Juan San Juan,  the capital city of Puerto Rico as well as the oldest city under the American flag, has something for everyone. If you like history or the beaches or nightlife, you can find it in San Juan. San Juan was established in 1521 making it the oldest city under US control and the second old... Venice Cruise I know Gabby has told you all about her Hawaiian trip.  It sounded terrific.  William and I hope to get there one day ourselves.  But for a different vacation adventure, you might want to try a European Cruise.  During his extended leave last October, William and I took a Royal... Virginia Is For... Everyone!    Remember the commercial that used to proclaim that Virginia was for lovers?  Well, that’s just not the case anymore, if it ever was.  Virginia Beach is a great place for people of all ages and stages to spend a day or a week seeing the sights, soaking up the sun, and taking a break... Walk Like An Egyptian A trip to the cradle of ancient civilization is an incredible experience for the intrepid traveler. This is not a trip for the faint of heart, but for someone who enjoys history and has a strong constitution, this is a trip not to be forgotten. There are two areas in Egypt which are on everyone’s it... Washington DC If you’re feeling patriotic, and crave a place that has some action, Washington DC is a fun place to visit. I loved being in town for July 4; an especially great time to go because of the fireworks and museum displays.  In April when it’s cooler, the famous cherry blossoms come out and the ci... Westward Bound:  Sedona, Arizona Banish midwinter white blues. Change your mood color and explore the earth-toned rainbow hues of Sedona, the chic and sunny Red Rock region of Arizona. For part-time snowbirds, this city of 11,000 people offers:              &nb... Winter Vacations With The Kids I am all about winter family travel, fun and snowy adventure. Skiing, snowboarding, sledding, you name it- we are going to be doing it! Winter family travel opportunities are everywhere so lets explore the options. Try something completely off the wall and take your kids to a cave this winter se... Worry Free Holiday Travel If you're one of the millions of Americans who will be flying this holiday season...here are a few tips to remember!1) Arrive At The Airport With Plenty Of Time! After all, this is the busiest time of year to travel. This is not a day that you will be able to run through the airport to catch the pla... Video Gallery () The Grapevine Video Gallery   Video from our article Glamourous Hair    Video from our article Holiday Hair & Makeup    Video to accompany our article The Plaid Fad    Fun video to accompany our article Sole Searching   Video to accompany our articles Warmth Yo...