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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 ... Beauty (Beauty, Makeup, Make-Up, Cosmetics, Beauty.com) 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... 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 ... 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,... 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... 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!  ... 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 ... How To Fix Frizzy Hair 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’... 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. Our... 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... 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... 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  Spring time is here, plants are coming back to life, little creatures everywhere are waking up in time to enjoy the beautiful weather.  The sun is starting to show itself more and more everyday.  Before you know it, it will be time to throw on that bikini and head the nearest beach or pool... 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... Books Reviews (Books, Reviews, Authors, Fiction, Literature, Novels, Writer, Writing, Reading) "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’...  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... 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... 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 ... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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 ... 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... 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... 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,... 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... 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... 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  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 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 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 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 Year of Magical Thinking By Joan DidionA 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 th... 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... Daily Dish (Blog, Advice, Discussion, Gabby) 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... 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 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 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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 w... 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... 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 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... 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... 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 ... 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... 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... 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... 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, till th... 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 ... 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 ... 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... 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 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!  Th... 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... 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... 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 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... 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... 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... 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 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... 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... 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 ... 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 ... 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... 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... 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 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... 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... 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 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... 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... 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 stillfeel a little sleazy looking around at people I can’t meet face to f... 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 meth... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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 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 ... 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... 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... Some First Date Ideas Gabby’s Great 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 pu... 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... 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... 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’... 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... 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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... 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 ... 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... 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... 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... Valentine's Day It’s Valentine’s Day today 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 department.  Th... 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... 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 ... 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 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 ... 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 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 scien... Women Engineers