See Your Family Over The Holidays Without Leaving Your Home: Why I finally broke down and did the web cam thing

Finally a year and half since I moved 1500 miles across country, I can see my family again on a regular basis. After months of pestering and threats of being disowned if I didn't hook up the web cam to the computer, I felt the pressure and weakness set in. I did it and.... I love it!

For awhile I was unsure of allowing the family to call me at any moment's notice and peer into my life. It seemed a little invasive. But as time wore on and the big family Christmas reunion was being held, I felt lonely. For the past twenty eight years, I was there. Growing up in a family that tops a hundred people during holiday festivities, excitement is definitely felt. With the loudness that is inevitable when that amount of mouths are in one space, there is a sense of greatness. How could there not be? Looking around and realizing you are a part of something as grand as having at least a hundred relatives in one space at one time... it is quite phenomenal. I never realized it until I was gone.

This year being out on my East Coast Peninsula and my family down in Cajun Country, I wanted to see my cousins who where pregnant with their first baby's. I wanted to see my mom and grandparents; I hadn't seen them in three months. I wanted to see all of the kids running around, screaming in delight of what the holidays bring.

I wanted to see what I was missing.

Who was arguing this year? Who was speaking to each other and who was not? What arguments would break out?

You must love the family dynamics... you MUST.

So, I broke down and figured out how to use that thing that would allow my family to peer into my little world. After downloading software and hooking up to a free web cam network provider, there they were. I on my side of the country and they on theirs all together for the holidays.

The wave of future communications, the web cam is going to be the next way we can all communicate and see one another because there is really nothing better than seeing eye to eye or face to face.

Happy Holidays to All!!

Time to Stock Up and Save: Bath and Body Works Semi Annual Sale Begins Today!!

You can save today online at BathandBodyWorks.com or you can wait until after the holidays (December 27th) to stock up on your favorite scents.

You know you want to!

Keeping Up With the Kardashians Means Keeping Family Together In Black Lingerie

If the new promo is any indication of what is in store for the new season of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, you can certain there will be no holding back.

Who says after babies and weddings the fun has to stop? The new promo sure makes living a "Kardashian Life" one for the books!

The sisters in black lingerie and seductive poses screams family values, right? The E! promo poster teases "What a difference a year makes." With Khloe showing off her new wedding sparkler, Kourtney showing off her baby rump and Kim of course showing off her booty, the ad leaves little to the imagination and hopes to bring in big ratings.

What is your take on the Family Photo? Does E! take it too far?

Redken's Body Full Line Is Not For Everyone

As a consumer of hair care brands you can pick up while shopping for dish detergent and tampons, receiving Redken's Body Full line was a real treat. I haven't had the luxury of treating my hair to a salon brand since my grandmother decided I was old enough to pay for my own hair care needs.

With packaging that screams "I'm cooler than what you use," and a scent reminiscent of $100 hair cuts, Redken's allure has it's place but when the hair that grows from your head is not what your hair care line treats, some mishaps can occur.

Redken's Body Full shampoo promises volume for baby fine hair and the conditioner claims to be weightless and a detangler. A fan of the shampoo but without the help of a strong conditioner to hold down the coarseness of my hair, it seemed to get lost. After washing you can apply the Body Full Instant Bodifer evenly into your strands. The mousse claims to provide volume for thin hair. The problem occurred when the combing process of hair care began.

My comb became lodged into my hair. As much as I tried to free the comb, my hair reacted in an ugly manner. Ripping sounds and a neck that bore most of the brunt, the result was torn hair and a pulled muscle. Imagine telling your coworkers you have a crick in your neck from combing your hair.

Needless to say, I'm not completely sworn off of Redken but next time, I don't need "body" for my hair. I need freedom from tangles and a conditioner that's not weightless but more like butter in a bottle.

Child Too Small For Health Insurance: What Next? You're Too Tall, Too Short, Too Skinny, Too Fat?

As a mother of an eight year who often gets confused as a kindergartner, reading the news released today of a two year old insurance has denied to cover because she is too small is rather frightening.

Wednesday morning "The Today Show" covered the story of 2-year-old Aislin Bates. With a weight of 22 pounds and in the 3rd percentile of children her age, United Health Care has decided to deny this child insurance. They claim she doesn't meet height and weight requirements of others her age. Her doctor has described her as perfectly healthy; never having been sick with anything more than a cold. [via Yahoo News]

NBC's medical expert Dr. Nancy Snyderman was more pointed in her criticism: “This is just so bogus. A pre-existing condition for a child this age is birth, let’s be real..... This is why things have to change."

Just last month my daughter and I went for her yearly well check up and learned she is in the 5th percentile of her age group. She's always been small and our doctor's have said this is due to us, her parents, being small also. Could she be denied on our next re-up with these companies (and that's what they are: for profit companies)? Will her premium be raised due to this newest addition to what is thought of as a pre-existing condition?

This is enough of health care and their bogus claims of pre-existing conditions. This is the way they get around having to pay for much at all. They can charge astronomical amounts of money a month for coverage and when it's time for them to pay the bill for coverage of routine check ups and doctor's visits because of a colds, they wimp out. In turn, you are denied because of some new addendum to their insurance policy handbook.

So many people are against a universal health care system but the need for legitimate reasons behind the denying of coverage needs to be addressed.

I would love to hear some feedback from those in the insurance industry. Why are these reasons the way they are and do they change on a case by case basis or does it just seem this way?

Amy Winehouse's Present As Single Amy: New Boobs!

After breaking up with the one you believed you would love for the rest of your life is a difficult spot to be in.

For Amy Winehouse, who after being forced to divorce her junkie, ex-husband Blake Fielder, she suffered like many put in a tough spot--though probably more taking into account her addiction to heroin that came to light while being married to this wonderful man. After spending months in St. Lucia while trying to breaking free from her old partying ways, she has reawakened again in a hospital room but this time instead of waking from her normal heroin induced comas, she is coming to light with a new bustier chest.

One patient told The Sun: "She was wandering around in a daze, humming under her breath. She had tubes hanging out of her bust so I asked what she'd had done.

"She started rambling and said, 'I've had a boob job. I 'ad 'em done for Strictly. I wanted to look my best and I'm sick of stuffing hankies down my bra'. [via The Sun]

While participating in her married lifestyle of crack and heroin binges, the once voluptuous Back to Black singer was left with an emaciated and skeletal frame.

Her father has said, "As far as we were concerned, she wasn't an offender... she was someone who was sick and who has not been sick now for a year."

"(She's) fantastic. Her boobs are great as well! She looks absolutely fantastic. I didn't have to pay for it (boob job), that's all I know. I didn't have to pay for the boobs. There is no total recovery, it's a recovery and if you look back to where we were a year ago, we are on a different planet. We are in a different space and a different time and (Amy is) a different person." [via UK News Yahoo]

In terms of breaking up, what's the craziest present you have given yourself?

Blondes Don't Have More Fun Looking Like This: Lindsay Lohan's Cry For Hair Help

For years and years, I was a bleach blonde babe. I loved it; it was the signature statement of who I was and who I wanted to be. I always "knew" blondes had more fun and I wanted to experience all the excitement I could handle. The more and more I began looking at pictures taken of me in certain social situations, the vision of who I was and wanted to be begin to change. With the super blonde hair my features where being washed out; I looked pale and plain. When did being a blonde become plain I asked myself? For me this was my cry for help in terms of hair intervention.

Lindsay Lohan helps show how bleach blond hair can wash you out and really begin to show your age. Remember when she was the cute redhead? With a true defining color in her hair, she could play up her features the way nature intended. With blonde at her roots, the eye shadow becomes harsh and the lip color becomes blah. Instead of Wow, she becomes wow...

How long would you wait for marriage?

I was one of those girls who never wanted to get married. Growing up in a household where men came and went and so did husbands, I wanted to pursue other interests in my life other than having a ring on my finger. Not that I don't love the looks of men, I do. I'm not a man basher, just not that interested in having their presence the most important thing to me.

Lo and behold, I was married before I thought I would be. At the age of twenty one, I walked down the aisle to marry my man and eight years later, we are still going strong. Luckily for me, I met and married a man who didn't make me feel that if I wanted to stick my head in a eight hundred page novel and get lost for days at a time, he would leave. He's rather a nice, caring and thoughtful man with interests other than me at all times.

Over the weekend, we attended a wedding of a couple whom we have known for quite awhile. The ceremony was beautiful along the banks of the beautiful Rappahannock River in Virginia. Other than the north wind that decided to pick up and freeze many home to an early bed, it was perfect. As I watched the bride make her way down the aisle, a tear was brought to my eyes. It's so amazing to watch two people take vows to one another. Watching the man is also the best part of the ceremony.

I've known couples that have been together as long as I've been married that are still uncommitted in the sense of wedding rings and bridal registries. The vows of marriage do not mean much to them. Their commitment to one another is strong without these testaments. It makes me wonder how long many will go in a relationship before marriage is thought of?

How long would you wait for marriage? Is it not important to make vows in front of family and friends for your relationship?

Miley Cyrus Quits Twitter For Her Man?

Miley Cryus, Disney's child prodigy, has deleted her Twitter account because her boyfriend disapproves of her tweets.

"FYI Liam doesn't have a Twitter and he wants me to delete mine with good reason," she Twittered in one of her final posts. [UsMagazine]

With more than 1.1 million followers , fans aren't happy with her decision and have already begun pleading for her to return. In fact, "#mileycomeback" is the top trending topic on Twitter.

Would you consider deleting your Twitter, Facebook, or MySpace account for your man. I don't think so....

First Lady Planting Seeds on 40th Anniversary of Sesame Street

I loved gardening before our move to another state last year. We planted many beautiful flowering shrubs that added value to our home. From hydrangeas in blue and pink to crepe myrtles in red and white, to butterfly bushes that filled the yard with fluttering beauty and gardenias that smelled so wonderful, our yard was a sea of color and activity during the summer and spring months.

The next step in gardening I wanted to try was planting a real garden full of lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, squash, peppers and so on. I also wanted to have apple trees and grapevines but when you move and decide to rent for awhile, you are unable to cultivate the land in any way you would like. I've settled with a couple of potted plants... boring, if you ask me.

Gardening is a wonderful hobby for all alike. To see what you have planted return year after year in a bigger and better way, there is nothing like watching your rewards return in awesome abundance.

For the 40th Anniversary of the long running children's show, Sesame Street, Michelle Obama will plant lettuce, tomato, and cucumber seeds. Promoting gardening to children, our First Lady will get down and dirty with the earth.

"All these seeds need to grow are sun, soil and water. If you eat these healthy foods, you're going to grow up to be big and strong, like me," Michelle Obama says. "I know you're going to like these vegetables, because in addition to being healthy, they really taste great!" [via UsMagazine]

Michelle Obama is the first to garden in the White House since World War II. She planted fifty fruits and vegetables that are used in the White House kitchen. Wonderful!

I'm not sure if this will help children decide to try that bite of tomato or cucumber but promoting a way of life that is helpful to the environment and a throw back to how so many of our ancestors had to live to survive may help many in need. Educating those who could plant gardens in their backyards to supplement income is never a bad thing. It's fun and rewarding. The kids can get dirty and it's for a wonderful cause: your belly!

Pic:http://bunnynewsnetwork.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/michelle-gardening.jpg

Emmy Rossum's Secret Marriage Ends In Divorce and He Wants Her To Pay For It

Emmy Rossum whom I adored in The Day After Tomorrow, has been hiding a secret to the media world. She has been married since February 2008 to music producer, Justin Siegel. He filed for divorce last Friday in L.A citing irreconcilable differences.

He seeks spousal support and wants her to pay for all court costs.

His day job must not be paying very well...

Kourtney Kardashian's Man Sticks With Champagne: What your man's drink says about him

My hubby has always been a beer drinker. For awhile he stuck with heady types like Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Guinness and Sam Adams. Now he mostly drinks Budweiser, High Life and sometimes Tecate. On the rare occasion he will have a glass of whiskey and water. I may sound a tad sexist here, forgive me, but a man looks right holding a beer.

As I am getting my daily gossip news, I see Kourtney Kardashian's baby daddy, Scott Disick celebrated with Lamar Odom and his gang last night for his upcoming wedding this Sunday to Khloe Kardashian.

The night began around 10:15 at STK restaurant in Los Angeles. While the boys dined on steaks, Yukon mashed potatoes, mac-n-cheese, fingerling potatoes and tuna tar tare, Odom ordered Johnny Walker along with shots of Lemon Drops for the celebration. Disick declined and sipped on champagne. [via Us Magazine]

Now look, I'm all for champagne. I personally love the stuff and my hubby is more than welcome to share a glass of bubbly with me, but for a man's drink of choice? For the night?

What a man's drink says about him

Beer: He's a man's man. One of the first beverages bought with a fake i.d. As long as it's not a Natty Light, you can assume he's out of college.

Wine: He's a cultured guy. With birthdays and anniversaries abound, a man who can drink wine will never be a whine. As long as the wine he's sipping hasn't turned to vinegar or he smiles back at you with grape lips, he's cool.

Frozen Drinks: He's not for you. If he's not on an island enjoying the scenery, run. Do you really want to introduce your man to your friends and he orders a Strawberry Daiquiri?

Champagne: He's not sure of himself. He's trying to look classy or suffering from a horrendous hangover. If he drinks it from a flute, it better be his wedding day.

Hard Liquor: He's a party boy. Held over from the college years, he can turn it up a notch and will want you to join in on the fun too. As long as it's not a regular thing, you'll have fun. Just have a DD.

Nickname Gone Wrong

Misunderstandings are inevitable in relationships. Someone says something the other interprets to mean as something else.

Like, "I love that shirt" when sarcasm drips from your tongue and they take it as it's your favorite ever and they in turn wear it until the day they die. Or maybe, you say "I love that shirt" and mean it, but they think you are being sarcastic. As soon as they take the shirt off, it will never see the light of day again.

The other day I was thinking about a nickname given to me once by a friend. I hated when he called me it. I would cringe in my boots when he would say it to me. It sounded like a slam. Looking back though, I think it was more a term of endearment than anything.

Have you been given a nickname at any point you hated?

Mackenzie Phillips Wacked Out Childhood Meant Sharing Drugs and Having Sex With Her Father

During the 60's, free love and drugs were the norm more than the exception. As a member of the band The Mamas and the Papas, John Phillips seemed to think engaging in a incestuous relationship with his daughter, Mackenzie, and getting her high on pills and cocaine was an alright thing to do.

Mackenzie Phillips, one time "One Day at a Time" star, drops a bombshell in her new book High on Arrival, that on the eve of her wedding to Jeff Sessler, a member of the Rolling Stones entourage, her father arrived at her footsteps determined to stop it.

"I had tons of pills, and Dad had tons of everything too. Eventually I passed out on Dad's bed. My father was not a man with boundaries. He was full of love, and he was sick with drugs. I woke up that night from a blackout to find myself having sex with my own father." [via USA Today]

She is a guest today on the Oprah show. She will speak about her cocaine abuse. It was her father who shot her up the first time.

"He put the needle in my arm and pushed the plunger in and he missed."

"Missed the vein?" Winfrey asks.

"Missed the vein," Mackenzie replied, "and my whole arm went numb, because it was cocaine."

Michelle Obama Says Women Who Ogle Her Husband Should "Get a life."

In Christopher Andersen's new book, Barack and Michelle: Portrait of an American Marriage, he writes of the relationship between the two during the campaign trail.

During the campaign, many over-eager female fans were more than happy to reach out and touch the then senator and where their hands wound up may shock you. Obama actually said, "Jesus, I wish they'd stop grabbing my a**."

Mrs. Obama had her words for her husband's admirers. "I want to tell these women, 'Back off,' " Andersen quotes her as saying. "It's just embarrassing, that's all." [via People]

And while some of these situations would drive the First Lady into giving the President the silent treatment, Andersen quotes a source suggesting Michelle personally managed to help remove a particular campaign worker from Barack's view once the working relationship had grown closer than she liked.

Olay Regenerist Anti-Aging Roller Works Wonders

As a Shine Beauty Guru, we have such an amazing job! With our assignment this month, I was privileged to have wonderful products to test from the Olay Regenerist line. Although I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every one and would recommend them all to you, Olay Regenerist Anti-Aging Eye Roller is my favorite!

With thirty year old skin around my eyes, I have tried products before to help with puffiness and fight the appearance of fine lines around my delicate eye area. Olay Regenerist Anti-Aging Eye Roller is different. Designed like a marker, you can easily apply the cream under your eyes without getting your hands dirty. Just as you may have used cold cucumber slices or ice packs before to reduce swelling, Olay Regenerist Anti-Aging Roller works better and without the time constraints or extreme cold.

Olay Regenerist Anti-Aging Roller is automatic in the reduction of puffiness.

Just click the end several times before your first application and you are ready to go. Once you see the eye cream coat the three rollers at the end, apply under eyes until it disappears. Immediately, I noticed the puffiness reduce. You make think I'm making this up but I'm not; I could see from my eyes that the puffiness had been reduced.

With three weeks into using this product, I have seen dramatic results in the reduction of puffiness under my eyes. Olay Regenerist Anti-Aging Eye Roller claims to continue working to fight the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I have not seen any increase in the fine lines and that is the claim. Actually, I think my eye region looks better than ever!

With a suggested retail of $23, some may still be skeptical about paying this price, but I have to say it's a miracle drug. I'm hooked! (You may be able to find it online for cheaper.)

Keep up the great work Olay!

Image Credit: Olay.com

Why if I was a man I wouldn't date Megan Fox or for that fact, anyone like her...

When Megan Fox first appeared on the Hollywood scene, she looked to me as a beautiful young woman with the world at her fingertips. Starring alongside Hollywood's next Johnny Depp, Shia LeBeouf, in the hit Transformers, Megan Fox was eye candy for all sexes. But the more she opens her mouth in interviews and the like, her charisma has worn thin. Very, very thin.

She models for the cover of this month's Cosmopolitan. As a gift someone gave me for Christmas, I receive this magazine on a monthly basis. Hopefully, I will not receive the same gift next year because with three children in the house, the cover more or less represents a porn magazine with a couple of beauty tips thrown in The last time I was in Wal-Mart, I noticed the front partially covered with the plastic frame usually used to prohibit the young eyes of children from looking when a Playboy or Penthouse magazine is being sold. The magazine used to not be this way. Anyways, enough of that...

Megan Fox could be the compared to Kanye West with her self importance attitude and mouthy shows of unintelligence. This leads me to try and save men who think they want a woman like Miss. Fox.

Why Men Shouldn't Date Megan Fox Or Anyone Like Her:

She's always talking about herself: I understand this is part of the job when you are an actress. People are interested in how you live you life when you lead such a seemingly important one. The constant chatter of listen to me, look at me, tell me I'm sane... Enough. Find some self esteem.

She's not sure of her sexuality: “I think people are born bisexual... I have no question in my mind about being bisexual. ... I would never date a girl who was bisexual, because that means they also sleep with men, and men are so dirty that I’d never want to sleep with a girl who had slept with a man.” (via The Sun) Huh? You want to have a relationship with this mind set?

She's only nice to certain people: Crew members from the set of Transformers had this to say about her, "Never a thank you. All the crew members have stopped saying hi to Ms. Princess because she never says hello back." (via UsMagazine) Any girl who puts on heirs and is only nice to certain people, probably doesn't have any true friends.

She has a terrible temper: Recently she has said, "...I’ve destroyed the house. I go bats***. I’ve had to say to Brian, ‘You have to go and stop talking to me, because I’m going to kill you. I’m going to stab you with something. Please leave.’" Fox said. "I’d never own a gun for that reason. I wouldn’t shoot to kill. But I would shoot him in the leg, for sure.” (via Usmagazine) I guess if you like to live in fear for your life you should be fine but if not, run don't walk.

She likes to bash your sex: When asked about her relationships with men she says, "I never call them guys. I always called them boys," she explains. "Maybe it’s a superiority complex—my needing to keep them down." (via Eonline) I don't think I would want to date someone who liked to keep me down in order to feel like I had control in the relationship. Aren't relationships give-n-take?

Girlfriend, Save Your Man

Last night at the MTV Video Music Awards, Kayne West proved why he is a lunatic.

While Taylor Swift accepted the Best Female Video Award for "You Belong With Me," Kayne West grabbed her microphone and began rambling on how he thought Beyonce had been jipped. He thought Beyonce should have won for "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)." (You think the world wants to know what you're dancing to in the club?Oh... wait... you think the world wants to know everything you're thinking, doing, seeing, eating...)

"Yo, Taylor, I'm really happy for you, and I'm going to let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time," he shouted. "One of the best videos of all time!"

While Taylor Swift looked onwards at the scene unfolding with a look of utter disbelief the camera panned to Beyonce. Her facial expression was of the same nature as Swift's. Talk about a nightmare.

Supposedly Kanye had been boozing it up on the red carpet before the show. His girlfriend, Amber Rose, was in attendance with him. All the while walking the red carpet, Kanye was photographed with a bottle of Hennessy in his hand. Amber Rose smiled for the cameras and Kanye sipped from the bottle. Whether or not he was drunk when the episode happened on stage remains to be seen but if Amber Rose was aware of his state of mind could she not have stepped up to plate when she saw her boyfriend making his way to the stage during Taylor Swift's acceptance speech? Could she have helped usher him back to his seat before he made an arse of himself?

Amber Rose, where were you?

Brazilian Women Having Fewer Babies From Watching Soap Operas: TV Changes Your Views, Watch At Your Own Risk

If TV Soap Operas can influence the minds of millions of Brazilians out of producing so many children, what else do you think that electronic box can make you do?

In a recent study performed by Eliana La Ferrara of Italy's Bocconi University and Alberto Chong and Suzanne Duryea of the Inter-American Development Bank, soap operas may be a factor in the drop in fertility rates in Brazil. Where in 1960 the average Brazilian woman had 6.3 children, results shown in a 2000 census tell this rate is down to 2.3. Puzzled by this drastic reduction in birth rates and without a state policy that reduces your allowance of children, researchers began to analyze this trend.

It seems a commercial network, Rede Globo, could be to blame. For the past few decades most of the Brazilan population has regularly tuned into these Soap Operas or Novelas. These Novelas depict smaller family groups where 72% of the actors have no children and 21% have only one child. Watching these shows for decades and becoming entranced into the lives of these players seems to have had an impact on what family size the Brazilian Nation thinks it should have. Just as seeing your favorite star in a certain pair of jeans or drinking a certain beverage can lead to purchasing the product yourself as a means of relating to this persona a celebrity can evoke from yourself, it seems watching these Novelas are changing the patterns of family life.

Foreign Policy told how in Indian villages where satellite television was being broadcast, women were able to watch a more liberated urban woman an in turn views were changed. These women became less tolerant of spousal abuse and less biased on having a male offspring. They also felt more in their right to spend money without permission from their husband.

The television is a wonderful invention and means of communication but owners of communication own the power of persuasion. With influence and power comes responsibility. With 120 million viewers daily, Rede Globo, is the fourth largest network in the world. The owners of these Novelas may never have thought by producing a simple show could change the population of their world but it has.

Wow! Just thinking about a network changing my views on the amount of children I may or may not want to have is mind boggling. It makes me question who I might be without the tube...

What's Your Hair Dream?

For years and years, I have been a blond. A nice, golden blond color has been my friend for as long as I can remember. Month after month and year after year, my roots would start to call. Time for a run to the drugstore and purchase my blond dye kit; time to hide what is dark. Yay! Although I couldn't stand the sight of this truth from beneath my scalp, hubby loved to see the real me. This sight of truth didn't make me look so prim and proper and I think he likes when I look a little dirty. Hey, to each their own...

After years of trying to hide my dark roots, I'm beginning to embrace them instead of hide them away in my head. This is not an easy task. Once your hair has been bleached for as long as mine has, the hair is very porous. That means the darker hair color has a harder time grasping the hair strand, in turn leaving me at first try with green hair. After another bottle of dark brown color it looked a little better but each time I wash my hair, the color fades back to blond. I'm going to keep trying.

The decision has been a long time in the making. The saying "blonds have more fun," could be defiantly looked into. When your hair is blond, I swear men will hang their bodies out of a car to get a look at you. You could be stopped in traffic and see a man driving his car the opposite way and they will literally fall out of the car to see this blond person. I'm tired of this. Look at somebody else. I'm busy over here.

My mother was a blond for many years before she wanted to try the "red look". She loved it and did this look for awhile. Early in the summer when she visited her hairstylist, he asked her what she wanted to do this season. For some reason , she told him to take her back blond. Never really loving this look again, she plans on returning to her red hair the next time she visits him. As we talked about this color change she embarked on, she laughed to tell me of men hanging their heads out of turning cars just to get a peek at this woman in blond. When she was a red head, no one looked.

I have to say that Emmanuelle Chriqui's character as Sloan on Entourage has been a huge inspiration of mine for the transformation of blond back to my roots. Also Jessica Lowndes from 90210 has also been inspirational.

Do you have a hair dream of the moment? Has it been inspired in anyway?

What would it take to help commit your lover?

I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't speak of this couple again but I'm breaking it today. The Pratt's: what a mess... The latest saga in their relationship made me wonder how far could your lover go before you question their sanity and wonder if they might need the intervention only a mental ward can provide?

Exclusive to Access Hollywood, Spencer Pratt is in the process of legally changing his name to "King Spencer Pratt". Spencer explained the reason behind his decision to legally change his name is, “I have decided that if there is a Queen of England and Prince William, we need to have a King of America, and I have nominated myself for that title.”

Talk about coo coo!

This morning's press brought another wacky view from Mr. Pratt himself. He threatens divorce if Heidi gets pregnant. Spencer told MTV News his view on if she gets pregnant, "I told her there's a divorce or adoption," he says. "If she's not down with the adoption, I think it's divorce."

It is seriously time for this guy to shut his mouth. How hurtful can one jacka#* be? Divorcing your wife if she gets pregnant by you?

Heidi please wake up from behind whatever cobwebs seem to be your brain and notice what this guy is doing to you. He is selfish and only thinking of himself. The world would give you a second chance but not with that thing's ring around your finger and those claws trying to rip at any second of the spotlight. He's not funny and no one is laughing.

How much would it take for you until you thought of committing your lover?

The Duggars Pregnant With 19th: Why not adopt?

Living the Quiverfull Christian movement to it's finest, Michelle Duggar told the Today Show today, (September 1, 2009) she is two and a half months pregnant. The baby will be born in the springtime after the Duggar's first grandchild will be welcomed into the world.

With eighteen children so far, all with names that start with J, I wonder how many more children they will bless the world with? They practice the Quiverfull Christian faith which tells its believers that children are a blessing from God and you are not allowed to practice any type of birth control.

Luckily the Duggar's are blessed with the monetary means to support this brood. Living in their 7000 square foot home in Tontitown, Arkansas my ex-boss was a friend of this family at one time. Because my ex-boss, I'll call him Jim, was in the construction business and Jim Bob Duggar made his fortune in real estate, these two ran with some of the same circles. Jim always said they were the nicest people but he was shocked by their continual reproduction as the rest of the non-practicing or non-believing Quiverfull Christians are. I mean how could they not be the nicest people, really?

In a world were so many children are starving and not taken care of, why would the Duggar's feel the continual need to reproduce? Why not adopt other children who could use the guidance that seems to fulfill this family and make it so productive and prosperous?

Are the Duggar's selfish in their need to populate the earth with their breed? Why not help others in need instead of reproducing you own seeds over and over?

Would You Take Love Advice From Anne Heche?

Although the marriage has been over for more than two years, the divorce settled six months ago, and a new baby born to the mother from a different father, Anne Heche seems bitter about her last husband. Last night on the Dave Letterman show, Heche describes her feelings about her ex-husband and sperm donor, Coley Laffoon, "He goes out to the mailbox and he opens up the little mailbox door and goes, 'Oh! I got a check from Anne! Oh! I got a check from Anne! Yay!'"

Heche and Laffoon who have a 7-year-old son, Homer, have been fighting over their relationship since he filed for divorce in February 2007 after five years of marriage. She said he was a deadbeat who watches porn and hits strip clubs while he called her mentally unbalanced. Last June, they reached a settlement, with her agreeing to pay him a $275,000 lump sum and $3,700 per month in child support for their son.

While collecting this child support, Laffoon wishes Heche would come and watch him coach for a soccer team. She believes this is what a "lazy a#*" would do. Maybe he is trying to become more of a part of his son's life?

She also told Dave Letterman she would not be getting married again. "Don't get married. Forever engaged is a wonderful romantic thing to do."

Was it all a wake up call: Chris Brown and Rihanna

I think most women have heard, "If they hit, walk away." Right? How many times has it been made apparent that if a man hits you once, he's bound to hit you again?

What happens when both parties are into abuse though?

Chris Brown was sentenced yesterday for the abuse he delivered to Rihanna hours before both were slated to perform at the 2009 Grammy's in February. His sentence consists of five years probation, six months of community service to be performed in Richmond, Virginia and ordered to stay away from his former girlfriend for the next five years. He must remain 100 yards away from Rihanna at all times unless at a music industry event were these terms may be harder to follow. The judge in the case, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg, told Chris Brown that violating these terms would result in imprisonment at the state level. He will serve his sentence in his home state of Virginia.

During the trial it was made evident that these two had a turbulent relationship all along. The first incident happened three months before the February beating while the couple was traveling in Europe. During an argument, Rihanna slapped Brown; He then shoved her into a wall. The second incident occurred while visiting Rihanna's home country of Barbados. Brown allegedly broke the front and passenger side windows on a Range Rover they were driving. Neither attack was reported.

The relationship was rocky and explosive to say the least. I've witnessed friends and friend's of family members that involve themselves in these abusive relationships time and time again. It's the drama of the relationship. It keeps it from getting stale. The fights, the slamming of doors, the screams of disgust and the eventual removal of one from the situation only allows for a 'wonderful reunion.'

Was this a wake up call for them both? If allowed to go on behind closed doors, would these two have eventually decided to separate or do you believe one would have wound up more severely hurt or dead?

Do your kids get new lunch boxes every year?

When I was growing up, my grandparents would take me back-to-school shopping every year. I would get new clothes, a new backpack, a new lunchbox and the necessary supplies to get me through the year. To me, this was normal. Granted I was an only child and taken shopping more than others but this was normal for me. My husband on the other hand would be taken to buy new school supplies but the backpack was reused until it was needed to be replaced and lunch was taken to school via brown bags or bought in the cafeteria.

Our daughters are getting ready to head back to school in two weeks. We have been looking around at all of the newest bags and lunch boxes and getting excited the youngest is finally going to start school. I was all ready to buy the girls their new lunchboxes when hubby puts his foot down. He says the older two do not need lunch boxes because they got new lunchboxes last year.

To me they look horrible. With brown stains that line the edges, trash is how they look to me. I tried to wash them. I spray and washed the edges, allowed them to soak in the washer for awhile, and washed them again. They look hopeless.

How often do you replace your children's lunchboxes?

Is Brad Pitt Hot Anymore?

Recently in celebrity gossip news, Brad Pitt seems to be doing a lot of talking. I guess with the release of his new movie Inglorious Basterds, he decides he has a wide audience to speak to while promoting this film. Is all of this "talk" hurting his image or helping?

When speaking with "Today" show's Ann Curry on whether or not he will make a run for mayor of New Orleans, Pitt stated, "I'm running on the gay marriage, no religion, legalization and taxation marijuana of platform ... I don't have a chance."

While on Bill Maher's show, Bill Maher spoke of watching Pitt roll one perfect joint after another at a party. "I'm an artist," Pitt said of his skills. He no longer partakes in smoking weed though, saying it turns him "into a doughnut . . . I'm a dad now. You want to be alert." Also on Bill Maher he talked of the legalization of pot, his disbelief in God, and his belief in gay marriage.

Recently he told the press that Angelina Jolie and him have sex in a grotto behind a waterfall in his pool and just the other day, when he was asked by German press about Tom Cruise's Nazi flick, Valkyrie, he said, "It was a ridiculous movie."

So is he? Is hot anymore or are his days in the hot spot about over?

Another Kardashian With Nothing Better To Do Than Pose Nude

When will this family go away? I do not understand the reasoning behind their so called "glamour." If it's not Kim with her ever changing hair wigs or problems with spending too much money on clothes or falling asleep with her sunglasses on while sunbathing, it's Kourtney "forgetting to take the pill," or worrying about some sex tape that was released to the media.

Today it's been made public knowledge that Kourtney may pose nude. When asked if she would pose nude for a magazine like Rolling Stone, Kourtney Kardashian replied, "I think so. I'd have to think about it."

Do these reality stars have nothing better to do than pose nude and star in sex tapes? Just asking?

A Question for Lil Wayne: How many babies are you going to have with different women?

I guess when you are a rapper you have some type of reputation to live up to? It seem although Lil Wayne already has two children by two different women, he's about to add to his brood.

Lil Wayne confirmed to Los Angeles radio DJ Fuzzy that actress Lauren London is pregnant with his child at this time. He also stated that the on again, off again relationship with sometimes girlfriend, Nivea, is also expecting.

He has a 9-year old daughter with ex-wife Toya Carter, an actress on BET's "Tiny and Tonya Show" and a one year old son with an unidentified college student.

He is a spokesperson for Strapped Condoms but does this man know how to use one?

If You Could Go Back, What's One Thing You Would Change In Matters of Love?

I thought we could have a little fun today. I'm really tired writing about some of the "so-called" celebrities that keep popping up in the news for doing absolutely nothing. Spencer and Heidi Pratt for one, She Teases She Has More to "Reveal." Shoot me now, would you? Kim Kardashian is another, Kim Hangs With Kourtney's Baby Daddy. What about the Gosselins? Fight Breaks Out, Cops Called!

After fighting a head cold for the last week and lying in the bed until I can no longer watch another episode of House Hunters, I took out my pen to think. It's hard to think when you are sick, or it is for me. Anyways, I was thinking about a time when I made a decision to do something, I should have never done. It all started with a boy. He broke my heart and dumped me because he said I was too good. I never wanted to hang out drinking or smoking with his pals. You know, things teenagers do... He would say I would rather read a book than hang out with him and his friends. He was right. I didn't want to watch him act like a fool around his buddies but be a different person when I was around. He was right about that.

I was devastated, though. After we broke up, I couldn't understand what I had done wrong. I was too good? Too good? Well, I would show him! I started stealing cigarettes from my mom and smoking them when she was at work. I would sit on the bathroom counter practicing how to light one and inhale just perfectly. It had to look right, you know. I had to look sophisticated. Soon enough, I had it down pat. I looked like I knew how to smoke and been doing it forever. It was time to show off my skills and especially to him.

He watched. He probably thought I was an idiot. I was. We never did get back together but the habit has kept. All for some dumb boy...

If you could go back in time to a point in your life when you acted on a whim in a relationship, what is the one thing you would change.

Why some men are better avoided

Would you hang out nude with your friends while married? It Seems McSteamy and His Wife Do...

Eric Dane, best known for his role as Dr. "McSteamy" on Grey's Anatomy, and his wife Rebecca Gayheart have been exposed on the web hanging around nude with their good friend, former Miss Teen USA, Kari Ann Peniche. For the twelve minute tape leaked on the web on Gawker.com Monday, the married couple could been seen intoxicated, lying around naked and hanging out in a jaccuzi tub.

"This is not a sex tape," he adds. "It's guys having fun, hanging out together. There is no sex involved in this."

At one point Gayheart exclaims she is "so high", she needs to lie down. At another time, the friends discuss their porn names."My alter-ego name is Peter," Dane replied, adding, "my dog growing up was called Cocaine, and I lived on Manor Drive, so I'm Cocaine Manor."

The tape reportedly surfaced as part of an official investigation into Peniche's alleged sex-for-hire business.

Miss Kari Ann Peniche seems to be the trouble maker in all of this. She was decrowned Miss Teen USA when she posed for Playboy. Also, she was recently treated for sex addiction on Dr. Drew’s Celebrity Rehab but was kicked off the show for entertaining inappropriate guests and for stealing from her roommate, country singer Mindy McCready.

Kourtney Kardashian Preggers with Ex Scott Disick's Baby: Will this bring back them together?

Nothing worse than realizing you are pregnant with your ex's baby right? Well, it seems Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Kourtney Kardashian, is expecting a little bundle of joy over the Christmas holiday's this year. The 30 year old celebutante, socialite, and television personality is expecting with ex, Scott Disick.

Though it seems the two have reunited since the news of Kourtney's pregnancy, when asked if they will marry, she responded with "We'll see."

Have you been seperated from your ex and found out you were pregnant? How did the scene unfold? Did it bring you together or pushyour further apart?

Beat the heat by beating that smell: Ways to stay cool and fresh

For the last couple of days, summer has reared her ugliest head. The sticky, hot feeling that humid air leaves on your skin makes it nearly impossible to smell lovely for more than a mere moment. It seems as soon as you exit the shower, you are met with a thick haze hovering in the air. A clean body helps for a moment, but the moisture in the air turns it sour quicker than Paris Hilton can adopt another animal. Body odor seems to pick up quite a bit in the summer months and it's not coming up roses.

My college roommate from years ago came and visited my family over the weekend. We decided to brave the weather and headed to the local theme park. With temperatures hitting one-hundred degrees, enjoying outside has its limits. All the while enjoying the park, we drank water to hydrate and wore light clothing and flip flops to help not overheat the body. It was still quite warm. Waiting in line at rides while confined into tight spots with masses of sweating, dripping people can turn smelly quickly. What can be done about this smelly problem? Preparedness it the number one answer.

• Take a shower: Please! During the summer months you sweat more, please clean the body more often. A quick dip in the shower or rinsing off with a wet washcloth can help detour smells.


• Change clothing often: Cotton is the best fabric to mop up sweat other than any synthetic which holds onto the smelly sweat and keeps it near your body. It's almost like farting and instead of releasing into the air, the smell hangs around with you. Eww!!


• Apply a deodorant or an antiperspirant: As easy as this is, many people seem to miss this concept. If you are one that has an excessive sweating problem, applying baking soda under the arms can help enormously. If you don't believe in deodorant, read the next suggestion. Apply underarms.


• Fragrance splashes: These can work for men too. A light spritz of fragrance can help anyone smell better. Tote in your purse or bag for those times when you feel gooey. They can also be sprayed towards other smelly people (make sure they are not allergic first).


• Hydrate: Drinking lots of water will help dilute anything in your system. From alcohol to garlic, consumption of certain foods and spices allows your skin to smell a certain way. If you drink more water, this will help flush the body of these toxins.


• Ice Packs and Parasols: If you know you are going to be out in the heat for an extended amount of time, ice packs and parasols can help you beat the heat and beat the smell. Pack up a cooler with your water and ice packs. When you become warm, place the ice pack behind your neck or at the small of your back. This will help cool down the body. At the same time, a parasol or an umbrella can shield the skin from the rays of the sun and help the body not sweat as fast.


• Personal Misting Fans: With a squirt of this, water and a breeze can help cool off your sweating face or body. You can also squirt others that are hot. You will become the favorite at any event!

Body odor does not smell good. It doesn't. Body odor is like trash that you empty into a trash can to be taken away. If you personally do not help control the smell, no one will.

Sharon Stone: Naked Again?

Sharon Stone shows off her ninny's on the cover of French magazine Paris Match this month.

At 51, she still looks great; I only wonder why she feels compelled to show the world her naked body? As the adoptive mother of three boys, should she not show more restraint in her choice of business ventures? Surely she doesn't want her boys to see this?

Or maybe she does?


Alix Malka/H&K

People Are Speaking: Yorktown Beach Needs Jellyfish Netting!

Okay, the York County man who jumped off the Coleman Bridge on a drunken dare may have been funny, but the jellyfish stings he suffered while clinging to a buoy are not. This is proof the York River is becoming more infested with these creatures. York County, I am urging you to think of investing money on jellyfish netting at Yorktown Riverwalk.

I have spoken to many people about this problem. A friend of mine from Richmond would bring her children down and stay in the hotel across the street from the beach but when her last visit almost warranted a trip to the emergency room because of the stings on her daughter's legs, she will no longer return. She also informed me that a hotel worker told her, she wouldn't swim in that water for anything (because of the jellyfish).

I have spoken with a prominent member of the Williamsburg community and he told me about a friend of his who houses his boat on the York River. He is thinking of relocating his boat to the James River because of the jellyfish. The last time he took his sailboat out, he anchored the ship and dove into the what he thought would be a refreshing dip, only to met with stings on his body.

Paula's Gone: American Idol Is Next!

Look now because the picture will never be the same. Paula Adbul will not be returning to "Idol" next season.

"With sadness in my heart, I've decided not to return to Idol," she posted on her Twitter page. "I'll miss nurturing all the new talent,but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day1become an international phenomenon."

Radar Online had posted previously, the veteran reality judge was asking for $20 million to return to the show. "Idol" seemed willing to offer half of that amount.

The news of her departure comes after host Ryan Seacrest inked a new contract worth $45 million over three years, making him the highest paid host on reality TV. Ryan Seacrest released a statement on his Twitter page last night saying, "I am shocked and saddened about Paula."

Paula wanted the money to stay. Should she have received it? I mean, Ryan Seacrest who hosts will make $15 million a year. It's reported that Simon Cowell rakes in $144 million a year. [RadarOnline] Paula, a veteran judge, wanted $20 million a year. Do you believe she was out of line asking for that much money?

Will you still watch American Idol after the fallout from Adam Lambert 's loss this year when it seemed the most likely outcome? Recently Ju'not Joyner said Idol was fake and rigged. I've personally witnessed how fake this show is. Now with Paula gone, will you watch?

I'm thinking Simon Cowell may jump this ship after next year.

Picture: http://d.yimg.com/a/p/rids/20090805/i/r3055138576.jpg

Why You Need A Parasol

More and more we hear to stay out of the sun. Lather your skin in 75 SPF sunblock to avoid aging your skin prematurely. The sun causes skin cancer!! Oh and please don't go near your dermatologist if you have spent a second tanning while on vacation. Okay, Okay... we hear you! Want to add some pizazz to your everyday wear? It's called a parasol and it's the sexiest item a woman can own.

A couple of years ago, while I was still in high school, I became obsessed on finding a fabric parasol. You'll find the paper parasols all of the time but as usual I wanted to be different. I had to find one no one would have. For a year I searched high and low to find the one I wanted. One day while browsing the antique store I seemed to live in, there she was!!! A beautiful, cream and lace parasol. I didn't care the cost. She had finally found her way to me. Luckily the tag was only $20 - a steal if you ask me.

My beautiful, cream and lace parasol has been on many outings with me. She has been on Phish tour, my husband's baseball games and at the lake. Whenever I feel the sun is trying to hard to burn my skin, she comes out to visit. Though not nearly as attractive as she once was, she still holds a very special spot in my heart and in my car for her sun protection.

You need a parasol for sun protection, heat protection and because you deserved to look cute and classy! It's time for you to buy.

(Oh, the girl in the pic is not me but this is a spiting image of my parasol.)

Some Men Are Just Sick: When men get old and still think they are players

While Ryan O'Neal laid his 'sweet angel' to rest after she had been tormented and eaten alive with cancer, his grotesque side rears it's ugly head. As he put Farrah Fawcett's casket into the hearse, he tells Vanity Fair '...a beautiful blonde woman comes up and embraces me, I said to her, 'You have a drink on you? You have a car?'

All the while the woman he is talking to is his daughter, Tatum O'Neal. She describes the scene as this, "You make of it what you will. It had been a few years since we'd seen each other, and he was always a ladies' man, a bon vivant."

Known to smoke drugs with his children and hit on women while at the funeral of the woman he told the press 'he wanted to marry', this man shows the world why no one needs to give this man any more publicity.

Jude Law Becoming Father For Fourth Time: In a relationship, whose responsibility is it to take care of birth control?

Reading the news that Jude Law, hot English actor whom looks even hotter in the 2004 drama, Closer, with Clive Owen, Julia Roberts and Natalie Portman, is to become a father for the fourth time. As news outlets emerged with details on the pregnancy with a woman he was once in a relationship with is fascinating to me. Especially when you read the news online and then read the comments posted after the fact. Many shout out, "Use a condom!" or "Heard of a vasectomy?" Others shout back, "Why wasn't she on the pill?" or "What an opportunist!"

Jude Law has three children from his previous marriage with Sadie Frost. The couple divorced in 2003 after admitting he had an affair with the couple's nanny. This time around, he will become a father again with aspiring model/actress Samantha Burke.

"After he left, she found out she was pregnant. She tried to reach him, but the cell phone number she had for him was a temporary number that he only used in New York while filming" the source said. The two met while he was shooting Guy Ritchie's version of Sherlock Holmes, which was filmed in New York last winter.

Whose responsibility is it to take care of the birth control? Should the woman make sure she is protected or should men carry the brunt of this decision?

Maybe both should think about the responsibilty before rushing into bed when lust calls?

Taylor Momsen wears this for her Sweet Sixteen?

Taylor Momsen wears this for her Sweet Sixteen? I would hate for my teen to take fashion advice from this star.

Be a Good Neighbor and Get the Good Neighbor Pass at Colonial Williamsburg!

If you are a resident of Williamsburg, James City County or the Bruton Distric of York County and do not have a Good Neighbor pass to Colonial Williamsburg, you need to ask yourself why not? For $10 adult pricing and free for children up to 18 years old, it's the most economical way to enjoy this beautiful city. Others travel here from other regions of the country to explore our backyard and have to pay upwards of $50 to enjoy the sights. For $10 a year you could enjoy and share in the history of what makes this city so unique. You should be ashamed of yourself by not supporting the reason this area has thrived for so long.

Yesterday, I took my girls to explore this area. I am ashamed to say that this was my first trip to my "backyard." After purchasing my Good Neighbor pass and posing for my identification card that will allow me to enter any of the historic areas and museums of Colonial Williamsburg, we headed over to the Governor's Palace. We toured the inside of this palace and tried to imagine living at the time before The Revolutionary War. How many swords can one home have? See for yourself. After finishing up the tour inside the home, we traveled the gardens and got lost in the Maze at the Governor’s Palace, saw how they kept ice before freezers were invented and ran up and down the steps alongside the canal bank. I want to bring a picnic lunch and eat here.

For more information follow this link. I see opinions in the local paper all the time about supporting tourism and this is your first step as a resident of this area! Want to see all of you out there. I'm the blonde in large sunglasses!

What's your take on The Big Bad Wolf being torn down?

We are so saddened to see The Big Bad Wolf being shut down at Busch Gardens! With it being the only roller coaster that a child 42" can ride, what will my youngest daughter ride next year? Though it was the first coaster ride she rode and she was quite shocked after the fact, she's loves it now. With season ticket's to the theme park, it is a destination we frequent and The Big Bad Wolf is always on the tour.

Let's hear from some of your experiences at Busch Gardens and how you feel about the retirement of this historic coaster.

What's your signature scent?

This past weekend I hung out with my girlfriend for a girl's night. We had a blast hanging by the pool during the afternoon, soaking in the rays and reading the latest gossip in our trashy tabloids. Afterwards we returned to her house to shower before going out for the evening. When I was dressed and clean with my favorite lotion applied on my body, her friend was visiting and asked what was the scent. She loved its smell.

Bath and Body Works makes this Wild Honeysuckle Body Cream. It has the smell you recall when walking down the street as a kid and you would see this flowering bush. You would want to rush and taste it's sweet juices. It reminds me of childhood and of a summer's day.

Do you have a signature scent? What does it remind you of?

K-Fed is Well-Fed!

At a California sporting event, onlookers and celebrities alike were shocked by the presence of this man: Kevin Federline. It seems that since his break from popstar Britney Spears, K-Fed has become Well-Fed!

While other participated at the Ryan Sheckler X Games Celebrity Classic, Federline sipped cocktails and smoked cigarettes with girlfriend Victoria Prince while sitting on a shaded patio.

Shar Jackson, mother to two of K-Fed's children shared her view on his plumpness. "It's daddy weight!" she told Usmagazine.com at the time. "When you are a full time parent, sometimes you can't focus on you. If gaining a few pounds is your only problem, life's not too bad!"