Essential Read

Steve Harvey, the host of the nationally syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show, can't count the number of impressive women he's met over the years, whether it's through the "Strawberry Letters" segment of his program or while on tour for his comedy shows. Yet when it comes to relationships, they can't figure out what makes men tick. Why? According to Steve it's because they're asking other women for advice when no one but another man can tell them how to find and keep a man. In Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, Steve lets women inside the mindset of a man and sheds lights on concepts and questions that we have always had in a hilarious and "tough love" way...this is totally worth the read.

Healthy Eating Portions

What your portions should resemble:

• Steak=Classic Ipod
• Cheese=Matchbox
• Pancake=DVD
• Pasta=Ice Cream Scoop
• Potato=Computer Mouse
• Fish=Checkbook
• Butter=Postage Stamp
• Salad Dressing=1 oz. Shot Glass
• Peanut Butter=Golf Ball
• Beans=Light Bulb
• Dark Chocolate=Dental Floss
  

Did You Know?

The average person spends 6 years of their life dreaming!

What He Never Notices...And What He Does...

He Never Notices:

• Labels-He isn't looking at the designers name on the back of your dress or jeans. Save your splurge clothes for the people who really notice-your girlfriends.
• Your Body Hangups-If you are obsessed with the numbers on the scale, realize that your guy most likely doesn't care. If he likes the way you look, he likes the way you look, period.
• Fancy Gift Wrap-Guys only want to get to the present.
• Your New Haircut-He only sees the whole you, not every wisp of your bangs and layers.
• Subtle Hints-When you mention what your friends boyfriend got her for a gift as a little hint hint, he will think you want to talk about your friend and nothing about the gift.

He Always Notices:

• Cute Habits-Your little quirks make you adorable to him.
• Other's Reactions-When you crack a joke or look really good, he loves that you're impressing his crew.
• Your Smell-Perfume or soap: he finds your scent sexy.

Proper Care For Your Handbag

• The Interior-Clean with a lint brush.
• The Shape-Put tissue paper in the bag when storing so it doesn't lose its shape.
• The Hardware-Remember that most hardware can easily be replaced.
• The Zippers-Apply a little natural beexwax over the open teeth of the zipper so they don't rust.
• The Exterior-Apply a leather conditioning cream so the texture stays firm.

Your Perfect Shoe Wardrobe

• Black Pumps
• Metallic Heels (Gold & Silver)
• Knee High Boots
• All-Weather Boots
• Ankle Boots
• Espadrilles/Wedges
• Flats
• Dressy Sneakers
• Kitten Heel Pumps
• Casual Sandals
• Open Toe Pumps
• Strappy Heels
• Classic Flip Flops

Read Between His Lines

He Says: "I don't get why girls like that dude."

He Means: " I'm a bit insecure-feel free to compliment me."

Say What?

"The most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you find someone to love the you you love, well, that just fabulous."

-Sex and The City

Lady in Red

Wearing red instantly boosts your mood because it's energizing and commands attention. If you are not bold enough to wear it but still want an emotional pick me up, try a subtler shade in the same color family.

• Orange-A mix of high-octane red and cherry yellow, this fun color sends out signals of approachability.
• Pink-The sweet side of red, pink makes you feel sensual and romantic.
• Purple-It's like red-dynamic and sexy. But the addition of blue makes it a bit more serene and tranquil.

Did You Know?

The average person spends 2 weeks of their life kissing.

The 5 Times You Shouldn't Text Him

1. After your first few dates. It may be tempting to contact a guy after an amazing date, but resist the urge. Reaching out lessens the thrill of the chase for him.
2. When you're drunk. Since phones don't come with Breathalyzers, it's up to you to stop yourself from sending a tipsy message — especially one that suggests you two meet up ASAP. Being too available lets a guy know he has all the leverage.
3. When you're angry. It's annoying when a guy flakes, but sending a "Why haven't you called me?!" inquiry makes you look massively insecure. Avoid angry texts once you're in a relationship too. When it's in writing, you can't easily take it back. It's even smart to ban bitchy humor, which can sound meaner than it is.
4. When you're trying to be funny. When relayed nonverbally, sarcasm and joking can come off as aggressive. A dude could read a message like "OMG, you were out of control last night" literally, which makes you sound pissed when you were actually just fondly remembering his funny behavior.
5. When you've already texted him that day. Once you're in an ongoing relationship, you may be tempted to rely on texting as a regular form of communication, and there's nothing wrong with staying in touch that way sometimes. But electronic communication discourages phone conversations and one-on-one time. Also, guys like brief updates, not a blow-by-blow of your life.

Read Between His Lines

He Says: "You're so mysterious."

He Means: "I haven't been able to figure you out yet and I'm feeling a little insecure about where I stand with you."

Cold Spoons

• How to do it: Keep a couple of spoons in the refrigerator. When you need to depuff quickly, press the back of one under each eye, holding it there for up to a minute.
  
• Why it works: The cold temp. reduces swelling beneath eyes, which can occur when you rub them or after a poor night's sleep.

Bored?

Get a group of friends together and grab your Ipods or MP3 players and have a silent rave! Go to a public place and all at once each person will listen to their music with their own headphones and dance. These types of "silent disco's" are popular during protests or demonstrations.

J'Adore

The Great Gatsby

A 1974 film where Nick Carraway, a young Midwesterner now living on Long Island, finds himself fascinated by the mysterious past and lavish lifestyle of his neighbor, the nouveau riche Jay Gatsby. He is drawn into Gatsby's circle, becoming a witness to obsession and tragedy.

PostSecret of the Day

PostSecret is an ongoing community mail art project in which people mail their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard.
http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

Be A Gracious Couch Crasher

Do:

1. Bring a little present
2. Make a plan for your activities
3. Offer to pay for a lunch or dinner
4. Be neat and pick up after yourself
5. Give thanks when you leave with a card or note.

Don't:

1. Just show up
2. Use their products without permission
3. Bring tons of stuff when you don't need to
4. Just jump in the shower when they might need it first
5. Use their computer because there could be private info.

Fun Find

Discreet and easy to use, the SoleMates High Heeler™ attaches easily to most stiletto and kitten heels. By increasing the surface area on the base of the heel, it reduces the pressure on this area and prevents the heel from sinking into grass or falling into cracks! $11.95 from SoleMates.

Read Between His Lines

He Says: "I didn't know you'd be so upset."

He Means: "I figured you would be so I decided to tell you before I did it."

Hair Color Decoder

What the color on the box really means...

• Berry-Bright Red
• Cinnamon-Deep Auburn
• Chocolate-Medium Brown
• Espresso-Rich Dark Brown
• Honey-Medium Brown
• Champagne-Light Ash Brown

What his bed sheets reveal?

• Basic-The average guy buys cheap, solid colored bedding. This fella is unlikely to spring and surprises on you in or out of the sack.


• Silky-If his sheets are satiny enough to double as a slip-n-slide, he may be a player who thinks luring you into his room will guarantee a score.


• Matching-A high thread count and matching duvet? His mom likely bought them and he'll expect you to take care of him in the same way.

GORGE!

Marc Jacobs Duffy Bag on Bag-$1,950

Did You Know?

A clothing item is considered vintage if it dates from 1920 to 1960. After that date, an item is considered to be retro, not vintage.

Top 10 Resolutions Not To Make...

1. Quit your job and wait for a dream career opportunity to present itself. Recession shmecession.

• Reality check: Suck it up and hang on to your gig for now. Appease yourself by taking a class or picking up a hobby that will make your résumé stand out, like learning a foreign language or starting a blog.

2. Lose five pounds.

• Reality check: 2008 proved that toned and curvy is the new skinny think Scar Jo and Beyonce.

3. Finally win back your ex-boyfriend.

• Reality check: Move on. Engage in some rebound relationship therapy.

4. Buy into all the latest trends.

• Reality check: It’s okay to be a slave to fashion...just be a slave to cheap fashion, rather than dropping serious bank on each and every look. Kick yourself later for wearing it, but don’t kick yourself for blowing your paycheck on it.

5. Change your man.

• Reality check: While some relationship tweaking is to be expected (hey, few guys are natural-born good kissers), if the words “fixer-upper” and “project” could describe your boyfriend, it’s time to get real.

6. Triple the number of friends you have on Facebook.

• Reality check: Less time stalking your friends’ friends’ friends. More time catching up with buddies you actually care about.

7. Don’t eat any junk food.

• Reality check: Cutting out all unhealthy food from your diet will most likely lead to binge eating, followed by intense guilt, by mid-January.

8. Watch less trashy TV.

• Reality check: Zoning out and de-stressing for a bit every night with the help of good bad television is harmless.

9. Save more money.

• Reality check: Let’s be honest. In this economy, we’re just happy to be able to pay our rent, gas, and credit card bill.

10. Keep your number down.

• Reality check: Nothin’ wrong with notches on your bedpost, as long as you’re being safe.

HAPPY 2009!

Our New President!

Rub On Eyeshadow

New from Avon-Now anyone can have a professional makeup application...instantly! It's the easiest eyeshadow ever! Quick, easy application that’s makeup-artist perfect...and a great traveler. Includes 14 powder eyeshadow sheets. One application per sheet.

Follow These Three Steps:

1. Peel & Position - Separate eyeshadow sheet from protective plastic cover and place over closed eye.
2. Press - Gently press & rub entire sheet to transfer eyeshadow
3. Blend - Blend with fingertips for professional results

• From Avon-$9.00

Did You Know?

On average, people tell one to two lies a day with the intention of deceiving.

Naughty Playlist

• The Dream-Falsetto
• Christina Aguilera-Nasty Naughty Boy
• Marvin Gaye-Let's Get It On
• Boys II Men-I'll Make Love To You
• John Mayer-Your Body Is A Wonderland
• DiVinyls-I Touch Myself
• Diana Ross-Love Hangover
• Def Leppard-Pour Some Sugar
• Ginuwine-Pony
• Madonna-Justify My Love
• Beyonce-Naughty Girl

Did You Know?

Men’s button-up shirts have the buttons on the right, but women’s blouses have the buttons on the left.

Brooche's

A Brooch is an accessory that allows you to show off your creative side. Find ironic designs and large interesting pieces. Put them in your hair, hats, and unexpected places on your clothing. Scour vintage shops or your grandma's jewelry box to begin with.

Confidence Booster Playlist

• Ashanti-Good Good
• Beyonce-Get Me Bodied, Freakum Dress, Irreplaceable, Me Myself and I
• Ashlee Simpson-Boys
• Cher-Strong Enough
• Jessica Simpson-I Belong To Me
• Taylor Swift-Picture to Burn
• Trina-Here We Go
• Dixie Chicks-Sin Wagon
• Kelis-Bossy
• Kelly Clarkson-Miss Independent

PostSecret Of The Day

PostSecret is an ongoing community mail art project in which people mail their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard.

http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

GORGE!

Betsey Johnson Braided Snake Small Hobo-$185

Black Amethyst

New fragrance collection from Bath and Body Works, combines dark berries, spices, and creamy tones.

• 2/$15 or 5/$30 at Bath and Body Works.

Read Between His Lines

He Says: "That sounds...nice."

He Means: "I don't want to freak you out by saying the wrong thing."

Out Of The Vault!

Sleeping Beauty, the classic Disney cartoon enters the high-definition age with this first Blu-ray release from the studio's animation vaults. The tale of an enchanted princess slumbering until her true love plants a kiss on her returns in a 50th anniversary package.

• $14.99 from Amazon.com

Don't Miss

The 2nd Presidential Debate between Barack Obama and John McCain. Starting at 8PM CT, on NBC.

Instant Glam

Urban Outfitters-$24

Fun Find

This decorative door stopper from Fred is a shoe-in! Prop open doors in style with Foot In The Door, a high heel pump that acts as a door stop wedge. Kick up your heels! Finally, there is a fashionable solution to your pesky doors. We all need a Foot In The Door, so just place the ever-so-dainty toe of this stylish stiletto under the crack to prevent it from closing.

• Red or Black-$8.99

GORGE!

The CHANEL backdrop for the 2009 Paris Fashion Week Spring CHANEL Show, so vintage.

GORGE!

MIU MIU Pearlized Pumps-$650

Quickie Body Language Decoder

• He toys with his ears or nose: when a guy is being deceptive, its common for blood to rush to his face. His nose and ears will get warm and begin to itch, causing him to unconsciously rub or scratch them.


• Boring kiss:If he's scoping the scene while planting one on you in public, his mind is on other things.


• He looks up and to the left: Next time you ask him a sticky question or he's trying to explain something to you watch the way he looks. If his eyes go up and to the right, he's remembering info. from his memory. If his eyes go the left, there's a good chance he's making up an answer.


• He kisses your forehead: A true romantic, this dude will not only make you dinner, he will ask you how your day was.

PostSecret Of The Day

PostSecret is an ongoing community mail art project in which people mail their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard.
http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

J'Adore

Butterfield 8

A 1960 film where beautiful Gloria Wandrous, a New York model/call-girl engages in an illicit affair with married socialite Weston Liggett. Their turbulent affair soon runs out of steam when our heroine, under the mistaken impression that he'll never divorce his wife Emily and marry her, decides to begin a new life in Boston.

The Iconic Fashion Handbags

1. *The Chanel 2.55
   
2. *The Hermes Birkin
   
3. *The Louis Vuitton Speedy
   
4. *The Gucci Jackie-O

PostSecret Of The Day

PostSecret is an ongoing community mail art project in which people mail their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard.

http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

Fun Find

BraBABY is the new washing system that protects your finest intimate apparel from the wear and tear of the washing machine.With its unique flow-through design, the BraBABY allows water to gently clean your delicates and is dryer safe. So you can baby your bras right from the washer to the dryer.

*$19.95, Buy one get one free at BraBaby.