Good Morning Dear Reader:

Happy Halloween! Welcome to the anniversary of the day you first discovered that too much of a good thing is still a good thing!!! I can only think of once in my life when I actually thought (for a brief moment or two) that I never wanted to see anything chocolate again.

At the time, I was a sponsor of a group of youth at our church, sixth-graders to be exact. My co-sponsor and I thought it would be fun to take them to the Christmas Chocolate Festival at a local hotel for an all-you-eat chocolate buffet. After about 6 different chocolate desserts, my co-sponsor and I were starting to look a bit green and retired to our table.

Our little charges were just beginning to rev up to the next level. Not only did they eat plate loads of chocolate, they began stuffing the truffles, kisses, and other candies into their pockets. After some ugly looks from the management, we gathered the little darlings before we were all thrown out. I have new respect for the term, “chocolate high”.

I picked up the November issue of Self Magazine and found some really helpful articles. I especially like their balance of beauty/health and fitness. Beauty Flash on page 60 has some great hints:

1. Ever notice that the color of the lipstick in the tube doesn’t look the same on your lips? MAC DSquared2 Lip Erase applied first, neutralizes your own  undertones and keeps your lip color true!

2.  Cucumbers are rich in silica, a mineral that maintains collagen production, plus they are low in calories and when sliced and placed on the eye lids can reduce swelling.

3.  A few drops of contact lens solution dabbed on your lids and allowed to dry for 5 seconds can help hold your eyeshadow in place.

Page 90 identifies 5 stress-fighting superfoods that can help you stay calm and healthy. With the holidays ahead, we can use all the help we can get!

1. Spinach is high in magnesium which assists in lowering blood pressure. Add to omelets, soups and sandwiches.

2. Eat more oranges. The vitamin C bolsters your bodies’ national immune system.

3. Ah, chocolate. Cocoa boosts your body’s levels of neurochemicals which help produce a sense of happiness and relaxation. Dark chocolates are the most healthy and effective.

4. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish such as salmon and tuna can halt a surge in stress hormones. Try the new flavored Starkist and Bumble Bee Tunas-my fav’s are the Tomato-Basil and Spicy Thai.

5. Oatmeal’s vitamin B stimulates production of serotonin which sends soothing signals to your brain, plus it has a positive effect on lowering our cholesterol.

Page 54, Even though it looks overcast, slap on your sunscreen under your makeup every single day. UVA rays are constant year around. I read where one dermatologist said the only time you don’t need a sunscreen is when you need to use a flashlight!

Have a beautiful Halloween–no tricks, only treats!

Diane

Good Morning Dear Reader:

Outside the rain is pouring down and all I can think of are the poor little trick-or-treaters if it doesn’t stop. Missing the trick-or-treat experience for a child is akin to not opening the Christmas presents that sit under the tree. All that candy just waiting–and their costume just sitting there. Gather umbrellas, get out the rain boots and forget about getting wet. These are the memories that will last.

I love it when someone comes up with a wonderful idea that does something good for others. Karen and Earl Garrison at The Conservatory in Kingwood are collecting scarves for The American Cancer Society.  They will be given to women with breast cancer who have lost their hair. Their efforts have brought in a bounty of scarves that are now on display in the form of a lovely multi-colored ballgown. As scarves arrive, they are added to a wire dressmaker’s form and it overfloweth with magnificent color.

Karen with the collected scarves

It is not too late to donate from your own closet or to purchase one to donate. You have until Tuesday, November 3. For every scarf donated, your name will be entered to win an exquisite Hermes scarf .

With the first of November right around the corner, I am mentally skipping right over Thanksgiving and obsessing about getting my Christmas shopping started. Every year, I spend so much time looking for just the right gift for everyone, that I am always going right down to the wire completing my list. Not this year, I won’t.  I have already started scoping out good deals for you and me!

Christmas sales have started early and you can find some terrific decor on sale at JoAnn’s Fabrics and Kohl’s with reductions at 40-50%. Great for ornaments, and all things with Christmas themes. I consistently find cute Carter’s sleepers and pajamas for little ones at 50% off at Kohl’s, perfect for gift giving! Both Dillard’s and Macy’s have newspaper ads for an additional 25-30% off on sale items. There are bargains out there!

For the book lovers on your lists I have discovered a great magazine at Barnes and Nobles, Bookmarks. It is published 6 times a year and is filled with reviews of all the best books in all genre. Your book lover might love a subscription or one of the hundreds of selections featured. Visit www.bookmarksmagazine.com. Subscriptions are $29.70 per year.

Here are a few I want to buy for me featuring strong female voices( page 12):

1. Autobiography of a Wardrobe by Elizabeth Kendall

2.  Without Reservations-The Travels of an Independent Woman by Alice Steinbach

3. The Gastronomical Me by M.F.K. Fisher

4. Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name by Vendela Vida

5. Generation Loss by Elizabeth Hand

News Flash! Coffee Mate has introduced seasonal creamers that are yummy:  eggnog, pepermint mocha, pumpkin spice, gingerbread and carmel apple. Run to the diary case!!!

What are you going to be for Halloween?

Diane

Good Morning Dear Reader:

In only two more days it will be the day we anticipate all year–Halloween! It is the one day a year we can justify bringing home every kind of chocolate we love without one ounce of guilt. If none of that chocolate winds up in the little treat or treater’s bags, that is another issue.

As you can see from my photo, I am making my usual preparations for Saturday–an eye of newt latte accompanied by a nice big bowl of lizard foot granola for breakfast. My hat reflects the fashion-forward look this year of feather adornment. I may even add some to my broom.

In case you are admiring my bunny flip flops, and appreciate ones that are unique, you must visit www.funkeflopz.com, the Website of my friend, Di Manning. She creates beautiful unique ones for girls from 2-92. And if you need some for a special outfit, she will design you a one-of-kind pair!

I have been pouring over my new issue of Southern Living Magazine (Nov.) all morning because it is just  jam-packed with great ideas for home and garden, besides the fantastic recipes and travel features. The individual state editions have unique sections devoted to their best resturants, hotels, cities, etc. What made this issue such a standout for me is that it had 3 different recipes for chocolate sauce–and all easy!

There is a great feature on page 54, “Wake Up a Tired Bedroom”. Working with great ideas and not much cash they transformed a very plain guest room into an elegant retreat. They chose very simple, neutral bedding and took it to another level with an elegant bedskirt and matching canopy for the bed. You could also use that fabric for pillow or shams. Instead, they took a dramatic patterned fabric rug and sewed it into a large retangular accent pillow for the bed. Wow! Take a look. What a great idea.

Art for the room came from a roll of  interesting wallpaper that was cut to fit inexpensive craft store picture frames. They used a set of 6 for dramatic effect.

I love the Thanksgiving ideas especially the Turkey Rub on page 128. I think it would be good on other meat as well.

Paprika-Brown Sugar Rub

Combine 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar, 2 T. kosher salt, 2 T. smoked paprika, 2 tsp. dried crushed red pepper, 2 tsp onion powder, 2 tsp. dry mustard, and 1 tsp. coarsely ground pepper. Store in an airtight container up to 4 weeks.

Page 136, “Twelve New Ways With Pecans” has a great appetizer that is different and sounds delicious!

Blue Cheese-Pecan Apples

Arrange 1 thinly sliced Gala apple and 1 thinly sliced Granny Smith apple in over-lapping rows on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Pinch one (5 oz.) soft blue cheese wedge, rind removed, into small pieces;arrange on apples. Bake at 425 degrees, 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese is just melted. Sprinkle with chopped, toasted pecans and salt and pepper to taste. Yum!

Southern Living subscriptions are on sale–2 for one, $19.95. There’s a great gift!

Let’s Get Spooky,

Diane

Good Morning Dear Reader:

It is an absolutely glorious fall morning here and while I should be ecstatic, I am grinding my teeth instead because I have  been attempting to argue with a fill-in-the-blanks form on the Web.

I know that sounds irrational, but for some reason it did not like my phone number. No matter how many times I put it in, it asked me to enter the correct amount of digits. Unless aliens have recently taken over our phone companies, I am pretty sure that all U.S. phone numbers have a three-digit area code and a seven-digit number. Nope, not enough numbers for this site. I even researched our international code, which I know now is “1″. It didn’t like that either.  So, if you know what new numbers the aliens have assigned me, would you just e-mailme?

On a much happier topic, my copy of Conde Nast Traveler, November, just arrived and it truly transported me to some incredible vacation spots. The headline article is “Best in the World, the Top 100″ or the Reader’s Choice Awards  (25,008 people voted). This is a  handy resource guide because it is so comprensive including airlines, hotels, countries, cruise lines, islands, and resorts, page 167. I was thrilled to see that Crystal Cruise Lines was voted number 1 in the large ship category. It’s still not to late to join me on the Panana Canal trip, Nov.29-Dec.10. E-mail me, diane@lipstickdigest.com

Just to tease you with some of the well-researched  in depth stories about great destinations, this issue features Switzerland, New Orleans, African safaris, Venice and Damascus. There is a wonderful guide to planning a trip to 3 of this countries’ greatest national parks, Yellowstone, Glacier and Grand Teton in 10 days, page 98.

The other feature, which makes this magazine so useful is the wealth of good travel information about planning, packing, all the where to’s (eat, sleep,drink,tour,etc), and how to find travel bargains. There are also safety travel alerts and features on travel equipment. One of the handiest services is the useful Website, cntraveler.com and  their Consumer News Editor Wendy Perrin’s deals.truths.travels which has daily posts on real travel bargains, and in this economy there are many! Hawaii is on sale as well as Mexico!

The issue has some great hints for shooting videos. With the holidays upon us, many of you will be armed with video cameras. Just a reminder, to any male readers, there is not a woman alive who wants to see her backside preserved in video. Okay, maybe a few, but none I know. Here are some tips for good results:

1. Never move the camera. Focus on an individual and get close. Zooming in and out is for the pros.

2. Skip all the scenery shots, concentrate on people, like the movies do.

3. You don’t need fancy editing equipment. Use the one on your computer, Movie Maker for Windows or iMovie on Mac.

4. Try the new tiny Flip Ultra HD/$200, amazing!

If there is no sunshine where you are, make your own!

Diane

Good Morning Dear Reader:

I am happy to announce that the nasty cold that has had me dragging low is retreating and I am feeling only a bit sub-human. You will be delighted to learn that on your behalf I have subjected myself to a wide variety of medications aimed at taming a cold to spare you such experimentation when  you find yourself suffering with one.

While my studies were not clinical in nature, I will say that my consultations with the pharmacist at Walgreen’s were on a very professional level.  I am convinced that medications containing zinc do help reduce the duration of a cold. I had great success with Cold-Eeze, a cherry flavored lozenge which did not taste at all like a metal cake pan, as the old zinc tablets did.

Next for that strangling, tickling cough which is impossible to suppress, I was delighted with Hall’s Plus Soothing Syrup Center Honey-Lemon Cough Drops. While they did not remind me of my favorite lemon bars, they were very pleasant and did their job. And of course, a jumbo box of the lotion-loaded Kleenex. Also, do not forget your Vitamin C and good old chicken soup!

One of our faithful readers who has the most gorgeous skin shared her secret for her healthy glow and the ingredients are already in your kitchen.

For a moisturizing facial mash the following ingredients and mix until smooth. Apply to clean face and leave on at least 15 minutes. If company happens to drop in while you are mixing it up, you can serve it as a dip:

1 avocado

1/2 banana

1 T.honey

1/4 cup plain yogurt

1 T. olive oil

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To tighten skin, apply to clean face one egg white whipped. Leave on for 30 minutes. For a moisturizing effect, use the egg yolk and leave on 15 minutes.

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Now this one is not a pretty sight, in fact you have to lay down somewhere to keep it from falling off your face, but it does a great job. Just don’t let the dog near you. Leave on 15 minutes.

Oatmeal Mask:

1 cup of oats

1/4 cup of almonds, ground (use coffee grinder)

1 T. lemon juice

1/4 cup plain yogurt

Halloween is just around the corner and I do hope you have your costume ready and that you have not already eaten that candy you bought for the little trick or treaters. I stopped in at my favorite candy/toy store, On The Park and tried on a fabulous spider and almost made it out the door with a box of Godiva, but Fred caught me! I thought he gave Godiva to all his trick or treaters! Doesn’t everyone?

Have a beautiful day,

Diane

Good Afternoon Dear Reader:

Like Oprah, Martha Stewart represents an empire of products, media-TV and radio, plus her published materials including a great little magazine called body+soul. I picked up the November issue in the airport and have not been able to put it down. The emphasis is on good health and I will tease you with some of this month’s great ideas, but you will want to read more.

After fighting a nasty cold for days, I zeroed in on “50 Simple Health Tips” (page 76) hoping just reading them would make me feel better. And it did! Here are a few that I had never heard before but really seem to have merit:

1. For mild eczema, sip oolong tea 3x a day for symptom relief.

2.  For tension headaches (we know about these) rub your temples with peppermint oil, Tiger Balm or white flower oil.

3.  A brisk walk can restore your energy better than a nap or a latte.

4. Sniff rosemary to increase alertness and improve memory.

5. If you suffer from dry eyes, up your intake of salmon, sardines– all  fish with Omega-3 fatty acids.

6.  People who eat bananas(high potassium) may be less prone to high blood pressure.

7. Research shows honey may be more effective than over the counter cough syrup. Use a medicinal-grade such as manuka honey and take up to 2 tsps. at bedtime.

8.  Eating broccoli can help combat gum disease.

9. Green tea, hot or iced, before exercising can rev up your workout and increase the metabolic generation of heat

10.  Shiitake mushrooms and wasabi contain compounds that fight the bacteria that causes plaque and cavities.

Page 108 has an excellent except from the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. It noted that mice who were fed acetic acid (a component of vinegar) in their diet, developed 10% less fat than other mice on the same diet.  All vinegars including balsamic,  contain acetic acid, so splash on!

Page 100 has a beautiful story that you may have seen featured on the Today Show, today! It is by Cami Walker who has MS and to pull herself out of depression over her pain and loss of self esteem, committed to giving away 29 gifts in 29 days. All were not material things, and some were things she owned and no longer needed. Some were small, a bag of chips to a street person, words of encouragement, and prayers for others. Her life changed for the better. She is now in the 20th cycle of her 29 day plan. She is happier and feels better. Learn more at 29Gifts.org or read her book, 29 Gifts:  How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life.

I discovered a new TV program that I had never seen before and I highly recommend it if you like mystery and international intrigue. Look for MI-5 from BBC on your PBS channel. I saw it on Saturday night and it was riveting!

It is pouring down here. I hope you see some sunshine where you are!

Diane

Good Evening Dear Reader:

Today I was reminded how much we can learn if we simply open ourselves up to new people and new experiences. I was in the Seattle airport  killing time before my flight home to Houston. You know how much I love cosmetics and beauty products so I was drawn like a magnet to The Body Shop located right inside the airport. I had  a fabulous time trying all the different body butters that were on display and on sale as well. By the time I finished, I smelled like the most amazing fruit salad. Not mention my hands were soft as marshmallows.

The precious store manager, Missy, asked me if I knew about the commitment of  The Body Shop to support communities around the world through fair trade practices and to defend human rights around the globe. I did not.

As soon as I got home, I visited their Website, www.thebodyshop-usa.com and I hope you will as well. They donate $6 of the $10 purchase of the Soft Hands Kind Heart Hand Cream to ECPAT (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and the Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes) and also support Somaly Mam Foundation which deals with the same issues. They also support a campaign against domestic violence. It is too bad more companies don’t follow their lead. Bravo Body Shop!

If you live anywhere near Houston, mark your calendar for November 12. It is a red-letter day for Texas women. The George R. Brown Convention Center will be the site for the tenth annual Texas Women’s Conference hosted by Governor Rick Perry and his wife. Anita. It will be a full day of outstanding seminars and presentations by nationally-known personalities such as financial expert Suze Orman, Astronaut Mae Jemison, actress Janine Turner, behavioral consultant and author Marcus Buckingham, author Isabel Allende, Olympic medalist, gymnast Nastia Luikin, and many others.

The full day includes a continental breakfast, lunch, a career fair (bring resumes), a mentor match and the opportunity to meet and connect with other empowered women. The full day is $125 or find a friend and you can both register for $200. Go online at www.txconferenceforwomen.org and sign up today. Be sure and click on the list of speakers. The amazing presenters who will be in seminars and breakout sessions will just blow you away. Don’t miss this event. I hope to see you there!

I discovered the most clever line of greeting cards designed by a Seattle woman, Shannon Martin. Her cards are available in card shops and at www.madisonparkgreetings.com. One of the ones I bought featured a 20’s flapper-type in a dragonfly showgirl costume. The message, I love:

“Be yourself.  Everyone else is already taken.”  Oscar Wilde

I could not resist photographing this sign I saw in a coffee/chocolate shop in the airport. Isn’t that something that we have always known? Good to see it in print! And good to be home!

Have a lovely evening,

Diane

Good Afternoon Dear Reader:

It is a magnificent fall afternoon in Seattle without a single drop of rain, which is cause to celebrate. In spite of the 6-inch deep mud in the fields, parents have brought their children to the many pumpkin patches around town for pictures and to see some scary displays of ghosts, witches and ghouls. I often wonder if the children really value these and similar experiences as much as the adults.

I have seen more photos of terrified babies sitting on Santa’s lap than I have happy ones. Could it be that what we think of as great photo opps happen to be traumatizing them instead?

Let’s face it, parenting is probably the job for which most of us had the least amount of training–unless you want to throw in marriage, where all of us were pretty much clueless as well.

If you think about it, in order to drive a car, we had to take driver’s ed, pass a test for a permit to drive with an adult, and after completing our driver’s course ( with the instructor still alive), take a state test for a license. Anyone can get married with a license in a couple of days, and there is no requirement for having children. We really do need to work on that.

I’ve been fascinated by the November issue of InStyle Magazine with the gorgeous and talented Reese Witherspoon on the cover.  There is so much to love about this magazine. First, I love the great photos of the stars in these phenomenal clothes. They never make fun or try to show them at their worst. Second, they show a wide range of clothes and accessories in prices from bargain (Target) to couture. There is something there for everyone. Plus, they always highlight great new beauty products.

This issue is filled with great ideas for Christmas shopping in the Best of the Web article on page 223. While I am not going to list all 220 sites for you (you should buy your own copy), I will list some that just jumped out at me as great sites. They are divided into categories such as fashion, accessories, vintage, beauty, blogs, best apps, home and entertaining.

Piperlime.com and Zappos.com , both famous for their shoe selection, are now selling clothes. Zappos has BCBG and Moscino, Joe’s Jeans and Free People Swimwear while Piperlime has Citizens of Humanty, Paige Denium and Rich and Skinny . Shopbop.com has unlimited jeans choices and lots of style. Revolveclothing.com is a super-mega shopping site.

Etsy.com is an artisan market for handmade items.  At  Instyle.com try on celebrity hair and makeup looks. The best online videos for makeup are at ByLaurenLuke.com. For hair styling  go to TedGibsonBeauty.com/media.php

For IPhone apps try: Save Benjis ($1) compare prices while you are out shopping with this app. Yowza !! (Free) Mobile coupons within a 15-mile radius. Show the cashier your deal and save on the spot.

Have a beautiful evening!

Diane

Good Morning Dear Reader:

I must tell you that it is such a joy to be able to share great ideas about fashion, food, good health, home and travel. I hope that through this blog you discover magazines that you have not read and will possibly become a subscriber, because if we don’t buy them, they will disappear. Such is the nature of the economy. I also enjoy discovering new items that will tickle your fancy or provide a solution to some problem you might have.

My newest cool discovery,  and great Christmas gift idea is from a Seattle-based company called Magnabilities. I found them in an adorable boutique in Redmond Town Center, Dragonfly. They are darling pendants that you can mix and match with various types of chains and cords ($5-$30). The pendant comes in a silver. copper, pewter, and gold finishes. The really cool part is that the center “stone” has a magnetic back and can be changed out for numerous designs. The pendants are $15 and the inserts are all $3 each and the choices are huge. The really cool part is that if you go to their Website, Magnabilities.com you can do a custom order and have an insert made with your child’s photo, a special saying, an unusual image or whatever for $4. You can also order the pendants at that site if you don’t live in the Seattle area.

I promised you more good news from Real Simple- November and there is plenty! Here’s a great tip:  between Nov. 1 and Dec. 26, Target will be offering a special holiday collection of dresses. Some priced as low as $40! Wow! Besides great ideas about how long you can keep certain leftovers and 10 things to do with leftover turkey (page 302 ), there is a great article about dishwashers.

 Undoubtedly those of us who use them to wash dishes are just clueless about what else they are good for. It seems they can clean: baseball caps  (reshape on a plastic form or bowl), rain boots, tools with metal or plastic handles, cabinet knobs, hairbrushes of plastic (no wood or natural bristles), fan grilles, switch plates and vent covers.  Also good for shin guards, knee pads and mouth guards as well as action figures, potatoes and flip flops (maybe not together). See the complete guide on page 201.

On the fashion front, page 159 is a good article about another hot accessory this season, the belt.  According to stylist Ricci DeMartino, “A belt is an instant waist creator”. Position it slightly below the waist not to call attention to your tummy. Choose a belt in a shade similiar to that of your dress or outfit so it does not cut you in half visually. Steer clear of skinny belts. Look for a wide belt cut on a curve.

One last great hint, to open  seemingly impenetrable plastic clam shell packaging, use a can opener. Flip the package on its back and start at top right. (Page 68).

Have a Delightful Friday–the Weekend is Here!

Diane

Good Morning Dear Reader:

Did you ever have one of those nights when you just could not go to sleep no matter what? Well, last night was one of those nights. I am not sure if my “sleeplessness in Seattle” was due to the Claritin I took for my congested head or the double espresso I tossed down to sooth my scratchy throat. The combination was potent.

 I can tell you all about  male enhancement drugs because there is a commercial for them every 15 minutes on 117 different channels. I now have carpel thumb from repeatedly clicking through looking for any show  that has no commercials. When I got to the premium movie channels I discovered that after midnight the only movies they show are the ones I didn’t want to watch during normal viewing hours. Trust me, they don’t get better after midnight.

I snorted a buckle of saline nose spray, had several slugs of honey–reputed to soothe an itchy throat–and rotated my pillow on the half hour. I should have just gotten up, mopped the floor, done a  load of wash and organized the pantry. I am sure that is what you do when you can’t sleep. I am swearing off that late afternoon espresso. I think I read somewhere that high quality chocolate has healing powers. Tonight that’s my back up plan!

Speaking of chocolate, and I always do, if you are ever in Seattle, do not miss the Chocolate Box Presents Tour de Chocolat. It is a divine 3-hour coffee and chocolate indulgence. www.sschocolatebox.com

And while you are here, take one of the Savor Seattle Food Tours. There are both 2- and 3- hour walking tours that take you to some of Seattle’s finest restaurants and gourmet food businesses. The prices are very reasonable and the groups are small, 12-16 people. www.SavorSeattleTours.com

Speaking of  good food, the November issue of Real Simpleis devoted to streamlining your Thanksgiving feast and making entertaining more fun. This is a great magazine that never fails to inspire me to want to be better organized. In this issue, as they do each month, they tackle someone’s problem closet. Unfortunately, their problem closet looks like a dream closet to me because it contains:  2 umbrellas, 3 coats, a few pairs of shoes, a golf bag, 2 telephone books and a stapler.

 My problem closet  could be best summed up as an avalanche waiting to happen. If you have ever been to Alaska and have seen the salmon running where thousand of them are all trying to get upstream and lay their eggs , you have an idea what what the shoes in my closet look like at this moment. Like the salmon, they may never see their mate again either.

There are so many great articles that I will have to continue to tease you with tidbits again tomorrow, or you could just run right out and get your own copy. It’s a keeper!

Have a great day and don’t mix your espresso with your decongestant,

Diane