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Halloween in officially over, which means we’re hurdling down the homestretch toward the New Year. In the mean time, though, there’s no harm in actually ENJOYING the holidays this year, and if you need a bit of aid in the de-stressing department, it’s time to mix up a Grey Goose cocktail. Try this year’s holiday signature, Ginger Joy:

GREY GOOSE GINGER JOY
2 parts GREY GOOSE La Poire Flavored Vodka
½ part premium ginger liqueur
1 part simple syrup
1 part fresh lemon juice
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into martini glass. Present with a pear slice or crystallized ginger.

Maybe this gingery cocktail will inspire you to take the ultimate plunge: gingerbread men? Gingerbread houses? Maybe not. Enjoy! Written by: Calin Van Paris

Do you know somebody who can’t wear perfume, who can’t even tolerate people around them wearing a lot of perfume? I used to think they were freaks and now I’m one of ‘em. It didn’t happen overnight. It started with a desire to wear lighter and lighter fragrances until I was wearing barely-there citrusy stuff. After a while even that made me nauseous and gave me a headache and eventually the smell of my soap was about all I could take. We’ve all felt some sort of side-effect (in varying degrees), even the most die-hard spritzer feels a little lightheaded after an afternoon at the fragrance counter at Bloomie’s. Why? Because all the commercial perfume on the market these days is more toxic than Brittany Spears in 2007!

Commercial perfumes can have up to 4000 chemicals, but there are 20 common ones you’ll find in every bottle on the shelves. You’ll find acetone which causes nervous system disorders, methylene chloride which was banned by the FDA in 1988, because it is a carcinogenic that reduces the body’s oxygen carrying capacity and benzaldehyde which is another central nervous system depressant. When you spritz, you’re absorbing these cancer-causing chemicals both through your skin and inhaled through the lungs. Don't think you can give it up? You may actually feel “addicted” to your current stuff, and that’s very real because the body can actually become physically addicted to certain of those chemicals you're absorbing. Everyone knows that industrial chemicals cause asthma, birth defects and tons of other maladies, most people just don’t realize their cologne might be the cause.

But people have been wearing perfume for centuries? Right? Wrong. Not like this they haven’t anyways. Sometime around the 60’s and 70’s traditional flower and herb based formulas gave way to synthetics. While these pressings were always expensive, the new chemical cocktails are cheap, cheap, cheap costing only pennies to produce. So why charge $80 a bottle? To pay for fancy packaging, a sexy ad campaign and generate lots and lots of profit. Why do you think everybody and their brother has a perfume. Wanna really smell like you’re favorite celebrity? Then buy the good stuff not synthetics, trust me, loaded celebs are not dousing themselves with glorified paint thinner. So what do you wear? Easy - go natural. Essential oil from your local Whole Foods or Aveda shop will open you up to a whole new world of good smells. Try it you’ll like it. An instead of giving that girl sitting next to you a giant migraine, maybe she’ll move in a little closer.

Of course everybody thought I was crazy eight years ago when I told everyone to throw out everything in their cupboard with partially hydrogenated oils, now it’s illegal to sell at restaurants in some cities. In ten years I think we’ll see similar legislation about perfume. Be an early adapter. Written by: Hadley Henriette

it struck me early monday, that i may need to go somewhere this weekend.

the conundrum is that i had just landed back in vegas from a weekend trip to orange county.

wanderer, wonderer, runaway.

a friend mentioned looking to allegiant air for great, inexpensive last minute deals.

www.allegiantair.com

let the deal dictate our destination.

where does allegiant fly? well, many places to/&/fro vegas.

one such place struck my fancy. fargo/n.d.

at $60 round trip, i certainly couldn't disagree with the price.

so i began doing my research and actually found a great boutique hotel in fargo.

each room, decorated by a different local artist (right up my alley)

www.hoteldonaldson.com

my only fear was there wasn't much else in fargo outside of the chic boutique hotel and a twinge of coen bros irony.

my obsession for fargo is growing, but i am not sure how i can handle a place that not even anthony bourdain has conquered.

the thought of rich plains-feed beef though is rather enticing but it will have to wait.

eric burdon and the animals are in town (guilty pleasure), and i cant pass up that rare op.

xoxo








Written by: Melinda Sheckells

I am a pop culture junkie. I have been since I was 9 years-old. While the other kids were lost in comics and cartoons, I was devouring Vanity Fair.

I simply found Annie Leibovitz far more interesting than Stan Lee.

Okay, I was odd. Kill me.

So, this blog will basically include any and everything I find relevant. Let me know if you agree, disagree, or basically think I am an idiot.

It’s all good.

I am just back from Mexico City, writing a travel piece on celebrating “The Day of The Dead”.

I dropped by the Frida Kahlo Museum. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Salma Hayek´s portrayal in the biopic, but it left me wanting to know more. At the museum, I was blown away. Not just by the greatness of Kahlo’s work, but more so by her intent.

With “The Mask” (1945), she was commenting on the fact that she felt she had to hide her true self in order to cope with the insincerity of the world. Of course, she never conformed, which is why she’s still part of modern day conversation.

I say we take a cue from Kahlo.

Dressing up for Halloween is cool, but trying to actually be someone other than yourself is, well…lame.

A guide at one of the museums told me that most kids in Mexico are ignoring “The Day of The Dead” and opting for Halloween. “They would rather run around in Spider-Man outfits,” he said.

Damn that Stan Lee.


Isoul H. Harris
Managing Editor Atlanta
Twitter: isoulharris
Written by: Isoul H. Harris

Fall and Winter Diets

Summer is definitely over! Temptation to sabotage your diet runs high over holiday season, but there are some strategies to help you conquer those cravings and stay on track with your low carb diet plan. From Halloween bashes, pre-holiday get togethers, and football tailgating parties are all opportunities to indulge in some of the Fall’s tastiest meals and snacks. Colder temperatures naturally make us want to turn to comfort foods and the warm, stick-to your ribs platters are an easy way to cure the oncoming winter blues. Here are some diet tips and strategies for the Fall and Winter season ahead:

Tips:
1. Eat a wholesome breakfast of fruit, oatmeal, or low-sugar cereal each morning
2. Avoid the bread basket and choose crackers and fresh vegetables to snack on before a meal.
3. Just say no to cream based soups
4. Cook at home whenever possible
5. Moderate the sweets
6. Head to the Farmer’s market
7. Be active
8. Keep track
9. Plan ahead
10. Eat in small portions
11.Find a fun workout
12. Avoid late night leftover eating
13.Pile up the vegetables and water
14. Dodge the winter flu
15. Get more exercise

Even though it's easy to succumb to the rich meals and fattening treats as temperatures drop, there are some ways to continue the battle of the bulge, without too much sacrifice. Take charge of your health this season and look forward to a healthy and fitter you--well before the New Year’s Resolution rears its ugly head!
Written by: Joey Sotto

I'm pretty stoked today because I was tagged to MC a pretty amazing event tonight. The Dirty Heads and Dear and the Headlights will face off at the Marquee Theatre in Tempe, AZ, in a head-to-head battle of the bands unlike anything you've ever seen before. This things going to be all over the musical map, and well worth checking out if you're in the area. Show starts at 8 p.m.!

Here's a small taste of the show, which was recorded yesterday at Platinum Studios in Phoenix:



For more info, check out www.redbullsoundclashusa.com Written by: D.B. Mitchell

Holiday Season is kicking it into high gear with cocktails, parties, family gatherings and yes, plane rides. We've been hearing for years about how the recirculated air can get us sick and how that germy, sneezing kid eight rows away can still infect you. So here are a few tips for surviving that ride and arriving at your destination free of unwelcome microbes.

1. Get as much rest as possible the night before

2. Don’t eat crappy airport food, throw an apple and a bag of raw almonds in your carry-on before you leave home.

3. Just say no to soda on the plane - sugar suppresses your immune system for more than two hours after ingestion.

4. Everything you touch will be germy - so go wash your hands before you chow down.

5. Don’t throw away the paper towel after you wash, use it to pull knobs and levers and protect your hands from recontamination before you get back to your seat. And yes, your seat belt has germs on it to.

6. Wear a mask. Seriously. It’s something I do all the time on long flights. The mask will protect you from germs and keep your air passages from drying out, which makes them more susceptible to microbes. If you want to keep it on the dl, do like I do and take it off if you have to get up so all eyes aren’t on you. The upshot of H1N1, is that it’s become a lot more acceptable to wear a mask. Of course you can always say it’s an homage to the late great King of Pop.

7. Don’t have a mask? Another quick fix that people are doing now is placing a small amount of triple anti-biotic ointment around the very bottom of the nostrils in hope of killing entering bacteria. I haven’t read research regarding this method, but I know people that swear by this method.

8. Drink lots of water and little to no alcohol the day you fly. Flying dehydrates you something fierce.

9. Pop an Airborne in your water to add another layer to your immunity armor.

10. Most importantly, don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth. For any reason.

That's is! Written by: Hadley Henriette

This week, Erin R. Doland releases her new book, "Unclutter Your LIfe in One Week." And while that might seem pretty impossible, I've dissected a few of her tips to set you off on the right foot.

*Routines: Doland stresses the importance of routine, saying that it will actually give one time in their schedules to pursue the things that truly matter to them. If it seems as if your days fly by so fast that you barely have time to take a lunch break, then it may be time to create an effective time management strategy. Start by planning a realistic routine that you'll actually stick to. Organize in a way that best suits you, by checking out the D*Y*I* Planner templates at: www.diyplanner.com. The best part? It's free!

*Just Say No: When it comes to activities that take you away from your friends and family and drastically limit your social time, say no. At least once a week it's important to make a social obligation and stick with it. After all, your loved ones are a priority, no? Of course, for all those who can't stay still for too long, this doesn't mean you can't be productive at the same time. Plan a regular time to exercise with friends: hiking, surfing, take a dance class, etc. Or, make Sunday flea market shopping a ritual - that way you can beautify your home or search for long, lost treasures in the company of pals (who can also talk you out of those terrible impulse buys!) No matter what it is that you like to do in your spare time - make sure to keep your dates!

*Stay-At-Home: This brings us to quiet time. Doland suggests at least one night a week for alone time to take care of ourselves. Watch an entire season of your favorite guilty pleasure, create a spa in your own bathroom in order to pamper yourself, or zen out with a free online meditation tool such as one found on Discovery's Meditation Station (www.health.discovery.com/centers/stress/meditation-station)

*Make a List: We all have a lot of things we want to do, or at least the things we 'intend' to do someday...and of course, there are those things we NEED to do. And between the needs and wants, everything somehow gets muddled all together. To prevent that from happening, WRITE IT ALL DOWN. Carrying a notebook can help you put your ambitions to paper and help you focus. Writer and artist Philipp Keel came up with the Simple Diary to combat information overload and gain insight. Get yours at: www.simplediary.com. AND, most importantly - once you've written down the things you hope to accomplish - take the time to actually do them!

*Take a Class: Once you spend your hard earned money on something it becomes more of a commitment. Besides acquiring a new skill, picking up pottery, yoga, or sailing will expand your horizons socially as well. In LA for example, check out places like Home Ec in Silverlake, The New School of Cooking in Culver City or Bitter Root Pottery on Beverly Blvd.

*Make No Excuses: Putting things off feels much worse in the long run than the small, mundane tasks that seem annoying to do today. Pushed aside, these small things - like picking up the dry cleaning, avoiding that necessary trip to the bank, or ignoring a long distance phone call from your mother - compound until even the pettiest of things feels overwhelming. Yes, taking out the trash first thing on a Saturday morning may not be exactly what you want to do, but trust me, you'll feel better once it's outside where it belongs.

Written by: Kira Coplin

Levi's has a pretty cool promotion going on right now that's worth $100,000 to a resourceful chap. The PR story goes that Levi's archivists have "verified" the existence of a treasure buried by one Grayson Osias IV, and even some recordings that provide clues to its location. For those who log onto www.levis.com/goforth, there will be nine recordings released at various times to allow the community to work together to find this fortune.

It's an interesting marketing plan, involving everything from Craigslist postings to a Twitter page (www.twitter.com/graysonOziasIV). Hell, I just like it because there are Whitman quotes throughout the whole thing, which might just inspire a few folks to pick up a book. Just Google ol' Grayson and see the fruits of the labor �” and perhaps you'll even get a chance to make a few (thousand) bucks. Written by: D.B. Mitchell

Woe is me, my waistline! Halloween leave you feeling ghoulishly guilty about your diet? Unfortunately, it’s not over yet. The series of tempting treat occasions has just started. Don’t ruin this holiday season with feelings of regret. Be festive, be merry -- but be wary and watch those indulgences! Check out these tips to put you on guard for that festive figure!

1. Don't let things get out of hand. And no, I don't mean with the egg nog. Party it up, but be careful not to let this holiday season force grandma to knit you a whole new wardrobe! Weigh and measure (waist, hip, thigh) at least once a week to give yourself a wake up call when it’s time to pull the reigns on holiday gathering goodies.

2. Build Boundaries on the Bounty. A lot of my clients tell me about that one meal of the year they won’t hold back on and I think that’s a great idea. Occasional indulgences are essential for weight maintenance, but grazing on the goodies brought in by co-workers, neighbors, well meaning friends equals extra belt notches. Eat sensible, healthy meals and save up for the real feast!

3. Stay Away from the Kitchen. Don’t set yourself up for failure. Even more difficult than controlling portions in the face of decadent delights is staving cravings when overcome by aromas. Take your plate of favorites and step away from the table (if you can) and stay clear of the kitchen!

4. Take a Step Back - Pick your favorites! Even if you didn’t particularly like it, that lick, sip, or taste can add up to pound packing. When approaching the meal or holiday party, slow down the excitement for a minute. Survey the selection and be choosy. Gather only your favorites and savor. And remember, if you don’t like it, Mom won’t scold you if you don’t finish it!

5. Slow and Steady Wins the Race. This can’t be more true when it comes to eating habits, especially when enjoying high calorie holiday foods. Give your selections a minute in your mouth so you can fully enjoy, give your body a chance to tell you you’re full, and avoid overindulging.

6. Beware Egg Nog Gut!. Don’t think that, just because you didn’t chew it, cocktails, beverages, and spirits don’t count as “eating.” Alcohol and creamy beverages in fact, have some of the greatest impact on weight gain during the holiday season for the very reason that you don’t feel full consuming them. Sip slowly and resist going back for seconds!

Noga Sachs M.S. Health & Wellness Science and Motivation
Health and Life Coach
www.nogacoach.com
@nogasachs Written by: Noga Sachs

Plush beds covered in Egyptian cotton, custom-designed furniture, and walls hung with expensive artwork, a celebrity’s home oozes with exquisiteness.

Not everyone has an eye for design. Sure it’d be nice to have Kelly Wearstler on speed dial or to enlist Jonathan Adler to come give your living room a facelift but if you’re living paycheck-to-paycheck hiring an interior decorator isn’t an option.

It’s important that your home be your source of comfort and peace. Away from the stress and cares of your daily life, it should be a place that relaxes, rejuvenates and inspires you.

The good news is that by becoming your own tastemaker, you too can get Hollywood glam décor.

*Know what you want. Maybe your taste is classic mid-century style inspired by Charles Eames, or maybe it's Hollywood Regency chic a la Dorothy Draper.

*Take Inventory. Grabbing a pen and a pad of paper, sit down in the room you wish to makeover. Start off by asking yourself the following questions:
-How does it feel to be in this room?
-Does this look and feel like the kind of room that would belong to me? If not, why?
-Is there anything missing?
-Is there anything that bothers me about this room? What’s not working?
-What would make this room cozier/more stylish/more contemporary/etc?
-How can I add my personality to this room?

Jot down your thoughts as they come to you when observing a room and remember, how you ‘feel’ inside a particular space is just as important as the way it looks visually. It doesn’t matter how decadent or chic a room looks if you’re not comfortable in it. Make it yours! Tip: Framed photos of your favorite memories and people quickly add personal touches while scented candles make rooms feel more ‘homey.’

*Make a List. Once you have your thoughts d own on paper you can start making a list of ideas that will help direct you. Maybe it’s just a matter of rearranging the furniture or adding a few accent pieces - regardless of what comes to mind write it down. There’s a reason you’re thinking whatever it is!

*Be patient: Actress Amy Smart spent several months refreshing the dream home she purchased in the Hollywood Hills. “This house always had character,” Smart said, “but I also wanted it to have a presence in the way it was decorated.” Remember, it takes time to find the perfect pieces for your pad. It took Smart a year-and-a-half to find a table for her kitchen at an antiques shop in Santa Monica, and she even had the help of a designer! Troll flea markets and garage sales in your area or keep checking Craigslist.com eventually you’ll find the piece you’ve been looking for at a price you can afford.

*Original Art. Can’t afford Vik Muniz or Sam Samore? Create your own photography series with your own images. Print digital photos on glossy or matte paper in sepia tones, a few identical (and inexpensive!) frames from somewhere like Ikea, and hang them along your wall side-by-side in rows. There are websites, such as Coloredgevisual.com that will scale your images for you according to your wall too.

*Still stuck? Enlist a Stylish Girlfriend to Help Out! Turning her new home into the kind of sophisticated retreat she had in mind wasn’t as easy as Rashida Jones thought. “Starting out, I had nothing, and I made mistakes,” the actress says. Coming to the actress’ rescue was her good friend and neighbor decorator Kate Fine.

*No Money Makeover Moves You Can Start Today:

-Feng Shui your space by moving around the crap you already have!

-Clear the clutter...you know the rules...if you don't wear it, throw it out! If you don't use it...trash it. If it's an eye sore...well, go figure. Written by: Kira Coplin

Being a guy means wanting things that last -- not to mention something that we can just toss on with a pair of jeans and be comfortable. That's why menswear designers are adding quality boots to their lines. Whether they're made from leather or rubber, these things are built to last.

A recent example is Kenneth Cole's new limited edition Rubber Motor Boot, crafted after the original leather versions worn by Marlon Brando in the classic film, "The Wild One." Not only does this boot only cost $98, but all net proceeds go to The AWEARNESS Fund (Cole's "not-for-profit entity that supports, encourages and empowers acts of service, volunteerism and social change.")


Written by: D.B. Mitchell

Okay, so I tried growing my mustache and it’s not working. I just look better with a full face of scruff (even though some people think I am getting that ‘daddy’ look which is disturbing). But that doesn’t mean I can’t participate in Movember, the new catchy name for November dedicated to raising awareness to fight male cancers such as testicular and prostate.

Instead of the Mo Bro’ (the cute nickname of growing your mustache in November) I'll be wearing some jewels from two hot design companies.

Check out jewelry designer Rachael White of Demitasse Jewelry. She created a Mo’ inspired necklace http://www.demitassejewelry.com/page5/page6/page6.html and a portion of the sales will be donated to support the fight against testicular and prostate cancers.

I am already wearing this necklace and love it. It’s cool and relevant.

Next up are these fabulous cuff links from Arbitrage in http://www.arbitrage.com/2009/10/movemberlove/

The rose gold is super chic. Wear them on a simple white shirt and pair with one of those trendy cardigans and you’ll be set.

For more style check out www.thestylelabonline.com

Best,
Michael

Written by: Michael Cohen

to/&/fro is dedicated to wanderlust

welcome to my new daily blog. this is my passion. travel. and all the amazing things that come with the discovery of new places, people, cultures.

i like to see the world from different colored glasses.

i like to wake up in strange places.

i spend a lot of time in hotels, and I never get tired of them.

i eat room service.

i collect hotel keys.

i always carry my passport.

i like everywhere i have ever been and i want to go everywhere i haven’t.

so lets talk deals, design, adventure, relaxation, exotic, daring, beds, rooms, meals, places, people … anything and everything about being on the road.

this will be fun.

xoxo
Written by: Melinda Sheckells

Hey you sexy kids! Come join myself 944 Mag, Ann & George Lopez & his amazing foundation "National Kidney Org of So Cal" For the Great Chefs of LA event !

Nov 8th CBS Studio Center 12-330
All you have to do is show up, look gorgeous, mingle, eat, drink and be merry!

Honoree Chefs: Neal Fraser of BLD and Grace & Mary Sue Milliken of Border Grill

Wonderful Food Provided by only the GREAT Chef's in LALA!
Adam Horton, Saddle Peak Lodge
• Akasha Richmond, Akasha
• Benjamin Ford, Ford’s Filling Station
• Bob Lynn, La Grande Orange
• Brian Moyers, BLT Steak
• Celestino Drago, Enoteca Drago, Il Pastaio & Drago Centro
• Keven Alan Lee, EAST
• Jimmy Shaw, Loteria Grill
• Jorge Chicas, The Bazaar
• Josie Le Balch, Josie Restaurant
• Steven Fretz, XIV

& Of course amazing Beverages provided by only the best:
Piper Heidsieck! My fave! & A WIDE variety of Organic Vino Sponsors

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9KeNtOkovk&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWT-o5SvreM&feature=channel

http://www.kidney.org/site/504/images/GCLA2009Evite.jpg


See you there! xxo, Candice

Trust me, I’m a Chef… Your Stiletto Chef!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stiletto-Chef/123674940840?_fb_noscript=1

http://twitter.com/StilettoChef

http://www.stilettochef.com/


Written by: Candice Kumai