Red Lips for All!

Everyone can wear this Fall's hottest accessory: Red Lips! It really can be beautiful on anyone if you know how to wear it right!

Not all reds are alike and picking the perfect color is key. You must consider your underlying skin tone.

• If your base skin color has yellow tones, a warmer shade of red with brown undertones is perfect for you. Look for something that you might describe as "brick red."
• If your natural skin has red or pink undertones, you will want to lean towards reds with a pink or blue base.
• Warm olive skin tones, like mine, look best in a warm red to match. An orange or golden tone will work.
• Women with dark skin look amazing in a bright fuchsia-like red.
• Look for a long-wearing lipstick as the bold red is more noticeable as it starts to fade than a pale color is.

Even if you pick the perfect tone, red can still be tricky so here a few application tips:

• Start with a lip moisturizer as a base.
• Apply a thin layer of your foundation or powder to help set the red lipstick. This will also help it last longer.
• Line your lips with a neutral lip liner (not a red one!) and then color them in with the same liner.
• Apply red lipstick lightly with a makeup brush so that you have an even application.
• Lightly blot your lips with a tissue after you have applied the lipstick.

Keeping your red lipstick from smearing is easy!

• Do as the beauty queens do and put a touch of vaseline on your front teeth.

Finish off your red-lip look with clean natural skin and mascara. Avoid too much blush, eyeliner or shadow or you will look overdone.

For a more gentler look, combine your best shade of red with a bit of vaseline or clear gloss for a natural rosy gloss look.

Manner Month- Nine easy manners to teach your child

1. Do not interrupt others while they are speaking. Gently tell them to wait until someone is done speaking, and then ask their question. Be sure and give your child your full attention when you are done speaking, as to reinforce the positive behavior of waiting his/her turn. While children are patiently waiting, hold their hand to let them know you are aware of their presence.

2. No name calling. Whatever the reason, name-calling is wrong. Ask your child to explain what the behavior is about someone that bothers them. Also, don’t accept a child saying “I was just joking.” It’s never a joke when someone is made to feel rejected or ridiculed. Voice your anger and disappointment if your child has taunted someone. Have her apologize to her victim and perhaps others.

3. Say, "Please" and "Thank you." In addition, if they are thanked, then say, "You're welcome". The parent needs to say please, thank you, excuse me, I’m sorry, as well. The child will pick up on the parent saying them.

5. Clean up after yourself. Explain that the child cannot continue on to the next activity until the mess is clean. STICK TO YOUR WORD!

6. Good sportsmanship. After playing a game (sports, cards, board game), no matter the outcome, be pleasant. If your child wins, tell him/her to not gloat or show off, but to be kind. If they lose, don't get mad, but be a good sport as well and tell the other child "good game.”

7. Take compliments courteously. A child is never too young to learn how to graciously accept a compliment. Our tendency is to downplay a compliment with a comment such as, “it was nothing.” While in our mind we may feel that this is the appropriate response what we are really doing is being rude to the person offering the comment. Encourage them to look the person in the eye and respond with a meaningful thank you. One of the easiest ways to teach this skill is to role play with them a situation where they might receive a compliment.

8. Opening doors for others. When going into buildings, allow elders to go first and open the door for them. When preceding others into a building, don't let the door slam in the face of those behind, but hold the door until the person behind can grab it. Also teach your children that if someone holds the door for them, then remember to say "thank you."

9. Social Etiquette. Start kids young with learning how to set the table appropriately, and then talk to them about general etiquette rules. Approach manners as a game. One night a week, try to have a somewhat more formal dinner. Try dressing up, serve a special meal, and expect more formal manners. That will help improve your kids' social graces. Work on one social skill at a time. Don't overburden a child with too many lessons at once.

PinkMemo: Spring 2010 Trend Report

PINKMEMO.COM: NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
SPRING 2010 TREND REPORT: by Katrina Szish - Editor in Chief

1. RUFFLES: From Yohij Yamamoto's Y-3 collection to Oscar de la Renta's sleek uptown gowns (a fuschia strapless confection made jaws drop), to Marc Jacobs' unexpected femininity, these girlie frills ruled on skirts, blouses, dresses ... and even as trim on a pair of shorts, modern bloomer style (at ODLR).

2. LATTICE: Marc Jacobs made the cover of WWD with his open-air latticed jacket, Carolina Herrera's similar crosshatch cut-outs had Asian inspiration, Yohji offered avant-garde overlays inspired by World Cup soccer nets, and even Zac Posen's mash-up collection yielded a brightly-colored lattice coat. Think creative layering!

3. ZIPPERS AND SLASHES: Michael Kors, King of the classics, surprised his well-heeled front-row ladies with rumpled cashmere sweaters accented with slashed cuffs and collars; he offered a more refined interpretation with his pale-hued shift dresses made edgy with asymmetrical, opened zipper slashes. Max Azria's signature collection drew oohs and aahs from Lucy Liu and her entourage, especially when models showed off minimalist sheath dresses accented with unexpected slashes in the fabric and cut-outs in suggestive locations, baring the lower back, or giving a glimpse of a sexy shoulder blade.

4. FROTHY CONFECTIONS: This fall we may don edgy black leather skinny pants and motorcycle jackets, but designers are already looking ahead to gentler days. Keith Lissner, a NY socialite favorite, was inspired by the ballet and offered soft hues and tulle; Chris Benz traded his often boyish offerings for feathers and frou, and Marc Jacobs shocked us all by ditching his go-to 80s themeand opting for full-on femininity, poufs and puffs galore.

5. MINIS: Legs still rule the runways, Michelle Smith at Milly went with a preppy punk look and sent out many thigh-grazing minis; Oscar de la Renta added unexpected sex appeal with a full-skirted, above the knee frock that had SJP written all over it; Zac Posen dressed Coco Rochas in tailored mini-dress. The look that ruled for minis was short and full rather than slim and fitted. Girls, it's party time!

6. ETHNIC PRINTS: Oscar de la Renta wowed with an intricately embellished gazaar frock layered over a white petticoat; Diane von Furstenberg continued her fascination with far-off destinations as evidenced by her exotic prints, and Carolina Herrera went on a different journey to Asia.

Family Fun Night with the Texas Tornado!

If you are looking for a great way to make some memories, have fun and eat dinner for $13 this weekend, I have the perfect ticket for you! You must check out Texas Tornado hockey team this Friday, September 25th or Saturday, September 26th at the newly renovated Dr Pepper Stars Center in Frisco. The Tornado will begin their season this weekend after taking a one-year hiatus last season while the City of Frisco and the Dallas Stars completed an expansion of the arena. They increased the seating capacity from 3,733 seats to 4,944 seats! A new concourse level club lounge has been added with direct access to the suites on the west side of the arena. There are new restaurants, two new video boards, a new parking garage, an enhanced promenade and new concessions. Speaking of concessions, you can not miss the Family Ticket Deal! Each person will receive one end zone game ticket, one Twister Meal Deal including a hot dog, chips, and a Dr Pepper product and memories of a fun filled night for only $13! Call 972-335-9800 to order your tickets today.

How to transition your wardrobe into Fall when it is 90 degrees outside!

The weather is screaming Summer but every clothing store is well into Fall! How should you dress! Here are a few tips on transitioning into Fall with out burning up:

• Layers: Layer your cardigans cool fall nights or a cool movie theatre. Cotton cardigans are perfect for layering as they are breathable. Layer tanks, tees and long sleeved T-shirts underneath to create interesting color combinations.


• The Classic Sheath Dress: Choose a cotton dress that you can easily layer with a cardigan. Adding a belt and fall shoes can help with the transition. Stick with warmer tones and leave the brights for summer and spring.


• Platform Ankle Booties: Wear these trendy short booties with skirt and dresses while the temperatures are warm and add opaque tights as it gets cooler. Platforms are easier to wear than stilettos, even if you are not one for heels, so you should give them a try!


• Cropped Pants: While it is hot, cropped pants look great with flats and a simple shirt. As the weather gets cooler, tuck them into your knee high boots!


• Scarves: A light silk scarf is a great piece to layer. Lay it and loosely around your neck. Wear them in great fall colors with your lighter clothing.

How to: Shop Your Closet

Sometimes your best wardrobe is just a hanger away!


1.) Take Closet Inventory: Make sure your basics are covered: black tank, white oxford, nice pencil skirt, cardigan, black pants, nice suit jacket, etc. Find out what basics you have and then you will know what you truly need. So get back to basics and find fun in accessories!

2.) Accessorize: Use your more daring accessories to liven up your wardrobe basics. These can include bold scarves, colorful handbags, costume jewelry, brooches, and more. These are also easier to store than sweaters! An entire new outfit could be just a silk scarf away!

3.) Use it or Lose it!: If you have it in your closet, find a way to incorporate it, or remove it from the racks to freshen up your storage space and make room for new and wearable pieces. Also, one persons toss is another persons treasure, please be sure to donate unwanted clothing and accessories to charity before you place anything in the trash!

4.) Throw out multiples: If you have multiple pieces of the same look, pick your favorite and get rid of some of the other garments to help yourself make room for new things. You never know where your new look may take you (and do you truly need 4 green t-shirts?).

5.) Repair what you have: If you want to make the most of what you have, make sure it is all in it’s best shape. Get rid of scuffs on old pairs of shoes & leather handbags, repair and reinforce old high heels, mend any holes and tears in clothing garments, and freshen up your sterling silver jewelry (* the best way is to scrub with a soft toothbrush dipped in warm water that's been spiked with a few drops of dishwashing liquid).

6.) Edit & Organize your closet: Sometimes shopping your closet is as easy as making the items that you have accessible. Get rid of the articles you no longer wear, or store them in a place that isn’t mixed in with your day-to-day outfits. Also, color coordinating helps. Organize your clothing dark to light, then, when you are looking for that light blue silk ruffled top you bought last year, you have somewhat of an idea of where it could be in the color line!

7.) Change the look of things!: Don’t be afraid to take chances and substitute the original purposes of garments with a fresh new perspective. Wear a dress as a tunic by shortening it with a statement-making belt. Take a fun summer dress and wear it into fall with a cute pair of colorful tights. Pair a suit jacket with a pair of jeans and a tank for a chic weekend look and be sure to mix and match different prints in the same type of color palettes.

25,000 Pumpkins!

My favorite spot to get fantastic photos of my son is among the 25,000 pumpkins and 22,000 chrysanthemums, fall marigolds and ornamental peppers at Autumn at the Arboretum's Great Pumpkin Festival. Here is a photo of my little guy playing around the 15' Pumpkin House! For more information visit www.dallasarboretum.org/Events/AutumnFestival2009.html

Men's Fall Fashion Trends- 2009

“Belts. Bags. Bracelets. In the latest evidence of Modern Man’s indulgence of the self, sales of men’s accessories in the first half of 2009 were up more than 7 percent over the same period in 2008, according to NPD Group, which tracks retail sales. (Women’s sales were down 11 percent.)” - NY TIMES 9/10/09


1.) The V-Neck: The V-Neck cut had a strong presence in the fall menswear collections. The distinctive neckline was shown layered over t-shirts and under long coats. The V-Neck was shown in a vast array of prints and took on many different forms: a button down cardigan, a sweater with a plunging zipper, the classic argyle, simple t-shirts, and cashmere cuts trimmed out in two-tone hues. As a sweater, the classic neckline is a great “go to” piece for layering over a t-shirt this winter and fall. Look for the neckline on this autumn's long overcoats and trenches.

2.) The Double Breasted Suit/Jacket: The double breasted long overcoat seemed the favored cut of the menswear suit collections this fall. Menswear went modern this fall and suits are favoring a slimmer look. It seems men are ready to show off their athletic shapes in cuts with longer lapels, slim waists, side vents, and broad shoulders. The heavy, larger suit coats seem to be replaced with the slimmer fitting double-breasted cuts, but as style.com put it best, "while the offsprings' offerings sport a trimmer, more youthful fit, they've got enough old-school detailing to ensure they'll age as well as the guy wearing them."

3.) Colors: Dark colors were favored again in menswear to suit the melancholy of autumn. Blacks, midnight blues, and greens, were broken up with dashes of deep purples and dark reds throughout the collections. Many designers experimented with monochrome outfits in black and shades of grays, layering using different fabrics and textures but following the same monochromatic guideline.

4.) Versatility- Day to Night dressing: The versatility of fabric and texture was a big emphasis this season in menswear (clothes that can take you from work to out on the town). Patterns were mixed and matched: distressed leather was paired with classic tailored tweed and strong structured jackets done in softer fabrics like cashmere, flannel, and velvet. Louis Vuitton had a leather jacket that was reversible with cashmere on the inside, exemplifying this changeability in menswear. Thus, classic menswear cuts were matched with and softer fabrics, to make comfort and practicality priorities as well this season. (Dries Van Noten)

5.) Plaids: Plaid is also back in a big way, from gingham to buffalo patterns. This season, the classic print is more prevalent in prints of black, white, red, and blue. Dress up a basic plaid button down by layering the piece with a gray cashmere sweater, or purchase a classic plaid blazer or long coat to pair with denim jeans. This look of high-and low is what makes menswear anything but over-plaid this fall. (Bottega Veneta)

6.) Accessories for Men: (big!!) Accessories for men were extremely popular in the fall collections. Classic accessories like the gentleman’s umbrella, structured briefcases, and scarves populated the runways. Up in sales are statement-making designer sneakers as well as hats, gloves, and long scarves in various fabrics and color combinations. Scarves were deemed the “must-have” accessory for men this fall and they “aren’t just to keep your neck warm anymore!” (J.Crew)

Accessories are an easy way to freshen up your daily look with an item you can wear each and every day, a true investment! They are also a quick and easy way to separate you from the rest. Throw on an eye-catching belt or a pair of vintage sunglasses and you have your own new and individual pieces paired with your fall basics. Hats: narrow-brimmed fedoras, boleros, knit caps Scarves: Add a bold pattern or pop of color to dark colored clothing attire (ex. Cashmere Scarf worn draped open around the neck)

7.) Military Look: With jackets and strong shoulders, this “resilient” look surfaced in nearly every fall collection. With leather motorcycle jackets, “bomber” jackets, and apparel accents like epaulets and zippers, the military look was prevalent across the boards. Tweedy jackets, checked shirts for that 1950's, early 60's “University” look. Or make them snap to attention when you sport a military style jacket with your jeans.

Women's Fall Fashion Trends- 2009

Fall is all about accessorizing this season, working with what you have, and only adding what you truly need!

1.) Bold Color: Color painted the runways this season with vibrant pops in unexpected places. Purple was one of fall’s favorites. Wear it in the form of alligator pumps, a silk purple blouse, or an amethyst cuff. You don’t have to wear the bold color head-to-toe, one vibrant pop will do!

2.) Statement Jewelry: Freshen up your wardrobe basics with an eye-catching necklace with oversize stone beading or an intricate geometric design. Costume jewelry is a definite fall staple. So find that interesting piece that glams up your basic little black dress and certainly don't be afraid to make a statement this season.

3.) Feminine Chic: Fall was very feminine in both cuts and patterns. Vivid floral fabrics made quite the declaration in fall collections and were often paired with traditional menswear fabrics like plaid and wool. Or, pick your favorite tweed fabric in the highly favored feminine suit cuts for fall which included slim-tailored and figure-flattering cropped jackets and high-waist pencil skirts.

4.) Mix & Match: Be your own canvas this autumn! Mix different fabrics this season for a look that doesn’t try too hard. Whether it be wool with silks, tweeds with satin, patent and suede, or sequins by day, liven up any outfit with bold accessories and a touch of the extraordinary. This fall, it’s all in the details; whether they are a pair of feathered pumps by Alexander McQueen, an intricate jeweled neckline on a basic sweater, or a new clutch in an exotic print, add an eye-catching pop to your basics that begs for that second glance!

5.) The Jacket: Make sure you have some great jacket staples this fall. Whether they are the chic blazer style, a short coat, the trendy military cut, or a confident shouldered jacket, these styles are versatile and essential to your autumn wardrobe. Purchase smart and find one that looks just as great with jeans as it does over your little black cocktail dress. Fall’s flirtation with jackets makes day to night a breeze this season!

6.) Tights: An easy way to freshen up your fall look is with a pair of colored or detailed tights. They can easily dress up or dress down an outfit and can be a great way to add color to your wardrobe without going overboard. Also, an affordable trend, they aren’t a big investment item and if you aren’t into color next season, you won't feel too guilty storing these away in a drawer!

7.) Sweater Dressing: Find a longer sweater that looks just as great with tights as it does over jeans. You can accessorize the sweater with a fantastic belt, or wear it over a pair of skinny black pants. Amongst other 80’s trends like sequins and strong shoulders, this look was all over the fall runways.

8.) Texture Tells All: Gathered fabric and accordion pleating were prevalent in the fall collections. It’s all in the details this autumn and the understated elegance that the fabric’s finishing touches can bring. Lead designers like Donna Karan were fans of the origami pleating which offers a big statement without revealing too much.

9.) The Belt: Don’t miss out on a belt this season! They can change the entire look of any outfit in a beat and are quite the commodity this fall. Go fun with a large patent leather belt in a bold color, or venture understated with a thinner belt with vintage-inspired buckling or detailed hardware.

10.) The FUR-ishing Touch: Add a touch of fur to glam up any fall look! Whether it be a fur collar or faux fur stole, it’s a great way to add glamour in one simple step. Faux furs for fall went fun and are available in a broad array of colors!

Do you have a WiiJury?

Listen to my daily radio segment on 103.7 Lite FM's Gene & Julie Show to find out if you have a WiiJury! To schedule a visit with Dr. Mary Collings in Dallas call 214-252-0000 or in Las Colinas at 972-256-7114.

Save Energy Everyday!

Houses account for 35% of all greenhouse-gas emissions and 32% of air pollutants and if you don't care about that, imagine all of the money you could save by taking just a few simple steps.

-Unplugging your electronics such as your cell phone charger can eliminate 5 to 10 percent of your electric bill!

-Shut down your computer when you are not using it. Set your computer to enter sleep mode automatically after thirty minutes of inactivity.

-Lower the setting on your hot water heater to from 140 to 120 (the minimum to guard against bacteria) and you can save six to ten percent in energy costs according to the EPA.

-Treat your furnace and air conditioning units to regular makeovers. Change the filters once a month and give them an annual service call. The dirt and gunk in the air filters makes the systems work harder and there fore adds to your heating and cooling bills!

-Installing a high performance shower head can not only transform your shower into a spa bu it also uses 1.5 gallons of water per minute as opposed to 2.5 gallons used by an older model! A family of four could save $135 a year on your electricity costs according to the Department of Energy/

-Use Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs and you could save $30 per bulb over it's lifetime which averages 416 days. That will add up if you change all of your bulbs!

If you want to put your home to the test you can visit www.energystar.gov and go to the Home Advisor. After you take the test, the website will give you a customized list of things that you can do to save energy. You can also hire an energy auditor to come thru your home and give you a very thorough investigation.

There are many tax incentive and rebate programs for energy saving home improvements. Check out your states programs at www.aceee.org/energy/state.

Let me know what you are doing to save energy at your home!

Bringing Glamour to Your Room

Adding glamour to your home is simple according to interior designer, Jan Showers and her new book Glamorous Rooms. Below are a few of Jan's tips mixed with a few of my suggestions:

Jan's Tip: Interesting Art adds so much to any space and fortunately, is available at many price points.

My suggestion: Purchase blank canvases and have fun making your own creations. You can also staple an interesting fabric over a stretcher and hang it to add pattern to your room.

Jan's Tip: Nothing adds more shimmer, shine and glamour to a room than a mirror. They should be placed strategically either to reflect something wonderful or in a room with very few windows, a mirror can create the illusion of one.

My suggestion: If you don't have the space for a large mirror, add small mirrored elements such as mirrored place mats on the table or mirrored light sconces like the ones below:

Z Gallerie's Lucerne Sconce in White can add luminous glamour to your home for only $14.95! The glossy white frame and simple mirror are perfect for any setting. I love putting candles in front of a mirror because it gives off such a beautiful light.

Jan's Tip: There is nothing like books in a room to create character and glamour. I like them stacked on tables and even on the floor under tables. Used bookstores are a great fun because you may find a real treasure such as an out of print photography, art or design book.

My suggestion: Keep all of your books in one room and organize them by size or color. Mix in interesting mementos from your shopping excursions or travels.

Jan's Tip: Use glass for color and sparkle. Most upholstery fabrics have little or no sheen so wonderful collections of glass can add this element.

My suggestion: Keep an eye out for interesting accents that catch light. I love the way Jan uses beautiful murano glass pieces but you can use your own collections to achieve the same look.

Jan's Tip: Lamps are the jewelry of any room. You should buy the best ones you can afford. Jan loves glass, ceramic and sculptural brass lamps. Lamp shades are very important. Lamps also provide the most flattering light as they are at eye level. Overhead lighting makes people look tired.

My suggestion: Look for lamps at garage sales and flea markets. It is relatively inexpensive to have them re-wired and to have a wonderful custom lamp shade made.

Check out Jan's book for more of her wonderful and sophisticated tips and ideas to add glamour to your home.

Justin and I love going to the movies but now that we have a little one at home, it has gotten much harder. Not only does it take a lot more co-ordinating to find a baby sitter and make sure that everything is set up for their evening but it also a lot of more expensive! We end up staying home and renting movies more often than we get out to see new releases. As I was trying to figure out what to watch next I did a little bit of research and discovered that AFI has a list of the Top 100 Films that everyone should see! Citizen Kane, Casablanca, The Godfather, Gone With The Wind, Lawrence of Arabia, The Wizard of Oz, The Graduate, On The Waterfront, Schindler's List and Singin' in the Rain are the Top Ten in order. You can download a wonderful checklist from AFI's Website of all 100 films. They also have lists of the Top 100 Movie Quotes, Hero's & Villains, Laughs, Stars, Movie Musicals and Film Scores among others. The Top 100 Movie Quotes are fun to read. Casablanca has seven of the top 100 and Humphrey Bogart has 10!1939 is the most represented year with 19 movie quotes.

My Snobby Friend

Check out BagSnob.com for Tina's Tips on adding the perfect bag to your wardrobe for Fall. They are all under $100 and will work for Spring too!

A little Stress Relief!

We are all so overworked, overwhelmed and overdone! I am always looking for simple ways to relieve stress in an instant.

-The journal of Physiology & Behavior published some research that stated that smelling a lemon, especially the peels) can boost your mood!

-Play a game on your computer or iPhone. I know it sounds childish but can really relieve tension.

-Read anything. A study in Great Britain shows that even as little as six minutes of reading can lower your stress level by 68%!

-Laugh. Tune into the Gene & Julie show every morning for a good chuckle or just try to find the humor in everything going on around you.

-Volunteer. Many people think that they just can not add another thing to their schedule but taking the time to volunteer can really put your own problems into perspective. When you are helping others, your worries will disappear. To learn more about the fund-raising events going on in Dallas and read about volunteer opportunities, check out my website www.RSVPcalendar.com.

How to give the Perfect Toast!

Today is my husband's best friend, Jon Bronson's, birthday and when I think of Jon, I think of someone who can make a fabulous toast! He is known for his hilarious roasts and charming toasts and he gave my all-time favorite toast at our wedding where he was the Best Man. In honor of his birthday, I thought I should write some toasting tips for the rest of us who do not share Jon's natural gift of gab!

My favorite resource for Tips on Toasting is Town & Country Magazines wonderful book Toasts for Every Occasion. Here are a few of the books best tips:

-The biggest mistake a person makes when giving a toast is talking for tooooooo long! Keep it short and sweet. Under two minutes is ideal.

-Remember to talk about the honoree. Many people talk about themselves instead of the person they want to toast.

-Make it personal but do not bring up inside jokes that the other guests will not understand. Always be kind, gracious and flattering.

-Arrive prepared and speak slowly and deliberately.

-Stand up straight and take a deep breath before you begin.

-Hold your glass of champagne in front of you for the duration of your toast and raise it up higher at the end. Everyone should stand while you raise your glass except for the guest of honor.

Party Time

Working with Purina's new dog food brand, Chef Michael's Canine Creations, has been a true joy. Not only does Lola love the food but I was able to host 1000 dog parties across the country in one day! HouseParty.com is an amazing resource for finding great new products and introducing your friends to them! It is a fun way to have fellowship with your friends and neighbors and enjoy new product launches at the same time! Thru HouseParty.com you select the products that you are interested in and apply to host an event. If you are selected, you will receive a party pack and you are able to invite your friends over for a treat. Check out the site for upcoming events and apply today!

Here are a few photos from the Chef Michael's Sunday Supper that I hosted.

Sleepy Time

It is so important that we all get lots of Zzzzzzzs. This is definitely easier said than done though! I am such a night owl so I needed some major motivation to go to sleep earlier. I did a little homework and discovered that there are so many advantages to getting eight hours of sleep and I wanted to share them with you.

-You will be slimmer! UCLA researchers have discovered that the hormone levels involved in appetite control is lowered when we don't get enough sleep!

-You will feel better! A new study at Carnegie Mellon University shows that people who routinely get eight hours of sleep each night are three times less likely to catch a cold. More snooze equals less sniffle!

-You will be healthier! A lack of sleep is also connected to high blood pressure. Take care of yourself and your heart by getting lots of good rest.

-You will be wiser! That fuzzy cloudy feeling we have when we have not gotten enough sleep is a build up of proteins in our brain. The proteins also interfere with our ability to learn according to researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine.

-You will be happier! Losing even just half and hour of sleep routinely can contribute to increased feelings of depression and lower self esteem in children and teenagers so encourage your kids to go to bed on time.

Now for some sleep strategies:

-Wear and eye mask or make sure your room is completely dark. Your body's internal clock gets the signal that it is time to wake up when there is light in the room.

-Create an evening ritual that helps you relax. Take a bath, do some light reading, drink a cup of hot mild or herbal tea and help your body and mind wind down for the night.

-Keep a notepad next to your bed so that you can jot down night time worries that might keep your mind racing. You will fall asleep faster knowing that you have a written reminder of the task.

-Reserve your bed for sleeping....well....maybe one other thing is acceptable there too! The point is to avoid paying bills, doing work, or watching television from your bed. That way, your body will be conditioned to sleep while you are laying down.

-Wake up and go to sleep at the same time every day...even on the weekends. It will help set your body's clock.

-The Mayo Clinic advices that you void rich fatty foods, spicy foods, caffeine, cigarettes and alcohol. All of these things can put a damper on your sleeping habits.

-According to Reader's Digest, foods with a higher glycemic ranking can help you fall asleep in half the usual time if you eat them within four hours of bedtime. They speed up the release of the brain chemicals that promote sleep, trypotphan and serotonin. Among these are jelly beans, a plain bagel or French bread, rice cakes, saltines, pretzels, corn chips, low sugar cereals, baked potato, instant rice, vanilla wafers, graham crackers, watermelon (also an aphrodisiac!) and honey.

-Love your bed. Make sure it is comfy and clean and that you find it restful.

The Little Black Dress Experiment

Society Stylist Valerie Elizabeth is a hero! She wore the same little black dress for 31 days! What is the point? In this economy, getting the most out of our clothing is more important than ever and , as a stylist, she believes that we have countless outfit combinations in our own closets. Valerie Elizabeth is a pro at putting pieces together to create wonderful looks. She believes in buying classics and mixing in inexpensive trendy pieces. To see photos of her 31 outfit combinations in her Little Black Dress, check out her website. www.societystylist.com